Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the TaSERK Gene Family in Bread Wheat Triticum aestivum L. and TaSERK8 Overexpression Study in Rice

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) represents the totipotency of plants, in which a single somatic cell gets committed to the embryonic pathway. This process is widely used in the plant propagation industry to obtain true to type plants and could be induced by the plant hormone auxin. Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinases (SERKs) were first identified as the marker genes and have an indispensable function in plant somatic embryogenesis. SERKs belong to the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase II family. SERKs and SERLs (SERK-like) are likely to participate in different developmental, growth and immunity-related processes in plants by interacting and acting as a co-receptor for various cell receptors. The exact mechanism of how they affect molecular events in different biological processes is a matter of investigation. In the present report, we identify the SERK/SERL genes present in the annotated wheat genome at a genome-wide scale and found there are 18 members in the SERK gene family out of which 12 are SERKs and 6 are SERLs. The gene and protein structures of SERKs/SERLs were studied, phylogenetic relationships analysed, and in silico as well as expression analysis in different tissues was performed. The TaSERK8 overexpression rice transgenics showed stunted growth that ultimately leads to a decrease in yield. This concludes their functional diversity during plant growth and development. Their specific and overlapping expression patterns in different tissues indicates that they might perform specific functions or act redundantly.

Automated summary

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a vital process in plant development, and SERKs play a crucial role in this process. This study identified 18 members of the SERK/SERL gene family in the annotated wheat genome and analyzed their gene and protein structures, phylogenetic relationships, and expression patterns. The results revealed the functional diversity and overlapping expression of SERKs/SERLs in plant growth and development.