Metabolomics provide insights into the endogenous mechanism of strobilation in the scyphozoan jellyfi sh Rhopilema esculentum

Strobilation is a well-organized metamorphosis process in scyphozoan jellyfi sh,through which the benthic polyp develops into the pelagic medusa.So far,knowledge on the molecular mechanisms behind the drastic morphological and physiological changes remains limited.In the present study,the metabolic profi les in polyp and strobila stages of jellyfi sh Rhopilema esculentum were examined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer.A total of 3071 metabolites with putative annotation were detected,of which 167 were identifi ed as diff erential metabolites between the polyp and strobila.Among the metabolites,31 signifi cantly decreased and 136 signifi cantly increased in abundance in the strobila.Thyroxin,one of the previously proposed strobilation inducer of Aurelia,was not detected in this study.The indole-containing compounds are known for triggering strobilation in Discomedusae.Two indole derivatives and an indole-isomer containing metabolite were detected among the most signifi cantly increased metabolites,which may be potential endogenous molecules for strobilation initiation.The membrane-associated phospholipids and the infl ammation and oxidative stress-related eicosanoids were found to have signifi cant changes.Although the functions of these metabolites in strobilation are not yet completely known,they provide some clues to the induction of the process of strobilation and metabolic responses that take place during strobilation.