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Decoding cadmium toxicity in spiders: F-actin and Hippo pathway insights

Zhongyuan Li1, Siqi Huang1, Hua Wang1

  • 1College of Environment & Ecology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, 410128, China; Team of High Value Utilization of Crop Ecology, Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha, Hunan, 410128, China.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|July 14, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study shows F-actin gene and Hippo pathway regulate spider responses to cadmium (Cd) toxicity. Silencing F-actin impairs spider health and Cd detoxification, highlighting spiders as pollution biomarkers.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Arthropod Physiology

Background:

  • Heavy metals impact arthropods, but regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood.
  • Cadmium (Cd) toxicity poses a significant threat to arthropod health and ecosystem balance.
  • Understanding molecular responses is crucial for assessing environmental pollution impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the roles of F-actin gene and Hippo signaling pathway in spider response to cadmium toxicity.
  • To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying cadmium stress in Pardosa pseudoannulata.
  • To validate spiders as potential biomarkers for environmental heavy metal pollution.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning of the F-actin gene from Pardosa pseudoannulata.
  • RNA interference (RNAi) to silence F-actin gene expression.
  • Analysis of physiological traits, enzyme levels, and gene/protein expression (Hippo pathway, Yki).
  • Rescue assays to confirm F-actin's role in Yki regulation.

Main Results:

  • F-actin gene expression increased in Cd-exposed spiders.
  • F-actin silencing led to higher Cd accumulation, impaired physiological functions, and damaged venom glands.
  • F-actin silencing suppressed Hippo pathway genes (Cpa, Cpb, Yki) and altered related transcripts.
  • F-actin overexpression rescued Cd-induced Yki suppression.

Conclusions:

  • F-actin and Hippo signaling pathway are key regulators of cadmium toxicity response in spiders.
  • F-actin deficiency may activate Hippo signaling, inhibiting Yki and disrupting cellular processes, leading to reduced detoxification and growth.
  • Spiders, through F-actin and Hippo pathway regulation, serve as effective biomarkers for heavy metal pollution.
Keywords:
Cadmium pollutionF-actinHippo signaling pathwayPardosa pseudoannulataRNA interference

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