Characterization of ATP binding cassette subfamily C transporters in Reticulitermes flavipes

ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters encompass a superfamily of integral membrane proteins participating in the transport of a wide array of substrates across cell membranes. In insects ABC transporters belonging to subfamily C (ABCC) are involved in insecticide resistance. In the current study we characterized ABCC transporters, of Reticulitermes flavipes, which is a wood feeding insect encountering high amounts of toxic lignin phenolics in its diet. Our objectives for this study were to determine tissue specific distribution of RfABCC transporters across tissues including salivary glands (SG), foregut (FG), midgut (MG), hindgut (HG),  Malpighian tubules (MT) and carcasses (CC); transcript levels of RfABCC's in response to dietary toxin, lignin alkali, and an insecticide, imidacloprid. From R. flavipes  transcriptome sequences we identified 5 ABCC transporters, RfABCC1A, RfABCC1B, RfABCC1C, RfABCC5 and RfABCC9 demonstrating the signature ATP binding domains. Phylogenetic classification clustered RfABCs along with other respective insect RfABCs. There were no short-term significant differences in the transcript levels of RfABC transporters in lignin and imidacloprid exposed termites. However, there was an increase in transcript level of RfABCC1A and RfABCC1B 4 days after imidacloprid exposure. Further studies are required to evaluate ABC transporters contribution to R. flavipes physiology.