Explanatory Drawing (IMAGE)

University of Chicago Medical Center

Explanatory Drawing

Caption

Primary infection occurs. Azelaic acid increases. (Chemical structure and mass spectra of azelaic acid are shown.) Azelaic acid induces production of AZ11, a protein that helps build immunity. Azelaic acid transported throughout plant via vascular system. Azelaic acid primes the plant’s defenses. Secondary infection occurs. Thanks to its primed state, the plant accumulates very high levels of salicylic acid, which triggers antimicrobial defenses. (Chemical structure of salicylic acid is shown.)

Credit

Drawing by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Jean Greenberg, University of Chicago

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