Q&A: How does peptide signaling direct plant development?

A significant part of the communication between plant cells is mediated by signaling peptides and their corresponding plasma membrane-localized receptor-like kinases. This communication mechanism serves as a key regulatory unit for coordination of plant growth and development. In the past years more peptide–receptor signaling pathways have been shown to regulate developmental processes, such as shoot and root meristem maintenance, seed formation, and floral abscission. More detailed understanding of the processes behind this regulation might also be helpful to increase the yield of crop plants.