Bioinformatics analysis of structure and function in the MRP gene family and its expression in response to various drugs in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Abstract

Genes homologous to members of the MRP gene family in Caenorhabditis elegans are important in drug resistance. To further explore the molecular mechanism of drug resistance in pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), we used bioinformatics approaches to analyze genomic data for B. xylophilus and identified Bx-MRP genes. We predicted the structure and function of the genes and encoded proteins. Using bioinformatics programs to predict and analyze various properties of the predicted proteins, including hydrophobicity, transmembrane regions, phosphorylation sites, and topologically isomeric structures, of these Bx-MRP genes, we determined that they function in transmembrane transport. From the results of RT-qPCR, the Bx-MRP family members confer significant differential resistance to different drug treatments. After treatment with different concentrations of emamectin benzoate, avermectin and matrine, the expression of each gene increased with increasing drug concentrations, indicating that the family members play a positive role in the regulation of multidrug resistance.