Transcriptome Analysis and CFEM Gene Overexpression in <i>Metschnikowia bicuspidata</i> Under Hemocyte and Iron Ion Stress
The “milky disease” in Chinese mitten crabs (<i>Eriocheir sinensis</i>), caused by <i>Metschnikowia bicuspidata</i>, poses significant threats to aquaculture, though its pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study employs transcriptomic sequencing to analyze ge...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/691 |
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| Summary: | The “milky disease” in Chinese mitten crabs (<i>Eriocheir sinensis</i>), caused by <i>Metschnikowia bicuspidata</i>, poses significant threats to aquaculture, though its pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study employs transcriptomic sequencing to analyze gene expression changes in <i>Metschnikowia bicuspidata</i> under hemocyte challenge, iron overload (1 mmol/mL), and combined stress, with functional validation through Common in Fungal Extracellular Membrane (CFEMgene) overexpression strains. Key findings reveal that (1) hemocyte challenge activated base excision repair (−log<sub>10</sub>[P] = 7.58) and ribosome biogenesis pathways, indicating fungal adaptation through DNA repair and enhanced protein synthesis to counter host immune attacks (e.g., ROS-mediated damage). (2) Iron overload induced glutathione metabolism and pentose phosphate pathway enrichment, demonstrating mitigation of ferroptosis through NADPH/GSH antioxidant systems and autophagy/proteasome coordination. (3) Under combined stress, ribosome biogenesis (−log<sub>10</sub>[P] = 1.3) and non-homologous end-joining pathways coordinated DNA repair with stress protein synthesis, complemented by vacuolar V-ATPase-mediated iron compartmentalization. (4) CFEM genes showed significant upregulation under hemocyte stress, with overexpression strains exhibiting enhanced biofilm formation (35% increased MTT cytotoxicity) and infectivity (40% higher infection rate), confirming CFEM domains mediate pathogenesis through iron homeostasis and virulence factor production. This work elucidates how <i>M. bicuspidata</i> employs metabolic reprogramming, oxidative stress responses, and CFEM-mediated iron regulation to establish infection, providing critical insights for developing targeted control strategies against milky disease. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-0817 |