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Genetic Engineering for Chromium Removal

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Chromium in Plants and Environment

Part of the book series: Environmental Science and Engineering ((ESE))

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Abstract

Chromium(Cr) is a heavy metal and exerts a profusion of toxic effects in a plethora of organisms (bacteria, plants, fungi, archaebacteria, algae, and many more). Cr is increasingly being accumulated in the soil, freshwater, wastewater, etc. because of extensive anthropogenic activities. It is carcinogenic for humans and due to the alarming upsurge of Cr concentration in the environment, it is treated as a priority pollutant. Cr manifests in various valence states of which Cr(VI) (most toxic) and Cr(III) are the most stable. Cr when accumulated inside cells of an organism, leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) hampering a network of molecular, physiological, and metabolic processes. Several genetic studies have revealed that certain organisms contain specific genes conferring the potential to withstand as well as remediate high concentrations of Cr. These organisms may remove, accumulate or reduce Cr(VI) to the less toxic Cr(III) form. Recent years have shed light on the various genes involved in Cr tolerance. These genes have been exploited using genetic engineering (GE) tools to construct genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with the ability of Cr bioremediation. These GMOs can be allowed to grow in Cr-contaminated regions and ameliorate its toxic effects. This chapter summarizes the Cr toxicity in organisms, the significance of detoxification genes in Cr stress response, mechanisms of Cr tolerance and enzyme activity in Cr reduction and resistance. It also highlights various bacteria, plants, and other organisms such as phages, yeast, etc., utilized for bioremediation in Cr-contaminated regions.

Graphical Abstract: Schematic representation of genetic engineering techniques used For Cr bioremediation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Maharashtra, Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Bhatan, Panvel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410206, India

    Roshnee Bose, Samruddhi Kulkarni, Jaya Lakkakula & Nilesh S. Wagh

  2. Centre for Computational Biology and Translational Research, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Maharashtra, Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Bhatan, Panvel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410206, India

    Jaya Lakkakula

  3. Centre for Drug Discovery and Development, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Maharashtra, Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Bhatan, Panvel, Mumbai, 410206, India

    Nilesh S. Wagh

Authors
  1. Roshnee Bose
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  2. Samruddhi Kulkarni
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  3. Jaya Lakkakula
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  4. Nilesh S. Wagh
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jaya Lakkakula or Nilesh S. Wagh .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India

    Nitish Kumar

  2. Institut für Radioökologie Und Strahlenschutz, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität, Hannover, Germany

    Clemens Walther

  3. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Dharmendra K. Gupta

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Bose, R., Kulkarni, S., Lakkakula, J., Wagh, N.S. (2023). Genetic Engineering for Chromium Removal. In: Kumar, N., Walther, C., Gupta, D.K. (eds) Chromium in Plants and Environment. Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-44029-8_7

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