New weapons explosive exhibits persistent toxicity in plants

Explosives are widespread, toxic and persistent environmental pollutants. 2,4-Dinitroanisole (DNAN) is being phased in to replace 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in munitions. Here we demonstrate that only low levels of DNAN are detoxified in Arabidopsis, leaving it to remain as a substrate for monodehydroascorbate reductase 6 mediated chronic phytotoxicity. Enhancing the potential for environmental toxicity, DNAN is readily transported to the aerial tissues exposing this toxin to herbivores and the wider food chain. To investigate genes differentially expressed in reposnse to the presence of DNAN, Arabidopsis plants in shake flasks were dosed with either 0, 60, 120, 240 or 480 μM DNAN. RNAseq was performed on RNA extracted from five replicate plants for each concentration of DNAN. Differential expression analysis carried out across the range of DNAN concentrations.