Additive effects of metal excess and superoxide, a highly toxic mixture in bacteria.

ABSTRACT: Heavy metal contamination is a serious environmental problem. Understanding the toxicity mechanisms may allow to lower concentration of metals in the metal-based antimicrobial treatments of crops, and reduce metal content in soil and groundwater. Here, we investigate the interplay between metal efflux systems and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the purple bacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus and other bacteria through analysis of the impact of metal accumulation. Exposure of the Cd²⁺ -efflux mutant ΔcadA to Cd²⁺ caused an increase in the amount and activity of the cytosolic Fe-Sod SodB, thereby suggesting a role of SodB in the protection against Cd²⁺ . In support of this conclusion, inactivation of sodB gene in the ΔcadA cells alleviated detoxification of sup

SUBMITTER: Steunou AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7415354 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature