Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Phytochelatins, the Heavy Metal Binding Peptides of Plants: Characterization and Sequence Determination

  • Chapter
Book cover Metallothionein II

Part of the book series: Experientia Supplementum ((EXS,volume 52))

Abstract

The isolation of a homologous series of five novel heavy metal complexing peptides from plant cell suspension cultures is reported. Their structures were established as (γ-Glu-Cys)n Gly, n=3–7. These peptides appear upon induction with heavy metals and represent the principal metal binding activity in induced cells. The name phytochelatin (PC) is proposed for this new class of natural products in higher plants. The hitherto postulated metallothioneins do not exist in plants but their function of chelating heavy metals via metal-thiolate coordination is fulfilled by the simpler phytochelatins. They are not primary gene products because of their repetition of γ-glutamyl linkages.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Kägi, J.H.R. and Nordberg, M., eds. (1979) Metallothionein, Experientia Supplement 34, Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel.

    Google Scholar 

  2. this volume.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rauser, W.E. and Curvetto, N.R. (1980) Nature 287, 563–564.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Rauser, W.E., Hartmann, H., Weser, U. (1983) FEBS Lett. 164, 102–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Casterline, J.L. and Barnett, N.M. (1982) Plant Physiol. 69, 1004–1007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Wagner, G.J. and Trotter, M.M. (1982) Plant Physiol. 69, 804–809.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Lolkema, P.C., Donker, M.H., Schouten, A.J., Ernst, W.H.O. (1984) Planta 162, 174–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bennetzen, J.L. and Adams, T.L. (1984) Plant Cell Reports 3, 258–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Wagner, G.J. (1984) Plant Physiol. 76, 797–805.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Kissling, M.M. and Kägi, J.H.R. (1977) FEBS Lett. 82, 247–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Linsmaier, E.M. and Skoog, F. (1965) Physiol. Plant. 18, 100–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Eliman, G.L. (1959) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 82, 70–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Grill, E., Winnacker, E.-L., Zenk, M.H., Science, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Chang, J.Y. (1981) Biochem. J. 199, 557–564.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Grill, E., Zenk, M.H., Winnacker, E.-L., Naturwissenschaften, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kondo, N., Isobe, M., Imai, K., Got, T. (1985) Agric. Biol. Chem. 49, 71–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Vasak, M., Berger, C., Kägi, J.H.R. (1984) FEBS Lett. 168, 174–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Fujita, M. (1985) Plant Cell Physiol. 26, 295–300.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Pharmazeutische Biologie, Universität München, D-8000, München, West Germany

    E. Grill

Authors
  1. E. Grill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland

    Jeremias H. R. Kägi

  2. Dept. of Environmental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060, Japan

    Yutaka Kojima

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1987 Springer Basel AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Grill, E. (1987). Phytochelatins, the Heavy Metal Binding Peptides of Plants: Characterization and Sequence Determination. In: Kägi, J.H.R., Kojima, Y. (eds) Metallothionein II. Experientia Supplementum, vol 52. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-6784-9_28

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-6784-9_28

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-6786-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-6784-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation