Encodes RALF23, a member of a diversely expressed predicted peptide family showing sequence similarity to tobacco Rapid Alkalinization Factor (RALF), and is believed to play an essential role in the physiology of Arabidopsis. Consists of a single exon and is characterized by a conserved C-terminal motif and N-terminal signal peptide. RALF23 is significantly downregulated by brassinolide treatment of seedlings. Overexpression of AtRALF23 impairs brassinolide-induced hypocotyls elongation, and mature overexpressing plants are shorter and bushier. RALF23 overexpression produces slower growing seedlings with roots that have reduced capacity to acidify the rhizosphere.
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