The Metallothionein System in Tetrahymena thermophila Is Iron-Inducible

Metallothioneins are multifunctional proteins implicated in various cellular processes. They have been used as biomarkers of heavy metal exposure and contamination due to their intrinsic ability to bind heavy metals and their transcriptional response to both physiological and noxious metal ions such...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Toxics (Basel) 2024-10, Vol.12 (10), p.725
Main Authors: Gualandris, Davide, Rotondo, Davide, Lorusso, Candida, La Terza, Antonietta, Calisi, Antonio, Dondero, Francesco
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
aquatic system
Biomarkers
Cadmium
Catalase
Chemical properties
Ciliates
Environmental aspects
evolution
Gene expression
Genetic engineering
Heavy metals
Homeostasis
Hydrogen peroxide
Influence
Iron
Mercury
Metal ions
Metallothionein
Metallothioneins
Oxidative stress
Physiological aspects
Physiology
pollution
Proteins
protist
Protozoa
Reactive oxygen species
Reagents
Superoxide dismutase
Tetrahymena thermophila
Toxicity
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Summary:Metallothioneins are multifunctional proteins implicated in various cellular processes. They have been used as biomarkers of heavy metal exposure and contamination due to their intrinsic ability to bind heavy metals and their transcriptional response to both physiological and noxious metal ions such as cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). In this study, we aimed to clarify the role of iron and reactive oxygen species (ROSs) in the induction of the metallothionein system (Mtt) in the ciliate protozoan . We investigated the relative mRNA abundances of the metallothionein genes Mtt1, Mtt2/4, and Mtt5, revealing for the first time their responsiveness to iron exposure. Furthermore, by using inhibitors of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), alone or in combination with iron, we highlighted the roles of superoxide ion and endogenous hydrogen peroxide, as well as the complex interplay between the metal and ROSs. These results enhance our understanding of the metallothionein system in ciliates and suggest that ROSs may be a primary evolutionary driver for the selection of these proteins in nature.
ISSN:2305-6304
2305-6304
DOI:10.3390/toxics12100725