Tang Haiyang, Tang Qianqian, Zhang Jin, Chen Xuan, Tong Tao, Zheng Qingfeng, Hao Li, Deng Fenglin, Chen Guang, Chen Zhong-Hua, Zeng Fanrong, Qin Yuan, Jiang Wei
MARA Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Waterlogging Disaster and Agricultural Use of Wetland, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China.
China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 311401, China.
Plants (Basel). 2025 Sep 1;14(17):2710. doi: 10.3390/plants14172710.
Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for plants, playing a crucial role in various physiological and molecular processes. Excess Cu induces oxidative stress and disrupts cellular functions, while Cu deficiency causes chlorosis and poor pollen development, thereby reducing crop yields. However, the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms of Cu tolerance and homeostasis remain unclear in the plant kingdom. In this review, we discuss the uptake, transport, and detoxification of Cu through high-affinity Cu transporters (COPTs). Additionally, we update recent studies on maintaining Cu balance by mediating the root exudation of organic acids (e.g., citrate and proline), xylem/phloem loading, cell wall binding, vacuolar sequestration, redistribution, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., SOD, CAT, and APX). Furthermore, tissue-specific expression analyses reveal that genes exhibit distinct spatial regulation in the roots and leaves, which are the primary sites of Cu transport and detoxification. Overall, our review highlights the critical roles of gene families and detoxification pathways in maintaining Cu homeostasis in plants. Future research should focus on genetic engineering approaches to enhance Cu tolerance, optimize Cu distribution in grains, and mitigate soil contamination risks. By clarifying these mechanisms, we can develop strategies to sustain crop production under increasing Cu stress, thereby ensuring food security and human health.
铜（Cu）是植物必需的微量营养素，在各种生理和分子过程中发挥着关键作用。过量的铜会诱导氧化应激并破坏细胞功能，而铜缺乏会导致黄化和花粉发育不良，从而降低作物产量。然而，植物界中铜耐受性和稳态的分子和进化机制仍不清楚。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了通过高亲和力铜转运蛋白（COPTs）对铜的吸收、运输和解毒。此外，我们更新了关于通过介导有机酸（如柠檬酸和脯氨酸）的根系分泌、木质部/韧皮部装载、细胞壁结合、液泡隔离、再分配以及抗氧化酶（如超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶）的活性来维持铜平衡的最新研究。此外，组织特异性表达分析表明，基因在根和叶中表现出不同的空间调控，根和叶是铜运输和解毒的主要部位。总体而言，我们的综述强调了基因家族和解毒途径在维持植物铜稳态中的关键作用。未来的研究应侧重于基因工程方法，以提高铜耐受性、优化谷物中的铜分布并降低土壤污染风险。通过阐明这些机制，我们可以制定策略，在不断增加的铜胁迫下维持作物生产，从而确保粮食安全和人类健康。
