VQ Motif-Containing Protein Functions in Plant Stress Responses

VQ motif-containing proteins are plant-specific regulators characterised by a short conserved FxxxVQxLTG sequence that mediates interactions with WRKY transcription factors. Through these interactions, VQ proteins integrate environmental cues and hormonal signals to fine-tune gene expression under both biotic and abiotic stresses. In biotic contexts, VQ–WRKY complexes modulate salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways to orchestrate defence against pathogens and pests without compromising growth. In abiotic scenarios, VQ proteins influence responses to drought, salinity and temperature extremes by regulating osmotic balance, antioxidant systems and stress‐responsive gene networks. Genome-wide surveys across angiosperms and gymnosperms reveal that VQ genes constitute a diverse family, often expanding through tandem and segmental duplications and exhibiting stress-inducible expression patterns. Functional studies in model and crop species demonstrate that altering VQ expression can enhance tolerance to nematodes, fungi and abiotic stresses, offering novel targets for breeding resilient cultivars. Despite this progress, the mechanistic details of VQ‐mediated transcriptional regulation and cross-talk with other signalling modules remain active areas of research with broad implications for sustainable agriculture.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

VQ Motif-Containing Protein Functions in Plant Stress Responses publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in vq motif-containing protein functions in plant stress responses across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

VQ motif-containing protein: A plant-specific cofactor with a conserved FxxxVQxLTG sequence that interacts with WRKY transcription factors.

WRKY transcription factor: A family of plant transcription regulators defined by a WRKY domain that binds W-box DNA elements in stress-responsive genes.

Jasmonic acid: A stress-induced phytohormone central to defence against wounding and necrotrophic pathogens.

Salicylic acid: A signalling molecule that mediates resistance to biotrophic pathogens and systemic acquired resistance.

Abiotic stress: Non-living environmental factors, such as drought, salinity or temperature extremes, that adversely affect plant growth.

Biotic stress: Harmful interactions with living organisms, including pathogens, pests and competing plants.

References

1. SlVQ15 recruits SlWRKY30IIc to link with jasmonate pathway in regulating tomato defence against root‐knot nematodes. Plant Biotechnology Journal (2024).
2. MdVQ17 negatively regulates apple resistance to Glomerella leaf spot by promoting MdWRKY17-mediated salicylic acid degradation and pectin lyase activity. Horticulture Research (2024).
3. Large-Scale Identification and Characterization Analysis of VQ Family Genes in Plants, Especially Gymnosperms. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
4. Overexpression of the potato VQ31 enhances salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. Frontiers in Plant Science (2024).
5. Structural and Functional Analysis of VQ Motif-Containing Proteins in Arabidopsis as Interacting Proteins of WRKY Transcription Factors. Plant Physiology (2012).