Molecular Communication in Plant Pathogen Interactions

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Head: Wolfgang Knogge

Many phytopathogenic microorganisms colonize the intercellular spaces of their host plants. This region is supposed to be relatively poor in nutrients and, thus, in order to optimize their life style pathogens needed to evolve strategies that aim at improving the nutrient supply by the host cells. To prevent this, plants on their part developed mechanisms that enable the timely recognition of invaders as the prerequisite for their successful rejection. These communication processes are crucial for the outcome of an interaction. They are mediated by membrane-localized or intracellular receptors in the plant, which are the targets of pathogen-secreted frequently proteinaceous ligands. As the consequence of these protein-protein interactions the plant metabolism is reprogrammed in favor of the pathogen and disease ensues. Alternatively, upon recognition of the pathogen through secreted compounds the plant defense is induced leading to the expression of plant resistance. Furthermore, in particular in compatible interactions pathogen receptors may be involved that sense stimuli of plant origin and, hence, allow the adaptation of the pathogen physiology to the specific host environment.