Structural and functional alterations in photosynthetic apparatus of plants under cadmium stress

Abstract

Cadmium is a potentially toxic heavy metal that hampers plant productivity by interfering with their photochemistry. Cd causes disturbances in a range of physiological processes of plants such as photosynthesis, water relations, ion metabolism and mineral uptake. Cd pronouncedly affects photosynthesis by alteration of its vital machinery in all aspects. Photosynthesis is a well organised and sequential process fundamental to all green plants and microorganisms which involves various components, including photosynthetic pigments and photosystems, the electron transport system and CO2 reduction pathways. Any damage at any level caused by Cd, critically affects overall photosynthetic capacity. Present review focuses on key effects of Cd on photosynthetic apparatus including chloroplast structure, photosynthetic pigments, Chl-protein complexes and photosystems resulting in overall decrease in efficiency of carbon assimilation pathway.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-54-45) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Assessment of cadmium tolerance and phytoextraction ability in young Populus deltoides L. and Populus × euramericana plants through morpho-anatomical and physiological responses to growth in cadmium enriched soil

“…In addition, the rate of photosynthesis has often been correlated with biomass production, and thus might be used as an indicator of the growth potential of tree species and genotypes under pollutant exposure. Cd causes structural and functional alterations in photosynthetic apparatus, resulting in reduced or inhibited photosynthesis (Parmar et al 2013). Furthermore, Cd toxicity may provoke an increase in peroxidation of chloroplast membrane lipids by enhancement of lipoxygenase activity, resulting in disorganization of thylakoid membranes and decreased concentration of both chlorophylls and carotenoids (Djebali et al 2005).…”

“…Furthermore, Cd toxicity may provoke an increase in peroxidation of chloroplast membrane lipids by enhancement of lipoxygenase activity, resulting in disorganization of thylakoid membranes and decreased concentration of both chlorophylls and carotenoids (Djebali et al 2005). High Cd concentrations in plant tissues can also affect other physiological processes, such as water regime, mineral nutrient uptake and ion metabolism (Parmar et al 2013). Optimal supply of nitrogen and other mineral nutrients could alleviate Cd-induced toxic effects in plants by enhancing biochemical reactions and physiological processes, along with reduced Cd accumulation (Nazar et al 2012).…”

Heavy metal toxicity in rice and soybean plants cultivated in contaminated soil

“…Cadmium (Cd) can reduce growth, photosynthesis rate and cause both enzymatic and metabolic alterations (Parmar et al, 2013). Another symptom identified for this metal is the chlorosis caused by the Cd and Fe competition for absorption sites in the plasma membrane (Siedlecka & Krupa, 1999;Tran & Popova, 2013).…”

Growth and photosynthetic responses of Lemna minor L. exposed to cadmium in combination with zinc or copper / Rast i fotosinteza u vodene leće (Lemna minor L.) izložene kadmiju u kombinaciji s cinkom ili bakrom

“…Diminished PSII efficiency can also indicate the inhibition of electron transport at other sites in the electron transport chain downstream of PSII and can be explained by the toxic effects of the tested metals, as both Cd and Cu are well-known for such an effect (21,49). Also, PSII is highly sensitive to Cd and Cu because they can bind to various parts of the acceptor and donor side of PSII (9,17,21,49).…”

“…Zn) in active sites resulting in the inhibition of enzyme activity (5)(6)(7). Cd also inhibits photosynthesis by impairing chlorophyll (Chl) biosynthesis, the activity of photosystem II (PSII), photosynthetic electron transport, the Calvin cycle, and chloroplast organization (8)(9)(10)(11). Furthermore, Cd can cause oxidative stress by interference with the components of antioxidant defence system resulting in a disturbed cellular equilibrium between the generation and the neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (11)(12)(13).…”