Phytochelatins and Cadmium Mitigation: Harnessing Genetic Avenues for Plant Functional Manipulation.

ABSTRACT: Among the highly toxic heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) is highlighted as a persistent environmental pollutant, posing serious threats to plants and broader ecological systems. Phytochelatins (PCs), which are synthesized by phytochelatin synthase (PCS), are peptides that play a central role in Cd mitigation through metal chelation and vacuolar sequestration upon formation of Cd-PC complexes. PC synthesis interacts with other cellular mechanisms to shape detoxification outcomes, broadening the functional scope of PCs beyond classical stress responses. Plant Cd-related processes have has been extensively investigated within this context. This perspective article presents key highlights of the panorama concerning strategies targeting the PC pathway and PC synthesis to manipulate Cd-exposed plants.

SUBMITTER: Marques DN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12112059 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature