Plants, symbiosis and parasites: a calcium signalling connection.
A unique family of protein kinases has evolved with regulatory domains containing sequences that are related to Ca(2+)-binding EF-hands. In this family, the archetypal Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) have been found in plants and some protists, including the malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Recent genetic evidence has revealed isoform-specific functions for a CDPK that is essential for Plasmodium berghei gametogenesis, and for a related chimeric Ca(2+) and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) that is essential to the formation of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing nodules in plants. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the analysis of 42 isoforms of CDPK and related kinases is expected to delineate Ca(2+) signalling pathways in all aspects of plant biology.
Harper
Jeffrey F
JF
Department of Biochemistry, MS200, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA. jfharper@unr.edu
Harmon
Alice
A
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D010271:Parasites / Q000502:physiology; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010944:Plants / Q000469:parasitology*; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
D011494:Protein Kinases; D002118:Calcium