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Characterization of the biochemical basis for copper homeostasis and tolerance in Biscutella auriculata L.
Author(s) -
Peco Jesús D.,
Sandalio Luisa M.,
Higueras Pablo,
Olmedilla Adela,
Campos Juan A.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/ppl.13301
Subject(s) - homeostasis , copper , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry
Biscutella auriculata L. is a plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family and it has been found growing in a metal‐contaminated area of the San Quíntín mine (Ciudad Real, Spain). The purpose of this work was to evaluate the mechanisms that allow this plant to tolerate high concentrations of copper. Seedlings were grown in a semi‐hydroponic system for 15 days under 125 μM of Cu (NO 3 ) 2 . Exposure to copper resulted in growth inhibition and reduction in the photosynthetic parameters. Copper was mainly accumulated in vascular tissue and vacuoles of the roots and only a minor proportion was transferred to the shoot. Biothiol analysis showed a greater enhancement of reduced glutathione in leaves and increases of phytochelatins (PC2 and PC3) in both leaves and roots. Copper treatment induced oxidative stress, which triggered a response of the enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms. The results show that B. auriculata is able to tolerate high metal levels through the activation of specific mechanisms to neutralize the oxidative stress produced and also by metal sequestration through phytochelatins. The preferential accumulation of copper in roots provides clues for further studies on the use of this plant for phytostabilization and environmental recovery purposes in Cu‐contaminated areas.