Engineering of nicotianamine synthesis enhances cadmium mobility in plants and results in higher seed cadmium concentrations.

ABSTRACT: Efficient biofortification, i.e., the enrichment of edible plant organs with micronutrients available for human consumption, is pursued through breeding and genetic engineering approaches. Enriching for iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), two of the most critical trace elements, in cereal grains can be achieved by boosting the synthesis of nicotianamine (NA), a key metal chelator in plants. However, metal transport and distribution pathways are not entirely specific and may lead to the adventitious accumulation of potentially highly toxic non-essential metals such as cadmium (Cd). We found evidence for the formation of intracellular Cd-NA complexes driving Cd uptake and accumulation in two different yeast species and therefore studied Arabidopsis thaliana mutants as well as NA synthase overexpression

SUBMITTER: Hollmann F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12040310 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature