Tritium influence on morphology, reactive oxygen species production and catalase gene expression in Pseudendoclonium basilense and Stigeoclonium nanum (Chlorophyta)

Abstract

The response of two strains of Pseudendoclonium basilense Vischer and Stigeoclonium nanum (Dillwyn) Kützing to ionizing radiation was studied under laboratory conditions. Both strains were isolated as epiphytic from stagnant water bodies under ambient levels of ionizing radiation and cultivated under laboratory conditions on a gradient of tritiated water diluted in liquid Bold´s basal medium. Exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation stimulated changes in cell dimensions and morphology of in both strains and catalase gene expression in Pseudendoclonium basilense. Moreover, the addition of tritiated water stimulated production of reactive oxygen species in Pseudendoclonium basilense which concentration decreased after increased gene expression of catalase.