Role of Metal Transporters in Phytoremediation: Insights into Heavy Metal Homeostasis
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025
Special Issue Editor
Interests: plant ecotoxicology; plant physiology; phytoremediation of heavy metals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Heavy metal (HM) pollution represents a significant environmental challenge that poses a critical threat to global ecosystems and severely impairs plant physiological processes, including growth suppression, photosynthetic inhibition, and the disruption of antioxidative defense systems. To address this challenge, phytoremediation has emerged as a sustainable strategy that leverages plants' innate capacity to mitigate HM contamination through metal uptake, translocation, sequestration, and detoxification. Metal transporters play a crucial role in the uptake, translocation, sequestration, and detoxification of HMs in plants. By elucidating their roles and regulatory mechanisms, researchers can develop innovative strategies to enhance phytoremediation efficiency, contributing to sustainable environmental cleanup and food security. Although extensive studies have been performed on such intricate mechanisms, more detailed information still needs to be unveiled. Recently, new approaches, including transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics analyses, have opened up opportunities to shed light on the molecular mechanisms involved in HM homeostasis. Integrating these approaches with computational modeling and field-scale validation provides a transformative framework to bridge mechanistic insights and practical applications.
This Special Issue seeks the submission of original research and comprehensive reviews addressing two key themes:
- Innovative Methodologies for HM Phytoremediation: Optimizing plant–metal interactions through genetic engineering, transporter manipulation, or symbiotic microbiome interventions.
- Molecular Mechanisms of Transporter-Regulated HM Homeostasis: Resolving spatial–temporal dynamics of metal trafficking, stress signaling, and detoxification pathways.
Submissions integrating omics-driven discoveries, the functional characterization of transporter genes, or scalable field trials are particularly encouraged. Contributions should emphasize translational potential, aligning theoretical advances with real-world environmental and agricultural challenges.
Prof. Dr. Gangrong Shi
Prof. Dr. Gangrong Shi
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- heavy metals
- molecular mechanisms
- detoxification
- translocation
- metal transporters
- phytoremediation
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