Cadmium Stress Signaling Pathways in Plants: Molecular Responses and Mechanisms

Overview

Journal Curr Issues Mol Biol

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Molecular Biology

Date 2024 Jun 26

PMID 38921032

Authors

Valentina Vitelli

Agnese Giamborino

Andrea Bertolini

Alessandro Saba

Andrea Andreucci

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Heavy metal (HM) pollution, specifically cadmium (Cd) contamination, is a worldwide concern for its consequences for plant health and ecosystem stability. This review sheds light on the intricate mechanisms underlying Cd toxicity in plants and the various strategies employed by these organisms to mitigate its adverse effects. From molecular responses to physiological adaptations, plants have evolved sophisticated defense mechanisms to counteract Cd stress. We highlighted the role of phytochelatins (PC) in plant detoxification, which chelate and sequester Cd ions to prevent their accumulation and minimize toxicity. Additionally, we explored the involvement of glutathione (GSH) in mitigating oxidative damage caused by Cd exposure and discussed the regulatory mechanisms governing GSH biosynthesis. We highlighted the role of transporter proteins, such as ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs) and heavy metal ATPases (HMAs), in mediating the uptake, sequestration, and detoxification of Cd in plants. Overall, this work offered valuable insights into the physiological, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms underlying plant responses to Cd stress, providing a basis for strategies to alleviate the unfavorable effects of HM pollution on plant health and ecosystem resilience.

Citing Articles

Phosphoproteomics: Advances in Research on Cadmium-Exposed Plants.

Marques D, Piotto F, Azevedo R Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(22).

PMID: 39596496 PMC: 11594898. DOI: 10.3390/ijms252212431.

An Overview of the Mechanisms through Which Plants Regulate ROS Homeostasis under Cadmium Stress.

Luo P, Wu J, Li T, Shi P, Ma Q, Di D Antioxidants (Basel). 2024; 13(10).

PMID: 39456428 PMC: 11505430. DOI: 10.3390/antiox13101174.

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