RNA-seq based on transcriptome reveals differ genetic expressing in Chlamys farreri exposed to carcinogen PAHs

• The tested scallops were exposed to a mixture of four carcinogen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (BaP, BaA, BbF and CHR).
• 209 and 260 genes were identified as significantly up- or down-regulated, respectively, by high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies.
• The HSP70 mRNA expression was inhibited when scallop exposed to the mixture of the four PAHs.
• We suggested CYP450 2P1 mRNA expression as a better candidate biomarker than CYP450 3A2 to monitor complex marine environment.
• QO mRNA expression can be a potential marker for prediction of the biological effects of a mixture of PAHs on scallop.

The effects of a mixture of carcinogen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (BaP, BaA, BbF and CHR) on transcriptional responses in the digestive gland of scallop, Chlamys farreri, were investigated by high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies. In total, 209 and 260 genes were identified as significantly up- or down-regulated, respectively. Functional analysis based on gene ontology (GO) classification system and the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) database revealed that PAHs significantly altered the expression of genes involved in stress response, detoxication, antioxidation which were extensively discussed. In particular, CYP450 2P1 and QO mRNA expression were found to be up-regulated by exposure to PAHs mixture, suggesting that CYP450 2P1 and QO mRNA expression can be a potential marker for prediction of the biological effects of a mixture of PAHs on scallops.