ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins in aquatic invertebrates: Evolutionary significance and application in marine ecotoxicology.
The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein superfamily is known to play a fundamental role in biological processes and is highly conserved across animal taxa. The ABC proteins function as active transporters for multiple substrates across the cellular membrane by ATP hydrolysis. As this superfamily is derived from a common ancestor, ABC genes have evolved via lineage-specific duplications through the process of adaptation. In this review, we summarized information about the ABC gene families in aquatic invertebrates, considering their evolution and putative functions in defense mechanisms. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to examine the evolutionary significance of ABC gene families in aquatic invertebrates. Particularly, a massive expansion of multixenobiotic resistance (MXR)-mediated efflux transporters was identified in the absence of the ABCG2 (BCRP) gene in Ecdysozoa and Platyzoa, suggesting that a loss of Abcg2 gene occurred sporadically in these species during divergence of Protostome to Lophotrochozoa. Furthermore, in aquatic invertebrates, the ecotoxicological significance of MXR is discussed while considering the role of MXR-mediated efflux transporters in response to various environmental pollutants.
Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
Chang-Bum
CB
Jeong
Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
Hui-Su
HS
Kim
Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
Hye-Min
HM
Kang
Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea. Electronic address: jslee2@skku.edu.
Jae-Seong
JS
Lee
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000378:metabolism*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D054750:Ecotoxicology; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
ABC transporter; Environmental pollutants; Marine invertebrates; Multixenobiotic resistance (MXR)