Accumulation and ultrastructural distribution of copper in Elsholtzia splendens

Abstract： Copper accumulation and intracellular distribution in Elsholtzia splendens, a native Chinese Cu-tolerant and accumulating plant species, was investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and gradient centrifugation techniques.Copper concentrations in roots, stems and leaves of E. splendens increased with increasing Cu levels in solution. After exposure to 500 μmol/L Cu for 8 d, about 1000 mg/kg Cu were accumulated in the stem and 250 mg/kg Cu in the leaf of E. splendens. At 50μmol/L Cu, no significant toxicity was observed in the chloroplast and mitochondrion within its leaf cells, but separation appeared at the cytoplasm and the cell wall within the root cells. At ＞250 μmol/L Cu, both root and leaf organelles in E. splendens were damaged heavily by excessive Cu in vivo. Copper subcellular localization in the plant leaf after 8 days' exposure to 500 μmol/L Cu using gradient centrifugation techniques was found to be decreased in the order: chloroplast＞cell wall＞soluble fraction＞other organelles. The plant root cell wall was found to be the site of highest Cu localization. Increase of Cu exposure time from 8 d to 16d, increased slightly Cu concentration in cell wall fraction in roots and leaves, while that in the chloroplast fraction decreased in leaves of the plants grown in both 0.25 μmol/L and 500 μmol/L Cu. TEM confirmed that much more Cu localized in cell walls of E. splendens roots and leaves, but also more Cu localized in E. splendens' chloroplast when the plant is exposed to Cu levels＞250μmol/L, as compared to those in the plant grown in 0.25 μmol/L Cu. Copper treatment at levels＞250 μmol/L caused pronounced damage in the leaf chloroplast and root organelles. Copper localization in cell walls and chloroplasts could mainly account for the high detoxification of Cu in E. splendens. 作 者： PENG Hong-yun    YANG Xiao-e    TIAN Sheng-ke   作者單位： Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment, Remediation and Ecosystem Health, School of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China  期 刊： 浙江大學學報B（英文版）  SCI   Journal： JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY SCIENCE  年，卷(期)： 2005, 6B(5)  分類號： X53  Keywords： Cell wall    Chloroplast    Cu detoxification    Elsholtzia splendens    Ultrastructural distribution