Multifaceted biological insights from a draft genome sequence of the tobacco hornworm moth, Manduca sexta

Manduca sexta, known as the tobacco hornworm or Carolina sphinx moth, is a lepidopteran insect that is used extensively as a model system for research in insect biochemistry, physiology, neurobiology, development, and immunity. One important benefit of this species as an experimental model is its extremely large size, reaching more than 10 g in the larval stage. M. sexta larvae feed on solanaceous plants and thus must tolerate a substantial challenge from plant allelochemicals, including nicotine. We report the sequence and annotation of the M. sexta genome, and a survey of gene expression in various tissues and developmental stages. The Msex_1.0 genome assembly resulted in a total genome size of 419.4 Mbp. Repetitive sequences accounted for 25.8% of the assembled genome. The official gene set is comprised of 15,451 protein-coding genes, of which 2498 were manually curated. Extensive RNA-seq data from many tissues and developmental stages were used to improve gene models and for insights into gene expression patterns. Genome wide synteny analysis indicated a high level of macrosynteny in the Lepidoptera. Annotation and analyses were carried out for gene families involved in a wide spectrum of biological processes, including apoptosis, vacuole sorting, growth and development, structures of exoskeleton, egg shells, and muscle, vision, chemosensation, ion channels, signal transduction, neuropeptide signaling, neurotransmitter synthesis and transport, nicotine tolerance, lipid metabolism, and immunity. This genome sequence, annotation, and analysis provide an important new resource from a well-studied model insect species and will facilitate further biochemical and mechanistic experimental studies of many biological systems in insects.

Keyword(s)

Lepidoptera, Insect, Tobacco hornworm, Synteny, Moth, Insect biochemistry, Innate immunity

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303 Mo
Supplementary data.
887 Mo
Table S11.
-169 Ko
Table S22.
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763 Mo
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Kanost Michael R., Arrese Estela L., Cao Xiaolong, Chen Yun-Ru, Chellapilla Sanjay, Goldsmith Marian R., Grosse-Wilde Ewald, Heckel David G., Herndon Nicolae, Jiang Haobo, Papanicolaou Alexie, Qu Jiaxin, Soulages Jose L., Vogel Heiko, Walters James, Waterhouse Robert M., Ahn Seung-Joon, Almeida Francisca C., An Chunju, Aqrawi Peshtewani, Bretschneider Anne, Bryant William B., Bucks Sascha, Chao Hsu, Chevignon Germain, Christen Jayne M., Clarke David F., Dittmer Neal T., Ferguson Laura C. F., Garavelou Spyridoula, Gordon Karl H. J., Gunaratna Ramesh T., Han Yi, Hauser Frank, He Yan, Heidel-Fischer Hanna, Hirsh Ariana, Hu Yingxia, Jiang Hongbo, Kalra Divya, Klinner Christian, Konig Christopher, Kovar Christie, Kroll Ashley R., Kuwar Suyog S., Lee Sandy L., Lehman Rudiger, Li Kai, Li Zhaofei, Liang Hanquan, Lovelace Shanna, Lu Zhiqiang, Mansfield Jennifer H., McCulloch Kyle J., Mathew Tittu, Morton Brian, Muzny Donna M., McCulloch Kyle J., Mathew Tittu, Morton Brian, Muzny Donna M., Neunemann David, Ongeri Fiona, Pauchet Yannick, Pu Ling -Ling, Pyrousis Ioannis, Rao Xiang -Jun, Redding Amanda, Roesel Charles, Sanchez-Gracia Alejandro, Schaack Sarah, Shukla Aditi, Tetreau Guillaume, Wang Yang, Xiong Guang-Hua, Traut Walther, Walsh Tom K., Worley Kim C., Wu Di, Wu Wenbi, Wu Yuan-Qing, Zhang Xiufeng, Zou Zhen, Zucker Hannah, Briscoe Adriana D., Burmester Thorsten, Clem Rollie J., Feyereisen Rene, Grimmelikhuijzen Cornelis J. P., Hamodrakas Stavros J., Hansson Bill S., Huguet Elisabeth, Jermiin Lars S., Lan Que, Lehman Herman K., Lorenzen Marce, Merzendorfer Hans, Michalopoulos Ioannis, Morton David B., Muthukrishnan Subbaratnam, Oakeshott John G., Palmer Will, Park Yoonseong, Passarelli A. Lorena, Rozas Julio, Schwartz Lawrence M., Smith Wendy, Southgate Agnes, Vilcinskas Andreas, Vogt Richard, Wang Ping, Werren John, Yu Xiao-Qiang, Zhou Jing-Jiang, Brown Susan J., Scherer Steven E., Richards Stephen, Blissard Gary W. (2016). Multifaceted biological insights from a draft genome sequence of the tobacco hornworm moth, Manduca sexta. Insect Biochemistry And Molecular Biology. 76. 118-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.07.005, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00635/74667/

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