Phytochelatin induction, cadmium accumulation, and algal sensitivity to free cadmium ion in Scenedesmus vacuolatus (original) (raw)

2005, Environmental toxicology and chemistry / SETAC

Phytochelatins are small, intracellular, metal-binding polypeptides produced by algae on exposure to increased metal concentration in their environment. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between phytochelatin concentration, bioaccumulated metal, and sensitivity of algal growth on cadmium exposure. For that purpose, intracellular cadmium concentration and thiol (glutathione, gamma-glutamylcysteine [gammaGluCys], and phytochelatins [PCn]) content were determined in the freshwater green alga Scenedesmus vacuolatus exposed to growth-inhibitory and noninhibitory concentrations of free Cd2+ in the range from 10(-14) to 10(-7) M. The algal growth rate was optimal up to a free Cd2+ concentration of 10(-9) M and then decreased by 40% at higher concentrations. The intracellular cadmium content increased sharply from 0.22 to 746 amol/cell over this free Cd2+ range. At the lowest Cd2+ concentration (control), glutathione was the only detectable thiol (127 amol/cell). ...

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