biostudies-literatureUnknown8(1)Auger SThe increasing number of multidrug resistant bacteria raises a serious public-health concern, which is exacerbated by the lack of new antibiotics. Metal oxide nanoparticles are already applied as an antibacterial additive in various products used in everyday life but their modes of action have remained unclear. Moreover, their potential negative effects to human health are still under evaluation. We explored effects of mixed metal oxide Zn0.15Mg0.85O on Bacillus subtilis, as a model bacterial organism, and on murine macrophages. Zn0.15Mg0.85O killed planktonic bacterial cells and prevented biofilm formation by causing membrane damages, oxidative stress and metal ions release. When exposed to a sub-inhibitory amount of Zn0.15Mg0.85O, B. subtilis up-regulates proteins involved in metal ions Scientific reports12276https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6095908biostudies-literatureExploring multiple effects of Zn0.15Mg0.85O nanoparticles on Bacillus subtilis and macrophages.PMC6095908Larcher TSuman SVidic JAuger SBertho NStankic SHenry CPechoux CLejal NfalseExploring multiple effects of Zn0.15Mg0.85O nanoparticles on Bacillus subtilis and macrophages.The increasing number of multidrug resistant bacteria raises a serious public-health concern, which is exacerbated by the lack of new antibiotics. Metal oxide nanoparticles are already applied as an antibacterial additive in various products used in everyday life but their modes of action have remained unclear. Moreover, their potential negative effects to human health are still under evaluation. We explored effects of mixed metal oxide Zn0.15Mg0.85O on Bacillus subtilis, as a model bacterial organism, and on murine macrophages. Zn0.15Mg0.85O killed planktonic bacterial cells and prevented biofilm formation by causing membrane damages, oxidative stress and metal ions release. When exposed to a sub-inhibitory amount of Zn0.15Mg0.85O, B. subtilis up-regulates proteins involved in metal ions 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Aug2025-04-21T17:46:16.149Z2019-03-26T23:51:47ZS-EPMC60959083011598510.1038/s41598-018-30719-9