Role of Plasmodesmata During Plant-Pathogen Interactions

Plasmodesmata (PD) facilitate the continuity of plasma membrane and cytoplasm between plant cells. They are crucial for intercellular communication and signaling. Plant pathogens have developed a diverse array of mechanisms to exploit the PD. There is increasing evidence that PD is actively involved in plant defense responses. Viral movement proteins alter PD architecture, cytoskeletal organization, and associated protein complexes, facilitating intercellular movement of viral genomes. Similarly, bacterial and fungal effectors target PD to suppress defense signaling and enhance colonization. During pathogen recognition, PD undergo dynamic closure as part of pattern-triggered immunity, largely mediated by callose deposition at PD neck regions. Over the past few years, significant progress has been made in elucidating the functions of PD in plantpathogen interaction. However, there are still numerous critical areas that require attention. The current review emphasizes the crucial role of pathogen-PD interactions in shaping PD-molecular flux and explores their impact on hormone signaling and different cell types during intercellular movement of pathogens. This review emphasizes the need for deeper insights into PD regulation during plant-pathogen interactions, focusing on molecular targets exploited by pathogens. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying PD-mediated defense will advance our understanding of plant immunity and aid in developing innovative strategies for sustainable disease management.