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

McKenna, Duane D., Scully, Erin D., Pauchet, Yannick, Hoover, Kelli, Kirsch, Roy, Geib, Scott M., Mitchell, Robert F., Waterhouse, Robert M., Ahn, Seung-Joon, Arsala, Deanna et al.
(2016) 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, 17 (1). 227. doi:10.1186/s13059-016-1088-8 ISSN 1474-7596.

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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.

Item Type: Journal Article
Divisions: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Life Sciences (2010- )
Journal or Publication Title: Genome Biology
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd.
ISSN: 1474-7596
Official Date: 11 October 2016
Dates:
Date
Event
11 October 2016
Published
19 October 2016
Accepted
Volume: 17
Number: 1
Article Number: 227
DOI: 10.1186/s13059-016-1088-8
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access (Creative Commons open licence)
URI: https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/88225/

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