Shaping up: Recent advances in the study of plant calcium channels

Calcium has long been recognized as a preeminent signaling molecule in plants with staggeringly diverse functions. The central mystery has therefore been how a single ion species can fulfill distinct functions while maintaining specificity and fidelity. Part of the answer lies in calcium being the most heavily controlled element in the cytosol, with dedicated transporters for sequestration into the apoplasm and intracellular stores. Controlled release of calcium into the cytosol by ion channels is the initiating step in signal transduction. Calcium-permeable ion channels are therefore important research targets. Recent studies have identified previously unknown channels, revealed atomic structures, and pinpointed locations of channels to specific cells and membranes. Here, we highlight key findings, transformative technologies, and pathways for further discovery.