Assessing the Impacts of Cu and Mo Engineered Nanomaterials on Crop Plant Growth Using a Targeted Proteomics Approach

In this study, we investigated the effects of molybdenum (Mo)-based nanofertilizer and copper (Cu)-based nanopesticide exposure on wheat through a multifaceted approach, including physiological measurements, metal uptake and translocation analysis, and targeted proteomics analysis. Wheat plants were grown under a 16 h photoperiod (light intensity 150 μmol·m^–2·s^–1) for 4 weeks at 22 °C and 60% humidity with 6 different treatments, including control, Mo, and Cu exposure through root and leaf. The exposure dose was 6.25 mg of element per plant through either root or leaf. An additional low-dose (0.6 mg Mo/plant) treatment of Mo through root was added after phytotoxicity was observed. Using targeted proteomics approach, 24 proteins involved in 12 metabolomic pathways were quantitated to understand the regulation at the protein level. Mo exposure, particularly through root uptake, induced significant upregulation of 16 proteins associated with 11 metabolic pathways, with the fold change (FC) ranging from 1.28 to 2.81. Notably, a dose-dependent response of Mo exposure through the roots highlighted the delicate balance between nutrient stimulation and toxicity as a high Mo dose led to robust protein upregulation but also resulted in depressed physiological measurements, while a low Mo dose resulted in no depression of physiological measurements but downregulations of proteins, especially in the first leaf (0.23 < FC < 0.68) and stem (0.13 < FC < 0.68) tissues. Conversely, Cu exposure exhibited tissue-specific effects, with pronounced downregulation (18 proteins involved in 11 metabolic pathways) particularly in the first leaf tissues (root exposure: 0.35 < FC < 0.74; leaf exposure: 0.49 < FC < 0.72), which indicated the quick response of plants to Cu-induced stress in the early stage of exposure. By revealing the complexities of plants’ response to engineered nanomaterials at both physiological and molecular levels, this study provides insights for optimizing nutrient management practices in crop production and advancing toward sustainable agriculture.