Identification of a biologically active, small, secreted peptide in Arabidopsis
Ohyama, Ogawa & Matsubayashi. Biochemically identified an active CEP peptide using in-silico screening and LC–MS structure analysis.
Published research
How Plants Communicate Nitrogen Demand.
CEP signaling provides a peer-reviewed biological foundation for asking whether targeted peptide treatments could influence crop nitrogen response.
N-starved rootCEP signal→ShootCEPR1 / CEPR2→Other rootsCEPD → NRT2.1
What is established
A Root-to-Shoot-to-Root Relay.
When part of an Arabidopsis root system experiences nitrogen limitation, CEP peptides produced in roots travel to the shoot. CEPR receptor kinases perceive the signal, and mobile CEPD-family polypeptides carry a response back toward roots with available nitrate.
That downstream response regulates genes including the high-affinity nitrate transporter NRT2.1. The published mechanism is compelling, but most foundational work is in model plants under controlled conditions.
Evidence boundary
These studies establish biological mechanisms; they do not demonstrate a commercial CEP treatment, improved maize yield, or field-scale nitrogen-use efficiency.
Selected literature
Peer-Reviewed Foundations.
DOI ↗
Perception of root-derived peptides by shoot LRR-RKs mediates systemic N-demand signaling
Tabata et al.. Showed that root-derived CEP signals are perceived by shoot CEPR receptors to coordinate compensatory nitrate uptake.
Shoot-to-root mobile polypeptides involved in systemic regulation of nitrogen acquisition
Ohkubo et al.. Identified CEPD1 and CEPD2 as mobile shoot-to-root signals downstream of CEP perception that regulate NRT2.1.
Shoot-to-root mobile CEPD-like 2 integrates shoot nitrogen status to systemically regulate nitrate uptake
Ota et al.. Established CEPDL2 as an additional mobile signal integrating whole-shoot nitrogen status with root nitrate uptake.
Application of Synthetic Peptide CEP1 Increases Nutrient Uptake Rates Along Plant Roots
Zhang et al.. Reported increased local nutrient uptake rates after synthetic CEP1 application in a controlled experimental system.
Plant Nitrogen Assimilation and Use Efficiency
Xu, Fan & Miller. Reviewed the transport, assimilation, remobilization, and systems-level traits that determine plant nitrogen-use efficiency.
Croptides methodology
Designed to Separate Signal From Outcome.
The work below describes our planned experimental framework, not completed studies or reported results.
Candidate definition
Compare maize CEP sequences, post-translational forms, receptor orthologues, and literature-supported controls before synthesis.
Dose and delivery
Screen orders of magnitude across root-zone and foliar delivery while tracking peptide stability and root-growth penalties.
Mechanism
Measure time-resolved expression of nitrate-transport and signaling markers, paired with direct nitrogen-uptake measurements where feasible.
Whole-plant test
Advance only responses that improve nitrogen accumulation or performance under relevant nitrogen regimes without unacceptable trade-offs.
See how this framework becomes testable hypotheses in our first program.
Explore N-Signal →