Transcriptomic analysis of oxidative stress mechanisms induced by acute nanoplastic exposure in Sepia esculenta larvae

Abstract

Nanoplastics (NPs), as a new type of pollutant with a size small than 1 μm, are ubiquitous and harmful to organisms. There has been an increasing amount of research concerning the effects of NPs on organisms over recent years, especially on aquatic animals. However, there is a limited study on the impact of NPs on mollusk cephalopods. In this research, Sepia esculenta, belonging to Cephalopoda, Coleoidea, Sepioidea, was selected to explore the effects caused by NPs exposure. The S. esculenta larvae were exposed to polystyrene NPs (PS-NPs) with diameter 50 nm (100 mg/L) for 4 h. The detection of oxidative stress biomarkers displayed an obvious increase in SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity and MDA (malondialdehyde) level. Then, RNA-Seq was performed to explore the oxidative stress response at mRNA level. The transcriptome analysis demonstrated that the expression of 2,570 genes was affected by PS-NPs. Besides, the signaling pathways of ribosome, ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes, proteasome, and MAPK were enriched. This study not only provides novel references for understanding the mechanisms of oxidative stress response induced by NPs, but also reminds us to follow with interest the influence of acute exposure to NPs.

Environmental and Sublethal Concentrations of Polystyrene Nanoplastics Induced Antioxidant System, Transcriptomic Responses, and Disturbed Gut Microbiota in Oyster Magallana Hongkongensis

“…16 The influence of NPs on the transcriptome of aquatic organisms manifests in the modulation of specific gene expressions, with potential repercussions on their physiological and metabolic functions. 17 For example, exposure to NPs disrupts energy metabolism, induces proteasome activity, and triggers heat shock protein responses in catfish larvae, impacting genes integral to growth and development. 18 Previous studies on the exposure and associated risks of NPs have been conducted on freshwater bivalves, but studies on marine bivalves are still limited, and the studied organisms do not represent economically important shellfish worldwide.…”

“…This compromises cellular energy metabolism and ionic balance, leading to abnormal ion permeability across cell membranes . The influence of NPs on the transcriptome of aquatic organisms manifests in the modulation of specific gene expressions, with potential repercussions on their physiological and metabolic functions . For example, exposure to NPs disrupts energy metabolism, induces proteasome activity, and triggers heat shock protein responses in catfish larvae, impacting genes integral to growth and development .…”