ABC Transporters in Prorocentrum lima and Their Expression Under Different Environmental Conditions Including Okadaic Acid Production

is a typical benthic toxic dinoflagellate, which can produce phycotoxins such as okadaic acid (OA). In this study, we identified three ABC transporter genes ( , and ) and characterized their expression patterns, as well as OA production under different environmental conditions in . We found that the three ABC transporters all showed high identity with related ABC proteins from other species, and contained classical features of ABC transport proteins. Among them, was a half size transporter. The three ABC transporter genes displayed various expression profiles under different conditions. The high concentration of Cu could up-regulate , and transcripts in , suggesting the potential defensive role of ABC transporters against metal ions in surrounding waters. Cu , in some concentration, could induce OA production; meanwhile, tributyltin inhibited OA accumulation. The grazer could induce OA production, and displayed some toxicity to the grazer, indicating the possibility of OA as an anti-grazing chemical. Collectively, our results revealed intriguing data about OA production and the expression patterns of three ABC transporter genes. However, we could not find any significant correlation between OA production and expression pattern of the three ABC transporters in . Our results might provide new molecular insights on the defensive responses of to the surrounding environment.