Immunity in plants (Introduction)

by David Turell , Saturday, February 20, 2016, 01:48 (3201 days ago) @ David Turell

Plants can detect pathogens in their cells and self-destruct the cells to stop the invasion:-https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160219111212.htm-"A few of such Nucleotide-binding Leucine-Rich Repeat receptors (NLRs) with additional integrated domains that act as 'baits' for the pathogen were previously identified in rice and thale cress, and experimentally shown to be involved in disease resistance. Dr Krasileva and her TSL colleagues searched for these genes across plant species, including the key UK crops: wheat, potatoes and rapeseed.-"NLRs are found within the cells, rather than at the cell membrane or in cell walls. When activated by an invasive pathogen or foreign organism, NLRs activate cellular self-destruction -- they are sensors of attack. Once a pathogen has infected a plant cell and bound these targets, the cell is likely to self-destruct, blocking pathogen growth before it can reach other cells.-Comment: Obviously plants don't have a blood system with cells that can attack pathogens. Local cell death is a good alternative to stop the spread of pathogens.