Highlights
- The long-time impact of ocean acidification on enzyme activity of sea cucumbers were studied.
- The significant difference of enzyme assemblage existed among three experimental groups by the multivariate statistical results.
- The acidic environment has a great effect on immune process by influencing the elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Abstract
The influence of ocean acidification (OA) is particularly significant on calcifying organisms. The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is an important cultured calcifying organism in the northern China seas. Little was known about the effects of OA on this economically important species. In this study, individuals from embryo to juveniles stage of A. japonicus, cultured in different levels of acidified seawater, were measured their enzymes activities, including five metabolic enzymes and three immune enzymes. The activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly lower in the severely acid group (pH 7.1), while the content of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was significantly higher. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly lower in the severely acid group. The multivariate statistical results showed that the significant difference of enzyme assemblage existed among three experimental groups. This study indicated that OA could reduce the biomineralization capacity, influence the anaerobic metabolism and severely affect the immune process of A. japonicas. More researches are needed in the future to reveal the mechanisms of enzyme regulation and expression of A. japonicas underlying mixture environmental stress.
Shi W., Li Y., Dong Y., Xin M., Zhang X. & Xu Q., in press.
The effect of ocean acidification on the enzyme activity of Apostichopus japonicus. Fish & Shellfish Immunology. Article (subscription required).
