Involvement of Plasma Membrane Ca2+/H+ Antiporter in Cd2+ Tolerance

Cation exchangers (CAXs) belong to the cation/Ca2+ exchanger superfamily which have been extensively investigated in plant tonoplasts over the last decade. Recently, the roles of CAXs involved in heavy metal accumulation and tolerance in plants have been studied for phytoremediation and food security. In this mini review, we summarize the roles of the Ca2+/H+ antiporter in Ca2+ signal transduction, maintaining ion homeostasis and sequestering heavy metals into the vacuole. Moreover, we present a possible role of the plasma membrane Ca2+/H+ antiporter in heavy metal detoxification.