Identification and functional characterization of the histone acetyltransferase gene family in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

BACKGROUND: Acetylation is a widely occurring post-translational protein modification in animals, plants, and microorganisms. Histone acetyltransferase (HATs) are positive regulators of acetylation and are responsible for the growth, development, and virulence of pathogens. The pine wood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus has caused extensive pine tree mortality, leading to significant loss in Asia; however, there is no HATs have been characterized in PWN. RESULTS: In the present study, 7 HATs in PWN were identified and grouped into 3 subfamilies with conserved protein structures and motif compositions. The RT-PCR analysis revealed that HAT expression levels varied across developmental, temperature, and infection stages in pines. After the interference of BxPCAF and BxElp3, two acetyltransferase genes belonging to the GANT subfamily, the reproductive number and the pathogenicity of PWN decreased. CONCLUSIONS: We identified 7 HATs belonging to 3 subfamilies in PWN, and these proteins may play specific roles in undergrowth, environmental stress, and host invasion and are associated with the growth and pathogenicity of PWN.