Unveiling the Antibacterial Mechanism of Gold Nanoclusters via In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

• DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c06714
• Publication Date: 2021-12-28T13:53:09Z
• Authors: Jui-Chi Kuo; Shih-Hua Tan; Yu-Cheng Hsiao; Chinmaya Mutalik; Hui-Min Chen; Sibidou Yougbaré; Tsung-Rong Kuo
• Keywords: Nanoclusters

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) with unique chemical and physical properties have been extensively demonstrated to be emerging nanoantibiotics for fighting bacterial infections. Understanding the antibacterial mechanisms of metal is important evaluating their clinical applications as nanoantibiotics. To understand mechanism, gold (AuNCs) were applied an agent real-time observations interactions bacteria by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In this work, a surface ligand glutathione-conjugated (GSH)-AuNCs was prepared via simple hydrothermal method. Optical structural characterizations validated successful preparation GSH-AuNCs. Bacterial growth curves Acetobacter aceti revealed that activity GSH-AuNCs increased weight concentration. The confirmed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced A. aceti. Furthermore, between made using liquid cell TEM. Based on results observations, first attached onto membranes adsorption then penetrated into internalization. Eventually, production ROS caused destruction membranes, which led death After had destroyed, eventually died.