Transcription factor involved in senescence, biotic and abiotic stress responses by modulating various phytohormones signaling pathways. Interacts specifically with the W box (5'-(T)TGAC[CT]-3'), a frequently occurring elicitor-responsive cis-acting element. Binds to the 5'-[CT]GACTTTT-3' motif in promoters of target genes to induce their expression. Plays an important but not indispensable role in jasmonate and salicylic acid signaling. Regulates positively the salicylic acid (SA)-mediated signal pathway, but negatively the jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated signal pathway, thus determining the balance between these mutually antagonistic pathways. Together with WRKY46, WRKY53 and WRKY54, prevents defense response to the necrotrophic pathogens P.carotovorum and B.cinerea, but promotes defense responses (including SA-induced pathogenesis-related (PR) genes expression) against biotrophic/hemibiotrophic SA-monitored pathogens (e.g. P.syringae, E.carotovora subsp. carotovora SCC3193 and E.cichoracearum), probably by regulating negatively the JA/ET and positively the SA signaling pathways. Contributes to the suppression of jasmonic acid (MeJA)-induced expression of JA-responsive genes (e.g. PDF1.2). Promotes susceptibility to JA-monitored pathogens (e.g. A.brassicicola), probably by facilitating SA-controlled suppression of JA-mediated defense. Represses the biosynthesis of the phytoalexin camalexin and indol-3-ylmethyl glucosinolate (IGS). Represses both SA and JA/ethylene (ET) mediated defense marker genes expression. Negative regulator of SA biosynthesis. Negative regulator of EDS1-dependent defense against E.amylovora. Required for RPP4-mediated disease resistance and basal defense against H.parasitica, probably via late up-regulation (LURP) of resistance genes (e.g. CML10/CaBP22 and LURP1). Probably involved in defense responses toward insects (e.g. P.xylostella and B.brassicae). Together with WRKY54, negative regulator of developmental senescence, probably via the regulation of several senescence-associated markers genes. Together with WRKY46 and WRKY54, promotes brassinosteroid (BR)-regulated plant growth but prevent drought response by modulating gene expression. In collaboration with WRKY54, prevents stomatal closure and, consequently, osmotic stress tolerance. Regulates rhizobacterium B.cereus AR156-induced systemic resistance (ISR) to P.syringae pv. tomato DC3000.
