Calmodulin and calmodulin-like proteins in plant calcium signaling

Calmodulin (CaM) is a primary calcium sensor in all eukaryotes. It binds calcium and regulates the activity of a wide range of effector proteins in response to calcium signals. The list of CaM targets includes plant-specific proteins whose functions are progressively being elucidated. Plants also possess numerous calmodulin-like proteins (CMLs) that appear to have evolved unique functions. Functional studies of CaM and CMLs in plants highlight the importance of this protein family in the regulation of plant development and stress responses by converting calcium signals into transcriptional responses, protein phosphorylation or metabolic changes. This review summarizes some of the significant progress made by biochemical and genetic studies in identifying the properties and physiological functions of plant CaMs and CMLs. We discuss emerging paradigms in the field and highlight the areas that need further investigation.

► Calmodulins form a large class of calcium sensors in plants.
► Calmodulins show differential expression, localization and biochemical properties.
► Calmodulins regulate multiple aspects of plant development and stress responses.
► Calmodulins interconnect calcium signaling with other regulatory pathways.