TY - JOUR

T1 - Plant 14-3-3 protein families - evidence for isoform-specific functions?

AU - Roberts, Michael R.

AU - De Bruxelles, Guy L.

PY - 2002/8

Y1 - 2002/8

N2 - 14-3-3 proteins regulate a wide range of target proteins via direct protein–protein interactions. The target-binding domain in 14-3-3 proteins is highly conserved, suggesting similar biochemical properties for all 14-3-3s. However, higher eukaryotes possess multiple 14-3-3 genes, and these genes exhibit diverse patterns of gene expression within any one organism. This tends to suggest specific functions for particular genes. Some biochemical data suggest 14-3-3 isoform-specific protein–protein interactions, whereas other studies conclude that apparent isoform-specificity is the result of differences in expression patterns rather than in the biochemical properties of 14-3-3 isoforms. Here we discuss evidence that demonstrates that the expression levels of 14-3-3 proteins in cells are important for regulating the activity of their target proteins, and further that the elimination of individual 14-3-3 isoforms can result in detectable phenotypes. We also examine evidence that 14-3-3 isoform specificity can in some cases reflect differing biochemical properties as well as differential transcriptional regulation.

AB - 14-3-3 proteins regulate a wide range of target proteins via direct protein–protein interactions. The target-binding domain in 14-3-3 proteins is highly conserved, suggesting similar biochemical properties for all 14-3-3s. However, higher eukaryotes possess multiple 14-3-3 genes, and these genes exhibit diverse patterns of gene expression within any one organism. This tends to suggest specific functions for particular genes. Some biochemical data suggest 14-3-3 isoform-specific protein–protein interactions, whereas other studies conclude that apparent isoform-specificity is the result of differences in expression patterns rather than in the biochemical properties of 14-3-3 isoforms. Here we discuss evidence that demonstrates that the expression levels of 14-3-3 proteins in cells are important for regulating the activity of their target proteins, and further that the elimination of individual 14-3-3 isoforms can result in detectable phenotypes. We also examine evidence that 14-3-3 isoform specificity can in some cases reflect differing biochemical properties as well as differential transcriptional regulation.

KW - genetic redundancy

KW - protein–protein interaction.

U2 - 10.1042/bst0300373

DO - 10.1042/bst0300373

M3 - Journal article

VL - 30

SP - 373

EP - 378

JO - Biochemical Society Transactions

JF - Biochemical Society Transactions

SN - 0300-5127

IS - 4

ER -