3.1. Results of transcriptome data and quality control evaluation
A total of 109.29 Gb clean data were obtained from transcriptome analysis of 15 samples, the percentage of Q30 bases was 91.32% and above, and the quality of transcriptome data was up to standard. is the clean reads of each sample were compared with the designated reference genome, and the alignment efficiency was 87.22%-91.32%, and reference genome selection was correct and efficient (Table S1). A total of 12921 genes were obtained of which 10560 genes were annotated, and the annotation efficiency was 81.72%. There were 883 new genes, 162 of which were annotated. (Table S2). Three of the 15 samples (QSH1-0, QSH2-0, and QSH3-0) were significant outliers compared with the other 2 samples in the same group. Except for these 3 outlier samples, the other 12 samples showed good correlation (Fig. 1-a).
3.2. Gene Expression Pattern Analysis and Clustering of DEGs.
The transcriptome data were divided into 10 groups, among which 6 groups had more downregulated genes than upregulated genes (Table S3). Ten differential groups received a total of 1480 DEGs of which 1370 DEGs were annotated. A total of 4 expression trends were obtained by analysing 1480 DEG expression trends (Fig. 1-b). Profile 1 and Profile 2 genes were downregulated, for a total of 761 genes. Profile 3 and Profile 4 genes belonged to the upregulation type, for a total of 719 genes. There were more downregulated genes than upregulated genes. The expression of Profile 4 genes increased at 0–3 h and decreased slightly at 3–14 h. Profile 1 and Profile 2 genes were inhibited after exposure to AR stimulation and stress. The expression of the Profile 3 and Profile 4 genes increased after AR induction.
According to the differential trend analysis of DEGs, it was found that for a total of 66.3% of DEGs (Profile 2 and Profile 4) at 0–3 h were the most variable stages of DEG expression, 3–14 h expression was stable, and 17.1% of DEGs (Profile 1) continued to change at 0–14 h. The expression of 16.6% of DEGs (Profile 3) at 0–3 h was stable, and the expression changed greatly at 3–14 h, and 0 h, 3 h and 14 h are important nodes for DEG expression. The expression of all DEGs can be divided into two stages: 0–3 h and 3–14 h. Therefore, the analysis of CK vs QSH1 (0 h vs 3 h) and QSH1 vs QSH4 (3 h vs 14 h) were more representative of the role of L. gibbosa DEGs in AR degradation.
3.3. Differential grouping of DEGs in the GO database analysis
The DEGs of the different groups CK vs QSH1 and QSH1 vs QSH4 were GO enriched. The enrichment categories of log10(KS) ≥ 2 are intercepted (Table S4). KS: the significant statistics of the enrichment of the GO category, the smaller the KS value is the larger the log10(KS) is, indicating the more significant the enrichment. At 0–3 h, upregulated DEGs were significantly enriched to GO:0020037 (heme binding), GO:0000041 (transition metal ion transport), GO:0005741 (mitochondrial outer membrane), GO:0046274 (lignin catabolic process) and GO:0004601 (peroxidase activity) categories, and downregulated DEGs were significantly enriched to GO:0020037 (heme binding), GO:0004521 (endoribonuclease activity) and GO:0006536 (glutamate metabolic process) categories (Fig. 2-a). At 3–14 h, upregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in the GO:0016620 (oxidoreductase activity, acting on the aldehyde or oxo group of donors, and NAD or NADP as the acceptor) and GO:0020037 (heme binding) categories, and downregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in the haem binding, lignin catabolic process and reactive oxygen species metabolic process categories (Fig. 2-b). Four important categories were enriched in both phases: GO: 0020037 (heme binding), GO: 0046274 (lignin catabolical process), GO: 0016620 (oxidoreduction activity, acting on the aldehyde or oxo group of donors, and NAD or NADP as the acceptor) and GO: 0004601 (period activity). Haem is the cofactor of haemoglobin and myoglobin, cytochrome, peroxidase, and catalase, which controls the synthesis and expression of redox enzymes such as the MnP haem-binding category, which can be determined to be associated with redox reactions. Lignin is a polymer in which phenylpropanoid structural units are irregularly coupled by ether and carbon bonds[18]. However, most dyes are similar to lignin structures and are composed of heterocycles and aromatic rings, all of which are aromatic compounds. Therefore, the significant enrichment of the lignin catabolic process class can be determined to be related to AR degradation.
Based on two stages of GO enrichment analysis, at 0–3 h, L. gibbosa secondary metabolic activity and redox reactions become active, and basic life activities such as carbohydrate utilization and protein synthesis are inhibited. At approximately 14 h, the redox reaction activity decreased relative to that at 3 h and carbohydrate transport and metabolism as well as energy production and transformation functions at 14 h.
All 1480 DEGs were compared to the four important categories enriched above (Table 2). The 20 DEGs enriched in haem-binding classes encoded 8 enzymes: 4-hydroxysphinganine ceramide fatty acyl 2-hydroxylase, Versatile peroxidase, MnP, Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, Acyl-CoA desaturase, Cytochrome P450 (CYP450), Fumarate reductase, L-lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome) and nitric oxide dioxygenase. Laccase of all 3 DEGs was enriched in the lignin catabolic process category. Two DEGs were enriched in oxidoreductase activity, acting on the aldehyde or oxo group of donors, NAD or NADP as acceptor categories, encoded 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD). Peroxidase activity of four DEGs encoded Versatile peroxidase (VP) and MnP genes, and all of them were redox enzymes. Among them, MnP and VP appear in two categories. The CYP450 enrichment genes were the most. Laccase-enriched functional categories were most correlated with AR degradation. According to the GO enrichment analysis, the redox reaction plays a role in AR degradation. MnP, VP, CYP450 and Laccase are key enzymes for the redox decomposition of AR.
Table 2
DEGs from four important GO terms.
GO term
|
Gene function
|
Gene No.
|
Heme binding
|
4-hydroxysphinganine ceramide fatty acyl 2-hydroxylase
|
gene_5570
|
Versatile peroxidase
|
gene_11851, _11537, _713
|
MnP
|
gene_8611
|
Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase
|
gene_22, _4
|
Cytochrome P450
|
gene_7628,_9113,_4488,_5216,_11472,_4487, gene_5139,_7522,_10935,_6568
|
Fumarate reductase
|
gene_8119
|
L-lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome)
|
gene_4787
|
nitric oxide dioxygenase
|
gene_10651
|
Lignin catabolic
|
Laccase
|
gene_3889,_3902,_1741
|
oxidoreductase activity, acting on the aldehyde or oxo group of donors, NAD or NADP as the acceptor
|
1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase
|
gene_1202
|
aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD+)
|
gene_3674
|
Peroxidase activity
|
Versatile peroxidase
|
gene_11851,_11537, _713
|
MnP
|
gene_8611
|
3.4. Differential grouping DEG KEGG metabolic pathway analysis
The DEGs of CK vs QSH1 (0 h vs 3 h) and QSH1 vs QSH4 (3 h vs 14 h) were KEGG enriched, rich factor ≥ 4, and q value ≥ 1. Upregulated DEGs at 0–3 h were significantly enriched in the proteasome, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, sphingolipid metabolism and glutathione metabolism pathways. Downregulated DEGs at 0–3 h were significantly enriched in alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, regulation of mitophagy - yeast, arginine biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, galactose metabolism and the nitrogen metabolism pathways (Fig. 2-c).
Upregulated DEGs at 3–14 h were significantly enriched in the pentose and glucuronate interconversion pathways. Downregulated DEGs at 3–14 h were enriched in biosynthesis of antibiotics, synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism and valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation (Fig. 2-d).
According to DEG enrichment of KEGG pathways at 0–3 h, genes involved in glutathione metabolism expression were upregulated by AR at this stage. Downregulation of the gene enrichment pathway found that the addition of AR affected the metabolism of substances needed for basic life activities such as glucose metabolism and energy metabolism in L. gibbosa. At the 3–14 h stage, glucose metabolism genes began to be upregulated, and the metabolism of amino acids and lipids was downregulated. Terpenoid synthesis gene transcription began to be downregulated.
Glutathione metabolism and redox reactions are the main processes involved in AR degradation by COG and GO database analysis.
3.5. Redox reactions and glutathione metabolism are involved in AR degradation
Some important reactive redox reactions and glutathione metabolism pathway related to AR degradation were identified by transcriptome analysis (Fig. 3). Exogenous chemicals are generally eliminated in two ways: one is discharged directly from the body without metabolism, and the other is excreted in the form of metabolites after metabolism. The metabolism of exogenous chemicals in vivo mainly undergoes a two-step reaction. The first step is the phase I reaction in which exogenous chemicals are oxidized, reduced or hydrolysed to more polar metabolites. The key enzyme to catalyse the phase I reaction is the CYP450 enzyme system. The second step is the phase II reaction in which exogenous chemicals and their metabolites are combined with endogenous substances and discharged in vitro. There are many enzymes that catalyse the phase II reaction. The important enzymes are glucuronic acid transferase, GST and N-phthalyl transferase. When AR enters L. gibbosa, it is first oxidized by CYP450 and other phase I enzymes. Then, bound to reduced glutathione (GSH) under GST catalysis it is excreted (this process is an important detoxification process in organisms). AR metabolites were treated in vitro with CYP450 and GST and then oxidized and decomposed by the extracellular enzyme Laccase and MnP and other oxidases.
During this study, 1 MnP gene (gene_8611) was upregulated; three Laccase genes (gene_3902,_3889, and _1741) 2 upregulated and 1 downregulated.; three VP genes (gene_11851,_11573, and _713), 2 upregulated and 1 downregulated; 4 GST genes(gene_9280,_6690,_11173 and _393), 3 upregulated and 1 downregulated and 30 CYP450 genes (gene_7522, _5557, _11278, _9592, _6093, _11472, _6568, _3430, _4487, _5809, _6800, _7521, _5139, _7593, _7, _6521, _5321, _6115, _6076, _9114, _9113, _7628, _4486, _5216, _10935, _9118, _4482, _7594, _4488, and _6573), 23 had upregulated expression and 7 had downregulated expression. These inferences may be involved in most of the upregulation of genes encoding AR-degrading enzymes under AR conditions. The glutathione peroxidase gene and isocitrate dehydrogenase gene, of genes involved in GSH production, also showed differential expression and upregulated expression. The molecular level shows that MnP, Laccase, CYP450, VP, GST and GSH are involved in AR degradation.
3.5.1. GST and GSH activity determination results
To verify whether the GST and GSH responds to AR, the GST activity and GSH content of hyphae in the 5 treatment stages were detected. The GSH content decreased slightly from 0 h 51.71 gGSH/L to 14 h 44.04 gGSH/L (Fig. 4-a). The GST activity of 0–3 h decreased, 3–7 h increased sharply, 7–10 h decreased, and 10–14 h increased violently. GST activity showed an overall upward trend, from 0 h 117.55U/mg prot to 14 h 217.03U/mg prot, and enzyme activity increased 1.8 times (Fig. 4-b). GST activity and GSH content showed that the GSH content slightly decreased GST, and a large amount of secretion promoted the binding of GSH and AR. Thus, glutathione metabolism responds to AR and participates in intracellular AR degradation.
3.5.2. Detection of redox enzyme activity participates in AR degradation
Extracellular enzyme Laccase and MnP activity were determined at the 5 AR treatment stages. The results showed that Laccase and MnP enzyme activities decreased slightly at 0–3 h, increased sharply at 3–10 h and then the upward trend at 10–14 h slowed down (Fig. 4-c). Laccase activity increased 3.7 times from 0 h 7.22 U/L to 14 h 27.28 U/L. MnP activity from 0 h 6.45 U/L to 14 h 18.55 U/L, and enzyme activity increased 2.9 times. The results showed that with the increasing L. gibbosa time in the AR dye environment, the activities of Laccase and MnP increased. These two enzymes respond to AR and act extracellularly.
3.6. L. gibbosa Decolourization of AR
AR decolourization was determined at 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 h (Fig. 4-d). The decolourization rate increased at 0–10 h. By 10 h, the decolourization rate reached 20.06%. At 10–14 h, the decolourization rate was stable and unchanged. At 14 h, the final decolourization rate was 20.21%. The explanation for these findings is that L. gibbosa has a decolourization effect on AR.
3.7. Inference of AR Decomposition
3.7.1. Analysis of AR degradation products by LC-MS and GC-MS techniques
To explore the possible degradation pathways of AR, LC-MS was carried out by sampling the intermediates as well as the final and stable degraded products. The mass-to-load ratio (m/z) of particle fragments can be obtained by LC-MS. The results of LC-MS analysis showed that the types of intermediate products obtained at 7 h and 14 h were the same, but the contents of each substance at 14 h were obviously less than those at 7 h. Seven substances (Table 3 and Fig. 4-e, f, g and h) were obtained with mass-to-load ratios of 318.9, 117.1, 165.0, 179.1, 215.0, 225.0, and 304.9. On the basis of m/z, 318.9 is AR (alizarin red removal Na), and 304.9, 179.1, 225 and 165 are benzophenone-5, 1,1-diphenylethylene, bisphenol and phthalic acid, respectively. These four substances may be formed by AR from the benzene ring opening in the middle. The m/z 215.0 is 1,2-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, and the carbonyl addition reaction may occur from AR and form ring openings from sulfite roots. The m/z 117.1 is a 1,4-butene diacid, which is a small molecular substance formed by cracking of the benzene ring. Figure 4-e,f,g and h shows that 1,4-butene diacid is the most abundant AR decomposition intermediate and is the most important intermediate product of L. gibbosa degradation of AR. The m/z 179.1 can also be inferred to be 9,10-dihydroanthracene, which is derived from AR de-sodium ions, hydroxyl groups and sulfite ions. The anthraquinone structure of AR is destroyed, and the anthraquinone structure is the hair colour group of AR. The anthraquinone structure was destroyed, and the dye colour disappeared.
Using GC-MS methods, the degradation products can be more comprehensively analysed to supplement LC-MS results. It can be observed in the above total ion chromatography (Fig. 4-i,j) that the abundance of material absorption ranges from 10500 at 7 h to 9000 at 14 h, indicating that the pollutants that exist in the solution are decreasing. The detected substances in the GC-MS will be referenced to the NISETO mass spectrometry database for material matching. Intermediate products related to AR decomposition were detected as some small molecular substances (Table 4) such as 2- butene, acrylaldehyde and 1-butylene.
The pathway of AR degradation was inferred from the analysis of L. gibbosa intermediate products of AR degradation by LC-MS and GC-MS (Fig. 4-k). The AR hydroxyl groups and sulfite roots were removed first, then the anthraquinone structure was broken, and finally, the benzene ring cracked to form small molecular inorganic salts. At this point, AR is completely degraded.
Table 3 Relevant information of the intermediates by LC-MS
Number
|
Molecular formula
|
Molecular mass
|
m/z
|
Constitutional formula
|
Name
|
a
|
C4H4O4
|
116
|
117.1
|
|
1,4-Butene diacid
|
b
|
C8H6O4
|
166
|
165.0
|
|
Phthalic acid
|
c
|
C14H12
|
180
|
179.1
|
|
1,1-Diphenylethylene
And 9,10-Dihydroanthracene
|
d
|
C12H8O4
|
216
|
215.0
|
|
1,2- Naphthalene dicarboxylic acid
|
e
|
C15H16O2
|
228
|
225.0
|
|
Bisphenol
|
f
|
C14H11O6SNa
|
330.29
|
304.9
|
|
Benzophenone-5
|
g
|
C14H7O7SNa
|
342.26
|
318.9
|
|
Alizarin red
|
Table 4 Relevant information of the intermediates by GC-MS
|
CAS NO.
|
Name
|
Molecular formula
|
Molecular weight
|
Molecular structure
|
7 h
|
590-18-1
|
2-butene
|
C4H8
|
56.1063
|
|
107-02-8
|
Acrylaldehyde
|
C3H4O
|
56
|
|
106-98-9
|
1-Butylene
|
C4H8
|
56.11
|
|
14 h
|
590-18-1
|
Butene
|
C4H8
|
56.1063
|
|
106-98-9
|
1-Butylene
|
C4H8
|
56.11
|
|