Comprehensive genomic profiling and expression dynamics of the HSP gene family in <i>Cipangopaludina chinensis</i> under temperature stress

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a crucial role in the survival of organisms by facilitating their response to various stress conditions. <italic>Cipangopaludina chinensis</italic> is an important aquaculture species in China that is highly resistant to temperature changes. To better understand the adaptation mechanisms of <italic>C. chinensis</italic> to temperature fluctuations, we identified and analyzed the HSPs in <italic>C. chinensis</italic> (CchHSPs). The 36 identified CchHSPs are distributed on nine chromosomes, and the proteins they encode predominantly exhibit alpha-helix structures. In phylogenetic analyses, each HSP subfamily formed a monophyletic clade. Different CchHSPs showed specific high expression in different tissues. In addition, <italic>CchHPS70-09</italic>, <italic>CchHPS70-12</italic>, and <italic>CchHPS90-02</italic> were identified as hub genes in the protein-protein interaction network, and the significant elevation of the expression of these genes in foot muscle under heat stress further validated their importance for the adaptation of <italic>C. chinensis</italic> to environmental stress. This study advances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the adaptability and stress resistance conferred by the HSP gene family in <italic>C. chinensis</italic>. These insights will facilitate future efforts aimed at designing molecular markers and conducting molecular breeding programs for this economically valuable species.