Phospholipid signalling and lipid-derived second messengers in plants

Phospholipid signalling is mediated by phospholipid breakdown products generated by phospholipases. The enzymes from animals and plants generating known or potential lipid-derived second messengers are compared. Plants possess a phospholipase C and a phospholipase A₂ both of which are agonist-activated. These agonists (auxin, elicitors, perhaps others) bind to the external surface of the plasma membrane. The target enzyme for potential plant lipid-derived second messengers is lipid-activated protein kinase but the possibility that other enzymes may be also lipid-modulated should not be precluded.Abbreviations DAG diacylglycerol - CDPK calmodulin-like domain protein kinase - PLA2 phospholipase A₂ - PLC phospholipase C - PLD phospholipase D - PKC protein kinase C - PS phosphatidylserine