Abstract
In spite of the mounting concerns, current understanding of the extent and mechanisms of phytotoxicity of manufactured nanomaterials remains limited. Here we show that in Arabidopsis thaliana, ultra-small anatase TiO2 nanoparticles cause reorganization and elimination of microtubules followed by the accelerated and 26S proteasome-dependent degradation of tubulin monomers. Similar to other microtubule-disrupting agents, TiO2 nanoparticles induce isotropic growth of root cells. Because microtubules are essential for the normal function of all eukaryotic cells, these results reveal a potentially important consequence of environmental pollution by this widely used nanomaterial.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 811-820 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Plant, Cell and Environment |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2011 |
Keywords
- 26S proteasome
- Anatase TiO nanoparticles
- Arabidopsis thaliana
- Microtubules
- Nanotoxicity biomarker
- Tubulin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Plant Science