Signal mediators in plants in response to abiotic stress: Calcium, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species

Perception of signals to abiotic stressors by plant cells is accompanied by an increase in the cytosolic calcium concentration, content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen monoxide (NO) which execute the role of signal mediators at the activation of gene expression responsible for defense responses. Calcium ions, ROS, and NO stay in the multiple functional interactions, which provide intensifying and transduction of signals into the genetic apparatus and the signal attenuation. Increased content of at least one of these signal mediators in the cells may cause the activation of a number of signaling cascades and the formation of plant adaptive reactions.