Epigenetic and Gene Expression Responses of <i>Daphnia magna</i> to Polyethylene and Polystyrene Microplastics

Epigenetic and Gene Expression Responses of <i>Daphnia magna</i> to Polyethylene and Polystyrene Microplastics

Microplastics (MPs), ubiquitous environmental pollutants, pose substantial threats to aquatic ecosystems and organisms, including the model species <i>Daphnia magna</i>. This study examined the effects of polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) MPs on <i>D. magna</i>, focusing...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hyungjoon Im, Jieun Lee, Jeong-Eun Oh, Jinyoung Song, Sanghyun Jeong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
nanoplastic
toxicity pathway
DNA methylation
DNA hydroxymethylation
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1608
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Summary:Microplastics (MPs), ubiquitous environmental pollutants, pose substantial threats to aquatic ecosystems and organisms, including the model species <i>Daphnia magna</i>. This study examined the effects of polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) MPs on <i>D. magna</i>, focusing on their ingestion, epigenetic alterations, and transcriptional responses. Exposure experiments revealed a concentration-dependent accumulation of MPs, with PS particles showing higher ingestion rates due to their higher density and propensity for aggregation. Epigenetic analyses demonstrated that exposure to PE MPs significantly reduced the global DNA methylation (5-mC) of <i>Daphnia magna</i>, suggesting hypomethylation as a potential stress response. Conversely, the DNA hydroxymethylation (5-hmC) of <i>Daphnia magna</i> displayed variability under PS exposure. Transcriptional analysis identified a marked downregulation of <i>Vitellogenin 1</i> (<i>v1</i>) and upregulation of <i>Ecdysone Receptor B</i> (<i>ecr-b</i>), highlighting the occurrence of stress-related and adaptive molecular responses. These findings enhance our understanding of the molecular and epigenetic effects of MPs on aquatic organisms, offering critical insights for the development of effective environmental management and conservation strategies in the face of escalating MP pollution.
ISSN:1420-3049

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