Abstract
Acquisition and homeostasis of micronutrients such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) pose specific challenges. Poor solubility and high reactivity require controlled synthesis and supply of ligands to complex these metals extracellularly and intracellularly. Cytosolic labile pools represent only a minute fraction of the total cellular content. Several low-molecular-weight ligands are known in plants, including sulfur ligands (cysteine and peptides), nitrogen/oxygen ligands (S-adenosyl-l-methionine-derived molecules and histidine), and oxygen ligands (phenolics and organic acids). Some ligands are secreted into the extracellular space and influence the phytoavailability of metal ions. A second principal function is the intracellular buffering of micronutrients as well as the facilitation of long-distance transport in xylem and phloem. Furthermore, low-molecular-weight ligands are involved in the storage of metals, predominantly in vacuoles. A detailed molecular understanding is hampered by technical limitations, in particular the difficulty to detect and quantify cellular metal-ligand complexes. More, but still too little, is known about ligand synthesis and the transport across membranes, either with or without a complexed metal. Metal ligands have an immediate impact on human well-being. Engineering metal ligand synthesis and distribution in crops has tremendous potential to improve the nutritional quality of food and to tackle major human health risks.
Highlights
Micronutrients are essential elements or compounds required by organisms in smaller quantities, relative to macronutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, or phosphorus
Several low‐molecular‐weight ligands are known in plants, including sulfur ligands, nitrogen/oxygen ligands (S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine‐derived molecules and histidine), and oxygen ligands
Low‐molecular‐weight ligands are involved in the storage of metals, predominantly in vacuoles
Summary
Micronutrients are essential elements or compounds required by organisms in smaller quantities, relative to macronutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, or phosphorus. Another important function of some LMW compounds in metal homeostasis is redox activity and here predominantly the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II).
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