The well-known detrimental effects of cadmium (Cd) on plants are chloroplast destruction, photosynthetic pigment inhibition, imbalance of essential plant nutrients, and membrane damage. Jasmonic acid (JA) is an alleviator against different stresses such as salinity and drought. However, the functional attributes of JA in plants such as the interactive effects of JA application and Cd on rapeseed in response to heavy metal stress remain unclear. JA at 50 µmol/L was observed in literature to have senescence effects in plants. In the present study, 25 µmol/L JA is observed to be a "stress ameliorating molecule" by improving the tolerance of rapeseed plants to Cd toxicity. JA reduces the Cd uptake in the leaves, thereby reducing membrane damage and malondialdehyde content and increasing the essential nutrient uptake. Furthermore, JA shields the chloroplast against the damaging effects of Cd, thereby increasing gas exchange and photosynthetic pigments. Moreover, JA modulates the antioxidant enzyme activity to strengthen the internal defense system. Our results demonstrate the function of JA in alleviating Cd toxicity and its underlying mechanism. Moreover, JA attenuates the damage of Cd to plants. This study enriches our knowledge regarding the use of and protection provided by JA in Cd stress.
Brassica napus/metabolism* ; Cadmium/toxicity* ; Catalase/metabolism* ; Cyclopentanes/pharmacology* ; Oxylipins/pharmacology* ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Leaves/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

Recently, more research about the plant bioreactor expressing genes encoding human proteins was reported. In the present study, the cDNA of the human gene keratinocyte growth factor 2 (KGF2) was replaced with plant preferred codons by PCR, and the modified full-length cDNA was cloned into the plant expression vector pCAMBIA-YO containing the oil-body promoter. The fusion construct pCAMBIA-YO-KGF2 was transformed into Brassica napus by Agrobacterium tumefacien-mediated cotyledon transformation method. The transgenic seedlings were identified by PCR, Southern and western blot analysis all showed that KGF2 gene was successfully expressed in in transgenic Brassica napus.
Brassica napus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Rhizobium ; genetics ; Transformation, Genetic