RPK1 is a leucine-rich receptor-like kinase located in the plasma membrane which is upregulated by abscisic acid, dehydration, high salt, low temperature, but not by other plant hormones. RPK1 knock-out and antisense plants show an ABA-insensitive phenotype. RPK1 plays a role in ABA-controlled cell proliferation and is a regulator of the ABA signal transduction pathway. Overexpression of the LRR domain has a dominant negative effect on RPK1. Mutations in RPK1 uncouple cotyledon anlagen and primordia by modulating epidermal cell shape and polarity.