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Metal-induced oxidative stress in terrestrial macrolichens
Jozef Kováčik1, Sławomir Dresler2, Viera Peterková1
1Department of Biology, University of Trnava, Priemyselná 4, 918 43 Trnava, Slovak Republic.
Chemosphere
|April 9, 2018
Summary
Lichens Cladonia arbuscula and Cladonia furcata show distinct short-term responses to excess copper and chromium. Both metals increase oxidative stress, but copper has a more severe impact on lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Plant Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Lichens are sensitive bioindicators of environmental pollution.
- Heavy metal contamination poses a significant threat to lichen health and ecosystem function.
- Understanding metal-induced stress responses in lichens is crucial for ecological risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the short-term physiological and biochemical responses of two lichen species, Cladonia arbuscula and Cladonia furcata, to excess copper (CuII) and chromium (CrIII).
- To investigate the impact of these metals on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, nitric oxide (NO) signaling, and antioxidant metabolism.
- To elucidate the differential mechanisms of metal detoxification and oxidative stress mitigation in lichens.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of C. arbuscula and C. furcata to CuII and CrIII at concentrations of 10 and 100 μM for 24 hours.
- Quantification of metal accumulation, potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) content.
- Measurement of ROS, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide (NO), and lipid peroxidation using fluorescence microscopy and specific staining reagents.
- Analysis of key antioxidant metabolites, including glutathione (GSH), phytochelatin 2 (PC2), and ascorbic acid.
- Experiment using buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) to inhibit GSH biosynthesis.
Main Results:
- Both species accumulated Cu and Cr, with higher accumulation at elevated metal doses.
- Both metals induced ROS formation and depleted NO, with Cu exhibiting a more pronounced effect on lipid peroxidation.
- Copper significantly depleted glutathione (GSH) and stimulated phytochelatin 2 (PC2), while ascorbic acid was depleted.
- Chromium stimulated ascorbic acid accumulation.
- Inhibition of GSH biosynthesis exacerbated ROS levels and NO depletion under metal stress.
Conclusions:
- Copper and chromium induce distinct oxidative stress responses and metabolic alterations in lichens.
- Lichens employ different strategies for metal detoxification and ROS scavenging, involving thiols, NO, and antioxidant metabolites.
- Short-term exposure to heavy metals significantly impacts lichen physiology, highlighting their sensitivity to metallic stress.
- The interplay between thiols, NO, and ROS generation is critical in metallic stress response pathways within lichens.
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