Biochemical, transcriptomic and metabolomic responses to total dissolved gas supersaturation and their underlying molecular mechanisms in Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus)

Yeyu Chen; Xiaoyun Wu; Xiaoqing Liu; Jiansheng Lai; Ya Liu; Mingjiang Song; Feiyang Li; Quan Gong

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.114457

Biochemical, transcriptomic and metabolomic responses to total dissolved gas supersaturation and their underlying molecular mechanisms in Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus)

Environ Res. 2023 Jan 1;216(Pt 1):114457. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114457. Epub 2022 Sep 29.

Authors

Yeyu Chen¹, Xiaoyun Wu¹, Xiaoqing Liu², Jiansheng Lai¹, Ya Liu¹, Mingjiang Song¹, Feiyang Li¹, Quan Gong³

Affiliations

¹ The Fishery Institute of the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 611730, China.
² Key Laboratory of Fluid and Power Machinery, Ministry of Education, Xihua University, Chengdu, 610039, China.
³ The Fishery Institute of the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 611730, China. Electronic address: admiral671@163.com.

PMID: 36183788
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114457

Abstract

With the rapid development of hydropower facility construction, the total dissolved gas (TDG) generated by dam discharge is seriously threatening the survival of fish and has become an ecological environmental issue of global concern. However, how TDG affects fish physiology and the underlying molecular mechanism remain poorly known. In this study, Acipenser dabryanus, an ancient living fossil that is a flagship species of the Yangtze River, was exposed to water supersaturated with TDG at a level of 116% for 48 h. A comprehensive analysis was performed to study the effect of TDG supersaturation stress on A. dabryanus, including histopathological, biochemical, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. The histopathological results showed that mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues were seriously damaged after TDG supersaturation stress. Plasma catalase levels increased significantly under TDG supersaturation stress, while superoxide dismutase levels decreased significantly. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 289 upregulated genes and 162 downregulated genes in gill tissue and 535 upregulated and 104 downregulated genes in liver tissue. Metabolomic analysis revealed 63 and 164 differentially abundant metabolites between the control group and TDG group in gill and liver, respectively. The majority of heat shock proteins and genes related to ubiquitin and various immune-related pathways were significantly upregulated by TDG supersaturation stress. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed the upregulation of amino acid metabolism and glycometabolism pathways under TDG supersaturation stress. Glycerophospholipid metabolism was increased which might be associated with maintaining cell membrane integrity. This is the first study revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms of effects of TDG supersaturation on fish. Our results suggested that acute TDG supersaturation stress could enhance immune and antioxidative functions and activate energy metabolic pathways as an adaptive mechanism in A. dabryanus.

Keywords: Acipenser dabryanus; Energy metabolism; Heat shock protein; Immunity; Oxidative response; Total dissolved gas.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Fishes / physiology
Gases* / analysis
Rivers / chemistry
Transcriptome*
Water Movements

Substances

Gases