Chronic environmental pollution alters adenylate levels in needles and fine roots of Scots pine

Abstract

Contents of ATP, ADP, AMP, inorganic phosphate, and values of ATP/ADP ratio, adenylate energy charge (AEC), phosphorylation potential (PP) and adenylate kinase activity were analysed in needles and fine roots of Scots pine trees grown at the polluted and control (free of acute air pollution) site. Also chemical properties of the soil and mineral elements in needles from both sites were analysed. In comparison with the control, developing needles from the polluted site contained less ATP, the same amount of ADP and more AMP, and had lower values of ATP/ADP, AEC and PP. In one-year-old needles from the polluted site no change or a decrease in ATP was recorded, while ADP decreased, AMP increased, AEC did not change, and ATP/ADP ratio and PP were higher. In fine roots from the polluted site AMP level, was higher, while ATP, ADP, ATP/ADP ratio, PP and AEC were lower than in the control.