Plant nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) perceive pathogen avirulence effectors and activate defense responses. Nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat re-ceptors are classified into coiled-coil (CC)-containing and Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR)-containing NLRs. Recent advances sug-gest that NLR CC domains often function in signaling activation, especially for induction of cell death. In this review, we outline our current understanding of NLR CC domains, including their diversity/classification and structure, their roles in cell death induction, disease resist-ance, and interaction with other proteins. Fur-thermore, we provide possible directions for future work.