Genome-wide profiling of DNA methylome and transcriptome reveals epigenetic regulation of Urechis unicinctus response to sulfide stress

Sulfide is a well-known environmental pollutant that can have detrimental effects on most organisms. However, few metazoans living in sulfide-rich environments have developed mechanisms to tolerate and adapt to sulfide stress. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, have been shown to play a vital role in environmental stress adaptation. Nevertheless, the precise function of DNA methylation in biological sulfide adaptation remains unclear. Urechis unicinctus, a benthic organism inhabiting sulfide-rich intertidal environments, is an ideal model organism for studying adaptation to sulfide environments. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the DNA methylome and transcriptome of U. unicinctus after exposure to 50 μM sulfide. The results revealed dynamic changes in the DNA methylation (5-methylcytosine) landscape in response to sulfide stress, with U. unicinctus exhibiting elevated DNA methylation levels following stress exposure. Integrating differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated regions (DMRs), we identified a crucial role of gene body methylation in predicting gene expression. Furthermore, using a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, we validated the involvement of DNA methylation in the sulfide stress response and the gene regulatory network influenced by DNA methylation. The results indicated that by modulating DNA methylation levels during sulfide stress, the expression of glutathione S-transferase, glutamyl aminopeptidase, and cytochrome c oxidase could be up-regulated, thereby facilitating the metabolism and detoxification of exogenous sulfides. Moreover, DNA methylation was found to regulate and enhance the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, including NADH dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and ATP synthase. Additionally, DNA methylation influenced the regulation of Cytochrome P450 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor, both of which are closely associated with oxidative stress and stress resistance. Our findings not only emphasize the role of DNA methylation in sulfide adaptation but also provide novel insights into the potential mechanisms through which marine organisms adapt to environmental changes.