Sirex noctilio Transcriptome or Gene expression
Sirex noctilio, an exotic woodwasp recently introduced into the U.S., places economically-important pine species at risk of colonization by a fungal pathogen and subsequent death. The goal of this project is to isolate the a wilt-inducing factor (WIF) from Sirex noctilio venom and to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which WIF and other constituents suppress defense responses in pine to facilitate fungal colonization and subsequent tree mortality. The WIF is a diffusible small peptide isolated from S. noctilio venom which causes physiological changes that weaken pine defenses. This transcriptomic approach was used to identify the putative protein constituents of woodwasp venom. Specifically, RNA-Seq analysis of S. noctilio venom glands was used to generate a database of venom putative protein constituents for comparison with venom transcriptomes and genomic sequences recently produced for aculeate wasp species. The resulting transcript assemblies represent the first Symphyta sequence dataset available for comparative genomic studies within the Hymenoptera. (Symphyta, a major hymenopteran suborder, contains many major tree and agricultural plant pests, including sawflies.)