Study of Developmental and Immunogenic Consequences of Silver Nanoparticles in Drosophila

‘Silver’ is indeed a magic metal which has been a part of human kind since ancient times. On account of its strong anti-microbial activity, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have occupied a central position in pharmaceutical and consumer products. In spite of its large scale applications in consumer products, organismal toxicity of AgNPs is also well reported. Therefore the present study was undertaken to study developmental and immunogenic responses of laboratory synthesized AgNPs using Drosophila melanogaster as model system. Present study has dealt with the extensive characterization of AgNPs to understand their biological consequences especially genetic, chromosomal and developmental biological endpoints using Drosophila as model system. Laboratory synthesized PVP- coated AgNPs were characterized to ascertain their size, shape and surface morphology. By virtue of their direct binding with the amines, AgNPs showed dose dependent effects on various biological processes. Doses beyond 0.1 mM were found to affect adversely on life cycle, fecundity, longevity and courtship behaviour for male mate preference. Interestingly, AgNPs were also found to affect the injury- triggered melanogenesis in larvae indicating compromised innate immunity as well as melanin synthetic pathway. Same phenomenon of absence of melanization was reiterated in adults. These findings demonstrate AgNP mediated developmental and immunogenic consequences in Drosophila which is one of the best studied animal model systems.