The study suggests that distinct molecular structures within each type of PFAS drives changes in gene expression. Credit: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki/University at Buffalo
Researchers have identified 11 genes which could be key to understanding the brains response to PFAS substances. The genes, some of which are vital for neuronal health processes, were discovered to be consistently affected when exposed to PFAS regardless of the specific type of PFAS tested.
“Our findings indicate these genes may be markers to detect and monitor PFAS-induced neurotoxicity in the future,” says G. Ekin Atilla-Gokcumen, Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University at Buffalo.
Additionally, in their study published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience, the team discovered hundreds more genes which altered their expression based on the compound tested. The researchers also found that the extent of a gene’s expression change had no correlation with the level at which the PFAS accumulated in a cell, suggesting that distinct structures within each PFAS are what drive gene expression.
Although the expression of hundreds of genes was altered when exposed to PFAS, 11 were found to express the same way regardless of the PFAS they were exposed to. “Each of these 11 genes exhibited consistent regulation across all PFAS that we tested. This uniform response suggests that they may serve as promising markers for assessing PFAS exposure, but further research is needed to know how these genes respond to other types of PFAS,” Atilla-Gokcumen added.
Despite their harmful nature a suitable substitute for PFAS has not been discovered for a number of industries, making studies like this crucial for assessing PFAS impacts.
“If we understand why some PFAS are more harmful than others, we can prioritize phasing out the worst offenders while seeking safer substitutes,” Atilla-Gokcumen explains. “This research is a major step towards achieving this goal.”