Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Imaging Spatial Reorganization of a MAPK Signaling Pathway Using the Tobacco Transient Expression System
Published on: March 20, 2016
Functional analysis of receptor-like kinases in monocots and dicots
Santiago A Morillo1, Frans E Tax
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
Abstract:
Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are signaling proteins that feature an extracellular domain connected via a transmembrane domain to a cytoplasmic kinase. This architecture indicates that RLKs perceive external signals, transducing them into the cell. In plants, RLKs were first implicated in the regulation of development, in pathogen responses, and in recognition events. RLKs comprise a major gene family in plants, with more than 600 encoded in the Arabidopsis genome and more than 1100 found in rice genomes. The greater number of RLKs in rice is mostly attributable to expansions in the clades that are involved in pathogen responses. Recent functional studies in both monocots and dicots continue to identify individual RLKs that have similar developmental and abiotic stress roles. Analysis of closely related RLKs reveals that family members might have overlapping roles but can also possess distinct functions.
Related Concept Videos
Cell Signaling in Plants
Introduction to Seed Plants
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
MAPK Signaling Cascades

