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Effects of biofilm-coated microplastics on the biological functions of RNA viruses in Mytilus coruscus

Haiping Ma1, Xinjie Liang1, Bin Li2

  • 1National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, China.

Aquatic Toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|June 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Microplastic (MP) pollution impacts marine mussels by altering their RNA viromes. Exposure to biofilm-associated MPs increased viral diversity and enriched antibiotic resistance genes in Mytilus coruscus.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Marine Biology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Microplastic (MP) pollution is a growing environmental concern.
  • MPs can physically affect marine organisms and potentially alter their associated microbial and viral communities.
  • Understanding the impact of MPs on host-associated viromes is crucial for assessing ecological risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of biofilm-associated polyethylene (PE) MPs on the RNA viral communities in the digestive glands of Mytilus coruscus.
  • To analyze changes in viral richness, diversity, composition, and functional profiles following MP exposure.
  • To examine virus-bacteria interactions and host tissue alterations.

Main Methods:

  • In situ experiment exposing Mytilus coruscus to biofilm-associated PE MPs for 21 days.
  • Metatranscriptomic analysis to characterize RNA viral communities.
  • Bioinformatic analysis for viral composition, functional annotation (ARGs, VFGs, MRGs), and virus-bacteria co-occurrence networks.
  • Histopathological examination of host tissues.

Main Results:

  • Biofilm-associated MPs exposure significantly increased viral richness and diversity in M. coruscus digestive glands.
  • Viral composition in exposed mussels shifted towards that of MPs biofilms, with altered relative abundances of viral taxa.
  • Increased abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), virulence factor genes (VFGs), and metal resistance genes (MRGs) was observed in MPs-exposed digestive glands.
  • Reduced connectivity in virus-bacteria co-occurrence networks and histopathological alterations in digestive gland, gill, and mantle tissues were noted.

Conclusions:

  • MPs exposure alters the host-associated RNA virome composition and functional profiles in M. coruscus.
  • MPs can influence virus-bacteria interactions and cause tissue damage in marine bivalves.
  • This study highlights the ecological implications of MPs pollution on marine host-associated viromes.
Keywords:
Biological functionMacroviromeMicroplastics (MPs)Mytilus coruscus (M. coruscus)

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