Shade-induced RTFL/DVL peptides negatively regulate the shade response by directly interacting with BSKs in Arabidopsis

For shade-intolerant species, shade light indicates the close proximity of neighboring plants and triggers the shade avoidance syndrome (SAS), which causes exaggerated growth and reduced crop yield. We report that nonsecreted ROT FOUR LIKE (RTFL)/DEVIL (DVL) peptides negatively regulate the SAS by repressing the activities of BRASSINOSTEROID SIGNALING KINASEs (BSKs) and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4) in Arabidopsis. To identify RTFL function during SAS, we performed RNA-seq to search for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by comparing transcript levels between Col-0 and dvl1-1D, bsk36, or pif47 seedlings during white light and shade conditions. 6-day-white-light grown seedlings were treated 6 hr shade before RNA extraction.