Transcriptional control of plant genes responsive to pathogens

Transcriptional activation of genes is a vital part of the plants defence system against pathogens. Cis-acting elements within the promoters of many of these genes have recently been defined and investigators have started to isolate their cognate trans-acting factors. Some of these factors have counterparts in animals, whereas others are present only in plants, reflecting the fact that plants have developed a unique defence system.