Multi-omics in nanoplastic research: a spotlight on aquatic life

Highlights

● We integrate omics data to analyze the aquatic toxicodynamics of nanoplastics.

● Transcriptomics is the primary omics tool in aquatic nanoplastic toxicology research.

● Metabolic disruption, oxidative stress, & photosynthesis inhibition are key effects.

● Variations in molecular responses to nanoplastics are underscored among species.

● Recommendations are made to advance the multi-omics approach in nanoplastic research.

Abstract

Amidst increasing concerns about plastic pollution’s impacts on ecology and health, nanoplastics are gaining global recognition as emerging environmental hazards. This review aimed to examine the complex molecular consequences and underlying fundamental toxicity mechanisms reported from the exposure of diverse aquatic organisms to nanoplastics. Through the comprehensive examination of transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics studies, we explored the intricate toxicodynamics of nanoplastics in aquatic species. The review raised essential questions about the consistency of findings across different omics approaches, the value of combining these omics tools to understand better and predict ecotoxicity, and the potential differences in molecular responses between species. By amalgamating insights from 37 omics studies (transcriptome 22, proteome six, and metabolome nine) published from 2013 to 2023, the review uncovered both shared and distinct toxic effects and mechanisms in which nanoplastics can affect aquatic life, and recommendations were provided for advancing omics-based research on nanoplastic pollution. This comprehensive review illuminates the nuanced connections between nanoplastic exposure and aquatic ecosystems, offering crucial insights into the complex mechanisms that may drive toxicity in aquatic environments.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Ecotoxicity / Transcriptomics / Metabolomics / Proteomics / Plastic pollution / Toxicity mechanisms

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Sapere Aude Research Leader program from the Danish Council for Independent Research (No. 0165-00056B). KET has been supported by the Research Council of Norway (No. 315969), “In silico and experimental screening platform for characterizing the environmental impact of industry development in the Arctic (EXPECT) and NIVA’s Computational Toxicology Program (NCTP; Research Council Project No. 342628).

Authors’ Contribution Statements

All authors contributed to the study’s conception. Literature search, material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Mohamed Helal, Min Liu, and Honghong Chen. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Mohamed Helal, Min Liu, HongHong Chen, and Elvis Genbo Xu, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-024-1893-3 and is accessible for authorized users.

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