Differential Protein and Morphological Responses of Mosses to Heavy Metal Exposure: Insights from SDS-PAGE Analysis and Microscopic Examination
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Issued Date
2026-03-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16865456
eISSN
24082384
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105031737395
Journal Title
Environment and Natural Resources Journal
Volume
24
Issue
2
Start Page
174
End Page
185
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Environment and Natural Resources Journal Vol.24 No.2 (2026) , 174-185
Suggested Citation
Chunchob S., Giyasov S., Phaenark C., Sawangproh W. Differential Protein and Morphological Responses of Mosses to Heavy Metal Exposure: Insights from SDS-PAGE Analysis and Microscopic Examination. Environment and Natural Resources Journal Vol.24 No.2 (2026) , 174-185. 185. doi:10.32526/ennrj/24/20250190 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/115625
Title
Differential Protein and Morphological Responses of Mosses to Heavy Metal Exposure: Insights from SDS-PAGE Analysis and Microscopic Examination
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Abstract
Heavy-metal pollution poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health. We evaluated acute proteomic and cytological responses of two mosses, Ectropothecium dealbatum and Hyophila involuta, to cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Gametophores were immersed for 72 h to single-metal solutions (10, 20, or 30 mg/L; controls in distilled water), ensuring observed effects reflected single-metal toxicity. Protein profiles were resolved by SDS-PAGE, and light microscopy quantified chloroplasts per lamina cell and the proportion of dead cells. Cd elicited the strongest responses in both species, with intensified high-molecular-weight bands (~90, ~100, ~121 kDa) and pronounced cytological injury; Pb produced qualitatively similar but weaker changes. In contrast, Zn primarily modulated band intensity without generating new bands and caused limited injury at the tested doses. Concordant shifts across methods—reduced chloroplast counts and elevated lamina cell death co-occurring with Cd/Pb-associated bands—support a molecular–physiological linkage of acute metal stress. However, these high-molecular-weight bands (including the ~121 kDa signal) are size-based, putative markers only; independent identification (e.g., LC-MS/MS or immunodetection) and functional validation are still required. Within this 72-h window and concentration range, sensitivity followed Cd > Pb ≫ Zn. The findings nominate candidate proteins for rapid discrimination of damaging (Cd, Pb) versus comparatively tolerated (Zn) exposures and motivate targeted protein identification plus longer, field-calibrated studies to establish biomonitoring thresholds.