Speaking the language of lipids: the cross-talk between plants and pathogens in defence and disease

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2021 Feb 27. doi: 10.1007/s00018-021-03791-0. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTLipids and fatty acids play crucial roles in plant immunity, which have been highlighted over the past few decades. An increasing number of studies have shown that these molecules are pivotal in the interactions between plants and their diverse pathogens. The roles played by plant lipids fit in a wide spectrum ranging from the first physical barrier encountered by the pathogens, the cuticle, to the signalling pathways that trigger different immune responses and expression of defence-related genes, mediated by several lipid molecules. Moreover, lipids have been arising as candidate biomarkers of resistance or susceptibility to different pathogens. Studies on the apoplast and extracellular vesicles have been highlighting the possible role of lipids in the intercellular communication and the establishment of systemic acquired resistance during plant-pathogen interactions. From the pathogen perspective, lipid metabolism and specific lipid molecules play pivotal roles in the pathogen's life cycle completion, being crucial during recognition by the plant and evasion from the host immune system, therefore potentiating infection. Studies conducted in the last years have contributed to a better understanding of the language of lipids during the cross-talk between plants and pathogens. However, it is essential to continue exploring the knowledge brought up to light by transcriptomics and prot...

Source: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS - February 27, 2021 Category: Cytology Authors: Ana Rita Cavaco Ana Rita Matos Andreia Figueiredo Source Type: research