Adaptive Plasticity of Phytochelatin Synthase Under Chromium Stress and Sulfur Availability in <i>Scenedesmus acutus</i>.

ABSTRACT: Phytochelatin synthases (PCSs) are pivotal enzymes in heavy metal detoxification, yet also implicated in sulfur homeostasis and redox regulation. In this study, we report the molecular and functional characterization of the PCS gene from the green alga Scenedesmus acutus (SaPCS), comparing wild-type and chromium-tolerant strains of this microalga. RT-qPCR, immunoblotting and mass spectrometry analyses revealed that SaPCS expression and protein abundance are primarily regulated by sulfur availability rather than by chromium stress. Two protein isoforms (~70 kDa full-length and ~34 kDa truncated) were detected, both more abundant in the chromium-tolerant strain than the wild-type and responsive to sulfur availability. Furthermore, three alternatively spliced transcript v

SUBMITTER: Ferrari M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12899622 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature