Ultrastructural and molecular implications of ecofriendly made silver nanoparticles treatments in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

Background Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most widely used nanomaterial in agricultural and environmental applications. In this study, the impact of AgNPs solutions at 20 mg/L, 40 mg/L, 80 mg/L, and 160 mg/L on cell ultrastructure have been examined in pea (Pisum sativum L) using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The effect of AgNPs treatments on the α, β esterase (EST), and peroxidase (POX) enzymes expression as well as gain or loss of inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) markers has been described. Results Different structural malformations in the cell wall and mitochondria, as well as plasmolysis and vacuolation were recorded in root cells. Damaged chloroplast and mitochondria were frequently observed in leaves and the osmiophilic plastoglobuli were more observed as AgNPs concentration increased. Starch grains increased by the treatment with 20 mg/L AgNPs. The expressions of α, β EST, and POX were slightly changed but considerable polymorphism in ISSR profiles, using 17 different primers, were scored indicating gain or loss of gene loci as a result of AgNPs treatments. This indicates considerable variations in genomic DNA and point mutations that may be induced by AgNPs as a genotoxic nanomaterial. Conclusion AgNPs may be used to induce genetic variation at low concentrations. However, considerations should be given to the uncontrolled use of nanoparticles and calls for evaluating their impact on plant growth and potential genotoxicity are justified.

The Effect of Bio-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles on Germination, Early Seedling Development, and Metabolome of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

“…These results may indicate that as the concentration of biologically synthesized Ag NPs increases, toxic effects are spread from septic cap cells to epidermal and cortical cells of the root apex and elongation zone. The genotoxic effects of Ag NPs, including aberrations in mitosis, nuclear erosion and elongation, and chromosome damage, have been previously documented in wheat [ 31 ], faba bean [ 47 ], and garden pea [ 48 ] seedlings. In our study, increased fluorescence in root tips under (Bio)Ag NPs ( Figure 4 ) indicating ROS generation interacted with increased numbers of dead cells ( Figure 5 C,D).…”

“…However, our observations did not confirm this, because coleoptile growth was inhibited to the same extent by (Bio)Ag NPs at concentrations of 10 as 40 mg/L ( Figure 3 ). Therefore, other factors such as changes in transpiration/metabolism of phytohormones and increased ROS production [ 45 , 46 , 48 , 49 , 50 ] presumably contribute to this.…”

The Imbibition of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Seeds in Silver Nitrate Reduces Seed Germination, Seedlings Development and Their Metabolic Profile

“…It is also a model object of legumes for genetic studies [ 40 ]. There are only a few reports describing the effect of Ag NPs on germination [ 26 , 41 ], root development [ 26 ], as well as on ultrastructural and molecular changes in the leaves and roots of pea seedlings [ 42 ]. These studies showed that Ag NPs at low concentration (20 mg/L) did not affect pea germination, whereas at higher levels (80–160 mg/L) they inhibited both germination and seedling growth and caused distinct root deformations.…”

“…Moreover, a decreasing number of chloroplasts with deformed shapes was observed in cotyledons of Ag NPs-treated seedlings. A molecular study showed an increase in the activity of some enzymes (α, β esterase and peroxidase) and genotoxic effects of Ag NPs on the genome manifested by DNA damage [ 42 ]. Thus, it can be expected that Ag + ions originating from Ag NPs can also affect cell metabolism [ 3 ], but evidence for this in pea plants is lacking.…”

The Newly Sequenced Genome of Pisum sativum Is Replete with Potential G-Quadruplex-Forming Sequences—Implications for Evolution and Biological Regulation

“…Its seeds are rich in proteins, fibers, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants [ 2 ]. In addition, the pea is widely used as a model plant species nowadays [ 3 , 4 ], and also is a historically important genetic model as the first organism for which the basic genetics laws were described and demonstrated by the Moravian monk Gregor Johann Mendel in 1865 [ 5 , 6 ]. His systematic work, statistic evaluation, and mathematical descriptions of his experiments with hereditary of seven independent pea features paved the foundation of modern genetics.…”