Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate mediates glycolysis and the TCA cycle in clam Venerupis philippinarum

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has many adverse effects on immunity and metabolic states. However, scarce information is available on its connection with toxicologically relevant proteomics response in marine invertebrates. In this study, GS-MS was employed to determine the bio-accumulated levels of DEHP in clam Venerupis philippinarum. After exposure to 0.4 mg L -1 and 4mg L -1 DEHP, the bio-accumulated DEHP in the clam foot was significantly increased in the first 24 h, and then sharply decreased from 0.203 ± 0.022 μg g -1 to 0.104 ± 0.011 μg g -1 , and from 1.689 ± 0.018 μg g -1 to 1.172 ± 0.012 μg g -1 , respectively. Comparative proteomic was conducted to investigate the global protein expression changes towards this contaminant exposure. Twenty-eight proteins with significant differences in abundance were identified and characterized, among them six enzymes related to the glycolysis pathway were suppressed, and two members of TCA cycle were induced. The activity and mRNA expression level of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) were further assessed using qPCR and an enzymatic assay. The MDH activity and mRNA transcript levels were both elevated compared to those in the ethanol control group. Our findings indicated that a DEHP-treated clam modulated host toxicological effect through depressing glycogen synthesis and activating TCA cycle.