Polystyrene Nanoplastic Contaminants Denature Human Apolipoprotein A-1

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Biochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Nanoplastics are pervasive environmental contaminants due to widespread plastic use.
• Understanding protein interactions with nanoplastics is crucial for assessing their toxicity and health impacts.
• Determining the structure and orientation of proteins in the nanoplastic protein corona remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the structural changes of human apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1) when adsorbed onto polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics.
• To elucidate the aggregation and structural formation of ApoA-1 at the nanoplastic interface.

Main Methods:

• Utilized *in situ* sum frequency scattering vibrational spectroscopy.
• Employed two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy to probe protein structure.
• Analyzed ApoA-1 adsorption onto polystyrene nanoparticles.

Main Results:

• Spectroscopic data indicate ApoA-1 aggregates and forms fibrillar structures at the PS nanoplastic interface.
• Observed clustering of PS nanoplastics due to ApoA-1 aggregation.
• The study provides insights into the molecular-level interactions between proteins and nanoplastics.

Conclusions:

• ApoA-1 undergoes significant structural changes, forming fibrillar aggregates on nanoplastics.
• Nanoplastic-protein interactions, specifically ApoA-1 aggregation, may lead to nanoplastic clustering.
• These findings highlight a potential health risk associated with nanoplastic exposure.