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Polystyrene Nanoplastics Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in Cellular Processes in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.)
Summary
Scientists exposed a common lab plant to tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) and found they disrupted genes controlling cell growth, stress responses, and the plant's ability to defend itself and remove toxins. While this study was done in plants, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that nanoplastics—now found in our air, water, and food—can interfere with basic biological processes at the cellular level, raising questions about their potential effects on the crops we eat and, ultimately, our own health.
This study examines how polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) influence the expression of genes associated with cell cycle and stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves. For this purpose, seedlings were exposed to PS-NPs at concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and 40 mg L-1 for seven days under hydroponic conditions. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that PS-NPs were predominantly spherical in morphology. The expression levels of genes associated with the cell cycle (CYCD3;1), cell wall modification (TCH4 and KOR), detoxification (MATE1 and MATE2) and stress response (HSP70 and HSP90.1) were determined by qRT-PCR. PS-NPs exposure led to significant downregulation of CYCD3;1, TCH4, KOR, HSP70, HSP90.1, and MATE2 expression, while MATE1 gene was upregulated. These findings demonstrate that PS-NPs affect specific molecular processes and mechanisms in plants.