Antimicrobial activity of metals: mechanisms, molecular targets and applications.

Lemire JA; Harrison JJ; Turner RJ

doi:10.1038/nrmicro3028

Antimicrobial activity of metals: mechanisms, molecular targets and applications.

Lemire JA ¹,

Harrison JJ ,

Turner RJ

Affiliations

1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
Authors
Lemire JA¹
(1 author)

ORCIDs linked to this article

Nature reviews. Microbiology, 13 May 2013, 11(6):371-384
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro3028 PMID: 23669886

Review

Abstract

Metals have been used as antimicrobial agents since antiquity, but throughout most of history their modes of action have remained unclear. Recent studies indicate that different metals cause discrete and distinct types of injuries to microbial cells as a result of oxidative stress, protein dysfunction or membrane damage. Here, we describe the chemical and toxicological principles that underlie the antimicrobial activity of metals and discuss the preferences of metal atoms for specific microbial targets. Interdisciplinary research is advancing not only our understanding of metal toxicity but also the design of metal-based compounds for use as antimicrobial agents and alternatives to antibiotics.

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Read article at publisher's site: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro3028

References

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Antimicrobial activity of metals: mechanisms, molecular targets and applications.

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Authors

ORCIDs linked to this article

Abstract

Full text links

References

How do bacterial cells ensure that metalloproteins get the correct metal?

A hint to search for metalloproteins in gene banks.

Biofilm susceptibility to metal toxicity.

Microbial heavy-metal resistance.

Association between a silver-coated endotracheal tube and reduced mortality in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Silver-coated endotracheal tubes and incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia: the NASCENT randomized trial.

The efficacy of silver alloy-coated urinary catheters in preventing urinary tract infection: a meta-analysis.

The potential of desferrioxamine-gallium as an anti-Pseudomonas therapeutic agent.

The transition metal gallium disrupts Pseudomonas aeruginosa iron metabolism and has antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity.

Copper and quaternary ammonium cations exert synergistic bactericidal and antibiofilm activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Citations & impact

Impact metrics

Citations of article over time

Alternative metrics

Article citations

Synergistic wall digestion and cuproptosis against fungal infections using lywallzyme-induced self-assembly of metal-phenolic nanoflowers.

Potential role of metal nanoparticles in treatment of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.

Antimicrobial activity and nanoremediation of heavy metals using biosynthesized CS/GO/ZnO nanocomposite by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 alone or immobilized in a macroporous cryogel.

Exploring nanobioceramics in wound healing as effective and economical alternatives.

Electroless Deposition for Robust and Uniform Copper Nanoparticles on Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Microfiltration Membranes.

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Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

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Antimicrobial activity of metals: mechanisms, molecular targets and applications.

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Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

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