1
|
Rosati G, Solidoro C, Laurent C, Alcázar LA, Umgiesser G, Canu D. Mercury cycling in contaminated coastal environments: modeling the benthic-pelagic coupling and microbial resistance in the Venice Lagoon. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 261:121965. [PMID: 38964216 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121965] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have been releasing mercury for centuries, and despite global efforts to control emissions, concentrations in environmental media remain high. Coastal sediments can be a long-term repository for mercury, but also a secondary source, and competing processes in marine ecosystems can lead to the conversion of mercury into the toxic and bioaccumulative species methylmercury, which threatens ecosystem and human health. We investigate the fate and transport of three mercury species in a coastal lagoon affected by historical pollution using a novel high-resolution finite element model that integrates mercury biogeochemistry, sediment dynamics and hydrodynamics. The model resolves mercury dynamics in the seawater and the seabed taking into account partitioning, transport driven by water and sediment, and photochemical and microbial transformations. We simulated three years (early 2000s, 2019, and 2020) to assess the spatio-temporal distribution of mercury species concentrations and performed a sensitivity analysis to account for uncertainties. The modeled mercury species concentrations show high temporal and spatial variability, with water concentrations in some areas of the lagoon exceeding those of the open Mediterranean Sea by two orders of magnitude, consistent with available observations from the early 2000s. The results support conclusions about the importance of different processes in shaping the environmental gradients of mercury species. Due to the past accumulation of mercury in the lagoon sediments, inorganic mercury in the water is closely related to the resuspension of contaminated sediments, which is significantly reduced by the presence of benthic vegetation. The gradients of methylmercury depend on the combination of several factors, of which sediment resuspension and mercury methylation are the most relevant. The results add insights into mercury dynamics at coastal sites characterized by a combination of past pollution (i.e. sediment enrichment) and erosive processes, and suggest possible nature-based mitigation strategies such as the preservation of the integrity of benthic vegetation and morphology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ginevra Rosati
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste, 34010, Italy.
| | - Cosimo Solidoro
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste, 34010, Italy; International Centre for Theoretical Physic, ICTP, Trieste, 34010, Italy
| | - Célia Laurent
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste, 34010, Italy
| | | | | | - Donata Canu
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste, 34010, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Majumdar A, Upadhyay MK, Ojha M, Biswas R, Dey S, Sarkar S, Moulick D, Niazi NK, Rinklebe J, Huang JH, Roychowdhury T. A critical review on the organo-metal(loid)s pollution in the environment: Distribution, remediation and risk assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175531. [PMID: 39147056 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Toxic metal(loid)s, e.g., mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium are known for several environmental disturbances creating toxicity to humans if accumulated in high quantities. Although not discussed critically, the organo-forms of these inorganic metal(loid)s are considered a greater risk to humans than their elemental forms possibly due to physico-chemical modulation triggering redox alterations or by the involvement of biological metabolism. This extensive review describes the chemical and physical causes of organometals and organometal(loid)s distribution in the environment with ecotoxicity assessment and potential remediation strategies. Organo forms of various metal(loid)s, such as mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), and cadmium (Cd) have been discussed in the context of their ecotoxicity. In addition, we elaborated on the transformation, speciation and transformation pathways of these toxic metal(loid)s in soil-water-plant-microbial systems. The present review has pointed out the status of toxic organometal(loid)s, which is required to make the scientific community aware of this pressing condition of organometal(loid)s distribution in the environment. The gradual disposal and piling of organometal(loid)s in the environment demand a thorough revision of the past-present status with possible remediation strategies prescribed as reflected in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Majumdar
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom; School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India.
| | - Munish Kumar Upadhyay
- Centre for Environmental Science & Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Megha Ojha
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Pashan, Maharashtra 411008, India
| | - Rakesh Biswas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ulsan, 93 Daehak-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan, South Korea
| | - Saikat Dey
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Narendrapur, Kolkata 700103, India
| | - Sukamal Sarkar
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Narendrapur, Kolkata 700103, India
| | - Debojyoti Moulick
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal 741235, India
| | - Nabeel Khan Niazi
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Jen-How Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Tarit Roychowdhury
- School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sanz-Sáez I, Bravo AG, Ferri M, Carreras JM, Sánchez O, Sebastian M, Ruiz-González C, Capo E, Duarte CM, Gasol JM, Sánchez P, Acinas SG. Microorganisms Involved in Methylmercury Demethylation and Mercury Reduction are Widely Distributed and Active in the Bathypelagic Deep Ocean Waters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:13795-13807. [PMID: 39046290 PMCID: PMC11308531 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00663] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
The ocean's mercury (Hg) content has tripled due to anthropogenic activities, and although the dark ocean (>200 m) has become an important Hg reservoir, concentrations of the toxic and bioaccumulative methylmercury (MeHg) are low and therefore very difficult to measure. As a consequence, the current understanding of the Hg cycle in the deep ocean is severely data-limited, and the factors controlling MeHg, as well as its transformation rates, remain largely unknown. By analyzing 52 globally distributed bathypelagic deep-ocean metagenomes and 26 new metatranscriptomes from the Malaspina Expedition, our study reveals the widespread distribution and expression of bacterial-coding genes merA and merB in the global bathypelagic ocean (∼4000 m depth). These genes, associated with HgII reduction and MeHg demethylation, respectively, are particularly prevalent within the particle-attached fraction. Moreover, our results indicate that water mass age and the organic matter composition shaped the structure of the communities harboring merA and merB genes living in different particle size fractions, their abundance, and their expression levels. Members of the orders Corynebacteriales, Rhodobacterales, Alteromonadales, Oceanospirillales, Moraxellales, and Flavobacteriales were the main taxonomic players containing merA and merB genes in the deep ocean. These findings, together with our previous results of pure culture isolates of the deep bathypelagic ocean possessing the metabolic capacity to degrade MeHg, indicated that both methylmercury demethylation and HgII reduction likely occur in the global dark ocean, the largest biome in the biosphere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Sanz-Sáez
- Departament
de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut
de Ciències del Mar, ICM-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Andrea G. Bravo
- Departament
de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut
de Ciències del Mar, ICM-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Marta Ferri
- Departament
de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut
de Ciències del Mar, ICM-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Joan-Martí Carreras
- Departament
de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut
de Ciències del Mar, ICM-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Olga Sánchez
- Departament
de Genètica i Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Marta Sebastian
- Departament
de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut
de Ciències del Mar, ICM-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Clara Ruiz-González
- Departament
de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut
de Ciències del Mar, ICM-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Eric Capo
- Departament
de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut
de Ciències del Mar, ICM-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Carlos M. Duarte
- Red
Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences
and Engineering, King Abdullah University
of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900,Saudi Arabia
| | - Josep M. Gasol
- Departament
de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut
de Ciències del Mar, ICM-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Pablo Sánchez
- Departament
de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut
de Ciències del Mar, ICM-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Silvia G. Acinas
- Departament
de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut
de Ciències del Mar, ICM-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Al Mamun A, Rahman MM, Huq MA, Rahman MM, Rana MR, Rahman ST, Khatun ML, Alam MK. Phytoremediation: a transgenic perspective in omics era. Transgenic Res 2024; 33:175-194. [PMID: 38922381 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-024-00393-x] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Phytoremediation is an environmental safety strategy that might serve as a viable preventative approach to reduce soil contamination in a cost-effective manner. Using plants to remediate pollution from the environment is referred to as phytoremediation. In the past few decades, plants have undergone genetic manipulation to overcome inherent limitations by using genetically modified plants. This review illustrates the eco-friendly process of cleaning the environment using transgenic strategies combined with omics technologies. Herbicides tolerance and phytoremediation abilities have been established in genetically modified plants. Transgenic plants have eliminated the pesticides atrazine and metolachlor from the soil. To expand the application of genetically engineered plants for phytoremediation process, it is essential to test strategies in the field and have contingency planning. Omics techniques were used for understanding various genetic, hormonal, and metabolic pathways responsible for phytoremediation in soil. Transcriptomics and metabolomics provide useful information as resources to understand the mechanisms behind phytoremediation. This review aims to highlight the integration of transgenic strategies and omics technologies to enhance phytoremediation efficiency, emphasizing the need for field testing and comprehensive planning for successful implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al Mamun
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Science, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh
| | - M Mizanur Rahman
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Science, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Amdadul Huq
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Md Mashiar Rahman
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, 7408, Bangladesh
| | - Md Rasel Rana
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Science, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh
| | - Shabiha Tasbir Rahman
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Science, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh
| | - Mst Lata Khatun
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Science, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh
| | - Md Khasrul Alam
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Science, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Graca B, Rychter A, Bełdowska M, Wojdasiewicz A. Seasonality of mercury and its fractions in microplastics biofilms -comparison to natural biofilms, suspended particulate matter and bottom sediment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174814. [PMID: 39032739 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Biofilms can enhance the sorption of heavy metals onto microplastic (MP) surfaces. However, most research in this field relies on laboratory experiments and neglects metal fractions and seasonal variations. Further studies of the metal/biofilm interaction in the aquatic environment are essential for assessing the ecological threat that MPs pose. The present study used in situ experiments in an environment conducive to biofouling (Vistula Lagoon, Baltic Sea). The objective was to investigate the sorption of mercury and its fractions (thermodesorption technique) in MP (polypropylene-PP, polystyrene-PS, polylactide-PLA) biofilms and natural matrices across three seasons. After one month of incubation, the Hg concentrations in MP and natural substratum (gravel grains-G) biofilms were similar (MP: 145 ± 45 ng/g d.w.; G: 132 ± 23 ng/g d.w.) and approximately twofold those of suspended particulate matter (SPM) (63 ± 27 ng/g d.w.). Hg concentrations in biofilms and sediments were similar, but labile fractions dominated in biofilms and stable fractions in sediments. Seasonal Hg concentrations in MP biofilms decreased over summer>winter>spring, with significant variation for mineral and loosely bound Hg fractions. Multiple regression analysis revealed that hydrochemical conditions and sediment resuspension played a crucial role in the observed variability. The influence of polymer type and morphology (pellets, fibres, aged MP) on Hg sorption in biofilms was visible only in high summer temperatures. In this season, PP fibres and aged PP pellets encouraged biofilm growth and the accumulation of labile Hg fractions. Additionally, high concentrations of mineral (stable and semi-labile) Hg fractions were found in expanded PS biofilms. These findings suggest that organisms that ingest MPs or feed on the biofilms are exposed to the adverse effects of Hg and the presence of MPs in aquatic ecosystems may facilitate the transfer of mercury within the food chain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bożena Graca
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland.
| | - Agata Rychter
- University of Applied Sciences in Elbląg, Ul. Wojska Polskiego 1, 82-300 Elbląg, Poland
| | - Magdalena Bełdowska
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Adriana Wojdasiewicz
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bhat A, Sharma R, Desigan K, Lucas MM, Mishra A, Bowers RM, Woyke T, Epstein B, Tiffin P, Pueyo JJ, Paape T. Horizontal gene transfer of the Mer operon is associated with large effects on the transcriptome and increased tolerance to mercury in nitrogen-fixing bacteria. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:247. [PMID: 38971740 PMCID: PMC11227200 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03391-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury (Hg) is highly toxic and has the potential to cause severe health problems for humans and foraging animals when transported into edible plant parts. Soil rhizobia that form symbiosis with legumes may possess mechanisms to prevent heavy metal translocation from roots to shoots in plants by exporting metals from nodules or compartmentalizing metal ions inside nodules. Horizontal gene transfer has potential to confer immediate de novo adaptations to stress. We used comparative genomics of high quality de novo assemblies to identify structural differences in the genomes of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia that were isolated from a mercury (Hg) mine site that show high variation in their tolerance to Hg. RESULTS Our analyses identified multiple structurally conserved merA homologs in the genomes of Sinorhizobium medicae and Rhizobium leguminosarum but only the strains that possessed a Mer operon exhibited 10-fold increased tolerance to Hg. RNAseq analysis revealed nearly all genes in the Mer operon were significantly up-regulated in response to Hg stress in free-living conditions and in nodules. In both free-living and nodule environments, we found the Hg-tolerant strains with a Mer operon exhibited the fewest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the genome, indicating a rapid and efficient detoxification of Hg from the cells that reduced general stress responses to the Hg-treatment. Expression changes in S. medicae while in bacteroids showed that both rhizobia strain and host-plant tolerance affected the number of DEGs. Aside from Mer operon genes, nif genes which are involved in nitrogenase activity in S. medicae showed significant up-regulation in the most Hg-tolerant strain while inside the most Hg-accumulating host-plant. Transfer of a plasmid containing the Mer operon from the most tolerant strain to low-tolerant strains resulted in an immediate increase in Hg tolerance, indicating that the Mer operon is able to confer hyper tolerance to Hg. CONCLUSIONS Mer operons have not been previously reported in nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. This study demonstrates a pivotal role of the Mer operon in effective mercury detoxification and hypertolerance in nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. This finding has major implications not only for soil bioremediation, but also host plants growing in mercury contaminated soils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Bhat
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ankita Mishra
- Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, Texas A&M, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Robert M Bowers
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Tanja Woyke
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Brendan Epstein
- Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Peter Tiffin
- Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - José J Pueyo
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ICA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tim Paape
- Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, Texas A&M, College Station, TX, USA.
- USDA-ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang L, Liu H, Wang F, Wang Y, Xiang Y, Chen Y, Wang J, Wang D, Shen H. The different effects of molybdate on Hg(II) bio-methylation in aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1376844. [PMID: 39015741 PMCID: PMC11249568 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1376844] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In nature, methylmercury (MeHg) is primarily generated through microbial metabolism, and the ability of bacteria to methylate Hg(II) depends on both bacterial properties and environmental factors. It is widely known that, as a metabolic analog, molybdate can inhibit the sulfate reduction process and affect the growth and methylation of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). However, after it enters the cell, molybdate can be involved in various intracellular metabolic pathways as a molybdenum cofactor; whether fluctuations in its concentration affect the growth and methylation of aerobic mercury methylating strains remains unknown. To address this gap, aerobic γ-Proteobacteria strains Raoultella terrigena TGRB3 (B3) and Pseudomonas putida TGRB4 (B4), as well as an obligate anaerobic δ-Proteobacteria strain of the SRB Desulfomicrobium escambiense CGMCC 1.3481 (DE), were used as experimental strains. The growth and methylation ability of each strain were analyzed under conditions of 500 ng·L-1 Hg(II), 0 and 21% of oxygen, and 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1 mM of MoO4 2-. In addition, in order to explore the metabolic specificity of aerobic strains, transcriptomic data of the facultative mercury-methylated strain B3 were further analyzed in an aerobic mercuric environment. The results indicated that: (a) molybdate significantly inhibited the growth of DE, while B3 and B4 exhibited normal growth. (b) Under anaerobic conditions, in DE, the MeHg content decreased significantly with increasing molybdate concentration, while in B3, MeHg production was unaffected. Furthermore, under aerobic conditions, the MeHg productions of B3 and B4 were not influenced by the molybdate concentration. (c) The transcriptomic analysis showed several genes that were annotated as members of the molybdenum oxidoreductase family of B3 and that exhibited significant differential expression. These findings suggest that the differential expression of molybdenum-binding proteins might be related to their involvement in energy metabolism pathways that utilize nitrate and dimethyl sulfoxide as electron acceptors. Aerobic bacteria, such as B3 and B4, might possess distinct Hg(II) biotransformation pathways from anaerobic SRB, rendering their growth and biomethylation abilities unaffected by molybdate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lanjing Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hang Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Research Center of Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongmin Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Control, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuping Xiang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongyi Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiwu Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dingyong Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Control, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Shen
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Research Center of Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gillieatt BF, Coleman NV. Unravelling the mechanisms of antibiotic and heavy metal resistance co-selection in environmental bacteria. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae017. [PMID: 38897736 PMCID: PMC11253441 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The co-selective pressure of heavy metals is a contributor to the dissemination and persistence of antibiotic resistance genes in environmental reservoirs. The overlapping range of antibiotic and metal contamination and similarities in their resistance mechanisms point to an intertwined evolutionary history. Metal resistance genes are known to be genetically linked to antibiotic resistance genes, with plasmids, transposons, and integrons involved in the assembly and horizontal transfer of the resistance elements. Models of co-selection between metals and antibiotics have been proposed, however, the molecular aspects of these phenomena are in many cases not defined or quantified and the importance of specific metals, environments, bacterial taxa, mobile genetic elements, and other abiotic or biotic conditions are not clear. Co-resistance is often suggested as a dominant mechanism, but interpretations are beset with correlational bias. Proof of principle examples of cross-resistance and co-regulation has been described but more in-depth characterizations are needed, using methodologies that confirm the functional expression of resistance genes and that connect genes with specific bacterial hosts. Here, we comprehensively evaluate the recent evidence for different models of co-selection from pure culture and metagenomic studies in environmental contexts and we highlight outstanding questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brodie F Gillieatt
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, F22 - LEES Building, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nicholas V Coleman
- School of Natural Sciences, and ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, 6 Wally’s Walk, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ke T, Rajoo A, Tinkov AA, Skalny AV, Tizabi Y, Rocha JBT, Bowman AB, Aschner M. Intestinal microbiota protects against methylmercury-induced neurotoxicity. Biometals 2024; 37:561-576. [PMID: 37973679 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00554-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) remains a global public health issue because of its frequent presence in human food sources obtained from the water. The excretion of MeHg in humans occurs slowly with a biological half-time of 32-47 days. Short-term MeHg exposure may cause long-lasting neurotoxicity. The excretion through feces is a major route in the demethylation of MeHg. Accumulating evidence suggests that the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the demethylation of MeHg, thereby protecting the host from neurotoxic effects. Here, we discuss recent developments on the role of intestinal microbiota in MeHg metabolism, based on in vitro cell culture experiments, experimental animal studies and human investigations. Demethylation by intestinal bacteria is the rate-limiting step in MeHg metabolism and elimination. The identity of bacteria strains responsible for this biotransformation is currently unknown; however, the non-homogenous distribution of intestinal microbiota may lead to different demethylation rates in the intestinal tract. The maintenance of intestinal barrier function by intestinal microbiota may afford protection against MeHg-induced neurotoxicity, which warrant future investigations. We also discuss studies investigating the effects of MeHg exposure on the population structural stability of intestinal microbiota in several host species. Although this is an emerging area in metal toxicity, current research suggests that a change in certain phyla in the intestinal microbiota may indicate MeHg overexposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - André Rajoo
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Alexey A Tinkov
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia, 119991
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia, 150003
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia, 460000
| | - Anatoly V Skalny
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia, 119991
- Department of Medical Elementology, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia, 117198
| | - Yousef Tizabi
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Joao B T Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, 97105900, RS, Brazil
| | - Aaron B Bowman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2051, USA
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue Forchheimer Building, Room 209, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang D, Chu B, Yang Q, Zhang X, Fang Y, Liu G, Liang L, Guo Y, Yin Y, Cai Y, Jiang G. Degradation of organic mercury in high salt environments by a marine aerobic bacterium Alteromonas macleodii KD01. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 402:130831. [PMID: 38734262 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130831] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), particularly organic mercury, poses a global concern due to its pronounced toxicity and bioaccumulation. Bioremediation of organic mercury in high-salt wastewater faces challenges due to the growth limitations imposed by elevated Cl- and Na+ concentrations on microorganisms. In this study, an isolated marine bacterium Alteromonas macleodii KD01 was demonstrated to degrade methylmercury (MeHg) efficiently in seawater and then was applied to degrade organic mercury (MeHg, ethylmercury, and thimerosal) in simulated high-salt wastewater. Results showed that A. macleodii KD01 can rapidly degrade organic mercury (within 20 min) even at high concentrations (>10 ng/mL), volatilizing a portion of Hg from the wastewater. Further analysis revealed an increased transcription of organomercury lyase (merB) with rising organic mercury concentrations during the exposure process, suggesting the involvement of mer operon (merA and merB). These findings highlight A. macleodii KD01 as a promising candidate for addressing organic mercury pollution in high-salt wastewater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dingxi Zhang
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Bowei Chu
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Qingqing Yang
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Yingying Fang
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Guangliang Liu
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Lina Liang
- Beijing Zhongke PUYAN Science and Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing 100096, China
| | - Yingying Guo
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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.
| | - Yongguang Yin
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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; Institute of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yong Cai
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Smith MM, Moran GR. Building on a theme: The redox hierarchy of pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductases. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 755:109966. [PMID: 38537870 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.109966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/24/2024]
Abstract
Flavin disulfide reductases (FDRs) are FAD-dependent enzymes that transmit electrons from NAD(P)H to reduce specific oxidant substrate disulfides. These enzymes have been studied extensively, most particularly the paradigm examples: glutathione reductase and thioredoxin reductase. The common, though not universal, traits of the family include a tyrosine- or phenylalanine-gated binding pocket for NAD(P) nicotinamides adjacent to the FAD isoalloxazine re-face, and a disulfide stacked against the si-face of the isoalloxazine whose dithiol form is activated for subsequent exchange reactions by a nearby histidine acting as a base. This arrangement promotes transduction of the reducing equivalents for disulfide exchange relay reactions. From an observational standpoint the proximal parallel stacking of three redox moieties induces up to three opportunities for unique charge transfer interactions (NAD(P)H FAD, NAD(P)+•FADH2, and FAD•thiolate). In transient state, the charge transfer transitions provide discrete signals to assign reaction sequences. This review summarizes the lineage of observations for the FDR enzymes that have been extensively studied. Where applicable and in order to chart a consistent interpretation of the record, only data derived from studies that used anaerobic methods are cited. These data reveal a recurring theme for catalysis that is elaborated with specific additional functionalities for each oxidant substrate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madison M Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1068 W Sheridan Rd, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60660, United States
| | - Graham R Moran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1068 W Sheridan Rd, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60660, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Agrawal K, Ruhil T, Gupta VK, Verma P. Microbial assisted multifaceted amelioration processes of heavy-metal remediation: a clean perspective toward sustainable and greener future. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024; 44:429-447. [PMID: 36851851 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2023.2170862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Rapidly increasing heavy metal waste has adversely affected the environment and the Earth's health. The lack of appropriate remediation technologies has worsened the issue globally, especially in developing countries. Heavy-metals contaminants have severely impacted the environment and led to devastating conditions owing to their abundance and reactivity. As they are nondegradable, the potential risk increases even at a low concentration. However, heavy-metal remediation has increased with the up-gradation of technologies and integration of new approaches. Also, of all the treatment methodologies, microbial-assisted multifaceted approach for ameliorating heavy metals is a promising strategy for propagating the idea of a green and sustainable environment with minimal waste aggregation. Microbial remediation combined with different biotechniques could aid in unraveling new methods for eradicating heavy metals. Thus, the present review focuses on various microbial remediation approaches and their affecting factors, enabling recapitulation of the interplay between heavy-metals ions and microorganisms. Additionally, heavy-metals remediation mechanisms adapted by microorganisms, the role of genetically modified (GM) microorganisms, life cycle assessment (LCA), techno-economic assessment (TEA) limitations, and prospects of microbial-assisted amelioration of heavy-metals have been elaborated in the current review with focus toward "sustainable and greener future."
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Komal Agrawal
- Bioprocess and Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
- Department of Microbiology, School of Bio Engineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | - Tannu Ruhil
- Bioprocess and Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| | - Vijai Kumar Gupta
- Center for Safe and Improved Food, SRUC, Edinburgh, UK
- Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Center, SRUC, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Pradeep Verma
- Bioprocess and Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Doolotkeldieva T, Bobusheva S, Konurbaeva M. In vitro and in vivo screening of bacterial species from contaminated soil for heavy metal biotransformation activity. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART. B, PESTICIDES, FOOD CONTAMINANTS, AND AGRICULTURAL WASTES 2024; 59:315-332. [PMID: 38676363 DOI: 10.1080/03601234.2024.2343236] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metals (HMs) are widely used in various industries. High concentrations of HMs can be severely toxic to plants, animals and humans. Microorganism-based bioremediation has shown significant potential in degrading and detoxifying specific HM contaminants. In this study, we cultivated a range of bacterial strains in liquid and solid nutrient medium containing different concentrations of different HMs to select and analyze bacteria capable of transforming HMs. The bacterial strains most resistant to selected HMs and exhibiting the ability to remove HMs from contaminated soils were identified. Then, the bacterial species capable of utilizing HMs in soil model experiments were selected, and their ability to transform HMs was evaluated. This study has also generated preliminary findings on the use of plants for further removal of HMs from soil after microbial bioremediation. Alcaligenes faecalis, Delftia tsuruhatensis and Stenotrophomonas sp. were selected for their ability to grow in and utilize HM ions at the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) and two times the MPC. Lysinibacillus fusiformis (local microflora) can be used as a universal biotransformation tool for many HM ions. Brevibacillus parabrevis has potential for the removal of lead ions, and Brevibacillus reuszeri and Bacillus safensis have potential for the removal of arsenic ions from the environment. The bacterial species have been selected for bioremediation to remove heavy metal ions from the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Saykal Bobusheva
- Plant Protection Department, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Mahabat Konurbaeva
- Plant Protection Department, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Vincent J, Tenore A, Mattei MR, Frunzo L. Modelling Plasmid-Mediated Horizontal Gene Transfer in Biofilms. Bull Math Biol 2024; 86:63. [PMID: 38664322 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-024-01289-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we present a mathematical model for plasmid spread in a growing biofilm, formulated as a nonlocal system of partial differential equations in a 1-D free boundary domain. Plasmids are mobile genetic elements able to transfer to different phylotypes, posing a global health problem when they carry antibiotic resistance factors. We model gene transfer regulation influenced by nearby potential receptors to account for recipient-sensing. We also introduce a promotion function to account for trace metal effects on conjugation, based on literature data. The model qualitatively matches experimental results, showing that contaminants like toxic metals and antibiotics promote plasmid persistence by favoring plasmid carriers and stimulating conjugation. Even at higher contaminant concentrations inhibiting conjugation, plasmid spread persists by strongly inhibiting plasmid-free cells. The model also replicates higher plasmid density in biofilm's most active regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Vincent
- Department of Mathematics and Applications "Renato Caccioppoli", University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 26, 80126, Monte S. Angelo, Naples, Italy
- Microbial Ecology Laboratory, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Alberto Tenore
- Department of Mathematics and Applications "Renato Caccioppoli", University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 26, 80126, Monte S. Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Mattei
- Department of Mathematics and Applications "Renato Caccioppoli", University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 26, 80126, Monte S. Angelo, Naples, Italy.
| | - Luigi Frunzo
- Department of Mathematics and Applications "Renato Caccioppoli", University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 26, 80126, Monte S. Angelo, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Pereira-García C, Del Amo EH, Vigués N, Rey-Velasco X, Rincón-Tomás B, Pérez-Cruz C, Sanz-Sáez I, Hu H, Bertilsson S, Pannier A, Soltmann U, Sánchez P, Acinas SG, Bravo AG, Alonso-Sáez L, Sánchez O. Unmasking the physiology of mercury detoxifying bacteria from polluted sediments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 467:133685. [PMID: 38335604 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133685] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Marine sediments polluted from anthropogenic activities can be major reservoirs of toxic mercury species. Some microorganisms in these environments have the capacity to detoxify these pollutants, by using the mer operon. In this study, we characterized microbial cultures isolated from polluted marine sediments growing under diverse environmental conditions of salinity, oxygen availability and mercury tolerance. Specific growth rates and percentage of mercury removal were measured in batch cultures for a selection of isolates. A culture affiliated with Pseudomonas putida (MERCC_1942), which contained a mer operon as well as other genes related to metal resistances, was selected as the best candidate for mercury elimination. In order to optimize mercury detoxification conditions for strain MERCC_1942 in continuous culture, three different dilution rates were tested in bioreactors until the cultures achieved steady state, and they were subsequently exposed to a mercury spike; after 24 h, strain MERCC_1942 removed up to 76% of the total mercury. Moreover, when adapted to high growth rates in bioreactors, this strain exhibited the highest specific mercury detoxification rates. Finally, an immobilization protocol using the sol-gel technology was optimized. These results highlight that some sediment bacteria show capacity to detoxify mercury and could be used for bioremediation applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Pereira-García
- Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Departament de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena H Del Amo
- Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Institut d'Ecologia Aquàtica, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat de Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Núria Vigués
- Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Xavier Rey-Velasco
- Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Departament de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Blanca Rincón-Tomás
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Txatxarramendi ugartea z/g, 48395 Sukarrieta, Spain
| | - Carla Pérez-Cruz
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Txatxarramendi ugartea z/g, 48395 Sukarrieta, Spain
| | - Isabel Sanz-Sáez
- Departament de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Instituto de Diagnóstico Ambiental y Estudios del Agua (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Haiyan Hu
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
| | - Stefan Bertilsson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Angela Pannier
- GMBU e.V., Department of Functional Coatings, D-01454 Radeberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Soltmann
- GMBU e.V., Department of Functional Coatings, D-01454 Radeberg, Germany
| | - Pablo Sánchez
- Departament de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia G Acinas
- Departament de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea G Bravo
- Departament de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Alonso-Sáez
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Txatxarramendi ugartea z/g, 48395 Sukarrieta, Spain
| | - Olga Sánchez
- Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hu S, Wei Z, Liu T, Zuo X, Jia X. Adsorption of Hg 2+/Cr 6+ by metal-binding proteins heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. BMC Biotechnol 2024; 24:15. [PMID: 38521922 PMCID: PMC10960487 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-024-00842-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Removal of heavy metals from water and soil is a pressing challenge in environmental engineering, and biosorption by microorganisms is considered as one of the most cost-effective methods. In this study, the metal-binding proteins MerR and ChrB derived from Cupriavidus metallidurans were separately expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 to construct adsorption strains. To improve the adsorption performance, surface display and codon optimization were carried out. RESULTS In this study, we constructed 24 adsorption engineering strains for Hg2+ and Cr6+, utilizing different strategies. Among these engineering strains, the M'-002 and B-008 had the strongest heavy metal ion absorption ability. The M'-002 used the flexible linker and INPN to display the merRopt at the surface of the E. coli BL21, whose maximal adsorption capacity reached 658.40 μmol/g cell dry weight under concentrations of 300 μM Hg2+. And the B-008 overexpressed the chrB in the intracellular, its maximal capacity was 46.84 μmol/g cell dry weight under concentrations 500 μM Cr6+. While in the case of mixed ions solution (including Pb2+, Cd2+, Cr6+ and Hg2+), the total amount of ions adsorbed by M'-002 and B-008 showed an increase of up to 1.14- and 4.09-folds, compared to the capacities in the single ion solution. CONCLUSION The construction and optimization of heavy metal adsorption strains were carried out in this work. A comparison of the adsorption behavior between single bacteria and mixed bacteria systems was investigated in both a single ion and a mixed ion environment. The Hg2+ absorption capacity is reached the highest reported to date with the engineered strain M'-002, which displayed the merRopt at the surface of chassis cell, indicating the strain's potential for its application in practical environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Hu
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, PR China
| | - Zixiang Wei
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, PR China
| | - Teng Liu
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, PR China
| | - Xinyu Zuo
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, PR China
| | - Xiaoqiang Jia
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, PR China.
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (MOE), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hao X, Zhao Q, Zhou X, Huang Q, Liu YR. Labile carbon inputs boost microbial contribution to legacy mercury reduction and emissions from industry-polluted soils. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133122. [PMID: 38056276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133122] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Soils is a crucial reservoir influencing mercury (Hg) emissions and soil-air exchange dynamics, partially modulated by microbial reducers aiding Hg reduction. Yet, the extent to which microbial engagements contribute to soil Hg volatilization remains largely unknown. Here, we characterized Hg-reducing bacterial communities in natural and anthropogenically perturbed soil environments and quantified their contribution to soil Hg(0) volatilization. Our results revealed distinct Hg-reducing bacterial compositions alongside elevated mercuric reductase (merA) gene abundance and diversity in soils adjacent to chemical factories compared to less-impacted ecosystems. Notably, solely industry-impacted soils exhibited increased merA gene abundance along Hg gradients, indicating microbial adaption to Hg selective pressure through quantitative changes in Hg reductase and genetic diversity. Microcosm studies demonstrated that glucose inputs boosted microbial involvement and induced 2-8 fold increments in cumulative Hg(0) volatilization in industry-impacted soils. Microbially-mediated Hg reduction contributed to 41.6% of soil Hg(0) volatilization in industry-impacted soils under 25% water-holding capacity and glucose input conditions over a 21-day incubation period. Alcaligenaceae, Moraxellaceae, Nitrosomonadaceae and Shewanellaceae were identified as potential contributors to Hg(0) volatilization in the soil. Collectively, our study provides novel insights into microbially-mediated Hg reduction and soil-air exchange processes, with important implications for risk assessment and management of industrial Hg-contaminated soils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuli Hao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qianqian Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xinquan Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qiaoyun Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yu-Rong Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Saha BK, Roy V, Saha J, Chatterjee A, Pal A. Study of mercury resistance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-based metabolic profiling of a potent Bacillus tropicus strain from forest soil. J Basic Microbiol 2024; 64:e2300351. [PMID: 37847888 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300351] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic heavy metal and Hg-resistant indigenous bacterial isolates may offer a green and cost-effective bioremediation strategy to counter Hg contamination. In this study, a potent Hg-resistant bacterium was isolated from the forest soil of a bird sanctuary. Identification using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry depicted the isolate as a strain of Bacillus tropicus, validated by morphological, biochemical, and molecular studies. The isolate demonstrated biological Hg removal efficiency and capacity of 50.67% and 19.76 mg g-1 , respectively. The plasmid borne resistance determinant, merA, encoding mercuric reductase, was detected in the bacterium endowing it with effective Hg volatilization and resistance capability. A Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic comparative metabolic profiling revealed the involvement of various functional groups like -COOH, -CH2 , -OH, PO4 - and so on, resulting in differential spectral patterns of the bacterium both in control and Hg-exposed situations. A temporal variance in metabolic signature was also observed during the early and mid-log phase of growth in the presence of Hg. The bacterium described in this study is the first indigenous Hg-resistant strain isolated from the Uttar Dinajpur region, which could be further explored and exploited as a potent bioresource for Hg remediation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barnan K Saha
- Microbiology and Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Vivek Roy
- Microbiology and Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Jayanti Saha
- Microbiology and Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
- Department of Botany, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Government College, Himachal Bihar, Matigara, Siliguri, West Bengal, India
| | - Abhik Chatterjee
- Design, Synthesis & Simulation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Raiganj University, Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Ayon Pal
- Microbiology and Computational Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Roy R, Samanta S, Pandit S, Naaz T, Banerjee S, Rawat JM, Chaubey KK, Saha RP. An Overview of Bacteria-Mediated Heavy Metal Bioremediation Strategies. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2024; 196:1712-1751. [PMID: 37410353 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04614-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Contamination-free groundwater is considered a good source of potable water. Even in the twenty-first century, over 90 percent of the population is reliant on groundwater resources for their lives. Groundwater influences the economical state, industrial development, ecological system, and agricultural and global health conditions worldwide. However, different natural and artificial processes are gradually polluting groundwater and drinking water systems throughout the world. Toxic metalloids are one of the major sources that pollute the water system. In this review work, we have collected and analyzed information on metal-resistant bacteria along with their genetic information and remediation mechanisms of twenty different metal ions [arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), palladium (Pd), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), antimony (Sb), gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), tungsten (W), and uranium (U)]. We have surveyed the scientific information available on bacteria-mediated bioremediation of various metals and presented the data with responsible genes and proteins that contribute to bioremediation, bioaccumulation, and biosorption mechanisms. Knowledge of the genes responsible and self-defense mechanisms of diverse metal-resistance bacteria would help us to engineer processes involving multi-metal-resistant bacteria that may reduce metal toxicity in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rima Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science & Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, 700126, India.
| | - Saikat Samanta
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science & Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, 700126, India
| | - Soumya Pandit
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, 201306, India
| | - Tahseena Naaz
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, 201306, India
| | - Srijoni Banerjee
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science & Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, 700126, India
| | - Janhvi Mishra Rawat
- Department of Life Sciences, Graphic Era Deemed to Be University, Dehradun, 248002, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Kundan Kumar Chaubey
- Division of Research and Innovation, School of Applied and Life Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Rudra P Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science & Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, 700126, India.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sun J, He X, LE Y, Al-Tohamy R, Ali SS. Potential applications of extremophilic bacteria in the bioremediation of extreme environments contaminated with heavy metals. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 352:120081. [PMID: 38237330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120081] [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: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Protecting the environment from harmful pollutants has become increasingly difficult in recent decades. The presence of heavy metal (HM) pollution poses a serious environmental hazard that requires intricate attention on a worldwide scale. Even at low concentrations, HMs have the potential to induce deleterious health effects in both humans and other living organisms. Therefore, various strategies have been proposed to address this issue, with extremophiles being a promising solution. Bacteria that exhibit resistance to metals are preferred for applications involving metal removal due to their capacity for rapid multiplication and growth. Extremophiles are a special group of microorganisms that are capable of surviving under extreme conditions such as extreme temperatures, pH levels, and high salt concentrations where other organisms cannot. Due to their unique enzymes and adaptive capabilities, extremophiles are well suited as catalysts for environmental biotechnology applications, including the bioremediation of HMs through various strategies. The mechanisms of resistance to HMs by extremophilic bacteria encompass: (i) metal exclusion by permeability barrier; (ii) extracellular metal sequestration by protein/chelator binding; (iii) intracellular sequestration of the metal by protein/chelator binding; (iv) enzymatic detoxification of a metal to a less toxic form; (v) active transport of HMs; (vi) passive tolerance; (vii) reduced metal sensitivity of cellular targets to metal ions; and (viii) morphological change of cells. This review provides comprehensive information on extremophilic bacteria and their potential roles for bioremediation, particularly in environments contaminated with HMs, which pose a threat due to their stability and persistence. Genetic engineering of extremophilic bacteria in stressed environments could help in the bioremediation of contaminated sites. Due to their unique characteristics, these organisms and their enzymes are expected to bridge the gap between biological and chemical industrial processes. However, the structure and biochemical properties of extremophilic bacteria, along with any possible long-term effects of their applications, need to be investigated further.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhong Sun
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
| | - Xing He
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Yilin LE
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
| | - Rania Al-Tohamy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Sameh S Ali
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China; Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li S, Li Z, Wu M, Zhou Y, Tang W, Zhong H. Mercury transformations in algae, plants, and animals: The occurrence, mechanisms, and gaps. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 911:168690. [PMID: 38000748 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168690] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant showing potent toxicity to living organisms. The transformations of Hg are critical to global Hg cycling and Hg exposure risks, considering Hg mobilities and toxicities vary depending on Hg speciation. Though currently well understood in ambient environments, Hg transformations are inadequately explored in non-microbial organisms. The primary drivers of in vivo Hg transformations are far from clear, and the impacts of these processes on global Hg cycling and Hg associated health risks are not well understood. This hinders a comprehensive understanding of global Hg cycling and the effective mitigation of Hg exposure risks. Here, we focused on Hg transformations in non-microbial organisms, particularly algae, plants, and animals. The process of Hg oxidation/reduction and methylation/demethylation in organisms were reviewed since these processes are the key transformations between the dominant Hg species, i.e., elemental Hg (Hg0), divalent inorganic Hg (IHgII), and methylmercury (MeHg). By summarizing the current knowledge of Hg transformations in organisms, we proposed the potential yet overlooked drivers of these processes, along with potential challenges that hinder a full understanding of in vivo Hg transformations. Knowledge summarized in this review would help achieve a comprehensive understanding of the fate and toxicity of Hg in organisms, providing a basis for predicting Hg cycles and mitigating human exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shouying Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhuoran Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Mengjie Wu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ilyas M, Purkait D, Atmakuri K. Genomic islands and their role in fitness traits of two key sepsis-causing bacterial pathogens. Brief Funct Genomics 2024; 23:55-68. [PMID: 36528816 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elac051] [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: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
To survive and establish a niche for themselves, bacteria constantly evolve. Toward that, they not only insert point mutations and promote illegitimate recombinations within their genomes but also insert pieces of 'foreign' deoxyribonucleic acid, which are commonly referred to as 'genomic islands' (GEIs). The GEIs come in several forms, structures and types, often providing a fitness advantage to the harboring bacterium. In pathogenic bacteria, some GEIs may enhance virulence, thus altering disease burden, morbidity and mortality. Hence, delineating (i) the GEIs framework, (ii) their encoded functions, (iii) the triggers that help them move, (iv) the mechanisms they exploit to move among bacteria and (v) identification of their natural reservoirs will aid in superior tackling of several bacterial diseases, including sepsis. Given the vast array of comparative genomics data, in this short review, we provide an overview of the GEIs, their types and the compositions therein, especially highlighting GEIs harbored by two important pathogens, viz. Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which prominently trigger sepsis in low- and middle-income countries. Our efforts help shed some light on the challenges these pathogens pose when equipped with GEIs. We hope that this review will provoke intense research into understanding GEIs, the cues that drive their mobility across bacteria and the ways and means to prevent their transfer, especially across pathogenic bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Ilyas
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Lab, Infection and Immunity Group, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana 121001, India
| | - Dyuti Purkait
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Lab, Infection and Immunity Group, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana 121001, India
| | - Krishnamohan Atmakuri
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Lab, Infection and Immunity Group, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana 121001, India
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhang X, Guo Y, Liu G, Liu Y, Shi J, Hu L, Zhao L, Li Y, Yin Y, Cai Y, Jiang G. Superoxide-Mediated Extracellular Mercury Reduction by Aerobic Marine Bacterium Alteromonas sp. KD01. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20595-20604. [PMID: 38007712 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04777] [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: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Microbial reduction plays a crucial role in Hg redox and the global cycle. Although intracellular Hg(II) reduction mediated by MerA protein is well documented, it is still unclear whether or how bacteria reduce Hg(II) extracellularly without its internalization. Herein, for the first time, we discovered the extracellular reduction of Hg(II) by a widely distributed aerobic marine bacterium Alteromonas sp. KD01 through a superoxide-dependent mechanism. The generation of superoxide by Alteromonas sp. KD01 was determined using 3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide and methyl cypridina luciferin analogue as probes via UV-vis and chemiluminescence detection, respectively. The results demonstrated that Hg(II) reduction was inhibited by superoxide scavengers (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Cu(NO3)2) or inhibitors of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidoreductases. In contrast, the addition of NADH significantly improved superoxide generation and, in turn, Hg(II) reduction. Direct evidence of superoxide-mediated Hg(II) reduction was provided by the addition of superoxide using KO2 in deionized water and seawater. Moreover, we observed that even superoxide at an environmental concentration of 9.6 ± 0.5 nM from Alteromonas sp. KD01 (5.4 × 106 cells mL-1) was capable of significantly reducing Hg(II). Our findings provide a greater understanding of Hg(II) reduction by superoxide from heterotrophic bacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton in diverse aerobic environments, including surface water, sediment, and soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhang
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Yingying Guo
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Yanwei Liu
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Jianbo Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ligang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Lixia Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yanbin Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Yongguang Yin
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yong Cai
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wu Q, Wang B, Hu H, Bravo AG, Bishop K, Bertilsson S, Meng B, Zhang H, Feng X. Sulfate-reduction and methanogenesis are coupled to Hg(II) and MeHg reduction in rice paddies. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132486. [PMID: 37690197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) produced in rice paddies is the main source of MeHg accumulation in rice, resulting in high risk of MeHg exposure to humans and wildlife. Net MeHg production is affected by Hg(II) reduction and MeHg demethylation, but it remains unclear to what extent these processes influence net MeHg production, as well as the role of the microbial guilds involved. We used isotopically labeled Hg species and specific microbial inhibitors in microcosm experiments to simultaneously investigate the rates of Hg(II) and MeHg transformations, as well as the key microbial guilds controlling these processes. Results showed that Hg(II) and MeHg reduction rate constants significantly decreased with addition of molybdate or BES, which inhibit sulfate-reduction and methanogenesis, respectively. This suggests that both sulfate-reduction and methanogenesis are important processes controlling Hg(II) and MeHg reduction in rice paddies. Meanwhile, up to 99% of MeHg demethylation was oxidative demethylation (OD) under the incubation conditions, suggesting that OD was the main MeHg degradative pathway in rice paddies. In addition, [202Hg(0)/Me202Hg] from the added 202Hg(NO3)2 was up to 13.9%, suggesting that Hg(II) reduction may constrain Hg(II) methylation in rice paddies at the abandoned Hg mining site. This study improves our understanding of Hg cycling pathways in rice paddies, and more specifically how reduction processes affect net MeHg production and related microbial metabolisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Baolin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Haiyan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Andrea G Bravo
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institut de Ciencies del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona E08003, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Kevin Bishop
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala SE-75007, Sweden
| | - Stefan Bertilsson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala SE-75007, Sweden
| | - Bo Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Xiang Y, Guo Y, Liu G, Liu Y, Song M, Shi J, Hu L, Yin Y, Cai Y, Jiang G. Direct Uptake and Intracellular Dissolution of HgS Nanoparticles: Evidence from a Bacterial Biosensor Approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14994-15003. [PMID: 37755700 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Mercury sulfide nanoparticles (HgSNPs), which occur widely in oxic and anoxic environments, can be microbially converted to highly toxic methylmercury or volatile elemental mercury, but it remains challenging to assess their bioavailability. In this study, an Escherichia coli-based whole-cell fluorescent biosensor was developed to explore the bioavailability and microbial activation process of HgSNPs. Results show that HgSNPs (3.17 ± 0.96 nm) trigger a sharp increase in fluorescence intensity of the biosensor, with signal responses almost equal to that of ionic Hg (Hg(II)) within 10 h, indicating high bioavailability of HgSNP. The intracellular total Hg (THg) of cells exposed to HgSNPs (200 μg L-1) was 3.52-8.59-folds higher than that of cells exposed to Hg(II) (200 μg L-1), suggesting that intracellular HgSNPs were only partially dissolved. Speciation analysis using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) revealed that the bacterial filtrate was not responsible for HgSNP dissolution, suggesting that HgSNPs entered cells in nanoparticle form. Combined with fluorescence intensity and intracellular THg analysis, the intracellular HgSNP dissolution ratio was estimated at 22-29%. Overall, our findings highlight the rapid internalization and high intracellular dissolution ratio of HgSNPs by E. coli, and intracellular THg combined with biosensors could provide innovative tools to explore the microbial uptake and dissolution of HgSNPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Xiang
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Yingying Guo
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Yanwei Liu
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Maoyong Song
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jianbo Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ligang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yongguang Yin
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Yong Cai
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rebelo A, Almeida A, Peixe L, Antunes P, Novais C. Unraveling the Role of Metals and Organic Acids in Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance in the Food Chain. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1474. [PMID: 37760770 PMCID: PMC10525130 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12091474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has a significant impact on human, animal, and environmental health, being spread in diverse settings. Antibiotic misuse and overuse in the food chain are widely recognized as primary drivers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, other antimicrobials, such as metals and organic acids, commonly present in agri-food environments (e.g., in feed, biocides, or as long-term pollutants), may also contribute to this global public health problem, although this remains a debatable topic owing to limited data. This review aims to provide insights into the current role of metals (i.e., copper, arsenic, and mercury) and organic acids in the emergence and spread of AMR in the food chain. Based on a thorough literature review, this study adopts a unique integrative approach, analyzing in detail the known antimicrobial mechanisms of metals and organic acids, as well as the molecular adaptive tolerance strategies developed by diverse bacteria to overcome their action. Additionally, the interplay between the tolerance to metals or organic acids and AMR is explored, with particular focus on co-selection events. Through a comprehensive analysis, this review highlights potential silent drivers of AMR within the food chain and the need for further research at molecular and epidemiological levels across different food contexts worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Rebelo
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (A.R.); (L.P.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Almeida
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Luísa Peixe
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (A.R.); (L.P.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Antunes
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (A.R.); (L.P.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences (FCNAUP), University of Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Novais
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (A.R.); (L.P.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Hellal J, Barthelmebs L, Bérard A, Cébron A, Cheloni G, Colas S, Cravo-Laureau C, De Clerck C, Gallois N, Hery M, Martin-Laurent F, Martins J, Morin S, Palacios C, Pesce S, Richaume A, Vuilleumier S. Unlocking secrets of microbial ecotoxicology: recent achievements and future challenges. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad102. [PMID: 37669892 PMCID: PMC10516372 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollution is one of the main challenges faced by humanity. By their ubiquity and vast range of metabolic capabilities, microorganisms are affected by pollution with consequences on their host organisms and on the functioning of their environment. They also play key roles in the fate of pollutants through the degradation, transformation, and transfer of organic or inorganic compounds. Thus, they are crucial for the development of nature-based solutions to reduce pollution and of bio-based solutions for environmental risk assessment of chemicals. At the intersection between microbial ecology, toxicology, and biogeochemistry, microbial ecotoxicology is a fast-expanding research area aiming to decipher the interactions between pollutants and microorganisms. This perspective paper gives an overview of the main research challenges identified by the Ecotoxicomic network within the emerging One Health framework and in the light of ongoing interest in biological approaches to environmental remediation and of the current state of the art in microbial ecology. We highlight prevailing knowledge gaps and pitfalls in exploring complex interactions among microorganisms and their environment in the context of chemical pollution and pinpoint areas of research where future efforts are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lise Barthelmebs
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Biocapteurs – Analyse-Environnement, Perpignan, France
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, USR 3579 Sorbonne Universités (UPMC) Paris 6 et CNRS Observatoire Océanologique, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Annette Bérard
- UMR EMMAH INRAE/AU – équipe SWIFT, 228, route de l'Aérodrome, 84914 Avignon Cedex 9, France
| | | | - Giulia Cheloni
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Sète, France
| | - Simon Colas
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Pau, France
| | | | - Caroline De Clerck
- AgricultureIsLife, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (Liege University), Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | | | - Marina Hery
- HydroSciences Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Fabrice Martin-Laurent
- Institut Agro Dijon, INRAE, Université de Bourgogne, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Agroécologie, 21065 Dijon, France
| | - Jean Martins
- IGE, UMR 5001, Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, G-INP, INRAE, IRD Grenoble, France
| | | | - Carmen Palacios
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, CEFREM, F-66860 Perpignan, France
- CNRS, CEFREM, UMR5110, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | | | - Agnès Richaume
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5557, Ecologie Microbienne, Villeurbanne, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ren Z, Jiang W, Sun N, Shi J, Zhang D, Zhang J, Wang Z, Yang J, Yu J, Lv Z. Responses of the structure and function of microbes in Yellow River Estuary sediments to different levels of mercury. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 190:106097. [PMID: 37441819 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106097] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The health and stability of the estuary of the Yellow River ecosystem have come under increasing pressure from land-based inputs of heavy metals. While it is known that heavy metals affect the function and health of the microbial community, there remains little knowledge on the responses of the microbial community to heavy metals, particularly highly toxic mercury. The research aimed to characterize the responses of the sediment microbial community of the estuary of the Yellow River to different levels of mercury stress. Estuary sediment samples were collected for microbial community analysis, measurement of mercury [including total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg)], and measurement of other physicochemical factors, including pH, total organic carbon (TOC), sulfide, iron ratio (Fe3+/Fe2+), ammonium salt (NH4+), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The application of 16S rRNA sequencing identified 60 phyla of bacteria, dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. Stations with higher THg or MeHg and lower microbial abundance and diversity were generally distributed further outside of the estuary. Besides mercury, the measured physicochemical factors had impacts on microbial diversities and distribution. Metagenomics assessment of three stations, representative of low, moderate, and high mercury concentrations and measured physicochemical factors, revealed the abundances and functions of predicted genes. The most abundant genes regulating the metabolic pathways were categorized as metabolic, environmental information processing, and genetic information processing, genes. At stations with high levels of mercury, the dominant genes were related to energy metabolism, signal transport, and membrane transport. Functional genes with a mercury-resistance function were generally in the mer system (merA, merC, merT, merR), alkylmercury lyase, and metal-transporting ATPase. These results offer insight into the microbial community structure of the sediments in the Yellow River Estuary and the microbial function of mercury resistance under mercury stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghua Ren
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China.
| | - Wenliang Jiang
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China
| | - Na Sun
- MabPlex International Co. Ltd (Worldwide), Yantai, 265500, China
| | - Junfeng Shi
- Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261042, China
| | - Depu Zhang
- Institute of Marine Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China
| | - Zhikang Wang
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China
| | - Jisong Yang
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China
| | - Junbao Yu
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China
| | - Zhenbo Lv
- Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Lu Dong University, Yantai, 264025, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Coe GL, Krout IN, Munro-Ehrlich M, Beamish CR, Vorojeikina D, Colman DR, Boyd EJ, Walk ST, Rand MD. Assessing the role of the gut microbiome in methylmercury demethylation and elimination in humans and gnotobiotic mice. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2399-2418. [PMID: 37392210 PMCID: PMC10913183 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03548-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The risk of methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity following ingestion of contaminated foodstuffs (e.g., fish) is directly related to the kinetics of MeHg elimination among individuals. Yet, the factors driving the wide range of inter-individual variability in MeHg elimination within a population are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the relationship between MeHg elimination, gut microbiome demethylation activity, and gut microbiome composition using a coordinated human clinical trial and gnotobiotic mouse modeling approach together with metagenomic sequence analysis. We first observed MeHg elimination half-lives (t1/2) ranging from 28 to 90 days across 27 volunteers. Subsequently, we found that ingestion of a prebiotic induced changes in the gut microbiome and mixed effects (increased, decrease, and no effect) on elimination in these same individuals. Nonetheless, elimination rates were found to correlate with MeHg demethylation activity in cultured stool samples. In mice, attempts to remove the microbiome via generation of germ-free (GF) animals or through antibiotic (Abx) treatment both diminished MeHg demethylation to a similar extent. While both conditions substantially slowed elimination, Abx treatment resulted in significantly slower elimination than the GF condition, indicating an additional role for host-derived factors in supporting elimination. Human fecal microbiomes transplanted to GF mice restored elimination rates to that seen in control mice. Metagenomic sequence analysis of human fecal DNA did not identify genes encoding proteins typically involved in demethylation (e.g., merB, organomercury lyase). However, the abundance of several anaerobic taxa, notably Alistipes onderdonkii, were positively correlated with MeHg elimination. Surprisingly, mono-colonization of GF free mice with A. onderdonkii did not restore MeHg elimination to control levels. Collectively, our findings indicate the human gut microbiome uses a non-conventional pathway of demethylation to increase MeHg elimination that relies on yet to be resolved functions encoded by the gut microbes and the hostClinical Trial NCT04060212, prospectively registered 10/1/2019.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve L Coe
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Ian N Krout
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Mason Munro-Ehrlich
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Catherine R Beamish
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Daria Vorojeikina
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Daniel R Colman
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Eric J Boyd
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Seth T Walk
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Matthew D Rand
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Maslova O, Beletsky A, Mindlin S, Petrova N, Mardanov A, Petrova M. Conjugative Plasmid pPPUT-Tik1-1 from a Permafrost Pseudomonas putida Strain and Its Present-Day Counterparts Inhabiting Environments and Clinics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13518. [PMID: 37686323 PMCID: PMC10488154 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel group of conjugative plasmids of Pseudomonas is characterized. The prototype plasmid pPPUT-Tik1-1 (153,663 bp), isolated from a permafrost strain of P. putida Tik1, carries a defective mercury transposon, Tn501, and a streptomycin resistance transposon, Tn5393. Ten plasmids and 34 contigs with backbone regions closely related to pPPUT-Tik1-1 have been found in GenBank. Two of these plasmids from clinical strains of P. putida and P. fulva are almost identical to the ancient plasmid. A characteristic feature of this group of plasmids is the presence of two genes encoding the initiators of replication (repA1 and repA2). None of these genes have high similarity with plasmid replication genes belonging to known incompatibility groups. It has been demonstrated that while pPPUT-Tik1-1-like plasmids have homologous backbone regions, they significantly differ by the molecular structure and the predicted functions of their accessory regions. Some of the pPPUT-Tik1-1-related plasmids carry determinants of antibiotic resistance and/or heavy metal salts. Some plasmids are characterized by the ability to degrade xenobiotics. Plasmids related to pPPUT-Tik1-1 are characterized by a narrow host range and are found in various species of the Pseudomonas genus. Interestingly, we also found shorter plasmid variants containing the same replication module, but lacking conjugation genes and containing other structural changes that strongly distinguish them from plasmids related to pPPUT-Tik1-1, indicating that the structure of the replication module cannot be used as the sole criterion for classifying plasmids. Overall, the results suggest that the plasmids of the novel group can be spread using conjugation in environmental and clinical strains of Pseudomonas and may play diverse adaptive functions due to the presence of various accessory regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Maslova
- National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Alexey Beletsky
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117312 Moscow, Russia; (A.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Sofia Mindlin
- National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Nika Petrova
- National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Andrey Mardanov
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117312 Moscow, Russia; (A.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Mayya Petrova
- National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.M.); (N.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Liu YR, Guo L, Yang Z, Xu Z, Zhao J, Wen SH, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Chen L. Multidimensional Drivers of Mercury Distribution in Global Surface Soils: Insights from a Global Standardized Field Survey. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:12442-12452. [PMID: 37506289 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Soil stores a large amount of mercury (Hg) that has adverse effects on human health and ecosystem safety. Significant uncertainties still exist in revealing environmental drivers of soil Hg accumulation and predicting global Hg distribution owing to the lack of field data from global standardized analyses. Here, we conducted a global standardized field survey and explored a holistic understanding of the multidimensional environmental drivers of Hg accumulation in global surface soils. Hg content in surface soils from our survey ranges from 3.8 to 618.2 μg kg-1 with an average of 74.0 μg kg-1 across the globe. Atmospheric Hg deposition, particularly vegetation-induced elemental Hg0 deposition, is the major source of surface soil Hg. Soil organic carbon serves as the major substrate for sequestering Hg in surface soils and is significantly influenced by agricultural management, litterfall, and elevation. For human activities, changing land-use could be a more important contributor than direct anthropogenic emissions. Our prediction of a new global Hg distribution highlights the hot spots (high Hg content) in East Asia, the Northern Hemispheric temperate/boreal regions, and tropical areas, while the cold spots (low Hg content) are in arid regions. The holistic understanding of multidimensional environmental drivers helps to predict the Hg distribution in global surface soils under a changing global environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Rong Liu
- College of Resources and Environment and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Long Guo
- College of Resources and Environment and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ziming Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309, United States
| | - Zeng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jiating Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shu-Hai Wen
- College of Resources and Environment and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistemico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla 41012, Spain
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla 41013, Spain
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Choi J, Keen EC, Wallace MA, Fishbein S, Prusa J, Zimbric M, Mejia-Chew CR, Mehta SB, Bailey TC, Caverly LJ, Burnham CAD, Dantas G. Genomic Analyses of Longitudinal Mycobacterium abscessus Isolates in a Multicenter Cohort Reveal Parallel Signatures of In-Host Adaptation. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:321-331. [PMID: 37254795 PMCID: PMC10420398 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in the environment and an increasingly frequent cause of opportunistic infections. Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) is one of the major NTM lung pathogens that disproportionately colonize and infect the lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). MABC infection can persist for years, and antimicrobial treatment is frequently ineffective. METHODS We sequenced the genomes of 175 isolates longitudinally collected from 30 patients with MABC lung infection. We contextualized our cohort amidst the broader MABC phylogeny and investigated genes undergoing parallel adaptation across patients. Finally, we tested the phenotypic consequences of parallel mutations by conducting antimicrobial resistance and mercury-resistance assays. RESULTS We identified highly related isolate pairs across hospital centers with low likelihood of transmission. We further annotated nonrandom parallel mutations in 22 genes and demonstrated altered macrolide susceptibility co-occurring with a nonsynonymous whiB1 mutation. Finally, we highlighted a 23-kb mercury-resistance plasmid whose loss during chronic infection conferred phenotypic susceptibility to organic and nonorganic mercury compounds. CONCLUSIONS We characterized parallel genomic processes through which MABC is adapting to promote survival within the host. The within-lineage polymorphisms we observed have phenotypic effects, potentially benefiting fitness in the host at the putative detriment of environmental survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- JooHee Choi
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Eric C Keen
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Meghan A Wallace
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Skye Fishbein
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jerome Prusa
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Madsen Zimbric
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Carlos R Mejia-Chew
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Shail B Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Thomas C Bailey
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lindsay J Caverly
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Carey-Ann D Burnham
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gautam Dantas
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Joshi S, Gangola S, Bhandari G, Bhandari NS, Nainwal D, Rani A, Malik S, Slama P. Rhizospheric bacteria: the key to sustainable heavy metal detoxification strategies. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1229828. [PMID: 37555069 PMCID: PMC10405491 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1229828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing rate of industrialization, anthropogenic, and geological activities have expedited the release of heavy metals (HMs) at higher concentration in environment. HM contamination resulting due to its persistent nature, injudicious use poses a potential threat by causing metal toxicities in humans and animals as well as severe damage to aquatic organisms. Bioremediation is an emerging and reliable solution for mitigation of these contaminants using rhizospheric microorganisms in an environmentally safe manner. The strategies are based on exploiting microbial metabolism and various approaches developed by plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) to minimize the toxicity concentration of HM at optimum levels for the environmental clean-up. Rhizospheric bacteria are employed for significant growth of plants in soil contaminated with HM. Exploitation of bacteria possessing plant-beneficial traits as well as metal detoxifying property is an economical and promising approach for bioremediation of HM. Microbial cells exhibit different mechanisms of HM resistance such as active transport, extra cellular barrier, extracellular and intracellular sequestration, and reduction of HM. Tolerance of HM in microorganisms may be chromosomal or plasmid originated. Proteins such as MerT and MerA of mer operon and czcCBA, ArsR, ArsA, ArsD, ArsB, and ArsC genes are responsible for metal detoxification in bacterial cell. This review gives insights about the potential of rhizospheric bacteria in HM removal from various polluted areas. In addition, it also gives deep insights about different mechanism of action expressed by microorganisms for HM detoxification. The dual-purpose use of biological agent as plant growth enhancement and remediation of HM contaminated site is the most significant future prospect of this article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samiksha Joshi
- School of Agriculture, Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal, India
| | - Saurabh Gangola
- School of Agriculture, Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal, India
| | - Geeta Bhandari
- Department of Biosciences, Himalayan School of Bio Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, India
| | | | - Deepa Nainwal
- School of Agriculture, Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal, India
| | - Anju Rani
- Department of Life Sciences, Graphic Era (Deemed to be) University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sumira Malik
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Jharkhand, Ranchi, India
- Guru Nanak College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
- Department of Applied Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Petr Slama
- Laboratory of Animal Immunology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Meyer L, Guyot S, Chalot M, Capelli N. The potential of microorganisms as biomonitoring and bioremediation tools for mercury-contaminated soils. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 262:115185. [PMID: 37385017 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) pollution is a global issue due to the high toxicity and wide dispersion of Hg around the world. Whether due to anthropogenic activities or natural processes, Hg emissions are steadily increasing, with very high levels in some regions, directly threatening human and ecosystem health. However, bacteria and fungi have evolved and adapted in response to Hg-induced stress and have developed tolerance mechanisms, notably based on the mer operon system that is involved in Hg uptake and biovolatilization via Hg reduction reactions. Other processes, such as bioaccumulation or extracellular sequestration, are involved in Hg resistance, and the study of contaminated soils has allowed the isolation of a number of microorganisms capable of these mechanisms, with strong potential for the implementation of bioremediation approaches. In addition to playing an important role in determining the fate of Hg in the biogeochemical cycle, these microorganisms can indeed be applied to reduce Hg concentrations or at least stabilize Hg for the remediation of polluted soils. Moreover, thanks to the development of biotechnological tools, bioremediation based on Hg-tolerant microorganisms can be optimized. Finally, these microorganisms are relevant candidates for biomonitoring, for example, through the engineering of biosensors, because the detection of Hg is a major issue in preserving the health of living beings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Meyer
- Chrono-environnement UMR 6249, Université de Franche-Comté CNRS, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Stéphane Guyot
- Université de Bourgogne, Institut Agro, PAM UMR A 02.102, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Michel Chalot
- Chrono-environnement UMR 6249, Université de Franche-Comté CNRS, F-25000 Besançon, France; Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Nicolas Capelli
- Chrono-environnement UMR 6249, Université de Franche-Comté CNRS, F-25000 Besançon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Rodríguez-Viso P, Domene A, Sánchez A, Vélez D, Monedero V, Devesa V, Zúñiga M. Challenges and strategies for preventing intestinal damage associated to mercury dietary exposure. Toxicology 2023; 494:153580. [PMID: 37328091 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Food represents the major risk factor for exposure to mercury in most human populations. Therefore, passage through the gastrointestinal tract plays a fundamental role in its entry into the organism. Despite the intense research carried out on the toxicity of Hg, the effects at the intestinal level have received increased attention only recently. In this review we first provide a critical appraisal of the recent advances on the toxic effects of Hg at the intestinal epithelium. Next, dietary strategies aimed to diminish Hg bioavailability or modulate the epithelial and microbiota responses will be revised. Food components and additives, including probiotics, will be considered. Finally, limitations of current approaches to tackle this problem and future lines of research will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adrián Domene
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), Paterna, Spain
| | - Alicia Sánchez
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), Paterna, Spain
| | - Dinoraz Vélez
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), Paterna, Spain
| | - Vicente Monedero
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), Paterna, Spain
| | - Vicenta Devesa
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), Paterna, Spain
| | - Manuel Zúñiga
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), Paterna, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jamil Emon F, Rohani MF, Sumaiya N, Tuj Jannat MF, Akter Y, Shahjahan M, Abdul Kari Z, Tahiluddin AB, Goh KW. Bioaccumulation and Bioremediation of Heavy Metals in Fishes-A Review. TOXICS 2023; 11:510. [PMID: 37368610 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11060510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals, the most potent contaminants of the environment, are discharged into the aquatic ecosystems through the effluents of several industries, resulting in serious aquatic pollution. This type of severe heavy metal contamination in aquaculture systems has attracted great attention throughout the world. These toxic heavy metals are transmitted into the food chain through their bioaccumulation in different tissues of aquatic species and have aroused serious public health concerns. Heavy metal toxicity negatively affects the growth, reproduction, and physiology of fish, which is threatening the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector. Recently, several techniques, such as adsorption, physio-biochemical, molecular, and phytoremediation mechanisms have been successfully applied to reduce the toxicants in the environment. Microorganisms, especially several bacterial species, play a key role in this bioremediation process. In this context, the present review summarizes the bioaccumulation of different heavy metals into fishes, their toxic effects, and possible bioremediation techniques to protect the fishes from heavy metal contamination. Additionally, this paper discusses existing strategies to bioremediate heavy metals from aquatic ecosystems and the scope of genetic and molecular approaches for the effective bioremediation of heavy metals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Jamil Emon
- Laboratory of Fish Ecophysiology, Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Md Fazle Rohani
- Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Nusrat Sumaiya
- Laboratory of Fish Ecophysiology, Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Mst Fatema Tuj Jannat
- Laboratory of Fish Ecophysiology, Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Yeasmin Akter
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Md Shahjahan
- Laboratory of Fish Ecophysiology, Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Zulhisyam Abdul Kari
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, Jeli 17600, Malaysia
- Advanced Livestock and Aquaculture Research Group, Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, Jeli 17600, Malaysia
| | - Albaris B Tahiluddin
- College of Fisheries, Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, Sanga-Sanga, Bongao 7500, Philippines
| | - Khang Wen Goh
- Faculty of Data Science and Information Technology, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Floreani F, Barago N, Klun K, Faganeli J, Covelli S. Dissolved gaseous mercury production and sea-air gaseous exchange in impacted coastal environments of the northern Adriatic Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:121926. [PMID: 37268218 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The northern Adriatic Sea is well known for mercury (Hg) contamination mainly due to historical Hg mining which took place in Idrija (Slovenia). The formation of dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) and its subsequent volatilisation can reduce the amount of Hg available in the water column. In this work, the diurnal patterns of both DGM production and gaseous Hg fluxes at the water-air interface were seasonally evaluated in two selected environments within this area, a highly Hg-impacted, confined fish farm (VN: Val Noghera, Italy) and an open coastal zone less impacted by Hg inputs (PR: Bay of Piran, Slovenia). A floating flux chamber coupled with real-time Hg0 analyser was used for flux estimation in parallel with DGM concentrations determination through in-field incubations. Substantial DGM production was observed at VN (range = 126.0-711.3 pg L-1) driven by both strong photoreduction and possibly dark biotic reduction, resulting in higher values in spring and summer and comparable concentrations throughout both day and night. Significantly lower DGM was observed at PR (range = 21.8-183.4 pg L-1). Surprisingly, comparable Hg0 fluxes were found at the two sites (range VN = 7.43-41.17 ng m-2 h-1, PR = 0-81.49 ng m-2 h-1), likely due to enhanced gaseous exchanges at PR thanks to high water turbulence and to the strong limitation of evasion at VN by water stagnation and expected high DGM oxidation in saltwater. Slight differences between the temporal variation of DGM and fluxes indicate that Hg evasion is more controlled by factors such as water temperature and mixing conditions than DGM concentrations alone. The relative low Hg losses through volatilisation at VN (2.4-4.6% of total Hg) further confirm that static conditions in saltwater environments negatively affect the ability of this process in reducing the amount of Hg retained in the water column, therefore potentially leading to a greater availability for methylation and trophic transfer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Floreani
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 5, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Nicolò Barago
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy
| | - Katja Klun
- Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace 41, 6330, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Jadran Faganeli
- Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace 41, 6330, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Stefano Covelli
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34128, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Patwardhan S, Phan J, Smedile F, Vetriani C. The Genome of Varunaivibrio sulfuroxidans Strain TC8 T, a Metabolically Versatile Alphaproteobacterium from the Tor Caldara Gas Vents in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1366. [PMID: 37374867 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Varunaivibrio sulfuroxidans type strain TC8T is a mesophilic, facultatively anaerobic, facultatively chemolithoautotrophic alphaproteobacterium isolated from a sulfidic shallow-water marine gas vent located at Tor Caldara, Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy. V. sulfuroxidans belongs to the family Thalassospiraceae within the Alphaproteobacteria, with Magnetovibrio blakemorei as its closest relative. The genome of V. sulfuroxidans encodes the genes involved in sulfur, thiosulfate and sulfide oxidation, as well as nitrate and oxygen respiration. The genome encodes the genes involved in carbon fixation via the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle, in addition to genes involved in glycolysis and the TCA cycle, indicating a mixotrophic lifestyle. Genes involved in the detoxification of mercury and arsenate are also present. The genome also encodes a complete flagellar complex, one intact prophage and one CRISPR, as well as a putative DNA uptake mechanism mediated by the type IVc (aka Tad pilus) secretion system. Overall, the genome of Varunaivibrio sulfuroxidans highlights the organism's metabolic versatility, a characteristic that makes this strain well-adapted to the dynamic environmental conditions of sulfidic gas vents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sushmita Patwardhan
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Jonathan Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Francesco Smedile
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Costantino Vetriani
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Zhou Z, Wang H, Li Y. Mercury stable isotopes in the ocean: Analytical methods, cycling, and application as tracers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162485. [PMID: 36858226 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) has seven stable isotopes that can be utilized to trace the sources of Hg and evaluate the importance of transport and transformation processes in the cycling of Hg in the environment. The ocean is an integral part of the Earth and plays an important role in the global mercury cycle. However, there is a lack of a systematic review of Hg stable isotopes in marine environments. This review is divided into four sections: a) advances in Hg stable isotope analysis, b) the isotope ratios of Hg in various marine environmental matrices (seawater, sediment, and organisms), c) processes governing stable Hg isotope ratios in the ocean, and d) application of Hg stable isotopes to understand biotic uptake and migration. Mercury isotopes have provided much useful information on marine Hg cycling that cannot be given by Hg concentrations alone. This includes (i) sources of Hg in coastal or estuarine environments, (ii) transformation pathways and mechanisms of different forms of Hg in marine environments, (iii) trophic levels and feeding guilds of marine fish, and (iv) migration/habitat changes of marine fish. With the improvement of methods for seawater Hg isotope analysis (especially species-specific methods) and the measurement of Hg isotope fractionation during natural biogeochemical processes in the ocean, Hg stable isotopes will advance our understanding of the marine Hg cycle in the future, e.g., mercury exchange at the sea-atmosphere interface and seawater-sediment interface, contributions of different water masses to Hg in the ocean, fractionation mechanisms of Hg and MeHg transformation in seawater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwen Zhou
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Huiling Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Yanbin Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Xie F, Yuan Q, Qie Y, Meng Y, Luan F. Capacity, stability and energy requirement of divalent mercury uptake by non-methylating/non-demethylating bacteria. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 450:131074. [PMID: 36848841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131074] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) uptake by demethylating bacteria and inorganic divalent mercury [Hg(II)] uptake by methylating bacteria have been extensively investigated because uptake is the initial step of the intracellular Hg transformation. However, MeHg and Hg(II) uptake by non-methylating/non-demethylating bacteria is overlooked, which may play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of mercury concerning their ubiquitous presence in the environment. Here we report that Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, a model strain of non-methylating/non-demethylating bacteria, can take up and immobilize MeHg and Hg(II) rapidly without intracellular transformation. In addition, when taken up into MR-1 cells, the intracellular MeHg and Hg(II) were proved to be hardly exported over time. In contrast, adsorbed mercury on cell surface was observed to be easily desorbed or remobilized. Moreover, inactivated MR-1 cells (starved and CCCP-treated) were still capable of taking up nonnegligible amounts of MeHg and Hg(II) over an extended period in the absence and presence of cysteine, suggesting that active metabolism may be not required for both MeHg and Hg(II) uptake. Our results provide an improved understanding of divalent mercury uptake by non-methylating/non-demethylating bacteria and highlight the possible broader involvement of these bacteria in mercury cycling in natural environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuyu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Qingke Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China
| | - Yukang Qie
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Ying Meng
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China.
| | - Fubo Luan
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Cai P, Chen Q, Du W, Yang S, Li J, Cai H, Zhao X, Sun W, Xu N, Wang J. Deciphering the dynamics of metal and antibiotic resistome profiles under different metal(loid) contamination levels. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 455:131567. [PMID: 37167868 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Metal(loid) contaminations pose considerable threats to ecological security and public health, yet little is known about the dynamics of metal resistance genes (MRGs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) under different metal(loid) contamination levels. Here, we provided a systematic investigation of MRGs and ARGs in three zones (Zones I, II, and III) with different metal(loid) contamination levels across an abandoned sewage reservoir. More diverse MRGs and ARGs were detected from the high-contaminated Zone I and the moderate-contaminated Zone II, while the abundant MGEs (mobile genetic elements) potentially enhanced the horizontal gene transfer potential and the resistome diversity in Zone I. Particularly, resistome hosts represented by Thiobacillus, Ramlibacter, and Dyella were prevalent in Zone II, promoting the vertical gene transfer of MRGs and ARGs. The highest health risk of ARGs was predicted for Zone I (about 7.58% and 0.48% of ARGs classified into Rank I and Rank II, respectively), followed by Zone II (2.11% and 0%) and Zone III (0% and 0%). However, the ARGs co-occurring with MRGs might exhibit low proportions and low health risks (all were Rank IV) in the three zones. Overall, these findings uncovered the dynamic responses of resistomes and their hosts to different metal(loid) contamination levels, contributing to formulating accurate management and bioremediation countermeasures for various metal(loid) contaminated environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pinggui Cai
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Qian Chen
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Wenran Du
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Shanqing Yang
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Jiarui Li
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Hetong Cai
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Xiaohui Zhao
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, PR China; School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, PR China
| | - Weiling Sun
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Nan Xu
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Jiawen Wang
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Diverse Methylmercury (MeHg) Producers and Degraders Inhabit Acid Mine Drainage Sediments, but Few Taxa Correlate with MeHg Accumulation. mSystems 2023; 8:e0073622. [PMID: 36507660 PMCID: PMC9948709 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00736-22] [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] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a notorious neurotoxin, and its production and degradation in the environment are mainly driven by microorganisms. A variety of microbial MeHg producers carrying the gene pair hgcAB and degraders carrying the merB gene have been separately reported in recent studies. However, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the simultaneous investigation of the diversities of microbial MeHg producers and degraders in a given habitat, and no studies have been performed to explore to what extent these two contrasting microbial groups correlate with MeHg accumulation in the habitat of interest. Here, we collected 86 acid mine drainage (AMD) sediments from an area spanning approximately 500,000 km2 in southern China and profiled the sediment-borne putative MeHg producers and degraders using genome-resolved metagenomics. 46 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) containing hgcAB and 93 MAGs containing merB were obtained, including those from various taxa without previously known MeHg-metabolizing microorganisms. These diverse MeHg-metabolizing MAGs were formed largely via multiple independent horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events. The putative MeHg producers from Deltaproteobacteria and Firmicutes as well as MeHg degraders from Acidithiobacillia were closely correlated with MeHg accumulation in the sediments. Furthermore, these three taxa, in combination with two abiotic factors, explained over 60% of the variance in MeHg accumulation. Most of the members of these taxa were characterized by their metabolic potential for nitrogen fixation and copper tolerance. Overall, these findings improve our understanding of the ecology of MeHg-metabolizing microorganisms and likely have implications for the development of management strategies for the reduction of MeHg accumulation in the AMD sediments. IMPORTANCE Microorganisms are the main drivers of MeHg production and degradation in the environment. However, little attention has been paid to the simultaneous investigation of the diversities of microbial MeHg producers and degraders in a given habitat. We used genome-resolved metagenomics to reveal the vast phylogenetic and metabolic diversities of putative MeHg producers and degraders in AMD sediments. Our results show that the diversity of MeHg-metabolizing microorganisms (particularly MeHg degraders) in AMD sediments is much higher than was previously recognized. Via multiple linear regression analysis, we identified both microbial and abiotic factors affecting MeHg accumulation in AMD sediments. Despite their great diversity, only a few taxa of MeHg-metabolizing microorganisms were closely correlated with MeHg accumulation. This work underscores the importance of using genome-resolved metagenomics to survey MeHg-metabolizing microorganisms and provides a framework for the illumination of the microbial basis of MeHg accumulation via the characterization of physicochemical properties, MeHg-metabolizing microorganisms, and the correlations between them.
Collapse
|
46
|
Yang Q, Guo Y, Xiang Y, Chen L, Liu G, Liu Y, Shi J, Hu L, Liang Y, Yin Y, Cai Y, Jiang G. Toward efficient bioremediation of methylmercury in sediment using merB overexpressed Escherichia coli. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 229:119502. [PMID: 36549184 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Sediment is the primary hotspot for microbial production of toxic and bio-accumulative methylmercury (MeHg). Common remediation strategies such as sediment dredging and capping can be too expensive and cannot degrade MeHg efficiently. Here, we constructed an Escherichia coli strain overexpressing merB gene (DH5α J23106) and assessed the effectiveness of this recombinant strain in degradation of MeHg in culture medium and sediment. DH5α J23106 can efficiently degrade MeHg (with initial concentration from 0.01 to 50 ng/mL) to more than 81.6% in a culture medium under anoxic and oxic conditions. Enriched isotope addition (199HgCl2) revealed that this recombinant strain can degrade 78.6% of newly produced Me199Hg in actual sediment, however the biodegradation decreased to 36.3% for intrinsic MeHg. Degradation of spiked MeHg after aging in anoxic and oxic sediments further demonstrated DH5α J23106 can efficiently degrade newly produced MeHg and the degradation decreased with aging significantly, especially for oxic sediment. Eight sediments were further assessed for the biodegradation of aged MeHg by DH5α J23106 under oxic conditions, with degradation ratios ranging from 9.0% to 66.9%. When combined with (NH4)2S2O3 leaching, the degradation of MeHg increased by 15.8-38.8% in on-site and off-site modes through enhanced MeHg bioavailability in some of these sediments. Thus, this recombinant strain DH5α J23106 can degrade MeHg efficiently and have the potential for remediating bioavailable MeHg in contaminated sediments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Yang
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China; School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Yingying Guo
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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 Effect, 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
| | - Lufeng Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China; School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Guangliang Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Yanwei Liu
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Jianbo Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ligang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China; School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Yongguang Yin
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yong Cai
- Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effect, 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
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Babich TL, Grouzdev DS, Sokolova DS, Tourova TP, Poltaraus AB, Nazina TN. Genome analysis of Pollutimonas subterranea gen. nov., sp. nov. and Pollutimonas nitritireducens sp. nov., isolated from nitrate- and radionuclide-contaminated groundwater, and transfer of several Pusillimonas species into three new genera Allopusillimonas, Neopusillimonas, and Mesopusillimonas. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2023; 116:109-127. [PMID: 36244039 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-022-01781-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Two facultatively anaerobic, chemoorganoheterotrophic bacterial strains, designated JR1/69-2-13T and JR1/69-3-13T, were isolated from nitrate- and radionuclide-contaminated groundwater (Ozyorsk town, South Urals, Russia). Both strains were found to be motile, Gram-stain negative rod-shaped neutrophilic, psychrotolerant bacteria that grow within the temperature range from 5-10 to 33 °C at 0-3 (0-5)% NaCl (w/v). The major cellular fatty acids were identified as C16:0, C16:1 ω7c, C18:1 ω7c and C17:0 cyclo. The major polar lipids were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified aminophospholipids. The genomic G + C content of strains JR1/69-2-13T and JR1/69-3-13T was determined to be 57.2 and 57.9%, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strains showed high similarity between each other (98.6%) and to members of the genera Pusillimonas (96.8-98.4%) and Candidimonas (97.1-98.0%). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values among genomes of the new isolates and Pusillimonas and Candidimonas genomes were below 84.5 and 28.8%, respectively, i.e., below the thresholds for species delineation. Based on the phylogenomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterisation, we propose assignment of strains JR1/69-3-13T (= VKM B-3223T = KCTC 62615T) and JR1/69-2-13T (= VKM B-3222T = KCTC 62614T) to a new genus Pollutimonas as the type strains of two new species, Pollutimonas subterranea gen. nov., sp. nov. and Pollutimonas nitritireducens sp. nov., respectively. As a result of the taxonomic revision of the genus Pusillimonas, three novel genera, Allopusillimonas, Neopusillimonas, and Mesopusillimonas are also proposed; and Candidimonas bauzanensis is reclassified as Pollutimonas bauzanensis comb. nov. Genome analysis of the new isolates suggested molecular mechanisms of their adaptation to an environment highly polluted with nitrate and radionuclides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamara L Babich
- Research Center of Biotechnology, Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 33, bld. 2 Leninsky Ave., Moscow, Russia, 119071
| | - Denis S Grouzdev
- SciBear OU, Tartu mnt 67/1-13b, Kesklinna linnaosa, 10115, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Diyana S Sokolova
- Research Center of Biotechnology, Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 33, bld. 2 Leninsky Ave., Moscow, Russia, 119071
| | - Tatyana P Tourova
- Research Center of Biotechnology, Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 33, bld. 2 Leninsky Ave., Moscow, Russia, 119071
| | - Andrey B Poltaraus
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32, bld. 1 Vavilova, Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - Tamara N Nazina
- Research Center of Biotechnology, Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 33, bld. 2 Leninsky Ave., Moscow, Russia, 119071.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Yang L, Yang G, Wang J, Xiong B, Guo P, Wang T, Du H, Ma M, Wang D. Seasonal changes in total mercury and methylmercury in subtropical decomposing litter correspond to the abundances of nitrogen-fixing and methylmercury-degrading bacteria. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 442:130064. [PMID: 36182885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130064] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Previous research has found total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) levels increase with litterfall decay, thus suggesting litterfall decomposition plays an essential role in the biogeochemical transformation of mercury (Hg). However, it remains unclear how Hg accumulates in the decaying litter, how bacterial taxa networks vary and what roles various microorganisms play during litterfall decomposition, especially nitrogen (N)-fixing, MeHg-degrading and Hg-methylating microbes. Here, we demonstrated as degradation proceeded, a gradually-complex network evolved for litterfall bacteria for the subtropical mixed broadleaf-conifer (MBC) forest, whereas a relatively static network existed for the evergreen broadleaf (EB) forest. N-fixing and MeHg-degrading bacteria dominated throughout litterfall decomposition process, with relative abundances of N-fixing genera and nifH copies maximum and relative abundances of MeHg-degrading bacteria and merAB copies minimum in summer. Hence, N-fixing bacteria likely mediate THg increase in the decomposing litterfall, while MeHg enhancement may be regulated by aerobic MeHg-degrading microbes which can transform MeHg to inorganic divalent Hg (Hg2+) or further to elemental Hg (Hg0). Together, this work elucidates variations of N-fixing and MeHg-degrading microbes in decaying litterfall and their relationships with Hg accumulation, providing novel insights into understanding the biogeochemical cycle of Hg in the forest ecosystem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liping Yang
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jueying Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Bingcai Xiong
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Pan Guo
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hongxia Du
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Ming Ma
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Dingyong Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Structural Analyses of the Multicopper Site of CopG Support a Role as a Redox Enzyme. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1414:97-121. [PMID: 36637718 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2022_753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Metal ions can be both essential components of cells as well as potential toxins if present in excess. Organisms utilize a variety of protein systems to maintain the concentration of metal ions within the appropriate range for cellular function, and to avoid concentrations where cellular damage can occur. In bacteria, numerous proteins contribute to copper homeostasis, including copper transporters, chelators, and redox enzymes. The genes that encode these proteins are often found in clusters, thus providing modular components that work together to achieve homeostasis. A better understanding of how these components function and cooperate to achieve metal ion resistance is needed, given the extensive use of metal ions, including copper, as broad-spectrum biocides in a variety of clinical and environmental settings. The copG gene is a common component of such copper resistance clusters, but its contribution to copper resistance is not well understood. In this review the available information about the CopG protein encoded by this gene is summarized. Comparison of the recent structure to diverse copper-containing metallochaperones, metalloenzymes, and electron transfer proteins suggests that CopG is a redox enzyme that uses multiple copper ions as active site redox cofactors to act on additional copper ion substrates. Mechanisms for both oxidase and reductase activity are proposed, and the biological advantages that these activities can contribute in conjunction with existing systems are described.
Collapse
|
50
|
Romero-Estévez D, Yánez-Jácome GS, Navarrete H. Non-essential metal contamination in Ecuadorian agricultural production: A critical review. J Food Compost Anal 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
|