Methods Of Using Transformed Plants Expressing Plant-Derived Acyl-Coenzyme-A-Binding Proteins In Phytoremediation

Abstract

Methods Of Using Genetically-Transformed Plants In The Phytoremediation Of Lead Are Described. Unlike Many Organisms In Which Only 10-Kda Acbps Have Been Identified, There Exists A Family Of Six Acbps In The Model Plant Arabidopsis. Other Than A Function In Mediating The Transfer Of Acyl-Coa Esters In Plant Lipid Metabolism, All Six Arabidopsis Acbps Can Bind The Heavy Metal Lead And Are Therefore Applicable For Phytoremediation. These Methods Of Phytoremediation Will Provide A Cheap, Simple And Efficient Method In The Removal Of Contaminating Lead From Soil/Water/Environment By The Growth Of The Acbp-Overexpressing Genetically-Transformed Plants In The Contaminated Environment. There Is Also Provided A Method To Remove Lead From Contaminated Water.