Expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf-cutting ants
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leafcutters are the highest evolved within Neotropical ants in the tribe Attini and model systems for studying caste formation, labor division and symbiosis with microorganisms. Some species of leafcutters are agricultural pests cont...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2011-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Research Notes |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/4/203 |
| _version_ | 1819044616992718848 |
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| author | Henrique-Silva Flávio Guilherme Ivan R Antonio Erik A Fonseca Fernando PP Ferro Milene Rodovalho Cynara M Bacci Maurício |
| author_facet | Henrique-Silva Flávio Guilherme Ivan R Antonio Erik A Fonseca Fernando PP Ferro Milene Rodovalho Cynara M Bacci Maurício |
| author_sort | Henrique-Silva Flávio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leafcutters are the highest evolved within Neotropical ants in the tribe Attini and model systems for studying caste formation, labor division and symbiosis with microorganisms. Some species of leafcutters are agricultural pests controlled by chemicals which affect other animals and accumulate in the environment. Aiming to provide genetic basis for the study of leafcutters and for the development of more specific and environmentally friendly methods for the control of pest leafcutters, we generated expressed sequence tag data from <it>Atta laevigata</it>, one of the pest ants with broad geographic distribution in South America.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The analysis of the expressed sequence tags allowed us to characterize 2,006 unique sequences in <it>Atta laevigata</it>. Sixteen of these genes had a high number of transcripts and are likely positively selected for high level of gene expression, being responsible for three basic biological functions: energy conservation through redox reactions in mitochondria; cytoskeleton and muscle structuring; regulation of gene expression and metabolism. Based on leafcutters lifestyle and reports of genes involved in key processes of other social insects, we identified 146 sequences potential targets for controlling pest leafcutters. The targets are responsible for antixenobiosis, development and longevity, immunity, resistance to pathogens, pheromone function, cell signaling, behavior, polysaccharide metabolism and arginine kynase activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The generation and analysis of expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>have provided important genetic basis for future studies on the biology of leaf-cutting ants and may contribute to the development of a more specific and environmentally friendly method for the control of agricultural pest leafcutters.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T10:15:31Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-0500 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T10:15:31Z |
| publishDate | 2011-06-01 |
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| series | BMC Research Notes |
| spelling | doaj.art-bf0cf5735c1e41dcbd9ac1c66d237e092022-12-21T19:07:36ZengBMCBMC Research Notes1756-05002011-06-014120310.1186/1756-0500-4-203Expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf-cutting antsHenrique-Silva FlávioGuilherme Ivan RAntonio Erik AFonseca Fernando PPFerro MileneRodovalho Cynara MBacci Maurício<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leafcutters are the highest evolved within Neotropical ants in the tribe Attini and model systems for studying caste formation, labor division and symbiosis with microorganisms. Some species of leafcutters are agricultural pests controlled by chemicals which affect other animals and accumulate in the environment. Aiming to provide genetic basis for the study of leafcutters and for the development of more specific and environmentally friendly methods for the control of pest leafcutters, we generated expressed sequence tag data from <it>Atta laevigata</it>, one of the pest ants with broad geographic distribution in South America.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The analysis of the expressed sequence tags allowed us to characterize 2,006 unique sequences in <it>Atta laevigata</it>. Sixteen of these genes had a high number of transcripts and are likely positively selected for high level of gene expression, being responsible for three basic biological functions: energy conservation through redox reactions in mitochondria; cytoskeleton and muscle structuring; regulation of gene expression and metabolism. Based on leafcutters lifestyle and reports of genes involved in key processes of other social insects, we identified 146 sequences potential targets for controlling pest leafcutters. The targets are responsible for antixenobiosis, development and longevity, immunity, resistance to pathogens, pheromone function, cell signaling, behavior, polysaccharide metabolism and arginine kynase activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The generation and analysis of expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>have provided important genetic basis for future studies on the biology of leaf-cutting ants and may contribute to the development of a more specific and environmentally friendly method for the control of agricultural pest leafcutters.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/4/203 |
| spellingShingle | Henrique-Silva Flávio Guilherme Ivan R Antonio Erik A Fonseca Fernando PP Ferro Milene Rodovalho Cynara M Bacci Maurício Expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf-cutting ants BMC Research Notes |
| title | Expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf-cutting ants |
| title_full | Expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf-cutting ants |
| title_fullStr | Expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf-cutting ants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf-cutting ants |
| title_short | Expressed sequence tags from <it>Atta laevigata </it>and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf-cutting ants |
| title_sort | expressed sequence tags from it atta laevigata it and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf cutting ants |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/4/203 |
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