Potassium signaling in plant abiotic responses: Crosstalk with calcium and reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species

Abstract

Potassium ion (K+) has been regarded as an essential signaling in plant growth and development. K+ transporters and channels at transcription and protein levels have been made great progress. K+ can enhance plant abiotic stress resistance. Meanwhile, it is now clear that calcium (Ca2+), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) act as signaling molecules in plants. They regulate plant growth and development and mediate K+ transport. However, the interaction of K+ with these signaling molecules remains unclear. K+ may crosstalk with Ca2+ and ROS/RNS in abiotic stress responses in plants. Also, there are interactions among K+, Ca2+, and ROS/RNS signaling pathways in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. They regulate ion homeostasis, antioxidant system, and stress resistance-related gene expression in plants. Future work needs to focus on the deeper understanding of molecular mechanism of crosstalk among K+, Ca2+, and ROS/RNS under abiotic stress.