NaCl-induced changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ in Arabidopsis thaliana are heterogeneous and modified by external ionic composition

Increases in cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+](cyt)) are common to many stress-activated signalling pathways, including the response to saline environments. We have investigated the nature of NaCl-induced [Ca2+](cyt) signals in whole Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings using aequorin. We found that NaCl-induced increases in [Ca2+](cyt) are heterogeneous and mainly restricted to the root. Both the concentration of NaCl and the composition of the solution bathing the root have profound effects on the magnitude and dynamics of NaCl-induced increases in [Ca2+](cyt). Alteration of external K+ concentration caused changes in the temporal and spatial pattern of [Ca2+](cyt) increase, providing evidence for Na+-induced Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. The effects of various pharmacological agents on NaCl-induced increases in [Ca2+](cyt) indicate that NaCl may induce influx of Ca2+ through both plasma membrane and intracellular Ca2+-permeable channels. Analysis of spatiotemporal [Ca2+](cyt) dynamics using photon-counting imaging revealed additional levels of complexity in the [Ca2+](cyt) signal that may reflect the oscillatory nature of NaCl-induced changes in single cells.