The expression level of metal-nicotianamine transporter (ysl3) and uncharacterized oligopeptide transporter (opt) genes in brassica oleracea var varieties under cadmium stress
MSc student: Ajdina Karic
Mentor: Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yildirim
Co-mentor: Assist. Prof.Dr. Jasmin Sutkovic
Brassica oleracea is one of the most economically important crop and known heavy metal accumulator. Accordingly, it could be grown on contaminated soil and used for phytoremendiation. In this research, B. oleracea plants were grown with different concentrations of Cadmium (Cd). Cd is a toxic pollutant that exists at low concentrations in soil under natural conditions. Aim of the study was to elucidate the process of cadmium tolerance in Brassica oleracea varieties by analyzing the gene expression of Metal-nicotianamine transporter (YSL3) and Uncharacterized oligopeptide transporter (OPT) genes. The results showed that root length of all examined kales decreased linearly as concentration increased. There were no visible symptoms on above- ground biomass production suggesting high accumulating capabilities of Brassica oleracea varieties. Gene expression analysis showed that increased levels of the Cadmium trigger the expression of the YSL3 and OPT genes, suggesting that they play a role in Cd metabolism in B. oleracea.
