Root transcripts associated with arsenic accumulation in hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata

Abstract

Hyperaccumulation of arsenic (As) by brake fern Pteris vittata has been described as an important genetic trait that provides an option for development of a sustainable phytoremediation process for As mitigation. Accumulation of very high concentration of arsenic in above-ground tissues may be the result of arsenic vacuole compartmentalization, but the mechanism(s) of arsenic uptake and transport by underground tissues are largely unknown. In this study, we made an attempt towards understanding the molecular mechanism of As hyperaccumulation in this plant. A time-dependent As accumulation study indicates an exponential accumulation of As from 7 to 30 days of arsenic exposure in fronds, and day 3-7 in roots. Root transcriptome analysis identified 554,973 transcripts. Further, subsets of 824 transcripts were differentially expressed between treated and control samples. Many of the genes of critical As-stress response, transcription factors and metal transporters, biosynthesis of chelating compounds involved in uptake and accumulation mechanisms were identified. The genes that were highly expressed such as cysteine-rich RLK, and ABC transporter G family member 26 needs further studies along with arsenite transmembrane transporter. The analysis of generated transcriptome dataset has provided valuable information and platform for further functional studies.

The influence of environmental condition on the creation of organic compounds in Pinus sylvestris L. rhizosphere, roots and needles

“…The phenomenon of rhizodesposition has been shown to be a plant defence mechanism against metal toxicity (Miyasaka et al 1991;Ryan et al 2001;Pinto et al 2008) and ALMOWAs obtained in roots could be the main molecules for decreasing metal toxicity in P. sylvestris roots (Magdziak et al 2019). Moreover, the higher content of ALM-WOAs obtained in pine roots may indicate possibilities of compartmentation of metals by the studied ALMWOAs in roots and their probable role as ligands, confirming previous research (Magdziak et al 2017(Magdziak et al , 2019Potdukhe et al 2018). However, it should also be noted that concentration of ALMWOAs in the rhizosphere as well as in roots is strictly correlated, hence it may be simultaneously assumed that their ability to tolerate metal is also correlated.…”

Water and soil contaminated by arsenic: the use of microorganisms and plants in bioremediation

“…Arsenic transporters are identified in P. vittata : a MIP (major intrinsic protein), PvTIP4;1, is mediating As(III) inflow into cells, whereas PvACR3 and PvACR3;1 intervene As(III) efflux into vacuoles (Yang et al 2018 ). 824 transcripts are differentially expressed in As-stressed P. vittata ferns (Potdukhe et al 2018 ). These genes are transcription factors and metal transporters, or are involved in chelator biosynthesis in line with absorption and accumulation mechanisms: e.g.…”

From genes to ecosystems: Decoding plant tolerance mechanisms to arsenic stress

“…Another type of As transporter belongs to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, specifically the ABCC subfamily. The ABCC1 gene exhibits high expression in roots when exposed to As [ 53 ]. Phytochelatins and glutathione form complexes with As for subsequent sequestration in vacuoles through these transporters [ 49 ].…”