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Dimethyl phthalate damages Staphylococcus aureus by changing the cell structure, inducing oxidative stress and

Xiaohui Zhu1, Hong Liu1, Zhigang Wang1

  • 1School of Life Science and Agriculture Forestry, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Technology Innovation Center of Agromicrobial Preparation Industrialization, Qiqihar 161006, China.

Journal of Environmental Sciences (China)
|August 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) exposure damages Staphylococcus aureus cell structures and inhibits growth. DMP induces oxidative stress and disrupts energy metabolism, impacting key bacterial pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) is a widespread industrial plasticizer found in environmental matrices.
  • Staphylococcus aureus serves as a model organism for Gram-positive bacteria, relevant to understanding environmental toxicant effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of DMP toxicology in Staphylococcus aureus.
  • To investigate the impact of DMP on bacterial cell integrity, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism.

Main Methods:

  • Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses were employed to study DMP's effects.
  • Real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used for validation.
  • Enzyme activities (SDH, ATPase) and metabolite levels (lactic acid, pyruvic acid, glucose) were assessed.

Main Results:

  • DMP exposure damaged the cell wall, membrane, and cell surface characteristics of S. aureus, inhibiting growth.
  • Oxidative stress was induced, and energy metabolism was significantly altered.
  • Oxidative phosphorylation was enhanced, while glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and pentose phosphate pathways were inhibited.

Conclusions:

  • DMP exerts toxic effects on S. aureus by compromising cell structure and inducing oxidative stress.
  • The plasticizer disrupts bacterial energy metabolism, leading to growth inhibition.
  • Combined proteomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic analyses provide a comprehensive understanding of DMP's molecular toxicology in bacteria.
Keywords:
Cell micro-interfaceDimethyl phthalateEnergy metabolismOxidative stressProteomics and transcriptomics analysesStaphylococcus aureus

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