We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Transcriptomic insights into developmental toxicity of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Caenorhabditis elegans : The potential key role of xenobiotic detoxification pathway
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used RNA sequencing in C. elegans to investigate how five PFAS compounds cause developmental toxicity, finding that long-chain PFAS (especially PFDA and PFOS) consistently upregulate conserved xenobiotic detoxification genes — including CYP3A4 orthologs — identifying this pathway as a key molecular signature of PFAS-induced developmental harm.
Abstract Per– and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants known to induce developmental toxicity across multiple species, yet the molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. This study aims to evaluate the developmental toxicity of four long-chain legacy PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA) and one short-chain alternative (PFBA) at environmentally relevant concentrations (1–5 μM) using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans , with a focus on elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. Phenotypic analysis indicated that PFDA and PFOS significantly delayed development of worms, and reduced the number of fertilized eggs in the uterus. RNA-seq and subsequent bioinformatic analysis revealed strong impacts of PFDA and PFOS on physiological age. A core set of xenobiotic detoxification genes (e.g., cyp-13A4 , cyp-13A6 , and cyp-13A7 ), which were found to be primarily regulated by nuclear hormone receptors (NHR-102, NHR-85, NHR-28), showed consistent up-regulation upon PFAS exposure. Gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) further linked this detoxification gene signature to developmental impairment. Cross-species comparison using public databases identified several evolutionarily conserved detoxification genes that are associated with PFAS-induced developmental toxicity, among which CYP3A4 and its orthologs appear to be emerging biomarkers of PFAS exposure. Our findings demonstrate that activation of conserved xenobiotic detoxification pathways is a central transcriptomic signature of PFAS exposure, providing mechanistic insights into the structure-dependent developmental toxicity of this kind of pervasive pollutant. Abstract Figure Graphical Abstract
More Papers Like This
Endocrine Disruption in Freshwater Cladocerans: Transcriptomic Network Perspectives on TBOEP and PFECHS Impacts in Daphnia magna
AI summary Read the abstract
Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the flame retardant TBOEP and the PFAS compound PFECHS each disrupt distinct endocrine pathways in Daphnia magna — suppressing moulting and reproduction respectively — yet both converge on Wnt signaling, a conserved developmental pathway. This matters for microplastic pollution research because plastic-associated chemicals like flame retardants and PFAS frequently co-occur with microplastics in aquatic environments and cause compounding endocrine disruption in sentinel invertebrate species.
Occurrence and Toxicity Mechanisms of Perfluorononanoic Acid, Perfluorodecanoic Acid, and Perfluoroundecanoic Acid in Fish: A Review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the environmental fate and toxicity of three long-chain PFAS compounds (PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA) in fish, finding through computational gene ontology analysis that these chemicals disrupt insulin signaling, immune pathways, and growth hormone systems, with longer-chain variants likely posing greater toxicity despite less study.
An Integrated Metabolomics-Based Model, and Identification of Potential Biomarkers, of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid Toxicity in Zebrafish Embryos
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used advanced metabolomics techniques to study how the industrial chemical PFOS affects zebrafish embryo development at the molecular level. They identified specific metabolic disruptions and potential biomarkers that could indicate early PFOS exposure. The study provides new insights into how persistent environmental pollutants like PFAS interfere with biological processes during critical developmental stages.
A High-Throughput, High-Content Analysis of Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans Exposed to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
AI summary Read the abstract
PFAS compounds, including PFOS and PFHxS, caused measurable dopaminergic neurodegeneration and behavioral impairment in C. elegans, with mixture toxicity driven more by PFOS composition than total PFAS concentration. These persistent chemicals, which often co-occur with microplastics in the environment, can damage the same neural pathways implicated in Parkinson's disease.
Advancing the understanding of PFAS-induced reproductive toxicity in key model species
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the reproductive toxicity of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across key model organisms, finding that these persistent chemicals disrupt reproductive function in both humans and animals through multiple toxic mechanisms warranting heightened regulatory attention.
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.