. Uptake of phytotoxic amounts of metal by higher plants or algae can result in inhibition of several enzymes, and in increase in activity (= induction) of others. Two mechanisms of enzyme inhibition predominate: (1) binding of the metal to sulphydryl groups, involved in the catalytic actionor structural integrity of enzymes, and (2) deficiency of an essential metal in metalloproteins or metal-protein complexes, eventually combined with substitution of the toxic metal for the deficient element. Metal accumulation in the cellular compartment of the enzyme is a prerequisite for enzyme inhibition in vivo. The induction of some enzymes is considered to play a significant role in the stress metabolism, induced by metal phytotoxicity. Peroxidase induction is likely to be related to oxidative reactions at the biomembrane; several enzymes of the intermediary metabolism might be stimulated to compensate for metal-sensitive photosynthetic reactions. The induction of enzymes and metal-specific changes in isoperoxidase pattern can be used as diagnostic criteria to evaluate the phytotoxicity of soils, contaminated by several metals. Lines for future research on metal phytotoxicity are proposed, involving the study of inhibition and induction of enzymes at the different cell membranes (especially the plasmamembrane) in vivo.

Effects of metals on enzyme activity in plants

Using the examples of cadmium and lead, the review considers the various toxic effects exerted by these heavy metals. Putative specific and nonspecific mechanisms of the toxic effects of the heavy metals and plant responses are discussed together with the issue of Cd and Pb accumulation in various plant organelles, cells, tissues, and organs. The basic mechanisms providing for plant resistance to excess Cd and Pb are elucidated. These data are used to schematically outline the changes in plant metabolism produced by these heavy metals.

Physiological Aspects of Cadmium and Lead Toxic Effects on Higher Plants

Cadmium toxicity and tolerance in vascular plants

The effects of cadmium and zinc interactions on the accumulation and tissue distribution of zinc and cadmium in lettuce and spinach.

In the roots of pea plants (Pisum sativum L.) cultivated with 20 [mu]M CdCl2 for 3 d, synthesis of phytochelatins [PCs or ([gamma]EC)nG, where [gamma]EC is [gamma]glutamylcysteine and G is glycine] and homophytochelatins [h-PCs, ([gamma]EC)n[beta]-alanine] is accompanied by a drastic decrease in glutathione (GSH) content, but an increase in homoglutathione (h-GSH) content. In contrast, the in vitro activity of GSH synthetase increases 5-fold, whereas h-GSH synthetase activity increases regardless of Cd exposure. The consititutive enzyme PC synthase, which catalyzes the transfer of the [gamma]-EC moiety of GSH to an acceptor GSH molecule thus producing ([gamma]EC)2G, is activated by heavy metals, with Cd and Cu being strong activators and Zn being a very poor activator. Using h-GSH or hm-GSH for substrate, the synthesis rate of([gamma]EC)2[beta]-alanine and [gamma]EC)2-serine is only 2.4 and 0.3%, respectively, of the sythesis rate of ([gamma]EC)2G with GSH as substrate. However, in the presence of a constant GSH level, increasing the concentration of h-GSH or hm-GSH results in increased synthesis of ([gamma]EC)2[beta]-alanine or ([gamma]EC)2-serine, respecively; simultaneously, the synthesis of ([gamma]EC)2G is inhibited. [gamma]EC is not a substrate of PC synthase. These results are best explained by assuming that PC synthase has a [gamma]EC donor binding site, which is very specific for GSH, and a [gamma]EC acceptor binding site, which is less specific and accepts several tripeptides, namely GSH, h-GSH, and hm-GSH.

Dieter Ilge

Papers

Isolation and Partial Characterization of a Cadmium-binding Protein from Pisum sativum