Plant Defense Proteins

Abstract

Plants are compelled to withstand stresses of all kinds, be it biotic, abiotic or anthropogenic as a consequence of their immobility. The initial infection process involving adhesion/recognition events between plants and fungal pathogens is essential for the establishment of pathogenesis. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a biologically active part of the cell surface composed of a complex mixture of macromolecules that, in addition to serving a structural function, profoundly affect the cellular physiology of the organism. During the past two decades it has become evident that the cell wall is a dynamic organization that is essential for cell division, enlargement and differentiation as well as responding to biotic and abiotic stress. ECM is also the source of signals for cell recognition within the same or between different organisms. Cell walls are natural composite structures, mostly made up of high molecular weight polysaccharides, proteins and lignins. Lignins are only found in specific cell types. Arabidopsis thaliana cell wall proteins (CWP) that can be involved in modifications of cell wall components, wall structure and signaling as well as interactions with plasma membrane proteins at the cell surface has been reviewed.