Scientists pinpoint a crucial new aspect of plant immune response

Over millions of years, plants and animals have evolved complex immune systems to protect from disease-causing pathogens. However, plants do not have the adaptive immune system of many animals that can recognize dangerous substances that have already attacked, Plant cells, therefore, have to work harder to defend themselves against all potential pathogens. Every plant cell contains a collection of proteins that are encoded by disease resistance genes. When harmful invaders are detected in the environment, these proteins are activated to coordinate their defense. A team of experts …