DETERMINATION OF ROLE OF GLUTATHIONE IN HEAVY METALS DETOXIFICATION IN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA

Abstract

In this study, wild type Arabidopsis Col-0 and a glutathione deficient mutant Cad2-1 were used
to study the effect of low levels of glutathione (GSH) towards heavy metals stress. Seeds of the
Cad2-1 mutant and Col-0 were plated on normal half strength Hoagland media for seven days.
Seven days after germination, the seedlings were subjected to low or high concentrations of
sodium arsenate (100 and 200 µM), copper sulfate (50 and 100 µM) and nickel chloride (70 and
100 µM) for five days. After 5 days of growth in a growth chamber maintained at 22 0C, the root
length of each seedling was measured. Both concentrations of sodium arsenate reduced the root
length of Cad2-1 significantly (P<0.05) as compared with Col-0. Neither concentrations of
copper sulfate had significant adverse effect on the root length of Cad2-1 as compared to Col-0.
On the other hand, 70 µM concentration of nickel chloride did not cause significant reduction in
the root length of Cad2-1 as compared to Col-0. However, at 100 µM concentration, nickel
chloride resulted in significant root length reduction of Cad2-1 as compared to Col-0.