Phytoextraction of toxic metals: a central role for glutathione

Abstract

Phytoextraction has a promising potential as an environmentally friendly clean-up method for soils contaminated with toxic metals. To improve the development of efficient phytoextraction strategies, better knowledge regarding metal uptake, translocation and detoxification in planta is a prerequisite. This review highlights our current understanding on these mechanisms, and their impact on plant growth and health. Special attention is paid to the central role of glutathione (GSH) in this process. Because of the high affinity of metals to thiols and as a precursor for phytochelatins (PCs), GSH is an essential metal chelator. Being an important antioxidant, a direct link between metal detoxification and the oxidative challenge in plants growing on contaminated soils is observed, where GSH could be a key player. In addition, as redox couple, oxidized and reduced GSH transmits specific information, in this way tuning cellular signalling pathways under environmental stress conditions. Possible improvements of phytoextraction could be achieved by using transgenic plants or plant-associated microorganisms. Joined efforts should be made to cope with the challenges faced with phytoextraction in order to successfully implement this technique in the field.

Evaluation of Thiol Raman Activities and pKa Values Using Internally Referenced Raman-Based pH Titration

“…[8][9][10][11][12][13] Biological thiols like glutathione and cysteine have multiple functions in vital biological processes in humans, animals and plants. [14][15][16][17] One key indicator of thiol reactivity is its pKa value. Generally, there are several methods available for pKa determination.…”

Alleviation of photosynthetic inhibition in copper-stressed tomatoes through rebalance of ion content by exogenous nitric oxide

“…However, an excess of Cu, a serious environmental problem arising and spreading together with industrialization and the improper management of fertilizers and irrigation in agriculture in the past decades, can also adversely affect physiological processes and biochemical reactions in organisms and endanger the environment and, more particularly, human health (Hirayama et al, 2012;Wen et al, 2013). Therefore, increasing knowledge about how plants respond to Cu stress can greatly contribute to applied technologies, such as metal phytoextraction, to improve crop yield and quality in contaminated soil and to protect environmental safety (Seth et al, 2011).…”

The effect of EDTA and EDDS on lead uptake and localization in hydroponically grown Pisum sativum L.

“…The possible negative impact of Pb on the environment and human health creates the need for remediation of contaminated areas. Phytoremediation has been proposed as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional remediation technique (Seth et al 2012;Singh et al 2012).…”