Genome-wide analysis of lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLKs) in sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and reveals PaLectinL16 enhances sweet cherry resistance with salt stress

Lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLKs) belong to the large subfamily of receptor like kinases (RLKs), which play a critical role in plant development and innate immunity. However, knowledge about the LecRLKs in sweet cherry and its function to against adverse environmental stresses are lacking. In this study, we identified 161 PaLecRLKs genes in the genome of sweet cherry. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PaLecRLKs proteins can be divided into three types, including L-type (50), G-type (110), and C-type (1). Analysis of gene expression patterns showed that most of the L-type PaLecRLKs genes were highly expressed under biotic and abiotic stresses. Functional study found that overexpression PaLectinL16 in Arabidopsis could enhance its resistance with abiotic (salt, drought) stresses. Moreover, PaLectinL16 overexpression also improved the salt tolerance of transgenic sweet cherry rootstock Gisela 6 through increasing the activities of ROS scavenging enzymes and up-regulation the related genes. This study offers a comprehensive view of PaLecRLKs in sweet cherry and sheds light on potential roles with external environmental stresses.