Characteristics of cadmium uptake and membrane transport in roots of intact wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings

Wheat is one of several cereals that is capable of accumulating higher amounts of Cd in plant tissues. It is important to understand the Cd²⁺ transport processes in roots that result in excess Cd accumulation. Traditional destructive technologies have limited capabilities in analyzing root samples due to methodological limitations, and sometimes may result in false conclusions. The mechanisms of Cd²⁺ uptake into the roots of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated by assessing the impact of various inhibitors and channel blockers on Cd accumulation as well as the real-time net Cd²⁺ flux at roots with the non-destructive scanning ion-selective electrode technique. The P-type ATPase inhibitor Na3VO4 (500 μM) had little effect on Cd uptake (p < 0.05) and the kinetics of transport in the root of wheat, suggesting that Cd²⁺ uptake into wheat root cells is not directly dependent on H⁺ gradients. While, the uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol significantly limited Cd²⁺ uptake (p < 0.05) and transport kinetics in the root of wheat, suggesting the existence of metabolic mediation in the Cd²⁺ uptake process by wheat. The Cd content at the whole-plant level in wheat was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased upon pretreatment with the Ca²⁺ channel blockers La³⁺ or Gd³⁺ and Verapamil, but not in case of pretreatment with the K⁺ channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA). In addition, the inhibitors of the Ca²⁺ channel, as well as high concentrations of Ca²⁺, reduced the real-time net Cd²⁺ fluxes at the root surface in SIET experiments. These results indicate that Cd²⁺ moves across the plasma lemma of the wheat root via Ca²⁺ channels. In addition, our results suggested a role for protein synthesis in mediating Cd²⁺ uptake and transport by wheat.