Arabidopsis and rice showed a distinct pattern in ZIPs genes expression profile in response to Cd stress

This study revealed a distinct pattern in ZIPs genes expression regulation in response to Cd stress between Arabidopsis and rice. Arabidopsis mainly up-regulated root ZIPs genes, while rice mainly up-regulated shoot ZIPs genes. Interestingly, some genes like AtIRT3, AtZIP5, AtZIP12, OsIRT1 and OsZIP1 showed contrary expression regulation when subject to the tested Cd stress. Three genes, AtIRT1, OsZIP1 and OsZIP3, conferred an increased sensitivity to Cd stress and more Cd accumulation when expressed in yeast cells, implying a role in direct Cd uptake in plants.