Peptide signaling at the intersection of growth, nutrient sensing, and stress responses

SUMMARY Plant endogenous peptides emerge as central regulators of multiple aspects of plant physiology. They are secreted from cells and perceived by plasma membrane localized receptors, which activate downstream signaling pathways to regulate growth and development. In addition, endogenous peptides coordinate physiology with their environment. This includes nutrient sensing and stress responses, ranging from adaptations to adverse abiotic environments to the regulation of immune responses. Members of several endogenous peptide families exhibit versatile physiological functions, raising the question of whether they coordinate multiple endogenous and exogenous signals to confer physiological plasticity. In this review, we discuss recent insights into the multifacetted roles of peptides at the intersection of growth, nutrient sensing, and stress responses.