Peroxisomal ABC transporters

Identification and characterization of ABC proteins in an important rice insect pest, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis unveil their response to Cry1C toxin

Rice leaffolder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) is an important insect pest in paddy fields. Due to their essential role in the physiology and insecticidal resistance, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins were studied in many insects. In this study, we identified the ABC proteins in C. medinalis through genomic data and analyzed their molecular characteristics. A total of 37 sequences with nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) were identified as ABC proteins and belonged to eight families (ABCA-ABCH). Four structure styles of ABC proteins were found in C. medinalis, including full structure, half structure, single structure, and ABC2 structure. In addition to these structures, TMD-NBD-TMD, NBD-TMD-NBD, and NBD-TMD-NBD-NBD were found in C. medinalis ABC proteins. Docking studies suggested that in addition to the soluble ABC proteins, other ABC proteins including ABCC4, ABCH1, ABCG3, ABCB5, ABCG1, ABCC7, ABCB3, ABCA3, and ABCC5 binding with Cry1C had higher weighted scores. The upregulation of ABCB1 and downregulation of ABCB3, ABCC1, ABCC7, ABCG1, ABCG3, and ABCG6 were associated with the C. medinalis response to Cry1C toxin. Collectively, these results help elucidate the molecular characteristics of C. medinalis ABC proteins, pave the way for further functional studies of C. medinalis ABC proteins, including their interaction with Cry1C toxin, and provide potential insecticide targets.

Internal Transcription Terminators Control Stoichiometry of ABC Transporters in Cellulolytic Clostridia

The extracellular substrate-binding proteins (SBPs) of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) importers tend to be expressed in excess relative to their cognate translocators, but how the stoichiometry of ABC transporters is controlled remains unclear. Here, we elucidated a mechanism contributing to differential gene expression in operons encoding ABC importers by employing cellulolytic Clostridia species, specifically Ruminiclostridium cellulolyticum. We found that there were usually stem-loop structures downstream of SBP genes, which could prematurely terminate the transcription of ABC importers and were putative internal intrinsic terminators, resulting in high transcript levels of upstream SBP genes and low transcript levels of downstream cognate translocator genes. This was determined by their termination efficiencies. Internal terminators had a lower U content in their 3′ U-rich tracts and longer GC-rich stems, which distinguishes them from canonical terminators and potentially endows them with special termination efficiencies. The pairing of U-rich tracts and the formation of unpaired regions in these internal terminators contributed to their folding energies, affecting the stability of their upstream SBP transcripts. Our findings revealed a strategy of internal transcriptional terminators controlling in vivo stoichiometry of their flanking transcripts.

IMPORTANCE Operons encoding protein complexes or metabolic pathways usually require fine-tuned gene expression ratios to create and maintain the appropriate stoichiometry for biological functions. In this study, a strategy for controlling differential expression of genes in an operon was proposed by utilizing ABC importers from Ruminiclostridium cellulolyticum. We found that a stem-loop structure is introduced into the intergenic regions of operons encoding ABC importers as the putative internal terminator, which results in the premature termination of transcription. Consequently, the stoichiometric ratio of genes flanking terminators is precisely determined by their termination efficiencies and folding energies at the transcriptional level. Thus, it can be utilized as a promising synthetic biology tool to control the differential expression of genes in an operon.

Genome-wide analyses of ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter gene family and its expression profile related to deltamethrin tolerance in non-biting midge Propsilocerus akamusi

Non-biting midges are dominant species in aquatic systems and often used for studying the toxicological researches of insecticides. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters represent the largest known members in detoxification genes but is little known about their function in non-biting midges. Here, we selected Propsilocerus akamusi, widespread in urban streams, to first uncover the gene structure, location, characteristics, and phylogenetics of chironomid ABC transporters at genome-scale. Fifty-seven ABC transporter genes are located on four chromosomes, including eight subfamilies (ABCA-H). The ABCC, ABCG, and ABCH subfamilies experienced the duplication events to different degrees. The study showed that expression of the PaABCG17 gene is uniquely significantly elevated, with deltamethrin concentration increasing (1, 4, and 20 ug/L) both in RNA-seq and qPCR results. Additionally, the ABC transporter members of other six chironomids with assembled genomes are first described and used to investigate the characteristic of those living in the different adverse habitats. The ABC transporter frame for Propsilocerus akamusi and its transcriptomic results lay an important foundation for providing valuable resources for understanding the ABC transporter function in insecticide toxification of this species as well as those of other non-biting midges. The PaABCG17 gene is shown to play an important role in deltamethrin detoxification, and it functions need to be further investigated and might be used in the management of insecticide-resistance in chironomid adults.

Delineating the Role of Aedes aegypti ABC Transporter Gene Family during Mosquito Development and Arboviral Infection via Transcriptome Analyses

Aedes aegypti acts as a vector for several arboviral diseases that impose a major socio-economic burden. Moreover, the absence of a vaccine against these diseases and drug resistance in mosquitoes necessitates the development of new control strategies for vector-borne diseases. ABC transporters that play a vital role in immunity and other cellular processes in different organisms may act as non-canonical immune molecules against arboviruses, however, their role in mosquito immunity remains unexplored. This study comprehensively analyzed various genetic features of putative ABC transporters and classified them into A-H subfamilies based on their evolutionary relationships. Existing RNA-sequencing data analysis indicated higher expression of cytosolic ABC transporter genes (E & F Subfamily) throughout the mosquito development, while members of other subfamilies exhibited tissue and time-specific expression. Furthermore, comparative gene expression analysis from the microarray dataset of mosquito infected with dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses revealed 31 commonly expressed ABC transporters suggesting a potentially conserved transcriptomic signature of arboviral infection. Among these, only a few transporters of ABCA, ABCC and ABCF subfamily were upregulated, while most were downregulated. This indicates the possible involvement of ABC transporters in mosquito immunity.

Role of transporters in plant disease resistance

Plants being sessile have evolved numerous mechanisms to meet the changing environmental and growth conditions. Plant pathogens are responsible for devastating disease epidemics in many species. Transporter proteins are an integral part of plant growth and development, and several studies have documented their role in pathogen disease resistance. In this review, we analyze the studies on genome-wide identifications of plant transporters like sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEET), multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) transporters, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins (NRAMP), and sugar transport proteins (STPs), all having a significant role in plant disease resistance. The mechanism of action of these transporters, their solute specificity, and the potential application of recent molecular biology approaches deploying these transporters for the development of disease-resistant plants are also discussed. The applications of genome editing tools, such as CRIPSR/Cas9, are also presented. Altogether the information included in this article gives a better understanding of the role of transporter proteins during plant-pathogen interaction.

Multiple roles of ABC transporters in yeast

The ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters, first discovered as high-affinity nutrient importers in bacteria, rose to prominence when their ability to confer multidrug resistance (MDR) to cancer cells was realized. The most characterized human permeability glycoprotein (P-gp) is a dominant exporter of anti-cancer drugs and its overexpression is directly linked to MDR. The overexpression of drug efflux pumps belonging to the ABC superfamily is also a frequent cause of resistance to antifungals. Fungi has a battery of ABC proteins, but in variable numbers and at different subcellular locations. These proteins perform many critical functions, from serving as gatekeepers for xenobiotic cleansing to translocating various structurally unrelated cargoes, including lipids, fatty acids, ions, peptides, sterols, metabolites and toxins. Their emerging additional roles in cellular physiology and virulence call for attention to analyze and re-examine their divergent functions in yeast. In brief, this review traces the history of ABC transporters in yeast and discusses their typical physiological functions that go beyond their well-known role as antifungal drug efflux pumps.

The ABC transporter G subfamily in Arabidopsis thaliana

ABC transporters are ubiquitously present in all kingdoms and mediate the transport of a large spectrum of structurally different compounds. Plants possess high numbers of ABC transporters in relation to other eukaryotes; the ABCG subfamily in particular is extensive. Earlier studies demonstrated that ABCG transporters are involved in important processes influencing plant fitness. This review summarizes the functions of ABCG transporters present in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. These transporters take part in diverse processes such as pathogen response, diffusion barrier formation, or phytohormone transport. Studies involving knockout mutations reported pleiotropic phenotypes of the mutants. In some cases, different physiological roles were assigned to the same protein. The actual transported substrate(s), however, still remain to be determined for the majority of ABCG transporters. Additionally, the proposed substrate spectrum of different ABCG proteins is not always reflected by sequence identities between ABCG members. Applying only reverse genetics is thereby insufficient to clearly identify the substrate(s). We therefore stress the importance of in vitro studies in addition to in vivo studies in order to (i) clarify the substrate identity; (ii) determine the transport characteristics including directionality; and (iii) identify dimerization partners of the half-size proteins, which might in turn affect substrate specificity.

L-Carnitine in Drosophila: A Review

L-Carnitine is an amino acid derivative that plays a key role in the metabolism of fatty acids, including the shuttling of long-chain fatty acyl CoA to fuel mitochondrial β-oxidation. In addition, L-carnitine reduces oxidative damage and plays an essential role in the maintenance of cellular energy homeostasis. L-carnitine also plays an essential role in the control of cerebral functions, and the aberrant regulation of genes involved in carnitine biosynthesis and mitochondrial carnitine transport in Drosophila models has been linked to neurodegeneration. Drosophila models of neurodegenerative diseases provide a powerful platform to both unravel the molecular pathways that contribute to neurodegeneration and identify potential therapeutic targets. Drosophila can biosynthesize L-carnitine, and its carnitine transport system is similar to the human transport system; moreover, evidence from a defective Drosophila mutant for one of the carnitine shuttle genes supports the hypothesis of the occurrence of β-oxidation in glial cells. Hence, Drosophila models could advance the understanding of the links between L-carnitine and the development of neurodegenerative disorders. This review summarizes the current knowledge on L-carnitine in Drosophila and discusses the role of the L-carnitine pathway in fly models of neurodegeneration.

SLC22A5 (OCTN2) Carnitine Transporter-Indispensable for Cell Metabolism, a Jekyll and Hyde of Human Cancer

Oxidation of fatty acids uses l-carnitine to transport acyl moieties to mitochondria in a so-called carnitine shuttle. The process of β-oxidation also takes place in cancer cells. The majority of carnitine comes from the diet and is transported to the cell by ubiquitously expressed organic cation transporter novel family member 2 (OCTN2)/solute carrier family 22 member 5 (SLC22A5). The expression of SLC22A5 is regulated by transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and estrogen receptor. Transporter delivery to the cell surface, as well as transport activity are controlled by OCTN2 interaction with other proteins, such as PDZ-domain containing proteins, protein phosphatase PP2A, caveolin-1, protein kinase C. SLC22A5 expression is altered in many types of cancer, giving an advantage to some of them by supplying carnitine for β-oxidation, thus providing an alternative to glucose source of energy for growth and proliferation. On the other hand, SLC22A5 can also transport several chemotherapeutics used in clinics, leading to cancer cell death.

Identification of candidate ATP-binding cassette transporter gene family members in Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) via adult tissues transcriptome analysis

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters exist in all living organisms and play major roles in various biological functions by transporting a wide variety of substrates across membranes. The functions of ABC transporters in drug resistance have been extensively studied in vertebrates; however, they are rarely characterized in agricultural pests. The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is one of the most damaging pests of the Citrus genus because of its transmission of Huanglongbing, also known as Yellow Dragon disease. In this study, the next-generation sequencing technique was applied to research the ABC transporters of D. citri. Fifty-three ABC transporter genes were found in the RNA-Seq data, and among these ABC transporters, 4, 4, 5, 2, 1, 4, 18 and 15 ABC proteins belonged to the ABCA-ABCH subfamilies, respectively. Different expression profiles of 52 genes between imidacloprid-resistant and imidacloprid-susceptible strains were studied by qRT-PCR; 5 ABCGs and 4 ABCHs were significantly upregulated in the imidacloprid-resistant strain. In addition, five of the nine upregulated genes were widely expressed in adult tissues in spatial expression analysis. The results suggest that these genes may play key roles in this phenotype. In general, this study contributed to our current understanding of D. citri resistance to insecticides.

Genome-wide identification and gene expression pattern of ABC transporter gene family in Capsicum spp

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes act as transporters for different molecules across biological membranes and are involved in a diverse range of biological processes. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification and expression analysis of genes encoding ABC transporter proteins in three Capsicum species, i.e., Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum chinense. Capsicum is a valuable horticultural crop worldwide as an important constituent of many foods while containing several medicinal compounds including capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin. Our results identified the presence of a total of 200, 185 and 187 ABC transporter genes in C. annuum, C. baccatum and C. chinense genomes, respectively. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin content were determined in green pepper fruits (16 dpa). Additionally, we conducted different bioinformatics analyses including ABC genes classification, gene chromosomal location, Cis elements, conserved motifs identification and gene ontology classification, as well as profile expression of selected genes. Based on phylogenetic analysis and domain organization, the Capsicum ABC gene family was grouped into eight subfamilies. Among them, members within the ABCG, ABCB and ABCC subfamilies were the most abundant, while ABCD and ABCE subfamilies were less abundant throughout all species. ABC members within the same subfamily showed similar motif composition. Furthermore, common cis-elements involved in the transcriptional regulation were also identified in the promoter regions of all Capsicum ABC genes. Gene expression data from RNAseq and reverse transcription-semi-quantitative PCR analysis revealed development-specific stage expression profiles in placenta tissues. It suggests that ABC transporters, specifically the ABCC and ABCG subfamilies, may be playing important roles in the transport of secondary metabolites such as capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin to the placenta vacuoles, effecting on their content in pepper fruits. Our results provide a more comprehensive understanding of ABC transporter gene family in different Capsicum species while allowing the identification of important candidate genes related to capsaicin content for subsequent functional validation.

ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter Genes Involved in Pyrethroid Resistance in the Malaria Vector Anopheles sinensis: Genome-Wide Identification, Characteristics, Phylogenetics, and Expression Profile

background: The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters family is one of the largest families of membrane proteins existing in all living organisms. Pyrethroid resistance has become the largest unique obstacle for mosquito control worldwide. ABC transporters are thought to be associated with pyrethroid resistance in some agricultural pests, but little information is known for mosquitoes. Herein, we investigated the diversity, location, characteristics, phylogenetics, and evolution of ABC transporter family of genes in the Anopheles sinensis genome, and identified the ABC transporter genes associated with pyrethroid resistance through expression profiles using RNA-seq and qPCR. Results: 61 ABC transporter genes are identified and divided into eight subfamilies (ABCA-H), located on 22 different scaffolds. Phylogenetic and evolution analyses with ABC transporters of A. gambiae, Drosophila melanogaster, and Homo sapiens suggest that the ABCD, ABCG, and ABCH subfamilies are monophyly, and that the ABCC and ABCG subfamilies have experienced a gene duplication event. Both RNA-seq and qPCR analyses show that the AsABCG28 gene is uniquely significantly upregulated gene in all three field pyrethroid-resistant populations (Anhui, Chongqing, and Yunnan provinces) in comparison with a laboratory-susceptible strain from Jiangsu province. The AsABCG28 is significantly upregulated at 12-h and 24-h after deltamethrin exposure in three-day-old female adults. Conclusion: This study provides the information frame for ABC transporter subfamily of genes, and lays an important basis for the better understanding and further research of ABC transporter function in insecticide toxification. The AsABCG28 gene is associated with pyrethroid detoxification, and it functions at later period in the detoxification process for xenobiotics transportation.

Repurposing peroxisomes for microbial synthesis for biomolecules

Microbial synthesis represents an alternative approach for the sustainable production of chemicals, fuels, and medicines. However, construction of biosynthetic pathways always suffers from side reactions, toxicity of intermediates, or low efficiency of substrate channeling. Subcellular compartmentalization may contribute to a more efficient production of target products by reducing side reactions and toxic effects within a compact insular space. The peroxisome, a type of organelle that is involved in catabolism of fatty acids and reactive oxygen species, has attracted a great deal of attention in the construction of eukaryotic cell factories with little impact on essential cellular function. In this chapter, we will systematically review recent advances in peroxisomal compartmentalization for microbial production of valuable biomolecules. Additionally, detailed experimental designs and protocols are also described. We hope a comprehensive understanding of peroxisomes will promote their application in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.

ABC transportome inventory of human pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata: Phylogenetic and expression analysis

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) is one of the two major superfamilies of transporters present across the evolutionary scale. ABC superfamily members came to prominence due to their ability to extrude broad spectrum of substrates and to confer multi drug resistance (MDR). Overexpression of some ABC transporters in clinical isolates of Candida species was attributed to the development of MDR phenotypes. Among Candida species, Candida glabrata is an emerging drug resistant species in human fungal infections. A comprehensive analysis of such proteins in C. glabrata is required to untangle their role not only in MDR but also in other biological processes. Bioinformatic analysis of proteins encoded by genome of human pathogenic yeast C. glabrata identified 25 putative ABC protein coding genes. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, domain organization and nomenclature adopted by the Human Genome Organization (HUGO) scheme, these proteins were categorized into six subfamilies such as Pleiotropic Drug Resistance (PDR)/ABCG, Multi Drug Resistance (MDR)/ABCB, Multi Drug Resistance associated Protein (MRP)/ABCC, Adrenoleukodystrophy protein (ALDp)/ABCD, RNase L Inhibitor (RLI)/ABCE and Elongation Factor 3 (EF3)/ABCF. Among these, only 18 ABC proteins contained transmembrane domains (TMDs) and were grouped as membrane proteins, predominantly belonging to PDR, MDR, MRP, and ALDp subfamilies. A comparative phylogenetic analysis of these ABC proteins with other yeast species revealed their orthologous relationship and pointed towards their conserved functions. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis of putative membrane localized ABC protein encoding genes of C. glabrata confirmed their basal expression and showed variable transcriptional response towards antimycotic drugs. This study presents first comprehensive overview of ABC superfamily proteins of a human fungal pathogen C. glabrata, which is expected to provide an important platform for in depth analysis of their physiological relevance in cellular processes and drug resistance.

Characterization of oil-producing yeast Lipomyces starkeyi on glycerol carbon source based on metabolomics and 13C-labeling

Lipomyces starkeyi is an oil-producing yeast that can produce triacylglycerol (TAG) from glycerol as a carbon source. The TAG was mainly produced after nitrogen depletion alongside reduced cell proliferation. To obtain clues for enhancing the TAG production, cell metabolism during the TAG-producing phase was characterized by metabolomics with ¹³C labeling. The turnover analysis showed that the time constants of intermediates from glycerol to pyruvate (Pyr) were large, whereas those of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates were much smaller than that of Pyr. Surprisingly, the time constants of intermediates in gluconeogenesis and the pentose phosphate (PP) pathway were large, suggesting that a large amount of the uptaken glycerol was metabolized via the PP pathway. To synthesize fatty acids that make up TAG from acetyl-CoA (AcCoA), 14 molecules of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) per C16 fatty acid molecule are required. Because the oxidative PP pathway generates NADPH, this pathway would contribute to supply NADPH for fatty acid synthesis. To confirm that the oxidative PP pathway can supply the NADPH required for TAG production, flux analysis was conducted based on the measured specific rates and mass balances. Flux analysis revealed that the NADPH necessary for TAG production was supplied by metabolizing 48.2% of the uptaken glycerol through gluconeogenesis and the PP pathway. This result was consistent with the result of the ¹³C-labeling experiment. Furthermore, comparison of the actual flux distribution with the ideal flux distribution for TAG production suggested that it is necessary to flow more dihydroxyacetonephosphate (DHAP) through gluconeogenesis to improve TAG yield.

Identification of genomic ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes and Cd-responsive ABCs in Brassica napus

The plant ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters are one of the integral membrane proteins responsible for uptake and allocation of a wide range of metabolites and xenobiotics including heavy metals (e.g. zinc, manganese and cadmium). They play multiple roles in plant growth, development and environmental stress responses. Although the ABC transporters have been identified in model plants such as Arabidopsis and rice, they are have not been annotated and identified in rapeseed (Brassica napus) and also, little is known about functionality of these metal transporters. B. napus is an important oil crop ranking the third largest source of vegetable oil worldwide. Importantly, it is long considered as a desirable candidate for phytoremediation owning to its massive dry weight productivity and moderate Cd accumulation. In this study, we identified 314 ABC protein genes from B. napus using bioinformatics and high-throughput sequencing. Eight subfamilies including ABCA-G and ABCI have been categorized. The ABCG proteins constitute the largest subfamily with 116 members, and the ABCB and ABCC subfamilies ranks second and third with 69 and 47 members, respectively. Analyses of ABCs in B. napus genome reveal that their evolutional expansion was through localized allele duplications. Most of the ABC genes (74.2%, 233/314) were validated by RNA-sequencing rapeseed seedlings. Among the 233 profiled BnaABCs, 132 genes were differentially expressed (>1.5 fold change, p < 0.05) and 84 genes were significantly induced under Cd stress. Analyses of specific cis-elements in the upstream of eight representative genes show diverse motifs, which potentially respond to environmental stress, hormone responsiveness and other development signals.

Genome-wide analysis of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci

Background

ABC transporter superfamily is one of the largest and ubiquitous groups of proteins. Because of their role in detoxification, insect ABC transporters have gained more attention in recent years. In this study, we annotated ABC transporters from a newly sequenced sweetpotato whitefly genome. Bemisia tabaci Q biotype is an emerging global invasive species that has caused extensive damages to field crops as well as ornamental plants.

Results

A total of 55 ABC transporters containing all eight described subfamilies (A to H) were identified in the B. tabaci Q genome, including 8 ABCAs, 3 ABCBs, 6 ABCCs, 2 ABCDs, 1 ABCE, 3 ABCFs, 23 ABCGs and 9 ABCHs. In comparison to other species, subfamilies G and H in both phloem- and blood-sucking arthropods are expanded. The temporal expression profiles of these 55 ABC transporters throughout B. tabaci developmental stages and their responses to imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, were investigated using RNA-seq analysis. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of 24 ABC transporters (44% of the total) representing all eight subfamilies was confirmed by the quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, mRNA expression levels estimated by RT-qPCR and RNA-seq analyses were significantly correlated (r = 0.684, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

It is the first genome-wide analysis of the entire repertoire of ABC transporters in B. tabaci. The identification of these ABC transporters, their temporal expression profiles during B. tabaci development, and their response to a neonicotinoid insecticide lay the foundation for functional genomic understanding of their contribution to the invasiveness of B. tabaci.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3706-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Genome-wide identification of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and conservation of their xenobiotic transporter function in the monogonont rotifer (Brachionus koreanus)

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family is one of the largest gene family in animals, and members of this family are known to be involved in various biological processes due to their ability to transport a wide range of substrates across membranes using ATP cleavage-derived energy. We identified 61 ABC transporters in the genome of the monogonont rotifer Brachionus koreanus, and classified these into eight distinct subfamilies (A-H) by phylogenetic analysis. ABC transporters in the rotifer B. koreanus are comprised of 11 ABCA genes, 19 ABCB genes, 14 ABCC genes, 3 ABCD genes, 1 ABCE gene, 3 ABCF genes, 8 ABCG genes, and 2 ABCH genes. Extensive gene duplication and loss events in synteny were observed in several subfamilies. In particular, massive gene duplications of P-glycoproteins (P-gps), multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs), and Bk-Abcg-like proteins were observed. The ability of these B. koreanus proteins to function as multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) ABC transporters was validated using specific fluorescence substrates/inhibitors. The ABC transporter superfamily members identified in this study will be useful in future toxicological studies, and will facilitate comparative studies of the evolution of the ABC transporter superfamily in invertebrates.

Characterization and expression profiling of ATP-binding cassette transporter genes in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)

BACKGROUND

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are one of the major transmembrane protein families found in all organisms and play important roles in transporting a variety of compounds across intra and extra cellular membranes. In some species, ABC transporters may be involved in the detoxification of substances such as insecticides. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), a destructive pest of cruciferous crops worldwide, is an important species to study as it is resistant to many types of insecticides as well as biological control Bacillus thuringiensis toxins.

RESULTS

A total of 82 ABC genes were identified from our published P. xylostella genome, and grouped into eight subfamilies (ABCA-H) based on phylogenetic analysis. Genes of subfamilies ABCA, ABCC and ABCH were found to be expanded in P. xylostella compared with those in Bombyx mori, Manduca sexta, Heliconius melpomene, Danaus plexippus, Drosophila melanogaster, Tetranychus urticae and Homo sapiens. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that many of the ABC transporters in P. xylostella are orthologous to the well-studied ABC transporter genes in the seven other species. Transcriptome- and qRT-PCR-based analysis elucidated physiological effects of ABC gene expressions of P. xylostella which were developmental stage- and tissue-specific as well as being affected by whether or not the insects were from an insecticide-resistant strain. Two ABCC and one ABCA genes were preferentially expressed in midgut of the 4th-instar larvae of a susceptible strain (Fuzhou-S) suggesting their potential roles in metabolizing plant defensive chemicals. Most of the highly expressed genes in insecticide-resistant strains were also predominantly expressed in the tissues of Malpighian tubules and midgut.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the most comprehensive study on identification, characterization and expression profiling of ABC transporter genes in P. xylostella to date. The diversified features and expression patterns of this gene family may be associated with the evolutionary capacity of this species to develop resistance to a wide range of insecticides and biological toxins. Our findings provide a solid foundation for future functional studies on specific ABC transporter genes in P. xylostella, and for further understanding of their physiological roles and regulatory pathways in insecticide resistance.

Role of family D ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCD) in cancer

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, belonging to the family D, are expressed in peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum or lysosomes. ABCD transporters play a role in transport of lipids, bile acids and vitamin B12 and associate with peroxisomal disorders. ABCD1 performs transport of coenzyme A esters of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in peroxisomes and a number of mutations in ABCD1 gene were linked to an X-linked adrenoleucodystrophy (X-ALD). The role of ABCD transporters in tumour growth has not been studied in detail, but there is some evidence that ABCDs levels differ between undifferentiated stem or tumour cells and differentiated cells suggesting a possible link to tumorigenesis. In this mini-review, we discuss the available information about the role of ABCD transporters in cancer.

Diversity of ABC transporter genes across the plant kingdom and their potential utility in biotechnology

Background

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene superfamily is ubiquitous among extant organisms and prominently represented in plants. ABC transporters act to transport compounds across cellular membranes and are involved in a diverse range of biological processes. Thus, the applicability to biotechnology is vast, including cancer resistance in humans, drug resistance among vertebrates, and herbicide and other xenobiotic resistance in plants. In addition, plants appear to harbor the highest diversity of ABC transporter genes compared with any other group of organisms. This study applied transcriptome analysis to survey the kingdom-wide ABC transporter diversity in plants and suggest biotechnology applications of this diversity.

Results

We utilized sequence similarity-based informatics techniques to infer the identity of ABC transporter gene candidates from 1295 phylogenetically-diverse plant transcriptomes. A total of 97,149 putative (approximately 25 % were full-length) ABC transporter gene members were identified; each RNA-Seq library (plant sample) had 88 ± 30 gene members. As expected, simpler organisms, such as algae, had fewer unique members than vascular land plants. Differences were also noted in the richness of certain ABC transporter subfamilies. Land plants had more unique ABCB, ABCC, and ABCG transporter gene members on average (p < 0.005), and green algae, red algae, and bryophytes had significantly more ABCF transporter gene members (p < 0.005). Ferns had significantly fewer ABCA transporter gene members than all other plant groups (p < 0.005).

Conclusions

We present a transcriptomic overview of ABC transporter gene members across all major plant groups. An increase in the number of gene family members present in the ABCB, ABCC, and ABCD transporter subfamilies may indicate an expansion of the ABC transporter superfamily among green land plants, which include all crop species. The striking difference between the number of ABCA subfamily transporter gene members between ferns and other plant taxa is surprising and merits further investigation. Discussed is the potential exploitation of ABC transporters in plant biotechnology, with an emphasis on crops.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12896-016-0277-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Know your ABCs: Characterization and gene expression dynamics of ABC transporters in the polyphagous herbivore Helicoverpa armigera

Polyphagous insect herbivores are adapted to many different secondary metabolites of their host plants. However, little is known about the role of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, a multigene family involved in detoxification processes. To study the larval response of the generalist Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera) and the putative role of ABC transporters, we performed developmental assays on artificial diet supplemented with secondary metabolites from host plants (atropine-scopolamine, nicotine and tomatine) and non-host plants (taxol) in combination with a replicated RNAseq experiment. A maximum likelihood phylogeny identified the subfamily affiliations of the ABC transporter sequences. Larval performance was equal on the atropine-scopolamine diet and the tomatine diet. For the latter we could identify a treatment-specific upregulation of five ABC transporters in the gut. No significant developmental difference was detected between larvae fed on nicotine or taxol. This was also mirrored in the upregulation of five ABC transporters when fed on either of the two diets. The highest number of differentially expressed genes was recorded in the gut samples in response to feeding on secondary metabolites. Our results are consistent with the expectation of a general detoxification response in a polyphagous herbivore. This is the first study to characterize the multigene family of ABC transporters and identify gene expression changes across different developmental stages and tissues, as well as the impact of secondary metabolites in the agricultural pest H. armigera.

Triacylglycerol Metabolism, Function, and Accumulation in Plant Vegetative Tissues

Oils in the form of triacylglycerols are the most abundant energy-dense storage compounds in eukaryotes, and their metabolism plays a key role in cellular energy balance, lipid homeostasis, growth, and maintenance. Plants accumulate oils primarily in seeds and fruits. Plant oils are used for food and feed and, increasingly, as feedstocks for biodiesel and industrial chemicals. Although plant vegetative tissues do not accumulate significant levels of triacylglycerols, they possess a high capacity for their synthesis, storage, and metabolism. The development of plants that accumulate oil in vegetative tissues presents an opportunity for expanded production of triacylglycerols as a renewable and sustainable bioenergy source. Here, we review recent progress in the understanding of triacylglycerol synthesis, turnover, storage, and function in leaves and discuss emerging genetic engineering strategies targeted at enhancing triacylglycerol accumulation in biomass crops. Such plants could potentially be modified to produce oleochemical feedstocks or nutraceuticals.

Fatty Acid and Lipid Transport in Plant Cells

Fatty acids (FAs) and lipids are essential - not only as membrane constituents but also for growth and development. In plants and algae, FAs are synthesized in plastids and to a large extent transported to the endoplasmic reticulum for modification and lipid assembly. Subsequently, lipophilic compounds are distributed within the cell, and thus are transported across most membrane systems. Membrane-intrinsic transporters and proteins for cellular FA/lipid transfer therefore represent key components for delivery and dissemination. In addition to highlighting their role in lipid homeostasis and plant performance, different transport mechanisms for land plants and green algae - in the model systems Arabidopsis thaliana, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii - are compared, thereby providing a current perspective on protein-mediated FA and lipid trafficking in photosynthetic cells.

Integration and Validation of the Genome-Scale Metabolic Models of Pichia pastoris: A Comprehensive Update of Protein Glycosylation Pathways, Lipid and Energy Metabolism

Motivation

Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) are tools that allow predicting a phenotype from a genotype under certain environmental conditions. GEMs have been developed in the last ten years for a broad range of organisms, and are used for multiple purposes such as discovering new properties of metabolic networks, predicting new targets for metabolic engineering, as well as optimizing the cultivation conditions for biochemicals or recombinant protein production. Pichia pastoris is one of the most widely used organisms for heterologous protein expression. There are different GEMs for this methylotrophic yeast of which the most relevant and complete in the published literature are iPP668, PpaMBEL1254 and iLC915. However, these three models differ regarding certain pathways, terminology for metabolites and reactions and annotations. Moreover, GEMs for some species are typically built based on the reconstructed models of related model organisms. In these cases, some organism-specific pathways could be missing or misrepresented.

Results

In order to provide an updated and more comprehensive GEM for P. pastoris, we have reconstructed and validated a consensus model integrating and merging all three existing models. In this step a comprehensive review and integration of the metabolic pathways included in each one of these three versions was performed. In addition, the resulting iMT1026 model includes a new description of some metabolic processes. Particularly new information described in recently published literature is included, mainly related to fatty acid and sphingolipid metabolism, glycosylation and cell energetics. Finally the reconstructed model was tested and validated, by comparing the results of the simulations with available empirical physiological datasets results obtained from a wide range of experimental conditions, such as different carbon sources, distinct oxygen availability conditions, as well as producing of two different recombinant proteins. In these simulations, the iMT1026 model has shown a better performance than the previous existing models.

The plastic response of Manduca sexta to host and non-host plants

Specialist insect herbivores have evolved efficient ways to adapt to the major defenses of their host plants. Although Manduca sexta, specialized on Solanaceous plants, has become a model organism for insect molecular biology, little is known about its adaptive responses to the chemical defenses of its hosts. To study larval performance and transcriptomic responses to host and non-host plants, we conducted developmental assays and replicated RNAseq experiments with Manduca larvae fed on different Solanaceous plants as well as on a Brassicaceous non-host plant, Brassica napus. Manduca larvae developed fastest on Nicotiana attenuata, but no significant differences in performance were found on larvae fed on other Solanaceae or the non-host B. napus. The RNAseq experiments revealed that Manduca larvae display plastic responses at the gene expression level, and transcriptional signatures specific to the challenges of each host- and non-host plant. Our observations are not consistent with expectations that specialist herbivores would perform poorly on non-host plants. Instead, our findings demonstrate the ability of this specialized insect herbivore to efficiently use a larger repertoire of host plants than it utilizes in the field.

Transcriptomic insights on the ABC transporter gene family in the salmon louse Caligus rogercresseyi

BACKGROUND

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein family encode for membrane proteins involved in the transport of various biomolecules through the cellular membrane. These proteins have been identified in all taxa and present important physiological functions, including the process of insecticide detoxification in arthropods. For that reason the ectoparasite Caligus rogercresseyi represents a model species for understanding the molecular underpinnings involved in insecticide drug resistance.

METHODS

llumina sequencing was performed using sea lice exposed to 2 and 3 ppb of deltamethrin and azamethiphos. Contigs obtained from de novo assembly were annotated by Blastx. RNA-Seq analysis was performed and validated by qPCR analysis.

RESULTS

From the transcriptome database of C. rogercresseyi, 57 putative members of ABC protein sequences were identified and phylogenetically classified into the eight subfamilies described for ABC transporters in arthropods. Transcriptomic profiles for ABC proteins subfamilies were evaluated throughout C. rogercresseyi development. Moreover, RNA-Seq analysis was performed for adult male and female salmon lice exposed to the delousing drugs azamethiphos and deltamethrin. High transcript levels of the ABCB and ABCC subfamilies were evidenced. Furthermore, SNPs mining was carried out for the ABC proteins sequences, revealing pivotal genomic information.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study gives a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of ABC proteins from C. rogercresseyi, providing relevant information about transporter roles during ontogeny and in relation to delousing drug responses in salmon lice. This genomic information represents a valuable tool for pest management in the Chilean salmon aquaculture industry.

Gene expression changes controlling distinct adaptations in the heart and skeletal muscle of a hibernating mammal

Throughout the hibernation season, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) experiences extreme fluctuations in heart rate, metabolism, oxygen consumption, and body temperature, along with prolonged fasting and immobility. These conditions necessitate different functional requirements for the heart, which maintains contractile function throughout hibernation, and the skeletal muscle, which remains largely inactive. The adaptations used to maintain these contractile organs under such variable conditions serves as a natural model to study a variety of medically relevant conditions including heart failure and disuse atrophy. To better understand how two different muscle tissues maintain function throughout the extreme fluctuations of hibernation we performed Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencing of cDNAs to compare the transcriptome of heart and skeletal muscle across the circannual cycle. This analysis resulted in the identification of 1,076 and 1,466 differentially expressed genes in heart and skeletal muscle, respectively. In both heart and skeletal muscle we identified a distinct cold-tolerant mechanism utilizing peroxisomal metabolism to make use of elevated levels of unsaturated depot fats. The skeletal muscle transcriptome also shows an early increase in oxidative capacity necessary for the altered fuel utilization and increased oxygen demand of shivering. Expression of the fetal gene expression profile is used to maintain cardiac tissue, either through increasing myocyte size or proliferation of resident cardiomyocytes, while skeletal muscle function and mass are protected through transcriptional regulation of pathways involved in protein turnover. This study provides insight into how two functionally distinct muscles maintain function under the extreme conditions of mammalian hibernation.

Genetic variability and evolutionary diversification of membrane ABC transporters in plants

BACKGROUND

ATP-binding cassette proteins have been recognized as playing a crucial role in the regulation of growth and resistance processes in all kingdoms of life. They have been deeply studied in vertebrates because of their role in drug resistance, but much less is known about ABC superfamily functions in plants.

RESULTS

Recently released plant genome sequences allowed us to identify 803 ABC transporters in four vascular plants (Oryza. sativa, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum tuberosum and Vitis vinifera) and 76 transporters in the green alga Volvox carteri, by comparing them with those reannotated in Arabidopsis thaliana and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Retrieved proteins have been phylogenetically analysed to infer orthologous relationships. Most orthologous relationships in the A, D, E and F subfamilies were found, and interesting expansions within the ABCG subfamily were observed and discussed. A high level of purifying selection is acting in the five ABC subfamilies A, B, C, D and E. However, evolutionary rates of recent duplicate genes could influence vascular plant genome diversification. The transcription profiles of ABC genes within tomato organs revealed a broad functional role for some transporters and a more specific activity for others, suggesting the presence of key ABC regulators in tomato.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings achieved in this work could contribute to address several biological questions concerning the evolution of the relationship between genomes of different species. Plant ABC protein inventories obtained could be a valuable tool both for basic and applied studies. Indeed, interpolation of the putative role of gene functions can accelerate the discovering of new ABC superfamily members.

Whole-transcriptome survey of the putative ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family genes in the latex-producing laticifers of Hevea brasiliensis

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins or transporters constitute a large protein family in plants and are involved in many different cellular functions and processes, including solute transportation, channel regulation and molecular switches, etc. Through transcriptome sequencing, a transcriptome-wide survey and expression analysis of the ABC protein genes were carried out using the laticiferous latex from Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree). A total of 46 putative ABC family proteins were identified in the H. brasiliensis latex. These consisted of 12 ‘full-size’, 21 ‘half-size’ and 13 other putative ABC proteins, and all of them showed strong conservation with their Arabidopsis thaliana counterparts. This study indicated that all eight plant ABC protein paralog subfamilies were identified in the H. brasiliensis latex, of which ABCB, ABCG and ABCI were the most abundant. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays demonstrated that gene expression of several latex ABC proteins was regulated by ethylene, jasmonic acid or bark tapping (a wound stress) stimulation, and that HbABCB15, HbABCB19, HbABCD1 and HbABCG21 responded most significantly of all to the abiotic stresses. The identification and expression analysis of the latex ABC family proteins could facilitate further investigation into their physiological involvement in latex metabolism and rubber biosynthesis by H. brasiliensis.

Molecular phylogenetic study and expression analysis of ATP-binding cassette transporter gene family in Oryza sativa in response to salt stress

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter is a large gene superfamily that utilizes the energy released from ATP hydrolysis for transporting myriad of substrates across the biological membranes. Although many investigations have been done on the structural and functional analysis of the ABC transporters in Oryza sativa, much less is known about molecular phylogenetic and global expression pattern of the complete ABC family in rice. In this study, we have carried out a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis constructing neighbor-joining and maximum-likelihood trees based on various statistical methods of different ABC protein subfamily of five plant lineages including Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (green algae), Physcomitrella patens (moss), Selaginella moellendorffii (lycophyte), Arabidopsis thaliana (dicot) and O. sativa (monocot) to explore the origin and evolutionary patterns of these ABC genes. We have identified several conserved motifs in nucleotide binding domain (NBD) of ABC proteins among all plant lineages during evolution. Amongst the different ABC protein subfamilies, 'ABCE' has not yet been identified in lower plant genomes (algae, moss and lycophytes). The result indicated that gene duplication and diversification process acted upon these genes as a major operative force creating new groups and subgroups and functional divergence during evolution. We have demonstrated that rice ABCI subfamily consists of only half size transporters that represented highly dynamic members showing maximum sequence variations among the other rice ABC subfamilies. The evolutionary and the expression analysis contribute to a deep insight into the evolution and diversity of rice ABC proteins and their roles in response to salt stress that facilitate our further understanding on rice ABC transporters.

Barley has two peroxisomal ABC transporters with multiple functions in β-oxidation

In oilseed plants, peroxisomal β-oxidation functions not only in lipid catabolism but also in jasmonate biosynthesis and metabolism of pro-auxins. Subfamily D ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters mediate import of β-oxidation substrates into the peroxisome, and the Arabidopsis ABCD protein, COMATOSE (CTS), is essential for this function. Here, the roles of peroxisomal ABCD transporters were investigated in barley, where the main storage compound is starch. Barley has two CTS homologues, designated HvABCD1 and HvABCD2, which are widely expressed and present in embryo and aleurone tissues during germination. Suppression of both genes in barley RNA interference (RNAi) lines indicated roles in metabolism of 2,4-dichlorophenoxybutyrate (2,4-DB) and indole butyric acid (IBA), jasmonate biosynthesis, and determination of grain size. Transformation of the Arabidopsis cts-1 null mutant with HvABCD1 and HvABCD2 confirmed these findings. HvABCD2 partially or completely complemented all tested phenotypes of cts-1. In contrast, HvABCD1 failed to complement the germination and establishment phenotypes of cts-1 but increased the sensitivity of hypocotyls to 100 μM IBA and partially complemented the seed size phenotype. HvABCD1 also partially complemented the yeast pxa1/pxa2Δ mutant for fatty acid β-oxidation. It is concluded that the core biochemical functions of peroxisomal ABC transporters are largely conserved between oilseeds and cereals but that their physiological roles and importance may differ.

Genome-wide identification of whole ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus

Backgrounds

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily is one of the largest transporter gene families and is observed in all animal taxa. Although a large set of transcriptomic data was recently assembled for several species of crustaceans, identification and annotation of the large ABC transporter gene family have been very challenging.

Results

In the intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus, 46 putative ABC transporters were identified using in silico analysis, and their full-length cDNA sequences were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the 46 T. japonicus ABC transporters are classified into eight subfamilies (A-H) that include all the members of all ABC subfamilies, consisting of five ABCA, five ABCB, 17 ABCC, three ABCD, one ABCE, three ABCF, seven ABCG, and five ABCH subfamilies. Of them, unique isotypic expansion of two clades of ABCC1 proteins was observed. Real-time RT-PCR-based heatmap analysis revealed that most T. japonicus ABC genes showed temporal transcriptional expression during copepod development. The overall transcriptional profile demonstrated that half of all T. japonicus ABC genes were strongly associated with at least one developmental stage. Of them, transcripts TJ-ABCH_88708 and TJ-ABCE1 were highly expressed during all developmental stages.

Conclusions

The whole set of T. japonicus ABC genes and their phylogenetic relationships will provide a better understanding of the comparative evolution of essential gene family resources in arthropods, including the crustacean copepods.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-651) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Subcellular localization of rice acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) indicates that OsACBP6::GFP is targeted to the peroxisomes

Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) show conservation at the acyl-CoA-binding (ACB) domain which facilitates binding to acyl-CoA esters. In Arabidopsis thaliana, six ACBPs participate in development and stress responses. Rice (Oryza sativa) also contains six genes encoding ACBPs. We investigated differences in subcellular localization between monocot rice and eudicot A. thaliana ACBPs. The subcellular localization of the six OsACBPs was achieved via transient expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP) fusions in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) epidermal cells, and stable transformation of A. thaliana. As plant ACBPs had not been reported in the peroxisomes, OsACBP6::GFP localization was confirmed by transient expression in rice sheath cells. The function of OsACBP6 was investigated by overexpressing 35S::OsACBP6 in the peroxisomal abc transporter1 (pxa1) mutant defective in peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation. As predicted, OsACBP1::GFP and OsACBP2::GFP were localized to the cytosol, and OsACBP4::GFP and OsACBP5::GFP to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, OsACBP3::GFP displayed subcellular multi-localization while OsACBP6::GFP was localized to the peroxisomes. 35S::OsACBP6-OE/pxa1 lines showed recovery in indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) peroxisomal β-oxidation, wound-induced VEGETATIVE STORAGE PROTEIN1 (VSP1) expression and jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation. These findings indicate a role for OsACBP6 in peroxisomal β-oxidation, and suggest that rice ACBPs are involved in lipid degradation in addition to lipid biosynthesis.

Inventory and general analysis of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) gene superfamily in maize (Zea mays L.)

The metabolic functions of ATP-binding cassette (or ABC) proteins, one of the largest families of proteins presented in all organisms, have been investigated in many protozoan, animal and plant species. To facilitate more systematic and complicated studies on maize ABC proteins in the future, we present the first complete inventory of these proteins, including 130 open reading frames (ORFs), and provide general descriptions of their classifications, basic structures, typical functions, evolution track analysis and expression profiles. The 130 ORFs were assigned to eight subfamilies based on their structures and homological features. Five of these subfamilies consist of 109 proteins, containing transmembrane domains (TM) performing as transporters. The rest three subfamilies contain 21 soluble proteins involved in various functions other than molecular transport. A comparison of ABC proteins among nine selected species revealed either convergence or divergence in each of the ABC subfamilies. Generally, plant genomes contain far more ABC genes than animal genomes. The expression profiles and evolution track of each maize ABC gene were further investigated, the results of which could provide clues for analyzing their functions. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction experiments (PCR) were conducted to detect induced expression in select ABC genes under several common stresses. This investigation provides valuable information for future research on stress tolerance in plants and potential strategies for enhancing maize production under stressful conditions.

Genome-wide identification, characterization and phylogenetic analysis of 50 catfish ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes

Background

Although a large set of full-length transcripts was recently assembled in catfish, annotation of large gene families, especially those with duplications, is still a great challenge. Most often, complexities in annotation cause mis-identification and thereby much confusion in the scientific literature. As such, detailed phylogenetic analysis and/or orthology analysis are required for annotation of genes involved in gene families. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene superfamily is a large gene family that encodes membrane proteins that transport a diverse set of substrates across membranes, playing important roles in protecting organisms from diverse environment.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this work, we identified a set of 50 ABC transporters in catfish genome. Phylogenetic analysis allowed their identification and annotation into seven subfamilies, including 9 ABCA genes, 12 ABCB genes, 12 ABCC genes, 5 ABCD genes, 2 ABCE genes, 4 ABCF genes and 6 ABCG genes. Most ABC transporters are conserved among vertebrates, though cases of recent gene duplications and gene losses do exist. Gene duplications in catfish were found for ABCA1, ABCB3, ABCB6, ABCC5, ABCD3, ABCE1, ABCF2 and ABCG2.

Conclusion/Significance

The whole set of catfish ABC transporters provide the essential genomic resources for future biochemical, toxicological and physiological studies of ABC drug efflux transporters. The establishment of orthologies should allow functional inferences with the information from model species, though the function of lineage-specific genes can be distinct because of specific living environment with different selection pressure.

Intrinsic acyl-CoA thioesterase activity of a peroxisomal ATP binding cassette transporter is required for transport and metabolism of fatty acids

Peroxisomes are organelles that perform diverse metabolic functions in different organisms, but a common function is β-oxidation of a variety of long chain aliphatic, branched, and aromatic carboxylic acids. Import of substrates into peroxisomes for β-oxidation is mediated by ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins of subfamily D, which includes the human adrenoleukodystropy protein (ALDP) defective in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). Whether substrates are transported as CoA esters or free acids has been a matter of debate. Using COMATOSE (CTS), a plant representative of the ABCD family, we demonstrate that there is a functional and physical interaction between the ABC transporter and the peroxisomal long chain acyl-CoA synthetases (LACS)6 and -7. We expressed recombinant CTS in insect cells and showed that membranes from infected cells possess fatty acyl-CoA thioesterase activity, which is stimulated by ATP. A mutant, in which Serine 810 is replaced by asparagine (S810N) is defective in fatty acid degradation in vivo, retains ATPase activity but has strongly reduced thioesterase activity, providing strong evidence for the biological relevance of this activity. Thus, CTS, and most likely the other ABCD family members, represent rare examples of polytopic membrane proteins with an intrinsic additional enzymatic function that may regulate the entry of substrates into the β-oxidation pathway. The cleavage of CoA raises questions about the side of the membrane where this occurs and this is discussed in the context of the peroxisomal coenzyme A (CoA) budget.

Peroxisome Ca(2+) homeostasis in animal and plant cells

Ca(2+) homeostasis in peroxisomes has been an unsolved problem for many years. Recently novel probes to monitor Ca(2+) levels in the lumen of peroxisomes in living cells of both animal and plant cells have been developed. Here we discuss the contrasting results obtained in mammalian cells with chemiluminecsent (aequorin) and fluorescent (cameleon) probes targeted to peroxisomes. We briefly discuss the different characteristics of these probes and the possible pitfalls of the two approaches. We conclude that the contrasting results obtained with the two probes may reflect a heterogeneity among peroxisomes in mammalian cells. We also discuss the results obtained in plant peroxisomes. In particular we demonstrate that Ca(2+) increases in the cytoplasm are mirrored by similar rises of Ca(2+) concentration the lumen of peroxisomes. The increases in peroxisome Ca(2+) level results in the activation of a catalase isoform, CAT3. Other functional roles of peroxisomal Ca(2+) changes in plant physiology are briefly discussed.

Translocation of solutes and proteins across the glycosomal membrane of trypanosomes; possibilities and limitations for targeting with trypanocidal drugs

Glycosomes are specialized peroxisomes found in all kinetoplastid organisms. The organelles are unique in harbouring most enzymes of the glycolytic pathway. Matrix proteins, synthesized in the cytosol, cofactors and metabolites have to be transported across the membrane. Recent research on Trypanosoma brucei has provided insight into how these translocations across the membrane occur, although many details remain to be elucidated. Proteins are imported by a cascade of reactions performed by specialized proteins, called peroxins, in which a cytosolic receptor with bound matrix protein inserts itself in the membrane to deliver its cargo into the organelle and is subsequently retrieved from the glycosome to perform further rounds of import. Bulky solutes, such as cofactors and acyl-CoAs, seem to be translocated by specific transporter molecules, whereas smaller solutes such as glycolytic intermediates probably cross the membrane through pore-forming channels. The presence of such channels is in apparent contradiction with previous results that suggested a low permeability of the glycosomal membrane. We propose 3 possible, not mutually exclusive, solutions for this paradox. Glycosomal glycolytic enzymes have been validated as drug targets against trypanosomatid-borne diseases. We discuss the possible implications of the new data for the design of drugs to be delivered into glycosomes.

The ATP-binding cassette proteins of the deep-branching protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

The ATP binding cassette (ABC) proteins are a family of membrane transporters and regulatory proteins responsible for diverse and critical cellular process in all organisms. To date, there has been no attempt to investigate this class of proteins in the infectious parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. We have utilized a combination of bioinformatics, gene sequence analysis, gene expression and confocal microscopy to investigate the ABC proteins of T. vaginalis. We demonstrate that, uniquely among eukaryotes, T. vaginalis possesses no intact full-length ABC transporters and has undergone a dramatic expansion of some ABC protein sub-families. Furthermore, we provide preliminary evidence that T. vaginalis is able to read through in-frame stop codons to express ABC transporter components from gene pairs in a head-to-tail orientation. Finally, with confocal microscopy we demonstrate the expression and endoplasmic reticulum localization of a number of T. vaginalis ABC transporters.

The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis infects in excess of 100 million people per year, and is a contributory factor to enhanced transmission rates of HIV, the causative virus in AIDS. As such, T. vaginalis infection is an important public health concern. Understanding the biology of the organism is important to determine aspects of the response to drug treatment, host:parasite interactions and so on. We have investigated an important family of proteins – the ATP binding cassette transporters – which are present in the membranes of all cells, and which contribute to a diverse spectrum of important cellular processes. The ABC transporters of T. vaginalis were identified by analysis of primary amino acid sequence data, and examined by subsequent protein and gene expression studies. Our most important conclusion is that – uniquely amongst eukaryotes - T. vaginalis has no ABC transporters capable of acting as monomers. In other words, its ABC transporters must all act by forming functional complexes with other ABC proteins. This has implications for our understanding not just of the parasite's biology, but also its evolution. In summary our analysis opens up the path for future research of individual members of the ABC protein family in T. vaginalis.

The human gene SLC25A17 encodes a peroxisomal transporter of coenzyme A, FAD and NAD+

The essential cofactors CoA, FAD and NAD+ are synthesized outside the peroxisomes and therefore must be transported into the peroxisomal matrix where they are required for important processes. In the present study we have functionally identified and characterized SLC25A17 (solute carrier family 25 member 17), which is the only member of the mitochondrial carrier family that has previously been shown to be localized in the peroxisomal membrane. Recombinant and purified SLC25A17 was reconstituted into liposomes. Its transport properties and kinetic parameters demonstrate that SLC25A17 is a transporter of CoA, FAD, FMN and AMP, and to a lesser extent of NAD+, PAP (adenosine 3',5'-diphosphate) and ADP. SLC25A17 functioned almost exclusively by a counter-exchange mechanism, was saturable and was inhibited by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and other mitochondrial carrier inhibitors. It was expressed to various degrees in all of the human tissues examined. Its main function is probably to transport free CoA, FAD and NAD+ into peroxisomes in exchange for intraperoxisomally generated PAP, FMN and AMP. The present paper is the first report describing the identification and characterization of a transporter for multiple free cofactors in peroxisomes.

Peroxisomal fatty acid uptake mechanism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Peroxisomes play a major role in human cellular lipid metabolism, including fatty acid β-oxidation. The most frequent peroxisomal disorder is X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, which is caused by mutations in ABCD1. The biochemical hallmark of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is the accumulation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) due to impaired peroxisomal β-oxidation. Although this suggests a role of ABCD1 in VLCFA import into peroxisomes, no direct experimental evidence is available to substantiate this. To unravel the mechanism of peroxisomal VLCFA transport, we use Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. Here we provide evidence that in this organism very long chain acyl-CoA esters are hydrolyzed by the Pxa1p-Pxa2p complex prior to the actual transport of their fatty acid moiety into the peroxisomes with the CoA presumably being released into the cytoplasm. The Pxa1p-Pxa2p complex functionally interacts with the acyl-CoA synthetases Faa2p and/or Fat1p on the inner surface of the peroxisomal membrane for subsequent re-esterification of the VLCFAs. Importantly, the Pxa1p-Pxa2p complex shares this molecular mechanism with HsABCD1 and HsABCD2.

Peroxisomal ABC transporters: structure, function and role in disease

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters belong to one of the largest families of membrane proteins, and are present in almost all living organisms from eubacteria to mammals. They exist on plasma membranes and intracellular compartments such as the mitochondria, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and lysosomes, and mediate the active transport of a wide variety of substrates in a variety of different cellular processes. These include the transport of amino acids, polysaccharides, peptides, lipids and xenobiotics, including drugs and toxins. Three ABC transporters belonging to subfamily D have been identified in mammalian peroxisomes. The ABC transporters are half-size and assemble mostly as a homodimer after posttranslational transport to peroxisomal membranes. ABCD1/ALDP and ABCD2/ALDRP are suggested to be involved in the transport of very long chain acyl-CoA with differences in substrate specificity, and ABCD3/PMP70 is involved in the transport of long and branched chain acyl-CoA. ABCD1 is known to be responsible for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), an inborn error of peroxisomal β-oxidation of very long chain fatty acids. Here, we summarize recent advances and important points in our advancing understanding of how these ABC transporters target and assemble to peroxisomal membranes and perform their functions in physiological and pathological processes, including the neurodegenerative disease, X-ALD.

Transport proteins regulate the flux of metabolites and cofactors across the membrane of plant peroxisomes

In land plants, peroxisomes play key roles in various metabolic pathways, including the most prominent examples, that is lipid mobilization and photorespiration. Given the large number of substrates that are exchanged across the peroxisomal membrane, a wide spectrum of metabolite and cofactor transporters is required and needs to be efficiently coordinated. These peroxisomal transport proteins are a prerequisite for metabolic reactions inside plant peroxisomes. The entire peroxisomal "permeome" is closely linked to the adaption of photosynthetic organisms during land plant evolution to fulfill and optimize their new metabolic demands in cells, tissues, and organs. This review assesses for the first time the distribution of these peroxisomal transporters within the algal and plant species underlining their evolutionary relevance. Despite the importance of peroxisomal transporters, the majority of these proteins, however, are still unknown at the molecular level in plants as well as in other eukaryotic organisms. Four transport proteins have been recently identified and functionally characterized in Arabidopsis so far: one transporter for the import of fatty acids and three carrier proteins for the uptake of the cofactors ATP and NAD into plant peroxisomes. The transport of the three substrates across the peroxisomal membrane is essential for the degradation of fatty acids and fatty acids-related compounds via β-oxidation. This metabolic pathway plays multiple functions for growth and development in plants that have been crucial in land plant evolution. In this review, we describe the current state of their physiological roles in Arabidopsis and discuss novel features in their putative transport mechanisms.

When, how and why glycolysis became compartmentalised in the Kinetoplastea. A new look at an ancient organelle

A characteristic, well-studied feature of the pathogenic protists belonging to the family Trypanosomatidae is the compartmentalisation of the major part of the glycolytic pathway in peroxisome-like organelles, hence designated glycosomes. Such organelles containing glycolytic enzymes appear to be present in all members of the Kinetoplastea studied, and have recently also been detected in a representative of the Diplonemida, but they are absent from the Euglenida. Glycosomes therefore probably originated in a free-living, common ancestor of the Kinetoplastea and Diplonemida. The initial sequestering of glycolytic enzymes inside peroxisomes may have been the result of a minor mistargeting of proteins, as generally observed in eukaryotic cells, followed by preservation and its further expansion due to the selective advantage of this specific form of metabolic compartmentalisation. This selective advantage may have been a largely increased metabolic flexibility, allowing the organisms to adapt more readily and efficiently to different environmental conditions. Further evolution of glycosomes involved, in different taxonomic lineages, the acquisition of additional enzymes and pathways - often participating in core metabolic processes - as well as the loss of others. The acquisitions may have been promoted by the sharing of cofactors and crucial metabolites between different pathways, thus coupling different redox processes and catabolic and anabolic pathways within the organelle. A notable loss from the Trypanosomatidae concerned a major part of the typical peroxisomal H(2)O(2)-linked metabolism. We propose that the compartmentalisation of major parts of the enzyme repertoire involved in energy, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism has contributed to the multiple development of parasitism, and its elaboration to complicated life cycles involving consecutive different hosts, in the protists of the Kinetoplastea clade.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of ATP-binding cassette transporters in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Background

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily is the largest transporter gene family responsible for transporting specific molecules across lipid membranes in all living organisms. In insects, ABC transporters not only have important functions in molecule transport, but also play roles in insecticide resistance, metabolism and development.

Results

From the genome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, we have identified 51 putative ABC genes which are classified into eight subfamilies (A-H) by phylogenetic analysis. Gene duplication is very evident in the ABCC and ABCG subfamilies, whereas gene numbers and structures are well conserved in the ABCD, ABCE, ABCF, and ABCH subfamilies. Microarray analysis revealed that expression of 32 silkworm ABC genes can be detected in at least one tissue during different developmental stages, and the expression patterns of some of them were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. A large number of ABC genes were highly expressed in the testis compared to other tissues. One of the ABCG genes, BmABC002712, was exclusively and abundantly expressed in the Malpighian tubule implying that BmABC002712 plays a tissue-specific role. At least 5 ABCG genes, including BmABC005226, BmABC005203, BmABC005202, BmABC010555, and BmABC010557, were preferentially expressed in the midgut, showing similar developmental expression profiles to those of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)-response genes. 20E treatment induced the expression of these ABCG genes in the midgut and RNA interference-mediated knockdown of USP, a component of the 20E receptor, decreased their expression, indicating that these midgut-specific ABCG genes are 20E-responsive.

Conclusion

In this study, a genome-wide analysis of the silkworm ABC transporters has been conducted. A comparison of ABC transporters from 5 insect species provides an overview of this vital gene superfamily in insects. Moreover, tissue- and stage-specific expression data of the silkworm ABCG genes lay a foundation for future analysis of their physiological function and hormonal regulation.