From perception to action: MAPKs in plant-virus interactions

The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) cascade is an evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway that perceives various external and internal signals and governs an array of biological processes. Studies have shown MAPK's role in plant development and defense against diverse pathogens. However, MAPK's role in plant-virus interactions remains relatively unexplored, making it an active area of research. Recent studies have emphasized the role of MAPK in viral defense and the tri-trophic interactions of pant-insect-vector interactions. Although studies elucidating viral counter-defense are limited, some recent works have shown the direct interaction of viral proteins with MAPKs thwarting MAPK-mediated defense. Drawing insights from recent works, we have thoroughly examined the MAPK cascade in plant virus interactions, providing a concise yet comprehensive overview of this dynamic field.