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Insights into the role of jasmonic acid-mediated defenses against necrotrophic and biotrophic fungal pathogens

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Frontiers in Biology

Abstract

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a natural hormone regulator involved in development, responses against wounding and pathogen attack. Upon perception of pathogens, JA is synthesized and mediates a signaling cascade initiating various defense responses. Traditionally, necrotrophic fungi have been shown to be the primary activators of JAdependent defenses through the JA-receptor, COI1. Conversely, plants infected with biotrophic fungi have classically been associated with suppressing JA-mediated responses. However, recent evidence has shown that certain biotrophic fungal species also trigger activation of JA-mediated responses and mutants deficient in JA signaling show an increase in susceptibility to certain biotrophic fungal pathogens. These findings suggest a new role for JA in defense against fungal biotrophs. This review will focus on recent research advancing our knowledge of JA-dependant responses involved in defense against both biotrophic and necrotrophic fungi.

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  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA

    Christopher J. Antico, Chad Colon, Taylor Banks & Katrina M. Ramonell

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  1. Christopher J. Antico
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  2. Chad Colon
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Correspondence to Katrina M. Ramonell.

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Antico, C.J., Colon, C., Banks, T. et al. Insights into the role of jasmonic acid-mediated defenses against necrotrophic and biotrophic fungal pathogens. Front. Biol. 7, 48–56 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11515-011-1171-1

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