Abstract
In this study, Arabidopsis thaliana was used as a model system to assess the toxic effects of cadmium on plant development and growth. The germination and growth of A. thaliana was inhibited by Cd(II), and the inhibitory effect was dosage-dependent. The significant decrease of germination rates and root growths of A. thaliana were observed from 50 mg/L and 25 mg/L of CdCl2, respectively. Although both shoot and root growths were suppressed by Cd(II), root developments were more sensitive to Cd(II) than shoot developments, as evidenced by shoot growths observed over 50 mg/L of CdCl2. In the concordance to this result, it was also observed that the expression of DR5::VENUS, a visual marker of auxin response, was dependent on the Cd(II) concentration and was strongly reduced from 5 mg/L of CdCl2. In addition, the E. coli-based biosensors were employed to quantify accumulated Cd(II) in plants to understand the correlation between toxic effects and Cd(II) in plants. As a result, it was revealed that 0.012 mg/g and 0.138 mg/g of Cd(II) in dried plants were corresponded to the concentration inhibiting root developments and root growths, respectively. Although it needs further investigations, the findings play a significant role in assessing the toxic effects of Cd(II) based on the relationship between the toxic effects and accumulated Cd(II) concentrations in plants.
Highlights
Heavy metals/metalloids have a negative impact on the environment; this impact has been worsening owing to rapid industrial development and urbanization
Inhibitory effect of Cd(II) on seed germination of Arabidopsis thaliana The effects of Cd(II) on seed germination were analyzed using more than 300 A. thaliana seeds grown for 7 days in the MS solid media supplemented with 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L of CdCl2; subsequently, the germination rates were quantified (Fig. 1)
Differences in the root and shoot growths upon Cd(II) exposure To understand the effect of Cd(II) on the overall plant growth, we analyzed the shoot and root developments of A. thaliana grown in the MS solid media with 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L of C dCl2 for 7 days (Fig. 2)
Summary
Heavy metals/metalloids have a negative impact on the environment; this impact has been worsening owing to rapid industrial development and urbanization. The influx of heavy metals from agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, and waste industries into the soil and aquatic environments is a major environmental concern. Cd accumulation in seeds induces lipid oxidation, causing biomass loss and inhibiting germination, shoot elongation, and activities of enzymes such as alpha-amylase and invertase [9, 10]. It induces overexpression of a thioredoxin-dependent enzyme, Gpx, which leads to a decrease in the activity of glutathione reductase and affects the functioning of mitochondria owing to reduced thiol levels [11]. The accumulated Cd exists in a water-soluble form, but it forms a complex with bioligands, glutathione, cysteines, and phytochelatins [13]
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