# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 520 | 0 | 0.8928 | Respiratory chain components are required for peptidoglycan recognition protein-induced thiol depletion and killing in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Mammalian peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs or PGLYRPs) kill bacteria through induction of synergistic oxidative, thiol, and metal stress. Tn-seq screening of Bacillus subtilis transposon insertion library revealed that mutants in the shikimate pathway of chorismate synthesis had high survival following PGLYRP4 treatment. Deletion mutants for these genes had decreased amounts of menaquinone (MK), increased resistance to killing, and attenuated depletion of thiols following PGLYRP4 treatment. These effects were reversed by MK or reproduced by inhibiting MK synthesis. Deletion of cytochrome aa(3)-600 or NADH dehydrogenase (NDH) genes also increased B. subtilis resistance to PGLYRP4-induced killing and attenuated thiol depletion. PGLYRP4 treatment also inhibited B. subtilis respiration. Similarly in Escherichia coli, deletion of ubiquinone (UQ) synthesis, formate dehydrogenases (FDH), NDH-1, or cytochrome bd-I genes attenuated PGLYRP4-induced thiol depletion. PGLYRP4-induced low level of cytoplasmic membrane depolarization in B. subtilis and E. coli was likely not responsible for thiol depletion. Thus, our results show that the respiratory electron transport chain components, cytochrome aa(3)-600, MK, and NDH in B. subtilis, and cytochrome bd-I, UQ, FDH-O, and NDH-1 in E. coli, are required for both PGLYRP4-induced killing and thiol depletion and indicate conservation of the PGLYRP4-induced thiol depletion and killing mechanisms in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. | 2021 | 33420211 |
| 7828 | 1 | 0.8916 | Simultaneous elimination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes by different Fe-N co-doped biochars activating peroxymonosulfate: The key role of pyridine-N and Fe-N sites. The coexistence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in the environment poses a potential threat to public health. In our study, we have developed a novel advanced oxidation process for simultaneously removing ARGs and ARB by two types of iron and nitrogen-doped biochar derived from rice straw (FeN-RBC) and sludge (FeN-SBC). All viable ARB (approximately 10(8) CFU mL(-1)) was inactivated in the FeN-RBC/ peroxymonosulfate (PMS) system within 40 min and did not regrow after 48 h even in real water samples. Flow cytometry identified 96.7 % of dead cells in the FeN-RBC/PMS system, which verified the complete inactivation of ARB. Thorough disinfection of ARB was associated with the disruption of cell membranes and intracellular enzymes related to the antioxidant system. Whereas live bacteria (approximately 200 CFU mL(-1)) remained after FeN-SBC/PMS treatment. Intracellular and extracellular ARGs (tetA and tetB) were efficiently degraded in the FeN-RBC/PMS system. The production of active species, primarily •OH, SO(4)(•-) and Fe (IV), as well as electron transfer, were essential to the effective disinfection of FeN-RBC/PMS. In comparison with FeN-SBC, the better catalytic performance of FeN-RBC was mainly ascribed to its higher amount of pyridine-N and Fe(0), and more reactive active sites (such as CO group and Fe-N sites). Density functional theory calculations indicated the greater adsorption energy and Bader charge, more stable Fe-O bond, more easily broken OO bond in FeN-RBC/PMS, which demonstrated the stronger electron transfer capacity between FeN-RBC and PMS. To encapsulate, our study provided an efficient and dependable method for the simultaneous elimination of ARGs and ARB in water. | 2024 | 38669989 |
| 7868 | 2 | 0.8916 | A double-quenching paperclip ECL biosensing platform for ultrasensitive detection of antibiotic resistance genes (mecA) based on Ti(3)C(2) MXene-Au NPs as a coreactant accelerator. The global spread of environmental biological pollutants, such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), has emerged as a critical public health concern. It is imperative to address this pressing issue due to its potential implications for public health. Herein, a DNA paperclip probe with double-quenching function of target cyclic cleavage was proposed, and an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensing platform was constructed using Ti(3)C(2) MXene in-situ reduction growth of Au NPs (TCM-Au) as a coreactant accelerator, and applied to the sensitive detection of ARGs. Thanks to the excellent catalytic performance, large surface area and Au-S affinity of TCM-Au, the ECL performance of CdS QDs have been significantly improved. By cleverly utilizing the negative charge of the paperclip nucleic acid probe and its modification group, double-quenching of the ECL signal was achieved. This innovative approach, combined with target cyclic amplification, facilitated specific and sensitive detection of the mecA gene. This biosensing platform manifested highly selective and sensitive determination of mecA genes in the range of 10 fM to 100 nM and a low detection limit of 2.7 fM. The credible detectability and anti-interference were demonstrated in Yangtze river and Aeration tank outlet, indicating its promising application toward pollution monitoring of ARGs. | 2023 | 37666010 |
| 6780 | 3 | 0.8915 | Enhanced uptake of antibiotic resistance genes in the presence of nanoalumina. Nanomaterial pollution and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are global public health and environmental concerns. Whether nanomaterials could aid the transfer of ARGs released from dead bacteria into live bacteria to cause spread of ARGs is still unknown. Here, we demonstrated that nano-Al2O3 could significantly promote plasmid-mediated ARGs transformation into Gram-negative Escherichia coli strains and into Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus; however, bulk Al2O3 did not have this effect. Under suitable conditions, 7.4 × 10(6) transformants of E. coli and 2.9 × 10(5) transformants of S. aureus were obtained from 100 ng of a pBR322-based plasmid when bacteria were treated with nano-Al2O3. Nanoparticles concentrations, plasmid concentrations, bacterial concentrations, interaction time between the nanomaterial and bacterial cells and the vortexing time affected the transformation efficiency. We also explored the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization and scanning electron microscopy, we found that nano-Al2O3 damaged the cell membrane to produce pores, through which plasmid could enter bacterial cells. Results from reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays, genome-wide expression microarray profiling and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions suggested that intracellular ROS damaged the cell membrane, and that an SOS response promoted plasmid transformation. Our results indicated the environmental and health risk resulting from nanomaterials helping sensitive bacteria to obtain antibiotic resistance. | 2016 | 26946995 |
| 6788 | 4 | 0.8906 | Release and Constancy of an Antibiotic Resistance Gene in Seawater under Grazing Stress by Ciliates and Heterotrophic Nanoflagellates. Extracellular DNA (exDNA) is released from bacterial cells through various processes. The antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) coded on exDNA may be horizontally transferred among bacterial communities by natural transformation. We quantitated the released/leaked tetracycline resistance gene, tet(M) over time under grazing stress by ciliates and heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNFs), and found that extracellular tet(M) (ex-tetM) increased with bacterial grazing. Separate microcosms containing tet(M)-possessing bacteria with ciliates or HNFs were prepared. The copy number of ex-tetM in seawater in the ciliate microcosm rapidly increased until 3 d after the incubation, whereas that in the HNF microcosm showed a slower increase until 20 d. The copy number of ex-tetM was stable in both cases throughout the incubation period, suggesting that extracellular ARGs are preserved in the environment, even in the presence of grazers. Additionally, ARGs in bacterial cells were constant in the presence of grazers. These results suggest that ARGs are not rapidly extinguished in a marine environment under grazing stress. | 2017 | 28592722 |
| 8431 | 5 | 0.8902 | A quaternary ammonium salt grafted tannin-based flocculant boosts the conjugative transfer of plasmid-born antibiotic resistance genes: The nonnegligible side of their flocculation-sterilization properties. This study developed dual-function tannin-based flocculants, namely tannin-graft-acrylamide-diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (TGCC-A/TGCC-C), endowed with enhanced flocculation-sterilization properties. The impacts of these flocculants on proliferation and transformation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among bacteria during the flocculation-deposition process were examined. TGCC-A/TGCC-C exhibited remarkable flocculation capacities towards both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, encompassing a logarithmic range of initial cell density (10(8)-10(9) CFU/mL) and a broad pH spectrum (pH 2-11). The grafted quaternary ammonium salt groups played pivotal parts in flocculation through charge neutralization and bridging mechanisms, concurrently contributing to sterilization by disrupting cellular membranes. The correlation between flocculation and sterilization entails a sequential progression, where an excess of TGCC, initially employed for flocculation, is subsequently consumed for sterilization purposes. The frequencies of ARGs conjugative transfer were enhanced in bacterial flocs across all TGCC treatments, stemming from augmented bacterial aggregation and cell membrane permeability, elicited stress response, and up-regulated genes encoding plasmid transfer. These findings underscore the indispensable role of flocculation-sterilization effects in mediating the propagation of ARGs, consequently providing substantial support for the scientific evaluation of the environmental risks associated with flocculants in the context of ARGs dissemination during the treatment of raw water featuring high bacterial density. | 2023 | 37619725 |
| 8486 | 6 | 0.8899 | Multidrug-resistant plasmid modulates ammonia oxidation efficiency in Nitrosomonas europaea through cyclic di-guanylate and acyl-homoserine lactones pathways. Antibiotic resistance genes present a major public health challenge and have potential implications for global biogeochemical cycles. However, their impacts on biological nitrogen removal systems remain poorly understood. In the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19718 harboring the multidrug-resistant plasmid RP4, a significant decrease in ammonia oxidation efficiency was observed, accompanied by markedly elevated levels of cyclic di-guanylate (c-di-GMP) and acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), compared to plasmid-free controls. The results demonstrated that c-di-GMP facilitates the secretion of AHLs, while elevated levels of AHLs inhibit the ammonia oxidation efficiency of Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19718. These results revealed that RP4 plasmid significantly impaired ammonia oxidation efficiency through the c-di-GMP and AHLs pathways. Our findings indicate that the multidrug-resistant plasmid RP4 adversely affects the nitrogen metabolism of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, potentially disrupting the nitrogen biogeochemical cycle and posing substantial ecological and environmental risks. | 2026 | 40945801 |
| 8487 | 7 | 0.8898 | Mechanisms of nano zero-valent iron in enhancing dibenzofuran degradation by a Rhodococcus sp.: Trade-offs between ATP production and protection against reactive oxygen species. Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) can enhance pollutants biodegradation, but it displays toxicity towards microorganisms. Gram-positive (G(+)) bacteria exhibit greater resistance to nZVI than Gram-negative bacteria. However, mechanisms of nZVI accelerating pollutants degradation by G(+) bacteria remain unclear. Herein, we explored effects of nZVI on a G(+) bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. strain p52, and mechanisms by which nZVI accelerates biodegradation of dibenzofuran, a typical polycyclic aromatic compound. Electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis revealed that nZVI could penetrate cell membranes, which caused damage and growth inhibition. nZVI promoted dibenzofuran biodegradation at certain concentrations, while higher concentration functioned later due to the delayed reactive oxygen species (ROS) mitigation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that cells adopted response mechanisms to handle the elevated ROS induced by nZVI. ATP production was enhanced by accelerated dibenzofuran degradation, providing energy for protein synthesis related to antioxidant stress and damage repair. Meanwhile, electron transport chain (ETC) was adjusted to mitigate ROS accumulation, which involved downregulating expression of ETC complex I-related genes, as well as upregulating expression of the genes for the ROS-scavenging cytochrome bd complex and ETC complex II. These findings revealed the mechanisms underlying nZVI-enhanced biodegradation by G(+) bacteria, offering insights into optimizing bioremediation strategies involving nZVI. | 2025 | 39549579 |
| 523 | 8 | 0.8898 | Sulfide-carbonate-mineralized functional bacterial consortium for cadmium removal in flue gas. Sulfide-carbonate-mineralized functional bacterial consortium was constructed for flue gas cadmium biomineralization. A membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) using the bacterial consortium containing sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) and denitrifying bacteria (DNB) was investigated for flue gas cadmium (Cd) removal. Cadmium removal efficiency achieved 90%. The bacterial consortium containing Citrobacter, Desulfocurvus and Stappia were dominated for cadmium resistance-nitrate-sulfate reduction. Under flue gas cadmium stress, ten cadmium resistance genes (czcA, czcB, czcC, czcD, cadA, cadB, cadC, cueR, copZ, zntA), and seven genes related to sulfate reduction, increased in abundance; whereas others, nine genes related to denitrification, decreased, indicating that cadmium stress was advantageous to sulfate reduction in the competition with denitrification. A bacterial consortium could capable of simultaneously cadmium resistance, sulfate reduction and denitrification. Microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and biological adsorption process would gradually yield to sulfide-mineralized process. Flue gas cadmium could transform to Cd-EPS, cadmium carbonate (CdCO(3)) and cadmium sulfide (CdS) bioprecipitate. The functional bacterial consortium was an efficient and eco-friendly bifunctional bacterial consortium for sulfide-carbonate-mineralized of cadmium. This provides a green and low-carbon advanced treatment technology using sulfide-carbonate-mineralized functional bacterial consortium for the removal of cadmium or other hazardous heavy metal contaminants in flue gas. | 2024 | 39019186 |
| 8726 | 9 | 0.8891 | CRISPR-dCpf1 mediated whole genome crRNA inhibition library for high-throughput screening of growth characteristic genes in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LB1ba02. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LB1ba02 is generally recognized as food safe (GRAS) microbial host and important enzyme-producing strain in the industry. However, autolysis affects the growth of bacteria, further affecting the yield of target products. Besides, the restriction-modification system, existed in B. amyloliquefaciens LB1ba02, results in a low transformation efficiency, which further leads to a lack of high-throughput screening tools. Here, we constructed a genome-wide crRNA inhibition library based on the CRISPR/dCpf1 system and high-throughput screening of related genes affecting the cell growth and autolysis using flow cytometry in B. amyloliquefaciens LB1ba02. The whole genome crRNA library was first validated for resistance to the toxic chemical 5-fluorouracil, and then used for validation of essential genes. In addition, seven gene loci (oppD, flil, tuaA, prmA, sigO, hslU, and GE03231) that affect the growth characteristics of LB1ba02 were screened. Among them, the Opp system had the greatest impact on growth. When the expression of operon oppA-oppB-oppC-oppD-oppF was inhibited, the cell growth difference was most significant. Inhibition of other sites could also promote rapid growth of bacteria to varying degrees; however, inhibition of GE03231 site accelerated cell autolysis. Therefore, the whole genome crRNA inhibition library is well suited for B. amyloliquefaciens LB1ba02 and can be further applied to high-throughput mining of other functional genes. | 2023 | 37802457 |
| 7879 | 10 | 0.8891 | Multidrug-resistant plasmid RP4 increases NO and N(2)O yields via the electron transport system in Nitrosomonas europaea ammonia oxidation. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have recently become an important public health problem and therefore several studies have characterized ARG composition and distribution. However, few studies have assessed their impact on important functional microorganisms in the environment. Therefore, our study sought to investigate the mechanisms through which multidrug-resistant plasmid RP4 affected the ammonia oxidation capacity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, which play a key role in the nitrogen cycle. The ammonia oxidation capacity of N. europaea ATCC25978 (RP4) was significantly inhibited, and NO and N(2)O were produced instead of nitrite. Our findings demonstrated that the decrease in electrons from NH(2)OH decreased the ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) activity, leading to a decrease in ammonia consumption. In the ammonia oxidation process, N. europaea ATCC25978 (RP4) exhibited ATP and NADH accumulation. The corresponding mechanism was the overactivation of Complex Ⅰ, ATPase, and the TCA cycle by the RP4 plasmid. The genes encoding TCA cycle enzymes related to energy generation, including gltA, icd, sucD, and NE0773, were upregulated in N. europaea ATCC25978 (RP4). These results demonstrate the ecological risks of ARGs, including the inhibition of the ammonia oxidation process and an increased production of greenhouse gases such as NO and N(2)O. | 2023 | 37421866 |
| 8493 | 11 | 0.8891 | Effects and mechanisms of plant growth regulators on horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes through plasmid-mediated conjugation. A vast number of bacteria occur in both soil and plants, with some of them harboring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). When bacteria congregate on the interface of soil particles or on plant root surfaces, these ARGs can be transferred between bacteria via conjugation, leading to the formation of antibiotic-resistant pathogens that threaten human health. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are widely used in agricultural production, promoting plant growth and increasing crop yields. However, until now, little information has been known about the effects of PGRs on the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs. In this study, with Escherichia coli DH5α (carrying RP4 plasmid with Tet(R), Amp(R), Kan(R)) as the donor and E. coli HB101 as the recipient, a series of diparental conjugation experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of indoleacetic acid (IAA), ethel (ETH) and gibberellin (GA(3)) on HGT of ARGs via plasmid-mediated conjugation. Furthermore, the mechanisms involved were also clarified. The results showed that all three PGRs affected the ARG transfer frequency by inducing the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, changing the cell membrane permeability, and regulating the gene transcription of traA, traL, trfAp, trbBp, kilA, and korA in plasmid RP4. In detail, 50-100 mg⋅L(-1) IAA, 20-50 mg⋅L(-1) ETH and 1500-2500 mg⋅L(-1) GA(3) all significantly promoted the ARG conjugation. This study indicated that widespread use of PGRs in agricultural production could affect the HGT of ARGs via plasmid-mediated conjugation, and the application of reasonable concentrations of PGRs could reduce the ARG transmission in both soil environments and plants. | 2023 | 36720410 |
| 7860 | 12 | 0.8890 | Enhanced removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes by three-dimensional electrochemical process using MgFe(2)O(4)-loaded biochar as both particle electrode and catalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation. In this study, MgFe(2)O(4)-loaded biochar (MFBC) was used as a three-dimensional particle electrode to active peroxymonosulfate (EC/MFBC/PMS) for the removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The results demonstrated that, under the conditions of 1.0 mM PMS concentration, 0.4 g/L material dosage, 5 V voltage intensity, and MFBC preparation temperature of 600 °C, the EC/MFBC600/PMS system achieved complete inactivation of E. coli DH5α within 5 min and the intracellular sul1 was reduced by 81.5 % after 30 min of the treatment. Compared to EC and PMS alone treatments, the conjugation transfer frequency of sul1 rapidly declined by 92.9 % within 2 min. The cell membrane, proteins, lipids, as well as intracellular and extracellular ARGs in E. coli DH5α were severely damaged by free radicals in solution and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, up-regulation was observed in genes associated with oxidative stress, SOS response and cell membrane permeability in E. coli DH5α, however, no significant changes were observed in functional genes related to gene conjugation and transfer mechanisms. This study would contribute to the underlying of PMS activation by three-dimensional particle electrode, and provide novel insights into the mechanism of ARB inactivation and ARGs degradation under PMS advanced oxidation treatment. | 2024 | 39197284 |
| 8494 | 13 | 0.8890 | Biochar effectively inhibits the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes via transformation. The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) has posed a risk to human health. Here, the effects of biochar (BC) on the horizontal transfer of ARG-carrying plasmids to Escherichia coli via transformation were systematically investigated. BC could significantly inhibit the transformation of ARGs and the inhibition degree increased with pyrolysis temperature. Rice straw-derived BC showed a stronger inhibitory effect on the transformation of ARGs than that of peanut shell-derived BC from the same pyrolysis temperature. The inhibitory effect of BC from low pyrolysis temperature (300 ℃) was mainly caused by BC dissolutions, while it was mainly attributed to BC solids for high pyrolysis temperature (700 ℃) BC. BC dissolutions could induce intramolecular condensation and even agglomeration of plasmids, hindering their transformation into competent bacteria. The cell membrane permeability was slightly decreased in BC dissolutions, which might also contribute to the inhibitory effect. Plasmid can be adsorbed by BC solids and the adsorption increased with BC pyrolysis temperature. Meanwhile, BC-adsorbed plasmid could hardly be transformed into E. coli. BC solids could also deactivate E. coli and thereby inhibit their uptake of ARGs. These findings provide a way using BC to limit the spread of ARGs in the environment. | 2022 | 34530277 |
| 7877 | 14 | 0.8885 | External circuit loading mode regulates anode biofilm electrochemistry and pollutants removal in microbial fuel cells. This study investigated the effects of different external circuit loading mode on pollutants removal and power generation in microbial fuel cells (MFC). The results indicated that MFC exhibited distinct characteristics of higher maximum power density (P(max)) (named MFC-HP) and lower P(max) (named MFC-LP). And the capacitive properties of bioanodes may affect anodic electrochemistry. Reducing external load to align with the internal resistance increased P(max) of MFC-LP by 54.47 %, without no obvious effect on MFC-HP. However, intermittent external resistance loading (IER) mitigated the biotoxic effects of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) (a persistent organic pollutant) on chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH(4)(+)-N removal and maintained high P(max) (424.33 mW/m(2)) in MFC-HP. Meanwhile, IER mode enriched electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) and environmental adaptive bacteria Advenella, which may reduce antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) accumulation. This study suggested that the external circuit control can be effective means to regulate electrochemical characteristics and pollutants removal performance of MFC. | 2024 | 39153696 |
| 542 | 15 | 0.8885 | Role of Yops and adhesins in resistance of Yersinia enterocolitica to phagocytosis. Yersinia enterocolitica is a pathogen endowed with two adhesins, Inv and YadA, and with the Ysc type III secretion system, which allows extracellular adherent bacteria to inject Yop effectors into the cytosol of animal target cells. We tested the influence of all of these virulence determinants on opsonic and nonopsonic phagocytosis by PU5-1.8 and J774 mouse macrophages, as well as by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). The adhesins contributed to phagocytosis in the absence of opsonins but not in the presence of opsonins. In agreement with previous results, YadA counteracted opsonization. In every instance, the Ysc-Yop system conferred a significant level of resistance to phagocytosis. Nonopsonized single-mutant bacteria lacking either YopE, -H, -T, or -O were phagocytosed significantly more by J774 cells and by PMNs. Opsonized bacteria were phagocytosed more than nonopsonized bacteria, and mutant bacteria lacking either YopH, -T, or -O were phagocytosed significantly more by J774 cells and by PMNs than were wild-type (WT) bacteria. Opsonized mutants lacking only YopE were phagocytosed significantly more than were WT bacteria by PMNs but not by J774 cells. Thus, YopH, -T, and -O were involved in all of the phagocytic processes studied here but YopE did not play a clear role in guarding against opsonic phagocytosis by J774. Mutants lacking YopP and YopM were, in every instance, as resistant as WT bacteria. Overexpression of YopE, -H, -T, or -O alone did not confer resistance to phagocytosis, although it affected the cytoskeleton. These results show that YopH, YopT, YopO, and, in some instances, YopE act synergistically to increase the resistance of Y. enterocolitica to phagocytosis by macrophages and PMNs. | 2002 | 12117925 |
| 8491 | 16 | 0.8882 | Hormesis-like effects of black phosphorus nanosheets on the spread of multiple antibiotic resistance genes. The production scalability and increasing demand for black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs) inevitably lead to environmental leakage. Although BPNSs' ecotoxicological effects have been demonstrated, their indirect health risks, such as inducing increased resistance in pathogenic bacteria, are often overlooked. This study explores the influence of BPNSs on the horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) facilitated by the RP4 plasmid, which carries multiple resistance genes. The results indicated that BPNSs exhibited concentration-dependent hormesis-like effects on bacterial conjugation gene transfer. Specifically, at sub-inhibitory concentrations (0.0001-1 mg/L), BPNSs promoted both intra- and intergeneric conjugative transfer, demonstrating an initial increase followed by a decline, with transfer rates rising by 1.5-3.1-fold and 1.5-3.3-fold, respectively. BPNSs were found to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, increase malondialdehyde levels, and trigger the SOS response, enhancing plasmid uptake. Additionally, BPNSs increased membrane permeability by forming pores and upregulating outer membrane porins (OMPs) genes. At higher BPNSs concentrations (0.1-1 mg/L), conjugative frequency was inhibited due to the disruption of the cellular antioxidant system and changes in the adsorption process. These findings underscore the influence of BPNSs on the conjugative transfer of ARGs, complementing current knowledge of the biotoxicity and potential ecological risks associated with BPNSs. | 2025 | 39827804 |
| 8529 | 17 | 0.8881 | Investigating and Modeling the Regulation of Extracellular Antibiotic Resistance Gene Bioavailability by Naturally Occurring Nanoparticles. Extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs) are widespread in the environment and can genetically transform bacteria. This work examined the role of environmentally relevant nanoparticles (NPs) in regulating eARG bioavailability. eARGs extracted from antibiotic-resistant B. subtilis were incubated with nonresistant recipient B. subtilis cells. In the mixture, particle type (either humic acid coated nanoparticles (HASNPs) or their micron-sized counterpart (HASPs)), DNase I concentration, and eARG type were systematically varied. Transformants were counted on selective media. Particles decreased bacterial growth and eARG bioavailability in systems without nuclease. When DNase I was present (≥5 μg/mL), particles increased transformation via chromosomal (but not plasmid-borne) eARGs. HASNPs increased transformation more than HASPs, indicating that the smaller nanoparticle with greater surface area per volume is more effective in increasing eARG bioavailability. These results were also modeled via particle aggregation theory, which represented eARG-bacteria interactions as transport leading to collision, followed by attachment. Using attachment efficiency as a fitting factor, the model predicted transformant concentrations within 35% of experimental data. These results confirm the ability of NPs to increase eARG bioavailability and suggest that particle aggregation theory may be a simplified and suitable framework to broadly predict eARG uptake. | 2022 | 35853206 |
| 8492 | 18 | 0.8881 | Promotion effects and mechanisms of molybdenum disulfide on the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in soil. The rapid development of nanotechnology has aroused considerable attentions toward understanding the effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) on the propagation of antibiotic resistance. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS(2)) is an extensively used ENM and poses potential risks associated with environmental exposure; nevertheless, the role of MoS(2) toward antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) transfer remains largely unknown. Herein, it was discovered that MoS(2) nanosheets accelerated the horizontal transfer of RP4 plasmid across Escherichia coli in a dose-dependent manner (0.5-10 mg/L), with the maximum transfer frequency 2.07-fold higher than that of the control. Integration of physiological, transcriptomics, and metabolomics analyses demonstrated that SOS response in bacteria was activated by MoS(2) due to the elevation of oxidative damage, accompanied by cell membrane permeabilization. MoS(2) promoted bacterial adhesion and intercellular contact via stimulating the secretion of extracellular polysaccharides. The ATP levels were maximally increased by 305.7 % upon exposure to MoS(2), and the expression of plasmid transfer genes was up-regulated, contributing to the accelerated plasmid conjugation and increased ARG abundance in soil. Our findings highlight the roles of emerging ENMs (e.g., MoS(2)) in ARGs dissemination, which is significant for the safe applications and risk management of ENMs under the development scenarios of nanotechnology. | 2023 | 37062264 |
| 7861 | 19 | 0.8880 | The removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes and inhibition of the horizontal gene transfer by contrastive research on sulfidated nanoscale zerovalent iron activating peroxymonosulfate or peroxydisulfate. Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) dissemination via plasmid-mediated conjugation have attracted considerable attentions. In this research, sulfidated nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI)/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and S-nZVI/peroxydisulfate (PDS) process were investigated to inactivate ARB (Escherichia coli DH5α with RP4 plasmid, Pseudomonas. HLS-6 contains sul1 and intI1 on genome DNA sequence). S-nZVI/PMS system showed higher efficiency than S-nZVI/PDS on ARB inactivation. Thus, the optimal condition 28 mg/L S-nZVI coupled with 153.7 mg/L (0.5 mM) PMS was applied to remove both intracellular ARGs (iARGs) and ARB. The oxidative damage of ARB cell was systemically studied by cell viability, intracellular Mg(2+) levels, the changes of extracellular and internal structure, integrity of cell walls and membranes and enzymatic activities. S-nZVI/PMS effectively inactivated ARB (~7.32 log) within 15 min. These effects were greatly higher than those achieved individually. Moreover, removal efficiencies of iARGs sul1, intI1 and tetA were 1.52, 1.79 and 1.56 log, respectively. These results revealed that S-nZVI and PMS have a synergistic effect against ARB and iARGs. The regrowth assays illustrated that the ARB were effectively inactivated. By verifying the inhibitory impacts of S-nZVI/PMS treatment on conjugation transfer, this work highlights a promising alternative technique for inhibiting the horizontal gene transfer. | 2022 | 34482079 |