OsNHAD is a chloroplast membrane-located transporter required for resistance to salt stress in rice (Oryza sativa).

Salt stress is one of the major environmental factors limiting crop productivity. Although physiological and molecular characterization of salt stress response in plants has been the focus for many years, research on transporters for sodium ion (Na) uptake, translocation and accumulation in plants, particularly in food crops like rice is limited. In this study, we functionally identified an uncharacterized sodium ion transporter named OsNHAD which encodes a putative Na ⁄ H antiporter in rice.

Identification of epigenetic mechanisms in paddy crop associated with lowering environmentally related cadmium risks to food safety.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal that contributes to human diseases such as pediatric cancer and cardiovascular dysfunction. Epigenetic modification caused by Cd exposure is the major factor in etiology of environmentally-relevant diseases. However, the underlying epigenetic mechanism for Cd uptake and accumulation in food crops, particularly those growing in Cd-contaminated environments, is largely unknown.

OsZIP1 functions as a metal efflux transporter limiting excess zinc, copper and cadmium accumulation in rice.

Background: Metal homeostasis is critical for plant growth, development and adaptation to environmental stresses and largely governed by a variety of metal transporters. The plant ZIP (Zn-regulated transporter, Iron-regulated transporter-like Protein) family proteins belong to the integral membrane transporters responsible for uptake and allocation of essential and non-essential metals. However, whether the ZIP family members mediate metal efflux and its regulatory mechanism remains unknown.

Identification of novel rice (Oryza sativa) HPP and HIPP genes tolerant to heavy metal toxicity.

HPP (heavy metal associated plant protein) and HIPP (heavy metal associated isoprenylated plant protein) are a group of metal-binding metallochaperones playing crucial roles in metal homeostasis and detoxification. Up to now, only few of them have been functionally identified in plants. Here, we identified 54 HPP and HIPP genes in rice genome.