Abscisic acid is required in transduction of cadmium signal to potato roots

Treatment of potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants with cadmium or abscisic acid (ABA) enhanced the content of StPCS 1 transcript and activity of phytochelatin synthase (PCS) in roots.transcript and activity of phytochelatin synthase (PCS) in roots. These treatments enhanced the contents of ABA and expression of genes coding 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 1 (NCED1) and basic leucine zipper (b-ZIP).expression of genes coding 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 1 (NCED1) and basic leucine zipper (b-ZIP). Simultaneous treatment of potato plants with Cd and fluridone (Flu), an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis, completely halted the Cd-induced transcription of StPCS1, NCED1 and StbZIP genes and limited the increases in PCS activity and ABA content. The data suggest that ABA participates in transduction of the Cd signal to the cells of potato roots.