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Dallinger R. Metals and metallothionein evolution in snails: a contribution to the concept of metal-specific functionality from an animal model group. Biometals 2024; 37:671-696. [PMID: 38416244 PMCID: PMC11101346 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-024-00584-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
This is a critical review of what we know so far about the evolution of metallothioneins (MTs) in Gastropoda (snails, whelks, limpets and slugs), an important class of molluscs with over 90,000 known species. Particular attention will be paid to the evolution of snail MTs in relation to the role of some metallic trace elements (cadmium, zinc and copper) and their interaction with MTs, also compared to MTs from other animal phyla. The article also highlights the important distinction, yet close relationship, between the structural and metal-selective binding properties of gastropod MTs and their physiological functionality in the living organism. It appears that in the course of the evolution of Gastropoda, the trace metal cadmium (Cd) must have played an essential role in the development of Cd-selective MT variants. It is shown how the structures and Cd-selective binding properties in the basal gastropod clades have evolved by testing and optimizing different combinations of ancestral and novel MT domains, and how some of these domains have become established in modern and recent gastropod clades. In this context, the question of how adaptation to new habitats and lifestyles has affected the original MT traits in different gastropod lineages will also be addressed. The 3D structures and their metal binding preferences will be highlighted exemplarily in MTs of modern littorinid and helicid snails. Finally, the importance of the different metal requirements and pathways in snail tissues and cells for the shaping and functionality of the respective MT isoforms will be shown.
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Hillyer KE, Bose U, Broadbent JA, Bissett A, Beale DJ. Multi-omics eco-surveillance of complex legacy contamination with a locally adapted estuarine invertebrate. Environ Pollut 2023; 319:120993. [PMID: 36623788 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Complex legacy contamination from human use is a major issue for estuaries globally. In particular, contamination of water and sediments with bioavailable metals/metalloids, in addition to other industrial contaminants, such as hydrocarbons. Yet, understanding of complex toxicity and local adaptation in field exposed, non-model, invertebrate communities is limited. Herein, we apply multi-omics (metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics) coupled to traditional sediment quality analyses, to better characterise molecular and cellular responses necessary for application to monitoring, as an eco-surveillance tool. Using these approaches, we characterise functional phenotypes of a sediment associated invertebrate (sipunculid), from an estuary exposed to complex legacy contamination (metals: Zn, Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, As; and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs). We sampled individuals at a range of exposure sites, highly (NTB5), moderately (NTB13), and lesser-influenced reference sites. Size differences were observed in sampled individuals between sites, with smaller individuals collected from NTB13. Analysis of environmental variables that correlated with change in the metabolite data revealed that the metabolism of smaller individuals at medium exposure NTB13 was highly differentiated by sediment concentrations of Hg, despite higher concentrations at more exposed NTB5. Functional phenotypes of these smaller individuals were characterised by sulphur and aromatic amino acid metabolism, increases in oxidised intermediates, upregulation of protein responses to oxidative stress, and melanin synthesis, and saturation of membrane and storage of lipids; in addition to the metabolism of naphthalene (PAH). Such widespread change was not observed in the metabolite and lipid profiles of larger individuals at high exposure NTB5, suggesting possible differences in effects between sites may also be associated with size (developmental stage, or age) and/or PAH exposure. This study serves to further understanding of differing modes of toxicity and local adaptation to multiple contaminants, and drivers of functional change in a complex estuary environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie E Hillyer
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia
| | - Utpal Bose
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - James A Broadbent
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew Bissett
- Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO, Battery Point, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - David J Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia.
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Gnatyshyna L, Khoma V, Martinyuk V, Matskiv T, Pedrini-Martha V, Niederwanger M, Stoliar O, Dallinger R. Sublethal cadmium exposure in the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis meets a deficient, poorly responsive metallothionein system while evoking oxidative and cellular stress. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 263:109490. [PMID: 36265756 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2022.109490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Great Pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda, Hygrophila) is a wide-spread freshwater gastropod, being considered as a model organism for research in many fields of biology, including ecotoxicology. The aim of the present study was to explore the Cd sensitivity of L. stagnalis through the measurement of a biomarker battery for oxidative, toxic and cellular stress. The interpretation of biomarker parameters occurred against the background of a truncated metallothionein protein with a limited Cd-binding capacity. Individuals of L. stagnalis were exposed through 14 days to uncontaminated water (controls) or to low (30 μg · L-1) or high (50 μg · L-1) Cd concentrations. The digestive gland of control and low-Cd exposed snails was processed for transcriptional analysis of the Metallothionein (MT) gene expression, and for determination of biomarkers for oxidative stress, toxicity and cellular stress. Digestive gland supernatants of high-Cd exposed snails were subjected to chromatography and subsequent analysis by spectrophotometry. It was shown that the MT system of L. stagnalis is functionally deficient, with a poor Cd responsiveness at both, the transcriptional and the protein expression levels. Instead, L. stagnalis appears to rely on alternative detoxification mechanisms such as Cd binding by phytochelatins and metal inactivation by compartmentalization within the lysosomal system. In spite of this, however, traces of Cd apparently leak out of the pre-determined detoxification pathways, leading to adverse effects, which is clearly indicated by biomarkers of oxidative and cellular stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesya Gnatyshyna
- I.Ya. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine; Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, Ternopil, Ukraine.
| | - Vira Khoma
- Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, Ternopil, Ukraine.
| | - Viktoria Martinyuk
- Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Tetyana Matskiv
- I.Ya. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine; Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, Ternopil, Ukraine.
| | | | - Michael Niederwanger
- Institute of Zoology, University and Center of Molecular Biosciences, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Oksana Stoliar
- Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, Ternopil, Ukraine.
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Institute of Zoology, University and Center of Molecular Biosciences, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Hillyer KE, Raes E, Karsh K, Holmes B, Bissett A, Beale DJ. Metabolomics as a tool for in situ study of chronic metal exposure in estuarine invertebrates. Environ Pollut 2022; 292:118408. [PMID: 34718088 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Estuaries are subject to intense human use globally, with impacts from multiple stressors, such as metal contaminants. A key challenge is extending beyond traditional monitoring approaches to understand effects to biota and system function. To explore the metabolic effects of complex metal contaminants to sediment dwelling (benthic) fauna, we apply a multiple-lines-of-evidence approach, coupling environmental monitoring, benthic sampling, total metals analysis and targeted metabolomics. We characterise metabolic signatures of metal exposure in three benthic invertebrate taxa, which differed in distribution across sites and severity of metal exposure: sipunculid (very high), amphipod (high), maldanid polychaete (moderate). We observed sediment and tissue metal loads far exceeding sediment guidelines where toxicity-related adverse effects may be expected, for metals including, As, Cd, Pb, Zn and Hg. Change in site- and taxa-specific metabolite profiles was highly correlated with natural environmental drivers (sediment total organic carbon and water temperature). At the most metal influenced sites, metabolite variation was also correlated with sediment metal loads. Using supervised multivariate regression, taxa-specific metabolic signatures of increased exposure and possibility of toxic effects were characterised against multiple reference sites. Metabolic signatures varied according to each taxon and degree of metal exposure, but primarily indicated altered cysteine and methionine metabolism, metal-binding and elimination (lysosomal) activity, coupled to change in complex biosynthesis pathways, responses to oxidative stress, and cellular damage. This novel multiple-lines-of-evidence approach combining metabolomics with traditional environmental monitoring, enabled detection and characterisation of chronic metal exposure effects in situ in multiple invertebrate taxa. With capacity for application to rapid and effective monitoring of non-model species in complex environments, these approaches are critical for improved assessment and management of systems that are increasingly subject to anthropogenic drivers of change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie E Hillyer
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Eric Raes
- Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO, Battery Point, Hobart, TAS, Australia; The Minderoo foundation, Flourishing Oceans, Broadway Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Kristen Karsh
- Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO, Battery Point, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Holmes
- Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO, Battery Point, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Andrew Bissett
- Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO, Battery Point, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - David J Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Chen L, Liu J, Zhang W, Zhou J, Luo D, Li Z. Uranium (U) source, speciation, uptake, toxicity and bioremediation strategies in soil-plant system: A review. J Hazard Mater 2021; 413:125319. [PMID: 33582470 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Uranium(U), a highly toxic radionuclide, is becoming a great threat to soil health development, as returning nuclear waste containing U into the soil systems is increased. Numerous studies have focused on: i) tracing the source in U contaminated soils; ii) exploring U geochemistry; and iii) assessing U phyto-uptake and its toxicity to plants. Yet, there are few literature reviews that systematically summarized the U in soil-plant system in past decade. Thus, we present its source, geochemical behavior, uptake, toxicity, detoxification, and bioremediation strategies based on available data, especially published from 2018 to 2021. In this review, we examine processes that can lead to the soil U contamination, indicating that mining activities are currently the main sources. We discuss the relationship between U bioavailability in the soil-plant system and soil conditions including redox potential, soil pH, organic matter, and microorganisms. We then review the soil-plant transfer of U, finding that U mainly accumulates in roots with a quite limited translocation. However, plants such as willow, water lily, and sesban are reported to translocate high U levels from roots to aerial parts. Indeed, U does not possess any identified biological role, but provokes numerous deleterious effects such as reducing seed germination, inhibiting plant growth, depressing photosynthesis, interfering with nutrient uptake, as well as oxidative damage and genotoxicity. Yet, plants tolerate U toxicity via various defense strategies including antioxidant enzymes, compartmentalization, and phytochelatin. Moreover, we review two biological remediation strategies for U-contaminated soil: (i) phytoremediation and (ii) microbial remediation. They are quite low-cost and eco-friendly compared with traditional physical or chemical remediation technologies. Finally, we conclude some promising research challenges regarding U biogeochemical behavior in soil-plant systems. This review, thus, further indicates that the combined application of U low accumulators and microbial inoculants may be an effective strategy for the bioremediation of U-contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, Gansu Tech Innovation Center of Western China Grassland Industry; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, PR China
| | - Jinrong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, Gansu Tech Innovation Center of Western China Grassland Industry; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, PR China.
| | - Weixiong Zhang
- Third Institute Geological and Mineral Exploration of Gansu Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China
| | - Jiqiang Zhou
- Gansu Nonferrous Engineering Exploration & Design Research Institute, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China
| | - Danqi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, Gansu Tech Innovation Center of Western China Grassland Industry; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, PR China
| | - Zimin Li
- Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Earth and Life Institute, Soil Science, Louvain-La-Neuve 1348, Belgium.
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Dvorak M, Schnegg R, Salvenmoser W, Palacios Ò, Lindner H, Zerbe O, Hansel A, Leiminger M, Steiner G, Dallinger R, Lackner R. Distinct pathways for zinc metabolism in the terrestrial slug Arion vulgaris. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20089. [PMID: 31882936 PMCID: PMC6934671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56577-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In most organisms, the concentration of free Zn2+ is controlled by metallothioneins (MTs). In contrast, no significant proportions of Zn2+ are bound to MTs in the slug, Arion vulgaris. Instead, this species possesses cytoplasmic low-molecular-weight Zn2+ (LMW Zn) binding compound that divert these metal ions into pathways uncoupled from MT metabolism. Zn2+ is accumulated in the midgut gland calcium cells of Arion vulgaris, where they associate with a low-molecular-weight ligand with an apparent molecular mass of ~ 2,000 Da. Mass spectrometry of the semi-purified LMW Zn binding compound combining an electrospray ion source with a differential mobility analyser coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer revealed the presence of four Zn2+-containing ion signals, which arise from disintegration of one higher MW complex resulting in an ion-mobility diameter of 1.62 nm and a molecular mass of 837 Da. We expect that the novel Zn2+ ion storage pathway may be shared by many other gastropods, and particularly species that possess Cd-selective MT isoforms or variants with only very low affinity to Zn2+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Dvorak
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Raimund Schnegg
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Willy Salvenmoser
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Òscar Palacios
- Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Herbert Lindner
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 80, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Oliver Zerbe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Armin Hansel
- Institute for Ion Physics and Applied Physics, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus Leiminger
- Institute for Ion Physics and Applied Physics, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerhard Steiner
- Institute for Ion Physics and Applied Physics, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
- GRIMM Aerosol Technik Ainring GmbH & Co. KG, 83404, Ainring, Germany
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Reinhard Lackner
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Dvorak M, Schnegg R, Niederwanger M, Pedrini-Martha V, Ladurner P, Lindner H, Kremser L, Lackner R, Dallinger R. Cadmium Pathways in Snails Follow a Complementary Strategy between Metallothionein Detoxification and Auxiliary Inactivation by Phytochelatins. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010007. [PMID: 31861343 PMCID: PMC6981842 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal detoxification is crucial for animals to cope with environmental exposure. In snails, a pivotal role in protection against cadmium (Cd) is attributed to metallothioneins (MTs). Some gastropod species express, in a lineage-specific manner, Cd-selective MTs devoted exclusively to the binding and detoxification of this single metal, whereas other species of snails possess non-selective MTs, but still show a high tolerance against Cd. An explanation for this may be that invertebrates and in particular snails may also synthetize phytochelatins (PCs), originally known to be produced by plants, to provide protection against metal or metalloid toxicity. Here we demonstrate that despite the fact that similar mechanisms for Cd inactivation exist in snail species through binding of the metal to MTs, the actual detoxification pathways for this metal may follow different traits in a species-specific manner. In particular, this depends on the detoxification capacity of MTs due to their Cd-selective or non-specific binding features. In the terrestrial slug Arion vulgaris, for example, Cd is solely detoxified by a Cd-selective MT isoform (AvMT1). In contrast, the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata activates an additional pathway for metal inactivation by synthesizing phytochelatins, which compensate for the insufficient capacity of its non-selective MT system to detoxify Cd. We hypothesize that in other snails and invertebrate species, too, an alternative inactivation of the metal by PCs may occur, if their MT system is not Cd-selective enough, or its Cd loading capacity is exhausted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Dvorak
- Institute of Zoology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Raimund Schnegg
- Institute of Zoology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Niederwanger
- Institute of Zoology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Veronika Pedrini-Martha
- Institute of Zoology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Ladurner
- Institute of Zoology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Lindner
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Innsbruck Medical University, Biocenter, Innrain 80, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Leopold Kremser
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Innsbruck Medical University, Biocenter, Innrain 80, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Reinhard Lackner
- Institute of Zoology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Correspondence: (R.L.); (R.D.)
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Institute of Zoology and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Correspondence: (R.L.); (R.D.)
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Amorim J, Abreu I, Rodrigues P, Peixoto D, Pinheiro C, Saraiva A, Carvalho AP, Guimarães L, Oliva-Teles L. Lymnaea stagnalis as a freshwater model invertebrate for ecotoxicological studies. Sci Total Environ 2019; 669:11-28. [PMID: 30877957 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Lymnaea stagnalis, also referred to as great or common pond snail, is an abundant and widespread invertebrate species colonizing temperate limnic systems. Given the species importance, studies involving L. stagnalis have the potential to produce scientifically relevant information, leading to a better understanding of the damage caused by aquatic contamination, as well as the modes of action of toxicants. Lymnaea stagnalis individuals are easily maintained in laboratory conditions, with a lifespan of about two years. The snails are hermaphrodites and sexual maturity occurs about three months after egg laying. Importantly, they can produce a high number of offspring all year round and are considered well suited for use in investigations targeting the identification of developmental and reproductive impairments. The primary aims of this review were two-fold: i) to provide an updated and insightful compilation of established toxicological measures determined in both chronic and acute toxicity assays, as useful tool to the design and development of future research; and ii) to provide a state of the art related to direct toxicant exposure and its potentially negative effects on this species. Relevant and informative studies were analysed and discussed. Knowledge gaps in need to be addressed in the near future were further identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Amorim
- Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Biologia, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR) da Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Isabel Abreu
- Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Biologia, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR) da Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Pedro Rodrigues
- Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Biologia, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR) da Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Diogo Peixoto
- Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Biologia, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Pinheiro
- Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Biologia, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Aurélia Saraiva
- Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Biologia, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR) da Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - António Paulo Carvalho
- Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Biologia, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR) da Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Laura Guimarães
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR) da Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Luis Oliva-Teles
- Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Biologia, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR) da Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
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Niederwanger M, Dvorak M, Schnegg R, Pedrini-Martha V, Bacher K, Bidoli M, Dallinger R. Challenging the Metallothionein (MT) Gene of Biomphalaria glabrata: Unexpected Response Patterns Due to Cadmium Exposure and Temperature Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E1747. [PMID: 28800079 PMCID: PMC5578137 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18081747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are low-molecular-mass, cysteine-rich, metal binding proteins. In most animal species, they are involved in metal homeostasis and detoxification, and provide protection from oxidative stress. Gastropod MTs are highly diversified, exhibiting unique features and adaptations like metal specificity and multiplications of their metal binding domains. Here, we show that the MT gene of Biomphalaria glabrata, one of the largest MT genes identified so far, is composed in a unique way. The encoding for an MT protein has a three-domain structure and a C-terminal, Cys-rich extension. Using a bioinformatic approach involving structural and in silico analysis of putative transcription factor binding sites (TFBs), we found that this MT gene consists of five exons and four introns. It exhibits a regulatory promoter region containing three metal-responsive elements (MREs) and several TFBs with putative involvement in environmental stress response, and regulation of gene expression. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) data indicate that the MT gene is not inducible by cadmium (Cd) nor by temperature challenges (heat and cold), despite significant Cd uptake within the midgut gland and the high Cd tolerance of metal-exposed snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Niederwanger
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Martin Dvorak
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Raimund Schnegg
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Veronika Pedrini-Martha
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Katharina Bacher
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Massimo Bidoli
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Reinhard Dallinger
- Institute of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Niederwanger M, Calatayud S, Zerbe O, Atrian S, Albalat R, Capdevila M, Palacios Ò, Dallinger R. Biomphalaria glabrata Metallothionein: Lacking Metal Specificity of the Protein and Missing Gene Upregulation Suggest Metal Sequestration by Exchange Instead of through Selective Binding. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E1457. [PMID: 28684706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The wild-type metallothionein (MT) of the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata and a natural allelic mutant of it in which a lysine residue was replaced by an asparagine residue, were recombinantly expressed and analyzed for their metal-binding features with respect to Cd2+, Zn2+ and Cu⁺, applying spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric methods. In addition, the upregulation of the Biomphalaria glabrataMT gene was assessed by quantitative real-time detection PCR. The two recombinant proteins revealed to be very similar in most of their metal binding features. They lacked a clear metal-binding preference for any of the three metal ions assayed-which, to this degree, is clearly unprecedented in the world of Gastropoda MTs. There were, however, slight differences in copper-binding abilities between the two allelic variants. Overall, the missing metal specificity of the two recombinant MTs goes hand in hand with lacking upregulation of the respective MT gene. This suggests that in vivo, the Biomphalaria glabrata MT may be more important for metal replacement reactions through a constitutively abundant form, rather than for metal sequestration by high binding specificity. There are indications that the MT of Biomphalaria glabrata may share its unspecific features with MTs from other freshwater snails of the Hygrophila family.
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11
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Pedrosa J, Gravato C, Campos D, Cardoso P, Figueira E, Nowak C, Soares AMVM, Barata C, Pestana JLT. Investigating heritability of cadmium tolerance in Chironomus riparius natural populations: A physiological approach. Chemosphere 2017; 170:83-94. [PMID: 28006760 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Physiological responses allow populations to cope with metal contamination and can be involved in the evolution of tolerance under historical metal contamination scenarios. Here we investigate physiological aspects that might be underlying the heritable high tolerance to cadmium (Cd) in two Chironomus riparius populations collected from historically metal contaminated sites in comparison to two populations from reference sites. To evaluate differences in the physiological response to short-term Cd exposure, protein expression profiles, metallothioneins [MTs] and several antioxidant defences such as total glutathione (GSHt), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferases [GSTs], were measured in all four populations reared for at least 8 generations under laboratory clean conditions. Cd-induced oxidative damage in lipids and energy related parameters (energy consumption and energy reserves) were also assessed. Results showed two major gradients of protein profiles according to Cd concentration and population tolerance. Furthermore, Cd-tolerant populations showed higher baseline levels of MTs and GSHt while Cd-sensitive populations, collected from reference sites, showed significant induction of GSHt levels with Cd exposure that were nonetheless insufficient to avoid increased oxidative damage to lipids. Cd exposure had no clear effects on the antioxidant enzymes or energy reserves but triggered a general increase in energy consumption. Finally, energy consumption was higher in Cd-tolerant populations across experimental conditions. Altogether, results demonstrate that inherited Cd-tolerance in these midge populations is related, at least in part, with different constitutive levels and plasticity of different defence mechanisms confirming the validity of using multiple physiological traits when studying evolution of tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pedrosa
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Conservation Genetics Group, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum of Frankfurt, Clamecystrasse 12, 63571 Gelnhausen, Germany.
| | - Carlos Gravato
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Diana Campos
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Paulo Cardoso
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Etelvina Figueira
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carsten Nowak
- Conservation Genetics Group, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum of Frankfurt, Clamecystrasse 12, 63571 Gelnhausen, Germany
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carlos Barata
- Department of Environmental Chemistry (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - João L T Pestana
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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