Transcript profiles in roots and leaves of the mycorrhizal-colonized clone of poplar (AL35) grown on heavy metal polluted soil

The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of mycorrhization on transcription of genes coding for proteins involved in antioxidant defence and in heavy metal chelation and tolerance in a poplar clone (P.alba AL35) previously selected on the basis of the capability to growth and accumulate metals and thus suitable for phytoremediation. Many of the genes analyzed showed a leaf or root -specific expression, which was affected in a different extent by HM and GM. On the whole, the data so far obtained, suggested that the arbuscular fungus Glomus mosseae contributed to HM tolerance enhancing the mechanisms involved in chelation and transport of heavy metals towards the vacuole so alleviating the oxidative stress.