Analysis of Gene Expression Associated with Copper Toxicity in White Birch (Betula papyrifera) Populations from a Mining Region
Journal Title: Biotechnology Journal International - Year 2016, Vol 15, Issue 3
Abstract
The Greater Sudbury Region (GSR) is one of the most ecologically disturbed regions of Canada. Recent studies have shown that Betula papyrifera accumulate metals in roots or leaves. The main objectives of the present study were to 1) determine the effects of copper treatment on B. papyrifera under controlled conditions and 2) assess the level of expression of genes associated with copper resistance in B. papyrifera populations from metal-contaminated and uncontaminated areas. Significant differences for damage rating were observed among copper dosages after eight days of treatment. There was also a trend of reduced plant growth as the dosage increased. RT- qPCR analysis showed 2x to 25x increase in leaves compared to roots of the expression of the gene for Multi-drug resistance associated protein (MRP4) belonging to the subfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. A significant upregulation (ranging from 3x to 8 x increase) of the Metallothioneins (MT2B) gene in leaves compared to roots was also observed in three of the five sites studied. There were significant differences in expression of MRP4 and MT2 genes among sites, but no association between metal contamination and gene expression was identified. Likewise, no difference in expression of targeted genes was observed among the copper dosages used in growth chamber experiments.
Authors and Affiliations
K. K. Nkongolo, C. L. Djeukam, G. Theriault, P. Michael
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP237990
- DOI 10.9734/BBJ/2016/28425
- Views 137
- Downloads 0
Screening of Fungal Resources for the Production of Cellulases and Xylanases
Aims: The final screening of fungal isolates aimed at applications based tertiary screening i.e. deinking of mixed office waste paper and saccharification of pearl millet stover and cellulases from selected fungal isolat...
Evaluation of Reproductive Characteristics and Feed Utilization of Two Strains of Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Geoffrey, 1809)
Intraspecific hybridization studies were carried out in two strains of Heterobranchus bidorsalis obtained from two ecological zones in Nigeria – Yola (Sudan savannah) and New Bussa (Guinea savanna) with the aim of evalua...
Optimization and Lipase Production of Lysinibacillus sphaericus in Domestic Oil Rich Waste Water
The present study investigated the growth and lipase production by Lysinibacillus sphaericus in a minimal medium. The growth conditions (i.e oil concentration, nitrogen source, carbon source, metals and non metals) were...
Biddulphia (Odontella) sp. Isolated from the Seawater of Kayalpattinam Coastal Area, Gulf of Mannar and Maintained in Tuticorin Research Centre of ICAR-CMFRI
Aim: Present study was aimed to isolate marine algae from the sea water samples of Kayalpattinam Coastal area, Gulf of Mannar. Methodology: Seawater samples were collected for the isolation of phytoplankton from the Kay...
Arachis hypogaea L. Direct Organogenesis and SDS - PAGE Analysis in Groundnut
The present research work was carried out to observe the effect of various concentrations of Benzyl amino purine (BAP) in terms of multiple shoot induction with special emphasis on qualitative and quantitative changes of...