title: Effects of ZnO nanoparticles in plants: Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, deregulation of antioxidant defenses, and cell-cycle arrest.
abstract: Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and biochemical effects were evaluated in the plants Allium cepa, Nicotiana tabacum, and Vicia faba following exposure to ZnO nanoparticles (np; diameter, ∼85nm). In the root meristems of Allium cepa cells, we observed loss of membrane integrity, increased chromosome aberrations, micronucleus formation, DNA strand breaks, and cell-cycle arrest at the G2/M checkpoint. In Vicia faba and Nicotiana tabacum, we observed increased intracellular ROS production, lipid peroxidation, and activities of some antioxidant enzymes. TEM images revealed gross morphological alterations and internalization of the np. Our findings provide evidence of ZnO np toxicity, characterized by deregulation of components of ROS-antioxidant machinery, leading to DNA damage, cell-cycle arrest, and cell death. These plants, especially Allium cepa, are reliable systems for assessment of np toxicology.
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology and Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, CAS- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India; Centre for Research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Calcutta, India. Electronic address: gmanosij@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Manosij
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology and Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, CAS- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Aditi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jana
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology and Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, CAS- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Sonali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology and Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, CAS- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Manivannan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jothiramajayam
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology and Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, CAS- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Anish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nag
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Calcutta, India; Centre for Research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Calcutta, India.
authors.forename: Anirban
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nanobiotechnology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Amitava
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology and Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, CAS- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India; Centre for Research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Calcutta, India. Electronic address: anitamukherjee28@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
mesh_terms: D000490:Allium; D004249:DNA Damage; D059565:G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D018519:Meristem / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D014026:Nicotiana; D031307:Vicia faba; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: Cell cycle; Comet assay; Ecotoxicology; Nanotoxicology; Oxidative stress; Phytotoxicity