Structure, function and membrane interactions of plant annexins: An update

Knowledge accumulated over the past 15 years on plant annexins clearly indicates that this disparate group of proteins builds on the common annexin function of membrane association, but possesses divergent molecular mechanisms. Functionally, the current literature agrees on a key role of plant annexins in stress response processes such as wound healing and drought tolerance. This is contrasted by only few established details of the molecular level mechanisms that are driving these activities.In this review, we appraise the current knowledge of plant annexin molecular, functional and structural properties with a special emphasis on topics of less coverage in recent past overviews. In particular, plant annexin post-translational modification, roles in polar growth and membrane stabilisation processes are discussed.

► Plant annexin phosphorylation as an important regulator of membrane and calcium binding.
► Fine-tuning of annexins through phosphorylation may establish infrastructure for polar growth.
► Scaffold functionality of annexins at sites where the plasma membrane is in a transformation stage.
► Glutathionylation of the S3 cluster as a generic mechanism of stress-related response.