Proteomics study of silver nanoparticles toxicity on Bacillus thuringiensis

Emerging technologies in functional genomics and proteomics provide a way of achieving high-throughput analyses, understanding effects on protein populations and sub-populations and follow up environmental stresses. To accomplish these, the action of homemade spherical Silver nanoparticles colloidal suspension (AgNPs) against Bacillus thuringiensis (isolate from Oryza sativa L. rhizosphere) was investigated by a proteomic approach (2-DE and NanoLC/FT-ICR MS identification). Thirty four responsive (up/down regulated) proteins were identified. Proteomic results revealed that an exposure of B. thuringiensis cells with different concentrations of AgNPs resulted in an accumulation of envelope protein precursors, indicative of the dissipation of a proton motive force. Identified proteins are involved in oxidative stress tolerance, metal detoxification, transcription and elongation processes, protein degradation, cytoskeleton remodeling and cell division. The expression pattern of these proteins and their possible involvement in the nontoxicity mechanisms were discussed.