The gravistimulation-induced very slow Ca2+ increase in Arabidopsis seedlings requires MCA1, a Ca2+-permeable mechanosensitive channel

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 8;11(1):227. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-80733-z.

Abstract

Gravity is a critical environmental factor affecting the morphology and function of plants on Earth. Gravistimulation triggered by changes in the gravity vector induces an increase in the cytoplasmic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]c) as an early process of gravity sensing; however, its role and molecular mechanism are still unclear. When seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana expressing apoaequorin were rotated from the upright position to the upside-down position, a biphasic [Ca2+]c-increase composed of a fast-transient [Ca2+]c-increase followed by a slow [Ca2+]c-increase was observed. We find here a novel type [Ca2+]c-increase, designated a very slow [Ca2+]c-increase that is observed when the seedlings were rotated back to the upright position from the upside-down position. The very slow [Ca2+]c-increase was strongly attenuated in knockout seedlings defective in MCA1, a mechanosensitive Ca2+-permeable channel (MSCC), and was partially restored in MCA1-complemented seedlings. The mechanosensitive ion channel blocker, gadolinium, blocked the very slow [Ca2+]c-increase. This is the first report suggesting the possible involvement of MCA1 in an early event related to gravity sensing in Arabidopsis seedlings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / cytology
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Gravitation*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Permeability
  • Seedlings / metabolism*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • MCA1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Calcium