We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The effects of adsorbed benzo(a)pyrene on dynamic behavior of polystyrene nanoplastics through phospholipid membrane: A molecular simulation study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used molecular simulations to show that benzo(a)pyrene adsorbed onto polystyrene nanoplastics alters how the particles interact with and penetrate phospholipid membranes, suggesting that pollutant-coated nanoplastics may pose different biological risks than pristine ones.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are mainly generated from the decomposition of plastic waste and industrial production, which have attracted much attention due to the potential risk for humans. The ability of NPs to penetrate different biological barriers has been proved, but the understanding of molecular details is very limited, especially for organic pollutant-NP combinations. Here, we investigated the uptake process of polystyrene NPs (PSNPs) combined with benzo(a)pyrene (BAP) molecules by dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results showed that the PSNPs can adsorb and accumulate BAP molecules in water phase and then carried BAP molecules to enter DPPC bilayers. At the same time, the adsorbed BAP promoted the penetration of PSNPs into DPPC bilayers effectively by hydrophobic effect. The process of BAP-PSNP combinations penetrating into DPPC bilayers can be summarized into four steps including adhesion on the DPPC bilayer surface, uptake by the DPPC bilayer, BAP molecules detached from the PSNPs, and the PSNPs depolymerized in the bilayer interior. Furthermore, the amount of adsorbed BAP on PSNPs affected the properties of DPPC bilayers directly, especially the fluidity of DPPC bilayers that determine the physiologic function. Obviously, the combined effect of PSNPs and BAP enhanced the cytotoxicity. This work not only presented a vivid transmembrane process of BAP-PSNP combinations and revealed the nature of the effects of adsorbed benzo(a)pyrene on the dynamic behavior of polystyrene nanoplastics through phospholipid membrane, but also provide some necessary information of the potential damage for organic pollutant-nanoplastic combinations on human health at a molecular level.
More Papers Like This
Polystyrene nanoplastics as PFAS carriers and their interactions with zwitterionic phospholipid membranes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used molecular simulations to investigate how polystyrene nanoplastics can carry PFAS chemicals and interact with cell membranes. The study found that nanoplastics act as transport vehicles for PFAS compounds, delivering them to membrane surfaces where they alter how the particles interact with cells. Negatively charged PFAS coatings on nanoplastics were particularly effective at penetrating cell membranes, suggesting that the combination of these two common pollutants may pose greater biological risks together than separately.
Interaction of Polystyrene Nanoplastic with Lipid Membranes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics derived from food packaging interact with lipid membranes, which serve as models for cell membranes. Using microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, the study found that while water molecules initially act as a barrier to nanoplastic entry, once particles penetrate the membrane's polar region they rapidly move into the bilayer interior, and small-molecule additives like unreacted monomers can be released into the membrane during this process.
Polystyrene-Induced Dehydration of Lipid Membranes: Insights from Atomistic Simulations
AI summary Read the abstract
Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations revealed that polystyrene nanoplastics cause dehydration of lipid membranes upon contact, extracting water molecules from the bilayer interface in ways that could alter membrane structure and function relevant to cellular uptake of nanoplastic particles.
Polystyrene-InducedDehydration of Lipid Membranes:Insights from Atomistic Simulations
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers performed atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to characterize how polystyrene nanoplastics interact with and dehydrate lipid bilayer membranes following membrane penetration. The simulations revealed the structural and thermodynamic mechanisms by which nanoplastic particles disrupt membrane hydration, contributing to understanding of nanoplastic toxicity at the cellular level.
Modelling bionano interactions and potential health risks for environmental nanoplastics: the case of functionalized polystyrene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used computer simulations to model how proteins adsorb onto polystyrene nanoplastic surfaces, investigating bionano interactions relevant to potential health risks. The study focused on functionalized polystyrene as a model for environmental nanoplastics. The findings contribute to understanding how nanoplastics interact with biological molecules, which is important for evaluating their toxicological potential.
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.