Transcriptomics: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Effects of Cr, Cd, and Pb on Ultrastructure, GSH and Free Cysteine in Typha angustifolia

Bah Alieu Mohamed and Dai Huaxin

Pot experiments were conducted to study the potential of T. angustifolia plants for Cr, Cd and Pb toxicity on the ultrastructure, Reduced Glutathione (GSH) and Free Cysteine on T. angustifolia (Narrow Cattail) after 30 d exposure of 1 mM Cr, Cd or Pb. Cr, Cd and Pb toxicity stress distort the ultrastructure and the treated seedlings showed that the vacuoles were expanded and endoplasmic membrane appeared to be rough. The levels of chloroplast in the plant cell were visible and prominent, yet the heavy metal stress caused an imbalance. The levels of free cysteine and GSH in shoots were significantly decreased in content especially in Cr-treatment and Cd-treatment, except for Pb which showed marked increase of free cysteine compared to the control. Meanwhile, no PCs were detected in the shoots of T. angustifolia exposed to Cr, Cd and Pb-treatments during analysis.