CDPKs -: a kinase for every Ca2+ signal?

Numerous stimuli can alter the information contained in the temporal Ca(2+)concentration in the cytoplasm, a factor common to many physiological responses in plant and animal cells. Calcium-binding proteins decode information and spatial patterns of these Ca2+ signals and bring about changes in metabolism and gene expression. In addition to calmodulin, a calcium-binding protein found in all eukaryotes, plants contain a large family of calcium-binding regulatory protein kinases, Evidence is accumulating that these protein kinases participate In numerous aspects of plant growth and development.