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PLANT PROTEIN SERINE/THREONINE KINASES: Classification and Functions
1Biochemistry Department, Dundee University, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom;
Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology
|March 12, 2004
Summary
Plant protein kinases, discovered rapidly since 1989, regulate plant responses. These serine/threonine kinases act as a central processor unit, integrating environmental signals to control growth and gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Plant protein kinase research has rapidly expanded since 1989, with over 500 sequences identified by 1998.
- Despite numerous discoveries, understanding the specific functions of plant protein kinases remains a challenge.
- Protein serine/threonine kinases in Arabidopsis thaliana are classified into approximately a dozen major groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functional roles of plant protein serine/threonine kinases.
- To compare plant kinases with their animal and fungal homologs.
- To elucidate the signaling network mediated by these kinases in plants.
Main Methods:
- Sequence-based classification of protein serine/threonine kinases in Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Review of existing literature on animal and fungal kinase homologs.
- Detailed discussion of direct experimental studies on plant kinase functions.
Main Results:
- Plant protein serine/threonine kinases are organized into distinct sequence-related groups.
- Comparative analysis highlights conserved and divergent roles across kingdoms.
- These kinases function as a central processing unit, integrating external signals.
Conclusions:
- Plant protein kinases are crucial for signal transduction, responding to environmental cues and hormones.
- They convert external information into physiological outputs, including metabolic changes and altered gene expression.
- The kinase network plays a vital role in regulating plant growth, cell division, and adaptation.