The Significance of Calcium in Photosynthesis

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar 18;20(6):1353. doi: 10.3390/ijms20061353.

Abstract

As a secondary messenger, calcium participates in various physiological and biochemical reactions in plants. Photosynthesis is the most extensive biosynthesis process on Earth. To date, researchers have found that some chloroplast proteins have Ca2+-binding sites, and the structure and function of some of these proteins have been discussed in detail. Although the roles of Ca2+ signal transduction related to photosynthesis have been discussed, the relationship between calcium and photosynthesis is seldom systematically summarized. In this review, we provide an overview of current knowledge of calcium's role in photosynthesis.

Keywords: calcium; calmodulin; chloroplasts; energy dissipation; photosynthesis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Carbon / metabolism
  • Chloroplasts / metabolism
  • Chloroplasts / radiation effects
  • Light
  • Photosynthesis* / radiation effects
  • Plant Stomata / physiology
  • Plant Stomata / radiation effects

Substances

  • Carbon
  • Calcium