Mixtures of rare earth elements show antagonistic interactions in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

In order to better understand the environmental risks of rare earth elements (REEs), it is necessary determine their fate and biological effects under environmentally relevant conditions (e.g. at low concentrations, REE mixtures). Here, unicellular freshwater microalga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, was exposed for 2 h one three soluble REEs (Ce, Tm, Y) salts 0.5 ?M or an equimolar mixture these REEs. RNA sequencing revealed common among Known functions differentially expressed genes support on protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, phosphate transport homeostasis Fe Ca. The only stress response detected related misfolding reticulum. When were applied as a mixture, antagonistic overwhelmingly observed with transcriptomic results suggesting that initially competing each other bio-uptake. Metal biouptake consistent this interpretation. These suggest approach government agencies regulate using data from single metal exposures may be largely conservative approach.