Deciphering the complex roles of autophagy in plant immunity

Abstract

Plant defense mechanisms involve a complex network of cellular processes working together to initiate effective immune responses. Autophagy, a fundamental cellular recycling mechanism crucial for responding to nutrient shortages and maintaining cellular balance, has emerged as a key component in plant immunity. Despite recent progress, our understanding of plant autophagy remains limited, and its intricate role in plant defense presents ongoing challenges. This review explores the dual nature of autophagy in plant immunity, highlighting both its beneficial and detrimental effects, as well as how different pathogens exploit this process for their advantage. The diverse role of autophagy in plant immunity emphasizes the need for further investigation and clarification in this area.