Unique features of a global human ectoparasite identified through sequencing of the bed bug genome.

Nat Commun
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has re-established itself as a ubiquitous human ectoparasite throughout much of the world during the past two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce in addition to widespread insecticide resistance. Analyses of the C. lectularius sequenced genome (650 Mb) and 14,220 predicted protein-coding genes provide a comprehensive representation of genes that are linked to traumatic insemination, a reduced chemosensory repertoire of genes related to obligate hematophagy, host-symbiont interactions, and several mechanisms of insecticide resistance. In addition, we document the presence of multiple putative lateral gene transfer events. Genome sequencing and annotation establish a solid foundation for future research on mechanisms of insecticide resistance, human-bed bug and symbiont-bed bug associations, and unique features of bed bug biology that contribute to the unprecedented success of C. lectularius as a human ectoparasite.

Year of Publication
2016
Journal
Nat Commun
Volume
7
Pages
10165
Date Published
2016 Feb 02
ISSN
2041-1723
URL
DOI
10.1038/ncomms10165
PubMed ID
26836814
PubMed Central ID
PMC4740739
Links
Grant list
GM070559-9 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
616346 / European Research Council / International
R01 GM070559 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
U54 HG003273 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
260986 / European Research Council / International
UL1 TR001427 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States