Uptake, sequestration and tolerance of cadmium at cellular levels in the hyperaccumulator plant species Sedum alfredii

Serendipita indica Drives Sulfur-Related Microbiota in Enhancing Growth of Hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii and Facilitating Soil Cadmium Remediation

Endophytic fungus Serendipita indica can bolster plant growth and confer protection against various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, S. indica-reshaped rhizosphere microecology interactions and root-soil interface processes in situ at the submicrometer scale remain poorly understood. We combined amplicon sequencing and high-resolution nano X-ray fluorescence (nano-XRF) imaging of the root-soil interface to reveal cadmium (Cd) rhizosphere processes. S. indica can successfully colonize the roots of Sedum alfredii Hance, which induces a remarkable increase in shoot biomass by 211.32% and Cd accumulation by 235.72%. Nano-XRF images showed that S. indica colonization altered the Cd distribution in the rhizosphere and facilitated the proximity of more Cd and sulfur (S) to enter the roots and transport to the shoot. Furthermore, the rhizosphere-enriched microbiota demonstrated a more stable network structure after the S. indica inoculation. Keystone species were strongly associated with growth promotion and Cd absorption. For example, Comamonadaceae are closely related to the organic acid cycle and S bioavailability, which could facilitate Cd and S accumulation in plants. Meanwhile, Sphingomonadaceae could release auxin and boost plant biomass. In summary, we construct a mutualism system for beneficial fungi and hyperaccumulation plants, which facilitates high-efficient remediation of Cd-contaminated soils by restructuring the rhizosphere microbiota.

Root-soil-microbiome interaction in the rhizosphere of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) under different levels of heavy metal pollution

Heavy metal pollution of the soil affects the environment and human health. Masson pine is a good candidate for phytoremediation of heavy metal in mining areas. Microorganisms in the rhizosphere can help with the accumulation of heavy metal in host plants. However, studies on its rhizosphere bacterial communities under heavy metal pollution are still limited. Therefore, in this study, the chemical and bacterial characteristics of Masson pine rhizosphere under four different levels of heavy metal pollution were investigated using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing, soil chemistry and analysis of plant enzyme activities. The results showed that soil heavy metal content, plant oxidative stress and microbial diversity damage were lower the farther they were from the mine dump. The co-occurrence network relationship of slightly polluted soils (C1 and C2) was more complicated than that of highly polluted soils (C3 and C4). Relative abundance analysis indicated Sphingomonas and Pseudolabrys were more abundant in slightly polluted soils (C1 and C2), while Gaiella and Haliangium were more abundant in highly polluted soils (C3 and C4). LEfSe analysis indicated Burkholderiaceae, Xanthobacteraceae, Gemmatimonadaceae, Gaiellaceae were significantly enriched in C1 to C4 site, respectively. Mantel analysis showed that available cadmium (Cd) contents of soil was the most important factor influencing the bacterial community assembly. Correlation analysis showed that eight bacterial genus were significantly positively associated with soil available Cd content. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the rhizospheric bacterial community of Masson pine trees under different degrees of heavy metal contamination, which lays the foundation for beneficial bacteria-based phytoremediation using Masson pines in the future.

High temperature and nib acidification during cacao-controlled fermentation improve cadmium transfer from nibs to testa and the liquor's flavor

Migration of nib Cd to the testa during fermentation can be achieved with high temperatures (> 45 °C) and low nib pH values (< 5.0) using spontaneous fermentation. However, this low pH can lead to low flavor quality. This study used three controlled temperature fermentation treatments on three cacao genotypes (CCN 51, ICS 95, and TCS 01) to test its effects on the nib pH, the migration of nib Cd to the testa, and the liquor flavor quality. All treatments were effective in reducing the total nib Cd concentration. Nevertheless, the treatment with the higher mean temperature (44.25 °C) and acidification (pH 4.66) reached the highest mean nib Cd reductions throughout fermentation, a 1.37 factor in TCS 01, promoting the development of fine-flavor cocoa sensorial notes. In unfermented beans, the Cd concentration of nibs was higher than that of the testa, and the Cd migration proceeded down the total concentration gradient. However, Cd migration was observed against the concentration gradient (testa Cd > nib Cd) from the fourth day. Cd migration could increase by extensive fermentation until the sixth day in high temperatures and probably by the adsorbent capacity of the testa. Genotype-by-treatment interactions were present for the nib Cd reduction, and a universal percentage of decrease of Cd for each genotype with fermentation cannot be expected. Selecting genotypes with highly adsorbent testa combined with controlled temperatures would help reduce the Cd concentration in the cacao raw material, improving its safety and quality.

Copper-dependent control of uptake, translocation and accumulation of cadmium in hyperaccumlator Sedum alfredii

Cadmium (Cd) is detrimental to plant growth and threatens human health. Here, we investigated the potential for remediation of Cd-contaminated soil with high copper (Cu) background using Cd hyperaccumulator ecotype (HE) Sedum alfredii. We assessed effects of Cu on Cd accumulation, compartmentation and translocation in HE S. alfredii, and compared with those in a related non-accumulator ecotype (NHE). We found that Cu supply significantly induced Cd accumulation in roots and shoots of long-term soil-cultivated HE S. alfredii. A large fraction of root Cd was accumulated in the organelles, but a small fraction was stored in the cell wall. Importantly, Cu addition reduced Cd accumulation in the cell wall and the organelles in root cells. Furthermore, leaf cell capacity to sequestrate Cd in the organelles was greatly improved upon Cu exposure. We also found that genes involving metal transport and cell wall remodeling were distinctly regulated to mediate Cd accumulation in HE S. alfredii. These findings indicate that Cu-dependent decrease of root cell-wall-bound Cd, and stimulation of efflux/influx of organelle Cd transport in root and leaf cells plays a role in the dramatic Cd hyperaccumulation expressed in naturally survived HE S. alfredii.

The cadmium tolerance enhancement through regulating glutathione conferred by vacuolar compartmentalization in Aspergillus sydowii

Aspergillus was found to be a vital hyperaccumulation species for heavy metal removal with admirable tolerance capacity. But the potential tolerance mechanism has not been completely studied. This study quantified the amounts of total cadmium (Cd), Cd2+, glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the protoplasts and vacuoles of mycelium. We modulated GSH synthesis using buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and 2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (OTC) to investigate the subcellular regulatory mechanisms of GSH in the accumulation of Cd. The results confirmed that GSH plays a crucial role in vacuolar compartmentalization under Cd stress. GSH and GSSG as a redox buffer to keep the cellular redox state in balance and GSH as a metal chelating agent to reduce toxicity. When regulating the decreased GSH content with BSO, and increased GSH content with OTC, the system of Cd-GSH-ROS can change accordingly, this also supported that vacuolar compartmentalization is a detoxification strategy that can modulate the transport and storage of substances inside and outside the vacuole reasonably. Interestingly, GSH tended to be distributed in the cytoplasm, the battleground of redox takes place in the cytoplasm but not in the vacuole. These finding potentially has implications for the understanding of tolerance behavior and detoxification mechanisms of cells. In the future bioremediation of Cd in soil, the efficiency of soil remediation can be improved by developing organisms with high GSH production capacity.

Cadmium speciation in cacao beans changes during a fermentation-like incubation

Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in cacao often exceed food limits. Recently, it was shown that cacao bean fermentation enhances Cd solubility, opening potential for Cd mitigation in cacao products. This study was set-up to identify changes in Cd speciation during fermentation. X-Ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) complemented with speciation calculations, were used on samples collected from high and low Cd farms, that were subjected to a fermentation-like incubation that reached high temperatures (>45 °C) and acidic pH (<5). Incubation decreased nib Cd concentration up to a factor 1.5 and changed Cd complexation in high Cd beans from sulphur to oxygen ligands, likely due to pH changes. In beans with lower Cd concentrations, Cd was complexed before and after incubation with oxygen-ligands. A combination of pH changes and/or phytate breakdown may explain the migration of Cd outward from the nib. XAS and speciation calculations proved complimentary techniques and indicated similar speciation changes during fermentation.

Functional characterization of a DNA-damage repair/tolerance 100 (DRT100) gene in Sedum alfredii Hance for genome stability maintenance and Cd hypertolerance

Cd contamination is a world-wild concern for its toxicity and accumulation in food chain. Sedum alfredii Hance (Crassulaceae) is a zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator native to China and widely applied for the phytoremediation at Zn or Cd contaminated sites. Although many studies report the uptake, translocation and storage of Cd in S. alfredii Hance, limited information is known about the genes and underlying mechanisms of genome stability maintenance under Cd stress. In this study, a gene resembling DNA-damage repair/toleration 100 (DRT100) was Cd inducible and designated as SaDRT100. Heterologous expression of SaDRT100 gene in yeasts and Arabidopsis thaliana enhanced Cd tolerance capability. Under Cd stress, transgenic Arabidopsis with SaDRT100 gene exhibited lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), fewer Cd uptake in roots and less Cd-induced DNA damage. Evidenced by the subcellular location in cellular nucleus and expression in aerial parts, we suggested the involvement of SaDRT100 in combating Cd-induced DNA damage. Our findings firstly uncovered the roles of SaDRT100 gene in Cd hypertolerance and genome stability maintenance in S. alfredii Hance. The potential functions of DNA protection make SaDRT100 gene a candidate in genetic engineering for phytoremediation at multi-component contaminated sites.

Cadmium inhibits powdery mildew colonization and reconstructs microbial community in leaves of the hyperaccumulator plant Sedum alfredii

Understanding the influence of the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) on the phyllosphere microbiome of hyperaccumulator plants is crucial for enhancing phytoremediation. The characteristics of the phyllosphere of Sedum alfredii Hance, a hyperaccumulator plant, were investigated using 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer amplicon sequencing of powdery mildew-infected leaves treated or untreated with Cd. The results showed that the colonization of powdery mildew caused severe chlorosis and necrosis in S. alfredii leaves, and the relative abundance of Leotiomycetes in infected leaves increased dramatically and significantly decreased phyllosphere microbiome diversity. However, S. alfredii preferentially accumulated higher concentrations of Cd in the leaves of infected plants than in uninfected plants by powdery mildew, which in turn significantly inhibited powdery mildew colonization in leaves; the relative abundance of the fungal class Leotiomycetes in infected leaves decreased, and alpha and beta diversities of the phyllosphere microbiome significantly increased with Cd treatment in the infected plants. In addition, the inter-kingdom networks in the microbiota of the infected leaves treated with Cd presented many nodes and edges, and the highest inter-kingdom modularity compared to the untreated infected leaves, indicating a highly connected microbial community. These results suggest that Cd significantly inhibits powdery mildew colonization by altering the composition of the phyllosphere microbiome in S. alfredii leaves, paving the way for efficient heavy metal phytoremediation and providing a new perspective on defense strategies against heavy metals.

Cadmium contributes to heat tolerance of a hyperaccumulator plant species Sedum alfredii

Hyperaccumulators are plant species that tolerate and accumulate very high concentrations of toxic metals, including Cd. Hyperaccumulation of heavy metals is reported to benefit plant biotic resistance; however, no prior study has examined the possible role of toxic metals on abiotic stress resistance in hyperaccumulators. A preliminary experiment found that Cd significantly improved plant growth of a hyperaccumulator, Sedum alfredii Hance, under heat stress. This study investigated the possible role of Cd in S. alfredii's heat resistance, using infrared thermography, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR), and high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that high temperatures irreversibly damaged stomatal function, chloroplast structure, photosynthesis in S. alfredii, and lowered survival rates to 25%. However, Cd application significantly decreased the leaf temperature of S. alfredii and increased the survival rate to 75%. Cd penetrated the guard cells, restored stomatal function, and mitigated excessive water loss from S. alfredii under heat stress. Moreover, it activated antioxidant enzymes, promoted phytohormone biosynthesis, and upregulated a series of unigenes, thereby augmenting heat resistance in S. alfredii. These results indicate that Cd effectively improved thermotolerance in S. alfredii by regulating stomatal movement and antioxidant systems via upregulation of phytohormones and heat shock proteins.

From soil to cacao bean: Unravelling the pathways of cadmium translocation in a high Cd accumulating cultivar of Theobroma cacao L

The research on strategies to reduce cadmium (Cd) accumulation in cacao beans is currently limited by a lack of understanding of the Cd transfer pathways within the cacao tree. Here, we elucidated the transfer of Cd from soil to the nib (seed) in a high Cd accumulating cacao cultivar. Here, we elucidated the transfer of Cd from soil to the nib (seed) in a high Cd accumulating cacao cultivar through Cd stable isotope fractionation, speciation (X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy), and localization (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). The plant Cd concentrations were 10-28 higher than the topsoil Cd concentrations and increased as placenta< nib< testa< pod husk< root< leaf< branch. The retention of Cd in the roots was low. Light Cd isotopes were retained in the roots whilst heavier Cd isotopes were transported to the shoots (Δ ^114/110 Cd _shoot-root = 0.27 ± 0.02 ‰ (weighted average ± standard deviation)). Leaf Cd isotopes were heavier than Cd in the branches (Δ ^114/110 Cd _{IF3 leaves-branch} = 0.18 ± 0.01 ‰), confirming typical trends observed in annual crops. Nibs and branches were statistically not distinguishable (Δ ^114/110 Cd _nib-branch = -0.08‰ ± 0.06 ‰), contrary to the leaves and nibs (Δ ^114/110 Cd _{nib-IF3 leaves} = -0.25‰ ± 0.05 ‰). These isotope fractionation patterns alluded to a more direct transfer from branches to nibs rather than from leaves to nibs. The largest fraction (57%) of total plant Cd was present in the branches where it was primarily bound to carboxyl-ligands (60-100%) and mainly localized in the phloem rays and phelloderm of the bark. Cadmium in the nibs was mainly bound to oxygen ligands (60-90%), with phytate as the most plausible ligand. The weight of evidence suggested that Cd was transferred like other nutrients from root to shoot and accumulated in the phloem rays and phelloderm of the branches to reduce the transfer to foliage. Finally, the data indicated that the main contribution of nib Cd was from the phloem tissues of the branch rather than from leaf remobilization. This study extended the limited knowledge on Cd accumulation in perennial, woody crops and revealed that the Cd pathways in cacao are markedly different than in annual crops.

Zinc Biofortification through Basal Zinc Supply Reduces Grain Cadmium in Mung Beans: Metal Partitioning and Health Risks Assessment

Grain zinc (Zn) biofortification with less cadmium (Cd) accumulation is of paramount importance from human health and environmental point of view. A pot experiment was carried out to determine the influence of Zn and Cd on their accumulations in Mung bean tissues (Vigna radiata) in two contrast soil types (Dermosol and Tenosol). The soil types with added Zn and Cd exerted a significant effect on translocation and accumulation of metals in different tissues. The accumulation of Zn and Cd was higher for Tenosol than that for Dermosol. At control, the concentration of Cd followed a pattern, e.g., root > stem > petiole > pod > leaflet > grain for both soils. A basal Zn supply (5 mg kg−1) increased the grain Zn concentration to a significant amount (up to 67%). It also reduced Cd accumulation in tissues, including grains (up to 34%). No non-carcinogenic effect was observed for either the children or the adults as the EDI and PTDI values were below the safety limit; however, the ILCR values exceeded the safety limit, indicating the possibility of some carcinogenic effects. Added Zn helped to reduce the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks on humans.

Transcriptome analysis reveals candidate genes involved in multiple heavy metal tolerance in hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii

Sedum alfredii Hance is a perennial herb native to China that can particularly be found in regions with abandoned Pb/Zn mines. It is a Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator that is highly tolerant to Pb, Cu, Ni, and Mn, showing potential for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with multiple heavy metals. A better understanding of how this species responds to different heavy metals would advance the phytoremediation efficiency. In this study, transcriptomic regulation of S. alfredii roots after Cd, Zn, Pb, and Cu exposure was analyzed to explore the candidate genes involved in multi-heavy metal tolerance. Although Zn and Cd, Pb and Cu had similar distribution patterns in S. alfredii, distinct expression patterns were exhibited among these four metal treatments, especially about half of the differentially expressed genes were upregulated under Cu treatment, suggesting that it utilizes distinctive and flexible strategies to cope with specific metal stress. Most unigenes regulated by Cu were enriched in catalytic activity, whereas the majority of unigenes regulated by Pb had unknown functions, implying that S. alfredii may have a unique strategy coping with Pb stress different from previous cognition. The unigenes that were co-regulated by multiple heavy metals exhibited functions of antioxidant substances, antioxidant enzymes, transporters, transcription factors, and cell wall components. These metal-induced responses at the transcriptional level in S. alfredii were highly consistent with those at the physiological level. Some of these genes have been confirmed to be related to heavy metal absorption and detoxification, and some were found to be related to heavy metal tolerance for the first time in this study, like Metacaspase-1 and EDR6. These results provide a theoretical basis for the use of genetic engineering technology to modify plants by enhancing multi-metal tolerance to promote phytoremediation efficiency.

Cadmium-induced changes in composition and co-metabolism of glycerolipids species in wheat root: Glycerolipidomic and transcriptomic approach

Lipids are the structural constituents of cell membranes and play crucial roles in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses. The aim of this study was to use glycerolipidomic and transcriptomic to analyze the changes in lipids metabolism induced by cadmium (Cd) exposure in wheat. The results indicated that Cd stress did not decrease the concentrations of monogalactosyldiacyglycerol (MGDG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and phosphatidic acid at 6 h, but decreased digalactosyldoacylglycerol (DGDG), MGDG, PC, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylserine (PS) and LPC concentrations in wheat root at 24 h. Although the concentrations of highly abundant glycerolipids PC and PE were decreased, the ratios of PC/PE increased thus contributing to wheat adaptation to Cd stress. Cd did not reduce the extent of total lipid unsaturation due to the unchanged concentrations of high abundance species of C36:4, C34:2, C34:3 and C36:6 at 6 h, indicative of their roles in resisting Cd stress. The correlation analysis revealed the glycerolipids species experiencing co-metabolism under Cd stress, which is driven by the activated expression of genes related to glycerolipid metabolism, desaturation and oxylipin synthesis. This study gives insights into the changes of glycerolipids induced by Cd and the roles in wheat adaptation to Cd stress.

Comparative cytology combined with transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of Solanum nigrum L. in response to Cd toxicity

Cadmium (Cd) triggers molecular alterations in plants, perturbs metabolites and damages plant growth. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the Cd tolerance in plants is necessary for assessing the persistent environmental impact of Cd. In this study, Solanum nigrum was selected as the test plant to investigate changes in biomass, Cd translocation, cell ultrastructure, metabolites and genes under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that the plant biomass was significantly decreased under Cd stress, and the plant has a stronger Cd transport capability. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that increased Cd concentration gradually damaged the plant organs (roots, stems and leaves) cell ultrastructure, as evidenced by swollen chloroplasts and deformed cell walls. Additionally, metabolomics analyses revealed that Cd stress mainly affected seven metabolism pathways, including 19 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). Moreover, 3908 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs, 1049 upregulated and 2859 downregulated) were identified via RNA-seq among five Cd treatments. Meanwhile, conjoint analysis found several DEGs and DEMs, including laccase, peroxidase, D-fructose, and cellobiose etc., are associated with cell wall biosynthesis, implying the cell wall biosynthesis pathway plays a critical role in Cd detoxification. Our comprehensive investigation using multiple approaches provides a molecular-scale perspective on plant response to Cd stress.

Exposure of cerium oxide nanoparticles to the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii decreases the uptake of cadmium via the apoplastic pathway

Cadmium (Cd) is harmful to the environment and threatens human health. With the increasing use of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂NPs) in extensive industries, investigating the combination of CeO₂NPs and plants has attracted research interests for phytoremediation. Here, we explored the effects of CeO₂NPs on Cd uptake, transport and the consequent Cd accumulation in Sedum alfredii. Exposure of 50 or 500 mg L^-1 CeO₂NPs alone had no apparent damaging effects on plant growth. However, upon Cd condition, the consistent CeO₂NPs decreased Cd concentrations in the roots and shoots by up to 37%. Furthermore, the application of a metabolic inhibitor revealed that CeO₂NPs mainly decreased the Cd uptake in roots by the apoplastic pathway. Simultaneously, CeO₂NPs accelerated the development of Casparian strips (CSs) and suberin, which was further proven by the elevated expression levels of genes associated with their formation, SaCASP, SaGPAT5, SaKCS20 and SaCYP86A1. Compared to CeO₂NPs added alone, the concurrent Cd decreased the Ce contents in the roots and altered its translocation from root to shoot. Taken together, both CeO₂NPs and Cd influence the interactional uptake of both chemicals in roots of S. alfredii mainly via the apoplastic pathway which is primarily regulated by the development of CSs and suberin.

Visualization and quantification of cadmium accumulation, chelation and antioxidation during the process of vacuolar compartmentalization in the hyperaccumulator plant Solanum nigrum L

Hyperaccumulators store metals in the vacuoles of leaf cells. To investigate the role of vacuolar compartmentalization in Cd accumulation, chelation and induced antioxidation, we quantified the amounts of total cadmium (Cd), Cd²⁺, glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leaf cells of Solanum nigrum L. The results confirmed that vacuoles were, indeed, the main storage compartments for Cd. We then found that with increased Cd treatment concentration, the proportion of vacuolar Cd in protoplasts showed its ultimate storage capacity (82.24 %-83.40 %), and the Cd concentration stored in the protoplast maintained at a certain level (73.81-77.46 mg L^-1). Besides, studies on different forms of Cd showed that the chelation state was dominant in the protoplast. The large level appearance of Cd²⁺ outside the vacuole revealed the limitations of vacuolar Cd²⁺ sequestration. The relationships between the combined forms of Cd and GSH outside the vacuole (R² = 0.9906) showed GSH was mainly distributed to important compartments for chelation, not to vacuoles. We also demonstrated the presence of ROS-induced oxidative stress and detoxification mediated by the antioxidant GSH in vacuoles, suggesting that sequestration into vacuoles is an active process accompanied by chelation and antioxidant-mediated detoxification.

Effects of soil amendments on leaf anatomical characteristics of marigolds cultivated in cadmium-spiked soils

The marigolds (Tagetes spp.) in this study were classified as excluders for cadmium (Cd); however, their leaves also accumulated substantial Cd content. Among the experimental treatments (i.e., control, cattle manure, pig manure, and leonardite which served as soil amendments), pig manure resulted in significantly increased growth performance for all marigold cultivars as seen by relative growth rates (119-132.3%) and showed positive effects on leaf anatomy modifications, e.g., thickness of spongy and palisade mesophyll, size of vein area and diameter of xylem cells. This may be due to substantially higher essential nutrient content, e.g., total nitrogen (N) and extractable phosphorus (P), in pig manure that aided all marigold cultivars, particularly the French cultivar which exhibited the highest relative growth rate (132.3%). In the Cd-only treatment, cell disorganization was observed in vascular bundles as well as in palisade and spongy mesophyll, which may have been responsible for the lowest plant growth performance recorded in this study, particularly among the American and Honey cultivars (RGR = 73% and 77.3%, respectively).

Health assessment of medicinal herbs, celery and parsley related to cadmium soil pollution-potentially toxic elements (PTEs) accumulation, tolerance capacity and antioxidative response

Celery and parsley are recognized as medicinal herbs and nutraceutical vegetables due to their valuable pharmacological properties and numerous health benefits. However, in recent years, soil loadings with various PTEs have become a serious concern across the world, leading to plants pollution, which can consequently diminish their quality and safety for human consumption. Therefore, we attempted to quantify quality and safety of celery and parsley grown in Cd polluted soil. We examined the presence of PTEs: As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu and Cd in soil and selected herbs, as well as their physiological responses to different Cd exposures (control-without Cd addition, 3 and 6 µg/g Cd of dry soil). Following elevation of Cd in plants, both species showed increasing trend of As, Pb and Cu in plants, which overcome safe limits, with exception for Cu. Further, celery showed strong phytoextraction ability (99.9 µg/g Cd of dry weight) with high potential to tolerate Cd due to the efficient antioxidative machinery. Besides that herbs pollution was evident on the basis of target hazard quotients (HQ), hazard index (HI) and cancerogenic risk (CR), revealing that chronic consumption of contaminated herbs can consequently endanger human health. HI was greater than 1, while CR exceeded safe limits in treated plants, with exception for As. In the point of view of toxicology and food safety, growing of medicinal plants should be strictly regulated and distinguished based on the purpose of growing, and further herbs usage.

Exogenous application of Mn significantly increased Cd accumulation in the Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii

Sedum alfredii is a Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator native to China, which was collected from a mined area where Mn content in soil was extremely high, together with Zn and Cd content. We investigated the tolerance and accumulation ability of Mn and its possible association with Cd hyperaccumulation in this plant species by using MP-AES, SR-μ-XRF, and RT-PCR. The results showed that the hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) S. alfredii exhibited high tolerance to Mn and accumulating around 10,000 and 12,000 mg kg^-1 Mn in roots and shoots, respectively, without exhibiting toxicity under 5000 mg kg^-1 Mn treatment for 4 weeks. Exposure to Cd significantly reduced plant uptake of Mn. In contrast, exogenous Mn application significantly improved root uptake and root-to-shoot translocation of Cd, resulting in the increased Cd accumulation in the shoots of HE S. alfredii. SR-μ-XRF analysis demonstrated that high Mn (20 μM) exposure resulted in higher intensities of Cd localized in both stem vascular bundles and cortex, as well as leaf mesophyll cells, than in those treated with low Mn levels (0.2 μM or 2.0 μM). RT-PCR analysis of several genes possibly involved in Mn/Cd transportation showed that expression of SaNramp3 in roots was significantly reduced under high Mn exposure. These results suggested a significant interaction between Cd and Mn in the HE S. alfredii plants, possibly through their competition for transporters and theoretically provided a strategy to improve the efficiency of Cd extraction from polluted soils by this plant species, after using appropriate nutrient management of Mn.

NRT2.1, a major contributor to cadmium uptake controlled by high-affinity nitrate transporters

Management of nitrogen fertilizer is a good strategy for controlling cadmium (Cd) accumulation in plants. Some progress has already been made but much remains to be done. Here, we show that mutants with loss of function of nitrate transporter1.1 (NRT1.1) or nitrate transporter2.1 (NRT2.1) had lower Cd concentrations than wild-type plants under low-nitrate conditions. However, this was eliminated when plants were cultivated in nitrate-free medium or supplied with Cd and nitrate alternately. These findings indicate that inhibition of NRT1.1 or NRT2.1 activity reduces Cd accumulation in plants, and depends on the presence of nitrate. The results showing that nrt2.1-2 mutants had the lowest Cd concentrations compared with Col-0, nrt1.1 and nrt2.4 plants, proves that NRT2.1 is the major contributor to Cd uptake controlled by nitrate high-affinity transporters. NRT2.1 acts as the major contributor to nitrate uptake under Cd stress in low-nitrate conditions, and contributes about 50% to nitrate uptake, while NRT1.1 contributes only 10%, and little is known regarding the role of NRT2.2 and NRT2.4 on nitrate uptake in medium with 200 μM nitrate. Positive correlations between nitrate uptake and Cd concentration in plants were also observed. Collectively, NRT2.1 acts as the major contributor to Cd uptake by controlling nitrate uptake in nitrate high-affinity systems.

Distribution of cadmium in subcellular fraction and expression difference of its transport genes among three cultivars of pepper

Cadmium (Cd) tolerance mechanisms in plant are mainly divided into two categories: evasion mechanism and tolerance mechanism. However, due to the complexity of the mechanism of Cd absorption and accumulation in crops, there are still disputes and controversies about Cd toxicity to plants and the mechanism of Cd tolerance in plants. The Cd absorption and accumulation mechanism in edible parts of pepper remains unknown. The present study characterized three pepper cultivars with different cadmium tolerance under cadmium stress. One high-Cd-accumulation type (X55), a medium-Cd-accumulation type (Daguo 99) and a low-Cd-accumulation type (Luojiao 318) were selected to study distribution characteristics of Cd in subcellular fractions of the three pepper varieties as well as expression difference of key Cd accumulation and tolerance genes under different cadmium levels. The results showed that under Cd stress, X55 and Daguo 99 mainly migrated Cd from root to stems and leaves, while Luojiao318 migrated it to the fruit. The Cd concentration in the subcellular fractions of pepper roots, stems, leaves and fruits was as follow: cell wall (F1) > organelle (F2) > cell soluble fraction (F3). The roots, stems and leaf cells of X55 have strong Cd compartmentalization capacity. The fruit cells of Daguo 99 have strong Cd compartmentalization capacity, while the roots of Luojiao318 have strong ability to inhibit Cd absorption. Under Cd stress, HMA1, HMA2 and NRAMP1-6 were up-regulated in roots, stems and fruits of the three varieties. FTP1-2 and FTP1-3 genes were significantly up-regulated in different materials, except the roots of Daguo 99. Under Cd treatment, PCS gene expression of pepper showed an order of that of X55 > Luojiao 318 >Daguo 99. The present study revealed that the cell wall of pepper played an important role in Cd separation and resistance. The difference in Cd accumulation ability of the pepper varieties may be related to differences in main expression sites and expression levels of HMA, NRAMP, FTP and PCS genes.

Influence of Cd toxicity on subcellular distribution, chemical forms, and physiological responses of cell wall components towards short-term Cd stress in Solanum nigrum

Solanum nigrum is a well-documented cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator; however, its Cd-induced tolerance capability and detoxification mechanism remain elusive. Hence, a short-term hydroponic experiment was performed in a multiplane glasshouse to determine the influence of Cd toxicity on subcellular distribution, chemical forms, and the physiological responses of cell wall towards Cd stress in a 4-week-old plant. The experiment was conducted following completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments (n = 4 replicates). The results showed that Cd stress showed dose-dependent response towards growth inhibition. The subcellular distribution of Cd in S. nigrum was in the order of cell wall > soluble fractions > organelles, and Cd was predominantly extracted by 1 M NaCl (29.87~43.66%). The Cd contents in different plant tissues and cell wall components including pectin, hemicellulose 1 (HC1), hemicellulose 2 (HC2), and cellulose were increased with the increase in Cd concentrations; however, the percentage of Cd concentration decreased in pectin and cellulose. Results of the polysaccharide components such as uronic acid, total sugar contents, and pectin methylesterase (PME) activity showed Cd-induced dose-dependent increase relative to exposure Cd stress. The pectin methylesterase (PME) activity was significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced by 125.78% at 75 μM Cd in root, 105.78% and 73.63% at 100 μM Cd in stem and leaf, respectively. In addition, the esterification, amidation, and pectinase treatment of cell wall and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) assay exhibited many functional groups that were involved in cell wall retention Cd, especially on carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of cell wall components that indicated that the -OH and -COOH groups of S. nigrum cell wall play a crucial role in Cd fixation. In summary, results of the current study will add a novel insight to understand mobilization/immobilization as well as detoxification mechanism of cadmium in S. nigrum.

Acclimatization of photosynthetic apparatus and antioxidant metabolism to excess soil cadmium in Buddleja spp

Heavy metal (HM) pollutants can cause serious phytotoxicity or oxidative stress in plants. Buddleja L., commonly known as “butterfly bushes”, are frequently found growing on HM-contaminated land. However, to date, few studies have focused on the physiological and biochemical responses of Buddleja species to HM stress. In this study, potted seedlings of B. asiatica Lour. and B. macrostachya Wall. ex Benth. were subjected to various cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg⁻¹) for 90 days. Both studied Buddleja species showed restricted Cd translocation capacity. Exposure to Cd, non-significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed, including quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), effective quantum yield of PSII, photochemical quenching and non-photochemical quenching in both species between all studied Cd concentrations. Moreover, levels of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly declined (p < 0.05) with low malondialdehyde concentrations. In B. asiatica, high superoxide dismutase and significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) peroxidase (POD) activity contributed greatly to the detoxification of excess ROS, while markedly enhanced POD activity was observed in B. macrostachya. Additionally, B. macrostachya showed higher membership function values than did B. asiatica. These results suggested that both Buddleja species exhibited high Cd resistance and acclimatization.

Quantitative proteomic analysis reveals complex regulatory and metabolic response of Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis to cadmium toxicity

Cadmium pollution has become a serious environmental problem. Iris lactea var. chinensis showed strong Cd tolerance and accumulation ability, which has significant potential to be applied for the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil. However, the lack of molecular information on the mechanism of I. lactea response to Cd limited the improvement of phytoremediation efficiency. In this study, label-free proteomics analysis of Cd response in I. lactea showed that there were 163 and 196 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the shoots and roots, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis indicated the DEPs responding to Cd stress mainly involved in signal transduction, ion transport, redox etc., and participate in the pathway of amino acid biosynthesis, lignin biosynthesis, glycerolipid metabolism and glutathione metabolism. Besides, differential expression of seven DEPs was validated via gene expression analysis. Finally, we found that a Cd-induced mannose-specific lectin (IlMSL) from I. lactea enhanced the Cd sensitivity and increased Cd accumulation in yeast. The results of this study will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanism of Cd tolerance and accumulation in I. lactea and ultimately provide valuable resources for using Cd tolerant genes for developing efficient strategies for phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils or limiting Cd accumulation in food crops.

Identification and functional characterization of ABCC transporters for Cd tolerance and accumulation in Sedum alfredii Hance

Cd is one of the potential toxic elements (PTEs) exerting great threats on the environment and living organisms and arising extensive attentions worldwide. Sedum alfredii Hance, a Cd hyperaccumulator, is of great importance in studying the mechanisms of Cd hyperaccumulation and has potentials for phytoremediation. ATP-binding cassette sub-family C (ABCC) belongs to the ABC transporter family, which is deemed to closely associate with multiple physiological processes including cellular homeostasis, metal detoxification, and transport of metabolites. In the present work, ten ABCC proteins were identified in S. alfredii Hance, exhibiting uniform domain structure and divergently clustering with those from Arabidopsis. Tissue-specific expression analysis indicated that some SaABCC genes had significantly higher expression in roots (Sa23221 and Sa88F144), stems (Sa13F200 and Sa14F98) and leaves (Sa13F200). Co-expression network analysis using these five SaABCC genes as hub genes produced two clades harboring different edge genes. Transcriptional expression profiles responsive to Cd illustrated a dramatic elevation of Sa14F190 and Sa18F186 genes. Heterologous expression in a Cd-sensitive yeast cell line, we confirmed the functions of Sa14F190 gene encoding ABCC in Cd accumulation. Our study performed a comprehensive analysis of ABCCs in S. alfredii Hance, firstly mapped their tissue-specific expression patterns responsive to Cd stress, and characterized the roles of Sa14F190 genes in Cd accumulation.

Evolution of the metal hyperaccumulation and hypertolerance traits

To succeed in life, living organisms have to adapt to the environmental issues to which they are subjected. Some plants, defined as hyperaccumulators, have adapted to metalliferous environments, acquiring the ability to tolerate and accommodate high amounts of toxic metal into their shoot, without showing symptoms of toxicity. The determinants for these traits and their mode of action have long been the subject of research, whose attention lately moved to the evolution of the hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation traits. Genetic evidence indicates that the evolution of both traits includes significant evolutionary events that result in species-wide tolerant and accumulating backgrounds. Different edaphic environments are responsible for subsequent refinement, by local adaptive processes, leading to specific strategies and various degrees of hypertolerance and hyperaccumulation, which characterize metallicolous from non-metallicolous ecotypes belonging to the same genetic unit. In this review, we overview the most updated concepts regarding the evolution of hyperaccumulation and hypertolerance, highlighting also the ecological context concerning the plant populations displaying this fascinating phenomenon.

Nickel tolerance, translocation and accumulation in a Cd/Zn co-hyperaccumulator plant Sedum alfredii

Multi-elements hyperaccumulators are of high scientific interest to be applied in remediation of mix-contaminated soils. Sedum alfredii is a well-known Cd/Zn co-hyperaccumulator with high Pb and Cu tolerance. This study investigated the ability of the hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) S. alfredii to tolerate and accumulate Ni. Differed from the non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE), HE plants grew healthy after 50 μM Ni exposure for 4 weeks. The HE plants translocated up to 40 % Ni to the shoots under high Ni stress and accumulated >3000 and 200 mg kg^-1 Ni in roots and shoots, respectively. Micro-XRF image showed that Ni was highly restricted within the HE stem and leaf vascular bundles, especially the xylem tissues. The HE roots were of high Ni tolerance, showing much less pronounced Ni-induced phytotoxicity as compared with the NHEs. Ni-induced O₂- was observed in the apoplastic part of HE root cells, but both Ni and the induced O₂- were highly accumulated in the sensitive zone (root cap, meristem, and cylinder) of NHE roots. These results suggest that although low Ni mobility out of vascular tissues limits the metal accumulation in stems and leaves, HE S. alfredii is highly tolerant towards Ni stress by metal homeostasis in root cells.

Plant Cadmium Resistance 2 (SaPCR2) Facilitates Cadmium Efflux in the Roots of Hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii Hance

Hyperaccumulators are the preferred materials for phytoremediation. Sedum alfredii Hance is a cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator plant in China, although its detoxification mechanism remains unresolved. In our study, we cloned a gene belonging to the plant cadmium resistance (PCR) family, named SaPCR2, from the hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) of S. alfredii. Sequence analysis indicated that SaPCR2 contained a cysteine-rich domain highly conserved in the PCR family and played an important role in Cd detoxification. Based on the relative quantitative results, SaPCR2 was highly expressed in the roots of HE S. alfredii, but not the shoots and Cd exposure did not significantly affect SaPCR2 expression. In contrast, the expression level of SaPCR2 was very low in plants of its non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE). The subcellular localization of SaPCR2 in tobacco leaves and yeasts showed that SaPCR2 was localized on the plasma membrane and the expression of the SaPCR2 protein in a Zn/Cd-sensitive yeast Δzrc1 significantly increased its tolerance to Cd stress by decreasing the Cd content in cells. Heterologous expression of SaPCR2 in plants of both Arabidopsis thaliana and NHE S. alfredii significantly reduced the Cd levels in the roots, but not in the shoots. These results suggest that the overexpression of SaPCR2 in plants provides a route for Cd leak out of the root cells and protects the root cells against phytotoxicity of Cd stress. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of transporter-mediated root efflux of Cd in hyperaccumulator S. alfredii.

Distinct rhizobacterial functional assemblies assist two Sedum alfredii ecotypes to adopt different survival strategies under lead stress

Lead (Pb) contamination presents a widespread environmental plague. Sedum alfredii is widely used for soil phytoremediation owing to its capacity to extract heavy metals, such as Pb. Although efficient Pb extraction is mediated by complex interactions between the roots and rhizospheric bacteria, the mechanism by which S. alfredii recruits microorganisms under Pb stress remains unclear. The Pb-accumulating ecotype (AE) and non-accumulating ecotype (NAE) of S. alfredii recruited different rhizobacterial communities. Under Pb stress, AE rhizosphere-enriched bacteria assembled into stable-connected clusters with higher phylogenetic and functional diversity. These microbes, e.g., Flavobacterium, could release indoleacetic acid to promote plant growth and siderophores, thereby increasing Pb availability. The NAE rhizosphere-enriched functional bacteria "desperately" assembled into highly specialized functional clusters with extremely low phylogenetic diversity. These bacteria, e.g., Pseudomonas, could enhance phosphorus solubilization and Pb precipitation, thereby reducing Pb stress and plant Pb accumulation. High niche overlap level of the rhizo-enriched species raised challenges in soil resource utilization, whereas the NAE community assembly was markedly constrained by environmental "selection effect" than that of AE rhizobacterial community. These results indicate that different ecotypes of S. alfredii recruit distinct bacterial functional assemblies to drive specific plant-soil feedbacks for different survival in Pb-contaminated soils. To cope with heavy metal stress, NAE formed a highly functional and specialized but vulnerable community and efficiently blocked heavy metal absorption by plants. However, the AE community adopted a more stable and elegant strategy to promote plant growth and the accumulation of dry matter via multiple evolutionary strategies that ensured a high yield of heavy metal phytoextraction. This for the first time provides new insights into the roles of rhizosphere microbes in plant adaptations to abiotic stresses.

The plant-growth promoting bacteria promote cadmium uptake by inducing a hormonal crosstalk and lateral root formation in a hyperaccumulator plant Sedum alfredii

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) that inhabit hyperaccumulating plants assist cadmium (Cd) absorption, but the underlying mechanism has not been comprehensively studied. For this reason, we combined the fluorescence imaging, and transcriptomic and metabolomic methods in a Cd hyperaccumulator, Sedum alfredii, inoculated or not with PGPB Pseudomonas fluorescens. The results showed that the newly emerged lateral roots, that were heavily colonized by P. fluorescens, are the main entry for Cd influx in S. alfredii. Inoculation with P. fluorescens promoted a lateral root formation of its host plant, leading to a higher Cd phytoremediation efficiency. Furthermore, the plant transcriptome revealed that 146 plant hormone related genes were significantly up-regulated by the bacterial inoculation, with 119 of them showing a complex interaction, which suggests that a hormonal crosstalk participated root development. The targeted metabolomics analysis showed that P. fluorescens inoculation significantly increased indole acetic acid concentration and significantly decreased concentrations of abscisic acid, brassinolide, trans-zeatin, ethylene and jasmonic acid in S. alfredii roots, thereby inducing lateral root emergence. Altogether, our results highlight the importance of PGPB-induced lateral root formation for the increased Cd uptake in a hyperaccumulating plant.

A Cd/Zn Co-hyperaccumulator and Pb accumulator, Sedum alfredii, is of high Cu tolerance

High sensitivity towards Cu toxicity is problematic when using some hyperaccumulator plants for phytoremediation of soils with mixed contamination of Cu. Sedum alfredii, a Cd/Zn co-hyperaccumulator and Pb accumulator, is widely used for remediation of Cd, Zn, and Pb co-contaminated soils in China. In this paper, the tolerance and accumulation ability of S. alfredii towards Cu stress and its potential for phytoremediation of multi-metal polluted soils have been studied. Both the hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) and non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE) of S. alfredii accumulated high Cu in the roots and translocated minimal Cu to the shoots, and Cu in the stems and leaves mostly restricted in the vascular tissues (phloem zone). The HE plants, however, exhibited high Cu resistance with stimulated lateral root growth and increased chlorophyll content under 10 μM Cu treatment. XANES analysis showed that Cu in HE roots comprised Cu²⁺ (46.7%), Cu-histidine (35.2%) and Cu-cell wall (18.1%). The NHE under Cu stress showed decreased biomass, reduced leaf chlorophyll content, altered root architecture, and higher Cu localized to root cell wall as compared with the HEs. Potted HE plants thrived six months in multi-metal contaminated soils including 3897 mg kg^-1 available Cu. In conclusion, HE S alfredii is highly tolerant toward Cu due to metal homeostasis in root cells. Therefore, this plant has great potential to remediate Zn, Cd, and Pb contaminated soils those also contain high levels of Cu.

Are males and females of Populus cathayana differentially sensitive to Cd stress?

This study clarifies the mechanisms of Cd uptake, translocation and detoxification in Populus cathayana Rehder females and males, and reveals a novel strategy for dioecious plants to cope with Cd contamination. Females exhibited a high degree of Cd uptake and root-to-shoot translocation, while males showed extensive Cd accumulation in roots, elevated antioxidative capacity, and effective cellular and bark Cd sequestration. Our study also found that Cd is largely located in epidermal and cortical tissues of male roots and leaves, while in females, more Cd was present in vascular tissues of roots and leaves, as well as in leaf mesophyll. In addition, the distributions of sulphur (S) and phosphorus (P) were very similar as that of Cd in males, but the associations were weak in females. Scanning electron microscopy and energy spectroscopy analyses suggested that the amounts of tissue Cd were positively correlated with P and S amounts in males, but not in females (a weak correlation between S and Cd). Transcriptional data suggested that Cd stress promoted the upregulation of genes related to Cd uptake and translocation in females, and that of genes related to cell wall biosynthesis, metal tolerance and secondary metabolism in males. Our results indicated that coordinated physiological, microstructural and transcriptional responses to Cd stress endowed superior Cd tolerance in males compared with females, and provided new insights into mechanisms underlying sexually differential responses to Cd stress.

The presence of zinc reduced cadmium uptake and translocation in Cosmos bipinnatus seedlings under cadmium/zinc combined stress

Cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) coexist in the environment but interact differently in plants. Cosmos bipinnatus has been potentially considered as a Cd-accumulator. Thus, this study investigated the detoxification mechanism in C. bipinnatus seedlings under Cd, Zn and Cd + Zn stresses. In the present study, the presence of Zn inhibited Cd uptake and translocation, whereas Cd merely hindered Zn uptake. The concentration of Cd in soluble fraction significantly decreased and Cd was bounded to the cell wall in root under Cd + Zn stress. Meanwhile, Zn and Cd mutually decreased their concentrations in the ethanol extractable form (F_E) and water extractable form (F_W) in roots and shoots. Furthermore, Cd + Zn stress enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) and catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) compared to Cd stress alone. These results suggested that Zn effectively decreased Cd uptake and translocation, changed their subcellular distributions, regulated their chemical forms composition and increased antioxidative enzyme activities, thereby enhancing the tolerance to Cd in C. bipinnatus. This study physiologically revealed the interactive effect of Cd and Zn on the detoxification mechanism of Cd in C. bipinnatus and provided new information on phytoremediation of the heavy metal contaminated soils.

Phytohormones-induced senescence efficiently promotes the transport of cadmium from roots into shoots of plants: A novel strategy for strengthening of phytoremediation

Due to the long growth period of plants, phytoremediation is time costly. Improving the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in shoots of plants will promote the efficiency of phytoremediation. In this study, two senescence-relative phytohormones, abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA), were applied to strengthening phytoremediation of Cd by tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea S.). Under hydroponic culture, phytohormones treatment increased the Cd content of shoots 11.4-fold over the control, reaching 316.3 mg/kg (dry weight). Phytohormones-induced senescence contributes to the transport of heavy metals, and HMA3 was found to play a key role in this process. Additionally, this strategy could strengthen the accumulation of Cu and Zn in tall fescue shoots. Moreover, in soil pot culture, the strategy increased shoot Cd contents 2.56-fold over the control in tall fescue, and 2.55-fold over the control in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.), indicating its comprehensive adaptability and potential use in the field. In summary, senescence-induced heavy metal transport is developed as a novel strategy to strengthen phytoremediation. The strategy could be applied at the end of phytoremediation with an additional short duration (7 days) with comprehensive adaptability, and markedly strengthen the phytoremediation in the field.

SaHsfA4c From Sedum alfredii Hance Enhances Cadmium Tolerance by Regulating ROS-Scavenger Activities and Heat Shock Proteins Expression

The heat shock transcription factor (Hsf) family, an important member in plant stress response, affects cadmium (Cd) tolerance in plants. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized a transcript of the Hsf A4 subgroup from Sedum alfredii. Designated as SaHsfA4c, the open reading frame was 1,302 bp long and encoded a putative protein of 433 amino acids containing a complete DNA-binding domain (DBD). Heterologous expression of SaHsfA4c in yeast enhanced Cd stress tolerance and accumulation, whereas expression of the alternatively spliced transcript InSaHsfA4c which contained an intron and harbored an incomplete DBD, resulted in relatively poor Cd stress tolerance and low Cd accumulation in transgenic yeast. The function of SaHsfA4c under Cd stress was characterized in transgenic Arabidopsis and non-hyperaccumulation ecotype S. alfredii. SaHsfA4c was able to rescue the Cd sensitivity of the Arabidopsis athsfa4c mutant. SaHsfA4c reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and increased the expression of ROS-scavenging enzyme genes and Hsps in transgenic lines. The present results suggest that SaHsfA4c increases plant resistance to stress by up-regulating the activities of ROS-scavenging enzyme and the expression of Hsps.

Microstructural and physiological responses to cadmium stress under different nitrogen levels in Populus cathayana females and males

Although increasing attention has been paid to the relationships between heavy metal and nitrogen (N) availability, the mechanism underlying adaptation to cadmium (Cd) stress in dioecious plants has been largely overlooked. This study examined Cd accumulation, translocation and allocation among tissues and cellular compartments in Populus cathayana Rehder females and males. Both leaf Cd accumulation and root-to-shoot Cd translocation were significantly greater in females than in males under a normal N supply, but they were reduced in females and enhanced in males under N deficiency. The genes related to Cd uptake and translocation, HMA2, YSL2 and ZIP2, were strongly induced by Cd stress in female roots and in males under a normal N supply. Cadmium largely accumulated in the leaf blades of females and in the leaf veins of males under a normal N supply, while the contrary was true under N deficiency. Furthermore, Cd was mainly distributed in the leaf epidermis and spongy tissues of males, and in the leaf palisade tissues of females. Nitrogen deficiency increased Cd allocation to the spongy tissues of female leaves and to the palisade tissues of males. In roots, Cd was preferentially distributed to the epidermis and cortices in both sexes, and also to the vascular tissues of females under a normal N supply but not under N deficiency. These results suggested that males possess better Cd tolerance compared with females, even under N deficiency, which is associated with their reduced root-to-shoot Cd translocation, specific Cd distribution in organic and/or cellular compartments, and enhanced antioxidation and ion homeostasis. Our study also provides new insights into engineering woody plants for phytoremediation.

Hyperaccumulation of Cd by Rorippa globosa (Turcz.) Thell. from soil enriched with different Cd compounds, and impact of soil amendment with glutathione (GSH) on the hyperaccumulation efficiency

Rorippa globosa (Turcz.) Thell. is known as Cd hyperaccumulator, however neither hyperaccumulation nature, nor affecting factors like the effect of Cd compounds entering soil from different sources, or of specific soil amendments, are not yet satisfactorily clarified. In the pot culture experiment, Cd accumulation by R. globosa from soils spiked with 3 and 9 mg Cd kg^-1 in the form of Cd(NO₃)₂, CdCl₂, CdBr₂, CdI₂, CdSO₄, CdF₂, Cd(OH)₂, CdCO₃, Cd₃(PO₄)₂, CdS and effect of soil amendment with glutathione (GSH) were investigated. Accumulation capacity of R. globosa for Cd appeared to reflect its extractability in soils and was about two-fold bigger for high soluble compounds than for low-soluble ones. At that, the differences between the accumulation of Cd originating from high soluble compound group did not exceed 20%, while the differences within the low soluble compound group were insignificant (p < 0.05). The analysis of Cd uptake, uptake factor (UF), enrichment factor (EF) and translocation factor (TF) patterns revealed that Cd hyperaccumulating properties of R. globosa are based on the high water/nutrients demand and strong tolerance to Cd, although weak protection against Cd uptake by root system was also observed. Amendment with GSH enhanced Cd availability to plant and its uptake from soil, but exerted no effect on Cd translocation in plants. In the light of the results, the use of R. globosa for phytoremediation of moderately polluted agricultural lands as forecrop or aftercrop, and the GSH-assisted phytoremediation of highly polluted post-industrial sites seem to be viable options.

Effects of CO2 application coupled with endophyte inoculation on rhizosphere characteristics and cadmium uptake by Sedum alfredii Hance in response to cadmium stress

Comparative impact of CO₂ application and endophyte inoculation was investigated on the growth, rhizosphere characteristics, and cadmium (Cd) absorption of two ecotypes of Sedum alfredii Hance in response to Cd stress under hydroponic or rhizo-box culture conditions. The results showed that both CO₂ application and endophyte inoculation significantly (P < 0.05) promoted plant growth (fresh weight and dry weight), improved root morphological properties (SRL, SRA, SRV, ARD and RTN) and exudation (pH, TOC, TN, soluble sugar and organic acids), changed Cd uptake and distribution of both ecotypes of S. alfredii. Meanwhile soil total and DTPA extractable Cd in rhizo-box decreased by biofortification treatments. Superposition biofortification exhibits utmost improvement for the above mentioned parameters, and has potential for enhancing phytoremediation efficiency of hyperaccumulator and sustaining regular growth of non-hyperaccumulator in Cd contaminated soils.

Identification and expression analysis of the GDSL esterase/lipase family genes, and the characterization of SaGLIP8 in Sedum alfredii Hance under cadmium stress

Background

The herb Sedum alfredii (S. alfredii) Hance is a hyperaccumulator of heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb)); therefore, it could be a candidate plant for efficient phytoremediation. The GDSL esterase/lipase protein (GELP) family plays important roles in plant defense and growth. Although the GELP family members in a variety of plants have been cloned and analyzed, there are limited studies on the family's responses to heavy metal-stress conditions.

Methods

Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic analyses were performed according to the criteria described. A WGCNA was used to construct co-expression regulatory networks. The roots of S. alfredii seedlings were treated with 100 µM CdCl₂ for qRT-PCR to analyze expression levels in different tissues. SaGLIP8 was transformed into the Cd sensitive mutant strain yeast Δycf1 to investigate its role in resistance and accumulation to Cd.

Results

We analyzed GELP family members from genomic data of S. alfredii. A phylogenetic tree divided the 80 identified family members into three clades. The promoters of the 80 genes contained certain elements related to abiotic stress, such as TC-rich repeats (defense and stress responsiveness), heat shock elements (heat stress) and MYB-binding sites (drought-inducibility). In addition, 66 members had tissue-specific expression patterns and significant responses to Cd stress. In total, 13 hub genes were obtained, based on an existing S. alfredii transcriptome database, that control 459 edge genes, which were classified into five classes of functions in a co-expression subnetwork: cell wall and defense function, lipid and esterase, stress and tolerance, transport and transcription factor activity. Among the hub genes, Sa13F.102 (SaGLIP8), with a high expression level in all tissues, could increase Cd tolerance and accumulation in yeast when overexpressed.

Conclusion

Based on genomic data of S. alfredii, we conducted phylogenetic analyses, as well as conserved domain, motif and expression profiling of the GELP family under Cd-stress conditions. SaGLIP8 could increase Cd tolerance and accumulation in yeast. These results indicated the roles of GELPs in plant responses to heavy metal exposure and provides a theoretical basis for further studies of the SaGELP family's functions.

The response of maize protoplasts to cadmium stress mitigated by silicon

The aim of this article was to evaluate the viability of maize protoplasts, cell wall regeneration, Cd uptake by protoplasts, and the impact of silicon under cadmium cations (Cd) stress in two maize hybrids with contrasting tolerances to Cd toxicity. The differences in protoplast viability between the sensitive (Novania) and tolerant (Almansa) hybrids were noticeable even at the beginning of culture. The percentage of living protoplasts in the presence of Cd was higher in the tolerant hybrid. In both hybrids, Si supplementation significantly increased the viability of protoplasts exposed to Cd. The percentage of protoplasts with regenerated cell walls gradually increased in both hybrids and by the end of the culture it had reached almost identical values. Differences were observed during the first four days, when a lag phase occurred in the protoplasts of the sensitive hybrid accompanied by a rapid decrease in protoplast viability in all the variants tested. The addition of Si increased the cell wall regeneration compared with the Cd variant in both hybrids. The Cd content was higher in the tolerant hybrid than in the sensitive one during the first four days and declined on the seventh day. This may be connected with the increasing intensity of cell wall formation from the fourth up to the seventh day. The addition of Si decreased the Cd uptake into protoplasts of both hybrids. Despite the higher content of Cd, the protoplasts of the tolerant hybrid showed higher viability, obviously indicating unequal mechanisms of Cd processing in studied hybrids. CAPSULE: Protoplasts of two maize hybrids were tested for their viability, regeneration, Cd-uptake and the mitigation of cadmium stress by silicon.

Physiological and molecular mechanisms of heavy metal accumulation in nonmycorrhizal versus mycorrhizal plants

Uptake, translocation, detoxification, and sequestration of heavy metals (HMs) are key processes in plants to deal with excess amounts of HM. Under natural conditions, plant roots often establish ecto- and/or arbuscular-mycorrhizae with their fungal partners, thereby altering HM accumulation in host plants. This review considers the progress in understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in HM accumulation in nonmycorrhizal versus mycorrhizal plants. In nonmycorrhizal plants, HM ions in the cells can be detoxified with the aid of several chelators. Furthermore, HMs can be sequestered in cell walls, vacuoles, and the Golgi apparatus of plants. The uptake and translocation of HMs are mediated by members of ZIPs, NRAMPs, and HMAs, and HM detoxification and sequestration are mainly modulated by members of ABCs and MTPs in nonmycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal-induced changes in HM accumulation in plants are mainly due to HM sequestration by fungal partners and improvements in the nutritional and antioxidative status of host plants. Furthermore, mycorrhizal fungi can trigger the differential expression of genes involved in HM accumulation in both partners. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie HM accumulation in mycorrhizal plants is crucial for the utilization of fungi and their host plants to remediate HM-contaminated soils.

Efficient phloem transport significantly remobilizes cadmium from old to young organs in a hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii

Our knowledge of cadmium (Cd) in hyperaccumulators mainly concerns root uptake, xylem translocation and foliar detoxification, while little attention has been paid to the role of phloem remobilization. We investigated Cd distribution in different organs of the hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) of Sedum alfredii and compared its Cd phloem transport with that of the non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE). In HE, results of micro X-ray fluorescence revealed that Cd preferentially accumulated in younger organs compared to the older, and its primary distribution sites changed from parenchyma to vascular/epidermal cells with increased organ age. Strong Cd signals in phloem cells were observed in HE old stems. Pre-stored Cd was readily exported from older to growing leaves, which could be accelerated by leaf senescence. Short-term feeding experiments showed that phloem-mediated Cd transport is rapid and efficient in HE. HE relocated 44% of the total leaf-labelled Cd to other organs, while over 90% Cd was retained in labelled leaves of NHE. High Cd was detected in HE phloem exudates but not in those from NHE leaves. In conclusion, Cd phloem transport is efficient and important for dominating the age-dependent Cd allocation in plants of HE S. alfredii.

Site-specific regulation of transcriptional responses to cadmium stress in the hyperaccumulator, Sedum alfredii: based on stem parenchymal and vascular cells

We compared the transcriptomes of parenchymal and vascular cells of Sedum alfredii stem under Cd stress to reveal gene regulatory networks underlying Cd hyperaccumulation. Cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulation in plants is a complex biological process controlled by gene regulatory networks. Efficient transport through vascular systems and storage by parenchymal cells are vital for Cd hyperaccumulation in the Cd hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii, but the genes involved are poorly understood. We investigated the spatial gene expression profiles of transport and storage sites in S. alfredii stem using laser-capture microdissection coupled with RNA sequencing. Gene expression patterns in response to Cd were distinct in vascular and parenchymal cells, indicating functional divisions that corresponded to Cd transportation and storage, respectively. In vascular cells, plasma membrane-related terms enriched a large number of differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) for foundational roles in Cd transportation. Parenchymal cells contained considerable DEGs specifically concentrated on vacuole-related terms associated with Cd sequestration and detoxification. In both cell types, DEGs were classified into different metabolic pathways in a similar way, indicating the role of Cd in activating a systemic stress signalling network where ATP-binding cassette transporters and Ca²⁺ signal pathways were probably involved. This study identified site-specific regulation of transcriptional responses to Cd stress in S. alfredii and analysed a collection of genes that possibly function in Cd transportation and detoxification, thus providing systemic information and direction for further investigation of Cd hyperaccumulation molecular mechanisms.

Identification and comprehensive analysis of the characteristics and roles of leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase (LRR-RLK) genes in Sedum alfredii Hance responding to cadmium stress

Sedum alfredii Hance is a Zn/Cd co-hyperaccumulator and its underlying molecular mechanism of Cd tolerance is worthy to be elucidated. Although numerous studies have reported the uptake, sequestration and detoxification of Cd in S. alfredii Hance, how it senses Cd-stress stimuli and transfers signals within tissues remains unclear. Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinases (LRR-RLKs) are vital for plant growth, development, immunity and signal transduction. Till now, there is lack of comprehensive studies addressing their functions in S. alfredii Hance responding to Cd stress. In the present study, we identified 60 LRR-RLK genes in S. alfredii Hance based on transcriptome analysis under Cd stress. They were categorized into 11 subfamilies and most of them had highly conserved protein structures and motif compositions. The inter-family diversity provided evidence for their functional divergence, supported by their expression level and profile in tissues under Cd stress. Co-expression network analysis revealed that the most highly connected hubs, Sa0F.522, Sa0F.1036, Sa28F.115 and Sa1F.472, were closely related with other genes involved in metal transport, stimulus response and transcription regulations. Of the ten hub genes exhibiting differential expression dynamics under the short-term Cd stress (Sa0F.522, Sa0F.1036 and Sa28F.115) were dramatically induced in the whole plant. Among them, Sa0F.522 gene was heterologously expressed in a Cd-sensitive yeast cell line and its function in Cd signal perception was confirmed. For the first time, our findings performed a comprehensive analysis of LRR-RLKs in S. alfredii Hance, mapped their expression patterns under Cd stress, and identified the key roles of Sa0F.522, Sa0F.1036 and Sa28F.115 in Cd signal transduction.