[Annexins--proteins involved in organization and function of biological membranes--from Arabidopsis thaliana to Homo sapiens].

The mini-review series presented in this issue of Postepy Biochemii is focussed on some aspects of biology of calcium- and membrane-binding proteins, annexins, ubiquitous in all eucaryotic organisms (excluding yeasts), from Arabidopsis thaliana to Homo sapiens. Annexins are encoded by twelve genes in verterbrates and by eight in higher plants. Their physiological significance is underlined by two facts: the numer of the annexin genes seems to grow during evolution and in some cell types they comprise up to 2% of total protein. In the present review the hypothesis is discussed suggesting that multiplication of annexin genes in evolution represents mechanism of organism adaptation to changes in environment. In addition, the experimental data are presented suggestive of annexins playing a crucial role in functioning of plasma membrane, such as signal transduction, ion and vesicular transport and membrane repair. The review is then followed by articlesdealing in details with participation of annexins in plant response to abiotic stress (Arabidopsis thaliana), in tissue mineralization (Gallus gallus), in exocytosis of catecholamines by PC12 cells (mammals) and in Niemann-Pick type C disease related to abnormal transport and intracellular storage of cholesterol (Homo sapiens).