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Trace Elements in Unconventional Animals

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2020) | Viewed by 9667

Special Issue Editor

Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra, 50, Ozzano Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy
Interests: clinical biochemistry; biomarkers; proteomics; essential and non essential trace element metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the current Special Issue, we consider trace elements in unconventional animals, namely, those not traditionally studied in biomedical sciences. Living in different ecosystems, these animals represent an incredible source of diversity in their biochemical adaptations. In particular, those related to trace element function and metabolism show a myriad of peculiarities. For example, oysters and octopuses accumulate high concentrations of copper, without any apparent tissue damage, and in some wild birds, hepatic iron concentrations are so high that in human liver they could be indicative of haemosiderosis. From this point of view, unconventional species can serve as yet unexplored animal models to study shared biological processes with relevance to comparative medicine.

Despite their recognised importance, there is so far no comprehensive literature available on this topic. This Special Issue welcomes original research and review articles that unveil the unique and complex world of trace elements in these animals.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

-Unconventional animal models for metallomics and biomedical research;

-Trace element metabolism;

-Trace elements in health and disease;

-Trace elements and environmental pollution.

Prof. Dr. Gloria Isani
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Unconventional animal models
  • Environmental exposure
  • Metal metabolism
  • Metal-binding proteins
  • Comparative medicine

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2059 KiB  
Article
Essential (Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu) and Non-Essential (Cd and Pb) Elements in Predatory Insects (Vespa crabro and Vespa velutina): A Molecular Perspective
by Giulia Andreani, Enea Ferlizza, Riccardo Cabbri, Micaela Fabbri, Elisa Bellei and Gloria Isani
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(1), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22010228 - 28 Dec 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2029
Abstract
The recent introduction of the Asian yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, into Europe has raised concern regarding the threat to honeybees and the competition with the European hornet, Vespa crabro. The aim of this study was to investigated essential (Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu) [...] Read more.
The recent introduction of the Asian yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, into Europe has raised concern regarding the threat to honeybees and the competition with the European hornet, Vespa crabro. The aim of this study was to investigated essential (Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu) and non-essential (Cd and Pb) elements in these two species. Element concentrations were determined in the whole body and separately in the head, thorax and abdomen using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The changes in essential element concentration and speciation during metamorphosis were also studied using size exclusion chromatography followed by AAS and proteomic analysis. In both species, the essential elements were more concentrated in the abdomen due to the presence of fat bodies. Magnesium, Fe and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in V. crabro than in V. velutina and could have been related to the higher aerobic energy demand of the former species required to sustain foraging flight. Low concentrations of Cd and Pb were indicative of low environmental exposure. The concentration and speciation of essential elements, particularly Fe, varied among the developmental stages, indicating a modification of ligand preferences during metamorphosis. Overall, the results in the present study provide a better understanding of the hornet metal metabolism and a foundation for additional studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Elements in Unconventional Animals)
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19 pages, 2065 KiB  
Article
Trace Element Bioaccumulation in Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus, Linnaeus, 1758): A Case Study from Sicily (Italy)
by Chiara Copat, Margherita Ferrante, Béatrice V. Hernout, Flavia Giunta, Alfina Grasso, Andrea Messina, Rosario Grasso and Maria Teresa Spena
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(13), 4597; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21134597 - 28 Jun 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2057
Abstract
The study aimed to highlight the degree of trace element contamination along three sites of Sicily: the Magnisi peninsula (MP), located in proximity to the Augusta–Priolo–Melilli petrochemical plant; the Ragusa agro-ecosystem (RA), characterized by a rural landscape; and the Gela plain (GP), characterized [...] Read more.
The study aimed to highlight the degree of trace element contamination along three sites of Sicily: the Magnisi peninsula (MP), located in proximity to the Augusta–Priolo–Melilli petrochemical plant; the Ragusa agro-ecosystem (RA), characterized by a rural landscape; and the Gela plain (GP), characterized by intensive agriculture and a disused petrochemical plant. We collected biological samples (abraded back feathers and blood) of the Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus Linnaeus, 1758) as well as soil samples to determine the trace elements concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Se and V using ICP-MS analysis. The results found for the three sites show different trends of accumulation, which depend on the different management and geological characteristics of the areas. The Gela plain and Magnisi peninsula showed a higher degree of contamination (As, Co, Cu, Mn and Se for the Gela plain; Pb and Hg for the Magnisi peninsula). Nevertheless, no critical values were found for either the environment—if the results are compared with the legal limits fixed by the Legislative Decree No. 152/2006, approving the Code on the Environment—or for living organisms—if the results are compared with the toxicological thresholds for birds, especially if the short-term exposure results from the blood values are considered. Only the Se levels in animal blood from the RA and GP were found slightly higher than the minimum level required in bird diets. The positive scenario can be attributed on the one hand to the interruptions of emissions of the Gela refinery around 5 years ago, and on the other hand to the more intense and strict controls that are implemented in the area surrounding the petrochemical pole of Augusta–Priolo–Melilli. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Elements in Unconventional Animals)
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19 pages, 3528 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Selenoprotein Expression in Response to Dietary Selenium Deficiency During Pregnancy Indicates Tissue Specific Differential Expression in Mothers and Sex Specific Changes in the Fetus and Offspring
by Pierre Hofstee, James S.M. Cuffe and Anthony V. Perkins
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(6), 2210; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21062210 - 23 Mar 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2519
Abstract
The human selenoproteome is comprised of ~25 genes, which incorporate selenium, in the form of selenocysteine, into their structure. Since it is well known that selenium is important to maternal health and foetal development during pregnancy, this study aimed at defining the impact [...] Read more.
The human selenoproteome is comprised of ~25 genes, which incorporate selenium, in the form of selenocysteine, into their structure. Since it is well known that selenium is important to maternal health and foetal development during pregnancy, this study aimed at defining the impact of selenium deficiency on maternal, placental, foetal and offspring selenoprotein gene expression. Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated to control (>190 μg/kg) or low selenium (<50 μg/kg) diets four weeks prior to mating and throughout gestation. At embryonic day (E)18.5, pregnant mice were sacrificed followed by collection of maternal and foetal tissues. A subset of mice littered down, and offspring were monitored from postnatal day (PN) 8, weaned at PN24 and sacrificed at PN180, followed by tissue collection. Following RNA extraction, the expression of 14 selenoproteins was assessed with qPCR in liver, kidneys, muscle and placenta. Selenium deficiency downregulated expression (Ptrt < 0.05) of many selenoproteins in maternal tissues and the placenta. However, foetal selenoprotein expression was upregulated (Ptrt < 0.05) in all tissues, especially the kidneys. This was not reflected at PN180; however, a sexually dimorphic relationship in selenoprotein expression was observed in offspring. This study demonstrates the selenoproteome is sensitive to dietary selenium levels, which may be exacerbated by pregnancy. We concluded that transcriptional regulation of selenoproteins is complex and multifaceted, with expression exhibiting tissue-, age- and sex-specificities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Elements in Unconventional Animals)
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21 pages, 4245 KiB  
Article
Cadmium Uptake, MT Gene Activation and Structure of Large-Sized Multi-Domain Metallothioneins in the Terrestrial Door Snail Alinda biplicata (Gastropoda, Clausiliidae)
by Veronika Pedrini-Martha, Simon Köll, Martin Dvorak and Reinhard Dallinger
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(5), 1631; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21051631 - 27 Feb 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2650
Abstract
Terrestrial snails (Gastropoda) possess Cd-selective metallothioneins (CdMTs) that inactivate Cd2+ with high affinity. Most of these MTs are small Cysteine-rich proteins that bind 6 Cd2+ equivalents within two distinct metal-binding domains, with a binding stoichiometry of 3 Cd2+ ions per [...] Read more.
Terrestrial snails (Gastropoda) possess Cd-selective metallothioneins (CdMTs) that inactivate Cd2+ with high affinity. Most of these MTs are small Cysteine-rich proteins that bind 6 Cd2+ equivalents within two distinct metal-binding domains, with a binding stoichiometry of 3 Cd2+ ions per domain. Recently, unusually large, so-called multi-domain MTs (md-MTs) were discovered in the terrestrial door snail Alinda biplicata (A.b.). The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of A.b. to cope with Cd stress and the potential involvement of md-MTs in its detoxification. Snails were exposed to increasing Cd concentrations, and Cd-tissue concentrations were quantified. The gene structure of two md-MTs (9md-MT and 10md-MT) was characterized, and the impact of Cd exposure on MT gene transcription was quantified via qRT PCR. A.b. efficiently accumulates Cd at moderately elevated concentrations in the feed, but avoids food uptake at excessively high Cd levels. The structure and expression of the long md-MT genes of A.b. were characterized. Although both genes are intronless, they are still transcribed, being significantly upregulated upon Cd exposure. Overall, our results contribute new knowledge regarding the metal handling of Alinda biplicata in particular, and the potential role of md-MTs in Cd detoxification of terrestrial snails, in general. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Elements in Unconventional Animals)
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