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Title: The Bemisia tabaci functional genomic project

Author
item CZOSNEK, H - HEBREW UNIV OF JERUSALEM
item MAHADAV, A - HEBREW UNIV OF JERUSALEM
item GHANIM, M - VOLCANI CTR, BET DAGAN
item McKenzie, Cindy
item Shatters, Robert - Bob
item CICERO, J - UNIV OF ARIZONA, TUCSON
item BROWN, J - UNIV OF ARIZONA, TUCSON

Submitted to: European Whitefly Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/25/2008
Publication Date: 10/20/2008
Citation: Czosnek, H., Mahadav, A., Ghanim, M., McKenzie, C.L., Shatters, R.G., Cicero, J., Brown, J.K. 2008. The Bemisia tabaci functional genomic project [abstract]. European Whitefly Symposium Proceedings.Abstracts. p. 68.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Bemisia tabaci, the genome of the whitefly and its expression has not been investigated on a large scale. To address this general shortage of information, we have constructed several cDNA libraries from virulifurous and non-viruliferous whiteflies. A cDNA spotted microarray was constructed in parallel with a catalog of proteins and is in the process of being established. Five independent cDNA libraries were prepared from B. tabaci B biotype whiteflies: (1) adult whitefly reared on cotton plants, (2) adult whitefly reared on Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-infected tomato plants, (3) adult whitefly reared on Tomato mottle virus–infected tomato plants, (4) from the eggs of non-viruliferous whiteflies, and (5) from immature instars (crawlers to pupae) of non viruliferous insects. The sequence of approximately 20,000 clones was determined. To identify clones belonging to the same gene, sequences were assembled into contigs: the clones included 3,843 singletons and 1,017 contigs. Based on homologies with the SwissProt database, the contigs and singletons were assigned a biological process, molecular function and cellular component from the Gene Ontology (GO) terminology. A microarray containing 6,000 entries was designed and is used for gene expression studies. Comparisons with public databases indicated that the libraries contained genes involved in cellular and developmental processes. The B. tabaci microarray has allowed us to analyze patterns of gene expression during several important processes in the life of the insect: 1) development, (2) acquisition of TYLCV, and (3) parasitization by wasps. The microarray has also allowed us to compare gene expression between two B. tabaci biotypes (B and Q) under heat stress. The set of sequences developed in this study represents the first DNA sequence database for an important pest of agricultural crops. Its availability allows the investigation of important questions regarding whitefly biology, development, gene expression, and comparative biology. It will also facilitate studies to elucidate gene specificity, resistance to insecticides, and plant host preferences for this cryptic species. This sequence set has been arrayed in a microchip format and enables biologically-based questions to be addressed by examining gene functionalities and expression patterns of the whitefly genome.