WRKY1 appears to be 87% similar to the DNA-binding protein ABF-2 in wild oat (Avena fatua.) WRKY1 binds to promoter elements of alpha amylase genes involved in plant defenses. Through phylogenetic comparisons, WRKY1 was also shown to be similar to Wizz (protein in Nocotina tabacum involved in wound responses), Pcwrky4 (transcriptional factor in Petroselinum cripspum known to be involved in defense), TMVR (function unknown, found to be upregulated after infection with the plant virus Tobacco Mosaic Virus by Northern Blot experimentation), and WRKY 18, WRKY40, and WRKY 60 (factors in Arabidopsis involved in defense) (Eulgem et al., 2000). Therefore it is logical to conclude that WRKY1 is a transcription factor involved in the activation of defense genes downstream of Xa21. WRKY3 was not homologous to any known rice genes; however, it was shown to be 70% similar to WRKY1.