Responses of glutathione and glutathione S-transferase to cadmium and mercury exposure in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) leaf discs

Changes in chlorophyll, non-protein thiol and glutathione (GSH) levels, and the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) were investigated in cadmium(ll) and mercury(ll) chloride treated leaf discs of mature pedunculate oak trees (Quercus robur). Both heavy metals caused decreases in chlorophyll content, but mercury was more toxic than cadmium. Cadmium treatments (30-250 mu M) resulted in increasing non-protein thiol levels after 3d, but GSH contents decreased. Mercury (1-20 mu M) led to a concentration-dependent decline in both non-protein thiol and GSH levels. CST activities were not modified significantly by cadmium, but mercury treatments caused a dose-and time-dependent enzyme induction. Both the phytotoxic-and GST-inducing effect of mercury could be prevented by the cysteine precursor L-2-oxo-4-thiazolidinecarboxylic acid.