Abstract
•Growth inhibition and oxidative stress was observed with Cd bioaccumulation.•Promoted yield of antioxidants (GSH, Asc and phenolics) was observed.•Conjunction with tested antioxidants as a tight network was innovative suggested.•Roles of H2O2 as signal molecules or toxic factors were determined originally.
Exposure of Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) to heavy metals is a common phenomenon due to their environmental applications. In the present study, P. chrysosporium accumulated high intracellular contents of Cd when cultured in metal-enriched culture medium, and then built up of distinct inhibition of growth rate. Concomitantly, rapid accumulation of H2O2 occurred and then triggered an induced signal transduction in activation of non-enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione (GSH), ascorbate (Asc) and phenolics) (below 30μmolg−1, R2>0.6). Promoted yield of antioxidants (GSH, Asc and phenolics) was observed in Cd-exposed P. chrysosporium, and a tight network of cooperation of those tested antioxidants was innovatively affirmed via Pearson correlation analysis (p<0.01). Thereafter, antioxidant consumption occurred as a network, and caused progressive alleviation in growth inhibition and oxidative stress. Integrated biomarker response further confirmed a remarkable antioxidant response against the negative effects of Cd.