Partners and International Organizations
(English)
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A, B, BG, DK, FIN, F, D, GR, H, IRL, I, LT, N, PL, P, SI, E, S, CH, GB
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Abstract
(English)
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Plants respond to heavy metal toxicity in a variety of different ways. Such responses include exclusion, chelation and compartmentalisation of the metal ions, and the expression of general stress responses. These mechanisms are intensively studied in annual plants, and several genes have been isolated whose products function in heavy metal detoxification. Very little is known about these mechanisms in forest trees, although heavy metals are regarded as a potential risk for forest health. The main goal of this project is to identify and isolate genes from poplar that are associated with the response to cadmium, and to evaluate the application of such genes as indicators for cadmium stress in forest stands. During the first project year, we studied the expression of 20 poplar genes that are expected to be involved in the response to cadmium based on knowledge from Arabidopsis thaliana. RT-PCR analyses indicated that distinct genes of phytochelatin biosynthesis and sulphur assimilation as well as members of the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter gene family are induced by cadmium. These genes will be further characterised by quantitative gene expression studies and functional analyses. Moreover, microarray analyses will be used to identify additional candidate genes.
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