Regulation of metalloid uptake in plants by transporters and their solute specificity

Metalloids are a class of elements having properties like metals and non-metals which act as beneficial as well as hazardous for plant growth. Here, the precise role and molecular mechanism involved in the uptake and transport of different metalloids to different plant tissues is discussed. We have also described the efforts made to engineer the metalloid transport i.e. influx/efflux of metalloids that improve the uptake of beneficial metalloids and reduce hazardous metalloids. Metalloids like boron (B) and silicon (Si) play a beneficial role in plant growth and development. Optimum levels of these metalloids improve plant growth and immunity by various direct and indirect effects. On the other hand, metalloids like arsenic (As) and germanium (Ge) are detrimental for plants even at lower concentrations. The presence of these toxic entities inside cells disrupts cellular homeostasis by affecting the molecular, biochemical and physiological processes. The prospect to increase the uptake of bene-ficial metalloids and limit the hazardous metalloids and the challenges associated with the structural analogy and common transport mechanism is also discussed. The molecular insights into the biochemical and physiological aspects of metalloid transport and detoxification mechanisms will be helpful to exploit metalloid-derived benefits for crop improvement and accomplish food safety.

Automated summary

Metalloids are elements with properties similar to both metals and non-metals, and their impact on plant growth can be both beneficial and hazardous. This article discusses the specific role and molecular mechanism involved in the uptake and transport of different metalloids in various plant tissues. The efforts to engineer metalloid transport, such as improving the uptake of beneficial metalloids and reducing the presence of hazardous ones, are also described. Understanding the molecular insights into metalloid transport and detoxification mechanisms will aid in utilizing the benefits of metalloids for crop improvement and ensuring food safety.