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Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells
Published on: February 18, 2014
Fluorescent visualization of endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by microplastic pollution via surge of
Le Yang1, Xinchao Xia1, Fan Li1
1Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Cytochemistry, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, 410114, PR China.
Background:
Excessive accumulation of microplastics (MPs) inside the body can induce serious diseases, and the potential pathological mechanism was related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by the surge of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, until now, the invasion of MPs triggering this unique process remains elusive.
Results:
Herein, peroxynitrite (ONOO-), was selected as the model target, and an ER-targeted fluorogenic probe (ER-NA-PB) was constructed for real-time visualizing the fluctuation of ONOO- during cellular ER stimulated by MPs. ER-NA-PB exhibited excellent sensitivity (15.2 nM) and selectivity toward ONOO- in aqueous solution, and the exogenous and endogenous ONOO- fluctuation in ER also can be visualized by this potently fluorescent tracing tool. In addition, ER-NA-PB revealed that the content of ONOO- in ER during stimulation of MPs was elevated with increase of MPs concentration and prolongation of stimulation time.
Significance:
For the first time, the fluctuation of active molecule in embryonic tissue was revealed by fluorescence probe, and this research provides a promising tool for deeper studying the pathological mechanisms underlying relevant diseases caused by MPs pollution inducing ER stress.
Insights
Microplastics (MPs) trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via reactive oxygen species (ROS). A new probe visualizes peroxynitrite (ONOO-) fluctuations in ER, revealing elevated levels with increased MP exposure.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Cellular Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Microplastic (MP) accumulation causes disease linked to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- The precise mechanism of MP invasion triggering ER stress remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for real-time visualization of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) fluctuations in ER during MP exposure.
- To investigate the role of ONOO- in MP-induced ER stress.
Main Methods:
- Construction of an ER-targeted fluorogenic probe (ER-NA-PB) for ONOO- detection.
- Assessment of probe sensitivity and selectivity for ONOO-.
- Visualization of ONOO- changes in ER under MP stimulation in vitro.
Main Results:
- ER-NA-PB demonstrated high sensitivity (15.2 nM) and selectivity for ONOO-.
- The probe successfully visualized exogenous and endogenous ONOO- fluctuations in ER.
- ONOO- levels in ER increased with higher MP concentrations and longer exposure times.
Conclusions:
- This study presents a novel fluorescence probe (ER-NA-PB) for tracking ONOO- in ER.
- The findings reveal ONOO- as a key mediator in MP-induced ER stress.
- This research offers a valuable tool for studying diseases linked to MP pollution and ER stress.
