Search

The hepatopancreas is an important tissue involved in various biological metabolism for molluscs, but its responses to salinity have not been well evaluated. In this study, the dynamic changes of antioxidant, immune function, and apoptosis in the hepatopancreas of Hong Kong oyster (Crassostrea hongkongensis) under high salinity (30 and 35) stress within a 7-day period were analyzed. The data showed that high salinity stress could lead to DNA damage in Hong Kong oyster hemocytes, resulting in an initial up-regulation followed by a decrease in the expression of enzyme-related genes (SOD, GPX) and immune-related genes (SABL, galectin, C3) in the hepatopancreas. Meanwhile, some apoptosis-related genes (Casp-2, P53), heat shock protein-related genes (HSP90), and osmotic pressure-related genes (NaK, CLC7) maintain high expression levels. Correlation analysis indicated that DNA damage showed a negative correlation with the mRNA expression of Casp-3, Casp-2, Casp-8, P53, SABL, galectin, C3, HSP90, HSP70, Na/K, and CLC7, with the negative correlation being particularly strong for the mRNA expression of HSP90 and Na/K. The results enhance the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of salinity stress responses in Hong Kong oyster. KEY WORDS: Crassostrea hongkongensis, salinity, hepatopancreas, apoptosis, immune function, INTRODUCTION The Hong Kong oyster (Crassostrea hongkongensis), a commercially valuable aquaculture species, is mainly distributed along the northern coast of the South China Sea, yielding up to 130 metric tons [...]