Hijacking membrane transporters for arsenic phytoextraction

Transport channels enabling uptake, translocation and detoxification of arsenic in plants

Arsenic (As), a toxic metalloid and global environmental contaminant, poses serious threats to living organisms through groundwater and dietary exposure. Both acute and chronic exposures of As result in severe physiological and biochemical disturbances in organisms. In plants, As uptake occurs through transporters for essential metal ions, which often lack selectivity due to structural similarities between As species and essential ions. Nodulin 26-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs) facilitate the transport of As(III), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), while phosphate transporters (PHTs) mediate As(V) uptake due to its similarity to phosphate. Internalized As is detoxified through sulfur (S)-rich molecules like glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs), forming thiol-As complexes. These complexes are either transported to shoots for sequestration or stored in vacuoles, reducing toxicity. Detoxification relies on sulfate transporters (SULTRs) for S uptake and ATP-binding cassette (ABCC) transporters for vacuolar sequestration of thiol-As complexes. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is crucial for mitigating As toxicity. This review outlines the roles of transporters and their regulation controlling As detoxification. These transporters are promising targets for genome-editing and molecular breeding to develop crops with reduced As levels in edible tissues, addressing food safety and environmental remediation.

Ionic and nano calcium to reduce cadmium and arsenic toxicity in plants: Review of mechanisms and potentials

Contamination of agricultural soils with heavy metal(loid)s like arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) is an ever increasing concern for crop production, quality, and global food security. Numerous in-situ and ex-situ remediation approaches have been developed to reduce As and Cd contamination in soils. However, field-scale applications of conventional remediation techniques are limited due to the associated environmental risks, low efficacy, and large capital investments. Recently, calcium (Ca) and Ca-based nano-formulations have emerged as promising solutions with the large potential to mitigate As and Cd toxicity in soil for plants. This review provides comprehensive insights into the phytotoxic effects of As and Cd stress/toxicity and discusses the applications of Ca-based ionic and nano-agrochemicals to alleviate As and Cd toxicity in important crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and barley. Further, various molecular and physiological mechanisms induced by ionic and nano Ca to mitigate As and Cd stress/toxicity in plants are discussed. This review also critically analyzes the efficiency of these emerging Ca-based approaches, both ionic and nano-formulations, in mitigating As and Cd toxicity in comparison to conventional remediation techniques. Additionally, future perspectives and ecological concerns of the remediation approaches encompassing ionic and nano Ca have been discussed. Overall, the review provides an updated and in-depth knowledge for developing sustainable and effective strategies to address the challenges posed by As and Cd contamination in agricultural crops.

Mitigating toxic metals contamination in foods: Bridging knowledge gaps for addressing food safety

Background

Reducing exposure to harmful substances in food is highly desired, especially for infants, young children, and pregnant women. A workshop focused on understanding and reducing toxic metal contamination in food was conducted involving leading scientists, educators, practitioners, and key stakeholders in conjunction with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Scope and approach

The goal of this review and the workshop was to advance the current knowledge of major toxic metals concerning food safety, viz. arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr), preventive measures, identify critical knowledge gaps, and the need for research, extension, and education. Being a part of the "Closer to Zero (C2Z)" initiative of the USDA, FDA, and other federal agencies, the workshop adopted a "One Health" approach to mitigate dietary exposure and environmental pollution of hazardous elements.

Key findings and conclusions

The experts discussed the accumulation of toxic metals in food crops and drinking water in relation to soil biogeochemistry, plant uptake, and multidisciplinary factors such as food processing, detection, regulatory standards, etc. To forward food safety, this workshop critically examined toxic metals contamination, exposure and toxicity along the farm-to-fork-to-human continuum, research gaps, prevailing regulations, and sustainable remediation approaches, and offered significant recommendations. This review paper provides perspective on key findings of the workshop relative to addressing this important aspect of food safety, emphasizing interdisciplinary research that can effectively investigate and understand the complex and dynamic relationships between soil biogeochemistry, the microbiome, plant tolerance and accumulation strategies, uniform standards for acceptable and safe toxic element levels in food and water, and raising public awareness. This article also provides a foundation for decision-making regarding toxic metal fate and effects, including risk management strategies, in the face of modern industrialization and a changing climate.

Arsenic Induced Oxidative Neural-Damages in Rat are Mitigated by Tea-Leave Extract via MMPs and AChE Inactivation, Shown by Molecular Docking and in Vitro Studies with Pure Theaflavin and AChE

BACKGROUND

Chronic arsenic-exposure causes neuromuscular disorders and other health anomalies. Damage to DNA and cytoskeletal/extracellular matrix is brought on by reactive-oxygen-species (ROS)-induced intrinsic antioxidant depletion (thiols/urate). Therapeutic chelating-agents have multiple side-effects.

OBJECTIVES

The protection of (Camellia sinensis) tea-extract and role of uric-acid (UA) or allopurinol (urate-depletor) on arsenic-toxicity were verified in rat model.

METHODS

Camellia sinensis (CS dry-leaves), UA or allopurinol was supplemented to arsenic-intoxicated rats for 4-weeks. Purified theaflavins and their galloyl-ester were tested in-vitro on pure AChE (acetylcholinesterase) and their PDB/PubChem 3-D structures were utilized for in-silico binding studies. The primary chemical components were evaluated from CS-extracts. Biochemical analysis, PAGE-zymogram, DNA-stability comet analysis, HE-staining was performed in arsenic-exposed rat brain tissues.

RESULTS

Animals exposed to arsenic showed symptoms of erratic locomotion, decreased intrinsic antioxidants (catalase/SOD1/uric acid), increased AChE, and malondialdehyde. Cerebellar and cerebrum tissue damages were shown with increased levels of matrix-metalloprotease (MMP2/9) and DNA damage (comets). Allopurinol- supplemented group demonstrated somewhat similar biochemical responses. In the CS-group brain tissues especially cerebellum is considerably protected which is evident from endogenous antioxidant and DNA and cytoskeleton protection with concomitant inactivation of MMPs and AChE. Present study indicates theaflavin-digallate (TFDG) demonstrated the highest inhibition of purified AChE (IC50 = 2.19 µg/ml with the lowest binding free-energy; -369.87 kcal/mol) followed by TFMG (IC50 = 3.86 µg/ml, -347.06 kcal/mol) suggesting their possible restoring effects of cholinergic response.

CONCLUSIONS

Favorable responses in UA-group and adverse outcome in allo-group justify the neuro-protective effects of UA as an endogenous antioxidant. Role of flavon-gallate in neuro protection mechanism may be further studied.

Overexpression of OsTIP1;2 confers arsenite tolerance in rice and reduces root-to-shoot translocation of arsenic

Tonoplast Intrinsic Proteins (TIPs) are vital in transporting water and solutes across vacuolar membrane. The role of TIPs in the arsenic stress response is largely undefined. Rice shows sensitivity to the arsenite [As[III]] stress and its accumulation at high concentrations in grains poses severe health hazards. In this study, functional characterization of OsTIP1;2 from Oryza sativa indica cultivar Pusa Basmati-1 (PB-1) was done under the As[III] stress. Overexpression of OsTIP1;2 in PB-1 rice conferred tolerance to As[III] treatment measured in terms of enhanced shoot growth, biomass, and shoot/root ratio of overexpression (OE) lines compared to the wild-type (WT) plants. Moreover, seed priming with the IRW100 yeast cells (deficient in vacuolar membrane As[III] transporter YCF1) expressing OsTIP1;2 further increased As[III] stress tolerance of both WT and OE plants. The dithizone assay showed that WT plants accumulated high arsenic in shoots, while OE lines accumulated more arsenic in roots than shoots thereby limiting the translocation of arsenic to shoot. The activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants also increased in the OE lines on exposure to As[III]. The tissue-specific localization showed OsTIP1;2 promoter activity in root and root hairs, indicating its possible root-specific function. After As[III] treatment in hydroponic medium, the arsenic translocation factor (TF) for WT was around 0.8, while that of OE lines was around 0.2. Moreover, the arsenic content in the grains of OE lines reduced significantly compared to WT plants.

Novel Phosphate Transporter-B PvPTB1;1/1;2 Contribute to Efficient Phosphate Uptake and Arsenic Accumulation in As-Hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata

Arsenic (As) contamination in soil poses a potential threat to human health via crop uptake. As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata serves as a model plant to study As uptake and associated mechanisms. This study focuses on a novel P/AsV transport system mediated by low-affinity phosphate transporter-B 1 family (PTB1) in P. vittata. Here, we identified two plasma-membrane-localized PTB1 genes, PvPTB1;1/1;2, in vascular plants for the first time, which were 4.4-40-fold greater in expression in P. vittata than in other Pteris ferns. Functional complementation of a yeast P-uptake mutant and enhanced P accumulation in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana confirmed their role in P uptake. Moreover, the expression of PvPTB1;1/1;2 facilitated the transport and accumulation of As in both yeast and A. thaliana shoots, demonstrating a comparable AsV uptake capacity. Microdissection-qPCR analysis and single-cell transcriptome analysis collectively suggest that PvPTB1;1/1;2 are specifically expressed in the epidermal cells of P. vittata roots. PTB1 may play a pivotal role in efficient P recycling during phytate secretion and hydrolysis in P. vittata roots. In summary, the dual P transport mechanisms consisting of high-affinity Pht1 and low-affinity PTB1 may have contributed to the efficient P/As uptake in P. vittata, thereby contributing to efficient phytoremediation for As-contaminated soils.

Rice tonoplast intrinsic protein member OsTIP1;2 confers tolerance to arsenite stress

The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorizes arsenic (As) as a group I carcinogen. Arsenic exposure significantly reduces growth, development, metabolism, and crop yield. Tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs) belong to the major intrinsic protein (MIP) superfamily and transport various substrates, including metals/metalloids. Our study aimed to characterize rice OsTIP1;2 in As[III] stress response. The gene expression analysis showed that the OsTIP1;2 expression was enhanced in roots on exposure to As[III] treatment. The heterologous expression of OsTIP1;2 in S. cerevisiae mutant lacking YCF1 (ycf1∆) complemented the As[III] transport function of the YCF1 transporter but not for boron (B) and arsenate As[V], indicating its substrate selective nature. The ycf1∆ mutant expressing OsTIP1;2 accumulated more As than the wild type (W303-1A) and ycf1∆ mutant strain carrying the pYES2.1 vector. OsTIP1;2 activity was partially inhibited in the presence of the aquaporin (AQP) inhibitors. The subcellular localization studies confirmed that OsTIP1;2 is localized to the tonoplast. The transient overexpression of OsTIP1;2 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves resulted in increased activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, suggesting a potential role in mitigating oxidative stress induced by As[III]. The transgenic N. tabacum overexpressing OsTIP1;2 displayed an As[III]-tolerant phenotype, with increased fresh weight and root length than the wild-type (WT) and empty vector (EV line). The As translocation factor (TF) for WT and EV was around 0.8, while that of OE lines was around 0.4. Moreover, the OE line bioconcentration factor (BCF) was more than 1. Notably, the reduced TF and increased BCF in the OE line imply the potential of OsTIP1;2 for phytostabilization.

Effect of phosphate on arsenic species uptake in plants under hydroponic conditions

Monothioarsenate (MTA) is a newly discovered arsenic (As) compound that can be formed under reduced sulfur conditions, mainly in paddy soil pore waters. It is structurally similar to arsenate As(V) and inorganic phosphate (Pi), which is taken up through phosphate transporters. Due to the similarity between As(V) and Pi, As(V) enters into plants instead of Pi. The important role played by phytochelatin (PC), glutathione (GSH), and the PC-vacuolar transporters ABCC1 and ABCC2 under As stress in plants is well known. However, the plant uptake and mechanisms surrounding MTA still have not been completely addressed. This investigation was divided in two stages: first, several hydroponic assays were set up to establish the sensibility-tolerance of wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana (accession Columbia-0, Col-0). Then Col-0 was used as a control plant to evaluate the effects of As(V) or MTA in (PC)-deficient mutant (cad1-3), glutathione biosynthesis mutant (cad2), and PC transport (abcc1-2). The inhibitory concentration (IC50) root length was calculated for both As species. According to the results, both arsenic species (As(V) and MTA) exhibited high toxicity for the genotypes evaluated. This could mean that these mechanisms play a constitutive role in MTA detoxification. Second, for the Pi-MTA and As(V)-Pi competition assays, a series of experiments on hydroponic seedlings of A. thaliana were carried out using Col-0 and a pht1;1. The plants were grown under increasing Pi concentrations (10 μM, 0.1 mM, or 1 mM) at 10 μM As(V) or 50 μM MTA. The total As concentration in the roots was significantly lower in plants exposed to MTA, there being less As content in the pht1;1 mutant at the lowest Pi concentrations tested compared with the As(V)/Pi treatments. In addition, a higher rate of As translocation from the roots to the shoots under MTA was observed in comparison to the As(V)-treatments.

Negative Impacts of Arsenic on Plants and Mitigation Strategies

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid prevalent mainly in soil and water. The presence of As above permissible levels becomes toxic and detrimental to living organisms, therefore, making it a significant global concern. Humans can absorb As through drinking polluted water and consuming As-contaminated food material grown in soil having As problems. Since human beings are mobile organisms, they can use clean uncontaminated water and food found through various channels or switch from an As-contaminated area to a clean area; but plants are sessile and obtain As along with essential minerals and water through roots that make them more susceptible to arsenic poisoning and consequent stress. Arsenic and phosphorus have many similarities in terms of their physical and chemical characteristics, and they commonly compete to cause physiological anomalies in biological systems that contribute to further stress. Initial indicators of arsenic's propensity to induce toxicity in plants are a decrease in yield and a loss in plant biomass. This is accompanied by considerable physiological alterations; including instant oxidative surge; followed by essential biomolecule oxidation. These variables ultimately result in cell permeability and an electrolyte imbalance. In addition, arsenic disturbs the nucleic acids, the transcription process, and the essential enzymes engaged with the plant system's primary metabolic pathways. To lessen As absorption by plants, a variety of mitigation strategies have been proposed which include agronomic practices, plant breeding, genetic manipulation, computer-aided modeling, biochemical techniques, and the altering of human approaches regarding consumption and pollution, and in these ways, increased awareness may be generated. These mitigation strategies will further help in ensuring good health, food security, and environmental sustainability. This article summarises the nature of the impact of arsenic on plants, the physio-biochemical mechanisms evolved to cope with As stress, and the mitigation measures that can be employed to eliminate the negative effects of As.

Phytoremediation of Potentially Toxic Elements: Role, Status and Concerns

Environmental contamination with a myriad of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is triggered by various natural and anthropogenic activities. However, the industrial revolution has increased the intensity of these hazardous elements and their concentration in the environment, which, in turn, could provoke potential ecological risks. Additionally, most PTEs pose a considerable nuisance to human beings and affect soil, aquatic organisms, and even nematodes and microbes. This comprehensive review aims to: (i) introduce potentially toxic elements; (ii) overview the major sources of PTEs in the major environmental compartments; (iii) briefly highlight the major impacts of PTEs on humans, plants, aquatic life, and the health of soil; (iv) appraise the major methods for tackling PTE-caused pollution; (v) discuss the concept and applications of the major eco-technological/green approaches (comprising phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, phytovolatilization, and phytorestoration); (vi) highlight the role of microbes in phytoremediation under PTE stress; and (vii) enlighten the major role of genetic engineering in advancing the phytoremediation of varied PTEs. Overall, appropriate strategies must be developed in order to stop gene flow into wild species, and biosafety issues must be properly addressed. Additionally, consistent efforts should be undertaken to tackle the major issues (e.g., risk estimation, understanding, acceptance and feasibility) in order to guarantee the successful implementation of phytoremediation programs, raise awareness of this green technology among laymen, and to strengthen networking among scientists, stakeholders, industrialists, governments and non-government organizations.

Aquaporin-mediated transport: Insights into metalloid trafficking

Metalloids in plants have diverse physiological effects. From being essential to beneficial to toxic, they have significant effects on many physiological processes, influencing crop yield and quality. Aquaporins are a group of membrane channels that have several physiological substrates along with water. Metalloids have emerged as one of their important substrates and they are found to have a substantial role in regulating plant metalloid homeostasis. The present review comprehensively details the multiple isoforms of aquaporins having specificity for metalloids and being responsible for their influx, distribution or efflux. In addition, it also highlights the usage of aquaporin-mediated transport as a selection marker in toxic screens and as tracer elements for closely related metalloids. Therefore, aquaporins, with their imperative contribution to the regulation of plant growth, development and physiological processes, need more research to unravel the metalloid trafficking mechanisms and their future applications.

Harnessing plant microbiome for mitigating arsenic toxicity in sustainable agriculture

Heavy metal toxicity has become an impediment to agricultural productivity, which presents major human health concerns in terms of food safety. Among them, arsenic (As) a non-essential heavy metal has gained worldwide attention because of its noxious effects on agriculture and public health. The increasing rate of global warming and anthropogenic activities have promptly exacerbated As levels in the agricultural soil, thereby causing adverse effects to crop genetic and phenotypic traits and rendering them vulnerable to other stresses. Conventional breeding and transgenic approaches have been widely adapted for producing heavy metal resilient crops; however, they are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Hence, finding new mitigation strategies for As toxicity would be a game-changer for sustainable agriculture. One such promising approach is harnessing plant microbiome in the era of 'omics' which is gaining prominence in recent years. The use of plant microbiome and their cocktails to combat As metal toxicity has gained widespread attention, because of their ability to metabolize toxic elements and offer an array of perquisites to host plants such as increased nutrient availability, stress resilience, soil fertility, and yield. A comprehensive understanding of below-ground plant-microbiome interactions and their underlying molecular mechanisms in exhibiting resilience towards As toxicity will help in identifying elite microbial communities for As mitigation. In this review, we have discussed the effect of As, their accumulation, transportation, signaling, and detoxification in plants. We have also discussed the role of the plant microbiome in mitigating As toxicity which has become an intriguing research frontier in phytoremediation. This review also provides insights on the advancements in constructing the beneficial synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) using microbiome engineering that will facilitate the development of the most advanced As remedial tool kit in sustainable agriculture.

Molecular insight into arsenic uptake, transport, phytotoxicity, and defense responses in plants: a critical review

A critical investigation into arsenic uptake and transportation, its phytotoxic effects, and defense strategies including complex signaling cascades and regulatory networks in plants. The metalloid arsenic (As) is a leading pollutant of soil and water. It easily finds its way into the food chain through plants, more precisely crops, a common diet source for humans resulting in serious health risks. Prolonged As exposure causes detrimental effects in plants and is diaphanously observed through numerous physiological, biochemical, and molecular attributes. Different inorganic and organic As species enter into the plant system via a variety of transporters e.g., phosphate transporters, aquaporins, etc. Therefore, plants tend to accumulate elevated levels of As which leads to severe phytotoxic damages including anomalies in biomolecules like protein, lipid, and DNA. To combat this, plants employ quite a few mitigation strategies such as efficient As efflux from the cell, iron plaque formation, regulation of As transporters, and intracellular chelation with an array of thiol-rich molecules such as phytochelatin, glutathione, and metallothionein followed by vacuolar compartmentalization of As through various vacuolar transporters. Moreover, the antioxidant machinery is also implicated to nullify the perilous outcomes of the metalloid. The stress ascribed by the metalloid also marks the commencement of multiple signaling cascades. This whole complicated system is indeed controlled by several transcription factors and microRNAs. This review aims to understand, in general, the plant-soil-arsenic interaction, effects of As in plants, As uptake mechanisms and its dynamics, and multifarious As detoxification mechanisms in plants. A major portion of this article is also devoted to understanding and deciphering the nexus between As stress-responsive mechanisms and its underlying complex interconnected regulatory networks.

Isolation and molecular identification of native As-resistant bacteria: As(III) and As(V) removal capacity and possible mechanism of detoxification

The study of arsenic (As)-resistant microorganisms with high As removal capacity is fundamental for the development of economically sustainable technologies used for the treatment of water contaminated with metalloid. In the current study, four bacterial strains were isolated from As-contaminated water samples of the Xichu region, Mexico. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the isolated strains, Rhodococcus gordoniae, Microbacterium hydrocarbonoxydans, Exiguobacterium indicum, and Pseudomonas kribbensis were identified as potential As removal strains. R. gordoniae shows the highest growth capacity in both As(III) and As(V). R. gordoniae, M. hydrocarbonoxydans, and E. indicum removed approximately 81.6, 79.9, and 61.7% of As(III), as well as 77.2, 68.9, and 74.8% of As(V), respectively. P. kribbensis removed only about 80.2% of As(V). This study contributes to the possible detoxification mechanisms employed by these bacteria. Such insight could be crucial in the successful implementation of in situ bioremediation programs using these little-known bacteria.

A Panax notoginseng phosphate transporter, PnPht1;3, greatly contributes to phosphate and arsenate uptake

The crisis of arsenic (As) accumulation in rhizomes threatens the quality and safety of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen, which is a well-known traditional Chinese herb with a long clinical history. The uptake of arsenate (AsV) could be suppressed by supplying phosphate (Pi), in which Pi transporters play important roles in the uptake of Pi and AsV. Herein, the P . notoginseng Pi transporter-encoding gene PnPht1;3 was identified and characterised under Pi deficiency and AsV exposure. In this study, the open reading frame (ORF) of PnPht1;3 was cloned according to RNA-seq and encoded 545 amino acids. The relative expression levels revealed that PnPht1;3 was significantly upregulated under phosphate deficiency and AsV exposure. Heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae MB192 demonstrated that PnPht1;3 performed optimally in complementing the yeast Pi-transport defect and accumulated more As in the cells. Combined with the subcellular localisation prediction, it was concluded that PnPht1;3 encodes a functional plasma membrane-localised transporter protein that mediates putative high-affinity Pi/H+ symport activity and enhances the uptake of Pi and AsV. Therefore, a better understanding of the roles of the P . notoginseng Pi transporter could provide new insight for solving As accumulation in medicinal plants.

The accumulation and distribution of arsenic species and selected metals in the saltmarsh halophyte, spiny rush (Juncus acutus)

This study examined the accumulation of As species, Se, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in the halophyte Juncus acutus, collected from three anthropogenically impacted estuaries in NSW, Australia. As concentration ranged from 4 to 22 μg/g at Georges River, 2-16 μg/g at Lake Macquarie and 6 μg/g at Hunter Estuary. Inorganic As was accumulated mainly in roots with low translocation to culm with a greater abundance of AsV. However, AsIII (TF = 0.32) showed greater mobility from the roots to shoots than AsV (TF = 0.04), indicating a higher quantity of AsIII specific transporter assemblages in the plasmalemma of the endodermis or cytoplasmic reduction of AsV to AsIII in culms. Metal(loid)s, including As (90%), were predominantly in root tissues and very limited translocation to culm, indicating the species is a useful phytostabiliser. As and all other metal(loid)s in roots were correlated with sediment loads (p < 0.05, R² = 0.10-0.52), indicating the species would be an accumulative bioindicator.

SUMO E3 ligase SIZ1 negatively regulates arsenite resistance via depressing GSH biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Arsenic is a metalloid toxic to plants, animals and human beings. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation is involved in many biological processes in plants. However, the role of SUMOylation in regulating plant arsenic response is still unclear. In this study, we found that dysfunction of SUMO E3 ligase SIZ1 improves arsenite resistance in Arabidopsis. Overexpression of the dominant-negative SUMO E2 variant resembled the arsenite-resistant phenotype of siz1 mutant, indicating that SUMOylation plays a negative role in plant arsenite detoxification. The siz1 mutant accumulated more glutathione (GSH) than the wild type under arsenite stress, and the arsenite-resistant phenotype of siz1 was depressed by inhibiting GSH biosynthesis. The transcript levels of the genes in the GSH biosynthetic pathway were increased in the siz1 mutant comparing with the wild type in response to arsenite treatment. Taken together, our findings revealed a novel function of SIZ1 in modulating plant arsenite response through regulating the GSH-dependent detoxification.

Phosphorus-arsenic interaction in the 'soil-plant-microbe' system and its influence on arsenic pollution

Elevated arsenic (As) in soil is of public concern due to the carcinogenicity. Phosphorus (P) strongly influences the adsorption, absorption, transport, and transformation of As in the soil and in organisms due to the similarity of the chemical properties of P and As. In soil, P, particularly inorganic P, can release soil-retained As (mostly arsenate) by competing for adsorption sites. In plant and microbial systems, P usually reduces As (mainly arsenate) uptake and affects As biotransformation by competing for As transporters. The intensity and pattern of PAs interaction are highly dependent on the forms of As and P, and strongly influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors. An understanding of the PAs interaction in 'soil-plant-microbe' systems is of great value to prevent soil As from entering the human food chain. Here, we review PAs interactions and the main influential factors in soil, plant, and microbial subsystems and their effects on the As release, absorption, transformation, and transport in the 'soil-plant-microbe' system. We also analyze the application potential of P fertilization as a control for As pollution and suggest the research directions that need to be followed in the future.

Arsenic behavior in soil-plant system and its detoxification mechanisms in plants: A review

Arsenic (As) is one of the most toxic and cancer-causing metals which is generally entered the food chain via intake of As contaminated water or food and harmed the life of living things especially human beings. Therefore, the reduction of As content in the food could be of great importance for healthy life. To reduce As contamination in the soil and food, the evaluation of plant-based As uptake and transportation mechanisms is critically needed. Different soil factors such as physical and chemical properties of soil, soil pH, As speciation, microbial abundance, soil phosphates, mineral nutrients, iron plaques and roots exudates effectively regulate the uptake and accumulation of As in different parts of plants. The detoxification mechanisms of As in plants depend upon aquaporins, membrane channels and different transporters that actively control the influx and efflux of As inside and outside of plant cells, respectively. The xylem loading is responsible for long-distance translocation of As and phloem loading involves in the partitioning of As into the grains. However, As detoxification mechanism based on the clear understandings of how As uptake, accumulations and translocation occur inside the plants and which factors participate to regulate these processes. Thus, in this review we emphasized the different soil factors and plant cell transporters that are critically responsible for As uptake, accumulation, translocation to different organs of plants to clearly understand the toxicity reasons in plants. This study could be helpful for further research to develop such strategies that may restrict As entry into plant cells and lead to high crop yield and safe food production.

Arsenite provides a selective signal that coordinates arsenate uptake and detoxification through the regulation of PHR1 stability in Arabidopsis

In nature, plants acquire nutrients from soils to sustain growth, and at the same time, they need to avoid the uptake of toxic compounds and/or possess tolerance systems to cope with them. This is particularly challenging when the toxic compound and the nutrient are chemically similar, as in the case of phosphate and arsenate. In this study, we demonstrated that regulatory elements of the phosphate starvation response (PSR) coordinate the arsenate detoxification machinery in the cell. We showed that arsenate repression of the phosphate transporter PHT1;1 is associated with the degradation of the PSR master regulator PHR1. Once arsenic is sequestered into the vacuole, PHR1 stability is restored and PHT1;1 expression is recovered. Furthermore, we identified an arsenite responsive SKP1-like protein and a PHR1 interactor F-box (PHIF1) as constituents of the SCF complex responsible for PHR1 degradation.We found that arsenite, the form to which arsenate is reduced for compartmentalization in vacuoles, represses PHT1;1 expression, providing a highly selective signal versus phosphate to control PHT1;1 expression in response to arsenate. Collectively, our results provide molecular insights into a sensing mechanism that regulates arsenate/phosphate uptake depending on the plant's detoxification capacity.

Rhizobium symbiosis modulates the accumulation of arsenic in Medicago truncatula via nitrogen and NRT3.1-like genes regulated by ABA and linalool

Arsenic (As) contamination is a worldwide problem and threatens human health. Here, we found that Rhizobium symbiosis can improve the tolerance to arsenate [As(V)], and a wild type R. meliloti Rm5038 symbiosis can significantly decrease the accumulation of As in Medicago truncatula shoots. The As content in plants could be decreased by nitrogen and the mutation of nitrate transporter NRT3.1. The expression of M. truncatula NRT3.1-like gene NRT3.1L1 could reverse the As(V)-tolerance phenotype of the Arabidopsis nrt3.1 mutant. Rm5038 symbiosis significantly increased the level of nitrogen in the shoot and reduced the expression of NRT3.1Ls in plants afflicted by As(V). The genetic analyses of aba2-1, pyr1/pyl1/2/4/5/8, and abi1-2/abi2-2/hab1-1/pp2ca-1 mutants revealed that abscisic acid (ABA) signaling regulates the tolerance of plants to As(V). ABA and linalool could promote the expression of NRT3.1Ls, however, their root biosynthesis was inhibited by ammonium, the first form of nitrogen fixed by Rhizobium symbiosis. Moreover, ABA and linalool may also control As and nitrate accumulation in Rhizobium symbionts via signaling pathways other than ammonia and NRT3.1Ls. Thus, Rhizobium symbiosis modulates the accumulation of As in plants via nitrogen and NRT3.1Ls regulated by ABA and linalool, which provides novel approaches to reduce As accumulation in legume crops.

Root responses to localised soil arsenic enrichment in the fern Pityrogramma calomelanos var. austroamericana grown in rhizoboxes

The terrestrial fern Pityrogramma calomelanos, a cosmopolitan tropical species, is one of the strongest known arsenic (As) hyperaccumulator plants. This study aimed to determine whether P. calomelanos preferentially forages for arsenite (As³⁺) or arsenate (As⁵⁺) in As-contaminated soils, and whether a positive root response to As enhances accumulation in P. calomelanos. Therefore, an experiment using rhizoboxes divided in two halves were constructed with a control soil (C) and As³⁺ or As⁵⁺ dosed soil at either 50 and 100 μg g^-1 As. Micro-X-ray Fluorescence elemental mapping (μXRF) was employed to analyze the distribution of As in roots and fronds, and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was used to determine As distribution in the reproductive tissues of P. calomelanos. The results showed that Pityrogramma roots do not specifically forage for As-contaminated soil; the area based on pixel counts was similar across all the treatments with no statistical differences. However, frond biomass was slightly higher in the treatments C ǀ As³⁺ and C ǀ As⁵⁺, and the highest accumulation of As in fronds was in the As⁵⁺ ǀ As³⁺ (100 μg g^-1) treatment, with 3418 and 2370 μg g^-1 in old and young fronds respectively. Arsenic cycling across the roots was observed by the μXRF mapping; in C ǀ As⁵⁺ (100) the As was higher and evenly distributed in both sections, whilst in C ǀ As³⁺ (50), the As was higher in the As³⁺ side. The μXRF mapping showed a broader As distribution in older fronds, where As was highest in the rachis and extended into the pinnule through the midrib. Pityrogramma calomelanos does not specifically root forage for As-enriched zones in the soil and grows healthily without signs of toxicity at lower (50 μg g^-1) and higher (100 μg g^-1) concentrations of As³⁺ and As⁵⁺ in the soil.

Heterologous expression of cyanobacterial PCS confers augmented arsenic and cadmium stress tolerance and higher artemisinin in Artemisia annua hairy roots

The present study provides the first report of heterologous expression of phytochelatin synthase from Anabaena PCC 7120 (anaPCS) into the hairy roots of Artemisia annua. Transformed hairy roots of A. annua expressing anaPCS gene showed better tolerance to heavy metals, viz., arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) owing to 143 and 191% more As- and Cd-accumulation, respectively, as compared to normal roots with a bioconcentration factor (BCF) of 9.7 and 21.1 for As and Cd, respectively. Under As and Cd stresses, transformed hairy roots possessed significantly higher amounts of phytochelatins and thiols probably due to the presence of both AaPCS (Artemisia annua PCS) and anaPCS. In addition, artemisinin synthesis was also induced in transformed hairy roots under heavy metals stresses. In-silico analysis revealed the presence of conserved motifs in both AaPCS and anaPCS sequences as well as structural modelling of PCS functional domain was conducted. Interaction of AaPCS and anaPCS proteins with CdCl₂ and sodium arsenate gene ontology analysis gave insights to anaPCS functioning in transformed hairy roots of A. annua. The study provides transformed hairy roots of A. annua as an efficient tool for effective phytoremediation with added advantages of artemisinin extraction from hairy roots used for phytoremediation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11816-021-00682-5.

Metalloid hazards: From plant molecular evolution to mitigation strategies

Metalloids such as boron and silicon are key elements for plant growth and crop productivity. However, toxic metalloids such as arsenic are increasing in the environment due to inputs from natural sources and human activities. These hazardous metalloids can cause serious health risks to humans and animals if they enter the food chain. Plants have developed highly regulated mechanisms to alleviate the toxicity of metalloids during their 500 million years of evolution. A better understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the transport and detoxification of toxic metalloids in plants will shed light on developing mitigation strategies. Key transporters and regulatory proteins responsive to toxic metalloids have been identified through evolutionary and molecular analyses. Moreover, knowledge of the regulatory proteins and their pathways can be used in the breeding of crops with lower accumulation of metalloids. These findings can also assist phytoremediation by the exploration of plants such as fern species that hyperaccumulate metalloids from soils and water, and can be used to engineer plants with elevated uptake and storage capacity of toxic metalloids. In summary, there are solutions to remediate contamination due to toxic metalloids by combining the research advances and industrial technologies with agricultural and environmental practices.

An amiRNA screen uncovers redundant CBF and ERF34/35 transcription factors that differentially regulate arsenite and cadmium responses

Arsenic stress causes rapid transcriptional responses in plants. However, transcriptional regulators of arsenic-induced gene expression in plants remain less well known. To date, forward genetic screens have proven limited for dissecting arsenic response mechanisms. We hypothesized that this may be due to the extensive genetic redundancy present in plant genomes. To overcome this limitation, we pursued a forward genetic screen for arsenite tolerance using a randomized library of plants expressing >2,000 artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs). This library was designed to knock-down diverse combinations of homologous gene family members within sub-clades of transcription factor and transporter gene families. We identified six transformant lines showing an altered response to arsenite in root growth assays. Further characterization of an amiRNA line targeting closely homologous CBF and ERF transcription factors show that the CBF1,2 and 3 transcription factors negatively regulate arsenite sensitivity. Furthermore, the ERF34 and ERF35 transcription factors are required for cadmium resistance. Generation of CRISPR lines, higher-order T-DNA mutants and gene expression analyses, further support our findings. These ERF transcription factors differentially regulate arsenite sensitivity and cadmium tolerance.

Overexpression of rice OsWNK9 promotes arsenite tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants

Protein kinases are involved in the transfer of phosphate group to serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues of a target protein. With No Lysine (WNK) kinase is a member of the serine/threonine protein kinase family, which has conserved catalytic lysine (K) residue in subdomain I instead of being in subdomain II.The WNKs family members in plants are stress inducible and have been validated for their role in abiotic stress tolerance. In the present study, we have characterized Arabidopsis overexpressed lines of OsWNK9 regulated by the constitutive promoter under arsenite stress. Moreover, we have performed In silico expression analysis of OsWNK9 under nutrient deficiency and heavy metal stress. Three independent transgenic Arabidopsis (OsWNK9-OX T₁₁, T₁₂,andT₁₃) lines showed tolerance to arsenite stress compared to wild-type (WT) plants. Under arsenite stress, transgenic lines T₁₁, T₁₂ and T₁₃ showed 56.46, 57.8 and 51.66 % increased biomass respectively, as compared to WT plants. All three ArabidopsisOsWNK9-OX lines exhibited higher proline content, increased antioxidant enzyme activities and lower hydrogen peroxide levels under arsenite stress. Besides, the total antioxidant capacity in terms of DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging percentage was increased by 8-15 % in three independent OsWNK9-OX lines compared with those of WT plants. Protein-protein interaction analysis of OsWNK9 predicted interaction partners with protein kinase and oxidative stress-responsive protein. Co-expression analysis of OsWNK9 in phosphate deficiency and arsenate stress condition predicted various proteins including membrane transporter and transcription factors. Taken together, our results, for the first time, provide evidence that OsWNK9 could positively mediate arsenite stress tolerance in plants.

Highly efficient phytoremediation potential of metal and metalloids from the pulp paper industry waste employing Eclipta alba (L) and Alternanthera philoxeroide (L): Biosorption and pollution reduction

The aims of the study was the evaluation of phytoremediation potential by Eclipta alba (L) and Alternanthera philoxeroide (L) of pulp and paper mill waste after secondary treatment which a source of aquatic and soil pollution due to huge discharge of organometallic compounds per tone of paper production. The result revealed 50% reduction of pollution parameters after in-situ phytoremediation. The comparative analysis of metal and metalloids showed the highest accumulation of Fe (2251.24 ± 64.74) in both plants. The antioxidant activity, chlorophyll and carotenoid content were increased in E. alba (L.) and A. philoxeroide (L.) respectively. From the results, it was concluded that E. alba (L.) and A. philoxeroide (L.) could be effectively used for the removal of metals and metalloids from effluent and sludge of pulp and paper mill waste that may help to reduce adverse health effects of metal accumulation in humans and animals via their food chain.

Role of sulfur in combating arsenic stress through upregulation of important proteins, and in-silico analysis to study the interaction between phosphate transporter (PHO1), arsenic and phosphate in spinach

An adequate amount of Sulfur (S) is essential for proper plant growth and defence against abiotic stresses including metals and metalloids. Arsenic (As) contamination is increasing in agricultural soils rapidly due to anthropogenic activities. Sulfur deficiency and arsenic stress could be more harmful than these individual stresses alone. To understand the impact of S-deficiency and arsenic (31 ppm Na₃AsO₄ of soil) on ecophysiology, growth, inorganic phosphate level, and proteomic profile of spinach, the present study was conducted. Interaction of arsenic with phosphate transporters, phytochelatins, and glutathione was also analyzed in silico. Comparative 2D MS/MS proteomics helped in the identification of important proteins which might be the key players under S-deficiency and As stress. Upregulation and downregulation of 36 and 21 proteins under As stress; 19 and 36 proteins under S-deficiency; 38 and 31 proteins under combined stress, respectively was observed. A total, 87 proteins subjected to identification via MS/MS ion search were found to be associated with important plant functions. PHO1 abundance was highly influenced by As stress; hence an in-silico homology modeling based molecular docking was performed which indicated high interaction between PHO1 and As/phosphate. Varied proximity of arsenic with phosphate transporters, phytochelatin, and glutathione revealed these components as a potential target of As toxicity/detoxification in Spinach, reflecting sulfur as an important criterion for arsenic tolerance.

Selection of Agar Reagents for Medium Solidification Is a Critical Factor for Metal(loid) Sensitivity and Ionomic Profiles of Arabidopsis thaliana

For researchers in the plant metal field, the agar reagent used for the solid plate medium is a problematic factor because application of different agar types and even a different lot of the same agar type can mask the plant metal-related phenotypes and impair the reproducibility. In this study, we systematically assessed effects of different agar reagents on metal(loid) sensitivity and element accumulation of the Arabidopsis metal sensitive mutants. Three established mutants (cad1-3, cad1-6, and abcc1/2), and three different types of purified agar reagents (Type A, Type E, and Nacalai) with two independent batches for each reagent were subjected to the analyses. First, we found that element concentrations in the agar reagents largely varied among the agar types. Then the effects of agar reagents on the mutant metal(loid)-sensitivity were examined under As(III), Hg(II), Cd(II), and excess Zn(II) conditions. A significant variation of the mutant metal(loid)-sensitivity was observed among the different agar plates but the variation depended on the combination of metal(loid) stress and agar reagents. Briefly, the type-dependent variation was more evident under As(III) and Hg(II) than Cd(II) or excess Zn(II) conditions. A lot-dependent variation was also observed for Type A and Type E but not for Nacalai: hypersensitive phenotypes of cad1-3, cad1-6, and abcc1/2 under As(III) or Hg(II) treatments were diminished when different batches of the Type A or Type E agar types were used. We also found a significant variation of As and Hg accumulation in the wild-type and cad1-3. Plant As and Hg concentrations were remarkably higher and the difference between the genotypes was more evident when grown with Type A agar plates. We finally analyzed ionomic profiles in the plants exposed to As(III) stress. Agar-type specific ionomic changes in cad1-3 were more observed with the Type A plates than with the Nacalai plates. The presented results overall suggest that suitability of agar reagents for metal(loid)-related phenotyping depends on the experimental design, and an inappropriate selection of agar reagents can mask even very clear phenotypes of the established mutant like cad1-3. We also discuss perspectives on the agar problem in the plant metal study.

Cynara cardunculus L. as a Multipurpose Crop for Plant Secondary Metabolites Production in Marginal Stressed Lands

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a Mediterranean crop, member of the Asteraceae family, characterized by high production of biomass and secondary metabolites and by a good adaptation to climate change, usable in green chemistry, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical sectors. Recent studies demonstrated the ability of cardoon to grow up in a stressful environment, which is associated with enhanced biosynthesis of biologically active compounds in these plants, and this effect is increased by abiotic stresses (salt, heat, pollution, and drought stress) that characterize many world marginal areas, affected by the climate changes. The plant response to these stresses consists in implementing different processes that modify some plant biological functions, such as alleviating both cellular hyperosmolarity and ion disequilibrium or synthesizing antioxidant molecules. The aim of this work was to investigate different cardoon response mechanisms to abiotic stresses and to evaluate their influence on the biologically active compounds biosynthesis. Following this purpose, we analyzed the ability of cardoon seeds to germinate under different salt stress conditions, and on the sprouts obtained, we measured the total phenol content and the antioxidant activity. Moreover, the growth of cardoon seedlings grown under heavy metals stress conditions was monitored, and the expression levels of heavy metal transport-associated genes were analyzed. The results showed the ability of cardoon plants to tolerate abiotic stress, thanks to different defense mechanisms and the possibility to obtain biomass with high content of biologically active molecules by exploiting the natural tolerance of this species for abiotic stresses. Moreover, we identified some important genes encoding for metal transportation that may be involved in arsenic and cadmium uptake and translocation in C. cardunculus. Then, this species can be considered as a promising crop for green chemistry and energy in marginal lands.

Phosphate transporters, PnPht1;1 and PnPht1;2 from Panax notoginseng enhance phosphate and arsenate acquisition

BACKGROUND

Panax notoginseng is a medicinally important Chinese herb with a long history of cultivation and clinical application. The planting area is mainly distributed in Wenshan Prefecture, where the quality and safety of P. notoginseng have been threatened by high concentration of arsenic (As) from the soil. The roles of phosphate (Pi) transporters involved in Pi acquisition and arsenate (AsV) tolerance were still unclear in this species.

RESULTS

In this study, two open reading frames (ORFs) of PnPht1;1 and PnPht1;2 separated from P. notoginseng were cloned based on RNA-seq, which encoded 527 and 541 amino acids, respectively. The results of relative expression levels showed that both genes responded to the Pi deficiency or As exposure, and were highly upregulated. Heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae MB192 revealed that PnPht1;1 and PnPht1;2 performed optimally in complementing the yeast Pi-transport defect, particularly in PnPht1;2. Cells expressing PnPht1;2 had a stronger AsV tolerance than PnPht1;1-expressing cells, and accumulated less As in cells under a high-Pi concentration. Combining with the result of plasma membrane localization, these data confirmed that transporters PnPht1;1 and PnPht1;2 were putative high-affinity H+/H2PO4- symporters, mediating the uptake of Pi and AsV.

CONCLUSION

PnPht1;1 and PnPht1;2 encoded functional plasma membrane-localized transporter proteins that mediated a putative high-affinity Pi/H+ symport activity. Expression of PnPht1;1 or PnPht1;2 in mutant strains could enhance the uptake of Pi and AsV, that is probably responsible for the As accumulation in the roots of P. notoginseng.

Integrative response of arsenic uptake, speciation and detoxification by Salix atrocinerea

Despite arsenic (As) being very toxic with deleterious effects on metabolism, it can be tolerated and accumulated by some plants. General genetic mechanisms responsible for As tolerance in plants, including Salix species, have been described in transcriptomic analysis, but further experimental verification of the significance of particular transcripts is needed. In this study, a Salix atrocinerea clone, able to thrive in an As-contaminated brownfield, was grown hydroponically in controlled conditions under an As concentration similar to the bioavailable fraction of the contaminated area (18 mg kg^-1) for 30 days. At different time points, i.e. short-term and long-term exposure, biometric data, As accumulation, phytochelatin synthesis, non-protein thiol production and expression of target genes related to these processes were studied. Results showed that S. atrocinerea presents a great tolerance to As and accumulates up to 2400 mg As kg^-1 dry weight in roots and 25 mg As kg^-1 dry weight in leaves. Roots reduce As V to As III rapidly, with As III being the predominant form of As accumulated in root tissues, whereas in the leaves it is As V. After 1 d of As exposure, roots and leaves show de novo synthesis and an increase in non-protein thiols as compared to the control. Integrating these data on As accumulation in the plant and its speciation, non-protein thiol production and the kinetic gene expression of related target genes, a fundamental role is highlighted for these processes in As accumulation and tolerance in S. atrocinerea. As such, this study offers new insights in the plant tolerance mechanisms to As, which provides important knowledge for future application of high-biomass willow plants in phytoremediation of As-polluted soils.

Expressing Arsenite Antiporter PvACR3;1 in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Decreases Inorganic Arsenic Content in Rice Grains

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a major food crop in the world, feeding half of the world's population. However, rice is efficient in taking up toxic metalloid arsenic (As), adversely impacting human health. Among different As species, inorganic As is more toxic than organic As. Thus, it is important to decrease inorganic As in rice to reduce human exposure from the food chain. The arsenite (AsIII) antiporter gene PvACR3;1 from As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata decreases shoot As accumulation when heterologously expressed in plants. In this study, three homozygous transgenic lines (L2, L4, and L7) of T3 generation were obtained after transforming PvACR3;1 into rice. At 5 μM of AsIII, PvACR3;1 transgenic rice accumulated 127%-205% higher As in the roots, with lower As translocation than wild type (WT) plants. In addition, at 20 μM of AsV, the transgenic rice showed similar results, indicating that expressing PvACR3;1 increased As retention in the roots from both AsIII and AsV. Furthermore, PvACR3;1 transgenic rice plants were grown in As-contaminated soils under flooded conditions. PvACR3;1 decreased As accumulations in transgenic rice shoots by 72%-83% without impacting nutrient minerals (Mn, Zn, and Cu). In addition, not only total As in unhusked rice grain of PvACR3;1 transgenic lines were decreased by 28%-39%, but also inorganic As was 26%-46% lower. Taken together, the results showed that expressing PvACR3;1 effectively decreased both total As and inorganic As in rice grain, which is of significance to breed low-As rice for food safety and human health.

A proteomic and biochemical investigation on the effects of sulfadiazine in Arabidopsis thaliana

Animal manure or bio-solids used as fertilizers are the main routes of antibiotic exposure in the agricultural land, which can have immense detrimental effects on plants. Sulfadiazine (SDZ), belonging to the class of sulfonamides, is one of the most detected antibiotics in the agricultural soil. In this study, the effect of SDZ on the growth, changes in antioxidant metabolite content and enzyme activities related to oxidative stress were analysed. Moreover, the proteome alterations in Arabidopsis thaliana roots in response to SDZ was examined by means of a combined iTRAQ-LC-MS/MS quantitative proteomics approach. A dose-dependent decrease in leaf biomass and root length was evidenced in response to SDZ. Increased malondialdehyde content at higher concentration (2 μM) of SDZ indicated increased lipid peroxidation and suggest the induction of oxidative stress. Glutathione levels were significantly higher compared to control, whereas there was no increase in ascorbate content or the enzyme activities of glutathione metabolism, even at higher concentrations. In total, 48 differentially abundant proteins related to stress/stimuli response followed by transcription and translation, metabolism, transport and other functions were identified. Several proteins related to oxidative, dehydration, salinity and heavy metal stresses were represented. Upregulation of peroxidases was validated with total peroxidase activity. Pathway analysis provided an indication of increased phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Probable molecular mechanisms altered in response to SDZ are highlighted.

Prospects of genetic engineering utilizing potential genes for regulating arsenic accumulation in plants

The rapid pace of industrial, agricultural and anthropogenic activities in the 20^th century has resulted in contamination of heavy metals across the globe. Arsenic (As) is a ubiquitous, naturally occurring toxic metalloid, contaminating the soil and water and affecting human health in several countries. Several physicochemical methods exist for the cleanup of As contamination but these are expensive and disastrous to microbes and soil. Plant based remediation approaches are low cost and environmentally safe. Hence, extensive biochemical, molecular and genetic experiments have been conducted to understand plants' responses to As stress and have led to the identification of potential genes. The available knowledge needs to be utilized to either reduce As accumulation in crop plants (rice) or to enhance As levels in shoots of hyperaccumulators (Pteris vittata). Gene manipulation using biotechnological tools can be an effective approach to exploit the potential genes (plasmamembrane and vacuolar transporters, glutathione and phytochelatin biosynthetic enzymes, etc.) playing pivotal roles in uptake, translocation, transformation, complexation, and compartmentalization of As in plants. The transgenic plants with increased tolerance to As and altered (increased/decreased) As accumulation have been developed. The need, however, exists to design plants with altered expression of two or more genes for harmonizing various events (like arsenate reduction, arsenite complexation, sequestration and translocation) so as to achieve desirable reduction (crop plants) or increase (phytoremediator plants) in As content. This review sheds light on transgenic approaches adopted to modulate As levels in plants and proposes future directions to achieve desirable results.

Differential transcriptome modulation leads to variation in arsenic stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana accessions

Arsenic (As) is a ubiquitous metalloid and a health hazard to millions of people worldwide. The presence of As in groundwater poses a threat as it not only affects crop productivity but also contaminates food chain. Therefore, it is essential to understand molecular mechanisms underlying uptake, transport and accumulation of As in plants. In recent past, natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana has been utilized to understand molecular and genetic adaptation under different stresses. In this study, responses of Arabidopsis accessions were analyzed at biochemical and molecular levels towards arsenate [As(V)] stress. On the basis of reduction in root length, accessions were categorized into tolerant and sensitive ones towards As(V). Root length analysis led to the identification of Col-0 (<10% reduction) and Slavi-1 (>60% reduction) as the most tolerant and sensitive accessions, respectively. Comparative genome-wide expression analysis revealed differential expression of 168 and 548 genes in Col-0 and Slavi-1, respectively, with 120 common differentially expressed genes. A number of genes associated with defense and stress-response, transport system, regulatory mechanisms and biochemical processes showed differential expression in contrasting accessions. The study provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms associated with stress response and processes involved in adaptation strategies towards As stress.

The potential of genetic engineering of plants for the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals

The genetic engineering of plants to facilitate the reclamation of soils and waters contaminated with inorganic pollutants is a relatively new and evolving field, benefiting from the heterologous expression of genes that increase the capacity of plants to mobilize, stabilize and/or accumulate metals. The efficiency of phytoremediation relies on the mechanisms underlying metal accumulation and tolerance, such as metal uptake, translocation and detoxification. The transfer of genes involved in any of these processes into fast-growing, high-biomass crops may improve their reclamation potential. The successful phytoextraction of metals/metalloids and their accumulation in aerial organs have been achieved by expressing metal ligands or transporters, enzymes involved in sulfur metabolism, enzymes that alter the chemical form or redox state of metals/metalloids and even the components of primary metabolism. This review article considers the potential of genetic engineering as a strategy to improve the phytoremediation capacity of plants in the context of heavy metals and metalloids, using recent case studies to demonstrate the practical application of this approach in the field.

Oncogenomic disruptions in arsenic-induced carcinogenesis

Chronic exposure to arsenic affects more than 200 million people worldwide, and has been associated with many adverse health effects, including cancer in several organs. There is accumulating evidence that arsenic biotransformation, a step in the elimination of arsenic from the human body, can induce changes at a genetic and epigenetic level, leading to carcinogenesis. At the genetic level, arsenic interferes with key cellular processes such as DNA damage-repair and chromosomal structure, leading to genomic instability. At the epigenetic level, arsenic places a high demand on the cellular methyl pool, leading to global hypomethylation and hypermethylation of specific gene promoters. These arsenic-associated DNA alterations result in the deregulation of both oncogenic and tumour-suppressive genes. Furthermore, recent reports have implicated aberrant expression of non-coding RNAs and the consequential disruption of signaling pathways in the context of arsenic-induced carcinogenesis. This article provides an overview of the oncogenomic anomalies associated with arsenic exposure and conveys the importance of non-coding RNAs in the arsenic-induced carcinogenic process.

Arsenic Uptake, Toxicity, Detoxification, and Speciation in Plants: Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Aspects

Environmental contamination with arsenic (As) is a global environmental, agricultural and health issue due to the highly toxic and carcinogenic nature of As. Exposure of plants to As, even at very low concentration, can cause many morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes. The recent research on As in the soil-plant system indicates that As toxicity to plants varies with its speciation in plants (e.g., arsenite, As(III); arsenate, As(V)), with the type of plant species, and with other soil factors controlling As accumulation in plants. Various plant species have different mechanisms of As(III) or As(V) uptake, toxicity, and detoxification. This review briefly describes the sources and global extent of As contamination and As speciation in soil. We discuss different mechanisms responsible for As(III) and As(V) uptake, toxicity, and detoxification in plants, at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. This review highlights the importance of the As-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as their damaging impacts on plants at biochemical, genetic, and molecular levels. The role of different enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase) and non-enzymatic (salicylic acid, proline, phytochelatins, glutathione, nitric oxide, and phosphorous) substances under As(III/V) stress have been delineated via conceptual models showing As translocation and toxicity pathways in plant species. Significantly, this review addresses the current, albeit partially understood, emerging aspects on (i) As-induced physiological, biochemical, and genotoxic mechanisms and responses in plants and (ii) the roles of different molecules in modulation of As-induced toxicities in plants. We also provide insight on some important research gaps that need to be filled to advance our scientific understanding in this area of research on As in soil-plant systems.

New Molecular Mechanisms to Reduce Arsenic in Crops

Arsenic is toxic to all life forms and is a potent carcinogen. Its accumulation in crop plants and subsequent consumption poses a serious threat to public health worldwide. Recent developments have enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing arsenic uptake, detoxification, and accumulation in plants. In particular, the identification of plant arsenate reductase enzymes and emerging details of the processes underlying arsenic distribution and deposition in the seed will prove invaluable in the development of new strategies to mitigate this threat. Here we provide an outline of these recent developments and suggest new molecular mechanisms that could be employed to reduce arsenic in crops.

Heterologous Expression of Pteris vittata Arsenite Antiporter PvACR3;1 Reduces Arsenic Accumulation in Plant Shoots

Arsenic (As) is a toxic carcinogen so it is crucial to decrease As accumulation in crops to reduce its risk to human health. Arsenite (AsIII) antiporter ACR3 protein is critical for As metabolism in organisms, but it is lost in flowering plants. Here, a novel ACR3 gene from As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata, PvACR3;1, was cloned and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), Arabidopsis thaliana (model plant), and Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco). Yeast experiments showed that PvACR3;1 functioned as an AsIII-antiporter to mediate AsIII efflux to an external medium. At 5 μM AsIII, PvACR3;1 transgenic Arabidopsis accumulated 14-29% higher As in the roots and 55-61% lower As in the shoots compared to WT control, showing lower As translocation. Besides, transgenic tobacco under 5 μM AsIII or AsV also showed similar results, indicating that expressing PvACR3;1 gene increased As retention in plant roots. Moreover, observation of PvACR3;1-green fluorescent protein fusions in transgenic Arabidopsis showed that PvACR3;1 protein localized to the vacuolar membrane, indicating that PvACR3;1 mediated AsIII sequestration into vacuoles, consistent with increased root As. In addition, soil experiments showed ∼22% lower As in the shoots of transgenic tobacco than control. Thus, our study provides a potential strategy to limit As accumulation in plant shoots, representing the first report to decrease As translocation by sequestrating AsIII into vacuoles, shedding light on engineering low-As crops to improve food safety.

The Journey of Arsenic from Soil to Grain in Rice

Arsenic (As) is a non-essential toxic metalloid whose elevated concentration in rice grains is a serious issue both for rice yield and quality, and for human health. The rice-As interactions, hence, have been studied extensively in past few decades. A deep understanding of factors influencing As uptake and transport from soil to grains can be helpful to tackle this issue so as to minimize grain As levels. As uptake at the root surface by rice plants depends on factors like iron plaque and radial oxygen loss. There is involvement of a number of transporters viz., phosphate transporters and aquaglyceroporins in the uptake and transport of different As species and in the movement to subcellular compartments. These processes are also affected by sulfur availability and consequently on the level of thiol (-SH)-containing As binding peptides viz., glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs). Further, the role of phloem in As movement to the grains is also suggested. This review presents a detailed map of journey of As from soil to the grains. The implications for the utilization of available knowledge in minimizing As in rice grains are presented.

Overexpression of Rice Glutaredoxin OsGrx_C7 and OsGrx_C2.1 Reduces Intracellular Arsenic Accumulation and Increases Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Glutaredoxins (Grxs) are a family of small multifunctional proteins involved in various cellular functions, including redox regulation and protection under oxidative stress. Despite the high number of Grx genes in plant genomes (48 Grxs in rice), the biological functions and physiological roles of most of them remain unknown. Here, the functional characterization of the two arsenic-responsive rice Grx family proteins, OsGrx_C7 and OsGrx_C2.1 are reported. Over-expression of OsGrx_C7 and OsGrx_C2.1 in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana conferred arsenic (As) tolerance as reflected by germination, root growth assay, and whole plant growth. Also, the transgenic expression of OsGrxs displayed significantly reduced As accumulation in A. thaliana seeds and shoot tissues compared to WT plants during both AsIII and AsV stress. Thus, OsGrx_C7 and OsGrx_C2.1 seem to be an important determinant of As-stress response in plants. OsGrx_C7 and OsGrx_C2.1 transgenic showed to maintain intracellular GSH pool and involved in lowering AsIII accumulation either by extrusion or reducing uptake by altering the transcript of A. thaliana AtNIPs. Overall, OsGrx_C7 and OsGrx_C2.1 may represent a Grx family protein involved in As stress response and may allow a better understanding of the As induced stress pathways and the design of strategies for the improvement of stress tolerance as well as decreased As content in crops.

Cytokinin Determines Thiol-Mediated Arsenic Tolerance and Accumulation

The presence of arsenic in soil and water is a constant threat to plant growth in many regions of the world. Phytohormones act in the integration of growth control and stress response, but their role in plant responses to arsenic remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that arsenate [As(V)], the most prevalent arsenic chemical species in nature, causes severe depletion of endogenous cytokinins (CKs) in the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We found that CK signaling mutants and transgenic plants with reduced endogenous CK levels showed an As(V)-tolerant phenotype. Our data indicate that in CK-depleted plants exposed to As(V), transcript levels of As(V)/phosphate-transporters were similar or even higher than in wild-type plants. In contrast, CK depletion provoked the coordinated activation of As(V) tolerance mechanisms, leading to the accumulation of thiol compounds such as phytochelatins and glutathione, which are essential for arsenic sequestration. Transgenic CK-deficient Arabidopsis and tobacco lines show a marked increase in arsenic accumulation. Our findings indicate that CK is an important regulatory factor in plant adaptation to arsenic stress.

An Arabidopsis mutant of inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase AtIPK1 displays reduced arsenate tolerance

Arsenate [As(V)] toxicity is considered to be derived from similarities in the chemical properties of As(V) and phosphate (Pi). An Arabidopsis thaliana mutant of inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase (AtIPK1), atipk1-1, has previously exhibited lower level of phytate and higher level of Pi, relative to wild-type (WT). Here, atipk1-1 displayed hypersensitivity to As(V) stress and less As(V) uptake when compared to WT. Overexpression of AtIPK1 controlled by the CaMV 35S promoter partially rescued the As(V)-sensitive phenotype of atipk1-1. When compared to control Pi status, addition of Pi enhanced As(V) tolerance of both WT and atipk1-1 plants, while the arsenic concentration was less reduced in the latter genotype. Despite the higher Pi level in atipk1-1 than did WT plants, the mutant suffered more severe Pi starvation under Pi limitation stress, indicating that Pi homeostasis was altered in the mutant. Gene expression analysis of WT and atipk1-1 plants showed the diverse effect of As(V) stress on Pi starvation-dependent regulation of Pi-responsive genes. Our study suggested that a particular mechanism of As(V) toxicity existed in atipk1-1 mutant, and may offer new insights into the interactions between Pi homeostasis and As(V) detoxification in plants.

Arsenic Uptake and Translocation in Plants

Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic metalloid that is classified as a non-threshold class-1 carcinogen. Millions of people worldwide suffer from As toxicity due to the intake of As-contaminated drinking water and food. Reducing the As concentration in drinking water and food is thus of critical importance. Phytoremediation of soil contaminated with As and the reduction of As contamination in food depend on a detailed understanding of As uptake and transport in plants. As transporters play essential roles in As uptake, translocation and accumulation in plant cells. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of As transport in plants, with an emphasis on As uptake, mechanisms of As resistance and the long-distance translocation of As, especially the accumulation of As in grains through phloem-mediated transport.

A member of the Phosphate transporter 1 (Pht1) family from the arsenic-hyperaccumulating fern Pteris vittata is a high-affinity arsenate transporter

Pteris vittata exhibits enhanced arsenic uptake, but the corresponding mechanisms are not well known. The prevalent form of arsenic in most soils is arsenate, which is a phosphate analog and a substrate for Phosphate transporter 1 (Pht1) transporters. Herein we identify and characterize three P. vittata Pht1 transporters. Pteris vittata Pht1 cDNAs were isolated and characterized via heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Expression of the PvPht1 loci in P. vittata gametophytes was also examined in response to phosphate deficiency and arsenate exposure. Expression of each of the PvPht1 cDNAs complemented the phosphate uptake defect of a yeast mutant. Compared with yeast cells expressing Arabidopsis thaliana Pht1;5, cells expressing PvPht1;3 were more sensitive to arsenate, and accumulated more arsenic. Uptake assays with yeast cells and radiolabeled (32)P revealed that PvPht1;3 and AtPht1;5 have similar affinities for phosphate, but the affinity of PvPht1;3 for arsenate is much greater. In P. vittata gametophytes, PvPht1;3 transcript levels increased in response to phosphate (Pi) deficiency and arsenate exposure. PvPht1;3 is induced by Pi deficiency and arsenate, and encodes a phosphate transporter that has a high affinity for arsenate. PvPht1;3 probably contributes to the enhanced arsenate uptake capacity and affinity exhibited by P. vittata.