title: The generation of Ca(2+) signals in plants.
abstract: The calcium ion is firmly established as a ubiquitous intracellular second messenger in plants. At their simplest, Ca(2+)-based signaling systems are composed of a receptor, a system for generating the increase in [Ca(2+)]cyt, downstream components that are capable of reacting to the increase in [Ca(2+)]cyt, and other cellular systems responsible for returning [Ca(2+)]cyt to its prestimulus level. Here we review the various mechanisms responsible for generating the stimulus-induced increases in [Ca(2+)]cyt known as Ca(2+) signals. We focus particularly on the mechanisms responsible for generating [Ca(2+)]cyt oscillations and transients and use Nod Factor signaling in legume root hairs and stimulus-response coupling in guard cells to assess the physiological significance of these classes of Ca(2+) signals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Lancaster Environment Center, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK. A.Hetherington@lancaster.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alistair M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hetherington
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brownlee
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D002118:Calcium