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This research investigates how silicon dioxide nanoparticles affect cadmium uptake and detoxification in the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii.

February 28, 2026Open Access

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles alleviated Cd toxicity and promoted Cd accumulation of Sedum alfredii: presenting evidence from physiology and transcriptomics

Key Points

This research investigates how silicon dioxide nanoparticles affect cadmium uptake and detoxification in the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii.
Physiological analyses measured root and shoot weight changes in S. alfredii post-treatment with SiO 2 NPs.
Cd accumulation levels were quantified in plant tissues following nanoparticle exposure.
Transcriptomic analysis assessed gene expression related to photosynthesis and heavy metal response.
SiO 2 NPs increased root fresh weight by 32.71% to 121.50% and shoot fresh weight by 22.72% to 86.36%.
Cadmium uptake by S. alfredii increased by 232.14% under SiO 2 NP treatment.
Photosynthesis parameters such as net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance improved significantly, with up to 2.86-fold increases.
Expression of key genes related to Cd transport and detoxification was upregulated.

Abstract

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO 2 NPs) have been shown to alleviate cadmium (Cd) toxicity in plants, but the mechanisms regarding SiO 2 NPs-mediated Cd uptake and detoxification on hyperaccumulators are unknown. In this study, physiological and transcriptomic analyses were performed to investigate the impact of SiO 2 NPs on the growth and Cd accumulation of the Cd- hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii. The results showed that SiO 2 NPs significantly increased root fresh weight (32.71% to 121.50%) and shoot fresh weight (22.72% to 86.36%). Simultaneously, SiO 2 NPs enhanced the Cd uptake and accumulation by S. alfredii (with maximum increases of 232.14%). In the leaves, the Cd content in the phloem of the Si treatment group increased by 1.24 to 1.79-fold, indicating that SiO 2 NPs enhanced the transport of Cd to the shoots. Furthermore, SiO 2 NPs improved the photosynthetic parameters, with the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance increasing by 2.86-fold, 1.14-fold, and 1.84-fold of the control, respectively. Furthermore, SiO 2 NPs significantly strengthened the antioxidative enzymes activities (SOD, CAT, POD). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that SiO 2 NPs enhanced the Cd tolerance and accumulation capacity of S. alfredii by upregulating the expression of genes encoding photosynthesis-related functions (PSI, PSII), antioxidant enzymes, cell wall synthesis functions, heavy metal-responsive transcription factors ( WRKY , NAC , bZIP , MYB ), and Cd chelation and transport protein functions. Combining physiological and transcriptomic analyses, our findings provide the mechanisms of SiO 2 NPs in promoting Cd accumulation and enhancing Cd tolerance in S. alfredii , highlighted the potential of SiO 2 NPs to enhance phytoremediation efficiency. • SiO 2 NPs increased uptake and accumulation of Cd by S. alfredii. • SiO 2 NPs enhanced the growth and Cd tolerance of S. alfredii by regulating physiological indicators. • SiO 2 NPs upregulated genes involved in photosynthesis, antioxidant defense, and Cd chelation/transport. • SiO 2 NPs has potential in facilitating Cd phytoremediation by S. alfredii.

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Yang et al. (Wed,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a285da0a974eb0d3c00ba8 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111168

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