Finding a facile way for the bacterial DNA transformation by biosynthesized gold nanoparticles

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2017 Jul 3;364(12). doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnx081.

Abstract

The major problem encountered during genetic manipulation of bacteria is the inability to get transformed because of their natural non-competency. In this study, to overcome this problem, a cost-effective method was developed by combining the properties of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and the Yoshida effect. Various parameters, including GNP:plasmid ratio, pH and time, were optimized for stability of the GNP-plasmid conjugate. With non-competent Gram-negative cells, the efficiency ranged between 0.1 and 0.45 × 104 transformants μg-1, while the range was (0.02-0.2) × 104 transformants μg-1 with Gram-positive bacteria. GNPs can serve efficiently as a vehicle for better transformation in bacteria.

Keywords: bacteria; competent; gold nanoparticle; optimization; plasmid; transformation.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriological Techniques / economics
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Gold*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / genetics
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / genetics
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Plasmids
  • Transformation, Bacterial*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Gold