Fig. 2. cPEPs require sequence complementarity with their target for their activity.

a FRET-FLIM analysis of in planta interaction between cPEPnsp1-FAM and NSP1 (left) or NSP1ΔcPEP, an NSP1 version in which cPEP-corresponding sequence was removed (right) in planta (see Suppl. Table 2). b Quantification by qRT-PCR of NSP1 expression in M. truncatula roots treated with cPEPnsp1 or Scrambled cPEPnsp1. c GUS quantification in M. truncatula roots expressing ProNSP1-NSP1-GUS fusion and treated with the indicated peptides. d, e Quantification of NSP1 expression in N. benthamiana leaves after infiltration of different constructs: wild type or a NSP1 version in which the cPEP-corresponding sequence was removed (NSP1 ΔcPEP) or NSP1 in which cPEP sequence was replaced by a random artificial sequence (NSP1 ΔcPEP-Irrelevant cPEP), together with an empty vector (control) or a vector expressing either cPEPnsp1 or the Irrelevant cPEP. f, g Lateral root formation of WT, nsp1 or overexpressing NSP1, M. truncatula seedlings in response to cPEPnsp1 or Scrambled cPEPnsp1. h, i Quantification of nodules on M. truncatula roots treated with an irrelevant peptide or cPEPskl. j Root development of M. truncatula seedlings infected by A. euteiches and treated with an irrelevant peptide or cPEPrh10. k Relative A. euteiches α-tubulin expression in M. truncatula seedlings infected with A. euteiches and treated with an irrelevant peptide or cPEPrh10. For box plots, the cross represents the mean, the line shows the median value, and the upper part and lower part of the box represent the first and third quartiles. The error bars represent the minimal and maximal value for box plots and the standard error of the mean (SEM) for others. Asterisks indicate a significant difference between the test condition and the control according to the Student t-test (a, f–i) or Wilcoxon test (b–e, k) (a, n = 39–62, b–e, k n = 6; f–i n = 50; p < 0.05). Source data are provided as a Source Data file.