The Role of Lignin in the Compartmentalization of Cadmium in Maize Roots Is Enhanced by Mycorrhiza

Abstract

In nature, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in the root systems of plants. They can help enhance the resistance of host plants by improving the compartmentalization of toxic metal contaminants in the cell walls (CWs). However, the functions and responses of various CW subfractions to mycorrhizal colonization under Cd exposure remain unknown. Here we conducted a study to investigate how Cd is stored in the cell walls of maize roots colonized by Funneliformis mosseae. Our findings indicate that inoculating the roots with AMF significantly lowers the amount of Cd in the maize shoots (63.6 ± 6.54 mg kg−1 vs. 45.3 ± 2.19 mg kg−1, p < 0.05) by retaining more Cd in the mycorrhized roots (224.0 ± 17.13 mg kg−1 vs. 289.5 ± 8.75 mg kg−1, p < 0.01). This reduces the adverse effects of excessive Cd on the maize plant. Additional research on the subcellular distribution of Cd showed that AMF colonization significantly improves the compartmentalization of 88.2% of Cd in the cell walls of maize roots, compared to the 80.8% of Cd associated with cell walls in the non-mycorrhizal controls. We observed that the presence of AMF did not increase the amount of Cd in pectin, a primary binding site for cell walls; however, it significantly enhanced the content of lignin and the proportion of Cd in the total root cell walls. This finding is consistent with the increased activity of lignin-related enzymes, such as PAL, 4CL, and laccase, which were also positively impacted by mycorrhizal colonization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results revealed that AMF increased the number and types of functional groups, including −OH/−NH and carboxylate, which chelate Cd in the lignin. Our research shows that AMF can improve the ability of maize plants to tolerate Cd by reducing the amount of Cd transferred from the roots to the shoots. This is achieved by increasing the amount of lignin in the cell walls, which binds with Cd and prevents it from moving through the plant. This is accomplished by activating enzymes related to lignin synthesis and increasing the exposure of Cd-binding functional groups of lignin. However, more direct evidence on the immobilization of Cd in the mycorrhiza-altered cell wall subfractions is needed.

Heavy Metal Contamination in Soil: Implications for Crop Resilience and Abiotic Stress Management

“…Another crucial defense mechanism in enhancing plant resistance to toxic metals/ metalloids is the compartmentalization of toxic metals/metalloids in cell walls. This mechanism protects cellular organelles and components, such as cell membranes, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and nuclei, from the harmful effects of toxic metals/metalloids [43].…”

Research progress of the detection and analysis methods of heavy metals in plants

“…After entering its roots, the HMs are primarily localized in the vacuoles and cell walls ( Cobbett, 2000 ; Yin et al., 2015 ). The cell wall is rich in pectin, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and polysaccharides ( Lao et al., 2023 ). These negatively charged biopolymers bind to HM ions; the enzymes associated with lignin biosynthesis promote cell wall synthesis and thickening, enriching HMs in the cell wall ( Keyster et al., 2020 ; Chen et al., 2022 ; Lao et al., 2023 ).…”

“…The cell wall is rich in pectin, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and polysaccharides ( Lao et al., 2023 ). These negatively charged biopolymers bind to HM ions; the enzymes associated with lignin biosynthesis promote cell wall synthesis and thickening, enriching HMs in the cell wall ( Keyster et al., 2020 ; Chen et al., 2022 ; Lao et al., 2023 ). HMs that traverse the cell wall are internalized into the vacuole through ATP-dependent transporters, where they accumulate by chelating with phytochelatins (PCs) ( Keyster et al., 2020 ; Khan et al., 2020 ).…”