CDPKs and 14-3-3 Proteins: Emerging Duo in Signaling.

Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are Ca-sensors that play pivotal roles in plant development and stress responses. They have the unique ability to directly translate intracellular Ca signals into reversible phosphorylation events of diverse substrates which can mediate interactions with 14-3-3 proteins to modulate protein functions. Recent studies have revealed roles for the coordinated action of CDPKs and 14-3-3s in regulating diverse aspects of plant biology including metabolism, development, and stress responses. We review here the underlying interaction and cross-regulation of the two signaling proteins, and we discuss how this insight has led to the emerging concept of CDPK/14-3-3 signaling modules that could contribute to response specificity.