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Updated: Jul 23, 2025
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Studying Neurobehavioral Effects of Environmental Pollutants on Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: February 5, 2020
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Polystyrene microplastics modulated bdnf expression triggering neurotoxicity via apoptotic pathway in zebrafish
Anjali Suman1, Archisman Mahapatra1, Priya Gupta1
1Molecular Endocrinology and Toxicology Laboratory (METLab), Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India.
Summary
Microplastic exposure in zebrafish embryos altered swimming behavior and induced neurotoxicity by affecting neurotransmitters and apoptotic pathways. Styrene also showed high binding affinity to key human proteins like Bcl-2, p53, and Bdnf.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Developmental Neurobiology
- Molecular Toxicology
Background:
- Microplastics and nanoplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminants.
- The molecular mechanisms of plastic-induced developmental neurotoxicity remain poorly understood.
- The concept of "plastic rivers" highlights the pervasive nature of plastic pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurotoxicity of polystyrene microplastics in zebrafish embryos.
- To elucidate the underlying biomolecular mechanisms of microplastic-induced neurotoxicity.
- To assess the impact of microplastics on behavior, apoptosis, enzyme activity, neurotransmitters, and gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of 500 nm polystyrene microplastics.
- Assessed were behavior, accumulation, embryotoxicity, apoptosis (acridine orange staining), antioxidant enzymes, acetylcholinesterase activity, nitric oxide (NO) levels, and neurotransmitter quantification (serotonin, dopamine).
- Gene expression of bdnf, p53, bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9 was analyzed using qRT-PCR. Bioinformatics methods were used to compare binding affinities between styrene and human proteins.
Main Results:
- Zebrafish embryos accumulated microplastics without significant morphological changes or lethality.
- Swimming behavior was altered, and apoptosis increased in microplastic-exposed embryos.
- Acetylcholinesterase activity decreased, NO levels increased, serotonin and dopamine levels were altered, and bdnf gene expression was downregulated.
- Increased p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and decreased bcl-2 gene expression indicated apoptotic pathway activation.
- Bioinformatics analysis revealed high binding affinities of styrene to human Bcl-2, p53, and Bdnf proteins.
Conclusions:
- Polystyrene microplastics exhibit neurotoxicity in developing zebrafish, causing neuronal dysfunction.
- Microplastic exposure modulates apoptotic signaling and neurotransmitter levels, impacting neurodevelopment.
- Styrene, a component of polystyrene, has a high affinity for key human proteins, suggesting potential molecular interactions and risks.
