Affiliation:
1. Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Shunde Innovation School University of Science and Technology Beijing Beijing 100083 China
2. Industry Research Institute of Biotechnology Breeding Yili Normal University Yining 835000 China
3. Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio‐Tech Breeding, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Bio‐Tech Breeding Beijing Solidwill Sci‐Tech Co. Ltd Beijing 100192 China
Abstract
SummaryReceptor‐like kinases (RLKs) are evolved for plant cell–cell communications. The typical RLK protein contains an extracellular and hypervariable N‐terminus to perceive various signals, a transmembrane domain to anchor into plasma membrane, and a cytoplasmic, highly conserved kinase domain to phosphorylate target proteins. To date, RLKs have manifested their significance in a myriad of biological processes during plant reproductive growth, especially in male fertility. This review first summarizes a recent update on RLKs and their interacting protein partners controlling anther and pollen development, pollen release from dehisced anther, and pollen function during pollination and fertilization. Then, regulatory networks of RLK signaling pathways are proposed. In addition, we predict RLKs in maize and rice genome, obtain homologs of well‐studied RLKs from phylogeny of three subfamilies and then analyze their expression patterns in developing anthers of maize and rice to excavate potential RLKs regulating male fertility in crops. Finally, current challenges and future prospects regarding RLKs are discussed. This review will contribute to a better understanding of plant male fertility control by RLKs, creating potential male sterile lines, and inspiring innovative crop breeding methods.
Funder
National Key Research and Development Program of China
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province