BIODIVERSE APPROACHES FOR CONTROLLING METAL TOXICITY

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中的一个 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 每天我们都越来越意识到与金属毒性相关的人类健康问题，无论是环境暴露还是错误的金属代谢。这些问题促使科学家们寻找能够在有毒金属水平存在下茁壮成长的生物体的例子，并探索维持金属稳态的广泛分子机制。耐金属的有机体可能被用于生物修复，但首先必须了解其生命力的分子基础。该提案侧重于控制生物圈中金属毒性的许多不同方法中的一些方法。我们的第一个子项目的重点是螯合铅和镉的寄生蠕虫。通过确定这些寄生虫吸收和螯合重金属的分子机制，有可能开发出强大的新生物标志物，新的生物修复策略和替代解毒疗法。第二个子项目探讨的作用和结构的铜分子伴侣在Methylococcus capsulatus（浴）和嗜热Archaeglobus fulgidus。第三个项目的重点是金黄色葡萄球菌质粒pI 258的基因产物，赋予镉耐受这种生物体。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Every day we are becoming more aware of the host of human health problems associated with metal toxicity, either from environmental exposure or from errant metal metabolism. These concerns have prompted scientists to look for examples of organisms that are able to thrive in the presence of toxic levels of metals and to explore the broad range of molecular mechanisms that maintain metal homeostasis. Metal-tolerant organisms might be exploited for bioremediation, but not without first understanding the molecular basis for their vitality. This proposal focuses on a few of the many diverse approaches towards controlling metal toxicity in the biosphere. Our first subproject is focused on the sequestering of lead and cadmium by Acanthocephalans parasitic worms. By identifying the molecular mechanisms by which these parasites take up and sequester heavy metals, the potential exists for the development of powerful new biomarkers, of new bioremediation strategies, and of alternative detoxification therapies. A second subproject explores the role and structure of copper chaperones in Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) and in the thermophile Archaeglobus fulgidus. A third project focuses on the gene products of the Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pI258 that confer cadmium tolerance to this organism.