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<p>The metamorphosis of marine invertebrates from pelagic larvae to benthic juveniles is a critical life event characterized by complex morphological alternations and physiological adjustments. The metamorphic transition of the sea cucumber <i>Apostichopus japonicus</i> from an auricularia to a juvenile larva significantly influences individual survival and population dynamics, with vital implications for aquaculture and restoration ecology. However, the underlying mechanisms that regulate larval attachment and metamorphosis in echinoderms remain poorly understood. We analyzed the comprehensive metabolic profiles of <i>A. japonicus</i> across the whole metamorphosis process, including early auricularia stage (A), doliolaria stage (D), one-month juveniles (J1), and four-month juveniles (J4), using an untargeted metabolomics approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS); and identified 2 507 metabolites, of which 880, 747, 1 416, and 1 359 differentially metabolites (DMs) were further examined in comparisons of A versus D, D versus J1, D versus J4, and J1 versus J4. Elevated levels of key metabolites (long-chain fatty acids, phospholipids, eicosanoids and free amino acids) in the D stage showed their essential roles in endogenous energy supply, membrane construction, and metabolic regulation, whereas co-occurring vitamins and pro-apoptotic substances presented roles in cellular protection and homeostasis during metamorphosis. Furthermore, we found two significantly-enriched core KEGG pathways (cysteine and methionine metabolism, purine metabolism). Although the specific roles of these metabolites and pathways in the sea cucumber development are not yet completely known, they provide new metabolic insights into the regulatory mechanisms of echinoderm metamorphosis.</p>

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Metabolic profiling of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: insights into echinoderm metamorphosis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月22日

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  • Ye Zhao,
  • Lijie Zhang,
  • Xi Xie,
  • Xiuming Xu,
  • Hui Liu,
  • Xiutang Yuan,
  • Hao Sun,
  • Yanying Zhang

摘要

The metamorphosis of marine invertebrates from pelagic larvae to benthic juveniles is a critical life event characterized by complex morphological alternations and physiological adjustments. The metamorphic transition of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus from an auricularia to a juvenile larva significantly influences individual survival and population dynamics, with vital implications for aquaculture and restoration ecology. However, the underlying mechanisms that regulate larval attachment and metamorphosis in echinoderms remain poorly understood. We analyzed the comprehensive metabolic profiles of A. japonicus across the whole metamorphosis process, including early auricularia stage (A), doliolaria stage (D), one-month juveniles (J1), and four-month juveniles (J4), using an untargeted metabolomics approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS); and identified 2 507 metabolites, of which 880, 747, 1 416, and 1 359 differentially metabolites (DMs) were further examined in comparisons of A versus D, D versus J1, D versus J4, and J1 versus J4. Elevated levels of key metabolites (long-chain fatty acids, phospholipids, eicosanoids and free amino acids) in the D stage showed their essential roles in endogenous energy supply, membrane construction, and metabolic regulation, whereas co-occurring vitamins and pro-apoptotic substances presented roles in cellular protection and homeostasis during metamorphosis. Furthermore, we found two significantly-enriched core KEGG pathways (cysteine and methionine metabolism, purine metabolism). Although the specific roles of these metabolites and pathways in the sea cucumber development are not yet completely known, they provide new metabolic insights into the regulatory mechanisms of echinoderm metamorphosis.