The threat of drug-resistant bacteria is challenging, and it is urgent to explore new antibiotics. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are known to be a group of promising antibacterial agents for replacing conventional antibiotics. Nevertheless, their antibacterial mechanism remains to be elucidated. Herein, we directly observed the interaction between antibacterial AuNPs and bacteria at the molecular level using neutral desorption extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ND-EESI-MS). We monitored and analyzed the dynamic changes of bacterial metabolites in real time after AuNP treatment. Ten substances representing 3 major metabolic pathways, including protein and nucleic acid synthesis, energy metabolism, and quorum sensing, were identified, indicating that AuNPs may exert antibacterial effects through multiple mechanisms influencing bacterial metabolism and communication. This study deepens the understanding of the antibacterial mechanism of AuNPs and is insightful for designing and screening new antibacterial agents.

中文翻译：

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通过在分子水平上分析细菌代谢来揭示金纳米颗粒的抗菌机制


耐药细菌的威胁具有挑战性，迫切需要探索新的抗生素。金纳米颗粒 （AuNPs） 是一组有前途的抗菌剂，可替代传统抗生素。然而，它们的抗菌机制仍有待阐明。在此，我们使用中性解吸萃取电喷雾电离质谱 （ND-EESI-MS） 在分子水平上直接观察了抗菌 AuNPs 与细菌之间的相互作用。我们实时监测和分析了 AuNP 处理后细菌代谢物的动态变化。鉴定出代表蛋白质和核酸合成、能量代谢和群体感应等 3 个主要代谢途径的 10 种物质，表明 AuNPs 可能通过影响细菌代谢和通讯的多种机制发挥抗菌作用。本研究加深了对 AuNPs 抗菌机制的理解，为设计和筛选新的抗菌剂提供了参考。