biostudies-literatureWang LNational Natural Science Foundation of China394https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12899097biostudies-literatureUnknown15(3)Lead (Pb) severely impairs plant growth, yet the role of WRKY transcription factors in Pb tolerance in maize remains largely unknown. Here, we identified a Pb-responsive WRKY transcription factor, ZmWRKY4, whose transcript levels were rapidly and strongly induced in maize leaves following Pb exposure. Physiological and biochemical analyses showed that overexpression of <i>ZmWRKY4</i> substantially enhanced Pb tolerance in maize. Transgenic lines exhibited significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced electrolyte leakage than wild-type plants. In addition, <i>ZmWRKY4</i> overexpression increased catalase (CAT) activity and effectively limited H₂O₂ accumulation. Further analyses revealed that ZmWRKY4 positively regulates <i>ZmCAT1</i>, a key antioxidant gPlants (Basel, Switzerland)The Maize WRKY Transcription Factor ZmWRKY4 Confers Lead Tolerance by Regulating &lt;i&gt;ZmCAT1&lt;/i&gt; Expression.PMC1289909732402483Jing YBi WLi SLiu MZhang XChen CHan TWang LfalseThe Maize WRKY Transcription Factor ZmWRKY4 Confers Lead Tolerance by Regulating &lt;i&gt;ZmCAT1&lt;/i&gt; Expression.Lead (Pb) severely impairs plant growth, yet the role of WRKY transcription factors in Pb tolerance in maize remains largely unknown. Here, we identified a Pb-responsive WRKY transcription factor, ZmWRKY4, whose transcript levels were rapidly and strongly induced in maize leaves following Pb exposure. Physiological and biochemical analyses showed that overexpression of <i>ZmWRKY4</i> substantially enhanced Pb tolerance in maize. Transgenic lines exhibited significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced electrolyte leakage than wild-type plants. In addition, <i>ZmWRKY4</i> overexpression increased catalase (CAT) activity and effectively limited H₂O₂ accumulation. Further analyses revealed that ZmWRKY4 positively regulates <i>ZmCAT1</i>, a key antioxidant g2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-07-07T03:13:04.674Z2026-07-07T03:08:41.806ZS-EPMC128990974168155810.3390/plants15030394