Nanomaterials, including zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), have a great application potential in many fields, such as medicine, the textile industry, electronics, and cosmetics. Their impact on the environment must be carefully investigated and specified due to their wide range of application. However, the amount of data on possible negative effects of ZnO NPs on plants at the cellular level are still insufficient. Thus, we focused on the effect of ZnO NPs on tobacco BY-2 cells, i.e., a widely accepted plant cell model. Adverse effects of ZnO NPs on both growth and biochemical parameters were observed. In addition, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species visualizations confirmed that ZnO NPs may induce oxidative stress. All these changes were associated with the lipid peroxidation and changes in the plasma membrane integrity, which together with endoplasmatic reticulum and mitochondrial dysfunction led to autophagy and programmed cell death. The present study demonstrates that the phytotoxic effect of ZnO NPs on the BY-2 cells is very complex and needs further investigation.

• Keywords
• BY-2 cells, ZnO nanoparticles, autophagy, oxidative stress, phytotoxicity, programmed cell death,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

• MeSH
• Adsorption MeSH
• Bacillus cereus enzymology   MeSH
• Bacteria enzymology   MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Sodium Chloride pharmacology   MeSH
• Dextrans pharmacology   MeSH
• Ethanol pharmacology   MeSH
• Hydrolysis MeSH
• Caseins metabolism   MeSH
• Peptide Hydrolases metabolism   MeSH
• Triticum enzymology   growth & development   MeSH
• Soil Microbiology MeSH
• Plants enzymology   metabolism   MeSH
• Seeds MeSH
• Darkness MeSH
• Calcium pharmacology   MeSH
• Plant Development MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Sodium Chloride MeSH
• Dextrans MeSH
• Ethanol MeSH
• Caseins MeSH
• Peptide Hydrolases MeSH
• Calcium MeSH

• MeSH
• Bacteria enzymology   MeSH
• Hydrolysis MeSH
• Zea mays enzymology   MeSH
• Peptide Hydrolases metabolism   MeSH
• Triticum enzymology   MeSH
• Soil Microbiology MeSH
• Plants enzymology   MeSH
• Vegetables enzymology   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Peptide Hydrolases MeSH