Research progress on lectin receptor-like kinases and their roles in mediation of plant disease resistance

Lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRLKs) are a subfamily of receptor-like kinases (RLKs). Based on structural differences in their domains, LecRLKs can be divided into three subclasses, namely L-, G-, and C-types. LecRLKs play a vital role in plant development and responses to biotic/abiotic stresses. Recent studies have identified an increasing number of LecRLKs implicated in plant disease resistance caused by bacteria, fungi, and herbivorous insects. In this review, we summarize the classification and structural features of LecRLKs, and systematically describe their functions in plant disease resistance. This review should not only help clarify the functions of LecRLKs in plant disease resistance, but also provide a theoretical basis for crop disease resistance breeding.