INCREASE OF TOTAL GLUTATHIONE AS A RESPONSE TO CD INDUCED STRESS IN A CHILEAN ENDEMIC BRYOPHYTES (THUIDIUM SP.)

Bryophytes collected from the IV Region of Chile, were treated with CdCl2 to stimulate the synthesis of phytochelants. After cadmium treatment, total peptides were extracted from the plants and were analyzed using HPLC to search for the presence of phytochelatin molecules. Chromatography results showed the absence of phytochelatin-like molecules in bryophytes. However, glutathione and a molecule suspected to be γ-glutamil-cistein were detected. The latter compound is knowed to be involved in the metabolic pathway of the gluthatione and phytochelatin synthesis. The results indicated the absence of detectable phytochelatins in bryophytes containing heavy metal as contaminants. The increase in glutathione during the experimental period may have been due to a response to oxidative stress. Thus this work suggests an important role of the glutathione in the detoxifcation mechanisms of bryophytes.