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Sun T, Huo H, Zhang Y, Xie Y, Li Y, Pan K, Zhang F, Liu J, Tong Y, Zhang W, Chen L. Engineered Cyanobacteria-Based Living Materials for Bioremediation of Heavy Metals Both In Vitro and In Vivo. ACS NANO 2024; 18:17694-17706. [PMID: 38932609 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c02493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The pollution caused by heavy metals (HMs) represents a global concern due to their serious environmental threat. Photosynthetic cyanobacteria have a natural niche and the ability to remediate HMs such as cadmium. However, their practical application is hindered by a low tolerance to HMs and issues related to recycling. In response to these challenges, this study focuses on the development and evaluation of engineered cyanobacteria-based living materials for HMs bioremediation. Genes encoding phytochelatins (PCSs) and metallothioneins (MTs) were introduced into the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, creating PM/6803. The strain exhibited improved tolerance to multiple HMs and effectively removed a combination of Cd2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+. Using Cd2+ as a representative, PM/6803 achieved a bioremediation rate of approximately 21 μg of Cd2+/OD750 under the given test conditions. To facilitate its controllable application, PM/6803 was encapsulated using sodium alginate-based hydrogels (PM/6803@SA) to create "living materials" with different shapes. This system was feasible, biocompatible, and effective for removing Cd2+ under simulated conditions of zebrafish and mice models. Briefly, in vitro application of PM/6803@SA efficiently rescued zebrafish from polluted water containing Cd2+, while in vivo use of PM/6803@SA significantly decreased the Cd2+ content in mice bodies and restored their active behavior. The study offers feasible strategies for HMs bioremediation using the interesting biomaterials of engineered cyanobacteria both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Sun
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology & Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Huaishu Huo
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology & Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- School of Medical Imaging, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaru Xie
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology & Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yize Li
- School of Medical Imaging, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Kungang Pan
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology & Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Fenfang Zhang
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology & Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yindong Tong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwen Zhang
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology & Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Chen
- Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology & Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
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Mosna K, Jurczak K, Krężel A. Differentiated Zn(II) binding affinities in animal, plant, and bacterial metallothioneins define their zinc buffering capacity at physiological pZn. Metallomics 2023; 15:mfad061. [PMID: 37804185 PMCID: PMC10612145 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are small, Cys-rich proteins present in various but not all organisms, from bacteria to humans. They participate in zinc and copper metabolism, toxic metals detoxification, and protection against reactive species. Structurally, they contain one or multiple domains, capable of binding a variable number of metal ions. For experimental convenience, biochemical characterization of MTs is mainly performed on Cd(II)-loaded proteins, frequently omitting or limiting Zn(II) binding features and related functions. Here, by choosing 10 MTs with relatively well-characterized structures from animals, plants, and bacteria, we focused on poorly investigated Zn(II)-to-protein affinities, stability-structure relations, and the speciation of individual complexes. For that purpose, MTs were characterized in terms of stoichiometry, pH-dependent Zn(II) binding, and competition with chromogenic and fluorescent probes. To shed more light on protein folding and its relation with Zn(II) affinity, reactivity of variously Zn(II)-loaded MTs was studied by (5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) oxidation in the presence of mild chelators. The results show that animal and plant MTs, despite their architectural differences, demonstrate the same affinities to Zn(II), varying from nano- to low picomolar range. Bacterial MTs bind Zn(II) more tightly but, importantly, with different affinities from low picomolar to low femtomolar range. The presence of weak, moderate, and tight zinc sites is related to the folding mechanisms and internal electrostatic interactions. Differentiated affinities of all MTs define their zinc buffering capacity required for Zn(II) donation and acceptance at various free Zn(II) concentrations (pZn levels). The data demonstrate critical roles of individual Zn(II)-depleted MT species in zinc buffering processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Mosna
- Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Kinga Jurczak
- Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Artur Krężel
- Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
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Khoironi A, Hadiyanto H, Hartini E, Dianratri I, Joelyna FA, Pratiwi WZ. Impact of disposable mask microplastics pollution on the aquatic environment and microalgae growth. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27651-5. [PMID: 37256394 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27651-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has mandated people to use medical masks to protect the public. However the improper management of disposable mask waste has led to the increase of marine pollution, in terms of water quality, and the decline in aquatic microorganisms. The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of disposable mask waste on fresh water and microalgae biomass quality. Disposable masks (untreated or treated with Enterococcus faecalis) were placed in 10-L glass reactors containing fresh water or water containing algal Chlorella sp. and its growth supplements (Chlorella medium) (four 10-L reactors in total) and kept in controlled conditions for 3 months. Water and biomass yield quality were evaluated using water quality analysis, spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and proximate lipid and protein analysis. Disposable masks, incubated in either fresh water or Chlorella medium, affected several water quality parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), and pH. Microplastic identification revealed that some fibers were present in the water following a 100-day treatment process. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was used to determine the change in important, organic functional groups and highlighted the disappearance of a peak at 1530 cm-1 corresponding to the primary protein (C-N) and the appearance of new peaks at 1651 cm-1 and 1270 cm-1 corresponding to methyl alcohol (CH2OH) and ketone (C = O), respectively. This indicated the detrimental effect of disposable mask fragmentation on the biomass quality. The SEM investigation has shown a damage to the surface membrane of Chlorella sp. cells. Altogether, disposable masks decreased the water quality and damaged microalgae by inhibiting their growth. Therefore, the disposable mask contaminated by various microbes, after being used by a human, may be one of the most dangerous hazards to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adian Khoironi
- Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE), Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
- Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Science, Dian Nuswantoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Hadiyanto Hadiyanto
- Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE), Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia.
- School of Postgraduate Studies, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia.
- Chemical Engineering Department, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia.
| | - Eko Hartini
- Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE), Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
- Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Science, Dian Nuswantoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
- School of Postgraduate Studies, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Inggar Dianratri
- Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE), Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Falvocha Alifsmara Joelyna
- Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE), Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
- Chemical Engineering Department, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Wahyu Zuli Pratiwi
- Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE), Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
- Chemical Engineering Department, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
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He Z, Shen J, Li Q, Yang Y, Zhang D, Pan X. Bacterial metal(loid) resistance genes (MRGs) and their variation and application in environment: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:162148. [PMID: 36758696 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Toxic metal(loid)s are widespread and permanent in the biosphere, and bacteria have evolved a wide variety of metal(loid) resistance genes (MRGs) to resist the stress of excess metal(loid)s. Via active efflux, permeability barriers, extracellular/intracellular sequestration, enzymatic detoxification and reduction in metal(loid)s sensitivity of cellular targets, the key components of bacterial cells are protected from toxic metal(loid)s to maintain their normal physiological functions. Exploiting bacterial metal(loid) resistance mechanisms, MRGs have been applied in many environmental fields. Based on the specific binding ability of MRGs-encoded regulators to metal(loid)s, MRGs-dependent biosensors for monitoring environmental metal(loid)s are developed. MRGs-related biotechnologies have been applied to environmental remediation of metal(loid)s by using the metal(loid) tolerance, biotransformation, and biopassivation abilities of MRGs-carrying microorganisms. In this work, we review the historical evolution, resistance mechanisms, environmental variation, and environmental applications of bacterial MRGs. The potential hazards, unresolved problems, and future research directions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanfei He
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaquan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qunqun Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingli Yang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Daoyong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangliang Pan
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
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Biofilm formation risk assessment for psychrotrophic pseudomonas in raw milk by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2023.114508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Ducret V, Gonzalez D, Perron K. Zinc homeostasis in Pseudomonas. Biometals 2022:10.1007/s10534-022-00475-5. [PMID: 36472780 PMCID: PMC10393844 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-022-00475-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn the genus Pseudomonas, zinc homeostasis is mediated by a complete set of import and export systems, whose expression is precisely controlled by three transcriptional regulators: Zur, CzcR and CadR. In this review, we describe in detail our current knowledge of these systems, their regulation, and the biological significance of zinc homeostasis, taking Pseudomonas aeruginosa as our paradigm. Moreover, significant parts of this overview are dedicated to highlight interactions and cross-regulations between zinc and copper import/export systems, and to shed light, through a review of the literature and comparative genomics, on differences in gene complement and function across the whole Pseudomonas genus. The impact and importance of zinc homeostasis in Pseudomonas and beyond will be discussed throughout this review.
Graphical abstract
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Divya TV, Acharya C. AzuR From the SmtB/ArsR Family of Transcriptional Repressors Regulates Metallothionein in Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:782363. [PMID: 35095796 PMCID: PMC8790569 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.782363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich, metal-sequestering cytosolic proteins that play a key role in maintaining metal homeostasis and detoxification. We had previously characterized NmtA, a MT from the heterocystous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 and demonstrated its role in providing protection against cadmium toxicity. In this study, we illustrate the regulation of Anabaena NmtA by AzuR (Alr0831) belonging to the SmtB/ArsR family of transcriptional repressors. There is currently no experimental evidence for any functional role of AzuR. It is observed that azuR is located within the znuABC operon but in the opposite orientation and remotely away from the nmtA locus. Sequence analysis of AzuR revealed a high degree of sequence identity with Synechococcus SmtB and a distinct α5 metal binding site similar to that of SmtB. In order to characterize AzuR, we overexpressed it in Escherichia coli and purified it by chitin affinity chromatography. Far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated that the recombinant AzuR protein possessed a properly folded structure. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking and size-exclusion chromatography revealed that AzuR exists as a dimer of ∼28 kDa in solution. Analysis of its putative promoter region [100 bp upstream of nmtA open reading frame (ORF)] identified the presence of a 12–2–12 imperfect inverted repeat as the cis-acting element important for repressor binding. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) showed concentration-dependent binding of recombinant dimeric AzuR with the promoter indicating that NmtA is indeed a regulatory target of AzuR. Binding of AzuR to DNA was disrupted in the presence of metal ions like Zn2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Mn2+. The metal-dependent dissociation of protein–DNA complexes suggested the negative regulation of metal-inducible nmtA expression by AzuR. Overexpression of azuR in its native strain Anabaena 7120 enhanced the susceptibility to cadmium stress significantly. Overall, we propose a negative regulation of Anabaena MT by an α5 SmtB/ArsR metalloregulator AzuR.
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Affiliation(s)
- T V Divya
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Celin Acharya
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
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Thees AV, Pietrosimone KM, Melchiorre CK, Marden JN, Graf J, Lynes MA, Maltz-Matyschsyk M. PmtA Regulates Pyocyanin Expression and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:789765. [PMID: 34867928 PMCID: PMC8636135 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.789765] [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: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa expresses a small molecular weight, cysteine-rich protein (PmtA), identified as a metallothionein (MT) protein family member. The MT family proteins have been well-characterized in eukaryotes as essential for zinc and copper homeostasis, protection against oxidative stress, and the ability to modify a variety of immune activities. Bacterial MTs share sequence homology, antioxidant chemistry, and heavy metal-binding capacity with eukaryotic MTs, however, the impact of bacterial MTs on virulence and infection have not been well-studied. In the present study, we investigated the role of PmtA in P. aeruginosa PAO1 using a PmtA-deficient strain (ΔpmtA). Here we demonstrated the virulence factor, pyocyanin, relies on the expression of PmtA. We showed that PmtA may be protective against oxidative stress, as an alternative antioxidant, glutathione, can rescue pyocyanin expression. Furthermore, the expression of phzM, which encodes a pyocyanin precursor enzyme, was decreased in the ΔpmtA mutant during early stationary phase. Upregulated pmtA expression was previously detected in confluent biofilms, which are essential for chronic infection, and we observed that the ΔpmtA mutant was disrupted for biofilm formation. As biofilms also modulate antibiotic susceptibility, we examined the ΔpmtA mutant susceptibility to antibiotics and found that the ΔpmtA mutant is more susceptible to cefepime and ciprofloxacin than the wild-type strain. Finally, we observed that the deletion of pmtA results in decreased virulence in a waxworm model. Taken together, our results support the conclusion that PmtA is necessary for the full virulence of P. aeruginosa and may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy V Thees
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
| | - Kathryn M Pietrosimone
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
| | - Clare K Melchiorre
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
| | - Jeremiah N Marden
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
| | - Joerg Graf
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
| | - Michael A Lynes
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
| | - Michele Maltz-Matyschsyk
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
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Hofmann L, Hirsch M, Ruthstein S. Advances in Understanding of the Copper Homeostasis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2050. [PMID: 33669570 PMCID: PMC7922089 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thirty-five thousand people die as a result of more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections in the United States of America per year. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is classified a serious threat, the second-highest threat category of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Among others, the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages the discovery and development of novel antibiotic classes with new targets and mechanisms of action without cross-resistance to existing classes. To find potential new target sites in pathogenic bacteria, such as P. aeruginosa, it is inevitable to fully understand the molecular mechanism of homeostasis, metabolism, regulation, growth, and resistances thereof. P. aeruginosa maintains a sophisticated copper defense cascade comprising three stages, resembling those of public safety organizations. These stages include copper scavenging, first responder, and second responder. Similar mechanisms are found in numerous pathogens. Here we compare the copper-dependent transcription regulators cueR and copRS of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and P. aeruginosa. Further, phylogenetic analysis and structural modelling of mexPQ-opmE reveal that this efflux pump is unlikely to be involved in the copper export of P. aeruginosa. Altogether, we present current understandings of the copper homeostasis in P. aeruginosa and potential new target sites for antimicrobial agents or a combinatorial drug regimen in the fight against multidrug resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sharon Ruthstein
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials & Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel; (L.H.); (M.H.)
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