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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDBMC genomics

Integrated transcriptome and gut microbiota analysis reveals the mechanisms of heat tolerance in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis).

  • Hucheng Jiang1
  • Yu Wang2
  • Longlong Fu3
  • Yanhua Zhao4
  • Runbo Li4
  • Xiumei Xing3
  • Yanming Sui2
  • Hui Xue4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210017, China. [email protected].
  2. 2College of Marine and Biological Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224000, China.
  3. 3Nanjing Gucheng Lake Chinese Mitten Crab Industry Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd, Nanjing, 211300, China.
  4. 4Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210017, China.
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Abstract

Background

Global warming presents significant challenges to the aquafarming of poikilothermic aquatic organisms. Previous studies have shown that elevated temperatures can compromise the immune function, disrupt various metabolic processes, and alter the gut microbial community composition of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), thereby greatly limiting its healthy cultivation under artificial conditions. Current research on heat stress in the Chinese mitten crab predominantly relies on single-omics analyses, whereas integrated multi-omics approaches are less common.Results

This study employed combined RNA-Seq and 16 S rRNA sequencing to investigate crabs subjected to 38 °C, categorized into heat-sensitive (HS) and heat-tolerant (HT) groups. We identified critical molecular and microbial adaptations. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the upregulation of genes encoding heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), the large and small ribosomal subunits, and asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP), along with the activation of pathways such as antigen presentation, ribosome function, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions. These changes collectively support enhanced protein homeostasis, immune surveillance, and neural regulation in response to thermal stress. Concurrently, the thermotolerant genus Thermomonas was specifically enriched in the gut of HT crabs, likely supporting heat adaptation by maintaining microbial balance and gut barrier integrity. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis indicated strong interactions between the gut microbiota and key host metabolic genes. Notably, the genus Lysobacter showed a highly significant positive correlation with the heat‑shock protein gene HSP70 and a highly significant negative correlation with the metabolic gene DHTKD1.Conclusions

Heat stress in the Chinese mitten crab triggers a synergistic adaptive response involving both host genes and gut microbiota. The key alterations involved the upregulation of genes encoding heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), the large and small ribosomal subunits, and asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP), along with the enrichment of heat-tolerant gut bacteria, such as the genus Thermomonas. Correlation analysis revealed specific links between microbiota and host genes, such as Lysobacter with HSP70. This host-microbe synergy enhances the crab's overall heat tolerance.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{jiang2026integrated,
  title = {{Integrated transcriptome and gut microbiota analysis reveals the mechanisms of heat tolerance in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis).}},
  author = {Hucheng Jiang and Yu Wang and Longlong Fu and Yanhua Zhao and Runbo Li and Xiumei Xing and Yanming Sui and Hui Xue},
  journal = {BMC genomics},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s12864-026-13248-y},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968022},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Integrated transcriptome and gut microbiota analysis reveals the mechanisms of heat tolerance in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis).
AU  - Hucheng Jiang
AU  - Yu Wang
AU  - Longlong Fu
AU  - Yanhua Zhao
AU  - Runbo Li
AU  - Xiumei Xing
AU  - Yanming Sui
AU  - Hui Xue
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/05
JO  - BMC genomics
DO  - 10.1186/s12864-026-13248-y
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968022
AB  - Background  Global warming presents significant challenges to the aquafarming of poikilothermic aquatic organisms. Previous studies have shown that elevated temperatures can compromise the immune function, disrupt various metabolic processes, and alter the gut microbial community composition of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), thereby greatly limiting its healthy cultivation under artificial conditions. Current research on heat stress in the Chinese mitten crab predominantly relies on single-omics analyses, whereas integrated multi-omics approaches are less common.Results  This study employed combined RNA-Seq and 16 S rRNA sequencing to investigate crabs subjected to 38 °C, categorized into heat-sensitive (HS) and heat-tolerant (HT) groups. We identified critical molecular and microbial adaptations. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the upregulation of genes encoding heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), the large and small ribosomal subunits, and asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP), along with the activation of pathways such as antigen presentation, ribosome function, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions. These changes collectively support enhanced protein homeostasis, immune surveillance, and neural regulation in response to thermal stress. Concurrently, the thermotolerant genus Thermomonas was specifically enriched in the gut of HT crabs, likely supporting heat adaptation by maintaining microbial balance and gut barrier integrity. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis indicated strong interactions between the gut microbiota and key host metabolic genes. Notably, the genus Lysobacter showed a highly significant positive correlation with the heat‑shock protein gene HSP70 and a highly significant negative correlation with the metabolic gene DHTKD1.Conclusions  Heat stress in the Chinese mitten crab triggers a synergistic adaptive response involving both host genes and gut microbiota. The key alterations involved the upregulation of genes encoding heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), the large and small ribosomal subunits, and asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP), along with the enrichment of heat-tolerant gut bacteria, such as the genus Thermomonas. Correlation analysis revealed specific links between microbiota and host genes, such as Lysobacter with HSP70. This host-microbe synergy enhances the crab's overall heat tolerance.
SN  - 1471-2164
ER  -