Non-specific defense against plant pathogens can be passive (constitutive) or
active (induced by microbes). The activation of general resistance follows the
perception of the pathogenic threat. The first class of plant receptors recognizes
molecular patterns associated with pathogens / microbes (PAMPs / MAMPs) in a nonspecific way. These are resident membrane receptors, also called pattern recognition
receptors, PRRs. Plant PRRs are the source of extremely complex molecular signaling
immune machinery. A transmembrane receptor that binds to a ligand then triggers the
signalling would be the most simplistic scenario. Yet, in many cases, the recognition
scheme would also include co-receptors, as well as regulatory proteins, which activate
PRRs leading to the signal trasduction intiation. It is, therefore, reasonable that our
current knowledge is only touching the surface of a remarkably intricate immune
strategy.
Keywords: EF-TU Receptor (EFR), Elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), Elicitor,
Flg22, FLS2, Pathogen Associated Molecular Pattern (PAMP), Pattern
recognition receptor (PRR), PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI).
