This week's articles are about two pairs of plant peptides: One pair controls the formation of a waterproof barrier that protects roots, and another pair regulates the response to pathogens.
PLANT SIGNALING
Keeping roots water-tight
Doblas et al. and Nakayama et al. report that a waterproofing layer in plant roots is surveyed and maintained by peptide hormones and their receptors.
Small peptides allow rapid responses
Stegmann et al. report that regulation of plant immune responses involves competition between antagonistic but unique peptides for a broadly accessible receptor.
