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Selenium in higher plants: understanding mechanisms for biofortification and phytoremediation

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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  • Yong-Guan Zhu
  • Elizabeth A.H. Pilon-Smits
  • Fang-Jie Zhao
  • Paul N. Williams
  • Andrew A. Meharg
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>08/2009
<mark>Journal</mark>Trends in Plant Science
Issue number8
Volume14
Number of pages7
Pages (from-to)436-442
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for many organisms, including plants, animals and humans. As plants are the main source of dietary Se, plant Se metabolism is therefore important for Se nutrition of humans and other animals. However, the concentration of Se in plant foods varies between areas, and too much Se can lead to toxicity. As we discuss here, plant Se uptake and metabolism can be exploited for the purposes of developing high-Se crop cultivars and for plant-mediated removal of excess Se from soil or water. Here, we review key developments in the current understanding of Se in higher plants. We also discuss recent advances in the genetic engineering of Se metabolism, particularly for biofortification and phytoremediation of Se-contaminated environments.