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Molecular identification and evaluation of gamma irradiation effect on modulating heavy metals tolerance in some of novel endophytic fungal strains

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Abstract

Heavy metal (HM) pollution is a worldwide environmental issue. Given the urgent need to develop more powerful approaches for effective phytoremediation of HMs, isolation of novel endophytic strains from hyperaccumulator plants having potent HM tolerance is the main objective in this research. Moreover, the recovered strains were characterized and subjected to radiation mutagenesis to enhance their tolerance to HMs. Among 105 isolates, Alternaria alternata AUMC14431 was identified as the most effective Cd+2 tolerant strain having high recorded tolerance index (TI) (76.24%); in addition, the recorded minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 300 ppm. Meanwhile, Chaetomium globosum AUMC14432 was identified as the most effective Pb+2 and Ni+2 tolerant strain having high recorded TI (97.46 and 93.34%, respectively); in addition, the evaluated MICs were 250 and 200 ppm, respectively. UV and gamma irradiation of the tested strains enhanced their Cd+2 and Pb+2 tolerance significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Meanwhile, irradiation had a negative impact on Ni+2 tolerance of C. globosum. The mutation incidence at the molecular level arising from exposure to irradiation was investigated. Genomic DNA of both the wild and mutated endophytic strains were isolated followed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) analysis, using two short primers. A remarkable difference in DNA gel pattern between the wild type and mutated strains was observed. In conclusion, the novel isolated and irradiated endophytic strains, A. alternata S5 and C. globosum El26, having high efficiency in Cd+2 and Pb+2 tolerance, respectively, are considered to be prospective and powerful bioremediation candidates for potential application in microbially assisted phytoremediation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Ali M. Saeed, lecturer at Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University for his assistance in Molecular identification part. Also, deep thanks to Dr. Gharieb S. El-Sayyad, Dr. Eman M. Kandeel, and Dr. Mokhtar K. Mohamed at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) for their continuous help. Special thanks to Mr. Ali M.A. Hessen, specialist at the Cyclotron unit, EAEA for his assistance in the gamma irradiation part.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Research Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt

    Yasmeen A. Hasanien & Amira G. Zaki

  2. Radiation Protection and Safety Department, Hot Labs Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt

    Alaa S. Abdel-Razek

  3. Labeled Compounds Department, Hot Labs Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt

    Gamal Abdelaziz

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  1. Yasmeen A. Hasanien
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  2. Amira G. Zaki
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  3. Alaa S. Abdel-Razek
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  4. Gamal Abdelaziz
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Contributions

YAH suggested the research point, investigated the article, conceived and designed the research, conducted experimental methodology, participated in data representation and manuscript writing, revising, and editing. AGZ conceived and designed the research, conducted experimental methodology, participated in data analysis and representation, wrote the original-draft, and participated in manuscript revising and editing. ASA conceived and designed research, provided the used chemicals, conducted experimental methodology, provided a practical guidance, and participated in manuscript revising and editing. GA conducted experimental methodology, participated in data analysis and representation, and participated in manuscript revising and editing. All authors read and approved the article.

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Correspondence to Amira G. Zaki.

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Communicated by Erko Stackebrandt.

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Hasanien, Y.A., Zaki, A.G., Abdel-Razek, A.S. et al. Molecular identification and evaluation of gamma irradiation effect on modulating heavy metals tolerance in some of novel endophytic fungal strains. Arch Microbiol 203, 4867–4878 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-021-02472-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-021-02472-7

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