Influence of cadmium on the production of γ‐glutamylcysteine peptides and enzymes of nitrogen assimilation in Zea mays seedlings

We examined the effect of cadmium (Cd) additions on a GDH1‐null line of maize and its wild‐type isogenic sibling. Addition of Cd increases the synthesis of metallothioneines which are glutamate‐ and cysteine‐rich peptides. We predicted a reduced synthesis of γ‐glutamylcysteine (γEC) peptides in the mutant relative to the wild type if glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was limiting the drainage of carbon from the tricar‐boxylic acid cycle (TCAC). In our experiments there were similar increases in levels of γEC peptides in both mutant and wild‐type seedlings in response to Cd. There was a marked increase in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPcase) polypeptide and in one of the polypeptide bands of glutamine synthetase in both mutant and wild‐type seedlings. However, no change was seen in the polypeptide levels of GDH or glutamate synthase (GOGAT). Thus, in contrast to PEPcase, an enhanced carbon drain from the TCAC in response to Cd exposure does not require enhanced levels of either GDH or GOGAT polypeptides.