We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
New mechanistic insights of nanoplastics synergistic cadmium induced overactivation of trypsin: Joint analysis from protein multi-level conformational changes and computational modeling
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used spectroscopy, enzyme assays, and computational modeling to show that nanoplastics form a protein corona around cadmium ions that enhances cadmium's structural disruption of trypsin, causing enzyme overactivation (227% of baseline) — a mechanism by which nanoplastics can amplify the toxicity of co-occurring heavy metals on digestive proteins.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging global contaminants that can exacerbate the animal toxicity and cytotoxicity of cadmium (Cd). However, the mechanisms by which NPs influence the toxic effects of Cd on key functional proteins within the body remain unknown. In this study, trypsin, a protein that is prone to coexist with NPs in the digestive tract, was selected as the target protein. The effects and mechanisms of NPs on Cd-induced structural damage at multiple levels and alterations in the biological function of trypsin were investigated using multi-spectroscopy techniques, enzyme activity assays, and computational modeling. Results indicated that the Cd-induced decrease and red shift of the trypsin backbone peak were exacerbated by the presence of NPs, leading to more serve backbone loosening. Furthermore, compared to Cd, NPs@Cd caused a more pronounced reduction in the α-helix content of trypsin. These structural changes led to the opening of the trypsin pocket and the overactivation of the enzyme (NPs@Cd: 227.22%; Cd: 53.35%). Ultimately, the formation of a "protein corona" around NPs@Cd and the metal contact of Cd to the trypsin surface were identified as the mechanisms by which NPs enhanced the protein toxicity of Cd. This study elucidates, for the first time, the effects and underlying mechanisms of NPs on the toxicity of key functional proteins of Cd. These findings offer novel mechanistic insights and critical evidence essential for evaluating the risks associated with NPs.
More Papers Like This
New molecular mechanism of nanoplastics affecting cadmium protein toxicity: Conformational response and differential binding of human serum albumin
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers showed that cadmium alone disrupts the structure and transport function of human serum albumin (the blood's main protein carrier), and that co-exposure with nanoplastics — which form a protein corona by binding albumin to their surface — further exacerbates these structural disruptions and enzyme activity losses, raising concerns about combined nanoplastic-heavy metal toxicity.
New Evidence for the Mechanisms of Nanoplastics Amplifying Cadmium Cytotoxicity: Trojan Horse Effect, Inflammatory Response, and Calcium Imbalance
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered that nanoplastics act as a "Trojan horse" by carrying cadmium (a toxic heavy metal) into liver cells and then releasing it inside, amplifying cadmium's toxicity by over 23%. The combined exposure triggered more severe inflammation and cell death than either pollutant alone, demonstrating how nanoplastics can make other environmental contaminants more dangerous to human health.
NewEvidence forthe Mechanisms of Nanoplastics AmplifyingCadmium Cytotoxicity: Trojan Horse Effect, Inflammatory Response,and Calcium Imbalance
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that nanoplastics amplify cadmium cytotoxicity by transporting cadmium ions into cells more efficiently than cadmium alone, identifying specific molecular mechanisms involving membrane disruption and intracellular cadmium accumulation that explain the synergistic toxicity.
The effects of nanoplastics on toxicity of metals and metal nanoparticles: molecular mechanisms and health effects
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how co-exposure to nanoplastics and heavy metals produces synergistic toxicity across multiple species and cell models, finding that nanoplastics enhance metal bioavailability and amplify oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and gut dysbiosis more severely than equivalent microplastic co-exposures.
Redefining the synergistic toxicity of nano-plastics and cadmium in earthworm coelomocytes: the mechanism of α-amylase molecular docking orientation and energy crisis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed earthworm immune cells (coelomocytes) to polystyrene nanoplastics combined with the heavy metal cadmium, finding that nanoplastics act as carriers that amplify cadmium uptake and worsen oxidative stress, energy metabolism disruption, and enzyme damage beyond what cadmium causes alone.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.