Abstract
The toxicity and possible accumulation of ruthenium nitrosyl complexes by marine bacteria and test organisms have been studied, A range of these complexes show no toxic effects towardsEscherichia coli K12 at concentrations of mM and below. Yeasts are more sensitive, showing effects on growth at 10 ΜM. The ruthenium nitrosyl complexes tested are unable to permeate the cytoplasmic membrane ofE. coli. This may account for their lack of toxicity. However, these compounds did not have significant inhibitory effects on Mg2+-ATPase activity in cell-extracts, I50 values lying in the range 2 to 125 Μmol(mg protein)−1. Marine bacteria are capable of taking up ruthenium complexes from simulated effluent, but this cannot be demonstrated in the presence of sediment which competes effectively for binding of complexes. There is minimal likelihood of concentration of ruthenium compounds from effluents by marine bacteria.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barnett JA, Ingram M (1955) Technique in the study of yeast-assimilation reactions. J Appl Bacteriol 18:131–148
B.N.F.L. Annual Report on Radioactive Discharges and Moni toring of the Environment, 1981. (1982) British Nuclear Fuel Ltd, Health and Safety Directorate, London
Edwards C, Spode JA, Jones CW (1978) The properties of adenosine triphosphatase from exponential and synchronous cultures ofAlcaligenes eutrophus H16. Biochem J 172:253–260
Fletcher JM, Jenkins IL, Lever FM, Martin FS, Powell AR, Todd R, Benwell NRW, Brown PGM, Sangster DF, Wain AG. (1955) Nitrato and Nitro complexes of nitrosylruthenium. J Inorg Nuclear Chem 1:378–401
Garland PB, Downie JA, Haddock BA (1975) Proton translocation and the respiratory nitrate reductase ofEscherichia coli. Biochem J 152:547–559
Gibson JF, Hadfield SG, Hughes MN, Poole RK (1980) Effects of trialkyllead compounds on growth, respiration and ion transport inEscherichia coli K 12. J Gen Microbiol 116:99–110
Gibson JF, Poole RK, Hughes MN, Rees JF (1982) A dimeric complex of ruthenium: a new inhibitor of respiration-driven calcium transport inEscherichia coli K12. J Gen Microbiol 128:2211–2214
Guegueniat P (1972) Insoluble forms and polymerization phenomena of nitrate complexes of nitrosylruthenium in seawater. Comp Rend 274D:822–825
Hunt GJ (1979) Radioactivity in surface and coastal waters of the British Isles. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. AEMR-6. London
Kruszyna H, Kruszyna R, Hurst J, Smith RP (1980) Toxicology and pharmacology of some ruthenium compounds: vascular smooth muscle relaxation by nitrosyl derivatives of ruthenium and iridium. J Toxicol Environ Health 6:757–773
Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Farr AL, Randall RJ (1951) Protein measurement with the folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem 193:265–275
Minett ML (1976) PhD Thesis, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.
Montford B, Cribbs SC (1971) Determination of ruthenium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Anal Chim Acta 53:101–108
Poole RK, Loyd D, Kemp RB (1973). Respiratory oscillations and heat evolution in synchronously dividing cultures of the fission yeastSchizosacharomyces pombe 972h −. J Gen Microbiol 77:209–220
Poole RK, Haddock BA (1975) Effects of sulfate-limited growth in continuous cultures on the electron transport chain and energy conservation inEscherichia coli K 12. Biochem J 152:537–546
Scherr F, Gunther T (1978) Inhibition of (magnesium-calcium ion)-dependent ATPase fromEscherichia coli by Ruthenium Red. Z Naturforsch 33C:61–64
Scott RI, Gibson JF, Poole RK (1980) Adenosine triphosphatase activity and its sensitivity to Ruthenium Red oscillate during the cell cycle ofEscherichia coli K 12. J Gen Microbiol 120:183–198
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gibson, J.F., Poole, R.K., Hughes, M.N. et al. Ruthenium nitrosyl complexes: Toxicity toEscherichia coli and yeasts and uptake by marine bacteria. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 15, 519–523 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056564
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056564