Abstract
Malectin-like domain-containing receptor-like kinases (MRLK) constitute a large and divergent family of proteins in plants; however, little is known about the role of MRLKs in fruit growth and development. In this study, we characterized MRLK family genes in diploid strawberry, Fragaria vesca. Based on an analysis of malectin-like domain and a search in the strawberry genome and NCBI database, we identified 62 FvMRLKs in the strawberry genome, and classified these genes into six subfamilies with distinct malectin domains in the extracellular regions of the encoded proteins. Gene expression analysis indicated that more than 80% of the FvMRLKs were expressed in various tissues, with higher levels in roots than in other organs. Thirty-three FvMRLKs were found to be expressed in fruits during the early stages of development, and over 60% of these exhibited dramatic decreases in expression during fruit growth and development. Moreover, the expression of some FvMRLKs was sensitive to both environmental and internal cues that play critical roles in regulating strawberry fruit development and ripening. Collectively, this study provides valuable insight into the FvMRLKs gene family and its role in regulating strawberry fruit development and ripening.
Highlights
We identified a total of 100 candidate Fragaria vesca All identified MRLK genes (FvMRLKs) genes in the Fragaria vesca genome
The 100 FvMRLK candidates were further examined by searching the malectin or malectin-like domain in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database and 62 members were confirmed to be FvMRLKs, which were named FvMRLK1 to FvMRLK62 based on their chromosome location
Sixty-two FvMRLKs were characterized in the strawberry genome, and classified these genes into six subfamilies with distinct malectin domains in the extracellular regions of the encoded proteins
Summary
The funders had no role in Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) in plants comprise a large family of proteins with putative amino-terminal extracellular domains and carboxyl-terminal intracellular kinase domains [1, 2]. A phylogenetic analysis of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana identified more than 610 proteins containing RLK domain sequences. RLKs can be further divided into more than 44 subfamilies based on their extracellular domain structures [3, 4]; plant RLKs were initially categorized into three major types, the S-domain type, the leucine-rich repeat type, and the PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0163647. The Malectin-Like Domain-Containing Receptor-Like Kinases in Strawberry study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript RLKs can be further divided into more than 44 subfamilies based on their extracellular domain structures [3, 4]; plant RLKs were initially categorized into three major types, the S-domain type, the leucine-rich repeat type, and the PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0163647 September 29, 2016
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