Abstract
Whether rare earth elements can enter into plant cells remains controversial. This article discusses the ultracellular structural localization of lanthanum (La3+) and europium (Eu3+) in the intact plant cells fed by rare earth elements Eu3+ and La3+. Eu-TTA fluorescence analysis of the plasmalemma, cytoplast, and mitochondria showed that Eu3+ fluorescence intensities in such structures significantly increased. Eu3+ can directly enter or be carried by the artificial ion carrier A23187 into plant cells through the calcium ion (Ca2+) channel and then partially resume the synthesis of amaranthin in the Amaranthus caudatus growing in the dark. Locations of rare earth elements La3+ and Eu3+ in all kinds of components of cytoplasmatic organelles were determined with transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The results of energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis indicated that Eu3+ and La3+ can be absorbed into plant cells and bind to the membranes of protoplasm, chloroplast, mitochondrion, cytoplast, and karyon. These results provide experimental evidence that rare earth elements can be absorbed into plant cells, which would be the basis for interpreting physiological and biochemical effects of rare earth elements on plant cells.
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Gao, Y., Zeng, F., Yi, A. et al. Research of the entry of rare earth elements Eu3+ and La3+ into plant cell. Biol Trace Elem Res 91, 253–265 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:91:3:253
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:91:3:253