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A biochemical, physiological and molecular evaluation of how the herbicide 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid intercedes photosynthesis and diazotrophy in the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum Meg 1

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Abstract

Among the non-target microorganisms residing in crop fields that are potentially vulnerable to herbicides are cyanobacteria. They contribute to the maintenance of soil quality and fertility and hence are considered to be an important component of soil microflora. Consequently, the present study was aimed to check the influence of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on some major parameters of carbon (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) fixations of a cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum Meg 1 isolated from a rice field in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, India. These include various photosynthetic pigments, the oxygen-evolving complex activity of the PSII, the protein contents of RuBisCO, D1 protein, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), nitrogenase and glutamine synthetase (GS) enzymes, the heterocyst percentage, nitrogenase and GS enzyme activities, and production of total proteins and carbohydrates in the cyanobacterium in a varying range of 50 to 125 ppm doses of 2,4-D. The mRNA levels of several proteins were also analyzed. Besides carotenoid concentration that enhanced at 50 ppm, all other parameters were compromised by 2,4-D in a dose-dependent manner resulting in a reduction in photosynthetic and N2-fixing activities. The negative effect on N2-fixation was partly due to compromised IDH activity. RT-PCR analysis further showed that these negative effects were initiated at transcription levels as mRNA contents of all enzymes studied were found compromised under 2,4-D exposure. The scanning and transmission electron microscopy further revealed herbicide induced adverse changes in the morphology and ultrastructure of the organism. The significance of the work lies in its detailed analysis of the effect of 2,4-D at biochemical, physiological, and molecular levels.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India, New Delhi, for granting fellowship under National Fellowship for higher studies of ST students being implemented by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and under UGC-NET/JRF; Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility NEHU, Shillong for SEM and TEM.

Funding

This study is funded by UGC, Government of India, New Delhi, under DRS III, vide Letter. F. 4-9/2015/DRS- III (SAP-II) dated 23/04/2015.

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  1. Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong – 793022, Meghalaya, India

    Meguovilie Sachu, Balakyntiewshisha Lyngdoh Kynshi & Mayashree B. Syiem

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Mayashree B Syiem conceptualized the theme of the manuscript, supervised the experiments, and edited the manuscript. Meguovilie Sachu and Balakyntiewshisha Lyngdoh Kynshi performed the experiments, analyzed the data, and wrote the original draft.

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Correspondence to Mayashree B. Syiem.

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Sachu, M., Kynshi, B.L. & Syiem, M.B. A biochemical, physiological and molecular evaluation of how the herbicide 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid intercedes photosynthesis and diazotrophy in the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum Meg 1. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 36684–36698 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18000-5

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