Uncovering Mitochondrial Defects Induced by Chemicals: A Case Study of Low-Dose Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffin Exposure

作者：Ningbo Geng, Shuangshuang Chen, Yangyang Bian, Chengcheng Shi, Chenhao Huang, Lin Cheng, Yun Luo, Ying Yu, Yuan Gao, Li Wang, Haijun Zhang, Yufeng Gong, Jiping Chen · 发表于：Environmental Science & Technology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1021/acs.est.4c09460 · 被引用次数：7 · 研究领域：Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact、Mitochondrial Function and Pathology、Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment

Given the susceptibility of mitochondria to environmental pollutants, mitochondrial defects are critical end points for chemical safety evaluation. In this study, we present a comprehensive strategy for assessing mitochondrial toxicity, exemplified through a case study on medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs, C x H 2 x +2– y Cl y with 14–17 carbon atoms), one of the most abundant organic pollutants in the human body. Our results demonstrate that MCCP exposure at levels commonly found in humans significantly reduces cellular ATP content by impairing mitochondrial respiration rather than glycolysis. Using an optimized mitochondrial metabolomics approach combined with dose-resolved proteomics, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying MCCP-induced mitochondrial defects, including inhibition of the electron transport chain, mitochondrial membrane damage, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and disruptions in nucleotide metabolism. Notably, over 80% of the MCCP-regulated mitochondrial proteins exhibited EC 50 values below the human internal levels of MCCPs, highlighting a significant threat to human health. This proposed strategy for mitochondrial toxicity assessment is expected to facilitate future research in mitochondrial toxicology.