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Synthesis of phytochelatins in vetiver grass upon lead exposure in the presence of phosphorus

Plant and Soil volume 326, pages 171–185 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

In a hydroponic setting, we investigated the possible role of phytochelatins (metal-binding peptides) in the lead (Pb) tolerance of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.). Pb was added to the nutrient medium at concentrations ranging from 0 to 1,200 mg L−1. Furthermore, we simulated the effect of soil phosphorus (P) on potentially plant available Pb by culturing vetiver grass in P-rich nutrient media. After 7 days of exposure to Pb, we evaluated the Pb uptake by vetiver grass. Results indicate that vetiver can accumulate Pb up to 3,000 mg kg−1 dry weight in roots with no toxicity. Formation of lead phosphate inhibited Pb uptake by vetiver, suggesting the need for an environmentally safe chelating agent in conjunction with phytoremediation to clean up soils contaminated with lead-based paint. Unambiguous characterization of phytochelatins (PCn) was possible using high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESMS). Vetiver shows qualitative and quantitative differences in PCn synthesis between root and shoot. In root tissue from vetiver exposed to 1,200 mg Pb L-1, phytochelatins ranged from PC1 to PC3. Collision-induced dissociation of the parent ion allowed confirmation of each PCn based on the amino acid sequence. Possible Pb-PC1 and Pb2-PC1 complexes were reported in vetiver root at the highest Pb concentration. The data from these experiments show that the most probable mechanism for Pb detoxification in vetiver is by synthesizing PCn and forming Pb–PCn complexes.

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Abbreviations

CID:

Collision induced dissociation

ES-MS:

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

GSH:

Glutathione

HPLC:

High-performance liquid chromatography

Pb:

Lead

P:

Phosphorus

PCn :

Phytochelatins

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

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Acknowledgments

The research group from the University of Texas at San Antonio appreciates the funding support from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for this study. We thank Dr. Mohd Israr, Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University for help with SEM analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249-0663, USA

    Syam S. Andra

  2. Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA

    Rupali Datta

  3. Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA

    Dibyendu Sarkar

  4. The Cyprus International Institute for the Environment and Public Health in association with the Harvard School of Public Health, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Konstantinos C. Makris

  5. Department of Chemistry, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Conor P. Mullens & Stephan B. H. Bach

  6. Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA

    Shivendra V. Sahi

Authors
  1. Syam S. Andra
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  2. Rupali Datta
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  3. Dibyendu Sarkar
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  4. Konstantinos C. Makris
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  5. Conor P. Mullens
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  6. Shivendra V. Sahi
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  7. Stephan B. H. Bach
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Correspondence to Syam S. Andra.

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Responsible Editor: Fangjie J. Zhao.

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Andra, S.S., Datta, R., Sarkar, D. et al. Synthesis of phytochelatins in vetiver grass upon lead exposure in the presence of phosphorus. Plant Soil 326, 171–185 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-009-9992-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-009-9992-2

Keywords

  • Hydroponics
  • Lead-based paint
  • Liquid chromatography
  • Mass spectrometry
  • Phytochelatins
  • Phytoremediation
  • Vetiver

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