Integrative analyses of gene expression and alternative splicing to gain insights into the effects of copper on hepatic lipid metabolism in swamp eel (Monopterus albus)

Abstract Copper (Cu) is a common contaminant in water and can potentially cause hepatic tissue damage and toxicity in aquatic organisms. Herein we performed transcriptome analysis to investigate the effects of 100 μg/L and 400 μg/L Cu2+ (96-h exposure) on hepatic lipid metabolism in swamp eel (Monopterus albus). We identified 1004 and 2766 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the 100 and 400 μg/L Cu2+ groups, respectively. 4 up-regulated DEGs (e.g. DGAT2 and SRD5A1) and 25 down-regulated DEGs related with lipid metabolism (e.g. FABP7A, CYP51, FADS2 and ACAA2) were found in 100 μg/L Cu2+ group. In 400 μg/L Cu2+ group, 52 up-regulated lipid metabolism genes (e.g. PPARα, RXRα, ACSL4A, CPT-1, CPT-2, ACOX3, HADHA and ACADL) were identified, and 22 genes related with lipd metabolism including FABP7A, CYP51, CYP27B1, etc. were significantly down-regulated (p