Unexpected connection between nickel toxicity and cholesterol found

Unexpected connection between nickel toxicity and cholesterol found

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

• A recent study by a team from the University of Georgia uncovered an unexpected connection between nickel toxicity and sterol biosynthesis.

Nickel:

• While nickel is toxic in high concentrations, certain organisms like plants, bacteria, and fungi require nickel for the proper function of the enzyme urease. Urease helps in processes such as nitrogen fixation and fungal colonization
• In humans, nickel is a known allergen and is associated with contact dermatitis. Nickel compounds are also considered

Sterols in Organisms:

• Sterols are crucial components of cell membranes in animals, fungi, and plants.
• In mammals, cholesterol is the primary sterol, while in fungi, ergosterol is the major sterol.
• Cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular diseases when it accumulates in blood vessels, whereas ergosterol is essential for fungal cell membrane integrity.
• Many antifungal drugs work by inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis, making it a key target for therapy.

Key findings:

• The researchers discovered that exposure to the heavy metal nickel led to sterol deficiency in both mammalian and fungal cells.
• This included a decrease in cholesterol in mammalian cells and ergosterol in fungal cells.
• The study also showed that overexpression of a gene called ERG25 in fungi helped them tolerate higher concentrations of nickel.