Nanoplastic-mediated non-B DNA mutagenicity

Abstract

Plastic-derived materials have become persistent ecological contaminants since their industrial introduction in the mid-20th century. In that context, nanoplastics (NPs) have been discussed as an emerging, ubiquitous plastic-derived pollutant with unique physicochemical properties. Their increased surface-to-volume ratio enhances their adsorption, reactivity, and cellular penetration, driving distinct ecotoxicological behaviours when compared to larger plastic particles. In this study, we identify direct NP-induced DNA mutagenesis in Salmonella enterica. Using a combination of biochemical and biophysical studies, as well as mutagenicity assays, we show that functionalized and non-functionalized NPs induce mutations, depending on the energy state of the bacteria and the NP surface chemistry, by disrupting base-stacking and base-pairing - an intrinsic property of all DNA. Whole-genome analysis revealed that exposure to NPs alters the mutational spectrum and mutation frequency, while circular dichroism spectroscopy demonstrated NP-induced helical flipping from B- to non-B DNA conformations. These motifs preferentially adopt Z-like or A/B-hybrid structures associated with localized mutagenesis through DNA destabilization. Our combined data reveal that NP-mediated mutagenesis is based on surface chemistry and DNA topology, linking surface chemistry on nanoplastics to genomic instability in vivo. The proposed mechanism redefines the current perspective on nanoplastic toxicity shifting it from an indirect stress to direct macromolecular interactions. This mechanism provides a molecular framework for understanding how NPs could impose mutation bias, environmental selection pressure, and potential genomic risk across biological systems.