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  • Title: Phytochelatin formation kinetics and toxic effects in the freshwater alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii upon short- and long-term exposure to lead(II).
    Author: Scheidegger C, Behra R, Sigg L.
    Journal: Aquat Toxicol; 2011 Jan 25; 101(2):423-9. PubMed ID: 21216353.
    Abstract:
    Phytochelatins (PC) are metal-binding ligands synthesized by algae in response to elevated concentrations of various metals, such as Pb. Kinetics of PC synthesis and Pb accumulation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were investigated as a function of [Pb(2+)]=10(-11)-10(-7)M (pPb11-pPb7.1) in the exposure medium for up to 6h. The role of PC in Pb detoxification was explored by relating PC synthesis to the effects of Pb on growth and photosynthetic yield upon exposure to pPb9 and pPb8.3 for up to 72h. Pb accumulation increased with increasing [Pb(2+)], reaching a maximum concentration of 596±77amol/cell (intracellular concentration 2.98mM) at pPb7.1. Low concentrations of PC(2)-PC(4) were present in C. reinhardtii grown in control media without Pb addition. Upon short-term exposure, PC(2) and PC(3) synthesis was induced within minutes at [Pb(2+)]≥pPb8 and PC(4) synthesis after a lag phase at pPb7.1. Cellular PC(2)-PC(4) concentrations increased with time over 6h and with increasing [Pb(2+)]. PC concentrations after 6h exposure to pPb7.1 were 28.5±0.2amol/cell (142μM) PC(2), 2.8±0.05amol/cell (14μM) PC(3) and 0.30±0.01amol/cell (1.5μM) PC(4). Upon long-term exposure, induction of PC synthesis was detected at pPb9 and synthesis of PCs with a higher degree of polymerization was observed (PC(5)). PC concentrations were lower than intracellular Pb and were thus not present at sufficiently high concentrations to immobilize accumulated Pb. Inhibition of photosynthesis and growth up to 100% was observed upon long-term exposure, whereas in short-term experiments no inhibitory effects were detected.
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