Monodehydroascorbate reductase mediates TNT toxicity in plants

TY - JOUR

T1 - Monodehydroascorbate reductase mediates TNT toxicity in plants

AU - Johnston, Emily J.

AU - Rylott, Elizabeth L.

AU - Beynon, Emily

AU - Lorenz, Astrid

AU - Chechik, Victor

AU - Bruce, Neil C.

N1 - © The Author(s) 2015. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Journal Name . Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.

PY - 2015/9/4

Y1 - 2015/9/4

N2 - The explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a highly toxic and persistent environmental pollutant. Due to the scale of affected areas, one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly means of removing explosives pollution could be the use of plants. However, mechanisms of TNT phytotoxicity have been elusive. Here, we reveal that phytotoxicity is caused by reduction of TNT in the mitochondria, forming a nitro radical that reacts with atmospheric oxygen, generating reactive superoxide. The reaction is catalyzed by monodehydroascorbate reductase 6 (MDHAR6), with Arabidopsis deficient in MDHAR6 displaying enhanced TNT tolerance. This discovery will contribute toward the remediation of contaminated sites. Moreover, in an environment of increasing herbicide resistance, with a shortage in new herbicide classes, our findings reveal MDHAR6 as a valuable plant-specific target.

AB - The explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a highly toxic and persistent environmental pollutant. Due to the scale of affected areas, one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly means of removing explosives pollution could be the use of plants. However, mechanisms of TNT phytotoxicity have been elusive. Here, we reveal that phytotoxicity is caused by reduction of TNT in the mitochondria, forming a nitro radical that reacts with atmospheric oxygen, generating reactive superoxide. The reaction is catalyzed by monodehydroascorbate reductase 6 (MDHAR6), with Arabidopsis deficient in MDHAR6 displaying enhanced TNT tolerance. This discovery will contribute toward the remediation of contaminated sites. Moreover, in an environment of increasing herbicide resistance, with a shortage in new herbicide classes, our findings reveal MDHAR6 as a valuable plant-specific target.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84941343885&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1126/science.aab3472

DO - 10.1126/science.aab3472

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84941343885

SN - 0036-8075

VL - 349

SP - 1072

EP - 1075

JO - Science

JF - Science

IS - 6252

ER -