Sanders_2025_JEB_data.xlsx

High environmental PCO2 in aquatic systems typically impairs physiology
and performance in ectotherms; however, the effects of high CO2 on
protein degradation, a key process in protein homeostasis and growth,
remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of
increasing environmental PCO2 (ambient, 5000 and 10,000 μatm) on
metabolism, oxidative stress and protein ubiquitination (an indicator of
protein degradation) in whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Standard
metabolic rate was elevated by >2-fold at 5000 and 10,000 μatm
PCO2, but this was not associated with increased post-prandial
oxygen consumption or oxidative protein damage. However, levels of
protein K48 ubiquitin were reduced by up to 10-fold at 10,000 μatm
PCO2 compared with ambient controls, suggesting high PCO2 severely
affects protein degradation. Our findings reveal that while P. vannamei
appear resistant to elevated CO2, fundamental modifications to protein
degradation and homeostasis may affect long-term performance and
growth in this species.