Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic metalloid for all forms of life including plants. Rice is the main food source for different countries worldwide, although it can take up high amounts of As in comparison with other crops, showing toxic profiles such as decreases in plant growth and yield. The induction of oxidative stress is the main process underlying arsenic toxicity in plants, including rice, due to an alteration of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism. The aim of this work was to gain better knowledge on how the ROS metabolism and its interaction with nitric oxide (NO) operate under As stress conditions in rice plants. Thus, physiological and ROS-related biochemical parameters in roots and shoots from rice (Oryza sativa L.) were studied under 50 μM arsenate (AsV) stress, and the involvement of the main antioxidative systems and NO in the response of plants to those conditions was investigated. A decrease of 51% in root length and 27% in plant biomass was observed with 50 μM AsV treatment, as compared to control plants. The results of the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) isozymes, catalase, peroxidase (POD: total and isoenzymatic), and the enzymes of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle, besides the ascorbate and glutathione contents, showed that As accumulation provoked an overall significant increase of most of them, but with different profiles depending on the plant organ, either root or shoot. Among the seven identified POD isozymes, the induction of the POD-3 in shoots under As stress could help to maintain the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) redox homeostasis and compensate the loss of the ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity in both roots and shoots. Lipid peroxidation was slightly increased in roots and shoots from As-treated plants. The H2O2 and NO contents were enhanced in roots and shoots against arsenic stress. In spite of the increase of most antioxidative systems, a mild oxidative stress situation appears to be consolidated overall, since the growth parameters and those from the oxidative damage could not be totally counteracted. In these conditions, the higher levels of H2O2 and NO suggest that signaling events are simultaneously occurring in the whole plant.
Highlights
Arsenic (As) is one of the major environmental pollutants distributed worldwide, it concentrates especially in certain areas, since this metalloid is a byproduct of industrial and agricultural activities
As an approach to investigate the effect of AsV on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism in rice plants, a preliminary analysis of the growth parameters under different As concentrations was carried out
Rice grains accumulate arsenic at a certain level, which is a threat for a huge population, especially for citizens living in Western Asia where this cereal is a major food and part of their daily intake
Summary
Arsenic (As) is one of the major environmental pollutants distributed worldwide, it concentrates especially in certain areas, since this metalloid is a byproduct of industrial and agricultural (through the use of fertilizers) activities. As interrupts the mitochondrial ATP production at different levels, but it disrupts the cellular electrolytic function interfering on the voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKCs). It results in neurological imbalances, high blood pressure, cardiovascular episodes, anemia and even death [9,10,11,12].
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