Comprehensive proteomic analysis of the main liver and attached liver of Glyptosternum maculatum on the basis of data-independent mass spectrometry acquisition

Glyptosternum maculatum Regan is a teleost species endemic to the Brahmaputra River. This species has two livers, namely the attached liver (AL), and the main liver (ML). However, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of these two livers remain uncharacterised. In this study, we used a comparative quantitative proteomics involving data-independent acquisition to elucidate the functions of ML and AL. A total of 63 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. According to the Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, these proteins are involved in cellular processes, metabolic processes, and hydrolase activities. Analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes indicated that the enriched pathways among these DEPs were "pancreatic secretion" and "protein digestion and absorption" (i.e., digestive functions). Moreover, 569 highly expressed proteins in both ML and AL were functionally annotated, revealing their diverse biological activities that may involve adaptive responses to cold and hypoxic conditions at high altitudes.