As the most productive fruit in the world, there is a lack of research on disease resistance mechanisms in citrus. WRKY transcription factors are mediators of disease resistance in plants. In this research, CsWRKY23, which could respond to exogenous salicylic acid (SA) was identified. As a variant WRKY, the transient overexpression of CsWRKY23 in citrus peel enhanced the resistance to Penicillium digitatum. The potential targets of CsWRKY23 were identified by using DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq). In combination with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data, 48 direct target genes of CsWRKY23 were identified. In addition, five genes for EMSA and dual-luciferase report system analysis were selected and the results showed that CsWRKY23 activate CsAAE12, CsRbohD, CsSARD1, CsWRKY22 and CsIQM6 expressions. Further analysis revealed that CsWRKY23 contributed to SA synthesis pathway, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and cell wall strengthening. This study presented a possible regulatory network for disease resistance involving the CsWRKY23.

作为世界上产量最高的水果，柑橘的抗病机制缺乏研究。WRKY 转录因子是植物抗病性的介质。在这项研究中，鉴定了可以对外源性水杨酸 (SA) 作出反应的 CsWRKY23。作为 WRKY 的变体， CsWRKY23在柑橘果皮中的瞬时过表达增强了对Penicillium digitatum的抗性。使用 DNA 亲和纯化测序 (DAP-seq) 鉴定了 CsWRKY23 的潜在靶标。结合 RNA 测序 (RNA-seq) 数据，鉴定了 CsWRKY23 的 48 个直接靶基因。此外，选择了5个基因用于EMSA和双荧光素酶报告系统分析，结果显示CsWRKY23激活CsAAE12，CsRbohD、CsSARD1、CsWRKY22和CsIQM6表达式。进一步分析表明，CsWRKY23 有助于 SA 合成途径、活性氧 (ROS) 积累和细胞壁强化。本研究提出了一个可能的涉及 CsWRKY23 的抗病性调控网络。