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Metal (Pb, Cd, and Cu)-induced reactive oxygen species accumulations in aerial root cells of the Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa)

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Abstract

The current study evaluated the toxicity of three heavy metals to aerial roots of the Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa), which is a tree species native to China. In a laboratory experiment, segments of aerial roots cut from trees were treated with 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μM of lead, cadmium, or copper (Cu). The contents of these heavy metals in cells increased and root cell viability decreased with increases in treatment concentration. High levels of reactive oxygen species accumulated in the aerial root sections after heavy metal treatment. Both biochemical assay and histochemical localization showed that O2 •−, which is a precursor of H2O2 accumulated in root sections and that the amount accumulated was positively related to heavy metal concentration, especially for Cu-treated samples. Histochemical staining with diaminobenzidine (DAB) and a fluorometric scopoletin oxidation assay indicated that the amount of H2O2 accumulated was positively related to heavy metal concentration in the treatments; the scopoletin fluorescence assay was more sensitive and efficient than DAB staining for detection and quantification of H2O2. The results indicate that aerial roots are sensitive to heavy metal-induced oxidative damage and that aerial roots have the potential to be used as indicators of heavy metal pollution in urban areas.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Grant No. KSCX2-EW-J-28. The authors are grateful to Huanfang Liu and Yong Liu for preparations of aerial root paraffin sections. We also appreciate the English editing work by Bruce Jaffee and suggestions by the two anonymous reviewers on the early version of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 723 Xingke Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510650, Guangdong, China

    Nan Liu, Zhifang Lin & Hui Mo

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  1. Nan Liu
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  2. Zhifang Lin
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  3. Hui Mo
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Correspondence to Zhifang Lin.

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Liu, N., Lin, Z. & Mo, H. Metal (Pb, Cd, and Cu)-induced reactive oxygen species accumulations in aerial root cells of the Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa). Ecotoxicology 21, 2004–2011 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-012-0935-y

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