Tissue-specific gene expression shows a cynipid wasp repurposes oak host gene networks to create a complex and novel parasite-specific organ

Every organism on Earth depends on interactions with other organisms to survive. In each of these interactions, an organism must utilize the limited toolbox of genes, proteins, and pathways it possesses to successfully manipulate or cooperate with another species, but it can also coopt the genome machinery of its partner. An insect-induced plant gall is an extreme example of this, wherein the wasp hijacks the plant genome to direct the initiation and development of a gall composed of plant tissue. This unique and complex species interaction has been studied for hundreds of years, and yet the mechanism(s) behind gall development remains elusive. Here we show that cynipid wasps are creating an entirely new and complex organ from its oak host’s tissue, significantly changing the expression of 28% of oak genes. The inner larval capsule shows suppression of large parts of the plant innate immune system and evidence for the wasp utilizing the plant’s RNA interference mechanisms (RNA<i>i</i>), which may be a mechanism of gall induction. We also find significant overlap between cynipid galls and agricultural gall pests, supporting a common underlying mechanisms of gall development even in disparate plants and insect galling guilds.<br>This data set includes: the filtered and unfiltered de novo transcriptome of Quercus rubra, <br><br>