Analysis of possible changes in the lysine metabolism induced by cadmium in maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

Our laboratory has been conducting studies basically entered into two main research lines. The first one is the assessment of physiological and biochemical changes, generated by oxidative stress caused by heavy metals in plants. The other is based on the study of the metabolism of essential amino acids, in particular lysine in corn. During these years, these two lines of research have been developed separately, so that the analysis of the changes produced by oxidative stress concurrently with the analysis of the metabolic pathway of lysine has not been realized. Thus, the idea for this project came about and is based at the junction of these two lines of research to elucidate some issues as : there are changes in lysine metabolism in plants exposed to cadmium (Cd)? There is a metal translocation to the grains? This translocation or even the fact that the cultivation of the plant in the presence of a toxic metal can affect the synthesis and accumulation of storage proteins of grain? What is the effect, in these plants, on the actions of the main antioxidant enzymes?