Cross-adaptation to cadmium stress in Plantago ovata by pre-exposure to low dose of gamma rays: Effects on metallothionein and metal content. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghoshal, Nirmalya; Talapatra, Shonima; Talukder, Pratik; Sengupta, Mandar; Ray, Suman Kumar; Chakraborty, Anindita; Raychaudhuri, Sarmistha Sen
• Is Part Of: International journal of radiation biology. Volume 91:Number 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 611
• Page End: 623
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Radiation -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Radiobiology -- Periodicals; 571.45
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-3002

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Purpose</italic>: To investigate the effects of gamma pre-exposure on cadmium accumulation in <italic>Plantago ovata</italic> seedlings. Metallothionein (MT) localization was also studied following Cadmium (Cd) treatment in <italic>P. ovata</italic>.</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods</italic>: DNA damage was determined by alkaline comet assay. MT gene and protein expression were studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry, respectively, in root and shoot tissues. Metal accumulation (Cd, zinc [Zn], iron [Fe]) was evaluated by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Cd treatment decreased seed germination rate, biomass and free radical scavenging activity and increased DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner. When <italic>P. ovata</italic> seeds were pre- exposed to 5 Gy gamma dose (prior to Cd treatment) seed germination rate, biomass and free radical scavenging activity increased significantly. <italic>MT</italic> genes (<italic>PoMT1, PoMT2</italic> and <italic>PoMT3</italic>) and MT protein expression enhanced when 5 Gy gamma-irradiated seeds were grown in Cd containing medium and Cd accumulation also increased in a dose-dependent manner.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Higher Cd accumulation in <italic>P. ovata</italic> seedlings may be attributed to the upregulation of <italic>PoMT</italic> genes in gamma pretreated seedlings. Localization of metallothionein in cytosol and nucleus indicated its positive role against Cd-mediated cytotoxic and genotoxic effects.</p> </abstract>