Rigotto-Caruso, Glaucia, Curtis, Aaron, Kavanagh, Kevin and von Zeska Kress, Marcia Regina (2025) Label-Free Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Effects of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles on Fusarium keratoplasticum and Their Therapeutic Potential in Galleria mellonella Larvae. ACS Omega, 10 (33). pp. 37408-37418. ISSN 2470-1343
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Abstract
Antifungal drug resistance is a growing concern, necessitating new
therapeutic alternatives. This study evaluated the antifungal activity and molecular effects
of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using the culture filtrate of Epicoccum
nigrum against Fusarium keratoplasticum, a highly resistant fungal species. AgNPs exhibited
strong antifungal activity, with a MIC50 of 1.79 μg/mL and 92.85% growth inhibition at
5.92 μg/mL. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis (LFQ-MS) revealed 52 proteins
with significantly altered abundance after AgNP treatment, affecting the oxidative stress
response, mitochondrial function, and riboflavin biosynthesis. Decreased levels of proteins
involved in riboflavin biosynthesis and electron transport suggest metabolic and energy
disruption, while increased levels of oxidative stress response and heat shock proteins
indicate fungal stress. To assess toxicity and antifungal efficacy in vivo, Galleria mellonella
larvae were exposed to AgNPs at 2.58 mg/kg, showing a 90% survival rate after 7 days.
Hemocyte density increased temporarily with no long-term immune disruption.
Proteomic analysis of hemolymph revealed minor protein abundance changes, mostly related to the immune response and
metabolism. In fungal infection assays, larvae infected with F. keratoplasticum (105 conidia/mL) had a 90% mortality rate, but AgNP
treatment increased survival 5-fold (50% by day seven). These findings confirm that biogenic AgNPs act through the induction of
oxidative stress, metabolic disruption, and mitochondrial damage in F. keratoplasticum. The combination of proteomic and in vivo
data supports their efficacy and safety. Further studies should explore long-term toxicity and potential applications in medicine and
agriculture to combat antifungal resistance.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Antimicrobial agents; Infectious diseases; Metal nanoparticles; Peptides and proteins; Proteomics; |
| Academic Unit: | Faculty of Science and Engineering > Biology |
| Item ID: | 21346 |
| Identification Number: | 10.1021/acsomega.5c03275 |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Kevin Kavanagh |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Mar 2026 12:06 |
| Journal or Publication Title: | ACS Omega |
| Publisher: | American Chemical Society |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Related URLs: | |
| Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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