Genome sequence of the tsetse fly (glossina morsitans): vector of African trypanosomiasis
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Abstract
Tsetse flies are the sole vectors of human African trypanosomiasis throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Both sexes of adult tsetse feed exclusively on blood and contribute to disease transmission. Notable
differences between tsetse and other disease vectors include obligate microbial symbioses, viviparous
reproduction, and lactation. Here, we describe the sequence and annotation of the 366-megabase
Glossina morsitans morsitans genome. Analysis of the genome and the 12,308 predicted
protein-encoding genes led to multiple discoveries, including chromosomal integrations of bacterial
(Wolbachia) genome sequences, a family of lactation-specific proteins, reduced complement of
host pathogen recognition proteins, and reduced olfaction/chemosensory associated genes. These
genome data provide a foundation for research into trypanosomiasis prevention and yield important
insights with broad implications for multiple aspects of tsetse biology.
Description
Keywords
Genome, Genome sequencing, Tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans, Human African trypanosomiasis
Citation
Christoffels, A. et al. (2014). Genome sequence of the tsetse fly (glossina morsitans): vector of African trypanosomiasis. Science 344(6182): 380-386