The Arabidopsis Ethylene-Insensitive 2 gene is required for lead resistance.
The Arabidopsis Ethylene-Insensitive 2 (EIN2) gene has been shown to be involved in the regulation of abiotic and biotic stresses, including ozone stress, high salt, oxidative stress and disease resistance. However, little is known about the role of EIN2 gene in lead (Pb) resistance in Arabidopsis. In this study, we showed that EIN2 gene is required for Pb(II) resistance in Arabidopsis. EIN2 gene was induced by Pb(II) treatment, and the ein2-1 mutant showed enhanced sensitivity to Pb(II). A higher Pb content was detected in ein2-1 plants than in wild-type plants when subjected to Pb(II) treatment, which was associated, at least in part, with reduction in expression of AtPDR12 gene, a pump excluding Pb(II) and/or Pb(II)-containing toxic compounds from the cytoplasm. Moreover, the ein2-1 mutation also impaired glutathione (GSH)-dependent Pb(II) resistance, which was related to constitutive reduction of express of GSH1 gene involved in GSH synthesis and consequently reduced GSH content. Taken together, all these results suggest that EIN2 gene mediates Pb(II) resistance, at least in part, through two distinct mechanisms, a GSH-dependent mechanism and a GSH-independent AtPDR12-mediated mechanism.
Cao
Shuqing
S
School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei, Anhui 230009, People's Republic of China. shuqing.cao@163.com
Chen
Zhengyi
Z
Liu
Guoqing
G
Jiang
Li
L
Yuan
Huaibo
H
Ren
Guang
G
Bian
Xiaohui
X
Jian
Hongyong
H
Ma
Xinliang
X
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C119963:EIN2 protein, Arabidopsis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D007854:Lead; D005978:Glutathione