A journey from heavy metal to metallothionein: a critical review of heavy metal remediation by plants

Ketankumar Panchal; R. B. Subramanian

Volume : V, Issue : V, May - 2016

A journey from heavy metal to metallothionein: a critical review of heavy metal remediation by plants

Ketankumar Panchal, R. B. Subramanian

Abstract :

The ruling idea of the present review is that plants are naturally capable of absorbing metals and ions from the land for their outgrowth. During evolution as soil is the lone source of nutrition for plants, they have accommodated themselves to heavy metals in soil, which otherwise are highly toxic to other living beings. Since plants are naturally adjusted to withstand toxic concentrations of minerals in soil, including heavy metals, it is legitimate to apply them to remediate such contamination. Under metal stress plant undergoes various physiological, biochemical and molecular alterations. Various proteins, including metallothionein protein plays an important role in the heavy metal intake and its compartmentalization in plants. The function parameter of this protein lies within its type and form which relying on its amino acid composition rich in cysteine amino acid. Promising metallothionein proteins are available that can be used in phytoremediation technology trough transgenic plant.