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Effect of Heavy Metal Cadmium on Cell Proliferation and Chromosomal Integrity in Allium cepa

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Abstract

Cadmium (Cd), one of the most toxic heavy metals, seriously impairs plant and animal physiology and is a potent mutagen. Effect of a cadmium salt on chromosome integrity was studied for increasing concentrations and for different exposure time in root tips of onion A. cepa. Cd had cytostatic effect in higher concentration (100 µM). It showed chromosome damage, which was most pronounced at 100 µM after 24 h. of exposure. Abnormal chromosome separation was also observed. It can be concluded that Cd can inhibit cell proliferation in higher concentration irrespective of exposure time. And it can introduce chromosomal damage in A. cepa even within 2 h. of exposure.

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Acknowledgements

The work was financially supported by Dr. TMA Pai University Research Fund, Sikkim Manipal University, 2018-19 to SJ. We are grateful to the Head, Department of Horticulture, Sikkim University, Head and members of Department of Microbiology, and Department of Biochemistry, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences for providing necessary laboratory facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Biotechnology, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim, 737102, India

    Sweta Jaiswal & Arundhati Bag

  2. Department of Physiology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim, 737102, India

    Rubi Dey

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  1. Sweta Jaiswal
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  2. Rubi Dey
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  3. Arundhati Bag
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Correspondence to Arundhati Bag.

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Significant Statement

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal which can result in DNA damage and can also inhibit cell division. Our findings show that cadmium can inhibit cell proliferation in higher concentration irrespective of exposure duration. And it is able to introduce chromosomal damage in a plant model Allium cepa even within 2 h. of exposure.

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Jaiswal, S., Dey, R. & Bag, A. Effect of Heavy Metal Cadmium on Cell Proliferation and Chromosomal Integrity in Allium cepa. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. 45, 35–37 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-021-01072-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-021-01072-9

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