Genome-wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the RLPs Gene Family in Nicotiana Tabacum

Receptor-like proteins (RLPs) as an important class of cell surface receptors, are present in many plant species. RLPs have been implicated in multiple biological processes including plant development and stress responses. In this study, 70 RLP family genes were identified in Nicotiana tabacum. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the neighbor-joining method and the results showed that these RLP family members could be classified into 6 subfamilies. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression patterns of NtRLPs were distinct in different tissue types and at different developmental stages, with a number of genes being up-regulated in senescing leaves. GO analysis suggested that the RLP family members could be potentially involved in a number of biological processes including developmental regulation and stress responses. The results of this study could be valuable resources for future investigation of the functions of RLPs in Nicotiana tabacum.