1
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Zhu S, Yang B, Yu F, Zhang J, Wang Z, Liu Y. Investigation of the impact of widely used pesticides on conjugative transfer of multidrug resistance plasmids. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 478:135436. [PMID: 39141944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer has emerged as a major driver accounting for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In addition to the use of antimicrobial agents, there is growing evidence that non-antibiotic factors also play an important role. Pesticides are widely used to protect crops against vectors of diseases, and are indispensable agents in agricultural production, whereas the impact of pesticide pollution on the transmission of antimicrobial resistance remains poorly understood. Here we reveal that the pesticides at environmentally relevant concentrations, especially cyromazine (Cyr) and kresoxim-methyl (Kre), greatly facilitate the conjugative transfer of antibiotic-resistance plasmids carrying clinically important ARGs. Mechanistic studies indicate that Cyr and Kre treatments trigger reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and SOS response, increase membrane permeability, upregulate bacterial proton motive force (PMF) and promote ATP supply. Further non-targeted metabolomics and biochemical analysis demonstrate that the addition of Cyr and Kre accelerates tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and electron transport chain (ETC), thereby activating bacterial energy metabolism. In the constructed soil model, we prove that two pesticides contribute to the dissemination of resistance plasmids in the soil microbiota. 16S rRNA sequencing analyses indicate that pesticides alter transconjugant microbial communities, and enable more opportunistic pathogens, such as Pseudomonas and Enterobacter, to acquire the multidrug resistance plasmids. Collectively, our work indicates the potential risk in accelerating the spread of antimicrobial resistance owing to pesticide pollution, highlighting the importance of continuous surveillance of pesticide residues in complex environmental settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyao Zhu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Bingqing Yang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Feiyu Yu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jiayi Zhang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
| | - Yuan Liu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
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2
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Wu Q, Wu GG, Pan KN, Wang XP, Li HY, Tian Z, Jin RC, Fan NS. Beta-blocker drives the conjugative transfer of multidrug resistance genes in pure and complex biological systems. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 477:135403. [PMID: 39096644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Drug resistance poses a high risk to human health. Extensive use of non-antibiotic drugs contributes to antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) transfer. However, how they affect the spread of broad-host plasmids in complex biological systems remains unknown. This study investigated the effect of metoprolol on the transfer frequency and host range of ARGs in both intrageneric and intergeneric pure culture systems, as well as in anammox microbiome. The results showed that environmental concentrations of metoprolol significantly promoted the intrageneric and intergeneric conjugative transfer. Initially, metoprolol induced excessive oxidative stress, resulting in high cell membrane permeability and bacterial SOS response. Meanwhile, more pili formation increased the adhesion and contact between bacteria, and the abundance of conjugation-related genes also increased significantly. Activation of the electron transport chain provided more ATP for this energy-consuming process. The underlying mechanism was further verified in the complex anammox conjugative system. Metoprolol induced the enrichment of ARGs and mobile genetic elements. The enhanced bacterial interaction and energy generation facilitated the high conjugative transfer frequency of ARGs. In addition, plasmid-borne ARGs tended to transfer to opportunistic pathogens. This work raises public concerns about the health and ecological risks of non-antibiotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- Laboratory of Water Pollution Remediation, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ge-Ge Wu
- Laboratory of Water Pollution Remediation, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Kai-Nan Pan
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xue-Ping Wang
- Laboratory of Water Pollution Remediation, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Hong-Yan Li
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Zhe Tian
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ren-Cun Jin
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Nian-Si Fan
- School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
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3
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Guo J, Qiu X, Xie YG, Hua ZS, Wang Y. Regulation of intracellular process by two-component systems: Exploring the mechanism of plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 259:121855. [PMID: 38838482 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer facilitates the dissemination of antibiotic resistance, yet the comprehensive regulatory mechanisms governing this process remain elusive. Herein, we established pure bacteria and activated sludge conjugation system to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of conjugative transfer, leveraging metformin as an exogenous agent. Transcriptomic analysis unveiled that substantial upregulation of genes associated with the two-component system (e.g., AcrB/AcrA, EnvZ/Omp, and CpxA/CpxR) upon exposure to metformin. Furthermore, downstream regulators of the two-component system, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytoplasmic membrane permeability, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, were enhanced by 1.7, 1.4 and 1.1 times, respectively, compared to the control group under 0.1 mg/L metformin exposure. Moreover, flow sorting and high-throughput sequencing revealed increased microbial community diversity among transconjugants in activated sludge systems. Notably, the antibacterial potential of human pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Lactobacillus) was augmented, posing a potential threat to human health. Our findings shed light on the spread of antibiotic resistance bacteria and assess the ecological risks associated with plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer in wastewater treatment systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Xiao Qiu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yuan-Guo Xie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Zheng-Shuang Hua
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yunkun Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
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4
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Wei L, Han Y, Zheng J, Xu X, Zhu L. Accelerated dissemination of antibiotic resistant genes via conjugative transfer driven by deficient denitrification in biochar-based biofiltration systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:173268. [PMID: 38754503 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Biofiltration systems harbored and disseminated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), when confronting antibiotic-contained wastewater. Biochar, a widely used environmental remediation material, can mitigate antibiotic stress on adjoining microbes by lowering the availability of sorbed antibiotics, and enhance the attachment of denitrifiers. Herein, bench-scale biofiltration systems, packed with commercial biochars, were established to explore the pivotal drivers affecting ARG emergence. Results showed that biofiltration columns, achieving higher TN removal and denitrification capacity, showed a significant decrease in ARG accumulation (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of ARGs (0.014 ± 0.0008) in the attached biofilms decreased to 1/5-folds of that in the control group (0.065 ± 0.004). Functional analysis indicated ARGs' accumulation was less attributed to ARG activation or horizontal gene transfer (HGT) driven by sorbed antibiotics. Most denitrifiers, like Bradyrhizobium, Geothrix, etc., were found to be enriched and host ARGs. Nitrosative stress from deficient denitrification was demonstrated to be the dominant driver for affecting ARG accumulation and dissemination. Metagenomic and metaproteomic analysis revealed that nitrosative stress promoted the conjugative HGT of ARGs mainly via increasing the transmembrane permeability and enhancing the amino acid transport and metabolism, such as cysteine, methionine, and valine metabolism. Overall, this study highlighted the risks of deficient denitrification in promoting ARG transfer and transmission in biofiltration systems and natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lecheng Wei
- Institute of Environment Pollution Control and Treatment, College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University
| | - Yutong Han
- Institute of Environment Pollution Control and Treatment, College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University
| | - Jingjing Zheng
- Institute of Environment Pollution Control and Treatment, College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University
| | - Xiangyang Xu
- Institute of Environment Pollution Control and Treatment, College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water Pollution Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Liang Zhu
- Institute of Environment Pollution Control and Treatment, College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water Pollution Control, Hangzhou 310058, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University.
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5
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Amábile-Cuevas CF, Lund-Zaina S. Non-Canonical Aspects of Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:565. [PMID: 38927231 PMCID: PMC11200725 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The understanding of antibiotic resistance, one of the major health threats of our time, is mostly based on dated and incomplete notions, especially in clinical contexts. The "canonical" mechanisms of action and pharmacodynamics of antibiotics, as well as the methods used to assess their activity upon bacteria, have not changed in decades; the same applies to the definition, acquisition, selective pressures, and drivers of resistance. As a consequence, the strategies to improve antibiotic usage and overcome resistance have ultimately failed. This review gathers most of the "non-canonical" notions on antibiotics and resistance: from the alternative mechanisms of action of antibiotics and the limitations of susceptibility testing to the wide variety of selective pressures, lateral gene transfer mechanisms, ubiquity, and societal factors maintaining resistance. Only by having a "big picture" view of the problem can adequate strategies to harness resistance be devised. These strategies must be global, addressing the many aspects that drive the increasing prevalence of resistant bacteria aside from the clinical use of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sofia Lund-Zaina
- Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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6
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Xu Z, Hu S, Zhao D, Xiong J, Li C, Ma Y, Li S, Huang B, Pan X. Molybdenum disulfide nanosheets promote the plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 358:120827. [PMID: 38608575 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The environmental safety of nanoscale molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has attracted considerable attention, but its influence on the horizontal migration of antibiotic resistance genes and the ecological risks entailed have not been reported. This study addressed the influence of exposure to MoS2 at different concentrations up to 100 mg/L on the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes carried by RP4 plasmids with two strains of Escherichia coli. As a result, MoS2 facilitated RP4 plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer in a dose-dependent manner. The conjugation of RP4 plasmids was enhanced as much as 7-fold. The promoting effect is mainly attributable to increased membrane permeability, oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species, changes in extracellular polymer secretion and differential expression of the genes involved in horizontal gene transfer. The data highlight the distinct dose dependence of the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes and the need to improve awareness of the ecological and health risks of nanoscale transition metal dichalcogenides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiang Xu
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Siyuan Hu
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Dimeng Zhao
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Jinrui Xiong
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Caiqing Li
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yitao Ma
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Siyuan Li
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Bin Huang
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Xuejun Pan
- Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
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7
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Wu J, Lv YH, Sun D, Zhou JH, Wu J, He RL, Liu DF, Song H, Li WW. Phthalates Boost Natural Transformation of Extracellular Antibiotic Resistance Genes through Enhancing Bacterial Motility and DNA Environmental Persistence. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:7291-7301. [PMID: 38623940 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The environmental dissemination of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs) in wastewater and natural water bodies has aroused growing ecological concerns. The coexisting chemical pollutants in water are known to markedly affect the eARGs transfer behaviors of the environmental microbial community, but the detailed interactions and specific impacts remain elusive so far. Here, we revealed a concentration-dependent impact of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and several other types of phthalate esters (common water pollutants released from plastics) on the natural transformation of eARGs. The DMP exposure at an environmentally relevant concentration (10 μg/L) resulted in a 4.8-times raised transformation frequency of Acinetobacter baylyi but severely suppressed the transformation at a high concentration (1000 μg/L). The promotion by low-concentration DMP was attributed to multiple mechanisms, including increased bacterial mobility and membrane permeability to facilitate eARGs uptake and improved resistance of the DMP-bounded eARGs (via noncovalent interaction) to enzymatic degradation (with suppressed DNase activity). Similar promoting effects of DMP on the eARGs transformation were also found in real wastewater and biofilm systems. In contrast, higher-concentration DMP suppressed the eARGs transformation by disrupting the DNA structure. Our findings highlight a potentially underestimated eARGs spreading in aquatic environments due to the impacts of coexisting chemical pollutants and deepen our understanding of the risks of biological-chemical combined pollution in wastewater and environmental water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Sustainable Energy and Environmental Materials Innovation Center, Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123,China
| | - Yun-Hui Lv
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Dan Sun
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Sustainable Energy and Environmental Materials Innovation Center, Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123,China
| | - Jun-Hua Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Sustainable Energy and Environmental Materials Innovation Center, Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123,China
| | - Jie Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Sustainable Energy and Environmental Materials Innovation Center, Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123,China
| | - Ru-Li He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Sustainable Energy and Environmental Materials Innovation Center, Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123,China
| | - Dong-Feng Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Hao Song
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Wen-Wei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Sustainable Energy and Environmental Materials Innovation Center, Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123,China
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8
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Fang Y, Chen C, Cui B, Zhou D. Nanoscale zero-valent iron alleviate antibiotic resistance risk during managed aquifer recharge (MAR) by regulating denitrifying bacterial network. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133238. [PMID: 38134694 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The frequent occurrence of antibiotics in reclaimed water is concerning, in the case of managed aquifer recharge (MAR), it inevitably hinders further water purification and accelerates the evolutionary resistance in indigenous bacteria. In this study, we constructed two column reactors and nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) amendment was applied for its effects on water quality variation, microbial community succession, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) dissemination, deciphered the underlying mechanism of resistance risk reduction. Results showed that nZVI was oxidized to iron oxides in the sediment column, and total effluent iron concentration was within permissible limits. nZVI enhanced NO3--N removal by 15.5% through enriching denitrifying bacteria and genes, whereas made no effects on oxacillin (OXA) removal. In addition, nZVI exhibited a pivotal impact on ARGs and plasmids decreasing. Network analysis elucidated that the diversity and richness of ARG host declined with nZVI amendment. Denitrifying bacteria play a key role in suppressing horizontal gene transfer (HGT). The underlying mechanisms of inhibited HGT included the downregulated SOS response, the inhibited Type-Ⅳ secretion system and the weakened driving force. This study afforded vital insights into ARG spread control, providing a reference for future applications of nZVI in MAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanping Fang
- Engineering Research Center of Low-Carbon Treatment and Green Development of Polluted Water in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Jilin Engineering Lab for Water Pollution Control and Resources Recovery, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Congli Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Low-Carbon Treatment and Green Development of Polluted Water in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Jilin Engineering Lab for Water Pollution Control and Resources Recovery, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Bin Cui
- Engineering Research Center of Low-Carbon Treatment and Green Development of Polluted Water in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Jilin Engineering Lab for Water Pollution Control and Resources Recovery, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China.
| | - Dandan Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Low-Carbon Treatment and Green Development of Polluted Water in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Jilin Engineering Lab for Water Pollution Control and Resources Recovery, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China.
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9
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Zhang Z, Bo L, Wang S, Li C, Zhang X, Xue B, Yang X, He X, Shen Z, Qiu Z, Zhao C, Wang J. Multidrug-resistant plasmid RP4 inhibits the nitrogen removal capacity of ammonia-oxidizing archaea, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, and comammox in activated sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 242:117739. [PMID: 38007076 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
In wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), ammonia oxidation is primarily carried out by three types of ammonia oxidation microorganisms (AOMs): ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and comammox (CMX). Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which pose an important public health concern, have been identified at every stage of wastewater treatment. However, few studies have focused on the impact of ARGs on ammonia removal performance. Therefore, our study sought to investigate the effect of the representative multidrug-resistant plasmid RP4 on the functional microorganisms involved in ammonia oxidation. Using an inhibitor-based method, we first evaluated the contributions of AOA, AOB, and CMX to ammonia oxidation in activated sludge, which were determined to be 13.7%, 41.1%, and 39.1%, respectively. The inhibitory effects of C2H2, C8H14, and 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) were then validated by qPCR. After adding donor strains to the sludge, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) imaging analysis demonstrated the co-localization of RP4 plasmids and all three AOMs, thus confirming the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of the RP4 plasmid among these microorganisms. Significant inhibitory effects of the RP4 plasmid on the ammonia nitrogen consumption of AOA, AOB, and CMX were also observed, with inhibition rates of 39.7%, 36.2%, and 49.7%, respectively. Moreover, amoA expression in AOB and CMX was variably inhibited by the RP4 plasmid, whereas AOA amoA expression was not inhibited. These results demonstrate the adverse environmental effects of the RP4 plasmid and provide indirect evidence supporting plasmid-mediated conjugation transfer from bacteria to archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Binshui West Road 399, Xiqing District, Tianjin, 300387, China.
| | - Lin Bo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Binshui West Road 399, Xiqing District, Tianjin, 300387, China; Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Shang Wang
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Chenyu Li
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Bin Xue
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Xinxin He
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhiqiang Shen
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Zhigang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, China.
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment & Food Safety, Tianjin, 300050, China.
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10
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Gao J, Xing X, Cai W, Li Z, Shi G, Chen Y, Liang H, Chen C, Ma K, Chen J, Hu C. Effect of micropollutants on disinfection byproducts and antibiotic resistance genes in drinking water in the process of biological activated carbon treatment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132304. [PMID: 37748307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The biofilm stress response of biological activated carbon (BAC) was investigated under prolonged exposure to sulfadiazine and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, simulating complex emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) that are mainly involved in the formation of nitrogenous disinfection byproducts (N-DBPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Under trace complex EOCs condition (2 µg/L), N-DBP precursors and abundance of ARGs increased significantly in BAC effluent. The total formation potential of haloacetonitriles (HANs) and halonitromethanes (HNMs) was 751.47 ± 2.98 ng/L, which was much higher than the control group (440.67 ± 13.38 ng/L without EOCs). Similarly, the relative abundance of ARGs was more than twice that in the control group. The complex EOCs induce excessive extracellular polymeric substance secretion (EPS), thereby causing more N-DBP precursors and stronger horizontal gene transfer. Metagenome analysis revealed that functional amino acid and protein biosynthesis genes were overexpressed compared to the control group, causing more EPS to be secreted into the external environment. Complex EOCs promote Cobetia, Clostridium, and Streptomyces dominance, contributing to the production of N-DBP precursors and ARGs. For the first time, in addition to the direct hazards of the EOCs, this study successfully revealed the indirect water quality risks of complex EOCs from the microbial stress response during BAC treatment. Synergistic regulation of EOCs and microorganisms is important for tap water security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Gao
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xueci Xing
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Wu Cai
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zesong Li
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guogui Shi
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Youyi Chen
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hao Liang
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chaoxiang Chen
- Nanzhou Waterworks of Guangzhou Water Supply Co. Ltd., Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Kunyu Ma
- Nanzhou Waterworks of Guangzhou Water Supply Co. Ltd., Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jinrong Chen
- Nanzhou Waterworks of Guangzhou Water Supply Co. Ltd., Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Chun Hu
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Li X, Chen X, Yan Y, Wang F, Feng L, Chen Y. Nitrogen-doped graphene for tetracycline removal via enhancing adsorption and non-radical persulfate activation. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 235:116642. [PMID: 37442259 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) was synthesized via direct thermal annealing treatment. The obtained NG showed outstanding removal ability for tetracycline (TC) ascribed to enhanced adsorption and persulfate activation. The maximum TC adsorption capacity calculated from the Langmuir model of NG was 227.3 mg/g, which was 1.66 times larger than nitrogen-free graphene. The coexistence of NG and persulfate (PS) exhibited complete degradation of TC within 120 min attributed to the successful modification of nitrogen. Further analysis demonstrated that non-radical electron transfer was the dominant degradation pathway, which was different from the widely acknowledgeable radical mechanism. An electron donor-mediator-acceptor system was introduced, in which TC, NG, and PS performed as electron donor, mediator, and acceptor, respectively. The potential intermediates in the TC degradation process were detected and toxicity assessment was also performed. In addition, more than 75.8% of total organic carbon was removed, and excellent reusability was manifested in multiple adsorption and degradation experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xutao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yan
- College of Chemistry and Environment Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, 224002, China
| | - Feng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Leiyu Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Yinguang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
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12
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Yin L, Wang X, Xu H, Yin B, Wang X, Zhang Y, Li X, Luo Y, Chen Z. Unrecognized risk of perfluorooctane sulfonate in promoting conjugative transfers of bacterial antibiotic resistance genes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0053323. [PMID: 37565764 PMCID: PMC10537727 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00533-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major global health crisis facing humanity, with horizontal gene transfer (HGT) as a principal dissemination mechanism in the natural and clinical environments. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants of global concern due to their high persistence in the environment and adverse effects on humans. However, it is unknown whether PFASs affect the HGT of bacterial antibiotic resistance. Using a genetically engineered Escherichia coli MG1655 as the donor of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), E. coli J53 and soil bacterial community as two different recipients, this study demonstrated that the conjugation frequency of ARGs between two E. coli strains was (1.45 ± 0.17) × 10-5 and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at environmentally relevant concentrations (2-50 μg L-1) increased conjugation transfer between E. coli strains by up to 3.25-fold. Increases in reactive oxygen species production, cell membrane permeability, biofilm formation capacity, and cell contact in two E. coli strains were proposed as major promotion mechanisms from PFOS exposure. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis of transcriptome data identified a series of candidate genes whose expression changes could contribute to the increase in conjugation transfer induced by PFOS. Furthermore, PFOS also generally increased the ARG transfer into the studied soil bacterial community, although the uptake ability of different community members of the plasmid either increased or decreased upon PFOS exposure depending on specific bacterial taxa. Overall, this study reveals an unrecognized risk of PFOS in accelerating the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. IMPORTANCE Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants of global concern due to their high persistence in the environment and adverse health effects. Although the influence of environmental pollutants on the spread of antibiotic resistance, one of the biggest threats to global health, has attracted increasing attention in recent years, it is unknown whether environmental residues of PFASs affect the dissemination of bacterial antibiotic resistance. Considering PFASs, often called "forever" compounds, have significantly higher environmental persistence than most emerging organic contaminants, exploring the effect of PFASs on the spread of antibiotic resistance is more environmentally relevant and has essential ecological and health significance. By systematically examining the influence of perfluorooctane sulfonate on the antibiotic resistance gene conjugative transfer, not only at the single-strain level but also at the community level, this study has uncovered an unrecognized risk of PFASs in promoting conjugative transfers of bacterial antibiotic resistance genes, which could be incorporated into the risk assessment framework of PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichun Yin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Han Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Bo Yin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xingshuo Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyao Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zeyou Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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Alav I, Buckner MMC. Non-antibiotic compounds associated with humans and the environment can promote horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023:1-18. [PMID: 37462915 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2023.2233603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer plays a key role in the global dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR genes are often carried on self-transmissible plasmids, which are shared amongst bacteria primarily by conjugation. Antibiotic use has been a well-established driver of the emergence and spread of AMR. However, the impact of commonly used non-antibiotic compounds and environmental pollutants on AMR spread has been largely overlooked. Recent studies found common prescription and over-the-counter drugs, artificial sweeteners, food preservatives, and environmental pollutants, can increase the conjugative transfer of AMR plasmids. The potential mechanisms by which these compounds promote plasmid transmission include increased membrane permeability, upregulation of plasmid transfer genes, formation of reactive oxygen species, and SOS response gene induction. Many questions remain around the impact of most non-antibiotic compounds on AMR plasmid conjugation in clinical isolates and the long-term impact on AMR dissemination. By elucidating the role of routinely used pharmaceuticals, food additives, and pollutants in the dissemination of AMR, action can be taken to mitigate their impact by closely monitoring use and disposal. This review will discuss recent progress on understanding the influence of non-antibiotic compounds on plasmid transmission, the mechanisms by which they promote transfer, and the level of risk they pose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilyas Alav
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Michelle M C Buckner
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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14
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Nath J, De J, Sur S, Banerjee P. Interaction of Microbes with Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Agroecosystems-Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance. Pathogens 2023; 12:888. [PMID: 37513735 PMCID: PMC10386327 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are hotspots for the exchange of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) between different bacterial taxa in the environment. Propagation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health issue that needs special attention concerning horizontal gene transfer (HGT) under micro-nano plastics (MNPs) pressure. Interactions between MNPs and microbes, or mere persistence of MNPs in the environment (either water or soil), influence microbial gene expressions, affecting autochthonous microbiomes, their resistomes, and the overall ecosystem. The adsorption of a range of co-contaminants on MNPs leads to the increased interaction of pollutants with microbes resulting in changes in AMR, virulence, toxin production, etc. However, accurately estimating the extent of MNP infestation in agroecosystems remains challenging. The main limitation in estimating the level of MNPs contamination in agroecosystems, surface and subsurface waters, or sediments is the lack of standardized protocols for extraction of MPs and analytical detection methods from complex high organic content matrices. Nonetheless, recent advances in MPs detection from complex matrices with high organic matter content are highly promising. This review aims to provide an overview of relevant information available to date and summarize the already existing knowledge about the mechanisms of MNP-microbe interactions including the different factors with influence on HGT and AMR. In-depth knowledge of the enhanced ARGs propagation in the environment under the influence of MNPs could raise the needed awareness, about future consequences and emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayashree Nath
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Jayita De
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Shantanu Sur
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA
| | - Pratik Banerjee
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Chen T, Zhao MX, Tang XY, Wei WX, Wen X, Zhou SZ, Ma BH, Zou YD, Zhang N, Mi JD, Wang Y, Liao XD, Wu YB. The tigecycline resistance gene tetX has an expensive fitness cost based on increased outer membrane permeability and metabolic burden in Escherichia coli. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 458:131889. [PMID: 37348375 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Livestock-derived tetX-positive Escherichia coli with tigecycline resistance poses a serious risk to public health. Fitness costs, antibiotic residues, and other tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs) are fundamental in determining the spread of tetX in the environment, but there is a lack of relevant studies. The results of this study showed that both tetO and tetX resulted in reduction in growth and an increased in the metabolic burden of E. coli, but the presence of doxycycline reversed this phenomenon. Moreover, the protection of E. coli growth and metabolism by tetO was superior to that of tetX in the presence of doxycycline, resulting in a much lower competitiveness of tetX-carrying E. coli than tetO-carrying E. coli. The results of RNA-seq showed that the increase in outer membrane proteins (ompC, ompF and ompT) of tetX-carrying E. coli resulted in increased membrane permeability and biofilm formation, which is an important reason for fitness costs. Overall, the increased membrane permeability and metabolic burden of E. coli is the mechanistic basis for the high fitness cost of tetX, and the spread of tetO may limit the spread of tetX. This study provides new insights into the rational use of tetracycline antibiotics to control the spread of tetX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Min-Xing Zhao
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiao-Yue Tang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wen-Xiao Wei
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shi-Zheng Zhou
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Bao-Hua Ma
- Foshan Customs Comprehensive Technology Center, Foshan 528200, China
| | - Yong-De Zou
- Foshan Customs Comprehensive Technology Center, Foshan 528200, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Foshan Customs Comprehensive Technology Center, Foshan 528200, China
| | - Jian-Dui Mi
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Maoming 525000, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xin-Di Liao
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Maoming 525000, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yin-Bao Wu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Maoming 525000, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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16
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Zhu S, Yang B, Wang Z, Liu Y. Augmented dissemination of antibiotic resistance elicited by non-antibiotic factors. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 262:115124. [PMID: 37327521 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The emergence and rapid spread of antibiotic resistance seriously compromise the clinical efficacy of current antibiotic therapies, representing a serious public health threat worldwide. Generally, drug-susceptible bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance through genetic mutation or gene transfer, among which horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays a dominant role. It is widely acknowledged that the sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics are the key drivers in promoting the transmission of antibiotic resistance. However, accumulating evidence in recent years has shown that in addition to antibiotics, non-antibiotics can also accelerate the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Nevertheless, the roles and potential mechanisms of non-antibiotic factors in the transmission of ARGs remain largely underestimated. In this review, we depict the four pathways of HGT and their differences, including conjugation, transformation, transduction and vesiduction. We summarize non-antibiotic factors accounting for the enhanced horizontal transfer of ARGs and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Finally, we discuss the limitations and implications of current studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyao Zhu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bingqing Yang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yuan Liu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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17
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Liu C, Zhu X, You L, Gin KYH, Chen H, Chen B. Per/polyfluoroalkyl substances modulate plasmid transfer of antibiotic resistance genes: A balance between oxidative stress and energy support. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 240:120086. [PMID: 37257295 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants can accelerate the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from environmental bacteria to human pathogens via plasmid conjugation, posing a great challenge to the public health. Although the toxic effects of per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as persistent organic pollutants have been understood, it is still unclear whether and how PFAS modulate the transmission of ARGs. In this study, we for the first time reported that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) and ammonium perfluoro (2-methyl-3-oxahexanoate) (GenX) at relatively low concentrations (0.01, 0.1 mg/L) promoted the conjugative transfer of plasmid RP4 within Escherichia coli, while the plasmid conjugation was inhibited by PFOA, PFDoA and GenX at relatively high concentrations (1, 10 mg/L). The non-unidirectional conjugation result was ascribed to the co-regulation of ROS overproduction, enhanced cell membrane permeability, shortage of energy support as well as l-arginine pool depletion. Taking the well-known PFOA as an example, it significantly enhanced the conjugation frequency by 1.4 and 3.4 times at relatively low concentrations (0.01, 0.1 mg/L), respectively. Exposure to PFOA resulted in enhanced cell membrane permeability and ROS overproduction in donor cells. At high concentrations of PFOA (1, 10 mg/L), although enhanced oxidative stress and cell membrane permeability still occurred, the ATP contents in E. coli decreased, which contributed to the inhibited conjugation. Transcriptome analysis further showed that the expression levels of genes related to arginine biosynthesis (argA, argC, argF, argG, argI) and transport (artJ, artM, artQ) pathways were significantly increased. Intracellular l-arginine concentration deficiency were observed at high concentrations of PFOA. With the supplementary exogenous arginine, it was demonstrated that arginine upregulated conjugation transfer- related genes (trfAp, trbBp) and restores the cell number of transconjugants in PFOA-treated group. Therefore, the inhibited conjugation at high concentrations PFOA were attributed to the shortage of ATP and the depletion of L-arginine pool. These findings provide important insights into the effect environmental concentrations of PFAS on the conjugative transfer of ARGs, and update the regulation mechanism of plasmid conjugation, which is critical for the management of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Liu
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhu
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Luhua You
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore; NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Baoliang Chen
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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18
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Huang DQ, Wu Q, Yang JH, Jiang Y, Li ZY, Fan NS, Jin RC. Deciphering endogenous and exogenous regulations of anammox consortia in responding to lincomycin by multiomics: quorum sensing and CRISPR system. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 239:120061. [PMID: 37201375 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of antibiotics has created an antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)-enriched environment, which causes high risks on human and animal health. Although antibiotics can be partially adsorbed and degraded in wastewater treatment processes, striving for a complete understanding of the microbial adaptive mechanism to antibiotic stress remains urgent. Combined with metagenomics and metabolomics, this study revealed that anammox consortia could adapt to lincomycin by spontaneously changing the preference for metabolite utilization and establishing interactions with eukaryotes, such as Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Specifically, quorum sensing (QS) based microbial regulation and the ARGs transfer mediated by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system and global regulatory genes were the principal adaptive strategies. Western blotting results validated that Cas9 and TrfA were mainly responsible for the alteration of ARGs transfer pathway. These findings highlight the potential adaptative mechanism of microbes to antibiotic stress and fill gaps in horizontal gene transfer pathways in the anammox process, further facilitating the ARGs control through molecular and synthetic biology techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Qi Huang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Qian Wu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Jia-Hui Yang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yuan Jiang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Zi-Yue Li
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Nian-Si Fan
- Laboratory of Water Pollution Remediation, School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
| | - Ren-Cun Jin
- Laboratory of Water Pollution Remediation, School of Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310018, China; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
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19
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Wu J, Zhou JH, Liu DF, Wu J, He RL, Cheng ZH, Li HH, Li WW. Phthalates Promote Dissemination of Antibiotic Resistance Genes: An Overlooked Environmental Risk. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6876-6887. [PMID: 37083356 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plastics-microorganism interactions have aroused growing environmental and ecological concerns. However, previous studies concentrated mainly on the direct interactions and paid little attention to the ecotoxicology effects of phthalates (PAEs), a common plastic additive that is continuously released and accumulates in the environment. Here, we provide insights into the impacts of PAEs on the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among environmental microorganisms. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP, a model PAE) at environmentally relevant concentrations (2-50 μg/L) significantly boosted the plasmid-mediated conjugation transfer of ARGs among intrageneric, intergeneric, and wastewater microbiota by up to 3.82, 4.96, and 4.77 times, respectively. The experimental and molecular dynamics simulation results unveil a strong interaction between the DMP molecules and phosphatidylcholine bilayer of the cell membrane, which lowers the membrane lipid fluidity and increases the membrane permeability to favor transfer of ARGs. In addition, the increased reactive oxygen species generation and conjugation-associated gene overexpression under DMP stress also contribute to the increased gene transfer. This study provides fundamental knowledge of the PAE-bacteria interactions to broaden our understanding of the environmental and ecological risks of plastics, especially in niches with colonized microbes, and to guide the control of ARG environmental spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jun-Hua Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Dong-Feng Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jie Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Ru-Li He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhou-Hua Cheng
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Hui-Hui Li
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Wen-Wei Li
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou 215123, China
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Xu Z, Wu X, Zhang J, Cheng P, Xu Z, Sun W, Zhong Y, Wang Y, Yu G, Liu H. Microplastics existence intensified bloom of antibiotic resistance in livestock feces transformed by black soldier fly. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120845. [PMID: 36496063 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Efficient degradation of residual antibiotics in livestock and poultry feces by black soldier flies (BSFs) has been widely reported. Nevertheless, the effects of widely detected microplastics in feces on the dynamic reduction of antibiotics and the transfer of gut bacterial resistome remain unclear. In this study, red fluorescence-labeled microplastics are observed to be abundantly distributed in BSFs gut, which caused epithelial cell damage along with gut peristalsis and friction, thereby releasing reactive oxygen species and activating the antioxidant enzyme system. In addition, they result in not only in inflammatory cytokine release to induce gut inflammation, but fecal hardening because of mucus released from the BSFs, thereby hindering organic mineralization and antibiotic degradation. Besides, the gut pathogenic bacteria easily obtain growth energy and crowded out ecological niches by reducing nitrate produced by inflammatory host cells to nitrite with nitrate reductase. Consequently, linear discriminant analysis effect size and detrended correspondence analysis found that microplastic intake significantly reshape the microbial community structure and cause the significant reduction of several important organic-decomposing bacteria and probiotics (e.g., Pseudomonadales, Coriobacteriales, Lachnospirales, and Ruminococcaceae). In addition, a large number of pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Enterococcaceae, Hungateiclostridiaceae, and Clostridia) are enriched in feces and BSFs gut. Weighted correlation network analysis and bubble diagram analysis indicate that microplastic intake intensified gut colonization of pathogenic bacteria carrying antibiotic-resistant genes/mobile genetic elements, driving the bloom of antibiotic resistance in transformed fecal piles. Therefore, microplastics in feces should be isolated as much as possible before insect transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Xu
- College of Resources and Environment, Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Innovative Institute for Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Xinyue Wu
- College of Resources and Environment, Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Jiexiang Zhang
- Guangzhou Radio & TV Measurement & Testing Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, 510656, China
| | - Ping Cheng
- Innovative Institute for Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Zhihao Xu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinggangshan University, Jian, 343009, China
| | - Weimin Sun
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management Institute of Environmental and Soil Sciences, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
| | - Yuming Zhong
- College of Resources and Environment, Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Guohui Yu
- Innovative Institute for Plant Health, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
| | - Hui Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
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Enzymatic pretreatment mitigates the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes via regulating microbial populations and gene expressions during food waste fermentation. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.108058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Huang H, Lin L, Bu F, Su Y, Zheng X, Chen Y. Reductive Stress Boosts the Horizontal Transfer of Plasmid-Borne Antibiotic Resistance Genes: The Neglected Side of the Intracellular Redox Spectrum. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15594-15606. [PMID: 36322896 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The dissemination of plasmid-borne antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among bacteria is becoming a global challenge to the "One Health" concept. During conjugation, the donor/recipient usually encounter diverse stresses induced by the surrounding environment. Previous studies mainly focused on the effects of oxidative stress on plasmid conjugation, but ignored the potential contribution of reductive stress (RS), the other side of the intracellular redox spectrum. Herein, we demonstrated for the first time that RS induced by dithiothreitol could significantly boost the horizontal transfer of plasmid RP4 from Escherichia coli K12 to different recipients (E. coli HB101, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Pseudomonas putida KT2440). Phenotypic and genotypic tests confirmed that RS upregulated genes encoding the transfer apparatus of plasmid RP4, which was attributed to the promoted consumption of intracellular glutamine in the donor rather than the widely reported SOS response. Moreover, RS was verified to benefit ATP supply by activating glycolysis (e.g., GAPDH) and the respiratory chain (e.g., appBC), triggering the deficiency of intracellular free Mg2+ by promoting its binding, and reducing membrane permeability by stimulating cardiolipin biosynthesis, all of which were beneficial to the functioning of transfer apparatus. Overall, our findings uncovered the neglected risks of RS in ARG spreading and updated the regulatory mechanism of plasmid conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haining Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Fan Bu
- Shanghai Electric Environmental Protection Group, Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yinglong Su
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yinguang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
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