Transcriptome analysis reveals differential immune related genes expression in Ruditapes philippinarum under hypoxia stress: potential HIF and NF-κB crosstalk in immune responses in clam.

The HIF signaling pathway and NF-κB signaling pathway play a critical role in hypoxia tolerance and resistance in Manila clam. The immune and defense related genes and pathways obtained here gain a fundamental understanding of the hypoxia stress in marine bivalves and provide important insights into the physiological acclimation, immune response and defense activity under hypoxia challenge. The reduced metabolism is a consequence of counterbalancing investments in immune defense against other physiological processes.