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Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of size-dependent effect of polystyrene micro/nano-plastics on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii through proteomic profiling
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Researchers used proteomic profiling to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind how different sizes of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affect the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. They found that particle size plays a critical role in determining the type and severity of biological responses in the algae. The study suggests that nanoscale plastic particles may pose distinct ecological risks compared to larger microplastics due to their ability to trigger different cellular stress pathways.
Microplastics have become a prevalent environmental pollutant due to widespread release and production. Algae, as primary producers, play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of freshwater environments. Despite reports on the inhibition of microalgae by microplastics, the size-dependent effects on microalgae and associated molecular mechanism remain poorly understood. This study investigates the impacts of three polystyrene micro/nano-plastics (PS-MNPs) with different sizes (100 nm, 350 nm, and 6 μm) and concentrations (25-200 mg/L) on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) throughout its growth period. Results reveal size- and concentration-dependent growth inhibition and induction of oxidative stress by PS-MNPs, with microalgae exhibiting increased vulnerability to smaller-sized and higher-concentration PS-MNPs. Proteomics analysis elucidates the size-dependent suppression of proteins involved in the photosynthesis process by PS-MNPs. Photosynthetic activity assays demonstrate that smaller PS-MNPs more significantly reduce chlorophyll content and the maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Finally, electron microscope and Western blot assays collectively confirm the size effect of PS-MNPs on microalgae growth is attributable to suppressed protein expression rather than shading effects. This study contributes to advancing our understanding of the intricate interactions between micro/nano-plastics and algae at the molecular level, emphasizing the efficacy of proteomics in dissecting the mechanistic aspects of microplastics-induced biological effects on environmental indicator organisms.
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Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics on the harmful algal species Heterosigma akashiwo, finding that 80-nanometer particles were more toxic than 1-micrometer particles. The study showed that smaller nanoplastics at higher concentrations inhibited algal growth and photosynthesis, disrupted antioxidant enzyme activity, and altered gene expression, suggesting size-dependent toxicity mechanisms.
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Researchers exposed the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to polystyrene particles of three different sizes ranging from nanoscale to microscale. All particle sizes harmed the algae, but they triggered different cellular defense mechanisms depending on their size, with nanoparticles causing the most severe damage. The findings reveal that particle size is a key factor in determining how microplastics affect aquatic microorganisms.
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Researchers exposed the marine microalga Isochrysis galbana to polystyrene microplastics of three different sizes and found that smaller particles caused more severe damage. The smallest microplastics inhibited growth, reduced photosynthetic efficiency, and increased oxidative stress more than larger particles. The study highlights that particle size is a critical factor in determining how harmful microplastics are to the base of the marine food chain.
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