在植物和微生物的相互作用中，植物识别病原微生物来源并且保守的病原相关分子模式PAMPs（Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns）激活PTI（PAMP-Triggered Immunity）。PTI是植物对病原微生物抗性最重要的组成部分，因为具有广谱性和持久性的特点而成为植物免疫研究的重要方向。对PTI信号传导机制的深入研究将为作物的抗病分子设计提供理论基础。近年来识别PAMP的免疫受体复合体和一些PTI信号通路中重要的细胞内激酶相继被分离，目前寻找这些激酶的下游底物成为PTI信号通路研究的重要方向。通过反向遗传学手段重点筛选模式植物中PTI信号传导通路下游的新组分，我们成功分离到了响应PAMP识别的一类转录因子PRP。本项目将综合运用分子生物学和生物化学手段，深入研究PRP参与PTI信号传导的分子机制，阐明PRP在植物免疫调控中的功能。

Plant cell-surface receptors recognize PAMPs (pathogen-associated molecular patterns) derived from pathogenic microbes to activate PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI). PTI plays central role in plant resistance against the majority of microbial pathogen. PTI confers broad and most durable resistance, thus comprehensive understanding of PTI signal transduction mechanisms will provide basis for the molecular design of crop resistance. Several PRR (pattern recognition receptor) complexes and a few important cytoplasmic kinases in PTI signaling pathway have been identified, but their downstream substrates are largely unknown. Due to the lack of linking components between these early signaling events and downstream defense responses, PTI signaling remains an incomplete signal transduction pathway. Reverse genetic approach was employed to identify novel candidates in PTI signaling pathway in model plant. Transcription factor PRP (Phosphorylated in Response to PAMP) was identified to respond to PAMP perception. In current study, we will further investigate the molecular mechanisms for PRP in PTI signal transduction. A combination of molecular and biochemical approaches will be used to clarify the role of PRP in plant immunity.