Genotoxic effects and induction of phytochelatins in the presence of cadmium in Vicia faba roots.
This study investigates different effects in roots of Vicia faba (broad bean) after exposure to cadmium. Genotoxic effects were assessed by use of the well-known Vicia root tip micronucleus assay. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated by determining the mitotic index in root tip cells. Finally, molecular induction mechanisms were evaluated by measuring phytochelatins with HPLC. After hydroponical exposure of V. faba roots to a range of cadmium concentrations and during different exposure times, the results of this approach showed large variations, according to the endpoint measured: after 48 h of exposure, genotoxic effects were found between 7.5 x 10(-8) and 5 x 10(-7)M CdCl(2), and cytotoxic effects were observed between 2.5 x 10(-7) and 5 x 10(-7)M CdCl(2). Statistically significant phytochelatin (PC) concentrations were measured at >or=10(-6)M CdCl(2) for PC(2), and at >or=10(-5)M CdCl(2) for PC3 and PC4.
Béraud
Eric
E
Laboratoire LIEBE UMR 7146 CNRS, Université Paul Verlaine Metz, rue du General Delestraint, 57070 Metz, France.
Cotelle
Sylvie
S
Leroy
Pierre
P
Férard
Jean-François
JF
D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008940:Mitotic Index; D054811:Phytochelatins; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors; D031307:Vicia faba / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D054811:Phytochelatins; D005978:Glutathione