Biocompatibility assessment of Fe3O4 nanoparticles using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism

Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2020 Jan:227:108645. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.108645. Epub 2019 Oct 22.

Abstract

Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an experimental model, the potential toxicological effects of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) were investigated following exposure to 0-600 mg/L for 24 h. Results revealed that cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by Fe3O4-NPs with an IC50 value of 326.66 mg/L. Mortality showed a concentration-dependent increase, and the highest concentration in this study (600 mg/L) resulted in 22.30% mortality. In addition, Effects on proliferation and mortality were accounted for Fe3O4-NPs rather than iron ion released from Fe3O4-NPs. Scanning and transmission electron microscope observation showed that Fe3O4-NPs extensively attached on the cell surfaces, causing cells to deform and shrink. Moreover, Fe3O4-NPs could be internalized in S. cerevisiae cells via endocytosis and then be distributed in cytoplasm and vesicles. The data of uptake kinetics demonstrated that the maximal accumulation (4.898 mg/g) was reached at 15 h. Besides, percentage of late apoptosis/necrosis was observably increased (p < 0.01) at 600 mg/L (15.80%), and the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes (SOD, Yca1 and Nuc1) were dramatically increased following exposure to Fe3O4-NPs for 24 h. As expected, mitochondrial transmembrane potential was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) at 50-600 mg/L, and biomarkers of oxidative stress (ROS, CAT and SOD) were also markedly changed following exposure. Altogether, the combined results so far indicated Fe3O4-NPs could induce S. cerevisiae cell apoptosis that mediated by mitochondrial impairment and oxidative stress.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Mitochondrial impairment; Nanoparticle; Oxidative stress; Yeast.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / drug effects
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / adverse effects*
  • Mice
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins