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PubMed · 42361466

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the gills and hepatopancreas of freshwater-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei under chronic nitrite stress.

Xinxin Li·Xuenan Li·Xilin Dai
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Abstract

To investigate the differences in molecular responses between the gills and hepatopancreas of freshwater-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei under chronic nitrite stress, a 30-day chronic stress experiment was conducted with a control group and a stress group. Transcriptomic analysis of the gills and hepatopancreas was performed using Illumina sequencing; differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and GO, KEGG, GSEA, PPI, and RT-qPCR validation were carried out. The results showed that 196 DEGs (161 up-regulated and 35 down-regulated) were identified in the gills, and 287 DEGs (199 up-regulated and 88 down-regulated) in the hepatopancreas, with only 18 DEGs shared between the two tissues. DEGs in the gills were enriched in oxidoreductase activity, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism; DEGs in the hepatopancreas were enriched in lipid transporter activity, phagosome, ECM-receptor interaction, and riboflavin metabolism. GSEA revealed significant suppression of the mTOR pathway in the gills and the Polycomb complex pathway in the hepatopancreas. PPI network analysis identified hub genes P5CS and eEF2 in the gills, and PER, TUBB1, SHMT, and TUBB4B in the hepatopancreas. RT-qPCR validation was consistent with the RNA-seq results (R2 = 0.764). This study indicates that, under chronic nitrite stress, the gill response is centered on redox regulation and inhibition of growth metabolism, whereas the hepatopancreas response primarily involves lipid transport, cytoskeletal remodeling, and phagosome activation. The two tissues synergistically adapt through fundamental biosynthetic and motor protein pathways. This research provides molecular evidence for deciphering the nitrite tolerance mechanisms in freshwater-cultured shrimp.

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AnimalsGillsHepatopancreasPenaeidaeNitritesGene Expression ProfilingTranscriptomeStress, PhysiologicalFresh WaterGillLitopenaeus vannameiNitrite stressJournal ArticleComparative Study

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Xinxin Li, Xuenan Li, Xilin Dai. 2026-06-22. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the gills and hepatopancreas of freshwater-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei under chronic nitrite stress.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbd.2026.101916

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Journal Article; Comparative Study resourceAnimals subjectComparative Study subjectGene Expression Profiling subjectGill subjectGills subjectJournal Article subjectLitopenaeus vannamei subjectNitrites subjectPenaeidae subject

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