Microplastic-induced apoptosis and metabolism responses in marine Dinoflagellate, Karenia mikimotoi

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2022-01, Vol.804, p.150252-150252, Article 150252
• Main Authors: Zhao, Ting, Tan, Liju, Han, Xiaotian, Wang, Xutao, Zhang, Yafeng, Ma, Xiaofeng, Lin, Kun, Wang, Rui, Ni, Ziqi, Wang, Jiayin, Wang, Jiangtao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell apoptosis; Cell viability; DNA concentration; Membrane integrity; Micro/nano-scaled plastics; Transcriptome analysis
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150252

Microplastics (MPs) occur widely in marine environments, and disturb the balance of aquatic ecosystems. In this study, programmed cell apoptosis in marine dinoflagellate, Karenia mikimotoi exposed to 10 mg L−1 micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs; polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate) for 72 h was assessed. Prior to the toxicity assay, MPs/NPs were dialyzed to remove possible additives. Cell viability, membrane integrity, cell apoptosis, and total DNA concentration were measured to assess programmed cell apoptosis in K. mikimotoi following exposure to MPs/NPs. A transcriptome analysis was used to explore the potential toxic mechanism of MPs to K. mikimotoi. Programmed cell apoptosis was related to the size of MPs/NPs, and NPs could more easily impair cell viability, and reduced cell membrane integrity and DNA concentration. NP particles caused continuous apoptosis of K. mikimotoi compared to MP particles. Size had the greatest effect on toxicity in K. mikimotoi. In conclusion, the results evidenced that both MPs and NPs have a negative impact on the marine dinoflagellate, K. mikimotoi. However, NPs were more harmful to K mikimotoi than MPs, highlighting the potential ecological problems associated with exposure to NPs. [Display omitted] •Apoptosis and metabolism of Karenia mikimotoi induced by microplastic were investigated.•Transcriptome analysis was used to explore intrinsic influence mechanism.•Programmed cell apoptosis was related with size of MPs/NPs.•Nano scaled plastic particles were easier to induce the apoptosis than micro scaled plastic particles.