Toxicity of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticle: Emphasis on Proteomes and Genome

Over the last decade, nanotechnology has found particular interest among scientists as well as industry because it enables obtaining materials showing outstanding properties. Such materials include, for example, silver and gold nanoparticles, as well as zinc oxide and titanium oxide nanoparticles, despite their toxic effects, have caused its usage in various fields of industry, healthcare, medicine and agriculture to increase. Consequently, every day each of our cells and biomolecules are exposed into nanoscale products and technologies. For example, clothing containing nanoparticles (silver for its antibacterial effect or titanium dioxide for shining and self-cleaning properties), MRI resolution marker, packaging and hygienic creams and lotions and even toys. What happens in this contact? Our results showed that nanoparticles cause the loss of the original properties of biomolecules and organelles. This denaturation is a result of the formation of the corona on the surfaces of nanoparticles and causes the decrement of nanoparticle activity and features. Biomolecules (Proteins, DNA and RNA) interact with nanoparticles through either a weak interaction bond (soft corona) or a strong interaction bond (hard corona). This interaction, causes variations in the biomolecules first/secondary/third structure and a drastic decrease in its activity. As well as the biomolecules, the interacted metal and metal oxide loss their biological activity, stability, and precipitate. The results sum up in the fact that, the effect of nanoparticles and biomolecules should be identified and accurately understood prior to their usage. The effects of nanoparticles on biomolecules have been shown to reduce the activity of both itself and the biomolecules.

Keywords:

Metal and metal oxide Nanoparticles , Biomolecules , CORONA formation , Toxicity.