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Tolerance and antioxidant response to heavy metals are differentially activated in Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Summary

This research examined how two types of fungi called Trichoderma respond to contamination from heavy metals like copper, lead, and chromium. The study found that one species (T. longibrachiatum) is better at surviving heavy metal exposure than the other. Both species activate defensive mechanisms to combat the toxic effects, including producing protective proteins and enzymes that neutralize harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species.

Background

Heavy metal pollution reduces soil microbial communities, including fungi from the genus Trichoderma, which are important plant growth promoters and biological control agents. Few studies have examined the biochemical and molecular responses to oxidative stress caused by copper, chromium, and lead exposure in Trichoderma species, or whether this antioxidant response is species-specific.

Objective

This study compared the tolerance of Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma longibrachiatum to copper, chromium, and lead, and evaluated the expression of antioxidant-related genes (glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and cysteine synthase) and enzymatic activities in response to heavy metal exposure.

Results

Trichoderma longibrachiatum demonstrated greater tolerance to all three heavy metals compared to T. asperellum. Both species exhibited oxidative damage with differential upregulation of GPX and CYS genes, while CAT gene was downregulated. Peroxidase and catalase activities increased with exposure, particularly at 144 hours, with species-specific and metal-specific response patterns.

Conclusion

The antioxidant response to heavy metals is genetically modulated differently in each Trichoderma species. T. longibrachiatum was more tolerant than T. asperellum to copper, chromium, and lead, and both species activated peroxidases, catalases, and upregulated GPX and CYS genes in response to oxidative damage.
  • Published in:PeerJ,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.7717/peerj.19016
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