Abstract
Simple SummaryThe invasive red seaweed Asparagopsis armata exhibits a strong invasive behavior, producing harmful secondary metabolites that negatively affect the surrounding community. This study addressed the antioxidant defenses, oxidative damage, and a neuronal parameter, as well as the fatty acid composition responses to sublethal concentrations of A. armata released compounds on the marine snail Gibbula umbilicalis and the shrimp Palaemon serratus. Results revealed that the test species had different metabolic responses to the A. armata exudate concentrations tested. Impacts in G. umbilicalis does not seem to arise from oxidative stress or neurotoxicity, while for P. elegans, an inhibition of AChE and the decrease of antioxidant capacity and increase of LPO suggest neurotoxicity and oxidative stress as contributing to the observed toxicity. Additionally, there were different fatty acid profile changes between species, but omega-3 PUFAs ARA and DPA increased in both invertebrates, indicating a common regulation mechanism of inflammation and immunity responses.The seaweed Asparagopsis armata exhibits a strong invasive behavior, producing halogenated compounds with effective biological effects. This study addresses the biochemical responses to sublethal concentrations of A. armata exudate on the marine snail Gibbula umbilicalis whole body and the shrimp Palaemon elegans eyes and hepatopancreas. Antioxidant defenses superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), oxidative damage endpoints lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage, the neuronal parameter acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and the fatty acid profile were evaluated. Results revealed different metabolic responses in both species. Despite previous studies indicating that the exudate affected G. umbilicalis’ survival and behavior, this does not seem to result from oxidative stress or neurotoxicity. For P. elegans, the inhibition of AChE and the decrease of antioxidant capacity is concomitant with the increase of LPO, suggesting neurotoxicity and oxidative stress as contributor mechanisms of toxicity for this species. Fatty acid profile changes were more pronounced for P. elegans with a general increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with the exudate exposure, which commonly means a defense mechanism protecting from membrane disruption. Nonetheless, the omega-3 PUFAs arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) increased in both invertebrates, indicating a common regulation mechanism of inflammation and immunity responses.
Highlights
More than 3800 halogenated compounds are known to exist [1], and many are known to be present in the environment, having both biogenic and anthropogenic sources
This study addresses the biochemical responses to sublethal concentrations of A. armata exudate on the marine snail Gibbula umbilicalis whole body and the shrimp Palaemon elegans eyes and hepatopancreas
The antioxidant and detoxification enzymes evaluated in the postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS) fraction revealed a significant decrease in GST activity in G. umbilicalis at 0.14% (C3; p = 0.001) and 0.25% (C4; p = 0.015) concentrations of A. armata exudate, but for superoxide dismutase (SOD), no significant differences were found (Figure 1a,b)
Summary
More than 3800 halogenated compounds are known to exist [1], and many are known to be present in the environment, having both biogenic and anthropogenic sources. Asparagopsis armata, a species of the family Bonnemaisoniaceae is a red seaweed native to western Australia, and currently is distributed throughout Europe in the Atlantic and Mediterranean basin. This seaweed is known to form specialized cells, known as vesicle or gland cells, which are sources of these halogenated products, including halomethanes, haloalkanes, haloacids, and haloketones [3,4], reported to have potent biological effects to protect themselves from attacks by herbivores and pathogens [5,6], which may influence diversity of habitats where this seaweed is present [7]. Besides suppressing the growth of other algae [7,9], macroalgae exudates can affect the development and grazing of invertebrates [6] and even vertebrates [10]
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