@Article{phyton.2025.069166,
AUTHOR = {Yi Yan, Min He, Feifeng Mao, Xinyu Zhang, Liyu Wang, Jingwei Li},
TITLE = {RAPD Marker Associations and Antioxidant Enzyme Responses of Houttuynia cordata Germplasms under Lead Stress},
JOURNAL = {Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany},
VOLUME = {94},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {10},
PAGES = {3003--3021},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/phyton/v94n10/64284},
ISSN = {1851-5657},
ABSTRACT = {Houttuynia cordata, a characteristic edible and medicinal plant in southwestern China, is prone to absorbing lead (Pb2+). Excessive consumption may lead to Pb2+ accumulation in the human body, which has been linked to serious health risks such as neurotoxicity, kidney damage, anemia, and developmental disorders, particularly in children. Therefore, the development of molecular markers associated with Pb2+ uptake and the investigation of the plant’s physiological responses to Pb2+ pollution are of great significance. In this study, 72 H. cordata germplasms were evaluated for Pb2+ accumulation after exogenous Pb2+ treatment. A significant variation in Pb2+ content was observed among the germplasms, indicating rich genetic diversity. Using RAPD markers, seven loci were identified to be significantly associated with Pb2+ uptake, with locus 43 (R2 = 6.72%) and locus 53 (R2 = 5.39%) showing the strongest correlations. Marker validation was performed using five low- and five high-accumulating accessions. Two representative germplasms were further subjected to 0, 500 and 1000 mg/kg Pb2+ treatments for 40 days. Pb2+ content, membrane lipid peroxidation, and redox enzyme activities (SOD, POD and CAT) were measured across different organs. Organs with greater soil contact (roots) exhibited higher Pb2+ accumulation and oxidative damage. POD and CAT activities were markedly induced by Pb2+ stress, while SOD response was limited. This study provides a theoretical foundation for breeding low Pb2+-accumulating H. cordata varieties through marker-assisted selection (MAS) and supports their safe use and application in phytoremediation.},
DOI = {10.32604/phyton.2025.069166}
}