Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of Saccharina japonica gametophytes in response to perchlorate stress
This project investigates the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity of perchlorate in the brown alga Saccharina japonica. By employing an integrated multi-omics approach, including transcriptomic and untargeted metabolomic analyses, we examined the responses of male and female gametophytes subjected to perchlorate stress. The study reveals that perchlorate exposure induces a "toxic trap" characterized by translational arrest (widespread suppression of the ribosome pathway) and the collapse of the antioxidant buffer system, leading to severe oxidative damage and growth inhibition. Furthermore, the data highlight sex-specific regulatory differences in purine metabolism and nucleotide salvage pathways, providing a comprehensive molecular blueprint of perchlorate toxicity in marine macroalgae and offering insights into the ecological risks of perchlorate pollution in coastal ecosystems.