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Title [sv]
Mekanismer för upptag av kvicksilver i metylerande bakterier ? omvärdering av tiolföreningars funktion
Title [en]
Mechanistic principles of mercury uptake by methylating bacteria - redefining the function of thiol compounds
Abstract [en]
The global spread of mercury (Hg) is a major threat to ecosystem viability and human health, mainly due to the bacterially mediated formation of monomethylmercury (MeHg). This process causes transfer of Hg from the abiotic to the biotic environmental compartments and ultimately leads to exposure of Hg to wildlife and humans. Due to our imitated mechanistic understanding of Hg uptake in methylating bacteria, scientists have so far failed to parameterize models for quantitative predications of MeHg formation rates and concentrations in ecosystems. This project aims to formulate fundamental mechanistic rules on how Hg is taken up by methylating bacteria. We will use novel mass and X-ray spectroscopy methods and experimental approaches to reveal structural, thermodynamic and kinetic principles for molecular interactions of Hg with thiol compounds (synthesized by bacteria) in solution and at bacterial surfaces. We will further identify by which molecular mechanisms such thiol compounds control Hg uptake. Three factors make the project unique: (1) determination of dissolved thiol compounds and their Hg complexes extra- and intracellular, (2) detailed characterization of the chemical structure, thermodynamics and kinetics of Hg interactions with cell membrane thiol groups, (3) coupling the function of dissolved and cell membrane thiols to cellular uptake of Hg. We expect to close the missing link to understand transfer of Hg from the abiotic to the biotic environmental compartments.
Principal InvestigatorBjörn, Erik
Coordinating organisation
Umeå University
Funder
Period
2018-01-01 － 2021-12-31
National Category
Other Chemistry Topics
Identifiers
DiVA, id: project:1549Project, id: 2017-04537_VR

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