Abstract:Using RACE and RT-PCR techniques, a novel member of WRKY gene family, named as HbWRKY1, was isolated from H. brasiliensis. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the full length cDNA of HbWRKY1 was 1234 bp, containing a 912 bp open reading frame and encoding 303 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence was highly homologous to WRKY proteins from Ricinus communis and Populus tremula × P. alba by 79% and 73%, respectively. The HbWRKY1 was constructed into pCAMBIA1304 expression vector, and transformed into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) mediated by Agrobacterium. Sixty-five hygromycin B (Hyg) resistant regenerated plantlets of tobacco were selected. PCR detection indicated that all the Hyg resistant tobacco plants contained the alien HbWRKY1 gene. It confirmed that the over-expression of HbWRKY1 under drought stress could obviously enhanced drought-tolerance of transgenic tobacco plantlets. Therefroe, it suggested that there were relationship between WRKY gene and drought tolerance of Hevea brasiliensis.