RNA sequencing identifies genes putatively involved at the aphid-Buchnera symbiotic interface
Date
2020
Authors
Acharya, Shailesh Raj, author
Nalam, Vamsi J., advisor
Leach, Jan, committee member
Sloan, Daniel, committee member
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Abstract
In aphids, the supply of essential amino acids depends on an ancient nutritional symbiotic association with the gamma-proteobacterium, Buchnera aphidicola. The endosymbiont converts abundant non-essential amino acids into essential amino acids that are supplied to the aphid. The long-term goal of the proposed work is to exploit the biochemical interdependence that exists between soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) and its primary endosymbiont to develop effective resistance in soybean (Glycine max). Little is known of the A. glycines and soybean amino acid transporters (AATs) that facilitate this exchange. The soybean aphid is the most important arthropod pest on soybean in North America and aphid outbreaks in major soybean growing regions of the country in the past has resulted in yield losses of up to 40%. In the current study, we used RNA-seq to identify amino acid transporters involved in the exchange of amino acids between the aphid and its endosymbiont. A total of 2121 genes were differentially expressed between the aphid and bacteriocytes with 516 genes showing up-regulation, while 1605 genes were down-regulated in the bacteriocytes. Analysis of GO terms revealed enrichment in membrane and transport associated processes. Our RNA-seq analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that one putative amino acid transporter: 72-RA, is up-regulated in the bacteriocytes. This work represents a first step towards understanding aphid dependency on its endosymbiotic bacteria and target them as a means of a novel aphid control strategy.
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Subject
aphids
RNA sequencing
amino acid transporter
symbiosis
Buchnera