Unexpected insights into antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

ABSTRACT: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are attractive as broad-spectrum antibiotics, however, their further engineering as antimicrobial agents and clinical translation is impeded by controversial data about their mechanism of activity. It is commonly reported that ZnO-NP's antimicrobial activity is associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we disprove this concept by comparing the antibacterial potency of ZnO-NPs and their capacity to generate ROS with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Then, using gene transcription microarray analysis, we provide evidence for a novel toxicity mechanism. Exposure to ZnO-NPs resulted in over three-log reduction in colonies of methicillin resistant S. aureus with minimal increase in ROS or lipid peroxidation. The amount

SUBMITTER: Kadiyala U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5847298 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature