We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polystyrene nanoparticles induce concerted response of plant defense mechanisms in plant cells
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed plant cell cultures from wheat, barley, carrot, and tomato to polystyrene nanoparticles and found that the plastic particles triggered oxidative stress responses across all species. The defense mechanisms activated varied by plant species, exposure duration, and nanoplastic concentration, with tomato cells appearing most susceptible to damage. The study demonstrates that nanoplastics can induce chain reactions in plant defense systems, raising concerns about the impact of plastic pollution on crop health.
Recent advances in knowledge suggest that micro- and nanoplastics pose a threat to plant health, however, the responses of plants to this stressor are not well-known. Here we examined the response of plant cell defence mechanisms to nanoparticles of commonly used plastic, polystyrene. We used plant cell cultures of widely cultivated plants, the monocots wheat and barley (Triticum aestivum L., Hordeum vulgare L.) and the dicots carrot and tomato (Daucus carota L., Solanum lycopersicum L.). We measured the activities of enzymes involved in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species and nonenzymatic antioxidants and we estimated potential damages in plant cell structures and functioning via lipid peroxidation and DNA methylation levels. Our results demonstrate that the mode of action of polystyrene nanoparticles on plant cells involves oxidative stress. However, the changes in plant defence mechanisms are dependent on plant species, exposure time and nanoplastic concentrations. In general, both monocots showed similar responses to nanoplastics, but the carrot followed more the response of monocots than a second dicot, a tomato. Higher H2O2, lipid peroxidation and lower enzyme activities scavenging H2O2 suggest that tomato cells may be more susceptible to polystyrene-induced stress. In conclusion, polystyrene nanoplastics induce oxidative stress and the response of the plant defense mechanisms involving several chain reactions leading to oxidoreductive homeostasis.
More Papers Like This
Mechanistic insights into polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) mediated imbalance of redox homeostasis and disruption of antioxidant defense system leading to oxidative stress in black mustard (Brassica nigra L.)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics affect black mustard seedlings and found that exposure led to reduced plant height, lower biomass, and damaged cell membranes. The nanoplastics disrupted the plants' antioxidant defense systems, causing an imbalance in their ability to manage oxidative stress. The study highlights that nanoplastic pollution in soil could pose a meaningful threat to crop growth and plant health.
Multi-omics analysis reveals immune responses in tobacco leaves treated with polyethylene nanoparticles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polyethylene nanoplastics rapidly triggered immune-like defense responses in tobacco plant leaves, including stomatal closure, increased reactive oxygen species, and activation of defense genes. Multi-omics analysis revealed that the plants recognized nanoplastics similarly to how they recognize pathogen threats, suggesting that nanoplastic contamination can activate innate immune pathways in plant tissues.
Physiobiochemical and transcriptional responses of tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) to different doses of polystyrene nanoplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how different concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics affect tobacco plant growth at both the physiological and molecular levels. They found that higher doses caused oxidative stress, reduced photosynthesis, and triggered significant changes in gene expression related to stress responses. The study reveals that nanoplastic toxicity in plants is dose-dependent and involves complex molecular mechanisms beyond simple physical damage.
Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on tomato plant growth, fruit yield and quality
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics affect tomato plant growth and fruit quality, finding that exposure reduced seedling biomass, impaired photosynthesis, and triggered oxidative stress. At higher concentrations, the nanoplastics inhibited mineral uptake and diminished fruit yield along with nutritional quality markers like vitamin C and lycopene. The study highlights that nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils could pose a meaningful threat to food crop productivity and nutritional value.
The impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on lignin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Arabidopsis plants to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles penetrate root tissues and trigger a concentration-dependent buildup of lignin — the structural polymer that stiffens plant cell walls — as a defensive stress response, accompanied by increased oxidative damage markers and upregulation of lignin-biosynthesis genes.
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.