background: all aerobically growing organisms suffer from exposure to oxidative stress, caused by partially reduced forms of molecular oxygen, known as reactive oxygen species (ros). these are highly reactive and capable of damaging cellular constituents such as dna, lipids and proteins. consequently, cells from many different organisms have evolved mechanisms to protect their components agains...

All organisms are equipped with systems for detoxification of the metalloids arsenic and antimony. Here, we show that two parallel pathways involving the AP-1-like proteins Yap1p and Yap8p are required for acquisition of metalloid tolerance in the budding yeast S. cerevisiae. Yap8p is demonstrated to reside in the nucleus where it mediates enhanced expression of the arsenic detoxification genes...

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid known to interact with drug-metabolizing enzymes. In the present study, we investigated the effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3), recently used as an anticancer drug, on the expression of human cytochrome P450 (P450) 1A1, which bioactivates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into mutagenic metabolites. Clinically relevant concentrations (0.25-5 microM) of As2O3 were de...

As a major sink, estuarine/salt marsh ecosystem can receive discharges laden with myriads of contaminants including metals/metalloids from man-made activities. Two among the major consequences of metal/metalloid-exposure in estuarine/salt marsh ecosystem flora such as halophytic plants are: (a) the excessive accumulation of light energy that in turn leads to severe impairments in the photosyste...

Gold mining is a major source of metal and metalloid emissions into the environment. Studies were carried out in Krugersdorp, South Africa, to evaluate the ecological and human health risks associated with exposure to metals and metalloids in mine tailings contaminated soils. Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel...

This paper is on the biological impact of arsenic and antimony on the flora and microflora on a former Sbmining site in Schlaining (Stadtschlaining, Burgenland, Austria). Several habitats were investigated with respect to biodiversity and metalloid contamination in soil. Although the overburden of the mining activity had been remediated less than ten years ago, metalloid concentrations occurred...