Skip to main content

Comparing copper resistance in two bryophytes: Mielichhoferia elongata Hornsch. versus Physcomitrella patens Hedw.

Protoplasma volume 246, pages 119–123 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

The bryophyte Mielichhoferia elongata is known to occur on copper-rich substrate, but the exact resistance level remained to be determined by in vitro experiments. Here, we tested its copper tolerance in graded copper solutions and compared the results to the moss Physcomitrella patens that is not known to inhabit heavy metal sites. Our results confirm the survival of M. elongata in classical resistance experiments of up to 10 mM Cu-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution. Interestingly, P. patens is equally resistant. Cultured on copper-enriched agar plates for over 5 weeks, P. patens survived even higher copper levels of up to 100 mM Cu-EDTA and an increment of growth was detected on all concentrations tested. Obviously, P. patens is able to withstand harmfully high levels of copper in both solution and substrate. In this short communication, we give a detailed description of the growth rates and discuss the results in comparison to other moss species and heavy metals.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

£ 29.95

Price includes VAT (United Kingdom)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

References

  • Alkorta I, Hernández-Allica J, Becerril JM, Amezaga I, Albizu I, Onaindia M, Garbisu C (2004) Chelate-enhanced phytoremediation of soils polluted with heavy metals. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 3:55–70

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basile A, Giordano S, Cafiero G, Spangnuolo V, Castaldocobianchi R (1994) Tissue and cell localisation of experimentally supplied lead in Funaria hygrometrica HEDW using X-ray SEM and TEM microanalysis. J Bryol 18:69–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Benecke W (1903) Über die Keimung der Brutknospen von Lunularia cruciata. Mit vergleichenden Ausblick auf andere Pflanzen. Botanische Zeitung 2:4–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks RR (1971) Bryophytes as a guide to mineralisation. NZ J Bot 9:674–677

    Google Scholar 

  • Clemens S (2001) Molecular mechanisms of plant metal tolerance and homeostasis. Planta 212:475–486

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cobbett CS (2000) Phytochelatin biosynthesis and function in heavy-metal detoxification. Curr Opin Plant Biol 3:211–216

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cove DJ, Knight CD (1993) The moss Physcomitrella patens, a model system with potential for the study of plant reproduction. Plant Cell 5:1483–1488

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frahm J-P (2001) Biologie der Moose. Spektrum Verlag, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Gang Y-Y, Du G-S, Shi D-J, Wang M-Z, Li X-D, Hua Z-L (2003) Establishment of in vitro regeneration system of the Atrichum mosses. Acta Bot Sin 45:1475–1480

    Google Scholar 

  • Günther W (ed) (2006) Salzburgs Bergbau und Hüttenwesen im Wandel der Zeit—Buntmetalle und stahlveredelnde Metalle. Leoganger Bergbaumuseumsverein, Salzburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Iljin WS (1935) Das Absterben der Pflanzenzellen in reinen und balancierten Salzlösungen. Protoplasma 24:409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jules ES, Shaw AJ (1994) Adaption to metal-contaminated soils in populations of the moss, Ceratodon purpureus: vegetative growth and reproductive expression. Am J Bot 81:791–797

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaho H (1933) Das Verhalten der Pflanzenzelle gegen Schwermetallsalze. Planta 18:664–682

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krämer U, Clemens S (2005) Functions and homeostasis of zinc, copper, and nickel in plants. Top Curr Genet 14:216–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martensson O, Berggren A (1954) Some notes on the ecology of the “copper mosses”. Oikos 5:99–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reski R (1999) Molecular genetics of Physcomitrella. Planta 208:301–309

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rother M, Krauss G-J, Grass G, Wesenberg D (2006) Sulphate assimilation under Cd2+ stress in Physcomitrella patens—combined transcript, enzyme and metabolite profiling. Plant Cell Environ 29:1801–1811

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw AJ (1988) Genetic variation for tolerance to copper and zinc within and among populations of the moss, Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. New Phytol 109:211–222

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw AJ (1990) Metal tolerance in bryophytes. In: Shaw AJ (ed) Heavy metal tolerance in plants: evolutionary aspects. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 133–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Url W (1956) Über Schwermetalle-, zumal Kupferresistenz einiger Moose. Protoplasma 46:768–793

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Ralf Reski and his group, the University of Freiburg, for providing the first culture of Physcomitrella patens. This work was supported by the “Hochschuljubiläumsstiftung der Stadt Wien” grant H-1939/2008 to IL, by a grant of the “Verein zur Förderung der Pflanzenwissenschaften” to SS, and by project 226870/FP7-ENV-2008-1 of the European Union to IKL.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research, The University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Stefan Sassmann, Stefan Wernitznig, Irene K. Lichtscheidl & Ingeborg Lang

Authors
  1. Stefan Sassmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stefan Wernitznig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Irene K. Lichtscheidl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ingeborg Lang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ingeborg Lang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sassmann, S., Wernitznig, S., Lichtscheidl, I.K. et al. Comparing copper resistance in two bryophytes: Mielichhoferia elongata Hornsch. versus Physcomitrella patens Hedw.. Protoplasma 246, 119–123 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-010-0106-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-010-0106-z

Keywords

  • Bryophytes
  • Copper resistance
  • Heavy metal resistance
  • Mielichhoferia elongata Hornsch.
  • Physcomitrella patens Hedw.