Enhanced phytoremediation of TNT and cobalt co-contaminated soil by AfSSB transformed plant

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and cobalt (Co) contaminants have posed a severe environmental problem in many countries. Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly technology for the remediation of these contaminants. However, the toxicity of TNT and cobalt limit the efficacy of phytoremediation application. The present research showed that expressing the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans single-strand DNA-binding protein gene (AfSSB) can improve the tolerance of Arabidopsis and tall fescue to TNT and cobalt. Compared to control plants, the AfSSB transformed Arabidopsis and tall fescue exhibited enhanced phytoremediation of TNT and cobalt separately contaminated soil and co-contaminated soil. The comet analysis revealed that the AfSSB transformed Arabidopsis suffer reduced DNA damage than control plants under TNT or cobalt exposure. In addition, the proteomic analysis revealed that AfSSB improves TNT and cobalt tolerance by strengthening the reactive superoxide (ROS) scavenging system and the detoxification system. Results presented here serve as strong theoretical support for the phytoremediation potential of organic and metal pollutants mediated by single-strand DNA-binding protein genes. This is the first report that AfSSB enhances phytoremediation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and cobalt separately contaminated and co-contaminated soil. •AfSSB transformed Arabidopsis and tall fescue enhances tolerance to TNT and cobalt.•SSBs transformed plants enhance phytoremediation of TNT and cobalt contaminated soil.•SSBs transformed plants enhance phytoremediation of TNT and cobalt co-contaminated soil.•AfSSB reducing DNA damage caused by TNT and cobalt.•AfSSB enhancing superoxide (ROS) scavenging system and detoxification system