Abstract
The battle between plants and microbes is evolutionarily ancient, highly complex, and often co-dependent. A primary challenge for microbes is to breach the physical barrier of host cell walls whilst avoiding detection by the plant’s immune receptors. While some receptors sense conserved microbial features, others monitor physical changes caused by an infection attempt. Detection of microbes leads to activation of appropriate defense responses that then challenge the attack. Plant cell walls are formidable and dynamic barriers. They are constructed primarily of complex carbohydrates joined by numerous distinct connection types, and are subject to extensive post-synthetic modification to suit prevailing local requirements. Multiple changes can be triggered in cell walls in response to microbial attack. Some of these are well described, but many remain obscure. The study of the myriad of subtle processes underlying cell wall modification poses special challenges for plant glycobiology. In this review we describe the major molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the roles of cell walls in plant defense against pathogen attack. In so doing, we also highlight some of the challenges inherent in studying these interactions, and briefly describe the analytical potential of molecular probes used in conjunction with carbohydrate microarray technology.
Highlights
The dynamic interplay between pathogen and plant host is the product of millions of years of co-evolution
In this review we describe the major molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the roles of cell walls in plant defense against pathogen attack
In addition to sensing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), the ability to sense a compromised “self ” by detecting damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as released plant cell wall fragments is a central part of plant defense (Boller and Felix, 2009)
Summary
The dynamic interplay between pathogen and plant host is the product of millions of years of co-evolution. In this review we describe the major molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the roles of cell walls in plant defense against pathogen attack. In addition to sensing PAMPs, the ability to sense a compromised “self ” by detecting damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as released plant cell wall fragments is a central part of plant defense (Boller and Felix, 2009).
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.