My laboratory is interested in understanding the biochemical and molecular basis of environmental and pathogen stress responses in plants. The plant hormone, salicylic acid (SA) mediated signaling pathway has been well studied for its role in mediating both the biotic and abiotic stress responses. SABP2, a 29 kDa protein that binds SA with high affinity plays an important role in plant immunity. It catalyzes the conversion of methyl salicylate (MeSA) to the SA. Tobacco plants silenced in SABP2 expression are more susceptible to pathogen attack and are compromised in the induction of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) response. Methyl salicylate is one of the major phloem mobile signals for plant innate immunity (SAR). To further understand the role of SABP2 in plant defense signaling and other physiological processes we have identified several SABP2-interacting proteins (SIPs) using a yeast-two hybrid screen. These include NAD+-dependent Sir2-type deacetylase (SIP428), a glucosyltransferase (SIP68), and a lipid transfer protein (SIP470). SIP428 plays an important role as a negative regulator of both the biotic and abiotic stress signaling. SIP68 is a UDP glucosyltransferase that glycosylates kaempferol and quercetin but not SA or MeSA. The research in our lab aims to reduce dependence on chemical pesticides by making plants more resistant to biotic and abiotic stress.