Phytotoxic effect and molecular mechanism induced by graphene towards alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) by integrating transcriptomic and metabolomics analysis

Although the widespread use of nanoparticles has been reported in various fields, the toxic mechanisms of molecular regulation involved in the alfalfa treated by nanomaterials is still in the preliminary research stage. In this study, Bara 310 SC (Bara, tolerant genotype) and Gold Empress (Gold, susceptible genotype) were used to investigate how the leaves of alfalfa interpret the physiological responses to graphene stress based on metab-olome and transcriptome characterizations. Herein, graphene at different concentrations (0, 1% and 2%, w/w) were selected as the analytes. Physiological results showed antioxidant defence system and photosynthesis was significantly disturbed under high environmental concentration of graphene. With Ultra high performance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS), 406 metabolites were detected and 62/13 and 110/58 metabolites significantly changed in the leaves of Gold/Bara under the 1% and 2%-graphene treatments (w/w), respectively. The most important metabolites which were accumulated under graphene stress includes amino acids, flavonoids, organic acids and sugars. Transcriptomic analysis reveals 1125 of core graphene-responsive genes in alfalfa that was robustly differently expressed in both genotypes. And differential expression genes (DEGs) potentially related to photosynthetic enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, amino acids metabolism, and sucrose and starch metabolic which finding was supported by the metabolome study. Gold was more disturbed by graphene stress at both transcriptional and metabolic levels, since more stress-responsive genes/metabolites were identified in Gold. A comprehensive analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data highlights the important role of amino acid metabolism and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism pathways for graphene tolerance in alfalfa. Our study provide necessary information for better understanding the phyto-toxicity molecular mechanism underlying nanomaterials tolerance of plant.

Automated summary

This study investigates the physiological responses of alfalfa leaves to stress caused by graphene by analyzing the metabolome and transcriptome characteristics. The results show that high concentrations of graphene significantly disrupt the antioxidant defense system and photosynthesis. Metabolomic analysis reveals significant changes in metabolites in the leaves of both genotypes under graphene treatment. Transcriptomic analysis identifies core graphene-responsive genes that are differentially expressed in alfalfa. The findings suggest the important role of amino acid metabolism and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism pathways in graphene tolerance in alfalfa.