14‐3‐3 proteins: Central hubs in plant development and stress adaptation

14-3-3 proteins are evolutionarily conserved regulators that orchestrate diverse physiological processes by binding to phosphorylated client proteins. These interactions modulate client activity, localization, stability, or interactome composition, thereby coordinating plant growth, development, metabolism, and stress responses. Mounting evidence underscores their direct involvement in phytohormone signaling and stress-response pathways, in which 14-3-3 binding often constitutes a key regulatory event. This review highlights recent advances elucidating the pivotal role of 14-3-3 proteins in regulating phytohormone networks, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and evolutionary adaptations. We position 14-3-3 proteins as crucial integrators of internal signals and external cues, serving as central hubs that rewire cellular networks to enable adaptation to complex, changing environments.