Investigating AHL-associated quorum sensing impact on antibiotic-driven resistome expansion in anaerobic fermentation microbiomes: Metagenomic insights.

Qin Zhou; Xiangyue Xu; Kun Mi; Meixia Huo; Ziyan Kou; Ganwu Li; Lingli Huang

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130711

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Investigating AHL-associated quorum sensing impact on antibiotic-driven resistome expansion in anaerobic fermentation microbiomes: Metagenomic insights.

Qin Zhou·Xiangyue Xu·Kun Mi·Meixia Huo·Ziyan Kou·Ganwu Li·Lingli Huang

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Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that quorum sensing (QS) can mitigate the impact of antibiotics on environmental microbial communities. Metagenomic analysis was used to examine AHL effects on the resistome in anaerobic fermentation microbiomes under antibiotic stress in this research. AHLs reduced ARGs, MGEs, and phage abundance compared to antibiotic-only samples following the addition of high concentrations (500 nmol/L) of AHLs. Phages and integrons played pivotal roles in shaping the resistome. Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were key targets affected by AHLs. Both the assembled environmental metagenomes and the complete genomes of isolated bacteria consistently support the broad potential of quorum-sensing systems in mediating the dissemination or regulation of resistome spreading. Quorum sensing systems are very likely to affect microbial community resistomes by regulating the phageome. These insights are valuable for refining fermentation and waste management processes, offering potential in environmental restoration and possibly curbing the spread of resistance genes.

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Quorum Sensing Anti-Bacterial Agents Fermentation Microbiota Anaerobiosis Acyl-Butyrolactones Metagenomics Metagenome Anaerobic fermentation Phage-like MGEs Quorum sensing Resistome Journal Article

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Qin Zhou, Xiangyue Xu, Kun Mi, Meixia Huo, Ziyan Kou, Ganwu Li, Lingli Huang. 2026-08-19. Investigating AHL-associated quorum sensing impact on antibiotic-driven resistome expansion in anaerobic fermentation microbiomes: Metagenomic insights.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130711

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