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Molecular Entomology 2013, Vol.4, No.1, 1-5
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1
Review
Open Access
AMini-Review: Molecular Profiles of Diamondback Moth (
Plutella xylostella
)
Jeffrey W. Lee
Insectarium, Saunders Bioscience Institute at Fresno, CA, USA
Corresponding author email: Jeffrey.w.lee@SBI.com;
Molecular Entomology 2013, Vol.4, No.1 doi: 10.5376/me.2013.04.0001
Received: 24 Jan., 2013
Accepted: 28 Jan., 2013
Published: 06 Feb., 2013
Copyright
©2013 Lee J.W., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Preferred citation for this article:
Lee J.W., 2013, A Mini-Review: Molecular Profiles of Diamondback Moth (
Plutella xylostella
), Molecular Entomology, Vol
.
4, No.1 1-5 (doi:
10.5376/me.2013.04.0001)
Abstract
Plutella xylostella
(L.), also known as diamondback moth (DBM), is deemed to be a basal and primitive as well as highly
heterozygous insect in the Plutellidae Family of Lepidoptera Order. Diamondback moth diverged about 124 million years ago from
two other lepidopterans species,
B. mori
and
D. plexippus
. Diamondback moth has 31 chromosomes (n = 31) with a genome size of
roughly 343Mb. Its genome consists of 18 071 protein-coding genes 781 non-coding RNAs, and repetitive sequences that represent
33.97% of the genome. In its genome, 1 412 genes are found to be unique to Diamondback moth. There are abundant DNA variations
present in
P. xylostella
’s genome in the forms of SNPs, InDels, structural variations and complex segmental duplication patterns.
DMB is able to adapt to a variety of environmental challenges as a result of preferential expression of a set of genes at the larval
stage that contributes to odorant chemoreception, food digestion,metabolic detoxification, and in particular, a biological
detoxification pathway in long-term evolution that is able to detoxify many chemicals including Bt toxins, thus making it a notorious
lepidopteran pests.
Keywords
Diamondback moth (DBM);
Plutella xylostella
(L.); Genome; Molecular variation; Molecular evolution; Molecular
adaptation
Plutella xylostella
(L.) belongs to the family of
Plutellidae in Lepidoptera Order, commonly known
Diamondback moth (DBM), because the adult male
back forms three yellow diamonds at rest when the
wings are folded (Ankersmit et al., 1953).
Diamondback moth feeds on cruciferous plant, and
it’s becoming one of the most intensively studied
Lepidopteran agricultural pests due to its devastating
harm to the important cruciferous crops, as well as its
resistance to many chemical pesticides and biological
pesticides (Talekar and Shelton, 1993; Furlong et al.,
2012). With the rapid development of modern
biotechnology, a lot of studies have focused on the
biological characteristics of diamondback moth at the
molecular level, and significant progress is achieved
regarding genomics and genetics, as well as molecular
evolution and adaptation (Xie, 2013).
1 The genome of Diamondback moth
Diamondback moth has a genome size of about
343Mb, containing approximately about 18 071
protein encoding genes and 781 non-coding RNAs,
and repetitive sequence (You et al., 2013). The
diamondback moth has 1 412 genes unique to itself,
most of which is involved in basic biological pathways
of environmental information processing, chromosome
replication or repair, transcriptional regulation, as well as
carbohydrates, and protein metabolism (You et al.,
2013).
2 Molecular genetics of diamondback moth
Diamondback moth is a highly heterozygous insect
with 31chromosomes (n=31). There are abundant
DNA variations in genome such as SNPs, InDels
and structural variation, as well as composite
fragment repeats (Figure 1) (You et al., 2013).
Baxter et al. built a linkage map of the diamondback
moth by using next generation RAD sequencing
technology (Baxter et al., 2011B). 3 177 maternally
inherited RAD alleles were mapped on 31
chromosomes, making it possible to identify
pesticide resistance genes and W/Z sex chromosome.
The genome-wide linkage map spans 1 292 cM in
length with 2 878 segregating RAD alleles inherited
from the backcross father (Figure 2) (Baxter et al
2011). In the same year, Baxter also genetically
mapped membrane transporter (ABCC2) to a locus
contributing to Bt Cry1Ac toxin resistance in two
lepidopteran insects, implying that this protein