Selenium nanoparticles ameliorate Brassica napus L. cadmium toxicity by inhibiting the respiratory burst and scavenging reactive oxygen species

Wen-Yu Qi; Qiang Li; Hui Chen; Jun Liu; Su-Fang Xing; Meng Xu; Zhen Yan; Chao Song; Shu-Guang Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125900

Selenium nanoparticles ameliorate Brassica napus L. cadmium toxicity by inhibiting the respiratory burst and scavenging reactive oxygen species

J Hazard Mater. 2021 Sep 5:417:125900. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125900. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Authors

Wen-Yu Qi¹, Qiang Li², Hui Chen¹, Jun Liu¹, Su-Fang Xing¹, Meng Xu³, Zhen Yan¹, Chao Song¹, Shu-Guang Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
² College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi 276002, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
³ College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi 276002, China.
⁴ Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China. Electronic address: wsg@sdu.edu.cn.

PMID: 33975164
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125900

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a widely distributed soil contaminant which induces oxidative damage and is therefore toxic to plants. Although selenium oxyanions such as selenite (SeO₃^2-) and selenate (SeO₄^2-) can alleviate Cd stress to plants, it is not known whether selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are able to do the same. The present study demonstrated the positive impact of both SeNPs and SeO₃^2- on Brassica napus L. growth under conditions of Cd stress. Underlying mechanisms were elucidated using an oxidative stress detection assay, whole-genome RNA sequencing, and RT-qPCR. Application of selenium, especially in the form of SeNPs, decreased Cd-induced reactive oxygen species production by inhibiting the expression of NADPH oxidases (BnaRBOHC, BnaRBOHD1, and BnaRBOHF1) and glycolate oxidase (BnaGLO), thereby decreasing oxidative protein and membrane lipid damage. In addition, SeNPs improved resistance to Cd stress by decreasing Cd accumulation, maintaining intracellular calcium homeostasis, promoting disulfide bond formation, and restoring the waxy outer layer of the leaf surface. Although both forms of selenium decreased Cd toxicity, the beneficial concentration range was more extensive for SeNPs than for SeO₃^2-.

Keywords: Cd stress; Oxidative stress; RNA-seq; SeNPs; Selenite.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Brassica napus* / genetics
Cadmium / toxicity
Nanoparticles* / toxicity
Reactive Oxygen Species
Respiratory Burst
Selenium* / pharmacology

Substances

Reactive Oxygen Species
Cadmium
Selenium