Proteomic and enzymatic response of poplar to cadmium stress

This study highlights proteomic and enzymatic changes in roots and leaves of actively growing poplar plants upon a cadmium stress exposure. Proteomic changes in response to a short-term (14 days), as well as a longer term (56 days) treatment are observed between the different organs. In leaves, stress-related proteins, like heat shock proteins, proteinases and pathogenesis-related proteins increased in abundance. A response similar to a hypersensitive response upon plant–pathogen interaction seemed to be induced. Concerning roots it appeared that the metabolic impact of cadmium was more deleterious than in leaves. This is evidenced by the early increase in abundance of many typical stress-related proteins like heat shock proteins, or glutathione-S-transferases, while most proteins from the primary metabolism (glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, nitrogen metabolism, sulfur metabolism) were severely decreased in abundance. Additionally the impact of cadmium on the glutathione metabolism could be assessed by activity assays of several important enzymes. Cadmium treatment had an inhibitory effect on glutathione reductase and ascorbate peroxidase in leaves, but not in roots. Conversely, glutathione-S-transferase showed a higher activity (and abundance) in roots but not in leaves.