We have identified 14 S _locus glycoprotein (SLG)_related protein kinase genes in a 323 kb contig of rice (Oryza sativa L.) chromosome 4 and we detected the transcription pattern of this gene cluster by reverse transcription_polymerase reaction (RT_PCR). RT_PCR results revealed that nine putative genes were transcribed in rice and these genes had the different expression patterns: two genes are expressed predominantly in reproductive tissues while the other seven genes are expressed in both reproductive and vegetative tissues. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequences demonstrated that the extracellular receptor domains are highly homologous to SLG of Brassica, whereas the cytoplasmic kinase domains contain conserved amino acids present in serine/threonine kinases.
