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INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Activity of green-synthesized nanoparticles

(ii) YtfJ family protein (D1792_RS11465) is involved in Collectively, these mutations enhance E. coli’s ability
cell division and cell wall hydrolysis. 62 to survive under challenging conditions by improving
(iii) Succinate-coenzyme A ligase subunit alpha (sucD) resource utilization, antibiotic resistance, and immune
plays a role in ATP synthesis. 63 evasion.
(iv) Histidinol dehydrogenase (hisD) is essential for The findings indicate that K. pneumoniae is more
bacterial survival. 64 sensitive to silver nanoparticles than E. coli (Figure 2),
(v) Helix-turn-helix transcriptional regulator (D1792_ possibly due to structural differences in their cell walls.
RS02575) modulates gene expression by activating or E. coli possesses a relatively thicker peptidoglycan layer,
repressing transcription. 65 which can hinder nanoparticle penetration, whereas the
(vi) Proton symporters (uacT) transport substrates and thinner cell wall of K. pneumoniae allows easier entry
protons across the cell membrane, aiding bacterial and interaction with the cell membrane. Furthermore,
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adaptation to environmental changes. 66 variations in lipopolysaccharides (LPS) between E. coli and
(vii) Host specificity proteins (D1792_RS03370) contribute K. pneumoniae may influence nanoparticle aggregation
to bacterial infectivity and assist in evading the host and uptake. LPS, present on the surface of Gram-negative
immune response. 67 78
(viii) Major facilitator superfamily transporters (ygcS) help bacteria, are known to attract and bind to nanoparticles.
The LPS of K. pneumoniae typically has a more complex
bacteria withstand toxic metabolites, heavy metals, structure with additional sugar modifications compared
and environmental stressors. 68
to those of E. coli, potentially enhancing their interaction
The control cells exhibit a distinct mutation pattern with silver nanoparticles and contributing to increased
compared to the treated cells. E. coli control cells carry sensitivity. The highly charged and hydrophilic nature
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mutations in genes such as intermembrane transport of K. pneumoniae LPS promotes strong binding to
protein (pqiB), glucans biosynthesis protein (mdoG), nanoparticle surfaces, which may disrupt the bacterial
invasion regulator (sirB2), phosphotransferase system outer membrane and compromise cell viability. 80
fructose transporter subunit (IIC), hisD, phosphoglycerate
dehydrogenase/sugar isomerase domain-containing 5. Conclusion
protein (D1792_RS10070/D1792_RS10075), bifunctional Nanoparticles hold great promise as antimicrobial agents
chitinase/lysozyme (chiA), LysR family transcriptional due to their potent antibacterial activity, particularly when
regulator (rcdB), and initiator associating protein (diaA). synthesized using metals such as silver. CBW-derived
These mutations influence E. coli growth by altering silver nanoparticles are highly effective against E. coli and
functions related to nutrient acquisition, stress response, K. pneumoniae by aggregating on the bacterial cell surface.
immune evasion, or antibiotic resistance, as supported by These biosynthesized nanoparticles present a suitable
their known roles. alternative to conventional antibiotics for addressing

pqiB is essential for bacterial survival, pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance in E. coli and K. pneumoniae and
and antimicrobial resistance. mdoG modulates virulence, are strong candidates for medical applications where
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biofilm structure, and immune evasion. sirB2 supports antimicrobial activity is essential. Future studies should
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bacterial survival and adaptation. IIC facilitates sugar investigate the potential toxicity of biosynthesized
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transport across the membrane. hisD catalyzes the final silver nanoparticles on human cells to ensure their safe
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two steps in histidine biosynthesis and is vital for survival application for both human health and the environment.
during infection. D1792_RS10070/D1792_RS10075
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produces serine, a key amino acid for protein production. Acknowledgments
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chiA acts as a virulence factor by allowing E. coli to invade The authors are grateful to the Department of Biological
chitinous hosts – such as insects or fungi – through cell Sciences at Winston-Salem State University for their
wall degradation. rcdB contributes to metabolism, valuable suggestions and support.
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stress response, and virulence. diaA acts as the primary
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“initiator” protein. 76 Funding
Mutations in lysO/aqpZ and D1792_RS11465 are The study was supported by the Professional Development
shared between control and treated groups. lysO/aqpZ Committee Research Grant (grant number: 211444),
mediates L-lysine export and confers resistance to the Winston-Salem State University, and The Genomic
toxic antimetabolite L-thialysine, while D1792_RS11465 Research and Data Science Center for Computation and
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is involved in cell division and cell wall hydrolysis. Cloud Computing (grant number: 211512).
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Volume 8 Issue 3 (2025) 80 doi: 10.36922/ITPS025080007