# The Role of EPFL Peptides in Plant Development and Stress Responses

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how EPFL peptides influence plant growth and help plants respond to environmental stresses.

## Contribution

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the structure, evolution, signaling mechanisms, and functions of EPF/EPFL peptides in plants.

## Key findings

- EPF/EPFL peptides regulate stomatal patterning and meristem functioning in plants.
- These peptides are involved in plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress.
- The review highlights the phylogenetic distribution and signal transduction mechanisms of EPF/EPFL peptides.

## Abstract

Cysteine-rich peptides belonging to the EPF/EPFL (epidermal patterning
factor/epidermal patterning factor-like) family are common in many plants, from
mosses to angiosperms. EPF/EPFL play an important role in morphogenesis: they
regulate stomatal patterning, the functioning of the shoot apical and lateral
meristems, inflorescence architecture, vascular development, growth of leaf
margin, as well as the development of flowers and fruits. Recent studies have
indicated that EPFL may be involved in plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic
stress. This review examines the structure, phylogenetic distribution,
mechanisms of signal transduction, and functions of the EPF/EPFL peptide family.