Calcium protects bacteria against cadmium stress via reducing nitric oxide production and increasing iron acquisition

• DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15237
• Publication Date: 2020-09-17T07:51:52Z
• Authors: Zuodong Wu; Rikuan Zheng; Ge Liu; Rui Liu; Shimei Wu; Chaomin Sun
• Keywords: Metal Toxicity; Bacillus (shape)

Summary Cadmium (Cd) is a common toxic heavy metal in the environment, and bacteria have evolved different strategies against Cd‐toxicity. Here, we found that marine bacterium Bacillus sp. 98 could significantly alleviate Cd‐toxicity by recruiting calcium (Ca) for reducing excessive intracellular nitric oxide (NO) enhancing iron acquisition. To investigate underlying mechanisms, mass spectrometry‐based proteomic analysis was applied to after treated with Cd supplemented or without Ca. Compared bacterial cells only, results showed expression level of NO synthase markedly down‐regulated, while levels dioxygenase, which responsible converting nitrate, proteins associated uptake were profoundly enhanced when Ca supplemented. Consistently, amount dramatically increased Cd, reversed normal Notably, also protected stresses from other metals including Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni Zn, this self‐protection strategy adopted as well zebrafish, encourages us develop Ca‐associated products toxicity future.