Evolutionary characteristics, expression patterns of wheat receptor-like kinases and functional analysis of TaCrRLK1L16

Reverse genetics research in complex hexaploid wheat often encounters challenges in determining the priority of gene functional characterization. This study aims to systematically analyze the wheat (Triticum aestivum) receptor-like kinase (TaRLK) gene family and develop an effective strategy to identify key candidate genes for further investigation. We identified 3,424 TaRLKs using bioinformatics methods and analyzed the diverse and conserved evolutionary relationships of RLKs among Arabidopsis, rice and wheat. Based on publicly available and our laboratory's transcriptome data, we comprehensively analyzed the transcriptional expression patterns of TaRLKs in response to various stresses, particularly Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). The TaCrRLK1L16, which is upregulated during Pst infection and triggered cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana, has been identified as a key candidate gene for further functional characterization. Furthermore, our results suggested that the transgenic wheat overexpressing TaCrRLK1L16 significantly enhanced resistance to Pst. This study will provide valuable insights into understanding the evolutionary characteristics and expression patterns of TaRLKs while offering a novel strategy for determining the priority of key candidate TaRLKs.