Open AccessMOLECULAR-GENETIC BASIS OF HIGHER PLANTS TOLERANCE TO, AND ACCUMULATION OF, CADMIUM
Author(s) -
Olga A. Kulaeva,
V. E. Tsyganov
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
èkologičeskaâ genetika
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.148
H-Index - 3
eISSN - 2411-9202
pISSN - 1811-0932
DOI - 10.17816/ecogen833-15
Subject(s) - phytoremediation , cadmium , biology , hyperaccumulator , pollutant , heavy metals , botany , contamination , chemistry , environmental chemistry , ecology , organic chemistry
Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most wide-ranged and dangerous pollutants for all living organisms, including plants. At present time the intensive studies of mechanisms of Cd accumulation in plant tissues and plant tolerance to its toxic influence are performed. Data about variation of Cd tolerance and accumulation traits in natural populations of hyperaccumulators species as well as important crops were obtained. A series of mutants with changed sensitivity to Cd was obtained. In recent decade several classes of proteins involving in cell responses to Cd ions were revealed. An important role of microRNA in plant adaptation to Cd was recently demonstrated. Studies of molecular-genetic mechanisms of Cd accumulation and plant tolerance to it are theoretical basis for development of phytoremediation technologies of soil contaminated with heavy metals and breeding of crop varieties with decreased Cd accumulation.