Gene Responsible for Cadmium Accumulation in Rice Grains Found
March 28, 2018| |
Excessive cadmium (Cd) accumulation in grains of rice (Oryza sativa) is a serious health risk. Transporters in the nodes of rice distribute mineral elements, including toxic ones, to different plants tissues. However, the mechanism of Cd accumulation in grains is quite unknown. A group of researchers led by Xiaohua Hao from Hunan Normal University in China identified a node-expressed transporter gene, OsCCX2, which could be involved in controlling Cd accumulation.
Knockout of the OsCCX2 gene caused a great reduction of Cd content in the rice grains. Further analysis showed that disruption of this gene led to a reduced root-to-shoot translocation of Cd. Moreover, Cd distribution was also disturbed in internodes and leaves.
OsCCX2 was found to be localized to plasma membrane, and is mainly expressed in xylem region of vascular tissues at the nodes. OsCCX2 might function as an efflux transporter, responsible for Cd loading into xylem vessels.
The findings of the study revealed a novel Cd transporter involved in grain Cd accumulation.
For more information, read the article in Frontiers in Plant Science.
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