Histidine kinases in plants: cross talk between hormone and stress responses

Plant Signal Behav. 2012 Oct 1;7(10):1230-7. doi: 10.4161/psb.21516. Epub 2012 Aug 20.

Abstract

Two-component signaling pathways involve sensory histidine kinases (HK), histidine phosphotransfer proteins (HpT) and response regulators (RR). Recent advancements in genome sequencing projects for a number of plant species have established the TCS family to be multigenic one. In plants, HKs operate through the His-Asp phosphorelay and control many physiological and developmental processes throughout the lifecycle of plants. Despite the huge diversity reported for the structural features of the HKs, their functional redundancy has also been reported via mutant approach. Several sensory HKs having a CHASE domain, transmembrane domain(s), transmitter domain and receiver domain have been reported to be involved in cytokinin and ethylene signaling. On the other hand, there are also increasing evidences for some of the sensory HKs to be performing their role as osmosensor, clearly indicating toward a possible cross-talk between hormone and stress responsive cascades. In this review, we bring out the latest knowledge about the structure and functions of histidine kinases in cytokinin and ethylene signaling and their role(s) in development and the regulation of environmental stress responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Histidine Kinase
  • Models, Biological
  • Plant Growth Regulators / metabolism*
  • Plants / enzymology*
  • Plants / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / chemistry
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stress, Physiological*

Substances

  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • Protein Kinases
  • Histidine Kinase