Polystyrene Nanoplastics Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in Cellular Processes in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.)
Abstract
This study examines how polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) influence the expression of genes associated with cell cycle and stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves. For this purpose, seedlings were exposed to PS-NPs at concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and 40 mg L-1 for seven days under hydroponic conditions. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that PS-NPs were predominantly spherical in morphology. The expression levels of genes associated with the cell cycle (CYCD3;1), cell wall modification (TCH4 and KOR), detoxification (MATE1 and MATE2) and stress response (HSP70 and HSP90.1) were determined by qRT-PCR. PS-NPs exposure led to significant downregulation of CYCD3;1, TCH4, KOR, HSP70, HSP90.1, and MATE2 expression, while MATE1 gene was upregulated. These findings demonstrate that PS-NPs affect specific molecular processes and mechanisms in plants.
Keywords
Arabidopsis thaliana (L.), Gene expression, Nanoplastics, Stress
Ethical Statement
References
- Chaudhary, R., Baranwal, V. K., Kumar, R., Sircar, D., & Chauhan, H. (2019). Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of Hsp70, Hsp90, and Hsp100 heat shock protein genes in barley under stress conditions and reproductive development. Functional & Integrative Genomics, 19(6), 1007-1022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10142-019-00695-y
- Chen, C., Liu, J., Xing, C., Wu, X. L., Zhu, E., Rao, Y., Lin, Y., Yan, J., Cai, M., Zhang, H., & Luo, Y. (2025). From stress to defense: Spatial confinement of nanoplastics in rice root cell walls via pectin matrix remodeling. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 498, 139887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139887
- Dewitte, W., Riou-Khamlichi, C., Scofield, S., Healy, J. S., Jacqmard, A., Kilby, N. J., & Murray, J. A. (2003). Altered cell cycle distribution, hyperplasia, and inhibited differentiation in Arabidopsis caused by the D-type cyclin CYCD3. The Plant Cell, 15(1), 79-92. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.004838
- Fry, S. C. (1989). Cellulases, hemicelluloses and auxin‐stimulated growth: A possible relationship. Physiologia Plantarum, 75(4), 532-536. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.1989.tb05620.x
- Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2017). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances, 3(7), e1700782. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1700782
- Giorgetti, L., Spanò, C., Muccifora, S., Bottega, S., Barbieri, F., Bellani, L., & Castiglione, M. R. (2020). Exploring the interaction between polystyrene nanoplastics and Allium cepa during germination: Internalization in root cells, induction of toxicity and oxidative stress. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 149, 170-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.02.014
- Hoagland, D. R., & Arnon, D. I. (1938). The water culture method for growing plants without soil. Circular California Agricultural Experiment Station.
- Houston, K., Tucker, M. R., Chowdhury, J., Shirley, N., & Little, A. (2016). The plant cell wall: A complex and dynamic structure as revealed by the responses of genes under stress conditions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 984. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00984
- Hu, M., Huang, Y., Liu, L., Ren, L., Li, C., Yang, R., & Zhang, Y. (2024). The effects of Micro/Nano-plastics exposure on plants and their toxic mechanisms: A review from multi-omics perspectives. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 465, 133279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133279
- Jiang, M., Wang, B., Ye, R., Yu, N., Xie, Z., Hua, Y., Zhou, R., Tian, B., & Dai, S. (2022). Evidence and impacts of nanoplastic accumulation on crop grains. Advanced Science, 9(33), 2202336. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202202336