Plant defensin-like protein involved in accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in rice leaves. Mediates Cd efflux from cytosol into extracellular spaces via chelation. This drives Cd secretion from xylem parenchyma cells into the xylem vessels, hence lowering Cd levels in cytosol meanwhile promoting Cd translocation from roots to shoots. Expressed preferentially in root exodermis and xylem parenchyma cells in vasculature of root and flag leaf sheath. Induced by cadmium in roots (PubMed:29440679). Down-regulated by cold stress (PubMed:19279197). Rice varieties with high CAL1 activity over-accumulate cadmium (Cd) in rice straws, but are not affected by Cd accumulation, or the accumulation of other essential metals in rice grains. These functional characteristics could be used to breed dual-function rice varieties that produce safe grains while remediating paddy soils. Belongs to the DEFL family.