Molecular characterisation and regulation of a Nicotiana tabacum S-domain receptor-like kinase gene induced during an early rapid response to lipopolysaccharides

► An lipopolysaccharide-responsive S-domain RLK gene in tobacco cells was identified. ► Nt-Sd-RLK encodes an extracellular domain for protein - carbohydrate interactions. ► Nt-Sd-RLK encodes an intracellular Ser/Thr kinase domain for signal transduction. ► LPS induced a transient bi-phasic response in Nt-Sd-RLK expression. ► In leaf tissue, LPS elicited local and systemic up-regulation of Nt-Sd-RLK.