Thiol peptides induction in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum (Banks ex König) in response to cadmium exposure

Trace metal accumulation and thiol compounds synthesis as induced by cadmium exposure was studied in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum. Shoots were exposed for 24, 48, 96 and 144 h to several CdCl2 concentrations (0, 30, 50 and 70 μM). Levels of cadmium, cysteine, glutathione (GSH), γ-glutamylcysteine (γ-EC), and phytochelatin-like peptides were determined in green blades, live sheaths and root/rhizomes tissues. Metal accumulation was dependent on Cd concentration and type of tissue, with green blades showing the highest content followed by live sheaths and root/rhizomes. All tissues experienced an increase in thiol-containing compounds as a response to cadmium exposure. Live sheaths showed the highest levels of cysteine, GSH and γ-EC. This is the first report of induction of thiol peptides, presumably phytochelatins, by a trace metal in a sea grass species.