ELG — Solanum lycopersicum

Summary

Tomato gene ELG (SERK1) on chromosome 4 encodes a transmembrane receptor protein serine/threonine kinase with leucine-rich repeat domains and additional annotated activities including calcium-dependent phospholipid binding, NAD(P)H oxidase H2O2-forming activity, guanylyl cyclase activity, and peptide binding. ELG is associated with potato aphid resistance in tomato and has been linked to diverse traits including grain yield, fruit ripening and development, bacterial blight disease resistance, viral disease response, brassinosteroid content, hydrogen peroxide content, lignin biosynthesis, temperature stress response, plant male sterility, floral organ length, leaf rolling, and shoot growth angle. The gene is associated with immune response-regulating signaling pathways, negative regulation of seed maturation, homeostasis of meristem cell number, cellular response to UV-B, and response to humidity. Studies of related genes in other species link the SERK1 family to somatic embryogenesis, cell death control, and resistance to various pathogens including Verticillium and Magnaporthe oryzae.