Genome of
Rhodnius prolixus
, an insect vector of Chagas disease, reveals unique adaptations to hematophagy and parasite infection
Authors: Mesquita Rafael D. , Vionette-Amaral Raquel J. , Lowenberger Carl , Rivera-Pomar Rolando , Monteiro Fernando A. , Minx Patrick , Spieth John , Carvalho A. Bernardo , Panzera Francisco , Lawson Daniel , Torres André Q. , Ribeiro Jose M. C. , Sorgine Marcos H. F. , Waterhouse Robert M. , Montague Michael J. , Abad-Franch Fernando , Alves-Bezerra Michele , Amaral Laurence R. , Araujo Helena M. , Araujo Ricardo N. , Aravind L. , Atella Georgia C. , Azambuja Patricia , Berni Mateus , Bittencourt-Cunha Paula R. , Braz Gloria R. C. , Calderón-Fernández Gustavo , Carareto Claudia M. A. , Christensen Mikkel B. , Costa Igor R. , Costa Samara G. , Dansa Marilvia , Daumas-Filho Carlos R. O. , De-Paula Iron F. , Dias Felipe A. , Dimopoulos George , Emrich Scott J. , Esponda-Behrens Natalia , Fampa Patricia , Fernandez-Medina Rita D. , da Fonseca Rodrigo N. , Fontenele Marcio , Fronick Catrina , Fulton Lucinda A. , Gandara Ana Caroline , Garcia Eloi S. , Genta Fernando A. , Giraldo-Calderón Gloria I. , Gomes Bruno , Gondim Katia C. , Granzotto Adriana , Guarneri Alessandra A. , Guigó Roderic , Harry Myriam , Hughes Daniel S. T. , Jablonka Willy , Jacquin-Joly Emmanuelle , Juárez M. Patricia , Koerich Leonardo B. , Lange Angela B. , Latorre-Estivalis José Manuel , Lavore Andrés , Lawrence Gena G. , Lazoski Cristiano , Lazzari Claudio R. , Lopes Raphael R. , Lorenzo Marcelo G. , Lugon Magda D. , Majerowicz David , Marcet Paula L. , Mariotti Marco , Masuda Hatisaburo , Megy Karine , Melo Ana C. A. , Missirlis Fanis , Mota Theo , Noriega Fernando G. , Nouzova Marcela , Nunes Rodrigo D. , Oliveira Raquel L. L. , Oliveira-Silveira Gilbert , Ons Sheila , Orchard Ian , Pagola Lucia , Paiva-Silva Gabriela O. , Pascual Agustina , Pavan Marcio G. , Pedrini Nicolás , Peixoto Alexandre A. , Pereira Marcos H. , Pike Andrew , Polycarpo Carla , Prosdocimi Francisco , Ribeiro-Rodrigues Rodrigo , Robertson Hugh M. , Salerno Ana Paula , Salmon Didier , Santesmasses Didac , Schama Renata , Seabra-Junior Eloy S. , Silva-Cardoso Livia , Silva-Neto Mario A. C. , Souza-Gomes Matheus , Sterkel Marcos , Taracena Mabel L. , Tojo Marta , Tu Zhijian Jake , Tubio Jose M. C. , Ursic-Bedoya Raul , Venancio Thiago M. , Walter-Nuno Ana Beatriz , Wilson Derek , Warren Wesley C. , Wilson Richard K. , Huebner Erwin , Dotson Ellen M. , Oliveira Pedro L. 
Published: November 2015

Significance

Rhodnius prolixus
is a major vector of Chagas disease, an illness caused by
Trypanosoma cruzi
which affects approximately 7 million people worldwide. This report describes the first genome sequence of a nondipteran insect vector of an important human parasitic disease. This insect has a gene repertoire substantially distinct from dipteran disease vectors, including immune signaling pathways that display major departures from the canonical network. Large gene expansions related to chemoreception, feeding, and digestion have facilitated triatomine adaptation to a blood-feeding lifestyle. This study provides information about the physiology and evolution of an important disease vector that will boost understanding of transmission of a life-threatening parasite and may lead to the development of innovative control methods.