Abstract
Aluminium, a substance found in large amounts in nature, has been widely used for various purposes, especially food additives. The effects of long-term and excessive exposure to aluminium on human health are receiving increasing attention. The extensive human use of aluminium food additives can also cause aluminium to enter the ecosystem, where it has significant impacts on insects. This study explored the cytotoxicity and changes in gene expression under aluminium potassium sulfate toward Spodoptera frugiperda 9 cells. We found that high concentrations of aluminium resulted in cell enlargement and cell membrane breakage, decreased cell vitality, and apoptosis. Through RNA-Seq transcriptomics, we found that aluminium ions may inhibit the expression of regulatory-associated protein of mTOR, tdIns-dependent protein kinase-1, and small heat shock proteins (heat shock 70 kDa protein and crystallin alpha B), leading to changes in mTOR-related pathways (such as the longevity regulation pathway and PI3K-Akt signalling pathway), and promoting cell apoptosis. On the other hand, aluminium ions lead to the overexpression of GSH S-transferase, prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase and pyrimidodiazepine synthase, and induce intracellular oxidative damage, which ultimately affects cell growth and apoptosis through a series of cascade reactions.
Highlights
Aluminium, a ubiquitous element in nature, is widely used; it is present everywhere in the ambient environment
When Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (SF9) cells were treated with Aluminium potassium sulfate dodecahydrate (APS) at different concentrations, the cell morphology changed with increasing APS concentrations (Fig. 1)
Through cell morphology, viability curve and apoptosis analyses, we found that high concentrations of aluminium alter cell morphology, reduce cell vitality, and cause apoptosis
Summary
A ubiquitous element in nature, is widely used; it is present everywhere in the ambient environment. Insects are the largest group of animals on Earth, accounting for approximately 60% of all animals (Wielkopolan and Obrępalska-Stęplowska 2016). They are so diverse that they can be found in almost every area of the world. Insects are important parts of the ecosystem but are highly affected by human beings. The extensive use of aluminium additives by humans can cause aluminium to enter the ecosystem, where it has significant impacts on insects. Continuous contact and accumulation of aluminium may have an impact on the growth and reproduction of insects, with possible effects at the ecosystem level
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
