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Research Project: IPM Method for Control of Insect Pests and Transmitted Diseases of Orchard Crops

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Title: Chitin Biosynthesis Genes in Diaphorina citri

Author
item MILLER, CHERRY - Kansas State University
item SHIPPY, TERESA - Kansas State University
item TAMAYO, BLESSY - Indian Statistical Institute
item HOSMANI, PRASHANT - Boyce Thompson Institute
item FLORES-GONZALEZ, MIRELLA - Boyce Thompson Institute
item MUELLER, LUKAS - Boyce Thompson Institute
item Hunter, Wayne
item BROWN, SUSAN - Kansas State University
item D'ELIA, TOM - Kansas State University
item SAHA, SURYA - University Of Arizona

Submitted to: Gigascience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/2021
Publication Date: 6/3/2021
Citation: Miller, C., Shippy, T., Tamayo, B., Hosmani, P.S., Flores-Gonzalez, M., Mueller, L.A., Hunter, W.B., Brown, S.J., D'Elia, T., Saha, S. 2021. Chitin Biosynthesis Genes in Diaphorina citri. Gigascience. https://doi.org/10.46471/gigabyte.23.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46471/gigabyte.23

Interpretive Summary: The polysaccharide chitin is critical for the formation of many insect structures, including the exoskeleton, and is required for normal development. Here we report the annotation of three genes from the chitin synthesis pathway in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, the vector of Huanglongbing. Most insects have two chitin synthase (CHS) genes but, like other hemipterans, D. citri has only one. In contrast, D. citri is unusual among insects in having two UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP) genes. UAP1 is involved in the biosynthesis of chitin both in the cuticle and the peritrophic membrane, while UAP2 has roles in the modification of other macromolecules. The important functions of these genes, that if knocked out, could reduce psyllid survival. These high quality data pave the way for use of these genes as pest control targets to reduce the spread of Huanglongbing. The Citrus Greening Solutions Project (USDA-NIFA Award 2014-70016-23028)

Technical Abstract: Insect polysaccharide chitin is critical for the formation of many structures, including the exoskeleton, and is required for normal development. We report the annotation of three genes from the chitin synthesis pathway in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) the vector of Huanglongbing. Most insects have two chitin synthase (CHS) genes but, like other hemipterans, D. citri has only one. In contrast, D. citri is unusual among insects in having two UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP-1, -2) genes. UAP1 is involved in the biosynthesis of chitin both in the cuticle and the peritrophic membrane, while UAP2 has roles in the modification of other macromolecules. One of the UAP genes is broadly expressed, while the other has significantly greater expression in males. The genes identified provide new gene targets that could be used for pest control, and to reduce the spread of Huanglongbing. The Citrus Greening Solutions Project (USDA-NIFA Award 2014-70016-23028)