Fusicoccin - A key to multiple 14-3-3 locks?

Plants under attack from pathogens have a range of defence responses at their disposal to fight off the infecting organism. The fungus Fusicoccum amygdabi, however, appears to have found a major weakness in the plant defence barrier. A key role in the fungal attack is played by a molecule produced by and named after the fungus: fusicoccin. Recently, it has become clear that fusicoccin targets 14-3-3 proteins, which are at the cross-point of a huge array of signalling and regulatory pathways. Progress has now been made in understanding how 14-3-3 proteins and fusicoccin are involved in the regulation of key enzymes, such as the plasma membrane H+-ATPase and soluble nitrate reductase. Research on the in vivo effects of fusicoccin may lead to the identification of new 14-3-3 target proteins.