Comparative Analysis of Metabolites between Different Altitude Schizothorax nukiangensis (Cyprinidae, Schizothoracine) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Nujiang River

Abstract

In order to investigate the influence of the high-altitude aquatic environment on indigenous fish metabolites, metabolomics studies were applied in this study. Widespread throughout the main stem of the Nujiang River of Schizothorax nukiangensis, we established sampling sites at high (3890 m) and low (2100 m) altitudes and selected six S. nukiangensis at each location, each weighing approximately 150 g and looking healthy. Then, metabolomics analysis was performed to compare the various metabolites of the two groups. Low concentrations of amino acids, dipeptides, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, Thioetheramide-PC, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine, 1-Stearoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine, 1-Myristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-Palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, high concentrations in S-Methyl-5’-thioadenosine, creatine, D-mannose-6-phosphate, D-mannose-1-phosphate, oleic acid and myristoleic acid were found in high-altitude fish liver. These differentially accumulated metabolites were involved in oxidative stress, energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism. mTOR signaling pathway, apoptosis and lysosome were the KEGG pathways that were enriched between different groups to ensure energy supply and limit tissue damage of fish at high altitudes. All these results contributed to the understanding of the high-altitude adaptation of S. nukiangensis in the Nujiang River. Nicotine and methoprene, two organic pollutants, performed differently in fish at different altitudes. Overall, our findings advanced the fundamental understanding of fish responses to high-altitude environments, adaptive mechanisms and organic contaminants pollution in the Nujiang River.