Root-secreted nicotianamine from Arabidopsis halleri facilitates zinc hypertolerance by regulating zinc bioavailability

Heavy metal hyperaccumulators grow endemically on metal-rich soils and exhibit extraordinarily high metal tolerance. Arabidopsis halleri, one of 500 found heavy metal hyperaccumulators in the world, is recognized as a zinc hyperaccumulator. In this study, we first discover that nicotianamine is secreted from the root of A. halleri and functions as a zinc chelator to regulate zinc availability in the rhizosphere for uptake. The secretion is zinc regulated and directly related to excess zinc tolerance.
Kuo-Chen Yeh

Kuo-Chen Yeh

Distinguished Research Fellow and Director

(02) 2787-2056
kcyeh@gate.sinica.edu.tw
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Director (2019.1.16-present)
Interim Director (2016.10.1 -2019.1.15)
Director/Coordinator of Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences program of Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP-MBAS), Academia Sinica (2015-2020)
Distinguished Research Fellow  (2024-present)
Research Fellow (2014-2024)
Associate Research Fellow (2009-2013)
Assistant Research Fellow (2001-2009)
PDF Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, USA (1999-2001)
Ph.D. Plant Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, USA (1994-1999)