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Lead tolerance in plants: strategies for phytoremediation

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Abstract

Lead (Pb) is naturally occurring element whose distribution in the environment occurs because of its extensive use in paints, petrol, explosives, sludge, and industrial wastes. In plants, Pb uptake and translocation occurs, causing toxic effects resulting in decrease of biomass production. Commonly plants may prevent the toxic effect of heavy metals by induction of various celular mechanisms such as adsorption to the cell wall, compartmentation in vacuoles, enhancement of the active efflux, or induction of higher levels of metal chelates like a protein complex (metallothioneins and phytochelatins), organic (citrates), and inorganic (sulphides) complexes. Phyotochelains (PC) are synthesized from glutathione (GSH) and such synthesis is due to transpeptidation of γ-glutamyl cysteinyl dipeptides from GSH by the action of a constitutively present enzyme, PC synthase. Phytochelatin binds to Pb ions leading to sequestration of Pb ions in plants and thus serves as an important component of the detoxification mechanism in plants. At cellular level, Pb induces accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as a result of imbalanced ROS production and ROS scavenging processes by imposing oxidative stress. ROS include superoxide radical (O2 .−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (·OH), which are necessary for the correct functioning of plants; however, in excess they caused damage to biomolecules, such as membrane lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids among others. To limit the detrimental impact of Pb, efficient strategies like phytoremediation are required. In this review, it will discuss recent advancement and potential application of plants for lead removal from the environment.

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Acknowledgments

FJC research is supported by ERDF-cofinanced grants from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (projects ACI2009-0860 and BIO2009-12003-C01), Spain.

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  1. H. G. Huang

    Present address: Tobacco Production Technology Centre, Bijie Tobacco Company of Guizhou Province, Bijie, 551700, China

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Cellular y Molecular de Plantas, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Prof. Albareda No. 1, Granada, 18008, Spain

    D. K. Gupta & F. J. Corpas

  2. Ministry of Education key laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China

    H. G. Huang

Authors
  1. D. K. Gupta
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  2. H. G. Huang
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  3. F. J. Corpas
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Correspondence to D. K. Gupta.

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Responsible editor: Vinod Kumar Gupta

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Gupta, D.K., Huang, H.G. & Corpas, F.J. Lead tolerance in plants: strategies for phytoremediation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 2150–2161 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1485-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1485-4

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