title: Uptake, translocation and transformation of arsenate and arsenite in sunflower (Helianthus annuus): formation of arsenic-phytochelatin complexes during exposure to high arsenic concentrations.
abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the time-dependent formation of arsenic-phytochelatin (As-PC) complexes in the roots, stems and leaves of an arsenic-nontolerant plant (Helianthus annuus) during exposure to 66 mol l(-1) arsenite (As(III)) or arsenate (As(V)). We used our previously developed method of simultaneous element-specific (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ICP-MS) and molecular-specific (electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry, ES-MS) detection systems interfaced with a suitable chromatographic column and eluent conditions, which enabled us to identify and quantify As-PC complexes directly. Roots of As-exposed H. annuus contained up to 14 different arsenic species, including the complex of arsenite with two (gamma-Glu-Cys)(2)-Gly molecules [As((III))-(PC(2))(2)], the newly identified monomethylarsonic phytochelatin-2 or (gamma-Glu-Cys)(2)-Gly CH(3)As (MA((III))-PC(2)) and at least eight not yet identified species. The complex of arsenite with (gamma-Glu-Cys)(3)-Gly (As((III))-PC(3)) and the complex of arsenite with glutathione (GSH) and (gamma-Glu-Cys)(2)-Gly (GS-As((III))-PC(2)) were present in all samples (roots, stems and leaves) taken from plants exposed to As. The GS-As((III))-PC(2) complex was the dominant complex after 1 h of exposure. As((III))-PC(3) became the predominant As-PC complex after 3 h, binding up to 40% of the As present in the exposed plants. No As-PC complexes were found in sap (mainly xylem sap from the root system), in contrast to roots, stems and leaves, which is unequivocal evidence that As-PC complexes are not involved in the translocation of As from root to leaves of H. annuus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Meston Walk, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raab
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schat
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Meharg
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feldmann
mesh_terms: D001149:Arsenates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001151:Arsenic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018053:Arsenites / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001692:Biological Transport; D001711:Biotransformation; D006368:Helianthus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000378:metabolism; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013729:Terpenes; D000094162:Phytoalexins
chemical_list: D001149:Arsenates; D018053:Arsenites; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013729:Terpenes; C015001:arsenite; D001151:Arsenic; C025657:arsenic acid; D000094162:Phytoalexins