Accumulation of cadmium in rat liver cadmium binding protein following single and repeated cadmium administration.

The accumulation of cadmium in rat liver cadmium binding protein induced by single and repeated intraperitoneal injections of CdCl2 and the de novo biosynthesis of CdBP were studied by using 109Cd to measure cadmium binding in the CdBP and 35S incorporation as indicator of protein synthesis. The biosynthesis of CdBP is controlled by the cadmium concentrations. For single doses up to 1 mg Cd2+/Kg b.w. about 50% of the cadmium is present in the soluble fraction of liver bound to CdBP and the incorporation of 35S-cysteine is linear with the cadmium concentration. When single doses ranging from 1 to 3 mg Cd2+/Kg b.w. are administered the fractions of both 35S-cysteine and cadmium incorporated into de novo synthesized CdBP gradually decrease. For single doses higher than 3 mg Cd2+/Kg b.w. the biosynthesis capability is maximum and 20 mug Cd/g liver can be incorporated into the de novo biosynthesized CdBP. When rats are treated every day with amounts of cadmium of about 0.8 mg Cd2+/Kg b.w. for up to 8 days a dose-proportional increase in both Cd incorporation and CdBP biosynthesis are observed. This shows a cumulative incorporation of cadmium in the de novo biosynthesized CdBP. Experiments carried out by injecting 65ZnCl2 and 203HgCl2 every day showed that they are not accumulated like cadmium and do not induce the biosynthesis of rat liver CdBP after repeated administration over 7 days.     

Incorporation of cadmium into proteins in a cadmium tolerant fungi

Aspergillus carbonarius and a strain of Penicillium, a cadmium tolerant fungi, are able to metabolize cadmium chloride up to 2% (w/v). Their amino acids analysis on cadmium free and cadmium chloride containing media indicated certain disorders in their metabolic activities. Cystathionine was only detected in both fungi in the presence of cadmium chloride. However, cadmium was incorporated into several types of low and high molecular weight proteins. The amino acids hydrolyzates of a cadmium containing protein are characterized by the presence of high levels of sulfur amino acids; cysteine and methionine. Ethylasparagine was detected in the hydrolyzate of that cadmium containing protein as well.     

镉胁迫下金银花的生长反应及积累特性

采用水培试验方法,研究了藤本植物金银花在不同浓度镉（Cd）胁迫下的生长反应和积累特 性,结果表明,Cd对金银花生长未造成显著影响,甚至低浓度(5和10 mg·L^-1) Cd具有一定的生长促进作用,表现为植物的株高和叶绿素含量有所增加。当Cd处理浓度达到50 mg·L^-1时,植物的株高和根长虽有所降低,但与对照相比并无显著差异,且耐性系数均＞0.8,表明金银花对Cd具有较强的耐性。当Cd处理浓度为25 mg·L^-1时,金银花地上部中Cd含量达到286.12 μg·g^-1,而富集系数均＞1,说明金银花具备Cd超富集植物的特征,对Cd污染土壤的修复具有很大的应用潜力。     

水稻镉安全材料的镉吸收动力学特征

采用水培试验,以前期筛选出的水稻Cd安全材料D62B为试验材料,普通材料泸恢17为对照材料,在不同Cd浓度和时间处理下,研究水稻Cd安全材料的Cd吸收动力学特性.结果表明: 在不同Cd处理时间下,D62B根系对Cd的吸收总量均低于泸恢17,且随吸收时间的延长,差异逐渐增大.当吸收时间达到72 h,泸恢17体内积累的Cd总量为D62B的1.3倍.两种水稻材料Cd吸收动力学符合米氏方程,米氏方程常数(K_m)值差异不大,但泸恢17的最大吸收速率(V_max)是D62B的2倍.当Cd处理时间大于48 h,D62B根系对Cd的转移系数低于泸恢17,且其根部Cd分配比例明显大于泸恢17,即D62B根系对Cd的固持能力大于泸恢17.D62B的Cd吸收能力较弱,且其向地上部转移Cd的能力显著低于泸恢17.     

Antioxidant capacity and cadmium accumulation in parsley seedlings exposed to cadmium stress

Parsley (Petroselinum hortense L.) plants cultivated under controlled conditions were exposed to different doses of cadmium to investigate the antioxidant capacity and cadmium accumulation in the samples. Two-months-old parsley seedlings were treated with four different concentrations of CdCl₂ (0, 75, 150, and 300 μM) for fifteen days. Cadmium level in leaves increased significantly by increasing the Cd contamination in the soil. Total chlorophyll and carotenoid content declined considerably with Cd concentration. Cd treatment caused a significant increase lipid peroxidation in tissue of leaf. Superoxide dismutase activity (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) increased partially at 75 and 150 μM CdCl₂ concentrations whereas the activity decreased at 300 μM CdCl₂. Catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) activities were reduced by Cd application. Total phenolic compound amount increased significantly with increasing Cd concentration, as ferric reduction power, superoxide anion radical, and DPPH˙ free radical scavenging activities elevated slightly by the concentration. These results suggest that antioxidant enzymes activities were repressed depending on accumulation of cadmium in leaves of parsley while the non-enzymatic antioxidant activities slightly increased.     

Variation in cadmium accumulation potential and tissue distribution of cadmium in tobacco

Variation in Cd accumulation between Nicotiana species but not varieties has been observed in seedlings grown in solution culture with moderate-to-low levels of Cd. Nicotiana tabacum has been characterized as a leaf and root accumulator while Nicotiana rustica is shown to be primarily a root accumulator, having about half the leaf Cd per gram dry weight of N. tabacum. This phenotype is retained in the mature N. rustica plant. To characterize these two species which differ in their modes of Cd accumulation, tissue Cd distribution, partitioning of metal in soluble and insoluble fractions and the contribution of soluble Cd-binding proteins (peptides) to total plant Cd was assessed using mature solution cultured plants. Metal accumulation was highest in the most mature leaves and in young roots. The preponderance of young roots in N. rustica may, in part, account for low leaf/high root Cd accumulation in this species. While Cd-binding peptides appear to be a principal form of Cd in leaves and roots of seedlings and these also occur in mature leaves, Cd is equally distributed between soluble (about 80% as Cd-binding peptide) and uncharacterized insoluble forms in mature plant roots.     

Stimulation of cadmium uptake in relation to the cadmium content of plants

The time course of cadmium uptake by the roots of intact tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was measured in a nutrient solution with a micromolar cadmium concentration until all cadmium in the medium was exhausted. Exhaustion taking a few hours, cadmium was repeatedly added to the nutrient solution. The initial rate of cadmium uptake was computed for each cadmium addition. This rate sharply increased and ultimately leveled off, the maximum value being about three times higher than the value measured after the first cadmium addition. The stimulating effect of cadmium was associated with an inhibitory effect at higher levels of cadmium concentrations. An increase in the net cadmium influx with time could not be explained by the binding of heavy metal to a fixed number of organic compounds. Conceivably, the production of binding sites could be increased and cadmium might play a part in controlling the rate of sites production.     

Biochemical response to cadmium

The effect of daily oral administration of ethanol (2.5, 5, or 10% in drinking water for 8 wk), lead (10 mg/kg, po, once daily for 8 wk), or their combination on tissue trace-metal concentration and hematopoietic and hepatic biochemical indices was investigated in male rats. Ethanol (10%) ingestion enhanced the hepatic lipid peroxidation and decreased the calcium and magnesium content of blood and liver. Coexposure to lead and ethanol (5 and 10%) produced a more pronounced elevation of blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and hepatic lipid peroxidation. Combined lead-ethanol exposure also lowered the concentration of blood and hepatic magnesium and calcium and increased the amount of lead in the blood, liver, and brain compared to a group treated with lead alone. The results suggest that chronic alcohol ingestion results in calcium and magnesium loss. However, coexposure to lead and ethanol could result in more serious depletion of calcium and magnesium, and this could be the cause of suspected synergism between alcohol consumption and lead poisoning.     

Absorption of cadmium after a long-term oral administration of cadmium to dogs

A long-term experiment using beagle dogs to investigate the absorption of cadmium was conducted. The dogs in the experimental groups were given a commercial diet and pelleted food containing 1, 3, 10, 50, and 100 mg of cadmium per day. The cadmium concentration in the blood increased continuously, gradually reaching a steady state following the administration of cadmium. The cadmium excreted daily in urine increased continuously. The cumulative excreted amount of cadmium in urine was calculated by using the trapezoidal rule based on the data of excretion of cadmium in urine. Then the absorbed fraction of administered cadmium was estimated on the basis of the relationship between the cumulative excreted amount of cadmium in urine and the cumulative administered dose of cadmium after the cadmium concentration in blood reached a steady state. The absorbed fraction of cadmium decreased with an increase in the administered dose of cadmium. A dose-dependent increase between the absorbed amount and the administered dose was observed.     

Comparative proteome analysis of high and low cadmium accumulating soybeans under cadmium stress

A comparative proteomic study was performed to unravel the protein networks involved in cadmium stress response in soybean. Ten-day-old seedlings of contrasting cadmium accumulating soybean cultivars—Harosoy (high cadmium accumulator), Fukuyutaka (low cadmium accumulator), and their recombinant inbred line CDH-80 (high cadmium accumulator) were exposed to 100?μM CdCl₂ treatment for 3?days. Root growth was found to be affected under cadmium stress in all. Varietal differences at root protein level were evaluated. NADP-dependent alkenal double bond reductase P1 was found to be more abundant in low cadmium accumulating Fukuyutaka. Leaf proteome analysis revealed that differentially expressed proteins were primarily involved in metabolism and energy production. The results indicate that both high and low cadmium accumulating cultivars and CDH-80 share some common defense strategies to cope with the cadmium stress. High abundance of enzymes involved in glycolysis and TCA cycle might help cadmium challenged cells to produce more energy necessary to meet the high energy demand. Moreover, enhanced expressions of photosynthesis related proteins indicate quick utilization of photoassimilates in energy generation. Increased abundance of glutamine synthetase in all might be involved in phytochelatin mediated detoxification of cadmium ions. In addition, increased abundance of antioxidant enzymes, namely superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, ensures cellular protection from reactive oxygen species mediated damages under cadmium stress. Enhanced expression of molecular chaperones in high cadmium accumulating cultivar might be another additional defense mechanism for refolding of misfolded proteins and to stabilize protein structure and function, thus maintain cellular homeostasis.     

Antioxidant defense system and cadmium uptake in barley genotypes differing in cadmium tolerance

Using two barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars (cvs. Tokak and Hamidiye) nutrient solution experiments were conducted in order to study the genotypic variation in tolerance to Cd toxicity based on (i) development of leaf symptoms, (ii) decreases in dry matter production, (iii) Cd concentration and (iv) changes in antioxidative defense system in leaves (i.e., superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, ascorbic acid and non-protein SH-groups). Plants were grown in nutrient solution under controlled environmental conditions, and subjected to increasing concentrations of Cd (0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 micromol/L Cd) for different time periods. Of the barley cultivars Hamidiye was particularly sensitive to Cd as judged by the severity and earlier development of Cd toxicity symptoms on leaves. Within 48 h of Cd application Hamidiye rapidly developed severe leaf Cd toxicity symptoms whereas in Tokak the leaf symptoms appeared only slightly. Hamidiye also tended to show more decrease in growth caused by Cd supply when compared to Tokak. The differences in sensitivity to Cd between Tokak and Hamidiye were not related to Cd concentrations in roots and shoots or Cd accumulation per plant. With the exception of catalase, activities of the enzymes involved in detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were markedly enhanced in Hamidiye by increasing Cd supply. By contrast, in Tokak there was either only a slight increase or no change in the activities of the antioxidative enzymes. Similarly, levels of ascorbic acid and especially non-protein SH-groups were increased in Hamidiye by Cd supply, but not affected in Tokak. The results indicate the existence of a large genotypic variation between barley cultivars for Cd tolerance. The differential Cd tolerance found in the barley cultivars was not related to uptake or accumulation of Cd in plants, indicating importance of internal mechanisms in expression of differential Cd tolerance in barley. As a response to increasing Cd supply particular increases in antioxidative mechanisms in the Cd-sensitive barley cultivar Hamidiye suggest that the high Cd sensitivity of Hamidiye is related to enhanced production and oxidative damage of ROS.     

Biological half-life of cadmium in the urine of inhabitants after cessation of cadmium exposure

We investigated the biological half-life of the urinary cadmium concentration (U-Cd) based on a 24-year follow-up study after cessation of cadmium exposure in a cadmium-polluted area. Spot urine samples were obtained from all inhabitants in this area in 1979, 1986, 1991, 1999 and 2003. Biological half-life was calculated in the inhabitants whose U-Cd was more than 5 μg?l^?1 (9 men and 12 women) or 5 μg?g^?1 creatinine (9 men and 19 women) using a one-compartment model. The estimated half-life and 95% confidence intervals were 13.6 years (9.0–28.2 years) and 13.9 years (9.6–25.6 years) for unadjusted U-Cd in men and women, respectively. For creatinine-adjusted U-Cd, they were 14.2 years (11.2–19.4 years) and 23.5 years (17.7–35.0 years) in men and women, respectively. The biological half-lives of U-Cd obtained in this study were identical with the values of total body burden determined by a different method.     

镉胁迫下春小麦中镉的分布、富集及转移规律

采用盆栽试验,研究了镉胁迫下重金属镉(Cd)在春小麦中的分布、富集及转移规律。结果表明:Cd胁迫下,小麦根、茎、叶和籽粒中Cd积累量随外源Cd的增加而增加,小麦不同部位Cd积累量为根叶茎籽粒;籽粒中Cd含量与土壤中Cd显著相关;小麦不同部位对Cd的富集能力差异显著,且随外源Cd处理浓度的增加,各部位富集系数逐渐降低,低Cd浓度时各部位更易富集Cd;小麦植株地上部的转移系数亦呈递减趋势为茎、叶籽粒;在春小麦全生育期,土壤中Cd含量无明显变化,根对外源Cd的富集吸收于生育期70d左右达峰值,小麦植株中的Cd也在80d左右达到峰值后逐步减少,表明植株中的Cd,随籽粒的成熟逐步转移至籽粒。     

Histochemical staining of cadmium thiolate clusters in livers of rats treated chronically with cadmium

In livers of rats exposed to varying doses of CdCl2 80-90% of the cadmium content present in the fresh tissue is retained if these livers are fixed with a neutral or acid formalin fixative. Cadmium assays during different stages of the staining procedure for protein bound disulphides show the ability of this staining to demonstrate cadmium thiolate clusters next to disulphides. The methods described may also be useful in gaining more insight in the mechanism involved in fixation and staining procedure of some other metals.     

Interactions of bacteria with cadmium

Cadmium pollution arises mainly from contamination of minerals used in agriculture and from industrial processes. The usual situation is of large volumes of soil and water that are contaminated with low — but significant — concentrations of cadmium. Therefore, detoxification of the polluted water and soil involves the concentration of the metal, or binding it in a way that makes it biologically inert.Cadmium is one of the more toxic metals, that is also carcinogenic and teratogenic. Its effects are short term, even acute (diseases like Itai-itai), or long term. The long term effects are intensified due to the fact that cadmium accumulates in the body.This paper describes a study involving several hundred cadmium-resistant bacterial isolates. These bacteria could be divided into three groups—the largest group consisted of bacteria resistant to cadmium by effluxing it from the cells. The bacteria of the other two groups were capable of binding cadmium or of detoxifying it. We concentrated on one strain that could bind cadmium very efficiently, depending on the bacterial biomass and on the pH. This strain could effectively remove cadmium from contaminated water and soil.