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Biochemical Adaptations in Zea mays Roots to Short-Term Pb2+ Exposure: ROS Generation and Metabolism

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Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of lead (0, 16, 40 and 80 mg L−1 Pb2+) exposure for 3, 12 and 24 h on root biochemistry in hydroponically grown Zea mays (maize). Pb2+ exposure (80 mg L−1) enhanced malondialdehyde content (239 %–427 %), reactive carbonyl groups (425 %–512 %) and H2O2 (129 %–294 %) accumulation during 3–24 h of treatment, thereby indicating cellular peroxidation and oxidative damage. The quantitative estimations were in accordance with in situ detection of ROS generation (using 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate dye) and H2O2 accumulation. Pb2+ treatment significantly reduced ascorbate and glutathione content during 3–24 h of exposure. On the contrary, levels of non-protein thiols were enhanced by 3–11.8 time over control in response to 16–80 mg L−1 Pb2+ treatment, after 24 h. A dose-dependent induction in ascorbate peroxidase and lipoxygenase enzyme activity was observed in Z. mays roots. The activities of ascorbate-recycling enzymes (dehydroascorbate reductase and monodehydroascorbate reductase) were significantly increased in relation to concentration and duration of Pb2+ treatment. The study concludes that Pb2+-exposure induces ROS-mediated oxidative damage during early period of exposure despite the upregulation of enzymes of ascorbate–glutathione cycle.

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Acknowledgment

GK is thankful to University Grants Commission (New Delhi, India) for research fellowship.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

    Gurpreet Kaur & Harminder Pal Singh

  2. Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

    Shubhpreet Kaur, Daizy Rani Batish & Ravinder Kumar Kohli

  3. Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology, Chandigarh, India

    Valbha Rishi

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  1. Gurpreet Kaur
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  2. Shubhpreet Kaur
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  3. Harminder Pal Singh
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  4. Daizy Rani Batish
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Correspondence to Harminder Pal Singh.

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Kaur, G., Kaur, S., Singh, H.P. et al. Biochemical Adaptations in Zea mays Roots to Short-Term Pb2+ Exposure: ROS Generation and Metabolism. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 95, 246–253 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1564-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1564-y

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