In molecular biology, elicitins are a family of small, highly conserved proteins secreted by phytopathogenicmicroorganisms belonging to the Phytophthora and Pythium species They are toxic proteinsresponsible for inducing a necrotic and systemic hypersensitive response in plants from the Solanaceae and Cruciferae families Leaf necrosisprovides immediate control of fungal invasion and induces systemic acquired resistance; both responses mediate basic protection against subsequent pathogen inoculation.