Improved phytoaccumulation of cadmium by genetically modified tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Physiological and biochemical response of the transformants to cadmium toxicity.
The response of tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.)--non-transformed and transformed with a metallothionein gene MThis from Silene vulgaris L.--to increase cadmium supply in the nutrient solution was compared. The transgenic plants accumulated significantly more Cd both in the roots and the leaves. Visual toxicity symptoms and disturbance in water balance were correlated with Cd tissue content. Treatment with 300 microM CdCl(2) resulted in inhibition of photosynthesis and mobilization of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. Treatment with 500 microM CdCl(2) led to irreversible damage of photosynthesis and oxidative stress. An appearance of a new peroxidase isoform and changes in the leaf polypeptide pattern were observed at the highest Cd concentration. The level of non-protein thiols gradually increased following the Cd treatment both in transgenic and non-transformed plants.
Gorinova
N
N
AgroBioInstitute, 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria. noraig60@yahoo.co.uk
Nedkovska
M
M
Todorovska
E
E
Simova-Stoilova
L
L
Stoyanova
Z
Z
Georgieva
K
K
Demirevska-Kepova
K
K
Atanassov
A
A
Herzig
R
R
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis; D005453:Fluorescence; D015870:Gene Expression; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000032:analysis; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics; D008970:Molecular Weight; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000975:Antioxidants; D008055:Lipids; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D002734:Chlorophyll; D008668:Metallothionein; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D005978:Glutathione; D019256:Cadmium Chloride; D001205:Ascorbic Acid