Ocean acidification (OA) and microplastic (MP) pollution are widespread marine stressors, yet their interactive effects on seafood quality and molecular metabolism remain unclear. This study investigated the combined effects of OA (pH 7.7) and MPs (2 and 200 μg/L) on the Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas). OA was the primary driver of textural deterioration, significantly reducing springiness and chewiness, while combined stress synergistically depleted protein and lipid reserves. Distinct lipid remodeling strategies were identified: OA induced DHA accumulation potentially associated with membrane stabilization, whereas MPs triggered EPA and ARA upregulation associated with stress and immune responses. The flavor profile was severely compromised, characterized by depletion of umami amino acids, nucleotide redistribution, and altered succinate contribution. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that high MP exposure activated genome maintenance and DNA repair-associated pathways, including the Fanconi anemia pathway, superimposed on OA-associated metabolic suppression. Concurrent upregulation of nucleotide salvage (APRT, HPRT) and amino acid catabolic genes (GLS, GDH) suggests increased utilization of flavor metabolites for energetic demands. These findings support a bioenergetic trade-off in which oysters exposed to OA and MPs reallocate resources from nutritional and sensory quality toward cellular maintenance and stress adaptation, highlighting underrecognized consequences of climate change and plastic pollution for seafood quality.
Yi-Chi Ma, Meng-Hong Hu, V. Thiyagarajan et al.· Environmental Science &...· 0 citations
Toll-like receptor (TLR) family proteins act as pattern recognition receptors with pivotal roles in immune defense; however, the function of TLRs in marine mollusks requires further investigation. In this study, we identified a novel TLR gene (CfTLR-Like-1 [CfTLR-L1]) in Chlamys farreri and analyzed its immune functions. CfTLR-L1 has a coding sequence of 1,785 bp and encodes 594 amino acids. It includes typical protein domains; the amino acid sequences of the protein domains are conserved. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated a close evolutionary relationship among proteins in the mollusk TLR subfamily. CfTLR-L1 is predominantly located on the cell membrane. CfTLR-L1 mRNA is expressed in all tissues, particularly in the hepatopancreas and mantle. Pathogenic stressors, including lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, Vibrio anguillarum, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio splendidus, and acute viral necrosis virus, significantly increase the levels of CfTLR-L1 mRNA transcripts. The Toll/interleukin 1 receptor (TIR) domain of CfTLR-L1 interacts with the MyD88 family proteins of scallops (including CfMyD88-1, CfMyD88-3, and CfMyD88-4), implying that multiple unique TLR signal transduction mechanisms exist in marine mollusks. CfTLR-L1-TIR interacts with CfMyD88-1-P3, which contains only the TIR structural domain. Overexpression of CfTLR-L1-TIR in HEK293T cells activated reporter genes, including IFNβ, IFNγ, and STAT3. Similarly, overexpression of CfTLR-L1 significantly affected mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, specifically of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Our findings expand the knowledge of the role of TLR in mollusk immunity and may provide evidence for selecting disease-resistant scallops for cultivation.
Jilv Ma, Fengchen Liu, Zihao Zhang et al.· Developmental and Comparativ...· 0 citations
SiTRAF3 is identified as a pivotal scaffold protein in the echinoid innate immune system, as it significantly drove the promoter activities of nuclear factor kappa-B, activator protein-1, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, along with multiple inflammatory cytokines and interferon-related elements.
Xiaolong Chu, Fengchen Liu, Yingying Liu et al.· Fish and Shellfish Immunolog...· 0 citations
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