TY - JOUR

T1 - Co-effect of cadmium and iron oxide nanoparticles on plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes

T2 - [incl. Corrigendum]

AU - Pu, Qiang

AU - Fan, Xiao Ting

AU - Sun, An Qi

AU - Pan, Ting

AU - Li, Hu

AU - Bo Lassen, Simon

AU - An, Xin Li

AU - Su, Jian Qiang

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s) Corrigendum to “Co-effect of cadmium and iron oxide nanoparticles on plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes” [Environ. Int. 152 (2021) 106453] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2023.107790

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Conjunctive transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among bacteria driven by plasmids facilitated the evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance. Heavy metal exposure accelerated the plasmid-mediated conjunctive transfer of ARGs. Nanomaterials are well-known adsorbents for heavy metals removal, with the capability of combatting resistant bacteria/facilitating conjunctive transfer of ARGs. However, co-effect of heavy metals and nanomaterials on plasmid-mediated conjunctive transfer of ARGs was still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of the simultaneous exposure of Cd2+ and nano Fe2O3 on conjugative transfer of plasmid RP4 from Pseudomonas putida KT2442 to water microbial community. The permeability of bacterial cell membranes, antioxidant enzyme activities and conjugation gene expression were also investigated. The results suggested that the combination of Cd2+ and high concentration nano Fe2O3 (10 mg/L and 100 mg/L) significantly increased conjugative transfer frequencies of RP4 plasmid (p < 0.05). The most transconjugants were detected in the treatment of co-exposure to Cd2+ and nano Fe2O3, the majority of which were identified to be human pathogens. The mechanisms of the exacerbated conjugative transfer of ARGs were involved in the enhancement of cell membrane permeability, antioxidant enzyme activities, and mRNA expression levels of the conjugation genes by the co-effect of Cd2+ and nano Fe2O3. This study confirmed that the simultaneous exposure to Cd2+and nano Fe2O3 exerted a synergetic co-effect on plasmid-mediated conjunctive transfer of ARGs, emphasizing that the co-effect of nanomaterials and heavy metals should be prudently evaluated when combating antibiotic resistance.

AB - Conjunctive transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among bacteria driven by plasmids facilitated the evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance. Heavy metal exposure accelerated the plasmid-mediated conjunctive transfer of ARGs. Nanomaterials are well-known adsorbents for heavy metals removal, with the capability of combatting resistant bacteria/facilitating conjunctive transfer of ARGs. However, co-effect of heavy metals and nanomaterials on plasmid-mediated conjunctive transfer of ARGs was still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of the simultaneous exposure of Cd2+ and nano Fe2O3 on conjugative transfer of plasmid RP4 from Pseudomonas putida KT2442 to water microbial community. The permeability of bacterial cell membranes, antioxidant enzyme activities and conjugation gene expression were also investigated. The results suggested that the combination of Cd2+ and high concentration nano Fe2O3 (10 mg/L and 100 mg/L) significantly increased conjugative transfer frequencies of RP4 plasmid (p < 0.05). The most transconjugants were detected in the treatment of co-exposure to Cd2+ and nano Fe2O3, the majority of which were identified to be human pathogens. The mechanisms of the exacerbated conjugative transfer of ARGs were involved in the enhancement of cell membrane permeability, antioxidant enzyme activities, and mRNA expression levels of the conjugation genes by the co-effect of Cd2+ and nano Fe2O3. This study confirmed that the simultaneous exposure to Cd2+and nano Fe2O3 exerted a synergetic co-effect on plasmid-mediated conjunctive transfer of ARGs, emphasizing that the co-effect of nanomaterials and heavy metals should be prudently evaluated when combating antibiotic resistance.

KW - Conjugative transfer

KW - Horizontal gene transfer

KW - Microbial community

KW - Nanomaterials

KW - Plasmid

UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412023000636?via%3Dihub

U2 - 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106453

DO - 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106453

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33798824

AN - SCOPUS:85105002727

VL - 152

JO - Environment international

JF - Environment international

SN - 0160-4120

M1 - 106453

ER -