Cadmium absorption and transportation pathways in plants

Controlling the uptake, transport, translocation, and accumulation of excessive amounts of cadmium from polluted environments is critical for plants and, consequently, humans with regard to food safety. Plants adopt various cellular and molecular mechanisms to minimize Cd toxicity. Upon exposure to Cd, plants initially implement avoidance strategies, such as production of organic acids, chelation, and sequestration, to prevent metal access to root cells. Nevertheless, Cd can be transported through the roots, stems, and leaves via apoplastic and symplastic pathways. These processes have been controlled by specific sites at the root surface and root cortex, in cells responsible for loading the root xylem, at the transition between the vascular systems of the root and the shoot, and in connecting tissues and cells at the stem. Although resistance to heavy metal cadmium can be achieved by either avoidance or tolerance, genetic basis to tolerance is therefore implied, in that these mechanisms are heritable attributes of tolerant mutants or genotypes.