scholarly journals Inactivation of Cellobiose Dehydrogenases Modifies the Cellulose Degradation Mechanism of Podospora anserina

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narumon Tangthirasunun ◽  
David Navarro ◽  
Sona Garajova ◽  
Didier Chevret ◽  
Laetitia Chan Ho Tong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Cellulose Degradation ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Podospora Anserina ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
Crystalline Cellulose ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Conversion of biomass into high-value products, including biofuels, is of great interest to developing sustainable biorefineries. Fungi are an inexhaustible source of enzymes to degrade plant biomass. Cellobiose dehydrogenases (CDHs) play an important role in the breakdown through synergistic action with fungal lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs). The three CDH genes of the model fungus Podospora anserina were inactivated, resulting in single and multiple CDH mutants. We detected almost no difference in growth and fertility of the mutants on various lignocellulose sources, except on crystalline cellulose, on which a 2-fold decrease in fertility of the mutants lacking P. anserina CDH1 (PaCDH1) and PaCDH2 was observed. A striking difference between wild-type and mutant secretomes was observed. The secretome of the mutant lacking all CDHs contained five beta-glucosidases, whereas the wild type had only one. P. anserina seems to compensate for the lack of CDH with secretion of beta-glucosidases. The addition of P. anserina LPMO to either the wild-type or mutant secretome resulted in improvement of cellulose degradation in both cases, suggesting that other redox partners present in the mutant secretome provided electrons to LPMOs. Overall, the data showed that oxidative degradation of cellulosic biomass relies on different types of mechanisms in fungi. IMPORTANCE Plant biomass degradation by fungi is a complex process involving dozens of enzymes. The roles of each enzyme or enzyme class are not fully understood, and utilization of a model amenable to genetic analysis should increase the comprehension of how fungi cope with highly recalcitrant biomass. Here, we report that the cellobiose dehydrogenases of the model fungus Podospora anserina enable it to consume crystalline cellulose yet seem to play a minor role on actual substrates, such as wood shavings or miscanthus. Analysis of secreted proteins suggests that Podospora anserina compensates for the lack of cellobiose dehydrogenase by increasing beta-glucosidase expression and using an alternate electron donor for LPMO.

scholarly journals FLP-FRT-Based Method To Obtain Unmarked Deletions ofCHU_3237(porU) and Large Genomic Fragments of Cytophaga hutchinsonii

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (19) ◽  
pp. 6037-6045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Wang ◽  
Zhiquan Wang ◽  
Jing Cao ◽  
Zhiwei Guan ◽  
Xuemei Lu
Keyword(s):  
Cellulose Degradation ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Signal Peptidase ◽  
Crystalline Cellulose ◽  
Cellulolytic Bacterium ◽  
Efficient Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cytophaga Hutchinsonii ◽  
Recombination System ◽  
Colony Spreading

ABSTRACTCytophaga hutchinsoniiis a widely distributed cellulolytic bacterium in the phylumBacteroidetes. It can digest crystalline cellulose rapidly without free cellulases or cellulosomes. The mechanism of its cellulose utilization remains a mystery. We developed an efficient method based on a linear DNA double-crossover and FLP-FRT recombination system to obtain unmarked deletions of both single genes and large genomic fragments inC. hutchinsonii. Unmarked deletion ofCHU_3237(porU), an ortholog of the C-terminal signal peptidase of a type IX secretion system (T9SS), resulted in defects in colony spreading, cellulose degradation, and protein secretion, indicating that it is a component of the T9SS and that T9SS plays an important role in cellulose degradation byC. hutchinsonii. Furthermore, deletions of four large genomic fragments were obtained using our method, and the sizes of the excised fragments varied from 9 to 19 kb, spanning from 6 to 22 genes. The customized FLP-FRT method provides an efficient tool for more rapid progress in the cellulose degradation mechanism and other physiological aspects ofC. hutchinsonii.

scholarly journals Overexpression of RamA, Which Regulates Production of the Multidrug Resistance Efflux Pump AcrAB-TolC, Increases Mutation Rate and Influences Drug Resistance Phenotype

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Grimsey ◽  
Natasha Weston ◽  
Vito Ricci ◽  
Jack W. Stone ◽  
Laura J. V. Piddock
Keyword(s):  
Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Mutation Rate ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Transcriptional Regulators ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium

ABSTRACT In Enterobacteriales, the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump exports substrates, including antimicrobials, from the cell. Overexpression of AcrAB-TolC can occur after exposure to fluoroquinolones, leading to multidrug resistance. The expression of AcrAB-TolC in Salmonella is primarily regulated by the transcriptional activator RamA. However, other transcriptional activators, such as MarA, SoxRS, and Rob, can influence AcrAB-TolC expression. This study determined whether the overproduction or absence of RamA influences the mutation rate or the phenotype of mutants selected in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL1344 after ciprofloxacin exposure. The absence of RamA (SL1344 ramA::aph) resulted in mutation frequencies/rates similar to those of wild-type Salmonella Typhimurium SL1344. However, the overproduction of RamA (SL1344 ramR::aph) and, consequently, AcrB resulted in a significantly higher mutation frequency and rate than for wild-type Salmonella Typhimurium SL1344. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that in addition to selecting gyrA mutants resistant to quinolones, SL1344 and SL1344 ramA::aph also produced multidrug-resistant (MDR) mutants, associated with mutations in soxR. Conversely, mutations in SL1344 ramR::aph occurred in gyrA only. Although transcriptional regulators such as SoxRS are believed to play a minor role in AcrAB-TolC regulation under antibiotic selective pressure, we show that soxR mutants can be selected after exposure to ciprofloxacin, including when RamA is absent. This demonstrates that under selective pressure, Salmonella can respond to increased efflux pump expression by mutating other AcrAB-TolC regulatory genes, allowing for the evolution of MDR. Understanding how Salmonella responds to antibiotic pressure in the absence/overproduction of RamA is important if targeting transcriptional regulators to alter efflux is to be considered an avenue for future drug discovery.

Predominant secretion of cellobiohydrolases and endo-β-1,4-glucanases in nutrient-limited medium by Aspergillus spp. isolated from subtropical field

2020 ◽  
Vol 168 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
May Thin Kyu ◽  
Shunsuke Nishio ◽  
Koki Noda ◽  
Bay Dar ◽  
San San Aye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rice Straw ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Cellulose Degradation ◽  
Industrial Wastes ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Crystalline Cellulose ◽  
Cellulolytic Activity ◽  
Biological Degradation ◽  
Industry Waste ◽  
Degradation Intermediates

Abstract Biological degradation of cellulose from dead plants in nature and plant biomass from agricultural and food-industry waste is important for sustainable carbon recirculation. This study aimed at searching diverse cellulose-degrading systems of wild filamentous fungi and obtaining fungal lines useful for cellooligosaccharide production from agro-industrial wastes. Fungal lines with cellulolytic activity were screened and isolated from stacked rice straw and soil in subtropical fields. Among 13 isolated lines, in liquid culture with a nutrition-limited cellulose-containing medium, four lines of Aspergillus spp. secreted 50–60 kDa proteins as markedly dominant components and gave clear activity bands of possible endo-β-1,4-glucanase in zymography. Mass spectroscopy (MS) analysis of the dominant components identified three endo-β-1,4-glucanases (GH5, GH7 and GH12) and two cellobiohydrolases (GH6 and GH7). Cellulose degradation by the secreted proteins was analysed by LC-MS-based measurement of derivatized reducing sugars. The enzymes from the four Aspergillus spp. produced cellobiose from crystalline cellulose and cellotriose at a low level compared with cellobiose. Moreover, though smaller than that from crystalline cellulose, the enzymes of two representative lines degraded powdered rice straw and produced cellobiose. These fungal lines and enzymes would be effective for production of cellooligosaccharides as cellulose degradation-intermediates with added value other than glucose.

A T9SS Substrate Involved in Crystalline Cellulose Degradation by Affecting Crucial Cellulose Binding Proteins in Cytophaga hutchinsonii

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijuan Gao ◽  
Yaru Su ◽  
Wenxia Song ◽  
Weican Zhang ◽  
Qingsheng Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Gene Locus ◽  
Cellulose Degradation ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Crystalline Cellulose ◽  
Cellulolytic Bacterium ◽  
Cytophaga Hutchinsonii ◽  
Surface Localization ◽  
Cell Surface Localization ◽  
Cellulose Binding

Cytophaga hutchinsonii is an abundant soil cellulolytic bacterium that uses a unique cellulose degradation mechanism different from those that involve free cellulases or cellulosomes. Though several proteins were identified to be important for cellulose degradation, the mechanism used by C. hutchinsonii to digest crystalline cellulose remains a mystery. In this study, chu_0922 was identified by insertional mutation and gene deletion as an important gene locus indispensable for crystalline cellulose utilization. Deletion of chu_0922 resulted in defect in crystalline cellulose utilization. The Δ 0922 mutant completely lost the ability to grow on crystalline cellulose even with extended incubation, and selectively utilized the amorphous region of cellulose leading to the increased crystallinity. As a protein secreted by the type Ⅸ secretion system (T9SS), CHU_0922 was found to be located on the outer membrane, and the outer membrane localization of CHU_0922 relied on the T9SS. Comparative analysis of the outer membrane proteins revealed that the abundance of several cellulose binding proteins, including CHU_1276, CHU_1277, and CHU_1279, was reduced in the Δ 0922 mutant. Further study showed that CHU_0922 is crucial for the full expression of the gene cluster containing chu_1276 , chu_1277 , chu_1278 , chu_1279 , and chu_1280 ( cel9C ), which is essential for cellulose utilization. Moreover, CHU_0922 is required for the cell surface localization of CHU_3220, a cellulose binding protein that is essential for crystalline cellulose utilization. Our study provides insights into the complex system that C. hutchinsonii uses to degrade crystalline cellulose. IMPORTANCE The widespread aerobic cellulolytic bacterium Cytophaga hutchinsonii , belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes , utilizes a novel mechanism to degrade crystalline cellulose. No genes encoding proteins specialized in loosening or disruption the crystalline structure of cellulose were identified in the genome of C. hutchinsonii , except for chu_3220 and chu_1557 . The crystalline cellulose degradation mechanism remains enigmatic. This study identified a new gene locus, chu_0922 , encoding a typical T9SS substrate that is essential for crystalline cellulose degradation. Notably, CHU_0922 is crucial for the normal transcription of chu_1276 , chu_1277 , chu_1278 , chu_1279 , and chu_1280 ( cel9C ), which play important roles in the degradation of cellulose. Moreover, CHU_0922 participates in the cell surface localization of CHU_3220. These results demonstrated that CHU_0922 plays a key role in the crystalline cellulose degradation network. Our study will promote the uncovering of the novel cellulose utilization mechanism of C. hutchinsonii.

scholarly journals S-Layer Homology Domain Proteins Csac_0678 and Csac_2722 Are Implicated in Plant Polysaccharide Deconstruction by the Extremely Thermophilic Bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus

2011 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 768-777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inci Ozdemir ◽  
Sara E. Blumer-Schuette ◽  
Robert M. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Localization ◽  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Thermophilic Bacteria ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Crystalline Cellulose ◽  
Glycoside Hydrolase Family ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Caldicellulosiruptor Saccharolyticus ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTThe genusCaldicellulosiruptorcontains extremely thermophilic bacteria that grow on plant polysaccharides. The genomes ofCaldicellulosiruptorspecies reveal certain surface layer homology (SLH) domain proteins that have distinguishing features, pointing to a role in lignocellulose deconstruction. Two of these proteins inCaldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus(Csac_0678 and Csac_2722) were examined from this perspective. In addition to three contiguous SLH domains, the Csac_0678 gene encodes a glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5) catalytic domain and a family 28 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM); orthologs to Csac_0678 could be identified in all genome-sequencedCaldicellulosiruptorspecies. Recombinant Csac_0678 was optimally active at 75°C and pH 5.0, exhibiting both endoglucanase and xylanase activities. SLH domain removal did not impact Csac_0678 GH activity, but deletion of the CBM28 domain eliminated binding to crystalline cellulose and rendered the enzyme inactive on this substrate. Csac_2722 is the largest open reading frame (ORF) in theC. saccharolyticusgenome (predicted molecular mass of 286,516 kDa) and contains two putative sugar-binding domains, two Big4 domains (bacterial domains with an immunoglobulin [Ig]-like fold), and a cadherin-like (Cd) domain. Recombinant Csac_2722, lacking the SLH and Cd domains, bound to cellulose and had detectable carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) hydrolytic activity. Antibodies directed against Csac_0678 and Csac_2722 confirmed that these proteins bound to theC. saccharolyticusS-layer. Their cellular localization and functional biochemical properties indicate roles for Csac_0678 and Csac_2722 in recruitment and hydrolysis of complex polysaccharides and the deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass. Furthermore, these results suggest that related SLH domain proteins in otherCaldicellulosiruptorgenomes may also be important contributors to plant biomass utilization.

scholarly journals Deletion of a Peptidylprolyl Isomerase Gene Results in the Inability of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii To Grow on Crystalline Cellulose without Affecting Protein Glycosylation or Growth on Soluble Substrates

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan F. Russell ◽  
Matthew L. Russo ◽  
Xuewen Wang ◽  
Neal Hengge ◽  
Daehwan Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Protein Glycosylation ◽  
Crystalline Cellulose ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unique Gene ◽  
Glycosyl Transferase ◽  
Caldicellulosiruptor Bescii ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding Modules

ABSTRACT Caldicellulosiruptor bescii secretes a large number of complementary multifunctional enzymes with unique activities for biomass deconstruction. The most abundant enzymes in the C. bescii secretome are found in a unique gene cluster containing a glycosyl transferase (GT39) and a putative peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase. Deletion of the glycosyl transferase in this cluster resulted in loss of detectable protein glycosylation in C. bescii, and its activity has been shown to be responsible for the glycosylation of the proline-threonine rich linkers found in many of the multifunctional cellulases. The presence of a putative peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase within this gene cluster suggested that it might also play a role in cellulase modification. Here, we identify this gene as a putative prsA prolyl cis-trans isomerase. Deletion of prsA2 leads to the inability of C. bescii to grow on insoluble substrates such as Avicel, the model cellulose substrate, while exhibiting no differences in phenotype with the wild-type strain on soluble substrates. Finally, we provide evidence that the prsA2 gene is likely needed to increase solubility of multifunctional cellulases and that this unique gene cluster was likely acquired by members of the Caldicellulosiruptor genus with a group of genes to optimize the production and activity of multifunctional cellulases. IMPORTANCE Caldicellulosiruptor has the ability to digest complex plant biomass without pretreatment and have been engineered to convert biomass, a sustainable, carbon neutral substrate, to fuels. Their strategy for deconstructing plant cell walls relies on an interesting class of cellulases consisting of multiple catalytic modules connected by linker regions and carbohydrate binding modules. The best studied of these enzymes, CelA, has a unique deconstruction mechanism. CelA is located in a cluster of genes that likely allows for optimal expression, secretion, and activity. One of the genes in this cluster is a putative isomerase that modifies the CelA protein. In higher eukaryotes, these isomerases are essential for the proper folding of glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, but little is known about the role of isomerization in cellulase activity. We show that the stability and activity of CelA is dependent on the activity of this isomerase.

scholarly journals Deconstruction of Lignocellulose into Soluble Sugars by Native and Designer Cellulosomes

mBio ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Moraïs ◽  
Ely Morag ◽  
Yoav Barak ◽  
Dan Goldman ◽  
Yitzhak Hadar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Soluble Sugar ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Thermobifida Fusca ◽  
Cellulolytic Bacterium ◽  
Artificial Enzyme ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Designer Cellulosome

ABSTRACTLignocellulosic biomass, the most abundant polymer on Earth, is typically composed of three major constituents: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The crystallinity of cellulose, hydrophobicity of lignin, and encapsulation of cellulose by the lignin-hemicellulose matrix are three major factors that contribute to the observed recalcitrance of lignocellulose. By means of designer cellulosome technology, we can overcome the recalcitrant properties of lignocellulosic substrates and thus increase the level of native enzymatic degradation. In this context, we have integrated six dockerin-bearing cellulases and xylanases from the highly cellulolytic bacterium,Thermobifida fusca, into a chimeric scaffoldin engineered to bear a cellulose-binding module and the appropriate matching cohesin modules. The resultant hexavalent designer cellulosome represents the most elaborate artificial enzyme composite yet constructed, and the fully functional complex achieved enhanced levels (up to 1.6-fold) of degradation of untreated wheat straw compared to those of the wild-type free enzymes. The action of these designer cellulosomes on wheat straw was 33 to 42% as efficient as the natural cellulosomes ofClostridium thermocellum. In contrast, the reduction of substrate complexity by chemical or biological pretreatment of the substrate removed the advantage of the designer cellulosomes, as the free enzymes displayed higher levels of activity, indicating that enzyme proximity between these selected enzymes was less significant on pretreated substrates. Pretreatment of the substrate caused an increase in activity for all the systems, and the native cellulosome completely converted the substrate into soluble saccharides.IMPORTANCECellulosic biomass is a potential alternative resource which could satisfy future demands of transportation fuel. However, overcoming the natural lignocellulose recalcitrance remains challenging. Current research and development efforts have concentrated on the efficient cellulose-degrading strategies of cellulosome-producing anaerobic bacteria. Cellulosomes are multienzyme complexes capable of converting the plant cell wall polysaccharides into soluble sugar products en route to biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels. Using a designer cellulosome approach, we have constructed the largest form of homogeneous artificial cellulosomes reported to date, which bear a total of six different cellulases and xylanases from the highly cellulolytic bacteriumThermobifida fusca. These designer cellulosomes were comparable in size to natural cellulosomes and displayed enhanced synergistic activities compared to their free wild-type enzyme counterparts. Future efforts should be invested to improve these processes to approach or surpass the efficiency of natural cellulosomes for cost-effective production of biofuels.

scholarly journals Metabolic Engineering of Clostridium cellulolyticum for Production of Isobutanol from Cellulose

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 2727-2733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Higashide ◽  
Yongchao Li ◽  
Yunfeng Yang ◽  
James C. Liao
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Engineering ◽  
Consolidated Bioprocessing ◽  
Cellulose Degradation ◽  
Crystalline Cellulose ◽  
Cellulolytic Activity ◽  
Keto Acid ◽  
Acid Biosynthesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clostridium Cellulolyticum ◽  
Alcohol Synthesis

ABSTRACTProducing biofuels directly from cellulose, known as consolidated bioprocessing, is believed to reduce costs substantially compared to a process in which cellulose degradation and fermentation to fuel are accomplished in separate steps. Here we present a metabolic engineering example for the development of aClostridium cellulolyticumstrain for isobutanol synthesis directly from cellulose. This strategy exploits the host's natural cellulolytic activity and the amino acid biosynthesis pathway and diverts its 2-keto acid intermediates toward alcohol synthesis. Specifically, we have demonstrated the first production of isobutanol to approximately 660 mg/liter from crystalline cellulose by using this microorganism.

scholarly journals Comparison of Family 9 Cellulases from Mesophilic and Thermophilic Bacteria

2010 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 1436-1442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Mingardon ◽  
John D. Bagert ◽  
Cyprien Maisonnier ◽  
Devin L. Trudeau ◽  
Frances H. Arnold
Keyword(s):  
High Temperatures ◽  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Thermophilic Bacteria ◽  
Cellulose Degradation ◽  
Cellulase Activity ◽  
Crystalline Cellulose ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Thermostable Enzymes ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Homology Module

ABSTRACTCellulases containing a family 9 catalytic domain and a family 3c cellulose binding module (CBM3c) are important components of bacterial cellulolytic systems. We measured the temperature dependence of the activities of three homologs:Clostridium cellulolyticumCel9G,Thermobifida fuscaCel9A, andC. thermocellumCel9I. To directly compare their catalytic activities, we constructed six new versions of the enzymes in which the three GH9-CBM3c domains were fused to a dockerin both with and without aT. fuscafibronectin type 3 homology module (Fn3). We studied the activities of these enzymes on crystalline cellulose alone and in complex with a miniscaffoldin containing a cohesin and a CBM3a. The presence of Fn3 had no measurable effect on thermostability or cellulase activity. The GH9-CBM3c domains of Cel9A and Cel9I, however, were more active than the wild type when fused to a dockerin complexed to scaffoldin. The three cellulases in complex have similar activities on crystalline cellulose up to 60°C, butC. thermocellumCel9I, the most thermostable of the three, remains highly active up to 80°C, where its activity is 1.9 times higher than at 60°C. We also compared the temperature-dependent activities of different versions of Cel9I (wild type or in complex with a miniscaffoldin) and found that the thermostable CBM is necessary for activity on crystalline cellulose at high temperatures. These results illustrate the significant benefits of working with thermostable enzymes at high temperatures, as well as the importance of retaining the stability of all modules involved in cellulose degradation.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Toxicity of CuO Nanoparticles by Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mutants with Multiple Genes Deleted

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (23) ◽  
pp. 8098-8107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaopan Bao ◽  
Qicong Lu ◽  
Tao Fang ◽  
Heping Dai ◽  
Chao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Cuo Nanoparticles ◽  
Copper Salt ◽  
Cell Permeability ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Multiple Gene ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cuo Nps

ABSTRACTTo develop applicable and susceptible models to evaluate the toxicity of nanoparticles, the antimicrobial effects of CuO nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) on variousSaccharomyces cerevisiae(S. cerevisiae) strains (wild type, single-gene-deleted mutants, and multiple-gene-deleted mutants) were determined and compared. Further experiments were also conducted to analyze the mechanisms associated with toxicity using copper salt, bulk CuO (bCuO), carbon-shelled copper nanoparticles (C/Cu-NPs), and carbon nanoparticles (C-NPs) for comparisons. The results indicated that the growth inhibition rates of CuO-NPs for the wild-type and the single-gene-deleted strains were comparable, while for the multiple-gene deletion mutant, significantly higher toxicity was observed (P< 0.05). When the toxicity of the CuO-NPs to yeast cells was compared with the toxicities of copper salt and bCuO, we concluded that the toxicity of CuO-NPs should be attributed to soluble copper rather than to the nanoparticles. The striking difference in adverse effects of C-NPs and C/Cu-NPs with equivalent surface areas also proved this. A toxicity assay revealed that the multiple-gene-deleted mutant was significantly more sensitive to CuO-NPs than the wild type. Specifically, compared with the wild-type strain, copper was readily taken up by mutant strains when cell permeability genes were knocked out, and the mutants with deletions of genes regulated under oxidative stress (OS) were likely producing more reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hence, as mechanism-based gene inactivation could increase the susceptibility of yeast, the multiple-gene-deleted mutants should be improved model organisms to investigate the toxicity of nanoparticles.

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