Metallothionein expression in Aspergillus exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of heavy metals at different pH levels

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Okasha H.; Abdel-Motleb A.; Abdel-Wareth M.T.A.

Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

Publication Date: 4 May 2021

Volume / Issue: Volume 28 / Issue 36

Pages: 49936–49948

ISSN: 9441344

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14237-2

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 33942268

Document Type: Article

Authors and Affiliations

Okasha H., Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Nile St., Warrak El-Hadar, Giza, Egypt; Abdel-Motleb A., Department of Environmental Research and Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Nile St., Warrak El-Hadar, P.O. Box 30 Imbaba, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Abdel-Wareth M.T.A., Department of Environmental Research and Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Nile St., Warrak El-Hadar, P.O. Box 30 Imbaba, Giza, 12411, Egypt

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution represents a health threat. Many fungal species are capable of tolerating various heavy metals, especially if they are isolated from a contaminated watercourse. One of the mechanisms by which fungi can sequester certain heavy metals is synthesizing stress proteins. The aim of this study is to investigate the production of metallothioneins in Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus clavatus exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn at neutral, alkaline, and acidic pH conditions within 10 days. We determined the concentrations of these heavy metals in certain watercourses representing Behira and Giza governorates; also, we identified the most prevalent fungal species. We carried out a statistical correlation between different heavy metals and the isolated fungi. Then, in the laboratory, we exposed two of the most prevalent fungal species to the environmentally detected concentrations of the heavy metals and their doubles. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that in A. oryzae, the metallothionein bands appeared in neutral medium containing Cd and Cu and in alkaline medium containing Cd and Zn, while in A. clavatus, no metallothionein bands appeared at all. In conclusion, metallothionein is a good indicator of pollution with Cd, Cu, and Zn in Aspergillus oryzae, and pH plays a central role in metallothionein production. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Keywords

Aspergillus; Cd; Cu; Metallothionein; Metals; pH; Zn; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Metals, Heavy; Beheira; Egypt; Giza [Egypt]; Aspergillus clavatus; Aspergillus oryzae; Indicator indicator; heavy metal; concentration (composition); detection method; electrokinesis; fungus

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 11

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