Excessive cadmium (Cd) accumulation in grains of rice (Oryza sativa) is a serious health risk. Transporters in the nodes of rice distribute mineral elements, including toxic ones, to different plants tissues. However, the mechanism of Cd accumulation in grains is quite unknown. A group of researchers led by Xiaohua Hao from Hunan Normal University in China identified a node-expressed transporter gene, OsCCX2, which could be involved …

WALNUT GENE INVOLVED IN CADMIUM STRESS RESPONSE Heavy metal stress is becoming a major detriment for plant growth, development, and production worldwide. The walnut (Juglans regia) gene JrVHAG1 was previously identified as a drought tolerance-related gene involved in ABA (abscisic acid)-signal pathway. To better understand the role of JrVHAG1, Zhenggang Xu of Central South University of Forestry and Technology in China, studied further its function as well …