Effects of La3+ on growth, transformation, and gene expression of Escherichia coli.
Rare earth elements have been emitted into the environment largely as fertilizer components. This has caused much fear about whether they would influence our environment, especially on the metabolism and genetics of microorganisms. In this article, the trivalent ion of a rare earth element, lanthanum, was studied for the effects on growth, transformation, and gene expression of Escherichia coli. The results showed that La3+ at concentrations from 50 to 150 microg/mL stimulated the endogenic metabolism and ectogenic metabolism, but had few effects on gene expression. La3+ at lower concentrations from 0.5 to 30 microg/mL inhibit intensively E. coli-absorbing external DNA, decreasing the transformation efficiency. It is also supported by observations using transmission electron microscopy. Our results are significant in understanding the function of rare earth elements to microorganisms and assessing the risk of application of rare earth compounds.
Wenhua
Li
L
College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
Ruming
Zhao
Z
Zhixiong
Xie
X
Xiangdong
Chen
C
Ping
Shen
S
D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D007763:Lac Operon / Q000235:genetics; D007811:Lanthanum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D022722:Thermogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
D007811:Lanthanum