Microplastic-induced apoptosis and metabolism responses in marine Dinoflagellate, Karenia mikimotoi

Microplastics (MPs) occur widely in marine environments, and disturb the balance of aquatic ecosystems. In this study, programmed cell apoptosis in marine dinoflagellate, Karenia mikimotoi exposed to 10 mg L-1 micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs; polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate) for 72 h was assessed. Prior to the toxicity assay, MPs/NPs were dialyzed to remove possible additives. Cell viability, membrane integrity, cell apoptosis, and total DNA concentration were measured to assess programmed cell apoptosis in K. mikimotoi following exposure to MPs/NPs. A transcriptome analysis was used to explore the potential toxic mechanism of MPs to K. mikimotoi. Programmed cell apoptosis was related to the size of MPs/NPs, and NPs could more easily impair cell viability, and reduced cell membrane integrity and DNA concentration. NP particles caused continuous apoptosis of K. mikimotoi compared to MP particles. Size had the greatest effect on toxicity in K. mikimotoi. In conclusion, the results evidenced that both MPs and NPs have a negative impact on the marine dinoflagellate, K. mikimotoi. However, NPs were more harmful to K mikimotoi than MPs, highlighting the potential ecological problems associated with exposure to NPs.