Analysis of the effects of mesoporous silica particles SBA-15 and SBA-16 in Streptococcus pneumoniae transformation process

Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2019 Jan;64(1):127-132. doi: 10.1007/s12223-018-0631-2. Epub 2018 Jul 14.

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae are natural competent bacteria which requires the presence of a pheromone-like molecule to do the transformation process. This study verified the influence of mesoporous silica (SBA-15 and SBA-16) on the transformation process in S. pneumoniae using a donor DNA obtained from a mutant strain of this microorganism (Sp360∆luxS). The results showed that mesoporous silica SBA-15 and SBA-16 particles doubled the transformation ratio frequency compared with negative control (without nanoparticles) in using SBA-15 (ratio 1.81 ± 0.04) and SBA-16 (ratio 2.18 ± 0.22). We demonstrated the how mesoporous silica nanoparticles were able to increase the pneumococcus transformations, which could possibly lead to the acquisition of virulence factor genes and resistance of antibiotics.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / chemistry
  • Air Pollutants / pharmacology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Particle Size
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Silicon Dioxide / pharmacology*
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / drug effects*
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / genetics*
  • Surface Properties
  • Transformation, Bacterial / drug effects*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • SBA-15
  • SBA-16
  • Silicon Dioxide