Genome-wide identification of Nitrate Transporter 1/Peptide Transporter Family (NPF) genes in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) and functional characterization of PbNPF5.7 in fire blight.
The Nitrate Transporter 1/Peptide Transporter Family (NPF) genes just got a full spotlight in pears. Researchers have mapped out 85 NPF genes in Pyrus bretschneideri, a first for this fruit. NPF genes are known for shuttling everything from nitrate to peptides, amino acids, and plant hormones. Until now, most of the action in this area focused on model plants like Arabidopsis or crops like tomato. Pears were overdue.
Plant Sci
by Li L, Chen C, Fu K et al.
“Genome-wide identification of Nitrate Transporter 1/Peptide Transporter Family (NPF) genes in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) and functional characterization of PbNPF5.7 in fire blight. Li L(1), Chen C(2), Fu K(3), Feng N(4), Qiu T(5), Xu Y(6), Li Q(7), Yan X(8), Tian J(9), Wen Y(10), Zhang S(11), Huang X(12). Author information: (1)College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Improvement and Utilization in Pomology, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi, PR China. Electronic address: lilun@njau.edu.cn. (2)College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: 2023104015@stu.njau.edu.cn. (3)College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: 2024804212@stu.njau.edu.cn. (4)College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: 2025104009@stu.njau.edu.cn. (5)College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: 2022116087@stu.njau.edu.cn. (6)College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: 2025804209@stu.njau.edu.cn. (7)College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: liqionghou@njau.edu.cn. (8)Key Laboratory of Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: yanxin@njau.edu.cn. (9)Institute of Horticulture, Xinjiang Agricultural University/Xinjiang Forestry and Fruit Efficient Cultivation and High Value Utilization Engineering Technology Research Center, Urumqi 830052. Electronic address: tianjia@xjau.edu.cn. (10)Institute of Horticulture, Xinjiang Agricultural University/Xinjiang Forestry and Fruit Efficient Cultivation and High Value Utilization Engineering Technology Research Center, Urumqi 830052. Electronic address: wenyue900701@163.com. (11)College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: nnzsl@njau.edu.cn. (12)College of Horticulture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China. Electronic address: huangxs@njau.edu.cn. The Nitrate Transporter 1/Peptide Transporter family (NPF) plays a vital role in transporting a wide range of diverse mobile substrates, including nitrate, peptides, amino acids, dicarboxylates, malate, glucosinolates, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and jasmonic acid (JA). While systematic characterization of NPF family genes has been achieved in model plants like Arabidopsis and rice, as well as in horticultural crops such as tomato and apple, their orthologs in Pyrus bretschneideri have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we identified 85 PbNPF genes in genome through phylogenetic and genomic analyses. Chromosomal location analysis revealed that 82 genes are distributed across 17 chromosomes, while three genes possessing ambiguous localization. Synteny analysis revealed that the expansion of this gene family was mostly caused by whole genome duplication events. Numerous hormone-responsive elements linked to biotic and abiotic stress responses were found using promoter cis-acting element analysis. Several PbNPF genes were markedly down-regulated after Erwinia amylovora infection, according to transcriptome data and qRT-PCR results. Subcellular localization confirmed that PbNPF5.7 is a plasma membrane-localized protein. Notably, PbNPF5.7 acts as a negative regulator of fire blight resistance: silencing PbNPF5.7 markedly enhances resistance to Erwinia amylovora by reducing ROS accumulation and increasing the activities of multiple defense-related enzymes, whereas overexpression of PbNPF5.7 in tobacco significantly increases susceptibility to fire blight. This study offers the first genome-wide characterization of the NPF family in pear and identifies PbNPF5.7 as a negative regulator of fire blight resistance. These findings suggest that members of the pear NPF family may play crucial roles in disease resistance. Copyright © 2026 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.”
Key takeaway: The team zeroed in on one gene, PbNPF5.7, and dug deep. PbNPF5.7 sits in the plasma membrane. It’s not just cargo-hauling—it’s calling the shots in disease response. When PbNPF5.7 was turned down, pear plants fended off fire blight (caused by Erwinia amylovora) much better. Less PbNPF5.7 meant lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a bump in defense enzyme activity. Crank up PbNPF5.7, and plants became more vulnerable.
Why care? This is the first genome-wide map of all NPF genes in pear. It’s a big step for peptide research, especially for anyone tracking how these transporter families shape plant resilience. Gene family expansion in pears mostly came from whole genome duplication—so a lot of these genes are probably doing interesting, overlapping jobs.
For researchers in plant biology or anyone exploring the NPF transporter family, this work cracks open new questions about peptide movement and stress responses in crops. The interplay between peptide transport, hormone signaling, and disease resistance is now wide open for deeper study.
Dig into more studies like this at the peptide research index. Curious about sourcing tools for your own gene or peptide work? The vendor directory is a good place to start. Pear NPF genes just put down a marker—expect more insights as the research community digs in.
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