DEVIL peptides control cell growth and differentiation in different developmental processes

The DEVIL/ROTUNDIFOLIA-LIKE (DVL/RTFL) family of plant peptides is present in all land plants, but their biological role and mode of action remains largely unknown, in part due to the lack of reported phenotypes associated to DVL/RTFL loss of function. In this work we have generated high order mutants and characterized their phenotypes in reproductive development. Our results indicate that dvl mutants are affected in cell elongation processes, mainly related to pollen tube growth, and they appear to provide robustness to these processes. We also show that DVL peptides may act in different domains to those where the corresponding genes are transcribed, suggesting a putative role in the coordination of organ growth by participating in cell-to-cell communication.