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. |