Abstract：Mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade played critical roles in plant growth, development and in response to various environmental stresses. A classical plant MAPK cascade was composed of three functionally linked conserved components:MAPKKK,MAPKK and MAPK. The MAPKKKs were firstly autophosphorylated once the external stimuli were perceived by a membrane receptor. MAPKK and MAPK were activated by phosphorylation in turn, and then the external stimuli signals were transmitted into cells to regulate the expression of target genes. Numerous studies revealed that MAPK cascade were involved in transduction of signals including plant hormones, biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, this paper summarized the recent progresses on the functions of MAPK cascade system in plant disease resistance, in order to provide the theoretical basis for further investigation on MAPK cascade mechanisms of signal transduction involved in plant disease resistance.
