Differential Regulation of Gene and Protein Expression by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Hen's Ovarian Granulosa Cells: Specific Roles of Nanoparticles

PLoS One. 2015 Oct 13;10(10):e0140499. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140499. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Annually, tons and tons of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are produced in the world. And they are applied in almost all aspects of our life. Their release from the products into environment may pose issue for human health. Although many studies have reported the adverse effects of ZnO NPs on organisms, little is known about the effects on female reproductive systems or the related mechanisms. Quantitative proteomics have not been applied although quantitative transcriptomics have been used in zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) research. Genes are very important players however proteins are the real actors in the biological systems. By using hen's ovarian granulosa cells, it was found that ZnO-NP-5μg/ml and ZnSO4-10μg/ml treatments produced the same amount of intracellular Zn and resulted in similar cell growth inhibition. And NPs were found in the treated cells. However, ZnO-NP-5μg/ml specifically regulated the expression of genes and proteins compared with that in ZnSO4-10μg/ml treatment. For the first time, this investigation reports that intact NPs produce different impacts on the expression of genes and proteins involved in specific pathways compared to that by Zn2+. The findings enrich our knowledge for the molecular insights of zinc oxide nanoparticles effects on the female reproductive systems. This also may raise the health concern that ZnO NPs may adversely affect the female reproductive systems through regulation of specific signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Avian Proteins / genetics
  • Avian Proteins / metabolism
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chickens / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Granulosa Cells / cytology*
  • Granulosa Cells / drug effects
  • Granulosa Cells / metabolism*
  • Isotope Labeling
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Zinc Oxide / toxicity*
  • Zinc Sulfate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Avian Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Zinc Sulfate
  • Zinc Oxide

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31402256).