Copper tolerance mediated by polyphosphate degradation and low-affinity inorganic phosphate transport system in Escherichia coli.

Background: Metal tolerance in bacteria has been related to polyP in a model in which heavy metals stimulate the polymer hydrolysis, forming metal-phosphate complexes that are exported. As previously described in our laboratory, Escherichia coli cells grown in media containing a phosphate concentration >37 mM maintained an unusually high polyphosphate (polyP) level in stationary phase. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the influence of polyP levels as the involvement of low-affinity inorganic phosphate transport (Pit) system in E.

Inhibition of Penicillium expansum by an oxidative treatment.

Several oxidizing compounds such as sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) are used to control postharvest decay in fresh fruit due to their antimicrobial effects. Here, we applied these compounds in vitro, in the presence of CuSO(4), against Penicillium expansum, causal agent of apple blue mold. MICs were 50 mg L(-1) and 400 mmol L(-1) for NaClO and H(2)O(2), respectively, when these compounds were individually applied to conidia suspensions during 2 min.

Cu(II)-reduction by Escherichia coli cells is dependent on respiratory chain components.

Copper is both an essential nutrient and a toxic element able to catalyze free radicals formation which damage lipids and proteins. Although the available copper redox species in aerobic environment is Cu(II), proteins that participate in metal homeostasis use Cu(I). With isolated Escherichia coli membranes, we have previously shown that electron flow through the respiratory chain promotes cupric ions reduction by NADH dehydrogenase-2 and quinones.

Cellular damage induced by a sequential oxidative treatment on Penicillium digitatum.

Aim: To investigate the cellular damage on Penicillium digitatum produced by a sequential oxidative treatment (SOT), previously standardized in our laboratory, to prevent the conidia growth. Lethal SOT consists of 2-min preincubation with 10 ppm NaClO followed by 2-min incubation with 6 mmol l(-1) CuSO(4) and 100 mmol l(-1) H(2)O(2) at 25°C.

Methods And Results: After the application of lethal SOT or sublethal SOT (decreasing only the H(2)O(2) concentration), we analysed several conidia features such as germination, oxygen consumption, ultrastructure and integrity of the cellular wall and membrane.

Uptake of chromium by Salvinia minima: effect on plant growth, leaf respiration and carbohydrate metabolism.

Metabolic responses to chromium (Cr) exposure and metal uptake were investigated using Salvinia minima plants. Cr treatment reduced the dry weight of floating and submerged leaves, while photosynthetic pigments were not affected. Measurements of respiratory oxygen uptake with and without inhibitors (KCN and SHAM) demonstrated that total respiration, alternative oxidase capacity and residual respiration were higher in Cr-treated than in Cr-untreated leaves, but the highest values were observed in floating leaves.