RLK — Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Summary

BvRLK (BVRB_7G173350) on sugar beet chromosome 7 encodes a transmembrane receptor protein serine/threonine kinase with lectin domains, belonging to the L-type lectin receptor kinase family. The gene product exhibits coreceptor activity, histidine kinase activity, sugar binding, and protein homodimerization activity. BvRLK is associated with diverse biological processes including defense responses to bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes, immune response, cytokinin and brassinosteroid signaling, ethylene sensitivity, pollen aperture formation and development, abscission, and cellular salinity response. It localizes to the plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, cytosol, nucleus, and extracellular region. The gene is linked to methyl jasmonate-mediated stomatal closure and defense against herbivory. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to drought tolerance, salt response, root and shoot biomass, fruit size, lycopene content, and resistance to Fusarium crown rot and Pseudomonas syringae.