RLK — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaRLK (T459_05654) on pepper chromosome 2 encodes a transmembrane receptor protein serine/threonine kinase with lectin domains, classified as an L-type lectin receptor kinase. It exhibits coreceptor activity, histidine kinase activity, sugar binding, and protein homodimerization activity. CaRLK is associated with diverse biological processes including pollen aperture formation, cellular response to ethylene, somatic embryogenesis, regulation of growth, defense responses to fungi and oomycetes, immune response, seed germination, and cell differentiation. It localizes to the plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, cytosol, nucleus, and pollen aperture. The gene is linked to ethylene sensitivity, defense against herbivory, and methyl jasmonate-mediated stomatal closure. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to drought tolerance, salt response, fruit size, root traits, lycopene content, and resistance to Fusarium crown rot and Pseudomonas syringae.