Abstract: Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are a large family of transmembrane protein kinases, which play an important role in the regulation of cell communication and signal transduction under different environmental conditions. The extracellular region of RLKs can sense and transmit extracellular and environmental signals that mediate by the specific binding of ligands, which in turn initiates a series of downstream signaling pathways through the interaction with its co-receptors, thus regulating plant growth, development, and environmental adaptation. The rice (Oryza sativa) genome contains at least 1 131 RLKs, nearly twice the number found in Arabidopsis thaliana. RLKs are further divided into more than 20 subfamilies based on the characteristic motifs and structural domains of their extracellular regions. Although ligands and interacting proteins of some RLKs have been identified, the biological functions of most RLKs remain unclear in rice. In this review, we summarize current advances in understanding the mechanisms of RLKs-mediated signaling pathways and their contributions to plant growth and environmental adaptations in rice. The progress in understanding of RLKs and function roles in regulating plant growth, development and their adaptations to environments will facilitate breeding strategies for future sustainable agriculture and a new Green Revolution.

Key words: rice, receptor-like kinases, growth and development, environmental adaptation, breeding by design