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Responses of Organisms to Environmental Chemical Stressors: Molecular and Cellular Insights

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Toxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2025 | Viewed by 4730

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Maria Giulia Lionetto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Itay
Interests: carbonic anhydrase; antioxidant; biomarkers; oxidative stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Organisms are exposed to a number of chemical stressors, most of which are derived from the anthropogenic release of chemical contaminants into the environment from both point and non-point pollution sources. Thus, they develop several molecular and cellular responses to environmental chemical stressors, including, among others, activation of detoxification processes, repair responses, metabolic changes, alterations in enzymatic activity, and changes in gene expression. The study of these responses at the molecular and cellular level can provide insight into the mode of action of chemical stressors, the mechanisms underlying the ability of organisms to cope with stressors, and the early damaging effect produced. This knowledge can contribute to developing markers (biomarkers) of exposure, effect, and susceptibility to environmental chemical stressors, which can represent an environmental early warning for risk assessment.

This Special Issue is aimed to cover the most recent insights into research on the molecular and cellular aspects of the responses of the organisms to environmental chemical stressors with a particular emphasis on emerging approaches and methodologies.

Dr. Maria Giulia Lionetto
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • molecular responses
  • cellular responses
  • protein
  • gene
  • DNA
  • membrane
  • oxidative stress
  • chemical stressor
  • chemical pollutant
  • emerging pollutant

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2568 KiB  
Article
Polystyrene Microplastics Induce Photosynthetic Impairment in Navicula sp. at Physiological and Transcriptomic Levels
by Xi Li, Zunyan Wang, Yiyong Chen and Qi Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(1), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010148 - 27 Dec 2024
Viewed by 404
Abstract
The rising concentration of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments poses increasing ecological risks, yet their impacts on biological communities remain largely unrevealed. This study investigated how aminopolystyrene microplastics (PS-NH2) affect physiology and gene expression using the freshwater alga Navicula sp. as [...] Read more.
The rising concentration of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments poses increasing ecological risks, yet their impacts on biological communities remain largely unrevealed. This study investigated how aminopolystyrene microplastics (PS-NH2) affect physiology and gene expression using the freshwater alga Navicula sp. as the test species. After exposing Navicula sp. to high PS-NH2 concentrations for 24 h, growth was inhibited, with the most significant effect seen after 48 h. Increasing PS-NH2 concentrations reduced chlorophyll content, maximum photochemical quantum yield (Fv/Fm), and the photochemical quenching coefficient (Qp), while the non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) increased, indicating a substantial impact on photosynthesis. PS-NH2 exposure, damaged cell membrane microstructures, activated antioxidant enzymes, and significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that PS-NH2 also affected the gene expression of Navicula sp. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are mainly related to porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, carbon fixation in photosynthesis, endocytosis, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealed significant interactions among DEGs, particularly within photosystem II. These findings shed insights into the toxic mechanisms and environmental implications of microplastic interactions with phytoplankton, deepening our understanding of the potential adverse effects of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Organisms to Environmental Chemical Stressors: Molecular and Cellular Insights)
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21 pages, 3589 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Toxicity of a DEHP and Cadmium Mixture on Sheep Cumulus–Oocyte Complexes
by Antonella Mastrorocco, Letizia Temerario, Valeria Vurchio, Susanna Cotecchia, Nicola Antonio Martino and Maria Elena Dell’Aquila
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010005 - 24 Dec 2024
Viewed by 444
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and Cadmium (Cd) affect female reproduction. To date, toxicological research has focused on the effects of individual contaminants, whereas living beings are exposed to mixtures. This study analyzed the effects of a DEHP/Cd mixture on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of [...] Read more.
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and Cadmium (Cd) affect female reproduction. To date, toxicological research has focused on the effects of individual contaminants, whereas living beings are exposed to mixtures. This study analyzed the effects of a DEHP/Cd mixture on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of sheep cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) compared with single compounds. COCs recovered from slaughterhouses-derived sheep ovaries were in vitro exposed to 0.5 μM DEHP, 0.1 μM Cd, or DEHP/Cd mixture at the same concentrations during 24 h of in vitro maturation (IVM). After IVM, oocyte nuclear chromatin configuration was evaluated, and bioenergetic/oxidative parameters were assessed on expanded cumulus cells (CCs) and matured oocytes (chi-square test and one-way ANOVA; p < 0.05). Under examined conditions, oocyte nuclear maturation was never impaired. However, COC bioenergetics was affected with stronger effects for the mixture than single compounds. Indeed, the percentages of matured oocytes with healthy mitochondrial distribution patterns were reduced (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 for mixture and single compounds, respectively). Oocyte mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ROS levels, and mitochondria/ROS co-localization were reduced, with the same significance level, in all contaminated conditions. CCs displayed increased ROS levels only upon mixture exposure (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in vitro exposure to the DEHP/Cd mixture affected COC quality in the sheep to a greater extent than separate compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Organisms to Environmental Chemical Stressors: Molecular and Cellular Insights)
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11 pages, 1872 KiB  
Article
Polyester Microfibers Exposure Modulates Mytilus galloprovincialis Hemolymph Microbiome
by Manon Auguste, Martina Leonessi, Lapo Doni, Caterina Oliveri, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Damjana Drobne, Luigi Vezzulli and Laura Canesi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(15), 8049; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158049 - 24 Jul 2024
Viewed by 950
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) contamination in the aquatic environment is a cause of concern worldwide since MP can be taken up by different organisms, altering different biological functions. In particular, evidence is accumulating that MP can affect the relationship between the host and its associated [...] Read more.
Microplastic (MP) contamination in the aquatic environment is a cause of concern worldwide since MP can be taken up by different organisms, altering different biological functions. In particular, evidence is accumulating that MP can affect the relationship between the host and its associated microbial communities (the microbiome), with potentially negative health consequences. Synthetic microfibers (MFs) represent one of the main MPs in the marine environment, which can be accumulated by filter-feeding invertebrates, such as bivalves, with consequent negative effects and transfer through the food chain. In the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MFs, with a size distribution resembling that of an MF released from textile washing, have been previously shown to induce multiple stress responses. In this work, in the same experimental conditions, the effects of exposure to PET-MF (96 h, 10, and 100 μg/L) on mussel hemolymph microbiome were evaluated by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. The results show that PET-MF affects the composition of bacterial communities at the phylum, family and genus level, with stronger effects at the lowest concentration tested. The relationship between MF-induced changes in hemolymph microbial communities and responses observed at the whole organism level are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Organisms to Environmental Chemical Stressors: Molecular and Cellular Insights)
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Review

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25 pages, 898 KiB  
Review
Liver and Pancreatic Toxicity of Endocrine-Disruptive Chemicals: Focus on Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress
by Adina V. Lința, Bogdan M. Lolescu, Cosmin A. Ilie, Mihaela Vlad, Alexandru Blidișel, Adrian Sturza, Claudia Borza, Danina M. Muntean and Octavian M. Crețu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7420; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137420 - 6 Jul 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2122
Abstract
In recent years, the worldwide epidemic of metabolic diseases, namely obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been strongly associated with constant exposure to endocrine-disruptive chemicals (EDCs), in particular, the ones able to disrupt various metabolic pathways. EDCs have [...] Read more.
In recent years, the worldwide epidemic of metabolic diseases, namely obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been strongly associated with constant exposure to endocrine-disruptive chemicals (EDCs), in particular, the ones able to disrupt various metabolic pathways. EDCs have a negative impact on several human tissues/systems, including metabolically active organs, such as the liver and pancreas. Among their deleterious effects, EDCs induce mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which are also the major pathophysiological mechanisms underlying metabolic diseases. In this narrative review, we delve into the current literature on EDC toxicity effects on the liver and pancreatic tissues in terms of impaired mitochondrial function and redox homeostasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Organisms to Environmental Chemical Stressors: Molecular and Cellular Insights)
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