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Heavy‐metal‐induced proline accumulation and its role in ameliorating metal toxicity in Chlorella vulgaris
Author(s) -
MEHTA S. K.,
GAUR J. P.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00447.x
Subject(s) - proline , lipid peroxidation , chlorella vulgaris , toxicity , chemistry , metal toxicity , intracellular , zinc , biochemistry , chromium , copper toxicity , metal , biology , antioxidant , algae , botany , amino acid , organic chemistry
Exposure of Chlorella vulgaris to elevated concentrations of copper, chromium, nickel and zinc led to intracellular accumulation of high concentrations of these metals. Concomitantly, accumulation of free proline occurred, depending on the concentration of metals in the external medium or in the cell. The greater the toxicity or accumulation of a metal, the greater the amount of intracellular proline in algal cells. However, higher concentrations of copper and chromium were inhibitory to proline accumulation by the test organism. The accumulation of proline was triggered within a few hours of metal treatment. Test metals also induced lipid peroxidation; copper was the most efficient inducer whereas zinc was the least. Pretreatment of C. vulgaris with proline counteracted metal‐induced lipid peroxidation and potassium ion efflux. Thus the present work shows a protective effect of proline on metal toxicity through inhibition of lipid peroxidation.