Abstract As a universal second messenger, calcium (Ca2+) transmits specific cellular signals via a spatiotemporal signature generated from its extracellular source and internal stores. Our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the generation of a Ca2+ signature is hampered by limited tools for simultaneously monitoring dynamic Ca2+ levels in multiple subcellular compartments. To overcome the limitation and to further improve spatiotemporal resolutions, we have assembled a molecular toolset (CamelliA lines) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that enables simultaneous and high-resolution monitoring of Ca2+ dynamics in multiple subcellular compartments through imaging different single-colored genetically encoded calcium indicators. We uncovered several Ca2+ signatures in three types of Arabidopsis cells in response to internal and external cues, including rapid oscillations of cytosolic Ca2+ and apical plasma membrane Ca2+ influx in fast-growing Arabidopsis pollen tubes, the spatiotemporal relationship of Ca2+ dynamics in four subcellular compartments of root epidermal cells challenged with salt, and a shockwave-like Ca2+ wave propagating in laser-wounded leaf epidermis. These observations serve as a testimony to the wide applicability of the CamelliA lines for elucidating the subcellular sources contributing to the Ca2+ signatures in plants.
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Imaging of plant calcium-sensor kinase conformation monitors real time calcium-dependent decoding in planta
Abstract Changes in cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) concentration are among the earliest reactions to a multitude of stress cues. While a plethora of Ca2+-permeable channels may generate distinct Ca2+ signatures and contribute to response specificities, the mechanisms by which Ca2+ signatures are decoded are poorly understood. Here we developed a genetically encoded FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer)-based reporter that visualizes the conformational changes in Ca2+-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs/CPKs). We focused on two CDPKs with distinct Ca2+-sensitivities, highly Ca2+-sensitive Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) AtCPK21 and rather Ca2+-insensitive AtCPK23, to report conformational changes accompanying kinase activation. In tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) pollen tubes, which naturally display coordinated spatial and temporal Ca2+ fluctuations, CPK21-FRET, but not CPK23-FRET, reported oscillatory emission ratio changes mirroring cytosolic Ca2+ changes, pointing to the isoform-specific Ca2+-sensitivity and reversibility of the conformational change. In Arabidopsis guard cells, CPK21-FRET-monitored conformational dynamics suggest that CPK21 serves as a decoder of signal-specific Ca2+ signatures in response to abscisic acid and the flagellin peptide flg22. Based on these data, CDPK-FRET is a powerful approach for tackling real-time live-cell Ca2+ decoding in a multitude of plant developmental and stress responses.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1930165
- PAR ID:
- 10442704
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The Plant Cell
- ISSN:
- 1040-4651
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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null (Ed.)Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors have advanced live cell imaging by dynamically visualizing molecular events with high temporal resolution. FRET-based biosensors with spectrally distinct fluorophore pairs provide clear contrast between cells during dual FRET live cell imaging. Here, we have developed a new FRET-based Ca2+ biosensor using EGFP and FusionRed fluorophores (FRET-GFPRed). Using different filter settings, the developed biosensor can be differentiated from a typical FRET-based Ca2+ biosensor with ECFP and YPet (YC3.6 FRET Ca2+ biosensor, FRET-CFPYPet). A high-frequency ultrasound (HFU) with a carrier frequency of 150 MHz can target a subcellular region due to its tight focus smaller than 10 µm. Therefore, HFU offers a new single cell stimulations approach for FRET live cell imaging with precise spatial resolution and repeated stimulation for longitudinal studies. Furthermore, the single cell level intracellular delivery of a desired FRET-based biosensor into target cells using HFU enables us to perform dual FRET imaging of a cell pair. We show that a cell pair is defined by sequential intracellular delivery of the developed FRET-GFPRed and FRET-CFPYPet into two target cells using HFU. We demonstrate that a FRET-GFPRed exhibits consistent 10–15% FRET response under typical ionomycin stimulation as well as under a new stimulation strategy with HFU.more » « less
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