Length-dependent impacts of fibrous microplastics on Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) determined using multi-omics approach

This study investigated the molecular effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microfibers (MFs) on Penaeus vannamei, focusing on the length-dependent toxicological mechanisms. We exposed the shrimp to short (PETS, 240.55 μm) and long (PET-L, 2357.96 μm) PET MFs and analyzed the changes in transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles. PET-S posed greater risks than PET-L, leading to oxidative stress, disruption in nucleotide metabolism, and alterations in gene expression related to metabolic processes, including RNA methylation and purine metabolism. Conversely, PET-L caused abnormalities in intracellular signaling pathways and metabolic functions, including the downregulation of fatty acid oxidation and membrane transfer. Both PET-S and PET-L exposure impaired cellular functions, such as energy production and signal transduction. This multi-omics study highlights the toxicological mechanisms associated with PET MF exposure in a socioeconomically important marine organism.