Transcriptome-based identification of ABC transporters in the western tarnished plant bug Lygus hesperus.
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a large superfamily of proteins that mediate diverse physiological functions by coupling ATP hydrolysis with substrate transport across lipid membranes. In insects, these proteins play roles in metabolism, development, eye pigmentation, and xenobiotic clearance. While ABC transporters have been extensively studied in vertebrates, less is known concerning this superfamily in insects, particularly hemipteran pests. We used RNA-Seq transcriptome sequencing to identify 65 putative ABC transporter sequences (including 36 full-length sequences) from the eight ABC subfamilies in the western tarnished plant bug (Lygus hesperus), a polyphagous agricultural pest. Phylogenetic analyses revealed clear orthologous relationships with ABC transporters linked to insecticide/xenobiotic clearance and indicated lineage specific expansion of the L. hesperus ABCG and ABCH subfamilies. The transcriptional profile of 13 LhABCs representative of the ABCA, ABCB, ABCC, ABCG, and ABCH subfamilies was examined across L. hesperus development and within sex-specific adult tissues. All of the transcripts were amplified from both reproductively immature and mature adults and all but LhABCA8 were expressed to some degree in eggs. Expression of LhABCA8 was spatially localized to the testis and temporally timed with male reproductive development, suggesting a potential role in sexual maturation and/or spermatozoa protection. Elevated expression of LhABCC5 in Malpighian tubules suggests a possible role in xenobiotic clearance. Our results provide the first transcriptome-wide analysis of ABC transporters in an agriculturally important hemipteran pest and, because ABC transporters are known to be important mediators of insecticidal resistance, will provide the basis for future biochemical and toxicological studies on the role of this protein family in insecticide resistance in Lygus species.
USDA-ARS, Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, Arizona, United States of America.
J Joe
JJ
Hull
USDA-ARS, Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, Arizona, United States of America.
Kendrick
K
Chaney
USDA-ARS, Daniel K. Inouye Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Hilo, Hawaii, United States of America.
Scott M
SM
Geib
USDA-ARS, Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, Arizona, United States of America.
Jeffrey A
JA
Fabrick
USDA-ARS, Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, Arizona, United States of America.
Colin S
CS
Brent
Dept. of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America.
Douglas
D
Walsh
Dept. of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America.
Laura Corley
LC
Lavine
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D020062:Heteroptera / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D059467:Transcriptome
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters