植物需要对外界多变的环境及内部不同组织细胞之间的发育信号作出及时而精确的反应。不同于多细胞的动物主要通过数目广泛的GPCR、TLR和RTK等受体来参与细胞与环境及细胞之间的交流，植物主要依靠数目庞大的植物受体激酶来完成类似功能。最近几年大量遗传学及生化研究揭示了Malectin型受体激酶信号通路参与了植物广泛的生物学过程，包括：细胞壁完整性维持、植物生长发育、免疫调控、花粉管完整性维持等过程，并且越来越多的证据表明其广泛参与了许多经典小分子激素的作用过程。同时人们关于Malectin型受体激酶的配体、共受体和调控蛋白和下游信号通路的知识在快速积累。本项目希望利用结构生物学手段回答Malectin型受体激酶的结构、配体特异性识别机制、激酶活化及调控机理等问题。相关的结果将加深我们植物受体激酶的配体识别及活化总规律的认识，为我们理性利用及改造植物的抗病性提高粮食产量等重大问题提供线索。

Prompt and accurate responses to endogenous developmental signals from variable tissues or cells and exogenous stress signals from ever-changing environment are pivotal for sessile plants. Distinguished from animals that use GPCRs, TLRs and RTKs to sense these signals, plants select a large number of RLKs to accomplish this function. During the past 10 years, a body of genetic and biochemical studies have demonstrated that plant Malectin-RLKs play ubiquitous roles in plant lifespan, incorporating the maintenance of cell wall or pollen tube integrity,regulation of growth, immunity and fertilization, and crosstalk with many canonical small molecule hormones. However, how this family of RLKs recognizes their ligands, how these ligands induce assembly of signaling complexes and consequent activation of their kinase activity remain elusive. In the current proposal, we plan to employ structural and biochemical methods to address these.questions. Our results are expected to deepen our understanding of the acting mechanisms of Malectin-RLKs, providing knowledge for rational engineering of plants to enhance disease resistance, better breeding and improve grain yields.