Glycine Betaine Accumulation, Significance and Interests for Heavy Metal Tolerance in Plants

Abstract

Unexpected biomagnifications and bioaccumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in the surrounding environment has become a predicament for all living organisms together with plants. Excessive release of HMs from industrial discharge and other anthropogenic activities has threatened sustainable agricultural practices and limited the overall profitable yield of different plants species. Heavy metals at toxic levels interact with cellular molecules, leading towards the unnecessary generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), restricting productivity and growth of the plants. The application of various osmoprotectants is a renowned approach to mitigate the harmful effects of HMs on plants. In this review, the effective role of glycine betaine (GB) in alleviation of HM stress is summarized. Glycine betaine is very important osmoregulator, and its level varies considerably among different plants. Application of GB on plants under HMs stress successfully improves growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant enzymes activities, nutrients uptake, and minimizes excessive heavy metal uptake and oxidative stress. Moreover, GB activates the adjustment of glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) contents in plants under HM stress. Excessive accumulation of GB through the utilization of a genetic engineering approach can successfully enhance tolerance against stress, which is considered an important feature that needs to be investigated in depth.

Metagenomic Insight into the Community Structure of Maize-Rhizosphere Bacteria as Predicted by Different Environmental Factors and Their Functioning within Plant Proximity

“…These pathways have been reported viable against plant’s soil stressors by studies viz. Ali et al [ 75 ]; Annunziata et al [ 76 ] and Tang et al [ 77 ]. The effect of choline and glycine betaine in osmoregulation of important rhizobiome strains useful in salt tolerance was explored by Boncompagni et al [ 78 ].…”

Ameliorative Effects of Exogenous Proline on Photosynthetic Attributes, Nutrients Uptake, and Oxidative Stresses under Cadmium in Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L.)

“…This contamination inflicts detrimental effects on ecosystems, affecting their biotic components, including animals and plants [3,4]. Plants, due to being sessile and directly dependent on the soil, frequently experience the harmful effects of these heavy metals [5]. Among the heavy metals, cadmium is a highly toxic, non-degradable pollutant that significantly impacts living organisms [6][7][8].…”

Regulation of Cytochrome c Oxidase by Natural Compounds Resveratrol, (–)-Epicatechin, and Betaine

“…As with animals, BET is beneficial for plant life. It improves growth, photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and protects cells from chemical toxicity by reducing oxidative stress damage and excessive heavy metal uptake [174]. A positive role for BET in cold acclimation in plants has also been reported [175,176].…”