Genome Assembly and Annotation of Periplaneta americana Reveal a Comprehensive Cockroach Allergen Profile

Lingyi Wang, Qing Xiong, Nawannaporn Saelim, Lin Wang, Wenyan Nong, Angel Tsz-Yau Wan, Mai Shi, Xiaoyu Liu, Qin Cao, Jerome Ho Lam Hui, Nitat Sookrung, Ting-Fan Leung, Anchalee Tungtrongchitr, Stephen Kwok Wing Tsui

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background
One of the most common cockroach types in urban areas, the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), has been reported to impose an increased risk of allergies and asthma. Limited groups of allergens (Per a 1–13) have been identified in this species due to the lack of genome-related information.

Methods
To expand the allergen profile of P. americana, genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic approaches were applied. With the support of a high-quality genome assembled using nanopore, Illumina, and Hi-C sequencing techniques, potential allergens were identified based on protein homology. Then, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, selected allergens were tested in Thai patients allergic to P. americana.

Results
A chromosomal-level genome of P. americana (3.06 Gb) has been assembled with 94.6% BUSCO completeness, and its contiguity has been significantly improved (N50 = 151 Mb). A comprehensive allergen profile has been characterized, with seven novel groups of allergens, including enolase (Per a 14), cytochrome C (Per a 15), cofilin (Per a 16), alpha-tubulin (Per a 17), cyclophilin (Per a 18), porin3 (Per a 19), and peroxiredoxin-6 (Per a 20), showing IgE sensitivity in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A new isoallergen of tropomyosin (Per a 7.02) and multiple potential isoallergens of Per a 5 were revealed using bioinformatics and proteomic approaches. Additionally, comparative analysis of P. americana with the closely related Blattodea species revealed the possibility of cross-reaction.

Conclusion
The high-quality genome and proteome of P. americana are beneficial in studying cockroach allergens at the molecular level. Seven novel allergen groups and one isoallergen in Per a 7 were identified.
Original languageEnglish
JournalAllergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Sept 2022

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