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Competition of Cd(II) and Pb(II) on the bacterial cells: a new insight from bioaccumulation based on NanoSIMS imaging.

Zhijun WangYing ZhangYunhui ChenFeiyu HanYixiao ShiShang PanZhen Li
Published in: Applied and environmental microbiology (2024)
Microbial tolerance and resistance to heavy metals have been widely studied under stress of single metals. However, the polymetallic exposure seems to prevail in the environment. Though microbial resistance can alleviate the effects of exogenous stress, the taxonomic or functional response to polymetallic exposure is still not fully understood. We determined the strong cytotoxicity of cadmium (Cd) on growth, and cell elongation would be driven by Cd stress. The addition of appropriate lead (Pb) showed a stimulating effect on microbial bioactivity. Meanwhile, the biosorption of Pb was more intense during co-existence of Pb and Cd. Our work also revealed the spatial coupling of intracellular S and Cd/Pb. In particular, the S assimilation was promoted by Pb stress. This work elucidated the microbial responses to polymetallic exposure and may provide new insights into the antagonistic function during metal stresses.
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