Physiological and transcriptome analysis of Mytilus coruscus in response to Prorocentrum lima and microplastics

Nowadays, diarrheic shellfish toxicity (DSP) toxin and microplastics (MPs) are commonly found in coastal waters worldwide. Due to their widespread use, their persistence and toxicity, they may induce adverse effects on Mytilus coruscus. However, the underlying toxic mechanisms of DSP and MPs on M. coruscus remain unclear. This study explored the physiological index and transcriptome change of the digestive gland of adult M. coruscus exposed for 3 days to polystyrene (PS) MPs (0.2 mg/L, 90-100 mu m) and Prorocentrum lima alone or in combination. The results showed that the CAT activity and MDA content significantly increased, respiration rate and feeding rate significantly decreased. The combination of MPs and P. lima caused more structural damage to the rough surface endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in the digestive glands of M. coruscus. The transcriptome analysis showed that 485 and 220 genes were up- and down-regulated, respectively, after exposure to P. lima; 1,989 up-regulated DEGs and 1,098 down-regulated DEGs were identified after exposure to MP treatment, and 1,004 up-regulated DEGs and 664 down-regulated DEGs were identified after exposure to the combination of P. lima and MPs. The DEGs were mainly enriched in the lysosome, mRNA surveillance pathway, carbon metabolism, the mTOR signaling pathway, the complement and coagulation cascades, and the TNF signaling pathway. The MP, P. lima exposure mainly induced the expression of RNA-binding protein musashi, serine/arginine repetitive matrix protein 1, low affinity immunoglobulin epsilon Fc receptor, toll-like receptor 2, caspase 7, calmodulin, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, serine/threonine-protein kinase PRP4, glutathione S-transferase, and heat shock 70 kDa protein. MPs and P. lima poison mainly influence the expression of RNA transport, immune related gene, apoptosis, signal related gene, and antioxidant gene change. The combination of MPs and P. lima has a synergistic toxic effect. This study provides a new insights into its physiological and molecular responses of M. coruscus to MPs and P. lima toxic exposure.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of microplastics and Prorocentrum lima exposure on the digestive gland of Mytilus coruscus. The results showed physiological and molecular changes, and a synergistic toxic effect between the two pollutants.