The battle of two ions: Ca2+ signaling against Na+stress

Köster P, Wallrad L, Edel KH, Faisal M, Alatar AA, Kudla J

Abstract

Soil salinity adversely affects plant growth, crop yield and the composition of ecosystems. Salinity stress impacts on plants by combined effects of Na+toxicity and osmotic perturbance. Plants have evolved elaborate mechanisms to counteract the detrimental consequences of salinity. Here we reflect on recent advances in our understanding of plant salt tolerance mechanisms. We discuss the embedding of the salt tolerance mediating SOS pathway in plant hormonal and developmental adaptation. Moreover, we review newly accumulating evidence indicating a crucial role of a transpiration dependent salinity tolerance pathway, that is centered around the function of the NADPH oxidase RBOHF and its role in endodermal and Casparian strip differentiation. Together, these data suggest a unifying and coordinating role for Ca2+signaling in combatting salinity stress at the cellular and organismal level. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.