Abstract
Electrical signaling in higher plants is required for the appropriate intracellular and intercellular communication, stress responses, growth and development. In this review, we have focus on recent findings regarding the electrical signaling, as a major regulator of the systemic acquired acclimation (SAA) and the systemic acquired resistance (SAR). The electric signaling on its own cannot confer the required specificity of information to trigger SAA and SAR, therefore, we have also discussed a number of other mechanisms and signaling systems that can operate in combination with electric signaling. We have emphasized the interrelation between ionic mechanism of electrical activity and regulation of photosynthesis, which is intrinsic to a proper induction of SAA and SAR. In a special way, we have summarized the role of non-photochemical quenching and its regulator PsbS. Further, redox status of the cell, calcium and hydraulic waves, hormonal circuits and stomatal aperture regulation have been considered as components of the signaling. Finally, a model of light-dependent mechanisms of electrical signaling propagation has been presented together with the systemic regulation of light-responsive genes encoding both, ion channels and proteins involved in regulation of their activity. Due to space limitations, we have not addressed many other important aspects of hormonal and ROS signaling, which were presented in a number of recent excellent reviews.
Highlights
One of the most critical functions of each organism is a selective sensing of the environment
External factors induce rapid changes in the membrane potential, and these changes can be transduced in the form of waves: (1) the movement of ions across of plasma membrane and organelle membranes is a driving mechanism for wavy changes of the electric potential, which propagate along the membrane of one cell or organelle, and in turn, determine intracellular electrical activity of the cell and adjust its local metabolism; (2) the short-distance intercellular electrical signaling to maintain specific behavior of the group of the cells; and (3) the long-distance intercellular electrical signal from the site of stimulus perception to distal organs, where it triggers plant-wide responses
The network of electrical signaling is present at almost each level of complexity, from unicellular bacteria and fungi to multi-cellular organisms like plants and animals
Summary
One of the most critical functions of each organism is a selective sensing of the environment. Ordered flow of electrical currents between cells and organs allows a given organism for universal, rapid, and efficient communication of the external changes. The steady state of plasma membrane electrical potential defines the electric field of each cell. External factors induce rapid changes in the membrane potential, and these changes can be transduced in the form of waves: (1) the movement of ions across of plasma membrane and organelle membranes is a driving mechanism for wavy changes of the electric potential, which propagate along the membrane of one cell or organelle, and in turn, determine intracellular electrical activity of the cell and adjust its local metabolism; (2) the short-distance intercellular electrical signaling to maintain specific behavior of the group of the cells; and (3) the long-distance intercellular electrical signal from the site of stimulus perception to distal organs, where it triggers plant-wide responses
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