Interconnections of primary and secondary metabolites of Astragalus verus cells under selenium treatment

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is a beneficial microelement with dose dependent effects on plants. At low concentrations, it stimulates antioxidant system but at high doses cause cell death. In the present study, the effects of different concentrations of Se (0, 0.5, 2.5, 12.5, and 62.5 μM) on metabolome of a cell line of Astragalus verus was evaluated. Seven-old days cells were treated with Se in the middle of their logarithmic growth phase for one week. Along with the increasing concentrations of Se, growth and total contents of soluble sugars and proteins, auxin and brassinosteroid decreased. However, the contents of ascorbate, glutathione, certain phenolics, free amino acids, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes increased. The results indicated the signaling role of monosaccharides and their synergistic behavior with auxin and brassinosteroid and critical functions of ascorbate and glutathione in response of A. verus to Se.

Keywords

• Ascorbate
• Astragalus verus
• Brassinosteroids
• Glutathione
• Phenolic compounds
• Selenium