FUNGAL ELICITORS - ACTIVE BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCES OF FUNGI ATTACKING CELLS OF HIGHER-PLANTS

Various pathogenic fungi produce elicitors - biologically active subst ances - which in the course of pathogen-plant interactions induce a ca scade of biochemical processes leading to the production of phytoalexi ns, antimicrobial compounds or trigger the induction of hypersensitive reactions (HR). The formation of phytoalexins is part of the defense reactions of plants against pathogen attacks. Elicitors are recognized by specific receptors in the plasma membrane of the cell. The elicito r induced signal is transmitted from the plasma membrane to the nucleu s where it triggers transcription of defense genes leading to the synt hesis of enzymes. These enzymes are important for the phytoalexin bios ynthesis. The article reviews current knowledge concerning the role fu ngal elicitors play in the process of phytoalexin synthesis.