Patterns of thioredoxin proteins in pea seeds exposed to cadmium stress reveals new roles during germination

Thioredoxin (Trx) proteins perform important biological functions in cells by changing the redox state of proteins via dithiol disulfide exchange. Through database search, we identified 8 potential Trx protein-encoding genes (PsTrx) in pea (Pisum sativum). Several systems are able to control the activity, stability, and correct folding of enzymes through dithiol/disulfide isomerization reactions including the enzyme protein disulfide-isomerase, the glutathionedependent glutaredoxin system, and the thioredoxin systems. Results revealed specific expression of some members at germination. PsTrx genes were also found to be differentially regulated in pea seedlings subjected to Cd-treatment. The expression levels of the PsTrx genes in the different tissues and under different treatments were also checked by western blotting analysis. The identification of PsTrx genes showing differential expression in specific tissues in response to different environmental conditions could provide new research avenues for functional analyses in pea