In SYNC: the ins and outs of circadian oscillations in calcium.
Many stimuli induce short-term increases in the cytosolic concentration of free calcium ions ([Ca(2+)](i)) that encode signaling information about diverse physiological and developmental events. Slow cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations that span an entire day have also been discovered in both plants and animals; it is thought that these daily Ca(2+) oscillations may encode circadian clock signaling information. A recent study focusing on the characterization of the extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CAS) has provided insight into the molecular mechanisms by which the daily Ca(2+) oscillation in plants is generated. We summarize the major findings regarding daily oscillations of cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations in plants and animals, and discuss hypothetical biological roles for the circadian clock-regulated physiology in plants.
Imaizumi
Takato
T
Department of Biochemistry, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. takato@scripps.edu
Schroeder
Julian I
JI
Kay
Steve A
SA
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D035264:Flowers / Q000378:metabolism; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D017440:Photoperiod; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / Q000378:metabolism; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism
D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing; D002118:Calcium