Authors
Shuo Han, Qianyun Mo, Xiaobin Wen, Xiangru Wang, Xiangqian Wang, Yao Yu, Yixiao Yang, Chunzhe Yang, Zhonghua Cai, Jin Zhou
Published in
Journal of hazardous materials. Volume 515. Pages 143148. Jul 30, 2026. Epub Jul 30, 2026.
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in coastal sediments threatens marine microbes and ecological health. Elucidating microbial community synergistic resistance mechanisms is essential for developing novel bioremediation strategies. Microorganisms are known to regulate population-level adaptation to environmental stress through quorum-sensing signals, yet the role of autoinducer-2 (AI-2) in mercury (Hg) resistance and immobilization remains poorly understood. Here, we isolated a thermotolerant Bacillus subtilis strain from coastal sediments and demonstrated that Hg stress selectively activated luxS-associated AI-2 production. AI-2 addition enhanced bacterial survival under combined Hg and heat stress by reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species, increasing antioxidant enzyme activities, promoting biofilm formation, and strengthening Hg adsorption. Sediment microcosm validation further showed that the B. subtilis + AI-2 treatment reduced soluble Hg by 29.6% after 24 h and increased the biomass-associated Hg fraction. These results reveal an AI-2-associated microbial strategy that links intracellular detoxification with extracellular Hg immobilization. While further genetic validation is needed to establish its causal role, this mechanism provides mechanistic insight for microbiome-assisted mercury remediation in thermally dynamic coastal sediments.
PMID:
42537292
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 01 Aug 2026.
Read full publication at:
Please sign in
to see all details.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 4
- Comments 0