Metal transport proteins and transcription factor networks in plant responses to cadmium stress.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination poses a significant threat to agriculture and human health due to its high soil mobility and toxicity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on Cd uptake, transport, detoxification, and transcriptional regulation in plants, emphasizing the roles of metal transport proteins and transcription factors (TFs). We explore transporter families like NRAMP, HMA, ZIP, ABC, and YSL in facilitating Cd movement within plant tissues, identifying potential targets for reducing Cd accumulation in crops.