不同BR施用方式诱导黄瓜幼苗对Ca(NO_3)_2胁迫抗性的研究

为探讨外源油菜素内酯(brassinosteroid,BR)诱导黄瓜幼苗对Ca(NO3)2胁迫抗性的效果,研究了3种外源BR施用方法(0.01mg·L-1 BR浸种、0.1mg·L-1 BR喷叶及其二者结合施用)对Ca(NO3)2胁迫(60mmol·L-1)下黄瓜幼苗生长、生理活动以及光合作用的影响。结果表明:(1)3种外源BR方法处理后,Ca(NO3)2胁迫下的黄瓜幼苗株高、茎粗、展开叶片数、叶面积、干重含水量均显著提高,同时其叶片游离脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量上升,过氧化物酶活性提高,而其丙二醛(MDA)含量趋于无Ca(NO3)2胁迫对照的水平;(2)外源BR处理还提高了Ca(NO3)2胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的净光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度,却抑制了Ca(NO3)2胁迫下胞间CO2浓度的升高。研究认为,适宜浓度的外源BR浸种和喷叶处理均可有效增强黄瓜幼苗渗透调节能力,降低细胞膜质过氧化伤害程度,提高抗氧化酶活性和光合效率,从而表现出对Ca(NO3)2胁迫的抗性,并以操作简便、用量极低的0.01mg·L-1 BR浸种方法效果最佳。     

Allosteric effects of the antipsychotic drug trifluoperazine on the energetics of calcium binding by calmodulin

Trifluoperazine (TFP; Stelazine?) is an antagonist of calmodulin (CaM), an essential regulator of calcium‐dependent signal transduction. Reports differ regarding whether, or where, TFP binds to apo CaM. Three crystallographic structures (1CTR, 1A29, and 1LIN) show TFP bound to (Ca²⁺)₄‐CaM in ratios of 1, 2, or 4 TFP per CaM. In all of these, CaM domains adopt the “open” conformation seen in CaM‐kinase complexes having increased calcium affinity. Most reports suggest TFP also increases calcium affinity of CaM. To compare TFP binding to apo CaM and (Ca²⁺)₄‐CaM and explore differential effects on the N‐ and C‐domains of CaM, stoichiometric TFP titrations of CaM were monitored by ¹⁵N‐HSQC NMR. Two TFP bound to apo CaM, whereas four bound to (Ca²⁺)₄‐CaM. In both cases, the preferred site was in the C‐domain. During the titrations, biphasic responses for some resonances suggested intersite interactions. TFP‐binding sites in apo CaM appeared distinct from those in (Ca²⁺)₄‐CaM. In equilibrium calcium titrations at defined ratios of TFP:CaM, TFP reduced calcium affinity at most levels tested; this is similar to the effect of many IQ‐motifs on CaM. However, at the highest level tested, TFP raised the calcium affinity of the N‐domain of CaM. A model of conformational switching is proposed to explain how TFP can exert opposing allosteric effects on calcium affinity by binding to different sites in the “closed,” “semi‐open,” and “open” domains of CaM. In physiological processes, apo CaM, as well as (Ca²⁺)₄‐CaM, needs to be considered a potential target of drug action. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The effects of grafting on glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle in Ca(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>-stressed cucumber seedlings with pumpkin as rootstock

In this research, we investigated the effects of grafting on intermediate metabolites and key enzymes of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in self-grafted and salt-tolerant pumpkin rootstock-grafted cucumber seedlings supplied with nutrient solution and subjected to 80 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ stress for 6 days. Ca(NO₃)₂ stress induced accumulation of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) in the leaves of self-grafted cucumber seedlings and enhanced the activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and enolase (ENO). Succinic acid and malic acid contents and isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activities in self-grafted seedlings were significantly decreased by Ca(NO₃)₂ stress. In addition, activities of PEPC, ENO, SDH, and MDH and contents of glycolysis intermediate metabolites (citric, succinic, and malic acids) were significantly higher in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings compared with those in self-grafted seedlings under saline conditions. Furthermore, leaf adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content of rootstock-grafted seedlings was relatively higher than that in self-grafted plants under salt stress, with an opposite effect observed on adenosine diphosphate content. These results indicate that rootstock grafting alleviates Ca(NO₃)₂ stress-induced inhibition of the glycolytic pathway and the TCA cycle in cucumber seedling leaves, which may aid the respiratory metabolism of cucumber seedlings and help maintain a high ATP synthesis level, thereby increasing the biomass of cucumber seedlings and enhancing their salt tolerance.     

Cross-talks between Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>/CaM and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> in abscisic acid-induced antioxidant defense in leaves of maize plants exposed to water stress

Here we examined whether Ca²⁺/Calmodulin (CaM) is involved in abscisic acid (ABA)-induced antioxidant defense and the possible relationship between CaM and H₂O₂ in ABA signaling in leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) plants exposed to water stress. An ABA-deficient mutant vp5 and its wild type were used for the experimentation. We found that water stress enhanced significantly the contents of CaM and H₂O₂, and the activities of chloroplastic and cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR), and the gene expressions of the CaM1, cAPX, GR1 and SOD4 in leaves of wild-type maize. However, the increases mentioned above were almost arrested in vp5 plants and in the wild-type plants pretreated with ABA biosynthesis inhibitor tungstate (T), suggesting that ABA is required for water stress-induced H₂O₂ production, the enhancement of CaM content and antioxidant defense. Besides, we showed that the up-regulation of water stress-induced antioxidant defense was almost completely blocked by pretreatment with Ca²⁺ inhibitors, CaM antagonists and reactive oxygen (ROS) manipulators. Moreover, the analysis of time course of CaM and H₂O₂ production under water stress showed that the increase in CaM content preceded that of H₂O₂. These results suggested that Ca²⁺/CaM and H₂O₂ were involved in the ABA-induced antioxidant defense under water stress, and the increases of Ca²⁺/CaM contents triggered H₂O₂ production, which inversely affected the contents of CaM. Thus, a cross-talk between Ca²⁺/CaM and H₂O₂ may play a pivotal role in the ABA signaling.     

Reduced Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer Affects the Carbon Metabolism of Leaves and Maintains the Number of Flowers in Coreopsis tinctoria

This study examined the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizer reduction on the carbon (C) metabolism and yield of Coreopsis tinctoria. A two-year (2020–2021) hydroponic experiment was conducted in accordance with a randomized complete group design with five N levels [0.875 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ (N1), 1.750 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ (N2), 3.500 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ (N3), 7.000 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ (N4), and 14.000 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ (N5)] and three replications. The results showed that low N significantly affected the functional leaf weight, C metabolism, and flower bud (or flower) numbers of C. tinctoria at harvest. Lower-N levels, especially those of the N2 treatment, significantly increased Rubisco, sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), soluble acid invertase (SAI), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) activity and maintained the flower number of C. tinctoria. In addition, the balance of carbohydrates (sucrose, starch, glucose, and fructose) and ATP contents was more efficiently maintained under relatively low-N levels. These findings might suggest that reduced application of N fertilizer affects the C metabolism of leaves and maintains the number of flowers in Coreopsis tinctoria. Applying relatively low-N fertilizer levels is also a promising cultivation strategy for C. tinctoria.

     

不同钙盐对温州蜜柑抗冻性的影响

用20 mmol·L^-1氯化钙（CaCl₂）、醋酸钙（CaAc₂）和硝酸钙（Ca(NO₃)₂）喷施“国庆1号”温州蜜柑叶片,研究3种钙盐对其叶片抗冻性的影响.结果表明：喷施钙盐降低了叶片半致死温度（LT₅₀）,提高了温州蜜柑的抗冻性,CaCl₂处理的LT₅₀比对照降低了0.54 ℃,而CaAc₂和Ca(NO₃)₂处理分别比对照降低了1.34 ℃和1.35 ℃,表明CaCl₂处理效果较差,CaAc₂和Ca(NO₃)₂处理效果较好.钙盐处理还提高了“国庆1号”温州蜜柑叶片在低温（-9 ℃）胁迫下的SOD、POD活性及可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量,减少了叶片MDA的积累.     

Effects of Ca(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> stress on oxidative damage,antioxidant enzymes activities and polyamine contents in roots of grafted and non-grafted tomato plants

The effects of Ca(NO₃)₂ stress on biomass production, oxidative damage, antioxidant enzymes activities and polyamine contents in roots of grafted and non-grafted tomato plants were investigated. Results showed that when exposed to 80 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ stress, the biomass production reduction in non-grafted plants was more significant than that of grafted plants. Under Ca(NO₃)₂ stress, superoxide anion radical (O₂•⁻) producing rate, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of non-grafted plants roots were significantly higher than those of grafted plants, however, nitrate (NO₃ ⁻), ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) and proline contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC1.15.1.1), peroxidase (POD, EC1.11.1.7), catalase (CAT, EC1.11.1.6) and arginine decarboxylase (ADC, EC 4.1.1.19) activities of grafted plants roots were significantly higher than those of non-grafted plants. Regardless of stress, free, conjugated and bound polyamine contents in roots of grafted plants were significantly higher than those of non-grafted plants. The possible roles of antioxidant enzymes, prolines and polyamines in adaptive mechanism of tomato roots to Ca(NO₃)₂ stress were discussed. Gu-Wen Zhang and Zheng-Lu Liu contributed equally to this work.     

24-Epibrassinolide-induced alterations in the root cell walls of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis> L. under Ca(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> stress

Brassinosteroids (BRs) can effectively alleviate the oxidative stress caused by Ca(NO₃)₂ in cucumber seedlings. The root system is an essential organ in plants due to its roles in physical anchorage, water and nutrient uptake, and metabolite synthesis and storage. In this study, 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) was applied to the cucumber seedling roots under Ca(NO₃)₂ stress, and the resulting chemical and anatomical changes were characterized to investigate the roles of BRs in alleviating salinity stress. Ca(NO₃)₂ alone significantly induced changes in the components of cell wall, anatomical structure, and expression profiles of several lignin biosynthetic genes. Salt stress damaged several metabolic pathways, leading to cell wall reassemble. However, EBL promoted cell expansion and maintained optimum length of root system, alleviating the oxidative stress caused by Ca(NO₃)₂. The continuous transduction of EBL signal thickened the secondary cell wall of casparian band cells, thus resisting against ion toxicity and maintaining water transport.     

EFFECTS OF CALCIUM NITRATE STRESS ON ASCORBATE-GLUTATHIONE CYCLE METABOLISM IN LEAVES OF HYDROPONICALLY-GROWN GRAFTED EGGPLANT SEEDLINGS

 以日本引进的设施专用耐盐茄(Solanum melongena)品种‘Torvum Vigor’为砧木, 栽培茄(S. torvum)品种‘苏崎茄’为接穗, 用营养液栽培, 对80 mmol&;#8226;L^–1 Ca(NO₃)₂胁迫下茄子嫁接苗和自根苗叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环系统中抗氧化酶活性和抗氧化物及H₂O₂含量进行比较。结果表明, Ca(NO₃)₂胁迫下茄子幼苗叶片H₂O₂含量有所增加, 但嫁接苗叶片H₂O₂含量显著低于自根苗。Ca(NO₃)₂胁迫下嫁接苗叶片抗氧化酶(APX、DHAR和GR)活性、AsA和GSH再生率、氧化还原力(AsA/DHA值和GSH/GSSG值)均显著高于自根苗。综上所述, Ca(NO₃)₂胁迫下嫁接苗保持良好的AsA-GSH循环效率, 清除H₂O₂效率较高, 细胞受氧化损伤程度较轻, 表现出较强的耐盐性。     

Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and CaM are Involved in NO- and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Induced Adventitious Root Development in Marigold

Our previous results have demonstrated that both nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) are involved in the promotion of adventitious root development in marigold (Tagetes erecta L.). However, not much is known about the intricate molecular network of adventitious root development triggered by NO and H₂O₂. In this study, the involvement of calcium (Ca²⁺) and calmodulin (CaM) in NO- and H₂O₂-induced adventitious rooting in marigold was investigated. Exogenous Ca²⁺ was capable of promoting adventitious rooting, with a maximal biological response at 50 μM CaCl₂. Ca²⁺ chelators and CaM antagonists prevented NO- and H₂O₂-induced adventitious rooting, indicating that both endogenous Ca²⁺ and CaM may play crucial roles in the adventitious rooting induced by NO and H₂O₂. NO and H₂O₂ treatments increased the endogenous content of Ca²⁺ and CaM, suggesting that NO and H₂O₂ enhanced adventitious rooting by stimulating the endogenous Ca²⁺ and CaM levels. Moreover, treatment with Ca²⁺ enhanced the endogenous levels of NO and H₂O₂. Additionally, Ca²⁺ might be involved as an upstream signaling molecule for CaM during NO- and H₂O₂-induced rooting. Altogether, the results suggest that both Ca²⁺ and CaM are two downstream signaling molecules in adventitious rooting induced by NO and H₂O₂.     

Calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum of vascular smooth muscle: II. Effects of calmodulin and calmodulin inhibitors.

The role of calmodulin (CaM) in modulating calcium (Ca) uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of vascular smooth muscle was studied in saponin skinned strips of rat caudal artery. Exogenous CaM concentrations ranging from 0.3-1.8 microM did not statistically change the steady state MgATP-dependent Ca content, the MgATP-independent Ca content, or the oxalate-stimulated Ca influx. Calmidazolium (CDZ), W-7, and trifluoperazine (TFP) were used to examine the potential effect of an endogenous CaM pool on inward Ca transport. The IC50 of these antagonists for inhibition of Ca-CaM-stimulated phosphodiesterase activity and Ca-activated superprecipitation of canine aortic actomyosin was measured and found to be in the low micromolar range with a rank order of potency for inhibition of CDZ greater than TFP greater than W-7. In skinned tissues, micromolar concentrations of antagonists that inhibited CaM-mediated reactions in isolated enzyme systems did not reduce Ca content or oxalate-stimulated Ca influx. At higher concentrations of 100-200 microM, the MgATP-dependent Ca content was significantly reduced by TFP and W-7 but not by CDZ. The order of potency for inhibition of Ca uptake was TFP greater than W-7 greater than CDZ. The MgATP-independent Ca content was significantly decreased only by 200 microM TFP. Although none of these inhibitors significantly altered Ca efflux at concentrations up to 100 microM, Ca release was significantly stimulated by all three at 200 microM. The TFP-stimulated Ca release was partially inhibited by ruthenium red. The results indicate that neither exogenous CaM nor an endogenous CaM pool directly modulates inward Ca transport by the SR of saponin skinned caudal artery. The inhibition of Ca uptake produced by hundred micromolar concentrations of CaM antagonists fails to correlate with the order of and with the potency of inhibition measured in isolated enzyme systems. This suggests that the inhibition of Ca uptake produced by high concentrations of these antagonists may be independent of a specific interaction with CaM. The activation of Ca release by high concentrations of CaM antagonists may involve a nonspecific increase in membrane permeability as well as modulation of a membrane Ca channel.     

43Ca NMR studies of Ca2+-Tetrahymena calmodulin complexes

⁴³Ca NMR spectra of Ca²⁺-Tetrahymena calmodulin(Tet. CaM.) complexes have been observed under various conditions. Off-rate of Ca²⁺ from Tet. CaM. is estimated to be approx. 2.7 × 10³ s^?1 under a certain assumption. Relaxation rates of ⁴³Ca NMR of Ca²⁺-Tet. CaM. are remarkably increased(by one order in magnitude) by adding trifluoperazine(TFP), a potent calmodulin antagonist. Relaxation parameters estimated suggest that Ca²⁺ mobility is reduced by the TFP binding. A stoichiometry of TFP is two moles per Tet. CaM. molecule. The relaxation rates of ⁴³Ca NMR signals are increased by adding excessive Mg²⁺ to the Ca²⁺-Tet. CaM. solutions. The addition of Mg²⁺ to the Ca²⁺-Tet. CaM. complex decreases apparent pKa value of the complex as well.     

Exogenous Calcium Alleviates Photoinhibition of PSII by Improving the Xanthophyll Cycle in Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea) Leaves during Heat Stress under High Irradiance

Peanut is one of the calciphilous plants. Calcium (Ca) serves as a ubiquitous central hub in a large number of signaling pathways. The effect of exogenous calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂] (6 mM) on the dissipation of excess excitation energy in the photosystem II (PSII) antenna, especially on the level of D1 protein and the xanthophyll cycle in peanut plants under heat (40°C) and high irradiance (HI) (1 200 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) stress were investigated. Compared with the control plants [cultivated in 0 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ medium], the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) in Ca²⁺-treated plants showed a slighter decrease after 5 h of stress, accompanied by higher non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), higher expression of antioxidative genes and less reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Meanwhile, higher content of D1 protein and higher ratio of (A+Z)/(V+A+Z) were also detected in Ca²⁺-treated plants under such stress. These results showed that Ca²⁺ could help protect the peanut photosynthetic system from severe photoinhibition under heat and HI stress by accelerating the repair of D1 protein and improving the de-epoxidation ratio of the xanthophyll cycle. Furthermore, EGTA (a chelant of Ca ion), LaCl₃ (a blocker of Ca²⁺ channel in cytoplasmic membrane), and CPZ [a calmodulin (CaM) antagonist] were used to analyze the effects of Ca²⁺/CaM on the variation of (A+Z)/(V+A+Z) (%) and the expression of violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE). The results indicated that CaM, an important component of the Ca²⁺ signal transduction pathway, mediated the expression of the VDE gene in the presence of Ca to improve the xanthophyll cycle.     

The effects of oligomycin on content of adenylates in mesophyll protoplasts,chloroplasts and mitochondria from Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> treated pea and barley leaves

The effects of oligomycin on photosynthesis and respiration in relation to ATP production in chloroplasts and mitochondria were investigated in protoplasts isolated from the detached pea (Pisum sativum L cv. Iłowiecki.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Gunilla) leaves treated 5 mM Pb(NO₃)₂. The oligomycin (OM), an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation at 0.1 μM concentration caused the inhibition of photosynthesis rate in the protoplasts from both the control and the Pb-treated pea leaves. The respiration rate and ATP/ADP ratio in the protoplasts and the activity of ATPase in mitochondria, were also diminished in the control protoplasts. These effects were not observed in the protoplasts and mitochondria isolated from the Pb-treated leaves. Oligomycin, an inhibitor of photophosphorylation at 10 μM concentration decreased ATPase activity in chloroplasts from both the control and the Pb- treated leaves. Using the method of rapid fractionation of barley protoplasts it was shown that the ATP/ADP ratio in the mitochondria from Pb-treated leaves was largely suppressed (from 1.8 to 0.4) by OM under nonphotorespiratory conditions (high CO₂), whereas under photorespiratory conditions (low CO₂) this ratio was high (5.3) and under OM decreased less (to 3.1). Our results indicate that oligomycin, in organelle isolated from Pb-treated leaves, had no inhibitory effect on the mitochondrial ATPase, whereas it inhibited chloroplasts ATPase. We suggest that Pb ions affected the catalytic cycle and/or conformational changes of ATPase in pea chloroplasts differently than in mitochondria. The differences in Pb responses may reflect fine mechanisms for the regulation of ATP production in the plant cells under stress conditions.     

Interaction of trifluoperazine with Tetrahymena calmodulin. A 19F NMR study

We have used 19F NMR to study interactions of trifluoperazine (TFP), a potent calmodulin (CaM) antagonist, with Tetrahymena calmodulin (Tet. CaM). Changes in chemical shift and bandwidth of TFP caused by adding Tet. CaM in the presence of excess Ca2+ were much smaller than those by adding porcine CaM. The spectral features of the TFP-Tet. CaM solution in the presence of excess Ca2+ were quite similar to those of the TFP-porcine CaM solution in the absence of Ca2+. The exchange rate of TFP from Tet. CaM was estimated to be nearly 20 s-1. The TFP-Tet. CaM solution in the absence of Ca2+ showed a pronounced pH dependence of the 19F NMR chemical shift, whereas the solution in the presence of excess Ca2+ showed a smaller pH dependence. Thus, it was suggested that TFP is located near a hydrophilic region of the Tet. CaM molecule in the absence of Ca2+, while TFP is located near a hydrophobic region of the Tet. CaM in the presence of excess Ca2+.     

Proteome Analysis of Roots in Cucumber Seedlings Under Iso-Osmotic NaCl and Ca(NO3)2 Stresses

The growth and productivity of cucumber are severely affected by salinity. To understand the complex salt response mechanism, the physiological and biochemical responses of cucumber seedlings to iso-osmotic NaCl and Ca(NO₃)₂ stresses were investigated. In this study, the biomass was significantly decreased under iso-osmotic NaCl and Ca(NO₃)₂ stresses, and the inhibitory effect of Ca(NO₃)₂ stress was less than that of NaCl stress. The soluble protein contents were increased under Ca(NO₃)₂ stress, whereas they were decreased after 6 days of NaCl stress. A sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that there were 14 differentially expressed protein bands in roots under iso-osmotic NaCl and Ca(NO₃)₂ stresses at 0, 3, 6, and 9 days, and seven protein bands were little expressed under NaCl stress at 6 and 9 days. Based on these results, 2-D gel electrophoresis was used to separate cucumber root proteins in response to iso-osmotic NaCl and Ca(NO₃)₂ stresses at 3 days. A total of 43 protein spots changed under salt stress. Of these proteins, 33 were successfully identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and liquid chromatography electro-spray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and categorized into classes, including those corresponding to antioxidants and defense-related proteins and energy and metabolism. The functions of the significantly differentially expressed root proteins were analyzed, which may facilitate a better understanding of different salt response mechanisms, and we suggest that cucumber seedlings showed a more powerful ability to resist Ca(NO₃)₂ stress.

     

Root proteomics reveals cucumber 24-epibrassinolide responses under Ca(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> stress

Key message

The application of exogenous 24-epibrassinolide promotes Brassinosteroids intracellular signalling in cucumber, which leads to differentially expressed proteins that participate in different life process to relieve Ca(NO ₃ ) ₂ damage.

Abstract

NO₃ ^? and Ca²⁺ are the main anion and cation of soil secondary salinization during greenhouse cultivation. Brassinosteroids (BRs), steroidal phytohormones, regulate various important physiological and developmental processes and are used against abiotic stress. A two-dimensional electrophoresis gel coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF MS was performed to investigate the effects of exogenous 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on proteomic changes in cucumber seedling roots under Ca(NO₃)₂ stress. A total of 80 differentially accumulated protein spots in response to stress and/or exogenous EBL were identified and grouped into different categories of biological processes according to Gene Ontology. Under Ca(NO₃)₂ stress, proteins related to nitrogen metabolism and lignin biosynthesis were induced, while those related to cytoskeleton organization and cell-wall neutral sugar metabolism were inhibited. However, the accumulation of abundant proteins involved in protein modification and degradation, defence mechanisms against antioxidation and detoxification and lignin biosynthesis by exogenous EBL might play important roles in salt tolerance. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to investigate BR signalling. BR signalling was induced intracellularly under Ca(NO₃)₂ stress. Exogenous EBL can alleviate the root indices, effectively reduce the Ca²⁺ content and increase the K⁺ content in cucumber roots under Ca(NO₃)₂ stress. This study revealed the differentially expressed proteins and BR signalling-associated mRNAs induced by EBL in cucumber seedling roots under Ca(NO₃)₂ stress, providing a better understanding of EBL-induced salt resistance in cucumber seedlings. The mechanism for alleviation provides valuable insight into improving Ca(NO₃)₂ stress tolerance of other horticultural plants.