These receptors are able to recognize the molecular pattern of elicitors and trigger intracellular defence signalling via the octadecanoid pathway.
This response results in the enhanced synthesis of metabolites which reduce damage and increase resistance to pest, disease or environmental stress.
Modulators are defined as molecules that "bind to a particular target protein, mainly to an enzyme, thereby directly changing its activity, i.e. increasing or decreasing".
[3] Effectors are proteins secreted by microbial pathogens which can either trigger or compromise immunity depending on the ability of perception (presence of suitable receptor) and response (appropriate defence reaction) of the plant.
The remaining immunity is called basal defense[4] which can limit the spread of virulent pathogens in their hosts but it is typically insufficient to prevent disease.