MNB13 to excess Mn(Ⅱ) and the role of H2S in Mn(Ⅱ) resistance

Halomonas spp. are moderately halophilic bacteria with the ability to tolerate various heavy metals. However, the role of basic cellular metabolism, particularly amino acid metabolism, has not been investigated in Halomonas spp. under excess Mn(Ⅱ). The strain Halomonas sp. MNB13 was isolated from a deep-sea ferromanganese nodule and can tolerate 80 mM Mn(Ⅱ). To comprehensively explore the mechanisms underlying its resistance to excess Mn(Ⅱ), we conducted a comparative proteome analysis. The data revealed that both 10 mM and 50 mM Mn(Ⅱ) significantly up-regulated the expression of proteins involved in Mn(Ⅱ) transport (MntE), oxidative stress response (alkyl hydroperoxide reductase and the Suf system), and amino acid metabolism (arginine, cysteine, methionine, and phenylalanine). We further investigated the role of cysteine metabolism in Mn(Ⅱ) resistance by examining the function of its downstream product, H2S. Consistent with the up-regulation of cysteine desulfurase, we detected an elevated level of H2S in Halomonas sp. MNB13 cells under Mn(Ⅱ) stress, along with increased intracellular levels of H2O2 and O2•-. Upon exogenous addition of H2S, we observed a significant restoration of the growth of Halomonas sp. MNB13. Moreover, we identified decreased intracellular levels of H2O2 and O2•- in MNB13 cells, which coincided with a decreased formation of Mn-oxides during cultivation. In contrast, in cultures containing NaHS, the residual Mn(Ⅱ) levels were higher than in cultures without NaHS. Therefore, H2S improves Mn(Ⅱ) tolerance by eliminating intracellular reactive oxygen species rather than decreasing Mn(Ⅱ) concentration in solution. Our findings indicate that cysteine metabolism, particularly the intermediate H2S, plays a pivotal role in Mn(Ⅱ) resistance by mitigating the damage caused by reactive oxygen species. These findings provide new insights into the amino acid mechanisms associated with Mn(Ⅱ) resistance in bacteria.