Location: Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research
Title: Annotation of chitin biosynthesis genes in Diaphorina citri, the Asian citrus phyllidAuthor
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SHIPPY, TERESA - Kansas State University |
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MILLER, SHERRY - Kansas State University |
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BLESSY, TAMAYO - Indian River State College |
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HOSMANI, PRASHANT - Boyce Thompson Institute |
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FLORES-GONZALEZ, MIRELLA - Boyce Thompson Institute |
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MUELLER, LUKAS - Boyce Thompson Institute |
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Hunter, Wayne |
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BROWN, SUSAN - Kansas State University |
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D'ELIA, TOM - Indian River State College |
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SAHA, SURYA - University Of Arizona |
Submitted to: GigaByte
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/2021 Publication Date: 6/10/2021 Citation: Shippy, T.D., Miller, S., Blessy, T., Hosmani, P.S., Flores-Gonzalez, M., Mueller, L.A., Hunter, W.B., Brown, S.J., D'Elia, T., Saha, S. 2021. Annotation of chitin biosyentesis genes in Diaphorina citri, the Asian citrus phyllid. GigaByte. https://doi.org/10.46471/gigabyte.23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46471/gigabyte.23 Interpretive Summary: New treatments to reduce the Asian citrus psyllid populations are needed to stop the transmission of the bacterial pathogen causing huanglongbing (Citrus greening disease) that is devastating the citrus industry. Currently there is no curative treatment or prevention mechanism to stop psyllids from feeding on citrus trees or from spreading the pathogen. Therefore, we identified 12 chitinase family genes from the Asian citrus psyllid. Chitin is a major component of insect exoskeletons which must be replaced multiple times during insect growth and development, in a process known as molting. The results were used to produce high quality gene models that will facilitate the design of biopesticides for specific psyllid pest control and to stop the spread of Huanglongbing in citrus trees. Technical Abstract: Reports of insecticide resistance in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, demonstrates the need for new treatments to reduce psyllid populations. The psyllid is the vector spreading the plant infecting bacterium linked to huanglongbing (citrus greening disease). Currently there is no curative treatment or prevention mechanisms to stop psyllids from transmitting the pathogen. Therefore, we identified 12 chitinase genes in the psyllids genome to produce high quality gene models that facilitated the design of biopesticides for specific psyllid pest control. Chitin is a major component of insect exoskeletons which must be replaced multiple times during insect growth and development, known as molting. Recent research has shown that suppression of genes important to the chitin process can produce significant mortality in psyllids. These results advance the development of efficient gene-targeting biopesticides that can be used to reduce the psyllid vector populations, and to stop the spread of Huanglongbing. |