The whole genome sequence of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), reveals insights into the biology and adaptive evolution of a highly invasive pest species

The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata, is a major destructive insect pest due to its broad host range, which includes hundreds of fruits and vegetables. It exhibits a unique ability to invade and adapt to ecological niches throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, though medfly infestations have been prevented and controlled by the sterile insect technique (SIT) as part of integrated pest management programs (IPMs). The genetic analysis and manipulation of medfly has been subject to intensive study in an effort to improve SIT efficacy and other aspects of IPM control

Variation in DNA Methylation Is Not Consistently Reflected by Sociality in Hymenoptera

Changes in gene regulation that underlie phenotypic evolution can be encoded directly in the DNA sequence or mediated by chromatin modifications such as DNA methylation. It has been hypothesized that the evolution of eusocial division of labor is associated with enhanced gene regulatory potential, which may include expansions in DNA methylation in the genomes of Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps, and sawflies). Recently, this hypothesis garnered support from analyses of a commonly used metric to estimate DNA methylation in silico, CpG content. Here, we test this hypothesis using direct, nucleotide-level measures of DNA methylation across nine species of Hymenoptera. In doing so, we generated new DNA methylomes for three species of interest, including one solitary and one facultatively eusocial halictid bee and a sawfly. We demonstrate that the strength of correlation between CpG content and DNA methylation varies widely among hymenopteran taxa, highlighting shortcomings in the utility of CpG content as a proxy for DNA methylation in comparative studies of taxa with sparse DNA methylomes. We observed strikingly high levels of DNA methylation in the sawfly relative to other investigated hymenopterans. Analyses of molecular evolution suggest the relatively distinct sawfly DNA methylome may be associated with positive selection on functional DNMT3 domains. Sawflies are an outgroup to all ants, bees, and wasps, and no sawfly species are eusocial. We find no evidence that either global expansions or variation within individual ortholog groups in DNA methylation are consistently associated with the evolution of social behavior

Genome of the Asian Longhorned Beetle (\u3cem\u3eAnoplophora glabripennis\u3c/em\u3e), a Globally Significant Invasive Species, Reveals Key Functional and Evolutionary Innovations at the Beetle-Plant Interface

Background: Relatively little is known about the genomic basis and evolution of wood-feeding in beetles. We undertook genome sequencing and annotation, gene expression assays, studies of plant cell wall degrading enzymes, and other functional and comparative studies of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, a globally significant invasive species capable of inflicting severe feeding damage on many important tree species. Complementary studies of genes encoding enzymes involved in digestion of woody plant tissues or detoxification of plant allelochemicals were undertaken with the genomes of 14 additional insects, including the newly sequenced emerald ash borer and bull-headed dung beetle. Results: The Asian longhorned beetle genome encodes a uniquely diverse arsenal of enzymes that can degrade the main polysaccharide networks in plant cell walls, detoxify plant allelochemicals, and otherwise facilitate feeding on woody plants. It has the metabolic plasticity needed to feed on diverse plant species, contributing to its highly invasive nature. Large expansions of chemosensory genes involved in the reception of pheromones and plant kairomones are consistent with the complexity of chemical cues it uses to find host plants and mates. Conclusions: Amplification and functional divergence of genes associated with specialized feeding on plants, including genes originally obtained via horizontal gene transfer from fungi and bacteria, contributed to the addition, expansion, and enhancement of the metabolic repertoire of the Asian longhorned beetle, certain other phytophagous beetles, and to a lesser degree, other phytophagous insects. Our results thus begin to establish a genomic basis for the evolutionary success of beetles on plants

Genome of the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), a globally significant invasive species, reveals key functional and evolutionary innovations at the beetle–plant interface

Background Relatively little is known about the genomic basis and evolution of wood-feeding in beetles. We undertook genome sequencing and annotation, gene expression assays, studies of plant cell wall degrading enzymes, and other functional and comparative studies of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, a globally significant invasive species capable of inflicting severe feeding damage on many important tree species. Complementary studies of genes encoding enzymes involved in digestion of woody plant tissues or detoxification of plant allelochemicals were undertaken with the genomes of 14 additional insects, including the newly sequenced emerald ash borer and bull-headed dung beetle. Results The Asian longhorned beetle genome encodes a uniquely diverse arsenal of enzymes that can degrade the main polysaccharide networks in plant cell walls, detoxify plant allelochemicals, and otherwise facilitate feeding on woody plants. It has the metabolic plasticity needed to feed on diverse plant species, contributing to its highly invasive nature. Large expansions of chemosensory genes involved in the reception of pheromones and plant kairomones are consistent with the complexity of chemical cues it uses to find host plants and mates. Conclusions Amplification and functional divergence of genes associated with specialized feeding on plants, including genes originally obtained via horizontal gene transfer from fungi and bacteria, contributed to the addition, expansion, and enhancement of the metabolic repertoire of the Asian longhorned beetle, certain other phytophagous beetles, and to a lesser degree, other phytophagous insects. Our results thus begin to establish a genomic basis for the evolutionary success of beetles on plants

Final Results of Open-Label Treatment with Eltrombopag During ENABLE 1: A Study of Eltrombopag As An Adjunct for Antiviral Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Associated with Thrombocytopenia

Abstract Abstract 2232 Introduction: Thrombocytopenia (TCP) is a common complication of cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections (Louie et al 2011); the presence of TCP impairs the ability to initiate peginterferon alpha (PEG) therapy and necessitates PEG dose reduction or discontinuation, thus reducing the potential for sustained virologic response (SVR). Eltrombopag, an oral, nonpeptide thrombopoietin receptor agonist approved for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenia, increases platelet counts in patients with TCP due to HCV-related cirrhosis (McHutchison et al 2007). ENABLE 1 was a phase 3, multicenter, two-part study of eltrombopag for the treatment of HCV-associated TCP. Part 1 involved open-label, pre-antiviral treatment with eltrombopag. Patients achieving platelet counts ≥90,000/μL were randomized in Part 2 to receive eltrombopag or placebo in combination with antiviral therapy (PEG-2a plus ribavirin). Aim: To assess the safety and efficacy of eltrombopag during the open-label, pre-antiviral treatment phase (Part 1) of ENABLE 1 in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: Patients with chronic HCV and a baseline platelet count &lt;75,000/μL were enrolled. In Part 1, all patients received open-label oral eltrombopag (25 mg daily with dose escalations every 2 weeks to a maximum dose of 100 mg) for up to 9 weeks or until platelet counts reached ≥90,000/μL. Patients who failed to achieve platelet counts ≥90,000/μL following 3 weeks of eltrombopag 100 mg daily did not enter Part 2 and attended scheduled follow-up visits. Patients achieving these counts were randomized 2:1 to eltrombopag or placebo (Part 2) at the final dose received in Part 1, in combination with antiviral therapy for up to 48 weeks. Results: A total of 716 patients were enrolled; 1 patient withdrew due to a protocol deviation, and 715 entered the open-label pre-antiviral phase. At study entry, most patients were male (62%) and Caucasian (72%); 17% were of Japanese/East Asian heritage. The median age was 52 years (range, 19–76). 488 patients (68%) had cirrhosis (FibroSURE™ score equivalent to METAVIR F4). The median duration of treatment during Part 1 was 20 days and the median of the mean daily dose was 25 mg (range, 0.8–75 mg). Median baseline platelets were 59,000/μL; these increased to 89,000/μL by week 2 and remained consistently elevated throughout open-label treatment (Figure). Following a median of 2 weeks of treatment (range, 0.1–9.6 weeks), 691 patients (97%) achieved platelet counts ≥90,000/μL. Treatment was discontinued during Part 1 for 33 patients (5%): platelets &lt;90,000/μL (11); adverse events (AEs, 9); investigator discretion (7); patient decision (3); loss of follow-up (2); or a protocol deviation (1). During Part 2, 682 patients (95%) were randomized, 2 patients withdrew consent following randomization, and 680 patients (95%) initiated antiviral treatment. Of the patients who initiated treatment, 451 (66%) did so within 2 weeks and 627 (92%) did so within 4 weeks. The most common AEs observed during the open-label treatment phase were headache (7%), fatigue (4%), nausea (3%), and diarrhea (3%). Ninety-five patients (13%) experienced platelet counts &gt;200,000/μL. No thromboembolic events were observed during open-label treatment. Conclusions: Eltrombopag was generally well-tolerated and resulted in sustained increase in platelet counts during the open-label, pre-antiviral treatment phase. Platelet count increases were seen as early as 2 weeks following initiation of treatment. The vast majority of patients (97%) achieved platelet count increases to ≥90,000/μL, the threshold for initiating PEG-2a plus ribavirin therapy, and most did so within 4 weeks of initiating eltrombopag treatment. Disclosures: Dusheiko: GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Off Label Use: Eltrombopag, inteferon and Ribavirin; eltrombopag is a thrombopoetin receptor agonist. Its efficacy and safety in raising platelet counts in hepatitis C positive patients (most with cirrhosis) and thrombocyotopaenia was studied in this protocol. Afdhal:Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Vertex: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Idenix: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Springbank: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pharmasett: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbott: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Giannini:GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Hoffman-LaRoche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Chen:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Mostafa Kamel:GlaxoSmithKline: Employment, Equity Ownership. Brainsky:GlaxoSmithKline: Employment, Equity Ownership. Geib:GlaxoSmithKline: Employment. Vasey:GlaxoSmithKline: Employment. Patwardhan:GlaxoSmithKline: Employment, company shares. Campbell:GlaxoSmithKline: Employment, Equity Ownership. Theodore:GlaxoSmithKline: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents &amp; Royalties. </jats:sec

Large-scale genetic census of an elusive carnivore, the European wildcat (Felis s. silvestris)

The European wildcat, Felis silvestris silvestris, serves as a prominent target species for the reconnection of central European forest habitats. Monitoring of this species, however, appears difficult due to its elusive behaviour and the ease of confusion with domestic cats. Recently, evidence for multiple wildcat occurrences outside its known distribution has accumulated in several areas across Central Europe, questioning the validity of available distribution data for this species. Our aim was to assess the fine-scale distribution and genetic status of the wildcat in its central European distribution range. We compiled and analysed genetic samples from roadkills and hundreds of recent hair-trapping surveys and applied phylogenetic and genetic clustering methods to discriminate wild and domestic cats and identify population subdivision. 2220 individuals were confirmed as either wildcat (n = 1792) or domestic cat (n = 342), and the remaining 86 (3.9 %) were identified as hybrids between the two. Remarkably, genetic distinction of domestic cats, wildcats and their hybrids was only possible when taking into account the presence of two highly distinct genetic lineages of wildcats, with a suture zone in central Germany. 44 % of the individual wildcats where sampled outside the previously published distribution. Our analyses confirm a relatively continuous spatial presence of wildcats across large parts of the study area in contrast to previous analyses indicating a highly fragmented distribution. Our results suggest that wildcat conservation and management should take advantage of the higher than previously assumed dispersal potential of wildcats, which may use wildlife corridors very efficiently