Proteins and peptides for the control of phytopathogenic fungi

Plants are exposed to a large number of pathogenic fungi. Although they do not have an immune system, plant have evolved a variety of potent defense mechanisms, including the synthesis of low molecular weight compounds, proteins, and peptides that have antifungal activity. These proteins appear to be involved in either constitutive or induced resistance to fungal attack. Generally, these proteins are not race- or species specific and have a broad spectrum of activity including: the inhibition of fungal cell wall synthesis or the disruption of cell wall structure, and/or function as well as other disorders of the fungal membrane structure resulting in fungal cell lysis. This review is a compilation of the main pathogen defense related proteins and peptides.