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24 pages, 2992 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sodium Nitroprusside Improves Bamboo Resistance under Mn and Cr Toxicity with Stimulation of Antioxidants Activity, Relative Water Content, and Metal Translocation and Accumulation

by Abolghassem Emamverdian, Yulong Ding, James Barker, Guohua Liu, Yang Li and Farzad Mokhberdoran

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 1942; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms24031942 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1697

Abstract

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as a single minuscule signaling molecule, has been employed to alleviate plant stress in recent years. This approach has a beneficial effect on the biological and physiological processes of plants. As a result, an in vitro tissue culture experiment was [...] Read more.

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as a single minuscule signaling molecule, has been employed to alleviate plant stress in recent years. This approach has a beneficial effect on the biological and physiological processes of plants. As a result, an in vitro tissue culture experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of high and low levels of SNP on the amelioration of manganese (Mn) and chromium (Cr) toxicity in a one-year-old bamboo plant, namely Pleioblastus pygmaea L. Five different concentrations of SNP were utilized as a nitric oxide (NO) donor (0, 50, 80, 150, 250, and 400 µM) in four replications of 150 µM Mn and 150 µM Cr. The results revealed that while 150 µM Mn and 150 µM Cr induced an over-generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compounds, enhancing plant membrane injury, electrolyte leakage (EL), and oxidation in bamboo species, the varying levels of SNP significantly increased antioxidant and non-antioxidant activities, proline (Pro), glutathione (GSH), and glycine betaine (GB) content, photosynthesis, and plant growth parameters, while also reducing heavy metal accumulation and translocation in the shoot and stem. This resulted in an increase in the plant’s tolerance to Mn and Cr toxicity. Hence, it is inferred that NO-induced mechanisms boosted plant resistance to toxicity by increasing antioxidant capacity, inhibiting heavy metal accumulation in the aerial part of the plant, restricting heavy metal translocation from root to leaves, and enhancing the relative water content of leaves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Stress in Plants)

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24 pages, 3092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Melatonin Involved in Protective Effects against Cadmium Stress in Wolffia arrhiza

by Magdalena Chmur and Andrzej Bajguz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1178; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms24021178 - 07 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1466

Abstract

Melatonin (MT) is a new plant hormone that protects against adverse environmental conditions. In the present study, the responses of Wolffia arrhiza exposed to cadmium (Cd) and MT were analyzed. Quantitative analysis of MT and precursors of its biosynthesis was performed using LC-MS-MS. [...] Read more.

Melatonin (MT) is a new plant hormone that protects against adverse environmental conditions. In the present study, the responses of Wolffia arrhiza exposed to cadmium (Cd) and MT were analyzed. Quantitative analysis of MT and precursors of its biosynthesis was performed using LC-MS-MS. The photosynthetic pigments and phytochelatins (PCs) contents were determined using HPLC, while protein and monosaccharides, stress markers, and antioxidant levels were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Interestingly, the endogenous level of MT and its substrates in W. arrhiza exposed to 1–100 µM Cd was significantly higher compared to the control. Additionally, the application of 25 µM MT and Cd intensified the biosynthesis of these compounds. The most stimulatory effect on the growth and content of pigments, protein, and sugars was observed in plants treated with 25 µM MT. In contrast, Cd treatment caused a decrease in plant weight and level of these compounds, while the application of 25 µM MT mitigated the inhibitory effect of Cd. Additionally, Cd enhanced the level of stress markers; simultaneously, MT reduced their content in duckweed exposed to Cd. In plants treated with Cd, PC levels were increased by Cd treatment and by 25 µM MT. These results confirmed that MT mitigated the adverse effect of Cd. Furthermore, MT presence was reported for the first time in W. arrhiza. In summary, MT is an essential phytohormone for plant growth and development, especially during heavy metal stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Stress in Plants)

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19 pages, 3917 KiB

Open AccessArticle

OsNAC15 Regulates Tolerance to Zinc Deficiency and Cadmium by Binding to OsZIP7 and OsZIP10 in Rice

by Junhui Zhan, Wenli Zou, Shuangyuyan Li, Jichun Tang, Xiang Lu, Lijun Meng and Guoyou Ye

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11771; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms231911771 - 04 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2295

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) deficiency and cadmium (Cd) stress are severe threats to the growth and development of plants. Increasing Zn content and/or decreasing Cd content in grain are also important objectives of rice breeding. However, the molecular mechanisms of Zn deficiency tolerance (ZDT) and [...] Read more.

Zinc (Zn) deficiency and cadmium (Cd) stress are severe threats to the growth and development of plants. Increasing Zn content and/or decreasing Cd content in grain are also important objectives of rice breeding. However, the molecular mechanisms of Zn deficiency tolerance (ZDT) and Cd stress tolerance (CDT) are largely unknown in rice. Here, we report that a NAM/CUC2-like transcription factor, OsNAC15, contributes to ZDT and CDT in rice. Knockout of OsNAC15 reduced ZDT and CDT at the vegetative stage. OsNAC15 expresses in all tissues of different developmental stages, and is repressed by Zn deficiency and induced by Cd stress. OsNAC15 is a functional transcription factor with transactivation and DNA binding activities. Expression analysis of rice ZIP family genes suggested that the knockout of OsNAC15 activates or inhibits their transcriptions under Zn deficiency or Cd stress conditions. The yeast one-hybrid assay, transient transcriptional activity assay using the dual-luciferase reporter system and electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that OsNAC15 directly binds to the zinc deficiency-responsive element motifs in the promoters of OsZIP7 and OsZIP10 to repress their transcriptions. The OsNAC15–OsZIP7/10 module is an essential foundation for further study on the regulatory mechanisms of ZDT and CDT in rice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Stress in Plants)

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12 pages, 3906 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification of Cassava Glyoxalase I Genes and the Potential Function of MeGLYⅠ-13 in Iron Toxicity Tolerance

by Fenlian Tang, Ruimei Li, Yangjiao Zhou, Shijia Wang, Qin Zhou, Zhongping Ding, Yuan Yao, Jiao Liu, Yajie Wang, Xinwen Hu and Jianchun Guo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(9), 5212; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23095212 - 06 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1875

Abstract

Glyoxalase I (GLYI) is a key enzyme in the pathway of the glyoxalase system that degrades the toxic substance methylglyoxal, which plays a crucial part in plant growth, development, and stress response. A total of 19 GLYI genes were identified from the cassava [...] Read more.

Glyoxalase I (GLYI) is a key enzyme in the pathway of the glyoxalase system that degrades the toxic substance methylglyoxal, which plays a crucial part in plant growth, development, and stress response. A total of 19 GLYI genes were identified from the cassava genome, which distributed randomly on 11 chromosomes. These genes were named MeGLYI-1–19 and were systematically characterized. Transcriptome data analysis showed that MeGLYIs gene expression is tissue-specific, and MeGLYI-13 is the dominant gene expressed in young tissues, while MeGLYI-19 is the dominant gene expressed in mature tissues and organs. qRT-PCR analysis showed that MeGLYI-13 is upregulated under 2 h excess iron stress, but downregulated under 6, 12, and 20 h iron stress. Overexpression of MeGLYI-13 enhanced the growth ability of transgenic yeast under iron stress. The root growth of transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings was less inhibited by iron toxicity than that of the wild type (WT). Potted transgenic Arabidopsis blossomed and podded under iron stress, but flowering of the WT was significantly delayed. The GLYI activity in transgenic Arabidopsis was improved under both non-iron stress and iron stress conditions compared to the WT. The SOD activity in transgenic plants was increased under iron stress, while the POD and CAT activity and MDA content were decreased compared to that in the WT. These results provide a basis for the selection of candidate genes for iron toxicity tolerance in cassava, and lay a theoretical foundation for further studies on the functions of these MeGLYI genes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Stress in Plants)

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19 pages, 19741 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterisation of Wheat MATE Genes Reveals Their Roles in Aluminium Tolerance

by Wenjing Duan, Fengkun Lu, Yue Cui, Junwei Zhang, Xuan Du, Yingkao Hu and Yueming Yan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(8), 4418; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23084418 - 16 Apr 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2563

Abstract

The Multidrug and toxin efflux (MATE) gene family plays crucial roles in plant growth and development and response to adverse stresses. This work investigated the structural and evolutionary characteristics, expression profiling and potential functions involved in aluminium (Al) tolerance from a [...] Read more.

The Multidrug and toxin efflux (MATE) gene family plays crucial roles in plant growth and development and response to adverse stresses. This work investigated the structural and evolutionary characteristics, expression profiling and potential functions involved in aluminium (Al) tolerance from a genome-wide level. In total, 211 wheat MATE genes were identified, which were classified into four subfamilies and unevenly distributed on chromosomes. Duplication analysis showed that fragments and tandem repeats played the main roles in the amplification of TaMATEs, and Type II functional disproportionation had a leading role in the differentiation of TaMATEs. TaMATEs had abundant Al resistance and environmental stress-related elements, and generally had a high expression level in roots and leaves and in response to Al stress. The 3D structure prediction by AlphaFold and molecular docking showed that six TaMATE proteins localised in the plasmalemma could combine with citrate via amino acids in the citrate exuding motif and other sites, and then transport citrate to soil to form citrate aluminium. Meanwhile, citrate aluminium formed in root cells might be transported to leaves by TaMATEs to deposit in vacuoles, thereby alleviating Al toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Stress in Plants)

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Review

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17 pages, 1156 KiB

Open AccessReview

Inhibition Roles of Calcium in Cadmium Uptake and Translocation in Rice: A Review

by Junli Liu, Xiaoyu Feng, Gaoyang Qiu, Hua Li, Yuan Wang, Xiaodong Chen, Qinglin Fu and Bin Guo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(14), 11587; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms241411587 - 18 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1574

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in rice grains is posing a significant threat to global food security. To restrict the transport of Cd in the soil-rice system, an efficient way is to use the ionomics strategy. Since calcium (Ca) and Cd have similar ionic radii, [...] Read more.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in rice grains is posing a significant threat to global food security. To restrict the transport of Cd in the soil-rice system, an efficient way is to use the ionomics strategy. Since calcium (Ca) and Cd have similar ionic radii, their uptake and translocation may be linked in multiple aspects in rice. However, the underlying antagonistic mechanisms are still not fully understood. Therefore, we first summarized the current knowledge on the physiological and molecular footprints of Cd translocation in plants and then explored the potential antagonistic points between Ca and Cd in rice, including exchange adsorption on roots, plant cell-wall composition, co-transporter gene expression, and transpiration inhibition. This review provides suggestions for Ca/Cd interaction studies on rice and introduces ionomics research as a means of better controlling the accumulation of Cd in plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Stress in Plants)

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23 pages, 1857 KiB

Open AccessReview

microRNAs: Key Players in Plant Response to Metal Toxicity

by Ying Yang, Jiu Huang, Qiumin Sun, Jingqi Wang, Lichao Huang, Siyi Fu, Sini Qin, Xiaoting Xie, Sisi Ge, Xiang Li, Zhuo Cheng, Xiaofei Wang, Houming Chen, Bingsong Zheng and Yi He

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(15), 8642; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23158642 - 03 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2569

Abstract

Environmental metal pollution is a common problem threatening sustainable and safe crop production. Heavy metals (HMs) cause toxicity by targeting key molecules and life processes in plant cells. Plants counteract excess metals in the environment by enhancing defense responses, such as metal chelation, [...] Read more.

Environmental metal pollution is a common problem threatening sustainable and safe crop production. Heavy metals (HMs) cause toxicity by targeting key molecules and life processes in plant cells. Plants counteract excess metals in the environment by enhancing defense responses, such as metal chelation, isolation to vacuoles, regulating metal intake through transporters, and strengthening antioxidant mechanisms. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs), as a small non-coding RNA, have become the central regulator of a variety of abiotic stresses, including HMs. With the introduction of the latest technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), more and more miRNAs have been widely recognized in several plants due to their diverse roles. Metal-regulated miRNAs and their target genes are part of a complex regulatory network. Known miRNAs coordinate plant responses to metal stress through antioxidant functions, root growth, hormone signals, transcription factors (TF), and metal transporters. This article reviews the research progress of miRNAs in the stress response of plants to the accumulation of HMs, such as Cu, Cd, Hg, Cr, and Al, and the toxicity of heavy metal ions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Stress in Plants)

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20 pages, 4068 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Advances in the Mutual Mechanisms Regulating Response of Plant Roots to Phosphate Deficiency and Aluminum Toxicity

by Weiwei Chen, Li Tang, Jiayi Wang, Huihui Zhu, Jianfeng Jin, Jianli Yang and Wei Fan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1137; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23031137 - 20 Jan 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3088

Abstract

Low phosphate (Pi) availability and high aluminum (Al) toxicity constitute two major plant mineral nutritional stressors that limit plant productivity on acidic soils. Advances toward the identification of genes and signaling networks that are involved in both stresses in model plants such as [...] Read more.

Low phosphate (Pi) availability and high aluminum (Al) toxicity constitute two major plant mineral nutritional stressors that limit plant productivity on acidic soils. Advances toward the identification of genes and signaling networks that are involved in both stresses in model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (Oryza sativa), and in other plants as well have revealed that some factors such as organic acids (OAs), cell wall properties, phytohormones, and iron (Fe) homeostasis are interconnected with each other. Moreover, OAs are involved in recruiting of many plant-growth-promoting bacteria that are able to secrete both OAs and phosphatases to increase Pi availability and decrease Al toxicity. In this review paper, we summarize these mutual mechanisms by which plants deal with both Al toxicity and P starvation, with emphasis on OA secretion regulation, plant-growth-promoting bacteria, transcription factors, transporters, hormones, and cell wall-related kinases in the context of root development and root system architecture remodeling that plays a determinant role in improving P use efficiency and Al resistance on acidic soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Stress in Plants)

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