Silver and Copper Acute Effects on Membrane Proteins and Impact on Photosynthetic and Respiratory Complexes in Bacteria

Abstract

The use of metal ions represents a serious threat to the environment and to all living organisms because of the acute toxicity of these ions. Nowadays, silver nanoparticles are one of the most widely used nanoparticles in various industrial and health applications. The antimicrobial effect of nanoparticles is in part related to the released Ag + ions and their ability to interact with bacterial membranes. Here, we identify, both in vitro and in vivo , specific targets of Ag + ions within the membrane of bacteria. This include complexes involved in photosynthesis, but also complexes involved in respiration.