Calcium signalling in plant cells under environmental stress

Abstract

A change of intracellular calcium concentration is an early event in a large array of biological processes in plants, such as cell division, polarity, growth and development at normal conditions and under adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses. This chapter focuses on calcium signalling induced by different types of abiotic stresses, such as salt, cold, anoxia, aluminium and heavy metal stress, while a minor part deals with biotic stress signalling. Most investigations, so far, concerned Ca2+ signalling in the cytosol; however, signalling in the nucleus and other cell compartments such as mitochondria, ER and cell wall have also been reported. The specific “signature” of calcium, including duration, amplitude and frequency of the signalling, induced by different stresses is essential for a change of the physiological function. Different stores for calcium take part in the signalling under various types of stress. Of special interest is a comparison of signalling in tolerant and sensitive species and cultivars.