Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) show strong nano‐toxic effects on organisms. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) plays a pivotal role in plant response to abiotic stress. In this study, we examine the crucial role of the cell wall as regulated by H2S in response to CuO NPs stress.
The digestion method was employed to determine Cu content using atomic absorption spectrometry. The TraKine pro‐tubulin staining kit was used to investigate the microtubule cytoskeleton using confocal laser‐scanning microscopy. Cell wall component analysis utilized the ICS‐3000 HPLC system.
Application of H2S reduced growth inhibition caused by CuO NPs. Furthermore, most of the CuO NPs accumulates in roots, indicating a low transfer rate, and H2S significantly decreased CuO NPs content in roots, leaves and stems. Subcellular distribution analysis implied most Cu accumulated in root cell walls, and that H2S reduced the content of Cu in root cell walls. Cortical microtubules in the plasma membrane, guide cell wall biosynthesis. H2S obviously alleviated microtubule cytoskeleton disorders caused by CuO NPs. In addition, the content of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin and other monosaccharides in root cell walls was reduced by CuO NPs treatment. H2S enhanced the monosaccharide and polysaccharide contents compared with that after CuO NPs treatment.
In conclusion, H2S regulates cell wall development in response to CuO NPs stress by stabilizing microtubules. H2S affected Cu distribution and alleviated growth inhibition of tomato seedlings. The research results provide a theoretical basis for further study of nano‐toxicity regulation in plants.