Covering: up to the end of 2024Microbial life dominates the extreme continent Antarctica, playing a pivotal role in ecosystem functioning and serving as a reservoir of specialized metabolites known as natural products (NPs). NPs not only contribute to microbial adaptation to harsh conditions but also modulate microbial community structure. Long-term isolation and environmental pressures have shaped the genomes of Antarctic bacteria, suggesting that they also encode unique NPs. Since NPs are also an important source of drugs, we argue that investigating Antarctic bacterial NPs is essential not only for understanding their ecological role and evolution, but also for discovering new chemical structures, biosynthetic mechanisms, and potential new drugs. Yet, despite advances in omics technologies and increased scientific activities in Antarctica, relatively few new bacterial NPs have been discovered. The lack of systematic research activities focused on the exploration of Antarctic bacteria and their NPs constitutes a big problem considering the climate change issue, to which ecosystems in polar regions are the most sensitive areas on the Earth. Here, we highlight the currently available data on Antarctic bacteria, their biosynthetic potential, and the successful NP discoveries, while addressing the challenges in NP research and advocating for systematic, collaborative efforts aligned with the Antarctic Treaty System and the Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions.
- MeSH
- Bacteria * genetika chemie metabolismus MeSH
- biologické přípravky * chemie farmakologie metabolismus MeSH
- genomika MeSH
- molekulární struktura MeSH
- objevování léků * MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Antarktida MeSH
- Názvy látek
- biologické přípravky * MeSH
Specialized or secondary metabolites are small molecules of biological origin, often showing potent biological activities with applications in agriculture, engineering and medicine. Usually, the biosynthesis of these natural products is governed by sets of co-regulated and physically clustered genes known as biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). To share information about BGCs in a standardized and machine-readable way, the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) data standard and repository was initiated in 2015. Since its conception, MIBiG has been regularly updated to expand data coverage and remain up to date with innovations in natural product research. Here, we describe MIBiG version 4.0, an extensive update to the data repository and the underlying data standard. In a massive community annotation effort, 267 contributors performed 8304 edits, creating 557 new entries and modifying 590 existing entries, resulting in a new total of 3059 curated entries in MIBiG. Particular attention was paid to ensuring high data quality, with automated data validation using a newly developed custom submission portal prototype, paired with a novel peer-reviewing model. MIBiG 4.0 also takes steps towards a rolling release model and a broader involvement of the scientific community. MIBiG 4.0 is accessible online at https://mibig.secondarymetabolites.org/.
Surface and treated wastewater are contaminated with highly complex mixtures of micropollutants, which may cause numerous adverse effects, often mediated by endocrine disruption. However, there is limited knowledge regarding some important modes of action, such as interference with thyroid hormone (TH) regulation, and the compounds driving these effects. This study describes an effective approach for the identification of compounds with the potential to bind to transthyretin (TTR; protein distributing TH to target tissues), based on their specific separation in a pull-down assay followed by non-target analysis (NTA). The method was optimized with known TTR ligands and applied to complex water samples. The specific separation of TTR ligands provided a substantial reduction of chromatographic features from the original samples. The applied NTA workflow resulted in the identification of 34 structures. Twelve compounds with available standards were quantified in the original extracts and their TH-displacement potency was confirmed. Eleven compounds were discovered as TTR binders for the first time and linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) were highlighted as contaminants of concern. Pull-down assay combined with NTA proved to be a well-functioning approach for the identification of unknown bioactive compounds in complex mixtures with great application potential across various biological targets and environmental compartments.
- Klíčová slova
- Affinity purification, Mixtures, Protein expression, Thyroid hormone signaling, Wastewater,
- MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu * analýza chemie MeSH
- endokrinní disruptory * chemie analýza MeSH
- hmotnostní spektrometrie metody MeSH
- ligandy MeSH
- odpadní voda chemie MeSH
- prealbumin * chemie metabolismus analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
- endokrinní disruptory * MeSH
- ligandy MeSH
- odpadní voda MeSH
- prealbumin * MeSH
An electrochemical biosensor is presented that directly reflects the metabolic activity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. This biosensor can be used measure the biological activity of bacteria, yeasts and mammalian cells. This makes the sensor interesting for various applications in industry and science. A possible application is bioprocess control, monitor activities from yeasts, bacteria and fungi to increase the yield. Other applications are starter culture quality studies in the food industry and cytoxicological evaluation with mammalian cells. Our latest investigations additionally indicate the applicability of the electrochemical biosensor to measure algae and cyanobacteria. In our investigations, we were able to show that it was also possible to detect photosynthetic organisms with the electrochemical measurement method, used for investigations on prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms before. Therefore, this the present study demonstrates an alternative to using this electrochemical biosensor equipped with alga and cyanobacteria for toxicological investigations based on selected test chemicals. The results of this study show a good correlation with those from reference methods, such as the Algal Growth Inhibition Test and the Microtox Test. The advantages of the new electrochemical biosensor are easy handling and shorter measurement time by using different types of test organisms. The evaluation of the sensor signal is based on the current-time curves of a potentiostatic measurement produced by the detection of microbially reduced mediator molecules immobilized in a gel structure. The mediator molecules are reduced during the measurement process. The reduced mediator molecules produce a current signal, which rapidly provides information about the vigor and vitality of living bacteria, yeasts, fungi or cells.
- Klíčová slova
- Algae, Biosensor, Cyanobacteria, Electrochemical, Mediator, Toxicity test,
- MeSH
- biosenzitivní techniky * metody MeSH
- elektrochemické techniky metody MeSH
- sinice * metabolismus MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Non-target analysis (NTA) employing high-resolution mass spectrometry is a commonly applied approach for the detection of novel chemicals of emerging concern in complex environmental samples. NTA typically results in large and information-rich datasets that require computer aided (ideally automated) strategies for their processing and interpretation. Such strategies do however raise the challenge of reproducibility between and within different processing workflows. An effective strategy to mitigate such problems is the implementation of inter-laboratory studies (ILS) with the aim to evaluate different workflows and agree on harmonized/standardized quality control procedures. Here we present the data generated during such an ILS. This study was organized through the Norman Network and included 21 participants from 11 countries. A set of samples based on the passive sampling of drinking water pre and post treatment was shipped to all the participating laboratories for analysis, using one pre-defined method and one locally (i.e. in-house) developed method. The data generated represents a valuable resource (i.e. benchmark) for future developments of algorithms and workflows for NTA experiments.
- MeSH
- algoritmy MeSH
- hmotnostní spektrometrie * MeSH
- laboratoře MeSH
- pitná voda analýza MeSH
- průběh práce MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- dataset MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- pitná voda MeSH
Worsened state of oysters in French Arcachon Bay, demand an investigation of possible causes. This study evaluated the effects of an environmentally relevant mixture of five common pesticides on the early-life stages of the Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas). Laboratory assays with artificial mixture and in situ transplantation were complementarily used to investigate a series of sublethal endpoints. The laboratory exposure revealed developmental toxicity at 0.32 μg/L, which corresponds to mixture concentrations in Arcachon Bay. Downregulation of some gene transcriptions was observed at environmental level. No difference in larvae development was revealed among the three sites in Arcachon Bay. This study was the first to evaluate locomotion of oyster larvae exposed in situ. Suspected poor water quality in the inner part of Arcachon Bay was reflected by impairment at the molecular level. In conclusion, current concentrations of the tested pesticides in Arcachon Bay hinder larval development and affect several biological functions.
- Klíčová slova
- Arcachon bay, Coastal waters, Developmental abnormality, Gene expression, In situ, Mixtures, Pacific oyster, Pesticides, Sublethal effects, Swimming behavior,
- MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu * toxicita MeSH
- Crassostrea * MeSH
- laboratoře MeSH
- larva MeSH
- pesticidy * toxicita MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
- pesticidy * MeSH
Coastal areas are final recipients of various contaminants including pesticides. The effects of pesticides on non-target organisms are often unclear, especially at environmentally relevant concentrations. This study investigated the impacts of insecticide imidacloprid (IMI) and fungicide propiconazole (PRO), some of the most detected pesticides in the Arcachon Bay in France. This work also included the research of propiconazole nanoformulation (nanoPRO). The effects were assessed studying the development of the early life stages of the Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas). Oyster embryos were exposed for 24, 30, and 42 h (depending on the endpoint) at 24 °C to environmentally relevant concentrations of the two pesticides as well as to nanoPRO. The research focused on sublethal endpoints such as the presence of developmental malformations, alterations of locomotion patterns, or changes in the gene expression levels. No developmental abnormalities were observed after exposure to environmental concentrations detected in the Arcachon Bay in recent years (maximal detected concentration of IMI and PRO were 174 ng/L and 29 ng/L, respectively). EC50 of PRO and nanoPRO were comparable, 2.93 ± 1.35 and 2.26 ± 1.36 mg/L, while EC50 of IMI exceeded 200 mg/L. IMI did not affect larval behavior. PRO affected larval movement trajectory and decreased average larvae swimming speed (2 μg/L), while nanoPRO increased the maximal larvae swimming speed (0.02 μg/L). PRO upregulated especially genes linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and detoxification. NanoPRO effects on gene expression were less pronounced - half of the genes were altered in comparison with PRO. IMI induced a strong dose-response impact on the genes linked to the detoxification, ROS production, cell cycle, and apoptosis regulation. In conclusion, our results suggest that current pesticide concentrations detected in the Arcachon Bay are safe for the Pacific oyster early development, but they might have a small direct effect via altered gene expressions, whose longer-term impacts cannot be ruled out.
- Klíčová slova
- Embryotoxicity, Gene expression, Pacific oyster, Pesticide, Sublethal effect, Swimming behavior,
- MeSH
- biologické markery MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu * toxicita MeSH
- Crassostrea * MeSH
- dusíkaté sloučeniny MeSH
- exprese genu MeSH
- larva MeSH
- neonikotinoidy MeSH
- triazoly MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Francie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- biologické markery MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
- dusíkaté sloučeniny MeSH
- imidacloprid MeSH Prohlížeč
- neonikotinoidy MeSH
- propiconazole MeSH Prohlížeč
- triazoly MeSH
Herbicides and their metabolites are often detected in water bodies where they may cause adverse effects to non-target organisms. Their effects at environmentally relevant concentrations are often unclear, especially concerning mixtures of pesticides. This study thus investigated the impacts of one of the most used herbicides: S-metolachlor and its two metabolites, metolachlor oxanilic acid (MOA) and metolachlor ethanesulfonic acid (MESA) on the development of zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio). Embryos were exposed to the individual substances and their environmentally relevant mixture until 120 hpf (hours post-fertilization). The focus was set on sublethal endpoints such as malformations, hatching success, length of fish larvae, spontaneous movements, heart rate and locomotion. Moreover, expression levels of eight genes linked to the thyroid system disruption, oxidative stress defense, mitochondrial metabolism, regulation of cell cycle and retinoic acid (RA) signaling pathway were analyzed. Exposure to S-metolachlor (1 μg/L) and the pesticide mixture (1 μg/L of each substance) significantly reduced spontaneous tail movements of 21 hpf embryos. Few rare developmental malformations were observed, but only in larvae exposed to more than 100 μg/L of individual substances (craniofacial deformation, non-inflated gas bladder, yolk sac malabsorption) and to 30 μg/L of each substance in the pesticide mixture (spine deformation). No effect on hatching success, length of larvae, heart rate or larvae locomotion were found. Strong responses were detected at the molecular level including induction of p53 gene regulating the cell cycle (the pesticide mixture - 1 μg/L of each substance; MESA 30 μg/L; and MOA 100 μg/L), as induction of cyp26a1 gene encoding cytochrome P450 (pesticide mixture - 1 μg/L of each substance). Genes implicated in the thyroid system regulation (dio2, thra, thrb) were all overexpressed by the environmentally relevant concentrations of the pesticide mixture (1 μg/L of each substance) and MESA metabolite (1 μg/L). Zebrafish thyroid system disruption was revealed by the overexpressed genes, as well as by some related developmental malformations (mainly gas bladder and yolk sac abnormalities), and reduced spontaneous tail movements. Thus, the thyroid system disruption represents a likely hypothesis behind the effects caused by the low environmental concentrations of S-metolachlor, its two metabolites and their mixture.
- Klíčová slova
- Embryotoxicity, Environmental concentration, Metabolite, Pesticide mixture, Sublethal effects, Zebrafish embryo,
- MeSH
- acetamidy metabolismus toxicita MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu metabolismus toxicita MeSH
- dánio pruhované metabolismus MeSH
- embryo nesavčí účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- embryonální vývoj účinky léků MeSH
- herbicidy metabolismus toxicita MeSH
- larva MeSH
- štítná žláza účinky léků embryologie MeSH
- synergismus léků MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- acetamidy MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
- herbicidy MeSH
- metolachlor MeSH Prohlížeč
Anthropogenic eutrophication of freshwater bodies increases the occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms. The cyanobacterial toxin cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is detected in the environment with increasing frequency, driving the scientific effort to assess emerging health risks from CYN-producing blooms. Oral exposure to CYN results primarily in hepatotoxicity. Nevertheless, extrahepatic manifestations of CYN toxicity have been reported. Furthermore, cyanotoxins have been detected in aerosols and dust particles, suggesting potential toxic effects in the respiratory tract. To assess the susceptibility of airway epithelia towards cyanotoxins, monolayers of immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells HBE1 and 16HBE14o- were exposed to a concentration range of 0.1-10 μM CYN. Cytotoxic endpoints were assessed as morphologic alterations, resazurin reduction capacity, esterase activity, neutral red uptake, and by impedimetric real-time cell analysis. Depending on the endpoint assessed, EC50 values ranged between 0.7 and 1.8 μM (HBE1) and 1.6-4.8 μM (16HBE14o-). To evaluate alterations of other cellular events by subcytotoxic concentration of CYN (1 μM), phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK and p38 was determined. Only a slight increase in p38 phosphorylation was induced by CYN in HBE1 cell line after 48 h, while activities of both ERK1/2 and p38 gradually and significantly increased in 16HBE14o- cells during 8-48 h exposure. This study suggests possible hazards of inhalation CYN exposures, which may severely impact the integrity of airway epithelia and epithelial cell signaling. Further research of CYN-induced toxicity and underlying mechanisms is needed, as well as more data on environmental concentrations of cyanotoxins in aerosols for exposure assessment.
- Klíčová slova
- Cyanobacteria, Cyanotoxin, HBE, Inhalation toxicity, MAPK,
- MeSH
- alkaloidy MeSH
- bakteriální toxiny farmakologie MeSH
- buněčné linie MeSH
- dýchací soustava cytologie MeSH
- epitelové buňky účinky léků MeSH
- eutrofizace * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikrocystiny farmakologie MeSH
- mořské toxiny farmakologie MeSH
- toxiny kmene Cyanobacteria MeSH
- uracil analogy a deriváty farmakologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- alkaloidy MeSH
- bakteriální toxiny MeSH
- cylindrospermopsin MeSH Prohlížeč
- mikrocystiny MeSH
- mořské toxiny MeSH
- toxiny kmene Cyanobacteria MeSH
- uracil MeSH
Complex mixtures of contaminants from multiple sources, including agriculture, industry or wastewater enter aquatic environments and might pose hazards or risks to humans or wildlife. Targeted analyses of a few priority substances provide limited information about water quality. In this study, a combined chemical and effect screening of water quality in the River Bosna, in Bosnia and Herzegovina was carried out, with focus on occurrence and effects of contaminants of emerging concern. Chemicals in water were sampled at 10 sites along the Bosna River by use of passive sampling. The combination of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) enabled sampling of a broad range of contaminants from hydrophobic (PAHs, PCBs, OCPs) to hydrophilic compounds (pesticides, pharmaceuticals and hormones), which were determined by use of GC-MS and LC-MS (MS). In vitro, cell-based bioassays were applied to assess (anti)androgenic, estrogenic and dioxin-like potencies of extracts of the samplers. Of a total of 168 targeted compounds, 107 were detected at least once. Cumulative pollutant concentrations decreased downstream from the city of Sarajevo, which was identified as the major source of organic pollutants in the area. Responses in all bioassays were observed for samples from all sites. In general, estrogenicity could be well explained by analysis of target estrogens, while the drivers of the other observed effects remained largely unknown. Profiling of hazard quotients identified two sites downstream of Sarajevo as hotspots of biological potency. Risk assessment of detected compounds revealed, that 7 compounds (diazinon, diclofenac, 17β-estradiol, estrone, benzo[k]fluoranthene, fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene) might pose risks to aquatic biota in the Bosna River. The study brings unique results of a complex water quality assessment in a region with an insufficient water treatment infrastructure.
- Klíčová slova
- Contaminants of emerging concern - passive sampling, Hazard profiling - water quality monitoring, In vitro bioassay - endocrine disruption,
- MeSH
- biotest MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza MeSH
- dioxiny analýza MeSH
- endokrinní disruptory analýza MeSH
- estrogeny analýza MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
- odpadní voda MeSH
- organické látky analýza MeSH
- pesticidy analýza MeSH
- polychlorované bifenyly analýza MeSH
- polychlorované dibenzodioxiny analýza MeSH
- polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky analýza MeSH
- řeky chemie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Bosna a Hercegovina MeSH
- Názvy látek
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
- dioxiny MeSH
- endokrinní disruptory MeSH
- estrogeny MeSH
- odpadní voda MeSH
- organické látky MeSH
- pesticidy MeSH
- polychlorované bifenyly MeSH
- polychlorované dibenzodioxiny MeSH
- polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky MeSH
