Metabolomic analysis provides new insights into the heat-hardening response of Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) to high temperature stress

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-01, Vol.857, p.159430-159430, Article 159430
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yanming, Nie, Hongtao, Yan, Xiwu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Heat stress; Heat-hardening; KEGG; Manila clam; Metabolomic analysis
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159430

The temperature has always been a key environmental factor in Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) culture. In this study, the Manila clam was treated to different temperature pre-heat (28 °C, 30 °C) and gained heat tolerance after recover of 12 h, and a survival rate (14.7 %–49.1 %) advantage after high temperature challenge (30 and 32 °C). To further investigate the physiological and metabolism changes in Manila clam that had experienced a heat stress, non-targeted metabolomics (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze the metabolic responses of gills in three group Manila clams during the heat challenge. Metabolic profiles revealed that high temperature caused changes in fatty acid composition, energy metabolism, antioxidant metabolites, hydroxyl compounds, and amino acids in heat-hardened clams compared to non-hardened clams. We found a number of significantly enriched pathways, including cAMP signaling pathway, serotonergic synapse, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids in heat-hardened Manila clam compared with non-hardened and untreated Manila clam. After a brief high temperature treatment, the physiological maintenance ability of Manila clam was improved. Combined with metabolomics analysis, heat hardening treatment may improve the energy metabolism and antioxidant ability of Manila clam. These results provide new insights into the cellular and metabolic responses of Manila clams following high temperature stress. [Display omitted] •Metabolic profiles of Manila clam under high-temperature stress•Heat-hardening may improve the energy metabolism ability of Manila clam.•Heat-hardening may improve the antioxidant ability of Manila clam.•Heat-hardening improves the heat tolerance ability of Manila clam.•New insights gained into the metabolic response of Manila clams to heat stress.