microorganisms Review Processing of Metals and Metalloids by Actinobacteria: Cell Resistance Mechanisms and Synthesis of Metal(loid)-Based Nanostructures Alessandro Presentato 1,* , Elena Piacenza 1 , Raymond J. Turner 2 , Davide Zannoni 3 and Martina Cappelletti 3 1 Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
[email protected] 2 Department of Biological Sciences, Calgary University, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada;
[email protected] 3 Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
[email protected] (D.Z.);
[email protected] (M.C.) * Correspondence:
[email protected] Received: 6 December 2020; Accepted: 16 December 2020; Published: 18 December 2020 Abstract: Metal(loid)s have a dual biological role as micronutrients and stress agents. A few geochemical and natural processes can cause their release in the environment, although most metal-contaminated sites derive from anthropogenic activities. Actinobacteria include high GC bacteria that inhabit a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic ecological niches, where they play essential roles in recycling or transforming organic and inorganic substances. The metal(loid) tolerance and/or resistance of several members of this phylum rely on mechanisms such as biosorption and extracellular sequestration by siderophores and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and metal efflux processes, which overall contribute to maintaining metal homeostasis. Considering the bioprocessing potential of metal(loid)s by Actinobacteria, the development of bioremediation strategies to reclaim metal-contaminated environments has gained scientific and economic interests. Moreover, the ability of Actinobacteria to produce nanoscale materials with intriguing physical-chemical and biological properties emphasizes the technological value of these biotic approaches.