Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway attenuates the acute toxic effects of copper exposure in Penaeus vannamei

Copper (Cu) toxicity in aquaculture poses significant ecological and economic risks. Up to now, the underlying mechanisms by which Cu exposure exerts adverse effects remain unclear. In this study, the relation between Wnt/β-catenin pathway and acute Cu exposure in Penaeus vannamei were investigated from the aspects of Cu bioaccumulation, hepatopancreatic histology, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota, using P. vannamei exposed by Cu and injected by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway activator (TWS119) or inhibitor (IWR1). The results showed that Cu exposure activated the activities of GSK3β and the expression of gsk3β and axin, while inhibiting the expression of β-catenin, pangolin, and c-Myc, indicating suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Cu exposure increased Cu accumulation and bioaccumulation factor (BAF) in the muscle of P. vannamei, and suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway further promoted these increases. Treatment with TWS119 alleviated the Cu-induced suppression of the signaling pathway, reduced ROS accumulation, and mitigated hepatopancreatic damage, whereas IWR1 exacerbated these effects. In addition, Cu exposure significantly altered the diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiota, promoting the proliferation of potential pathogens such as Vibrio, while inhibiting the beneficial taxa (e.g., Tateyamaria, Ralstonia). The activation and inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway alleviate or enhance the effects. Functional prediction via Tax4Fun revealed distinct shifts in microbial metabolic pathways by Cu exposure and the modulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In sum, these findings suggest that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway contributes to the protection of hepatopancreatic health in P. vannamei under Cu exposure by regulating antioxidant system and maintaining intestinal microbiota homeostasis.

Bioaccumulation; Copper; Intestinal microbiota; Penaeus vannamei; Wnt/β-catenin pathway.