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Pichler G, Muggia L, Carniel FC, Grube M, Kranner I. How to build a lichen: from metabolite release to symbiotic interplay. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:1362-1378. [PMID: 36710517 PMCID: PMC10952756 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Exposing their vegetative bodies to the light, lichens are outstanding amongst other fungal symbioses. Not requiring a pre-established host, 'lichenized fungi' build an entirely new structure together with microbial photosynthetic partners that neither can form alone. The signals involved in the transition of a fungus and a compatible photosynthetic partner from a free-living to a symbiotic state culminating in thallus formation, termed 'lichenization', and in the maintenance of the symbiosis, are poorly understood. Here, we synthesise the puzzle pieces of the scarce knowledge available into an updated concept of signalling involved in lichenization, comprising five main stages: (1) the 'pre-contact stage', (2) the 'contact stage', (3) 'envelopment' of algal cells by the fungus, (4) their 'incorporation' into a pre-thallus and (5) 'differentiation' into a complex thallus. Considering the involvement of extracellularly released metabolites in each phase, we propose that compounds such as fungal lectins and algal cyclic peptides elicit early contact between the symbionts-to-be, whereas phytohormone signalling, antioxidant protection and carbon exchange through sugars and sugar alcohols are of continued importance throughout all stages. In the fully formed lichen thallus, secondary lichen metabolites and mineral nutrition are suggested to stabilize the functionalities of the thallus, including the associated microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Pichler
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwartestraße 156020InnsbruckAustria
| | - Lucia Muggia
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of TriesteVia L. Giorgieri 1034127TriesteItaly
| | | | - Martin Grube
- Institute of BiologyUniversity of GrazHolteigasse 68010GrazAustria
| | - Ilse Kranner
- Department of BotanyUniversity of InnsbruckSternwartestraße 156020InnsbruckAustria
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Is Caperatic Acid the Only Compound Responsible for Activity of Lichen Platismatia glauca within the Nervous System? Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11102069. [PMID: 36290793 PMCID: PMC9598164 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11102069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lichens are a source of various biologically active compounds. However, the knowledge about them is still scarce, and their use in medicine is limited. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of the lichen Platismatia glauca and its major metabolite caperatic acid in regard to their potential application in the treatment of central nervous system diseases, especially neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumours, such as glioblastoma. First, we performed the phytochemical analysis of the tested P. glauca extracts based on FT-IR derivative spectroscopic and gas chromatographic results. Next the antioxidant properties were determined, and moderate anti-radical activity, strong chelating properties of Cu2+ and Fe2+ ions, and a mild effect on the antioxidant enzymes of the tested extracts and caperatic acid were proved. Subsequently, the influence of the tested extracts and caperatic acid on cholinergic transmission was determined by in vitro and in silico studies confirming that inhibitory effect on butyrylcholinesterase is stronger than against acetylcholinesterase. We also confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of P. glauca extracts and caperatic acid using a COX-2 and hyaluronidase inhibition models. Moreover, our studies show the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity of the P. glauca extracts against T98G and U-138 MG glioblastoma multiforme cell lines. In conclusion, it is possible to assume that P. glauca extracts and especially caperatic acid can be regarded as the source of the valuable substances to finding new therapies of central nervous system diseases.
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Dohi T, Iijima K, Machida M, Suno H, Ohmura Y, Fujiwara K, Kimura S, Kanno F. Accumulation mechanisms of radiocaesium within lichen thallus tissues determined by means of in situ microscale localisation observation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271035. [PMID: 35802691 PMCID: PMC9269901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many lichens are well known to accumulate radiocaesium and, thus acting as biomonitors of contamination levels. However, the actual localisation and chemical forms of radiocaesium in contaminated lichens have not yet been elucidated because, despite their high radioactivity, these forms are present in trace amounts as chemical entities. Here, we use autoradiography and demonstrate for the first time in situ microscale localisation of radiocaesium within thallus tissues to investigate the radiocaesium forms and their accumulation mechanism. Radiocaesium distributions showed similar trends in lichen tissues collected two and six years after the Fukushima nuclear accident. The radiocaesium was localised in the brown pigmented parts i.e., melanin-like substances, in the lower cortex of lichen thallus. Quantum chemical calculations showed that functional group of melanin-like substances can chelate Cs+ ion, which indicates that the Cs+ ions form complexes with the substances. Based on these findings, we suggest that radiocaesium ions may be retained stably in melanin-like substances for long periods (two to six years) due to steric factors, such as those seen in porphyrin-like structures and via multimer formation in the lower cortex. In addition, electron microscopy and autoradiography were used to observe radiocaesium-bearing microparticles (CsMPs) on/in the upper cortex and around the medullary layer. Micron-sized particles appeared to adhere to the surface tissue of the thallus, as shown by electron microscopy, suggesting that the particles were trapped by development of an adhesive layer; that is, CsMPs were trapped both physically and physiologically. These findings provide information on in situ localisation of two chemical forms of radiocaesium, cations and particles, in lichen thallus tissues and their accumulation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terumi Dohi
- Sector of Fukushima Research and Development, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Miharu-town, Fukushima, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Kazuki Iijima
- Sector of Fukushima Research and Development, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Miharu-town, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masahiko Machida
- Center for Computational Science & e-Systems (CCSE), Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Kashiwa-city, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroya Suno
- Center for Computational Science & e-Systems (CCSE), Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Kashiwa-city, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Ohmura
- Department of Botany, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba-city, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kenso Fujiwara
- Sector of Fukushima Research and Development, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Miharu-town, Fukushima, Japan
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Anderson J, Lévesque N, Caron F, Beckett P, Spiers GA. A review on the use of lichens as a biomonitoring tool for environmental radioactivity. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 243:106797. [PMID: 34968948 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Lichens have been widely used as a biomonitoring tool to record the distribution and concentration of airborne radioactivity and pollutants such as metals. There are limitations, however: although pollutants can be preserved in lichen tissues for long periods of time, not all radioactive and inert elements behave similarly. The chemical species of elements at the source, once captured, and the mode of storage within lichens play a role in this biomonitoring tool. Lichens are a symbiotic association of an algal or cyanobacterial partner (photobiont) with a fungal host (mycobiont). Lichens grow independently of the host substrates, including rocks, soils, trees and human-made structures. Lacking a root system, lichen nutrient or contaminant uptake is mostly through direct atmospheric inputs, mainly as wet and dry deposition. As lichens grow in a large variety of environments and are resilient in harsh climates, they are adapted to capture and retain nutrients from airborne sources. The context of this review partially relates to future deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) and mining in remote areas of Canada. SMRs have been identified as a future source of energy (electricity and heat) for remote off-grid mines, potentially replacing diesel fuel generation facilities. For licensing purposes, SMR deployment and mine development requires capabilities to monitor background contaminants (natural radioactivity and metals) before, during and after deployment, including for decommissioning and removal. Key aspects reviewed herein include: (1) how lichens have been used in the past to monitor radioactivity; (2) radiocontaminants capture and storage in lichens; (3) longevity of radiocontaminant storage in lichen tissues; and (4) limitations of lichens use for monitoring radiocontaminants and selected metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Anderson
- Mirarco Mining Innovation and Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada; Harquail School of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - N Lévesque
- Mirarco Mining Innovation and Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada; School of Biological, Chemical & Forensic Sciences, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - F Caron
- Mirarco Mining Innovation and Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada.
| | - P Beckett
- Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - G A Spiers
- Harquail School of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada
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Dohi T, Ohmura Y, Yoshimura K, Sasaki T, Fujiwara K, Kanaizuka S, Nakama S, Iijima K. Radiocaesium accumulation capacity of epiphytic lichens and adjacent barks collected at the perimeter boundary site of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251828. [PMID: 34029330 PMCID: PMC8143426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the radiocaesium content of nine epiphytic foliose lichens species and the adjacent barks of Zelkova serrata (Ulmaceae, "Japanese elm") and Cerasus sp. (Rosaceae, "Cherry tree") at the boundary of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station six years after the accident in 2011. Caesium-137 activities per unit area (the 137Cs-inventory) were determined to compare radiocaesium retentions of lichens (65 specimens) and barks (44 specimens) under the same growth conditions. The 137Cs-inventory of lichens collected from Zelkova serrata and Cerasus sp. were respectively 7.9- and 3.8-times greater than the adjacent barks. Furthermore, we examined the radiocaesium distribution within these samples using autoradiography and on the surfaces with an electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA). Autoradiographic results showed strong local spotting and heterogeneous distributions of radioactivity in both the lichen and bark samples, although the intensities were lower in the barks. The electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that particulates with similar sizes and compositions were distributed on the surfaces of the samples. We therefore concluded that the lichens and barks could capture fine particles, including radiocaesium particles. In addition, radioactivity was distributed more towards the inwards of the lichen samples than the peripheries. This suggests that lichen can retain 137Cs that is chemically immobilised in particulates intracellularly, unlike bark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terumi Dohi
- Sector of Fukushima Research and Development, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, MiharuTown, Tamura-gun, Fukushima, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Yoshihito Ohmura
- Department of Botany, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba-City, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazuya Yoshimura
- Sector of Fukushima Research and Development, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Minamisoma-city, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Takayuki Sasaki
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto-city, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kenso Fujiwara
- Sector of Fukushima Research and Development, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, MiharuTown, Tamura-gun, Fukushima, Japan
| | | | - Shigeo Nakama
- Sector of Fukushima Research and Development, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Minamisoma-city, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kazuki Iijima
- Sector of Fukushima Research and Development, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, MiharuTown, Tamura-gun, Fukushima, Japan
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