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Regulation of Oxidative Stress-Related Signaling Pathways in Tetrahymena pyriformis Exposed to Micro- and Nanoplastics
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Researchers exposed the protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found uptake of both particle types along with activation of multiple oxidative stress signaling pathways, demonstrating cellular stress responses in this model organism.
Micro and nanoplastics, pervasive environmental pollutants, pose significant threats to ecosystems and human health, necessitating urgent research and innovative solutions. Several research groups have investigated the uptake of synthetic microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) using various model organisms. We investigated the uptake and the growth inhibitory effect of polystyrene (PS) and polymethacrylate (PMA)-based MPs and NPs in Tetrahymena pyriformis. Carboxyl-modified PS-MPs showed a greater growth inhibitory effect than amine-modified PS-MPs and PMA-based MPs. We also studied the impact of these particles on the transcriptomics of T. pyriformis and observed that PS-MPs directly impact various signaling pathways related to oxidative stress. PMA-based MPs showed differential expressions of signaling pathways related to cancer and some related to oxidative stress. Using a fluorescent probe, we measured the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by carboxyl-modified PS-MPs and PMA-MPs and observed that PS-MPs generated greater ROS than PMA-MPs. This study suggests that it is important to understand the type and the nature of chemical modification of various MPs and the specific signaling pathways in particular oxidative-related pathways they target on diverse groups of organisms, as this will provide key information related to the effect of various modified MPs and NPs on human health.
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Researchers exposed single-celled marine organisms called foraminifera to three types of engineered nanoparticles — including polystyrene nanoplastics — and found that all three accumulated inside the cells and triggered oxidative stress (a form of cellular damage). This study shows that even microscopic seafloor organisms are vulnerable to nanoplastic pollution, expanding the known range of species harmed by plastic contamination.
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Researchers exposed single-celled organisms (Paramecium) to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics of different sizes and found that toxicity increased as particle size decreased. The smallest particles caused the most significant oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disruption to cellular functions including energy metabolism and waste processing. The study provides evidence that nanoplastics pose greater risks to aquatic microorganisms than larger microplastic particles.
Effects of polystyrene microplastics on Euglena gracilis: Intracellular distribution and the protozoan transcriptional responses
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