Non‐protein thiols and glutathione S‐transferase alleviate Cd stress and reduce root‐to‐shoot translocation of Cd in rice

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the dynamic variations of cadmium (Cd) uptake and transport, non‐protein thiols (NPT) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations, glutathione S‐transferase (GST) activity and lipid peroxidation under Cd stress in order to clarify the role of NPT and GST in reducing Cd toxicity and translocation in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Cadmium accumulation was initially fast and then slowed down with increasing time of Cd exposure. However, the rice growth inhibition and lipid peroxidation were not intense until 5d after Cd treatment, even though Cd kept accumulating in root and shoot, suggesting that Cd may be effectively detoxified. The concentrations of NPT in root increased gradually until 5d after Cd stress, whereas those in shoot showed no significant changes. The concentration of shoot GSH was progressively enhanced upon Cd treatment, while it gradually declined in root after an initial increase. The GST activity varied similarly in root and shoot, reaching the maximum level on 3rd day, followed by a significant decrease 5 d after Cd application. Significant increases of lipid peroxidation and root‐to‐shoot translocation on 7th day indicate that the equilibrium in Cd‐thiol interaction in rice might be disturbed upon the prolonged Cd exposure. In summary, our results suggest that Cd may be retained and detoxified in rice root through chelation with thiol compounds and subsequent sequestration.