Unraveling plant immunity: from pathogen perception to resistance engineering
Fan Liu1, Dongdong Ge1, Guiwei Lian1
1Research Center for Industries of the Future, School of Life Sciences and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Structural Biology, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
Science China. Life Sciences
|November 17, 2025
Summary
Plant cells autonomously defend against pathogens using pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). Calcium ions (Ca2+) are crucial second messengers in these plant immune pathways.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Molecular immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Plants lack mobile immune cells, requiring autonomous pathogen detection and response at the cellular level.
- Plant immunity comprises pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) via cell-surface receptors and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) via intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptors.
- Recent research has significantly advanced the understanding of PTI and ETI signaling mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current insights into plant pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI).
- To emphasize the critical role of calcium signaling (Ca2+) as a second messenger in both PTI and ETI.
- To discuss the potential for engineering durable disease resistance in crops.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advances in plant immunity research.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying PTI and ETI signaling pathways.
- Exploration of the role of calcium ions (Ca2+) as a second messenger.
Main Results:
- Some NLRs form resistosome complexes that act as Ca2+ channels to trigger immune signaling upon pathogen effector recognition.
- Extensive crosstalk and mutual potentiation exist between PTI and ETI pathways.
- Calcium (Ca2+) acts as a pivotal second messenger in both PTI and ETI.
Conclusions:
- Understanding PTI and ETI molecular basis, particularly Ca2+ signaling, is key to plant defense.
- Emerging tools like CRISPR/Cas9 offer opportunities for engineering robust crop disease resistance.
- Key challenges remain in effectively engineering NLR receptors for enhanced plant immunity.
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