High temperatures promote the uptake of hydrophobic pollutants by altered gene expression levels of major latex-like proteins.

Cucurbitaceae family members are accumulators of hydrophobic pollutants. Such pollutants have been detected in cucurbits at levels above the maximum residue limit. Since major latex-like proteins (MLPs) are involved in hydrophobic pollutant uptake, changes in expression can increase or decrease contamination. expression levels were altered in the roots of 'Magda,' and MLP-PG1 was detected in the xylem sap of Magda when cultivated at a high temperature (35°C). Day length also influenced expression levels but only induced minor changes in the amount of MLPs. The concentration of pyrene, a hydrophobic pollutant, significantly increased with increasing MLP levels in the xylem sap of Magda when cultivated at 35°C. Thus, high temperatures promote the pollution of cucurbits by hydrophobic pollutants. These results can be used to develop novel techniques to reduce crop contamination and establish efficient phytoremediation.