Quantum dots exposure alters both development and function of D-type GABAergic motor neurons in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

We examined the in vivo quantum dots (QDs) neurotoxicity and the underlying mechanism using Caenorhabditis elegans D-type GABAergic motor neurons as the assay system. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations of CdTe QDs caused damage on both the development and function of D-type motor neurons, and resulted in translocation of CdTe QDs into D-type motor neurons. In addition to oxidative stress, cell identity was also involved in the induction of the toxicity of QDs on D-type motor neurons. ZnS surface coating blocked CdTe QDs translocation and maintained cell identity, thereby suppressing CdTe QDs neurotoxicity. For the underlying mechanism, we hypothesized that both translocation into the targeted neurons and alterations in the development and function of those targeted neurons contribute to the induction of CdTe QDs neurotoxicity. Considering the conserved property of GABAergic neurons during evolution, our data will shed light on our understanding of the potential risks of QDs to the nervous systems of animals.