Cadmium-affected level of inorganic phosphate in rye leaves influences Rubisco subunits

Heavy metals, like Cd, decrease intracellular levels of essential mineral n utrient elements. Here we show the effects of the interaction between Cd an d inorganic phosphate and its effects on some aspects of the photosynthetic competence of first rye leaves. The decrease in the level of small and lar ge Rubisco subunits in the leaves of Cd-treated seedlings is discussed both in terms of the recovering effect of an additional Pi supply to the leaves , as well as of direct and indirect mechanisms of Cd-toxicity towards photo synthesis.