Modeling the metabolic profile of Mytilus edulis reveals molecular signatures linked to gonadal development, sex and environmental site

Abstract

The monitoring of anthropogenic chemicals in the aquatic environment including their potential effects on aquatic organisms, is important for protecting life under water, a key sustainable development goal. In parallel with monitoring the concentrations of chemicals of concern, sentinel species are often used to investigate the biological effects of contaminants. Among these, bivalve molluscs such as mussels are filter-feeding and sessile, hence an excellent model system for measuring localized pollution. This study investigates the relationship between the metabolic state of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and its physiology in different environments. We developed a computational model based on a reference site (relatively unpolluted) and integrated seasonal dynamics of metabolite relative concentrations with key physiological indicators and environmental parameters. The analysis of the model revealed that changes in metabolite levels during an annual cycle are influenced by water temperature and are linked to gonadal development. This work supports the importance of data-driven biology and its potential in environmental monitoring.

Bioaccumulation and molecular effects of carbamazepine and methylmercury co-exposure in males of Dreissena polymorpha

“…GABA is involved in reproduction, notably steroidogenesis (Maguire et al, 2005) and spermatogenesis in scallops (Watanabe et al, 2014;Nagasawa et al, 2015). In Mytilus edulis, analyses along seasons showed that GABA was linked to the gonadal development (Kronberg et al, 2021). Similarly, the co-exposure might cause reprotoxicity in D. polymorpha: 5 µg L -1 CBZ 15 weeks delayed spermatogenesis (Magniez et al, 2018).…”