Abstract:Annexins are homologous,soluble and multifunctional proteins capable of Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent binding to or insert into the membranes.Annexins exist in some prokaryotes and all eukaryotic phyla and always represent in high organisms as multiple gene family.The structure of plant annexins has only 1 or 2 repeats which are highly conserved (usually the first and the fourth).Functionally,plant annexins have the abilities of binding to cytoskeleton,hydrolysing ATP and GTP,acting as peroxidases or cation channels in response to abiotic stresses such as salinity,drought,high and low temperature,metal stress and wounding and biotic stresses such as fungi and pests.Annexins are expressed in a majority of plant organs and throughout the whole life cycle and varied with the body growth,development and environment change and play an important role in resistance to stress.In this paper,the known structure and function of plant annexins,especially the relationship between annexins and plant stress response were systematically summarized so as to offer an oriented suggestion for researches in plant annexins and stress resistance.