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Characterization of As efflux from the roots of As hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L.

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Abstract

In some plant species, various arsenic (As) species have been reported to efflux from the roots. However, the details of As efflux by the As hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata remain unknown. In this study, root As efflux was investigated for different phosphorus (P) supply conditions during or after a 24-h arsenate uptake experiment under hydroponic growth conditions. During an 8-h arsenate uptake experiment, P-supplied (P+) P. vittata exhibited much greater arsenite efflux relative to arsenate uptake when compared with P-deprived (P–) P. vittata, indicating that arsenite efflux was not proportional to arsenate uptake. In the As efflux experiment following 24 h of arsenate uptake, arsenate efflux was also observed with arsenite efflux in the external solution. All the results showed relatively low rates of arsenate efflux, ranging from 5.4 to 16.1% of the previously absorbed As, indicating that a low rate of arsenate efflux to the external solution is also a characteristic of P. vittata, as was reported with arsenite efflux. In conclusion, after 24 h of arsenate uptake, both P+ and P– P. vittata loaded/effluxed similar amounts of arsenite to the fronds and the external solution, indicating a similar process of xylem loading and efflux for arsenite, with the order of the arsenite concentrations being solution ≪ roots ≪ fronds.

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Abbreviations

As:

Arsenic

As(V):

Arsenate

As(III):

Arsenite

Pi :

Phosphate

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Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B) 19710061 from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (to M. H), Research Fund for International Young Scientists (41150110151) by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (to M. H), by a KWEF Research Grant Program from the Kurita Water and Environmental Foundation (to M. H) and by a Research Grant from Maekawa Houonkai Foundation (to M. H). We thank Ms. Hatsune Kojima for care of the ferns during the As(III) efflux experiments.

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Correspondence to Masayoshi Hatayama.

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Huang, Y., Hatayama, M. & Inoue, C. Characterization of As efflux from the roots of As hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L.. Planta 234, 1275–1284 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-011-1480-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-011-1480-2

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