Heavy Metal-induced Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage as Shown by RAPD-PCR in Leaves of Elodea Canadensis

The objective of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant response and DNA damage of heavy metals (Cd, Cu and Cr) in Elodea canadensis . Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), Glutathione reductase (GR) and lipid peroxidation levels of leaves of Elodea canadensis which was exposed to different concentrations of heavy metals (Cd; 2, 5, 10, 15, 25 ppb, Cu; 200, 500, 1000, 2500 ppb and Cr; 1, 3, 10, 15, 25 ppb.) in a hydroponic culture were determined spectrophotometrically. The highest induction in SOD and CAT activities were determined at highest concentration of heavy metals. The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) technique was used to investigate the variation of DNA banding patterns of samples that exposed to different concentrations of heavy metals. Changing in band intensity and the gain and loss of bands were demonstrated the genotoxic effect of heavy metals. Bioaccumulation, oxidative responses and DNA damages were shown that Elodea canadensis represents a useful bioindicator.