Noccaea caerulescens (formerly known as Thlaspi caerulescens), an extremophile heavy metal hyperaccumulator model plant in the Brassicaceae family, is a morphologically and phenotypically diverse species exhibiting metal tolerance and leaf accumulation of zinc, cadmium, and nickel. Here, we provide a detailed genome structure of the approximately 267-Mb N. caerulescens genome, which has descended from seven chromosomes of the ancestral proto-Calepineae Karyotype (n = 7) through an unusually high number of pericentric inversions. Genome analysis in two other related species, Noccaea jankae and Raparia bulbosa, showed that all three species, and thus probably the entire Coluteocarpeae tribe, have descended from the proto-Calepineae Karyotype. All three analyzed species share the chromosome structure of six out of seven chromosomes and an unusually high metal accumulation in leaves, which remains moderate in N. jankae and R. bulbosa and is extreme in N. caerulescens. Among these species, N. caerulescens has the most derived karyotype, with species-specific inversions on chromosome NC6, which grouped onto its bottom arm functionally related genes of zinc and iron metal homeostasis comprising the major candidate genes NICOTIANAMINE SYNTHASE2 and ZINC-INDUCED FACILITATOR-LIKE1. Concurrently, copper and organellar metal homeostasis genes, which are functionally unrelated to the extreme traits characteristic of N. caerulescens, were grouped onto the top arm of NC6. Compared with Arabidopsis thaliana, more distal chromosomal positions in N. caerulescens were enriched among more highly expressed metal homeostasis genes but not among other groups of genes. Thus, chromosome rearrangements could have facilitated the evolution of enhanced metal homeostasis gene expression, a known hallmark of metal hyperaccumulation.
- MeSH
- Brassicaceae genetics metabolism MeSH
- Chromosomes, Plant genetics MeSH
- Diploidy MeSH
- Species Specificity MeSH
- Genome, Plant * MeSH
- Gene Rearrangement MeSH
- Homeostasis MeSH
- Karyotyping MeSH
- Plant Leaves chemistry MeSH
- Evolution, Molecular MeSH
- Soil chemistry MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Plant MeSH
- Metals, Heavy metabolism MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Although the significance of apoplasmic barriers in roots with regards to the uptake of toxic elements is generally known, the contribution of apoplasmic bypasses (ABs) to cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulation is little understood. Here, we employed a combination of stable isotopic tracer techniques, an ABs tracer, hydraulic measurements, suberin lamellae staining, metabolic inhibitors, and antitranspirants to investigate and quantify the impact of the ABs on translocation of Cd to the xylem in roots of a hyperaccumulating (H) ecotype and a non-hyperaccumulating (NH) ecotype of Sedum alfredii. In the H ecotype, the Cd content in the xylem sap was proportional to hydrostatic pressure, which was attributed to pressure-driven flow via the ABs. The contribution of the ABs to Cd transportation to the xylem was dependent on the Cd concentration applied to the H ecotype (up to 37% at the highest concentration used). Cd-treated H ecotype roots showed significantly higher hydraulic conductance compared with the NH ecotype (76 vs 52 × 10–8 m s–1MPa–1), which is in accordance with less extensive suberization due to reduced expression of suberin-related genes. The main entry sites of apoplasmically transported Cd were localized in the root apexes and lateral roots of the H ecotype, where suberin lamellae were not well developed. These findings highlight the significance of the apoplasmic bypass in Cd hyperaccumulation in hyperaccumulating ecotypes of S. alfredii.
BACKGROUND: Arsenic toxicity induces a range of metabolic responses in plants, including DNA methylation. The focus of this paper was on the relationship between As-induced stress and plant senescence in the hyperaccumulator Pteris cretica var. Albo-lineata (Pc-Al). We assume difference in physiological parameters and level of DNA methylation in young and old fronds as symptoms of As toxicity. RESULTS: The As accumulation of Pc-Al fronds, grown in pots of haplic chernozem contaminated with 100 mg As kg- 1 for 122 days, decreased with age. Content of As was higher in young than old fronds for variants with 100 mg As kg- 1 (2800 and 2000 mg As kg- 1 dry matter, respectively). The highest As content was determined in old fronds of Pc-Al grown in pots with 250 mg As kg- 1. The increase with age was confirmed for determined nutrients - Cu, Mg, Mn, S and Zn. A significant elevation of all analysed nutrients was showed in old fronds. Arsenic accumulation affected DNA methylation status in fronds, but content of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) decreased only in old fronds of Pc-Al (from 25 to 12%). Determined photosynthetic processes showed a decrease of fluorescence, photosynthetic rate and chlorophylls of As treatments in young and old fronds. Water potential was decreased by As in both fronds. Thinning of the sclerenchymatous inner cortex and a reduction in average tracheid metaxylem in the vascular cylinder was showed in roots of As treatment. Irrespective to fronds age, physiological parameters positively correlated with a 5mC while negatively with direct As toxicity. Opposite results were found for contents of Cu, Mg, Mn, S and Zn. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this paper point to changes in the metabolism of the hyperaccumulator plant Pc-Al, upon low and high exposure to As contamination. The significant impact of As on DNA methylation was found in old fronds. Irrespective to fronds age, significant correlations were confirmed for 5mC and As toxicity. Our analysis of the very low water potential values and lignification of cell walls in roots showed that transports of assimilated metabolites and water between roots and fronds were reduced. As was showed by our results, epigenetic changes could affect studied parameters of the As hyperaccumulator plant Pc-Al, especially in old fronds.
- MeSH
- 5-Methylcytosine metabolism MeSH
- Arsenic metabolism toxicity MeSH
- Chlorophyll metabolism MeSH
- Ecotoxicology MeSH
- Photosynthesis drug effects MeSH
- Plant Roots metabolism MeSH
- Soil Pollutants metabolism MeSH
- Plant Leaves metabolism MeSH
- DNA Methylation drug effects MeSH
- DNA Damage * drug effects MeSH
- Pteris metabolism MeSH
- Nutrients metabolism MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich peptides involved in heavy metal tolerance of many eukaryotes. Here, we examined their involvement in intracellular binding of silver (Ag) in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Amanita strobiliformis. The Ag complexes and their peptide ligands were characterized using chromatography and mass spectrometry. The full-length coding sequences obtained from a cDNA library were used for complementation assays in yeast mutant strains. Abundance of respective transcripts in A. strobiliformis was measured by quantitative real-time reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Ag-speciation analyses showed that intracellular Ag was in wild-grown fruit bodies and cultured extraradical mycelia of A. strobiliformis sequestered by metallothioneins. The determined sequence of the peptide facilitated isolation of three cDNA clones, AsMT1a, AsMT1b and AsMT1c. These encode isomorphic MTs consisting of 34 amino acid residues and sharing 82% identity. In mycelia the expression of AsMT1s is induced by Ag. All AsMT1s expressed in yeasts complemented hypersensitivity of mutants to cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) and formed Ag complexes. Only the Ag-AsMT1a complex was detected in the A. strobiliformis fruit body in which AsMT1a was the prevailing transcript. The present study identified the existence of metallothionein isoforms in ectomycorrhizal fungi. We demonstrated that intracellular sequestration of Ag in fruit bodies and mycelia of hyperaccumulating A. strobiliformis is dominated by metallothioneins.
- MeSH
- Amanita genetics metabolism MeSH
- Fungal Proteins genetics metabolism MeSH
- Genetic Vectors MeSH
- Gene Library MeSH
- Cadmium metabolism MeSH
- Copper metabolism MeSH
- Metallothionein genetics metabolism MeSH
- Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
- Mycelium metabolism MeSH
- Fruiting Bodies, Fungal genetics metabolism MeSH
- Protein Isoforms genetics metabolism MeSH
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae MeSH
- Amino Acid Sequence MeSH
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid MeSH
- Silver metabolism MeSH
- Genetic Complementation Test MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Ethylene is an important phytohormone for plant adaptation to heavy metal stress. However, the effects of ethylene on radial apoplastic transport of Cd remain elusive. This study investigated the role of ethylene on apoplastic barriers development and consequences for Cd uptake in Sedum alfredii. In response to Cd, endogenous ethylene production in hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) roots was decreased due to the down-regulated expressions of ethylene biosynthesis genes, while the opposite result was observed in non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE). Interestingly, the ethylene emission in HE was always higher than that in NHE, regardless of Cd concentrations. Results of exogenous application of ethylene biosynthesis precursor/inhibitor indicate that ethylene with high level would delay the formation of apoplastic barriers in HE through restraining phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity and gene expressions related to lignin/suberin biosynthesis. Simultaneously, correlation analyses suggest that Cd-induced apoplastic barriers formation may be also regulated by ethylene signaling. By using an apoplastic bypass tracer and scanning ion-selected electrode, we observed that the delayed deposition of apoplastic barriers significantly promoted Cd influx in roots. Taken together, high endogenous ethylene in HE postponed the formation of apoplastic barriers and thus promoted the Cd accumulation in the apoplast of roots.
- MeSH
- Ethylenes MeSH
- Cadmium MeSH
- Plant Roots MeSH
- Plant Growth Regulators MeSH
- Sedum * genetics MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Changes in the fatty acid (FAs) composition in response to the extent of Cd contamination of soils (0, 30, 60 and 90 mg Cd kg(-1)) differed between ecotypes of Noccaea caerulescens originating from France - Ganges, Slovenia - Mežica and Austria - Redlschlag. Mežica ecotype accumulated more Cd in aboveground biomass compared to Ganges and Redlschlag ecotypes. Hyperaccumulators contained saturated fatty acids (SFAs) rarely occurring in plants, as are cerotic (26:0), montanic (28:0), melissic (30:0) acids, and unusual unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs), as are 16:2, 16:3, 20:2 and 20:3. Typical USFAs occurring in the family Brassicaceae, such as erucic, oleic and arachidonic acids, were missing in tested plants. Our results clearly indicate a relationship between Cd accumulation and the FAs composition. The content of SFAs decreased and the content of USFAs increased in aboveground biomass of Ganges and Mežica ecotypes with increasing Cd concentration. Opposite trend of FAs content was determined in Redlschlag ecotype. Linoleic (18:2n-6), α-linolenic (18:3n-3) and palmitic (16:0) acids were found in all ecotypes. The results observed in N. caerulescens ecotypes, showed that mainly Mežica ecotype has an efficient defense strategies which can be related on changes in FAs composition, mainly in VLCFAs synthesis. The most significant effect of ecotype on FAs composition was confirmed using multivariate analysis of variance.
- MeSH
- Biomass MeSH
- Brassicaceae drug effects growth & development metabolism MeSH
- Ecotype * MeSH
- Stress, Physiological drug effects MeSH
- Cadmium toxicity MeSH
- Plant Leaves drug effects metabolism MeSH
- Fatty Acids metabolism MeSH
- Metabolic Networks and Pathways drug effects MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High Al resistance of Rumex obtusifolius together with its ability to accumulate Al has never been studied in weakly acidic conditions (pH > 5.8) and is not sufficiently described in real soil conditions. The potential elucidation of the role of organic acids in plant can explain the Al tolerance mechanism. METHODS: We established a pot experiment with R. obtusifolius planted in slightly acidic and alkaline soils. For the manipulation of Al availability, both soils were untreated and treated by lime and superphosphate. We determined mobile Al concentrations in soils and concentrations of Al and organic acids in organs. RESULTS: Al availability correlated positively to the extraction of organic acids (citric acid < oxalic acid) in soils. Monovalent Al cations were the most abundant mobile Al forms with positive charge in soils. Liming and superphosphate application were ambiguous measures for changing Al mobility in soils. Elevated transport of total Al from belowground organs into leaves was recorded in both lime-treated soils and in superphosphate-treated alkaline soil as a result of sufficient amount of Ca available from soil solution as well as from superphosphate that can probably modify distribution of total Al in R. obtusifolius as a representative of "oxalate plants." The highest concentrations of Al and organic acids were recorded in the leaves, followed by the stem and belowground organ infusions. CONCLUSIONS: In alkaline soil, R. obtusifolius is an Al-hyperaccumulator with the highest concentrations of oxalate in leaves, of malate in stems, and of citrate in belowground organs. These organic acids form strong complexes with Al that can play a key role in internal Al tolerance but the used methods did not allow us to distinguish the proportion of total Al-organic complexes to the free organic acids.
- MeSH
- Principal Component Analysis MeSH
- Biological Transport MeSH
- Aluminum pharmacokinetics MeSH
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration MeSH
- Citric Acid metabolism MeSH
- Acetic Acid metabolism MeSH
- Oxalic Acid metabolism MeSH
- Soil Pollutants pharmacokinetics MeSH
- Molecular Weight MeSH
- Soil chemistry MeSH
- Rumex drug effects metabolism MeSH
- Tissue Distribution MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
AIMS: To identify bacteria with high selenium tolerance and reduction capacity for bioremediation of wastewater and nanoselenium particle production. METHODS AND RESULTS: A bacterial endophyte was isolated from the selenium hyperaccumulator Stanleya pinnata (Brassicaceae) growing on seleniferous soils in Colorado, USA. Based on fatty acid methyl ester analysis and multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) using 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoB and rpoD genes, the isolate was identified as a subspecies of Pseudomonas moraviensis (97.3% nucleotide identity) and named P. moraviensis stanleyae. The isolate exhibited extreme tolerance to SeO3(2-) (up to 120 mmol l(-1)) and SeO4(2-) (>150 mmol l(-1)). Selenium oxyanion removal from growth medium was measured by microchip capillary electrophoresis (detection limit 95 nmol l(-1) for SeO3(2-) and 13 nmol l(-1) for SeO4(2-)). Within 48 h, P. moraviensis stanleyae aerobically reduced SeO3(2-) to red Se(0) from 10 mmol l(-1) to below the detection limit (removal rate 0.27 mmol h(-1) at 30 °C); anaerobic SeO3(2-) removal was slower. No SeO4(2-) removal was observed. Pseudomonas moraviensis stanleyae stimulated the growth of crop species Brassica juncea by 70% with no significant effect on Se accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudomonas moraviensis stanleyae can tolerate extreme levels of selenate and selenite and can deplete high levels of selenite under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Pseudomonas moraviensis subsp. stanleyae may be useful for stimulating plant growth and for the treatment of Se-laden wastewater.
- MeSH
- Aerobiosis MeSH
- Biodegradation, Environmental MeSH
- Brassicaceae metabolism microbiology MeSH
- Endophytes classification genetics isolation & purification metabolism MeSH
- Selenious Acid metabolism MeSH
- Pseudomonas classification genetics isolation & purification metabolism MeSH
- Selenium metabolism MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key phytohormone underlying plant resistance to toxic metals. However, regulatory effects of ABA on apoplastic transport in roots and consequences for uptake of metal ions are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate how ABA regulates development of apoplastic barriers in roots of two ecotypes of Sedum alfredii and assess effects on cadmium (Cd) uptake. Under Cd treatment, increased endogenous ABA level was detected in roots of nonhyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE) due to up-regulated expressions of ABA biosynthesis genes (SaABA2, SaNCED), but no change was observed in hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE). Simultaneously, endodermal Casparian strips (CSs) and suberin lamellae (SL) were deposited closer to root tips of NHE compared with HE. Interestingly, the vessel-to-CSs overlap was identified as an ABA-driven anatomical trait. Results of correlation analyses and exogenous applications of ABA/Abamine indicate that ABA regulates development of both types of apoplastic barriers through promoting activities of phenylalanine ammonialyase, peroxidase, and expressions of suberin-related genes (SaCYP86A1, SaGPAT5, and SaKCS20). Using scanning ion-selected electrode technique and PTS tracer confirmed that ABA-promoted deposition of CSs and SL significantly reduced Cd entrance into root stele. Therefore, maintenance of low ABA levels in HE minimized deposition of apoplastic barriers and allowed maximization of Cd uptake via apoplastic pathway.
- MeSH
- Biological Transport genetics physiology MeSH
- Cadmium metabolism MeSH
- Plant Roots anatomy & histology metabolism MeSH
- Abscisic Acid metabolism MeSH
- Lipids genetics MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Plant MeSH
- Plant Growth Regulators genetics metabolism MeSH
- Sedum genetics metabolism MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
This study evaluated the effects of a hyperaccumulator plant (Arabidopsis halleri), containing surplus of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) and being an admixture to the rat feed, on concentrations of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in the tissues of experimental rats infected/uninfected with the tapeworm (Hymenolepis diminuta). Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (00, P0, and PT); the P0 and PT animals were fed a standard mixture for rats (ST-1) supplemented with the plant A. halleri at a weekly Zn and Cd dosage of 123 and 1 mg, respectively. Moreover, rats from the group PT were infected with the tapeworm. The group 00 served as control animals fed only ST-1 having no tapeworm infection. Rats were euthanized after 6 weeks, and Cu, Fe, and Mn levels were determined in rat and tapeworm tissues. The results indicated that both the consumption of hyperaccumulator plant and/or presence of tapeworms did have significant effect on Cu, Fe, and Mn concentrations in the host tissues. Concentrations of all the elements were higher in the rat liver and partially kidneys than in the tapeworms, and the concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Mn were affected by the consumption of Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator plants. Particularly, Fe concentrations in all rat tissues were significantly increased by consumption of A. halleri while decreased by the presence of tapeworms. Overall, the consumption of a Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator plant and tapeworm infection cause an imbalance in Cu, Fe, and Mn concentrations in the tissues of a consumer (experimental rats).
- MeSH
- Arabidopsis metabolism MeSH
- Hymenolepiasis metabolism MeSH
- Hymenolepis diminuta * MeSH
- Ions MeSH
- Cadmium metabolism MeSH
- Animal Feed MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Manganese metabolism MeSH
- Copper metabolism MeSH
- Rats, Wistar MeSH
- Trace Elements metabolism MeSH
- Metals, Heavy metabolism MeSH
- Iron metabolism MeSH
- Zinc metabolism MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
