Molecular ecotoxicology of plants.
Plant molecular exotoxicology investigates ecological implications of genetic and molecular responses to toxins, herbicides, pollutants and natural stress factors. Plant fitness is analysed by examining the relationships between plant genotype and ecological phenotype, enabling regulatory networks formed by second messenger molecules and transcriptional as well as post-transcriptional events to be elucidated. This general approach is illustrated here by specific case studies: detoxification by glucosyl transfer or binding to cell wall macromolecules; roles of the multifunctional formaldehyde dehydrogenase; and abiotic induction of plant immunity through reactive oxygen species. As a practical application of molecular ecotoxicology, the interaction of commercialized transgenic crop plants with potential environmental selection factors is discussed.
GSF-National Research Centre for Environment and Health, Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany. sandermann@gsf.de
Heinrich
H
Sandermann
D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods*; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000633:toxicity
D006540:Herbicides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014118:Toxins, Biological; D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases; C087006:formaldehyde dehydrogenase, glutathione-independent