Plant Defense Networks against Insect-Borne Pathogens

There is increasing evidence that the interaction between plant host and vector-borne pathogens, can only be understood from a tripartite viewpoint, pathogen–vector–plant. Some aspects of plant innate immunity are also applicable to interactions between plants and phloem-infecting pathogens or herbivore vectors. Phytohormones and their regulation network via transcription factors, are at the forefront of the interactions between plant and vector-borne pathogens. Pathogens and herbivores have evolved strategies to convergently target jasmonic acid signaling at the jasmonate ZIM (JAZ)-MYC hub. Upon infection with insect-borne microbial pathogens, plants are exposed to two types of damage simultaneously. Over the past decade, numerous molecular studies have been conducted to understand how plants respond to pathogens or herbivores. However, investigations of host responses typically focus on a single stress and are performed under static laboratory conditions. In this review, we highlight research that sheds light on how plants deploy broad-spectrum mechanisms against both vector-borne pathogens and insect vectors. Among the host genes involved in multistress resistance, many are involved in innate immunity and phytohormone signaling (especially jasmonate and salicylic acid). The potential for genome editing or chemical modulators to fine-tune crop defensive signaling, to develop sustainable methods to control insect-borne diseases, is discussed. Upon infection with insect-borne microbial pathogens, plants are exposed to two types of damage simultaneously. Over the past decade, numerous molecular studies have been conducted to understand how plants respond to pathogens or herbivores. However, investigations of host responses typically focus on a single stress and are performed under static laboratory conditions. In this review, we highlight research that sheds light on how plants deploy broad-spectrum mechanisms against both vector-borne pathogens and insect vectors. Among the host genes involved in multistress resistance, many are involved in innate immunity and phytohormone signaling (especially jasmonate and salicylic acid). The potential for genome editing or chemical modulators to fine-tune crop defensive signaling, to develop sustainable methods to control insect-borne diseases, is discussed. host molecules released after internal or external stresses that can trigger host innate immunity, (e.g., herbivore damage). herbivory damage or herbivore components that are not found in hosts, (e.g., feeding damage or saliva contents). They are recognized by innate immune receptors (pattern recognition receptors, PRRs) and trigger immune activation. pathogen components that are not found in hosts, including bacterial flagellin or elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu). They are recognized by innate immune receptors (PRRs) and trigger immune activation.