title: Molecular Insights into the Enigmatic Metabolic Regulator, SnRK1.
abstract: Sucrose non-fermenting-1 (SNF1)-related kinase 1 (SnRK1) lies at the heart of metabolic homeostasis in plants and is crucial for normal development and response to stress. Evolutionarily related to SNF1 in yeast and AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) in mammals, SnRK1 acts protectively to maintain homeostasis in the face of fluctuations in energy status. Despite a conserved function, the structure and regulation of the plant kinase differ considerably from its relatively well-understood opisthokont orthologues. In this review, we highlight the known plant-specific modes of regulation involving SnRK1 together with new insights based on a 3D molecular model of the kinase. We also summarise how these differences from other orthologues may be specific adaptations to plant metabolism, and offer insights into possible avenues of future inquiry into this enigmatic enzyme.
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Emanuelle
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Monika S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Doblin
authors.affiliation: The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: David I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. Electronic address: abacic@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Antony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bacic
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gooley
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D006706:Homeostasis; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010944:Plants / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity; D013395:Sucrose / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D013395:Sucrose; C071570:SNF1-related protein kinases; C531469:At3g01090 protein, Arabidopsis
keywords: AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK); SNF1-related kinase 1 (SnRK1); phosphorylation; plant metabolic control; sucrose non-fermenting 1 (SNF1); trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P)