Cell-surface pattern recognition receptors: Emerging players in plant-oomycete interactions
Biying Sun1, Chongyuan Zhang1, Tian Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
Current Opinion in Plant Biology
|October 29, 2025
Summary
Plants use pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect oomycete pathogens. Recent research highlights PRR roles in plant immunity and signal perception against these microbes.
Area of Science:
- Plant immunity
- Microbial pathogenesis
Background:
- Plants possess a two-tiered innate immune system involving pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs).
- NLR-mediated immunity has been historically prioritized in plant-oomycete interactions, but recent discoveries have increased focus on PRR-mediated immunity.
- Oomycete PRRs can recognize host-derived molecules that promote pathogen virulence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding PRR-mediated immunity against oomycetes.
- To emphasize receptor identification, signaling pathways, and molecular mechanisms of PRR responses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms and signaling cascades in plant-oomycete interactions.
- Focus on receptor identification and function.
Main Results:
- Novel PRRs and their functions in plant immunity against oomycetes have been identified.
- Understanding of PRR signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms has advanced significantly.
- Oomycete virulence factors recognized by plant PRRs have been elucidated.
Conclusions:
- PRR-mediated immunity is crucial for plant defense against oomycetes.
- Further research into PRRs offers potential for developing resistant crop varieties.
- Understanding PRR-mediated signal perception is key to combating oomycete infections.
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