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The Plants, Stress & Metals team

Scientific news of the team



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Published on 10 January 2019
On the topic of the plant response to metal and environmental stresses:

• 2006 Dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana proteome and influence of the cell culture medium on that proteome
• 2006 Responses of Arabidopsis thaliana cells to cadmium stress. Proteomics and metabolomics analyses
• 2007 A proteomic dissection of Arabidopsis thaliana vacuoles isolated from cell culture
• 2008 SBP1 as a new player in cadmium detoxification processes
• 2009-2010 Plant and stress
• 2012 Plant hormone and cadmium toxicity
• 2014 Transfer and distribution of uranium in plants
• 2016 Uptake and distribution of metallic elements in plants
• 2017 The yin-yang effect of uranium in Arabidopsis thaliana
• 2018 Response of the Arabidopsis root system to a stress induced by uranium: Double or nothing!

  On the topic of the new radioresistant micro-algae:

• 2011 Patenting a new radioresistant micro-algae
• 2014 The discovery of microalgae with an exceptional radiotolerance

On the topic of phytoremediation:

• 2006-2008 Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant model for the study of metal detoxification
• 2014 En route to the phytoremediation of uranium
• 2014 Glimpse of new bioremediation strategies through the discovery of a microalgae

On the topic of methylations:

• 2012 Methylation and chloroplastic metabolism
• 2016 Molecular evolution of a chloroplastic methyltransferase protein


Response to metal and environmental stresses

Dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana proteome: Establishing 2D maps of the soluble proteome of Arabidopsis thaliana and influence of cell culture medium on that proteome

The results we obtained were used to perform the mapping of the proteome of Arabidopsis thaliana in response to nutrient culture media and highlight the influence of culture medium on the expression of proteins. This work constituted an important step for further proteomic analysis concerning cell responses to heavy metal stresses.

Sarry et al. Dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana soluble proteome in response to different nutrient culture conditions. Electrophoresis, 2006


Responses of Arabidopsis thaliana to cadmium stress. Proteomics and metabolomics analyses

In this study, we reveal the molecular and cellular responses of the Arabidopsis thaliana cells to cadmium. Differential proteomic analysis of cultured Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspensions and treated with different concentrations of cadmium allowed us to visualize and quantify changes in protein expression. Metabolomic studies were also performed to better characterize the metabolic adaptation to the chemical stress.

Sarry et al. The early responses of Arabidopsis thaliana cells to cadmium exposure explored by protein and metabolite profiling analyses. Proteomics, 2006


A proteomic dissection of Arabidopsis thaliana vacuoles isolated from cell culture [more]

To better understand the mechanisms governing cellular traffic, storage of various metabolites and their ultimate degradation, Arabidopsis thaliana vacuoles proteomes were established. To this aim, we developed a procedure to prepare highly purified vacuoles from protoplasts isolated from Arabidopsis cell cultures using Ficoll density gradients.

Jaquinod et al. A proteomic dissection of Arabidopsis thaliana vacuoles isolated from cell culture. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 2007


SBP1, as a new player in cadmium detoxification processes [more]

In 2008 we showed that after an exposure to cadmium, the expression of Selenium-Binding Proteins 1 is precociously induced, in a dose-dependent manner and that it accumulates in the treated tissues. We believe SBP1 is a new player in cadmium detoxification. So when SBP1 is overexpressed in wild plants and more significantly in seedlings lacking heavy metals chelating molecules allowing their detoxification (glutathione and phytochelatins), then cadmium tolerance is increased.

Dutilleul et al. The Arabidopsis putative selenium-binding protein family: Expression study and characterization of SBP1 as a potential new player in cadmium detoxification processes. Plant Physiology, 2008


Plant and stress

In our team, with the aim of in vivo NMR, we are able to monitor the flow of metabolites, the stocks of compounds and their compartmentalization in subcellular compartments. The data obtained as a result of deficiency in sugar are a temporal resolution of the order of one minute.

Gout et al. Early response of plant cell to carbon deprivation: In vivo 31P-NMR spectroscopy shows a quasi-instantaneous disruption on cytosolic sugars, phosphorylated intermediates of energy metabolism, phosphate partitioning, and intracellular pHs. New Phytologist, 2010
Pratt et al. Phosphate (Pi) starvation effect on the cytosolic Pi concentration and Pi exchanges across the tonoplast in plant cells: An in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance study using methylphosphonate as a Pi analog. Plant Physiology, 2009


Plant hormone and cadmium toxicity [more]

Researchers from our team aim to identify the mechanisms of tolerance and detoxification developed by plants to fight the pollution by cadmium. We showed a great similarity between gene regulation in response to the metal and in response to a plant hormone often compared to the human steroid hormones. Any addition of this hormone increases the toxicity of cadmium in the plant while its depletion increases tolerance to metal stress.

Herbette et al. Genome-wide transcriptome profiling of the early cadmium response of Arabidopsis roots and shoots. Biochimie, 2006
Villiers et al. Evidence for functional interaction between brassinosteroids and cadmium response in Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Experimental Botany, 2012


Transfer and distribution of uranium in plants [more]

We are studying the impact of heavy metals on plant physiology and metabolism. We identified three possible scenarios of mobilization and accumulation of uranium in plants of agronomic interest grown in hydroponic conditions (soilless). Thus, rapeseed represents a promising species for phytoremediation strategies by phytoextraction, as rapeseed is capable of accumulating and transferring the greatest amount of uranium in its above ground tissues.

Laurette et al. Speciation of uranium in plants upon root accumulation and root-to-shoot translocation: A XAS and TEM study. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2012
Laurette et al. Influence of uranium speciation on its accumulation and translocation in three plant species: Oilseed rape, sunflower and wheat. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2012


Uptake and distribution of metallic elements in plants

We published in a special issue of Biofutur dedicated "to Soil, Climate and Environment," an article entitled Absorption and distribution of metallic elements in plants. Root absorption of trace metals present in the soil, their control, their fate in the plant and their toxic effects were discussed. Finally, it was concluded that it is important to maintain our research efforts on plant mineral nutrition. By using new biotechnological tools, it would be possible to select and develop plants of agronomic interest with innovative features especially in the field of phytoremediation.

Bourguignon J, Alban C and Ravanel S. Absorption et distribution des éléments métalliques dans les plantes. Biofutur, 2016


The yin-yang effect of uranium in Arabidopsis thaliana [more]

Uranium is not necessarily toxic to plants. By studying Arabidopsis thaliana in various culture conditions, we have shown that, depending on the absorption levels of iron and phosphate, uranium can be either deleterious or beneficial. In general, uranium affects the availability of iron in the plant. Thus, a mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana for which iron absorption is affected becomes chlorotic when the phosphate is not limiting. The addition of uranium then causes re-greening of the leaves and a correct growth of the plant. How do weexplain this paradox?

Berthet S, Villiers F, Alban C, Serre N, Martin-Laffon J, Figuet S, Boisson AM, Bligny R, Kuntz M, Finazzi G, Ravanel S and Bourguignon J. Arabidopsis thaliana plants challenged with uranium reveal new insights into iron and phosphate homeostasis. New Phytologist, 2018


Response of the Arabidopsis root system to a stress induced by uranium: Double or nothing! [more]

We showed in this work that the development and the architecture of Arabidopsis thaliana roots are highly modulated in response to uranium in a dose-dependent manner.

Serre NBC, Alban C, Bourguignon J and Ravanel S. Uncovering the physiological and cellular effects of uranium on the root system of Arabidopsis thaliana. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2019


Radioresistant micro-algae

A new radioresistant micro-algae - Patent

We have just patented the potential use for nuclear decontamination facilities of a new strain of micro-algae. This algae that we have discovered, has extraordinary strength properties to ionizing radiation and is able to accumulate more strongly radioactive metal cations.

Rivasseau et al. Une nouvelle micro-algue radiorésistante.
Brevet FR 10/0578 (2010) et PCT/IB2011/050589 (2011)


The discovery of microalgae with an exceptional radiotolerance [more]

A new, highly radiotolerant microalga species has just been isolated from a cooling pool for spent nuclear fuel. After analyzing the properties of this unique species, we now foresee new strategies for bioremediation.

Rivasseau et al. An extremely radioresistant green eukaryote for radionuclide bio-decontamination in the nuclear industry. Energy & Environmental Science, 2014

Phytoremediation

Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant model for the study of metal detoxification

In order to implement strategies for the plant remediation of contaminated soils, our team undertook a study of Arabidopsis thaliana including the use of comprehensive approaches of transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics coupled with more targeted approaches of genetics, classical biochemistry and bioinformatics.

Sarry et al. Dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana soluble proteome in response to different nutrient culture conditions. Electrophoresis, 2006
Sarry et al. The early responses of Arabidopsis thaliana cells to cadmium exposure explored by protein and metabolite profiling analyses. Proteomics, 2006
Ducruix et al. New insights into the regulation of phytochelatin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana cells provided by metabolite profiling analyses. Biochimie, 2006
Ducruix et al. Metabolomic investigation of the response of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to cadmium exposure: Evaluation of data pretreatment methods for further statistical analyses. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 2008
Dutilleul et al. The Arabidopsis thaliana putative selenium-binding protein (SBP) family: Expression study and characterization of SBP1 as a potential new player in cadmium detoxification processes. Plant Physiology, 2008
Jaquinod et al. A proteomics dissection of Arabidopsis thaliana vacuoles isolated from cell culture. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 2007


En route to the phytoremediation of uranium

The results obtained by our team gives a first snapshot of metabolic and signaling pathways affected by uranium, a first and essential step in the selection of plants used in phytoremediation strategies.

Doustaly et al. Uranium perturbs signaling and iron uptake response in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. Metallomics, 2014

Methylations

Methylation and chloroplastic metabolism

This work identifies chloroplastic fructose bisphosphate aldolases as new methylated plant proteins. This finding suggests that chloroplast carbon metabolism could be regulated by protein methylation and opens important perspectives on the role of post-translational modifications on crop yield and production of molecules with high added value by chloroplasts.

Mininno et al. Characterization of chloroplastic fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolases as lysine-methylated proteins in plants. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2012


Molecular evolution of a chloroplastic methyltransferase protein

In this work we studied the molecular evolution of a chloroplast protein methyltransferase responsible for the methylation of chloroplast proteins involved in CO2 fixation and show that insertion of an amino acid accompanied by two substitutions are sufficient to change its substrate.


Mas et al. Molecular evolution of the substrate specificity of chloroplastic Aldolases/Rubisco lysine methyltransferases in plants. Molecular Plant, 2016