New Insights into Regulation of Proteome and Polysaccharide in Cell Wall of Elsholtzia splendens in Response to Copper Stress

Background and Aims

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for plants. However, excess amounts of Cu are toxic and result in a wide range of harmful effects on the physiological and biochemical processes of plants. Cell wall has a crucial role in plant defense response to toxic metals. To date, the process of cell wall response to Cu and the detoxification mechanism have not been well documented at the proteomic level.

Methods

An recently developed 6-plex Tandem Mass Tag was used for relative and absolute quantitation methods to achieve a comprehensive understanding of Cu tolerance/detoxification molecular mechanisms in the cell wall. LC–MS/MS approach was performed to analyze the Cu-responsive cell wall proteins and polysaccharides.

Key Results

The majority of the 22 up-regulated proteins were involved in the antioxidant defense pathway, cell wall polysaccharide remodeling, and cell metabolism process. Changes in polysaccharide amount, composition, and distribution could offer more binding sites for Cu ions. The 33 down-regulated proteins were involved in the signal pathway, energy, and protein synthesis.

Conclusions

Based on the abundant changes in proteins and polysaccharides, and their putative functions, a possible protein interaction network can provide new insights into Cu stress response in root cell wall. Cu can facilitate further functional research on target proteins associated with metal response in the cell wall.