5. Environmental proteomics

5a. We used a targeted proteomics to identify cadmium-induced protein modifications in Glomus mosseae-inoculated pea roots

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) can increase plant tolerance to heavy metals. A targeted proteomic approach was used to determine the putative identity of some of the proteins induced/modulated by cadmium (Cd) and to analyse the impact of the mycorrhizal process. The effect of Cd (100 mg Cd kg-1 substrate) applied either at planting or 15 d later on two pea (Pisum sativum) genotypes, differing in sensitivity to Cd inoculated or not with the AM fungus G. mosseae, was studied at three levels: plant biomass production, development of G. mosseae and root differential protein display with one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (1-DE and 2-DE) analyses. Cd-induced growth inhibition was significantly alleviated by mycorrhiza in the Cd-sensitive genotype.
The AM symbiosis modulated the expression of several proteins, identified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, newly induced and upregulated or downregulated by Cd.
The protective effect of AM symbiosis towards Cd stress was observed in the Cdsensitive genotype.
Our results demonstrate the usefulness of proteomics to better understand the possible role of AM symbiosis in detoxification/response mechanisms