This study aimed to investigate the mode of action of cadmium (Cd) toxicity at cell level, especially at early stages of plant exposure. Tomato seedlings were cultivated in growth media containing from 0.1 to 70 µM CdCl2 for 24 h. Mitotic index, chromosome abnormality, DNA integrity and organization of tubulin-based structures were assessed in root cells. As higher the Cd concentration in the growth media, higher was the DNA damage intensity and the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities that included chromosome lost, bridges, stickiness, C-metaphase and polyploidy. The profile of chromosomal aberrations also varied with elevated Cd concentration, being observed increases in the frequency of chromosome stickiness. The mitotic index was reduced at the lowest Cd concentration, but such reduction was statistically similar to that detected at the highest concentration, suggesting that mitotic depression is a rapid outcome and, at same time, a Cd-induced effect that is limited at the first 24 h of direct root exposure to this metal. Under exposure to 20 µM CdCl2, heterogenous distribution of the spindle fibers, formation of two spindle complexes in both of the cell poles, absence of centrosome center, polarization of the spindle fibers during cell division, and non-uniform tubulin deposition in microtubule and phragmoplast were noticed. The results indicate that the tubulin-dependent components of cytoskeleton are Cd targets, and the sensitivity of tubulin-based structures to Cd exposure depends on cell cycle phase. Moreover, DNA damage intensity and chromosomal abnormality profile can be employed as markers of Cd toxicity level.
Keywords: Comet assay; Cytogenotoxicity; Heavy metal; Solanum lycopersicum L.; Stickiness; Tubulin.