Plant Immune Responses to Microbial Elicitors
Summary
Plants deploy a multilayered immune system to detect and respond to microbial invaders. The first layer, microbe-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity (MTI), is activated when pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) at the cell surface bind conserved microbial molecules known as elicitors. This recognition triggers rapid signalling events including calcium influx, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, culminating in transcriptional reprogramming and synthesis of antimicrobial compounds. A second layer, effector-triggered immunity (ETI), relies on intracellular resistance proteins that perceive specific pathogen effectors, often resulting in a hypersensitive cell-death response. Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) confers long-lasting, whole-plant protection through mobile signals such as salicylic acid. Beyond defence against pathogens, beneficial microbes and synthetic elicitors can prime plant immunity, enhancing resilience without yield penalties. Lipid-mediated signalling—especially phospholipid and sphingolipid pathways—has emerged as a crucial modulator of immune activation, linking membrane dynamics to hormone-driven defence networks. Advances in understanding receptor–elicitor specificity, downstream signalling modules and systemic communication underpin efforts to engineer durable resistance and promote sustainable agriculture.
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Plant Immune Responses to Microbial Elicitors publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in plant immune responses to microbial elicitors across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP): Conserved microbial molecule recognised by plant innate immune receptors to trigger defence responses.
Pattern recognition receptor (PRR): Cell-surface or intracellular receptor that detects MAMPs and initiates immune signalling.
Elicitor: Molecule derived from pathogens or synthetic origin that activates plant immune pathways.
Microbe-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity (MTI): Primary defence response following PRR recognition of MAMPs.
Effector-triggered immunity (ETI): Amplified defence response mediated by intracellular resistance proteins recognising pathogen effectors.
Systemic acquired resistance (SAR): Long-lasting, broad-spectrum immunity established throughout the plant after localized infection.
References
- Phospholipid production and signaling by a plant defense inducer against Podosphaera xanthii is genotype-dependent. Horticulture Research (2024).
- Elicitor and Receptor Molecules: Orchestrators of Plant Defense and Immunity. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2020).
- Modulation of Plant Defense System in Response to Microbial Interactions. Frontiers in Microbiology (2020).
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