20-Hydroxyecdysone protects wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) against lead stress
Abstract
20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) is the most abundant phytoecdysteroid (PE) produced by plants, where it represents a protective molecule against insect attack. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of 20E on the growth, metabolic enzymes and antioxidant systems of wheat seedlings under lead stress induced by Pb(NO3)2 (3 mM). Pre-treatment concentrations (0, 1, 3 and 5 μM) of 20E were applied for two days, then wheat seedlings were transferred for 5 days to a treatment solution containing lead nitrate. When plants were grown without pre-treatment, germination and growth were impaired, while signs of oxidative stress were observed. 20E pre-treatment (3 or 5 μM) was able to efficiently protect seedlings from Pb toxicity by reducing Pb uptake and Pb-induced oxidative stress, as well by enhancing Pb excretion. Thus, 20E pre-treatment maintains normal germination, elongation, biomass, and metabolism in spite of the presence of Pb. Our results show that 20E protects oxidative balance and enhances the anti-oxidative systems, and more specifically the ascorbate-glutathione system. To our knowledge, this study shows for the first time that 20E treatment induces metabolic changes that allow the plants to resist heavy metal stress.
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In Triticum aestivum, pretreatment with 20-HE (3 or 5 μM) enhanced germination traits, growth parameters, metabolic responses, and antioxidant systems during stress.
“Lamhamdi, et al. [173] reported that, in Triticum aestivum, pretreatment of 20-HE (3 or 5 µM) efficiently enhanced germination traits, growth parameters, metabolic responses, and antioxidant systems during stress.”
From Phytoecdysteroids: Distribution, Structural Diversity, Biosynthesis, Activity, and Crosstalk with Phytohormones (2022) · cites this paper as [173]
PEs exhibit antistress activity in animals, algae, and plants.
“PEs exhibit antistress activity in animals, algae, and plants [173].”
From Phytoecdysteroids: Distribution, Structural Diversity, Biosynthesis, Activity, and Crosstalk with Phytohormones (2022) · cites this paper as [173]
In Triticum aestivum, lead (Pb) stress is alleviated by applying 20-HE; it reduces Pb absorption and alters membrane permeability to Pb.
“In Triticum aestivum, lead (Pb) stress is alleviated by applying 20-HE; it reduces Pb absorption and alters membrane permeability to Pb.”
From Phytoecdysteroids: Distribution, Structural Diversity, Biosynthesis, Activity, and Crosstalk with Phytohormones (2022) · cites this paper as [173]
In Triticum aestivum, 20-HE increases sequestration and chelation of Pb and enhances the accumulation of proline, proteins, metallothioneins, and glutathione.
“Further, at the intracellular level, 20-HE increases sequestration and chelation of Pb and enhances the accumulation of proline, proteins, metallothioneins, and glutathione.”
From Phytoecdysteroids: Distribution, Structural Diversity, Biosynthesis, Activity, and Crosstalk with Phytohormones (2022) · cites this paper as [173]
PEs possess antioxidant and radical-scavenging properties, which help enhance plant tolerance against stress.
“Thus, it can be concluded that PEs possess antioxidant and radical-scavenging properties, which help enhance plant tolerance against stress [173].”
From Phytoecdysteroids: Distribution, Structural Diversity, Biosynthesis, Activity, and Crosstalk with Phytohormones (2022) · cites this paper as [173]
In Triticum aestivum, 20-HE increases the content of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, which reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the form of superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals and decreases malondialdehyde (MDA) content.
“Additionally, 20-HE increases the content of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, which reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the form of superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals and decreases malondialdehyde (MDA) content.”
From Phytoecdysteroids: Distribution, Structural Diversity, Biosynthesis, Activity, and Crosstalk with Phytohormones (2022) · cites this paper as [173]
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Influential
- Authors
- Lamhamdi, M., Lafont, R., Rharrabe, K., Sayah, F., Aarab, A., & Bakrim, A.
- Affiliations
- Abdelmalek Essaâdi University (MA)
- Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (FR)
- Université Hassan 1er (MA)
- Corresponding author
- Lamhamdi, Mostafa
- Venue
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-01
- Volume
- 98
- Pages
- 64-71
- ISSN
- 0981-9428 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2174978211
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 1.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Heavy metals in environment
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
- Keywords
- 20-hydroxyecdysone, phytoecdysteroids, wheat seedlings, wheat, lead toxicity, heavy metal stress, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, ascorbate-glutathione cycle, lead uptake, lead excretion, seed germination, plant growth
- MeSH terms
- Antioxidants, Ascorbic Acid, Biodegradation, Environmental, Catalase, Ecdysterone, Glutathione, Lead, Malondialdehyde, Oxidation-Reduction, Soil Pollutants, Stress, Physiological, Superoxide Dismutase, Triticum, Oxidative Stress, Germination, Metals, Heavy, Protective Agents, Seedlings
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