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Wang D, Wei M, Zhao L, Song T, Li Q, Tan J, Tang J, Li Z, Zhu R. Development of a novel fluorescent protein-based probe for efficient detection of Pb 2+ in serum inspired by the metalloregulatory protein PbrR691. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1305:342580. [PMID: 38677837 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The accurate and rapid detection of blood lead concentration is of paramount importance for assessing human lead exposure levels. Fluorescent protein-based probes, known for their high detection capabilities and low toxicity, are extensively used in analytical sciences. However, there is currently a shortage of such probes designed for ultrasensitive detection of Pb2+, and no reported probes exist for the quantitative detection of Pb2+ in blood samples. This study aims to fill this critical void by developing and evaluating a novel fluorescent protein-based probe that promises accurate and rapid lead quantification in blood. RESULTS A simple and small-molecule fluorescent protein-based probe was successfully constructed herein using a peptide PbrBD designed for Pb2+ recognition coupled to a single fluorescent protein, sfGFP. The probe retains a three-coordinate configuration to identify Pb2+ and has a high affinity for it with a Kd' of 1.48 ± 0.05 × 10-17 M. It effectively transfers the conformational changes of the peptide to the chromophore upon Pb2+ binding, leading to fast fluorescence quenching and a sensitive response to Pb2+. The probe offers a broad dynamic response range of approximately 37-fold and a linear detection range from 0.25 nM to 3500 nM. More importantly, the probe can resist interference of metal ions in living organisms, enabling quantitative analysis of Pb2+ in the picomolar to millimolar range in serum samples with a recovery percentage of 96.64%-108.74 %. SIGNIFICANCE This innovative probe, the first to employ a single fluorescent protein-based probe for ultrasensitive and precise analysis of Pb2+ in animal and human serum, heralds a significant advancement in environmental monitoring and public health surveillance. Furthermore, as a genetically encoded fluorescent probe, this probe also holds potential for the in vivo localization and concentration monitoring of Pb2+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, 530001, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; Nanning New Technology Entrepreneur Center, Nanning, 530006, China.
| | - Min Wei
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Liu Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Tianyu Song
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Qunfang Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Jiaxin Tan
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Jing Tang
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Zhipeng Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Rukui Zhu
- College of Chemistry and Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, 530001, China.
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Yu G, Wu L, Su Q, Ji X, Zhou J, Wu S, Tang Y, Li H. Neurotoxic effects of heavy metal pollutants in the environment: Focusing on epigenetic mechanisms. Environ Pollut 2024; 345:123563. [PMID: 38355086 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The pollution of heavy metals (HMs) in the environment is a significant global environmental issue, characterized by its extensive distribution, severe contamination, and profound ecological impacts. Excessive exposure to heavy metal pollutants can damage the nervous system. However, the mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of most heavy metals are not completely understood. Epigenetics is defined as a heritable change in gene function that can influence gene and subsequent protein expression levels without altering the DNA sequence. Growing evidence indicates that heavy metals can induce neurotoxic effects by triggering epigenetic changes and disrupting the epigenome. Compared with genetic changes, epigenetic alterations are more easily reversible. Epigenetic reprogramming techniques, drugs, and certain nutrients targeting specific epigenetic mechanisms involved in gene expression regulation are emerging as potential preventive or therapeutic tools for diseases. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of epigenetic modifications encompassing DNA/RNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in the nervous system, elucidating their association with various heavy metal exposures. These primarily include manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), sliver (Ag), toxic metalloids arsenic (As), and etc. The potential epigenetic mechanisms in the etiology, precision prevention, and target therapy of various neurodevelopmental disorders or different neurodegenerative diseases are emphasized. In addition, the current gaps in research and future areas of study are discussed. From a perspective on epigenetics, this review offers novel insights for prevention and treatment of neurotoxicity induced by heavy metal pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxia Yu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Lingyan Wu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Qianqian Su
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Xianqi Ji
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jinfu Zhou
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Fujian Maternity and Child Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Siying Wu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Fujian Center for Prevention and Control Occupational Diseases and Chemical Poisoning, Fuzhou 350125, China
| | - Huangyuan Li
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China.
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Pal A, Dey N. Oxidized Bisindolyl-Based Amphiphilic Probe for Dual Mode Analysis of Heavy Metal Pollutants in Aqueous Medium. J Fluoresc 2024:10.1007/s10895-023-03393-y. [PMID: 38319519 DOI: 10.1007/s10895-023-03393-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The oxidized bisindolyl-based amphiphilic, chromogenic probe has been synthesized that can form nanoscopic aggregates in the aqueous medium. Along with solvent polarity and pH of the medium, it was observed that the addition of heavy metal pollutants, like Hg2+ can cause significant alteration in the charge transfer state. This resulted in the immediate change in the solution color from yellow to orange. Additionally, we could excite either the monomer species or the aggregates of the probe by choosing the proper excitation wavelength. Upon exciting at 390 nm, the compound exhibited a broad fluorescence spectrum with maxima at 450 nm, presumably due to twisted state charge transfer. On the contrary, the aggregated species (λex = 465 nm) displayed a comparatively weaker fluorescence band centered at 565 nm. Interestingly, the fluorescence intensity at the 450 nm band experience fluorescence quenching in the presence of Hg2+ ion, while the aggregate emission band remained unaffected. Finally, the present system was utilized for detection of mercury ions in natural water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Animesh Pal
- Department of Chemistry, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, 500078, India
| | - Nilanjan Dey
- Department of Chemistry, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, 500078, India.
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Liu H, Ding C, Zhang G, Guo Y, Song Y, Thangaraj S, Zhang X, Sun J. Dissolved and particulate heavy metal pollution status in seawater and sedimentary heavy metals of the Bohai Bay. Mar Environ Res 2023; 191:106158. [PMID: 37696163 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination has been the focus of many studies owing to its potential risk on the health of coastal ecosystems. The Bohai Bay (BHB) is the second largest bay of Bohai Sea and subjected to serious anthropogenic perturbations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution and pollution status of toxic heavy metals in seawater with two fractions (dissolved and suspended particulate phases) and surface sediments of this coastal system. Therefore, several hydrochemical parameters and concentration of seawater metals and sediment metals were measured at two cruises of 2020 summer and autumn. The spatial distribution and potential ecological risks were examined and their inter-element relationships were analyzed to identify potential geochemical processes. By comparing historical data since 1978, we find declining trends in contents of most trace metals in seawater and sediments, suggesting that recent pollution control in BHB have an effect on diminishing metal pollution. Dissolved metals showed no significant dependence on their particulate phase. The seawater posed a moderate to high level of ecological risk. The hydrochemical factors mainly had a greater impact on dissolved metals during summer, whereas they influenced suspended metals more significantly during autumn. These results provide fundamental information to support environmental quality management and ecological protection in coastal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijiao Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Changling Ding
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| | - Guicheng Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Yiyan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430074, China; College of Marine Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yuyao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430074, China; College of Marine Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Satheeswaran Thangaraj
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430074, China; College of Marine Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430074, China; Department of Physiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, 600077, India
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430074, China; College of Marine Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jun Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China; Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430074, China; College of Marine Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430074, China.
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Dey N. Coordination-driven reversible supramolecular assembly formation at biological pH: Trace-level detection of Hg 2+ and I - ions in real life samples. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2022; 267:120447. [PMID: 34695678 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.120447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pyridine coupled bisbenzimidazole probe has been developed for colorimetric sensing of heavy metal pollutants in the aqueous medium. Mechanistic investigation indicates that Hg2+ ions (detection limit: 7.5 ppb) bind to the pyridyl nitrogen ends and form linear supramolecular assembly. Red-shifted absorption and fluorescence maxima upon addition of Hg2+ ions were observed, presumably caused by charge transfer interaction and coordination-driven planarization of the biphenyl backbone. Additionally, the in-situ formed mercury complex was utilized for selective recognition of iodide ion (detection limit: 20.2 ppb). Considering its high sensitivity, the present system was utilized in analysing Hg2+ in natural water and in presence of albumin protein. The high recovery values ranging from 95 to 98% with substantially low relative standard deviation (<4%) confirm the suitability of the present method in estimating trace-level of Hg2+ even in real-life samples. Imaging of intracellular Hg2+ ion was also achieved in cervical cancer cells. Low-cost paper strips are designed for rapid, on-site detection of Hg2+ without engaging any sophisticated analytical tools or trained personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjan Dey
- Department of Chemistry, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Shameerpet, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India.
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Zhao J, Wu E, Zhang B, Bai X, Lei P, Qiao X, Li YF, Li B, Wu G, Gao Y. Pollution characteristics and ecological risks associated with heavy metals in the Fuyang river system in North China. Environ Pollut 2021; 281:116994. [PMID: 33819668 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Fuyang River system (FRS) in north China, for a long time, is seriously polluted with organic compounds and heavy metals due to industrialization. However, the information on heavy metal pollution in this area is still limited, and health risks raised by trace elements are neglected up to now. To characterize the heavy metal pollutants and assess their potential ecological risks scientifically in FRS, surface sediments were collected from 66 sampling sites selected according to the hydrological and anthropogenic conditions along the river. A total of twelve metal pollutants (e.g., Cr, As, and Hg) in the sediments were detected among the distributaries. A combining application of geoaccumulation index (Igeo), ratio of secondary phase and primary phase (RSP), and the ecological risk factor (Eri) in this study gave systematic assessment results of single or combined pollution status raised by heavy metals in this area. The results show that Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Co, and Sn are mainly dispersed in the river reaches of Xingtai City and pose potential health risks in midstream, as per the geoaccumulation index and Pearson's correlation analyses. In particular, Cd accumulates strongly in sediments of Ming River and Aixinzhuang dam from Xingtai City. In upstream and downstream of FRS, the potential ecological risk is low, except in Yongnian County where high ecological risk was caused by Cd and Hg. These findings provide new insights into the pollution characteristics and assessment of the potential ecological risks induced by heavy metals along FRS, which suggest new directions should strategically tend to typical pollutants control by policy formulation and taking effective measures to prevent and manage heavy metal pollution in North China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiating Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Erwei Wu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang, China
| | - Bowen Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, 014040, China
| | - Xu Bai
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Pei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiuwen Qiao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, Xinjiang, China.
| | - Yu-Feng Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bai Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Gang Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, 014040, China
| | - Yuxi Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, & CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, & Beijing Metallomics Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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