# Mechanistic Insights into the Plant Disease Resistance Mediated by NPR1

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $366,162

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
NPR1 (NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENSIS-RELATED GENES 1) is a master immune regulator in plants. It
orchestrates systemic acquired resistance (SAR) by activating PATHOGENESIS-RELATED (PR) genes in
response to induction of salicylic acid (SA) during the plant response to pathogenic challenges. Extensive genetic
and biochemical studies have shown that NPR1 is a receptor of SA. SA activation of NPR1 triggers genome-
wide transcriptional reprograming via NPR1 interactions with a variety of transcription activators and repressors.
NPR1 itself is regulated by redox agents, and its proteolytic turnover has profound implications in a wide range
of biological functions, including circadian rhythm and resistance to proteotoxic stress in the endoplasmic
reticulum. Despite the essential role of NPR1 in plant biology, the molecular details underlying the myriad of
NPR1 functions have remained largely unknown. Building upon our initial success in elucidating the structure of
apo NPR1 using single-particle cryoEM, here we propose to elucidate the molecular basis of the NPR1 function
in plants. Specifically, we will address (1) how SA activates NPR1, (2) how NPR1 interacts with transcription
factors and regulators, and (3) how NPR1 is degraded. Information gained from these studies will provide the
much-needed mechanistic insights into the SA-NPR1 signaling cascade in plants and help develop disease-
resistant crops. As SA is the principle metabolite of aspirin, such knowledge may also contribute to a better
understanding of the well-documented medicinal benefits of SA and analogs in humans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10390811
- **Project number:** 1R01GM145026-01
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Pei Zhou
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $366,162
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10390811

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10390811, Mechanistic Insights into the Plant Disease Resistance Mediated by NPR1 (1R01GM145026-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10390811. Licensed CC0.

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