Identification and expression of the phospholipase A gene family in Talaromyces marneffei.

Objective To identify and analyze the phospholipase A (PLA) gene family in Talaromyces marneffei (T. marneffei), providing the basis for further research on the potential pathogenic effect and mechanism of T. marneffei PLA. Methods The members of the PLA gene family in T. marneffei were genome-wide identified by using bioinformatics, and their gene structure, chromosome distribution, protein physicochemical property and structure, conserved motif, as well as phyletic evolution, were analyzed. The expression levels of PLA genes in T. marneffei under macrophage treatment were analyzed using the qRT-PCR method. Results A total of eight PLA genes were identified from the genome of T. marneffei, unevenly located on 5 chromosomes without any tandem duplications or fragment duplications. The amino acid residues of PLA proteins ranged from 577 to 1546, molecular weights from 65 120 to 170 690, and the isoelectric point from 4.47 to 9.28. All PLA proteins were hydrophilic, with all but PLA3 classified as unstable hydrophilic proteins. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PLA was divided into two subfamilies: PLA2 and patatin-like phospholipase, consisting of 3 and 5 members respectively. Within the same subfamily, gene structures, protein-conserved motifs, and protein structures were relatively similar, whereas significant differences existed between different subfamilies. qRT PCR results showed that the expression levels of PLA3, PLA6, and PLA8 were upregulated in T. marneffei infected with mouse macrophages. Conclusions PLA3, PLA6, and PLA8 may be related to the survival and reproduction of T. marneffei in macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]