Different responses in gene expression to heavy metal stress in Amaranthus spp.

With the high level of industry, large amounts of pollutants such as heavy metals are entering the environment. Even elements, such as zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn), which are essential for proper plant development, are becoming toxic to plants in large quantities. Amaranthus spp. are a very promising phytoremediation plant. However, different varieties react differently to different heavy metals, and it is therefore necessary to examine specific varieties on several levels. In our work, we have focused on three different Amaranthus spp. and specifically on the cultivars, Amaranthus cruetus cv. Pribina, Amaranthus hypochondriacus × Amaranthus hybridus cv. Zobor and Amaranthus hypochondriacus × Amaranthus hybridus cv. Plainsman regarding gene expression changes of two genes metallothionein (MT) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase - D (ACoAAC). Our results indicate that each variety had altered gene expression differently compared to the control plants. Expression was most increased in cv. Pribina after Zn treatment and as for the ACoAAC gene, its most significant change was seen in Plainsman after lead (Pb) treatment.