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From Chaos to Harmony: Responses and Signaling upon Microbial Pattern Recognition
Xiao Yu1, Baomin Feng2, Ping He2
1Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843;
Annual Review of Phytopathology
|May 20, 2017
Summary
Plants detect microbial patterns using pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to activate pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). This defense system, involving both nonself and danger signals, protects against pathogens and involves complex signaling networks.
Area of Science:
- Plant immunity
- Molecular plant pathology
- Cellular microbiology
Background:
- Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) detect conserved microbial molecules (PAMPs/MAMPs) and host-derived danger signals (DAMPs).
- Pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) is a crucial plant defense mechanism activated by PRR signaling.
- Understanding PRR activation and downstream signaling is key to plant defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on plant pattern recognition and response mechanisms.
- To elucidate the molecular and genetic basis of pattern-triggered immunity.
- To highlight the orchestration of complex signaling networks in plant defense.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on PRR-mediated plant immunity.
- Analysis of cellular, physiological, molecular, and genetic responses to PAMPs/MAMPs and DAMPs.
- Synthesis of information on signaling pathways involved in PTI.
Main Results:
- Plants utilize PRRs to distinguish self from nonself, initiating PTI.
- Both pathogen-associated and host-derived danger signals activate PRRs, modulating PTI.
- Complex signaling networks integrate diverse inputs to orchestrate a harmonic defense response.
Conclusions:
- PTI is a sophisticated defense system involving pattern recognition and intricate signaling.
- Continued research into PRR mechanisms deepens our understanding of plant-microbe interactions.
- This knowledge is vital for developing strategies to enhance crop resilience against pathogens.
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