Characterization of lectin receptor-like kinases in Populus-microbe interactions
J. CHEN (1), W. Muchero (1), Y. Yang (1), J. Labbé (1), X. Yang (1), S. Jawdy (1), M. Kennedy (2), J. Johnson (2), A. Sreedasyam (3), J. Schmutz (3), G. Tuskan (1) (1) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S.A.; (2) Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, U.S.A.; (3) HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, U.S.A.

Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) belong to a large protein family with over 600 members in Arabidopsis and over 1000 in rice. Among RLKs, the lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLKs) possess a characteristic extracellular carbohydrate-binding lectin domain and play important roles in plant innate immunity. Here we report the genome-wide analysis of classification, domain architecture and expression of LecRLKs in the perennial woody model plant Populus. We found that the LecRLK family has significantly expanded in Populus to a total of 231, including 180 G-type, 50 L-type and 1 C-type Populus LecRLKs (PtLecRLKs). Expansion of the PtLecRLKs occurred partially through tandem duplication. Based on domain architecture and orientation features, we classified PtLecRLKs into eight different classes. We identified a number of root-specific PtLecRLKs through RNAseq-based transcriptomics analysis. Because root serves as a front barrier as well as an interface for various soil microbes, we hypothesize that these root-specific PtLecRLKs function as receptors for perceiving signals from soil microbes. By using transgenics and assessing the expression of molecular markers, we determine distinct roles of these root-specific PtLecRLKs in symbiosis with vs defense against soil microbes.

Abstract Number: P14-419
Session Type: Poster