Annexins

Summary Annexins are multifunctional lipid‐binding proteins. Plant annexins are expressed throughout the life cycle and are under environmental control. Their association or insertion into membranes may be governed by a range of local conditions (Ca 2+ , pH, voltage or lipid identity) and nonclassical sorting motifs. Protein functions include exocytosis, actin binding, peroxidase activity, callose synthase regulation and ion transport. As such, annexins appear capable of linking Ca 2+ , redox and lipid signalling to coordinate development with responses to the biotic and abiotic environment. Significant advances in plant annexin research have been made in the past 2 yr. Here, we review the basis of annexin multifunctionality and suggest how these proteins may operate in the life and death of a plant cell. Contents Summary 40 I. Introduction 40 II. Expression and localization during development 41 III. Response to the environment 42 IV. Control of subcellular localization 42 V. Structural determinants of function 43 VI. Activities and possible functions 47 VII. Conclusions and prospects 49 Acknowledgements 49 References 49