Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Bee Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #324148
Title: Unique features of a global human ectoparasite identified through sequencing of the bed bug genome

Author
item Poelchau, Monica
item Childers, Christopher
item LEE, CHIEN-YUEH - National Taiwan University
item LIN, HAN - National Taiwan University
item Evans, Jay
item BENOIT, JOSHUA - University Of Cincinnati
item RICHARDS, STEPHEN - Baylor College Of Medicine

Submitted to: Nature Communications
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2015
Publication Date: 2/2/2016
Citation: Poelchau, M.F., Childers, C., Lee, C., Lin, H., Evans, J.D., Benoit, J., Richards, S. 2015. Unique features of a global human ectoparasite identified through sequencing of the bed bug genome. Nature Communications. doi:10.1038/ncomms10165.

Interpretive Summary: The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has become a major human pest over the last two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce and widespread insecticide resistance. BRL sequenced and analyzed the bed bug genome to provide the first inventory of genes that are linked to several aspects of bed bug behavior, as well as several mechanisms of insecticide resistance. In addition, we document the possibility of multiple transfers of genes from bacterial genomes to the bed bug genome. These analyses provide a baseline for future research this important human pest.

Technical Abstract: The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has re-established itself as a ubiquitous human ectoparasite throughout much of the world during the last two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce and widespread insecticide resistance. Analyses of the C. lectularius sequenced genome (650 Mb) and 14,220 predicted protein-coding genes provide the first comprehensive representation of genes that are linked to traumatic insemination, a reduced chemosensory repertoire of genes related to obligate hematophagy, host-symbiont interactions, and several mechanisms of insecticide resistance. In addition, we document the presence of multiple putative lateral gene transfer events. Genome sequencing and annotation establish a solid foundation for future research on mechanisms of insecticide resistance, human-bed bug and symbiont-bed bug associations, and unique features of bed bug biology which contribute to the unprecedented success of C. lectularius as a human ectoparasite.