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. 1987 Dec;85(4):1031–1035. doi: 10.1104/pp.85.4.1031

Phytochelatin Synthesis and Glutathione Levels in Response to Heavy Metals in Tomato Cells 1

Henrik V Scheller 1, Bin Huang 1, Evelyn Hatch 1, Peter B Goldsbrough 1
PMCID: PMC1054388  PMID: 16665798

Abstract

Cell suspension cultures of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv VFNT-Cherry, produce phytochelatins (poly[γ-glutamylcysteinyl]glycines) when exposed to cadmium. The synthesis of these peptides is accompanied by a decline in cellular levels of glutathione. Buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, inhibits the sustained production of phytochelatins. However, phytochelatin synthesis can occur in the presence of buthionine sulfoximine provided that sufficient glutathione is available. These results indicate that glutathione is a substrate for phytochelatin synthesis. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide does not affect the initial production of phytochelatin.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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