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Phytochelatin synthesis in response to cadmium uptake in Vaucheria (Xanthophyceae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 1998

T. SKOWROŃSKI
Affiliation:
Experimental Station, Institute of Ecology, P.A.S., Niecała 18/3, 20–080 Lublin, Poland
J. A. DE KNECHT
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Free University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J. SIMONS
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Free University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J. A. C. VERKLEIJ
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Free University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract

Production of phytochelatins (PCs) in response to cadmium uptake in the benthic macroalgae Vaucheria compacta and V. debaryana (Xanthophyceae) was investigated. The algae synthesized thiol-containing peptides, identified by means of high-performance liquid chromatography as PC2, PC3 and PC4. In both algal species the level of PCs increased with time of cadmium exposure and was dependent on external cadmium concentration. V. compacta synthesized significantly more PCs than V. debaryana. Exposure of the algae to cadmium at low temperature and in darkness resulted in a significant decrease in PC content over the time interval tested (3 days).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1998 British Phycological Society

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