Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling in Plant Immunity
Summary
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signalling underpins both basal and specialised defence responses in plants. On recognition of conserved microbial features by cell-surface receptors, a MAPK cascade comprising MAPK kinase kinases (MAPKKKs), MAPK kinases (MAPKKs) and MAPKs is engaged to amplify the signal through sequential phosphorylation events. Activated MAPKs translocate to the nucleus to modulate transcription factors, reconfigure metabolic pathways towards antimicrobial secondary metabolites and orchestrate hormone-mediated cross-talk with salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and ethylene. The duration and intensity of MAPK activation delineate the distinction between rapid Pattern-Triggered Immunity and sustained, robust Effector-Triggered Immunity. Through fine-tuning cell death programmes, reactive oxygen species bursts and defence gene expression, MAPK modules confer resilience against a broad spectrum of pathogens, with direct implications for improving crop resistance worldwide.
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling in Plant Immunity publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in plant immunity across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) cascade: A tiered signalling module of MAPKKKs, MAPKKs and MAPKs that transmits extracellular cues into cellular responses via phosphorylation.
Pattern-Triggered Immunity (PTI): The first line of defence initiated by recognition of microbial-associated molecular patterns through cell-surface receptors.
Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI): A heightened and sustained immune response elicited by intracellular detection of pathogen effector proteins.
Phosphorylation: The covalent attachment of a phosphate group to a protein, modulating its activity, stability or interactions.
Ferroptotic cell death: A regulated form of cell demise driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species accumulation.
References
- GhMPK9‐GhRAF39_1‐GhWRKY40a Regulates the GhERF1b‐ and GhABF2‐Mediated Pathways to Increase Cotton Disease Resistance. Advanced Science (2024).
- Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase OsMEK2 Positively Regulates Ca2+ Influx and Ferroptotic Cell Death during Rice Immune Responses. Antioxidants (2024).
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