Biology of Metals

Lactoferricin B (LfcinB), a 25 residue peptide derived from the N-terminal of bovine lactoferrin (bLF), causes depolarization of the cytoplasmic membrane in susceptible bacteria. Its mechanism of action, however, still needs to be elucidated. In the present study, synthetic LfcinB (without a disulfide bridge) and LfcinB (C–C; with a disulfide bridge) as well as three derivatives with 15-, 11- and 9-residue peptides were prepared to investigate their antimicrobial nature and mechanisms. The antimicrobial properties were measured via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determinations, killing kinetics assays and synergy testing, and hemolytic activities were assessed by hemoglobin release. Finally, the morphology of peptide-treated bacteria was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). We found that there was no difference in MICs between LfcinB and LfcinB (C–C). Among the derivatives, only LfcinB15 maintained nearly the same level as LfcinB, in the MIC range of 16–128 μg/ml, and the MICs of LfcinB11 (64–256 μg/ml) were 4 times more than LfcinB, while LfcinB9 exhibited the lowest antimicrobial activity. When treated at MIC for 1 h, many blebs were formed and holes of various sizes appeared on the cell surface, but the cell still maintained its integrity. This suggested that LfcinB had a major permeability effect on the cytoplasmic membrane of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which also indicated it may be a possible intracellular target. Among the tested antibiotics, aureomycin increased the bactericidal activity of LfcinB against E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, but neomycin did not have such an effect. We also found that the combination of cecropin A and LfcinB had synergistic effects against E. coli.

The kinetic properties of the Mg2+-activated and Mn2+-activated glutamine synthetase (GS) of Azospirillum brasilense in the biosynthetic reaction were studied. The Mg2+-supported and Mn2+-supported GSs in an average state of adenylylation varied in pH optimum, maximum activity, saturation functions for ammonium and glutamate, affinity to substrates, and in the Me2+-ATP ratio required for the optimal enzyme activity. Seventeen other cations were tested for the maintenance of GS activity. The level of the latter and the kinetic behavior of the GS in A.brasilense is suggested to depend essentially on the concentrations of Mg2+, Mn2+ and Co2+, as well as on their ratio

X-ray crystal and other structural analyses indicate that Yb(III) and all four newly synthesized ligands can form a binuclear Yb(III) complex with a 1:1 metal to ligand stoichiometry by octacoordination at the Yb(III) center. Investigations of DNA binding properties show that all the ligands and Yb(III) complexes can bind to Calf thymus DNA through intercalations with the binding constants at the order of magnitude 105–107 M−1, but Yb(III) complexes present stronger affinities to DNA than ligands. All the ligands and Yb(III) complexes may be used as potential anticancer drugs. Investigations of antioxidation properties show that all the ligands and Yb(III) complexes have strong scavenging effects for hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals but Yb(III) complexes show stronger scavenging effects for hydroxyl radicals than ligands.

Siderophores are low molecular weight organic ligands exuded by some aerobic organisms and plants to acquire Fe under Fe-limited conditions. The hydroxamate siderophores may sorb to aluminosilicate clays through a variety of mechanisms depending upon the nature of the clay and of the siderophore along with solution conditions such as pH, ionic strength, and presence of metal cations. They may also affect metal binding to clays. Here, we review previous studies of siderophore sorption to aluminosilicate clays; briefly discuss how the techniques of X-ray diffractometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy may be applied to such studies; review effects of siderophores on metal sorption to clays; and highlight some areas for future research.

Little is known about how tolerant plants cope with internalized aluminium (Al). Tolerant plants are known to deploy efficient detoxification mechanisms, however it is not known to what extent the primary and secondary metabolism is affected by Al. The aim of this work was to study the metabolic repercussions of Al stress in the tolerant plant Plantago almogravensis. P. almogravensis is well adapted to acid soils where high concentrations of free Al are found and has been classified as a hyperaccumulator. In vitro reared plantlets were used for this purpose in order to control Al exposure rigorously. The metabolome of P. almogravensis plantlets as well as its metabolic response to the supply of sucrose was characterized. The supply of sucrose leads to an accumulation of amino acids and secondary metabolites and consumption of carbohydrates that result from increased metabolic activity. In Al-treated plantlets the synthesis of amino acids and secondary metabolites is transiently impaired, suggesting that P. almogravensis is able to recover from the Al treatment within the duration of the trials. In the presence of Al the consumption of carbohydrate resources is accelerated. The content of some metabolic stress markers also demonstrates that P. almogravensis is highly adapted to Al stress.

The eukaryotic diatoms are unicellular algae. They are well known for their filigree micro- and nanostructured cell walls which mainly consist of amorphous silica as well as various organic compounds. However, diatoms are also known to incorporate certain amounts of aluminium into their cell walls. Unexpectedly, enhanced Al concentrations in the Southern Yellow Sea were found to be correlated with a diatom spring bloom. Therefore, we have analyzed the influence of strongly enhanced Al concentrations in the culture medium upon the growth behaviour of the diatom Stephanopyxis turris (S. turris). The uptake and incorporation of Al into the cell walls was monitored. It turned out that S. turris survives aluminium concentrations up to 105.5 μM (2.85 mg/l) in the culture medium. Under the applied conditions, this corresponds to an Al/Si ratio of 1:1. These large amounts of Al had to be offered in the form of bis–tris-chelates in order to prevent uncontrolled precipitation. Under these conditions, the Al/Si ratio in the cell walls could be increased up to about 1:15 as determined by ICP-OES, the highest amount of aluminium found in diatom cell walls yet. Structural characterization of the biosilica by ATR-FTIR and solid-state 27Al NMR spectroscopy revealed that an amorphous aluminosilicate phase is formed where the aluminium exists as four- and sixfold-coordinated species.

Nickel is an ubiquitous transition metal that is industrially applied in many forms, which inevitably leads to a high degree of occupational and environmental exposure. Over-exposure to nickel can produce a variety of adverse effects on human health, including allergy and lung and nasal cancers. In the present study, it is demonstrated, for the first time, that nickel [(Ni(II)] (as a nickel nitrate salt) at concentrations that may be attained in vivo, induces neutrophils’ apoptosis by the intrinsic pathway. The use of diphenyleneiodonium, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor, delayed Ni(II)-induced apoptosis, suggesting that NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species and subsequent signaling could contribute to this event. This is an important finding since increased apoptosis mediated by nickel may disrupt the physiological activities of neutrophils, with potential impact in its immunological and antimicrobial role.

N-Deoxyschizokinen, a novel siderophore, was isolated from stationary phase cultures of Bacillus megaterium ATCC 19213 and identified as 4-[(3(acetylhydroxyamino)propyl)amino]-2-[2-[(3-(acetylamino)propyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl]-2-hydroxy-4-oxo-butanoic acid. The siderophore was purified by HPLC and its structure determined using 1H and 13C NMR, 1H-1H COSY and electrospray mass spectroscopy. The monohydroxamate siderophore has the same carbon skeleton as schizokinen but the hydroxyl group on one hydroxamate is replaced by a hydrogen. A detailed 1H NMR study of schizokinen, N-deoxyschizokinen and their imides, schizokinen A and N-deoxyschizokinen A is presented.

Một số nghiên cứu đã chứng minh sự tham gia của leptin trong chuyển hóa magnesium. Mặt khác, có bằng chứng về vai trò của magnesium trong con đường tín hiệu tế bào của leptin. Do đó, mục tiêu của nghiên cứu này là điều tra sự tồn tại của mối quan hệ giữa nồng độ leptin trong huyết thanh và các dấu ấn magnesium ở phụ nữ béo phì. Nghiên cứu trường hợp - đối chứng với 108 phụ nữ ở độ tuổi từ 20 đến 50, chia thành hai nhóm: béo phì (n = 52) và nhóm đối chứng (n = 56). Cân nặng, chiều cao và vòng eo, chỉ số khối cơ thể, tổng lượng magnesium trong chế độ ăn uống, các dấu ấn magnesium và nồng độ leptin trong huyết thanh được đo lường. Nồng độ leptin trong huyết thanh cho thấy sự khác biệt có ý nghĩa thống kê giữa các nhóm (p < 0.001). Giá trị trung bình của lượng magnesium tiêu thụ thấp hơn mức khuyến nghị, và không có sự khác biệt có ý nghĩa thống kê giữa hai nhóm (p > 0.05). Phụ nữ béo phì có nồng độ magnesium trong huyết tương và hồng cầu thấp hơn so với nhóm đối chứng (p < 0.001). Nồng độ magnesium được tìm thấy trong nước tiểu của phụ nữ béo phì cao hơn so với nhóm đối chứng, với sự khác biệt có ý nghĩa thống kê (p < 0.001). Có một sự tương quan giữa leptin trong huyết thanh và các dấu ấn magnesium (p < 0.001). Phụ nữ béo phì cho thấy tình trạng dinh dưỡng với magnesium không đầy đủ được đặc trưng bởi nồng độ magnesium huyết tương và hồng cầu thấp và nồng độ cao trong nước tiểu, và họ cũng có nồng độ leptin trong huyết thanh cao. Do đó, có thể quan sát thấy một mối tương quan giữa hyperleptinemia và các dấu ấn magnesium, cần các nghiên cứu tiếp theo để xác định liệu sự rối loạn của hormone này có thể ảnh hưởng đến việc phân phối khoáng chất trong các cơ thể béo phì hay không.

Stimulation of root Fe(III) reductase activity by iron additions to iron-deficient growth media may be the result of iron activation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase required for ethylene biosynthesis. Two different ethylene inhibitors, aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) (20 μ m; ACC synthase inhibitor) and cobalt (3 μ m CoCl2; ACC oxidase inhibitor), were used to study the effects of iron supply and cobalt inhibition on ethylene action in controlling the activity of Fe(III)-chelate reductase in pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots. Supplying 20 gm m Fe(III)-N,N-ethylenebis[2-(2-hydroxypheyl)-glycine [Fe(III)-EDDHA] to either cobalt-treated, iron-deficient Sparkle (normal parent) or E107 (brz mutant genotype) pea seedlings reversed the negative effects of cobalt on root Fe(III)-reductase activity. Re-supplying 20 μ m Fe(III)-EDDHA to iron-deficient, AOA-treated seedlings did not enhance root Fe(III)-reductase. Apparently, cobalt competes with iron for the active site in ACC oxidase during ethylene synthesis. Inhibition of root reductase activity by cobalt treatment lowered manganese, zinc, magnesium and potassium content of mutant E107 pea seedlings. In contrast, iron enhancement of root reductase activity in iron-deficient, cobalt-treated E107 seedlings resulted in higher seedling accumulations of manganese, zinc, magnesium and potassium. These results support the hypothesis that root cell plasma membrane reductase activity plays a role in cation uptake by root cells.