Dimerization of Arabidopsis 14-3-3 proteins: structural requirements within the N-terminal domain and effect of calcium

The structural requirements for dimerization of RCI14A and RCI14B, two 14-3-3 isoforms from Arabidopsis thaliana, have been analyzed by testing truncated forms of RCI14A for dimerization with full-length RCI14A and RCI14B. The results show that only the fourth helix of the truncated partner is essential for dimerization, which represents a difference from what is known for animal isoforms. On the other hand, the effect of calcium has been tested in RCI14A homodimerization. Millimolar concentrations of calcium exert a negative, dose-dependent effect that involves the C-terminal domain of RCI14A and might modulate interactions with other cellular components or among Arabidopsis 14-3-3 isoforms.