Molecular response mechanism in Escherichia coli under hexabromocyclododecane stress.

•Cell metabolism under HBCD stress at molecular and network levels was explored.•Glycogen storage, glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation were down-regulated.•The ability of cell recognition and transport was suppressed by HBCD.•HBCD exposure caused DNA damage and inhibited cell growth.•Chemotaxis and nucleotide excision repair were the main mechanism to resist HBCD.