We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Secreted protein eco-corona mediates uptake and impacts of polystyrene nanoparticles on Daphnia magna
Summary
Researchers discovered that proteins secreted by Daphnia magna create an eco-corona around polystyrene nanoparticles, increasing their uptake and toxicity. The study found that this protein coating also made the nanoparticles harder to remove from the gut, demonstrating a previously unknown biological mechanism that enhances the harmful effects of nanoplastics on this important indicator species.
Daphnia magna are an important environmental indicator species who may be especially sensitive to nanoparticles (NPs) as a result of being filter-feeders. This paper demonstrates for the first time that proteins released by Daphnia magna create an eco-corona around polystyrene NPs which causes heightened uptake of the NPs and consequently increases toxicity. The secreted protein eco-corona also causes the NPs to be less efficiently removed from the gut of D. magna and NPs remaining in the gut of D. magna affected the rate of subsequent feeding. Thus, fate of NPs in the environment should be evaluated and monitored under more realistic exposure scenarios.
Sign in to start a discussion.