Molecular cloning and characterization of a pathogen-induced WRKY transcription factor gene from late blight resistant tomato varieties Solanum pimpinellifolium L3708

• A pathogen-induced WRKY gene was cloned from late blight resistant tomato varieties.
• SpWRKY2 expressed in roots, stems and leaves of tomato, especially more in leaves.
• Some stress-responsive and hormone-related elements were found in SpWRKY2.
• SpWRKY2 was rapidly induced by infections of late blight pathogens.
• Drought, SA, MeJA and ABA treatment induced stronger expression of SpWRKY2.

WRKY transcription factors have been reported to mainly participate in biotic and abiotic stress response. A pathogen-induced WRKY gene, designated as SpWRKY2, was isolated from late blight resistant tomato varieties using in silico cloning and RT-PCR methods. SpWRKY2 was expressed in different tissues, with higher expression levels observed in leaves. Furthermore, SpWRKY2 was significantly induced by pathogen infection, drought, SA, MeJA and ABA, consistent with the in silico analysis results of the promoter region. Based on the above results, we primarily concluded that SpWRKY2 may play a role in the interaction between tomato and Phytophthora infestans.