Abscisic acid stimulates the expression of two isoforms of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings.

AT-ACA8 and AT-ACA9 are two plasma membrane (PM) Ca (2+)-ATPases of ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA. In this article the expression of AT-ACA8, AT-ACA9, and of AT-ACA10, a third isoform of Ca (2+)-ATPase closely related to PM Ca (2+)-ATPases, was analysed and the effect of the hormone abscisic acid (ABA) on the expression level of PM Ca (2+)-ATPase specific transcripts was investigated. In adult plants of A. THALIANA, AT-ACA8 and AT-ACA10 are expressed in all organs considered whereas AT-ACA9 is expressed only in flowers. All isoforms of PM Ca (2+)-ATPases can be detected in young seedlings but the amount of AT-ACA9 mRNA is much lower than those of AT-ACA8 and AT-ACA10. ABA markedly and rapidly stimulates the expression of both AT-ACA8 and AT-ACA9 genes in young seedlings but not that of AT-ACA10. ABA also increases the level of AT-ACA8 protein at the PM, suggesting a role for PM Ca (2+)-ATPases in ABA signalling.