Calcium signaling in Arabidopsis

[1] Because hormones, peptides and RNA travel through the vascular system at lower speeds than the plants response to wounds, indicates that Ca2+ must be involved in the rapid signal propagation.

[1] Instead of local communication to nearby cells and tissues, Ca2+ uses mass flow within the vascular system to help with rapid transport throughout the plant.

Ca2+ moving through the xylem and phloem acts through a “calcium signature” receptor system in cells where they integrate the signal and respond with the activation of defense genes.

A wound or damage to the plant causes a wound-activated surface potential (WASP) changes that serve as an alert message to undamaged tissues.

This action potential causes Ca2+ cytosolic concentration to increase, therefore sending calcium into the phloem, where the signaling is spread, and as it arrives to systemic tissues.