On the quest for undiscovered plant DNA receptors.

The presence of unexpected DNA in cellular compartments acts as a danger signal that activates immune responses. In mammals, delocalized self-DNA triggers strong inflammatory responses crucial for antiviral immunity and cancer control. In plants, application of exogenous self-DNA increases resistance to pathogens and herbivores. Although several mammalian DNA receptors have been identified with distinct subcellular localizations and mechanisms to discriminate between microbial and mitochondrial DNA, no DNA receptors have been identified in plants. Here, we show current evidence for different potential response mechanisms for DNA perception and consider several hypothetical mechanisms for its recognition in plants. Finally, we provide a potential framework for finding plant self-DNA receptors in the future.