Hi folks, I am a bit stuck somewhere for the mechanistic study of my project. I was wondering if there is any evidence showing that by binding to plasma membrane, nanoparticles could actually perturb the polymerization of the cytoskeleton (without getting into cytoplasm) thereby inducing toxicity. If so, any experiment I could do to support/ prove it?
Yes, although it isn't necessarily by binding to the plasma membrane but more specifically to the receptors on the plasma membrane that begin a cell-signaling cascade. There is a useful overview here: Article Cell type specific cytoskeleton disruption induced by engine...
There are very few standardized tests in nanoparticle toxicity, but most likely the best test would be an in vitro assay that either looks specifically at cytoskeleton formation or alternatively a transcriptomic analysis that looked at genes related to the cytoskeleton or the target receptor. However, you have to perform an in vitro test carefully - studies of nanoparticles are prone to several artifacts if not performed carefully. There is a useful review here: Article Nanosafety Research-Are We on the Right Track?
- Badges
- Science topic