Astrobiology Center (INTA-CSIC), Carretera de Ajalvir Km 4, 28850 Madrid, Spain.
Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, C/José Antonio Novais, 12, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Nov 21;18(22):12226. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182212226.
Arsenic (As) is quite an abundant metalloid, with ancient origin and ubiquitous distribution, which represents a severe environmental risk and a global problem for public health. Microbial exposure to As compounds in the environment has happened since the beginning of time. Selective pressure has induced the evolution of various genetic systems conferring useful capacities in many microorganisms to detoxify and even use arsenic, as an energy source. This review summarizes the microbial impact of the As biogeochemical cycle. Moreover, the poorly known adverse effects of this element on eukaryotic microbes, as well as the As uptake and detoxification mechanisms developed by yeast and protists, are discussed. Finally, an outlook of As microbial remediation makes evident the knowledge gaps and the necessity of new approaches to mitigate this environmental challenge.
砷（As）是一种相当丰富的类金属，具有古老的起源和广泛的分布，这代表着严重的环境风险和全球公共健康问题。自远古以来，微生物就一直在环境中接触砷化合物。选择压力诱导了各种遗传系统的进化，这些系统赋予了许多微生物解毒甚至利用砷作为能源的有用能力。本综述总结了砷生物地球化学循环对微生物的影响。此外，还讨论了该元素对真核微生物的鲜为人知的不良影响，以及酵母和原生动物所开发的砷摄取和解毒机制。最后，展望了砷的微生物修复，显然存在知识空白，需要新的方法来减轻这一环境挑战。
