Phytochelatin synthase: of a protease a peptide polymerase made

Of the mechanisms known to protect vascular plants and some algae, fungi and invertebrates from the toxic effects of non-essential heavy metals such as As, Cd or Hg, one of the most sophisticated is the enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of phytochelatins (PCs). PCs, (γ-Glu-Cys)(n) Gly polymers, which serve as high-affinity, thiol-rich cellular chelators and contribute to the detoxification of heavy metal ions, are derived from glutathione (GSH; γ-Glu-Cys-Gly) and related thiols in a reaction catalyzed by phytochelatin synthases (PC synthases, EC 2.3.2.15). Using the enzyme from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtPCS1) as a model, the reasoning and experiments behind the conclusion that PC synthases are novel papain-like Cys protease superfamily members are presented. The status of S-substituted GSH derivatives as generic PC synthase substrates and the sufficiency of the N-terminal domain of the enzyme from eukaryotic and its half-size equivalents from prokaryotic sources, for net PC synthesis and deglycylation of GSH and its derivatives, respectively, are emphasized. The question of the common need or needs met by PC synthases and their homologs is discussed. Of the schemes proposed to account for the combined protease and peptide polymerase capabilities of the eukaryotic enzymes vs the limited protease capabilities of the prokaryotic enzymes, two that will be considered are the storage and homeostasis of essential heavy metals in eukaryotes and the metabolism of S-substituted GSH derivatives in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes.     

Enhanced arsenic accumulation by engineered yeast cells expressing Arabidopsis thaliana phytochelatin synthase

Phytochelatins (PCs) are naturally occurring peptides with high-binding capabilities for a wide range of heavy metals including arsenic (As). PCs are enzymatically synthesized by phytochelatin synthases and contain a (gamma-Glu-Cys)(n) moiety terminated by a Gly residue that makes them relatively proteolysis resistant. In this study, PCs were introduced by expressing Arabidopsis thaliana Phytochelatin Synthase (AtPCS) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for enhanced As accumulation and removal. PCs production in yeast resulted in six times higher As accumulation as compared to the control strain under a wide range of As concentrations. For the high-arsenic concentration, PCs production led to a substantial decrease in levels of PC precursors such as glutathione (GSH) and gamma-glutamyl cysteine (gamma-EC). The levels of As(III) accumulation were found to be similar between AtPCS-expressing wild type strain and AtPCS-expressing acr3Delta strain lacking the arsenic efflux system, suggesting that the arsenic uptake may become limiting. This is further supported by the roughly 1:3 stoichiometric ratio between arsenic and PC2 (n = 2) level (comparing with a theoretical value of 1:2), indicating an excess availability of PCs inside the cells. However, at lower As(III) concentration, PC production became limiting and an additive effect on arsenic accumulation was observed for strain lacking the efflux system. More importantly, even resting cells expressing AtPCS pre-cultured in Zn(2+) enriched media showed PCs production and two times higher arsenic removal than the control strain. These results open up the possibility of using cells expressing AtPCS as an inexpensive sorbent for the removal of toxic arsenic.     

A cyanobacterial protein with similarity to phytochelatin synthases catalyzes the conversion of glutathione to gamma-glutamylcysteine and lacks phytochelatin synthase activity

Phytochelatins are glutathione-derived, non-translationally synthesized peptides essential for cadmium and arsenic detoxification in plant, fungal and nematode model systems. Recent sequencing programs have revealed the existence of phytochelatin synthase-related genes in a wide range of organisms that have not been reported yet to produce phytochelatins. Among those are several cyanobacteria. We have studied one of the encoded proteins (alr0975 from Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120) and demonstrate here that it does not possess phytochelatin synthase activity. Instead, this protein catalyzes the conversion of glutathione to gamma-glutamylcysteine. The thiol spectrum of yeast cells expressing alr0975 shows the disappearance of glutathione and the formation of a compound that by LC-MSMS analysis was unequivocally identified as gamma-glutamylcysteine. Purified recombinant protein catalyzes the respective reaction. Unlike phytochelatin synthesis, the conversion of glutathione to gamma-glutamylcysteine is not dependent on activation by metal cations. No evidence was found for the accumulation of phytochelatins in cyanobacteria even after prolonged exposure to toxic Cd2+ concentrations. Expression of alr0975 was detected in Nostoc sp. cells with an antiserum raised against the protein. No indication for a responsiveness of expression to toxic metal exposure was found. Taken together, these data provide further evidence for possible additional functions of phytochelatin synthase-related proteins in glutathione metabolism and provide a lead as to the evolutionary history of phytochelatin synthesis.     

A reassessment of substrate specificity and activation of phytochelatin synthases from model plants by physiologically relevant metals

Phytochelatin synthases (PCS) catalyze phytochelatin (PC) synthesis from glutathione (GSH) in the presence of certain metals. The resulting PC-metal complexes are transported into the vacuole, avoiding toxic effects on metabolism. Legumes have the unique capacity to partially or completely replace GSH by homoglutathione (hGSH) and PCs by homophytochelatins (hPCs). However, the synthesis of hPCs has received little attention. A search for PCS genes in the model legume Lotus (Lotus japonicus) resulted in the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding a protein (LjPCS1) highly homologous to a previously reported homophytochelatin synthase (hPCS) of Glycine max (GmhPCS1). Recombinant LjPCS1 and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) PCS1 (AtPCS1) were affinity purified and their polyhistidine-tags removed. AtPCS1 catalyzed hPC synthesis from hGSH alone at even higher rates than did LjPCS1, indicating that GmhPCS1 is not a genuine hPCS and that a low ratio of hPC to PC synthesis is an inherent feature of PCS1 enzymes. For both enzymes, hGSH is a good acceptor, but a poor donor, of gamma-glutamylcysteine units. Purified AtPCS1 and LjPCS1 were activated (in decreasing order) by Cd2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+, but not by Co2+ or Ni2+, in the presence of 5 mm GSH and 50 microm metal ions. Activation of both enzymes by Fe3+ was proven by the complete inhibition of PC synthesis by the iron-specific chelator desferrioxamine. Plants of Arabidopsis and Lotus accumulated (h)PCs only in response to a large excess of Cu2+ and Zn2+, but to a much lower extent than did with Cd2+, indicating that (h)PC synthesis does not significantly contribute in vivo to copper, zinc, and iron detoxification.     

Mutagenic definition of a papain-like catalytic triad, sufficiency of the N-terminal domain for single-site core catalytic enzyme acylation, and C-terminal domain for augmentative metal activation of a eukaryotic phytochelatin synthase

Phytochelatin (PC) synthases are gamma-glutamylcysteine (gamma-Glu-Cys) dipeptidyl transpeptidases that catalyze the synthesis of heavy metal-binding PCs, (gamma-Glu-Cys)nGly polymers, from glutathione (GSH) and/or shorter chain PCs. Here it is shown through investigations of the enzyme from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; AtPCS1) that, although the N-terminal half of the protein, alone, is sufficient for core catalysis through the formation of a single-site enzyme acyl intermediate, it is not sufficient for acylation at a second site and augmentative stimulation by free Cd2+. A purified N-terminally hexahistidinyl-tagged AtPCS1 truncate containing only the first 221 N-terminal amino acid residues of the enzyme (HIS-AtPCS1_221tr) is competent in the synthesis of PCs from GSH in media containing Cd2+ or the synthesis of S-methyl-PCs from S-methylglutathione in media devoid of heavy metal ions. However, whereas its full-length hexahistidinyl-tagged equivalent, HIS-AtPCS1, undergoes gamma-Glu-Cys acylation at two sites during the Cd2+-dependent synthesis of PCs from GSH and is stimulated by free Cd2+ when synthesizing S-methyl-PCs from S-methylglutathione, HIS-AtPCS1_221tr undergoes gamma-Glu-Cys acylation at only one site when GSH is the substrate and is not directly stimulated, but instead inhibited, by free Cd2+ when S-methylglutathione is the substrate. Through the application of sequence search algorithms capable of detecting distant homologies, work we reported briefly before but not in its entirety, it has been determined that the N-terminal half of AtPCS1 and its equivalents from other sources have the hallmarks of a papain-like, Clan CA Cys protease. Whereas the fold assignment deduced from these analyses, which substantiates and is substantiated by the recent determination of the crystal structure of a distant prokaryotic PC synthase homolog from the cyanobacterium Nostoc, is capable of explaining the strict requirement for a conserved Cys residue, Cys-56 in the case of AtPCS1, for formation of the biosynthetically competent gamma-Glu-Cys enzyme acyl intermediate, the primary data from experiments directed at determining whether the other two residues, His-162 and Asp-180 of the putative papain-like catalytic triad of AtPCS1, are essential for catalysis have yet to be presented. This shortfall in our basic understanding of AtPCS1 is addressed here by the results of systematic site-directed mutagenesis studies that demonstrate that not only Cys-56 but also His-162 and Asp-180 are indeed required for net PC synthesis. It is therefore established experimentally that AtPCS1 and, by implication, other eukaryotic PC synthases are papain Cys protease superfamily members but ones, unlike their prokaryotic counterparts, which, in addition to having a papain-like N-terminal catalytic domain that undergoes primary gamma-Glu-Cys acylation, contain an auxiliary metal-sensing C-terminal domain that undergoes secondary gamma-Glu-Cys acylation.     

Comparative analysis of the two-step reaction catalyzed by prokaryotic and eukaryotic phytochelatin synthase by an ion-pair liquid chromatography assay

Genes encoding phytochelatin (PC) synthase have been found in higher plants, fission yeast and worm. Recently, kinetic and mutagenic analyses of recombinant PC synthase have been revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying PC synthesis, however, a conclusive model has not been established. To clarify the mechanism of PC synthase found in eukaryotes, we have compared the two-step reactions catalyzed by the prokaryotic Nostoc PC synthase (NsPCS) and the eukaryotic Arabidopsis PC synthase (AtPCS1). Comparative analysis shows that in the first step of PC synthesis corresponding to the cleavage of -glutamylcysteine (-EC) from glutathione (GSH), free GSH or PCs acts as a donor molecule to supply a -EC unit for elongation of the PC chain, and heavy metal ions are required to carry out the cleavage. Furthermore, functional analyses of various mutants of NsPCS and AtPCS1, selected by comparing the sequences of NsPCS and AtPCS1, indicate that the N-terminal region (residues 1–221) in AtPCS1 is the catalytic domain, and in this region, the Cys⁵⁶ residue is associated with the PC synthesis reaction. These results enable us to propose an advanced model of PC synthesis, describing substrate specificity, heavy metal requirement, and the active site in the enzyme.     

New insights into the regulation of phytochelatin biosynthesis in A. thaliana cells from metabolite profiling analyses

In higher plants and some fungi, heavy metals induce the synthesis of chelating peptides known as phytochelatins (PCs). They are characterized by the general structure (gamma-Glu-Cys)n-Gly, but in some plant species, the C-terminal glycine can be replaced by serine, glutamine, glutamate or alanine, leading to iso-phytochelatins (iso-PCs). Although the distribution of iso-PCs is considered to differ from one species to another, we previously showed that Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) cells are able to synthesize most PC-related peptides (PCs and iso-PCs) described in the literature. We also observed an accumulation of the dipeptide gamma-glutamylcysteine (gamma-EC) when cadmium (Cd) (200 microM) was added to the culture medium, suggesting that either glutathione synthetase or glycine availability could be a limiting factor for the biosynthesis of PC-related peptides. In this context, the aim of the present work was to seek new insights into the regulation of PC synthesis by performing metabolic profiling using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The levels of PC-related peptides and their precursors were measured in A. thaliana cells following Cd exposure. A range of doses (0, 50, 200 and 400 microM CdNO3) and kinetic studies (from 1 to 48 h) showed a dose threshold (50 microM CdNO3) and a lag time between the appearance of PCs and iso-PCs concomitant with the gamma-EC accumulation induced by Cd, occurring at cadmium concentrations above 50 microM. This accumulation was suppressed by supplementation of the culture medium with 25 mM glycine. Glycine supplementation had a limited impact on the concentrations of glutathione and PCs whereas the levels of most iso-PCs were significantly increased. Taken together, these results indicate that GSH is involved in the biosynthesis of the iso-PCs in vivo, and that the biosynthesis of PC-related peptides is limited by the availability of glycine in the presence of high cadmium concentrations.     

控制性分根区交替滴灌对苹果幼树形态特征与根系水分传导的影响

采用固定滴灌(根区一侧固定供水)、控制性分根区交替滴灌(根区两侧交替供水)和常规滴灌(紧贴幼树基部供水)3种灌水方式和3种灌水定额(固定滴灌和交替滴灌均为10、20和30 mm,常规滴灌为20、30和40 mm),对比研究了控制性分根区交替滴灌对苹果幼树形态特征与根系水分传导的影响.结果表明： 交替滴灌的根区两侧土壤出现反复干湿交替过程,常规滴灌的根区两侧土壤含水率差异不显著.在灌水定额相同时,灌水侧的土壤含水率在3种灌水方式间差异不显著.与常规滴灌和固定滴灌相比,交替滴灌显著增加了苹果幼树的根冠比、壮苗指数和根系水分传导,在30 mm灌水定额处理下,交替滴灌的根冠比分别增加31.6%和47.1%,壮苗指数增加34.2%和53.6%,根系水分传导增加9.0%和11.0%.3种灌水方式下,根干质量和叶面积均与根系水分传导呈显著线性正相关.控制性分根区交替滴灌增强了苹果幼树根系水分传导的补偿效应,促进了根系对水分的吸收利用,有利于干物质向各个器官均衡分配,显著提高了根冠比和壮苗指数.     

Glutathione and phytochelatin contents in tomato plants exposed to cadmium

The effect of cadmium on growth and contents of glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) were investigated in roots and leaves of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. 63/5 F1). The accumulation of Cd increased with external Cd concentrations and was considerably higher in roots than in leaves. Dry mass production decreased under Cd treatment especially in leaves. In both roots and leaves, exposure to Cd caused an appreciable decline in GSH contents and increase in PCs synthesis proportional to Cd concentrations in the growth medium. At the same Cd concentration, PCs production was higher in roots than in leaves. The implication of glutathione in PC synthesis was strongly suggested by the use of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). The major fraction of Cd accumulated by tomato roots was in the form of a Cd-PCs complex.     

Glutathione-mediated Antioxidative Mechanisms in Sunflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus Annuus</Emphasis> L.) Cells in Response to Cadmium Stress

Cadmium (Cd) homeostasis and detoxification in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cells differing in Cd sensitivity/tolerance were studied by analyzing the glutathione-mediated antioxidant mechanism vis-à-vis phytochelatin biosynthesis in vitro. Calluses exposed to Cd-shock/-acclimatization (150μM) were assayed for oxidative stress, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), phytochelatins (PCs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although Cd did not induce any oxidative stress in Cd-tolerant callus (TCd), it generated oxidative stress in Cd-shock callus (SCd) both in terms of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. GSH/GSSG ratio remained similar to control values in the cadmium-acclimatized calluses. However, after acute treatment, there was a decline in both GSH and GSSG levels in SCd with concomitant reduction in the GSH/GSSG ratio. Analysis of PCs was performed using HPLC and mass spectrometry methods. PC concentration in TCd were approximately twice those that in SCd, showing in both cases a 1:2:1 relative proportion for PC n = 2 (PC2): PC n = 3 (PC3): PC n = 4 (PC4). Calluses growing in the presence of Cd developed an increased resistance to paraquat oxidative stress generation. These results indicated that PCs synthesis was an important mechanism for Cd detoxification in sunflower calluses, but the capacity to grow in the presence of Cd is related to the tissues ability to maintain high intracellular levels of GSH.     

植物螯合肽及其在抗重金属胁迫中的作用

植物螯合肽(PCs)广泛存在于植物体中,与植物抗重金属胁迫关系密切。植物螯合肽及其复合物是一类富含半胱氨酸的低分子量化合物。现有研究证明,PCS由谷胱甘肽(GSH)为底物的酶促反应合成,其合成受相关基因的调控,从模式植物拟南芥的突变体中已分离到与PCS合成有关的几个基因。植物螯合肽首先与重金属离子结合形成低分子量(LMW)复合物,以此形态经由细胞质进入液泡后,再与一个分子的植物螯合肽结合,形成对植物组织毒性较小的高分子量(HMW)复合物,从而达到缓解重金属对植物的危害作用。就植物螯合肽及其复合物的结构、生物合成、基因调控及重金属解毒机理等进行了综述,并对今后的研究方向提出了一些看法。     

Function of phytochelatin synthase in catabolism of glutathione-conjugates

Detoxification of xenobiotic compounds and heavy metals is a pivotal capacity of organisms, in which glutathione (GSH) plays an important role. In plants, electrophilic herbicides are conjugated to the thiol group of GSH, and heavy metal ions form complexes as thiolates with GSH-derived phytochelatins (PCs). In both detoxification processes of plants, phytochelatin synthase (PCS) emerges as a key player. The enzyme is activated by heavy metal ions and catalyzes PC formation from GSH by transferring glutamylcysteinyl residues (gamma-EC) onto GSH. In this study with Arabidopsis, we show that PCS plays a role in the plant-specific catabolism of glutathione conjugates (GS-conjugates). In contrast to animals, breakdown of GS-conjugates in plants can be initiated by cleavage of the carboxyterminal glycine residue that leads to the generation of the corresponding gamma-EC-conjugate. We used the xenobiotic bimane in order to follow GS-conjugate turnover. Functional knockout of the two PCS of Arabidopsis, AtPCS1 and AtPCS2, revealed that AtPCS1 provides a major activity responsible for conversion of the fluorescent bimane-GS-conjugate (GS-bimane) into gamma-EC-bimane. AtPCS1 deficiency resulted in a gamma-EC-bimane deficiency. Transfection of PCS-deficient cells with AtPCS1 recovered gamma-EC-bimane levels. The level of the gamma-EC-bimane conjugate was enhanced several-fold in the presence of Cd2+ ions in the wild type, but not in the PCS-deficient double mutant, consistent with a PCS-catalyzed GS-conjugate turnover. Thus AtPCS1 has two cellular functions: mediating both heavy metal tolerance and GS-conjugate degradation.     

Overexpression of phytochelatin synthase in Arabidopsis leads to enhanced arsenic tolerance and cadmium hypersensitivity

Phytochelatin synthase (PCS) catalyzes the final step in the biosynthesis of phytochelatins, which are a family of cysteine-rich thiol-reactive peptides believed to play important roles in processing many thiol-reactive toxicants. A modified Arabidopsis thaliana PCS sequence (AtPCS1) was active in Escherichia coli. When AtPCS1 was overexpressed in Arabidopsis from a strong constitutive Arabidopsis actin regulatory sequence (A2), the A2::AtPCS1 plants were highly resistant to arsenic, accumulating 20-100 times more biomass on 250 and 300 microM arsenate than wild type (WT); however, they were hypersensitive to Cd(II). After exposure to cadmium and arsenic, the overall accumulation of thiol-peptides increased to 10-fold higher levels in the A2::AtPCS1 plants compared with WT, as determined by fluorescent HPLC. Whereas cadmium induced greater increases in traditional PCs (PC2, PC3, PC4), arsenic exposure resulted in the expression of many unknown thiol products. Unexpectedly, after arsenate or cadmium exposure, levels of the dipeptide substrate for PC synthesis, gamma-glutamyl cysteine (gamma-EC), were also dramatically increased. Despite these high thiol-peptide concentrations, there were no significant increases in concentrations of arsenic and cadmium in above-ground tissues in the AtPCS1 plants relative to WT plants. The potential for AtPCS1 overexpression to be useful in strategies for phytoremediating arsenic and to compound the negative effects of cadmium are discussed.     

Enhancing the tolerance of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to heavy metal toxicity by the expression of plant phytochelatin synthase

Phytochelatin synthase (PC synthase) catalyzes a biosynthesis of phytochelatins (PCs), which are small molecules and glutathione (GSH)-derived metal-binding peptides that are essential for the detoxification of heavy metal ions in plants, fungi and worms. In order to enhance tolerance to heavy metal cytotoxicity, mRNA coding for PC synthase from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtPCS1) was introduced into the early embryos of zebrafish. As a result, the heterogeneous expression of PC synthase and the synthesis of PCs from GSH in embryos could be detected. The developing embryos expressing PC synthase (PC-embryos) became more tolerant to Cd toxicity (500 microM exposure). PC-embryos had significantly longer apparent lethal times for 50% of the population (LT50) of 8.17+/-1.08 days, although control embryos had apparent LT50 of 5.43+/-0.66 days. These data suggest that PC synthase can function in developmental zebrafish, and that PCs are highly effective in detoxifying Cd toxicity even in the whole body of a vertebrate species.     

Arsenate-induced phytochelatins in white lupin: influence of phosphate status

White lupin ( Lupinus albus L.) is adapted to environments of low pH and low available phosphorus through the development of proteoid roots. The high-affinity phosphate/arsenate uptake system is much less sensitive to downregulation by phosphate in white lupin than in other plants. Arsenate is a phosphate analogue and its toxicity to plants is intimately linked to phosphate nutrition. The synthesis of phytochelatins (PCs) has been proposed as a detoxification mechanism for arsenic (As) in plants. The aim of this research was to study PC production by lupin plants in response to As, and the impact of the arsenate–phosphate interaction on PC production. PCs were the most abundant thiols in white lupin under high As exposure, reaching levels higher than in other plants tested. Together, glutathione (GSH) and PCs were able to complex the majority of As in shoots, while an additional PC-independent mechanism might function in roots. P deficiency increased As concentrations in plant tissues, causing an increase in PC accumulation and an increase in the average size of PCs. A direct relationship was observed between PC concentrations and the level of stress caused by As, i.e. the degree of growth inhibition in plants. This study suggests a key role for PCs and GSH in As detoxification by white lupin, especially in shoots. PC analysis may be useful as an early indicator of As exposure and as a tool to assess the degree of As stress of plants, even under P deficiency.     

Azuki bean cells are hypersensitive to cadmium and do not synthesize phytochelatins

Suspension-cultured cells of azuki bean (Vigna angularis) as well as the original root tissues were hypersensitive to Cd (<10 microM). Repeated subculturings with a sublethal level of Cd (1-10 microM) did not affect the subsequent response of cells to inhibitory levels of Cd (10-100 microM). The azuki bean cells challenged to Cd did not contain phytochelatin (PC) peptides, unlike tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cells that have a substantial tolerance to Cd (>100 microM). Both of the cell suspensions contained a similar level of reduced glutathione (GSH) when grown in the absence of Cd. Externally applied GSH to azuki bean cells recovered neither Cd tolerance nor PC synthesis of the cells. Furthermore, enzyme assays in vitro revealed that the protein extracts of azuki bean cells had no activity converting GSH to PCs, unlike tomato. These results suggest that azuki bean cells are lacking in the PC synthase activity per se, hence being Cd hypersensitive. We concluded that the PC synthase has an important role in Cd tolerance of suspension-cultured cells.     

Heavy metals toxicity in plants: An overview on the role of glutathione and phytochelatins in heavy metal stress tolerance of plants

Plants experience oxidative stress upon exposure to heavy metals that leads to cellular damage. In addition, plants accumulate metal ions that disturb cellular ionic homeostasis. To minimize the detrimental effects of heavy metal exposure and their accumulation, plants have evolved detoxification mechanisms. Such mechanisms are mainly based on chelation and subcellular compartmentalization. Chelation of heavy metals is a ubiquitous detoxification strategy described in wide variety of plants. A principal class of heavy metal chelator known in plants is phytochelatins (PCs), a family of Cys-rich peptides. PCs are synthesized non-translationally from reduced glutathione (GSH) in a transpeptidation reaction catalyzed by the enzyme phytochelatin synthase (PCS). Therefore, availability of glutathione is very essential for PCs synthesis in plants at least during their exposure to heavy metals. Here, I reviewed on effect of heavy metals exposure to plants and role of GSH and PCs in heavy metal stress tolerance. Further, genetic manipulations of GSH and PCs levels that help plants to ameliorate toxic effects of heavy metals have been presented.     

Homo-Phytochelatins Are Synthesized in Response to Cadmium in Azuki Beans

In a recent report, it was claimed that azuki beans (Vigna angularis) do not synthesize phytochelatins (PCs) upon exposure to cadmium, although glutathione (GSH), the substrate for PC synthesis, is present in this plant. This legume species thus would be the first exception in the plant kingdom that would fail to complex heavy metals by PCs. Here, we report that not GSH, but only homoglutathione can be detected in this plant and that homo-phytochelatins are formed when azuki beans are challenged with heavy metals such as cadmium. We also show that the 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)-oxidized GSH reductase recycling assay, used for GSH quantification in the recent study of heavy metal tolerance in azuki beans, reacts both with GSH and homoglutathione and therefore cannot be used when biological samples should be analyzed exclusively for GSH.     

PRODUCTION OF PHYTOCHELATINS AND GLUTATHIONE BY MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON IN RESPONSE TO METAL STRESS1

Phytoplankton deal with metal toxicity using a variety of biochemical strategies. One of the strategies involves glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs), which are metal‐binding thiol peptides produced by eukaryotes and these compounds have been related to several intracellular functions, including metal detoxification, homeostasis, metal resistance and protection against oxidative stress. This paper assesses our state of knowledge on the production of PCs and GSH by marine phytoplankton in laboratory and field conditions and the possible applications of PCs for environmental purposes. Good relationships have been observed between metal exposure and PC production in phytoplankton in the laboratory with Cd, Pb, and Zn showing the greatest efficacy, thereby indicating that PCs have a potential for application as a biomarker. Fewer studies on PC distributions in particulate material have been undertaken in the field. These studies show that free Cu has a strong relationship with the levels of PC in the particulate material. The reason for this could be because Cu is a common contaminant in coastal waters. However it could also be due to the lack of measurements of other metals and their speciation. GSH shows a more complex relationship to metal levels both in the laboratory and in the field. This is most likely due to its multifunctionality. However, there is evidence that phytoplankton act as an important source of dissolved GSH in marine waters, which may form part of the strong organic ligands that control metal speciation, and hence metal toxicity.     

Overexpression of Arabidopsis phytochelatin synthase paradoxically leads to hypersensitivity to cadmium stress

Phytochelatin (PC) plays an important role in heavy metal detoxification in plants and other living organisms. Therefore, we overexpressed an Arabidopsis PC synthase (AtPCS1) in transgenic Arabidopsis with the goal of increasing PC synthesis, metal accumulation, and metal tolerance in these plants. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants were selected, designated pcs lines, and analyzed for tolerance to cadmium (Cd). Transgenic pcs lines showed 12- to 25-fold higher accumulation of AtPCS1 mRNA, and production of PCs increased by 1.3- to 2.1-fold under 85 microM CdCl(2) stress for 3 d when compared with wild-type plants. Cd tolerance was assessed by measuring root length of plants grown on agar medium containing 50 or 85 microM CdCl(2). Pcs lines paradoxically showed hypersensitivity to Cd stress. This hypersensitivity was also observed for zinc (Zn) but not for copper (Cu). The overexpressed AtPCS1 protein itself was not responsible for Cd hypersensitivity as transgenic cad1-3 mutants overexpressing AtPCS1 to similar levels as those of pcs lines were not hypersensitive to Cd. Pcs lines were more sensitive to Cd than a PC-deficient Arabidopsis mutant, cad1-3, grown under low glutathione (GSH) levels. Cd hypersensitivity of pcs lines disappeared under increased GSH levels supplemented in the medium. Therefore, Cd hypersensitivity in pcs lines seems due to the toxicity of PCs as they existed at supraoptimal levels when compared with GSH levels.