Moonlighting SnRK2s stabilize a bZIP-bHLH switch in light-instructed plant development

In this issue of Developmental Cell, Qin et al. identify three members of the ABA-regulated kinase family, SnRK2, as light-quality-dependent regulators of hypocotyl elongation. SnRK2s stabilize the transcription factors HY5 and PIF4 independently of their kinase activity, revealing an abscisic-acid-independent role for SnRK2s in post-translational regulation.