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From Antioxidant Defenses to Transcriptomic Signatures: Concentration-Dependent Responses to Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Reef Fish
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Researchers exposed clownfish to polystyrene nanoplastics at low and high concentrations for seven days and assessed toxic effects using biochemical and gene expression analyses. While standard antioxidant biomarkers showed limited changes, transcriptomic analysis revealed significant alterations in stress response and metabolic pathways at higher concentrations. The study suggests that conventional biomarkers may underestimate nanoplastic toxicity, and that molecular-level analysis is needed to capture the full scope of effects on reef fish.
Nanoplastics (NPs) pose significant risks due to their small size and ability to penetrate biological tissues. However, the molecular pathways and cellular mechanisms affected by NP exposure in marine teleosts remain poorly understood, especially in tropical reef fishes. This study examined the impact of short-term (7 days) waterborne exposure of 100 nm-carboxyl-modified polystyrene NPs on the false clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) exposed at two daily concentrations: low (20 µg/L, environmentally relevant) and high (2000 µg/L). A multidisciplinary approach, including biochemical and transcriptomic analyses, was conducted to assess toxic effects. Biochemical assays revealed limited changes in antioxidant defenses (CAT, GR, GST, TOSC). However, the Integrated Biomarker Response index (IBRv2i) suggested a compromised physiological condition, supported by transcriptomic data. Transcriptomic profiling revealed 409 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the high-concentration and 354 DEGs in the low-concentration groups, with 120 shared DEGs mostly upregulated and indicative of a core molecular response. Collectively, the transcriptional profile of the low-concentration group resembled an early-warning, energy-reallocation strategy aimed at preserving essential sensory functions while minimizing expendable functions. The high-concentration group amplified the shared stress signature and recruited an additional 289 unique genes, resulting in pronounced enrichment of Gene Ontology terms related to “muscle contraction”, “oxygen transport”, “hydrogen-peroxide catabolism”, and “extracellular-matrix”. This study demonstrates that PS-NP exposure can alter gene expression and physiology in juvenile reef fish, even at environmentally relevant concentrations. Molecular responses varied with concentrations highlighting the role of exposure level in influencing biological systems and potential long-term impacts of NP pollution in marine environments.
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Sequencing data of Amphiprion ocellaris (clownfish) exposed to polystyrene nanoplastic
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Researchers exposed clownfish to polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally relevant and high concentrations for seven days and performed biochemical and transcriptomic analyses. The study found that even low-concentration exposure triggered significant gene expression changes indicating energy reallocation and stress responses, while high concentrations amplified these effects and activated additional inflammatory and detoxification pathways.
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AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed clownfish to polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally relevant and high concentrations for seven days and performed biochemical and transcriptomic analyses. The study found that even low-concentration exposure triggered significant gene expression changes indicating energy reallocation and stress responses, while high concentrations amplified these effects and activated additional inflammatory and detoxification pathways.
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