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Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity and Detoxification in Plants 2.0
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Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity and Detoxification in Plants 2.0

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2022) | Viewed by 20382

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Luigi De Bellis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Università del Salento, Centro Ecotekne, via Provinciale Lecce Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: plant physiology; genomics; biotechnology; pathology; fruit quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alessio Aprile

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Salento University, 73100 Lecce, Italy
2. Centro Ecotekne via Provinciale Lecce Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: mechanisms of mineral nutrient uptake in plants; impact of heavy metals on plant nutrient homeostasis; role of the rhizosphere microbiome in plant nutrient and heavy metal dynamics; sustainable agricultural practices for managing mineral nutrition and mitigating heavy metal stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, heavy metals have been widely used in agricultural, chemical, domestic, and technological applications causing environmental and soil contaminations. Heavy metals enter the plant system through soil or via the atmosphere and can accumulate, affecting physiological processes; plant growth; yield; and human health if heavy metals are stored in edible tissues. Understanding the regulation mechanisms of plant heavy metals accumulation and partitioning is important to improve the safety of the food chain.

This Special Issue aims to explore three main issues:

(1) The accumulation and partitioning of heavy metals in crops and wild plants;

(2) The toxicity and molecular behaviours of cells, tissues, and their effects on physiology and plant growth;

(3) Detoxification strategies, plant tolerance, and phytoremediation.

Prof. Dr. Luigi De Bellis
Dr. Alessio Aprile
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Heavy metals
  • Plant physiological responses to heavy metals
  • Phytoremediation
  • Heavy metal accumulation in plants
  • Toxicity
  • Tolerance
  • Detoxification

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 4218 KiB  
Article
Physiological and Gene Expression Responses of Six Annual Ryegrass Cultivars to Cobalt, Lead, and Nickel Stresses
by Siyu Qiao, Ye Tao, Qinghua Shan, Jingang Wang, Tuanyao Chai, Shufang Gong and Kun Qiao
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(24), 13583; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413583 - 18 Dec 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2380
Abstract
Heavy metals negatively affect soil quality and crop growth. In this study, we compared the tolerance of six ryegrass cultivars to cobalt (Co2+), lead (Pb2+), and nickel (Ni2+) stresses by analyzing their physiological indexes and transcript levels [...] Read more.
Heavy metals negatively affect soil quality and crop growth. In this study, we compared the tolerance of six ryegrass cultivars to cobalt (Co2+), lead (Pb2+), and nickel (Ni2+) stresses by analyzing their physiological indexes and transcript levels of genes encoding metal transporters. Compared with the other cultivars, the cultivar Lm1 showed higher germination rates and better growth under Co2+, Pb2+, or Ni2+ treatments. After 48 h of Co2+ treatment, the total antioxidant capacity of all six ryegrass cultivars was significantly increased, especially that of Lm1. In contrast, under Pb2+ stress, total antioxidant capacity of five cultivars was significantly decreased, but that of Lm1 was unaffected at 24 h. Staining with Evans blue dye showed that the roots of Lm1 were less injured than were roots of the other five ryegrass cultivars by Co2+, Pb2+, and Ni2+. Lm1 translocated and accumulated lesser Co2+, Pb2+, and Ni2+ than other cultivars. In Lm1, genes encoding heavy metal transporters were differentially expressed between the shoots and roots in response to Co2+, Pb2+, and Ni2+. The aim of these researches could help find potential resource for phytoremediation of heavy metal contamination soil. The identified genes related to resistance will be useful targets for molecular breeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity and Detoxification in Plants 2.0)
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11 pages, 1766 KiB  
Article
Expression of Cytochrome c3 from Desulfovibrio vulgaris in Plant Leaves Enhances Uranium Uptake and Tolerance of Tobacco
by Denis V. Beliaev, Dmitry V. Tereshonok, Nina F. Lunkova, Ekaterina N. Baranova, Ekaterina S. Osipova, Stepan V. Lisovskii, Galina N. Raldugina and Vladimir V. Kuznetsov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(23), 12622; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222312622 - 23 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2038
Abstract
Cytochrome c3 (uranyl reductase) from Desulfovibrio vulgaris can reduce uranium in bacterial cells and in cell-free systems. This gene was introduced in tobacco under control of the RbcS promoter, and the resulting transgenic plants accumulated uranium when grown on a uranyl ion containing [...] Read more.
Cytochrome c3 (uranyl reductase) from Desulfovibrio vulgaris can reduce uranium in bacterial cells and in cell-free systems. This gene was introduced in tobacco under control of the RbcS promoter, and the resulting transgenic plants accumulated uranium when grown on a uranyl ion containing medium. The uptaken uranium was detected by EM in chloroplasts. In the presence of uranyl ions in sublethal concentration, the transgenic plants grew phenotypically normal while the control plants’ development was impaired. The data on uranium oxidation state in the transgenic plants and the possible uses of uranium hyperaccumulation by plants for environmental cleanup are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity and Detoxification in Plants 2.0)
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15 pages, 13699 KiB  
Article
Overexpression of ZNT1 and NRAMP4 from the Ni Hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens Population Monte Prinzera in Arabidopsis thaliana Perturbs Fe, Mn, and Ni Accumulation
by Elisa Fasani, Giovanni DalCorso, Gianluca Zorzi, Caterina Agrimonti, Rosaria Fragni, Giovanna Visioli and Antonella Furini
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(21), 11896; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111896 - 2 Nov 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2110
Abstract
Metalliferous soils are characterized by a high content of metal compounds that can hamper plant growth. The pseudometallophyte Noccaea caerulescens is able to grow on metalliferous substrates by implementing both tolerance and accumulation of usually toxic metal ions. Expression of particular transmembrane transporter [...] Read more.
Metalliferous soils are characterized by a high content of metal compounds that can hamper plant growth. The pseudometallophyte Noccaea caerulescens is able to grow on metalliferous substrates by implementing both tolerance and accumulation of usually toxic metal ions. Expression of particular transmembrane transporter proteins (e.g., members of the ZIP and NRAMP families) leads to metal tolerance and accumulation, and its comparison between hyperaccumulator N. caerulescens with non-accumulator relatives Arabidopsis thaliana and Thlaspi arvense has deepened our knowledge on mechanisms adopted by plants to survive in metalliferous soils. In this work, two transporters, ZNT1 and NRAMP4, expressed in a serpentinic population of N. caerulescens identified on the Monte Prinzera (Italy) are considered, and their expression has been induced in yeast and in A. thaliana. In the latter, single transgenic lines were crossed to test the effect of the combined over-expression of the two transporters. An enhanced iron and manganese translocation towards the shoot was induced by overexpression of NcZNT1. The combined overexpression of NcZNT1 and NcNRAMP4 did perturb the metal accumulation in plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity and Detoxification in Plants 2.0)
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19 pages, 2907 KiB  
Article
Molecular Responses to Cadmium Exposure in Two Contrasting Durum Wheat Genotypes
by Erika Sabella, Andrea Luvisi, Alessandra Genga, Luigi De Bellis and Alessio Aprile
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(14), 7343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22147343 - 8 Jul 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2604
Abstract
Cadmium is a heavy metal that can be easily accumulated in durum wheat kernels and enter the human food chain. Two near-isogenic lines (NILs) with contrasting cadmium accumulation in grains, High-Cd or Low-Cd (H-Cd NIL and L-Cd NIL, respectively), were used to understand [...] Read more.
Cadmium is a heavy metal that can be easily accumulated in durum wheat kernels and enter the human food chain. Two near-isogenic lines (NILs) with contrasting cadmium accumulation in grains, High-Cd or Low-Cd (H-Cd NIL and L-Cd NIL, respectively), were used to understand the Cd accumulation and transport mechanisms in durum wheat roots. Plants were cultivated in hydroponic solution, and cadmium concentrations in roots, shoots and grains were quantified. To evaluate the molecular mechanism activated in the two NILs, the transcriptomes of roots were analyzed. The observed response is complex and involves many genes and molecular mechanisms. We found that the gene sequences of two basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors (bHLH29 and bHLH38) differ between the two genotypes. In addition, the transporter Heavy Metal Tolerance 1 (HMT-1) is expressed only in the low-Cd genotype and many peroxidase genes are up-regulated only in the L-Cd NIL, suggesting ROS scavenging and root lignification as active responses to cadmium presence. Finally, we hypothesize that some aquaporins could enhance the Cd translocation from roots to shoots. The response to cadmium in durum wheat is therefore extremely complex and involves transcription factors, chelators, heavy metal transporters, peroxidases and aquaporins. All these new findings could help to elucidate the cadmium tolerance in wheat and address future breeding programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity and Detoxification in Plants 2.0)
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Review

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26 pages, 1486 KiB  
Review
Natural Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Hyperaccumulation and Hypertolerance towards Heavy Metals
by Lidia Skuza, Izabela Szućko-Kociuba, Ewa Filip and Izabela Bożek
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(16), 9335; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169335 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 54 | Viewed by 4374
Abstract
The main mechanism of plant tolerance is the avoidance of metal uptake, whereas the main mechanism of hyperaccumulation is the uptake and neutralization of metals through specific plant processes. These include the formation of symbioses with rhizosphere microorganisms, the secretion of substances into [...] Read more.
The main mechanism of plant tolerance is the avoidance of metal uptake, whereas the main mechanism of hyperaccumulation is the uptake and neutralization of metals through specific plant processes. These include the formation of symbioses with rhizosphere microorganisms, the secretion of substances into the soil and metal immobilization, cell wall modification, changes in the expression of genes encoding heavy metal transporters, heavy metal ion chelation, and sequestration, and regenerative heat-shock protein production. The aim of this work was to review the natural plant mechanisms that contribute towards increased heavy metal accumulation and tolerance, as well as a review of the hyperaccumulator phytoremediation capacity. Phytoremediation is a strategy for purifying heavy-metal-contaminated soils using higher plants species as hyperaccumulators. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity and Detoxification in Plants 2.0)
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13 pages, 1149 KiB  
Review
MAPK Cascades and Transcriptional Factors: Regulation of Heavy Metal Tolerance in Plants
by Shaocui Li, Xiaojiao Han, Zhuchou Lu, Wenmin Qiu, Miao Yu, Haiying Li, Zhengquan He and Renying Zhuo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(8), 4463; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23084463 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 45 | Viewed by 4856
Abstract
In nature, heavy metal (HM) stress is one of the most destructive abiotic stresses for plants. Heavy metals produce toxicity by targeting key molecules and important processes in plant cells. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade transfers the signals perceived by cell membrane [...] Read more.
In nature, heavy metal (HM) stress is one of the most destructive abiotic stresses for plants. Heavy metals produce toxicity by targeting key molecules and important processes in plant cells. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade transfers the signals perceived by cell membrane surface receptors to cells through phosphorylation and dephosphorylation and targets various effector proteins or transcriptional factors so as to result in the stress response. Signal molecules such as plant hormones, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO) can activate the MAPK cascade through differentially expressed genes, the activation of the antioxidant system and synergistic crosstalk between different signal molecules in order to regulate plant responses to HMs. Transcriptional factors, located downstream of MAPK, are key factors in regulating plant responses to heavy metals and improving plant heavy metal tolerance and accumulation. Thus, understanding how HMs activate the expression of the genes related to the MAPK cascade pathway and then phosphorylate those transcriptional factors may allow us to develop a regulation network to increase our knowledge of HMs tolerance and accumulation. This review highlighted MAPK pathway activation and responses under HMs and mainly focused on the specificity of MAPK activation mediated by ROS, NO and plant hormones. Here, we also described the signaling pathways and their interactions under heavy metal stresses. Moreover, the process of MAPK phosphorylation and the response of downstream transcriptional factors exhibited the importance of regulating targets. It was conducive to analyzing the molecular mechanisms underlying heavy metal accumulation and tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metals Accumulation, Toxicity and Detoxification in Plants 2.0)
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