Background During host colonization, fungal plant pathogens secrete effector-like proteins that alter host cell physiology and target plant-associated microbes. However, rapid evolution and low sequen...

Plants thrive in complex and often hostile environments by continuously sensing and responding to a wide array of biotic and abiotic challenges. Central to this surveillance system are cell surface receptors, including receptor kinases and receptor proteins. Recent advances have revealed how these receptors not only recognize pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns but also perceive endogenous peptides and environmental signals. Importantly, emerging evidence highlights extensive crosstalk between immune and abiotic stress signaling, with shared components and co-regulatory mechanisms shaping an integrated response. In this review, we synthesize recent discoveries on the diverse roles of cell surface receptors in detecting external and internal signals, coordinating defense and stress tolerance, and balancing these processes with nutrient acquisition.

Move comes after Roger Innes complained about the government’s prosecution of Chinese postdocs

Emerging fungal pathogens have detrimental impacts on crops, animals, and humans, however little is known about their transition to a pathogenic lifestyle. This study demonstrates that the transition ...

Receptor kinase FLS2 detects the flg22 epitope of bacterial flagellin. Here the authors identify key residues on FLS2’s concave surface that enable expanded perception of flg22 variants, allowing the ...

Nature Communications - Giant transposons, known as ‘Starships’, mediate horizontal gene transfer between fungal genomes. Here, Sato et al. show that Starships occupy genome regions...

Eukaryotes detect biomolecules through surface-localized receptors, key signaling components. A subset of receptors survey for pathogens, induce immunity, and restrict pathogen growth. Comparative gen...

Zymoseptoria tritici, the causal agent of the foliar disease Septoria tritici blotch (STB), is a major wheat pathogen in Europe. Although several wheat resistance (R) genes have been identified, Z. tr...

Small molecules activate a defense mechanism shared by all flowering plants