Journal
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
Volume 170, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107653
Keywords
Natural organic matters; Gene transfer; Antibiotic resistance genes; Model prediction
Categories
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- [21976143]
- [21737003]
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This study reveals the underlying mechanisms for promoting the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) by natural organic matter (NOM). Experimental exploration and model prediction demonstrate that NOM with a lower molecular weight and higher concentration can increase the conjugative transfer frequency and maintenance time of plasmids, thereby enhancing the transfer of ARG.
Dissemination of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) is a huge challenge around the world. Natural organic matter (NOM) is one of the most commonly components in aquatic systems. Information regarding ARG transfer induced by NOM is still lacking. In this study, experimental exploration and model prediction on RP4 plasmid conjugative transfer between bacteria under NOM exposure was conducted. Compared with no exposure, the conjugative transfer frequency of RP4 plasmid increased 7.1-fold and 3.2-fold under exposure to 10 kDa and 100 kDa NOM exposure, respectively. NOM exposure with a lower molecular weight and higher concentration promoted gene expressions related to reactive oxygen species generation, cell membrane permeability, intercellular contact, quorum sensing, and energy driving force. Concurrently, the expressions of conjugation genes in RP4 plasmid were also upregulated. Moreover, model prediction demonstrated that the maintenance of the acquired plasmid was shortened to 133 h under 10 kDa NOM exposure compared with the control (200 h). Long-term NOM exposure enhanced transfer frequency and transfer rate of ARG. This study firstly theoretically and experi-mentally revealed the underlying mechanisms for promoting ARG transfer by NOM.
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