Calcium Signaling Mechanisms Across Kingdoms.

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biochemistry
• Biophysics

Background:

• Calcium (Ca2+) is essential for all eukaryotes, functioning as both a nutrient and a critical signaling molecule.
• Maintaining calcium homeostasis is crucial for cellular nutrition and complex signaling pathways.
• Eukaryotic organisms have evolved diverse Ca2+ transport and binding proteins to manage calcium levels and interpret Ca2+ signals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a conceptual framework for understanding Ca2+ signaling principles and mechanisms across eukaryotes.
• To compare the evolution and function of Ca2+ coding and decoding mechanisms in fungi, animals, and plants.
• To illustrate specific Ca2+ signaling pathways and their unique features in plants versus animals.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of Ca2+ transport and binding proteins across different eukaryotic kingdoms.
• Review of established Ca2+ signaling pathways and their molecular components.
• Conceptual synthesis of unified and divergent themes in Ca2+ signaling.

Main Results:

• Eukaryotes utilize a sophisticated toolkit of Ca2+ transport and binding proteins to generate and interpret specific Ca2+ signals, termed Ca2+ signatures.
• Significant evolutionary conservation and divergence exist in Ca2+ coding and decoding mechanisms across fungi, animals, and plants.
• Ca2+ signaling plays fundamental roles in processes such as polarized cell growth, immunity, symbiosis, and systemic signaling.

Conclusions:

• The complexity of Ca2+ signaling presents ongoing research challenges.
• Understanding Ca2+ signatures and their decoding mechanisms is key to deciphering cellular communication.
• Comparative studies reveal fundamental principles and kingdom-specific adaptations in Ca2+ signaling.