Glutathione metabolism in Cryptocaryon irritans involved in defense against oxidative stress induced by zinc ions

BACKGROUND: Cryptocaryon irritans is a fatal parasite for marine teleosts and causes severe economic loss for aquaculture. Galvanized materials have shown efficacy in controlling this parasite infestation through the release of zinc ions to induce oxidative stress. METHODS: In this study, the resistance mechanism in C. irritans against oxidative stress induced by zinc ions was investigated. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was used to determine metabolic regulation in C. irritans in response to zinc ion treatment by the immersion of protomonts in ZnSO(4) solution at a sublethal dose (20 μmol). Eight differential metabolites were selected to assess the efficacy of defense against zinc ion stimulation in protomonts of C. irritans. Furthermore, the mRNA relative levels of glutathione metabolism-associated enzymes were measured in protomonts following treatment with ZnSO(4) solution at sublethal dose. RESULTS: The results showed that zinc ion exposure disrupted amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism in C. irritans. Four antioxidants, namely ascorbate, S-hexyl-glutathione, syringic acid, and ubiquinone-1, were significantly increased in the Zn group (P < 0.01), while the glutathione metabolism pathway was enhanced. The encystment rate of C. irritans was significantly higher in the ascorbate and methionine treatment (P < 0.05) groups. Additionally, at 24 h post-zinc ion exposure, the relative mRNA level of glutathione reductase (GR) was increased significantly (P < 0.01). On the contrary, the relative mRNA levels of glutathione S-transferase (GT) and phospholipid-hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), thus indicating that the generation of reduced glutathione was enhanced. CONCLUSIONS: These results revealed that glutathione metabolism in C. irritans contributes to oxidative stress resistance from zinc ions, and could be a potential drug target for controlling C. irritans infection. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05390-9.