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Polo G, Lionetto F, Giordano ME, Lionetto MG. Interaction of Micro- and Nanoplastics with Enzymes: The Case of Carbonic Anhydrase. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9716. [PMID: 39273668 PMCID: PMC11396312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as significant environmental pollutants with potential detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health. Several studies indicate their interaction with enzymes; this topic represents a multifaceted research field encompassing several areas of interest from the toxicological and ecotoxicological impact of MPs and NPs on humans and wildlife to the biodegradation of plastics by microbial enzymes. This review aims to provide a critical analysis of the state-of-the-art knowledge of the interaction of MPs and NPs on the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA), providing recent insights, analyzing the knowledge gaps in the field, and drawing future perspectives of the research and its application. CA is a widespread and crucial enzyme in various organisms; it is critical for various physiological processes in animals, plants, and bacteria. It catalyzes the reversible hydration of CO2, which is essential for respiration, acid-base balance, pH homeostasis, ion transport, calcification, and photosynthesis. Studies demonstrate that MPs and NPs can inhibit CA activity with mechanisms including adsorption to the enzyme surface and subsequent conformational changes. In vitro and in silico studies highlight the role of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions in these processes. In vivo studies present mixed results, which are influenced by factors like particle type, size, concentration, and organism type. Moreover, the potentiality of the esterase activity of CA for plastic degradation is discussed. The complexity of the interaction between CA and MPs/NPs underscores the need for further research to fully understand the ecological and health impacts of MPs and NPs on CA activity and expression and glimpses of the potentiality and perspectives in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregorio Polo
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, Via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Francesca Lionetto
- Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Giordano
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Lionetto
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
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Menezes N, Felix C, Cruz I, Martinez ST, da Rocha GO, Leão ZMAN, de Andrade JB. Mercury in the Southwestern Atlantic reef-building coral Montastraea cavernosa (Cnidaria, Scleractinia). CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142817. [PMID: 38986788 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, are particularly vulnerable to mercury contamination due to direct contact with terrestrial sources. Here, we evaluated, for the first time, the concentration of mercury in coral reefs in the Southwestern Atlantic using the amphi-atlantic scleractinian coral Montastraea cavernosa. Sampling was realized over an extension of 200 km along different coral reefs. Our data show mercury values ranging from 0.01 to 0.27 mg kg-1 in the tissue and 0.001-0.06 mg kg-1 in the skeleton and higher values when compared to coral worldwide. The concentration of mercury in the tissue from Todos os Santos Bay was higher than in open sea regions but also higher compared to other coral reefs of the world, while the skeleton concentration did not indicate any differences when compared to the open sea regions. The data presented is of concern as we consider the importance of coral reefs and should be used in future environmental management planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Menezes
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente - INCT, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Interdisciplinar em Energia e Ambiente - CIEnAm, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Universitário SENAI-CIMATEC, 41650-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| | - Caio Felix
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente - INCT, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Interdisciplinar em Energia e Ambiente - CIEnAm, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| | - Igor Cruz
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente - INCT, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Laboratory of Biological Oceanography, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Department of Oceanography, Institute of Geosciences, Barão de Jeremoabo Street, Ondina, Salvador, 40210-340, Bahia, Brazil.
| | | | - Gisele O da Rocha
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente - INCT, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Interdisciplinar em Energia e Ambiente - CIEnAm, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| | - Zelinda M A N Leão
- Laboratory of Coral Reefs and Global Changes-RECOR, Institute of Geosciences, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Barão de Jeremoabo Street, Ondina, Salvador, 40210-340, Bahia, Brazil.
| | - Jailson B de Andrade
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Energia e Ambiente - INCT, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Interdisciplinar em Energia e Ambiente - CIEnAm, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Centro Universitário SENAI-CIMATEC, 41650-110, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
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Förster F, Reynaud S, Sauzéat L, Ferrier-Pagès C, Samankassou E, Sheldrake TE. Increased coral biomineralization due to enhanced symbiotic activity upon volcanic ash exposure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168694. [PMID: 38007126 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs, which are among the most productive ecosystems on earth, are in global decline due to rapid climate change. Volcanic activity also results in extreme environmental changes at local to global scales, and may have significant impacts on coral reefs compared to other natural disturbances. During explosive eruptions, large amounts of volcanic ash are generated, significantly disrupting ecosystems close to a volcano, and depositing ash over distal areas (10s - 1000s of km depending on i.a. eruption size and wind direction). Once volcanic ash interacts with seawater, the dissolution of metals leads to a rapid change in the geochemical properties of the seawater column. Here, we report the first known effects of volcanic ash on the physiology and elemental cycling of a symbiotic scleractinian coral under laboratory conditions. Nubbins of the branching coral Stylophora pistillata were reared in aquaria under controlled conditions (insolation, temperature, and pH), while environmental parameters, effective quantum yield, and skeletal growth rate were monitored. Half the aquaria were exposed to volcanic ash every other day for 6 weeks (250 mg L-1 week-1), which induced significant changes in the fluorescence-derived photochemical parameters (ΦPSII, Fv/Fm, NPQ, rETR), directly enhanced the efficiency of symbiont photosynthesis (Pg, Pn), and lead to increased biomineralization rates. Enhancement of symbiont photosynthesis is induced by the supply of essential metals (Fe and Mn), derived from volcanic ash leaching in ambient seawater or within the organism following ingestion. The beneficial role of volcanic ash as an important micronutrient source is supported by the fact that neither photophysiological stress nor signs of lipid peroxidation were detected. Subaerial volcanism affects micronutrient cycling in the coral ecosystem, but the implication for coral ecophysiology on a reef scale remains to be tested. Nevertheless, exposure to volcanic ash can improve coral health and thus influence resilience to external stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Förster
- Geovolco Team, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland.
| | | | - Lucie Sauzéat
- Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans (LMV), Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, IRD, OPGC, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Institut de Génétique, Reproduction et Développement (iGReD), Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Elias Samankassou
- Sedimentology Group, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
| | - Tom E Sheldrake
- Geovolco Team, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
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Li Q, Fu D, Zhou Y, Li Y, Chen L, Wang Z, Wan Y, Huang Z, Zhao H. Individual and combined effects of herbicide prometryn and nitrate enrichment at environmentally relevant concentrations on photosynthesis, oxidative stress, and endosymbiont community diversity of coral Acropora hyacinthus. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 339:139729. [PMID: 37543226 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen pollution and pesticides such as photosystem II (PSII) inhibitor herbicides have several detrimental impacts on coral reefs, including breakdown of the symbiosis between host corals and photosynthetic symbionts. Although nitrogen and PSII herbicide pollution separately cause coral bleaching, the combined effects of these stressors at environmentally relevant concentrations on corals have not been assessed. Here, we report the combined effects of nitrate enrichment and PSII herbicide (prometryn) exposure on photosynthesis, oxidative status and endosymbiont community diversity of the reef-building coral Acropora hyacinthus. Coral fragments were exposed in a mesocosm system to nitrate enrichment (9 μmol/L) and two prometryn concentrations (1 and 5 μg/L). The results showed that sustained prometryn exposure in combination with nitrate enrichment stress had significant detrimental impacts on photosynthetic apparatus [the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) and oxidative status in the short term. Nevertheless, the adaptive mechanism of corals allowed the normal physiological state to be recovered following 1 μg/L prometryn and 9 μmol/L nitrate enrichment individual exposure. Moreover, exposure for 9 days was insufficient to trigger a shift in Symbiodiniaceae community. Most importantly, the negative impact of exposure to the combined environmental concentrations of 1 μg/L prometryn and 9 μmol/L nitrate enrichment was found to be significantly greater on the Fv/Fm, quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation [Y(NO)], NPQ, and oxidative status of corals compared to the impact of individual stressors. Our results show that interactions between prometryn stress and nitrate enrichment have a synergistic impact on the photosynthetic and oxidative stress responses of corals. This study provides valuable insights into combined effects of nitrate enrichment and PSII herbicides pollution for coral's physiology. Environmental concentrations of PSII herbicides may be more harmful to photosystems and antioxidant systems of corals under nitrate enrichment stress. Thus, future research and management of seawater quality stressors should consider combined impacts on corals rather than just the impacts of individual stressors alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; Haikou Marine Geological Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Haikou, 571127, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province & Center for Eco-Environment Restoration of Hainan Province, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Dinghui Fu
- Haikou Marine Geological Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Haikou, 571127, China
| | - Yanyu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province & Center for Eco-Environment Restoration of Hainan Province, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Yuanchao Li
- Hainan Academy of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences, Haikou, 571126, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Haikou Marine Geological Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Haikou, 571127, China
| | - Zhaofan Wang
- Haikou Marine Geological Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Haikou, 571127, China
| | - Yinglang Wan
- College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Zanhui Huang
- Haikou Marine Geological Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Haikou, 571127, China.
| | - Hongwei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province & Center for Eco-Environment Restoration of Hainan Province, College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
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