Graphene Oxide-Induced Toxicity in Social Insects: Study on Ants Through Integrated Analysis of Physiology, Gut Microbiota, and Transcriptome.

ABSTRACT: Ants act as keystone species in terrestrial ecosystems, providing important ecosystem services. The large-scale production and application of GO constitute a predominant contributor to its inevitable environmental dispersion. Most GO toxicity studies have focused on plants, animals, and microorganisms, with limited research on ground-dwelling ants. In the study, we used Camponotus japonicus as a model to investigate the toxic effects of GO on ants by integrating physiological characteristics, gut microbiota and transcriptome profiling. Results showed that GO exposure induced mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by mitochondrial ROS accumulation and elevated mitochondrial membrane permeability. Physiological assessments revealed that GO exposure induced oxidative stress. Specifica

SUBMITTER: Lei T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12841737 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature