Cadmium stress responses in Brassica juncea: hints from proteomics and metabolomics

J Proteome Res. 2013 Nov 1;12(11):4979-97. doi: 10.1021/pr400793e. Epub 2013 Oct 8.

Abstract

Among heavy metal stressors, cadmium (Cd) pollution is one leading threat to the environment. In this view, research efforts have been increasingly put forward to promote the individuation of phytoextractor plants that are capable of accumulating and withstanding the toxic metals, including Cd, in the aerial parts. We hereby adopted the hyperaccumulator B. juncea (Indian mustard) as a model to investigate plant responses to Cd stress at low (25 μM) and high (100 μM) doses. Analytical strategies included mass-spectrometry-based determination of Cd and the assessment of its effect on the leaf proteome and metabolome. Results were thus integrated with routine physiological data. Taken together, physiology results highlighted the deregulation of photosynthesis efficiency, ATP synthesis, reduced transpiration, and the impairment of light-independent carbon fixation reactions. These results were supported at the proteomics level by the observed Cd-dependent alteration of photosystem components and the alteration of metabolic enzymes, including ATP synthase subunits, carbonic anhydrase, and enzymes involved in antioxidant responses (especially glutathione and phytochelatin homeostasis) and the Calvin cycle. Metabolomics results confirmed the alterations of energy-generating metabolic pathways, sulfur-compound metabolism (GSH and PCs), and Calvin cycle. Besides, metabolomics results highlighted the up-regulation of phosphoglycolate, a byproduct of the photorespiration metabolism. This was suggestive of the likely increased photorespiration rate as a means to cope with Cd-induced unbalance in stomatal conductance and deregulation of CO2 homeostasis, which would, in turn, promote CO2 depletion and O2 (and thus oxidative stress) accumulation under prolonged photosynthesis in the leaves from plants exposed to high doses of CdCl2. Overall, it emerges that Cd-stressed B. juncea might rely on photorespiration, an adaptation that would prevent the over-reduction of the photosynthetic electron transport chain and photoinhibition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / biosynthesis
  • Cadmium / pharmacokinetics
  • Cadmium / toxicity*
  • Carbon Dioxide / metabolism
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Environmental Pollutants / pharmacokinetics
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Metabolomics
  • Mustard Plant / drug effects*
  • Mustard Plant / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Photosynthesis / drug effects*
  • Photosynthesis / physiology
  • Plant Transpiration / drug effects*
  • Plant Transpiration / physiology
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Stress, Physiological / genetics
  • Stress, Physiological / physiology*

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Cadmium
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Adenosine Triphosphate