title: Metabolic reengineering invoked by microbial systems to decontaminate aluminum: implications for bioremediation technologies.
abstract: As our reliance on aluminum (Al) increases, so too does its presence in the environment and living systems. Although generally recognized as safe, its interactions with most living systems have been nefarious. This review presents an overview of the noxious effects of Al and how a subset of microbes can rework their metabolic pathways in order to survive an Al-contaminated environment. For instance, in order to expulse the metal as an insoluble precipitate, Pseudomonas fluorescens shuttles metabolites toward the production of organic acids and lipids that play key roles in chelating, immobilizing and exuding Al. Further, the reconfiguration of metabolic modules enables the microorganism to combat the dearth of iron (Fe) and the excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) promoted by Al toxicity. While in Rhizobium spp., exopolysaccharides have been invoked to sequester this metal, an ATPase is known to safeguard Anoxybacillus gonensis against the trivalent metal. Hydroxyl, carboxyl and phosphate moieties have also been exploited by microbes to trap Al. Hence, an understanding of the metabolic networks that are operative in microorganisms residing in polluted environments is critical in devising bioremediation technologies aimed at managing metal wastes. Metabolic engineering is essential in elaborating effective biotechnological processes to decontaminate metal-polluted surroundings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Auger
authors.forename: Sungwon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Varun P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Appanna
authors.forename: Sean C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ulibarri
authors.forename: Vasu D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Appanna
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000535:Aluminum / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D002952:Citric Acid Cycle; D017753:Ecosystem; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D004867:Equipment Design; D060847:Metabolic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D009249:NADP / Q000378:metabolism; D011551:Pseudomonas fluorescens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D009249:NADP; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000535:Aluminum