Phylogenetic analysis of the ATP-binding cassette proteins suggests a new ABC protein subfamily J inAedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae)

Background We performed an in-depth analysis of the ABC gene family inAedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae), which is an important vector species of arthropod-borne viral infections such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika. Despite its importance, previous studies of the Arthropod ABC family have not focused on this species. Reports of insecticide resistance among pests and vectors indicate that some of these ATP-dependent efflux pumps are involved in compound traffic and multidrug resistance phenotypes. Results We identified 53 classic complete ABC proteins annotated in theA. aegyptigenome. A phylogenetic analysis ofAedes aegyptiABC proteins was carried out to assign the novel proteins to the ABC subfamilies. We also determined 9 full-length sequences of DNA repair (MutS, RAD50) and structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) proteins that contain the ABC signature. Conclusions After inclusion of the putative ABC proteins into the evolutionary tree of the gene family, we classifiedA. aegyptiABC proteins into the established subfamilies (A to H), but the phylogenetic positioning of MutS, RAD50 and SMC proteins among ABC subfamilies-as well as the highly supported grouping of RAD50 and SMC-prompted us to name a new J subfamily ofA. aegyptiABC proteins.