Integrated proteomics and metabolomics analysis reveals the impact of zinc exposure on hepatopancreas from Litopenaeus vannamei: Insights into the response mechanisms

Zinc (Zn) is a trace element that is toxic at elevated concentrations in the environment. In this study, we conducted integrated proteomics and metabolomics analysis on the hepatopancreas in Litopenaeus vannamei after exposed in 1 mg/L Zn for 30 days to investigate the potential response mechanisms. A total of 1220 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) (of which 1083 were up-regulated and 137 were down-regulated) and 574 differential metabolites (DMs) (of which 149 were up-regulated and 425 were down-regulated) were identified, respectively. For further joint analysis, KEGG enrichment analysis was performed on DEPs and DMs, which showed that DEPs and DMs related to energy metabolism such as oxidative phosphorylation (ko00190), pentose phosphate pathway (ko00030), lipid metabolism such as arachidonic acid metabolism (ko00590), linoleic acid metabolism (ko00591), and antioxidant system such as glutathione metabolism (ko00480), which were further analyzed. The results demonstrated that Zn exposure limited ATP synthesis and metabolism, impaired energy metabolism, interfered with the normal functioning of metabolites, which in turn inhibits the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins, affected the antioxidant system, and disrupted lipid metabolism, leading to disturbances of the intracellular environment. Collectively, this study systemically elaborated the potential mechanisms of shrimp response to Zn exposure, the results revealed the toxic effects of Zn on the protein and metabolic levels of the L. vannamei, provided new insights into the study of crustacean immune defense mechanisms.