Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #409274
Research Project: Next-Generation Approaches for Monitoring and Management of Stored Product Insects

Location: Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research

Title: The genome of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor: It’s bigger than you think

Author
item Oppert, Brenda
item DOSSEY, AARON - All Things Bugs, Llc
item CHU, FY-CHYUN - Arana Biosciences
item SATOVIC-VUKSI, EVA - Ruder Boskovic Institute
item PLOHL, MIROSLAV - Ruder Boskovic Institute
item KOREN, SERGEY - National Institutes Of Health (NIH)
item OLMSTEAD, MORGAN - North Carolina State University
item LEIERER, DEWEY - Arkansas State University
item Ragan, Gail
item Smith, Timothy - Tim
item JOHNSTON, J.SPENCER - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: Genes
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2023
Publication Date: 12/13/2023
Citation: Oppert, B.S., Dossey, A.T., Chu, F., Satovic-Vuksi, E., Plohl, M., Koren, S., Olmstead, M.L., Leierer, D., Ragan, G.C., Smith, T.P., Johnston, J. 2023. The genome of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor: It’s bigger than you think. Genes. 14 (12). Article 2209. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14122209.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14122209

Interpretive Summary: Alternative sources of protein for people and animal agriculture are urgently needed because of an increasing world population and climate change. Insects are great alternatives as they are high in protein and other nutrients but have a lower environmental impact than traditional livestock production. Industries that are mass rearing insects for food and feed need genetic tools to protect colonies from diseases, increase or alter nutrient, mineral, and vitamin content, and generate value-added products. In this study, we sequenced the genome of the yellow mealworm, generated high throughput gene expression data from different sexes and life stages, and created a genetic engineering system that can be manipulated for desired traits. The genome is larger than previous reports and was difficult to sequence and assemble due to a large number of repetitive sequences. Nonetheless, we identified the majority of the genes in the genome, and using that information, we also have developed a genetic engineering system that can be exploited to alter nutrient content or generate disease resiliency. These data will improve nutrient content in farmed insects and increase the diversity of insect-based products for use in agriculture and for various other applications.

Technical Abstract: Background: Insects are a sustainable source of protein for human and animal feed. We present a genome assembly, CRISPR gene editing, and life stage specific transcriptomes for the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, one of the most intensively farmed insects worldwide. Methods: We combined long and short reads, as well as long range data, to obtain a reference quality assembly. Sequencing transcripts from 12 T. molitor life stages resulted in 279 million reads for gene prediction and genetic engineering. CRISPR/Cas9 used a unique plasmid delivery system containing guide RNAs targeting the eye color gene vermilion and flanking the muscle actin gene promoter and EGFP marker. Results: The assembly is 400.7 Mb, approximately 53% of the predicted genome size of 756.8 ± 9.6 Mb by flow cytometry. The assembly was complicated by a satellitome of at least 11 highly conserved satDNA occupying 28% of the genome. The injection of a novel CRISPR Cas9 plasmid resulted in knock-out of the eye color gene Tm vermilion and knock-in of EGFP. Conclusions: The genome of T. molitor is bigger than current estimates due to highly similar satellites. Accurate sequencing of an insect important to food and feed industries will promote the sustainable utilization of mealworms and other farmed insects.