Unlocking the molecular mechanisms of bamboo-based remediation of hazardous contaminants: macromolecular interactions, transport pathways, and predictive approaches
4 affiliations
- 1College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University
- 2Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture
- 3College of Resource Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University
- 4Department of Botany, University of Narowal
Abstract
Bamboo presents an unusual combination of rapid biomass production and diverse molecular mechanisms for capturing, transforming, and sequestering hazardous contaminants. However, the existing investigations have predominantly focused on bulk removal efficiencies and tissue-level accumulation profiles, whereas the molecular determinants governing these processes remain critically underexplored. This review systematically synthesizes the structure-function relationships of key bamboo-derived macromolecules including cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, membrane transport proteins such as heavy metal ATPases (HMAs), ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins (NRAMPs), and zinc-regulated/iron-regulated transporter-like proteins (ZIPs), as well as oxidative enzymes such as laccases and peroxidases. Specific emphasis is placed on the molecular features that drive contaminant adsorption, transport, sequestration, and degradation. Particular attention is given to surface functional groups, aromatic domains, conserved transporter motifs, and catalytic metal centers. A critical appraisal of the current literature reveals substantial knowledge gaps, particularly in molecular-weight distributions, three-dimensional conformational states, binding affinities, and direct physicochemical interactions between bamboo-derived macromolecules and hazardous pollutants. To address these limitations, we propose an integrative framework combining proteomics, AI-assisted structure prediction, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and quantitative binding assays to uncover the molecular basis of bamboo-pollutant interactions. Future breakthroughs will require the synergistic integration of rigorous structural characterization and direct interaction studies to move from descriptive associations toward predictive structure-function relationships. By consolidating dispersed knowledge and outlining prioritized research agendas, this review furnishes a conceptual framework to advance bamboo-based remediation from descriptive observational studies toward predictive, mechanism-driven strategies for hazardous contaminant management and environmental risk reduction.
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BibTeX
@article{ali2026unlocking,
title = {{Unlocking the molecular mechanisms of bamboo-based remediation of hazardous contaminants: macromolecular interactions, transport pathways, and predictive approaches}},
author = {Muhammad Hayder Ali and Muhammad Ashir Hameed and Ma Cong and Aqsa Malik and Qibin Chen and Shiliang Liu},
journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1940350},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1940350/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Unlocking the molecular mechanisms of bamboo-based remediation of hazardous contaminants: macromolecular interactions, transport pathways, and predictive approaches
AU - Muhammad Hayder Ali
AU - Muhammad Ashir Hameed
AU - Ma Cong
AU - Aqsa Malik
AU - Qibin Chen
AU - Shiliang Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1940350
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1940350/full
AB - Bamboo presents an unusual combination of rapid biomass production and diverse molecular mechanisms for capturing, transforming, and sequestering hazardous contaminants. However, the existing investigations have predominantly focused on bulk removal efficiencies and tissue-level accumulation profiles, whereas the molecular determinants governing these processes remain critically underexplored. This review systematically synthesizes the structure-function relationships of key bamboo-derived macromolecules including cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, membrane transport proteins such as heavy metal ATPases (HMAs), ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins (NRAMPs), and zinc-regulated/iron-regulated transporter-like proteins (ZIPs), as well as oxidative enzymes such as laccases and peroxidases. Specific emphasis is placed on the molecular features that drive contaminant adsorption, transport, sequestration, and degradation. Particular attention is given to surface functional groups, aromatic domains, conserved transporter motifs, and catalytic metal centers. A critical appraisal of the current literature reveals substantial knowledge gaps, particularly in molecular-weight distributions, three-dimensional conformational states, binding affinities, and direct physicochemical interactions between bamboo-derived macromolecules and hazardous pollutants. To address these limitations, we propose an integrative framework combining proteomics, AI-assisted structure prediction, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and quantitative binding assays to uncover the molecular basis of bamboo-pollutant interactions. Future breakthroughs will require the synergistic integration of rigorous structural characterization and direct interaction studies to move from descriptive associations toward predictive structure-function relationships. By consolidating dispersed knowledge and outlining prioritized research agendas, this review furnishes a conceptual framework to advance bamboo-based remediation from descriptive observational studies toward predictive, mechanism-driven strategies for hazardous contaminant management and environmental risk reduction.
SN - 1664-462X
ER -