Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses of Palaemon carinicauda Hepatopancreas in Response to Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) Infection

Abstract

Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), a microsporidian responsible for hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis, is a major pathogen in commercial shrimp production. Among the affected species, Palaemon carinicauda (formerly Exopalaemon carinicauda) is commercially important in China and represents a potential research model for studying crustaceans. However, little information is available on its response to EHP infection. Hence, this study analyzed the transcriptome and metabolome of P. carinicauda’s hepatopancreas using high-throughput sequencing and liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to determine its response during the early stage of infection. The transcriptomic analyses identified 730 differentially expressed genes, of which those associated with EHP infection were enriched in metabolic pathways as well as detoxification and antioxidant pathways. In addition, 144 differential metabolites were identified using a combination of positive and negative ion modes in LC-MS. The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analyses further indicated that the degradation of aromatic compounds, the AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism were significantly enriched after EHP infection. These results could provide useful insights into the effects of EHP on shrimps during the early stages of infection and help to understand the mechanisms underlying the stunted growth of shrimps after infection.