Understanding the role of vanadium: insights into bacterial responses and adaptations

Vanadium (V) is a critical and important metal used in various industries, but its accumulation in the environment poses a risk and can lead to pollution. The study of microorganisms for metal recycling in renewable biotechnologies has attracted significant research interest. However, there is limited information on the interaction between V and bacteria. The present paper aims to summarize advancements made in the last 5 years (2020-2025) by systematically reviewing articles that mention V. We analyzed a total of 347 articles, ultimately focusing on 45 relevant studies from three different databases. This work enhances our understanding of the bacterial mechanisms responding to V-exposure, as reported in the literature over the last 5 years. The published articles primarily focus on three areas: the exploration of V-containing proteins, the investigation of genes and proteins that are most active with V-exposure, or bioremediation processes. The articles demonstrate a clear that become most active upon V-exposure, and the study of bioremediation processes involving V. The articles illustrate a clear biological relationship between V resistance mechanisms and denitrification processes. Specifically, it has been shown that certain metabolic activities typically associated with nitrates and nitrites become more prevalent in the presence of V. Moreover, mechanisms that provide resistance to other metals, such as chromate and arsenate, are suggested to also contribute to cellular resistance to V. Similar to the effects of other metals, V-exposure appears to induce oxidative stress, with many stress protection mechanisms being enhanced during V-exposure. While some studies indicate that cells can perform V-bioreduction, quantifying this process and making comparisons is challenging due to limitations in experimental design. Extracellular V-immobilization has been observed through interactions with bacterial extracellular polymeric substances; however, the specific enzymatic activities involved remain unidentified. This review also identifies some knowledge gaps that will drive future research into bacterial interactions with V. The lack of identified dedicated V(V)-reductases, as well as unclear mechanisms of V transport and intracellular handling, requires further investigation. By consolidating this information, the review reveals bacterial mechanisms related to V and offers insights for the development of new biotechnologies.