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Guo Y, Hu SY, Wu C, Gao CX, Hui CY. Biosynthesis of Indigo Dyes and Their Application in Green Chemical and Visual Biosensing for Heavy Metals. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:33868-33881. [PMID: 39130558 PMCID: PMC11308077 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c03613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Fermentative production of natural colorants using microbial strains has emerged as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to chemical synthesis. Visual pigments are used as signal outputs in colorimetric bacterial biosensors, a promising method for monitoring environmental pollutants. In this study, we engineered four self-sufficient indigo-forming enzymes, including HbpAv, bFMO, cFMO, and rFPMO, in a model bacterium E. coli. TrxA-bFMO was chosen for its strong ability to produce indigo under T7 lac and mer promoters' regulation. The choice of bacterial hosts, the supplementation of substrate l-tryptophan, and ventilation were crucial factors affecting indigo production. The indigo reporter validated the biosensors for Hg(II), Pb(II), As(III), and Cd(II). The biosensors reported Hg(II) as low as 14.1 nM, Pb(II) as low as 1.5 nM, and As(III) as low as 4.5 nM but increased to 25 μM for Cd(II). The detection ranges for Hg(II), Pb(II), As(III), and Cd(II) were quantified from 14.1 to 225 nM, 1.5 to 24.4 nM, 4.5 to 73.2 nM, and 25 to 200 μM, respectively. The sensitivity, responsive concentration range, and selectivity are comparable to β-galactosidase and luciferase reporter enzymes. This study suggests that engineered enzymes for indigo production have great potential for green chemical synthesis. Additionally, heterologous biosynthesis of indigo production can lead to the development of novel, low-cost, and mini-equipment bacterial biosensors with zero background noise for visual monitoring of pollutant heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- National
Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Shun-Yu Hu
- Department
of Pathology and Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention
and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen 518020, China
- Department
of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Can Wu
- Department
of Pathology and Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention
and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen 518020, China
- Department
of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chao-Xian Gao
- Department
of Pathology and Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention
and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Chang-Ye Hui
- Department
of Pathology and Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention
and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen 518020, China
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2
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Calvanese M, D’Angelo C, Tutino ML, Lauro C. Whole-Cell Biosensor for Iron Monitoring as a Potential Tool for Safeguarding Biodiversity in Polar Marine Environments. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:299. [PMID: 39057408 PMCID: PMC11277574 DOI: 10.3390/md22070299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Iron is a key micronutrient essential for various essential biological processes. As a consequence, alteration in iron concentration in seawater can deeply influence marine biodiversity. In polar marine environments, where environmental conditions are characterized by low temperatures, the role of iron becomes particularly significant. While iron limitation can negatively influence primary production and nutrient cycling, excessive iron concentrations can lead to harmful algal blooms and oxygen depletion. Furthermore, the growth of certain phytoplankton species can be increased in high-iron-content environments, resulting in altered balance in the marine food web and reduced biodiversity. Although many chemical/physical methods are established for inorganic iron quantification, the determination of the bio-available iron in seawater samples is more suitably carried out using marine microorganisms as biosensors. Despite existing challenges, whole-cell biosensors offer other advantages, such as real-time detection, cost-effectiveness, and ease of manipulation, making them promising tools for monitoring environmental iron levels in polar marine ecosystems. In this review, we discuss fundamental biosensor designs and assemblies, arranging host features, transcription factors, reporter proteins, and detection methods. The progress in the genetic manipulation of iron-responsive regulatory and reporter modules is also addressed to the optimization of the biosensor performance, focusing on the improvement of sensitivity and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Calvanese
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (C.D.); (M.L.T.)
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi (I.N.B.B), Viale Medaglie D’Oro 305, 00136 Roma, Italy
| | - Caterina D’Angelo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (C.D.); (M.L.T.)
| | - Maria Luisa Tutino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (C.D.); (M.L.T.)
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi (I.N.B.B), Viale Medaglie D’Oro 305, 00136 Roma, Italy
| | - Concetta Lauro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.C.); (C.D.); (M.L.T.)
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3
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Zevallos-Aliaga D, De Graeve S, Obando-Chávez P, Vaccari NA, Gao Y, Peeters T, Guerra DG. Highly Sensitive Whole-Cell Mercury Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:246. [PMID: 38785720 PMCID: PMC11117708 DOI: 10.3390/bios14050246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Whole-cell biosensors could serve as eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives for detecting potentially toxic bioavailable heavy metals in aquatic environments. However, they often fail to meet practical requirements due to an insufficient limit of detection (LOD) and high background noise. In this study, we designed a synthetic genetic circuit specifically tailored for detecting ionic mercury, which we applied to environmental samples collected from artisanal gold mining sites in Peru. We developed two distinct versions of the biosensor, each utilizing a different reporter protein: a fluorescent biosensor (Mer-RFP) and a colorimetric biosensor (Mer-Blue). Mer-RFP enabled real-time monitoring of the culture's response to mercury samples using a plate reader, whereas Mer-Blue was analysed for colour accumulation at the endpoint using a specially designed, low-cost camera setup for harvested cell pellets. Both biosensors exhibited negligible baseline expression of their respective reporter proteins and responded specifically to HgBr2 in pure water. Mer-RFP demonstrated a linear detection range from 1 nM to 1 μM, whereas Mer-Blue showed a linear range from 2 nM to 125 nM. Our biosensors successfully detected a high concentration of ionic mercury in the reaction bucket where artisanal miners produce a mercury-gold amalgam. However, they did not detect ionic mercury in the water from active mining ponds, indicating a concentration lower than 3.2 nM Hg2+-a result consistent with chemical analysis quantitation. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of Mer-Blue as a practical and affordable monitoring tool, highlighting its stability, reliance on simple visual colorimetry, and the possibility of sensitivity expansion to organic mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahlin Zevallos-Aliaga
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Individuales, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru; (D.Z.-A.); (P.O.-C.); (N.A.V.)
| | - Stijn De Graeve
- Open BioLab Brussels, Erasmushogeschool Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 121, B-1090 Jette, Belgium
| | - Pamela Obando-Chávez
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Individuales, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru; (D.Z.-A.); (P.O.-C.); (N.A.V.)
| | - Nicolás A. Vaccari
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Individuales, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru; (D.Z.-A.); (P.O.-C.); (N.A.V.)
| | - Yue Gao
- Archaeology, Environmental Changes and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Tom Peeters
- Open BioLab Brussels, Erasmushogeschool Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 121, B-1090 Jette, Belgium
| | - Daniel G. Guerra
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Individuales, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru; (D.Z.-A.); (P.O.-C.); (N.A.V.)
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Ma BC, Guo Y, Lin YR, Zhang J, Wang XQ, Zhang WQ, Luo JG, Chen YT, Zhang NX, Lu Q, Hui CY. High-throughput screening of human mercury exposure based on a low-cost naked eye-recognized biosensing platform. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 248:115961. [PMID: 38150800 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Whole-cell biosensors could be helpful for in situ disease diagnosis. However, their use in analyzing biological samples has been hindered by unstable responses, low signal enhancement, and growth inhibition in complex media. Here, we offered a solution by building a visual whole-cell biosensor for urinary mercury determination. With deoxyviolacein as the preferred signal for the mercury biosensor for the first time, it enabled the quantitative detection of urinary mercury with a favorable linear range from 1.57 to 100 nM. The biosensor can accurately diagnose urine mercury levels exceeding the biological exposure index with 95.8% accuracy. Thus, our study provided a biosensing platform with great potential to serve as a stable, user-friendly, and high-throughput alternative for the daily monitoring or estimating of urinary mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Chan Ma
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China; Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yi-Ran Lin
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 828 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Wang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Wen-Qi Zhang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Jin-Gan Luo
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yu-Ting Chen
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Nai-Xing Zhang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
| | - Qing Lu
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Chang-Ye Hui
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
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5
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Hui CY, Ma BC, Hu SY, Wu C. Tailored bacteria tackling with environmental mercury: Inspired by natural mercuric detoxification operons. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:123016. [PMID: 38008253 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) and its inorganic and organic compounds significantly threaten the ecosystem and human health. However, the natural and anthropogenic Hg environmental inputs exceed 5000 metric tons annually. Hg is usually discharged in elemental or ionic forms, accumulating in surface water and sediments where Hg-methylating microbes-mediated biotransformation occurs. Microbial genetic factors such as the mer operon play a significant role in the complex Hg biogeochemical cycle. Previous reviews summarize the fate of environmental Hg, its biogeochemistry, and the mechanism of bacterial Hg resistance. This review mainly focuses on the mer operon and its components in detecting, absorbing, bioaccumulating, and detoxifying environmental Hg. Four components of the mer operon, including the MerR regulator, divergent mer promoter, and detoxification factors MerA and MerB, are rare bio-parts for assembling synthetic bacteria, which tackle pollutant Hg. Bacteria are designed to integrate synthetic biology, protein engineering, and metabolic engineering. In summary, this review highlights that designed bacteria based on the mer operon can potentially sense and bioremediate pollutant Hg in a green and low-cost manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ye Hui
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
| | - Bing-Chan Ma
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China; School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shun-Yu Hu
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China; Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Can Wu
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China; Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
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6
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Li M, Lv S, Yang R, Chu X, Wang X, Wang Z, Peng L, Yang J. Development of lycopene-based whole-cell biosensors for the visual detection of trace explosives and heavy metals. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1283:341934. [PMID: 37977799 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Residual explosives in conflicting zones have caused irreversible damage to human safety and the environment. Whole-cell biosensors can to detect remnants of buried explosives, such as 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), a stable and highly volatile compound in explosives. However, all the reported whole-cell biosensors utilize fluorescence or luminescence as the biological markers, making their detection difficult in real minefields. Here, we presented a lycopene-based whole-cell biosensor in Escherichia coli to output visible signals in response to DNT, which can help in the visual detection of buried explosives. To construct the whole-cell biosensor, the DNT-responsive promoter yqjF was used as the sensing element, and the lycopene synthetic gene cassette crtEBI was served as the reporting element. Then, the metabolic flux for lycopene production was enhanced to improve the output signal of the whole-cell biosensor, and a terminator was utilized to reduce the background interference. The optimized biosensor LSZ05 could perceive at least 1 mg/L DNT. The DNT-specificity and robust performance of the biosensor under different environmental factors were confirmed. Our results showed that converting the biosensor into a lyophilized powder was an effective storage method. The biosensor LSZ05 could effectively detect DNT in two kinds of soil samples. The lycopene-based whole-cell biosensor could also be used to visually detect heavy metals. Our findings laid the foundation for visually detecting buried explosives in minefields, which was a valuable supplement to the reported biosensors. The methods used for optimizing the lycopene-based whole-cell biosensor, including the improvement of the output signal and reduction of background interference, were quite effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijie Li
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Shuzhe Lv
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Rumeng Yang
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Xiaohan Chu
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Xu Wang
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Ziyu Wang
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Limin Peng
- Shandong TV University, Jinan, 250014, PR China.
| | - Jianming Yang
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
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7
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Zhu K, Chen D, Cai Y, Zhang T, Ma J, Bao L, Zhao F, Wu L, Chen S. Engineering the Ultrasensitive Visual Whole-Cell Biosensors by Evolved MerR and 5' UTR for Detection of Ultratrace Mercury. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:16964-16973. [PMID: 37863904 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The existing mercury whole-cell biosensors (WCBs, parts per billion range) are not able to meet the real-world requirements due to their lack of sensitivity for the detection of ultratrace mercury in the environment. Ultratrace mercury is a potential threat to human health via the food chain. Here, we developed an ultrasensitive mercury WCB by directed evolution of the mercury-responsive transcriptional activator (MerR) sensing module to detect ultratrace mercury. Subsequently, the mutant WCB (m4-1) responding to mercury in the parts per trillion range after 1 h of induction was obtained. Its detection limit (LOD) was 0.313 ng/L, comparable to those of some analytical instruments. Surprisingly, the m4-1 WCB also responded to methylmercury (LOD = 98 ng/L), which is far more toxic than inorganic mercury. For more convenient detection, we have increased another green fluorescent protein reporter module with an optimized 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) sequence. This yields two visual WCBs with an enhanced fluorescence output. At a concentration of 2.5 ng/L, the fluorescence signals can be directly observed by the naked eye. With the combination of mobile phone imaging and image processing software, the 2GC WCB provided simple, rapid, and reliable quantitative and qualitative analysis of real samples (LOD = 0.307 ng/L). Taken together, these results indicate that the ultrasensitive visual whole-cell biosensors for ultratrace mercury detection are successfully designed using a combination of directed evolution and synthetic biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Zhu
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China, P. R. China
| | - Dongdong Chen
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, P. R. China
| | - Yeshen Cai
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China, P. R. China
| | - TianYi Zhang
- School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, P. R. China
| | - Jie Ma
- School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, P. R. China
| | - Lingzhi Bao
- School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, P. R. China
| | - Feng Zhao
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, P. R. China
| | - Lijun Wu
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China, P. R. China
| | - Shaopeng Chen
- School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, P. R. China
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8
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Thai TD, Lim W, Na D. Synthetic bacteria for the detection and bioremediation of heavy metals. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1178680. [PMID: 37122866 PMCID: PMC10133563 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1178680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxic heavy metal accumulation is one of anthropogenic environmental pollutions, which poses risks to human health and ecological systems. Conventional heavy metal remediation approaches rely on expensive chemical and physical processes leading to the formation and release of other toxic waste products. Instead, microbial bioremediation has gained interest as a promising and cost-effective alternative to conventional methods, but the genetic complexity of microorganisms and the lack of appropriate genetic engineering technologies have impeded the development of bioremediating microorganisms. Recently, the emerging synthetic biology opened a new avenue for microbial bioremediation research and development by addressing the challenges and providing novel tools for constructing bacteria with enhanced capabilities: rapid detection and degradation of heavy metals while enhanced tolerance to toxic heavy metals. Moreover, synthetic biology also offers new technologies to meet biosafety regulations since genetically modified microorganisms may disrupt natural ecosystems. In this review, we introduce the use of microorganisms developed based on synthetic biology technologies for the detection and detoxification of heavy metals. Additionally, this review explores the technical strategies developed to overcome the biosafety requirements associated with the use of genetically modified microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dokyun Na
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Chen Y, Guo Y, Liu Y, Xiang Y, Liu G, Zhang Q, Yin Y, Cai Y, Jiang G. Advances in bacterial whole-cell biosensors for the detection of bioavailable mercury: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 868:161709. [PMID: 36682565 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) and its organic compounds, especially monomethylmercury (MeHg), cause major damage to the ecosystem and human health. In surface water or sediments, microorganisms play a crucial role in the methylation and demethylation of Hg. Given that Hg transformation processes are intracellular reactions, accurate assessment of the bioavailability of Hg(II)/MeHg in the environment, particularly for microorganisms, is of major importance. Compared with traditional analytical methods, bacterial whole-cell biosensors (BWCBs) provide a more accurate, convenient, and cost-effective strategy to assess the environmental risks of Hg(II)/MeHg. This Review summarizes recent progress in the application of BWCBs in the detection of bioavailable Hg(II)/MeHg, providing insight on current challenges and strategies. The principle and components of BWCBs for Hg(II)/MeHg bioavailability analysis are introduced. Furthermore, the impact of water chemical factors on the bioavailability of Hg is discussed as are future perspectives of BWCBs in bioavailable Hg analysis and optimization of BWCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqian Chen
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yingying Guo
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yanwei Liu
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yuping Xiang
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Guangliang Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States of America
| | - Qinghua Zhang
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yongguang Yin
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China; Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Yong Cai
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States of America
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Singh AD, Khanna K, Kour J, Dhiman S, Bhardwaj T, Devi K, Sharma N, Kumar P, Kapoor N, Sharma P, Arora P, Sharma A, Bhardwaj R. Critical review on biogeochemical dynamics of mercury (Hg) and its abatement strategies. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 319:137917. [PMID: 36706814 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is among the naturally occurring heavy metal with elemental, organic, and inorganic distributions in the environment. Being considered a global pollutant, high pools of Hg-emissions ranging from >6000 to 8000 Mg Hg/year get accumulated by the natural and anthropogenic activities in the atmosphere. These toxicants have high persistence, toxicity, and widespread contamination in the soil, water, and air resources. Hg accumulation inside the plant parts amplifies the traces of toxic elements in the linking food chains, leads to Hg exposure to humans, and acts as a potential genotoxic, neurotoxic and carcinogenic entity. However, excessive Hg levels are equally toxic to the plant system and severely disrupt the physiological and metabolic processes in plants. Thus, a plausible link between Hg-concentration and its biogeochemical behavior is highly imperative to analyze the plant-soil interactions. Therefore, it is requisite to bring these toxic contaminants in between the acceptable limits to safeguard the environment. Plants efficiently incorporate or absorb the bioavailable Hg from the soil thus a constructive understanding of Hg uptake, translocation/sequestration involving specific heavy metal transporters, and detoxification mechanisms are drawn. Whereas recent investigations in biological remediation of Hg provide insights into the potential associations between the plants and microbes. Furthermore, intense research on Hg-induced antioxidants, protein networks, metabolic mechanisms, and signaling pathways is required to understand these bioremediations techniques. This review sheds light on the mercury (Hg) sources, pollution, biogeochemical cycles, its uptake, translocation, and detoxification methods with respect to its molecular approaches in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Dev Singh
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India.
| | - Kanika Khanna
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Jaspreet Kour
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Shalini Dhiman
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Tamanna Bhardwaj
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Kamini Devi
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Neerja Sharma
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Pardeep Kumar
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Nitika Kapoor
- P.G. Department of Botany, Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
| | - Priyanka Sharma
- School of Bioengineering Sciences and Research, MIT-ADT University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Priya Arora
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Anket Sharma
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Renu Bhardwaj
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India.
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11
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Zhang Y, Zhao C, Bi H, Zhang X, Xue B, Li C, Wang S, Yang X, Qiu Z, Wang J, Shen Z. A cell-free paper-based biosensor dependent on allosteric transcription factors (aTFs) for on-site detection of harmful metals Hg 2+ and Pb 2+ in water. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 438:129499. [PMID: 35816794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Water quality monitoring requires a reliable and practical on-site detection method for heavy metal ions. Combining an in vitro transcription (IVT) technology with allosteric transcription factors (aTFs), we developed a cell-free paper-based biosensor for on-site detection of Hg2+ and Pb2+ in water. Suitable aTFs screened using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) were employed for building biosensors. ATFs could disassociate from DNA due to their specific affinity to metal ions, and fluorescent RNA was transcribed as a signal. The developed biosensor could quantitatively detect Hg2+ in a linear dynamic range of 0.5-500 nM and Pb2+ in a 1-250 nM range in a 1 h period. The LOD of the biosensor was 0.5 nM for Hg2+ and 0.1 nM for Pb2+. The recoveries ranged from 91.09% to 123.24% for actual water samples detection. Furthermore, freeze-drying was used to create a paper-based biosensor that could detect Hg2+ and Pb2+ simultaneously on-site. This research presents a useful technique for various heavy metal ion detections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China; Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Huaixiu Bi
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China; College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Bin Xue
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Chenyu Li
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Shang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Zhigang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Shen
- Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
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12
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Hui CY, Guo Y, Li H, Chen YT, Yi J. Differential Detection of Bioavailable Mercury and Cadmium Based on a Robust Dual-Sensing Bacterial Biosensor. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:846524. [PMID: 35495723 PMCID: PMC9043898 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.846524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically programmed biosensors have been widely used to monitor bioavailable heavy metal pollutions in terms of their toxicity to living organisms. Most bacterial biosensors were initially designed to detect specific heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium. However, most available biosensors failed to distinguish cadmium from various heavy metals, especially mercury. Integrating diverse sensing elements into a single genetic construct or a single host strain has been demonstrated to quantify several heavy metals simultaneously. In this study, a dual-sensing construct was assembled by employing mercury-responsive regulator (MerR) and cadmium-responsive regulator (CadR) as the separate sensory elements and enhanced fluorescent protein (eGFP) and mCherry red fluorescent protein (mCherry) as the separate reporters. Compared with two corresponding single-sensing bacterial sensors, the dual-sensing bacterial sensor emitted differential double-color fluorescence upon exposure to 0–40 μM toxic Hg(II) and red fluorescence upon exposure to toxic Cd(II) below 200 μM. Bioavailable Hg(II) could be quantitatively determined using double-color fluorescence within a narrow concentration range (0–5 μM). But bioavailable Cd(II) could be quantitatively measured using red fluorescence over a wide concentration range (0–200 μM). The dual-sensing biosensor was applied to detect bioavailable Hg(II) and Cd(II) simultaneously. Significant higher red fluorescence reflected the predominant pollution of Cd(II), and significant higher green fluorescence suggested the predominant pollution of Hg(II). Our findings show that the synergistic application of various sensory modules contributes to an efficient biological device that responds to concurrent heavy metal pollutants in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ye Hui
- Department of Pathology and Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Guo
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Han Li
- College of Lab Medicine, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Yu-Ting Chen
- Department of Pathology and Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Juan Yi
- Department of Pathology and Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
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13
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Detection of environmental pollutant cadmium in water using a visual bacterial biosensor. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6898. [PMID: 35477977 PMCID: PMC9046199 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11051-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) contamination in water and soil is considered an environmental pollutant. Food crops can absorb and accumulate bioavailable Cd. Continuous monitoring of Cd levels in the environment can minimize exposure and harm to humans. Visual pigments have been demonstrated to have great potential in the development of minimal-equipment biosensors. In the present study, a metabolically engineered bacterium was employed to produce blue-purple pigment violacein responsive to toxic Cd(II). The high stability of the bisindole pigment contributed to determining the violacein at wavelengths of 578 nm. Visual and quantifiable signals could be captured after a 1.5-h Cd(II) exposure. This novel biosensor showed significantly stronger responses to Cd(II) than to other heavy metals including Pb(II), Zn(II), and Hg(II). A significant increase in pigment signal was found to respond to as low as 0.049 μM Cd(II). The naked eye can detect the color change when violacein-based biosensor is exposed to 25 μM Cd(II). A high-throughput method for rapid determination of soluble Cd(II) in environmental water was developed using a colorimetric microplate.
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14
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Priyadarshanee M, Chatterjee S, Rath S, Dash HR, Das S. Cellular and genetic mechanism of bacterial mercury resistance and their role in biogeochemistry and bioremediation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 423:126985. [PMID: 34464861 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic element that occurs at low concentrations in nature. However, various anthropogenic and natural sources contribute around 5000 to 8000 metric tons of Hg per year, rapidly deteriorating the environmental conditions. Mercury-resistant bacteria that possess the mer operon system have the potential for Hg bioremediation through volatilization from the contaminated milieus. Thus, bacterial mer operon plays a crucial role in Hg biogeochemistry and bioremediation by converting both reactive inorganic and organic forms of Hg to relatively inert, volatile, and monoatomic forms. Both the broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum bacteria harbor many genes of mer operon with their unique definitive functions. The presence of mer genes or proteins can regulate the fate of Hg in the biogeochemical cycle in the environment. The efficiency of Hg transformation depends upon the nature and diversity of mer genes present in mercury-resistant bacteria. Additionally, the bacterial cellular mechanism of Hg resistance involves reduced Hg uptake, extracellular sequestration, and bioaccumulation. The presence of unique physiological properties in a specific group of mercury-resistant bacteria enhances their bioremediation capabilities. Many advanced biotechnological tools also can improve the bioremediation efficiency of mercury-resistant bacteria to achieve Hg bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Priyadarshanee
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela 769 008, Odisha, India
| | - Shreosi Chatterjee
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela 769 008, Odisha, India
| | - Sonalin Rath
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela 769 008, Odisha, India
| | - Hirak R Dash
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela 769 008, Odisha, India
| | - Surajit Das
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela 769 008, Odisha, India.
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15
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Hui CY, Guo Y, Liu L, Yi J. Recent advances in bacterial biosensing and bioremediation of cadmium pollution: a mini-review. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 38:9. [PMID: 34850291 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03198-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) pollution has become a global environmental issue because Cd gets easily accumulated and translocated in the food chain, threatening human health. Considering the detrimental effects and non-biodegradability of environmental Cd, this is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed through the development of robust, cost-effective, and eco-friendly green routes for monitoring and remediating toxic levels of Cd. This article attempts to review various bacterial approaches toward biosensing and bioremediation of Cd in the environment. This review focuses on the recent development of bacterial cell-based biosensors for the detection of bioavailable Cd and the bioremediation of toxic Cd by natural or genetically-engineered bacteria. The present limitations and future perspectives of these available bacterial approaches are outlined. New trends for integrating synthetic biology and metabolic engineering into the design of bacterial biosensors and bioadsorbers are additionally highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ye Hui
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Yan Guo
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lisa Liu
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Juan Yi
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
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16
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Ahmed A, Ahmad A, Li R, AL-Ansi W, Fatima M, Mushtaq BS, Basharat S, Li Y, Bai Z. Recent Advances in Synthetic, Industrial and Biological Applications of Violacein and Its Heterologous Production. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 31:1465-1480. [PMID: 34584039 PMCID: PMC9705886 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2107.07045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Violacein, a purple pigment first isolated from a gram-negative coccobacillus Chromobacterium violaceum, has gained extensive research interest in recent years due to its huge potential in the pharmaceutic area and industry. In this review, we summarize the latest research advances concerning this pigment, which include (1) fundamental studies of its biosynthetic pathway, (2) production of violacein by native producers, apart from C. violaceum, (3) metabolic engineering for improved production in heterologous hosts such as Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Yarrowia lipolytica, (4) biological/pharmaceutical and industrial properties, (5) and applications in synthetic biology. Due to the intrinsic properties of violacein and the intermediates during its biosynthesis, the prospective research has huge potential to move this pigment into real clinical and industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aqsa Ahmed
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China,National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China
| | - Abdullah Ahmad
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Renhan Li
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China,National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China
| | - Waleed AL-Ansi
- School of Food Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China,Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sana’a University, Sana’a, 725, Yemen
| | - Momal Fatima
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Bilal Sajid Mushtaq
- School of Food Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China
| | - Samra Basharat
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China
| | - Ye Li
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China,National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China,Corresponding authors Y. Li E-mail:
| | - Zhonghu Bai
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China,National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China,
Z. Bai Phone: +86510-85197983 Fax: +86510-85197983 E-mail:
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17
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Kannappan S, Ramisetty BCM. Engineered Whole-Cell-Based Biosensors: Sensing Environmental Heavy Metal Pollutants in Water-a Review. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2021; 194:1814-1840. [PMID: 34783990 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-021-03734-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The frequent exposure and accumulation of heavy metals in organisms cause serious health issues affecting a range of organs such as the brain, liver, and reproductive organs in adults, infants, and children. Several parts of the world have high levels of heavy metals affecting millions of people, costing millions of dollars for improving the potability of water and medical treatment of the affected. Hence, water quality assessment is required to monitor the degree of heavy metal contamination in potable water. In nature, organisms respond to various environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, allowing their survival in a diverse environmental niche. With the advent of recombinant DNA technology, it is now possible to manipulate these natural bioreporters into controlled systems which either turn on or off gene expression or activity of enzymes in the presence of specific heavy metals (compound-specific biosensors) otherwise termed as whole-cell biosensors (WCBs). WCBs provide an upper hand compared to other immunosensors, enzyme-based sensors, and DNA-based sensors since microbes can be relatively easily manipulated, scaled up with relative ease, and can detect only the bioavailable heavy metals. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the various mechanisms of toxicity elicited by various heavy metals, thence emphasizing the need to develop heavy metal sensing platforms. Following this, the biosensor-based platforms including WCBs for detecting heavy metals developed thus far have been briefly elaborated upon, emphasizing the challenges and solutions associated with WCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrute Kannappan
- Department of Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon, 16419, South Korea
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Technology, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon, 16419, South Korea
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, India
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18
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Hui CY, Guo Y, Wu J, Liu L, Yang XQ, Guo X, Xie Y, Yi J. Detection of Bioavailable Cadmium by Double-Color Fluorescence Based on a Dual-Sensing Bioreporter System. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:696195. [PMID: 34603225 PMCID: PMC8481780 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.696195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is carcinogenic to humans and can accumulate in the liver, kidneys, and bones. There is widespread presence of cadmium in the environment as a consequence of anthropogenic activities. It is important to detect cadmium in the environment to prevent further exposure to humans. Previous whole-cell biosensor designs were focused on single-sensing constructs but have had difficulty in distinguishing cadmium from other metal ions such as lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg). We developed a dual-sensing bacterial bioreporter system to detect bioavailable cadmium by employing CadC and CadR as separate metal sensory elements and eGFP and mCherry as fluorescent reporters in one genetic construct. The capability of this dual-sensing biosensor was proved to simultaneously detect bioavailable cadmium and its toxic effects using two sets of sensing systems while still maintaining similar specificity and sensitivity of respective signal-sensing biosensors. The productions of double-color fluorescence were directly proportional to the exposure concentration of cadmium, thereby serving as an effective quantitative biosensor to detect bioavailable cadmium. This novel dual-sensing biosensor was then validated to respond to Cd(II) spiked in environmental water samples. This is the first report of the development of a novel dual-sensing, whole-cell biosensor for simultaneous detection of bioavailable cadmium. The application of two biosensing modules provides versatile biosensing signals and improved performance that can make a significant impact on monitoring high concentration of bioavailable Cd(II) in environmental water to reduce human exposure to the harmful effects of cadmium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-ye Hui
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Guo
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian Wu
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lisa Liu
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Ambler, PA, United States
| | - Xue-qin Yang
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiang Guo
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Xie
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Juan Yi
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
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19
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Hui CY, Guo Y, Li LM, Liu L, Chen YT, Yi J, Zhang NX. Indigoidine biosynthesis triggered by the heavy metal-responsive transcription regulator: a visual whole-cell biosensor. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:6087-6102. [PMID: 34291315 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11441-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
During the last few decades, whole-cell biosensors have attracted increasing attention for their enormous potential in monitoring bioavailable heavy metal contaminations in the ecosystem. Visual and measurable output signals by employing natural pigments have been demonstrated to offer another potential choice to indicate the existence of bioavailable heavy metals in recent years. The biosynthesis of the blue pigment indigoidine has been achieved in E. coli following heterologous expression of both BpsA (a single-module non-ribosomal peptide synthetase) and PcpS (a PPTase to activate apo-BpsA). Moreover, we demonstrated herein the development of the indigoidine-based whole-cell biosensors to detect bioavailable Hg(II) and Pb(II) in water samples by employing metal-responsive transcriptional regulator MerR and PbrR as the sensory elements, and the indigoidine biosynthesis gene cluster as a reporter element. The resulting indigoidine-based biosensors presented a good selectivity and high sensitivity to target metal ions. High concentration of target metal exposure could be clearly recognized by the naked eye due to the color change by the secretion of indigoidine, and quantified by measuring the absorbance of the culture supernatants at 600 nm. Dose-response relationships existed between the exposure concentrations of target heavy metals and the production of indigoidine. Although fairly good linear relationships were obtained in a relatively limited concentration range of the concentrations of heavy metal ions, these findings suggest that genetically controlled indigoidine biosynthesis triggered by the MerR family transcriptional regulator can enable a sensitive, visual, and qualitative whole-cell biosensor for bioindicating the presence of bioaccessible heavy metal in environmental water samples. KEY POINTS: • Biosynthesis pathway of indigoidine reconstructed in a high copy number plasmid in E. coli. • Visual and colorimetric detection of Hg(II) and Pb(II) by manipulation of indigoidine biosynthesis through MerR family metalloregulator. •Enhanced detection sensitivity toward Hg(II) and Pb(II) achieved using novel pigment-based whole-cell biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ye Hui
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Yan Guo
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li-Mei Li
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lisa Liu
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yu-Ting Chen
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Juan Yi
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nai-Xing Zhang
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China.
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20
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Guo Y, Hui CY, Liu L, Chen MP, Huang HY. Development of a bioavailable Hg(II) sensing system based on MerR-regulated visual pigment biosynthesis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13516. [PMID: 34188121 PMCID: PMC8242042 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92878-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered microorganisms have proven to be a highly effective and robust tool to specifically detect heavy metals in the environment. In this study, a highly specific pigment-based whole-cell biosensor has been investigated for the detection of bioavailable Hg(II) based on an artificial heavy metal resistance operon. The basic working principle of biosensors is based on the violacein biosynthesis under the control of mercury resistance (mer) promoter and mercury resistance regulator (MerR). Engineered biosensor cells have been demonstrated to selectively respond to Hg(II), and the specific response was not influenced by interfering metal ions. The response of violacein could be recognized by the naked eye, and the time required for the maximum response of violacein (5 h) was less than that of enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) (8 h) in the single-signal output constructs. The response of violacein was almost unaffected by the eGFP in a double-promoter controlled dual-signals output construct. However, the response strength of eGFP was significantly decreased in this genetic construct. Exponentially growing violacein-based biosensor detected concentrations as low as 0.39 μM Hg(II) in a colorimetric method, and the linear relationship was observed in the concentration range of 0.78-12.5 μM. Non-growing biosensor cells responded to concentrations as low as 0.006 μM Hg(II) in a colorimetric method and in a Hg(II) containing plate sensitive assay, and the linear relationship was demonstrated in a very narrow concentration range. The developed biosensor was finally validated for the detection of spiked bioavailable Hg(II) in environmental water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chang-Ye Hui
- Department of Pathology and Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Lisa Liu
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Min-Peng Chen
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hong-Ying Huang
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
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21
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Kamyabi MA, Kazemi D, Bikas R, Soleymani-Bonoti F. Investigation of the Hg(II) biosorption from wastewater by using garlic plant and differential pulse voltammetry. Anal Biochem 2021; 627:114263. [PMID: 34052198 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In this work, the bio sorption of mercury ion by garlic bio-adsorbent was studied. A batch and a continuous up-flow fixed-bed column system were used in this report. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to detecting the amount of mercury ion. Using Differential pulse voltammetry prevents the production of carcinogenic mercury vapor. In the batch system, various doses of bio-adsorbent were investigated. After that, the experimental data was fitted using Langmuir and Freundlich models. The experimental data were also fitted to the Thomas, Bohart-Adams, and Yan models for the continuous mode in a fixed bed of garlic bio-adsorbent. The maximum adsorption capacity estimated by the Thomas models was 23.5 mg g-1 and τ was 135.3 min. This adsorbent is also suitable for absorbing mercury from a real-life well water sample. It is renewable and can be used to absorb mercury several times.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Davood Kazemi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Rahman Bikas
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Soleymani-Bonoti
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Jundishapur University of Technology, Dezful, Iran.
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22
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Zhang NX, Guo Y, Li H, Yang XQ, Gao CX, Hui CY. Versatile artificial mer operons in Escherichia coli towards whole cell biosensing and adsorption of mercury. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252190. [PMID: 34038487 PMCID: PMC8153442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury exists naturally and mainly as a man-made pollutant in the environment, where it exerts adverse effects on local ecosystems and living organisms. It is important to develop an appropriate synthetic biological device that recognizes, detects and removes the bioavailable fraction of environmental mercury. Both single-signal and double-signal output mercury biosensors were assembled using a natural mer operon as a template. Selectivity and sensitivity of whole-cell biosensors based on artificial mer operons were determined. Three whole-cell biosensors were highly stable at very high concentrations of mercuric chloride, and could detect bioavailable Hg(II) in the concentration range of 6.25-200 μM HgCl2. A novel Hg(II) bioadsorption coupled with biosensing artificial mer operon was assembled. This would allow Hg(II)-induced Hg(II) binding protein cell surface display and green fluorescence emission to be achieved simultaneously while retaining the linear relationship between fluorescent signal and Hg(II) exposure concentration. The present study provides an innovative way to simultaneously detect, quantify, and remove bioavailable heavy metal ions using an artificially reconstructed heavy metal resistance operon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-xing Zhang
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Guo
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui Li
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xue-Qin Yang
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao-xian Gao
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chang-ye Hui
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
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23
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Ali SA, Mittal D, Kaur G. In-situ monitoring of xenobiotics using genetically engineered whole-cell-based microbial biosensors: recent advances and outlook. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:81. [PMID: 33843020 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03024-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Industrialisation, directly or indirectly, exposes humans to various xenobiotics. The increased magnitude of chemical pesticides and toxic heavy metals in the environment, as well as their intrusion into the food chain, seriously threatens human health. Therefore, the surveillance of xenobiotics is crucial for social safety and security. Online investigation by traditional methods is not sufficient for the detection and identification of such compounds because of the high costs and their complexity. Advancement in the field of genetic engineering provides a potential opportunity to use genetically modified microorganisms. In this regard, whole-cell-based microbial biosensors (WCBMB) represent an essential tool that couples genetically engineered organisms with an operator/promoter derived from a heavy metal-resistant operon combined with a regulatory protein in the gene circuit. The plasmid controls the expression of the reporter gene, such as gfp, luc, lux and lacZ, to an inducible gene promoter and has been widely applied to assay toxicity and bioavailability. This review summarises the recent trends in the development and application of microbial biosensors and the use of mobile genes for biomedical and environmental safety concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Azmal Ali
- Proteomics and Cell Biology Lab, Animal Biotechnology Center, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India. .,Proteomics and Cell Biology Lab, Animal Biotechnology Center, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, 132001, Karnal, Haryana, India.
| | - Deepti Mittal
- Animal Biochemistry Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Gurjeet Kaur
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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24
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Zeng N, Wu Y, Chen W, Huang Q, Cai P. Whole-Cell Microbial Bioreporter for Soil Contaminants Detection. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:622994. [PMID: 33708764 PMCID: PMC7940511 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.622994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have released various contaminants into soil that pose a serious threat to the ecosystem and human well-being. Compared to conventional analytical methodologies, microbial cell-based bioreporters are offering a flexible, rapid, and cost-effective strategy to assess the environmental risks. This review aims to summarize the recent progress in the application of bioreporters in soil contamination detection and provide insight into the challenges and current strategies. The biosensing principles and genetic circuit engineering are introduced. Developments of bioreporters to detect and quantify heavy metal and organic contaminants in soil are reviewed. Moreover, future opportunities of whole-cell bioreporters for soil contamination monitoring are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yichao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenli Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiaoyun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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25
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Saleem H, Mazhar S, Syed Q, Javed MQ, Adnan A. Bio-characterization of food grade pyocyanin bio-pigment extracted from chromogenic Pseudomonas species found in Pakistani native flora. ARAB J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2021.103005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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26
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Wang D, Zheng Y, Wei L, Wei N, Fan X, Huang S, Xiao Q. A signal-amplified whole-cell biosensor for sensitive detection of Hg 2+ based on Hg 2+-enhanced reporter module. J Environ Sci (China) 2020; 96:93-98. [PMID: 32819703 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A signal-amplified mercury sensing biosensor with desired sensitivity was developed through firstly using the GFP mutant with fluorescence increasing response towards Hg2+ as the reporter module. The developed biosensor showed response for Hg2+ in a relatively wide range of 1-10,000 nmol/L, and the detection limit was improved one or two orders of magnitude in comparison with most metal-sensing biosensors in similar constructs. In addition, the biosensor could distinguish Hg2+ easily from multiple metal ions and displayed strong adaptability to extensive pH conditions (pH 4.0-10.0). More importantly, the developed biosensor was able to provide an initial assessment of Hg2+ spiked in the environmental water with the recoveries between 85.70% and 112.50%. The signal-amplified strategy performed by the modified reporter module will be widely applicable to many other whole-cell biosensors, meeting the practical requirements with sufficient sensing performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China.
| | - Yanan Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Liudan Wei
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Na Wei
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Xiaosu Fan
- Experimental Center of College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China
| | - Shan Huang
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Qi Xiao
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China.
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27
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Hui CY, Guo Y, Liu L, Zhang NX, Gao CX, Yang XQ, Yi J. Genetic control of violacein biosynthesis to enable a pigment-based whole-cell lead biosensor. RSC Adv 2020; 10:28106-28113. [PMID: 35519119 PMCID: PMC9055639 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra04815a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental risks continue to grow due to heavy metal contamination caused by anthropogenic activities. Accumulation of harmful quantities of lead poses a threat to aquatic organisms, plants, and human beings. Whole-cell biosensors, which can proliferate independently, can detect the bioavailable fraction to assess the effect of target heavy metal on the environmental ecosystem. In this study, the biosynthesis pathway of violacein was heterogeneously constructed under the control of the T7 lac promoter in E. coli. A dose–response relationship existed between the inducer and the production of violacein. The biosynthesis pathway of violacein was finally engineered under the regulation of Pb(ii)-dependent metalloregulator PbrR to assemble Pb(ii)-inducible whole-cell biosensor. It permitted specific biosensing of Pb(ii) with extraordinary selectivity, and could resist the interferences from various metal ions. Color change by the intracellular accumulation of violacein could be recognized with the naked eye directly with high concentration of lead exposure, and quantified by determining the absorbance at 490 nm after butanol extraction. A good linear range for Pb(ii) concentrations of 0.1875–1.5 μM was obtained. The novel pigment-based whole-cell biosensor could detect concentrations as low as 0.1875 μM Pb(ii) based on in vitro quantification of violacein extracted by butanol, which is significantly lower than reported fluorescent protein-based PbrR-regulated biosensors based on direct measurement of whole cell fluorescence. These results indicate that genetically controlled violacein biosynthesis can enable a sensitive, visual, and qualitative biosensor for monitoring the presence of bioavailable Pb(ii) in lead-contaminated water. Genetically controlled violacein biosynthesis can enable a sensitive, visual, and qualitative biosensor for monitoring the presence of bioavailable lead.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-ye Hui
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases
- Shenzhen
- China
| | - Yan Guo
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases
- Shenzhen
- China
| | - Lisa Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine
- Shenzhen Second People's Hospital
- Shenzhen
- China
| | - Nai-xing Zhang
- National Key Clinical Specialty of Occupational Diseases
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases
- Shenzhen
- China
| | - Chao-xian Gao
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases
- Shenzhen
- China
| | - Xue-qin Yang
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases
- Shenzhen
- China
| | - Juan Yi
- Department of Pathology & Toxicology
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases
- Shenzhen
- China
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