Molecular Mechanisms of Developmental Toxicity Induced by Graphene Oxide at Predicted Environmental Concentrations

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01922
• Publication Date: 2017-06-14T21:55:25Z
• Authors: Xingli Zhang; Qixing Zhou; Wei Zou; Xiangang Hu
• Keywords: Developmental toxicity; Nanotoxicology

Developmental toxicity is a critical issue in nanotoxicity. However, very little known about the effects of graphene oxide (GO, widely used carbon material) at predicted environmental concentrations on biological development or specific molecular mechanisms. The present study established that zebrafish embryos exposed to trace (1–100 μg/L) GO was impaired because DNA modification, protein carbonylation and excessive generation reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially superoxide radical. Noticeably, there nonmonotonic response developmental μg/L mg/L levels. Transcriptomics analysis revealed disturbing collagen- matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-related genes affected skeletal cardiac zebrafish. Moreover, metabolomics showed inhibition amino acid metabolism ratios unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) saturated (SFAs) contributed above toxicity. work verifies illustrates for first time mechanisms thereof. Because potential concentrations, government administrators nanomaterial producers should consider its risks prior widespread exposure GO.