A lead-absorbing protein with superoxide dismutase activity fromStreptomyces subrutilus

Abstract

A lead binding protein was purified from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces subrutilus P5. The subunit and native molecular weights were estimated to be 28 and 55 kDa, respectively, indicating that the protein was composed of two identical subunits. The inhibition pattern, the metal content analysis and the EPR spectrum confirmed that the protein was a superoxide dismutase containing Fe and Zn (FeZnSOD). The protein precipitated immediately upon mixing with lead ions and the saturation number of lead ions was about 1100 lead atoms per subunit. Using this property, lead ions could be effectively removed from solutions.

Resistance to and Accumulation of Heavy Metals by Actinobacteria Isolated from Abandoned Mining Areas

“…The secondary metabolites produced by actinobacteria may enable the bacteria to cope with stress factors including toxic levels of heavy metals [ 14 ]. Another study reveals that a Streptomyces strain, producing a siderophore, was capable of sequestering a range of ions including Mn, Co, Cd, Ni, Al, Li, Cu, Zn, and Mg [ 60 ].…”

Lead resistance in micro-organisms

“…Extracellular enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase from Streptomyces subrutilis , can also be engaged in Pb(II) binding (So et al , 2001).…”

Heavy metal resistance mechanisms in actinobacteria for survival in AMD contaminated soils

“…This capacity of formation of secondary metabolites is exemplified by production of geosmin, the compound responsible for the odor of tilled soil, as well as by production of antibiotics (Kieser et al, 2000). Other products of secondary metabolism may enable the bacteria to cope with stress factors including toxic levels of heavy metals (So et al, 2000).…”