The Mechanism of Metal Homeostasis in Plants: A New View on the Synergistic Regulation Pathway of Membrane Proteins, Lipids and Metal Ions

Abstract

Heavy metal stress (HMS) is one of the most destructive abiotic stresses which seriously affects the growth and development of plants. Recent studies have shown significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying plant tolerance to HMS. In general, three core signals are involved in plants’ responses to HMS; these are mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), calcium, and hormonal (abscisic acid) signals. In addition to these signal components, other regulatory factors, such as microRNAs and membrane proteins, also play an important role in regulating HMS responses in plants. Membrane proteins interact with the highly complex and heterogeneous lipids in the plant cell environment. The function of membrane proteins is affected by the interactions between lipids and lipid-membrane proteins. Our review findings also indicate the possibility of membrane protein-lipid-metal ion interactions in regulating metal homeostasis in plant cells. In this review, we investigated the role of membrane proteins with specific substrate recognition in regulating cell metal homeostasis. The understanding of the possible interaction networks and upstream and downstream pathways is developed. In addition, possible interactions between membrane proteins, metal ions, and lipids are discussed to provide new ideas for studying metal homeostasis in plant cells.

A Genome-Wide Identification and Comparative Analysis of the Heavy-Metal-Associated Gene Family in Cucurbitaceae Species and Their Role in Cucurbita pepo under Arsenic Stress

“…In Cucurbits, all HMA proteins were predicted to localize within the cell membrane. Membrane proteins play a vital role in regulating plant responses to heavy metal stress, as they facilitate the transport of metals across membranes, thereby contributing to metal homeostasis and detoxification processes [54]. Expression of CsHMA3 and CsHMA4 was found to confer tolerance to Cd and Zn with metal efflux tolerance and accumulation of Cd and Pb through sequestration, proving to be part of the Zn/Co/Cd/Pb clade and suggesting its role in plant translocation from the plasma membrane and bioaccumulation of these metals into the vacuoles [34].…”

“…Likewise, previous studies have also reported the participation of non-elucidated transporters for arsenic in Pteris vitatta when treated with a mix of Ag-As due to the inhibition of the entrance, translocation, and the enhancement of As tolerance when Ag and As are supplemented simultaneously; it is known that Ag transport and homeostasis across plant tissues are mediated via HMA proteins from the Cu/Ag clade [67,68]. However, metal homeostasis in plants must be regulated using several complex processes [54], and the collaboration of transporters in different tissues may play an important role in plant metal distribution [19].…”

Genome-wide identification of heavy-metal ATPases genes in Areca catechu: investigating their functionality under heavy metal exposure

“…Natural resistanceassociated macrophage proteins (NRAMP), Metal tolerance proteins (MTP), and heavy metal ATPases (HMA) are actively involved in metal transport. These transporters collectively contribute to effectively regulating plant metal ion levels, highlighting the complexity and cooperation in maintaining metal homeostasis [11][12][13].…”

Genome-Wide identification of Heavy-metal ATPases genes in Areca catechu: Investigating their functionality under heavy metal exposure

“…Natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins (NRAMP), Metal tolerance proteins (MTP), and heavy metal ATPases (HMA) are actively involved in metal transport. These transporters collectively contribute to effectively regulating plant metal ion levels, highlighting the complexity and cooperation in maintaining metal homeostasis [11][12][13].…”