Expansions of key protein families in the German cockroach highlight the molecular basis of its remarkable success as a global indoor pest.

ABSTRACT: The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is a worldwide pest that infests buildings, including homes, restaurants, and hospitals, often living in unsanitary conditions. As a disease vector and producer of allergens, this species has major health and economic impacts on humans. Factors contributing to the success of the German cockroach include its resistance to a broad range of insecticides, immunity to many pathogens, and its ability, as an extreme generalist omnivore, to survive on most food sources. The recently published genome shows that B. germanica has an exceptionally high number of protein coding genes. In this study, we investigate the functions of the 93 significantly expanded gene families with the aim to better understand the success of B. germanica as a major pest despite s

SUBMITTER: Harrison MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11700507 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature