Salt stress can significantly affect plant growth and agricultural productivity. Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are believed to play essential roles in plant growth, development and responses to abiotic stresses. Here, we identify a receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase, salt tolerance receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase 1 (STRK1), from rice (Oryza sativa L.) that positively regulates salt and oxidative stress tolerance. Our results show that STRK1 anchors and interacts with CatC at the plasma membrane via palmitoylation. CatC is phosphorylated mainly at Tyr210 and activated by STRK1. The phosphorylation mimic form CatCY210D exhibits higher catalase activity both in vitro and in planta, and salt stress enhances STRK1-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation on CatC. Compared with wild-type plants, STRK1-overexpressing plants exhibited higher catalase activity and lower accumulation of H2O2 as well as higher tolerance to salt and oxidative stress. Our findings demonstrate that STRK1 improves salt and oxidative tolerance by phosphorylating and activating CatC and thereby regulating H2O2 homeostasis. Moreover, overexpression of STRK1 in rice not only improved growth at the seedling stage but also markedly limited the grain yield loss under salt stress conditions. Together, these results offer an opportunity to improve rice grain yield under salt stress.

Titanium (Ti)-based metallic biomaterials (MBs) are traditionally employed as mechanical supports and constraints in clinical practice, owing to their superb comprehensive mechanical properties, great corrosion resistance, and good biocompatibility. Recently, Ti-based MBs have emerged as promising candidates for antitumor applications. These developments focus on the functionalization of Ti-based MBs to inhibit tumor propagation and recurrence. This work systematically examines the antitumor approaches of Ti-based MBs and categorizes them into physical and chemical approaches. Physical strategies, such as the photothermal and photocatalytic techniques, are usually related to material-specific properties. Chemical approaches often employ controlled local drug delivery (LDD) systems. Ti-based LDD systems enable the targeted release of chemotherapeutics, metal ions, or immunomodulatory agents at tumor sites. This review highlights the efficacy of these surface-functionalized Ti-based MBs against diverse tumors. Additionally, the challenges and prospects of antitumor Ti-based MBs are also discussed.