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CNGCs: prime targets of plant cyclic nucleotide signalling?

I N Talke, D Blaudez, F J M Maathuis, D Sanders

Research output: Contribution to journalLiterature reviewpeer-review

Abstract

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) are a recently identified family of plant ion channels. They show a high degree of similarity to Shaker-type voltage-gated channels and contain a C-terminal cyclic nucleotide-binding domain with an overlapping calmodulin-binding domain. Heterologously expressed plant CNGCs; show activation by cyclic nucleotides and permeability to monovalent and divalent cations. In plants, downstream effectors of cyclic nucleotide signals have so far remained obscure, and CNGCs might be their prime targets. The unique position of CNGCs as ligand-gated Ca2+-permeable channels suggests that they function at key sites where cyclic nucleotide and Ca2+ signalling pathways interact. Such processes include plant defence responses, and two recently characterized Arabidopsis mutants in CNGC genes indeed show altered pathogen responses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)286-293
Number of pages8
JournalTRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
Volume8
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2003

Keywords

  • GATED CATION CHANNEL
  • CALMODULIN-BINDING TRANSPORTER
  • PROGRAMMED CELL-DEATH
  • CULTURED CARROT CELLS
  • PLASMA-MEMBRANE
  • ARABIDOPSIS-THALIANA
  • ION CHANNELS
  • HYPERSENSITIVE RESPONSE
  • VICIA-FABA
  • CALCIUM-CALMODULIN

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