Efeitos do chumbo em cultivares de Vigna unguiculata L. Walp: abordagem bioquímica, fisiológica e molecular

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is one of the most toxic anthropogenic pollutants of widespread occurrence in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The phytotoxicity of lead is a complex phenomenon that involves changes in development as well as in physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms according to different plant survival strategies. It is well known that heavy metals accelerate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can lead to changes in the concentration of antioxidant enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pb on growth, physiology, absorption and translocation of Pb, activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in "Sempre Verde" (SV) and "Setentão" (SET), Vigna unguiculata cultivars. The seeds were germinated in vermiculite and, after seven days, the seedlings were transferred to Hoagland solution. After seven days in a hydroponic system the plants were supplemented with EDTA-Pb 0.5 mM. Physiological parameters were measured using an infrared gas analyzer. The Pb content in roots and shoots was measured by ICP OES. The activities of catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) was determined. The expression of the CAT gene (VuCAT 1 and 2), the APX (VuAPX 1 to 6) and SOD (VuSOD Cu / Zn 1 to 3, VuSODMn1, VuSODCu / chap1, VuSODFe 1 to 3) was evaluated by RT- qPCR using specific primers. Total RNA was extracted from the roots and leaves of control plants and treated. The results showed that the leaf areas were reduced by 60 (SV) and 88% (SET). The inhibition of net photosynthesis was 40 (SV) and 72% (SET). The cultivars showed differences in the accumulation and distribution of Pb, as well as in enzyme activity. SV had more Pb in roots than in leaves unlike SET that accumulates more Pb in leaves than in roots. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes CAT, APX and SOD was enhanced in SET, regardless of the tissue. In SV roots, on the other hand, the CAT activity was not modified whereas in SV leaves the SOD activity underwent an inhibition. All the remaining antioxidant activities in SV were stimulated. The CAT 1 and 2 genes were differently expressed in leaves and roots of SV and SET. The relative expression of the APX multigene family in leaves and roots in these cultivars was partially distinct. Likewise genes SOD in leaves showed a partially distinct profile in the two cultivars. Rather, the relative expression of SOD genes in the roots and SV SET is completely different. Taken together, the two Vigna unguiculata cultivars showed a different behavior towards tolerance, accumulation and detoxification of Pb. These results suggest that Pb induces oxidative stress in SV and SET cultivars and that the high activity of antioxidant enzymes could serve as an important component of defense against the damage caused by Pb, and SV more tolerant to stress than SET.