We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Nanoplastics can change the secondary structure of proteins
ClearMechanistic Insights into Cellular and Molecular Basis of Protein‐Nanoplastic Interactions
This review examines how nanoplastic particles interact with proteins at the cellular and molecular level, disrupting normal protein function and triggering oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell death. Researchers found that nanoplastics alter the structural shape of important proteins, which helps explain their toxic effects on living organisms. The study also covers how understanding these protein-plastic interactions could inform both toxicity assessment and potential enzymatic plastic degradation strategies.
Plastic Nanoparticles Cause Proteome Stress and Aggregation by Compromising Cellular Protein Homeostasis ex vivo and in vivo.
Researchers demonstrated for the first time that plastic nanoparticles can compromise cellular protein homeostasis ex vivo and in vivo, causing proteome stress and protein aggregation by disrupting the cellular machinery responsible for maintaining protein stability. The findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure poses risks beyond cytotoxicity, potentially triggering protein misfolding pathways relevant to neurodegenerative and other protein aggregation diseases.
Interfacial interactions between PMMA nanoplastics and a model globular protein: towards a molecular understanding of nanoplastic-driven biological dyshomeostasis
Researchers investigated the molecular interactions between PMMA nanoplastics and a model globular protein to understand how nanoplastics disrupt normal protein function. They found that PMMA nanoplastics bind to and alter the structural conformation of the protein, potentially contributing to cellular protein dysfunction.
Spectroscopic investigations on the interaction between nano plastic and catalase on molecular level
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics interact with the enzyme catalase at different pH levels, finding that nanoplastics alter the protein's secondary structure and reduce its enzymatic activity through static quenching and hydrophobic binding mechanisms.
Proteins in contact with macro and microplastics : fate in solution and at interfaces
This French doctoral thesis investigated how proteins interact with plastic surfaces and microplastic particles in solution and at interfaces. The research found that proteins can adsorb to plastic surfaces, potentially altering both protein function and plastic behavior. These findings have implications for understanding how microplastics interact with biological molecules in the human body and environment.
Interfacial Interactions between Nanoplastics and Biological Systems: toward an Atomic and Molecular Understanding of Plastics-Driven Biological Dyshomeostasis
This study investigated how nanoplastics interact with biological molecules at the atomic level, finding that polystyrene nanoplastics can destroy the structure of proteins, disrupt cell membranes, and damage DNA. The nanoplastics essentially unfolded a milk protein, punched holes in cell membranes, and broke DNA strands. These findings help explain at a fundamental level how nanoplastics found in human blood, milk, and tissues could cause the inflammation and disease seen in other studies.
Nanoplastics alter the conformation and activity of human serum albumin
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics interact with human serum albumin, a key blood protein, and found that nanoplastics bind to the protein through hydrophobic forces, altering its structure and reducing its enzymatic activity. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure could interfere with normal protein function in the bloodstream, highlighting the need for regulation of nanoplastics in consumer products.
Abstract 1036 A Biochemical Investigation on the Structural Integrity of Bovine Serum Albumin During Exposure to Plastic Particles
This biochemical study investigated how microplastics and nanoplastics at varying concentrations affect the structural integrity of bovine serum albumin, finding that plastic particles induce conformational changes in the protein that may indicate broader impacts on biological macromolecules.
Evidence for protein misfolding in the presence of nanoplastics
Computer simulations suggest that nanoplastics — tiny plastic particles under 5 nanometers — can cause proteins to misfold when they bind together. Misfolded proteins are linked to diseases like Alzheimer's, making this an early warning that nanoplastics may pose risks at the molecular level in living cells.
Nanoplastics Alter DNA
Researchers demonstrated that positively charged polystyrene chains can bind directly to DNA helices through electrostatic interactions with phosphate groups, inducing structural changes in the DNA. The findings suggest nanoplastics with charged surfaces could interfere with DNA structure and function at the molecular level.
Nanoplastic–Biomolecular Interactions
This review examines how nanoplastics interact with the biomolecules of living organisms — including proteins, DNA, lipids, and cellular membranes — and how these interactions drive biological harm at the molecular level. Understanding nanoplastic-biomolecule interactions is foundational to explaining why plastic particles at the nanoscale may pose greater health risks than larger microplastics, since they can penetrate cell membranes and reach intracellular targets.
Ovalbumin interaction with polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics alters its structural properties
Researchers investigated how polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics interact with ovalbumin, a common egg protein, under different pH conditions. They found that the microplastics adsorbed the protein and altered its three-dimensional structure, with smaller particles and acidic conditions leading to stronger interactions. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in food could change the structural properties of dietary proteins, potentially affecting how they are digested.
Exploring the Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Macromolecular Structure and Functions
This review explores how micro- and nanoplastics interact with the building blocks of our cells, including proteins, fats, and DNA. The plastics can cause oxidative stress, disrupt hormones, damage genetic material, cause proteins to misfold, and destabilize cell membranes. The authors propose that these effects are interconnected through feedback loops that could accelerate cellular aging and potentially pass harmful changes to future generations.
Assessment of polystyrene nano plastics effect on human salivary α-amylase structural alteration: Insights from an in vitro and in silico study
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics interact with human salivary alpha-amylase, a key digestive enzyme, using both laboratory experiments and computer modeling. They found that the nanoplastics competitively inhibited the enzyme and caused structural changes including loss of secondary protein structure. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure in the digestive system may interfere with normal enzyme function, raising concerns about potential impacts on human digestion.
Pollution caused by nanoplastics: adverse effects and mechanisms of interaction via molecular simulation
This review used molecular simulation techniques to examine how nanoplastics interact with biological membranes and proteins, finding that NPs alter lipid membrane organization and protein secondary structure, potentially disrupting digestion and nutrient absorption in the gastrointestinal system. The review synthesized evidence that NPs can also adsorb environmental contaminants and potentiate their toxicity through synergistic mechanisms.
Role of the Protein Corona in the Colloidal Behavior of Microplastics
Researchers investigated how protein coronas form on polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in biological media, finding that proteins act as surfactants that alter the colloidal behavior and stability of microplastics in aquatic environments.
Interaction of polystyrene nanoplastics with human fibrinogen
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface modifications disrupted the structure of human fibrinogen, a key blood clotting protein, in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that nanoplastics entering the bloodstream could interfere with protein function, raising concerns about the potential biological consequences of nanoplastic exposure in humans.
Stability and dispersibility of microplastics in experimental exposure medium and their dimensional characterization by SMLS, SAXS, Raman microscopy, and SEM
Scientists tested how microplastics behave when suspended in biological fluids containing proteins, which is closer to real-world conditions inside the body. They found that protein coatings on microplastic surfaces actually promoted the formation of even smaller nanoplastic debris over time. This matters for human health because these secondary nanoplastics may be small enough to cross biological barriers and enter cells more easily.
Effect of Plastic Type and Salt Concentration on Interactions Between Nanoscale Plastic and Amino Acids in Solution Using Saturation-Transfer Difference NMR Spectroscopy
Using NMR spectroscopy, researchers measured how individual amino acids bind to nanoplastic particles made of polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene, finding that plastic type, salt concentration, and amino acid chemistry all influence binding strength. Because amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, understanding these interactions is fundamental to predicting how nanoplastics might interfere with biological molecules — and ultimately with human and animal health.
Nano- and microplastics trigger secretion of protein-rich extracellular polymeric substances from phytoplankton
Researchers exposed four marine phytoplankton species to polystyrene nano- and microplastics and found that the smallest particles (55 nm nanoplastics) caused the most stress, reducing cell survival and altering the composition of secreted extracellular substances. The stressed phytoplankton produced protein-rich exopolymeric substances that facilitated the formation of aggregates around the plastic particles. The study suggests that nanoplastic pollution can change how marine microorganisms interact with their environment, affecting both plastic fate and microbial ecology.
Exploring the Interaction of Human α-Synuclein with Polyethylene Nanoplastics: Insights from Computational Modeling and Experimental Corroboration
Researchers used computer simulations and lab experiments to study how polyethylene nanoplastics interact with alpha-synuclein, a brain protein linked to neurodegenerative conditions. They found that nanoplastics caused the protein to change its shape and form a compact structure that interacts more strongly with itself, potentially promoting clumping. The study suggests a possible mechanism by which nanoplastics could influence protein behavior in the brain, though the health implications remain to be determined.
Synergistic effects of marine pollutants and microplastics on the destabilization of lipid bilayers
Researchers found that marine pollutants and microplastics act synergistically to destabilize lipid bilayers, suggesting that the combined presence of plastic particles and co-adsorbed chemicals may amplify cellular membrane damage beyond what either stressor causes alone.
Molecular insights into nanoplastics-peptides binding and their interactions with the lipid membrane
Using computer simulations, researchers studied how nanoplastics interact with small protein fragments and cell membranes at the molecular level. They found that nanoplastics readily bind to proteins, forming a coating called a protein corona, which changes how the plastics behave when they encounter cell membranes. This research helps explain how nanoplastics might enter human cells, since the protein coating could either help or hinder the particles from crossing biological barriers.
Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of size-dependent effect of polystyrene micro/nano-plastics on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii through proteomic profiling
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.