Advances in Botanical Research 2000 Plant Protein Kinases

Reversible protein phosphorylation is one of the most widely used mechanisms for signal transduction. It was first discovered as a regulatory mechanism 45 years ago when Fisher and Krebs reported studies on glycogen phosphorylase. It took until 1989 to report the first plant protein kinase gene sequences. Today, several hundred kinase genes are known in the model plant Arabidopsis. Current results show that the diversity of protein kinases extends from receptors that span the membrane to kinases that control gene expression and stress responses. An understanding of the nature of inter and intra cellular communication and how the various pathways might interact is just emerging in plants. Genetic and biochemical data is becoming available and this volume reviews the current knowledge of plant protein kinases and phosphatases. Chapters cover the regulation by reversible protein phosphorylation of key functions in plant metabolism, growth, development, and defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stresses. This volume will be essential reading for all plant scientists.Kreis, M. is the author of 'Advances in Botanical Research 2000 Plant Protein Kinases' with ISBN 9780120059324 and ISBN 0120059320.