Enhanced phytoremediation of volatile environmental pollutants with transgenic trees

Abstract

Small, volatile hydrocarbons, including trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, and chloroform, are common environmental pollutants that pose serious health effects. We have developed transgenic poplar (Populus tremula ؋ Populus alba) plants with greatly increased rates of metabolism and removal of these pollutants through the overexpression of cytochrome P450 2E1, a key enzyme in the metabolism of a variety of halogenated compounds. The transgenic poplar plants exhibited increased removal rates of these pollutants from hydroponic solution. When the plants were exposed to gaseous trichloroethylene, chloroform, and benzene, they also demonstrated superior removal of the pollutants from the air. In view of their large size and extensive root systems, these transgenic poplars may provide the means to effectively remediate sites contaminated with a variety of pollutants at much faster rates and at lower costs than can be achieved with current conventional techniques.CYP2E1 ͉ P450 ͉ poplar ͉ trichloroethylene ͉ carbon tetrachloride

Effect of Genetically Modified Poplars on Soil Microbial Communities during the Phytoremediation of Waste Mine Tailings

“…However, slow rates of removal and incomplete metabolism have restricted the application of phytoremediation in the field (66). Thus, genetically engineered plants that exhibit enhanced performance with respect to the metabolism of toxic compounds have been developed by the overexpression and/or introduction of genes from other organisms (15,21). In particular, transgenic poplars with enhanced uptake and metabolism of heavy metals have been developed (1,5,15,58).…”

“…Thus, genetically engineered plants that exhibit enhanced performance with respect to the metabolism of toxic compounds have been developed by the overexpression and/or introduction of genes from other organisms (15,21). In particular, transgenic poplars with enhanced uptake and metabolism of heavy metals have been developed (1,5,15,58). In general, the genus Populus is an effective phytoremediator because of its rapid growth rates (3 to 5 m/year); moreover, it produces a large biomass within a short period of time of around 5 to 8 years (63,71).…”

Isolation of the detoxification enzyme EgP450 from an oil palm EST library

“…Simultaneously the expression of the human CYP2E1 and glutathione S-transferase in transgenic alfalfa increased the capabilities of alfalfa to become resistant to a mixed contamination by heavy metal-organic compounds (Zhang & Liu, 2011). Transgenic poplar (Populus tremula × Populus alba) plants were developed to metabolize and remove pollutants from the air at a fast rate and at a low cost through the overexpression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (Doty et al, 2007). Producing transgenic plants and associated genetically modified bacteria is another promising technology that could produce broader and more efficient applications for the treatment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by phytoremediation (Aken et al, 2010).…”

Genomics, Domestication, and Evolution of Forest Trees

“…Trees are desirable for bioremediation with the added advantage of carbon sequestration. Recently, transgenic poplar plants expressing a cytochrome P450 were shown to increase metabolism and remove halogenated hydrocarbons from hydroponic solution (Doty et al 2007). …”