Evolution, Gene Duplication, and Expression Pattern Analysis of CrRLK1L Gene Family in Zea mays (L.)

Catharanthus roseus receptor-like kinase 1-like (CrRLK1L) plays pivotal roles in regulating plant growth and development, mediating intercellular signal transduction, and modulating responses to environmental stresses. However, a comprehensive genome-wide identification and analysis of the gene family in maize remains elusive. In this study, a total of 24 genes were identified in the maize whole genome. A phylogenetic analysis further revealed that CrRLK1L proteins from , rice, and maize were grouped into nine distinct subgroups, with subgroup IV being unique to maize. Gene structure analysis demonstrated that the number of introns varied greatly among genes. Notably, the genome-wide duplication (WGD) events promoted the expansion of the gene family. Compared with , there were more collinear gene pairs between maize and rice. Tissue expression patterns indicated that genes are widely expressed in various tissues, with specifically highly expressed in roots, and expressed in anthers. Additionally, RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that the expression of genes exhibited different expression patterns under drought and salt stresses. In summary, our study lays a foundation for elucidating the biological roles of genes in maize growth and development, reproductive development, and stress responses.