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Title: The genome of the model beetle and pest Tribolium castaneum

Author
item RICHARDS, STEPHEN - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICIN
item GIBBS, RICHARD - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICIN
item WEINSTOCK, GEORGE - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICIN
item Beeman, Richard
item Lorenzen, Marce
item Lord, Jeffrey
item Oppert, Brenda

Submitted to: Nature Magazine
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2008
Publication Date: 3/15/2008
Citation: Richards, S., Gibbs, R.A., Weinstock, G.M., Beeman, R.W., Lorenzen, M.D., Lord, J.C., Oppert, B.S. 2008. The genome of the model beetle and pest Tribolium castaneum. Nature 452: 949-955.

Interpretive Summary: The red flour beetle is a major stored-product pest and a genetic model for beetles. The entire genome was sequenced, and this article presents a discussion of the findings of research groups around the world working on various aspects of the genome. Genes that target basic life processes, such those controlling developmental patterns and chemical sensing, provide interesting insights into the success of this pest in it’s environment. This information also is providing new leads on genes that may be targeted for new insect control products for beetles.

Technical Abstract: Tribolium castaneum is a representative of earth’s most numerous eukaryotic order, a powerful model organism for the study of generalized insect development, and also an important pest of stored agricultural products. We describe its genome sequence here. This omnivorous beetle has evolved an ability to interact with a diverse chemical environment as evidenced by large expansions in odorant and gustatory receptors, as well as p450 and other detoxification enzymes. Developmental patterns in Tribolium are more representative of other arthropods than those found in Drosophila, a fact represented in gene content and function. For one, Tribolium has retained more ancestral genes involved in cell-cell communication than Drosophila, and some are expressed in the growth zone crucial for axial elongation in short germ development. Systemic RNAi in T. castaneum appears to use mechanisms distinct from those found in C. elegans, but nevertheless offers similar power for the elucidation of gene function and identification of targets for selective insect control.