镉、铅及其复合污染对油菜部分生理指标的影响

采用盆栽试验的方法研究了土壤外源重金属Cd、Pb及其复合污染对油菜部分生理指标的影响。结果表明：Cd单一处理组中,油菜体内硝酸还原酶活性及根系活力均随Cd胁迫浓度的增加出现不同程度的先升后降的趋势,表明油菜对低浓度的Cd有一定的抵抗能力,但在高浓度的Cd胁迫下则受到伤害;Pb单一处理和Cd+Pb复合处理组中,硝酸还原酶活性及根系活力均随Cd、Pb浓度的增加而降低;Cd、Pb单一处理组中,随Cd、Pb浓度升高,油菜根内游离脯氨酸含量逐渐增加,Cd处理组的脯氨酸含量积累量显著大于Pb处理组,这进一步证实了Cd对植物毒害效应比Pb严重;Cd+Pb复合处理组中脯氨酸含量均高于所有单一处理,表明Cd、Pb复合污染对脯氨酸的积累有促进作用,Pb加强了Cd对植物的毒害,其交互作用机理值得进一步研究。     

梭鱼草叶片抗氧化酶、抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环与乙二醛酶系统对铅胁迫的响应

本研究以液培法考察了不同浓度Pb2+胁迫下梭鱼草叶片丙二醛（MDA）与叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶活性、抗氧化剂含量及乙二醛酶系统的变化规律。结果表明：经5.0 mg L-1 Pb2+胁迫14 d和21 d时，梭鱼草叶片叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶活性[过氧化氢酶（CAT）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）]、抗氧化剂含量[抗坏血酸（AsA）、脱氢抗坏血酸（DHA）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）、非蛋白巯基总肽（NPT）和植物螯合肽（PCs）]没有明显变化；同时，21 d时叶片细胞中甲基乙二醛（MG）含量显著增加，而MDA含量无明显增加。经10.0 mg L-1 Pb2+处理21 d时，梭鱼草叶片MDA、MG、GSH及NPT含量及过氧化物酶（POD）活性明显增加，而脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（DHAR）、甲基乙二醛酶Ⅱ（GlyⅡ）活性呈相反变化趋势。在15.0 mg L-1 Pb2+处理期间，叶片MDA含量显著增加，此时GSH、NPT、PCs被诱导合成以螯合细胞中过量积累的Pb2+；同时，叶片POD、SOD、APX活性和AsA含量显著增加。经15.0 mg L-1 Pb2+处理21 d时，虽然梭鱼草叶片甲基乙二醛酶I（GlyI）活性明显增加，但是MG含量仍然增加，且GlyⅡ活性明显下降，此时乙二醛酶系统已经不能缓解高浓度Pb2+胁迫诱发的羰基胁迫。梭鱼草叶片对5.0 mg L-1 Pb2+具有良好的耐受性。在较高浓度（≧10.0 mg L-1）Pb2+胁迫下，梭鱼草叶片细胞膜脂过氧化作用加剧，此时其主要通过合成非蛋白巯基化合物、增加抗氧化酶活性及AsA含量以减缓氧化损伤。在试验期间，梭鱼草叶片乙二醛酶系统没有表现出明显的解毒作用。     

镉在水花生叶片中的亚细胞分布及其毒理学

以水花生为试验材料,研究了不同浓度镉(Cd)(0、0.05、0.1、0.2、0.4 mmol·L-1)胁迫下水花生叶中Cd及矿质元素的亚细胞分布、抗氧化能力、叶绿素、可溶性蛋白和植物络合素(PCs)含量的变化.结果表明:随着培养液中Cd浓度的增加,叶片内各亚细胞组分中Cd含量显著增加,但分布不均,主要积累在细胞壁,其次为可溶成分,线粒体和叶绿体中分布最少.Cd处理浓度大于0.2 mmol·L-1时,呈现Cd向水花生叶的可溶成分中分配增加、细胞壁中分配减少的趋势.矿质元素的吸收明显失衡,表现为各亚细胞组分中Ca含量显著增加且主要分布在细胞壁中,细胞壁和可溶成分中P和K含量不断降低,叶绿体中Mg和Fe的含量逐渐减少.叶绿素和可溶性蛋白含量持续下降.谷胱甘肽和抗坏血酸含量先升后降,总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)不断提高,PCs大量累积.水花生对水体中的Cd有一定耐性,且Cd在亚细胞结构中的富集量与其毒性间具有明显的剂量-效应关系;亚细胞中矿质元素的紊乱以及叶绿素和可溶性蛋白含量的显著降低,Cd在亚细胞中的积累对植物体造成了明显的毒害作用;Ca在细胞壁中的累积以及PCs和T-AOC水平的提高说明水花生具有较强的抗性;PCs的合成量与Cd对水花生的毒性变化有一定的相关性,可以作为Cd胁迫的生物标记物.     

Pb和Cd单一及复合胁迫条件下溪荪(Iris sanguinea)生长及金属离子积累特征分析

采用水培法,对Pb和Cd单一及复合胁迫(500 mg·L-1Pb、25 mg·L-1 Cd、500 mg·L-1pb-25 mg·L-1Cd)条件下溪荪(Iris sanguinea Donn ex Horn.)幼苗不同部分的生长及Pb、Cd、Zn、Cu、K和Na积累状况进行了研究.结果显示:在Pb单一胁迫条件下,溪荪幼苗地下部分干质量较对照降低了18.2％,地上部分干质量和耐性指数均与对照无显著差异;在Cd单一胁迫条件下,地下部分与地上部分的干质量较对照分别降低了16.4％和14.1％,耐性指数降低了7％;在Pb-Cd复合胁迫条件下,溪荪幼苗不同部分的干质量以及耐性指数均与对照无显著差异.在Pb单一及Pb-Cd复合胁迫条件下,幼苗不同部分的Pb含量均明显高于对照,Pb单一胁迫处理组幼苗地上部分和地下部分的Pb含量分别比Pb-Cd复合胁迫处理组高19.8％和16.0％.在Cd单一及Pb-Cd复合胁迫条件下,幼苗不同部分的Cd含量均明显高于对照,Pb-Cd复合胁迫处理组幼苗地上部分和地下部分的Cd含量分别为Cd单一胁迫处理组的2.02和5.74倍.经Pb和Cd单一及复合胁迫后,幼苗不同部分的Zn、Cu和Na含量均明显高于对照,而K含量则低于对照;地上部分的Zn、K和Na含量均高于地下部分,但Cu含量在幼苗不同部分的变化趋势则有所不同.比较结果表明:Pb-Cd复合胁迫对溪荪幼苗的Pb积累有促进作用、对Cd积累有抑制作用,表现出拮抗作用;溪荪对Pb胁迫的耐性相对更强,对Pb和Cd及其他金属元素有一定的积累能力,可用于Pb污染环境尤其是湿地Pb污染环境的修复.     

铜、镉胁迫下外源NO介导的番茄解毒途径

一氧化氮(NO)作为信号分子,在抵御重金属胁迫中起重要作用,但对不同离子胁迫下的解毒机制尚缺乏研究.本研究采用营养液培养法,研究了铜(Cu)、镉(Cd)单一或复合胁迫下,番茄幼苗对Cu、Cd的吸收转运特性及对外源NO的响应机制.结果表明: 50 μmol·L^-1的Cu²⁺、Cd²⁺均显著抑制番茄植株的生长,其中Cd胁迫对生长的抑制效应远高于Cu胁迫.Cu、Cd单一或复合胁迫均使番茄根系Cu、Cd含量显著升高,但根系对Cu、Cd吸收存在严格选择性.根细胞对必需元素Cu表现出“奢侈吸收”的现象,而对毒性较强的Cd则吸收相对较少,胞内Cd浓度仅为Cu的1/10左右.外源NO处理可不同程度地缓解Cu、Cd胁迫,其中缓解Cd胁迫的效能更强.番茄对被动进入细胞的Cu、Cd具有相似的解毒机制:一方面,Cu、Cd胁迫诱导细胞质中产生谷胱甘肽(GSH)、植物螯合肽(PCs)和金属硫蛋白(MTs),络合过多的Cu、Cd离子,降低其生物毒性;另一方面,过多的Cu、Cd离子或螯合物被转运至液泡区隔化.外源NO通过调控GSH-GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽)氧化还原状态及GSH-PCs代谢方向的改变,促进Cu、Cd离子转运至液泡区隔化来缓解胁迫抑制;NO还可诱导植株叶片或根系表达更多的金属硫蛋白、GSH和PCs,而且上述响应普遍存在叠加效应.这可能是NO介导番茄对Cu、Cd胁迫的另一主要解毒途径.     

铅在茶树体内的分布及化学形态特征

采用水培试验,结合亚细胞组分分离和化学形态提取技术,研究了茶树品种龙井43和迎霜不同器官的Pb含量,及其在根系亚细胞中的分布和化学结合形态.结果表明： 在Pb胁迫下,两个品种茶树根系的形态特征不同;龙井43新叶中Pb含量随营养液Pb浓度的提高显著增加,而迎霜的变化不显著.两个品种茶树根系亚细胞中Pb的含量分布及结合形态均存在差异,低浓度Pb处理下, 龙井43根亚细胞组分（除可溶物质外）中Pb含量均低于迎霜;而高浓度Pb处理下,龙井43根亚细胞组分（除细胞壁外）中Pb含量均高于迎霜;龙井43根中醋酸(HAc)提取态的Pb含量比例最高,其他化学形态的高低顺序为NaCl提取态>HCl提取态/H₂O提取态>乙醇提取态;而迎霜根中NaCl提取态Pb成分比例最高,其他化学形态的高低顺序为HAc提取态>HCl提取态/H₂O提取态>乙醇提取态.迎霜对Pb毒害的耐受能力强于龙井43.     

镉、铅及其复合污染对大麦幼苗部分生理指标的影响

以Cd、Pb为胁迫因子,以大麦为试验材料,采用室内培养法,研究了重金属Cd﹑Pb及复合污染不同时间（3、5d）对大麦幼苗叶片部分生理指标的影响。结果表明,随着 Cd﹑Pb及Cd+Pb处理浓度的增加,大麦幼苗叶片中可溶性糖的含量表现为先升后降。在Cd﹑Pb单一处理条件下,不同浓度Cd﹑Pb均可造成叶细胞膜透性增大,叶片的相对电导率和脯氨酸含量上升。不同浓度的Cd+Pb复合处理对叶细胞膜的损伤均大于单一处理,低浓度Cd+Pb（5+50 mg·L^-1）复合处理组的可溶性糖含量比单一处理高。在不同处理时间（3、5d）内,所有Cd+Pb复合处理组叶中脯氨酸含量均高于单一处理组,Cd﹑Pb复合处理对脯氨酸的积累有促进作用。单一处理中Cd对大麦幼苗的毒性比Pb大,而复合处理（Cd+Pb）对大麦幼苗的损伤和毒害作用比单一处理更为严重,其交互作用机理值得进一步研究。     

美人蕉(Canna indica Linn)镉胁迫的抗氧化机理

采用水培的方式,探讨了不同Cd2+水平(0、1、2.5、7.5、15 mg·L-1)对美人蕉生物量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性以及丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、植物螯合肽(PCs)、酸溶性SH、Cd含量的影响.结果表明,1 mg·L-1的Cd显著提高了美人蕉的生物量(p<0.05),促进了美人蕉的生长.随着Cd2+浓度的提高,SOD、 POD、CAT活性以及MDA含量显著增加(p<0.05),表明美人蕉受到了活性氧物质的胁迫.美人蕉中GSH、PCs、SH含量也随Cd2+含量的增加而增加,表明Cd胁迫诱导了PCs 的产生,有利于降低Cd对植物体本身的毒害,且根系中的含量均高于叶片.美人蕉中Cd含量随着Cd浓度的增加而显著增加,在15 mg·L-1处理时,地上部Cd含量达到555.4 mg·kg-1,表明美人蕉对Cd有较强的富集能力.     

不同类型镉积累水稻细胞镉化学形态及亚细胞和分子分布

利用水培试验结合亚细胞组分分级分离和凝胶过滤等技术,研究了水稻根和叶中镉的化学结合形态及其亚细胞和分子分布,比较了低镉积累品种“广源占No.3”和高镉积累品种 “珍桂矮”的差异.结果表明：随着营养液中镉浓度的升高,根和叶亚细胞镉含量显著上升,大部分镉积累在细胞壁（F_Ⅰ）和细胞可溶部分（F_Ⅲ）.高镉积累品种“珍桂矮”根和叶中可溶部分镉含量显著高于低镉积累品种“广源占No.3”.根和叶各种形态镉中,以氯化钠提取态占优势,其次是醋酸提取态,盐酸提取态镉含量最低.与“广源占No.3”相比,“珍桂矮”中迁移性较强的去离子水和乙醇提取态镉比例较高.凝胶过滤结果表明,两种类型的水稻可溶部分镉的出峰位置与样品流份中可溶性蛋白的出峰位置大致相同.可溶部分中的镉大多与分子量为3kD的物质结合,属于植物鳌合肽（PCs）或低分子量物质.“广源占No.3” 根系中镉与PCs配合的组分（Cd-PCs）含量远小于“珍桂矮”.“广源占No.3”细胞可溶部分较低的镉含量以及根系中较少的Cd-PCs形成量,降低了镉的移动及其向地上部转运的可能性.     

镉胁迫下杞柳对金属元素的吸收及其根系形态构型特征

采用水培方法,研究了杞柳(Salix integra)2个品种在0-90 μmol/L Cd处理下不同组织对Cd的吸收和积累规律,探讨了镉胁迫下杞柳根系形态学功能响应特征以及对矿质离子吸收的影响。结果发现,镉在杞柳2个品种不同组织的含量均表现为根>韧皮部>木质部>叶。2个品种地上部组织对镉的吸收和积累规律相似:在0-70 μmol/L Cd处理浓度范围内,随着溶液Cd浓度的增加,叶、木质部、韧皮部中镉的含量逐渐增加,到50 μmol/L时,镉在地上部组织的含量达到最高,当Cd处理浓度达90 μmol/L时,地上部各组织中Cd含量出现下降趋势。而2个品种根系对Cd的吸收则不同,"微山湖"品种在溶液Cd达70 μmol/L时,根系镉的积累量最大,在90 μmol/L时,根系Cd的积累量明显下降;"一枝笔"品种根系在0-90 μmol/L范围内,根系Cd的积累量均为增加趋势。通过分析2个品种根系形态学参数变化发现,Cd胁迫抑制了杞柳2个品种根的伸长,促进了"微山湖"品种根的径向生长,导致根系平均直径增加;进一步对叶片矿质营养状态分析发现, Ca、Mn的吸收受镉胁迫的影响较大,在高浓度镉胁迫下(50-70 μmol/L)"微山湖"和"一枝笔"对Ca和Mn的吸收明显下降;Cd胁迫对Fe在叶片的含量影响不明显;同时发现,在50 μmol/L Cd处理下,Cu²⁺在叶片的积累明显增加。由此可见,杞柳2个品种间对镉的吸收和积累差异主要体现在根系,地上部对镉毒害的响应差异不大。     

Effects of Interaction Between Cadmium and Plumbum on Phytochelatins and Glutathione Production in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Phytochelatins (PCs) may function as a potential biomarker for metal toxicity. However, less attention has been paid to the effects of metal interactions on the production of PCs and glutathione (GSH),the most prominent cellular thiol. In the present study, the effects of interactions between cadmium (Cd) and plumbum (Pb) on the production of PCs and GSH were monitored over a period of 14 d in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) tissues. The results showed that combination of Cd and Pb led to synergistic growth inhibition in wheat. Exposure to Cd or Pb increased levels of PCs in a concentration-, tissue-, and time-dependent manner. Cadmium was more effective that Pb in increasing PCs production. Compared with the effects of Cd or Pb alone on the production of PCs, the combination of Cd and Pb acted synergistically, resulting in an enhanced production of PCs. Cadmium also stimulated GSH production in a concentration-, tissue-, and time-dependent manner. However, Pb had no obvious effects on GSH levels. The combination of Pb and Cd antagonized GSH production over the course of the growth period. The results of the present study suggest that metal interactions should be considered in the application of PCs and GSH as potential biomarkers for the evaluation of metal toxicity.     

Effects of Interaction Between Cadmium and Plumbum on Phytochelatins and Glutathione Production in Wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）

Phytochelatins (PCs) may function as a potential biomarker for metal toxicity. However, less attention has been paid to the effects of metal interactions on the production of PCs and glutathione (GSH), the most prominent cellular thiol. In the present study, the effects of interactions between cadmium (Cd) and plumbum (Pb) on the production of PCs and GSH were monitored over a period of 14 d in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) tissues. The results showed that combination of Cd and Pb led to synergistic growth inhibition in wheat. Exposure to Cd or Pb increased levels of PCs in a concentration-, tissue-, and time-dependent manner. Cadmium was more effective that Pb in increasing PCs production. Compared with the effects of Cd or Pb alone on the production of PCs, the combination of Cd and Pb acted synergistically, resulting in an enhanced production of PCs. Cadmium also stimulated GSH production in a concentration-, tissue-, and time-dependent manner. However, Pb had no obvious effects on GSH levels. The combination of Pb and Cd antagonized GSH production over the course of the growth period. The results of the present study suggest that metal interactions should be considered in the application of PCs and GSH as potential biomarkers for the evaluation of metal toxicity.     

菰和菖蒲对重金属的胁迫反应及其富集能力

通过盆栽实验研究了Cu—Zn—Ph-Cd复合污染条件下,菰和菖蒲的生长状况、生理特性及吸收和富集重金属的能力。结果表明,高浓度污染下菰和菖蒲不能存活;低、中浓度中菖蒲的生长受到抑制,菰各生长指标与对照相比差异不显著,表明菰对低、中浓度重金属的耐性强于菖蒲。随着污染浓度的增加,菰和菖蒲叶片叶绿索含量显著降低;菰叶绿素a／b值略有降低,菖蒲叶绿素a／b值显著降低;菰和菖蒲叶片脯氨酸含量、相对电导率显著升高,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）活性在低浓度时升高,中浓度时降低。菰体内重金属含量为Zn〉Cu〉Pb〉Cd,菖蒲体内的含量为Cu〉Zn〉Pb〉Cd,且二者体内的重金属含量都随着污染浓度的增加而升高。菰和菖蒲对Cd的富集系数较大,地上部分（茎与叶）和地下部分（根与根状茎）均大于1;对Pb的富集系数较小,地上部分和地下部分均小于1。菰和菖蒲地下部分重金属含量均高于地上部分含量,二者根系对4种重金属都有较强的滞留效应,平均滞留率均大于50％。各处理中菰对重金属的吸收量均高于菖蒲。综合分析菰和菖蒲的生长、生理及富集重金属的能力,菰比菖蒲更适用于低、中浓度重金属污染水体的生态修复。     

Accumulation, detoxification, and genotoxicity of heavy metals in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Plants of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) were exposed to different concentrations (15, 30, 60, 120 microM) of (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb) for 28 and 56 d for accumulation and detoxification studies. Metal accumulation in roots and shoots were analyzed and it was observed that roots accumulated a significant amount of Cd (1980 microg g(-1) dry weight), Cr (1540 microg g(-1) dry weight), Cu (1995 microg g(-1) dry weight), and Pb (2040 microg g(-1) dry weight) after 56 d of exposure, though in shoot this was 1110, 618, 795, and 409 microg g(-1) dry weight of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb, respectively. In order to assess detoxification mechanisms, non-protein thiols (NP-SH), glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) were analyzed in plants. An increase in the quantity of NP-SH (9.55), GSH (8.30), and PCs (1.25) micromol g(-1) FW were found at 15 microM of Cd, however, a gradual decline in quantity was observed from 15 microM of Cd onwards, after 56 d of exposure. For genotoxicity in plants, cytogenetic end-points such as mitotic index (MI), micronucleus formation (MN), mitotic aberrations (MA) and chromosome aberrations (CA) were examined in root meristem cells of B. juncea. Exposure of Cd revealed a significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of MI, induction of MA, CA, and MN in the root tips for 24 h. However, cells examined at 24 h post-exposure showed concentration-wise recovery in all the endpoints. The data revealed that Indian mustard could be used as a potential accumulator of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb due to a good tolerance mechanisms provided by combined/concerted action of NP-SH, GSH, and PCs. Also, exposure of Cd can cause genotoxic effects in B. juncea L. through chromosomal mutations, MA, and MN formation.     

Modulation of Exogenous Glutathione in Phytochelatins and Photosynthetic Performance Against Cd Stress in the Two Rice Genotypes Differing in Cd Tolerance

Greenhouse hydroponic experiments were conducted using Cd-sensitive (Xiushui63) and tolerant (Bing97252) rice genotypes to evaluate genotypic differences in response of photosynthesis and phytochelatins to Cd toxicity in the presence of exogenous glutathione (GSH). Plant height, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and biomass decreased in 5 and 50 μM Cd treatments, and Cd-sensitive genotype showed more severe reduction than the tolerant one. Cadmium stress caused decrease in maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and effective PSII quantum yield [Y(II)] and increase in quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation [Y(NPQ)], with changes in Cd-sensitive genotype being more evident. Cadmium-induced phytochelatins (PCs), GSH, and cysteine accumulation was observed in roots of both genotypes, with markedly higher level in PCs and GSH on day 5 in Bing97252 compared with that measured in Xiushui63. Exogenous GSH significantly alleviated growth inhibition in Xiushui63 under 5 μM Cd and in both genotypes in 50 μM Cd. External GSH significantly increased chlorophyll content, Pn, Fv/Fm, and Y(II) of plants exposed to Cd, but decreased Y(NPQ) and the coefficient of non-photochemical quenching (qN). GSH addition significantly increased root GSH content in plants under Cd exposure (except day 5 of 50 μM Cd) and induced up-regulation in PCs of 5 μM-Cd-treated Bing97252 throughout the 15-day and Xiushui63 of 5-day exposure. The results suggest that genotypic difference in the tolerance to Cd stress was positively linked to the capacity in elevation of GSH and PCs, and that alleviation of Cd toxicity by GSH is related to significant improvement in chlorophyll content, photosynthetic performance, and root GSH levels.     

Accumulation and translocation of Cd metal and the Cd-induced production of glutathione and phytochelatins in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> L.

Translocation of cadmium (Cd) in the tissues of Vicia faba, the water content in biomass, the biomass production, and the glutathione and phytochelatin tissue concentrations were studied and correlated with the plant sensitivity and/or tolerance to Cd. The total concentrations of Cd were determined by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins 2 and 3 (PC2 and PC3) were determined by on-line high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–MS–MS) in the roots and leaves of the sensitive and the tolerant cultivars of V. faba grown in Cd containing nutrient solutions (NS, 0–100 μmol l⁻¹ Cd²⁺). Both the cultivars of V. faba accumulate a major portion of Cd in the roots and only a minor part of ca. 4% in the leaves. The differences between the cultivars concerning Cd accumulation in leaves were apparent from higher Cd concentrations in NS and the Cd amount in the sensitive cultivar was approximately twice as high. In the roots, the differences between the cultivars in the Cd accumulation were only statistically significant with the highest Cd concentrations in NS, with the tolerant cultivar accumulating about 16% more of Cd compared to the sensitive one. The biomass production of the sensitive cultivar decreased approximately twice as fast with increasing Cd concentration in NS. The biomass water content decreased with increasing Cd concentration in NS in both the cultivars. In general, the GSH concentration did not linearly correlate with Cd accumulation, except for the roots of the sensitive cultivar where it was independent, and was higher in the sensitive cultivar than in the tolerant one in both the leaves and roots. The GSH concentration in leaves was approximately one order of magnitude higher than that in the roots for both the cultivars. The relationships between the PC and Cd concentrations in tissues were found nonlinear. At lower Cd accumulation levels, the PC concentrations followed an increase in the Cd accumulation in both the roots and leaves, whereas at higher Cd accumulations the relations differed between roots and leaves. In the roots, the PC concentrations decreased with increasing Cd accumulation, whereas the PC concentration in the leaves followed the decrease in the Cd accumulation.     

Heavy Metal Tolerance and Accumulation in Indian Mustard (Brassica Juncea L.) Expressing Bacterial γ-Glutamylcysteine Synthetase or Glutathione Synthetase

The overexpression of either γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS) or glutathione synthetase (GS) in Brassica juncea transgenics was shown previously to result in higher accumulation of glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs), as well as enhanced Cd tolerance and accumulation. The present study was aimed at analyzing the effects of γ-ECS or GS overexpression on tolerance to and accumulation of other metal/loids supplied individually in agar medium (seedlings) or in hydroponics (mature plants). Also, as pollution in nature generally consists of mixtures of metals, glutamylcysteine synthetase (ECS) and GS seedlings were tested on combinations of metals. Compared to wild-type plants, ECS and GS transgenics exhibited a significantly higher capacity to tolerate and accumulate a variety of metal/loids (particularly As, Cd, and Cr) as well as mixed-metal combinations (As, Cd, Zn/As, Pb, and Zn). This enhanced metal tolerance and accumulation of the ECS and GS transgenics may be attributable to enhanced production of PCs, sustained by a greater availability of GSH as substrate, as suggested by their higher concentrations of GSH, PC2, PC3, and PC4 as compared to wild-type plants. Overexpression of GS and γ-ECS may represent a promising strategy for the development of plants with an enhanced phytoremediation capacity for mixtures of metals.     

Effects of cadmium stress upon activities of antioxidative enzymes, photosynthetic rate, and production of phytochelatins in leaves and chloroplasts of wheat cultivars differing in yield potential

We tested the mode of action of Cd on photosynthesis and activities of ATP-sulfurylase (ATP-S), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and on contents of phytochelatins (PCs) and glutathione (GSH) in two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) PBW-343 and WH-542 differing in yield potential. Cd treatment increased Cd content and photosynthetic activity in PBW-343 more than in WH-542. The activities of APX, GR, ATP-S, and synthesis of PCs and GSH were also increased by Cd, but the CAT and SOD activities were inhibited in both the cultivars. The efficient functioning of antioxidative enzymes, production of PCs and GSH, helped in counteracting the effects of Cd namely in PBW-343, protected photosynthetic ability, and increased the tolerance to Cd.     

Heavy metal-induced glutathione accumulation and its role in heavy metal detoxification in Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Phanerochaete chrysosporium are known to be vital hyperaccumulation species for heavy metal removal with admirable intracellular bioaccumulation capacity. This study analyzes the heavy metal-induced glutathione (GSH) accumulation and the regulation at the intracellular heavy metal level in P. chrysosporium. P. chrysosporium accumulated high levels of GSH, accompanied with high intracellular concentrations of Pb and Cd. Pb bioaccumulation lead to a narrow range of fluctuation in GSH accumulation (0.72–0.84 μmol), while GSH plummeted under Cd exposure at the maximum value of 0.37 μmol. Good correlations between time-course GSH depletion and Cd bioaccumulation were determined (R ²?>?0.87), while no significant correlations have been found between GSH variation and Pb bioaccumulation (R ²?<?0.38). Significantly, concentration-dependent molar ratios of Pb/GSH ranging from 0.10 to 0.18 were observed, while molar ratios of Cd/GSH were at the scope of 1.53–3.32, confirming the dominant role of GSH in Cd chelation. The study also demonstrated that P. chrysosporium showed considerable hypertolerance to Pb ions, accompanied with demand-driven stimulation in GSH synthesis and unconspicuous generation of reactive oxygen stress. GSH plummeted dramatically response to Cd exposure, due to the strong affinity of GSH to Cd and the involvement of GSH in Cd detoxification mechanism mainly as Cd chelators. Investigations into GSH metabolism and its role in ameliorating metal toxicity can offer important information on the application of the microorganism for wastewater treatment.