Interplay of signaling pathways in plant disease resistance

Plants are under constant threat of infection by pathogens armed with a div erse array of effector molecules to colonize their host. Plants have, in tu rn, evolved sophisticated detection and response systems that decipher path ogen signals and induce appropriate defenses. Genetic analysis of plant mut ants impaired in mounting a resistance response to invading pathogens has u ncovered a number of distinct, but interconnecting, signaling networks that are under both positive and negative control. These pathways operate, at l east partly, through the action of small signaling molecules such as salicy late, jasmonate and ethylene, The interplay of signals probably allows the plant to fine-tune defense responses in both local and systemic tissue.