We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Decoding the molecular concerto: Toxicotranscriptomic evaluation of microplastic and nanoplastic impacts on aquatic organisms
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes existing research on how microplastics and nanoplastics affect gene activity in aquatic organisms including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. The studies show that these tiny particles disrupt genes involved in immune defense, stress response, reproduction, and metabolism. Understanding these molecular-level changes is important because they reveal how microplastics could cause long-term health problems in animals that enter the human food chain.
The pervasive and steadily increasing presence of microplastics/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) in aquatic environments has raised significant concerns regarding their potential adverse effects on aquatic organisms and their integration into trophic dynamics. This emerging issue has garnered the attention of (eco)toxicologists, promoting the utilization of toxicotranscriptomics to unravel the responses of aquatic organisms not only to MPs/NPs but also to a wide spectrum of environmental pollutants. This review aims to systematically explore the broad repertoire of predicted molecular responses by aquatic organisms, providing valuable intuitions into complex interactions between plastic pollutants and aquatic biota. By synthesizing the latest literature, present analysis sheds light on transcriptomic signatures like gene expression, interconnected pathways and overall molecular mechanisms influenced by various plasticizers. Harmful effects of these contaminants on key genes/protein transcripts associated with crucial pathways lead to abnormal immune response, metabolic response, neural response, apoptosis and DNA damage, growth, development, reproductive abnormalities, detoxification, and oxidative stress in aquatic organisms. However, unique challenge lies in enhancing the fingerprint of MPs/NPs, presenting complicated enigma that requires decoding their specific impact at molecular levels. The exploration endeavors, not only to consolidate existing knowledge, but also to identify critical gaps in understanding, push forward the frontiers of knowledge about transcriptomic signatures of plastic contaminants. Moreover, this appraisal emphasizes the imperative to monitor and mitigate the contamination of commercially important aquatic species by MPs/NPs, highlighting the pivotal role that regulatory frameworks must play in protecting all aquatic ecosystems. This commitment aligns with the broader goal of ensuring the sustainability of aquatic resources and the resilience of ecosystems facing the growing threat of plastic pollutants.
More Papers Like This
Transcriptional biomarkers of microplastic exposure in fish: a tissue-resolved scoping review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review pulls together existing studies on how microplastics affect gene activity in fish, finding consistent disruptions to their protective barriers (like gills and gut lining), immune defenses, and hormone regulation. While this research is in fish, it matters for us too: fish are a major food source and environmental sentinel, and understanding these biological warning signs could eventually help scientists develop tests to detect harmful microplastic exposure before it causes bigger health problems, potentially including in humans, since we're exposed to the same tiny plastic particles through food, water, and air.
Phenotypic and Gene Expression Alterations in Aquatic Organisms Exposed to Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes research on how microplastics affect aquatic animals at the genetic level, covering changes in hatching, development, and growth. Microplastics, especially when combined with other pollutants, trigger abnormal gene activity in antioxidant and stress-response systems in fish and other water organisms. These genetic disruptions in aquatic life are relevant to human health because affected organisms can enter the food chain through seafood.
Distinguish the toxic differentiations between acute exposure of micro- and nano-plastics on bivalves: An integrated study based on transcriptomic sequencing
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that nanoplastics are more toxic than microplastics in mussels, causing severe inflammatory responses and greater oxidative stress, with transcriptomic analysis revealing contrasting gene expression patterns between the two particle sizes.
Micro(nano)plastics Prevalence, Food Web Interactions, and Toxicity Assessment in Aquatic Organisms: A Review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the prevalence of micro- and nanoplastics across aquatic environments and their documented toxic effects on organisms ranging from plankton to fish, including DNA damage, reproductive harm, and neurotoxicity. Researchers found clear evidence that these particles transfer through aquatic food webs and can ultimately reach humans through seafood consumption. The study calls for more research into how microplastics carrying multiple contaminants cause combined toxic effects in marine organisms.
Toxicity of nanoplastics to aquatic organisms: Genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, individual level and beyond individual level
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the toxic effects of nanoplastics on aquatic organisms across multiple levels of the food chain, from bacteria and algae to fish. Researchers found that nanoplastics can cause cell damage, genetic harm, and reproductive problems, with toxicity influenced by particle size, concentration, and surface properties. The study also highlights how nanoplastic effects on individual organisms can cascade to disrupt broader ecosystem dynamics.
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.