Processing of Metals and Metalloids by <i>Actinobacteria</i>: Cell Resistance Mechanisms and Synthesis of Metal(loid)-Based Nanostructures

Metal(loid)s have a dual biological role as micronutrients and stress agents. A few geochemical and natural processes can cause their release in the environment, although most metal-contaminated sites derive from anthropogenic activities. Actinobacteria include high GC bacteria that inhabit a wide r...

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Main Authors: Alessandro Presentato, Elena Piacenza, Raymond J. Turner, Davide Zannoni, Martina Cappelletti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
Series:Microorganisms
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/8/12/2027
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author Alessandro Presentato
Elena Piacenza
Raymond J. Turner
Davide Zannoni
Martina Cappelletti
author_facet Alessandro Presentato
Elena Piacenza
Raymond J. Turner
Davide Zannoni
Martina Cappelletti
author_sort Alessandro Presentato
collection DOAJ
description Metal(loid)s have a dual biological role as micronutrients and stress agents. A few geochemical and natural processes can cause their release in the environment, although most metal-contaminated sites derive from anthropogenic activities. Actinobacteria include high GC bacteria that inhabit a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic ecological niches, where they play essential roles in recycling or transforming organic and inorganic substances. The metal(loid) tolerance and/or resistance of several members of this phylum rely on mechanisms such as biosorption and extracellular sequestration by siderophores and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and metal efflux processes, which overall contribute to maintaining metal homeostasis. Considering the bioprocessing potential of metal(loid)s by Actinobacteria, the development of bioremediation strategies to reclaim metal-contaminated environments has gained scientific and economic interests. Moreover, the ability of Actinobacteria to produce nanoscale materials with intriguing physical-chemical and biological properties emphasizes the technological value of these biotic approaches. Given these premises, this review summarizes the strategies used by Actinobacteria to cope with metal(loid) toxicity and their undoubted role in bioremediation and bionanotechnology fields.
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spelling doaj.art-ff17896557ad48e2b2c30b514b4f9e4d2023-11-21T01:27:31ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072020-12-01812202710.3390/microorganisms8122027Processing of Metals and Metalloids by <i>Actinobacteria</i>: Cell Resistance Mechanisms and Synthesis of Metal(loid)-Based NanostructuresAlessandro Presentato0Elena Piacenza1Raymond J. Turner2Davide Zannoni3Martina Cappelletti4Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Biological Sciences, Calgary University, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyMetal(loid)s have a dual biological role as micronutrients and stress agents. A few geochemical and natural processes can cause their release in the environment, although most metal-contaminated sites derive from anthropogenic activities. Actinobacteria include high GC bacteria that inhabit a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic ecological niches, where they play essential roles in recycling or transforming organic and inorganic substances. The metal(loid) tolerance and/or resistance of several members of this phylum rely on mechanisms such as biosorption and extracellular sequestration by siderophores and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and metal efflux processes, which overall contribute to maintaining metal homeostasis. Considering the bioprocessing potential of metal(loid)s by Actinobacteria, the development of bioremediation strategies to reclaim metal-contaminated environments has gained scientific and economic interests. Moreover, the ability of Actinobacteria to produce nanoscale materials with intriguing physical-chemical and biological properties emphasizes the technological value of these biotic approaches. Given these premises, this review summarizes the strategies used by Actinobacteria to cope with metal(loid) toxicity and their undoubted role in bioremediation and bionanotechnology fields.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/8/12/2027metal resistance mechanismsactinobacteriametal stress responsemetal-based nanostructuresbiogenic nanoscale materials
spellingShingle Alessandro Presentato
Elena Piacenza
Raymond J. Turner
Davide Zannoni
Martina Cappelletti
Processing of Metals and Metalloids by <i>Actinobacteria</i>: Cell Resistance Mechanisms and Synthesis of Metal(loid)-Based Nanostructures
Microorganisms
metal resistance mechanisms
actinobacteria
metal stress response
metal-based nanostructures
biogenic nanoscale materials
title Processing of Metals and Metalloids by <i>Actinobacteria</i>: Cell Resistance Mechanisms and Synthesis of Metal(loid)-Based Nanostructures
title_full Processing of Metals and Metalloids by <i>Actinobacteria</i>: Cell Resistance Mechanisms and Synthesis of Metal(loid)-Based Nanostructures
title_fullStr Processing of Metals and Metalloids by <i>Actinobacteria</i>: Cell Resistance Mechanisms and Synthesis of Metal(loid)-Based Nanostructures
title_full_unstemmed Processing of Metals and Metalloids by <i>Actinobacteria</i>: Cell Resistance Mechanisms and Synthesis of Metal(loid)-Based Nanostructures
title_short Processing of Metals and Metalloids by <i>Actinobacteria</i>: Cell Resistance Mechanisms and Synthesis of Metal(loid)-Based Nanostructures
title_sort processing of metals and metalloids by i actinobacteria i cell resistance mechanisms and synthesis of metal loid based nanostructures
topic metal resistance mechanisms
actinobacteria
metal stress response
metal-based nanostructures
biogenic nanoscale materials
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/8/12/2027
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