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Characterization and expression of a metallothionein gene in the aquatic fern Azolla filiculoides under heavy metal stress

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Abstract

A cDNA encoding a type 2 metallothionein (MT) was isolated from Azolla filiculoides, termed AzMT2, accession no. AF482470. The AzMT2 transcript was expressed in sterile A. filiculoides that were free of the cyanobiont Anabaena azollae after erythromycin treatment, proving that AzMT2 is encoded by the fern genome. AzMT2 RNA expression was enhanced by the addition of Cd+2, Cu+2, Zn+2 and Ni+2 to the growth medium. The transcript level of AzMT2 correlated with the metal content in the plants. Temporal analysis of AzMT2 expression demonstrated that Cd2+ and Ni2+ induction of AzMT2 RNA expression occurred within 48 h. AzMT2-enhanced expression responded more intensely to the toxic Cd and Ni ions in A. filiculoides suggesting that AzMT2 may participate in detoxification mechanism. The more moderate response of AzMT2 to Zn and Cu ions, which are essential micronutrients, suggest a role for AzMT2 in metal homeostasis.

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Abbreviations

MT:

Metallothionein

IRRI:

International rice research institute

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

ICP:

Inductive coupled plasma

RT-PCR:

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 76100, Rehovot, Israel

    Tamar Schor-Fumbarov, Zach Adam & Elisha Tel-Or

  2. Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907-1165, USA

    Peter B. Goldsbrough

Authors
  1. Tamar Schor-Fumbarov
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  2. Peter B. Goldsbrough
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  3. Zach Adam
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  4. Elisha Tel-Or
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Correspondence to Elisha Tel-Or.

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Schor-Fumbarov, T., Goldsbrough, P.B., Adam, Z. et al. Characterization and expression of a metallothionein gene in the aquatic fern Azolla filiculoides under heavy metal stress. Planta 223, 69–76 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-005-0070-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-005-0070-6

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