Short coiled-coil proteins from plants and metazoans - the 'jacks of all trades'

The molecular functions of short coiled-coil proteins remain poorly characterized. These proteins typically act as facilitators rather than essential components of metabolic processes, contributing to cellular homeostasis, and are aptly described as 'jacks of all trades but masters of none'. They are found across diverse groups of organisms, including both plants and animals. LSU (RESPONSE TO LOW SULFUR) are plant proteins induced under sulfur deficiency and other environmental stresses. They participate in metabolic pathways, including sulfate assimilation, and manage oxidative stress by stabilizing and protecting antioxidative enzymes. In metazoans, SCOC (SHORT COILED-COIL) proteins regulate autophagy initiation by recruiting proteins essential for forming autophagosomes-key vesicles involved in cellular degradation. SCOC proteins also interact with factors critical for maintaining membrane dynamics and intracellular transport. Despite some functional similarities, the roles of these proteins have diverged significantly between plants and animals, reflecting organism-specific adaptations shaped by evolutionary pressures. This divergence underscores their adaptive versatility and highlights their potential as promising targets for future biological research.