Marine Bacteria under Low-Intensity Radioactive Exposure: Model Experiments.

Radioactive contaminants create problems all over world, involving marine ecosystems, with their ecological importance increasing in the future. The review focuses on bioeffects of a series of alpha and beta emitting radioisotopes (americium-241, uranium-(235 + 238), thorium-232, and tritium) and gamma radiation. Low-intensity exposures are under special consideration.

Development of Cellular and Enzymatic Bioluminescent Assay Systems to Study Low-Dose Effects of Thorium.

Thorium is one of the most widespread radioactive elements in natural ecosystems, along with uranium, it is the most important source of nuclear energy. However, the effects of thorium on living organisms have not been thoroughly studied. Marine luminescent bacteria and their enzymes are optimal bioassays for studying low-dose thorium exposures.

Enzymatic Responses to Low-Intensity Radiation of Tritium.

The present study considers a possible role of enzymatic reactions in the adaptive response of cells to the beta-emitting radionuclide tritium under conditions of low-dose exposures. Effects of tritiated water (HTO) on the reactions of bacterial luciferase and NAD(P)H:FMN-oxidoreductase, as well as a coupled system of these two reactions, were studied at radioactivity concentrations ≤ 200 MBq/L. Additionally, one of the simplest enzymatic reactions, photobiochemical proton transfer in Coelenteramide-containing Fluorescent Protein (CLM-FP), was also investigated.

Humic Substances Mitigate the Impact of Tritium on Luminous Marine Bacteria. Involvement of Reactive Oxygen Species.

The paper studies the combined effects of beta-emitting radionuclide tritium and Humic Substances (HS) on the marine unicellular microorganism-luminous bacteria-under conditions of low-dose radiation exposures (<0.04 Gy). Tritium was used as a component of tritiated water.

Reactive Oxygen Species and low-dose effects of tritium on bacterial cells.

The paper continues study of exposures of luminous marine bacteria to low-dose radiation of tritium; tritiated water (HTO) was applied as a source of the irradiation. Hypothesis on involvement of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to signaling mechanism of bacterial cells under exposure to low-intensity tritium radiation was verified. Bacterial bioluminescence intensity was considered as a tested physiological parameter; it was compared to the ROS production in the bacterial environment of different activity concentrations: 0.

Detoxification of AM-241 solutions by humic substances: bioluminescent monitoring.

The study addresses the effect of humic substances on marine luminous bacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum exposed to Am-241 (3,000 Bq L(-1), water solution). Luminescent intensity of the bacteria was applied as a marker of their physiological activity. Humic substances have been found to reduce the effect of Am-241 on luminescence, decrease damage to cells, and change distribution of Am-241 between bacterial cells and intercellular media.

Effect of low-level alpha-radiation on bioluminescent assay systems of various complexity.

This study addresses the effects of low-level alpha-radiation on bioluminescent assay systems of different levels of organization: in vivo and in vitro. Three bioluminescent assay systems are used: intact bacteria, lyophilized bacteria, and bioluminescent system of coupled enzyme reactions. Solutions of 241Am(NO3)3 are used as a source of alpha-radiation.