Evaluating the impact of methionine-enriched diets in the liver of European seabass through label-free shotgun proteomics

Plant protein sources play an essential role in aquaculture by reducing the use of fish meal to sustainable levels, although further supplementation is needed to fulfill fish nutritional requirements. This work addressed fish growth performance and proteome changes to dietary methionine in European seabass juveniles. A dose-dependent response to methionine (Met) was observed on fish growth consistent with proteomic analyses, suggesting Met requirement ≥0.9% (w/w). Fish fed at 0.77% (w/w) exhibited reduced growth and an enrichment in proteins involved in cellular homeostasis. Proteomics data suggest an optimal nutritional status at 1.36% Met (w/w), together with putative beneficial effects on the immune system up to 1.66% Met (w/w). The response to dietary Met involved the convergence of different metabolic and signalling pathways implicated in cell growth and immune response e.g., mTOR, Hedgehog or the T Cell receptor signalling, coupled with a fine-tuning regulation of amino acid metabolism and translation.