As NPR1 mRNAs were predicted to be targeted by sRNAs such as 5′AlaCGCtRF, they might act as the regulators of these genes, and the higher expression of 5′AlaCGCtRFs in turn responsible for the cleavage of these target mRNAs and hence, the reduced expression of NPR1 during pathogen infection in black pepper. This evidence concerns the gene NPR1 and infection.