Mediation of plant–mycorrhizal interaction by a lectin receptor-like kinase

The molecularmechanisms underlying mycorrhizal symbioses, the most ubiquitous and impactful mutualistic plant–microbial interaction in nature, are largely unknown. Through genetic mapping, resequencing and molecularvalidation, we demonstrate that a G-type lectin receptor-like kinase (lecRLK) mediates the symbiotic interactionbetween Populus and the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccariabicolor. This finding uncovers an important molecularstep in the establishment of symbiotic plant–fungal associations and provides a moleculartarget for engineering beneficial mycorrhizal relationships.