Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of the mechanisms underlying stress responses of the freshwater snail, Pomacea canaliculata, exposed to different levels of arsenic

Abstract

Arsenic (As) pollution poses an important problem, but limited information is available about the physiological effects of As on freshwater invertebrates. Here, we investigated the physiological effects of chronic As exposure on Pomacea canaliculata, a freshwater invertebrate. High level of As (Ⅲ, 5 mg/L) inhibited the growth of P. canaliculata, whereas low level of As (Ⅲ, 2 mg/L) promoted growth. Pathological changes in shell and cellular ultrastructure due to As accumulation likely explain the growth inhibition at high As level. Low level of As simulated the expression of genes related to DNA replication and chitosan biosynthesis, potentially accounting for the growth promotion observed. High level of As enrichment pathways primarily involved cytochrome P450, glutathione, and arachidonic acid-mediated metabolism of xenobiotics. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, specifically the ABCB and ABCC subfamilies, were involved in As transport. Differential metabolites were mainly associated with the metabolism and biosynthesis of amino acids. These findings elucidate the dose-dependent effects of As stress on P. canaliculata growth, with low levels promoting and high levels inhibiting. Additionally, our findings also provide insights into As metabolism and transport in P. canaliculata.