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Volume 16
Issue 6
10.3390/genes16060625
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

Impact of Heavy Metal and Resistance Genes on Antimicrobial Resistance: Ecological and Public Health Implications

by
Carlos G. Sánchez-Corona
1,
Luis Uriel Gonzalez-Avila
1,
Cecilia Hernández-Cortez
2,
Jorge Rojas-Vargas
3,
Graciela Castro-Escarpulli
1,* and
Hugo G. Castelán-Sánchez
4,*
1
Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, Col. Casco de Santo Tomas, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
2
Laboratorio de Bioquímica Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, Col. Casco de Santo Tomas, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
3
Departments of Biology and Microbiology & Immunology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
4
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Genes 2025, 16(6), 625; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16060625 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 15 April 2025 / Revised: 15 May 2025 / Accepted: 22 May 2025 / Published: 24 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Molecular Microbiology, Genetics, and Bioinformatics of Multiple-Drug-Resistant Bacteria in Public Health)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Heavy metals (HMs) are widespread pollutants that can exert selection pressure on microbial populations due to their toxicity and persistence, leading to the evolution of heavy metal resistance genes (HMRGs). These genes are part of the resistome, and their spread often occurs via mobile genetic elements that allow co-selection with antibiotic and biocide resistance genes. Such processes have an impact on microbial biodiversity, biogeochemical cycling and public health in agriculture, industry and urban areas. The selection pressure exerted by HM promotes the spread of multidrug-resistant strains and thus increases ecological and health risks. This review discusses the interaction between HMRGs and genetic determinants such as virulence genes that influence biofilm formation, cellular homeostasis and oxidative stress. It also discusses the dual role of HMRGs in promoting ecological functions such as bioremediation while potentially limiting them by reducing microbial diversity. Understanding such interactions contributes significantly to targeting different systems to overcome the challenges associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Keywords: heavy metal resistance; heavy metal resistome; co-selection of resistance heavy metal resistance; heavy metal resistome; co-selection of resistance

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MDPI and ACS Style

Sánchez-Corona, C.G.; Gonzalez-Avila, L.U.; Hernández-Cortez, C.; Rojas-Vargas, J.; Castro-Escarpulli, G.; Castelán-Sánchez, H.G. Impact of Heavy Metal and Resistance Genes on Antimicrobial Resistance: Ecological and Public Health Implications. Genes 2025, 16, 625. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16060625

AMA Style

Sánchez-Corona CG, Gonzalez-Avila LU, Hernández-Cortez C, Rojas-Vargas J, Castro-Escarpulli G, Castelán-Sánchez HG. Impact of Heavy Metal and Resistance Genes on Antimicrobial Resistance: Ecological and Public Health Implications. Genes. 2025; 16(6):625. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16060625

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sánchez-Corona, Carlos G., Luis Uriel Gonzalez-Avila, Cecilia Hernández-Cortez, Jorge Rojas-Vargas, Graciela Castro-Escarpulli, and Hugo G. Castelán-Sánchez. 2025. "Impact of Heavy Metal and Resistance Genes on Antimicrobial Resistance: Ecological and Public Health Implications" Genes 16, no. 6: 625. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16060625

APA Style

Sánchez-Corona, C. G., Gonzalez-Avila, L. U., Hernández-Cortez, C., Rojas-Vargas, J., Castro-Escarpulli, G., & Castelán-Sánchez, H. G. (2025). Impact of Heavy Metal and Resistance Genes on Antimicrobial Resistance: Ecological and Public Health Implications. Genes, 16(6), 625. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16060625

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