Molecular insights into silver nanoparticle resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii and unique adaptations to ionic silver.

ABSTRACT: This research provides molecular insights into the evolutionarily adapted defense mechanisms of a bacterial pathogen against the complex antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles at the transcriptional level. The Gram-negative, biofilm-forming bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii upregulated outer membrane proteins along with genes involved in membrane and capsule synthesis, suggestive of enhanced cell surface defense. An increase in surface-attached biofilm colonies in nanosilver-resistant A. baumannii (NAg^R) appeared to be associated with enhanced cell membrane integrity and a greater production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), the matrix that protects the resident colony. In response to reactive oxygen species (ROS), a recognized toxicity characteristic of the n

SUBMITTER: McNeilly O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12647597 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature