Browsing by Autor "Laura Ortiz"

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Deciphering the phenol degradation metabolic pathway in Scedosporium apiospermum HDO1
(American Society for Microbiology, 2025) Laura Ortiz; David Botero-Rozo; Natalia Vargas; Sagrario Ortiz; Silvia Restrepo; Martha J. Vives
The filamentous fungus Scedosporium apiospermum is a microorganism capable of phenol degradation. Phenol is a petroleum-derived pollutant and a compound widely used in several industries. As a result of its widespread use, phenol is commonly discarded and accumulated in soils and water bodies. In this study, overexpressed and repressed genes that produce enzymes involved in phenol metabolism were identified in S. apiospermum HDO1 when the fungus grows in the presence of phenol. The fungus was grown with either glucose (control) or phenol as the sole carbon source to achieve this. RNA from the mycelium was extracted and sequenced using the Illumina Hiseq-4000 platform, with paired-end libraries. Eighteen genes coding for enzymes related to catechol ortho-cleavage, catechol meta-cleavage, and hydroquinone pathways were annotated from the assembled transcriptome. In the differential gene expression analysis, 11 genes coding for phenol 2-monooxygenase, catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, 3-oxoadipate enol lactonase, hydroxyquinol 1,2-dioxygenase, and aldehyde dehydrogenase were overexpressed. In contrast, one gene coding for protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase was repressed. We show for the first time that phenol degradation in S. apiospermum occurs through one of the catechol routes, the catechol-ortho ring cleavage pathway, and through the hydroquinone A pathway. These findings are important because they improve the understanding of how eukaryotic microorganisms with the potential for bioremediation degrade organic pollutants such as phenol.IMPORTANCEIn recent years, bioremediation has emerged as one of the solutions to eliminate pollutants from the environment. Scedosporium apiospermum is one of the fungi capable of tolerating and degrading common pollutants such as phenol. This ability is of great interest as it highlights its potential for use, but also as an important eukaryotic model in contaminant metabolism. S. apiospermum has been widely studied for its clinical significance, but little is yet known about its role in natural environments and its capacity for removing organic pollutants. Using previously published biochemical data together with our differential gene expression results, we validated and completed the proposed phenol metabolic pathways.
Restoring nature with microbes: bioremediation in the world’s biodiversity hotspots
(American Society for Microbiology, 2025) Laura T. Morales Mancera; Laura Ortiz; Jaime E. Gutiérrez-Fonseca; Martha J. Vives
Megadiverse countries, which collectively harbor over 70% of the planet's terrestrial biodiversity, play a crucial role in global conservation efforts. However, many of these nations, primarily in the developing world, face significant environmental challenges that threaten biodiversity, including pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. Among these issues, pollution-driven by industrialization, agriculture, and improper waste disposal-has emerged as a critical concern, particularly for water and soil ecosystems. Bioremediation, a biological approach to mitigate environmental pollution, has gained prominence as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional physicochemical methods. This study explores microbial bioremediation research and scales up in megadiverse developing countries, focusing on hydrocarbon and wastewater pollution. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis of the literature and examine the underlying factors that contribute to disparities in the development and implementation of bioremediation initiatives. Given the growing urgency of pollution control in biodiversity-rich regions, understanding the role of microbial communities in bioremediation is essential. By leveraging biological solutions, megadiverse nations can address pollution challenges while preserving their unique ecosystems. This review highlights existing bioremediation practices, their successes, and the potential for further implementation to safeguard both environmental and human health.