PR-proteins with ribonuclease activity and plant resistance against pathogenic fungi

Abstract

Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins participate in complex plant defense responses to pathogens. It is known that members of two PR-protein families (PR4 and PR10) exhibit ribonuclease activity in some cases. These proteins were found to be able to inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi, and ribonuclease activity is necessary for the manifestation of this effect. This paper presents current data on molecular mechanisms governing the antifungal activity of PR-ribonucleases, associated both with their direct cytotoxic impact on pathogen cells and with their possible participation in the induction of plant cell apoptosis and development of hypersensitive reactions (HR).