Phthalate impacts egg formation in C. elegans, leading to irregular chromosome numbers.
A latest research performed on roundworms has found {that a} widespread plastic ingredient may cause DNA strand breaks, resulting in egg cells with an irregular variety of chromosomes. The analysis, led by Monica Colaiácovo from Harvard Medical Faculty, was lately revealed within the journal PLOS Genetics.
Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) is a chemical that makes plastic extra versatile and sturdy, and is discovered in lots of client merchandise, together with meals packaging, private care merchandise, and kids’s toys. Earlier research have proven that BBP interferes with the physique’s hormones and impacts human copy and growth, however the particulars of the way it impacts copy have been unclear.
Experimental Method
Within the new research, researchers examined a variety of doses of BBP on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and regarded for irregular adjustments in egg cells. They noticed that at ranges much like these detected in people, BBP interferes with how newly copied chromosomes are distributed into the intercourse cells. Particularly, BBP causes oxidative stress and breaks within the DNA strands, which result in cell demise and egg cells with the unsuitable variety of chromosomes.
Primarily based on these findings, the researchers suggest that BBP publicity alters gene expression in ways in which trigger important harm to the DNA, finally resulting in lower-quality egg cells with irregular chromosomes. The research additionally confirmed that C. elegans metabolizes BBP in the identical method as mammals, and is impacted at related BBP ranges that happen in people, suggesting that C. elegans is an efficient mannequin for learning the impacts in individuals. Total, the research underscores the poisonous nature of this quite common plastic ingredient and the harm it causes to animal copy.
The authors summarize: “Right here, analyzing the feminine germline within the nematode C. elegans, this research discovered {that a} stage of publicity inside the vary detected in human serum and urine, alters gene expression linking elevated germline oxidative stress with compromised genomic integrity and errors in meiotic chromosome segregation.”
Reference: “Publicity to benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) results in elevated double-strand break formation and germline dysfunction in Caenorhabditis elegans” by Ayana L. Henderson, Rajendiran Karthikraj, Emma L. Berdan, Shannan Ho Sui, Kurunthachalam Kannan and Monica P. Colaiácovo, 24 October 2024, PLOS Genetics.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011434