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Caro-Borrero A, Márquez-Santamaria K, Carmona-Jiménez J, Becerra-Absalón I, Perona E. Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Mats (CyanoHAMs) in tropical rivers of central Mexico and their potential risks through toxin production. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:408. [PMID: 38561517 PMCID: PMC10984904 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12568-4] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria inhabiting lotic environments have been poorly studied and characterized in Mexico, despite their potential risks from cyanotoxin production. This article aims to fill this knowledge gap by assessing the importance of benthic cyanobacteria as potential cyanotoxin producers in central Mexican rivers through: (i) the taxonomic identification of cyanobacteria found in these rivers, (ii) the environmental characterization of their habitats, and (iii) testing for the presence of toxin producing genes in the encountered taxa. Additionally, we introduce and discuss the use of the term "CyanoHAMs" for lotic water environments. Populations of cyanobacteria were collected from ten mountain rivers and identified using molecular techniques. Subsequently, these taxa were evaluated for genes producing anatoxins and microcystins via PCR. Through RDA analyses, the collected cyanobacteria were grouped into one of three categories based on their environmental preferences for the following: (1) waters with high ionic concentrations, (2) cold-temperate waters, or (3) waters with high nutrient enrichment. Populations from six locations were identified to genus level: Ancylothrix sp., Cyanoplacoma sp., and Oxynema sp. The latter was found to contain the gene that produces anatoxins and microcystins in siliceous rivers, while Oxynema tested positive for the gene that produces microcystins in calcareous rivers. Our results suggest that eutrophic environments are not necessarily required for toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Our records of Compactonostoc, Oxynema, and Ancylothrix represent the first for Mexico. Four taxa were identified to species level: Wilmottia aff. murrayi, Nostoc tlalocii, Nostoc montejanii, and Dichothrix aff. willei, with only the first testing positive using PCR for anatoxin and microcystin-producing genes in siliceous rivers. Due to the differences between benthic growths with respect to planktonic ones, we propose the adoption of the term Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Mats (CyanoHAMs) as a more precise descriptor for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Caro-Borrero
- Ecology and Natural Resources Department, Science Faculty, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University City, Exterior Circuit S/N, 04510, Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Kenia Márquez-Santamaria
- Ecology and Natural Resources Department, Science Faculty, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University City, Exterior Circuit S/N, 04510, Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico
- Postgraduate School in Marine Sciences and Limnology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University City, Exterior Circuit S/N, 04510, Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Javier Carmona-Jiménez
- Ecology and Natural Resources Department, Science Faculty, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University City, Exterior Circuit S/N, 04510, Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Itzel Becerra-Absalón
- Comparative Biology Department, Science Faculty, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University City, Exterior Circuit S/N, 04510, Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elvira Perona
- Biology Department, Science Faculty, Autonomous University of Madrid, Darwin 2, Canto Blanco Campus, 28049, Madrid, Spain
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Yin L, Xu L, Shi K, Chen W, Zhang Y, Wang J, An J, He H, Yang S, Ni L, Li S. Physiology, microcystin production, and transcriptomic responses of Microcystis aeruginosa exposed to calcium and magnesium. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169786. [PMID: 38181954 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169786] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Calcium ions (Ca2+) and magnesium ions (Mg2+) are pivotal in the community composition and stability of harmful cyanobacteria, yet the physiological and molecular responses remains poorly understood. This study aims to explore these responses in the high microcystin producer Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa). Results indicate that the growth of M. aeruginosa is inhibited by Ca2+/Mg2+ exposure (0.5-10 mM), while Fv/Fm photosynthetic parameters and extracellular microcystin-leucine-arginine (MC-LR) concentrations increase. Additionally, MC-LR release is significantly elevated under exposure to Ca2+/Mg2+, posing potential aquatic environmental risks. Transcriptomic analysis reveals downregulation of genes related to cell architecture, membrane transport, and metabolism, while the genes linked to photosynthesis electron transmission and heavy metal-responsive transcriptional regulators are upregulated to adapt to environmental changes. Further analysis reveals that Ca2+ and Mg2+ primarily impact sulfur metabolism and transport of amino acids and mineral within cells. These findings provide insights into M. aeruginosa cells responses to Ca2+ and Mg2+ exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yin
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lin Xu
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Kaipian Shi
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Weiyu Chen
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Juan Wang
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Junfeng An
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huan He
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shaogui Yang
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lixiao Ni
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, School of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Shiyin Li
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Kieley CM, Roelke DL, Park R, Campbell KL, Klobusnik NH, Walker JR, Cagle SE, Kneer ML, Stroski KM, Brooks BW, Labonté JM. Concentration of total microcystins associates with nitrate and nitrite, and may disrupt the nitrogen cycle, in warm-monomictic lakes of the southcentral United States. HARMFUL ALGAE 2023; 130:102542. [PMID: 38061823 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2023.102542] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacterial blooms and the toxins they produce pose a growing threat worldwide. Mitigation of such events has primarily focused on phosphorus management and has largely neglected the role of nitrogen. Previous bloom research and proposed management strategies have primarily focused on temperate, dimictic lakes, and less on warm-monomictic systems like those at subtropical latitudes. The in-lake conditions, concentration of total microcystins, and microbial functioning of twenty warm-monomictic lakes in the southcentral United States were explored in the spring and summer of 2021. Our data revealed widespread microcystins in lakes across this region, some of which exceeded regulatory limits. Microcystins were higher in the spring compared to the summer, indicating that warm-monomictic lakes, even across a large range of precipitation, do not follow the trends of temperate dimictic lakes. Microcystins were found in surface waters and bottom waters well below the photic zone, reflecting the persistence of these toxins in the environment. Principal components analyses showed a strong association between microcystins, nitrate + nitrite, and Planktothrix relative abundance and transcriptional activity. Many systems exhibited stronger denitrification in the spring, perhaps contributing to the decreased toxin concentrations in the summer. Counter to most sampled lakes, one lake with the highest concentration of total microcystins indicated nitrogen cycle disruption, including inhibited denitrification. These findings are relevant to mitigating cyanobacterial blooms and toxin production in warm-monomictic systems, and suggests a need to consider nitrogen, and not solely phosphorus, in nutrient management discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crista M Kieley
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
| | - Daniel L Roelke
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77554, USA.
| | - Royoung Park
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
| | - Kathryn L Campbell
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
| | - N Hagen Klobusnik
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
| | - Jordan R Walker
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
| | - Sierra E Cagle
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
| | - Marissa L Kneer
- US Army Corps of Engineers ERDC-EL, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - Kevin M Stroski
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute of Biomedical Studies, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Bryan W Brooks
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute of Biomedical Studies, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Jessica M Labonté
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
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Sha'aba RI, Chia MA, Gana YA, Alhassan AB, Gadzama IMK. The growth, biochemical composition, and antioxidant response of Microcystis and Chlorella are influenced by Ibuprofen. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:13118-13131. [PMID: 36123556 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22837-9] [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: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (IBU) are extensively used, causing substantial amounts to end up in aquatic ecosystems. Unfortunately, little research has been done on how these medications influence the physiology of phytoplankton. This study aimed to investigate the toxicological and physiological effects of IBU on the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa LE3 and Microcystis aeruginosa EAWAG 198, and the chlorophyte Chlorella sorokiniana. Exponential growth phase cultures were exposed to IBU at 10 to 10,000 μg/L for 96 h. The medium effect concentrations revealed varied sensitivity to IBU in the order Chlorella sorokiniana > Microcystis aeruginosa LE3 > Microcystis aeruginosa EAWAG 198. The drug caused a significant difference from control in cell density and chlorophyll-a of the three strains, except for chlorophyll-a in M. aeruginosa EAWAG 198 cultures where a significant difference occurred at 100 μg/L. The cell density of M. aeruginosa LE3 cultures exposed to 10 μg/L IBU increased 24 h post-exposure. Increasing concentrations of IBU induced higher total microcystins content of the Microcystis aeruginosa. Intracellular hydrogen peroxide content, peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase activities, and lipid peroxidation increased as a function of IBU exposure. Total lipid, carbohydrate, and protein content of Chlorella sorokiniana were stimulated following IBU exposure. We conclude that the increasing presence of IBU in aquatic ecosystems could significantly alter the population dynamics of the investigated and other phytoplankton species.
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Dulić T, Svirčev Z, Palanački Malešević T, Faassen EJ, Savela H, Hao Q, Meriluoto J. Assessment of Common Cyanotoxins in Cyanobacteria of Biological Loess Crusts. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14030215. [PMID: 35324712 PMCID: PMC8953721 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14030215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanotoxins are a diverse group of bioactive compounds produced by cyanobacteria that have adverse effects on human and animal health. While the phenomenon of cyanotoxin production in aquatic environments is well studied, research on cyanotoxins in terrestrial environments, where cyanobacteria abundantly occur in biocrusts, is still in its infancy. Here, we investigated the potential cyanotoxin production in cyanobacteria-dominated biological loess crusts (BLCs) from three different regions (China, Iran, and Serbia) and in cyanobacterial cultures isolated from the BLCs. The presence of cyanotoxins microcystins, cylindrospermopsin, saxitoxins, and β-N-methylamino-L-alanine was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, while the presence of cyanotoxin-encoding genes (mcyE, cyrJ, sxtA, sxtG, sxtS, and anaC) was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. We could not detect any of the targeted cyanotoxins in the biocrusts or the cyanobacterial cultures, nor could we amplify any cyanotoxin-encoding genes in the cyanobacterial strains. The results are discussed in terms of the biological role of cyanotoxins, the application of cyanobacteria in land restoration programs, and the use of cyanotoxins as biosignatures of cyanobacterial populations in loess research. The article highlights the need to extend the field of research on cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin production to terrestrial environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Dulić
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6A, 20520 Turku, Finland; (Z.S.); (J.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Zorica Svirčev
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6A, 20520 Turku, Finland; (Z.S.); (J.M.)
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Tamara Palanački Malešević
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Elisabeth J. Faassen
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB Wageningen, The Netherlands;
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henna Savela
- Department of Life Technologies, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20014 Turku, Finland;
| | - Qingzhen Hao
- Laboratory of Cenozoic Geology and Environment, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19, Beitucheng Western Road, Beijing 100029, China;
| | - Jussi Meriluoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6A, 20520 Turku, Finland; (Z.S.); (J.M.)
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
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Cyanotoxins uptake and accumulation in crops: Phytotoxicity and implications on human health. Toxicon 2022; 211:21-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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7
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Śliwińska-Wilczewska S, Wiśniewska K, Konarzewska Z, Cieszyńska A, Barreiro Felpeto A, Lewandowska AU, Latała A. The current state of knowledge on taxonomy, modulating factors, ecological roles, and mode of action of phytoplankton allelochemicals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145681. [PMID: 33940759 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Allelopathy is widespread in marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats. Literature data indicate that allelopathy could offer a competitive advantage for some phytoplankton species by reducing the growth of competitors. It is also believed that allelopathy may affect species succession. Thus, allelopathy may play a role in the development of blooms. Over the past few decades, the world's coastal waters have experienced increases in the numbers of cyanobacterial and microalgal blooming events. Understanding how allelopathy is implicated with other biological and environmental factors as a bloom-development mechanism is an important topic for future research. This review focuses on a taxonomic overview of allelopathic cyanobacteria and microalgae, the biological and environmental factors that affect allelochemical production, their role in ecological dynamics, and their physiological modes of action, as well as potential industrial applications of allelopathic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Śliwińska-Wilczewska
- Division of Marine Ecosystems Functioning, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Av. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland.
| | - Kinga Wiśniewska
- Division of Marine Chemistry and Environmental Protection, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Av. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Zofia Konarzewska
- Division of Marine Ecosystems Functioning, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Av. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Agata Cieszyńska
- Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Marine Physics, Marine Biophysics Laboratory, Sopot, Poland
| | - Aldo Barreiro Felpeto
- Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research-CIMAR/CIIMAR, University of Porto, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Anita U Lewandowska
- Division of Marine Chemistry and Environmental Protection, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Av. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Adam Latała
- Division of Marine Ecosystems Functioning, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Av. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
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Algal Toxic Compounds and Their Aeroterrestrial, Airborne and other Extremophilic Producers with Attention to Soil and Plant Contamination: A Review. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13050322. [PMID: 33946968 PMCID: PMC8145420 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The review summarizes the available knowledge on toxins and their producers from rather disparate algal assemblages of aeroterrestrial, airborne and other versatile extreme environments (hot springs, deserts, ice, snow, caves, etc.) and on phycotoxins as contaminants of emergent concern in soil and plants. There is a growing body of evidence that algal toxins and their producers occur in all general types of extreme habitats, and cyanobacteria/cyanoprokaryotes dominate in most of them. Altogether, 55 toxigenic algal genera (47 cyanoprokaryotes) were enlisted, and our analysis showed that besides the “standard” toxins, routinely known from different waterbodies (microcystins, nodularins, anatoxins, saxitoxins, cylindrospermopsins, BMAA, etc.), they can produce some specific toxic compounds. Whether the toxic biomolecules are related with the harsh conditions on which algae have to thrive and what is their functional role may be answered by future studies. Therefore, we outline the gaps in knowledge and provide ideas for further research, considering, from one side, the health risk from phycotoxins on the background of the global warming and eutrophication and, from the other side, the current surge of interest which phycotoxins provoke due to their potential as novel compounds in medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics, bioremediation, agriculture and all aspects of biotechnological implications in human life.
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Ivanov D, Yaneva G, Potoroko I, Ivanova DG. Contribution of Cyanotoxins to the Ecotoxicological Role of Lichens. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:321. [PMID: 33946807 PMCID: PMC8146415 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The fascinating world of lichens draws the attention of the researchers because of the numerous properties of lichens used traditionally and, in modern times, as a raw material for medicines and in the perfumery industry, for food and spices, for fodder, as dyes, and for other various purposes all over the world. However, lichens being widespread symbiotic entities between fungi and photosynthetic partners may acquire toxic features due to either the fungi, algae, or cyano-procaryotes producing toxins. By this way, several common lichens acquire toxic features. In this survey, recent data about the ecology, phytogenetics, and biology of some lichens with respect to the associated toxin-producing cyanoprokaryotes in different habitats around the world are discussed. Special attention is paid to the common toxins, called microcystin and nodularin, produced mainly by the Nostoc species. The effective application of a series of modern research methods to approach the issue of lichen toxicity as contributed by the cyanophotobiont partner is emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dobri Ivanov
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria; (G.Y.); (D.G.I.)
| | - Galina Yaneva
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria; (G.Y.); (D.G.I.)
| | - Irina Potoroko
- Department of Food and Biotechnologies, School of Medical Biology, South Ural State University, 454080 Chelyabinsk, Russia;
| | - Diana G. Ivanova
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov”, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria; (G.Y.); (D.G.I.)
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Polyzois A, Kirilovsky D, Dufat TH, Michel S. Effects of Modification of Light Parameters on the Production of Cryptophycin, Cyanotoxin with Potent Anticancer Activity, in Nostoc sp. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12120809. [PMID: 33371249 PMCID: PMC7766261 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12120809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptophycin-1 is a cyanotoxin produced by filamentous cyanobacteria. It has been evaluated as an anticancer agent with great potential. However, its synthesis provides insufficient yield for industrial use. An alternative solution for metabolite efficient production is to stress cyanobacteria by modifying the environmental conditions of the culture (Nostoc sp. ATCC 53789). Here, we examined the effects of light photoperiod, wavelength, and intensity. In light photoperiod, photoperiods 24:0 and 16:8 (light:dark) were tested while in wavelength, orange-red light was compared with blue. Medium, high, and very high light intensity experiments were performed to test the effect of light stress. For a 10-day period, growth was measured, metabolite concentration was calculated through HPLC, and the related curves were drawn. The differentiation of light wavelength had a major effect on the culture, as orange-red filter contributed to noticeable increase in both growth and doubled the cyanotoxin concentration in comparison to blue light. Remarkably, constant light provides higher cryptophycin yield, but slightly lower growth rate. Lastly, the microorganism prefers medium light intensities for both growth and metabolite expression. The combination of these optimal conditions would contribute to the further exploitation of cryptophycin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Polyzois
- Produits Naturels, Analyse et Synthèse, Université de Paris, UMR CNRS 8038 CITCOM, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, 75006 Paris, France;
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (S.M.); Tel.: +33-153739803 (S.M.)
| | - Diana Kirilovsky
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (12BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France;
| | - Thi-hanh Dufat
- Produits Naturels, Analyse et Synthèse, Université de Paris, UMR CNRS 8038 CITCOM, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, 75006 Paris, France;
| | - Sylvie Michel
- Produits Naturels, Analyse et Synthèse, Université de Paris, UMR CNRS 8038 CITCOM, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, 75006 Paris, France;
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (S.M.); Tel.: +33-153739803 (S.M.)
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Nowruzi B, Porzani SJ. Toxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria belonging to several species of the order Nostocales: A review. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 41:510-548. [PMID: 33289164 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are well recognised as producers of a wide range of natural compounds that are in turn recognised as toxins that have potential and useful applications in the future as pharmaceutical agents. The order Nostocales, which is largely overlooked in this regard, has become increasingly recognised as a source of toxin producers including Anabaena, Nostoc, Hapalosiphon, Fischerella, Anabaenopsis, Aphanizomenon, Gloeotrichia, Cylindrospermopsis, Scytonema, Raphidiopsis, Cuspidothrix, Nodularia, Stigonema, Calothrix, Cylindrospermum and Desmonostoc species. The toxin compounds (i.e., microcystins, nodularin, anatoxins, ambiguines, fischerindoles and welwitindolinones) and metabolites are about to have a destructive effect on both inland and aquatic environment aspects. The present review gives an overview of the various toxins that are extracted by the order Nostocales. The current research suggests that these compounds that are produced by cyanobacterial species have promising future considerations as potentially harmful algae and as promising leads for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Nowruzi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Jafari Porzani
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Chopyk J, Nasko DJ, Allard S, Bui A, Pop M, Mongodin EF, Sapkota AR. Seasonal dynamics in taxonomy and function within bacterial and viral metagenomic assemblages recovered from a freshwater agricultural pond. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2020; 15:18. [PMID: 33902740 PMCID: PMC8067656 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-020-00365-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ponds are important freshwater habitats that support both human and environmental activities. However, relative to their larger counterparts (e.g. rivers, lakes), ponds are understudied, especially with regard to their microbial communities. Our study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by using culture-independent, high-throughput sequencing to assess the dynamics, taxonomy, and functionality of bacterial and viral communities in a freshwater agricultural pond. RESULTS Water samples (n = 14) were collected from a Mid-Atlantic agricultural pond between June 2017 and May 2018 and filtered sequentially through 1 and 0.2 μm filter membranes. Total DNA was then extracted from each filter, pooled, and subjected to 16S rRNA gene and shotgun sequencing on the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. Additionally, on eight occasions water filtrates were processed for viral metagenomes (viromes) using chemical concentration and then shotgun sequenced. A ubiquitous freshwater phylum, Proteobacteria was abundant at all sampling dates throughout the year. However, environmental characteristics appeared to drive the structure of the community. For instance, the abundance of Cyanobacteria (e.g. Nostoc) increased with rising water temperatures, while a storm event appeared to trigger an increase in overall bacterial diversity, as well as the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. This event was also associated with an increase in the number of antibiotic resistance genes. The viral fractions were dominated by dsDNA of the order Caudovirales, namely Siphoviridae and Myovirdae. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study provides one of the largest datasets on pond water microbial ecology to date, revealing seasonal trends in the microbial taxonomic composition and functional potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Chopyk
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA.
- Department of Pathology University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
| | - Daniel J Nasko
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Institute for Advanced Computer Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Sarah Allard
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Anthony Bui
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Mihai Pop
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Institute for Advanced Computer Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Emmanuel F Mongodin
- Institute for Genome Sciences and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy R Sapkota
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
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13
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Henao E, Cantera JR, Rzymski P. Conserving the Amazon River Basin: The case study of the Yahuarcaca Lakes System in Colombia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 724:138186. [PMID: 32268285 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Colombia is the fourth contributor to the Amazon River Basin (ARB) by surface, and the third by mean annual runoff. The Yahuarcaca Lakes System (YLS), consisting of four large interconnected water bodies situated on the floodplain of Amazon River, was identified as one of the key areas for the conservation of freshwater biodiversity in the Colombian ARB. This review aimed to provide a general overview of YLS, present its environmental and biological features, identify main ecological and health threats, and propose mitigation strategies and future research prospects. A systematic search was performed using various databases. In summary, YLS harbors significant biodiversity and provides a number of ecological services for local communities, encompassing fish and drinking water supply and utilization of the floodplain for agriculture. Ensuring its sustainability requires attention from local and international authorities, collaboration with indigenous communities and future interdisciplinary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Henao
- Department of Biology, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
| | - Jaime R Cantera
- Department of Biology, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; Ecology of Estuaries and Mangrove Research Group (ECOMANGLARES), Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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14
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Brêda-Alves F, Militão FP, de Alvarenga BF, Miranda PF, de Oliveira Fernandes V, Cordeiro-Araújo MK, Chia MA. Clethodim (herbicide) alters the growth and toxins content of Microcystis aeruginosa and Raphidiopsis raciborskii. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 243:125318. [PMID: 31995862 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Increased agricultural intensification goes with the widespread use of herbicides that adversely affect aquatic biodiversity. The effects of herbicides on toxin-producing cyanobacteria have been poorly studied. The present study aimed to investigate the toxicological and physiological effects of the herbicide clethodim on Raphidiopsis raciborskii (a.k.a. Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii) ITEPA1 and Microcystis aeruginosa BCCUSP232. On day four of the experiment, the exposure to 25 mg/L clethodim resulted in the highest cell density of R. raciborskii. Similarly, exposure to the 1, 5, 20, and 50 mg/L clethodim treatments resulted in the highest cell densities of M. aeruginosa on day 4 of the experiment. Medium effect concentrations (EC50) after 96 h of exposure of both strains to clethodim were 192.98 mg/L and 168.73 mg/L for R. raciborskii and M. aeruginosa, respectively. The presence of clethodim significantly increased the total microcystin content of M. aeruginosa compared to the control cultures. At 400 mg/L, total saxitoxins content of R. raciborskii was 27% higher than that of the control cultures on day 4. In contrast, cultures exposed to 100 mg/L clethodim had the lowest saxitoxins levels per cell quota. There was an increase in the levels of intracellular hydrogen peroxide in both species during exposure to clethodim, which was followed by significant changes (p < 0.05) in the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. These results revealed that the presence of low levels of clethodim in the aquatic environment might lead to the excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria and alteration of their cyanotoxins content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Brêda-Alves
- Laboratory of Taxonomy and Ecology of Algae Continents, Department of Botany, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 29075-015, Brazil.
| | - Frederico Pacheco Militão
- Laboratory of Taxonomy and Ecology of Algae Continents, Department of Botany, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 29075-015, Brazil
| | - Brener Freitas de Alvarenga
- Laboratory of Taxonomy and Ecology of Algae Continents, Department of Botany, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 29075-015, Brazil
| | - Pamela Ferreira Miranda
- Laboratory of Taxonomy and Ecology of Algae Continents, Department of Botany, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 29075-015, Brazil
| | - Valéria de Oliveira Fernandes
- Laboratory of Taxonomy and Ecology of Algae Continents, Department of Botany, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 29075-015, Brazil
| | - Micheline Kézia Cordeiro-Araújo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, São Dimas, 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Mathias Ahii Chia
- Department of Botany, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 810001, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, São Dimas, 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
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15
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Riba M, Kiss-Szikszai A, Gonda S, Parizsa P, Deák B, Török P, Valkó O, Felföldi T, Vasas G. Chemotyping of terrestrial Nostoc-like isolates from alkali grassland areas by non-targeted peptide analysis. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.101798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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16
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Burberg C, Petzoldt T, von Elert E. Phosphate Limitation Increases Content of Protease Inhibitors in the Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E33. [PMID: 31935921 PMCID: PMC7020438 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased anthropogenic nutrient input has led to eutrophication of lakes and ponds, resulting worldwide in more frequent and severe cyanobacterial blooms. In particular, enhanced availability of phosphorus (P) can promote cyanobacterial mass developments and may affect the content of secondary metabolites in cyanobacteria, such as protease inhibitors (PIs). PIs are common among cyanobacteria and have been shown to negatively affect herbivorous zooplankton. Here, we test the hypothesis that P-limitation reduces the growth of Microcystis, but increases the content of PIs. In batch culture experiments with eight different initial phosphate concentrations (5-75 µM) we determined growth, stoichiometry, and PI content of Microcystis aeruginosa NIVA Cya 43. This strain produces the protease inhibitor BN920 that is converted by chlorination to CP954, which constitutes the major PI in this strain. C:N:P-ratios of the biomass indicated variation of P-limitation with treatment and time. When normalized to biomass, the PI content varied up to nearly nineteen-fold with treatment and time and was highest in the low-P treatments, especially during the mid-exponential growth phase. However, these effects were alleviated under nitrogen co-limitation. The content of CP954 showed an inverse u-shaped response to growth rate and C:N-ratio of the cyanobacterial biomass, whereas it increased with cyanobacterial C:P. The results indicate that P-limitation supports a higher content of defensive PIs and may indirectly foster cyanobacterial blooms by increasing the negative interference of cyanobacteria with their consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Burberg
- Workgroup Aquatic Chemical Ecology, Institute for Zoology, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Thomas Petzoldt
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Eric von Elert
- Workgroup Aquatic Chemical Ecology, Institute for Zoology, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany;
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17
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Bioactive Peptides Produced by Cyanobacteria of the Genus Nostoc: A Review. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17100561. [PMID: 31569531 PMCID: PMC6835634 DOI: 10.3390/md17100561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc are widespread in all kinds of habitats. They occur in a free-living state or in association with other organisms. Members of this genus belong to prolific producers of bioactive metabolites, some of which have been recognized as potential therapeutic agents. Of these, peptides and peptide-like structures show the most promising properties and are of a particular interest for both research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. Nostoc is a sole source of some lead compounds such as cytotoxic cryptophycins, antiviral cyanovirin-N, or the antitoxic nostocyclopeptides. Nostoc also produces the same bioactive peptides as other cyanobacterial genera, but they frequently have some unique modifications in the structure. This includes hepatotoxic microcystins and potent proteases inhibitors such as cyanopeptolins, anabaenopeptins, and microginins. In this review, we described the most studied peptides produced by Nostoc, focusing especially on the structure, the activity, and a potential application of the compounds.
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18
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Mecina GF, Chia MA, Cordeiro-Araújo MK, Bittencourt-Oliveira MDC, Varela RM, Torres A, González Molinillo JM, Macías FA, da Silva RMG. Effect of flavonoids isolated from Tridax procumbens on the growth and toxin production of Microcystis aeruginos. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 211:81-91. [PMID: 30954847 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The excessive proliferation of toxin producing cyanobacteria constitutes a significant health risk to the environment and humans. This is due to the contamination of potable water and accumulation of cyanotoxins in plant and animal tissues. As a means of controlling bloom forming cyanobacteria, secondary metabolites with pro-oxidative activities from plants are used to treat water bodies contaminated with cyanobacterial blooms and their associated toxins. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the mechanism of action of extract, fractions and isolated flavonoids of Tridax procumbens L. on Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing. by monitoring changes in growth, oxidative stress, antioxidant response, and cyanatoxin microcystins (MCs) production. The extract, fraction 3 and the isolated flavonoids significantly reduced the cell density of the cyanobacterium. Furthermore, the extract and fraction 3 increased the production of reactive oxygen species, induced lipid peroxidation, and altered antioxidant enzyme activities of M. aeruginosa. The total MCs content of the cyanobacterium was negatively affected by the presence of the extract, fractions and isolated flavonoids. The present study show that T. procumbens has secondary metabolites that are capable of interfering with the physiology and microcystins production of M. aeruginosa. These characteristics are promising for the control of this noxious cyanobacterium in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Franciscatti Mecina
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Sciences, Humanities and Languages Assis, Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Herbal Medicine and Natural Products, Avenida Dom Antônio 2100, CEP: 19806-900, Assis, São Paulo, Brazil; São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Rua Prof. Francisco Degni 55, CEP: 14800-060, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mathias Ahii Chia
- Department of Botany, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 810001 Nigeria
| | - Micheline Kézia Cordeiro-Araújo
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria do Carmo Bittencourt-Oliveira
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria Varela
- Allelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), Campus de Excelencia Internacional 6 (ceiA3), School of Science, University of Cadiz, C/República Saharaui 7, 11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Ascensión Torres
- Allelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), Campus de Excelencia Internacional 6 (ceiA3), School of Science, University of Cadiz, C/República Saharaui 7, 11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
| | - José María González Molinillo
- Allelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), Campus de Excelencia Internacional 6 (ceiA3), School of Science, University of Cadiz, C/República Saharaui 7, 11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Francisco Antonio Macías
- Allelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), Campus de Excelencia Internacional 6 (ceiA3), School of Science, University of Cadiz, C/República Saharaui 7, 11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Regildo Márcio Gonçalves da Silva
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Sciences, Humanities and Languages Assis, Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Herbal Medicine and Natural Products, Avenida Dom Antônio 2100, CEP: 19806-900, Assis, São Paulo, Brazil; São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Rua Prof. Francisco Degni 55, CEP: 14800-060, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
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19
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Kust A, Urajová P, Hrouzek P, Vu DL, Čapková K, Štenclová L, Řeháková K, Kozlíková-Zapomělová E, Lepšová-Skácelová O, Lukešová A, Mareš J. A new microcystin producing Nostoc strain discovered in broad toxicological screening of non-planktic Nostocaceae (cyanobacteria). Toxicon 2018; 150:66-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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20
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Chia MA, Jankowiak JG, Kramer BJ, Goleski JA, Huang IS, Zimba PV, do Carmo Bittencourt-Oliveira M, Gobler CJ. Succession and toxicity of Microcystis and Anabaena (Dolichospermum) blooms are controlled by nutrient-dependent allelopathic interactions. HARMFUL ALGAE 2018; 74:67-77. [PMID: 29724344 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 03/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microcystis and Anabaena (Dolichospermum) are among the most toxic cyanobacterial genera and often succeed each other during harmful algal blooms. The role allelopathy plays in the succession of these genera is not fully understood. The allelopathic interactions of six strains of Microcystis and Anabaena under different nutrient conditions in co-culture and in culture-filtrate experiments were investigated. Microcystis strains significantly reduced the growth of Anabaena strains in mixed cultures with direct cell-to-cell contact and high nutrient levels. Cell-free filtrate from Microcystis cultures proved equally potent in suppressing the growth of nutrient replete Anabaena cultures while also significantly reducing anatoxin-a production. Allelopathic interactions between Microcystis and Anabaena were, however, partly dependent on ambient nutrient levels. Anabaena dominated under low N conditions and Microcystis dominated under nutrient replete and low P during which allelochemicals caused the complete suppression of nitrogen fixation by Anabaena and stimulated glutathione S-transferase activity. The microcystin content of Microcystis was lowered with decreasing N and the presence of Anabaena decreased it further under low P and high nutrient conditions. Collectively, these results indicate that strong allelopathic interactions between Microcystis and Anabaena are closely intertwined with the availability of nutrients and that allelopathy may contribute to the succession, nitrogen availability, and toxicity of cyanobacterial blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias A Chia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, São Dimas, Postal code: 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil; School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Southampton, NY, 11968, United States
| | - Jennifer G Jankowiak
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Southampton, NY, 11968, United States
| | - Benjamin J Kramer
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Southampton, NY, 11968, United States
| | - Jennifer A Goleski
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Southampton, NY, 11968, United States
| | - I-Shuo Huang
- Center for Coastal Studies (CCS), Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 United States
| | - Paul V Zimba
- Center for Coastal Studies (CCS), Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 United States
| | - Maria do Carmo Bittencourt-Oliveira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, São Dimas, Postal code: 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Christopher J Gobler
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Southampton, NY, 11968, United States.
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21
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Martínez-Ruiz EB, Martínez-Jerónimo F. Exposure to the herbicide 2,4-D produces different toxic effects in two different phytoplankters: A green microalga (Ankistrodesmus falcatus) and a toxigenic cyanobacterium (Microcystis aeruginosa). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 619-620:1566-1578. [PMID: 29070448 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The extensive use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxiacetic acid (2,4-D) in agriculture is an important source of pollution to water and soil. Toxicity of commonly used herbicides to non-target, planktonic photosynthetic organisms has not been described completely yet. Therefore, we determined the effect of subinhibitory 2,4-D concentrations on the Chlorophycean alga Ankistrodesmus falcatus and on a toxigenic strain of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Population growth, photosynthetic pigments, macromolecular biomarkers (carbohydrates, lipids, and protein), and antioxidant enzymes (catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPx], and superoxide dismutase [SOD]) were quantified, and the integrated biomarker response (IBR) was calculated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations were also performed. The 96-h median inhibitory concentration (IC50) for 2,4-D was 1353.80 and 71.20mgL-1 for the alga and the cyanobacterium, respectively. Under 2,4-D stress, both organisms increased pigments and macromolecules concentration, modified the activity of all the evaluated enzymes, and exhibited ultrastructural alterations. M. aeruginosa also increased microcystins production, and A. falcatus showed external morphological alterations. The green alga was tolerant to high concentrations of the herbicide, whereas the cyanobacterium exhibited sensitivity comparable to other phytoplankters. Both organisms were tolerant to comparatively high concentrations of the herbicide; however, negative effects on the assessed biomarkers and cell morphology were significant. Moreover, stimulation of the production of cyanotoxins under chemical stress could increase the risk for the biota in aquatic environments, related to herbicides pollution in eutrophic freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Berenice Martínez-Ruiz
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Hidrobiología Experimental, Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Fernando Martínez-Jerónimo
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Hidrobiología Experimental, Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Mexico City 11340, Mexico.
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Abu-Serie MM, Nasser N, Abd El-Wahab A, Shehawy R, Pienaar H, Baddour N, Amer R. In vivo assessment of the hepatotoxicity of a new Nostoc isolate from the Nile River: Nostoc sp. strain NRI. Toxicon 2018; 143:81-89. [PMID: 29366868 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Nostoc sp. is one of the most widely distributed cyanobacterial genera that produce potentially protein phosphatase (PP) inhibitor; microcystins (MCs). MCs have posed a worldwide concern due to predominant hepatotoxicity to human health. We have previously isolated a Nostoc strain (NR1) from the Nile River (the main water supply in Egypt) and this strain exerted production of rare and highly toxic MC; demethylated microcystin-LR. There is no data concerning risk factors of liver diseases for human and animal exposure to NR1-contaminated drinking water yet. It is thus important to evaluate acute (LD50 dose), subacute (0.01% and 10% of LD50 dose) and subchronic (0.01% and 10% of LD50 dose) hepatotoxicity's NR1 extract using experimental mice. Mice groups, who orally received 0.01% LD50, represented a permissible concentration of the World Health Organization (WHO) for MC in drinking water. Several parameters were detected, including hepatotoxicity (i.e. PP activity, liver function, oxidative stress markers and DNA fragmentation), pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) and liver histopathology. Our results demonstrated LD50 of NR1 extract was at 15,350 mg/kg body weight and caused hepatotoxicity that attributed to PP inhibition and a significant increase of hepatic damage biomarkers with lipid accumulation. Moreover, NR1 extract induced hepatic oxidative damage that may have led to DNA fragmentation and production of TNF-α. As demonstrated from the histopathological study, NR1 extract caused a severe collapse of cytoskeleton with subsequent focal degeneration of hepatocytes, necroinflammation and steatosis. The grade of hepatotoxicity in subacute (10% of LD50) group was higher than that in the subchronic (10% of LD50 and 0.01% of LD50, WHOch, respectively) groups. No significant hepatotoxicity was detectable for subacute (0.01% of LD50, WHOac) group. NR1 is therefore considered as one of the harmful and life-threatening cyanobacteria for Egyptian people being exposed to dose above WHO guideline. Thus, biological indicators and thresholds for water treatment are extremely needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa M Abu-Serie
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El Arab, Egypt.
| | - Nermine Nasser
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El Arab, Egypt.
| | - Abeer Abd El-Wahab
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El Arab, Egypt.
| | - Rehab Shehawy
- Institute IMDEA-Agua, C/Punto Net4, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Harrison Pienaar
- CSIR, Natural Resources and Environment, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | | | - Ranya Amer
- Environment and Natural Materials Research Institute (ENMRI), SRTA-City, New Borg El Arab, Egypt.
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Cantoral Uriza EA, Asencio AD, Aboal M. Are We Underestimating Benthic Cyanotoxins? Extensive Sampling Results from Spain. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9120385. [PMID: 29182536 PMCID: PMC5744105 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9120385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Microcystins (MCs) are potent hepatotoxins, and their presence in water bodies poses a threat to wildlife and human populations. Most of the available information refers to plankton, and much less is known about microcystins in other habitats. To broaden our understanding of the presence and environmental distribution of this group of toxins, we conducted extensive sampling throughout Spain, under a range of conditions and in distinct aquatic and terrestrial habitats. More than half of the tested strains were toxic; concentrations of the hepatotoxin were low compared with planktic communities, and the number of toxic variants identified in each sample of the Spanish strains ranged from 1–3. The presence of microcystins LF and LY (MC-LF and MC-LY) in the tested samples was significant, and ranged from 21.4% to 100% of the total microcystins per strain. These strains were only detected in cyanobacteria Oscillatoriales and Nostocales. We can report, for the first time, seven new species of microcystin producers in high mountain rivers and chasmoendolithic communities. This is the first report of these species in Geitlerinema and the confirmation of Anatoxin-a in Phormidium uncinatum. Our findings show that microcystins are widespread in all habitat types, including both aerophytic and endolithic peat bogs and that it is necessary to identify all the variants of microcystins in aquatic bodies as the commonest toxins sometimes represent a very low proportion of the total.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique A Cantoral Uriza
- Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación (UMDI), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, C.P. Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
| | - Antonia D Asencio
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada (Botánica), Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Campus de Elche, E-03202 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Marina Aboal
- Laboratorio de Algología, Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, E-30100 Murcia, Spain.
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Chia MA, Cordeiro-Araújo MK, Lorenzi AS, Bittencourt-Oliveira MDC. Cylindrospermopsin induced changes in growth, toxin production and antioxidant response of Acutodesmus acuminatus and Microcystis aeruginosa under differing light and nitrogen conditions. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2017; 142:189-199. [PMID: 28411514 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that some bioactive metabolites (e.g. cyanotoxins) produced by cyanobacteria have allelopathic potential, due to their inhibitory or stimulatory effects on competing species. Although a number of studies have shown that the cyanotoxin cylindrospermopsin (CYN) has variable effects on phytoplankton species, the impact of changing physicochemical conditions on its allelopathic potential is yet to be investigated. We investigated the physiological response of Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanobacteria) and Acutodesmus acuminatus (Chlorophyta) to CYN under varying nitrogen and light conditions. At 24h, higher microcystins content of M. aeruginosa was recorded under limited light in the presence of CYN, while at 120h the lower levels of the toxins were observed in the presence of CYN under optimum light. Total MCs concentration was significantly (p<0.05) lowered by CYN after 120h of exposure under limited and optimum nitrogen conditions. On the other hand, there were no significant (p>0.05) changes in total MCs concentrations after exposure to CYN under high nitrogen conditions. As expected, limited light and limited nitrogen conditions resulted in lower cell density of both species, while CYN only significantly (p<0.05) inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa. Regardless of the light or nitrogen condition, the presence of CYN increased internal H2O2 content of both species, which resulted in significant (p<0.05) changes in antioxidant enzyme (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase) activities. The oxidative stress caused by CYN was higher under limited light and limited nitrogen. These results showed that M. aeruginosa and A. acuminatus have variable response to CYN under changing light and nitrogen conditions, and demonstrate that need to consider changes in physicochemical conditions during ecotoxicological and ecophysiological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Ahii Chia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, São Dimas, CEP 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Micheline Kézia Cordeiro-Araújo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, São Dimas, CEP 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana Sturion Lorenzi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, São Dimas, CEP 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria do Carmo Bittencourt-Oliveira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, São Dimas, CEP 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
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Buratti FM, Manganelli M, Vichi S, Stefanelli M, Scardala S, Testai E, Funari E. Cyanotoxins: producing organisms, occurrence, toxicity, mechanism of action and human health toxicological risk evaluation. Arch Toxicol 2017; 91:1049-1130. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1913-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Papadimitriou T, Kormas K, Dionysiou DD, Laspidou C. Using H 2O 2 treatments for the degradation of cyanobacteria and microcystins in a shallow hypertrophic reservoir. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:21523-21535. [PMID: 27515523 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7418-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Toxins produced by cyanobacteria in freshwater ecosystems constitute a serious health risk worldwide for humans that may use the affected water bodies for recreation, drinking water, and/or irrigation. Cyanotoxins have also been deemed responsible for loss of animal life in many places around the world. This paper explores the effect of H2O2 treatments on cyanobacteria and microcystins in natural samples from a hypertrophic reservoir in microcosm experiments. According to the results, cyanobacteria were more easily affected by H2O2 than by other phytoplanktonic groups. This was shown by the increase in the fractions of chlorophyll-a (a proxy for phytoplankton) and chlorophyll-b (a proxy for green algae) over total phytoplankton pigments and the decrease in the fraction of phycocyanin (a proxy for cyanobacteria) over total phytoplankton pigments. Thus, while an overall increase in phytoplankton occurred, a preferential decrease in cyanobacteria was observed with H2O2 treatments over a few hours. Moreover, significant degradation of total microcystins was observed under H2O2 treatments, while more microcystins were degraded when UV radiation was used in combination with H2O2. The combination of H2O2 and ultraviolet (UV) treatment in natural samples resulted in total microcystin concentrations that were below the World Health Organization limit for safe consumption of drinking water of 1 μg/L. Although further investigation into the effects of H2O2 addition on ecosystem function must be performed, our results show that the application of H2O2 could be a promising method for the degradation of microcystins in reservoirs and the reduction of public health risks related to the occurrence of harmful algal blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstantinos Kormas
- Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
| | - Dionysios D Dionysiou
- Environmental Engineering and Science Program, Department of Biomedical, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Chrysi Laspidou
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece.
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Microcystin production and regulation under nutrient stress conditions in toxic microcystis strains. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 80:5836-43. [PMID: 25038094 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01009-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microcystin is a common and well-known cyanobacterial toxin whose intracellular role is still under investigation. Increasing knowledge on microcystin gene expression and regulation can contribute to the understanding of its putative cellular function. In this work, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to investigate the transcriptional response of the mcyD gene to nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) and phosphorus limitation in two toxic Microcystis strains. The existence of a direct correlation between transcripts of mcyD and ntcA genes was also identified. In previous studies, NtcA (global nitrogen regulator) has been described as a potential component in the control of microcystin biosynthesis. This research showed that stress agents linked to nutrient deprivation could lead to a significant increase of microcystin production in both strains studied. The more toxic strain proved to be more resistant to nutrient limitation. The similar outcomes of mcyD regulation observed for all nutrients suggest that this response can be linked to oxidative stress of cells undergoing adverse growth conditions.
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Boopathi T, Ki JS. Impact of environmental factors on the regulation of cyanotoxin production. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:1951-78. [PMID: 24967641 PMCID: PMC4113735 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6071951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are capable of thriving in almost all environments. Recent changes in climatic conditions due to increased human activities favor the occurrence and severity of harmful cyanobacterial bloom all over the world. Knowledge of the regulation of cyanotoxins by the various environmental factors is essential for effective management of toxic cyanobacterial bloom. In recent years, progress in the field of molecular mechanisms involved in cyanotoxin production has paved the way for assessing the role of various factors on the cyanotoxin production. In this review, we present an overview of the influence of various environmental factors on the production of major group of cyanotoxins, including microcystins, nodularin, cylindrospermopsin, anatoxins and saxitoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jang-Seu Ki
- Department of Life Science, Sangmyung University, Seoul 110-743, Korea.
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Gehringer MM, Wannicke N. Climate change and regulation of hepatotoxin production in Cyanobacteria. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2014; 88:1-25. [PMID: 24490596 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Harmful, bloom-forming cyanobacteria (CyanoHABs) are occurring with increasing regularity in freshwater and marine ecosystems. The most commonly occurring cyanobacterial toxins are the hepatotoxic microcystin and nodularin. These cyclic hepta- and pentapeptides are synthesised nonribosomally by the gene products of the toxin gene clusters mcy and nda, respectively. Understanding of the regulation of hepatotoxin production is incomplete, although there is strong evidence supporting the roles of iron, light, higher nitrate availability and inorganic carbon in modulating microcystin levels. The majority of these studies have focused on the unicellular freshwater, microcystin-producing strain of Microcystis aeruginosa, with little attention being paid to terrestrial or marine toxin producers. This review intends to investigate the regulation of microcystin and nodularin production in unicellular and filamentous diazotrophic cyanobacteria against the background of changing climate conditions. Special focus is given to diazotrophic filamentous cyanobacteria, for example Nodularia spumigena, capable of regulating their nitrogen levels by actively fixing dinitrogen. By combining data from significant studies, an overall scheme of the regulation of toxin production is presented, focussing specifically on nodularin production in diazotrophs against the background of increasing carbon dioxide concentrations and temperatures envisaged under current climate change models. Furthermore, the risk of sustaining and spreading CyanoHABs in the future ocean is evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Gehringer
- Department of Plant Ecology and Systematics, Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Holland A, Kinnear S. Interpreting the possible ecological role(s) of cyanotoxins: compounds for competitive advantage and/or physiological aide? Mar Drugs 2013; 11:2239-58. [PMID: 23807545 PMCID: PMC3736421 DOI: 10.3390/md11072239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, most research on freshwater cyanotoxin(s) has focused on understanding the dynamics of toxin production and decomposition, as well as evaluating the environmental conditions that trigger toxin production, all with the objective of informing management strategies and options for risk reduction. Comparatively few research studies have considered how this information can be used to understand the broader ecological role of cyanotoxin(s), and the possible applications of this knowledge to the management of toxic blooms. This paper explores the ecological, toxicological, and genetic evidence for cyanotoxin production in natural environments. The possible evolutionary advantages of toxin production are grouped into two main themes: That of "competitive advantage" or "physiological aide". The first grouping illustrates how compounds produced by cyanobacteria may have originated from the need for a cellular defence mechanism, in response to grazing pressure and/or resource competition. The second grouping considers the contribution that secondary metabolites make to improved cellular physiology, through benefits to homeostasis, photosynthetic efficiencies, and accelerated growth rates. The discussion also includes other factors in the debate about possible evolutionary roles for toxins, such as different modes of exposures and effects on non-target (i.e., non-competitive) species. The paper demonstrates that complex and multiple factors are at play in driving evolutionary processes in aquatic environments. This information may provide a fresh perspective on managing toxic blooms, including the need to use a "systems approach" to understand how physico-chemical conditions, as well biological stressors, interact to trigger toxin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleicia Holland
- Centre for Environmental Management, Central Queensland University, Bruce Highway, Rockhampton, QLD 4700, Australia.
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Kuniyoshi TM, Sevilla E, Bes MT, Fillat MF, Peleato ML. Phosphate deficiency (N/P 40:1) induces mcyD transcription and microcystin synthesis in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2013; 65:120-124. [PMID: 23481586 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2013.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A real-time RT-PCR analysis of the transcriptional response to phosphate availability of the mcyD gene and microcystin-LR synthesis in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 revealed that no significant changes were observed in the relative quantification of mcyD under excess phosphate (N/P = 1:1), whereas in deficiency of this nutrient (N/P = 40:1), a steady increase of mcyD during the exponential growth phase was detected, showing a maximal level on the 7th day of growth with a 6.8-fold increase over the control cells. The microcystin content in phosphate deficient cells correlates with the trend of mcyD transcription observed. Also, in this work we demonstrate that under phosphate deficiency conditions with a ratio of 40:1 N/P, the growth of M. aeruginosa PCC7806 was not affected when compared to control and phosphate excess samples. When blooms occur, the nutrients become exhausted and therefore phosphate availability will be scarce. In such a complex scenario, microcystin synthesis could be a response to phosphate deficiency, among other stress parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taís M Kuniyoshi
- Departamento de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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Schwarzenberger A, Sadler T, Von Elert E. Effect of nutrient limitation of cyanobacteria on protease inhibitor production and fitness of Daphnia magna. J Exp Biol 2013; 216:3649-55. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.088849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Summary
Herbivore-plant interactions have been well studied in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as they are crucial for the trophic transfer of energy and matter. In nutrient-rich freshwater ecosystems, the interaction between primary producers and herbivores is to a large extent represented by Daphnia and cyanobacteria. The occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in lakes and ponds has, at least partly, been attributed to cyanotoxins, which negatively affect the major grazer of planktonic cyanobacteria, i.e. Daphnia. Among these cyanotoxins are the wide-spread protease inhibitors. These inhibitors have been shown (both in vitro and in situ) to inhibit the most important group of digestive proteases in the gut of Daphnia, i.e. trypsins and chymotrypsins, and to reduce Daphnia growth. In this study we grew cultures of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa strain BM25 on nutrient replete, N-depleted or P-depleted medium. We identified three different micropeptins to be the cause for the inhibitory activity of BM25 against chymotrypsins. The micropeptin content depended on nutrient availability: Whereas N-limitation led to a lower concentration of micropeptins per biomass, P-limitation resulted in a higher production of these chymotrypsin inhibitors. The altered micropeptin content of BM25 was accompanied by changed effects on the fitness of Daphnia: A higher content of micropeptins led to lower IC50 values for Daphnia gut proteases and vice-versa. Following expectations, the lower content of micropeptins in the N-depleted BM25 caused higher somatic growth of Daphnia. Therefore, protease inhibitors can be regarded as a nutrient-dependent defence against grazers. Interestingly, although the P-limitation of the cyanobacterium led to a higher micropeptin content, high growth of D. magna was observed when they were fed with P-depleted BM25. This might be due to reduced digestibility of P-depleted cells with putatively thick mucilaginous sheaths. These findings indicate that both the grazer and the cyanobacterium benefit from P-reduction in light of digestibility and growth inhibition, which is an interesting starting point for further studies.
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Antunes JT, Leão PN, Vasconcelos VM. Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the allelopathic activity of the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii strain LEGE 99043. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2012; 64:584-592. [PMID: 22562107 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-012-0061-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Allelopathy is considered to be one of the factors underlying the global expansion of the toxic cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. Although the production and release of allelopathic compounds by cyanobacteria is acknowledged to be influenced by environmental parameters, the response of C. raciborskii remains generally unrecognized. Here, the growth and allelopathic potential of C. raciborskii strain LEGE 99043 towards the ubiquitous microalga Ankistrodesmus falcatus were analyzed under different biotic and abiotic conditions. Filtrates from C. raciborskii cultures growing at different cell densities displayed broad inhibitory activity. Moreover, higher temperature, higher light intensity as well phosphate limitation further enhanced this activity. The distinct and comprehensive patterns of inhibition verified during the growth phase, and under the tested parameters, suggest the action of several, still unidentified allelopathic compounds. It is expectable that the observed increase in allelopathic activity can result in distinct ecological advantages to C. raciborskii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge T Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
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Gagnon A, Pick FR. Effect of nitrogen on cellular production and release of the neurotoxin anatoxin-a in a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium. Front Microbiol 2012; 3:211. [PMID: 22701451 PMCID: PMC3373148 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2012.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anatoxin-a (ANTX) is a neurotoxin produced by several freshwater cyanobacteria and implicated in lethal poisonings of domesticated animals and wildlife. The factors leading to its production in nature and in culture are not well understood. Resource availability may influence its cellular production as suggested by the carbon-nutrient hypothesis, which links the amount of secondary metabolites produced by plants or microbes to the relative abundance of nutrients. We tested the effects of nitrogen supply (as 1, 5, and 100% N of standard cyanobacterial medium corresponding to 15, 75, and 1500 mg L(-1) of NaNO(3) respectively) on ANTX production and release in a toxic strain of the planktonic cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon issatschenkoi (Nostocales). We hypothesized that nitrogen deficiency might constrain the production of ANTX. However, the total concentration and more significantly the cellular content of anatoxin-a peaked (max. 146 μg/L and 1683 μg g(-1) dry weight) at intermediate levels of nitrogen supply when N-deficiency was evident based on phycocyanin to chlorophyll a and carbon to nitrogen ratios. The results suggest that the cellular production of anatoxin-a may be stimulated by moderate nitrogen stress. Maximal cellular contents of other cyanotoxins have recently been reported under severe stress conditions in another Nostocales species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Gagnon
- Center for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Cyanobacteria produce a high variety of hepatotoxic peptides in lichen symbiosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:5886-91. [PMID: 22451908 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1200279109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lichens are symbiotic associations between fungi and photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria. Microcystins are potent toxins that are responsible for the poisoning of both humans and animals. These toxins are mainly associated with aquatic cyanobacterial blooms, but here we show that the cyanobacterial symbionts of terrestrial lichens from all over the world commonly produce microcystins. We screened 803 lichen specimens from five different continents for cyanobacterial toxins by amplifying a part of the gene cluster encoding the enzyme complex responsible for microcystin production and detecting toxins directly from lichen thalli. We found either the biosynthetic genes for making microcystins or the toxin itself in 12% of all analyzed lichen specimens. A plethora of different microcystins was found with over 50 chemical variants, and many of the variants detected have only rarely been reported from free-living cyanobacteria. In addition, high amounts of nodularin, up to 60 μg g(-1), were detected from some lichen thalli. This microcystin analog and potent hepatotoxin has previously been known only from the aquatic bloom-forming genus Nodularia. Our results demonstrate that the production of cyanobacterial hepatotoxins in lichen symbiosis is a global phenomenon and occurs in many different lichen lineages. The very high genetic diversity of the mcyE gene and the chemical diversity of microcystins suggest that lichen symbioses may have been an important environment for diversification of these cyanobacteria.
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