Transcriptional toxicity of imidazolium- and cholinium-based ionic liquids. Transcriptional toxicity of imidazolium- and cholinium-based ionic liquids

Ionic Liquids are a broad group of salts with low melting points that can be specifically tuned for a broad range of applications. Despite being initially considered “green” solvents, their better environmental friendliness compared to traditional solvents has been increasingly challenged. In this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular effects of ILs exposure by using RNA-sequencing to study differential gene expression patterns. Thus, we exposed Daphnia magna to 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C2mim]Cl), 1-dodecyl chloride-3-methylimidazolium ([C12mim]Cl) and cholinium chloride ([Chol]Cl). Results suggest that the three ILs share several mechanisms of toxicity, including cellular membrane and cytoskeleton damage, oxidative stress, inhibition of antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial affectation, changes in protein biosynthesis and energy production, DNA damage, and ultimately, programmed cell death and disease initiation. Overall, the dataset revealed that [C2mim]Cl and [C12mim]Cl were, respectively, the least and the most toxic ILs at the transcriptional level. Also, it is reinforced that [Chol]Cl is not devoid of environmental hazardous potential. Unique gene expression signatures could also be identified for each IL. Overall design: 12 samples of whole-body mRNA profiles of 48-hours old Daphnia magna: control (3 replicates), exposure to 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (3 replicates), exposure to 1-dodecyl chloride-3-methylimidazolium (3 replicates) and exposure to cholinium chloride (3 replicates)