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Adaptive resistance and defense evolution in microplastics-mediated biological exposure interfaces in municipal wastewater treatment systems
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Researchers studied how microplastic surfaces in municipal wastewater treatment systems promote the development of antimicrobial resistance. The study found that PET, polyethylene, and polypropylene microplastics trigger quorum sensing-driven resistance evolution in microbial biofilms, enhancing the expression of genes related to extracellular polymeric substances and potentially contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance.
To test the hypothesis that microplastic (MP)-mediated BXI triggers quorum sensing (QS)-driven resistance evolution, we established a multilevel mechanism: interface biological exposure → structural/functional changes → functional gene enhancement → QS activation → resistance/defense evolution. The results confirm that three MP (PET, PE, and PP)-mediated biological exposures induce the overexpression of genes encoding extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), stabilize microbial aggregates (proteins/enzymes), and promote BXI formation while reducing catalase/superoxide dismutase inhibition. MP exposure correlated with altered microbial communities, enriched stress resistance genera (Acinetobacter, Nitrospira, and Hyphomicrobium), and resulted in the formation of robust co-occurrence networks (73.53-90.67 % positive correlations). Enhanced QS signaling (AI-2, DSF, and c-di-GMP) upregulated autoinducer/transporter genes, accelerating EPS synthesis and energy metabolism. MP-mediated BXI strengthens microbial resilience and nitrogen/sulfur cycle equilibrium via organic carbon degradation, nitrification-denitrification enhancement, and sulfite/thiosulfate oxidation, whereas protein-enzyme synergy improves pollutant resilience. Through signal compensation and pathway adaptation, microbial communities stabilize BXI under MP stress. These findings provide novel insights into the in situ control of MP-driven pollutant migration in MWTS.
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