Carbon Nanotubes Induce Growth Enhancement of Tobacco Cells

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes have shown promise as regulators of seed germination and plant growth. Here, we demonstrate that multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have the ability to enhance the growth of tobacco cell culture (55-64% increase over control) in a wide range of concentrations (5-500 μg/mL). Activated carbon (AC) stimulated cell growth (16% increase) only at low concentrations (5 μg/mL) while dramatically inhibited the cellular growth at higher concentrations (100-500 μg/mL). We found a correlation between the activation of cells growth exposed to MWCNTs and the upregulation of genes involved in cell division/cell wall formation and water transport. The expression of the tobacco aquaporin (NtPIP1) gene, as well as production of the NtPIP1 protein, significantly increased in cells exposed to MWCNTs compared to control cells or those exposed to AC. The expression of marker genes for cell division (CycB) and cell wall extension (NtLRX1) was also up-regulated in cells exposed to MWCNTs compared to control cells or those exposed to activated carbon only.

Highly efficient uptake of ultrafine mesoporous silica nanoparticles with excellent biocompatibility by Liriodendron hybrid suspension cells

“…In contrast with the investigations of other nanoparticles described in the literature [3,15,25,26], in this study, nearly all of the plant cells retained high viability after the longest incubation time (24 h) with the highest concentration (1 mg mL 1 ) of MSNs or A-MSNs.…”

“…Our results indicate that ultrafine MSNs hold considerable potential as nano-carriers of extracellular molecules, and can be used to investigate in vitro gene-delivery in plant cells. Along with developments in the application of nanotechnology from animal science and medical research to plant science research, the impact of engineered nanomaterials on plant systems has attracted increasing attention, the areas including (i) the delivery of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and exogenous genes, (ii) the improvement of the growth of plants, and (iii) nanotoxicity research for plant cells [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. However, compared with mammalian cells, the plant cell wall which is composed of cross-linked polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectin) represents an extra barrier surrounding the cell membrane that hinders the passage of nanoparticles into plant cells.…”

Investigating of a wide range of concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on germination and growth of castor seeds (Ricinus communis L.)

“…Exposure of seeds, such as tomato, to the carbon nanotubes could increase the germination percentage and growth of seedlings (Khodakovskaya et al 2009). MWCNTs have an effect on the growth of tobacco cells in the medium over a wide range of concentrations (5-500 µg · ml -1 ) in such a way that a low concentration of 5 µg · ml -1 had a stimulatory effect, while higher concentrations (100-500 µg · ml -1 ) had an inhibitory effect (Khodakovskaya et al 2012). Nevertheless, in the present study, in the most frequently studied indexes, higher concentrations, up to an optimum level, increased seedling growth and germination.…”

“…Absorption of carbon nanotubes by plants is a new field in nano agriculture. Carbon nanotubes can change the morphological and physiological properties of plant cells (Pourkhaloee et al 2011;Lahiani et al 2013) and are thought to regulate plant and seedling growth (Khodakovskaya et al 2012;Haghighi and da Silva 2014). Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are a kind of nanomaterial and due to their unique nanostructures and extraordinary properties such as high electrical conductivity, large and special area, significant thermal stability, they have been seriously taken into consideration in fundamental research and technological development (Milne et al 2004).…”

Nanotechnology and Its Application in Agriculture

“…1 Some of these properties are the large surface area, more reactivity, being more absorbed, etc. 2 The success of nanotechnology applications in many industries, medicines, electronics and others enhanced the interesting in agricultural applications. 3 Firstly, the fear from toxicity of nanoparticles delayed their agricultural applications.…”