真核细胞中，多种细胞器可以相互作用，形成复杂的结构，调节一系列生命活动，但此机制在植物中知之甚少。以内质网-质膜通过ER-PM contact site（EPCS）形成的互作网络为例，其建立与维持的分子机制近年来已初步阐明，但其在植物中的生物学功能尚不清楚。根据前期实验发现，植物以EPCS为中心，可调控多种细胞活动，其中包括影响细胞骨架形态、调节自噬体的形成、参与植物-病原菌互作等。实验室相关研究同时证实，EPCS的核心蛋白VAP27可提高植物对白粉病菌的抗性，此现象很有可能是通过EPCS与多种微丝互作蛋白结合，并促进自噬体的形成而实现的；而自噬的提高，可直接影响植物的抗性。本研究将在此基础上，利用多种显微成像手段，通过观察白粉病菌侵染下微丝、内质网、自噬体的形成机制，研究EPCS在植物响应生物胁迫中的功能。其研究成果不仅可丰富细胞生物学的知识体系，而且为未来提高植物抗性改良提供理论依据。

Direct contacts and interactions are found between different membrane structure interface, these are common features exist in most eukaryotic cells，however such mechanism has not bee fully characterized in plant system. For example, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are linked to the plasma membrane (PM) through the ER-PM contact site, its establishment and molecular composition have become partially elucidated in recent years, but its biological function is still largely unknown. Here we propose that the EPCS could functioned as a multi-functional hub, regulating various cellular activities, such as participating plant-microbe interactions. Previous study in our group identified that the core protein of plant EPCS complex, VAP27, could promote plant resistance to powdery mildew infection, and the aim of this application is to reveal the molecular mechanism required in this process. For example, we found that plant EPCS can interact with actin cytoskeleton-associated proteins and regulate the formation of autophagosomes. However, plant resistance can also be enhanced by upregulation of autophagy activity. Based on these preliminary result, we aim to study changes on the structure and function of actin, ER and autophagosomes around the pathogen infection site (Haustorium), identify the function of EPCS during plant response to biotic stresses. This study could in-depth our understanding on the regulatory mechanism of plant autophagy and has significant scientific importance and possible future application.