Deciphering the biodegradation of thiamethoxam by Phanerochaete chrysosporium with natural siderite: synergistic mechanisms, transcriptomics characterization, and molecular simulation

Fungi play vital roles in the fate of organic pollutants, particularly when interacting with minerals in aquatic and soil environments. Mechanisms by which fungi may mitigate pollutions in fungus-mineral interactions are still unclear. Inspired by biogeochemical cycling, we constructed a range of co-culture systems to investigate synergistic effects of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium and the iron-bearing mineral siderite on thiamethoxam (THX) transformation, a common neonicotinoid pesticide. Co-culturing with siderite significantly enhanced THX transformation during the initial 10 days with a dose effect, achieving 86% removal within 25 days. Fungi could affect siderite’s dissolution, transformation, and precipitation through their biological activities. These interactions triggered physiological adaptation and resilience in fungi. Siderite could enhance the activity of fungal ligninolytic enzymes and cytochrome P450, facilitating biotransformation. Genes expression related to growth, energy metabolism, and oxidative stress response upregulated, enhancing fungal resilience to THX. The primary THX degradation pathways included nitro-reduction, C-N cleavage, and de-chlorination. Molecular dynamics simulations provided insights into catalytic mechanisms of enzyme-THX interactions. Together, siderite could act as natural enhancers that endowed fungi to resist physical and chemical stresses in environments, providing insights into contaminants attenuation, fungal biomineralization, and the coevolution of the Earth's lithosphere and biosphere.