title: Selection and characterization of cadmium-resistant suspension cultures of the wild tomato Lycopersicon peruvianum.
abstract: Suspension cultures of Lycopersicon peruvianum were selected for resistance to cadmium by stepwise exposure to increasing concentrations of cadmium sulfate. Resistant cells grow in 1500 micromolar Cd(++). This resistance was retained for thirty generations without selection. Both resistant and parental sensitive cultures take up Cd(++) at similar rates and to the same final levels. Exposure of sensitive or resistant cultures to Cd(++), Cu(++), or Zn(++) leads to the intracellular accumulation of a low molecular weight, cysteine-rich, cadmium-binding protein. This metallothionein is induced over fifteen fold by 100 μM cadmium and builds up to about five fold higher levels in the resistant cultures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 47907, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bennetzen
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Adams