Modes of antifungal action and in planta functions of plant defensins and defensin-like peptides

► Plant defensins are small peptides reportedly with mainly antifungal activity. ► Antifungal plant defensins interact with fungal-specific membrane components. ► Plant defensins play a role in the plant defense response. ► A high number of defensin-like peptides are present in various plant species. ► Plant defensins acquired additional functions in the plant (protein promiscuity).