Modulation of frequency and height of cytosolic calcium spikes by plasma membrane anion channels in guard cells

Cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]cyt) elevation activates plasma membrane anion channels in guard cells, which is required for stomatal closure. However, involvement of the anion channels in the [Ca2+]cyt elevation remains unclear. We investigated the involvement using Arabidopsis thaliana anion channel mutants, slac1-4 slah3-3 and slac1-4 almt12-1. Extracellular calcium induced stomatal closure in the wild-type plants but not in the anion channel mutant plants whereas extracellular calcium induced [Ca2+]cyt elevation both in the wild-type guard cells and in the mutant guard cells. The peak height and the number of the [Ca2+]cyt spike were lower and larger in the slac1-4 slah3-3 than in the wild type and the height and the number in the slac1-4 almt12-1 were much lower and much larger than in the wild type. These results suggest that the anion channels are involved in the regulation of [Ca2+]cyt elevation in guard cells.