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Yu S, Zhu J, Yin Y, Zhang X, Dai Y, Xing Y, Cheng X, Zhang A, Li C, Zhu Y, Ruan Y, Dong X, Fan J. Dynamic transcriptome profiling revealed a key gene ZmJMJ20 and pathways associated with cadmium stress in maize. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 277:116352. [PMID: 38663195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) pollution in soil poses a global concern due to its serious impacts on human health and ecological security. In plants, tremendous efforts have been made to identify some key genes and pathways in Cd stress responses. However, studies on the roles of epigenetic factors in response to Cd stress were still limited. In the study, we first gain insight into the gene expression dynamics for maize seedlings under 0 h, 12 h, and 72 h Cd stress. As a result, six distinct groups of genes were identified by hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis. The key pathways associated with 12 h Cd stress were protein modifications including protein ubiquitination, signal transduction by protein phosphorylation, and histone modification. Whereas, under 72 h stress, main pathways were involved in biological processes including phenylalanine metabolism, response to oxygen-containing compounds and metal ions. Then to be noted, one of the most highly expressed genes at 12 h under Cd treatment is annotated as histone demethylases (ZmJMJ20). The evolutionary tree analysis and domain analysis showed that ZmJMJ20 belonged to the JmjC-only subfamily of the Jumonji-C (JmjC) family, and ZmJMJ20 was conserved in rice and Arabidopsis. After 72 h of Cd treatment, the zmjmj20 mutant created by EMS treatment manifested less severe chlorosis/leaf yellowing symptoms compared with wild-type plants, and there was no significant difference in Fv/Fm and φPSII value before and after Cd treatment. Moreover, the expression levels of several photosynthesis-related down-regulated genes in EMS mutant plants were dramatically increased compared with those in wild-type plants at 12 h under Cd treatment. Our results suggested that ZmJMJ20 plays an important role in the Cd tolerance response pathway and will facilitate the development of cultivars with improved Cd stress tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Yu
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Jialun Zhu
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Yanzhe Yin
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Yuxin Dai
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Yupeng Xing
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Xipeng Cheng
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Ao Zhang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Cong Li
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Yanshu Zhu
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Yanye Ruan
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Xiaomei Dong
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China.
| | - Jinjuan Fan
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China; Shenyang City Key Laboratory of Maize Genomic Selection Breeding, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China.
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Zhang X, Yang M, Yang H, Pian R, Wang J, Wu AM. The Uptake, Transfer, and Detoxification of Cadmium in Plants and Its Exogenous Effects. Cells 2024; 13:907. [PMID: 38891039 PMCID: PMC11172145 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) exerts a toxic influence on numerous crucial growth and development processes in plants, notably affecting seed germination rate, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, and biomass. While considerable advances in Cd uptake and detoxification of plants have been made, the mechanisms by which plants adapt to and tolerate Cd toxicity remain elusive. This review focuses on the relationship between Cd and plants and the prospects for phytoremediation of Cd pollution. We highlight the following issues: (1) the present state of Cd pollution and its associated hazards, encompassing the sources and distribution of Cd and the risks posed to human health; (2) the mechanisms underlying the uptake and transport of Cd, including the physiological processes associated with the uptake, translocation, and detoxification of Cd, as well as the pertinent gene families implicated in these processes; (3) the detrimental effects of Cd on plants and the mechanisms of detoxification, such as the activation of resistance genes, root chelation, vacuolar compartmentalization, the activation of antioxidant systems and the generation of non-enzymatic antioxidants; (4) the practical application of phytoremediation and the impact of incorporating exogenous substances on the Cd tolerance of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China (R.P.)
| | - Man Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China (R.P.)
| | - Hui Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China (R.P.)
| | - Ruiqi Pian
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China (R.P.)
| | - Jinxiang Wang
- Root Biology Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Rural Pollution Control and Environmental Safety in Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ai-Min Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China (R.P.)
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Yang T, Pang B, Zhou L, Gu L, Wang H, Du X, Wang H, Zhu B. Transcriptome Profiling, Physiological and Biochemical Analyses Reveal Comprehensive Insights in Cadmium Stress in Brassica carinata L. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1260. [PMID: 38279259 PMCID: PMC10816673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
With the constant progress of urbanization and industrialization, cadmium (Cd) has emerged as one of the heavy metals that pollute soil and water. The presence of Cd has a substantial negative impact on the growth and development of both animals and plants. The allotetraploid Brasscia. carinata, an oil crop in the biofuel industry, is known to produce seeds with a high percentage of erucic acid; it is also known for its disease resistance and widespread adaptability. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the tolerance of B. carinata to Cd and its physiological responses and gene expressions under exposure to Cd. Here, we observed that the tested B. carinata exhibited a strong tolerance to Cd (1 mmol/L CdCl2 solution) and exhibited a significant ability to accumulate Cd, particularly in its roots, with concentrations reaching up to 3000 mg/kg. Additionally, we found that the total oil content of B. carinata seeds harvested from the Cd-contaminated soil did not show a significant change, but there were noticeable alterations in certain constituents. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), were observed to significantly increase after treatment with different concentrations of CdCl2 solutions (0.25 mmol/L, 0.5 mmol/L, and 1 mmol/L CdCl2). This suggests that these antioxidant enzymes work together to enhance Cd tolerance. Comparative transcriptome analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the shoots and roots of B. carinata when exposed to a 0.25 mmol/L CdCl2 solution for 7 days. A total of 631 DEGs were found in the shoots, while 271 DEGs were found in the roots. It was observed that these selected DEGs, which responded to Cd stress, also showed differential expression after exposure to PbCl2. This suggests that B. carinata may employ a similar molecular mechanism when tolerating these heavy metals. The functional annotation of the DEGs showed enrichment in the categories of 'inorganic ion transport and metabolism' and 'signal transduction mechanisms'. Additionally, the DEGs involved in 'tryptophan metabolism' and 'zeatin biosynthesis' pathways were found to be upregulated in both the shoots and roots of B. carinata, suggesting that the plant can enhance its tolerance to Cd by promoting the biosynthesis of plant hormones. These results highlight the strong Cd tolerance of B. carinata and its potential use as a Cd accumulator. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying heavy metal tolerance in B. carinata.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Huinan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China; (T.Y.); (B.P.); (L.Z.); (L.G.); (H.W.); (X.D.)
| | - Bin Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China; (T.Y.); (B.P.); (L.Z.); (L.G.); (H.W.); (X.D.)
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Li F, Deng Y, Liu Y, Mai C, Xu Y, Wu J, Zheng X, Liang C, Wang J. Arabidopsis transcription factor WRKY45 confers cadmium tolerance via activating PCS1 and PCS2 expression. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132496. [PMID: 37703737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) has long been recognized as toxic pollutant to crops worldwide. The biosynthesis of glutathione-dependent phytochelatin (PC) plays crucial roles in the detoxification of Cd in plants. However, its regulatory mechanism remains elusive. Here, we revealed that Arabidopsis transcription factor WRKY45 confers Cd tolerance via promoting the expression of PC synthesis-related genes PCS1 and PCS2, respectively. Firstly, we found that Cd stress induces the transcript levels of WRKY45 and its protein abundance. Accordingly, in contrast to wild type Col-0, the increased sensitivity to Cd is observed in wrky45 mutant, while overexpressing WRKY45 plants are more tolerant to Cd. Secondly, quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the expression of AtPCS1 and AtPCS2 is stimulated in overexpressing WRKY45 plants, but decreased in wrky45 mutant. Thirdly, WRKY45 promotes the expression of PCS1 and PCS2, electrophoresis mobility shift assay analysis uncovered that WRKY45 directly binds to the W-box cis-element of PCS2 promoter. Lastly, the overexpression of WRKY45 in Col-0 leads to more accumulation of PCs in Arabidopsis, and the overexpression of PCS1 or PCS2 in wrky45 mutant plants rescues the phenotypes induced by Cd stress. In conclusion, our results show that AtWRKY45 positively regulates Cd tolerance in Arabidopsis via activating PCS1 and PCS2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangjian Li
- Root Biology Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yaru Deng
- Root Biology Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Root Biology Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Cuishan Mai
- Root Biology Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yun Xu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jiarui Wu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xinni Zheng
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Cuiyue Liang
- Root Biology Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jinxiang Wang
- Root Biology Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Rural pollution Control and Environmental Safety in Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Moravčíková D, Žiarovská J. The Effect of Cadmium on Plants in Terms of the Response of Gene Expression Level and Activity. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12091848. [PMID: 37176906 PMCID: PMC10181241 DOI: 10.3390/plants12091848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that can cause damage to living organisms at different levels. Even at low concentrations, Cd can be toxic to plants, causing harm at multiple levels. As they are unable to move away from areas contaminated by Cd, plants have developed various defence mechanisms to protect themselves. Hyperaccumulators, which can accumulate and detoxify heavy metals more efficiently, are highly valued by scientists studying plant accumulation and detoxification mechanisms, as they provide a promising source of genes for developing plants suitable for phytoremediation techniques. So far, several genes have been identified as being upregulated when plants are exposed to Cd. These genes include genes encoding transcription factors such as iron-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP), natural resistance associated macrophage protein (NRAMP) gene family, genes encoding phytochelatin synthases (PCs), superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes, heavy metal ATPase (HMA), cation diffusion facilitator gene family (CDF), Cd resistance gene family (PCR), ATP-binding cassette transporter gene family (ABC), the precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) and precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO) multigene family are also influenced. Thanks to advances in omics sciences and transcriptome analysis, we are gaining more insights into the genes involved in Cd stress response. Recent studies have also shown that Cd can affect the expression of genes related to antioxidant enzymes, hormonal pathways, and energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Moravčíková
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Jana Žiarovská
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
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Transcriptional Regulatory Network of Plant Cadmium Stress Response. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054378. [PMID: 36901809 PMCID: PMC10001906 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential heavy metal with high toxicity to plants. Plants have acquired specialized mechanisms to sense, transport, and detoxify Cd. Recent studies have identified many transporters involved in Cd uptake, transport, and detoxification. However, the complex transcriptional regulatory networks involved in Cd response remain to be elucidated. Here, we provide an overview of current knowledge regarding transcriptional regulatory networks and post-translational regulation of the transcription factors involved in Cd response. An increasing number of reports indicate that epigenetic regulation and long non-coding and small RNAs are important in Cd-induced transcriptional responses. Several kinases play important roles in Cd signaling that activate transcriptional cascades. We also discuss the perspectives to reduce grain Cd content and improve crop tolerance to Cd stress, which provides a theoretical reference for food safety and the future research of plant varieties with low Cd accumulation.
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