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Genome of the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), a globally significant invasive species, reveals key functional and evolutionary innovations at the beetle-plant interface.

    Summary
    Publication Type
    Journal Article
    Abstract

    BACKGROUND
    Relatively little is known about the genomic basis and evolution of wood-feeding in beetles. We undertook genome sequencing and annotation, gene expression assays, studies of plant cell wall degrading enzymes, and other functional and comparative studies of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, a globally significant invasive species capable of inflicting severe feeding damage on many important tree species. Complementary studies of genes encoding enzymes involved in digestion of woody plant tissues or detoxification of plant allelochemicals were undertaken with the genomes of 14 additional insects, including the newly sequenced emerald ash borer and bull-headed dung beetle.

    RESULTS
    The Asian longhorned beetle genome encodes a uniquely diverse arsenal of enzymes that can degrade the main polysaccharide networks in plant cell walls, detoxify plant allelochemicals, and otherwise facilitate feeding on woody plants. It has the metabolic plasticity needed to feed on diverse plant species, contributing to its highly invasive nature. Large expansions of chemosensory genes involved in the reception of pheromones and plant kairomones are consistent with the complexity of chemical cues it uses to find host plants and mates.

    CONCLUSIONS
    Amplification and functional divergence of genes associated with specialized feeding on plants, including genes originally obtained via horizontal gene transfer from fungi and bacteria, contributed to the addition, expansion, and enhancement of the metabolic repertoire of the Asian longhorned beetle, certain other phytophagous beetles, and to a lesser degree, other phytophagous insects. Our results thus begin to establish a genomic basis for the evolutionary success of beetles on plants.

    Citation
    McKenna DD, Scully ED, Pauchet Y, Hoover K, Kirsch R, Geib SM, Mitchell RF, Waterhouse RM, Ahn SJ, Arsala D, Benoit JB, Blackmon H, Bledsoe T, Bowsher JH, Busch A, Calla B, Chao H, Childers AK, Childers C, Clarke DJ, Cohen L, Demuth JP, Dinh H, Doddapaneni H, Dolan A, Duan JJ, Dugan S, Friedrich M, Glastad KM, Goodisman MA, Haddad S, Han Y, Hughes DS, Ioannidis P, Johnston JS, Jones JW, Kuhn LA, Lance DR, Lee CY, Lee SL, Lin H, Lynch JA, Moczek AP, Murali SC, Muzny DM, Nelson DR, Palli SR, Panfilio KA, Pers D, Poelchau MF, Quan H, Qu J, Ray AM, Rinehart JP, Robertson HM, Roehrdanz R, Rosendale AJ, Shin S, Silva C, Torson AS, Jentzsch IM, Werren JH, Worley KC, Yocum G, Zdobnov EM, Gibbs RA, Richards S. Genome of the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), a globally significant invasive species, reveals key functional and evolutionary innovations at the beetle-plant interface.. Genome biology. 2016 11 11; 17(1):227.
    Publication Date
    2016 11 11
    Authors
    McKenna DD, Scully ED, Pauchet Y, Hoover K, Kirsch R, Geib SM, Mitchell RF, Waterhouse RM, Ahn SJ, Arsala D, Benoit JB, Blackmon H, Bledsoe T, Bowsher JH, Busch A, Calla B, Chao H, Childers AK, Childers C, Clarke DJ, Cohen L, Demuth JP, Dinh H, Doddapaneni H, Dolan A, Duan JJ, Dugan S, Friedrich M, Glastad KM, Goodisman MA, Haddad S, Han Y, Hughes DS, Ioannidis P, Johnston JS, Jones JW, Kuhn LA, Lance DR, Lee CY, Lee SL, Lin H, Lynch JA, Moczek AP, Murali SC, Muzny DM, Nelson DR, Palli SR, Panfilio KA, Pers D, Poelchau MF, Quan H, Qu J, Ray AM, Rinehart JP, Robertson HM, Roehrdanz R, Rosendale AJ, Shin S, Silva C, Torson AS, Jentzsch IM, Werren JH, Worley KC, Yocum G, Zdobnov EM, Gibbs RA, Richards S
    Cross Reference
    Database Accession
    PMID 27832824(link is external)