Project R-2256

The role of Glutathione and Ascorbate in the regulation of superoxide dismutase after Cadmium and Copper stress in Arabidopsis thaliana (Research)

Industrial and agricultural developments have led to the current, worldwide metal pollution. Plants accumulate metals, causing a serious threat to the food chain and consequently also for the health of humans, animals and plants. Therefore it is important to estimate the impact of the existing historical pollution in the environment and to diminish metal exposure. An important part of the cell metabolism is the cellular redox state, a balance between pro- and antioxidants that is disturbed by external stress factors like metals. Reactive oxygen species are important components of the pro-oxidants as the antioxidative defence system consists of enzymes like superoxide dismutases and metabolites such as glutathione and ascorbate. The regulating pathway of superoxide dismutase in cadmium and copper stress has significant gaps that need clarification. Additionally, my master thesis indicated an interaction between antioxidative enzymes and metabolites. Research in a multipollution context is also very important because metal pollution is usually caused by several metals. However, knowledge is very limited. This research aims to use glutathione and ascorbate as a measure in quality and preservability of food and as a complementary parameter to determine the plant fitness after a short exposure with a predictive value for the potential biomass production in the long term. Therefore Arabidopsis thaliana will be exposed to cadmium and copper. This project aims to complete the knowledge about the regulation of superoxide dismutase after cadmium and copper stress and to gain insight in the role of the essential metabolites, glutathione and ascorbate, in this regulation.

01 January 2010 - 30 September 2014