Excessive levels of heavy metals in the environment induce toxic effects on food crops and human health. For instance, mercury (Hg) disrupts global plant physiology and metabolism, yet Hg tolerance mechanisms in plants are not well understood at the protein level. Food security would be improved by better knowledge of Hg-induced protein networks, signaling pathways, hormonal control, chaperon biosynthesis, sulfur metabolism, antioxidants, and other Hg detoxification mechanisms. Recent proteomic research has disclosed Hg-responsive proteins involved in gene regulation and metabolic pathways such as photosynthesis, respiration, and defense under stress. Here, we review the mechanisms of proteome modulation by Hg in plants. We discuss techniques such as gel-based and gel-free proteomics, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics.

环境中过量的重金属会对粮食作物和人类健康产生毒性影响。例如，汞 (Hg) 会扰乱全球植物生理和新陈代谢，但植物中的 Hg 耐受机制在蛋白质水平上尚不清楚。通过更好地了解汞诱导的蛋白质网络、信号通路、激素控制、伴侣生物合成、硫代谢、抗氧化剂和其他汞解毒机制，可以改善粮食安全。最近的蛋白质组学研究揭示了参与基因调控和代谢途径（如光合作用、呼吸和压力下的防御）的 Hg 反应蛋白。在这里，我们回顾了植物中 Hg 调节蛋白质组的机制。我们讨论了基于凝胶和无凝胶的蛋白质组学、质谱和生物信息学等技术。