Unlocking the components of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in Glycine max activated during herbivory

• Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs) are known to be involed in plant immunity. • Different components of MPK pathway (MPKs, MPKKs and MPKKKs) were identified in Glycine max. • Expression analysis was employed to detect herbivory-inducible GmMPKs, GmMPKKs and GmMPKKKs. • The componenets of MPK pathway were delineated by docking and MD simulation of herbivory-inducible GmMPKs, GmMPKKs and GmMPKKKs. • The predicted components of MPK pathway is GmMPK6 - GmMKK2–2 / GmMPKK9–3 - GmMEKK1–2. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs) substantially govern plant immune reactions. Critical damage caused by insect feeding is a seroius issue that hinders agricultural productivity. MPK circuits have significance in modulating plants’ ability to defend against herbivory or mechanical damage. Additionally, the expression of transcription factors and genes linked with immune response is significantly regulated by MPKs. Nevertheless, limited knowledge is available about how MPKs in crop plants such as Glycine max (soybean) reacts to insect attacks. Moreover, components of MPK pathway activated during developmental processes as well as stress conditions varies in different plants. Therefore, it is crucial to decipher components of MPK pathway in soybean activated during herbivory. The elements of the MPK network have been examined in soybean, which is heavily damaged by Spodoptera litura (cutworm), resulting in an enormous decrease in crop yield. Genome-wide identification demonstrated >60 % homology of G max's MPKs with Arabidopsis thaliana ’s MPKs. We have further performed expression analysis of GmMPKs, GmMKKs, and GmMEKK-like MPKKKs after S. litura feeding, mechanical injury, and signaling compounds [MeJA (methyl-jasmonates), Eth (ethylene), SA (salicylic acid)] treatment, which showed their differential expression demonstrating their involvement during plant defense. Additionally, selected GmMPKs, GmMKKs, and GmMPKKKs showing differential expression, were utilized for protein modeling and interaction analysis to predict MPK components activated during herbivory. This research article elucidates the components of the MPK network (GmMEKK1–2 - GmMKK2–2/GmMKK9–3 - GmMPK4/GmMPK6) engaged in soybean during cutworm infestation, which needs further validation through in vitro and in vivo experiments.