In an article entitled, “NPR3 and NPR4 are receptors for the immune signal salicylic acid in plants” published on the 14th June issue of Nature (486:228-232), Zheng Qing Fu and his 10 other associates reported about the hitherto undiscovered two pathogenesis-related NPR3 and NPR4 as SA receptors. They bind SA with different affinities. The complex molecule bound to SA functions as a receptor and protect the plants from further pathogen attack. The investigators have further shown that NPR3 and NPR4 function as “adaptors of the Cullin 3 ubiquitin E3 ligase to mediate NPR1 degradation”. Their study reveals the mechanism of SA perception in determining cell death and survival in response to pathogen attack.