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Overexpression of phytochelatin synthase (AtPCS) in rice for tolerance to cadmium stress

  • Section Cellular and Molecular Biology
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Abstract

Phytoremediation is an important strategy adapted by plants to sequester and/or detoxify pollutants. Phytochelatins, a family of cysteine-rich thiol-reactive peptides, bind to various heavy metals and metalloids making them good candidates for phytoremediation. Phytochelatin synthase catalyses the final step in the biosynthesis of phytochelatins and can be used as a strategy to improve tolerance against heavy metals. In the present study, an AtPCS gene was overexpressed in rice following the in planta transformation approach. Stringent screening strategies were standardized to select putative transformants under a Cd stress of 125 μM at both seedling and plant levels. Molecular analysis by PCR in 18 tolerant plants confirmed the transgene integration and absence of Agrobacterium. Genomic Southern analysis further confirmed the integration of the T-DNA as a single copy. The stability of the T-DNA in the progeny of 5 selected T1 generation plants was confirmed by tolerance assay, molecular characterization and biochemical analysis for the reduced glutathione, phytochelatin content and lipid peroxidation. This strategy is discussed as a potential mechanism to enhance the tolerance of rice plants to Cd stress.

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Abbreviations

DTNB:

5,5′-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)

FW:

fresh weight

GSH:

reduced glutathione

MDA:

malondialdehyde

PC:

phytochelatin

PCS:

phytochelatin synthase

TBA:

thiobarbituric acid

TBARS:

2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances

TCA:

trichloroacetic acid

WT:

wild type

WTC:

non-treated wild type control

WTT:

wild type treated

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560 065, India

    Nagaveni Venkataramaiah, Sashidhar Vudayagiri Ramakrishna & Rohini Sreevathsa

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  1. Nagaveni Venkataramaiah
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  2. Sashidhar Vudayagiri Ramakrishna
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  3. Rohini Sreevathsa
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Correspondence to Rohini Sreevathsa.

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Venkataramaiah, N., Vudayagiri Ramakrishna, S. & Sreevathsa, R. Overexpression of phytochelatin synthase (AtPCS) in rice for tolerance to cadmium stress. Biologia 66, 1060–1073 (2011). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-011-0135-x

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