Juraci Alves de Oliveira

When Bad Guys Become Good Ones: The Key Role of Reactive Oxygen Species and Nitric Oxide in the Plant Responses to Abiotic Stress

The natural environment of plants is composed of a complex set of abiotic stresses and their ability to respond to these stresses is highly flexible and finely balanced through the interaction between signaling molecules. In this review, we highlight the integrated action between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), particularly nitric oxide (NO), involved in the acclimation to different abiotic stresses. Under stressful conditions, the biosynthesis transport and the metabolism of ROS and NO influence plant response mechanisms. The enzymes involved in ROS and NO synthesis and scavenging can be found in different cells compartments and their temporal and spatial locations are determinant for signaling mechanisms. Both ROS and NO are involved in long distances signaling (ROS wave and GSNO transport), promoting an acquired systemic acclimation to abiotic stresses. The mechanisms of abiotic stresses response triggered by ROS and NO involve some general steps, as the enhancement of antioxidant systems, but also stress-specific mechanisms, according to the stress type (drought, hypoxia, heavy metals, etc.), and demand the interaction with other signaling molecules, such as MAPK, plant hormones, and calcium. The transduction of ROS and NO bioactivity involves post-translational modifications of proteins, particularly S-glutathionylation for ROS, and S-nitrosylation for NO. These changes may alter the activity, stability, and interaction with other molecules or subcellular location of proteins, changing the entire cell dynamics and contributing to the maintenance of homeostasis. However, despite the recent advances about the roles of ROS and NO in signaling cascades, many challenges remain, and future studies focusing on the signaling of these molecules in planta are still necessary.

Cadmium-induced oxidative stress and antioxidative enzyme response in water hyacinth and salvinia

The reactive oxygen species generation, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzyme response of water hyacinth and salvinia to Cd were evaluated. Cadmium was absorbed/accumulated mainly in the roots, but significant amounts also translocated to the leaves. No Cd effect on dry weight was detected, although toxicity symptoms were visible. Superoxide and H2O2 concentrations increased, in addition to lipid peroxidation in both species, especially in the leaves of salvinia. In general, antioxidative enzyme activities were reduced in both species following Cd treatment, especially in salvinia. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX, EC 1.11.1.9) activity decreased in water hyacinth but increased in salvinia. Glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18) activity increased in the leaves but decreased in the roots of both species. So, Cd induced ROS generation/accumulation, but the antioxidative enzymes were not able to combat the Cd-induced oxidative injury in these two species. Nevertheless, water hyacinth consistently showed a higher tolerance to Cd than salvinia.

Mineral nutrition and enzymatic adaptation induced by arsenate and arsenite exposure in lettuce plants.

Arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)) contamination is able to interfere negatively on plant metabolism, promoting a reduction of nutrients uptake and transport and also an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. However, some plants are considered tolerant against As exposure through the activation of defense mechanisms. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different As(V) and As(III) concentrations (0.0, 6.6, 13.2, 26.4 and 52.8 μmol L(-1)), on mineral nutrients concentration [calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorous (P), iron (Fe), manganese (Mg) and copper (Cu)], on membrane lipid peroxidation and also on the enzymes belonging to the antioxidant defense system [superoxide dismutase (SOD), total peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)] of plants of Lactuca sativa L. cv Hanson. As(V) and As(III), showed, in general, the same toxic effects in leaves and roots with significant changes in essential macro- and micronutrients concentration. Lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes was also observed in tested plants, probably resulted from an action of ROS generated by this metalloid. The increase of ROS generation and their scavenge were evident since an increase of SOD, POX, CAT and APX activity in leaves, and SOD, CAT and GR activity in roots were observed. Therefore, As(V) and As(III) exposure resulted in toxic effects in leaves and roots of lettuce plants; however, this plant species was able to attenuate these potential As damages through the activation of defense mechanisms, keeping its metabolism. Arsenic-tolerant plants are considered a great risk to the public health since it results in As insertion to the food chain.

Anthocyanins, thiols, and antioxidant scavenging enzymes are involved in Lemna gibba tolerance to arsenic

The influence of arsenic (As) on the growth and the antioxidant system of Lemna gibba L. exposed to five concentrations of As (0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg L−1) was studied. Although As exposure reduced relative growth rate, L. gibba continued to grow even after the high accumulation of this element after five days of exposure. The concentration of the superoxide anion was unaffected by As, whereas an increase of hydrogen peroxide concentrations was observed with the increasing of As concentration. Increasing concentrations of As also increased the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and glutathione reductase and the total and nonprotein thiols, up to 0.5 mg L−1, whereas the anthocyanin content increased constantly with As concentration. Catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities as well as the content of chloroplastic pigments were reduced in plants exposed to all As concentrations. These results support a major role of anthocyanins, nonprotein thiols, and antioxidant scavenging enzymes in L. gibba tolerance to toxic As concentrations.

Histological alterations in gills of Astyanax aff. bimaculatus caused by acute exposition to zinc.

Increasing contamination of aquatic ecosystems by metals has caused various morphological, physiological and biochemical changes in aquatic organisms, and the gills of fish are recognized as indicators of environmental quality. In this context, the present work proposed to study the effects of different concentrations of zinc (Zn) in the histology of gills of yellow tail lambari (Astyanax aff. bimaculatus) after acute exposure. Seventy-two adult males of A. aff. bimaculatus were used, the treatments were six concentrations of Zn: 0; 3; 5; 10; 15; and 20 mg/L of water, by 96 h, and gills, muscle and bone fragments were removed. Fragments of gills were fixed and included, sectioned in a rotary microtome and stained with toluidin blue. Fragments of bone, muscle and gills were dehydrated and digested to quantify the absorption of Zn. The median lethal concentration (LC(50)) 96 h after Zn acute exposure was 10 mg/L of water. Noteworthy, Zn was highly toxic in acute exposure trials starting at the concentration 5 mg/L. The exposure of fish to the metal caused branchial histopathological changes correlated with increasing concentration, caused the death of fish at concentrations of 10, 15 and 20 mg/L. The histological alterations observed in the gills were hyperplasia, lamellar fusion, aneurysm, destruction of the lamellar epithelium, rupture of membrane, deletion of secondary lamellar high, which presented more severity in treatments exposed to the highest concentrations. In conclusion, gills of A. aff. bimaculatus presented profound histological alterations as a result of Zn exposure, and hence, proved to be excellent indicators of environmental contamination.

Long-lasting morphofunctional remodelling of liver parenchyma and stroma after a single exposure to low and moderate doses of cadmium in rats

Frequent exposure to cadmium (Cd) in low doses is common; however, the long‐lasting effects of this exposure are still poorly understood. Therefore in this study we have evaluated long‐lasting hepatic morphofunctional adaptations in rats exposed to low and moderate doses of Cd. Five experimental groups were tested: control (0.9% saline) and other four receiving single intraperitoneal doses of 0.67, 0.74, 0.86 and 1.1 mg of Cd/kg. The animals were killed after eight weeks and the following parameters were analysed: biometrics, oedema, Cd bio‐accumulation, collagen, glycogen, lipid droplets, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), serum transaminases, liver histopathology and stereology. In all groups exposed to Cd there was significant increase in SOD and CAT activities, ALP levels, proportion of binucleated hepatocytes, nuclei/cytoplasm ratio, macrophages (Kupffer cells) and collagen fibres. In these groups, glycogen accumulation by hepatocytes and the proportion of sinusoidal capillaries were significantly reduced compared with controls. The liver somatic index was increased, and liver oedema was evident in animals exposed to higher dose of Cd. Areas of necrosis were found in animals exposed to the three highest doses. These results indicate that Cd is an extremely toxic bioactive heavy metal, which even at low doses is able to disrupt liver homeostasis. At low and moderate doses, Cd exposure induces morphofunctional pathological remodelling of the hepatic stroma and parenchyma, which remain active after eight weeks. In response to injury, the liver tissue triggers a reactive process by enhancing activation of antioxidant enzymes and collagenogenesis.

Efeito do alumínio na absorção e na utilização de macronutrientes em duas cultivares de arroz

Resumo ‐ Para avaliar o efeito do Al na absorcao e na utilizacao de alguns macronutrientes, as cultivares de arroz Fernandes e Maravilha, respectivamente, tolerante e sensivel a esse metal, foram expostas ao Al, em solucao nutritiva, durante 20 dias, quando determinaram-se os teores, a absorcao liquida e a eficiencia de utilizacao de P, K, Ca e magnesio. A absorcao liquida e os teores desses macronutrientes na presenca de Al decresceram na parte aerea e nas raizes das duas cultivares, especialmente na concentracao mais elevada de Al e na cultivar sensivel. Os macronutrientes que tiveram os teores mais reduzidos pelo Al nas raizes foram K>Mg>P e Ca>Mg=K>P e na parte aerea, Mg>Ca>P e Mg>Ca>P>K, nas cultivares tolerante e sensivel, respectivamente. Os macronutrientes que tiveram a absorcao mais reduzida pelo Al foram Mg>Ca>P>K, nas duas cultivares. Na presenca de Al, a cultivar tolerante apresentou eficiencia de utilizacao mais elevada de todos os macronutrientes. Os indices de utilizacao de P, Ca e Mg aumentaram na cultivar tolerante, mas decresceram em termos de P e K, aumentando apenas para Mg, na cultivar sensivel. A tolerância diferencial dessas cultivares de arroz ao Al resulta, provavelmente, de suas diferencas em absorver, manter concentracoes adequadas e utilizar com maior eficiencia esses macronutrientes, principalmente Mg, Ca e fosforo. Termos para indexacao: Oryza sativa, nutrientes minerais, absorcao de nutriente, toxicidade, tolerância. Aluminum effects on the uptake and utilization of macronutrients in two rice cultivars

Impact of iron toxicity on oxidative metabolism in young Eugenia uniflora L. plants

In excess, iron can induce the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative stress. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of toxic concentrations of iron (Fe) on the antioxidative metabolism of young Eugenia uniflora plants. Forty-five-day-old plants grown in Hoagland nutrient solution, pH 5.0, were treated with three Fe concentrations, in the form of FeEDTA, during three periods of time. At the end of the treatment, the plants were harvested and relative growth rate, iron content, lipid peroxidation and enzymes and metabolites of the antioxidative metabolism were determined. Iron-treated plants showed higher iron contents, reduced relative growth rates and iron toxicity symptoms in both leaves and roots. There was an increase in lipid peroxidation with increasing Fe, only in the leaves. The enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) increased with increasing Fe concentration and treatment exposure time. The activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) also increased with increasing Fe concentration but decreased with increasing treatment exposure time. Glutathione peroxidase activity (GPX) decreased with increasing Fe concentration and exposure time. The ascorbate (AA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents and the AA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios, in general, increased with increasing Fe concentration and treatment exposure time. The results indicate that under toxic levels of Fe, young E. uniflora plants suffer increased oxidative stress, which is ameliorated through changes in the activities of antioxidative enzymes and in the contents of the antioxidants AA and GSH.

Evaluation of the potential of Pistia stratiotes L. (water lettuce) for bioindication and phytoremediation of aquatic environments contaminated with arsenic

Specimens of Pistia stratiotes were subjected to five concentrations of arsenic (As) for seven days. Growth, As absorption, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic activities, amino acids content and anatomical changes were assessed. Plant arsenic accumulation increased with increasing metalloid in the solution, while growth rate and photosynthetic pigment content decreased. The MDA content increased, indicating oxidative stress. Enzymatic activity and amino acids content increased at the lower doses of As, subsequently declining in the higher concentrations. Chlorosis and necrosis were observed in the leaves. Leaves showed starch accumulation and increased thickness of the mesophyll. In the root system, there was a loss and darkening of roots. Cell layers formed at the insertion points on the root stems may have been responsible for the loss of roots. These results indicate that water lettuce shows potential for bioindication and phytoremediation of As-contaminated aquatic environments.

Corrigendum: The Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Integration of Plant Physiological and Ultrastructural Adjustments in Response to Arsenic

High arsenic (As) concentrations are toxic to all the living organisms and the cellular response to this metalloid requires the involvement of cell signaling agents, such as nitric oxide (NO). The As toxicity and NO signaling were analyzed in Pistia stratiotes leaves. Plants were exposed to four treatments, for 24 h: control; SNP [sodium nitroprusside (NO donor); 0.1 mg L-1]; As (1.5 mg L-1) and As + SNP (1.5 and 0.1 mg L-1, respectively). The absorption of As increased the concentration of reactive oxygen species and triggered changes in the primary metabolism of the plants. While photosynthesis and photorespiration showed sharp decrease, the respiration process increased, probably due to chemical similarity between arsenate and phosphate, which compromised the energy status of the cell. These harmful effects were reflected in the cellular structure of P. stratiotes, leading to the disruption of the cells and a possible programmed cell death. The damages were attenuated by NO, which was able to integrate central plant physiological processes, with increases in non-photochemical quenching and respiration rates, while the photorespiration level decreased. The increase in respiratory rates was essential to achieve cellular homeostasis by the generation of carbon skeletons and metabolic energy to support processes involved in responses to stress, as well to maintaining the structure of organelles and prevent cell death. Overall, our results provide an integrated view of plant metabolism in response to As, focusing on the central role of NO as a signaling agent able to change the whole plant physiology.