Nanotoxicity of Ultrasmall Silver Nanoclusters to Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are essential primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. Silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) are emerging ultrasmall nanomaterials with broad applications; however, they inevitably enter aquatic environments. This study investigated the nanotoxicity of Ag NCs on model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (Syn7942), revealing concentration-dependent growth inhibition with a 72 h half-maximal effective concentration of 1.19 mg L−1. Ag NCs internalized into Syn7942 cells severely impaired the photosynthetic machinery, evidenced by reduced chlorophyll a content and suppressed photochemical reactions, leading to impaired electron transport. This photosynthetic dysfunction resulted in substantial reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation, as indicated by elevated levels of malondialdehydes. Although the activities of key antioxidant enzymes were enhanced, oxidative damage ultimately overwhelmed the cellular defense capacity. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of silver ions (Ag+) release coupled with comparative toxicity assays of Ag+ and Ag NCs confirmed that the toxicity originates from the Ag NCs themselves, rather than from the released Ag+. Transcriptional level analysis revealed that Ag NCs altered the expression of genes involved in photosynthesis and metal detoxification. Collectively, this study reveals a unique toxicity mechanism for Ag NCs distinct from that for Ag NPs and Ag+, highlighting the potential ecological risks posed by ultrasmall nanomaterials.