Alisa Huffaker

TL;DR: The isolation and characterization of a 23-aa peptide from Arabidopsis, called AtPep1, which activates transcription of the defensive gene defensin and activates the synthesis of H(2)O(2), both being components of the innate immune response are reported.

TL;DR: It is demonstrated that, through perception of Peps, PEPR1 and PEPR2 contribute to defense responses in Arabidopsis, and differential binding affinities of two receptors with a family of peptide ligands are demonstrated.

TL;DR: The presence of diterpenoid defenses in maize is established and enables a more detailed analysis of their biosynthetic pathways, regulation, and crop defense function.

TL;DR: Pep1, PR-1 (pathogenesis protein), and PROPEP genes were differentially expressed in the leaves of intact plants sprayed with methyl jasmonate and methyl salicylate and in excised leaves supplied through cut petioles with peptides derived from the C terminus of each of the encoded proteins.

TL;DR: Recent advances in the discovery, biosynthesis, elicitation and functional characterization of monocot terpenoid phytoalexins are discussed, including conclusive evidence now exists for multiple plant receptors of fungal-derived chitin elicitors, phosphorylation of membrane-associated signaling complexes, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, involvement of phytohormone signals, and the existence of transcription factors.