Lectin-stimulated cellular iron uptake and toxin generation in the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

Decreasing arsenic accumulation but promoting arsenate biotransformation in Microcystis aeruginosa regulated by nano-Fe2O3

Iron oxide nanoparticles (nano-Fe₂O₃) widely distribute in waters with low toxicity to aquatic organisms. But it is unclear for nano-Fe₂O₃ to affect the fate of coexisting arsenic (As) with its bioaccumulation and biotransformation. In this study, we thus mainly investigated arsenate (As(V)) toxicity, uptake kinetics, biotransformation and subcellular distribution in Microcystis aeruginosa influenced by nano-Fe₂O₃. The results showed that M. aeruginosa was more sensitive to As(V) associated with nano-Fe₂O₃. Due to the exaggerated increase of efflux rate constants of As compared with the uptake rate constants in algal cells affected by different levels of nano-Fe₂O₃, the As(V) bioconcentration factor decreased with nano-Fe₂O₃ increasing correspondingly, indicating that As bioaccumulation was diminished by nano-Fe₂O_3. The decreased As accumulation in M. aeruginosa could be supported by the evidential As(V) sequestration through high adsorption of nano-Fe₂O₃, which resulted in decreasing free As level for algae uptake in media. Meanwhile, As subcellular distribution was adjusted by nano-Fe₂O₃ with decreasing in cell walls and rising in cytoplasmic organelles compared with nano-Fe₂O₃ free. As(V) reduction and methylation were enhanced with increasing nano-Fe₂O₃, stimulating by its sensitivity to the interaction of nano-Fe₂O₃ and As(V) as well as the rising level of As in cytoplasmic organelles of this algae. It is confirmed by the higher relative gene expression levels of arsC and arsM in elevated nano-Fe₂O₃. Accordingly, it is highlighted to be deserved more attention that the changing behavior of As(V) by nano-Fe₂O₃ that reduce As bioaccumulation and accelerate its biotransformation in algae in As contaminated water.

Microalgal drugs: A promising therapeutic reserve for the future

Over the decades, a variety of chemically synthesized drugs are being used to cure existing diseases but often these drugs could not be effectively employed for the treatment of serious and newly emerging diseases. Fortunately, in nature there occurs immense treasure of plants and microorganisms which are living jewels with respect to their richness of medically important metabolites of high value. Hence, amongst the existing microorganism(s), the marine world offers a plethora of biological entities that can contribute to alleviate numerous human ailments. Algae are one such photosynthetic microorganism found in both marine as well as fresh water which are rich source of metabolites known for their nutrient content and health benefits. Various algal species like Haematococcus, Diatoms, Griffithsia, Chlorella, Spirulina, Ulva, etc. have been identified and isolated to produce biologically active and pharmaceutically important high value compounds like astaxanthin, fucoxanthin, sulphur polysaccharides mainly galactose, rhamnose, xylose, fucose etc., which show antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-cancer, and antiviral activities. However, the production of either of these bio compounds is favored under conditions of stress. This review gives detailed information on various nutraceutical metabolites extracted from algae. Additionally focus has been made on the role of these bio compounds extracted from algae especially sulphur polysaccharides to treat several diseases with prospective treatment for SARS-CoV-2. Lastly it covers the knowledge gaps and future perspectives in this area of research.

Influence of Iron on Physiological Parameters and Intracellular Microcystin in Microcystis Panniformis Strain Isolated from a Reservoir in the Amazon

In the Amazon, the leaching from soil left unprotected by deforestation increases the entry of iron, among other elements, in aquatic ecosystems, which can cause cyanobacterial blooms. This study aimed to investigate the physiological response of a strain of Microcystis panniformis to iron variation. The strain was isolated from a reservoir located in the Western Amazon and produces microcystin-LR. After a period of iron deprivation, the cultures were submitted to three conditions: control (223 μgFe.L^-1), treatment with 23 μgFe.L^-1, and absence of iron. At regular intervals for eight days, the cell density, levels of chlorophyll a and microcystins were determined. On the second and fourth day, transcription of genes responsive to iron limitation was quantified. Starting on the fourth day of the experiment, the different iron concentrations affected growth, and on the eighth day in the iron-free condition cell density was 90% lower than in control. Chlorophyll cell quota in 23 μgFe.L^-1 and control presented similar values, while without iron the cells became chlorotic as of the fourth day Toxin concentration in cells grow in 0 μgFe.L^-1 in relation to the control. Higher transcription levels of the feo and fut genes were observed in the 0 μgFe.L^-1 and 23 μgFe.L^-1 treatments, indicating that the cells were activating high-affinity capture systems to reestablish an adequate concentration of intracellular iron. The increasing deforestation in the Jamari River Basin (Amazon region), can contribute to the occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms due to the greater entrance of iron in water bodies.

Detailed algal extracellular carbohydrate-protein characterisation lends insight into algal solid-liquid separation process outcomes

The effectiveness of algal solid-liquid separation processes has been impacted by the strong influence of algal extracellular organic matter (EOM), where the composition of proteins and carbohydrates and their associated interactions have been implicated. However, despite this, no studies have analysed the detailed protein and carbohydrate composition in EOM in relation to their impacts on separation. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the variety of carbohydrates and proteins present in the EOM of select algal and cyanobacterial samples and the associated separation performance to better understand the influence of specific biopolymers. The protein and carbohydrate composition of the EOM of three species - Microcystis aeruginosa CS-555/1, Chlorella vulgaris CS-42/7 and Microcystis aeruginosa CS-564/01, previously observed to result in variable treatment performance were investigated. The carbohydrates were analysed via high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) while the proteins were analysed using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Ten unique monosaccharides were identified; of these, the greatest proportion of charged uronic acid carbohydrates were present in the EOM of M. aeruginosa CS-564/01. The protein profiling revealed that M. aeruginosa CS-564/01 had a greater proportion and concentration of proteins >75 kDa when compared to M. aeruginosa CS-555/1 or C. vulgaris CS-42/7. It was determined that three serine- and two threonine-based proteins, detected in greater concentrations in M. aeruginosa CS-564/01 than CS-555/1, could covalently interact with carbohydrates (OHenderson et al., 2010a, 2010b-linked glycosylation). These proteins have the ability to form numerous localised networks with carbohydrates and cells in the presence of coagulant molecules, thereby providing a good hypothesis to explain the excellent treatment performance observed for M. aeruginosa CS-564/01 previously. It is proposed that the uronic acids in M. aeruginosa CS-564/01 could interact with proteins via glycosylation, explaining why the coagulant demand for this strain remained low despite the high charged carbohydrate concentration. Overall, it is proposed that process performance could be impacted by: (a) physicochemical characteristics and (b) carbohydrate-protein interactions.