Uptake and Bioaccumulation of Pentachlorophenol by Emergent Wetland Plant Phragmites australis (Common Reed) in Cadmium Co-contaminated Soil

Despite many studies on phytoremediation of soils contaminated with either heavy metals or organics, little information is available on the effectiveness of phytoremediation of co-occurring metal and organic pollutants especially by using wetland species. Phragmites australis is a common wetland plant and its potential for phytoremediation of cadmium pentachlorophenol (Cd-PCP) co-contaminated soil was investigated. A greenhouse study was executed to elucidate the effects of Cd (0, 10, and 20 mg kg^?1) without or with PCP (0, 50, and 250 mg kg^?1) on the growth of the wetland plant P. australis and its uptake, accumulation and removal of pollutant from soils. After 75 days, plant biomass was significantly influenced by interaction of Cd and PCP and the effect of Cd on plant growth being stronger than that of PCP. Coexistence of PCP at low level lessened Cd toxicity to plants, resulting in improved plant growth and increased Cd accumulation in plant tissues. The dissipation of PCP in soils was significantly influenced by interactions of Cd, PCP and plant presence or absence. As an evaluation of soil biological activities after remediation soil enzyme was measured.     

强化龙葵富集镉根际促生菌的分离、筛选与鉴定

【背景】植物-微生物联合修复土壤重金属污染日渐兴起,获取与超富集植物高效互作的微生物是实现联合修复技术进步的关键。龙葵在镉农田污染修复中广泛应用。【目的】筛选可促进龙葵生长及富集镉的耐镉根际促生菌。【方法】从龙葵根际土分离耐镉菌株,筛选具有良好促生特性的菌株,水培试验考察镉胁迫下菌株对植物生长及镉富集能力的影响,确定可促进龙葵生长及富集镉的微生物菌株,通过生理生化特性和16S rRNA基因序列分析进行菌株的初步鉴定。【结果】分离得到NT1、AXY1、AW2和AW1四株强化龙葵富集镉促生菌,经鉴定分别为Lysinibacillus sp.、Beijerinckia fluminensis、Achromobacter animicus和Herbaspirillum huttiense。上述菌株均可有效促进龙葵生长,增加其株高和干物质积累,提高地上部镉富集量。其中,NT1可使株高、地上部干重分别增加31.33%和62.65%,AW2可使地上部镉富集量增加37.29%。【结论】筛选所得菌株可为提高植物修复效率提供实践依据,为研制田间施用生态功能菌剂做铺垫,用于农田镉污染的微生物-龙葵联合原位修复。     

Polymorphus minutus affects antitoxic responses of gammarus roeseli exposed to cadmium

The acanthocephalan parasite Polymorphus minutus is a manipulator of its intermediate host Gammarus roeseli, which favours its transmission to the final host, a water bird. In contaminated environments, G. roeseli have to cope with two stresses, i.e. P. minutus infection and pollutants. As P. minutus survival relies on its host's survival, we investigated the influence of P. minutus on the antitoxic defence capacities and the energy reserves of G. roeseli females after cadmium exposure. In parallel, malondialdehyde, a toxic effect biomarker, was measured in G. roeseli females and in P. minutus. The results revealed that infected females displayed higher cell damage than uninfected ones, despite an apparent increase in reduced glutathione and metallothionein production. In fact, the increase of these antitoxic systems could be counterbalanced by carotenoid intake by the parasite, so that the overall defence system seemed less efficient in infected females than in uninfected ones. In addition, we demonstrated that cadmium induced cell damage in P. minutus, probably linked with cadmium accumulation in the parasite. Altogether, we observed a paradoxical pattern of responses suggesting that P. minutus increases cadmium toxicity in G. roeseli females although (i) it tends to increase several host antitoxic defence capacities and (ii) it bears part of the pollutant, as reflected by cell damage in the parasite.     

镉在黑藻叶细胞中的亚显微定位分布及毒害效应分析

Aquatic plants are known to accumulate and bioconcentrate heavy metals. In this study, aquatic vascular plant Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle was cultivated in water containing elevated concentrations of cadmium (up to 10 mg/L) for 7 d, the accumulation, subcellular distribution, ultrastructural localization, chemical form, toxic effects on mineral nutrient absorption of cadmium, photosynthesis rate and respiration rate were studied. It was found that H. verticillata fronds was able to accumulate cadmium, the bioconcentration factor was 193-307; subcellular fraction analysis revealed that cadmium major accumulated in cell wall (61.66%-52.00%) with decrease trends, the content of Cd enhanced in soluble fraction and remained stable in organelles, with the augment of pollutant concentration. The Cd levels occurred in different parts of leaf cell with the following sequence: cell wall > soluble fraction > organelles. Ultrastructural localization of cadmium with sulfide-silver method showed that Cd appeared in cell wall, chloroplast, nucleus and vacuole. Sequential extraction indicated that the ratio of different cadmium chemical form was different markedly, of which NaCl extractable Cd was predominated as compared with the other 5 forms; which could be seen in the following order: F(NaCl) > F(HAc) >F(Water) > F(Ethanol) > F(HCl) > F(Residue). The mineral nutrient absorption was also affected by cadmium stress, it increased the absorption of Ca, Mn, Cu, and Fe; but reduced that of P and K. Cd had a strong inhibitive effect on photosynthesis rate and respiration rate. The results suggested that the toxic symptoms of plant showed an evident correlation between dose and effect; the ultrastructural damage was closely related to the distribution of Cd. The conclusion could be reached that the death of plant was resulted from destruction of structure foundation of physiological function, unbalance of ion equilibrium and disorder of physiological metabolism.     

Maize plant growth and accumulation of photosynthetic pigments at short- and long-term exposure to cadmium

A wide range of cadmium concentrations (from 4 to 200 μM for seedlings and up to 2 mM for germinating kernels) was used to assess Cd toxic effects on maize (Zea mays L.) plants at the different developmental stages: germinating kernels, seedlings (4–9 days), and juvenile plants (34 days). Cd accumulation in plant organs was followed, and its lethal concentration was elucidated. In maize, cadmium was accumulated predominantly in roots; in shoots it was mainly accumulated in the lower leaves, and the higher was leaf position the lower was Cd content in it. At high concentrations (80 and 200 μM), kernels became the substantial cadmium depot. Germinating kernels manifested the lowest sensitivity to cadmium; seedlings were more sensitive; the inhibition of juvenile plant growth attained 90% and more. In the tested range of concentrations, cadmium suppressed shoot mass accumulation harder than that of roots. In 34-day-old plants, water content in shoots was stronger reduced than in roots. Plant death was also manifested earlier in shoots. It was concluded that maize plant sensitivity to cadmium increases with plant growing and that, under conditions of normal mineral nutrition, cadmium inhibits shoot growth more severe than root growth.     

Compartmentation of Cadmium and Iron in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Plants during the Adaptation to Cadmium Stress

The common ice plants (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) at the stage of five leaf pairs were exposed to cadmium chloride solutions (1, 0.1, and 0.01 mM) under the conditions of water culture. After five days, the partition of cadmium and iron in the plant organs and in the cell structures of the apical root region were investigated. Plant adaptation to excess cadmium in the environment was assessed by an increase in the leaf and root weight, a change in peroxidase activity, and an accumulation of proline. The common ice plant accumulated cadmium mainly in the root system. At a high concentration of cadmium in the nutrient solution (1 mM), its content in the root exceeded 2 g/kg fr wt, while at a concentration of 0.01 mM, it was as low as 10 mg/kg. Dithizone staining of transverse sections of the root apical region showed that, after a 48-h-long exposure of plants to 0.1 mM cadmium chloride, cadmium was localized in the cell walls of endodermis and metaxylem. The level of cadmium in leaves varied from 0.5 to 18 mg/kg fr wt. However, there was only a weak correlation between cadmium accumulation and the extent of a biomass decrease in the leaves of various stories, when cadmium concentration in the medium (1 mM cadmium chloride) was toxic. This fact could be related to a marked efflux of endogenous iron from old leaves into the young ones and to a change in the cadmium/iron ratio in the tissues. Proline accumulation in the third leaf pair and in the roots occurred at a relatively low cadmium content (10–12 mg/kg fr wt) in these organs. Maxima of activity of all three forms of peroxidase, viz., soluble, ionically-bound, and covalently-bound peroxidases, in roots were found at a high accumulation of cadmium in these organs (45 mg/kg fr wt). These maxima exceeded 3–4-fold the activity in aging leaves containing 5 mg cadmium/kg fr wt. A decrease in peroxidase activity in leaves was accompanied by a 3.3-fold decrease in iron content; thus, it could be caused by a deficiency of available iron necessary for the enzyme functioning. It was concluded that the resistance of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, a halophyte, to excess cadmium content in the medium was achieved by its predominant accumulation in roots, where excess cadmium is compartmentalized in the apoplast and seems to be subjected to detoxification through pectate formation. Moreover, the leaves and, particularly, the roots are characterized by a high activity of the antioxidant systems, such as guaiacol-dependent peroxidases, and an occurrence of proline at modest cadmium concentrations.     

Responses induced by high concentration of cadmium in Phragmites australis roots

Cadmium is an important environmental pollutant with high toxicity to plants. We report the effects of high-dose Cd (100 µ M for 21 days) on the root apparatus of Phragmites australis plants, which are characterized by elevated water detoxification capacity and widely used in phytoremediation programmes. The examination of root sections by light and electron microscopy failed to reveal any significant cadmium-induced structural or ultra-structural modifications. However, histochemical localization of Cd disclosed accumulation of the metal in the parenchyma cells below the exodermis. Phytochelatins (PC) are thiol-rich peptides whose synthesis is induced by a range of metals. Our results indicate that total PC production increases after exposure to Cd, which suggests a pivotal role for phytochelatins in the sequestration of metal. Cd treatment also induced lignin deposition and marked stimulation of root antioxidant systems, suggesting that, because of its ability to adopt different strategies against the harmful effects of cadmium, Phragmites australis is a plant with high detoxification potential.     

土壤镉胁迫对田七体内镉分布及富集特性影响

田七(Panax notoginseng)是我国的一种传统珍贵的草本药用植物,其重金属污染问题已经引起广泛关注。为了分析田七不同部位对镉毒害的响应,明确不同浓度镉污染对田七体内镉分布的基本特征以及不同部位的富集特性,以揭示镉胁迫对田七不同部位的影响机制及富集转移特性。该研究在"田七之乡"广西靖西市田七园以3年生田七为材料,土培条件下以不施镉处理为空白对照,设置6个镉浓度(5、10、20、30、40、50 mg·kg~(-1))梯度,研究了在不同浓度镉胁迫下田七不同部位镉积累特征以及转移特性。结果表明:在不同器官(叶、茎、剪口、须根、主根)随着镉浓度的增加各器官镉的积累量均显著(P0.05)增加,呈现出正相关关系。田七不同部位镉含量的分布特征表现:空白对照下田七各器官镉累积分布表现为须根剪口主根茎叶;当镉浓度为5、10、20、30、40、50 mg·kg~(-1)时,田七镉分布表现为剪口主根须根茎叶;地下部的镉含量显著高于地上部的镉含量;随着镉浓度的增加,无论地下部生物富集系数还是地上部生物富集系数均表现为逐渐降低的趋势。     

南瓜对镉的吸收积累特性研究

对南瓜进行盆栽试验,通过加入不同含量的镉、CaCO₃和草炭土,研究南瓜对镉的吸收积累特性,利用火焰原子吸收法测定。结果表明,南瓜植株对镉的富集量主要集中在茎、根中;当土壤镉含量小于5mg·kg^-1时,对南瓜根的生长有促进作用,当土壤镉含量大于5mg·kg^-1时,开始对根的生长产生抑制作用,抑制作用随镉含量的增大而加强;在土壤中施CaCO₃,能降低南瓜对镉的吸收;在土壤中加入草炭土,在一定范围内,它能促进南瓜对镉的吸收。     

Rhizoremediation of Cadmium Soil Using a Cadmium-Resistant Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizopseudomonad

Three pseudomonad strains (MKRh1, MKRh3, and MKRh4) isolated from rhizospheres showed a high growth potential in the presence of cadmium, with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 7 mM for cadmium chloride (CdCl₂). Among them, isolate MKRh3 was specifically chosen as the most favorable cadmium-resistant plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium based on its higher 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid deaminase activity, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, and auxin synthesis and the in vivo growth increment of black gram plants. 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing identified MKRh3 as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The effect of cadmium on black gram plants was studied in soil amended with a gradient of CdCl₂ concentration and the toxicity was evident from stunted growth, poor rooting, and cadmium accumulation. Application of isolate MKRh3 by seed coating overcomes the cadmium toxicity; plants showed lessened cadmium accumulation, extensive rooting, and enhanced plant growth. Further research and development of this promising innate strategy for scale-up to higher-efficiency and large-scale application will be a potent tool to prevent accumulation of cadmium in plants, thereby ensuring food security for humans.     

Metal accumulation and its effect on leaf herbivory in an allopolyploid species Arabidopsis kamchatica inherited from a diploid hyperaccumulator A. halleri

Excessive amounts of metal ions in soil are toxic for most plant species, yet metal can also facilitate plant survival by elemental defense against herbivores and pathogens. Zinc and cadmium hyperaccumulation in Arabidopsis halleri is known to be effective for the defense against natural enemies. The allotetraploid species A. kamchatica, derived from A. halleri and a non-hyperaccumulator A. lyrata, has a lower hyperaccumulation level of zinc than A. halleri, but its significance for elemental defense remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the accumulation levels of zinc and cadmium in the allotetraploid compared with its diploid progenitors, and evaluated the contribution of metal treatments to anti-herbivore resistance under field conditions. The accumulation level of zinc in A. kamchatica was intermediate between the progenitors, but that of cadmium was lower than in both diploid progenitors. The elemental defense of A. kamchatica and A. halleri was supported by a field experiment comparing the herbivory level between a control group and metal-supplemented plants. Moreover, the effect of elemental defense was lower in A. kamchatica than in the hyperaccumulator progenitor A. halleri, which is consistent with the metal accumulation level. This result reveals that the allotetraploid plant inherited its hyperaccumulating ability from one progenitor as an advantageous trait but at an intermediate level.     

Examination of cadmium-induced expression of the small heat shock protein gene, hsp30, in Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells

Cadmium is a highly toxic environmental pollutant that has been classified as a human carcinogen. Toxicological responses to cadmium exposure include respiratory diseases, neurological disorders and kidney damage. In the present study, we have characterized the effect of cadmium on the accumulation of the small heat shock protein (HSP), HSP30, in Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells. Incubation of A6 cells with cadmium chloride induced the accumulation of HSP30 protein and hsp30 mRNA. While HSP70 protein and hsp70 mRNA accumulation were also induced, the relative levels of actin remained relatively unaffected. Elevated levels of HSP30 were detected in cells undergoing prolonged exposure of cells to cadmium chloride or in cells recovering from cadmium chloride treatment. Immunocytochemical analysis of cadmium chloride-treated A6 cells revealed HSP30 accumulation primarily in the cytoplasm in a punctate pattern supplemented with larger HSP30 staining structures. Also, HSP30 co-localized with the F-actin cytoskeleton at higher cadmium chloride concentrations. The combination of mild heat shock temperatures plus cadmium chloride concentrations employed in this study resulted in a synergistic accumulation of HSP30 protein and hsp30 mRNA. Finally, in contrast to heat shock, prior exposure of Xenopus A6 cells to cadmium chloride treatment, sufficient to induce the accumulation of HSPs, did not protect the cells against a subsequent thermal challenge.     

Engineering plant-microbe symbiosis for rhizoremediation of heavy metals

The use of plants for rehabilitation of heavy-metal-contaminated environments is an emerging area of interest because it provides an ecologically sound and safe method for restoration and remediation. Although a number of plant species are capable of hyperaccumulation of heavy metals, the technology is not applicable for remediating sites with multiple contaminants. A clever solution is to combine the advantages of microbe-plant symbiosis within the plant rhizosphere into an effective cleanup technology. We demonstrated that expression of a metal-binding peptide (EC20) in a rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas putida 06909, not only improved cadmium binding but also alleviated the cellular toxicity of cadmium. More importantly, inoculation of sunflower roots with the engineered rhizobacterium resulted in a marked decrease in cadmium phytotoxicity and a 40% increase in cadmium accumulation in the plant root. Owing to the significantly improved growth characteristics of both the rhizobacterium and plant, the use of EC20-expressing P. putida endowed with organic-degrading capabilities may be a promising strategy to remediate mixed organic-metal-contaminated sites.     

Screening of Native Hyperaccumulators at the Huayuan River Contaminated by Heavy Metals

Plant, soil, and sediment samples were taken from the Fuqiao area within the Huayuan River basin in South China. Concentrations of manganese, zinc, cadmium, and lead in the samples were measured, and the characteristics of the plant samples to absorb, transfer, and accumulate the target metals were analyzed. It was indicated that the concentrations of target metals in 13 plant samples greatly exceeded the background values of target metals in plants over the world, and that the plant species might evolve to the accumulating ecotypes for the target metals under the long-term stress from the contaminated environment. Among 13 plant species, Alternanthera philoxeroides exhibited the highest accumulation capacities for the target metals, amounting to 6511, 13,784, 155, and 104 mg/kg in its shoots for manganese, zinc, cadmium, and lead, respectively. Its bioaccumulation coefficients for manganese, zinc, cadmium, and lead were 5.08, 49.23, 36.78, and 34.81, respectively, and its transfer factors for manganese, zinc, cadmium, and lead were 7.53, 3.19, 7.38, and 1.29, respectively. The results showed that Alternanthera philoxeroides satisfied the criteria for the hyperaccumulator for zinc and cadmium, and that it might be a potential native plant species for phytoremediation of the contaminated soil, sediment, and river water by the target metals within the basin.     

Effects of cadmium and mycorrhizal fungi on growth, fitness, and cadmium accumulation in flax (Linum usitatissimum; Linaceae)

? Premise of the study: Agricultural soils have become contaminated with a variety of heavy metals, including cadmium. The degree to which soil contaminants affect plants may depend on symbiotic relationships between plant roots and soil microorganisms. We examined (1) whether mycorrhizal fungi counteract the potentially negative effects of cadmium on the growth and fitness of flax (Linum usitatissimum) and (2) whether mycorrhizal fungi affect the accumulation of cadmium within plant parts. ? Methods: Two flax cultivars (Linott and Omega) were grown in three soil cadmium environments (0, 5, and 15 ppm). Within each cadmium environment, plants were grown in either the presence or absence of mycorrhizal fungi. Upon senescence, we measured growth and fitness and quantified the concentration of cadmium within plants. ? Key results: Soil cadmium significantly decreased plant fitness, but did not affect plant growth. Mycorrhizal fungi, which were able to colonize roots of plants growing in all cadmium levels, significantly increased plant growth and fitness. Although mycorrhizal fungi counteracted the negative effects of cadmium on fruit and seed production, they also enhanced the concentration of cadmium within roots, fruits, and seeds. ? Conclusions: The degree to which soil cadmium affects plant fitness and the accumulation of cadmium within plants depended on the ability of plants to form symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. The use of mycorrhizal fungi in contaminated agricultural soils may offset the negative effects of metals on the quantity of seeds produced, but exacerbate the accumulation of these metals in our food supply.     

Phenols and phenol oxidases are involved in cadmium accumulation in the water plants Nymphoides peltata (Menyanthaceae) and Nymphaeae (Nymphaeaceae)

This comparative study investigates the mechanism of cadmium accumulation in the semiaquatic plant Nymphoides peltata (Menyanthaceae) and the aquatic plant Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae). It was conducted as part of an ongoing study of the use of water plants for phytoremediation. Epidermal structures, known as hydropotes, are located on the abaxial epidermis of the leaf laminae of Nymphoides peltata and are shown to contain phenols, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities. When plants are subjected to 50 mg/l of cadmium in the growth medium, these hydropotes accumulate cadmium. Cadmium-induced increases in phenols, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities were determined in plant extracts. Cadmium binding by polymerized phenols was demonstrated in vivo. In comparison with Nymphaeae epidermal glands, N. peltata hydropotes are larger, open, and create bigger crystal, the latter principally composed of calcium and, proportionally, less cadmium. Although both plants showed similar levels of cadmium accumulation, N. peltata was sensitive while Nymphaeae was resistant to this cadmium level. It is suggested that in these water plants the main mechanism for cadmium accumulation is based on the trapping of cadmium crystals by polymerized phenols in specialized epidermal structures and this is due to peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities. Nymphaeae, with greater peroxidase activity and more polyphenols, is more resistant to this heavy metal than N. peltata.     

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。     

Engineering Plant-Microbe Symbiosis for Rhizoremediation of Heavy Metals

The use of plants for rehabilitation of heavy-metal-contaminated environments is an emerging area of interest because it provides an ecologically sound and safe method for restoration and remediation. Although a number of plant species are capable of hyperaccumulation of heavy metals, the technology is not applicable for remediating sites with multiple contaminants. A clever solution is to combine the advantages of microbe-plant symbiosis within the plant rhizosphere into an effective cleanup technology. We demonstrated that expression of a metal-binding peptide (EC20) in a rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas putida 06909, not only improved cadmium binding but also alleviated the cellular toxicity of cadmium. More importantly, inoculation of sunflower roots with the engineered rhizobacterium resulted in a marked decrease in cadmium phytotoxicity and a 40% increase in cadmium accumulation in the plant root. Owing to the significantly improved growth characteristics of both the rhizobacterium and plant, the use of EC20-expressing P. putida endowed with organic-degrading capabilities may be a promising strategy to remediate mixed organic-metal-contaminated sites.     

Cadmium induces p53-dependent apoptosis in human prostate epithelial cells

Cadmium, a widespread toxic pollutant of occupational and environmental concern, is a known human carcinogen. The prostate is a potential target for cadmium carcinogenesis, although the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Furthermore, cadmium may induce cell death by apoptosis in various cell types, and it has been hypothesized that a key factor in cadmium-induced malignant transformation is acquisition of apoptotic resistance. We investigated the in vitro effects produced by cadmium exposure in normal or tumor cells derived from human prostate epithelium, including RWPE-1 and its cadmium-transformed derivative CTPE, the primary adenocarcinoma 22Rv1 and CWR-R1 cells and LNCaP, PC-3 and DU145 metastatic cancer cell lines. Cells were treated for 24 hours with different concentrations of CdCl(2) and apoptosis, cell cycle distribution and expression of tumor suppressor proteins were analyzed. Subsequently, cellular response to cadmium was evaluated after siRNA-mediated p53 silencing in wild type p53-expressing RWPE-1 and LNCaP cells, and after adenoviral p53 overexpression in p53-deficient DU145 and PC-3 cell lines. The cell lines exhibited different sensitivity to cadmium, and 24-hour exposure to different CdCl(2) concentrations induced dose- and cell type-dependent apoptotic response and inhibition of cell proliferation that correlated with accumulation of functional p53 and overexpression of p21 in wild type p53-expressing cell lines. On the other hand, p53 silencing was able to suppress cadmium-induced apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that cadmium can induce p53-dependent apoptosis in human prostate epithelial cells and suggest p53 mutation as a possible contributing factor for the acquisition of apoptotic resistance in cadmium prostatic carcinogenesis.     

A freshwater green alga under cadmium stress: Ameliorating calcium effects on ultrastructure and photosynthesis in the unicellular model Micrasterias

Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal pollutant arising mainly from increasing industrial disposal of electronic components. Due to its high solubility it easily enters soil and aquatic environments. Via its similarity to calcium it may interfere with different kinds of Ca dependent metabolic or developmental processes in biological systems. In the present study we investigate primary cell physiological, morphological and ultrastructural responses of Cd on the unicellular freshwater green alga Micrasterias which has served as a cell biological model system since many years and has proved to be highly sensitive to any kind of abiotic stress. Our results provide evidence that the severe Cd effects in Micrasterias such as unidirectional disintegration of dictyosomes, occurrence of autophagy, decline in photosystem II activity and oxygen production as well as marked structural damage of the chloroplast are based on a disturbance of Ca homeostasis probably by displacement of Ca by Cd. This is indicated by the fact that physiological and structural cadmium effects could be prevented in Micrasterias by pre-treatment with Ca. Additionally, thapsigargin an inhibitor of animal and plant Ca(2+)-ATPase mimicked the adverse Cd induced morphological and functional effects on dictyosomes. Recovery experiments indicated rapid repair mechanisms after Cd stress.