Induction of Protective Response Associated with Expressional Alterations in Neuronal G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Polystyrene Nanoparticle Exposed <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>

Abstract

In this study, the association of expressional alterations in neuronal G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with induction of protective response to polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) was investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans. On the basis of both phenotypic analysis and expression levels, the alterations in expressions of NPR-1, NPR-4, NPR-8, NPR-9, NPR-12, DCAR-1, GTR-1, DOP-2, SER-4, and DAF-37 in neuronal cells mediated the protective response to PS-NPs exposure. In neuronal cells, NPR-9, NPR-12, DCAR-1, and GTR-1 controlled the PS-NPs toxicity by activating or inhibiting JNK-1/JNK MAPK signaling. Neuronal NPR-8, NPR-9, DCAR-1, DOP-2, and DAF-37 controlled the PS-NPs toxicity by activating or inhibiting MPK-1/ERK MAPK signaling. Neuronal NPR-4, NPR-8, NPR-9, NPR-12, GTR-1, DOP-2, and DAF-37 controlled the PS-NPs toxicity by activating or inhibiting DBL-1/TGF-β signaling. Neuronal NPR-1, NPR-4, NPR-12, and GTR-1 controlled the PS-NPs toxicity by activating or inhibiting DAF-7/TGF-β signaling. Our data provides an important neuronal basis for induction of protective response to PS-NPs in C. elegans.