Ultrastructural alterations and hsp 70 induction in elodea ca-nadensismichx. Exposed to heavy metals

Abstract

— The effects of the heavy metals lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) on the ultrastructure and the induction of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP 70) have been studied in Elodea canadensis Michx. As for the ultrastructural effects, sublethal concentrations of the metals caused alterations of the cell fine ultrastruc-ture. Lead and cadmium induced alterations: chloroplast were swollen with altered thylakoid organization, many cy-toplasmic vesicles appeared, cell wall organization changed. As for HSP, cadmium stress caused the most severe damages, inducing (and/or enhancing) proteins reacting vs HSP70 antibodies, suggesting that these molecular chaperones might be involved in the resistance to toxic effects of cadmium and lead in E. canadensis. Therefore, the induction of HSP 70 in E. canadensis would confer a higher resistance to pollutants under stressful conditions, lethal for other mosses and higher plant species. © 2007 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.