植物钙吸收、转运及代谢的生理和分子机制

钙是植物必需的营养元素。酸性砂质土壤中含钙较少, 导致在其土壤上生长的作物容易缺钙。另外由于果树果实、果菜类和包心叶菜类的蒸腾作用弱, 导致果树和蔬菜普遍生理缺钙。根系维管束组织可能通过共质体和质外体两种途径进行钙素吸收, 而果实则可通过非维管束组织直接吸收钙素。Ca2+通过Ca2+通道内流进入胞质, 并通过Ca2+-ATPase 和Ca2+/H+反向转运蛋白外流以保持胞质内低Ca2+浓度。为了应对植物发育和环境胁迫信号, Ca2+由质膜、液泡膜和内质网膜的Ca2+通道内流进入胞质, 导致胞质Ca2+浓度迅速增加, 产生钙瞬变和钙振荡, 传递到钙信号靶蛋白, 如钙调素、钙依赖型蛋白激酶及钙调磷酸酶B类蛋白, 引起特异的生理生化反应。本文综述了植物钙素吸收、转运以及代谢研究的最新进展, 包括植物对钙的需求和作物缺钙的原因, 根系维管束组织及果实钙素吸收机理, Ca2+跨膜运输特性, 钙的信使作用以及钙信号靶蛋白等方面内容。     

植物体内钙信号及其在调节干旱胁迫中的作用

钙作为植物体内第二信使广泛参与了植物响应的各种非生物和生物胁迫的信号传导。胁迫信号通过激活位于细胞质膜上的钙离子通道,产生胞质内特异性的钙信号,传递至钙信号感受蛋白,如钙调素(calmodulin,CaM)、钙依赖蛋白激酶(Ca2+-dependent protein kinases,CDPK)和类钙调磷酸酶B蛋白(calcineurin B-like protein,CBL)等,进而引起胞内一系列生理生化变化,最终对胁迫做出响应。钙信号在植物响应干旱胁迫信号系统中起枢纽作用,主要通过调节气孔运动,水通道蛋白(aquaporin,AQP)和抗氧化酶活性来减少水分流失,提高水分利用率,最终降低干旱对植物细胞的伤害,并具有一定的生态学功能。该文对近年来国内外有关植物体内钙信号的研究进展以及在干旱逆境中的调节作用进行综述,并对今后的研究做了展望。     

植物细胞中钙信号的时空多样性与信号转导

近年来,对钙信号的研究,包括对钙信号的产生,传导及最终靶蛋白的研究,越来越受到人们的重视,植物生长发育过程的信息传递,包括对各种内外刺激的反应都涉及到钙信号,钙信号的产生及传导是通过胞质自由钙离子的浓度变化来实现的,本文综述了胞质自由钙离子的测定,钙信号的时空多样性及钙信号的靶蛋白如CaM,Ca^2 依赖的蛋白激酶,钙调磷酸酶,磷脂酰肌醇－磷脂酶C等方面的一些最新进展,展望了今后钙信号研究的方向所用到的一些技术方法等。     

重组水母发光蛋白及其在植物钙离子信号检测中的应用

重组水母发光蛋白作为检测植物细胞钙信号的手段是近十几年发展起来的新方法,该文介绍了重组水母发光蛋白作为Ca2+检测探针的发展过程、测钙原理、Ca2+浓度检测方法、Ca2+浓度换算方法、优点与不足、及在植物细胞钙离子信号检测中的研究进展。并利用国外实验室提供的方法在国内首次得出冷激条件下植物细胞内细胞质中([Ca2+]cyt)和液泡膜附近([Ca2+]md)钙离子浓度动力学变化曲线。     

植物细胞中钙信号的时空多样性与信号转导

近年来,对钙信号的研究,包括对钙信号的产生、传导及最终靶蛋白的研究,越来越受到人们的重视。植物生长发育许多过程的信息传递,包括对各种内外刺激的反应都涉及到钙信号。钙信号的产生及传导是通过胞质自由钙离子的浓度变化来实现的。本文综述了胞质自由钙离子的测定、钙信号的时空多样性及钙信号的靶蛋白如CaM、Ca2+依赖的蛋白激酶、钙调磷酸酶、磷脂酰肌醇_磷脂酶C 等方面的一些最新进展,展望了今后钙信号研究的方向及所用到的一些技术方法等。     

植物钙感受器及其介导的逆境信号途径

钙信号是植物生长发育和逆境响应的重要调控因子, 是植物生理与逆境生物学研究领域中的热点之一。当植物细胞受到外界逆境刺激时, 其胞内会产生具有时空特异性的Ca2+信号变化, 这种变化首先被胞内钙感受器所感知并解码, 再由钙感受器互作蛋白将信号传递到下游, 从而激活下游早期响应基因的表达或相关离子通道的活性, 最终产生特异性逆境响应。植物细胞通过感知胞内钙信号的变化如何识别来自外界不同性质或不同强度的刺激, 是近几年植物生物学家所关注的科学问题。文章主要总结了近几年在植物钙感受器研究领域中的最新进展, 包括钙依赖蛋白激酶(CDPKs)、钙调素(CaMs)、类钙调素蛋白(CMLs)、类钙调磷酸酶B蛋白(CBLs)及其互作蛋白激酶(CIPKs)等的结构、功能及其介导的逆境信号途径, 并提供新的见解和展望。     

植物钙结合蛋白与钙离子结合鉴定技术的研究进展

Ca2＋在植物生长发育和环境适应过程中发挥着中心调控作用,钙信号是植物生长发育和逆境响应的主要调控因子,钙结合蛋白是植物钙信号传导途径的最重要组分之一,然而植物钙结合蛋白在体内和体外与Ca2＋结合的技术体系还有待完善和发展。为了系统总结植物钙结合蛋白的鉴定方法与技术,本文从定性结合、定量结合和结合方式等角度,综述了植物钙结合蛋白在体内和体外条件下与Ca2＋结合的原理、方法、特点和应用前景,详细阐述了近年来的主要检测方法,并对其今后的发展趋势作了展望。本文将为植物钙结合蛋白的分离、功能鉴定和作用机制的研究提供技术支撑。     

植物钙素吸收和运转

近年来,钙素在植物体内的吸收和运输研究主要集中在细胞和分子水平,但整株水平上的研究也同样重要.整株水平上的钙吸收和运输包括根细胞的钙吸收、钙离子横向穿过根系并进入木质部、在木质部运输、从木质部移出并进入叶片或果实及在叶片或果实中运转分配等环节,既经过质外体也穿越共质体.钙离子通道、Ca2 -ATP酶和Ca2 /H 反向转运器等参与根细胞的钙吸收.在钙离子横向穿根进入木质部的过程中,需要穿越内皮层和木质部薄壁细胞组织.根系内皮层凯氏带阻挡了Ca2 沿质外体途径由内皮层外侧向内侧的移动,部分Ca2 由此通过离子通道流进内皮层细胞而转入共质体并到达木质部薄壁细胞组织,而由木质部薄壁细胞组织进入中柱质外体可能需要Ca2 -ATP酶驱动;还有一些Ca2 由内皮层细胞运出,沿内皮层内侧的质外体途径进入木质部导管,并通过导管运向枝干.钙离子以螯合态的形式在枝干导管运输;水流速率是影响钙离子沿导管运输的关键因子.钙离子在果实和叶片中的运输和分配不仅通过质外体途径也通过共质体途径.     

酿酒酵母细胞中钙离子信号传导途径的研究进展

酿酒酵母（SaccharomycescP增v括fdP）细胞可以通过ca2＋／钙调磷酸酶信号途径来应对许多外界环境胁迫。在交配信息素、盐或者其他环境压力存在的条件下,钙离子会通过细胞质膜上的未鉴定的钙转运蛋白x和M或者由Cchl和Midl组成的钙通道进入细胞质。胞质内钙离子浓度的增加会激活细胞质里的钙调磷酸酶（calcineurin）。钙调磷酸酶的一个非常重要的作用是去磷酸化细胞质内的转录因子Crzl,造成它快速地从细胞质转移到细胞核,从而诱导包括液泡膜上钙泵蛋白基因PMCl以及内质网膜和高尔基体膜上钙泵蛋白基因尸脚,在内的目标基因的表达。这两个钙泵蛋白和液泡膜上的Ca2＋／H＋交换蛋白Vcxl一起作用,将细胞质内的钙离子浓度控制在50～200nmol／L的正常生理浓度内．使细胞能够正常生长。该综述主要论述了酿酒酵母细胞内Ca2＋／钙调磷酸酶信号途径的最新研究进展。     

3-羰基辛酰基高丝氨酸内酯诱导拟南芥根细胞Ca~（2＋）内流

N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯（AHLs）是革兰氏阴性细菌群体感应系统（QS）中的胞间通讯信号分子。近年的研究表明AHLs可以调控植物生长发育及防卫反应,但其调控机制尚不清楚。本研究以拟南芥为材料,采用3-羰基辛酰基高丝氨酸内酯（3OC8-HSL）处理转水母发光蛋白基因的拟南芥幼根细胞,利用冷光仪检测3OC8-HSL对拟南芥根细胞中胞质游离Ca2＋浓度（[Ca2＋]cyt）变化的影响,同时采用Ca2＋专一性螯合剂EGTA和Ca2＋通道抑制剂预处理转基因拟南芥根细胞,用全细胞膜片钳技术分析3OC8-HSL诱导拟南芥根细胞中[Ca2＋]cyt升高的Ca2＋来源。结果表明,3OC8-HSL可诱导拟南芥根细胞中[Ca2＋]cyt瞬时升高。这种诱导效应可被EGTA、异搏定（verapamil）、LaCl3所抑制,但LiCl预处理对这种诱导效应无影响。膜片钳分析结果显示,3OC8-HSL可激活质膜Ca2＋通道,增加胞外Ca2＋内流。说明细菌AHLs可诱导植物Ca2＋信号产生,且这种Ca2＋信号主要源于胞外Ca2＋内流,暗示Ca2＋信使系统参与植物对细菌QS信号的响应。     

Calcium in plants

Calcium is an essential plant nutrient. It is required for various structural roles in the cell wall and membranes, it is a counter-cation for inorganic and organic anions in the vacuole, and the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) is an obligate intracellular messenger coordinating responses to numerous developmental cues and environmental challenges. This article provides an overview of the nutritional requirements of different plants for Ca, and how this impacts on natural flora and the Ca content of crops. It also reviews recent work on (a) the mechanisms of Ca2+ transport across cellular membranes, (b) understanding the origins and specificity of [Ca2+]cyt signals and (c) characterizing the cellular [Ca2+]cyt-sensors (such as calmodulin, calcineurin B-like proteins and calcium-dependent protein kinases) that allow plant cells to respond appropriately to [Ca2+]cyt signals.     

Genes for calcium-permeable channels in the plasma membrane of plant root cells

In plant cells, Ca(2+) is required for both structural and biophysical roles. In addition, changes in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](cyt)) orchestrate responses to developmental and environmental signals. In many instances, [Ca(2+)](cyt) is increased by Ca(2+) influx across the plasma membrane through ion channels. Although the electrophysiological and biochemical characteristics of Ca(2+)-permeable channels in the plasma membrane of plant cells are well known, genes encoding putative Ca(2+)-permeable channels have only recently been identified. By comparing the tissue expression patterns and electrophysiology of Ca(2+)-permeable channels in the plasma membrane of root cells with those of genes encoding candidate plasma membrane Ca(2+) channels, the genetic counterparts of specific Ca(2+)-permeable channels can be deduced. Sequence homologies and the physiology of transgenic antisense plants suggest that the Arabidopsis AtTPC1 gene encodes a depolarisation-activated Ca(2+) channel. Members of the annexin gene family are likely to encode hyperpolarisation-activated Ca(2+) channels, based on their corresponding occurrence in secretory or elongating root cells, their inhibition by La(3+) and nifedipine, and their increased activity as [Ca(2+)](cyt) is raised. Based on their electrophysiology and tissue expression patterns, AtSKOR encodes a depolarisation-activated outward-rectifying (Ca(2+)-permeable) K(+) channel (KORC) in stelar cells and AtGORK is likely to encode a KORC in the plasma membrane of other Arabidopsis root cells. Two candidate gene families, of cyclic-nucleotide gated channels (CNGC) and ionotropic glutamate receptor (GLR) homologues, are proposed as the genetic correlates of voltage-independent cation (VIC) channels.     

Convergence of calcium signaling pathways of pathogenic elicitors and abscisic acid in Arabidopsis guard cells

A variety of stimuli, such as abscisic acid (ABA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and elicitors of plant defense reactions, have been shown to induce stomatal closure. Our study addresses commonalities in the signaling pathways that these stimuli trigger. A recent report showed that both ABA and ROS stimulate an NADPH-dependent, hyperpolarization-activated Ca(2+) influx current in Arabidopsis guard cells termed "I(Ca)" (Z.M. Pei, Y. Murata, G. Benning, S. Thomine, B. Klüsener, G.J. Allen, E. Grill, J.I. Schroeder, Nature [2002] 406: 731-734). We found that yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) elicitor and chitosan, both elicitors of plant defense responses, also activate this current and activation requires cytosolic NAD(P)H. These elicitors also induced elevations in the concentration of free cytosolic calcium ([Ca(2+)](cyt)) and stomatal closure in guard cells. ABA and ROS elicited [Ca(2+)](cyt) oscillations in guard cells only when extracellular Ca(2+) was present. In a 5 mM KCl extracellular buffer, 45% of guard cells exhibited spontaneous [Ca(2+)](cyt) oscillations that differed in their kinetic properties from ABA-induced Ca(2+) increases. These spontaneous [Ca(2+)](cyt) oscillations also required the availability of extracellular Ca(2+) and depended on the extracellular potassium concentration. Interestingly, when ABA was applied to spontaneously oscillating cells, ABA caused cessation of [Ca(2+)](cyt) elevations in 62 of 101 cells, revealing a new mode of ABA signaling. These data show that fungal elicitors activate a shared branch with ABA in the stress signal transduction pathway in guard cells that activates plasma membrane I(Ca) channels and support a requirement for extracellular Ca(2+) for elicitor and ABA signaling, as well as for cellular [Ca(2+)](cyt) oscillation maintenance.     

Arabidopsis thaliana root non-selective cation channels mediate calcium uptake and are involved in growth

Calcium is a critical structural and regulatory nutrient in plants. However, mechanisms of its uptake by root cells are poorly understood. We have found that Ca2+ influx in Arabidopsis root epidermal protoplasts is mediated by voltage-independent rapidly activating Ca2+-permeable non-selective cation channels (NSCCs). NSCCs showed the following permeability (P) sequence: PCa (1.00) = PBa (0.93) > PZn (0.51), PCa/PNa = 0.19, PCa/PK = 0.14. They were inhibited by quinine, Gd3+, La3+ and the His modifier diethylpyrocarbonate, but not by the Ca2+ or K+ channel antagonists, verapamil and tetraethylammonium (TEA+). Single channel conductance measured in 20 mm external Ca2+ was 5.9 pS. Calcium-permeable NSCCs co-existed with hyperpolarisation-activated Ca2+ channels (HACCs), which activated 40-60 min after forming the whole-cell configuration. HACCs activated at voltages <-130 to -150 mV, showed slow activation kinetics and were regulated by cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt). Using aequorin-expressing plants, a linear relationship between membrane potential (Vm) and resting [Ca2+]cyt was observed, indicating the involvement of NSCCs. Intact root 45Ca2+ influx was reduced by Gd3+ (NSCC blocker) but was verapamil and TEA+ insensitive. In the root elongation zone, both root net Ca2+ influx (measured by Ca2+-selective vibrating microelectrode) and NSCC activity were increased compared to the mature epidermis, suggesting the involvement of NSCC in growth. A Ca2+ acquisition system based on NSCC and HACC co-existence is proposed. In mature epidermal cells, NSCC-mediated Ca2+ influx dominates whereas in specialised root cells (root hairs and elongation zone cells) where elevated [Ca2+]cyt activates HACCs, HACC-mediated Ca2+ influx predominates.     

Auxin induces an increase of Ca2+ concentration in the cytosol of wheat leaf protoplasts

Auxin addition to protoplasts isolated from leaves of 6-day-old wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kadett) induced a rapid increase in the cytosolic calcium concentration [Ca2+]cyt. The shifts in [Ca2+]cyt were detected by use of fluorescence microscopy in single protoplasts loaded with the calcium binding tetra[acetoxymethyl]ester of the fluorescent dye, Fura 2. Addition of the synthetic auxin naphthyl acetic acid, 1-NAA, induced an increase in [Ca2+]cyt within 5-10s, while the physiologically non-active analogue, 2-NAA, did not. The amplitude of calcium increase depended on the concentration of 1-NAA. Since the process was affected by different concentrations of Ca2+ in the external medium, and since the calcium channel blockers (nifedipine and verapamil) postponed and inhibited the reaction, it is suggested that auxin primarily activates Ca2+-permeable channels in the plasma membrane. In the presence of low external calcium concentration (0.1 mM), 5 mM LiCl almost totally blocked the increase in [Ca2+]cyt, indicating a possible involvement of tonoplast Ca2+-channels in the auxin-induced [Ca2+]cyt shift. Thus, calcium signalling induced by auxin involves both external and internal Ca2+ pools.     

Potassium-efflux channels in extensor and flexor cells of the motor organ of Samanea saman are not identical. Effects of cytosolic calcium

Leaflet movements in the mimosa-family tree Samanea saman stem from coordinated volume changes of cells in the leaf motor organs in the adaxial and abaxial motor cells ("flexors" and "extensors"). Shrinking, initiated by dissimilar light signals in extensors and in flexors, depends in both cell types on K(+) efflux via depolarization-dependent potassium (K(D)) channels. To compare between flexor and extensor K(D) channels and to test for a possible interaction of these channels with the Ca(2+)-mobilizing phosphoinositide cascade evoked in these motor cells by the "shrinking signals," we probed the channels with varying (5 nM-3 mM) cytosolic free-Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](cyt)) in patch-clamped inside-out excised membrane patches. Ca(2+) was not required for K(D) channel activation. [Ca(2+)](cyt) of 600 nM decreased the mean number of open K(D) channels in flexors, as monitored at -30 mV. Detailed analysis revealed that in flexors millimolar [Ca(2+)](cyt) decreased the maximum number of open channels, but simultaneously increased K(D) channel opening probability by negatively shifting the half-maximum-activation voltage by 40 to 50 mV. Thus, the promoting and the inhibitory effects at millimolar [Ca(2+)](cyt) practically cancelled-out. In contrast to flexors, none of the gating parameters of the extensor K(D) channels were affected by [Ca(2+)](cyt). Irrespective of [Ca(2+)](cyt), the steady-state gating of extensor K(D) channels was slightly but significantly more voltage sensitive than that of flexors. The unitary conductances of flexor and extensor K(D) channels were similar and decreased by approximately 20% at millimolar [Ca(2+)](cyt). It is intriguing that the extensor K(D) channels were significantly less K(+) selective than those in flexors.