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Dadeh Amirfard K, Moriyama M, Suzuki S, Sano D. Effect of environmental factors on conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic settings. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae129. [PMID: 38830804 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial-resistance genes (ARGs) are spread among bacteria by horizontal gene transfer, however, the effect of environmental factors on the dynamics of the ARG in water environments has not been very well understood. In this systematic review, we employed the regression tree algorithm to identify the environmental factors that facilitate/inhibit the transfer of ARGs via conjugation in planktonic/biofilm-formed bacterial cells based on the results of past relevant research. Escherichia coli strains were the most studied genus for conjugation experiments as donor/recipient in the intra-genera category. Conversely, Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., and Salmonella spp. were studied primarily as recipients across inter-genera bacteria. The conjugation efficiency (ce) was found to be highly dependent on the incubation period. Some antibiotics, such as nitrofurantoin (at ≥0.2 µg ml-1) and kanamycin (at ≥9.5 mg l-1) as well as metallic compounds like mercury (II) chloride (HgCl2, ≥3 µmol l-1), and vanadium (III) chloride (VCl3, ≥50 µmol l-1) had enhancing effect on conjugation. The highest ce value (-0.90 log10) was achieved at 15°C-19°C, with linoleic acid concentrations <8 mg l-1, a recognized conjugation inhibitor. Identifying critical environmental factors affecting ARG dissemination in aquatic environments will accelerate strategies to control their proliferation and combat antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katayoun Dadeh Amirfard
- Department of Frontier Science for Advanced Environment, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Momoko Moriyama
- Department of Frontier Science for Advanced Environment, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Satoru Suzuki
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies, Ehime University, Bunkyōchō 2-5, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sano
- Department of Frontier Science for Advanced Environment, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
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Wang BY, Bu HS, Xia LB, Jiang XY, Tong YQ. Low Concentration of Wenyang Tonglin Decoction Promotes Conjugation and Transfer of Drug-Resistant Plasmids among Heterologous Strains. Chin J Integr Med 2024:10.1007/s11655-024-3904-4. [PMID: 38816636 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-024-3904-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of low concentration of Wenyang Tonglin Decoction (WTD) on the binding conditions of R45 plasmid conjugative transfer under liquid phase conjugation and its mechanism. METHODS Escherichia coli CP9 (R45) and Staphylococcus aureus RN450RF were cultured in medium containing WTD, and their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were obtained. Using promoter fusion technology, E. coli CP9 (R45) containing a promoter fusion was obtained. β-Galactosidase activity of TrfAp and TrbBp was tested, and the mRNA expression of regulatory factors (TrbA, KorA, and KorB) was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The MIC of E. coli CP9 (R45) was 400 g/L and that of S. aureus RN450RF was 200 g/L. When the drug concentration in the culture medium was 200 g/L, the highest number of conjugants was (3.47 ±0.20) × 107 CFU/mL At 90 h of conjugation, the maximum number of conjugants was (1.15 ±0.06) × 108 CFU/mL When the initial bacterial concentration was 108 CFU/mL, the maximum number of conjugants was (3.47 ± 0.20) × 107 CFU/mL. When the drug concentration was 200 g/L, the β-galactosidase activity of TrfAp and TrbBp significantly increased; the relative quantification of TrbA, KorA and KorB were significantly inhibited. CONCLUSION Low concentration of WTD promoted the development of bacterial resistance by affecting promoters and inhibiting the expression of regulatory factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Yan Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Hong-Shi Bu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Li-Bo Xia
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Xiang-Yu Jiang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Yan-Qing Tong
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130000, China.
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Castañeda-Barba S, Top EM, Stalder T. Plasmids, a molecular cornerstone of antimicrobial resistance in the One Health era. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:18-32. [PMID: 37430173 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00926-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a substantial threat to human health. The widespread prevalence of AMR is, in part, due to the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), typically mediated by plasmids. Many of the plasmid-mediated resistance genes in pathogens originate from environmental, animal or human habitats. Despite evidence that plasmids mobilize ARGs between these habitats, we have a limited understanding of the ecological and evolutionary trajectories that facilitate the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) plasmids in clinical pathogens. One Health, a holistic framework, enables exploration of these knowledge gaps. In this Review, we provide an overview of how plasmids drive local and global AMR spread and link different habitats. We explore some of the emerging studies integrating an eco-evolutionary perspective, opening up a discussion about the factors that affect the ecology and evolution of plasmids in complex microbial communities. Specifically, we discuss how the emergence and persistence of MDR plasmids can be affected by varying selective conditions, spatial structure, environmental heterogeneity, temporal variation and coexistence with other members of the microbiome. These factors, along with others yet to be investigated, collectively determine the emergence and transfer of plasmid-mediated AMR within and between habitats at the local and global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Castañeda-Barba
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Eva M Top
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- Institute for Modelling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Thibault Stalder
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
- Institute for Modelling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA.
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4
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Xiao Y, Zhang Y, Xie F, Olsen RH, Shi L, Li L. Inhibition of Plasmid Conjugation in Escherichia coli by Targeting rbsB Gene Using CRISPRi System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10585. [PMID: 37445761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310585] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial conjugation constitutes a major horizontal gene transfer mechanism for the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) among human pathogens. The spread of ARGs can be halted or diminished by interfering with the conjugation process. In this study, we explored the possibility of using an rbsB gene as a single target to inhibit plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer in Escherichia coli by CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system. Three single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) were designed to target the rbsB gene. The transcriptional levels of the rbsB gene, the conjugation-related genes, and the conjugation efficiency in the CRISPRi strain were tested. We further explored the effect of the repressed expression of the rbsB gene on the quorum sensing (QS) system and biofilm formation. The results showed that the constructed CRISPRi system was effective in repressing the transcriptional level of the rbsB gene at a rate of 66.4%. The repressed expression of the rbsB gene resulted in the reduced conjugation rate of RP4 plasmid by 88.7%, which significantly inhibited the expression of the conjugation-related genes (trbBp, trfAp, traF and traJ) and increased the global regulator genes (korA, korB and trbA). The repressed rbsB gene expression reduced the depletion of autoinducer 2 signals (AI-2) by 12.8% and biofilm formation by a rate of 68.2%. The results of this study indicated the rbsB gene could be used as a universal target for the inhibition of conjugation. The constructed conjugative CRISPRi system has the potential to be used in ARG high-risk areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Xiao
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Fengjun Xie
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Rikke Heidemann Olsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Lei Shi
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lili Li
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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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: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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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6
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Song J, Zhang H, Wu Z, Qiu M, Zhan X, Zheng C, Shi N, Zhang Q, Zhang L, Yu Y, Fang H. A novel bidirectional regulation mechanism of mancozeb on the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 455:131559. [PMID: 37163893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The high abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the fungicide residual environment, posing a threat to the environment and human health, raises the question of whether and how fungicide promotes the prevalence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Here, we reported a novel mechanism underlying bidirectional regulation of a typical heavy-metal-containing fungicide mancozeb on the horizontal transfer of ARGs. Our findings revealed that mancozeb exposure significantly exerted oxidative and osmotic stress on the microbes and facilitated plasmid-mediated ARGs transfer, but its metallic portions (Mn and Zn) were potentially utilized as essential ions by microbes for metalating enzymes to deal with cellular stress and thus reduce the transfer. The results of transcriptome analysis with RT-qPCR confirmed that the expression levels of cellular stress responses and conjugation related genes were drastically altered. It can be concluded mancozeb bidirectionally regulated the ARGs dissemination which may be attributed to the diverse effects on the microbes by its different portions. This novel mechanism provides an updated understanding of neglected fungicide-triggered ARGs dissemination and crucial insight for comprehensive risk assessment of fungicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajin Song
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Houpu Zhang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zishan Wu
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mengting Qiu
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiuping Zhan
- Shanghai Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center, Shanghai 201103, China
| | - Conglai Zheng
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Nan Shi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Qianke Zhang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Luqing Zhang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yunlong Yu
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hua Fang
- Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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7
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Liu W, Huang Y, Zhang H, Liu Z, Huan Q, Xiao X, Wang Z. Factors and Mechanisms Influencing Conjugation In Vivo in the Gastrointestinal Tract Environment: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5919. [PMID: 36982992 PMCID: PMC10059276 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have imposed a serious threat on global public health. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) via plasmids is mainly responsible for the spread of ARGs, and conjugation plays an important role in HGT. The conjugation process is very active in vivo and its effect on the spreading of ARGs may be underestimated. In this review, factors affecting conjugation in vivo, especially in the intestinal environment, are summarized. In addition, the potential mechanisms affecting conjugation in vivo are summarized from the perspectives of bacterial colonization and the conjugation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Yanhu Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Han Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Quanmin Huan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Xia Xiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225012, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
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8
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Zhao H, Liu X, Sun Y, Liu J, Waigi MG. Effects and mechanisms of plant growth regulators on horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes through plasmid-mediated conjugation. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 318:137997. [PMID: 36720410 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A vast number of bacteria occur in both soil and plants, with some of them harboring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). When bacteria congregate on the interface of soil particles or on plant root surfaces, these ARGs can be transferred between bacteria via conjugation, leading to the formation of antibiotic-resistant pathogens that threaten human health. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are widely used in agricultural production, promoting plant growth and increasing crop yields. However, until now, little information has been known about the effects of PGRs on the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs. In this study, with Escherichia coli DH5α (carrying RP4 plasmid with TetR, AmpR, KanR) as the donor and E. coli HB101 as the recipient, a series of diparental conjugation experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of indoleacetic acid (IAA), ethel (ETH) and gibberellin (GA3) on HGT of ARGs via plasmid-mediated conjugation. Furthermore, the mechanisms involved were also clarified. The results showed that all three PGRs affected the ARG transfer frequency by inducing the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, changing the cell membrane permeability, and regulating the gene transcription of traA, traL, trfAp, trbBp, kilA, and korA in plasmid RP4. In detail, 50-100 mg⋅L-1 IAA, 20-50 mg⋅L-1 ETH and 1500-2500 mg⋅L-1 GA3 all significantly promoted the ARG conjugation. This study indicated that widespread use of PGRs in agricultural production could affect the HGT of ARGs via plasmid-mediated conjugation, and the application of reasonable concentrations of PGRs could reduce the ARG transmission in both soil environments and plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhao
- Institute of Organic Contaminant Control and Soil Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Xiangyu Liu
- Institute of Organic Contaminant Control and Soil Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Yulong Sun
- Institute of Organic Contaminant Control and Soil Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Juan Liu
- Institute of Organic Contaminant Control and Soil Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China.
| | - Michael Gatheru Waigi
- Institute of Organic Contaminant Control and Soil Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
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Huang H, Feng G, Wang M, Liu C, Wu Y, Dong L, Feng L, Zheng X, Chen Y. Nitric Oxide: A Neglected Driver for the Conjugative Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes among Wastewater Microbiota. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6466-6478. [PMID: 35512279 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The dissemination of plasmid-borne antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater is becoming an urgent concern. Previous studies mainly focused on the effects of coexisting contaminants on plasmid conjugation, but ignored the potential contribution of some byproducts inevitably released from wastewater treatment processes. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that nitric oxide (NO), an intermediate of the wastewater nitrogen cycle, can significantly boost the conjugative transfer of plasmid RP4 from Escherichia coli K12 to different recipients (E. coli HB101, Salmonella typhimurium, and wastewater microbiota). Phenotypic and genotypic tests confirmed that NO-induced promotion was not attributed to the SOS response, a well-recognized driver for horizontal gene transfer. Instead, NO exposure increased the outer membrane permeability of both the donor and recipient by inhibiting the expression of key genes involved in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis (such as waaJ), thereby lowering the membrane barrier for conjugation. On the other hand, NO exposure not only resulted in the accumulation of intracellular tryptophan but also triggered the deficiency of intracellular methionine, both of which were validated to play key roles in regulating the global regulatory genes (korA, korB, and trbA) of plasmid RP4, activating its encoding transfer apparatus (represented by trfAp and trbBp). Overall, our findings highlighted the risks of NO in spreading ARGs among wastewater microbiota and updated the regulation 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
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Guanqun Feng
- State key laboratory of pollution control and Resource reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Meng Wang
- State key laboratory of pollution control and Resource reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State key laboratory of pollution control and Resource reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yang Wu
- State key laboratory of pollution control and Resource reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lei Dong
- State key laboratory of pollution control and Resource reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Municipal Engn Design Inst Grp Co. Ltd., 901 Zhongshan North Second Road, Shanghai 200092, P. R. China
| | - Leiyu Feng
- State key laboratory of pollution control and Resource 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
| | - 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
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, 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
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
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