Oscillation regulation of Ca2+ /calmodulin and heat-stress related genes in response to heat stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

The Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) signaling pathway mediates the heat stress (HS) response and acquisition of thermotolerance in plants. We showed that the rice CaM1-1 isoform can interpret a Ca2+ signature difference in amplitude, frequency, and temporal–spatial properties in regulating transcription of nucleoplasmic small heat-shock protein gene (sHSPC/N) during HS. Ca2+ and A23187 treatments under HS generated an intense and sustained increase in [Ca2+]cyt and accelerated the expression of CaM1-1 and sHSPC/N genes, which suggests that HS-induced apoplastic Ca2+ influx was responsible for the [Ca2+]cyt transient and downstream HS signaling. Here, we discuss an emerging paradigm in the oscillation regulation of CaM1-1 expression during HS and highlight the areas that need further investigation.