The Biochemistry and Pharmacology of Plasma-Membrane Calcium Channels in Plants.

A review of plasma-membrane calcium channels in higher plants is presented. Data from pharmacological and biochemical studies are used to assess the current state of our knowledge concerning the occurrence of these structures in higher plants. Recent results demonstrate that after purification and reconstitution a phenylalkylamine binding protein will form calcium permeable channels. This result suggests that plants contain structures with some analogy to animal calcium channels. We also suggest that a degree of caution should be observed in the interpretation of results gained in pharmacological studies employing calcium channel active drugs, as it is now clear that even at low doses these compounds have non-specific effects