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Title: Aphid biology: Expressed genes from alate Toxoptera citricida, the brown citrus aphid

Author
item Hunter, Wayne
item Dang, Phat
item Bausher, Michael
item Chaparro, Jose
item Shatters, Robert - Bob
item McKenzie, Cindy
item SINISTERRA, X.H. - UNIV. OF FL
item MCKENDREE, WILLIAM - FORMER ARS EMPLOYEE

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/12/2003
Publication Date: 7/31/2003
Citation: Hunter, W.B., Dang, P.M., Bausher, M.G., Chaparro, J.X., McKendree, W., Shatters, R.G., McKenzie, C.L., Sinisterra, X.H. 2003. Aphid biology: Expressed genes from alate Toxoptera citricida, the brown citrus aphid. Journal of Insect Science. 3:23. Available: http://www.insectscience.org/3.23.

Interpretive Summary: The brown citrus aphid (BrCA), Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), is considered the primary vector of citrus tristeza virus (CTV). CTV is a severe viral pathogen which causes losses to citrus industries worldwide. The winged adult aphid can readily fly long distances with the wind, thus spreading CTV throughout and across citrus growing regions. To better understand the biology of aphids and the genes expressed during wing development, we undertook a large-scale sequencing project of genes isolated from winged citrus aphids. We have identified approximately 2,000 genes from brown citrus aphid. The gene library was made available to the public through submission to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, NCBI. This data will aid research efforts in the identification of important genes within insects, specifically aphids and other sap feeding insects within the Order Hemiptera. The information from this study will then be used to develop innovative management methods against aphids.

Technical Abstract: The brown citrus aphid (BrCA), Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), is considered the primary vector of citrus tristeza virus (CTV), a severe pathogen which causes losses to citrus industries worldwide. The alate (winged) form of the BrCA can readily fly long distances with the wind, thus spreading CTV throughout and across citrus growing regions. To better understand the biology of the BrCA and the emergence of genes expressed during wing development, we undertook a large-scale sequencing project of cDNA clones from alate BrCA. Sequencing projects from other insects have provided answers to biological questions relating to development and physiology. Currently there are relatively few genes identified from aphids. However, important morphogenetic processes are exclusively associated with aphids such as parthenogenetic development and sap feeding insect metabolism. We have produced the first public data set of expressed genes from the brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy). The cDNA library was derived from alate adults due to their significance in spreading viruses (e.g., CTV). Over 5180 cDNA clones were sequenced, resulting in 4263 high-quality BrCA ESTs. Contig alignment of these ESTs resulted in 2124 total assembled sequences, including both contiguous sequences and singlets. Approximately 33% of the genes identified have no significant match to currently described genes, suggesting that sequencing projects still provide new information to the scientific community. Sequences returning matches with an E-value of = -10 using BLASTX, BLASTN, or TBLASTX were annotated based on their putative molecular function and biological process using the Gene Ontology classification system. This data will aid research efforts in the identification of important genes within insects, specifically aphids and other sap feeding insects within the Order Hemiptera.