Metallothioneins: an unraveling insight into remediation strategies of plant defense mechanisms

Abstract

Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly, sustainable way to clean up the environment using green plants that effectively remove and degrade pollutants from soil, water, or air. Certain hyperaccumulator plants can effectively mitigate heavy metals, organic compounds, and radioactive substances through absorption, adsorption, and transformation. This method offers a cost-effective and esthetically pleasing alternative to traditional remediation techniques, contributing to the restoration of contaminated ecosystems. Nanophytoremediation entails combining nanotechnology with phytoremediation techniques to improve plant-based environmental cleanup efficiency. Nanoparticles (NPs) or engineered NPs are applied to improve plants’ absorption and transport of contaminants. This approach addresses limitations in traditional phytoremediation, offering increased remediation rates and effectiveness, particularly in removing pollutants like heavy metals. This review paper compares traditional phytoremediation and emerging nanophytoremediation, emphasizing their impact on metallothionein proteins in plants. The work reveals how plants get rid of unwanted foreign substances that build up on their bodies and keep homeostasis by using metallothionein proteins. These proteins effectively reduce the effects of these substances without affecting the plant’s normal growth. The efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ecological implications of the phytoremediation technologies in the light of the metallothionein protein action provide insights into optimizing contaminant detoxification strategies for polluted environments.