Cadmium can induce alterations in the cellular localization and expression of three major nucleolar proteins in root tip cells of Vicia faba L

Aims The findings of our earlier investigations indicated that cadmium (Cd) could induce some nucleolar materials containing the argyrophilic proteins scattered in the nuclei and located in cytoplasm in the root tip cells of Allium sative and Vicia faba. However, what kinds of nucleolar proteins are affected has not been reported up to now. In order to further confirm the cytological effects of Cd on nucleolus and nucleolar proteins, alterations in the cellular localization and expression of three major nucleolar proteins: nucleophosmin, fibrillarin and nucleolin were investigated under the treatment with Cd in the root tip cells of V. faba in this study. Methods Silver methods, Indirect immunofluorescent microscopy; Western blotting. Results The obvious toxic effects on nucleoli in the cells were observed after Cd treatment. Nucleolar proteins, nucleophosmin, fibrillarin, and nucleolin in root tip cells exposed to Cd (50 mu M) for 48 h were translocated from nucleolus to nucleoplasm and cytoplasm and expression of the three major nucleolar proteins was relatively higher when compared with control.