2020-08-012024-05-13https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/651282As sessile organisms, plants constantly exposed to various pathogens. In order to survive, they have evolved effective mechanisms to defend themselves. In my previous unpublished data, Nitrate transporter1/Peptide transporter Family (NPF) genes are shown to involve in bacterial pathogen defense. Several npf mutants showed altered defense responses. PTR3/NPF5.2 involves in systemic acquired resistance (SAR) responses, and NPF6.4 mediates the PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI). However, how the functions of NPF transporters relate to immune responses is poor understood. In this proposal, I will address this question by investigating the roles of (1) individual NPF gene and (2) NPF genes with high sequence similarity in defense responses. In addition to complete the study of PTR3/NPF5.2 and NPF6.4 mentioned above, two nitrate transporters, NPF1.2 and NPF7.3, will be chosen for understanding the relationship between nitrate distribution and immune responses. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated multiplex genome editing will be used to study the influence of closed-related NPF genes on defense responses. Multiple gene mutations of several NPF genes will be generated simultaneously, and will be tested for the responses to bacterial and fungal pathogens. In addition, we will also examine whether the functions of NPF in defense responses are conserved in cash crop, tomato. From this study, we will extend our understanding about NPF transporters, not only participating in nitrogen acquisition and distribution, but also important for plant defense responses. Furthermore, we may locate a “molecular hub” which is vital for both plant growth (nutrition) and defense.NPF transporters, pathogen defense, PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI), systemic acquired resistance (SAR), CRISPR/Cas9