Transcriptome Analysis of the Hepatopancreas in theLitopenaeus vannameiResponding to the Lead Stress

Lead (Pb) is one of the most hazardous pollutants and toxic heavy metal in marine environment. The molecular mechanisms of Pb toxicity in aquatic organism are not well understood. In this study, hepatopancreas transcriptome ofLitopenaeus vannamei(L. vannamei) was characterized by a comparison between control and Pb exposure samples using RNA-Seq approach. Hepatopancreas morphology ofL. vannameiwas also assessed. The result reveals that compared with the control group, an increase in the number of B cells was observed following Pb exposure inL. vannamei. Transcriptome data showed that a total of 1593 genes were recognized to be differentially expressed including 1278 up-regulated and 315 down-regulated genes. These genes were mainly associated with energy metabolism, cell apoptosis, exogenous microbial infection, cell junction, and cell adhesion. Fifteen ribosomal protein genes (RPS3, RPS13, RPSA, RPL11, RPS2, RPL8, RPS23, RPL3, RPL5, RPS6, RPS4X, RPS18, RPL19, RPL9, RPL6) were identified as the common hubs of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, as well as part of modules of the PPI network. Besides ribosomal protein, we identified differential expression genes (DEGs) including GAPDH, EEF1A1, HSPA8, UBC, and EEF1G as the common hubs of PPI networks. These findings may have important implications for understanding the adverse biological effects of Pb and its toxic mechanisms, as yet not clearly defined, and provide potential biomarkers of Pb exposure in hepatopancreas ofL. vannamei, which might be useful for monitoring aquatic environments and assessing the health of the marine ecosystem.

Automated summary

This study characterized the hepatopancreas transcriptome of Litopenaeus vannamei using RNA-Seq, revealing an increase in B cell numbers and significant differential gene expression related to energy metabolism, cell apoptosis, and microbial infection. Fifteen ribosomal protein genes were identified as common hubs in protein-protein interaction networks, suggesting potential biomarkers for lead exposure in the marine environment.