Characteristic and expression of the SNMP gene family in the storage mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Astigmata: Acaridae)

ABSTRACT Sensory neuron membrane proteins belong to a gene family of the human fatty acid transporter CD36, which is mainly involved in the recognition of fatty acids, cholesterol, and proteinaceous compounds in cells. The gene families of the olfactory system in Acari are still not clear. In this study, we identified four SNMPs in the storage mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Astigmata: Acaridae), named as TputSNMP1–4, and then determined these TputSNMPs expression levels in different developmental stages. All the TputSNMPs exhibited higher expression levels in the protonymph, female and male adults. To gain insight into the SNMP gene family, we surveyed the genomes of 12 other arthropod species. The results revealed that the SNMP gene family was highly dynamic in Acari, originating from the independent origins of insect subfamilies that differed from the SNMP1 group but in proximity to the SNMP2 group.