Modification of nitrate uptake pathway in plants affects the cadmium uptake by roots

Abstract

NRT1.1 is a dual-affinity nitrate (NO 3 -) transporter involved in both high- and low-affinity NO 3 - uptake in Arabidopsis plants. In a recent study, we showed that, under cadmium (Cd) exposure, blocking the NRT1.1-mediated NO 3 - uptake reduces Cd entry into roots, thus lowing Cd levels in plants and improving plant growth. In addition, we also found that the Cd levels in edible parts of 11 Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) cultivars correlated well with the NO 3 - uptake rates of their roots. These results suggested that the NO 3 - uptake of roots negatively regulate Cd uptake. Modification of NO 3 - uptake in crops by modulating NO 3 - uptake pathway might provide a biological engineering approach to reducing Cd accumulation in edible organs, thus improving food safety.