Papain-like cysteine proteases as hubs in plant immunity

• Published in: The New phytologist Vol. 212; no. 4; pp. 902 - 907
• Main Authors: Misas‐Villamil, Johana C., Hoorn, Renier A. L., Doehlemann, Gunther
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England New Phytologist Trust 01.12.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Allergens; Amino acids; apoplast; Cell Death; Chitin; Corn; Cultivation; cysteine proteases; cysteine proteinases; Disease resistance; Enzymatic activity; Fruit cultivation; Herbivores; Host-Pathogen Interactions - immunology; immune response; Immune system; Insects; Latex; Leaves; Mortality; Mutants; Nematodes; Papain - chemistry; Papain - metabolism; papain‐like cysteine proteases (PLCPs); pathogen effectors; Pathogens; Peptides; plant immune signaling; Plant Immunity; Plant resistance; Potatoes; Proteinase inhibitors; Proteins; Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism; Residues; signal transduction; Soybeans; Tansley insight; Vegetables; pathogen effectors; papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs); plant immune signaling; apoplast; cysteine proteases
• ISSN: 0028-646X; 1469-8137; 1469-8137
• DOI: 10.1111/nph.14117

Plants deploy a sophisticated immune system to cope with different microbial pathogens and other invaders. Recent research provides an increasing body of evidence for papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) being central hubs in plant immunity. PLCPs are required for full resistance of plants to various pathogens. At the same time, PLCPs are targeted by secreted pathogen effectors to suppress immune responses. Consequently, they are subject to a co-evolutionary host–pathogen arms race. When activated, PLCPs induce a broad spectrum of defense responses including plant cell death. While the important role of PLCPs in plant immunity has become more evident, it remains largely elusive how these enzymes are activated and which signaling pathways are triggered to orchestrate different downstream responses.