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Uptake of Pb2+ by a cyanobacterium belonging to the genus Synechocystis, isolated from East Kolkata Wetlands

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Abstract

East Kolkata Wetlands is a conserved wetland utilizing sewage and garbage, generated by Kolkata Municipal Corporation area for cultivation purpose. Cyanobacteria are the photosynthetic prokaryotes having bioremedial capacity. We have isolated a cyanobacterium from the sewage recycling fish-pond of East Kolkata Wetlands. Partial sequence of 16S rDNA gene of the isolated strain showed 100% similarity with that of genus Synechocystis. Isolated strain and Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 survived up to 300 μg ml−1 Pb2+ and growth was completely inhibited at 400 μg ml−1 Pb2+. All experiments were carried out with 100 μg ml−1 Pb2+ in which growth was the maximum. 91.67% of the total Pb2+ got adsorbed to the outer surface of the cell and 1% of the total Pb2+ entered the cell of the isolated strain as estimated by atomic absorption spectrometry, but in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 72.72% adsorbed and 0.96% penetrated. Intracellular and periplasmic depositions of Pb2+ were observed in both the strain. A filamentous structure developed outside the cell wall of the isolated cyanobacterium, but very little change was observed in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. ZiaR—SmtB like regulator gene was expressed in both the strains after Pb2+ induction. The cDNA sequence of ZiaR of the isolated cyanobacterium shows 100% homology with that of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Upon Pb2+ induction, expression of SOD gene increased. cDNA sequence of the SOD gene from the isolated strain showed 98% homology with that of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Enzymatic activity of catalase and SOD was also increased. No DNA damage was monitored upon induction with Pb2+.

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Acknowledgments

Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 is a kind gift of Dr Nirupama Mullik, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India. Prof. A. R. Thakur and Ms. S. Roy thank Prof. Soumen Basak and Prof. Subrata Banerjee of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics; Kolkata; India for providing γ-irradiation and CHEF facilities, respectively, Department of Biotechnology; Govt. of India and University Grant Commission; India and DIC of University of Calcutta for financial assistance. Ms. S. Roy also expresses sincere thanks to Dr. Debashis Mitra, scientist, National Centre for cell science, Pune, India for his guidance during preparation of revised manuscript.

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  1. Ashoke Ranjan Thakur

    Present address: West Bengal University of Technology, BF-142 Salt Lake, Kolkata, 700064, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics Molecular Biology & Genetics, University of Calcutta, University College of Science & Technology, 92 A. P. C Road, Kolkata, 700009, India

    Sanchita Roy & Ashoke Ranjan Thakur

  2. National Centre for Cell Science (Lab-7), Pune University Campus, Pune, 411007, India

    Sanchita Roy

  3. National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, 700010, India

    Amar Nath Ghosh

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  1. Sanchita Roy
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Roy, S., Ghosh, A.N. & Thakur, A.R. Uptake of Pb2+ by a cyanobacterium belonging to the genus Synechocystis, isolated from East Kolkata Wetlands. Biometals 21, 515–524 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-008-9138-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-008-9138-7

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