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Molecular mechanisms of metal toxicity and transcriptional/post-transcriptional regulation in plant model systems

Summary

Plants face serious damage from heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, and chromium in contaminated soils and water. Scientists are discovering how plants defend themselves through changes in gene expression, special proteins that trap metals, and modifications to their DNA that control stress response genes. Understanding these natural defense mechanisms could help us develop crops that survive in polluted environments and remove heavy metals from contaminated areas, making food safer and protecting human health.

Background

Plants as sessile organisms are constantly exposed to heavy metals and other environmental stressors that disrupt physiological and metabolic processes. While there are studies on multilevel molecular mechanisms of abiotic stress responses, limited research specifically focuses on heavy metal exposure. Integrating omic approaches is critical to improve understanding of physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to heavy metal stress.

Objective

This editorial aims to address knowledge gaps in understanding the molecular mechanisms governing metal toxicity and regulatory processes in plant model systems. The research topic investigates transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms to contribute to deeper understanding of plant metal stress responses and provide insights for developing strategies to mitigate negative impacts of heavy metals on plant health and productivity.

Results

Key findings include identification of specific genes and transcription factors enhancing metal tolerance (GSTU5, OsPRX38, OsGrx_C7), miRNA-mediated regulation of metal stress responses (miR166-OsHB4 module in cadmium tolerance), and epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation patterns associated with metal resistance. Studies also demonstrated roles of signaling pathways (ROS, NO, hormones, calcium, MAPK) and identified hub genes controlling secondary metabolism under metal stress.

Conclusion

These studies advance understanding of complex biological responses to metal exposure through integrated multi-omic approaches, revealing regulatory networks and mechanisms controlling plant metal stress responses. Future research should prioritize multi-omic integration, epigenetic mechanisms, plant-microbe interactions, targeted crop improvement, and addressing implications for human health through food chain accumulation.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Plant Science,
  • Study Type:Editorial/Review,
  • Source: PMID: 39665110, DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1502021
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