Transcriptomic analysis of copper exposure-induced feeding avoidance and growth inhibition in Caenorhabditis elegans

This dataset comprises RNA-seq data from Caenorhabditis elegans subjected to chronic copper exposure, with the aim of elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying copper-induced feeding avoidance and growth inhibition. While copper is an essential micronutrient, it exhibits dose-dependent toxicity and has become a widespread environmental contaminant due to industrial and agricultural activities. Disruption of feeding behavior represents a critical avoidance response; however, the complete molecular regulatory network remains incompletely understood. Utilizing the genetically tractable and behaviorally transparent model organism C. elegans, we established a chronic copper exposure model to quantitatively assess associated feeding suppression and growth phenotypes. Whole-transcriptome sequencing was performed on two experimental groups: an untreated control group and a copper-exposed group, with three biological replicates per condition. The dataset provides genome-wide expression profiles that reveal differentially expressed genes, altered signaling pathways, and potential neuropeptide-related regulatory networks involved in copper-induced behavioral and physiological responses. These data serve as a valuable resource for researchers investigating metal toxicity, behavioral neurobiology, stress response mechanisms, and evolutionarily conserved pathways relevant to environmental health. They further enable exploration of gene-environment interactions and the neuroendocrine regulation of feeding under toxicant exposure.