Gene networks and toxicity/detoxification pathways in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) liver induced by acute lead stress

Lead (Pb) is a nonessential heavy metal that can be bioconcentrated to highly toxic levels in the environment. To understand the genes and toxicity/detoxification pathways of juvenile largemouth bass, liver transcriptomes were investigated in this fish after acute 96 h Pb exposure (Pb nitrate 0, 17.8, or 100 mg/L). Acute Pb exposure induced an immune response and apoptosis pathway activation in the liver. A number of transcripts related to complement and coagulation cascades were significantly increased. Up- and downregulated genes were significantly enriched in numerous pathways, including the natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity pathway, the Jak-STAT and P53 signaling pathways, cancer and apoptosis. These genes included Bid , Bcl-2, JNK, and PI3K (17.8 mg/L) and PI3K, AKT, PPARS, RAS, MMPs, c-Jun p53, and PD-LI (100 mg/L). Comprehensive analysis of liver transcriptomic data revealed numerous pathways associated with the immune system and carcinogenesis, especially pathways related to apoptosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.