Copper mining bacteria: Converting toxic copper ions into a stable single-atom copper

Author(s)

Gracioso, Louise Hase ^{[1, 2]} ; Pena-Bahamonde, Janire ^[3] ; Karolski, Bruno ^[2] ; Borrego, Bruna Bacaro ^{[1, 2]} ; Perpetuo, Elen Aquino ^{[2, 4]} ; Oller do Nascimento, Claudio Augusto ^[5] ; Hashiguchi, Hiroki ^[6] ; Juliano, Maria Aparecida ^[7] ; Robles Hernandez, Francisco C. ^[8] ; Rodrigues, Debora Frigi ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Interunits Grad Program Biotechnol, Lineu Prestes Ave 2415, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, CEPEMA POLI USP, Environm Res & Educ Ctr, Conego Domenico Rangoni Rd, 270 Km, Cubatao, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Houston, Dept Civil & Environm Engn, Houston, TX 77204 - USA

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Imar Unifesp, Inst Marine Sci, Carvalho de Mendonca Ave 144, Santos, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Chem Engn Dept, POLI USP Lineu Prestes Ave 580, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[6] JEOL Ltd, 3-1-2 Musashino Akishima, Tokyo - Japan

^[7] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[8] Univ Houston, Mat Sci & Engn, Adv Mfg Inst, Mech Engn Technol, Houston, TX 77004 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENCE ADVANCES; v. 7, n. 17 APR 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The chemical synthesis of monoatomic metallic copper is unfavorable and requires inert or reductive conditions and the use of toxic reagents. Here, we report the environmental extraction and conversion of CuSO4 ions into single-atom zero-valent copper (Cu-0) by a copper-resistant bacterium isolated from a copper mine in Brazil. Furthermore, the biosynthetic mechanism of Cu-0 production is proposed via proteomics analysis. This microbial conversion is carried out naturally under aerobic conditions eliminating toxic solvents. One of the most advanced commercially available transmission electron microscopy systems on the market (NeoArm) was used to demonstrate the abundant intracellular synthesis of single-atom zero-valent copper by this bacterium. This finding shows that microbes in acid mine drainages can naturally extract metal ions, such as copper, and transform them into a valuable commodity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/18089-3 - Copper removal using a microbial consortium isolated from mining wastes
• Grantee: Louise Hase Gracioso
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/22790-7 - Evaluation of the potential of the production of biopolymers by methylotrophic bacteria
• Grantee: Elen Aquino Perpetuo
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/11020-2 - Characterization of the bacterial community of a copper processing and identification of heavy metals resistance mechanism
• Grantee: Louise Hase Gracioso
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/50218-2 - CEPEMA - Cooperative Center of Environmental Engineering
• Grantee: Claudio Augusto Oller do Nascimento
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/13588-0 - Multi - user equipment approved in grant 2012/50191-4: mass spectrometer impact II - Bruker
• Grantee: Maria Aparecida Juliano
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program