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Nanoplastic-mediated non-B DNA mutagenicity
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Scientists discovered that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) can directly damage DNA by physically warping its normal shape, causing mutations in bacteria, not just through general cell stress like previously thought, but through direct contact with our genetic material. While this study was done in bacteria, it raises important questions about whether the nanoplastics we're increasingly exposed to through food, water, and air could similarly affect human DNA and contribute to long-term health risks like cancer-linked mutations.
Abstract Plastic-derived materials have become persistent ecological contaminants since their industrial introduction in the mid-20th century 1,2 . In that context, nanoplastics (NPs) have been discussed as an emerging, ubiquitous plastic-derived pollutant with unique physicochemical properties 3–8 . Their increased surface-to-volume ratio enhances their adsorption, reactivity, and cellular penetration, driving distinct ecotoxicological behaviours when compared to larger plastic particles 9,10 . In this study, we identify direct NP-induced DNA mutagenesis in Salmonella enterica . Using a combination of biochemical and biophysical studies, as well as mutagenicity assays, we show that functionalized and non-functionalized NPs induce mutations, depending on the energy state of the bacteria and the NP surface chemistry, by disrupting base-stacking and base-pairing – an intrinsic property of all DNA. Whole-genome analysis revealed that exposure to NPs alters the mutational spectrum and mutation frequency, while circular dichroism spectroscopy demonstrated NP-induced helical flipping from B- to non-B DNA conformations. These motifs preferentially adopt Z-like or A/B-hybrid structures associated with localised mutagenesis through DNA destabilisation. Our combined data reveal that NP-mediated mutagenesis is based on surface chemistry and DNA topology, linking surface chemistry on nanoplastics to genomic instability in vivo . The proposed mechanism redefines the current perspective on nanoplastic toxicity shifting it from an indirect stress to direct macromolecular interactions. This mechanism provides a molecular framework for understanding how NPs could impose mutation bias, environmental selection pressure, and potential genomic risk across biological systems.
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Bioeffects of Nanoplastics: DNA Damage and Mechanism
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This review examines how nanoplastics, plastic particles smaller than one micrometer, can damage DNA in cells. The authors explain that nanoplastics may cause genetic damage through oxidative stress, inflammation, and direct interference with cellular processes, which raises concerns about potential long-term health effects including cancer risk.
Genotoxicity and Genomic Instability Induced by Micro- and Nanoplastics: A Comprehensive Multi-Taxa Mechanistic Review.
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This review of existing research found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) can damage DNA in many different living things, from fish to human cells. The plastic particles cause this damage by creating harmful molecules called free radicals, disrupting the body's ability to repair DNA, and triggering inflammation. These findings suggest that the growing amount of plastic pollution in our environment could pose serious health risks to humans and wildlife.
Nanoplastics Alter DNA
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Researchers demonstrated that positively charged polystyrene chains can bind directly to DNA helices through electrostatic interactions with phosphate groups, inducing structural changes in the DNA. The findings suggest nanoplastics with charged surfaces could interfere with DNA structure and function at the molecular level.
Derivatives of Plastics as Potential Carcinogenic Factors: The Current State of Knowledge
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Researchers reviewed the current evidence on micro- and nanoplastics as potential carcinogenic substances that may cause DNA damage. The review found correlations between exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles and the onset of several cancers, though the study notes that more research is needed to establish clear causal relationships between plastic particle exposure and cancer development.
Microplastics can alter structural configurations of human non-canonical G-quadruplex DNA
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Researchers discovered that polystyrene microplastics can bind directly to G-quadruplex DNA structures, which are important regulatory elements in human genes involved in cell growth and cancer. The microplastics altered the shape of these DNA structures, which could potentially interfere with normal gene regulation. This is one of the first studies showing microplastics can interact with DNA at the molecular level, raising concerns about how plastic particles inside the body might affect cellular processes.
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