Plant phosphoproteomics: A long road ahead

Phosphoproteomics can be defined as the comprehensive study of protein phosphorylation by identification of the phosphoproteins, exact mapping of the phosphorylation sites, quantification of phosphorylation, and eventually, revealing their biological function. Its place in today's research is vitally important to address the most fundamental question - how the phosphorylation events control most, if not all, of the cellular processes in a given organism? Despite the immense importance of phosphorylation, the analysis of phosphoproteins on a proteome-wide scale remains a formidable challenge. Nevertheless, several technologies have been developed, mostly in yeast and mammals, to conduct a large-scale phosphoproteomic study. Some of these technologies have been successfully applied to plants with a few modifications, resulting in documentation of phosphoproteins, phosphorylation site mapping, identification of protein kinase substrates, etc. at the global level. In this review, we summarize in vitro and in vivo approaches for detection and analysis of phosphoproteins including protein kinases and we discuss the importance of phosphoproteomics in understanding plant biology. These approaches along with bioinformatics will help plant researchers to design and apply suitable phosphoproteomic strategies in helping to find answers to their biological questions.