Transcription factor. Interacts specifically with the W box (5'-(T)TGAC[CT]-3'), a frequently occurring elicitor-responsive cis-acting element (PubMed:20409006). May regulate the early events of leaf senescence (PubMed:17369373, PubMed:20409006). Negatively regulates the expression of ESR/ESP (PubMed:20409006). Together with WRKY46 and WRKY70, promotes resistance to P.syringae, probably by enhancing salicylic acid (SA)- dependent genes. Contributes to the suppression of jasmonic acid (MeJA)-induced expression of PDF1.2 (PubMed:22325892). Interacts with ESR/ESP and UPL5 (PubMed:17369373, PubMed:20409006). Binds to WRKY30 (PubMed:22268143). Accumulates during developmental leaf senescence. By salicylic acid (SA) (PubMed:22268143, PubMed:22325892). Strong accumulation during leaf senescence (PubMed:22268143). Down-regulated by jasmonate. Triggered by P.syringae (PubMed:22325892). Ubiquitinated by UPL5. Ubiquitination leads to its subsequent degradation, thus controlling the timing of leaf senescence. Retarded leaf senescence, but no effects on pathogen resistance (PubMed:17369373). Increased susceptibility to P.syringae associated with reduced PR1 induction; stronger symptoms in double mutants wrky46 wrky70 and wrky46 wrky53, and triple mutant wrky46 wrky70 wrky53. In these mutants, higher induction of PDF1.2 upon jasmonic acid (MeJA) treatment (PubMed:22325892). Belongs to the WRKY group III family.