The paper has as aim the cellular and biochemical identification of some proteins (phytochelatins and iso-phytochelatins) able to bind the cadmium ions. For this, cell suspensions of root callus proceeded from an Agrostis tenuis ecotype (harvested from a metalliferous area, polluted with heavy) were obtained. The cell suspensions were treated with different cadmium concentrations. One can ascertain that the Agrostis ecotype, from polluted area, has the ability to synthesize phytochelatins and, it manifests an increased tolerance to cadmium ions (solution concentrations of 100 μM). One can conclude that phytochelatins synthesis has an important role into plant tolerance to cadmium.

cadmium tolerance; suspension-cultured cells; phytochelatins; Agrostis tenuis

Presentation: oral