RLK — Cicer arietinum

Summary

LOC101493160, designated CaRLK, encodes a transmembrane receptor serine/threonine kinase with a legume lectin domain, placing it in the L-type lectin receptor kinase family. The product exhibits histidine kinase activity, sugar binding, and signaling receptor activity, and is localized to the plasma membrane, extracellular region, and endoplasmic reticulum. CaRLK is associated with diverse biological processes including nitrogen fixation, nodulation, somatic embryogenesis, pollen aperture formation, cell wall modification, and cytokinin signaling. It is linked to defense responses against oomycetes and fungi, upregulation of innate immune response, and inhibition of salinity response. Overexpression studies connect CaRLK to salt tolerance and pathogen resistance. Related genes in other species are associated with seed germination, seed weight, seed size, chlorophyll content, root hair length, and disease tolerance.