Analysis of the mechanism of rapid calcium signal propagation in plants using the Venus flytrap

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15047
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 43040:Biophysics-related
• Research Institution: Saitama University
• Principal Investigator: Suda Hiraku 埼玉大学, 理工学研究科, その他 (40899192)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: カルシウムシグナル / バイオセンサー / イメージング / 接触刺激 / ハエトリソウ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The mechanism of rapid calcium signaling in response to mechanical stimuli in plants has not yet been well understood. In this study, we analyzed the mechanism of calcium signal propagation using a calcium sensor protein overexpression line of the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) . The results suggest that the calcium signal propagates not only in the epidermal cell layers on the adaxial and abaxial sides of the leaf blade but also in the mesophyll cell layers. This calcium signal propagation was diminished by a voltage-gated calcium channel inhibitor. These results suggest that calcium signals in response to mechanical stimuli are generated in an action potential-dependent manner and provide new insights into the mechanism by which calcium signals propagate in plants.

Free Research Field

生物物理

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年，環境刺激に応じたカルシウムシグナルの伝達機構は理解され始めているものの，接触刺激に応じたカルシウムシグナルはその伝達機構だけでなく現象に関わるメカニズムのほとんどが未解明である。今回得られた結果はカルシウムシグナルが高速で伝播するメカニズムのみならずその前段階で行われる接触刺激の受容機構や後段階で行われる運動機構のメカニズムについても新たな知見を提供するものであり，植物における接触刺激に対する応答機構の全容を解明する新たな糸口となることが期待できる。