Abstract Detail

Symbioses: Plant, Animal, and Microbe Interactions

Carter, Andrea [1], Thomas, Richelle [2], Huskey, David [2], Curlango-Rivera, Gilberto [1], Root, Robert [2], Ottman, Michael [3], Hawes, Martha [2], McLain, Jean [2].

Plant root border cell interactions with uranium and cadmium: a potential phytoremediation tool.

Root border cells are specialized cells programmed to disperse from root tips and release extracellular DNA traps to immobilize pathogens and prevent infection. The cells also trap aluminum and other toxic metals and prevent uptake into the root tip. In recent studies, border cells were found to trap lead (Pb), alter its chemistry, and prevent root uptake. The United States desert Southwest, and Arizona in particular, is rife with naturally occurring minerals, the mining of which has led to widespread environmental contamination and a negative effect on human health. The cost of remediation of uranium contamination at specific sites has been estimated at several billion dollars. Cadmium contamination of crop plants is a limiting factor in sale of wheat to Europe. Thus the development of rapid, cheap, and simple remediation technologies is paramount. One approach for environmental remediation is the use of plants to remove toxic metals from soil (phytoremediation), but the results have been unreliable. A limitation in effective applications has been lack of knowledge of the mechanisms by which plants avoid the uptake of toxins. Preliminary investigations have shown that maize border cells respond to uranium (U) and cadmium (Cd), by creating massive traps which immobilize these heavy metals. Further research on border cell-metal interactions may yield insights into potential mechanisms to facilitate effective application of phytoremediation.

1 - University of Arizona, Plant Sciences, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
2 - University of Arizona, Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, 429 Shantz Building, 1177 E. Fourth Street, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
3 - University of Arizona, Plant Sciences, Forbes 204, 1177 E. Fourth Street, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

Keywords:
extracellular DNA trapping
root border cells.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Symbioses: Plant, Animal, and Microbe Interactions Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PSM008
Abstract ID:931
Candidate for Awards:None