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World Biotechnology 2016
August 15-17, 2016
Volume 6 Issue 5(Suppl) J Biotechnol Biomater 2016
ISSN: 2155-952X JBTBM, an open access journal
conferenceseries .com
August 15-17, 2016 Sao Paulo, Brazil
Biotechnology World Convention
Wai Kit Chan et al., J Biotechnol Biomater 2016, 6:5(Suppl)
A proteomic study on the responses to arsenate stress by an acidophilic fungal strain Acidomyces
acidophilus WKC1
Wai Kit Chan, Dirk Wildeboer, Hemda Garelick and Diane Purchase
Middlesex University School of Science & Technology, UK
An arsenic-resistant fungal strain, Acidomyces acidophilus WKC1 was isolated from waste roaster pile of a disused tin mine
in Cornwall (UK) that was found to contain 18970 mg kg -1 arsenic (As). These tin mining areas are inhospitable due their
extreme environmental conditions such as acutely acidity and high concentrations of heavy metals/metalloids, particularly
arsenic. The A. acidophilus WKC1 strain exhibited remarkable tolerance to high arsenic concentration for instance, it can
tolerate As(V) up to 22500 mg L-1. A comparative protein responses analysis of A. acidophilus WKC1 exposed to arsenic
and its control was performed using hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. This proteomics approach revealed
the mechanism behind the outstanding resistance and tolerance of A. acidophilus WKC1 against arsenic toxicity. When A.
acidophilus WKC1 strain was exposed for 24 hours to 500 mg L-1 of sodium arsenate (Na2HAsO4), the enzymatic activities
showed increased glutathione reductase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities but reduced glutathione transferase
activity. A total of 262 differentially expressed proteins were detected, of these 175 were up-regulated and 63 were down
regulated following exposure to arsenic. These proteins included ones know to be involved in cellular stress responses, energy
production, transport and proteins/enzymes synthesis when exposed to arsenic. In addition, 14 proteins were switched off and
10 proteins were switched on in the presence of arsenic. As far as we are aware this is the first report on proteomic study using
A. acidophilus strain and next generation semi-quantitative mass spectrometry in arsenic resistance.
Biography
Wai Kit Chan has been captivated by science and environmental issues since in high school and became focused on protecting the environment from pollutants.
He is currently pursuing his PhD at the Middlesex University under Dr. Diane Purchase. His research focuses on bioremediation in metalloids contaminated soil
using extremophiles species, such as fungi, isolated from an extreme environment and the application of proteomics techniques. Prior to enrolling at Middlesex
University, he holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and BSc in Biotechnology both from University of Sunderland.