Project description:The incomplete genome annotation of non-model organisms hampers molecular and proteomic studies. Proteomics informed by transcriptomics (PIT) is suited to non-model organisms because peptides are identified using transcriptomic, not genomic, data. Aedes aegypti is the mosquito vector for the (re-)emerging dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika viruses. An Ae. aegypti genome sequence is available, however experimental evidence for >90% of the Ae. aegypti proteome or the activity of transposable elements (TEs) that constitute 50% of the Ae. aegypti genome is lacking. We used PIT to characterise the proteome of the Aedes aegypti derived cell line Aag2. Hotspots of incomplete genome annotation were identified which are not explained by poor sequence and assembly quality. We developed criteria for the characterisation of proteomically active TEs and demonstrate that protein expression does not correlate with a TE’s genomic abundance. Finally, we identify Phasi Charoen-like virus as an unrecognised contaminant of Aag2 cells. We therefore present the first proteomic characterisation of mobile genetic elements, and provide proof-of-principle that PIT can evaluate a genome’s annotation to guide annotation efforts.
