A Single-cell Atlas Of Exopalaemon carinicauda Gills Provides Insights Into Pillar Cells Mediated Response of Low-salinity Stress in Crustaceans (PRJCA047186)
This study usded single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize low-salinity stress responses in Exopalaemon carinicauda gills. scRNA-seq identified 11 transcriptionally distinct cell populations, including two ionocyte subtypes (pillar cells and septal cells). Comparative analysis revealed a significant increase in the abundance of pillar cell subcluster3 following low-salinity stress, with its associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in ion transport pathways, notably hydrogen ion transport. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) further indicated upregulation of hub genes involved in pH regulation within pillar cells. Pseudotime trajectory analysis suggested that gill adaptation to low-salinity stress involves a specific differentiation trajectory (cell fate 1) originating from pillar cells.