Graphene oxide can induce in vitro and in vivo mutagenesis

Sci Rep. 2013 Dec 11:3:3469. doi: 10.1038/srep03469.

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted enormous interests due to its extraordinary properties. Recent studies have confirmed the cytotoxicity of GO, we further investigate its mutagenic potential in this study. The results showed that GO interfered with DNA replication and induced mutagenesis at molecular level. GO treatments at concentrations of 10 and 100 μg/mL altered gene expression patterns at cellular level, and 101 differentially expressed genes mediated DNA-damage control, cell apoptosis, cell cycle, and metabolism. Intravenous injection of GO at 4 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days clearly induced formation of micronucleated polychromic erythrocytes in mice, and its mutagenesis potential appeared to be comparable to cyclophosphamide, a classic mutagen. In conclusion, GO can induce mutagenesis both in vitro and in vivo, thus extra consideration is required for its biomedical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / pathology
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA Damage / drug effects
  • DNA Replication / drug effects
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Graphite / chemistry
  • Graphite / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / chemically induced
  • Mutagenesis / drug effects*
  • Oxides* / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase C-epsilon / genetics

Substances

  • Oxides
  • Graphite
  • Protein Kinase C-epsilon