Biology subjects

Gaikwad, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Gaikwad, T..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Diatoms exhibit dynamic chloroplast calcium signals in response to high light and oxidative stress

Diatoms are a group of silicified algae that play a major role in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Diatom chloroplasts were acquired by secondary endosymbiosis and exhibit important structural and functional differences from the primary plastids of land plants and green algae. Many functions of primary plastids, including photoacclimation and inorganic carbon acquisition, are regulated by calcium-dependent signalling processes. Calcium signalling has also been implicated in the photoprotective responses of diatoms, although the nature of calcium elevations in diatom chloroplasts and their wider role in cell signalling remains unknown. Using genetically encoded calcium indicators, we find that the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum exhibits dynamic chloroplast calcium elevations that are distinct from those found in land plants. Chloroplast calcium ([Ca2+]chl) acts independently from the cytosol and is not elevated by stimuli that induce large cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]cyt) elevations. In contrast, high light and exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induce large, sustained calcium elevations in the chloroplast stroma that are not replicated in the cytosol. Measurements using the fluorescent H2O2 sensor roGFP2-Orp1 indicate that [Ca2+]chl elevations induced by these stimuli correspond to the accumulation of H2O2 in the chloroplast. [Ca2+]chl elevations were also induced by the addition of methyl viologen, which acts to generate superoxide within the chloroplast, and by treatments that disrupt non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). The findings indicate that diatoms generate specific calcium elevations in the chloroplast in response to high light and oxidative stress that likely modulate the activity of calcium-sensitive components in photoprotection and other regulatory pathways.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Rapid local and systemic jasmonate signalling drives initiation and establishment of plant systemic immunity

Successful recognition of pathogen effectors by plant disease resistance proteins (effector triggered immunity, ETI) contains the invading pathogen through a localized hypersensitive response (HR). In addition, ETI activates long-range signalling cascades that establish broad spectrum systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Using a novel and sensitive reporter we have been able to image the spatio-temporal dynamics of SAR. We demonstrate that local ETI triggered SAR signal generation, followed by rapid propagation and establishment in systemic responding leaves, is dependent on both jasmonate biosynthesis and perception. Further, ETI initiates calcium- and jasmonate-dependent systemic surface electrical potentials, reminiscent of those activated by herbivory but with slower propagation kinetics. Thus, jasmonate signalling is crucial to the initiation and establishment of systemic defence responses against a diverse range of phytopathogens.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Cold-induced cyt elevations function to support osmoregulation in marine diatoms

Diatoms are a group of microalgae that are important primary producers in a range of open ocean, freshwater and intertidal environments. The latter can experience significant long- and short-term variability in temperature, from seasonal variations to rapid temperature shifts caused by tidal immersion and emersion. As temperature is a major determinant in the distribution of diatom species, their temperature sensory and response mechanisms likely have important roles in their ecological success. We have examined the mechanisms diatoms use to sense rapid changes in temperature, such as those experienced in the intertidal zone. We find that the diatoms Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana exhibit a transient cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) elevation in response to rapid cooling, similar to those observed in plant and animal cells. However, [Ca2+]cyt elevations were not observed in response to rapid warming. The kinetics and magnitude of cold-induced [Ca2+]cyt elevations correlate with the rate of temperature decrease. We do not find a role for the [Ca2+]cyt elevations in enhancing cold tolerance, but show that cold shock induces a Ca2+-dependent K+ efflux and reduces mortality of P. tricornutum during a simultaneous hypo-osmotic shock. As inter-tidal diatom species may routinely encounter simultaneous cold and hypo-osmotic shocks during tidal cycles, we propose that cold-induced Ca2+ signalling interacts with osmotic signalling pathways to aid in the regulation of cell volume. Our findings provide insight into the nature of temperature perception in diatoms and highlight that cross-talk between signalling pathways may play an important role in their cellular responses to multiple simultaneous stressors.

plant biology↗