Calcium spiking in a Medicago root hair cell injected with a calcium responsive dye

Calcium as a secondary messenger in the Sym pathway

We work with both calcium responsive dyes and the calcium responsive protein cameleon to assay calcium changes during symbiosis signalling.  We have shown that while both Nod factor and Myc factor activate oscillatory calcium changes, these calcium responses are quite different. Despite these differences, both Myc factor and Nod factor require the Sym pathway for induction and perception of the calcium responses. Hence, Myc factor and Nod factor must differentially induce this pathway leading to alternative modes of activation of the calcium channels underpinning these calcium responses, we are currently focusing on the secondary messengers and calcium channels that are likely to be required for the establishment of these calcium responses.

 

Nod factor and Mycorrhizal induced calcium responses.

Video showing Nod factor induced calcium spiking, note oscillations are mostly restricted to the nuclear region.

 

John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK

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