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Published on: July 7, 2020
LecRLKs Modulate Broad-spectrum Resistance to Pathogens.
Hui Zhang1, Yuese Ning1, Ruyi Wang1
1State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
Trends in Plant Science
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Crop resistance to diseases is limited by resistance genes. Lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLKs) act as pattern recognition receptors, offering broad-spectrum fungal disease resistance and emerging as key plant immune hubs.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Crop disease resistance is limited by the number of available resistance genes.
- Plant immune responses rely on pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect pathogens.
- Lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLKs) are a class of plant proteins with potential roles in immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of LecRLKs in plant disease resistance.
- To identify LecRLKs functioning as pattern recognition receptors.
- To explore the potential of LecRLKs in conferring broad-spectrum disease resistance.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of LecRLK genes.
- Functional assays to determine PRR activity of LecRLKs.
- Phenotypic analysis of crop plants expressing specific LecRLK alleles.
Main Results:
- LecRLKs were identified as novel pattern recognition receptors in plants.
- Certain LecRLK alleles were shown to trigger chloroplast reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst.
- These LecRLK alleles conferred resistance to multiple fungal pathogens, indicating broad-spectrum activity.
Conclusions:
- LecRLKs represent a promising class of plant immune receptors.
- Targeting LecRLKs could enhance crop resistance to diverse fungal diseases.
- LecRLKs are emerging as crucial immune hubs in plant defense systems.
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