Analysis of peptide uptake and location of root hair‐promoting peptide accumulation in plant roots

Peptide uptake by plant roots from degraded soybean‐meal products was analyzed in Brassica rapa and Solanum lycopersicum. B. rapa absorbed about 40% of the initial water volume, whereas peptide concentration was decreased by 75% after 24 h. Analysis by reversed‐phase HPLC showed that number of peptides was absorbed by the roots during soaking in degraded soybean‐meal products for 24 h. Carboxyfluorescein‐labeled root hair‐promoting peptide was synthesized, and its localization, movement, and accumulation in roots were investigated. The peptide appeared to be absorbed by root hairs and then moved to trichoblasts. Furthermore, the peptide was moved from trichoblasts to atrichoblasts after 24 h. The peptide was accumulated in epidermal cells, suggesting that the peptide may have a function in both trichoblasts and atrichoblasts. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.