【摘要】：The functional diversity of plant-specific VQ proteins are closely associated with their partners WRKY transcription factors,and with a complex network of signaling pathways that mediated by hormone molecules.However,no information is available about the expression patterns of VQ genes modulated by nitric oxide(NO),thus posing a hindrance to defining the mechanisms underlying the involvement of VQ proteins in NO signaling pathway.Herein,we report genome-wide expression profiles of the differentially expressed rice VQ genes under NO treatment based on a microarray analysis.Cluster analysis of expression patterns revealed that some VQ genes and WRKY genes share similar expression trends.Prediction of cis-elements shows that W-box,or W-box like sequences are overrepresented within the promoters of most of the NO-responsive VQ genes.In particular,the similarly expressed VQ1 and WRKY24 showed great induction upon NO triggering.Transient expression assay demonstrated that WRKY24 specifically bound to the promoter regions of VQ1 and WRKY2A itself,which contain a multiple of copies of W-box or W-box like cis-elements.Yeast-two-hybrid assay indicated WRKY24 could interact physically with VQ7 through the C-terminal WRKY domain.Thus,VQ7 and WRKY24 formed an autoand cross-regulation circuit that is required for tight regulation and fine-tuning of physiological processes they are involved in.These findings provide a solid foundation for exploring the specific functions of VQ protein family in NO signaling pathway.