Article
Microbiology
Linru Huang, Zhijia Fang, Jian Gao, Jingwen Wang, Yongbin Li, Lijun Sun, Yaling Wang, Jianmeng Liao, Ravi Gooneratne
Summary: Threonine (Thr) shows strong protective effects against cadmium (Cd) toxicity in yeast cells by preferentially chelating Cd ions, which in turn preserves the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme. This suggests that Thr supplementation could potentially reduce Cd-induced oxidative damage.
JOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Shangguo Feng, Kailin Hou, Hongshan Zhang, Cheng Chen, Jiefang Huang, Qicong Wu, Zhenhao Zhang, Yadi Gao, Xiaomei Wu, Huizhong Wang, Chenjia Shen
Summary: The toxicity and stress caused by heavy metal contamination have a great impact on the growth and survival of trees, especially species belonging to the genus Taxus, which are highly sensitive to changes in the environment. This study analyzed the transcriptomic profiles of Taxus media trees exposed to cadmium (Cd2+) to investigate their response to heavy metal stress. Several metal tolerance protein (MTP) genes, including Cd2+ stress-inducible TMP genes (TmMTP1, TmMTP11), were identified in T. media. Through further analysis, it was found that TmMTP1/11 may regulate the accumulation of Cd2+ in cells. In addition, two Cd2+-induced R2R3-MYB TFs, TmMYB16 and TmMYB123, were identified, and they play a role in Cd2+ tolerance by regulating the expression of TmMTP1/11 genes. Overall, this study provides insights into the regulatory mechanisms of Taxus spp. in response to Cd stress and contributes to the breeding of environmentally adaptable Taxus species.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Panhui Fan, Liwei Wu, Qing Wang, Yu Wang, Hongmei Luo, Jingyuan Song, Meihua Yang, Hui Yao, Shilin Chen
Summary: Medicinal plants have various uses worldwide, but their quality is affected by cadmium pollution. Medicinal plants have complex mechanisms to cope with cadmium stress, including antioxidant systems and chelating peptides. While progress has been made in exploring the physiological mechanisms, research into molecular mechanisms is still lacking. This review provides a reference for studying the responses of medicinal plants to cadmium stress.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Martin Lycka, Milos Bartak, Ondrej Helia, Stanislav Kopriva, Dana Moravcova, Josef Hajek, Lukas Fojt, Richard Cmelik, Jiri Fajkus, Miloslava Fojtova
Summary: Hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of prolonged sulfate limitation and Cd exposure on Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum. Both species showed adverse effects on morphology, photosynthetic and biochemical parameters, and nutritional status under low sulfate treatments and Cd stress. The responses to low sulfate supply, Cd exposure, or a combination of both factors were species-specific, and Cd exposure had opposing effects on the levels of certain elements in the roots.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xin Qian, Qixin Lu, Xiaosan He, Yujie Wang, Hanzhou Li, Qingtie Xiao, Xinyu Zheng, Ruiyu Lin
Summary: Cd pollution of paddy soils is a major concern for food security and environmental issues. Microbial bioremediation using Cd-resistant bacteria can effectively reduce Cd accumulation in crops. This study investigated the impact of Pseudomonas sp. TCd-1 on the rhizosphere bacterial communities of rice crops under Cd stress, revealing changes in community structure and network interactions. The findings provide insights for developing efficient bioremediation strategies and safe rice production in Cd-contaminated fields.
Article
Microbiology
Dominique Sanglard
Summary: In Candida albicans, calcium ions play a crucial role in regulating signaling pathways, cell polarization, and hyphal extension. Aequorin-based Ca2+ sensing system provides a valuable tool for studying Ca2+ homeostasis in this fungal pathogen. Mutants in key Ca2+ channels showed reduced response to alkaline stress, highlighting the importance of these channels in Ca2+ uptake and homeostasis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhao Huibo, Zhao Yong, Luo Rui, Li Guorui, Di Jianjun, Wen Qi, Liang Xiaotian, Yin Mingda, Wen Yanpeng, Wang Zhiyan, Huang Fenglan
Summary: Soil pollution with heavy metals, especially cadmium, is a serious global issue. Castor plants have the ability to tolerate heavy metal accumulation and can potentially be used for soil remediation. This study investigated the mechanisms of castor's tolerance to different doses of cadmium stress, providing insights into its defense and detoxification mechanisms.
Article
Microbiology
D. M. Hollenstein, J. Veis, N. Romanov, G. Gerecova, E. Ogris, M. Hartl, G. Ammerer, W. Reiter
Summary: A protein phosphatase PP2A(Rts1) plays a crucial role in the stress response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, affecting the phosphorylation status of putative substrate proteins and antagonizing Rck2 signaling, which is regulated by the MAPKAP kinase.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Leon-Vaz, Luis C. Romero, Cecilia Gotor, Rosa Leon, Javier Vigara
Summary: This study investigated the effect of cadmium on the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana through a proteomic approach, revealing adjustments in various metabolic pathways and an increase in pathways such as photorespiration and antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, it was found that Chlorella sorokiniana exhibits high tolerance to cadmium exposure, suggesting its potential use in bioremediation processes.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kittikhun Kerdsomboon, Wisuta Chumsawat, Choowong Auesukaree
Summary: The study demonstrates the potential of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in alleviating metal toxicity, particularly in combating arsenic, cadmium, nickel, and lead. It was found that the aqueous extract significantly promoted yeast cell growth in the presence of these toxic metals, despite having lower phenolic and flavonoid content compared to the ethanolic extract. Additionally, gallic acid was identified as a key compound in protecting cells against arsenic toxicity by reducing arsenic accumulation and ROS production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Munir Ozturk, Mert Metin, Volkan Altay, Luigi De Filippis, Bengu Turkyilmaz Unal, Anum Khursheed, Alvina Gul, Mirza Hasanuzzaman, Kamuran Nahar, Tomonori Kawano, Pedro Garcia Caparros
Summary: Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal from industrial activities, causes various metabolic effects and signaling pathway activations in living beings. Exposure to cadmium stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in protein structural changes, cell cycle disruption, and oxidative stress.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hong Xie, Zisheng Liao, Jun Li, Yongqiang Yang, Fanrong Chen, Runliang Zhu, Li Xiang, Shijun Wu
Summary: Calcium oxalate crystals in plants play an important role in detoxifying heavy metals, but the mechanism and influencing factors are still unclear. This study investigated the effect of exogenous calcium concentrations on cadmium uptake by amaranth and found that insufficient or excess calcium supply inhibited amaranth growth, while the cadmium bioconcentration factor increased with calcium concentration.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Agnieszka Wegrzyn, Avtandil Tsurtsumia, Stefan Witkowski, Olga Freitas, Sonia Figueiredo, Joanna Cybinska, Wojciech Stawinski
Summary: This study found that the addition of vermiculite in yeast can reduce the toxicity of Cd2+ and enhance the adsorption capacity of yeast for Cd2+.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patritsia M. Stathatou, Christos E. Athanasiou, Marios Tsezos, John W. Goss, L. Camron Blackburn, Filippos Tourlomousis, Andreas Mershin, Brian W. Sheldon, Nitin P. Padture, Eric M. Darling, Huajian Gao, Neil Gershenfeld
Summary: Traces of heavy metals, such as lead, in water resources pose a global threat. Conventional treatment processes are ineffective in removing low concentrations of toxic heavy metals. However, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it is possible to efficiently remove trace lead from water through biosorption.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Gabriella Sferra, Daniele Fantozzi, Gabriella Stefania Scippa, Dalila Trupiano
Summary: Cadmium (Cd) is a major health concern worldwide due to its negative effects on soils, rendering them unsuitable for food and feed production. Phytoremediation has the potential to remediate Cd-polluted soils, but further understanding of the underlying processes is needed. This study comprehensively analyzed the response of A. thaliana and A. halleri to Cd stress, identifying co-expressed gene modules specifically associated with Cd presence. The results revealed that the Cd-associated genes in A. halleri are finely regulated and linked to a general response to chemical and other stimuli, while in A. thaliana, the upregulated genes are related to a general response to stimuli, and the downregulated genes are associated with root growth and development. Key genes associated with Cd were identified and may serve as targets for future research.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aura Argaseala, Catalin Maxim, Mihaela Badea, Larisa Ionita, Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc, Arpad Mihai Rostas, Mihaela Bacalum, Mina Raileanu, Lavinia L. Ruta, Ileana C. Farcasanu, Emilia Elena Iorgulescu, Rodica Olar
Summary: In an attempt to enhance the biological activity of the 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine scaffold, complexes were synthesized and characterized as new antiproliferative and antimicrobial species. These complexes showed improved activities compared to the free ligands.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Virgil Iordache, Aurora Neagoe
Summary: This article introduces a conceptual model of the cross-scale effect of heavy metals (HMs) on biogeochemical services by services providing units (SPUs) and proposes a method for applying the model. The objectives are to identify research clusters related to the effects of HMs on ecosystem services (ES), biodiversity, and resilience, map scientific fields necessary for implementation of the model, describe the complexity of cause-effect chains, and suggest approaches for implementing the model in contaminated socio-ecological systems. The analysis shows that current research focuses on microbial communities and functional traits, with less emphasis on larger-scale issues. The evaluation indicates the importance of this model in contaminated socio-ecological systems.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ioana Nicolau, Niculina D. Hadade, Mihaela Matache, Daniel P. Funeriu
Summary: Synthetic chemical probes are important tools for studying biological processes, especially in proteomic studies. Peptidyl-epoxysuccinates, derived from natural substrates, are widely used as chemical probes to investigate the activity of cysteine protease enzymes. These probes can covalently label active enzymes and have been extensively studied in various areas including biological chemistry, inhibition studies, supramolecular chemistry, and protein arrays.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ioana Nicolau, Anca Paun, Codruta C. Popescu, Niculina D. D. Hadade, Mihaela Matache
Summary: This communication presents an updated experiment of peptide synthesis, involving the determination of loading capacity of a Fmoc-protected amino functionalized resin and subsequent synthesis of a dipeptide. The experiment highlights the importance of solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) in accessing proteins or small-molecule peptide-based chemical probes. It combines skills in organic and analytical chemistry, requiring knowledge in amino acid reactivity, protecting groups, UV-vis spectrophotometric determinations, and mass spectrometry.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania-Felicia Barbuceanu, Elena-Valentina Rosca, Theodora-Venera Apostol, Laura-Ileana Socea, Constantin Draghici, Ileana Cornelia Farcasanu, Lavinia Liliana Ruta, George Mihai Nitulescu, Lucian Iscrulescu, Elena-Mihaela Pahontu, Rica Boscencu, Gabriel Saramet, Octavian Tudorel Olaru
Summary: This paper describes the synthesis of new heterocycles from oxazol-5(4H)-one and 1,2,4-triazin-6(5H)-one classes containing a phenyl-/4-bromophenylsulfonylphenyl moiety. The compounds were characterized using spectral and elemental analysis. Toxicity assays on Daphnia magna and Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed that the heterocyclic nucleus and halogen atoms significantly influenced the toxicity. The compounds also showed potential for anticancer investigations based on predictive analyses and similarity studies.
Article
Plant Sciences
Aurora Neagoe, Virgil Iordache
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the positive interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and lupine plants and provide preliminary data for myco-phytoremediation technology. The results showed that AMF inoculation improved the growth of lupine and decreased oxidative stress. Additionally, the phosphorus concentration in roots and leaves increased, and the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase decreased due to AMF inoculation.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lorena-Andreea Bocancia-Mateescu, Dana Stan, Andreea-Cristina Mirica, Miruna Gabriela Ghita, Diana Stan, Lavinia Liliana Ruta
Summary: The review summarizes recent advances in cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnosis and therapy, with a focus on the use of nanobodies in non-invasive imaging methods, diagnostic devices, and biotechnological therapy tools. Due to the increasing prevalence of CVDs caused by various factors, there is an urgent need for improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Nanobodies offer advantages as they can be easily produced and used as labeled probes in imaging techniques like CEUMI, PET, SPECT/CT, and PET/CT to provide important information about atherosclerotic lesions. They can also be used as therapy tools for targeted drug delivery or as inhibitors of enzymes and receptors involved in CVDs.
Article
Polymer Science
Diana Stan, Elena Codrici, Ana-Maria Enciu, Ewa Olewnik-Kruszkowska, Georgiana Gavril, Lavinia Liliana Ruta, Carmen Moldovan, Oana Brincoveanu, Lorena-Andreea Bocancia-Mateescu, Andreea-Cristina Mirica, Dana Stan, Cristiana Tanase
Summary: Healthcare professionals face challenges in managing wounds, but hydrogel wound dressings offer an effective solution with their affordability, ease of use, and ability to enhance wound healing. Our study developed and evaluated hybrid hydrogel membranes enriched with bioactive components, demonstrating favorable properties with minimal concentrations of bioactive agents.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Livia Teodora Ciobanu, Diana Constantinescu-Aruxandei, Naomi Tritean, Carmen Lupu, Radian Nicolae Negrila, Ileana Cornelia Farcasanu, Florin Oancea
Summary: This study focuses on the valorization of spent brewer's yeast (SBY) and presents an efficient ultrasonic cell lysis method to release bioactive compounds. Different ultrasonication parameters were evaluated to optimize the cell disruption efficiency. The SBY derivatives, including SBY extracts (SBYEs) and cell walls (SBYCWs), were characterized in terms of protein content, antioxidant activity (AOA) and total polyphenol content. The results showed that optimal ultrasonication conditions resulted in efficient cell lysis and the SBYCWs obtained under specific parameters exhibited the highest polyphenol content and relatively high beta-glucan content. The release and separation of intracellular content were confirmed by microscopy techniques.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Catalin Maxim, Cristian D. Ene, Ioana Nicolau, Lavinia L. Ruta, Ileana C. Farcasanu
Summary: Three pairs of copper(II) complexes with tridentate Schiff bases were synthesized and used for biological assessments. The structures, spectra, and biological activities of the complexes were analyzed, and the accumulation of 3-S was found to potentially disrupt the redox state of cells.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
