Isolation, characterization, and metal response of novel, acid-tolerant Penicillium spp. from extremely metal-rich waters at a mining site in Transbaikal (Siberia, Russia)

Glukhova, L. B., Frank, Y. A., Danilova, E. V., Avakyan, M. A., Banks, D. , Tuovinen, O. H. and Karnachuk, O. V. (2018) Isolation, characterization, and metal response of novel, acid-tolerant Penicillium spp. from extremely metal-rich waters at a mining site in Transbaikal (Siberia, Russia). Microbial Ecology, 76(4), pp. 911-924. (doi: 10.1007/s00248-018-1186-0) (PMID:29663040)

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Abstract

The role of fungi in metal cycling in acidic environments has been little explored to date. In this study, two acid-tolerant and metal-resistant Penicillium isolates, strains ShG4B and ShG4C, were isolated from a mine site in the Transbaikal area of Siberia (Russia). Waters at the mine site were characterized by extremely high metal concentrations: up to 18 g l−1 Fe and >2 g l−1 each of Cu, Zn, Al, and As. Both isolates were identified as Penicillium spp. by phylogenetic analyses and they grew well in Czapek medium acidified to pH 2.5. Resistance to Cu, Cd, Ni, Co, and arsenate was in the range of 1–10 g l−1. Further experiments with Penicillium strain ShG4C demonstrated that growth in Cu-containing media was accompanied by the precipitation of Cu-oxalate (moolooite) and the formation of extracellular vesicles enriched in Cu on the mycelia. Vesicles were greatly reduced in size in Cd-containing media and were not formed in the presence of Ni or Co. Cd-oxalate was detected as a crystalline solid phase in Cd-exposed mycelia. Hydrated Nisulfate (retgersite) and Co-sulfate (bieberite) were detected in mycelia grown in the presence of Ni and Co, respectively. The results demonstrated that acid-tolerant and metal-resistant Penicillium constitute a component in extremophilic microbiomes, contributing to organic matter breakdown and formation of secondary solid phases at pH ranges found in acid rock drainage.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by the Russian Fund for Basic Research, Project No. 16-04-01619.
Keywords:Biomineralization, bieberite, extracellular vesicles, extremophilic fungi, metal resistance, mine water, moolooit, Penicillium spp., retgersite.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Banks, Mr David
Authors: Glukhova, L. B., Frank, Y. A., Danilova, E. V., Avakyan, M. A., Banks, D., Tuovinen, O. H., and Karnachuk, O. V.
Subjects:Q Science > QE Geology
Q Science > QR Microbiology
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Microbial Ecology
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0095-3628
ISSN (Online):1432-184X
Published Online:17 April 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
First Published:First published in Microbial Ecology 76(4): 911-624
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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