Roles of eyestalk in salinity acclimatization of mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) by transcriptomic analysis

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part D, Genomics & proteomics Genomics & proteomics, 2024-12, Vol.52, p.101276, Article 101276
• Main Authors: Mo, Nan, Shao, Shucheng, Cui, Zhaoxia, Bao, Chenchang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acclimatization; Animals; Arthropod Proteins - genetics; Arthropod Proteins - metabolism; Brachyura - genetics; Brachyura - metabolism; Brachyura - physiology; Eye - metabolism; Gene Expression Profiling; Low salinity acclimatization; Neuroendocrine; Osmoregulation; Osmoregulation - genetics; Salinity; Scylla paramamosain; Transcriptome
• ISSN: 1744-117X; 1878-0407; 1878-0407
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101276

Salinity acclimatization refers to the physiological and behavioral adjustments made by crustaceans to adapt to varying salinity environments. The eyestalk, a neuroendocrine organ in crustaceans, plays a crucial role in salinity acclimatization. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying eyestalk involvement in mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) acclimatization, we employed RNA-seq technology to analyze transcriptomic changes in the eyestalk under low (5 ppt) and standard (23 ppt) salinity conditions. This analysis revealed 5431 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 2372 upregulated and 3059 downregulated. Notably, these DEGs were enriched in crucial biological pathways like metabolism, osmoregulation, and signal transduction. To validate the RNA-seq data, we further analyzed 15 DEGs of interest using qRT-PCR. Our results suggest a multifaceted role for the eyestalk: maintaining energy homeostasis, regulating hormone synthesis and release, PKA activity, and downstream signaling, and ensuring proper ion and osmotic balance. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) may function as a key regulator, modulating carbonic anhydrase expression through the activation of the PKA signaling pathway, thereby influencing cellular osmoregulation, and associated metabolic processes. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into unraveling the molecular mechanisms of mud crab acclimatization to low salinity environments. [Display omitted] •Compared the eyestalk transcriptomes of S. paramamosain under 5 ‰ and 23 ‰ conditions.•Eyestalk regulates metabolic processes to maintain normal energy supply.•Eyestalk participates in osmoregulation to maintain ion and osmotic balance within and outside the cell.•The eyestalk is involved in the low salinity adaptation through modulating hormone and signal transduction.•CHH may serve as a key hormone in regulating CA gene expression through activating the PKA signaling pathway.