Many signals that modify plant cell growth and development initiate changes in cytoplasmic Ca 2+ . The subsequent movement of Ca 2+ in the cytoplasm is thought to take place via waves of free Ca 2+ . These waves may be initiated at de¢ned regions of the cell and movement requires release from a reticulated endoplasmic reticulum and the vacuole. The mechanism of wave propagation is outlined, and the possible basis of repetitive wave formation, Ca 2+ oscillations and capacitative Ca 2+ signalling is discussed. Evidence for the presence of Ca 2+ waves in plant cells is outlined, and from studies on raphides it is suggested that the capabilities for capacitative Ca 2+ signalling are also present. The paper ¢nishes with an outline of the possible interrelation between Ca 2+ waves and organelles and describes the intercellular movement of Ca 2+ waves and the relevance of such information communication to plant development.

Edelfosine (ALP, Et-18-OCH3) is a prototype alkyl-lysophospholipid that has effective antitumoral activity. It inserts in the membrane and accumulates in lipid rafts leading to apoptosis in S49 mouse T cell lymphoma cells. A variant cell line, made resistant to ALP (S49AR) shows in impaired uptake of ALP. S49AR cells are not only resistant to a variety of ALP analogues, but also to DNA damage and Fas/CD95 death receptor induced apoptosis, suggesting another cause for resistance in addition to impaired ALP uptake. Here we studied the ALP resistance of S49AR. We observe an upregulation of phosho-PKB/Akt and phospho-ERK1/2 which are key proteins in the canonical survival signaling pathways. However inhibition of ERK and/or PKB/Akt using pharmacological inhibitors has no effect on the resistance of the S49AR cells to apoptotic stimuli. PKB/Akt and ERK1/2 activation is regulated by PI(3,4,5)P3 formation. The levels of phosphoinositides in the various cell lines were measured with HPLC. The cell lines resistant to apoptotic inducing agents show decreased levels of the diverse phosphopoinositides. SHIP-1 is a SH2 domain containing inositol phosphatase that removes the 5′ phosphate of PI(3,4,5)P3 and is mainly expressed in hemotopoietic cells. It decreases the pool of PI(3,4,5)P3 thereby negatively regulating the activation of PKB/Akt. We see down regulation of SHIP-1 both on gene expression and protein level in the S49AR compared to S49 cells. Other components of the phosphoinositide metabolism, like PI3Kinase and SHIP2, did not show any changes. Resensitization of the S49AR cells to ALP leads to restoration of SHIP-1 expression. Knocking down SHIP-1 using siRNA causes resistance to various ALPs, DNA damage and Fas/CD95 death receptor induced apoptosis. Microarray analysis show that the S49AR and S49siSHIP cells show remarkably similar expression profile which are distinct from the expression profiles shown by S49 and S49mock cells. Concluding, SHIP-1 is downregulated in ALP resistant T cell lymphoma cells concurrent with a general downregulation of phosphoinositide levels in the cells which is associated with the resistance to ALP induced apoptosis. How ALP resistance is caused is yet unknown and is the scope of current research. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4025.