Cell-to-Cell Communication During Plant-Pathogen Interaction

Recognition of pathogen activates cellular signaling such as ROS, MAPK, Ca2+ signaling which ultimately fine-tunes the cell to cell communication. These further coordinates with the hormone signaling to execute the defense response at local and systemic level. Interestingly, phytopathogens have also evolved to manipulate the cellular and hormonal signaling and/or exploit hosts cell to cell connection in multiple ways at multiple levels. Overall, the triumph over the pathogen depends on prime decisions and actions-how the plant maintain, regulate and eventually break the intercellular communication through apoplastic and symplastic routes. Here, we review how intercellular communication in plants is mediated, manipulated and maneuvered during plant-pathogen interaction. Key words: Cell to cell communication, plant defense, plasmodesmata, phytohormones