ERECTA family genes regulate development of cotyledons during embryogenesis

Receptor-like kinases are important regulators of plant growth. Often a single receptor is involved in regulation of multiple developmental processes in a variety of tissues. ERECTA family (ERf) receptors have previously been linked with stomata development, above-ground organ elongation, shoot apical meristem function, flower differentiation and biotic/abiotic stresses. Here we explore the role of these genes during embryogenesis. ERfs are expressed in the developing embryo, where their expression is progressively limited to the upper half of the embryo. During embryogenesis ERfs redundantly stimulate the growth of cotyledons by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting premature stomata differentiation.