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

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.