The effect of external Ca^(2+) and Ca^(2+)-channel modulators on red-light-induced swelling of protoplasts of Phaseolus radiatus L.

Red-light-induced swelling of the protoplasts isolated from hypocotyl of etiolated mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus L.) was observed only when Ca2+ ions were present in the medium. The optimal CaCl2 concentration was 250 μM. Swelling response declined when Ca2+ was supplied into the medium after red light irradiation. The Ca2+-chelator EGTA eliminated the red-light-induced swelling and 45Ca2+ accumulation in the protoplasts. In contrast, A23187, a Ca2+-ionophore, could mimic the effect of red light in darkness. These results indicate that Ca2+ may play a role in light signal transduction. In addition, swelling response was prevented by TFP and CPZ (both are CaM antagonists), implying the involvement of CaM in red-light-induced and Ca2+ -dependent protoplast swelling.