A novel leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase gene in potato, StLRPK1, is involved in response to diverse stresses.

A potato gene, StLRPK1 (Solanum tuberosum L. leucine-rich-repeat receptor-like protein kinases 1), encoding a protein belonging to leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) was identified. It encodes 796 amino acids with 88% of identity to SRF3 of Arabidopsis thaliana and contains a signal peptide, five LRR motifs, a transmembrane domain, two proline-rich regions and a serine/threonine protein kinase domain. The transcripts were present at high levels in flowers and young leaves, while low in other tested organs. The mRNA of StLRPK1 was inducible in potato leaves by Phytophthora infestans, a pathogen causing late blight disease, and showed different profiles after treatment with salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, ethylene, abscissic acid, wounding, 40 degrees C, 4 degrees C and a salinity stress. The results suggest that StLRPK1 may participate in the responses against environmental stresses and disease resistance in potato.