Impact of Heavy Metal and Resistance Genes on Antimicrobial Resistance: Ecological and Public Health Implications
Carlos G. Sánchez-Coronaa, Luis Uriel Gonzalez-Avilaa, Cecilia Hernández‐Cortezb, Jorge Rojas-Vargasc, Graciela Castro‐Escarpullia✉, Hugo Gildardo Castelán-Sánchezd✉
- aLaboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, Col. Casco de Santo Tomas, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
- bLaboratorio de Bioquímica Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, Col. Casco de Santo Tomas, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
- cDepartments of Biology and Microbiology & Immunology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- dDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
Heavy metals (HMs) are widespread pollutants that can exert selection pressure on microbial populations due to their toxicity and persistence, leading to the evolution of heavy metal resistance genes (HMRGs). These genes are part of the resistome, and their spread often occurs via mobile genetic elements that allow co-selection with antibiotic and biocide resistance genes. Such processes have an impact on microbial biodiversity, biogeochemical cycling and public health in agriculture, industry and urban areas. The selection pressure exerted by HM promotes the spread of multidrug-resistant strains and thus increases ecological and health risks. This review discusses the interaction between HMRGs and genetic determinants such as virulence genes that influence biofilm formation, cellular homeostasis and oxidative stress. It also discusses the dual role of HMRGs in promoting ecological functions such as bioremediation while potentially limiting them by reducing microbial diversity. Understanding such interactions contributes significantly to targeting different systems to overcome the challenges associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
TL;DRThis review discusses the interaction between HMRGs and genetic determinants such as virulence genes that influence biofilm formation, cellular homeostasis and oxidative stress and the dual role of HMRGs in promoting ecological functions such as bioremediation while potentially limiting them by reducing microbial diversity. (Semantic Scholar)