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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #214719

Title: Gene expression in adult blue-green sharpshooters, Graphocephala atropunctata (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Author
item Hunter, Wayne
item WISTROM, C. - UNIV. CALIFORNIA
item PURCELL, A. - UNIV. CALIFORNIA

Submitted to: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2007
Publication Date: 6/4/2007
Citation: Hunter, W.B., Wistrom, C., Purcell, A. 2007. Gene expression in adult blue-green sharpshooters, Graphocephala atropunctata (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). EH655849-EH662332.

Interpretive Summary: We identified and sequenced 6,525 genetic sequences isolated from adult blue-green sharpshooters (BGSS) an insect which transmits the plant pathogenic bacterium that causes Pierce's disease of grapes. The newly created dataset was published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, NCBI, public database. The production of this data provides a significant increase in information on the genetic basis of BGSS biology and significantly expands the overall genomic data available to researchers working on new management methodologies for sharpshooter leafhopper pests. The new data from BGSS also provides valuable insight and gentic tools for comparison to other leafhoppers which transmit Pierce's disease such as the glassy-winged sharpshooter, GWSS, which is the primary leafhopper spreading Pierce's disease throughout vineyards in southern California. Genomic relationships and the comparison of proteins linked to leafhopper survival, feeding, and their ability to transmit diseases can now be analyzed for differences and similarities between these two leafhoppers. These comparisons will aid efforts to discover novel ways to control these leafhoppers and limit the spread of Pierce's disease.

Technical Abstract: We provide valuable, new information on the genetic basis for the biology of the adult blue-green sharpshooters, BGSS, Graphocephala atropunctata, which transmit the plant pathogenic bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, the cause of Pierce’s disease of grapes, and other ‘Scorch-like’ diseases of tree crops. The newly created dataset contains 6,525 genetic sequences which were published under accession numbers: EH655849-EH662332, in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, NCBI, public database. The production of this data provides a significant increase in the understanding of the genetic basis of BGSS biology. These genetic products significantly expand the overall genomic data and tools available to researchers working on new management methodologies for sharpshooter leafhopper pests. The new data from BGSS also provides valuable insight and genetic tools for comparison to other leafhoppers which transmit Pierce’s disease such as the glassy-winged sharpshooter, GWSS, which is the primary leafhopper spreading Pierce’s disease throughout vineyards in southern California. Genomic relationships and the comparison of proteins linked to leafhopper survival, feeding, and their ability to transmit diseases can now be analyzed for their differences and/or similarities between them within these two leafhoppers. These comparisons aid ongoing efforts to target critical elements that influence the acquisition and transmission of Pierce’s disease bacteria by leafhoppers. Once key genetic targets are identified new methods aimed at interrupting these important pathways will become possible. The use of this information in the newly emerging technologies focuses on the development of environmentally friendly methods of insect management.