Identification of gold nanoparticle-resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggests a role for respiratory metabolism in mediating toxicity

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2013 Jan;79(2):728-33. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01737-12. Epub 2012 Nov 9.

Abstract

Positively charged gold nanoparticles (0.8-nm core diameter) reduced yeast survival, but not growth, at a concentration of 10 to 100 μg/ml. Among 17 resistant deletion mutants isolated in a genome-wide screen, highly significant enrichment was observed for respiration-deficient mutants lacking genes encoding proteins associated with the mitochondrion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Drug Resistance, Fungal
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gold / toxicity*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways*
  • Microbial Viability / drug effects
  • Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology

Substances

  • Gold