Metabolic activity of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells under diclofenac-induced stress

Darya Harshkova; Ivan Liakh; Pavel Hrouzek; Katerina Bisova; Bartosz Wielgomas; Anna Aksmann

Previous Article in event

The Effect of RAS2 Gene Mutation in Yeast Model

Next Article in event

Parental genetics communicate with intrauterine environment to reprogram newborn telomeres and immunity

Next Article in session

Blood flow diverts extracellular vesicles from endothelial degradative compartments to promote angiogenesis

Metabolic activity of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells under diclofenac-induced stress

^{*

1},

²,

³,

⁴,

²,

¹ Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
² Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdansk, Poland
³ Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology Centre Algatech, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Opatovicky mlyn, Novohradska 237, 379 81, Trebon, Czech Republic
⁴ Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, Centre Algatech, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sci-ences, 37981 Trebon, Czech Republic

Academic Editor: Alexander E. Kalyuzhny

Published: 07 February 2023 by MDPI in Cells, Cells and Nothing but Cells: Discoveries, Challenges and Directions session Cellular Metabolism

Abstract:

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as diclofenac (DCF), are detected in water bodies all over the World. Their presence in the water environment poses a threat to non-target plant organisms, including unicellular green algae. To survive in the contaminated environment, these organisms need to modify their metabolism to be able to cope with NSAIDs-induced stress. Knowledge of algal response to drugs is crucial for environmental protection.

In the present work, we report the response of green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to DCF applied in the concentration 32.7 mg/L, corresponding to toxicological parameter EC10. The algae susceptibility for DCF was estimated based on physiological parameters: population growth, oxidative stress symptoms, and photosynthetic activity. Moreover, the cells’ cultures were analyzed for the appearance of diclofenac transformation products.

We have found that DCF caused a slight decrease in the population growth rate and photosynthetic activity (quantum yield of photosynthesis) of the cells. Further, some symptoms of oxidative stress (singlet oxygen overproduction) were observed. However, in the biomass and culture media wide range metabolites of DCF were discovered. This suggests, that in the presence of relatively low concentration of DCF biochemical activity of the algae was efficient enough to metabolize a part of the drug in the medium. What is important, some of the analyzed transformation products were similar to those formed during the metabolism of DCF by bacteria, while other were characteristic for eucaryotic metabolic pathways.

In conclusion, C. reinhardtii exposed to DCF can keep its metabolic activity on the level sufficient for surviving and for biotransformation of the drug. Our results give rise to the assumption that other algae strains may also have potential to metabolize DCF thus contributing to the remediation of the environment contaminated with pharmaceuticals.

This work was partially supported by National Science Centre Poland [UMO-2019/35/B/NZ9/01567].

Keywords: the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; diclofenac; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; metabolism.

View submission

34 Reads
0 Recommendations