Metabolic Responses, Uptake, and Export of Copper in Cyanobacteria

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for cyanobacteria, where it functions as a cofactor in key proteins involved in photosynthesis and antioxidant defense. However, at elevated concentrations, Cu becomes toxic, exhibiting algicidal effects by disrupting metal homeostasis and competing for meta...

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Main Authors: Jean Coutinho Oder, Thamires Emidio Sateles, Laila Barros de Souza, Adriano Nunes-Nesi, Wagner L. Araújo, Luna Alvarenga-Lucius
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/798
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author Jean Coutinho Oder
Thamires Emidio Sateles
Laila Barros de Souza
Adriano Nunes-Nesi
Wagner L. Araújo
Luna Alvarenga-Lucius
author_facet Jean Coutinho Oder
Thamires Emidio Sateles
Laila Barros de Souza
Adriano Nunes-Nesi
Wagner L. Araújo
Luna Alvarenga-Lucius
author_sort Jean Coutinho Oder
collection DOAJ
description Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for cyanobacteria, where it functions as a cofactor in key proteins involved in photosynthesis and antioxidant defense. However, at elevated concentrations, Cu becomes toxic, exhibiting algicidal effects by disrupting metal homeostasis and competing for metal-binding sites on critical cellular proteins. Due to the considerable morphological and physiological diversity within the phylum Cyanobacteria, the thresholds for Cu deficiency or toxicity vary considerably among strains. Maintaining Cu homeostasis in cyanobacterial cells is a complex process involving multiple layers of regulation. It begins at the extracellular polysaccharide layer, involves specialized membrane-bound proteins (in the outer, plasma, and thylakoid membranes), and results in transcriptional regulation in response to intracellular Cu status. This review summarizes the current understanding of Cu uptake and efflux pathways in cyanobacteria and explores how these mechanisms contribute to maintaining cellular Cu balance. The knowledge gained may contribute to the application of cyanobacteria in bioremediation strategies and/or the targeted use of Cu in the control of harmful cyanobacterial blooms.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2079-7737
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Biology
spelling doaj-art-b09e6a65e0b14c229c84fb90477c5b922025-08-20T03:58:25ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-07-0114779810.3390/biology14070798Metabolic Responses, Uptake, and Export of Copper in CyanobacteriaJean Coutinho Oder0Thamires Emidio Sateles1Laila Barros de Souza2Adriano Nunes-Nesi3Wagner L. Araújo4Luna Alvarenga-Lucius5Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, BrazilInstitute of Biosciences, Department of Plant Physiology, University of Rostock, D-18059 Rostock, GermanyCopper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for cyanobacteria, where it functions as a cofactor in key proteins involved in photosynthesis and antioxidant defense. However, at elevated concentrations, Cu becomes toxic, exhibiting algicidal effects by disrupting metal homeostasis and competing for metal-binding sites on critical cellular proteins. Due to the considerable morphological and physiological diversity within the phylum Cyanobacteria, the thresholds for Cu deficiency or toxicity vary considerably among strains. Maintaining Cu homeostasis in cyanobacterial cells is a complex process involving multiple layers of regulation. It begins at the extracellular polysaccharide layer, involves specialized membrane-bound proteins (in the outer, plasma, and thylakoid membranes), and results in transcriptional regulation in response to intracellular Cu status. This review summarizes the current understanding of Cu uptake and efflux pathways in cyanobacteria and explores how these mechanisms contribute to maintaining cellular Cu balance. The knowledge gained may contribute to the application of cyanobacteria in bioremediation strategies and/or the targeted use of Cu in the control of harmful cyanobacterial blooms.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/798copper homeostasiscyanobacterial stress responsecopper toxicity
spellingShingle Jean Coutinho Oder
Thamires Emidio Sateles
Laila Barros de Souza
Adriano Nunes-Nesi
Wagner L. Araújo
Luna Alvarenga-Lucius
Metabolic Responses, Uptake, and Export of Copper in Cyanobacteria
Biology
copper homeostasis
cyanobacterial stress response
copper toxicity
title Metabolic Responses, Uptake, and Export of Copper in Cyanobacteria
title_full Metabolic Responses, Uptake, and Export of Copper in Cyanobacteria
title_fullStr Metabolic Responses, Uptake, and Export of Copper in Cyanobacteria
title_full_unstemmed Metabolic Responses, Uptake, and Export of Copper in Cyanobacteria
title_short Metabolic Responses, Uptake, and Export of Copper in Cyanobacteria
title_sort metabolic responses uptake and export of copper in cyanobacteria
topic copper homeostasis
cyanobacterial stress response
copper toxicity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/798
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