ChiloDB: a genomic and transcriptome database for an important rice insect pest Chilo suppressalis

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Entomology

Background:

• The rice striped stem borer (SSB), *Chilo suppressalis*, is a significant agricultural pest causing substantial yield losses globally.
• A draft genome for *Chilo suppressalis* is available, necessitating integrated data resources for its study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish ChiloDB, an integrated database for genomic and transcriptome data of the rice striped stem borer (*Chilo suppressalis*).
• To provide comprehensive search tools and downloadable datasets for comparative genomics and gene annotation of this pest.

Main Methods:

• Integration of genomic sequences, transcriptome data, protein-coding genes, microRNAs (miRNAs), and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs).
• Utilized RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data and piRNApredictor software for data generation and analysis.
• Developed a database structure compatible with future data integrations.

Main Results:

• ChiloDB houses the first official SSB gene set, including 80,479 scaffolds and 10,221 annotated protein-coding genes.
• Incorporated 262 miRNA genes, 82,639 piRNAs, 37,040 midgut transcripts, and 69,977 mixed-sample transcripts.
• The database offers search functionalities and downloadable datasets.

Conclusions:

• ChiloDB serves as a long-term, open-access resource for advancing research on SSB biology, evolution, and pest management.
• This database represents one of the first genomic and transcriptome resources for rice insect pests.