The evolution of genomic instability in the obligate endosymbionts of whiteflies.

ABSTRACT: Many insects depend on ancient associations with intracellular bacteria to perform essential metabolic functions. These endosymbionts exhibit striking examples of convergence in genome architecture, including a high degree of structural stability that is not typical of their free-living counterparts. However, the recently sequenced genome of the obligate whitefly endosymbiont Portiera revealed features that distinguish it from other ancient insect associates, such as a low gene density and the presence of perfectly duplicated sequences. Here, we report the comparative analysis of Portiera genome sequences both within and between host species. In one whitefly lineage (Bemisia tabaci), we identify large-scale structural polymorphisms in the Portiera genome that exist even within individual i

SUBMITTER: Sloan DB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3673631 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature