Functions of MAPK Cascade Pathways in Plant Defense Signaling

• Published in: The plant pathology journal Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 101 - 109
• Main Authors: Cheong, Y.H., Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea, Kim, M.C., Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한국식물병리학회 01.06.2010
• Subjects: defense signaling; FACTEUR DE TRANSCRIPTION; FACTORES DE TRANSCRIPCION; MAPK pathways; pathogen infection; TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS; 농학; pathogen infection; transcription factor; defense signaling; MAPK pathways
• ISSN: 1598-2254; 2093-9280
• DOI: 10.5423/PPJ.2010.26.2.101

Protein phosphorylation is one of the major mechanisms for controlling many cellular processes in all living organisms. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are known to transducer extracellular stimuli to several cellular processes, including cell division, differentiation as well as responses to various stresses. In plants, several studies have revealed that MAPK cascade pathways play an important role in responses against biotic and abiotic stresses, including wounding, pathogen infection, temperature, drought, salinity and plant hormones. It is also known that MAPK cascades-mediated signaling is an essential process in the resistance step to pathogens by regulating the activity of transcription factors. Here, the insights into the functions of MAPK cascade pathways in plant defense response signaling from Arabidopsis, tobacco and rice are described.