Characterization of Maize Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenases Induced in Response to 2,3,7,8 Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin: The Role of Indigenous Biomarkers in Environmental Monitoring of Contaminated Sites

Abstract The objective of this research is to evaluate the potential of detecting or degrading 2,3,7,8 Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) in soil using a native plant growing in a contaminated site by gene expression of Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) method. A significant difference in the root length (range of value: 580.2 mm to 799.2 mm) and enzyme activity (range of value: 31.2 to 82.3 nmolmin -1 g -1 total protein) of such indigenous plant was found in 10 µg/L TCDD treatment when compared to other treatments. Thirteen- and twenty-fold levels of gene expression in CYP71C1 and CYP79A61 of the plant growing in the contaminated site were found after 10 µg/L TCDD treatment. Such indigenous plant is sensitive to the detection of such persistent organic pollutant in the field site and involves gene expression change facilitated by a plant-microbe symbiotic association.