A heterozygous moth genome provides insights into herbivory and detoxification

Minsheng You(Institute of Applied Ecology), Zhen Yue(BGI Group (China)), Weiyi He(Institute of Applied Ecology), Xinhua Yang(BGI Group (China)), Guang Yang(Institute of Applied Ecology), Miao Xie(Institute of Applied Ecology), Dongliang Zhan(BGI Group (China)), Simon W. Baxter(University of Cambridge), Liette Vasseur(Brock University), Geoff M Gurr(Charles Sturt University), Carl J. Douglas(University of British Columbia), Jianlin Bai(Institute of Applied Ecology), Ping Wang(Cornell University), Kai Cui(Institute of Applied Ecology), Shiguo Huang(Institute of Applied Ecology), Xianchun Li(University of Arizona), Qing Zhou(BGI Group (China)), Zhangyan Wu(BGI Group (China)), Qilin Chen(BGI Group (China)), Chunhui Liu(Institute of Applied Ecology), Bo Wang(BGI Group (China)), Xiaojing Li(University of Arizona), Xiufeng Xu(Institute of Applied Ecology), Changxin Lu(BGI Group (China)), Min Hu(BGI Group (China)), John W. Davey(University of Edinburgh), Sandy M. Smith(University of Toronto), Ming‐Shun Chen(Agricultural Research Service), Xiaofeng Xia(Institute of Applied Ecology), Weiqi Tang(Institute of Applied Ecology), Fushi Ke(Institute of Applied Ecology), Dandan Zheng(Institute of Applied Ecology), Yulan Hu(Institute of Applied Ecology), Fengqin Song(Institute of Applied Ecology), Yanchun You(Institute of Applied Ecology), Xiaoli Ma(Institute of Applied Ecology), Peng Lü(Institute of Applied Ecology), Yunkai Zheng(Institute of Applied Ecology), Yong Liang(Institute of Applied Ecology), Yaqiong Chen(Institute of Applied Ecology), Liying Yu(Institute of Applied Ecology), Younan Zhang(Institute of Applied Ecology), Yuanyuan Liu(University of British Columbia), Guo‐Qing Li(BGI Group (China)), Lin Fang(BGI Group (China)), Jingxiang Li(BGI Group (China)), Xin Zhou(BGI Group (China)), Yadan Luo(BGI Group (China)), Caiyun Gou(BGI Group (China)), Junyi Wang(BGI Group (China)), Jian Wang(BGI Group (China)), Huanming Yang(BGI Group (China)), Jun Wang(BGI Group (China))
Nature Genetics
January 13, 2013
10.1038/ng.2524
Cited by 573Open Access
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Abstract

Minsheng You and colleagues report the whole-genome sequence of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Their transcriptome analysis from different life stages, together with comparative genomic and phylogenetic analysis, provides insights into herbivore evolution and insect adaptation to plant feeding and detoxification. How an insect evolves to become a successful herbivore is of profound biological and practical importance. Herbivores are often adapted to feed on a specific group of evolutionarily and biochemically related host plants1, but the genetic and molecular bases for adaptation to plant defense compounds remain poorly understood2. We report the first whole-genome sequence of a basal lepidopteran species, Plutella xylostella, which contains 18,071 protein-coding and 1,412 unique genes with an expansion of gene families associated with perception and the detoxification of plant defense compounds. A recent expansion of retrotransposons near detoxification-related genes and a wider system used in the metabolism of plant defense compounds are shown to also be involved in the development of insecticide resistance. This work shows the genetic and molecular bases for the evolutionary success of this worldwide herbivore and offers wider insights into insect adaptation to plant feeding, as well as opening avenues for more sustainable pest management.

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