Genome sequences of the human body louse and its primary endosymbiont provide insights into the permanent parasitic lifestyle

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1003379107
• Publication Date: 2010-06-22T02:44:55Z
• Authors: Ewen F. Kirkness; Brian J. Haas; Weilin Sun; Henk R. Braig; M. Alejandra Perotti; John M. Clark; Si Hyeock Lee; Hugh M. Robertson; Ryan C. Kennedy; Eran Elhaik; Daniel Gerlach; Evgenia V. Kriven...; Christine G. Elsik; Dan Graur; Catherine A. Hill; Jan A. Veenstra; Brian Walenz; José Manuel C. Tubío; José M. C. Ribeiro; Julio Rozas; J. Spencer Johnston; Justin T. Reese; Aleksandar Popadic; Marta Tojo; Didier Raoult; David L. Reed; Yoshinori Tomoyasu; Emily Kraus; Omprakash Mittapalli; Venu M. Margam; Hong-Mei Li; Jason M. Meyer; Reed M. Johnson; Jeanne Romero-Sev...; Janice Pagel VanZee; David Alvarez-Ponce; Filipe G. Vieira; Montserrat Aguadé; Sara Guirao-Rico; Juan M. Anzola; Kyong S. Yoon; Joseph P. Strycharz; Maria F. Unger; Scott Christley; Neil F. Lobo; Manfredo J. Seuff...; NaiKuan Wang; Gregory A. Dasch; Claudio J. Struch...; Greg Madey; Linda I. Hannick; Shelby Bidwell; Vinita Joardar; Elisabet Caler; Renfu Shao; Stephen C. Barker; Stephen Cameron; Robert V. Bruggner; Allison Regier; Justin Johnson; Lakshmi Viswanathan; Terry R. Utterback; Granger G. Sutton; Daniel Lawson; Robert M. Waterhouse; J. Craig Venter; Robert L. Strausberg; May R. Berenbaum; Frank H. Collins; Evgeny M. Zdobnov; Barry R. Pittendrigh
• Keywords: Louse; Obligate; Horizontal Gene Transfer; Obligate parasite; relapsing fever

As an obligatory parasite of humans, the body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) is important vector for human diseases, including epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, and trench fever. Here, we present genome sequences its primary bacterial endosymbiont Candidatus Riesia pediculicola. The has smallest known insect genome, spanning 108 Mb. Despite status as obligate parasite, it retains a remarkably complete basal repertoire 10,773 protein-coding genes 57 microRNAs. Representing hemimetabolous insects, thus provides reference studies holometabolous insects. Compared with other genomes, contains significantly fewer associated environmental sensing response, odorant gustatory receptors detoxifying enzymes. unique architecture 18 minicircular mitochondrial chromosomes may be linked to loss gene encoding single-stranded DNA binding protein. pediculicola encodes less than 600 on short, linear chromosome circular plasmid. plasmid harbors arrangement required synthesis pantothenate, essential vitamin deficient in diet. louse, endosymbiont, pathogens that vectors all possess genomes reduced size compared their free-living close relatives. Thus, project offers information tools use advancing understanding coevolution among vectors, symbionts, pathogens.