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818900.9909Engineering nanoparticles to silence bacterial communication. The alarming spread of bacterial resistance to traditional antibiotics has warranted the study of alternative antimicrobial agents. Quorum sensing (QS) is a chemical cell-to-cell communication mechanism utilized by bacteria to coordinate group behaviors and establish infections. QS is integral to bacterial survival, and therefore provides a unique target for antimicrobial therapy. In this study, silicon dioxide nanoparticles (Si-NP) were engineered to target the signaling molecules [i.e., acylhomoserine lactones (HSLs)] used for QS in order to halt bacterial communication. Specifically, when Si-NP were surface functionalized with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), then added to cultures of bacteria (Vibrio fischeri), whose luminous output depends upon HSL-mediated QS, the cell-to-cell communication was dramatically reduced. Reductions in luminescence were further verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses of luminescence genes. Binding of HSLs to Si-NPs was examined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The results indicated that by delivering high concentrations of engineered NPs with associated quenching compounds, the chemical signals were removed from the immediate bacterial environment. In actively-metabolizing cultures, this treatment blocked the ability of bacteria to communicate and regulate QS, effectively silencing and isolating the cells. Si-NPs provide a scaffold and critical stepping-stone for more pointed developments in antimicrobial therapy, especially with regard to QS-a target that will reduce resistance pressures imposed by traditional antibiotics.201525806030
852910.9906Investigating 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.202235853206
786820.9904A 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.202337666010
848730.9903Mechanisms 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.202539549579
849640.9903Neglected resistance risks: Cooperative resistance of antibiotic resistant bacteria influenced by primary soil components. Various antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) can thrive in soil and resist such environmental pressures as antibiotics through cooperative resistance, thereby promoting ARB retention and antibiotic resistance genes transmission. However, there has been finite knowledge in regard to the mechanisms and potential ecological risks of cooperative resistance in soil microbiome. In this study, soil minerals and organic matters were designed to treat a mixture of two Escherichia coli strains with different antibiotic resistance (E. coli DH5α/pUC19 and E. coli XL2-Blue) to determine how soil components affected cooperative resistance, and Luria-Bertani plates containing two antibiotics were used to observe dual-drug resistant bacteria (DRB) developed via cooperative resistance. Results showed quartz, humic acid, and biochar promoted E. coli XL2-Blue with high fitness costs, whereas kaolin, montmorillonite, and soot inhibited both strains. Using fluorescence microscope and PCR, it was speculated DRB could resist the antibiotic pressure via E. coli XL2-Blue coating E. coli DH5α/pUC19. E. coli DH5α/pUC19 dominated cooperative resistance. Correlation analysis and scanning electron microscope images indicated soil components influenced cooperative resistance. Biochar promoted cooperative resistance by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing the dominant strain concentration required for DRB development. Kaolin inhibited cooperative resistance the most, followed by soot and montmorillonite.202235074748
678050.9903Enhanced 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.201626946995
848960.9902Signaling molecules accelerate the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes under the stress of copper. Heavy metals can accelerate the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments by imposing environmental stresses. Signaling molecules play a role in bacterial communication and help bacteria adapt to environmental stresses. However, little is known whether the presence of signaling molecules has an effect on the spread of ARGs induced by heavy metals. In this study, we investigated how N-decanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C10-HSL) affects copper-induced conjugative transfer of ARGs. We calculated the conjugative transfer frequency and measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, membrane permeability, and the expression of relevant genes. The results demonstrated that the addition of C10-HSL increased the conjugative transfer frequency of ARGs under copper ions (Cu(2+)) stress, showing a 7.2-fold increase under 0.5 μM Cu(2+) and 0.39 μM C10-HSL treatment compared to the control. This enhancement was associated with elevated intracellular ROS production and increased membrane permeability. The reduced conjugative transfer frequency under anaerobic conditions or with thiourea treatment supported the key role of ROS in this process. Furthermore, ROS overproduction triggered the SOS response, as evidenced by a 9-fold upregulation of recA expression. C10-HSL also modulated membrane-associated gene expression by upregulating outer membrane porins and downregulating efflux pump genes under Cu(2+)stress. This study provides a new insight into the spread of ARGs in aquatic environments.202540840413
848870.9901Antihistamine drug loratadine at environmentally relevant concentrations promotes conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes: Coeffect of oxidative stress and ion transport. Due to the widespread use of loratadine (LOR) as an antihistamine, it is widely distributed in the environment as an emerging contaminant. However, its impact on the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of LOR on the conjugative transfer of ARGs and elucidated the potential mechanisms through transcriptome analysis. The results showed that LOR significantly promoted the frequency of conjugative transfer up to 1.5- to 8.6-fold higher compared with the control group. Exposure to LOR increased reactive oxidative species (ROS) and intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations, leading to the upregulation of expression of genes related to transmembrane transport and SOS response. Meanwhile, it stimulated the increase of cell membrane permeability. Moreover, LOR exposure could enhance H(+) efflux in donor bacteria, resulting in the decrease of intracellular pH and the elevation of transmembrane potential, which could induce the increase of ion transport, thereby promoting plasmid efflux from the cell membrane. Based on this, we inferred that LOR can induce an increase in ROS level and intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations, and promoted the efflux of intracellular H(+). This, in turn, triggered the intensification of various ion transport processes on the cell membrane, thereby increasing membrane permeability and accelerating plasmid efflux. Ultimately, the coeffect of oxidative stress response and ion transport promoted conjugative transfer. This study demonstrated that LOR significantly promotes plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer of ARGs, providing novel insights into the mechanisms underlying this process.202539919578
849280.9901Promotion 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.202337062264
851890.9901Influence of Dissolved Organic Matter on Tetracycline Bioavailability to an Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterium. Complexation of tetracycline with dissolved organic matter (DOM) in aqueous solution could alter the bioavailability of tetracycline to bacteria, thereby alleviating selective pressure for development of antibiotic resistance. In this study, an Escherichia coli whole-cell bioreporter construct with antibiotic resistance genes coupled to green fluorescence protein was exposed to tetracycline in the presence of DOM derived from humic acids. Complexation between tetracycline and DOM diminished tetracycline bioavailability to E. coli, as indicated by reduced expression of antibiotic resistance genes. Increasing DOM concentration resulted in decreasing bioavailability of tetracycline to the bioreporter. Freely dissolved tetracycline (not complexed with DOM) was identified as the major fraction responsible for the rate and magnitude of antibiotic resistance genes expressed. Furthermore, adsorption of DOM on bacterial cell surfaces inhibited tetracycline diffusion into the bioreporter cells. The magnitude of the inhibition was related to the amount of DOM adsorbed and tetracycline affinity for the DOM. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which the bioavailability of tetracycline antibiotics to bacteria is reduced by DOM present in water. Agricultural lands receiving livestock manures commonly have elevated levels of both DOM and antibiotics; the DOM could suppress the bioavailability of antibiotics, hence reducing selective pressure on bacteria for development of antibiotic resistance.201526370618
340100.9901Study of MFD-type repair in locus determining resistance of Escherichia coli to streptomycin. The yield of induced mutations to streptomycin resistance (Str) in E. coli, UV-irradiated and temporarily incubated in liquid medium not permitting protein synthesis, depends upon the conditions of preirradiation growth and preirradiation treatment of the bacteria, i.e. on their physiological state at the moment of irradiation. This fact is not readily reconciled with a model postulating mutation production in the structural genes of E. coli during excision repair. A preferred explanation is offered, based on the assumption that the efficiency of mutagenesis at the rpsL (strA) locus is determined by interference of antimutagenic (generalized excision repair and MFD) and promutagenic (mutation fixation of excision repair) events. The participation of macromolecular syntheses in Str mutation fixation is suggested.19863537780
8600110.9900Does the herbicide napropamide exhibit enantioselective effects across genus plasmid transfer from Escherichia coli to Bacillus subtilis? The dissemination of plasmid-borne antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into the environment is an urgent concern. However, the enantioselective effects of herbicides on plasmid conjugation among bacterial genera and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study demonstrates for the first time that the herbicide napropamide (NAP), commonly used in vegetable fields, exhibits a concentration-dependent effect on the transfer efficiency of the pBE2R plasmid from Escherichia coli to Bacillus subtilis. Notably, at a concentration of 5 mg L(-1), R-NAP increased transfer efficiency by threefold compared to the S-enantiomer. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that R-NAP caused less structural damage to bacteria than S-NAP but more effectively reduced cell wall components (lipopolysaccharides and peptidoglycan) in donor and recipient bacteria, increasing reactive oxygen species levels and membrane permeability. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that NAP enantiomers altered the expression of genes related to membrane transport activity and transposons. Cross-domain network analysis identified yieK, ygeH, and ydbL as key genes mediating conjugation transfer. Molecular docking results showed that NAP likely interacts hydrophobically with the active sites of the proteins encoded by these genes. In conclusion, herbicides like R-NAP should be carefully managed in fields irrigated with livestock manure to mitigate the risk of ARG transfer and accumulation in crops.202539637801
7887120.9899Double-edged sword effects of sulfate reduction process in sulfur autotrophic denitrification system: Accelerating nitrogen removal and promoting antibiotic resistance genes spread. This study proposed the double-edged sword effects of sulfate reduction process on nitrogen removal and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) transmission in sulfur autotrophic denitrification system. Excitation-emission matrix-parallel factor analysis identified the protein-like fraction in soluble microbial products as main endogenous organic matter driving the sulfate reduction process. The resultant sulfide tended to serve as bacterial modulators, augmenting electron transfer processes and mitigating oxidative stress, thereby enhancing sulfur oxidizing bacteria (SOB) activity, rather than extra electron donors. The cooperation between SOB and heterotroph (sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) and heterotrophic denitrification bacteria (HDB)) were responsible for advanced nitrogen removal, facilitated by multiple metabolic pathways including denitrification, sulfur oxidation, and sulfate reduction. However, SRB and HDB were potential ARGs hosts and assimilatory sulfate reduction pathway positively contributed to ARGs spread. Overall, the sulfate reduction process in sulfur autotrophic denitrification system boosted nitrogen removal process, but also increased the risk of ARGs transmission.202439122125
8497130.9899Conjugation-mediated transfer of antibiotic resistance genes influenced by primary soil components and underlying mechanisms. Soil is the main natural reservoir of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Their dissemination and proliferation were largely motivated by conjugative transfer, while the influence of soil components on bacterial conjugative transfer and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the present study, two Escherichia coli strains were exposed to soil minerals (quartz, kaolinite and montmorillonite) and organic matters (humic acid, biochar and soot) respectively to investigate their impact on ARGs conjugation. The results showed that quartz had no significant effect on conjugation; montmorillonite promoted the growth of the donor, but inhibited the recipient and conjugant; kaolinite and three organic matters significantly promoted the production of conjugant, while biochar promoted and then inhibited it with time prolong. Within the range of bacterial concentration involved in this study, the concentration of conjugant increased with the ratio of the concentration of donor and recipient (R(D/R)), indicating that the variation of conjugant production was mainly mediated by changing R(D/R). Further observation of biochar treatment group showed that the bacterial responses such as cell membrane permeability, cell surface hydrophobicity and biofilm formation ability shifted with the exposure time, which might be a potential factor affecting conjugative transfer. Collectively, our findings suggest that the type and exposure time of soil components jointly affected conjugation, while the change of R(D/R) and related bacterial responses are the main underlying mechanisms.202336586689
7872140.9899Quaternary ammonium compounds promoted anoxic sludge granulation and altered propagation risk of intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes. Surfactants could influence sludge morphology and disinfectants were linked to antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Thus, the response of activated sludge and ARGs to long-term quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) exposure required further investigation, which is a popular surfactant and disinfectant. Here, three sequencing batch reactors were fed with 5 mg/L most frequently detected QACs (dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (ATMAC C12), dodecyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (BAC C12) and didodecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DADMAC C12)) for 180 d. The long-term inhibitory effect on denitrification ranked: DADMAC C12 > BAC C12 > ATMAC C12. Besides, obvious granular sludge promoted by the increase of α-Helix/(β-Sheet + Random coil) appeared in DADMAC C12 system. Moreover, intracellular ARGs increased when denitrification systems encountered QACs acutely but decreased in systems chronically exposed to QACs. Although replication and repair metabolism in ATMAC C12 system was higher, ATMAC C12 significantly promoted proliferation of extracellular ARGs. It was noteworthy that the propagation risk of extracellular ARGs in sludge increased significantly during sludge granulation process, and intracellular sul2 genes in sludge and water both increased with the granular diameter in DADMAC C12 system. The universal utilization of QACs may enhance antibiotic resistance of bacteria in wastewater treatment plants, deserving more attention.202336444811
602150.9899The Bacterial Mfd Protein Prevents DNA Damage Induced by the Host Nitrogen Immune Response in a NER-Independent but RecBC-Dependent Pathway. Production of reactive nitrogen species is an important component of the host immune defence against bacteria. Here, we show that the bacterial protein Mfd (Mutation frequency decline), a highly conserved and ubiquitous bacterial protein involved in DNA repair, confers bacterial resistance to the eukaryotic nitrogen response produced by macrophage cells and during mice infection. In addition, we show that RecBC is also necessary to survive this stress. The inactivation of recBC and mfd genes is epistatic showing that Mfd follows the RecBC repair pathway to protect the bacteria against the genotoxic effect of nitrite. Surprisingly given the role of Mfd in transcription-coupled repair, UvrA is not necessary to survive the nitrite response. Taken together, our data reveal that during the eukaryotic nitrogen response, Mfd is required to maintain bacterial genome integrity in a NER-independent but RecBC-dependent pathway.201627711223
9981160.9899High-contrast imaging of cellular non-repetitive drug-resistant genes via in situ dead Cas12a-labeled PCR. In situ imaging of genes of pathogenic bacteria can profile cellular heterogeneity, such as the emergence of drug resistance. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) serves as a classic approach to image mRNAs inside cells, but it remains challenging to elucidate genomic DNAs and relies on multiple fluorescently labeled probes. Herein, we present a dead Cas12a (dCas12a)-labeled polymerase chain reaction (CasPCR) assay for high-contrast imaging of cellular drug-resistant genes. We employed a syncretic dCas12a-green fluorescent protein (dCas12a-GFP) to tag the amplicons, thereby enabling high-contrast imaging and avoiding multiple fluorescently labeled probes. The CasPCR assay can quantify quinolone-resistant Salmonella enterica in mixed populations and identify them isolated from poultry farms.202439229640
8512170.9899Dissolved oxygen facilitates efficiency of chlorine disinfection for antibiotic resistance. Controlling the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is a global concern. While commonly used chlorine disinfectants can damage or even kill ARB, dissolved oxygen (DO) may affect the formation of reactive chlorine species. This leads to the hypothesis that DO may play roles in mediating the effectiveness of chlorine disinfection for antibiotic resistance. To this end, this study investigated the impacts of DO on the efficiency of chlorine disinfection for antibiotic resistance. The results revealed that DO could increase the inactivation efficiency of ARB under chloramine and free chlorine exposure at practically relevant concentrations. Reactive species induced by DO, including H(2)O(2), O(2)(-), and OH, inactivated ARB strains by triggering oxidative stress response and cell membrane damage. In addition, the removal efficiency of extracellular ARGs (i.e. tetA and bla(TEM)) was enhanced with increasing dosage of free chlorine or chloramine under aerobic conditions. DO facilitated the fragmentation of plasmids, contributing to the degradation of extracellular ARGs under exposure to chlorine disinfectants. The findings suggested that DO facilitates disinfection efficiency for antibiotic resistance in water treatment systems.202438750753
6782180.9899Ubiquitous nanocolloids suppress the conjugative transfer of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance in aqueous environment. Nanocolloids (Nc) are widespread in natural water environment, whereas the potential effects of Nc on dissemination of antibiotic resistance remain largely unknown. In this study, Nc collected from the Yellow River in Henan province was tested for its ability to influence the conjugative transfer of resistant plasmid in aqueous environment. The results revealed that the conjugative transfer of RP4 plasmid between Escherichia coli was down-regulated by 52%-91% upon exposure to 1-10 mg/L Nc and the reduction became constant when the dose became higher (20-200 mg/L). Despite the exposure of Nc activated the anti-oxidation and SOS response in bacteria through up-regulating genes involved in glutathione biosynthesis and DNA recombination, the inhibition on the synthesis and secretion of extracellular polysaccharide induced the prevention of cell-cell contact, leading to the reduction of plasmid transfer. This was evidenced by the decreased bacterial adhesion and lowered levels of genes and metabolites relevant to transmembrane transport and D-glucose phosphorylation, as clarified in phenotypic, transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis of E. coli. The significant down-regulation of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and TCA cycle was associated with the shortage of ATP induced by Nc. The up-regulation of global regulatory genes (korA and trbA) and the reduction of plasmid genes (trfAp, trbBp, and traG) expression also contributed to the suppressed conjugation of RP4 plasmid. The obtained findings remind that the role of ubiquitous colloidal particles is nonnegligible when practically and comprehensively assessing the risk of antibiotic resistance in the environment.202438801878
8526190.9899Size-dependent enhancement on conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes by micro/nanoplastics. Recently micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) have raised intensive concerns due to their possible enhancement effect on the dissemination of antibiotic genes. Unfortunately, data is still lacking to verify the effect. In the study, the influence of polystyrene MNPs on the conjugative gene transfer was studied by using E. coli DH5ɑ with RP4 plasmid as the donor bacteria and E. coli K12 MG1655 as the recipient bacteria. We found that influence of MNPs on gene transfer was size-dependent. Small MNPs (10 nm in radius) caused an increase and then a decrease in gene transfer efficiency with their concentration increasing. Moderate-sized MNPs (50 nm in radius) caused an increase in gene transfer efficiency. Large MNPs (500 nm in radius) had almost no influence on gene transfer. The gene transfer could be further enhanced by optimizing mating time and mating ratio. Scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) production did not affect the cell membrane permeability, indicating that the increase in cell membrane permeability was not related to ROS production. The mechanism of the enhanced gene transfer efficiency was attributed to a combined effect of the increased ROS production and the increased cell membrane permeability, which ultimately regulated the expression of corresponding genes.202235278945