Calcium Signaling-Mediated Plant Response to Cold Stress

Low temperatures have adverse impacts on plant growth, developmental processes, crop productivity and food quality. It is becoming clear that Ca²⁺ signaling plays a crucial role in conferring cold tolerance in plants. However, the role of Ca²⁺ involved in cold stress response needs to be further elucidated. Recent studies have shown how the perception of cold signals regulate Ca²⁺ channels to induce Ca²⁺ transients. In addition, studies have shown how Ca²⁺ signaling and its cross-talk with nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways ultimately lead to establishing cold tolerance in plants. Ca²⁺ signaling also plays a key role through Ca²⁺/calmodulin-mediated Arabidopsis signal responsive 1 (AtSR1/CAMTA3) when temperatures drop rapidly. This review highlights the current status in Ca²⁺ signaling-mediated cold tolerance in plants.