The combined effect of Cd2+ and ACh on action potentials of Nitellopsis obtusa cells

Interrelations between the action of acetylcholine (ACh) and cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) on bioelectrogenesis of Nitellopsis obtusa cells were investigated. We analyzed repetitively triggered action potentials (AP), their reproducibility, shape and dynamics of membrane potential after AP induction. ACh significantly increased membrane permeability only at high concentrations (1 mM and 5 mM). Repolarisation level of action potential after the first stimulus was much more positive in all cells treated with ACh as compared to the control. Differences of membrane potentials between points just before the first and the second stimuli were 23.4±.0 mV (control); 40.4±5.9 mV (1 mM ACh solution) and 57.7 ± 8.5 mV (5 mM ACh solution). Cd²⁺ at 20 μM concentration was examined as a possible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in vivo. We found that cadmium strengthens depolarizing effect of acetylcholine after the first stimulus. The highest velocity of AP repolarization was reduced after ACh application and Cd²⁺strengthened this effect. There were no differences in dynamics of membrane potential after repetitively triggered action potentials in ACh or ACh and Cd²⁺ solutions. This shows that cadmium in small concentration acts as inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase.     

Calcium protects <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium repens</Emphasis> L. seedlings against cadmium stress

The effect of calcium (Ca²⁺) on Trifolium repens L. seedlings subjected to cadmium (Cd²⁺) stress was studied by investigating plant growth and changes in activity of antioxidative enzymes. Physiological analysis was carried out on seedlings cultured for 2 weeks on half-strength Hoagland medium with Cd²⁺ concentrations of 0, 400 and 600 μM, and on corresponding medium supplied with CaCl₂ (5 mM). Exposure to increasing Cd²⁺ reduced the fresh weight of the upper part (stems + leaves) of the seedlings more strongly than that of the root system. In both parts of T. repens seedlings H₂O₂ level and lipid peroxidation increased. In the upper part, Cd²⁺ exposure led to a significant decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and an increase in ascorbate peroxidase activity. In contrast, the roots showed an increase in the activity of antioxidative enzymes under Cd²⁺ stress. Ca²⁺ addition to medium reduced the Cd²⁺ accumulation, and considerably reversed the Cd²⁺-induced decrease in fresh mass as well as the changes in lipid peroxidation in the both parts of T. repens seedlings. Ca²⁺ application diminished the Cd²⁺ effect on the activity of antioxidative enzymes in the upper part, even though it did not significantly affect these enzymes in the roots. So the possible mechanisms for the action of Ca²⁺ in Cd²⁺ stress were considered to reduce Cd²⁺ accumulation, alleviate lipid peroxidation and promote activity of antioxidative enzymes.     

Effect of cadmium and calcium treatments on phytochelatin and glutathione levels in citrus plants

Industry residues, phosphate fertilisers and wastewater as a source of irrigation have considerably increased levels of heavy metals in the soil, mainly cadmium (Cd²⁺). To test the effects of a calcium (Ca²⁺) treatment on Cd²⁺ accumulation and plant tolerance to this heavy metal, plants of two citrus genotypes, Cleopatra mandarin (CM) and Carrizo citrange (CC), were watered with increasing concentrations of Cd²⁺, and phytochelatin (PC) and glutathione (GSH) content were measured. Both genotypes were able to synthesise PCs in response to heavy metal intoxication, although CM seems to be a better Cd²⁺ excluder than CC. However, data indicate that CC plants had a higher capacity for regenerating GSH than CM plants. In this context, the effects of Ca²⁺ treatment on Cd²⁺ accumulation, plant survival and PC, GSH and oxidised glutathione (GSSG) content were assessed. Data indicate that treatment with Ca²⁺ had two positive effects on citrus physiology: it reduced Cd⁺² uptake into roots and also increased GSH content (even in the absence of Cd²⁺). Overall, the data indicate that although Cd²⁺ exclusion is a powerful mechanism to avoid heavy metal build‐up into photosynthetic organs, the capacity to maintain optimum GSH levels to feed PC biosynthesis could also be an important factor in stress tolerance.     

Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase is differently regulated by cadmium and lead in roots of soybean seedlings

The cadmium (Cd²⁺) and lead (Pb²⁺)-induced changes in Cu,Zn-SOD gene expression on the level of mRNA accumulation and enzyme activity were analyzed in roots of soybean (Glycine max) seedlings. The Cd²⁺ caused the induction of copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) mRNA accumulation, at each analyzed metal concentration (5–25 mg/l), whereas in Pb²⁺-treated roots this effect was observed only at the medium metal concentrations (50–100 mg/l of Pb²⁺). The analysis of Cu,Zn-SOD activity proved an increase in enzyme activity during Cd²⁺/Pb²⁺ stresses, however in Pb²⁺-treated plants the activity of enzyme was not correlated with respective mRNAs level. Presented data suggest that different metals may act on various level of Cu,Zn-SOD expression in plants exposed to heavy metals stress.     

Bioaccumulation and effect of cadmium in the photosynthetic apparatus of Prosopis juliflora

In the present study Prosopis juliflora plants grown in hydroponics solution were exposed to 50,100 and 1000 μM CdCl₂. The cadmium uptake, transport and toxicity on the photosynthetic activities in the plants were measured at 48 h after starting cadmium treatments. The results showed that the concentration of Cd²⁺ in P. juliflora tended to increase with addition of Cd²⁺ to hydroponics solution. However, the increase of Cd²⁺ in roots and leaves varied largely. In this sense, the accumulation of Cd²⁺ in P. juliflora roots increased significantly in proportion with the addition of this metal. In contrast a relatively low level of Cd²⁺ transportation index, and bioaccumulation factor were found in P. juliflora at 48 h after of treatments. On the other hand the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and the activity of photosystem II (Fv/Fo) ratios in P. juliflora leaf treated with Cd²⁺ not showed significantly changes during the experiment. These results suggested that the photosynthetic apparatus of P. juliflora was not the primary target of the Cd²⁺ action. Further studies will be focused in understanding the participation of the root system in Prosopis plants with the rhizosphere activation and root adsorption to soil Cd²⁺ under natural conditions.     

重金属镉(Cd)在植物体内的转运途径及其调控机制

重金属镉(Cd)的毒害效应与其由土壤向植物地上部分运输有关,揭示Cd~(2+)转运途径及其调控机制可为提高植物抗镉性以及镉污染的植物修复提供依据。对Cd~(2+)在植物体内的转运途径,特别是限制Cd~(2+)移动的细胞结构和分子调控机制研究进展进行了回顾。Cd~(2+)通过共质体和质外体途径穿过根部皮层进入木质部的过程中,大部分在皮层细胞间沉积,少部分抵达中柱后转移到地上部分。为了免受Cd~(2+)的危害,植物体产生了多种限制Cd~(2+)吸收和转移的生理生化机制:1)环绕在内皮层径向壁和横向壁上的凯氏带阻止Cd~(2+)以质外体途径进入木质部;2)螯合剂与进入根的Cd~(2+)螯合形成稳定化合物并区隔在液泡中;3)通过H+/Cd~(2+)离子通道等将Cd~(2+)逆向转运出根部。植物共质体和质外体途径转运重金属镉的能力以及两条途径的串扰尚待进一步明晰和阐明。     

Overexpression of Arabidopsis phytochelatin synthase in tobacco plants enhances Cd2+ tolerance and accumulation but not translocation to the shoot

Phytochelatins (PCs) are metal binding peptides involved in heavy metal detoxification. To assess whether enhanced phytochelatin synthesis would increase heavy metal tolerance and accumulation in plants, we overexpressed the Arabidopsis phytochelatin synthase gene (AtPCS1) in the non-accumulator plant Nicotiana tabacum. Wild-type plants and plants harbouring the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolB oncogene were transformed with a 35S AtPCS1 construct. Root cultures from rolB plants could be easily established and we demonstrated here that they represent a reliable system to study heavy metal tolerance. Cd²⁺ tolerance in cultured rolB roots was increased as a result of overexpression of AtPCS1, and further enhanced when reduced glutathione (GSH, the substrate of PCS1) was added to the culture medium. Accordingly, HPLC analysis showed that total PC production in PCS1-overexpressing rolB roots was higher than in rolB roots in the presence of GSH. Overexpression of AtPCS1 in whole seedlings led to a twofold increase in Cd²⁺ accumulation in the roots and shoots of both rolB and wild-type seedlings. Similarly, a significant increase in Cd²⁺ accumulation linked to a higher production of PCs in both roots and shoots was observed in adult plants. However, the percentage of Cd²⁺ translocated to the shoots of seedlings and adult overexpressing plants was unaffected. We conclude that the increase in Cd²⁺ tolerance and accumulation of PCS1 overexpressing plants is directly related to the availability of GSH, while overexpression of phytochelatin synthase does not enhance long distance root-to-shoot Cd²⁺ transport.     

DNA damage in potato plants induced by cadmium,ethyl methanesulphonate and γ-rays

We have calibrated the alkaline protocol of the plant comet (Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis) assay as a method for detecting the extent of induced DNA damage in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. cultivar Korela). After 2 and 24 h treatments of the rooted cuttings with the heavy metal cadmium (Cd²⁺), a dose–response increase in DNA damage was noted versus controls in root nuclei. With a 24 h recovery period, the Cd²⁺-induced DNA damage in roots increased significantly. No significant increase in DNA damage was demonstrated in leaf nuclei after 24 h Cd²⁺ treatments, but continuous Cd²⁺ treatments for 2 weeks resulted in an increase in leaf DNA damage. This increase may be however associated with necrotic and apoptotic DNA fragmentation, as the affected plants had inhibited growth and distorted yellowish leaves. For comparison, the monofunctional alkylating agent ethyl methanesulphonate, and γ-rays were assessed for induced DNA damage. Analysis of the accumulation of cadmium by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry demonstrates that roots accumulate almost 9-fold more cadmium than aboveground parts of the rooted potato cuttings. This may explain the absence of Cd²⁺ genotoxicity in leaves after short-term treatments.     

Effect of cadmium on iron uptake in cucumber roots: A Mössbauer-spectroscopic study

The uptake and accumulation of iron in cucumber roots exposed to cadmium were investigated with Fe sufficient and deficient cucumber plants using Mössbauer spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and ferric chelate reductase activity measurements. Both Fe sufficient and Fe deficient plants were applied. In the case of Fe sufficient cucumber roots grown in nutrient solution with 10 μM Cd no changes were found in the occurrence of Fe species (mostly hydrous ferric oxides and ferric-carboxylate complexes) compared to the control where no Cd was added. In the Fe deficient roots pretreated with 0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μM Cd for 3 h then supplied also with 0.5 mM ⁵⁷Fe-citrate for 30 min, Fe^II was identified in a hexaaqua complex form. The relative amount of Fe^II was decreasing simultaneously with increasing Cd concentration, while the relative occurrence of Fe^III species and total Fe concentration were increasing. The results support the inhibitory effect of Cd on Fe-chelate reduction. Although the reductase activity at 10 and 100 μM Cd treatment was lower than in the iron sufficient control plants, Fe^II could be identified by Mössbauer spectroscopy whereas in the Fe sufficient control, this form was below detection limit. These data demonstrate that the influx and the reoxidation of Fe^II was decreased by Cd, consequently, they refer to the competition of Cd²⁺ and Fe²⁺ during the membrane transport and the inhibition of the reoxidation process.     

镉对超积累和非超积累生态型东南景天内生细菌多样性的影响

重金属胁迫对植物内生细菌群落结构的影响在很大程度上是未知的,目前也很少有研究超积累植物内生细菌的群落结构与多样性对根际土壤中重金属的响应。【目的】探索在不同镉污染水平下,超积累(HE)和非超积累生态型(NHE)东南景天的根系、茎和叶片中内生细菌的群落结构与多样性的变化及其差异性,试图从植物-内生菌之间的相互关系的角度补充解释2种生态型东南景天对有效态镉忍耐和积累能力的差异。【方法】采用Illumina新一代测序方法分析了在不同Cd~(2+)浓度土壤上生长的2种生态型东南景天根、茎和叶中的内生细菌群落结构。【结果】高浓度Cd~(2+)抑制NHE东南景天的生长,内生细菌的丰富度和多样性也降低;然而,高浓度Cd~(2+)促进HE东南景天的生长,茎和根系内生细菌的丰富度增加。在3种土壤上,2种生态型东南景天叶片、茎和根系内生细菌均以变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)和放线菌门(Actinobacteria)占优势。随着土壤中Cd~(2+)浓度的增加,HE东南景天叶片中Gammaproteobacteria纲、Negativicutes纲和Clostridia纲的相对丰度显著增加,茎中Alphaproteobacteria纲的相对丰度显著增加,Clostridia纲的相对丰度显著减少;NHE东南景天叶片中Alphaproteobacteria纲、Gammaproteobacteria纲和Clostridia纲的相对丰度没有显著变化,茎中Negativicutes纲的相对丰度显著减少,根系中Betaproteobacteria纲和Clostridia纲的相对丰度显著减少,Negativicutes纲却显著增加。在高Cd~(2+)污染土壤(50mg/kg)上,HE东南景天叶片中Sphingomonas属和茎中Veillonella属的相对丰度均大于NHE,且HE东南景天根系内生细菌的第一、第二、第三优势菌Veillonella、Sphingomonas、Prevotella属细菌均没有出现在NHE东南景天根系。【结论】土壤Cd~(2+)污染水平对2种生态型东南景天叶、茎、根中的内生菌群落结构有显著影响。     

Amelioration of phytotoxic effects of Cd on mung bean seedlings by gluconic acid secreting rhizobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobacter asburiae</Emphasis> PSI3 and implication of role of organic acid

Mung bean seedlings inoculated with Enterobacter asburiae PSI3, a gluconic acid-producing rhizosphere isolate, enhanced plant growth in the presence of phytotoxic levels of Cd²⁺ in gnotobiotic pot experiments as compared to the uninoculated Cd-treated plants. Addition of organic acids to Cd-stressed seedlings promoted root elongation. Hematoxylin competition assays showed that organic acids could displace Cd²⁺ from the Cd²⁺: hematoxylin complex in the same order of effectiveness as was found for restoration of root net elongation viz. oxalate > malate > succinate while gluconate was effective at higher concentrations. Root associated Cd²⁺, assessed by hematoxylin staining of roots was found to be reduced when roots were treated with organic acid. Cd stress increased antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in mung bean roots while organic acid treatment suppressed the up-regulation of these enzymes by Cd.     

Cadmium-induced stress on the seed germination and seedling growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L., and its alleviation through exogenous plant growth regulators

Because of its prolific growth, oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) can be grown advantageously for phytoremediation of the lands contaminated by industrial wastes. Therefore, toxic effect of cadmium on the germination of oilseed rape, the capability of plants for cadmium phytoextraction, and the effect of exogenous application of plant growth regulators to mitigate phytotoxicity of cadmium were investigated. For the lab study of seedlings at early stage, seeds were grown on filter papers soaked in different solutions of Cd²⁺ (0, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 400 μM). In greenhouse study, seedlings were grown in soil for 8 weeks, transferred to hydroponic pots for another 6 weeks growth, and then treated with plant growth regulators and cadmium. Four plant growth regulators viz. jasmonic acid (12.5 μM), abscisic acid (10 μM), gibberellin (50 μM) and salicylic acid (50 μM); and three levels of Cd²⁺ (0, 50 and 100 μM) were applied. Data indicated that lower concentration of Cd²⁺ (10 μM) promoted the root growth, whereas the severe stresses (200 or 400 μM) had negative effect on the establishment of germinating seedlings. Plants treated with any of the tested plant growth regulators alleviated cadmium toxicity symptoms, which were reflected by more fresh weight, less malondialdehyde concentration in leaves and lower antioxidant enzyme activities. The application of abscisic acid to the plants cultivated in the medium containing 100 μM Cd²⁺ resulted in significantly lower plant internal cadmium accumulation. Huabing Meng and Shujin Hua contributed equally to this paper.     

In vivo and in vitro effects of copper and cadmium on the plasma membrane H+-ATPase from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) roots

The plasmalemma vesicles isolated from cucumber and maize roots were used to study the effect of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ on the hydrolytic and proton pumping activities of ATPase. In vivo application of metal ions to the plant growth solutions resulted in stimulation of the proton transport in maize. In cucumber roots the action of metals was not the same: cadmium stimulated the H⁺ transport through plasmalemma whereas Cu²⁺ almost completely inhibited it. Copper ions decreased the hydrolytic activity of H⁺-ATPase in cucumber, without any effect on this activity in membranes isolated from maize roots. The effect of cadmium on the hydrolytic activities was opposite: ATP-hydrolysis activity in plasmalemma was not altered in cucumber, whereas in maize its stimulation was observed. The amount of accumulated metals was not the main reason of different influence of metals on H⁺-ATPase activity in tested plants. In in vitro experiments Cu²⁺ inhibited H⁺ transport in the cucumber, to a higher degree than Cd²⁺ and both metals did not change this H⁺-ATPase activity of plasmalemma isolated from corn roots. Cu²⁺ added into the incubation medium reduced the hydrolytic activity of ATPase in the plasma membrane isolated from cucumber as well as from corn roots. Cd²⁺ diminished the hydrolytic activity of ATPase in cucumber, and no effect of Cd²⁺ in the plasmalemma isolated from corn roots was found. Our results indicated different in vitro and in vivo action of both metals on H⁺-ATPase and different response of this enzyme to Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in maize and cucumber.     

Effects of Cd2+ and EDTA on young sugar beets (Beta vulgaris). II. Net uptake and distribution of Mg2+, Ca2+ and Fe2+/Fe3+

Levels of Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ were determined in roots and shoots of sugar beet seedlings (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Monohill) cultured for 5 weeks in a complete nutrient solution to which either Cd²⁺ (0, 5 or 50 μM), EDTA (0, 10 or 100 μM) or a combination of both was added. The plants subjected to the various treatments showed a variety of deficiency symptoms. Leaves of the Cd²⁺-treated plants became thin and chlorotic (Mg- and Fe-deficiency symptoms). The plants showed reduced growth and developed only a few brownish roots with short laterals (Ca-deficiency symptoms). EDTA treatment resulted in green, stunted, hard leaves and reduced growth (Ca-deficiency symptoms). The deficiency symptoms observed correspond well with the observed uptake rates and distributions of Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺. Increases in either Cd²⁺, EDTA or a combination of both in the growth medium, were correlated with increasing Mg²⁺ levels in the roots and with decreasing Mg²⁺ levels in the shoots. Cd²⁺ alone or in combination with EDTA had little influence on Ca²⁺ levels in the shoots but decreased Ca²⁺ levels in the roots. Thus, Cd²⁺ affects Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ transport in opposite ways: Mg²⁺ transport to the shoots is inhibited while that of Ca²⁺ is facilitated. Treatment with EDTA alone did not affect Ca²⁺ concentrations in either the shoots or the roots. Treatment with Cd²⁺ lowered Fe²⁺ concentrations in both roots and shoots.     

Biochemical characterization of N-methyl N’-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced cadmium resistant mutants ofAspergillus niger

Two cadmium resistant mutants (Cd₁ and Cd₂) ofAspergillus niger, among the six isolated by mutagenization with N-methyl N’-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) at pH 6.4 were selected for the study. Analysis of lipid composition of the mutants and the wildtype indicated that total lipid as well as individual lipids of the cadmium resistant mutants were changed as compared with that of the wildtype. The increased activities of metal-lothionein and reduced activities of D-xylose isomerase and L-phenylalanine ammonia lyase in cell free extract of the cadmium resistant mutants suggested that mutants could allow high concentration of cadmium salt as compared with that of the wildtype. The respiratory activity and intracellular as well as extracellular Cd²⁺ concentration of the mutants reflected the high tolerance of the Cd mutants to cadmium ion.     

Effects of cadmium and lead on the accumulation of Ca2+ and K+ and on the influx and translocation of K+ in wheat of low and high K+ status

The effects of cadmium and lead on the internal concentrations of Ca²⁺ and K⁺, as well as on the uptake and translocation of K(⁸⁶Rb⁺) were studied in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. a. MV-8) grown hydroponically at 2 levels of K⁺ (100 uM and 10 mM). Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ were applied in the nutrient solution in the range of 0.3 to 1000 u.M. Growth was more severely inhibited by Cd²⁺ and in the high-K⁺ plants as compared to Pb^z+ and low-K⁺ plants. Ions of both heavy metals accumulated in the roots and shoots, but the K⁺ status influenced their levels. Ca²⁺ accumulation was increased by low concentrations of Cd²⁺ mainly in low-K⁺ shoots, whereas it was less influenced by Pb²⁺. The distribution of Cd²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the plant and in the growth media indicated high selectivity for Cd²⁺ in the root uptake, while Ca²⁺ was preferred in the radial and/or xylem transport. Cd²⁺ strongly inhibited net K⁺ accumulation in high-K⁺ plants but caused stimulation at low K⁺ supply. In contrast, the metabolis-dependent influx of K⁺(⁸⁶Rb⁺) was inhibited in low-K⁺ plants, while the passive influx in high-K⁺ plants was stimulated. Translocation of K⁺ from the roots to the shoots was inhibited by Cd²⁺ but less influenced in Pb²⁺-treated plants. It is concluded that the effects of heavy metals depend upon the K⁺-status of the plants.     

Antioxidant response to cadmium in Phragmites australis plants

Phragmites (Phragmites australis Cav. (Trin.) ex Steud) plants exposed to a high concentration of CdSO₄ (50 μM) for 21 d were analysed with respect to the distribution of metal, its effects on antioxidants, the antioxidant enzymes and the redox status in leaves, roots and stolons. The highest accumulation of Cd²⁺ occurred in roots followed by leaves, and it was not significant in the stolons when compared with the control plants. In particular, in roots from Cd-treated plants, both the high amount of GSH and the parallel increase of glutathione-S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18; GST) activity seemed to be associated with an induction of the detoxification processes in response to the high cadmium concentration. Superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1; SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11; APX), glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2; GR) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6; CAT) activities as well as reduced and oxidised glutathione contents in all samples of leaves, roots and stolons were increased in the presence of Cd²⁺ when compared to control plants. Despite the fact that Cd²⁺ has a redox characteristic not compatible with the Fenton-type chemistry that produces active oxygen species, the antioxidant response is widespread and generic. Increased activities of antioxidant enzymes in Cd-treated plants suggest that metal tolerance in Phragmites plants might be associated to the efficiency of these mechanisms.     

Removal of cadmium by Pleurotus sajor-caju basidiomycetes

The bioaccumulation of cadmium by the white rot fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju onto dry biomass was investigated using aqueous media with concentrations in the range of 0.125 mM–1.0 mM The highest cadmium uptake (between 88.9 and 91.8%) was observed with aerobic fungal biomass from the exponential growth phase. Up to 1.0 mM cadmium gradually inhibited mycelium development, but never blocked it completely. Freeze-dried, oven-dried and non-metabolizing live Pleurotus sajor-caju biomass types were tested for their capacity to adsorb the test ion Cd²⁺ within the pH range of 4.5 to 6.0. Freeze–dried biomass proved to be the most efficient biomass type for Cd²⁺ metal adsorption. Therefore, Pleurotus sajor-caju may be used for heavy metal removal and bioremediation.     

Cd2+ effects on transmembrane electrical potential difference,respiration and membrane permeability of rice (Oryza sativa L) roots.

Among other detrimental effects of the heavy metal Cd²⁺, a decrease in the plant content of essential mineral nutrients is known. In this study, the effect of Cd²⁺ on different physiological activities of rice roots involved in nutrient acquisition has been studied. Upon addition of 0.1 or 1 mM Cd²⁺ to the experimental solution, root cell membranes depolarized in few minutes, reaching very low Em values. This effect was transient and the initial membrane potential recovered totally within 6–8 h. Only the highest concentration used had an inhibitory effect on root respiration. Significant respiratory inhibition appeared after 2 h of exposure to Cd²⁺ and lasted for at least 4 h. In turn, membrane permeability increased in the presence of Cd²⁺ for at least 8 h, inducing K⁺ efflux from the roots. The relationship between these parameters and their possible involvement in lowered nutrient content in Cd²⁺-treated plants is discussed.     

Iron promotes cadmium binding to citrate

Ironcadmium interactions are important in cadmium toxicity. Dietary iron supplements may decrease cadmium retention after oral cadmium exposure but the underlying mechanism is not known. Using a CdS/AgS ion selective electrode to measure [Cd²⁺] in physiological saline solution at pH 7.4, we show that Fe²⁺ promotes Cd²⁺ binding to citrate thereby decreasing the availability of free Cd²⁺. This suggests the formation of high molecular weight Cd²⁺Fe²⁺citrate complexes. We confirm this suggestion by showing that ¹⁰⁹Cd²⁺ is retained by 1 kDa cut off filters when present with total 50 M Fe²⁺ plus 1 mM citrate but not when present with citrate alone. The formation of high molecular weight complexes may prevent Cd²⁺ absorption. As citrate is part of the diet, we suggest that these ironcadmium interactions may contribute to the protective effect of iron against cadmium toxicity.