Segmentation pathway genes in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri

Authors: MILLER, SHERRY - Kansas State University; SHIPPY, TERESA - Kansas State University; HOSMANI, PRASHANT - Boyce Thompson Institute; FLORES-GONZALEZ, MIRELLA - Boyce Thompson Institute; MUELLER, LUKAS - Boyce Thompson Institute; Hunter, Wayne; BROWN, SUSAN - Kansas State University; D'ELIA, TOM - Indian River State College; SAHA, SURYA - University Of Arizona

Submitted to: Gigascience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/5/2021
Publication Date: 5/17/2021
Citation: Miller, S., Shippy, T., Hosmani, P.S., Flores-Gonzalez, M., Mueller, L.A., Hunter, W.B., Brown, S.J., D'Elia, T., Saha, S. 2021. Segmentation pathway genes in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. Gigascience. https://doi.org/10.46471/gigabyte.26.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46471/gigabyte.26

Interpretive Summary: The global spread of Huanglongbing has devastated the citrus industry. To aid development of methods to suppress psyllid populations, we identified and annotated the genes in the Asian citrus psyllid vector that are related to body segmentation during development. Insects have a three part, segmented body plan that is established during embryogenesis, controlled by the ‘Segmentation genes’. Specific combinations of proteins activate specific gap genes to divide the embryo into the distinct regions along the body. We annotated 24 segmentation genes in the psyllid. Many of these genes are essential for psyllid development, thus these genes may be useful targets for pest control methods to stop the spread of HLB in citrus. The Citrus Greening Solutions Project (USDA-NIFA Award 2014-70016-23028).

Technical Abstract: Psyllid population suppression as a strategy to reduce the spread of huanglongbing, requires an understanding of the essential genes in psyllid biology and development. We annotated 24 Segmentation gene homologs in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. Insects have a segmented body plan that is established during embryogenesis when the anterior-posterior (A-P) axis is divided into repeated units by a cascade of gene expression. The cascade is initiated by protein gradients created by translation of maternally provided mRNAs, localized at the anterior and posterior poles of the embryo. Particular combinations of these proteins activate specific gap genes to divide the embryo into distinct regions along the A-P axis. We identified most of the genes that were expected to be present based on known phylogenetic distribution. Two exceptions were eagle and invected, that appeared absent from the D.citri_v3_Genome. Many of these genes are likely to be essential for D. citri development and thus may be useful targets for pest control methods to reduce the spread of huanglongbing in citrus.. The Citrus Greening Solutions Project (USDA-NIFA Award 2014-70016-23028).