# Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases in Plants: Structure, Signaling, and Multifaceted Regulatory Roles in Development and Stress Adaptation **Authors:** Rui Wang, Jiangyu Meng, Shuwen Yang, Bingjie Sun, Wei Qian, Yajun He PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ijms27041843 · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2026-02-14 ## TL;DR This paper reviews how calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) help plants sense calcium changes and regulate growth, development, and stress responses. ## Contribution The paper provides a comprehensive overview of CDPK structure, signaling mechanisms, and their diverse regulatory roles in plants. ## Key findings - CDPKs function as calcium sensors and protein kinases in plants. - They regulate plant development and stress responses through phosphorylation of target proteins. - CDPKs interact with phytohormone pathways to modulate plant physiology. ## Abstract Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are crucial calcium sensors in plants that perceive transient calcium fluctuations. Structurally, CDPKs contain an integrated serine/threonine protein kinase domain, which enables them to function as protein kinases. Through phosphorylation of downstream target proteins, CDPKs transduce specific calcium-encoded signals to regulate diverse physiological processes. As pivotal signaling molecules, CDPKs function as critical regulators in plant growth, development, and stress responses. This review comprehensively summarizes the structure of CDPKs and their signal transduction mechanisms. It further elaborates on the multifaceted functions of CDPKs across diverse plant species, encompassing their regulatory roles in developmental processes, responses to abiotic and biotic stresses, and intricate interactions with phytohormone signaling pathways. ## Full-text entities - **Genes:** ABI5 (Basic-leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor family protein) [NCBI Gene 818199] {aka ABA INSENSITIVE 5, AtABI5, F2H17.12, F2H17_12, GIA1, GROWTH-INSENSITIVITY TO ABA 1}, ATL6 (RING/U-box superfamily protein) [NCBI Gene 819684] {aka Arabidopsis toxicos en levadura 6, T12H1.17, T12H1_17}, CNGC9 (cyclic nucleotide gated channel 9) [NCBI Gene 829179] {aka ATCNGC9, F17I23.100, F17I23_100, cyclic nucleotide gated channel 9}, AT4G25800 (Calmodulin-binding protein) [NCBI Gene 828685] {aka F14M19.80, F14M19_80}, PIN1 (Auxin efflux carrier family protein) [NCBI Gene 843693] {aka ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA PIN-FORMED 1, ATPIN1, F6D5.2, F6D5_2, PIN-FORMED 1}, MPK12 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 12) [NCBI Gene 819215] {aka ATMPK12, MAPK12, T3F17.28, mitogen-activated protein kinase 12}, RBOHB (respiratory burst oxidase-like protein) [NCBI Gene 837430] {aka ATRBOHB, ATRBOHB-BETA, F7G19.4, F7G19_4, respiratory burst oxidase homolog B}, RAB18 (RAB GTPASE HOMOLOG B18) [NCBI Gene 840987] {aka ARABIDOPSIS RAB GTPASE HOMOLOG B18, ARABIDOPSIS RAB GTPASE HOMOLOG C1, ATRAB-C1, ATRAB18, ATRABC1, F28H19.15}, CBL (cystathionine beta-lyase) [NCBI Gene 824872] {aka cystathionine beta-lyase}, KAT1 (1) [NCBI Gene 834666] {aka AtKAT1, MPL12.2, MPL12_2, potassium channel in Arabidopsis thaliana 1}, NRAMP6 (NRAMP metal ion transporter 6) [NCBI Gene 838166] {aka ATNRAMP6, NRAMP metal ion transporter 6, T24D18.6, T24D18_6}, AT5G40153 (peroxidase) [NCBI Gene 28721236], ACS (acetyl-CoA synthetase) [NCBI Gene 833655] {aka acetyl-CoA synthetase}, EIR1 (Auxin efflux carrier family protein) [NCBI Gene 835813] {aka AGR, AGR1, AGRAVITROPIC ROOT, AGRAVITROPIC ROOT 1, ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA PIN-FORMED 2, ATPIN2}, TPK1 (thiamine pyrophosphokinase1) [NCBI Gene 839303] {aka F22D16.12, F22D16_12, thiamin pyrophosphokinase1}, ACS7 (1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase 7) [NCBI Gene 828726] {aka 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase 7, ACCS7, ATACS7, T25K17.10, T25K17_10}, CAT3 (catalase 3) [NCBI Gene 838651] {aka ATCAT3, F5M15.5, F5M15_5, SEN2, SENESCENCE 2, catalase 3}, ZmCDPK1 [NCBI Gene 542224], CNGC18 (cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 18) [NCBI Gene 831339] {aka ATCNGC18, CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE-GATED CHANNEL 18, T9L3.170, T9L3_170, cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 18}, SLAH3 (SLAC1 homologue 3) [NCBI Gene 832468] {aka MZF18.9, MZF18_9, SLAC1 homologue 3}, APX1 (ascorbate peroxidase 1) [NCBI Gene 837304] {aka ASCORBATE PEROXIDASE, ATAPX01, ATAPX1, CS1, F24B9.2, F24B9_2}, CPK6 (Calcium-dependent protein kinase family protein) [NCBI Gene 816235] {aka ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE 6, ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA CALMODULIN-DOMAIN PROTEIN KINASE 3, ATCDPK3, ATCPK6, CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE 6, CALMODULIN-DOMAIN PROTEIN KINASE 3}, PHT1;1 (phosphate transporter 1;1) [NCBI Gene 834353] {aka ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 1, ATPT1, MWF20.4, MWF20_4, PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER, PT1}, ABF3 (abscisic acid responsive elements-binding factor 3) [NCBI Gene 829547] {aka AtABF3, DC3 PROMOTER-BINDING FACTOR 5, DPBF5, F17I5.200, abscisic acid responsive elements-binding factor 3}, OZS1 (C4-dicarboxylate transporter/malic acid transport protein) [NCBI Gene 837805] {aka CARBON DIOXIDE INSENSITIVE 3, CDI3, F5O11.23, F5O11_23, OZONE-SENSITIVE 1, RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH 3}, PP2CA (protein phosphatase 2CA) [NCBI Gene 820314] {aka AHG3, ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2CA, ATPP2CA, protein phosphatase 2CA}, CDPK2 (calcium-dependent protein kinase 2) [NCBI Gene 840471] {aka ATCDPK2, ATCPK11, CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE 2, CPK11, F15O4.8, calcium-dependent protein kinase 2}, GA3OX2 (gibberellin 3-oxidase 2) [NCBI Gene 844374] {aka ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA GIBBERELLIN-3-OXIDASE 2, ATGA3OX2, F5I6.9, F5I6_9, GA4H, GIBBERELLIN 3 BETA-HYDROXYLASE}, IRT1 (iron-regulated transporter 1) [NCBI Gene 827713] {aka ARABIDOPSIS IRON-REGULATED TRANSPORTER 1, ATIRT1, T16H5.50, T16H5_50, iron-regulated transporter 1}, CERK1 (chitin elicitor receptor kinase 1) [NCBI Gene 821717] {aka AtCERK1, AtLYK1, LYK1, LYSM DOMAIN RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE 1, LYSM RLK1, LysM-containing receptor-like kinase 1}, CNI1 (carbon/nitrogen insensitive 1) [NCBI Gene 832801] {aka ATL31, Arabidopsis toxicos en levadura 31, F21A20.130, F21A20_130, carbon/nitrogen insensitive 1}, CNGC6 (cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 6) [NCBI Gene 816931] {aka ATCNGC6, CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE GATED CHANNEL 6, T29E15.18, T29E15_18, cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 6}, peroxidase [NCBI Gene 102577694], BOR1 (HCO3- transporter family) [NCBI Gene 819329] {aka AtBOR1, REQUIRES HIGH BORON 1, T3D7.3}, CDPK1 (calcium-dependent protein kinase 1) [NCBI Gene 838470] {aka ATCDPK1, AtCPK10, CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE, CPK10, F6A14.1, F6A14_1}, CRT1 (compromized recognition of TCV 1) [NCBI Gene 829786] {aka AtMORC1, F23E13.180, F23E13_180, MORC1, Microchidia 1, compromised recognition of TCV 1}, OST1 (Protein kinase superfamily protein) [NCBI Gene 829541] {aka ATOST1, F17I5.140, F17I5_140, OPEN STOMATA 1, P44, SNF1-RELATED PROTEIN KINASE 2.6}, CPK1 (calcium dependent protein kinase 1) [NCBI Gene 830366] {aka ATCPK1, CALCIUM DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE, calcium dependent protein kinase 1}, CDPK6 (calcium-dependent protein kinase 6) [NCBI Gene 828465] {aka AtCDPK6, CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE 6, CPK3, Calcium dependent protein kinase 3, F9D16.120, F9D16_120}, catalase [NCBI Gene 102577773], BIK1 (botrytis-induced kinase1) [NCBI Gene 818549] {aka F12L6.32, F12L6_32, botrytis-induced kinase1}, IPK2BETA (inositol polyphosphate kinase 2 beta) [NCBI Gene 836298] {aka ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA INOSITOL POLYPHOSPHATE KINASE 2 BETA, ATIPK2BETA, INOSITOL POLYPHOSPHATE KINASE 2 BETA, IPK2B, MAC9.7, MAC9_7}, PIP3 (plasma membrane intrinsic protein 3) [NCBI Gene 829662] {aka PIP2;7, PIP3A, PLASMA MEMBRANE INTRINSIC PROTEIN 2;7, PLASMA MEMBRANE INTRINSIC PROTEIN 3, PLASMA MEMBRANE INTRINSIC PROTEIN 3A, SIMIP}, GLR3.6 (glutamate receptor 3.6) [NCBI Gene 824311] {aka ATGLR3.6, glutamate receptor 3.6}, HY5 (Basic-leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor family protein) [NCBI Gene 830996] {aka BZIP TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR HY5, ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5, F2I11.150, F2I11_150, REVERSAL OF THE DET PHENOTYPE 5, TED 5}, NPR1 (regulatory protein (NPR1)) [NCBI Gene 842733] {aka ARABIDOPSIS NONEXPRESSER OF PR GENES 1, ATNPR1, F15H21.6, F15H21_6, NIM1, NON-INDUCIBLE IMMUNITY 1}, CAT2 (catalase 2) [NCBI Gene 829661] {aka CATALASE, T12J5.2, catalase 2}, LOC102586476 (respiratory burst oxidase homolog protein D) [NCBI Gene 102586476] {aka RBOHD, StrbohD}, RBOHD (respiratory burst oxidase homologue D) [NCBI Gene 834842] {aka ATRBOHD, MCA23.25, MCA23_25, RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE, respiratory burst oxidase homologue D}, ANNAT2 (annexin 2) [NCBI Gene 836626] {aka ANNEXIN, ANNEXIN A2, AtANN2, MXK3.27, MXK3_27, annexin 2}, GA20OX1 (2-oxoglutarate (2OG) and Fe(II)-dependent oxygenase superfamily protein) [NCBI Gene 828645] {aka ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA GIBBERELLIN 20-OXIDASE 1, AT2301, ATGA20OX1, GA REQUIRING 5, GA5, GIBBERELLIN 20-OXIDASE}, CNGC5 (cyclic nucleotide gated channel 5) [NCBI Gene 835905] {aka ATCNGC5, MTI20.20, MTI20_20, cyclic nucleotide gated channel 5}, CPK16 (calcium-dependent protein kinase 16) [NCBI Gene 816299] {aka AtCDPK16, CDPK16, T13L16.9, T13L16_9, calcium-dependent protein kinase 16}, CPK32 (calcium-dependent protein kinase 32) [NCBI Gene 824920] {aka ATCPK32, CDPK32, calcium-dependent protein kinase 32}, CBP60G (Cam-binding protein 60-like G) [NCBI Gene 832750] {aka Cam-binding protein 60-like G, F2P16.9, F2P16_9}, ascorbate peroxidase [NCBI Gene 102586473] - **Diseases:** injury to (MESH:D014947), Water (MESH:D000069578), iron deficiency (MESH:D000090463), metabolic disorders (MESH:D008659), boron deficiency (MESH:D007153), Sucrose deficiency (MESH:C538139), Drought (MESH:C536747), toxicity (MESH:D064420), dehydration (MESH:D003681), Pollen (MESH:D006255), infection (MESH:D007239), chilling injury (MESH:D023341), PIN-HLs (MESH:C535904), leaf malformation (MESH:C564254) - **Chemicals:** Salt (MESH:D012492), phosphate (MESH:D010710), GA (MESH:C007842), sugar (MESH:D000073893), SA (MESH:D020156), Zn (MESH:D015032), metalloids (MESH:D058955), metal (MESH:D008670), methionine (MESH:D008715), ABA (MESH:D000040), chitin (MESH:D002686), Ni (MESH:D009532), ethylene (MESH:C036216), nitrogen (MESH:D009584), Fe (MESH:D007501), S-Adenosylmethionine (MESH:D012436), gibberellin (MESH:D005875), water (MESH:D014867), LA (MESH:D017962), NO (MESH:D009569), Boron (MESH:D001895), cyclic nucleotide (MESH:D009712), Copper (MESH:D003300), ASC (MESH:D001205), K+ (MESH:D011188), Hg (MESH:D008628), 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (MESH:C025999), Na+ (MESH:D012964), Al (MESH:D000535), As(V) (-), H2O2 (MESH:D006861), starch (MESH:D013213), camalexin (MESH:C102405), galacturonic acid (MESH:C007819), GSSG (MESH:D019803), fatty acid (MESH:D005227), carbohydrate (MESH:D002241), MeJA (MESH:C072239), UDP-glucose (MESH:D014532), Cr (MESH:D002857), PA (MESH:D011073), Co (MESH:D003035), cytokinin (MESH:D003583), GSH (MESH:D005978), flavonoid (MESH:D005419), DAMPs (MESH:C116255), Manganese (MESH:D008345), JA (MESH:C011006), Ca (MESH:D002118), heavy metal (MESH:D019216), ROS (MESH:D017382), Auxin (MESH:D007210), Pb (MESH:D007854), arsenate (MESH:C025657), Cadmium (MESH:D002104), Mo (MESH:D008982), Arsenic (MESH:D001151) - **Species:** Malus domestica (apple, species) [taxon 3750], Prunus persica (peach, species) [taxon 3760], Medicago sativa (alfalfa, species) [taxon 3879], Verticillium dahliae (species) [taxon 27337], Nicotiana tabacum (American tobacco, species) [taxon 4097], Toxoplasma gondii (species) [taxon 5811], Arabidopsis thaliana (mouse-ear cress, species) [taxon 3702], Dioscorea oppositifolia (species) [taxon 569628], Cryptosporidium parvum (species) [taxon 5807], Solanum lycopersicum (tomato, species) [taxon 4081], Sedum alfredii (species) [taxon 439688], Brassica napus (oilseed rape, species) [taxon 3708], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Zea mays (maize, species) [taxon 4577], Citrus trifoliata (hardy orange, species) [taxon 37690], Oryza sativa (Asian cultivated rice, species) [taxon 4530], PX clade (clade) [taxon 569578], Ulva compressa (species) [taxon 63659], Cucumis sativus (cucumber, species) [taxon 3659], Ralstonia solanacearum (species) [taxon 305], Solanum tuberosum (potatoes, species) [taxon 4113], Castor (genus) [taxon 10184], Sorghum bicolor (broomcorn, species) [taxon 4558], Petunia x hybrida (garden petunia, species) [taxon 4102], Triticum aestivum (bread wheat, species) [taxon 4565], Ricinus communis (castor bean, species) [taxon 3988], Botrytis cinerea (gray fruit mold, species) [taxon 40559], Hordeum vulgare (barley, species) [taxon 4513] - **Mutations:** serine-856 of glutamate, Ser/Thr ## Full text _Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12941087/full.md ## Figures 1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12941087/full.md ## References 246 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12941087/full.md --- Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12941087