title: Genetic and molecular mechanisms of  aluminum  tolerance in plants.
abstract: Aluminum (Al) toxicity restricts root growth and  agricultural yield in acid soils, which constitute approximately 40% of the  potentially arable lands worldwide. The two main mechanisms of Al tolerance in  plants are internal detoxification of Al and its exclusion from root cells.  Genes encoding membrane transporters and accessory transcription factors, as  well as cis-elements that enhance gene expression, are involved in Al  tolerance in plants; thus studies of these genes and accessory factors should  be the focus of molecular breeding efforts aimed at improving Al tolerance in  crops. In this review, we describe the main genetic and molecular studies that  led to the identification and cloning of genes associated with Al tolerance in  plants. We include recent findings on the regulation of genes associated with  Al tolerance. Understanding the genetic, molecular, and physiological aspects  of Al tolerance in plants is important for generating cultivars adapted to acid  soils, thereby contributing to food security worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Magalhaes
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Guimarães
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D000535:Aluminum / Q000633:toxicity*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000535:Aluminum