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Characterization of transposable elements within the Bemisia tabaci species complex
Juan Paolo A Sicat1, Paul Visendi2, Steven O Sewe3
1Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Gillingham, Chatham, ME4 4TB, UK. J.A.Sicat@greenwich.ac.uk.
Mobile DNA
|April 20, 2022
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs) comprise over 40% of Bemisia tabaci whitefly genomes, with DNA transposons being the most abundant. This study offers the first comprehensive TE characterization in this key agricultural pest.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Entomology
Background:
- Whiteflies, particularly the Bemisia tabaci species complex, are significant agricultural pests globally.
- Bemisia tabaci causes substantial crop yield losses and transmits over 400 plant viruses.
- Previous genomic studies of Bemisia tabaci have not explored its transposable element (TE) content.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide the first accurate characterization of transposable element (TE) content within the Bemisia tabaci species complex.
- To identify and quantify different types of TEs in selected Bemisia tabaci genomes.
- To compare TE composition between Bemisia tabaci and other hemipteran genomes.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide analysis of transposable elements (TEs) in three Bemisia tabaci species (MEAM1, MEDQ, SSA-ECA).
- Identification and classification of TE superfamilies and clustering of TE sequences.
- Comparative analysis of TE content with three other hemipteran genomes.
Main Results:
- Transposable elements (TEs) constitute an average of 40.61% of the analyzed Bemisia tabaci genomes.
- DNA transposons were the most prevalent TE type (22.85% average), while SINEs were least represented (0.14% average).
- Bemisia tabaci genomes showed significantly higher DNA transposon content and lower LINE content compared to other hemipterans, with 63 TE superfamilies identified.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first comprehensive landscape of TEs within the Bemisia tabaci species complex.
- TEs occupy substantial portions of Bemisia tabaci genomes, predominantly DNA transposons.
- The findings provide a crucial framework and essential data for future research on TEs in this important agricultural pest.
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