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Epigenetic and Gene Expression Responses of Daphnia magna to Polyethylene and Polystyrene Microplastics
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This study exposed water fleas to polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics and found that both types caused changes in gene activity and epigenetic modifications, which are chemical changes that affect how genes work without altering the DNA itself. Polystyrene caused more severe effects, altering genes involved in stress response, immune function, and reproduction. These epigenetic changes are concerning because they can potentially be passed to future generations, suggesting microplastics could have long-lasting biological effects beyond direct exposure.
Microplastics (MPs), ubiquitous environmental pollutants, pose substantial threats to aquatic ecosystems and organisms, including the model species Daphnia magna. This study examined the effects of polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) MPs on D. magna, focusing on their ingestion, epigenetic alterations, and transcriptional responses. Exposure experiments revealed a concentration-dependent accumulation of MPs, with PS particles showing higher ingestion rates due to their higher density and propensity for aggregation. Epigenetic analyses demonstrated that exposure to PE MPs significantly reduced the global DNA methylation (5-mC) of Daphnia magna, suggesting hypomethylation as a potential stress response. Conversely, the DNA hydroxymethylation (5-hmC) of Daphnia magna displayed variability under PS exposure. Transcriptional analysis identified a marked downregulation of Vitellogenin 1 (v1) and upregulation of Ecdysone Receptor B (ecr-b), highlighting the occurrence of stress-related and adaptive molecular responses. These findings enhance our understanding of the molecular and epigenetic effects of MPs on aquatic organisms, offering critical insights for the development of effective environmental management and conservation strategies in the face of escalating MP pollution.
More Papers Like This
Epigenetic and Gene Expression Responses in Daphnia magna to Polyethylene and Polystyrene Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed water fleas (Daphnia magna) to polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics and examined changes at the genetic and molecular level. They found that the microplastics altered DNA methylation patterns and disrupted the expression of genes involved in reproduction and stress response. The study provides evidence that microplastic exposure can cause changes beyond physical harm, affecting organisms at the epigenetic level.
Microplastic fiber-induced transgenerational epigenetic disruption impairs fitness in Daphnia magna
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Researchers investigated the multi-generational effects of microplastic fiber exposure on the water flea Daphnia magna across three generations. They found that microplastic fibers negatively affected reproduction and survival, and these effects persisted into unexposed generations through epigenetic changes. The study reveals that microplastic pollution may cause lasting harm to aquatic populations through inherited biological alterations, not just direct exposure.
Beyond genetics: can micro and nanoplastics induce epigenetic and gene-expression modifications?
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This review gathers existing research on whether micro and nanoplastics can cause epigenetic changes, which are modifications that alter how genes work without changing the DNA itself. Although studies are still limited, the evidence so far shows that both short-term and long-term plastic particle exposure can trigger these gene-level changes in various organisms. This is concerning because epigenetic changes can potentially be passed to future generations and may contribute to disease.
Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in Daphnia magna exposed to polyethylene microplastic fragments containing benzophenone-3 additive
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Researchers exposed Daphnia magna to polyethylene microplastics containing benzophenone-3 for a single generation and then tracked effects through three subsequent unexposed generations. The study found persistent epigenetic changes across all four generations, including six genes that remained altered throughout, affecting pathways related to detoxification, development, and cardiovascular function, challenging current assumptions about how environmental risk from microplastics should be assessed.
The effect of microplastics on the speed, mortality rate, and swimming patterns of Daphnia Magna
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This study compared how polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics affect the swimming speed, mortality, and movement patterns of Daphnia magna water fleas, finding both plastics caused behavioral changes. Daphnia are key animals in freshwater food webs, and microplastic-induced behavioral impairment could affect their role in aquatic ecosystems.
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