Maize plants have different strategies to protect their developing seeds against cadmium toxicity

Author(s)

Kato, Fabiana Hibary ^[1] ; Amaral Carvalho, Marcia Eugenia ^[1] ; Gaziola, Salete Aparecida ^[1] ; Azevedo, Ricardo Antunes ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Genet, ESALQ USP, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PLANT PHYSIOLOGY; v. 32, n. 3 MAY 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This work aimed to quantify the concentration of soluble amino acids, nitrogen (N) and Cd in the developing seeds of maize plants that were grown in Cd-contaminated soil from seed sowing to the reproductive stages. The specific activities and feedback inhibition properties of lysine (Lys) metabolic enzymes were also determined in developing seeds. The potential maize yield was depressed by Cd exposure. Cadmium concentration in plant organs followed the decreasing order: roots > stems = leaves > developing seeds (37.04, 1.95, 1.46 and 0.22 mg kg(-1)Cd, respectively). The relatively low Cd concentration in the remained developing seeds was a result from root- and ear-mediated reductions of the Cd translocation in plants. Plants under Cd exposure presented developing seeds with an increased N concentration (up to 7%) when compared to control plants. Furthermore, the level of soluble amino acids (particularly histidine, glycine, tyrosine, methionine, isoleucine and valine) was increased in the developing seeds of Cd-treated plants. In addition, changes in the feedback properties of dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS), an enzyme from lysine metabolism, were observed in developing seeds. In conclusion, the current study showed that maternal plant exposure to Cd can alter the concentration of soluble amino acids and the behavior of Lys metabolic enzymes in developing seeds. This study provided not only new information about the influence of the long-term Cd exposure on plants, but also data about protective plant strategies against Cd toxicity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/54676-0 - Oxidative stress induced by metals: new approaches
• Grantee: Ricardo Antunes de Azevedo
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/15217-5 - INTEGRATED APPROACH OF ANATOMICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR PARAMETERS FOR THE STUDY OF TOLERANCE MECHANISMS TO CADMIUM IN TOMATO ACCESSION
• Grantee: Marcia Eugenia Amaral de Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 12/23981-4 - Analysis of possible changes in the lysine metabolism induced by cadmium in maize (Zea mays)
• Grantee: Fabiana Hibary Kato Belini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/26640-1 - Study of tolerance mechanisms to cadmium in tomato accessions: molecular approaches
• Grantee: Marcia Eugenia Amaral de Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate