Compact genome of the Antarctic midge is likely an adaptation to an extreme environment

Joanna L. Kelley (), Justin T. Peyton, Anna-Sophie Fiston-Lavier, Nicholas M. Teets, Muh-Ching Yee, J. Spencer Johnston, Carlos D. Bustamante, Richard E. Lee and David L. Denlinger ()
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Joanna L. Kelley: Stanford University
Justin T. Peyton: Ohio State University
Anna-Sophie Fiston-Lavier: Stanford University
Nicholas M. Teets: Ohio State University
Muh-Ching Yee: Stanford University
J. Spencer Johnston: Texas A&M University
Carlos D. Bustamante: Stanford University
Richard E. Lee: Miami University
David L. Denlinger: Ohio State University

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract The midge, Belgica antarctica, is the only insect endemic to Antarctica, and thus it offers a powerful model for probing responses to extreme temperatures, freeze tolerance, dehydration, osmotic stress, ultraviolet radiation and other forms of environmental stress. Here we present the first genome assembly of an extremophile, the first dipteran in the family Chironomidae, and the first Antarctic eukaryote to be sequenced. At 99 megabases, B. antarctica has the smallest insect genome sequenced thus far. Although it has a similar number of genes as other Diptera, the midge genome has very low repeat density and a reduction in intron length. Environmental extremes appear to constrain genome architecture, not gene content. The few transposable elements present are mainly ancient, inactive retroelements. An abundance of genes associated with development, regulation of metabolism and responses to external stimuli may reflect adaptations for surviving in this harsh environment.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5611

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