title: Thiol peptides induction in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum (Banks ex König) in response to cadmium exposure.
abstract: Trace metal accumulation and thiol compounds synthesis as induced by cadmium exposure was studied in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum. Shoots were exposed for 24, 48, 96 and 144 h to several CdCl(2) concentrations (0, 30, 50 and 70 microM). Levels of cadmium, cysteine, glutathione (GSH), gamma-glutamylcysteine (gamma-EC), and phytochelatin-like peptides were determined in green blades, live sheaths and root/rhizomes tissues. Metal accumulation was dependent on Cd concentration and type of tissue, with green blades showing the highest content followed by live sheaths and root/rhizomes. All tissues experienced an increase in thiol-containing compounds as a response to cadmium exposure. Live sheaths showed the highest levels of cysteine, GSH and gamma-EC. This is the first report of induction of thiol peptides, presumably phytochelatins, by a trace metal in a sea grass species.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Recursos del Mar, CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Mérida, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Legorreta
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mendoza-Cozatl
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moreno-Sanchez
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gold-Bouchot
mesh_terms: D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D031321:Hydrocharitaceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000737:chemistry; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D019256:Cadmium Chloride