Nicotianamine Explained

Nicotianamine is a metal-chelating molecule ubiquitous in higher plants.^[1] It is also used as a precursor for the synthesis of phytosiderophores which play a key role in iron uptake from the soil in graminaceous plants.^[2] Biochemically, it is synthesized by the enzyme nicotianamine synthase, which uses three molecules of S-adenosylmethionine.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Takahashi M, Terada Y, Nakai I, Nakanishi H, Yoshimura E, Mori S, Nishizawa NK . Role of nicotianamine in the intracellular delivery of metals and plant reproductive development . The Plant Cell . 2003 . 15 . 6 . 1263–80 . 10.1105/tpc.010256. 12782722 . 156365 .
2. Mineral Nutrition in Higher Plants, 3rd Edition.
3. Zheng L, Cheng Z, Ai C, Jiang X, Bei X, Zheng Y, Glahn RP, Welch RM, Miller DD, Lei XG, Shou H . Nicotianamine, a novel enhancer of rice iron bioavailability to humans . PLOS ONE . 2010 . 5 . 4 . e10190 . 10.1371/journal.pone.0010190 . 20419136 . 2855712. 2010PLoSO...510190Z . free .