IJMS, Vol. 19, Pages 3896: Calcium Signaling-Mediated Plant Response to Cold Stress (International Journal of Molecular Sciences)

Low temperatures have adverse impacts on plant growth, developmental processes, crop productivity and food quality. It is becoming clear that Ca2+ signaling plays a crucial role in conferring cold tolerance in plants. However, the role of Ca2+ involved in cold stress response needs to be further elucidated. Recent studies have shown how the perception of cold signals regulate Ca2+ channels to induce Ca2+ transients. In addition, studies have shown how Ca2+ signaling and its cross-talk with nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways ultimately lead to establishing cold tolerance in plants. Ca2+ signaling also plays a key role through Ca2+/calmodulin-mediated Arabidopsis signal responsive 1 (AtSR1/CAMTA3) when temperatures drop rapidly. This review highlights the current status in Ca2+ signaling-mediated cold tolerance in plants.