Receptor-like Kinases in Plants

Abstract

The plant cell wall is secreted and assembled by cells to provide structure and shape, and thereby helps to determine the form of a plant organ. Control of the synthesis and directional enlargement of the wall is therefore crucial for plant development, but the wall also serves as a first defense against common plant stresses such as pathogens and physical wounding. There is now substantial evidence to suggest that the Cell Wall Associated Kinases, WAKs, are pectin receptors required for both normal cell elongation and for an induced stress response.