Production of minicell-like structures by Escherichia coli biosynthesizing cadmium fluorescent nanoparticles: a novel response to heavy metal exposure.

ABSTRACT: The bacterial synthesis of fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles or quantum dots (QDs), presents a sustainable method for producing nanomaterials with customized optical properties and significant technological potential. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms for this process remain elusive. Specifically, the role of cellular structures in QD generation has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we examined the morphological changes in Escherichia coli during the biosynthesis of cadmium sulfide (CdS) QDs, using a strain overexpressing the gshA gene to promote QD biosynthesis through increased glutathione (GSH) levels. Microscopy analyses revealed that fluorescence emission associated with QDs was concentrated at the cell poles, along with fluorescence emission from small

SUBMITTER: Valenzuela-Ibaceta F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11829470 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature