Unveiling the Vital Role of Soil Microorganisms in Selenium Cycling: a Review

Overview

Journal Front Microbiol

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2024 Sep 26

PMID 39323878

Authors

Zhihui Jiang

Zhiyong Wang

Yong Zhao

Mu Peng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is a vital trace element integral to numerous biological processes in both plants and animals, with significant impacts on soil health and ecosystem stability. This review explores how soil microorganisms facilitate Se transformations through reduction, oxidation, methylation, and demethylation processes, thereby influencing the bioavailability and ecological functions of Se. The microbial reduction of Se compounds, particularly the conversion of selenate and selenite to elemental Se nanoparticles (SeNPs), enhances Se assimilation by plants and impacts soil productivity. Key microbial taxa, including bacteria such as and s, exhibit diverse mechanisms for Se reduction and play a substantial role in the global Se cycle. Understanding these microbial processes is essential for advancing soil management practices and improving ecosystem health. This review underscores the intricate interactions between Se and soil microorganisms, emphasizing their significance in maintaining ecological balance and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Citing Articles

Bioremediation Potential of PM1 in Sodium Selenite-Contaminated Soil and Its Impact on Microbial Community Assembly.

Peng M, Deng G, Hu C, Hou X, Wang Z Microorganisms. 2025; 12(12.

PMID: 39770660 PMC: 11677749. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12122458.

References

Xue S, Zhang X, Li X, Zhao F, Shu X, Jiang W . Multi-pathways-mediated mechanisms of selenite reduction and elemental selenium nanoparticles biogenesis in the yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium melanogenum I15. J Hazard Mater. 2024; 470:134204. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134204. View

Balasco Serrao V, Minari K, Pereira H, Thiemann O . Bacterial selenocysteine synthase structure revealed by single-particle cryoEM. Curr Res Struct Biol. 2024; 7:100143. PMC: 11047290. DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2024.100143. View

Sarathchandra S, Watkinson J . Oxidation of elemental selenium to selenite by Bacillus megaterium. Science. 1981; 211(4482):600-1. DOI: 10.1126/science.6779378. View

Amin B, Ahmed H, Gazzar E, Badawy M . Enhancement the Mycosynthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles by Using Gamma Radiation. Dose Response. 2022; 19(4):15593258211059323. PMC: 8674479. DOI: 10.1177/15593258211059323. View

Yu Q, Boyanov M, Liu J, Kemner K, Fein J . Adsorption of Selenite onto Bacillus subtilis: The Overlooked Role of Cell Envelope Sulfhydryl Sites in the Microbial Conversion of Se(IV). Environ Sci Technol. 2018; 52(18):10400-10407. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02280. View

Anusiya G, Gowthama Prabu U, Yamini N, Sivarajasekar N, Rambabu K, Bharath G . A review of the therapeutic and biological effects of edible and wild mushrooms. Bioengineered. 2021; 12(2):11239-11268. PMC: 8810068. DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2001183. View

Wang Y, Shi X, Huang X, Huang C, Wang H, Yin H . Linking microbial community composition to farming pattern in selenium-enriched region: Potential role of microorganisms on Se geochemistry. J Environ Sci (China). 2021; 112:269-279. DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.05.015. View

Guo Q, Ye J, Zeng J, Chen L, Korpelainen H, Li C . Selenium species transforming along soil-plant continuum and their beneficial roles for horticultural crops. Hortic Res. 2023; 10(2):uhac270. PMC: 9923214. DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhac270. View

Chen X, Li B . How nature incorporates sulfur and selenium into bioactive natural products. Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2023; 76:102377. PMC: 10538389. DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102377. View

10.

Hashem A, Abdelaziz A, Askar A, Fouda H, Khalil A, Abd-Elsalam K . -Mediated Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles and Their Antifungal Activity against in Faba Bean Plants. J Fungi (Basel). 2021; 7(3). PMC: 8001679. DOI: 10.3390/jof7030195. View

11.

Kuroda M, Yamashita M, Miwa E, Imao K, Fujimoto N, Ono H . Molecular cloning and characterization of the srdBCA operon, encoding the respiratory selenate reductase complex, from the selenate-reducing bacterium Bacillus selenatarsenatis SF-1. J Bacteriol. 2011; 193(9):2141-8. PMC: 3133095. DOI: 10.1128/JB.01197-10. View

12.

Padhi Y, Chatterjee S . XdfA, a novel membrane-associated DedA family protein of , is required for optimum virulence, maintenance of magnesium, and membrane homeostasis. mBio. 2023; 14(4):e0136123. PMC: 10470534. DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01361-23. View

13.

Zhang X, Wang L, Zeng T, Liu Y, Wang G, Liu J . The removal of selenite and cadmium by immobilized biospheres: Efficiency, mechanisms and bacterial community. Environ Res. 2022; 211:113025. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113025. View

14.

Cai M, Hu C, Wang X, Zhao Y, Jia W, Sun X . Selenium induces changes of rhizosphere bacterial characteristics and enzyme activities affecting chromium/selenium uptake by pak choi (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis Makino) in chromium contaminated soil. Environ Pollut. 2019; 249:716-727. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.079. View

15.

Genchi G, Lauria G, Catalano A, Sinicropi M, Carocci A . Biological Activity of Selenium and Its Impact on Human Health. Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24(3). PMC: 9917223. DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032633. View

16.

Liu H, Xiao C, Qiu T, Deng J, Cheng H, Cong X . Selenium Regulates Antioxidant, Photosynthesis, and Cell Permeability in Plants under Various Abiotic Stresses: A Review. Plants (Basel). 2023; 12(1). PMC: 9824017. DOI: 10.3390/plants12010044. View

17.

Li L, Zhang B, Li L, Borthwick A . Microbial selenate detoxification linked to elemental sulfur oxidation: Independent and synergic pathways. J Hazard Mater. 2021; 422:126932. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126932. View

18.

Luo X, Wang Y, Lan Y, An L, Wang G, Li M . Microbial oxidation of organic and elemental selenium to selenite. Sci Total Environ. 2022; 833:155203. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155203. View

19.

Gao P, Zhang X, Huang X, Chen Z, Marietou A, Holmkvist L . Genomic insight of sulfate reducing bacterial genus Desulfofaba reveals their metabolic versatility in biogeochemical cycling. BMC Genomics. 2023; 24(1):209. PMC: 10116758. DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09297-2. View

20.

Wang D, Rensing C, Zheng S . Microbial reduction and resistance to selenium: Mechanisms, applications and prospects. J Hazard Mater. 2021; 421:126684. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126684. View