Physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal sulfur is essential for cadmium detoxification and accumulation in poplar leaves
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ABSTRACT: Although poplars are good candidates for the phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-polluted soils and sulfur is a key player in modulating Cd detoxification and accumulation in plants, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying sulfur-mediated Cd accumulation remain largely unknown. To investigate physiological and transcriptomic regulation mechanisms of poplars in response to Cd exposure and different sulphate (S) supply levels, Populus deltoides saplings were exposed to either 0 or 50 µM Cd together with one of low, moderate and high S levels. Cd was accumulated in the leaves of Cd-exposed poplars under moderate S condition, and its accumulation is inhibited by low S but tended to increase by high S. Sulfur nutrition became deficient in Cd-treated leaves, and it was aggravated by low S but improved by high S. Concentrations of cysteine and glutathione were increased in Cd-treated leaves, and the Cd-induced increases were limited by low S but stimulated by high S. In line with the physiological changes, a number of mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in Cd accumulation and sulfur assimilation were identified and the miRNAs-mRNAs networks were dissected. In the networks, miR395 and miR399 members were identified as hub miRNAs and their targets were ATP sulfurylase 3 (ATPS3), and phosphate 2 (PHO2) and beta galactosidase 1 (BGAL1), respectively. These results suggest that Cd-induced changes in Cd accumulation and sulfur assimilation are exacerbated by low S but alleviated by high S supply, and that miRNAs-mRNAs regulatory networks play pivotal roles in sulfur-mediated Cd detoxification and accumulation in poplars.
ORGANISM(S): Populus deltoides
PROVIDER: GSE142565 | GEO | 2021/05/31
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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