Cyanide Metabolism and Detoxification Mechanisms in Plants
Summary
Cyanide is generated endogenously in plants mainly as a co-product of ethylene biosynthesis and from cyanogenic compounds. At low concentrations, hydrogen cyanide functions as a gasotransmitter, modulating seed dormancy and stress responses, while at elevated levels it inhibits metalloenzymes central to respiration and nitrogen assimilation. To mitigate toxicity, plants employ enzymatic pathways centred on cyanoalanine synthase, which combines cyanide with cysteine to form β-cyanoalanine, and on rhodanese-like enzymes that catalyse transfer of sulphur to cyanide forming thiocyanate. The alternative oxidase pathway confers cyanide-resistant respiration, maintaining electron transport under inhibitory conditions. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses have revealed extensive regulation of genes involved in reactive oxygen species management, nitrogen metabolism and hormone signalling in response to cyanide exposure. Detoxification processes are tightly regulated spatially and temporally, ensuring homeostasis while allowing cyanide’s signalling roles. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for improving crop tolerance to abiotic stresses and for biotechnological applications in phytoremediation of cyanide-polluted environments.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Cyanide Metabolism and Detoxification Mechanisms in Plants publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cyanide metabolism and detoxification mechanisms in plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN): A simple, volatile molecule produced in plants during ethylene biosynthesis and from cyanogenic compounds, acting as both toxin and signalling gas.
Cyanoalanine synthase (CAS): Mitochondrial enzyme that detoxifies cyanide by converting it and cysteine into β-cyanoalanine.
Alternative oxidase (AOX): Mitochondrial terminal oxidase enabling cyanide-resistant respiration by bypassing complexes inhibited by cyanide.
β-Cyanoalanine: Non-protein amino acid formed by CAS, which is subsequently metabolised to detoxify cyanide.
Gasotransmitter: A gaseous endogenous signalling molecule that modulates physiological processes at low concentrations.
References
- Hormetic action of cyanide: plant gasotransmitter and poison. Phytochemistry Reviews (2023).
- The role of cyanoalanine synthase and alternative oxidase in promoting salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. BMC Plant Biology (2023).
- Transcriptome Analysis of Cyanide-Treated Rice Seedlings: Insights into Gene Functional Classifications. Life (2022).
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.