MAPK Signaling

Abstract

Plant adaptation to environmental and endogenous factors is based on the effective reaction to signals perceived by specialized plant sensing systems, and generation of relevant responses. Passing of perceived extracellular signals to response-generating effectors requires effective intracellular signal transduction pathways. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are conserved transducers of extracellular signals operating in higher plants. They are involved in the regulation of diverse cellular processes occurring during the whole ontogenetic plant life and ranging from normal cell proliferation to stress-inducing plant-to-environment interactions. The complexity of plant MAPK signaling networks is described in the light of recent findings achieved in plant response to biotic factors, abiotic stress signals, and morphogenic events relevant to plant growth and development.