0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Detection Methods Environmental Sources Human Health Effects Marine & Wildlife Policy & Risk Remediation Sign in to save

Molecular Characterization of Anion Exchanger 2 in Litopenaeus vannamei and Its Role in Nitrite Stress

International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2025 Score: 48 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Xuenan Li, Xilin Dai

Summary

Scientists cloned and characterized the AE2 gene in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), finding it plays a key role in regulating intracellular pH; silencing AE2 via RNA interference significantly increased shrimp mortality and tissue damage under nitrite stress.

Body Systems

Anion exchanger 2 (AE2) mediates the Cl-/HCO3- transmembrane exchange process and regulates intracellular pH homeostasis. In this study, the AE2 gene (GenBank: PQ073349) was cloned and characterized from Litopenaeus vannamei using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique. Employing bioinformatics, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and RNA interference, we explored the gene's sequence characteristics, tissue distribution, and the effects of nitrite on shrimp survival, physiology, and tissue damage following gene silencing. The results showed that AE2 cDNA was 5134 bp in length, encoding 1293 amino acids, which includes both the Band3 and HCO3- structural domains. AE2 was expressed in all tissues, with the highest expression in muscle. After silencing AE2, shrimp survival increased and hemolymph nitrite levels decreased. Notably, the oxidative stress enzyme system was not severely affected, and gill tissue damage was reduced. In addition, the expression level of Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that AE2 and NKCC1 are jointly involved in regulating the physiological process of nitrite entry into the shrimp body through gill tissue. Overall, this study provides a crucial experimental foundation for addressing the toxicity concerns associated with nitrite.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Toxicity of Ammonia Stress on the Physiological Homeostasis in the Gills of Litopenaeus vannamei under Seawater and Low-Salinity Conditions

This study examined how ammonia stress damages the gills of Pacific white shrimp raised in both seawater and low-salinity conditions. While not directly about microplastics, the findings are relevant because microplastics in aquaculture water can worsen ammonia toxicity, and the gill damage observed -- including disrupted ion balance and immune function -- highlights how environmental stressors compound threats to seafood safety.

Article Tier 2

Effects of nanoplastic on cell apoptosis and ion regulation in the gills of Macrobrachium nipponense

Researchers exposed juvenile oriental river shrimp to varying concentrations of nanoplastics and examined effects on gill cell viability and ion regulation. They found that higher nanoplastic concentrations increased cell death rates, decreased ion content, reduced ATPase enzyme activity, and disrupted ion transport gene expression in gill tissues. The study suggests that nanoplastic pollution can impair critical ion regulation functions in freshwater crustaceans, with implications for aquaculture.

Article Tier 2

Ion transport and metabolic regulation induced by nanoplastic toxicity in gill of Litopenaeus vannamei using proteomics

Researchers used proteomics to study how nanoplastics affect the gills of Pacific white shrimp, a widely farmed seafood species. They found that high concentrations of nanoplastics damaged gill tissue, disrupted ion balance, triggered oxidative stress, and altered energy metabolism. The study reveals the molecular mechanisms through which nanoplastic pollution may threaten the health of commercially important aquaculture species.

Article Tier 2

Transcriptomic analysis following polystyrene nanoplastic stress in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Researchers used transcriptomic analysis to study how polystyrene nanoplastics affect gene expression in Pacific white shrimp. They found that nanoplastic exposure activated lysosome pathways and disrupted genes involved in immune response, protein processing, and metabolism. The study provides molecular-level evidence that nanoplastics can interfere with multiple biological systems in commercially important shrimp species.

Article Tier 2

Transcriptome Analysis to Study the Molecular Response in the Gill and Hepatopancreas Tissues of Macrobrachium nipponense to Salinity Acclimation

Researchers used Illumina RNA sequencing to perform transcriptome analyses of gill and hepatopancreas tissues from the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium nipponense exposed to three salinity levels. They identified differentially expressed genes related to ion transport, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycometabolism, and confirmed carbonic anhydrase as a key regulator of osmotic adaptation through in situ hybridization.

Share this paper