Meta-Transcriptomic Response to Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Biofilms
Drinking water biofilm ecosystems harbor complex and dynamic prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial communities. However, little is known about the impact of copper corrosion on microbial community functions in metabolisms and resistance. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of upstream Cu...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1528 |
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| author | Jingrang Lu Ian Struewing Nicholas J. Ashbolt |
| author_facet | Jingrang Lu Ian Struewing Nicholas J. Ashbolt |
| author_sort | Jingrang Lu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Drinking water biofilm ecosystems harbor complex and dynamic prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial communities. However, little is known about the impact of copper corrosion on microbial community functions in metabolisms and resistance. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of upstream Cu pipe materials on downstream viable community structures, pathogen populations, and metatranscriptomic responses of the microbial communities in drinking water biofilms. Randomly transcribed cDNA was generated and sequenced from downstream biofilm samples of either unplasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC) or Cu coupons. Diverse viable microbial organisms with enriched pathogen-like organisms and opportunistic pathogens were active in those biofilm samples. Cu-influenced tubing biofilms had a greater upregulation of genes associated with potassium (K) metabolic pathways (i.e., K-homeostasis, K-transporting ATPase, and transcriptional attenuator), and a major component of the cell wall of mycobacteria (mycolic acids) compared to tubing biofilms downstream of PVC. Other upregulated genes on Cu influenced biofilms included those associated with stress responses (various oxidative resistance genes), biofilm formation, and resistance to toxic compounds. Downregulated genes included those associated with membrane proteins responsible for ion interactions with potassium; respiration–electron-donating reactions; RNA metabolism in eukaryotes; nitrogen metabolism; virulence, disease, and defense; and antibiotic resistance genes. When combined with our previous identification of biofilm community differences, our studies reveal how microbial biofilms adapt to Cu plumbing conditions by fine-tuning gene expression, altering metabolic pathways, and optimizing their structural organization. This study offers new insights into how copper pipe materials affect the development and composition of biofilms in premise plumbing. Specifically, it highlights copper’s role in inhibiting the growth of many microbes while also contributing to the resistance of some microbes within the drinking water biofilm community. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d6a1c7b35d12400a8b87e5528d41d0b7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-d6a1c7b35d12400a8b87e5528d41d0b72025-08-20T03:07:55ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-06-01137152810.3390/microorganisms13071528Meta-Transcriptomic Response to Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water BiofilmsJingrang Lu0Ian Struewing1Nicholas J. Ashbolt2U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USAU.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USAFuture Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5005, AustraliaDrinking water biofilm ecosystems harbor complex and dynamic prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial communities. However, little is known about the impact of copper corrosion on microbial community functions in metabolisms and resistance. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of upstream Cu pipe materials on downstream viable community structures, pathogen populations, and metatranscriptomic responses of the microbial communities in drinking water biofilms. Randomly transcribed cDNA was generated and sequenced from downstream biofilm samples of either unplasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC) or Cu coupons. Diverse viable microbial organisms with enriched pathogen-like organisms and opportunistic pathogens were active in those biofilm samples. Cu-influenced tubing biofilms had a greater upregulation of genes associated with potassium (K) metabolic pathways (i.e., K-homeostasis, K-transporting ATPase, and transcriptional attenuator), and a major component of the cell wall of mycobacteria (mycolic acids) compared to tubing biofilms downstream of PVC. Other upregulated genes on Cu influenced biofilms included those associated with stress responses (various oxidative resistance genes), biofilm formation, and resistance to toxic compounds. Downregulated genes included those associated with membrane proteins responsible for ion interactions with potassium; respiration–electron-donating reactions; RNA metabolism in eukaryotes; nitrogen metabolism; virulence, disease, and defense; and antibiotic resistance genes. When combined with our previous identification of biofilm community differences, our studies reveal how microbial biofilms adapt to Cu plumbing conditions by fine-tuning gene expression, altering metabolic pathways, and optimizing their structural organization. This study offers new insights into how copper pipe materials affect the development and composition of biofilms in premise plumbing. Specifically, it highlights copper’s role in inhibiting the growth of many microbes while also contributing to the resistance of some microbes within the drinking water biofilm community.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1528biofilmtranscriptomic analysiscopperPVCmicrobial organismdrinking water |
| spellingShingle | Jingrang Lu Ian Struewing Nicholas J. Ashbolt Meta-Transcriptomic Response to Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Biofilms Microorganisms biofilm transcriptomic analysis copper PVC microbial organism drinking water |
| title | Meta-Transcriptomic Response to Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Biofilms |
| title_full | Meta-Transcriptomic Response to Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Biofilms |
| title_fullStr | Meta-Transcriptomic Response to Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Biofilms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Meta-Transcriptomic Response to Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Biofilms |
| title_short | Meta-Transcriptomic Response to Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Biofilms |
| title_sort | meta transcriptomic response to copper corrosion in drinking water biofilms |
| topic | biofilm transcriptomic analysis copper PVC microbial organism drinking water |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1528 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jingranglu metatranscriptomicresponsetocoppercorrosionindrinkingwaterbiofilms AT ianstruewing metatranscriptomicresponsetocoppercorrosionindrinkingwaterbiofilms AT nicholasjashbolt metatranscriptomicresponsetocoppercorrosionindrinkingwaterbiofilms |