The Genome of Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) MEAM1, an Important Vector of Plant Viruses

Whiteflies are among the most important agricultural pest. Besides their direct damage to the plant, damage caused by whiteflies is most devastatingly attributed to their transmission of viruses, primarily begomoviruses. To facilitate the development of biological methods to control whitefly infestations, we have assembled a high quality draft genome of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, MEAM1 (previously referred to as the ‘B biotype’). A total of 15,668 protein coding genes were predicted in the whitefly genome, which is comparable to the number of genes predicted in the fruit fly genome. Comparative genomics analysis with other arthropods identified a number of gene families that were highly expanded in whitefly, including those putatively involved in sugar transport, insecticide resistance and virus transmission. Investigation of the inventory of metabolic genes in the whitefly and endosymbiont genomes suggested that there were extensive metabolite exchanges between the whitefly and its endosymbionts. Genome-wide screen identified a total of 137 genes that were horizontally transferred from bacteria or fungi, among which the majority coded for proteins with enzymatic functions, including those in the pathways of the essential amino acid, vitamin and lipid biosynthesis. The whitefly genome provides a valuable resource and serves as a foundation for studying the genetic basis of bacterial and viral coevolved relationships, virus transmission, insecticide resistance etc., as well as for developing improved global strategies to manage whiteflies and the viruses they transmit.