Disulfide isomerase-like protein AtPDIL1-2 is a good candidate for trichlorophenol phytodetoxification

Sci Rep. 2017 Jan 6:7:40130. doi: 10.1038/srep40130.

Abstract

Trichlorophenol (TCP) is a widely used and persistent environmentally toxic compound that poses a carcinogenic risk to humans. Phytoremediation is a proficient cleanup technology for organic pollutants. In this study, we found that the disulfide isomerase-like protein AtPDIL1-2 in plants is a good candidate for enhancing 2,4,6-TCP phytoremediation. The expression of AtPDIL1-2 in Arabidopsis was induced by 2,4,6-TCP. The heterologously expressed AtPDIL1-2 in Escherichia coli exhibited both oxidase and isomerase activities as protein disulfide isomerase and improved bacteria tolerance to 2,4,6-TCP. Further research revealed that transgenic tobacco overexpressing AtPDIL1-2 was more tolerant to high concentrations of 2,4,6-TCP and removed the toxic compound at far greater rates than the control plants. To elucidate the mechanism of action of AtPDIL1-2, we investigated the chemical interaction of AtPDIL1-2 with 2,4,6-TCP for the first time. HPLC analysis implied that AtPDIL1-2 exerts a TCP-binding activity. A suitable configuration of AtPDIL1-2-TCP binding was obtained by molecular docking studies using the AutoDock program. It predicted that the TCP binding site is located in the b-b' domain of AtPDIL1-2 and that His254 of the protein is critical for the binding interaction. These findings imply that AtPDIL1-2 can be used for TCP detoxification by the way of overexpression in plants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Chlorophenols / chemistry
  • Chlorophenols / metabolism*
  • Chlorophenols / toxicity
  • Environmental Pollutants / chemistry
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity
  • Escherichia coli
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Nicotiana / drug effects
  • Nicotiana / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Protein Disulfide-Isomerases / chemistry
  • Protein Disulfide-Isomerases / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Stress, Physiological

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Chlorophenols
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Protein Disulfide-Isomerases
  • 2,4,6-trichlorophenol