Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter Gene Family in Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) Reveal the Role of AcABCG38 in Pollen Development

Abstract

Pineapple (<i>Ananas comosus L</i>.) cultivation commonly relies on asexual reproduction which is easily impeded by many factors in agriculture production. Sexual reproduction might be a novel approach to improve the pineapple planting. However, genes controlling pineapple sexual reproduction are still remain elusive. In different organisms a conserved superfamily proteins known as ATP binding cassette (ABC) participate in various biological processes. Whereas, till today the <i>ABC</i> gene family has not been identified in pineapple. Here 100 <i>ABC</i> genes were identified in the pineapple genome and grouped into eight subfamilies (5 <i>ABCAs</i>, 20 <i>ABCB</i>s, 16 <i>ABCCs</i>, 2 <i>ABCDs</i>, one <i>ABCEs</i>, 5 <i>ABCFs</i>, 42 <i>ABCGs</i> and 9 <i>ABCIs</i>). Gene expression profiling revealed the dynamic expression pattern of <i>ABC</i> gene family in various tissues and different developmental stages. <i>AcABCA5, AcABCB6, AcABCC4</i>, <i>AcABCC7</i>, <i>AcABCC9</i>, <i>AcABCG26</i>, <i>AcABCG38</i> and <i>AcABCG42</i> exhibited preferential expression in ovule and stamen. Over-expression of <i>AcABCG38</i> in the <i>Arabidopsis</i> double mutant <i>abcg1-2abcg16-2</i> partially restored its pollen abortion defects, indicating that <i>AcABCG38</i> plays important roles in pollen development. Our study on <i>ABC</i> gene family in pineapple provides useful information for developing sexual pineapple plantation which could be utilized to improve pineapple agricultural production.