Evaluation of morphological and molecular changes induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) in embryos of the tropical sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus (Lamarck, 1816)

• Grant number: 17/25568-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2018
• End date: April 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Physiology of Recent Groups
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: José Roberto Machado Cunha da Silva
• Grantee: Letícia Palmeira Pinto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The nanoparticles (NPs) constitute a source of diffuse environmental pollution and difficult remediation, becoming a large and growing environmental problem. Among the different types of NPs, titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) are present in countless human consumption products. As a consequence of this extensive use, nano-TiO2 can be easily inserted in a passive way in marine ecosystems. Sea urchins are considered excellent bioindicators to evaluate the toxicity of many chemical compounds that are considered environmental stressors, especially during their embryonic stages. Exposure to NPS in early stages may affect the development and establishment of these species, especially in coastal waters where the NPS are less diffuse and more concentrated. Considering the harmful effects in the marine environment, the aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of exposure to nano-TiO2 (1 and 5 ¼g/ML) in tropical sea urchin embryos Lytechinus variegatus (12 and 24 h post-fertilization). Therefore, the following parameters will be evaluated: morphological, considering malformations; transcriptional profile of genes and components of signaling pathways induced by environmental stress (HSPs and MPKs); and the possible accumulation of nano-TiO2 by transmission electron microscopy. In this way, the results will bring a new perspective to the potential impact of nano-TiO2 during the development of tropical sea urchin, and may contribute to new tools for biomonitoring in tropical marine environment. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PALMEIRA-PINTO, L.; EMERENCIANO, A. K.; BERGAMI, E.; JOVIANO, W. R.; ROSA, A. R.; NEVES, C. L.; CORSI, I.; MARQUES-SANTOS, L. F.; SILVA, J. R. M. C.. Alterations induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) in fertilization and embryonic and larval development of the tropical sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, v. 188, p. 10-pg., 2023-05-09. (17/25568-0, 18/14086-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

PINTO, Letícia Palmeira. Morphological Changes Induced by Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (nano-TiO 2 ) during the Development of the Tropical Sea Urchin Lytechinus variegatus (Lamarck, 1816).. 2021. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.