This study investigates the role of Arabidopsis WALL-ASSOCIATED KINASES (WAKs) in oligogalacturonide (OG)-induced signaling and immunity. Using a CRISPR/Cas9-generated deletion mutant (wak42) that lacks all five WAK genes, the authors found that WAKs are not essential for OG-induced signaling or immunity. Specifically, the wak42 mutant retained full responsiveness to OGs, as measured by early and late outputs of immune signaling, and was not affected in terms of resistance against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Additionally, the wak42 mutant did not show altered responses to the bacterial flagellin elicitor flg22. These findings indicate that WAKs are not bona fide OG receptors and suggest that other mechanisms may be involved in OG perception and signaling in Arabidopsis. The study also discusses the potential roles of WAKs in other immune signaling pathways and their interactions with other receptor kinases.This study investigates the role of Arabidopsis WALL-ASSOCIATED KINASES (WAKs) in oligogalacturonide (OG)-induced signaling and immunity. Using a CRISPR/Cas9-generated deletion mutant (wak42) that lacks all five WAK genes, the authors found that WAKs are not essential for OG-induced signaling or immunity. Specifically, the wak42 mutant retained full responsiveness to OGs, as measured by early and late outputs of immune signaling, and was not affected in terms of resistance against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Additionally, the wak42 mutant did not show altered responses to the bacterial flagellin elicitor flg22. These findings indicate that WAKs are not bona fide OG receptors and suggest that other mechanisms may be involved in OG perception and signaling in Arabidopsis. The study also discusses the potential roles of WAKs in other immune signaling pathways and their interactions with other receptor kinases.