MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Toxic Effects of p-Chloroaniline on Cells of Fungus Isaria fumosorosea SP535 and the Role of Cytochrome P450

Summary

Scientists discovered a fungus called Isaria fumosorosea that can completely break down p-chloroaniline, a toxic chemical used in dyes and pesticides that pollutes our environment. The fungus works by using special enzymes called cytochrome P450 to degrade the pollutant. This discovery could help clean up contaminated soil and water, though more research is needed to ensure it works safely in real-world environments.

Background

p-Chloroaniline (PCA) is a widely used chemical raw material in dyes, cosmetics, pesticides, and herbicides production that has been classified as a persistent organic pollutant and priority pollutant by the EPA and EU. PCA has been detected in various environments and is known to be carcinogenic with adverse effects on human health and marine ecosystems. While numerous PCA-degrading bacteria have been isolated, PCA-degrading fungi have not been previously reported.

Objective

This study aimed to isolate and characterize a PCA-degrading fungus, evaluate its degradation efficiency under optimal conditions, investigate the toxic effects of PCA on fungal cells, and elucidate the role of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase in the degradation mechanism.

Results

Isaria fumosorosea SP535 achieved 100% PCA degradation at optimal conditions (1.0 mM initial concentration, pH 7.0, 25°C) within 120 hours. PCA toxicity caused roughened hyphal surfaces, cytoplasmic voids, and thickened cell walls in the fungus. PCA addition significantly elevated cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities in both cell-free extracts (0.31 nmol·mg⁻¹ protein) and microsomal fractions (0.84 nmol·mg⁻¹ protein) compared to controls.

Conclusion

This study presents the first reported isolation of a PCA-degrading fungus with high degradation efficiency, demonstrating the potential use of Isaria fumosorosea SP535 in remediation of PCA-contaminated environments. The elevated cytochrome P450 activity suggests that the P450 system plays an important role in PCA metabolization. However, further investigation is needed to assess the fungus’s survivability and environmental impact in real-world applications.
  • Published in:Toxics,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40559979, DOI: 10.3390/toxics13060506
Scroll to Top