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Investigations of nano-particle toxicity and uptake of Cerium oxide and Titanium dioxide in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.)
Citation:
Tumburu, L., C. P. ANDERSEN, J. N. Betts, M. G. JOHNSON, G. KING, M. PLOCHER, J. R. REICHMAN, AND P. T. RYGIEWICZ. Investigations of nano-particle toxicity and uptake of Cerium oxide and Titanium dioxide in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.). Presented at Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA, April 21 - 25, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
The emergence of nanotechnology and incorporation of nanoparticles in consumer products necessitates risk assessment from an environmental and health safety standpoint.
Description:
The emergence of nanotechnology and incorporation of nanoparticles in consumer products necessitates risk assessment from an environmental and health safety standpoint. To date, very few studies have examined nanoparticle effects on terrestrial species, especially plants. In this study, we examined responses at the molecular level when A. thaliana was exposed to two environmentally relevant nanoparticles (NPs)- i) titanium dioxide (TiO2), and ii) cerium oxide (CeO2) during different life stages. Particle suspensions were determined to be in the <100 nm diameter range. A. thaliana plants were exposed to NPs (diameter: <100nm; concentration: 500 mg/L) starting in the seed stage, to weekly suspensions of these mixtures. Following exposure, three different tissues (cotyledons, roots, leaves at different developmental stages were harvested, and RNA was extracted. With the use of Affymetrix Arabidopsis ATH1 Genechip, a comparison of RNA expression profiles was made between control and NP-treated A. thaliana tissues. The results varied with developmental stage, and showed differences in gene up- and down-regulation. Uptake studies involving transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations are underway. The findings of this research will help to elucidate mechanisms of action associated with NP-induced toxicity and may provide primary screening information for terrestrial ecological risk assessments.