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.