Study of the antioxidant capacity in gills of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in link with its reproductive investment

Redox control of antioxidants, metabolism, immunity, and development at the core of stress adaptation of the oyster Crassostrea gigas to the dynamic intertidal environment

This review uses the marine bivalve Crassostrea gigas to highlight redox reactions and control systems in species living in dynamic intertidal environments. Intertidal species face daily and seasonal environmental variability, including temperature, oxygen, salinity, and nutritional changes. Increasing anthropogenic pressure can bring pollutants and pathogens as additional stressors. Surprisingly, C. gigas demonstrates impressive adaptability to most of these challenges. We explore how ROS production, antioxidant protection, redox signaling, and metabolic adjustments can shed light on how redox biology supports oyster survival in harsh conditions. The review provides (i) a brief summary of shared redox sensing processes in metazoan; (ii) an overview of unique characteristics of the C. gigas intertidal habitat and the suitability of this species as a model organism; (iii) insights into the redox biology of C. gigas, including ROS sources, signaling pathways, ROS-scavenging systems, and thiol-containing proteins; and examples of (iv) hot topics that are underdeveloped in bivalve research linking redox biology with immunometabolism, physioxia, and development. Given its plasticity to environmental changes, C. gigas is a valuable model for studying the role of redox biology in the adaptation to harsh habitats, potentially providing novel insights for basic and applied studies in marine and comparative biochemistry and physiology.

Effects of spawning stress on the immune capacity of blood cockle Tegillarca granosa occurring on the south coast of Korea

Spawning in marine bivalves is a great energy-demanding process, and it often results in lethal and sublethal stresses during the post-spawning period, including depressed immune capacity. The blood cockle Tegillarca granosa (Linnaeus, 1758) distributes widely in silty-mud tidal flats on the south coast of Korea, and they spawn in late summer. To understand the impacts of spawning on immune parameters, we analyzed the total hemocyte count (THC), hemocyte mortality, phagocytosis capacity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of T. granosa in pre-, and post-spawning condition using a flow cytometer. Histology indicated that the blood cockles occurring on the south coast of Korea ripe and ready to spawn in July, and they spawned in August and September. The THC in the blood cockle hemolymph declined from pre-spawning (1.2 × 10⁸ cell mL^-1) to post-spawning (0.9 × 10⁸ cell mL^-1), possibly due to the spawning stress and the massive infiltration of hemocytes in the gonad to phagocytose and resorb the residual gametes during the post-spawning period. The hemocyte mortality increased linearly from August (4.1%) to November (9.1%), as the histology revealed that the blood cockle completed spawning, and they resorbed the relict gametes. The granulocyte phagocytosis capacity declined dramatically from July (12.7%) to September (6.0%), when the cockles were engaged in active spawning. The flow cytometry revealed that the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the granulocytes and the erythrocytes type II increased linearly from August (0.8-0.9 × 10⁵ A U.) to December (2.1-2.8 × 10⁵ A U.), which may cause stresses at a cellular level during this period. As the data indicated, spawning is a stressful activity inducing depressed immunological capacities in the blood cockles.

Extracellular Vesicles and Post-Translational Protein Deimination Signatures in Mollusca-The Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis), Soft Shell Clam (Mya arenaria), Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and Atlantic Jacknife Clam (Ensis leei)

Simple Summary

Oysters and clams form an important component of the food chain and food security and are of considerable commercial value worldwide. They are affected by pollution and climate change, as well as a range of infections, some of which are opportunistic. For aquaculture purposes they are furthermore of great commercial value and changes in their immune responses can also serve as indicators of changes in ocean environments. Therefore, studies into understanding new factors in their immune systems may aid new biomarker discovery and are of considerable value. This study assessed new biomarkers relating to changes in protein function in four economically important marine molluscs, the blue mussel, soft shell clam, Eastern oyster, and Atlantic jacknife clam. These findings indicate novel regulatory mechanisms of important metabolic and immunology related pathways in these mollusks. The findings provide new understanding to how these pathways function in diverse ways in different animal species as well as aiding new biomarker discovery for Mollusca aquaculture.

Abstract

Oysters and clams are important for food security and of commercial value worldwide. They are affected by anthropogenic changes and opportunistic pathogens and can be indicators of changes in ocean environments. Therefore, studies into biomarker discovery are of considerable value. This study aimed at assessing extracellular vesicle (EV) signatures and post-translational protein deimination profiles of hemolymph from four commercially valuable Mollusca species, the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), soft shell clam (Mya arenaria), Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), and Atlantic jacknife clam (Ensis leei). EVs form part of cellular communication by transporting protein and genetic cargo and play roles in immunity and host–pathogen interactions. Protein deimination is a post-translational modification caused by peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs), and can facilitate protein moonlighting in health and disease. The current study identified hemolymph-EV profiles in the four Mollusca species, revealing some species differences. Deiminated protein candidates differed in hemolymph between the species, with some common targets between all four species (e.g., histone H3 and H4, actin, and GAPDH), while other hits were species-specific; in blue mussel these included heavy metal binding protein, heat shock proteins 60 and 90, 2-phospho-D-glycerate hydrolyase, GTP cyclohydrolase feedback regulatory protein, sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase, and fibrinogen domain containing protein. In soft shell clam specific deimination hits included dynein, MCM3-associated protein, and SCRN. In Eastern oyster specific deimination hits included muscle LIM protein, beta-1,3-glucan-binding protein, myosin heavy chain, thaumatin-like protein, vWFA domain-containing protein, BTB domain-containing protein, amylase, and beta-catenin. Deiminated proteins specific to Atlantic jackknife clam included nacre c1q domain-containing protein and PDZ domain-containing protein In addition, some proteins were common as deiminated targets between two or three of the Bivalvia species under study (e.g., EP protein, C1q domain containing protein, histone H2B, tubulin, elongation factor 1-alpha, dominin, extracellular superoxide dismutase). Protein interaction network analysis for the deiminated protein hits revealed major pathways relevant for immunity and metabolism, providing novel insights into post-translational regulation via deimination. The study contributes to EV characterization in diverse taxa and understanding of roles for PAD-mediated regulation of immune and metabolic pathways throughout phylogeny.

Oxidative Stress and Damage Biomarkers in Clam Ruditapes decussatus Exposed to a Polluted Site: The Reliable Biomonitoring Tools in Hot and Cold Seasons

In the present study, a multi-biomarker approach was used to assess the biological effects of metal pollution in the southern lagoon of Tunis, on clam Ruditapes decussatus both in "hot" (in summer) and "cold" (in winter) seasons. Clams were collected in August 2015 and February 2016 from three sites of the lagoon and from Louza considered a reference site. The concentrations of five trace metals (cadmium, copper, iron, lead, and zinc) in the soft tissues of R. decussatus were evaluated at the sampling sites. A core of biomarkers indicative of (a) neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase, AChE); (b) biotransformation (glutathione S-transferase, GST); (c) oxidative stress (catalase, CAT; total glutathione peroxidase, T-GPx; total glutathione peroxidase, T-GPx; selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase, Se-GPx; glutathione reductase, GR; superoxide dismutase, SOD) (d) lipid peroxidation (malondialdhyde, MDA level), and (e) apoptotic process (caspase 3-like, CSP3) was selected for measurements of environmental effects on the populations of clams collected from the different sampling sites. The results of metal bioaccumulation in soft tissues of Ruditapes decussatus revealed a high pollution in the South Lagoon of Tunis with spatial variation and relatively high levels at the navigation channel. Anthropogenic pollutants in the lagoon led to the activation of antioxidant defense and biotransformation enzymes to oxidative damage of the membrane and activation of apoptosis, and revealed neurotoxicity. Among this core of biomarkers, the antioxidants enzymes (CAT, SOD, GR, and GPx) were very sensitive, allowing the discrimination among sites and pointing to the navigation channel as the most impacted site in the southern lagoon of Tunis. Moreover, a significant effect of season was recorded on biomarkers responses (e.g., CAT, GR, SOD, AChE, and CSP3 activities and MDA levels) with higher levels in winter than in summer, probably influenced by the reproductive stage and food availability. Finally, the measurement of the selected core of biomarkers in the whole soft tissues of clams was considered as an integrated indicator of environmental stress. Moreover, R. decussatus proved to be a remarkable sentinel species capable to establish a reliable diagnosis of the health status of the marine environment in different areas of the southern lagoon of Tunis, both in "hot" and "cold" seasons.

Interactive effects of nutrition, reproductive state and pollution on molecular stress responses of mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819

Marine bivalves including mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis are commonly used as sentinels for pollution monitoring and ecosystem health assessment in the coastal zones. Use of biomarkers to assess the pollution effects assumes that the effects of pollutants on the biomarkers exceed the natural background variability; yet this assumption has rarely been tested. We exposed mussels at different reproductive stages and nutritive states to two concentrations of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (fluoranthene, 3 and 60 μg L^-1) for three weeks. Expression levels of the molecular biomarkers related to the detoxification and general stress response [cytochrome P450 oxidase (CYP450), glutathione S-transferases (GST-α; GST-S1; GST-S2), the multixenobiotic resistance protein P-glycoprotein (PgP), metallothioneins (MT10 and MT20), heat shock proteins (HSP22, HSP70-2; HSP70-3; HSP70-4), as well as mRNA expression of two reproduction-related genes, vitellogenin (Vitel) and vitelline coat lysin M7 (VCLM7)] were measured. The mussels' nutrition and reproductive state affected the baseline mRNA levels of molecular biomarkers and modulated the transcriptional responses of biomarker genes to the pollutant exposure. Thus, mussel physiological state could act as a confounding factor in the evaluation of the response of pollution through molecular biomarkers. The biomarker baseline levels must be determined across a range of physiological states to enable the use of biomarkers in monitoring programs.

Biochemical alterations in native and exotic oyster species in Brazil in response to increasing temperature

The increase of temperature in marine coastal ecosystems due to atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions is becoming an increasing threat for biodiversity worldwide, and may affect organisms' biochemical performance, often resulting in biogeographical shifts of species distribution. At the same time, the introduction of non-native species into aquatic systems also threatens biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Oysters are among the most valuable socio economic group of bivalve species in global fishery landings, and also provide numerous ecosystem services. However, the introduction of non-native oyster species, namely Crassostrea gigas for aquaculture purposes may threaten native oyster species, mainly by out competing their native congeners. It is therefore of upmost importance to understand physiological and biochemical responses of native and introduced oyster species in a scenario of global temperature rise, in order to provide knowledge that may allow for better species management. Hence, we compared biochemical alterations of the introduced C. gigas and the native Crassostrea brasiliana, the most important oyster species in Brazil, in response to different thermal regimes for 28days (24, 28 and 32°C). For this, metabolism (ETS), energy content (GLY), antioxidant system (SOD, CAT and GSH/GSSG) and cellular damage (LPO) were assessed in adult and juvenile specimens of both species. Juvenile C. gigas were the most affected by increased temperatures, presenting higher mortality, more pronounced antioxidant response (SOD), whereas adults were more tolerant than juveniles, showing no mortality, no significant changes in antioxidant enzymes activity neither energy expenditure. Native C. brasiliana juveniles presented lower mortality and less pronounced biochemical alterations were noted at higher temperature comparing to non-native C. gigas juveniles. Adult C. brasiliana were the least responsive to tested temperatures. Results obtained in this study bring interesting new insights on different oyster species life stages' physiological and biochemical tolerance towards thermal stress. The native species C. brasiliana showed ability to maintain biochemical performance at higher temperatures, with less pronounced biochemical changes than the non-native species. The introduced (C. gigas) showed to be more sensitive, presenting biochemical alterations to cope with the increase of temperature. Despite the lower observed fitness of the introduced species to temperatures closer to those naturally experienced by the native species, the ability of C. gigas to cope with higher temperatures should still raise concerns towards the native species C. brasiliana management and protection.

Effects of Antifouling Biocides on Molecular and Biochemical Defense System in the Gill of the Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas

Antifouling biocides such as organotin compounds and their alternatives are potent toxicants in marine ecosystems. In this study, we employed several molecular and biochemical response systems of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas to understand a potential mode of action of antifouling biocides (i.e. tributyltin (TBT), diuron and irgarol) after exposure to different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, and 1 μg L^-1) for 96 h. As a result, all the three antifouling biocides strongly induced the antioxidant defense system. TBT reduced both enzymatic activity and mRNA expression of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Lower levels of both Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity and AChE mRNA expression were observed in the diuron-exposed oysters compared to the control, while the irgarol treatment reduced only the transcriptional expression of AChE gene. We also analyzed transcript profile of heat shock protein (Hsp) superfamily in same experimental conditions. All antifouling biocides tested in this study significantly modulated mRNA expression of Hsp superfamily with strong induction of Hsp70 family. Taken together, overall results indicate that representative organotin TBT and alternatives have potential hazardous effects on the gill of C. gigas within relatively short time period. Our results also suggest that analyzing a series of molecular and biochemical parameters can be a way of understanding and uncovering the mode of action of emerging antifouling biocides. In particular, it was revealed that Pacific oysters have different sensitivities depend on the antifouling biocides.

Glucomannan's protective effect on the virulence of Vibrio splendidus in pacific oyster

We examine the effect of Glucomannan, extracted from Candida utilis yeast, on immune parameters and resistance to Vibrio splendidus of Crassostreagigas. Our results showed that Glucomannan was a successful anti-adhesive molecule; it exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on adhesion of Vibrio splendidus in infected Crassostreagigas. Vibrio splendidus viable cells number declined after incubation with Glucomannan. Furthermore, the Glucomannan diet showed higher activity to trigger the immune response against bacteria. Glucomannan applications, in biological control of seafood associated pathogens can be an alternative solution, providing consumer with a product of good quality owing to the use of 40 non-toxic compounds. Based on our results, Glucomannan could be used as a bio-protective culture in oyster's depuration to prevent Vibrio splendidus growth.

Effect of mussel reproductive status on biomarker responses to PAHs: Implications for large-scale monitoring programs

Biomarkers are useful tools to assess biological effects of pollutants and have been extensively used in monitoring programs to determine ecosystem health. In these programs, a wide range of environmental conditions are covered and sometimes, obtained data are difficult to interpret because of natural variables are affecting biomarker responses. Among these variables, musseĺs reproductive status has been considered one of the most changing variables between sites in a monitoring survey. Thus, the main aim of this work was to identify the effect that mussel reproductive status has on biomarker responses. For that purpose, mussels sampled at two periods in the reproductive cycle (reproductive and resting stages) were conditioned to the same laboratory conditions and exposed to fluoranthene (FLU) for three weeks. Studied biomarkers covering a wide range of organism responses were included: bioaccumulation, physiological rates (clearance rate -CR-, absorption efficiency -AE-, respiration rate -RR- and their integration in the scope for growth -SFG-), antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide-dismutase -SOD-, catalase -CAT-, glutathione reductase -GR-, glutathione peroxidase -GPx-, glutathione-S-tranferase -GST-) and biochemical damage responses (lipid membrane peroxidation -LPO-). The results obtained evidenced that the levels of the biomarkers studied (RR, SOD, CAT and GPx) were higher at reproductive than at resting stage. On the other hand, the effect of toxicant was observed in SFG, CAT and GPx but this effect was only detected during the resting period. Moreover, there was a deterioration of mussel gonadal tissue with FLU exposure during reproductive stage. FLU accumulation in mussel tissues was also dependent of the reproductive status with higher internal concentrations during resting than reproductive period. In conclusion, there was a strong effect of reproductive status on studied biomarkers which seems to mask the effect of FLU at reproductive stage. The present study evidences the need to include the measurement of mussel biological status in marine pollution monitoring programs for a correct interpretation of biomarker data.

Metabolic responses of clam Ruditapes philippinarum exposed to its pathogen Vibrio tapetis in relation to diet

We investigated the effect of brown ring disease (BRD) development and algal diet on energy reserves and activity of enzymes related to energy metabolism, antioxidant system and immunity in Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum. We found that algal diet did not impact the metabolic response of clams exposed to Vibrio tapetis. At two days post-injection (dpi), activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased whereas activities of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and catalase increased in infected clams, although no clinical signs were visible (BRD-). At 7 dpi, activities of several antioxidant and immune-related enzymes were markedly increased in BRD-likely indicating an efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging compared to animals which developed clinical signs of BRD (BRD+). Therefore, resistance to BRD clinical signs appearance was associated with higher detoxification of ROS and enhancement of immune response. This study provides new biochemical indicators of disease resistance and a more comprehensive view of the global antioxidant response of clam to BRD development.

The effects of arsenic and seawater acidification on antioxidant and biomineralization responses in two closely related Crassostrea species

Ocean acidification processes are major threats to marine calcifying organisms, mostly affecting biomineralization related processes. Abiotic stressors acting on marine systems do not act alone, rather in a combination of multiple stressors, especially in coastal habitats such as estuaries, where anthropogenic and environmental pressures are high. Arsenic (As) is a widely distributed contaminant worldwide and its toxicity has been studied on a variety of organisms. However, the effect of low pH on the toxicity of As on marine organisms is unknown. Here, we studied the combined effects of ocean acidification and As exposure on two closely related oyster species (Crassostrea angulata and Crassostrea gigas), by use of a biochemical approach. Oxidative stress related parameters were studied along with the assessment of biomineralization enzymes activity after 28days of exposure. Results showed that both species were sensitive to all tested conditions (low pH, As and pH+As), showing enhancement of antioxidant and biotransformation defenses and impairment of biomineralization processes. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) activity were significantly higher in oysters exposed to As, showing activation of detoxification mechanisms, and a lower GSTs activity was observed in low pH+As condition, indicating an impact on the oysters capacity to detoxify As in a low pH scenario. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity was significantly lower in all tested conditions, showing to be affected by both As and low pH, whereas the combined effect of low pH+As was not different from the effect of low pH alone. Multivariate analysis of biochemical data allowed for the comparison of both species performance, showing a clear distinction of response in both species. C. gigas presented overall higher enzymatic activity (GSTs; superoxide dismutase; catalase; CA and acid phosphatase) and higher cytosolic GSH content in As exposed oysters than C. angulata. Results obtained indicate a higher tolerance capacity of the Pacific oyster C. gigas towards the tested conditions.

Reproduction is associated with a tissue-dependent reduction of oxidative stress in eusocial female Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis)

Oxidative stress has been implicated as both a physiological cost of reproduction and a driving force on an animal's lifespan. Since increased reproductive effort is generally linked with a reduction in survival, it has been proposed that oxidative stress may influence this relationship. Support for this hypothesis is inconsistent, but this may, in part, be due to the type of tissues that have been analyzed. In Damaraland mole-rats the sole reproducing female in the colony is also the longest lived. Therefore, if oxidative stress does impact the trade-off between reproduction and survival in general, this species may possess some form of enhanced defense. We assessed this relationship by comparing markers of oxidative damage (malondialdehyde, MDA; protein carbonyls, PC) and antioxidants (total antioxidant capacity, TAC; superoxide dismutase, SOD) in various tissues including plasma, erythrocytes, heart, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle between wild-caught reproductive and non-reproductive female Damaraland mole-rats. Reproductive females exhibited significantly lower levels of PC across all tissues, and lower levels of MDA in heart, kidney and liver relative to non-reproductive females. Levels of TAC and SOD did not differ significantly according to reproductive state. The reduction in oxidative damage in breeding females may be attributable to the unusual social structure of this species, as similar relationships have been observed between reproductive and non-reproductive eusocial insects.