Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) have been reported to play important roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, no comprehensive analysis of this family has been performed in cotton (
Gossypium spp.), which is an important economic crop that suffers various stresses in growth and development. Here we conducted a comprehensive analysis of LRR-RLK family in four
Gossypium species (
Gossypium arboreum,
Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium hirsutum, and
Gossypium raimondii). A total of 1641
LRR-RLK genes were identified in the four
Gossypium species involved in our study. The maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree revealed that all the
LRR-RLK genes were divided into 21 subgroups. Exon-intron organization structure of
LRR-RLK genes kept relatively conserved within subfamilies and between
Arabidopsis and
Gossypium genomes. Notably, subfamilies XI and XII were found dramatically expanded in
Gossypium species. Tandem duplication acted as an important mechanism in expansion of the
Gossypium LRR-RLK gene family. Functional analysis suggested that
Gossypium LRR-RLK genes were enriched for plant hormone signaling and plant-pathogen interaction pathways. Promoter analysis revealed that
Gossypium LRR-RLK genes were extensively regulated by transcription factors (TFs), phytohormonal, and various environmental stimuli. Expression profiling showed that
Gossypium LRR-RLK genes were widely involved in stress defense and diverse developmental processes including cotton fiber development and provides insight into potential functional divergence within and among subfamilies. Our study provided valuable information for further functional study of
Gossypium LRR-RLK genes.
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