@article {pmid40255466, year = {2025}, author = {Mfangnia, CNT and Tonnang, HEZ and Tsanou, B and Keith Herren, J}, title = {An eco-epidemiological model for malaria with Microsporidia MB as bio-control agent.}, journal = {Modeling earth systems and environment}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {221}, pmid = {40255466}, issn = {2363-6203}, abstract = {Microsporidia MB is an endosymbiont which naturally infects Anopheles mosquitoes. Due to its ability to block Plasmodium transmission, it shows potential as a bio-based agent for the control of malaria. Its self-sustainability is promising, as it can spread through both vertical and horizontal transmissions. However, its low prevalence in mosquito populations remains a challenge. We develop an eco-epidemiological mathematical model describing the co-dynamics of Microsporidia MB (within mosquito population) and malaria (within human population). The model is used to assess the potential of Microsporidia MB-infected mosquitoes on the control of malaria infection. The results on the basic reproduction numbers, the stability of the equilibria, and the existence of bifurcations are obtained, providing conditions for the extinction and persistence of MB-infected mosquitoes. We highlight relevant threshold parameters for the elimination and persistence of MB-infected mosquitoes and malaria-infected individuals. Using real data from Kenya, we found that, given a horizontal transmission rate between 0 and 0.5, a minimum vertical rate of 0.55 is required to avoid extinction of MB-infected mosquitoes. The predicted prevalence of MB-infected mosquitoes using transmission rates reported from lab experiments align with the observed low prevalence of MB-infected mosquitoes in the field, thereby validating our model and results. Finally, predictions indicate that increasing MB mosquito infection could effectively control malaria, with target prevalence varying by region: 15% in Highland, 40% on the coast, and 70% in the Lake region. This study offers insights into the use of bio-based vector population replacement solutions to reduce malaria incidence in regions where Microsporidia MB is prevalent.}, }
@article {pmid40253413, year = {2025}, author = {Tian, J and Liu, J and Li, K and Zhong, L and Lu, M and Jiang, H and Jie, R and Wang, X and Zhang, B}, title = {Tick-borne agents in the fowl tick Argas persicus from northwest and northeast China.}, journal = {Parasites & vectors}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {145}, pmid = {40253413}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {S202310760014//Xinjiang Medical University College students' innovation and entrepreneurship plan project/ ; 2022jzbjl16//the Key Supporting Scientific Research Projects of Beijing Road Medical Sector, General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region/ ; YXYJ20230203//the Open Project Program of Institute of Medical Sciences of Xinjiang Medical University/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; China/epidemiology ; *Argas/microbiology ; *Rickettsia/isolation & purification/genetics/classification ; Phylogeny ; Coxiella/isolation & purification/genetics/classification ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics/chemistry ; }, abstract = {Although tick-borne agents have been extensively studied, etiological investigations on soft ticks are still relatively rare. In this study, we collected 114 Argas persicus ticks from two provinces (Xinjiang and Heilongjiang) located in northwest and northeast China, respectively, and screened them for tick-borne agents. Two Rickettsia species were identified in A. persicus ticks from Heilongjiang Province: Rickettsia hoogstraalii (27.3%, 18/66) and a previously unidentified species (12.2%, 8/66). The 16S rDNA, gltA, groEL, and ompB genes of the latter have 98.8%, 93.1%, 94.3%, and 91.2% nucleotide identities to reported species, suggesting that it represents a novel species. It belongs to the ancient group of Rickettsia and is located in the basal position of the phylogenetic trees. Additionally, Coxiella endosymbiont was detected in A. persicus ticks from both locations with 100% positive rates. Furthermore, the Coxiella endosymbionts from different locations form distinct phylogenetic groups, indicating that one tick species can harbor different Coxiella endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid40252916, year = {2025}, author = {Dainty, KR and Duyvestyn, JM and Flores, HA}, title = {Targeted knockdown of in vitro candidates does not alter Wolbachia density in vivo.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {108346}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2025.108346}, pmid = {40252916}, issn = {1096-0805}, abstract = {The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia has emerged as an effective biocontrol method to reduce arbovirus transmission. Transinfection of wMel Wolbachia from Drosophila melanogaster to Aedes aegypti results in the transfer of important Wolbachia-induced phenotypes including the reproductive modification, cytoplasmic incompatibility, and inhibition of viruses including dengue and chikungunya. However, the mechanisms underlying these critical traits as well other Wolbachia-host interactions are still not fully understood. Recently an in vitro genome wide RNAi screen was performed on wMel-infected Drosophila S2 cells and identified large cohorts of host genes that alter wMel density when targeted. If these findings can be replicated in vivo, this would provide a powerful tool for modulating wMel density both systemically and in a tissue-specific manner allowing for interrogation of wMel-host interactions. Here, we used the GAL4/UAS system to express RNAi molecules targeting host gene candidates previously identified to dysregulate wMel density in vitro. We found systemic knockdown of two candidate D. melanogaster genes does not lead to wMel density dysregulation. To explore the lack of consistency between our study and previous work, we also examined native tissue-specific density of wMel in D. melanogaster. We show density is varied between tissues and find that individual tissue densities are not reliable linear predictors of other tissue densities. Our results demonstrate the complexities of implementing in vitro findings in systemic applications.}, }
@article {pmid40252292, year = {2025}, author = {Cournoyer, JE and De, BC and Mehta, AP}, title = {Molecular and biochemical insights from natural and engineered photosynthetic endosymbiotic systems.}, journal = {Current opinion in chemical biology}, volume = {87}, number = {}, pages = {102598}, doi = {10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.102598}, pmid = {40252292}, issn = {1879-0402}, abstract = {Mitochondria and chloroplasts evolved through the transformation of bacterial endosymbionts established within the host cells. Studies on these organelles have provided several phylogenetic and biochemical insights related to this remarkable evolutionary transformation. Additionally, comparative studies between naturally existing endosymbionts and present-day organelles have allowed us to identify important common features of endosymbiotic evolution. In this review, we discuss hallmarks of photosynthetic endosymbiotic systems, particularly focusing on some of the fascinating molecular changes that occur in the endosymbiont and the host as the endosymbiont/host chimera evolves and transforms endosymbionts into organelles; these include the following: (i) endosymbiont genome minimization and host/endosymbiont gene transfer, (ii) protein import/export systems, (iii) metabolic crosstalk between the endosymbiont, (iv) alterations to the endosymbiont peptidoglycan, and (v) host-controlled replication of endosymbionts/organelles. We discuss these hallmarks in the context of naturally existing photosynthetic endosymbiotic systems and present-day chloroplasts. Further, we also briefly discuss laboratory efforts to engineer endosymbiosis between photosynthetic bacteria and host cells, the lessons learned from these studies, future directions of these studies, and their implications on evolutionary biology and synthetic biology.}, }
@article {pmid40245248, year = {2025}, author = {Chilton, NB and Thampy, PR and Wolbaum, CR and Sterling, EE and Thoroughgood, JT and Berg, ED and Halpin, AS and Diyes, CP and Yunik, MEM and Díaz-Sánchez, AA and Rochon, K and Lysyk, TJ and Dergousoff, SJ}, title = {Genetic diversity and phylogeographic relationships of Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) within an established population in southern Manitoba (Canada), and the prevalence of Rickettsia montanensis and Francisella-like endosymbionts.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjaf010}, pmid = {40245248}, issn = {1938-2928}, abstract = {The primary objective of this study was to determine if DNA sequences of the mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 gene (cox1) and/or the mt 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene can be used to study the population genetics and phylogeography of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say). DNA sequences were determined for 200 adult ticks collected from an established population in a region of Manitoba (Canada) where there have been recent outbreaks of bovine anaplasmosis. Given this, a secondary objective was to test these ticks for the presence of Anaplasma marginale Theiler and 2 other bacterial pathogens, Rickettsia rickettsii Brumpt and Francisella tularensis (McCoy and Chapin 1912) Dorofe'ev 1947. However, no ticks were PCR-positive for these bacteria, whereas 15% of ticks were PCR-positive for R. montanensis Weiss and Moulder and 96% contained Francisella-like endosymbionts. Nucleotide and haplotype diversity among ticks was greater for cox1 than the 16S rRNA gene, thus cox1 is more useful for examining the genetic diversity within and among D. variabilis populations. The 33 cox1 haplotypes could be separated into 3 haplogroups, but when combined with sequence data from GenBank, 6 clades were evident, 2 of which comprised ticks from primarily Saskatchewan, Manitoba, western Ontario, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. These findings indicate that cox1 can be used to understand the phylogeography of D. variabilis, but more sequences are needed from individuals in other populations across geographical range of this tick species, particularly those on the Canadian prairies where D. variabilis is undergoing range expansion.}, }
@article {pmid40240454, year = {2025}, author = {Leroy, E and Gao, S and Gonzalez, M and Ellies-Oury, MP and Tuda, M}, title = {Wolbachia infection facilitates adaptive increase in male egg size in response to environmental changes.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {13213}, pmid = {40240454}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {19K06840//JSPS/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Male ; Female ; *Ovum/microbiology/physiology ; *Coleoptera/microbiology/physiology ; Climate Change ; Symbiosis ; *Adaptation, Physiological ; Environment ; Temperature ; Longevity ; }, abstract = {Under challenging conditions such as maladapted biotic and abiotic conditions, females can plastically adjust their egg size (gamete or zygote size) to counteract fitness declines early in life. Recent evidence suggests that endosymbionts may enhance this egg-size plasticity. Possible endosymbionts' modification of impact of multiple stressors is not well explored. Therefore, this study aims to test (1) whether Wolbachia infection influences the plasticity of parental investment in egg size under suboptimal environmental conditions and (2) whether the plasticity depends on the sex of eggs. We used three lines of the azuki bean beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis): a line coinfected with the wBruCon and wBruOri Wolbachia strains, a cured line infected solely with the wBruCon, and an uninfected (cured) line. These lines were subjected to either a control environment or a simulated climate change environment (elevated temperature and carbon dioxide levels, eT&CO2) to examine Wolbachia infection effects on parental investment in their offspring (egg size) and its subsequent impact on offspring fitness, including survival, development, and adult lifespan under starvation. After two days of eT&CO2 exposure, coinfected parents increased male egg size only. Larger eggs developed faster in both sexes and exhibited higher survival. However, offspring adult lifespan was not influenced by egg size but by environment, sex, Wolbachia infection, and development time: eT&CO2 reduced male lifespan but not female lifespan, the singly-infected line females lived longer than coinfected and uninfected line females, and shorter development time linked to longer lifespan. The negative correlation between development time and lifespan was higher under eT&CO2 but not sex-specific. This study is the first to demonstrate sex-specific egg size plasticity associated with Wolbachia infection in species with sex determination systems other than haplodiploid.}, }
@article {pmid40237471, year = {2025}, author = {Njogu, AK and Logozzo, F and Conner, WR and Shropshire, JD}, title = {Counting rare Wolbachia endosymbionts using digital droplet PCR.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e0326624}, doi = {10.1128/spectrum.03266-24}, pmid = {40237471}, issn = {2165-0497}, abstract = {Wolbachia is the most widespread animal-associated intracellular microbe, living within the cells of over half of insect species. Since they can suppress pathogen replication and spread rapidly through insect populations, Wolbachia is at the vanguard of public health initiatives to control mosquito-borne diseases. Wolbachia's abilities to block pathogens and spread quickly are closely linked to their abundance in host tissues. The most common method for counting Wolbachia is quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), yet qPCR can be insufficient to count rare Wolbachia, necessitating tissue pooling and consequently compromising individual-level resolution of Wolbachia dynamics. Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) offers superior sensitivity, enabling the detection of rare targets and eliminating the need for sample pooling. Here, we report three ddPCR assays to measure total Wolbachia abundance, Wolbachia abundance adjusted for DNA extraction efficiency, and Wolbachia density relative to host genome copies. Using Drosophila melanogaster with wMel Wolbachia as a model, we show these ddPCR assays can reliably detect as few as 7 to 12 Wolbachia gene copies in a 20 µL reaction. The designed oligos are homologous to sequences from at least 106 Wolbachia strains across supergroup A and 53 host species from the Drosophila, Scaptomyza, and Zaprionus genera, suggesting broad utility. These highly sensitive ddPCR assays are expected to significantly advance Wolbachia-host interactions research by enabling the collection of molecular data from individual insect tissues. Their ability to detect rare Wolbachia will be especially valuable in applied and natural field settings where pooling samples could obscure important variation.IMPORTANCEWolbachia bacteria live inside the cells of many animals, especially insects. In many insect species, almost every individual carries Wolbachia. How common Wolbachia becomes within a population often depends on how much of it is present in the insect's body. Therefore, accurately measuring Wolbachia levels is crucial for understanding how these bacteria interact with their hosts and spread. However, traditional molecular assays can lack the sensitivity needed for accurate, individual-level quantification of rare Wolbachia. Here, we present three highly sensitive digital droplet PCR assays for Wolbachia detection, offering superior sensitivity compared to existing methods. These assays will be useful for studies that measure Wolbachia abundance and related phenotypes in individual insects, providing enhanced resolution and improving efforts to characterize the mechanisms that govern phenotypic variation.}, }
@article {pmid40236481, year = {2025}, author = {Alimu, A and Gao, Y and Liu, J and Lu, Y}, title = {Geographic factors influence communities of symbiotic bacterial communities in Aphis gossypii across China's major cotton regions.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {16}, number = {}, pages = {1569543}, pmid = {40236481}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Aphids are often infected with diverse bacterial symbionts that enhance their ecological adaptation. While geographic factors significantly influence aphid bacterial communities, research on environmental effects on the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover feeding on cotton plants across China's major cotton-growing regions is limited.<br><br>METHODS: This study examined the influence of geographic factors on the endosymbiotic bacterial community and diversity of A. gossypii by analyzing 58 field samples from 24 locations across China's major cotton-growing regions (2021-2022) using 16S rRNA (V3-V4) high-throughput sequencing.<br><br>RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrate that geography is an important factor in shaping the endosymbiotic bacterial composition and diversity of A. gossypii. Among China's three major cotton-growing regions, the Yangtze River Basin exhibited the highest bacterial diversity, followed by the Northwestern Inland Region, and then the Yellow River Basin. Acinetobacter, Lactobacillus, Serratia, and Aeromonas were more abundant in the Yangtze River Basin, with positive correlations observed for Acinetobacter, Serratia, and Aeromonas in relation to annual precipitation. In contrast, Candidatus Uzinura, dominant in southern Xinjiang, displayed negative correlations with precipitation and longitude but a positive correlation with altitude, and this report is the first detection of it in A. gossypii. Buchnera was ubiquitous and negatively associated with both precipitation and temperature, while Arsenophonus showed no significant environmental correlations. These findings highlight the distinct influences of geographic factors on A. gossypii endosymbiotic communities across China's major cotton-growing regions, broadening our understanding of aphid-endosymbiont-environment interactions and offering potential avenues for biocontrol strategies.}, }
@article {pmid40234496, year = {2025}, author = {Mahmoud, HYAH and Soliman, AM and Shahat, MS and Hroobi, AA and Alghamdi, AH and Almotayri, AM and Tanaka, T and Emeish, WFA}, title = {Molecular detection of Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Borrelia theileri, and Francisella-like endosymbionts in Camelus dromedarius and dogs in Luxor, Egypt.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {12872}, pmid = {40234496}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Camelus/microbiology ; Egypt/epidemiology ; Dogs/microbiology ; *Rickettsia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Francisella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Symbiosis ; *Borrelia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsia Infections/veterinary/microbiology/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne bacterial pathogens can cause disease in a range of animals, including dromedary camels and dogs, but epidemiological and molecular studies on these pathogens are scarce in southern Egypt. In this study, we screened camels and dogs in southern Egypt (Luxor) for vector-borne bacterial pathogens, with molecular analysis of 200 blood samples collected from camels and dogs in the region. The Rickettsia aeschlimannii gltA gene was detected in 5% (5/100) of camel blood samples and 1% (1/100) of dog blood samples. This study is the first report of Rickettsia aeschlimannii in camel blood in southern Egypt. Additionally, the 16S rRNA gene of a Francisella-like endosymbiont was detected in both camel and dog blood for the first time, with infection rates of 2% (2/100) in camels and 2% (2/100) in dogs. In dog blood, the Borrelia theileri flaB gene was detected for the first time in southern Egypt at a positivity rate of 5% (5/100). Neither Coxiella nor Bartonella species were detected in this study. In southern Egypt, Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Borrelia theileri, and Francisella-like endosymbionts were detected in camels and dogs, providing valuable information about their infection rate and these findings contribute to a better understanding of their transmission dynamics.}, }
@article {pmid40228454, year = {2025}, author = {Asif, A and Koner, S and Hsu, PC and He, BJ and Paul, S and Hussain, B and Hsu, BM}, title = {Synergistic interactions between AMF and MHB communities in the rhizospheric microenvironment facilitated endemic hyperaccumulator plants growth thrive under heavy metal stress in ultramafic soil.}, journal = {Journal of hazardous materials}, volume = {492}, number = {}, pages = {138233}, doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138233}, pmid = {40228454}, issn = {1873-3336}, abstract = {Ultramafic outcrop settings are characterized by long-term heavy metal (HM) stress and nutrient imbalances, making plant resilience highly challenging. This study investigated that how native plant types in the serpentine environment influence the variation of synergistic interactions between rhizosphere arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and mycorrhizal helper bacteria (MHB) communities under HM stress and nutrient-deficient conditions, which support native plant endemism and their HM accumulation potential. The results displayed significant enrichment of key MHB (Rhizobium_tropici, Bacillus_subtilis, Pseudomonas_parafulva, Pseudomonas_akapagensis) and AMF species (Glomus_constrictum, Glomus_aggregatum, Rhizophagus_intraradices, Rhizophagus_irregularis) in rhizosphere soils (q < 0.05). Pseudomonas_chlororaphis and Burkholderia_cepacia were strongly associated with Rhizophagus_irregularis and Glomus_mosseae in Panicum maximum Jacq (PMJ) and Bidens pilosa (BP) under chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) stress. Pseudomonas_fluorescens and Bacillus_pabuli were linked to Geosiphon_pyriformis and Glomus_aggregatum in Pueraria montana (PM) under nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and cobalt (Co) stress, while Arthrobacter_globiformis and Rhizobium_leguminosarum were associated with Glomus_intraradices under copper (Cu) stress in Leucaena leucocephala (LL). Pathways related to nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK) cycling, HM detoxification, and resistance were enriched, with AMF predominantly symbiotrophic root-endophytic, except for one as lichenized nostoc endosymbiont. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed HM stress and nutrients influence MHB-AMF symbiosis, while pH moisture content (MC) and electric conductivity (EC) significantly regulate their distribution. Rhizobium_leguminosarum, Rhizobium_tropici, Nitrospira_japonica, and Rhizobium_cauense with Glomus_mosseae and Rhizophagus_irregularis drive NPK cycling in HM-stressed rhizosphere soils. This finding suggested that association between plants type and their functional rhizosphere microbiome promote an eco-friendly strategy for HM recovery from serpentine soil.}, }
@article {pmid40213639, year = {2025}, author = {Garrote-Sánchez, E and Moya, A and Gil, R}, title = {Determination of the genome-scale metabolic network of Bartonella quintana str. Toulouse to optimize growth for its use as chassis for synthetic biology.}, journal = {Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1527084}, pmid = {40213639}, issn = {2296-4185}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Genetically enhanced microorganisms have wide applications in different fields and the increasing availability of omics data has enabled the development of genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs), which are essential tools in synthetic biology. Bartonella quintana str. Toulouse, a facultative intracellular parasite, presents a small genome and the ability to grow in axenic culture, making it a potential candidate for genome reduction and synthetic biology applications. This study aims to reconstruct and analyze the metabolic network of B. quintana to optimize its growth conditions for laboratory use.<br><br>METHODS: A metabolic reconstruction of B. quintana was performed using genome annotation tools (RAST and ModelSEED), followed by refinement using multiple databases (KEGG, BioCyc, BRENDA). Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) was conducted to optimize biomass production, and in-silico knockouts were performed to evaluate growth yield under different media conditions. Additionally, experimental validation was carried out by testing modified culture media and performing proteomic analyses to identify metabolic adaptations.<br><br>RESULTS: FBA simulations identified key metabolic requirements, including 2-oxoglutarate as a crucial compound for optimal growth. In-silico knockouts of transport genes revealed their essentiality in nutrient uptake. Experimental validation confirmed the role of 2-oxoglutarate and other nutrients in improving bacterial growth, though unexpected decreases in viability were observed under certain supplemented conditions. Proteomic analysis highlighted differential expression of proteins associated with cell wall integrity and metabolic regulation.<br><br>DISCUSSION: This study represents a step toward developing B. quintana as a viable chassis for synthetic biology applications. The reconstructed metabolic model provides a comprehensive understanding of B. quintana's metabolic capabilities, identifying essential pathways and growth limitations. While metabolic predictions align with experimental results in key aspects, further refinements are needed to enhance model accuracy and optimize growth conditions.}, }
@article {pmid40209710, year = {2025}, author = {Arai, H and Wijonarko, A and Katsuma, S and Naka, H and Kageyama, D and Hornett, EA and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Evolution of Wolbachia male-killing mechanism within a host species.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.027}, pmid = {40209710}, issn = {1879-0445}, abstract = {Male-killing bacterial symbionts, prevalent in arthropods, skew population sex ratios by selectively killing male progeny, profoundly impacting ecology and the evolution of their hosts. Male killing is a convergently evolved trait, with microbes evolving diverse male-killing mechanisms across host species with widely divergent sex determination pathways. A common evolutionary response to male-killing presence is the spread of suppressor mutations that restore male survival. In this study, we demonstrate the evolution of a novel male-killing mechanism that is insensitive to an existing male-killing suppressor. Hypolimnas bolina butterflies from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, showed extreme female-biased population sex ratio associated with high prevalence of a male-killing Wolbachia. This strain, wBol1Y, shared a very recent common ancestor with the previously characterized "suppressed" male-killing strain in the species, wBol1, but it retained its male-killing ability in the presence of the male-killing suppressor. The genome of wBol1Y differed from the suppressed wBol1 in carrying an additional prophage that included strong candidate genes for male killing. In vitro and in vivo data demonstrated that wBol1Y feminized splicing and expression of lepidopteran sex determination pathway genes and that the gene Hb-oscar-present on wBol1Y's unique prophage insert-was sufficient to disrupt the male sex determination pathway. Our study demonstrates that the diversity of male-killing mechanisms is a product both of interaction with varying insect sex determination systems and the evolution of male killing within a host species. Our data indicate that the male killer and host may be involved in escalating arms races, where spreading male-killing suppression drives the evolution of additional systems that reestablish male killing by the symbiont.}, }
@article {pmid40205751, year = {2025}, author = {Dho, M and Montagna, M and Liu, C and Magoga, G and Forni, G and Alma, A and Gonella, E}, title = {Multilocus sequence typing of the invasive pest Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and associated endosymbiont reveals unexplored diversity.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.70034}, pmid = {40205751}, issn = {1744-7917}, abstract = {Halyomorpha halys is an invasive pest affecting a wide range of crops in many regions of the world. Rapid and cost-effective methods to reconstruct its invasion routes are crucial for implementing strategies to prevent further spread. The mitochondrial markers COI and COII and the pseudogene ΔybgF of the primary symbiont "Candidatus Pantoea carbekii" have been analyzed to track the spread of H. halys. However, these markers do not provide sufficient resolution to fully elucidate invasion routes. Here, H. halys individuals from native and invasive populations were analyzed to identify new DNA markers and evaluate their effectiveness in a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) framework. Three new nuclear markers for H. halys (Hh_KsPi, Hh_UP1, Hh_D3PDh) and three new markers for P. carbekii (Pc_TamA, Pc_SucA, Pc_SurA) were identified. Hh_D3PDh was the most informative marker for H. halys, describing two more haplotypes than COI. By integrating Hh_D3PDh with mitochondrial markers, 30 distinct haplotypes were identified, with each of the populations studied exhibiting multiple haplotypes. Pc_SucA was the most informative symbiont marker, and when all P. carbekii markers were combined, symbiont diversity was greatly increased. The low network specialization between the novel nuclear markers and both mitochondrial and symbiont markers underlined the higher power of nuclear markers. Interestingly, perfect network specialization between H. halys COI and symbiont markers was found in populations from invaded areas, suggesting that some holobiont variants may contribute to enhanced invasive ability. A MLST workflow is proposed as a new tool for population genetics analysis and reconstruction of H. halys invasion.}, }
@article {pmid40202691, year = {2025}, author = {Pimentel, AC and Cesar, CS and Martins, AHB and Martins, M and Cogni, R}, title = {Wolbachia Offers Protection Against Two Common Natural Viruses of Drosophila.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {88}, number = {1}, pages = {24}, pmid = {40202691}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Drosophila melanogaster/virology/microbiology ; *Drosophila/virology/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Female ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is a maternally transmitted endosymbiont infecting more than half of terrestrial arthropod species. Wolbachia can express parasitic phenotypes such as manipulation of host reproduction and mutualist phenotypes such as protection against RNA virus infections. Because Wolbachia can invade populations by reproductive manipulation and block virus infection, it is used to modify natural insect populations. However, the ecological importance of virus protection is not yet clear, especially due to scarce information on Wolbachia protection against viruses that are common in nature. We used systemic infection to investigate whether Wolbachia protects its host by suppressing the titer of DMELDAV and DMelNora virus, two viruses that commonly infect Drosophila melanogaster flies in natural populations. Antiviral protection was tested in three systems to assess the impact of Wolbachia strains across species: (1) a panel of Wolbachia strains transfected into Drosophila simulans, (2) two Wolbachia strains introgressed into the natural host D. melanogaster, and (3) two native Wolbachia strains in their natural hosts Drosophila baimaii and Drosophila tropicalis. We showed that certain Wolbachia strains provide protection against DMelNora virus and DMELDAV, and this protection is correlated with Wolbachia density, which is consistent with what has been observed in protection against other RNA viruses. Additionally, we found that Wolbachia does not protect its original host, D. melanogaster, from DMELDAV infection. While native Wolbachia can reduce DMELDAV titers in D. baimaii, this effect was not detected in D. tropicalis. Although the Wolbachia protection-induced phenotype seems to depend on the virus, the specific Wolbachia strain, and the host species, our findings suggest that antiviral protection may be one of the mutualistic effects that helps explain why Wolbachia is so widespread in arthropod populations.}, }
@article {pmid40202301, year = {2025}, author = {Mahillon, M and Debonneville, C and Groux, R and Roquis, D and Brodard, J and Faoro, F and Foissac, X and Schumpp, O and Dittmer, J}, title = {From insect endosymbiont to phloem colonizer: comparative genomics unveils the lifestyle transition of phytopathogenic Arsenophonus strains.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e0149624}, doi = {10.1128/msystems.01496-24}, pmid = {40202301}, issn = {2379-5077}, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Bacteria infecting the plant phloem represent a growing threat worldwide. While these organisms often resist in vitro culture, they multiply both in plant sieve elements and hemipteran vectors. Such cross-kingdom parasitic lifestyle has emerged in diverse taxa via distinct ecological routes. In the genus Arsenophonus, the phloem pathogens "Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus" (Ap) and "Ca. Phlomobacter fragariae" (Pf) have evolved from insect endosymbionts, but the genetic mechanisms underlying this transition have not been explored. To fill this gap, we obtained the genomes of both strains from insect host metagenomes. The resulting assemblies are highly similar in size and functional repertoire, rich in viral sequences, and closely resemble the genomes of several facultative endosymbiotic Arsenophonus strains of sap-sucking hemipterans. However, a phylogenomic analysis demonstrated distinct origins, as Ap belongs to the "Triatominarum" clade, whereas Pf represents a distant species. We identified a set of orthologs encoded only by Ap and Pf in the genus, including hydrolytic enzymes likely targeting plant substrates. In particular, both bacteria encode putative plant cell wall-degrading enzymes and cysteine peptidases related to xylellain, a papain-like peptidase from Xylella fastidiosa, for which close homologs are found in diverse Pseudomonadota infecting the plant vasculature. In silico predictions and gene expression analyses further support a role during phloem colonization for several of the shared orthologs. We conclude that the double emergence of phytopathogenicity in Arsenophonus may have been mediated by a few horizontal gene transfer events, involving genes acquired from other Pseudomonadota, including phytopathogens.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: We investigate the genetic mechanisms of a transition in bacterial lifestyle. We focus on two phloem pathogens belonging to the genus Arsenophonus: "Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus" and "Ca. Phlomobacter fragariae." Both bacteria cause economically significant pathologies, and they have likely emerged among facultative insect endosymbionts. Our genomic analyses show that both strains are highly similar to other strains of the genus associated with sap-sucking hemipterans, suggesting a recent lifestyle shift. Importantly, although the phytopathogenic Arsenophonus strains belong to distant clades, they share a small set of orthologs unique in the genus pangenome. We provide evidence that several of these genes produce hydrolytic enzymes that are secreted and may target plant substrates. The acquisition and exchange of these genes may thus have played a pivotal role in the lifestyle transition of the phytopathogenic Arsenophonus strains.}, }
@article {pmid40185027, year = {2025}, author = {Jiménez-Leiva, A and Cabrera, JJ and Torres, MJ and Richardson, DJ and Bedmar, EJ and Gates, AJ and Delgado, MJ and Mesa, S}, title = {Haem is involved in the NO-mediated regulation by Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens NnrR transcription factor.}, journal = {Microbiological research}, volume = {297}, number = {}, pages = {128151}, doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2025.128151}, pmid = {40185027}, issn = {1618-0623}, abstract = {Nitric oxide (NO) and the greenhouse gas (GHG) nitrous oxide (N2O) contribute significantly to climate change. In rhizobia, the denitrifying enzyme c-type nitric oxide reductase (cNor), encoded by norCBQD genes, is crucial for maintaining a delicate balance of NO and N2O levels. In the soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens, maximal expression of norCBQD genes in response to NO is controlled by NnrR, which belongs to a distinct clade of the CRP/FNR family of bacterial transcription factors. This protein participates in the FixLJ-FixK2-NnrR regulatory cascade that induces denitrification genes expression in response to oxygen limitation and nitrogen oxides. However, the molecular mechanism underpinning NO sensing by B. diazoefficiens NnrR has remained elusive. Here, we revealed that NnrR induces norCBQD gene expression in response to NO uncoupled from the superimposed FixK2 control. Moreover, NO-mediated induction by NnrR is dependent on haem, as the expression of a norC-lacZ fusion was impaired in a hemN2 mutant defective in haem biosynthesis. In vitro studies showed that NnrR bound haem with a 1:1 stoichiometry (monomer:haem), according to titration experiments of recombinant NnrR protein with hemin performed under anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, the full UV-Visible spectra of haem-reconstituted NnrR showed a peak at 411 nm (ferric form), and at 425 nm (ferrous derivative). This latter complex was able to bind NO under anaerobic conditions. Finally, we performed a functional mutagenesis of specific residues in NnrR predicted as putative ligands for haem binding. While H11 was important for norC expression and Nor activity, a H11A-H56A protein variant showed a reduced affinity for haem binding. Taken together, our results identify haem as the cofactor for NnrR-mediated NO sensing in B. diazoefficiens denitrification, with H11 as a key residue for NnrR function, providing the first insight into the mechanism of an NnrR-type protein. These findings advance our understanding of how bacterial systems orchestrate the denitrification process and respond to environmental cues such as NO.}, }
@article {pmid40181281, year = {2025}, author = {Degnan, PH and Percy, DM and Hansen, AK}, title = {Coupled evolutionary rates shape a Hawaiian insect-symbiont system.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {26}, number = {1}, pages = {336}, pmid = {40181281}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {DEB 1241253//NSF/ ; 2019-70016-29066//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Phylogeny ; Hawaii ; *Hemiptera/genetics/microbiology/classification ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Genome, Insect ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Hawaiian Pariaconus psyllid radiation represents a unique system to study the co-evolution of nuclear, mitochondrial, and endosymbiont genomes. These psyllids, which diversified across the Hawaiian Islands during the last 3-3.5 million years vary with their ecological niches on their plant host 'Ōhi'a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) (free-living, open-gall, and closed-gall lifestyles) and harbor one to three beneficial bacterial endosymbionts. Co-evolutionary studies of other multi-endosymbiont insect systems have shown decoupled rates of sequence evolution between mitochondria and endosymbionts. Here we examine the evolutionary trends in Pariaconus psyllids, their mitochondria and their endosymbionts to determine if they fit this paradigm.<br><br>RESULTS: We sequenced a new Carsonella genome from the ohialoha species group (closed-gall, one symbiont), revealing a remarkable degree of gene conservation between two of the most divergent species from this diverse species group that has dispersed across multiple islands. Further, despite the rapid radiation of psyllid species, we observed complete synteny among mitochondrial genomes from all six Pariaconus species in this study, suggesting the preservation of genome structure due to strong purifying selection. Phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear, mitochondrial, and endosymbiont genomes across these six Pariaconus species revealed correlated rates of substitutions, contrary to prior reports of decoupling between mitochondrial and endosymbiont genomes in other insect systems with multiple symbiont partners. Finally, we found that free-living psyllids with three symbionts exhibited elevated mutation rates (~&#x2009;1.2-1.6x) across all genomes and elevated rates of fixation of nonsynonymous substitutions in the insect nuclear genome and one of the endosymbionts.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the interplay between ecological diversification and genomic evolution in Pariaconus. Further, these data indicate that multiple endosymbiont partners alone are not sufficient to result in decoupling rates of sequence evolution. Future work on basal members of this species radiation will refine our understanding of the mechanisms shaping this dynamic insect-symbiont system and its implications for genome evolution.}, }
@article {pmid40177692, year = {2025}, author = {Speer, KA and Víquez-R, L and Frick, WF and Ibarra, A and Simmons, NB and Dittmar, K and Calderón, RS and Preciado, R and Medellín, R and Tschapka, M and Sommer, S and Perkins, SL}, title = {Comparative Community Ecology Reveals Conserved Ectoparasite Microbiomes Amidst Variable Host and Environment Microbiomes.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {15}, number = {4}, pages = {e71120}, pmid = {40177692}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The microbiome-the community of microorganisms that is associated with an individual animal-has been an important driver of insect biodiversity globally, enabling insects to specialize in narrow, nutrient-deficient diets. The importance of maternally inherited, obligate bacterial endosymbionts in provisioning nutrients missing from these narrow dietary niches has been well studied in insects. However, we know comparatively little about the processes that dictate the composition of non-maternally inherited bacteria in insect microbiomes, despite the importance of these bacteria in insect health, fitness, and vector competence. Here, we used two species of obligate insect ectoparasites of bats, the bat flies (Streblidae) Trichobius sphaeronotus and Nycterophilia coxata, to examine whether the microbiome, beyond obligate bacterial endosymbionts, is conserved or variable across geographic space, between ectoparasite species, or covaries with the external microbiome of their bat hosts or the cave environment. Our results indicate that ectoparasite microbiomes are highly conserved and specific to ectoparasite species, despite these species feeding on the blood of the same bat individuals in some cases. In contrast, we found high geographic variation in the fur microbiome of host bats and that the bat fur microbiome mimics the cave microbiomes. This research suggests that there is a constraint on blood-feeding insect ectoparasites to maintain a specific microbiome distinct from their host and the environment, potentially to meet their nutritional needs. Given that many of these bacteria are not known to be maternally inherited, this research lays the foundation for future examinations of how blood-feeding arthropods acquire and maintain bacteria in their microbiomes.}, }
@article {pmid40172541, year = {2025}, author = {Yu, Y and Iatsenko, I}, title = {Drosophila symbionts in infection: when a friend becomes an enemy.}, journal = {Infection and immunity}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e0051124}, doi = {10.1128/iai.00511-24}, pmid = {40172541}, issn = {1098-5522}, abstract = {The insect microbiome is comprised of extracellular microbial communities that colonize the host surfaces and endosymbionts that reside inside host cells and tissues. Both of these communities participate in essential aspects of host biology, including the immune response and interactions with pathogens. In recent years, our knowledge about the role of the insect microbiome in infection has increased tremendously. While many studies have highlighted the microbiome's protective effect against various natural enemies of insects, unexpected discoveries have shown that some members of the microbiota can facilitate pathogenic infections. Here, we summarize studies in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, that have substantially progressed our understanding of host-pathogen-microbiome interactions during infection. We summarize studies on the protective mechanisms of Drosophila gut microbiota, highlight examples of microbiome exploitation by pathogens, and detail the mechanisms of endosymbiont-mediated host protection. In addition, we delve into a previously neglected topic in Drosophila microbiome research-the crosstalk between endosymbionts and gut microbiota. Finally, we address how endosymbionts and gut microbiota remain resilient to host immune responses and stably colonize the host during infection. By examining how the microbiome is influenced by and reciprocally affects infection outcomes, this review provides timely and cohesive coverage of the roles of Drosophila endosymbionts and gut microbiota during infections.}, }
@article {pmid40163815, year = {2025}, author = {Marinov, GK and Ramalingam, V and Greenleaf, WJ and Kundaje, A}, title = {An updated compendium and reevaluation of the evidence for nuclear transcription factor occupancy over the mitochondrial genome.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {20}, number = {3}, pages = {e0318796}, pmid = {40163815}, issn = {1932-6203}, support = {U01 HG009431/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HG008140/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; U19 AI057266/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P50 HG007735/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; UM1 HG009436/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; UM1 HG009442/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Genome, Mitochondrial ; *Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics ; Humans ; Animals ; *Cell Nucleus/metabolism/genetics ; Mice ; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing ; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ; Mitochondria/metabolism/genetics ; }, abstract = {In most eukaryotes, mitochondrial organelles contain their own genome, usually circular, which is the remnant of the genome of the ancestral bacterial endosymbiont that gave rise to modern mitochondria. Mitochondrial genomes are dramatically reduced in their gene content due to the process of endosymbiotic gene transfer to the nucleus; as a result most mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nucleus and imported into mitochondria. This includes the components of the dedicated mitochondrial transcription and replication systems and regulatory factors, which are entirely distinct from the information processing systems in the nucleus. However, since the 1990s several nuclear transcription factors have been reported to act in mitochondria, and previously we identified 8 human and 3 mouse transcription factors (TFs) with strong localized enrichment over the mitochondrial genome using ChIP-seq (Chromatin Immunoprecipitation) datasets from the second phase of the ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) Project Consortium. Here, we analyze the greatly expanded in the intervening decade ENCODE compendium of TF ChIP-seq datasets (a total of 6,153 ChIP experiments for 942 proteins, of which 763 are sequence-specific TFs) combined with interpretative deep learning models of TF occupancy to create a comprehensive compendium of nuclear TFs that show evidence of association with the mitochondrial genome. We find some evidence for chrM occupancy for 50 nuclear TFs and two other proteins, with bZIP TFs emerging as most likely to be playing a role in mitochondria. However, we also observe that in cases where the same TF has been assayed with multiple antibodies and ChIP protocols, evidence for its chrM occupancy is not always reproducible. In the light of these findings, we discuss the evidential criteria for establishing chrM occupancy and reevaluate the overall compendium of putative mitochondrial-acting nuclear TFs.}, }
@article {pmid40161691, year = {2025}, author = {Tekle, YI and Smith, AR and McGinnis, M and Ghebezadik, S and Patel, P}, title = {A new Paramoeba Isolate from Florida Exhibits a Microtubule-Bound Endosymbiont Closely Associated with the Host Nucleus.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1101/2025.03.10.642444}, pmid = {40161691}, issn = {2692-8205}, abstract = {The genera Paramoeba and Neoparamoeba , within the family Paramoebidae (order Dactylopodida), are distinguished by their dactylopodial pseudopodia and the presence of an intracellular eukaryotic symbiont, the Perkinsela -like organism (PLO). Taxonomic classification within these genera has been challenging due to overlapping morphological traits and close phylogenetic relationships. Most species are marine, with some acting as significant parasites, contributing to sea urchin mass mortality and serving as causative agents of Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD). Despite their ecological and economic importance, many aspects of their diversity, biology, evolution, and host interactions remain poorly understood. In this study, we describe a novel amoeba species, Paramoeba daytoni n. sp., isolated from Daytona Beach, Florida. Morphological and molecular analyses confirm its placement within the Paramoeba clade, closely related to P. eilhardi, P. karteshi, and P. aparasomata . Phylogenetic assessments using 18S and COI markers demonstrate the limitations of 18S gene for species delineation, highlighting COI as a more reliable genetic marker for this group. Additionally, observations on PLO morphology, movement, and microtubule association provide insights into the endosymbiotic relationship, reinforcing the need for further research into this unique eukaryote-eukaryote symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid40161633, year = {2025}, author = {Cassens, J and Villalta, M and Aguirre, S and Ecklund, L and Stenger, T and Abdi, I and Venigalla, S and Shiffman, E and Bastug, K and Thielen, BK and Faulk, C}, title = {The Genome of the American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis).}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {40161633}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {T32 AI055433/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AR007612/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is a vector of zoonotic pathogens in North America that poses emerging threats to public health. Despite its medical importance, genomic resources for D. variabilis remain scarce. Leveraging long-read nanopore sequencing, we generated a high-quality genome assembly for D. variabilis with a final size of 2.15 Gb, an N50 of 445 kb, and a BUSCO completeness score of 95.2%. Comparative BUSCO analyses revealed fewer duplicate genes in our assembly than in other Dermacentor genomes, indicating improved haplotype resolution. The mitochondrial genome, assembled as a single circular contig, clustered monophyletically with D. variabilis isolates from the Upper Midwest, corroborating regional phylogenetic relationships. Repetitive element analysis identified 61% of the genome as repetitive, dominated by LINEs and LTR elements, with 24% remaining unclassified, underscoring the need for further exploration of transposable elements in tick genomes. Gene annotation predicted 21,722 putative genes, achieving a protein BUSCO completeness of 80.88%. Additionally, genome-wide methylation analysis revealed 9.9% global 5mC methylation, providing the first insights into epigenetic modifications in D. variabilis. Further, nanopore sequencing detected Rickettsia montanensis and a non-pathogenic Francisella-like endosymbiont. These findings expand our understanding of tick genomics and epigenetics, offering valuable resources for comparative studies and evolutionary analyses.}, }
@article {pmid40144380, year = {2025}, author = {Gokhman, VE and Ryabinin, AS and Bykov, RA and Ilinsky, YY}, title = {The lowest chromosome number in the family Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea): the karyotype and other genetic features of Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani, 1875).}, journal = {Vavilovskii zhurnal genetiki i selektsii}, volume = {29}, number = {1}, pages = {108-112}, doi = {10.18699/vjgb-25-12}, pmid = {40144380}, issn = {2500-0462}, abstract = {Various genetic features of the hitman strain of the widespread parasitoid of Drosophilidae (Diptera), Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani, 1875) (Pteromalidae, Pachyneurinae) were studied. This strain was established and is maintained at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirsk, Russia). An analysis of air-dried chromosome preparations from prepupae of this parasitoid showed that it has n = 4 and 2n = 8 in males and females, respectively, which is the lowest known chromosome number in the family Pteromalidae. All chromosomes in the karyotype of this species are metacentric. The first and second chromosomes are of similar size, the remaining ones are substantially shorter. The same results were obtained for an additional strain of this species kept at the Moscow State University (Moscow, Russia). A comparison of the DNA sequence of the barcoding region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COI) gene of the hitman strain of P. vindemmiae with those available from the GenBank and BoLD databases demonstrated that this strain clustered together with conspecifics originating from China, Turkey and Italy. Despite certain endosymbionts being previously reported for the genus Pachycrepoideus Ashmead, 1904 as well as for P. vindemmiae itself, the hitman strain turned out to be free of endosymbiotic bacteria in the genera Arsenophonus Gherna et al., 1991, Cardinium Zchori-Fein et al., 2004, Rickettsia da Rocha-Lima, 1916, Spiroplasma Saglio et al., 1973 and Wolbachia Hertig, 1936. The above-mentioned results improve our knowledge of various genetic features of parasitoids of the family Pteromalidae and those of P. vindemmiae in particular.}, }
@article {pmid40143862, year = {2025}, author = {Sujatha, S and Sindhura, KAV and Koti, PS and Hiremath, S and Muttappagol, M and Vinay Kumar, HD and Shankarappa, KS and Venkataravanappa, V and Reddy, KMS and Reddy, CNL}, title = {Influence of weather and seasonal factors on whitefly dynamics, associated endosymbiotic microbiomes, and Begomovirus transmission causing tomato leaf curl disease: insights from a metagenomic perspective.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {16}, number = {}, pages = {1555058}, pmid = {40143862}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a globally significant agricultural pest, responsible for transmitting over 120 plant viruses, including those from the Begomovirus genus, which contribute to considerable crop losses. The species complex comprises cryptic species, associated with a diverse array of bacterial endosymbionts that play essential roles in host nutrition, virus transmission, and overall host adaptability. These endosymbionts are classified into primary and secondary categories, with primary endosymbionts forming obligatory, long-term associations, and secondary endosymbionts influencing factors such as biotype differentiation and vector competency. Notably, these microbial communities enhance B. tabaci's capacity to transmit viruses, including the tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCuV), which poses a significant threat to tomato production.<br><br>METHODS: In this study, we examined the population dynamics of B. tabaci across three major tomato-growing regions in Karnataka, South India, focusing on their seasonal associations with endosymbionts and the incidence of tomato leaf curl disease (ToLCuD). Multiple regression analysis was employed to assess the influence of weather parameters on whitefly populations and disease prevalence. Additionally, we constructed a metagenomic profile to evaluate the effects of geographical location, seasonality, environmental factors, and agricultural practices on the bacterial communities associated with B. tabaci. Species-specific primers were used to validate the presence and diversity of these bacterial communities.<br><br>RESULTS: Meteorological data revealed a positive correlation between temperature and B. tabaci populations, which corresponded with an increased incidence of ToLCuD. Genetic characterization of the whitefly identified Asia II-5 and Asia II-7 cryptic species as the dominant forms in the surveyed regions, with Portiera emerging as the most prevalent endosymbiont. A more in-depth analysis of the microbial communities associated with B. tabaci, utilizing 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing, revealed a dominance of the Proteobacteria phylum. The endosymbiotic bacterial consortium was primarily composed of Candidatus Portiera, Candidatus Hamiltonella, Candidatus Rickettsia, and Candidatus Arsenophonus.<br><br>DISCUSSION: The metagenomic analysis revealed a highly diverse array of bacterial communities, with 92% of sequences classified under Proteobacteria, representing a spectrum of microbial types associated with B. tabaci ranging from parasitic and pathogenic to mutualistic. Within this phylum, Alphaproteobacteria were predominant, known for their role as facultative symbionts, while Gammaproteobacteria provided essential nutrients to arthropods, enhancing their survival and fitness. The interplay of continuous and intensive tomato cultivation, elevated temperatures, favorable host plants, and abundant viral inoculum creates an ideal environment for the proliferation of B. tabaci and the widespread transmission of ToLCuD. The presence of diverse cryptic species of B. tabaci, which are efficient viral vectors, further complicates the situation. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated management strategies globally to control both whitefly populations and ToLCuD, ensuring the protection of tomato crops and the sustainability of farmer livelihoods.}, }
@article {pmid40142534, year = {2025}, author = {Wang, S and Wang, X and Basit, A and Wei, Q and Zhao, K and Zhao, Y}, title = {Interactions Between Endosymbionts Wolbachia and Rickettsia in the Spider Mite Tetranychus turkestani: Cooperation or Antagonism?.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {40142534}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {No. 32260676,No. 31860508//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; No. 2022CB002 - 06//the Program for Young Leading Scientists in Science and Technology of XPCC/ ; No. 2024DA018//the Natural Science Foundation of XPCC/ ; }, abstract = {Maternally inherited endosymbionts are widespread in arthropods, with multiple symbionts commonly co-existing within a single host, potentially competing for or sharing limited host resources and space. Wolbachia and Rickettsia, two maternally-inherited symbionts in arthropods, can co-infect hosts, yet research on their combined impacts on host reproduction and interaction remains scarce. Tetranychus turkestani (Acari: Tetranychidae) is an important agricultural pest mite, characterized by rapid reproduction, a short life cycle, and being difficult to control. Wolbachia and Rickettsia are two major endosymbiotic bacteria present in T. turkestani. This study used diverse parthenogenetic backcross and antibiotic screening to explore the reproductive effects of these two symbionts on T. turkestani. The results show that single Rickettsia infection induced male killing in the amphigenesis of T. turkestani, leading to arrhenotokous embryo death and fewer offspring. Single Wolbachia infection induced strong cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). During dual infection, CI intensity decreased because Rickettsia's male-killing effect antagonized the Wolbachia-induced CI. Dual-infected mites had increased oviposition, lower mortality, a higher female-to-male ratio, and more offspring, thus enhancing T. turkestani's fitness. These findings will be helpful for understanding the nature of host-endosymbiont interactions and the potential for evolutionary conflicts, offering insights into their co-evolutionary relationship.}, }
@article {pmid40128584, year = {2025}, author = {Nooma, W and Kaenkan, W and Trinachartvanit, W and Baimai, V and Ahantarig, A}, title = {Molecular prevalence of Coxiella like endosymbionts and the first record of Coxiella burnetii in hard ticks from Southern Thailand.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {10129}, pmid = {40128584}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {PHD 0096/2558//Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. (RGJ-PHD) Scholarship/ ; BDC-PG3-163005//Center of Excellence on Biodiversity, Office of Higher Education Commission, Mahidol University/ ; BDC-PG3-163005//Center of Excellence on Biodiversity, Office of Higher Education Commission, Mahidol University/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Thailand ; *Coxiella burnetii/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Symbiosis ; *Phylogeny ; Ixodidae/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Coxiella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Eight hard tick species were identified among a total of 466 samples collected from vegetation in southern Thailand: Dermacentor compactus (n = 150), D. steini (n = 100), D. auratus (n = 85), D. tricuspis (n = 41), Haemaphysalis hystricis (n = 69), H. semermis (n = 3), H. shimoga (n = 2) and Amblyomma testudinarium (n = 16). In 93 ticks from these 8 species, Coxiella bacteria were detected via 16 S rRNA, groEL (60-kDa chaperone heat shock protein B) and rpoB (β subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase) genes. Interestingly, Coxiella burnetii was detected for the first time in H. hystricis and D. steini in Songkhla Province. Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) were also found in 84 ticks from 7 species, namely, D. compactus, D. auratus, D. tricuspis, H. hystricis, H. semermis, H. shimoga and A. testudinarium. Among these, CLEs associated with D. compactus and H. semermis were reported for the first time in Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis and generation of a haplotype network clearly revealed 2 distinct groups of Coxiella bacteria, namely, C. burnetii and CLEs. The nucleotide alignment of Coxiella 16 S rRNA revealed differences in bases at 3 positions between C. burnetii and CLEs. Thus, these differences could be used as liable molecular markers for discriminating these 2 groups in hard ticks.}, }
@article {pmid40125914, year = {2025}, author = {Besteiro, S}, title = {Keeping your endosymbiont under control: the enigmatic plastid membrane ATG8ylation in Apicomplexa parasites.}, journal = {Autophagy}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-5}, doi = {10.1080/15548627.2025.2483445}, pmid = {40125914}, issn = {1554-8635}, abstract = {ATG8ylation of membranes has been increasingly reported over the last few years, in various configurations and across different eukaryotic models. While the unconventional conjugation of ATG8 to the outermost membrane of the plastid in apicomplexan parasites was first observed over a decade ago, it is often overlooked in literature reviews focusing on the ATG8ylation of non-autophagosomal membranes. Here, I provide a brief overview of the current knowledge on plastid ATG8ylation in these parasites and discuss a possible parallel between the evolutionary origin of this plastid and other ATG8ylation processes, such as LC3-associated phagocytosis.}, }
@article {pmid40123057, year = {2025}, author = {Bastías, DA and Carvalho, L and Jáuregui, R and Johnson, RD and Zhang, W and Gundel, PE}, title = {Is the endophyte-based plant protection against aphids mediated by changes in the insect microbiome?.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.70023}, pmid = {40123057}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {FONDECYT-2021-1210908//Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cient&#xed;fico y Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; A20067//Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment/ ; }, abstract = {Aphids are important herbivores in natural and managed environments. We studied the response of aphids and their associated microbiota to the presence of the fungal endophyte Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37, and the AR37-derived alkaloids in plants. We hypothesized that AR37 and/or AR37-derived alkaloids would reduce the aphid performance, and that this reduction would be associated with endophyte-mediated changes in the abundance, composition, and diversity of beneficial bacterial endosymbionts of aphids (e.g., Buchnera). Plants of Lolium perenne associated with AR37 variants able (wild type and ∆idtA) and unable (∆idtM) to produce indole diterpene alkaloids were challenged with Rhopalosiphum padi aphids. We measured aphid population size, plant biomass, and the abundance, composition and diversity of the aphid's bacterial microbiota. The presence of AR37 increased the resistance of plants against R. padi aphids via the production of indole diterpene alkaloids, and this effect was independent of the plant biomass. The endophyte-mediated reduction in aphid performance was not associated with changes in the abundance, composition and diversity of the insect's bacterial microbiota. However, we cannot rule out that the reduction in aphid performance could be associated with a putative endophyte effect on the bacterial provision of benefits to aphids. Our study highlighted the protective role of endophyte-derived indole diterpene alkaloids against aphids. Further investigations will be needed to determine if there is a link between the endophyte-mediated aphid resistance and the integrity of the insect's bacterial microbiota.}, }
@article {pmid40121938, year = {2025}, author = {Zheng, W and Fu, J and Huang, J and Wen, Y and Fang, S and Yang, X and Xia, Q}, title = {Coxiella R1 symbiont regulates the Asian long-horned tick on its reproduction and development.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {336}, number = {}, pages = {110456}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110456}, pmid = {40121938}, issn = {1873-2550}, abstract = {The Asian long-horned tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, is a hematophagous ectoparasite that causes important public and veterinary health concerns. Different species of ticks harbor a symbiont bacterium of the genus Coxiella. A Coxiella sp. bacterial endosymbiont was highly prevalent in laboratory-reared H. longicornis. The endosymbiont sequence was 100 % identical to those of H. longicornis Coxiella-like endosymbionts and thus named Coxiella R1 in the present study. Coxiella R1 was detected in all stages of tick and in greatest numbers in nymphs and unfed adult females. We manipulated the numbers of Coxiella R1 in ticks by injecting engorged females or capillary tube feeding of flat females with tetracycline. Both of the administration routes were efficient in reducing the symbiont densities. Microinjection of tetracycline solution reduced 25.53 % of Coxiella R1 in eggs harvested just before hatching, whereas, the reduction rate for capillary tube feeding climbed to 81.70 %. Ticks with Coxiella R1 suppression laid abnormal eggs which were wrinkled, flat, and black, and linked each other to form a line. Ticks that had been treated with tetracycline had lower hatching rates in comparison to controls. In addition, larvae with tetracycline treatment less infested hosts and thus had lower engorgement rates than ticks that received PBS alone. The findings indicate that Coxiella R1 is a primary and obligate endosymbiont, and capable of modulating the obligately hematophagous parasites in egg laying and hatching, and larva blood feeding. The results also suggest that tetracycline treatment could be added to an integrated pest management tool menu for control of the Asian long-horned ticks.}, }
@article {pmid40120785, year = {2025}, author = {Almazán, MC and González-Prieto, G and Pereira, LOR and Díaz-Fernández, M and Portal, G and Cantanhêde, LM and García-Bustos, F and Parodi, C and Cajal, P and Quipildor, M and Nasser, J and Krolewiecki, A and Barrio, A}, title = {Exploring the presence of Leishmania RNA Virus 1 in Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis isolates from the most endemic area of American tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Argentina.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {264}, number = {}, pages = {107591}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107591}, pmid = {40120785}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Argentina/epidemiology ; Humans ; *Leishmania braziliensis/virology/isolation &amp; purification ; *Leishmaniavirus/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Male ; Female ; *Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/parasitology/epidemiology ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Young Adult ; Endemic Diseases ; Adolescent ; Prevalence ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; }, abstract = {American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) comprises a group of diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. The endosymbiont Leishmania RNA Virus 1 (LRV1) has been associated with severe disease forms and treatment failure in several South American countries; however, no data are available for Argentina. This study conducted the first screening for LRV1 in the country's most endemic region, Salta Province, analyzing 44 clinical samples from cutaneous, mucosal, and relapsing ATL cases. All samples were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis by PCR-RFLP, and tested negative for LRV1 using RT-PCR. Applying a zero-patient design to avoid concluding absolute absence, the theoretical LRV1 prevalence was estimated to be below 7 %, substantially lower than the 25-77 % range reported in Amazonian regions. These findings suggest that LRV1 distribution may not extend into Argentina. While LRV1 may contribute to disease severity when present, it should not be regarded as an exclusive or definitive factor in clinical presentation or therapeutic response in the region. Further research into genetic, immunological, and epidemiological factors is needed to better understand severe ATL forms in Argentina and to develop targeted strategies for improved disease management.}, }
@article {pmid40108258, year = {2025}, author = {Szymkowiak, P and Konecka, E and Rutkowski, T and Pecyna, A and Szwajkowski, P}, title = {Alien spiders in a palm house with the first report of parthenogenetic Triaeris stenaspis (Araneae: Oonopidae) infected by Wolbachia from new supergroup X.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {9512}, pmid = {40108258}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Spiders/microbiology/physiology ; *Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics/physiology/classification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Poland ; Parthenogenesis ; }, abstract = {Palm houses in Europe serve as urban biodiversity hot spots for alien spiders. As a result of several years of research in the Poznań Palm House, we documented the occurrence of 14 spider species, 9 of which were alien to Europe: Coleosoma floridanum, Hasarius adansoni, Howaia mogera, Ostearius melanopygius, Parasteatoda tabulata, Parasteatoda tepidariorum, Scytodes fusca, Spermophora kerinci and Triaeris stenaspis. The most abundant species was C. floridanum (39.9%). Three spider species were recorded for the first time in Poland: C. floridanum, S. fusca and S. kerinci. We studied the occurrence of endosymbiotic Wolbachia and Cardinium in parthenogenetic T. stenaspis and recorded for the first time the occurrence of Wolbachia in this spider. The endosymbiont was characterized based on the sequences of six bacterial housekeeping genes: 16S rRNA, coxA, fbpA, ftsZ, gatB and hcpA. Our phylogenetic reconstruction of Wolbachia supergroups revealed that the bacteria recovered from the spider formed distinct lineages in relation to all known supergroups. We assigned it to a novel supergroup X with unique sequences within the 16S rRNA and ftsZ genes. We discussed faunistic results in terms of long-term survival rates and the risk of invasion of alien species of spiders.}, }
@article {pmid40106558, year = {2025}, author = {Maurya, AK and Kröninger, L and Ehret, G and Bäumers, M and Marson, M and Scheu, S and Nowack, ECM}, title = {A nucleus-encoded dynamin-like protein controls endosymbiont division in the trypanosomatid Angomonas deanei.}, journal = {Science advances}, volume = {11}, number = {12}, pages = {eadp8518}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.adp8518}, pmid = {40106558}, issn = {2375-2548}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Dynamins/metabolism/genetics ; *Trypanosomatina/genetics/metabolism/microbiology ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism ; Cell Division ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Cell Cycle/genetics ; }, abstract = {Angomonas deanei is a trypanosomatid of the Strigomonadinae. All members of this subfamily contain a single β-proteobacterial endosymbiont. Intriguingly, cell cycles of host and endosymbiont are synchronized. The molecular mechanisms underlying this notable level of integration are unknown. Previously, we identified a nucleus-encoded dynamin-like protein, called ETP9, that localizes at the endosymbiont division site of A. deanei. Here, we found by comparative genomics that endosymbionts throughout the Strigomonadinae lost the capacity to autonomously form a division septum. We describe the cell cycle-dependent subcellular localization of ETP9 that follows accumulation of the bacterium-encoded division protein FtsZ at the endosymbiont division site. Furthermore, we found that ETP9 is essential in symbiotic but dispensable in aposymbiotic A. deanei that lost the endosymbiont. In the symbiotic strain, ETP9 knockdowns resulted in filamentous, division-impaired endosymbionts. Our work unveiled that in A. deanei an endosymbiont division machinery of dual genetic origin evolved in which a neo-functionalized host protein compensates for losses of endosymbiont division genes.}, }
@article {pmid40101296, year = {2025}, author = {Ohm, JR and Lynd, A and McGowan, A and Cupid, A and Bellot, V and Le, JQ and Kakani, E and Livni, J and Crawford, JE and White, BJ}, title = {Mark-Release-Recapture of Packed and Shipped Aedes aegypti with Wolbachia: Implications for Conducting Remote Incompatible Insect Technique Programs.}, journal = {The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.4269/ajtmh.24-0262}, pmid = {40101296}, issn = {1476-1645}, abstract = {Male mosquitoes containing the endosymbiont Wolbachia (Wb+) can be used as a tool to suppress wild mosquito populations through a technique termed incompatible insect technique (IIT). IIT programs reduce wild mosquitoes via incompatible matings between released males and wild females to reduce the number of viable offspring produced in the next generation. Successful programs rely on regular release of incompatible males to outcompete wild males for female mates. Past IIT programs have relied on local production of Wb+ males to support regular releases of incompatible males. Here, we evaluated the survival and dispersal of packed and shipped Wb+ Aedes aegypti males in mark-release-recapture studies at a release site in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), separated by over 3,600 miles from the centralized production facility. Released mosquitoes were recaptured using BG-Sentinel 2 traps collected daily for up to 7 days after release. Wb+ male mosquitoes packed and shipped from a centralized production facility performed similarly to males that were locally reared in the BVI in survival, dispersal, and recapture rates. Our results support the conclusion that packing and shipping live Wb+ male mosquitoes does not impact their ability to survive and disperse in release sites and suggests that IIT mosquito control programs can feasibly be conducted nearly anywhere in the world without the need for local mosquito production facilities.}, }
@article {pmid40085262, year = {2025}, author = {Castelli, M and Petroni, G}, title = {An Evolutionary-Focused Review of the Holosporales (Alphaproteobacteria): Diversity, Host Interactions, and Taxonomic Re-ranking as Holosporineae Subord. Nov.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {88}, number = {1}, pages = {15}, pmid = {40085262}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {*Phylogeny ; Animals ; *Alphaproteobacteria/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Biological Evolution ; Biodiversity ; }, abstract = {The order Holosporales is a broad and ancient lineage of bacteria obligatorily associated with eukaryotic hosts, mostly protists. Significantly, this is similar to other evolutionary distinct bacterial lineages (e.g. Rickettsiales and Chlamydiae). Here, we provide a detailed and comprehensive account on the current knowledge on the Holosporales. First, acknowledging the up-to-date phylogenetic reconstructions and recent nomenclatural proposals, we reevaluate their taxonomy, thus re-ranking them as a suborder, i.e. Holosporineae, within the order Rhodospirillales. Then, we examine the phylogenetic diversity of the Holosporineae, presenting the 20 described genera and many yet undescribed sub-lineages, as well as the variety of the respective environments of provenance and hosts, which belong to several different eukaryotic supergroups. Noteworthy representatives of the Holosporineae are the infectious intranuclear Holospora, the host manipulator 'Caedimonas', and the farmed shrimp pathogen 'Candidatus Hepatobacter'. Next, we put these bacteria in the broad context of the whole Holosporineae, by comparing with the available data on the least studied representatives, including genome sequences. Accordingly, we reason on the most probable evolutionary trajectories for host interactions, host specificity, and emergence of potential pathogens in aquaculture and possibly humans, as well as on future research directions to investigate those many open points on the Holosporineae.}, }
@article {pmid40084540, year = {2025}, author = {Detcharoen, M and Nilsai, A and Thaochan, N and Nuansuwon, C}, title = {Low Wolbachia incidence in Bactrocera and Zeugodacus species from Thailand and genome analysis of Wolbachia associated with Zeugodacus apicalis.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toaf054}, pmid = {40084540}, issn = {1938-291X}, support = {SCI6402027S//Prince of Songkla University/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are bacterial endosymbionts found widely in arthropods and filarial nematodes. Infecting about half of all arthropod species, Wolbachia manipulate their hosts in various ways, including cytoplasmic incompatibility. Here, we investigated Wolbachia diversity in Bactrocera and Zeugodacus, two prevalent tephritid fruit fly genera, using molecular methods. Wolbachia was only detected in Zeugodacus apicalis (de Meijere) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and not in the other 7 studied species. This newly discovered strain, named wZap, belongs to supergroup B with a 1.3 Mb genome containing 1,248 genes. Phylogenetic analysis of its cytoplasmic incompatibility factor genes cifA and cifB revealed their placement within the Type I clade. Given the presence of cif genes in the wZap genome, further research into their roles in fruit flies could be crucial for developing pest control strategies that exploit CI mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid40081327, year = {2025}, author = {Kemen, A and Kemen, E}, title = {Boosting endosymbiosis in plants for future self-sustained crop production.}, journal = {Cell host &amp; microbe}, volume = {33}, number = {3}, pages = {315-318}, doi = {10.1016/j.chom.2025.02.011}, pmid = {40081327}, issn = {1934-6069}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Crops, Agricultural/microbiology/genetics ; *Plant Roots/microbiology ; Calcium Signaling ; Flavonoids/metabolism ; Crop Production ; Calcium/metabolism ; }, abstract = {In a recent article in Nature, Cook et al. demonstrate that an autoactive mutant of CNGC15 generates continuous low-frequency calcium (Ca[2+]) oscillations, enabling sustained flavonoid production and promoting endosymbiont attraction and root colonization. The mutant simultaneously enables endosymbiosis gene induction, even under high-nutrient conditions, offering avenues for improving crop-microbe interactions in agriculture.}, }
@article {pmid40074904, year = {2025}, author = {Lin, H and Huang, J and Li, T and Li, W and Wu, Y and Yang, T and Nian, Y and Lin, X and Wang, J and Wang, R and Zhao, X and Su, N and Zhang, J and Wu, X and Fan, M}, title = {Structure and mechanism of the plastid/parasite ATP/ADP translocator.}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {40074904}, issn = {1476-4687}, abstract = {Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the principal energy currency of all living cells[1,2]. Metabolically impaired obligate intracellular parasites, such as the human pathogens Chlamydia trachomatis and Rickettsia prowazekii, can acquire ATP from their host cells through a unique ATP/adenosine diphosphate (ADP) translocator, which mediates the import of ATP into and the export of ADP and phosphate out of the parasite cells, thus allowing the exploitation of the energy reserves of host cells (also known as energy parasitism). This type of ATP/ADP translocator also exists in the obligate intracellular endosymbionts of protists and the plastids of plants and algae and has been implicated to play an important role in endosymbiosis[3-31]. The plastid/parasite type of ATP/ADP translocator is phylogenetically and functionally distinct from the mitochondrial ATP/ADP translocator, and its structure and transport mechanism are still unknown. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of two plastid/parasite types of ATP/ADP translocators in the apo and substrate-bound states. The ATP/ADP-binding pocket is located at the interface between the N and C domains of the translocator, and a conserved asparagine residue within the pocket is critical for substrate specificity. The translocator operates through a rocker-switch alternating access mechanism involving the relative rotation of the two domains as rigid bodies. Our results provide critical insights for understanding ATP translocation across membranes in energy parasitism and endosymbiosis and offer a structural basis for developing drugs against obligate intracellular parasites.}, }
@article {pmid40064865, year = {2025}, author = {Croteau, D and Jaubert, M and Falciatore, A and Bailleul, B}, title = {Pennate diatoms make non-photochemical quenching as simple as possible but not simpler.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {2385}, pmid = {40064865}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {Browncut (ANR-19-CE20-0020)//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency)/ ; Browncut (ANR-19-CE20-0020)//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency)/ ; Browncut (ANR-19-CE20-0020)//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency)/ ; EMBRC-FR-"Investissements d'avenir" program (ANR-10-INBS-02)//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency)/ ; PhotoPHYTOMIX project (grant agreement No. 715579)//EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council)/ ; PhotoPHYTOMIX project (grant agreement No. 715579)//EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council)/ ; }, mesh = {*Diatoms/metabolism/genetics ; *Xanthophylls/metabolism ; *Photosynthesis ; *Photosystem II Protein Complex/metabolism/genetics ; Light ; Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes/metabolism/genetics ; }, abstract = {Studies of marine microalgal photosynthesis are heavily moulded on legacy research from organisms like Arabidopsis and Chlamydomonas, despite the differences between primary and secondary endosymbionts. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) protects photosystem II from excessive light and, in pennate diatoms, requires the xanthophyll pigment diatoxanthin and Lhcx proteins. Although NPQ's relationship with diatoxanthin is straightforward, the role of Lhcx proteins has been unclear and at the core of several conflicting NPQ models, often unnecessarily borrowing the complexity of models from green organisms. We use 14 Phaeodactylum tricornutum strains, including 13 transgenic lines with variable Lhcx1 expression levels, grow them under two non-stressful light conditions, and modulate diatoxanthin levels through short light stress. The resulting Lhcx1-diatoxanthin matrices are used to demonstrate that NPQ is proportional to the product of the Lhcx1 concentration and the proportion of diatoxanthin in the xanthophyll pool. This indicates that the interaction between diatoxanthin and Lhcx1 creates a homogeneous Stern-Volmer quencher responsible for NPQ. Additionally, we demonstrate that the photosynthetic unit in pennate diatoms follows a "lake" model, with discrepancies in the NPQ-photochemistry relationship arising from unconsidered assumptions, one possibility being cellular heterogeneity. This underscores pennate diatoms as natural reductionist system for studying marine photosynthesis.}, }
@article {pmid40047399, year = {2025}, author = {Liu, L and Guo, Q and Han, X and Yuan, F and Wei, C}, title = {Critical time of transovarial transmission of bacteriome-associated symbionts and related molecular mechanisms in cicada Hyalessa maculaticollis.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.70014}, pmid = {40047399}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {32070476//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32270496//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {Obligate endosymbionts of sap-sucking auchenorrhynchan insects of Hemiptera colonize the bacteriomes and are transmitted vertically through the ovaries to the offspring of host insects, but the critical time of symbiont transmission and molecular mechanisms underlying the process remain unknown. We used histological and transmission electron microscopy, 16S rDNA amplification sequencing and transcriptome analyses to explore the vertical transmission of bacteriome-associated symbionts in the cicada Hyalessa maculaticollis. We find that the symbiont Candidatus Karelsulcia muelleri (hereafter Karelsulcia) proliferates and changes shape after the adult cicadas emerged for 3 h, which is then extruded to the hemolymph from the basal membrane of bacteriome units. The yeast-like fungal symbiont (YLS) harbored in bacteriome sheath cells is released freely along with Karelsulcia. As ovaries mature, Karelsulcia and YLS infect oocytes of cicadas that had emerged for 60 h, and begin to gather at the posterior pole of oocytes, where they form a symbiont ball in each oocyte. Expressions of genes associated with cytoskeletal organization, endocytosis, amino acid transporter and lipid synthesis increase in the newly emerged adults, mediating the transport of substances during the transmission of symbionts. The amino acid-sensitive mechanistic target of the rapamycin pathway is one of the crucial pathways coordinating the vesicle-mediated symbiotic transmission. The insulin signaling pathway potentially together with insect hormones synergically regulate insect fertility and affect yolk deposition, which is closely related to the symbiont infection of ovaries. This study highlights the importance of signaling pathways in regulating the vertical transmission of symbionts in sap-feeding auchenorrhynchan insects.}, }
@article {pmid40038919, year = {2025}, author = {Leybourne, DJ}, title = {Genetic diversity and association with bacterial endosymbionts influence phenotype in two important cereal aphid species.}, journal = {Bulletin of entomological research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-9}, doi = {10.1017/S0007485325000124}, pmid = {40038919}, issn = {1475-2670}, abstract = {Aphids are important pests of cereal crops and cause economically significant damage through direct feeding and the transmission of plant viruses. In Europe, the aphid species of greatest concern are the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae Fabricius) and the bird cherry-oat aphid, (Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus). Often, cereal crops are dominated by a small number of prolific clonal populations and these populations can differ in phenotypic traits of agricultural importance. There are two heritable factors that influence aphid phenotype: aphid genetic diversity and the presence of endosymbionts.Here, multiple cereal aphid populations are used to determine how heritable factors influence aphid phenotype. Several agriculturally important phenotypic traits are examined, and both endosymbiont- and genotype-derived phenotypes are identified. For S. avenae, aphid genotype influences all phenotypic traits assessed, and association with the facultative endosymbiont Regiella insecticola influences alate morph production with co-infection of R. insecticola and Fukatsuia symbiotica increasing reproductive output. For R. padi, adult aphid morph (apterous or alate) is the key driver behind reproductive output, with a genotype × morph effect also found to influence development time.Overall, these results provide insight into the biological drivers behind phenotypic diversity in agriculturally important aphid species. Being able to associate heritable factors with key phenotypes can generate biological insights into the processes underpinning the dominance of specific aphid clones and can be used to develop pest and disease management strategies based around the phenotypic risk of the aphid populations present.}, }
@article {pmid40035597, year = {2025}, author = {Han, X and Zhou, J and Guo, Q and Dietrich, CH and Lu, L and Wei, C}, title = {Diversity and genomics of bacteriome-associated symbionts in treehopper Darthula hardwickii (Hemiptera: Aetalionidae) and implications of their nutritional functions.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {e0173824}, doi = {10.1128/aem.01738-24}, pmid = {40035597}, issn = {1098-5336}, abstract = {Symbionts play important roles in insect nutritional ecology, and the phylogenies of some vertically transmitted symbionts mirror the host phylogeny. Here we report the diversity, distribution, transmission, and potential functions of symbionts harbored in the aetalionid treehopper Darthula hardwickii (Aetalionidae) using multiple methods and compare the potential functions of its obligate symbiont Karelsulcia with that of the related aetalionid Aetalion reticulatum. D. hardwickii harbors Karelsulcia in bacteriomes, a yeast-like fungal symbiont (YLS) in fat bodies, and Tisiphia in both the bacteriomes and fat bodies. Karelsulcia and YLS are vertically transmitted to the ovaries but do not cluster to form a "symbiont ball" in terminal oocytes, as is the case in other auchenorrhynchan insects. YLS harbored in D. hardwickii represents the first known instance of a fungal symbiont being associated with treehoppers. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Aetalionidae are derived from within Membracidae. Gene truncation and absence were revealed in the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway of Karelsulcia from D. hardwickii, suggesting this symbiont is no longer capable of providing this essential amino acid (EAA) to its host. Tryptophan is presumed to be supplied to D. hardwickii by YLS since tryptophan-related genes are either absent or degraded in Karelsulcia and Tisiphia. No truncated genes were found in Karelsulcia from A. reticulatum, but it has lost genes related to the synthesis of other EAAs, as in some leafhoppers. This study sheds new light on the diversity and functions of the nutritional endosymbionts of Membracoidea and processes that may have precipitated symbiont replacement in this diverse insect lineage.IMPORTANCESymbionts in sap-feeding insects play important roles related to nutrition of their hosts, which may change through evolutionary time and vary across host and symbiont lineages. This comparative genomic study indicates that, compared to the related symbionts of other leaf- and treehoppers, the Karelsulcia symbiont of the treehopper Darthula hardwickii has lost the ability to provide the EAA tryptophan to its host. This function is apparently being performed by a coexisting yeast-like symbiont (YLS). This is the first report of a YLS in a species of treehopper, which suggests that the processes involved in symbiont replacement in treehoppers are similar to those observed in other sap-sucking auchenorrhynchan insects. Phylogenetic analyses of Karelsulcia lineages of Membracoidea largely mirror the host insect phylogeny but suggest that Aetalionidae may have originated from Membracidae, in contrast to some recent phylogenies based on the genomic data from the host insects.}, }
@article {pmid40033103, year = {2025}, author = {Santana-Molina, C and Williams, TA and Snel, B and Spang, A}, title = {Chimeric origins and dynamic evolution of central carbon metabolism in eukaryotes.}, journal = {Nature ecology &amp; evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {4}, pages = {613-627}, pmid = {40033103}, issn = {2397-334X}, support = {grant agreement No. 947317 (ASymbEL)//EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council)/ ; 735929LPI//Simons Foundation/ ; GBMF9741//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Gordon E. and Betty I. Moore Foundation)/ ; }, mesh = {Symbiosis ; *Eukaryota/metabolism/genetics ; *Carbon/metabolism ; *Biological Evolution ; Phylogeny ; *Alphaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Archaea/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The origin of eukaryotes was a key event in the history of life. Current leading hypotheses propose that a symbiosis between an asgardarchaeal host cell and an alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont represented a crucial step in eukaryotic origin and that metabolic cross-feeding between the partners provided the basis for their subsequent evolutionary integration. A major unanswered question is whether the metabolism of modern eukaryotes bears any vestige of this ancestral syntrophy. Here we systematically analyse the evolutionary origins of the eukaryotic gene repertoires mediating central carbon metabolism. Our phylogenetic and sequence analyses reveal that this gene repertoire is chimeric, with ancestral contributions from Asgardarchaeota and Alphaproteobacteria operating predominantly in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, respectively. Our analyses also reveal the extent to which this ancestral metabolic interplay has been remodelled via gene loss, transfer and subcellular retargeting in the >2 billion years since the origin of eukaryotic cells, and we identify genetic contributions from other prokaryotic sources in addition to the asgardarchaeal host and alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont. Our work demonstrates that, in contrast to previous assumptions, modern eukaryotic metabolism preserves information about the nature of the original asgardarchaeal-alphaproteobacterial interactions and supports syntrophy scenarios for the origin of the eukaryotic cell.}, }
@article {pmid40023240, year = {2025}, author = {Diesbourg, EE and Kidd, KA and Perrotta, BG}, title = {Effects of municipal wastewater effluents on the invertebrate microbiomes of an aquatic-riparian food web.}, journal = {Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)}, volume = {372}, number = {}, pages = {125948}, doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2025.125948}, pmid = {40023240}, issn = {1873-6424}, mesh = {Animals ; *Microbiota ; *Wastewater/microbiology ; *Food Chain ; *Spiders/microbiology ; Invertebrates ; Insecta/microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis ; Larva/microbiology ; Environmental Monitoring ; }, abstract = {Municipal wastewater effluents (MWWEs) contain antimicrobials and other contaminants that can alter the microbiomes of exposed aquatic animals, potentially negatively impacting host health. Contaminants and nutrients from MWWEs may be transferred across the aquatic - riparian boundary by aquatic insects, potentially altering the microbiomes of both prey and consumers. We evaluated host microbiome compositions of several taxa of freshwater larval and adult insects, and riparian spiders at sites upstream and downstream of three wastewater treatment plants. Host microbiome compositions were analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene and MWWE exposure was assessed using stable carbon (δ[13]C) and nitrogen (δ[15]N) isotopes and effluent-associated bacteria. Most downstream insects and riparian spiders were enriched in δ[13]C and δ[15]N, indicating exposure to MWWEs and transfer of MWWE-derived nutrients to riparian consumers. Within sites, insect microbiomes varied after metamorphosis with a greater proportion of endosymbionts and effluent-associated bacteria and decreased alpha diversity in adults, and the microbiomes of Tetragnathidae spiders were dominated by endosymbionts (mainly Rickettsia and Wolbachia) compared to all other taxa. Downstream, larval caddisfly (Hydropsychidae) microbiomes had a significantly lower proportion of endosymbionts (Rickettsia) and higher diversity, and Araneidae spiders also had higher diversity. However, there were no significant downstream changes in endosymbiont proportions or alpha diversity of larval and adult chironomids, larval and adult mayflies, larval stoneflies, or Tetragnathidae spiders. Most downstream invertebrates (except larval Chironomidae, adult Diptera, and Tetragnathidae spiders) had altered beta diversity (community compositions); however, host taxonomy explained more of the variation in microbiome composition than site or the interaction between them did. Overall, MWWE bacteria and nutrients were incorporated into most insect larvae and retained throughout metamorphosis, however there were taxa-dependent alterations in downstream insect microbiomes and minimal microbiome alterations to their riparian spider predators.}, }
@article {pmid40020952, year = {2025}, author = {Xie, X and Sun, K and Liu, A and Miao, R and Yin, F}, title = {Analysis of gill and skin microbiota in Larimichthys crocea reveals bacteria associated with cryptocaryoniasis resistance potential.}, journal = {Fish &amp; shellfish immunology}, volume = {161}, number = {}, pages = {110228}, doi = {10.1016/j.fsi.2025.110228}, pmid = {40020952}, issn = {1095-9947}, mesh = {Animals ; *Fish Diseases/immunology/parasitology/microbiology ; *Ciliophora Infections/veterinary/immunology/parasitology/microbiology ; Gills/microbiology ; Skin/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; *Perciformes ; Ciliophora/physiology ; *Disease Resistance ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Skin Microbiome ; }, abstract = {Cryptocaryoniasis, caused by the ciliate parasite Cryptocaryon irritans, poses a significant threat to the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) in intensive marine aquaculture. This study explores the interaction between skin and gill microbiota and C. irritans infection, focusing on the role of commensal microbes in disease resistance. Fish were challenged with 100 theronts per gram of body weight, leading to substantial microbial dysbiosis, characterized by decreased alpha diversity and disrupted co-occurrence networks, particularly on the skin. Post-infection, Vibrio abundance significantly increased in both gills and skin, suggesting potential for secondary infections. Conversely, lower Vibrio levels correlated with higher populations of Bdellovibrio-like organisms (BALOs), which may play a beneficial role in microbial balance. Fish showed varying susceptibility, with mildly infected individuals exhibiting less histopathological damage and a stronger immune response, indicated by elevated interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels. Correlation analyses revealed significant relationships between relative infection intensity (RII) and microbial composition, with certain bacteria known for anti-eukaryotic microbial properties showing negative correlations with RII. Additionally, the abundance of nitrogen-metabolizing bacteria also correlated negatively with RII. Functional predictions indicated increased bacterial genes related to denitrification and vitamin biosynthesis post-infection. Notably, Candidatus Midichloria was identified as a potential biomarker for C. irritans infection and is thought to be an endosymbiont of C. irritans, with its presence validated through PCR analysis. These findings illuminate microbial dynamics during C. irritans infection and suggest probiotic candidates for managing cryptocaryoniasis.}, }
@article {pmid40013792, year = {2025}, author = {Qin, Y and Wang, Q and Lin, Q and Liu, F and Pan, X and Wei, C and Chen, J and Huang, T and Fang, M and Yang, W and Pan, L}, title = {Multi-omics analysis reveals associations between gut microbiota and host transcriptome in colon cancer patients.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {e0080524}, pmid = {40013792}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {AD22035214//Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology/ ; 2022GXNSFAA035510//National Science Foundation of Guangxi/ ; 8236080196//National Science Foundation of China/ ; 81760530//National Science Foundation of China/ ; 2021M693803//Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Colonic Neoplasms/genetics/microbiology/pathology/immunology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics ; *Transcriptome ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Metagenomics ; Aged ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Multiomics ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Colon cancer (CC) is one of the most common cancers globally, which is associated with the gut microbiota intimately. In current research, exploring the complex interaction between microbiomes and CC is a hotspot. However, the information on microbiomes in most previous studies is based on fecal, which does not fully display the microbial environment of CC. Herein, we collected mucosal and tissue samples from both the tumor and normal regions of 19 CC patients and clarified the composition of mucosal microbiota by 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing. Additionally, RNA-Seq was also conducted to identify the different expression genes between tumor and normal tissue samples. We revealed significantly different microbial community structures and expression profiles to CC. Depending on correlation analysis, we demonstrated that 1,472 genes were significantly correlated with CC tumor microbiota. Our study reveals a significant enrichment of Campylobacter jejuni in the mucosa of CC, which correlates with bile secretion. Additionally, we observe a negative correlation between C. jejuni and immune cells CD4+ Tem and mast cells. Finally, we discovered that metabolic bacterial endosymbiont of Bathymodiolus sp., Bacillus wiedmannii, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis had a significant survival value for CC, which was ignored by previous research. Overall, our study expands the understanding of the complex interplay between microbiota and CC and provides new targets for the treatment of CC.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: This study contributes to our understanding of the interaction between microbiota and colon cancer (CC). By examining mucosal and tissue samples rather than solely relying on fecal samples, we have uncovered previously unknown aspects of CC-associated microbiota. Our findings reveal distinct microbial community structures and gene expression profiles correlated with CC progression. Notably, the enrichment of Campylobacter jejuni in CC mucosa, linked to bile secretion, underscores potential mechanisms in CC pathogenesis. Additionally, observed correlations between microbial taxa and immune cell populations offer new avenues for immunotherapy research in CC. Importantly, this study introduces CC-associated microbiota with survival implications for CC, expanding therapeutic targets beyond conventional strategies. By elucidating these correlations, our study not only contributes to uncovering the potential role of gut microbiota in colon cancer but also establishes a foundation for mechanistic studies of gut microbiota in colon cancer, emphasizing the broader impact of microbiota research on cancer biology.}, }
@article {pmid40011612, year = {2025}, author = {Kokusho, R and Katsuma, S}, title = {Baculoviruses remodel the cytoskeleton of insect hemocytes to breach the host basal lamina.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {268}, pmid = {40011612}, issn = {2399-3642}, support = {15H06155//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 12J06034//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 18J00134//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 21K14860//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 24K08930//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 25292196//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 16H05051//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 19H02966//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 24H02290//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemocytes/virology ; *Nucleopolyhedroviruses/physiology ; *Cytoskeleton/metabolism ; Bombyx/virology ; Basement Membrane/virology/metabolism ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; }, abstract = {Many pathogens and endosymbionts hijack the host's cytoskeleton for efficient propagation and transfer within or between host cells. Once released into the host's circulatory system, however, they have to confront structural barriers without utilizing host cell functions. Many insect viruses and insect-borne viruses can re-enter from the hemolymph into insect tissues despite the barrier of the basal lamina (BL), but the molecular mechanism remains unclear in many cases. Here, we demonstrate that Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) remodels host hemocytes to breach the BL. We found that the viral membrane protein actin rearrangement-inducing factor 1 (ARIF-1) induces filopodia-like protrusions and invadosome-like structures in hemocytes, which play a critical role in attaching to the tissue surface, penetrating the tracheal BL and thus facilitating the transport of viral nucleocapsids into host tissues. Our findings clearly show the role of hemocyte infection in viral systemic spread and its molecular basis.}, }
@article {pmid40009938, year = {2025}, author = {Tashyreva, D and Votýpka, J and Yabuki, A and Horák, A and Lukeš, J}, title = {Description of new diplonemids (Diplonemea, Euglenozoa) and their endosymbionts: Charting the morphological diversity of these poorly known heterotrophic flagellates.}, journal = {Protist}, volume = {177}, number = {}, pages = {126090}, doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2025.126090}, pmid = {40009938}, issn = {1618-0941}, abstract = {Diplonemids are a hyperdiverse group of flagellated protists, but with less than two dozen formally described representatives. Here, we describe four new species of cultured diplonemids, identified on the basis of their 18S rRNA sequences, light-, fluorescence-, scanning- and transmission electron microscopy. Three new species belong to the genus Rhynchopus (R. asiaticus sp.n., R. granulatus sp.n., and R. valaseki sp.n.), while the fourth species is an unusual representative of the genus Lacrimia (L. aflagellata sp.n.). The latter organism is the first diplonemid outside the genus Rhynchopus (as defined previously) to show a gliding trophic stage with flagellar stubs concealed inside the flagellar pocket and a highly motile dispersive swimming stage. Since this character is thus no longer a genus-specific apomorphy, we provide a taxonomic revision of the genus Rhynchopus with separation of the new genus Natarhynchopus gen. n. We also identify bacterial endosymbionts of L. aflagellata and R. asiaticus as Ca. Syngnamydia medusae (Chlamydiales, Simkaniaceae) and Ca. Cytomitobacter rhynchopi sp. n. (Alphaproteobacteria, Holosporaceae), respectively, and discuss their potential functions. This is the first report of a chlamydial symbiont within a diplonemid host. We also propose that diplonemids may serve as vectors for chlamydial pathogens of marine fish.}, }
@article {pmid40008044, year = {2025}, author = {Kratou, M and Maitre, A and Abuin-Denis, L and Selmi, R and Belkahia, H and Alanazi, AD and Gattan, H and Al-Ahmadi, BM and Shater, AF and Mateos-Hernández, L and Obregón, D and Messadi, L and Cabezas-Cruz, A and Ben Said, M}, title = {Microbial community variations in adult Hyalomma dromedarii ticks from single locations in Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {16}, number = {}, pages = {1543560}, pmid = {40008044}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The camel-infesting tick, Hyalomma dromedarii, is a prominent ectoparasite in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, critically impacting camel health and acting as a vector for tick-borne pathogens. Despite prior studies on its microbiota, the effects of geographic origin and sex on microbial community structure and functional stability remain poorly understood.<br><br>METHODS: To address this, we characterized the bacterial microbiota of H. dromedarii ticks collected from camels in Tunisia (TUN) and Saudi Arabia (SA) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, microbial network analysis, and metabolic pathway prediction.<br><br>RESULTS: Our findings indicate a dominant presence of Francisella endosymbionts in Tunisian ticks, suggesting adaptive roles of H. dromedarii ticks in arid ecosystems. Keystone taxa, particularly Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium, were identified as central to microbial network structure and resilience. Moreover, network robustness analyses demonstrated enhanced ecological stability in the Tunisian tick microbiota under perturbation, indicative of higher resilience to environmental fluctuations compared to Saudi Arabian ticks. Additionally, functional pathway predictions further revealed geographically distinct metabolic profiles between both groups (Tunisia vs. Saudi Arabia and males vs. females), underscoring environmental and biological influences on H. dromedarii microbiota assembly.<br><br>DISCUSSION: These results highlight region-specific and sex-specific microbial adaptations in H. dromedarii, with potential implications for pathogen transmission dynamics and vector resilience. Understanding these microbial interactions may contribute to improved strategies for tick control and tick-borne disease prevention.}, }
@article {pmid40005669, year = {2025}, author = {Duan, YX and Zhuang, YH and Wu, YX and Huang, TW and Song, ZR and Du, YZ and Zhu, YX}, title = {Wolbachia Infection Alters the Microbiota of the Invasive Leaf-Miner Liriomyza huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae).}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {40005669}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {BK20231330//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; XCX20240707//the 2024 College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program of Yangzhou University/ ; }, abstract = {Microbe-microbe interactions within a host drive shifts in the host's microbiota composition, profoundly influencing host physiology, ecology, and evolution. Among these microbes, the maternally inherited endosymbiont Wolbachia is widespread in the invasive pest Liriomyza huidorbrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae). However, its influence on the host microbiota remains largely unexplored. In the study presented herein, we investigated the bacterial communities of Wolbachia wLhui-infected (wLhui+) and -uninfected lines (wLhui-) of L. huidorbrensis using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. For both leaf-miner lines, Bacteroidota was the dominant phylum (relative abundance: 59.18%), followed by Pseudomonadota (36.63%), Actinomycetota (2.42%), and Bacillota (0.93%). We found no significant differences in alpha-diversity indices between the wLhui+ and wLhui- lines (p > 0.05). However, principal coordinates analysis revealed significant differences in microbiota composition between the wLhui+ and wLhui- lines (PERMANOVA: p < 0.001), explaining 76.70% of the variance in microbiota composition. Correlation network analysis identified robust negative and positive associations between Wolbachia and several genera, suggesting that Wolbachia shapes microbial composition through competitive or cooperative interactions with specific taxa. Overall, our study suggests that Wolbachia plays a key role in shaping the leaf-miner microbiome, potentially affecting host fitness.}, }
@article {pmid40005625, year = {2025}, author = {Shamoon-Pour, M and Canessa, EH and Macher, J and Fruitwala, A and Draper, E and Policriti, B and Chin, M and Nunez, M and Puccio, P and Fang, Y and Wang, XR and Hathout, Y}, title = {Genomic and Proteomic Analyses of Bacterial Communities of Ixodes scapularis Ticks from Broome County, New York.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {40005625}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {The microbial communities of Ixodes scapularis, the primary vector of Lyme disease in North America, exhibit regional variations that may affect pathogen transmission and vector competence. We analyzed bacterial communities in I. scapularis ticks collected from Broome County, New York, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing (18 ticks) as well as mass spectrometry-based proteomics (36 ticks). According to the 16S rRNA analysis, the endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri was the most abundant species, with significantly higher (p = 0.0011) abundance in females (54.76%) compared to males (31.15%). We detected Borreliella burgdorferi in 44.44% of ticks and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in two nymphs but in high relative abundances (12.73% and 46.46%). Male ticks exhibited higher bacterial diversity, although the community composition showed no significant clustering by sex or life stage. Co-occurrence analysis revealed negative associations between R. buchneri and Pseudomonas (p = 0.0245), but no associations with B. burgdorferi. Proteomic analysis identified 12 R. buchneri-specific proteins, additionally detecting the protozoan pathogen Babesia microti in 18.18% of females. These findings provide the first comprehensive characterization of I. scapularis microbiomes in the Southern Tier region of New York and suggest broader distribution of R. buchneri across tick life stages than previously recognized, with potential implications for pathogen transmission dynamics.}, }
@article {pmid40003849, year = {2025}, author = {Gwiazdowska, A and Rutkowski, R and Sielezniew, M}, title = {Conservation Genetics of the Endangered Danube Clouded Yellow Butterfly Colias myrmidone (Esper, 1780) in the Last Central European Stronghold: Diversity, Wolbachia Infection and Balkan Connections.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {16}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {40003849}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {EZ.271.3.7.2021//General Directorate of the Polish State Forests/ ; }, abstract = {The Danube Clouded Yellow (Colias myrmidone) has experienced one of the most dramatic declines among European butterflies. To estimate genetic diversity in the last population in Poland that has survived in the Knyszyn Forest (KF), we analyzed mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (EF-1α) polymorphisms in individuals sampled in 2014 and 2022. The results were compared with genetic data obtained in 2014 from a recently extirpated nearby population (Czerwony Bór, CB). Because mtDNA polymorphisms in insects can be modulated by endosymbionts, the samples were screened for Wolbachia. The polymorphism of EF-1α indicated that diversity was gradually decreasing. The KF experienced rapid demographic processes, manifested by a significant change in allele frequency. The small differentiation in nuclear markers between the KF and CB in 2014 suggests that the regional population used to be genetically uniform. Four COI haplotypes that were identified in this study probably belong to two different haplogroups. Wolbachia was detected only in individuals with one specific haplotype, and the prevalence was female-biased, suggesting the induction of two reproductive manipulations. The most common COI haplotype found in Poland was the same as that reported from other parts of Europe, not only for C. myrmidone but also C. caucasica. These results allow us to question the distinctiveness of each taxa.}, }
@article {pmid40003744, year = {2025}, author = {Price, G and Simard, A and McGraw, BA}, title = {Evaluation of Bacterial Communities of Listronotus maculicollis Kirby Reared on Primary and Secondary Host Plants.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {16}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {40003744}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {The annual bluegrass weevil (Listronotus maculicollis Kirby) is a devastating insect pest of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) and, to a lesser extent, creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) on golf courses. Listronotus maculicollis-reared A. stolonifera, a comparatively tolerant host, incurs fitness costs, including longer developmental periods and reduced larval survivorship. This study sought to characterize microbiota diversity in L. maculicollis adults and larvae reared on P. annua and A. stolonifera cultivars (Penncross &amp; A4) to explore whether intrinsic factors, such as microbial community composition, vary across host plants and developmental stages, potentially influencing host suitability. Alpha diversity analyses showed adults feeding on A4 exhibited higher bacterial species richness than their offspring reared on the same cultivar. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant dissimilarities between L. maculicollis adults and offspring regardless of host. Pseudomonas sp. was consistently abundant in larvae across all turfgrasses, indicating a potential association with larval development. Elevated levels of Wolbachia sp., known for insect reproductive manipulation, were observed in adults, but appear to be unrelated to host plant effects. The most prevalent bacterium detected was Candidatus Nardonella, a conserved endosymbiont essential for cuticular hardening in weevils. Given the role of cuticular integrity in insecticide resistance, further investigations into insect-microbe-plant interactions could guide the development of targeted pest management strategies, reducing resistance and improving control measures for L. maculicollis.}, }
@article {pmid39998185, year = {2025}, author = {Mizutani, M and Fujikawa, T and Fukatsu, T and Kakizawa, S}, title = {Complete genome of the mutualistic symbiont "Candidatus Carsonella ruddii" from a Japanese island strain of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {e0108224}, pmid = {39998185}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {JPMJER1902//MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)/ ; JP23gm1610002//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)/ ; 18H02433, 26710015, 26106004, 15KK0266//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 24K18102,22KJ318//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP17H06388//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; }, abstract = {The complete genome, 173,958 bp in size, of "Candidatus Carsonella ruddii" DC-OKEB1, an obligate bacterial endosymbiont of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri, was determined. The genome sequence provides valuable information for comparative and evolutionary aspects of the intimate insect-microbe mutualism.}, }
@article {pmid39998184, year = {2025}, author = {Mizutani, M and Moriyama, M and Fukatsu, T and Kakizawa, S}, title = {Complete genome of the mutualistic symbiont "Candidatus Nardonella sp." Pin-AIST from the black hard weevil Pachyrhynchus infernalis.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {e0108324}, pmid = {39998184}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {JPMJER1902//MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)/ ; JP23gm1610002//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)/ ; 18H02433, 26710015, 26106004,15KK0266//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 24K18102,22KJ318//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP17H06388//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; }, abstract = {The complete genome, 226,287 bps in size, of "Candidatus Nardonella sp." Pin-AIST, an obligatory bacterial endosymbiont of the black hard weevil Pachyrhynchus infernalis, was sequenced. The extremely reduced endosymbiont genome is specialized for tyrosine synthesis, which contributes to the hardness of the beetle's exoskeleton.}, }
@article {pmid39991014, year = {2025}, author = {Mohammadi, A and Dalimi, A and Ghaffarifar, F and Pirestani, M and Akbari, M}, title = {Detection of Acanthamoeba Harboring Campylobacter jejuni Endosymbionts in Hospital Environments of Markazi Province, Iran.}, journal = {Journal of parasitology research}, volume = {2025}, number = {}, pages = {6626888}, pmid = {39991014}, issn = {2090-0023}, abstract = {Most Acanthamoebas contain endosymbionts such as viruses, yeasts, protists, and bacteria, some of which are potential human pathogens, including Campylobacter jejuni which often causes gastroenteritis and septicemia in humans. Amoebae have been shown to be resistant to chlorination and apparently protect ingested bacteria such as C. jejuni from free chlorine. Such resistance can have health implications, especially for drinking water treatment. The aim of this study is to identify Acanthamoeba in hospital samples in Markazi province, to determine the identity of C. jejuni endosymbiont in positive samples of Acanthamoeba in natural and laboratory conditions, and to determine the relationship between the two. The main aim of this study was to determine the identity of C. jejuni endosymbiont in Acanthamoeba-positive samples in natural and laboratory conditions. In this study, 134 samples including water, soil, and dust were collected from hospital environments. After molecular detection, the identity of the symbiotic Campylobacter jejuni in Acanthamoeba was determined by microscopic and PCR methods. Then, the ability of bacteria to infect the parasite was examined by cocultivation in vitro using real-time PCR. Finally, their relationship was examined based on statistical tests. The rate of contamination of hospital samples with Acanthamoeba was 44.7% on average. Out of 42 Acanthamoeba PCR-positive samples, seven isolates (16.67%) were found to be positive in terms of C. jejuni endosymbiont according to sampling location. The results showed that Helicobacter is able to penetrate and enter the Acanthamoeba parasite. In conclusion, our results showed that C. jejuni is able to contaminate Acanthamoeba in natural and laboratory conditions. The presence of pathogenic Acanthamoeba in various hospital environments and the hiding of Helicobacter as an endosymbiont inside it can pose a serious threat to the health of hospitalized patients.}, }
@article {pmid39985228, year = {2025}, author = {Song, MJ and Freund, F and Tribble, CM and Toffelmier, E and Miller, C and Bradley Shaffer, H and Li, FW and Rothfels, CJ}, title = {The nitrogen-fixing fern Azolla has a complex microbiome characterized by varying degrees of cophylogenetic signal.}, journal = {American journal of botany}, volume = {112}, number = {3}, pages = {e70010}, doi = {10.1002/ajb2.70010}, pmid = {39985228}, issn = {1537-2197}, support = {//California Conservation Genomics Project, with funding provided to the University of California by the State of California, State Budget Act of 2019 [UC Award ID RSI-19-690224]./ ; }, mesh = {*Ferns/microbiology/genetics/physiology ; *Microbiota ; *Symbiosis ; *Nitrogen Fixation ; California ; }, abstract = {PREMISE: Azolla is a genus of floating ferns that has closely evolved with a vertically transmitted obligate cyanobacterium endosymbiont-Anabaena azollae-that fixes nitrogen. There are also other lesser-known Azolla symbionts whose role and mode of transmission are unknown.<br><br>METHODS: We sequenced 112 Azolla specimens collected across the state of California and characterized their metagenomes to identify the common bacterial endosymbionts and assess their patterns of interaction.<br><br>RESULTS: Four genera were found across all samples, establishing that multiple Azolla endosymbionts were consistently present. We found varying degrees of cophylogenetic signal across these taxa as well as varying degrees of isolation by distance and of pseudogenation, which demonstrates that multiple processes underlie how this endosymbiotic community is constituted. We also characterized the entire Azolla leaf pocket microbiome.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the Azolla symbiotic community is complex and features members at potentially different stages of symbiosis evolution, further supporting the utility of the Azolla microcosm as a system for studying the evolution of symbioses.}, }
@article {pmid39982435, year = {2025}, author = {Mtawali, M and Cooney, EC and Adams, J and Jin, J and Holt, CC and Keeling, PJ}, title = {Phylogenomic resolution of marine to freshwater dinoflagellate transitions.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {39982435}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {NSERC 2019-03994//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; //Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {*Dinoflagellida/genetics/classification ; *Phylogeny ; *Fresh Water/microbiology ; *Seawater/microbiology ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Dinoflagellates are an abundant and diverse group of protists that inhabit aquatic environments worldwide. They are characterized by numerous unique cellular and molecular traits, and have adapted to an unusually broad range of life strategies, including phototrophy, heterotrophy, parasitism, and all combinations of these. For most microbial groups, transitions from marine to freshwater environments are relatively rare, as changes in salinity are thought to lead to significant osmotic challenges that are difficult for the cell to overcome. Recent work has shown that dinoflagellates have overcome these challenges relatively often in evolutionary time, but because this is mostly based on single gene trees with low overall support, many of the relationships between freshwater and marine groups remain unresolved. Normally, phylogenomics could clarify such conclusions, but despite the recent surge in data, virtually no freshwater dinoflagellates have been characterized at the genome-wide level. Here, we generated 30 transcriptomes from cultures and single cells collected from freshwater environments to infer a robustly supported phylogenomic tree from 217 conserved genes, resolving at least seven transitions to freshwater in dinoflagellates. Mapping the distribution of ASVs from freshwater environmental samples onto this tree confirms these groups and identifies additional lineages where freshwater dinoflagellates likely remain unsampled. We also sampled two species of Durinskia, a genus of "dinotoms" with both marine and freshwater lineages containing Nitzschia-derived tertiary plastids. Ribosomal RNA phylogenies show that the host cells are closely related, but their endosymbionts are likely descended from two distantly-related freshwater Nitzschia species that were acquired in parallel and relatively recently.}, }
@article {pmid39981748, year = {2025}, author = {Martinez, G and Leander, BS and Park, E}, title = {Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny of Endosymbiotic Ciliates (Peritrichia, Mobilida) of Marine Invertebrates with Descriptions of Two Novel Species Urceolaria clepsydra n. sp. and Urceolaria bratalia n. sp.}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {72}, number = {2}, pages = {e70003}, pmid = {39981748}, issn = {1550-7408}, support = {NSERC 2019-03986//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; //Tula Foundation/ ; //UBC Biodiversity Research Center/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; *Invertebrates ; Pacific Ocean ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sea Cucumbers/parasitology ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Oligohymenophorea/classification/genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Aquatic Organisms/genetics ; }, abstract = {Mobilid ciliates are a morphologically distinct group of protists that form a wide range of symbiotic relationships with aquatic animals and includes three subgroups: Trichodinidae, Urceolariidae, and Polycyclidae. Trichodinids are best known for infecting fishes, whereas urceolariids infect diverse marine invertebrates. Polycyclidae was established for mobilid ciliates infecting sea cucumbers; however, molecular data have been unavailable for this group. In this study, we discovered and characterized two novel mobilid species, one infecting two species of sea cucumbers (Eupentacta quinquesemita and Cucumaria miniata) and one infecting brachiopods or lamp shells (Terebratalia transversa) collected from the Northeast Pacific Ocean. These new mobilid species were characterized at the morphological level using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We also inferred the molecular phylogenetic positions of these species using small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences. Based on combined morphological and molecular data, we demonstrate that the two new species belong to Urceolaria, U. clepsydra n. sp. and U. bratalia n. sp., and support synonymization of Polycycla with Urceolaria. By providing the first molecular data from new species of mobilids infecting sea cucumbers and brachiopods, we expand the host range and improve our knowledge of this diverse but poorly understood group of symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid39979545, year = {2025}, author = {Thompson, S and Wang, J and Schott, T and Nissinen, R and Haapalainen, M}, title = {Genomes of the Bacterial Endosymbionts of Carrot Psyllid Trioza apicalis Suggest Complementary Biosynthetic Capabilities.}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {82}, number = {4}, pages = {145}, pmid = {39979545}, issn = {1432-0991}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Daucus carota/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism ; Metagenome ; }, abstract = {Carrot psyllid Trioza apicalis is a serious pest of cultivated carrot and also a vector of the plant pathogen 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso). To find out whether T. apicalis harbours other species of bacteria that might affect the Lso infection rate, the bacterial communities and metagenome in T. apicalis were studied. Lso haplotype C was detected in a third of the psyllids sampled, at different relative amounts. Surprisingly, T. apicalis was found to harbour only one secondary endosymbiont, a previously unknown species of gamma proteobacterium endosymbiont (Gpe), beside the primary endosymbiont 'Candidatus Carsonella ruddii' (CCr). The relative abundancies of these two endosymbionts were approximately equal. The genomes of CCr, Gpe and Lso were assembled from a T. apicalis metagenome sample. Based on the 16S rRNA gene, the closest relative of Gpe of T. apicalis could be a secondary endosymbiont of Trioza magnoliae. The 253.171 kb Gpe genome contains all the tRNA and rRNA genes and most of the protein-coding genes required for DNA replication, transcription and translation, but it lacks most of the genes for amino acid biosynthesis. Gpe has no genes encoding cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis, suggesting it has no cell wall, and could thus live as an intracellular endosymbiont. Like the CCr of other psyllids, CCr of T. apicalis retains a broad amino acid biosynthetic capacity, whilst lacking many genes required for DNA replication and repair and for transcription and translation. These findings suggest that these two endosymbionts of T. apicalis are complementary in their biosynthetic capabilities.}, }
@article {pmid39976626, year = {2025}, author = {Sharpe, SR and Madhav, M and Klein, MJ and Blasdell, KR and Paradkar, PN and Lynch, SE and Eagles, D and López-Denman, AJ and Ahmed, KA}, title = {Characterisation of the virome of Culicoides brevitarsis Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a vector of bluetongue virus in Australia.}, journal = {The Journal of general virology}, volume = {106}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {39976626}, issn = {1465-2099}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ceratopogonidae/virology ; *Virome ; *Bluetongue virus/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; *Insect Vectors/virology ; *Phylogeny ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Genome, Viral ; Australia ; New South Wales ; RNA, Viral/genetics ; }, abstract = {Culicoides spp., a common biting midge genus, are haematophagous insects that can transmit pathogens to humans and other animals. Some species transmit arboviruses, including bluetongue virus, epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, African horse sickness virus and Schmallenberg virus to vertebrates, which can be detrimental to livestock and wild animals. Culicoides spp. can also have a diversity of insect-specific viruses (ISVs) that can only be transmitted between insects and others related to known arboviruses. For Culicoides brevitarsis and other Culicoides spp. in Australia, the virome is largely unexplored. We used high-throughput sequencing to characterise the virome of C. brevitarsis collected from Casino, New South Wales, Australia. For virus detection, the total RNA was extracted from pools of C. brevitarsis followed by rRNA depletion and Illumina short-read-based RNA sequencing. The reads were quality-checked, filtered and assembled into contigs, compared with the non-redundant protein and conserved domain databases for viral detection and genome organisation, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis was used to further characterise the viruses. We detected new virus diversity including ten viruses belonging to eight different families with complete or near-complete coding regions. Seven of these were novel virus species belonging to the families: Chuviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Peribunyaviridae, Qinviridae, Rhabdoviridae and Solemoviridae. In addition, the novel Peribunyaviridae virus should also be considered part of a new genus. Whilst most of the detected viruses grouped into families with viruses that can infect insects, animals or both, the novel species of Solemoviridae was closely related to an economically important plant pathogen, the sugarcane yellow leaf virus. Our quantitative PCR-based screening confirmed the absence of any Wolbachia endosymbiont within the collected samples. Furthermore, we detected fragments of three more virus families known to infect fungi and plants. The detection of potential arboviruses and ISVs in Culicoides spp. is important in understanding virus epidemiology.}, }
@article {pmid39971081, year = {2025}, author = {Ma, Z and Gao, J and Wang, G and Zhao, M and Xing, D and Zhao, T and Zhang, H}, title = {Effects of Wolbachia on mitochondrial DNA variation in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae).}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {263}, number = {}, pages = {107561}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107561}, pmid = {39971081}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics ; Animals ; *DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; *Aedes/microbiology/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; Haplotypes ; Female ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia species are symbiotic bacteria that are commonly found in arthropods and nematodes and live inside their cells. In nature, endosymbiont-host interactions and dynamics are complex, often depending on environmental conditions and evolutionary history. Both Wolbachia and mitochondrial DNA are maternally inherited in cells, and after a long period of coexistence, the presence of Wolbachia may have an impact on mitochondrial sequence diversity, thereby confounding mtDNA-based host phylogeny. The universal and typing primers for the wsp gene were used for PCR amplification, the number of positive samples was counted, and the infection pattern was analysed. The mitochondrial DNA diversity of four groups (Wolbachia-infected and uninfected samples, as well as between singly and double infected samples.) was analysed. PACo and ParaFitGlobal tests were used to explore evolutionary associations. The overall prevalence of Wolbachia in the 22 natural populations was 94.2 %, with Type A, Type B and A × B mixed infections detected in Aedes albopictus and coinfection between wAlbA and wAlbB prevalent. The mitochondrial DNA haplotype associated with Wolbachia (Hap1) became the dominant haplotype and was the most abundant and widely distributed in the population. The linkage map showed the predominant haplotype, Hap1, was more closely associated with wAlbA than with wAlbB. Neutral evolution deviated significantly from zero. The diversity of mtDNA COI genes associated with Wolbachia infection was reduced. Wolbachia infection may lead to the selective sweep of mitochondrial DNA in Ae. albopictus.}, }
@article {pmid39966714, year = {2025}, author = {Jain, A and Li, T and Huston, DC and Kaur, J and Trollip, C and Wainer, J and Hodda, M and Linsell, K and Riley, IT and Toktay, H and Olowu, EA and Edwards, J and Rodoni, B and Sawbridge, T}, title = {Insights from draft genomes of Heterodera species isolated from field soil samples.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {26}, number = {1}, pages = {158}, pmid = {39966714}, issn = {1471-2164}, mesh = {Animals ; *Tylenchoidea/genetics ; *Soil/parasitology ; *Genome, Helminth ; Phylogeny ; Genomics/methods ; Australia ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The nematode phylum includes many species key to soil food webs with trophic behaviours extending from feeding on microbes to macrofauna and plant roots. Among these, the plant parasitic cyst nematodes retain their eggs in protective cysts prolonging their survival under harsh conditions. These nematodes, including those from the genus Heterodera, cause significant economic losses in agricultural systems. Understanding of nematode diversity and ecology has expanded through application of genomic research, however, for Heterodera species there are very few available whole genome sequences. Sequencing and assembling Heterodera genomes is challenging due to various technical limitations imposed by the biology of Heterodera. Overcoming these limitations is essential for comprehensive insights into Heterodera parasitic interactions with plants, population studies, and for Australian biosecurity implications.<br><br>RESULTS: We hereby present draft genomes of six species of which Heterodera australis, H. humuli, H. mani and H. trifolii are presently recorded in Australia and two species, H. avenae and H. filipjevi, currently absent from Australia. The draft genomes were sequenced from genomic DNA isolated from 50 cysts each using an Illumina NovaSeq short read sequencing platform. The data revealed disparity in sequencing yield between species. What was previously identified as H. avenae in Australia using morphological traits is now confirmed as H. australis and may have consequences for wheat breeding programs in Australia that are breeding for resistance to H. avenae. A multigene phylogeny placed the sequenced species into taxonomic phylogenetic perspective. Genomic comparisons within the Avenae species group revealed orthologous gene clusters within the species, emphasising the shared and unique features of the group. The data also revealed the presence of a Wolbachia species, a putative bacterial endosymbiont from Heterodera humuli short read sequencing data.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Genomic research holds immense significance for agriculture, for understanding pest species diversity and the development of effective management strategies. This study provides insight into Heterodera, cyst nematode genomics and the associated symbionts and this work will serve as a baseline for further genomic analyses in this economically important nematode group.}, }
@article {pmid39957355, year = {2025}, author = {Prabhu, D and Dharshini, MKD and Rajamanikandan, S and Padmavathi, AR and Velusamy, P and Gopinath, SCB}, title = {Potential Anti-Filarial Molecules Against ATP Binding Site of MurE Enzyme: A Molecular Docking and Dynamics Approach to Combat Lymphatic Filariasis.}, journal = {Biotechnology and applied biochemistry}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/bab.2727}, pmid = {39957355}, issn = {1470-8744}, support = {//KAHE-Seed money research Grant/ ; //Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India/ ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne disease caused by parasitic nematodes Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, and Wuchereria bancrofti. The drugs available are effective in several cases, and the absence of vaccination is the crucial factor hindering the elimination of LF. The UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-glutamate-2,6-diaminopimelate ligase (MurE) plays an important role in the peptidoglycan biosynthesis of Wolbachia endosymbiont B. malayi, which are reported to be a vital drug target for bacterial and endosymbiotic hosts. Thus, we selected the ATP binding cavity of MurE as the potential site to screen inhibitors. The MurE structure was modeled using AlphaFold due to the absence of an experimental structure. Structure-based screening identified five potent phytochemicals targeting the ATP binding site with higher Glide scores and affinity. The top five phytochemicals CID 311, CID 445713, CID 441626, CID 39077, and CID 10814 showed a docking score of -16.812, -16.117, -15.668, -15.324, and -13.442 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, the molecular dynamics simulations depicted the binding stability of the phytochemical inhibitors bound to the MurE complex. Moreover, ADME assessment and Density Functional Theory analyses of the predicted compounds have shown acceptable pharmacokinetic properties and high reactivity with the drug target of MurE.}, }
@article {pmid39955302, year = {2025}, author = {Khogali, R and Bastos, A and Getange, D and Bargul, JL and Kalayou, S and Ongeso, N and Verhoeven, JTP and Kabii, J and Ngiela, J and Masiga, D and Villinger, J}, title = {Exploring the microbiomes of camel ticks to infer vector competence: insights from tissue-level symbiont-pathogen relationships.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {5574}, pmid = {39955302}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {101000365/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; 101000365/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; 101000365/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; 101000365/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; 101000365/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Camelus/microbiology/parasitology ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Rickettsia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Salivary Glands/microbiology ; Ticks/microbiology ; Coxiella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Bacteria/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Saliva/microbiology ; Female ; Kenya ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasites that harbor diverse pathogens and endosymbionts. Their microbial communities vary based on tick species, stage, sex, geographical location, surrounding environment, and tissue type. Understanding tick microbiota at the tissue level is crucial for unraveling how microbiomes are distributed in tick tissues and influence pathogen transmission. We used V1-V2 16 S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze tissue-specific bacterial compositions (hemolymph, saliva, salivary glands, and midgut) of Amblyomma gemma, Rhipicephalus pulchellus, Hyalomma dromedarii, and Hyalomma rufipes ticks collected from camels in Marsabit County, northern Kenya. The V1-V2 region of the 16 S rRNA gene effectively differentiated 43 Rickettsia africae and 16 Rickettsia aeschlimannii tick samples from other rickettsial species, as well as Coxiella endosymbionts from Coxiella burnetii. In contrast, the V3-V4 region sequences of these species could not be clearly distinguished. Coxiella endosymbionts were most common in Am. gemma and Rh. pulchellus, while Francisella endosymbionts predominated in Hyalomma ticks; both were primarily localized in the salivary glands. High abundances of Coxiella endosymbionts, as well as Pseudomonas, were associated with the absence or low abundance of Rickettsia pathogens in both Am. gemma and Rh. pulchellus, suggesting competitive interactions between these microbes. Additionally, Proteus mirabilis, an opportunistic pathogen of the urinary tract in humans, was found predominantly in Hyalomma ticks, except for the salivary glands, which were most abundant with Francisella endosymbionts. Furthermore, we detected the Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Corynebacterium genera in all the tick tissues, supporting the hypothesis that these bacteria might circulate between camel blood and ticks. Saliva and hemolymph generally harbored more extracellular bacteria than the salivary glands and midgut. This study provides a new approach to unravel tick-endosymbiont-pathogen interactions by examining the tissue localization of tick-borne pathogens and symbionts in Am. gemma, Rh. pulchellus, Hy. dromedarii, and Hy. rufipes from camels in northern Kenya. Our findings establish a baseline for developing an understanding of the functional capacities of symbionts and for designing symbiont-based control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid39949627, year = {2025}, author = {Napo, M and Kock, A and Alayande, KA and Sulyok, M and Ezekiel, CN and Uehling, J and Pawlowska, TE and Adeleke, RA}, title = {Tomato rot by Rhizopus microsporus alters native fungal community composition and secondary metabolite production.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {16}, number = {}, pages = {1508519}, pmid = {39949627}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Rhizopus rot is considered one of the most common diseases influencing global production and yield of horticulture commodities. However, the factors contributing to this pattern of prevalence are uncertain. Here, we focused on R. microsporus, which is known to rely on its endosymbiotic bacterium, Mycetohabitans, to produce toxins that interfere with plant development and inhibit the growth of other fungi. We assessed the impact of the symbiotic R. microsporus harboring its endosymbiont as well as the fungus cured of it on: (1) the magnitude of spoilage in tomato fruits, as evaluated by Koch's postulate for pathogenicity, (2) the shifts in native communities of endophytic fungi inhabiting these fruits, as examined by ITS rRNA gene metabarcoding and (3) secondary metabolites generated by these communities, as analyzed using multi-analyte LC-MS/MS. The pathogenicity test showed that the symbiotic endobacterium-containing R. microsporus W2-50 was able to cause tomato fruit spoilage. This was accompanied by decreased relative abundance of Alternaria spp. and an increase in the relative abundance of Penicillium spp. that may have facilitated the observed spoilage. In conclusion, symbiotic W2-50 appeared to facilitate fruit spoilage, possibly through successful colonization or toxin production by its endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid39944902, year = {2025}, author = {Cassens, J and Oliva Chávez, AS and Tufts, DM and Zhong, J and Faulk, C and Oliver, JD}, title = {Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Clade-Specific Genetic Variation in Blacklegged Ticks.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {e70987}, pmid = {39944902}, issn = {2045-7758}, support = {T42 OH008434/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Ticks and tick-borne pathogens represent the greatest vector-borne disease threat in the United States. Blacklegged ticks are responsible for most human cases, yet the disease burden is unevenly distributed across the northern and southern United States. Understanding the genetic characteristics influencing phenotypic differences in tick vectors is critical to elucidating disparities in tick-borne pathogen transmission dynamics. Applying evolutionary analyses to molecular variation in natural tick populations across ecological gradients will help identify signatures of local adaptation, which will improve control and mitigation strategies. In this study, we performed whole genome nanopore sequencing of individual (n = 1) blacklegged ticks across their geographical range (Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Texas) to evaluate genetic divergence among populations. Our integrated analyses identified genetic variants associated with numerous biological processes and molecular functions that segregated across populations. Notably, northern populations displayed genetic variants in genes linked to xenobiotic detoxification, transmembrane transport, and sulfation that may underpin key phenotypes influencing tick dispersal, host associations, and vectorial capacity. Nanopore sequencing further allowed the recovery of complete mitochondrial and commensal endosymbiont genomes. Our study provides further evidence of genetic divergence in epidemiologically relevant gene families among blacklegged tick clades. This report emphasizes the need to elucidate the genetic basis driving divergence among conspecific blacklegged tick clades in the United States.}, }
@article {pmid39939508, year = {2025}, author = {Chakraborty, A and Dutta, P and Amrit, R and Dey, P and Osborne, WJ}, title = {Antagonistic activity of butanamine 2,2-dinitro-N-methyl- synthesized by endosymbiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens VITAPRJS1 acquired from horse milk.}, journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39939508}, issn = {1618-1905}, abstract = {Endosymbiotic bacteria are known to synthesize bioactive compounds which have biotechnological potentials that enhance immune responses by stimulating the production of immune cells. Horse milk is widely known to have nutraceutical and antimicrobial activities; however, there are no scientific reports on its inhibitory effects. VITAPRJS1, isolated from horse milk, showed non-hemolytic properties and was significantly tolerant to bile salt and NaCl. The isolate also exhibited potent antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. The bioactive antibacterial compounds were extracted using dichloromethane and were subsequently purified and identified as butanamine, 2,2-dinitro-N-methyl- through UPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS analyses. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of functional groups such as alkane, amine, and monosubstituted 1,2-disubstituted. The screened bacterial isolate was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (OR501558) upon 16S rRNA gene sequencing. To our knowledge, this study represents the first-time report on the presence of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in horse milk having potent antibacterial activity, highlighting its unexplored potential in biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.}, }
@article {pmid39938947, year = {2025}, author = {Rogowska-van der Molen, MA and Manzano-Marín, A and Postma, JL and Coolen, S and van Alen, T and Jansen, RS and Welte, CU}, title = {From eggs to guts: Symbiotic association of Sodalis nezarae sp. nov. with the Southern green shield bug Nezara viridula.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {101}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {39938947}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Enterobacteriaceae/genetics/classification ; *Heteroptera/microbiology ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Female ; Microbiota ; Ovum/microbiology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Pantoea/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Phytophagous insects engage in symbiotic relationships with bacteria that contribute to digestion, nutrient supplementation, and development of the host. The analysis of shield bug microbiomes has been mainly focused on the gut intestinal tract predominantly colonized by Pantoea symbionts and other microbial community members in the gut or other organs have hardly been investigated. In this study, we reveal that the Southern green shield bug Nezara viridula harbours a Sodalis symbiont in several organs, with a notable prevalence in salivary glands, and anterior regions of the midgut. Removing external egg microbiota via sterilization profoundly impacted insect viability but did not disrupt the vertical transmission of Sodalis and Pantoea symbionts. Based on the dominance of Sodalis in testes, we deduce that N. viridula males could be involved in symbiont vertical transmission. Genomic analyses comparing Sodalis species revealed that Sodalis sp. Nvir shares characteristics with both free-living and obligate insect-associated Sodalis spp. Sodalis sp. Nvir also displays genome instability typical of endosymbiont lineages, which suggests ongoing speciation to an obligate endosymbiont. Together, our study reveals that shield bugs harbour unrecognized symbionts that might be paternally transmitted.}, }
@article {pmid39937680, year = {2025}, author = {Boudreau, V and Albright, AR and Larson, BT and Gerbich, TM and Fadero, T and Yan, V and Lucas-DeMott, A and Yung, J and Moulin, SLY and Descovich, CP and Slabodnick, MM and Burlacot, A and Wang, JR and Niyogi, KK and Marshall, WF}, title = {The cell biology and genome of Stentor pyriformis, a giant cell that embeds symbiotic algae in a microtubule meshwork.}, journal = {Molecular biology of the cell}, volume = {36}, number = {4}, pages = {ar44}, pmid = {39937680}, issn = {1939-4586}, support = {K12 GM081266/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P30 CA016086/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM130327/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Microtubules/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; *Ciliophora/physiology/metabolism/genetics ; *Chlorella/metabolism/physiology/genetics ; *Genome ; Phylogeny ; Photosynthesis ; Phagocytosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic events in which an endosymbiont is retained within a cell that remains capable of phagocytosis, a situation known as mixotrophy, provide potentially important clues about the eukaryotic evolution. Here we describe the cell biology and genome of the giant mixotrophic ciliate Stentor pyriformis. We show that S. pyriformis contains Chlorella variabilis as an endosymbiont that retains the ability to live outside the host. Within the host, the Chlorella cells surrounded by microtubule "baskets" near the cell surface. Photosynthetic efficiency of the Chlorella is reduced inside the Stentor cell compared with outside the host, due to increased nonphotochemical quenching. S. pyriformis displays positive phototaxis via directed swimming that requires the presence of the Chlorella, implying a potential flow of information from the symbiont to direct the orientation and swimming of the host cell. We sequenced the S. pyriformis genome and found that it employs a standard genetic code, similar to other Stentor species but different from most other ciliates. We propose that S. pyriformis will serve as a useful model system for studying endosymbiosis, with unique advantages in terms of size and regenerative ability as well as distinct cellular and genomic features compared with other mixotrophic ciliate models.}, }
@article {pmid39934832, year = {2025}, author = {Perlmutter, JI and Atadurdyyeva, A and Schedl, ME and Unckless, RL}, title = {Wolbachia enhances the survival of Drosophila infected with fungal pathogens.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {42}, pmid = {39934832}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/physiology/virology ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Female ; Male ; Longevity ; Symbiosis ; Fungi/physiology/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia bacteria of arthropods are at the forefront of basic and translational research on multipartite host-symbiont-pathogen interactions. These vertically transmitted microbes are the most widespread endosymbionts on the planet due to factors including host reproductive manipulation and fitness benefits. Importantly, some strains of Wolbachia can inhibit viral pathogenesis within and between arthropod hosts. Mosquitoes carrying the wMel Wolbachia strain of Drosophila melanogaster have a greatly reduced capacity to spread viruses like dengue and Zika to humans. While significant research efforts have focused on viruses, relatively little attention has been given to Wolbachia-fungal interactions despite the ubiquity of fungal entomopathogens in nature.<br><br>RESULTS: Here, we demonstrate that Wolbachia increase the longevity of their Drosophila melanogaster hosts when challenged with a spectrum of yeast and filamentous fungal pathogens. We find that this pattern can vary based on host genotype, sex, and fungal species. Further, Wolbachia correlates with higher fertility and reduced pathogen titers during initial fungal infection, indicating a significant fitness benefit. Finally, RNA sequencing results show altered expression of many immune and stress response genes in the context of Wolbachia and fungal infection, suggesting host immunity may be involved in the mechanism.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates Wolbachia's protective role in diverse fungal pathogen interactions and determines that the phenotype is broad, but with several variables that influence both the presence and strength of the phenotype. It also is a critical step forward to understanding how symbionts can protect their hosts from a variety of pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid39931814, year = {2025}, author = {Lintnerova, E and Shaw, C and Keys, M and Brownlee, C and Modepalli, V}, title = {Plant-like heliotropism in a photosymbiotic animal.}, journal = {The Journal of experimental biology}, volume = {228}, number = {3}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.247651}, pmid = {39931814}, issn = {1477-9145}, support = {//Marine Biological Association/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Sea Anemones/physiology ; *Photosynthesis ; Phototropism/physiology ; Sunlight ; }, abstract = {As in plants, photosynthesis also represents a key energy source in photosymbiotic cnidarians bearing microalgae. We observed that the cnidarian sea anemone Anemonia viridis, commonly known as the snakelocks anemone, displayed heliotropism or solar tracking in their natural habitats. When exposed to sunlight, A. viridis point their tentacles towards the sun while remaining sessile, facing east at dawn and west at dusk as they track the sun's relative position through the day. This phenomenon was previously only observed in plants. Solar tracking movements in A. viridis are driven by peak wavelengths that prompt photosynthesis in their endosymbionts. The heliotropic response was absent in both bleached (aposymbiotic) A. viridis and in symbiotic A. viridis with chemically inhibited photosynthesis. We revealed a direct correlation between heliotropism and symbiont oxygen production in A. viridis and showed how photosymbiotic A. viridis utilises this mechanism to modulate exposure to solar irradiation. Our study exemplifies how photosynthetic organisms such as plants and symbiotic sea anemones, display similar behaviour in response to similar environmental pressures.}, }
@article {pmid39922935, year = {2025}, author = {Das, BK and Gadnayak, A and Chakraborty, HJ and Pradhan, SP and Raut, SS and Das, SK}, title = {Exploring microbial players for metagenomic profiling of carbon cycling bacteria in sundarban mangrove soils.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {4784}, pmid = {39922935}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {*Wetlands ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Metagenomics/methods ; *Bacteria/genetics/metabolism/classification ; *Carbon Cycle ; Carbon/metabolism ; Microbiota/genetics ; Ecosystem ; Metagenome ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The Sundarbans, the world's largest tidal mangrove forest, acts as a crucial ecosystem for production, conservation, and the cycling of carbon and nitrogen. The study explored the hypothesis that microbial communities in mangrove ecosystems exhibit unique taxonomic and functional traits that play a vital part in carbon cycling and ecosystem resilience. Using metagenomic analysis to evaluate microbial communities in mangrove and non-mangrove environment, evaluating their composition, functional functions, and ecological relevance. The analysis revealed distinct microbial profiles, in mangrove and non-mangrove environments, with bacteria, proteobacteria, and viruses being the most prevalent groups, with varying abundances in each environment. Functional and taxonomical analysis identified genes involved in carbon regulation, including Triacylglycerol lipase, NarG, DsrB, DNA-binding transcriptional dual regulator CRP, Vanillate O-demethylase oxygenase, succinate-CoA ligase, Tetrahydrofolate ligase, Carboxylase, Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, Glycine hydroxymethyltransferase, MAG: urease, Endosymbiont of Oligobrachia haakonmosbiensis, Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, Aconitate hydratase AcnA, and nitrous oxide reductase, suggesting the metabolic versatility of these microbial communities for carbon cycling. The findings emphasize the key role of microbial activity in preserving mangrove ecosystem health and resilience, highlighting the intricate interplay between microbial diversity, functional capabilities, and environmental factors.}, }
@article {pmid39914231, year = {2025}, author = {Páez-Triana, L and Martinez, D and Patiño, LH and Muñoz, M and Sandoval-Ramírez, CM and Pinilla León, JC and Ramirez, JD}, title = {Exploring endosymbionts and pathogens in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis felis with Oxford Nanopore Technology.}, journal = {Research in veterinary science}, volume = {185}, number = {}, pages = {105562}, doi = {10.1016/j.rvsc.2025.105562}, pmid = {39914231}, issn = {1532-2661}, mesh = {Animals ; *Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology ; *Ctenocephalides/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Colombia ; Wolbachia/genetics/physiology ; Rickettsia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Nanopore Sequencing/methods ; Rickettsiales/genetics ; }, abstract = {Fleas and ticks play a crucial role in public health as vectors of multiple diseases affecting humans and animals. Several rickettsial pathogens and endosymbionts are transmitted by fleas and ticks. Therefore, understanding this group of microorganisms is essential for fully grasping the spectrum of pathogens transmitted by vectors and the interactions between endosymbiotic microorganisms and their hosts. This study evaluated the presence and diversity of Rickettsiales species in fleas and ticks collected from the Santander department in Colombia. For the methodology a 16S gene amplification approach through Oxford Nanopore sequencing technologies in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis felis was used. Our findings revealed the presence of multiple pathogenic and endosymbiotic microorganisms, particularly from the Rickettsia and Wolbachia groups. We observed a clear association between Rickettsia species and ticks, while Wolbachia was predominantly found in fleas. Additionally, other important microorganisms were identified, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia conorii, and different strains of Wolbachia that serve as endosymbionts in various arthropods. These results underscore the importance of fleas and ticks in the transmission of both pathogenic and endosymbiotic microorganisms. The distinct patterns of association between specific pathogens and vectors provide insight into their transmission dynamics. Identifying pathogens such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia conorii further highlights the need for continued research into vector-borne diseases in Colombia. Understanding the interactions between endosymbionts and pathogenic microorganisms in these vectors could lead to the development of more effective strategies for controlling diseases transmitted by fleas and ticks.}, }
@article {pmid39909190, year = {2025}, author = {Carbonara, M and Perles, L and Venco, L and Gabrielli, S and Barrs, VR and Miró, G and Papadopoulos, E and Lima, C and Bouhsira, E and Baneth, G and Pantchev, N and Iatta, R and Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Decaro, N and Schunack, B and Benelli, G and Otranto, D}, title = {Dirofilaria spp. infection in cats from the Mediterranean basin: diagnosis and epidemiology.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology}, volume = {55}, number = {6}, pages = {317-325}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijpara.2025.01.011}, pmid = {39909190}, issn = {1879-0135}, mesh = {Animals ; Cats ; *Dirofilariasis/epidemiology/diagnosis/parasitology ; *Cat Diseases/epidemiology/parasitology/diagnosis ; Dirofilaria immitis/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/immunology ; Female ; Mediterranean Region/epidemiology ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Male ; Dirofilaria repens/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/immunology ; Antibodies, Helminth/blood ; Risk Factors ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Coinfection/veterinary/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens, causing heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively, are zoonotic mosquito-borne filarioids infecting a plethora of hosts including cats. Only fragmented data are available on the diagnosis and epidemiology of feline dirofilariosis. We assessed the occurrence of both nematode infections, their risk factors and clinicopathological abnormalities in cats, from six countries of the Mediterranean Basin. In addition, Wolbachia spp. endosymbionts were assessed in Dirofilaria spp.-positive animals. Blood and sera samples were obtained from cats with outdoor access from Spain (n = 354), Portugal (n = 287), Italy (n = 125), Greece (n = 116), Israel (n = 101) and France (n = 100). Cat sera were tested by both direct antigenic (SNAP test, commercial ELISA kit) and indirect antibodies (in-house ELISA) serological tools, and blood samples by real time and conventional PCR targeting Dirofilaria spp. DNA, followed by sequencing. A statistical analysis was run to assess the link between Dirofilaria spp. infection and independent variables, as well as among feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and/or feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) co-infections, and clinicopathological abnormalities. Overall, 3.8% (i.e., 41/1,083) cats scored positive for Dirofilaria spp. infection with prevalences ranging from 2% in Israel to 7.8% in Greece. Of the 41 positive cats, 16 were infected by D. immitis (by SNAP test and/or PCR) and two by D. repens (by PCR); the remaining animals were antibody-positive for Dirofilaria spp. using the in-house ELISA. Wolbachia DNA was detected in one D. immitis-infected cat. Nematode positivity was significantly associated with age, breed, hyporexia, dandruff, and dyspnoea. This study provides data on the prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. infection in cats from the Mediterranean Basin, as well as new insights on its diagnosis, revealing the importance of performing strategic chemoprophylactic treatments for cats living in areas where the infection is endemic in dogs.}, }
@article {pmid39906587, year = {2025}, author = {Singh, P and Bruijning, M and Carver, GD and Donia, MS and Metcalf, CJE}, title = {Characterizing the evolution of defense in a tripartite marine symbiosis using adaptive dynamics.}, journal = {Evolution letters}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {105-114}, pmid = {39906587}, issn = {2056-3744}, abstract = {The evolution and maintenance of symbiotic systems remains a fascinating puzzle. While the coevolutionary dynamics of bipartite (host-symbiont) systems are well-studied, the dynamics of more complex systems have only recently garnered attention with increasing technological advances. We model a tripartite system inspired by the marine symbiotic relationship between the alga Bryopsis sp., its intracellular defensive bacterial symbiont "Candidatus Endobryopsis kahalalidifaciens," which produces a toxin that protects the alga against fish herbivores, and the sea-slug Elysia rufescens (Zan et al., 2019), which is not deterred by the toxin. We disentangle the role of selection on different actors within this system by investigating evolutionary scenarios where defense evolves as (i) a host-controlled trait that reduces algal reproductive ability; (ii) a symbiont-controlled trait that impacts symbiont transmission; and (iii) a trait jointly controlled by both host and symbiont. Optimal investment in defensive toxins varies based on the characteristics of the host, symbiont, and sea slug; and evolutionary trajectories are modulated by trade-off shape, i.e., a strongly decelerating trade-off between defense and symbiont transmission can drive symbiont diversification via evolutionary branching. Increasing slug herbivory reduces host investment in defense to favor reproduction, while symbiont investment in defense first declines and then increases as host density declines to the degree that horizontal symbiont transmission is no longer beneficial. Increasing vertical transmission selects for reduced defense by the host when it evolves as a jointly controlled trait, as a result of investment by the symbiont. Our theoretical exploration of the evolution of defensive symbiosis in scenarios involving interactions with multiple herbivores provides a first window into the origin and maintenance of the Bryopsis sp. system, and adds another piece to the puzzle of the evolution of symbiotic systems.}, }
@article {pmid39904308, year = {2025}, author = {Whiteman, NK}, title = {Insect herbivory: An inordinate fondness for plant cell wall degrading enzymes.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {35}, number = {3}, pages = {R107-R109}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.12.045}, pmid = {39904308}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Animals ; *Cell Wall/metabolism ; *Herbivory ; Coleoptera/physiology/genetics/enzymology ; Symbiosis ; Plants ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; }, abstract = {Tens of thousands of species of leaf beetles rely on plant cell wall degrading enzymes in order to make the most of nutritionally depauperate plant tissues. Many of the genes encoding these enzymes were acquired from microbial donors, either through horizontal gene transfer or by hosting microbial endosymbionts. A new study explores how these insects have leveraged this metabolic potential to diversify and expand into new niches.}, }
@article {pmid39896488, year = {2025}, author = {Chappell, L and Peguero, R and Conner, WR and Fowler, S and Cooper, B and Pfarr, K and Hoerauf, A and Lustigman, S and Sakanari, J and Sullivan, W}, title = {Fexinidazole and Corallopyronin A target Wolbachia-infected sheath cells present in filarial nematodes.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39896488}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The discovery of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia as an obligate symbiont of filarial nematodes has led to antibiotic-based treatments for filarial diseases. While lab and clinical studies have yielded promising results, recent animal studies reveal that Wolbachia levels may rebound following treatment with suboptimal doses of the antibiotic rifampicin. Previous work showed that a likely source of the bacterial rebound in females were dense clusters of Wolbachia in ovarian tissue. The number, size, and density of these Wolbachia clusters were not diminished despite antibiotic treatment. Here we define the cellular characteristics of the Wolbachia clusters in Brugia pahangi (wBp) and identify drugs that also target them. We have evidence that the Wolbachia clusters originate from newly formed sheath cells adjacent to the ovarian Distal Tip Cells. The dramatically enlarged volume of an infected sheath cell is strikingly similar to endosymbiont-induced bacteriocytes found in many insect species. Ultrastructural analysis reveals that the clustered Wolbachia present within the sheath cells exhibit a distinct morphology and form direct connections with the oocyte membrane and possibly the cytoplasm. This includes membrane-based channels providing a connection between Wolbachia-infected sheath cells and oocytes. We also determined that the Wolbachia within the sheath cells are either quiescent or replicating at a very low rate. Screens of known antibiotics and other drugs revealed that two drugs, Fexinidazole and Corallopyronin A, significantly reduced the number of clustered Wolbachia located within the sheath cells.}, }
@article {pmid39895309, year = {2025}, author = {Kelly, JB and Carlson, DE and Reuter, M and Sommershof, A and Adamec, L and Becks, L}, title = {Genomic Signatures of Adaptation to Stress Reveal Shared Evolutionary Trends Between Tetrahymena utriculariae and Its Algal Endosymbiont, Micractinium tetrahymenae.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {42}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {39895309}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Tetrahymena/genetics ; *Genome, Protozoan ; Chlorophyta/genetics ; Adaptation, Physiological/genetics ; Lamiales/genetics ; Biological Evolution ; Evolution, Molecular ; Oxidative Stress ; }, abstract = {The evolution of intracellular endosymbiosis marks a major transition in the biology of the host and endosymbiont. Yet, how adaptation manifests in the genomes of the participants remains relatively understudied. We investigated this question by sequencing the genomes of Tetrahymena utriculariae, a commensal of the aquatic carnivorous bladderwort Utricularia reflexa, and its intracellular algae, Micractinium tetrahymenae. We discovered an expansion in copy number and negative selection in a TLD domain-bearing gene family in the genome of T. utriculariae, identifying it as a candidate for being an adaptive response to oxidative stress resulting from the physiology of its endosymbionts. We found that the M. tetrahymenae genome is larger than those of other Micractinium and Chlorella and contains a greater number of rapidly expanding orthogroups. These were enriched for Gene Ontology terms relevant to the regulation of intracellular signal transduction and cellular responses to stress and stimulus. Single-exon tandem repeats were overrepresented in paralogs belonging to these rapidly expanding orthogroups, which implicates long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTRs) as potential agents of adaptation. We additionally performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis of M. tetrahymenae in a free-living state and in endosymbiosis with T. utriculariae and discovered that the genes that are differentially expressed were enriched for pathways that evidence shifts in energy generation and storage and in cellular protection strategies. Together, our results elucidate the axes along which the participants must adapt in this young endosymbiosis and highlight evolutionary responses to stress as a shared trend.}, }
@article {pmid39892716, year = {2025}, author = {Dudzic, JP and McPherson, AE and Taylor, KE and Eben, A and Abram, PK and Perlman, SJ}, title = {Candidate DNA and RNA viruses of Drosophila suzukii from Canada and Germany, and their interactions with Wolbachia.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {209}, number = {}, pages = {108274}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2025.108274}, pmid = {39892716}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/physiology ; *Drosophila/microbiology/virology ; *RNA Viruses/genetics ; Germany ; *DNA Viruses/genetics ; British Columbia ; Virome ; Symbiosis ; Canada ; }, abstract = {Some species of insects harbour strains of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia that do not cause obvious reproductive manipulations, and so it is unclear why they persist in host populations. There is some evidence that some of these endosymbionts may provide their hosts with protection against viruses, which would help to explain their persistence, but few studies have explored associations between Wolbachia and naturally occurring, common viruses in natural populations. Here, we asked whether individuals of the invasive vinegar fly Drosophila suzukii infected with the wSuz strain of Wolbachia were less likely to be infected by naturally occurring viruses in its invaded range, in western North America and in Europe. First, using next-generation sequencing, we conducted a virome survey of adult and larval D. suzukii in British Columbia, Canada, finding eight candidate RNA viruses and two candidate DNA viruses; all but one have not been reported previously. Only the previously described Teise virus, an RNA virus, was abundant in our virome survey. We then screened individual flies from British Columbia and Germany for Teise virus and Wolbachia. Wolbachia-infected D. suzukii from the field were not less likely to be infected by Teise virus. Overall, our results do not provide conclusive evidence that wSuz provides strong protection for D. suzukii against viruses that are common in natural populations. However, the other viruses that we discovered in this study deserve further characterization in terms of their pathogenicity to D. suzukii and the frequency and dynamics of infection in wild populations.}, }
@article {pmid39888974, year = {2025}, author = {Awuoche, EO and Smallenberger, G and Bruzzese, DL and Orfano, A and Weiss, BL and Aksoy, S}, title = {Spiroplasma endosymbiont reduction of host lipid synthesis and Stomoxyn-like peptide contribute to trypanosome resistance in the tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {e1012692}, pmid = {39888974}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI068932/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI139525/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI163969/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Tsetse Flies/parasitology/microbiology ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Spiroplasma/physiology ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/parasitology ; Lipids/biosynthesis ; Trypanosomiasis, African/immunology/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) vector African trypanosomes that cause devastating diseases in humans and domestic animals. Within the Glossina genus, species in the Palpalis subgroup exhibit greater resistance to trypanosome infections compared to those in the Morsitans subgroup. Varying microbiota composition and species-specific genetic traits can significantly influence the efficiency of parasite transmission. Notably, infections with the endosymbiotic bacterium Spiroplasma have been documented in several Palpalis subgroup species, including Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Gff). While Spiroplasma infections in Gff are known to hinder trypanosome transmission, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To investigate Spiroplasma-mediated factors affecting Gff vector competence, we conducted high-throughput RNA sequencing of the gut tissue along with functional assays. Our findings reveal elevated oxidative stress in the gut environment in the presence of Spiroplasma, evidenced by increased expression of nitric oxide synthase, which catalyzes the production of trypanocidal nitric oxide. Additionally, we observed impaired lipid biosynthesis leading to a reduction of this important class of nutrients essential for parasite and host physiologies. In contrast, trypanosome infections in Gff's midgut significantly upregulated various immunity-related genes, including a small peptide, Stomoxyn-like, homologous to Stomoxyn first discovered in the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans. We observed that the Stomoxyn-like locus is exclusive to the genomes of Palpalis subgroup tsetse species. GffStomoxyn is constitutively expressed in the cardia (proventriculus) and synthetic GffStomoxyn exhibits potent activity against Escherichia coli and bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei parasites, while showing no effect against insect stage procyclic forms or tsetse's commensal endosymbiont Sodalis in vitro. Reducing GffStomoxyn levels significantly increased trypanosome infection prevalence, indicating its potential trypanocidal role in vivo. Collectively, our results suggest that the enhanced resistance to trypanosomes observed in Spiroplasma-infected Gff may be due to the reduced lipid availability necessary for parasite metabolic maintenance. Furthermore, GffStomoxyn could play a crucial role in the initial immune response(s) against mammalian parasites early in the infection process in the gut and prevent gut colonization. We discuss the molecular characteristics of GffStomoxyn, its spatial and temporal expression regulation and its microbicidal activity against Trypanosome parasites. Our findings reinforce the nutritional influences of microbiota on host physiology and host-pathogen dynamics.}, }
@article {pmid39888481, year = {2025}, author = {Yao, RK and Gomgnimbou, MK and Coulibaly, IZ and Essoh, CY and Traoré, I and Amara, MF and Ako, BA and Diabate, A and Bilgo, E}, title = {Molecular detection of Wolbachia sp. and Cytoplasmic incompatibility factors (CifA/B) in wild caught mosquitoes in Côte d'Ivoire.}, journal = {Molecular biology reports}, volume = {52}, number = {1}, pages = {181}, pmid = {39888481}, issn = {1573-4978}, support = {ref/letter acceptation CEA/ITECH-MTV du 04/02/2021 &#xe0; YAO R. Karlhis//CEA/ITECH-MTV/ ; ref/letter acceptation CEA/ITECH-MTV du 04/02/2021 &#xe0; AMARA Miriam F&#xe9;licit&#xe9;//CEA/ITECH-MTV/ ; 218771/Z/19/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Cote d'Ivoire ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/genetics ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Culicidae/microbiology ; Aedes/microbiology/genetics ; Culex/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Cytoplasm/microbiology ; Female ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium known to stimulate host immunity against arboviruses and protozoa. Côte d'Ivoire is in a malaria-endemic region, and has experienced several dengue epidemics in recent decades as well. In order to help reduce the transmission of pathogens by mosquito vectors, we studied the prevalence of Wolbachia and the distribution of Cytoplasmic incompatibility factors (Cif) genes in different mosquito species caught in the wild in Cote d'Ivoire.<br><br>METHODS AND RESULTS: Mosquitoes of the genera Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, Eretmapodites and Mansonia were captured in five cities. Mosquitoes were collected at larval stage in breeding sites and adults were captured using BG sentinel traps. The mosquitoes were identified morphologically and Wolbachia and Cif were screened using qPCR targeting the 16s rRNA gene and the CifA, B genes. A total of 518 mosquito samples belonging to 15 species and 4 genera were examined. 60% of the species were infected with Wolbachia. The three medically important mosquito species Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Culex quinquefasciatus had a prevalence of 12.84%, 13.46% and 72.64% respectively. The Wolbachia strains infecting the different mosquito species of the genus Culex encoded 98.46% for the CifA gene and 77.69% for the CifB gene.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The presence of Wolbachia and CifA, B genes in mosquitoes of different species in C&#xf4;te d'Ivoire offer a promising opportunity to reduce the competence of mosquito vectors. Characterization of Wolbachia strains and cytoplasmic incompatibility factors will provide a better understanding of these endosymbionts, enabling the development of vector control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid39874904, year = {2025}, author = {Gürelli, G and Kesbiç, FI}, title = {Morphology and phylogeny of Pararaabena dentata Wolska, 1968 and further insights into the molecular evolution of trichostome ciliates (Ciliophora, Litostomatea).}, journal = {European journal of protistology}, volume = {97}, number = {}, pages = {126133}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejop.2025.126133}, pmid = {39874904}, issn = {1618-0429}, mesh = {*Phylogeny ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; *Ciliophora/classification/genetics/cytology ; Animals ; Evolution, Molecular ; Species Specificity ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Turkey ; }, abstract = {The morphology and phylogenetic position of a trichostome ciliate, Pararaabena dentata, isolated from the intestine of an Asian elephant (Elaphas maximus) in Gaziantep Zoo, Turkey, were studied using pyridinated silver carbonate impregnation, scanning electron microscopy, and the 18S rRNA gene. Pararaabena dentata clustered together with Raabena bella and both taxa were phylogenetically not related to members of the family Blepharocorythidae, as expected in the past. Phylogenetic trees indicated that amphibian intestinal ciliates represented by Balantidium grimi, B. duodeni, and B. entozoon are basal to all other trichostome ciliates, causing the family Balantidiidae to be polyphyletic. The molecular evolution of the subclass Trichostomatia is thoroughly discussed.}, }
@article {pmid39874143, year = {2025}, author = {Leung, K and Beukeboom, LW and Zwaan, BJ}, title = {Inbreeding and Outbreeding Depression in Wild and Captive Insect Populations.}, journal = {Annual review of entomology}, volume = {70}, number = {1}, pages = {271-292}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-ento-022924-020221}, pmid = {39874143}, issn = {1545-4487}, mesh = {Animals ; *Insecta ; *Inbreeding ; Inbreeding Depression ; Genetic Variation ; }, abstract = {Major changes in genetic variation are generally considered deleterious to populations. The massive biodiversity of insects distinguishes them from other animal groups. Insect deviant effective population sizes, alternative modes of reproduction, advantageous inbreeding, endosymbionts, and other factors translate to highly specific inbreeding and outbreeding outcomes. We review the evidence for inbreeding and outbreeding depression and consequences across wild and captive insect populations, highlighting conservation, invasion, and commercial production entomology. We not only discern patterns but also explain why they are often inconsistent or absent. We discuss how insect inbreeding and outbreeding depression operates in complex, sometimes contradictory directions, such as inbreeding being detrimental to individuals but beneficial to populations. We conclude by giving recommendations to (a) more comprehensively account for important variables in insect inbreeding and outbreeding depression, (b) standardize the means of measuring genetic variation and phenotypic impacts for insect populations so as to more reliably predict when inbreeding or outbreeding depression applies, and (c) outline possible remediation options, both nongenetic and genetic, including revision of restrictive international trade laws.}, }
@article {pmid39873136, year = {2024}, author = {Barzilay, D and Alcino, JPB and Ribeiro, GM and Sousa, ALP and Lahr, DJG}, title = {Re-evaluating evidence for giant genomes in amoebae.}, journal = {Genetics and molecular biology}, volume = {47Suppl 1}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {e20240092}, pmid = {39873136}, issn = {1415-4757}, abstract = {Here we reassess available evidence for the long-held misconception of amoebae possessing exceptionally large genomes. Traditionally, estimates relied on inaccurate methods like DNA weight measurements, leading to inflated sizes. These methods failed to account for contaminating DNA from prey, endosymbionts, and intrinsic genomic features like ribosomal operon amplification. Modern sequencing techniques unveil a different picture. Fully sequenced amoebozoa genomes range from 14.4 to 52.37 mega basepairs, well within the typical single-celled eukaryote expectation. While the whole genome of the historically relevant Amoeba proteus has not yet been fully sequenced, we provide here a statistical analysis using protein-coding genes from transcriptomic data, suggesting that the genome size is consistent with this range, far smaller than previously claimed. The misconception likely originated in the early 21st century and perpetuated through popular science materials. We conclude that there is no longer reason to reaffirm that amoeba genomes are giant.}, }
@article {pmid39868642, year = {2025}, author = {Packer, JA and Zavadska, D and Weston, EJ and Eglit, Y and Richter, DJ and Simpson, AGB}, title = {Characterization of Allobodo yubaba sp. nov. and Novijibodo darinka gen. et sp. nov., cultivable free-living species of the phylogenetically enigmatic kinetoplastid taxon Allobodonidae.}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {72}, number = {1}, pages = {e13072}, pmid = {39868642}, issn = {1550-7408}, support = {298366-2019//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; QC2021-007134-P//Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci&#xf3;n/ ; //NextGenerationEU/ ; 949745//H2020 European Research Council/ ; 2021 SGR 00751//Generalitat de Catalunya/ ; }, mesh = {*Phylogeny ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Kinetoplastida/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification/ultrastructure ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {Kinetoplastids are a large and diverse protist group, spanning ecologically important free-living forms to medically important parasites. The taxon Allobodonidae holds an unresolved position within kinetoplastids, and the sole described species, Allobodo chlorophagus, is uncultivated, being a necrotroph/parasite of macroalgae. Here we describe Allobodo yubaba sp. nov. and Novijibodo darinka gen. nov. et sp. nov., both free-living bacterivores isolated into monoeukaryotic cultures. Electron microscopy shows that both A. yubaba and N. darinka have a microtubular prism in the feeding apparatus (absent in A. chlorophagus), and an ovoid eukinetoplast, rather than pan-kDNA as in A. chlorophagus. Phylogenetic analyses of SSU rDNA sequences robustly place A. yubaba as the sister to A. chlorophagus, while N. darinka branches separately within Allobodonidae, as a sister group of undescribed freshwater isolates. We view Allobodonidae as containing at least four genus-level clades: Allobodo (A. chlorophagus and A. yubaba n. sp.), an undescribed fresh-water clade, an undescribed marine clade, and now Novijibodo-with N. darinka as its sole known member. Electron microscopy also revealed a rod-shaped gram-negative bacterial cytoplasmic endosymbiont in our N. darinka isolate. The availability of these species in monoeukaryotic culture should facilitate future research, including resolving the position of Allobodonidae using phylogenomic approaches.}, }
@article {pmid39868566, year = {2025}, author = {Jiménez-Leiva, A and Juárez-Martos, RA and Cabrera, JJ and Torres, MJ and Mesa, S and Delgado, MJ}, title = {Dual Oxygen-Responsive Control by RegSR of Nitric Oxide Reduction in the Soybean Endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens.}, journal = {Antioxidants &amp; redox signaling}, volume = {42}, number = {7-9}, pages = {408-420}, doi = {10.1089/ars.2024.0710}, pmid = {39868566}, issn = {1557-7716}, mesh = {*Bradyrhizobium/metabolism/genetics ; *Nitric Oxide/metabolism ; *Glycine max/microbiology/metabolism ; *Oxygen/metabolism ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Oxidoreductases/metabolism/genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics ; }, abstract = {Aims: To investigate the role of the RegSR-NifA regulatory cascade in the oxygen control of nitric oxide (NO) reduction in the soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens. Results: We have performed an integrated study of norCBQD expression and NO reductase activity in regR, regS1, regS2, regS1/2, and nifA mutants in response to microoxia (2% O2) or anoxia. An activating role of RegR and NifA was observed under anoxia. In contrast, under microaerobic conditions, RegR acts as a repressor by binding to a RegR box located between the -10 and -35 regions within the norCBQD promoter. In addition, both RegS1 and RegS2 sensors cooperated with RegR in repressing norCBQD genes. Innovation: NO is a reactive gas that, at high levels, acts as a potent inhibitor of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. In this paper, we report new insights into the regulation of NO reductase, the major enzyme involved in NO removal in rhizobia. This knowledge will be crucial for the development of new strategies and management practices in agriculture, in particular, for improving legume production. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate, for the first time, a dual control of the RegSR two-component regulatory system on norCBQD genes control in response to oxygen levels. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 42, 408-420.}, }
@article {pmid39865396, year = {2025}, author = {Haskett, TL and Cooke, L and Green, P and Poole, PS}, title = {Regulation of Rhizobial Nodulation Genes by Flavonoid-Independent NodD Supports Nitrogen-Fixing Symbioses With Legumes.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {27}, number = {1}, pages = {e70014}, pmid = {39865396}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {RF-2019-100238//Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851/ ; BB/T006722/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; *Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; *Flavonoids/metabolism/biosynthesis ; *Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; *Plant Root Nodulation/genetics ; Medicago truncatula/microbiology/genetics ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; Fabaceae/microbiology ; Pisum sativum/microbiology ; Rhizobium/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Rhizobia and legumes form a symbiotic relationship resulting in the formation of root structures known as nodules, where bacteria fix nitrogen. Legumes release flavonoids that are detected by the rhizobial nodulation (Nod) protein NodD, initiating the transcriptional activation of nod genes and subsequent synthesis of Nod Factors (NFs). NFs then induce various legume responses essential for this symbiosis. Although evidence suggests differential regulation of nodD expression and NF biosynthesis during symbiosis, the necessity of this regulation for the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules remains uncertain. Here, we demonstrate that deletion of the Rlv3841 NodD regulatory domain results in a constitutively active protein (NodDFI) capable of activating NF biosynthesis gene expression without the presence of flavonoids. Optimised constitutive expression of nodDFI or nodD3 in nodD null mutants led to wild-type levels of nodulation and nitrogen fixation in pea and M. truncatula, respectively, indicating that flavonoid-regulated nodD expression is not essential for supporting symbiosis. These findings illustrate that transcriptional control of flavonoid-independent NodD regulators can be employed to drive NF biosynthesis, which holds potential for engineering symbiosis between rhizobia and cereals equipped with reconstituted NF receptors.}, }
@article {pmid39859668, year = {2025}, author = {Ramos, GS and Hayashida, R and Ikuno, PHP and Carvalho, VR and Hoback, WW and Oliveira, RC}, title = {Quality Assessment and Host Preference of Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) for Fresh and Cryopreserved Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Eggs.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {39859668}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2018/02317//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo (FAPESP)/ ; 001//Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfei&#xe7;oamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior - Brasil (CAPES)/ ; 1019561//USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Hatch Project)/ ; }, abstract = {The development of the mass rearing technique for the egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi has been under study for about 20 years, with increasing attention on the development of quality control. Here, we evaluated the behavior, biological parameters, morphometrics and presence of endosymbionts of T. podisi produced in cryopreserved eggs compared to those produced in traditional fresh stink bug eggs. Parasitoids reared from cryopreserved eggs showed similar parasitism and emergence rates, sex ratios, longevity, morphometrics, and proportions of flyers compared to those originating from fresh eggs. Slight differences, including an increase in egg-to-adult development time and differences in the presence of endosymbionts, were observed. Despite these differences, we conclude that the use of cryopreserved eggs is suitable for T. podisi mass rearing, allowing more options for timed inundative parasitoid releases for biological control.}, }
@article {pmid39853489, year = {2025}, author = {Aliyu, M and Salman, AA and Ibrahim, MA and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN}, title = {Analysis of Possible Coexistence of Microsporidia, Plasmodium falciparum and Wuchereria bancrofti in Anopheles gambiae s.l within Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.}, journal = {Acta parasitologica}, volume = {70}, number = {1}, pages = {23}, pmid = {39853489}, issn = {1896-1851}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anopheles/parasitology/microbiology ; Nigeria ; *Plasmodium falciparum ; *Wuchereria bancrofti ; *Microsporidia/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Mosquito Vectors/parasitology/microbiology ; Coinfection/parasitology/microbiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Universities ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: Anopheles gambiae is a vector of Plasmodium falciparum and Wuchereria bancrofti. Endosymbionts are reported to block development of various parasites in mosquitoes. Microsporidia was reported to affect the development of P. falciparum in mosquitoes. Data on such observation is limited in Nigeria.<br><br>METHODS: Therefore, the prevalence of Microsporidia and its coinfection with W. bancrofti and P. falciparum in An. gambiae s.l was studied within Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.<br><br>RESULTS: Of the 912 mosquitoes sampled, 124 were An. gambiae s.l The midgut assessment of the Anopheles mosquitoes using light microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed a 12% prevalence of a mono microsporidia infection with no coinfection with either P. falciparum or W. bancrofti. Only 4.03% of the An. gambiae s.l. were found to be coinfected with P. falciparum and W. bancrofti while no mosquito harboured all the microorganisms CONCLUSION: This data further supports the potential of Microsporidia as an antagonist for the development of pathogens in mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid39849922, year = {2024}, author = {Yun, JH and Park, J and Xi, H and Nam, S and Lee, W and Kim, SK}, title = {Comprehensive Analysis of the Fourteen Complete Genome Sequences of Buchnera aphidicola Isolated from Aphis Species.}, journal = {Journal of microbiology and biotechnology}, volume = {35}, number = {}, pages = {e2409004}, pmid = {39849922}, issn = {1738-8872}, mesh = {*Genome, Bacterial ; *Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology/genetics ; *Buchnera/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Genetic Variation ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Base Composition ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts are important for insect species as they provide essential substances to the host. Due to the technical advance of NGS technology and de novo assemblers, many endosymbionts bacterial genomes are available now. Here, we analysed fourteen endosymbiont bacterial genomes of Aphis genius, one of notorious pest species. Fourteen genomes displayed the length between 628,098 bp to 634,931 bp; GC ratio was from 24.2 % to 25.6 % with no structural variation found. The nucleotide diversity distribution across the 14 endosymbiont genomes revealed three distinct regions, each separated by varying levels of nucleotide diversity. Intraspecific variations identified from endosymbiont bacterial genomes of the same host species revealed numbers of SNPs ranging from 31 (0.0049%) to 1,652 (0.26%) and those of INDELs ranging from 7 (21 bp; 0.0033%) to 104 (285 bp; 0.0045%). 250 unique SSRs, 28 different common SSR groups, and one different SSR group in two genomes were identified and used as a potential molecular marker to distinguish intraspecific population. Phylogenetic analysis further showed congruence between the endosymbiont bacterial genomes and the host species phylogeny, except Aphis nasturtii, Aphis helianth, and Aphis auranti, which require additional endosymbiont genomes for clarification. This comparative analysis result could serve as a cornerstone for understanding the relationship between host and endosymbiont species from a genomic perspective.}, }
@article {pmid39848650, year = {2025}, author = {Hussain, MD and Farooq, T and Kamran, A and Basit, A and Wang, Y and Smagghe, G and Chen, X}, title = {Endosymbionts as hidden players in tripartite pathosystem of interactions and potential candidates for sustainable viral disease management.}, journal = {Critical reviews in biotechnology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-23}, doi = {10.1080/07388551.2024.2449403}, pmid = {39848650}, issn = {1549-7801}, abstract = {The convoluted relationships between plants, viruses, and arthropod vectors housing bacterial endosymbionts are pivotal in the spread of harmful plant viral diseases. Endosymbionts play key roles in: manipulating host responses, influencing insect resistance to pesticides, shaping insect evolution, and bolstering virus acquisition, retention, and transmission. This interplay presents an innovative approach for developing sustainable strategies to manage plant diseases. Recent progress in targeting specific endosymbionts through genetic modifications, biotechnological advancements, and RNA interference shows potential for curbing viral spread and disease progression. Additionally, employing synthetic biology techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 to engineer endosymbionts and disrupt crucial interactions necessary for viral transmission in arthropod vectors holds promise for effective control measures. In this review, these obligate and facultative bacterial cruxes have been discussed to elaborate on their mechanistic involvement in the regulation and/or inhibition of tripartite pathways of interactions. Furthermore, we provide an in-depth understanding of endosymbionts' synergistic and antagonistic effects on: insect biology, plant immunity, and virus acquisition and transmission. Finally, we point out open questions for future research and provide research directions concerning the deployment of genetically engineered symbionts to affect plant-virus-vector interactions for sustainable disease management. By addressing existing knowledge gaps and charting future research paths, a deeper comprehension of the role of endosymbionts in plant-virus-vector interactions can pave the way for innovative and successful disease management strategies. The exploration of antiviral therapies, paratransgenesis, and pathogen-blocking tactics using engineered endosymbionts introduces pioneering solutions for lessening the impact of plant viral diseases and green pest management.}, }
@article {pmid39835397, year = {2025}, author = {Motta, MCM and Camelo, TM and Cerdeira, CMC and Gonçalves, CS and Borghesan, TC and Villalba-Alemán, E and de Souza, W and Teixeira, MMG and de Camargo, EFP}, title = {Phylogenetic and structural characterization of Kentomonas inusitatus n. sp.: Unique insect trypanosomatid of the Strigomonadinae subfamily naturally lacking bacterial endosymbiont.}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {72}, number = {1}, pages = {e13083}, doi = {10.1111/jeu.13083}, pmid = {39835397}, issn = {1550-7408}, support = {E-26/201.011/2021//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/ ; 2016/07487-0//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; 305299/2022-0//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Trypanosomatina/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/ultrastructure ; *Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; Brazil ; Uganda ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; }, abstract = {All insect trypanosomatids of the subfamily Strigomonadinae harbor a proteobacterial symbiont in their cytoplasm and unique ultrastructural cell organization. Here, we report an unexpected finding within the Strigomonadinae subfamily: the identification of a new species lacking bacterial symbiont, represented by two isolates obtained from Calliphoridae flies in Brazil and Uganda. This species is hereby designated as Kentomonas inusitatus n. sp. Molecular investigations targeting symbiont DNA, cell proliferation, and ultrastructural analyses agreed with the absence of bacterial symbionts in cultured flagellates. PCR-screening specifically targeting symbiont DNA corroborated the absence of symbionts in K. inusitatus present in the intestine of the respective host flies. K. inusitatus exhibited forms varying in size and shape. While displaying overall ultrastructural features of the Strigomonadinae, the novel species showed mitochondrial branches juxtaposed to the plasma membrane in locations both without and notable, with subpellicular microtubules. The discovery of the first Strigomonadinae species naturally lacking a symbiont and closely related to K. sorsogonicus, suggests a unique evolutionary history for the genus Kentomonas. Our findings provide novel insights into the complex relationships between trypanosomatids and their symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid39825256, year = {2025}, author = {Köppen, K and Rydzewski, K and Zajac, J and Al-Senwi, M and Evcimen, S and Schulze, D and Jacob, D and Heuner, K}, title = {Detection of Francisellaceae and the differentiation of main European F. tularensis ssp. holarctica strains (Clades) by new designed qPCR assays.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {25}, number = {1}, pages = {28}, pmid = {39825256}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {2522PAT006//Bundesministerium f&#xfc;r Gesundheit/ ; 2522PAT006//Bundesministerium f&#xfc;r Gesundheit/ ; }, mesh = {*Tularemia/microbiology/diagnosis ; *Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; *Francisella tularensis/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Humans ; Animals ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Europe ; Francisella/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The zoonotic and highly infectious pathogen Francisella tularensis is the etiological agent of tularemia. Tularemia in humans is mainly caused by F. tularensis subspecies tularensis and holarctica, but Francisella species like F. novicida, F. philomiragia, F. hispaniensis and others are known to cause tularemia-like infections in immunocompromised humans. In addition to these Francisella species, further genera of the family Francisellaceae have been described, such as Allofrancisella, Parafrancisella and Pseudofrancisella, but less is known about the distribution and putative virulence of these genera. The methods currently available were not made for a fast and easy detection of all these strains and genera of Francisellaceae.<br><br>RESULTS: We developed a multiplex quantitative real-time PCR assay that can accurately detect all genera of Francisellaceae, including Francisella, Francisella-like endosymbionts, Allofrancisella, Parafrancisella and Pseudofrancisella. In addition, we developed a qPCR assay to differentiate the major clades (B.4, B.6 and B.12 [B.71 and B.72]) of F. tularensis ssp. holarctica strains. Both primer sets were shown to work on isolated DNA out of human and tick samples.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Since the developed qPCRs are able to detect all genera of Francisellaceae tested, an easy and fast identification of opportunistic Francisella strains causing tularemia-like symptoms in humans or animals is possible now. The application of these qPCR assays will thus improve the capability for clinical diagnostics and molecular typing during epidemiological investigations.}, }
@article {pmid39823167, year = {2025}, author = {Yu, W and Yang, Q and Gill, A and Chirgwin, E and Gu, X and Joglekar, C and Umina, PA and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {A persistent bacterial Regiella transinfection in the bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi increasing host fitness and decreasing plant virus transmission.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1002/ps.8642}, pmid = {39823167}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {//Hort Innovation/ ; //Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, is a major pest of agriculture due to its ability to directly damage crops and transmit plant viruses. As industries move away from chemical pest control, there is interest in exploring new options to suppress the impact of this pest.<br><br>RESULTS: We describe the production of a transinfected line of R. padi carrying the bacterial endosymbiont, Regiella insecticola, originating from the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae. We show that Regiella increases the fitness of its novel host despite decreasing fitness in its native host. Regiella also shows a low level of horizontal transmission. Importantly the infection suppresses the ability of R. padi to transmit the barley yellow dwarf virus which damages wheat plants.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our results suggest this Regiella transinfection could be released to suppress virus transmission by aphids with its ability to persist and spread in situations where damage from the virus exceeds that from direct feeding by the aphid. &#xa9; 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid39812892, year = {2025}, author = {Kerlin, JR and Barnas, DM and Silbiger, NJ}, title = {Conspecific interactions between corals mediate the effect of submarine groundwater discharge on coral physiology.}, journal = {Oecologia}, volume = {207}, number = {1}, pages = {21}, pmid = {39812892}, issn = {1432-1939}, support = {1924281//Division of Ocean Sciences/ ; 1637396//Division of Ocean Sciences/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Groundwater ; Photosynthesis ; Coral Reefs ; Chlorophyll A ; Ecosystem ; }, abstract = {Land-based inputs, such as runoff, rivers, and submarine groundwater, can alter biologic processes on coral reefs. While the abiotic factors associated with land-based inputs have strong effects on corals, corals are also affected by biotic interactions, including other neighboring corals. The biologic responses of corals to changing environmental conditions and their neighbors are likely interactive; however, few studies address both biotic and abiotic interactions in concert. In a manipulative field experiment, we tested how the natural environmental gradient created by submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) affected holobiont and symbiont metabolic rates and endosymbiont physiology of Porites rus. We further tested how the effect of SGD on the coral was mediated by intra and interspecific interactions. SGD is a natural land-sea connection that delivers nutrients, inorganic carbon, and other solutes to coastal ecosystems worldwide. Our results show that a natural gradient of nutrient enrichment and pH variability as a result of acute SGD exposure generally benefited P. rus, increasing gross photosynthesis, respiration, endosymbiont densities, and chlorophyll a content. Conspecifics in direct contact with the a neighboring coral, however, altered the relationship between coral physiology and SGD, lowering the photosynthetic and respiration rates from expected values when the coral had no neighbor. We show that the response of corals to environmental change is dependent on the types of nearby neighbor corals and how neighbors alter the chemical or physical environment around the coral. Our study underscores the importance of considering biotic interactions when predicting the physiologic responses of corals to the environment.}, }
@article {pmid39803511, year = {2024}, author = {Schulz, F and Yan, Y and Weiner, AKM and Ahsan, R and Katz, LA and Woyke, T}, title = {Protists as mediators of complex microbial and viral associations.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39803511}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R15 HG010409/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Microbial eukaryotes (aka protists) are known for their important roles in nutrient cycling across different ecosystems. However, the composition and function of protist-associated microbiomes remains largely elusive. Here, we employ cultivation-independent single-cell isolation and genome-resolved metagenomics to provide detailed insights into underexplored microbiomes and viromes of over 100 currently uncultivable ciliates and amoebae isolated from diverse environments. Our findings reveal unique microbiome compositions and hint at an intricate network of complex interactions and associations with bacterial symbionts and viruses. We observed stark differences between ciliates and amoebae in terms of microbiome and virome compositions, highlighting the specificity of protist-microbe interactions. Over 115 of the recovered microbial genomes were affiliated with known endosymbionts of eukaryotes, including diverse members of the Holosporales, Rickettsiales, Legionellales, Chlamydiae, Dependentiae , and more than 250 were affiliated with possible host-associated bacteria of the phylum Patescibacteria. We also identified more than 80 giant viruses belonging to diverse viral lineages, of which some were actively expressing genes in single cell transcriptomes, suggesting a possible association with the sampled protists. We also revealed a wide range of other viruses that were predicted to infect eukaryotes or host-associated bacteria. Our results provide further evidence that protists serve as mediators of complex microbial and viral associations, playing a critical role in ecological networks. The frequent co-occurrence of giant viruses and diverse microbial symbionts in our samples suggests multipartite associations, particularly among amoebae. Our study provides a preliminary assessment of the microbial diversity associated with lesser-known protist lineages and paves the way for a deeper understanding of protist ecology and their roles in environmental and human health.}, }
@article {pmid39770655, year = {2024}, author = {Li, Y and Ye, Z and Lai, MC and Liu, CS and Paull, CK and Lin, S and Lai, SJ and You, YT and Wu, SY and Hung, CC and Ding, JY and Shih, CJ and Wu, YC and Zhao, J and Xiao, W and Wu, CH and Dong, G and Zhang, H and Qiu, W and Wang, S and Chen, SC}, title = {Microbial Communities in and Around the Siboglinid Tubeworms from the South Yungan East Ridge Cold Seep Offshore Southwestern Taiwan at the Northern South China Sea.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {39770655}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {99-5226904000-04-03//Ministry of Education, Taiwan, Republic of China under the ATU plan, the Central Geological Survey/ ; CMU110-N-31 and CMU113-MF-99//China Medical University/ ; MOST103/104/105/106/107-3113-M-005-001//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, Republic of China/ ; MOST106/107-3113-M-002-004//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, Republic of China/ ; NSTC 113-2320-B-039-016//National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, Republic of China/ ; 2021J011119 and 2023J011018//Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province/ ; JAT200613/B202004 and JAT200646/B202037//the Educational and Scientific Research Program for Young and Middle-aged Instructor of Fujian province/ ; KC180079//New Century Outstanding Talent Support Program/ ; 2022H6035//Provincial University Industry Research Cooperation Project/ ; 19YG18; 20YG04; 20YG09; 22YG13//Fujian Sanming University Introduced High-Level Talents Research Start-Up Funding Project/ ; }, abstract = {To date, only a few microbial community studies of cold seeps at the South China Sea (SCS) have been reported. The cold seep dominated by tubeworms was discovered at South Yungan East Ridge (SYER) offshore southwestern Taiwan by miniROV. The tubeworms were identified and proposed as Paraescarpia formosa sp. nov. through morphological and phylogenetic analyses. The endosymbionts in the trunk of P. formosa analyzed by a 16S rRNA gene clone library represented only one phylotype, which belonged to the family Sedimenticolaceae in Gammaproteobacteria. In addition, the archaeal and bacterial communities in the habitat of tubeworm P. formosa were investigated by using high-phylogenetic-resolution full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results showed that anerobic methane-oxidizing archaea (ANME)-1b was most abundant and ANME-2ab was minor in a consortia of the anerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). The known sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) partners in AOM consortia, such as SEEP-SRB1, -SRB2, and -SRB4, Desulfococcus and Desulfobulbus, occurred in a small population (0-5.7%) at the SYER cold seep, and it was suggested that ANME-1b and ANME-2ab might be coupled with multiple SRB in AOM consortia. Besides AOM consortia, various methanogenic archaea, including Bathyarchaeota (Subgroup-8), Methanocellales, Methanomicrobiales, Methanosarcinales, Methanofastidiosales and Methanomassiliicoccales, were identified, and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria Sulfurovum and Sulfurimonas in phylum Epsilonbacteraeota were dominant. This study revealed the first investigation of microbiota in and around tubeworm P. formosa discovered at the SYER cold seep offshore southwestern Taiwan. We could gain insights into the chemosynthetic communities in the deep sea, especially regarding the cold seep ecosystems at the SCS.}, }
@article {pmid39770654, year = {2024}, author = {Maldonado-Ruiz, P}, title = {The Tick Microbiome: The "Other Bacterial Players" in Tick Biocontrol.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {39770654}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Hard ticks (family Ixodidae) are one of the most predominant arthropod disease vectors worldwide, second only to mosquitoes. In addition to harboring animal and human pathogens, ticks are known to carry a microbial community constituted of non-pathogenic organisms, which includes maternally inherited intracellular endosymbionts and other environmentally acquired extracellular microorganisms. These microbial communities, which include bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi-with often commensal, mutualistic, or parasitic associations with the tick-comprise the tick microbiome, bacteria being the most studied community. Many bacterial taxa frequently reported in ticks include soil, plant, and animal-associated microbes, suggesting many are environmentally acquired, including members with known entomopathogenic potential, such as Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. It has been reported that microbial community composition can impact pathogen persistence, dissemination, and fitness in ticks. In the United States, Ixodes scapularis (northeast) and I. pacificus (west) are the predominant vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causal agent of Lyme disease. Amblyomma americanum is another important tick vector in the U.S. and is becoming an increasing concern as it is the leading cause of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS, or red meat allergy). This condition is caused by tick bites containing the galactose alpha 1,3 galactose (alpha-gal) epitope in their saliva. In this paper, we present a summary of the tick microbiome, including the endosymbiotic bacteria and the environmentally acquired (here referred to as the non-endosymbiotic community). We will focus on the non-endosymbiotic bacteria from Ixodes spp. and Amblyomma americanum and discuss their potential for novel biocontrol strategies.}, }
@article {pmid39770648, year = {2024}, author = {Chomicz, L and Szaflik, JP and Kuligowska, A and Conn, DB and Baltaza, W and Szostakowska, B and Zawadzki, PJ and Dybicz, M and Machalińska, A and Perkowski, K and Bajer, A and Szaflik, J}, title = {Concomitant Potentially Contagious Factors Detected in Poland and Regarding Acanthamoeba Strains, Etiological Agents of Keratitis in Humans.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {39770648}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Diseases in humans caused by amphizoic amoebae that can result in visual impairment and even blindness, have recently been identified more frequently worldwide. Etiologically complex incidents of keratitis, including those connected with Acanthamoeba strains detected in Poland, were evaluated in this study.<br><br>METHODS: Corneal samples from cases resistant to antimicrobial therapy assessed for epidemiological, microbiological and parasitological aspects were investigated by phase-contrast microscope, slit lamp and by confocal microscopy. In vitro techniques were applied for detection of bacteria and fungi, and corneal isolates cultured under axenic condition using BSC medium-for detection of Acanthamoeba spp.; molecular techniques were applied for amoeba species identification.<br><br>RESULTS: Most etiologically complicated keratitis cases, detected in ~84% of incidents, was due to exposure of contact lenses to tap water or pool water; trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba, concomitant bacteriae, e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, fungi and microfilariae were identified in contact lens users.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: In samples from contact lens wearers where microbial keratitis is identified along with some connection with the patient's exposure to contaminated water environments, a risk of Acanthamoeba spp. infections should be considered. Understanding the complicated relationship between Acanthamoeba spp., co-occurring pathogens including associated endosymbionts is needed. In vivo confocal microscopy and in vitro cultivation were necessary to identify potentially contagious concomitant factors affecting the complex course of the keratitis.}, }
@article {pmid39769582, year = {2024}, author = {Lan, Y and Li, J and Zhang, S and Qin, Q and Liu, D and Luo, C and Han, S and Wang, D and He, Y}, title = {Potential Involvement of Buchnera aphidicola (Enterobacteriales, Enterobacteriaceae) in Biotype Differentiation of Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae).}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {39769582}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {32102194//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; C2022204003//Hebei Natural Science Foundation for Young Scholars/ ; QN2024136//Science Research Project of Hebei Education Department/ ; KY2022045//Research Project of Basic Scientific Research Funding for Provincial Colleges and Universities in Hebei Province/ ; YJ2020051//Starting Scientific Research Foundation for the Introduced Talents of Hebei Agricultural University/ ; }, abstract = {Buchnera aphidicola, an obligate endosymbiont of most aphid species, can influence aphids' host adaptability through amino acid metabolism, potentially mediating biotype differentiation. However, its role in the biotype differentiation of Sitobion avenae remains unclear. To address this issue, six S. avenae biotypes were tested in this study. Buchnera abundance varied among biotypes fed on different wheat/barley varieties (i.e., Zhong 4 wumang, 186-TM12-34; Dulihuang, Zaoshu No.3, Xiyin No.2). The reduction in Buchnera abundance through antibiotic (rifampicin) treatment altered the virulence of five S. avenae biotypes. Based on transcriptome analysis, the differential expression of three genes (i.e., LeuB, TrpE, and IlvD) related to leucine, tryptophan, isoleucine, and valine metabolism was detected between different biotypes. Principal component analysis showed that leucine and tryptophan deficiencies most significantly impacted nymph development duration and aphid fecundity. Additionally, a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree indicated the genetic differentiation of Buchnera among different biotypes. These results suggest Buchnera-mediated amino acid metabolism is correlated with biotype differentiation in S. avenae, although the precise mechanisms by which Buchnera influences this differentiation require further investigation. This study can offer a theoretical basis for the development of resistant crops, leading to the sustainable control of this aphid and reduced reliance on chemical insecticides.}, }
@article {pmid39745522, year = {2025}, author = {Sabaneyeva, E and Kursacheva, E and Vizichkanich, G and Lebedev, D and Lebedeva, N}, title = {Rhodotorula mucilaginosa: a new potential human pathogen found in the ciliate Paramecium bursaria.}, journal = {Protoplasma}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39745522}, issn = {1615-6102}, support = {103972122//Saint Petersburg State University/ ; }, abstract = {Ciliates often form symbiotic associations with other microorganisms, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic. We are now starting to rediscover the symbiotic systems recorded before molecular analysis became available. Here, we provide a morphological and molecular characterization of a symbiotic association between the ciliate Paramecium tritobursaria and the yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (syn. Rhodotorula rubra) isolated from a natural population. This symbiotic system demonstrates certain similarities with the symbiotic system formed by P. bursaria and its conventional endosymbionts, the zoochlorellae. Experimental infections of the endosymbiont-free P. tritobursaria and Paramecium deuterobursaria cell lines with R. mucilaginosa demonstrated that the yeast infectivity is concentration-dependent, with ciliates digesting part of the yeast cells. The endosymbiotic yeast may serve as a food reserve, providing starvation stress tolerance to the host. Since R. mucilaginosa is currently regarded as a pathogen causing opportunistic infections in immunocompromised humans, our finding gives further support to the vision that ciliates can harbor potential human pathogens and can be a vector for their dissemination.}, }
@article {pmid39738989, year = {2024}, author = {Bassini-Silva, R and Calchi, AC and Castro-Santiago, AC and Marocco, JC and Dorigoni, L and de Quadros, RM and André, MR and Barros-Battesti, DM and Dowling, APG and Labruna, MB and Jacinavicius, FC}, title = {Molecular evidence of Wolbachia in bat-associated mite Periglischrus Iheringi Oudemans, 1902 (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae) from Brazil.}, journal = {Veterinary research communications}, volume = {49}, number = {1}, pages = {60}, pmid = {39738989}, issn = {1573-7446}, support = {2020/11755-6//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; 2020/07826-5//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; 2021/06758-9//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; 2022/05615-2//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; 2019/19853-0, 2024/01231-0//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; #303701/2021-8//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; #303802/2021-9//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; 402575/2021-0//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Brazil ; *Mites/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; *Chiroptera/microbiology/parasitology ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an intracellular endosymbiont bacterium found in nematodes and arthopods. Regarding mites, the Wolbachia supergroup U has been described based on strains found in the genus Spinturnix. In this study, ten specimens of Periglischrus iheringi (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae), collected from Artibeus obscurus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Santa Catarina State, were found to be infected with Wolbachia. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16 S rRNA gene revealed that the detected Wolbachia strain belongs to Supergroup F, which has also been detected in other ectoparasitic arthropods, such as Columbicola columbae (slender pigeon lice) and Cimex lectularius (bed bug). This study presents the first molecular detection of Wolbachia in P. iheringi.}, }
@article {pmid39736992, year = {2024}, author = {Holkar, SK and Bhanbhane, VC and Ghotgalkar, PS and Markad, HN and Lodha, TD and Saha, S and Banerjee, K}, title = {Characterization and bioefficacy of grapevine bacterial endophytes against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose disease.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1502788}, pmid = {39736992}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), one of the economically important fruit crops cultivated worldwide, harbours diverse endophytic bacteria (EBs) responsible for managing various fungal diseases. Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) (Penz.) is one of the major constraints in quality grape production and therefore its management is a major concern among the grape growers.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the 50 EBs isolated from healthy leaf segments from the eight grapevine genotypes, biologically potential 20 EBs were purified and identified based on morphological, and biological characteristics and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA region. The antagonistic activities of EBs against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were studied in vitro conditions.<br><br>RESULTS: The colony morphologies of EBs are white and yellow-coloured colonies, circular to irregular in shape, and entire, and flat margins. Among the 20 purified EBs, 19 isolates were found to be Gram-positive except one i.e., MS2 isolate. The 12 isolates reduced nitrate and 14 isolates produced urease enzyme. The in vitro assay revealed that two isolates, SB4 and RF1, inhibited 56.1% and 55.6% mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides, respectively. Further, the identity of EBs was confirmed through PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA region resulting in ~1400 bp size amplicons. The sequence analysis of representative 15 isolates revealed that 5 EB isolates viz., SB5, CS2, RG1, RF1, C1 were identified as Bacillus subtilis with >99% sequence identity, two EBs viz., SB3, and CS1 were identified as B. subtilis subsp. subtilis, two EBs viz., SB1, and CS4 were identified as B. licheniformis. The SB2 isolate was identified as Bacillus sp., whereas SB4 as Brevibacillus borstelensis, TH1 as B. velezensis, TH2 as B. tequilensis, CS3 as B. pumilus and MS1 as Micrococcus luteus were identified.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequence revealed eight distinct clades and showed the close clustering of identified species with the reference species retrieved from NCBI GenBank. The current investigation provides the scope for further field evaluations of these endophytic microbes for managing anthracnose disease.}, }
@article {pmid39735838, year = {2024}, author = {Mohammadi, A and Dalimi, A and Ghafarifar, F and Pirestani, M and Akbari, M}, title = {Molecular Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Endosymbiont in Acanthamoeba-Positive Samples in Laboratory Conditions and in the Hospital Environments.}, journal = {Iranian journal of parasitology}, volume = {19}, number = {4}, pages = {397-407}, pmid = {39735838}, issn = {1735-7020}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: We aimed to identity Helicobacter pylori endosymbiont in Acanthamoeba-positive samples in natural and laboratory conditions.<br><br>METHODS: Overall, 134 samples were collected from hospital environments. Microscopic and PCR test were used for detection of Acanthamoeba and H. pylori. The real-time PCR method was used to check the active presence of H. pylori within Acanthamoeba under natural conditions from hospital samples and in co-culture laboratory conditions.<br><br>RESULTS: The rate of contamination of hospital samples with Acanthamoeba was 44.7%. Out of 42 Acanthamoeba PCR-positive samples, 13 isolates (31%) were positive in terms of H. pylori endosymbiont according to sampling location. H. pylori is able to penetrate and enter the Acanthamoeba parasite.<br><br>CONCLUSION: H. pylori is able to contaminate Acanthamoeba in natural and laboratory conditions. The presence of pathogenic Acanthamoeba in various hospital environments and the hiding of Helicobacter as an endosymbiont inside it can pose a serious threat to the health of hospitalized patients.}, }
@article {pmid39733938, year = {2025}, author = {Angelella, GM and Foutz, JJ and Galindo-Schuller, J}, title = {Wolbachia infection modifies phloem feeding behavior but not plant virus transmission by a hemipteran host.}, journal = {Journal of insect physiology}, volume = {160}, number = {}, pages = {104746}, doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104746}, pmid = {39733938}, issn = {1879-1611}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/virology/microbiology/physiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Feeding Behavior ; *Phloem/virology ; Plant Diseases/microbiology/virology ; Geminiviridae/physiology ; Solanum tuberosum/microbiology/virology ; Plant Viruses/physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia-infected and uninfected subpopulations of beet leafhoppers, Circulifer tenellus (Baker) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), co-occur in the Columbia Basin region of Washington and Oregon. While facultative endosymbionts such as Hamiltonella defensa have demonstrably altered feeding/probing behavior in hemipteran hosts, the behavioral phenotypes conferred by Wolbachia to its insect hosts, including feeding/probing, are largely understudied. We studied the feeding/probing behavior of beet leafhoppers with and without Wolbachia using electropenetrography, along with corresponding inoculation rates of beet curly top virus, a phloem-limited plant pathogen vectored by beet leafhoppers. Insects carrying the virus with and without Wolbachia were individually recorded for four hours while interacting with a potato plant, and wavelengths annotated following established conventions. Virus inoculation rates and the duration of phloem salivation events did not vary. Wolbachia-infected insects more than tripled the duration of phloem ingestion, but despite this, Wolbachia infection was linked with marginally lower, not enhanced, acquisition. Regardless, results suggest potential for Wolbachia to increase the acquisition rate of other phloem-limited plant pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid39731680, year = {2024}, author = {Romero, LE and Alvarenga, F and Binder, LC and Serpa, MCA and Muñoz-Leal, S and Labruna, MB}, title = {New records of ticks (Acari: Ixodida) and Rickettsia species in El Salvador.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {94}, number = {1}, pages = {19}, pmid = {39731680}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {11220177//Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cient&#xed;fico y Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Rickettsia/isolation &amp; purification ; *Ixodidae/microbiology/growth &amp; development ; El Salvador ; *Nymph/growth &amp; development/microbiology/physiology ; Female ; Male ; Animal Distribution ; Larva/microbiology/growth &amp; development/physiology ; }, abstract = {The tick fauna of El Salvador is currently represented by 10 species of hard ticks (family Ixodidae) and 2 species of soft ticks (family Argasidae). This study aimed to report new and additional records of ticks and rickettsiae in El Salvador. During 2019-2021, a total of 216 specimens of ticks were collected from eight host species (domestic and wild animals) and in the environment among 15 geographic localities of El Salvador. Combining morphological and molecular analyses, tick specimens were identified into the following 11 tick species: Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma mixtum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma cf. parvum, Amblyomma sabanerae, Amblyomma scutatum, Dermacentor panamensis, Ixodes boliviensis, Ornithodoros puertoricensis, and Otobius megnini. In addition, one free-living nymph was morphologically and molecularly identified as Ixodes sp., although closely related to Ixodes brunneus and Ixodes silvanus. Three rickettsial agents of the spotted fever group were identified: Rickettsia rhipicephali in D. panamensis; a Rickettsia endosymbiont in Ixodes boliviensis; and Rickettsia amblyommatis in A. cf. parvum. This study reports the first records of A. longirostre, D. panamensis, I. boliviensis, O. puertoricensis and O. megnini in El Salvador. In addition, the agents R. rhipicephali and Rickettsia sp. endosymbiont of I. boliviensis are also reported for the first time in the country. With the present study, the current tick fauna of El Salvador increases to 17 species, being 13 Ixodidae and 4 Argasidae, including the addition of one genus to each of these two families (Ixodes and Otobius, respectively).}, }
@article {pmid39729906, year = {2025}, author = {Abdelghany, S and Simancas-Giraldo, SM and Zayed, A and Farag, MA}, title = {How does the coral microbiome mediate its natural host fitness under climate stress conditions? Physiological, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms.}, journal = {Marine environmental research}, volume = {204}, number = {}, pages = {106920}, doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106920}, pmid = {39729906}, issn = {1879-0291}, mesh = {*Anthozoa/physiology/microbiology ; Animals ; *Microbiota/physiology ; *Climate Change ; *Symbiosis ; Stress, Physiological/physiology ; Coral Reefs ; }, abstract = {Although the symbiotic partnership between corals and algal endosymbionts has been extensively explored, interactions between corals, their algal endosymbionts and microbial associates are still less understood. Screening the response of natural microbial consortiums inside corals can aid in exploiting them as markers for dysbiosis interactions inside the coral holobiont. The coral microbiome includes archaea, bacteria, fungi, and viruses hypothesized to play a pivotal vital role in coral health and tolerance to heat stress condition via different physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms. The dynamic behaviour of microbial associates could denote their potential role in coral adaptation to future climate change, with microbiome shifts occurring independently as a response to thermal stress or as a response to host stress response. Associated adaptations include regulation of coral-algal-microbial interactions, expression of heat shock proteins, microbial composition changes, and accumulation of secondary metabolites to aid in sustaining the coral's overall homeostasis under ocean warming scenarios.}, }
@article {pmid39718247, year = {2025}, author = {Santos, PKF and de Souza Araujo, N and Françoso, E and Werren, JH and Kapheim, KM and Arias, MC}, title = {The genome of the solitary bee Tetrapedia diversipes (Hymenoptera, Apidae).}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {39718247}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {001//Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfei&#xe7;oamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior/ ; 306932/2016-4//CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; 2013/12530-4//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo (FAPESP)/ ; DEB1257053//USNSF/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bees/genetics/microbiology ; *Genome, Insect ; Molecular Sequence Annotation ; Genomics/methods ; Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; DNA Transposable Elements ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Tetrapedia diversipes is a Neotropical solitary bee commonly found in trap-nests, known for its morphological adaptations for floral oil collection and prepupal diapause during the cold and dry season. Here, we present the genome assembly of T. diversipes (332 Mbp), comprising 2,575 scaffolds, with 15,028 predicted protein-coding genes. Repetitive elements constitute 38.68% of the genome, notably Class II transposable elements. An investigation into lateral gene transfers identified a low frequency (0.037%) of nuclear copies of mitochondrial DNA and 18 candidate regions from bacterial origins. Furthermore, the annotation of 3 scaffolds reveals the presence of the Wolbachia endosymbiont genome, confirming the infection by 2 strains in T. diversipes populations. This genome contributes valuable insights into Neotropical bee genomics, offering a resource for comparative studies and enhancing our understanding of the molecular basis of solitary bee adaptations and interactions.}, }
@article {pmid39717715, year = {2024}, author = {Lai, CT and Hsiao, YT and Wu, LH}, title = {Evidence of horizontal transmission of Wolbachia wCcep in rice moths parasitized by Trichogramma chilonis and its persistence across generations.}, journal = {Frontiers in insect science}, volume = {4}, number = {}, pages = {1519986}, pmid = {39717715}, issn = {2673-8600}, abstract = {The horizontal transmission of endosymbionts between hosts and parasitoids plays a crucial role in biological control, yet its mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the dynamics of horizontal transfer of Wolbachia (wCcep) from the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica, to its parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis. Through PCR detection and phylogenetic analysis, we demonstrated the presence of identical wCcep strains in both host and parasitoid populations, providing evidence for natural horizontal transmission. To investigate thoroughly, Wolbachia-free colonies were acquired through tetracycline treatment, and the initial density of wCcep in host eggs significantly influences transmission efficiency. High-density wCcep infections led to rapid transmission, with F1 parasitoid titers increasing by as much as 100-fold, while low-density infections exhibited more gradual increases. Additionally, without continuous exposure to infected hosts, wCcep density in T. chilonis diminished over generations. These findings enhance our understanding of Wolbachia's transfer dynamics and have important implications for developing effective and sustainable biological control strategies using parasitoid wasps, particularly in managing Wolbachia-related pest populations in agricultural systems.}, }
@article {pmid39714143, year = {2025}, author = {Mizutani, M and Koga, R and Fukatsu, T and Kakizawa, S}, title = {Complete genome of the mutualistic symbiont Buchnera aphidicola AIST from a Japanese strain of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {14}, number = {2}, pages = {e0097324}, pmid = {39714143}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {JPMJER1902//MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)/ ; JP23gm1610002//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)/ ; 18H02433, 26710015, 26106004,15KK0266//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; 24K18102,22KJ318//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP17H06388//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; }, abstract = {The genome of Buchnera aphidicola National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), an obligate bacterial endosymbiont from a Japanese strain of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, was determined. The genome sequence provides valuable information for comparative and evolutionary aspects of the intimate insect-microbe mutualism.}, }
@article {pmid39713442, year = {2024}, author = {Njogu, AK and Logozzo, F and Conner, WR and Shropshire, JD}, title = {Counting rare Wolbachia endosymbionts using digital droplet PCR.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39713442}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is the most widespread animal-associated intracellular microbe, living within the cells of over half of insect species. Since they can suppress pathogen replication and spread rapidly through insect populations, Wolbachia is at the vanguard of public health initiatives to control mosquito-borne diseases. Wolbachia's abilities to block pathogens and spread quickly are closely linked to their abundance in host tissues. The most common method for counting Wolbachia is quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), yet qPCR can be insufficient to count rare Wolbachia, necessitating tissue pooling and consequently compromising individual-level resolution of Wolbachia dynamics. Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) offers superior sensitivity, enabling the detection of rare targets and eliminating the need for sample pooling. Here, we report three ddPCR assays to measure total Wolbachia abundance, Wolbachia abundance adjusted for DNA extraction efficiency, and Wolbachia density relative to host genome copies. Using Drosophila melanogaster with wMel Wolbachia as a model, we show these ddPCR assays can reliably detect as few as 7 to 12 Wolbachia gene copies in a 20 μL reaction. The designed oligos are homologous to sequences from at least 106 Wolbachia strains across Supergroup A and 53 host species from the Drosophila, Scaptomyza, and Zaprionus genera, suggesting broad utility. These highly sensitive ddPCR assays are expected to significantly advance Wolbachia-host interactions research by enabling the collection of molecular data from individual insect tissues. Their ability to detect rare Wolbachia will be especially valuable in applied and natural field settings where pooling samples could obscure important variation.}, }
@article {pmid39709001, year = {2025}, author = {Mao, B and Wang, YY and Li, SY and Fu, Y and Xiao, YL and Wang, YF}, title = {A potential role for the interaction of Wolbachia surface proteins with the Drosophila microtubulin in maintenance of endosymbiosis and affecting spermiogenesis.}, journal = {Journal of insect physiology}, volume = {160}, number = {}, pages = {104743}, doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104743}, pmid = {39709001}, issn = {1879-1611}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Spermatogenesis ; *Symbiosis ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/physiology ; Male ; *Drosophila Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Testis/microbiology/metabolism ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, as a widely infected intracellular symbiotic bacterium in Arthropoda, is able to manipulate the reproduction of insect hosts for facilitating their own transmission. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is the most common phenotype that Wolbachia induced in insect hosts where they resulted in the failure of uninfected egg hatch when fertilized with the sperm derived from Wolbachia-infected males, suggesting that the sperm are modified by Wolbachia during spermatogenesis. Although the molecular mechanisms of CI are beginning to be understood, the effects of Wolbachia on the symbiotic relationship and the proper dynamics of spermatogenesis have not yet been fully investigated. We report here that Wolbachia infection induced a significant upregulation of betaTub85D in the testis of Drosophila melanogaster. Knockdown of betaTub85D in fly testes resulted in significant decrease in the copy number of Wolbachia surface protein gene (wsp), indicating a notable reduction of Wolbachia density. Pull-down analyses revealed that WSP interacted with the betaTub85D of D. melanogaster. Wolbachia infection altered the interactome between betaTub85D and other proteins in the testes, and may thus change the protein synthesis and metabolic pathways. Wolbachia infection induced not only an interaction of betaTub85D with Mst77F but also increase in phosphorylated Mst77F. These results suggest that Wolbachia WSP protein might play important roles in anchoring the endosymbiont to the host's cytoskeleton and consequently interfere the interactions among key proteins involved in spermatogenesis in the insect host testes, resulting in modified sperm.}, }
@article {pmid39704701, year = {2024}, author = {Shippy, TD and Hosmani, PS and Flores-Gonzalez, M and Mann, M and Miller, S and Weirauch, MT and Vosberg, C and Massimino, C and Tank, W and de Oliveira, L and Chen, C and Hoyt, S and Adams, R and Adkins, S and Bailey, ST and Chen, X and Davis, N and DeLaFlor, Y and Espino, M and Gervais, K and Grace, R and Harper, D and Hasan, DL and Hoang, M and Holcomb, R and Jernigan, MR and Kemp, M and Kennedy, B and Kercher, K and Klaessan, S and Kruse, A and Licata, S and Lu, A and Masse, R and Mathew, A and Michels, S and Michels, E and Neiman, A and Norman, S and Norus, J and Ortiz, Y and Panitz, N and Paris, T and Perentesis, KMR and Perry, M and Reynolds, M and Sena, MM and Tamayo, B and Thate, A and Vandervoort, S and Ventura, J and Weis, N and Wise, T and Shatters, RG and Heck, M and Benoit, JB and Hunter, WB and Mueller, LA and Brown, SJ and D'Elia, T and Saha, S}, title = {Diaci v3.0: chromosome-level assembly, de novo transcriptome, and manual annotation of Diaphorina citri, insect vector of Huanglongbing.}, journal = {GigaScience}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39704701}, issn = {2047-217X}, support = {P20 GM103418/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; 2015-70016-23028//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; //U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; P20GM103418/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Molecular Sequence Annotation ; *Hemiptera/genetics/microbiology ; *Insect Vectors/genetics/microbiology ; *Transcriptome ; *Plant Diseases/microbiology/genetics ; Citrus/microbiology/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Diaphorina citri is an insect vector of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas), the gram-negative bacterial pathogen associated with citrus greening disease. Control measures rely on pesticides with negative impacts on the environment, natural ecosystems, and human and animal health. In contrast, gene-targeting methods have the potential to specifically target the vector species and/or reduce pathogen transmission.<br><br>RESULTS: To improve the genomic resources needed for targeted pest control, we assembled a D. citri genome based on PacBio long reads followed by proximity ligation-based scaffolding. The 474-Mb genome has 13 chromosomal-length scaffolds. In total, 1,036 genes were manually curated as part of a community annotation project, composed primarily of undergraduate students. We also computationally identified a total of 1,015 putative transcription factors (TFs) and were able to infer motifs for 337 TFs (33%). In addition, we produced a genome-independent transcriptome and genomes for D. citri endosymbionts.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Manual annotation provided more accurate gene models for use by researchers and provided an excellent training opportunity for students from multiple institutions. All resources are available on CitrusGreening.org and NCBI. The chromosomal-length D. citri genome assembly serves as a blueprint for the development of collaborative genomics projects for other medically and agriculturally significant insect vectors.}, }
@article {pmid39689471, year = {2025}, author = {Li, M and Chen, H and Wang, M and Zhong, Z and Lian, C and Zhou, L and Zhang, H and Wang, H and Cao, L and Li, C}, title = {Phenotypic plasticity of symbiotic organ highlight deep-sea mussel as model species in monitoring fluid extinction of deep-sea methane hydrate.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {958}, number = {}, pages = {178048}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178048}, pmid = {39689471}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Animals ; *Methane/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; Bivalvia/physiology ; Mytilidae/physiology ; Phenotype ; }, abstract = {Methane hydrates stored in cold seeps are an important source of energy and carbon for both the endemic chemosynthetic community and humanity. However, the methane fluids may cease and even stop naturally or anthropogenically, calling for a thorough evaluation of its potential impact on the endemic species and local chemosynthetic ecosystems. As one dominant megafauna in cold seeps, some of the deep-sea mussels rely on methanotrophic endosymbionts for nutrition and therefore could serve as a promising model in monitoring the dynamic changes of methane hydrate. However, knowledge on the long-term responses of deep-sea mussels to environmental stresses induced by methane reduction and deprivation, is still lacking. Here, we set up a laboratory system and cultivated methanotrophic deep-sea mussel Gigantidas platifrons without methane supply to survey the phenotypic changes after methane deprivation. While the mussels managed to survive for >10 months after the methane deprivation, drastic changes in the metabolism, function, and development of gill tissue, and in the association with methanotrophic symbionts were observed. In detail, the mussel digested all methanotrophic endosymbionts shortly after methane deprivation for nutrition and remodeled the global metabolism of gill to conserve energy. As the methane deprivation continued, the mussel replaced its bacteriocytes with ciliated cells to support filter-feeding, which is an atavistic trait in non-symbiotic mussels. During the long-term methane deprivation assay, the mussel also retained the generation of new cells to support the phenotypic changes of gill and even promoted the activity after being transplanted back to deep-sea, showing the potential resilience after long-term methane deprivation. Evidences further highlighted the participation of symbiont sterol metabolism in regulating these processes. These results collectively show the phenotypic plasticity of deep-sea mussels and their dynamic responses to methane deprivation, providing essential information in assessing the long-term influence of methane hydrate extinction.}, }
@article {pmid39681734, year = {2024}, author = {Rajendran, D and Vinayagam, S and Sekar, K and Bhowmick, IP and Sattu, K}, title = {Symbiotic Bacteria: Wolbachia, Midgut Microbiota in Mosquitoes and Their Importance for Vector Prevention Strategies.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {87}, number = {1}, pages = {154}, pmid = {39681734}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Animals ; Culicidae/microbiology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne illnesses pose a significant threat to eradication under existing vector management measures. Chemo-based vector control strategies (use of insecticides) raise a complication of resistance and environmental pollution. Biological control methods are an alternative approach to overcoming this complication arising from insecticides. The mosquito gut microbiome is essential to supporting the factors that involve metabolic regulation and metamorphic development (from juvenile to adult), as well as the induction of an immune response. The induced immune response includes the JAK-STAT, IMD, and Toll pathways due to the microbial interaction with the midgut cells (MG cells) that prevent disease transmission to humans. The aforementioned sequel to the review provides information about endosymbiont Wolbachia, which contaminates insect cells, including germline and somatic cytoplasm, and inhibits disease-causing pathogen development and transmission by competing for resources within the cell. Moreover, it reduces the host population via cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), feminization, male killing, and parthenogenesis. Furthermore, the Cif factor in Wolbachia is responsible for CI induction that produces inviable cells with the translocating systems and the embryonic defect-causing protein factor, WalE1 (WD0830), which manipulates the host actin. This potential of Wolbachia can be used to design a paratransgenic system to control vectors in the field. An extracellular symbiotic bacterium such as Asaia, which is grown in the growth medium, is used to transfer lethal genes within itself. Besides, the genetically transferred symbiotic bacteria infect the wild mosquito population and are easily manifold. So, it might be suitable for vector control strategies in the future.}, }
@article {pmid39656697, year = {2024}, author = {Rasool, B and Younis, T and Zafar, S and Parvaiz, A and Javed, Z and Rasool, I and Shakeel, M}, title = {Incidence of endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia in cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae).}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {19}, number = {12}, pages = {e0313449}, pmid = {39656697}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Animals ; *Phylogeny ; *Weevils/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; RNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Coleoptera/microbiology ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; }, abstract = {This study focuses on the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, a globally distributed grain pest that affects cereals and pulses. Using chemicals to store grains can harm pest control and pose risks to consumers and the environment. The facultative intracellular symbiont bacteria Wolbachia can affect host's reproductive capacities in a variety of ways, which makes it useful in the management of pests such as C. maculatus. The main goal of the study was to identify Wolbachia diversity in the C. maculatus population. Phylogenetic analysis utilized mitochondrial COI and 12S rRNA genes to identify the host C. maculatus, while screening for Wolbachia was conducted using genes (wsp, coxA, and ftsZ) genes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Wolbachia genes resulted in one new Wolbachia strain (wCmac1) in C. maculatus populations and contrasting already published data of other Callosobruchus strains. The study discussed the detection of Wolbachia and its phylogenetic comparison with other C. maculatus and Coleopteran populations. It is important to take these findings into account when considering host-pathogen interactions.}, }
@article {pmid39673486, year = {2025}, author = {Krause-Sakate, R and Gomes Ruschel, R and Ochoa-Corona, F and Andreason, SA and de Marchi, BR and Ribeiro-Junior, MR and Nascimento, DM and Trujillo, R and Smith, HA and Hutton, SF and Wallace, S}, title = {First detection of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MED in Oklahoma and development of a high-resolution melting assay for MEAM1 and MED discrimination.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {118}, number = {1}, pages = {45-56}, pmid = {39673486}, issn = {1938-291X}, support = {//Sarkeys Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Oklahoma ; *Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics/analysis ; Phylogeny ; Insect Proteins/genetics ; }, abstract = {The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a polyphagous pest recognized as composed of several cryptic or sibling species. The Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and the Mediterranean (MED) putative species are invasive and destructive worldwide. The MEAM1 is established throughout the United States, while MED is documented in 27 states. This study determines the status of MED in Oklahoma and develops and validates a high-resolution melting (HRM) assay for discrimination of MEAM1 and MED. In August-October 2022, whiteflies were collected from different host plants in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and identified as species based on analysis of a diagnostic fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene. MED was found in mixed infestations with MEAM1 on both sweetpotato in a greenhouse and cucumber in the field. Other cryptic species were not detected. Sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis indicated that the MED specimens belonged to the Q2 mitotype. Additionally, the secondary endosymbionts in captured and progeny whiteflies were identified. For rapid discrimination of MEAM1 and MED species, an HRM assay using a single set of primer pairs targeting the mtCOI gene was developed. Species discrimination was tested in 2 laboratories using MEAM1 and MED Q2 mitotype genomic DNA, and a synthetic plasmid containing the MED Q1 mitotype mtCOI fragment. The HRM assay was validated to discriminate MEAM1 from MED Q1 and Q2 mitotypes. This is the first report of B. tabaci MED in Oklahoma and reinforces the need for continued monitoring of this insect species complex.}, }
@article {pmid39661825, year = {2024}, author = {Santos, JFBD and Bombaça, ACS and Vitório, BDS and Dias-Lopes, G and Garcia-Gomes, ADS and Menna-Barreto, RSF and d'Avila, CM and Ennes-Vidal, V}, title = {Differential expression of peptidases in Strigomonas culicis wild-type and aposymbiotic strains: from proteomic data to proteolytic activity.}, journal = {Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz}, volume = {119}, number = {}, pages = {e240110}, pmid = {39661825}, issn = {1678-8060}, mesh = {*Proteomics ; *Peptide Hydrolases/metabolism/genetics ; Trypanosomatina/enzymology/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Proteolysis ; Proteome ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Strigomonas culicis is a monoxenic trypanosomatid parasite of insects that naturally contains an endosymbiotic bacterium. The aposymbiotic strain can be obtained, making this strain a model for evolutive research about organelle origins. In addition, S. culicis contains homologues of virulence factors of pathogenic trypanosomatids, which functions are waiting for further analysis. In this sense, the publication of S. culicis proteome makes feasible additional investigations regarding the differential expression of peptidases from the wild-type (WT) and the aposymbiotic (APO) strains.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: Here, we analysed two proteomic data from S. culicis WT and APO strains screening for peptidases differentially expressed and assessed the differential expression of cysteine and metallopeptidases.<br><br>METHODS: A comparative proteomic screening between WT and APO identified 43 modulated peptidases.<br><br>FINDINGS: Cysteine and metallopeptidases, such as calpains and GP63, were the major classes, highlighting their significance. GP63 exhibited an increased proteolysis in a specific metallopeptidase substrate, an up-modulation gene expression in RT-PCR, and a higher protein identification by flow cytometry in the aposymbiotic strain. Notwithstanding, the wild-type strain showed enhanced cysteine peptidase activity.<br><br>MAIN CONCLUSION: Our study highlighted the endosymbiont influence in S. culicis peptidase expression, with GP63 expression and activity raised in the aposymbiotic strain, whereas cysteine peptidase levels were reduced.}, }
@article {pmid39659293, year = {2024}, author = {Gasser, MT and Liu, A and Altamia, MA and Brensinger, BR and Brewer, SL and Flatau, R and Hancock, ER and Preheim, SP and Filone, CM and Distel, DL}, title = {Membrane Vesicles Can Contribute to Cellulose Degradation by Teredinibacter turnerae, a Cultivable Intracellular Endosymbiont of Shipworms.}, journal = {Microbial biotechnology}, volume = {17}, number = {12}, pages = {e70064}, pmid = {39659293}, issn = {1751-7915}, support = {NA19OAR0110303//National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/ ; DBI1722553//National Science Foundation/ ; R01 AI162943/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; //Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/ ; 1R01AI162943-01A1:10062083-NE/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; GBMF9339//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Cellulose/metabolism ; *Bivalvia/microbiology ; Gammaproteobacteria/metabolism/genetics ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Polysaccharides/metabolism ; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Teredinibacter turnerae is a cultivable cellulolytic Gammaproteobacterium (Cellvibrionaceae) that commonly occurs as an intracellular endosymbiont in the gills of wood-eating bivalves of the family Teredinidae (shipworms). The genome of T. turnerae encodes a broad range of enzymes that deconstruct cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin and contribute to wood (lignocellulose) digestion in the shipworm gut. However, the mechanisms by which T. turnerae secretes lignocellulolytic enzymes are incompletely understood. Here, we show that T. turnerae cultures grown on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) produce membrane vesicles (MVs) that include a variety of proteins identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) with predicted activities against cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin. Reducing sugar assays and zymography confirm that these MVs exhibit cellulolytic activity, as evidenced by the hydrolysis of CMC. Additionally, these MVs were enriched with TonB-dependent receptors, which are essential to carbohydrate and iron acquisition by free-living bacteria. These observations indicate a potential role for MVs in lignocellulose utilisation by T. turnerae in the free-living state, suggest possible mechanisms for host-symbiont interaction and may be informative for commercial applications such as enzyme production and lignocellulosic biomass conversion.}, }
@article {pmid39658562, year = {2024}, author = {De, BC and Cournoyer, J and Gao, YL and Wallace, CL and Bram, S and Mehta, AP}, title = {Photosynthetic directed endosymbiosis to investigate the role of bioenergetics in chloroplast function and evolution.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {10622}, pmid = {39658562}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {R01 GM139949/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01GM139949//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; *Photosynthesis/genetics/physiology ; *Chloroplasts/metabolism/genetics ; *Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; *Energy Metabolism/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; Rhodophyta/metabolism/genetics ; Cyanobacteria/metabolism/genetics ; Embryophyta/metabolism/genetics ; Glaucophyta/metabolism/genetics ; Plastids/metabolism/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases/metabolism/genetics ; }, abstract = {Cyanobacterial photosynthesis (to produce ATP and NADPH) might have played a pivotal role in the endosymbiotic evolution to chloroplast. However, rather than meeting the ATP requirements of the host cell, the modern-day land plant chloroplasts are suggested to utilize photosynthesized ATP predominantly for carbon assimilation. This is further highlighted by the fact that the plastidic ADP/ATP carrier translocases from land plants preferentially import ATP. Here, we investigate the preferences of plastidic ADP/ATP carrier translocases from key lineages of photosynthetic eukaryotes including red algae, glaucophytes, and land plants. Particularly, we observe that the cyanobacterial endosymbionts expressing plastidic ADP/ATP carrier translocases from red algae and glaucophyte are able to export ATP and support ATP dependent endosymbiosis, whereas those expressing ADP/ATP carrier translocases from land plants preferentially import ATP and are unable to support ATP dependent endosymbiosis. These data are consistent with a scenario where the ancestral plastids may have exported ATP to support the bioenergetic functions of the host cell.}, }
@article {pmid39658314, year = {2024}, author = {Sørensen, MES and Stiller, ML and Kröninger, L and Nowack, ECM}, title = {Protein import into bacterial endosymbionts and evolving organelles.}, journal = {The FEBS journal}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/febs.17356}, pmid = {39658314}, issn = {1742-4658}, support = {101061817//H2020 European Research Council/ ; //Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts are common throughout the eukaryotic tree of life and provide a range of essential functions. The intricate integration of bacterial endosymbionts into a host led to the formation of the energy-converting organelles, mitochondria and plastids, that have shaped eukaryotic evolution. Protein import from the host has been regarded as one of the distinguishing features of organelles as compared to endosymbionts. In recent years, research has delved deeper into a diverse range of endosymbioses and discovered evidence for 'exceptional' instances of protein import outside of the canonical organelles. Here we review the current evidence for protein import into bacterial endosymbionts. We cover both 'recently evolved' organelles, where there is evidence for hundreds of imported proteins, and endosymbiotic systems where currently only single protein import candidates are described. We discuss the challenges of establishing protein import machineries and the diversity of mechanisms that have independently evolved to solve them. Understanding these systems and the different independent mechanisms, they have evolved is critical to elucidate how cellular integration arises and deepens at the endosymbiont to organelle interface. We finish by suggesting approaches that could be used in the future to address the open questions. Overall, we believe that the evidence now suggests that protein import into bacterial endosymbionts is more common than generally realized, and thus that there is an increasing number of partnerships that blur the distinction between endosymbiont and organelle.}, }
@article {pmid39656210, year = {2024}, author = {Ling, X and Guo, H and Di, J and Xie, L and Zhu-Salzman, K and Ge, F and Zhao, Z and Sun, Y}, title = {A complete DNA repair system assembled by two endosymbionts restores heat tolerance of the insect host.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {121}, number = {51}, pages = {e2415651121}, pmid = {39656210}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {2023YFD1400800//National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; no. 32250002//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; no. 2023IOZ0307//Initiative Scientific Research of Program, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *DNA Repair ; Buchnera/genetics/metabolism ; Aphids/microbiology/genetics ; Serratia/genetics/metabolism/physiology ; Thermotolerance/genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Heat-Shock Response ; }, abstract = {DNA repair systems are essential to maintain genome integrity and stability. Some obligate endosymbionts that experience long-term symbiosis with the insect hosts, however, have lost their key components for DNA repair. It is largely unexplored how the bacterial endosymbionts cope with the increased demand for mismatch repairs under heat stresses. Here, we showed that ibpA, a small heat shock protein encoded by Buchnera aphidicola, directly interacted with the cytoskeletal actin to prevent its aggregation in bacteriocytes, thus reinforcing the stability of bacteriocytes. However, the succession of 11 adenines in the promoter of ibpA is extremely prone to mismatching error, e.g., a single adenine deletion, which impairs the induction of ibpA under heat stress. Coinfection with a facultative endosymbiont Serratia symbiotica remarkably reduced the mutagenesis rate in the Buchnera genome and potentially prevented a single adenine deletion in ibpA promoter, thereby alleviating the heat vulnerability of aphid bacteriocytes. Furthermore, Serratia encoded mutH, a conserved core protein of prokaryotic DNA mismatch repair (MMR), accessed to Buchnera cells, which complemented Buchnera mutL and mutS in constituting an active MMR. Our findings imply that a full complement of a prokaryotic MMR system assembled by two bacterial endosymbionts contributes significantly to the thermostability of aphid bacteriocytes in an ibpA-dependent manner, furnishing a distinct molecular link among tripartite symbioses in shaping resilience and adaptation of their insect hosts to occupy other ecological niches.}, }
@article {pmid39655922, year = {2025}, author = {Gasser, MT and Liu, A and Flatau, R and Altamia, MA and Filone, CM and Distel, DL}, title = {Closing the genome of Teredinibacter turnerae T7902 by long-read nanopore sequencing.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {e0048424}, pmid = {39655922}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {R01 AI162943/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; NA19OAR0110303//DOC | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/ ; GBMF 9339//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (GBMF)/ ; 1R01AI162943-01A1,10062083-NE//HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; DBI 1722553//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; }, abstract = {We present the complete closed circular genome sequence derived from the Oxford Nanopore sequencing of the shipworm endosymbiont, Teredinibacter turnerae T7902 (DSM 15152, ATCC 39867), originally isolated from the shipworm, Lyrodus pedicellatus (1). This sequence will aid in the comparative genomics of shipworm endosymbionts and the understanding of the host-symbiont evolution.}, }
@article {pmid39647222, year = {2024}, author = {Kloc, A and Wójcik-Fatla, A and Paprzycki, P and Panasiuk, L}, title = {Transovarial transmission of Rickettsia spp., Francisella-like endosymbionts, and Spiroplasma spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {102421}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102421}, pmid = {39647222}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dermacentor/microbiology ; *Rickettsia/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; *Spiroplasma/physiology/isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; *Symbiosis ; *Francisella/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; *Larva/microbiology ; Ovum/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Research on the transovarial transmission of pathogens whose reservoirs and vectors are ticks has led to an understanding of the mechanisms related to the circulation and persistence of selected microorganisms in natural foci. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of transovarial transmission of Rickettsia spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks, and the influence of Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) and Spiroplasma spp. on the efficiency of the egg-laying process and transmission of selected pathogens. In total, 16,600 eggs were obtained under laboratory conditions from 55 females, with an average of 346 eggs per female. Adults, eggs, and hatched larvae were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of Rickettsia and endosymbionts. DNA fragments of Rickettsia spp. were found in females (56.4 %) and in pools of eggs (72.9 %) and larvae (62.4 %). FLEs and Spiroplasma endosymbionts were confirmed in females (80 % and 14.5 %, respectively), pools of eggs (81.6 % and 26.1 %, respectively), and larvae (82.7 % and 46.2 %, respectively). Transovarial transmission was confirmed in Rickettsia raoultii, FLEs, and Spiroplasma ixodetis. No correlation was observed between the occurrence of individual endosymbionts and the efficiency of egg laying and transovarial transmission in Rickettsia spp. In conclusion, transovarial transmission of Rickettsia spp., FLEs and Spiroplasma spp. in D. reticulatus plays an important role in their persistence and circulation in the environment. However, further research is required on this topic.}, }
@article {pmid39646835, year = {2024}, author = {Terrana, L and Rouzé, H and Opresko, DM and Consortium, UTP and Eeckhaut, I and Dubois, P and Hédouin, L and Godefroid, M}, title = {Whip black corals (Antipatharia: Antipathidae: Stichopathes) of the Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Mo'orea (French Polynesia), with the description of a new species.}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {5486}, number = {2}, pages = {182-212}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.5486.2.2}, pmid = {39646835}, issn = {1175-5334}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Polynesia ; *Ecosystem ; *Animal Distribution ; Phylogeny ; Body Size ; Animal Structures/anatomy &amp; histology/growth &amp; development ; Organ Size ; }, abstract = {Black corals are key species of marine ecosystems. They can be found in dense aggregations worldwide, but some parts of the world remain totally unexplored. This is the case of the Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Mo'orea where the Under the Pole scientific expedition explored mesophotic ecosystems between 60 and 120 m depth and focused on whip black corals. A total of 64 specimens were analyzed morphologically and genetically, and all belonged to the genus Stichopathes. Among them, we describe the new species Stichopathes desaturata sp. nov. It is characterized by an unbranched corallum, irregularly sinuous, with a basal diameter not exceeding 1 mm, reaching a dozen of cm in height. The polyps measure 0.50-1.0 mm in transverse diameter, the interpolypar space is well defined and up to 0.50 mm, with 6-8 polyps per cm. The polypar spines are taller than abpolypar spines, reaching 0.13 mm, perpendicular to the corallum, and conical with a pointed tip, with round and/or elongated papillae on two thirds of the spine. The abpolypar spines are conical to triangular, inclined upwards, with the same ornamentation as the polypar spines. We also identified specimens assigned as Stichopathes cf. contorta and four other putative species. Genetic analyses showed that Mo'orea specimens grouped in three different clades. Analyses of endosymbionts showed that the association with Symbiodiniaceae was likely not involved in the process of host species delineation.}, }
@article {pmid39640918, year = {2024}, author = {Baede, VO and Jlassi, O and Lesiczka, PM and Younsi, H and Jansen, HJ and Dachraoui, K and Segobola, J and Ben Said, M and Veneman, WJ and Dirks, RP and Sprong, H and Zhioua, E}, title = {Similarities between Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes inopinatus genomes and horizontal gene transfer from their endosymbionts.}, journal = {Current research in parasitology &amp; vector-borne diseases}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {100229}, pmid = {39640918}, issn = {2667-114X}, abstract = {The taxa Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes inopinatus are sympatric in Tunisia. The genetics underlying their morphological differences are unresolved. In this study, ticks collected in Jouza-Amdoun, Tunisia, were morphologically identified and sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Three complete genome assemblies of I. inopinatus and three of I. ricinus with BUSCO scores of ∼98% were generated, including the reconstruction of mitochondrial genomes and separation of both alleles of the TRPA1, TROSPA and calreticulin genes. Deep sequencing allowed the first descriptions of complete bacterial genomes for "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii", Rickettsia helvetica and R. monacensis from North Africa, and the discovery of extensive integration of parts of the Spiroplasma ixodetis and "Ca. M. mitochondrii" into the nuclear genome of these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial genome, the nuclear genes, and symbionts showed differentiation between Tunisian and Dutch ticks, but high genetic similarities between Tunisian I. ricinus and I. inopinatus. Subtraction of the genome assemblies identified the presence of some unique sequences, which could not be confirmed when screening a larger batch of I. ricinus and I. inopinatus ticks using PCR. Our findings yield compelling evidence that I. inopinatus is genetically highly similar, if not identical, to sympatric I. ricinus. Defined morphological differences might be caused by extrinsic factors such as micro-climatic conditions or bloodmeal composition. Our findings support the existence of different lineages of I. ricinus as well of its symbionts/pathogens from geographically dispersed locations.}, }
@article {pmid39629170, year = {2024}, author = {Wajnberg, E and Cônsoli, FL}, title = {Dynamics of Insects and Their Facultative Defensive Endosymbiotic Bacteria: A Simulation Model.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {12}, pages = {e70676}, pmid = {39629170}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Most insects harbour endosymbionts that modify their physiology, reproductive mode, and ecology. One fascinating case is in aphids, which host endosymbionts that protect them against attacks from parasitoids. These symbionts are transmitted maternally with high fidelity but can also be transmitted horizontally from infected to uninfected hosts. Since symbionts can confer resistance to their host against parasitoids, levels of symbiont infection should rapidly spread to fixation. This is not the case in most aphid populations that have been studied. Furthermore, the defensive effect of symbionts has been thought to reduce the efficacy of biological control against crop pests, although this has never been properly quantified. We developed a Monte Carlo simulation model to examine changes in levels of endosymbiont infection in an insect population in the presence of parasitoids attacking them over several generations. We also used the model to quantify potential reductions in the efficacy of parasitoids in controlling host populations in biological control. Results suggest that longevity of parasitoids and the spatial aggregation of hosts likely play a major role in the dynamics of symbiont infection. This is the first evidence that these ecological parameters are potentially important for explaining levels of symbiont infection in insect populations.}, }
@article {pmid39627879, year = {2024}, author = {Kostygov, AY and Skýpalová, K and Kraeva, N and Kalita, E and McLeod, C and Yurchenko, V and Field, MC and Lukeš, J and Butenko, A}, title = {Comprehensive analysis of the Kinetoplastea intron landscape reveals a novel intron-containing gene and the first exclusively trans-splicing eukaryote.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {281}, pmid = {39627879}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {*Introns/genetics ; *Trans-Splicing/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Phylogeny ; Trypanosomatina/genetics ; Kinetoplastida/genetics ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics ; Genes, Protozoan/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: In trypanosomatids, a group of unicellular eukaryotes that includes numerous important human parasites, cis-splicing has been previously reported for only two genes: a poly(A) polymerase and an RNA helicase. Conversely, trans-splicing, which involves the attachment of a spliced leader sequence, is observed for nearly every protein-coding transcript. So far, our understanding of splicing in this protistan group has stemmed from the analysis of only a few medically relevant species. In this study, we used an extensive dataset encompassing all described trypanosomatid genera to investigate the distribution of intron-containing genes and the evolution of splice sites.<br><br>RESULTS: We identified a new conserved intron-containing gene encoding an RNA-binding protein that is universally present in Kinetoplastea. We show that Perkinsela sp., a kinetoplastid endosymbiont of Amoebozoa, represents the first eukaryote completely devoid of cis-splicing, yet still preserving trans-splicing. We also provided evidence for reverse transcriptase-mediated intron loss in Kinetoplastea, extensive conservation of 5' splice sites, and the presence of non-coding RNAs within a subset of retained trypanosomatid introns.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: All three intron-containing genes identified in Kinetoplastea encode RNA-interacting proteins, with a potential to fine-tune the expression of multiple genes, thus challenging the perception of cis-splicing in these protists as a mere evolutionary relic. We suggest that there is a selective pressure to retain cis-splicing in trypanosomatids and that this is likely associated with overall control of mRNA processing. Our study provides new insights into the evolution of introns and, consequently, the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes.}, }
@article {pmid39624265, year = {2024}, author = {Karim, S and Zenzal, TJ and Beati, L and Sen, R and Adegoke, A and Kumar, D and Downs, LP and Keko, M and Nussbaum, A and Becker, DJ and Moore, FR}, title = {Ticks without borders: microbiome of immature neotropical tick species parasitizing migratory songbirds along northern Gulf of Mexico.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1472598}, pmid = {39624265}, issn = {2235-2988}, support = {P20 GM103476/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Microbiota ; Gulf of Mexico ; *Songbirds/parasitology/microbiology ; *Animal Migration ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Tick Infestations/veterinary/parasitology ; Ticks/microbiology ; Francisella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Spiroplasma/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification/physiology ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The long-distance, seasonal migrations of birds make them an effective ecological bridge for the movement of ticks. The introduction of exotic tick species to new geographical regions can cause the emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens. This study examined the prevalence of exotic tick species parasitizing migratory songbirds at stopover sites along the northern Gulf of Mexico using the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene.<br><br>METHODS: Overall, 421 individual ticks in the genera Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis, and Ixodes were recorded from 28 songbird species, of which Amblyomma and Amblyomma longirostre were the most abundant tick genera and species, respectively. A high throughput 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing approach characterized the microbial communities and identified pathogenic microbes in all tick samples.<br><br>RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Microbial profiles showed that Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum. The most abundant pathogens were Rickettsia and endosymbiont Francisella, Candidatus Midichloria, and Spiroplasma. Permutation multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the relative abundance of Francisella and Rickettsia drives microbial patterns across the tick genera. We also noted a higher percentage of positive correlations in microbe-microbe interactions among members of the microbial communities. Network analysis suggested a negative correlation between a) Francisella and Rickettsia and, b) Francisella and Cutibacterium. Lastly, mapping the distributions of bird species parasitized during spring migrations highlighted geographic hotspots where migratory songbirds could disperse ticks and their pathogens at stopover sites or upon arrival to their breeding grounds, the latter showing mean dispersal distances from 421-5003 kilometers. These findings spotlight the potential role of migratory birds in the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid39616490, year = {2024}, author = {Govender, R and Mabaso, N and Abbai, NS}, title = {Investigating links between Trichomonas vaginalis, T. vaginalis virus, Mycoplasma hominis, and metronidazole resistance.}, journal = {Journal of infection in developing countries}, volume = {18}, number = {10}, pages = {1590-1600}, doi = {10.3855/jidc.17592}, pmid = {39616490}, issn = {1972-2680}, mesh = {*Trichomonas vaginalis/drug effects/isolation &amp; purification ; *Mycoplasma hominis/drug effects/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; *Metronidazole/pharmacology ; Humans ; Female ; *Mycoplasma Infections/microbiology ; Prevalence ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Trichomonas Vaginitis/microbiology/parasitology ; Totiviridae/genetics/drug effects/isolation &amp; purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Drug Resistance ; Antiprotozoal Agents/pharmacology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Coinfection/microbiology ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is the etiological agent of the common non-viral sexually transmitted infection (STI), trichomoniasis. TV can inherently harbour Mycoplasma hominis and Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV) species. Endosymbiosis of TV with M. hominis and TVV may contribute to metronidazole resistance in this pathogen. This study determined the prevalence of TVVs across clinical isolates of TV, as well as the symbiosis between TV, TVV, and M. hominis in relation to metronidazole resistance.<br><br>METHODOLOGY: Twenty-one clinical isolates of TV were analysed in this study. The isolates were subjected to drug susceptibility assays using varying concentrations of metronidazole. Nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) were extracted from the isolates for molecular assays. The presence of intracellular M. hominis was determined by 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers. The presence of the individual TVVs was determined by PCR using gene specific primers with template cDNA.<br><br>RESULTS: The prevalence of TVV and M. hominis were 76% (16/21) and 86% (18/21), respectively. No significant associations were observed between the presence of TVV and clinical symptoms. A significant association was noted between the coinfection of TVV4 and M. hominis (p = 0.014). The presence of any TVV was significantly associated with metronidazole susceptibility patterns (p = 0.012). No significant associations were noted between the coinfection of endosymbionts and metronidazole resistance.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The information obtained displays the ability of TV to form an endosymbiotic relationship with several microorganisms, simultaneously. Based on these findings, both endosymbionts pose no significant influence on metronidazole resistance.}, }
@article {pmid39615475, year = {2025}, author = {Řezáč, M and Řezáčová, V and Heneberg, P}, title = {Differences in the abundance and diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria drive host resistance of Philodromus cespitum, a dominant spider of central European orchards, to selected insecticides.}, journal = {Journal of environmental management}, volume = {373}, number = {}, pages = {123486}, doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123486}, pmid = {39615475}, issn = {1095-8630}, mesh = {Animals ; *Insecticides ; *Spiders ; *Symbiosis ; *Insecticide Resistance ; Bacteria ; Malus ; }, abstract = {The ability of tissue endosymbionts to degrade and detoxify agrochemicals is increasingly recognized as a mechanism supporting the survival of arthropods in agroecosystems. Therefore, tissue endosymbionts have the potential to drive insecticide resistance in agrobiont spiders, i.e., in major generalist predators and pest control agents within agroecosystems. We hypothesized that the abundance and diversity of the endosymbiotic bacteria of Philodromus cespitum, a philodromid spider dominating central European apple orchards, vary with regard to differences in predation capacity and drive host insecticide resistance. We provisioned P. cespitum with diets of varying protein and lipid content and topically exposed them to field-relevant doses of commonly used insecticides, namely Mospilan (acetamiprid), Movento (spirotetramat), Gondola (sulfoxaflor), Decis (deltamethrin), Coragen (chlorantraniliprole), and Benevia (cyantraniliprole). The analyses were based on 16S rDNA profiles from lysates of the cephalothorax and legs of the tested spiders. The application of Benevia, Mospilan, and Movento was partially lethal. The spiders that were resistant to the treatments with Benevia, Mospilan, or Movento were associated with the increased relative abundance of Mycoplasmatota by more than one order of magnitude. Additionally, the abundance of other bacteria differed in Mospilan-resistant and Mospilan-sensitive individuals. In contrast, the diet regimens were not associated with any major differences in the microbiome diversity nor the diversity of endosymbionts. Philodromus cespitum hosts assemblages with unexpectedly high beta diversity of endosymbionts. The OTU identified as the alpha proteobacterium endosymbiont of Coelostomidia zealandica was an obligate endosymbiont of the analyzed P. cespitum population. Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma endosymbionts were also highly prevalent and differed in their responses to the applied treatments. In conclusion, differences in the abundance and diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria drove the resistance of the spider host to selected insecticides.}, }
@article {pmid39614636, year = {2024}, author = {Jiménez-Florido, P and Aquilino, M and Buckley, D and Bella, JL and Planelló, R}, title = {Differential gene expression in Chorthippus parallelus (Zetterstedt, 1821) (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae) induced by Wolbachia infection.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13481}, pmid = {39614636}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {PID2019-104952GBI00//Ministerio&#xa0;de Econom&#xed;a&#xa0;y Competitividad/ ; FPU contract 22/02220//Ministerioa&#xa0;de Ciencia, Innovaci&#xf3;n y Universidades/ ; PEJD-2019-POST/AMB-16425//Comunidada&#xa0;de Madrid/European Social Fund/ ; Mar&#xed;a Zambrano contract//Ministerio de Universidades/Europeana&#xa0;Union-NextGeneration Programme/ ; }, abstract = {Distinct lineages of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) form well-known hybrid zones (HZs) both in the Pyrenees and the Alps mountain ranges in South Europe. These HZs represent unique experimental systems to identify "key genes" that maintain genetic boundaries between emerging species. The Iberian endemism C. p. erythropus (Cpe) and the subspecies C. p. parallelus (Cpp), widely distributed throughout the rest of Europe, overlap and form the Pyrenean HZ. Both subspecies differ morphologically, as well as in behavioral, mitochondrial, nuclear, and chromosomal traits, and in the strains of the maternally transmitted bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia infecting them. This results in either unidirectional and bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility between both grasshopper subspecies, pointing out that Wolbachia clearly affects gene expression in the infected individuals. Here we explore how Wolbachia may modify the expression of some major genes involved in relevant pathways in Cpp in the Pyrenean HZ. We have analyzed, through molecular biomarkers, the physiological responses in C. parallelus individuals infected by Wolbachia, with particular attention to the energy metabolism, the immune system response, and the reproduction. qPCR was used to evaluate the expression of selected genes in the gonads of infected and uninfected adults of both sexes, since this tissue constitutes the main target of Wolbachia infection. Transcriptional analyses also showed differential sex-dependent responses in most of the analyzed biomarkers in infected and noninfected individuals. We identified for the first time new sensitive biomarkers that might be involved in the reproductive barrier induced by Wolbachia in the hybrid zone.}, }
@article {pmid39607975, year = {2024}, author = {Abbasi, AM and Nasir, S and Bajwa, AA and Akbar, H and Ali, MM and Rashid, MI}, title = {A comparative study of the microbiomes of the ticks Rhipicephalus microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum.}, journal = {Parasite (Paris, France)}, volume = {31}, number = {}, pages = {74}, pmid = {39607975}, issn = {1776-1042}, support = {HEC-GCF-273//Higher Education Commission, Pakistan/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Rhipicephalus/microbiology ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Pakistan ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Coxiella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus microplus are tick species that are important vectors of numerous pathogens affecting both humans and livestock. Endosymbionts, such as Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE), Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLE), and Candidatus Midichloria, play a crucial role in the physiology and vector competence of these ticks. In this study, we investigated the microbial composition of H. anatolicum and R. microplus from four geographically distinct regions of Pakistan to assess whether environmental differences influence their microbiomes. We analyzed the ticks' gut microbiome targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA for Illumina 16S metagenome NGS sequencing and processed overall 144 ticks. Analysis of gut bacterial composition resulted in observation of 1200 R. microplus and 968 H. anatolicum unique amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs). Relative abundance, Alpha diversity (Shannon, Faith's phylogenetic distance) and beta diversity metrics (Bray-Curtis, Jaccard and UniFrac) were analyzed and revealed that H. anatolicum ticks have significantly unique and diverse microbial communities with Acinetobacter indicus and Francisella-like endosymbionts dominating as opposed to Candidatus Midichloria. Rhipicephalus microplus exhibited results consistent with the previous studies with no major changes in microbiome including Coxiella-like endosymbionts as the major contributor. These findings suggest that geographical and environmental factors play a significant role in shaping the tick microbiome, with potential consequences for disease transmission and tick survivability. Further research is needed to elucidate the functional roles of these microbial shifts and their impact on public health and livestock in affected regions.}, }
@article {pmid39604530, year = {2024}, author = {Shokoohi, E and Masoko, P}, title = {Microbiome of Xiphinema elongatum (Nematoda, Longidoridae), isolated from water berry.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {29494}, pmid = {39604530}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Microbiota ; *Soil Microbiology ; South Africa ; Nematoda/microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Soil/parasitology ; Fruit/microbiology/parasitology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {The soil microbiome is crucial for the environment and significantly impacts the ecosystem. Understanding the microbiome and its interaction with soil microorganisms is essential for improving ecological and environmental strategies. In this study, Xiphinema elongatum nematodes were collected from water berry in Sovenga Hills, Limpopo Province, South Africa, and were analyzed their associated bacterial communities using metabarcoding analysis. The findings revealed that X. elongatum forms associations with a wide range of bacterial species. Among the most abundant species identified, we found Sphingomonas sp., a bacterial species commonly found in various habitats and primarily beneficial to plants, and Candidatus Xiphinematobacter, a bacterial species commonly found in nematode species of Xiphinema as an endosymbiont. The analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the abundance of X. elongatum in the soil is inversely correlated with clay content (r = -0.52) and soil pH levels (r = -0.98), and directly correlated with soil sand content (r = 0.88). This study provides valuable insights into the bacterial species associated with plant-parasitic nematodes in trees in South Africa. It underscores the presence of various potentially detrimental and beneficial nematode-associated bacteria. The results could potentially influence the overall quality of the soil, leading to implications for the productivity and yield of fruit crops. Additionally, the results help us understand the interaction between bacteria and X. elongatum.}, }
@article {pmid39597681, year = {2024}, author = {Scharf, SA and Friedrichs, L and Bock, R and Borrelli, M and MacKenzie, C and Pfeffer, K and Henrich, B}, title = {Oxford Nanopore Technology-Based Identification of an Acanthamoeba castellanii Endosymbiosis in Microbial Keratitis.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {39597681}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {(1) Background: Microbial keratitis is a serious eye infection that carries a significant risk of vision loss. Acanthamoeba spp. are known to cause keratitis and their bacterial endosymbionts can increase virulence and/or treatment resistance and thus significantly worsen the course of the disease. (2) Methods and Results: In a suspected case of Acanthamoeba keratitis, in addition to Acanthamoeba spp., an endosymbiont of acanthamoebae belonging to the taxonomic order of Holosporales was detected by chance in a bacterial 16S rDNA-based pan-PCR and subsequently classified as Candidatus Paracaedibacter symbiosus through an analysis of an enlarged 16S rDNA region. We used Oxford Nanopore Technology to evaluate the usefulness of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) as a one-step diagnostics method. Here, Acanthamoeba castellanii and the endosymbiont Candidatus Paracaedibacter symbiosus could be directly detected at the species level. No other microbes were identified in the specimen. (3) Conclusions: We recommend the introduction of WGS as a diagnostic approach for keratitis to replace the need for multiple species-specific qPCRs in future routine diagnostics and to enable an all-encompassing characterisation of the polymicrobial community in one step.}, }
@article {pmid39590429, year = {2024}, author = {Enciso, JS and Corretto, E and Borruso, L and Schuler, H}, title = {Limited Variation in Bacterial Communities of Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Across European Populations and Different Life Stages.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {39590429}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {The Nearctic leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is the primary vector of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis', the causative agent of Flavescence doreé in Europe. Although microorganisms play an important role in the ecology and behavior of insects, knowledge about the interaction between S. titanus and microbes is limited. In this study, we employed an amplicon metabarcoding approach for profiling the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize the bacterial communities of S. titanus across several populations from four European localities. Additionally, we investigated changes in bacterial communities between nymphal and adult stages. In total, we identified 7,472 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in adults from the European populations. At the genus level, 'Candidatus Karelsulcia' and 'Candidatus Cardinium' were the most abundant genera, with both being present in every individual. While we found significant changes in the microbial composition of S. titanus across different European populations, no significant differences were observed between nymphal and adult stages. Our study reveals new insights into the microbial composition of S. titanus and highlights the role of geography in influencing its bacterial community.}, }
@article {pmid39584499, year = {2025}, author = {Checchia, I and Andreolli, M and Lanza, F and Santoiemma, G and Mori, N and Pasini, M and Lampis, S and Felis, GE}, title = {Testing low-risk bioactive compounds on Halyomorpha halys: an improved pipeline of analyses to investigate their effects on the bacterial endosymbiont Candidatus Pantoea carbekii.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {81}, number = {3}, pages = {1615-1623}, doi = {10.1002/ps.8564}, pmid = {39584499}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {//I.C. Ph.D. scholarship is supported by REACT-EU FSE fund in the frame of PON "Dottorati su tematiche green" (Action IV.5), 2014-2020 (DM 1061/2021). Code BIO04, DOT1340225, Borsa 1 CUP B39J21026610001/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Pantoea/drug effects ; *Symbiosis ; *Heteroptera/drug effects/microbiology ; *Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology ; Ovum/drug effects/microbiology ; Disinfectants/pharmacology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys has become an invasive insect pest of many crops. A promising control strategy to manage the proliferation of H. halys is based on the suppression of its obligate and vertically transmitted uncultivated symbiotic bacterium Candidatus Pantoea carbekii through surface-sterilization of H. halys eggs. Indeed, the application of antimicrobial formulations on the eggs of H. halys could cause mortality of endosymbiont and consequently of newly emerged nymphs. In this study, a microbial live/dead assay was applied directly on H. halys eggs to evaluate Ca. P. carbekii loss of viability after treatments with seven commercial formulations including fungicides (copper hydroxide, sulphur, sweet orange essential oil) and plant biostimulants (flavonoids and chestnut tannin extract) compared with two disinfectants for civil and industrial use (sodium hypochlorite/hydrated sodium/tetraborate decahydrate and peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide). Impact of mode of application was also evaluated, as surface treatment of egg masses was performed through spraying and dipping in laboratory conditions. Antimicrobial activity data were finally complemented with observations of egg hatching and vitality of the nymphs.<br><br>RESULTS: The optimization of live/dead staining is useful for evaluating Ca. P. carbekii mortality directly on eggs, providing a rapid and reliable culture-independent approach. Sodium hypochlorite, copper, sulphur, tannins and sweet orange essential oil showed an antimicrobial effect against Ca. P. carbekii and a H. halys egg hatching reduction and nymph's vitality.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The antimicrobial and insecticidal effects of these commercial products should be further studied to assess their in-field efficiency as well as the impact of these substances on non-target organisms. The approach followed in this study could be considered a robust pipeline of analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial eco-friendly compounds in symbiotic control of H. halys. &#xa9; 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid39579072, year = {2024}, author = {Prakash, A and Wang, Y}, title = {De Novo Long-Read Genome Assembly and Annotation of the Mosquito Gut-Dwelling Fungus, Smittium minutisporum.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {16}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {39579072}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {//Discovery Grants Program/ ; RGPIN-2020-04293//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; DGECR-2020-00154//Discovery Launch Supplement/ ; NR-2021-22-514711//Connaught New Researcher Award/ ; //Niagara Supercomputer/ ; //SciNet HPC Consortium/ ; //Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada/ ; //Digital Research Alliance of Canada/ ; //Ontario Research Fund/ ; //Research Excellence/ ; //University of Toronto/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Genome, Fungal ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Molecular Sequence Annotation ; Aedes/microbiology/genetics ; Culicidae/microbiology/genetics ; }, abstract = {Mosquito guts host a variety of microbes, yet fungi are often overlooked. Smittium (Harpellales, Zoopagomycota) comprises numerous species that are obligate symbionts residing in the hindgut of mosquito larvae. Despite their association with pathogen-bearing vectors, these fungal symbionts remain understudied, largely due to the lack of high-quality genome resources. This limitation has impeded a deeper understanding of their genome biology and adaptive strategies in relation to their mosquito hosts, which may hold significant epidemiological implications. To address this gap, we generated the first reference-quality genome assembly for this group of fungi, using PacBio HiFi long-reads for an axenic culture of Smittium minutisporum, originally isolated from the eastern treehole mosquito, Aedes triseriatus. The genome assembly consists of 53 contigs, spanning a total length of 32.5 Mb, and is predicted to encode 8,254 protein-coding genes, with repetitive regions constituting 25.22% of the genome. Notably, despite being highly contiguous and gap free, the Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog analysis suggests a completeness score of 71.8%, implying unusual genome features, possibly shaped by adaptation and specialization within the mosquito gut. This high-quality genome resource will be invaluable for advancing our understanding of mosquito gut-dwelling fungi, their natural history, and their cryptic symbiosis with insect hosts.}, }
@article {pmid39571577, year = {2024}, author = {Lewis, WH and Paris, G and Beedessee, G and Kořený, L and Flores, V and Dendooven, T and Gallet, B and Yee, DP and Lam, S and Decelle, J and Luisi, BF and Waller, RF}, title = {Plastid translocon recycling in dinoflagellates demonstrates the portability of complex plastids between hosts.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {34}, number = {23}, pages = {5494-5506.e3}, pmid = {39571577}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 214298/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 222451/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {*Dinoflagellida/metabolism/genetics/physiology ; *Plastids/metabolism/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The plastids of photosynthetic organisms on land are predominantly "primary plastids," derived from an ancient endosymbiosis of a cyanobacterium. Conversely, the plastids of marine photosynthetic organisms were mostly gained through subsequent endosymbioses of photosynthetic eukaryotes generating so-called "complex plastids." The plastids of the major eukaryotic lineages-cryptophytes, haptophytes, ochrophytes, dinoflagellates, and apicomplexans-were posited to derive from a single secondary endosymbiosis of a red alga in the "chromalveloate" hypothesis. Subsequent phylogenetic resolution of eukaryotes has shown that separate events of plastid acquisition must have occurred to account for this distribution of plastids. However, the number of such events and the donor organisms for the new plastid endosymbioses are still not resolved. A perceived bottleneck of endosymbiotic plastid gain is the development of protein targeting from the hosts into the new plastids, and this supposition has often driven hypotheses toward minimizing the number of plastid-gain events to explain plastid distribution in eukaryotes. But how plastid-protein-targeting is established for new endosymbionts is often unclear, which makes it difficult to assess the likelihood of plastid transfers between lineages. Here, we show that Kareniaceae dinoflagellates, which possess complex plastids known to be derived from haptophytes, acquired all the necessary protein import machinery from these haptophytes. Furthermore, cryo-electron tomography revealed that no additional membranes were added to the Kareniaceae complex plastid during serial endosymbiosis, suggesting that the haptophyte-derived import processes were sufficient. Our analyses suggest that complex red plastids are preadapted for horizontal transmission, potentially explaining their widespread distribution in algal diversity.}, }
@article {pmid39562544, year = {2024}, author = {Levy, N and Marques, JA and Simon-Blecher, N and Bourne, DG and Doniger, T and Benichou, JIC and Lim, JY and Tarazi, E and Levy, O}, title = {Ecosystem transplant from a healthy reef boosts coral health at a degraded reef.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {10033}, pmid = {39562544}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Animals ; *Coral Reefs ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Indian Ocean ; Ecosystem ; Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism ; Invertebrates/physiology ; Biodiversity ; }, abstract = {Organismal communities associated with coral reefs, particularly invertebrates and microbes, play crucial roles in ecosystem maintenance and coral health. Here, we characterized the organismal composition of a healthy, non-urbanized reef (Site A) and a degraded, urbanized reef (Site B) in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba, Red Sea to assess its impact on coral health and physiology. Biomimetically designed terracotta tiles were conditioned for 6 months at both sites, then reciprocally transplanted, and scleractinian coral species, Acropora eurystoma and Stylophora pistillata, were attached for an additional 6 months. After 12 months, tiles from Site A transplanted to Site B exhibited greater invertebrate richness and diversity than Site B's original tiles (via Cytochrome c. Oxidase subunit I metabarcoding). Key bacteria from the healthy reef were more prevalent on Site A tiles and on the tiles transplanted to Site B (via 16S rRNA gene sequencing). Corals originally from Site B attached to transplanted healthy tiles (Site A) showed higher photochemical capacity, increased endosymbionts, and reduced physiological stress, measured by total antioxidant capacity and an integrated biomarker response. Our findings demonstrate the successful transfer of organismal communities between reefs, highlighting the potential benefits of healthy reef-associated invertebrates and microbes on coral physiology and their implications for reef restoration strategies.}, }
@article {pmid39561350, year = {2025}, author = {Fajardo, J and Harrison, B and Hervet, VAD and Bakker, MG}, title = {Microbiome profiling suggests novel endosymbiont associations of insect pests of stored grain.}, journal = {Canadian journal of microbiology}, volume = {71}, number = {}, pages = {1-6}, doi = {10.1139/cjm-2024-0095}, pmid = {39561350}, issn = {1480-3275}, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Insecta/microbiology ; Edible Grain/microbiology/parasitology ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Many arthropods, including economically important pests of stored grains, host intracellular bacterial symbionts. These symbionts can have diverse impacts on host morphology, stress tolerance, and reproductive success. The ability to rapidly determine the infection status of host insects and the identity of intracellular symbionts, if present, is vital to understanding the biology and ecology of these organisms. We used a microbiome profiling method based on amplicon sequencing to rapidly screen 35 captive insect colonies. This method effectively revealed single and mixed infections by intracellular bacterial symbionts, as well as the presence or absence of a dominant symbiont, when that was the case. Because no a priori decisions are required about probable host-symbiont pairing, this method is able to quickly identify novel associations. This work highlights the frequency of endosymbionts, indicates some unexpected pairings that should be investigated further, such as dominant bacterial taxa that are not among the canonical genera of endosymbionts, and reveals different colonies of the same host insect species that differ in the presence and identity of endosymbiotic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid39561190, year = {2024}, author = {Ward, CM and Onetto, CA and Borneman, AR}, title = {Adaptation During the Shift from Entomopathogen to Endosymbiont Is Accompanied by Gene Loss and Intensified Selection.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {16}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {39561190}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {//Australian Wine Research Institute/ ; //Australian Government/ ; //Wine Innovation Cluster/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; Animals ; *Selection, Genetic ; *Hypocreales/genetics ; Genome, Fungal ; Adaptation, Physiological/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Evolution, Molecular ; Coleoptera/microbiology/genetics ; Insecta/microbiology/genetics ; }, abstract = {Fungi have been found to be associated with many insect species, with some species transitioning to reside within insects as symbionts. However, the evolutionary pressures and genomic consequences associated with this transition are not well understood. Pathogenic fungi of the genus Ophiocordyceps have undergone multiple, independent transitions from pathogen to endosymbiont lifestyles, where they reside within the fatty tissues of infected soft-scale insects transgenerationally without killing their hosts. To gain an understanding of the genomic adaptations underlying this life history shift, long-read sequencing was utilized to assemble the genomes of both the soft-scale insect Parthenolecanium corni and its Ophiocordyceps endosymbiont from a single insect. Assembly and metagenomic-based binning produced a highly contiguous genome for Pa. corni and a chromosome-level assembly for the Ophiocordyceps endosymbiont. The endosymbiont genome was characterized by 524 gene loss events compared to free-living pathogenic Ophiocordyceps relatives, with predicted roles in hyphal growth, cell wall integrity, metabolism, gene regulation, and toxin production. Contrasting patterns of selection were observed between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes specific to the endosymbiont lineage. Intensified selection was most frequently observed across orthologs in the nuclear genome, whereas selection on most mitochondrial genes was found to be relaxed. Scans for positive selection were enriched within the fatty acid metabolism pathway with endosymbiont specific selection within three adjacent enzymes catalyzing the conversion of acetoacetate to acetyl-coenzyme A, suggesting that the endosymbiont lineage is under selective pressure to effectively exploit the lipid rich environment of the insect fat bodies in which it is found.}, }
@article {pmid39560405, year = {2024}, author = {Deutsch, JM and Demko, AM and Jaiyesimi, OA and Foster, G and Kindler, A and Pitts, KA and Vekich, T and Williams, GJ and Walker, BK and Paul, VJ and Garg, N}, title = {Metabolomic profiles of stony coral species from the Dry Tortugas National Park display inter- and intraspecies variation.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {9}, number = {12}, pages = {e0085624}, pmid = {39560405}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {2047235//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/metabolism/genetics ; *Metabolomics ; *Coral Reefs ; *Metabolome ; Symbiosis ; Species Specificity ; Florida ; Carnitine/analogs &amp; derivatives/metabolism ; Betaine/metabolism/analogs &amp; derivatives ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Coral reefs are experiencing unprecedented loss in coral cover due to increased incidence of disease and bleaching events. Thus, understanding mechanisms of disease susceptibility and resilience, which vary by species, is important. In this regard, untargeted metabolomics serves as an important hypothesis-building tool enabling the delineation of molecular factors underlying disease susceptibility or resilience. In this study, we characterize metabolomes of four species of visually healthy stony corals, including Meandrina meandrites, Orbicella faveolata, Colpophyllia natans, and Montastraea cavernosa, collected at least a year before stony coral tissue loss disease reached the Dry Tortugas, Florida, and demonstrate that both symbiont and host-derived biochemical pathways vary by species. Metabolomes of Meandrina meandrites displayed minimal intraspecies variability and the highest biological activity against coral pathogens when compared to other species in this study. The application of advanced metabolite annotation methods enabled the delineation of several pathways underlying interspecies variability. Specifically, endosymbiont-derived vitamin E family compounds, betaine lipids, and host-derived acylcarnitines were among the top predictors of interspecies variability. Since several metabolite features that contributed to inter- and intraspecies variation are synthesized by the endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae, which could be a major source of these compounds in corals, our data will guide further investigations into these Symbiodiniaceae-derived pathways.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Previous research profiling gene expression, proteins, and metabolites produced during thermal stress have reported the importance of endosymbiont-derived pathways in coral bleaching resistance. However, our understanding of interspecies variation in these pathways among healthy corals and their role in diseases is limited. We surveyed the metabolomes of four species of healthy corals with differing susceptibilities to the devastating stony coral tissue loss disease and applied advanced annotation approaches in untargeted metabolomics to determine the interspecies variation in host and endosymbiont-derived pathways. Using this approach, we propose the survey of immune markers such as vitamin E family compounds, acylcarnitines, and other metabolites to infer their role in resilience to coral diseases. As time-resolved multi-omics datasets are generated for disease-impacted corals, our approach and findings will be valuable in providing insight into the mechanisms of disease resistance.}, }
@article {pmid39551154, year = {2025}, author = {Horn, CJ and Yuli, S and Berry, JA and Luong, LT}, title = {A male-killing Spiroplasma endosymbiont has age-mediated impacts on Drosophila endurance and sleep.}, journal = {Journal of insect physiology}, volume = {161}, number = {}, pages = {104723}, doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104723}, pmid = {39551154}, issn = {1879-1611}, mesh = {Animals ; *Spiroplasma/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/physiology ; Male ; *Sleep/physiology ; Female ; Age Factors ; Aging/physiology ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic bacteria have a wide range of impacts on host physiology, behavior, metabolism, endurance, and mobility. Recent work found some endosymbionts also impact host sleep duration and quality. These effects may increase as flies age and endosymbiont titers increase. We tested the hypothesis that Spiroplasma poulsonni MSRO negatively impacts sleep in Drosophila melanogaster, and this in turn impairs fly endurance. In geotaxis climbing assays (a proxy for endurance), we found that MSRO impacted climbing endurance but in an age-dependent manner. Among younger flies, MSRO+ flies slept significantly less during dark periods (measured by a Drosophila Activity Monitoring System) compared to uninfected flies, but older MSRO+ flies did not show significant differences in amount of sleep compared to uninfected flies in the same cohort. While MSRO status impacted both sleep and endurance of hosts, endosymbiont-mediated sleep deprivation did not directly explain decreases in fly endurance. We discuss these results in the context of endosymbiont comparative biology.}, }
@article {pmid39549700, year = {2024}, author = {Siozios, S and Nadal-Jimenez, P and Azagi, T and Sprong, H and Frost, CL and Parratt, SR and Taylor, G and Brettell, L and Liew, KC and Croft, L and King, KC and Brockhurst, MA and Hypša, V and Novakova, E and Darby, AC and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Genome dynamics across the evolutionary transition to endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {34}, number = {24}, pages = {5659-5670.e7}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.10.044}, pmid = {39549700}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Biological Evolution ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Evolution, Molecular ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics/physiology ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiosis-where a microbe lives and replicates within a host-is an important contributor to organismal function that has accelerated evolutionary innovations and catalyzed the evolution of complex life. The evolutionary processes associated with transitions to endosymbiosis, however, are poorly understood. Here, we leverage the wide diversity of host-associated lifestyles of the genus Arsenophonus to reveal the complex evolutionary processes that occur during the transition to a vertically transmitted endosymbiotic lifestyle from strains maintained solely by horizontal (infectious) transmission. We compared the genomes of 38 strains spanning diverse lifestyles from horizontally transmitted pathogens to obligate interdependent endosymbionts. Among culturable strains, we observed those with vertical transmission had larger genome sizes than closely related horizontally transmitting counterparts, consistent with evolutionary innovation and the rapid gain of new functions. Increased genome size was a consequence of prophage and plasmid acquisition, including a cargo of type III effectors, alongside the concomitant loss of CRISPR-Cas genome defense systems, enabling mobile genetic element expansion. Persistent endosymbiosis was also associated with loss of type VI secretion, which we hypothesize to be a consequence of reduced microbe-microbe competition. Thereafter, the transition to endosymbiosis with strict vertical inheritance was associated with the expected relaxation of purifying selection, gene pseudogenization, metabolic degradation, and genome reduction. We argue that reduced phage predation in endosymbiotic niches drives the loss of genome defense systems driving rapid genome expansion upon the adoption of endosymbiosis and vertical transmission. This remodeling enables rapid horizontal gene transfer-mediated evolutionary innovation and precedes the reductive evolution traditionally associated with adaptation to endosymbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid39548114, year = {2024}, author = {Thompson, NS and Krum, D and Chen, YR and Torres, MC and Trauger, MA and Strike, D and Weston, Z and Polston, JE and Curtis, WR}, title = {Enabling biocontained plant virus transmission studies through establishment of an axenic whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) colony on plant tissue culture.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {28169}, pmid = {39548114}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1659497//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/virology ; *Plant Diseases/virology/parasitology ; Insect Vectors/virology ; Begomovirus/physiology/pathogenicity ; Plant Viruses/physiology/pathogenicity ; Axenic Culture ; Tissue Culture Techniques/methods ; }, abstract = {Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and the diseases they transmit are a major detriment to crop yields and a significant contributor to world hunger. The highly evolved interactions of host plant, phloem-feeding insect vector with endosymbionts and persistently transmitted virus represent a tremendous challenge for interdisciplinary study. Presented here is the establishment of a colony of axenic whiteflies on tissue-cultured plants. Efficient colony establishment was achieved by a surface sterilization of eggs laid on axenic phototrophically tissue-cultured plants. The transfer of emerging whiteflies through coupled tissue culture vessels to new axenic plants facilitates robust subculturing and produces hundreds of whitefly adults per month. Whitefly proliferation on more than two dozen plant species is shown as well as in vitro testing of whitefly preference for different plants. This novel multi-organism system provides the high-level of biocontainment required by Federal permitting to conduct virus transmission experiments. Axenic whitefly adults were able to acquire and transmit a begomovirus into tissue-cultured plants, indicating that culturable gut microorganisms are not required for virus transmission. The approach described enables a wide range of hypotheses regarding whitefly phytopathology without the expense, facilities, and contamination ambiguity associated with current approaches.}, }
@article {pmid39548000, year = {2024}, author = {Visser, B and Scheifler, M}, title = {Insect Lipid Metabolism in the Presence of Symbiotic and Pathogenic Viruses and Bacteria.}, journal = {Advances in experimental medicine and biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39548000}, issn = {0065-2598}, abstract = {Insects, like most animals, have intimate interactions with microorganisms that can influence the insect host's lipid metabolism. In this chapter, we describe what is known so far about the role prokaryotic microorganisms play in insect lipid metabolism. We start exploring microbe-insect lipid interactions focusing on endosymbionts, and more specifically the gut microbiota that has been predominantly studied in Drosophila melanogaster. We then move on to an overview of the work done on the common and well-studied endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis, also in interaction with other microbes. Taking a slightly different angle, we then look at the effect of human pathogens, including dengue and other viruses, on the lipids of mosquito vectors. We extend the work on human pathogens and include interactions with the endosymbiont Wolbachia that was identified as a natural tool to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Research on lipid metabolism of plant disease vectors is up and coming and we end this chapter by highlighting current knowledge in that field.}, }
@article {pmid39541572, year = {2025}, author = {Gladem, KB and Rugman-Jones, PF and Shelton, EK and Hanrahan, KS and Bean, DW and Rector, BG}, title = {Sex-ratio distortion in a weed biological control agent, Ceratapion basicorne (Coleoptera: Brentidae), associated with a species of Rickettsia.}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {54}, number = {1}, pages = {109-118}, pmid = {39541572}, issn = {1938-2936}, support = {AP23PPQFO000C398//USDA/ ; 22-DG-11010000-005//US Forest Service/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Sex Ratio ; *Rickettsia ; Female ; *Symbiosis ; Male ; *Weevils/microbiology ; Pest Control, Biological ; Biological Control Agents ; }, abstract = {Many endosymbionts of insects have been shown to manipulate and alter their hosts' reproduction with implications for agriculture, disease transmission, and ecological systems. Less studied are the microbiota of classical biological control agents and the implications of inadvertent endosymbionts in laboratory colonies for field establishment and effects on target pests or nontarget organisms. While native-range field populations of agents may have a low incidence of vertically transmitted endosymbionts, quarantine and laboratory rearing of inbred populations may increase this low prevalence to fixation in relatively few generations. Fixation of detrimental endosymbionts in founding biological control agent populations prior to release may have far-reaching effects. Significant female-biased sex-ratio distortion was found within laboratory populations of the weevil Ceratapion basicorne (Illiger), a classical biological control agent that was recently approved for use against yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.). This sex-ratio distortion was observed to be vertically inherited and reversible through antibiotic treatment of the host insect. Molecular diagnostics identified a Rickettsia sp. as the only bacterial endosymbiont present in breeding lines with distorted sex ratios and implicated this as the first reported Rickettsia associated with sex-ratio distortion within the superfamily Curculionoidea.}, }
@article {pmid39531470, year = {2024}, author = {Huffmyer, AS and Ashey, J and Strand, E and Chiles, EN and Su, X and Putnam, HM}, title = {Coral larvae increase nitrogen assimilation to stabilize algal symbiosis and combat bleaching under increased temperature.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {22}, number = {11}, pages = {e3002875}, pmid = {39531470}, issn = {1545-7885}, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis/physiology ; *Anthozoa/metabolism/physiology ; *Larva/metabolism ; *Nitrogen/metabolism ; *Photosynthesis ; Coral Reefs ; Temperature ; Dinoflagellida/metabolism/physiology ; Hot Temperature ; Carbon/metabolism ; Hawaii ; }, abstract = {Rising sea surface temperatures are increasingly causing breakdown in the nutritional relationship between corals and algal endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae), threatening the basis of coral reef ecosystems and highlighting the critical role of coral reproduction in reef maintenance. The effects of thermal stress on metabolic exchange (i.e., transfer of fixed carbon photosynthates from symbiont to host) during sensitive early life stages, however, remains understudied. We exposed symbiotic Montipora capitata coral larvae in Hawai'i to high temperature (+2.5°C for 3 days), assessed rates of photosynthesis and respiration, and used stable isotope tracing (4 mM 13C sodium bicarbonate; 4.5 h) to quantify metabolite exchange. While larvae did not show any signs of bleaching and did not experience declines in survival and settlement, metabolic depression was significant under high temperature, indicated by a 19% reduction in respiration rates, but with no change in photosynthesis. Larvae exposed to high temperature showed evidence for maintained translocation of a major photosynthate, glucose, from the symbiont, but there was reduced metabolism of glucose through central carbon metabolism (i.e., glycolysis). The larval host invested in nitrogen cycling by increasing ammonium assimilation, urea metabolism, and sequestration of nitrogen into dipeptides, a mechanism that may support the maintenance of glucose translocation under thermal stress. Host nitrogen assimilation via dipeptide synthesis appears to be used for nitrogen limitation to the Symbiodiniaceae, and we hypothesize that nitrogen limitation contributes to retention of fixed carbon by favoring photosynthate translocation to the host. Collectively, our findings indicate that although these larvae are susceptible to metabolic stress under high temperature, diverting energy to nitrogen assimilation to maintain symbiont population density, photosynthesis, and carbon translocation may allow larvae to avoid bleaching and highlights potential life stage specific metabolic responses to stress.}, }
@article {pmid39516195, year = {2024}, author = {Speth, DR and Zeller, LM and Graf, JS and Overholt, WA and Küsel, K and Milucka, J}, title = {Genetic potential for aerobic respiration and denitrification in globally distributed respiratory endosymbionts.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {9682}, pmid = {39516195}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Phylogeny ; *Denitrification ; Metagenome ; Aerobiosis ; Ciliophora/genetics/metabolism ; Groundwater/microbiology ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Germany ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics/metabolism ; California ; Genome, Bacterial ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiont Candidatus Azoamicus ciliaticola was proposed to generate ATP for its eukaryotic host, an anaerobic ciliate of the Plagiopylea class, fulfilling a function analogous to mitochondria in other eukaryotic cells. The discovery of this respiratory endosymbiosis has major implications for both evolutionary history and ecology of microbial eukaryotes. However, with only a single species described, knowledge of its environmental distribution and diversity is limited. Here we report four complete, circular metagenome assembled genomes (cMAGs) representing respiratory endosymbionts inhabiting groundwater in California, Ohio, and Germany. These cMAGs form two lineages comprising a monophyletic clade within the uncharacterized gammaproteobacterial order UBA6186, enabling evolutionary analysis of their key protein complexes. Strikingly, all four cMAGs encode a cytochrome cbb3 oxidase, which indicates that these endosymbionts have the capacity for aerobic respiration. Accordingly, we detect these respiratory endosymbionts in diverse habitats worldwide, thus further expanding the ecological scope of this respiratory symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid39510362, year = {2024}, author = {Deng, YP and Yao, C and Fu, YT and Zhuo, Y and Zou, JL and Pan, HY and Peng, YY and Liu, GH}, title = {Analyses of the gut microbial composition of domestic pig louse Haematopinus suis.}, journal = {Microbial pathogenesis}, volume = {197}, number = {}, pages = {107106}, doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2024.107106}, pmid = {39510362}, issn = {1096-1208}, mesh = {Animals ; Swine ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Symbiosis ; Phylogeny ; Swine Diseases/microbiology/parasitology ; Metagenomics ; Computational Biology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {Haematopinus suis is an obligatory ectoparasite of the domestic pig, serving as a vector of several swine pathogens and posing great threats to the pig industry. The gut microbiome of lice is thought of an important mediator of their healthy physiology. However, there is a great paucity of lice-associated microbial communities' structure and function. The current study aimed to profile the gut microbiome and to understand the microbial functions of swine lice by metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. In total, 102,358 (77.2 %) nonredundant genes were cataloged, by contrast, only a small proportion of genes were assigned to microbial taxa and functional assemblages. Bacteria of known or potential public health significance such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Waddlia chondrophila, Bacillus cereus, and Leptotrichia goodfellowii were observed in all samples. The integrated microbial profile further illustrated the evolutionary relevance of endosymbionts and detailed the functional composition, and findings suggested H. suis may acquire adenosylcobalamin by feeding due to an adenosylcobalamin synthesis defect and a lack of complete synthases of endosymbionts. Sucking lice contained fewer functional genes compared with ticks and fleas probably because of the obligate host specificity of parasitic lice. In addition, the genes from the intestines contained encompassed most of the microbial functional genes in sucking lice. A wide range of unknown taxonomic and functional assemblages were discovered, which improves our understanding related to microbial features and physiological activities of sucking lice. In general, this study increases the characterization of the microbiota of lice and offers clues for preventing and controlling lice infestation in swine production in the future.}, }
@article {pmid39506857, year = {2024}, author = {Bernardini, I and Poggi, C and Porretta, D and Máca, J and Perugini, E and Manzi, S and Gabrielli, S and Pichler, V and Latrofa, MS and Fourie, J and Lia, RP and Beugnet, F and Otranto, D and Pombi, M}, title = {Population dynamics of sympatric Phortica spp. and first record of stable presence of Phortica oldenbergi in a Thelazia callipaeda-endemic area of Italy.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {455}, pmid = {39506857}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophilidae/parasitology ; *Population Dynamics ; Italy/epidemiology ; *Thelazioidea/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/physiology ; *Insect Vectors/parasitology ; Seasons ; Male ; Female ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Five species of the Phortica genus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are known in Europe and the Middle East. Among these, Phortica variegata and Phortica okadai are better known for their role as vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda. Other species, such as Phortica semivirgo and Phortica oldenbergi, have been studied less. Given the paucity of data about these Phortica spp. vectors, we explored the population dynamics and ecology of Phortica spp. in an area highly endemic for T. callipeada (Manziana, Rome, Central Italy).<br><br>METHODS: Phortica spp. flies were collected over a 3-year period (2018-2020) during their active season (April-October) with a sweep net while hovering around fermenting fruits or a human operator acting as baits. Collected flies were morphologically identified and tested for a T. callipeada infection and for the presence of Wolbachia, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Population dynamics of species collected was associated to environmental drivers through generalized additive models.<br><br>RESULTS: Of the 5564 flies collected, 90.8% were P. variegata, 9.1% were P. oldenbergi, 0.05% were P. semivirgo, and one specimen was P. okadai. Only P. variegata scored molecularly infected with T. callipeada throughout the 3-year sampling period (1.8%). Phortica oldenbergi, observed consistently during the entire sampling period, exhibited a marked preference for fruit traps, contrasting with the lachryphagous activity of P. variegata. Analysis of environmental drivers of P. oldenbergi and P. variegata population dynamics indicated temperature, wind speed, and pressure as significant factors. In addition, Wolbachia pipientis endosymbiont was detected in P. oldenbergi and P. okadai.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, this study analysed several ecological aspects of Phortica species coexisting in a T. callipeada endemic area, highlighting different behaviors in the same environment and their vectorial role. Notably, this is also the first report of the presence of P. oldenbergi in Italy and P. okadai in Europe, underscoring the importance of extensive sampling for detecting potential vectors and alien species with direct implications for vector-borne disease epidemiology.}, }
@article {pmid39495046, year = {2024}, author = {Yang, SY and Lin, YY and Hao, Z and Li, ZJ and Peng, ZQ and Jin, T}, title = {Bacterial communities in Asecodes hispinarum (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and its host Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with comparison of Wolbachia dominance.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {117}, number = {6}, pages = {2314-2327}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toae234}, pmid = {39495046}, issn = {1938-291X}, support = {2021YFD2600405//National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; CATASCXTD202311//Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences for Science and Technology Innovation Team/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera/microbiology ; *Wasps/physiology/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Female ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; Larva/microbiology/growth &amp; development ; Microbiota ; Pupa/microbiology/growth &amp; development/parasitology ; Male ; Bacteria/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Pest Control, Biological ; }, abstract = {The endoparasitoid Asecodes hispinarum (Bouček) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) serves as an effective biological control agent against Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a notorious palm pest. Endosymbionts found in parasitoids and their hosts have attracted significant attention due to their substantial influence on biocontrol efficacy. In this study, we employed 16S rRNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence in situ hybridization to assess the symbiotic bacteria composition, diversity, phylogeny, and localization in A. hispinarum and its host B. longissima. Our findings showed significant differences in the richness, diversity, and composition of symbiotic bacteria among different life stages of B. longissima. Notably, the bacterial richness, diversity, and composition of A. hispinarum was similar to that of B. longissima. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla, while Wolbachia was the dominant genera across the parasitoid and host. It was discovered for the first time that Wolbachia was present in A. hispinarum with a high infection rate at ≥ 96.67%. Notably, the Wolbachia strain in A. hispinarum was placed in supergroup A, whereas it was categorized under supergroup B in B. longissima. Furthermore, Wolbachia is concentrated in the abdomen of A. hispinarum, with particularly high levels observed in the ovipositors of female adults. These findings highlight the composition and diversity of symbiotic bacteria in both A. hispinarum and its host B. longissima, providing a foundation for the development of population regulation strategies targeting B. longissima.}, }
@article {pmid39493401, year = {2024}, author = {Mulavu, M and Khumalo, CS and Moonga, L and Hayashida, K and Mubemba, B and Changula, K and Simulundu, E and Muleya, W and Chitanga, S}, title = {Defining the bacterial microbiome of ticks in Chongwe and Chisamba Districts of Zambia.}, journal = {Infectious medicine}, volume = {3}, number = {4}, pages = {100131}, pmid = {39493401}, issn = {2772-431X}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The microbiome composition of an arthropod vector may impede the growth of some pathogens, aid colonisation by pathogens or affect vector behaviour in ways that impact the transmission of pathogens. In Zambia, little is known of the microbial communities hosted by ticks and how pathogens like Rickettsia play a role in the microbiome composition.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the microbiome of Rickettsia-negative and Rickettsia-positive ticks in selected districts of Zambia.<br><br>METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out on 94 ticks collected from cattle in Chongwe and Chisamba districts. The overall prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was detected using PCR amplification of the ompB gene. Thereafter, both Rickettsia-negative and positive ticks underwent 16S rRNA gene amplification and Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Data was analysed using QIIME2 analysis pipeline.<br><br>RESULTS: The prevalence of Rickettsia was found to be 47.9% (45/94) with prevalence in Amblyomma at 78.5% (22/28), Hyalomma at 68.9% (20/29) and Rhipicephalus having the lowest at 8.1% (3/37). Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota and Euryachaeota were the most common phyla, while endosymbionts were uncommonly detected in the ticks. Further analysis showed significant differences in microbiome composition based on Rickettsia detection status (p=0.001) and location (p=0.001), based on the alpha diversity Shannon index, Bray Curtis beta diversity and PERMANOVA, whilst differences according to life stage, tick species and genus was only shown based on the Bray Curtis beta diversity and PERMANOVA analysis.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Ultimately, this study provides valuable insights into the structure of the tick microbiome in parts of Zambia and how it is affected by the presence of Rickettsia.}, }
@article {pmid39484388, year = {2024}, author = {Awuoche, E and Smallenberger, G and Bruzzese, D and Orfano, A and Weiss, BL and Aksoy, S}, title = {Spiroplasma endosymbiont reduction of host lipid synthesis and Stomoxyn-like peptide contribute to trypanosome resistance in the tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39484388}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R01 AI068932/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) vector African trypanosomes that cause devastating diseases in humans and domestic animals. Within the Glossina genus, species in the Palpalis subgroup exhibit greater resistance to trypanosome infections compared to those in the Morsitans subgroup. Varying microbiota composition and species-specific genetic traits can significantly influence the efficiency of parasite transmission. Notably, infections with the endosymbiotic bacterium Spiroplasma have been documented in several Palpalis subgroup species, including Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Gff). While Spiroplasma infections in Gff are known to hinder trypanosome transmission, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To investigate Spiroplasma-mediated factors affecting Gff vector competence, we conducted high-throughput RNA sequencing of the midgut tissue along with functional assays. Our findings reveal elevated oxidative stress in the midgut environment in the presence of Spiroplasma, evidenced by increased expression of nitric oxide synthase, which catalyzes the production of trypanocidal nitric oxide. Additionally, we observed impaired lipid biosynthesis leading to a reduction of this important class of nutrients essential for parasite and host physiologies. In contrast, trypanosome infections in Gff's midgut significantly upregulated various immunity-related genes, including a small peptide, Stomoxyn-like, homologous to Stomoxyns first discovered in the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans. We observed that the Stomoxyn-like locus is exclusive to the genomes of Palpalis subgroup tsetse species. GffStomoxyn is constitutively expressed in the cardia (proventriculus) and synthetic GffStomoxyn exhibits potent activity against Escherichia coli and bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei parasites, while showing no effect against insect stage procyclic forms or tsetse's commensal endosymbiont Sodalis in vitro. Reducing GffStomoxyn levels significantly increased trypanosome infection prevalence, indicating its potential trypanocidal role in vivo. Collectively, our results suggest that the enhanced resistance to trypanosomes observed in Spiroplasma-infected Gff may be due to the reduced lipid availability necessary for parasite metabolic maintenance. Furthermore, GffStomoxyn could play a crucial role in the initial immune response(s) against mammalian parasites early in the infection process in the midgut and prevent gut colonization. We discuss the molecular characteristics of GffStomoxyn, its spatial and temporal expression regulation and its microbicidal activity against Trypanosome parasites. Our findings reinforce the nutritional influences of microbiota on host physiology and host-pathogen dynamics.}, }
@article {pmid39475326, year = {2024}, author = {Papke, E and Kennedy, GE and Elliott, E and Taylor, A and Tolar, BB and Ushijima, B}, title = {Transmission Electron Microscopy of Coral Tissue.}, journal = {Current protocols}, volume = {4}, number = {11}, pages = {e70033}, doi = {10.1002/cpz1.70033}, pmid = {39475326}, issn = {2691-1299}, mesh = {*Anthozoa/ultrastructure ; Animals ; *Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/methods ; Coral Reefs ; Tissue Fixation/methods ; }, abstract = {Coral reefs are invaluable ecosystems that are under threat from various anthropogenic stressors. There has been a recent increase in the diagnostic tools utilized to understand how these threats impact coral reef health. Unfortunately, the application of diagnostic tools like transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is not as standardized or developed in coral research as in other research fields. Utilizing TEM in conjunction with other diagnostic methods can aid in understanding the impact of these stressors on the cellular level because TEM offers valuable insight into the structures and microsymbionts associated with coral tissue that cannot be obtained with a conventional light microscope. Additionally, a significant amount of coral tissue ultrastructure has not yet been extensively described, causing a considerable gap in our understanding of cellular structures that could relate to the immune response, cellular function, or symbioses. Moreover, additional standardization is needed for TEM in coral research to increase comparability and reproducibility of findings across studies. Here, we present standardized TEM sample fixation, embedding, and sectioning techniques for coral studies that ensure consistent ultrastructural preservation and minimize artifacts, enhancing the reliability and accuracy of TEM observations. We also demonstrate that these TEM protocols allow for the observation and quantification of bacterial and viral-like particles within the coral tissue as well as the endosymbiotic microalgae, potentially providing insight into their interactions within coral cells and how they relate to overall coral health and resilience. © 2024 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Primary fixation Basic Protocol 2: Decalcification Basic Protocol 3: Sample dissection, secondary fixation, dehydration, and embedding Basic Protocol 4: Sectioning and grid staining Basic Protocol 5: Imaging.}, }
@article {pmid39474501, year = {2024}, author = {Sawada, Y and Sato, N and Osawa, T and Matsumoto, K and Chiu, MC and Okada, R and Sakura, M and Sato, T}, title = {A potential evolutionary trap for the extended phenotype of a nematomorph parasite.}, journal = {PNAS nexus}, volume = {3}, number = {10}, pages = {pgae464}, pmid = {39474501}, issn = {2752-6542}, abstract = {Human activities introduce new environmental cues to wild organisms, leading to maladaptive behavioral and life history decisions known as the "evolutionary trap." This trap is thought to be a major conservation concern for free-living organisms. However, it has never been studied in endosymbionts, one of the most successful and diverse life forms on Earth. Here, we examine this trap in the extended phenotype of a parasite that exploits the visual system of hosts to alter host behavior for its benefit. Arboreal mantids infected by nematomorph parasites are drawn to horizontally polarized light, thereby inducing them to enter the water. In this study, we found that the degree of linear polarization (DOP) of reflected light served as a reliable environmental cue for identifying perennial waters, where nematomorphs can survive in their aquatic life stage without drying out. Infected mantids exhibit attraction to horizontally polarized light with higher DOP in behavioral assays and jumped into pools reflecting light with higher DOP in field experiments. The asphalt road reflected horizontally polarized light closely resembling the polarization levels observed in perennial waters, likely leading to a higher prevalence of mantids on asphalt roads compared with those found in natural arboreal habitats. In a field experiment, we observed infected mantids walking on asphalt roads more often than on cement roads. These findings imply that evolutionary traps can endanger endosymbionts beyond their hosts that directly perceive environmental cues.}, }
@article {pmid39471850, year = {2024}, author = {Tourani, AH and Katlav, A and Cook, JM and Riegler, M}, title = {Mating receptivity mediated by endosymbiont interactions in a haplodiploid thrips species.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {291}, number = {2033}, pages = {20241564}, pmid = {39471850}, issn = {1471-2954}, support = {//University of Western Sydney/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Thysanoptera/physiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Female ; Male ; *Sexual Behavior, Animal ; Bacteroidetes/physiology ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {Many arthropods carry maternally inherited endosymbionts that cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), manifested as embryonic mortality in matings of infected males with uninfected females. Infected females, however, do not suffer this cost. Therefore, in populations with mixed endosymbiont infections, selection is expected to favour mechanisms that enable hosts to avoid or mitigate CI. This may include changes in mating behaviour, such as reduced female receptivity to mating and/or remating when approached by incompatible males. Here, we investigated mating behavioural traits in haplodiploid thrips naturally associated with two CI-inducing endosymbionts, Cardinium and Wolbachia. Compared with females with both endosymbionts, those with only Cardinium showed reduced receptivity to males carrying both. However, surprisingly, females without endosymbionts were not less receptive to incompatible males. Furthermore, in contrast to females without endosymbionts, females with Cardinium were far less likely to remate with incompatible than compatible males irrespective of the compatibility type of the first mating. Our results suggest that endosymbiont-specific sexual selection processes occur, whereby females carrying only Cardinium recognize Wolbachia in coinfected males to avoid CI. This may hinder a CI-driven Wolbachia spread. Endosymbiont-mediated mating behaviours may be crucial for the dynamics of CI-inducing endosymbionts and their application in pest management strategies.}, }
@article {pmid39466691, year = {2024}, author = {Teh, LS and Shalom, SR and James, I and Dolgova, A and Chiel, E and Dale, C}, title = {Sodalis praecaptivus subsp. spalangiae subsp. nov., a nascent bacterial endosymbiont isolated from the parasitoid wasp, Spalangia cameroni.}, journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology}, volume = {74}, number = {10}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1099/ijsem.0.006552}, pmid = {39466691}, issn = {1466-5034}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wasps/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Phylogeny ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; *Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Israel ; Houseflies/microbiology ; Fatty Acids/analysis ; Base Composition ; Genome, Bacterial ; }, abstract = {An endosymbiotic bacterium of the genus Sodalis, designated as strain HZ[T], was cultured from the parasitoid wasp Spalangia cameroni, which develops on the pupae of various host flies. The bacterium was detected in S. cameroni developed on houseflies, Musca domestica, in a poultry facility in Hazon, northern Israel. After culturing, this bacterium displayed no surface motility on Luria-Bertani agar and was rod-shaped and irregular in size, ~10-30 nm in diameter and 5-20 µm in length. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain HZ[T] is closely related to Sodalis praecaptivus strain HS[T], a free-living species of the genus Sodalis that includes many insect endosymbionts. Although these bacteria maintain >98% sequence identity in shared genes, genomic characterization revealed that strain HZ[T] has undergone substantial reductive evolution, such that it lacks many gene functions that are maintained in S. praecaptivus strain HS[T]. Based on the results of phylogenetic, genomic and chemotaxonomic analyses, we propose that this endosymbiont should be classified in a new subspecies as S. praecaptivus subsp. spalangiae subsp. nov. The type strain for this new subspecies is HZ[T] (=ATCC TSD-398[T]=NCIMB 15482[T]). The subspecies Sodalis praecaptivus subsp. praecaptivus strain HS[T] is created automatically with the type strain ATCC BAA-2554[T] (=DSMZ 27494[T]).}, }
@article {pmid39459905, year = {2024}, author = {Alkhatib, BM and Belteton, S and Creamer, R}, title = {Immunolocalization of Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV) and GroEL Chaperon Protein of Endosymbionts in Beet Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus) Vector Tissue.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {16}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {39459905}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/virology ; *Insect Vectors/virology ; *Geminiviridae/genetics ; *Chaperonin 60/metabolism/genetics ; *Plant Diseases/virology ; *Symbiosis ; Salivary Glands/virology ; Beta vulgaris/virology ; }, abstract = {Beet curly top virus (BCTV, curtovirus, geminiviridae) causes one of the most economically significant viral diseases in crops in the Western United States and is transmitted only by the beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus) in a non-propagative circulative manner. A better understanding of how this virus overcomes insect vector cellular barriers is essential to understanding virus-vector interactions. The distribution of BCTV in its beet leafhopper vector was investigated using immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscope analysis (iCLSM) on the whole-mount-dissected organs of leafhoppers. BCTV was localized in several lobes of the principal salivary glands, filter chamber, anterior midgut, and mid midgut, suggesting the occurrence of midgut and salivary gland barriers to BCTV transmission in its vector C. tenellus. This study also investigated the distribution of the chaperon GroEL homolog protein produced by primary endosymbiotic bacteria within the beet leafhopper, which is believed to indirectly affect viral transmission by enhancing insect immunity and resistance to viruses. GroEL was identified in leafhopper salivary glands lobes, the stylet, salivary canal, the filter chamber, and the Malpighian tubule. This is the first work to visualize the localization of a curtovirus within its beet leafhopper vector. Together, these results can help understand ssDNA virus-vector relationships, including cellular transmission barriers and other vector protein components.}, }
@article {pmid39458303, year = {2024}, author = {Clervil, E and Guidez, A and Talaga, S and Carinci, R and Gaborit, P and Lavergne, A and Tirera, S and Duchemin, JB}, title = {Wolbachia Natural Infection of Mosquitoes in French Guiana: Prevalence, Distribution, and Genotyping.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {39458303}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Wolbachia are the most spread bacterial endosymbionts in the world. These bacteria can manipulate host reproduction or block virus transmission in mosquitoes. For this reason, Wolbachia-based strategies for vector control are seriously considered or have already been applied in several countries around the world. In South America, Wolbachia have been studied in human pathogen vectors such as sand flies and mosquitoes. In French Guiana, the diversity and distribution of Wolbachia are not well known in mosquitoes. In this study, we screened for Wolbachia natural infection in mosquitoes in French Guiana by using 16S rRNA, Wolbachia surface protein (WSP), and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) molecular assays. A total of 29 out of 44 (65.9%) mosquito species were positive for natural Wolbachia infection according to the PCR results, and two Wolbachia strains co-infected three specimens of Mansonia titillans. Then, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships among the Wolbachia detected. All of the tested specimens of Aedes aegypti, the major dengue vector of French Guiana, were negative. These results regarding Wolbachia strain, distribution, and prevalence in mosquitoes from French Guiana highlight Wolbachia-mosquito associations and pave the way for a future Wolbachia-based strategy for vector control in this Amazonian territory.}, }
@article {pmid39457880, year = {2024}, author = {Kim, B and Lee, YJ and Kwak, D and Seo, MG}, title = {Nationwide Survey of Vector-Borne Diseases in Rodents and Mites in Korea: Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia.}, journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI}, volume = {14}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {39457880}, issn = {2076-2615}, support = {RS-2022-00165704//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT)/ ; }, abstract = {Rodents are reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens, making it essential to study both rodents and their ectoparasites. In 2022 and 2023, we investigated the spatial distribution of rodents and their mites across Korea, focusing on three vector-borne diseases (VBDs): Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia. A total of 835 wild rodents were collected from 16 locations, each consisting of five distinct environmental settings (mountains, waterways, reservoirs, fields, and paddy fields), with 20 traps per setting, totaling 100 Sherman live folding traps per site. Each rodent was identified using a taxonomic key, and post-mortem examinations led to the collection of 7971 mites (498 pools), followed by PCR analysis. Among the rodents, Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 10.3%, Ehrlichia muris in 0.5%, Ehrlichia ruminantium in 0.2%, and Rickettsia raoultii in 2.9%. In mites, A. phagocytophilum was found in 8.8%, E. muris in 0.2%, R. raoultii in 0.2%, R. endosymbiont in 1.6%, and R. australis in 1.2%. This study marks the first detection of E. muris and R. raoultii in Korean rodents and the first global discovery of E. ruminantium in rodents. The detection of multiple pathogens in mites worldwide highlights the importance of continuous VBD monitoring to mitigate public health risks.}, }
@article {pmid39455905, year = {2024}, author = {Aželytė, J and Maitre, A and Abuin-Denis, L and Wu-Chuang, A and Žiegytė, R and Mateos-Hernandez, L and Obregon, D and Palinauskas, V and Cabezas-Cruz, A}, title = {Nested patterns of commensals and endosymbionts in microbial communities of mosquito vectors.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {434}, pmid = {39455905}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {SGCE-RAPPORT No. 0300//Collectivit&#xe9; de Corse/ ; S-MIP-22-52//Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba/ ; ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/physiology ; *Culex/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mosquitoes serve as vectors for numerous pathogens, posing significant health risks to humans and animals. Understanding the complex interactions within mosquito microbiota is crucial for deciphering vector-pathogen dynamics and developing effective disease management strategies. Here, we investigated the nested patterns of Wolbachia endosymbionts and Escherichia-Shigella within the microbiota of laboratory-reared Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. We hypothesized that Wolbachia would exhibit a structured pattern reflective of its co-evolved relationship with both mosquito species, while Escherichia-Shigella would display a more dynamic pattern influenced by environmental factors.<br><br>RESULTS: Our analysis revealed different microbial compositions between the two mosquito species, although some microorganisms were common to both. Network analysis revealed distinct community structures and interaction patterns for these bacteria in the microbiota of each mosquito species. Escherichia-Shigella appeared prominently within major network modules in both mosquito species, particularly in module P4 of Cx. pipiens f. molestus, interacting with 93 nodes, and in module Q3 of Cx. quinquefasciatus, interacting with 161 nodes, sharing 55 nodes across both species. On the other hand, Wolbachia appeared in disparate modules: module P3 in Cx. pipiens f. molestus and a distinct module with a single additional taxon in Cx. quinquefasciatus, showing species-specific interactions and no shared taxa. Through computer simulations, we evaluated how the removal of Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella affects network robustness. In Cx. pipiens f. molestus, removal of Wolbachia led to a decrease in network connectivity, while Escherichia-Shigella removal had a minimal impact. Conversely, in Cx. quinquefasciatus, removal of Escherichia-Shigella resulted in decreased network stability, whereas Wolbachia removal had minimal effect.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our hypothesis, the findings indicate that Wolbachia displays a more dynamic pattern of associations within the microbiota of Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, than Escherichia-Shigella. The differential effects on network robustness upon Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella removal suggest that these bacteria play distinct roles in maintaining community stability within the microbiota of the two mosquito species.}, }
@article {pmid39452360, year = {2024}, author = {Zhu, Y and Wang, X and Wang, S and Song, Z and Du, Y}, title = {No Evidence for Wolbachia Effects on the Thermal Preference of the Invasive Pest Liriomyza huidobrensis.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {39452360}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {BK20231330//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; }, abstract = {Heritable endosymbiont Wolbachia is prevalent among arthropods, serving multiple functions for their hosts. However, the role of Wolbachia in mediating thermal preference selection remains largely unexplored. In this study, we utilized a custom-built thermal gradient to evaluate the thermal preference (Tp) of 1367 individuals of the invasive leaf-miner Liriomyza huidobrensis with or without Wolbachia wLhui from Yunnan and Xinjiang populations. Under meticulously controlled conditions and with a vast sample size, we found no significant difference in the mean Tp between wLhui-infected and uninfected leaf miners from either population when host age and sex were not considered. Furthermore, generalized linear model (GLM) analysis revealed no significant correlation between average Tp and age, sex, or Wolbachia infection, nor interactions among these factors, except in the Xinjiang population, where Tp was strongly associated with host age. Finally, we discuss the ecological implications of these findings and propose future research directions on Wolbachia-mediated host Tp in the leaf miner. Overall, our findings do not provide evidence that Wolbachia significantly affects the thermal preference of L. huidobrensis. Further studies across different systems are needed to investigate the complex interactions between Wolbachia and insect thermal behavior.}, }
@article {pmid39440590, year = {2025}, author = {Li, TP and Xie, JC and Wang, CH and Zhao, LQ and Hao, DJ}, title = {Diffusive Phyllosphere Microbiome Potentially Regulates Harm and Defence Interactions Between Stephanitis nashi and Its Crabapple Host.}, journal = {Plant, cell &amp; environment}, volume = {48}, number = {2}, pages = {1311-1328}, doi = {10.1111/pce.15235}, pmid = {39440590}, issn = {1365-3040}, support = {//This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant/Award Number: Project No. 32301594; Scientific Research Startup Project of Nanjing Forestry University, Grant/Award Numbers: Grant Numbers: 163010320, 163010325, 163010344; Graduate Research and Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province, Grant/Award Number: Project No. KYCX24_1265./ ; }, mesh = {*Microbiota ; Animals ; *Malus/microbiology ; *Plant Leaves/microbiology ; Herbivory ; Symbiosis ; Bacteria/metabolism ; Heteroptera/microbiology/physiology ; }, abstract = {Pear lace bug (Stephanitis nashi) is a significant herbivorous pest, harbouring a diverse microbiome crucial for crabapple (Malus sp.) host adaptation. However, the mutual influence of S. nashi- and plant-associated microbiomes on plant responses to pest damage remains unclear. This study found that S. nashi damage significantly altered bacterial community structure and reduced bacterial evenness in the crabapple phyllosphere. Notably, bacterial diversity within S. nashi was significantly lower than that in the environment, potentially influenced by insect developmental stage, bacterial diffusion stage and endosymbiont species number and abundance. Extensive bacterial correlation and diffusion effect between S. nashi and adjacent plant environments were observed, evident in a gradual decrease in bacterial diversity and an increase in bacterial acquisition ratio from soil to phyllosphere to S. nashi. Correspondingly, S. nashi significantly impacted the metabolic response of crabapple leaves, altering pathways involved in vitamin, amino acid and lipid metabolism and so forth. Furthermore, association analysis linked these metabolic changes to phyllosphere bacterial alterations, emphasizing the important role of diffusive phyllosphere microbiome in regulating S. nashi-crabapple interactions. This study highlights bacterial diffusion effect between insect and plants and their potential role in regulating insect adaptability and plant defence responses, providing new insights into plant-insect-microbiome interactions.}, }
@article {pmid39433918, year = {2025}, author = {Heinen, L and van den Noort, M and King, MS and Kunji, ERS and Poolman, B}, title = {Synthetic syntrophy for adenine nucleotide cross-feeding between metabolically active nanoreactors.}, journal = {Nature nanotechnology}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {112-120}, pmid = {39433918}, issn = {1748-3395}, mesh = {*Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Adenosine Diphosphate/metabolism ; Nanotechnology/methods ; Artificial Cells/metabolism/chemistry ; }, abstract = {Living systems depend on continuous energy input for growth, replication and information processing. Cells use membrane proteins as nanomachines to convert light or chemical energy of nutrients into other forms of energy, such as ion gradients or adenosine triphosphate (ATP). However, engineering sustained fuel supply and metabolic energy conversion in synthetic systems is challenging. Here, inspired by endosymbionts that rely on the host cell for their nutrients, we introduce the concept of cross-feeding to exchange ATP and ADP between lipid-based compartments hundreds of nanometres in size. One population of vesicles enzymatically produces ATP in the mM concentration range and exports it. A second population of vesicles takes up this ATP to fuel internal reactions. The produced ADP feeds back to the first vesicles, and ATP-dependent reactions can be fuelled sustainably for up to at least 24 h. The vesicles are a platform technology to fuel ATP-dependent processes in a sustained fashion, with potential applications in synthetic cells and nanoreactors. Fundamentally, the vesicles enable studying non-equilibrium processes in an energy-controlled environment and promote the development and understanding of constructing life-like metabolic systems on the nanoscale.}, }
@article {pmid39432413, year = {2024}, author = {Marasco, R and Michoud, G and Seferji, KA and Gonella, E and Garuglieri, E and Rolli, E and Alma, A and Mapelli, F and Borin, S and Daffonchio, D and Crotti, E}, title = {Sorlinia euscelidii gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel acetic acid bacterium isolated from the leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).}, journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology}, volume = {74}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {39432413}, issn = {1466-5034}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Fatty Acids/analysis/chemistry ; *DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; *Acetobacteraceae/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Base Composition ; *Bacterial Typing Techniques ; *Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Genome, Bacterial ; Acetic Acid/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Acetic acid bacteria - belonging to the Acetobacteraceae family - are found in the gut of many sugar-feeding insects. In this study, six strains have been isolated from the hemipteran leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus. While they exhibit high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to uncultured members of the Acetobacteraceae family, they could not be unequivocally assigned to any particular type species. Considering the clonality of the six isolates, the EV16P[T] strain was used as a representative of this group of isolates. The genome sequence of EV16P[T] is composed of a 2.388 Mbp chromosome, with a DNA G+C content of 57 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and whole-genome multilocus sequence analysis indicate that EV16P[T] forms a monophyletic clade with the uncultivated endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri, the Candidatus Kirkpatrickella diaphorinae. Such a phylogenetic clade is positioned between those of Asaia-Swaminathania and Kozakia. The genomic distance metrics based on gene and protein sequences support the proposal that EV16P[T] is a new species belonging to a yet-undescribed genus. It is a rod-shaped Gram-stain-negative bacterium, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, showing optimal growth without salt (NaCl) at 30 °C and pH of 6-7. The major quinone is Q10, and the dominant cellular fatty acids (>10%) are C18:l ω7c, C19 : 0 cyclo ω6c, C16 : 0 and C19 : 1 2OH. The polar lipid profile comprises diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine, along with unidentified aminophospholipids, glycophospholipids, aminolipids and lipids. Based on a polyphasic approach, including phylogenetic, phylogenomic, genome relatedness, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterisations, EV16P[T] (= KCTC 8296[T], = DSM 117028[T]) is proposed as a representative of a novel species in a novel genus with the proposed name Sorlinia euscelidii gen. nov., sp. nov., in honour of Prof. Claudia Sorlini, an Italian environmental microbiologist at the University of Milan who inspired the research on microbial diversity, including symbiosis in plants and animals.}, }
@article {pmid39428626, year = {2024}, author = {Mirabedini, Z and Niyyati, M and Mohammad Rahimi, H and Soleimani Jevinani, S and Fatemi, M and Tanhaei, M and Mohebbi, SR and Yadegar, A and Abolghasemi, S and Arab Mazar, Z and Mirjalali, H}, title = {The presence of yeasts and bacteria in free-living amoebae isolated from COVID-19 patients: concern for secondary infections.}, journal = {International journal of environmental health research}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {1-14}, doi = {10.1080/09603123.2024.2409830}, pmid = {39428626}, issn = {1369-1619}, abstract = {This study aimed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2, yeasts, and bacteria in isolated free-living amoeba (FLA) from COVID-19 patients. Nasopharyngeal swabs (n = 60) were obtained from COVID-19 patients. After cultivation, morphological characterization, and RNA/DNA extraction, the presence of selected microorganisms was investigated. From 60 COVID-19 samples, 18 (30%) were positive for FLA. Acanthamoeba sp. Naegleria australiensis, Tetramitus sp. and Vermamoeba vermiformis were characterized in 12 (80%), 1 (6.66%), 2 (13.33%), and 7 (38.88%) of samples, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in FLA. Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis were detected in (11/18; 61.11%), (3/18; 16.67%), and (3/18; 16.67%) of samples, respectively. Geotrichum candidum was detected in 10/18 (55.55%) of samples. Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were identified in 16/18 (88.88%) and 3/18 (16.67%), respectively. The presence of yeasts and bacteria signifies the possible role of FLA in distribution of secondary infections in susceptible patients.}, }
@article {pmid39415218, year = {2024}, author = {Lahrach, Z and Legeay, J and Ahmed, B and Hijri, M}, title = {The composition of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal bacteriome is species dependent.}, journal = {Environmental microbiome}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {77}, pmid = {39415218}, issn = {2524-6372}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: In addition to their role as endosymbionts for plant roots, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) engage in complex interactions with various soil microorganisms, the rhizosphere, and the root endosphere of host plants. They also host diverse prokaryotic groups within their mycelia, contributing to what is termed multipartite symbiosis. In this study, we examined the impact of three AMF species-Rhizophagus irregularis, R. clarus, and R. cerebriforme-combined with microbial bioaugmentation on the diversity and composition of bacterial communities in the mycelia and hyphosphere. Using a microcosm design to separate the influence of host plant roots from AMF mycelia and Illumina MiSeq amplicon sequencing to analyze the bacterial communities.<br><br>RESULTS: Our results revealed that, while AMF identity and microbial bioaugmentation did not affect the structure of bacterial communities in the hyphosphere soil, they significantly altered the communities associated with their mycelia. Although all three AMF species belong to the same genus, with R. irregularis and R. clarus being closely related compared to R. cerebriforme, we observed variations in the bacterial communities associated with their mycelia. Interestingly, the mycelial bacterial community of R. cerebriforme contained 60 bacteriome core taxa exclusive to it, while R. clarus and R. irregularis had 25 and 9 exclusive taxa, respectively.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study suggests that organismal phylogeny influences the bacterial communities associated with AMF mycelia. These findings provide new insights into AMF and bacterial interactions, which are crucial for the successful deployment of AMF inoculants. The taxonomic diversity of AMF inoculants is important for engineering the plant microbiome and enhancing ecosystem services.}, }
@article {pmid39414248, year = {2024}, author = {Hisayama, N and Takeuchi, Y and Furuya, H}, title = {TAXES OF DICYEMIDS (PHYLUM DICYEMIDA).}, journal = {The Journal of parasitology}, volume = {110}, number = {5}, pages = {506-515}, doi = {10.1645/24-39}, pmid = {39414248}, issn = {1937-2345}, mesh = {Animals ; *Chemotaxis ; *Larva ; *Kidney/parasitology ; Phototaxis ; Gills/parasitology ; Urine/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Dicyemids (Phylum Dicyemida) are endosymbionts present in the kidneys of benthic cephalopods. They usually consist of 10 to 40 cells and are characterized by 2 distinct body types: vermiform individuals and infusoriform larvae. Vermiform individuals remain attached to the internal surface of the host's renal appendages, while infusoriform larvae leave the renal sac to search for a new host. To investigate how dicyemids respond to various host and environmental cues, we evaluated phototaxis, chemotaxis, thigmotaxis, and rheotaxis responses of vermiform individuals and infusoriform larvae of 2 dicyemid species in a laboratory setting. Vermiform individuals did not exhibit phototaxis and chemotaxis to the major components of the host: urine, tissue fluids, or extracts of the host gills. However, they showed positive thigmotaxis and positive rheotaxis to slow water flow, probably contributing to enabling attachment to the renal appendages and remaining in the renal sac, respectively. The infusoriform larvae exhibited negative chemotaxis to host blood and negative thigmotaxis, but there was no evidence of phototaxis and rheotaxis. Negative thigmotaxis may facilitate the release of infusoriform embryos from the renal appendages. Negative chemotaxis to the host blood suggests that the infusoriform larvae do not enter through the vascular system to gain access to the renal sac, so the process by which infusoriform larvae enter the cephalopod host is yet to be determined.}, }
@article {pmid39402267, year = {2024}, author = {Kaczmarczyk-Ziemba, A and Wagner, GK and Staniec, B and Zagaja, M and Pietrykowska-Tudruj, E and Iorgu, EI and Iorgu, I&#x15e;}, title = {Intraspecific diversity of Myrmecophilus acervorum (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) indicating an ongoing cryptic speciation.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {23984}, pmid = {39402267}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; *Phylogeny ; *Genetic Variation ; Genetic Speciation ; Male ; Female ; Orthoptera/genetics/classification ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Poland ; Symbiosis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Europe ; Gryllidae ; }, abstract = {Myrmecophilus acervorum, previously considered a parthenogenetic species widely-distributed in Europe, has been observed to have both sexes in populations inhabiting the central part of the distribution range. Specimens from those heterosexual populations have been found being infected with Wolbachia. New mitochondrial data (COI and 16S markers) revealed the well-supported differentiation of M. acervorum populations inhabiting western Polesie (Poland) and southern Europe. In turn, analyses of EF1α marker support the hypothesis on the unfinished lineage sorting at the nuclear DNA level. Interestingly, we found that parthenogenetic populations inhabiting western Polesie are infected with Wolbachia belonging to supergroup A, while endosymbionts occurring in sexual populations of M. acervorum observed in Romania belong to supergroup B. Furthermore, new and potentially diagnostic characteristics in the external structures of the eyes of M. acervorum were identified. The surface of ommatidia in specimens occurring in southern Europe was smooth. In contrast, the ommatidia surface of individuals collected in Poland was visibly sculptured. To sum up, the significant genetic variability found in the present case, and the differentiating morphological character, are almost certainly effects of cryptic species being present within M. acervorum. This is indicative of ongoing speciation within the populations of this insect, and of simultaneous unfinished lineage sorting at the nuclear DNA level.}, }
@article {pmid39397367, year = {2024}, author = {Mahieu, L and González-González, A and Rubio-Meléndez, ME and Moya-Hernández, M and Francis, F and Ramírez, CC}, title = {An Aphid Pest Superclone Benefits From a Facultative Bacterial Endosymbiont in a Host-Dependent Manner, Leading to Reproductive and Proteomic Changes.}, journal = {Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology}, volume = {117}, number = {2}, pages = {e22154}, doi = {10.1002/arch.22154}, pmid = {39397367}, issn = {1520-6327}, support = {//This study was supported by Chilean Iniciativa Cient&#xed;fica Milenio NC120027; Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles (FAME)./ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Triticum/microbiology ; *Reproduction ; *Hordeum/microbiology ; Proteome/metabolism ; Proteomics ; Insect Proteins/metabolism ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Chile ; }, abstract = {The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, is a significant agricultural pest affecting wheat, barley, and oats. In Chile, the most prevalent and persistent clone (superclone) of S. avenae harbors the facultative endosymbiont bacterium Regiella insecticola. To determine the role of this bacterium in the reproductive success of this superclone, the presence of R. insecticola was manipulated to assess its impact on (1) the reproductive performance of this clone on two host plant species (wheat and barley), (2) the production of winged morphs, (3) changes in the insects' proteomic profiles, and (4) the root/shoot ratio of plant. It was found that the reproductive performance of this S. avenae superclone varied across host plants, depending on the presence of the facultative bacterial endosymbiont. Aphids infected with R. insecticola showed higher reproductive success on wheat, while the opposite effect was observed on barley. Aphid biomass was greater when infected with R. insecticola, particularly on barley. Additionally, aphids harboring R. insecticola exhibited a higher proportion of winged individuals on both host plants. Protein regulation in aphids on wheat was lower compared to those on barley. A higher root/shoot biomass ratio was observed in wheat plants compared to barley when infested by R. insecticola-infected aphid. Thus, R. insecticola significantly influences the reproductive performance and proteomic profile of a S. avenae superclone, with these effects shaped by the host plant. This suggests that the interaction between the host plant and the facultative endosymbiont contributes to the ecological success of this superclone.}, }
@article {pmid39386759, year = {2024}, author = {Kumazawa, M and Ifuku, K}, title = {Unraveling the evolutionary trajectory of LHCI in red-lineage algae: Conservation, diversification, and neolocalization.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {27}, number = {10}, pages = {110897}, pmid = {39386759}, issn = {2589-0042}, abstract = {Red algae and the secondary symbiotic algae that engulfed a red alga as an endosymbiont are called red-lineage algae. Several photosystem (PS) I-light-harvesting complex I (LHCI) structures have been reported from red-lineage algae-two red algae Cyanidioschyzon merolae (Cyanidiophyceae) and Porphyridium purpureum (Rhodophytina), a diatom, and a Cryptophyte. Here, we clarified the orthologous relation of LHCIs by combining a detailed phylogenetic analysis and the structural information of PSI-LHCI. We found that the seven Lhcr groups in LHCI are conserved in Rhodophytina; furthermore, during both genome reduction in Cyanidioschyzonales and endosymbiosis leading to Cryptophyta, some LHCIs were lost and replaced by existing or differentiated LHCIs. We denominate "neolocalization" to these examples of flexible reorganization of LHCIs. This study provides insights into the evolutionary process of LHCIs in red-lineage algae and clarifies the need for both molecular phylogeny and structural information to elucidate the plausible evolutionary history of LHCI.}, }
@article {pmid39386366, year = {2024}, author = {Kaur, T and Brown, AMV}, title = {Discovery of a novel Wolbachia in Heterodera expands nematode host distribution.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1446506}, pmid = {39386366}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Bioinformatics sequence data mining can reveal hidden microbial symbionts that might normally be filtered and removed as contaminants. Data mining can be helpful to detect Wolbachia, a widespread bacterial endosymbiont in insects and filarial nematodes whose distribution in plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) remains underexplored. To date, Wolbachia has only been reported a few PPNs, yet nematode-infecting Wolbachia may have been widespread in the evolutionary history of the phylum based on evidence of horizontal gene transfers, suggesting there may be undiscovered Wolbachia infections in PPNs. The goal of this study was to more broadly sample PPN Wolbachia strains in tylenchid nematodes to enable further comparative genomic analyses that may reveal Wolbachia's role and identify targets for biocontrol. Published whole-genome shotgun assemblies and their raw sequence data from 33 Meloidogyne spp. assemblies, seven Globodera spp. assemblies, and seven Heterodera spp. assemblies were analyzed to look for Wolbachia. No Wolbachia was found in Meloidogyne spp. and Globodera spp., but among seven genome assemblies for Heterodera spp., an H. schachtii assembly from the Netherlands was found to have a large Wolbachia-like sequence that, when re-assembled from reads, formed a complete, circular genome. Detailed analyses comparing read coverage, GC content, pseudogenes, and phylogenomic patterns clearly demonstrated that the H. schachtii Wolbachia represented a novel strain (hereafter, denoted wHet). Phylogenomic tree construction with PhyloBayes showed wHet was most closely related to another PPN Wolbachia, wTex, while 16S rRNA gene analysis showed it clustered with other Heterodera Wolbachia assembled from sequence databases. Pseudogenes in wHet suggested relatedness to the PPN clade, as did the lack of significantly enriched GO terms compared to PPN Wolbachia strains. It remains unclear whether the lack of Wolbachia in other published H. schachtii isolates represents the true absence of the endosymbiont from some hosts.}, }
@article {pmid39384161, year = {2024}, author = {Iwai, S}, title = {A simple model and rules for the evolution of microbial mutualistic symbiosis with positive fitness feedbacks.}, journal = {Theoretical population biology}, volume = {160}, number = {}, pages = {14-24}, doi = {10.1016/j.tpb.2024.09.002}, pmid = {39384161}, issn = {1096-0325}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Biological Evolution ; Genetic Fitness ; Models, Biological ; }, abstract = {The evolution of microbe-microbe mutualistic symbiosis is considered to be promoted by repeated exchanges of fitness benefits, which can generate positive fitness feedbacks ('partner fidelity feedback') between species. However, previous evolutionary models for mutualism have not captured feedback dynamics or coupling of fitness between species. Here, a simple population model is developed to understand the evolution of mutualistic symbiosis in which two microbial species (host and symbiont) continuously grow and exchange fitness benefits to generate feedback dynamics but do not strictly control each other. The assumption that individual microbes provide constant amounts of resources, which are equally divided among interacting partner individual, enables us to reveal a simple rule for the evolution of costly mutualism with positive fitness feedbacks: the product of the benefit-to-cost ratios for each species exceeds one. When this condition holds, high cooperative investment levels are favored in both species regardless of the amount invested by each partner. The model is then extended to examine how symbiont mutation, immigration, or switching affects the spread of selfish or cooperative symbionts, which decrease and increase their investment levels, respectively. In particular, when a host associates with numerous symbionts without enforcement, neither mutation nor immigration but rather random switching would allow the spread of cooperative symbionts. Examples using symbiont switching for evolution would include large ciliates hosting numerous intracellular endosymbionts. The simple model and rules would provide a basis for understanding the evolution of microbe-microbe mutualistic symbiosis with positive fitness feedbacks and without enforcement mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid39366749, year = {2024}, author = {Leclerc, L and Mattick, J and Burns, BP and Sassera, D and Hotopp, JD and Lo, N}, title = {Metatranscriptomics provide insights into the role of the symbiont Midichloria mitochondrii in Ixodes ticks.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {100}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {39366749}, issn = {1574-6941}, support = {//The Linnean Society of New South Wales/ ; //University of New South Wales/ ; }, mesh = {*Ixodes/microbiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Transcriptome ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Nymph/microbiology/growth &amp; development/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; }, abstract = {Ticks are important vectors of bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens of humans and animals worldwide. Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii is a highly abundant bacterial endosymbiont found in many tick species, including two medically important ticks respectively found in Europe and Australia, Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes holocyclus. The present study aimed to determine the symbiont's biological role by identifying lateral gene transfer (LGT) events, characterizing the transcriptome, and performing differential expression analyses. Metatranscriptomic data revealed that M. mitochondrii species in I. ricinus and I. holocyclus were equipped with the metabolic potential and were actively transcribing the genes for several important roles including heme, biotin and folate synthesis, oxidative stress response, osmotic regulation, and ATP production in microaerobic conditions. Differential expression analyses additionally showed an upregulation in stringent response and DNA repair genes in M. mitochondrii of I. holocyclus nymphs compared to adults. Low rates of differential expression suggest the symbiont may lack global gene regulation, as observed in other endosymbionts. Moreover, the identification of an LGT event and the proposed specialization of the M. mitochondrii strains, mIxholo1 and mIxholo2, for different I. holocyclus life stages highlight the complex interactions between M. mitochondrii and their tick hosts.}, }
@article {pmid39358981, year = {2024}, author = {Gu, X and Ross, PA and Yang, Q and Gill, A and Umina, PA and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Influence of genetic and environmental factors on the success of endosymbiont transfers in pest aphids.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {10}, pages = {e16704}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16704}, pmid = {39358981}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {UOM1905-002RTX//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; //University of Melbourne/ ; }, mesh = {*Aphids/microbiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; }, abstract = {There is increasing interest in exploring how endosymbionts could be useful in pest control, including in aphids, which can carry a diversity of endosymbionts. Endosymbionts often have a large impact on host traits, and their presence can be self-sustaining. Identifying useful host-endosymbiont combinations for pest control is facilitated by the transfer of specific endosymbionts into target species, particularly if the species lacks the endosymbiont. Here, we complete a comprehensive literature review, which included 56 relevant papers on endosymbiont transfer experiments in aphids, to uncover factors that might influence transfer success. We then report on our own microinjection attempts of diverse facultative endosymbionts from a range of donor species into three agriculturally important aphid species as recipients: the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi), and Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia). Combining this information, we consider reasons that impact the successful establishment of lines carrying transferred endosymbionts. These include a lack of stability in donors, deleterious effects on host fitness, the absence of plant-based (versus vertical) transmission, high genetic variation in the endosymbiont, and susceptibility of an infection to environmental factors. Taking these factors into account should help in increasing success rates in future introductions.}, }
@article {pmid39353088, year = {2025}, author = {Wang, GH and Hoffmann, A and Champer, J}, title = {Gene Drive and Symbiont Technologies for Control of Mosquito-Borne Diseases.}, journal = {Annual review of entomology}, volume = {70}, number = {1}, pages = {229-249}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-ento-012424-011039}, pmid = {39353088}, issn = {1545-4487}, mesh = {Animals ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Symbiosis ; *Gene Drive Technology ; *Culicidae/microbiology ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Vector Borne Diseases/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Mosquito-Borne Diseases ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, pose a significant burden to global health. Current control strategies with insecticides are only moderately effective. Scalable solutions are needed to reduce the transmission risk of these diseases. Symbionts and genome engineering-based mosquito control strategies have been proposed to address these problems. Bacterial, fungal, and viral symbionts affect mosquito reproduction, reduce mosquito lifespan, and block pathogen transmission. Field tests of endosymbiont Wolbachia-based methods have yielded promising results, but there are hurdles to overcome due to the large-scale rearing and accurate sex sorting required for Wolbachia-based suppression approaches and the ecological impediments to Wolbachia invasion in replacement approaches. Genome engineering-based methods, in which mosquitoes are genetically altered for the modification or suppression of wild populations, offer an additional approach for control of mosquito-borne diseases. In particular, the use of gene drive alleles that bias inheritance in their favor is a potentially powerful approach. Several drives are frequency dependent, potentially giving them broadly similar population dynamics to Wolbachia. However, public acceptance and the behavior of released drives in natural mosquito populations remain challenges. We summarize the latest developments and discuss the knowledge gaps in both symbiont- and gene drive-based methods.}, }
@article {pmid39352766, year = {2024}, author = {Ling, X and Gu, X and Shen, Y and Fu, C and Zhou, Y and Yin, Y and Gao, Y and Zhu, Y and Lou, Y and Zheng, M}, title = {Comparative genomic analysis of Acanthamoeba from different sources and horizontal transfer events of antimicrobial resistance genes.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {9}, number = {10}, pages = {e0054824}, pmid = {39352766}, issn = {2379-5042}, mesh = {*Acanthamoeba/genetics/classification/microbiology ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Phylogeny ; Humans ; *Acanthamoeba Keratitis/parasitology/microbiology ; Genomics ; Genome, Protozoan ; Genetic Variation ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; Drug Resistance/genetics ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Acanthamoeba species are among the most common free-living amoeba and ubiquitous protozoa, mainly distributed in water and soil, and cause Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and severe visual impairment in patients. Although several studies have reported genomic characteristics of Acanthamoeba, limited sample sizes and sources have resulted in an incomplete understanding of the genetic diversity of Acanthamoeba from different sources. While endosymbionts exert a significant influence on the phenotypes of Acanthamoeba, including pathogenicity, virulence, and drug resistance, the species diversity and functional characterization remain largely unexplored. Herein, our study sequenced and analyzed the whole genomes of 19 Acanthamoeba pathogenic strains that cause AK, and by integrating publicly available genomes, we sampled 29 Acanthamoeba strains from ocular, environmental, and other sources. Combined pan-genomic and comparative functional analyses revealed genetic differences and evolutionary relationships among the different sources of Acanthamoeba, as well as classification into multiple functional groups, with ocular isolates in particular showing significant differences that may account for differences in pathogenicity. Phylogenetic and rhizome gene mosaic analyses of ocular Acanthamoeba strains suggested that genomic exchanges between Acanthamoeba and endosymbionts, particularly potential antimicrobial resistance genes trafficking including the adeF, amrA, and amrB genes exchange events, potentially contribute to Acanthamoeba drug resistance. In conclusion, this study elucidated the adaptation of Acanthamoeba to different ecological niches and the influence of gene exchange on the evolution of ocular Acanthamoeba genome, guiding the clinical diagnosis and treatment of AK and laying a theoretical groundwork for developing novel therapeutic approaches.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Acanthamoeba causes a serious blinding keratopathy, Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is currently under-recognized by clinicians. In this study, we analyzed 48 strains of Acanthamoeba using a whole-genome approach, revealing differences in pathogenicity and function between strains of different origins. Horizontal transfer events of antimicrobial resistance genes can help provide guidance as potential biomarkers for the treatment of specific Acanthamoeba keratitis cases.}, }
@article {pmid39350697, year = {2025}, author = {Díaz-Hernández, AM and Sepúlveda, DA and González-González, A and Briones, LM and Correa, MCG and Figueroa, CC}, title = {Water deficit and aphid resilience on wheat: examining Sitobion avenae F. and their bacterial symbionts interplay under controlled laboratory conditions.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {81}, number = {1}, pages = {255-265}, doi = {10.1002/ps.8428}, pmid = {39350697}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {1210713//ANID/FONDECYT Regular/ ; ATE230025//ANID/Anillos/ ; 3240368//ANID/FONDECYT Postdoctoral/ ; 220194//ANID/FOVI/ ; }, mesh = {*Aphids/physiology/microbiology ; Animals ; *Triticum/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Droughts ; Water ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Climate change has far-reaching effects on food security and agriculture, affecting crop yields and food distribution. Agriculture relies heavily on water for irrigation and production, making it vulnerable to water scarcity. Additionally, climate change can affect crop pest insects, leading to increased global crop losses, particularly in cereals, an important component of the human diet. Aphids are major crop pests and have a symbiotic relationship with bacterial endosymbionts that can contribute to their success as pests under a climate change scenario. To test the effect of drought on aphids, we examined varying levels of water deficit and endosymbiont composition on the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) performance on wheat under controlled laboratory conditions. We measured the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm), the body weight of adult aphids, and the pre-reproductive period for different genotypes of the grain aphid (including Chilean superclones) under different irrigation regimes. We also analyzed the relative abundance of their endosymbionts under the different water treatments.<br><br>RESULTS: Our findings revealed that water deficit affects each aphid genotype differently, impacting various traits. For instance, the body weight of adult aphids was notably affected by different water treatments, with aphids grown under intermediate water deficit (IW) being significantly bigger. The relative abundance of endosymbionts also varied among genotypes and water treatments-specifically Regiella insecticola had a noticeably higher abundance under IW (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05).<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights into the impact of water deficit on aphid performance and the role of endosymbionts in mitigating the effects of water deficit. &#xa9; 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid39342132, year = {2024}, author = {Mfopit, YM and Bilgo, E and Boma, S and Somda, MB and Gnambani, JE and Konkobo, M and Diabate, A and Dayo, GK and Mamman, M and Kelm, S and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J}, title = {Symbiotic bacteria Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia do not favour Trypanosoma grayi coexistence in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {373}, pmid = {39342132}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {K43 TW012015/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Tsetse Flies/microbiology/parasitology ; *Spiroplasma/isolation &amp; purification/physiology/genetics ; *Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Burkina Faso ; *Trypanosoma/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/physiology ; *Enterobacteriaceae/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/parasitology ; Male ; Female ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tsetse flies, the biological vectors of African trypanosomes, have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria. Their vector competence is suggested to be affected by bacterial endosymbionts. The current study provided the prevalence of three tsetse symbiotic bacteria and trypanosomes in Glossina species from Burkina Faso.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 430 tsetse flies were captured using biconical traps in four different collection sites around Bobo-Dioulasso (Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni), and their guts were removed. Two hundred tsetse were randomly selected and their guts were screened by PCR for the presence of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp., Wolbachia and trypanosomes. Of the 200 tsetse, 196 (98.0%) were Glossina palpalis gambiensis and 4 (2.0%) Glossina tachinoides. The overall symbiont prevalence was 49.0%, 96.5%, and 45.0%, respectively for S. glossinidius, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia. Prevalence varied between sampling locations: S. glossinidius (54.7%, 38.5%, 31.6%, 70.8%); Spiroplasma (100%, 100%, 87.7%, 100%); and Wolbachia (43.4%, 38.5%, 38.6%, 70.8%), respectively in Bama, Bana, Nasso and Peni. Noteworthy, no G. tachnoides was infected by S. glossinidius and Wolbachia, but they were all infected by Spiroplasma sp. A total of 196 (98.0%) harbored at least one endosymbionts. Fifty-five (27.5%) carried single endosymbiont. Trypanosomes were found only in G. p. gambiensis, but not G. tachinoides. Trypanosomes were present in flies from all study locations with an overall prevalence of 29.5%. In Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni, the trypanosome infection rate was respectively 39.6%, 23.1%, 8.8%, and 37.5%. Remarkably, only Trypanosoma grayi was present. Of all trypanosome-infected flies, 55.9%, 98.3%, and 33.9% hosted S. glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia, respectively. There was no association between Sodalis, Spiroplasma and trypanosome presence, but there was a negative association with Wolbachia presence. We reported 1.9 times likelihood of trypanosome absence when Wolbachia was present.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This is the first survey reporting the presence of Trypanosoma grayi in tsetse from Burkina Faso. Tsetse from these localities were highly positive for symbiotic bacteria, more predominantly with Spiroplasma sp. Modifications of symbiotic interactions may pave way for disease control.}, }
@article {pmid39336637, year = {2024}, author = {Alvarez, DL and Hayashida, R and Cavallaro, MC and Santos, DM and Santos, LM and Müller, C and Watanabe, LFM and Bello, VH and Krause-Sakate, R and Hoback, WW and Oliveira, RC}, title = {Susceptibility of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Mediterranean Populations Found in São Paulo, Brazil to 11 Insecticides and Characterization of Their Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {39336637}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {processes number 2018/02317-5, 2019/10736-0 and 2018/19782-2//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo-FAPESP/ ; finance code 001//the Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfei&#xe7;oamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior-Brasil (CAPES/ ; 304126/2019-5//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico-CNPq/ ; }, abstract = {The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a significant agricultural pest worldwide, impacting a variety of crop yields. Since the introduction of B. tabaci Mediterranean (MED) species in Brazil, limited research has measured the relative efficacy of the primary insecticides used in whitefly management. This study evaluated the susceptibility of three distinct B. tabaci MED populations to 11 insecticide active ingredients and characterized the bacterial endosymbionts within each population. The insecticides tested were acetamiprid, bifenthrin, cyantraniliprole, diafenthiuron, spiromesifen, imidacloprid, pymetrozine, pyriproxyfen, sulfoxaflor, and thiamethoxam. Results showed varying LC50 and LC90 values among tested insecticides and populations. Notably, populations varied in response to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam with some populations having a 6× higher tolerance. Sequencing data of endosymbionts revealed that individuals from the most susceptible B. tabaci population harbored Rickettsia and Arsenophonus, whereas these bacteria were not detected in the resistant populations. These findings highlight the need for frequent insecticide toxicity bioassays of distinct B. tabaci populations and the adoption of integrated pest management strategies to preserve the efficacy of insecticides for B. tabaci control. Additionally, the role of infection by endosymbionts to alter susceptibility should be further explored.}, }
@article {pmid39336625, year = {2024}, author = {Kepngop, LRK and Wosula, EN and Amour, M and Ghomsi, PGT and Wakam, LN and Kansci, G and Legg, JP}, title = {Genetic Diversity of Whiteflies Colonizing Crops and Their Associated Endosymbionts in Three Agroecological Zones of Cameroon.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {39336625}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {S/CMR21-10//Arturo Falaschi ICGEB fellowships program/ ; N/A//The CGIAR Trust Fund: https://www.cgiar.org/funders through the CGIAR Initiative on Plant Health and Rapid Response to Protect Food Security and Livelihoods (Plant Health Initiative)./ ; }, abstract = {Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is as a major pest of vegetable crops in Cameroon. These sap-sucking insects are the main vector of many viruses infecting plants, and several cryptic species have developed resistance against insecticides. Nevertheless, there is very little information about whitefly species on vegetable crops and the endosymbionts that infect them in Cameroon. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity of whiteflies and their frequency of infection by endosymbionts in Cameroon. Ninety-two whitefly samples were collected and characterized using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) markers and Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP). The analysis of mtCOI sequences of whiteflies indicated the presence of six cryptic species (mitotypes) of Bemisia tabaci, and two distinct clades of Bemisia afer and Trialeurodes vaporariorum. Bemisia tabaci mitotypes identified included: MED on tomato, pepper, okra, and melon; and SSA1-SG1, SSA1-SG2, SSA1-SG5, SSA3, and SSA4 on cassava. The MED mitotype predominated in all regions on the solanaceous crops, suggesting that MED is probably the main phytovirus vector in Cameroonian vegetable cropping systems. The more diverse cassava-colonizing B. tabaci were split into three haplogroups (SNP-based grouping) including SSA-WA, SSA4, and SSA-ECA using KASP genotyping. This is the first time that SSA-ECA has been reported in Cameroon. This haplogroup is predominant in regions currently affected by the severe cassava mosaic virus disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak virus disease (CBSD) pandemics. Three endosymbionts including Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia were present in female whiteflies tested in this study with varying frequency. Arsenophonus, which has been shown to influence the adaptability of whiteflies, was more frequent in the MED mitotype (75%). Cardinium and Hamiltonella were absent in all whitefly samples. These findings add to the knowledge on the diversity of whiteflies and their associated endosymbionts, which, when combined, influence virus epidemics and responses to whitefly control measures, especially insecticides.}, }
@article {pmid39336620, year = {2024}, author = {Horgan, FG}, title = {Virulence Adaptation by Rice Planthoppers and Leafhoppers to Resistance Genes and Loci: A Review.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {39336620}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {In recent decades, research on developing and deploying resistant rice has accelerated due to the availability of modern molecular tools and, in particular, advances in marker-assisted selection. However, progress in understanding virulence adaptation has been relatively slow. This review tracks patterns in virulence adaptation to resistance genes (particularly Bph1, bph2, Bph3, and bph4) and examines the nature of virulence based on selection experiments, responses by virulent populations to differential rice varieties (i.e., varieties with different resistance genes), and breeding experiments that interpret the genetic mechanisms underlying adaptation. The review proposes that varietal resistance is best regarded as a combination of minor and major resistance traits against which planthoppers develop partial or complete virulence through heritable improvements that are reversable or through evolutionary adaptation, respectively. Agronomic practices, deployment patterns, and herbivore population pressures determine the rates of adaptation, and there is growing evidence that pesticide detoxification mechanisms can accelerate virulence adaptation. Research to delay adaptation has mainly focused on gene pyramiding (i.e., including ≥ two major genes in a variety) and multilines (i.e., including ≥ two resistant varieties in a field or landscape); however, these strategies have not been adequately tested and, if not managed properly, could inadvertently accelerate adaptation compared to sequential deployment. Several research gaps remain and considerable improvements in research methods are required to better understand and manage virulence adaptation.}, }
@article {pmid39336607, year = {2024}, author = {Lilja, T and Lindström, A and Hernández-Triana, LM and Di Luca, M and Lwande, OW}, title = {European Culex pipiens Populations Carry Different Strains of Wolbachia pipientis.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {39336607}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2020-01056//Formas, Sweden/ ; }, abstract = {The mosquito Culex pipiens occurs in two ecotypes differing in their mating and overwintering behavior: pipiens mate in open environments and diapause, and molestus also mate in small spaces and is active throughout the year. Cx. pipiens carry Wolbachia endosymbionts of the wPip strain, but the frequency of infection differs between studied populations. Wolbachia infection affects the host reproductive success through cytoplasmic incompatibility. wPip Wolbachia is divided into five types, wPip I-V. The type of wPip carried varies among Cx. pipiens populations. In northern European locations different wPip types are found in the two ecotypes, whereas in southern locations, they often carry the same type, indicating differences in hybridization between ecotypes. In this study, Cx. pipiens specimens of both ecotypes were collected from Sweden and compared to specimens from Norway, England, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as Cx. quinquefasciatus from Mali and Thailand. The abundance varied, but all specimens were infected by Wolbachia, while the tested specimens of other mosquito species were often uninfected. The wPip strains were determined through the sequence analysis of Wolbachia genes ank2 and pk1, showing that Cx. pipiens ecotypes in Scandinavia carry different wPip strains. The observed differences in wPip strains indicate that hybridization is not frequent and may contribute to barriers against hybridization of the ecotypes in Sweden and Norway.}, }
@article {pmid39331668, year = {2024}, author = {González, CR and Reyes, C and Castillo, A and Valderrama, L and Llanos, L and Fernández, J and Eastwood, G and Cancino-Faure, B}, title = {Molecular evidence of pathogens and endosymbionts in the black horse fly Osca lata (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Southern Chile.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {9}, pages = {e0012525}, pmid = {39331668}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Chile ; *Diptera/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Rickettsia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Trypanosomatina/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Female ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; }, abstract = {Little is known about the role of horse flies in potential pathogen transmission in Chile. This study provides evidence of the molecular detection of microorganisms in southern Chile. In the present study, adult Osca lata horse flies were trapped from Punucapa (39°45'06"S/73°16'08"W, Región de Los Ríos) and Puyehue (40°39'10"S/72°10'57"W, Región de Los Lagos), Chile. Among the 95 samples analyzed by PCR using specific primers, microorganisms were detected in 23.2% (n = 22) of the samples. Rickettsia spp. DNA was detected in 15.8% (n = 15) of the samples, Trypanosomatidae DNA in 5.3% (n = 5) of the samples, and filarial DNA in 2.1% (n = 2) of the samples. This study found that horse flies in the region are capable of carrying a variety of both parasites and endosymbionts. Further research is needed to understand the specific impact of horse flies as mechanical or biological vectors and develop effective control measures to prevent the spread of any microorganisms associated with disease.}, }
@article {pmid39328926, year = {2024}, author = {Duque-Granda, D and Vivero-Gómez, RJ and Junca, H and Cadavid-Restrepo, G and Moreno-Herrera, CX}, title = {Interaction and effects of temperature preference under a controlled environment on the diversity and abundance of the microbiome in Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae).}, journal = {Biotechnology reports (Amsterdam, Netherlands)}, volume = {44}, number = {}, pages = {e00857}, pmid = {39328926}, issn = {2215-017X}, abstract = {Characterization of the temperature effects on the abundance and richness of the microbiota of Lutzomyia longipalpis, insect vector of Leishmania infantum in America, is an aspect of pivotal importance to understand the interactions between temperature, bacteria, and Leishmania infection. We developed and used a customized device with a temperature gradient (21-34 °C) to assess the temperature preferences of wild females of Lu. longipalpis collected in a rural area (Ricaurte, Cundinamarca, Colombia). Each replicate consisted of 50 females exposed to the gradient for an hour. At the end of the exposure time, insects were collected and separated by the temperature ranges selected varying from 21 °C to 34 °C. They were organized in 17 pools from which total DNA extracts were obtained, and samples were subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analyzes. The most abundant phyla across the different temperature ranges were Proteobacteria (17.22-90.73 %), Firmicutes (5.99-77.21 %) and Actinobacteria (1.56-59.85 %). Results also showed an abundance (30 % to 57.36 %) of Pseudomonas (mainly at temperatures of 21-29 °C and 34 °C) that decreased to 6.55 %-13.20 % at temperatures of 31-33 °C, while Bacillus increase its abundance to 67.24 % at 29-33 °C. Serratia also had a greater representation (49.79 %), specifically in sand flies recovered at 25-27 °C. No significant differences were found at α-diversity level when comparing richness using the Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, and Chao1 indices, while β-diversity differences were found using the Bray-Curtis index (F-value of 3.5073, p-value < 0.013, R-squared of 0,4889), especially in the groups of Lu. longipalpis associated at higher temperatures (29-33 °C). It was also possible to detect the presence of endosymbionts such as Spiroplasma and Arsenophonus in the range of 29-33 °C. Rickettsia was only detected in Lu. longipalpis sand flies recovered between 25-27 °C. It was possible to characterize Lu. longipalpis microbiota in response to intraspecific temperature preferences and observe changes in bacterial communities and endosymbionts at different ranges of said environmental variable, which may be important in its vector competence and environmental plasticity to adapt to new climate change scenarios.}, }
@article {pmid39313916, year = {2024}, author = {Zhu, YX and Zhang, YY and Wang, XY and Yin, Y and Du, YZ}, title = {Wolbachia modify host cell metabolite profiles in response to short-term temperature stress.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {16}, number = {5}, pages = {e70013}, pmid = {39313916}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {BK20231330//The Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/metabolism/physiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Stress, Physiological ; *Temperature ; Cell Line ; *Metabolome ; Drosophila/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Diptera/microbiology ; Fatty Acids/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are common heritable endosymbionts that influence many aspects of ecology and evolution in various insects, yet Wolbachia-mediated intracellular metabolic responses to temperature stress have been largely overlooked. Here, we introduced the Wolbachia strain wLhui from the invasive Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) into a Drosophila Schneider 2 cell line (S2) and investigated the metabolite profile of wLhui-infected (S2_wLhui) and uninfected cell lines (S2_wu) under short-term exposure to either high (37°C), moderate (27°C), or low (7 and 17°C) temperatures. We find that Wolbachia infection, temperature stress, and their interactions significantly affect cellular metabolic profiles. Most significantly, when comparing the changes in metabolites between S2_wLhui and S2_wu, glycerophospholipids, amino acids, and fatty acids associated with metabolic pathways, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, and other pathways were significantly accumulated at either low or high temperatures. Our findings suggest Wolbachia-induced cellular physiological responses to short-term temperature stress, which may in turn affect the fitness and adaptive ability of its host as an invasive species.}, }
@article {pmid39310793, year = {2024}, author = {Lečić, S and Wolfe, TM and Ghosh, A and Satar, S and Souza Beraldo, C and Smith, E and Dombroskie, JJ and Jernigan, E and Hood, GR and Schuler, H and Stauffer, C}, title = {Spatially Varying Wolbachia Frequencies Reveal the Invasion Origin of an Agricultural Pest Recently Introduced From Europe to North America.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {17}, number = {9}, pages = {e70016}, pmid = {39310793}, issn = {1752-4571}, abstract = {The introduction of non-native species across the world represents a major global challenge. Retracing invasion origin is an important first step in understanding the invasion process, often requiring detailed sampling within the native range. Insect species frequently host Wolbachia, a widespread endosymbiotic bacterium that manipulates host reproduction to increase infected female fitness. Here, we draw on the spatial variation in infection frequencies of an actively spreading Wolbachia strain wCer2 to investigate the invasion origin of the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi. This pest of cherries was introduced from Europe to North America within the last decade. First, we screen the introduced fly population for the presence of Wolbachia. The introduced populations lack the wCer2 strain and the strongly associated mitochondrial haplotype, suggesting strain absence due to founder effects with invading individuals originating from wCer2-uninfected native population(s). To narrow down geographic regions of invasion origin, we perform spatial interpolation of the wCer2 infection frequency across the native range and predict the infection frequency in unsampled regions. For this, we use an extensive dataset of R. cerasi infection covering 238 populations across Europe over 25 years, complemented with 14 additional populations analyzed for this study. We find that R. cerasi was unlikely introduced from wCer2-infected populations in Central and Western Europe. We propose wCer2-uninfected populations from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region as the most likely candidates for the invasion origin. This work utilizes Wolbachia as an indirect instrument to provide insights into the invasion source of R. cerasi in North America, revealing yet another application for this multifaceted heritable endosymbiont. Given the prevalence of biological invasions, rapidly uncovering invasion origins gives fundamental insights into how invasive species adapt to new environments.}, }
@article {pmid39291985, year = {2024}, author = {Noda, T and Mizutani, M and Harumoto, T and Katsuno, T and Koga, R and Fukatsu, T}, title = {Frequent and asymmetric cell division in endosymbiotic bacteria of cockroaches.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {90}, number = {10}, pages = {e0146624}, pmid = {39291985}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {JPMJER1902//MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)/ ; JPMJER1902//MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)/ ; JPMJER1902//MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)/ ; JP24H02294//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP24K08935//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP22KJ1191//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP21J20814//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP22KJ3181//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP22J00711//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Cockroaches/microbiology ; Asymmetric Cell Division/physiology ; Blattellidae/microbiology/physiology ; Cell Division ; Buchnera/genetics/physiology ; }, abstract = {Many insects are obligatorily associated with and dependent on specific microbial species as essential mutualistic partners. In the host insects, such microbial mutualists are usually maintained in specialized cells or organs, called bacteriocytes or symbiotic organs. Hence, potentially exponential microbial growth cannot be realized but must be strongly constrained by spatial and resource limitations within the host cells or tissues. How such endosymbiotic bacteria grow, divide, and proliferate is important for understanding the interactions and dynamics underpinning intimate host-microbe symbiotic associations. Here we report that Blattabacterium, the ancient and essential endosymbiont of cockroaches, exhibits unexpectedly high rates of cell division (20%-58%) and, in addition, the cell division is asymmetric (average asymmetry index >1.5) when isolated from the German cockroach Blattella germanica. The asymmetric division of endosymbiont cells at high frequencies was observed irrespective of host tissues (fat bodies vs ovaries) or developmental stages (adults vs nymphs vs embryos) of B. germanica, and also observed in several different cockroach species. By contrast, such asymmetric and frequent cell division was observed neither in Buchnera, the obligatory bacterial endosymbiont of aphids, nor in Pantoea, the obligatory bacterial gut symbiont of stinkbugs. Comparative genomics of cell division-related genes uncovered that the Blattabacterium genome lacks the Min system genes that determine the cell division plane, which may be relevant to asymmetric cell division. These observations combined with comparative symbiont genomics provide insight into what processes and regulations may underpin the growth, division, and proliferation of such bacterial mutualists continuously constrained under within-host conditions.IMPORTANCEDiverse insects are dependent on specific bacterial mutualists for their survival and reproduction. Due to the long-lasting coevolutionary history, such symbiotic bacteria tend to exhibit degenerative genomes and suffer uncultivability. Because of their microbiological fastidiousness, the cell division patterns of such uncultivable symbiotic bacteria have been poorly described. Here, using fine microscopic and quantitative morphometric approaches, we report that, although bacterial cell division usually proceeds through symmetric binary fission, Blattabacterium, the ancient and essential endosymbiont of cockroaches, exhibits frequent and asymmetric cell division. Such peculiar cell division patterns were not observed with other uncultivable essential symbiotic bacteria of aphids and stinkbugs. Gene repertoire analysis revealed that the molecular machinery for regulating the bacterial cell division plane are lost in the Blattabacterium genome, suggesting the possibility that the general trend toward the reductive genome evolution of symbiotic bacteria may underpin their bizarre cytological/morphological traits.}, }
@article {pmid39283914, year = {2024}, author = {Gifford, I and Suárez, GA and Barrick, JE}, title = {Evolution recovers the fitness of Acinetobacter baylyi strains with large deletions through mutations in deletion-specific targets and global post-transcriptional regulators.}, journal = {PLoS genetics}, volume = {20}, number = {9}, pages = {e1011306}, pmid = {39283914}, issn = {1553-7404}, mesh = {*Acinetobacter/genetics ; *Genetic Fitness ; Genome, Bacterial ; Evolution, Molecular ; Sequence Deletion ; Mutation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Organelles and endosymbionts have naturally evolved dramatically reduced genome sizes compared to their free-living ancestors. Synthetic biologists have purposefully engineered streamlined microbial genomes to create more efficient cellular chassis and define the minimal components of cellular life. During natural or engineered genome streamlining, deletion of many non-essential genes in combination often reduces bacterial fitness for idiosyncratic or unknown reasons. We investigated how and to what extent laboratory evolution could overcome these defects in six variants of the transposon-free Acinetobacter baylyi strain ADP1-ISx that each had a deletion of a different 22- to 42-kilobase region and two strains with larger deletions of 70 and 293 kilobases. We evolved replicate populations of ADP1-ISx and each deletion strain for ~300 generations in a chemically defined minimal medium or a complex medium and sequenced the genomes of endpoint clonal isolates. Fitness increased in all cases that were examined except for two ancestors that each failed to improve in one of the two environments. Mutations affecting nine protein-coding genes and two small RNAs were significantly associated with one of the two environments or with certain deletion ancestors. The global post-transcriptional regulators rnd (ribonuclease D), csrA (RNA-binding carbon storage regulator), and hfq (RNA-binding protein and chaperone) were frequently mutated across all strains, though the incidence and effects of these mutations on gene function and bacterial fitness varied with the ancestral deletion and evolution environment. Mutations in this regulatory network likely compensate for how an earlier deletion of a transposon in the ADP1-ISx ancestor of all the deletion strains restored csrA function. More generally, our results demonstrate that fitness lost during genome streamlining can usually be regained rapidly through laboratory evolution and that recovery tends to occur through a combination of deletion-specific compensation and global regulatory adjustments.}, }
@article {pmid39275847, year = {2024}, author = {MacDonald, ZG and Schoville, S and Escalona, M and Marimuthu, MPA and Nguyen, O and Chumchim, N and Fairbairn, CW and Seligmann, W and Toffelmier, E and Gillespie, T and Shaffer, HB}, title = {A genome assembly for the Chryxus Arctic (Oeneis chryxus), the highest butterfly in North America.}, journal = {The Journal of heredity}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jhered/esae051}, pmid = {39275847}, issn = {1465-7333}, abstract = {We describe a highly contiguous and complete diploid genome assembly for the Chryxus Arctic, Oeneis chryxus (E. Doubleday, [1849]), a butterfly species complex spanning much of northern and western North America. One subspecies, the Ivallda Arctic (O. c. ivallda), is endemic to California's Sierra Nevada and of particular biogeographic interest and conservation concern. Extreme alpine habitats occupied by this subspecies include the summit of Mt. Whitney, California, representing the highest elevation butterfly population in North America. The assembly presented here consists of two haplotypes, 738.92 and 770.85 Mb in length, with contig N50 values of 10.49 and 10.13 Mb, scaffold N50 values of 25.35 and 25.69 Mb, scaffold L50 values of 13 and 14, and BUSCO completeness scores of 96.5 and 98.3%, respectively. More than 97% of the assembly is organized into 29 scaffolds, which likely represent whole chromosomes. This assembly is the first major genomic resource for Oeneis, providing a foundational reference for future genomic studies on the taxonomy, evolutionary history, and conservation of the genus. As part of the California Conservation Genomics Project, we will use this assembly in conjunction with short-read resequencing to resolve patterns of evolutionary differentiation, adaptive genomic variation, and gene flow among remaining O. c. ivallda populations. These data can and will be used to inform the subspecies' conservation as warming climatic conditions continue to lead to the loss and fragmentation of alpine habitats. We also provide genome assemblies for the O. chryxus mitochondrion and a Wolbachia endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid39270964, year = {2024}, author = {Giannotta, MM and Smith, I and Michie, M and Blasdell, K and Dunn, M and Nicholls, J and Heath, ACG and Rodriguez, J and Gofton, AW}, title = {Molecular characterisation of Australasian Ixodiphagus (Hymenoptera; Encyrtidae; Encyrtinae) reveals unexpected diversity and a potential novel host switch.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology}, volume = {54}, number = {14}, pages = {743-753}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.09.001}, pmid = {39270964}, issn = {1879-0135}, mesh = {Animals ; Australia ; *Phylogeny ; Wasps/genetics/classification ; Host Specificity ; New Zealand ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Genetic Variation ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Female ; Rhipicephalus/parasitology/genetics ; Male ; }, abstract = {Ticks are important medical and veterinary parasites that represent a substantial health threat to humans, companion animals, and livestock. Ixodiphagus wasps (Hymenoptera; Encyrtidae) are known endoparasitoids of ixodid (hard) and argasid (soft) ticks, with potential utility as natural biocontrol agents. Two species, Ixodiphagus brunneus and Ixodiphagus mysorensis, are previously recorded from Australia, however, the genus lacks formal revisionary work in Australia, and the validity and host ranges of these species remain uncertain. This work aimed to investigate the diversity of Ixodiphagus in Australasia and provide a molecular data resource for future work on these understudied endoparasitoids. We extracted DNA from archival Ixodiphagus specimens from Australian and New Zealand insect collections and performed high-throughput sequencing which resulted in complete or mostly complete mitochondrial genome sequences from 11 specimens, including I. brunneus, Ixodiphagus taiaroaensis, and a novel Ixodiphagus sp. reared from Rhipicephalus linnaei from Townsville, Australia. In addition, approximately 70% of the genome of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of I. brunneus was recovered. Finally, we screened 178 recently collected pooled tick samples from southern New South Wales, Australia, for Ixodiphagus spp. using 28S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(COI) gene PCR, and recovered 14 positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis of Australasian Ixodiphagus spp. based on 28S rRNA and complete mitochondrial genome sequences determined that members of the Australasian fauna are distinct from Ixodiphagus hookeri (the only other Ixodiphagus species for which genetic data exists), and that at least two distinct species are present in Australia; I. brunneus identified from Ixodes holocyclus and Haemaphysalis bancrofti ticks, and an uncharacterised Ixodiphagus sp. found in Rhipicephalus linnaei ticks from northern Queensland. Furthermore, there was substantial genetic diversity at the 28S rRNA loci among I. brunneus samples, which may represent normal genetic variability or a secondary cryptic species. The molecular data generated here represents the first known for the genus Ixodiphagus in Australasia, doubling that of the world fauna, and provides the first known complete mitochondrial genomes for these important tick parasitoids.}, }
@article {pmid39270602, year = {2024}, author = {González, MA and Ruiz-Arrondo, I and Magallanes, S and Oboňa, J and Ruiz-López, MJ and Figuerola, J}, title = {Molecular and morphological analysis revealed a new Lipoptena species (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in southern Spain harbouring Coxiella burnetii and bacterial endosymbionts.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {332}, number = {}, pages = {110300}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110300}, pmid = {39270602}, issn = {1873-2550}, mesh = {Animals ; Spain/epidemiology ; *Diptera/microbiology ; Female ; Male ; *Coxiella burnetii/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Symbiosis ; Phylogeny ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; }, abstract = {Hippoboscid flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) are obligate bloodsucking ectoparasites of animals. In Europe, limited research has been conducted on this family until the recent introduction of the deer ked Lipoptena fortisetosa Maa, 1965. A new species of the genus Lipoptena, Lipoptena andaluciensis sp. nov., was found in southern Spain after extensive sampling with carbon-dioxide baited suction traps. A total of 52 females and 32 males were collected at 29 out of 476 sites examined over eight months in 2023. Lipoptena andaluciensis sp. nov. was characterized morphologically and molecularly. The new Lipoptena species can be differentiated from the closely related L. fortisetosa by size, chaetotaxy of the dorsal and ventral thorax, abdominal plates, and genitalia. Based on DNA-barcoding, our specimens showed the highest similarity with Melophagus ovinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (88.4 %) and with L. fortisetosa (86-88 %). Individual screening of Lipoptena specimens (n = 76) for seven important zoonotic pathogens such as bacteria (Anaplasmataceae family: Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp.) and protozoans (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) by conventional PCR and RT-PCR was performed. DNA of C. burnetii was detected in one specimen, while two other specimens harboured Anaplasmataceae (Wolbachia spp., 100 % homology and another endosymbiont probably related to Arsenophonus sp., 95.3 % homology, respectively), all representing the first records of these bacteria in the Lipoptena spp. from Europe. Carbon dioxide traps probed its effectiveness as a reliable passive method for keds surveillance. Our study highlights the existence of a new Lipoptena species, presumably widely distributed in southern Spain. The role of this species in the transmission cycle of pathogens of medical-veterinary relevance needs to be considered in the area.}, }
@article {pmid39266798, year = {2024}, author = {Kang, SF and Chen, Y and Chen, J}, title = {Wolbachia of phylogenetic supergroup K identified in oribatid mite Nothrus anauniensis (Acari: Oribatida: Nothridae).}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {93}, number = {4}, pages = {803-815}, pmid = {39266798}, issn = {1572-9702}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; *Phylogeny ; *Mites/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Male ; Female ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; }, abstract = {Heritable endosymbionts widely occur in arthropod and nematode hosts. Among these endosymbionts, Wolbachia has been extensively detected in many arthropods, such as insects and crustaceans. Maternal inheritance is the most basic and dominant mode of transmission of Wolbachia, and it might regulate the reproductive system of the host in four ways: feminization, parthenogenesis, male killing, and cytoplasmic incompatibility. There is a relatively high percentage (10%) of thelytokous species in Oribatida, a suborder under the subclass Acari of arthropods, but the study of the endosymbionts in oribatid mites is almost negligible. In this paper, we detected endosymbiotic bacteria in two parthenogenetic oribatid species, Nothrus anauniensis Canestrini and Fanzago, 1877, which has never been tested for endosymbionts, and Oppiella nova, in which Wolbachia and Cardinium have been reported before. The results showed that Wolbachia was first found in N. anauniensis with an infection rate of 100% across three populations. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Wolbachia in N. anauniensis belonged to the supergroup K, marking the second supergroup of Wolbachia found in oribatid mites. Unlike previous studies, our study did not detect Wolbachia in O. nova, leading to the exclusion of Wolbachia's role in mediating thelytoky in this species.}, }
@article {pmid39264945, year = {2024}, author = {Zang, C and Wang, X and Liu, Y and Wang, H and Sun, Q and Cheng, P and Zhang, Y and Gong, M and Liu, H}, title = {Wolbachia and mosquitoes: Exploring transmission modes and coevolutionary dynamics in Shandong Province, China.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {9}, pages = {e0011944}, pmid = {39264945}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Culex/microbiology/virology/physiology ; China ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Female ; Vector Borne Diseases/transmission ; Biological Coevolution ; Male ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne diseases leave a large footprint on global health. Notable culprits include West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), all transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. Chemical insecticides have been widely used to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Still, mosquitoes are becoming more and more resistant to most chemical insecticides which cause particular harm to the ecology. Wolbachia belongs to the family Ehrlichiaceae in the order Rickettsiales and is a matrilineally inherited endosymbiont present in 60% of insects in nature. Wolbachia is capable of inducing a wide range of reproductive abnormalities in its hosts, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, and can alter mosquito resistance to pathogen infection. Wolbachia has been proposed as a biological alternative to chemical vector control, and specific research progress and effectiveness have been achieved. Despite the importance of Wolbachia, this strategy has not been tested in Culex pipiens pallens, the most prevalent mosquito species in Shandong Province, China. Little is known about how the mass release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes may impact the genetic structure of Culex pipiens pallens, and how the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia interacts with mitochondria during host mosquito transmission. Based on the population genetic structure of Culex pipiens pallens in Shandong Province, this study investigated the infection rate and infection type of Wolbachia in Shandong Province and jointly analysed the evolutionary relationship between the host mosquito and the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia. Our study showed that Wolbachia naturally infected by Culex pipiens pallens in Shandong Province was less homologous to Wolbachia infected by Aedes albopictus released from mosquito factory in Guangzhou. Our results also show that Culex pipiens pallens is undergoing demographic expansion in Shandong Province. The overall Wolbachia infection rate of Culex pipiens pallens was 92.8%, and a total of 15 WSP haplotypes were detected. We found that the genetic diversity of Wolbachia was low in Culex pipiens pallens from Shandong Province, and the mosquitoes were infected only with type B Wolbachia. Visualizing the relationship between Culex pipiens pallens and Wolbachia using a tanglegram revealed patterns of widespread associations. A specific coevolutionary relationship exists between the host mosquito and Wolbachia. Knowledge of this mosquito-Wolbachia relationship will provide essential scientific information required for Wolbachia-based vector control approaches in Shandong Province and will lead to a better understanding of the diversity and evolution of Wolbachia for its utility as a biocontrol agent.}, }
@article {pmid39264544, year = {2024}, author = {Wannassi, T and Sayadi, A and Abbes, K and Djebbi, S and Naccache, C and Khemakhem, MM and Chermiti, B}, title = {Prevalence of Wolbachia infection in field natural population of the apricot seed wasp Eurytoma samsonowi (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae).}, journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39264544}, issn = {1618-1905}, abstract = {Obligate endosymbiont bacteria associated with insects are naturally providing their hosts with essential nutrients such as vitamins and amino acids and biological services including protection from pathogens. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of Wolbachia infection among males and females of the parasitic apricot seed wasp (ASW) Eurytoma samsonowi Vassiliev (Vassiliev Petrograd 11: 1-15, 1915) (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a very harmful pest of apricot (Prunus armeniaca), in the oasis of Gafsa, Southern-West of Tunisia. The detection of Wolbachia infection was assessed based on the amplification of the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene and a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) as a universal genotyping tool for Wolbachia involving the analyses of genes gatB, coxA, hcpA, fbpA, and ftsz. Confirming the screening results, Wolbachia was detected in the natural apricot wasp for the first time, with a significant difference between males (5%) and females (59%) based on wsp gene. All Wolbachia strains identified in E. samsonowi were clustered among supergroups B of Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid39263696, year = {2024}, author = {Nag, M and Pallavi, J and Chakraborty, S and Roychoudhury, T and Mondal, S and Ghosh, A and Saha, C and Banerjee, M and Seal, A}, title = {Bacterial endosymbionts of a nitrogen-fixing yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1 - insights into a yet unknown micro-ecosystem.}, journal = {Molecular omics}, volume = {20}, number = {10}, pages = {630-641}, doi = {10.1039/d3mo00273j}, pmid = {39263696}, issn = {2515-4184}, mesh = {*Rhodotorula/genetics/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; *Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; *Nitrogen/metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Metagenomics/methods ; Bacteria/metabolism/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Bacillus/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1 is a yeast strain capable of fixing nitrogen and improving nitrogen nutrition in rice plants because of its nitrogen-fixing endobacteria, namely Stutzerimonas (Pseudomonas) stutzeri and Bradyrhizobium sp. To gain a deeper understanding of yeast endosymbionts, we conducted a whole-genome shotgun metagenomic analysis of JGTA-S1 cells grown under conditions of nitrogen sufficiency and deficiency. Our results showed that the endosymbiont population varied depending on the nitrogen regime. Upon mechanical disruption of yeast cells, we obtained endosymbionts in culturable form viz. Bacillus velezensis and Staphylococcus sp. under nitrogen-replete conditions and Lysinibacillus telephonicus., Brevibacillus sp., and Niallia circulans under nitrogen-depleted conditions. S. stutzeri and Bradyrhizobium sp. the previously reported endosymbionts remained unculturable. The culturable endosymbionts Staphylococcus sp. and Bacillus velezensis appear to possess genes for dissimilatory nitrate reduction (DNRA), an alternative pathway for ammonia synthesis. However, our findings suggest that these endosymbionts are facultative as they survive outside the host. The fitness of the yeast was not affected by curing of these microbes. Curing the yeast diazotrophic endosymbionts took a toll on its fitness. Our results also showed that the populations of S. stutzeri and B. velezensis increased significantly under nitrogen-depleted conditions compared to nitrogen-sufficient conditions. The importance of DNRA and nitrogen fixation is also reflected in the metagenomic reads of JGTA-S1.}, }
@article {pmid39261613, year = {2024}, author = {Vosseberg, J and van Hooff, JJE and Köstlbacher, S and Panagiotou, K and Tamarit, D and Ettema, TJG}, title = {The emerging view on the origin and early evolution of eukaryotic cells.}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {633}, number = {8029}, pages = {295-305}, pmid = {39261613}, issn = {1476-4687}, mesh = {Animals ; Archaea/classification/cytology ; Bacteria/classification/cytology/metabolism ; *Biological Evolution ; *Eukaryota/classification/cytology/metabolism ; *Eukaryotic Cells/cytology/metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Prokaryotic Cells/cytology/metabolism/classification ; *Symbiosis ; *Models, Biological ; }, abstract = {The origin of the eukaryotic cell, with its compartmentalized nature and generally large size compared with bacterial and archaeal cells, represents a cornerstone event in the evolution of complex life on Earth. In a process referred to as eukaryogenesis, the eukaryotic cell is believed to have evolved between approximately 1.8 and 2.7 billion years ago from its archaeal ancestors, with a symbiosis with a bacterial (proto-mitochondrial) partner being a key event. In the tree of life, the branch separating the first from the last common ancestor of all eukaryotes is long and lacks evolutionary intermediates. As a result, the timing and driving forces of the emergence of complex eukaryotic features remain poorly understood. During the past decade, environmental and comparative genomic studies have revealed vital details about the identity and nature of the host cell and the proto-mitochondrial endosymbiont, enabling a critical reappraisal of hypotheses underlying the symbiotic origin of the eukaryotic cell. Here we outline our current understanding of the key players and events underlying the emergence of cellular complexity during the prokaryote-to-eukaryote transition and discuss potential avenues of future research that might provide new insights into the enigmatic origin of the eukaryotic cell.}, }
@article {pmid39258303, year = {2024}, author = {Silva, NNP and Carvalho, VR and Silva, CB and Bomfim, JPA and Ramos, GS and Oliveira, RC}, title = {First report of the association between Wolbachia and Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): effect on life history parameters of the parasitoid.}, journal = {Bulletin of entomological research}, volume = {114}, number = {4}, pages = {543-550}, doi = {10.1017/S0007485324000361}, pmid = {39258303}, issn = {1475-2670}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; *Wasps/physiology/microbiology ; Female ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; Larva/microbiology/growth &amp; development/parasitology ; Life History Traits ; Moths/parasitology/microbiology ; }, abstract = {The symbiosis between microorganisms and host arthropods can cause biological, physiological, and reproductive changes in the host population. The present study aimed to survey facultative symbionts of the genera Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Rickettsia, and Nosema in Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in the laboratory and evaluate the influence of infection on the fitness of these hosts. For this purpose, 16S rDNA primers were used to detect these facultative symbionts in the host species, and the hosts' biological and morphological features were evaluated for changes resulting from the infection caused by these microorganisms. The bacterial symbionts studied herein were not detected in the D. saccharalis samples analysed, but the endosymbiont Wolbachia was detected in C. flavipes and altered the biological and morphological aspects of this parasitoid insect. The results of this study may help to elucidate the role of Wolbachia in maintaining the quality of populations/lineages of C. flavipes.}, }
@article {pmid39257987, year = {2024}, author = {Mfopit, YM and Bilgo, E and Boma, S and Somda, MB and Gnambani, JE and Konkobo, M and Diabate, A and Dayo, GK and Mamman, M and Kelm, S and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J}, title = {Symbiotic bacteria Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia do not favour Trypanosoma grayi coexistence in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.}, journal = {Research square}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39257987}, issn = {2693-5015}, support = {K43 TW012015/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tsetse flies, the biological vectors of African trypanosomes, have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria. Their vector competence is suggested to be affected by bacterial endosymbionts. The current study provided the prevalence of three tsetse symbiotic bacteria and trypanosomes in Glossina species from Burkina Faso.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 430 tsetse flies were captured using biconical traps in four different collection sites around Bobo-Dioulasso (Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni), and their guts were removed. Two hundred tsetse were randomly selected and their guts were screened byPCR for the presence of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasmasp., Wolbachia and trypanosomes. Of the 200 tsetse, 196 (98.0%) were Glossina palpalis gambienseand 4 (2.0%) Glossina tachinoides. The overall symbiont prevalence was 49.0%, 96.5%, and 45.0%, respectively for S. glossinidius, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia. Prevalence varied between sampling locations: S. glossinidius(54.7%, 38.5%, 31.6%, 70.8%); Spiroplasma (100%, 100%, 87.7%, 100%); and Wolbachia(43.4%, 38.5%, 38.6%, 70.8%),respectively in Bama, Bana, Nasso and Peni. Noteworthy, no G. tachhnoideswas infected by S. glossinidius and Wolbachia, but they were all infected by Spiroplasma sp. A total of 196 (98.0 %) harbored at least one endosymbionts. Fifty-five (27.5%) carried single endosymbiont. Trypanosomes were found only in G.p. gambiense, but not G. tachinoides. Trypanosomes were present in flies from all study locations with an overall prevalence of 29.5%. In Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni, the trypanosome infection rate was respectively 39.6%, 23.1%, 8.8%, and 37.5%. Remarkably, only Trypanosoma grayi was present. Of all trypanosome-infected flies, 55.9%, 98.3%, and 33.9% hosted S. glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia, respectively. There was no association between Sodalis, Spiroplasma and trypanosome presence, but there was a negative association with Wolbachia presence. We reported1.9 times likelihood of trypanosome absence when Wolbachia was present.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This is the first survey reporting the presence of Trypanosoma grayi in tsetse from Burkina Faso. Tsetse from these localities were highly positive for symbiotic bacteria, more predominantly with Spiroplasma sp. Modifications of symbiotic interactions may pave way for disease control.}, }
@article {pmid39253751, year = {2024}, author = {Proctor, JD and Mackevicius-Dubickaja, V and Gottlieb, Y and White, JA}, title = {Warm temperature inhibits cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by endosymbiotic Rickettsiella in spider hosts.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {9}, pages = {e16697}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16697}, pmid = {39253751}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; Hatch # 1020740//U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; 1953223//National Science Foundation/ ; 201697//United States - Israel Binational Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Spiders/microbiology ; Female ; *Symbiosis ; Male ; *Hot Temperature ; Cytoplasm/microbiology ; Coxiellaceae/genetics ; Reproduction ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts manipulate reproduction in arthropods to increase their prevalence in the host population. One such manipulation is cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), wherein the bacteria sabotage sperm in infected males to reduce the hatch rate when mated with uninfected females, but zygotes are 'rescued' when that male mates with an infected female. In the spider Mermessus fradeorum (Linyphiidae), Rickettsiella symbionts cause variable levels of CI. We hypothesised that temperature affects the strength of CI and its rescue in M. fradeorum, potentially mediated by bacterial titre. We reared Rickettsiella-infected spiders in two temperature conditions (26°C vs. 20°C) and tested CI induction in males and rescue in females. In incompatible crosses between infected males and uninfected females, the hatch rate from warm males was doubled (mean ± standard error = 0.687 ± 0.052) relative to cool males (0.348 ± 0.046), indicating that CI induction is weaker in warm males. In rescue crosses between infected females and infected males, female rearing temperature had a marginal effect on CI rescue, but the hatch rate remained high for both warm (0.960 ± 0.023) and cool females (0.994 ± 0.004). Bacterial titre, as measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, was lower in warm than cool spiders, particularly in females, suggesting that bacterial titre may play a role in causing the temperature-mediated changes in CI.}, }
@article {pmid39253440, year = {2025}, author = {Frail, S and Steele-Ogus, M and Doenier, J and Moulin, SLY and Braukmann, T and Xu, S and Yeh, E}, title = {Genomes of nitrogen-fixing eukaryotes reveal a non-canonical model of organellogenesis.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39253440}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {S10 OD030441/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI007328/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 GM007276/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic gene transfer and import of host-encoded proteins are considered hallmarks of organelles necessary for stable integration of two cells. However, newer endosymbiotic models have challenged the origin and timing of such genetic integration during organellogenesis. Epithemia diatoms contain diazoplasts, obligate endosymbionts that are closely related to recently-described nitrogen-fixing organelles and share similar function as integral cell compartments. We report genomic analyses of two species which are highly divergent but share a common ancestor at the origin of the endosymbiosis. We found minimal evidence of genetic integration in E.clementina: nonfunctional diazoplast-to-nucleus DNA transfers and 6 host-encoded proteins of unknown function in the diazoplast proteome, far fewer than detected in other recently-acquired endosymbionts designated organelles. Epithemia diazoplasts are a valuable counterpoint to existing organellogenesis models, demonstrating that endosymbionts can function as integral compartments absent significant genetic integration. The minimal genetic integration makes diazoplasts valuable blueprints for bioengineering endosymbiotic compartments de novo.}, }
@article {pmid39252957, year = {2024}, author = {Siehl, R and Vyhnal, K and Goffredi, SK}, title = {Friendly fungi: Tropical insect families form partnerships with intracellular fungi related to pathogens.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {27}, number = {9}, pages = {110674}, pmid = {39252957}, issn = {2589-0042}, abstract = {Sap-sucking insects fail to obtain vitamins, amino acids, and sterols from their plant diet. To compensate, obligate intracellular bacterial symbionts (usually Sulcia and Vidania) provide these missing nutrients. Notably, some planthoppers within the Fulgoromorpha (suborder Auchenorrhyncha) associate with intracellular fungi, which either accompany or replace the anciently associated bacterial partners. Planthopper-symbiont surveys, however, have only been conducted in limited temperate regions, thus necessitating examination of these relationships in the tropics, where insect and fungal diversity is high. Here, five tropical planthopper families host yeast-like endosymbionts related to the parasitic genus Ophiocordyceps. Fungal endosymbiont identity generally corresponded to host family, suggesting possible coevolution. Vertical transmission to offspring was supported by the occurrence of fungal cells in developing eggs. This serves as the most comprehensive tropical planthopper-symbiont survey to date, doubling the roster of known Fulgoromorpha species that host intracellular fungi and further elucidating the remarkable success of this diverse insect group.}, }
@article {pmid39248324, year = {2024}, author = {Cash, EI and Escalona, M and Ward, PS and Sahasrabudhe, R and Miller, C and Toffelmier, E and Fairbairn, C and Seligmann, W and Shaffer, HB and Tsutsui, ND}, title = {"The Reference Genome Of The Kidnapper Ant, Polyergus Mexicanus".}, journal = {The Journal of heredity}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/jhered/esae047}, pmid = {39248324}, issn = {1465-7333}, abstract = {Polyergus kidnapper ants are widely distributed, but relatively uncommon, throughout the Holarctic, spanning an elevational range from sea level to over 3000 m. These species are well known for their obligate social parasitism with various Formica ant species, which they kidnap in dramatic, highly coordinated raids. Kidnapped Formica larvae and pupae become integrated into the Polyergus colony where they develop into adults and perform nearly all of the necessary colony tasks for the benefit of their captors. In California, Polyergus mexicanus is the most widely distributed Polyergus, but recent evidence has identified substantial genetic polymorphism within this species, including genetically divergent lineages associated with the use of different Formica host species. Given its unique behavior and genetic diversity, Polyergus mexicanus plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance by influencing the population dynamics and genetic diversity of its host ant species, Formica, highlighting its conservation value and importance in the context of biodiversity preservation. Here, we present a high-quality genome assembly of P. mexicanus from a sample collected in Plumas County, CA, USA, in the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada. This genome assembly consists of 364 scaffolds spanning 252.31 Mb, with contig N50 of 481,250 kb, scaffold N50 of 10.36 Mb, and BUSCO completeness of 95.4%. We also assembled the genome of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of P. mexicanus - a single, circular contig spanning 1.23 Mb. These genome sequences provide essential resources for future studies of conservation genetics, population genetics, speciation, and behavioral ecology in this charismatic social insect.}, }
@article {pmid39243881, year = {2024}, author = {Depeux, C and Branger, A and Paulhac, H and Pigeault, R and Beltran-Bech, S}, title = {Deleterious effects of Wolbachia on life history and physiological traits of common pill woodlice.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {207}, number = {}, pages = {108187}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108187}, pmid = {39243881}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; Life History Traits ; Isopoda/microbiology/physiology ; }, abstract = {Most of eukaryotic organisms live in close interaction with micro-organisms called symbionts. Symbiotic interactions underpin the evolution of biological complexity, the health of organisms and, ultimately, the proper functioning of ecosystems. While some symbionts confer adaptive benefits on their host (mutualistic symbionts) and others clearly induce costs (parasitic symbionts), a number of micro-organisms are difficult to classify because they have been described as conferring both benefits and costs on their host. This is particularly true of the most widespread animal endosymbiont, Wolbachia pipientis. In this study, we investigated the influence of Wolbachia infection on a broad spectrum of ecological and physiological parameters of one of its native hosts, Armadillidium vulgare. The aim was to gain as complete a picture as possible of the influence of this endosymbiont on its host. Our results showed that the presence of Wolbachia resulted in a decrease in individual reproductive success and survival. Host immune cells density decreased and β-galactosidase activity (ageing biomarker) increased with the presence of Wolbachia, suggesting a negative impact of this endosymbiont on woodlice health. While previous studies have shown that Wolbachia can have a positive impact on the immunocompetence of A. vulgare, here we shed more light on the costs of infection. Our results illustrate the complex dynamics that exist between Wolbachia and its arthropod host and therefore offer valuable insights into the intricate interplay of symbiotic relationships in ecological systems.}, }
@article {pmid39228812, year = {2024}, author = {Arai, H and Herran, B and Sugimoto, TN and Miyata, M and Sasaki, T and Kageyama, D}, title = {Cell-based assays and comparative genomics revealed the conserved and hidden effects of Wolbachia on insect sex determination.}, journal = {PNAS nexus}, volume = {3}, number = {9}, pages = {pgae348}, pmid = {39228812}, issn = {2752-6542}, abstract = {It is advantageous for maternally transmitted endosymbionts to skew the sex ratio of their hosts toward females. Some endosymbiotic bacteria, such as Wolbachia, cause their insect hosts to exclusively produce female offspring through male killing (MK) or feminization. In some lepidopteran insects, MK is achieved by affecting the sex-determining process in males, and a unique mechanism of MK and its functional link with feminization have been implicated. However, comparative analysis of these phenotypes is often difficult because they have been analyzed in different host-symbiont systems, and transinfection of Wolbachia across different hosts is often challenging. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of nine Wolbachia strains on the splicing of sex-determining genes in Lepidoptera by fixing the host genetic background using a cell culture system. Cell transinfection assays confirmed that three MK-inducing Wolbachia strains and one feminization-inducing Wolbachia strain increased the female-type splicing products of the core sex-determining genes doublesex, masculinizer, and zinc finger protein 2. Regarding Wolbachia strains that do not induce MK/feminization, three had no effect on these sex-determining genes, whereas two strains induced female-type splicing of masculinizer and doublesex but not zinc finger protein 2. Comparative genomics confirmed that homologs of oscar, the Wolbachia gene responsible for MK in Ostrinia, were encoded by four MK/feminizing Wolbachia strains, but not by five non-MK/nonfeminizing strains. These results support the conserved effects underlying MK and feminization induced by oscar-bearing Wolbachia and suggested other potential mechanisms that Wolbachia might employ to manipulate host sex.}, }
@article {pmid39207104, year = {2024}, author = {A Ghomi, F and Jung, JJ and Langridge, GC and Cain, AK and Boinett, CJ and Abd El Ghany, M and Pickard, DJ and Kingsley, RA and Thomson, NR and Parkhill, J and Gardner, PP and Barquist, L}, title = {High-throughput transposon mutagenesis in the family Enterobacteriaceae reveals core essential genes and rapid turnover of essentiality.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e0179824}, pmid = {39207104}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; bayresq.net//Bayerisches Staatsministerium f&#xfc;r Wissenschaft und Kunst (Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts)/ ; RGPIN-2024-04305//Canadian Government | Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)/ ; BB/X011011/1,BB/R012504/1,BBS/E/QU/230002B,BBS/E/F/000PR10348,BBS/E/F/000PR10349//UKRI | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)/ ; FT220100152//Australian Research Council/ ; 19-UOO-040,17-UOO-050,10-UOC-013//Marsden Fund (Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund)/ ; UOOX1709,UOAX1932//Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)/ ; }, mesh = {*Genes, Essential/genetics ; *DNA Transposable Elements ; *Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; Mutagenesis, Insertional ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Genes, Bacterial/genetics ; }, abstract = {The Enterobacteriaceae are a scientifically and medically important clade of bacteria, containing the model organism Escherichia coli, as well as major human pathogens including Salmonella enterica and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Essential gene sets have been determined for several members of the Enterobacteriaceae, with the Keio E. coli single-gene deletion library often regarded as a gold standard. However, it remains unclear how gene essentiality varies between related strains and species. To investigate this, we have assembled a collection of 13 sequenced high-density transposon mutant libraries from five genera within the Enterobacteriaceae. We first assess several gene essentiality prediction approaches, investigate the effects of transposon density on essentiality prediction, and identify biases in transposon insertion sequencing data. Based on these investigations, we develop a new classifier for gene essentiality. Using this new classifier, we define a core essential genome in the Enterobacteriaceae of 201 universally essential genes. Despite the presence of a large cohort of variably essential genes, we find an absence of evidence for genus-specific essential genes. A clear example of this sporadic essentiality is given by the set of genes regulating the σE extracytoplasmic stress response, which appears to have independently acquired essentiality multiple times in the Enterobacteriaceae. Finally, we compare our essential gene sets to the natural experiment of gene loss in obligate insect endosymbionts that have emerged from within the Enterobacteriaceae. This isolates a remarkably small set of genes absolutely required for survival and identifies several instances of essential stress responses masked by redundancy in free-living bacteria.IMPORTANCEThe essential genome, that is the set of genes absolutely required to sustain life, is a core concept in genetics. Essential genes in bacteria serve as drug targets, put constraints on the engineering of biological chassis for technological or industrial purposes, and are key to constructing synthetic life. Despite decades of study, relatively little is known about how gene essentiality varies across related bacteria. In this study, we have collected gene essentiality data for 13 bacteria related to the model organism Escherichia coli, including several human pathogens, and investigated the conservation of essentiality. We find that approximately a third of the genes essential in any particular strain are non-essential in another related strain. Surprisingly, we do not find evidence for essential genes unique to specific genera; rather it appears a substantial fraction of the essential genome rapidly gains or loses essentiality during evolution. This suggests that essentiality is not an immutable characteristic but depends crucially on the genomic context. We illustrate this through a comparison of our essential genes in free-living bacteria to genes conserved in 34 insect endosymbionts with naturally reduced genomes, finding several cases where genes generally regarded as being important for specific stress responses appear to have become essential in endosymbionts due to a loss of functional redundancy in the genome.}, }
@article {pmid39196627, year = {2024}, author = {Shang, F and Ding, BY and Niu, J and Lu, JM and Xie, XC and Li, CZ and Zhang, W and Pan, D and Jiang, RX and Wang, JJ}, title = {microRNA maintains nutrient homeostasis in the symbiont-host interaction.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {121}, number = {36}, pages = {e2406925121}, pmid = {39196627}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {32272526//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 32020103010//MOST | NSFC | Major International Joint Research Programme/ ; }, mesh = {*MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology/metabolism ; *Homeostasis ; Vitamin B 6/metabolism ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Nutrients/metabolism ; Escherichia coli/metabolism/genetics ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts provide essential nutrients for hosts, promoting growth, development, and reproduction. However, the molecular regulation of nutrient transport from endosymbiont to host is not well understood. Here, we used bioinformatic analysis, RNA-Sequencing, luciferase assays, RNA immunoprecipitation, and in situ hybridization to show that a bacteriocyte-distributed MRP4 gene (multidrug resistance-associated protein 4) is negatively regulated by a host (aphid)-specific microRNA (miR-3024). Targeted metabolomics, microbiome analysis, vitamin B6 (VB6) supplements, 3D modeling/molecular docking, in vitro binding assays (voltage clamp recording and microscale thermophoresis), and functional complementation of Escherichia coli were jointly used to show that the miR-3024/MRP4 axis controls endosymbiont (Serratia)-produced VB6 transport to the host. The supplementation of miR-3024 increased the mortality of aphids, but partial rescue was achieved by providing an external source of VB6. The use of miR-3024 as part of a sustainable aphid pest-control strategy was evaluated by safety assessments in nontarget organisms (pollinators, predators, and entomopathogenic fungi) using virus-induced gene silencing assays and the expression of miR-3024 in transgenic tobacco. The supplementation of miR-3024 suppresses MRP4 expression, restricting the number of membrane channels, inhibiting VB6 transport, and ultimately killing the host. Under aphids facing stress conditions, the endosymbiont titer is decreased, and the VB6 production is also down-regulated, while the aphid's autonomous inhibition of miR-3024 enhances the expression of MRP4 and then increases the VB6 transport which finally ensures the VB6 homeostasis. The results confirm that miR-3024 regulates nutrient transport in the endosymbiont-host system and is a suitable target for sustainable pest control.}, }
@article {pmid39194189, year = {2024}, author = {Miao, Y-h and Dou, W-h and Liu, J and Huang, D-w and Xiao, J-h}, title = {Single-cell transcriptome sequencing reveals that Wolbachia induces gene expression changes in Drosophila ovary cells to favor its own maternal transmission.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e0147324}, pmid = {39194189}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {32070466//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 31830084//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 32301412//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 96172158//MOE | Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Fundamental Research Fund for the Central Universities)/ ; 96173250//MOE | Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Fundamental Research Fund for the Central Universities)/ ; 91822294//MOE | Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Fundamental Research Fund for the Central Universities)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/physiology ; Female ; *Ovary/microbiology ; *Single-Cell Analysis ; Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/genetics ; Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Symbiosis ; Oogenesis/genetics ; Drosophila/microbiology/genetics ; Maternal Inheritance/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligate endosymbiont that is maternally inherited and widely distributed in arthropods and nematodes. It remains in the mature eggs of female hosts over generations through multiple strategies and manipulates the reproduction system of the host to enhance its spreading efficiency. However, the transmission of Wolbachia within the host's ovaries and its effects on ovarian cells during oogenesis, have not been extensively studied. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to comparatively analyze cell-typing and gene expression in Drosophila ovaries infected and uninfected with Wolbachia. Our findings indicate that Wolbachia significantly affects the transcription of host genes involved in the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton organization, and cytomembrane mobility in multiple cell types, which may make host ovarian cells more conducive for the transmission of Wolbachia from extracellular to intracellular. Moreover, the genes nos and orb, which are related to the synthesis of ribonucleoprotein complexes, are specifically upregulated in early germline cells of ovaries infected with Wolbachia, revealing that Wolbachia can increase the possibility of its localization to the host oocytes by enhancing the binding with host ribonucleoprotein-complex processing bodies (P-bodies). All these findings provide novel insights into the maternal transmission of Wolbachia between host ovarian cells.IMPORTANCEWolbachia, an obligate endosymbiont in arthropods, can manipulate the reproduction system of the host to enhance its maternal transmission and reside in the host's eggs for generations. Herein, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of ovaries from Drosophila melanogaster and observed the effects of Wolbachia (strain wMel) infection on different cell types to discuss the potential mechanism associated with the transmission and retention of Wolbachia within the ovaries of female hosts. It was found that the transcriptions of multiple genes in the ovary samples infected with Wolbachia are significantly altered, which possibly favors the maternal transmission of Wolbachia. Meanwhile, we also discovered that Wolbachia may flexibly regulate the expression level of specific host genes according to their needs rather than rigidly changing the expression level in one direction to achieve a more suitable living environment in the host's ovarian cells. Our findings contribute to a further understanding of the maternal transmission and possible universal effects of Wolbachia within the host.}, }
@article {pmid39189783, year = {2024}, author = {Longley, R and Robinson, AJ and Asher, OA and Middlebrook, E and Bonito, G and Chain, PSG}, title = {Signatures of Mollicutes-related endobacteria in publicly available Mucoromycota genomes.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {9}, number = {9}, pages = {e0030924}, pmid = {39189783}, issn = {2379-5042}, support = {20230858PRD2//DOE | NNSA | Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)/ ; LANLF59T//U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)/ ; 20230858PRD2//The research presented in this article was supported by a grant to P.S.G.C. by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program of Los Alamos National Laboratory/ ; LANLF59T//Science Focus Area Grant to P.S.G.C. from the US Department of Energy (DOE), Biological and Environmental Research (BER) Biological System Science Division (BSSD)/ ; }, mesh = {*Genome, Fungal ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Phylogeny ; Tenericutes/genetics/classification ; Fungi/genetics/classification ; }, abstract = {Mucoromycota fungi and their Mollicutes-related endobacteria (MRE) are an ideal system for studying bacterial-fungal interactions and evolution due to the long-term and intimate nature of their interactions. However, methods for detecting MRE face specific challenges due to the poor representation of MRE in sequencing databases coupled with the high sequence divergence of their genomes, making traditional similarity searches unreliable. This has precluded estimations on the diversity of MRE associated with Mucoromycota. To determine the prevalence of previously undetected MRE in fungal genome sequences, we scanned 389 Mucoromycota genome assemblies available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information for the presence of MRE sequences using publicly available tools to map contigs from fungal assemblies to publicly available MRE genomes. We demonstrate a higher diversity of MRE genomes than previously described in Mucoromycota and a lack of cophylogeny between MRE and the majority of their fungal hosts. This supports the late invasion hypothesis regarding MRE acquisition across most of the examined fungal families. In contrast with other Mucoromycota lineages, MRE from the Gigasporaceae displayed some degree of cophylogeny with their hosts, which may indicate that horizontal transmission is restricted between members of this family or that transmission is strictly vertical. These results underscore the need for a refined process to capture sequencing data from potential fungal endosymbionts to discern their evolution and transmission. Screens of fungal genomes for MRE can help improve the quality of fungal genome assemblies while identifying new MRE lineages to further test hypotheses on their origin and evolution.IMPORTANCEMollicutes-related endobacteria (MRE) are obligate intracellular bacteria found within Mucoromycota fungi. Despite their frequent detection, MRE roles in host functioning are still unknown. Comparative genomic investigations can improve our understanding of the impact of MRE on their fungal hosts by identifying similarities and differences in MRE genome evolution. However, MRE genomes have only been assembled from a small fraction of Mucoromycota hosts. Here, we demonstrate that MRE can be present yet undetected in publicly available Mucoromycota genome assemblies. We use these newfound sequences to assess the broader diversity of MRE and their phylogenetic relationships with respect to their hosts. We demonstrate that publicly available tools can be used to extract novel MRE sequences from assembled fungal genomes leading to insights on MRE evolution. This work contributes to a greater understanding of the fungal microbiome, which is crucial to improving knowledge on the dynamics and impacts of fungi in microbial ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid39185227, year = {2024}, author = {Gasser, MT and Flatau, R and Altamia, M and Filone, CM and Distel, D}, title = {Complete genome sequences of two new strains of the shipworm endosymbiont, Teredinibacter turnerae.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39185227}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R01 AI162943/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {We present the complete genome sequences of two strains of Teredinibacter turnerae, SR01903 and SR02026, shipworm endosymbionts isolated from the gills of Lyrodus pedicellatus and Teredo bartschi, respectively, and derived from Oxford Nanopore sequencing. These sequences will aid in the comparative genomics of shipworm endosymbionts and understanding of host-symbiont selection.}, }
@article {pmid39181959, year = {2024}, author = {Alkathiri, B and Lee, S and Ahn, K and Cho, YS and Youn, SY and Seo, K and Umemiya-Shirafuji, R and Xuan, X and Kwak, D and Shin, S and Lee, SH}, title = {16S rRNA metabarcoding for the identification of tick-borne bacteria in ticks in the Republic of Korea.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {19708}, pmid = {39181959}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {Z-1543081-2021-22-02//Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency/ ; Z-1543081-2021-22-02//Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency/ ; 2021R1F1A1061795//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Republic of Korea ; *DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods ; *Bacteria/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; *Ticks/microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Phylogeny ; Rickettsia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; }, abstract = {Ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites that act as vectors for transmission of various pathogens. The purpose of this study was to assess tick-borne bacteria, whether pathogenic or not, in ticks distributed in Korea using 16S rRNA metabarcoding and to confirm the results by PCR. Questing ticks were collected from four provinces in Korea in 2021 using the flagging method. After pooling the DNAs from the 61 tick pools (including 372 ticks), the bacterial 16S rRNA V3-V4 hypervariable region was amplified and sequenced using the MiSeq platform. Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and the endosymbiont Wolbachia were confirmed by conventional PCR and molecular analysis. In total, 6907 ticks (534 pools) were collected and identified as belonging to five species (Haemaphysalis spp., H. longicornis, H. flava, I. nipponensis, and A. testudinarium). Through 16S rRNA metabarcoding, 240 amplicon sequence variants were identified. The dominant taxa were Rickettsiella and Coxiella. Additionally, pathogenic bacteria such as Rickettsia and Ehrlichia, endosymbiotic bacteria such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma were identified. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to confirm the presence of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Bartonella, and Wolbachia in individual ticks. Overall, 352 (65.92%) of 534 pools tested positive for at least one of the screened tick-borne bacteria. Rickettsia was the most prevalent (61.42%), followed by Wolbachia (5.05%). Ehrlichia was detected in 4.86% of tested samples, whereas Bartonella was not detected. In this study, 16S rRNA metabarcoding revealed the presence of Rickettsia, Wolbachia, and Ehrlichia, in that order of abundance, while showing absence of Bartonella. These results were confirmed to exhibit the same trend as that of the conventional PCR. Therefore, large-scale screening studies based on pooling, as applied in this study, will be useful for examining novel or rare pathogens present in various hosts and vectors.}, }
@article {pmid39163261, year = {2024}, author = {Méndez-Sánchez, D and Schrecengost, A and Rotterová, J and Koštířová, K and Beinart, RA and Čepička, I}, title = {Methanogenic symbionts of anaerobic ciliates are host and habitat specific.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {39163261}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/19_073/0016935). K//CU/ ; 355021//Agency of Charles University/ ; 19-19297S//Agency of the Czech Republic/ ; 620417//Simons Foundation/ ; 1330406//United States National Science Foundation EPSCoR Track II Cooperative Agreement Award/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Ciliophora/classification/genetics/physiology ; Anaerobiosis ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Ecosystem ; *Phylogeny ; *Methane/metabolism ; DNA, Archaeal/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {The association between anaerobic ciliates and methanogenic archaea has been recognized for over a century. Nevertheless, knowledge of these associations is limited to a few ciliate species, and so the identification of patterns of host-symbiont specificity has been largely speculative. In this study, we integrated microscopy and genetic identification to survey the methanogenic symbionts of 32 free-living anaerobic ciliate species, mainly from the order Metopida. Based on Sanger and Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, our results show that a single methanogenic symbiont population, belonging to Methanobacterium, Methanoregula, or Methanocorpusculum, is dominant in each host strain. Moreover, the host's taxonomy (genus and above) and environment (i.e. endobiotic, marine/brackish, or freshwater) are linked with the methanogen identity at the genus level, demonstrating a strong specificity and fidelity in the association. We also established cultures containing artificially co-occurring anaerobic ciliate species harboring different methanogenic symbionts. This revealed that the host-methanogen relationship is stable over short timescales in cultures without evidence of methanogenic symbiont exchanges, although our intraspecific survey indicated that metopids also tend to replace their methanogens over longer evolutionary timescales. Therefore, anaerobic ciliates have adapted a mixed transmission mode to maintain and replace their methanogenic symbionts, allowing them to thrive in oxygen-depleted environments.}, }
@article {pmid39159853, year = {2024}, author = {Luo, T and Hu, E and Gan, L and Yang, D and Wu, J and Gao, S and Tuo, X and Bayin, CG and Hu, Z and Guo, Q}, title = {Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii can be vertically transmitted in Hyalomma anatolicum.}, journal = {Experimental parasitology}, volume = {265}, number = {}, pages = {108828}, doi = {10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108828}, pmid = {39159853}, issn = {1090-2449}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodidae/microbiology/growth &amp; development ; *Phylogeny ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Female ; *Symbiosis ; Male ; China ; Chaperonin 60/genetics ; Nymph/microbiology/growth &amp; development ; Sequence Alignment ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Tick Infestations/parasitology/veterinary ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; DNA, Bacterial ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; }, abstract = {In this study, a tick intracellular symbiont, Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii, was detected in Hyalomma anatolicum from Xinjiang, China. Morphological identification and cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequence alignment were used for molecular identification of the tick species. PCR detection further revealed the presence of endosymbiont C. M. mitochondrii in the tick. Specific primers were designed for Groel and 16S rRNA genes of C. M. mitochondrii for PCR amplification and phylogenetic analysis. To further investigate the vertical transmission characteristics of C. M. mitochondrii, specific primers were designed based on the FabⅠ gene fragment to detect C. M. mitochondrii in different developmental stages and organs of the tick using qPCR. Of the 336 tick specimens collected from the field, 266 samples were identified as H. anatolicum on the basis of morphological characteristics. The gene fragment alignment results of COI confirmed that these ticks were H. anatolicum. The phylogenetic analysis showed that Groel gene of C. M. mitochondrii clustered with Midichloria strains detected in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Italy and Ixodes holocyclus ticks from Australia, with 100% sequence similarity. Furthermore, the 16S rRNA gene of C. M. mitochondrii clusters with the strains isolated from Hyalomma rufipes ticks in Italy, exhibiting the highest degree of homology. qPCR results showed that C. M. mitochondrii was present at all developmental stages of H. anatolicum, with the highest relative abundance in eggs, and lower relative abundance in nymphs and unfed males. With female tick blood feeding, the relative abundance of C. M. mitochondrii increased, and a particularly high relative abundance was detected in the ovaries of engorged female ticks. This study provides information for studying the survival adaptability of H. anatolicum, and provides data for further investigation of the mechanisms regulating tick endosymbionts in ticks, enriching the reference materials for comprehensive prevention and control of tick-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid39135725, year = {2024}, author = {Rohlfing, K and Grewoldt, M and Cordellier, M and Dobler, S}, title = {Evidence for feminized genetic males in a flea beetle using newly identified X-linked markers.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {8}, pages = {e70123}, pmid = {39135725}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The equilibrium of sex ratios in sexually reproducing species is often disrupted by various environmental and genetic factors, including endosymbionts like Wolbachia. In this study, we explore the highly female-biased sex ratio observed in the flea beetle, Altica lythri, and its underlying mechanisms. Ancient hybridization events between Altica species have led to mitochondrial DNA introgression, resulting in distinct mitochondrial haplotypes that go along with different Wolbachia infections (HT1-wLytA1, HT1*- uninfected, HT2-wLytA2, and HT3-wLytB). Notably, beetles with some haplotypes exclusively produce female offspring, suggesting potential Wolbachia-induced phenomena such as feminization of genetic males. However, the observed female bias could also be a consequence of the ancient hybridization resulting in nuclear-cytoplasmic conflicts between introgressed mtDNA and nuclear genes. Through transcriptomic analysis and the program SEX-DETector, we established markers for genotypic sex differentiation for A. lythri, enabling genetic sexing via qPCR. Our findings suggest that feminization of genetic males is contributing to the skewed sex ratios, highlighting the intricate dynamics of sex determination and reproductive strategies in this flea beetle. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of genetic conflicts, endosymbionts, and sex ratios, revealing the novel phenomenon of genetic male feminization in the flea beetle A. lythri.}, }
@article {pmid39131338, year = {2024}, author = {Gasser, MT and Liu, A and Flatau, R and Altamia, M and Filone, CM and Distel, D}, title = {Closing the genome of Teredinibacter turnerae T7902 by long-read nanopore sequencing.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {39131338}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R01 AI162943/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {We present the complete closed circular genome sequence derived from Oxford Nanopore sequencing of the shipworm endosymbiont Teredinibacter turnerae T7902 (DSM 15152, ATCC 39867), originally isolated from the shipworm Lyrodus pedicellatus (1). This sequence will aid in the comparative genomics of shipworm endosymbionts and the understanding of host-symbiont evolution.}, }
@article {pmid39119885, year = {2024}, author = {Augustijnen, H and Lucek, K}, title = {Beyond gene flow: (non)-parallelism of secondary contact in a pair of highly differentiated sibling species.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {33}, number = {17}, pages = {e17488}, doi = {10.1111/mec.17488}, pmid = {39119885}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {//Burckhardt-B&#xfc;rgin foundation/ ; 310030_184934//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; PCEFP3_202869//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; //Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft Basel/ ; }, mesh = {*Gene Flow ; Animals ; *Butterflies/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Genetic Speciation ; *Hybridization, Genetic ; *Reproductive Isolation ; *Genetics, Population ; }, abstract = {Replicated secondary contact zones can provide insights into the barriers to gene flow that are important during speciation and can reveal to which degree secondary contact may result in similar evolutionary outcomes. Here, we studied two secondary contact zones between highly differentiated Alpine butterflies of the genus Erebia using whole-genome resequencing data. We assessed the genomic relationships between populations and species and found hybridization to be rare, with no to little current or historical introgression in either contact zone. There are large similarities between contact zones, consistent with an allopatric origin of interspecific differentiation, with no indications for ongoing reinforcing selection. Consistent with expected reduced effective population size, we further find that scaffolds related to the Z-chromosome show increased differentiation compared to the already high levels across the entire genome, which could also hint towards a contribution of the Z chromosome to species divergence in this system. Finally, we detected the presence of the endosymbiont Wolbachia, which can cause reproductive isolation between its hosts, in all E. cassioides, while it appears to be fully or largely absent in contact zone populations of E. tyndarus. We discuss how this rare pattern may have arisen and how it may have affected the dynamics of speciation upon secondary contact.}, }
@article {pmid39117563, year = {2024}, author = {Park, E and Leander, BS}, title = {Molecular phylogeny of the Lecudinoidea (Apicomplexa): A major group of marine gregarines with diverse shapes, movements and hosts.}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {71}, number = {6}, pages = {e13053}, pmid = {39117563}, issn = {1550-7408}, support = {NSERC 2019-03986//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; //Hakai Institute/ ; }, mesh = {*Phylogeny ; Animals ; *Apicomplexa/classification/genetics/ultrastructure ; *Polychaeta/parasitology ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; }, abstract = {Gregarine apicomplexans are ubiquitous endosymbionts of invertebrate hosts. Despite their ecological and evolutionary importance, inferences about the phylogenetic relationships of major gregarine groups, such as the Lecudinidae and Urosporidae, have been hindered by vague taxonomic definitions and limited molecular and morphological data. In this study, we investigated five gregarine species collected from four families of polychaete hosts (Nereididae, Oenonidae, Hesionidae, and Phyllodocidae) using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We also generated small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences from these species and conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses to elucidate the evolutionary relationships within the Lecudinoidea. Our results include new molecular and morphological data for two previously described species (Lecudina cf. platynereidis and Lecudina cf. arabellae), the discovery of a new species of Lecudina (L. oxydromus n. sp.), and the discovery of two novel species, namely Amplectina cordis n. gen. et. n. sp. and Sphinctocystis inclina n. sp. These two species exhibited unique shapes and movements, resembling those of urosporids but with a phylogenetic affinity to lecudinids, blurring the border between lecudinids and urosporids. Our study emphasizes the need for further investigations into this highly diverse group, which has achieved great success across multiple animal phyla with diverse shapes and movements.}, }
@article {pmid39116951, year = {2024}, author = {Khademi, P and Tukmechi, A and Sgroi, G and Ownagh, A and Enferadi, A and Khalili, M and Mardani, K}, title = {Molecular and genotyping techniques in diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii: An overview.}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases}, volume = {123}, number = {}, pages = {105655}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105655}, pmid = {39116951}, issn = {1567-7257}, mesh = {*Coxiella burnetii/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; *Q Fever/microbiology/epidemiology/diagnosis ; Humans ; Genotyping Techniques/methods ; Animals ; Genotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Minisatellite Repeats ; }, abstract = {Although we live in the genomic era, the accessibility of the complete genome sequence of Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of Q fever, has increased knowledge in the field of genomic diversity of this agent However, it is still somewhat of a "question" microorganism. The epidemiology of Q fever is intricate due to its global distribution, repository and vector variety, as well as absence of surveys defining the dynamic interaction among these factors. Moreover, C. burnetii is a microbial agent that can be utilized as a bioterror weapon. Therefore, typing techniques used to recognize the strains can also be used to trace infections back to their source which is of great significance. In this paper, the latest and current typing techniques of C. burnetii spp. are reviewed illustrating their advantages and constraints. Recently developed multi locus VNTR analysis (MLVA) and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing methods are promising in improving diagnostic capacity and enhancing the application of genotyping techniques for molecular epidemiologic surveys of the challenging pathogen. However, most of these studies did not differentiate between C. burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts making it difficult to estimate the potential role that ticks play in the epidemiology of Q fever. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the vector competence of different tick species to transmit C. burnetii. Knowledge of the vector and reservoir competence of ticks is important for taking adequate preventive measures to limit infection risks. The significant prevalence observed for the IS1111 gene underscores its substantial presence, while other genes display comparatively lower prevalence rates. Methodological variations, particularly between commercial and non-commercial kit-based methods, result in different prevalence outcomes. Variations in sample processing procedures also lead to significant differences in prevalence rates between mechanical and non-mechanical techniques.}, }
@article {pmid39114883, year = {2024}, author = {Liu, S and Liu, XB and Zhang, TT and Bai, SX and He, KL and Zhang, YJ and Francis, F and Wang, ZY}, title = {Effects of host plants on aphid feeding behavior, fitness, and Buchnera aphidicola titer.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13428}, pmid = {39114883}, issn = {1744-7917}, abstract = {Aphids are sap-feeding plant pests that depend on their symbiotic relationships with the primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola to adapt to impoverished diets. However, how the host plant affects the aphid primary symbiont and aphid adaptation to host plant transfer are poorly known. In this study, aphid symbiont screening and genotype identification were used to establish 2 aphid strains (Rhopalosiphum maidis [Rm] and Rhopalosiphum padi [Rp] strains) containing only Buchnera without any secondary symbionts for both wheat aphid species (R. maidis and R. padi). Aphid fitness and Buchnera titers were unstable on some of these host plants after transferring to novel host plants (G1-G5), which were influenced by host plant species and generations; however, they stabilized after prolonged feeding on the same plants for 10 generations. The electropenetrography (EPG) records showed that the allocation of aphid feeding time was significantly distinct in the 6 host plants; aphids had more intracellular punctures and spent more nonprobing time on green bristlegrass which was not conducive to its growth compared with other plants. The content of soluble sugar, soluble protein, and amino acid in the leaves of the 6 host plants were also clearly separated. The correlation coefficient analysis showed that the nutrient contents of host plants had significant correlations with aphid feeding behaviors, fitness, and Buchnera titers. In the meantime, aphid fitness, and Buchnera titers were also affected by aphid feeding behaviors. Also, Buchnera titers of aphid natural populations on 6 host plants showed a visible difference. Our study deepened our understanding of the interaction among aphids, endosymbionts, and host plants, indicating that the host plant nutrient content is a predominant factor affecting aphid adaptation to their diet, initially affecting aphid feeding behaviors, and further affecting aphid fitness and Buchnera titers, which would further contribute to exploiting new available strategies for aphid control.}, }
@article {pmid39107546, year = {2024}, author = {Durand, S and Pigeault, R and Giraud, I and Loisier, A and Bech, N and Grandjean, F and Rigaud, T and Peccoud, J and Cordaux, R}, title = {Temporal stability of sex ratio distorter prevalence in natural populations of the isopod Armadillidium vulgare.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {133}, number = {5}, pages = {287-297}, pmid = {39107546}, issn = {1365-2540}, support = {ANR-15-CE32-0006//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency)/ ; ANR-20-CE02-0004//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Isopoda/genetics/microbiology ; *Sex Ratio ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Female ; Male ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Haplotypes ; Sex Determination Processes/genetics ; Genetics, Population ; Biological Evolution ; }, abstract = {In the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare, many females produce progenies with female-biased sex ratios due to two feminizing sex ratio distorters (SRD): Wolbachia endosymbionts and a nuclear non-mendelian locus called the f element. To investigate the potential impact of these SRD on the evolution of host sex determination, we analyzed their temporal distribution in six A. vulgare populations sampled between 2003 and 2017, for a total of 29 time points. SRD distribution was heterogeneous among populations despite their close geographic locations, so that when one SRD was frequent in a population, the other SRD was rare. In contrast with spatial heterogeneity, our results overall did not reveal substantial temporal variability in SRD prevalence within populations, suggesting equilibria in SRD evolutionary dynamics may have been reached or nearly so. Temporal stability was also generally reflected in mitochondrial and nuclear variation. Nevertheless, in a population, a Wolbachia strain replacement coincided with changes in mitochondrial composition but no change in nuclear composition, thus constituting a typical example of mitochondrial sweep caused by endosymbiont rise in frequency. Rare incongruence between Wolbachia strains and mitochondrial haplotypes suggested the occurrence of intraspecific horizontal transmission, making it a biologically relevant parameter for Wolbachia evolutionary dynamics in A. vulgare. Overall, our results provide an empirical basis for future studies on SRD evolutionary dynamics in the context of multiple sex determination factors co-existing within a single species, to ultimately evaluate the impact of SRD on the evolution of host sex determination mechanisms and sex chromosomes.}, }
@article {pmid39106844, year = {2024}, author = {Sarasombath, PT and Sitthinamsuwan, P and Wijit, S and Panyasu, K and Roongruanchai, K and Silpa-Archa, S and Suwansirikul, M and Chortrakarnkij, P and Ruenchit, P and Preativatanyou, K and Wongkamchai, S}, title = {Integrated Histological and Molecular Analysis of Filarial Species and Associated Wolbachia Endosymbionts in Human Filariasis Cases Presenting Atypically in Thailand.}, journal = {The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene}, volume = {111}, number = {4}, pages = {829-840}, pmid = {39106844}, issn = {1476-1645}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Humans ; Thailand/epidemiology ; Animals ; *Phylogeny ; *Filariasis/diagnosis/parasitology ; *Symbiosis ; Male ; Female ; Brugia malayi/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Adult ; Brugia pahangi/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Middle Aged ; Dirofilaria/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Filarioidea/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Atypical presentations of filariasis have posed diagnostic challenges due to the complexity of identifying the causative species and the difficulties in both diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we present the integrative histological and molecular analysis of seven atypical filariasis cases observed in regions of nonendemicity of Thailand. All filariasis cases were initially diagnosed based on histological findings. To confirm the causative species, molecular characterization based on both filarial mitochondrial (mt 12S rRNA and COI genes) and nuclear ITS1 markers was performed, together with the identification of associated Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts. Among the cases studied, Brugia pahangi (N = 3), Brugia malayi (N = 1), Dirofilaria sp. "hongkongensis" (N = 2), and a suspected novel filarial species genetically related to Pelecitus copsychi (N = 1) were identified. By targeting the 16S rRNA gene, Wolbachia was also molecularly amplified in two cases of infection with Dirofilaria sp. "hongkongensis." Phylogenetic analysis further revealed that the detected Wolbachia could be classified into supergroups C and F, indicating the high genetic diversity of this endosymbiont in Dirofilaria sp. "hongkongensis." Furthermore, this study demonstrates the consistency between histological findings and species identification based on mitochondrial loci rather than on the nuclear ITS1. This suggests the utility of mitochondrial markers, particularly COI, as a highly sensitive and reliable diagnostic tool for the detection and differentiation of filarial species in clinical specimens. Precise identification of the causative species will facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment and is also essential for the development of epidemiological and preventive strategies for filariasis.}, }
@article {pmid39105583, year = {2024}, author = {Faulstich, NG and Deloach, AR and Ksor, YB and Mesa, GH and Sharma, DS and Sisk, SL and Mitchell, GC}, title = {Evidence for phosphate-dependent control of symbiont cell division in the model anemone Exaiptasia diaphana.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {e0105924}, pmid = {39105583}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {2116128//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Phosphates/metabolism ; *Cell Division ; *Sea Anemones/physiology ; Coral Reefs ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Reef-building corals depend on symbiosis with photosynthetic algae that reside within their cells. As important as this relationship is for maintaining healthy reefs, it is strikingly delicate. When ocean temperatures briefly exceed the average summer maximum, corals can bleach, losing their endosymbionts. Although the mechanisms governing bleaching are unknown, studies implicate uncoupling of coral and algal cell divisions at high temperatures. Still, little is known regarding the coordination of host and algal cell divisions. Control of nutrient exchange is one likely mechanism. Both nitrogen and phosphate are necessary for dividing cells, and although nitrogen enrichment is known to increase symbiont density in the host, the consequences of phosphate enrichment are poorly understood. Here, we examined the effects of phosphate depletion on symbiont growth in culture and compared the physiology of phosphate-starved symbionts in culture to symbionts that were freshly isolated from a host. We found that available phosphate is as low in freshly isolated symbionts as it is in phosphate-starved cultures. Furthermore, RNAseq revealed that phosphate-limited and freshly isolated symbionts have similar patterns of gene expression for phosphate-dependent genes, most notably upregulation of phosphatases, which is consistent with phosphate recycling. Similarly, lipid profiling revealed a substantial decrease in phospholipid abundance in both phosphate-starved cultures and freshly isolated symbionts. These findings are important because they suggest that limited access to phosphate controls algal cell divisions within a host.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: The corals responsible for building tropical reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate as elevated sea temperatures cause them to bleach and lose the algal symbionts they rely on. Without these symbionts, corals are unable to harvest energy from sunlight and, therefore, struggle to thrive or even survive in the nutrient-poor waters of the tropics. To devise solutions to address the threat to coral reefs, it is necessary to understand the cellular events underpinning the bleaching process. One model for bleaching proposes that heat stress impairs algal photosynthesis and transfer of sugar to the host. Consequently, the host's demands for nitrogen decrease, increasing nitrogen availability to the symbionts, which leads to an increase in algal proliferation that overwhelms the host. Our work suggests that phosphate may play a similar role to nitrogen in this feedback loop.}, }
@article {pmid39102892, year = {2024}, author = {Wang, X and Mathias, DK}, title = {Surveillance of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens in Eastern Central Alabama.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {61}, number = {5}, pages = {1251-1260}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjae096}, pmid = {39102892}, issn = {1938-2928}, support = {//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; ALA015-1-15007//Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Alabama/epidemiology ; *Amblyomma/microbiology ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology/transmission ; Rickettsia/isolation &amp; purification ; Ehrlichia/isolation &amp; purification ; Ixodidae/microbiology ; Female ; }, abstract = {Similar to other states in the southeastern United States, human cases of tick-borne diseases in Alabama have risen steadily over the last 2 decades. Nevertheless, limited data have been published on ticks or tick-borne pathogen (TBP) distributions since the 1990s. To better understand the risk of tick and TBP exposure in eastern central Alabama, ticks were sampled repeatedly across 8 sites associated with recreational use during May and June of 2015 to characterize tick density and diversity. Although habitats were similar across sites, tick density varied among locations. Seven species were collected, but 97.7% of 1,310 samples were the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), the primary vector of ehrlichial agents and the tick species most commonly linked to alpha-gal syndrome and southern tick-associated rash illness. To investigate pathogen prevalence among sites, we tested A. americanum by a multiplex qPCR assay for 5 bacterial species, including 3 Ehrlichia spp. and 2 Rickettsia spp. None of the specimens tested positive for Panola Mountain Ehrlichia or Rickettsia parkeri. However, causative agents of human ehrlichiosis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii, occurred at half of the locations with, respectively, 0.27% and 0.45% of A. americanum infected on average. In contrast, Rickettsia amblyommatis, a tick endosymbiont suspected to be nonpathogenic, was found in 54.5% of the 1119 A. americanum tested. Despite low infection rates of Ehrlichia spp. in A. americanum, high encounter rates with this species in recreational deciduous woodlands suggest a moderate risk of tick bite and a low-to-moderate risk of TBP exposure in late spring.}, }
@article {pmid39097980, year = {2024}, author = {Bilgo, E and Mancini, MV and Gnambani, JE and Dokpomiwa, HAT and Murdochy, S and Lovett, B and St Leger, R and Sinkins, SP and Diabate, A}, title = {Wolbachia confers protection against the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium pingshaense in African Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {16}, number = {4}, pages = {e13316}, pmid = {39097980}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; AV/PP0025/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 108508/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 226166/Z/22/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Metarhizium/physiology ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Pest Control, Biological ; Burkina Faso ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Fertility ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Female ; Longevity ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi represent promising alternatives to chemical insecticides to respond to the rapid increase of insecticide resistance and vector-borne disease outbreaks. This study investigated the interaction of two strains of Wolbachia, wAlbB and wAu, with the natural entomopathogenic fungi from Burkina Faso Metarhizium pingshaense, known to be lethal against Anopheles mosquitoes. In addition to showing the potential of Metarhizium against African Aedes aegypti wild-type populations, our study shows that the wAlbB and wAu provide a protective advantage against entomopathogenic fungal infections. Compared to controls, fungal-infected wAu and wAlbB-carrying mosquitoes showed higher longevity, without any significant impact on fecundity and fertility phenotypes. This study provides new insights into the complex multipartite interaction among the mosquito host, the Wolbachia endosymbiont and the entomopathogenic fungus that might be employed to control mosquito populations. Future research should investigate the fitness costs of Wolbachia, as well as its spread and prevalence within mosquito populations. Additionally, evaluating the impact of Wolbachia on interventions involving Metarhizium pingshaense through laboratory and semi-field population studies will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of this combined approach.}, }
@article {pmid39097253, year = {2024}, author = {Pandey, GS and Manandhar, P and Shrestha, BK and Sadaula, A and Hayashi, N and Abdelbaset, AE and Silwal, P and Tsubota, T and Kwak, ML and Nonaka, N and Nakao, R}, title = {Detection and characterization of vector-borne parasites and Wolbachia endosymbionts in greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Nepal.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {258}, number = {}, pages = {107344}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107344}, pmid = {39097253}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Nepal ; *Perissodactyla/microbiology/parasitology ; *Symbiosis ; Male ; Theileria/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Female ; Vector Borne Diseases ; Filarioidea/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/microbiology ; Filariasis/veterinary/parasitology/transmission/epidemiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; Disease Vectors ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne parasite infections affect both domestic and wild animals. They are often asymptomatic but can result in fatal outcomes under natural and human-induced stressors. Given the limited availability of molecular data on vector-borne parasites in Rhinoceros unicornis (greater one-horned rhinoceros), this study employed molecular tools to detect and characterize the vector-borne parasites in rescued rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Whole blood samples were collected from thirty-six R. unicornis during rescue and treatment operations. Piroplasmida infections were first screened using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Wolbachia was detected by amplifying 16S rRNA gene, while filarial nematodes were detected through amplification of 28S rRNA, COI, myoHC and hsp70 genes. Our results confirmed the presence of Theileria bicornis with a prevalence of 75% (27/36) having two previously unreported haplotypes (H8 and H9). Wolbachia endosymbionts were detected in 25% (9/36) of tested samples and belonged to either supergroup C or F. Filarial nematodes of the genera Mansonella and Onchocerca were also detected. There were no significant association between T. bicornis infections and the age, sex, or location from which the animals were rescued. The high prevalence of Theileria with novel haplotypes along with filarial parasites has important ecological and conservational implications and highlights the need to implement parasite surveillance programs for wildlife in Nepal. Further studies monitoring vector-borne pathogens and interspecies transmission among wild animals, livestock and human are required.}, }
@article {pmid39091298, year = {2024}, author = {Behrmann, LV and Meier, K and Vollmer, J and Chiedu, CC and Schiefer, A and Hoerauf, A and Pfarr, K}, title = {In vitro extracellular replication of Wolbachia endobacteria.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1405287}, pmid = {39091298}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Obligate intracellular endobacteria of the genus Wolbachia are widespread in arthropods and several filarial nematodes. Control programs for vector-borne diseases (dengue, Zika, malaria) and anti-filarial therapy with antibiotics are based on this important endosymbiont. Investigating Wolbachia, however, is impeded by the need for host cells. In this study, the requirements for Wolbachia wAlbB growth in a host cell-free in vitro culture system were characterized via qPCRs. A cell lysate fraction from Aedes albopictus C6/36 insect cells containing cell membranes and medium with fetal bovine serum were identified as requisite for cell-free replication of Wolbachia. Supplementation with the membrane fraction of insect cell lysate increased extracellular Wolbachia replication by 4.2-fold. Replication rates in the insect cell-free culture were lower compared to Wolbachia grown inside insect cells. However, the endobacteria were able to replicate for up to 12 days and to infect uninfected C6/36 cells. Cell-free Wolbachia treated with the lipid II biosynthesis inhibitor fosfomycin had an enlarged phenotype, seen previously for intracellular Wolbachia in C6/36 cells, indicating that the bacteria were unable to divide. In conclusion, we have developed a cell-free culture system in which Wolbachia replicate for up to 12 days, providing an in vitro tool to elucidate the biology of these endobacteria, e.g., cell division by using compounds that may not enter the C6/36 cells. A better understanding of Wolbachia biology, and in particular host-symbiont interactions, is key to the use of Wolbachia in vector control programs and to future drug development against filarial diseases.}, }
@article {pmid39090271, year = {2024}, author = {Jacobs, J and Nakamoto, A and Mastoras, M and Loucks, H and Mirchandani, C and Karim, L and Penunuri, G and Wanket, C and Russell, SL}, title = {Complete de novo assembly of Wolbachia endosymbiont of Drosophila willistoni using long-read genome sequencing.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {17770}, pmid = {39090271}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG012344/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; T32HG012344/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R00GM135583/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics ; Animals ; *Drosophila/microbiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; Whole Genome Sequencing/methods ; Genomics/methods ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular α-proteobacterium, which commonly infects arthropods and filarial nematodes. Different strains of Wolbachia are capable of a wide range of regulatory manipulations in their diverse hosts, including the modulation of host cellular differentiation to influence host reproduction. The genetic basis for the majority of these phenotypes is unknown. The wWil strain from the neotropical fruit fly, Drosophila willistoni, exhibits a remarkably high affinity for host germline-derived cells relative to the somatic cells. This trait could be leveraged for understanding how Wolbachia influences the host germline and for controlling host populations in the field. To further the use of this strain in biological and biomedical research, we sequenced the genome of the wWil strain isolated from host cell culture cells. Here, we present the first high quality Nanopore assembly of wWil, the Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. willistoni. Our assembly resulted in a circular genome of 1.27 Mb with a BUSCO completeness score of 99.7%. Consistent with other insect-associated Wolbachia strains, comparative genomic analysis revealed that wWil has a highly mosaic genome relative to the closely related wMel and wAu strains from Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans, respectively.}, }
@article {pmid39084221, year = {2024}, author = {Moreira, D and Blaz, J and Kim, E and Eme, L}, title = {A gene-rich mitochondrion with a unique ancestral protein transport system.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {34}, number = {16}, pages = {3812-3819.e3}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.017}, pmid = {39084221}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {*Mitochondria/metabolism/genetics ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; *Protein Transport ; Evolution, Molecular ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Mitochondria originated from an ancient endosymbiosis involving an alphaproteobacterium.[1][,][2][,][3] Over time, these organelles reduced their gene content massively, with most genes being transferred to the host nucleus before the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA).[4] This process has yielded varying gene compositions in modern mitogenomes, including the complete loss of this organellar genome in some extreme cases.[5][,][6][,][7][,][8][,][9][,][10][,][11][,][12][,][13][,][14] At the other end of the spectrum, jakobids harbor the most gene-rich mitogenomes, encoding 60-66 proteins.[8] Here, we introduce the mitogenome of Mantamonas sphyraenae, a protist from the deep-branching CRuMs supergroup.[15][,][16] Remarkably, it boasts the most gene-rich mitogenome outside of jakobids, by housing 91 genes, including 62 protein-coding ones. These include rare homologs of the four subunits of the bacterial-type cytochrome c maturation system I (CcmA, CcmB, CcmC, and CcmF) alongside a unique ribosomal protein S6. During the early evolution of mitochondria, gene transfer from the proto-mitochondrial endosymbiont to the nucleus became possible thanks to systems facilitating the transport of proteins synthesized in the host cytoplasm back to the mitochondrion. In addition to the universally found eukaryotic protein import systems, jakobid mitogenomes were reported to uniquely encode the SecY transmembrane protein of the Sec general secretory pathway, whose evolutionary origin was however unclear. The Mantamonas mitogenome not only encodes SecY but also SecA, SecE, and SecG, making it the sole eukaryote known to house a complete mitochondrial Sec translocation system. Furthermore, our phylogenetic and comparative genomic analyses provide compelling evidence for the alphaproteobacterial origin of this system, establishing its presence in LECA.}, }
@article {pmid39081362, year = {2024}, author = {Kaneko, M and Omori, T and Igai, K and Mabuchi, T and Sakai-Tazawa, M and Nishihara, A and Kihara, K and Yoshimura, T and Ohkuma, M and Hongoh, Y}, title = {Facultative endosymbiosis between cellulolytic protists and methanogenic archaea in the gut of the Formosan termite Coptotermes formosanus.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {ycae097}, pmid = {39081362}, issn = {2730-6151}, abstract = {Anaerobic protists frequently harbour methanogenic archaea, which apparently contribute to the hosts' fermentative metabolism by consuming excess H2. However, the ecological properties of endosymbiotic methanogens remain elusive in many cases. Here we investigated the ecology and genome of the endosymbiotic methanogen of the Cononympha protists in the hindgut of the termite Coptotermes formosanus. Microscopic and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analyses revealed that a single species, designated here "Candidatus Methanobrevibacter cononymphae", is associated with both Cononympha leidyi and Cononympha koidzumii and that its infection rate in Cononympha cells varied from 0.0% to 99.8% among termite colonies. Fine-scale network analysis indicated that multiple 16S rRNA sequence variants coexisted within a single host cell and that identical variants were present in both Cononympha species and also on the gut wall. Thus, "Ca. Methanobrevibacter cononymphae" is a facultative endosymbiont, transmitted vertically with frequent exchanges with the gut environment. Indeed, transmission electron microscopy showed escape or uptake of methanogens from/by a Cononympha cell. The genome of "Ca. Methanobrevibacter cononymphae" showed features consistent with its facultative lifestyle: i.e., the genome size (2.7 Mbp) comparable to those of free-living relatives; the pseudogenization of the formate dehydrogenase gene fdhA, unnecessary within the non-formate-producing host cell; the dependence on abundant acetate in the host cell as an essential carbon source; and the presence of a catalase gene, required for colonization on the microoxic gut wall. Our study revealed a versatile endosymbiosis between the methanogen and protists, which may be a strategy responding to changing conditions in the termite gut.}, }
@article {pmid39081075, year = {2024}, author = {Bontemps, Z and Paranjape, K and Guy, L}, title = {Host-bacteria interactions: ecological and evolutionary insights from ancient, professional endosymbionts.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology reviews}, volume = {48}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {39081075}, issn = {1574-6976}, support = {F23-0260//Helge Ax:son Johnsons Foundation/ ; //NSERC/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Host Microbial Interactions/physiology ; *Biological Evolution ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/physiology/classification ; Animals ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Ecosystem ; }, abstract = {Interactions between eukaryotic hosts and their bacterial symbionts drive key ecological and evolutionary processes, from regulating ecosystems to the evolution of complex molecular machines and processes. Over time, endosymbionts generally evolve reduced genomes, and their relationship with their host tends to stabilize. However, host-bacteria relationships may be heavily influenced by environmental changes. Here, we review these effects on one of the most ancient and diverse endosymbiotic groups, formed by-among others-Legionellales, Francisellaceae, and Piscirickettsiaceae. This group is referred to as Deep-branching Intracellular Gammaproteobacteria (DIG), whose last common ancestor presumably emerged about 2 Ga ago. We show that DIGs are globally distributed, but generally at very low abundance, and are mainly identified in aquatic biomes. Most DIGs harbour a type IVB secretion system, critical for host-adaptation, but its structure and composition vary. Finally, we review the different types of microbial interactions that can occur in diverse environments, with direct or indirect effects on DIG populations. The increased use of omics technologies on environmental samples will allow a better understanding of host-bacterial interactions and help unravel the definition of DIGs as a group from an ecological, molecular, and evolutionary perspective.}, }
@article {pmid39079670, year = {2024}, author = {Owashi, Y and Arai, H and Adachi-Hagimori, T and Kageyama, D}, title = {Rickettsia induces strong cytoplasmic incompatibility in a predatory insect.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {291}, number = {2027}, pages = {20240680}, pmid = {39079670}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; *Rickettsia/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Female ; *Hemiptera/microbiology/physiology ; *Phylogeny ; Male ; Cytoplasm ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Rickettsia, a group of intracellular bacteria found in eukaryotes, exhibits diverse lifestyles, with some acting as vertebrate pathogens transmitted by arthropod vectors and others serving as maternally transmitted arthropod endosymbionts, some of which manipulate host reproduction for their own benefit. Two phenotypes, namely male-killing and parthenogenesis induction are known as Rickettsia-induced host reproductive manipulations, but it remains unknown whether Rickettsia can induce other types of host manipulation. In this study, we discovered that Rickettsia induced strong cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), in which uninfected females produce no offspring when mated with infected males, in the predatory insect Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae). Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Rickettsia strain was related to Rickettsia bellii, a common insect endosymbiont. Notably, this strain carried plasmid-encoded homologues of the CI-inducing factors (namely cifA-like and cifB-like genes), typically found in Wolbachia, which are well-known CI-inducing endosymbionts. Protein domain prediction revealed that the cifB-like gene encodes PD-(D/E)XK nuclease and deubiquitinase domains, which are responsible for Wolbachia-induced CI, as well as ovarian tumour-like (OTU-like) cysteine protease and ankyrin repeat domains. These findings suggest that Rickettsia and Wolbachia endosymbionts share underlying mechanisms of CI and that CI-inducing ability was acquired by microbes through horizontal plasmid transfer.}, }
@article {pmid39075965, year = {2024}, author = {Blasco-Lavilla, N and López-López, A and De la Rúa, P and Barribeau, SM}, title = {Infection by Crithidia bombi increases relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp. in the gut of Bombus terrestris.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {33}, number = {17}, pages = {e17478}, doi = {10.1111/mec.17478}, pmid = {39075965}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {FPU14/05189//Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci&#xf3;n/ ; 19908/GERM/2015//Fundaci&#xf3;n S&#xe9;neca/ ; 21372/PDGI/19//Fundaci&#xf3;n S&#xe9;neca (CARM) &amp; European Social Fund/ ; AV/PP0012/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 212450/Z/18/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Crithidia/pathogenicity/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Bees/microbiology/parasitology ; *Lactobacillus/genetics ; }, abstract = {Gut microbial communities confer protection against natural pathogens in important pollinators from the genera Bombus and Apis. In commercial species B. terrestris and B. impatiens, the microbiota increases their resistance to the common and virulent trypanosomatid parasite Crithidia bombi. However, the mechanisms by which gut microorganisms protect the host are still unknown. Here, we test two hypotheses: microbiota protect the host (1) through stimulation of its immune response or protection of the gut epithelium and (2) by competing for resources with the parasite inside the gut. To test them, we reduced the microbiota of workers and then rescued the microbial community by feeding them with microbiota supplements. We then exposed them to an infectious dose of C. bombi and characterised gene expression and gut microbiota composition. We examined the expression of three antimicrobial peptide genes and Mucin-5AC, a gene with a putative role in gut epithelium protection, using qPCR. Although a protective effect against C. bombi was observed in bumblebees with supplemented microbiota, we did not observe an effect of the microbiota on gene expression that could explain alone the protective effect observed. On the other hand, we found an increased relative abundance of Lactobacillus bacteria within the gut of infected workers and a negative correlation of this genus with Gilliamella and Snodgrassella genera. Therefore, our results point to a displacement of bumblebee endosymbionts by C. bombi that might be caused by competition for space and nutrients between the parasite and the microbiota within the gut.}, }
@article {pmid39074716, year = {2024}, author = {Start, CC and Anderson, CMH and Gatehouse, AMR and Edwards, MG}, title = {Dynamic response of essential amino acid biosynthesis in Buchnera aphidicola to supplement sub-optimal host nutrition.}, journal = {Journal of insect physiology}, volume = {158}, number = {}, pages = {104683}, doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104683}, pmid = {39074716}, issn = {1879-1611}, mesh = {*Amino Acids, Essential/metabolism ; *Aphids/metabolism/genetics ; Animals ; Buchnera/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Diet ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacterium Buchnera aphidicola allows its host Acyrthosiphon pisum to utilise a nutritionally limited phloem sap diet without significant mortality by providing essential amino acids (EAAs), which it biosynthesises de novo via complex pathways consisting of multiple enzymes. Previous studies have reported how non-essential amino acids (NEAAs) provided by the host are utilised by B. aphidicola, along with how genes within the biosynthetic pathways respond to amino acid deficiency. Although the effect on B. aphidicola gene expression upon the removal of a single EAA and multiple NEAAs from the A. pisum diet has been reported, little is known about the effects of the complete simultaneous removal of multiple EAAs, especially branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). To investigate this, A. pisum was provided with amino acid deficient diets ilv- (lacking isoleucine, leucine, valine) or thra- (lacking threonine, methionine, lysine). Due to their involvement in the production of several amino acids, the expression of genes ilvC, ilvD (both involved in isoleucine, leucine and valine biosynthesis) and thrA (involved in threonine, methionine and lysine biosynthesis) was analysed and the expression of trpC (involved in tryptophan biosynthesis) was used as a control. Survival was reduced significantly when A. pisum was reared on ilv- or thra- (P < 0.001 and P = 0.000 respectively) compared to optimal artificial diet and was significantly lower on ilv- (P < 0.001) than thra-. This is likely attributed to the EAAs absent from ilv- being required at higher concentrations for aphid growth, than those EAAs absent from thra-. Expression of ilvC and ilvD were upregulated 2.49- and 2.08-fold (respectively) and thrA expression increased 2.35- and 2.12-fold when A. pisum was reared on ilv- and thra- (respectively). The surprisingly large upregulation of thrA when reared on ilv- is likely due to threonine being an intermediate in isoleucine biosynthesis. Expression of trpC was not affected by rearing on either of the two amino acid deficient diets. To our knowledge this study has shown, for the first time, how genes within the biosynthetic pathways of an endosymbiont respond to the simultaneous complete omission of multiple EAAs as well as all three BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, valine), from the host diet.}, }
@article {pmid39072987, year = {2024}, author = {Yan, G and Wei, T and Lan, Y and Xu, T and Qian, P}, title = {Different parts of the mussel Gigantidas haimaensis holobiont responded differently to deep-sea sampling stress.}, journal = {Integrative zoology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1111/1749-4877.12881}, pmid = {39072987}, issn = {1749-4877}, support = {2019B030302004//Major Project of Basic and Applied Basic Research of Guangdong Province/ ; 2021HJ01//PI project of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)/ ; SMSEGL24SC01//Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)/ ; 16101822//HKSAR government/ ; C2013-22G//HKSAR government/ ; }, abstract = {Acute environmental changes cause stress during conventional deep-sea biological sampling without in situ fixation and affect gene expressions of samples collected. However, the degree of influence and underlying mechanisms are hardly investigated. Here, we conducted comparative transcriptomic analyses between in situ and onboard fixed gills and between in situ and onboard fixed mantles of deep-sea mussel Gigantidas haimaensis to assess the effects of incidental sampling stress. Results showed that transcription, translation, and energy metabolism were upregulated in onboard fixed gills and mantles, thereby mobilizing rapid gene expression to tackle the stress. Autophagy and phagocytosis that related to symbiotic interactions between the host and endosymbiont were downregulated in the onboard fixed gills. These findings demonstrated that symbiotic gill and nonsymbiotic mantle responded differently to sampling stress, and symbiosis in the gill was perturbed. Further comparative metatranscriptomic analysis between in situ and onboard fixed gills revealed that stress response genes, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and methane fixation were upregulated in the onboard fixed endosymbiotic Gammaproteobacteria inside the gills, implying that energy metabolism of the endosymbiont was increased to cope with sampling stress. Furthermore, comparative analysis between the mussel G. haimaensis and the limpet Bathyacmaea lactea transcriptomes resultedidentified six transcription factor orthologs upregulated in both onboard fixed mussel mantles and limpets, including sharply increased early growth response protein 1 and Kruppel-like factor 5. They potentially play key roles in initiating the response of sampled deep-sea macrobenthos to sampling stress. Our results clearly show that in situ fixed biological samples are vital for studying deep-sea environmental adaptation.}, }
@article {pmid39064928, year = {2024}, author = {Santana-Filho, AP and Pereira, AJ and Laibida, LA and Souza-Melo, N and DaRocha, WD and Sassaki, GL}, title = {Lipidomic Analysis Reveals Branched-Chain and Cyclic Fatty Acids from Angomonas deanei Grown under Different Nutritional and Physiological Conditions.}, journal = {Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {29}, number = {14}, pages = {}, pmid = {39064928}, issn = {1420-3049}, support = {311177/2021-2//National Council for Scientific and Technological Development/ ; }, mesh = {*Lipidomics/methods ; *Fatty Acids/metabolism/analysis ; *Trypanosomatina/metabolism ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Principal Component Analysis ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods ; }, abstract = {Angomonas deanei belongs to Trypanosomatidae family, a family of parasites that only infect insects. It hosts a bacterial endosymbiont in a mutualistic relationship, constituting an excellent model for studying organelle origin and cellular evolution. A lipidomic approach, which allows for a comprehensive analysis of all lipids in a biological system (lipidome), is a useful tool for identifying and measuring different expression patterns of lipid classes. The present study applied GC-MS and NMR techniques, coupled with principal component analysis (PCA), in order to perform a comparative lipidomic study of wild and aposymbiotic A. deanei grown in the presence or absence of FBS. Unusual contents of branched-chain iso C17:0 and C19:0-cis-9,10 and-11,12 fatty acids were identified in A. deanei cultures, and it was interesting to note that their content slightly decreased at the log phase culture, indicating that in the latter growth stages the cell must promote the remodeling of lipid synthesis in order to maintain the fluidity of the membrane. The combination of analytical techniques used in this work allowed for the detection and characterization of lipids and relevant contributors in a variety of A. deanei growth conditions.}, }
@article {pmid39058005, year = {2024}, author = {Ibañez-Escribano, A and Gomez-Muñoz, MT and Mateo, M and Fonseca-Berzal, C and Gomez-Lucia, E and Perez, RG and Alunda, JM and Carrion, J}, title = {Microbial Matryoshka: Addressing the Relationship between Pathogenic Flagellated Protozoans and Their RNA Viral Endosymbionts (Family Totiviridae).}, journal = {Veterinary sciences}, volume = {11}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {39058005}, issn = {2306-7381}, abstract = {Three genera of viruses of the family Totiviridae establish endosymbiotic associations with flagellated protozoa responsible for parasitic diseases of great impact in the context of One Health. Giardiavirus, Trichomonasvirus, and Leishmaniavirus infect the protozoa Giardia sp., Trichomonas vaginalis, and Leishmania sp., respectively. In the present work, we review the characteristics of the endosymbiotic relationships established, the advantages, and the consequences caused in mammalian hosts. Among the common characteristics of these double-stranded RNA viruses are that they do not integrate into the host genome, do not follow a lytic cycle, and do not cause cytopathic effects. However, in cases of endosymbiosis between Leishmaniavirus and Leishmania species from the Americas, and between Trichomonasvirus and Trichomonas vaginalis, it seems that it can alter their virulence (degree of pathogenicity). In a mammalian host, due to TLR3 activation of immune cells upon the recognition of viral RNA, uncontrolled inflammatory signaling responses are triggered, increasing pathological damage and the risk of failure of conventional standard treatment. Endosymbiosis with Giardiavirus can cause the loss of intestinal adherence of the protozoan, resulting in a benign disease. The current knowledge about viruses infecting flagellated protozoans is still fragmentary, and more research is required to unravel the intricacies of this three-way relationship. We need to develop early and effective diagnostic methods for further development in the field of translational medicine. Taking advantage of promising biotechnological advances, the aim is to develop ad hoc therapeutic strategies that focus not only on the disease-causing protozoan but also on the virus.}, }
@article {pmid39057829, year = {2024}, author = {Collado-Cuadrado, M and Alarcón-Torrecillas, C and Rodríguez-Escolar, I and Balmori-de la Puente, A and Infante González-Mohino, E and Pericacho, M and Morchón, R}, title = {Wolbachia Promotes an Anti-Angiogenic Response Using an In Vitro Model of Vascular Endothelial Cells in Relation to Heartworm Disease.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {39057829}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {//General Foundation of University of Salamanca/ ; //Margarita-Salas as postdoctoral scholarship/ ; //University of Salamanca-Banco Santander/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/drug effects ; Animals ; *Dirofilaria immitis/drug effects ; Humans ; *Dirofilariasis ; *Endothelial Cells/drug effects/microbiology/parasitology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/metabolism ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; }, abstract = {Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease responsible for the infection of mainly domestic dogs and cats, or these are those for which the most data are known. Humans are an accidental host where a benign, asymptomatic pulmonary nodule may originate. Dirofilaria immitis also harbours the endosymbiont bacteria of the genus Wolbachia, which play a role in moulting, embryogenesis, inflammatory pathology, and immune response. When Wolbachia sp. is released into the bloodstream, endothelial and pulmonary damage is exacerbated, further encouraging thrombus formation and pulmonary hypertension, facilitating congestive heart failure and death of the animal. Previous studies have shown that parasite excretory/secretory products are able to activate the pro-angiogenic pathway (formation of new vessels) to facilitate parasite survival. The aim of this study was to analyse the role of Wolbachia sp. and its relationship with the cellular processes and the angiogenic pathway in a model of human endothelial cells in vitro. The use of recombinant Wolbachia Surface Protein (rWSP) showed that its stimulation exerted an anti-angiogenic effect by detecting an increase in the production of VEGFR-1/sFlt1 and sEndoglin and did not affect the production of VEGFR-2 and mEndoglin (pro-angiogenic molecules). Furthermore, it did not stimulate cell proliferation or migration, although it did negatively stimulate the formation of pseudocapillaries, slowing down this process. These cellular processes are directly related to the angiogenic pathway so, with these results, we can conclude that Wolbachia sp. is related to the stimulation of the anti-angiogenic pathway, not facilitating the survival of D. immitis in vascular endothelium.}, }
@article {pmid39054929, year = {2024}, author = {Singh, R and Suresh, S and Fewell, JH and Harrison, JF and Linksvayer, TA}, title = {Wolbachia-infected pharaoh ant colonies have higher egg production, metabolic rate and worker survival.}, journal = {The Journal of experimental biology}, volume = {227}, number = {16}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.247168}, pmid = {39054929}, issn = {1477-9145}, support = {IOS-1452520//National Science Foundation/ ; //National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Ants/microbiology/physiology ; Female ; *Longevity ; Oviposition/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Ovum/microbiology/physiology ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a widespread maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria with diverse phenotypic effects on its insect hosts, ranging from parasitic to mutualistic. Wolbachia commonly infects social insects, where it faces unique challenges associated with its host's caste-based reproductive division of labor and colony living. Here, we dissect the benefits and costs of Wolbachia infection on life-history traits of the invasive pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis, which are relatively short lived and show natural variation in Wolbachia infection status between colonies. We quantified the effects of Wolbachia infection on the lifespan of queen and worker castes, the egg-laying rate of queens across queen lifespan, and the metabolic rates of whole colonies and colony members. Infected queens laid more eggs than uninfected queens but had similar metabolic rates and lifespans. Interestingly, infected workers outlived uninfected workers. At the colony level, infected colonies were more productive as a consequence of increased queen egg-laying rates and worker longevity, and infected colonies had higher metabolic rates during peak colony productivity. While some effects of infection, such as elevated colony-level metabolic rates, may be detrimental in more stressful natural conditions, we did not find any costs of infection under relatively benign laboratory conditions. Overall, our study emphasizes that Wolbachia infection can have beneficial effects on ant colony growth and worker survival in at least some environments.}, }
@article {pmid39054868, year = {2024}, author = {Sorwar, E and Oliveira, JIN and Malar C, M and Krüger, M and Corradi, N}, title = {Assembly and comparative analyses of the Geosiphon pyriformis metagenome.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {7}, pages = {e16681}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16681}, pmid = {39054868}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {RGPIN2020-05643//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council/ ; RGPAS-2020-00033//Discovery Accelerator Supplements Program/ ; IT16902//Mitacs Accelerate Program/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Metagenome ; Phylogeny ; Cyanobacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism ; Nostoc/genetics/metabolism ; Metagenomics ; Genome, Fungal ; Genome, Bacterial ; }, abstract = {Geosiphon pyriformis, a representative of the fungal sub-phylum Glomeromycotina, is unique in its endosymbiosis with cyanobacteria within a fungal cell. This symbiotic relationship occurs in bladders containing nuclei of G. pyriformis, Mollicutes-like bacterial endosymbionts (MRE), and photosynthetically active and dividing cells of Nostoc punctiforme. Recent genome analyses have shed light on the biology of G. pyriformis, but the genome content and biology of its endosymbionts remain unexplored. To fill this gap, we gathered and examined metagenomic data from the bladders of G. pyriformis, where N. punctiforme and MRE are located. This ensures that our analyses are focused on the organs directly involved in the symbiosis. By comparing this data with the genetic information of related cyanobacteria and MREs from other species of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, we aimed to reveal the genetic content of these organisms and understand how they interact at a genetic level to establish a symbiotic relationship. Our analyses uncovered significant gene expansions in the Nostoc endosymbiont, particularly in mobile elements and genes potentially involved in xenobiotic degradation. We also confirmed that the MRE of Glomeromycotina are monophyletic and possess a highly streamlined genome. These genomes show dramatic differences in both structure and content, including the presence of enzymes involved in environmental sensing and stress response.}, }
@article {pmid39052691, year = {2024}, author = {Mirchandani, C and Wang, P and Jacobs, J and Genetti, M and Pepper-Tunick, E and Sullivan, WT and Corbett-Detig, R and Russell, SL}, title = {Mixed Wolbachia infections resolve rapidly during in vitro evolution.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {20}, number = {7}, pages = {e1012149}, pmid = {39052691}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM128932/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG012344/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Biological Evolution ; Drosophila simulans/microbiology ; Cell Line ; }, abstract = {The intracellular symbiont Wolbachia pipientis evolved after the divergence of arthropods and nematodes, but it reached high prevalence in many of these taxa through its abilities to infect new hosts and their germlines. Some strains exhibit long-term patterns of co-evolution with their hosts, while other strains are capable of switching hosts. This makes strain selection an important factor in symbiont-based biological control. However, little is known about the ecological and evolutionary interactions that occur when a promiscuous strain colonizes an infected host. Here, we study what occurs when two strains come into contact in host cells following horizontal transmission and infection. We focus on the faithful wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster and the promiscuous wRi strain from Drosophila simulans using an in vitro cell culture system with multiple host cell types and combinatorial infection states. Mixing D. melanogaster cell lines stably infected with wMel and wRi revealed that wMel outcompetes wRi quickly and reproducibly. Furthermore, wMel was able to competitively exclude wRi even from minuscule starting quantities, indicating that this is a nearly deterministic outcome, independent of the starting infection frequency. This competitive advantage was not exclusive to wMel's native D. melanogaster cell background, as wMel also outgrew wRi in D. simulans cells. Overall, wRi is less adept at in vitro growth and survival than wMel and its in vivo state, revealing differences between the two strains in cellular and humoral regulation. These attributes may underlie the observed low rate of mixed infections in nature and the relatively rare rate of host-switching in most strains. Our in vitro experimental framework for estimating cellular growth dynamics of Wolbachia strains in different host species and cell types provides the first strategy for parameterizing endosymbiont and host cell biology at high resolution. This toolset will be crucial to our application of these bacteria as biological control agents in novel hosts and ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid39047091, year = {2024}, author = {Wang, H and Xiao, H and Feng, B and Lan, Y and Fung, CW and Zhang, H and Yan, G and Lian, C and Zhong, Z and Li, J and Wang, M and Wu, AR and Li, C and Qian, PY}, title = {Single-cell RNA-seq reveals distinct metabolic "microniches" and close host-symbiont interactions in deep-sea chemosynthetic tubeworm.}, journal = {Science advances}, volume = {10}, number = {30}, pages = {eadn3053}, pmid = {39047091}, issn = {2375-2548}, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Single-Cell Analysis/methods ; *Polychaeta/metabolism/microbiology/genetics ; *RNA-Seq/methods ; Gammaproteobacteria/metabolism/genetics ; Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis ; }, abstract = {Vestimentiferan tubeworms that thrive in deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems rely on a single species of sulfide-oxidizing gammaproteobacterial endosymbionts housed in a specialized symbiotic organ called trophosome as their primary carbon source. While this simple symbiosis is remarkably productive, the host-symbiont molecular interactions remain unelucidated. Here, we applied an approach for deep-sea in situ single-cell fixation in a cold-seep tubeworm, Paraescarpia echinospica. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and further molecular characterizations of both the trophosome and endosymbiont indicate that the tubeworm maintains two distinct metabolic "microniches" in the trophosome by controlling the availability of chemosynthetic gases and metabolites, resulting in oxygenated and hypoxic conditions. The endosymbionts in the oxygenated niche actively conduct autotrophic carbon fixation and are digested for nutrients, while those in the hypoxic niche conduct anaerobic denitrification, which helps the host remove ammonia waste. Our study provides insights into the molecular interactions between animals and their symbiotic microbes.}, }
@article {pmid39042246, year = {2024}, author = {Favoreto, AL and Domingues, MM and de Carvalho, VR and Ribeiro, MF and Zanuncio, JC and Wilcken, CF}, title = {Detection of Arsenophonus in Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) populations in Brazil.}, journal = {Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]}, volume = {55}, number = {4}, pages = {3075-3079}, pmid = {39042246}, issn = {1678-4405}, support = {Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; CAPES-Finance Code 001//Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfei&#xe7;oamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior/ ; Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)/ ; Programa Cooperativo sobre Prote&#xe7;&#xe3;o Florestal (PROTEF) do Instituto de Pesquisas e Estudos Florestais (IPEF)//Programa Cooperativo sobre Prote&#xe7;&#xe3;o Florestal (PROTEF) do Instituto de Pesquisas e Estudos Florestais (IPEF)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Brazil ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Enterobacteriaceae/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/classification/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Eucalyptus/parasitology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 23S/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; }, abstract = {Eucalyptus is the most intensively managed tree genus in the world. Different factors, including damage by insect pests, affect its growth and productivity. Among these pests is Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), an exotic insect of Australian origin. The evolutionary success of this insect depends on symbiotic associations with microorganisms. The influence of these microorganisms on insect pests and their natural enemies is important for integrated management tactics. Within this context, this work aimed to detect Arsenophonus in populations of G. brimblecombei in Brazil. Eucalyptus branches infested with G. brimblecombei nymphs were collected in commercial eucalyptus plantations in six Brazilian states. Specimens of this pest were sampled soon after emergence and frozen for molecular analysis. The genomic DNA of G. brimblecombei adults from each population was extracted and used to detect the endosymbiont Arsenophonus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) employing specific primers that target its 23 S rRNA gene. This endosymbiont was identified in all of the studied G. brimblecombei populations. This is the first report on the association between Arsenophonus and G. brimblecombei in Brazil.}, }
@article {pmid39031957, year = {2025}, author = {Thia, JA and Zhan, D and Robinson, K and Umina, PA and Hoffmann, AA and Yang, Q}, title = {'Drifting' Buchnera genomes track the microevolutionary trajectories of their aphid hosts.}, journal = {Insect molecular biology}, volume = {34}, number = {1}, pages = {19-32}, pmid = {39031957}, issn = {1365-2583}, support = {//Grains Research Development Corporation (Australia) as part of the 'Australian Grains Pest Innovation Program'/ ; //University of Melbourne/ ; //University of Melbourne's Research Computing Services/ ; //Petascale Campus Initiative/ ; }, mesh = {*Aphids/genetics ; Animals ; *Buchnera/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Biological Evolution ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genetic Variation ; Brassicaceae/genetics/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Evolution of Buchnera-aphid host symbioses is often studied among species at macroevolutionary scales. Investigations within species offer a different perspective about how eco-evolutionary processes shape patterns of genetic variation at microevolutionary scales. Our study leverages new and publicly available whole-genome sequencing data to study Buchnera-aphid host evolution in Myzus persicae, the peach potato aphid, a globally invasive and polyphagous pest. Across 43 different asexual, clonally reproducing isofemale strains, we examined patterns of genomic covariation between Buchnera and their aphid host and considered the distribution of mutations in protein-coding regions of the Buchnera genome. We found Buchnera polymorphisms within aphid strains, suggesting the presence of genetically different Buchnera strains within the same clonal lineage. Genetic distance between pairs of Buchnera samples was positively correlated to genetic distance between their aphid hosts, indicating shared evolutionary histories. However, there was no segregation of genetic variation for both M. persicae and Buchnera with plant host (Brassicaceae and non-tobacco Solanaceae) and no associations between genetic and geographic distance at global or regional spatial scales. Abundance patterns of non-synonymous mutations were similar to synonymous mutations in the Buchnera genome, and both mutation classes had similar site frequency spectra. We hypothesize that a predominance of neutral processes results in the Buchnera of M. persicae to simply 'drift' with the evolutionary trajectory of their aphid hosts. Our study presents a unique microevolutionary characterization of Buchnera-aphid host genomic covariation across multiple aphid clones. This provides a new perspective on the eco-evolutionary processes generating and maintaining polymorphisms in a major pest aphid species and its obligate primary endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid39029846, year = {2024}, author = {Mathimaran, A and Nagarajan, H and Mathimaran, A and Huang, YC and Chen, CJ and Vetrivel, U and Jeyaraman, J}, title = {Deciphering the pH-dependent oligomerization of aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase from Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi: An in vitro and in silico approaches.}, journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules}, volume = {276}, number = {Pt 2}, pages = {133977}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133977}, pmid = {39029846}, issn = {1879-0003}, mesh = {*Brugia malayi/enzymology/microbiology ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Animals ; *Aspartate-Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase/metabolism/chemistry/genetics ; *Protein Multimerization ; *Wolbachia/enzymology ; Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; Computer Simulation ; Symbiosis ; NADP/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The enzyme aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ASDH) plays a pivotal role in the amino acid biosynthesis pathway, making it an attractive target for the development of new antimicrobial drugs due to its absence in humans. This study aims to investigate the presence of ASDH in the filarial parasite Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi (WBm) using both in vitro and in silico approaches. The size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and Native-PAGE analysis demonstrate that WBm-ASDH undergoes pH-dependent oligomerization and dimerization. To gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, the modelled monomer and dimer structures were subjected to pH-dependent dynamics simulations in various conditions. The results reveal that residues Val240, Gln161, Thr159, Tyr160, and Trp316 form strong hydrogen bond contacts in the intersurface area to maintain the structure in the dimeric form. Furthermore, the binding of NADP[+] induces conformational changes, leading to an open or closed conformation in the structure. Importantly, the binding of NADP[+] does not disturb either the dimerization or oligomerization of the protein, a finding confirmed through both in vitro and in silico analysis. These findings shed light on the structural characteristics of WBm-ASDH and offer valuable insights for the development of new inhibitors specific to WBm, thereby contributing to the development of potential therapies for filarial parasitic infections.}, }
@article {pmid39028812, year = {2024}, author = {Dougan, KE and Bellantuono, AJ and Kahlke, T and Abbriano, RM and Chen, Y and Shah, S and Granados-Cifuentes, C and van Oppen, MJH and Bhattacharya, D and Suggett, DJ and Rodriguez-Lanetty, M and Chan, CX}, title = {Whole-genome duplication in an algal symbiont bolsters coral heat tolerance.}, journal = {Science advances}, volume = {10}, number = {29}, pages = {eadn2218}, pmid = {39028812}, issn = {2375-2548}, mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; *Anthozoa/genetics/physiology/microbiology ; Animals ; *Gene Duplication ; *Thermotolerance/genetics ; *Genome ; Coral Reefs ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The algal endosymbiont Durusdinium trenchii enhances the resilience of coral reefs under thermal stress. D. trenchii can live freely or in endosymbiosis, and the analysis of genetic markers suggests that this species has undergone whole-genome duplication (WGD). However, the evolutionary mechanisms that underpin the thermotolerance of this species are largely unknown. Here, we present genome assemblies for two D. trenchii isolates, confirm WGD in these taxa, and examine how selection has shaped the duplicated genome regions using gene expression data. We assess how the free-living versus endosymbiotic lifestyles have contributed to the retention and divergence of duplicated genes, and how these processes have enhanced the thermotolerance of D. trenchii. Our combined results suggest that lifestyle is the driver of post-WGD evolution in D. trenchii, with the free-living phase being the most important, followed by endosymbiosis. Adaptations to both lifestyles likely enabled D. trenchii to provide enhanced thermal stress protection to the host coral.}, }
@article {pmid39028184, year = {2024}, author = {Feng, H and Wilson, ACC}, title = {Experimental uncoupling of hosts and endosymbionts.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {8}, pages = {e0111624}, pmid = {39028184}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology/physiology ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Bacteria/genetics/growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Many organisms harbor heritable bacterial symbionts that offer context-specific benefits to their hosts. In some of these symbioses, symbionts live inside host cells as endosymbionts. Studying the biology of endosymbiosis is challenging because it is hard to independently cultivate hosts and endosymbionts. A recent study, using a simple defined growth medium at ambient temperature, established an axenic culture of the pea aphid's heritable bacterial endosymbiont, Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica (G. P. Maeda, M. K. Kelly, A. Sundar, and N. A. Moran, mBio 15:e03253-23, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.03253-23). Notably, the monoculture was capable of host recolonization, was stably transmitted, and returned similar host phenotypes to those observed in native infections. This advance in uncoupling the cultivation of an endosymbiont and its host opens avenues for genetic manipulation of the endosymbiont that will facilitate hypothesis-driven work to explore the mechanisms of host-endosymbiont biology and potentially facilitate the development of symbiont-mediated practical-application biotechnologies.}, }
@article {pmid39025984, year = {2024}, author = {Sikorskaya, TV and Ermolenko, EV and Ginanova, TT and Boroda, AV and Efimova, KV and Bogdanov, M}, title = {Membrane vectorial lipidomic features of coral host cells' plasma membrane and lipid profiles of their endosymbionts Cladocopium.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {878}, pmid = {39025984}, issn = {2399-3642}, support = {R01 GM121493/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01GM121493-6//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/metabolism/physiology/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Cell Membrane/metabolism ; *Lipidomics ; *Dinoflagellida/metabolism/physiology ; Membrane Lipids/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The symbiotic relationships between coral animal host and autotrophic dinoflagellates are based on the mutual exchange and tight control of nutritional inputs supporting successful growth. The corals Sinularia heterospiculata and Acropora aspera were cultivated using a flow-through circulation system supplying seawater during cold and warm seasons of the year, then sorted into host cells and symbionts and subjected to phylogenetic, morphological, and advanced lipid analyses. Here we show, that the lipidomes of the dinoflagellates Cladocopium C1/C3 and acroporide-specific Cladocopium hosted by the corals, are determined by lipidomic features of different thermosensitivity and unique betaine- and phospholipid molecular species. Phosphatidylserines and ceramiaminoethylphosphonates are not detected in the symbionts and predominantly localized on the inner leaflet of the S. heterospiculata host plasma membrane. The transmembrane distribution of phosphatidylethanolamines of S. heterospiculata host changes during different seasons of the year, possibly contributing to mutualistic nutritional exchange across this membrane complex to provide the host with a secure adaptive mechanism and ecological benefits.}, }
@article {pmid39014485, year = {2024}, author = {Harmsen, N and Vesga, P and Glauser, G and Klötzli, F and Heiman, CM and Altenried, A and Vacheron, J and Muller, D and Moënne-Loccoz, Y and Steinger, T and Keel, C and Garrido-Sanz, D}, title = {Natural plant disease suppressiveness in soils extends to insect pest control.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {127}, pmid = {39014485}, issn = {2049-2618}, support = {BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; 31BD30_186540//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; 31BD30_186540//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; 31BD30_186540//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; 31BD30_186540//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; 31BD30_186540//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; 51NF40_180575//National Centre of Competence in Research Microbiomes, Switzerland/ ; 51NF40_180575//National Centre of Competence in Research Microbiomes, Switzerland/ ; 51NF40_180575//National Centre of Competence in Research Microbiomes, Switzerland/ ; 51NF40_180575//National Centre of Competence in Research Microbiomes, Switzerland/ ; ANR19-EBI3-0007//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR19-EBI3-0007//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Plant Diseases/prevention &amp; control/microbiology ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Rhizosphere ; Switzerland ; Insecta ; Bacteria/classification ; Soil/chemistry ; Ascomycota/physiology ; Insect Control/methods ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; Herbivory ; Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism/pharmacology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Since the 1980s, soils in a 22-km[2] area near Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland have been recognized for their innate ability to suppress the black root rot plant disease caused by the fungal pathogen Thielaviopsis basicola. However, the efficacy of natural disease suppressive soils against insect pests has not been studied.<br><br>RESULTS: We demonstrate that natural soil suppressiveness also protects plants from the leaf-feeding pest insect Oulema melanopus. Plants grown in the most suppressive soil have a reduced stress response to Oulema feeding, reflected by dampened levels of herbivore defense-related phytohormones and benzoxazinoids. Enhanced salicylate levels in insect-free plants indicate defense-priming operating in this soil. The rhizosphere microbiome of suppressive soils contained a higher proportion of plant-beneficial bacteria, coinciding with their microbiome networks being highly tolerant to the destabilizing impact of insect exposure observed in the rhizosphere of plants grown in the conducive soils. We suggest that presence of plant-beneficial bacteria in the suppressive soils along with priming, conferred plant resistance to the insect pest, manifesting also in the onset of insect microbiome dysbiosis by the displacement of the insect endosymbionts.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that an intricate soil-plant-insect feedback, relying on a stress tolerant microbiome network with the presence of plant-beneficial bacteria and plant priming, extends natural soil suppressiveness from soilborne diseases to insect pests. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid39013857, year = {2024}, author = {Gao, YL and Cournoyer, J and De, BC and Wallace, CL and Ulanov, AV and La Frano, MR and Mehta, AP}, title = {Introducing carbon assimilation in yeasts using photosynthetic directed endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {5947}, pmid = {39013857}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {R01 GM139949/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01GM139949//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis/physiology ; *Photosynthesis ; *Carbon/metabolism ; *Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism/genetics ; *Metabolic Engineering/methods ; Carbon Dioxide/metabolism ; Glucose/metabolism ; Cyanobacteria/metabolism/genetics ; }, abstract = {Conversion of heterotrophic organisms into partially or completely autotrophic organisms is primarily accomplished by extensive metabolic engineering and laboratory evolution efforts that channel CO2 into central carbon metabolism. Here, we develop a directed endosymbiosis approach to introduce carbon assimilation in budding yeasts. Particularly, we engineer carbon assimilating and sugar-secreting photosynthetic cyanobacterial endosymbionts within the yeast cells, which results in the generation of yeast/cyanobacteria chimeras that propagate under photosynthetic conditions in the presence of CO2 and in the absence of feedstock carbon sources like glucose or glycerol. We demonstrate that the yeast/cyanobacteria chimera can be engineered to biosynthesize natural products under the photosynthetic conditions. Additionally, we expand our directed endosymbiosis approach to standard laboratory strains of yeasts, which transforms them into photosynthetic yeast/cyanobacteria chimeras. We anticipate that our studies will have significant implications for sustainable biotechnology, synthetic biology, and experimentally studying the evolutionary adaptation of an additional organelle in yeast.}, }
@article {pmid39010998, year = {2024}, author = {Dagar, J and Maurya, S and Antil, S and Abraham, JS and Somasundaram, S and Lal, R and Makhija, S and Toteja, R}, title = {Symbionts of Ciliates and Ciliates as Symbionts.}, journal = {Indian journal of microbiology}, volume = {64}, number = {2}, pages = {304-317}, pmid = {39010998}, issn = {0046-8991}, abstract = {Endosymbiotic relationships between ciliates and others are critical for their ecological roles, physiological adaptations, and evolutionary implications. These can be obligate and facultative. Symbionts often provide essential nutrients, contribute to the ciliate's metabolism, aid in digestion, and offer protection against predators or environmental stressors. In turn, ciliates provide a protected environment and resources for their symbionts, facilitating their survival and proliferation. Ultrastructural and full-cycle rRNA approaches are utilized to identify these endosymbionts. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using "species- and group-specific probes" which are complementary to the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of a particular species or group of interest represent convenient tools for their detection directly in the environment. A systematic survey of these endosymbionts has been conducted using both traditional and metagenomic approaches. Ciliophora and other protists have a wide range of prokaryotic symbionts, which may contain potentially pathogenic bacteria. Ciliates can establish symbiotic relationships with a variety of hosts also, ranging from protists to metazoans. Understanding ciliate symbiosis can provide useful insights into the complex relationships that drive microbial communities and ecosystems in general.}, }
@article {pmid39009178, year = {2024}, author = {Power, RI and Doyle, SR and Šlapeta, J}, title = {Whole genome amplification and sequencing of individual Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae.}, journal = {Experimental parasitology}, volume = {263-264}, number = {}, pages = {108806}, doi = {10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108806}, pmid = {39009178}, issn = {1090-2449}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Dogs ; *Genome, Helminth ; *Dog Diseases/parasitology ; *Dirofilariasis/parasitology ; *Microfilariae/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Whole Genome Sequencing ; *DNA, Helminth/isolation &amp; purification/chemistry ; Female ; Male ; }, abstract = {Dirofilaria immitis is a filarial parasitic nematode of veterinary significance. With the emergence of drug-resistant isolates in the USA, it is imperative to determine the likelihood of resistance occurring in other regions of the world. One approach is to conduct population genetic studies across an extensive geographical range, and to sequence the genomes of individual worms to understand genome-wide genetic variation associated with resistance. The immature life stages of D. immitis found in the host blood are more accessible and less invasive to sample compared to extracting adult stages from the host heart. To assess the use of immature life stages for population genetic analyses, we have performed whole genome amplification and whole-genome sequencing on nine (n = 9) individual D. immitis microfilaria samples isolated from dog blood. On average, less than 1% of mapped reads aligned to each D. immitis genome (nuclear, mitochondrial, and Wolbachia endosymbiont). For the dog genome, an average of over 99% of mapped reads aligned to the nuclear genome and less than 1% aligned to the mitochondrial genome. The average coverage for all D. immitis genomes and the dog nuclear genome was less than 1, while the dog mitochondrial genome had an average coverage of 2.87. The overwhelming proportion of sequencing reads mapping to the dog host genome can be attributed to residual dog blood cells in the microfilariae samples. These results demonstrate the challenges of conducting genome-wide studies on individual immature parasite life stages, particularly in the presence of extraneous host DNA.}, }
@article {pmid39008129, year = {2024}, author = {Pereira, IS and da Cunha, M and Leal, IP and Luís, MP and Gonçalves, P and Gonçalves, C and Mota, LJ}, title = {Identification of homologs of the Chlamydia trachomatis effector CteG reveals a family of Chlamydiaceae type III secreted proteins that can be delivered into host cells.}, journal = {Medical microbiology and immunology}, volume = {213}, number = {1}, pages = {15}, pmid = {39008129}, issn = {1432-1831}, mesh = {Humans ; *Chlamydia trachomatis/genetics/metabolism ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *Phylogeny ; *Type III Secretion Systems/metabolism/genetics ; Virulence Factors/metabolism/genetics ; HeLa Cells ; Yersinia/genetics/metabolism ; Protein Transport ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Evolution, Molecular ; Chlamydiaceae/genetics/metabolism/classification ; }, abstract = {Chlamydiae are a large group of obligate endosymbionts of eukaryotes that includes the Chlamydiaceae family, comprising several animal pathogens. Among Chlamydiaceae, Chlamydia trachomatis causes widespread ocular and urogenital infections in humans. Like many bacterial pathogens, all Chlamydiae manipulate host cells by injecting them with type III secretion effector proteins. We previously characterized the C. trachomatis effector CteG, which localizes at the host cell Golgi and plasma membrane during distinct phases of the chlamydial infectious cycle. Here, we show that CteG is a Chlamydiaceae-specific effector with over 60 homologs phylogenetically categorized into two distinct clades (CteG I and CteG II) and exhibiting several inparalogs and outparalogs. Notably, cteG I homologs are syntenic to C. trachomatis cteG, whereas cteG II homologs are syntenic among themselves but not with C. trachomatis cteG. This indicates a complex evolution of cteG homologs, which is unique among C. trachomatis effectors, marked by numerous events of gene duplication and loss. Despite relatively modest sequence conservation, nearly all tested CteG I and CteG II proteins were identified as type III secretion substrates using Yersinia as a heterologous bacterial host. Moreover, most of the type III secreted CteG I and CteG II homologs were delivered by C. trachomatis into host cells, where they localized at the Golgi region and cell periphery. Overall, this provided insights into the evolution of bacterial effectors and revealed a Chlamydiaceae family of type III secreted proteins that underwent substantial divergence during evolution while conserving the capacity to localize at specific host cell compartments.}, }
@article {pmid39004284, year = {2024}, author = {Obanda, V and Akinyi, M and King'ori, E and Nyakundi, R and Ochola, G and Oreng, P and Mugambi, K and Waiguchu, GM and Chege, M and Rosenbaum, W and Ylitalo, EB and Bäck, AT and Pettersson, L and Mukunzi, OS and Agwanda, B and Stenberg-Lewerin, S and Lwande, OW}, title = {Epidemiology and ecology of the sylvatic cycle of African Swine Fever Virus in Kenya.}, journal = {Virus research}, volume = {348}, number = {}, pages = {199434}, pmid = {39004284}, issn = {1872-7492}, mesh = {Animals ; *African Swine Fever Virus/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; *African Swine Fever/epidemiology/transmission/virology ; Kenya/epidemiology ; Swine ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; *Antibodies, Viral/blood ; Genotype ; Tick Infestations/epidemiology/veterinary ; Arachnid Vectors/virology ; }, abstract = {African Swine Fever (ASF) is caused by a DNA virus (AFSV) maintained and transmitted by the Argasid ticks. The re-emergence of the disease in Africa coupled with its rapid spread globally is a threat to the pig industry, food security and livelihoods. The ecology and epidemiology of the ASFV sylvatic cycle, especially in the face of changing land use and land cover, further compounds the menace and impacts of this disease in Kenya. The study aimed to determine the occurrence and distribution of ASFV seroprevalence in warthog populations, the tick vectors and extent of tick infestation of warthog burrows, and the genotypes of ASFV in soft ticks in Kenya. Warthogs from different parts of Kenya were captured and venous blood was centrifuged to harvest sera. Warthog burrows were examined for their conditions and to extract ticks. Sera were analyzed for antibodies against ASFV using a commercial ELISA kit coated with p32 ASFV recombinant protein. Ticks were pooled, DNA extracted and the p72 gene of the ASFV was amplified by qPCR and conventional PCR. The overall seroprevalence of ASFV in warthogs was 87.5 %. A total of 228 warthog burrows were examined and 2154 argasid ticks were extracted from the burrows. Tick pools from Kigio Farm and Lewa Wildlife Conservancies were ASFV-positive by qPCR and conventional PCR. ASFV was further confirmed by the Twist Comprehensive Viral Research Panel (TCVRP), which also identified the argasid ticks as Ornithodoros porcinus. The ticks were infected with virus genotype IX, and their occurrence overlaps with regions of previous ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs. Further, Viruses that could be tick endosymbionts/commensals or due to bloodmeal were detected in ticks by TCVRP; Porcine type-C oncovirus; Pandoravirus neocaledonia; Choristoneura fumiferana granulovirus; Enterobacteria phage p7; Leporid herpesvirus 4 isolate; 5; Human Lymphotropic virus; Human herpesvirus 5. In conclusion, our results suggest that infected Ornithodoros spp. seems to have a rich virome, which has not been explored but could be exploited to inform ASF control in Kenya. Further, the ecology of Ornithodoros spp. and burrow-use dynamics are complex and more studies are needed to understand these dynamics, specifically in the spread of ASFV at the interface of wild and domestic pigs. Further, our results provide evidence of genotype IX ASFV sylvatic cycle which through O. porcinus tick transmission has resulted in high exposure of adult common warthogs. Finally, the co-circulation of ASFV genotype IX in the same location with past ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs and presently in ticks brings to focus the role of the interface and ticks on virus transmission to pigs and warthogs.}, }
@article {pmid38997520, year = {2024}, author = {Samaddar, S and Rolandelli, A and O'Neal, AJ and Laukaitis-Yousey, HJ and Marnin, L and Singh, N and Wang, X and Butler, LR and Rangghran, P and Kitsou, C and Cabrera Paz, FE and Valencia, L and R Ferraz, C and Munderloh, UG and Khoo, B and Cull, B and Rosche, KL and Shaw, DK and Oliver, J and Narasimhan, S and Fikrig, E and Pal, U and Fiskum, GM and Polster, BM and Pedra, JHF}, title = {Bacterial reprogramming of tick metabolism impacts vector fitness and susceptibility to infection.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {9}, pages = {2278-2291}, pmid = {38997520}, issn = {2058-5276}, support = {F31 AI152215/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; F31AI152215//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; P01AI138949//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; T32 AI162579/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32AI162579//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; R01 AI093653/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P01 AI138949/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01AI162819//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; P01AI138949, R01AI080615//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; R21 AI165520/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI116523/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; F31AI167471//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; R01 AI134696/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; F31 AI167471/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01AI134696, R01AI116523, R01AI049424, P01AI138949//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Anaplasma phagocytophilum/metabolism/genetics ; *Rickettsia/genetics/metabolism ; *Borrelia burgdorferi/genetics/metabolism ; Mice ; Lyme Disease/microbiology ; Glycolysis ; Metabolomics ; Humans ; Genetic Fitness ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Arthropod-borne pathogens are responsible for hundreds of millions of infections in humans each year. The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is the predominant arthropod vector in the United States and is responsible for transmitting several human pathogens, including the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and the obligate intracellular rickettsial bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis. However, tick metabolic response to microbes and whether metabolite allocation occurs upon infection remain unknown. Here we investigated metabolic reprogramming in the tick ectoparasite I. scapularis and determined that the rickettsial bacterium A. phagocytophilum and the spirochete B. burgdorferi induced glycolysis in tick cells. Surprisingly, the endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri had a minimal effect on bioenergetics. An unbiased metabolomics approach following A. phagocytophilum infection of tick cells showed alterations in carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide and protein metabolism, including elevated levels of the pleiotropic metabolite β-aminoisobutyric acid. We manipulated the expression of genes associated with β-aminoisobutyric acid metabolism in I. scapularis, resulting in feeding impairment, diminished survival and reduced bacterial acquisition post haematophagy. Collectively, we discovered that metabolic reprogramming affects interspecies relationships and fitness in the clinically relevant tick I. scapularis.}, }
@article {pmid38987492, year = {2024}, author = {Ng, MS and Soon, N and Afiq-Rosli, L and Kunning, I and Mana, RR and Chang, Y and Wainwright, BJ}, title = {Highly Diverse Symbiodiniaceae Types Hosted by Corals in a Global Hotspot of Marine Biodiversity.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {87}, number = {1}, pages = {92}, pmid = {38987492}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {*Anthozoa/microbiology ; Animals ; *Biodiversity ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics/classification/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Coral Reefs ; Papua New Guinea ; Phylogeny ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodiniaceae play vital roles in promoting resilience and increasing stress tolerance in their coral hosts. While much of the world's coral succumb to the stresses associated with increasingly severe and frequent thermal bleaching events, live coral cover in Papua New Guinea (PNG) remains some of the highest reported globally despite the historically warm waters surrounding the country. Yet, in spite of the high coral cover in PNG and the acknowledged roles Symbiodiniaceae play within their hosts, these communities have not been characterized in this global biodiversity hotspot. Using high-throughput sequencing of the ITS2 rDNA gene, we profiled the endosymbionts of four coral species, Diploastrea heliopora, Pachyseris speciosa, Pocillopora acuta, and Porites lutea, across six sites in PNG. Our findings reveal patterns of Cladocopium and Durusdinium dominance similar to other reefs in the Coral Triangle, albeit with much greater intra- and intergenomic variation. Host- and site-specific variations in Symbiodiniaceae type profiles were observed across collection sites, appearing to be driven by environmental conditions. Notably, the extensive intra- and intergenomic variation, coupled with many previously unreported sequences, highlight PNG as a potential hotspot of symbiont diversity. This work represents the first characterization of the coral-symbiont community structure in the PNG marine biodiversity hotspot, serving as a baseline for future studies.}, }
@article {pmid38982749, year = {2024}, author = {Schrecengost, A and Rotterová, J and Poláková, K and Čepička, I and Beinart, RA}, title = {Divergent marine anaerobic ciliates harbor closely related Methanocorpusculum endosymbionts.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38982749}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {//Simons Foundation Early Career Investigator in Marine Microbial Ecology and Evolution Award/ ; 1330406//United States National Science Foundation EPSCoR Track II Cooperative Agreement Award/ ; 23-06004S//Czech Science Foundation/ ; OIA-1655221//National Science Foundation EPSCoR/ ; //Vini&#x10d;n&#xe1; Microscopy Core Facility/ ; LM2023050//MEYS CR/ ; 1919588//National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Ciliophora/classification/genetics/physiology ; *Phylogeny ; Anaerobiosis ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Geologic Sediments/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; DNA, Archaeal/genetics/chemistry ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Seawater/microbiology/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Ciliates are a diverse group of protists known for their ability to establish various partnerships and thrive in a wide variety of oxygen-depleted environments. Most anaerobic ciliates harbor methanogens, one of the few known archaea living intracellularly. These methanogens increase the metabolic efficiency of host fermentation via syntrophic use of host end-product in methanogenesis. Despite the ubiquity of these symbioses in anoxic habitats, patterns of symbiont specificity and fidelity are not well known. We surveyed two unrelated, commonly found groups of anaerobic ciliates, the Plagiopylea and Metopida, isolated from anoxic marine sediments. We sequenced host 18S rRNA and symbiont 16S rRNA marker genes as well as the symbiont internal transcribed spacer region from our cultured ciliates to identify hosts and their associated methanogenic symbionts. We found that marine ciliates from both of these co-occurring, divergent groups harbor closely related yet distinct intracellular archaea within the Methanocorpusculum genus. The symbionts appear to be stable at the host species level, but at higher taxonomic levels, there is evidence that symbiont replacements have occurred. Gaining insight into this unique association will deepen our understanding of the complex transmission modes of marine microbial symbionts, and the mutualistic microbial interactions occurring across domains of life.}, }
@article {pmid38981407, year = {2024}, author = {Howe, CJ and Barbrook, AC}, title = {Dinoflagellate chloroplasts as a model for extreme genome reduction and fragmentation in organelles - The COCOA principle for gene retention.}, journal = {Protist}, volume = {175}, number = {4}, pages = {126048}, doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2024.126048}, pmid = {38981407}, issn = {1618-0941}, mesh = {*Dinoflagellida/genetics ; *Chloroplasts/genetics/metabolism ; Genome, Chloroplast ; }, abstract = {The genomes of peridinin-containing dinoflagellate chloroplasts have a very unusual organisation. These genomes are highly fragmented and greatly reduced, with most of the usual complement of chloroplast genes relocated to the nucleus. Dinoflagellate chloroplasts highlight evolutionary changes that are found to varying extents in a number of other organelle genomes. These include the chloroplast genome of the green alga Boodlea and other Cladophorales, and the mitochondrial genomes of blood-sucking and chewing lice, the parasitic plant Rhopalocnemis phalloides, the red alga Rhodosorus marinus and other members of the Stylonematophyceae, diplonemid flagellates, and some Cnidaria. Consideration of the coding content of the remnant chloroplast genomes indicates that organelles may preferentially retain genes for proteins important in initiating assembly of complexes, and the same is largely true for mitochondria. We propose a new principle, of CO-location for COntrol of Assembly (COCOA), indicating the importance of retaining these genes in the organelle. This adds to, but does not invalidate, the existing hypotheses of the multisubunit completion principle, CO-location for Redox Regulation (CORR) and Control by Epistasy of Synthesis (CES).}, }
@article {pmid38975782, year = {2024}, author = {Price, CTD and Hanford, HE and Al-Quadan, T and Santic, M and Shin, CJ and Da'as, MSJ and Abu Kwaik, Y}, title = {Amoebae as training grounds for microbial pathogens.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {8}, pages = {e0082724}, pmid = {38975782}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {R01 AI140195/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01AI140195//HHS | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; }, mesh = {*Amoeba/virology/microbiology ; Animals ; Humans ; Symbiosis ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Biological Evolution ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; }, abstract = {Grazing of amoebae on microorganisms represents one of the oldest predator-prey dynamic relationships in nature. It represents a genetic "melting pot" for an ancient and continuous multi-directional inter- and intra-kingdom horizontal gene transfer between amoebae and its preys, intracellular microbial residents, endosymbionts, and giant viruses, which has shaped the evolution, selection, and adaptation of microbes that evade degradation by predatory amoeba. Unicellular phagocytic amoebae are thought to be the ancient ancestors of macrophages with highly conserved eukaryotic processes. Selection and evolution of microbes within amoeba through their evolution to target highly conserved eukaryotic processes have facilitated the expansion of their host range to mammals, causing various infectious diseases. Legionella and environmental Chlamydia harbor an immense number of eukaryotic-like proteins that are involved in ubiquitin-related processes or are tandem repeats-containing proteins involved in protein-protein and protein-chromatin interactions. Some of these eukaryotic-like proteins exhibit novel domain architecture and novel enzymatic functions absent in mammalian cells, such as ubiquitin ligases, likely acquired from amoebae. Mammalian cells and amoebae may respond similarly to microbial factors that target highly conserved eukaryotic processes, but mammalian cells may undergo an accidental response to amoeba-adapted microbial factors. We discuss specific examples of microbes that have evolved to evade amoeba predation, including the bacterial pathogens- Legionella, Chlamydia, Coxiella, Rickettssia, Francisella, Mycobacteria, Salmonella, Bartonella, Rhodococcus, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Helicobacter, Campylobacter, and Aliarcobacter. We also discuss the fungi Cryptococcus, and Asperigillus, as well as amoebae mimiviruses/giant viruses. We propose that amoeba-microbe interactions will continue to be a major "training ground" for the evolution, selection, adaptation, and emergence of microbial pathogens equipped with unique pathogenic tools to infect mammalian hosts. However, our progress will continue to be highly dependent on additional genomic, biochemical, and cellular data of unicellular eukaryotes.}, }
@article {pmid38975267, year = {2024}, author = {Hoffmann, AA and Cooper, BS}, title = {Describing endosymbiont-host interactions within the parasitism-mutualism continuum.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {7}, pages = {e11705}, pmid = {38975267}, issn = {2045-7758}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts are widespread in arthropods, living in host cells with effects that extend from parasitic to mutualistic. Newly acquired endosymbionts tend to be parasitic, but vertical transmission favors coevolution toward mutualism, with hosts sometimes developing dependency. Endosymbionts negatively affecting host fitness may still spread by impacting host reproductive traits, referred to as reproductive "manipulation," although costs for hosts are often assumed rather than demonstrated. For cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) that involves endosymbiont-mediated embryo death, theory predicts directional shifts away from "manipulation" toward reduced CI strength; moreover, CI-causing endosymbionts need to increase host fitness to initially spread. In nature, endosymbiont-host interactions and dynamics are complex, often depending on environmental conditions and evolutionary history. We advocate for capturing this complexity through appropriate datasets, rather than relying on terms like "manipulation." Such imprecision can lead to the misclassification of endosymbionts along the parasitism-mutualism continuum.}, }
@article {pmid38974189, year = {2024}, author = {Cham, AK and Adams, AK and Wadl, PA and Ojeda-Zacarías, MDC and Rutter, WB and Jackson, DM and Shoemaker, DD and Yencho, GC and Olukolu, BA}, title = {Metagenome-enabled models improve genomic predictive ability and identification of herbivory-limiting genes in sweetpotato.}, journal = {Horticulture research}, volume = {11}, number = {7}, pages = {uhae135}, pmid = {38974189}, issn = {2662-6810}, abstract = {Plant-insect interactions are often influenced by host- or insect-associated metagenomic community members. The relative abundance of insects and the microbes that modulate their interactions were obtained from sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) leaf-associated metagenomes using quantitative reduced representation sequencing and strain/species-level profiling with the Qmatey software. Positive correlations were found between whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and its endosymbionts (Candidatus Hamiltonella defensa, Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum, and Rickettsia spp.) and negative correlations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that implicate nitric oxide in sweetpotato-whitefly interaction. Genome-wide associations using 252 975 dosage-based markers, and metagenomes as a covariate to reduce false positive rates, implicated ethylene and cell wall modification in sweetpotato-whitefly interaction. The predictive abilities (PA) for whitefly and Ocypus olens abundance were high in both populations (68%-69% and 33.3%-35.8%, respectively) and 69.9% for Frankliniella occidentalis. The metagBLUP (gBLUP) prediction model, which fits the background metagenome-based Cao dissimilarity matrix instead of the marker-based relationship matrix (G-matrix), revealed moderate PA (35.3%-49.1%) except for O. olens (3%-10.1%). A significant gain in PA after modeling the metagenome as a covariate (gGBLUP, ≤11%) confirms quantification accuracy and that the metagenome modulates phenotypic expression and might account for the missing heritability problem. Significant gains in PA were also revealed after fitting allele dosage (≤17.4%) and dominance effects (≤4.6%). Pseudo-diploidized genotype data underperformed for dominance models. Including segregation-distorted loci (SDL) increased PA by 6%-17.1%, suggesting that traits associated with fitness cost might benefit from the inclusion of SDL. Our findings confirm the holobiont theory of host-metagenome co-evolution and underscore its potential for breeding within the context of G × G × E interactions.}, }
@article {pmid38971960, year = {2024}, author = {Therhaag, E and Ulrich, R and Gross, J and Schneider, B}, title = {Onion (Allium cepa L.) as a new host for 'Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus' in Germany.}, journal = {Plant disease}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1094/PDIS-03-24-0526-PDN}, pmid = {38971960}, issn = {0191-2917}, abstract = {Onion (Allium cepa L.) is the most produced vegetable after tomato worldwide and is grown on about 15,000 ha in Germany. In Lampertheim, Hesse in southwest Germany (49°40'02.3"N, 8°26'00.0"E) bulbs of the cultivar 'Red Baron F1' were harvested in September 2023 in an apparently healthy state. Four months later some of the onions showed rotting symptoms, which could not be assigned to a known storage disease. At first, the bulbs became glassy, later they showed soft rot. They originated from a field located in a growing region severely affected by "Syndrome Basses Richesses" (SBR). 'Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus' as well as 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' are associated with this disease in sugar beet (Gatineau et al. 2002). Moreover, 'Ca. A. phytopathogenicus' was recently reported in association of bacterial wilt and yellowing in potato (Behrmann et al. 2023). Both phloem-restricted bacteria are vectored by the polyphagous planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus (Therhaag et al. 2024), which is highly abundant in this region. To examine, if the unknown symptoms in onion might be related to the presence of these pathogens, DNA of 69 bulbs showing a different degree of softening were analyzed. The samples were tested for the presence of 'Ca. Phytoplasma solani' in a TaqMan assay (Behrmann et al. 2022). All showed negative results. To demonstrate the presence of 'Ca. A. phytopathogenicus', universal and genus-specific primers for the amplification of 16S rDNA and a real-time qPCR assay amplifying an hsp20 fragment were employed (Christensen et al. 2004, Zübert and Kube 2021). Two bulbs of the five positive samples were in an apparently healthy state, the other three showed light to moderate softening symptoms. The 16S rDNA fragments from two samples were sequenced on both strands and aligned. Both fragments were homologous. One fragment of 1474 bp fragment showing 100% homology to the 16S rDNA from SBR (accession no. AY057392) was submitted to GenBank (accession no. PP400342). Other taxa of 'Ca. Arsenophonus' showed 16S rDNA homologies of less than 99.3 %. To corroborate the finding onion samples were subjected to PCR reactions employing genus-specific primers for the conserved tufB, secY and manA gene, which had been derived from multiple alignments of 'Ca. A. spp' sequence submissions (Sela et al. 1989, Lee et al. 2010). The tufB, secY and manA primers amplified fragments of about 980 bp, 640 bp and 930 bp, respectively, from all previously positive samples. Samples which had been tested negative for 'Ca. P. phytopathogenicus' remained negative. Fragments from two accessions were sequenced and the sequences from both isolates were 100 % identical. A BLAST search of the partial tufB gene (acc. no. PP950434) showed 98.57 % sequence identity to a yet unnamed Arsenophonus endosymbiont (acc. no. OZ026540) and 91.85 to 91.83 % to 'Ca. A. nasoniae' and 'Ca. A. apicola', respectively. A similar result was obtained for the partial secY sequence (acc. no. PP950433). The manA sequence (acc. no. PP942231) was identical to a partial sequence of 'Ca. A. phytopathogenicus' strain HN (acc. no. OK335757) and 97.42 % to 'Ca. A. nasoniae and about 87 % to related Arsenophonus species. The finding of 'Ca. A. phytopathogenicus' in onion is novel and might indicate an expanding host range of vector and pathogen in the regional crop rotation. As a correlation between the pathogen and the soft rot symptom is unclear at present, further investigations are needed.}, }
@article {pmid38958415, year = {2024}, author = {Doğan, S and Farzali, S and Karimova, B and Sağlam, N}, title = {Evaluation of Methylene Blue as An Effective Antiseptic for Medicinal Leeches (Hirudo verbana).}, journal = {Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi}, volume = {48}, number = {2}, pages = {96-104}, doi = {10.4274/tpd.galenos.2024.85047}, pmid = {38958415}, issn = {2146-3077}, mesh = {Animals ; *Methylene Blue ; *Anti-Infective Agents, Local/pharmacology ; *Leeches ; Leeching ; Aeromonas/drug effects ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Hirudo medicinalis ; Animals, Poisonous ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Medicinal leeches (Hirudo spp.) have been used for therapeutic purposes in humans since ancient times. Because of their growth conditions, leeches carry certain bacteria and endosymbionts (e.g., Aeromonas spp). In both leech farms and hirudotherapy clinics, there are no reliable antiseptics that can be used with leeches. This study aimed to determine whether methylene blue (MB) is a safe antiseptic for medicinal leeches and assess its safe usage.<br><br>METHODS: This study evaluated the efficacy of MB by determining lethal concentrations (LC), effective concentrations (EC), and lethal times (LT) for the medicinal leech Hirudo verbena Carena, 1820. A total of 570 H. verbana specimens obtained from a local farm were used in this study. Eighteen different concentrations of MB (between 1 ppm and 512 ppm) were tested.<br><br>RESULTS: The LC50 and EC50 values for H. verbana were determined to be 60.381 (53.674-66.636) ppm and 2.013 (1.789-2.221) ppm, respectively. The LT50 durations for MB concentrations of 32 and 512 ppm were calculated as 212.92 h (138.43 h-1485.78 h) and 17.82 h (8.08 h-23.90 h), respectively.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The results show that MB concentrations between 2 and 19 ppm can be safely used as antiseptics in hirudotherapy clinics and leech farms to address bacterial concerns caused by medicinal leeches.}, }
@article {pmid38957696, year = {2024}, author = {Ross, PA and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Revisiting Wolbachia detections: Old and new issues in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and other insects.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {7}, pages = {e11670}, pmid = {38957696}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Wolbachia continue to be reported in species previously thought to lack them, particularly Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The presence of Wolbachia in this arbovirus vector is considered important because releases of mosquitoes with transinfected Wolbachia are being used around the world to suppress pathogen transmission and these efforts depend on a lack of Wolbachia in natural populations of this species. We previously assessed papers reporting Wolbachia in natural populations of Ae. aegypti and found little evidence that seemed convincing. However, since our review, more and more papers are emerging on Wolbachia detections in this species. Our purpose here is to evaluate these papers within the context of criteria we previously established but also new criteria that include the absence of releases of transinfections within the local areas being sampled which has contaminated natural populations in at least one case where novel detections have been reported. We also address the broader issue of Wolbachia detection in other insects where similar issues may arise which can affect overall estimates of this endosymbiont more generally. We note continuing shortcomings in papers purporting to find natural Wolbachia in Ae. aegypti which are applicable to other insects as well.}, }
@article {pmid38953331, year = {2024}, author = {Cibichakravarthy, B and Shaked, N and Kapri, E and Gottlieb, Y}, title = {Endosymbiont-derived metabolites are essential for tick host reproductive fitness.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {9}, number = {7}, pages = {e0069323}, pmid = {38953331}, issn = {2379-5042}, support = {1074/18//Israel Science Foundation (ISF)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; Female ; *Reproduction ; *Proline/metabolism ; Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology/physiology ; Coxiella/metabolism/genetics ; Vitamin B Complex/pharmacology/metabolism ; Amino Acids/metabolism ; Genetic Fitness ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Ticks, like other obligatory blood-feeding arthropods, rely on endosymbiotic bacteria to supplement their diet with B vitamins lacking in blood. It has been suggested that additional metabolites such as L-proline may be involved in this nutritional symbiosis, but this has yet to be tested. Here, we studied the metabolite-based interaction between the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) and its Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE). We measured amino acid titers and tested the effect of B vitamins and L-proline supplementation on the fitness of CLE-suppressed female ticks, displaying low titers of CLE. We found higher titers of L-proline in the symbiont-hosting organs of unfed ticks and in engorged blood-fed whole ticks. Supplementation of B vitamins increased the hatching rate of CLE-suppressed ticks; this effect appears to be stronger when L-proline is added. Our results indicate that L-proline is produced by CLE, and we suggest that CLE is essential in states of high metabolic demand that affects tick reproductive fitness, such as oogenesis and embryonic development. These findings demonstrate the broader effect of nutritional symbionts on their hosts and may potentially contribute to the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) are essential to the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus for feeding and reproduction. This symbiosis is based on the supplementation of B vitamins lacking in the blood diet. The involvement of additional metabolites has been suggested, but no experimental evidence is available as yet to confirm a metabolic interaction. Here, we show that B vitamins and L-proline, both of which contribute to tick reproductive fitness, are produced by CLE. These findings demonstrate the importance of symbiont-derived metabolites for the host's persistence and shed light on the complex bacteria-host metabolic interaction, which can be channeled to manipulate and control tick populations.}, }
@article {pmid38946980, year = {2024}, author = {Jacobs, J and Nakamoto, A and Mastoras, M and Loucks, H and Mirchandani, C and Karim, L and Penunuri, G and Wanket, C and Russell, SL}, title = {Complete de novo assembly of Wolbachia endosymbiont of Drosophila willistoni using long-read genome sequencing.}, journal = {Research square}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38946980}, issn = {2693-5015}, support = {R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG012344/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular α-proteobacterium which commonly infects arthropods and filarial nematodes. Different strains of Wolbachia are capable of a wide range of regulatory manipulations in many hosts and modulate host cellular differentiation to influence host reproduction. The genetic basis for the majority of these phenotypes is unknown. The wWil strain from the neotropical fruit fly, Drosophila willistoni, exhibits a remarkably high affinity for host germline-derived cells relative to the soma. This trait could be leveraged for understanding how Wolbachia influences the host germline and for controlling host populations in the field. To further the use of this strain in biological and biomedical research, we sequenced the genome of the wWil strain isolated from host cell culture cells. Here, we present the first high quality nanopore assembly of wWil, the Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. willistoni. Our assembly resulted in a circular genome of 1.27 Mb with a BUSCO completeness score of 99.7%. Consistent with other insect-associated Wolbachia strains, comparative genomic analysis revealed that wWil has a highly mosaic genome relative to the closely related wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster.}, }
@article {pmid38940615, year = {2024}, author = {Hrdina, A and Serra Canales, M and Arias-Rojas, A and Frahm, D and Iatsenko, I}, title = {The endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii increases Drosophila melanogaster resistance to pathogens by enhancing iron sequestration and melanization.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {8}, pages = {e0093624}, pmid = {38940615}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {IA 81/2-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Spiroplasma/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/immunology ; *Iron/metabolism ; Melanins/metabolism ; Staphylococcus aureus/physiology/immunology ; Providencia/metabolism/physiology/genetics ; Disease Resistance ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Facultative endosymbiotic bacteria, such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma species, are commonly found in association with insects and can dramatically alter their host physiology. Many endosymbionts are defensive and protect their hosts against parasites or pathogens. Despite the widespread nature of defensive insect symbioses and their importance for the ecology and evolution of insects, the mechanisms of symbiont-mediated host protection remain poorly characterized. Here, we utilized the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and its facultative endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii to characterize the mechanisms underlying symbiont-mediated host protection against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Our results indicate a variable effect of S. poulsonii on infection outcome, with endosymbiont-harboring flies being more resistant to Rhyzopus oryzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Providencia alcalifaciens but more sensitive or as sensitive as endosymbiont-free flies to the infections with Pseudomonas species. Further focusing on the protective effect, we identified Transferrin-mediated iron sequestration induced by Spiroplasma as being crucial for the defense against R. oryzae and P. alcalifaciens. In the case of S. aureus, enhanced melanization in Spiroplasma-harboring flies plays a major role in protection. Both iron sequestration and melanization induced by Spiroplasma require the host immune sensor protease Persephone, suggesting a role of proteases secreted by the symbiont in the activation of host defense reactions. Hence, our work reveals a broader defensive range of Spiroplasma than previously appreciated and adds nutritional immunity and melanization to the defensive arsenal of symbionts.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Defensive endosymbiotic bacteria conferring protection to their hosts against parasites and pathogens are widespread in insect populations. However, the mechanisms by which most symbionts confer protection are not fully understood. Here, we studied the mechanisms of protection against bacterial and fungal pathogens mediated by the Drosophila melanogaster endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii. We demonstrate that besides the previously described protection against wasps and nematodes, Spiroplasma also confers increased resistance to pathogenic bacteria and fungi. We identified Spiroplasma-induced iron sequestration and melanization as key defense mechanisms. Our work broadens the known defense spectrum of Spiroplasma and reveals a previously unappreciated role of melanization and iron sequestration in endosymbiont-mediated host protection. We propose that the mechanisms we have identified here may be of broader significance and could apply to other endosymbionts, particularly to Wolbachia, and potentially explain their protective properties.}, }
@article {pmid38936473, year = {2024}, author = {Malinski, KH and Elizabeth Moore, M and Kingsolver, JG}, title = {Heat stress and host-parasitoid interactions: lessons and opportunities in a changing climate.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {64}, number = {}, pages = {101225}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2024.101225}, pmid = {38936473}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; *Host-Parasite Interactions ; *Climate Change ; Hot Temperature ; Heat-Shock Response ; Insecta/physiology/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Ongoing climate change is increasing the frequency and magnitude of high-temperature events (HTEs), causing heat stress in parasitoids and their hosts. We argue that HTEs and heat stress should be viewed in terms of the intersecting life cycles of host and parasitoid. Recent studies illustrate how the biological consequences of a given HTE may vary dramatically depending on its timing within these lifecycles. The temperature sensitivity of host manipulation by parasitoids, and by viral endosymbionts of many parasitoids, can contribute to differing responses of hosts and parasitoids to HTEs. In some cases, these effects can result in reduced parasitoid success and increased host herbivory and may disrupt the ecological interactions between hosts and parasitoids. Because most studies to date involve endoparasitoids of aphid or lepidopteran hosts in agricultural systems, our understanding of heat responses of host-parasitoid interactions in natural systems is quite limited.}, }
@article {pmid38935037, year = {2024}, author = {Dorai, APS and Umina, PA and Chirgwin, E and Yang, Q and Gu, X and Thia, J and Hoffmann, A}, title = {Novel transinfections of Rickettsiella do not affect insecticide tolerance in Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi, or Diuraphis noxia (Hemiptera: Aphididae).}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {117}, number = {4}, pages = {1377-1384}, pmid = {38935037}, issn = {1938-291X}, support = {UOM1905-002RTX//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; //The University of Melbourne/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; Insecticide Resistance ; Rhizobiaceae/physiology ; }, abstract = {Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) are economically important crop pests worldwide. Because of growing issues with insecticide resistance and environmental contamination by insecticides, alternate methods are being explored to provide aphid control. Aphids contain endosymbiotic bacteria that affect host fitness and could be targeted as potential biocontrol agents, but such novel strategies should not impact the effectiveness of traditional chemical control. In this work, we used a novel endosymbiont transinfection to examine the impact of the endosymbiont Rickettsiella viridis on chemical tolerance in 3 important agricultural pest species of aphid: Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko ex Kurdjumov) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). We tested tolerance to the commonly used insecticides alpha-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, and pirimicarb using a leaf-dip bioassay. We found no observed effect of this novel endosymbiont transinfection on chemical tolerance, suggesting that the strain of Rickettsiella tested here could be used as a biocontrol agent without affecting sensitivity to insecticides. This may allow Rickettsiella transinfections to be used in combination with chemical applications for pest control. The impacts of other endosymbionts on insecticide tolerance should be considered, along with tests on multiple aphid clones with different inherent levels of chemical tolerance.}, }
@article {pmid38934538, year = {2024}, author = {Michalik, A and C Franco, D and Szklarzewicz, T and Stroiński, A and Łukasik, P}, title = {Facultatively intrabacterial localization of a planthopper endosymbiont as an adaptation to its vertical transmission.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {9}, number = {7}, pages = {e0063424}, pmid = {38934538}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {2017/26/D/NZ8/00799//Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN)/ ; 2018/30/E/NZ8/00880//Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN)/ ; PPN/PPO/2018/1/00015//Narodowa Agencja Wymiany Akademickiej (NAWA)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Hemiptera/microbiology/physiology ; Female ; Male ; Acetobacteraceae/genetics/physiology ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Adaptation, Physiological ; }, abstract = {Transovarial transmission is the most reliable way of passing on essential nutrient-providing endosymbionts from mothers to offspring. However, not all endosymbiotic microbes follow the complex path through the female host tissues to oocytes on their own. Here, we demonstrate an unusual transmission strategy adopted by one of the endosymbionts of the planthopper Trypetimorpha occidentalis (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) from Bulgaria. In this species, an Acetobacteraceae endosymbiont is transmitted transovarially within deep invaginations of cellular membranes of an ancient endosymbiont Sulcia-strikingly resembling recently described plant virus transmission. However, in males, Acetobacteraceae colonizes the same bacteriocytes as Sulcia but remains unenveloped. Then, the unusual endobacterial localization of Acetobacteraceae observed in females appears to be a unique adaptation to maternal transmission. Further, the symbiont's genomic features, including encoding essential amino acid biosynthetic pathways and its similarity to a recently described psyllid symbiont, suggest a unique combination of the ability to horizontally transmit among species and confer nutritional benefits. The close association with Acetobacteraceae symbiont correlates with the so-far-unreported level of genomic erosion of ancient nutritional symbionts of this planthopper. In Sulcia, this is reflected in substantial changes in genomic organization, reported for the first time in the symbiont renowned for its genomic stability. In Vidania, substantial gene loss resulted in one of the smallest genomes known, at 108.6 kb. Thus, the symbionts of T. occidentalis display a combination of unusual adaptations and genomic features that expand our understanding of how insect-microbe symbioses may transmit and evolve.IMPORTANCEReliable transmission across host generations is a major challenge for bacteria that associate with insects, and independently established symbionts have addressed this challenge in different ways. The facultatively endobacterial localization of Acetobacteraceae symbiont, enveloped by cells of ancient nutritional endosymbiont Sulcia in females but not males of the planthopper Trypetimorpha occidentalis, appears to be a unique adaptation to maternal transmission. Acetobacteraceae's genomic features indicate its unusual evolutionary history, and the genomic erosion experienced by ancient nutritional symbionts demonstrates the apparent consequences of such close association. Combined, this multi-partite symbiosis expands our understanding of the diversity of strategies that insect symbioses form and some of their evolutionary consequences.}, }
@article {pmid38924387, year = {2024}, author = {Devereux, G and Bula, M and Tripp, K and Fitzgerald, R and Eraut, N and Alam, MS and Moriyama, T and Shinkyo, R and Walker, L and Wang, D and Gusovsky, F and van der Velde, J and Turner, JD and Hong, WD and O'Neill, PM and Taylor, MJ and Ward, SA}, title = {A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose Trial of AWZ1066S, an Anti-Wolbachia Candidate Macrofilaricide.}, journal = {Clinical pharmacology in drug development}, volume = {13}, number = {9}, pages = {1071-1081}, doi = {10.1002/cpdd.1441}, pmid = {38924387}, issn = {2160-7648}, mesh = {Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; *Wolbachia/drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Elephantiasis, Filarial/drug therapy ; Healthy Volunteers ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacokinetics/administration &amp; dosage/adverse effects ; Administration, Oral ; Onchocerciasis/drug therapy ; }, abstract = {AWZ1066S has been developed as a potential treatment for the neglected tropical diseases lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. AWZ1066S targets the Wolbachia bacterial endosymbiont present in the causative nematode parasites. This phase 1, first-in-human study aimed to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of AWZ1066S in healthy human participants. In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study, healthy adults received a single oral dose of AWZ1066S (or placebo) and were followed up for 10 days. The planned single doses of AWZ1066S ranged from 100 to 1600 mg, and each dose was administered to a cohort of 8 participants (6 AWZ1066S and 2 placebo). In total 30 people participated, 18 (60%) female, median age 30.0 years (minimum 20, maximum 61). The cohorts administered 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg of AWZ1066S progressed unremarkably. After single 700-mg doses all 4 participants developed symptoms of acute gastritis and transient increases in liver enzymes. The severity of these adverse events ranged from mild to severe, with 1 participant needing hospital admission. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that AWZ1066S is rapidly absorbed with predictable pharmacokinetics. In conclusion, safety concerns prevented this study from reaching the human exposures needed for AWZ1066S to be clinically effective against lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.}, }
@article {pmid38924211, year = {2024}, author = {Gilkes, JM and Frampton, RA and Board, AJ and Hudson, AO and Price, TG and Morris, VK and Crittenden, DL and Muscroft-Taylor, AC and Sheen, CR and Smith, GR and Dobson, RCJ}, title = {A new lysine biosynthetic enzyme from a bacterial endosymbiont shaped by genetic drift and genome reduction.}, journal = {Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society}, volume = {33}, number = {7}, pages = {e5083}, pmid = {38924211}, issn = {1469-896X}, mesh = {*Lysine/biosynthesis/metabolism/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Symbiosis ; *Genetic Drift ; Hydro-Lyases/genetics/chemistry/metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism/chemistry ; Animals ; }, abstract = {The effect of population bottlenecks and genome reduction on enzyme function is poorly understood. Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum is a bacterium with a reduced genome that is transmitted vertically to the egg of an infected psyllid-a population bottleneck that imposes genetic drift and is predicted to affect protein structure and function. Here, we define the function of Ca. L. solanacearum dihydrodipicolinate synthase (CLsoDHDPS), which catalyzes the committed branchpoint reaction in diaminopimelate and lysine biosynthesis. We demonstrate that CLsoDHDPS is expressed in Ca. L. solanacearum and expression is increased ~2-fold in the insect host compared to in planta. CLsoDHDPS has decreased thermal stability and increased aggregation propensity, implying mutations have destabilized the enzyme but are compensated for through elevated chaperone expression and a stabilized oligomeric state. CLsoDHDPS uses a ternary-complex kinetic mechanism, which is to date unique among DHDPS enzymes, has unusually low catalytic ability, but an unusually high substrate affinity. Structural studies demonstrate that the active site is more open, and the structure of CLsoDHDPS with both pyruvate and the substrate analogue succinic-semialdehyde reveals that the product is both structurally and energetically different and therefore evolution has in this case fashioned a new enzyme. Our study suggests the effects of genome reduction and genetic drift on the function of essential enzymes and provides insights on bacteria-host co-evolutionary associations. We propose that bacteria with endosymbiotic lifestyles present a rich vein of interesting enzymes useful for understanding enzyme function and/or informing protein engineering efforts.}, }
@article {pmid38923306, year = {2024}, author = {Gabr, A and Stephens, TG and Reinfelder, JR and Liau, P and Calatrava, V and Grossman, AR and Bhattacharya, D}, title = {Evidence of a putative CO2 delivery system to the chromatophore in the photosynthetic amoeba Paulinella.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {16}, number = {3}, pages = {e13304}, pmid = {38923306}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {NJ01180//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; NJ07125//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 80NSSC19K0462/NASA/NASA/United States ; //Carnegie Institution for Science/ ; OCE-1634154//US National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {*Carbon Dioxide/metabolism ; *Photosynthesis/genetics ; *Chromatophores/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; Amoeba/genetics ; Cyanobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The photosynthetic amoeba, Paulinella provides a recent (ca. 120 Mya) example of primary plastid endosymbiosis. Given the extensive data demonstrating host lineage-driven endosymbiont integration, we analysed nuclear genome and transcriptome data to investigate mechanisms that may have evolved in Paulinella micropora KR01 (hereinafter, KR01) to maintain photosynthetic function in the novel organelle, the chromatophore. The chromatophore is of α-cyanobacterial provenance and has undergone massive gene loss due to Muller's ratchet, but still retains genes that encode the ancestral α-carboxysome and the shell carbonic anhydrase, two critical components of the biophysical CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) in cyanobacteria. We identified KR01 nuclear genes potentially involved in the CCM that arose via duplication and divergence and are upregulated in response to high light and downregulated under elevated CO2. We speculate that these genes may comprise a novel CO2 delivery system (i.e., a biochemical CCM) to promote the turnover of the RuBisCO carboxylation reaction and counteract photorespiration. We posit that KR01 has an inefficient photorespiratory system that cannot fully recycle the C2 product of RuBisCO oxygenation back to the Calvin-Benson cycle. Nonetheless, both these systems appear to be sufficient to allow Paulinella to persist in environments dominated by faster-growing phototrophs.}, }
@article {pmid38916437, year = {2024}, author = {Song, Q and Zhao, F and Hou, L and Miao, M}, title = {Cellular interactions and evolutionary origins of endosymbiotic relationships with ciliates.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38916437}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {32070432//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022YFA1303900//National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; //Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Ciliophora/physiology/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Phototrophic Processes ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; }, abstract = {As unicellular predators, ciliates engage in close associations with diverse microbes, laying the foundation for the establishment of endosymbiosis. Originally heterotrophic, ciliates demonstrate the ability to acquire phototrophy by phagocytizing unicellular algae or by sequestering algal plastids. This adaptation enables them to gain photosynthate and develop resistance to unfavorable environmental conditions. The integration of acquired phototrophy with intrinsic phagotrophy results in a trophic mode known as mixotrophy. Additionally, ciliates can harbor thousands of bacteria in various intracellular regions, including the cytoplasm and nucleus, exhibiting species specificity. Under prolonged and specific selective pressure within hosts, bacterial endosymbionts evolve unique lifestyles and undergo particular reductions in metabolic activities. Investigating the research advancements in various endosymbiotic cases within ciliates will contribute to elucidate patterns in cellular interaction and unravel the evolutionary origins of complex traits.}, }
@article {pmid38915450, year = {2024}, author = {Trouche, B and Schrieke, H and Duron, O and Eren, AM and Reveillaud, J}, title = {Wolbachia populations across organs of individual Culex pipiens: highly conserved intra-individual core pangenome with inter-individual polymorphisms.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {ycae078}, pmid = {38915450}, issn = {2730-6151}, abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that infects a wide range of arthropods including mosquitoes. The endosymbiont is widely used in biocontrol strategies due to its capacity to modulate arthropod reproduction and limit pathogen transmission. Wolbachia infections in Culex spp. are generally assumed to be monoclonal but the potential presence of genetically distinct Wolbachia subpopulations within and between individual organs has not been investigated using whole genome sequencing. Here we reconstructed Wolbachia genomes from ovary and midgut metagenomes of single naturally infected Culex pipiens mosquitoes from Southern France to investigate patterns of intra- and inter-individual differences across mosquito organs. Our analyses revealed a remarkable degree of intra-individual conservancy among Wolbachia genomes from distinct organs of the same mosquito both at the level of gene presence-absence signal and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Yet, we identified several synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions between individuals, demonstrating the presence of some level of genomic heterogeneity among Wolbachia that infect the same C. pipiens field population. Overall, the absence of genetic heterogeneity within Wolbachia populations in a single individual confirms the presence of a dominant Wolbachia that is maintained under strong purifying forces of evolution.}, }
@article {pmid38912811, year = {2024}, author = {Yue, H and Ma, X and Sun, S and Hu, H and Wu, J and Xu, T and Huang, D and Luo, Y and Wu, J and Huang, T}, title = {Diversity and saline-alkali resistance of Coleoptera endosymbiont bacteria in arid and semi-arid climate.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {12}, number = {8}, pages = {e0023224}, pmid = {38912811}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {2022xjkk020603//Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition Program, National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 2020Q02//Outstanding Young Scientific and Technological Talents Training Program of Xinjiang Autonomous Region/ ; U2003305 31860018//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2020D14022//Tianshan Innovation Team Project of Xinjiang Autonomous Region/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Coleoptera/microbiology/physiology ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Alkalies/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Soil Microbiology ; Microbiota/physiology ; Salinity ; Salt Tolerance ; Desert Climate ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Soil salinization usually occurs in arid and semi-arid climate areas from 37 to 50 degrees north latitude and 73 to 123 degrees east longitude. These regions are inhabited by a large number of Coleopteran insects, which play an important role in the ecological cycle. However, little is known about the endosymbiotic microbial taxa and their biological characteristics in these insects. A study of endosymbiotic microorganisms of Coleoptera from Xinjiang, a typical arid and inland saline area, revealed that endosymbiont bacteria with salinity tolerance are common among the endosymbionts of Coleoptera. Functional prediction of the microbiota analysis indicated a higher abundance of inorganic ion transporters and metabolism in these endosymbiont strains. Screening was conducted on the tolerable 11% NaCl levels of Brevibacterium casei G20 (PRJNA754761), and differential metabolite and proteins were performed. The differential metabolites of the strain during the exponential and plateau phases were found to include benzene compounds, organic acids, and their derivatives. These results suggest that the endosymbiotic microorganisms of Coleoptera in this environment have adaptive evolution to extreme environments, and this group of microorganisms is also one of the important resources for mining saline and alkaline-tolerant chassis microorganisms and high-robustness enzymes.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Coleoptera insects, as the first largest order of insect class, have the characteristics of a wide variety and wide distribution. The arid and semi-arid climate makes it more adaptable. By studying the endosymbiont bacteria of Coleoptera insects, we can systematically understand the adaptability of endosymbiont bacteria to host and special environment. Through the analysis of endosymbiont bacteria of Coleoptera insects in different saline-alkali areas in arid and semi-arid regions of Xinjiang, it was found that bacteria in different host samples were resistant to saline-alkali stress. These results suggest that bacteria and their hosts co-evolved in response to this climate. Therefore, this study is of great significance for understanding the endosymbiont bacteria of Coleoptera insects and obtaining extremophile resources (Saline-alkali-resistant chassis strains with modification potential for the production of bulk chemicals and highly robust industrial enzymes).}, }
@article {pmid38909040, year = {2024}, author = {Lu, C and Zou, T and Liu, Q and Huang, X}, title = {Twenty-nine newly sequenced genomes and a comprehensive genome dataset for the insect endosymbiont Buchnera.}, journal = {Scientific data}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {673}, pmid = {38909040}, issn = {2052-4463}, support = {31970446//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 31970446//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 31970446//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 31970446//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology ; *Buchnera/genetics ; Genome Size ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Most phloem-feeding insects face nutritional deficiency and rely on their intracellular symbionts to provide nutrients, and most of endosymbiont genomes have undergone reduction. However, the study of genome reduction processes of endosymbionts has been constrained by the limited availability of genome data from different insect lineages. The obligate relationship between aphids and Buchnera aphidicola (hereafter Buchnera) makes them a classic model for studying insect-endosymbiont interaction. Here, we report 29 newly sequenced Buchnera genomes from 11 aphid subfamilies, and a comprehensive dataset based on 90 Buchnera genomes from 14 aphid subfamilies. The dataset shows a significant genomic difference of Buchnera among different aphid lineages. The dataset exhibits a more balanced distribution of Buchnera (from 14 aphid subfamilies) genome sizes, ranging from 400 kb to 600 kb, which can illustrate the genome reduction process of Buchnera. The new genome data provide valuable insights into the microevolutionary processes leading to genomic reduction of insect endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid38903791, year = {2024}, author = {Tafesh-Edwards, G and Kyza Karavioti, M and Markollari, K and Bunnell, D and Chtarbanova, S and Eleftherianos, I}, title = {Wolbachia endosymbionts in Drosophila regulate the resistance to Zika virus infection in a sex dependent manner.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1380647}, pmid = {38903791}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Drosophila melanogaster has been used extensively for dissecting the genetic and functional bases of host innate antiviral immunity and virus-induced pathology. Previous studies have shown that the presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts in D. melanogaster confers resistance to infection by certain viral pathogens. Zika virus is an important vector-borne pathogen that has recently expanded its range due to the wide geographical distribution of the mosquito vector. Here, we describe the effect of Wolbachia on the immune response of D. melanogaster adult flies following Zika virus infection. First, we show that the presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts promotes the longevity of uninfected D. melanogaster wild type adults and increases the survival response of flies following Zika virus injection. We find that the latter effect is more pronounced in females rather than in males. Then, we show that the presence of Wolbachia regulates Zika virus replication during Zika virus infection of female flies. In addition, we demonstrate that the antimicrobial peptide-encoding gene Drosocin and the sole Jun N-terminal kinase-specific MAPK phosphatase Puckered are upregulated in female adult flies, whereas the immune and stress response gene TotM is upregulated in male individuals. Finally, we find that the activity of RNA interference and Toll signaling remain unaffected in Zika virus-infected female and male adults containing Wolbachia compared to flies lacking the endosymbionts. Our results reveal that Wolbachia endosymbionts in D. melanogaster affect innate immune signaling activity in a sex-specific manner, which in turn influences host resistance to Zika virus infection. This information contributes to a better understanding of the complex interrelationship between insects, their endosymbiotic bacteria, and viral infection. Interpreting these processes will help us design more effective approaches for controlling insect vectors of infectious disease.}, }
@article {pmid38903055, year = {2024}, author = {Shama, SM and Elissawy, AM and Salem, MA and Youssef, FS and Elnaggar, MS and El-Seedi, HR and Khalifa, SAM and Briki, K and Hamdan, DI and Singab, ANB}, title = {Comparative metabolomics study on the secondary metabolites of the red alga, Corallina officinalis and its associated endosymbiotic fungi.}, journal = {RSC advances}, volume = {14}, number = {26}, pages = {18553-18566}, pmid = {38903055}, issn = {2046-2069}, abstract = {Marine endosymbionts have gained remarkable interest in the last three decades in terms of natural products (NPs) isolated thereof, emphasizing the chemical correlations with those isolated from the host marine organism. The current study aimed to conduct comparative metabolic profiling of the marine red algae Corallina officinalis, and three fungal endosymbionts isolated from its inner tissues namely, Aspergillus nidulans, A. flavipes and A. flavus. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts of the host organism as well as the isolated endosymbionts were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS)in both positive and negative ion modes, applying both full scan (FS) and all ion fragmentation (AIF) modes. Extensive interpretation of the LC-MS/MS spectra had led to the identification of 76 metabolites belonging to different phytochemical classes including alkaloids, polyketides, sesquiterpenes, butyrolactones, peptides, fatty acids, isocoumarins, quinones, among others. Metabolites were tentatively identified by comparing the accurate mass and fragmentation pattern with metabolites previously reported in the literature, as well as bioinformatics analysis using GNPS. A relationship between the host C. officinalis and its endophytes (A. flavus, A. nidulans, and A. flavipes) was discovered. C. officinalis shares common metabolites with at least one of the three endosymbiotic fungi. Some metabolites have been identified in endophytes and do not exist in their host. Multivariate analysis (MVA) revealed discrimination of A. flavipes from Corallina officinalis and other associated endophytic Aspergillus fungi (A. flavus and A. nidulans).}, }
@article {pmid38902723, year = {2024}, author = {Liang, Y and Dikow, RB and Su, X and Wen, J and Ren, Z}, title = {Comparative genomics of the primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola in aphid hosts and their coevolutionary relationships.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {137}, pmid = {38902723}, issn = {1741-7007}, support = {31870366//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31170359//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 201803D421051//International Science and Technology Cooperation Program of Shanxi Province/ ; 2020-018//Shanxi Scholarship Council of China/ ; 2014AA021802//National High-tech Research and Development Program/ ; }, mesh = {*Aphids/microbiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Buchnera/genetics/physiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Genomics ; *Phylogeny ; Biological Coevolution ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Coevolution between modern aphids and their primary obligate, bacterial endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, has been previously reported at different classification levels based on molecular phylogenetic analyses. However, the Buchnera genome remains poorly understood within the Rhus gall aphids.<br><br>RESULTS: We assembled the complete genome of the endosymbiont Buchnera in 16 aphid samples, representing 13 species in all six genera of Rhus gall aphids by shotgun genome skimming method. We compared the newly assembled genomes with those from GenBank to comprehensively investigate patterns of coevolution between the bacteria Buchnera and their aphid hosts. Buchnera genomes were mostly collinear, and the pan-genome contained 684 genes, in which the core genome contained 256 genes with some lineages having large numbers of tandem gene duplications. There has been substantial gene-loss in each Buchnera lineage. We also reconstructed the phylogeny for Buchnera and their host aphids, respectively, using 72 complete genomes of Buchnera, along with the complete mitochondrial genomes and three nuclear genes of 31 corresponding host aphid accessions. The cophylogenetic test demonstrated significant coevolution between these two partner groups at individual, species, generic, and tribal levels.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Buchnera exhibits very high levels of genomic sequence divergence but relative stability in gene order. The relationship between the symbionts Buchnera and its aphid hosts shows a significant coevolutionary pattern and supports complexity of the obligate symbiotic relationship.}, }
@article {pmid38900924, year = {2024}, author = {Johnston, IG}, title = {The Nitroplast and Its Relatives Support a Universal Model of Features Predicting Gene Retention in Endosymbiont and Organelle Genomes.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {16}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {38900924}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; 805046//European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program/ ; 805046/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Cyanobacteria/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Organelles/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic relationships have shaped eukaryotic life. As endosymbionts coevolve with their host, toward full integration as organelles, their genomes tend to shrink, with genes being completely lost or transferred to the host nucleus. Modern endosymbionts and organelles show diverse patterns of gene retention, and why some genes and not others are retained in these genomes is not fully understood. Recent bioinformatic study has explored hypothesized influences on these evolutionary processes, finding that hydrophobicity and amino acid chemistry predict patterns of gene retention, both in organelles across eukaryotes and in less mature endosymbiotic relationships. The exciting ongoing elucidation of endosymbiotic relationships affords an independent set of instances to test this theory. Here, we compare the properties of retained genes in the nitroplast, recently reported to be an integrated organelle, two related cyanobacterial endosymbionts that form "spheroid bodies" in their host cells, and a range of other endosymbionts, with free-living relatives of each. We find that in each case, the symbiont's genome encodes proteins with higher hydrophobicity and lower amino pKa than their free-living relative, supporting the data-derived model predicting the retention propensity of genes across endosymbiont and organelle genomes.}, }
@article {pmid38895386, year = {2024}, author = {Marinov, GK and Ramalingam, V and Greenleaf, WJ and Kundaje, A}, title = {An updated compendium and reevaluation of the evidence for nuclear transcription factor occupancy over the mitochondrial genome.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38895386}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {U01 HG009431/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HG008140/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; U19 AI057266/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P50 HG007735/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; UM1 HG009436/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; UM1 HG009442/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {In most eukaryotes, mitochondrial organelles contain their own genome, usually circular, which is the remnant of the genome of the ancestral bacterial endosymbiont that gave rise to modern mitochondria. Mitochondrial genomes are dramatically reduced in their gene content due to the process of endosymbiotic gene transfer to the nucleus; as a result most mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nucleus and imported into mitochondria. This includes the components of the dedicated mitochondrial transcription and replication systems and regulatory factors, which are entirely distinct from the information processing systems in the nucleus. However, since the 1990s several nuclear transcription factors have been reported to act in mitochondria, and previously we identified 8 human and 3 mouse transcription factors (TFs) with strong localized enrichment over the mitochondrial genome using ChIP-seq (Chromatin Immunoprecipitation) datasets from the second phase of the ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) Project Consortium. Here, we analyze the greatly expanded in the intervening decade ENCODE compendium of TF ChIP-seq datasets (a total of 6,153 ChIP experiments for 942 proteins, of which 763 are sequence-specific TFs) combined with interpretative deep learning models of TF occupancy to create a comprehensive compendium of nuclear TFs that show evidence of association with the mitochondrial genome. We find some evidence for chrM occupancy for 50 nuclear TFs and two other proteins, with bZIP TFs emerging as most likely to be playing a role in mitochondria. However, we also observe that in cases where the same TF has been assayed with multiple antibodies and ChIP protocols, evidence for its chrM occupancy is not always reproducible. In the light of these findings, we discuss the evidential criteria for establishing chrM occupancy and reevaluate the overall compendium of putative mitochondrial-acting nuclear TFs.}, }
@article {pmid38885278, year = {2024}, author = {She, L and Shi, M and Cao, T and Yuan, H and Wang, R and Wang, W and She, Y and Wang, C and Zeng, Q and Mao, W and Zhang, Y and Wang, Y and Xi, Z and Pan, X}, title = {Wolbachia mediates crosstalk between miRNA and Toll pathways to enhance resistance to dengue virus in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {20}, number = {6}, pages = {e1012296}, pmid = {38885278}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI080597/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology/immunology ; Animals ; *MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism ; *Dengue Virus/immunology ; *Dengue/immunology/virology ; Toll-Like Receptors/metabolism/immunology ; Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology/immunology ; Signal Transduction ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics/immunology ; Immunity, Innate ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The obligate endosymbiont Wolbachia induces pathogen interference in the primary disease vector Aedes aegypti, facilitating the utilization of Wolbachia-based mosquito control for arbovirus prevention, particularly against dengue virus (DENV). However, the mechanisms underlying Wolbachia-mediated virus blockade have not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that Wolbachia activates the host cytoplasmic miRNA biogenesis pathway to suppress DENV infection. Through the suppression of the long noncoding RNA aae-lnc-2268 by Wolbachia wAlbB, aae-miR-34-3p, a miRNA upregulated by the Wolbachia strains wAlbB and wMelPop, promoted the expression of the antiviral effector defensin and cecropin genes through the Toll pathway regulator MyD88. Notably, anti-DENV resistance induced by Wolbachia can be further enhanced, with the potential to achieve complete virus blockade by increasing the expression of aae-miR-34-3p in Ae. aegypti. Furthermore, the downregulation of aae-miR-34-3p compromised Wolbachia-mediated virus blockade. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which Wolbachia establishes crosstalk between the cytoplasmic miRNA pathway and the Toll pathway via aae-miR-34-3p to strengthen antiviral immune responses against DENV. Our results will aid in the advancement of Wolbachia for arbovirus control by enhancing its virus-blocking efficiency.}, }
@article {pmid38877196, year = {2024}, author = {Hague, MTJ and Wheeler, TB and Cooper, BS}, title = {Comparative analysis of Wolbachia maternal transmission and localization in host ovaries.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {727}, pmid = {38877196}, issn = {2399-3642}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; 2145195//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; R35GM124701//U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; Animals ; Female ; *Ovary/microbiology ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Temperature ; Oocytes/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Many insects and other animals carry microbial endosymbionts that influence their reproduction and fitness. These relationships only persist if endosymbionts are reliably transmitted from one host generation to the next. Wolbachia are maternally transmitted endosymbionts found in most insect species, but transmission rates can vary across environments. Maternal transmission of wMel Wolbachia depends on temperature in natural Drosophila melanogaster hosts and in transinfected Aedes aegypti, where wMel is used to block pathogens that cause human disease. In D. melanogaster, wMel transmission declines in the cold as Wolbachia become less abundant in host ovaries and at the posterior pole plasm (the site of germline formation) in mature oocytes. Here, we assess how temperature affects maternal transmission and underlying patterns of Wolbachia localization across 10 Wolbachia strains diverged up to 50 million years-including strains closely related to wMel-and their natural Drosophila hosts. Many Wolbachia maintain high transmission rates across temperatures, despite highly variable (and sometimes low) levels of Wolbachia in the ovaries and at the developing germline in late-stage oocytes. Identifying strains like closely related wMel-like Wolbachia with stable transmission across variable environmental conditions may improve the efficacy of Wolbachia-based biocontrol efforts as they expand into globally diverse environments.}, }
@article {pmid38874391, year = {2024}, author = {Lin, S and Li, L and Zhou, Z and Yuan, H and Saad, OS and Tang, J and Cai, W and Yu, K and Lin, S}, title = {Higher genotypic diversity and distinct assembly mechanism of free-living Symbiodiniaceae assemblages than sympatric coral-endosymbiotic assemblages in a tropical coral reef.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {12}, number = {8}, pages = {e0051424}, pmid = {38874391}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {GHYF2022008//Hainan Science and Technology Cooperation Project/ ; }, mesh = {*Dinoflagellida/genetics/classification/physiology ; *Coral Reefs ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Anthozoa/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; *Genotype ; China ; Phylogeny ; Sympatry ; }, abstract = {While in hospite Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates are essential for coral health, ambient free-living counterparts are crucial for coral recruitment and resilience. Comparing free-living and in hospite Symbiodiniaceae communities can potentially provide insights into endosymbiont acquisition and recurrent recruitment in bleaching recovery. In this study, we studied coral-endosymbiotic and ambient free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities in the South China Sea. We collected samples from 183 coral and ambient plankton samples and conducted metabarcoding to investigate the diversity distribution, driving factors, and assembly mechanisms of the two groups of Symbiodiniaceae. Results revealed Cladocopium C1 and Durusdinium D1 as dominant genotypes. We detected a higher genotypic diversity in free-living than in hospite symbiodiniacean communities, but with shared dominant genotypes. This indicates a genetically diverse pool of Symbiodiniaceae available for recruitment by corals. Strikingly, we found that the cooler area had more Symbiodiniaceae thermosensitive genotypes, whereas the warmer area had more Symbiodiniaceae thermotolerant genotypes. Furthermore, in hospite and free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities were similarly affected by environmental factors, but shaped by different assembly mechanisms. The in hospite communities were controlled mainly by deterministic processes, whereas the ambient communities by stochastic processes. This study sheds light on the genetic diversity of source environmental Symbiodiniaceae and differential assembly mechanisms influencing Symbiodiniaceae inside and outside corals.IMPORTANCESymbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates play a pivotal role as key primary producers within coral reef ecosystems. Coral-endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae communities have been extensively studied, but relatively little work has been reported on the free-living Symbiodiniaceae community. Conducting a comparative analysis between sympatric coral-endosymbiotic and free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities can potentially enhance the understanding of how endosymbiont communities change in response to changing environments and the mechanisms driving these changes. Our findings shed light on the genetic diversity of source environmental Symbiodiniaceae and differential assembly mechanisms shaping free-living and in hospite Symbiodiniaceae communities, with implications in evaluating the adaptive and resilient capacity of corals in response to future climate change.}, }
@article {pmid38874172, year = {2024}, author = {Wierz, JC and Dirksen, P and Kirsch, R and Krüsemer, R and Weiss, B and Pauchet, Y and Engl, T and Kaltenpoth, M}, title = {Intracellular symbiont Symbiodolus is vertically transmitted and widespread across insect orders.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38874172}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {//Max Planck Society/ ; ERC CoG 819585/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Enterobacteriaceae/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; Female ; *Insecta/microbiology ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Insects engage in manifold interactions with bacteria that can shift along the parasitism-mutualism continuum. However, only a small number of bacterial taxa managed to successfully colonize a wide diversity of insects, by evolving mechanisms for host-cell entry, immune evasion, germline tropism, reproductive manipulation, and/or by providing benefits to the host that stabilize the symbiotic association. Here, we report on the discovery of an Enterobacterales endosymbiont (Symbiodolus, type species Symbiodolus clandestinus) that is widespread across at least six insect orders and occurs at high prevalence within host populations. Fluorescence in situ hybridization in several Coleopteran and one Dipteran species revealed Symbiodolus' intracellular presence in all host life stages and across tissues, with a high abundance in female ovaries, indicating transovarial vertical transmission. Symbiont genome sequencing across 16 host taxa revealed a high degree of functional conservation in the eroding and transposon-rich genomes. All sequenced Symbiodolus genomes encode for multiple secretion systems, alongside effectors and toxin-antitoxin systems, which likely facilitate host-cell entry and interactions with the host. However, Symbiodolus-infected insects show no obvious signs of disease, and biosynthetic pathways for several amino acids and cofactors encoded by the bacterial genomes suggest that the symbionts may also be able to provide benefits to the hosts. A lack of host-symbiont cospeciation provides evidence for occasional horizontal transmission, so Symbiodolus' success is likely based on a mixed transmission mode. Our findings uncover a hitherto undescribed and widespread insect endosymbiont that may present valuable opportunities to unravel the molecular underpinnings of symbiosis establishment and maintenance.}, }
@article {pmid38869236, year = {2024}, author = {Taprogge, M and Grath, S}, title = {Modelling suggests Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility in oak gall wasps with cyclical parthenogenesis.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {37}, number = {8}, pages = {926-934}, doi = {10.1093/jeb/voae077}, pmid = {38869236}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Wasps/microbiology/physiology ; Female ; *Parthenogenesis ; Male ; Quercus/microbiology ; Models, Biological ; Symbiosis ; Cytoplasm ; }, abstract = {Oak gall wasps typically exhibit a life cycle with one sexual and one asexual generation each year. These wasps can carry various endosymbionts, one of which is the maternally inherited bacterium Wolbachia that can induce several reproductive manipulations on its host. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) has been described as the most prominent of these manipulations. CI leads to embryonic mortality in the hosts' offspring when infected males mate with either uninfected females or with females that harbour different Wolbachia strains. It has been hypothesized that Wolbachia can induce CI in oak gall wasps. To address this hypothesis, we derived a mathematical model to investigate the spread of a bacterial infection in naive populations and to determine the plausibility of CI occurrence. To validate our model, we used published data from Wolbachia-infected Belonocnema kinseyi populations in two approaches. Our first approach uses measurements of infection frequencies and maternal transmission in the sexual generation. For the second approach, we extended the model to compare predictions to estimates of mtDNA-haplotypes, which, like Wolbachia, are maternally inherited, and can therefore be associated with the infection. Both approaches indicate that CI is present in these populations. Our model can be generalized to investigate the occurrence of CI not only for oak gall wasps but also for other species.}, }
@article {pmid38867757, year = {2024}, author = {Schvarcz, CR and Stancheva, R and Turk-Kubo, KA and Wilson, ST and Zehr, JP and Edwards, KF and Steward, GF and Archibald, JM and Oatley, G and Sinclair, E and Santos, C and Paulini, M and Aunin, E and Gettle, N and Niu, H and McKenna, V and O'Brien, R and ,  and ,  and ,  and ,  and , }, title = {The genome sequences of the marine diatom Epithemia pelagica strain UHM3201 (Schvarcz, Stancheva &amp; Steward, 2022) and its nitrogen-fixing, endosymbiotic cyanobacterium.}, journal = {Wellcome open research}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {232}, pmid = {38867757}, issn = {2398-502X}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {We present the genome assembly of the pennate diatom Epithemia pelagica strain UHM3201 (Ochrophyta; Bacillariophyceae; Rhopalodiales; Rhopalodiaceae) and that of its cyanobacterial endosymbiont (Chroococcales: Aphanothecaceae). The genome sequence of the diatom is 60.3 megabases in span, and the cyanobacterial genome has a length of 2.48 megabases. Most of the diatom nuclear genome assembly is scaffolded into 15 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The organelle genomes have also been assembled, with the mitochondrial genome 40.08 kilobases and the plastid genome 130.75 kilobases in length. A number of other prokaryote MAGs were also assembled.}, }
@article {pmid38864644, year = {2024}, author = {Nag, M and Seal, A}, title = {Draft genome announcement of Bacillus velezensis TSB6.1 isolated as a culturable endosymbiont of a nitrogen-fixing endophytic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {13}, number = {7}, pages = {e0120223}, pmid = {38864644}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {CRG/2019/000378//DST | Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)/ ; }, abstract = {We here report the genome of Bacillus velezensis TSB6.1 isolated as a culturable endosymbiont of an endophytic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1. TSB6.1 has a genome size of approximately 4.50 Mb, with 4,597 genes, 45.54% GC content, 3 rRNAs, and 73 tRNAs.}, }
@article {pmid38863830, year = {2024}, author = {Fan, W and Li, P and Wei, Q and Liu, X and Cai, Y and Li, B and Lu, Y}, title = {Metagenomic next-generation sequencing-assisted diagnosis of a rare case of primary cutaneous acanthamoebiasis in an HIV patient: a case report.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1356095}, pmid = {38863830}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Humans ; Female ; *High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; *Amebiasis/diagnosis/parasitology/drug therapy ; *Metagenomics/methods ; Middle Aged ; *Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *HIV Infections/complications ; Skin/pathology/parasitology ; Treatment Outcome ; }, abstract = {Pathogenic and free-living Acanthamoeba are widely distributed in the environment and have been reported to cause keratitis and universally fatal encephalitis. Primary cutaneous acanthamoebiasis caused by Acanthamoeba is exceedingly rare and presents as isolated necrotic cutaneous lesions without involvement of the cornea or central nervous system. Cutaneous acanthamoebiasis often occurs in immunocompromised patients and is likely overlooked or even misdiagnosed only by cutaneous biopsy tissue histopathological analysis. Here, we report a HIV-infected 63-year-old female with oral leukoplakia for 4 months and scattered large skin ulcers all over the body for 2 months. The cause of the cutaneous lesions was unclear through cutaneous specimens histopathological analysis, and subsequently Acanthamoeba were detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), which may be the cause of cutaneous lesions. Based on the mNGS results, a pathologist subsequently reviewed the previous pathological slides and found trophozoites of Acanthamoeba so that the cause was identified, and the skin ulcers improved significantly after treatment with multi-drug combination therapy. Acanthamoeba is also a host of pathogenic microorganisms. The presence of endosymbionts enhances the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba, and no other pathogens were reported in this case. mNGS is helpful for rapidly diagnosing the etiology of rare skin diseases and can indicate the presence or absence of commensal microorganisms.}, }
@article {pmid38863001, year = {2024}, author = {Huang, Z and Wang, D and Zhou, J and He, H and Wei, C}, title = {Segregation of endosymbionts in complex symbiotic system of cicadas providing novel insights into microbial symbioses and evolutionary dynamics of symbiotic organs in sap-feeding insects.}, journal = {Frontiers in zoology}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {15}, pmid = {38863001}, issn = {1742-9994}, support = {32270496//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32070476//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {The most extraordinary systems of symbiosis in insects are found in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha of Hemiptera, which provide unique perspectives for uncovering complicated insect-microbe symbiosis. We investigated symbionts associated with bacteriomes and fat bodies in six cicada species, and compared transmitted cell number ratio of related symbionts in ovaries among species. We reveal that Sulcia and Hodgkinia or a yeast-like fungal symbiont (YLS) are segregated from other host tissues by the bacteriomes in the nymphal stage, then some of them may migrate to other organs (i.e., fat bodies and ovaries) during host development. Particularly, YLS resides together with Sulcia in the "symbiont ball" of each egg and the bacteriomes of young-instar nymphs, but finally migrates to the fat bodies of adults in the majority of Hodgkinia-free cicadas, whereas it resides in both bacteriome sheath and fat bodies of adults in a few other species. The transmitted Sulcia/YLS or Sulcia/Hodgkinia cell number ratio in ovaries varies significantly among species, which could be related to the distribution and/or lineage splitting of symbiont(s). Rickettsia localizes to the nuclei of bacteriomes and fat bodies in some species, but it was not observed to be transmitted to the ovaries, indicating that this symbiont may be acquired from environments or from father to offspring. The considerable difference in the transovarial transmission process of symbionts suggests that cellular mechanisms underlying the symbiont transmission are complex. Our results may provide novel insights into insect-microbe symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid38861456, year = {2024}, author = {Wierz, JC and Gimmel, ML and Huthmacher, S and Engl, T and Kaltenpoth, M}, title = {Evolutionary history of tyrosine-supplementing endosymbionts in pollen-feeding beetles.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38861456}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {819585/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; //Max Planck Society/ ; //Schlinger Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Coleoptera/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; *Tyrosine/metabolism ; Pollen/microbiology ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism/classification ; Biological Evolution ; Genome, Bacterial ; Larva/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Many insects feeding on nutritionally challenging diets like plant sap, leaves, or wood engage in ancient associations with bacterial symbionts that supplement limiting nutrients or produce digestive or detoxifying enzymes. However, the distribution, function, and evolutionary dynamics of microbial symbionts in insects exploiting other plant tissues or relying on a predacious diet remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the evolutionary history and function of the intracellular gamma-proteobacterial symbiont "Candidatus Dasytiphilus stammeri" in soft-winged flower beetles (Coleoptera, Melyridae, Dasytinae) that transition from saprophagy or carnivory to palynivory (pollen-feeding) between larval and adult stage. Reconstructing the distribution of the symbiont within the Dasytinae phylogeny unraveled not only a long-term coevolution, originating from a single acquisition event with subsequent host-symbiont codiversification, but also several independent symbiont losses. The analysis of 20 different symbiont genomes revealed that their genomes are severely eroded. However, the universally retained shikimate pathway indicates that the core metabolic contribution to their hosts is the provisioning of tyrosine for cuticle sclerotization and melanization. Despite the high degree of similarity in gene content and order across symbiont strains, the capacity to synthesize additional essential amino acids and vitamins and to recycle urea is retained in some but not all symbionts, suggesting ecological differences among host lineages. This report of tyrosine-provisioning symbionts in insects with saprophagous or carnivorous larvae and pollen-feeding adults expands our understanding of tyrosine supplementation as an important symbiont-provided benefit across a broad range of insects with diverse feeding ecologies.}, }
@article {pmid38857958, year = {2024}, author = {Li, D and Li, Y and Yu, Y and Ouyang, X and Xiong, X and Jin, S and Jiao, J}, title = {[Investigation of tick - borne Rickettsia in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province in 2023].}, journal = {Zhongguo xue xi chong bing fang zhi za zhi = Chinese journal of schistosomiasis control}, volume = {36}, number = {2}, pages = {154-158}, doi = {10.16250/j.32.1374.2023167}, pmid = {38857958}, issn = {1005-6661}, support = {32000139//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; SKLPBS2217//Open Research Project of State Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism Biosafety/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Rickettsia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; China/epidemiology ; Sheep ; Cattle ; Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary ; Ticks/microbiology ; Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of tick-borne rickettsial infections in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province, 2023, so as to provide insights into the management of tick-borne rickettsioses in the city.<br><br>METHODS: Ticks were captured from the body surface of bovines and sheep in Gaoxing Village, Dashan Township, Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province during the period between April and June, 2023, and tick species were identified using morphological and molecular biological techniques. In addition, tick-borne Rickettsia was identified using a nested PCR assay, including spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), Coxiella spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Orientia spp., and positive amplified fragments were sequenced and aligned with known sequences accessed in the GenBank database.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 200 ticks were collected and all tick species were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. Nestle PCR assay combined with sequencing identified ticks carrying Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (40.50%), Coxiella burnetii (1.50%), and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (27.00%), and Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. or Orientsia spp. was not detected.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: R. microplus carried Candidatus R. jingxinensis, C. burnetii, and Coxiella-like endosymbionts in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province. Intensified monitoring of tickborne rickettsial infections is needed in livestock and humans to reduce the damages caused by rickettsioses.}, }
@article {pmid38857239, year = {2024}, author = {Martinez-Villegas, L and Lado, P and Klompen, H and Wang, S and Cummings, C and Pesapane, R and Short, SM}, title = {The microbiota of Amblyomma americanum reflects known westward expansion.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {19}, number = {6}, pages = {e0304959}, pmid = {38857239}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; *Microbiota ; Female ; Male ; *Amblyomma/microbiology ; United States ; Ixodidae/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Amblyomma americanum, a known vector of multiple tick-borne pathogens, has expanded its geographic distribution across the United States in the past decades. Tick microbiomes may play a role shaping their host's life history and vectorial capacity. Bacterial communities associated with A. americanum may reflect, or enable, geographic expansion and studying the microbiota will improve understanding of tick-borne disease ecology. We examined the microbiota structure of 189 adult ticks collected in four regions encompassing their historical and current geographic distribution. Both geographic region of origin and sex were significant predictors of alpha diversity. As in other tick models, within-sample diversity was low and uneven given the presence of dominant endosymbionts. Beta diversity analyses revealed that bacterial profiles of ticks of both sexes collected in the West were significantly different from those of the Historic range. Biomarkers were identified for all regions except the historical range. In addition, Bray-Curtis dissimilarities overall increased with distance between sites. Relative quantification of ecological processes showed that, for females and males, respectively, drift and dispersal limitation were the primary drivers of community assembly. Collectively, our findings highlight how microbiota structural variance discriminates the western-expanded populations of A. americanum ticks from the Historical range. Spatial autocorrelation, and particularly the detection of non-selective ecological processes, are indicative of geographic isolation. We also found that prevalence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum ranged from 3.40-5.11% and did not significantly differ by region. Rickettsia rickettsii was absent from our samples. Our conclusions demonstrate the value of synergistic analysis of biogeographic and microbial ecology data in investigating range expansion in A. americanum and potentially other tick vectors as well.}, }
@article {pmid38855918, year = {2024}, author = {Mulio, S&#xc5; and Zwolińska, A and Klejdysz, T and Prus-Frankowska, M and Michalik, A and Kolasa, M and Łukasik, P}, title = {Limited variation in microbial communities across populations of Macrosteles leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {16}, number = {3}, pages = {e13279}, pmid = {38855918}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {PPN/PPO/2018/1/00015//Narodowa Agencja Wymiany Akademickiej/ ; RGP 0024/2015//Human Frontier Science Program/ ; 2018/30/E/NZ8/00880//Narodowe Centrum Nauki/ ; 2021/41/B/NZ8/04526//Narodowe Centrum Nauki/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Phylogeny ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; }, abstract = {Microbial symbionts play crucial roles in insect biology, yet their diversity, distribution, and temporal dynamics across host populations remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the spatio-temporal distribution of bacterial symbionts within the widely distributed and economically significant leafhopper genus Macrosteles, with a focus on Macrosteles laevis. Using host and symbiont marker gene amplicon sequencing, we explored the intricate relationships between these insects and their microbial partners. Our analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene data revealed several intriguing findings. First, there was no strong genetic differentiation across M. laevis populations, suggesting gene flow among them. Second, we observed significant levels of heteroplasmy, indicating the presence of multiple mitochondrial haplotypes within individuals. Third, parasitoid infections were prevalent, highlighting the complex ecological interactions involving leafhoppers. The 16S rRNA data confirmed the universal presence of ancient nutritional endosymbionts-Sulcia and Nasuia-in M. laevis. Additionally, we found a high prevalence of Arsenophonus, another common symbiont. Interestingly, unlike most previously studied species, M. laevis exhibited only occasional cases of infection with known facultative endosymbionts and other bacteria. Notably, there was no significant variation in symbiont prevalence across different populations or among sampling years within the same population. Comparatively, facultative endosymbionts such as Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Cardinium and Lariskella were more common in other Macrosteles species. These findings underscore the importance of considering both host and symbiont dynamics when studying microbial associations. By simultaneously characterizing host and symbiont marker gene amplicons in large insect collections, we gain valuable insights into the intricate interplay between insects and their microbial partners. Understanding these dynamics contributes to our broader comprehension of host-microbe interactions in natural ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid38851009, year = {2024}, author = {Abuin-Denis, L and Piloto-Sardiñas, E and Maitre, A and Wu-Chuang, A and Mateos-Hernández, L and Paulino, PG and Bello, Y and Bravo, FL and Gutierrez, AA and Fernández, RR and Castillo, AF and Mellor, LM and Foucault-Simonin, A and Obregon, D and Estrada-García, MP and Rodríguez-Mallon, A and Cabezas-Cruz, A}, title = {Differential nested patterns of Anaplasma marginale and Coxiella-like endosymbiont across Rhipicephalus microplus ontogeny.}, journal = {Microbiological research}, volume = {286}, number = {}, pages = {127790}, doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2024.127790}, pmid = {38851009}, issn = {1618-0623}, mesh = {Animals ; *Rhipicephalus/microbiology ; *Anaplasma marginale ; *Symbiosis ; *Coxiella/genetics ; *Larva/microbiology/growth &amp; development ; Microbiota ; Nymph/microbiology/growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Understanding the intricate ecological interactions within the microbiome of arthropod vectors is crucial for elucidating disease transmission dynamics and developing effective control strategies. In this study, we investigated the ecological roles of Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) and Anaplasma marginale across larval, nymphal, and adult stages of Rhipicephalus microplus. We hypothesized that CLE would show a stable, nested pattern reflecting co-evolution with the tick host, while A. marginale would exhibit a more dynamic, non-nested pattern influenced by environmental factors and host immune responses. Our findings revealed a stable, nested pattern characteristic of co-evolutionary mutualism for CLE, occurring in all developmental stages of the tick. Conversely, A. marginale exhibited variable occurrence but exerted significant influence on microbial community structure, challenging our initial hypotheses of its non-nested dynamics. Furthermore, in silico removal of both microbes from the co-occurrence networks altered network topology, underscoring their central roles in the R. microplus microbiome. Notably, competitive interactions between CLE and A. marginale were observed in nymphal network, potentially reflecting the impact of CLE on the pathogen transstadial-transmission. These findings shed light on the complex ecological dynamics within tick microbiomes and have implications for disease management strategies.}, }
@article {pmid38842327, year = {2024}, author = {Sosa-Jiménez, VM and Kvist, S and Manzano-Marín, A and Oceguera-Figueroa, A}, title = {Discovery of a novel symbiotic lineage associated with a hematophagous leech from the genus Haementeria.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {12}, number = {7}, pages = {e0428623}, pmid = {38842327}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {PAPIIT-UNAM-IN213520//Universidad Nacional Aut&#xf3;noma de M&#xe9;xico (UNAM)/ ; 84027//European Commission (EC)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Leeches/microbiology/physiology ; *Phylogeny ; Genome, Bacterial ; Providencia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism/classification/physiology ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Similarly to other strict blood feeders, leeches from the Haementeria genus (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) have established a symbiotic association with bacteria harbored intracellularly in esophageal bacteriomes. Previous genome sequence analyses of these endosymbionts revealed co-divergence with their hosts, a strong genome reduction, and a simplified metabolism largely dedicated to the production of B vitamins, which are nutrients lacking from a blood diet. 'Candidatus Providencia siddallii' has been identified as the obligate nutritional endosymbiont of a monophyletic clade of Mexican and South American Haementeria spp. However, the Haementeria genus includes a sister clade of congeners from Central and South America, where the presence or absence of the aforementioned symbiont taxon remains unknown. In this work, we report on a novel bacterial endosymbiont found in a representative from this Haementeria clade. We found that this symbiont lineage has evolved from within the Pluralibacter genus, known mainly from clinical but also environmental strains. Similarly to Ca. Providencia siddallii, the Haementeria-associated Pluralibacter symbiont displays clear signs of genome reduction, accompanied by an A+T-biased sequence composition. Genomic analysis of its metabolic potential revealed a retention of pathways related to B vitamin biosynthesis, supporting its role as a nutritional endosymbiont. Finally, comparative genomics of both Haementeria symbiont lineages suggests that an ancient Providencia symbiont was likely replaced by the novel Pluralibacter one, thus constituting the first reported case of nutritional symbiont replacement in a leech without morphological changes in the bacteriome.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Obligate symbiotic associations with a nutritional base have likely evolved more than once in strict blood-feeding leeches. Unlike those symbioses found in hematophagous arthropods, the nature, identity, and evolutionary history of these remains poorly studied. In this work, we further explored obligate nutritional associations between Haementeria leeches and their microbial symbionts, which led to the unexpected discovery of a novel symbiosis with a member of the Pluralibacter genus. When compared to Providencia siddallii, an obligate nutritional symbiont of other Haementeria leeches, this novel bacterial symbiont shows convergent retention of the metabolic pathways involved in B vitamin biosynthesis. Moreover, the genomic characteristics of this Pluralibacter symbiont suggest a more recent association than that of Pr. siddallii and Haementeria. We conclude that the once-thought stable associations between blood-feeding Glossiphoniidae and their symbionts (i.e., one bacteriome structure, one symbiont lineage) can break down, mirroring symbiont turnover observed in various arthropod lineages.}, }
@article {pmid38839975, year = {2024}, author = {Mitchell, JH and Freedman, AH and Delaney, JA and Girguis, PR}, title = {Co-expression analysis reveals distinct alliances around two carbon fixation pathways in hydrothermal vent symbionts.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {6}, pages = {1526-1539}, pmid = {38839975}, issn = {2058-5276}, support = {9208//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Gordon E. and Betty I. Moore Foundation)/ ; 1940100//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; 80NSSC19K1427//NASA | NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)/ ; }, mesh = {*Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology ; *Carbon Cycle ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Polychaeta/metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Citric Acid Cycle ; Sulfides/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Hydrogenase/metabolism/genetics ; Chemoautotrophic Growth ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Nitrates/metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Bacteria/metabolism/genetics ; }, abstract = {Most autotrophic organisms possess a single carbon fixation pathway. The chemoautotrophic symbionts of the hydrothermal vent tubeworm Riftia pachyptila, however, possess two functional pathways: the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) and the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycles. How these two pathways are coordinated is unknown. Here we measured net carbon fixation rates, transcriptional/metabolic responses and transcriptional co-expression patterns of Riftia pachyptila endosymbionts by incubating tubeworms collected from the East Pacific Rise at environmental pressures, temperature and geochemistry. Results showed that rTCA and CBB transcriptional patterns varied in response to different geochemical regimes and that each pathway is allied to specific metabolic processes; the rTCA is allied to hydrogenases and dissimilatory nitrate reduction, whereas the CBB is allied to sulfide oxidation and assimilatory nitrate reduction, suggesting distinctive yet complementary roles in metabolic function. Furthermore, our network analysis implicates the rTCA and a group 1e hydrogenase as key players in the physiological response to limitation of sulfide and oxygen. Net carbon fixation rates were also exemplary, and accordingly, we propose that co-activity of CBB and rTCA may be an adaptation for maintaining high carbon fixation rates, conferring a fitness advantage in dynamic vent environments.}, }
@article {pmid38837987, year = {2024}, author = {Senbill, H and Karawia, D and Zeb, J and Alyami, NM and Almeer, R and Rahman, S and Sparagano, O and Baruah, A}, title = {Molecular screening and genetic diversity of tick-borne pathogens associated with dogs and livestock ticks in Egypt.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {6}, pages = {e0012185}, pmid = {38837987}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Egypt/epidemiology ; Dogs ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology/veterinary/parasitology ; *Dog Diseases/parasitology/microbiology/epidemiology ; *Genetic Variation ; *Ixodidae/microbiology/parasitology ; *Camelus/parasitology/microbiology ; Sheep ; Tick Infestations/veterinary/epidemiology/parasitology ; Ticks/microbiology/parasitology ; Livestock/parasitology/microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; Female ; Anaplasma/isolation &amp; purification/genetics/classification ; Male ; Prevalence ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) offer optimal climatic conditions for tick reproduction and dispersal. Research on tick-borne pathogens in this region is scarce. Despite recent advances in the characterization and taxonomic explanation of various tick-borne illnesses affecting animals in Egypt, no comprehensive examination of TBP (tick-borne pathogen) statuses has been performed. Therefore, the present study aims to detect the prevalence of pathogens harbored by ticks in Egypt.<br><br>A four-year PCR-based study was conducted to detect a wide range of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) harbored by three economically important tick species in Egypt. Approximately 86.7% (902/1,040) of the investigated Hyalomma dromedarii ticks from camels were found positive with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii (18.8%), Ehrlichia ruminantium (16.5%), Rickettsia africae (12.6%), Theileria annulata (11.9%), Mycoplasma arginini (9.9%), Borrelia burgdorferi (7.7%), Spiroplasma-like endosymbiont (4.0%), Hepatozoon canis (2.4%), Coxiella burnetii (1.6%) and Leishmania infantum (1.3%). Double co-infections were recorded in 3.0% (27/902) of Hy. dromedarii ticks, triple co-infections (simultaneous infection of the tick by three pathogen species) were found in 9.6% (87/902) of Hy. dromedarii ticks, whereas multiple co-infections (simultaneous infection of the tick by &#x2265; four pathogen species) comprised 12% (108/902). Out of 1,435 investigated Rhipicephalus rutilus ticks collected from dogs and sheep, 816 (56.9%) ticks harbored Babesia canis vogeli (17.1%), Rickettsia conorii (16.2%), Ehrlichia canis (15.4%), H. canis (13.6%), Bo. burgdorferi (9.7%), L. infantum (8.4%), C. burnetii (7.3%) and Trypanosoma evansi (6.6%) in dogs, and 242 (16.9%) ticks harbored Theileria lestoquardi (21.6%), Theileria ovis (20.0%) and Eh. ruminantium (0.3%) in sheep. Double, triple, and multiple co-infections represented 11% (90/816), 7.6% (62/816), and 10.3% (84/816), respectively in Rh. rutilus from dogs, whereas double and triple co-infections represented 30.2% (73/242) and 2.1% (5/242), respectively in Rh. rutilus from sheep. Approximately 92.5% (1,355/1,465) of Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks of cattle carried a burden of Anaplasma marginale (21.3%), Babesia bigemina (18.2%), Babesia bovis (14.0%), Borrelia theleri (12.8%), R. africae (12.4%), Th. annulata (8.7%), Bo. burgdorferi (2.7%), and Eh. ruminantium (2.5%). Double, triple, and multiple co-infections represented 1.8% (25/1,355), 11.5% (156/1,355), and 12.9% (175/1,355), respectively. The detected pathogens' sequences had 98.76-100% similarity to the available database with genetic divergence ranged between 0.0001 to 0.0009% to closest sequences from other African, Asian, and European countries. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close similarities between the detected pathogens and other isolates mostly from African and Asian countries.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Continuous PCR-detection of pathogens transmitted by ticks is necessary to overcome the consequences of these infection to the hosts. More restrictions should be applied from the Egyptian authorities on animal importations to limit the emergence and re-emergence of tick-borne pathogens in the country. This is the first in-depth investigation of TBPs in Egypt.}, }
@article {pmid38835259, year = {2024}, author = {Choi, A and Seong, JW and Kim, JH and Lee, JY and Cho, HJ and Kang, SA and Park, MK and Jeong, MJ and Choi, SY and Jeong, YJ and Yu, HS}, title = {Presence and diversity of free-living amoebae and their potential application as water quality indicators.}, journal = {Parasites, hosts and diseases}, volume = {62}, number = {2}, pages = {180-192}, pmid = {38835259}, issn = {2982-6799}, mesh = {*Amoeba/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; *Water Quality ; Phylogeny ; Rivers/parasitology ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Biodiversity ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {Free-living amoebae (FLA) are found in diverse environments, such as soils, rivers, and seas. Hence, they can be used as bioindicators to assess the water quality based solely on their presence. In this study, we determined the presence of FLA in river water by filtering water samples collected from various sites and culturing the resulting filtrates. FLA were detected in all the water samples with varying quality grades (Grades Ι-V). The significant increase in the size of the amoebae population with the deterioration in the water quality. Monoxenic cultures of the amoebae were performed, and genomic DNAs were isolated, among which 18S rDNAs were sequenced to identify the amoeba species. Of the 12 species identified, 10 belonged to the Acanthamoeba genus; of the remaining 2 species, one was identified as Vannella croatica and the other as a species of Vermamoeba. Acanthamoeba was detected in samples with Grades Ι to VI quality, whereas the Vermamoeba species was present only in Grade Ι water. V. croatica was found exclusively in water with Grade ΙΙ quality. Following morphological observations, genomic DNA was sequenced using 16S rDNA to determine whether the species of Acanthamoeba harbored endosymbionts. Most of the isolated Acanthamoeba contained endosymbionts, among which 4 species of endogenous bacteria were identified and examined using transmission electron microscopy. This study provides evidence that the distribution of amoebae other than Acanthamoeba may be associated with water quality. However, further confirmation will be required based on accurate water quality ratings and assessments using a more diverse range of FLA.}, }
@article {pmid38832800, year = {2024}, author = {Takasu, R and Izu, T and Nakabachi, A}, title = {A limited concentration range of diaphorin, a polyketide produced by a bacterial symbiont of the Asian citrus psyllid, promotes the in vitro gene expression with bacterial ribosomes.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {12}, number = {7}, pages = {e0017024}, pmid = {38832800}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {20H02998//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; }, mesh = {*Hemiptera/microbiology ; Animals ; *Ribosomes/metabolism/genetics ; *Polyketides/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; *Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism ; *Bacillus subtilis/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Citrus/microbiology ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Diaphorin is a polyketide produced by "Candidatus Profftella armatura" (Gammaproteobacteria: Burkholderiales), an obligate symbiont of a devastating agricultural pest, the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Physiological concentrations of diaphorin, which D. citri contains at levels as high as 2-20 mM, are inhibitory to various eukaryotes and Bacillus subtilis (Firmicutes: Bacilli) but promote the growth and metabolic activity of Escherichia coli (Gammaproteobacteria: Enterobacterales). Our previous study demonstrated that 5-mM diaphorin, which exhibits significant inhibitory and promoting effects on cultured B. subtilis and E. coli, respectively, inhibits in vitro gene expression utilizing purified B. subtilis and E. coli ribosomes. This suggested that the adverse effects of diaphorin on B. subtilis are partly due to its influence on gene expression. However, the result appeared inconsistent with the positive impact on E. coli. Moreover, the diaphorin concentration in bacterial cells, where genes are expressed in vivo, may be lower than in culture media. Therefore, the present study analyzed the effects of 50 and 500 µM of diaphorin on bacterial gene expression using the same analytical method. The result revealed that this concentration range of diaphorin, in contrast to 5-mM diaphorin, promotes the in vitro translation with the B. subtilis and E. coli ribosomes, suggesting that the positive effects of diaphorin on E. coli are due to its direct effects on translation. This study demonstrated for the first time that a pederin-type compound promotes gene expression, establishing a basis for utilizing its potential in pest management and industrial applications.IMPORTANCEThis study revealed that a limited concentration range of diaphorin, a secondary metabolite produced by a bacterial symbiont of an agricultural pest, promotes cell-free gene expression utilizing substrates and proteins purified from bacteria. The unique property of diaphorin, which is inhibitory to various eukaryotes and Bacillus subtilis but promotes the growth and metabolic activity of Escherichia coli, may affect the microbial flora of the pest insect, potentially influencing the transmission of devastating plant pathogens. Moreover, the activity may be exploited to improve the efficacy of industrial production by E. coli, which is often used to produce various important materials, including pharmaceuticals, enzymes, amino acids, and biofuels. This study elucidated a part of the mechanism by which the unique activity of diaphorin is expressed, constructing a foundation for applying the distinct property to pest management and industrial use.}, }
@article {pmid38832111, year = {2024}, author = {Cantin, LJ and Gregory, V and Blum, LN and Foster, JM}, title = {Dual RNA-seq in filarial nematodes and Wolbachia endosymbionts using RNase H based ribosomal RNA depletion.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1418032}, pmid = {38832111}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis is caused by parasitic nematodes and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Many filarial worms contain the bacterium Wolbachia as an obligate endosymbiont. RNA sequencing is a common technique used to study their molecular relationships and to identify potential drug targets against the nematode and bacteria. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the most abundant RNA species, accounting for 80-90% of the RNA in a sample. To reduce sequencing costs, it is necessary to remove ribosomal reads through poly-A enrichment or ribosomal depletion. Bacterial RNA does not contain a poly-A tail, making it difficult to sequence both the nematode and Wolbachia from the same library preparation using standard poly-A selection. Ribosomal depletion can utilize species-specific oligonucleotide probes to remove rRNA through pull-down or degradation methods. While species-specific probes are commercially available for many commonly studied model organisms, there are currently limited depletion options for filarial parasites. Here, we performed total RNA sequencing from Brugia malayi containing the Wolbachia symbiont (wBm) and designed ssDNA depletion probes against their rRNA sequences. We compared the total RNA library to poly-A enriched, Terminator 5'-Phosphate-Dependent Exonuclease treated, NEBNext Human/Bacteria rRNA depleted and our custom nematode probe depleted libraries. The custom nematode depletion library had the lowest percentage of ribosomal reads across all methods, with a 300-fold decrease in rRNA when compared to the total RNA library. The nematode depletion libraries also contained the highest percentage of Wolbachia mRNA reads, resulting in a 16-1,000-fold increase in bacterial reads compared to the other enrichment and depletion methods. Finally, we found that the Brugia malayi depletion probes can remove rRNA from the filarial worm Dirofilaria immitis and the majority of rRNA from the more distantly related free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. These custom filarial probes will allow for future dual RNA-seq experiments between nematodes and their bacterial symbionts from a single sequencing library.}, }
@article {pmid38827308, year = {2024}, author = {Miller, TC and Bentlage, B}, title = {Seasonal dynamics and environmental drivers of tissue and mucus microbiomes in the staghorn coral Acropora pulchra.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {e17421}, pmid = {38827308}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/microbiology ; *Microbiota/physiology/genetics ; *Seasons ; *Coral Reefs ; Mucus/microbiology ; Seawater/microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Rainfall-induced coastal runoff represents an important environmental impact in near-shore coral reefs that may affect coral-associated bacterial microbiomes. Shifts in microbiome community composition and function can stress corals and ultimately cause mortality and reef declines. Impacts of environmental stress may be site specific and differ between coral microbiome compartments (e.g., tissue versus mucus). Coastal runoff and associated water pollution represent a major stressor for near-shore reef-ecosystems in Guam, Micronesia.<br><br>METHODS: Acropora pulchra colonies growing on the West Hag&#xe5;t&#xf1;a reef flat in Guam were sampled over a period of 8 months spanning the 2021 wet and dry seasons. To examine bacterial microbiome diversity and composition, samples of A. pulchra tissue and mucus were collected during late April, early July, late September, and at the end of December. Samples were collected from populations in two different habitat zones, near the reef crest (farshore) and close to shore (nearshore). Seawater samples were collected during the same time period to evaluate microbiome dynamics of the waters surrounding coral colonies. Tissue, mucus, and seawater microbiomes were characterized using 16S DNA metabarcoding in conjunction with Illumina sequencing. In addition, water samples were collected to determine fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations as an indicator of water pollution. Water temperatures were recorded using data loggers and precipitation data obtained from a nearby rain gauge. The correlation structure of environmental parameters (temperature and rainfall), FIB concentrations, and A. pulchra microbiome diversity was evaluated using a structural equation model. Beta diversity analyses were used to investigate spatio-temporal trends of microbiome composition.<br><br>RESULTS: Acropora pulchra microbiome diversity differed between tissues and mucus, with mucus microbiome diversity being similar to the surrounding seawater. Rainfall and associated fluctuations of FIB concentrations were correlated with changes in tissue and mucus microbiomes, indicating their role as drivers of A. pulchra microbiome diversity. A. pulchra tissue microbiome composition remained relatively stable throughout dry and wet seasons; tissues were dominated by Endozoicomonadaceae, coral endosymbionts and putative indicators of coral health. In nearshore A. pulchra tissue microbiomes, Simkaniaceae, putative obligate coral endosymbionts, were more abundant than in A. pulchra colonies growing near the reef crest (farshore). A. pulchra mucus microbiomes were more diverse during the wet season than the dry season, a distinction that was also associated with drastic shifts in microbiome composition. This study highlights the seasonal dynamics of coral microbiomes and demonstrates that microbiome diversity and composition may differ between coral tissues and the surface mucus layer.}, }
@article {pmid38821141, year = {2024}, author = {Hudson, CM and Stalder, D and Vorburger, C}, title = {Clines of resistance to parasitoids: the multifarious effects of temperature on defensive symbioses in insects.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {64}, number = {}, pages = {101208}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2024.101208}, pmid = {38821141}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Temperature ; Insecta/physiology/microbiology/parasitology ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Aphids/physiology/microbiology/parasitology ; Diptera/physiology/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Insects are frequently infected with heritable bacterial endosymbionts. Some of them confer resistance to parasitoids. Such defensive symbionts are sensitive to variation in temperature. Drawing predominantly from the literature on aphids and flies, we show that temperature can affect the reliability of maternal transmission and the strength of protection provided by defensive symbionts. Costs of infection with defensive symbionts can also be temperature-dependent and may even turn into benefits under extreme temperatures, for example, when defensive symbionts increase heat tolerance. Alone or in combination, these mechanisms can drive temperature-associated (latitudinal) clines of infection prevalence with defensive symbionts. This has important consequences for host-parasitoid coevolution, as the relative importance of host-encoded vs. symbiont-provided defenses will shift along such clines.}, }
@article {pmid38813885, year = {2024}, author = {Bennett, GM and Kwak, Y and Maynard, R}, title = {Endosymbioses Have Shaped the Evolution of Biological Diversity and Complexity Time and Time Again.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {16}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {38813885}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {NSF-1347116//National Science Foundation/ ; GT15982/HHMI/Howard Hughes Medical Institute/United States ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Biological Evolution ; Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Biodiversity ; Evolution, Molecular ; }, abstract = {Life on Earth comprises prokaryotes and a broad assemblage of endosymbioses. The pages of Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution have provided an essential window into how these endosymbiotic interactions have evolved and shaped biological diversity. Here, we provide a current perspective on this knowledge by drawing on decades of revelatory research published in Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution, and insights from the field at large. The accumulated work illustrates how endosymbioses provide hosts with novel phenotypes that allow them to transition between adaptive landscapes to access environmental resources. Such endosymbiotic relationships have shaped and reshaped life on Earth. The early serial establishment of mitochondria and chloroplasts through endosymbioses permitted massive upscaling of cellular energetics, multicellularity, and terrestrial planetary greening. These endosymbioses are also the foundation upon which all later ones are built, including everything from land-plant endosymbioses with fungi and bacteria to nutritional endosymbioses found in invertebrate animals. Common evolutionary mechanisms have shaped this broad range of interactions. Endosymbionts generally experience adaptive and stochastic genome streamlining, the extent of which depends on several key factors (e.g. mode of transmission). Hosts, in contrast, adapt complex mechanisms of resource exchange, cellular integration and regulation, and genetic support mechanisms to prop up degraded symbionts. However, there are significant differences between endosymbiotic interactions not only in how partners have evolved with each other but also in the scope of their influence on biological diversity. These differences are important considerations for predicting how endosymbioses will persist and adapt to a changing planet.}, }
@article {pmid38804043, year = {2024}, author = {Owens, LA and Thurber, MI and Goldberg, TL}, title = {CRISPR-Cas9-mediated host signal reduction for 18S metabarcoding of host-associated eukaryotes.}, journal = {Molecular ecology resources}, volume = {24}, number = {6}, pages = {e13980}, pmid = {38804043}, issn = {1755-0998}, support = {R01 AG049395/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; R37 AG049395/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI007414/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; 1R21AI163592-01/HI/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; T32AI007414/HI/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 1R01AG049395-01/HI/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI163592/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*CRISPR-Cas Systems ; *Eukaryota/genetics ; *DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Metagenomics/methods ; Humans ; Animals ; }, abstract = {Metabarcoding-based methods for identification of host-associated eukaryotes have the potential to revolutionize parasitology and microbial ecology, yet significant technical challenges remain. In particular, highly abundant host reads can mask the presence of less-abundant target organisms, especially for sample types rich in host DNA (e.g., blood and tissues). Here, we present a new CRISPR-Cas9-mediated approach designed to reduce host signal by selective amplicon digestion, thus enriching clinical samples for eukaryotic endosymbiont sequences during metabarcoding. Our method achieves a nearly 76% increased efficiency in host signal reduction compared with no treatment and a nearly 60% increased efficiency in host signal reduction compared with the most commonly used published method. Furthermore, the application of our method to clinical samples allows for the detection of parasite infections that would otherwise have been missed.}, }
@article {pmid38797544, year = {2024}, author = {Ichegiri, A and Kodolikar, K and Bagade, V and Selukar, M and Dey, T}, title = {Mitochondria: A source of potential biomarkers for non-communicable diseases.}, journal = {Advances in clinical chemistry}, volume = {121}, number = {}, pages = {334-365}, doi = {10.1016/bs.acc.2024.04.007}, pmid = {38797544}, issn = {2162-9471}, mesh = {Humans ; *Biomarkers/metabolism/analysis ; *Mitochondria/metabolism ; *Noncommunicable Diseases ; Neoplasms/metabolism/diagnosis ; Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases/metabolism/diagnosis ; }, abstract = {Mitochondria, as an endosymbiont of eukaryotic cells, controls multiple cellular activities, including respiration, reactive oxygen species production, fatty acid synthesis, and death. Though the majority of functional mitochondrial proteins are translated through a nucleus-controlled process, very few of them (∼10%) are translated within mitochondria through their own machinery. Germline and somatic mutations in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA significantly impact mitochondrial homeostasis and function. Such modifications disturbing mitochondrial biogenesis, metabolism, or mitophagy eventually resulted in cellular pathophysiology. In this chapter, we discussed the impact of mitochondria and its dysfunction on several non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular problems. Mitochondrial dysfunction and its outcome could be screened by currently available omics-based techniques, flow cytometry, and high-resolution imaging. Such characterization could be evaluated as potential biomarkers to assess the disease burden and prognosis.}, }
@article {pmid38796552, year = {2024}, author = {Wijegunawardana, NDAD and Gunawardene, YINS and Abeyewickreme, W and Chandrasena, TGAN and Thayanukul, P and Kittayapong, P}, title = {Diversity of Wolbachia infections in Sri Lankan mosquitoes with a new record of Wolbachia Supergroup B infecting Aedes aegypti vector populations.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {11966}, pmid = {38796552}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Sri Lanka ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; Female ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Multilocus Sequence Typing/methods ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria are common endosymbionts of insects and have recently been applied for controlling arboviral vectors, especially Aedes aegypti mosquito populations. However, several medically important mosquito species in Sri Lanka were present with limited information for the Wolbachia infection status. Therefore, the screening of Wolbachia in indigenous mosquitoes is required prior to a successful application of Wolbachia-based vector control strategy. In this study, screening of 78 mosquito species collected from various parts of the country revealed that 13 species were positive for Wolbachia infection, giving ~ 17% infection frequency of Wolbachia among the Sri Lankan mosquitoes. Twelve Wolbachia-positive mosquito species were selected for downstream Wolbachia strain genotyping using Multi Locus Sequencing Type (MLST), wsp gene, and 16S rRNA gene-based approaches. Results showed that these Wolbachia strains clustered together with the present Wolbachia phylogeny of world mosquito populations with some variations. Almost 90% of the mosquito populations were infected with supergroup B while the remaining were infected with supergroup A. A new record of Wolbachia supergroup B infection in Ae. aegypti, the main vectors of dengue, was highlighted. This finding was further confirmed by real-time qPCR, revealing Wolbachia density variations between Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus (p = 0.001), and between males and females (p < 0.05). The evidence of natural Wolbachia infections in Ae. aegypti populations in Sri Lanka is an extremely rare incident that has the potential to be used for arboviral vector control.}, }
@article {pmid38792834, year = {2024}, author = {Moerbeck, L and Parreira, R and Szczotko, M and Seixas, G and Velez, R and Dmitryjuk, M and Santos, AS and Domingos, A and Antunes, S}, title = {Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Circulating in Peri-Domestic Areas in Mainland Portugal.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {38792834}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {2022.14376.BD//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia/ ; }, abstract = {Over the years, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have garnered significant interest due to their medical, veterinary and economic importance. Additionally, TBPs have drawn attention to how these microorganisms interact with their own vectors, increasing the risk to human and animal infection of emerging and reemerging zoonoses. In this sense, ticks, which are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites, have a key role in maintaining and transmitting TBPs among humans and animals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, namely Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. DNA fragments were detected in questing ticks collected from five different ecological areas under investigation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study reports new worldwide findings, including B. bigemina infecting Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Additionally, it presents new findings in Portugal of N. mikurensis infecting I. ricinus and of presumably Wolbachia endosymbionts being detected in I. ricinus. Overall, there were 208 tick samples that were negative for all screened TBPs. The results herein obtained raise concerns about the circulation of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, especially in anthropophilic ticks, highlighting the importance of adopting a One Health perspective.}, }
@article {pmid38786870, year = {2024}, author = {Shi, Z and Luo, M and Yuan, J and Gao, B and Yang, M and Wang, G}, title = {CRISPR/Cas9-Based Functional Characterization of SfUGT50A15 Reveals Its Roles in the Resistance of Spodoptera frugiperda to Chlorantraniliprole, Emamectin Benzoate, and Benzoxazinoids.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {38786870}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {No. KQTD20180411143628272//Shenzhen Science and Technology Program/ ; No. PT202101-02//science technology innovation and industrial development of Shenzhen Dapeng New Distric/ ; 32202305//the Youth Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022M723451//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are a diverse superfamily of enzymes. Insects utilize uridine diphosphate-glucose (UDP-glucose) as a glycosyl donor for glycosylation in vivo, involved in the glycosylation of lipophilic endosymbionts and xenobiotics, including phytotoxins. UGTs act as second-stage detoxification metabolizing enzymes, which are essential for the detoxification metabolism of insecticides and benzoxazine compounds. However, the UGT genes responsible for specific glycosylation functions in S. frugiperda are unclear at present. In this study, we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to produce a SfUGT50A15-KO strain to explore its possible function in governing sensitivity to chemical insecticides or benzoxazinoids. The bioassay results suggested that the SfUGT50A15-KO strain was significantly more sensitive to chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, and benzoxazinoids than the wild-type strains. This finding suggests that the overexpression of the SfUGT50A15 gene may be linked to S. frugiperda resistance to pesticides (chlorantraniliprole and emamectin benzoate) as well as benzoxazinoids (BXDs).}, }
@article {pmid38786149, year = {2024}, author = {Löckener, I and Behrmann, LV and Reuter, J and Schiefer, A and Klöckner, A and Krannich, S and Otten, C and Mölleken, K and Ichikawa, S and Hoerauf, A and Schneider, T and Pfarr, KM and Henrichfreise, B}, title = {The MraY Inhibitor Muraymycin D2 and Its Derivatives Induce Enlarged Cells in Obligate Intracellular Chlamydia and Wolbachia and Break the Persistence Phenotype in Chlamydia.}, journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {13}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {38786149}, issn = {2079-6382}, support = {398967434 - TRR261//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)/ ; N.a.//BONFOR intramural funding program, Medical Faculty of Bonn University/ ; N.a.//J&#xfc;rgen Manchot foundation/ ; N.a.//FEMHABIL, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn/ ; JP22H02738//JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)/ ; JP22ama121039//AMED/ ; N.a.//Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes/ ; }, abstract = {Chlamydial infections and diseases caused by filarial nematodes are global health concerns. However, treatment presents challenges due to treatment failures potentially caused by persisting Chlamydia and long regimens against filarial infections accompanied by low compliance. A new treatment strategy could be the targeting of the reduced peptidoglycan structures involved in cell division in the obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia and Wolbachia, the latter being obligate endosymbionts supporting filarial development, growth, and survival. Here, cell culture experiments with C. trachomatis and Wolbachia showed that the nucleoside antibiotics muraymycin and carbacaprazamycin interfere with bacterial cell division and induce enlarged, aberrant cells resembling the penicillin-induced persistence phenotype in Chlamydia. Enzymatic inhibition experiments with purified C. pneumoniae MraY revealed that muraymycin derivatives abolish the synthesis of the peptidoglycan precursor lipid I. Comparative in silico analyses of chlamydial and wolbachial MraY with the corresponding well-characterized enzyme in Aquifex aeolicus revealed a high degree of conservation, providing evidence for a similar mode of inhibition. Muraymycin D2 treatment eradicated persisting non-dividing C. trachomatis cells from an established penicillin-induced persistent infection. This finding indicates that nucleoside antibiotics may have additional properties that can break bacterial persistence.}, }
@article {pmid38785194, year = {2024}, author = {McKee, CD and Peel, AJ and Hayman, DTS and Suu-Ire, R and Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y and Cunningham, AA and Wood, JLN and Webb, CT and Kosoy, MY}, title = {Ectoparasite and bacterial population genetics and community structure indicate extent of bat movement across an island chain.}, journal = {Parasitology}, volume = {151}, number = {7}, pages = {708-721}, pmid = {38785194}, issn = {1469-8161}, support = {//Alborada Trust/ ; //Research England/ ; //Zebra Foundation for Veterinary Zoological Education/ ; //Royal Society Te Ap&#x101;rangi/ ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; //Isaac Newton Trust/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Chiroptera/parasitology/microbiology ; *Bartonella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Diptera/microbiology/genetics ; Ectoparasitic Infestations/parasitology/veterinary/epidemiology ; Islands ; Genetics, Population ; Symbiosis ; Animal Distribution ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Phylogeography ; }, abstract = {Few studies have examined the genetic population structure of vector-borne microparasites in wildlife, making it unclear how much these systems can reveal about the movement of their associated hosts. This study examined the complex host–vector–microbe interactions in a system of bats, wingless ectoparasitic bat flies (Nycteribiidae), vector-borne microparasitic bacteria (Bartonella) and bacterial endosymbionts of flies (Enterobacterales) across an island chain in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa. Limited population structure was found in bat flies and Enterobacterales symbionts compared to that of their hosts. Significant isolation by distance was observed in the dissimilarity of Bartonella communities detected in flies from sampled populations of Eidolon helvum bats. These patterns indicate that, while genetic dispersal of bats between islands is limited, some non-reproductive movements may lead to the dispersal of ectoparasites and associated microbes. This study deepens our knowledge of the phylogeography of African fruit bats, their ectoparasites and associated bacteria. The results presented could inform models of pathogen transmission in these bat populations and increase our theoretical understanding of community ecology in host–microbe systems.}, }
@article {pmid38784393, year = {2024}, author = {Scott, TJ and Stephenson, CJ and Rao, S and Queller, DC and Strassmann, JE}, title = {Unpredictable soil conditions can affect the prevalence of a microbial symbiosis.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {e17445}, pmid = {38784393}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Dictyostelium/microbiology ; Burkholderiaceae/isolation &amp; purification ; Soil/chemistry ; United States/epidemiology ; Chlamydia/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {The evolution of symbiotic interactions may be affected by unpredictable conditions. However, a link between prevalence of these conditions and symbiosis has not been widely demonstrated. We test for these associations using Dictyostelium discoideum social amoebae and their bacterial endosymbionts. D. discoideum commonly hosts endosymbiotic bacteria from three taxa: Paraburkholderia, Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae. Three species of facultative Paraburkholderia endosymbionts are the best studied and give hosts the ability to carry prey bacteria through the dispersal stage to new environments. Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae are obligate endosymbiont lineages with no measurable impact on host fitness. We tested whether the frequency of both single infections and coinfections of these symbionts were associated with the unpredictability of their soil environments by using symbiont presence-absence data from D. discoideum isolates from 21 locations across the eastern United States. We found that symbiosis across all infection types, symbiosis with Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae obligate endosymbionts, and symbiosis involving coinfections were not associated with any of our measures. However, unpredictable precipitation was associated with symbiosis in two species of Paraburkholderia, suggesting a link between unpredictable conditions and symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid38778070, year = {2024}, author = {Liu, HQ and Li, HJ and Pan, Q and Xiang, YZ}, title = {Endosymbionts of citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton among different citrus orchards in China.}, journal = {Scientific data}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {519}, pmid = {38778070}, issn = {2052-4463}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics ; China ; *Citrus ; Larva/microbiology ; *Moths/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts regulate the behavior of pest species, which could provide insights into their control. The citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton) is a widely distributed pest associated with diseases of citrus, especially of young trees. Here, we determined the endosymbiont composition of P. citrella in citrus orchards across China. The resulting dataset comprised average 50,430 high-quality reads for bacterial 16S rRNA V3-V4 regions of endosymbionts from 36 P. citrella larvae sampled from 12 citrus orchards across China. The sequencing depth and sampling size of this dataset were sufficient to reveal most of the endosymbionts of P. citrella. In total, 2,875 bacterial amplicon sequence variants were obtained; taxonomic analysis revealed a total of 372 bacterial genera, most of which were Proteobacteria phylum with Undibacterium being the most abundant genus. This dataset provides the first evidence of P. citrella endosymbionts that could support the development of pest management approaches in citrus orchards.}, }
@article {pmid38776328, year = {2024}, author = {Khosravi, G and Akbarzadeh, K and Karimian, F and Koosha, M and Saeedi, S and Oshaghi, MA}, title = {A survey of Wolbachia infection in brachyceran flies from Iran.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {19}, number = {5}, pages = {e0301274}, pmid = {38776328}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Iran ; *Diptera/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that is considered to be the most plentiful endosymbiont found in arthropods. It reproductively manipulates its host to increase the chances of being transmitted to the insect progeny; and it is currently used as a means of suppressing disease vector populations or controlling vector-borne diseases. Studies of the dissemination and prevalence of Wolbachia among its arthropod hosts are important for its possible use as a biological control agent. The molecular identification of Wolbachia relies on different primers sets due to Wolbachia strain variation. Here, we screened for the presence of Wolbachia in a broad range of Brachycera fly species (Diptera), collected from different regions of Iran, using nine genetic markers (wsp, ftsZ, fbpA, gatB, CoxA, gltA, GroEL dnaA, and 16s rRNA), for detecting, assessing the sensitivity of primers for detection, and phylogeny of this bacterium. The overall incidence of Wolbachia among 22 species from six families was 27.3%. The most commonly positive fly species were Pollenia sp. and Hydrotaea armipes. However, the bacterium was not found in the most medically important flies or in potential human disease vectors, including Musca domestica, Sarcophaga spp., Calliphora vicinia, Lucilia sericata, and Chrysomya albiceps. The primer sets of 16s rRNA with 53.0% and gatB with 52.0% were the most sensitive primers for detecting Wolbachia. Blast search, phylogenetic, and MLST analysis of the different locus sequences of Wolbachia show that all the six distantly related fly species likely belonging to supergroup A. Our study showed some primer sets generated false negatives in many of the samples, emphasizing the importance of using different loci in detecting Wolbachia. The study provides the groundwork for future studies of a Wolbachia-based program for control of flies.}, }
@article {pmid38775916, year = {2024}, author = {Yamazaki, T and Sawai, K and Takahashi, Y and Matsuo, J}, title = {Characterization of Actin-based Genotypes and Mycoplasma Endosymbionts of Trichomonas vaginalis Isolated in Sapporo, Japan.}, journal = {Acta parasitologica}, volume = {69}, number = {2}, pages = {1324-1328}, pmid = {38775916}, issn = {1896-1851}, mesh = {*Trichomonas vaginalis/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Japan ; *Mycoplasma/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/classification ; *Genotype ; *Phylogeny ; *Actins/genetics ; Humans ; *Symbiosis ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Female ; Trichomonas Vaginitis/parasitology ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: Trichomonas vaginalis is a causative agent of common non-viral sexually transmitted infections worldwide. However, the biological features, such as genotypes and endosymbionts, of T. vaginalis isolated in Japan remain unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the actin-based genotypes and the endosymbionts of T. vaginalis isolated in Sapporo, Japan.<br><br>METHODS: Three T. vaginalis clinical strains were isolated in Sapporo, Japan between 2019 and 2022. Actin-based genotyping was conducted by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. The endosymbionts, such as Mycoplasma sp. and Trichomonasvirus, were detected using PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. Furthermore, the detected Mycoplasma spp. were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.<br><br>RESULTS: Of the three T. vaginalis strains, two belonged to genotype E, whereas one was genotype G as determined by actin-based genotyping. Two of the T. vaginalis strains harbored Mycoplasma spp. Using nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing, both were identified as Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii. In contrast, the Trichomonasvirus was not found in the T. vaginalis strains.<br><br>CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report on the characterization of actin-based genotypes and the presence of endosymbiotic Ca. M. girerdii in T. vaginalis strains in Japan. Thus, this study will provide an important impetus for future research.}, }
@article {pmid38774968, year = {2024}, author = {Leybourne, DJ and Whitehead, MA and Will, T}, title = {Genetic diversity in vector populations influences the transmission efficiency of an important plant virus.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {20}, number = {5}, pages = {20240095}, pmid = {38774968}, issn = {1744-957X}, mesh = {*Aphids/virology/genetics ; Animals ; *Genetic Variation ; *Insect Vectors/virology/genetics ; *Plant Diseases/virology ; *Luteovirus/genetics/physiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The transmission efficiency of aphid-vectored plant viruses can differ between aphid populations. Intra-species diversity (genetic variation, endosymbionts) is a key determinant of aphid phenotype; however, the extent to which intra-species diversity contributes towards variation in virus transmission efficiency is unclear. Here, we use multiple populations of two key aphid species that vector barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) strain PAV (BYDV-PAV), the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) and the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi), and examine how diversity in vector populations influences virus transmission efficiency. We use Illumina sequencing to characterize genetic and endosymbiont variation in multiple Si. avenae and Rh. padi populations and conduct BYDV-PAV transmission experiments to identify links between intra-species diversity in the vector and virus transmission efficiency. We observe limited variation in the transmission efficiency of Si. avenae, with transmission efficiency consistently low for this species. However, for Rh. padi, we observe a range of transmission efficiencies and show that BYDV transmission efficiency is influenced by genetic diversity within the vector, identifying 542 single nucleotide polymorphisms that potentially contribute towards variable transmission efficiency in Rh. padi. Our results represent an important advancement in our understanding of the relationship between genetic diversity, vector-virus interactions, and virus transmission efficiency.}, }
@article {pmid38774956, year = {2024}, author = {Strand, EL and Wong, KH and Farraj, A and Gray, S and McMenamin, A and Putnam, HM}, title = {Coral species-specific loss and physiological legacy effects are elicited by an extended marine heatwave.}, journal = {The Journal of experimental biology}, volume = {227}, number = {11}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.246812}, pmid = {38774956}, issn = {1477-9145}, support = {1017848//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 1756623//National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; *Species Specificity ; Hawaii ; Coral Reefs ; Climate Change ; Symbiosis ; Hot Temperature ; Photosynthesis ; Carbon Dioxide/metabolism ; Dinoflagellida/physiology ; }, abstract = {Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity, with potentially catastrophic consequences for marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. An extended heatwave and recovery time-series that incorporates multiple stressors and is environmentally realistic can provide enhanced predictive capacity for performance under climate change conditions. We exposed common reef-building corals in Hawai'i, Montipora capitata and Pocillopora acuta, to a 2-month period of high temperature and high PCO2 conditions or ambient conditions in a factorial design, followed by 2 months of ambient conditions. High temperature, rather than high PCO2, drove multivariate physiology shifts through time in both species, including decreases in respiration rates and endosymbiont densities. Pocillopora acuta exhibited more significantly negatively altered physiology, and substantially higher bleaching and mortality than M. capitata. The sensitivity of P. acuta appears to be driven by higher baseline rates of photosynthesis paired with lower host antioxidant capacity, creating an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. Thermal tolerance of M. capitata may be partly due to harboring a mixture of Cladocopium and Durusdinium spp., whereas P. acuta was dominated by other distinct Cladocopium spp. Only M. capitata survived the experiment, but physiological state in heatwave-exposed M. capitata remained significantly diverged at the end of recovery relative to individuals that experienced ambient conditions. In future climate scenarios, particularly marine heatwaves, our results indicate a species-specific loss of corals that is driven by baseline host and symbiont physiological differences as well as Symbiodiniaceae community compositions, with the surviving species experiencing physiological legacies that are likely to influence future stress responses.}, }
@article {pmid38772333, year = {2024}, author = {Miyata, M and Nomura, M and Kageyama, D}, title = {Rapid spread of a vertically transmitted symbiont induces drastic shifts in butterfly sex ratio.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {34}, number = {10}, pages = {R490-R492}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.027}, pmid = {38772333}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Animals ; *Sex Ratio ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; *Butterflies/microbiology/physiology/genetics ; Female ; Male ; }, abstract = {The causes and consequences of sex-ratio dynamics constitutes a pivotal subject in evolutionary biology[1]. Under conditions of evolutionary equilibrium, the male-to-female ratio tends to be approximately 1:1; however, this equilibrium is susceptible to distortion by selfish genetic elements exemplified by driving sex chromosomes and cytoplasmic elements[2][,][3]. Although previous studies have documented instances of these genetic elements distorting the sex ratio, studies specifically tracking the process with which these distorters spread within populations, leading to a transition from balanced parity to a skewed, female-biased state, are notably lacking. Herein, we present compelling evidence documenting the rapid spread of the cytoplasmic endosymbiont Wolbachia within a localized population of the pierid butterfly Eurema hecabe (Figure 1A). This spread resulted in a shift in the sex ratio from near parity to an exceedingly skewed state overwhelmingly biased toward females, reaching 93.1% within a remarkably brief period of 4 years.}, }
@article {pmid38754618, year = {2024}, author = {Soleymani, E and Fakhar, M and Davoodi, L and Motavallihaghi, S and Sharifpour, A and Maghsood, AH}, title = {Isolation, characterization, and pathogenicity assay of Acanthamoeba and its endosymbionts in respiratory disorders and COVID-19 hospitalized patients, northern Iran.}, journal = {Experimental parasitology}, volume = {262}, number = {}, pages = {108774}, doi = {10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108774}, pmid = {38754618}, issn = {1090-2449}, mesh = {Humans ; Iran ; *Acanthamoeba/isolation &amp; purification/pathogenicity ; *COVID-19 ; *Symbiosis ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Male ; Female ; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia/isolation &amp; purification/pathogenicity ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Amebiasis/parasitology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Aged ; Vero Cells ; Hospitalization ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; }, abstract = {Acanthamoeba spp., are common free-living amoebae found in nature that can serve as reservoirs for certain microorganisms. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a newly emerged respiratory infection, and the investigation of parasitic infections remains an area of limited research. Given that Acanthamoeba can act as a host for various endosymbiotic microbial pathogens and its pathogenicity assay is not fully understood, this study aimed to identify Acanthamoeba and its bacterial and fungal endosymbionts in patients with chronic respiratory disorders and hospitalized COVID-19 patients in northern Iran. Additionally, a pathogenicity assay was conducted on Acanthamoeba isolates. Urine, nasopharyngeal swab, and respiratory specimens were collected from two groups, and each sample was cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar medium. The cultures were then incubated at room temperature and monitored daily for a period of two weeks. Eight Acanthamoeba isolates were identified, and PCR was performed to confirm the presence of amoebae and identify their endosymbionts. Four isolates were found to have bacterial endosymbionts, including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Achromobacter sp., while two isolates harbored fungal endosymbionts, including an uncultured fungus and Gloeotinia sp. In the pathogenicity assay, five isolates exhibited a higher degree of pathogenicity compared to the other three. This study provides significant insights into the comorbidity of acanthamoebiasis and COVID-19 on a global scale, and presents the first evidence of Gloeotinia sp. as a fungal endosymbiont. Nevertheless, further research is required to fully comprehend the symbiotic patterns and establish effective treatment protocols.}, }
@article {pmid38754321, year = {2024}, author = {Varasteh, T and Lima, MS and Silva, TA and da Cruz, MLR and Ahmadi, RA and Atella, GC and Attias, M and Swings, J and de Souza, W and Thompson, FL and Thompson, CC}, title = {The dispersant Corexit 9500 and (dispersed) oil are lethal to coral endosymbionts.}, journal = {Marine pollution bulletin}, volume = {203}, number = {}, pages = {116491}, doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116491}, pmid = {38754321}, issn = {1879-3363}, mesh = {*Anthozoa/drug effects/physiology ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Petroleum/toxicity ; *Dinoflagellida/physiology/drug effects ; *Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity ; *Petroleum Pollution ; Lipids ; Surface-Active Agents/toxicity ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) play a vital role in the health of corals. Seawater pollution can harm these endosymbionts and dispersants used during oil spill cleanup can be extremely toxic to these organisms. Here, we examined the impact of oil and a specific dispersant, Corexit-9500, on two representative endosymbionts - Symbiodinium and Cladocopium - from the Southwestern endemic coral Mussismilia braziliensis. The survival and photosynthetic potential of the endosymbionts decreased dramatically after exposure to the dispersant and oil by ~25 % after 2 h and ~50 % after 7 days. Low concentrations of dispersant (0.005 ml/l) and dispersed oil (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, 1132 μg/l; Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons, 595 μg/l) proved highly toxic to both Symbiodinium and Cladocopium. These levels triggered a reduction in growth rate, cell size, and cell wall thickness. After a few hours of exposure, cellular organelles were damaged or destroyed. These acute toxic effects underline the fragile nature of coral endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid38745070, year = {2024}, author = {Gimmi, E and Wallisch, J and Vorburger, C}, title = {Ecological divergence despite common mating sites: Genotypes and symbiotypes shed light on cryptic diversity in the black bean aphid species complex.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {132}, number = {6}, pages = {320-330}, pmid = {38745070}, issn = {1365-2540}, support = {31003A_181969//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Swiss National Science Foundation)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; *Genotype ; *Microsatellite Repeats/genetics ; *Gene Flow ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Reproductive Isolation ; Genetics, Population ; Hybridization, Genetic ; Seasons ; }, abstract = {Different host plants represent ecologically dissimilar environments for phytophagous insects. The resulting divergent selection can promote the evolution of specialized host races, provided that gene flow is reduced between populations feeding on different plants. In black bean aphids belonging to the Aphis fabae complex, several morphologically cryptic taxa have been described based on their distinct host plant preferences. However, host choice and mate choice are largely decoupled in these insects: they are host-alternating and migrate between specific summer host plants and shared winter hosts, with mating occurring on the shared hosts. This provides a yearly opportunity for gene flow among aphids using different summer hosts, and raises the question if and to what extent the ecologically defined taxa are reproductively isolated. Here, we analyzed a geographically and temporally structured dataset of microsatellite genotypes from A. fabae that were mostly collected from their main winter host Euonymus europaeus, and additionally from another winter host and fourteen summer hosts. The data reveals multiple, strongly differentiated genetic clusters, which differ in their association with different summer and winter hosts. The clusters also differ in the frequency of infection with two heritable, facultative endosymbionts, separately hinting at reproductive isolation and divergent ecological selection. Furthermore, we found evidence for occasional hybridization among genetic clusters, with putative hybrids collected more frequently in spring than in autumn. This suggests that similar to host races in other phytophagous insects, both prezygotic and postzygotic barriers including selection against hybrids maintain genetic differentiation among A. fabae taxa, despite a common mating habitat.}, }
@article {pmid38743668, year = {2024}, author = {Felipin, KP and Paloschi, MV and Silva, MDS and Ikenohuchi, YJ and Santana, HM and Setúbal, SDS and Rego, CMA and Lopes, JA and Boeno, CN and Serrath, SN and De Medeiros, EHRT and Pimentel, IF and Oliveira, AER and Cupolillo, E and Cantanhêde, LM and Ferreira, RGM and Zuliani, JP}, title = {Transcriptomics analysis highlights potential ways in human pathogenesis in Leishmania braziliensis infected with the viral endosymbiont LRV1.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {5}, pages = {e0012126}, pmid = {38743668}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Humans ; *Leishmania braziliensis/genetics/immunology ; *Macrophages/immunology/virology ; *Leishmaniavirus/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/immunology ; Brazil ; Symbiosis ; Cytokines/metabolism/genetics ; Transcriptome ; Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/immunology/parasitology ; }, abstract = {The parasite Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is widely distributed in Brazil and is one of the main species associated with human cases of different forms of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) such as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucosal leishmaniasis (ML). The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of TL are still not fully understood, but it is known that factors related to the host and the parasite act in a synergistic and relevant way to direct the response to the infection. In the host, macrophages have a central connection with the parasite and play a fundamental role in the defense of the organism due to their ability to destroy intracellular parasites and present antigens. In the parasite, some intrinsic factors related to the species or even the strain analyzed are fundamental for the outcome of the disease. One of them is the presence of Leishmania RNA Virus 1 (LRV1), an endosymbiont virus that parasitizes some species of Leishmania that triggers a cascade of signals leading to a more severe TL phenotype, such as ML. One of the strategies for understanding factors associated with the immune response generated after Leishmania/host interaction is through the analysis of molecular patterns after infection. Thus, the gene expression profile in human monocyte-derived macrophages obtained from healthy donors infected in vitro with L. braziliensis positive (LbLRV1+) and negative (LbLRV1-) for LRV1 was evaluated. For this, the microarray assay was used and 162 differentially expressed genes were identified in the comparison LbLRV1+ vs. LbLRV1-, 126 upregulated genes for the type I and II interferons (IFN) signaling pathway, oligoadenylate synthase OAS/RNAse L, non-genomic actions of vitamin D3 and RIG-I type receptors, and 36 down-regulated. The top 10 downregulated genes along with the top 10 upregulated genes were considered for analysis. Type I interferon (IFNI)- and OAS-related pathways results were validated by RT-qPCR and Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines were analyzed by Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The microarray results validated by RT-qPCR showed differential expression of genes related to IFNI-mediated pathways with overexpression of different genes in cells infected with LbLRV1+ compared to LbLRV1- and to the control. No significant differences were found in cytokine levels between LbLRV1+ vs. LbLRV1- and control. The data suggest the activation of gene signaling pathways associated with the presence of LRV1 has not yet been reported so far. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the activation of the OAS/RNase L signaling pathway and the non-genomic actions of vitamin D3 when comparing infections with LbLRV1+ versus LbLRV1- and the control. This finding emphasizes the role of LRV1 in directing the host's immune response after infection, underlining the importance of identifying LRV1 in patients with TL to assess disease progression.}, }
@article {pmid38742892, year = {2024}, author = {Martyn, C and Hayes, BM and Lauko, D and Midthun, E and Castaneda, G and Bosco-Lauth, A and Salkeld, DJ and Kistler, A and Pollard, KS and Chou, S}, title = {Metatranscriptomic investigation of single Ixodes pacificus ticks reveals diverse microbes, viruses, and novel mRNA-like endogenous viral elements.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {9}, number = {6}, pages = {e0032124}, pmid = {38742892}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {//Chan Zuckerberg Biohub/ ; R01 AI32851//HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; //Gladstone Institutes (J. David Gladstone Institutes)/ ; //Pew Charitable Trusts (PCT)/ ; R01 AI032851/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodes/virology/microbiology ; Transcriptome ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; Microbiota/genetics ; Genome, Viral/genetics ; RNA Viruses/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Bacteria/genetics/virology/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Ticks are increasingly important vectors of human and agricultural diseases. While many studies have focused on tick-borne bacteria, far less is known about tick-associated viruses and their roles in public health or tick physiology. To address this, we investigated patterns of bacterial and viral communities across two field populations of western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus). Through metatranscriptomic analysis of 100 individual ticks, we quantified taxon prevalence, abundance, and co-occurrence with other members of the tick microbiome. In addition to commonly found tick-associated microbes, we assembled 11 novel RNA virus genomes from Rhabdoviridae, Chuviridae, Picornaviridae, Phenuiviridae, Reoviridae, Solemovidiae, Narnaviridae and two highly divergent RNA virus genomes lacking sequence similarity to any known viral families. We experimentally verified the presence of these in I. pacificus ticks across several life stages. We also unexpectedly identified numerous virus-like transcripts that are likely encoded by tick genomic DNA, and which are distinct from known endogenous viral element-mediated immunity pathways in invertebrates. Taken together, our work reveals that I. pacificus ticks carry a greater diversity of viruses than previously appreciated, in some cases resulting in evolutionarily acquired virus-like transcripts. Our findings highlight how pervasive and intimate tick-virus interactions are, with major implications for both the fundamental biology and vectorial capacity of I. pacificus ticks.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Ticks are increasingly important vectors of disease, particularly in the United States where expanding tick ranges and intrusion into previously wild areas has resulted in increasing human exposure to ticks. Emerging human pathogens have been identified in ticks at an increasing rate, and yet little is known about the full community of microbes circulating in various tick species, a crucial first step to understanding how they interact with each and their tick host, as well as their ability to cause disease in humans. We investigated the bacterial and viral communities of the Western blacklegged tick in California and found 11 previously uncharacterized viruses circulating in this population.}, }
@article {pmid38742878, year = {2024}, author = {Mies, US and Hervé, V and Kropp, T and Platt, K and Sillam-Dussès, D and Šobotník, J and Brune, A}, title = {Genome reduction and horizontal gene transfer in the evolution of Endomicrobia-rise and fall of an intracellular symbiosis with termite gut flagellates.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {e0082624}, pmid = {38742878}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {//Max-Planck-Institut f&#xfc;r Terrestrische Mikrobiologie (MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology)/ ; SFB 987//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Isoptera/microbiology/parasitology ; *Symbiosis ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Phylogeny ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Evolution, Molecular ; Metagenome ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts of eukaryotic hosts typically experience massive genome reduction, but the underlying evolutionary processes are often obscured by the lack of free-living relatives. Endomicrobia, a family-level lineage of host-associated bacteria in the phylum Elusimicrobiota that comprises both free-living representatives and endosymbionts of termite gut flagellates, are an excellent model to study evolution of intracellular symbionts. We reconstructed 67 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of Endomicrobiaceae among more than 1,700 MAGs from the gut microbiota of a wide range of termites. Phylogenomic analysis confirmed a sister position of representatives from termites and ruminants, and allowed to propose eight new genera in the radiation of Endomicrobiaceae. Comparative genome analysis documented progressive genome erosion in the new genus Endomicrobiellum, which comprises all flagellate endosymbionts characterized to date. Massive gene losses were accompanied by the acquisition of new functions by horizontal gene transfer, which led to a shift from a glucose-based energy metabolism to one based on sugar phosphates. The breakdown of glycolysis and many anabolic pathways for amino acids and cofactors in several subgroups was compensated by the independent acquisition of new uptake systems, including an ATP/ADP antiporter, from other gut microbiota. The putative donors are mostly flagellate endosymbionts from other bacterial phyla, including several, hitherto unknown lineages of uncultured Alphaproteobacteria, documenting the importance of horizontal gene transfer in the convergent evolution of these intracellular symbioses. The loss of almost all biosynthetic capacities in some lineages of Endomicrobiellum suggests that their originally mutualistic relationship with flagellates is on its decline.IMPORTANCEUnicellular eukaryotes are frequently colonized by bacterial and archaeal symbionts. A prominent example are the cellulolytic gut flagellates of termites, which harbor diverse but host-specific bacterial symbionts that occur exclusively in termite guts. One of these lineages, the so-called Endomicrobia, comprises both free-living and endosymbiotic representatives, which offers the unique opportunity to study the evolutionary processes underpinning the transition from a free-living to an intracellular lifestyle. Our results revealed a progressive gene loss in energy metabolism and biosynthetic pathways, compensated by the acquisition of new functions via horizontal gene transfer from other gut bacteria, and suggest the eventual breakdown of an initially mutualistic symbiosis. Evidence for convergent evolution of unrelated endosymbionts reflects adaptations to the intracellular environment of termite gut flagellates.}, }
@article {pmid38732070, year = {2024}, author = {Zhang, J and Liu, Q and Dai, L and Zhang, Z and Wang, Y}, title = {Pan-Genome Analysis of Wolbachia, Endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri, Reveals Independent Origin in Asia and North America.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {25}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {38732070}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {2021YFD1400805//Nation Key R &amp; D Program of China/ ; 31672031//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32272537//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/classification ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Animals ; *Phylogeny ; Asia ; North America ; Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics ; Diptera/microbiology/genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, a group of Gram-negative symbiotic bacteria, infects nematodes and a wide range of arthropods. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that causes citrus greening disease, is naturally infected with Wolbachia (wDi). However, the interaction between wDi and D. citri remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed a pan-genome analysis using 65 wDi genomes to gain a comprehensive understanding of wDi. Based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, we classified the wDi strains into Asia and North America strains. The ANI analysis, principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), and phylogenetic tree analysis supported that the D. citri in Florida did not originate from China. Furthermore, we found that a significant number of core genes were associated with metabolic pathways. Pathways such as thiamine metabolism, type I secretion system, biotin transport, and phospholipid transport were highly conserved across all analyzed wDi genomes. The variation analysis between Asia and North America wDi showed that there were 39,625 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 2153 indels, 10 inversions, 29 translocations, 65 duplications, 10 SV-based insertions, and 4 SV-based deletions. The SV-based insertions and deletions involved genes encoding transposase, phage tail tube protein, ankyrin repeat (ANK) protein, and group II intron-encoded protein. Pan-genome analysis of wDi contributes to our understanding of the geographical population of wDi, the origin of hosts of D. citri, and the interaction between wDi and its host, thus facilitating the development of strategies to control the insects and huanglongbing (HLB).}, }
@article {pmid38725798, year = {2024}, author = {Setegn, A and Amare, GA and Mihret, Y}, title = {Wolbachia and Lymphatic Filarial Nematodes and Their Implications in the Pathogenesis of the Disease.}, journal = {Journal of parasitology research}, volume = {2024}, number = {}, pages = {3476951}, pmid = {38725798}, issn = {2090-0023}, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an infection of three closely related filarial worms such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. These worms can cause a devastating disease that involves acute and chronic lymphoedema of the extremities, which can cause elephantiasis in both sexes and hydroceles in males. These important public health nematodes were found to have a mutualistic relationship with intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia, which is essential for the development and survival of the nematode. The host's inflammatory response to parasites and possibly also to the Wolbachia endosymbiont is the cause of lymphatic damage and disease pathogenesis. This review tried to describe and highlight the mutualistic associations between Wolbachia and lymphatic filarial nematodes and the role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of lymphatic filariasis. Articles for this review were searched from PubMed, Google Scholar, and other databases. Article searching was not restricted by publication year; however, only English version full-text articles were included.}, }
@article {pmid38721335, year = {2024}, author = {Nahusenay, G and Wolde, G and Tena, W and Tamiru, T}, title = {Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) growth, nodulation, and yield as affected by varieties, Mesorhizobium strains, and NPSB fertilizer in Southern Ethiopia.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1372082}, pmid = {38721335}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {A significant legume crop in Ethiopia, chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) have several advantages, including high nutritional value and the capacity to improve soils deficient in nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation using several endosymbiotic Mesorhizobium spp. strains. However, the host variety, the soil's capacity to hold nutrients, and the endosymbiont's innate physiological traits all affect how efficient the strains are. The primary obstacles to its cultivation in the research area are inadequate agronomic methods and low soil fertility [low nitrogen (N), low soil organic matter (OM), low accessible phosphorous (P), sulfur (S), and boron (B)], which results in ineffective nodulation. To evaluate the effects of NPSB fertilization and inoculation, a field experiment was carried out in Buchach Kebele's Cheha area during the primary cropping season of 2021/22. The trial included two chickpea kinds (Local and Arerti), two NPSB levels (zero and 121 kg NPSB ha[-1]), and four levels of Mesorhizobium strains (CP-M41, CP-EAL 029, CP-M20b, and un-inoculated control). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used to organize the treatments in a factorial form with three replications. In comparison to the single application and the control, the interaction impact of strains, NPSB fertilizer, and variety greatly increased nodulation parameters, growth parameters, yield, and yield components. The Arerti variety combined with the CP-M41 Mesorhizobium strain and NPSB fertilizer had the maximum grain production (3177.16 kg ha[-1]). It yielded 15.96%, 24.06%, and 37.93% more than the Arerti with CP-M41 strain, Arerti with NPSB, and the control treatments, respectively. The partial budget analysis of the study treatments showed that the Arerti variety with the combined application of 121 kg NPSB ha-1 and Mesorhizobium strain CP-M41 inoculation produced the highest net return (102,092.6 ETB ha[-1]) with an acceptable marginal rate of return (618%). It has been found that the CP-M41 strain and the Arerti variety, when combined with 121 kg NPSB ha[-1] application, is a suitable treatment combination to achieve increased chickpea crop yield and profit in the studied area. However, the results need further validation in the farmer's field before recommending to farmers.}, }
@article {pmid38719945, year = {2024}, author = {Zhang, Y and Chen, H and Lian, C and Cao, L and Guo, Y and Wang, M and Zhong, Z and Li, M and Zhang, H and Li, C}, title = {Insights into phage-bacteria interaction in cold seep Gigantidas platifrons through metagenomics and transcriptome analyses.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {10540}, pmid = {38719945}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {42030407//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022QNLM030004//Laoshan Laboratory/ ; ZDBS-LY-DQC032//the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences/ ; XDA22050303//the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Metagenomics/methods ; *Bacteriophages/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Gills/microbiology/virology/metabolism ; *Bivalvia/microbiology/virology/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Virome/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Metagenome ; }, abstract = {Viruses are crucial for regulating deep-sea microbial communities and biogeochemical cycles. However, their roles are still less characterized in deep-sea holobionts. Bathymodioline mussels are endemic species inhabiting cold seeps and harboring endosymbionts in gill epithelial cells for nutrition. This study unveiled a diverse array of viruses in the gill tissues of Gigantidas platifrons mussels and analyzed the viral metagenome and transcriptome from the gill tissues of Gigantidas platifrons mussels collected from a cold seep in the South Sea. The mussel gills contained various viruses including Baculoviridae, Rountreeviridae, Myoviridae and Siphovirdae, but the active viromes were Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, and Podoviridae belonging to the order Caudovirales. The overall viral community structure showed significant variation among environments with different methane concentrations. Transcriptome analysis indicated high expression of viral structural genes, integrase, and restriction endonuclease genes in a high methane concentration environment, suggesting frequent virus infection and replication. Furthermore, two viruses (GP-phage-contig14 and GP-phage-contig72) interacted with Gigantidas platifrons methanotrophic gill symbionts (bathymodiolin mussels host intracellular methanotrophic Gammaproteobacteria in their gills), showing high expression levels, and have huge different expression in different methane concentrations. Additionally, single-stranded DNA viruses may play a potential auxiliary role in the virus-host interaction using indirect bioinformatics methods. Moreover, the Cro and DNA methylase genes had phylogenetic similarity between the virus and Gigantidas platifrons methanotrophic gill symbionts. This study also explored a variety of viruses in the gill tissues of Gigantidas platifrons and revealed that bacteria interacted with the viruses during the symbiosis with Gigantidas platifrons. This study provides fundamental insights into the interplay of microorganisms within Gigantidas platifrons mussels in deep sea.}, }
@article {pmid38715450, year = {2024}, author = {Ali, M and Rice, CA and Byrne, AW and Paré, PE and Beauvais, W}, title = {Modelling dynamics between free-living amoebae and bacteria.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {5}, pages = {e16623}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16623}, pmid = {38715450}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {NSF-ECCS #2238388//National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {*Amoeba/microbiology ; *Bacteria ; *Symbiosis ; Models, Biological ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Models, Theoretical ; Animals ; }, abstract = {Free-living amoebae (FLA) serve as hosts for a variety of endosymbionts, which are microorganisms that reside and multiply within the FLA. Some of these endosymbionts pose a pathogenic threat to humans, animals, or both. The symbiotic relationship with FLA not only offers these microorganisms protection but also enhances their survival outside their hosts and assists in their dispersal across diverse habitats, thereby escalating disease transmission. This review is intended to offer an exhaustive overview of the existing mathematical models that have been applied to understand the dynamics of FLA, especially concerning their interactions with bacteria. An extensive literature review was conducted across Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases to identify mathematical models that describe the dynamics of interactions between FLA and bacteria, as published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The literature search revealed several FLA-bacteria model systems, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pasteurella multocida, and Legionella spp. Although the published mathematical models account for significant system dynamics such as predator-prey relationships and non-linear growth rates, they generally overlook spatial and temporal heterogeneity in environmental conditions, such as temperature, and population diversity. Future mathematical models will need to incorporate these factors to enhance our understanding of FLA-bacteria dynamics and to provide valuable insights for future risk assessment and disease control measures.}, }
@article {pmid38712948, year = {2024}, author = {Maeda, GP and Kelly, MK and Sundar, A and Moran, NA}, title = {Intracellular defensive symbiont is culturable and capable of transovarial, vertical transmission.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {e0325323}, pmid = {38712948}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {R35 GM131738/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35GM131738//HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Aphids/microbiology ; Female ; Genome, Bacterial ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; Axenic Culture ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Insects frequently form heritable associations with beneficial bacteria that are vertically transmitted from parent to offspring. Long-term vertical transmission has repeatedly resulted in genome reduction and gene loss, rendering many such bacteria incapable of establishment in axenic culture. Among aphids, heritable endosymbionts often provide context-specific benefits to their hosts. Although these associations have large impacts on host phenotypes, experimental approaches are often limited by an inability to cultivate these microbes. Here, we report the axenic culture of Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica strain WIR, a heritable bacterial endosymbiont of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Whole-genome sequencing revealed similar genomic features and high sequence similarity to previously described strains, suggesting that the cultivation techniques used here may be applicable to Ca. F. symbiotica strains from distantly related aphids. Microinjection of cultured Ca. F. symbiotica into uninfected aphids revealed that it can reinfect developing embryos and that infections are maintained in subsequent generations via transovarial maternal transmission. Artificially infected aphids exhibit phenotypic and life history traits similar to those observed for native infections. Our results show that Ca. F. symbiotica may be a useful tool for experimentally probing the molecular mechanisms underlying host-symbiont interactions in a heritable symbiosis.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Diverse eukaryotic organisms form stable, symbiotic relationships with bacteria that provide benefits to their hosts. While these associations are often biologically important, they can be difficult to probe experimentally because intimately host-associated bacteria are difficult to access within host tissues, and most cannot be cultured. This is especially true for the intracellular, maternally inherited bacteria associated with many insects, including aphids. Here, we demonstrate that a pea aphid-associated strain of the heritable endosymbiont, Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica, can be grown outside of its host using standard microbiology techniques and can readily re-establish infection that is maintained across host generations. These artificial infections recapitulate the effects of native infections, making this host-symbiont pair a useful experimental system.}, }
@article {pmid38707843, year = {2024}, author = {Moulin, SLY and Frail, S and Braukmann, T and Doenier, J and Steele-Ogus, M and Marks, JC and Mills, MM and Yeh, E}, title = {The endosymbiont of Epithemia clementina is specialized for nitrogen fixation within a photosynthetic eukaryote.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {ycae055}, pmid = {38707843}, issn = {2730-6151}, support = {S10 OD028536/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI007328/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 GM007276/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Epithemia spp. diatoms contain obligate, nitrogen-fixing endosymbionts, or diazoplasts, derived from cyanobacteria. These algae are a rare example of photosynthetic eukaryotes that have successfully coupled oxygenic photosynthesis with oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase activity. Here, we report a newly-isolated species, E. clementina, as a model to investigate endosymbiotic acquisition of nitrogen fixation. We demonstrate that the diazoplast, which has lost photosynthesis, provides fixed nitrogen to the diatom host in exchange for fixed carbon. To identify the metabolic changes associated with this endosymbiotic specialization, we compared the Epithemia diazoplast with its close, free-living cyanobacterial relative, Crocosphaera subtropica. Unlike C. subtropica, in which nitrogenase activity is temporally separated from photosynthesis, we show that nitrogenase activity in the diazoplast is continuous through the day (concurrent with host photosynthesis) and night. Host and diazoplast metabolism are tightly coupled to support nitrogenase activity: Inhibition of photosynthesis abolishes daytime nitrogenase activity, while nighttime nitrogenase activity no longer requires cyanobacterial glycogen storage pathways. Instead, import of host-derived carbohydrates supports nitrogenase activity throughout the day-night cycle. Carbohydrate metabolism is streamlined in the diazoplast compared to C. subtropica with retention of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway and oxidative phosphorylation. Similar to heterocysts, these pathways may be optimized to support nitrogenase activity, providing reducing equivalents and ATP and consuming oxygen. Our results demonstrate that the diazoplast is specialized for endosymbiotic nitrogen fixation. Altogether, we establish a new model for studying endosymbiosis, perform a functional characterization of this diazotroph endosymbiosis, and identify metabolic adaptations for endosymbiotic acquisition of a critical biological function.}, }
@article {pmid38706926, year = {2024}, author = {Katoch, M and Singh, G and Bijarnia, E and Gupta, AP and Azeem, M and Rani, P and Kumar, J}, title = {Biodiversity of endosymbiont fungi associated with a marine sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea and their potential as antioxidant producers.}, journal = {3 Biotech}, volume = {14}, number = {5}, pages = {146}, pmid = {38706926}, issn = {2190-572X}, abstract = {UNLABELLED: This study aims to isolate endosymbiontic fungi from the marine sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea and to explore their antioxidant potential. Marine-derived fungi, with their vast biodiversity, are considered a promising source of novel antioxidants which can replace synthetic ones. Marine sponges have previously reported bioactive properties that could ameliorate oxidative stress, particularly their associated fungi, producing high-frequency bioactive molecules (adaptogenic molecules) in response to stressors. 19 endosymbiont fungi associated with marine sponges were isolated, and their extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant capacities. Extract of an endosymbiont fungus, isolate SPG6, identified as Alternaria destruens, through surface electron microscopy (SEM) and ITS gene sequencing, showed broad range antioxidant activities (EC50 values) (free radical scavenging 32.54 mg L[-1], Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity < 0.078 g L[-1], total reducing power 0.114 g L[-1], Chelating power 0.262 g L[-1], H2O2 scavenging activity < 0.078 g L[-1], and Superoxide radical scavenging activity > 5.0 g L[-1]). The extract of isolate SPG6 was fractioned and analyzed through GC-MS. Marine sponge-associated endosymbiont fungi are a rich source of antioxidant molecules.<br><br>SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03972-1.}, }
@article {pmid38705185, year = {2024}, author = {Łukasik, P and Kolasa, MR}, title = {With a little help from my friends: the roles of microbial symbionts in insect populations and communities.}, journal = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences}, volume = {379}, number = {1904}, pages = {20230122}, pmid = {38705185}, issn = {1471-2970}, mesh = {Animals ; *Insecta/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota/physiology ; Biodiversity ; }, abstract = {To understand insect abundance, distribution and dynamics, we need to understand the relevant drivers of their populations and communities. While microbial symbionts are known to strongly affect many aspects of insect biology, we lack data on their effects on populations or community processes, or on insects' evolutionary responses at different timescales. How these effects change as the anthropogenic effects on ecosystems intensify is an area of intense research. Recent developments in sequencing and bioinformatics permit cost-effective microbial diversity surveys, tracking symbiont transmission, and identification of functions across insect populations and multi-species communities. In this review, we explore how different functional categories of symbionts can influence insect life-history traits, how these effects could affect insect populations and their interactions with other species, and how they may affect processes and patterns at the level of entire communities. We argue that insect-associated microbes should be considered important drivers of insect response and adaptation to environmental challenges and opportunities. We also outline the emerging approaches for surveying and characterizing insect-associated microbiota at population and community scales. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.}, }
@article {pmid38704391, year = {2024}, author = {Renoz, F and Parisot, N and Baa-Puyoulet, P and Gerlin, L and Fakhour, S and Charles, H and Hance, T and Calevro, F}, title = {PacBio Hi-Fi genome assembly of Sipha maydis, a model for the study of multipartite mutualism in insects.}, journal = {Scientific data}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {450}, pmid = {38704391}, issn = {2052-4463}, support = {J.0082.23//Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS (Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Genome, Insect ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Bacteria ; }, abstract = {Dependence on multiple nutritional endosymbionts has evolved repeatedly in insects feeding on unbalanced diets. However, reference genomes for species hosting multi-symbiotic nutritional systems are lacking, even though they are essential for deciphering the processes governing cooperative life between insects and anatomically integrated symbionts. The cereal aphid Sipha maydis is a promising model for addressing these issues, as it has evolved a nutritional dependence on two bacterial endosymbionts that complement each other. In this study, we used PacBio High fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing to generate a highly contiguous genome assembly of S. maydis with a length of 410 Mb, 3,570 contigs with a contig N50 length of 187 kb, and BUSCO completeness of 95.5%. We identified 117 Mb of repetitive sequences, accounting for 29% of the genome assembly, and predicted 24,453 protein-coding genes, of which 2,541 were predicted enzymes included in an integrated metabolic network with the two aphid-associated endosymbionts. These resources provide valuable genetic and metabolic information for understanding the evolution and functioning of multi-symbiotic systems in insects.}, }
@article {pmid38701242, year = {2024}, author = {Roldán, EL and Stelinski, LL and Pelz-Stelinski, KS}, title = {Reduction of Wolbachia in Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) increases phytopathogen acquisition and decreases fitness.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {117}, number = {3}, pages = {733-749}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toae089}, pmid = {38701242}, issn = {1938-291X}, support = {2021-70029-36053//United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 2021-70029-36053//U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; 2021-70029-36053//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Female ; *Doxycycline/pharmacology ; Male ; *Genetic Fitness ; Nymph/microbiology/growth &amp; development ; Liberibacter ; Plant Diseases/microbiology/prevention &amp; control ; Symbiosis ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Citrus/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that infects a wide range of arthropods. Wolbachia can have a significant impact on host biology and development, often due to its effects on reproduction. We investigated Wolbachia-mediated effects in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, which transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causal agent of citrus greening disease. Diaphorina citri are naturally infected with Wolbachia; therefore, investigating Wolbachia-mediated effects on D. citri fitness and CLas transmission required artificial reduction of this endosymbiont with the application of doxycycline. Doxycycline treatment of psyllids reduced Wolbachia infection by approximately 60% in both male and female D. citri. Psyllids treated with doxycycline exhibited higher CLas acquisition in both adults and nymphs as compared with negative controls. In addition, doxycycline-treated psyllids exhibited decreased fitness as measured by reduced egg and nymph production as well as adult emergence as compared with control lines without the doxycycline treatment. Our results indicate that Wolbachia benefits D. citri by improving fitness and potentially competes with CLas by interfering with phytopathogen acquisition. Targeted manipulation of endosymbionts in this phytopathogen vector may yield disease management tools.}, }
@article {pmid38693183, year = {2024}, author = {Moustafa, MAM and Mohamed, WMA and Chatanga, E and Naguib, D and Matsuno, K and Gofton, AW and Barker, SC and Nonaka, N and Nakao, R}, title = {Unraveling the phylogenetics of genetically closely related species, Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa, using entire tick mitogenomes and microbiomes.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {9961}, pmid = {38693183}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {16H06431//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 19H03118//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 19F19097//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 20K21358//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 20KK0151//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Phylogeny ; *Ixodidae/microbiology/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Genetic Variation ; }, abstract = {Ticks have a profound impact on public health. Haemaphysalis is one of the most widespread genera in Asia, including Japan. The taxonomy and genetic differentiation of Haemaphysalis spp. is challenging. For instance, previous studies struggled to distinguish Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa due to the dearth of nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in widely used barcoding genes. The classification of H. japonica japonica and its related sub-species Haemaphysalis japonica douglasi or Haemaphysalis jezoensis is also confused due to their high morphological similarity and a lack of molecular data that support the current classification. We used mitogenomes and microbiomes of H. japonica and H. megaspinosa to gain deeper insights into the phylogenetic relationships and genetic divergence between two species. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated nucleotide sequences of protein-coding genes and ribosomal DNA genes distinguished H. japonica and H. megaspinosa as monophyletic clades, with further subdivision within the H. japonica clade. The 16S rRNA and NAD5 genes were valuable markers for distinguishing H. japonica and H. megaspinosa. Population genetic structure analyses indicated that genetic variation within populations accounted for a large proportion of the total variation compared to variation between populations. Microbiome analyses revealed differences in alpha and beta diversity between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. japonica had the higher diversity. Coxiella sp., a likely endosymbiont, was found in both Haemaphysalis species. The abundance profiles of likely endosymbionts, pathogens, and commensals differed between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. megaspinosa was more diverse.}, }
@article {pmid38691425, year = {2024}, author = {Richter, I and Hasan, M and Kramer, JW and Wein, P and Krabbe, J and Wojtas, KP and Stinear, TP and Pidot, SJ and Kloss, F and Hertweck, C and Lackner, G}, title = {Deazaflavin metabolite produced by endosymbiotic bacteria controls fungal host reproduction.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38691425}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {794343//European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program/ ; 2019 FGI 0003//Free State of Thuringia/ ; 390713860//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; 239748522//SFB 1127 ChemBioSys/ ; //Leibniz Award/ ; 408113938//DFG/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Rhizopus/metabolism/genetics ; Spores, Fungal/genetics/metabolism/growth &amp; development ; Flavins/metabolism ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Riboflavin/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiosis between the pathogenic fungus Rhizopus microsporus and the toxin-producing bacterium Mycetohabitans rhizoxinica represents a unique example of host control by an endosymbiont. Fungal sporulation strictly depends on the presence of endosymbionts as well as bacterially produced secondary metabolites. However, an influence of primary metabolites on host control remained unexplored. Recently, we discovered that M. rhizoxinica produces FO and 3PG-F420, a derivative of the specialized redox cofactor F420. Whether FO/3PG-F420 plays a role in the symbiosis has yet to be investigated. Here, we report that FO, the precursor of 3PG-F420, is essential to the establishment of a stable symbiosis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the genetic inventory to produce cofactor 3PG-F420 is conserved in the genomes of eight endofungal Mycetohabitans strains. By developing a CRISPR/Cas-assisted base editing strategy for M. rhizoxinica, we generated mutant strains deficient in 3PG-F420 (M. rhizoxinica ΔcofC) and in both FO and 3PG-F420 (M. rhizoxinica ΔfbiC). Co-culture experiments demonstrated that the sporulating phenotype of apo-symbiotic R. microsporus is maintained upon reinfection with wild-type M. rhizoxinica or M. rhizoxinica ΔcofC. In contrast, R. microsporus is unable to sporulate when co-cultivated with M. rhizoxinica ΔfbiC, even though the fungus was observed by super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to be successfully colonized. Genetic and chemical complementation of the FO deficiency of M. rhizoxinica ΔfbiC led to restoration of fungal sporulation, signifying that FO is indispensable for establishing a functional symbiosis. Even though FO is known for its light-harvesting properties, our data illustrate an important role of FO in inter-kingdom communication.}, }
@article {pmid38690786, year = {2024}, author = {Knights, HE and Ramachandran, VK and Jorrin, B and Ledermann, R and Parsons, JD and Aroney, STN and Poole, PS}, title = {Rhizobium determinants of rhizosphere persistence and root colonization.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38690786}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {BB/M011224/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 183901/SNSF_/Swiss National Science Foundation/Switzerland ; }, mesh = {*Rhizosphere ; *Plant Roots/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Rhizobium leguminosarum/genetics/growth &amp; development/physiology ; Fabaceae/microbiology/growth &amp; development ; Soil Microbiology ; }, abstract = {Bacterial persistence in the rhizosphere and colonization of root niches are critical for the establishment of many beneficial plant-bacteria interactions including those between Rhizobium leguminosarum and its host legumes. Despite this, most studies on R. leguminosarum have focused on its symbiotic lifestyle as an endosymbiont in root nodules. Here, we use random barcode transposon sequencing to assay gene contributions of R. leguminosarum during competitive growth in the rhizosphere and colonization of various plant species. This facilitated the identification of 189 genes commonly required for growth in diverse plant rhizospheres, mutation of 111 of which also affected subsequent root colonization (rhizosphere progressive), and a further 119 genes necessary for colonization. Common determinants reveal a need to synthesize essential compounds (amino acids, ribonucleotides, and cofactors), adapt metabolic function, respond to external stimuli, and withstand various stresses (such as changes in osmolarity). Additionally, chemotaxis and flagella-mediated motility are prerequisites for root colonization. Many genes showed plant-specific dependencies highlighting significant adaptation to different plant species. This work provides a greater understanding of factors promoting rhizosphere fitness and root colonization in plant-beneficial bacteria, facilitating their exploitation for agricultural benefit.}, }
@article {pmid38677361, year = {2024}, author = {Tuñon, A and García, J and Carrera, LC and Chaves, LF and Lenhart, AE and Loaiza, JR}, title = {Chemical control of medically important arthropods in Panama: A systematic literature review of historical efforts.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {255}, number = {}, pages = {107217}, pmid = {38677361}, issn = {1873-6254}, support = {CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Aedes/drug effects ; Anopheles/drug effects ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Insecticide Resistance ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Mosquito Vectors/drug effects ; Panama ; *Vector Borne Diseases/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne diseases are a major source of morbidity in Panama. Herein, we describe historical usage patterns of synthetic insecticides to control arthropod disease vectors in this country. We examine the influence of interventions by vector control programs on the emergence of insecticide resistance. Chemical control has traditionally focused on two mosquito species: Anopheles albimanus, a major regional malaria vector, and Aedes aegypti, a historical vector of yellow fever, and current vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Countrywide populations of An. albimanus depict hyperirritability to organochlorine insecticides administered by indoor residual spraying, although they appear susceptible to these insecticides in bioassays settings, as well as to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in field tests. Populations of Ae. aegypti show resistance to pyrethroids, particularly in areas near Panama City, but the spread of resistance remains unknown in Ae. aegypti and Aedes albopictus. A One Health approach is needed in Panama to pinpoint the insecticide resistance mechanisms including the frequency of knockdown mutations and behavioral plasticity in populations of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes. This information is necessary to guide the sustainable implementation of chemical control strategies and the use of modern vector control technologies such as genetically modified mosquitoes, and endosymbiont Wolbachia-based biological control.}, }
@article {pmid38673813, year = {2024}, author = {Silva, FJ and Domínguez-Santos, R and Latorre, A and García-Ferris, C}, title = {Comparative Transcriptomics of Fat Bodies between Symbiotic and Quasi-Aposymbiotic Adult Females of Blattella germanica with Emphasis on the Metabolic Integration with Its Endosymbiont Blattabacterium and Its Immune System.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {25}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {38673813}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {Prometeo/2018/A/133//Conselleria d'Educaci&#xf3;, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; CIPROM/2021/042//Conselleria d'Educaci&#xf3;, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; PGC2018-099344-B-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Spain) and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; PID2021-128201NB-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Spain) and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; Animals ; *Fat Body/metabolism ; Female ; *Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Immune System/metabolism ; Bacteroidetes/genetics/metabolism ; Antimicrobial Peptides/metabolism/genetics ; }, abstract = {We explored the metabolic integration of Blattella germanica and its obligate endosymbiont Blattabacterium cuenoti by the transcriptomic analysis of the fat body of quasi-aposymbiotic cockroaches, where the endosymbionts were almost entirely removed with rifampicin. Fat bodies from quasi-aposymbiotic insects displayed large differences in gene expression compared to controls. In quasi-aposymbionts, the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine involved in cuticle sclerotization and pigmentation increased drastically to compensate for the deficiency in the biosynthesis of these amino acids by the endosymbionts. On the other hand, the uricolytic pathway and the biosynthesis of uric acid were severely decreased, probably because the reduced population of endosymbionts was unable to metabolize urea to ammonia. Metabolite transporters that could be involved in the endosymbiosis process were identified. Immune system and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression was also reduced in quasi-aposymbionts, genes encoding peptidoglycan-recognition proteins, which may provide clues for the maintenance of the symbiotic relationship, as well as three AMP genes whose involvement in the symbiotic relationship will require additional analysis. Finally, a search for AMP-like factors that could be involved in controlling the endosymbiont identified two orphan genes encoding proteins smaller than 200 amino acids underexpressed in quasi-aposymbionts, suggesting a role in the host-endosymbiont relationship.}, }
@article {pmid38668783, year = {2024}, author = {Shamjana, U and Vasu, DA and Hembrom, PS and Nayak, K and Grace, T}, title = {The role of insect gut microbiota in host fitness, detoxification and nutrient supplementation.}, journal = {Antonie van Leeuwenhoek}, volume = {117}, number = {1}, pages = {71}, pmid = {38668783}, issn = {1572-9699}, mesh = {Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; *Insecta/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Nutrients/metabolism ; Metagenomics ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Insects are incredibly diverse, ubiquitous and have successfully flourished out of the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of evolutionary processes. The resident microbiome has accompanied the physical and biological adaptations that enable their continued survival and proliferation in a wide array of environments. The host insect and microbiome's bidirectional relationship exhibits their capability to influence each other's physiology, behavior and characteristics. Insects are reported to rely directly on the microbial community to break down complex food, adapt to nutrient-deficit environments, protect themselves from natural adversaries and control the expression of social behavior. High-throughput metagenomic approaches have enhanced the potential for determining the abundance, composition, diversity and functional activities of microbial fauna associated with insect hosts, enabling in-depth investigation into insect-microbe interactions. We undertook a review of some of the major advances in the field of metagenomics, focusing on insect-microbe interaction, diversity and composition of resident microbiota, the functional capability of endosymbionts and discussions on different symbiotic relationships. The review aims to be a valuable resource on insect gut symbiotic microbiota by providing a comprehensive understanding of how insect gut symbionts systematically perform a range of functions, viz., insecticide degradation, nutritional support and immune fitness. A thorough understanding of manipulating specific gut symbionts may aid in developing advanced insect-associated research to attain health and design strategies for pest management.}, }
@article {pmid38661136, year = {2024}, author = {Work, TM and Singhakarn, C and Weatherby, TM}, title = {Cytology in cnidaria using Exaiptasia as a model.}, journal = {Diseases of aquatic organisms}, volume = {158}, number = {}, pages = {37-53}, doi = {10.3354/dao03781}, pmid = {38661136}, issn = {0177-5103}, mesh = {Animals ; *Cnidaria ; }, abstract = {A need exists for additional methods to examine cnidaria at the cellular level to aid our understanding of health, anatomy, and physiology of this important group of organisms. This need is particularly acute given that disease is emerging as a major factor in declines of ecologically important functional groups such as corals. Here we describe a simple method to process cnidarian cells for microscopic examination using the model organism Exaiptasia. We show that this organism has at least 18 cell types or structures that can be readily distinguished based on defined morphological features. Some of these cells can be related back to anatomic features of the animal both at the light microscope and ultrastructural level. The cnidome of Exaiptasia may be more complex than what is currently understood. Moreover, cnidarian cells, including some types of cnidocytes, phagocytize cells other than endosymbionts. Finally, our findings shed light on morphologic complexity of cell-associated microbial aggregates and their intimate intracellular associations. The tools described here could be useful for other cnidaria.}, }
@article {pmid38643165, year = {2024}, author = {Bukhari, T and Gichuhi, J and Mbare, O and Ochwal, VA and Fillinger, U and Herren, JK}, title = {Willingness to accept and participate in a Microsporidia MB-based mosquito release strategy: a community-based rapid assessment in western Kenya.}, journal = {Malaria journal}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {113}, pmid = {38643165}, issn = {1475-2875}, support = {DA Malaria Control Research Project, Grant no. 2110-07102//Children Investment Fund Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Humans ; Female ; Kenya ; *Microsporidia ; *Insect Bites and Stings ; *Malaria/prevention &amp; control ; Public Health ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Mosquito Vectors ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Microsporidia MB, an endosymbiont naturally found in Anopheles mosquitoes inhibits transmission of Plasmodium and is a promising candidate for a transmission-blocking strategy that may involve mosquito release. A rapid assessment was carried out to develop insight into sociodemographic factors, public health concerns, and malaria awareness, management, and prevention practices with the willingness to accept and participate in Microsporidia MB-based transmission-blocking strategy to develop an informed stakeholder engagement process.<br><br>METHODS: The assessment consisted of a survey conducted in two communities in western Kenya that involved administering a questionnaire consisting of structured, semi-structured, and open questions to 8108 household heads.<br><br>RESULTS: There was an overall high level of willingness to accept (81%) and participate in the implementation of the strategy (96%). Although the willingness to accept was similar in both communities, Ombeyi community was more willing to participate (OR 22, 95% CI 13-36). Women were less willing to accept (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.9) compared to men due to fear of increased mosquito bites near homes. Household heads with incomplete primary education were more willing to accept (OR 1.6, 95% CI 01.2-2.2) compared to those educated to primary level or higher. Perceiving malaria as a moderate or low public health issue was also associated with a lower willingness to accept and participate. Experience of&#x2009;>&#x2009;3 malaria cases in the family over the last six months and knowledge that malaria is transmitted by only mosquito bites, increased the willingness to accept but reduced the willingness to participate. Awareness of malaria control methods based on mosquitoes that cannot transmit malaria increases the willingness to participate.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The study showed a high level of willingness to accept and participate in a Microsporidia MB-based strategy in the community, which is influenced by several factors such as community, disease risk perception, gender, education level, knowledge, and experience of malaria. Further research will need to focus on understanding the concerns of women, educated, and employed community members, and factors that contribute to the lower disease risk perception. This improved understanding will lead to the development of an effective communication strategy.}, }
@article {pmid38637300, year = {2024}, author = {Abresch, H and Bell, T and Miller, SR}, title = {Diurnal transcriptional variation is reduced in a nitrogen-fixing diatom endosymbiont.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38637300}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {NNA15BB04A/NASA/NASA/United States ; NSF DEB-2222945//National Science Foundation/ ; //Montana NSF EPSCoR Institute on Ecosystems/ ; //University of Montana/ ; //IoE Summer Undergraduate Internship/ ; //University of Montana/ ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Diatoms/genetics/metabolism ; *Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; *Phylogeny ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Cyanobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Circadian Rhythm/genetics ; }, abstract = {Many organisms have formed symbiotic relationships with nitrogen (N)-fixing bacteria to overcome N limitation. Diatoms in the family Rhopalodiaceae host unicellular, N-fixing cyanobacterial endosymbionts called spheroid bodies (SBs). Although this relationship is relatively young, SBs share many key features with older endosymbionts, including coordinated cell division and genome reduction. Unlike free-living relatives that fix N exclusively at night, SBs fix N largely during the day; however, how SB metabolism is regulated and coordinated with the host is not yet understood. We compared four SB genomes, including those from two new host species (Rhopalodia gibba and Epithemia adnata), to build a genome-wide phylogeny which provides a better understanding of SB evolutionary origins. Contrary to models of endosymbiotic genome reduction, the SB chromosome is unusually stable for an endosymbiont genome, likely due to the early loss of all mobile elements. Transcriptomic data for the R. gibba SB and host organelles addressed whether and how the allocation of transcriptional resources depends on light and nitrogen availability. Although allocation to the SB was high under all conditions, relative expression of chloroplast photosynthesis genes increased in the absence of nitrate, but this pattern was suppressed by nitrate addition. SB expression of catabolism genes was generally greater during daytime rather than at night, although the magnitude of diurnal changes in expression was modest compared to free-living Cyanobacteria. We conclude that SB daytime catabolism likely supports N-fixation by linking the process to host photosynthetic carbon fixation.}, }
@article {pmid38636949, year = {2024}, author = {Deore, P and Tsang Min Ching, SJ and Nitschke, MR and Rudd, D and Brumley, DR and Hinde, E and Blackall, LL and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {Unique photosynthetic strategies employed by closely related Breviolum minutum strains under rapid short-term cumulative heat stress.}, journal = {Journal of experimental botany}, volume = {75}, number = {13}, pages = {4005-4023}, pmid = {38636949}, issn = {1460-2431}, support = {2022ECR088//University of Melbourne/ ; 9351//Gordon &amp; Betty Moore Foundation/ ; FL180100036//Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship and Marsden Fast Start from the Royal Society Te Ap&#x101;rangi/ ; }, mesh = {*Photosynthesis ; Dinoflagellida/physiology ; Heat-Shock Response ; Hot Temperature ; }, abstract = {The thermal tolerance of symbiodiniacean photo-endosymbionts largely underpins the thermal bleaching resilience of their cnidarian hosts such as corals and the coral model Exaiptasia diaphana. While variation in thermal tolerance between species is well documented, variation between conspecific strains is understudied. We compared the thermal tolerance of three closely related strains of Breviolum minutum represented by two internal transcribed spacer region 2 profiles (one strain B1-B1o-B1g-B1p and the other two strains B1-B1a-B1b-B1g) and differences in photochemical and non-photochemical quenching, de-epoxidation state of photopigments, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species under rapid short-term cumulative temperature stress (26-40 °C). We found that B. minutum strains employ distinct photoprotective strategies, resulting in different upper thermal tolerances. We provide evidence for previously unknown interdependencies between thermal tolerance traits and photoprotective mechanisms that include a delicate balancing of excitation energy and its dissipation through fast relaxing and state transition components of non-photochemical quenching. The more thermally tolerant B. minutum strain (B1-B1o-B1g-B1p) exhibited an enhanced de-epoxidation that is strongly linked to the thylakoid membrane melting point and possibly membrane rigidification minimizing oxidative damage. This study provides an in-depth understanding of photoprotective mechanisms underpinning thermal tolerance in closely related strains of B. minutum.}, }
@article {pmid38632506, year = {2024}, author = {Alkathiry, HA and Alghamdi, SQ and Sinha, A and Margos, G and Stekolnikov, AA and Alagaili, AN and Darby, AC and Makepeace, BL and Khoo, JJ}, title = {Microbiome and mitogenomics of the chigger mite Pentidionis agamae: potential role as an Orientia vector and associations with divergent clades of Wolbachia and Borrelia.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {25}, number = {1}, pages = {380}, pmid = {38632506}, issn = {1471-2164}, mesh = {Animals ; *Borrelia/genetics ; DNA ; *Microbiota ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Orientia ; *Orientia tsutsugamushi/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rodentia/genetics ; Saudi Arabia ; *Scrub Typhus/epidemiology/microbiology ; *Trombiculidae/genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Trombiculid mites are globally distributed, highly diverse arachnids that largely lack molecular resources such as whole mitogenomes for the elucidation of taxonomic relationships. Trombiculid larvae (chiggers) parasitise vertebrates and can transmit bacteria (Orientia spp.) responsible for scrub typhus, a zoonotic febrile illness. Orientia tsutsugamushi causes most cases of scrub typhus and is endemic to the Asia-Pacific Region, where it is transmitted by Leptotrombidium spp. chiggers. However, in Dubai, Candidatus Orientia chuto was isolated from a case of scrub typhus and is also known to circulate among rodents in Saudi Arabia and Kenya, although its vectors remain poorly defined. In addition to Orientia, chiggers are often infected with other potential pathogens or arthropod-specific endosymbionts, but their significance for trombiculid biology and public health is unclear.<br><br>RESULTS: Ten chigger species were collected from rodents in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Chiggers were pooled according to species and screened for Orientia DNA by PCR. Two species (Microtrombicula muhaylensis and Pentidionis agamae) produced positive results for the htrA gene, although Ca. Orientia chuto DNA was confirmed by Sanger sequencing only in P. agamae. Metagenomic sequencing of three pools of P. agamae provided evidence for two other bacterial associates: a spirochaete and a Wolbachia symbiont. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and multi-locus sequence typing genes placed the spirochaete in a clade of micromammal-associated Borrelia spp. that are widely-distributed globally with no known vector. For the Wolbachia symbiont, a genome assembly was obtained that allowed phylogenetic localisation in a novel, divergent clade. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcodes for Saudi Arabian chiggers enabled comparisons with global chigger diversity, revealing several cases of discordance with classical taxonomy. Complete mitogenome assemblies were obtained for the three P. agamae pools and almost 50 SNPs were identified, despite a common geographic origin.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: P. agamae was identified as a potential vector of Ca. Orientia chuto on the Arabian Peninsula. The detection of an unusual Borrelia sp. and a divergent Wolbachia symbiont in P. agamae indicated links with chigger microbiomes in other parts of the world, while COI barcoding and mitogenomic analyses greatly extended our understanding of inter- and intraspecific relationships in trombiculid mites.}, }
@article {pmid38632047, year = {2024}, author = {Arai, H and Legeai, F and Kageyama, D and Sugio, A and Simon, JC}, title = {Genomic insights into Spiroplasma endosymbionts that induce male-killing and protective phenotypes in the pea aphid.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology letters}, volume = {371}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsle/fnae027}, pmid = {38632047}, issn = {1574-6968}, support = {21J00895//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; //Cabinet Office, Government of Japan/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Spiroplasma/genetics/physiology/classification ; *Aphids/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Male ; *Phylogeny ; Phenotype ; Genomics ; Virulence Factors/genetics ; Female ; Pisum sativum/microbiology/parasitology ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacteria Spiroplasma (Mollicutes) infect diverse plants and arthropods, and some of which induce male killing, where male hosts are killed during development. Male-killing Spiroplasma strains belong to either the phylogenetically distant Citri-Poulsonii or Ixodetis groups. In Drosophila flies, Spiroplasma poulsonii induces male killing via the Spaid toxin. While Spiroplasma ixodetis infects a wide range of insects and arachnids, little is known about the genetic basis of S. ixodetis-induced male killing. Here, we analyzed the genome of S. ixodetis strains in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Aphididae, Hemiptera). Genome sequencing constructed a complete genome of a male-killing strain, sAp269, consisting of a 1.5 Mb circular chromosome and an 80 Kb plasmid. sAp269 encoded putative virulence factors containing either ankyrin repeat, ovarian tumor-like deubiquitinase, or ribosome inactivating protein domains, but lacked the Spaid toxin. Further comparative genomics of Spiroplasma strains in A. pisum biotypes adapted to different host plants revealed their phylogenetic associations and the diversity of putative virulence factors. Although the mechanisms of S. ixodetis-induced male killing in pea aphids remain elusive, this study underlines the dynamic genome evolution of S. ixodetis and proposes independent acquisition events of male-killing mechanisms in insects.}, }
@article {pmid38630610, year = {2024}, author = {Pilgrim, J}, title = {Comparative genomics of a novel Erwinia species associated with the Highland midge (Culicoides impunctatus).}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {38630610}, issn = {2057-5858}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Ceratopogonidae ; *Erwinia ; Genomics ; Insect Vectors ; Ecosystem ; }, abstract = {Erwinia (Enterobacterales: Erwiniaceae) are a group of cosmopolitan bacteria best known as the causative agents of various plant diseases. However, other species in this genus have been found to play important roles as insect endosymbionts supplementing the diet of their hosts. Here, I describe Candidatus Erwinia impunctatus (Erwimp) associated with the Highland midge Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), an abundant biting pest in the Scottish Highlands. The genome of this new Erwinia species was assembled using hybrid long and short read techniques, and a comparative analysis was undertaken with other members of the genus to understand its potential ecological niche and impact. Genome composition analysis revealed that Erwimp is similar to other endophytic and ectophytic species in the genus and is unlikely to be restricted to its insect host. Evidence for an additional plant host includes the presence of a carotenoid synthesis operon implicated as a virulence factor in plant-associated members in the sister genus Pantoea. Unique features of Erwimp include several copies of intimin-like proteins which, along with signs of genome pseudogenization and a loss of certain metabolic pathways, suggests an element of host restriction seen elsewhere in the genus. Furthermore, a screening of individuals over two field seasons revealed the absence of the bacteria in Culicoides impunctatus during the second year indicating this microbe-insect interaction is likely to be transient. These data suggest that Culicoides impunctatus may have an important role to play beyond a biting nuisance, as an insect vector transmitting Erwimp alongside any conferred impacts to surrounding biota.}, }
@article {pmid38629270, year = {2024}, author = {Nakajima, H and Fukui, A and Suzuki, K and Tirta, RYK and Furuya, H}, title = {HOST SWITCHING IN DICYEMIDS (PHYLUM DICYEMIDA).}, journal = {The Journal of parasitology}, volume = {110}, number = {2}, pages = {159-169}, doi = {10.1645/23-52}, pmid = {38629270}, issn = {1937-2345}, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; Invertebrates/anatomy &amp; histology/genetics ; *Parasites ; *Octopodiformes ; Decapodiformes/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Dicyemids (phylum Dicyemida) are the most common and most characteristic endosymbionts in the renal sacs of benthic cephalopod molluscs: octopuses and cuttlefishes. Typically, 2 or 3 dicyemid species are found in a single specimen of the host, and most dicyemids have high host specificity. Host-specific parasites are restricted to a limited range of host species by ecological barriers that impede dispersal and successful establishment; therefore, phylogenies of interacting groups are often congruent due to repeated co-speciation. Most frequently, however, host and parasite phylogenies are not congruent, which can be explained by processes such as host switching and other macro-evolutionary events. Here, the history of dicyemids and their host cephalopod associations were studied by comparing their phylogenies. Dicyemid species were collected from 8 decapodiform species and 12 octopodiform species in Japanese waters. Using whole mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences, a phylogeny of 37 dicyemid species, including 4 genera representing the family Dicyemidae, was reconstructed. Phylogenetic trees derived from analyses of COI genes consistently suggested that dicyemid species should be separated into 3 major clades and that the most common genera, Dicyema and Dicyemennea, are not monophyletic. Thus, morphological classification does not reflect the phylogenetic relationships of these 2 genera. Divergence (speciation) of dicyemid species seems to have occurred within a single host species. Possible host-switching events may have occurred between the Octopodiformes and Decapodiformes or within the Octopodiformes or the Decapodiformes. Therefore, the mechanism of dicyemid speciation may be a mixture of host switching and intra-host speciation. This is the first study in which the process of dicyemid diversification involving cephalopod hosts has been evaluated with a large number of dicyemid species and genera.}, }
@article {pmid38629189, year = {2024}, author = {Bard, NW and Cronk, QCB and Davies, TJ}, title = {Fungal endophytes can modulate plant invasion.}, journal = {Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society}, volume = {99}, number = {5}, pages = {1652-1671}, doi = {10.1111/brv.13085}, pmid = {38629189}, issn = {1469-185X}, support = {RGPIN-2019-04041//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; RGPIN-2020-04439//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; 6456//University of British Columbia Graduate School/ ; }, mesh = {*Endophytes/physiology ; *Plants/microbiology ; *Introduced Species ; *Fungi/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic organisms may contribute to a host plant's success or failure to grow, its ability to maintain viable populations, and potentially, its probability of establishment and spread outside its native range. Intercellular and intracellular microbial symbionts that are asymptomatic in their plant host during some or all of their life cycle - endophytes - can form mutualistic, commensal, or pathogenic relationships, and sometimes novel associations with alien plants. Fungal endophytes are likely the most common endosymbiont infecting plants, with life-history, morphological, physiological, and plant-symbiotic traits that are distinct from other endophytic guilds. Here, we review the community dynamics of fungal endophytes during the process of plant invasion, and how their functional role may shift during the different stages of invasion: transport, introduction (colonisation), establishment, and spread. Each invasion stage presents distinct ecological filters that an alien plant must overcome to advance to the subsequent stage of invasion. Endophytes can alternately aid the host in overcoming stage-specific filters, or contribute to the barriers imposed by filters (e.g. biotic resistance), thereby affecting invasion pathways. A few fungi can be transported as seed endophytes from their native range and be vertically transmitted to future generations in the non-native range, especially in graminoids. In other plant groups, alien plants mostly acquire endophytes via horizontal transmission from the invaded plant community, and the host endophyte community is shaped by host filtering and biogeographic factors (e.g. dispersal limitation, environmental filtering). Endophytes infecting alien plants (both those transported with their host and those accumulated in the non-native range) may influence invasion success by affecting plant growth, reproduction, environmental tolerance, and pathogen and herbivory defences; however, the direction and magnitude of these effects can be contingent upon the host identity, life stage, ecological conditions, and invasion stage. This context dependence may cause endophytic fungi to shift to a non-endophytic (e.g. pathogenic) functional life stage in the same or different hosts, which can modify alien-native plant community dynamics. We conclude by identifying paths in which alien hosts can exploit the context dependency of endophyte function in novel abiotic and biotic conditions and at the different stages of invasion.}, }
@article {pmid38627945, year = {2024}, author = {Rooney, T and Fèvre, EM and Villinger, J and Brenn-White, M and Cummings, CO and Chai, D and Kamau, J and Kiyong'a, A and Getange, D and Ochieng, DO and Kivali, V and Zimmerman, D and Rosenbaum, M and Nutter, FB and Deem, SL}, title = {Coxiella burnetii serostatus in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) is associated with the presence of C. burnetii DNA in attached ticks in Laikipia County, Kenya.}, journal = {Zoonoses and public health}, volume = {71}, number = {5}, pages = {503-514}, doi = {10.1111/zph.13127}, pmid = {38627945}, issn = {1863-2378}, support = {T35 OD010963/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; //European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme/ ; //icipe institutional funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)/ ; //The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)/ ; //The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia/ ; //The Government of the Republic of Kenya/ ; //CGIAR One Health initiative "Protecting Human Health Through a One Health Approach"/ ; //Saint Louis Zoo Institution for Conservation Medicine/ ; TL1 TR002546/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Camelus/microbiology ; *Coxiella burnetii/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; *Q Fever/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology ; Kenya/epidemiology ; Male ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Female ; DNA, Bacterial ; Ticks/microbiology ; Tick Infestations/veterinary/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {AIMS: Q fever is a globally distributed, neglected zoonotic disease of conservation and public health importance, caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Coxiella burnetii normally causes subclinical infections in livestock, but may also cause reproductive pathology and spontaneous abortions in artiodactyl species. One such artiodactyl, the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), is an increasingly important livestock species in semi-arid landscapes. Ticks are naturally infected with C. burnetii worldwide and are frequently found on camels in Kenya. In this study, we assessed the relationship between dromedary camels' C. burnetii serostatus and whether the camels were carrying C. burnetii PCR-positive ticks in Kenya. We hypothesized that there would be a positive association between camel seropositivity and carrying C. burnetii PCR-positive ticks.<br><br>METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood was collected from camels (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;233) from three herds, and serum was analysed using commercial ELISA antibody test kits. Ticks were collected (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;4354), divided into pools of the same species from the same camel (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;397) and tested for C. burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize seroprevalence by camel demographic and clinical variables. Univariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess relationships between serostatus (outcome) and tick PCR status, camel demographic variables, and camel clinical variables (predictors). Camel C. burnetii seroprevalence was 52%. Across tick pools, the prevalence of C. burnetii was 15% and Coxiella-like endosymbionts was 27%. Camel seropositivity was significantly associated with the presence of a C. burnetii PCR-positive tick pool (OR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.4-5.1; p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.0045), increasing age class, and increasing total solids.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The role of ticks and camels in the epidemiology of Q fever warrants further research to better understand this zoonotic disease that has potential to cause illness and reproductive losses in humans, livestock, and wildlife.}, }
@article {pmid38626194, year = {2024}, author = {McCutcheon, JP and Garber, AI and Spencer, N and Warren, JM}, title = {How do bacterial endosymbionts work with so few genes?.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {22}, number = {4}, pages = {e3002577}, pmid = {38626194}, issn = {1545-7885}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteria/genetics ; *Eukaryota/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The move from a free-living environment to a long-term residence inside a host eukaryotic cell has profound effects on bacterial function. While endosymbioses are found in many eukaryotes, from protists to plants to animals, the bacteria that form these host-beneficial relationships are even more diverse. Endosymbiont genomes can become radically smaller than their free-living relatives, and their few remaining genes show extreme compositional biases. The details of how these reduced and divergent gene sets work, and how they interact with their host cell, remain mysterious. This Unsolved Mystery reviews how genome reduction alters endosymbiont biology and highlights a "tipping point" where the loss of the ability to build a cell envelope coincides with a marked erosion of translation-related genes.}, }
@article {pmid38623496, year = {2024}, author = {Marulanda-Moreno, SM and Saldamando-Benjumea, CI and Vivero Gomez, R and Cadavid-Restrepo, G and Moreno-Herrera, CX}, title = {Comparative analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) corn and rice strains microbiota revealed minor changes across life cycle and strain endosymbiont association.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {e17087}, pmid = {38623496}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Spodoptera/genetics ; Zea mays/genetics ; *Oryza/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Life Cycle Stages ; Larva/genetics ; *Bacillus thuringiensis/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW) is a pest that poses a significant threat to corn production worldwide, causing millions of dollars in losses. The species has evolved into two strains (corn and rice) that differ in their genetics, reproductive isolation, and resistance to insecticides and Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxins. The microbiota plays an important role in insects' physiology, nutrient acquisition, and response to chemical and biological controls. Several studies have been carried out on FAW microbiota from larvae guts using laboratory or field samples and a couple of studies have analyzed the corn strain microbiota across its life cycle. This investigation reveals the first comparison between corn strain (CS) and rice strain (RS) of FAW during different developmental insect stages and, more importantly, endosymbiont detection in both strains, highlighting the importance of studying both FAW populations and samples from different stages.<br><br>METHODS: The composition of microbiota during the life cycle of the FAW corn and rice strains was analyzed through high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene using the MiSeq system. Additionally, culture-dependent techniques were used to isolate gut bacteria and the Transcribed Internal Spacer-ITS, 16S rRNA, and gyrB genes were examined to enhance bacterial identification.<br><br>RESULTS: Richness, diversity, and bacterial composition changed significantly across the life cycle of FAW. Most diversity was observed in eggs and males. Differences in gut microbiota diversity between CS and RS were minor. However, Leuconostoc, A2, Klebsiella, Lachnoclostridium, Spiroplasma, and Mucispirilum were mainly associated with RS and Colidextribacter, Pelomonas, Weissella, and Arsenophonus to CS, suggesting that FAW strains differ in several genera according to the host plant. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla during FAW metamorphosis. Illeobacterium, Ralstonia, and Burkholderia exhibited similar abundancies in both strains. Enterococcus was identified as a conserved taxon across the entire FAW life cycle. Microbiota core communities mainly consisted of Enterococcus and Illeobacterium. A positive correlation was found between Spiroplasma with RS (sampled from eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults) and Arsenophonus (sampled from eggs, larvae, and adults) with CS. Enterococcus mundtii was predominant in all developmental stages. Previous studies have suggested its importance in FAW response to B. thuringensis. Our results are relevant for the characterization of FAW corn and rice strains microbiota to develop new strategies for their control. Detection of Arsenophonus in CS and Spiroplasma in RS are promising for the improvement of this pest management, as these bacteria induce male killing and larvae fitness reduction in other Lepidoptera species.}, }
@article {pmid38617467, year = {2024}, author = {Vancaester, E and Blaxter, ML}, title = {MarkerScan: Separation and assembly of cobionts sequenced alongside target species in biodiversity genomics projects.}, journal = {Wellcome open research}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {33}, pmid = {38617467}, issn = {2398-502X}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Contamination of public databases by mislabelled sequences has been highlighted for many years and the avalanche of novel sequencing data now being deposited has the potential to make databases difficult to use effectively. It is therefore crucial that sequencing projects and database curators perform pre-submission checks to remove obvious contamination and avoid propagating erroneous taxonomic relationships. However, it is important also to recognise that biological contamination of a target sample with unexpected species' DNA can also lead to the discovery of fascinating biological phenomena through the identification of environmental organisms or endosymbionts. Here, we present a novel, integrated method for detection and generation of high-quality genomes of all non-target genomes co-sequenced in eukaryotic genome sequencing projects. After performing taxonomic profiling of an assembly from the raw data, and leveraging the identity of small rRNA sequences discovered therein as markers, a targeted classification approach retrieves and assembles high-quality genomes. The genomes of these cobionts are then not only removed from the target species' genome but also available for further interrogation. Source code is available from https://github.com/CobiontID/MarkerScan. MarkerScan is written in Python and is deployed as a Docker container.}, }
@article {pmid38617242, year = {2024}, author = {Mallikaarachchi, KS and Huang, JL and Madras, S and Cuellar, RA and Huang, Z and Gega, A and Rathnayaka-Mudiyanselage, IW and Al-Husini, N and Saldaña-Rivera, N and Ma, LH and Ng, E and Chen, JC and Schrader, JM}, title = {Sinorhizobium meliloti BR-bodies promote fitness during host colonization.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38617242}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {T34 GM008574/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; SC3 GM096943/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R25 GM050078/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM124733/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T34 GM145400/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Biomolecular condensates, such as the nucleoli or P-bodies, are non-membrane-bound assemblies of proteins and nucleic acids that facilitate specific cellular processes. Like eukaryotic P-bodies, the recently discovered bacterial ribonucleoprotein bodies (BR-bodies) organize the mRNA decay machinery, yet the similarities in molecular and cellular functions across species have been poorly explored. Here, we examine the functions of BR-bodies in the nitrogen-fixing endosymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti, which colonizes the roots of compatible legume plants. Assembly of BR-bodies into visible foci in S. meliloti cells requires the C-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of RNase E, and foci fusion is readily observed in vivo, suggesting they are liquid-like condensates that form via mRNA sequestration. Using Rif-seq to measure mRNA lifetimes, we found a global slowdown in mRNA decay in a mutant deficient in BR-bodies, indicating that compartmentalization of the degradation machinery promotes efficient mRNA turnover. While BR-bodies are constitutively present during exponential growth, the abundance of BR-bodies increases upon cell stress, whereby they promote stress resistance. Finally, using Medicago truncatula as host, we show that BR-bodies enhance competitiveness during colonization and appear to be required for effective symbiosis, as mutants without BR-bodies failed to stimulate plant growth. These results suggest that BR-bodies provide a fitness advantage for bacteria during infection, perhaps by enabling better resistance against the host immune response.}, }
@article {pmid38609398, year = {2024}, author = {Mowery, MA and Rosenwald, LC and Chapman, E and Lubin, Y and Segoli, M and Khoza, T and Lyle, R and White, JA}, title = {Endosymbiont diversity across native and invasive brown widow spider populations.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {8556}, pmid = {38609398}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {1953223//National Science Foundation/ ; 1020740//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Adult ; Animals ; Female ; *Animals, Poisonous ; *Chlamydiales ; Eggs ; *Spiders ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The invasive brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae), has spread in multiple locations around the world and, along with it, brought associated organisms such as endosymbionts. We investigated endosymbiont diversity and prevalence across putative native and invasive populations of this spider, predicting lower endosymbiont diversity across the invasive range compared to the native range. First, we characterized the microbial community in the putative native (South Africa) and invasive (Israel and the United States) ranges via high throughput 16S sequencing of 103 adult females. All specimens were dominated by reads from only 1-3 amplicon sequence variants (ASV), and most individuals were infected with an apparently uniform strain of Rhabdochlamydia. We also found Rhabdochlamydia in spider eggs, indicating that it is a maternally-inherited endosymbiont. Relatively few other ASV were detected, but included two variant Rhabdochlamydia strains and several Wolbachia, Spiroplasma and Enterobacteriaceae strains. We then diagnostically screened 118 adult female spiders from native and invasive populations specifically for Rhabdochlamydia and Wolbachia. We found Rhabdochlamydia in 86% of individuals and represented in all populations, which suggests that it is a consistent and potentially important associate of L. geometricus. Wolbachia was found at lower overall prevalence (14%) and was represented in all countries, but not all populations. In addition, we found evidence for geographic variation in endosymbiont prevalence: spiders from Israel were more likely to carry Rhabdochlamydia than those from the US and South Africa, and Wolbachia was geographically clustered in both Israel and South Africa. Characterizing endosymbiont prevalence and diversity is a first step in understanding their function inside the host and may shed light on the process of spread and population variability in cosmopolitan invasive species.}, }
@article {pmid38608678, year = {2024}, author = {Trznadel, M and Holt, CC and Livingston, SJ and Kwong, WK and Keeling, PJ}, title = {Coral-infecting parasites in cold marine ecosystems.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {34}, number = {8}, pages = {1810-1816.e4}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.026}, pmid = {38608678}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {*Anthozoa/parasitology ; Animals ; *Coral Reefs ; Apicomplexa/physiology/genetics/classification ; Symbiosis ; Cold Temperature ; Dinoflagellida/physiology/genetics ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; }, abstract = {Coral reefs are a biodiversity hotspot,[1][,][2] and the association between coral and intracellular dinoflagellates is a model for endosymbiosis.[3][,][4] Recently, corals and related anthozoans have also been found to harbor another kind of endosymbiont, apicomplexans called corallicolids.[5] Apicomplexans are a diverse lineage of obligate intracellular parasites[6] that include human pathogens such as the malaria parasite, Plasmodium.[7] Global environmental sequencing shows corallicolids are tightly associated with tropical and subtropical reef environments,[5][,][8][,][9] where they infect diverse corals across a range of depths in many reef systems, and correlate with host mortality during bleaching events.[10] All of this points to corallicolids being ecologically significant to coral reefs, but it is also possible they are even more widely distributed because most environmental sampling is biased against parasites that maintain a tight association with their hosts throughout their life cycle. We tested the global distribution of corallicolids using a more direct approach, by specifically targeting potential anthozoan host animals from cold/temperate marine waters outside the coral reef context. We found that corallicolids are in fact common in such hosts, in some cases at high frequency, and that they infect the same tissue as parasites from topical coral reefs. Parasite phylogeny suggests corallicolids move between hosts and habitats relatively frequently, but that biogeography is more conserved. Overall, these results greatly expand the range of corallicolids beyond coral reefs, suggesting they are globally distributed parasites of marine anthozoans, which also illustrates significant blind spots that result from strategies commonly used to sample microbial biodiversity.}, }
@article {pmid38607980, year = {2024}, author = {Partida-Martínez, LP}, title = {Fungal holobionts as blueprints for synthetic endosymbiotic systems.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {22}, number = {4}, pages = {e3002587}, pmid = {38607980}, issn = {1545-7885}, mesh = {*Reproduction ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Rhizopus microsporus is an example of a fungal holobiont. Strains of this species can harbor bacterial and viral endosymbionts inherited by the next generation. These microbial allies increase pathogenicity and defense and control asexual and sexual reproduction.}, }
@article {pmid38603513, year = {2024}, author = {Massana, R}, title = {The nitroplast: A nitrogen-fixing organelle.}, journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)}, volume = {384}, number = {6692}, pages = {160-161}, doi = {10.1126/science.ado8571}, pmid = {38603513}, issn = {1095-9203}, mesh = {*Nitrogen ; *Organelles ; Bacteria ; }, abstract = {A bacterial endosymbiont of marine algae evolved to an organelle.}, }
@article {pmid38603509, year = {2024}, author = {Coale, TH and Loconte, V and Turk-Kubo, KA and Vanslembrouck, B and Mak, WKE and Cheung, S and Ekman, A and Chen, JH and Hagino, K and Takano, Y and Nishimura, T and Adachi, M and Le Gros, M and Larabell, C and Zehr, JP}, title = {Nitrogen-fixing organelle in a marine alga.}, journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)}, volume = {384}, number = {6692}, pages = {217-222}, doi = {10.1126/science.adk1075}, pmid = {38603509}, issn = {1095-9203}, mesh = {*Cyanobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; *Haptophyta/microbiology ; *Nitrogen/metabolism ; *Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; Seawater/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; *Mitochondria/metabolism ; Chloroplasts/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic interactions were key to the evolution of chloroplast and mitochondria organelles, which mediate carbon and energy metabolism in eukaryotes. Biological nitrogen fixation, the reduction of abundant atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) to biologically available ammonia, is a key metabolic process performed exclusively by prokaryotes. Candidatus Atelocyanobacterium thalassa, or UCYN-A, is a metabolically streamlined N2-fixing cyanobacterium previously reported to be an endosymbiont of a marine unicellular alga. Here we show that UCYN-A has been tightly integrated into algal cell architecture and organellar division and that it imports proteins encoded by the algal genome. These are characteristics of organelles and show that UCYN-A has evolved beyond endosymbiosis and functions as an early evolutionary stage N2-fixing organelle, or "nitroplast."}, }
@article {pmid38601947, year = {2023}, author = {Zytynska, SE and Sturm, S and Hawes, C and Weisser, WW and Karley, A}, title = {Floral presence and flower identity alter cereal aphid endosymbiont communities on adjacent crops.}, journal = {The Journal of applied ecology}, volume = {60}, number = {7}, pages = {1409-1423}, pmid = {38601947}, issn = {0021-8901}, abstract = {Floral plantings adjacent to crops fields can recruit populations of natural enemies by providing flower nectar and non-crop prey to increase natural pest regulation. Observed variation in success rates might be due to changes in the unseen community of endosymbionts hosted by many herbivorous insects, of which some can confer resistance to natural enemies, for example, parasitoid wasps. Reduced insect control may occur if highly protective symbiont combinations increase in frequency via selection effects, and this is expected to be stronger in lower diversity systems.We used a large-scale field trial to analyse the bacterial endosymbiont communities hosted by cereal aphids Sitobion avenae collected along transects into strip plots of barley plants managed by either conventional or integrated (including floral field margins and reduced inputs) methods. In addition, we conducted an outdoor pot experiment to analyse endosymbionts in S. avenae aphids collected on barley plants that were either grown alone or alongside one of three flowering plants, across three time points.In the field, aphids hosted up to four symbionts. The abundance of aphids and parasitoid wasps was reduced towards the middle of all fields while aphid symbiont species richness and diversity decreased into the field in conventional, but not integrated, field-strips. The proportion of aphids hosting different symbiont combinations varied across cropping systems, with distances into the fields, and were correlated with parasitoid wasp abundances.In the pot experiment, aphids hosted up to six symbionts. Flower presence increased natural enemy abundance and diversity, and decreased aphid abundance. The proportion of aphids hosting different symbiont combinations varied across the flower treatment and time, and were correlated with varying abundances of the different specialist parasitoid wasp species recruited by different flowers. Synthesis and applications. Floral plantings and flower identity had community-wide impacts on the combinations of bacterial endosymbionts hosted by herbivorous insects, which correlated with natural enemy diversity and abundance. We recommend that integrated management practices incorporate floral resources within field areas to support a more functionally diverse and resilient natural enemy community to mitigate selection for symbiont-mediated pest resistance throughout the cropping area.}, }
@article {pmid38598600, year = {2024}, author = {Wang, H and Marucci, G and Munke, A and Hassan, MM and Lalle, M and Okamoto, K}, title = {High-resolution comparative atomic structures of two Giardiavirus prototypes infecting G. duodenalis parasite.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {20}, number = {4}, pages = {e1012140}, pmid = {38598600}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {*Giardia lamblia/ultrastructure/pathogenicity ; *Giardiavirus/genetics ; Cryoelectron Microscopy ; Animals ; Capsid/ultrastructure/metabolism ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The Giardia lamblia virus (GLV) is a non-enveloped icosahedral dsRNA and endosymbiont virus that infects the zoonotic protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (syn. G. lamblia, G. intestinalis), which is a pathogen of mammals, including humans. Elucidating the transmission mechanism of GLV is crucial for gaining an in-depth understanding of the virulence of the virus in G. duodenalis. GLV belongs to the family Totiviridae, which infects yeast and protozoa intracellularly; however, it also transmits extracellularly, similar to the phylogenetically, distantly related toti-like viruses that infect multicellular hosts. The GLV capsid structure is extensively involved in the longstanding discussion concerning extracellular transmission in Totiviridae and toti-like viruses. Hence, this study constructed the first high-resolution comparative atomic models of two GLV strains, namely GLV-HP and GLV-CAT, which showed different intracellular localization and virulence phenotypes, using cryogenic electron microscopy single-particle analysis. The atomic models of the GLV capsids presented swapped C-terminal extensions, extra surface loops, and a lack of cap-snatching pockets, similar to those of toti-like viruses. However, their open pores and absence of the extra crown protein resemble those of other yeast and protozoan Totiviridae viruses, demonstrating the essential structures for extracellular cell-to-cell transmission. The structural comparison between GLV-HP and GLV-CAT indicates the first evidence of critical structural motifs for the transmission and virulence of GLV in G. duodenalis.}, }
@article {pmid38597256, year = {2024}, author = {Fox, T and Sguassero, Y and Chaplin, M and Rose, W and Doum, D and Arevalo-Rodriguez, I and Villanueva, G}, title = {Wolbachia-carrying Aedes mosquitoes for preventing dengue infection.}, journal = {The Cochrane database of systematic reviews}, volume = {4}, number = {4}, pages = {CD015636}, pmid = {38597256}, issn = {1469-493X}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes/microbiology ; *Wolbachia ; *Dengue Virus ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue is a global health problem of high significance, with 3.9 billion people at risk of infection. The geographic expansion of dengue virus (DENV) infection has resulted in increased frequency and severity of the disease, and the number of deaths has increased in recent years. Wolbachia,an intracellular bacterial endosymbiont, has been under investigation for several years as a novel dengue-control strategy. Some dengue vectors (Aedes mosquitoes) can be transinfected with specific strains of Wolbachia, which decreases their fitness (ability to survive and mate) and their ability to reproduce, inhibiting the replication of dengue. Both laboratory and field studies have demonstrated the potential effect of Wolbachia deployments on reducing dengue transmission, and modelling studies have suggested that this may be a self-sustaining strategy for dengue prevention, although long-term effects are yet to be elucidated.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of Wolbachia-carrying Aedes speciesdeployments (specifically wMel-, wMelPop-, and wAlbB- strains of Wolbachia) for preventing dengue virus infection.<br><br>SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, four other databases, and two trial registries up to 24 January 2024.<br><br>SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including cluster-randomized controlled trials (cRCTs), conducted in dengue endemic or epidemic-prone settings were eligible. We sought studies that investigated the impact of Wolbachia-carrying Aedes deployments on epidemiological or entomological dengue-related outcomes, utilizing either the population replacement or population suppression strategy.<br><br>DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. We used odds ratios (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) as the effect measure for dichotomous outcomes. For count/rate outcomes, we planned to use the rate ratio with 95% CI as the effect measure. We used adjusted measures of effect for cRCTs. We assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE.<br><br>MAIN RESULTS: One completed cRCT met our inclusion criteria, and we identified two further ongoing cRCTs. The included trial was conducted in an urban setting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It utilized a nested test-negative study design, whereby all participants aged three to 45 years who presented at healthcare centres with a fever were enrolled in the study provided they had resided in the study area for the previous 10 nights. The trial showed that wMel-Wolbachia infected Ae aegypti deployments probably reduce the odds of contracting virologically confirmed dengue by 77% (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.35; 1 trial, 6306 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). The cluster-level prevalence of wMel Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes remained high over two years in the intervention arm of the trial, reported as 95.8% (interquartile range 91.5 to 97.8) across 27 months in clusters receiving wMel-Wolbachia Ae aegypti deployments, but there were no reliable comparative data for this outcome. Other primary outcomes were the incidence of virologically confirmed dengue, the prevalence of dengue ribonucleic acid in the mosquito population, and mosquito density, but there were no data for these outcomes. Additionally, there were no data on adverse events.<br><br>AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The included trial demonstrates the potential significant impact of wMel-Wolbachia-carrying Ae aegypti mosquitoes on preventing dengue infection in an endemic setting, and supports evidence reported in non-randomized and uncontrolled studies. Further trials across a greater diversity of settings are required to confirm whether these findings apply to other locations and country settings, and greater reporting of acceptability and cost are important.}, }
@article {pmid38585949, year = {2024}, author = {Mirchandani, C and Wang, P and Jacobs, J and Genetti, M and Pepper-Tunick, E and Sullivan, WT and Corbett-Detig, R and Russell, SL}, title = {Mixed Wolbachia infections resolve rapidly during in vitro evolution.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38585949}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM128932/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG012344/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The intracellular symbiont Wolbachia pipientis evolved after the divergence of arthropods and nematodes, but it reached high prevalence in many of these taxa through its abilities to infect new hosts and their germlines. Some strains exhibit long-term patterns of co-evolution with their hosts, while other strains are capable of switching hosts. This makes strain selection an important factor in symbiont-based biological control. However, little is known about the ecological and evolutionary interactions that occur when a promiscuous strain colonizes an infected host. Here, we study what occurs when two strains come into contact in host cells following horizontal transmission and infection. We focus on the faithful wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster and the promiscuous wRi strain from Drosophila simulans using an in vitro cell culture system with multiple host cell types and combinatorial infection states. Mixing D. melanogaster cell lines stably infected with wMel and wRi revealed that wMel outcompetes wRi quickly and reproducibly. Furthermore, wMel was able to competitively exclude wRi even from minuscule starting quantities, indicating that this is a nearly deterministic outcome, independent of the starting infection frequency. This competitive advantage was not exclusive to wMel's native D. melanogaster cell background, as wMel also outgrew wRi in D. simulans cells. Overall, wRi is less adept at in vitro growth and survival than wMel and its in vivo state, revealing differences between cellular and humoral regulation. These attributes may underlie the observed low rate of mixed infections in nature and the relatively rare rate of host-switching in most strains. Our in vitro experimental framework for estimating cellular growth dynamics of Wolbachia strains in different host species, tissues, and cell types provides the first strategy for parameterizing endosymbiont and host cell biology at high resolution. This toolset will be crucial to our application of these bacteria as biological control agents in novel hosts and ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid38585906, year = {2024}, author = {Gasser, MT and Liu, A and Altamia, M and Brensinger, BR and Brewer, SL and Flatau, R and Hancock, ER and Preheim, SP and Filone, CM and Distel, DL}, title = {Membrane vesicles can contribute to cellulose degradation by Teredinibacter turnerae, a cultivable intracellular endosymbiont of shipworms.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38585906}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R01 AI162943/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Teredinibacter turnerae is a cultivable cellulolytic Gammaproteobacterium (Cellvibrionaceae) that commonly occurs as an intracellular endosymbiont in the gills of wood-eating bivalves of the family Teredinidae (shipworms). The genome of T. turnerae encodes a broad range of enzymes that deconstruct cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin and contribute to wood (lignocellulose) digestion in the shipworm gut. However, the mechanisms by which T. turnerae secretes lignocellulolytic enzymes are incompletely understood. Here, we show that T. turnerae cultures grown on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) produce membrane vesicles (MVs) that include a variety of proteins identified by LC-MS/MS as carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) with predicted activities against cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin. Reducing sugar assays and zymography confirm that these MVs exhibit cellulolytic activity, as evidenced by the hydrolysis of CMC. Additionally, these MVs were enriched with TonB-dependent receptors, which are essential to carbohydrate and iron acquisition by free-living bacteria. These observations indicate a potential role for MVs in lignocellulose utilization by T. turnerae in the free-living state, suggest possible mechanisms for host-symbiont interaction, and may be informative for commercial applications such as enzyme production and lignocellulosic biomass conversion.}, }
@article {pmid38577764, year = {2024}, author = {Garber, AI and Garcia de la Filia Molina, A and Vea, IM and Mongue, AJ and Ross, L and McCutcheon, JP}, title = {Retention of an Endosymbiont for the Production of a Single Molecule.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {16}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {38577764}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Hemiptera/genetics/microbiology ; Insecta ; Bacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {Sap-feeding insects often maintain two or more nutritional endosymbionts that act in concert to produce compounds essential for insect survival. Many mealybugs have endosymbionts in a nested configuration: one or two bacterial species reside within the cytoplasm of another bacterium, and together, these bacteria have genomes that encode interdependent sets of genes needed to produce key nutritional molecules. Here, we show that the mealybug Pseudococcus viburni has three endosymbionts, one of which contributes only two unique genes that produce the host nutrition-related molecule chorismate. All three bacterial endosymbionts have tiny genomes, suggesting that they have been coevolving inside their insect host for millions of years.}, }
@article {pmid38569988, year = {2024}, author = {Amala, M and Nagarajan, H and Ahila, M and Nachiappan, M and Veerapandiyan, M and Vetrivel, U and Jeyakanthan, J}, title = {Unveiling the intricacies of allosteric regulation in aspartate kinase from the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia Malayi: Mechanistic and therapeutic insights.}, journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules}, volume = {267}, number = {Pt 1}, pages = {131326}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131326}, pmid = {38569988}, issn = {1879-0003}, mesh = {*Brugia malayi/enzymology/microbiology ; Allosteric Regulation ; *Wolbachia ; Animals ; *Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; *Aspartate Kinase/metabolism/genetics/chemistry ; Symbiosis ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Lysine/chemistry/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Aspartate kinase (AK), an enzyme from the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi (WBm), plays a pivotal role in the bacterial cell wall and amino acid biosynthesis, rendering it an attractive candidate for therapeutic intervention. Allosteric inhibition of aspartate kinase is a prevalent mode of regulation across microorganisms and plants, often modulated by end products such as lysine, threonine, methionine, or meso-diaminopimelate. The intricate and diverse nature of microbial allosteric regulation underscores the need for rigorous investigation. This study employs a combined experimental and computational approach to decipher the allosteric regulation of WBmAK. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations elucidate that ATP (cofactor) and ASP (substrate) binding induce a closed conformation, promoting enzymatic activity. In contrast, the binding of lysine (allosteric inhibitor) leads to enzyme inactivation and an open conformation. The enzymatic assay demonstrates the optimal activity of WBmAK at 28 °C and a pH of 8.0. Notably, the allosteric inhibition study highlights lysine as a more potent inhibitor compared to threonine. Importantly, this investigation sheds light on the allosteric mechanism governing WBmAK and imparts novel insights into structure-based drug discovery, paving the way for the development of effective inhibitors against filarial pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid38564675, year = {2024}, author = {Lehman, SS and Verhoeve, VI and Driscoll, TP and Beckmann, JF and Gillespie, JJ}, title = {Metagenome diversity illuminates the origins of pathogen effectors.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {5}, pages = {e0075923}, pmid = {38564675}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {R21 AI156762/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI166832/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Metagenome ; *Rickettsia/genetics/classification ; *Phylogeny ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Evolution, Molecular ; Rickettsiales/genetics/classification ; Genetic Variation ; Type IV Secretion Systems/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Humans ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Recent metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) analyses have profoundly impacted Rickettsiology systematics. The discovery of basal lineages (novel families Mitibacteraceae and Athabascaceae) with predicted extracellular lifestyles exposed an evolutionary timepoint for the transition to host dependency, which seemingly occurred independent of mitochondrial evolution. Notably, these basal rickettsiae carry the Rickettsiales vir homolog (rvh) type IV secretion system and purportedly use rvh to kill congener microbes rather than parasitize host cells as described for later-evolving rickettsial pathogens. MAG analysis also substantially increased diversity for the genus Rickettsia and delineated a sister lineage (the novel genus Tisiphia) that stands to inform on the emergence of human pathogens from protist and invertebrate endosymbionts. Herein, we probed Rickettsiales MAG and genomic diversity for the distribution of Rickettsia rvh effectors to ascertain their origins. A sparse distribution of most Rickettsia rvh effectors outside of Rickettsiaceae lineages illuminates unique rvh evolution from basal extracellular species and other rickettsial families. Remarkably, nearly every effector was found in multiple divergent forms with variable architectures, indicating profound roles for gene duplication and recombination in shaping effector repertoires in Rickettsia pathogens. Lateral gene transfer plays a prominent role in shaping the rvh effector landscape, as evinced by the discovery of many effectors on plasmids and conjugative transposons, as well as pervasive effector gene exchange between Rickettsia and Legionella species. Our study exemplifies how MAGs can yield insight into pathogen effector origins, particularly how effector architectures might become tailored to the discrete host cell functions of different eukaryotic hosts.IMPORTANCEWhile rickettsioses are deadly vector-borne human diseases, factors distinguishing Rickettsia pathogens from the innumerable bevy of environmental rickettsial endosymbionts remain lacking. Recent metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) studies revealed evolutionary timepoints for rickettsial transitions to host dependency. The rvh type IV secretion system was likely repurposed from congener killing in basal extracellular species to parasitizing host cells in later-evolving pathogens. Our analysis of MAG diversity for over two dozen rvh effectors unearthed their presence in some non-pathogens. However, most effectors were found in multiple divergent forms with variable architectures, indicating gene duplication and recombination-fashioned effector repertoires of Rickettsia pathogens. Lateral gene transfer substantially shaped pathogen effector arsenals, evinced by the discovery of effectors on plasmids and conjugative transposons, as well as pervasive effector gene exchanges between Rickettsia and Legionella species. Our study exemplifies how MAGs yield insight into pathogen effector origins and evolutionary processes tailoring effectors to eukaryotic host cell biology.}, }
@article {pmid38558489, year = {2024}, author = {Ferguson, LF and Ross, PA and van Heerwaarden, B}, title = {Wolbachia infection negatively impacts Drosophila simulans heat tolerance in a strain- and trait-specific manner.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {4}, pages = {e16609}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16609}, pmid = {38558489}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {DE230100067//Australian Research Council/ ; FT200100025//Australian Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Drosophila/physiology ; Drosophila simulans/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Thermotolerance ; Fertility ; }, abstract = {The susceptibility of insects to rising temperatures has largely been measured by their ability to survive thermal extremes. However, the capacity for maternally inherited endosymbionts to influence insect heat tolerance has been overlooked. Further, while some studies have addressed the impact of heat on traits like fertility, which can decline at temperatures below lethal thermal limits, none have considered the impact of endosymbionts. Here, we assess the impact of three Wolbachia strains (wRi, wAu and wNo) on the survival and fertility of Drosophila simulans exposed to heat stress during development or as adults. The effect of Wolbachia infection on heat tolerance was generally small and trait/strain specific. Only the wNo infection significantly reduced the survival of adult males after a heat shock. When exposed to fluctuating heat stress during development, the wRi and wAu strains reduced egg-to-adult survival but only the wNo infection reduced male fertility. Wolbachia densities of all three strains decreased under developmental heat stress, but reductions occurred at temperatures above those that reduced host fertility. These findings emphasize the necessity to account for endosymbionts and their effect on both survival and fertility when investigating insect responses to heat stress.}, }
@article {pmid38557755, year = {2024}, author = {Cho, A and Lax, G and Livingston, SJ and Masukagami, Y and Naumova, M and Millar, O and Husnik, F and Keeling, PJ}, title = {Genomic analyses of Symbiomonas scintillans show no evidence for endosymbiotic bacteria but does reveal the presence of giant viruses.}, journal = {PLoS genetics}, volume = {20}, number = {4}, pages = {e1011218}, pmid = {38557755}, issn = {1553-7404}, mesh = {*Giant Viruses/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Genome, Viral/genetics ; *Chlorophyta/genetics ; Metagenomics ; Bacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {Symbiomonas scintillans Guillou et Chrétiennot-Dinet, 1999 is a tiny (1.4 μm) heterotrophic microbial eukaryote. The genus was named based on the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria in its endoplasmic reticulum, however, like most such endosymbionts neither the identity nor functional association with its host were known. We generated both amplification-free shotgun metagenomics and whole genome amplification sequencing data from S. scintillans strains RCC257 and RCC24, but were unable to detect any sequences from known lineages of endosymbiotic bacteria. The absence of endobacteria was further verified with FISH analyses. Instead, numerous contigs in assemblies from both RCC24 and RCC257 were closely related to prasinoviruses infecting the green algae Ostreococcus lucimarinus, Bathycoccus prasinos, and Micromonas pusilla (OlV, BpV, and MpV, respectively). Using the BpV genome as a reference, we assembled a near-complete 190 kbp draft genome encoding all hallmark prasinovirus genes, as well as two additional incomplete assemblies of closely related but distinct viruses from RCC257, and three similar draft viral genomes from RCC24, which we collectively call SsVs. A multi-gene tree showed the three SsV genome types branched within highly supported clades with each of BpV2, OlVs, and MpVs, respectively. Interestingly, transmission electron microscopy also revealed a 190 nm virus-like particle similar the morphology and size of the endosymbiont originally reported in S. scintillans. Overall, we conclude that S. scintillans currently does not harbour an endosymbiotic bacterium, but is associated with giant viruses.}, }
@article {pmid38553514, year = {2024}, author = {Konecka, E and Szymkowiak, P}, title = {Wolbachia supergroup A in Enoplognatha latimana (Araneae: Theridiidae) in Poland as an example of possible horizontal transfer of bacteria.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {7486}, pmid = {38553514}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Poland ; *Spiders/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia (phylum Pseudomonadota, class Alfaproteobacteria, order Rickettsiales, family Ehrlichiaceae) is a maternally inherited bacterial symbiont infecting more than half of arthropod species worldwide and constituting an important force in the evolution, biology, and ecology of invertebrate hosts. Our study contributes to the limited knowledge regarding the presence of intracellular symbiotic bacteria in spiders. Specifically, we investigated the occurrence of Wolbachia infection in the spider species Enoplognatha latimana Hippa and Oksala, 1982 (Araneae: Theridiidae) using a sample collected in north-western Poland. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Wolbachia infection in E. latimana. A phylogeny based on the sequence analysis of multiple genes, including 16S rRNA, coxA, fbpA, ftsZ, gatB, gltA, groEL, hcpA, and wsp revealed that Wolbachia from the spider represented supergroup A and was related to bacterial endosymbionts discovered in other spider hosts, as well as insects of the orders Diptera and Hymenoptera. A sequence unique for Wolbachia supergroup A was detected for the ftsZ gene. The sequences of Wolbachia housekeeping genes have been deposited in publicly available databases and are an important source of molecular data for comparative studies. The etiology of Wolbachia infection in E. latimana is discussed.}, }
@article {pmid38535401, year = {2024}, author = {Cholvi, M and Trelis, M and Bueno-Marí, R and Khoubbane, M and Gil, R and Marcilla, A and Moretti, R}, title = {Wolbachia Infection through Hybridization to Enhance an Incompatible Insect Technique-Based Suppression of Aedes albopictus in Eastern Spain.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {38535401}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {The emergence of insecticide resistance in arbovirus vectors is putting the focus on the development of new strategies for control. In this regard, the exploitation of Wolbachia endosymbionts is receiving increasing attention due to its demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the vectorial capacity of Aedes mosquitoes. Here, we describe the establishment of a naïve Wolbachia infection in a wild Aedes albopictus population of eastern Spain through a hybridization approach to obtain males capable of sterilizing wild females. The obtained lines were compared with the Wolbachia donor, Ae. albopictus ARwP, previously artificially infected with Wolbachia wPip, regarding immature and adult survival, female fecundity, egg fertility, and level of induced sterility. Our results did not show significant differences between lines in any of the biological parameters analyzed, indicating the full suitability of the hybrids to be used as a control tool against Ae. albopictus. In particular, hybrid males induced 99.9% sterility in the eggs of wild females without the need for any preliminary treatment. Being harmless to non-target organisms and the environment, the use of this bacterium for the control of Ae. albopictus deserves further exploration. This is especially relevant in areas such as eastern Spain, where this mosquito species has recently spread and may represent a serious threat due to its competence as a vector for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.}, }
@article {pmid38534421, year = {2024}, author = {Hyder, M and Lodhi, AM and Wang, Z and Bukero, A and Gao, J and Mao, R}, title = {Wolbachia Interactions with Diverse Insect Hosts: From Reproductive Modulations to Sustainable Pest Management Strategies.}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {38534421}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {32202276//National Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022GDASZH-2022010106, 2022GDASZH-2022030501-08//GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development/ ; KTP20210352//Guangdong Province Rural Science and Technology Commissioner Project/ ; 2023SDZG06//Top Ten Critical Priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-Year Plan of Guangdong Province/ ; }, abstract = {Effective in a variety of insect orders, including dipteran, lepidopteran, and hemipteran, Wolbachia-based control tactics are investigated, noting the importance of sterile and incompatible insect techniques. Encouraging approaches for controlling Aedes mosquitoes are necessary, as demonstrated by the evaluation of a new SIT/IIT combination and the incorporation of SIT into Drosophila suzukii management. For example, Wolbachia may protect plants from rice pests, demonstrating its potential for agricultural biological vector management. Maternal transmission and cytoplasmic incompatibility dynamics are explored, while Wolbachia phenotypic impacts on mosquito and rice pest management are examined. The importance of host evolutionary distance is emphasised in recent scale insect research that addresses host-shifting. Using greater information, a suggested method for comprehending Wolbachia host variations in various contexts emphasises ecological connectivity. Endosymbionts passed on maternally in nematodes and arthropods, Wolbachia are widely distributed around the world and have evolved both mutualistic and parasitic traits. Wolbachia is positioned as a paradigm for microbial symbiosis due to advancements in multiomics, gene functional assays, and its effect on human health. The challenges and opportunities facing Wolbachia research include scale issues, ecological implications, ethical conundrums, and the possibility of customising strains through genetic engineering. It is thought that cooperative efforts are required to include Wolbachia-based therapies into pest management techniques while ensuring responsible and sustainable ways.}, }
@article {pmid38532645, year = {2024}, author = {Berrabah, F and Benaceur, F and Yin, C and Xin, D and Magne, K and Garmier, M and Gruber, V and Ratet, P}, title = {Defense and senescence interplay in legume nodules.}, journal = {Plant communications}, volume = {5}, number = {4}, pages = {100888}, pmid = {38532645}, issn = {2590-3462}, mesh = {*Fabaceae ; Root Nodules, Plant/physiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Immunity and senescence play a crucial role in the functioning of the legume symbiotic nodules. The miss-regulation of one of these processes compromises the symbiosis leading to death of the endosymbiont and the arrest of the nodule functioning. The relationship between immunity and senescence has been extensively studied in plant organs where a synergistic response can be observed. However, the interplay between immunity and senescence in the symbiotic organ is poorly discussed in the literature and these phenomena are often mixed up. Recent studies revealed that the cooperation between immunity and senescence is not always observed in the nodule, suggesting complex interactions between these two processes within the symbiotic organ. Here, we discuss recent results on the interplay between immunity and senescence in the nodule and the specificities of this relationship during legume-rhizobium symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid38525276, year = {2024}, author = {Guse, K and Pietri, JE}, title = {Endosymbiont and gut bacterial communities of the brown-banded cockroach, Supella longipalpa.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {e17095}, pmid = {38525276}, issn = {2167-8359}, support = {R01 AI171014/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Female ; Adult ; Humans ; *Blattellidae/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Flavobacteriaceae/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa) is a widespread nuisance and public health pest. Like the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), this species is adapted to the indoor biome and completes the entirety of its life cycle in human-built structures. Recently, understanding the contributions of commensal and symbiotic microbes to the biology of cockroach pests, as well as the applications of targeting these microbes for pest control, have garnered significant scientific interest. However, relative to B. germanica, the biology of S. longipalpa, including its microbial associations, is understudied. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to quantitatively examine and characterize both the endosymbiont and gut bacterial communities of S. longipalpa for the first time. To do so, bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was conducted on DNA extracts from whole adult females and males, early instar nymphs, and late instar nymphs. The results demonstrate that the gut microbiome is dominated by two genera of bacteria known to have beneficial probiotic effects in other organisms, namely Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. Furthermore, our data show a significant effect of nymphal development on diversity and variation in the gut microbiome. Lastly, we reveal significant negative correlations between the two intracellular endosymbionts, Blattabacterium and Wolbachia, as well as between Blattabacterium and the gut microbiome, suggesting that Blattabacterium endosymbionts could directly or indirectly influence the composition of other bacterial populations. These findings have implications for understanding the adaptation of S. longipalpa to the indoor biome, its divergence from other indoor cockroach pest species such as B. germanica, the development of novel control approaches that target the microbiome, and fundamental insect-microbe interactions more broadly.}, }
@article {pmid38519099, year = {2024}, author = {Bai, J and Zuo, Z and DuanMu, H and Li, M and Tong, H and Mei, Y and Xiao, Y and He, K and Jiang, M and Wang, S and Li, F}, title = {Endosymbiont Tremblaya phenacola influences the reproduction of cotton mealybugs by regulating the mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38519099}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Female ; Sirolimus/metabolism ; *Betaproteobacteria/genetics ; *Gammaproteobacteria/genetics ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Reproduction ; Amino Acids/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The intricate evolutionary dynamics of endosymbiotic relationships result in unique characteristics among the genomes of symbionts, which profoundly influence host insect phenotypes. Here, we investigated an endosymbiotic system in Phenacoccus solenopsis, a notorious pest of the subfamily Phenacoccinae. The endosymbiont, "Candidatus Tremblaya phenacola" (T. phenacola PSOL), persisted throughout the complete life cycle of female hosts and was more active during oviposition, whereas there was a significant decline in abundance after pupation in males. Genome sequencing yielded an endosymbiont genome of 221.1 kb in size, comprising seven contigs and originating from a chimeric arrangement between betaproteobacteria and gammaproteobacteria. A comprehensive analysis of amino acid metabolic pathways demonstrated complementarity between the host and endosymbiont metabolism. Elimination of T. phenacola PSOL through antibiotic treatment significantly decreased P. solenopsis fecundity. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis demonstrated a correlation between genes associated with essential amino acid synthesis and those associated with host meiosis and oocyte maturation. Moreover, altering endosymbiont abundance activated the host mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway, suggesting that changes in the amino acid abundance affected the host reproductive capabilities via this signal pathway. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a mechanism by which the endosymbiont T. phenacola PSOL contributed to high fecundity in P. solenopsis and provide new insights into nutritional compensation and coevolution of the endosymbiotic system.}, }
@article {pmid38509052, year = {2024}, author = {Ang'ang'o, LM and Waweru, JW and Makhulu, EE and Wairimu, A and Otieno, FG and Onchuru, T and Tastan Bishop, &#xd6; and Herren, JK}, title = {Draft genome of Microsporidia sp. MB-a malaria-blocking microsporidian symbiont of the Anopheles arabiensis.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {e0090323}, pmid = {38509052}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {INV0225840//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (GF)/ ; //Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)/ ; SYMBIOVECTOR TRACK A//Open Philanthropy Project/ ; SMBV-FFT//Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)/ ; //Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency/ ; //The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation/ ; //The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research/ ; }, abstract = {We report the draft whole-genome assembly of Microsporidia sp. MB, a symbiotic malaria-transmission-blocking microsporidian isolated from Anopheles arabiensis in Kenya. The whole-genome sequence of Microsporidia sp. MB has a length of 5,908,979 bp, 2,335 contigs, and an average GC content of 31.12%.}, }
@article {pmid38505947, year = {2024}, author = {Torp, MK and Stensløkken, KO and Vaage, J}, title = {When Our Best Friend Becomes Our Worst Enemy: The Mitochondrion in Trauma, Surgery, and Critical Illness.}, journal = {Journal of intensive care medicine}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {8850666241237715}, doi = {10.1177/08850666241237715}, pmid = {38505947}, issn = {1525-1489}, abstract = {Common for major surgery, multitrauma, sepsis, and critical illness, is a whole-body inflammation. Tissue injury is able to trigger a generalized inflammatory reaction. Cell death causes release of endogenous structures termed damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that initiate a sterile inflammation. Mitochondria are evolutionary endosymbionts originating from bacteria, containing molecular patterns similar to bacteria. These molecular patterns are termed mitochondrial DAMPs (mDAMPs). Mitochondrial debris released into the extracellular space or into the circulation is immunogenic and damaging secondary to activation of the innate immune system. In the circulation, released mDAMPS are either free or exist in extracellular vesicles, being able to act on every organ and cell in the body. However, the role of mDAMPs in trauma and critical care is not fully clarified. There is a complete lack of knowledge how they may be counteracted in patients. Among mDAMPs are mitochondrial DNA, cardiolipin, N-formyl peptides, cytochrome C, adenosine triphosphate, reactive oxygen species, succinate, and mitochondrial transcription factor A. In this overview, we present the different mDAMPs, their function, release, targets, and inflammatory potential. In light of present knowledge, the role of mDAMPs in the pathophysiology of major surgery and trauma as well as sepsis, and critical care is discussed.}, }
@article {pmid38502496, year = {2024}, author = {Füssy, Z and Oborník, M}, title = {Complex Endosymbioses I: From Primary to Complex Plastids, Serial Endosymbiotic Events.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2776}, number = {}, pages = {21-41}, pmid = {38502496}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {*Biological Evolution ; Symbiosis ; Plastids/genetics/metabolism ; Plants/genetics ; *Rhodophyta/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {A considerable part of the diversity of eukaryotic phototrophs consists of algae with plastids that evolved from endosymbioses between two eukaryotes. These complex plastids are characterized by a high number of envelope membranes (more than two) and some of them contain a residual nucleus of the endosymbiotic alga called a nucleomorph. Complex plastid-bearing algae are thus chimeric cell assemblies, eukaryotic symbionts living in a eukaryotic host. In contrast, the primary plastids of the Archaeplastida (plants, green algae, red algae, and glaucophytes) possibly evolved from a single endosymbiosis with a cyanobacterium and are surrounded by two membranes. Complex plastids have been acquired several times by unrelated groups of eukaryotic heterotrophic hosts, suggesting that complex plastids are somewhat easier to obtain than primary plastids. Evidence suggests that complex plastids arose twice independently in the green lineage (euglenophytes and chlorarachniophytes) through secondary endosymbiosis, and four times in the red lineage, first through secondary endosymbiosis in cryptophytes, then by higher-order events in stramenopiles, alveolates, and haptophytes. Engulfment of primary and complex plastid-containing algae by eukaryotic hosts (secondary, tertiary, and higher-order endosymbioses) is also responsible for numerous plastid replacements in dinoflagellates. Plastid endosymbiosis is accompanied by massive gene transfer from the endosymbiont to the host nucleus and cell adaptation of both endosymbiotic partners, which is related to the trophic switch to phototrophy and loss of autonomy of the endosymbiont. Such a process is essential for the metabolic integration and division control of the endosymbiont in the host. Although photosynthesis is the main advantage of acquiring plastids, loss of photosynthesis often occurs in algae with complex plastids. This chapter summarizes the essential knowledge of the acquisition, evolution, and function of complex plastids.}, }
@article {pmid38502456, year = {2024}, author = {Singh, AS and Pathak, D and Devi, MS and Anifowoshe, AT and Nongthomba, U}, title = {Antibiotic alters host's gut microbiota, fertility, and antimicrobial peptide gene expression vis-à-vis ampicillin treatment on model organism Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology}, volume = {27}, number = {6}, pages = {1665-1676}, pmid = {38502456}, issn = {1618-1905}, support = {DBT-RA/2022/January NE/994//Department of Biotechnology, Government of India./ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/drug effects/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Antimicrobial Peptides/pharmacology/genetics ; *Bacteria/genetics/drug effects/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; *Ampicillin/pharmacology ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Fertility/drug effects ; Female ; Male ; }, abstract = {Antibiotics are commonly used to treat infectious diseases; however, persistence is often expressed by the pathogenic bacteria and their long-term relative effect on the host have been neglected. The present study investigated the impact of antibiotics in gut microbiota (GM) and metabolism of host. The effect of ampicillin antibiotics on GM of Drosophila melanogaster was analyzed through deep sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicon gene. The dominant phyla consisted of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, Euryarchaeota, Acedobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Cyanobacteria. It was found that the composition of GM was significantly altered on administration of antibiotics. On antibiotic treatments, there were decline in relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, while there were increase in relative abundance of Chlorophyta and Bacteroidota. High abundance of 14 genera, viz., Wolbachia, Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Thiolamprovum, Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio, Romboutsia, Staphylococcus, Alteromonas, Clostridium, Lysinibacillus, Litoricola, and Cellulophaga were significant (p ≤ 0.05) upon antibiotic treatment. Particularly, the abundance of Acetobacter was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) declined but increased for Wolbachia. Further, a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. melanogaster, Wolbachia endosymbiont of Curculio okumai, and Wolbachia pipientis and a decrease in the Acinetobacter sp. were observed. We observed an increase in functional capacity for biosynthesis of certain nucleotides and the enzyme activities. Further, the decrease in antimicrobial peptide production in the treated group and potential effects on the host's defense mechanisms were observed. This study helps shed light on an often-overlooked dimension, namely the persistence of antibiotics' effects on the host.}, }
@article {pmid38499810, year = {2024}, author = {Novák Vanclová, AM and Nef, C and Füssy, Z and Vancl, A and Liu, F and Bowler, C and Dorrell, RG}, title = {New plastids, old proteins: repeated endosymbiotic acquisitions in kareniacean dinoflagellates.}, journal = {EMBO reports}, volume = {25}, number = {4}, pages = {1859-1885}, pmid = {38499810}, issn = {1469-3178}, support = {ANR-21-CE02-0014//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR)/ ; ANR-20-CE13-0007//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR)/ ; ANR-19-CE20-0020//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR)/ ; 101039760//EC | European Research Council (ERC)/ ; 835067//EC | European Research Council (ERC)/ ; Momentum Fellowship 2019-2021//Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)/ ; 835067//EC | ERC | HORIZON EUROPE European Research Council (ERC)/ ; ANR-10-LABX-54//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR)/ ; ANR-1253 11-IDEX-0001-02//Universit&#xe9; de Recherche Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)/ ; 90254//e-INFRA CZ/ ; }, mesh = {*Dinoflagellida/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Proteome/genetics/metabolism ; Plastids/genetics ; }, abstract = {Dinoflagellates are a diverse group of ecologically significant micro-eukaryotes that can serve as a model system for plastid symbiogenesis due to their susceptibility to plastid loss and replacement via serial endosymbiosis. Kareniaceae harbor fucoxanthin-pigmented plastids instead of the ancestral peridinin-pigmented ones and support them with a diverse range of nucleus-encoded plastid-targeted proteins originating from the haptophyte endosymbiont, dinoflagellate host, and/or lateral gene transfers (LGT). Here, we present predicted plastid proteomes from seven distantly related kareniaceans in three genera (Karenia, Karlodinium, and Takayama) and analyze their evolutionary patterns using automated tree building and sorting. We project a relatively limited (~ 10%) haptophyte signal pointing towards a shared origin in the family Chrysochromulinaceae. Our data establish significant variations in the functional distributions of these signals, emphasizing the importance of micro-evolutionary processes in shaping the chimeric proteomes. Analysis of plastid genome sequences recontextualizes these results by a striking finding the extant kareniacean plastids are in fact not all of the same origin, as two of the studied species (Karlodinium armiger, Takayama helix) possess plastids from different haptophyte orders than the rest.}, }
@article {pmid38497713, year = {2024}, author = {Tang, X-F and Sun, Y-F and Liang, Y-S and Yang, K-Y and Chen, P-T and Li, H-S and Huang, Y-H and Pang, H}, title = {Metabolism, digestion, and horizontal transfer: potential roles and interaction of symbiotic bacteria in the ladybird beetle Novius pumilus and their prey Icerya aegyptiaca.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {12}, number = {5}, pages = {e0295523}, pmid = {38497713}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {2023YFD1400600//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 32172472//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31970439//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/metabolism/isolation &amp; purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Phylogeny ; Female ; Microbiota ; }, abstract = {In this study, we first time sequenced and analyzed the 16S rRNA gene data of predator ladybird beetles Novius pumilus and globally distributed invasive pest Icerya aegyptiaca at different stages, and combined data with bacterial genome sequences in N. pumilus to explored the taxonomic distribution, alpha and beta diversity, differentially abundant bacteria, co-occurrence network, and putative functions of their microbial community. Our finding revealed that Candidatus Walczuchella, which exhibited a higher abundance in I. aegyptiaca, possessed several genes in essential amino acid biosynthesis and seemed to perform roles in providing nutrients to the host, similar to other obligate symbionts in scale insects. Lactococcus, Serratia, and Pseudomonas, more abundant in N. pumilus, were predicted to have genes related to hydrocarbon, fatty acids, and chitin degradation, which may assist their hosts in digesting the wax shell covering the scale insects. Notably, our result showed that Lactococcus had relatively higher abundances in adults and eggs compared to other stages in N. pumilus, indicating potential vertical transmission. Additionally, we found that Arsenophonus, known to influence sex ratios in whitefly and wasp, may also function in I. aegyptiaca, probably by influencing nutrient metabolism as it similarly had many genes corresponding to vitamin B and essential amino acid biosynthesis. Also, we observed a potential horizontal transfer of Arsenophonus between the scale insect and its predator, with a relatively high abundance in the ladybirds compared to other bacteria from the scale insects.IMPORTANCEThe composition and dynamic changes of microbiome in different developmental stages of ladybird beetles Novius pumilus with its prey Icerya aegyptiaca were detected. We found that Candidatus Walczuchella, abundant in I. aegyptiaca, probably provide nutrients to their host based on their amino acid biosynthesis-related genes. Abundant symbionts in N. pumilus, including Lactococcus, Serratia, and Pseudophonus, may help the host digest the scale insects with their hydrocarbon, fatty acid, and chitin degrading-related genes. A key endosymbiont Arsenophonus may play potential roles in the nutrient metabolisms and sex determination in I. aegyptiaca, and is possibly transferred from the scale insect to the predator.}, }
@article {pmid38497254, year = {2024}, author = {Galambos, N and Vincent-Monegat, C and Vallier, A and Parisot, N and Heddi, A and Zaidman-Rémy, A}, title = {Cereal weevils' antimicrobial peptides: at the crosstalk between development, endosymbiosis and immune response.}, journal = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences}, volume = {379}, number = {1901}, pages = {20230062}, pmid = {38497254}, issn = {1471-2970}, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Weevils/genetics/microbiology ; Edible Grain ; Antimicrobial Peptides ; Immunity ; }, abstract = {Interactions between animals and microbes are ubiquitous in nature and strongly impact animal physiology. These interactions are shaped by the host immune system, which responds to infections and contributes to tailor the associations with beneficial microorganisms. In many insects, beneficial symbiotic associations not only include gut commensals, but also intracellular bacteria, or endosymbionts. Endosymbionts are housed within specialized host cells, the bacteriocytes, and are transmitted vertically across host generations. Host-endosymbiont co-evolution shapes the endosymbiont genome and host immune system, which not only fights against microbial intruders, but also ensures the preservation of endosymbionts and the control of their load and location. The cereal weevil Sitophilus spp. is a remarkable model in which to study the evolutionary adaptation of the immune system to endosymbiosis owing to its binary association with a unique, relatively recently acquired nutritional endosymbiont, Sodalis pierantonius. This Gram-negative bacterium has not experienced the genome size shrinkage observed in long-term endosymbioses and has retained immunogenicity. We focus here on the sixteen antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) identified in the Sitophilus oryzae genome and their expression patterns in different tissues, along host development or upon immune challenges, to address their potential functions in the defensive response and endosymbiosis homeostasis along the insect life cycle. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sculpting the microbiome: how host factors determine and respond to microbial colonization'.}, }
@article {pmid38496649, year = {2024}, author = {Hague, MTJ and Wheeler, TB and Cooper, BS}, title = {Comparative analysis of Wolbachia maternal transmission and localization in host ovaries.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38496649}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Many insects and other animals carry microbial endosymbionts that influence their reproduction and fitness. These relationships only persist if endosymbionts are reliably transmitted from one host generation to the next. Wolbachia are maternally transmitted endosymbionts found in most insect species, but transmission rates can vary across environments. Maternal transmission of wMel Wolbachia depends on temperature in natural Drosophila melanogaster hosts and in transinfected Aedes aegypti, where wMel is used to block pathogens that cause human disease. In D. melanogaster, wMel transmission declines in the cold as Wolbachia become less abundant in host ovaries and at the posterior pole plasm (the site of germline formation) in mature oocytes. Here, we assess how temperature affects maternal transmission and underlying patterns of Wolbachia localization across 10 Wolbachia strains diverged up to 50 million years-including strains closely related to wMel-and their natural Drosophila hosts. Many Wolbachia maintain high transmission rates across temperatures, despite highly variable (and sometimes low) levels of Wolbachia in the ovaries and at the developing germline in late-stage oocytes. Identifying strains like closely related wMel-like Wolbachia with stable transmission across variable environmental conditions may improve the efficacy of Wolbachia-based biocontrol efforts as they expand into globally diverse environments.}, }
@article {pmid38493166, year = {2024}, author = {Zhao, LS and Wang, N and Li, K and Li, CY and Guo, JP and He, FY and Liu, GM and Chen, XL and Gao, J and Liu, LN and Zhang, YZ}, title = {Architecture of symbiotic dinoflagellate photosystem I-light-harvesting supercomplex in Symbiodinium.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {2392}, pmid = {38493166}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {BB/V009729/1//RCUK | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)/ ; BB/R003890/1//RCUK | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)/ ; URF\R\180030//Royal Society/ ; }, mesh = {*Photosystem I Protein Complex/metabolism ; *Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes/metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Cryoelectron Microscopy ; Photosynthesis ; }, abstract = {Symbiodinium are the photosynthetic endosymbionts for corals and play a vital role in supplying their coral hosts with photosynthetic products, forming the nutritional foundation for high-yield coral reef ecosystems. Here, we determine the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Symbiodinium photosystem I (PSI) supercomplex with a PSI core composed of 13 subunits including 2 previously unidentified subunits, PsaT and PsaU, as well as 13 peridinin-Chl a/c-binding light-harvesting antenna proteins (AcpPCIs). The PSI-AcpPCI supercomplex exhibits distinctive structural features compared to their red lineage counterparts, including extended termini of PsaD/E/I/J/L/M/R and AcpPCI-1/3/5/7/8/11 subunits, conformational changes in the surface loops of PsaA and PsaB subunits, facilitating the association between the PSI core and peripheral antennae. Structural analysis and computational calculation of excitation energy transfer rates unravel specific pigment networks in Symbiodinium PSI-AcpPCI for efficient excitation energy transfer. Overall, this study provides a structural basis for deciphering the mechanisms governing light harvesting and energy transfer in Symbiodinium PSI-AcpPCI supercomplexes adapted to their symbiotic ecosystem, as well as insights into the evolutionary diversity of PSI-LHCI among various photosynthetic organisms.}, }
@article {pmid38487180, year = {2024}, author = {Duan, L and Zhang, L and Hou, X and Bao, Z and Zeng, Y and He, L and Liu, Z and Zhou, H and Hao, Q and Dong, A}, title = {Surveillance of tick-borne bacteria infection in ticks and forestry populations in Inner Mongolia, China.}, journal = {Frontiers in public health}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {1302133}, pmid = {38487180}, issn = {2296-2565}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Coinfection ; Forestry ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Ticks are one of the most important vectors that can transmit pathogens to animals and human beings. This study investigated the dominant tick-borne bacteria carried by ticks and tick-borne infections in forestry populations in Arxan, Inner Mongolia, China. Ticks were collected by flagging from May 2020 to May 2021, and blood samples were collected from individuals at high risk of acquiring tick-borne diseases from March 2022 to August 2023. The pooled DNA samples of ticks were analyzed to reveal the presence of tick-borne bacteria using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rDNA V3-V4 region, and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) related to sequencing was performed to confirm the presence of pathogenic bacteria in individual ticks and human blood samples. All sera samples were examined for anti-SFGR using ELISA and anti-B. burgdorferi using IFA and WB. A total of 295 ticks (282 Ixodes persulcatus and 13 Dermacentor silvarum) and 245 human blood samples were collected. Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Borrelia miyamotoi, and Coxiella endosymbiont were identified in I. persulcatus by high-throughput sequencing, while Candidatus R. tarasevichiae (89.00%, 89/100), B. garinii (17.00%, 17/100), B. afzelii (7.00%, 7/100), and B. miyamotoi (7.00%, 7/100) were detected in I. persulcatus, as well the dual co-infection with Candidatus R. tarasevichiae and B. garinii were detected in 13.00% (13/100) of I. persulcatus. Of the 245 individuals, B. garinii (4.90%, 12/245), R. slovaca (0.82%, 2/245), and C. burnetii (0.41%, 1/245) were detected by PCR, and the sequences of the target genes of B. garinii detected in humans were identical to those detected in I. persulcatus. The seroprevalence of anti-SFGR and anti-B. burgdorferi was 5.71% and 13.47%, respectively. This study demonstrated that Candidatus R. tarasevichiae and B. garinii were the dominant tick-borne bacteria in I. persulcatus from Arxan, and that dual co-infection with Candidatus R. tarasevichiae and B. garinii was frequent. This is the first time that B. miyamotoi has been identified in ticks from Arxan and R. solvaca has been detected in humans from Inner Mongolia. More importantly, this study demonstrated the transmission of B. garinii from ticks to humans in Arxan, suggesting that long-term monitoring of tick-borne pathogens in ticks and humans is important for the prevention and control of tick-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid38486702, year = {2024}, author = {Liu, XL and Zhao, H and Wang, YX and Liu, XY and Jiang, Y and Tao, MF and Liu, XY}, title = {Detecting and characterizing new endofungal bacteria in new hosts: Pandoraea sputorum and Mycetohabitans endofungorum in Rhizopus arrhizus.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1346252}, pmid = {38486702}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The fungus Rhizopus arrhizus (=R. oryzae) is commonly saprotrophic, exhibiting a nature of decomposing organic matter. Additionally, it serves as a crucial starter in food fermentation and can act as a pathogen causing mucormycosis in humans and animals. In this study, two distinct endofungal bacteria (EFBs), associated with individual strains of R. arrhizus, were identified using live/dead staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization, transmission electron microscopy, and 16S rDNA sequencing. The roles of these bacteria were elucidated through antibiotic treatment, pure cultivation, and comparative genomics. The bacterial endosymbionts, Pandoraea sputorum EFB03792 and Mycetohabitans endofungorum EFB03829, were purified from the host fungal strains R. arrhizus XY03792 and XY03829, respectively. Notably, this study marks the first report of Pandoraea as an EFB genus. Compared to its free-living counterparts, P. sputorum EFB03792 exhibited 28 specific virulence factor-related genes, six specific CE10 family genes, and 74 genes associated with type III secretion system (T3SS), emphasizing its pivotal role in invasion and colonization. Furthermore, this study introduces R. arrhizus as a new host for EFB M. endofungorum, with EFB contributing to host sporulation. Despite a visibly reduced genome, M. endofungorum EFB03829 displayed a substantial number of virulence factor-related genes, CE10 family genes, T3SS genes, mobile elements, and significant gene rearrangement. While EFBs have been previously identified in R. arrhizus, their toxin-producing potential in food fermentation has not been explored until this study. The discovery of these two new EFBs highlights their potential for toxin production within R. arrhizus, laying the groundwork for identifying suitable R. arrhizus strains for fermentation processes.}, }
@article {pmid38479454, year = {2024}, author = {Del Carmen Guarneros Martínez, T and Cáceres-Martínez, J and Cruz-Flores, R and López-Carvallo, JA and Ángel Del Río-Portilla, M and Guerrero Rentería, Y}, title = {Prevalence and intensity of a Rickettsiales-like organism in cultured pleasure oyster, Crassostrea corteziensis, from Nayarit, Mexico.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {204}, number = {}, pages = {108093}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108093}, pmid = {38479454}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Animals ; *Crassostrea/microbiology ; Mexico ; *Rickettsiales/physiology ; Aquaculture ; Symbiosis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; }, abstract = {Fastidious endosymbiotic Rickettsiales-like organisms (RLOs) have been observed in the digestive diverticula of the cultured pleasure oyster (Crassostrea corteziensis) from Nayarit, Mexico since 2007. In a few mollusk species, these bacteria have been associated with mortality events and production losses. The type of relationship between the RLOs and the pleasure oyster is largely unknown and further investigations are needed to determine if these bacteria warrant management concern in C. corteziensis. In this study, the morphological characteristics of the RLOs were studied by histology and SEM, and the taxonomic affiliations of the bacteria were evaluated by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. In addition, the prevalence and intensity of the RLOs was recorded from 2007 to 2017 by histology. The RLOs were observed inside circular basophilic cytoplasmic membrane bound vacuoles (MBVs) that had an average length and width of 15.70 ± 15.24 µm and 15.42 ± 14.95 µm respectively. Apart from cellular hypertrophy, no tissue alterations were observed in the areas adjacent to the RLOs. Individual bacteria within the MBVs were coccoid in shape with an average length of 0.65 ± 0.12 µm and an average width of 0.38 ± 0.09 µm. The bacterial microbiota of a selected number of samples (one sample without RLOs and two samples with RLOs) showed the presence of intracellular parasite OTUs corresponding to the families Rickettsiaceae and Anaplasmataceae, suggesting that the RLOs from the pleasure oyster is associated with the order Rickettsiales. A mean prevalence of 5 % was observed throughout the study period and the majority of the organisms (89 %) presented low intensity of Grade 1 (30-61 RLOs) of the MBVs. A higher prevalence of the RLOs was observed during warmer months. The lack of tissue alterations, the low prevalence and the low intensity of the MBVs suggest that the RLOs from C. corteziensis is a commensal endosymbiont that presents little risk for oyster production in Nayarit, México. However, regular monitoring is needed to detect if any variation in this relationship occurs, mainly in a scenario where extreme environmental fluctuations may occur.}, }
@article {pmid38479324, year = {2024}, author = {Walters, LJ and Busch, SJ and Vermeulen, S and Craig, CA}, title = {Entanglement and ingestion of microfibers by the oyster pea crab Zaops ostreum, an endosymbiont of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica.}, journal = {Marine pollution bulletin}, volume = {201}, number = {}, pages = {116251}, doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116251}, pmid = {38479324}, issn = {1879-3363}, mesh = {Animals ; *Crassostrea ; *Brachyura ; Florida ; Eating ; }, abstract = {The kleptoparasitic pea crab Zaops ostreum lives within the gills of bivalves, including the economically important eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Previous research along the east coast of central Florida has found an average of 2.3 pieces of plastic per oyster. The goals of our research were to determine if filter-feeding oysters transfer microfibers to Z. ostreum via the crab: 1) actively consuming plastic particles, or 2) passively becoming entangled in microfibers. Our results show that both occur. While only 11.6 % of Z. ostreum (total n = 122) consumed microfibers, those that did had up to 14 pieces in their soft tissues. Similarly, only 7.4 % of Z. ostreum had microfibers entangled around their appendages. Mean lengths of consumed and entangled fibers were similar, 1.9 and 2.7 mm, respectively. Additional research is needed to understand the positive and negative impacts of microfibers associated with pea crabs on both species.}, }
@article {pmid38472683, year = {2024}, author = {Ezhova, OV and Lukinykh, AI and Malakhov, VV}, title = {Nemertodermatida-Endosymbionts of Deep-Sea Acorn Worms (Hemichordata, Torquaratoridae).}, journal = {Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections}, volume = {515}, number = {1}, pages = {11-14}, pmid = {38472683}, issn = {1608-3105}, mesh = {Phylogeny ; *Liver ; }, abstract = {Worm-like endosymbionts were found in the hepatic region of the digestive tract of the deep-sea acorn worm Quatuoralisia malakhovi Ezhova et Lukinykh, 2022 (family Torquaratoridae) from the Bering Sea. The symbionts were assigned to the taxon Nemertodermatida on the basis of histological examination. Torquaratoridae are similar in feeding type to holothuroids, which have also been found to have Xenacoelomorpha endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid38471501, year = {2024}, author = {Cornejo-Castillo, FM and Inomura, K and Zehr, JP and Follows, MJ}, title = {Metabolic trade-offs constrain the cell size ratio in a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis.}, journal = {Cell}, volume = {187}, number = {7}, pages = {1762-1768.e9}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.016}, pmid = {38471501}, issn = {1097-4172}, mesh = {*Cyanobacteria/metabolism ; *Haptophyta/cytology/metabolism/microbiology ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; *Nitrogen Fixation ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Biological dinitrogen (N2) fixation is a key metabolic process exclusively performed by prokaryotes, some of which are symbiotic with eukaryotes. Species of the marine haptophyte algae Braarudosphaera bigelowii harbor the N2-fixing endosymbiotic cyanobacteria UCYN-A, which might be evolving organelle-like characteristics. We found that the size ratio between UCYN-A and their hosts is strikingly conserved across sublineages/species, which is consistent with the size relationships of organelles in this symbiosis and other species. Metabolic modeling showed that this size relationship maximizes the coordinated growth rate based on trade-offs between resource acquisition and exchange. Our findings show that the size relationships of N2-fixing endosymbionts and organelles in unicellular eukaryotes are constrained by predictable metabolic underpinnings and that UCYN-A is, in many regards, functioning like a hypothetical N2-fixing organelle (or nitroplast).}, }
@article {pmid38469952, year = {2024}, author = {Arinanto, LS and Hoffmann, AA and Ross, PA and Gu, X}, title = {Hormetic effect induced by Beauveria bassiana in Myzus persicae.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {80}, number = {8}, pages = {3726-3733}, doi = {10.1002/ps.8075}, pmid = {38469952}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; }, mesh = {*Beauveria/physiology ; Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology/physiology/growth &amp; development ; *Hormesis ; *Pest Control, Biological ; Fertility ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Myzus persicae, a serious sap-sucking pest of a large variety of host plants in agriculture, is traditionally controlled using chemical insecticides but there is interest in using biopesticides as restrictions are increasingly placed on the use of broad-spectrum pesticides.<br><br>RESULTS: Here, we show that in Petri dish experiments, high concentrations of the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana led to rapid mortality of M. persicae, although at a low concentration (1&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;10[4] conidia mL[-1]) there is a hormetic effect in which survival and fecundity are enhanced. Hormetic effects persisted across a generation with reduced development time and increased fecundity in the offspring of M. persicae exposed to B. bassiana. The whole-plant experiment points to a hormetic effect being detected in two out of three tested lines. The impact of these effects might also depend on whether M. persicae was transinfected with the endosymbiont Rickettsiella viridis, which decreases fecundity and survival compared with aphids lacking this endosymbiont. This fecundity cost was ameliorated in the generation following exposure to the entomopathogen.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Although B. bassiana is effective in controlling M. persicae especially at higher spore concentrations, utilization of this entomopathogen requires careful consideration of hormetic effects at lower spore concentrations, and further research to optimize its application for sustainable agriculture is recommended. &#xa9; 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid38468292, year = {2024}, author = {Ahouandjinou, MJ and Sovi, A and Sidick, A and Sewadé, W and Koukpo, CZ and Chitou, S and Towakinou, L and Adjottin, B and Hougbe, S and Tokponnon, F and Padonou, GG and Akogbéto, M and Messenger, LA and Ossè, RA}, title = {First report of natural infection of Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles coluzzii by Wolbachia and Microsporidia in Benin: a cross-sectional study.}, journal = {Malaria journal}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {72}, pmid = {38468292}, issn = {1475-2875}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Benin/epidemiology ; *Anopheles ; *Wolbachia ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology ; *Pyrethrins ; Sporozoites ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Recently, bacterial endosymbiont, including Wolbachia and Microsporidia were found to limit the infection of Anopheles mosquitoes with Plasmodium falciparum. This study aimed to investigate the natural presence of key transmission-blocking endosymbionts in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii in Southern Benin.<br><br>METHODS: The present study was conducted in seven communes (Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Agu&#xe9;gu&#xe9;s, Ifangni, Pob&#xe8; Athi&#xe9;m&#xe9;, and Grand-Popo) of Southern Benin. Anopheles were collected using indoor/outdoor Human Landing Catches (HLCs) and Pyrethrum Spray Catches (PSCs). Following morphological identification, PCR was used to identify An. gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) to species level and to screen for the presence of both Wolbachia and Microsporidia. Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection was also assessed using ELISA.<br><br>RESULTS: Overall, species composition in An. gambiae s.l. was 53.7% An. coluzzii, while the remainder was An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.). Combined data of the two sampling techniques revealed a mean infection prevalence with Wolbachia of 5.1% (95% CI 0.90-18.6) and 1.3% (95% CI 0.07-7.8) in An. gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii, respectively. The mean infection prevalence with Microsporidia was 41.0% (95% CI 25.9-57.8) for An. gambiae s.s. and 57.0% (95% CI 45.4-67.9) for An. coluzzii. Wolbachia was only observed in Ifangni, Pob&#xe8;, and Cotonou, while Microsporidia was detected in all study communes. Aggregated data for HLCs and PSCs showed a sporozoite rate (SR) of 0.80% (95% CI 0.09-2.87) and 0.69% (95% CI 0.09-2.87) for An. gambiae and An. coluzzii, respectively, with a mean of 0.74% (95% CI 0.20-1.90). Of the four individual mosquitoes which harboured P. falciparum, none were also infected with Wolbachia and one contained Microsporidia.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first report of natural infections of field-collected An. gambiae s.l. populations from Benin with Wolbachia and Microsporidia. Sustained efforts should be made to widen the spectrum of bacteria identified in mosquitoes, with the potential to develop endosymbiont-based control tools; such interventions could be the game-changer in the control of malaria and arboviral disease transmission.}, }
@article {pmid38465385, year = {2024}, author = {Park, E and Leander, B}, title = {Coinfection of slime feather duster worms (Annelida, Myxicola) by different gregarine apicomplexans (Selenidium) and astome ciliates reflects spatial niche partitioning and host specificity.}, journal = {Parasitology}, volume = {151}, number = {4}, pages = {400-411}, pmid = {38465385}, issn = {1469-8161}, support = {//Tula Foundation/ ; 2019-03986//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Host Specificity ; *Apicomplexa/physiology/genetics/classification/ultrastructure ; *Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; Coinfection/parasitology/veterinary ; Ciliophora/physiology/classification/genetics ; Annelida ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Bird Diseases/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Individual organisms can host multiple species of parasites (or symbionts), and one species of parasite can infect different host species, creating complex interactions among multiple hosts and parasites. When multiple parasite species coexist in a host, they may compete or use strategies, such as spatial niche partitioning, to reduce competition. Here, we present a host–symbiont system with two species of Selenidium (Apicomplexa, Gregarinida) and one species of astome ciliate co-infecting two different species of slime feather duster worms (Annelida, Sabellidae, Myxicola) living in neighbouring habitats. We examined the morphology of the endosymbionts with light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inferred their phylogenetic interrelationships using small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences. In the host ‘Myxicola sp. Quadra’, we found two distinct species of Selenidium; S. cf. mesnili exclusively inhabited the foregut, and S. elongatum n. sp. inhabited the mid to hindgut, reflecting spatial niche partitioning. Selenidium elongatum n. sp. was also present in the host M. aesthetica, which harboured the astome ciliate Pennarella elegantia n. gen. et sp. Selenidium cf. mesnili and P. elegantia n. gen. et sp. were absent in the other host species, indicating host specificity. This system offers an intriguing opportunity to explore diverse aspects of host–endosymbiont interactions and competition among endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid38462506, year = {2024}, author = {Beasley-Hall, PG and Kinjo, Y and Rose, HA and Walker, J and Foster, CSP and Kovacs, TGL and Bourguignon, T and Ho, SYW and Lo, N}, title = {Shrinking in the dark: Parallel endosymbiont genome erosions are associated with repeated host transitions to an underground life.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {31}, number = {6}, pages = {1810-1821}, pmid = {38462506}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {FT160100463//Australian Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Cockroaches/microbiology/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; Australia ; Phylogeny ; Biological Evolution ; }, abstract = {Microbial symbioses have had profound impacts on the evolution of animals. Conversely, changes in host biology may impact the evolutionary trajectory of symbionts themselves. Blattabacterium cuenoti is present in almost all cockroach species and enables hosts to subsist on a nutrient-poor diet. To investigate if host biology has impacted Blattabacterium at the genomic level, we sequenced and analyzed 25 genomes from Australian soil-burrowing cockroaches (Blaberidae: Panesthiinae), which have undergone at least seven separate subterranean, subsocial transitions from above-ground, wood-feeding ancestors. We find at least three independent instances of genome erosion have occurred in Blattabacterium strains exclusive to Australian soil-burrowing cockroaches. These shrinkages have involved the repeated inactivation of genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis and nitrogen recycling, the core role of Blattabacterium in the host-symbiont relationship. The most drastic of these erosions have occurred in hosts thought to have transitioned underground the earliest relative to other lineages, further suggestive of a link between gene loss in Blattabacterium and the burrowing behavior of hosts. As Blattabacterium is unable to fulfill its core function in certain host lineages, these findings suggest soil-burrowing cockroaches must acquire these nutrients from novel sources. Our study represents one of the first cases, to our knowledge, of parallel host adaptations leading to concomitant parallelism in their mutualistic symbionts, further underscoring the intimate relationship between these two partners.}, }
@article {pmid38459641, year = {2024}, author = {Donner, SH and Slingerland, M and Beekman, MM and Comte, A and Dicke, M and Zwaan, BJ and Pannebakker, BA and Verhulst, EC}, title = {Aphid populations are frequently infected with facultative endosymbionts.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {3}, pages = {e16599}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16599}, pmid = {38459641}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {//Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ ; KNAWWF/807/19002//Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen/ ; //Koppert Biological Systems/ ; //Top Sector Horticulture &amp; Starting Materials (TKI T&amp;U)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The occurrence of facultative endosymbionts has been studied in many commercially important crop pest aphids, but their occurrence and effects in non-commercial aphid species in natural populations have received less attention. We screened 437 aphid samples belonging to 106 aphid species for the eight most common facultative aphid endosymbionts. We found one or more facultative endosymbionts in 53% (56 of 106) of the species investigated. This likely underestimates the situation in the field because facultative endosymbionts are often present in only some colonies of an aphid species. Oligophagous aphid species carried facultative endosymbionts significantly more often than monophagous species. We did not find a significant correlation between ant tending and facultative endosymbiont presence. In conclusion, we found that facultative endosymbionts are common among aphid populations. This study is, to our knowledge, the first of its kind in the Netherlands and provides a basis for future research in this field. For instance, it is still unknown in what way many of these endosymbionts affect their hosts, which is important for determining the importance of facultative endosymbionts to community dynamics.}, }
@article {pmid38457881, year = {2024}, author = {Lintner, M and Schagerl, M and Lintner, B and Wanek, W and Goleń, J and Tyszka, J and Heinz, P}, title = {Impact of pesticides on marine coral reef foraminifera.}, journal = {Marine pollution bulletin}, volume = {201}, number = {}, pages = {116237}, doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116237}, pmid = {38457881}, issn = {1879-3363}, mesh = {Coral Reefs ; *Foraminifera/physiology ; *Pesticides/toxicity ; *Fungicides, Industrial/toxicity ; *Insecticides ; *Herbicides/toxicity ; }, abstract = {Our laboratory study looked into how pesticides affect the foraminifera species Heterostegina depressa and their obligatory algal endosymbionts. We incubated the foraminifera separately with different types of pesticides at varying concentrations (1 %, 0.01 % and 0.0001 %); we included the insecticide Confidor© (active substance: imidacloprid), the fungicide Pronto©Plus (tebuconazole), and the herbicide Roundup© (glyphosate). Our evaluation focused on the symbiont's photosynthetically active area (PA), and the uptake of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and nitrogen (nitrate) to determine the vitality of the foraminifera. Our findings showed that even the lowest doses of the fungicide and herbicide caused irreparable damage to the foraminifera and their symbionts. While the insecticide only deactivated the symbionts (PA = 0) at the highest concentration (1 %), the fungicide, and herbicide caused complete deactivation even at the lowest levels provided (0.0001 %). The fungicide had the strongest toxic effect on the foraminiferal host regarding reduced isotope uptake. In conclusion, all pesticides had a negative impact on the holosymbiont, with the host showing varying degrees of sensitivity towards different types of pesticides.}, }
@article {pmid38456555, year = {2024}, author = {Malandrakis, AA and Varikou, K and Kavroulakis, &#x39d; and Nikolakakis, A and Dervisi, I and Reppa, C&#x399; and Papadakis, S and Holeva, MC and Chrysikopoulos, CV}, title = {Copper nanoparticles interfere with insecticide sensitivity, fecundity and endosymbiont abundance in olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae).}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {80}, number = {7}, pages = {3640-3649}, doi = {10.1002/ps.8068}, pmid = {38456555}, issn = {1526-4998}, mesh = {Animals ; *Tephritidae/drug effects/physiology ; *Copper/pharmacology ; *Fertility/drug effects ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; *Metal Nanoparticles ; Female ; *Pyrethrins/pharmacology ; Symbiosis ; Nitriles/pharmacology ; Larva/drug effects/growth &amp; development ; Male ; Insecticide Resistance ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The potential of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) to be used as an alternative control strategy against olive fruit flies (Bactrocera oleae) with reduced sensitivity to the pyrethroid deltamethrin and the impact of both nanosized and bulk copper hydroxide (Cu(OH)2) on the insect's reproductive and endosymbiotic parameters were investigated.<br><br>RESULTS: The application of nanosized and bulk copper applied by feeding resulted in significant levels of adult mortality, comparable to or surpassing those achieved with deltamethrin at recommended doses. Combinations of Cu-NPs or copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) with deltamethrin significantly enhanced the insecticide's efficacy against B. oleae adults. When combined with deltamethrin, Cu-NPs significantly reduced the mean total number of offspring compared with the control, and the number of stings, pupae, female and total number of offspring compared with the insecticide alone. Both bulk and nanosized copper negatively affected the abundance of the endosymbiotic bacterium Candidatus Erwinia dacicola which is crucial for the survival of B. oleae larvae.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The Cu-NPs can aid the control of B. oleae both by reducing larval survival and by enhancing deltamethrin performance in terms of toxicity and reduced fecundity, providing an effective anti-resistance tool and minimizing the environmental footprint of synthetic pesticides by reducing the required doses for the control of the pest. &#xa9; 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid38456084, year = {2024}, author = {Kumar, V and Subramanian, J and Marimuthu, M and Subbarayalu, M and Ramasamy, V and Gandhi, K and Ariyan, M}, title = {Diversity and functional characteristics of culturable bacterial endosymbionts from cassava whitefly biotype Asia II-5, Bemisia tabaci.}, journal = {3 Biotech}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {100}, pmid = {38456084}, issn = {2190-572X}, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Whitefly Bemisia tabaci, a carrier of cassava mosaic disease (CMD), poses a significant threat to cassava crops. Investigating culturable bacteria and their impact on whiteflies is crucial due to their vital role in whitefly fitness and survival. The whitefly biotype associated with cassava and transmitting CMD in India has been identified as Asia II 5 through partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequencing. In this study, bacteria associated with adult B. tabaci feeding on cassava were extracted using seven different media. Nutrient Agar (NA), Soyabean Casein Digest Medium (SCDM), Luria Bertani agar (LBA), and Reasoner's 2A agar (R2A) media resulted in 19, 6, 4, and 4 isolates, respectively, producing a total of 33 distinct bacterial isolates. Species identification through 16SrRNA gene sequencing revealed that all isolates belonged to the Bacillota and Pseudomonadota phyla, encompassing 11 genera: Bacillus, Cytobacillus, Exiguobacterium, Terribacillus, Brevibacillus, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Brucella, Novosphingobium, Lysobacter, and Pseudomonas. All bacterial isolates were tested for chitinase, protease, siderophore activity, and antibiotic sensitivity. Nine isolates exhibited chitinase activity, 28 showed protease activity, and 23 displayed siderophore activity. Most isolates were sensitive to antibiotics such as Vancomycin, Streptomycin, Erythromycin, Kanamycin, Doxycycline, Tetracycline, and Ciprofloxacin, while they demonstrated resistance to Bacitracin and Colistin. Understanding the culturable bacteria associated with cassava whitefly and their functional significance could contribute to developing effective cassava whitefly and CMD control in agriculture.<br><br>SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03949-0.}, }
@article {pmid38455147, year = {2024}, author = {Hafer-Hahmann, N and Vorburger, C}, title = {Parasitoid species diversity has no effect on protective symbiont diversity in experimental host-parasitoid populations.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {3}, pages = {e11090}, pmid = {38455147}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {How does diversity in nature come about? One factor contributing to this diversity are species interactions; diversity on one trophic level can shape diversity on lower or higher trophic levels. For example, parasite diversity enhances host immune diversity. Insect protective symbionts mediate host resistance and are, therefore, also engaged in reciprocal selection with their host's parasites. Here, we applied experimental evolution in a well-known symbiont-aphid-parasitoid system to study whether parasitoid diversity contributes to maintaining symbiont genetic diversity. We used caged populations of black bean aphids (Aphis fabae), containing uninfected individuals and individuals infected with different strains of the bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa, which protects aphids against parasitoids. Over multiple generations, these populations were exposed to three different species of parasitoid wasps (Aphidius colemani, Binodoxys acalephae or Lysiphlebus fabarum), simultaneous or sequential mixtures of these species or no wasps. Surprisingly, we observed little selection for H. defensa in most treatments, even when it clearly provided protection against a fatal parasitoid infection. This seemed to be caused by high induced costs of resistance: aphids surviving parasitoid attacks suffered an extreme reduction in fitness. In marked contrast to previous studies looking at the effect of different genotypes of a single parasitoid species, we found little evidence for a diversifying effect of multiple parasitoid species on symbiont diversity in hosts.}, }
@article {pmid38452081, year = {2024}, author = {Kaur, R and McGarry, A and Shropshire, JD and Leigh, BA and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {Prophage proteins alter long noncoding RNA and DNA of developing sperm to induce a paternal-effect lethality.}, journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)}, volume = {383}, number = {6687}, pages = {1111-1117}, pmid = {38452081}, issn = {1095-9203}, support = {F32 AI140694/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI143725/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Cytoplasm/metabolism ; DNA/metabolism ; *Prophages/genetics/metabolism ; *RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism ; *Spermatozoa/growth &amp; development/metabolism ; *Wolbachia/metabolism/virology ; *Paternal Inheritance ; *Viral Proteins/metabolism ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/microbiology ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism ; *Deoxyribonucleases/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The extent to which prophage proteins interact with eukaryotic macromolecules is largely unknown. In this work, we show that cytoplasmic incompatibility factor A (CifA) and B (CifB) proteins, encoded by prophage WO of the endosymbiont Wolbachia, alter long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and DNA during Drosophila sperm development to establish a paternal-effect embryonic lethality known as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). CifA is a ribonuclease (RNase) that depletes a spermatocyte lncRNA important for the histone-to-protamine transition of spermiogenesis. Both CifA and CifB are deoxyribonucleases (DNases) that elevate DNA damage in late spermiogenesis. lncRNA knockdown enhances CI, and mutagenesis links lncRNA depletion and subsequent sperm chromatin integrity changes to embryonic DNA damage and CI. Hence, prophage proteins interact with eukaryotic macromolecules during gametogenesis to create a symbiosis that is fundamental to insect evolution and vector control.}, }
@article {pmid38444236, year = {2024}, author = {Manentzos, AN and Pahl, AMC and Melloh, P and Martin, EA and Leybourne, DJ}, title = {Low prevalence of secondary endosymbionts in aphids sampled from rapeseed crops in Germany.}, journal = {Bulletin of entomological research}, volume = {114}, number = {2}, pages = {254-259}, doi = {10.1017/S0007485324000063}, pmid = {38444236}, issn = {1475-2670}, support = {RF-2022-100004//Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851/ ; }, mesh = {*Aphids/microbiology ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; Germany ; Crops, Agricultural/microbiology ; Brassica rapa/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Peach-potato aphids, Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera:Aphididae), and cabbage aphids, Brevicoryne brassicae Linnaeus (Hemiptera:Aphididae), are herbivorous insects of significant agricultural importance. Aphids can harbour a range of non-essential (facultative) endosymbiotic bacteria that confer multiple costs and benefits to the host aphid. A key endosymbiont-derived phenotype is protection against parasitoid wasps, and this protective phenotype has been associated with several defensive enodsymbionts. In recent years greater emphasis has been placed on developing alternative pest management strategies, including the increased use of natural enemies such as parasitoids wasps. For the success of aphid control strategies to be estimated the presence of defensive endosymbionts that can potentially disrupt the success of biocontrol agents needs to be determined in natural aphid populations. Here, we sampled aphids and mummies (parasitised aphids) from an important rapeseed production region in Germany and used multiplex PCR assays to characterise the endosymbiont communities. We found that aphids rarely harboured facultative endosymbionts, with 3.6% of M. persicae and 0% of B. brassicae populations forming facultative endosymbiont associations. This is comparable with endosymbiont prevalence described for M. persicae populations surveyed in Australia, Europe, Chile, and USA where endosymbiont infection frequencies range form 0-2%, but is in contrast with observations from China where M. persicae populations have more abundant and diverse endosymbiotic communities (endosymbionts present in over 50% of aphid populations).}, }
@article {pmid38443775, year = {2024}, author = {Molina-Garza, ZJ and Cuesy-León, M and Baylón-Pacheco, L and Rosales-Encina, JL and Galaviz-Silva, L}, title = {Diversity of midgut microbiota in ticks collected from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from northern Mexico.}, journal = {Parasites, hosts and diseases}, volume = {62}, number = {1}, pages = {117-130}, pmid = {38443775}, issn = {2982-6799}, support = {#3157//FOINS PN-CONACyT/ ; //PAICyT-UANL/ ; //CONACyT/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Deer ; Mexico ; *Rhipicephalus ; *Microbiota/genetics ; }, abstract = {Ticks host different pathogens as endosymbiont and nonpathogenic microorganisms and play an important role in reproductive fitness and nutrient provision. However, the bacterial microbiomes of white-tailed deer ticks have received minimal attention. This study aimed to examine the bacterial microbiome of ticks collected from Odocoileus virginianus on the Mexico-United States border to assess differences in microbiome diversity in ticks of different species, sexes, and localities. Five different tick species were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus, Dermacentor nitens, Otobius megnini, Amblyomma cajennense, and A. maculatum. The tick microbiomes were analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Among all tick species, the most predominant phylum was Proteobacteria, followed by Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. The ticks from Tamaulipas and Nuevo León presented the highest bacterial species diversity. Acinetobacter johnsonii and A. lwoffii were the common bacterial species in the microbiome of all ticks, Coxiella were present in R. microplus, and Dermacentor nitens also exhibited a Francisella-like endosymbiont. The microbiome of most females in D. nitens was less diverse than that of males, whereas R. microplus occurs in females, suggesting that microbiome diversity is influenced by sex. In the bacterial communities of A. maculatum and O. megnini, Candidatus Midichloria massiliensis, and Candidatus Endoecteinascidia fumentensis were the most predominant endosymbionts. These results constitute the initial report on these bacteria, and this is also the first study to characterize the microbiome of O. megnini.}, }
@article {pmid38439943, year = {2024}, author = {González Porras, M&#xc1; and Pons, I and García-Lozano, M and Jagdale, S and Emmerich, C and Weiss, B and Salem, H}, title = {Extracellular symbiont colonizes insect during embryo development.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {ycae005}, pmid = {38439943}, issn = {2730-6151}, abstract = {Insects typically acquire their beneficial microbes early in development. Endosymbionts housed intracellularly are commonly integrated during oogenesis or embryogenesis, whereas extracellular microbes are only known to be acquired after hatching by immature instars such as larvae or nymphs. Here, however, we report on an extracellular symbiont that colonizes its host during embryo development. Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) host their digestive bacterial symbiont Stammera extracellularly within foregut symbiotic organs and in ovary-associated glands to ensure its vertical transmission. We outline the initial stages of symbiont colonization and observe that although the foregut symbiotic organs develop 3 days prior to larval emergence, they remain empty until the final 24 h of embryo development. Infection by Stammera occurs during that timeframe and prior to hatching. By experimentally manipulating symbiont availability to embryos in the egg, we describe a 12-h developmental window governing colonization by Stammera. Symbiotic organs form normally in aposymbiotic larvae, demonstrating that these Stammera-bearing structures develop autonomously. In adults, the foregut symbiotic organs are already colonized following metamorphosis and host a stable Stammera population to facilitate folivory. The ovary-associated glands, however, initially lack Stammera. Symbiont abundance subsequently increases within these transmission organs, thereby ensuring sufficient titers at the onset of oviposition ~29 days following metamorphosis. Collectively, our findings reveal that Stammera colonization precedes larval emergence, where its proliferation is eventually decoupled in adult beetles to match the nutritional and reproductive requirements of its host.}, }
@article {pmid38438424, year = {2024}, author = {Tan, KXY and Shigenobu, S}, title = {In vivo interference of pea aphid endosymbiont Buchnera groEL gene by synthetic peptide nucleic acids.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {5378}, pmid = {38438424}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {Scholarship//Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology/ ; JP20H00478//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Peptide Nucleic Acids/genetics ; *Buchnera/genetics ; *Aphids/genetics ; Pisum sativum ; *Nucleic Acids ; Antisense Elements (Genetics) ; *Orobanchaceae ; }, abstract = {The unculturable nature of intracellular obligate symbionts presents a significant challenge for elucidating gene functionality, necessitating the development of gene manipulation techniques. One of the best-studied obligate symbioses is that between aphids and the bacterial endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola. Given the extensive genome reduction observed in Buchnera, the remaining genes are crucial for understanding the host-symbiont relationship, but a lack of tools for manipulating gene function in the endosymbiont has significantly impeded the exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying this mutualism. In this study, we introduced a novel gene manipulation technique employing synthetic single-stranded peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). We targeted the critical Buchnera groEL using specially designed antisense PNAs conjugated to an arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptide (CPP). Within 24 h of PNA administration via microinjection, we observed a significant reduction in groEL expression and Buchnera cell count. Notably, the interference of groEL led to profound morphological malformations in Buchnera, indicative of impaired cellular integrity. The gene knockdown technique developed in this study, involving the microinjection of CPP-conjugated antisense PNAs, provides a potent approach for in vivo gene manipulation of unculturable intracellular symbionts, offering valuable insights into their biology and interactions with hosts.}, }
@article {pmid38437189, year = {2024}, author = {Dye, D and Cain, JW}, title = {Efficacy of Wolbachia-based mosquito control: Predictions of a spatially discrete mathematical model.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {19}, number = {3}, pages = {e0297964}, pmid = {38437189}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Female ; Humans ; Animals ; Male ; *Wolbachia ; *Aedes ; *Charadriiformes ; Cytoplasm ; Cytosol ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium present in many insect species. When Wolbachia-carrying male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes mate with non-carrier females, their embryos are not viable due to cytoplasmic incompatibility. This phenomenon has been exploited successfully for the purpose of controlling mosquito populations and the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses: Wolbachia carriers are bred and released into the environment. Because Wolbachia is not harmful to humans, this method of mosquito control is regarded as a safer alternative to pesticide spraying. In this article, we introduce a mathematical framework for exploring (i) whether a one-time release of Wolbachia carriers can elicit a sustained presence of carriers near the release site, and (ii) the extent to which spatial propagation of carriers may allow them to establish fixation in other territories. While some prior studies have formulated mosquito dispersal models using advection-reaction-diffusion PDEs, the predictive power of such models requires careful ecological mapping: advection and diffusion coefficients exhibit significant spatial dependence due to heterogeneity of resources and topography. Here, we adopt a courser-grained view, regarding the environment as a network of discrete, diffusively-coupled "habitats"-distinct zones of high mosquito density such as stagnant ponds. We extend two previously published single-habitat mosquito models to multiple habitats, and calculate rates of migration between pairs of habitats using dispersal kernels. Our primary results are quantitative estimates regarding how the success of carrier fixation in one or more habitats is determined by: the number of carriers released, sizes of habitats, distances between habitats, and the rate of migration between habitats. Besides yielding sensible and potentially useful predictions regarding the success of Wolbachia-based control, our framework applies to other approaches (e.g., gene drives) and contexts beyond the realm of insect pest control.}, }
@article {pmid38431055, year = {2024}, author = {Walt, HK and King, JG and Sheele, JM and Meyer, F and Pietri, JE and Hoffmann, FG}, title = {Do bed bugs transmit human viruses, or do humans spread bed bugs and their viruses? A worldwide survey of the bed bug RNA virosphere.}, journal = {Virus research}, volume = {343}, number = {}, pages = {199349}, pmid = {38431055}, issn = {1872-7492}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Bedbugs ; Feeding Behavior ; Disease Vectors ; *Arthropods ; *Viruses ; }, abstract = {BED BUGS: (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) are a globally distributed hematophagous pest that routinely feed on humans. Unlike many blood-sucking arthropods, they have never been linked to pathogen transmission in a natural setting, and despite increasing interest in their role as disease vectors, little is known about the viruses that bed bugs naturally harbor. Here, we present a global-scale survey of the bed bug RNA virosphere. We sequenced the metatranscriptomes of 22 individual bed bugs (Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus) from 8 locations around the world. We detected sequences from two known bed bug viruses (Shuangao bedbug virus 1 and Shuangao bedbug virus 2) which extends their geographical range. We identified three novel bed bug virus sequences from a tenui-like virus (Bunyavirales), a toti-like virus (Ghabrivirales), and a luteo-like virus (Tolivirales). Interestingly, some of the bed bug viruses branch near to insect-transmitted plant-infecting viruses, opening questions regarding the evolution of plant virus infection. When we analyzed the viral sequences by their host's collection location, we found unexpected patterns of geographical diversity that may reflect humans' role in bed bug dispersal. Additionally, we investigated the effect that Wolbachia, the primary bed bug endosymbiont, may have on viral abundance and found that Wolbachia infection neither promotes nor inhibits viral infection. Finally, our results provide no evidence that bed bugs transmit any known human pathogenic viruses.}, }
@article {pmid38426058, year = {2024}, author = {Cantin, LJ and Dunning Hotopp, JC and Foster, JM}, title = {Improved metagenome assemblies through selective enrichment of bacterial genomic DNA from eukaryotic host genomic DNA using ATAC-seq.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1352378}, pmid = {38426058}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Genomics can be used to study the complex relationships between hosts and their microbiota. Many bacteria cannot be cultured in the laboratory, making it difficult to obtain adequate amounts of bacterial DNA and to limit host DNA contamination for the construction of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). For example, Wolbachia is a genus of exclusively obligate intracellular bacteria that live in a wide range of arthropods and some nematodes. While Wolbachia endosymbionts are frequently described as facultative reproductive parasites in arthropods, the bacteria are obligate mutualistic endosymbionts of filarial worms. Here, we achieve 50-fold enrichment of bacterial sequences using ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing) with Brugia malayi nematodes, containing Wolbachia (wBm). ATAC-seq uses the Tn5 transposase to cut and attach Illumina sequencing adapters to accessible DNA lacking histones, typically thought to be open chromatin. Bacterial and mitochondrial DNA in the lysates are also cut preferentially since they lack histones, leading to the enrichment of these sequences. The benefits of this include minimal tissue input (<1 mg of tissue), a quick protocol (<4 h), low sequencing costs, less bias, correct assembly of lateral gene transfers and no prior sequence knowledge required. We assembled the wBm genome with as few as 1 million Illumina short paired-end reads with >97% coverage of the published genome, compared to only 12% coverage with the standard gDNA libraries. We found significant bacterial sequence enrichment that facilitated genome assembly in previously published ATAC-seq data sets from human cells infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and C. elegans contaminated with their food source, the OP50 strain of E. coli. These results demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of using ATAC-seq to easily obtain bacterial genomes to aid in symbiosis, infectious disease, and microbiome research.}, }
@article {pmid38414566, year = {2024}, author = {Ffrench-Constant, RH and Bennie, J and Gordon, IJ and Depew, L and Smith, DAS}, title = {Penetrance interactions of colour pattern loci in the African Monarch and their implications for the evolution of dominance.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {2}, pages = {e11024}, pmid = {38414566}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Scoring the penetrance of heterozygotes in complex phenotypes, like colour pattern, is difficult and complicates the analysis of systems in which dominance is incomplete or evolving. The African Monarch (Danaus chrysippus) represents an example where colour pattern heterozygotes, formed in the contact zone between the different subspecies, show such intermediate dominance. Colour pattern in this aposematic butterfly is controlled by three loci A, B and C. The B and C loci are closely linked in a B/C supergene and significant interaction of B and C phenotypes is therefore expected via linkage alone. The A locus, however, is not linked to B/C and is found on a different chromosome. To study interactions between these loci we generated colour pattern heterozygotes by crossing males and females bearing different A and B/C genotypes, collected from different parts of Africa. We derived a novel scoring system for the expressivity of the heterozygotes and, as predicted, we found significant interactions between the genotypes of the closely linked B and C loci. Surprisingly, however, we also found highly significant interactions between C and the unlinked A locus, modifications that generally increased the resemblance of heterozygotes to homozygous ancestors. In contrast, we found no difference in the penetrance of any of the corresponding heterozygotes from crosses conducted either in allopatry or sympatry, in reciprocal crosses of males and females, or in the presence or absence of endosymbiont mediated male-killing or its associated neoW mediated sex-linkage of colour pattern. Together, this data supports the idea that the different colour morphs of the African Monarch meet transiently in the East African contact zone and that genetic modifiers act to mask inappropriate expression of colour patterns in the incorrect environments.}, }
@article {pmid38408183, year = {2024}, author = {Paddock, CD and Zambrano, ML and Clover, JR and Ladd-Wilson, S and Dykstra, EA and Salamone, A and Kangiser, D and Ayres, BN and Shooter, SL and Karpathy, SE and Kjemtrup, AM and Beati, L and Levin, ML and Lane, RS and Zazueta, OE}, title = {Rickettsia species identified in adult, host-seeking Dermacentor occidentalis (Acari: Ixodidae) from Baja California, Mexico, and Oregon and Washington, United States.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {61}, number = {3}, pages = {781-790}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjae023}, pmid = {38408183}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Animals ; *Rickettsia/isolation &amp; purification/genetics ; *Dermacentor/microbiology ; Washington ; Oregon ; Female ; Mexico ; Male ; }, abstract = {The Pacific Coast tick (Dermacentor occidentalis Marx, 1892) is a frequently encountered and commonly reported human-biting tick species that has been recorded from most of California and parts of southwestern Oregon, southcentral Washington, and northwestern Mexico. Although previous investigators have surveyed populations of D. occidentalis for the presence of Rickettsia species across several regions of California, populations of this tick have not been surveyed heretofore for rickettsiae from Baja California, Oregon, or Washington. We evaluated 1,367 host-seeking, D. occidentalis adults collected from 2015 to 2022 by flagging vegetation at multiple sites in Baja California, Mexico, and Oregon and Washington, United States, using genus- and species-specific assays for spotted fever group rickettsiae. DNA of Rickettsia 364D, R. bellii, and R. tillamookensis was not detected in specimens from these regions. DNA of R. rhipicephali was detected in D. occidentalis specimens obtained from Ensenada Municipality in Baja California and southwestern Oregon, but not from Washington. All ompA sequences of R. rhipichephali that were amplified from individual ticks in southwestern Oregon were represented by a single genotype. DNA of the Ixodes pacificus rickettsial endosymbiont was amplified from specimens collected in southwestern Oregon and Klickitat County, Washington; to the best of our knowledge, this Rickettsia species has never been identified in D. occidentalis. Collectively, these data are consistent with a relatively recent introduction of Pacific Coast ticks in the northernmost extension of its recognized range.}, }
@article {pmid38403930, year = {2024}, author = {Lastovetsky, OA and Caruso, T and Brennan, FP and Wall, D and Pylni, S and Doyle, E}, title = {Spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi host surprisingly diverse communities of endobacteria.}, journal = {The New phytologist}, volume = {242}, number = {4}, pages = {1785-1797}, doi = {10.1111/nph.19605}, pmid = {38403930}, issn = {1469-8137}, support = {GOIPD/2017/879//Irish Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Spores, Fungal/physiology ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Biodiversity ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous plant root symbionts, which can house two endobacteria: Ca. Moeniiplasma glomeromycotorum (CaMg) and Ca. Glomeribacter gigasporarum (CaGg). However, little is known about their distribution and population structure in natural AMF populations and whether AMF can harbour other endobacteria. We isolated AMF from two environments and conducted detailed analyses of endobacterial communities associated with surface-sterilised AMF spores. Consistent with the previous reports, we found that CaMg were extremely abundant (80%) and CaGg were extremely rare (2%) in both environments. Unexpectedly, we discovered an additional and previously unknown level of bacterial diversity within AMF spores, which extended beyond the known endosymbionts, with bacteria belonging to 10 other phyla detected across our spore data set. Detailed analysis revealed that: CaGg were not limited in distribution to the Gigasporaceae family of AMF, as previously thought; CaMg population structure was driven by AMF host genotype; and a significant inverse correlation existed between the diversity of CaMg and diversity of all other endobacteria. Based on these data, we generate novel testable hypotheses regarding the function of CaMg in AMF biology by proposing that they might act as conditional mutualists of AMF.}, }
@article {pmid38399702, year = {2024}, author = {Cameirão, C and Costa, D and Rufino, J and Pereira, JA and Lino-Neto, T and Baptista, P}, title = {Diversity, Composition, and Specificity of the Philaenus spumarius Bacteriome.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38399702}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {UIDB/00690/2020; UIDP/00690/2020; LA/P/0007/2020; UIDB/04050/2020; UIDB/05757/2020 and UIDP/05757/2020//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia/ ; PRR-C05-i03-I-000083//Agriculture and Fisheries Financing Institute/ ; 727987//Horizon2020/ ; }, abstract = {Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) was recently classified as a pest due to its ability to act as a vector of the phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa. This insect has been reported to harbour several symbiotic bacteria that play essential roles in P. spumarius health and fitness. However, the factors driving bacterial assemblages remain largely unexplored. Here, the bacteriome associated with different organs (head, abdomen, and genitalia) of males and females of P. spumarius was characterized using culturally dependent and independent methods and compared in terms of diversity and composition. The bacteriome of P. spumarius is enriched in Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteria phyla, as well as in Candidatus Sulcia and Cutibacterium genera. The most frequent isolates were Curtobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Rhizobiaceae sp.1. Males display a more diverse bacterial community than females, but no differences in diversity were found in distinct organs. However, the organ shapes the bacteriome structure more than sex, with the Microbacteriaceae family revealing a high level of organ specificity and the Blattabacteriaceae family showing a high level of sex specificity. Several symbiotic bacterial genera were identified in P. spumarius for the first time, including Rhodococcus, Citrobacter, Halomonas, Streptomyces, and Providencia. Differences in the bacterial composition within P. spumarius organs and sexes suggest an adaptation of bacteria to particular insect tissues, potentially shaped by their significance in the life and overall fitness of P. spumarius. Although more research on the bacteria of P. spumarius interactions is needed, such knowledge could help to develop specific bacterial-based insect management strategies.}, }
@article {pmid38392507, year = {2024}, author = {Cheng, Y and Yang, J and Li, T and Li, J and Ye, M and Wang, J and Chen, R and Zhu, L and Du, B and He, G}, title = {Endosymbiotic Fungal Diversity and Dynamics of the Brown Planthopper across Developmental Stages, Tissues, and Sexes Revealed Using Circular Consensus Sequencing.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38392507}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2022ABA001//The Science and Technology Major Program of Hubei Province/ ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic fungi play an important role in the growth and development of insects. Understanding the endosymbiont communities hosted by the brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens Stål), the most destructive pest in rice, is a prerequisite for controlling BPH rice infestations. However, the endosymbiont diversity and dynamics of the BPH remain poorly studied. Here, we used circular consensus sequencing (CCS) to obtain 87,131 OTUs (operational taxonomic units), which annotated 730 species of endosymbiotic fungi in the various developmental stages and tissues. We found that three yeast-like symbionts (YLSs), Polycephalomyces prolificus, Ophiocordyceps heteropoda, and Hirsutella proturicola, were dominant in almost all samples, which was especially pronounced in instar nymphs 4-5, female adults, and the fat bodies of female and male adult BPH. Interestingly, honeydew as the only in vitro sample had a unique community structure. Various diversity indices might indicate the different activity of endosymbionts in these stages and tissues. The biomarkers analyzed using LEfSe suggested some special functions of samples at different developmental stages of growth and the active functions of specific tissues in different sexes. Finally, we found that the incidence of occurrence of three species of Malassezia and Fusarium sp. was higher in males than in females in all comparison groups. In summary, our study provides a comprehensive survey of symbiotic fungi in the BPH, which complements the previous research on YLSs. These results offer new theoretical insights and practical implications for novel pest management strategies to understand the BPH-microbe symbiosis and devise effective pest control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid38392506, year = {2024}, author = {Budrys, E and Orlovskytė, S and Budrienė, A}, title = {Ecological Speciation without Morphological Differentiation? A New Cryptic Species of Diodontus Curtis (Hymenoptera, Pemphredonidae) from the Centre of Europe.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38392506}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {Contract No S-MIP-20-23//Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba/ ; }, abstract = {Upon exploring the mitotype diversity of the aphid-hunting wasp, Diodontus tristis, we revealed specimens with highly divergent mitotypes from two localities in Lithuania and nesting in clayey substrate, while the specimens with typical mitotypes were found nesting in sandy sites. The comparison of inter- and intra-specific distances and application of delimitation algorithms supported the species status of the clay-nesting populations. Using a set of DNA markers that included complete or partial sequences of six mitochondrial genes, three markers of ribosomal operon, two homeobox genes, and four other nuclear genes, we clarified the phylogenetic relationships of the new cryptic species. The endosymbiotic bacteria infestation was checked, considering the option that the divergent populations may represent clades isolated by Wolbachia infection; however, it did not demonstrate any specificity. We found only subtle morphological differences in the new clay-nesting species, D. argillicola sp. nov.; the discriminant analysis of morphometric measurements did not reliably segregate it as well. Thus, we provide the molecular characters of the cryptic species, which allow confident identification, its phylogenetic position within the genus, and an updated identification key for the D. tristis species group.}, }
@article {pmid38392339, year = {2024}, author = {Reese, C and Graber, LC and Ramalho, MO and Moreau, CS}, title = {The Diversity of Wolbachia across the Turtle Ants (Formicidae: Cephalotes spp.).}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38392339}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {DGE-1650441; NSF DEB 1900357//National Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a widespread and well-known bacterium that can induce a wide range of changes within its host. Ants specifically harbor a great deal of Wolbachia diversity and are useful systems to study endosymbiosis. The turtle ants (Cephalotes) are a widespread group of tropical ants that rely on gut microbes to support their herbivorous diet for their survival, yet little is known of the extent of this diversity. Therefore, studying their endosymbionts and categorizing the diversity of bacteria within Cephalotes hosts could help to delimit species and identify new strains and can help lead to a further understanding of how the microbiome leads to survival and speciation in the wild. In our study, 116 individual samples were initially tested for positive infection with the wsp gene. Of the initial 116 samples, 9 samples were infected with only one strain of Wolbachia, and 7 were able to be used successfully for multilocus sequence typing (MLST). We used the new MLST data to infer a phylogeny with other Formicidae samples from the MLST online database to identify new Wolbachia strains and related genes, of which only one came back as an exact match. The 18 Wolbachia-positive samples ranged across 15 different species and 7 different countries, which we further test for species identity and geographic correlation. This study is the first comprehensive look into the diversity of Wolbachia in the turtle ants, providing insight into how endosymbionts are oriented in widespread species and providing a strong foundation for further research in host-microbe interactions.}, }
@article {pmid38390299, year = {2024}, author = {Baruah, N and Haajanen, R and Rahman, MT and Pirttilä, AM and Koskimäki, JJ}, title = {Biosynthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate by Methylorubrum extorquens DSM13060 is essential for intracellular colonization in plant endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1302705}, pmid = {38390299}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Methylorubrum extorquens DSM13060 is an endosymbiont that lives in the cells of shoot tip meristems. The bacterium is methylotrophic and consumes plant-derived methanol for the production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). The PHB provides protection against oxidative stress for both host and endosymbiont cells through its fragments, methyl-esterified 3-hydroxybutyrate (ME-3HB) oligomers. We evaluated the role of the genes involved in the production of ME-3HB oligomers in the host colonization by the endosymbiont M. extorquens DSM13060 through targeted genetic mutations. The strains with deletions in PHB synthase (phaC), PHB depolymerase (phaZ1), and a transcription factor (phaR) showed altered PHB granule characteristics, as ΔphaC had a significantly low number of granules, ΔphaR had a significantly increased number of granules, and ΔphaZ1 had significantly large PHB granules in the bacterial cells. When the deletion strains were exposed to oxidative stress, the ΔphaC strain was sensitive to 10 mM HO· and 20 mM H2O2. The colonization of the host, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), by the deletion strains varied greatly. The deletion strain ΔphaR colonized the host mainly intercellularly, whereas the ΔphaZ1 strain was a slightly poorer colonizer than the control. The deletion strain ΔphaC lacked the colonization potential, living mainly on the surfaces of the epidermis of pine roots and shoots in contrast to the control, which intracellularly colonized all pine tissues within the study period. In earlier studies, deletions within the PHB metabolic pathway have had a minor effect on plant colonization by rhizobia. We have previously shown the association between ME-3HB oligomers, produced by PhaC and PhaZ1, and the ability to alleviate host-generated oxidative stress during plant infection by the endosymbiont M. extorquens DSM13060. Our current results show that the low capacity for PHB synthesis leads to poor tolerance of oxidative stress and loss of colonization potential by the endosymbiont. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that the metabolism of PHB in M. extorquens DSM13060 is an important trait in the non-rhizobial endosymbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid38381797, year = {2024}, author = {Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Perles, L and Filippi, E and Szafranski, N and Montinaro, G and Carbonara, M and Scalera, R and de Abreu Teles, PP and Walochnik, J and Otranto, D}, title = {Parasites and microorganisms associated with the snakes collected for the "festa Dei serpari" in Cocullo, Italy.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {18}, number = {2}, pages = {e0011973}, pmid = {38381797}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Parasites ; *Cryptosporidiosis ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology ; *Cryptosporidium ; *Rickettsia ; Italy/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {While in much of the Western world snakes are feared, in the small, rural, mountainous town of Cocullo, in the middle of central Italy, snakes are annually collected and celebrated in a sacro-profane ritual. Every 1st of May, Serpari (snake catchers) capture and showcase dozens of non-venomous snakes to celebrate the ritual of San Domenico. In order to detect potential zoonotic pathogens within this unique epidemiological context, parasites and microorganisms of snakes harvested for the "festa dei serpari" ritual were investigated. Snakes (n = 112) were examined and ectoparasites collected, as well as blood and feces sampled. Ectoparasites were identified morpho-molecularly, and coprological examination conducted through direct smear and flotation. Molecular screenings were performed to identify parasites and microorganisms in collected samples (i.e., Mesostigmata mites, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii, Babesia/Theileria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Leishmania spp. and helminths). Overall, 28.5% (32/112) of snakes were molecularly positive for at least one parasite and/or microorganism. Endosymbiont Wolbachia bacteria were identified from Macronyssidae mites and zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (e.g., Rickettsia, Leishmania), as well as orally transmitted pathogens (i.e., Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas), were detected from blood and feces. Thus, given the central role of the snakes in the tradition of Cocullo, surveys of their parasitic fauna and associated zoonotic pathogens may aid to generate conservation policies to benefit the human-snake interactions, whilst preserving the cultural patrimony of this event.}, }
@article {pmid38376262, year = {2024}, author = {Šibanc, N and Clark, DR and Helgason, T and Dumbrell, AJ and Maček, I}, title = {Extreme environments simplify reassembly of communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {9}, number = {3}, pages = {e0133123}, pmid = {38376262}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {J4-5526, J4-7052, P4-0085//Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS (ARRS)/ ; P4-0107//Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS (ARRS)/ ; }, mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/genetics ; Ecosystem ; Carbon Dioxide/pharmacology ; Soil Microbiology ; Plants/microbiology ; Extreme Environments ; }, abstract = {The ecological impacts of long-term (press) disturbance on mechanisms regulating the relative abundance (i.e., commonness or rarity) and temporal dynamics of species within a community remain largely unknown. This is particularly true for the functionally important arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi; obligate plant-root endosymbionts that colonize more than two-thirds of terrestrial plant species. Here, we use high-resolution amplicon sequencing to examine how AM fungal communities in a specific extreme ecosystem-mofettes or natural CO2 springs caused by geological CO2 exhalations-are affected by long-term stress. We found that in mofettes, specific and temporally stable communities form as a subset of the local metacommunity. These communities are less diverse and dominated by adapted, "stress tolerant" taxa. Those taxa are rare in control locations and more benign environments worldwide, but show a stable temporal pattern in the extreme sites, consistently dominating the communities in grassland mofettes. This pattern of lower diversity and high dominance of specific taxa has been confirmed as relatively stable over several sampling years and is independently observed across multiple geographic locations (mofettes in different countries). This study implies that the response of soil microbial community composition to long-term stress is relatively predictable, which can also reflect the community response to other anthropogenic stressors (e.g., heavy metal pollution or land use change). Moreover, as AM fungi are functionally differentiated, with different taxa providing different benefits to host plants, changes in community structure in response to long-term environmental change have the potential to impact terrestrial plant communities and their productivity.IMPORTANCEArbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form symbiotic relationships with more than two-thirds of plant species. In return for using plant carbon as their sole energy source, AM fungi improve plant mineral supply, water balance, and protection against pathogens. This work demonstrates the importance of long-term experiments to understand the effects of long-term environmental change and long-term disturbance on terrestrial ecosystems. We demonstrated a consistent response of the AM fungal community to a long-term stress, with lower diversity and a less variable AM fungal community over time under stress conditions compared to the surrounding controls. We have also identified, for the first time, a suite of AM fungal taxa that are consistently observed across broad geographic scales in stressed and anthropogenically heavily influenced ecosystems. This is critical because global environmental change in terrestrial ecosystems requires an integrative approach that considers both above- and below-ground changes and examines patterns over a longer geographic and temporal scale, rather than just single sampling events.}, }
@article {pmid38374896, year = {2024}, author = {Mazel, F and Pitteloud, C and Guisan, A and Pellissier, L}, title = {Contrasted host specificity of gut and endosymbiont bacterial communities in alpine grasshoppers and crickets.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {ycad013}, pmid = {38374896}, issn = {2730-6151}, abstract = {Bacteria colonize the body of macroorganisms to form associations ranging from parasitic to mutualistic. Endosymbiont and gut symbiont communities are distinct microbiomes whose compositions are influenced by host ecology and evolution. Although the composition of horizontally acquired symbiont communities can correlate to host species identity (i.e. harbor host specificity) and host phylogeny (i.e. harbor phylosymbiosis), we hypothesize that the microbiota structure of vertically inherited symbionts (e.g. endosymbionts like Wolbachia) is more strongly associated with the host species identity and phylogeny than horizontally acquired symbionts (e.g. most gut symbionts). Here, using 16S metabarcoding on 336 guts from 24 orthopteran species (grasshoppers and crickets) in the Alps, we observed that microbiota correlated to host species identity, i.e. hosts from the same species had more similar microbiota than hosts from different species. This effect was ~5 times stronger for endosymbionts than for putative gut symbionts. Although elevation correlated with microbiome composition, we did not detect phylosymbiosis for endosymbionts and putative gut symbionts: closely related host species did not harbor more similar microbiota than distantly related species. Our findings indicate that gut microbiota of studied orthopteran species is more correlated to host identity and habitat than to the host phylogeny. The higher host specificity in endosymbionts corroborates the idea that-everything else being equal-vertically transmitted microbes harbor stronger host specificity signal, but the absence of phylosymbiosis suggests that host specificity changes quickly on evolutionary time scales.}, }
@article {pmid38371935, year = {2024}, author = {Thimmappa, BC and Salhi, LN and Forget, L and Sarrasin, M and Bustamante Villalobos, P and Henrissat, B and Lang, BF and Burger, G}, title = {A biofertilizing fungal endophyte of cranberry plants suppresses the plant pathogen Diaporthe.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {1327392}, pmid = {38371935}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Fungi colonizing plants are gaining attention because of their ability to promote plant growth and suppress pathogens. While most studies focus on endosymbionts from grasses and legumes, the large and diverse group of ericaceous plants has been much neglected. We recently described one of the very few fungal endophytes promoting the growth of the Ericaceae Vaccinium macrocarpon (American cranberry), notably the Codinaeella isolate EC4. Here, we show that EC4 also suppresses fungal pathogens, which makes it a promising endophyte for sustainable cranberry cultivation. By dual-culture assays on agar plates, we tested the potential growth suppression (or biocontrol) of EC4 on other microbes, notably 12 pathogenic fungi and one oomycete reported to infect not only cranberry but also blueberry, strawberry, tomato plants, rose bushes and olive trees. Under greenhouse conditions, EC4 protects cranberry plantlets infected with one of the most notorious cranberry-plant pathogens, Diaporthe vaccinii, known to cause upright dieback and berry rot. The nuclear genome sequence of EC4 revealed a large arsenal of genes potentially involved in biocontrol. About ∼60 distinct clusters of genes are homologs of secondary metabolite gene clusters, some of which were shown in other fungi to synthesize nonribosomal peptides and polyketides, but in most cases, the exact compounds these clusters may produce are unknown. The EC4 genome also encodes numerous homologs of hydrolytic enzymes known to degrade fungal cell walls. About half of the nearly 250 distinct glucanases and chitinases are likely involved in biocontrol because they are predicted to be secreted outside the cell. Transcriptome analysis shows that the expression of about a quarter of the predicted secondary-metabolite gene clusters and glucan and chitin-degrading genes of EC4 is stimulated when it is co-cultured with D. vaccinii. Some of the differentially expressed EC4 genes are alternatively spliced exclusively in the presence of the pathogen, altering the proteins' domain content and subcellular localization signal, thus adding a second level of proteome adaptation in response to habitat competition. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Diaporthe-induced alternative splicing of biocontrol genes.}, }
@article {pmid38366251, year = {2024}, author = {Gimmi, E and Vorburger, C}, title = {High specificity of symbiont-conferred resistance in an aphid-parasitoid field community.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {37}, number = {2}, pages = {162-170}, doi = {10.1093/jeb/voad013}, pmid = {38366251}, issn = {1420-9101}, support = {31003A_181969/SNSF_/Swiss National Science Foundation/Switzerland ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics/microbiology ; *Wasps/genetics ; Host-Parasite Interactions/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Enterobacteriaceae ; }, abstract = {Host-parasite coevolution is mediated by genetic interactions between the antagonists and may lead to reciprocal adaptation. In the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae fabae, resistance to parasitoids can be conferred by the heritable bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa. H. defensa has been shown to be variably protective against different parasitoid species, and different genotypes of the black bean aphid's main parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabarum. However, these results were obtained using haphazard combinations of laboratory-reared insect lines with different origins, making it unclear how representative they are of natural, locally (co)adapted communities. We therefore comprehensively sampled the parasitoids of a natural A. f. fabae population and measured the ability of the five most abundant species to parasitize aphids carrying the locally prevalent H. defensa haplotypes. H. defensa provided resistance only against the dominant parasitoid L. fabarum (70% of all parasitoids), but not against less abundant parasitoids, and resistance to L. fabarum acted in a genotype-specific manner (G × G interactions between H. defensa and L. fabarum). These results confirm that strong species- and genotype-specificity of symbiont-conferred resistance is indeed a hallmark of wild A. f. fabae populations, and they are consistent with symbiont-mediated adaptation of aphids to the parasitoids posing the highest risk.}, }
@article {pmid38365237, year = {2024}, author = {Zhang, H and Hellweger, FL and Luo, H}, title = {Genome reduction occurred in early Prochlorococcus with an unusually low effective population size.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38365237}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {14110820//Hong Kong Research Grants Council General Research Fund/ ; MCEF21101//Marine Conservation Enhancement Fund/ ; AoE/M-403/16//Hong Kong Research Grants Council Area of Excellence Scheme/ ; 4053605//Chinese University of Hong Kong/ ; 2022A1515010844//Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; 2021M702296//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Phylogeny ; *Prochlorococcus/genetics ; Population Density ; Genome ; Plankton ; Genome, Bacterial ; }, abstract = {In the oligotrophic sunlit ocean, the most abundant free-living planktonic bacterial lineages evolve convergently through genome reduction. The cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus responsible for 10% global oxygen production is a prominent example. The dominant theory known as "genome streamlining" posits that they have extremely large effective population sizes (Ne) such that selection for metabolic efficiency acts to drive genome reduction. Because genome reduction largely took place anciently, this theory builds on the assumption that their ancestors' Ne was similarly large. Constraining Ne for ancient ancestors is challenging because experimental measurements of extinct organisms are impossible and alternatively reconstructing ancestral Ne with phylogenetic models gives large uncertainties. Here, we develop a new strategy that leverages agent-based modeling to simulate the changes in the genome-wide ratio of radical to conservative nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution rate (dR/dC) in a possible range of Ne in ancestral populations. This proxy shows expected increases with decreases of Ne only when Ne falls to about 10 k - 100 k or lower, magnitudes characteristic of Ne of obligate endosymbiont species where drift drives genome reduction. Our simulations therefore strongly support a scenario where the primary force of Prochlorococcus genome reduction is drift rather than selection.}, }
@article {pmid38351312, year = {2024}, author = {Goodbody-Gringley, G and Martinez, S and Bellworthy, J and Chequer, A and Nativ, H and Mass, T}, title = {Irradiance driven trophic plasticity in the coral Madracis pharensis from the Eastern Mediterranean.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {3646}, pmid = {38351312}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {1937770//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; 2019653//United States - Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; Photosynthesis ; Heterotrophic Processes ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Israel ; Coral Reefs ; }, abstract = {The distribution of symbiotic scleractinian corals is driven, in part, by light availability, as host energy demands are partially met through translocation of photosynthate. Physiological plasticity in response to environmental conditions, such as light, enables the expansion of resilient phenotypes in the face of changing environmental conditions. Here we compared the physiology, morphology, and taxonomy of the host and endosymbionts of individual Madracis pharensis corals exposed to dramatically different light conditions based on colony orientation on the surface of a shipwreck at 30 m depth in the Bay of Haifa, Israel. We found significant differences in symbiont species consortia, photophysiology, and stable isotopes, suggesting that these corals can adjust multiple aspects of host and symbiont physiology in response to light availability. These results highlight the potential of corals to switch to a predominantly heterotrophic diet when light availability and/or symbiont densities are too low to sustain sufficient photosynthesis, which may provide resilience for corals in the face of climate change.}, }
@article {pmid38349547, year = {2024}, author = {Kumar, MPS and Keerthana, A and Priya,  and Singh, SK and Rai, D and Jaiswal, A and Reddy, MSS}, title = {Exploration of culturable bacterial associates of aphids and their interactions with entomopathogens.}, journal = {Archives of microbiology}, volume = {206}, number = {3}, pages = {96}, pmid = {38349547}, issn = {1432-072X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Bacillaceae ; Firmicutes ; *Bacillus ; }, abstract = {Aphids shelter several bacteria that benefit them in various ways. The associates having an obligatory relationship are non-culturable, while a few of facultative associates are culturable in insect cell lines, axenic media or standard microbiology media. In the present investigation, isolation, and characterization of the culturable bacterial associates of various aphid species, viz., Rhopalosiphum maidis, Rhopalosiphum padi, Sitobion avenae, Schizaphis graminum, and Lipaphis erysimi pseudobrassicae were carried out. A total of 42 isolates were isolated using different growth media, followed by their morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization. The isolated culturable bacterial associates were found to belong to the genera Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Brevundimonas, Cytobacillus, Fictibacillus, Planococcus, Priestia, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Sutcliffiella, and Tumebacillus which were grouped under seven families of four different orders of phyla Bacillota (Firmicutes) and Pseudomonata (Proteobacteria). Symbiont-entomopathogen interaction study was also conducted, in which the quantification of colony forming units of culturable bacterial associates of entomopathogenic fungal-treated aphids led us to the assumption that the bacterial load in aphid body can be altered by the application of entomopathogens. Whereas, the mycelial growth of entomopathogens Akanthomyces lecanii and Metarhizium anisopliae was found uninhibited by the bacterial associates obtained from Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi. Analyzing persistent aphid microflora and their interactions with entomopathogens enhances our understanding of aphid resistance. It also fosters the development of innovative solutions for agricultural pest management, highlighting the intricate dynamics of symbiotic relationships in pest management strategies.}, }
@article {pmid38346575, year = {2024}, author = {Garrido-Bautista, J and Norte, AC and Moreno-Rueda, G and Nadal-Jiménez, P}, title = {Ecological determinants of prevalence of the male-killing bacterium Arsenophonus nasoniae.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {203}, number = {}, pages = {108073}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108073}, pmid = {38346575}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Prevalence ; Enterobacteriaceae ; *Wasps/microbiology ; *Diptera/parasitology ; Calliphoridae ; *Gammaproteobacteria ; }, abstract = {Male-killing bacteria are found in a broad range of arthropods. Arsenophonus nasoniae is a male-killing bacterium, causing a 80% reduction of the male progeny in infected Nasonia vitripennis wasps. Although the discovery of A. nasoniae dates from the early 80's, knowledge about the biology and ecology of this endosymbiont is still scarce. One of these poorly studied features is the ecological factors underlying A. nasoniae incidence on its Nasonia spp. hosts in different geographical locations. Here, we studied the prevalence of A. nasoniae in Iberian wild populations of its host N. vitripennis. This wasp species is a common parasitoid of the blowfly Protocalliphora azurea pupae, which in turn is a parasite of hole-nesting birds, such as the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). We also examined the effects of bird rearing conditions on the prevalence of A. nasoniae through a brood size manipulation experiment (creating enlarged, control and reduced broods). Both the wasp and bacterium presence were tested through PCR assays in blowfly pupae. We found A. nasoniae in almost half (47%) of nests containing blowflies parasitized by N. vitripennis. The prevalence of A. nasoniae was similar in the two geographical areas examined (central Portugal and southeastern Spain) and the probability of infection by A. nasoniae was independent of the number of blowfly pupae in the nest. Experimental manipulation of brood size did not affect the prevalence of A. nasoniae nor the prevalence of its host, N. vitripennis. These results suggest that the incidence of A. nasoniae in natural populations of N. vitripennis is high in the Iberian Peninsula, and the infestation frequency of nests by N. vitripennis carrying A. nasoniae is spatially stable in this geographical region independently of bird rearing conditions.}, }
@article {pmid38334408, year = {2024}, author = {Wang, R and Meng, Q and Wang, X and Xiao, Y and Sun, R and Zhang, Z and Fu, Y and Di Giuseppe, G and Liang, A}, title = {Comparative genomic analysis of symbiotic and free-living Fluviibacter phosphoraccumulans strains provides insights into the evolutionary origins of obligate Euplotes-bacterial endosymbioses.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {90}, number = {3}, pages = {e0190023}, pmid = {38334408}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {32270447//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 31372199//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 20220302121320//Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province/ ; }, mesh = {Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Euplotes/genetics/microbiology ; *Betaproteobacteria/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Endosymbiosis is a widespread and important phenomenon requiring diverse model systems. Ciliates are a widespread group of protists that often form symbioses with diverse microorganisms. Endosymbioses between the ciliate Euplotes and heritable bacterial symbionts are common in nature, and four essential symbionts were described: Polynucleobacter necessarius, "Candidatus Protistobacter heckmanni," "Ca. Devosia symbiotica," and "Ca. Devosia euplotis." Among them, only the genus Polynucleobacter comprises very close free-living and symbiotic representatives, which makes it an excellent model for investigating symbiont replacements and recent symbioses. In this article, we characterized a novel endosymbiont inhabiting the cytoplasm of Euplotes octocarinatus and found that it is a close relative of the free-living bacterium Fluviibacter phosphoraccumulans (Betaproteobacteria and Rhodocyclales). We present the complete genome sequence and annotation of the symbiotic Fluviibacter. Comparative analyses indicate that the genome of symbiotic Fluviibacter is small in size and rich in pseudogenes when compared with free-living strains, which seems to fit the prediction for recently established endosymbionts undergoing genome erosion. Further comparative analysis revealed reduced metabolic capacities in symbiotic Fluviibacter, which implies that the symbiont relies on the host Euplotes for carbon sources, organic nitrogen and sulfur, and some cofactors. We also estimated substitution rates between symbiotic and free-living Fluviibacter pairs for 233 genes; the results showed that symbiotic Fluviibacter displays higher dN/dS mean value than free-living relatives, which suggested that genetic drift is the main driving force behind molecular evolution in endosymbionts.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: In the long history of symbiosis research, most studies focused mainly on organelles or bacteria within multicellular hosts. The single-celled protists receive little attention despite harboring an immense diversity of symbiotic associations with bacteria and archaea. One subgroup of the ciliate Euplotes species is strictly dependent on essential symbionts for survival and has emerged as a valuable model for understanding symbiont replacements and recent symbioses. However, almost all of our knowledge about the evolution and functions of Euplotes symbioses comes from the Euplotes-Polynucleobacter system. In this article, we report a novel essential symbiont, which also has very close free-living relatives. Genome analysis indicated that it is a recently established endosymbiont undergoing genome erosion and relies on the Euplotes host for many essential molecules. Our results provide support for the notion that essential symbionts of the ciliate Euplotes evolve from free-living progenitors in the natural water environment.}, }
@article {pmid38326788, year = {2024}, author = {Burger, NFV and Nicolis, VF and Botha, AM}, title = {Host-specific co-evolution likely driven by diet in Buchnera aphidicola.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {25}, number = {1}, pages = {153}, pmid = {38326788}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {CSRU180414320893//National Research Foundation, South Africa/ ; WCT/W/2001/02//South African Winter Cereal Industry Trust/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Buchnera/genetics/metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; *Aphids/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Diet ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia Kurd.) is a severe pest to wheat, and even though resistance varieties are available to curb this pest, they are becoming obsolete with the development of new virulent aphid populations. Unlike many other aphids, D noxia only harbours a single endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola. Considering the importance of Buchnera, this study aimed to elucidate commonalities and dissimilarities between various hosts, to better understand its distinctiveness within its symbiotic relationship with D. noxia. To do so, the genome of the D. noxia's Buchnera was assembled and compared to those of other aphid species that feed on diverse host species.<br><br>RESULTS: The overall importance of several features such as gene length and percentage GC content was found to be critical for the maintenance of Buchnera genes when compared to their closest free-living relative, Escherichia coli. Buchnera protein coding genes were found to have percentage GC contents that tended towards a mean of&#x2009;~&#x2009;26% which had strong correlation to their identity to their E. coli homologs. Several SNPs were identified between different aphid populations and multiple isolates of Buchnera were confirmed in single aphids.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Establishing the strong correlation of percentage GC content of protein coding genes and gene identity will allow for identifying which genes will be lost in the continually shrinking Buchnera genome. This is also the first report of a parthenogenically reproducing aphid that hosts multiple Buchnera strains in a single aphid, raising questions regarding the benefits of maintaining multiple strains. We also found preliminary evidence for post-transcriptional regulation of Buchnera genes in the form of polyadenylation.}, }
@article {pmid38325049, year = {2024}, author = {Hollender, M and Sałek, M and Karlicki, M and Karnkowska, A}, title = {Single-cell genomics revealed Candidatus Grellia alia sp. nov. as an endosymbiont of Eutreptiella sp. (Euglenophyceae).}, journal = {Protist}, volume = {175}, number = {2}, pages = {126018}, doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2024.126018}, pmid = {38325049}, issn = {1618-0941}, mesh = {*Genomics ; Eukaryota ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Euglenida/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Though endosymbioses between protists and prokaryotes are widespread, certain host lineages have received disproportionate attention what may indicate either a predisposition to such interactions or limited studies on certain protist groups due to lack of cultures. The euglenids represent one such group in spite of microscopic observations showing intracellular bacteria in some strains. Here, we perform a comprehensive molecular analysis of a previously identified endosymbiont in the Eutreptiella sp. CCMP3347 using a single cell approach and bulk culture sequencing. The genome reconstruction of this endosymbiont allowed the description of a new endosymbiont Candidatus Grellia alia sp. nov. from the family Midichloriaceae. Comparative genomics revealed a remarkably complete conjugative type IV secretion system present in three copies on the plasmid sequences of the studied endosymbiont, a feature missing in the closely related Grellia incantans. This study addresses the challenge of limited host cultures with endosymbionts by showing that the genomes of endosymbionts reconstructed from single host cells have the completeness and contiguity that matches or exceeds those coming from bulk cultures. This paves the way for further studies of endosymbionts in euglenids and other protist groups. The research also provides the opportunity to study the diversity of endosymbionts in natural populations.}, }
@article {pmid38322002, year = {2024}, author = {Zhai, X and Zhang, Y and Zhou, J and Li, H and Wang, A and Liu, L}, title = {Physiological and microbiome adaptation of coral Turbinaria peltata in response to marine heatwaves.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {2}, pages = {e10869}, pmid = {38322002}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Against the backdrop of global warming, marine heatwaves are projected to become increasingly intense and frequent. This trend poses a potential threat to the survival of corals and the maintenance of entire coral reef ecosystems. Despite extensive evidence for the resilience of corals to heat stress, their ability to withstand repeated heatwave events has not been determined. In this study, we examined the responses and resilience of Turbinaria peltata to repeated exposure to marine heatwaves, with a focus on physiological parameters and symbiotic microorganisms. In the first heatwave, from a physiological perspective, T. peltata showed decreases in the Chl a content and endosymbiont density and significant increases in GST, caspase-3, CAT, and SOD levels (p < .05), while the effects of repeated exposure on heatwaves were weaker than those of the initial exposure. In terms of bacteria, the abundance of Leptospira, with the potential for pathogenicity and intracellular parasitism, increased significantly during the initial exposure. Beneficial bacteria, such as Achromobacter arsenitoxydans and Halomonas desiderata increased significantly during re-exposure to the heatwave. Overall, these results indicate that T. peltata might adapt to marine heatwaves through physiological regulation and microbial community alterations.}, }
@article {pmid38318130, year = {2023}, author = {Koga, R and Moriyama, M and Nozaki, T and Fukatsu, T}, title = {Genome analysis of "Candidatus Aschnera chinzeii," the bacterial endosymbiont of the blood-sucking bat fly Penicillidia jenynsii (Insecta: Diptera: Nycteribiidae).}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1336919}, pmid = {38318130}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Insect-microbe endosymbiotic associations are omnipresent in nature, wherein the symbiotic microbes often play pivotal biological roles for their host insects. In particular, insects utilizing nutritionally imbalanced food sources are dependent on specific microbial symbionts to compensate for the nutritional deficiency via provisioning of B vitamins in blood-feeding insects, such as tsetse flies, lice, and bedbugs. Bat flies of the family Nycteribiidae (Diptera) are blood-sucking ectoparasites of bats and shown to be associated with co-speciating bacterial endosymbiont "Candidatus Aschnera chinzeii," although functional aspects of the microbial symbiosis have been totally unknown. In this study, we report the first complete genome sequence of Aschnera from the bristled bat fly Penicillidia jenynsii. The Aschnera genome consisted of a 748,020 bp circular chromosome and a 18,747 bp circular plasmid. The chromosome encoded 603 protein coding genes (including 3 pseudogenes), 33 transfer RNAs, and 1 copy of 16S/23S/5S ribosomal RNA operon. The plasmid contained 10 protein coding genes, whose biological function was elusive. The genome size, 0.77 Mbp, was drastically reduced in comparison with 4-6 Mbp genomes of free-living γ-proteobacteria. Accordingly, the Aschnera genome was devoid of many important functional genes, such as synthetic pathway genes for purines, pyrimidines, and essential amino acids. On the other hand, the Aschnera genome retained complete or near-complete synthetic pathway genes for biotin (vitamin B7), tetrahydrofolate (vitamin B9), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (vitamin B6), suggesting that Aschnera provides these vitamins and cofactors that are deficient in the blood meal of the host bat fly. Similar retention patterns of the synthetic pathway genes for vitamins and cofactors were also observed in the endosymbiont genomes of other blood-sucking insects, such as Riesia of human lice, Arsenophonus of louse flies, and Wigglesworthia of tsetse flies, which may be either due to convergent evolution in the blood-sucking host insects or reflecting the genomic architecture of Arsenophonus-allied bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid38315036, year = {2024}, author = {Shi, P-Q and Wang, L and Chen, X-Y and Wang, K and Wu, Q-J and Turlings, TCJ and Zhang, P-J and Qiu, B-L}, title = {Rickettsia transmission from whitefly to plants benefits herbivore insects but is detrimental to fungal and viral pathogens.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {15}, number = {3}, pages = {e0244823}, pmid = {38315036}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {2022YFD1401200//National Key Research and Development Program of China (NKPs)/ ; 788949//EC | European Research Council (ERC)/ ; 2020//National High Level Talent Special Support Plan/ ; 32172402//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; LZ21C140001//Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Rickettsia ; Herbivory ; Symbiosis ; *Rickettsia Infections ; Plants ; }, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Bacterial endosymbionts play important roles in the life histories of herbivorous insects by impacting their development, survival, reproduction, and stress tolerance. How endosymbionts may affect the interactions between plants and insect herbivores is still largely unclear. Here, we show that endosymbiotic Rickettsia belli can provide mutual benefits also outside of their hosts when the sap-sucking whitefly Bemisia tabaci transmits them to plants. This transmission facilitates the spread of Rickettsia but is shown to also enhance the performance of the whitefly and co-infesting caterpillars. In contrast, Rickettsia infection enhanced plant resistance to several pathogens. Inside the plants, Rickettsia triggers the expression of salicylic acid-related genes and the two pathogen-resistance genes TGA 2.1 and VRP, whereas they repressed genes of the jasmonic acid pathway. Performance experiments using wild type and mutant tomato plants confirmed that Rickettsia enhances the plants' suitability for insect herbivores but makes them more resistant to fungal and viral pathogens. Our results imply that endosymbiotic Rickettsia of phloem-feeding insects affects plant defenses in a manner that facilitates their spread and transmission. This novel insight into how insects can exploit endosymbionts to manipulate plant defenses also opens possibilities to interfere with their ability to do so as a crop protection strategy.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Most insects are associated with symbiotic bacteria in nature. These symbionts play important roles in the life histories of herbivorous insects by impacting their development, survival, reproduction as well as stress tolerance. Rickettsia is one important symbiont to the agricultural pest whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Here, for the first time, we revealed that the persistence of Rickettsia symbionts in tomato leaves significantly changed the defense pattern of tomato plants. These changes benefit both sap-feeding and leaf-chewing herbivore insects, such as increasing the fecundity of whitefly adults, enhancing the growth and development of the noctuid Spodoptera litura, but reducing the pathogenicity of Verticillium fungi and TYLCV virus to tomato plants distinctively. Our study unraveled a new horizon for the multiple interaction theories among plant-insect-bacterial symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid38309271, year = {2024}, author = {Bastide, H and Legout, H and Dogbo, N and Ogereau, D and Prediger, C and Carcaud, J and Filée, J and Garnery, L and Gilbert, C and Marion-Poll, F and Requier, F and Sandoz, JC and Yassin, A}, title = {The genome of the blind bee louse fly reveals deep convergences with its social host and illuminates Drosophila origins.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {34}, number = {5}, pages = {1122-1132.e5}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.01.034}, pmid = {38309271}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Bees/genetics ; Animals ; *Drosophila/genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Phthiraptera/genetics ; Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics ; Genes, Insect ; Pheromones ; }, abstract = {Social insects' nests harbor intruders known as inquilines,[1] which are usually related to their hosts.[2][,][3] However, distant non-social inquilines may also show convergences with their hosts,[4][,][5] although the underlying genomic changes remain unclear. We analyzed the genome of the wingless and blind bee louse fly Braula coeca, an inquiline kleptoparasite of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera.[6][,][7] Using large phylogenomic data, we confirmed recent accounts that the bee louse fly is a drosophilid[8][,][9] and showed that it had likely evolved from a sap-breeder ancestor associated with honeydew and scale insects' wax. Unlike many parasites, the bee louse fly genome did not show significant erosion or strict reliance on an endosymbiont, likely due to a relatively recent age of inquilinism. However, we observed a horizontal transfer of a transposon and a striking parallel evolution in a set of gene families between the honey bee and the bee louse fly. Convergences included genes potentially involved in metabolism and immunity and the loss of nearly all bitter-tasting gustatory receptors, in agreement with life in a protective nest and a diet of honey, pollen, and beeswax. Vision and odorant receptor genes also exhibited rapid losses. Only genes whose orthologs in the closely related Drosophila melanogaster respond to honey bee pheromone components or floral aroma were retained, whereas the losses included orthologous receptors responsive to the anti-ovarian honey bee queen pheromones. Hence, deep genomic convergences can underlie major phenotypic transitions during the evolution of inquilinism between non-social parasites and their social hosts.}, }
@article {pmid38309038, year = {2024}, author = {Manigandan, V and Muthukumar, C and Shah, C and Logesh, N and Sivadas, SK and Ramu, K and Ramana Murthy, MV}, title = {Phylogenetic affiliation of Pedinomonas noctilucae and green Noctiluca scintillans nutritional dynamics in the Gulf of Mannar, Southeastern Arabian Sea.}, journal = {Protist}, volume = {175}, number = {2}, pages = {126019}, doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2024.126019}, pmid = {38309038}, issn = {1618-0941}, mesh = {Phytoplankton ; Phylogeny ; *Dinoflagellida ; *Chlorophyta ; Biological Evolution ; }, abstract = {The present investigation focused on studying the phylogenetic position of the green Noctiluca endosymbiont, Pedinomonas noctilucae, collected from the Gulf of Mannar, India. In this study, we re-examined the evolutionary position of this endosymbiotic algae using rbcL sequences. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. noctilucae is distantly related to the Pedinomonas species, and formed a monophyletic clade with Marsupiomandaceae. Based on the phylogenetic association of endosymbiont with Maruspiomonadales it was concluded that the endosymbiont belongs to an independent genus within the family Marsupiomonadaceae. At the site of the bloom, Noctiluca scintillans was found to exhibit a dense monospecific proliferation, with an average cell density of 27.l88 × 10[3] cells L[-1]. The investigation revealed that the green Noctiluca during its senescent phase primarily relied on autotrophic nutrition, which was confirmed by the presence of a high number of trophonts, vegetatively reproducing cells (1.45 × 10[3] cells L[-1]) and the absence of food vacuoles.}, }
@article {pmid38294503, year = {2024}, author = {Pistán, ME and Cook, D and Gutiérrez, SA and Schnittger, L and Gardner, DR and Cholich, LA and Gonzalez, AM}, title = {Identification and distribution of a fungal endosymbiotic Alternaria species (Alternaria section Undifilum sp.) in Astragalus garbancillo tissues.}, journal = {Mycologia}, volume = {116}, number = {2}, pages = {291-298}, doi = {10.1080/00275514.2023.2299191}, pmid = {38294503}, issn = {1557-2536}, mesh = {Alternaria/genetics ; Symbiosis ; *Astragalus Plant/microbiology ; Swainsonine/analysis ; *Fabaceae ; }, abstract = {Plants belonging to the genera Astragalus, Oxytropis, Ipomoea, Sida, and Swainsona often contain the toxin swainsonine (SW) produced by an associated fungal symbiont. Consumption of SW-containing plants causes a serious neurological disorder in livestock, which can be fatal. In this study, a fungal endophyte, Alternaria section Undifilum, was identified in Astragalus garbancillo seeds, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by direct sequencing. In seeds, the SW concentrations were about 4 times higher than in other parts of the plant. Furthermore, microscopic examination demonstrated that the fungus mycelium grows inside the petioles and stems, on the outer surface and inside the mesocarp of the fruit, in the mesotesta and endotesta layers of the seed coat, and inside the endosperm of the seeds. Our results support the notion that the SW-producing fungus is vertically transmitted in the host plant A. garbancillo.}, }
@article {pmid38276282, year = {2024}, author = {Domínguez-Santos, R and Baixeras, J and Moya, A and Latorre, A and Gil, R and García-Ferris, C}, title = {Gut Microbiota Is Not Essential for Survival and Development in Blattella germanica, but Affects Uric Acid Storage.}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38276282}, issn = {2075-1729}, support = {PGC2018-099344-B-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; PID2021-128201NB-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; PROMETEO/2018/133//Conselleria d'Educaci&#xf3;, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; CIPROM/2021/042//Conselleria d'Educaci&#xf3;, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; }, abstract = {Cockroaches harbor two coexisting symbiotic systems: the obligate endosymbiont Blattabacterium cuenotii, and a complex gut microbiota. Blattabacterium is the only bacterium present in the eggs, as the gut microbiota is acquired by horizontal transmission after hatching, mostly through coprophagy. Blattella germanica, a cosmopolitan omnivorous cockroach living in intimate association with humans, is an appropriate model system for studying whether the gut microbiota is essential for the cockroach's survival, development, or welfare. We obtained a germ-free cockroach population (i.e., containing normal amounts of the endosymbiont, but free of microbes on the insects' surface and digestive tract). Non-significant differences with the controls were detected in most fitness parameters analyzed, except for a slight shortening in the hatching time of the second generation and a reduction in female weight at 10 days after adult ecdysis. The latter is accompanied by a decrease in uric acid reserves. This starvation-like phenotype of germ-free B. germanica suggests that the microbiota is not essential in this species for survival and development throughout its complete life cycle, but it could participate in complementation of host nutrition by helping with food digestion and nutrient absorption.}, }
@article {pmid38276179, year = {2023}, author = {Chirgwin, E and Yang, Q and Umina, PA and Thia, JA and Gill, A and Song, W and Gu, X and Ross, PA and Wei, SJ and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus Influences Its Vector's Endosymbionts but Not Its Thermotolerance.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38276179}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {AGPIP//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; }, abstract = {The barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) of cereals is thought to substantially increase the high-temperature tolerance of its aphid vector, Rhopalosiphum padi, which may enhance its transmission efficiency. This is based on experiments with North American strains of BYDV and R. padi. Here, we independently test these by measuring the temperature tolerance, via Critical Thermal Maximum (CTmax) and knockdown time, of Australian R. padi infected with a local BYDV isolate. We further consider the interaction between BYDV transmission, the primary endosymbiont of R. padi (Buchnera aphidicola), and a transinfected secondary endosymbiont (Rickettsiella viridis) which reduces the thermotolerance of other aphid species. We failed to find an increase in tolerance to high temperatures in BYDV-infected aphids or an impact of Rickettsiella on thermotolerance. However, BYDV interacted with R. padi endosymbionts in unexpected ways, suppressing the density of Buchnera and Rickettsiella. BYDV density was also fourfold higher in Rickettsiella-infected aphids. Our findings indicate that BYDV does not necessarily increase the temperature tolerance of the aphid transmission vector to increase its transmission potential, at least for the genotype combinations tested here. The interactions between BYDV and Rickettsiella suggest new ways in which aphid endosymbionts may influence how BYDV spreads, which needs further testing in a field context.}, }
@article {pmid38273274, year = {2024}, author = {Butenko, A and Lukeš, J and Speijer, D and Wideman, JG}, title = {Mitochondrial genomes revisited: why do different lineages retain different genes?.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {15}, pmid = {38273274}, issn = {1741-7007}, support = {DBI-2119963//Division of Biological Infrastructure/ ; 23-07695S//Grantov&#xe1; Agentura &#x10c;esk&#xe9; Republiky/ ; 23-06479X//Grantov&#xe1; Agentura &#x10c;esk&#xe9; Republiky/ ; }, mesh = {*Genome, Mitochondrial ; Evolution, Molecular ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Mitochondria/genetics ; Base Sequence ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The mitochondria contain their own genome derived from an alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont. From thousands of protein-coding genes originally encoded by their ancestor, only between 1 and about 70 are encoded on extant mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes). Thanks to a dramatically increasing number of sequenced and annotated mitogenomes a coherent picture of why some genes were lost, or relocated to the nucleus, is emerging. In this review, we describe the characteristics of mitochondria-to-nucleus gene transfer and the resulting varied content of mitogenomes across eukaryotes. We introduce a 'burst-upon-drift' model to best explain nuclear-mitochondrial population genetics with flares of transfer due to genetic drift.}, }
@article {pmid38271524, year = {2024}, author = {Ivanov, S and Harrison, MJ}, title = {Receptor-associated kinases control the lipid provisioning program in plant-fungal symbiosis.}, journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)}, volume = {383}, number = {6681}, pages = {443-448}, doi = {10.1126/science.ade1124}, pmid = {38271524}, issn = {1095-9203}, mesh = {Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Medicago truncatula/metabolism/microbiology ; *Membrane Proteins/metabolism ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Plant Roots/metabolism/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Lipid Metabolism/genetics ; *Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The mutualistic association between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi requires intracellular accommodation of the fungal symbiont and maintenance by means of lipid provisioning. Symbiosis signaling through lysin motif (LysM) receptor-like kinases and a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase DOES NOT MAKE INFECTIONS 2 (DMI2) activates transcriptional programs that underlie fungal passage through the epidermis and accommodation in cortical cells. We show that two Medicago truncatula cortical cell-specific, membrane-bound proteins of a CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE-LIKE (CKL) family associate with, and are phosphorylation substrates of, DMI2 and a subset of the LysM receptor kinases. CKL1 and CKL2 are required for AM symbiosis and control expression of transcription factors that regulate part of the lipid provisioning program. Onset of lipid provisioning is coupled with arbuscule branching and with the REDUCED ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA 1 (RAM1) regulon for complete endosymbiont accommodation.}, }
@article {pmid38265715, year = {2024}, author = {Tomás-Gallardo, L and Cabrera, JJ and Mesa, S}, title = {Surface Plasmon Resonance as a Tool to Elucidate the Molecular Determinants of Key Transcriptional Regulators Controlling Rhizobial Lifestyles.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2751}, number = {}, pages = {145-163}, pmid = {38265715}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Humans ; *Rhizobium ; Surface Plasmon Resonance ; Oxygen ; DNA ; Transcription Factors ; }, abstract = {Bacteria must be provided with a battery of tools integrated into regulatory networks, in order to respond and, consequently, adapt their physiology to changing environments. Within these networks, transcription factors finely orchestrate the expression of genes in response to a variety of signals, by recognizing specific DNA sequences at their promoter regions. Rhizobia are host-interacting soil bacteria that face severe changes to adapt their physiology from free-living conditions to the nitrogen-fixing endosymbiotic state inside root nodules associated with leguminous plants. One of these cues is the low partial pressure of oxygen within root nodules.Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) constitutes a technique that allows to measure molecular interactions dynamics at real time by detecting changes in the refractive index of a surface. Here, we implemented the SPR methodology to analyze the discriminatory determinants of transcription factors for specific interaction with their target genes. We focused on FixK2, a CRP/FNR-type protein with a central role in the complex oxygen-responsive regulatory network in the soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens. Our study unveiled relevant residues for protein-DNA interaction as well as allowed us to monitor kinetics and stability protein-DNA complex. We believe that this approach can be employed for the characterization of other relevant transcription factors which can assist to the better understanding of the adaptation of bacteria with agronomic or human interest to their different modes of life.}, }
@article {pmid38259912, year = {2023}, author = {Chen, J}, title = {Editorial: Aphids as plant pests: from biology to green control technology.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1337558}, pmid = {38259912}, issn = {1664-462X}, }
@article {pmid38257926, year = {2024}, author = {Jia, J and Lu, SE}, title = {Comparative Genome Analyses Provide Insight into the Antimicrobial Activity of Endophytic Burkholderia.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38257926}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {MIS-401260//United States Department of Agriculture/ ; }, abstract = {Endophytic bacteria are endosymbionts that colonize a portion of plants without harming the plant for at least a part of its life cycle. Bacterial endophytes play an essential role in promoting plant growth using multiple mechanisms. The genus Burkholderia is an important member among endophytes and encompasses bacterial species with high genetic versatility and adaptability. In this study, the endophytic characteristics of Burkholderia species are investigated via comparative genomic analyses of several endophytic Burkholderia strains with pathogenic Burkholderia strains. A group of bacterial genes was identified and predicted as the putative endophytic behavior genes of Burkholderia. Multiple antimicrobial biosynthesis genes were observed in these endophytic bacteria; however, certain important pathogenic and virulence genes were absent. The majority of resistome genes were distributed relatively evenly among the endophytic and pathogenic bacteria. All known types of secretion systems were found in the studied bacteria. This includes T3SS and T4SS, which were previously thought to be disproportionately represented in endophytes. Additionally, questionable CRISPR-Cas systems with an orphan CRISPR array were prevalent, suggesting that intact CRISPR-Cas systems may not exist in symbiotes of Burkholderia. This research not only sheds light on the antimicrobial activities that contribute to biocontrol but also expands our understanding of genomic variations in Burkholderia's endophytic and pathogenic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid38249471, year = {2023}, author = {Chang, X and Xue, S and Li, R and Zhang, Y}, title = {Episyrphus balteatus symbiont variation across developmental stages, living states, two sexes, and potential horizontal transmission from prey or environment.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1308393}, pmid = {38249471}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Episyrphus balteatus is one representative Syrphidae insect which can provide extensive pollination and pest control services. To date, the symbiont composition and potential acquisition approaches in Syrphidae remain unclear.<br><br>METHODS: Herein, we investigated microbiota dynamics across developmental stages, different living states, and two sexes in E. balteatus via full-length 16S rRNA genes sequencing, followed by an attempt to explore the possibility of symbiont transmission from prey Megoura crassicauda to the hoverfly.<br><br>RESULTS: Overall, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant bacteria phyla with fluctuating relative abundances across the life stage. Cosenzaea myxofaciens is dominant in adulthood, while Enterococcus silesiacus and Morganella morganii dominate in larvae and pupae of E. balteatus, respectively. Unexpectedly, Serratia symbiotica, one facultative endosymbiont commonly harbored in aphids, was one of the predominant bacteria in larvae of E. balteatus, just behind Enterococcus silesiacus. In addition, S. symbiotica was also surprisingly most dominated in M. crassicauda aphids (92.1% relative abundance), which are significantly higher than Buchnera aphidicola (4.7% relative abundance), the primary obligate symbiont of most aphid species. Approximately 25% mortality was observed among newly emerged adults, of which microbiota was also disordered, similar to normally dying individuals. Sexually biased symbionts and 41 bacteria species with pairwise co-occurrence in E. balteatus and 23 biomarker species for each group were identified eventually. Functional prediction showed symbionts of hoverflies and aphids, both mainly focusing on metabolic pathways. In brief, we comprehensively explored the microbiome in one Syrphidae hoverfly using E. balteatus reared indoors on M. morganii as the model, revealed its dominated symbiont species, identified sexually biased symbionts, and found an aphid facultative endosymbiont inhabited in the hoverfly. We also found that the dominated symbiotic bacteria in M. crassicauda are S. symbiotica other than Buchnera aphidicola.<br><br>DISCUSSION: Taken together, this study provides new valuable resources about symbionts in hoverflies and prey aphids jointly, which will benefit further exploring the potential roles of microbiota in E. balteatus.}, }
@article {pmid38249041, year = {2024}, author = {Huang, Y and Feng, ZF and Li, F and Hou, YM}, title = {Host-Encoded Aminotransferase Import into the Endosymbiotic Bacteria Nardonella of Red Palm Weevil.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {38249041}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {32001972//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022J05032//Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province/ ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic systems are intimately integrated at multiple levels. Host-endosymbiont metabolic complementarity in amino acid biosynthesis is especially important for sap-feeding insects and their symbionts. In weevil-Nardonella endosymbiosis, the final step reaction of the endosymbiont tyrosine synthesis pathway is complemented by host-encoded aminotransferases. Based on previous results from other insects, we suspected that these aminotransferases were likely transported into the Nardonella cytoplasm to produce tyrosine. Here, we identified five aminotransferase genes in the genome of the red palm weevil. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, we confirmed that RfGOT1 and RfGOT2A were specifically expressed in the bacteriome. RNA interference targeting these two aminotransferase genes reduced the tyrosine level in the bacteriome. The immunofluorescence-FISH double labeling localization analysis revealed that RfGOT1 and RfGOT2A were present within the bacteriocyte, where they colocalized with Nardonella cells. Immunogold transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the localization of RfGOT1 and RfGOT2A in the cytosol of Nardonella and the bacteriocyte. Our data revealed that RfGOT1 and RfGOT2A are transported into the Nardonella cytoplasm to collaborate with genes retained in the Nardonella genome in order to synthesize tyrosine. The results of our study will enhance the understanding of the integration of host and endosymbiont metabolism in amino acid biosynthesis.}, }
@article {pmid38232706, year = {2024}, author = {Schott, D and Ribeiro, FL and Santos, FN and Carvalho, RW}, title = {Fleas (Siphonaptera, Latreille, 1825) from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: Species Diversity, Hosts, and One Health Approach.}, journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)}, volume = {24}, number = {5}, pages = {308-320}, doi = {10.1089/vbz.2023.0065}, pmid = {38232706}, issn = {1557-7759}, mesh = {Animals ; *Siphonaptera/classification/microbiology ; Brazil/epidemiology ; *Flea Infestations/veterinary/parasitology/epidemiology ; One Health ; Humans ; Biodiversity ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; }, abstract = {Background: Fleas are ectoparasitic insects with holometabolous development. It has a hematophagous habit with mouthparts adapted to sting and suck its hosts. There are about 3000 species in the world, ∼61 in Brazil, and 19 in Rio Grande do Sul state. The objective of the research is to catalog the diversity of fleas recorded in the state, their respective hosts, and endosymbionts. Materials and Methods: To this end, a search was carried out in the scientific literature, from articles, books, to abstracts submitted to congresses. Results: The 19 species of fleas occurring in Rio Grande do Sul are divided into 7 families and 10 genera. These ectoparasites, in addition to being found in the environment, were associated with 10 different families of hosts in Rio Grande do Sul, and on the endosymbiont, agents found associated with fleas, there were 7 different species. The main agents researched in the state are Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. The relationships between parasites, hosts, environment, and etiological agents present different scenarios, whether anthropized or conserved, but unknown. Sometimes, this overlap, a factor that aggravates the possibility of spillovers, either from cosmopolitan fleas in these conserved areas, or from their endosymbionts. Conclusion: Thus, it is important to characterize the environment so that the complexities of each location are known for the adoption of environmental and public health policies in each case. The challenges are extensive, but necessary in view of the One Health perspective.}, }
@article {pmid38206026, year = {2024}, author = {Spencer, N and Santee, M and Wetherhold, A and Rio, RVM}, title = {Draft genome sequence of Wigglesworthia glossinidia "palpalis gambiensis" isolate.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {e0091223}, pmid = {38206026}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {NA//WV HEPC, Division of Science and Research/ ; }, abstract = {The 0.719 Mb genome of the tsetse endosymbiont, Wigglesworthia glossinidia, from Glossina palpalis gambiensis is presented. This Wigglesworthia genome retains 611 protein-coding sequences and a 25.3% GC content. A cryptic plasmid is conserved, between Wigglesworthia isolates, suggesting functional significance. This genome adds a further dimension to characterize Wigglesworthia lineage-based differences.}, }
@article {pmid38204789, year = {2024}, author = {Arai, H and Watada, M and Kageyama, D}, title = {Two male-killing Wolbachia from Drosophila birauraia that are closely related but distinct in genome structure.}, journal = {Royal Society open science}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {231502}, pmid = {38204789}, issn = {2054-5703}, abstract = {Insects harbour diverse maternally inherited bacteria and viruses, some of which have evolved to kill the male progeny of their hosts (male killing: MK). The fly species Drosophila biauraria carries a maternally transmitted MK-inducing partiti-like virus, but it was unknown if it carries other MK-inducing endosymbionts. Here, we identified two male-killing Wolbachia strains (wBiau1 and wBiau2) from D. biauraria and compared their genomes to elucidate their evolutionary processes. The two strains were genetically closely related but had exceptionally different genome structures with considerable rearrangements compared with combinations of other Wolbachia strains. Despite substantial changes in the genome structure, the two Wolbachia strains did not experience gene losses that would disrupt the male-killing expression or persistence in the host population. The two Wolbachia-infected matrilines carried distinct mitochondrial haplotypes, suggesting that wBiau1 and wBiau2 have invaded D. biauraria independently and undergone considerable genome changes owing to unknown selective pressures in evolutionary history. This study demonstrated the presence of three male-killers from two distinct origins in one fly species and highlighted the diverse and rapid genome evolution of MK Wolbachia in the host.}, }
@article {pmid38196174, year = {2024}, author = {Wang, ZW and Zhao, J and Li, GY and Hu, D and Wang, ZG and Ye, C and Wang, JJ}, title = {The endosymbiont Serratia symbiotica improves aphid fitness by disrupting the predation strategy of ladybeetle larvae.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {31}, number = {5}, pages = {1555-1568}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13315}, pmid = {38196174}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {32102195//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32020103010//National Natural Science Foundation of China - Major International (Regional) Joint Research Project/ ; CSTB2022NSCQ-MSX0748//Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, China/ ; SWU-KQ22020//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Serratia/physiology ; *Aphids/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Predatory Behavior ; *Larva/microbiology/growth &amp; development/physiology ; *Coleoptera/microbiology/physiology ; }, abstract = {Aphids, the important global agricultural pests, harbor abundant resources of symbionts that can improve the host adaptability to environmental conditions, also control the interactions between host aphid and natural enemy, resulting in a significant decrease in efficiency of biological control. The facultative symbiont Serratia symbiotica has a strong symbiotic association with its aphid hosts, a relationship that is known to interfere with host-parasitoid interactions. We hypothesized that Serratia may also influence other trophic interactions by interfering with the physiology and behavior of major predators to provide host aphid defense. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of Serratia on the host aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum and its predator, the ladybeetle Propylaea japonica. First, the prevalence of Serratia in different A. pisum colonies was confirmed by amplicon sequencing. We then showed that harboring Serratia improved host aphid growth and fecundity but reduced longevity. Finally, our research demonstrated that Serratia defends aphids against P. japonica by impeding the predator's development and predation capacity, and modulating its foraging behavior. Our findings reveal that facultative symbiont Serratia improves aphid fitness by disrupting the predation strategy of ladybeetle larvae, offering new insight into the interactions between aphids and their predators, and providing the basis of a new biological control strategy for aphid pests involving the targeting of endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid38195557, year = {2024}, author = {Owens, LA and Friant, S and Martorelli Di Genova, B and Knoll, LJ and Contreras, M and Noya-Alarcon, O and Dominguez-Bello, MG and Goldberg, TL}, title = {VESPA: an optimized protocol for accurate metabarcoding-based characterization of vertebrate eukaryotic endosymbiont and parasite assemblages.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {402}, pmid = {38195557}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {R01 AG049395/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI163592/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R37 AG049395/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI007414/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Parasites/genetics ; *Wasps ; Archaea/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; Vertebrates/genetics ; }, abstract = {Protocols for characterizing taxonomic assemblages by deep sequencing of short DNA barcode regions (metabarcoding) have revolutionized our understanding of microbial communities and are standardized for bacteria, archaea, and fungi. Unfortunately, comparable methods for host-associated eukaryotes have lagged due to technical challenges. Despite 54 published studies, issues remain with primer complementarity, off-target amplification, and lack of external validation. Here, we present VESPA (Vertebrate Eukaryotic endoSymbiont and Parasite Analysis) primers and optimized metabarcoding protocol for host-associated eukaryotic community analysis. Using in silico prediction, panel PCR, engineered mock community standards, and clinical samples, we demonstrate VESPA to be more effective at resolving host-associated eukaryotic assemblages than previously published methods and to minimize off-target amplification. When applied to human and non-human primate samples, VESPA enables reconstruction of host-associated eukaryotic endosymbiont communities more accurately and at finer taxonomic resolution than microscopy. VESPA has the potential to advance basic and translational science on vertebrate eukaryotic endosymbiont communities, similar to achievements made for bacterial, archaeal, and fungal microbiomes.}, }
@article {pmid38194362, year = {2024}, author = {Fernandez, HN and Kretsch, AM and Kunakom, S and Kadjo, AE and Mitchell, DA and Eustáquio, AS}, title = {High-Yield Lasso Peptide Production in a Burkholderia Bacterial Host by Plasmid Copy Number Engineering.}, journal = {ACS synthetic biology}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {337-350}, pmid = {38194362}, issn = {2161-5063}, support = {F32 GM145122/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM129344/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Burkholderia/genetics ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Peptides/genetics ; Plasmids/genetics ; }, abstract = {The knotted configuration of lasso peptides confers thermal stability and proteolytic resistance, addressing two shortcomings of peptide-based drugs. However, low isolation yields hinder the discovery and development of lasso peptides. While testing Burkholderia sp. FERM BP-3421 as a bacterial host to produce the lasso peptide capistruin, an overproducer clone was previously identified. In this study, we show that an increase in the plasmid copy number partially contributed to the overproducer phenotype. Further, we modulated the plasmid copy number to recapitulate titers to an average of 160% relative to the overproducer, which is 1000-fold higher than previously reported with E. coli, reaching up to 240 mg/L. To probe the applicability of the developed tools for lasso peptide discovery, we targeted a new lasso peptide biosynthetic gene cluster from endosymbiont Mycetohabitans sp. B13, leading to the isolation of mycetolassin-15 and mycetolassin-18 in combined titers of 11 mg/L. These results validate Burkholderia sp. FERM BP-3421 as a production platform for lasso peptide discovery.}, }
@article {pmid38193019, year = {2024}, author = {Mat Udin, AS and Uni, S and Rodrigues, J and Martin, C and Junker, K and Agatsuma, T and Low, VL and Saijuntha, W and Omar, H and Zainuri, NA and Fukuda, M and Matsubayashi, M and Kimura, D and Takaoka, H and Ramli, R}, title = {Redescription, molecular characterisation and Wolbachia endosymbionts of Mansonella (Tupainema) dunni (Mullin &amp; Orihel, 1972) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) from the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard &amp; Duvaucel (Mammalia: Scandentia) in Peninsular Malaysia.}, journal = {Current research in parasitology &amp; vector-borne diseases}, volume = {5}, number = {}, pages = {100154}, pmid = {38193019}, issn = {2667-114X}, abstract = {The genus Mansonella Faust, 1929 includes 29 species, mainly parasites of platyrrhine monkeys in South America and anthropoid apes in Africa. In Malaysia, Mansonella (Tupainema) dunni (Mullin &amp; Orihel, 1972) was described from the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard &amp; Duvaucel (Scandentia). In a recent classification of the genus Mansonella, seven subgenera were proposed, with M. (Tup.) dunni as a monotypic species in the subgenus Tupainema. In this study, we collected new material of M. (Tup.) dunni from common treeshrews in Peninsular Malaysia and redescribed the morphological features of this species. We found that M. (Tup.) dunni differs from M. (Cutifilaria) perforata Uni et al., 2004 from sika deer Cervus nippon (Cetartiodactyla) in Japan, with regards to morphological features and predilection sites in their respective hosts. Based on multi-locus sequence analyses, we examined the molecular phylogeny of M. (Tup.) dunni and its Wolbachia genotype. Species of the genus Mansonella grouped monophyletically in clade ONC5 and M. (Tup.) dunni was placed in the most derived position within this genus. Mansonella (Tup.) dunni was closely related to M. (M.) ozzardi (Manson, 1897) from humans in Central and South America, and most distant from M. (C.) perforata. The calculated p-distances between the cox1 gene sequences for M. (Tup.) dunni and its congeners were 13.09% for M. (M.) ozzardi and 15.6-16.15% for M. (C.) perforata. The molecular phylogeny of Mansonella spp. thus corroborates their morphological differences. We determined that M. (Tup.) dunni harbours Wolbachia endosymbionts of the supergroup F genotype, in keeping with all other Mansonella species screened to date.}, }
@article {pmid38176202, year = {2024}, author = {Segura, JA and Dibernardo, A and Manguiat, K and Waitt, B and Rueda, ZV and Keynan, Y and Wood, H and Gutiérrez, LA}, title = {Molecular surveillance of microbial agents from cattle-attached and questing ticks from livestock agroecosystems of Antioquia, Colombia.}, journal = {Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases}, volume = {105}, number = {}, pages = {102113}, doi = {10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102113}, pmid = {38176202}, issn = {1878-1667}, mesh = {Animals ; Cattle ; *Ticks/microbiology ; Livestock/parasitology ; Colombia/epidemiology ; *Babesia/genetics ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Cattle Diseases/microbiology ; DNA ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Ticks are obligate ectoparasites and vectors of pathogens affecting health, agriculture, and animal welfare. This study collected ticks from the cattle and questing ticks of 24 Magdalena Medio Antioquia region cattle farms. Genomic DNA was extracted from the specimens (individual or pools) of the 2088 adult ticks collected from cattle and 4667 immature questing ticks collected from pastures. The molecular detection of Babesia, Anaplasma, Coxiella and Rickettsia genera was performed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and subsequent DNA sequencing. In a total of 6755 Rhipicephalus microplus DNA samples, Anaplasma marginale was the most detected with a frequency of 2% (Confidence Interval- CI 1.68-2.36), followed by Babesia bigemina with 0.28% (CI 0.16-0.44), Coxiella spp. with 0.15% (CI 0.07-0.27), and Rickettsia spp. with 0.13% (CI 0.06-0.25). Molecular analysis of the DNA sequences obtained from the tick samples revealed the presence of Coxiella-like endosymbiont and R. felis. These results demonstrated the diversity of microorganisms present in R. microplus ticks predominantly associated with cattle and questing ticks from livestock agroecosystems, suggesting their role as reservoirs and potential biological vectors of these microorganisms on the studied sites. Also, it emphasizes the need to combine acarological surveillance with clinical diagnoses and control strategies on regional and national levels.}, }
@article {pmid38163636, year = {2024}, author = {Sharkey, TD}, title = {The end game(s) of photosynthetic carbon metabolism.}, journal = {Plant physiology}, volume = {195}, number = {1}, pages = {67-78}, pmid = {38163636}, issn = {1532-2548}, support = {//Division of Chemical Sciences/ ; //Geosciences, and Biosciences/ ; //Office of Basic Energy Sciences/ ; DE-FG02-91ER20021//United States Department of Energy/ ; IOS-2022495//U.S. National Science Foundation/ ; //Michigan AgBioResearch/ ; }, mesh = {*Photosynthesis/physiology ; *Carbon/metabolism ; Chloroplasts/metabolism ; Plant Leaves/metabolism ; Plants/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The year 2024 marks 70 years since the general outline of the carbon pathway in photosynthesis was published. Although several alternative pathways are now known, it is remarkable how many organisms use the reaction sequence described 70 yrs ago, which is now known as the Calvin-Benson cycle or variants such as the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle or Benson-Calvin cycle. However, once the carbon has entered the Calvin-Benson cycle and is converted to a 3-carbon sugar, it has many potential fates. This review will examine the last stages of photosynthetic metabolism in leaves. In land plants, this process mostly involves the production of sucrose provided by an endosymbiont (the chloroplast) to its host for use and transport to the rest of the plant. Photosynthetic metabolism also usually involves the synthesis of starch, which helps maintain respiration in the dark and enables the symbiont to supply sugars during both the day and night. Other end products made in the chloroplast are closely tied to photosynthetic CO2 assimilation. These include serine from photorespiration and various amino acids, fatty acids, isoprenoids, and shikimate pathway products. I also describe 2 pathways that can short circuit parts of the Calvin-Benson cycle. These final processes of photosynthetic metabolism play many important roles in plants.}, }
@article {pmid38150911, year = {2024}, author = {Polsomboon Nelson, S and Ergunay, K and Bourke, BP and Reinbold-Wasson, DD and Caicedo-Quiroga, L and Kirkitadze, G and Chunashvili, T and Tucker, CL and Linton, YM}, title = {Nanopore-based metagenomics reveal a new Rickettsia in Europe.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {102305}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102305}, pmid = {38150911}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; *Nanopores ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/microbiology ; Europe ; }, abstract = {Accurate identification of tick-borne bacteria, including those associated with rickettsioses, pose significant challenges due to the polymicrobial and polyvectoral nature of the infections. We aimed to carry out a comparative evaluation of a non-targeted metagenomic approach by nanopore sequencing (NS) and commonly used PCR assays amplifying Rickettsia genes in field-collected ticks. The study included a total of 310 ticks, originating from Poland (44.2 %) and Bulgaria (55.8 %). Samples comprised 7 species, the majority of which were Ixodes ricinus (62.9 %), followed by Dermacentor reticulatus (21.2 %). Screening was carried out in 55 pools, using total nucleic acid extractions from individual ticks. NS and ompA/gltA PCRs identified Rickettsia species in 47.3 % and 54.5 % of the pools, respectively. The most frequently detected species were Rickettsia asiatica (27.2 %) and Rickettsia raoultii (21.8 %), followed by Rickettsia monacensis (3.6 %), Rickettsia helvetica (1.8 %), Rickettsia massiliae (1.8 %) and Rickettsia tillamookensis (1.8 %). Phylogeny construction on mutS, uvrD, argS and virB4 sequences and a follow-up deep sequencing further supported R. asiatica identification, documented in Europe for the first time. NS further enabled detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum (9.1 %), Coxiella burnetii (5.4 %) and Neoehrlichia mikurensis (1.8 %), as well as various endosymbionts of Rickettsia and Coxiella. Co-detection of multiple rickettsial and non-rickettsial bacteria were observed in 16.4 % of the pools with chromosome and plasmid-based contigs. In conclusion, non-targeted metagenomic sequencing was documented as a robust strategy capable of providing a broader view of the tick-borne bacterial pathogen spectrum.}, }
@article {pmid38148222, year = {2023}, author = {Kundu, A}, title = {Antimicrobial to anti-herbivore: Sakuranetin in rice efficiently inhibits brown planthopper by targeting their beneficial endosymbionts.}, journal = {Physiologia plantarum}, volume = {175}, number = {6}, pages = {e14110}, doi = {10.1111/ppl.14110}, pmid = {38148222}, issn = {1399-3054}, support = {RGCB/2023/00661//Rajiv gandhi centre for biotechnology/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Herbivory ; *Oryza ; *Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology ; *Hemiptera ; }, abstract = {In rice, biosynthesis of specialized metabolites active against insect herbivores is elusive. The major known defense metabolites in rice against the destructive phloem-sucking herbivore brown planthoppers (BPH) (Nilaparvata lugens) are proteinase inhibitors, phenolamides and some terpenes (Xiao et al., 2012), which are induced during the invasion. Specifically, phenolamides were found to be induced upon herbivory with different feeding guild, including chewing and phloem-sucking, but could only provide defense against phloem-sucking BPH, though the clear mode of action of phenolamides has not been explored yet. Moreover, the jasmonic acid-mediated modulation of biosynthesis of these specialized metabolites in rice is not elucidated yet. However, a recent study by Liu et al. (2023) demonstrated that sakuranetin, a phytoalexin in rice, was induced upon BPH invasion and showed significant detrimental effect on herbivore's performance by targeting their beneficial endosymbionts. This is the first report on a strong bioactive anti-herbivore molecule observed in rice with an unusual mode of action. In this article, a view has been presented on this work, its impact and exceptionality.}, }
@article {pmid38143905, year = {2023}, author = {Mouillaud, T and Berger, A and Buysse, M and Rahola, N and Daron, J and Agbor, JP and Sango, SN and Neafsey, DE and Duron, O and Ayala, D}, title = {Limited association between Wolbachia and Plasmodium falciparum infections in natural populations of the major malaria mosquito Anopheles moucheti.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {16}, number = {12}, pages = {1999-2006}, pmid = {38143905}, issn = {1752-4571}, support = {U19 AI110818/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Since the discovery of natural malaria vector populations infected by the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia, a renewed interest has arisen for using this bacterium as an alternative for malaria control. Among naturally infected mosquitoes, Anopheles moucheti, a major malaria mosquito in Central Africa, exhibits one of the highest prevalences of Wolbachia infection. To better understand whether this maternally inherited bacterium could be used for malaria control, we investigated Wolbachia influence in An. moucheti populations naturally infected by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. To this end, we collected mosquitoes in a village from Cameroon, Central Africa, where this mosquito is the main malaria vector. We found that the prevalence of Wolbachia bacterium was almost fixed in the studied mosquito population, and was higher than previously recorded. We also quantified Wolbachia in whole mosquitoes and dissected abdomens, confirming that the bacterium is also elsewhere than in the abdomen, but at lower density. Finally, we analyzed the association of Wolbachia presence and density on P. falciparum infection. Wolbachia density was slightly higher in mosquitoes infected with the malaria parasite than in uninfected mosquitoes. However, we observed no correlation between the P. falciparum and Wolbachia densities. In conclusion, our study indicates that naturally occurring Wolbachia infection is not associated to P. falciparum development within An. moucheti mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid38143870, year = {2023}, author = {Martins, M and César, CS and Cogni, R}, title = {The effects of temperature on prevalence of facultative insect heritable symbionts across spatial and seasonal scales.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1321341}, pmid = {38143870}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Facultative inheritable endosymbionts are common and diverse in insects and are often found at intermediate frequencies in insect host populations. The literature assessing the relationship between environment and facultative endosymbiont frequency in natural host populations points to temperature as a major component shaping the interaction. However, a synthesis describing its patterns and mechanistic basis is lacking. This mini-review aims to bridge this gap by, following an evolutionary model, hypothesizing that temperature increases endosymbiont frequencies by modulating key phenotypes mediating the interaction. Field studies mainly present positive correlations between temperature and endosymbiont frequency at spatial and seasonal scales; and unexpectedly, temperature is predominantly negatively correlated with the key phenotypes. Higher temperatures generally reduce the efficiency of maternal transmission, reproductive parasitism, endosymbiont influence on host fitness and the ability to protect against natural enemies. From the endosymbiont perspective alone, higher temperatures reduce titer and both high and low temperatures modulate their ability to promote host physiological acclimation and behavior. It is necessary to promote research programs that integrate field and laboratory approaches to pinpoint which processes are responsible for the temperature correlated patterns of endosymbiont prevalence in natural populations.}, }
@article {pmid38107563, year = {2023}, author = {Fu, J and Zhou, J and Zhou, J and Zhang, Y and Liu, L}, title = {Competitive effects of the macroalga Caulerpa taxifolia on key physiological processes in the scleractinian coral Turbinaria peltata under thermal stress.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e16646}, pmid = {38107563}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Chlorophyll A ; *Caulerpa ; Antioxidants ; *Seaweed/physiology ; *Physiological Phenomena ; Water ; }, abstract = {An increased abundance of macroalgae has been observed in coral reefs damaged by climate change and local environmental stressors. Macroalgae have a sublethal effect on corals that includes the inhibition of their growth, development, and reproduction. Thus, this study explored the effects of the macroalga, Caulerpa taxifolia, on the massive coral, Turbinaria peltata, under thermal stress. We compared the responses of the corals' water-meditated interaction with algae (the co-occurrence group) and those in direct contact with algae at two temperatures. The results show that after co-culturing with C. taxifolia for 28 days, the density content of the dinoflagellate endosymbionts was significantly influenced by the presence of C. taxifolia at ambient temperature (27 °C), from 1.3 × 10[6] cells cm[-2] in control group to 0.95 × 10[6] cells cm[-2] in the co-occurrence group and to 0.89 × 10[6] cells cm[-2] in the direct contact group. The chlorophyll a concentration only differed significantly between the control and the direct contact group at 27 °C. The protein content of T. peltata decreased by 37.2% in the co-occurrence group and 49.0% in the direct contact group compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the growth rate of T. peltata decreased by 57.7% in the co-occurrence group and 65.5% in the direct contact group compared to the control group. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes significantly increased, and there was a stronger effect of direct coral contact with C. taxifolia than the co-occurrence group. At 30 °C, the endosymbiont density, chlorophyll a content, and growth rate of T. peltata significantly decreased compared to the control temperature; the same pattern was seen in the increase in antioxidant enzyme activity. Additionally, when the coral was co-cultured with macroalgae at 30 °C, there was no significant decrease in the density or chlorophyll a content of the endosymbiont compared to the control. However, the interaction of macroalgae and elevated temperature was evident in the feeding rate, protein content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity compared to the control group. The direct contact of the coral with macroalga had a greater impact than water-meditated interactions. Hence, the competition between coral and macroalga may be more intense under thermal stress.}, }
@article {pmid38106215, year = {2023}, author = {Maeda, GP and Kelly, MK and Sundar, A and Moran, NA}, title = {Intracellular defensive symbiont is culturable and capable of transovarial, vertical transmission.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1101/2023.12.05.570145}, pmid = {38106215}, issn = {2692-8205}, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Insects frequently form heritable associations with beneficial bacteria that are vertically transmitted from parent to offspring. Long term vertical transmission has repeatedly resulted in genome reduction and gene loss rendering many such bacteria incapable of independent culture. Among aphids, heritable endosymbionts often provide a wide range of context-specific benefits to their hosts. Although these associations have large impacts on host phenotypes, experimental approaches are often limited by an inability to independently cultivate these microbes. Here, we report the axenic culture of Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica strain WIR, a heritable bacterial endosymbiont of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum . Whole genome sequencing revealed similar genomic features and high sequence similarity to previously described strains, suggesting the cultivation techniques used here may be applicable to Ca . F. symbiotica strains from distantly related aphids. Microinjection of the isolated strain into uninfected aphids revealed that it can reinfect developing embryos, and is maintained in subsequent generations via transovarial maternal transmission. Artificially infected aphids exhibit similar phenotypic and life history traits compared to native infections, including protective effects against an entomopathogenic Fusarium species. Overall, our results show that Ca . F. symbiotica may be a useful tool for experimentally probing the molecular mechanisms underlying heritable symbioses and antifungal defense in the pea aphid system.<br><br>IMPORTANCE: Diverse eukaryotic organisms form stable, symbiotic relationships with bacteria that provide benefits to their hosts. While these associations are often biologically important, they can be difficult to probe experimentally, because intimately host-associated bacteria are difficult to access within host tissues, and most cannot be cultured. This is especially true of the intracellular, maternally inherited bacteria associated with many insects, including aphids. Here, we demonstrate that a pea aphid-associated strain of the heritable endosymbiont, Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica, can be grown outside of its host using standard microbiology techniques, and can readily re-establish infection that is maintained across host generations. These artificial infections recapitulate the effects of native infections making this host-symbiont pair a useful experimental system. Using this system, we demonstrate that Ca . F. symbiotica infection reduces host fitness under benign conditions, but protects against a previously unreported fungal pathogen.}, }
@article {pmid38105949, year = {2024}, author = {Shropshire, JD and Conner, WR and Vanderpool, D and Hoffmann, AA and Turelli, M and Cooper, BS}, title = {Rapid host switching of Wolbachia and even more rapid turnover of their phages and incompatibility-causing loci.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {38105949}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {About half of all insect species carry maternally inherited Wolbachia alphaproteobacteria, making Wolbachia the most common endosymbionts known in nature. Often Wolbachia spread to high frequencies within populations due to cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), a Wolbachia-induced sperm modification caused by prophage-associated genes (cifs) that kill embryos without Wolbachia. Several Wolbachia variants also block viruses, including wMel from Drosophila melanogaster when transinfected into the mosquito Aedes aegypti. CI enables the establishment and stable maintenance of pathogen-blocking wMel in natural Ae. aegypti populations. These transinfections are reducing dengue disease incidence on multiple continents. While it has long been known that closely related Wolbachia occupy distantly related hosts, the timing of Wolbachia host switching and molecular evolution has not been widely quantified. We provide a new, conservative calibration for Wolbachia chronograms based on examples of co-divergence of Wolbachia and their insect hosts. Synthesizing publicly available and new genomic data, we use our calibration to demonstrate that wMel-like variants separated by only about 370,000 years have naturally colonized holometabolous dipteran and hymenopteran insects that diverged approximately 350 million years ago. Data from Wolbachia variants closely related to those currently dominant in D. melanogaster and D. simulans illustrate that cifs are rapidly acquired and lost among Wolbachia genomes, on a time scale of 10[4]-10[5] years. This turnover occurs with and without the Wovirus prophages that contain them, with closely related cifs found in distantly related phages and distantly related cifs found in closely related phages. We present evidence for purifying selection on CI rescue function and on particular Cif protein domains. Our results quantify the tempo and mode of rapid host switching and horizontal gene transfer that underlie the spread and diversity of Wolbachia sampled from diverse host species. The wMel variants we highlight from hosts in different climates may offer new options for broadening Wolbachia-based biocontrol of diseases and pests.}, }
@article {pmid38104431, year = {2024}, author = {Lau, DC and Power, RI and Šlapeta, J}, title = {Exploring multiplex qPCR as a diagnostic tool for detecting microfilarial DNA in dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis: A comparative analysis with the modified Knott's test.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {325}, number = {}, pages = {110097}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110097}, pmid = {38104431}, issn = {1873-2550}, mesh = {Animals ; Dogs ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics ; Microfilariae/genetics ; Australia ; *Dog Diseases/diagnosis ; *Dirofilariasis/diagnosis ; DNA ; Lactones ; }, abstract = {Current recommendations to diagnose cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in dogs caused by Dirofilaria immitis involves tandem antigen and circulating microfilariae tests. The modified Knott's test is an important tool in heartworm diagnosis, allowing identification of circulating microfilariae. However, the subjective nature of the modified Knott's test affects its accuracy and diagnostic laboratories usually do not provide a quantitative outcome. Quantitative enumeration of microfilariae enables clinicians to track treatment progress and acts as a proxy for detecting emerging macrocyclic lactone resistance. There is a need for better diagnostic tools suitable for routine use to efficiently and accurately quantify the presence of D. immitis microfilaremia. The aim of this study was to determine whether the quantitative modified Knott's test can be substituted by multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting D. immitis and associated Wolbachia endosymbiont DNA in canine blood samples. To do this, genomic DNA samples (n = 161) from Australian dogs, collected as part of a previous 2021 study, were assessed in a TaqMan qPCR targeting DNA of D. immitis, Wolbachia sp. and Canis lupus familiaris. Of the 161 genomic DNA samples, eight were considered positive for D. immitis microfilariae. The qPCR assay demonstrated good efficiency (E = 90 to 110%, R[2] > 0.94). Considering the performance and efficient use of bench time, this TaqMan qPCR assay is a suitable alternative to the modified Knott's test for quantitative enumeration of microfilariae (Cohen's kappa coefficient [κ]: κ = 1 using D. immitis qPCR marker, κ = 0.93 using Wolbachia qPCR marker). The qPCR data demonstrated a comparable result to that of the quantitative modified Knott's test in a 2022 survey of D. immitis in Australian dogs (n = 23) before and after macrocyclic lactone (ML) administration. Improving the detection and diagnosis of canine heartworm infections will assist veterinarians in better managing and controlling disease outcomes and will be valuable for tracking the spread of ML resistance in Australia.}, }
@article {pmid38097942, year = {2023}, author = {Mirabedini, Z and Mirjalali, H and Kazemirad, E and Khamesipour, A and Samimirad, K and Koosha, M and Saberi, R and Rahimi, HM and Mohebali, M and Hajjaran, H}, title = {The effects of Leishmania RNA virus 2 (LRV2) on the virulence factors of L. major and pro-inflammatory biomarkers: an in vitro study on human monocyte cell line (THP-1).}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {398}, pmid = {38097942}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {IR.TUMS.SPH.REC.1400.251//Tehran University of Medical Science/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Monocytes ; Interleukin-18 ; *Leishmania ; *Leishmaniavirus/genetics ; *Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous ; *RNA Viruses/genetics ; Biomarkers ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease with diverse outcomes. Clinical diversity is influenced by various factors such as Leishmania species and host genetic background. The role of Leishmania RNA virus (LRV), as an endosymbiont, is suggested to not only affect the pathogenesis of Leishmania, but also impact host immune responses. This study aimed to investigate the influence of LRV2 on the expression of a number of virulence factors (VFs) of Leishmania and pro-inflammatory biomarkers.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sample were obtained from CL patients from Golestan province. Leishmania species were identified by PCR (LIN 4, 17), and the presence of LRV2 was checked using the semi-nested PCR (RdRp gene). Human monocyte cell line (THP-1) was treated with three isolates of L. major with LRV2 and one isolate of L. major without LRV2. The treatments with four isolates were administered for the time points: zero, 12, 24, 36, and 48&#xa0;h after co-infection. The expression levels of Leishmania VFs genes including GP63, HSP83, and MPI, as well as pro-inflammatory biomarkers genes including NLRP3, IL18, and IL1&#x3b2;, were measured using quantitative real-time PCR.<br><br>RESULTS: The expression of GP63, HSP83, and MPI revealed up-regulation in LRV2&#x2009;+&#x2009;isolates compared to LRV2- isolates. The expression of the pro-inflammatory biomarkers including NLRP3, IL1&#x3b2;, and IL18 genes in LRV2- were higher than LRV2&#x2009;+&#x2009;isolates.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that LRV2&#x2009;+&#x2009;may have a probable effect on the Leishmania VFs and pro-inflammatory biomarkers in the human macrophage model.}, }
@article {pmid38088471, year = {2024}, author = {Gonzalez-Gonzalez, A and Cabrera, N and Rubio-Meléndez, ME and Sepúlveda, DA and Ceballos, R and Fernández, N and Francis, F and Figueroa, CC and Ramirez, CC}, title = {Facultative endosymbionts modulate the aphid reproductive performance on wheat cultivars differing in contents of benzoxazinoids.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {80}, number = {4}, pages = {1949-1956}, doi = {10.1002/ps.7932}, pmid = {38088471}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {N&#xb0;170134//Redes-Conicyt/ ; N&#xb0;1170943//Fondecyt regular/ ; N&#xb0; 3190544//Fondecyt Postdoctoral/ ; N&#xb0;100462//Fondecyt Continuity Fund/ ; 21190271//National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) Scholarship Program Becas Doctorado Nacional/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Benzoxazines ; *Aphids/physiology ; Triticum ; Reproduction ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Bacteria ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Facultative bacterial endosymbionts have the potential to influence the interactions between aphids, their natural enemies, and host plants. Among the facultative symbionts found in populations of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae in central Chile, the bacterium Regiella insecticola is the most prevalent. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether infected and cured aphid lineages exhibit differential responses to wheat cultivars containing varying levels of the benzoxazinoid DIMBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one), which is a xenobiotic compound produced by plants. Specifically, we examined the reproductive performance responses of the most frequently encountered genotypes of Sitobion avenae when reared on wheat seedlings expressing low, medium, and high concentrations of DIMBOA.<br><br>RESULTS: Our findings reveal that the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) in cured lineages of Sitobion avenae genotypes exhibits a biphasic pattern, characterized by the lowest rm and an extended time to first reproduction on wheat seedlings with medium levels of DIMBOA. In contrast, the aphid genotypes harbouring Regiella insecticola display idiosyncratic responses, with the two most prevalent genotypes demonstrating improved performance on seedlings featuring an intermediate content of DIMBOA compared to their cured counterparts.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study represents the first investigation into the mediating impact of facultative endosymbionts on aphid performance in plants exhibiting varying DIMBOA contents. These findings present exciting prospects for identifying novel targets for aphid control by manipulating the presence of aphid symbionts. &#xa9; 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid38087390, year = {2023}, author = {Ferrarini, MG and Vallier, A and Vincent-Monégat, C and Dell'Aglio, E and Gillet, B and Hughes, S and Hurtado, O and Condemine, G and Zaidman-Rémy, A and Rebollo, R and Parisot, N and Heddi, A}, title = {Coordination of host and endosymbiont gene expression governs endosymbiont growth and elimination in the cereal weevil Sitophilus spp.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {274}, pmid = {38087390}, issn = {2049-2618}, support = {ANR-17-CE20-0031-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR-17-CE20-0015//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR-17-CE20-0015//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR-17-CE20-0031-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Weevils/microbiology ; Edible Grain ; Enterobacteriaceae/metabolism ; Bacteria/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Gene Expression ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Insects living in nutritionally poor environments often establish long-term relationships with intracellular bacteria that supplement their diets and improve their adaptive and invasive powers. Even though these symbiotic associations have been extensively studied on physiological, ecological, and evolutionary levels, few studies have focused on the molecular dialogue between host and endosymbionts to identify genes and pathways involved in endosymbiosis control and dynamics throughout host development.<br><br>RESULTS: We simultaneously analyzed host and endosymbiont gene expression during the life cycle of the cereal weevil Sitophilus oryzae, from larval stages to adults, with a particular emphasis on emerging adults where the endosymbiont Sodalis pierantonius experiences a contrasted growth-climax-elimination dynamics. We unraveled a constant arms race in which different biological functions are intertwined and coregulated across both partners. These include immunity, metabolism, metal control, apoptosis, and bacterial stress response.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The study of these tightly regulated functions, which are at the center of symbiotic regulations, provides evidence on how hosts and bacteria finely tune their gene expression and respond to different physiological challenges constrained by insect development in a nutritionally limited ecological niche. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid38078889, year = {2024}, author = {Schwartz, HT and Tan, CH and Peraza, J and Raymundo, KLT and Sternberg, PW}, title = {Molecular identification of a peroxidase gene controlling body size in the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum.}, journal = {Genetics}, volume = {226}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {38078889}, issn = {1943-2631}, support = {//Caltech CCE Multiuser Mass Spectrometry Laboratory/ ; P40 OD010440/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; 2128267//NSF-EDGE/ ; //Caltech's Center for Evolutionary Science/ ; //Center for Environmental Microbial Interactions/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Rhabditida/genetics ; Insecta ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; Symbiosis ; Body Size ; }, abstract = {The entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum was recently rediscovered and is being developed as a genetically tractable experimental system for the study of previously unexplored biology, including parasitism of its insect hosts and mutualism with its bacterial endosymbiont Xenorhabdus griffiniae. Through whole-genome re-sequencing and genetic mapping we have for the first time molecularly identified the gene responsible for a mutationally defined phenotypic locus in an entomopathogenic nematode. In the process we observed an unexpected mutational spectrum following ethyl methansulfonate mutagenesis in this species. We find that the ortholog of the essential Caenorhabditis elegans peroxidase gene skpo-2 controls body size and shape in S. hermaphroditum. We confirmed this identification by generating additional loss-of-function mutations in the gene using CRISPR-Cas9. We propose that the identification of skpo-2 will accelerate gene targeting in other Steinernema entomopathogenic nematodes used commercially in pest control, as skpo-2 is X-linked and males hemizygous for loss of its function can mate, making skpo-2 an easily recognized and maintained marker for use in co-CRISPR.}, }
@article {pmid38072824, year = {2024}, author = {Valadez-Cano, C and Olivares-Hernández, R and Espino-Vázquez, AN and Partida-Martínez, LP}, title = {Genome-Scale Model of Rhizopus microsporus: Metabolic integration of a fungal holobiont with its bacterial and viral endosymbionts.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {1}, pages = {e16551}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16551}, pmid = {38072824}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {FOINS-2015-01-006//Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnolog&#xed;a/ ; }, mesh = {*Macrolides/metabolism ; *Rhizopus/genetics/metabolism ; Bacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Nucleotides/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Rhizopus microsporus often lives in association with bacterial and viral symbionts that alter its biology. This fungal model represents an example of the complex interactions established among diverse organisms in functional holobionts. We constructed a Genome-Scale Model (GSM) of the fungal-bacterial-viral holobiont (iHol). We employed a constraint-based method to calculate the metabolic fluxes to decipher the metabolic interactions of the symbionts with their host. Our computational analyses of iHol simulate the holobiont's growth and the production of the toxin rhizoxin. Analyses of the calculated fluxes between R. microsporus in symbiotic (iHol) versus asymbiotic conditions suggest that changes in the lipid and nucleotide metabolism of the host are necessary for the functionality of the holobiont. Glycerol plays a pivotal role in the fungal-bacterial metabolic interaction, as its production does not compromise fungal growth, and Mycetohabitans bacteria can efficiently consume it. Narnavirus RmNV-20S and RmNV-23S affected the nucleotide metabolism without impacting the fungal-bacterial symbiosis. Our analyses highlighted the metabolic stability of Mycetohabitans throughout its co-evolution with the fungal host. We also predicted changes in reactions of the bacterial metabolism required for the active production of rhizoxin. This iHol is the first GSM of a fungal holobiont.}, }
@article {pmid38072536, year = {2023}, author = {Zhou, YM and Xie, W and Zhi, JR and Zou, X}, title = {Frankliniella occidentalis pathogenic fungus Lecanicillium interacts with internal microbes and produces sublethal effects.}, journal = {Pesticide biochemistry and physiology}, volume = {197}, number = {}, pages = {105679}, doi = {10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105679}, pmid = {38072536}, issn = {1095-9939}, mesh = {Animals ; *Thysanoptera ; Insecta ; Reproduction ; Pupa ; Hormones ; }, abstract = {Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a pest that feeds on various crops worldwide. A prior study identified Lecanicillium attenuatum and L. cauligalbarum as pathogens of F. occidentalis. Unfortunately, the potential of these two entomopathogenic fungi for the biocontrol of F. occidentalis has not been effectively evaluated. The internal microbes (endosymbionts and the gut microbiota) of insects, especially gut bacteria, are crucial in regulating the interactions between the host and intestinal pathogens. The role of thrips internal microbes in the infection of these two entomopathogenic fungi is also unknown. Therefore, biological control of thrips is immediately needed, and to accomplish that, an improved understanding of the internal microbes of thrips against Lecanicillium infection is essential. The virulence of the two pathogenic fungi against F. occidentalis increased with the conidia concentration. Overall, the LC50 of L. cauligalbarum was lower than that of L. attenuatum, and the pathogenicity degree was adult > pupa > nymphs. The activities of protective enzymes include superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD); detoxification enzymes include polyphenol oxidase (PPO), glutathione s-transferase (GSTs), and carboxylesterase (CarE); hormones include ecdysone and juvenile hormone; and the composition and proportion of microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in F. occidentalis infected by L. cauligalbarum and L. attenuatum have changed significantly. According to the network correlation results, there was a considerable correlation among the internal microbes (including bacteria and fungi), enzyme activities, and hormones, which indicates that in addition to bacteria, internal fungi of F. occidentalis are also involved in the L. cauligalbarum and L. attenuatum infection process. In addition, the development time of the surviving F. occidentalis exposed to L. cauligalbarum or L. attenuatum was significantly shorter than that of the control group. Furthermore, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), mean generation time (T), and gross reproductive rate (GRR) were significantly lower in the treatment groups than in the control group. L. attenuatum and L. cauligalbarum have biocontrol potential against F. occidentalis. In addition to bacteria, internal fungi of F. occidentalis are also involved in the infection process of insect pathogenic fungi. Disruption of the internal microbial balance results in discernible sublethal effects. Such prevention and control potential should not be ignored. These findings provide an improved understanding of physiological responses in thrips with altered immunity against entomopathogenic fungal infections, which can guide us toward the development of novel biocontrol strategies against thrips.}, }
@article {pmid38071646, year = {2024}, author = {Urairi, C and Fujito, S}, title = {Interbiotype hybridization between biotypes A and B of Liriomyza chinensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae).}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {117}, number = {1}, pages = {240-250}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toad223}, pmid = {38071646}, issn = {1938-291X}, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Diptera/genetics ; *Hemiptera ; Reproduction ; Hybridization, Genetic ; Fertility ; }, abstract = {Liriomyza chinensis (Kato) is a formidable pest of Allium species, especially the Japanese bunching onion Allium fistulosum L. Recently, a novel biotype of L. chinensis (biotype B) has emerged, which causes more severe damage than the native biotype A. It has been reported that biotype B has frequently displaced biotype A in the Japanese bunching onion fields in Japan. As interbiotype hybridization is a possible factor that influences such displacement, interbiotype hybridization was conducted between L. chinensis biotypes A and B. Eggs were not laid under one-by-one crossing conditions; however, adult hybrid progeny of both sexes emerged from no-choice mating combinations-when multiple males and females were present. The fertility of F1 hybrid adults was also investigated, and backcrossed adults emerged from F1 females in both mating combinations. F1 males might have exhibited reproductive abnormalities because only a small number of backcross progeny emerged from the mating combinations using F1 males. Additionally, 3 representative endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Cardinium) were investigated, and both biotypes were found to be infected by the same strain of Wolbachia. In addition, the courtship signals (tapping) of male adults differed between biotypes A and B as well as between F1 hybrids; the F1 males exhibited tapping behavior that was intermediate between biotypes A and B. Therefore, mating sounds serve as a form of premating reproductive isolation between biotypes A and B.}, }
@article {pmid38070273, year = {2024}, author = {Zhang, B and Wang, X and Aguli Nurland, R and Lu, M and Guan, Y and Liu, M and Gao, F and Li, K}, title = {Investigation of tick-borne bacterial microorganisms in Haemaphysalis ticks from Hebei, Shandong, and Qinghai provinces, China.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {15}, number = {2}, pages = {102290}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102290}, pmid = {38070273}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Ticks/microbiology ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; Anaplasma/genetics ; Ehrlichia/genetics ; *Bartonella/genetics ; *Anaplasmataceae/genetics ; *Borrelia/genetics ; Goats ; China/epidemiology ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Tick-borne microorganisms in many tick species and many areas of China are still not thoroughly investigated. In this study, 224 ticks including two species (Haemaphysalis longicornis and Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis) were collected from four cities in Hebei, Shandong, and Qinghai provinces, China. Ticks were screened for the presence of tick-borne bacterial microorganisms including Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae (Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neoehrlichia, etc.), Coxiella, Borrelia, and Bartonella. Two Anaplasma species (Anaplasma ovis and Anaplasma capra) were detected in H. longicornis from Xingtai City of Hebei Province, with a positive rate of 3 % and 8 %, respectively. A Coxiella species was detected in H. longicornis ticks from all three locations in Hebei and Shandong provinces, with the positive rate ranging from 30 to 75 %. All the 16S and rpoB sequences were very similar (99.77-100 % identity) to Coxiella endosymbiont of Haemaphysalis ticks. An Ehrlichia species was detected in H. qinghaiensis (6/66, 9 %) from Xining City, Qinghai Province. The 16S and groEL sequences had 100 % and 97.40-97.85 % nucleotide identities to "Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana" strains, respectively, suggesting that it may be a variant of "Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana". All the ticks were negative for Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Bartonella. Because all the ticks were removed from goats or humans and were partially or fully engorged, it is possible that the microorganisms were from the blood meal but not vectored by the ticks. Our results may provide some information on the diversity and distribution of tick-borne pathogens in China.}, }
@article {pmid38047686, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, W and Wang, J and Huang, Z and He, X and Wei, C}, title = {Symbionts in Hodgkinia-free cicadas and their implications for co-evolution between endosymbionts and host insects.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {89}, number = {12}, pages = {e0137323}, pmid = {38047686}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {32270496//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 32070476//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera ; Insecta ; Phylogeny ; *Alphaproteobacteria ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Obligate symbionts in sap-sucking hemipterans are harbored in either the same or different organs, which provide a unique perspective for uncovering complicated insect-microbe symbiosis. Here, we investigated the distribution of symbionts in adults of 10 Hodgkinia-free cicada species of 2 tribes (Sonatini and Polyneurini) and the co-phylogeny between 65 cicada species and related symbionts (Sulcia and YLSs). We revealed that YLSs commonly colonize the bacteriome sheath besides the fat bodies in these two tribes, which is different with that in most other Hodgkinia-free cicadas. Co-phylogeny analyses between cicadas and symbionts suggest that genetic variation of Sulcia occurred in Sonatini and some other cicada lineages and more independent replacement events in the loss of Hodgkinia/acquisition of YLS in Cicadidae. Our results provide new information on the complex relationships between auchenorrhynchans and related symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid38038450, year = {2024}, author = {Wang, X-R and Cull, B and Oliver, JD and Kurtti, TJ and Munderloh, UG}, title = {The role of autophagy in tick-endosymbiont interactions: insights from Ixodes scapularis and Rickettsia buchneri.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {e0108623}, pmid = {38038450}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {R01 AI049424/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Ticks are second only to mosquitoes in their importance as vectors of disease agents; however, tick-borne diseases (TBDs) account for the majority of all vector-borne disease cases in the United States (approximately 76.5%), according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Newly discovered tick species and their associated disease-causing pathogens, and anthropogenic and demographic factors also contribute to the emergence and re-emergence of TBDs. Thus, incorporating different tick control approaches based on a thorough knowledge of tick biology has great potential to prevent and eliminate TBDs in the future. Here we demonstrate that replication of a transovarially transmitted rickettsial endosymbiont depends on the tick's autophagy machinery but not on apoptosis. Our findings improve our understanding of the role of symbionts in tick biology and the potential to discover tick control approaches to prevent or manage TBDs.}, }
@article {pmid38021190, year = {2023}, author = {Bawm, S and Khaing, Y and Chel, HM and Hmoon, MM and Win, SY and Bo, M and Naing, T and Htun, LL}, title = {Molecular detection of Dirofilaria immitis and its Wolbachia endosymbionts in dogs from Myanmar.}, journal = {Current research in parasitology &amp; vector-borne diseases}, volume = {4}, number = {}, pages = {100148}, pmid = {38021190}, issn = {2667-114X}, abstract = {Heartworm disease in dogs and cats caused by Dirofilaria immitis continues to be a major clinical issue globally. This study focused on dogs suspicious of having tick-borne diseases (TBD) brought to a clinic and a veterinary teaching hospital in Myanmar. Blood samples were collected and initially screened using SNAP® 4Dx® Plus test kit. All dog blood samples were subjected to conventional PCR to detect both Dirofilaria spp. (cox1 gene) and Wolbachia spp. (16S rDNA) infections. Infection with D. immitis was detected in 14 (28.0%) of 50 examined samples, while the detection rate of TBD causative agents, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia canis, was 26.0% (13/50) and 26.0% (13/50), respectively, as determined by ELISA rapid test. In this study, D. immitis infection was moderately but significantly correlated with TBD infections (Pearson's r = 0.397, P = 0.008). Comparative sequence and phylogenetic analyses provided molecular identification of D. immitis in Myanmar and confirmed the identity of its Wolbachia endosymbiont with Wolbachia endosymbionts isolated from D. immitis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Aedes aegypti. The present study contributes to our understanding of the coexistence of D. immitis and Wolbachia endosymbiosis in dogs, and the findings may benefit the future prevention and control of dirofilariasis in dogs.}, }
@article {pmid38018626, year = {2023}, author = {Sperandio, NDC and Tunholi, VM and Amaral, LS and Vidal, MLB and Cassani, LS and Tunholi-Alves, VM and Couto-Chambarelli, MCMD and Boeloni, JN and Monteiro, C and Martins, IVF}, title = {Influence of exposure Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88, (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) on biological and physiological parameters of Pseudosuccinea columella (Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae).}, journal = {Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria}, volume = {32}, number = {4}, pages = {e007023}, pmid = {38018626}, issn = {1984-2961}, mesh = {Animals ; *Rhabditida ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Snails/parasitology ; *Fascioliasis/veterinary ; }, abstract = {Many studies about fasciolosis control have been carried out, whether acting on the adult parasite or in Pseudosuccinea columella, compromising the development of the larval stages. The present study aimed to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, the susceptibility of P. columella to Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88, during for 24 and 48 hours of exposure. The snails were evaluated for 21 days for accumulated mortality; number of eggs laid; hatchability rate; biochemical changes; and histopathological analysis. We found that exposure induced a reduction in glucose and glycogen levels, characterizing a negative energy balance, due to the depletion of energy reserves as a result of the direct competition established by the nematode/endosymbiont bacteria complex in such substrates. A mortality rate of 48.25% and 65.52% was observed in the group exposed for 24 h and 48 h, respectively, along with significant impairment of reproductive biology in both exposed groups in relation to the respective controls. The results presented here show that P. columella is susceptible to the nematode H. bacteriophora, with the potential to be used as an alternative bioagent in the control of this mollusk, especially in areas considered endemic for fascioliasis, in line with the position expressed by the World Health Organization Health.}, }
@article {pmid38016137, year = {2024}, author = {Azarm, A and Koosha, M and Dalimi, A and Zahraie-Ramazani, A and Akhavan, AA and Saeidi, Z and Mohebali, M and Azam, K and Vatandoost, H and Oshaghi, MA}, title = {Association Between Wolbachia Infection and Susceptibility to Deltamethrin Insecticide in Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae), the Main Vector of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.}, journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)}, volume = {24}, number = {3}, pages = {159-165}, doi = {10.1089/vbz.2023.0085}, pmid = {38016137}, issn = {1557-7759}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Phlebotomus/microbiology ; *Psychodidae ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/veterinary ; *Nitriles ; *Pyrethrins ; }, abstract = {Background: Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the main vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Wolbachia is a symbiotic alphaproteobacteria of arthropods that can be involved in susceptibility or resistance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Wolbachia and Deltamethrin susceptibility/resistance in Ph. papatasi. Deltamethrin filter papers (0.00002%) were used to test sand fly field collected from southern Iran. After the test, PCR amplification of the Wolbachia surface protein gene (wsp) was used to measure Wolbachia infection rate in the killed, surviving, and control groups. Result: The rates of infection by Wolbachia strain (wPap, super group A) differed between killed (susceptible) and surviving (resistant) Ph. papatasi specimens. The rate of Wolbachia infection in susceptible individuals was more than twice (2.3) (39% vs. 17%) in resistant individuals with the same genetic background. This difference was highly significant (p < 0.001), indicating a positive association between Wolbachia infection and susceptibility to Deltamethrin. In addition, the results showed that Deltamethrin can act as a PCR inhibitor during detection of Wolbachia in Ph. papatasi. Conclusion: Results of this study show that Wolbachia is associated with Deltamethrin susceptibility level in Ph. papatasi. Also, as Deltamethrin has been identified as a PCR inhibitor, great care must be taken in interpreting Wolbachia infection status in infected populations. The results of this study may provide information for a better understanding of the host-symbiont relationship, as well as application of host symbiosis in pest management.}, }
@article {pmid38010882, year = {2024}, author = {Espada-Hinojosa, S and Karthäuser, C and Srivastava, A and Schuster, L and Winter, T and de Oliveira, AL and Schulz, F and Horn, M and Sievert, S and Bright, M}, title = {Comparative genomics of a vertically transmitted thiotrophic bacterial ectosymbiont and its close free-living relative.}, journal = {Molecular ecology resources}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {e13889}, pmid = {38010882}, issn = {1755-0998}, support = {DOC 69/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 32197//Austrian Science Fund/ ; //WHOI Investment in Science Fund/ ; P 24565//Austrian Science Fund/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Bacteria ; *Genomics ; Symbiosis ; Sulfur/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Thiotrophic symbioses between sulphur-oxidizing bacteria and various unicellular and metazoan eukaryotes are widespread in reducing marine environments. The giant colonial ciliate Zoothamnium niveum, however, is the only host of thioautotrophic symbionts that has been cultivated along with its symbiont, the vertically transmitted ectosymbiont Candidatus Thiobius zoothamnicola (short Thiobius). Because theoretical predictions posit a smaller genome in vertically transmitted endosymbionts compared to free-living relatives, we investigated whether this is true also for an ectosymbiont. We used metagenomics to recover the high-quality draft genome of this bacterial symbiont. For comparison we have also sequenced a closely related free-living cultured but not formally described strain Milos ODIII6 (short ODIII6). We then performed comparative genomics to assess the functional capabilities at gene, metabolic pathway and trait level. 16S rRNA gene trees and average amino acid identity confirmed the close phylogenetic relationship of both bacteria. Indeed, Thiobius has about a third smaller genome than its free-living relative ODIII6, with reduced metabolic capabilities and fewer functional traits. The functional capabilities of Thiobius were a subset of those of the more versatile ODIII6, which possessed additional genes for oxygen, sulphur and hydrogen utilization and for the acquisition of phosphorus illustrating features that may be adaptive for the unstable environmental conditions at hydrothermal vents. In contrast, Thiobius possesses genes potentially enabling it to utilize lactate and acetate heterotrophically, compounds that may be provided as byproducts by the host. The present study illustrates the effect of strict host-dependence of a bacterial ectosymbiont on genome evolution and host adaptation.}, }
@article {pmid38009998, year = {2023}, author = {Naka, H and Haygood, MG}, title = {The dual role of TonB genes in turnerbactin uptake and carbohydrate utilization in the shipworm symbiont Teredinibacter turnerae.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {89}, number = {12}, pages = {e0074423}, pmid = {38009998}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {U01 TW008163/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Bivalvia/microbiology ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism ; Cellulose/metabolism ; Bacteria/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Animals ; Iron/metabolism ; Gammaproteobacteria ; Carbohydrates ; }, abstract = {This study highlights diversity in iron acquisition and regulation in bacteria. The mechanisms of iron acquisition and its regulation in Teredinibacter turnerae, as well as its connection to cellulose utilization, a hallmark phenotype of T. turnerae, expand the paradigm of bacterial iron acquisition. Two of the four TonB genes identified in T. turnerae exhibit functional redundancy and play a crucial role in siderophore-mediated iron transport. Unlike typical TonB genes in bacteria, none of the TonB genes in T. turnerae are clearly iron regulated. This unusual regulation could be explained by another important finding in this study, namely, that the two TonB genes involved in iron transport are also essential for cellulose utilization as a carbon source, leading to the expression of TonB genes even under iron-rich conditions.}, }
@article {pmid38006562, year = {2024}, author = {Serbus, LR}, title = {A Light in the Dark: Uncovering Wolbachia-Host Interactions Using Fluorescence Imaging.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {349-373}, pmid = {38006562}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Arthropods/microbiology ; *Nematoda ; Symbiosis ; Optical Imaging ; }, abstract = {The success of microbial endosymbionts, which reside naturally within a eukaryotic "host" organism, requires effective microbial interaction with, and manipulation of, the host cells. Fluorescence microscopy has played a key role in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of endosymbiosis. For 30 years, fluorescence analyses have been a cornerstone in studies of endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria, focused on host colonization, maternal transmission, reproductive parasitism, horizontal gene transfer, viral suppression, and metabolic interactions in arthropods and nematodes. Fluorescence-based studies stand to continue informing Wolbachia-host interactions in increasingly detailed and innovative ways.}, }
@article {pmid38006558, year = {2024}, author = {Valerio, F and Twort, VG and Duplouy, A}, title = {A Worked Example of Screening Genomic Material for the Presence of Wolbachia Infection.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {275-299}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-0716-3553-7_17}, pmid = {38006558}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {This chapter gives a brief overview of how to screen existing host genomic data for the presence of endosymbionts, such as Wolbachia. The various programs used provide test examples, and the corresponding manuals and discussion boards provide invaluable information. Please do consult these resources.}, }
@article {pmid38006554, year = {2024}, author = {Walker, T}, title = {Detection of Natural Wolbachia Strains in Anopheles Mosquitoes.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {205-218}, pmid = {38006554}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Anopheles/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Malaria ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium that naturally infects many insect species, including mosquitoes that transmit human diseases. Wolbachia strains have been shown to inhibit the transmission of both arboviruses and malaria Plasmodium parasites. The existence of natural strains in wild Anopheles (An.) mosquitoes, the vectors of malaria parasites, in an endosymbiotic relationship is still to be fully determined. Although Wolbachia has been reported to be present in wild populations of the An. gambiae complex, the primary vectors of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa, Wolbachia DNA sequence density and infection frequencies are low. As most studies have used highly sensitive nested PCR as the only detection method, more robust evidence is required to determine whether Wolbachia strains are established as endosymbionts in Anopheles species. Techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridization, microbiome sequencing, and Wolbachia whole genome sequencing have provided concrete evidence for genuine Wolbachia strains in two mosquito species: An. moucheti and An. demeilloni. In this chapter, the current methodology used to determine if resident strains exist in Anopheles mosquitoes will be reviewed, including both PCR- and non-PCR-based protocols.}, }
@article {pmid38006547, year = {2024}, author = {Kakumanu, ML and Hickin, ML and Schal, C}, title = {Detection, Quantification, and Elimination of Wolbachia in Bed Bugs.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {97-114}, pmid = {38006547}, issn = {1940-6029}, support = {P30 ES025128/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Bedbugs/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligatory nutritional symbiont of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, providing B-vitamins to its host. The biological significance of Wolbachia to bed bugs is investigated primarily by eliminating the symbiont with antibiotics, which is followed by confirmation with molecular assays. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for eliminating Wolbachia in bed bugs using the ansamycin antibiotic rifampicin (also known as rifampin) and three molecular methods to accurately detect and quantify the Wolbachia gene copies in bed bug samples. We describe the digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), a highly sensitive technique for absolute quantification of low abundance target genes, which has proven to be a valuable technique for confirmation of the elimination of Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid38006542, year = {2024}, author = {Fallon, AM}, title = {Wolbachia: Advancing into a Second Century.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2739}, number = {}, pages = {1-13}, pmid = {38006542}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Filarioidea ; *Arthropods ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis had its scientific debut nearly a century ago and has recently emerged as a target for therapeutic treatment of filarial infections and an attractive tool for control of arthropod pests. Wolbachia was known as a biological entity before DNA was recognized as the molecule that carries the genetic information on which life depends, and before arthropods and nematodes were grouped in the Ecdysozoa. Today, some investigators consider Wolbachia the most abundant endosymbiont on earth, given the numbers of its hosts and its diverse mutualistic, commensal, and parasitic roles in their life histories. Recent advances in molecular technologies have revolutionized our understanding of Wolbachia and its associated reproductive phenotypes. New models have emerged for its investigation, and substantial progress has been made towards Wolbachia-based interventions in medicine and agriculture. Here I introduce Wolbachia, with a focus on aspects of its biology that are covered in greater detail in subsequent chapters.}, }
@article {pmid37999087, year = {2023}, author = {Lei, T and Luo, N and Song, C and Yu, J and Zhou, Y and Qi, X and Liu, Y}, title = {Comparative Genomics Reveals Three Genetic Groups of the Whitefly Obligate Endosymbiont Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37999087}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {32070481//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; CARS-23-C05//Earmarked Fund for China Agriculture Research System/ ; LY22C040003//Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 21hb04//Science &amp; Technology Project of Taizhou/ ; 21nya17//Science &amp; Technology Project of Taizhou/ ; 1902gy23//Science &amp; Technology Project of Taizhou/ ; }, abstract = {Maternally inherited obligate endosymbionts codiverge with their invertebrate hosts and reflect their host's evolutionary history. Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) harbor one obligate endosymbiont, Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum (hereafter Portiera). Portiera was anciently acquired by whitefly and has been coevolving with its host ever since. Uncovering the divergence of endosymbionts provides a fundamental basis for inspecting the coevolutionary processes between the bacteria and their hosts. To illustrate the divergence of Portiera lineages across different whitefly species, we sequenced the Portiera genome from Aleyrodes shizuokensis and conducted a comparative analysis on the basic features and gene evolution with bacterial genomes from five whitefly genera, namely Aleurodicus, Aleyrodes, Bemisia, Pealius, and Trialeurodes. The results indicated that Portiera from Bemisia possessed significantly larger genomes, fewer coding sequences (CDSs), and a lower coding density. Their gene arrangement differed notably from those of other genera. The phylogeny of the nine Portiera lineages resembled that of their hosts. Moreover, the lineages were classified into three distinct genetic groups based on the genetic distance, one from Aleurodicus (Aleurodicinae), one from Bemisia (Aleyrodinae), and another from Aleyrodes, Pealius, and Trialeurrodes (Aleyrodinae). Synonymous and nonsynonymous rate analyses, parity rule 2 plot analyses, neutrality plot analyses, and effective number of codons analyses supported the distinction of the three genetic groups. Our results indicated that Portiera from distant hosts exhibit distinct genomic contents, implying codivergence between hosts and their endosymbionts. This work will enhance our understanding of coevolution between hosts and their endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid37995370, year = {2023}, author = {Strunov, A and Kirchner, S and Schindelar, J and Kruckenhauser, L and Haring, E and Kapun, M}, title = {Historic Museum Samples Provide Evidence for a Recent Replacement of Wolbachia Types in European Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {40}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {37995370}, issn = {1537-1719}, support = {P 32275/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Museums ; Biological Evolution ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is one of the most common bacterial endosymbionts, which is frequently found in numerous arthropods and nematode taxa. Wolbachia infections can have a strong influence on the evolutionary dynamics of their hosts since these bacteria are reproductive manipulators that affect the fitness and life history of their host species for their own benefit. Host-symbiont interactions with Wolbachia are perhaps best studied in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, which is naturally infected with at least 5 different variants among which wMel and wMelCS are the most frequent ones. Comparisons of infection types between natural flies and long-term lab stocks have previously indicated that wMelCS represents the ancestral type, which was only very recently replaced by the nowadays dominant wMel in most natural populations. In this study, we took advantage of recently sequenced museum specimens of D. melanogaster that have been collected 90 to 200 yr ago in Northern Europe to test this hypothesis. Our comparison to contemporary Wolbachia samples provides compelling support for the replacement hypothesis. Our analyses show that sequencing data from historic museum specimens and their bycatch are an emerging and unprecedented resource to address fundamental questions about evolutionary dynamics in host-symbiont interactions. However, we also identified contamination with DNA from crickets that resulted in co-contamination with cricket-specific Wolbachia in several samples. These results underpin the need for rigorous quality assessments of museomic data sets to account for contamination as a source of error that may strongly influence biological interpretations if it remains undetected.}, }
@article {pmid37994906, year = {2023}, author = {Meyer, DF and Moumène, A and Rodrigues, V}, title = {Microbe Profile: Ehrlichia ruminantium - stealthy as it goes.}, journal = {Microbiology (Reading, England)}, volume = {169}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37994906}, issn = {1465-2080}, mesh = {*Ehrlichia ruminantium ; }, abstract = {Ehrlichia ruminantium is an obligate intracellular pathogenic bacterium that causes heartwater, a fatal disease of ruminants in tropical areas. Some human cases have also been reported. This globally important pathogen is primarily transmitted by ticks of the Amblyomma genus and threatens American mainland. E. ruminantium replicates within eukaryotic mammal or tick cell is a membrane-bound vacuole, where it undergoes a biphasic developmental growth cycle and differentiates from noninfectious replicative form into infectious elementary bodies. The ability of E. ruminantium to hijack host cellular processes and avoid innate immunity is a fundamental, but not yet fully understood, virulence trait of this stealth pathogen in the genomic era.}, }
@article {pmid37980433, year = {2023}, author = {Sanches, P and De Moraes, CM and Mescher, MC}, title = {Endosymbionts modulate virus effects on aphid-plant interactions.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {17}, number = {12}, pages = {2441-2451}, pmid = {37980433}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; *Viruses ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne pathogens frequently modify traits of their primary hosts and vectors in ways that influence disease transmission. Such effects can themselves be altered by the presence of other microbial symbionts, yet we currently have limited understanding of these interactions. Here we show that effects of pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) on interactions between host plants and aphid vectors are modulated by the presence of different aphid endosymbionts. In a series of laboratory assays, we found strong interactive effects of virus infection and endosymbionts on aphid metabolomic profiles, population growth, behavior, and virus transmission during aphid feeding. Furthermore, the strongest effects-and those predicted to favor virus transmission-were most apparent in aphid lines harboring particular endosymbionts. These findings show that virus effects on host-vector interactions can be strongly influenced by other microbial symbionts and suggest a potentially important role for such interactions in disease ecology and evolution.}, }
@article {pmid37978413, year = {2023}, author = {Pascar, J and Middleton, H and Dorus, S}, title = {Aedes aegypti microbiome composition covaries with the density of Wolbachia infection.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {255}, pmid = {37978413}, issn = {2049-2618}, support = {R21 HD088910/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Female ; *Dengue Virus ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is a widespread bacterial endosymbiont that can inhibit vector competency when stably transinfected into the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, a primary vector of the dengue virus (DENV) and other arboviruses. Although a complete mechanistic understanding of pathogen blocking is lacking, it is likely to involve host immunity induction and resource competition between Wolbachia and DENV, both of which may be impacted by microbiome composition. The potential impact of Wolbachia transinfection on host fitness is also of importance given the widespread release of mosquitos infected with the Drosophila melanogaster strain of Wolbachia (wMel) in wild populations. Here, population-level genomic data from Ae. aegypti was surveyed to establish the relationship between the density of wMel infection and the composition of the host microbiome.<br><br>RESULTS: Analysis of genomic data from 172 Ae. aegypti females across six populations resulted in an expanded and quantitatively refined, species-level characterization of the bacterial, archaeal, and fungal microbiome. This included 844 species of bacteria across 23 phyla, of which 54 species were found to be ubiquitous microbiome members across these populations. The density of wMel infection was highly variable between individuals and negatively correlated with microbiome diversity. Network analyses revealed wMel as a hub comprised solely of negative interactions with other bacterial species. This contrasted with the large and highly interconnected network of other microbiome species that may represent members of the midgut microbiome community in this population.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our bioinformatic survey provided a species-level characterization of Ae. aegypti microbiome composition and variation. wMel load varied substantially across populations and individuals and, importantly, wMel was a major hub of a negative interactions across the microbiome. These interactions may be an inherent consequence of heightened pathogen blocking in densely infected individuals or, alternatively, may result from antagonistic Wolbachia-incompatible bacteria that could impede the efficacy of wMel as a biological control agent in future applications. The relationship between wMel infection variation and the microbiome warrants further investigation in the context of developing wMel as a multivalent control agent against other arboviruses. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid37974296, year = {2023}, author = {Sun, Y and Wang, M and Cao, L and Seim, I and Zhou, L and Chen, J and Wang, H and Zhong, Z and Chen, H and Fu, L and Li, M and Li, C and Sun, S}, title = {Mosaic environment-driven evolution of the deep-sea mussel Gigantidas platifrons bacterial endosymbiont.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {253}, pmid = {37974296}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Mytilidae/genetics/microbiology ; Bacteria ; Ecosystem ; Methane/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Hydrothermal Vents ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The within-species diversity of symbiotic bacteria represents an important genetic resource for their environmental adaptation, especially for horizontally transmitted endosymbionts. Although strain-level intraspecies variation has recently been detected in many deep-sea endosymbionts, their ecological role in environmental adaptation, their genome evolution pattern under heterogeneous geochemical environments, and the underlying molecular forces remain unclear.<br><br>RESULTS: Here, we conducted a fine-scale metagenomic analysis of the deep-sea mussel Gigantidas platifrons bacterial endosymbiont collected from distinct habitats: hydrothermal vent and methane seep. Endosymbiont genomes were assembled using a pipeline that distinguishes within-species variation and revealed highly heterogeneous compositions in mussels from different habitats. Phylogenetic analysis separated the assemblies into three distinct environment-linked clades. Their functional differentiation follows a mosaic evolutionary pattern. Core genes, essential for central metabolic function and symbiosis, were conserved across all clades. Clade-specific genes associated with heavy metal resistance, pH homeostasis, and nitrate utilization exhibited signals of accelerated evolution. Notably, transposable elements and plasmids contributed to the genetic reshuffling of the symbiont genomes and likely accelerated adaptive evolution through pseudogenization and the introduction of new genes.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The current study uncovers the environment-driven evolution of deep-sea symbionts mediated by mobile genetic elements. Its findings highlight a potentially common and critical role of within-species diversity in animal-microbiome symbioses. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid37970093, year = {2023}, author = {Awori, RM and Hendre, P and Amugune, NO}, title = {The genome of a steinernematid-associated Pseudomonas piscis bacterium encodes the biosynthesis of insect toxins.}, journal = {Access microbiology}, volume = {5}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37970093}, issn = {2516-8290}, abstract = {Several species of soil-dwelling Steinernema nematodes are used in the biocontrol of crop pests, due to their natural capacity to kill diverse lepidopteran species. Although this insect-killing trait is known to be augmented by the nematodes' Xenorhabdus endosymbionts, the role of other steinernematid-associated bacterial genera in the nematode lifecycle remains unclear. This genomic study aimed to determine the potential of Pseudomonas piscis to contribute to the entomopathogenicity of its Steinernema host. Insect larvae were infected with three separate Steinernema cultures. From each of the three treatments, the prevalent bacteria in the haemocoel of cadavers, four days post-infection, were isolated. These three bacterial isolates were morphologically characterised. DNA was extracted from each of the three bacterial isolates and used for long-read genome sequencing and assembly. Assemblies were used to delineate species and identify genes that encode insect toxins, antimicrobials, and confer antibiotic resistance. We assembled three complete genomes. Through digital DNA-DNA hybridisation analyses, we ascertained that the haemocoels of insect cadavers previously infected with Steinernema sp. Kalro, Steinernema sp. 75, and Steinernema sp. 97 were dominated by Xenorhabdus griffiniae Kalro, Pseudomonas piscis 75, and X. griffiniae 97, respectively. X. griffiniae Kalro and X. griffiniae 97 formed a subspecies with other X. griffiniae symbionts of steinernematids from Kenya. P. piscis 75 phylogenetically clustered with pseudomonads that are characterised by high insecticidal activity. The P. piscis 75 genome encoded the production pathway of insect toxins such as orfamides and rhizoxins, antifungals such as pyrrolnitrin and pyoluteorin, and the broad-spectrum antimicrobial 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol. The P. piscis 75 genome encoded resistance to over ten classes of antibiotics, including cationic lipopeptides. Steinernematid-associated P. piscis bacteria hence have the biosynthetic potential to contribute to nematode entomopathogenicity.}, }
@article {pmid37963163, year = {2023}, author = {Takasu, R and Yasuda, Y and Izu, T and Nakabachi, A}, title = {Diaphorin, a polyketide produced by a bacterial endosymbiont of the Asian citrus psyllid, adversely affects the in vitro gene expression with ribosomes from Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {11}, pages = {e0294360}, pmid = {37963163}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacillus subtilis/genetics/metabolism ; Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Polyketides/pharmacology/metabolism ; *Citrus/microbiology ; *Gammaproteobacteria/metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; *Rhizobiaceae/physiology ; }, abstract = {Diaphorin is a polyketide produced by "Candidatus Profftella armatura" (Gammaproteobacteria), an obligate mutualist of an important agricultural pest, the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera). Our previous study demonstrated that diaphorin, at physiological concentrations in D. citri, inhibits the growth and cell division of Bacillus subtilis (Firmicutes) but promotes the growth and metabolic activity of Escherichia coli (Gammaproteobacteria). This unique property of diaphorin may aid microbial mutualism in D. citri, potentially affecting the transmission of "Candidatus Liberibacter spp." (Alphaproteobacteria), the pathogens of the most destructive citrus disease Huanglongbing. Moreover, this property may be exploited to promote microbes' efficiency in producing industrial materials. However, the mechanism underlying this activity is unknown. Diaphorin belongs to the family of pederin-type compounds, which inhibit protein synthesis in eukaryotes by binding to eukaryotic ribosomes. Therefore, as a first step to assess diaphorin's direct influence on bacterial gene expression, this study examined the effect of diaphorin on the in vitro translation using ribosomes of B. subtilis and E. coli, quantifying the production of the green fluorescent protein. The results showed that the gene expression involving B. subtilis and E. coli ribosomes along with five millimolar diaphorin was 29.6% and 13.1%, respectively, less active than the control. This suggests that the diaphorin's adverse effects on B. subtilis are attributed to, at least partly, its inhibitory effects on gene expression. Moreover, as ingredients of the translation system were common other than ribosomes, the greater inhibitory effects observed with the B. subtilis ribosome imply that the ribosome is among the potential targets of diaphorin. On the other hand, the results also imply that diaphorin's positive effects on E. coli are due to targets other than the core machinery of transcription and translation. This study demonstrated for the first time that a pederin congener affects bacterial gene expression.}, }
@article {pmid37961388, year = {2023}, author = {Karim, S and Zenzal, TJ and Beati, L and Sen, R and Adegoke, A and Kumar, D and Downs, LP and Keko, M and Nussbaum, A and Becker, DJ and Moore, FR}, title = {Ticks without borders: Microbial communities of immature Neotropical tick species parasitizing migratory landbirds along northern Gulf of Mexico.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37961388}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {P20 GM103476/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The long-distance, seasonal migrations of birds make them an effective ecological bridge for the movement of ticks. The introduction of exotic tick species to new geographical regions can lead to the emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens or the re-emergence of previously eradicated ones. This study assessed the prevalence of exotic tick species parasitizing resident, short-distance, and long-distance songbirds during spring and autumn at stopover sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico using the mitochondrial 12S rDNA gene. Birds were captured for tick collection from six different sites from late August to early November in both 2018 and 2019. The highest number of ticks were collected in the 2019 season. Most ticks were collected off the Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) and Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), and 54% of the total ticks collected were from Grand Chenier, LA. A high throughput 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing approach was followed to characterize the microbial communities and identify pathogenic microbes in all tick samples. Tick microbial communities, diversity, and community structure were determined using quantitative insight into microbial ecology (QIIME). The sparse correlations for compositional data (SparCC) approach was then used to construct microbial network maps and infer microbial correlations. A total of 421 individual ticks in the genera Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis, and Ixodes were recorded from 28 songbird species, of which Amblyomma and Amblyomma longirostre was the most abundant tick genus and species, respectively. Microbial profiles showed that Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum. The most abundant bacteria include the pathogenic Rickettsia and endosymbiont Francisella, Candidatus Midichloria, and Spiroplasma. BLAST analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction of the Rickettsia sequences revealed the highest similarities to pathogenic spotted and non-spotted fever groups, including R. buchneri, R. conorii, R. prowazekii, R. bellii, R. australis, R. parkeri, R. monacensis, and R. monteiroi. Permutation multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the relative abundance of Francisella and Rickettsia drives microbial patterns across the tick genera. We also observed a higher percentage of positive correlations in microbe-microbe interactions among members of the microbial communities. Network analysis suggested a negative correlation between a) Francisella and Rickettsia and, b) Francisella and Cutibacterium. Lastly, mapping the distributions of bird species parasitized during spring migrations highlighted geographic hotspots where migratory songbirds could disperse ticks and their pathogens at stopover sites or upon arrival to their breeding grounds, the latter showing means dispersal distances from 421-5003 kilometers. These findings strongly highlight the potential role of migratory birds in the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid37955420, year = {2023}, author = {Whittle, M and Bonsall, MB and Barreaux, AMG and Ponton, F and English, S}, title = {A theoretical model for host-controlled regulation of symbiont density.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {36}, number = {12}, pages = {1731-1744}, pmid = {37955420}, issn = {1420-9101}, support = {BB/P006159/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Biological Evolution ; *Symbiosis/physiology ; Models, Theoretical ; }, abstract = {There is growing empirical evidence that animal hosts actively control the density of their mutualistic symbionts according to their requirements. Such active regulation can be facilitated by compartmentalization of symbionts within host tissues, which confers a high degree of control of the symbiosis to the host. Here, we build a general theoretical framework to predict the underlying ecological drivers and evolutionary consequences of host-controlled endosymbiont density regulation for a mutually obligate association between a host and a compartmentalized, vertically transmitted symbiont. Building on the assumption that the costs and benefits of hosting a symbiont population increase with symbiont density, we use state-dependent dynamic programming to determine an optimal strategy for the host, i.e., that which maximizes host fitness, when regulating the density of symbionts. Simulations of active host-controlled regulation governed by the optimal strategy predict that the density of the symbiont should converge to a constant level during host development, and following perturbation. However, a similar trend also emerges from alternative strategies of symbiont regulation. The strategy which maximizes host fitness also promotes symbiont fitness compared to alternative strategies, suggesting that active host-controlled regulation of symbiont density could be adaptive for the symbiont as well as the host. Adaptation of the framework allowed the dynamics of symbiont density to be predicted for other host-symbiont ecologies, such as for non-essential symbionts, demonstrating the versatility of this modelling approach.}, }
@article {pmid37953792, year = {2023}, author = {Furtado, DP and Vieira, EA and Nascimento, WF and Inagaki, KY and Bleuel, J and Alves, MAZ and Longo, GO and Oliveira, LS}, title = {#DeOlhoNosCorais: a polygonal annotated dataset to optimize coral monitoring.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e16219}, pmid = {37953792}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; Coral Reefs ; Ecosystem ; Crustacea ; Fishes ; }, abstract = {Corals are colonial animals within the Phylum Cnidaria that form coral reefs, playing a significant role in marine environments by providing habitat for fish, mollusks, crustaceans, sponges, algae, and other organisms. Global climate changes are causing more intense and frequent thermal stress events, leading to corals losing their color due to the disruption of a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic endosymbionts. Given the importance of corals to the marine environment, monitoring coral reefs is critical to understanding their response to anthropogenic impacts. Most coral monitoring activities involve underwater photographs, which can be costly to generate on large spatial scales and require processing and analysis that may be time-consuming. The Marine Ecology Laboratory (LECOM) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) developed the project "#DeOlhoNosCorais" which encourages users to post photos of coral reefs on their social media (Instagram) using this hashtag, enabling people without previous scientific training to contribute to coral monitoring. The laboratory team identifies the species and gathers information on coral health along the Brazilian coast by analyzing each picture posted on social media. To optimize this process, we conducted baseline experiments for image classification and semantic segmentation. We analyzed the classification results of three different machine learning models using the Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) algorithm. The best results were achieved by combining EfficientNet for feature extraction and Logistic Regression for classification. Regarding semantic segmentation, the U-Net Pix2Pix model produced a pixel-level accuracy of 86%. Our results indicate that this tool can enhance image selection for coral monitoring purposes and open several perspectives for improving classification performance. Furthermore, our findings can be expanded by incorporating other datasets to create a tool that streamlines the time and cost associated with analyzing coral reef images across various regions.}, }
@article {pmid37952351, year = {2024}, author = {El Hamss, H and Maruthi, MN and Omongo, CA and Wang, HL and van Brunschot, S and Colvin, J and Delatte, H}, title = {Microbiome diversity and composition in Bemisia tabaci SSA1-SG1 whitefly are influenced by their host's life stage.}, journal = {Microbiological research}, volume = {278}, number = {}, pages = {127538}, doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2023.127538}, pmid = {37952351}, issn = {1618-0623}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Life Cycle Stages ; }, abstract = {Within the Bemisia tabaci group of cryptic whitefly species, many are damaging agricultural pests and plant-virus vectors, conferring upon this group the status of one of the world's top 100 most invasive and destructive species, affecting farmers' income and threatening their livelihoods. Studies on the microbiome of whitefly life stages are scarce, although their composition and diversity greatly influence whitefly fitness and development. We used high-throughput sequencing to understand microbiome diversity in different developmental stages of the B. tabaci sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1-SG1) species of the whitefly from Uganda. Endosymbionts (Portiera, Arsenophonus, Wolbachia, and Hemipteriphilus were detected but excluded from further statistical analysis as they were not influenced by life stage using Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance Using Distance Matrices (ADONIS, p = 0.925 and Bray, p = 0.903). Our results showed significant differences in the meta microbiome composition in different life stages of SSA1-SG1. The diversity was significantly higher in eggs (Shannon, p = 0.024; Simpson, p = 0.047) than that in nymphs and pupae, while the number of microbial species observed by the amplicon sequence variant (ASV) was not significant (n(ASV), p = 0.094). At the phylum and genus levels, the dominant constituents in the microbiome changed significantly during various developmental stages, with Halomonas being present in eggs, whereas Bacillus and Caldalkalibacillus were consistently found across all life stages. These findings provide the first description of differing meta microbiome diversity in the life stage of whiteflies, suggesting their putative role in whitefly development.}, }
@article {pmid37952050, year = {2023}, author = {Miyagishima, SY}, title = {Taming the perils of photosynthesis by eukaryotes: constraints on endosymbiotic evolution in aquatic ecosystems.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {6}, number = {1}, pages = {1150}, pmid = {37952050}, issn = {2399-3642}, mesh = {*Ecosystem ; Photosynthesis/physiology ; Chloroplasts/metabolism ; Plants ; *Cyanobacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {An ancestral eukaryote acquired photosynthesis by genetically integrating a cyanobacterial endosymbiont as the chloroplast. The chloroplast was then further integrated into many other eukaryotic lineages through secondary endosymbiotic events of unicellular eukaryotic algae. While photosynthesis enables autotrophy, it also generates reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative stress. To mitigate the stress, photosynthetic eukaryotes employ various mechanisms, including regulating chloroplast light absorption and repairing or removing damaged chloroplasts by sensing light and photosynthetic status. Recent studies have shown that, besides algae and plants with innate chloroplasts, several lineages of numerous unicellular eukaryotes engage in acquired phototrophy by hosting algal endosymbionts or by transiently utilizing chloroplasts sequestrated from algal prey in aquatic ecosystems. In addition, it has become evident that unicellular organisms engaged in acquired phototrophy, as well as those that feed on algae, have also developed mechanisms to cope with photosynthetic oxidative stress. These mechanisms are limited but similar to those employed by algae and plants. Thus, there appear to be constraints on the evolution of those mechanisms, which likely began by incorporating photosynthetic cells before the establishment of chloroplasts by extending preexisting mechanisms to cope with oxidative stress originating from mitochondrial respiration and acquiring new mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid37949964, year = {2024}, author = {Bickerstaff, JRM and Jordal, BH and Riegler, M}, title = {Two sympatric lineages of Australian Cnestus solidus share Ambrosiella symbionts but not Wolbachia.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {132}, number = {1}, pages = {43-53}, pmid = {37949964}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {Animals ; *Weevils/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Australia ; *Ascomycota/genetics ; }, abstract = {Sympatric lineages of inbreeding species provide an excellent opportunity to investigate species divergence patterns and processes. Many ambrosia beetle lineages (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) reproduce by predominant inbreeding through sib mating in nests excavated in woody plant parts wherein they cultivate symbiotic ambrosia fungi as their sole source of nutrition. The Xyleborini ambrosia beetle species Cnestus solidus and Cnestus pseudosolidus are sympatrically distributed across eastern Australia and have overlapping morphological variation. Using multilocus sequencing analysis of individuals collected from 19 sites spanning their sympatric distribution, we assessed their phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic status and microbial symbionts. We found no genetic differentiation between individuals morphologically identified as C. solidus and C. pseudosolidus confirming previous suggestions that C. pseudosolidus is synonymous to C. solidus. However, within C. solidus we unexpectedly discovered the sympatric coexistence of two morphologically indistinguishable but genetically distinct lineages with small nuclear yet large mitochondrial divergence. At all sites except one, individuals of both lineages carried the same primary fungal symbiont, a new Ambrosiella species, indicating that fungal symbiont differentiation may not be involved in lineage divergence. One strain of the maternally inherited bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia was found at high prevalence in individuals of the more common lineage but not in the other, suggesting that it may influence host fitness. Our data suggest that the two Australian Cnestus lineages diverged allopatrically, and one lineage then acquired Wolbachia. Predominant inbreeding and Wolbachia infection may have reinforced reproductive barriers between these two lineages after their secondary contact contributing to their current sympatric distribution.}, }
@article {pmid37948354, year = {2024}, author = {Hussain, M and Zhong, Y and Tao, T and Xiu, B and Ye, F and Gao, J and Mao, R}, title = {Effect of tree height and spraying methods on Diaphorina citri kuwayama endosymbionts in the context of Huanglongbing disease management in citrus orchards.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {80}, number = {3}, pages = {1484-1500}, doi = {10.1002/ps.7880}, pmid = {37948354}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {2021GDASYL-20210103051//The GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development/ ; 2022GDASZH-2022030501//The GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development/ ; QN2022030005//Foreign Youth Talent Programs/ ; 2023SDZG06//the open competition program of top ten critical priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-year plan of Guangdong province/ ; 2022SDZG06//the open competition program of top ten critical priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-year plan of Guangdong province/ ; 20220610043//the Research Programs of Guangzhou/ ; 202103000065//the Research Programs of Guangzhou/ ; KTP20210352//Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Trees ; *Citrus ; *Hemiptera ; Disease Management ; Plant Diseases ; *Rhizobiaceae ; *Liberibacter ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Huanglongbing (HLB) (caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) is the most damaging disease of citrus around the world. This study investigated the effects of citrus tree height on Diaphorina citri Kuwayama mortality, endosymbiont responses, and HLB distribution.<br><br>RESULTS: The results reveal that the age of citrus trees plays a significant role in psyllid mortality. Interestingly, the cumulative mean mortality (%) of psyllids over the seven-day observation period was higher (31.50&#xb1;0.03) when four-year-old (501A1, 502A2, 501A3) citrus trees were sprayed with a US-SMART mechanical sprayer. In contrast, the psyllids mortality was 0.09&#xb1;0.23 for the 13-year-old citrus trees (104A2, 104A3, 104C1) sprayed with a US-SMART mechanical sprayer and 9.10&#xb1;0.05 for 13-year-old (502A2, 502B2, 502D1) citrus trees sprayed with a fixed US-SMART mechanical sprayer. Our findings also revealed that psyllids from both four- and 13-year-old citrus trees carried Candidatus Carsonella ruddii species and Wolbachia, the primary and secondary endosymbionts, respectively. Surprisingly, infection rates of these endosymbionts remained consistent across different age groups, as confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Furthermore, our study highlights the significance of tree height as a proxy for tree age in influencing HLB occurrence. Specifically, four-year-old citrus trees subjected to the US-SMART mechanical sprayer for citrus psyllid control demonstrated effective disease management compared to 13-year-old (104A2, 104A3, 104C1) citrus trees sprayed with US-SMART mechanical&#xa0;sprayers. Additionally, the investigation explored the impact of tree height on HLB distribution. In four-year-old trees, no significant correlation between HLB disease and tree height was observed, potentially due to effective spray coverage with US-SMART mechanical sprayer. However, in 13-year-old (104A2, 104A3, 104C1) citrus tree sprayed with US-SMART mechanical sprayer, a positive correlation between tree height and HLB disease was evident.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This research provides valuable insights into the complex interaction between citrus tree age, psyllid endosymbionts responses, and HLB distribution. These results emphasize effective HLB management strategies, especially in orchards with diverse tree age populations, ultimately contributing to the long-term sustainability of citrus cultivation. &#xa9; 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid37944675, year = {2023}, author = {Chaves-Olarte, E and Meza-Torres, J and Herrera-Rodríguez, F and Lizano-González, E and Suárez-Esquivel, M and Baker, KS and Rivas-Solano, O and Ruiz-Villalobos, N and Villalta-Romero, F and Cheng, HP and Walker, GC and Cloeckaert, A and Thomson, NR and Frisan, T and Moreno, E and Guzmán-Verri, C}, title = {A sensor histidine kinase from a plant-endosymbiont bacterium restores the virulence of a mammalian intracellular pathogen.}, journal = {Microbial pathogenesis}, volume = {185}, number = {}, pages = {106442}, pmid = {37944675}, issn = {1096-1208}, support = {R01 GM031030/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; Virulence/genetics ; Histidine Kinase/genetics ; *Brucella abortus ; *Genes, Bacterial ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Mammals/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Alphaproteobacteria include organisms living in close association with plants or animals. This interaction relies partly on orthologous two-component regulatory systems (TCS), with sensor and regulator proteins modulating the expression of conserved genes related to symbiosis/virulence. We assessed the ability of the exoS[+]Sm gene, encoding a sensor protein from the plant endosymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti to substitute its orthologous bvrS in the related animal/human pathogen Brucella abortus. ExoS phosphorylated the B. abortus regulator BvrR in vitro and in cultured bacteria, showing conserved biological function. Production of ExoS in a B. abortus bvrS mutant reestablished replication in host cells and the capacity to infect mice. Bacterial outer membrane properties, the production of the type IV secretion system VirB, and its transcriptional regulators VjbR and BvrR were restored as compared to parental B. abortus. These results indicate that conserved traits of orthologous TCS from bacteria living in and sensing different environments are sufficient to achieve phenotypic plasticity and support bacterial survival. The knowledge of bacterial genetic networks regulating host interactions allows for an understanding of the subtle differences between symbiosis and parasitism. Rewiring these networks could provide new alternatives to control and prevent bacterial infection.}, }
@article {pmid37938758, year = {2022}, author = {Luo, H and Wang, J and Goes, JI and Gomes, HDR and Al-Hashmi, K and Tobias, C and Koerting, C and Lin, S}, title = {A grazing-driven positive nutrient feedback loop and active sexual reproduction underpin widespread Noctiluca green tides.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, pages = {103}, pmid = {37938758}, issn = {2730-6151}, support = {4980.01//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Gordon E. and Betty I. Moore Foundation)/ ; 2019983//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Gordon E. and Betty I. Moore Foundation)/ ; 42276096//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; NNX17AG66G-ECO4CAST//National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/ ; CMS-80NSSC20K0014//National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/ ; }, abstract = {The mixoplankton green Noctiluca scintillans (gNoctiluca) is known to form extensive green tides in tropical coastal ecosystems prone to eutrophication. In the Arabian Sea, their recent appearance and annual recurrence have upended an ecosystem that was once exclusively dominated by diatoms. Despite evidence of strong links to eutrophication, hypoxia and warming, the mechanisms underlying outbreaks of this mixoplanktonic dinoflagellate remain uncertain. Here we have used eco-physiological measurements and transcriptomic profiling to ascribe gNoctiluca's explosive growth during bloom formation to the form of sexual reproduction that produces numerous gametes. Rapid growth of gNoctiluca coincided with active ammonium and phosphate release from gNoctiluca cells, which exhibited high transcriptional activity of phagocytosis and metabolism generating ammonium. This grazing-driven nutrient flow ostensibly promotes the growth of phytoplankton as prey and offers positive support successively for bloom formation and maintenance. We also provide the first evidence that the host gNoctiluca cell could be manipulating growth of its endosymbiont population in order to exploit their photosynthetic products and meet critical energy needs. These findings illuminate gNoctiluca's little known nutritional and reproductive strategies that facilitate its ability to form intense and expansive gNoctiluca blooms to the detriment of regional water, food and the socio-economic security in several tropical countries.}, }
@article {pmid37936139, year = {2023}, author = {Hakobyan, A and Velte, S and Sickel, W and Quandt, D and Stoll, A and Knief, C}, title = {Tillandsia landbeckii phyllosphere and laimosphere as refugia for bacterial life in a hyperarid desert environment.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {246}, pmid = {37936139}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Humans ; Soil Microbiology ; *Tillandsia ; Refugium ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria/genetics ; Plants/microbiology ; Soil ; Desert Climate ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The lack of water is a major constraint for microbial life in hyperarid deserts. Consequently, the abundance and diversity of microorganisms in common habitats such as soil are strongly reduced, and colonization occurs primarily by specifically adapted microorganisms that thrive in particular refugia to escape the harsh conditions that prevail in these deserts. We suggest that plants provide another refugium for microbial life in hyperarid deserts. We studied the bacterial colonization of Tillandsia landbeckii (Bromeliaceae) plants, which occur in the hyperarid regions of the Atacama Desert in Chile, one of the driest and oldest deserts on Earth.<br><br>RESULTS: We detected clear differences between the bacterial communities being plant associated to those of the bare soil surface (PERMANOVA, R[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.187, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001), indicating that Tillandsia plants host a specific bacterial community, not only dust-deposited cells. Moreover, the bacterial communities in the phyllosphere were distinct from those in the laimosphere, i.e., on buried shoots (R[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.108, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001), indicating further habitat differentiation within plant individuals. The bacterial taxa detected in the phyllosphere are partly well-known phyllosphere colonizers, but in addition, some rather unusual taxa (subgroup2 Acidobacteriae, Acidiphilum) and insect endosymbionts (Wolbachia, "Candidatus Uzinura") were found. The laimosphere hosted phyllosphere-associated as well as soil-derived taxa. The phyllosphere bacterial communities showed biogeographic patterns across the desert (R[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.331, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001). These patterns were different and even more pronounced in the laimosphere (R[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.467, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001), indicating that different factors determine community assembly in the two plant compartments. Furthermore, the phyllosphere microbiota underwent temporal changes (R[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.064, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that T. landbeckii plants host specific bacterial communities in the phyllosphere as well as in the laimosphere. Therewith, these plants provide compartment-specific refugia for microbial life in hyperarid desert environments. The bacterial communities show biogeographic patterns and temporal variation, as known from other plant microbiomes, demonstrating environmental responsiveness and suggesting that bacteria inhabit these plants as viable microorganisms. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid37930120, year = {2023}, author = {Henry, E and Carlson, CR and Kuo, YW}, title = {Candidatus Kirkpatrickella diaphorinae gen. nov., sp. nov., an uncultured endosymbiont identified in a population of Diaphorina citri from Hawaii.}, journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology}, volume = {73}, number = {11}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1099/ijsem.0.006111}, pmid = {37930120}, issn = {1466-5034}, mesh = {Animals ; Symbiosis ; Hawaii ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Base Composition ; Fatty Acids/chemistry ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Citrus ; }, abstract = {Diaphorina citri is the hemipteran pest and vector of a devastating bacterial pathogen of citrus worldwide. In addition to the two core bacterial endosymbionts of D. citri, Candidatus Carsonella ruddii and Candidatus Profftella armatura, the genome of a novel endosymbiont and as of yet undescribed microbe was discovered in a Hawaiian D. citri population through deep sequencing of multiple D. citri populations. Found to be closely related to the genus Asaia in the family Acetobacteraceae by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, it forms a sister clade along with other insect-associated 16S rRNA gene sequences from uncultured bacterium found associated with Aedes koreicus and Sogatella furcifera. Multilocus sequence analysis confirmed the phylogenetic placement sister to the Asaia clade. Despite the culturable Asaia clade being the closest phylogenetic neighbour, attempts to culture this newly identified bacterial endosymbiont were unsuccessful. On the basis of these distinct genetic differences, the novel endosymbiont is proposed to be classified into a candidate genus and species 'Candidatus Kirkpatrickella diaphorinae'. The full genome was deposited in GenBank (accession number CP107052; prokaryotic 16S rRNA OP600170).}, }
@article {pmid37921460, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, Y and Liu, S and Huang, X-y and Zi, H-b and Gao, T and Ji, R-j and Sheng, J and Zhi, D and Zhang, Y-l and Gong, C-m and Yang, Y-q}, title = {Altitude as a key environmental factor shaping microbial communities of tea green leafhoppers (Matsumurasca onukii).}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {11}, number = {6}, pages = {e0100923}, pmid = {37921460}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {No.2021YFD1601105//MOST | National Key Research and Development Program of China (NKPs)/ ; No.32172635//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera ; Altitude ; Tea ; }, abstract = {Host-associated microbial communities play an important role in the fitness of insect hosts. However, the factors shaping microbial communities in wild populations, including environmental factors and interactions among microbial species, remain largely unknown. The tea green leafhopper has a wide geographical distribution and is highly adaptable, providing a suitable model for studying the effect of ecological drivers on microbiomes. This is the first large-scale culture-independent study investigating the microbial communities of M. onukii sampled from different locations. Altitude as a key environmental factor may have shaped microbial communities of M. onukii by affecting the relative abundance of endosymbionts, especially Wolbachia. The results of this study, therefore, offer not only an in-depth view of the microbial diversity of this species but also an insight into the influence of environmental factors.}, }
@article {pmid37914998, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, W and Xia, X and Hoffmann, AA and Ding, Y and Fang, JC and Yu, H}, title = {Evolution of Wolbachia reproductive and nutritional mutualism: insights from the genomes of two novel strains that double infect the pollinator of dioecious Ficus hirta.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {657}, pmid = {37914998}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {2021A1515110981//Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; 2022ZB773//Jiangsu Funding Program for Excellent Postdoctoral Talent/ ; 2022VBA0002//The Chinese Academy of Sciences PIFI Fellowship for Visiting Scientists/ ; 2023YFE0100540//National Key R &amp; D Program of China/ ; 202206010058//Guangzhou Collaborative Innovation Center on Science-tech of Ecology and Landscape/ ; }, mesh = {*Ficus/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Biotin/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Phylogeny ; DNA Transposable Elements/genetics ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Prophages/genetics ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a genus of maternally inherited endosymbionts that can affect reproduction of their hosts and influence metabolic processes. The pollinator, Valisia javana, is common in the male syconium of the dioecious fig Ficus hirta. Based on a high-quality chromosome-level V. javana genome with PacBio long-read and Illumina short-read sequencing, we discovered a sizeable proportion of Wolbachia sequences and used these to assemble two novel Wolbachia strains belonging to supergroup A. We explored its phylogenetic relationship with described Wolbachia strains based on MLST sequences and the possibility of induction of CI (cytoplasmic incompatibility) in this strain by examining the presence of cif genes known to be responsible for CI in other insects. We also identified mobile genetic elements including prophages and insertion sequences, genes related to biotin synthesis and metabolism. A total of two prophages and 256 insertion sequences were found. The prophage WOjav1 is cryptic (structure incomplete) and WOjav2 is relatively intact. IS5 is the dominant transposon family. At least three pairs of type I cif genes with three copies were found which may cause strong CI although this needs experimental verification; we also considered possible nutritional effects of the Wolbachia by identifying genes related to biotin production, absorption and metabolism. This study provides a resource for further studies of Wolbachia-pollinator-host plant interactions.}, }
@article {pmid37914705, year = {2023}, author = {Rädecker, N and Escrig, S and Spangenberg, JE and Voolstra, CR and Meibom, A}, title = {Coupled carbon and nitrogen cycling regulates the cnidarian-algal symbiosis.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {6948}, pmid = {37914705}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Animals ; Carbon/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Sea Anemones/metabolism ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; *Dinoflagellida/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Efficient nutrient recycling underpins the ecological success of cnidarian-algal symbioses in oligotrophic waters. In these symbioses, nitrogen limitation restricts the growth of algal endosymbionts in hospite and stimulates their release of photosynthates to the cnidarian host. However, the mechanisms controlling nitrogen availability and their role in symbiosis regulation remain poorly understood. Here, we studied the metabolic regulation of symbiotic nitrogen cycling in the sea anemone Aiptasia by experimentally altering labile carbon availability in a series of experiments. Combining [13]C and [15]N stable isotope labeling experiments with physiological analyses and NanoSIMS imaging, we show that the competition for environmental ammonium between the host and its algal symbionts is regulated by labile carbon availability. Light regimes optimal for algal photosynthesis increase carbon availability in the holobiont and stimulate nitrogen assimilation in the host metabolism. Consequently, algal symbiont densities are lowest under optimal environmental conditions and increase toward the lower and upper light tolerance limits of the symbiosis. This metabolic regulation promotes efficient carbon recycling in a stable symbiosis across a wide range of environmental conditions. Yet, the dependence on resource competition may favor parasitic interactions, explaining the instability of the cnidarian-algal symbiosis as environmental conditions in the Anthropocene shift towards its tolerance limits.}, }
@article {pmid37914031, year = {2024}, author = {Grossi, AA and Tian, C and Ren, M and Zou, F and Gustafsson, DR}, title = {Co-phylogeny of a hyper-symbiotic system: Endosymbiotic bacteria (Gammaproteobacteria), chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) and birds (Passeriformes).}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {190}, number = {}, pages = {107957}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107957}, pmid = {37914031}, issn = {1095-9513}, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Passeriformes ; *Ischnocera ; *Gammaproteobacteria ; Biological Evolution ; *Phthiraptera/genetics ; *Bird Diseases/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Chewing lice are hosts to endosymbiotic bacteria as well as themselves being permanent parasites. This offers a unique opportunity to examine the cophylogenetic relationships between three ecologically interconnected organismal groups: birds, chewing lice, and bacteria. Here, we examine the cophylogenetic relationships between lice in the genus Guimaraesiella Eichler, 1949, their endosymbiotic Sodalis-allied bacteria, and a range of bird species from across South China. Both event and distance-based cophylogenetic analyses were explored to compare phylogenies of the three organismal groups. Pair-wise comparisons between lice-endosymbionts and bird-endosymbionts indicated that their evolutionary histories are not independent. However, comparisons between lice and birds, showed mixed results; the distance-based method of ParaFit indicated that their evolutionary histories are not independent, while the event-based method of Jane indicated that their phylogenies were no more congruent than expected by chance. Notably, louse host-switching does not seem to have affected bacterial strains, as conspecific lice sampled from distantly related hosts share bacteria belonging to the same clade.}, }
@article {pmid37907954, year = {2023}, author = {Pfarr, KM and Krome, AK and Al-Obaidi, I and Batchelor, H and Vaillant, M and Hoerauf, A and Opoku, NO and Kuesel, AC}, title = {The pipeline for drugs for control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases: 2. Oral anti-infective drugs and drug combinations for off-label use.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {394}, pmid = {37907954}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {001/WHO_/World Health Organization/International ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Ivermectin/therapeutic use ; Rifampin ; Doxycycline ; Fluconazole ; Off-Label Use ; *Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use ; Drug Combinations ; Neglected Diseases/drug therapy/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {In its 'Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030', the World Health Organization outlined its targets for control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and research needed to achieve them. For many NTDs, this includes research for new treatment options for case management and/or preventive chemotherapy. Our review of small-molecule anti-infective drugs recently approved by a stringent regulatory authority (SRA) or in at least Phase 2 clinical development for regulatory approval showed that this pipeline cannot deliver all new treatments needed. WHO guidelines and country policies show that drugs may be recommended for control and elimination for NTDs for which they are not SRA approved (i.e. for 'off-label' use) if efficacy and safety data for the relevant NTD are considered sufficient by WHO and country authorities. Here, we are providing an overview of clinical research in the past 10 years evaluating the anti-infective efficacy of oral small-molecule drugs for NTD(s) for which they are neither SRA approved, nor included in current WHO strategies nor, considering the research sponsors, likely to be registered with a SRA for that NTD, if found to be effective and safe. No such research has been done for yaws, guinea worm, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), rabies, trachoma, visceral leishmaniasis, mycetoma, T. b. rhodesiense HAT, echinococcosis, taeniasis/cysticercosis or scabies. Oral drugs evaluated include sparfloxacin and acedapsone for leprosy; rifampicin, rifapentin and moxifloxacin for onchocerciasis; imatinib and levamisole for loiasis; itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, ravuconazole and disulfiram for Chagas disease, doxycycline and rifampicin for lymphatic filariasis; arterolane, piperaquine, artesunate, artemether, lumefantrine and mefloquine for schistosomiasis; ivermectin, tribendimidine, pyrantel, oxantel and nitazoxanide for soil-transmitted helminths including strongyloidiasis; chloroquine, ivermectin, balapiravir, ribavirin, celgosivir, UV-4B, ivermectin and doxycycline for dengue; streptomycin, amoxicillin, clavulanate for Buruli ulcer; fluconazole and isavuconazonium for mycoses; clarithromycin and dapsone for cutaneous leishmaniasis; and tribendimidine, albendazole, mebendazole and nitazoxanide for foodborne trematodiasis. Additional paths to identification of new treatment options are needed. One promising path is exploitation of the worldwide experience with 'off-label' treatment of diseases with insufficient treatment options as pursued by the 'CURE ID' initiative.}, }
@article {pmid37906220, year = {2023}, author = {He, LS and Qi, Y and Allard, CAH and Valencia-Montoya, WA and Krueger, SP and Weir, K and Seminara, A and Bellono, NW}, title = {Molecular tuning of sea anemone stinging.}, journal = {eLife}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37906220}, issn = {2050-084X}, support = {R35 GM142697/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DC018789/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS/United States ; R35GM142697/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; 101002724 RIDING/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; R01DC018789/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Sea Anemones/genetics ; Biological Evolution ; Venoms ; }, abstract = {Jellyfish and sea anemones fire single-use, venom-covered barbs to immobilize prey or predators. We previously showed that the anemone Nematostella vectensis uses a specialized voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channel to trigger stinging in response to synergistic prey-derived chemicals and touch (Weir et al., 2020). Here, we use experiments and theory to find that stinging behavior is suited to distinct ecological niches. We find that the burrowing anemone Nematostella uses uniquely strong CaV inactivation for precise control of predatory stinging. In contrast, the related anemone Exaiptasia diaphana inhabits exposed environments to support photosynthetic endosymbionts. Consistent with its niche, Exaiptasia indiscriminately stings for defense and expresses a CaV splice variant that confers weak inactivation. Chimeric analyses reveal that CaVβ subunit adaptations regulate inactivation, suggesting an evolutionary tuning mechanism for stinging behavior. These findings demonstrate how functional specialization of ion channel structure contributes to distinct organismal behavior.}, }
@article {pmid37905582, year = {2024}, author = {Radice, VZ and Martinez, A and Paytan, A and Potts, DC and Barshis, DJ}, title = {Complex dynamics of coral gene expression responses to low pH across species.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {33}, number = {1}, pages = {e17186}, doi = {10.1111/mec.17186}, pmid = {37905582}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {9915-16//The National Geographic Explorer grant/ ; //The National Park Foundation Science Fellowship/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/genetics ; Coral Reefs ; Ecosystem ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Seawater/chemistry ; Transcriptome/genetics ; }, abstract = {Coral capacity to tolerate low pH affects coral community composition and, ultimately, reef ecosystem function. Low pH submarine discharges ('Ojo'; Yucatán, México) represent a natural laboratory to study plasticity and acclimatization to low pH in relation to ocean acidification. A previous >2-year coral transplant experiment to ambient and low pH common garden sites revealed differential survivorship across species and sites, providing a framework to compare mechanistic responses to differential pH exposures. Here, we examined gene expression responses of transplants of three species of reef-building corals (Porites astreoides, Porites porites and Siderastrea siderea) and their algal endosymbiont communities (Symbiodiniaceae) originating from low pH (Ojo) and ambient pH native origins (Lagoon or Reef). Transplant pH environment had the greatest effect on gene expression of Porites astreoides hosts and symbionts and P. porites hosts. Host P. astreoides Ojo natives transplanted to ambient pH showed a similar gene expression profile to Lagoon natives remaining in ambient pH, providing evidence of plasticity in response to ambient pH conditions. Although origin had a larger effect on host S. siderea gene expression due to differences in symbiont genera within Reef and Lagoon/Ojo natives, subtle effects of low pH on all origins demonstrated acclimatization potential. All corals responded to low pH by differentially expressing genes related to pH regulation, ion transport, calcification, cell adhesion and stress/immune response. This study demonstrates that the magnitude of coral gene expression responses to pH varies considerably among populations, species and holobionts, which could differentially affect acclimatization to and impacts of ocean acidification.}, }
@article {pmid37891154, year = {2023}, author = {Matthews, JL and Khalil, A and Siboni, N and Bougoure, J and Guagliardo, P and Kuzhiumparambil, U and DeMaere, M and Le Reun, NM and Seymour, JR and Suggett, DJ and Raina, JB}, title = {Coral endosymbiont growth is enhanced by metabolic interactions with bacteria.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {6864}, pmid = {37891154}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/microbiology ; *Rhodobacteraceae ; Plant Growth Regulators ; Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacteria are key contributors to microalgae resource acquisition, competitive performance, and functional diversity, but their potential metabolic interactions with coral microalgal endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) have been largely overlooked. Here, we show that altering the bacterial composition of two widespread Symbiodiniaceae species, during their free-living stage, results in a significant shift in their cellular metabolism. Indeed, the abundance of monosaccharides and the key phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were correlated with the presence of specific bacteria, including members of the Labrenzia (Roseibium) and Marinobacter genera. Single-cell stable isotope tracking revealed that these two bacterial genera are involved in reciprocal exchanges of carbon and nitrogen with Symbiodiniaceae. We identified the provision of IAA by Labrenzia and Marinobacter, and this metabolite caused a significant growth enhancement of Symbiodiniaceae. By unravelling these interkingdom interactions, our work demonstrates how specific bacterial associates fundamentally govern Symbiodiniaceae fitness.}, }
@article {pmid37887820, year = {2023}, author = {Giorgini, M and Formisano, G and García-García, R and Bernat-Ponce, S and Beitia, F}, title = {The Susceptibility of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED) Species to Attack by a Parasitoid Wasp Changes between Two Whitefly Strains with Different Facultative Endosymbiotic Bacteria.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37887820}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {Short Term Mobility Fellowship//National Research Council/ ; DBA.AD002.356 Lotta Biologica ed Integrata IPSP SS Portici//National Research Council/ ; KBBE 219262 (SWIPE)//ERA-NET - ARIMNet/ ; }, abstract = {In this study, two strains of the mitochondrial lineage Q1 of Bemisia tabaci MED species, characterized by a different complement of facultative bacterial endosymbionts, were tested for their susceptibility to be attacked by the parasitoid wasp Eretmocerus mundus, a widespread natural enemy of B. tabaci. Notably, the BtHC strain infected with Hamiltonella and Cardinium was more resistant to parasitization than the BtHR strain infected with Hamiltonella and Rickettsia. The resistant phenotype consisted of fewer nymphs successfully parasitized (containing the parasitoid mature larva or pupa) and in a lower percentage of adult wasps emerging from parasitized nymphs. Interestingly, the resistance traits were not evident when E. mundus parasitism was compared between BtHC and BtHR using parasitoids originating from a colony maintained on BtHC. However, when we moved the parasitoid colony on BtHR and tested E. mundus after it was reared on BtHR for four and seven generations, we saw then that BtHC was less susceptible to parasitization than BtHR. On the other hand, we did not detect any difference in the parasitization of the BtHR strain between the three generations of E. mundus tested. Our findings showed that host strain is a factor affecting the ability of E. mundus to parasitize B. tabaci and lay the basis for further studies aimed at disentangling the role of the facultative endosymbiont Cardinium and of the genetic background in the resistance of B. tabaci MED to parasitoid attack. Furthermore, they highlight that counteradaptations to the variation of B. tabaci defence mechanisms may be rapidly selected in E. mundus to maximize the parasitoid fitness.}, }
@article {pmid37882523, year = {2023}, author = {Głowska, E and Gerth, M}, title = {Draft genome sequence of a Wolbachia endosymbiont from Syringophilopsis turdi (Fritsch, 1958) (Acari, Syringophilidae).}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {e0060523}, pmid = {37882523}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {UMO-2015/19/D/NZ8/00191//Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN)/ ; GE 2824/1-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)/ ; }, abstract = {We present the draft genome of a Wolbachia endosymbiont from quill mites. This is the first representative of a recently discovered distinct Wolbachia lineage (supergroup P). We hope the genome will be a useful resource for comparative evolutionary and genomic studies across the globally distributed symbiont Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid37874788, year = {2023}, author = {Russell, SL and Castillo, JR and Sullivan, WT}, title = {Wolbachia endosymbionts manipulate the self-renewal and differentiation of germline stem cells to reinforce fertility of their fruit fly host.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {21}, number = {10}, pages = {e3002335}, pmid = {37874788}, issn = {1545-7885}, support = {K99 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia ; Drosophila/metabolism ; Fertility ; Cell Differentiation ; Germ Cells/metabolism ; Stem Cells/metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics ; *Drosophila Proteins/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The alphaproteobacterium Wolbachia pipientis infects arthropod and nematode species worldwide, making it a key target for host biological control. Wolbachia-driven host reproductive manipulations, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), are credited for catapulting these intracellular bacteria to high frequencies in host populations. Positive, perhaps mutualistic, reproductive manipulations also increase infection frequencies, but are not well understood. Here, we identify molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Wolbachia influences the molecularly distinct processes of germline stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and differentiation. We demonstrate that wMel infection rescues the fertility of flies lacking the translational regulator mei-P26 and is sufficient to sustain infertile homozygous mei-P26-knockdown stocks indefinitely. Cytology revealed that wMel mitigates the impact of mei-P26 loss through restoring proper pMad, Bam, Sxl, and Orb expression. In Oregon R files with wild-type fertility, wMel infection elevates lifetime egg hatch rates. Exploring these phenotypes through dual-RNAseq quantification of eukaryotic and bacterial transcripts revealed that wMel infection rescues and offsets many gene expression changes induced by mei-P26 loss at the mRNA level. Overall, we show that wMel infection beneficially reinforces host fertility at mRNA, protein, and phenotypic levels, and these mechanisms may promote the emergence of mutualism and the breakdown of host reproductive manipulations.}, }
@article {pmid37873081, year = {2023}, author = {Perlmutter, JI and Atadurdyyeva, A and Schedl, ME and Unckless, RL}, title = {Wolbachia enhances the survival of Drosophila infected with fungal pathogens.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37873081}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {P20 GM103418/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI139154/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria of arthropods are at the forefront of basic and translational research on multipartite host-symbiont-pathogen interactions. These microbes are vertically inherited from mother to offspring via the cytoplasm. They are the most widespread endosymbionts on the planet due to their infamous ability to manipulate the reproduction of their hosts to spread themselves in a population, and to provide a variety of fitness benefits to their hosts. Importantly, some strains of Wolbachia can inhibit viral pathogenesis within and between arthropod hosts. Mosquitoes carrying the wMel Wolbachia strain of Drosophila melanogaster have a greatly reduced capacity to spread viruses like dengue and Zika to humans. Therefore, Wolbachia are the basis of several global vector control initiatives. While significant research efforts have focused on viruses, relatively little attention has been given to Wolbachia-fungal interactions despite the ubiquity of fungal entomopathogens in nature. Here, we demonstrate that Wolbachia increase the longevity of their Drosophila melanogaster hosts when challenged with a spectrum of yeast and filamentous fungal pathogens. We find that this pattern can vary based on host genotype, sex, and fungal species. Further, Wolbachia correlates with higher fertility and reduced pathogen titers during initial fungal infection, indicating a significant fitness benefit. This study demonstrates Wolbachia's role in diverse fungal pathogen interactions and determines that the phenotype is broad, but with several variables that influence both the presence and strength of the phenotype. These results enhance our knowledge of the strategies Wolbachia uses that likely contribute to such a high global symbiont prevalence.}, }
@article {pmid37871129, year = {2023}, author = {Wenzel, M and Aquadro, CF}, title = {Wolbachia infection at least partially rescues the fertility and ovary defects of several new Drosophila melanogaster bag of marbles protein-coding mutants.}, journal = {PLoS genetics}, volume = {19}, number = {10}, pages = {e1011009}, pmid = {37871129}, issn = {1553-7404}, support = {R01 GM095793/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD018516/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/microbiology ; *Drosophila Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Fertility/genetics ; Ovary/metabolism ; *Wolbachia/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The D. melanogaster protein coding gene bag of marbles (bam) plays a key role in early male and female reproduction by forming complexes with partner proteins to promote differentiation in gametogenesis. Like another germline gene, Sex lethal, bam genetically interacts with the endosymbiont Wolbachia, as Wolbachia rescues the reduced fertility of a bam hypomorphic mutant. Here, we explored the specificity of the bam-Wolbachia interaction by generating 22 new bam mutants, with ten mutants displaying fertility defects. Nine of these mutants trend towards rescue by the wMel Wolbachia variant, with eight statistically significant at the fertility and/or cytological level. In some cases, fertility was increased a striking 20-fold. There is no specificity between the rescue and the known binding regions of bam, suggesting wMel does not interact with one singular bam partner to rescue the reproductive phenotype. We further tested if wMel interacts with bam in a non-specific way, by increasing bam transcript levels or acting upstream in germline stem cells. A fertility assessment of a bam RNAi knockdown mutant reveals that wMel rescue is specific to functionally mutant bam alleles and we find no obvious evidence of wMel interaction with germline stem cells in bam mutants.}, }
@article {pmid37871041, year = {2023}, author = {Bustamante, JA and Ceron, JS and Gao, IT and Ramirez, HA and Aviles, MV and Bet Adam, D and Brice, JR and Cuellar, RA and Dockery, E and Jabagat, MK and Karp, DG and Lau, JK and Li, S and Lopez-Magaña, R and Moore, RR and Morin, BKR and Nzongo, J and Rezaeihaghighi, Y and Sapienza-Martinez, J and Tran, TTK and Huang, Z and Duthoy, AJ and Barnett, MJ and Long, SR and Chen, JC}, title = {A protease and a lipoprotein jointly modulate the conserved ExoR-ExoS-ChvI signaling pathway critical in Sinorhizobium meliloti for symbiosis with legume hosts.}, journal = {PLoS genetics}, volume = {19}, number = {10}, pages = {e1010776}, pmid = {37871041}, issn = {1553-7404}, support = {TL4 GM118986/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T34 GM008574/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R25 GM059298/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R25 GM050078/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T34 GM145400/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 GM118985/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; RL5 GM118984/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R25 GM048972/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; SC3 GM096943/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Peptide Hydrolases/genetics/metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism ; *Fabaceae/metabolism ; *Sinorhizobium meliloti/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Endopeptidases/genetics ; Signal Transduction/genetics ; Lipoproteins/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Polysaccharides, Bacterial ; }, abstract = {Sinorhizobium meliloti is a model alpha-proteobacterium for investigating microbe-host interactions, in particular nitrogen-fixing rhizobium-legume symbioses. Successful infection requires complex coordination between compatible host and endosymbiont, including bacterial production of succinoglycan, also known as exopolysaccharide-I (EPS-I). In S. meliloti EPS-I production is controlled by the conserved ExoS-ChvI two-component system. Periplasmic ExoR associates with the ExoS histidine kinase and negatively regulates ChvI-dependent expression of exo genes, necessary for EPS-I synthesis. We show that two extracytoplasmic proteins, LppA (a lipoprotein) and JspA (a lipoprotein and a metalloprotease), jointly influence EPS-I synthesis by modulating the ExoR-ExoS-ChvI pathway and expression of genes in the ChvI regulon. Deletions of jspA and lppA led to lower EPS-I production and competitive disadvantage during host colonization, for both S. meliloti with Medicago sativa and S. medicae with M. truncatula. Overexpression of jspA reduced steady-state levels of ExoR, suggesting that the JspA protease participates in ExoR degradation. This reduction in ExoR levels is dependent on LppA and can be replicated with ExoR, JspA, and LppA expressed exogenously in Caulobacter crescentus and Escherichia coli. Akin to signaling pathways that sense extracytoplasmic stress in other bacteria, JspA and LppA may monitor periplasmic conditions during interaction with the plant host to adjust accordingly expression of genes that contribute to efficient symbiosis. The molecular mechanisms underlying host colonization in our model system may have parallels in related alpha-proteobacteria.}, }
@article {pmid37864609, year = {2024}, author = {Vaurs, M and Dolu, EB and Decottignies, A}, title = {Mitochondria and telomeres: hand in glove.}, journal = {Biogerontology}, volume = {25}, number = {2}, pages = {289-300}, pmid = {37864609}, issn = {1573-6768}, mesh = {Humans ; *Telomere ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Aging/genetics ; Cellular Senescence/genetics ; *Telomerase/genetics ; }, abstract = {Born as an endosymbiont, the bacteria engulfed by the proto-eukaryotic cell more than 1.45 billion years ago progressively evolved as an important organelle with multiple interactions with the host cell. In particular, strong connections between mitochondria and the chromosome ends, the telomeres, led to propose a new theory of ageing in which dysfunctional telomeres and mitochondria are the main actors of a vicious circle reducing cell fitness and promoting cellular ageing. We review the evidences that oxidative stress and dysfunctional mitochondria damage telomeres and further discuss the interrelationship between telomere biology and mitochondria through the lens of telomerase which shuttles between the nucleus and mitochondria. Finally, we elaborate on the possible role of the mitochondrial genome on the inheritance of human telomere length through the expression of mitochondrial gene variants.}, }
@article {pmid37860089, year = {2023}, author = {Rushidi, MNA and Azhari, MLH and Yaakop, S and Hazmi, IR}, title = {Detection and Characterisation of Endosymbiont Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in Elaeidobius kamerunicus (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea), Pollinating Agent of Oil Palm, and Its Relationships between Populations.}, journal = {Tropical life sciences research}, volume = {34}, number = {3}, pages = {95-111}, pmid = {37860089}, issn = {1985-3718}, abstract = {Elaeidobius kamerunicus is the most efficient pollinator of oil palm. Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacteria associated with E. kamerunicus that has a potential to affect the fecundity and fitness of the E. kamerunicus. Despite their importance, no studies have been conducted to investigate its prevalence in E. kamerunicus. The objectives of this study were to detect and characterise Wolbachia in E. kamerunicus and determine the phylogenetic relationship of Wolbachia strains that infect E. kamerunicus by using three genetic markers namely Filamenting temperature-sensitive mutant Z (ftsZ), Chaperonin folding protein (groEL), and Citrate Synthase Coding Gene (gltA). DNA was extracted from 210 individuals of E. kamerunicus and the Wolbachia infections were detected using the wsp marker. The infected samples (n = 25, 11.9%) were then sequenced using ftsZ, gltA and groEL markers for strain characterization. In this study, a combination of four markers was used to construct the phylogeny of Wolbachia. Similar topologies were shown in all trees; Neighbour-Joining (NJ), Maximum Parsimony (MP), and Bayesian Inference (BI), which showed the mixing of individuals that harbor Wolbachia between populations. Interestingly, Wolbachia on E. kamerunicus was claded together with the species Drosophila simulans under supergroup B. This is the first report of Wolbachia infecting E. kamerunicus which is very valuable and significant as one of the parameters to evaluate the quality of the E. kamerunicus population for sustaining its function as a great pollinator for oil palm.}, }
@article {pmid37860043, year = {2023}, author = {Mannaa, M and Seo, YS}, title = {Improved and simplified method for aseptic isolation of nematodes and nematode-endosymbiotic bacteria from pine seedlings.}, journal = {MethodsX}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {102421}, pmid = {37860043}, issn = {2215-0161}, abstract = {Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, significantly impacts pine species and poses a broader ecological concern. An understanding of these nematode-associated microbes is essential for formulating sustainable PWD management strategies. We introduce a streamlined method for the aseptic extraction of B. xylophilus from pine seedlings, evolving beyond traditional Baermann funnel approaches. The method ensures optimal nematode extraction under sterile parameters, with seedling cutting discs processed using a unique sterile syringe assembly setup. The efficiency and simplicity of this method promise to significantly reduce the time and resources required. It also incorporates endosymbiotic bacterial isolation from isolated nematodes. The robustness of this method is affirmed by the successful isolation and identification of nematodes and bacterial strains as endosymbionts. Collectively, this protocol paves the way for more effective studies of nematodes and associated microbes, promoting the understanding of PWD and offering practical implications for better PWD management.•A simplified, aseptic method for extracting B. xylophilus from pine seedlings, offering a modern alternative to traditional Baermann funnel method.•Utilization of a specialized sterile syringe assembly setup, ensuring controlled and optimal nematode isolation.•Method validation achieved through the successful isolation and identification of bacterial strains as nematode endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid37858069, year = {2023}, author = {Bu, XL and Zhao, WS and Li, ZY and Ma, HW and Chen, YS and Li, WX and Zou, H and Li, M and Wang, GT}, title = {The energy metabolism of Balantidium polyvacuolum inhabiting the hindgut of Xenocypris davidi.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {624}, pmid = {37858069}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {No. 32170437//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; No. 2019QZKK0304//the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program/ ; No. CARS-45//the earmarked fund for CARS/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Balantidium ; *Cypriniformes ; Carbohydrates ; Energy Metabolism ; Starch ; }, abstract = {Anaerobic parasitic ciliates are a specialized group of ciliates that are adapted to anoxic and oxygen-depleted habitats. Among them, Balantidium polyvacuolum, which inhabits the hindgut of Xenocyprinae fishes, has received very limited scientific attention, so the molecular mechanism of its adaptation to the digestive tract microenvironment is still unclear. In this study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and single-cell transcriptome analysis were used to uncover the metabolism of B. polyvacuolum. Starch granules, endosymbiotic bacteria, and multiple specialized mitochondrion-related organelles (MROs) of various shapes were observed. The MROs may have completely lost the electron transport chain (ETC) complexes I, III, IV, and V and only retained succinate dehydrogenase subunit A (SDHA) of complex II. The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle was also incomplete. It can be inferred that the hypoxic intestinal environment has led to the specialization of the mitochondria in B. polyvacuolum. Moreover, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), including carbohydrate esterases, enzymes with a carbohydrate-binding module, glycoside hydrolases, and glycosyltransferases, were identified, which may constitute evidence that B. polyvacuolum is able to digest carbohydrates and starch. These findings can improve our knowledge of the energy metabolism and adaptive mechanisms of B. polyvacuolum.}, }
@article {pmid37850668, year = {2023}, author = {Hepler, JR and Cooper, WR and Cullum, JP and Dardick, C and Dardick, L and Nixon, LJ and Pouchnik, DJ and Raupp, MJ and Shrewsbury, P and Leskey, TC}, title = {Do adult Magicicada (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) feed? Historical perspectives and evidence from molecular gut content analysis.}, journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)}, volume = {23}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {37850668}, issn = {1536-2442}, support = {8080-21000-032-000D//USDA-ARS-CRIS/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Ecosystem ; Nymph ; Feeding Behavior ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {The periodical cicadas in the genus Magicicada are remarkable for their unusual life histories and dramatic synchronized emergences every 13 or 17 years. While aspects of their evolution, mating behaviors, and general biology have been well-characterized, there is surprising uncertainty surrounding the feeding habits of the short-lived adult stage. Despite a tentative scientific consensus to the contrary, the perception that adult Magicicada do not feed has persisted among the general public, and recent studies are lacking. We directly investigated the feeding behavior of Magicicada spp. through high-throughput sequencing (HTS)-based dietary analysis of nymphs, freshly molted (teneral) adults, and fully sclerotized adults collected from orchard and wooded habitats during the 2021 emergence of Brood X. Identifiable plant DNA (trnF, ITS amplicons) was successfully recovered from nymphs and adults. No plant DNA was recovered from teneral adults, suggesting that all DNA recovered from sclerotized adults was ingested during the post-teneral adult stage. Both nymphs and adults were found to have ingested a range of woody and herbaceous plants across 17 genera and 14 families. Significantly more plant genera per individual were recovered from adults than from nymphs, likely reflecting the greater mobility of the adult stage. We hypothesize that the demonstrated ingestion of plant sap by Magicicada adults is driven by a need to replace lost water and support specialized bacteriome-dwelling endosymbionts that cicadas depend upon for growth and development, which constitutes true feeding behavior.}, }
@article {pmid37844224, year = {2023}, author = {Duncan, RP and Anderson, CMH and Thwaites, DT and Luetje, CW and Wilson, ACC}, title = {Co-option of a conserved host glutamine transporter facilitates aphid/Buchnera metabolic integration.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {120}, number = {43}, pages = {e2308448120}, pmid = {37844224}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {DEB-1406631//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; IOS-1354154//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; N/A//Newcastle University NUAcT fellowship/ ; RGS\R1\221113//Royal Society (The Royal Society)/ ; 47690-FR//The Physiological Society Momentum Fellowship/ ; N/A//Rank Prize new lecturer grant/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Glutamine/metabolism ; *Aphids/microbiology ; *Buchnera/genetics/metabolism ; Amino Acids/metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism ; Arginine/metabolism ; Symbiosis/physiology ; }, abstract = {Organisms across the tree of life colonize novel environments by partnering with bacterial symbionts. These symbioses are characterized by intimate integration of host/endosymbiont biology at multiple levels, including metabolically. Metabolic integration is particularly important for sap-feeding insects and their symbionts, which supplement nutritionally unbalanced host diets. Many studies reveal parallel evolution of host/endosymbiont metabolic complementarity in amino acid biosynthesis, raising questions about how amino acid metabolism is regulated, how regulatory mechanisms evolve, and the extent to which similar mechanisms evolve in different systems. In the aphid/Buchnera symbiosis, the transporter ApGLNT1 (Acyrthosiphon pisum glutamine transporter 1) supplies glutamine, an amino donor in transamination reactions, to bacteriocytes (where Buchnera reside) and is competitively inhibited by Buchnera-supplied arginine-consistent with a role regulating amino acid metabolism given host demand for Buchnera-produced amino acids. We examined how ApGLNT1 evolved a regulatory role by functionally characterizing orthologs in insects with and without endosymbionts. ApGLNT1 orthologs are functionally similar, and orthology searches coupled with homology modeling revealed that GLNT1 is ancient and structurally conserved across insects. Our results indicate that the ApGLNT1 symbiotic regulatory role is derived from its ancestral role and, in aphids, is likely facilitated by loss of arginine biosynthesis through the urea cycle. Given consistent loss of host arginine biosynthesis and retention of endosymbiont arginine supply, we hypothesize that GLNT1 is a general mechanism regulating amino acid metabolism in sap-feeding insects. This work fills a gap, highlighting the broad importance of co-option of ancestral proteins to novel contexts in the evolution of host/symbiont systems.}, }
@article {pmid37838705, year = {2023}, author = {Sounart, H and Voronin, D and Masarapu, Y and Chung, M and Saarenpää, S and Ghedin, E and Giacomello, S}, title = {Miniature spatial transcriptomics for studying parasite-endosymbiont relationships at the micro scale.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {6500}, pmid = {37838705}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Humans ; *Parasites/genetics ; Transcriptome ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; *Communicable Diseases ; *Wolbachia/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Several important human infectious diseases are caused by microscale-sized parasitic nematodes like filarial worms. Filarial worms have their own spatial tissue organization; to uncover this tissue structure, we need methods that can spatially resolve these miniature specimens. Most filarial worms evolved a mutualistic association with endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia. However, the mechanisms underlying the dependency of filarial worms on the fitness of these bacteria remain unknown. As Wolbachia is essential for the development, reproduction, and survival of filarial worms, we spatially explored how Wolbachia interacts with the worm's reproductive system by performing a spatial characterization using Spatial Transcriptomics (ST) across a posterior region containing reproductive tissue and developing embryos of adult female Brugia malayi worms. We provide a proof-of-concept for miniature-ST to explore spatial gene expression patterns in small sample types, demonstrating the method's ability to uncover nuanced tissue region expression patterns, observe the spatial localization of key B. malayi - Wolbachia pathway genes, and co-localize the B. malayi spatial transcriptome in Wolbachia tissue regions, also under antibiotic treatment. We envision our approach will open up new avenues for the study of infectious diseases caused by micro-scale parasitic worms.}, }
@article {pmid37827122, year = {2023}, author = {Butterworth, S and Kordova, K and Chandrasekaran, S and Thomas, KK and Torelli, F and Lockyer, EJ and Edwards, A and Goldstone, R and Koshy, AA and Treeck, M}, title = {High-throughput identification of Toxoplasma gondii effector proteins that target host cell transcription.}, journal = {Cell host &amp; microbe}, volume = {31}, number = {10}, pages = {1748-1762.e8}, doi = {10.1016/j.chom.2023.09.003}, pmid = {37827122}, issn = {1934-6069}, mesh = {*Toxoplasma/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Immune Evasion ; Signal Transduction ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Intracellular pathogens and other endosymbionts reprogram host cell transcription to suppress immune responses and recalibrate biosynthetic pathways. This reprogramming is critical in determining the outcome of infection or colonization. We combine pooled CRISPR knockout screening with dual host-microbe single-cell RNA sequencing, a method we term dual perturb-seq, to identify the molecular mediators of these transcriptional interactions. Applying dual perturb-seq to the intracellular pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, we are able to identify previously uncharacterized effector proteins and directly infer their function from the transcriptomic data. We show that TgGRA59 contributes to the export of other effector proteins from the parasite into the host cell and identify an effector, TgSOS1, that is necessary for sustained host STAT6 signaling and thereby contributes to parasite immune evasion and persistence. Together, this work demonstrates a tool that can be broadly adapted to interrogate host-microbe transcriptional interactions and reveal mechanisms of infection and immune evasion.}, }
@article {pmid37820843, year = {2023}, author = {Thanchomnang, T and Rodpai, R and Thinnabut, K and Boonroumkaew, P and Sadaow, L and Tangkawanit, U and Sanpool, O and Janwan, P and Intapan, PM and Maleewong, W}, title = {Characterization of the bacterial microbiota of cattle ticks in northeastern Thailand through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases}, volume = {115}, number = {}, pages = {105511}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105511}, pmid = {37820843}, issn = {1567-7257}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Female ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Thailand/epidemiology ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Rhipicephalus/genetics ; Ehrlichia/genetics ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology ; Anaplasma/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Ticks are vectors of a variety of pathogens that can infect humans and animals. Ticks also harbor non-pathogenic microbiota. This study characterized the microbiota of the ticks infesting beef cattle in Thailand. Two species of ticks; Rhipicephalus microplus (n = 15) and Haemaphysalis bispinosa (n = 5), were collected in seven provinces in northeastern Thailand. Microbial community profile of ticks was examined based on sequences of the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene. Proteobacteria (Pseudomonadota) was the most abundant phylum, followed by Firmicutes (Bacillota), and Actinobacteriota. Coxiella-like endosymbiont was the most abundant bacterial taxon overall (49% of sequence reads), followed by Anaplasma (8.5%), Corynebacterium (5.5%), Ehrlichia (3.9%), and Castellaniella (3.4%). Co-infections of the pathogenic bacteria Ehrlichia and Anaplasma were detected in 19/20 (95%) female ticks. The tick with the lowest number of bacteria had the lowest abundance of the Coxiella-like endosymbiont, and the pathogenic bacteria Anaplasma and Ehrlichia were absent. This study provides baseline information of the microbiota of cattle ticks in northeastern Thailand, suggesting that ticks carry a few dominant bacterial taxa that are primarily non-pathogenic but can co-occur with pathogenic microorganisms. The information obtained is useful for monitoring disease outbreaks in the future and informing prevention and control strategies against cattle tick-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37819592, year = {2023}, author = {Haghshenas-Gorgabi, N and Poorjavd, N and Khajehali, J and Wybouw, N}, title = {Cardinium symbionts are pervasive in Iranian populations of the spider mite Panonychus ulmi despite inducing an infection cost and no demonstrable reproductive phenotypes when Wolbachia is a symbiotic partner.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {91}, number = {3}, pages = {369-380}, pmid = {37819592}, issn = {1572-9702}, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Wolbachia ; *Tetranychidae/genetics ; Iran ; Seeds ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; Bacteroidetes ; }, abstract = {Maternally transmitted symbionts such as Cardinium and Wolbachia are widespread in arthropods. Both Cardinium and Wolbachia can cause cytoplasmic incompatibility, a reproductive phenotype that interferes with the development of uninfected eggs that are fertilized by infected sperm. In haplodiploid hosts, these symbionts can also distort sex allocation to facilitate their spread through host populations. Without other fitness effects, symbionts that induce strong reproductive phenotypes tend to spread to high and stable infection frequencies, whereas variants that induce weak reproductive phenotypes are typically associated with intermediate and variable frequencies. To study the spread of Cardinium in a haplodiploid host, we sampled Iranian populations of the economically important spider mite Panonychus ulmi in apple orchards. Within several field populations, we also studied the Wolbachia infection frequencies. All P. ulmi field populations carried a Cardinium infection and exhibited high infection frequencies. In contrast, Wolbachia frequency ranged between ca. 10% and ca. 70% and was only found in co-infected mites. To test whether Cardinium induce reproductive phenotypes in P. ulmi, a Cardinium-cured derived line was generated by antibiotic treatment from a co-infected field population. Genetic crosses indicated that Cardinium do not induce demonstrable levels of cytoplasmic incompatibility and sex allocation distortion in co-infected P. ulmi. However, Cardinium infection was associated with a longer developmental time and reduced total fecundity for co-infected females. We hypothesize that Cardinium spread through P. ulmi populations via uncharacterized fitness effects and that co-infection with Wolbachia might impact these drive mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid37816433, year = {2023}, author = {Margarita, V and Carboni, G and Diaz, N and Rappelli, P and Fiori, PL}, title = {Patterns of antibiotic resistance of Mycoplasma hominis endosymbiont of Trichomonas vaginalis and the influence of bacterial intracellular location on drug susceptibility.}, journal = {Journal of global antimicrobial resistance}, volume = {35}, number = {}, pages = {210-215}, doi = {10.1016/j.jgar.2023.09.021}, pmid = {37816433}, issn = {2213-7173}, mesh = {Humans ; Female ; *Trichomonas vaginalis ; Metronidazole/pharmacology ; Mycoplasma hominis ; *Trichomonas Infections ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Bacteria ; Tetracyclines ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Mycoplasma hominis, an opportunistic pathogen of the human lower urogenital tract, can survive and replicate within the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, establishing an endosymbiotic relationship. The intracellular location may provide a means for the bacteria to evade the immune system and protection from antimicrobial activities. Our aim was to investigate the influence of the endosymbiotic association of M. hominis with trichomonad cells on bacterial antibiotic susceptibility.<br><br>METHODS: We evaluated antibiotic resistance patterns in a group of M. hominis isolated from T. vaginalis clinical specimens as well as in M. hominis isolated from patients without trichomoniasis. Using an experimental model system, we compared the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and lethal concentration (MLC) of tetracycline on M. hominis endosymbionts of T. vaginalis and extracellular bacteria.<br><br>RESULTS: The incidence rate of M. hominis strains resistant to C14 and C15 macrolide antibiotics was higher in intracellular strains associated with T. vaginalis compared with extracellular bacteria isolated from women not affected by trichomoniasis. However, sensitivity to tetracycline and quinolones was similar in both groups. In vitro experiments demonstrated that M. hominis strains, when isolated as endosymbionts from T. vaginalis, exhibited reduced sensitivity to tetracycline when cultured extracellularly for at least eight weeks.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The intracellular localization of bacteria within trichomonad cells may affect antibiotic susceptibility.}, }
@article {pmid37813003, year = {2024}, author = {Oundo, JW and Kalayou, S and Bosch, QT and Villinger, J and Koenraadt, CJM and Masiga, D}, title = {Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting cattle in coastal Kenya harbor a diverse array of tick-borne pathogens.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {102266}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102266}, pmid = {37813003}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Cattle ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; Kenya/epidemiology ; *Tick Infestations/epidemiology/veterinary ; *Cattle Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology ; *Rickettsia ; *Rhipicephalus ; Amblyomma ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Ticks and the microbes they transmit have emerged in sub-Saharan Africa as a major threat to veterinary and public health. Although progress has been made in detecting and identifying tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) across vast agroecologies of Kenya, comprehensive information on tick species infesting cattle and their associated pathogens in coastal Kenya needs to be updated and expanded. Ticks infesting extensively grazed zebu cattle in 14 villages were sampled and identified based on morphology and molecular methods and tested for the presence of bacterial and protozoan TBPs using PCR with high-resolution melting analysis and gene sequencing. In total, 3,213 adult ticks were collected and identified as Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (15.8%), R. evertsi (12.8%), R. microplus (11.3%), R. pulchellus (0.1%), Amblyomma gemma (24.1%), A. variegatum (35.1%), Hyalomma rufipes (0.6%), and H. albiparmatum (0.2%). Ticks were infected with Rickettsia africae, Ehrlichia ruminantium, E. minasensis, Theileria velifera and T. parva. Coxiella sp. endosymbionts were detected in the Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma ticks. Co-infections with two and three different pathogens were identified in 6.9% (n = 95/1382) and 0.1% (n = 2/1382) of single tick samples, respectively, with the most common co-infection being R. africae and E. ruminantium (7.2%, CI: 4.6 - 10.6). All samples were negative for Coxiella burnetii, Anaplasma spp. and Babesia spp. Our study provides an overview of tick and tick-borne microbial diversities in coastal Kenya.}, }
@article {pmid37810228, year = {2023}, author = {Kwak, Y and Hansen, AK}, title = {Unveiling metabolic integration in psyllids and their nutritional endosymbionts through comparative transcriptomics analysis.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {26}, number = {10}, pages = {107930}, pmid = {37810228}, issn = {2589-0042}, support = {S10 OD010786/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Psyllids, a group of insects that feed on plant sap, have a symbiotic relationship with an endosymbiont called Carsonella. Carsonella synthesizes essential amino acids and vitamins for its psyllid host, but lacks certain genes required for this process, suggesting a compensatory role of psyllid host genes. To investigate this, gene expression was compared between two psyllid species, Bactericera cockerelli and Diaphorina citri, in specialized cells where Carsonella resides (bacteriomes). Collaborative psyllid genes, including horizontally transferred genes, showed patterns of conserved gene expression; however, species-specific patterns were also observed, suggesting differences in the nutritional metabolism between psyllid species. Also, the recycling of nitrogen in bacteriomes may primarily rely on glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). Additionally, lineage-specific gene clusters were differentially expressed in B. cockerelli and D. citri bacteriomes and are highlighted here. These findings shed light on potential host adaptations for the regulation of this symbiosis due to host, microbiome, and environmental differences.}, }
@article {pmid37808301, year = {2023}, author = {Cui, X and Liu, Y and Zhang, J and Hu, P and Zheng, Z and Deng, X and Xu, M}, title = {Variation of endosymbiont and citrus tristeza virus (CTV) titers in the Huanglongbing insect vector, Diaphorina citri, on CTV-infected plants.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1236731}, pmid = {37808301}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {"Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas) is a notorious agent that causes Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), which is transmitted by Diaphorina citri (D. citri). We recently found that the acquisition and transmission of CLas by D. citri was facilitated by Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), a widely distributed virus in the field. In this study, we further studied whether different CTV strains manipulate the host preference of D. citri, and whether endosymbionts variation is related to CTV strains in D. citri. The results showed that the non-viruliferous D. citri preferred to select the shoots infected with CTV, without strain differences was observed in the selection. However, the viruliferous D. citri prefered to select the mixed strain that is similar to the field's. Furthermore, D. citri effectively acquired the CTV within 2-12 h depending on the strains of the virus. The persistence period of CTV in D. citri was longer than 24 days, without reduction of the CTV titers being observed. These results provide a foundation for understanding the transmission mode of D. citri on CTV. During the process of CTV acquisition and persistence, the titers of main endosymbionts in D. citri showed similar variation trend, but their relative titers were different at different time points. The titers of the "Candidatus Profftella armatura" and CTV tended to be positively correlated, and the titers of Wolbachia and "Candidatus Carsonella ruddii" were mostly negatively related with titers of CT31. These results showed the relationship among D. citri, endosymbionts, and CTV and provided useful information for further research on the interactions between D. citri and CLas, which may benefit the development of approaches for the prevention of CLas transmission and control of citrus HLB.}, }
@article {pmid37808105, year = {2023}, author = {Pikula, J and Piacek, V and Bandouchova, H and Bartlova, M and Bednarikova, S and Burianova, R and Danek, O and Jedlicka, P and Masova, S and Nemcova, M and Seidlova, V and Zukalova, K and Zukal, J}, title = {Case report: Filarial infection of a parti-coloured bat: Litomosa sp. adult worms in abdominal cavity and microfilariae in bat semen.}, journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1284025}, pmid = {37808105}, issn = {2297-1769}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Filarial infections have been understudied in bats. Likewise, little is known about pathogens associated with the reproductive system in chiropterans. While semen quality is critical for reproductive success, semen-borne pathogens may contribute to reproductive failure.<br><br>METHODS: For the first time we performed electroejaculation and used computer-assisted semen analysis to provide baseline data on semen quality in a parti-coloured bat (Vespertilio murinus).<br><br>RESULTS: The semen quality values measured in the V. murinus male appeared high (semen concentration&#x2009;=&#x2009;305.4&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;10[6]/mL; progressive and motile sperm&#x2009;=&#x2009;46.58 and 60.27%, respectively). As an incidental finding, however, microfilariae were observed in the bat semen examined. At necropsy, eight adult filarial worms, later genetically identified as Litomosa sp., were found in the peritoneal cavity, close to the stomach, of the same particoloured bat male dying as a result of dysmicrobia and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis in a wildlife rescue centre. Histopathology revealed microfilariae in the testicular connective tissue and the epidydimal connective and fat tissues. A PCR assay targeting cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 confirmed that adult worms from the peritoneal cavity and testicular microfilariae were of the same filarial species. Mildly engorged argasid mite larvae attached to the bat skin proved negative for filarial DNA and the adult filarial worms proved negative for endosymbiont Wolbachia.<br><br>CONCLUSION: While the standard filarial life cycle pattern involves a vertebrate definitive host and an invertebrate vector, represented by a blood-sucking ectoparasite, our finding suggests that microfilariae of this nematode species may also be semen-borne, with transmission intensity promoted by the polygynous mating system of vespertilionid bats in which an infected male mates with many females during the autumn swarming. Presence of microfilariae may be expected to decrease semen quality and transmission via this route may challenge the success of reproductive events in females after mating. Further investigation will be necessary to better understand the bat-parasite interaction and the life cycle of this filarial worm.}, }
@article {pmid37794084, year = {2023}, author = {Hettiarachchi, A and Cnockaert, M and Joossens, M and Gekière, A and Meeus, I and Vereecken, NJ and Michez, D and Smagghe, G and Vandamme, P}, title = {The wild solitary bees Andrena vaga, Anthophora plumipes, Colletes cunicularius, and Osmia cornuta microbiota are host specific and dominated by endosymbionts and environmental microorganisms.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {86}, number = {4}, pages = {3013-3026}, pmid = {37794084}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Bees ; Animals ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Microbiota ; *Mycobiome ; Bacteria ; *Spiroplasma ; }, abstract = {We characterized the microbial communities of the crop, midgut, hindgut, and ovaries of the wild solitary bees Andrena vaga, Anthophora plumipes, Colletes cunicularius, and Osmia cornuta through 16S rRNA gene and ITS2 amplicon sequencing and a large-scale isolation campaign. The bacterial communities of these bees were dominated by endosymbionts of the genera Wolbachia and Spiroplasma. Bacterial and yeast genera representing the remaining predominant taxa were linked to an environmental origin. While only a single sampling site was examined for Andrena vaga, Anthophora plumipes, and Colletes cunicularius, and two sampling sites for Osmia cornuta, the microbiota appeared to be host specific: bacterial, but not fungal, communities generally differed between the analyzed bee species, gut compartments and ovaries. This may suggest a selective process determined by floral and host traits. Many of the gut symbionts identified in the present study are characterized by metabolic versatility. Whether they exert similar functionalities within the bee gut and thus functional redundancy remains to be elucidated.}, }
@article {pmid37778576, year = {2023}, author = {Datki, Z and Darula, Z and Vedelek, V and Hunyadi-Gulyas, E and Dingmann, BJ and Vedelek, B and Kalman, J and Urban, P and Gyenesei, A and Galik-Olah, Z and Galik, B and Sinka, R}, title = {Biofilm formation initiating rotifer-specific biopolymer and its predicted components.}, journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules}, volume = {253}, number = {Pt 5}, pages = {127157}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127157}, pmid = {37778576}, issn = {1879-0003}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Central Nervous System ; *Vertebrates ; Base Sequence ; }, abstract = {The rotifer-specific biopolymer, namely Rotimer, is a recently discovered group of the biomolecule family. Rotimer has an active role in the biofilm formation initiated by rotifers (e.g., Euchlanis dilatata or Adineta vaga) or in the female-male sexual interaction of monogononts. To understand the Ca[2+]- and polarity-dependent formation of this multifunctional viscoelastic material, it is essential to explore its molecular composition. The investigation of the rotifer-enhanced biofilm and Rotimer-inductor conglomerate (RIC) formation yielded several protein candidates to predict the Rotimer-specific main components. The exudate of E. dilatata males was primarily applied from different biopolimer-containing samples (biofilm or RIC). The advantage of males over females lies in their degenerated digestive system and simple anatomy. Thus, their exudate is less contaminated with food and endosymbiont elements. The sequenced and annotated genome and transcriptome of this species opened the way for identifying Rotimer proteins by mass spectrometry. The predicted rotifer-biopolymer forming components are SCO-spondins and 14-3-3 protein. The characteristics of Rotimer are similar to Reissner's fiber, which is found in the central nervous system of vertebrates and is mainly formed from SCO-spondins. This molecular information serves as a starting point for its interdisciplinary investigation and application in biotechnology, biomedicine, or neurodegeneration-related drug development.}, }
@article {pmid37768955, year = {2023}, author = {Chebbah, D and Hamarsheh, O and Sereno, D and Elissa, N and Brun, S and Jan, J and Izri, A and Akhoundi, M}, title = {Molecular characterization and genetic diversity of Wolbachia endosymbionts in bed bugs (Hemiptera; Cimicidae) collected in Paris.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {9}, pages = {e0292229}, pmid = {37768955}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bedbugs/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Nymph ; Genetic Variation ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of Wolbachia in field-caught bed bug species in Paris areas.<br><br>METHODS: The bed bug specimens were captured from various infested localities in Paris and surrounding cities. They belonged to diverse life stages, including egg, nymph, and adult. They were then identified using morphological and molecular approaches. Furthermore, Wolbachia was detected, and its genetic diversity was investigated by conventional PCR of 16S-rRNA and Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) genes.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 256 bed bug specimens belonging to various life stages [adult (183 specimens), nymph (48), and egg (25)] were captured from seven private apartments, five social apartments, three houses, two immigrant residences, and one retirement home situated in 10 districts of Paris and 8 surrounding cities. They were identified as Cimex lectularius (237 specimens) and C. hemipterus (19) using morphological and molecular approaches. The presence and diversity of Wolbachia were ascertained by targeting 16S-rRNA and wsp genes. Based on molecular analysis, 182 and 148 out of 256 processed specimens were positive by amplifying 16S-rRNA and wsp fragments, respectively. The inferred phylogenetic analysis with 16S-rRNA and wsp sequences displayed monophyletic Wolbachia strains clustering each one in three populations. The median-joining network, including the Wolbachia 16S-rRNA and wsp sequences of C. lectularius and C. hemipterous specimens, indicated a significant genetic differentiation among these populations in Paris areas which was consent with Neighbor-Joining analyses. A phylogenetic analysis of our heterogenic Wolbachia sequences with those reported from other arthropod species confirmed their belonging to supergroup F. Moreover, no difference between Wolbachia sequences from eggs, nymphs, and adults belonging to the same clade and between Wolbachia sequences of C. lectularius and C. hemipterus were observed after sequence alignment. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between multiple geographical locations (or accomodation type) where bed bugs were collected and the genetic diversity of Wolbachia.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We highlight a significant heterogeneity within Wolbachia symbionts detected in C. lectularius and C. hemipterus. No correlation between Wolbachia species and bed bug species (C. lectularius versus C. hemipterus), physiological stages (egg, nymph, and adult), and sampling location was recorded in this study.}, }
@article {pmid37768069, year = {2023}, author = {Dittmer, J and Corretto, E and Štarhová Serbina, L and Michalik, A and Nováková, E and Schuler, H}, title = {Division of labor within psyllids: metagenomics reveals an ancient dual endosymbiosis with metabolic complementarity in the genus Cacopsylla.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {8}, number = {5}, pages = {e0057823}, pmid = {37768069}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {I 4639-B//Province Bolzano, Austrian Science Fund FWF/ ; 2017/26/D/NZ8/00799//Polish National Science Center/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Bacteria ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; }, abstract = {Heritable beneficial bacterial endosymbionts have been crucial for the evolutionary success of numerous insects by enabling the exploitation of nutritionally limited food sources. Herein, we describe a previously unknown dual endosymbiosis in the psyllid genus Cacopsylla, consisting of the primary endosymbiont "Candidatus Carsonella ruddii" and a co-occurring Enterobacteriaceae bacterium for which we propose the name "Candidatus Psyllophila symbiotica." Its localization within the bacteriome and its small genome size confirm that Psyllophila is a co-primary endosymbiont widespread within the genus Cacopsylla. Despite its highly eroded genome, Psyllophila perfectly complements the tryptophan biosynthesis pathway that is incomplete in the co-occurring Carsonella. Moreover, the genome of Psyllophila is almost as small as Carsonella's, suggesting an ancient dual endosymbiosis that has now reached a precarious stage where any additional gene loss would make the system collapse. Hence, our results shed light on the dynamic interactions of psyllids and their endosymbionts over evolutionary time.}, }
@article {pmid37764903, year = {2023}, author = {Yüksel, E and Yıldırım, A and İmren, M and Canhilal, R and Dababat, AA}, title = {Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus Bacteria as Potential Candidates for the Control of Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae), the Principal Vector of West Nile Virus and Lymphatic Filariasis.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {37764903}, issn = {2076-0817}, abstract = {Vector-borne diseases pose a severe threat to human and animal health. Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is a widespread mosquito species and serves as a vector for the transmission of infectious diseases such as West Nile disease and Lymphatic Filariasis. Synthetic insecticides have been the prime control method for many years to suppress Cx. pipiens populations. However, recently, the use of insecticides has begun to be questioned due to the detrimental impact on human health and the natural environment. Therefore, many authorities urge the development of eco-friendly control methods that are nontoxic to humans. The bacterial associates [Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp. (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae)] of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Sterinernema spp. and Heterorhabditis spp.) (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) are one of the green approaches to combat a variety of insect pests. In the present study, the mosquitocidal activity of the cell-free supernatants and cell suspension (4 × 10[7] cells mL[-1]) of four different symbiotic bacteria (Xenorhabdus nematophila, X. bovienii, X. budapestensis, and P. luminescens subsp. kayaii) was assessed against different development stages of Cx. pipiens (The 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th instar larvae and pupa) under laboratory conditions. The bacterial symbionts were able to kill all the development stages with varying levels of mortality. The 1st/2nd instar larvae exhibited the highest susceptibility to the cell-free supernatants and cell suspensions of symbiotic bacteria and the efficacy of the cell-free supernatants and cell suspensions gradually declined with increasing phases of growth. The highest effectiveness was achieved by the X. bovienii KCS-4S strain inducing 95% mortality to the 1st/2nd instar larvae. The results indicate that tested bacterial symbionts have great potential as an eco-friendly alternative to insecticides.}, }
@article {pmid37764891, year = {2023}, author = {Margarita, V and Congiargiu, A and Diaz, N and Fiori, PL and Rappelli, P}, title = {Mycoplasma hominis and Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii in Trichomonas vaginalis: Peaceful Cohabitants or Contentious Roommates?.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {37764891}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {2017SFBFER_004//Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell' Universit&#xe0; e della Ricerca/ ; }, abstract = {Trichomonas vaginalis is a pathogenic protozoan diffused worldwide capable of infecting the urogenital tract in humans, causing trichomoniasis. One of its most intriguing aspects is the ability to establish a close relationship with endosymbiotic microorganisms: the unique association of T. vaginalis with the bacterium Mycoplasma hominis represents, to date, the only example of an endosymbiosis involving two true human pathogens. Since its discovery, several aspects of the symbiosis between T. vaginalis and M. hominis have been characterized, demonstrating that the presence of the intracellular guest strongly influences the pathogenic characteristics of the protozoon, making it more aggressive towards host cells and capable of stimulating a stronger proinflammatory response. The recent description of a further symbiont of the protozoon, the newly discovered non-cultivable mycoplasma Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii, makes the picture even more complex. This review provides an overview of the main aspects of this complex microbial consortium, with particular emphasis on its effect on protozoan pathobiology and on the interplays among the symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid37764139, year = {2023}, author = {Santana, MCO and Chourabi, K and Cantanhêde, LM and Cupolillo, E}, title = {Exploring Host-Specificity: Untangling the Relationship between Leishmania (Viannia) Species and Its Endosymbiont Leishmania RNA Virus 1.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {37764139}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {001//National Council for Scientific and Technological Development/ ; 302622/2017-9//Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior/ ; (E26-202.569/2019), (E26-210.038/2020), (E-26/205.730/2022 and 205.731/2022)//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/ ; Edital 16/2014//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo ao Desenvolvimento das A&#xe7;&#xf5;es Cient&#xed;ficas e Tecnol&#xf3;gicas e &#xe0; Pesquisa-FAPERO/ ; }, abstract = {A relevant aspect in the epidemiology of Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (TL) are the Leishmania parasites carrying a viral endosymbiont, Leishmania RNA Virus 1 (LRV1), a dsRNA virus. Leishmania parasites carrying LRV1 are prone to causing more severe TL symptoms, increasing the likelihood of unfavorable clinical outcomes. LRV1 has been observed in the cultured strains of five L. (Viannia) species, and host specificity was suggested when studying the LRV1 from L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis strains. The coevolution hypothesis of LRV1 and Leishmania was based on phylogenetic analyses, implying an association between LRV1 genotypes, Leishmania species, and their geographic origins. This study aimed to investigate LRV1 specificity relative to Leishmania (Viannia) species hosts by analyzing LRV1 from L. (Viannia) species. To this end, LRV1 was screened in L. (Viannia) species other than L. braziliensis or L. guyanensis, and it was detected in 11 out of 15 L. naiffi and two out of four L. shawi. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial LRV1 genomic sequencing supported the hypothesis of host specificity, as LRV1 clustered according to their respective Leishmania species' hosts. These findings underscore the importance of investigating Leishmania and LRV1 coevolution and its impact on Leishmania (Viannia) species dispersion and pathogenesis in the American Continent.}, }
@article {pmid37758795, year = {2023}, author = {Garcia Guizzo, M and Meneses, C and Amado Cecilio, P and Hessab Alvarenga, P and Sonenshine, D and Ribeiro, JM}, title = {Optimizing tick artificial membrane feeding for Ixodes scapularis.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {16170}, pmid = {37758795}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {R21 AI115203/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; Z01 AI000810/ImNIH/Intramural NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Animals ; Mice ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; Membranes, Artificial ; Nutritional Support ; Gentamicins ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; }, abstract = {Artificial membrane feeding (AMF) is a powerful and versatile technique with a wide range of applications in the study of disease vectors species. Since its first description, AMF has been under constant optimization and standardization for different tick species and life stages. In the USA, Ixodes scapularis is the main vector of tick-borne zoonoses including the pathogens causing Lyme disease in humans and animals. Seeking to improve the overall fitness of I. scapularis adult females fed artificially, here, we have optimized the AMF technique, considerably enhancing attachment rate, engorgement success, egg laying, and egg hatching compared to those described in previous studies. Parameters such as the membrane thickness and the light/dark cycle to which the ticks were exposed were refined to more closely reflect the tick's natural behavior and life cycle. Additionally, ticks were fed on blood only, blood + ATP or blood + ATP + gentamicin. The artificial feeding of ticks on blood only was successful and generated a progeny capable of feeding naturally on a host, i.e., mice. Adding ATP as a feeding stimulant did not improve tick attachment or engorgement. Notably, the administration of gentamicin, an antibiotic commonly used in tick AMF to prevent microbial contamination, negatively impacted Rickettsia buchneri endosymbiont levels in the progeny of artificially fed ticks. In addition, gentamicin-fed ticks showed a reduction in oviposition success compared to ticks artificially fed on blood only, discouraging the use of antibiotics in AMF. Overall, our data suggest that the AMF of adult females on blood only, in association with the natural feeding of their progeny on mice, might be used as an integrated approach in tick rearing, eliminating the use of protected species under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Of note, although optimized for I. scapularis adult ticks, I. scapularis nymphs, other tick species, and sand flies could also be fed using the membrane described in this study, indicating that it might be a suitable alternative for the artificial feeding of a variety of hematophagous species.}, }
@article {pmid37754731, year = {2023}, author = {Heidari Latibari, M and Moravvej, G and Rakhshani, E and Karimi, J and Arias-Penna, DC and Butcher, BA}, title = {Arsenophonus: A Double-Edged Sword of Aphid Defense against Parasitoids.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {37754731}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {No. 3/48846//Ph.D. project, the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran/ ; IR-UOZ-GR-3949//University of Zabol/ ; N42A650262//National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and Chulalongkorn University/ ; }, abstract = {It is widely accepted that endosymbiont interactions with their hosts have significant effects on the fitness of both pests and beneficial species. A particular type of endosymbiosis is that of beneficial associations. Facultative endosymbiotic bacteria are associated with elements that provide aphids with protection from parasitoids. Arsenophonus (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) is one such endosymbiont bacterium, with infections being most commonly found among the Hemiptera species. Here, black cowpea aphids (BCAs), Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), naturally infected with Arsenophonus, were evaluated to determine the defensive role of this bacterium in BCAs against two parasitoid wasp species, Binodoxys angelicae and Lysiphlebus fabarum (both in Braconidae: Aphidiinae). Individuals of the black cowpea aphids infected with Arsenophonus were treated with a blend of ampicillin, cefotaxime, and gentamicin (Arsenophonus-reduced infection, AR) and subsequently subjected to parasitism assays. The results showed that the presence of Arsenophonus does not prevent BCAs from being parasitized by either B. angelicae or L. fabarum. Nonetheless, in BCA colonies parasitized by B. angelicae, the endosymbiont delayed both the larval maturation period and the emergence of the adult parasitoid wasps. In brief, Arsenophonus indirectly limits the effectiveness of B. angelicae parasitism by decreasing the number of emerged adult wasps. Therefore, other members of the BCA colony can survive. Arsenophonus acts as a double-edged sword, capturing the complex dynamic between A. craccivora and its parasitoids.}, }
@article {pmid37752965, year = {2023}, author = {Scharfenstein, HJ and Alvarez-Roa, C and Peplow, LM and Buerger, P and Chan, WY and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {Chemical mutagenesis and thermal selection of coral photosymbionts induce adaptation to heat stress with trait trade-offs.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {16}, number = {9}, pages = {1549-1567}, pmid = {37752965}, issn = {1752-4571}, abstract = {Despite the relevance of heat-evolved microalgal endosymbionts to coral reef restoration, to date, few Symbiodiniaceae strains have been thermally enhanced via experimental evolution. Here, we investigated whether the thermal tolerance of Symbiodiniaceae can be increased through chemical mutagenesis followed by thermal selection. Strains of Durusdinium trenchii, Fugacium kawagutii and Symbiodinium pilosum were exposed to ethyl methanesulfonate to induce random mutagenesis, and then underwent thermal selection at high temperature (31/33°C). After 4.6-5 years of experimental evolution, the in vitro thermal tolerance of these strains was assessed via reciprocal transplant experiments to ambient (27°C) and elevated (31/35°C) temperatures. Growth, photosynthetic efficiency, oxidative stress and nutrient use were measured to compare thermal tolerance between strains. Heat-evolved D. trenchii, F. kawagutii and S. pilosum strains all exhibited increased photosynthetic efficiency under thermal stress. However, trade-offs in growth rates were observed for the heat-evolved D. trenchii lineage at both ambient and elevated temperatures. Reduced phosphate and nitrate uptake rates in F. kawagutii and S. pilosum heat-evolved lineages, respectively, suggest alterations in nutrition resource usage and allocation processes may have occurred. Increased phosphate uptake rates of the heat-evolved D. trenchii strain indicate that experimental evolution resulted in further trade-offs in this species. These findings deepen our understanding of the physiological responses of Symbiodiniaceae cultures to thermal selection and their capacity to adapt to elevated temperatures. The new heat-evolved Symbiodiniaceae developed here may be beneficial for coral reef restoration efforts if their enhanced thermal tolerance can be conferred in hospite.}, }
@article {pmid37752841, year = {2023}, author = {Lyndby, NH and Murthy, S and Bessette, S and Jakobsen, SL and Meibom, A and Kühl, M}, title = {Non-invasive investigation of the morphology and optical properties of the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea with optical coherence tomography.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {290}, number = {2007}, pages = {20230127}, pmid = {37752841}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; *Scyphozoa ; *Cnidaria ; Light ; Carbon ; }, abstract = {The jellyfish Cassiopea largely cover their carbon demand via photosynthates produced by microalgal endosymbionts, but how holobiont morphology and tissue optical properties affect the light microclimate and symbiont photosynthesis in Cassiopea remain unexplored. Here, we use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to study the morphology of Cassiopea medusae at high spatial resolution. We include detailed 3D reconstructions of external micromorphology, and show the spatial distribution of endosymbionts and white granules in the bell tissue. Furthermore, we use OCT data to extract inherent optical properties from light-scattering white granules in Cassiopea, and show that granules enhance local light-availability for symbionts in close proximity. Individual granules had a scattering coefficient of µs = 200-300 cm[-1], and scattering anisotropy factor of g = 0.7, while large tissue-regions filled with white granules had a lower µs = 40-100 cm[-1], and g = 0.8-0.9. We combined OCT information with isotopic labelling experiments to investigate the effect of enhanced light-availability in whitish tissue regions. Endosymbionts located in whitish tissue exhibited significantly higher carbon fixation compared to symbionts in anastomosing tissue (i.e. tissue without light-scattering white granules). Our findings support previous suggestions that white granules in Cassiopea play an important role in the host modulation of the light-microenvironment.}, }
@article {pmid37751380, year = {2024}, author = {Ward, PS and Cash, EI and Ferger, K and Escalona, M and Sahasrabudhe, R and Miller, C and Toffelmier, E and Fairbairn, C and Seligmann, W and Shaffer, HB and Tsutsui, ND}, title = {Reference genome of the bicolored carpenter ant, Camponotus vicinus.}, journal = {The Journal of heredity}, volume = {115}, number = {1}, pages = {120-129}, pmid = {37751380}, issn = {1465-7333}, support = {S10 OD010786/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD018174/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Ecosystem ; Symbiosis ; *Ants/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Carpenter ants in the genus Camponotus are large, conspicuous ants that are abundant and ecologically influential in many terrestrial ecosystems. The bicolored carpenter ant, Camponotus vicinus Mayr, is distributed across a wide range of elevations and latitudes in western North America, where it is a prominent scavenger and predator. Here, we present a high-quality genome assembly of C. vicinus from a sample collected in Sonoma County, California, near the type locality of the species. This genome assembly consists of 38 scaffolds spanning 302.74 Mb, with contig N50 of 15.9 Mb, scaffold N50 of 19.9 Mb, and BUSCO completeness of 99.2%. This genome sequence will be a valuable resource for exploring the evolutionary ecology of C. vicinus and carpenter ants generally. It also provides an important tool for clarifying cryptic diversity within the C. vicinus species complex, a genetically diverse set of populations, some of which are quite localized and of conservation interest.}, }
@article {pmid37749181, year = {2023}, author = {Štarhová Serbina, L and Corretto, E and Enciso Garcia, JS and Berta, M and Giovanelli, T and Dittmer, J and Schuler, H}, title = {Seasonal wild dance of dual endosymbionts in the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyricola (Hemiptera: Psylloidea).}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {16038}, pmid = {37749181}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Humans ; Male ; Animals ; *Pyrus ; Seasons ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Bacteria ; }, abstract = {Most sap-feeding insects maintain obligate relationships with endosymbiotic bacteria that provide their hosts with essential nutrients. However, knowledge about the dynamics of endosymbiont titers across seasons in natural host populations is scarce. Here, we used quantitative PCR to investigate the seasonal dynamics of the dual endosymbionts "Candidatus Carsonella ruddii" and "Ca. Psyllophila symbiotica" in a natural population of the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyricola (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Psyllidae). Psyllid individuals were collected across an entire year, covering both summer and overwintering generations. Immatures harboured the highest titers of both endosymbionts, while the lowest endosymbiont density was observed in males. The density of Carsonella remained high and relatively stable across the vegetative period of the pear trees, but significantly dropped during the non-vegetative period, overlapping with C. pyricola's reproductive diapause. In contrast, the titer of Psyllophila was consistently higher than Carsonella's and exhibited fluctuations throughout the sampling year, which might be related to host age. Despite a tightly integrated metabolic complementarity between Carsonella and Psyllophila, our findings highlight differences in their density dynamics throughout the year, that might be linked to their metabolic roles at different life stages of the host.}, }
@article {pmid37748072, year = {2023}, author = {Maegele, I and Rupp, S and Özbek, S and Guse, A and Hambleton, EA and Holstein, TW}, title = {A predatory gastrula leads to symbiosis-independent settlement in Aiptasia.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {120}, number = {40}, pages = {e2311872120}, pmid = {37748072}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; *Sea Anemones ; Symbiosis ; Gastrula ; *Anthozoa ; *Asteraceae ; *Dinoflagellida ; Larva ; }, abstract = {The planula larvae of the sea anemone Aiptasia have so far not been reported to complete their life cycle by undergoing metamorphosis into adult forms. This has been a major obstacle in their use as a model for coral-dinoflagellate endosymbiosis. Here, we show that Aiptasia larvae actively feed on crustacean nauplii, displaying a preference for live prey. This feeding behavior relies on functional stinging cells, indicative of complex neuronal control. Regular feeding leads to significant size increase, morphological changes, and efficient settlement around 14 d postfertilization. Surprisingly, the presence of dinoflagellate endosymbionts does not affect larval growth or settlement dynamics but is crucial for sexual reproduction. Our findings finally close Aiptasia's life cycle and highlight the functional nature of its larvae, as in Haeckel's Gastrea postulate, yet reveal its active carnivory, thus contributing to our understanding of early metazoan evolution.}, }
@article {pmid37744901, year = {2023}, author = {Zhao, C and Wang, L and Zhang, K and Zhu, X and Li, D and Ji, J and Luo, J and Cui, J}, title = {Variation of Helicoverpa armigera symbionts across developmental stages and geographic locations.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1251627}, pmid = {37744901}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) poses a global problem, causing substantial economic and ecological losses. Endosymbionts in insects play crucial roles in multiple insect biological processes. However, the interactions between H. armigera and its symbionts have not been well characterized to date. We investigated the symbionts of H. armigera in the whole life cycle from different geographical locations. In the whole life cycle of H. armigera, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacteria at the phylum level, while Enterococcus, Enterobacter, Glutamicibacter, and Bacillus were the four dominant bacteria at the genus level. Furthermore, high similarity in symbiotic bacterial community was observed in different stages of H. armigera, which were dominated by Enterococcus and Enterobacter. In fields, the dominant bacteria were Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, whereas, in the laboratory, the dominant bacteria were Proteobacteria. At the genus level, the dominant bacteria in cotton bollworm eggs of wild populations were Enterobacter, Morganella, Lactococcus, Asaia, Apibacter, and Enterococcus, and the subdominant bacteria were Bartonella, Pseudomonas, and Orbus. Moreover, the symbionts varied with geographical locations, and the closer the geographical distance, the more similar the microbial composition. Taken together, our study identifies and compares the symbiont variation along with geographical gradients and host development dynamic and reveals the high flexibility of microbiome communities in H. armigera, which probably benefits for the successful survival in a complicated changing environment.}, }
@article {pmid37740026, year = {2023}, author = {Kumar, V and Nautiyal, CS}, title = {Endophytes Modulate Plant Genes: Present Status and Future Perspectives.}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {80}, number = {11}, pages = {353}, pmid = {37740026}, issn = {1432-0991}, mesh = {*Genes, Plant ; Endophytes/genetics ; Genomics ; *Microbiota ; Plant Development ; }, abstract = {Interactions among endophytes and plants are widespread and can vary from neutral or positive or negative. Plants are continually in a functionally dynamic state due to interactions with diverse endophytic microorganisms, which produce various metabolic substances. Through quorum sensing, these substances not only help endophytes to outcompete other host-associated pathogens or microbes but also allow them to overcome the plant immune system. Manifold interactions between endophytic microbiota cause a reflective impact on the host plant functioning and the development of 'endobiomes,' by synthesizing chemicals that fill the gap between host and endophytes. Despite the advances in the field, specific mechanisms for the endophytes' precise methods to modulate plant genome and their effects on host plants remain poorly understood. Deeper genomic exploration can provide a locked away understanding of the competencies of endophytes and their conceivable function in host growth and health. Endophytes also can modify host metabolites, which could manipulate plants' growth, adaptation, and proliferation, and can be a more exciting and puzzling topic that must be properly investigated. The consequence of the interaction of endophytes on the host genome was analyzed as it can help unravel the gray areas of endophytes about which very little or no knowledge exists. This review discusses the recent advances in understanding the future challenges in the emerging research investigating how endosymbionts affect the host's metabolism and gene expression as an effective strategy for imparting resistance to biotic and abiotic challenges.}, }
@article {pmid37725257, year = {2023}, author = {Wagner, T and Bangoura, B and Wiedmer, S and Daugschies, A and Dunay, IR}, title = {Phytohormones regulate asexual Toxoplasma gondii replication.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {122}, number = {12}, pages = {2835-2846}, pmid = {37725257}, issn = {1432-1955}, mesh = {Humans ; *Toxoplasma ; Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology ; *Toxoplasmosis/parasitology ; Abscisic Acid/pharmacology ; DNA ; }, abstract = {The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a zoonotic disease agent causing systemic infection in warm-blooded intermediate hosts including humans. During the acute infection, the parasite infects host cells and multiplies intracellularly in the asexual tachyzoite stage. In this stage of the life cycle, invasion, multiplication, and egress are the most critical events in parasite replication. T. gondii features diverse cell organelles to support these processes, including the apicoplast, an endosymbiont-derived vestigial plastid originating from an alga ancestor. Previous studies have highlighted that phytohormones can modify the calcium-mediated secretion, e.g., of adhesins involved in parasite movement and cell invasion processes. The present study aimed to elucidate the influence of different plant hormones on the replication of asexual tachyzoites in a human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) host cell culture. T. gondii replication was measured by the determination of T. gondii DNA copies via qPCR. Three selected phytohormones, namely abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GIBB), and kinetin (KIN) as representatives of different plant hormone groups were tested. Moreover, the influence of typical cell culture media components on the phytohormone effects was assessed. Our results indicate that ABA is able to induce a significant increase of T. gondii DNA copies in a typical supplemented cell culture medium when applied in concentrations of 20 ng/μl or 2 ng/μl, respectively. In contrast, depending on the culture medium composition, GIBB may potentially serve as T. gondii growth inhibitor and may be further investigated as a potential treatment for toxoplasmosis.}, }
@article {pmid37723238, year = {2023}, author = {Longley, R and Robinson, A and Liber, JA and Bryson, AE and Morales, DP and LaButti, K and Riley, R and Mondo, SJ and Kuo, A and Yoshinaga, Y and Daum, C and Barry, K and Grigoriev, IV and Desirò, A and Chain, PSG and Bonito, G}, title = {Comparative genomics of Mollicutes-related endobacteria supports a late invasion into Mucoromycota fungi.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {6}, number = {1}, pages = {948}, pmid = {37723238}, issn = {2399-3642}, mesh = {*Tenericutes ; Phylogeny ; Genomics ; *Mycorrhizae/genetics ; Genome Size ; }, abstract = {Diverse members of early-diverging Mucoromycota, including mycorrhizal taxa and soil-associated Mortierellaceae, are known to harbor Mollicutes-related endobacteria (MRE). It has been hypothesized that MRE were acquired by a common ancestor and transmitted vertically. Alternatively, MRE endosymbionts could have invaded after the divergence of Mucoromycota lineages and subsequently spread to new hosts horizontally. To better understand the evolutionary history of MRE symbionts, we generated and analyzed four complete MRE genomes from two Mortierellaceae genera: Linnemannia (MRE-L) and Benniella (MRE-B). These genomes include the smallest known of fungal endosymbionts and showed signals of a tight relationship with hosts including a reduced functional capacity and genes transferred from fungal hosts to MRE. Phylogenetic reconstruction including nine MRE from mycorrhizal fungi revealed that MRE-B genomes are more closely related to MRE from Glomeromycotina than MRE-L from the same host family. We posit that reductions in genome size, GC content, pseudogene content, and repeat content in MRE-L may reflect a longer-term relationship with their fungal hosts. These data indicate Linnemannia and Benniella MRE were likely acquired independently after their fungal hosts diverged from a common ancestor. This work expands upon foundational knowledge on minimal genomes and provides insights into the evolution of bacterial endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid37722758, year = {2023}, author = {Kolo, AO and Raghavan, R}, title = {Impact of endosymbionts on tick physiology and fitness.}, journal = {Parasitology}, volume = {150}, number = {10}, pages = {859-865}, pmid = {37722758}, issn = {1469-8161}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ticks ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Francisella/genetics ; Arachnid Vectors ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Ticks transmit pathogens and harbour non-pathogenic, vertically transmitted intracellular bacteria termed endosymbionts. Almost all ticks studied to date contain 1 or more of Coxiella, Francisella, Rickettsia or Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii endosymbionts, indicative of their importance to tick physiology. Genomic and experimental data suggest that endosymbionts promote tick development and reproductive success. Here, we review the limited information currently available on the potential roles endosymbionts play in enhancing tick metabolism and fitness. Future studies that expand on these findings are needed to better understand endosymbionts’ contributions to tick biology. This knowledge could potentially be applied to design novel strategies that target endosymbiont function to control the spread of ticks and pathogens they vector.}, }
@article {pmid37719127, year = {2023}, author = {Castañeda-Molina, Y and Marulanda-Moreno, SM and Saldamando-Benjumea, C and Junca, H and Moreno-Herrera, CX and Cadavid-Restrepo, G}, title = {Microbiome analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) larvae exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) endotoxins.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e15916}, pmid = {37719127}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Animals ; Spodoptera ; Larva ; *Bacillus thuringiensis/genetics ; Endotoxins ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Spodoptera frugiperda (or fall armyworm, FAW) is a polyphagous pest native to Western Hemisphere and recently discovered in the Eastern Hemisphere. In Colombia, S. frugiperda is recognized as a pest of economic importance in corn. The species has genetically differentiated into two host populations named "corn" and "rice" strains. In 2012, a study made in central Colombia demonstrated that the corn strain is less susceptible to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) endotoxins (Cry1Ac and Cry 1Ab) than the rice strain. In this country, Bt transgenic corn has been extensively produced over the last 15 years. Since gut microbiota plays a role in the physiology and immunity of insects, and has been implicated in promoting the insecticidal activity of Bt, in this study an analysis of the interaction between Bt endotoxins and FAW gut microbiota was made. Also, the detection of endosymbionts was performed here, as they might have important implications in the biological control of a pest.<br><br>METHODS: The composition and diversity of microbiomes associated with larval specimens of S. frugiperda(corn strain) was investigated in a bioassay based on six treatments in the presence/absence of Bt toxins and antibiotics (Ab) through bacterial isolate analyses and by high throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Additionally, species specific primers were used, to detect endosymbionts from gonads in S. frugiperda corn strain.<br><br>RESULTS: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota were the most dominant bacterial phyla found in S. frugiperda corn strain. No significant differences in bacteria species diversity and richness among the six treatments were found. Two species of Enterococcus spp., E. mundtii and E. casseliflavus were detected in treatments with Bt and antibiotics, suggesting that they are less susceptible to both of them. Additionally, the endosymbiont Arsenophonus was also identified on treatments in presence of Bt and antibiotics. The results obtained here are important since little knowledge exists about the gut microbiota on this pest and its interaction with Bt endotoxins. Previous studies made in Lepidoptera suggest that alteration of gut microbiota can be used to improve the management of pest populations, demonstrating the relevance of the results obtained in this work.}, }
@article {pmid37716961, year = {2023}, author = {Mfopit, YM and Engel, JS and Chechet, GD and Ibrahim, MAM and Signaboubo, D and Achukwi, DM and Mamman, M and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J and Kelm, S}, title = {Molecular detection of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma species and Wolbachia endosymbionts in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {260}, pmid = {37716961}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {K43 TW012015/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Glossinidae ; *Tsetse Flies ; *Trypanosomiasis, African ; Cameroon ; *Spiroplasma/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Nigeria ; Animals ; Chad ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tsetse flies are cyclical vectors of African trypanosomiasis (AT). The flies have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria that influence certain aspects of their physiology. Vector competence of tsetse flies for different trypanosome species is highly variable and is suggested to be affected by bacterial endosymbionts amongst other factors. Symbiotic interactions may provide an avenue for AT control. The current study provided prevalence of three tsetse symbionts in Glossina species from Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.<br><br>RESULTS: Tsetse flies were collected and dissected from five different locations. DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction used to detect presence of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma species and Wolbachia endosymbionts, using species specific primers. A total of 848 tsetse samples were analysed: Glossina morsitans submorsitans (47.52%), Glossina palpalis palpalis (37.26%), Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (9.08%) and Glossina tachinoides (6.13%). Only 95 (11.20%) were infected with at least one of the three symbionts. Among infected flies, six (6.31%) had Wolbachia and Spiroplasma mixed infection. The overall symbiont prevalence was 0.88, 3.66 and 11.00% respectively, for Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma species and Wolbachia endosymbionts. Prevalence varied between countries and tsetse fly species. Neither Spiroplasma species nor S. glossinidius were detected in samples from Cameroon and Nigeria respectively.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The present study revealed, for the first time, presence of Spiroplasma species infections in tsetse fly populations in Chad and Nigeria. These findings provide useful information on repertoire of bacterial flora of tsetse flies and incite more investigations to understand their implication in the vector competence of tsetse flies.}, }
@article {pmid37716699, year = {2023}, author = {Amses, K and Desiró, A and Bryson, A and Grigoriev, I and Mondo, S and Lipzen, A and LaButti, K and Riley, R and Singan, V and Salazar-Hamm, P and King, J and Ballou, E and Pawlowska, T and Adeleke, R and Bonito, G and Uehling, J}, title = {Convergent reductive evolution and host adaptation in Mycoavidus bacterial endosymbionts of Mortierellaceae fungi.}, journal = {Fungal genetics and biology : FG &amp; B}, volume = {169}, number = {}, pages = {103838}, doi = {10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103838}, pmid = {37716699}, issn = {1096-0937}, mesh = {Phylogeny ; *Host Adaptation ; *Burkholderiaceae/genetics ; Fungi/genetics ; Bacteria ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Intimate associations between fungi and intracellular bacterial endosymbionts are becoming increasingly well understood. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that bacterial endosymbionts of Mucoromycota fungi are related either to free-living Burkholderia or Mollicutes species. The so-called Burkholderia-related endosymbionts or BRE comprise Mycoavidus, Mycetohabitans and Candidatus Glomeribacter gigasporarum. These endosymbionts are marked by genome contraction thought to be associated with intracellular selection. However, the conclusions drawn thus far are based on a very small subset of endosymbiont genomes, and the mechanisms leading to genome streamlining are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to better understand how intracellular existence shapes Mycoavidus and BRE functionally at the genome level. To this end we generated and analyzed 14 novel draft genomes for Mycoavidus living within the hyphae of Mortierellomycotina fungi. We found that our novel Mycoavidus genomes were significantly reduced compared to free-living Burkholderiales relatives. Using a genome-scale phylogenetic approach including the novel and available existing genomes of Mycoavidus, we show that the genus is an assemblage composed of two independently derived lineages including three well supported clades of Mycoavidus. Using a comparative genomic approach, we shed light on the functional implications of genome reduction, documenting shared and unique gene loss patterns between the three Mycoavidus clades. We found that many endosymbiont isolates demonstrate patterns of vertical transmission and host-specificity, but others are present in phylogenetically disparate hosts. We discuss how reductive evolution and host specificity reflect convergent adaptation to the intrahyphal selective landscape, and commonalities of eukaryotic endosymbiont genome evolution.}, }
@article {pmid37716131, year = {2023}, author = {Bharathi, MD and Muthukumar, C and Sathishkumar, RS and Ramu, K and Murthy, MVR}, title = {First report on the occurrence of Gonyaulax polygramma bloom during the onset of Noctiluca scintillans bloom along the Tuticorin coast, southeast coast of India.}, journal = {Marine pollution bulletin}, volume = {195}, number = {}, pages = {115523}, doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115523}, pmid = {37716131}, issn = {1879-3363}, abstract = {Dense and green-coloured patches were encountered on the sea surface waters of the Tuticorin coast on 22[nd] October 2022. Microscopic investigation revealed that the discoloration is caused by plankton, green Noctiluca scintillans. In order to find out the causes that trigger the bloom of N. scintillans, plankton samples were collected for 5 days in fourteen days duration from 22[nd] October to 4[th] November. During the peak bloom period, the abundance and biovolume of N. scintillans reached 1.56 × 10[4] cells/L and 21.8 × 10[10]μm[3]/L, respectively. The highest concentration (73.65 mg/m[3]) of chlorophyll-a was recorded during blooming period that was caused by Gonyaulax polygramma and endosymbiont, Pedinomonas noctilucae in N. scintillans. Formation of G. polygramma bloom is being reported for the first time in Tuticorin, southeast coast of India, with a species abundance of 36.9 × 10[4] cells/L. Present study concluded that besides the optimum hydrological conditions and eutrophic nature of the system, abundant prey (G. polygramma) facilitated the N. scintillans bloom.}, }
@article {pmid37715236, year = {2023}, author = {ElKraly, OA and Awad, M and El-Saadany, HM and Hassanein, SE and Elrahman, TA and Elnagdy, SM}, title = {Impact of gut microbiota composition on black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (hufnagel) metabolic indices and pesticide degradation.}, journal = {Animal microbiome}, volume = {5}, number = {1}, pages = {44}, pmid = {37715236}, issn = {2524-4671}, abstract = {Endosymbionts are known to have significant effects on their insect hosts, including nutrition, reproduction, and immunity. Insects gut microbiota is a critical component that affects their physiological and behavioral characteristics. The black cutworm (BCW), Agrotis ipsilon, is an economically important lepidopteran pest that has a diverse gut microbiome composed of nine species belonging to three phyla: Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. This study was conducted to investigate the diversity of gut bacteria isolated from BCW larvae and moths and their effects on metabolism and pesticide degradation. The bacterial isolates were identified using the 16 S rRNA gene. The study showed that the gut microbiome composition significantly affected the metabolism of BCW larvae. Based on the screening results of synthesis of digestive enzymes and pesticide degradation, Brachybacterium conglomeratum and Glutamicibacter sp were selected to perform the remaining experiments as single isolates and consortium. The consortium-fed larvae showed high metabolic indices compared to antibiotic-fed larvae and the control. The gut bacteria were also shown to degrade three pesticide groups. Concerns regarding the health risk of chlorpyrifos have been raised due to its extensive use in agriculture. The isolated B. conglomeratum was more effective in chlorpyrifos degradation than the consortium. Furthermore, the study also examined the presence of sex related endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Rickettsia) in the reproductive tissues of adults. The outcomes demonstrated that none of the examined endosymbionts existed. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of the gut microbiome in insect physiology and behavior and its potential applications in biotechnology. It provides insights into developing eco-friendly pest control and bioremediation strategies using gut bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid37715090, year = {2023}, author = {Nuschke, A and Sobey-Skelton, C and Dawod, B and Kelly, B and Tremblay, ML and Davis, C and Rioux, JA and Brewer, K}, title = {Use of Magnetotactic Bacteria as an MRI Contrast Agent for In Vivo Tracking of Adoptively Transferred Immune Cells.}, journal = {Molecular imaging and biology}, volume = {25}, number = {5}, pages = {844-856}, pmid = {37715090}, issn = {1860-2002}, support = {Discovery Grant//Natural Science and Engineering Council (NSERC)/ ; Project Grant//IWK Health Centre/ ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: In vivo immune cell tracking using MRI can be a valuable tool for studying the mechanisms underlying successful cancer therapies. Current cell labeling methods using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) lack the persistence to track the fate and location of transplanted cells long-term. Magnetospirillum magneticum is a commercially available, iron-producing bacterium that can be taken up by and live harmoniously within mammalian cells as magneto-endosymbionts (MEs). MEs have shown promise as labeling agents for in vivo stem and cancer cell tracking but have yet to be evaluated in immune cells. This pilot study examined ME labeling in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and dendritic cells (DCs) and its effects on cell purity, function, and MRI contrast.<br><br>PROCEDURES: MDSCs, CTLs, and DCs were incubated with MEs at various ME labeling ratios (MLR), and various biological metrics and iron uptake were assessed. For in vivo imaging, MDSCs were labeled overnight with either MEs or SPIO (Molday ION Rhodamine B) and injected into C3 tumor-bearing mice via tail vein injection 24&#xa0;days post-implant and scanned daily with MRI for 1&#xa0;week to assess cellular quantification.<br><br>RESULTS: Following incubations, MDSCs contained&#x2009;>&#x2009;0.6&#xa0;pg Fe/cell. CTLs achieved Fe loading of&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.5&#xa0;pg/cell, and DCs achieved Fe loading of&#x2009;~&#x2009;1.4&#xa0;pg/cell. The suppressive functionality of MDSCs at 1000 MLR was not affected by ME labeling but was affected at 2000 MLR. Markers of CTL dysfunction were not markedly affected by ME labeling nor were DC markers. In vivo data demonstrated that the MDSCs labeled with MEs generated sufficient contrast to be detectable using TurboSPI, similar to SPIO-labeled cells.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Cells can be labeled with sufficient numbers of MEs to be detectable with MRI without compromising cell viability. Care must be taken at higher concentrations of MEs, which may affect some cell types' functional activity and/or morphology. Immune cells with minimal phagocytic behavior have much lower iron content per cell after incubation with MEs vs SPIO; however, MEs can successfully be used as a contrast agent for phagocytic immune cells.}, }
@article {pmid37702423, year = {2024}, author = {Sakamoto, W and Takami, T}, title = {Plastid Inheritance Revisited: Emerging Role of Organelle DNA Degradation in Angiosperms.}, journal = {Plant &amp; cell physiology}, volume = {65}, number = {4}, pages = {484-492}, doi = {10.1093/pcp/pcad104}, pmid = {37702423}, issn = {1471-9053}, support = {21H02508 21K06230 23H04959//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, mesh = {*Plastids/genetics/metabolism ; *Magnoliopsida/genetics ; *DNA, Plant/genetics/metabolism ; Pollen/genetics/metabolism ; Organelles/metabolism/genetics ; }, abstract = {Plastids are essential organelles in angiosperms and show non-Mendelian inheritance due to their evolution as endosymbionts. In approximately 80% of angiosperms, plastids are thought to be inherited from the maternal parent, whereas other species transmit plastids biparentally. Maternal inheritance can be generally explained by the stochastic segregation of maternal plastids after fertilization because the zygote is overwhelmed by the maternal cytoplasm. In contrast, biparental inheritance shows the transmission of organelles from both parents. In some species, maternal inheritance is not absolute and paternal leakage occurs at a very low frequency (∼10-5). A key process controlling the inheritance mode lies in the behavior of plastids during male gametophyte (pollen) development, with accumulating evidence indicating that the plastids themselves or their DNAs are eliminated during pollen maturation or at fertilization. Cytological observations in numerous angiosperm species have revealed several critical steps that mutually influence the degree of plastid transmission quantitatively among different species. This review revisits plastid inheritance from a mechanistic viewpoint. Particularly, we focus on a recent finding demonstrating that both low temperature and plastid DNA degradation mediated by the organelle exonuclease DEFECTIVE IN POLLEN ORGANELLE DNA DEGRADATION1 (DPD1) influence the degree of paternal leakage significantly in tobacco. Given these findings, we also highlight the emerging role of DPD1 in organelle DNA degradation.}, }
@article {pmid37695720, year = {2023}, author = {Kryukova, NA and Kryukov, VY and Polenogova, OV and Chertkova, &#x415;&#x410; and Tyurin, MV and Rotskaya, UN and Alikina, T and Kabilov, &#x41c;R and Glupov, VV}, title = {The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia (Rickettsiales) alters larval metabolism of the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).}, journal = {Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology}, volume = {114}, number = {4}, pages = {e22053}, doi = {10.1002/arch.22053}, pmid = {37695720}, issn = {1520-6327}, support = {//Federal Fundamental Scientific Research Program/ ; //Russian Science Foundation/ ; 23-24-00259//The Russian Science Foundation/ ; 1021051703454-5-1.6.12//The Federal Fundamental Scientific Research Program/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Larva/metabolism ; *Hymenoptera ; *Wasps/metabolism ; *Wolbachia ; Rickettsiales ; *Moths/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Infection of intestinal tissues with Wolbachia has been found in Habrobracon hebetor. There are not many studies on the relationship between Habrobracon and Wolbachia, and they focus predominantly on the sex index of an infected parasitoid, its fertility, and behavior. The actual role of Wolbachia in the biology of Habrobracon is not yet clear. The method of complete eradication of Wolbachia in the parasitoid was developed here, and effects of the endosymbiont on the host's digestive metabolism were compared between two lines of the parasitoid (Wolbachia-positive and Wolbachia-negative). In the gut of Wolbachia[+] larvae, lipases' activity was higher almost twofold, and activities of acid proteases, esterases, and trehalase were 1.5-fold greater than those in the Wolbachia[-] line. Analyses of larval homogenates revealed that Wolbachia[+] larvae accumulate significantly more lipids and have a lower amount of pyruvate as compared to Wolbachia[-] larvae. The presented results indicate significant effects of the intracellular symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia on the metabolism of H. hebetor larvae and on the activity of its digestive enzymes.}, }
@article {pmid37690114, year = {2023}, author = {Manzano-Marín, A and Kvist, S and Oceguera-Figueroa, A}, title = {Evolution of an Alternative Genetic Code in the Providencia Symbiont of the Hematophagous Leech Haementeria acuecueyetzin.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {37690114}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; *Providencia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Leeches/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Insecta/genetics ; Vitamins ; Genetic Code ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Strict blood-feeding animals are confronted with a strong B-vitamin deficiency. Blood-feeding leeches from the Glossiphoniidae family, similarly to hematophagous insects, have evolved specialized organs called bacteriomes to harbor symbiotic bacteria. Leeches of the Haementeria genus have two pairs of globular bacteriomes attached to the esophagus which house intracellular "Candidatus Providencia siddallii" bacteria. Previous work analyzing a draft genome of the Providencia symbiont of the Mexican leech Haementeria officinalis showed that, in this species, the bacteria hold a reduced genome capable of synthesizing B vitamins. In this work, we aimed to expand our knowledge on the diversity and evolution of Providencia symbionts of Haementeria. For this purpose, we sequenced the symbiont genomes of three selected leech species. We found that all genomes are highly syntenic and have kept a stable genetic repertoire, mirroring ancient insect endosymbionts. Additionally, we found B-vitamin pathways to be conserved among these symbionts, pointing to a conserved symbiotic role. Lastly and most notably, we found that the symbiont of H. acuecueyetzin has evolved an alternative genetic code, affecting a portion of its proteome and showing evidence of a lineage-specific and likely intermediate stage of genetic code reassignment.}, }
@article {pmid37686049, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, Z and Zhang, J and Chen, Q and He, J and Li, X and Wang, Y and Lu, Y}, title = {Complete De Novo Assembly of Wolbachia Endosymbiont of Frankliniella intonsa.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {17}, pages = {}, pmid = {37686049}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {31672031, 32272537//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2021C02003//Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province, China/ ; 2022YFD1401204, 2022YFC2601405//Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Thysanoptera ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Flowers ; *Nanopores ; Prophages ; RNA, Ribosomal ; }, abstract = {As an endosymbiont, Wolbachia exerts significant effects on the host, including on reproduction, immunity, and metabolism. However, the study of Wolbachia in Thysanopteran insects, such as flower thrips Frankliniella intonsa, remains limited. Here, we assembled a gap-free looped genome assembly of Wolbachia strain wFI in a length of 1,463,884 bp (GC content 33.80%), using Nanopore long reads and Illumina short reads. The annotation of wFI identified a total of 1838 protein-coding genes (including 85 pseudogenes), 3 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 35 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and 1 transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA). Beyond this basic description, we identified mobile genetic elements, such as prophage and insertion sequences (ISs), which make up 17% of the entire wFI genome, as well as genes involved in riboflavin and biotin synthesis and metabolism. This research lays the foundation for understanding the nutritional mutualism between Wolbachia and flower thrips. It also serves as a valuable resource for future studies delving into the intricate interactions between Wolbachia and its host.}, }
@article {pmid37673069, year = {2023}, author = {Harumoto, T}, title = {Self-stabilization mechanism encoded by a bacterial toxin facilitates reproductive parasitism.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {33}, number = {18}, pages = {4021-4029.e6}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.032}, pmid = {37673069}, issn = {1879-0445}, abstract = {A wide variety of maternally transmitted endosymbionts in insects are associated with reproductive parasitism, whereby they interfere with host reproduction to increase the ratio of infected females and spread within populations.[1][,][2] Recent successes in identifying bacterial factors responsible for reproductive parasitism[3][,][4][,][5][,][6][,][7] as well as further omics approaches[8][,][9][,][10][,][11][,][12] have highlighted the common appearance of deubiquitinase domains, although their biological roles-in particular, how they link to distinct manipulative phenotypes-remain poorly defined. Spiroplasma poulsonii is a helical and motile bacterial endosymbiont of Drosophila,[13][,][14] which selectively kills male progeny with a male-killing toxin Spaid (S. poulsonii androcidin), which encodes an ovarian tumor (OTU) deubiquitinase domain.[6] Artificial expression of Spaid in flies reproduces male-killing-associated pathologies that include abnormal apoptosis and neural defects during embryogenesis[6][,][15][,][16][,][17][,][18][,][19]; moreover, it highly accumulates on the dosage-compensated male X chromosome,[20] congruent with cellular defects such as the DNA damage/chromatin bridge breakage specifically induced upon that chromosome.[6][,][21][,][22][,][23] Here, I show that without the function of OTU, Spaid is polyubiquitinated and degraded through the host ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, leading to the attenuation of male-killing activity as shown previously.[6] Furthermore, I find that Spaid utilizes its OTU domain to deubiquitinate itself in an intermolecular manner. Collectively, the deubiquitinase domain of Spaid serves as a self-stabilization mechanism to facilitate male killing in flies, optimizing a molecular strategy of endosymbionts that enables the efficient manipulation of the host at a low energetic cost.}, }
@article {pmid37669272, year = {2023}, author = {Lau, MJ and Dutra, HLC and Jones, MJ and McNulty, BP and Diaz, AM and Ware-Gilmore, F and McGraw, EA}, title = {Jamestown Canyon virus is transmissible by Aedes aegypti and is only moderately blocked by Wolbachia co-infection.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {17}, number = {9}, pages = {e0011616}, pmid = {37669272}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {R01 AI143758/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes ; *Encephalitis Virus, California ; *Deer ; *Wolbachia ; *Coinfection ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; }, abstract = {Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), a negative-sense arbovirus, is increasingly common in the upper Midwest of the USA. Transmitted by a range of mosquito genera, JCV's primary amplifying host is white-tailed deer. Aedes aegypti is responsible for transmitting various positive-sense viruses globally including dengue (DENV), Zika, chikungunya, and Yellow Fever. Ae. aegypti's distribution, once confined to the tropics, is expanding, in part due to climate change. Wolbachia, an insect endosymbiont, limits the replication of co-infecting viruses inside insects. The release and spread of the symbiont into Ae. aegypti populations have been effective in reducing transmission of DENV to humans, although the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated viral blocking is still poorly understood. Here we explored JCV infection potential in Ae. aegypti, the nature of the vector's immune response, and interactions with Wolbachia infection. We show that Ae. aegypti is highly competent for JCV, which grows to high loads and rapidly reaches the saliva after an infectious blood meal. The mosquito immune system responds with strong induction of RNAi and JAK/STAT. Neither the direct effect of viral infection nor the energetic investment in immunity appears to affect mosquito longevity. Wolbachia infection blocked JCV only in the early stages of infection. Wolbachia-induced immunity was small compared to that of JCV, suggesting innate immune priming does not likely explain blocking. We propose two models to explain why Wolbachia's blocking of negative-sense viruses like JCV may be less than that of positive-sense viruses, relating to the slowdown of host protein synthesis and the triggering of interferon-like factors like Vago. In conclusion, we highlight the risk for increased human disease with the predicted future overlap of Ae. aegypti and JCV ranges. We suggest that with moderate Wolbachia-mediated blocking and distinct biology, negative-sense viruses represent a fruitful comparator model to other viruses for understanding blocking mechanisms in mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid37658881, year = {2023}, author = {Owashi, Y and Minami, T and Kikuchi, T and Yoshida, A and Nakano, R and Kageyama, D and Adachi-Hagimori, T}, title = {Microbiome of Zoophytophagous Biological Control Agent Nesidiocoris tenuis.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {86}, number = {4}, pages = {2923-2933}, pmid = {37658881}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Biological Control Agents ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Spiroplasma ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Many insects are associated with endosymbionts that influence the feeding, reproduction, and distribution of their hosts. Although the small green mirid, Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae), a zoophytophagous predator that feeds on plants as well as arthropods, is a globally important biological control agent, its microbiome has not been sufficiently studied. In the present study, we assessed the microbiome variation in 96 N. tenuis individuals from 14 locations throughout Japan, based on amplicon sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Nine major bacteria associated with N. tenuis were identified: Rickettsia, two strains of Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Providencia, Serratia, Pseudochrobactrum, Lactococcus, and Stenotrophomonas. Additionally, a diagnostic PCR analysis for three typical insect reproductive manipulators, Rickettsia, Wolbachia, and Spiroplasma, was performed on a larger sample size (n = 360) of N. tenuis individuals; the most prevalent symbiont was Rickettsia (69.7%), followed by Wolbachia (39.2%) and Spiroplasma (6.1%). Although some symbionts were co-infected, their prevalence did not exhibit any specific tendency, such as a high frequency in specific infection combinations. The infection frequency of Rickettsia was significantly correlated with latitude and temperature, while that of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma was significantly correlated with host plants. The predominance of these bacteria and the absence of obligate symbionts suggested that the N. tenuis microbiome is typical for predatory arthropods rather than sap-feeding insects. Rickettsia and Wolbachia were vertically transmitted rather than horizontally transmitted from the prey. The functional validation of each symbiont would be warranted to develop N. tenuis as a biological control agent.}, }
@article {pmid37660098, year = {2023}, author = {Lin, C and Li, LJ and Ren, K and Zhou, SY and Isabwe, A and Yang, LY and Neilson, R and Yang, XR and Cytryn, E and Zhu, YG}, title = {Phagotrophic protists preserve antibiotic-resistant opportunistic human pathogens in the vegetable phyllosphere.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {3}, number = {1}, pages = {94}, pmid = {37660098}, issn = {2730-6151}, support = {42090063//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 32061143015//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 32100331//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; }, abstract = {Food safety of leafy greens is an emerging public health issue as they can harbor opportunistic human pathogens (OHPs) and expose OHPs to consumers. Protists are an integral part of phyllosphere microbial ecosystems. However, our understanding of protist-pathogen associations in the phyllosphere and their consequences on public health remains poor. Here, we examined phyllosphere protists, human pathogen marker genes (HPMGs), and protist endosymbionts from four species of leafy greens from major supermarkets in Xiamen, China. Our results showed that Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the dominant human pathogens in the vegetable phyllosphere. The distribution of HPMGs and protistan communities differed between vegetable species, of which Chinese chive possessed the most diverse protists and highest abundance of HPMGs. HPMGs abundance positively correlated with the diversity and relative abundance of phagotrophic protists. Whole genome sequencing further uncovered that most isolated phyllosphere protists harbored multiple OHPs which carried antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors, and metal resistance genes and had the potential to HGT. Colpoda were identified as key phagotrophic protists which positively linked to OHPs and carried diverse resistance and virulence potential endosymbiont OHPs including Pseudomonas nitroreducens, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. We highlight that phyllosphere protists contribute to the transmission of resistant OHPs through internalization and thus pose risks to the food safety of leafy greens and human health. Our study provides insights into the protist-OHP interactions in the phyllosphere, which will help in food safety surveillance and human health.}, }
@article {pmid37653429, year = {2023}, author = {Duong Thi Hue, K and da Silva Goncalves, D and Tran Thuy, V and Thi Vo, L and Le Thi, D and Vu Tuyet, N and Nguyen Thi, G and Huynh Thi Xuan, T and Nguyen Minh, N and Nguyen Thanh, P and Yacoub, S and Simmons, CP}, title = {Wolbachia wMel strain-mediated effects on dengue virus vertical transmission from Aedes aegypti to their offspring.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {308}, pmid = {37653429}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; *Aedes ; *Dengue Virus ; *Wolbachia ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Laboratories ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1 to -4) can be transmitted vertically in Aedes aegpti mosquitoes. Whether infection with the wMel strain of the endosymbiont Wolbachia can reduce the incidence of vertical transmission of DENV from infected females to their offspring is not well understood.<br><br>METHODS: A laboratory colony of Vietnamese Ae. aegypti, both with and without wMel infection, were infected with DENV-1 by intrathoracic injection (IT) to estimate the rate of vertical transmission (VT) of the virus. VT in the DENV-infected mosquitoes was calculated via the infection rate estimation from mosquito pool data using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE).<br><br>RESULTS: In 6047 F1 Vietnamese wild-type Ae. aegypti, the MLE of DENV-1 infection was 1.49 per 1000 mosquitoes (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-2.74). In 5500&#xa0;wMel-infected Ae. aegypti, the MLE infection rate was 0 (95% CI 0-0.69). The VT rates between mosquito lines showed a statistically significant difference.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results reinforce the view that VT is a rare event in wild-type mosquitoes and that infection with wMel is effective in reducing VT.}, }
@article {pmid37653056, year = {2023}, author = {Takahashi, K and Kuwahara, H and Horikawa, Y and Izawa, K and Kato, D and Inagaki, T and Yuki, M and Ohkuma, M and Hongoh, Y}, title = {Emergence of putative energy parasites within Clostridia revealed by genome analysis of a novel endosymbiotic clade.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {17}, number = {11}, pages = {1895-1906}, pmid = {37653056}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Parasites ; Phylogeny ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Bacteria, Anaerobic ; Firmicutes ; Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases/genetics ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Isoptera/microbiology ; }, abstract = {The Clostridia is a dominant bacterial class in the guts of various animals and are considered to nutritionally contribute to the animal host. Here, we discovered clostridial endosymbionts of cellulolytic protists in termite guts, which have never been reported with evidence. We obtained (near-)complete genome sequences of three endosymbiotic Clostridia, each associated with a different parabasalid protist species with various infection rates: Trichonympha agilis, Pseudotrichonympha grassii, and Devescovina sp. All these protists are previously known to harbor permanently-associated, mutualistic Endomicrobia or Bacteroidales that supplement nitrogenous compounds. The genomes of the endosymbiotic Clostridia were small in size (1.0-1.3 Mbp) and exhibited signatures of an obligately-intracellular parasite, such as an extremely limited capability to synthesize amino acids, cofactors, and nucleotides and a disrupted glycolytic pathway with no known net ATP-generating system. Instead, the genomes encoded ATP/ADP translocase and, interestingly, regulatory proteins that are unique to eukaryotes in general and are possibly used to interfere with host cellular processes. These three genomes formed a clade with metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) derived from the guts of other animals, including human and ruminants, and the MAGs shared the characteristics of parasites. Gene flux analysis suggested that the acquisition of the ATP/ADP translocase gene in a common ancestor was probably key to the emergence of this parasitic clade. Taken together, we provide novel insights into the multilayered symbiotic system in the termite gut by adding the presence of parasitism and present an example of the emergence of putative energy parasites from a dominant gut bacterial clade.}, }
@article {pmid37650927, year = {2023}, author = {Ho, HVN and Dunigan, DD and Salsbery, ME and Agarkova, IV and Al Ameeli, Z and Van Etten, JL and DeLong, JP}, title = {Viral Chemotaxis of Paramecium Bursaria Altered by Algal Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {86}, number = {4}, pages = {2904-2909}, pmid = {37650927}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {1736030//Directorate for Biological Sciences/ ; }, mesh = {*Paramecium ; Chemotaxis ; *Phycodnaviridae ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Chemotaxis is widespread across many taxa and often aids resource acquisition or predator avoidance. Species interactions can modify the degree of movement facilitated by chemotaxis. In this study, we investigated the influence of symbionts on Paramecium bursaria's chemotactic behavior toward chloroviruses. To achieve this, we performed choice experiments using chlorovirus and control candidate attractors (virus stabilization buffer and pond water). We quantified the movement of Paramecia grown with or without algal and viral symbionts toward each attractor. All Paramecia showed some chemotaxis toward viruses, but cells without algae and viruses showed the most movement toward viruses. Thus, the endosymbiotic algae (zoochlorellae) appeared to alter the movement of Paramecia toward chloroviruses, but it was not clear that ectosymbiotic viruses (chlorovirus) also had this effect. The change in behavior was consistent with a change in swimming speed, but a change in attraction remains possible. The potential costs and benefits of chemotactic movement toward chloroviruses for either the Paramecia hosts or its symbionts remain unclear.}, }
@article {pmid37650335, year = {2023}, author = {Ehinger, FJ and Niehs, SP and Dose, B and Dell, M and Krabbe, J and Pidot, SJ and Stinear, TP and Scherlach, K and Ross, C and Lackner, G and Hertweck, C}, title = {Analysis of Rhizonin Biosynthesis Reveals Origin of Pharmacophoric Furylalanine Moieties in Diverse Cyclopeptides.}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)}, volume = {62}, number = {42}, pages = {e202308540}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202308540}, pmid = {37650335}, issn = {1521-3773}, mesh = {Humans ; *Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry ; *Computational Biology ; Multigene Family ; Fungi/metabolism ; Peptide Synthases/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Rhizonin A and B are hepatotoxic cyclopeptides produced by bacterial endosymbionts (Mycetohabitans endofungorum) of the fungus Rhizopus microsporus. Their toxicity critically depends on the presence of 3-furylalanine (Fua) residues, which also occur in pharmaceutically relevant cyclopeptides of the endolide and bingchamide families. The biosynthesis and incorporation of Fua by non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), however, has remained elusive. By genome sequencing and gene inactivation we elucidated the gene cluster responsible for rhizonin biosynthesis. A suite of isotope labeling experiments identified tyrosine and l-DOPA as Fua precursors and provided the first mechanistic insight. Bioinformatics, mutational analysis and heterologous reconstitution identified dioxygenase RhzB as necessary and sufficient for Fua formation. RhzB is a novel type of heme-dependent aromatic oxygenases (HDAO) that enabled the discovery of the bingchamide biosynthesis gene cluster through genome mining.}, }
@article {pmid37645949, year = {2023}, author = {Wenzel, M and Aquadro, CF}, title = {Wolbachia infection at least partially rescues the fertility and ovary defects of several new Drosophila melanogaster bag of marbles protein-coding mutants.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1101/2023.03.20.532813}, pmid = {37645949}, issn = {2692-8205}, abstract = {UNLABELLED: The D. melanogaster protein coding gene bag of marbles (bam) plays a key role in early male and female reproduction by forming complexes with partner proteins to promote differentiation in gametogenesis. Like another germline gene, Sex lethal , bam genetically interacts with the endosymbiont Wolbachia , as Wolbachia rescues the reduced fertility of a bam hypomorphic mutant. Here, we explored the specificity of the bam-Wolbachia interaction by generating 22 new bam mutants, with ten mutants displaying fertility defects. Nine of these mutants trend towards rescue by the w Mel Wolbachia variant, with eight statistically significant at the fertility and/or cytological level. In some cases, fertility was increased a striking 20-fold. There is no specificity between the rescue and the known binding regions of bam , suggesting w Mel does not interact with one singular bam partner to rescue the reproductive phenotype. We further tested if w Mel interacts with bam in a non-specific way, by increasing bam transcript levels or acting upstream in germline stem cells. A fertility assessment of a bam RNAi knockdown mutant reveals that w Mel rescue is specific to functionally mutant bam alleles and we find no obvious evidence of w Mel interaction with germline stem cells in bam mutants.<br><br>AUTHOR SUMMARY: Reproduction in the Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly is dependent on the bag of marbles (bam) gene, which acts early in the process of generating eggs and sperm. Mutations to this gene negatively impact the fertility of the fly, causing it to be sterile or have fewer progeny. Interestingly, we find that the bacteria Wolbachia , which resides within reproductive cells across a wide range of insects, partially restores the fertility and ovary phenotype of several bam mutants of which the resultant Bam protein is altered from wildtype. The protein function of Bam is further suggested to be important by the lack of rescue for a fly that has a fertility defect due to low expression of a non-mutated bam gene. Previous work makes similar conclusions about Wolbachia with another reproductive gene, Sex lethal (Sxl), highlighting the potential for rescue of fertility mutants to occur in a similar way across different genes. An understanding of the ways in which Wolbachia can affect host reproduction provides us with context with which to frame Wolbachia 's impact on host genes, such as bam and Sxl, and consider the evolutionary implications of Wolbachia 's infection in D. melanogaster fruit flies.}, }
@article {pmid37638258, year = {2023}, author = {Sheibani, P and Jamshidi, M and Khakvar, R and Nematollahi, S}, title = {Genomic Characterization of Endosymbiotic Bacteria Associated With Helicoverpa armigera in Iran Using Next-Generation Sequencing.}, journal = {Bioinformatics and biology insights}, volume = {17}, number = {}, pages = {11779322231195457}, pmid = {37638258}, issn = {1177-9322}, abstract = {Several species of the Helicoverpa genus have been recognized as major agricultural pests from different regions of the world, among which Helicoverpa armigera species has been reported as the most destructive and cosmopolitan species in most regions of the world, including Iran. This pest is a polyphagous species and can cause damage to more than 120 plant species. Studying the internal microbiome of pests is very important in identifying species' weaknesses and natural enemies and potential biological control agents. For genomic characterization of the microbial community associated with H armigera, the whole genome of insect larvae collected from vegetable fields in the northwest of Iran was sequenced using next-generation sequencing Illumina platform. Finally, about 2 GB of raw data were obtained. Using the MetaPhlAn2 pipeline, it was predicted that 2 endosymbiont bacterial species including Buchnera aphidicola and Serratia symbiotica were associated with H armigera. Alignment of reference strains sequences related to both endosymbiotic bacteria with raw data and subsequently, assembly analyses resulted in 2 genomes with 657 623 bp length with GC content of 27.4% for B aphidicola and 1 595 135 bp length with GC content of 42.90% for S symbiotica. This research is the first report on the association of B aphidicola and S symbiotica as endosymbiotic bacteria with H armigera worldwide.}, }
@article {pmid37634049, year = {2023}, author = {Treitli, SC and Hanousková, P and Beneš, V and Brune, A and Čepička, I and Hampl, V}, title = {Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis is the key process in the obligately syntrophic consortium of the anaerobic ameba Pelomyxa schiedti.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {17}, number = {11}, pages = {1884-1894}, pmid = {37634049}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Anaerobiosis ; *Amoeba ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Bacteria/genetics ; Hydrogen/metabolism ; Methane/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Pelomyxa is a genus of anaerobic amoebae that live in consortia with multiple prokaryotic endosymbionts. Although the symbionts represent a large fraction of the cellular biomass, their metabolic roles have not been investigated. Using single-cell genomics and transcriptomics, we have characterized the prokaryotic community associated with P. schiedti, which is composed of two bacteria, Candidatus Syntrophus pelomyxae (class Deltaproteobacteria) and Candidatus Vesiculincola pelomyxae (class Clostridia), and a methanogen, Candidatus Methanoregula pelomyxae. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and electron microscopy showed that Ca. Vesiculincola pelomyxae is localized inside vesicles, whereas the other endosymbionts occur freely in the cytosol, with Ca. Methanoregula pelomyxae enriched around the nucleus. Genome and transcriptome-based reconstructions of the metabolism suggests that the cellulolytic activity of P. schiedti produces simple sugars that fuel its own metabolism and the metabolism of a Ca. Vesiculincola pelomyxae, while Ca. Syntrophus pelomyxae energy metabolism relies on degradation of butyrate and isovalerate from the environment. Both species of bacteria and the ameba use hydrogenases to transfer the electrons from reduced equivalents to hydrogen, a process that requires a low hydrogen partial pressure. This is achieved by the third endosymbiont, Ca. Methanoregula pelomyxae, which consumes H2 and formate for methanogenesis. While the bacterial symbionts can be successfully eliminated by vancomycin treatment without affecting the viability of the amoebae, treatment with 2-bromoethanesulfonate, a specific inhibitor of methanogenesis, killed the amoebae, indicating the essentiality of the methanogenesis for this consortium.}, }
@article {pmid37630596, year = {2023}, author = {Mancuso, E and Di Domenico, M and Di Gialleonardo, L and Menegon, M and Toma, L and Di Luca, M and Casale, F and Di Donato, G and D'Onofrio, L and De Rosa, A and Riello, S and Ferri, A and Serra, L and Monaco, F}, title = {Tick Species Diversity and Molecular Identification of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae Collected from Migratory Birds Arriving from Africa.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {37630596}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {IZS AM 04/19 RC//Italian Ministry of Health/ ; }, abstract = {The role of migratory birds in the spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens along their routes from Africa to Europe is increasingly emerging. Wild birds can host several tick species, often infected by bacteria responsible for zoonoses. The aim of the study is to assess the possible introduction of exotic ticks carried by migratory birds into Italy from Africa and to detect the presence of Rickettsia species and Coxiella burnetii they may harbor. During a two-year survey, we collected ticks from migratory birds captured during their short stop-over on Ventotene Island. Specimens were first identified by morphology or sequencing molecular targets when needed, and then tested by real-time PCR for the presence of selected pathogens. A total of 91% of the collection consisted of sub-Saharan ticks, more than 50% of which were infected by Rickettsia species belonging to the spotted fever group, mainly represented by R. aeschlimannii. In contrast, the suspected C. burnetii detected in two soft ticks were confirmed as Coxiella-like endosymbionts and not the pathogen. Although there are still gaps in the knowledge of this dispersal process, our findings confirm the role of migratory birds in the spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens, suggesting the need for a continuous surveillance to monitor the potential emergence of new diseases in Europe.}, }
@article {pmid37630527, year = {2023}, author = {Namina, A and Kazarina, A and Lazovska, M and Akopjana, S and Ulanova, V and Kivrane, A and Freimane, L and Sadovska, D and Kimsis, J and Bormane, A and Capligina, V and Ranka, R}, title = {Comparative Microbiome Analysis of Three Epidemiologically Important Tick Species in Latvia.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {37630527}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {No. 1.1.1.1/16/A/044//European Research and Development Fund/ ; }, abstract = {(1) Background: Amplicon-based 16S rRNA profiling is widely used to study whole communities of prokaryotes in many niches. Here, we comparatively examined the microbial composition of three tick species, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus and Dermacentor reticulatus, which were field-collected in Latvia. (2) Methods: Tick DNA samples were used for microbiome analysis targeting bacterial 16S rDNA using next-generation sequencing (NGS). (3) Results: The results showed significant differences in microbial species diversity and composition by tick species and life stage. A close similarity between microbiomes of I. ricinus and I. persulcatus ticks was observed, while the D. reticulatus microbiome composition appeared to be more distinct. Significant differences in alpha and beta microbial diversity were observed between Ixodes tick life stages and sexes, with lower taxa richness indexes obtained for female ticks. The Francisella genus was closely associated with D. reticulatus ticks, while endosymbionts Candidatus Midichlorii and Candidatus Lariskella were associated with I. ricinus and I. persulcatus females, respectively. In I. ricinus females, the endosymbiont load negatively correlated with the presence of the Rickettsia genus. (4) Conclusions: The results of this study revealed important associations between ticks and their microbial community and highlighted the microbiome features of three tick species in Latvia.}, }
@article {pmid37630471, year = {2023}, author = {Chao, LL and Shih, CM}, title = {First Detection and Genetic Identification of Wolbachia Endosymbiont in Field-Caught Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes Collected from Southern Taiwan.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {37630471}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {MOST 111-2314-B-037-031//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan/ ; }, abstract = {The prevalence and genetic character of Wolbachia endosymbionts in field-collected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were examined for the first time in Taiwan. A total of 665 Ae. aegypti were screened for Wolbachia infection using a PCR assay targeting the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene. In general, the prevalence of Wolbachia infection was detected in 3.3% Ae. aegypti specimens (2.0% female and 5.2% male). Group-specific Wolbachia infection was detected with an infection rate of 1.8%, 0.8% and 0.8% in groups A, B and A&amp;B, respectively. Genetic analysis demonstrated that all Wolbachia strains from Taiwan were phylogenetically affiliated with Wolbachia belonging to the supergroups A and B, with high sequence similarities of 99.4-100% and 99.2-100%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships can be easily distinguished by maximum likelihood (ML) analysis and were congruent with the unweighted pair group with the arithmetic mean (UPGMA) method. The intra- and inter-group analysis of genetic distance (GD) values revealed a lower level within the Taiwan strains (GD < 0.006 for group A and GD < 0.008 for group B) and a higher level (GD > 0.498 for group A and GD > 0.286 for group B) as compared with other Wolbachia strains. Our results describe the first detection and molecular identification of Wolbachia endosymbiont in field-caught Ae. aegypti mosquitoes collected from Taiwan, and showed a low Wolbachia infection rate belonging to supergroups A and B in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid37628597, year = {2023}, author = {Corpuz, RL and Bellinger, MR and Veillet, A and Magnacca, KN and Price, DK}, title = {The Transmission Patterns of the Endosymbiont Wolbachia within the Hawaiian Drosophilidae Adaptive Radiation.}, journal = {Genes}, volume = {14}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {37628597}, issn = {2073-4425}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; *Ecosystem ; Hawaii ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Drosophila/genetics ; }, abstract = {The evolution of endosymbionts and their hosts can lead to highly dynamic interactions with varying fitness effects for both the endosymbiont and host species. Wolbachia, a ubiquitous endosymbiont of arthropods and nematodes, can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on host fitness. We documented the occurrence and patterns of transmission of Wolbachia within the Hawaiian Drosophilidae and examined the potential contributions of Wolbachia to the rapid diversification of their hosts. Screens for Wolbachia infections across a minimum of 140 species of Hawaiian Drosophila and Scaptomyza revealed species-level infections of 20.0%, and across all 399 samples, a general infection rate of 10.3%. Among the 44 Wolbachia strains we identified using a modified Wolbachia multi-locus strain typing scheme, 30 (68.18%) belonged to supergroup B, five (11.36%) belonged to supergroup A, and nine (20.45%) had alleles with conflicting supergroup assignments. Co-phylogenetic reconciliation analysis indicated that Wolbachia strain diversity within their endemic Hawaiian Drosophilidae hosts can be explained by vertical (e.g., co-speciation) and horizontal (e.g., host switch) modes of transmission. Results from stochastic character trait mapping suggest that horizontal transmission is associated with the preferred oviposition substrate of the host, but not the host's plant family or island of occurrence. For Hawaiian Drosophilid species of conservation concern, with 13 species listed as endangered and 1 listed as threatened, knowledge of Wolbachia strain types, infection status, and potential for superinfection could assist with conservation breeding programs designed to bolster population sizes, especially when wild populations are supplemented with laboratory-reared, translocated individuals. Future research aimed at improving the understanding of the mechanisms of Wolbachia transmission in nature, their impact on the host, and their role in host species formation may shed light on the influence of Wolbachia as an evolutionary driver, especially in Hawaiian ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid37623315, year = {2023}, author = {Moriyama, M and Nishide, Y and Toyoda, A and Itoh, T and Fukatsu, T}, title = {Complete genomes of mutualistic bacterial co-symbionts "Candidatus Sulcia muelleri" and "Candidatus Nasuia deltocephalinicola" of the rice green leafhopper Nephotettix cincticeps.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {e0035323}, pmid = {37623315}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {JP17K15399//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP19H02973//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JP16H06279//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; JPMJER1902//MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)/ ; }, abstract = {The genomes of obligate bacterial co-symbionts of the green rice leafhopper Nephotettix cincticeps, which is notorious as an agricultural pest, were determined. The streamlined genomes of "Candidatus Sulcia muelleri" and "Candidatus Nasuia deltocephalinicola" exhibited complementary metabolic pathways for synthesizing essential nutrients that contribute to host adaptation.}, }
@article {pmid37622600, year = {2023}, author = {Ciocchetta, S and Frentiu, FD and Montarsi, F and Capelli, G and Devine, GJ}, title = {Investigation on key aspects of mating biology in the mosquito Aedes koreicus.}, journal = {Medical and veterinary entomology}, volume = {37}, number = {4}, pages = {826-833}, doi = {10.1111/mve.12687}, pmid = {37622600}, issn = {1365-2915}, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Aedes ; Reproduction ; Insemination ; Italy ; Biology ; Introduced Species ; Mosquito Vectors ; }, abstract = {Aedes koreicus Edwards, 1917 (Hulecoetomyia koreica) is a mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) from Northeast Asia with a rapidly expanding presence outside its original native range. Over the years, the species has been discovered in several new countries, either spreading after first introduction or remaining localised to limited areas. Notably, recent studies have demonstrated the ability of the species to transmit zoonotic parasites and viruses both in the field and in laboratory settings. Combined with its invasive potential, the possible role of Ae. koreicus in pathogen transmission highlights the public health risks resulting from its invasion. In this study, we used a recently established population from Italy to investigate aspects of biology that influence reproductive success in Ae. koreicus: autogeny, mating behaviour, mating disruption by the sympatric invasive species Aedes albopictus Skuse, 1894, and the presence of the endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis Hertig, 1936. Our laboratory population did not exhibit autogenic behaviour and required a bloodmeal to complete its ovarian cycle. When we exposed Ae. koreicus females to males of Ae. albopictus, we observed repeated attempts at insemination and an aggressive, disruptive mating behaviour initiated by male Ae. albopictus. Despite this, no sperm was identified in Ae. koreicus spermathecae. Wolbachia, an endosymbiotic bacterium capable of influencing mosquito reproductive behaviour, was not detected in this Ae. koreicus population and, therefore, had no effect on Ae. koreicus reproduction.}, }
@article {pmid37615902, year = {2024}, author = {Lanzoni, O and Szokoli, F and Schrallhammer, M and Sabaneyeva, E and Krenek, S and Doak, TG and Verni, F and Berendonk, TU and Castelli, M and Petroni, G}, title = {"Candidatus Intestinibacterium parameciiphilum"-member of the "Candidatus Paracaedibacteraceae" family (Alphaproteobacteria, Holosporales) inhabiting the ciliated protist Paramecium.}, journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology}, volume = {27}, number = {3}, pages = {659-671}, pmid = {37615902}, issn = {1618-1905}, mesh = {*Phylogeny ; *Paramecium/microbiology/genetics/classification ; *Symbiosis ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Alphaproteobacteria/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {Protists frequently host diverse bacterial symbionts, in particular those affiliated with the order Holosporales (Alphaproteobacteria). All characterised members of this bacterial lineage have been retrieved in obligate association with a wide range of eukaryotes, especially multiple protist lineages (e.g. amoebozoans, ciliates, cercozoans, euglenids, and nucleariids), as well as some metazoans (especially arthropods and related ecdysozoans). While the genus Paramecium and other ciliates have been deeply investigated for the presence of symbionts, known members of the family "Candidatus Paracaedibacteraceae" (Holosporales) are currently underrepresented in such hosts. Herein, we report the description of "Candidatus Intestinibacterium parameciiphilum" within the family "Candidatus Paracaedibacteraceae", inhabiting the cytoplasm of Paramecium biaurelia. This novel bacterium is almost twice as big as its relative "Candidatus Intestinibacterium nucleariae" from the opisthokont Nuclearia and does not present a surrounding halo. Based on phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences, we identified six further potential species-level lineages within the genus. Based on the provenance of the respective samples, we investigated the environmental distribution of the representatives of "Candidatus Intestinibacterium" species. Obtained results are consistent with an obligate endosymbiotic lifestyle, with protists, in particular freshwater ones, as hosts. Thus, available data suggest that association with freshwater protists could be the ancestral condition for the members of the "Candidatus Intestinibacterium" genus.}, }
@article {pmid37601442, year = {2023}, author = {Archer, J and Hurst, GDD and Hornett, EA}, title = {Male-killer symbiont screening reveals novel associations in Adalia ladybirds.}, journal = {Access microbiology}, volume = {5}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {37601442}, issn = {2516-8290}, abstract = {While male-killing bacteria are known to infect across arthropods, ladybird beetles represent a hotspot for these symbioses. In some host species, there are multiple different symbionts that vary in presence and frequency between populations. To further our understanding of spatial and frequency variation, we tested for the presence of three male-killing bacteria: Wolbachia , Rickettsia and Spiroplasma , in two Adalia ladybird species from a previously unexplored UK population. The two-spot ladybird, A. bipunctata, is known to harbour all three male-killers, and we identified Spiroplasma infection in the Merseyside population for the first time. However, in contrast to previous studies on two-spot ladybirds from continental Europe, evidence from egg-hatch rates indicates the Spiroplasma strain present in the Merseyside population does not cause embryonic male-killing. In the related ten-spot ladybird, A. decempunctata, there is only one previous record of a male-killing symbiont, a Rickettsia , which we did not detect in the Merseyside sample. However, PCR assays indicated the presence of a Spiroplasma in a single A. decempunctata specimen. Marker sequence indicated that this Spiroplasma was divergent from that found in sympatric A. bipunctata. Genome sequencing of the Spiroplasma -infected A. decempunctata additionally revealed the presence of cobionts in the form of a Centistes parasitoid wasp and the parasitic fungi Beauveria. Further study of A. decempunctata from this population is needed to resolve whether it is the ladybird or wasp cobiont that harbours Spiroplasma , and to establish the phenotype of this strain. These data indicate first that microbial symbiont phenotype should not be assumed from past studies conducted in different locations, and second that cobiont presence may confound screening studies aimed to detect the frequency of a symbiont in field collected material from a focal host species.}, }
@article {pmid37593719, year = {2023}, author = {Scott, TJ and Larsen, TJ and Brock, DA and Uhm, SYS and Queller, DC and Strassmann, JE}, title = {Symbiotic bacteria, immune-like sentinel cells, and the response to pathogens in a social amoeba.}, journal = {Royal Society open science}, volume = {10}, number = {8}, pages = {230727}, pmid = {37593719}, issn = {2054-5703}, abstract = {Some endosymbionts living within a host must modulate their hosts' immune systems in order to infect and persist. We studied the effect of a bacterial endosymbiont on a facultatively multicellular social amoeba host. Aggregates of the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum contain a subpopulation of sentinel cells that function akin to the immune systems of more conventional multicellular organisms. Sentinel cells sequester and discard toxins from D. discoideum aggregates and may play a central role in defence against pathogens. We measured the number and functionality of sentinel cells in aggregates of D. discoideum infected by bacterial endosymbionts in the genus Paraburkholderia. Infected D. discoideum produced fewer and less functional sentinel cells, suggesting that Paraburkholderia may interfere with its host's immune system. Despite impaired sentinel cells, however, infected D. discoideum were less sensitive to ethidium bromide toxicity, suggesting that Paraburkholderia may also have a protective effect on its host. By contrast, D. discoideum infected by Paraburkholderia did not show differences in their sensitivity to two non-symbiotic pathogens. Our results expand previous work on yet another aspect of the complicated relationship between D. discoideum and Paraburkholderia, which has considerable potential as a model for the study of symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid37585608, year = {2024}, author = {Shao, Y and Mason, CJ and Felton, GW}, title = {Toward an Integrated Understanding of the Lepidoptera Microbiome.}, journal = {Annual review of entomology}, volume = {69}, number = {}, pages = {117-137}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-ento-020723-102548}, pmid = {37585608}, issn = {1545-4487}, mesh = {Animals ; *Lepidoptera ; Larva ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {Research over the past 30 years has led to a widespread acceptance that insects establish widespread and diverse associations with microorganisms. More recently, microbiome research has been accelerating in lepidopteran systems, leading to a greater understanding of both endosymbiont and gut microorganisms and how they contribute to integral aspects of the host. Lepidoptera are associated with a robust assemblage of microorganisms, some of which may be stable and routinely detected in larval and adult hosts, while others are ephemeral and transient. Certain microorganisms that populate Lepidoptera can contribute significantly to the hosts' performance and fitness, while others are inconsequential. We emphasize the context-dependent nature of the interactions between players. While our review discusses the contemporary literature, there are major avenues yet to be explored to determine both the fundamental aspects of host-microbe interactions and potential applications for the lepidopteran microbiome; we describe these avenues after our synthesis.}, }
@article {pmid37584011, year = {2023}, author = {Perles, L and Otranto, D and Barreto, WTG and de Macedo, GC and Lia, RP and Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Herrera, HM and de Oliveira, CE and Machado, RZ and André, MR}, title = {Mansonella sp. and associated Wolbachia endosymbionts in ring-tailed coatis (Nasua nasua) in periurban areas from Midwestern Brazil.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife}, volume = {22}, number = {}, pages = {14-19}, pmid = {37584011}, issn = {2213-2244}, abstract = {Coatis (Nasua nasua) are wild carnivorous well adapted to anthropized environments especially important because they act as reservoirs hosts for many arthropod-borne zoonotic pathogens. Information about filarioids from coatis and associated Wolbachia spp. in Brazil is scant. To investigate the diversity of filarial nematodes, blood samples (n = 100 animals) were obtained from two urban areas in midwestern Brazil and analyzed using blood smears and buffy coats and cPCR assays based on the cox1, 12S rRNA, 18S rRNA, hsp70 and myoHC genes for nematodes and 16S rRNA for Wolbachia. When analyzing coati blood smears and buffy coats, 30% and 80% of the samples presented at least one microfilaria, respectively. Twenty-five cox1 sequences were obtained showing 89% nucleotide identity with Mansonella ozzardi. Phylogenetic analyses clustered cox1 sequences herein obtained within the Mansonella spp. clade. Sequences of both myoHC and two hsp70 genes showed 99.8% nucleotide identity with Mansonella sp. and clustered into a clade within Mansonella sp., previously detected in coatis from Brazil. Two blood samples were positive for Wolbachia, with a 99% nucleotide identity with Wolbachia previously found in Mansonella perstans, Mansonella ozzardi and Mansonella atelensis and in ectoparasites of the genus Pseudolynchia, Melophagus and Cimex. The study showed a high prevalence of Mansonella sp. in the coati population examined, suggesting that this animal species play a role as reservoirs of a novel, yet to be described, species within the Onchocercidae family.}, }
@article {pmid37583325, year = {2023}, author = {Travers-Cook, TJ and Jokela, J and Buser, CC}, title = {The evolutionary ecology of fungal killer phenotypes.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {290}, number = {2005}, pages = {20231108}, pmid = {37583325}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Phylogeny ; *Fungi ; *Models, Biological ; Phenotype ; Ecology ; Biological Evolution ; }, abstract = {Ecological interactions influence evolutionary dynamics by selecting upon fitness variation within species. Antagonistic interactions often promote genetic and species diversity, despite the inherently suppressive effect they can have on the species experiencing them. A central aim of evolutionary ecology is to understand how diversity is maintained in systems experiencing antagonism. In this review, we address how certain single-celled and dimorphic fungi have evolved allelopathic killer phenotypes that engage in antagonistic interactions. We discuss the evolutionary pathways to the production of lethal toxins, the functions of killer phenotypes and the consequences of competition for toxin producers, their competitors and toxin-encoding endosymbionts. Killer phenotypes are powerful models because many appear to have evolved independently, enabling across-phylogeny comparisons of the origins, functions and consequences of allelopathic antagonism. Killer phenotypes can eliminate host competitors and influence evolutionary dynamics, yet the evolutionary ecology of killer phenotypes remains largely unknown. We discuss what is known and what remains to be ascertained about killer phenotype ecology and evolution, while bringing their model system properties to the reader's attention.}, }
@article {pmid37577638, year = {2023}, author = {He, LS and Qi, Y and Allard, CA and Valencia-Montoya, WA and Krueger, SP and Weir, K and Seminara, A and Bellono, NW}, title = {Molecular tuning of sea anemone stinging.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37577638}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R01 DC018789/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM142697/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Jellyfish and sea anemones fire single-use, venom-covered barbs to immobilize prey or predators. We previously showed that the anemone Nematostella vectensis uses a specialized voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channel to trigger stinging in response to synergistic prey-derived chemicals and touch (Weir et al., 2020). Here we use experiments and theory to find that stinging behavior is suited to distinct ecological niches. We find that the burrowing anemone Nematostella uses uniquely strong CaV inactivation for precise control of predatory stinging. In contrast, the related anemone Exaiptasia diaphana inhabits exposed environments to support photosynthetic endosymbionts. Consistent with its niche, Exaiptasia indiscriminately stings for defense and expresses a CaV splice variant that confers weak inactivation. Chimeric analyses reveal that CaVβ subunit adaptations regulate inactivation, suggesting an evolutionary tuning mechanism for stinging behavior. These findings demonstrate how functional specialization of ion channel structure contributes to distinct organismal behavior.}, }
@article {pmid37577446, year = {2023}, author = {Ali, A and Obaid, MK and Almutairi, MM and Alouffi, A and Numan, M and Ullah, S and Rehman, G and Islam, ZU and Khan, SB and Tanaka, T}, title = {Molecular detection of Coxiella spp. in ticks (Ixodidae and Argasidae) infesting domestic and wild animals: with notes on the epidemiology of tick-borne Coxiella burnetii in Asia.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1229950}, pmid = {37577446}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Tick-borne Coxiella spp. are emerging in novel regions infecting different hosts, but information regarding their occurrence is limited. The purpose of this study was the molecular screening of Coxiella spp. in various ticks infesting goats, sheep, camels, cattle, wild mice, and domestic fowls (Gallus gallus domesticus) in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Morphologically identified tick species were confirmed by obtaining their cox1 sequences and were molecularly screened for Coxiella spp. by sequencing GroEL fragments. Almost 345 out of 678 (50.9%) hosts were infested by nine tick species. Regarding the age groups, the hosts having an age >3 years were highly infested (192/345, 55.6%), while gender-wise infestation was higher in female hosts (237/345, 68.7%). In collected ticks, the nymphs were outnumbered (613/1,119, 54.8%), followed by adult females (293/1,119, 26.2%) and males (213/1,119, 19.7%). A total of 227 ticks were processed for molecular identification and detection of Coxiella spp. The obtained cox1 sequences of nine tick species such as Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma anatolicum, Haemaphysalis cornupunctata, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Haemaphysalis danieli, Haemaphysalis montgomeryi, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Rhipicephalus microplus, and Argas persicus showed maximum identities between 99.6% and 100% with the same species and in the phylogenetic tree, clustered to the corresponding species. All the tick species except Ha. danieli and R. microplus were found positive for Coxiella spp. (40/227, 17.6%), including Coxiella burnetii (15/40, 6.7%), Coxiella endosymbionts (14/40, 6.3%), and different Coxiella spp. (11/40, 4.9%). By the BLAST results, the GroEL fragments of Coxiella spp. showed maximum identity to C. burnetii, Coxiella endosymbionts, and Coxiella sp., and phylogenetically clustered to the corresponding species. This is the first comprehensive report regarding the genetic characterization of Coxiella spp. in Pakistan's ticks infesting domestic and wild hosts. Proper surveillance and management measures should be undertaken to avoid health risks.}, }
@article {pmid37577425, year = {2023}, author = {Garrido, M and Veiga, J and Garrigós, M and Martínez-de la Puente, J}, title = {The interplay between vector microbial community and pathogen transmission on the invasive Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus: current knowledge and future directions.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1208633}, pmid = {37577425}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is nowadays broadly distributed with established populations in all continents except Antarctica. In the invaded areas, this species represents an important nuisance for humans and, more relevant, it is involved in the local transmission of pathogens relevant under a public health perspective. Aedes albopictus is a competent vector of parasites such as Dirofilaria and viruses including dengue virus, Zika virus, and chikungunya virus, among others. The mosquito microbiota has been identified as one of the major drivers of vector competence, acting upon relevant vector functions as development or immunity. Here, we review the available literature on the interaction between Ae. albopictus microbiota and pathogen transmission and identify the knowledge gaps on the topic. Most studies are strictly focused on the interplay between pathogens and Wolbachia endosymbiont while studies screening whole microbiota are still scarce but increasing in recent years, supported on Next-generation sequencing tools. Most experimental trials use lab-reared mosquitoes or cell lines, exploring the molecular mechanisms of the microbiota-pathogen interaction. Yet, correlational studies on wild populations are underrepresented. Consequently, we still lack sufficient evidence to reveal whether the microbiota of introduced populations of Ae. albopictus differ from those of native populations, or how microbiota is shaped by different environmental and anthropic factors, but especially, how these changes affect the ability of Ae. albopictus to transmit pathogens and favor the occurrence of outbreaks in the colonized areas. Finally, we propose future research directions on this research topic.}, }
@article {pmid37573143, year = {2023}, author = {Pacheco, PJ and Cabrera, JJ and Jiménez-Leiva, A and Torres, MJ and Gates, AJ and Bedmar, EJ and Richardson, DJ and Mesa, S and Tortosa, G and Delgado, MJ}, title = {The copper-responsive regulator CsoR is indirectly involved in Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens denitrification.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology letters}, volume = {370}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37573143}, issn = {1574-6968}, mesh = {*Copper/metabolism ; Denitrification ; Nitrite Reductases/genetics/metabolism ; Nitrates/metabolism ; *Bradyrhizobium/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens harbours the complete denitrification pathway that is catalysed by a periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap), a copper (Cu)-containing nitrite reductase (NirK), a c-type nitric oxide reductase (cNor), and a nitrous oxide reductase (Nos), encoded by the napEDABC, nirK, norCBQD, and nosRZDFYLX genes, respectively. Induction of denitrification genes requires low oxygen and nitric oxide, both signals integrated into a complex regulatory network comprised by two interconnected cascades, FixLJ-FixK2-NnrR and RegSR-NifA. Copper is a cofactor of NirK and Nos, but it has also a role in denitrification gene expression and protein synthesis. In fact, Cu limitation triggers a substantial down-regulation of nirK, norCBQD, and nosRZDFYLX gene expression under denitrifying conditions. Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens genome possesses a gene predicted to encode a Cu-responsive repressor of the CsoR family, which is located adjacent to copA, a gene encoding a putative Cu+-ATPase transporter. To investigate the role of CsoR in the control of denitrification gene expression in response to Cu, a csoR deletion mutant was constructed in this work. Mutation of csoR did not affect the capacity of B. diazoefficiens to grow under denitrifying conditions. However, by using qRT-PCR analyses, we showed that nirK and norCBQD expression was much lower in the csoR mutant compared to wild-type levels under Cu-limiting denitrifying conditions. On the contrary, copA expression was significantly increased in the csoR mutant. The results obtained suggest that CsoR acts as a repressor of copA. Under Cu limitation, CsoR has also an indirect role in the expression of nirK and norCBQD genes.}, }
@article {pmid37567493, year = {2023}, author = {Kamkong, P and Jitsamai, W and Thongmeesee, K and Ratthawongjirakul, P and Taweethavonsawat, P}, title = {Genetic diversity and characterization of Wolbachia endosymbiont in canine filariasis.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {246}, number = {}, pages = {107000}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107000}, pmid = {37567493}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; Dogs ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Dirofilariasis ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics ; Dirofilaria ; *Filarioidea/genetics ; *Heart Diseases ; Genetic Variation ; *Dog Diseases ; }, abstract = {Canine filariasis is caused by nematodes from the family Onchocercidae, which is transmitted by arthropod vectors. The disease is commonly found in Southeast Asia and exists worldwide. Some filarial nematodes are associated with intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia, which plays an important role in embryogenesis, molting, and the long-term survival of adult worms. This study aims to characterize Wolbachia sp. and determine the association between Wolbachia and canine filarial nematode species in Thailand. A total of 46 dog blood samples that were naturally infected with filarial nematodes were obtained to identify filarial nematode species by Giemsa stained under a light microscope and confirmed using the molecular technique. In order to characterize Wolbachia sp., the nested PCR assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene showed that all samples of Dirofilaria immitis and fifteen samples of Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis were grouped into Wolbachia supergroup C. In addition, all samples of Brugia spp. and five samples of Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis were classified into Wolbachia supergroup D. The genetic diversity analysis conducted using the 16S rRNA gene revealed a similar result when analyzed through phylogenetic tree analysis. This is the first genetic diversity study of Wolbachia of Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis in infected dogs in Thailand.}, }
@article {pmid37564291, year = {2023}, author = {Salem, H and Biedermann, PHW and Fukatsu, T}, title = {Editorial: Diversity of beetles and associated microorganisms.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1252736}, pmid = {37564291}, issn = {1664-302X}, }
@article {pmid37555448, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, R and Shen, Y and He, J and Zhang, C and Ma, Y and Sun, C and Song, X and Li, L and Zhang, S and Biró, JB and Saifi, F and Kaló, P and Chen, R}, title = {Nodule-specific cysteine-rich peptide 343 is required for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in Medicago truncatula.}, journal = {Plant physiology}, volume = {193}, number = {3}, pages = {1897-1912}, doi = {10.1093/plphys/kiad454}, pmid = {37555448}, issn = {1532-2548}, support = {32270261//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022YFF1003200//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; XDA26030103//Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; //Hungarian National Research Fund/ ; OTKA-K-119652//National Research, Development and Innovation Office/ ; IOS-1127155//National Science Foundation/ ; //The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc./ ; }, mesh = {*Medicago truncatula/metabolism ; Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; Cysteine/metabolism ; Peptides/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Root Nodules, Plant/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic interactions between legumes and rhizobia lead to the development of root nodules and nitrogen fixation by differentiated bacteroids within nodules. Differentiation of the endosymbionts is reversible or terminal, determined by plant effectors. In inverted repeat lacking clade legumes, nodule-specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides control the terminal differentiation of bacteroids. Medicago truncatula contains ∼700 NCR-coding genes. However, the role of few NCR peptides has been demonstrated. Here, we report characterization of fast neutron 2106 (FN2106), a symbiotic nitrogen fixation defective (fix-) mutant of M. truncatula. Using a transcript-based approach, together with linkage and complementation tests, we showed that loss-of-function of NCR343 results in impaired bacteroid differentiation and/or maintenance and premature nodule senescence of the FN2106 mutant. NCR343 was specifically expressed in nodules. Subcellular localization studies showed that the functional NCR343-YFP fusion protein colocalizes with bacteroids in symbiosomes in infected nodule cells. Transcriptomic analyses identified senescence-, but not defense-related genes, as being significantly upregulated in ncr343 (FN2106) nodules. Taken together, results from our phenotypic and transcriptomic analyses of a loss-of-function ncr343 mutant demonstrate an essential role of NCR343 in bacteroid differentiation and/or maintenance required for symbiotic nitrogen fixation.}, }
@article {pmid37545710, year = {2023}, author = {Dzul-Rosado, KR and Arroyo-Solís, KA and Torres-Monroy, AJ and Arias-León, JJ and Peniche-Lara, GF and Puerto-Manzano, FI and Landa-Flores, MG and Del Mazo-López, JC and Salceda-Sánchez, B}, title = {Tick-associated diseases identified from hunting dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Mayan community in Yucatan, Mexico.}, journal = {Open veterinary journal}, volume = {13}, number = {6}, pages = {794-800}, pmid = {37545710}, issn = {2218-6050}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Dogs ; Working Dogs ; Mexico/epidemiology ; Pandemics ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/veterinary ; SARS-CoV-2 ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology/parasitology ; *Dog Diseases/microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Hunting activity in the Mayan communities has increased due to COVID-19 and domestic dogs have gained more importance. Due to their proximity to humans, domestic dogs are a bridge between tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and humans and their peri-domestic environment. In Mexico, and especially in rural regions, there were not adequate records of TBDs during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.<br><br>AIM: Identify TBD of ticks collected during the COVID-19 pandemic in a rural community.<br><br>METHODS: Tick capture was carried out in March 2021, in Teabo, Yucatan. Ticks were removed using from domestic dogs and placed in ethanol. Collected ticks were morphologically identified and underwent DNA extraction and a partial segment of the mitochondrial 16S-rDNA gene was amplified to corroborate the tick species. The DNA was screened for the presence of Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Rickettsia spp. Purified amplification products were submitted for sequencing and the results were compared to those deposited in GenBank using BLAST.<br><br>RESULTS: We collected 33 ectoparasites, Ixodes affinis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus microplus, and Amblyomma mixtum on 11 hunting dogs. The most frequent ectoparasite was R. sanguineus (66%). We detected the presence of DNA of Rickettsia endosymbiont in I. affinis and Anaplasma platys in R. sanguineus. Rickettsia endosymbiont presented a similarity of 100% with the partial sequence of R. endosymbiont of I. affinis isolate IACACTM001 16S ribosomal RNA gene and the sequence of A. platys had a similarity of 100% with the partial sequence of the isolate 23-33TX 16S ribosomal RNA gene of A. platys from dogs from Texas, USA and with the partial sequence of the isolate L134 16S ribosomal RNA gene of Ehrlichia canis from dogs from Piura, Peru.<br><br>CONCLUSION: We confirmed for the first time the presence of A. platys in R. sanguineus and R. endosymbiont in I. affinis ticks from dogs in the state of Yucatan.}, }
@article {pmid37543226, year = {2023}, author = {Li, Q and Fu, D and Zhou, Y and Li, Y and Chen, L and Wang, Z and Wan, Y and Huang, Z and Zhao, H}, title = {Individual and combined effects of herbicide prometryn and nitrate enrichment at environmentally relevant concentrations on photosynthesis, oxidative stress, and endosymbiont community diversity of coral Acropora hyacinthus.}, journal = {Chemosphere}, volume = {339}, number = {}, pages = {139729}, doi = {10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139729}, pmid = {37543226}, issn = {1879-1298}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Prometryne ; Nitrates/pharmacology ; *Hyacinthus ; *Herbicides/toxicity ; Photosystem II Protein Complex ; Coral Reefs ; Photosynthesis ; Oxidative Stress ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Nitrogen pollution and pesticides such as photosystem II (PSII) inhibitor herbicides have several detrimental impacts on coral reefs, including breakdown of the symbiosis between host corals and photosynthetic symbionts. Although nitrogen and PSII herbicide pollution separately cause coral bleaching, the combined effects of these stressors at environmentally relevant concentrations on corals have not been assessed. Here, we report the combined effects of nitrate enrichment and PSII herbicide (prometryn) exposure on photosynthesis, oxidative status and endosymbiont community diversity of the reef-building coral Acropora hyacinthus. Coral fragments were exposed in a mesocosm system to nitrate enrichment (9 μmol/L) and two prometryn concentrations (1 and 5 μg/L). The results showed that sustained prometryn exposure in combination with nitrate enrichment stress had significant detrimental impacts on photosynthetic apparatus [the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) and oxidative status in the short term. Nevertheless, the adaptive mechanism of corals allowed the normal physiological state to be recovered following 1 μg/L prometryn and 9 μmol/L nitrate enrichment individual exposure. Moreover, exposure for 9 days was insufficient to trigger a shift in Symbiodiniaceae community. Most importantly, the negative impact of exposure to the combined environmental concentrations of 1 μg/L prometryn and 9 μmol/L nitrate enrichment was found to be significantly greater on the Fv/Fm, quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation [Y(NO)], NPQ, and oxidative status of corals compared to the impact of individual stressors. Our results show that interactions between prometryn stress and nitrate enrichment have a synergistic impact on the photosynthetic and oxidative stress responses of corals. This study provides valuable insights into combined effects of nitrate enrichment and PSII herbicides pollution for coral's physiology. Environmental concentrations of PSII herbicides may be more harmful to photosystems and antioxidant systems of corals under nitrate enrichment stress. Thus, future research and management of seawater quality stressors should consider combined impacts on corals rather than just the impacts of individual stressors alone.}, }
@article {pmid37525959, year = {2023}, author = {Kolasa, M and Kajtoch, &#x141; and Michalik, A and Maryańska-Nadachowska, A and Łukasik, P}, title = {Till evolution do us part: The diversity of symbiotic associations across populations of Philaenus spittlebugs.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {25}, number = {11}, pages = {2431-2446}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16473}, pmid = {37525959}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic bacteria have played crucial roles in the evolution of sap-feeding insects and can strongly affect host function. However, their diversity and distribution within species are not well understood; we do not know to what extent environmental factors or associations with other species may affect microbial community profiles. We addressed this question in Philaenus spittlebugs by surveying both insect and bacterial marker gene amplicons across multiple host populations. Host mitochondrial sequence data confirmed morphology-based identification of six species and revealed two divergent clades of Philaenus spumarius. All of them hosted the primary symbiont Sulcia that was almost always accompanied by Sodalis. Interestingly, populations and individuals often differed in the presence of Sodalis sequence variants, suggestive of intra-genome 16S rRNA variant polymorphism combined with rapid genome evolution and/or recent additional infections or replacements of the co-primary symbiont. The prevalence of facultative endosymbionts, including Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma, varied among populations. Notably, cytochrome I oxidase (COI) amplicon data also showed that nearly a quarter of P. spumarius were infected by parasitoid flies (Verralia aucta). One of the Wolbachia operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was exclusively present in Verralia-parasitized specimens, suggestive of parasitoids as their source and highlighting the utility of host gene amplicon sequencing in microbiome studies.}, }
@article {pmid37520253, year = {2023}, author = {Dong, AZ and Cokcetin, N and Carter, DA and Fernandes, KE}, title = {Unique antimicrobial activity in honey from the Australian honeypot ant (Camponotus inflatus).}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e15645}, pmid = {37520253}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Bees ; Animals ; *Ants ; Australia ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Bacteria ; }, abstract = {Honey produced by the Australian honeypot ant (Camponotus inflatus) is valued nutritionally and medicinally by Indigenous peoples, but its antimicrobial activity has never been formally studied. Here, we determine the activity of honeypot ant honey (HPAH) against a panel of bacterial and fungal pathogens, investigate its chemical properties, and profile the bacterial and fungal microbiome of the honeypot ant for the first time. We found HPAH to have strong total activity against Staphylococcus aureus but not against other bacteria, and strong non-peroxide activity against Cryptococcus and Aspergillus sp. When compared with therapeutic-grade jarrah and manuka honey produced by honey bees, we found HPAH to have a markedly different antimicrobial activity and chemical properties, suggesting HPAH has a unique mode of antimicrobial action. We found the bacterial microbiome of honeypot ants to be dominated by the known endosymbiont genus Candidatus Blochmannia (99.75%), and the fungal microbiome to be dominated by the plant-associated genus Neocelosporium (92.77%). This study demonstrates that HPAH has unique antimicrobial characteristics that validate its therapeutic use by Indigenous peoples and may provide a lead for the discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds.}, }
@article {pmid37513789, year = {2023}, author = {Holguin-Rocha, AF and Calle-Tobon, A and Vásquez, GM and Astete, H and Fisher, ML and Tobon-Castano, A and Velez-Tobon, G and Maldonado-Ruiz, LP and Silver, K and Park, Y and Londono-Renteria, B}, title = {Diversity of the Bacterial and Viral Communities in the Tropical Horse Tick, Dermacentor nitens, in Colombia.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {37513789}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {R21 AI163423/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; AI163423/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Ticks are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit pathogens among various vertebrates, including humans. The microbial and viral communities of ticks, including pathogenic microorganisms, are known to be highly diverse. However, the factors driving this diversity are not well understood. The tropical horse tick, Dermacentor nitens, is distributed throughout the Americas and it is recognized as a natural vector of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, the causal agents of equine piroplasmosis. In this study, we characterized the bacterial and viral communities associated with partially fed Dermacentor nitens females collected using a passive survey on horses from field sites representing three distinct geographical areas in the country of Colombia (Bolivar, Antioquia, and Cordoba). RNA-seq and sequencing of the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene were performed using the Illumina-Miseq platform (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA). A total of 356 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, in which the presumed endosymbiont, Francisellaceae/Francisella spp., was predominantly found. Nine contigs corresponding to six different viruses were identified in three viral families: Chuviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Flaviviridae. Differences in the relative abundance of the microbial composition among the geographical regions were found to be independent of the presence of Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE). The most prevalent bacteria found in each region were Corynebacterium in Bolivar, Staphylococcus in Antioquia, and Pseudomonas in Cordoba. Rickettsia-like endosymbionts, mainly recognized as the etiological agent of rickettsioses in Colombia, were detected in the Cordoba samples. Metatranscriptomics revealed 13 contigs containing FLE genes, suggesting a trend of regional differences. These findings suggest regional distinctions among the ticks and their bacterial compositions.}, }
@article {pmid37508385, year = {2023}, author = {Cazzaniga, M and Domínguez-Santos, R and Marín-Miret, J and Gil, R and Latorre, A and García-Ferris, C}, title = {Exploring Gut Microbial Dynamics and Symbiotic Interaction in Blattella germanica Using Rifampicin.}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {12}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {37508385}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {PGC2018-099344-B-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Spain) and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; PID2021-128201NB-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Spain) and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; Prometeo/2018/A/133//Conselleria d'Educaci&#xf3;, Generalitat Valenciana/ ; CIPROM/2021/042//Conselleria d'Educaci&#xf3;, Generalitat Valenciana/ ; }, abstract = {Blattella germanica harbours two cohabiting symbiotic systems: an obligate endosymbiont, Blattabacterium, located inside bacteriocytes and vertically transmitted, which is key in nitrogen metabolism, and abundant and complex gut microbiota acquired horizontally (mainly by coprophagy) that must play an important role in host physiology. In this work, we use rifampicin treatment to deepen the knowledge on the relationship between the host and the two systems. First, we analysed changes in microbiota composition in response to the presence and removal of the antibiotic with and without faeces in one generation. We found that, independently of faeces supply, rifampicin-sensitive bacteria are strongly affected at four days of treatment, and most taxa recover after treatment, although some did not reach control levels. Second, we tried to generate an aposymbiotic population, but individuals that reached the second generation were severely affected and no third generation was possible. Finally, we established a mixed population with quasi-aposymbiotic and control nymphs sharing an environment in a blind experiment. The analysis of the two symbiotic systems in each individual after reaching the adult stage revealed that endosymbiont's load does not affect the composition of the hindgut microbiota, suggesting that there is no interaction between the two symbiotic systems in Blattella germanica.}, }
@article {pmid37497544, year = {2023}, author = {Kanyile, SN and Engl, T and Heddi, A and Kaltenpoth, M}, title = {Endosymbiosis allows Sitophilus oryzae to persist in dry conditions.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1199370}, pmid = {37497544}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Insects frequently associate with intracellular microbial symbionts (endosymbionts) that enhance their ability to cope with challenging environmental conditions. Endosymbioses with cuticle-enhancing microbes have been reported in several beetle families. However, the ecological relevance of these associations has seldom been demonstrated, particularly in the context of dry environments where high cuticle quality can reduce water loss. Thus, we investigated how cuticle-enhancing symbionts of the rice-weevil, Sitophilus oryzae contribute to desiccation resistance. We exposed symbiotic and symbiont-free (aposymbiotic) beetles to long-term stressful (47% RH) or relaxed (60% RH) humidity conditions and measured population growth. We found that symbiont presence benefits host fitness especially under dry conditions, enabling symbiotic beetles to increase their population size by over 33-fold within 3 months, while aposymbiotic beetles fail to increase in numbers beyond the starting population in the same conditions. To understand the mechanisms underlying this drastic effect, we compared beetle size and body water content and found that endosymbionts confer bigger body size and higher body water content. While chemical analyses revealed no significant differences in composition and quantity of cuticular hydrocarbons after long-term exposure to desiccation stress, symbiotic beetles lost water at a proportionally slower rate than did their aposymbiotic counterparts. We posit that the desiccation resistance and higher fitness observed in symbiotic beetles under dry conditions is due to their symbiont-enhanced thicker cuticle, which provides protection against cuticular transpiration. Thus, we demonstrate that the cuticle enhancing symbiosis of Sitophilus oryzae confers a fitness benefit under drought stress, an ecologically relevant condition for grain pest beetles. This benefit likely extends to many other systems where symbiont-mediated cuticle synthesis has been identified, including taxa spanning beetles and ants that occupy different ecological niches.}, }
@article {pmid37490862, year = {2023}, author = {Dijksterhuis, J}, title = {Endosymbionts: Bacterial hijacking of fungi?.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {33}, number = {14}, pages = {R765-R767}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.028}, pmid = {37490862}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Hyphae ; Bacteria ; Fungi ; }, abstract = {Bacteria inside fungal hyphae allow the fungus Rhizopus microsporus to form spores and operate via effectors in 'stealth' mode. When the functionality of one effector is taken away, bacteria are captured in septated cells and die.}, }
@article {pmid37488011, year = {2023}, author = {Jeon, MS and Han, SI and Ahn, JW and Jung, JH and Choi, JS and Choi, YE}, title = {Endophyte Bacillus tequilensis improves the growth of microalgae Haematococcus lacustris by regulating host cell metabolism.}, journal = {Bioresource technology}, volume = {387}, number = {}, pages = {129546}, doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129546}, pmid = {37488011}, issn = {1873-2976}, mesh = {Bacillus ; *Chlorophyceae ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Bacteria ; Endophytes ; *Microalgae ; }, abstract = {This study identified an endosymbiotic bacterium, Bacillus tequilensis, residing within the cells of the microalga Haematococcus lacustris through 16S rRNA analysis. To confirm the optimal interactive conditions between H. lacustris and B. tequilensis, the effects of different ratios of cells using H. lacustris of different growth stages were examined. Under optimized conditions, the cell density, dry weight, chlorophyll content, and astaxanthin content of H. lacustris increased significantly, and the fatty acid content improved 1.99-fold. Microscopy demonstrated the presence of bacteria within the H. lacustris cells. The interaction upregulated amino acid and nucleotide metabolism in H. lacustris. Interestingly, muramic and phenylacetic acids were found exclusively in H. lacustris cells in the presence of B. tequilensis. Furthermore, B. tequilensis delayed pigment degradation in H. lacustris. This study reveals the impact of the endosymbiont B. tequilensis on the metabolism of H. lacustris and offers new perspectives on the symbiotic relationship between them.}, }
@article {pmid37484687, year = {2023}, author = {Adams, GJ and O'Brien, PA}, title = {The unified theory of sleep: Eukaryotes endosymbiotic relationship with mitochondria and REM the push-back response for awakening.}, journal = {Neurobiology of sleep and circadian rhythms}, volume = {15}, number = {}, pages = {100100}, pmid = {37484687}, issn = {2451-9944}, abstract = {The Unified Theory suggests that sleep is a process that developed in eukaryotic animals from a relationship with an endosymbiotic bacterium. Over evolutionary time the bacterium evolved into the modern mitochondrion that continues to exert an effect on sleep patterns, e.g. the bacterium Wolbachia establishes an endosymbiotic relationship with Drosophila and many other species of insects and is able to change the host's behaviour by making it sleep. The hypothesis is supported by other host-parasite relationships, e.g., Trypanosoma brucei which causes day-time sleepiness and night-time insomnia in humans and cattle. For eukaryotes such as Monocercomonoids that don't contain mitochondria we find no evidence of them sleeping. Mitochondria produce the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), and ornithine a precursor of the neurotransmitter GABA, together with substances such as 3,4dihydroxy phenylalanine (DOPA) a precursor for the neurotransmitter dopamine: These substances have been shown to affect the sleep/wake cycles in animals such as Drosophilia and Hydra. Eukaryote animals have traded the very positive side of having mitochondria providing aerobic respiration for them with the negative side of having to sleep. NREM (Quiet sleep) is the process endosymbionts have imposed upon their host eukaryotes and REM (Active sleep) is the push-back adaptation of eukaryotes with brains, returning to wakefulness.}, }
@article {pmid37479750, year = {2023}, author = {Pan, Q and Yu, SJ and Lei, S and Li, SC and Ding, LL and Liu, L and Cheng, LY and Luo, R and Lei, CY and Lou, BH and Cong, L and Liu, HQ and Wang, XF and Ran, C}, title = {Effects of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus infection on metagenome of Diaphorina citri gut endosymbiont.}, journal = {Scientific data}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {478}, pmid = {37479750}, issn = {2052-4463}, mesh = {Metagenome ; *Hemiptera/genetics/microbiology ; Liberibacter ; *Rhizobiaceae/genetics ; Animals ; }, abstract = {Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri, D. citri) is the important vector of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas), associated with Huanglongbing, the most devastating citrus disease worldwide. CLas can affect endosymbiont abundance of D. citri. Here, we generated the high-quality gut endosymbiont metagenomes of Diaphorina citri on the condition of CLas infected and uninfected. The dataset comprised 6616.74 M and 6586.04 M raw reads, on overage, from CLas uninfected and infected psyllid strains, respectively. Taxonomic analysis revealed that a total of 1046 species were annotated with 10 Archaea, 733 Bacteria, 234 Eukaryota, and 69 Viruses. 80 unique genera in CLas infected D. citri were identified. DIAMOND software was used for complement function research against various functional databases, including Nr, KEGG, eggNOG, and CAZy, which annotated 84543 protein-coding genes. These datasets provided an avenue for further study of the interaction mechanism between CLas and D. citri.}, }
@article {pmid37477269, year = {2023}, author = {Ferreira, MU and Crainey, JL and Gobbi, FG}, title = {The search for better treatment strategies for mansonellosis: an expert perspective.}, journal = {Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy}, volume = {24}, number = {15}, pages = {1685-1692}, doi = {10.1080/14656566.2023.2240235}, pmid = {37477269}, issn = {1744-7666}, mesh = {Adult ; Animals ; Humans ; *Mansonelliasis/complications/drug therapy ; Mansonella ; Ivermectin/therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; *Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Arthralgia/complications/drug therapy ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Four species of the Mansonella genus infect millions of people across sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America. Most infections are asymptomatic, but mansonellosis can be associated with nonspecific clinical manifestations such as fever, headache, arthralgia, and ocular lesions (M. ozzardi); pruritus, arthralgia, abdominal pain, angioedema, skin rash, and fatigue (M. perstans and perhaps Mansonella sp. 'DEUX'); and pruritic dermatitis and chronic lymphadenitis (M. perstans).<br><br>AREAS COVERED: We searched the PubMed and SciELO databases for publications on mansonelliasis in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French that appeared until 1 May 2023. Literature data show that anthelmintics - single-dose ivermectin for M. ozzardi, repeated doses of mebendazole alone or in combination with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) for M. perstans, and DEC alone for M. streptocerca - are effective against microfilariae. Antibiotics that target Wolbachia endosymbionts, such as doxycycline, are likely to kill adult worms of most, if not all, Mansonella species, but the currently recommended 6-week regimen is relatively impractical. New anthelmintics and shorter antibiotic regimens (e.g. with rifampin) have shown promise in experimental filarial infections and may proceed to clinical trials.<br><br>EXPERT OPINION: We recommend that human infections with Mansonella species be treated, regardless of any apparent clinical manifestations. We argue that mansonellosis, despite being widely considered a benign infection, may represent a direct or indirect cause of significant morbidity that remains poorly characterized at present.}, }
@article {pmid37468834, year = {2023}, author = {Campbell, LI and Nwezeobi, J and van Brunschot, SL and Kaweesi, T and Seal, SE and Swamy, RAR and Namuddu, A and Maslen, GL and Mugerwa, H and Armean, IM and Haggerty, L and Martin, FJ and Malka, O and Santos-Garcia, D and Juravel, K and Morin, S and Stephens, ME and Muhindira, PV and Kersey, PJ and Maruthi, MN and Omongo, CA and Navas-Castillo, J and Fiallo-Olivé, E and Mohammed, IU and Wang, HL and Onyeka, J and Alicai, T and Colvin, J}, title = {Comparative evolutionary analyses of eight whitefly Bemisia tabaci sensu lato genomes: cryptic species, agricultural pests and plant-virus vectors.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {24}, number = {1}, pages = {408}, pmid = {37468834}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; WT108749/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Hemiptera ; Africa ; *Plant Viruses ; Asia ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The group of > 40 cryptic whitefly species called Bemisia tabaci sensu lato are amongst the world's worst agricultural pests and plant-virus vectors. Outbreaks of B. tabaci s.l. and the associated plant-virus diseases continue to contribute to global food insecurity and social instability, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Published B. tabaci s.l. genomes have limited use for studying African cassava B. tabaci SSA1 species, due to the high genetic divergences between them. Genomic annotations presented here were performed using the 'Ensembl gene annotation system', to ensure that comparative analyses and conclusions reflect biological differences, as opposed to arising from different methodologies underpinning transcript model identification.<br><br>RESULTS: We present here six new B. tabaci s.l. genomes from Africa and Asia, and two re-annotated previously published genomes, to provide evolutionary insights into these globally distributed pests. Genome sizes ranged between 616-658&#xa0;Mb and exhibited some of the highest coverage of transposable elements reported within Arthropoda. Many fewer total protein coding genes (PCG) were recovered compared to the previously published B. tabaci s.l. genomes and structural annotations generated via the uniform methodology strongly supported a repertoire of between 12.8-13.2&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;10[3] PCG. An integrative systematics approach incorporating phylogenomic analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial markers supported a monophyletic Aleyrodidae and the basal positioning of B. tabaci Uganda-1 to the sub-Saharan group of species. Reciprocal cross-mating data and the co-cladogenesis pattern of the primary obligate endosymbiont 'Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum' from 11 Bemisia genomes further supported the phylogenetic reconstruction to show that African cassava B. tabaci populations consist of just three biological species. We include comparative analyses of gene families related to detoxification, sugar metabolism, vector competency and evaluate the presence and function of horizontally transferred genes, essential for understanding the evolution and unique biology of constituent B. tabaci. s.l species.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These genomic resources have provided new and critical insights into the genetics underlying B. tabaci s.l. biology. They also provide a rich foundation for post-genomic research, including the selection of candidate gene-targets for innovative whitefly and virus-control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid37468804, year = {2023}, author = {Muñoz-García, CI and Rendón-Franco, E and Grostieta, E and Navarrete-Sotelo, M and Sánchez-Montes, S}, title = {Novel Francisella-like endosymbiont and Anaplasma species from Amblyomma nodosum hosted by the anteater Tamandua Mexicana in Mexico.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {91}, number = {1}, pages = {111-121}, pmid = {37468804}, issn = {1572-9702}, mesh = {*Amblyomma/microbiology ; Animals ; Vermilingua/parasitology ; Mexico ; *Gammaproteobacteria/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Male ; Female ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The microbiome represents a complex network among the various members of the community of microorganisms that are associated with a host. The composition of the bacterial community is essential to supplement multiple metabolic pathways that the host lacks, particularly in organisms with blood-sucking habits such as ticks. On the other hand, some endosymbionts showed some competence with potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) encompass a group of gamma-proteobacterias that are closely related to Francisella tularensis, but are usually apathogenic, which brings nutrients like vitamin B and other cofactors to the tick. It has been postulated that the main route of transmission of FLE is vertical; however, evidence has accumulated regarding the possible mechanism of horizontal transmission. Despite growing interest in knowledge of endosymbionts in the Neotropical region, the efforts related to the establishment of their inventory for tick communities are concentrated in South and Central America, with an important gap in knowledge in Mesoamerican countries such as Mexico. For this reason, the aim of this work was to evaluate the presence and diversity of endosymbionts in the highly host-specialized tick Amblyomma nodosum collected from the anteater Tamandua mexicana in Mexico. We analysed 36 A. nodosum for the presence of DNA of endosymbiont (Coxiella and Francisella) and pathogenic (Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia) bacteria. The presence of a member of the genus Francisella and Candidatus Anaplasma brasiliensis was demonstrated. Our findings provide information on the composition of A. nodosum's microbiome, increasing the inventory of bacterial species associated with this hard tick on the American continent.}, }
@article {pmid37464760, year = {2023}, author = {Mather, RV and Larsen, TJ and Brock, DA and Queller, DC and Strassmann, JE}, title = {Paraburkholderia symbionts isolated from Dictyostelium discoideum induce bacterial carriage in other Dictyostelium species.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {290}, number = {2003}, pages = {20230977}, pmid = {37464760}, issn = {1471-2954}, support = {T32 GM007753/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Dictyostelium ; *Burkholderiaceae ; Bacteria ; *Amoeba/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum engages in a complex relationship with bacterial endosymbionts in the genus Paraburkholderia, which can benefit their host by imbuing it with the ability to carry prey bacteria throughout its life cycle. The relationship between D. discoideum and Paraburkholderia has been shown to take place across many strains and a large geographical area, but little is known about Paraburkholderia's potential interaction with other dictyostelid species. We explore the ability of three Paraburkholderia species to stably infect and induce bacterial carriage in other dictyostelid hosts. We found that all three Paraburkholderia species successfully infected and induced carriage in seven species of Dictyostelium hosts. While the overall behaviour was qualitatively similar to that previously observed in infections of D. discoideum, differences in the outcomes of different host/symbiont combinations suggest a degree of specialization between partners. Paraburkholderia was unable to maintain a stable association with the more distantly related host Polysphondylium violaceum. Our results suggest that the mechanisms and evolutionary history of Paraburkholderia's symbiotic relationships may be general within Dictyostelium hosts, but not so general that it can associate with hosts of other genera. Our work further develops an emerging model system for the study of symbiosis in microbes.}, }
@article {pmid37452489, year = {2023}, author = {Qiao, SA and Gao, Z and Roth, R}, title = {A perspective on cross-kingdom RNA interference in mutualistic symbioses.}, journal = {The New phytologist}, volume = {240}, number = {1}, pages = {68-79}, pmid = {37452489}, issn = {1469-8137}, support = {/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology ; RNA Interference ; Plants/genetics ; }, abstract = {RNA interference (RNAi) is arguably one of the more versatile mechanisms in cell biology, facilitating the fine regulation of gene expression and protection against mobile genomic elements, whilst also constituting a key aspect of induced plant immunity. More recently, the use of this mechanism to regulate gene expression in heterospecific partners - cross-kingdom RNAi (ckRNAi) - has been shown to form a critical part of bidirectional interactions between hosts and endosymbionts, regulating the interplay between microbial infection mechanisms and host immunity. Here, we review the current understanding of ckRNAi as it relates to interactions between plants and their pathogenic and mutualistic endosymbionts, with particular emphasis on evidence in support of ckRNAi in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid37438329, year = {2023}, author = {Uzum, Z and Ershov, D and Pavia, MJ and Mallet, A and Gorgette, O and Plantard, O and Sassera, D and Stavru, F}, title = {Three-dimensional images reveal the impact of the endosymbiont Midichloria mitochondrii on the host mitochondria.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {4133}, pmid = {37438329}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {*Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; *Rickettsiales ; Oocytes ; Mitochondria ; Cytoplasm ; }, abstract = {The hard tick, Ixodes ricinus, a main Lyme disease vector, harbors an intracellular bacterial endosymbiont. Midichloria mitochondrii is maternally inherited and resides in the mitochondria of I. ricinus oocytes, but the consequences of this endosymbiosis are not well understood. Here, we provide 3D images of wild-type and aposymbiotic I. ricinus oocytes generated with focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy. Quantitative image analyses of endosymbionts and oocyte mitochondria at different maturation stages show that the populations of both mitochondrion-associated bacteria and bacterium-hosting mitochondria increase upon vitellogenisation, and that mitochondria can host multiple bacteria in later stages. Three-dimensional reconstructions show symbiosis-dependent morphologies of mitochondria and demonstrate complete M. mitochondrii inclusion inside a mitochondrion. Cytoplasmic endosymbiont located close to mitochondria are not oriented towards the mitochondria, suggesting that bacterial recolonization is unlikely. We further demonstrate individual globular-shaped mitochondria in the wild type oocytes, while aposymbiotic oocytes only contain a mitochondrial network. In summary, our study suggests that M. mitochondrii modulates mitochondrial fragmentation in oogenesis possibly affecting organelle function and ensuring its presence over generations.}, }
@article {pmid37433980, year = {2023}, author = {Candelori, A and Di Giuseppe, G and Villalobo, E and Sjödin, A and Vallesi, A}, title = {Bipolar Biogeographical Distribution of Parafrancisella Bacteria Carried by the Ciliate Euplotes.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {86}, number = {4}, pages = {3128-3132}, pmid = {37433980}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {PNRA18_00152//PNRA (Programma Nazionale di Ricerca in Antartide)/ ; }, mesh = {Phylogeny ; *Euplotes/genetics/microbiology ; *Francisella ; Cytoplasm ; Antarctic Regions ; }, abstract = {Parafrancisella adeliensis, a Francisella-like endosymbiont, was found to reside in the cytoplasm of an Antarctic strain of the bipolar ciliate species, Euplotes petzi. To inquire whether Euplotes cells collected from distant Arctic and peri-Antarctic sites host Parafrancisella bacteria, wild-type strains of the congeneric bipolar species, E. nobilii, were screened for Parafrancisella by in situ hybridization and 16S gene amplification and sequencing. Results indicate that all Euplotes strains analyzed contained endosymbiotic bacteria with 16S nucleotide sequences closely similar to the P. adeliensis 16S gene sequence. This finding suggests that Parafrancisella/Euplotes associations are not endemic to Antarctica, but are common in both the Antarctic and Arctic regions.}, }
@article {pmid37430172, year = {2023}, author = {Porter, J and Sullivan, W}, title = {The cellular lives of Wolbachia.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology}, volume = {21}, number = {11}, pages = {750-766}, pmid = {37430172}, issn = {1740-1534}, mesh = {*Wolbachia/cytology/genetics/ultrastructure ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Bacterial Infections/microbiology/transmission ; Animals ; Reproduction ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are successful Gram-negative bacterial endosymbionts, globally infecting a large fraction of arthropod species and filarial nematodes. Efficient vertical transmission, the capacity for horizontal transmission, manipulation of host reproduction and enhancement of host fitness can promote the spread both within and between species. Wolbachia are abundant and can occupy extraordinary diverse and evolutionary distant host species, suggesting that they have evolved to engage and manipulate highly conserved core cellular processes. Here, we review recent studies identifying Wolbachia-host interactions at the molecular and cellular levels. We explore how Wolbachia interact with a wide array of host cytoplasmic and nuclear components in order to thrive in a diversity of cell types and cellular environments. This endosymbiont has also evolved the ability to precisely target and manipulate specific phases of the host cell cycle. The remarkable diversity of cellular interactions distinguishes Wolbachia from other endosymbionts and is largely responsible for facilitating its global propagation through host populations. Finally, we describe how insights into Wolbachia-host cellular interactions have led to promising applications in controlling insect-borne and filarial nematode-based diseases.}, }
@article {pmid37424778, year = {2023}, author = {Zhou, JC and Dong, QJ and Shang, D and Ning, SF and Zhang, HH and Wang, Y and Che, WN and Dong, H and Zhang, LS}, title = {Posterior concentration of Wolbachia during the early embryogenesis of the host dynamically shapes the tissue tropism of Wolbachia in host Trichogramma wasps.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1198428}, pmid = {37424778}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Wasps/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Embryonic Development ; Parthenogenesis ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia spp. induce thelytokous parthenogenesis in certain parasitoid wasps, such as the egg parasitoid wasps Trichogramma spp. To complete the cycle of vertical transmission, Wolbachia displays efficient transovarial transmission by targeting the reproductive tissues and often exhibits strong tissue-specific tropism in their host.<br><br>METHOD: The present study aimed to describe the basic Wolbachia distribution patterns that occur during the development of Wolbachia-infected, thelytokous Trichogramma dendrolimi, and T. pretiosum. We used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to investigate Wolbachia signal dynamics during early embryogenesis (from 30 to 120 min). Wolbachia titers and distributions from the embryo to adult stages of Trichogramma after early embryogenesis were detected by absolute quantitative polymerase chain reaction (AQ-PCR) and FISH. The symmetry ratios (SR) of the Wolbachia signals were calculated using the SR odds ratios in the anterior and posterior parts of the host. The SR was determined to describe Wolbachia tropism during early embryogenesis and various developmental stages of Trichogramma.<br><br>RESULTS: Wolbachia was concentrated in the posterior part of the embryo during early embryogenesis and the various developmental stages of both T. dendrolimi and T. pretiosum. Wolbachia density increased with the number of nuclei and the initial mitotic division frequency during early embryogenesis. The total Wolbachia titer increased with postembryogenesis development in both T. dendrolimi and T. pretiosum. However, the Wolbachia densities relative to body size were significantly lower at the adult and pupal stages than they were at the embryonic stage.<br><br>DISCUSSION: The present work revealed that posterior Wolbachia concentration during early host embryogenesis determined Wolbachia localization in adult wasps. By this mechanism, Wolbachia exhibits efficient vertical transmission across generations by depositing only female Wolbachia-infected offspring. The results of this study describe the dynamics of Wolbachia during the development of their Trichogramma host. The findings of this investigation helped clarify Wolbachia tropism in Trichogramma wasps.}, }
@article {pmid37417166, year = {2023}, author = {Tharsan, A and Sivabalakrishnan, K and Arthiyan, S and Eswaramohan, T and Raveendran, S and Ramasamy, R and Surendran, SN}, title = {Wolbachia infection is widespread in brackish and fresh water Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the coastal Jaffna peninsula of northern Sri Lanka.}, journal = {Journal of vector borne diseases}, volume = {60}, number = {2}, pages = {172-178}, doi = {10.4103/0972-9062.361165}, pmid = {37417166}, issn = {0972-9062}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/physiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Sri Lanka ; Phylogeny ; Mosquito Vectors/physiology ; Fresh Water ; *Dengue/prevention &amp; control ; Membrane Proteins/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND &amp; OBJECTIVES: Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are important vectors of dengue and many other arboviral diseases in tropical and sub-tropical locations. Both vectors are tolerant of salinity in the dengue-endemic coastal Jaffna peninsula of northern Sri Lanka. Aedes albopictus pre-imaginal stages are found in field brackish water habitats of up to 14 parts per thousand (ppt, gL[-1]) salt in the Jaffna peninsula. Salinity-tolerance in Aedes is characterized by significant genetic and physiological changes. Infection with the wMel strain of the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia pipientis reduces dengue transmission in the field by Ae. aegypti, and the same approach is also being considered for Ae. albopictus. In this context, we investigated natural Wolbachia infections in brackish and fresh water field isolates of Ae. albopictus in the Jaffna district.<br><br>METHODS: Aedes albopictus collected as pre-imaginal stages using conventional ovitraps in the Jaffna peninsula and adjacent islands of the Jaffna district were screened by PCR utilizing strain-transcending primers for the presence of Wolbachia. Wolbachia strains were then further identified by PCR using strain-specific primers for the Wolbachia surface protein gene wsp. The Jaffna wsp sequences were compared by phylogenetic analysis with other wsp sequences available in Genbank.<br><br>RESULTS: Aedes albopictus were found to be widely infected with the wAlbA and wAlbB strains of Wolbachia in Jaffna. The partial wAlbB wsp surface protein gene sequence in Jaffna Ae. albopictus was identical to a corresponding sequence from South India but different from that in mainland Sri Lanka.<br><br>Widespread infection of salinity-tolerant Ae. albopictus with Wolbachia is a factor to be considered when developing Wolbachia-based dengue control in coastal areas like the Jaffna peninsula.}, }
@article {pmid37416893, year = {2023}, author = {Wenzel, M and Aquadro, CF}, title = {Wolbachia genetically interacts with the bag of marbles germline stem cell gene in male D. melanogaster.}, journal = {microPublication biology}, volume = {2023}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37416893}, issn = {2578-9430}, support = {R01 GM095793/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD018516/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia manipulates reproduction of its arthropod hosts to promote its own maternal vertical transmission. In female D. melanogaster , Wolbachia has been shown to genetically interact with three key reproductive genes (bag of marbles (bam) , Sex-lethal, and mei-P26) , as it rescues the reduced female fertility or fecundity phenotype seen in partial loss-of-function mutants of these genes . Here, we show that Wolbachia also partially rescues male fertility in D. melanogaster carrying a new, largely sterile bam allele when in a bam null genetic background. This finding shows that the molecular mechanism of Wolbachia 's influence on its hosts' reproduction involves interaction with genes in males as well as females, at least in D. melanogaster .}, }
@article {pmid37410021, year = {2023}, author = {Herrera, G and Vieira Lista, MC and Páez-Triana, L and Muro, A and López-Abán, J and Muñoz, M and Ramírez, JD}, title = {Examining the gut microbiota from several human-biting tick species in Northwestern Spain.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {60}, number = {5}, pages = {1081-1087}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjad084}, pmid = {37410021}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Ticks/microbiology ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; Spain ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {Tick-borne diseases have increased significantly in Europe and Spain in recent years. One strategy explored for tick surveillance and control is the study of the microbiota. The focus is on understanding the relationships between pathogens and endosymbionts within the microbiota and how these relationships can alter these arthropods' vectorial capacity. Thus, it is pivotal to depict the bacterial communities composing the microbiota of ticks present in specific territories. This work aimed to describe the microbiota present in 29 adult individuals of 5 tick species collected from 4 provinces of Castilla y Leon in northwestern Spain from 2015 to 2022. DNA extraction and sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of 16S-rRNA was performed on the tick samples, with subsequent analysis of diversity, taxonomic composition, and correlations between genera of microorganisms. There were no differences in the alpha diversity of microbiota by tick species, nor were compositional changes evident at the phylum level for microorganisms. However, interindividual differences at the microbial genus level allowed spatial differentiation of the 5 tick species included in the study. Correlation analyses showed complex interactions between different genera of microbiota members. These findings provide an initial insight into the composition of the gut microbiota of various tick species in northwestern Spain, which can contribute to establishing surveillance and control measures to reduce diseases such as rickettsiosis, Lyme disease, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.}, }
@article {pmid37407813, year = {2023}, author = {Moger-Reischer, RZ and Glass, JI and Wise, KS and Sun, L and Bittencourt, DMC and Lehmkuhl, BK and Schoolmaster, DR and Lynch, M and Lennon, JT}, title = {Evolution of a minimal cell.}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {620}, number = {7972}, pages = {122-127}, pmid = {37407813}, issn = {1476-4687}, support = {R35 GM122566/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD023501/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Biotechnology/methods/trends ; Cell Division ; *Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Mutation ; *Mycoplasma mycoides/cytology/genetics/growth &amp; development ; *Genes, Essential ; *Synthetic Biology/methods ; Cell Size ; Epistasis, Genetic ; Selection, Genetic ; Genetic Fitness ; Symbiosis ; Tubulin/chemistry ; }, abstract = {Possessing only essential genes, a minimal cell can reveal mechanisms and processes that are critical for the persistence and stability of life[1,2]. Here we report on how an engineered minimal cell[3,4] contends with the forces of evolution compared with the Mycoplasma mycoides non-minimal cell from which it was synthetically derived. Mutation rates were the highest among all reported bacteria, but were not affected by genome minimization. Genome streamlining was costly, leading to a decrease in fitness of greater than 50%, but this deficit was regained during 2,000 generations of evolution. Despite selection acting on distinct genetic targets, increases in the maximum growth rate of the synthetic cells were comparable. Moreover, when performance was assessed by relative fitness, the minimal cell evolved 39% faster than the non-minimal cell. The only apparent constraint involved the evolution of cell size. The size of the non-minimal cell increased by 80%, whereas the minimal cell remained the same. This pattern reflected epistatic effects of mutations in ftsZ, which encodes a tubulin-homologue protein that regulates cell division and morphology[5,6]. Our findings demonstrate that natural selection can rapidly increase the fitness of one of the simplest autonomously growing organisms. Understanding how species with small genomes overcome evolutionary challenges provides critical insights into the persistence of host-associated endosymbionts, the stability of streamlined chassis for biotechnology and the targeted refinement of synthetically engineered cells[2,7-9].}, }
@article {pmid37399133, year = {2023}, author = {Beliavskaia, A and Tan, KK and Sinha, A and Husin, NA and Lim, FS and Loong, SK and Bell-Sakyi, L and Carlow, CKS and AbuBakar, S and Darby, AC and Makepeace, BL and Khoo, JJ}, title = {Metagenomics of culture isolates and insect tissue illuminate the evolution of Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Bartonella symbionts in Ctenocephalides spp. fleas.}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {9}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {37399133}, issn = {2057-5858}, support = {BB/P024378/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 223743/Z/21/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Bartonella/genetics ; *Siphonaptera/microbiology ; *Ctenocephalides/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Metagenomics ; Insecta ; }, abstract = {While fleas are often perceived simply as a biting nuisance and a cause of allergic dermatitis, they represent important disease vectors worldwide, especially for bacterial zoonoses such as plague (transmitted by rodent fleas) and some of the rickettsioses and bartonelloses. The cosmopolitan cat (Ctenocephalides felis) and dog (Ctenocephalides canis) fleas, as well as Ctenocephalides orientis (restricted to tropical and subtropical Asia), breed in human dwellings and are vectors of cat-scratch fever (caused by Bartonella spp.) and Rickettsia spp., including Rickettsia felis (agent of flea-borne spotted fever) and Rickettsia asembonensis , a suspected pathogen. These Rickettsia spp. are members of a phylogenetic clade known as the ‘transitional group’, which includes both human pathogens and arthropod-specific endosymbionts. The relatively depauperate flea microbiome can also contain other endosymbionts, including a diverse range of Wolbachia strains. Here, we present circularized genome assemblies for two C. orientis-derived pathogens (Bartonella clarridgeiae and R. asembonensis) from Malaysia, a novel Wolbachia strain (wCori), and the C. orientis mitochondrion; all were obtained by direct metagenomic sequencing of flea tissues. Moreover, we isolated two Wolbachia strains from Malaysian C. felis into tick cell culture and recovered circularized genome assemblies for both, one of which (wCfeF) is newly sequenced. We demonstrate that the three Wolbachia strains are representatives of different major clades (‘supergroups’), two of which appear to be flea-specific. These Wolbachia genomes exhibit unique combinations of features associated with reproductive parasitism or mutualism, including prophage WO, cytoplasmic incompatibility factors and the biotin operon of obligate intracellular microbes. The first circularized assembly for R. asembonensis includes a plasmid with a markedly different structure and gene content compared to the published plasmid; moreover, this novel plasmid was also detected in cat flea metagenomes from the USA. Analysis of loci under positive selection in the transitional group revealed genes involved in host–pathogen interactions that may facilitate host switching. Finally, the first B. clarridgeiae genome from Asia exhibited large-scale genome stability compared to isolates from other continents, except for SNPs in regions predicted to mediate interactions with the vertebrate host. These findings highlight the paucity of data on the genomic diversity of Ctenocephalides-associated bacteria and raise questions regarding how interactions between members of the flea microbiome might influence vector competence.}, }
@article {pmid37392458, year = {2023}, author = {Deng, J and Bennett, GM and Franco, DC and Prus-Frankowska, M and Stroiński, A and Michalik, A and Łukasik, P}, title = {Genome Comparison Reveals Inversions and Alternative Evolutionary History of Nutritional Endosymbionts in Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha).}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {15}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {37392458}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Insecta ; *Betaproteobacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {The evolutionary success of sap-feeding hemipteran insects in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha was enabled by nutritional contributions from their heritable endosymbiotic bacteria. However, the symbiont diversity, functions, and evolutionary origins in this large insect group have not been broadly characterized using genomic tools. In particular, the origins and relationships among ancient betaproteobacterial symbionts Vidania (in Fulgoromorpha) and Nasuia/Zinderia (in Cicadomorpha) are uncertain. Here, we characterized the genomes of Vidania and Sulcia from three Pyrops planthoppers (family Fulgoridae) to understand their metabolic functions and evolutionary histories. We find that, like in previously characterized planthoppers, these symbionts share nutritional responsibilities, with Vidania providing seven out of ten essential amino acids. Sulcia lineages across the Auchenorrhyncha have a highly conserved genome but with multiple independent rearrangements occurring in an early ancestor of Cicadomorpha or Fulgoromorpha and in a few succeeding lineages. Genomic synteny was also observed within each of the betaproteobacterial symbiont genera Nasuia, Zinderia, and Vidania, but not across them, which challenges the expectation of a shared ancestry for these symbionts. The further comparison of other biological traits strongly suggests an independent origin of Vidania early in the planthopper evolution and possibly of Nasuia and Zinderia in their respective host lineages. This hypothesis further links the potential acquisition of novel nutritional endosymbiont lineages with the emergence of auchenorrhynchan superfamilies.}, }
@article {pmid37391621, year = {2023}, author = {Yamada, N and Lepetit, B and Mann, DG and Sprecher, BN and Buck, JM and Bergmann, P and Kroth, PG and Bolton, JJ and Dąbek, P and Witkowski, A and Kim, SY and Trobajo, R}, title = {Prey preference in a kleptoplastic dinoflagellate is linked to photosynthetic performance.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {17}, number = {10}, pages = {1578-1588}, pmid = {37391621}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Humans ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Photosynthesis ; Biological Evolution ; *Diatoms/genetics ; }, abstract = {Dinoflagellates of the family Kryptoperidiniaceae, known as "dinotoms", possess diatom-derived endosymbionts and contain individuals at three successive evolutionary stages: a transiently maintained kleptoplastic stage; a stage containing multiple permanently maintained diatom endosymbionts; and a further permanent stage containing a single diatom endosymbiont. Kleptoplastic dinotoms were discovered only recently, in Durinskia capensis; until now it has not been investigated kleptoplastic behavior and the metabolic and genetic integration of host and prey. Here, we show D. capensis is able to use various diatom species as kleptoplastids and exhibits different photosynthetic capacities depending on the diatom species. This is in contrast with the prey diatoms in their free-living stage, as there are no differences in their photosynthetic capacities. Complete photosynthesis including both the light reactions and the Calvin cycle remain active only when D. capensis feeds on its habitual associate, the "essential" diatom Nitzschia captiva. The organelles of another edible diatom, N. inconspicua, are preserved intact after ingestion by D. capensis and expresses the psbC gene of the photosynthetic light reaction, while RuBisCO gene expression is lost. Our results indicate that edible but non-essential, "supplemental" diatoms are used by D. capensis for producing ATP and NADPH, but not for carbon fixation. D. capensis has established a species-specifically designed metabolic system allowing carbon fixation to be performed only by its essential diatoms. The ability of D. capensis to ingest supplemental diatoms as kleptoplastids may be a flexible ecological strategy, to use these diatoms as "emergency supplies" while no essential diatoms are available.}, }
@article {pmid37391552, year = {2023}, author = {Zając, Z and Obregon, D and Foucault-Simonin, A and Wu-Chuang, A and Moutailler, S and Galon, C and Kulisz, J and Woźniak, A and Bartosik, K and Cabezas-Cruz, A}, title = {Disparate dynamics of pathogen prevalence in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks occurring sympatrically in diverse habitats.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {10645}, pmid = {37391552}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Humans ; Adult ; Animals ; *Ixodes ; *Dermacentor ; Prevalence ; Forests ; Anaplasma ; *Francisella ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks are important reservoirs and vectors of pathogens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the dynamic of the prevalence and genetic diversity of microorganisms detected in these tick species collected from two ecologically diverse biotopes undergoing disparate long-term climate condition. High-throughput real time PCR confirmed high prevalence of microorganisms detected in sympatrically occurring ticks species. D. reticulatus specimens were the most often infected with Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE) (up to 100.0%) and Rickettsia spp. (up to 91.7%), while in case of I. ricinus the prevalence of Borreliaceae spirochetes reached up to 25.0%. Moreover, pathogens belonging to genera of Bartonella, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Babesia were detected in both tick species regardless the biotope. On the other hand, Neoehrlichia mikurensis was conformed only in I. ricinus in the forest biotope, while genetic material of Theileria spp. was found only in D. reticulatus collected from the meadow. Our study confirmed significant impact of biotope type on prevalence of representatives of Borreliaceae and Rickettsiaceae families. The most common co-infection detected in D. reticulatus was Rickettsia spp. + FLE, while Borreliaceae + R. helvetica was the most common in I. ricinus. Additionally, we found significant genetic diversity of R. raoultii gltA gene across studied years, however such relationship was not observed in ticks from studied biotopes. Our results suggest that ecological type of biotope undergoing disparate long-term climate conditions have an impact on prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in adult D. reticulatus and I. ricinus.}, }
@article {pmid37389180, year = {2023}, author = {Gao, ZM and Xu, T and Chen, HG and Lu, R and Tao, J and Wang, HB and Qiu, JW and Wang, Y}, title = {Early genome erosion and internal phage-symbiont-host interaction in the endosymbionts of a cold-seep tubeworm.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {26}, number = {7}, pages = {107033}, pmid = {37389180}, issn = {2589-0042}, abstract = {Endosymbiosis with chemosynthetic Gammaproteobacteria is widely recognized as an adaptive mechanism of siboglinid tubeworms, yet evolution of these endosymbionts and their driving forces remain elusive. Here, we report a finished endosymbiont genome (HMS1) of the cold-seep tubeworm Sclerolinum annulatum. The HMS1 genome is small in size, with abundant prophages and transposable elements but lacking gene sets coding for denitrification, hydrogen oxidization, oxidative phosphorylation, vitamin biosynthesis, cell pH and/or sodium homeostasis, environmental sensing, and motility, indicative of early genome erosion and adaptive evolution toward obligate endosymbiosis. Unexpectedly, a prophage embedded in the HMS1 genome undergoes lytic cycle. Highly expressed ROS scavenger and LexA repressor genes indicate that the tubeworm host likely activates the lysogenic phage into lytic cycle through the SOS response to regulate endosymbiont population and harvest nutrients. Our findings indicate progressive evolution of Sclerolinum endosymbionts toward obligate endosymbiosis and expand the knowledge about phage-symbiont-host interaction in deep-sea tubeworms.}, }
@article {pmid37383020, year = {2023}, author = {Nieves-Morión, M and Camargo, S and Bardi, S and Ruiz, MT and Flores, E and Foster, RA}, title = {Heterologous expression of genes from a cyanobacterial endosymbiont highlights substrate exchanges with its diatom host.}, journal = {PNAS nexus}, volume = {2}, number = {6}, pages = {pgad194}, pmid = {37383020}, issn = {2752-6542}, abstract = {A few genera of diatoms are widespread and thrive in low-nutrient waters of the open ocean due to their close association with N2-fixing, filamentous heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria. In one of these symbioses, the symbiont, Richelia euintracellularis, has penetrated the cell envelope of the host, Hemiaulus hauckii, and lives inside the host cytoplasm. How the partners interact, including how the symbiont sustains high rates of N2 fixation, is unstudied. Since R. euintracellularis has evaded isolation, heterologous expression of genes in model laboratory organisms was performed to identify the function of proteins from the endosymbiont. Gene complementation of a cyanobacterial invertase mutant and expression of the protein in Escherichia coli showed that R. euintracellularis HH01 possesses a neutral invertase that splits sucrose producing glucose and fructose. Several solute-binding proteins (SBPs) of ABC transporters encoded in the genome of R. euintracellularis HH01 were expressed in E. coli, and their substrates were characterized. The selected SBPs directly linked the host as the source of several substrates, e.g. sugars (sucrose and galactose), amino acids (glutamate and phenylalanine), and a polyamine (spermidine), to support the cyanobacterial symbiont. Finally, transcripts of genes encoding the invertase and SBPs were consistently detected in wild populations of H. hauckii collected from multiple stations and depths in the western tropical North Atlantic. Our results support the idea that the diatom host provides the endosymbiotic cyanobacterium with organic carbon to fuel N2 fixation. This knowledge is key to understanding the physiology of the globally significant H. hauckii-R. euintracellularis symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid37382438, year = {2023}, author = {Goffredi, SK and Panossian, B and Brzechffa, C and Field, N and King, C and Moggioli, G and Rouse, GW and Martín-Durán, JM and Henry, LM}, title = {A dynamic epibiont community associated with the bone-eating polychaete genus Osedax.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {e0314022}, pmid = {37382438}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {IOS-0923775//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; NE/M018016/1//UKRI | Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)/ ; 213981/Z/18/Z//Wellcome Trust (WT)/ ; }, abstract = {Osedax, the deep-sea annelid found at sunken whalefalls, is known to host Oceanospirillales bacterial endosymbionts intracellularly in specialized roots, which help it feed exclusively on vertebrate bones. Past studies, however, have also made mention of external bacteria on their trunks. During a 14-yr study, we reveal a dynamic, yet persistent, shift of Campylobacterales integrated into the epidermis of Osedax, which change over time as the whale carcass degrades on the sea floor. The Campylobacterales associated with seven species of Osedax, which comprise 67% of the bacterial community on the trunk, appear initially dominated by the genus Arcobacter (at early time points <24 mo), the Sulfurospirillum at intermediate stages (~50 mo), and the Sulfurimonas at later stages (>140 mo) of whale carcass decomposition. Metagenome analysis of the epibiont metabolic capabilities suggests potential for a transition from heterotrophy to autotrophy and differences in their capacity to metabolize oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Compared to free-living relatives, the Osedax epibiont genomes were enriched in transposable elements, implicating genetic exchange on the host surface, and contained numerous secretions systems with eukaryotic-like protein (ELP) domains, suggesting a long evolutionary history with these enigmatic, yet widely distributed deep-sea worms. IMPORTANCE Symbiotic associations are widespread in nature and we can expect to find them in every type of ecological niche. In the last twenty years, the myriad of functions, interactions and species comprising microbe-host associations has fueled a surge of interest and appreciation for symbiosis. During this 14-year study, we reveal a dynamic population of bacterial epibionts, integrated into the epidermis of 7 species of a deep-sea worm group that feeds exclusively on the remains of marine mammals. The bacterial genomes provide clues of a long evolutionary history with these enigmatic worms. On the host surface, they exchange genes and appear to undergo ecological succession, as the whale carcass habitat degrades over time, similar to what is observed for some free-living communities. These, and other annelid worms are important keystone species for diverse deep-sea environments, yet the role of attached external bacteria in supporting host health has received relatively little attention.}, }
@article {pmid37376640, year = {2023}, author = {Esmael, A and Agarkova, IV and Dunigan, DD and Zhou, Y and Van Etten, JL}, title = {Viral DNA Accumulation Regulates Replication Efficiency of Chlorovirus OSy-NE5 in Two Closely Related Chlorella variabilis Strains.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {37376640}, issn = {1999-4915}, mesh = {DNA, Viral/genetics ; *Chlorella ; *Phycodnaviridae/genetics ; *Paramecium ; Viral Proteins/genetics ; }, abstract = {Many chloroviruses replicate in Chlorella variabilis algal strains that are ex-endosymbionts isolated from the protozoan Paramecium bursaria, including the NC64A and Syngen 2-3 strains. We noticed that indigenous water samples produced a higher number of plaque-forming viruses on C. variabilis Syngen 2-3 lawns than on C. variabilis NC64A lawns. These observed differences led to the discovery of viruses that replicate exclusively in Syngen 2-3 cells, named Only Syngen (OSy) viruses. Here, we demonstrate that OSy viruses initiate infection in the restricted host NC64A by synthesizing some early virus gene products and that approximately 20% of the cells produce a small number of empty virus capsids. However, the infected cells did not produce infectious viruses because the cells were unable to replicate the viral genome. This is interesting because all previous attempts to isolate host cells resistant to chlorovirus infection were due to changes in the host receptor for the virus.}, }
@article {pmid37372055, year = {2023}, author = {Gheibzadeh, MS and Manyumwa, CV and Tastan Bishop, &#xd6; and Shahbani Zahiri, H and Parkkila, S and Zolfaghari Emameh, R}, title = {Genome Study of α-, β-, and γ-Carbonic Anhydrases from the Thermophilic Microbiome of Marine Hydrothermal Vent Ecosystems.}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {37372055}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {737//National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology/ ; M/75137//Ministry of Science, Research and Technology/ ; 111212//National Research Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are metalloenzymes that can help organisms survive in hydrothermal vents by hydrating carbon dioxide (CO2). In this study, we focus on alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) CAs, which are present in the thermophilic microbiome of marine hydrothermal vents. The coding genes of these enzymes can be transferred between hydrothermal-vent organisms via horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which is an important tool in natural biodiversity. We performed big data mining and bioinformatics studies on α-, β-, and γ-CA coding genes from the thermophilic microbiome of marine hydrothermal vents. The results showed a reasonable association between thermostable α-, β-, and γ-CAs in the microbial population of the hydrothermal vents. This relationship could be due to HGT. We found evidence of HGT of α- and β-CAs between Cycloclasticus sp., a symbiont of Bathymodiolus heckerae, and an endosymbiont of Riftia pachyptila via Integrons. Conversely, HGT of β-CA genes from the endosymbiont Tevnia jerichonana to the endosymbiont Riftia pachyptila was detected. In addition, Hydrogenovibrio crunogenus SP-41 contains a β-CA gene on genomic islands (GIs). This gene can be transferred by HGT to Hydrogenovibrio sp. MA2-6, a methanotrophic endosymbiont of Bathymodiolus azoricus, and a methanotrophic endosymbiont of Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis. The endosymbiont of R. pachyptila has a γ-CA gene in the genome. If α- and β-CA coding genes have been derived from other microorganisms, such as endosymbionts of T. jerichonana and Cycloclasticus sp. as the endosymbiont of B. heckerae, through HGT, the theory of the necessity of thermostable CA enzymes for survival in the extreme ecosystem of hydrothermal vents is suggested and helps the conservation of microbiome natural diversity in hydrothermal vents. These harsh ecosystems, with their integral players, such as HGT and endosymbionts, significantly impact the enrichment of life on Earth and the carbon cycle in the ocean.}, }
@article {pmid37367660, year = {2023}, author = {Sikorskaya, TV}, title = {Coral Lipidome: Molecular Species of Phospholipids, Glycolipids, Betaine Lipids, and Sphingophosphonolipids.}, journal = {Marine drugs}, volume = {21}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {37367660}, issn = {1660-3397}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/microbiology ; Phospholipids ; Ecosystem ; Lipidomics ; Betaine ; Glycolipids ; Coral Reefs ; Phosphatidylcholines ; *Dinoflagellida ; Phosphatidylglycerols ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Coral reefs are the most biodiversity-rich ecosystems in the world's oceans. Coral establishes complex interactions with various microorganisms that constitute an important part of the coral holobiont. The best-known coral endosymbionts are Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates. Each member of the coral microbiome contributes to its total lipidome, which integrates many molecular species. The present study summarizes available information on the molecular species of the plasma membrane lipids of the coral host and its dinoflagellates (phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol (PI), ceramideaminoethylphosphonate, and diacylglyceryl-3-O-carboxyhydroxymethylcholine), and the thylakoid membrane lipids of dinoflagellates (phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and glycolipids). Alkyl chains of PC and PE molecular species differ between tropical and cold-water coral species, and features of their acyl chains depend on the coral's taxonomic position. PS and PI structural features are associated with the presence of an exoskeleton in the corals. The dinoflagellate thermosensitivity affects the profiles of PG and glycolipid molecular species, which can be modified by the coral host. Coral microbiome members, such as bacteria and fungi, can also be the source of the alkyl and acyl chains of coral membrane lipids. The lipidomics approach, providing broader and more detailed information about coral lipid composition, opens up new opportunities in the study of biochemistry and ecology of corals.}, }
@article {pmid37367356, year = {2023}, author = {Bazukyan, I and Georgieva-Miteva, D and Velikova, T and Dimov, SG}, title = {In Silico Probiogenomic Characterization of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis A4 Strain Isolated from an Armenian Honeybee Gut.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {37367356}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {21T-2I019//Science Committee of the Republic of Armenia/ ; 2022//Yerevan State University in the frames of inner research projects/ ; BG-RRP-2.004-0008-C01//European Union-NextGenerationEU, through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria/ ; }, abstract = {A Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis strain named A4, isolated from the gut of an Armenian honeybee, was subjected to a probiogenomic characterization because of its unusual origin. A whole-genome sequencing was performed, and the bioinformatic analysis of its genome revealed a reduction in the genome size and the number of the genes-a process typical for the adaptation to endosymbiotic conditions. Further analysis of the genome revealed that Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis strain named A4 could play the role of a probiotic endosymbiont because of the presence of intact genetic sequences determining antioxidant properties, exopolysaccharides synthesis, adhesion properties, and biofilm formation, as well as an antagonistic activity against some pathogens which is not due to pH or bacteriocins production. Additionally, the genomic analysis revealed significant potential for stress tolerance, such as extreme pH, osmotic stress, and high temperature. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a potentially endosymbiotic Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis strain adapted to and playing beneficial roles for its host.}, }
@article {pmid37364116, year = {2023}, author = {Macorano, L and Binny, TM and Spiegl, T and Klimenko, V and Singer, A and Oberleitner, L and Applegate, V and Seyffert, S and Stefanski, A and Gremer, L and Gertzen, CGW and Höppner, A and Smits, SHJ and Nowack, ECM}, title = {DNA-binding and protein structure of nuclear factors likely acting in genetic information processing in the Paulinella chromatophore.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {120}, number = {27}, pages = {e2221595120}, pmid = {37364116}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Biological Evolution ; Photosynthesis/genetics ; *Rhizaria ; *Chromatophores/metabolism ; *Anti-Infective Agents/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The chromatophores in Paulinella are evolutionary-early-stage photosynthetic organelles. Biological processes in chromatophores depend on a combination of chromatophore and nucleus-encoded proteins. Interestingly, besides proteins carrying chromatophore-targeting signals, a large arsenal of short chromatophore-targeted proteins (sCTPs; <90 amino acids) without recognizable targeting signals were found in chromatophores. This situation resembles endosymbionts in plants and insects that are manipulated by host-derived antimicrobial peptides. Previously, we identified an expanded family of sCTPs of unknown function, named here "DNA-binding (DB)-sCTPs". DB-sCTPs contain a ~45 amino acid motif that is conserved in some bacterial proteins with predicted functions in DNA processing. Here, we explored antimicrobial activity, DNA-binding capacity, and structures of three purified recombinant DB-sCTPs. All three proteins exhibited antimicrobial activity against bacteria involving membrane permeabilization, and bound to bacterial lipids in vitro. A combination of in vitro assays demonstrated binding of recombinant DB-sCTPs to chromatophore-derived genomic DNA sequences with an affinity in the low nM range. Additionally, we report the 1.2 Å crystal structure of one DB-sCTP. In silico docking studies suggest that helix α2 inserts into the DNA major grove and the exposed residues, that are highly variable between different DB-sCTPs, confer interaction with the DNA bases. Identification of photosystem II subunit CP43 as a potential interaction partner of one DB-sCTP, suggests DB-sCTPs to be involved in more complex regulatory mechanisms. We hypothesize that membrane binding of DB-sCTPs is related to their import into chromatophores. Once inside, they interact with the chromatophore genome potentially providing nuclear control over genetic information processing.}, }
@article {pmid37363264, year = {2023}, author = {Gashururu, RS and Maingi, N and Githigia, SM and Getange, DO and Ntivuguruzwa, JB and Habimana, R and Cecchi, G and Gashumba, J and Bargul, JL and Masiga, DK}, title = {Trypanosomes infection, endosymbionts, and host preferences in tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) collected from Akagera park region, Rwanda: A correlational xenomonitoring study.}, journal = {One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands)}, volume = {16}, number = {}, pages = {100550}, pmid = {37363264}, issn = {2352-7714}, abstract = {Akagera National Park and its surroundings are home to tsetse flies and a number of their mammalian hosts in Rwanda. A One-health approach is being used in the control and surveillance of both animal and human trypanosomosis in Rwanda. Determination of the infection level in tsetse flies, species of trypanosomes circulating in vectors, the source of tsetse blood meal and endosymbionts is crucial in understanding the epidemiology of the disease in animals and humans in the region. Tsetse flies (n = 1101), comprising Glossina pallidipes (n = 771) and Glossina morsitans centralis (n = 330) were collected from Akagera park and surrounding areas between May 2018 and June 2019. The flies were screened for trypanosomes, vertebrate host DNA to identify sources of blood meal, and endosymbionts by PCR - High Resolution Melting analysis and amplicon sequencing. The feeding frequency and the feeding indices (selection index - W) were calculated to identify the preferred hosts. An overall trypanosome infection rate of 13.9% in the fly's Head and Proboscis (HP) and 24.3% in the Thorax and Abdomen (TA) were found. Eight trypanosome species were identified in the tsetse fly HP and TA, namely: Trypanosoma (T.) brucei brucei, T. congolense Kilifi, T. congolense savannah, T. vivax, T. simiae, T. evansi, T. godfreyi, T. grayi and T. theileri. We found no evidence of human-infective T. brucei rhodesiense. We also identified eighteen species of vertebrate hosts that tsetse flies fed on, and the most frequent one was the buffalo (Syncerus caffer) (36.5%). The frequently detected host by selection index was the rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) (W = 16.2). Most trypanosome infections in tsetse flies were associated with the buffalo blood meal. The prevalence of tsetse endosymbionts Sodalis and Wolbachia was 2.8% and 4.8%, respectively. No Spiroplasma and Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus were detected. These findings implicate the buffaloes as the important reservoirs of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomes in the area. This contributes to predicting the main cryptic reservoirs and therefore guiding the effective control of the disease. The study findings provide the key scientific information that supports the current One Health collaboration in the control and surveillance of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis in Rwanda.}, }
@article {pmid37362913, year = {2023}, author = {Beckmann, J and Gillespie, J and Tauritz, D}, title = {Modeling emergence of Wolbachia toxin-antidote protein functions with an evolutionary algorithm.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1116766}, pmid = {37362913}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Evolutionary algorithms (EAs) simulate Darwinian evolution and adeptly mimic natural evolution. Most EA applications in biology encode high levels of abstraction in top-down population ecology models. In contrast, our research merges protein alignment algorithms from bioinformatics into codon based EAs that simulate molecular protein string evolution from the bottom up. We apply our EA to reconcile a problem in the field of Wolbachia induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Wolbachia is a microbial endosymbiont that lives inside insect cells. CI is conditional insect sterility that operates as a toxin antidote (TA) system. Although, CI exhibits complex phenotypes not fully explained under a single discrete model. We instantiate in-silico genes that control CI, CI factors (cifs), as strings within the EA chromosome. We monitor the evolution of their enzymatic activity, binding, and cellular localization by applying selective pressure on their primary amino acid strings. Our model helps rationalize why two distinct mechanisms of CI induction might coexist in nature. We find that nuclear localization signals (NLS) and Type IV secretion system signals (T4SS) are of low complexity and evolve fast, whereas binding interactions have intermediate complexity, and enzymatic activity is the most complex. Our model predicts that as ancestral TA systems evolve into eukaryotic CI systems, the placement of NLS or T4SS signals can stochastically vary, imparting effects that might impact CI induction mechanics. Our model highlights how preconditions and sequence length can bias evolution of cifs toward one mechanism or another.}, }
@article {pmid37347285, year = {2023}, author = {Ehlers, LP and Slaviero, M and De Lorenzo, C and Fagundes-Moreira, R and de Souza, VK and Perles, L and Baggio-Souza, V and Bezerra-Santos, MA and Modrý, D and Benovics, M and Panziera, W and Driemeier, D and Pavarini, SP and Soares, JF and Otranto, D and Sonne, L}, title = {Pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. (Spirurida, Onchocercidae) infection in two species of Neotropical monkeys from Brazil.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {122}, number = {9}, pages = {1973-1982}, pmid = {37347285}, issn = {1432-1955}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dipetalonema/genetics ; *Spirurida/genetics ; Brazil/epidemiology ; Haplorhini/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Filarioidea/genetics ; *Dipetalonema Infections/parasitology ; *Nematoda/genetics ; }, abstract = {Among vector-borne helminths, filarioids of the genus Dipetalonema (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) localize in several tissues and body cavities of several animal species, causing mild to moderate lesions. The pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. infection in Neotropical monkeys from southern Brazil are herein described, along with a fatal case due to filarial polyserositis and entrapment of an intestinal segment. At necropsy, nematodes were observed in abdominal and thoracic cavities, or in the pericardium of 37 (31.3%) out of the 118 individuals examined (i.e., 35 Alouatta guariba clamitans and two Sapajus nigritus). In addition, at histology, 27.0% of positive animals presented microfilarie (inside blood vessels of lung, spleen, liver, and brain) and 8.1% presented adult nematodes in the heart, lung, and liver. In two cases, cross-sections of filarioids were associated with areas of epicardial thickening with intense fibrosis and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the brain, heart, liver, lungs, or spleen. The DNA fragment was amplify using the cox1 gene, sequenced and analyzed to identify the nematode species collected; presence of Wolbachia was assessed in the filarioids using the 16S rRNA gene. At BLAST analysis of the cox1 gene, 10 sequences showed 91.7% nucleotide identity with Dipetalonema gracile, and two with D. gracile (98.5%) and Dipetalonema graciliformis (98.3%). Phylogenetic analyses clustered sequences of the cox1 obtained in this study in two clades corresponding with the host species. Wolbachia sp. endosymbiont was detected in four samples. Data herein reported provide a description of pathological lesions associated with the infection by Dipetalonema spp., suggesting that they may cause disease in Neotropical monkeys. In addition, a better understanding of diversity and biology of Dipetalonema spp. in South America is needed to assess the impact they may cause in native non-human primates from Brazil.}, }
@article {pmid37345405, year = {2023}, author = {Gao, YF and Ren, YJ and Chen, JC and Cao, LJ and Qiao, GH and Zong, SX and Hoffmann, AA and Wei, SJ and Yang, Q}, title = {Effects of fungicides on fitness and Buchnera endosymbiont density in Aphis gossypii.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {79}, number = {11}, pages = {4282-4289}, doi = {10.1002/ps.7625}, pmid = {37345405}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {2021BEF03002//Grains Research Program of Ningxia Science and Technology Department/ ; UOM1906-002RTX//Development Corporation (Australia)/ ; KJCX20220409//Program of Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Several agricultural fungicides are known to affect insect pests directly and these effects may be transgenerational and mediated through impacts on endosymbionts, providing opportunities for pest control. The cotton aphid Aphis gossypii is a polyphagous pest that can cause large crop yield losses. Here, we tested the effects of three fungicides, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin and chlorothalonil, on the fitness and Buchnera endosymbiont of A. gossypii.<br><br>RESULTS: The formulations of trifloxystrobin and pyraclostrobin, and the active ingredient of pyraclostrobin produced dose-dependent mortality in A. gossypii, whereas there was no dose-dependent mortality for chlorothalonil. The formulations of trifloxystrobin and pyraclostrobin significantly reduced the lifespan and fecundity of A. gossypii, and increased the density of Buchnera in the parental generation but not the (unexposed) F1 . When the active ingredient of pyraclostrobin was tested, the lifespan of the F0 generation was also reduced, but the density of Buchnera was not, indicating that non-insecticidal chemicals in the fungicide formulation may affect the density of the endosymbiont of A. gossypii. There was no transgenerational effect of the active ingredient of pyraclostrobin on the lifespan and Buchnera of (unexposed) F1 .<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that formulations of two strobilurin fungicides have immediate impacts on the fitness of A. gossypii, and chemicals in the formulation impact the density of the primary Buchnera endosymbiont. Our study highlights the potential effects of non-insecticidal chemicals of fungicides on aphid pests and their primary endosymbionts but direct connections between fitness and Buchnera densities remain unclear. &#xa9; 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid37339742, year = {2023}, author = {Arora, J and Buček, A and Hellemans, S and Beránková, T and Arias, JR and Fisher, BL and Clitheroe, C and Brune, A and Kinjo, Y and Šobotník, J and Bourguignon, T}, title = {Evidence of cospeciation between termites and their gut bacteria on a geological time scale.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {290}, number = {2001}, pages = {20230619}, pmid = {37339742}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; *Isoptera ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Mammals ; }, abstract = {Termites host diverse communities of gut microbes, including many bacterial lineages only found in this habitat. The bacteria endemic to termite guts are transmitted via two routes: a vertical route from parent colonies to daughter colonies and a horizontal route between colonies sometimes belonging to different termite species. The relative importance of both transmission routes in shaping the gut microbiota of termites remains unknown. Using bacterial marker genes derived from the gut metagenomes of 197 termites and one Cryptocercus cockroach, we show that bacteria endemic to termite guts are mostly transferred vertically. We identified 18 lineages of gut bacteria showing cophylogenetic patterns with termites over tens of millions of years. Horizontal transfer rates estimated for 16 bacterial lineages were within the range of those estimated for 15 mitochondrial genes, suggesting that horizontal transfers are uncommon and vertical transfers are the dominant transmission route in these lineages. Some of these associations probably date back more than 150 million years and are an order of magnitude older than the cophylogenetic patterns between mammalian hosts and their gut bacteria. Our results suggest that termites have cospeciated with their gut bacteria since first appearing in the geological record.}, }
@article {pmid37323942, year = {2023}, author = {Awori, RM and Waturu, CN and Pidot, SJ and Amugune, NO and Bode, HB}, title = {Draft genomes, phylogenomic reconstruction and comparative genome analysis of three Xenorhabdus strains isolated from soil-dwelling nematodes in Kenya.}, journal = {Access microbiology}, volume = {5}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {37323942}, issn = {2516-8290}, abstract = {As a proven source of potent and selective antimicrobials, Xenorhabdus bacteria are important to an age plagued with difficult-to-treat microbial infections. Yet, only 27 species have been described to date. In this study, a novel Xenorhabdus species was discovered through genomic studies on three isolates from Kenyan soils. Soils in Western Kenya were surveyed for steinernematids and Steinernema isolates VH1 and BG5 were recovered from red volcanic loam soils from cultivated land in Vihiga and clay soils from riverine land in Bungoma respectively. From the two nematode isolates, Xenorhabdus sp. BG5 and Xenorhabdus sp. VH1 were isolated. The genomes of these two, plus that of X. griffiniae XN45 - this was previously isolated from Steinernema sp. scarpo that also originated from Kenyan soils - were sequenced and assembled. Nascent genome assemblies of the three isolates were of good quality with over 70 % of their proteome having known functions. These three isolates formed the X. griffiniae clade in a phylogenomic reconstruction of the genus. Their species were delineated using three overall genome relatedness indices: an unnamed species of the genus, Xenorhabdus sp. BG5, X. griffiniae VH1 and X. griffiniae XN45. A pangenome analysis of this clade revealed that over 70 % of species-specific genes encoded unknown functions. Transposases were linked to genomic islands in Xenorhabdus sp. BG5. Thus, overall genome-related indices sufficiently delineated species of two new Xenorhabdus isolates from Kenya, both of which were closely related to X. griffiniae . The functions encoded by most species-specific genes in the X. griffiniae clade remain unknown.}, }
@article {pmid37323901, year = {2023}, author = {Hyams, Y and Rubin-Blum, M and Rosner, A and Brodsky, L and Rinkevich, Y and Rinkevich, B}, title = {Physiological changes during torpor favor association with Endozoicomonas endosymbionts in the urochordate Botrylloides leachii.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1072053}, pmid = {37323901}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Environmental perturbations evoke down-regulation of metabolism in some multicellular organisms, leading to dormancy, or torpor. Colonies of the urochordate Botrylloides leachii enter torpor in response to changes in seawater temperature and may survive for months as small vasculature remnants that lack feeding and reproductive organs but possess torpor-specific microbiota. Upon returning to milder conditions, the colonies rapidly restore their original morphology, cytology and functionality while harboring re-occurring microbiota, a phenomenon that has not been described in detail to date. Here we investigated the stability of B. leachii microbiome and its functionality in active and dormant colonies, using microscopy, qPCR, in situ hybridization, genomics and transcriptomics. A novel lineage of Endozoicomonas, proposed here as Candidatus Endozoicomonas endoleachii, was dominant in torpor animals (53-79% read abundance), and potentially occupied specific hemocytes found only in torpid animals. Functional analysis of the metagenome-assembled genome and genome-targeted transcriptomics revealed that Endozoicomonas can use various cellular substrates, like amino acids and sugars, potentially producing biotin and thiamine, but also expressing various features involved in autocatalytic symbiosis. Our study suggests that the microbiome can be linked to the metabolic and physiological states of the host, B. leachii, introducing a model organism for the study of symbioses during drastic physiological changes, such as torpor.}, }
@article {pmid37317290, year = {2023}, author = {Massé, A and Detang, J and Duval, C and Duperron, S and Woo, AC and Domart-Coulon, I}, title = {Bacterial Microbiota of Ostreobium, the Coral-Isolated Chlorophyte Ectosymbiont, at Contrasted Salinities.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {37317290}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {ATM 2022 'MIcrobiote Bact&#xe9;rien de l'Ulvophyceae Ostreobium et tol&#xe9;rance &#xe0; la Salinit&#xe9;'//National Museum of Natural History/ ; MNHN 2022 Masters fellowship to Juliette Detang//National Museum of Natural History/ ; MNHN ATER fellowship 2020/2022 to Ana&#xef;s Mass&#xe9;//National Museum of Natural History/ ; MCAM laboratory (CNRS7245-MNHN)//National Museum of Natural History/ ; }, abstract = {Microscopic filaments of the siphonous green algae Ostreobium (Ulvophyceae, Bryopsidales) colonize and dissolve the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral colonies in reefs of contrasted salinities. Here, we analyzed their bacterial community's composition and plasticity in response to salinity. Multiple cultures of Pocillopora coral-isolated Ostreobium strains from two distinct rbcL lineages representative of IndoPacific environmental phylotypes were pre-acclimatized (>9 months) to three ecologically relevant reef salinities: 32.9, 35.1, and 40.2 psu. Bacterial phylotypes were visualized for the first time at filament scale by CARD-FISH in algal tissue sections, within siphons, at their surface or in their mucilage. Ostreobium-associated microbiota, characterized by bacterial 16S rDNA metabarcoding of cultured thalli and their corresponding supernatants, were structured by host genotype (Ostreobium strain lineage), with dominant Kiloniellaceae or Rhodospirillaceae (Alphaproteobacteria, Rhodospirillales) depending on Ostreobium lineage, and shifted Rhizobiales' abundances in response to the salinity increase. A small core microbiota composed of seven ASVs (~1.5% of thalli ASVs, 19-36% cumulated proportions) was persistent across three salinities in both genotypes, with putative intracellular Amoebophilaceae and Rickettsiales_AB1, as well as Hyphomonadaceae and Rhodospirillaceae also detected within environmental (Ostreobium-colonized) Pocillopora coral skeletons. This novel knowledge on the taxonomic diversity of Ostreobium bacteria paves the way to functional interaction studies within the coral holobiont.}, }
@article {pmid37317070, year = {2023}, author = {Aspinwall, JA and Jarvis, SM and Noh, SM and Brayton, KA}, title = {The Effect of Rickettsia bellii on Anaplasma marginale Infection in Dermacentor andersoni Cell Culture.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {37317070}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {2018-67015-28304//United States Department of Agriculture/ ; }, abstract = {Anaplasma marginale is a tick-borne pathogen that causes bovine anaplasmosis, which affects cattle around the world. Despite its broad prevalence and severe economic impacts, limited treatments exist for this disease. Our lab previously reported that a high proportion of Rickettsia bellii, a tick endosymbiont, in the microbiome of a population of Dermacentor andersoni ticks negatively impacts the ticks' ability to acquire A. marginale. To better understand this correlation, we used mixed infection of A. marginale and R. bellii in D. andersoni cell culture. We assessed the impacts of different amounts of R. bellii in coinfections, as well as established R. bellii infection, on the ability of A. marginale to establish an infection and grow in D. andersoni cells. From these experiments, we conclude that A. marginale is less able to establish an infection in the presence of R. bellii and that an established R. bellii infection inhibits A. marginale replication. This interaction highlights the importance of the microbiome in preventing tick vector competence and may lead to the development of a biological or mechanistic control for A. marginale transmission by the tick.}, }
@article {pmid37303533, year = {2023}, author = {Rodríguez, L and Peñalver, M and Casino, P and García-Del Portillo, F}, title = {Evolutionary analysis and structure modelling of the Rcs-repressor IgaA unveil a functional role of two cytoplasmic small β-barrel (SBB) domains.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {9}, number = {6}, pages = {e16661}, pmid = {37303533}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {The Rcs sensor system, comprising the RcsB/RcsC/RcsD and RcsF proteins, is used by bacteria of the order Enterobacterales to withstand envelope damage. In non-stress conditions, Rcs is repressed by IgaA, a membrane protein with three cytoplasmic regions (cyt-1, cyt-2 and cyt-3). How the Rcs-IgaA axis evolved within Enterobacterales has not been yet explored. Here, we report phylogenetic data supporting co-evolution of IgaA with RcsC/RcsD. Functional exchange assays showed that IgaA from Shigella and Dickeya, but not from Yersinia or the endosymbionts Photorhabdus and Sodalis, repress the Rcs system of Salmonella. IgaA from Dickeya, however, repress only partially the Rcs system despite being produced at high levels in the complementation assay. The modelled structures of these IgaA variants uncovered one periplasmic and two cytoplasmic conserved β-rich architectures forming partially closed small β-barrel (SBB) domains. Conserved residues map in a connector linking cytoplasmic SSB-1 and SBB-2 domains (E180-R265); a region of cyt-1 facing cyt-2 (R188-E194-D309 and T191-H326); and between cyt-2 and cyt-3 (H293-E328-R686). These structures validated early in vivo studies in Salmonella that assigned a role in function to R188, T191 and G262, and in addition revealed a previously unnoticed "hybrid" SBB-2 domain to which cyt-1 and cyt-2 contribute. IgaA variants not functional or partially functional in Salmonella lack H192-P249 and R255-D313 interactions. Among these variants, only IgaA from Dickeya conserves the helix α6 in SSB-1 that is present in IgaA from Salmonella and Shigella. RcsF and RcsD, which interact directly with IgaA, failed to show structural features linked to specific IgaA variants. Altogether, our data provide new insights into IgaA by mapping residues selected differently during evolution and involved in function. Our data also infer contrasting lifestyles of Enterobacterales bacteria as source of variability in the IgaA-RcsD/IgaA-RcsF interactions.}, }
@article {pmid37301202, year = {2023}, author = {Richter, I and Wein, P and Uzum, Z and Stanley, CE and Krabbe, J and Molloy, EM and Moebius, N and Ferling, I and Hillmann, F and Hertweck, C}, title = {Transcription activator-like effector protects bacterial endosymbionts from entrapment within fungal hyphae.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {33}, number = {13}, pages = {2646-2656.e4}, pmid = {37301202}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {*Transcription Activator-Like Effectors ; *Hyphae ; Bacteria ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {As an endosymbiont of the ecologically and medically relevant fungus Rhizopus microsporus, the toxin-producing bacterium Mycetohabitans rhizoxinica faces myriad challenges, such as evading the host's defense mechanisms. However, the bacterial effector(s) that facilitate the remarkable ability of M. rhizoxinica to freely migrate within fungal hyphae have thus far remained unknown. Here, we show that a transcription activator-like (TAL) effector released by endobacteria is an essential symbiosis factor. By combining microfluidics with fluorescence microscopy, we observed enrichment of TAL-deficient M. rhizoxinica in side hyphae. High-resolution live imaging showed the formation of septa at the base of infected hyphae, leading to the entrapment of endobacteria. Using a LIVE/DEAD stain, we demonstrate that the intracellular survival of trapped TAL-deficient bacteria is significantly reduced compared with wild-type M. rhizoxinica, indicative of a protective host response in the absence of TAL proteins. Subversion of host defense in TAL-competent endobacteria represents an unprecedented function of TAL effectors. Our data illustrate an unusual survival strategy of endosymbionts in the host and provide deeper insights into the dynamic interactions between bacteria and eukaryotes.}, }
@article {pmid37298563, year = {2023}, author = {Fiutek, N and Couger, MB and Pirro, S and Roy, SW and de la Torre, JR and Connor, EF}, title = {Genomic Assessment of the Contribution of the Wolbachia Endosymbiont of Eurosta solidaginis to Gall Induction.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37298563}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {IRGEN_RG_2021-1345/IRGEN/IRGEN/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Tryptophan ; *Tephritidae/metabolism ; Insecta/metabolism ; Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism ; Cytokinins ; Genomics ; }, abstract = {We explored the genome of the Wolbachia strain, wEsol, symbiotic with the plant-gall-inducing fly Eurosta solidaginis with the goal of determining if wEsol contributes to gall induction by its insect host. Gall induction by insects has been hypothesized to involve the secretion of the phytohormones cytokinin and auxin and/or proteinaceous effectors to stimulate cell division and growth in the host plant. We sequenced the metagenome of E. solidaginis and wEsol and assembled and annotated the genome of wEsol. The wEsol genome has an assembled length of 1.66 Mbp and contains 1878 protein-coding genes. The wEsol genome is replete with proteins encoded by mobile genetic elements and shows evidence of seven different prophages. We also detected evidence of multiple small insertions of wEsol genes into the genome of the host insect. Our characterization of the genome of wEsol indicates that it is compromised in the synthesis of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) and S-adenosyl L-methionine (SAM), which are precursors required for the synthesis of cytokinins and methylthiolated cytokinins. wEsol is also incapable of synthesizing tryptophan, and its genome contains no enzymes in any of the known pathways for the synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) from tryptophan. wEsol must steal DMAPP and L-methionine from its host and therefore is unlikely to provide cytokinin and auxin to its insect host for use in gall induction. Furthermore, in spite of its large repertoire of predicted Type IV secreted effector proteins, these effectors are more likely to contribute to the acquisition of nutrients and the manipulation of the host's cellular environment to contribute to growth and reproduction of wEsol than to aid E. solidaginis in manipulating its host plant. Combined with earlier work that shows that wEsol is absent from the salivary glands of E. solidaginis, our results suggest that wEsol does not contribute to gall induction by its host.}, }
@article {pmid37298356, year = {2023}, author = {Mioduchowska, M and Konecka, E and Gołdyn, B and Pinceel, T and Brendonck, L and Lukić, D and Kaczmarek, &#x141; and Namiotko, T and Zając, K and Zając, T and Jastrzębski, JP and Bartoszek, K}, title = {Playing Peekaboo with a Master Manipulator: Metagenetic Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Wolbachia Supergroups in Freshwater Invertebrates.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {37298356}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {2017/01/X/NZ8/01873//National Science Centre/ ; 2017/27/B/NZ8/01056//National Science Centre/ ; 2021/43/D/NZ8/00344//National Science Centre/ ; 538/L260/B149/18//Young Scientists competition of University of Gdansk, Poland/ ; 1220/146/2021//UGrants-first of University of Gdansk, Poland/ ; 7862//European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)/ ; 2017-04951//Vetenskapsr&#xe5;dets Grant/ ; CA18239//COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Ecosystem ; *Arthropods ; Bacteria ; Crustacea ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The infamous "master manipulators"-intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia-infect a broad range of phylogenetically diverse invertebrate hosts in terrestrial ecosystems. Wolbachia has an important impact on the ecology and evolution of their host with documented effects including induced parthenogenesis, male killing, feminization, and cytoplasmic incompatibility. Nonetheless, data on Wolbachia infections in non-terrestrial invertebrates are scarce. Sampling bias and methodological limitations are some of the reasons limiting the detection of these bacteria in aquatic organisms. In this study, we present a new metagenetic method for detecting the co-occurrence of different Wolbachia strains in freshwater invertebrates host species, i.e., freshwater Arthropoda (Crustacea), Mollusca (Bivalvia), and water bears (Tardigrada) by applying NGS primers designed by us and a Python script that allows the identification of Wolbachia target sequences from the microbiome communities. We also compare the results obtained using the commonly applied NGS primers and the Sanger sequencing approach. Finally, we describe three supergroups of Wolbachia: (i) a new supergroup V identified in Crustacea and Bivalvia hosts; (ii) supergroup A identified in Crustacea, Bivalvia, and Eutardigrada hosts, and (iii) supergroup E infection in the Crustacea host microbiome community.}, }
@article {pmid37296325, year = {2023}, author = {Chaúque, BJM and Corção, G and Benetti, AD and Rott, MB}, title = {A challenge in washing water with the sun: 24h of SODIS fails to inactivate Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts and internalized Pseudomonas aeruginosa under strong real sun conditions.}, journal = {Photochemical &amp; photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology}, volume = {22}, number = {9}, pages = {2179-2188}, pmid = {37296325}, issn = {1474-9092}, mesh = {Humans ; Sunlight ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; *Acanthamoeba castellanii ; Disinfection ; *Drinking Water ; *Water Purification ; Bacteria ; Water Microbiology ; }, abstract = {Despite access to drinking water being a basic human right, the availability of safe drinking water remains a privilege that many do not have and as a result, many lives are lost each year due to waterborne diseases associated with the consumption of biologically unsafe water. To face this situation, different low-cost household drinking water treatment technologies (HDWT) have been developed, and among them is solar disinfection (SODIS). Despite the effectiveness of SODIS and the epidemiological gains being consistently documented in the literature, there is a lack of evidence of the effectiveness of the batch-SODIS process against protozoan cysts as well as their internalized bacteria under real sun conditions. This work evaluated the effectiveness of the batch-SODIS process on the viability of Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts, and internalized Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Dechlorinated tap water contaminated with 5.6 × 10[3] cysts/L, contained in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, was exposed for 8 h a day to strong sunlight (531-1083 W/m[2] of maximum insolation) for 3 consecutive days. The maximum water temperature inside the reactors ranged from 37 to 50 °C. Cyst viability was assessed by inducing excystment on non-nutrient agar, or in water with heat-inactivated Escherichia coli. After sun exposure for 0, 8, 16 and 24 h, the cysts remained viable and without any perceptible impairment in their ability to excyst. 3 and 5.5 log CFU/mL of P. aeruginosa were detected in water containing untreated and treated cysts, respectively, after 3 days of incubation at 30 °C. The batch-SODIS process is unable to inactivate A. castellanii cysts as well as its internalized bacteria. Although the use of batch SODIS by communities should continue to be encouraged, SODIS-disinfected water should be consumed within 3 days.}, }
@article {pmid37292783, year = {2023}, author = {Samaddar, S and O'Neal, AJ and Marnin, L and Rolandelli, A and Singh, N and Wang, X and Butler, LR and Rangghran, P and Laukaitis, HJ and Cabrera Paz, FE and Fiskum, GM and Polster, BM and Pedra, JHF}, title = {Metabolic disruption impacts tick fitness and microbial relationships.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37292783}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {F31 AI152215/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI162579/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P01 AI138949/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD025101/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; F31 AI167471/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI116523/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI134696/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI049424/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Arthropod-borne microbes rely on the metabolic state of a host to cycle between evolutionarily distant species. For instance, arthropod tolerance to infection may be due to redistribution of metabolic resources, often leading to microbial transmission to mammals. Conversely, metabolic alterations aids in pathogen elimination in humans, who do not ordinarily harbor arthropod-borne microbes. To ascertain the effect of metabolism on interspecies relationships, we engineered a system to evaluate glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in the tick Ixodes scapularis. Using a metabolic flux assay, we determined that the rickettsial bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which are transstadially transmitted in nature, induced glycolysis in ticks. On the other hand, the endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri, which is transovarially maintained, had a minimal effect on I. scapularis bioenergetics. Importantly, the metabolite β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) was elevated during A. phagocytophilum infection of tick cells following an unbiased metabolomics approach. Thus, we manipulated the expression of genes associated with the catabolism and anabolism of BAIBA in I. scapularis and detected impaired feeding on mammals, reduced bacterial acquisition, and decreased tick survival. Collectively, we reveal the importance of metabolism for tick-microbe relationships and unveil a valuable metabolite for I. scapularis fitness.}, }
@article {pmid37290396, year = {2023}, author = {Matulis, GA and Sakolvaree, J and Boldbaatar, B and Cleary, N and Takhampunya, R and Poole-Smith, BK and Lilak, AA and Altantogtokh, D and Tsogbadrakh, N and Chanarat, N and Youngdech, N and Lindroth, EJ and Fiorenzano, JM and Letizia, AG and von Fricken, ME}, title = {Applying next generation sequencing to detect tick-pathogens in Dermacentor nuttalli, Ixodes persulcatus, and Hyalomma asiaticum collected from Mongolia.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {14}, number = {5}, pages = {102203}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102203}, pmid = {37290396}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Dermacentor/microbiology ; Mongolia ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; *Borrelia/genetics ; *Francisella/genetics ; }, abstract = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases represent major threats to the public health of the Mongolian population, of which an estimated 26% live a traditional nomadic pastoralist lifestyle that puts them at increased risk for exposure. Ticks were collected by dragging and removal from livestock in Khentii, Selenge, Tuv, and Umnugovi aimags (provinces) during March-May 2020. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) with confirmatory PCR and DNA sequencing, we sought to characterize the microbial species present in Dermacentor nuttalli (n = 98), Hyalomma asiaticum (n = 38), and Ixodes persulcatus (n = 72) tick pools. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 90.4% of tick pools, with Khentii, Selenge, and Tuv tick pools all having 100% pool positivity. Coxiella spp. were detected at an overall pool positivity rate of 60%, while Francisella spp. were detected in 20% of pools and Borrelia spp. detected in 13% of pools. Additional confirmatory testing for Rickettsia-positive pools demonstrated Rickettsia raoultii (n = 105), Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae (n = 65) and R. slovaca/R. sibirica (n = 2), as well as the first report of Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (n = 1) in Mongolia. For Coxiella spp. reads, most samples were identified as a Coxiella endosymbiont (n = 117), although Coxiella burnetii was detected in eight pools collected in Umnugovi. Borrelia species that were identified include Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (n = 3), B. garinii (n = 2), B. miyamotoi (n = 16), and B. afzelii (n = 3). All Francisella spp. reads were identified as Francisella endosymbiont species. Our findings emphasize the utility of NGS to provide baseline data across multiple tick-borne pathogen groups, which in turn can be used to inform health policy, determine regions for expanded surveillance, and guide risk mitigation strategies.}, }
@article {pmid37286189, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, Q and Gill, A and Robinson, KL and Umina, PA and Ross, PA and Zhan, D and Brown, C and Bell, N and MacMahon, A and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {A diversity of endosymbionts across Australian aphids and their persistence in aphid cultures.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {25}, number = {10}, pages = {1988-2001}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16432}, pmid = {37286189}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Australia ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Serratia/genetics ; }, abstract = {There is increasing interest in the use of endosymbionts in pest control, which will benefit from the identification of endosymbionts from potential donor species for transfer to pest species. Here, we screened for endosymbionts in 123 Australian aphid samples across 32 species using 16S DNA metabarcoding. We then developed a qPCR method to validate the metabarcoding data set and to monitor endosymbiont persistence in aphid cultures. Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) were frequently coinfected with Rickettsiella and Serratia, and glasshouse potato aphids (Aulacorthum solani) were coinfected with Regiella and Spiroplasma; other secondary endosymbionts detected in samples occurred by themselves. Hamiltonella, Rickettsia and Wolbachia were restricted to a single aphid species, whereas Regiella was found in multiple species. Rickettsiella, Hamiltonella and Serratia were stably maintained in laboratory cultures, although others were lost rapidly. The overall incidence of secondary endosymbionts in Australian samples tended to be lower than recorded from aphids overseas. These results indicate that aphid endosymbionts probably exhibit different levels of infectivity and vertical transmission efficiency across hosts, which may contribute to natural infection patterns. The rapid loss of some endosymbionts in cultures raises questions about factors that maintain them under field conditions, while endosymbionts that persisted in laboratory culture provide candidates for interspecific transfers.}, }
@article {pmid37285901, year = {2023}, author = {Nadal-Jimenez, P and Frost, CL and Cláudia Norte, A and Garrido-Bautista, J and Wilkes, TE and Connell, R and Rice, A and Krams, I and Eeva, T and Christe, P and Moreno-Rueda, G and Hurst, GDD}, title = {The son-killer microbe Arsenophonus nasoniae is a widespread associate of the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis in Europe.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {199}, number = {}, pages = {107947}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2023.107947}, pmid = {37285901}, issn = {1096-0805}, support = {BB/S017534/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Wasps/microbiology ; Nuclear Family ; *Gammaproteobacteria ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Insecta ; Europe ; }, abstract = {Heritable microbes that exhibit reproductive parasitism are common in insects. One class of these are the male-killing bacteria, which are found in a broad range of insect hosts. Commonly, our knowledge of the incidence of these microbes is based on one or a few sampling sites, and the degree and causes of spatial variation are unclear. In this paper, we examine the incidence of the son-killer microbe Arsenophonus nasoniae across European populations of its wasp host, Nasonia vitripennis. In preliminary work, we noticed two female N. vitripennis producing highly female biased sex ratios in a field study from the Netherlands and Germany. When tested, the brood from Germany was revealed to be infected with A. nasoniae. We then completed a broad survey in 2012, in which fly pupal hosts of N. vitripennis were collected from vacated birds' nests from four European populations, N. vitripennis wasps allowed to emerge and then tested for A. nasoniae presence through PCR assay. We then developed a new screening methodology based on direct PCR assays of fly pupae and applied this to ethanol-preserved material collected from great tit (Parus major) nests in Portugal. These data show A. nasoniae is found widely in European N. vitripennis, being present in Germany, the UK, Finland, Switzerland and Portugal. Samples varied in the frequency with which they carry A. nasoniae, from being rare to being present in 50% of the pupae parasitised by N. vitripennis. Direct screening of ethanol-preserved fly pupae was an effective method for revealing both wasp and A. nasoniae infection, and will facilitate sample transport across national boundaries. Future research should examine the causes of variation in frequency, in particular testing the hypothesis that N. vitripennis superparasitism rates drive the variation in A. nasoniae frequency through providing opportunities for infectious transmission.}, }
@article {pmid37285552, year = {2023}, author = {Hochstrasser, M}, title = {Molecular Biology of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Caused by Wolbachia Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Annual review of microbiology}, volume = {77}, number = {}, pages = {299-316}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-micro-041020-024616}, pmid = {37285552}, issn = {1545-3251}, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Humans ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Semen ; Reproduction/genetics ; Cytoplasm ; Molecular Biology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Among endosymbiotic bacteria living within eukaryotic cells, Wolbachia is exceptionally widespread, particularly in arthropods. Inherited through the female germline, it has evolved ways to increase the fraction of bacterially infected offspring by inducing parthenogenesis, feminization, male killing, or, most commonly, cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). In CI, Wolbachia infection of males causes embryonic lethality unless they mate with similarly infected females, creating a relative reproductive advantage for infected females. A set of related Wolbachia bicistronic operons encodes the CI-inducing factors. The downstream gene encodes a deubiquitylase or nuclease and is responsible for CI induction by males, while the upstream product when expressed in females binds its sperm-introduced cognate partner and rescues viability. Both toxin-antidote and host-modification mechanisms have been proposed to explain CI. Interestingly, male killing by either Spiroplasma or Wolbachia endosymbionts involves deubiquitylases as well. Interference with the host ubiquitin system may therefore be a common theme among endosymbiont-mediated reproductive alterations.}, }
@article {pmid37278210, year = {2023}, author = {Xu, X and Hoffmann, AA and Umina, PA and Ward, SE and Coquilleau, MP and Malipatil, MB and Ridland, PM}, title = {Molecular identification of hymenopteran parasitoids and their endosymbionts from agromyzids.}, journal = {Bulletin of entomological research}, volume = {113}, number = {4}, pages = {481-496}, doi = {10.1017/S0007485323000160}, pmid = {37278210}, issn = {1475-2670}, support = {MT20005//Hort Innovation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Wasps/genetics ; *Diptera/genetics ; Australia ; Crops, Agricultural ; DNA ; }, abstract = {Three polyphagous pest Liriomyza spp. (Diptera: Agromyzidae) have recently invaded Australia and are damaging horticultural crops. Parasitic wasps are recognized as effective natural enemies of leafmining species globally and are expected to become important biocontrol agents in Australia. However, the hymenopteran parasitoid complex of agromyzids in Australia is poorly known and its use hindered due to taxonomic challenges when based on morphological characters. Here, we identified 14 parasitoid species of leafminers based on molecular and morphological data. We linked DNA barcodes (5' end cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences) to five adventive eulophid wasp species (Chrysocharis pubicornis (Zetterstedt), Diglyphus isaea (Walker), Hemiptarsenus varicornis (Girault), Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood), and Neochrysocharis okazakii Kamijo) and two braconid species (Dacnusa areolaris (Nees) and Opius cinerariae Fischer). We also provide the first DNA barcodes (5' end COI sequences) with linked morphological characters for seven wasp species, with three identified to species level (Closterocerus mirabilis Edwards &amp; La Salle, Trigonogastrella parasitica (Girault), and Zagrammosoma latilineatum Ubaidillah) and four identified to genus (Aprostocetus sp., Asecodes sp., Opius sp. 1, and Opius sp. 2). Phylogenetic analyses suggest C. pubicornis, D. isaea, H. varicornis, and O. cinerariae are likely cryptic species complexes. Neochrysocharis formosa and Aprostocetus sp. specimens were infected with Rickettsia. Five other species (Cl. mirabilis, D. isaea, H. varicornis, Opius sp. 1, and Opius sp. 2) were infected with Wolbachia, while two endosymbionts (Rickettsia and Wolbachia) co-infected N. okazakii. These findings provide background information about the parasitoid fauna expected to help control the leafminers.}, }
@article {pmid37267326, year = {2023}, author = {Spencer, N and Łukasik, P and Meyer, M and Veloso, C and McCutcheon, JP}, title = {No Transcriptional Compensation for Extreme Gene Dosage Imbalance in Fragmented Bacterial Endosymbionts of Cicadas.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {37267326}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Flavobacteriaceae/genetics ; *Alphaproteobacteria/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; Gene Dosage ; Evolution, Molecular ; }, abstract = {Bacteria that form long-term intracellular associations with host cells lose many genes, a process that often results in tiny, gene-dense, and stable genomes. Paradoxically, the some of the same evolutionary processes that drive genome reduction and simplification may also cause genome expansion and complexification. A bacterial endosymbiont of cicadas, Hodgkinia cicadicola, exemplifies this paradox. In many cicada species, a single Hodgkinia lineage with a tiny, gene-dense genome has split into several interdependent cell and genome lineages. Each new Hodgkinia lineage encodes a unique subset of the ancestral unsplit genome in a complementary way, such that the collective gene contents of all lineages match the total found in the ancestral single genome. This splitting creates genetically distinct Hodgkinia cells that must function together to carry out basic cellular processes. It also creates a gene dosage problem where some genes are encoded by only a small fraction of cells while others are much more abundant. Here, by sequencing DNA and RNA of Hodgkinia from different cicada species with different amounts of splitting-along with its structurally stable, unsplit partner endosymbiont Sulcia muelleri-we show that Hodgkinia does not transcriptionally compensate to rescue the wildly unbalanced gene and genome ratios that result from lineage splitting. We also find that Hodgkinia has a reduced capacity for basic transcriptional control independent of the splitting process. Our findings reveal another layer of degeneration further pushing the limits of canonical molecular and cell biology in Hodgkinia and may partially explain its propensity to go extinct through symbiont replacement.}, }
@article {pmid37264036, year = {2023}, author = {Armstrong, EJ and Lê-Hoang, J and Carradec, Q and Aury, JM and Noel, B and Hume, BCC and Voolstra, CR and Poulain, J and Belser, C and Paz-García, DA and Cruaud, C and Labadie, K and Da Silva, C and Moulin, C and Boissin, E and Bourdin, G and Iwankow, G and Romac, S and Agostini, S and Banaigs, B and Boss, E and Bowler, C and de Vargas, C and Douville, E and Flores, M and Forcioli, D and Furla, P and Galand, PE and Gilson, E and Lombard, F and Pesant, S and Reynaud, S and Sullivan, MB and Sunagawa, S and Thomas, OP and Troublé, R and Thurber, RV and Zoccola, D and Planes, S and Allemand, D and Wincker, P}, title = {Host transcriptomic plasticity and photosymbiotic fidelity underpin Pocillopora acclimatization across thermal regimes in the Pacific Ocean.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {3056}, pmid = {37264036}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Animals ; Pacific Ocean ; *Transcriptome/genetics ; *Anthozoa/genetics ; Acclimatization/genetics ; Coral Reefs ; }, abstract = {Heat waves are causing declines in coral reefs globally. Coral thermal responses depend on multiple, interacting drivers, such as past thermal exposure, endosymbiont community composition, and host genotype. This makes the understanding of their relative roles in adaptive and/or plastic responses crucial for anticipating impacts of future warming. Here, we extracted DNA and RNA from 102 Pocillopora colonies collected from 32 sites on 11 islands across the Pacific Ocean to characterize host-photosymbiont fidelity and to investigate patterns of gene expression across a historical thermal gradient. We report high host-photosymbiont fidelity and show that coral and microalgal gene expression respond to different drivers. Differences in photosymbiotic association had only weak impacts on host gene expression, which was more strongly correlated with the historical thermal environment, whereas, photosymbiont gene expression was largely determined by microalgal lineage. Overall, our results reveal a three-tiered strategy of thermal acclimatization in Pocillopora underpinned by host-photosymbiont specificity, host transcriptomic plasticity, and differential photosymbiotic association under extreme warming.}, }
@article {pmid37261959, year = {2023}, author = {Kim, SJ and Jo, J and Ko, KS}, title = {Lipid A modification-induced colistin-resistant Klebsiella variicola from healthy adults.}, journal = {Journal of medical microbiology}, volume = {72}, number = {6}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1099/jmm.0.001680}, pmid = {37261959}, issn = {1473-5644}, mesh = {Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics ; Lipid A/metabolism ; *Colistin/pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Humans ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics ; *Klebsiella Infections ; Adult ; Klebsiella ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; }, abstract = {Background. Klebsiella variicola was once recognised as a benign plant-endosymbiont but recent case reports suggest that it is a newly emerging Gram-negative pathogen related to opportunistic infection of multiple sites in humans.Methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using broth microdilution method. To identify colistin resistance mechanisms, phoPQ, pmrAB, and mgrB were sequenced and their mRNA expression was analysed using quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, we tried to detect crrAB and mcr. The lipid A moieties of colistin-susceptible and -resistant isolates were analysed using MALDI-TOF.Results. Among the two K. variicola isolates, one is colistin-resistant, and another is colistin-susceptible. The colistin-resistant K. variicola isolate showed no mutations in phoPQ, pmrAB, and mgrB, and crrAB and mcr were not identified. However, its phoQ and pbgP expression was significantly higher and amino-arabinosylated lipid A with hexa-acylated species in lipopolysaccharide was identified.Conclusions. We found that colistin resistance in K. variicola was mediated by the modification of lipid A. Although the isolate was obtained from faecal samples of healthy adults, colistin-resistant K. variicola challenges public health as an opportunistic pathogen.}, }
@article {pmid37256931, year = {2023}, author = {Liu, M and Hong, G and Li, H and Bing, X and Chen, Y and Jing, X and Gershenzon, J and Lou, Y and Baldwin, IT and Li, R}, title = {Sakuranetin protects rice from brown planthopper attack by depleting its beneficial endosymbionts.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {120}, number = {23}, pages = {e2305007120}, pmid = {37256931}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Antifungal Agents ; Flavonoids/pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Hemiptera ; *Oryza/genetics ; }, abstract = {Plants produce chemical defenses that poison insect herbivores or deter their feeding, but herbivores are also accompanied by microbial endosymbionts crucial for their nutrition, reproduction, and fitness. Hence, plant defenses could target a herbivore's beneficial endosymbionts, but this has not yet been demonstrated. Here, we studied flavonoids that are induced when rice is attacked by a phloem-feeding pest, the brown planthopper (BPH), which harbors beneficial yeast-like symbionts (YLS) essential for insect nutrition, such as by remedying deficiencies in sterols. BPH attack dramatically increased sakuranetin accumulations in leaf sheaths and phloem exudates. Sakuranetin is an antifungal phytoalexin derived from the antibacterial precursor, naringenin, via catalysis of naringenin-O-methyltransferase (NOMT). When added to artificial diets, sakuranetin decreased BPH survivorship, suggesting that it functions as an induced defense. Mutation of NOMT abolished sakuranetin accumulation and increased BPH oviposition and hatching rates. High-throughput amplicon sequencing revealed that BPH fed on sakuranetin-deficient nomt lines were enriched in YLS with only minor changes in the bacterial endosymbionts, compared to those feeding on sakuranetin-rich wild-type (WT) plants. In-vitro feeding of sakuranetin suggested that this flavonoid directly inhibited the growth of YLS. BPH feeding on nomt lines accumulated higher cholesterol levels, which might be attributed to increases in the supply of sterol precursors from the YLS, while nomt lines suffered more damage than WT plants did from BPH herbivory. BPH-elicited accumulation of sakuranetin requires intact jasmonate (JA) signaling. This study reveals that rice uses a JA-induced antifungal flavonoid phytoalexin in defense against BPH by inhibiting its beneficial endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid37250803, year = {2023}, author = {Arai, H and Anbutsu, H and Nishikawa, Y and Kogawa, M and Ishii, K and Hosokawa, M and Lin, SR and Ueda, M and Nakai, M and Kunimi, Y and Harumoto, T and Kageyama, D and Takeyama, H and Inoue, MN}, title = {Combined actions of bacteriophage-encoded genes in Wolbachia-induced male lethality.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {26}, number = {6}, pages = {106842}, pmid = {37250803}, issn = {2589-0042}, abstract = {Some Wolbachia endosymbionts induce male killing, whereby male offspring of infected females are killed during development; however, the origin and diversity of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identified a 76 kbp prophage region specific to male-killing Wolbachia hosted by the moth Homona magnanima. The prophage encoded a homolog of the male-killing gene oscar in Ostrinia moths and the wmk gene that induces various toxicities in Drosophila melanogaster. Upon overexpressing these genes in D. melanogaster, wmk-1 and wmk-3 killed all males and most females, whereas Hm-oscar, wmk-2, and wmk-4 had no impact on insect survival. Strikingly, co-expression of tandemly arrayed wmk-3 and wmk-4 killed 90% of males and restored 70% of females, suggesting their conjugated functions for male-specific lethality. While the male-killing gene in the native host remains unknown, our findings highlight the role of bacteriophages in male-killing evolution and differences in male-killing mechanisms among insects.}, }
@article {pmid37247378, year = {2023}, author = {Oladipupo, SO and Laidoudi, Y and Beckmann, JF and Hu, XP and Appel, AG}, title = {The prevalence of Wolbachia in multiple cockroach species and its implication for urban insect management.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {116}, number = {4}, pages = {1307-1316}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toad098}, pmid = {37247378}, issn = {1938-291X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Biotin/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; Insecta ; *Bedbugs ; *Blattellidae ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Cockroach management relies heavily on the use of conventional insecticides in urban settings, which no longer provide the anticipated level of control. Knowledge of cockroach endosymbionts, like Wolbachia, might provide novel avenues for control. Therefore, we screened 16 cockroach species belonging to 3 families (Ectobiidae, Blattidae, and Blaberidae) for the presence of Wolbachia. We mapped the evolution of Wolbachia-cockroach relationships based on maximum likelihood phylogeny and phylogenetic species clustering on a multi-loci sequence dataset (i.e., coxA, virD4, hcpA, and gatB) of Wolbachia genes. We confirmed the previous report of Wolbachia in 1 Ectobiid species; Supella longipalpa (Fab.), and detected the presence of Wolbachia in 2 Ectobiid species; Balta notulata (Stål) and Pseudomops septentrionalis Hebard, and 1 Blaberid species; Gromphadorhina portentosa (Schaum). All cockroach-associated Wolbachia herein detected were clustered with the ancestor of F clade Wolbachia of Cimex lectularius L. (bed bugs). Since Wolbachia provision C. lectularius with biotin vitamins that confer reproductive fitness, we screened the cockroach-associated Wolbachia for the presence of biotin genes. In toto, our results reveal 2 important findings: (i) Wolbachia is relatively uncommon among cockroach species infecting about 25% of species investigated, and (ii) cockroach-associated Wolbachia have biotin genes that likely provide nutritional benefits to their hosts. Thus, we discuss the potential of exploring Wolbachia as a tool for urban insect management.}, }
@article {pmid37240058, year = {2023}, author = {Mohammad Aslam, S and Vass, I and Szabó, M}, title = {Characterization of the Flash-Induced Fluorescence Wave Phenomenon in the Coral Endosymbiont Algae, Symbiodiniaceae.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {37240058}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {FK128977//National Research, Development and Innovation Office/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/metabolism ; Fluorescence ; Photosystem I Protein Complex/metabolism ; Photosynthesis/physiology ; Electron Transport ; Photosystem II Protein Complex/metabolism ; *Dinoflagellida/metabolism ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Chlorophyll/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The dinoflagellate algae, Symbiodiniaceae, are significant symbiotic partners of corals due to their photosynthetic capacity. The photosynthetic processes of the microalgae consist of linear electron transport, which provides the energetic balance of ATP and NADPH production for CO2 fixation, and alternative electron transport pathways, including cyclic electron flow, which ensures the elevated ATP requirements under stress conditions. Flash-induced chlorophyll fluorescence relaxation is a non-invasive tool to assess the various electron transport pathways. A special case of fluorescence relaxation, the so-called wave phenomenon, was found to be associated with the activity of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) in microalgae. We showed previously that the wave phenomenon existed in Symbiodiniaceae under acute heat stress and microaerobic conditions, however, the electron transport processes related to the wave phenomenon remained unknown. In this work, using various inhibitors, we show that (i) the linear electron transport has a crucial role in the formation of the wave, (ii) the inhibition of the donor side of Photosystem II did not induce the wave, whereas inhibition of the Calvin-Benson cycle accelerated it, (iii) the wave phenomenon was related to the operation of type II NDH (NDH-2). We therefore propose that the wave phenomenon is an important marker of the regulation of electron transport in Symbiodiniaceae.}, }
@article {pmid37237521, year = {2023}, author = {Pomahač, O and Méndez-Sánchez, D and Poláková, K and Müller, M and Solito, MM and Bourland, WA and Čepička, I}, title = {Rediscovery of Remarkably Rare Anaerobic Tentaculiferous Ciliate Genera Legendrea and Dactylochlamys (Ciliophora: Litostomatea).}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {12}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {37237521}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {23-06004S//Czech Science Foundation/ ; 365021//Charles University/ ; (reg. no. CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/19_073/0016935)//"Grant Schemes at CU"/ ; }, abstract = {Free-living anaerobic ciliates are of considerable interest from an ecological and an evolutionary standpoint. Extraordinary tentacle-bearing predatory lineages have evolved independently several times within the phylum Ciliophora, including two rarely encountered anaerobic litostomatean genera, Legendrea and Dactylochlamys. In this study, we significantly extend the morphological and phylogenetic characterization of these two poorly known groups of predatory ciliates. We provide the first phylogenetic analysis of the monotypic genus Dactylochlamys and the three valid species of Legendrea based on the 18S rRNA gene and ITS-28S rRNA gene sequences. Prior to this study, neither group had been studied using silver impregnation methods. We provide the first protargol-stained material and also a unique video material including documentation, for the first time, of the hunting and feeding behavior of a Legendrea species. We briefly discuss the identity of methanogenic archaeal and bacterial endosymbionts of both genera based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, and the importance of citizen science for ciliatology from a historical and contemporary perspective.}, }
@article {pmid37237053, year = {2023}, author = {Tillmann, U and Wietkamp, S and Kretschmann, J and Chacón, J and Gottschling, M}, title = {Spatial fragmentation in the distribution of diatom endosymbionts from the taxonomically clarified dinophyte Kryptoperidinium triquetrum (= Kryptoperidinium foliaceum, Peridiniales).}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {8593}, pmid = {37237053}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {*Diatoms/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Dinoflagellida ; Microscopy ; Plankton ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Among the photosynthetically active dinophytes, the Kryptoperidiniaceae are unique in having a diatom as endosymbiont instead of the widely present peridinin chloroplast. Phylogenetically, it is unresolved at present how the endosymbionts are inherited, and the taxonomic identities of two iconic dinophyte names, Kryptoperidinium foliaceum and Kryptoperidinium triquetrum, are also unclear. Multiple strains were newly established from the type locality in the German Baltic Sea off Wismar and inspected using microscopy as well as molecular sequence diagnostics of both host and endosymbiont. All strains were bi-nucleate, shared the same plate formula (i.e., po, X, 4', 2a, 7'', 5c, 7s, 5''', 2'''') and exhibited a narrow and characteristically L-shaped precingular plate 7''. Within the molecular phylogeny of Bacillariaceae, endosymbionts were scattered over the tree in a highly polyphyletic pattern, even if they were gained from different strains of a single species, namely K. triquetrum. Notably, endosymbionts from the Baltic Sea show molecular sequences distinct from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, which is the first report of such a spatial fragmentation in a planktonic species of dinophytes. The two names K. foliaceum and K. triquetrum are taxonomically clarified by epitypification, with K. triquetrum having priority over its synonym K. foliaceum. Our study underlines the need of stable taxonomy for central questions in evolutionary biology.}, }
@article {pmid37231093, year = {2023}, author = {Bruner-Montero, G and Jiggins, FM}, title = {Wolbachia protects Drosophila melanogaster against two naturally occurring and virulent viral pathogens.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {8518}, pmid = {37231093}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Drosophila melanogaster ; *Wolbachia ; *Viruses ; *RNA Viruses ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a common endosymbiont that can protect insects against viral pathogens. However, whether the antiviral effects of Wolbachia have a significant effect on fitness remains unclear. We have investigated the interaction between Drosophila melanogaster, Wolbachia and two viruses that we recently isolated from wild flies, La Jolla virus (LJV; Iflaviridae) and Newfield virus (NFV; Permutotetraviridae). Flies infected with these viruses have increased mortality rates, and NFV partially sterilizes females. These effects on fitness were reduced in Wolbachia-infected flies, and this was associated with reduced viral titres. However, Wolbachia alone also reduces survival, and under our experimental conditions these costs of the symbiont can outweigh the benefits of antiviral protection. In contrast, protection against the sterilizing effect of NFV leads to a net benefit of Wolbachia infection after exposure to the virus. These results support the hypothesis that Wolbachia is an important defense against the natural pathogens of D. melanogaster. Furthermore, by reducing the cost of Wolbachia infection, the antiviral effects of Wolbachia may aid its invasion into populations and help explain why it is so common in nature.}, }
@article {pmid37226596, year = {2023}, author = {Medina, JM and Queller, DC and Strassmann, JE and Garcia, JR}, title = {The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum rescues Paraburkholderia hayleyella, but not P. agricolaris, from interspecific competition.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {99}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {37226596}, issn = {1574-6941}, support = {P20 GM103451/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Dictyostelium/genetics/microbiology ; *Amoeba/microbiology ; *Burkholderiaceae/genetics ; Bacteria ; Ecology ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts can provide benefits for their eukaryotic hosts, but it is often unclear if endosymbionts benefit from these relationships. The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum associates with three species of Paraburkholderia endosymbionts, including P. agricolaris and P. hayleyella. These endosymbionts can be costly to the host but are beneficial in certain contexts because they allow D. discoideum to carry prey bacteria through the dispersal stage. In experiments where no other species are present, P. hayleyella benefits from D. discoideum while P. agricolaris does not. However, the presence of other species may influence this symbiosis. We tested if P. agricolaris and P. hayleyella benefit from D. discoideum in the context of resource competition with Klebsiella pneumoniae, the typical laboratory prey of D. discoideum. Without D. discoideum, K. pneumoniae depressed the growth of both Paraburkholderia symbionts, consistent with competition. P. hayleyella was more harmed by interspecific competition than P. agricolaris. We found that P. hayleyella was rescued from competition by D. discoideum, while P. agricolaris was not. This may be because P. hayleyella is more specialized as an endosymbiont; it has a highly reduced genome compared to P. agricolaris and may have lost genes relevant for resource competition outside of its host.}, }
@article {pmid37214831, year = {2023}, author = {Mfopit, YM and Weber, JS and Chechet, GD and Ibrahim, MAM and Signaboubo, D and Achukwi, DM and Mamman, M and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J and Kelm, S}, title = {Molecular detection of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia endosymbionts in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.}, journal = {Research square}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37214831}, issn = {2693-5015}, support = {K43 TW012015/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Background Tsetse flies are cyclical vectors of African trypanosomiasis. They have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria, which influence certain aspects of their physiology. The vector competence of tsetse flies for different trypanosome species is highly variable and is suggested to be affected by various factors, amongst which are bacterial endosymbionts. Symbiotic interactions may provide an avenue for the disease control. The current study provided the prevalence of 3 tsetse symbionts in Glossina species from Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria. Results Tsetse flies were collected from five different locations and dissected. DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction PCR was used to detect the presence of Sodalis glossinidius , Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia using specific primers. A total of 848 tsetse samples were analysed: Glossina morsitans submorsitans (47.52%), Glossina palpalis palpalis (37.26%), Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (9.08%) and Glossina tachinoides (6.13%). Only 95 (11.20%) were infected with at least one of the 3 symbionts. Among the infected, 6 (6.31%) were carrying mixed infection (Wolbachia and Spiroplasma). The overall symbiont prevalence was 0.88%, 3.66% and 11.00% respectively, for Sodalis , Spiroplasma and Wolbachia . Prevalence varied between countries and tsetse species. No Spiroplasma was detected in samples from Cameroon and no Sodalis was found in samples from Nigeria. Conclusion The present study revealed for the first time, the presence of infection by Spiroplasma in tsetse in Chad and Nigeria. These findings provide useful information to the repertoire of bacterial flora of tsetse flies and incite to more investigations to understand their implication in the vector competence of tsetse flies.}, }
@article {pmid37213490, year = {2023}, author = {Jackson, R and Patapiou, PA and Golding, G and Helanterä, H and Economou, CK and Chapuisat, M and Henry, LM}, title = {Evidence of phylosymbiosis in Formica ants.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1044286}, pmid = {37213490}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Insects share intimate relationships with microbes that play important roles in their biology. Yet our understanding of how host-bound microbial communities assemble and perpetuate over evolutionary time is limited. Ants host a wide range of microbes with diverse functions and are an emerging model for studying the evolution of insect microbiomes. Here, we ask whether phylogenetically related ant species have formed distinct and stable microbiomes.<br><br>METHODS: To answer this question, we investigated the microbial communities associated with queens of 14 Formica species from five clades, using deep coverage 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.<br><br>RESULTS: We reveal that Formica species and clades harbor highly defined microbial communities that are dominated by four bacteria genera: Wolbachia, Lactobacillus, Liliensternia, and Spiroplasma. Our analysis reveals that the composition of Formica microbiomes mirrors the phylogeny of the host, i.e., phylosymbiosis, in that related hosts harbor more similar microbial communities. In addition, we find there are significant correlations between microbe co-occurrences.<br><br>DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrate Formica ants carry microbial communities that recapitulate the phylogeny of their hosts. Our data suggests that the co-occurrence of different bacteria genera may at least in part be due to synergistic and antagonistic interactions between microbes. Additional factors potentially contributing to the phylosymbiotic signal are discussed, including host phylogenetic relatedness, host-microbe genetic compatibility, modes of transmission, and similarities in host ecologies (e.g., diets). Overall, our results support the growing body of evidence that microbial community composition closely depends on the phylogeny of their hosts, despite bacteria having diverse modes of transmission and localization within the host.}, }
@article {pmid37206333, year = {2023}, author = {Russo, N and Floridia, V and D'Alessandro, E and Lopreiato, V and Pino, A and Chiofalo, V and Caggia, C and Liotta, L and Randazzo, CL}, title = {Influence of olive cake dietary supplementation on fecal microbiota of dairy cows.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1137452}, pmid = {37206333}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Olive by-products represent a valuable low-price feed supplement for animal nutrition. In the present study, the effect of the dietary destoned olive cake supplementation, on both composition and dynamics of the fecal bacterial biota of cow, was assessed by Illumina MiSeq analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. In addition, metabolic pathways were predicted by using the PICRUSt2 bioinformatic tool. Eighteen lactating cows, according to the body condition score, the days from calving, and the daily milk production were homogeneously allocated into two groups, control or experimental, and subjected to different dietary treatments. In detail, the experimental diet contained, along with the components of the control one, 8% of destoned olive cake. Metagenomics data revealed significant differences in abundance rather than in richness between the two groups. Results showed that Bacteroidota and Firmicutes were identified as the dominant phyla, accounting for over 90% of the total bacterial population. The Desulfobacterota phylum, able to reduce sulfur compounds, was detected only in fecal samples of cows allocated to the experimental diet whereas the Elusimicrobia phylum, a common endosymbiont or ectosymbiont of various flagellated protists, was detected only in cows subjected to the control diet. In addition, both Oscillospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families were mainly found in the experimental group whereas fecal samples of control cows showed the presence of Rikenellaceae and Bacteroidaceae families, usually associated with the high roughage or low concentrate diet. Based on the PICRUSt2 bioinformatic tool, pathways related to carbohydrate, fatty acid, lipid, and amino acids biosynthesis were mainly up regulated in the experimental group. On the contrary, in the control group, the metabolic pathways detected with the highest occurrence were associated with amino acids biosynthesis and degradation, aromatic compounds degradation, nucleosides and nucleotides biosynthesis. Hence, the present study confirms that the destoned olive cake is a valuable feed supplement able to modulate the fecal microbiota of cows. Further studies will be conducted in order to deepen the inter-relationships between the GIT microbiota and the host.}, }
@article {pmid37205465, year = {2023}, author = {Holguin-Rocha, AF and Calle-Tobon, A and Vásquez, GM and Astete, H and Fisher, ML and Tobon-Castano, A and Velez-Tobon, G and Maldonado-Ruiz, LP and Silver, K and Park, Y and Londono-Renteria, B}, title = {Diversity of the bacterial and viral communities in the tropical horse tick, Dermacentor nitens in Colombia.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37205465}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R21 AI163423/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Ticks are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit pathogens among various vertebrates, including humans. The composition of the microbial and viral communities in addition to the pathogenic microorganisms is highly diverse in ticks, but the factors driving the diversity are not well understood. The tropical horse tick, Dermacentor nitens , is distributed throughout the Americas and it is recognized as a natural vector of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi , the causal agents of equine piroplasmosis. We characterized the bacterial and viral communities associated with partially-fed D. nitens females collected by a passive survey on horses from field sites representing three distinct geographical areas in Colombia (Bolivar, Antioquia, and Cordoba). RNA-seq and sequencing of the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene were performed using the Illumina-Miseq platform. A total of 356 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, in which the presumed endosymbiotic Francisellaceae/ Francisella spp. was predominantly found. Nine contigs corresponding to six different viruses were identified in three viral families: Chuviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Flaviviridae. Differences in the relative abundance of the microbial composition among the geographical regions were found to be independent of the presence of Francisella -Like Endosymbiont (FLE). The most prevalent bacteria found on each region were Corynebacterium in Bolivar, Staphylococcus in Antioquia, and Pseudomonas in Cordoba. Rickettsia -like endosymbionts, mainly recognized as the etiological agent of rickettsioses in Colombia were detected in the Cordoba samples. Metatranscriptomics revealed 13 contigs containing FLE genes, suggesting a trend of regional differences. These findings suggest regional distinctions among the ticks and their bacterial compositions.}, }
@article {pmid37201521, year = {2023}, author = {Zakharova, A and Tashyreva, D and Butenko, A and Morales, J and Saura, A and Svobodová, M and Poschmann, G and Nandipati, S and Zakharova, A and Noyvert, D and Gahura, O and Týč, J and Stühler, K and Kostygov, AY and Nowack, ECM and Lukeš, J and Yurchenko, V}, title = {A neo-functionalized homolog of host transmembrane protein controls localization of bacterial endosymbionts in the trypanosomatid Novymonas esmeraldas.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {33}, number = {13}, pages = {2690-2701.e5}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.060}, pmid = {37201521}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {*Trypanosomatina/microbiology ; Bacteria ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Eukaryota ; }, abstract = {The stability of endosymbiotic associations between eukaryotes and bacteria depends on a reliable mechanism ensuring vertical inheritance of the latter. Here, we demonstrate that a host-encoded protein, located at the interface between the endoplasmic reticulum of the trypanosomatid Novymonas esmeraldas and its endosymbiotic bacterium Ca. Pandoraea novymonadis, regulates such a process. This protein, named TMP18e, is a product of duplication and neo-functionalization of the ubiquitous transmembrane protein 18 (TMEM18). Its expression level is increased at the proliferative stage of the host life cycle correlating with the confinement of bacteria to the nuclear vicinity. This is important for the proper segregation of bacteria into the daughter host cells as evidenced from the TMP18e ablation, which disrupts the nucleus-endosymbiont association and leads to greater variability of bacterial cell numbers, including an elevated proportion of aposymbiotic cells. Thus, we conclude that TMP18e is necessary for the reliable vertical inheritance of endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid37198188, year = {2023}, author = {Moggioli, G and Panossian, B and Sun, Y and Thiel, D and Martín-Zamora, FM and Tran, M and Clifford, AM and Goffredi, SK and Rimskaya-Korsakova, N and Jékely, G and Tresguerres, M and Qian, PY and Qiu, JW and Rouse, GW and Henry, LM and Martín-Durán, JM}, title = {Distinct genomic routes underlie transitions to specialised symbiotic lifestyles in deep-sea annelid worms.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {2814}, pmid = {37198188}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 213981/Z/18/Z//Wellcome Trust (Wellcome)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Annelida/genetics ; *Polychaeta/genetics/metabolism ; Genome/genetics ; Genomics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Bacterial symbioses allow annelids to colonise extreme ecological niches, such as hydrothermal vents and whale falls. Yet, the genetic principles sustaining these symbioses remain unclear. Here, we show that different genomic adaptations underpin the symbioses of phylogenetically related annelids with distinct nutritional strategies. Genome compaction and extensive gene losses distinguish the heterotrophic symbiosis of the bone-eating worm Osedax frankpressi from the chemoautotrophic symbiosis of deep-sea Vestimentifera. Osedax's endosymbionts complement many of the host's metabolic deficiencies, including the loss of pathways to recycle nitrogen and synthesise some amino acids. Osedax's endosymbionts possess the glyoxylate cycle, which could allow more efficient catabolism of bone-derived nutrients and the production of carbohydrates from fatty acids. Unlike in most Vestimentifera, innate immunity genes are reduced in O. frankpressi, which, however, has an expansion of matrix metalloproteases to digest collagen. Our study supports that distinct nutritional interactions influence host genome evolution differently in highly specialised symbioses.}, }
@article {pmid37196858, year = {2023}, author = {Ward, MCE and Barrios, MC and Fallon, AM}, title = {Paraquat is toxic to the soil-dwelling arthropod, Folsomia candida (Collembola: Isotomidae), and has potential effects on its Wolbachia endosymbiont.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {198}, number = {}, pages = {107936}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2023.107936}, pmid = {37196858}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; *Arthropods ; Paraquat ; *Wolbachia ; Soil ; Charcoal ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {The springtail, Folsomia candida, is a soil arthropod commonly used to evaluate environmental toxins. Conflicting data on the toxicity of the herbicide paraquat prompted re-evaluation of its effects on F. candida survival and reproduction. Paraquat has an LC50 of about 80 μM when tested in the absence of charcoal; charcoal, often used in test arenas to facilitate visualization of the white Collembola, has a protective effect. Survivors of paraquat treatment fail to resume molting and oviposition, suggesting an irreversible effect on the Wolbachia symbiont that restores diploidy during parthenogenetic reproduction of this species.}, }
@article {pmid37196086, year = {2023}, author = {Maire, J and Tandon, K and Collingro, A and van de Meene, A and Damjanovic, K and Gotze, CR and Stephenson, S and Philip, GK and Horn, M and Cantin, NE and Blackall, LL and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {Colocalization and potential interactions of Endozoicomonas and chlamydiae in microbial aggregates of the coral Pocillopora acuta.}, journal = {Science advances}, volume = {9}, number = {20}, pages = {eadg0773}, pmid = {37196086}, issn = {2375-2548}, support = {P 32112/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; Bacteria/genetics ; Coral Reefs ; *Gammaproteobacteria/genetics ; Metagenome ; }, abstract = {Corals are associated with a variety of bacteria, which occur in the surface mucus layer, gastrovascular cavity, skeleton, and tissues. Some tissue-associated bacteria form clusters, termed cell-associated microbial aggregates (CAMAs), which are poorly studied. Here, we provide a comprehensive characterization of CAMAs in the coral Pocillopora acuta. Combining imaging techniques, laser capture microdissection, and amplicon and metagenome sequencing, we show that (i) CAMAs are located in the tentacle tips and may be intracellular; (ii) CAMAs contain Endozoicomonas (Gammaproteobacteria) and Simkania (Chlamydiota) bacteria; (iii) Endozoicomonas may provide vitamins to its host and use secretion systems and/or pili for colonization and aggregation; (iv) Endozoicomonas and Simkania occur in distinct, but adjacent, CAMAs; and (v) Simkania may receive acetate and heme from neighboring Endozoicomonas. Our study provides detailed insight into coral endosymbionts, thereby improving our understanding of coral physiology and health and providing important knowledge for coral reef conservation in the climate change era.}, }
@article {pmid37192168, year = {2023}, author = {Kulkarni, A and Ewen-Campen, B and Terao, K and Matsumoto, Y and Li, Y and Watanabe, T and Kao, JA and Parhad, SS and Ylla, G and Mizunami, M and Extavour, CG}, title = {oskar acts with the transcription factor Creb to regulate long-term memory in crickets.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {120}, number = {21}, pages = {e2218506120}, pmid = {37192168}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {R21 NS127312/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/metabolism ; Transcription Factors/genetics ; Germ Cells/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Insecta/genetics ; Memory, Long-Term ; *Drosophila Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Novel genes have the potential to drive the evolution of new biological mechanisms, or to integrate into preexisting regulatory circuits and contribute to the regulation of older, conserved biological functions. One such gene, the novel insect-specific gene oskar, was first identified based on its role in establishing the Drosophila melanogaster germ line. We previously showed that this gene likely arose through an unusual domain transfer event involving bacterial endosymbionts and played a somatic role before evolving its well-known germ line function. Here, we provide empirical support for this hypothesis in the form of evidence for a neural role for oskar. We show that oskar is expressed in the adult neural stem cells of a hemimetabolous insect, the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. In these stem cells, called neuroblasts, oskar is required together with the ancient animal transcription factor Creb to regulate long-term (but not short-term) olfactory memory. We provide evidence that oskar positively regulates Creb, which plays a conserved role in long-term memory across animals, and that oskar in turn may be a direct target of Creb. Together with previous reports of a role for oskar in nervous system development and function in crickets and flies, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that oskar's original somatic role may have been in the insect nervous system. Moreover, its colocalization and functional cooperation with the conserved pluripotency gene piwi in the nervous system may have facilitated oskar's later co-option to the germ line in holometabolous insects.}, }
@article {pmid37186593, year = {2023}, author = {Martoni, F and Bulman, SR and Piper, AM and Pitman, A and Taylor, GS and Armstrong, KF}, title = {Insect phylogeny structures the bacterial communities in the microbiome of psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) in Aotearoa New Zealand.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {5}, pages = {e0285587}, pmid = {37186593}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; New Zealand ; Bacteria/genetics ; Plants ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; }, abstract = {The bacterial microbiome of psyllids has been studied for decades, with a strong focus on the primary and secondary endosymbionts capable of providing essential amino acids for the insects' diet and therefore playing a key role in the insects' ability to radiate on novel plant hosts. Here, we combine metabarcoding analysis of the bacterial communities hosted by psyllids with a multi-gene phylogenetic analysis of the insect hosts to determine what factors influence the bacterial diversity of the psyllids' microbiomes, especially in the context of the dispersal and evolutionary radiation of these insects in Aotearoa New Zealand. Using multi-gene phylogenetics with COI, 18S and EF-1α sequences from 102 psyllid species, we confirmed for the first time monophyly for all the six genera of native/endemic Aotearoa New Zealand psyllids, with indications that they derive from at least six dispersal events to the country. This also revealed that, after its ancestral arrival, the genus Powellia has radiated onto a larger and more diverse range of plants than either Psylla or Ctenarytaina, which is uncommon amongst monophyletic psyllids globally. DNA metabarcoding of the bacterial 16S gene here represents the largest dataset analysed to date from psyllids, including 246 individuals from 73 species. This provides novel evidence that bacterial diversity across psyllid species is strongly associated with psyllid phylogenetic structure, and to a lesser degree to their host plant association and geographic distribution. Furthermore, while the strongest co-phylogenetic signals were derived from the primary and secondary symbionts, a signal of phylosymbiosis was still retained among the remaining taxa of the bacterial microbiome, suggesting potential vertical transmission of bacterial lineages previously unknown to have symbiotic roles.}, }
@article {pmid37184407, year = {2023}, author = {Paulson, AR and Lougheed, SC and Huang, D and Colautti, RI}, title = {Multiomics Reveals Symbionts, Pathogens, and Tissue-Specific Microbiome of Blacklegged Ticks (Ixodes scapularis) from a Lyme Disease Hot Spot in Southeastern Ontario, Canada.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {e0140423}, pmid = {37184407}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Ixodes/genetics/microbiology/parasitology ; Ontario/epidemiology ; Multiomics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Coinfection/epidemiology ; Disease Hotspot ; *Borrelia/genetics ; *Lyme Disease ; *Borrelia burgdorferi/genetics ; *Anaplasma phagocytophilum/genetics ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {Ticks in the family Ixodidae are important vectors of zoonoses, including Lyme disease (LD), which is caused by spirochete bacteria from the Borreliella (Borrelia) burgdorferi sensu lato complex. The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) continues to expand across Canada, creating hot spots of elevated LD risk at the leading edge of its expanding range. Current efforts to understand the risk of pathogen transmission associated with I. scapularis in Canada focus primarily on targeted screens, while natural variation in the tick microbiome remains poorly understood. Using multiomics consisting of 16S metabarcoding and ribosome-depleted, whole-shotgun RNA transcriptome sequencing, we examined the microbial communities associated with adult I. scapularis (n = 32), sampled from four tissue types (whole tick, salivary glands, midgut, and viscera) and three geographical locations within a LD hot spot near Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The communities consisted of both endosymbiotic and known or potentially pathogenic microbes, including RNA viruses, bacteria, and a Babesia sp. intracellular parasite. We show that β-diversity is significantly higher between the bacterial communities of individual tick salivary glands and midguts than that of whole ticks. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) determined that the three potentially pathogenic bacteria detected by V4 16S rRNA sequencing also differed among dissected tissues only, including a Borrelia strain from the B. burgdorferi sensu lato complex, Borrelia miyamotoi, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Importantly, we find coinfection of I. scapularis by multiple microbes, in contrast to diagnostic protocols for LD, which typically focus on infection from a single pathogen of interest (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto). IMPORTANCE As a vector of human health concern, blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) transmit pathogens that cause tick-borne diseases (TBDs), including Lyme disease (LD). Several hot spots of elevated LD risk have emerged across Canada as I. scapularis expands its range. Focusing on a hot spot in southeastern Ontario, we used high-throughput sequencing to characterize the microbiome of whole ticks and dissected salivary glands and midguts. Compared with whole ticks, salivary glands and midguts were more diverse and associated with distinct bacterial communities that are less dominated by Rickettsia endosymbiont bacteria and are enriched for pathogenic bacteria, including a B. burgdorferi sensu lato-associated Borrelia sp., Borrelia miyamotoi, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. We also found evidence of coinfection of I. scapularis by multiple pathogens. Overall, our study highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with the surveillance of the microbiome of I. scapularis for pathogen detection using metabarcoding and metatranscriptome approaches.}, }
@article {pmid37178742, year = {2023}, author = {Yuan, F and Su, M and Li, T and Zhang, Y and Dietrich, CH and Webb, MD and Wei, C}, title = {Functional and evolutionary implications of protein and metal content of leafhopper brochosomes.}, journal = {Insect biochemistry and molecular biology}, volume = {157}, number = {}, pages = {103962}, doi = {10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103962}, pmid = {37178742}, issn = {1879-0240}, mesh = {Animals ; Amino Acids ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Plants ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Brochosomes derived from the specialized glandular segments of the Malpighian tubules (MTs) form superhydrophobic coatings for insects of Membracoidea, and have multiple hypothetical functions. However, the constituents, biosynthesis and evolutionary origin of brochosomes remain poorly understood. We investigated general chemical and physical characteristics of the integumental brochosomes (IBs) of the leafhopper Psammotettix striatus, determined the constituents of IBs, identified the unigenes involved in brochosomal protein synthesis, and investigated the potential associations among brochosomal protein synthesis, amino acid composition of food source, and the possible roles of endosymbionts in brochosome production. The results show that IBs are mainly composed of glycine- and tyrosine-rich proteins and some metal elements, which contain both essential and non-essential amino acids (EAAs and NEAAs) for insects, including EAAs deficient in the sole food source. All 12 unigenes involved in synthesizing the 12 brochosomal proteins (BPs) with high confidence are exclusively highly expressed in the glandular segment of MTs, confirming that brochosomes are synthesized by this segment. The synthesis of BPs is one of the key synapomorphies of Membracoidea but may be lost secondarily in a few lineages. The synthesis of BPs might be related to the symbiosis of leafhoppers/treehoppers with endosymbionts that provide these insects with EAAs, including those are deficient in the sole diet (i.e., plant sap) and could only be made available by the symbionts. We hypothesize that the functional modification of MTs have combined with the application of BPs enabling Membracoidea to colonize and adapt to novel ecological niches, and evolve to the dramatic diversification of this hemipteran group (in particular the family Cicadellidae). This study highlights the importance of evolutionary plasticity and multiple functions of MTs in driving the adaptations and evolution of sap-sucking insects of Hemiptera.}, }
@article {pmid37172511, year = {2023}, author = {Becker, NS and Rollins, RE and Stephens, R and Sato, K and Brachmann, A and Nakao, M and Kawabata, H}, title = {Candidatus Lariskella arthopodarum endosymbiont is the main factor differentiating the microbiome communities of female and male Borrelia-positive Ixodes persulcatus ticks.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {102183}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102183}, pmid = {37172511}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Borrelia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Coinfection ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {Ixodes persulcatus, a hard-bodied tick species primarily found in Asia and Eastern Europe, is a vector of pathogens to human and livestock hosts. Little research has been done on the microbiome of this species, especially using individual non-pooled samples and comparing different geographical locations. Here, we use 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to determine the individual microbial composition of 85 Borrelia-positive I. persulcatus from the Japanese islands of Hokkaido and Honshu. The resulting data (164 unique OTUs) were further analyzed to compare the makeup and diversity of the microbiome by sex and location, as well as to determine the presence of human pathogens. We found that, while location had little influence, the diversity of I. persulcatus microbiome was predominantly dependent on sex. Males were seen to have higher microbiome diversity than females, likely due to the high presence of endosymbiotic Candidatus Lariskella arthropodarum within the female microbial communities. Furthermore, high read counts for five genera containing potentially human pathogenic species were detected among both male and female microbiomes: Ehrlichia, Borrelia, Rickettsia, Candidatus Neoehrlichia and Burkholderia and co-infections between different pathogens were frequent. We conclude that the microbiome of I. persulcatus depends mainly on sex and not geographical location and that the major difference between sexes is due to the high abundance of Ca. L. arthropodarum in females. We also stress the importance of this tick species as a vector of potential human pathogens frequently found in co-infections.}, }
@article {pmid37160773, year = {2023}, author = {Yang, B and Xu, C and Cheng, Y and Jia, T and Hu, X}, title = {Research progress on the biosynthesis and delivery of iron-sulfur clusters in the plastid.}, journal = {Plant cell reports}, volume = {42}, number = {8}, pages = {1255-1264}, pmid = {37160773}, issn = {1432-203X}, support = {32000197//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2019T120467//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {*Iron/metabolism ; Plastids/metabolism ; Biological Transport ; Sulfur/metabolism ; *Iron-Sulfur Proteins/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are ancient protein cofactors ubiquitously exist in organisms. They are involved in many important life processes. Plastids are semi-autonomous organelles with a double membrane and it is believed to originate from a cyanobacterial endosymbiont. By learning form the research in cyanobacteria, a Fe-S cluster biosynthesis and delivery pathway has been proposed and partly demonstrated in plastids, including iron uptake, sulfur mobilization, Fe-S cluster assembly and delivery. Fe-S clusters are essential for the downstream Fe-S proteins to perform their normal biological functions. Because of the importance of Fe-S proteins in plastid, researchers have made a lot of research progress on this pathway in recent years. This review summarizes the detail research progress made in recent years. In addition, the scientific problems remained in this pathway are also discussed.}, }
@article {pmid37160764, year = {2023}, author = {Gimmi, E and Wallisch, J and Vorburger, C}, title = {Defensive symbiosis in the wild: Seasonal dynamics of parasitism risk and symbiont-conferred resistance.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {32}, number = {14}, pages = {4063-4077}, doi = {10.1111/mec.16976}, pmid = {37160764}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; Symbiosis ; Seasons ; *Wasps ; *Aphids/microbiology ; Enterobacteriaceae ; }, abstract = {Parasite-mediated selection can rapidly drive up resistance levels in host populations, but fixation of resistance traits may be prevented by costs of resistance. Black bean aphids (Aphis fabae) benefit from increased resistance to parasitoids when carrying the defensive bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa. However, due to fitness costs that come with symbiont infection, symbiont-conferred resistance may result in either a net benefit or a net cost to the aphid host, depending on parasitoid presence as well as on the general ecological context. Balancing selection may therefore explain why in natural aphid populations, H. defensa is often found at intermediate frequencies. Here we present a 2-year field study where we set out to look for signatures of balancing selection in natural aphid populations. We collected temporally well-resolved data on the prevalence of H. defensa in A. f. fabae and estimated the risk imposed by parasitoids using sentinel hosts. Despite a marked and consistent early-summer peak in parasitism risk, and significant changes in symbiont prevalence over time, we found just a weak correlation between parasitism risk and H. defensa frequency dynamics. H. defensa prevalence in the populations under study was, in fact, better explained by the number of heat days that previous aphid generations were exposed to. Our study grants an unprecedentedly well-resolved insight into the dynamics of endosymbiont and parasitoid communities of A. f. fabae populations, and it adds to a growing body of empirical evidence suggesting that not only parasitism risk, but rather multifarious selection is shaping H. defensa prevalence in the wild.}, }
@article {pmid37147800, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, Y and Tian, L and Lu, C}, title = {Chloroplast gene expression: Recent advances and perspectives.}, journal = {Plant communications}, volume = {4}, number = {5}, pages = {100611}, pmid = {37147800}, issn = {2590-3462}, mesh = {*Genes, Chloroplast ; *Chloroplasts/genetics/metabolism ; Photosynthesis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Chloroplasts evolved from an ancient cyanobacterial endosymbiont more than 1.5 billion years ago. During subsequent coevolution with the nuclear genome, the chloroplast genome has remained independent, albeit strongly reduced, with its own transcriptional machinery and distinct features, such as chloroplast-specific innovations in gene expression and complicated post-transcriptional processing. Light activates the expression of chloroplast genes via mechanisms that optimize photosynthesis, minimize photodamage, and prioritize energy investments. Over the past few years, studies have moved from describing phases of chloroplast gene expression to exploring the underlying mechanisms. In this review, we focus on recent advances and emerging principles that govern chloroplast gene expression in land plants. We discuss engineering of pentatricopeptide repeat proteins and its biotechnological effects on chloroplast RNA research; new techniques for characterizing the molecular mechanisms of chloroplast gene expression; and important aspects of chloroplast gene expression for improving crop yield and stress tolerance. We also discuss biological and mechanistic questions that remain to be answered in the future.}, }
@article {pmid37138629, year = {2023}, author = {Tan, Y and Gong, B and Zhang, Q and Li, C and Weng, J and Zhou, X and Jin, L}, title = {Diversity of endosymbionts in camellia spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus camelliae (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), estimated by 16S rRNA analysis and their biological implications.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1124386}, pmid = {37138629}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Camellia spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus camelliae (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a major pest in tea, which poses a serious threat to tea production. Similar to many insects, various bacterial symbioses inside A. camelliae may participate in the reproduction, metabolism, and detoxification of the host. However, few reports included research on the microbial composition and influence on A. camelliae growth. We first applied high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region in the 16S rRNA of symbiotic bacteria to study its component and effect on the biological trait of A. camelliae by comparing it with the antibiotic treatment group. The population parameters, survival rate, and fecundity rate of A. camelliae were also analyzed using the age-stage two-sex life table. Our results demonstrated that phylum Proteobacteria (higher than 96.15%) dominated the whole life cycle of A. camelliae. It unveiled the presence of Candidatus Portiera (primary endosymbiont) (67.15-73.33%), Arsenophonus (5.58-22.89%), Wolbachia (4.53-11.58%), Rickettsia (0.75-2.59%), and Pseudomonas (0.99-1.88%) genus. Antibiotic treatment caused a significant decrease in the endosymbiont, which negatively affected the host's biological properties and life process. For example, 1.5% rifampicin treatment caused a longer preadult stage in the offspring generation (55.92 d) compared to the control (49.75d) and a lower survival rate (0.36) than the control (0.60). The decreased intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R 0), and prolonged mean generation time (T) were signs of all disadvantageous effects associated with symbiotic reduction. Our findings confirmed the composition and richness of symbiotic bacteria in larva and adult of A. camelliae by an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 analysis and their influence on the development of the host by demographic research. Together, the results suggested that symbiotic bacteria play an important role in manipulating the biological development of their hosts, which might help us for developing new pest control agents and technologies for better management of A. camelliae.}, }
@article {pmid37133447, year = {2023}, author = {DeLong, JP and Van Etten, JL and Dunigan, DD}, title = {Lessons from Chloroviruses: the Complex and Diverse Roles of Viruses in Food Webs.}, journal = {Journal of virology}, volume = {97}, number = {5}, pages = {e0027523}, pmid = {37133447}, issn = {1098-5514}, mesh = {Biological Evolution ; *Chlorella/virology ; *Food Chain ; *Phycodnaviridae ; }, abstract = {Viruses can have large effects on the ecological communities in which they occur. Much of this impact comes from the mortality of host cells, which simultaneously alters microbial community composition and causes the release of matter that can be used by other organisms. However, recent studies indicate that viruses may be even more deeply integrated into the functioning of ecological communities than their effect on nutrient cycling suggests. In particular, chloroviruses, which infect chlorella-like green algae that typically occur as endosymbionts, participate in three types of interactions with other species. Chlororviruses (i) can lure ciliates from a distance, using them as a vector; (ii) depend on predators for access to their hosts; and (iii) get consumed as a food source by, at least, a variety of protists. Therefore, chloroviruses both depend on and influence the spatial structures of communities as well as the flows of energy through those communities, driven by predator-prey interactions. The emergence of these interactions are an eco-evolutionary puzzle, given the interdependence of these species and the many costs and benefits that these interactions generate.}, }
@article {pmid37121168, year = {2023}, author = {Biney, C and Graham, GE and Asiedu, E and Sakyi, SA and Kwarteng, A}, title = {Wolbachia Ferrochelatase as a potential drug target against filarial infections.}, journal = {Journal of molecular graphics &amp; modelling}, volume = {122}, number = {}, pages = {108490}, doi = {10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108490}, pmid = {37121168}, issn = {1873-4243}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/metabolism ; Ferrochelatase/metabolism/therapeutic use ; *Filariasis/drug therapy/parasitology ; *Brugia malayi ; Heme/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Filarial infections are among the world's most disturbing diseases caused by 3 major parasitic worms; Onchocerca volvulus, Wuchereria bancrofti, and Brugia malayi, affecting more than 500 million people worldwide. Currently used drugs for mass drug administration (MDA) have been met with several challenges including the development of complications in individuals with filaria co-infections and parasitic drug resistance. The filarial endosymbiont, Wolbachia, has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for filariasis elimination, due to the dependence of the filaria on this endosymbiont for survival. Here, we target an important enzyme in the Wolbachia heme biosynthetic pathway (ferrochelatase), using high-throughput virtual screening and molecular dynamics with MM-PBSA calculations. We identified four drug candidates; Nilotinib, Ledipasvir, 3-benzhydryloxy-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, and 2-(4-Amino-piperidin-1-yl)-ethanol as potential small molecules inhibitors as they could compete with the enzyme's natural substrate (Protoporphyrin IX) for active pocket binding. This prevents the worm from receiving the heme molecule from Wolbachia for their growth and survival, resulting in their death. This study which involved targeting enzymes in biosynthetic pathways of the parasitic worms' endosymbiont (Wolbachia), has proven to be an alternative therapeutic option leading to the discovery of new drugs, which will help facilitate the elimination of parasitic infections.}, }
@article {pmid37117399, year = {2023}, author = {Ghousein, A and Tutagata, J and Schrieke, H and Etienne, M and Chaumeau, V and Boyer, S and Pages, N and Roiz, D and Eren, AM and Cambray, G and Reveillaud, J}, title = {pWCP is a widely distributed and highly conserved Wolbachia plasmid in Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes worldwide.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {3}, number = {1}, pages = {40}, pmid = {37117399}, issn = {2730-6151}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 220211/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 948135//EC | EC Seventh Framework Programm | FP7 Ideas: European Research Council (FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific Programme: "Ideas" Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007 to 2013))/ ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes represent the most important pathogen vectors and are responsible for the spread of a wide variety of poorly treatable diseases. Wolbachia are obligate intracellular bacteria that are widely distributed among arthropods and collectively represents one of the most promising solutions for vector control. In particular, Wolbachia has been shown to limit the transmission of pathogens, and to dramatically affect the reproductive behavior of their host through its phage WO. While much research has focused on deciphering and exploring the biocontrol applications of these WO-related phenotypes, the extent and potential impact of the Wolbachia mobilome remain poorly appreciated. Notably, several Wolbachia plasmids, carrying WO-like genes and Insertion Sequences (IS), thus possibly interrelated to other genetic units of the endosymbiont, have been recently discovered. Here we investigated the diversity and biogeography of the first described plasmid of Wolbachia in Culex pipiens (pWCP) in several islands and continental countries around the world-including Cambodia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Thailand, and Mexico-together with mosquito strains from colonies that evolved for 2 to 30 years in the laboratory. We used PCR and qPCR to determine the presence and copy number of pWCP in individual mosquitoes, and highly accurate Sanger sequencing to evaluate potential variations. Together with earlier observation, our results show that pWCP is omnipresent and strikingly conserved among Wolbachia populations within mosquitoes from distant geographies and environmental conditions. These data suggest a critical role for the plasmid in Wolbachia ecology and evolution, and the potential of a great tool for further genetic dissection and possible manipulation of this endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid37117271, year = {2023}, author = {Řezáč, M and Řezáčová, V and Gloríková, N and Némethová, E and Heneberg, P}, title = {Food provisioning to Pardosa spiders decreases the levels of tissue-resident endosymbiotic bacteria.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {6943}, pmid = {37117271}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Spiders/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; *Coxiellaceae ; Host Specificity ; Drosophila ; *Rickettsia ; }, abstract = {The diversity, host specificity, and physiological effects of endosymbiotic bacteria in spiders (Araneae) are poorly characterized. We used 16S rDNA sequencing to evaluate endosymbionts in the cephalothorax and legs of a wolf spider Pardosa agrestis. We tested the effects of feeding once or twice daily with fruit flies, aphids, or starved and compared them to those of syntopically occurring Pardosa palustris. The feeding increased traveled distance up to five times in some of the groups provisioned with food relative to the starved control. The Shannon diversity t-test revealed significant differences between these component communities of the two spider species. The increased frequency of feeding with fruit flies, but not aphids, increased the dominance and decreased the alpha diversity of OTUs. The obligate or facultative endosymbionts were present in all analyzed spider individuals and were represented mostly by Rickettsiella, Rhabdochlamydia, Spiroplasma, and the facultative intracellular parasite Legionella. Vertically transmitted endosymbionts were less common, represented by Wolbachia pipientis and Rickettsia sp. H820. The relative abundance of Mycoplasma spp. was negatively correlated with provisioned or killed aphids. In conclusion, the tissues of Pardosa spiders host tremendously diverse assemblages of bacteria, including obligate or facultative endosymbionts, with yet unknown phenotypic effects.}, }
@article {pmid37116483, year = {2023}, author = {George, EE and Barcytė, D and Lax, G and Livingston, S and Tashyreva, D and Husnik, F and Lukeš, J and Eliáš, M and Keeling, PJ}, title = {A single cryptomonad cell harbors a complex community of organelles, bacteria, a phage, and selfish elements.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {33}, number = {10}, pages = {1982-1996.e4}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.010}, pmid = {37116483}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {*Cryptophyta ; *Genome ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Cell Nucleus/genetics ; Plastids/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Symbiosis between prokaryotes and microbial eukaryotes (protists) has broadly impacted both evolution and ecology. Endosymbiosis led to mitochondria and plastids, the latter spreading across the tree of eukaryotes by subsequent rounds of endosymbiosis. Present-day endosymbionts in protists remain both common and diverse, although what function they serve is often unknown. Here, we describe a highly complex community of endosymbionts and a bacteriophage (phage) within a single cryptomonad cell. Cryptomonads are a model for organelle evolution because their secondary plastid retains a relict endosymbiont nucleus, but only one previously unidentified Cryptomonas strain (SAG 25.80) is known to harbor bacterial endosymbionts. We carried out electron microscopy and FISH imaging as well as genomic sequencing on Cryptomonas SAG 25.80, which revealed a stable, complex community even after over 50 years in continuous cultivation. We identified the host strain as Cryptomonas gyropyrenoidosa, and sequenced genomes from its mitochondria, plastid, and nucleomorph (and partially its nucleus), as well as two symbionts, Megaira polyxenophila and Grellia numerosa, and one phage (MAnkyphage) infecting M. polyxenophila. Comparing closely related endosymbionts from other hosts revealed similar metabolic and genomic features, with the exception of abundant transposons and genome plasticity in M. polyxenophila from Cryptomonas. We found an abundance of eukaryote-interacting genes as well as many toxin-antitoxin systems, including in the MAnkyphage genome that also encodes several eukaryotic-like proteins. Overall, the Cryptomonas cell is an endosymbiotic conglomeration with seven distinct evolving genomes that all show evidence of inter-lineage conflict but nevertheless remain stable, even after more than 4,000 generations in culture.}, }
@article {pmid37110360, year = {2023}, author = {Van Houten, J}, title = {A Review for the Special Issue on Paramecium as a Modern Model Organism.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {37110360}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {This review provides background and perspective for the articles contributing to the Special Issue of MDPI Micro-organisms on Paramecium as a Modern Model Organism. The six articles cover a variety of topics, each taking advantage of an important aspect of Paramecium biology: peripheral surface proteins that are developmentally regulated, endosymbiont algae and bacteria, ion channel regulation by calmodulin, regulation of cell mating reactivity and senescence, and the introns that dwell in the large genome. Each article highlights a significant aspect of Paramecium and its versatility.}, }
@article {pmid37103216, year = {2023}, author = {Lv, N and Peng, J and He, ZQ and Wen, Q and Su, ZQ and Ali, S and Liu, CZ and Qiu, BL}, title = {The Dynamic Distribution of Wolbachia and Rickettsia in AsiaII1 Bemisia tabaci.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {37103216}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {32060250//the National Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia and Rickettsia are bacterial endosymbionts that can induce a number of reproductive abnormalities in their arthropod hosts. We screened and established the co-infection of Wolbachia and Rickettsia in Bemisia tabaci and compared the spatial and temporal distribution of Wolbachia and Rickettsia in eggs (3-120 h after spawning), nymphs, and adults of B. tabaci by qPCR quantification and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The results show that the titer of Wolbachia and Rickettsia in the 3-120 h old eggs showed a "w" patterned fluctuation, while the titers of Wolbachia and Rickettsia had a "descending-ascending descending-ascending" change process. The titers of Rickettsia and Wolbachia nymphal and the adult life stages of Asia II1 B. tabaci generally increased with the development of whiteflies. However, the location of Wolbachia and Rickettsia in the egg changed from egg stalk to egg base, and then from egg base to egg posterior, and finally back to the middle of the egg. These results will provide basic information on the quantity and localization of Wolbachia and Rickettsia within different life stages of B. tabaci. These findings help to understand the dynamics of the vertical transmission of symbiotic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid37103129, year = {2023}, author = {Li, J and An, Z and Luo, J and Zhu, X and Wang, L and Zhang, K and Li, D and Ji, J and Niu, L and Gao, X and Cui, J}, title = {Parasitization of Aphis gossypii Glover by Binodoxys communis Gahan Causes Shifts in the Ovarian Bacterial Microbiota.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {37103129}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aphis gossypii Glover is an important agricultural pest distributed worldwide. Binodoxys communis Gahan is the main parasitoid wasp of A. gossypii. Previous studies have shown that parasitization causes reduced egg production in A. gossypii, but the effects of parasitism on the symbiotic bacteria in the host ovaries are unknown.<br><br>RESULTS: In this study, we analyzed the microbial communities in the ovaries of A. gossypii without and after parasitization. Whether parasitized or not, Buchnera was the dominant genus of symbiotic bacteria in the ovaries, followed by facultative symbionts including Arsenophonus, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter. The relative abundance of Buchnera in the aphid ovary increased after parasitization for 1 d in both third-instar nymph and adult stages, but decreased after parasitization for 3 d. The shifts in the relative abundance of Arsenophonus in both stages were the same as those observed for Buchnera. In addition, the relative abundance of Serratia remarkably decreased after parasitization for 1 d and increased after parasitization for 3 d. A functional predictive analysis of the control and parasitized ovary microbiomes revealed that pathways primarily enriched in parasitization were "amino acid transport and metabolism" and "energy production and conversion." Finally, RT-qPCR analysis was performed on Buchnera, Arsenophonus, and Serratia. The results of RT-qPCR were the same as the results of 16S rDNA sequencing.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a framework for investigating shifts in the microbial communities in host ovaries, which may be responsible for reduced egg production in aphids. These findings also broaden our understanding of the interactions among aphids, parasitoid wasps, and endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid37101136, year = {2023}, author = {Mosquera, KD and Martínez Villegas, LE and Rocha Fernandes, G and Rocha David, M and Maciel-de-Freitas, R and A Moreira, L and Lorenzo, MG}, title = {Egg-laying by female Aedes aegypti shapes the bacterial communities of breeding sites.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {97}, pmid = {37101136}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Female ; *Aedes ; Mosquito Vectors ; Water ; Bacteria/genetics ; Oviposition ; Larva ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aedes aegypti, the main arboviral mosquito vector, is attracted to human dwellings and makes use of human-generated breeding sites. Past research has shown that bacterial communities associated with such sites undergo compositional shifts as larvae develop and that exposure to different bacteria during larval stages can have an impact on mosquito development and life-history traits. Based on these facts, we hypothesized that female Ae. aegypti shape the bacteria communities of breeding sites during oviposition as a form of niche construction to favor offspring fitness.<br><br>RESULTS: To test this hypothesis, we first verified that gravid females can act as mechanical vectors of bacteria. We then elaborated an experimental scheme to test the impact of oviposition on breeding site microbiota. Five different groups of experimental breeding sites were set up with a sterile aqueous solution of larval food, and subsequently exposed to (1) the environment alone, (2) surface-sterilized eggs, (3) unsterilized eggs, (4) a non-egg laying female, or (5) oviposition by a gravid female. The microbiota of these differently treated sites was assessed by amplicon-oriented DNA sequencing once the larvae from the sites with eggs had completed development and formed pupae. Microbial ecology analyses revealed significant differences between the five treatments in terms of diversity. In particular, between-treatment shifts in abundance profiles were detected, showing that females induce a significant decrease in microbial alpha diversity through oviposition. In addition, indicator species analysis pinpointed bacterial taxa with significant predicting values and fidelity coefficients for the samples in which single females laid eggs. Furthermore, we provide evidence regarding how one of these indicator taxa, Elizabethkingia, exerts a positive effect on the development and fitness of mosquito larvae.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Ovipositing females impact the composition of the microbial community associated with a breeding site, promoting certain bacterial taxa over those prevailing in the environment. Among these bacteria, we found known mosquito symbionts and showed that they can improve offspring fitness if present in the water where eggs are laid. We deem this oviposition-mediated bacterial community shaping as a form of niche construction initiated by the gravid female.}, }
@article {pmid37100405, year = {2023}, author = {Jaffe, AL and Castelle, CJ and Banfield, JF}, title = {Habitat Transition in the Evolution of Bacteria and Archaea.}, journal = {Annual review of microbiology}, volume = {77}, number = {}, pages = {193-212}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-micro-041320-032304}, pmid = {37100405}, issn = {1545-3251}, mesh = {Animals ; Archaea/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Bacteriophages ; Genomics ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {Related groups of microbes are widely distributed across Earth's habitats, implying numerous dispersal and adaptation events over evolutionary time. However, relatively little is known about the characteristics and mechanisms of these habitat transitions, particularly for populations that reside in animal microbiomes. Here, we review the literature concerning habitat transitions among a variety of bacterial and archaeal lineages, considering the frequency of migration events, potential environmental barriers, and mechanisms of adaptation to new physicochemical conditions, including the modification of protein inventories and other genomic characteristics. Cells dependent on microbial hosts, particularly bacteria from the Candidate Phyla Radiation, have undergone repeated habitat transitions from environmental sources into animal microbiomes. We compare their trajectories to those of both free-living cells-including the Melainabacteria, Elusimicrobia, and methanogenic archaea-and cellular endosymbionts and bacteriophages, which have made similar transitions. We conclude by highlighting major related topics that may be worthy of future study.}, }
@article {pmid37098937, year = {2023}, author = {Arai, H and Takamatsu, T and Lin, SR and Mizutani, T and Omatsu, T and Katayama, Y and Nakai, M and Kunimi, Y and Inoue, MN}, title = {Diverse Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Microbe-Inducing Male Killing in the Moth Homona magnanima.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {89}, number = {5}, pages = {e0209522}, pmid = {37098937}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Moths ; Symbiosis ; Larva/microbiology ; Reproduction ; Apoptosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Spiroplasma/genetics ; }, abstract = {Male killing (MK) is a type of reproductive manipulation induced by microbes, where sons of infected mothers are killed during development. MK is a strategy that enhances the fitness of the microbes, and the underlying mechanisms and the process of their evolution have attracted substantial attention. Homona magnanima, a moth, harbors two embryonic MK bacteria, namely, Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria) and Spiroplasma (Mollicutes), and a larval MK virus, Osugoroshi virus (OGV; Partitiviridae). However, whether the three distantly related male killers employ similar or different mechanisms to accomplish MK remains unknown. Here, we clarified the differential effects of the three male killers on the sex-determination cascades and development of H. magnanima males. Reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, but not OGVs, disrupted the sex-determination cascade of males by inducing female-type splice variants of doublesex (dsx), a downstream regulator of the sex-determining gene cascade. We also found that MK microbes altered host transcriptomes in different manners; Wolbachia impaired the host dosage compensation system, whereas Spiroplasma and OGVs did not. Moreover, Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, but not OGVs, triggered abnormal apoptosis in male embryos. These findings suggest that distantly related microbes employ distinct machineries to kill males of the identical host species, which would be the outcome of the convergent evolution. IMPORTANCE Many microbes induce male killing (MK) in various insect species. However, it is not well understood whether microbes adopt similar or different MK mechanisms. This gap in our knowledge is partly because different insect models have been examined for each MK microbe. Here, we compared three taxonomically distinct male killers (i.e., Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and a partiti-like virus) that infect the same host. We provided evidence that microbes can cause MK through distinct mechanisms that differ in the expression of genes involved in sex determination, dosage compensation, and apoptosis. These results imply independent evolutionary scenarios for the acquisition of their MK ability.}, }
@article {pmid37098535, year = {2023}, author = {da Moura, AJF and Valadas, V and Da Veiga Leal, S and Montalvo Sabino, E and Sousa, CA and Pinto, J}, title = {Screening of natural Wolbachia infection in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Cape Verde islands.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {142}, pmid = {37098535}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {PhD fellowship//Cam&#xf5;es I.P/ ; PTDC/BIA-OUT/29477/2017//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e a Tecnologia/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Culicidae/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Cabo Verde ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Culex/genetics ; *Aedes/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia pipientis is an endosymbiont bacterium that induces cytoplasmic incompatibility and inhibits arboviral replication in mosquitoes. This study aimed to assess Wolbachia prevalence and genetic diversity in different mosquito species from Cape Verde.<br><br>METHODS: Mosquitoes were collected on six islands of Cape Verde and identified to species using morphological keys and PCR-based assays. Wolbachia was detected by amplifying a fragment of the surface protein gene (wsp). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed with five housekeeping genes (coxA, gatB, ftsZ, hcpA, and fbpA) and the wsp hypervariable region (HVR) for strain identification. Identification of wPip groups (wPip-I to wPip-V) was performed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay on the ankyrin domain gene pk1.<br><br>RESULTS: Nine mosquito species were collected, including the major vectors Aedes aegypti, Anopheles arabiensis, Culex pipiens sensu stricto, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Wolbachia was only detected in Cx. pipiens s.s. (100% prevalence), Cx. quinquefasciatus (98.3%), Cx. pipiens/quinquefasciatus hybrids (100%), and Culex tigripes (100%). Based on the results of MLST and wsp hypervariable region typing, Wolbachia from the Cx. pipiens complex was assigned to sequence type 9, wPip clade, and supergroup B. PCR/RFLP analysis revealed three wPip groups in Cape Verde, namely wPip-II, wPip-III, and wPip-IV. wPip-IV was the most prevalent, while wPip-II and wPip-III were found only on Maio and Fogo islands. Wolbachia detected in Cx. tigripes belongs to supergroup B, with no attributed MLST profile, indicating a new strain of Wolbachia in this mosquito species.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence and diversity of Wolbachia was found in species from the Cx. pipiens complex. This diversity may be related to the mosquito's colonization history on the Cape Verde islands. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to detect Wolbachia in Cx. tigripes, which may provide an additional opportunity for biocontrol initiatives.}, }
@article {pmid37094805, year = {2023}, author = {Goldstein, EB and de Anda Acosta, Y and Henry, LM and Parker, BJ}, title = {Variation in density, immune gene suppression, and coinfection outcomes among strains of the aphid endosymbiont Regiella insecticola.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {77}, number = {7}, pages = {1704-1711}, doi = {10.1093/evolut/qpad071}, pmid = {37094805}, issn = {1558-5646}, support = {IOS-2152954//National Science Foundation/ ; BB/W001632/1//BBSRC/ ; //Biomedical Sciences/ ; //Pew Charitable Trusts/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; *Coinfection ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Phenotype ; }, abstract = {Many insects harbor heritable microbes that influence host phenotypes. Symbiont strains establish at different densities within hosts. This variation is important evolutionarily because within-host density has been linked to the costs and benefits of the symbiosis for both partners. Studying the factors shaping within-host density is important to our broader understanding of host-microbe coevolution. Here we focused on different strains of Regiella insecticola, a facultative symbiont of aphids. We first showed that strains of Regiella establish in pea aphids at drastically different densities. We then found that variation in density is correlated with the expression levels of two key insect immune system genes (phenoloxidase and hemocytin), with the suppression of immune gene expression correlating with higher Regiella density. We then performed an experiment where we established coinfections of a higher- and a lower-density Regiella strain, and we showed that the higher-density strain is better able to persist in coinfections than the lower-density strain. Together, our results point to a potential mechanism that contributes to strain-level variation in symbiont density in this system, and our data suggest that symbiont fitness may be increased by establishing at higher density within hosts. Our work highlights the importance of within-host dynamics shaping symbiont evolution.}, }
@article {pmid37094148, year = {2023}, author = {Gu, X and Ross, PA and Gill, A and Yang, Q and Ansermin, E and Sharma, S and Soleimannejad, S and Sharma, K and Callahan, A and Brown, C and Umina, PA and Kristensen, TN and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {A rapidly spreading deleterious aphid endosymbiont that uses horizontal as well as vertical transmission.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {120}, number = {18}, pages = {e2217278120}, pmid = {37094148}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology ; *Coxiellaceae/genetics ; Bacteria ; Phenotype ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic bacteria that live inside the cells of insects are typically only transmitted maternally and can spread by increasing host fitness and/or modifying reproduction in sexual hosts. Transinfections of Wolbachia endosymbionts are now being used to introduce useful phenotypes into sexual host populations, but there has been limited progress on applications using other endosymbionts and in asexual populations. Here, we develop a unique pathway to application in aphids by transferring the endosymbiont Rickettsiella viridis to the major crop pest Myzus persicae. Rickettsiella infection greatly reduced aphid fecundity, decreased heat tolerance, and modified aphid body color, from light to dark green. Despite inducing host fitness costs, Rickettsiella spread rapidly through caged aphid populations via plant-mediated horizontal transmission. The phenotypic effects of Rickettsiella were sensitive to temperature, with spread only occurring at 19 °C and not 25 °C. Body color modification was also lost at high temperatures despite Rickettsiella maintaining a high density. Rickettsiella shows the potential to spread through natural M. persicae populations by horizontal transmission and subsequent vertical transmission. Establishment of Rickettsiella in natural populations could reduce crop damage by modifying population age structure, reducing population growth and providing context-dependent effects on host fitness. Our results highlight the importance of plant-mediated horizontal transmission and interactions with temperature as drivers of endosymbiont spread in asexual insect populations.}, }
@article {pmid37085551, year = {2023}, author = {Kiefer, JST and Bauer, E and Okude, G and Fukatsu, T and Kaltenpoth, M and Engl, T}, title = {Cuticle supplementation and nitrogen recycling by a dual bacterial symbiosis in a family of xylophagous beetles.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {17}, number = {7}, pages = {1029-1039}, pmid = {37085551}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Insecta/microbiology ; Dietary Supplements ; Genome, Bacterial ; }, abstract = {Many insects engage in stable nutritional symbioses with bacteria that supplement limiting essential nutrients to their host. While several plant sap-feeding Hemipteran lineages are known to be simultaneously associated with two or more endosymbionts with complementary biosynthetic pathways to synthesize amino acids or vitamins, such co-obligate symbioses have not been functionally characterized in other insect orders. Here, we report on the characterization of a dual co-obligate, bacteriome-localized symbiosis in a family of xylophagous beetles using comparative genomics, fluorescence microscopy, and phylogenetic analyses. Across the beetle family Bostrichidae, most investigated species harbored the Bacteroidota symbiont Shikimatogenerans bostrichidophilus that encodes the shikimate pathway to produce tyrosine precursors in its severely reduced genome, likely supplementing the beetles' cuticle biosynthesis, sclerotisation, and melanisation. One clade of Bostrichid beetles additionally housed the co-obligate symbiont Bostrichicola ureolyticus that is inferred to complement the function of Shikimatogenerans by recycling urea and provisioning the essential amino acid lysine, thereby providing additional benefits on nitrogen-poor diets. Both symbionts represent ancient associations within the Bostrichidae that have subsequently experienced genome erosion and co-speciation with their hosts. While Bostrichicola was repeatedly lost, Shikimatogenerans has been retained throughout the family and exhibits a perfect pattern of co-speciation. Our results reveal that co-obligate symbioses with complementary metabolic capabilities occur beyond the well-known sap-feeding Hemiptera and highlight the importance of symbiont-mediated cuticle supplementation and nitrogen recycling for herbivorous beetles.}, }
@article {pmid37079598, year = {2023}, author = {Choubdar, N and Karimian, F and Koosha, M and Nejati, J and Shabani Kordshouli, R and Azarm, A and Oshaghi, MA}, title = {Wolbachia infection in native populations of Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {4}, pages = {e0284704}, pmid = {37079598}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; *Periplaneta/microbiology ; *Blattellidae/genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Cockroaches/microbiology ; Allergens ; }, abstract = {Cockroaches are significant pests worldwide, being important in medical, veterinary, and public health fields. Control of cockroaches is difficult because they have robust reproductive ability and high adaptability and are resistant to many insecticides. Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium that infects the reproductive organs of approximately 70% of insect species and has become a promising biological agent for controlling insect pests. However, limited data on the presence or strain typing of Wolbachia in cockroaches are available. PCR amplification and sequencing of the wsp and gltA genes were used to study the presence, prevalence and molecular typing of Wolbachia in two main cockroach species, Blattella germanica (German cockroach) and Periplaneta americana (American cockroach), from different geographical locations of Iran. The Wolbachia endosymbiont was found only in 20.6% of German cockroaches while it was absent in American cockroach samples. Blast search and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Wolbachia strain found in the German cockroach belongs to Wolbachia supergroup F. Further studies should investigate the symbiotic role of Wolbachia in cockroaches and determine whether lack of Wolbachia infection may increase this insect's ability to tolerate or acquire various pathogens. Results of our study provide a foundation for continued work on interactions between cockroaches, bacterial endosymbionts, and pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid37075471, year = {2023}, author = {Che Lah, EF and Ahamad, M and Dmitry, A and Md-Zain, BM and Yaakop, S}, title = {Metagenomic profile of the bacterial communities associated with Ixodes granulatus (Acari: Ixodidae): a potential vector of tick-borne diseases.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {60}, number = {4}, pages = {753-768}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjad044}, pmid = {37075471}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Animals ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; Rickettsiales ; Ehrlichia ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Borrelia/genetics ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Ixodes granulatus Supino, 1897 (Acari: Ixodida) is one of Malaysia's most common hard ticks and is a potential vector for tick-borne diseases (TBDs). Despite its great public health importance, research on I. granulatus microbial communities remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the bacterial communities of on-host I. granulatus collected from three different recreational areas on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia using high throughput Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). A total of 9 females on-host I. granulatus were subjected to metabarcoding analysis targeting V3-V4 regions of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) using the Illumina MiSeq platform. This study identified 15 bacterial phyla corresponding to 19 classes, 54 orders, and 90 families from 435 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), revealing a diverse bacterial community profile. Together with 130 genera assigned, local I. granulatus harbored 4 genera of pathogens, i.e., Rickettsia da Rocha Lima, 1916 (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) (58.6%), Borrelia Swellengrebel 1907 (Spirochaetales: Borreliaceae) (31.6%), Borreliella Adeolu and Gupta 2015 (Spirochaetales: Borreliaceae) (0.6%), and Ehrlichia Cowdria Moshkovski 1947 (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichiaceae) (39.9%). Some endosymbiont bacteria, such as Coxiella (Philip, 1943) (Legionellales: Coxiellaceae), Wolbachia Hertig 1936 (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichiaceae), and Rickettsiella Philip, 1956 (Legionellales: Coxiellaceae), were also detected at very low abundance. Interestingly, this study reported the co-infection of Borrelia and Ehrlichia for the first time, instilling potential health concerns in the context of co-transmission to humans, especially in areas with a high population of I. granulatus. This study successfully characterized the tick microbiome and provided the first baseline data of I. granulatus bacterial communities in Malaysia. These results support the need for way-forward research on tick-associated bacteria using NGS, focusing on medically important species toward TBD prevention.}, }
@article {pmid37071674, year = {2023}, author = {Libby, E and Kempes, CP and Okie, JG}, title = {Metabolic compatibility and the rarity of prokaryote endosymbioses.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {120}, number = {17}, pages = {e2206527120}, pmid = {37071674}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Prokaryotic Cells/metabolism ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells/metabolism ; Biological Evolution ; }, abstract = {The evolution of the mitochondria was a significant event that gave rise to the eukaryotic lineage and most large complex life. Central to the origins of the mitochondria was an endosymbiosis between prokaryotes. Yet, despite the potential benefits that can stem from a prokaryotic endosymbiosis, their modern occurrence is exceptionally rare. While many factors may contribute to their rarity, we lack methods for estimating the extent to which they constrain the appearance of a prokaryotic endosymbiosis. Here, we address this knowledge gap by examining the role of metabolic compatibility between a prokaryotic host and endosymbiont. We use genome-scale metabolic flux models from three different collections (AGORA, KBase, and CarveMe) to assess the viability, fitness, and evolvability of potential prokaryotic endosymbioses. We find that while more than half of host-endosymbiont pairings are metabolically viable, the resulting endosymbioses have reduced growth rates compared to their ancestral metabolisms and are unlikely to gain mutations to overcome these fitness differences. In spite of these challenges, we do find that they may be more robust in the face of environmental perturbations at least in comparison with the ancestral host metabolism lineages. Our results provide a critical set of null models and expectations for understanding the forces that shape the structure of prokaryotic life.}, }
@article {pmid37067424, year = {2023}, author = {Chakraborty, A and Šobotník, J and Votýpková, K and Hradecký, J and Stiblik, P and Synek, J and Bourguignon, T and Baldrian, P and Engel, MS and Novotný, V and Odriozola, I and Větrovský, T}, title = {Impact of Wood Age on Termite Microbial Assemblages.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {89}, number = {5}, pages = {e0036123}, pmid = {37067424}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wood/metabolism ; Ecosystem ; *Isoptera/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics/metabolism ; Bacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {The decomposition of wood and detritus is challenging to most macroscopic organisms due to the recalcitrant nature of lignocellulose. Moreover, woody plants often protect themselves by synthesizing toxic or nocent compounds which infuse their tissues. Termites are essential wood decomposers in warmer terrestrial ecosystems and, as such, they have to cope with high concentrations of plant toxins in wood. In this paper, we evaluated the influence of wood age on the gut microbial (bacterial and fungal) communities associated with the termites Reticulitermes flavipes (Rhinotermitidae) (Kollar, 1837) and Microcerotermes biroi (Termitidae) (Desneux, 1905). We confirmed that the secondary metabolite concentration decreased with wood age. We identified a core microbial consortium maintained in the gut of R. flavipes and M. biroi and found that its diversity and composition were not altered by the wood age. Therefore, the concentration of secondary metabolites had no effect on the termite gut microbiome. We also found that both termite feeding activities and wood age affect the wood microbiome. Whether the increasing relative abundance of microbes with termite activities is beneficial to the termites is unknown and remains to be investigated. IMPORTANCE Termites can feed on wood thanks to their association with their gut microbes. However, the current understanding of termites as holobiont is limited. To our knowledge, no studies comprehensively reveal the influence of wood age on the termite-associated microbial assemblage. The wood of many tree species contains high concentrations of plant toxins that can vary with their age and may influence microbes. Here, we studied the impact of Norway spruce wood of varying ages and terpene concentrations on the microbial communities associated with the termites Reticulitermes flavipes (Rhinotermitidae) and Microcerotermes biroi (Termitidae). We performed a bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS2 metabarcoding study to reveal the microbial communities associated with R. flavipes and M. biroi and their impact on shaping the wood microbiome. We noted that a stable core microbiome in the termites was unaltered by the feeding substrate, while termite activities influenced the wood microbiome, suggesting that plant secondary metabolites have negligible effects on the termite gut microbiome. Hence, our study shed new insights into the termite-associated microbial assemblage under the influence of varying amounts of terpene content in wood and provides a groundwork for future investigations for developing symbiont-mediated termite control measures.}, }
@article {pmid37066385, year = {2023}, author = {Moulin, SLY and Frail, S and Doenier, J and Braukmann, T and Yeh, E}, title = {The endosymbiont of Epithemia clementina is specialized for nitrogen fixation within a photosynthetic eukaryote.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37066385}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {T32 GM007276/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Epithemia spp. diatoms contain obligate, nitrogen-fixing endosymbionts, or "diazoplasts", derived from cyanobacteria. These algae are a rare example of photosynthetic eukaryotes that have successfully coupled oxygenic photosynthesis with oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase activity. Here, we report a newly-isolated species, E. clementina, as a model to investigate endosymbiotic acquisition of nitrogen fixation. To detect the metabolic changes associated with endosymbiotic specialization, we compared nitrogen fixation, associated carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and their regulatory pathways in the Epithemia diazoplast with its close, free-living cyanobacterial relative, Crocosphaera subtropica. Unlike C. subtropica, we show that nitrogenase activity in the diazoplast is concurrent with, and even dependent on, host photosynthesis and no longer associated with cyanobacterial glycogen storage suggesting carbohydrates are imported from the host diatom. Carbohydrate catabolism in the diazoplast indicates that the oxidative pentose pathway and oxidative phosphorylation, in concert, generates reducing equivalents and ATP and consumes oxygen to support nitrogenase activity. In contrast to expanded nitrogenase activity, the diazoplast has diminished ability to utilize alternative nitrogen sources. Upon ammonium repletion, negative feedback regulation of nitrogen fixation was conserved, however ammonia assimilation showed paradoxical responses in the diazoplast compared with C. subtropica. The altered nitrogen regulation likely favors nitrogen transfer to the host. Our results suggest that the diazoplast is specialized for endosymbiotic nitrogen fixation. Altogether, we establish a new model for studying endosymbiosis, perform the first functional characterization of this diazotroph endosymbiosis, and identify metabolic adaptations for endosymbiotic acquisition of a critical biological function.}, }
@article {pmid37052365, year = {2023}, author = {Xu, J and Tan, JB and Li, YD and Xu, YH and Tang, A and Zhou, HK and Shi, PQ}, title = {Diversity and dynamics of endosymbionts in a single population of sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae): a preliminary study.}, journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)}, volume = {23}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {37052365}, issn = {1536-2442}, mesh = {Animals ; *Weevils ; *Coleoptera ; *Ipomoea batatas ; Reproduction ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts live symbiotically with insect hosts and play important roles in the evolution, growth, development, reproduction, and environmental fitness of hosts. Weevils are one of the most abundant insect groups that can be infected by various endosymbionts, such as Sodalis, Nardonella, and Wolbachia. The sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Coleoptera: Brentidae), is a notorious pest in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cultivation. Currently, little is known about the presence of endosymbionts in C. formicarius. Herein, we assessed the endosymbiont load of a single geographic population of C. formicarius. The results showed that Nardonella and Rickettsia could infect C. formicarius at different rates, which also varied according to the developmental stages of C. formicarius. The relative titer of Nardonella was significantly related to C. formicarius developmental stages. The Nardonella-infecting sweet potato weevils were most closely related to the Nardonella in Sphenophorus levis (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). The Rickettsia be identified in bellii group. These results preliminarily revealed the endosymbionts in C. formicarius and helped to explore the diversity of endosymbionts in weevils and uncover the physiological roles of endosymbionts in weevils.}, }
@article {pmid37042290, year = {2023}, author = {Lu, M and Chen, S and Meng, C and Wang, W and Li, H and Sun, Y and Li, M and Ma, X and Ma, Y and Duan, C and Li, K}, title = {A novel Rickettsia species closely related to Rickettsia felis in Anopheles mosquitoes from Yingkou City, Northeast China.}, journal = {Zoonoses and public health}, volume = {70}, number = {6}, pages = {568-571}, doi = {10.1111/zph.13043}, pmid = {37042290}, issn = {1863-2378}, support = {82102390//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Rickettsia felis/genetics ; *Anopheles ; Phylogeny ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Aedes ; China ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes are generally recognized as the most important vector of many zoonotic pathogens. In this study, seven mosquitoes species were identified (Anopheles pullus, Anopheles sinensis, Anopheles lesteri, Anopheles kleini, Ochlerotatus dorsalis, Aedes koreicus and Culex inatomii) in samples collected from Yingkou City, Liaoning Province, Northeastern China. A novel Rickettsia species was detected in Anopheles sinensis (two of 71, 2.82%) and Anopheles pullus (one of 106, 0.94%) mosquitoes. Genetic analysis indicated that the rrs and ompB genes have highest 99.60% and 97.88%-98.14% identities to Rickettsia felis, an emerging human pathogen of global concern mainly harboured by fleas, mosquitoes and booklice. The gltA sequences of these strains have 99.72% of nucleotide similarity with Rickettsia endosymbiont of Medetera jacula. The groEL sequences have 98.37% similarity to both Rickettsia tillamookensis and Rickettsia australis. The htrA sequences have 98.77% similarity to Rickettsia lusitaniae. In the phylogenetic tree based on concatenated nucleotide sequences of rrs, gltA, groEL, ompB and htrA genes, these strains are closely related to R. felis. Herein, we name it 'Candidatus Rickettsia yingkouensis'. Its human pathogenicity to humans and animals is still to be determined.}, }
@article {pmid37035680, year = {2023}, author = {Ferrarini, MG and Vallier, A and Dell'Aglio, E and Balmand, S and Vincent-Monégat, C and Debbache, M and Maire, J and Parisot, N and Zaidman-Rémy, A and Heddi, A and Rebollo, R}, title = {Endosymbiont-containing germarium transcriptional survey in a cereal weevil depicts downregulation of immune effectors at the onset of sexual maturity.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1142513}, pmid = {37035680}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Insects often establish long-term relationships with intracellular symbiotic bacteria, i.e., endosymbionts, that provide them with essential nutrients such as amino acids and vitamins. Endosymbionts are typically confined within specialized host cells called bacteriocytes that may form an organ, the bacteriome. Compartmentalization within host cells is paramount for protecting the endosymbionts and also avoiding chronic activation of the host immune system. In the cereal weevil Sitophilus oryzae, bacteriomes are present as a single organ at the larval foregut-midgut junction, and in adults, at the apex of midgut mesenteric caeca and at the apex of the four ovarioles. While the adult midgut endosymbionts experience a drastic proliferation during early adulthood followed by complete elimination through apoptosis and autophagy, ovarian endosymbionts are maintained throughout the weevil lifetime by unknown mechanisms. Bacteria present in ovarian bacteriomes are thought to be involved in the maternal transmission of endosymbionts through infection of the female germline, but the exact mode of transmission is not fully understood. Here, we show that endosymbionts are able to colonize the germarium in one-week-old females, pinpointing a potential infection route of oocytes. To identify potential immune regulators of ovarian endosymbionts, we have analyzed the transcriptomes of the ovarian bacteriomes through young adult development, from one-day-old adults to sexually mature ones. In contrast with midgut bacteriomes, immune effectors are downregulated in ovarian bacteriomes at the onset of sexual maturation. We hypothesize that relaxation of endosymbiont control by antimicrobial peptides might allow bacterial migration and potential oocyte infection, ensuring endosymbiont transmission.}, }
@article {pmid37035661, year = {2023}, author = {Michalik, A and Franco, DC and Deng, J and Szklarzewicz, T and Stroiński, A and Kobiałka, M and Łukasik, P}, title = {Variable organization of symbiont-containing tissue across planthoppers hosting different heritable endosymbionts.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1135346}, pmid = {37035661}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Sap-feeding hemipteran insects live in associations with diverse heritable symbiotic microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) that provide essential nutrients deficient in their hosts' diets. These symbionts typically reside in highly specialized organs called bacteriomes (with bacterial symbionts) or mycetomes (with fungal symbionts). The organization of these organs varies between insect clades that are ancestrally associated with different microbes. As these symbioses evolve and additional microorganisms complement or replace the ancient associates, the organization of the symbiont-containing tissue becomes even more variable. Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) are ancestrally associated with bacterial symbionts Sulcia and Vidania, but in many of the planthopper lineages, these symbionts are now accompanied or have been replaced by other heritable bacteria (e.g., Sodalis, Arsenophonus, Purcelliella) or fungi. We know the identity of many of these microbes, but the symbiont distribution within the host tissues and the bacteriome organization have not been systematically studied using modern microscopy techniques. Here, we combine light, fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy with phylogenomic data to compare symbiont tissue distributions and the bacteriome organization across planthoppers representing 15 families. We identify and describe seven primary types of symbiont localization and seven types of the organization of the bacteriome. We show that Sulcia and Vidania, when present, usually occupy distinct bacteriomes distributed within the body cavity. The more recently acquired gammaproteobacterial and fungal symbionts generally occupy separate groups of cells organized into distinct bacteriomes or mycetomes, distinct from those with Sulcia and Vidania. They can also be localized in the cytoplasm of fat body cells. Alphaproteobacterial symbionts colonize a wider range of host body habitats: Asaia-like symbionts often colonize the host gut lumen, whereas Wolbachia and Rickettsia are usually scattered across insect tissues and cell types, including cells containing other symbionts, bacteriome sheath, fat body cells, gut epithelium, as well as hemolymph. However, there are exceptions, including Gammaproteobacteria that share bacteriome with Vidania, or Alphaproteobacteria that colonize Sulcia cells. We discuss how planthopper symbiont localization correlates with their acquisition and replacement patterns and the symbionts' likely functions. We also discuss the evolutionary consequences, constraints, and significance of these findings.}, }
@article {pmid37035211, year = {2023}, author = {Gong, W and Zhang, S}, title = {YB1 participated in regulating mitochondrial activity through RNA replacement.}, journal = {Frontiers in oncology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1145379}, pmid = {37035211}, issn = {2234-943X}, abstract = {As a relic of ancient bacterial endosymbionts, mitochondria play a central role in cell metabolism, apoptosis, autophagy, and other processes. However, the function of mitochondria-derived nucleic acids in cellular signal transduction has not been fully elucidated. Here, our work has found that Y-box binding protein 1 (YB1) maintained cellular autophagy at a moderate level to inhibit mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, mitochondrial RNA was leaked into cytosol under starvation, accompanied by YB1 mitochondrial relocation, resulting in YB1-bound RNA replacement. The mRNAs encoded by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)-associated genes and oncogene HMGA1 (high-mobility group AT-hook 1) were competitively replaced by mitochondria-derived tRNAs. The increase of free OXPHOS mRNAs released from the YB1 complex enhanced mitochondrial activity through facilitating translation, but the stability of HMGA1 mRNA was impaired without the protection of YB1, both contributing to breast cancer cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species production. Our finding not only provided a new potential target for breast cancer therapy but also shed new light on understanding the global landscape of cellular interactions between RNA-binding proteins and different RNA species.}, }
@article {pmid37022136, year = {2023}, author = {Arras, SDM and Sibaeva, N and Catchpole, RJ and Horinouchi, N and Si, D and Rickerby, AM and Deguchi, K and Hibi, M and Tanaka, K and Takeuchi, M and Ogawa, J and Poole, AM}, title = {Characterisation of an Escherichia coli line that completely lacks ribonucleotide reduction yields insights into the evolution of parasitism and endosymbiosis.}, journal = {eLife}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {37022136}, issn = {2050-084X}, mesh = {*Ribonucleotides/metabolism ; Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Ribonucleotide Reductases/genetics/metabolism ; Deoxyribonucleotides/metabolism ; Deoxyribonucleosides/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Life requires ribonucleotide reduction for de novo synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides. As ribonucleotide reduction has on occasion been lost in parasites and endosymbionts, which are instead dependent on their host for deoxyribonucleotide synthesis, it should in principle be possible to knock this process out if growth media are supplemented with deoxyribonucleosides. We report the creation of a strain of Escherichia coli where all three ribonucleotide reductase operons have been deleted following introduction of a broad spectrum deoxyribonucleoside kinase from Mycoplasma mycoides. Our strain shows slowed but substantial growth in the presence of deoxyribonucleosides. Under limiting deoxyribonucleoside levels, we observe a distinctive filamentous cell morphology, where cells grow but do not appear to divide regularly. Finally, we examined whether our lines can adapt to limited supplies of deoxyribonucleosides, as might occur in the switch from de novo synthesis to dependence on host production during the evolution of parasitism or endosymbiosis. Over the course of an evolution experiment, we observe a 25-fold reduction in the minimum concentration of exogenous deoxyribonucleosides necessary for growth. Genome analysis reveals that several replicate lines carry mutations in deoB and cdd. deoB codes for phosphopentomutase, a key part of the deoxyriboaldolase pathway, which has been hypothesised as an alternative to ribonucleotide reduction for deoxyribonucleotide synthesis. Rather than complementing the loss of ribonucleotide reduction, our experiments reveal that mutations appear that reduce or eliminate the capacity for this pathway to catabolise deoxyribonucleotides, thus preventing their loss via central metabolism. Mutational inactivation of both deoB and cdd is also observed in a number of obligate intracellular bacteria that have lost ribonucleotide reduction. We conclude that our experiments recapitulate key evolutionary steps in the adaptation to life without ribonucleotide reduction.}, }
@article {pmid37021082, year = {2023}, author = {Rutagarama, VP and Ireri, PM and Sibomana, C and Omufwoko, KS and Martin, SH and Ffrench-Constant, RH and Eckardt, W and Kaplin, BK and Smith, DAS and Gordon, I}, title = {African Queens find mates when males are rare.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {e9956}, pmid = {37021082}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {In butterflies and moths, male-killing endosymbionts are transmitted from infected females via their eggs, and the male progeny then perish. This means that successful transmission of the parasite relies on the successful mating of the host. Paradoxically, at the population level, parasite transmission also reduces the number of adult males present in the final population for infected females to mate with. Here we investigate if successful female mating when males are rare is indeed a likely rate-limiting step in the transmission of male-killing Spiroplasma in the African Monarch, Danaus chrysippus. In Lepidoptera, successful pairings are hallmarked by the transfer of a sperm-containing spermatophore from the male to the female during copulation. Conveniently, this spermatophore remains detectable within the female upon dissection, and thus, spermatophore counts can be used to assess the frequency of successful mating in the field. We used such spermatophore counts to examine if altered sex ratios in the D. chrysippus do indeed affect female mating success. We examined two different field sites in East Africa where males were often rare. Surprisingly, mated females carried an average of 1.5 spermatophores each, regardless of male frequency, and importantly, only 10-20% remained unmated. This suggests that infected females will still be able to mate in the face of either Spiroplasma-mediated male killing and/or fluctuations in adult sex ratio over the wet-dry season cycle. These observations may begin to explain how the male-killing mollicute can still be successfully transmitted in a population where males are rare.}, }
@article {pmid37016457, year = {2023}, author = {Junghare, M and Manavalan, T and Fredriksen, L and Leiros, I and Altermark, B and Eijsink, VGH and Vaaje-Kolstad, G}, title = {Biochemical and structural characterisation of a family GH5 cellulase from endosymbiont of shipworm P. megotara.}, journal = {Biotechnology for biofuels and bioproducts}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {61}, pmid = {37016457}, issn = {2731-3654}, support = {283647//Norges Forskningsr&#xe5;d/ ; 221568//Norges Forskningsr&#xe5;d/ ; 269408//Norges Forskningsr&#xe5;d/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cellulases play a key role in the enzymatic conversion of plant cell-wall polysaccharides into simple and economically relevant sugars. Thus, the discovery of novel cellulases from exotic biological niches is of great interest as they may present properties that are valuable in the biorefining of lignocellulosic biomass.<br><br>RESULTS: We have characterized a glycoside hydrolase 5 (GH5) domain of a bi-catalytic GH5-GH6 multi-domain enzyme from the unusual gill endosymbiont Teredinibacter waterburyi of the wood-digesting shipworm Psiloteredo megotara. The catalytic&#xa0;GH5 domain, was cloned and recombinantly produced with or without a&#xa0;C-terminal&#xa0;family 10 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). Both variants showed hydrolytic endo-activity on soluble substrates such as&#xa0;&#x3b2;-glucan, carboxymethylcellulose and konjac glucomannan, respectively. However, low activity was observed towards the crystalline form of cellulose. Interestingly, when co-incubated with a cellulose-active LPMO, a clear synergy was observed that boosted the overall hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose. The crystal structure of the GH5 catalytic domain was solved to 1.0&#xa0;&#xc5; resolution and revealed a substrate binding cleft&#xa0;extension containing a putative&#x2009;+&#x2009;3 subsite, which is uncommon in this enzyme family. The enzyme&#xa0;was active in a wide range of pH, temperatures and showed high tolerance for NaCl.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study provides significant knowledge in the discovery of new enzymes from shipworm gill endosymbionts and sheds new light on biochemical and structural characterization of cellulolytic cellulase. Study demonstrated a boost in the hydrolytic activity of cellulase on crystalline cellulose when co-incubated with cellulose-active LPMO. These findings will be relevant for the development of future enzyme cocktails that may be useful for the biotechnological conversion of lignocellulose.}, }
@article {pmid37016078, year = {2023}, author = {Nielsen, DA and Petrou, K}, title = {Lipid stores reveal the state of the coral-algae symbiosis at the single-cell level.}, journal = {ISME communications}, volume = {3}, number = {1}, pages = {29}, pmid = {37016078}, issn = {2730-6151}, support = {28569//PADI Foundation/ ; 28569//PADI Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Coral reefs worldwide are threatened by environmental stress. The observable decline in coral cover, is principally due to the intensifying breakdown of the coral symbiosis, a process known as 'bleaching'. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered a key driver of coral bleaching, where environmental stress leads to increased ROS expression. To explore the link between ROS damage and symbiont status, we measured lipid peroxidation (LPO), a ubiquitous form of ROS damage, in the lipid stores of individual endo- and ex-symbiotic algal cells of three coral species, using confocal microscopy and a lipid hydroperoxide sensitive fluorescent dye. We found LPO was higher in endosymbionts, while lipid volume was greater in ex-symbiotic cells. Cluster analysis revealed three metabolic profiles differentiating endosymbiotic (#1: high LPO, low lipid) and ex-symbiotic cells (#3: low LPO, high lipid), with the intermediate group (#2) containing both cell types. Heat stress caused endosymbionts of Pocillopora acuta to shift away from cluster #1, suggesting this cluster represents cells in healthy/stable symbiosis. Our study delivers a new means to assess the coral symbiosis, demonstrating that symbiont LPO ratio combined with lipid store volume is a robust metabolic marker for the state of the symbiosis at the cellular level.}, }
@article {pmid37005434, year = {2023}, author = {Argandona, JA and Kim, D and Hansen, AK}, title = {Comparative transcriptomics of aphid species that diverged &gt; 22 MYA reveals genes that are important for the maintenance of their symbiosis.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {5341}, pmid = {37005434}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {S10 OD010786/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Aspartic Acid/metabolism ; Asparaginase/metabolism ; Transcriptome ; *Buchnera/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Most plant-sap feeding insects have obligate relationships with maternally transmitted bacteria. Aphids require their nutritional endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, for the production of essential amino acids. Such endosymbionts are harbored inside of specialized insect cells called bacteriocytes. Here, we use comparative transcriptomics of bacteriocytes between two recently diverged aphid species, Myzus persicae and Acyrthosiphon pisum, to identify key genes that are important for the maintenance of their nutritional mutualism. The majority of genes with conserved expression profiles in M. persicae and A. pisum are for orthologs previously identified in A. pisum to be important for the symbiosis. However, asparaginase which produces aspartate from asparagine was significantly up-regulated only in A. pisum bacteriocytes, potentially because Buchnera of M. persicae encodes its own asparaginase enzyme unlike Buchnera of A. pisum resulting in Buchnera of A. pisum to be dependent on its aphid host for aspartate. One-to-one orthologs that explained the most amount of variation for bacteriocyte specific mRNA expression for both species includes a collaborative gene for methionine biosynthesis, multiple transporters, a horizontally transmitted gene, and secreted proteins. Finally, we highlight species-specific gene clusters which may contribute to host adaptations and/or accommodations in gene regulation to changes in the symbiont or the symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid37001324, year = {2023}, author = {Romano, DMM and Pereira, TN and Almeida, IB and Coelho, CSG and Duarte, FC and Harakava, R and Cassiano, LL and Mendes, MC}, title = {First molecular evidence of Wolbachia occurrence in Amblyomma sculptum (Acari: Ixodidae).}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {317}, number = {}, pages = {109907}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109907}, pmid = {37001324}, issn = {1873-2550}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; *Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary ; Amblyomma/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Brazil/epidemiology ; *Ticks/microbiology ; *Rickettsia ; }, abstract = {As the main vector for the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii in Brazil, the tick Amblyomma sculptum is a parasite of great public health importance in this country. Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium highly widespread among invertebrates and because of its impact on its hosts' biology, form a powerful alternative for pests and disease control. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of this bacterium in A. sculptum. For this, 187 adult ticks collected in two municipalities in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed using molecular techniques and bioinformatics tools. A total of 15 ticks were positive for the presence of Wolbachia. Phylogenetic analysis on the 16S rRNA gene indicated that the Wolbachia DNA sequences obtained in this investigation belonged to different clades, probably in supergroups B and F. This was the first study to report the occurrence of Wolbachia in A. sculptum and it enriches knowledge about the susceptibility of ticks to this bacterium. Now that we know that Wolbachia can be found in A. sculptum, the objective for a next study must be to investigate Wolbachia's possible origin in this tick.}, }
@article {pmid37001140, year = {2023}, author = {Newman, LE and Shadel, GS}, title = {Mitochondrial DNA Release in Innate Immune Signaling.}, journal = {Annual review of biochemistry}, volume = {92}, number = {}, pages = {299-332}, pmid = {37001140}, issn = {1545-4509}, support = {K99 GM141482/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P30 AG068635/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AR069876/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics/metabolism ; *Mitochondria/genetics/metabolism ; Immunity, Innate/genetics ; Aging/genetics ; Cell Nucleus/genetics/metabolism ; Mammals/genetics ; }, abstract = {According to the endosymbiotic theory, most of the DNA of the original bacterial endosymbiont has been lost or transferred to the nucleus, leaving a much smaller (∼16 kb in mammals), circular molecule that is the present-day mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The ability of mtDNA to escape mitochondria and integrate into the nuclear genome was discovered in budding yeast, along with genes that regulate this process. Mitochondria have emerged as key regulators of innate immunity, and it is now recognized that mtDNA released into the cytoplasm, outside of the cell, or into circulation activates multiple innate immune signaling pathways. Here, we first review the mechanisms through which mtDNA is released into the cytoplasm, including several inducible mitochondrial pores and defective mitophagy or autophagy. Next, we cover how the different forms of released mtDNA activate specific innate immune nucleic acid sensors and inflammasomes. Finally, we discuss how intracellular and extracellular mtDNA release, including circulating cell-free mtDNA that promotes systemic inflammation, are implicated in human diseases, bacterial and viral infections, senescence and aging.}, }
@article {pmid36993585, year = {2023}, author = {Beckmann, J and Gillespie, J and Tauritz, D}, title = {Modelling Emergence of Wolbachia Toxin-Antidote Protein Functions with an Evolutionary Algorithm.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {36993585}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R21 AI146773/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI156762/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI166832/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Evolutionary algorithms (EAs) simulate Darwinian evolution and adeptly mimic natural evolution. Most EA applications in biology encode high levels of abstraction in top-down ecological population models. In contrast, our research merges protein alignment algorithms from bioinformatics into codon based EAs that simulate molecular protein string evolution from the bottom up. We apply our EA to reconcile a problem in the field of Wolbachia induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Wolbachia is a microbial endosymbiont that lives inside insect cells. CI is conditional insect sterility that operates as a toxin antidote (TA) system. Although, CI exhibits complex phenotypes not fully explained under a single discrete model. We instantiate in-silico genes that control CI, CI factors (cifs), as strings within the EA chromosome. We monitor the evolution of their enzymatic activity, binding, and cellular localization by applying selective pressure on their primary amino acid strings. Our model helps rationalize why two distinct mechanisms of CI induction might coexist in nature. We find that nuclear localization signals (NLS) and Type IV secretion system signals (T4SS) are of low complexity and evolve fast, whereas binding interactions have intermediate complexity, and enzymatic activity is the most complex. Our model predicts that as ancestral TA systems evolve into eukaryotic CI systems, the placement of NLS or T4SS signals can stochastically vary, imparting effects that might impact CI induction mechanics. Our model highlights how preconditions, genetic diversity, and sequence length can bias evolution of cifs towards one mechanism or another.}, }
@article {pmid36989877, year = {2023}, author = {Weisse, T and Scheffel, U and Stadler, P}, title = {Temperature-dependent resistance to starvation of three contrasting freshwater ciliates.}, journal = {European journal of protistology}, volume = {88}, number = {}, pages = {125973}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejop.2023.125973}, pmid = {36989877}, issn = {1618-0429}, support = {P 32714/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Temperature ; *Ciliophora/physiology ; Lakes ; Trees ; }, abstract = {We investigated the temperature-dependent response to starvation of three contrasting freshwater ciliates (Ciliophora). The cyst-forming algivorous species Meseres corlissi and the bactivorous species Glaucomides bromelicola, which cannot form cysts, co-occur in the reservoirs (tanks) of tree bromeliads. The mixotrophic species Coleps spetai is common in many lakes. We hypothesized that the ciliates' different traits and life strategies would affect their survival rates and temperature sensitivity under food depleted conditions. We measured the decline of the ciliate populations in microcosm experiments at different temperatures for several days. We used an imaging flow cytometer to size the ciliates and documented their morphological and physiological changes in response to starvation. We found that the cyst-forming species had the highest mortality rates but may endure long-term starvation by encystment. The sympatric, non-encysting species suffered the lowest mortality rates and could survive for more than three weeks without food. The mixotrophic species had intermediate mortality rates but showed the highest phenotypic plasticity in response to starvation. A significant fraction of the C. spetai population appeared unaffected by starvation, suggesting that the endosymbionts provided some resources to the host cells. The mean mortality rate per day of all three species increased with temperature by 0.09 °C[-1].}, }
@article {pmid36986288, year = {2023}, author = {Moore, C and Lashnits, E and Neupane, P and Herrin, BH and Lappin, M and André, MR and Breitschwerdt, EB}, title = {Feeding on a Bartonella henselae Infected Host Triggers Temporary Changes in the Ctenocephalides felis Microbiome.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {36986288}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {FAPESP Process 2019/09464-6//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; }, abstract = {The effect of Bartonella henselae on the microbiome of its vector, Ctenocephalides felis (the cat flea) is largely unknown, as the majority of C. felis microbiome studies have utilized wild-caught pooled fleas. We surveyed the microbiome of laboratory-origin C. felis fed on B. henselae-infected cats for 24 h or 9 days to identify changes to microbiome diversity and microbe prevalence compared to unfed fleas, and fleas fed on uninfected cats. Utilizing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina platform, we documented an increase in microbial diversity in C. felis fed on Bartonella-infected cats for 24 h. These changes returned to baseline (unfed fleas or fleas fed on uninfected cats) after 9 days on the host. Increased diversity in the C. felis microbiome when fed on B. henselae-infected cats may be related to the mammalian, flea, or endosymbiont response. Poor B. henselae acquisition was documented with only one of four infected flea pools having B. henselae detected by NGS. We hypothesize this is due to the use of adult fleas, flea genetic variation, or lack of co-feeding with B. henselae-infected fleas. Future studies are necessary to fully characterize the effect of endosymbionts and C. felis diversity on B. henselae acquisition.}, }
@article {pmid36985289, year = {2023}, author = {Huynh, LN and Diarra, AZ and Pham, QL and Berenger, JM and Ho, VH and Nguyen, XQ and Parola, P}, title = {Identification of Vietnamese Flea Species and Their Associated Microorganisms Using Morphological, Molecular, and Protein Profiling.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {36985289}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Fleas are obligatory blood-sucking ectoparasites of medical and veterinary importance. The identification of fleas and associated flea-borne microorganisms, therefore, plays an important role in controlling and managing these vectors. Recently, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been reported as an innovative and effective approach to the identification of arthropods, including fleas. This study aims to use this technology to identify ethanol-preserved fleas collected in Vietnam and to use molecular biology to search for microorganisms associated with these fleas. A total of 502 fleas were collected from wild and domestic animals in four provinces in Vietnam. Morphological identification led to the recognition of five flea species, namely Xenopsylla cheopis, Xenopsylla astia, Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides canis, and Ctenocephalides felis. The cephalothoraxes of 300 individual, randomly selected fleas were tested using MALDI-TOF MS and molecular analysis for the identification and detection of microorganisms. A total of 257/300 (85.7%) of the obtained spectra from the cephalothoraxes of each species were of good enough quality to be used for our analyses. Our laboratory MALDI-TOF MS reference database was upgraded with spectra achieved from five randomly selected fleas for every species of Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis. The remaining spectra were then queried against the upgraded MALDI-TOF MS database, which showed 100% correspondence between morphology and MALDI-TOF MS identification for two flea species (Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis). The MS spectra of the remaining species (three P. irritans, five X. astia, and two X. cheopis) were visually generated low-intensity MS profiles with high background noise that could not be used to update our database. Bartonella and Wolbachia spp. were detected in 300 fleas from Vietnam using PCR and sequencing with primers derived from the gltA gene for Bartonella and the 16S rRNA gene for Wolbachia, including 3 Bartonella clarridgeiae (1%), 3 Bartonella rochalimae (1%), 1 Bartonella coopersplainsensis (0.3%), and 174 Wolbachia spp. endosymbionts (58%).}, }
@article {pmid36985288, year = {2023}, author = {Cossu, CA and Collins, NE and Oosthuizen, MC and Menandro, ML and Bhoora, RV and Vorster, I and Cassini, R and Stoltsz, H and Quan, M and van Heerden, H}, title = {Distribution and Prevalence of Anaplasmataceae, Rickettsiaceae and Coxiellaceae in African Ticks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {36985288}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {In Africa, ticks continue to be a major hindrance to the improvement of the livestock industry due to tick-borne pathogens that include Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia and Coxiella species. A systemic review and meta-analysis were conducted here and highlighted the distribution and prevalence of these tick-borne pathogens in African ticks. Relevant publications were searched in five electronic databases and selected using inclusion/exclusion criteria, resulting in 138 and 78 papers included in the qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively. Most of the studies focused on Rickettsia africae (38 studies), followed by Ehrlichia ruminantium (27 studies), Coxiella burnetii (20 studies) and Anaplasma marginale (17 studies). A meta-analysis of proportions was performed using the random-effects model. The highest prevalence was obtained for Rickettsia spp. (18.39%; 95% CI: 14.23-22.85%), R. africae (13.47%; 95% CI: 2.76-28.69%), R. conorii (11.28%; 95% CI: 1.77-25.89%), A. marginale (12.75%; 95% CI: 4.06-24.35%), E. ruminantium (6.37%; 95% CI: 3.97-9.16%) and E. canis (4.3%; 95% CI: 0.04-12.66%). The prevalence of C. burnetii was low (0%; 95% CI: 0-0.25%), with higher prevalence for Coxiella spp. (27.02%; 95% CI: 10.83-46.03%) and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (70.47%; 95% CI: 27-99.82%). The effect of the tick genera, tick species, country and other variables were identified and highlighted the epidemiology of Rhipicephalus ticks in the heartwater; affinity of each Rickettsia species for different tick genera; dominant distribution of A. marginale, R. africae and Coxiella-like endosymbionts in ticks and a low distribution of C. burnetii in African hard ticks.}, }
@article {pmid36985217, year = {2023}, author = {Djondji Kamga, FM and Mugenzi, LMJ and Tchouakui, M and Sandeu, MM and Maffo, CGT and Nyegue, MA and Wondji, CS}, title = {Contrasting Patterns of Asaia Association with Pyrethroid Resistance Escalation between the Malaria Vectors Anopheles funestus and Anopheles gambiae.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {36985217}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {217188/Z/19/Z//Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences/ ; }, abstract = {Microbiome composition has been associated with insecticide resistance in malaria vectors. However, the contribution of major symbionts to the increasingly reported resistance escalation remains unclear. This study explores the possible association of a specific endosymbiont, Asaia spp., with elevated levels of pyrethroid resistance driven by cytochrome P450s enzymes and voltage-gated sodium channel mutations in Anopheles funestus and Anopheles gambiae. Molecular assays were used to detect the symbiont and resistance markers (CYP6P9a/b, 6.5 kb, L1014F, and N1575Y). Overall, genotyping of key mutations revealed an association with the resistance phenotype. The prevalence of Asaia spp. in the FUMOZ_X_FANG strain was associated with the resistance phenotype at a 5X dose of deltamethrin (OR = 25.7; p = 0.002). Mosquitoes with the resistant allele for the markers tested were significantly more infected with Asaia compared to those possessing the susceptible allele. Furthermore, the abundance correlated with the resistance phenotype at 1X concentration of deltamethrin (p = 0.02, Mann-Whitney test). However, for the MANGOUM_X_KISUMU strain, findings rather revealed an association between Asaia load and the susceptible phenotype (p = 0.04, Mann-Whitney test), demonstrating a negative link between the symbiont and permethrin resistance. These bacteria should be further investigated to establish its interactions with other resistance mechanisms and cross-resistance with other insecticide classes.}, }
@article {pmid36982826, year = {2023}, author = {Stączek, S and Cytryńska, M and Zdybicka-Barabas, A}, title = {Unraveling the Role of Antimicrobial Peptides in Insects.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {36982826}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Animals ; *Antimicrobial Peptides ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/pharmacology ; Insecta ; *Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; }, abstract = {Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short, mainly positively charged, amphipathic molecules. AMPs are important effectors of the immune response in insects with a broad spectrum of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic activity. In addition to these well-known roles, AMPs exhibit many other, often unobvious, functions in the host. They support insects in the elimination of viral infections. AMPs participate in the regulation of brain-controlled processes, e.g., sleep and non-associative learning. By influencing neuronal health, communication, and activity, they can affect the functioning of the insect nervous system. Expansion of the AMP repertoire and loss of their specificity is connected with the aging process and lifespan of insects. Moreover, AMPs take part in maintaining gut homeostasis, regulating the number of endosymbionts as well as reducing the number of foreign microbiota. In turn, the presence of AMPs in insect venom prevents the spread of infection in social insects, where the prey may be a source of pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid36975937, year = {2023}, author = {Li, H and Jiang, Z and Zhou, J and Liu, X and Zhang, Y and Chu, D}, title = {Ecological Factors Associated with the Distribution of Bemisia tabaci Cryptic Species and Their Facultative Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {14}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {36975937}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {31872030//the National Nature Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci species complex, comprises at least 44 morphologically indistinguishable cryptic species, whose endosymbiont infection patterns often varied at the spatial and temporal dimension. However, the effects of ecological factors (e.g., climatic or geographical factors) on the distribution of whitefly and the infection frequencies of their endosymbionts have not been fully elucidated. We, here, analyzed the associations between ecological factors and the distribution of whitefly and their three facultative endosymbionts (Candidatus Cardinium hertigii, Candidatus Hamiltonella defensa, and Rickettsia sp.) by screening 665 individuals collected from 29 geographical localities across China. The study identified eight B. tabaci species via mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene sequence alignment: two invasive species, MED (66.9%) and MEAM1 (12.2%), and six native cryptic species (20.9%), which differed in distribution patterns, ecological niches, and high suitability areas. The infection frequencies of the three endosymbionts in different cryptic species were distinct and multiple infections were relatively common in B. tabaci MED populations. Furthermore, the annual mean temperature positively affected Cardinium sp. and Rickettsia sp. infection frequencies in B. tabaci MED but negatively affected the quantitative distribution of B. tabaci MED, which indicates that Cardinium sp. and Rickettsia sp. maybe play a crucial role in the thermotolerance of B. tabaci MED, although the host whitefly per se exhibits no resistance to high temperature. Our findings revealed the complex effects of ecological factors on the expansion of the invasive whitefly.}, }
@article {pmid36965057, year = {2023}, author = {Speijer, D}, title = {How mitochondria showcase evolutionary mechanisms and the importance of oxygen.}, journal = {BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology}, volume = {45}, number = {6}, pages = {e2300013}, doi = {10.1002/bies.202300013}, pmid = {36965057}, issn = {1521-1878}, mesh = {*Biological Evolution ; *Oxygen/metabolism ; Eukaryota/metabolism ; Bacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Darwinian evolution can be simply stated: natural selection of inherited variations increasing differential reproduction. However, formulated thus, links with biochemistry, cell biology, ecology, and population dynamics remain unclear. To understand interactive contributions of chance and selection, higher levels of biological organization (e.g., endosymbiosis), complexities of competing selection forces, and emerging biological novelties (such as eukaryotes or meiotic sex), we must analyze actual examples. Focusing on mitochondria, I will illuminate how biology makes sense of life's evolution, and the concepts involved. First, looking at the bacterium - mitochondrion transition: merging with an archaeon, it lost its independence, but played a decisive role in eukaryogenesis, as an extremely efficient aerobic ATP generator and internal ROS source. Second, surveying later mitochondrion adaptations and diversifications illustrates concepts such as constructive neutral evolution, dynamic interactions between endosymbionts and hosts, the contingency of life histories, and metabolic reprogramming. Without oxygen, mitochondria disappear; with (intermittent) oxygen diversification occurs in highly complex ways, especially upon (temporary) phototrophic substrate supply. These expositions show the Darwinian model to be a highly fruitful paradigm.}, }
@article {pmid36958587, year = {2023}, author = {Verhulst, EC and Pannebakker, BA and Geuverink, E}, title = {Variation in sex determination mechanisms may constrain parthenogenesis-induction by endosymbionts in haplodiploid systems.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {56}, number = {}, pages = {101023}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2023.101023}, pmid = {36958587}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Parthenogenesis ; *Wolbachia ; *Arthropods ; Sex Determination Processes ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts are maternally transmitted, and therefore benefit from maximizing female offspring numbers. Parthenogenesis-induction (PI) is the most effective type of manipulation for transmission, but has solely been detected in haplodiploid species, whereas cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is detected frequently across the arthropod phylum, including haplodiploids. This puzzling observation led us to hypothesize that the molecular sex-determination mechanism of the haplodiploid host may be a constraining factor in the ability of endosymbionts to induce parthenogenesis. Recent insights indicate that PI-endosymbionts may be able to directly manipulate sex-determination genes to induce the necessary steps required for PI in haplodiploids. However, sex-determination cascades vary extensively, so PI-induction would require a specialized and host-dependent tool set. Contrastingly, CI-related genes target conserved cell-cycle mechanisms, are located on mobile elements, and spread easily. Finally, endosymbiont-manipulations may have a strong impact on the effectiveness of haplodiploid biocontrol agents, but can also be used to enhance their efficacy.}, }
@article {pmid36950155, year = {2023}, author = {Moore, C and Breitschwerdt, EB and Kim, L and Li, Y and Ferris, K and Maggi, R and Lashnits, E}, title = {The association of host and vector characteristics with Ctenocephalides felis pathogen and endosymbiont infection.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1137059}, pmid = {36950155}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Surveillance of the fleas and flea-borne pathogens infecting cats is important for both human and animal health. Multiple zoonotic Bartonella and Rickettsia species are known to infect the most common flea infesting cats and dogs worldwide: Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea. The ability of other flea species to transmit pathogens is relatively unexplored. We aimed to determine cat host and flea factors independently associated with flea Bartonella and Rickettsia infection. We also assessed flea and cat infection by flea-host pair and location. To accomplish these aims, we performed qPCR for the detection of Bartonella, hemotropic Mycoplasma, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia DNA using paired cat and flea samples obtained from free-roaming cats presenting for spay or neuter across four locations in the United States. A logistic regression model was employed to identify the effect of cat (sex, body weight, geographic location, and Bartonella, hemotropic Mycoplasma, and Rickettsia spp., infection) and flea (clade and Rickettsia and Wolbachia infection) factors on C. felis Bartonella clarridgeiae infection. From 189 free roaming cats, we collected 84 fleas: Ctenocephalides felis (78/84), Cediopsylla simplex (4/84), Orchopeas howardi (1/84), and Nosopsyllus fasciatus (1/84). Ctenocephalides felis were phylogenetically assigned to Clades 1, 4, and 6 by cox1 gene amplification. Rickettsia asembonensis (52/84) and B. clarridgeiae (16/84) were the most common pathogenic bacteria detected in fleas. Our model identified host cat sex and weight as independently associated with B. clarridgeiae infection in fleas. Rickettsia asembonensis (52/84), Rickettsia felis (7/84) and Bartonella henselae (7/84) were detected in specific clades: R. felis was detected only in Clades 1 and 6 while B. henselae and R. asembonensis were detected only in Clade 4. Wolbachia spp., also displayed clade specificity with strains other than Wolbachia wCfeT only infecting fleas from Clade 6. There was poor flea and host agreement for Bartonella spp., infection; however, there was agreement in the Bartonella species detected in cats and fleas by geographic location. These findings reinforce the importance of considering reservoir host attributes and vector phylogenetic diversity in epidemiological studies of flea-borne pathogens. Widespread sampling is necessary to identify the factors driving flea-borne pathogen presence and transmission.}, }
@article {pmid36949814, year = {2023}, author = {Ou, D and Qiu, JH and Su, ZQ and Wang, L and Qiu, BL}, title = {The phylogeny and distribution of Wolbachia in two pathogen vector insects, Asian citrus psyllid and Longan psyllid.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1121186}, pmid = {36949814}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {*Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Citrus/microbiology ; Animals ; Phylogeny ; Sapindaceae ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is the most abundant bacterial endosymbiont among insects. It can play a prominent role in the development, reproduction and immunity of its given insect host. To date, Wolbachia presence is well studied within aphids, whiteflies and planthoppers, but relatively few studies have investigated its presence in psyllids.<br><br>METHODS: Here, the infection status of Wolbachia in five species of psyllid, including Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri and longan psyllid Cornegenapsylla sinica was investigated. The phylogenetic relationships of different Wolbachia lines and their infection density and patterns in D. citri and C. sinica from different countries was also examined.<br><br>RESULTS: The infection rates of Wolbachia in D. citri and C. sinica were both 100%, and their sequencing types are ST173 and ST532 respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Wolbachia lines in D. citri and C. sinica both belong to the Con subgroup of Wolbachia supergroup B. In addition, Wolbachia displayed a scattered localization pattern in the 5th instar nymphs and in the reproductive organs of both D. citri and C. sinica but differed in other tissues; it was highest in the midgut, lowest in the salivary glands and medium in both the testes and ovaries.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our findings assist in further understanding the coevolution of Wolbachia and its psyllid hosts. Given that Wolbachia could play an important role in insect pest control and pathogen transmission inhibition, our findings may also provide new insights for development of control strategies for D. citri and C. sinica.}, }
@article {pmid36947547, year = {2023}, author = {Richardson, KM and Ross, PA and Cooper, BS and Conner, WR and Schmidt, TL and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {A male-killing Wolbachia endosymbiont is concealed by another endosymbiont and a nuclear suppressor.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {21}, number = {3}, pages = {e3001879}, pmid = {36947547}, issn = {1545-7885}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Reproduction ; Drosophila/genetics ; Phenotype ; Insecta ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacteria that live inside the cells of insect hosts (endosymbionts) can alter the reproduction of their hosts, including the killing of male offspring (male killing, MK). MK has only been described in a few insects, but this may reflect challenges in detecting MK rather than its rarity. Here, we identify MK Wolbachia at a low frequency (around 4%) in natural populations of Drosophila pseudotakahashii. MK Wolbachia had a stable density and maternal transmission during laboratory culture, but the MK phenotype which manifested mainly at the larval stage was lost rapidly. MK Wolbachia occurred alongside a second Wolbachia strain expressing a different reproductive manipulation, cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). A genomic analysis highlighted Wolbachia regions diverged between the 2 strains involving 17 genes, and homologs of the wmk and cif genes implicated in MK and CI were identified in the Wolbachia assembly. Doubly infected males induced CI with uninfected females but not females singly infected with CI-causing Wolbachia. A rapidly spreading dominant nuclear suppressor genetic element affecting MK was identified through backcrossing and subsequent analysis with ddRAD SNPs of the D. pseudotakahashii genome. These findings highlight the complexity of nuclear and microbial components affecting MK endosymbiont detection and dynamics in populations and the challenges of making connections between endosymbionts and the host phenotypes affected by them.}, }
@article {pmid36939357, year = {2023}, author = {Macher, JN and Coots, NL and Poh, YP and Girard, EB and Langerak, A and Muñoz-Gómez, SA and Sinha, SD and Jirsová, D and Vos, R and Wissels, R and Gile, GH and Renema, W and Wideman, JG}, title = {Single-Cell Genomics Reveals the Divergent Mitochondrial Genomes of Retaria (Foraminifera and Radiolaria).}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {14}, number = {2}, pages = {e0030223}, pmid = {36939357}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Animals ; *Foraminifera/genetics ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; Phylogeny ; Codon, Terminator ; *Rhizaria/genetics ; Genomics ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Amino Acids/genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; }, abstract = {Mitochondria originated from an ancient bacterial endosymbiont that underwent reductive evolution by gene loss and endosymbiont gene transfer to the nuclear genome. The diversity of mitochondrial genomes published to date has revealed that gene loss and transfer processes are ongoing in many lineages. Most well-studied eukaryotic lineages are represented in mitochondrial genome databases, except for the superphylum Retaria-the lineage comprising Foraminifera and Radiolaria. Using single-cell approaches, we determined two complete mitochondrial genomes of Foraminifera and two nearly complete mitochondrial genomes of radiolarians. We report the complete coding content of an additional 14 foram species. We show that foraminiferan and radiolarian mitochondrial genomes contain a nearly fully overlapping but reduced mitochondrial gene complement compared to other sequenced rhizarians. In contrast to animals and fungi, many protists encode a diverse set of proteins on their mitochondrial genomes, including several ribosomal genes; however, some aerobic eukaryotic lineages (euglenids, myzozoans, and chlamydomonas-like algae) have reduced mitochondrial gene content and lack all ribosomal genes. Similar to these reduced outliers, we show that retarian mitochondrial genomes lack ribosomal protein and tRNA genes, contain truncated and divergent small and large rRNA genes, and contain only 14 or 15 protein-coding genes, including nad1, -3, -4, -4L, -5, and -7, cob, cox1, -2, and -3, and atp1, -6, and -9, with forams and radiolarians additionally carrying nad2 and nad6, respectively. In radiolarian mitogenomes, a noncanonical genetic code was identified in which all three stop codons encode amino acids. Collectively, these results add to our understanding of mitochondrial genome evolution and fill in one of the last major gaps in mitochondrial sequence databases. IMPORTANCE We present the reduced mitochondrial genomes of Retaria, the rhizarian lineage comprising the phyla Foraminifera and Radiolaria. By applying single-cell genomic approaches, we found that foraminiferan and radiolarian mitochondrial genomes contain an overlapping but reduced mitochondrial gene complement compared to other sequenced rhizarians. An alternative genetic code was identified in radiolarian mitogenomes in which all three stop codons encode amino acids. Collectively, these results shed light on the divergent nature of the mitochondrial genomes from an ecologically important group, warranting further questions into the biological underpinnings of gene content variability and genetic code variation between mitochondrial genomes.}, }
@article {pmid36939349, year = {2023}, author = {Xiong, Q and Fung, CS and Xiao, X and Wan, AT and Wang, M and Klimov, P and Ren, Y and Yang, KY and Hubert, J and Cui, Y and Liu, X and Tsui, SK}, title = {Endogenous Plasmids and Chromosomal Genome Reduction in the Cardinium Endosymbiont of Dermatophagoides farinae.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {8}, number = {2}, pages = {e0007423}, pmid = {36939349}, issn = {2379-5042}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dermatophagoides farinae ; Plasmids/genetics ; *Bacteroidetes/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; Bacteria ; Chromosomes ; }, abstract = {Cardinium bacteria are well known as endosymbionts that infect a wide range of arthropods and can manipulate host reproduction to promote their vertical transmission. As intracellular bacteria, Cardinium species undergo dramatic genome evolution, especially their chromosomal genome reduction. Although Cardinium plasmids have been reported to harbor important genes, the role of these plasmids in the genome evolution is yet to be fully understood. In this study, 2 genomes of Cardinium endosymbiont bacteria in astigmatic mites were de novo assembled, including the complete circular chromosomal genome of Cardinium sp. DF that was constructed in high quality using high-coverage long-read sequencing data. Intriguingly, 2 circular plasmids were assembled in Cardinium sp. DF and were identified to be endogenous for over 10 homologous genes shared with the chromosomal genome. Comparative genomics analysis illustrated an outline of the genome evolution of Cardinium bacteria, and the in-depth analysis of Cardinium sp. DF shed light on the multiple roles of endogenous plasmids in the molecular process of the chromosomal genome reduction. The endogenous plasmids of Cardinium sp. DF not only harbor massive homologous sequences that enable homologous recombination with the chromosome, but also can provide necessary functional proteins when the coding genes decayed in the chromosomal genome. IMPORTANCE As bacterial endosymbionts, Cardinium typically undergoes genome reduction, but the molecular process is still unclear, such as how plasmids get involved in chromosome reduction. Here, we de novo assembled 2 genomes of Cardinium in astigmatic mites, especially the chromosome of Cardinium sp. DF was assembled in a complete circular DNA using high-coverage long-read sequencing data. In the genome assembly of Cardinium sp. DF, 2 circular endogenous plasmids were identified to share at least 10 homologous genes with the chromosomal genome. In the comparative analysis, we identified a range of genes decayed in the chromosomal genome of Cardinium sp. DF but preserved in the 2 plasmids. Taken together with in-depth analyses, our results unveil that the endogenous plasmids harbor homologous sequences of chromosomal genome and can provide a structural basis of homologous recombination. Overall, this study reveals that endogenous plasmids participate in the ongoing chromosomal genome reduction of Cardinium sp. DF.}, }
@article {pmid36934294, year = {2023}, author = {Allman, MJ and Lin, YH and Joubert, DA and Addley-Cook, J and Mejía-Torres, MC and Simmons, CP and Flores, HA and Fraser, JE}, title = {Enhancing the scalability of Wolbachia-based vector-borne disease management: time and temperature limits for storage and transport of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti eggs for field releases.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {108}, pmid = {36934294}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Temperature ; *Aedes ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Wolbachia ; Eggs ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Introgression of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti populations is a biocontrol approach being used to reduce arbovirus transmission. This requires mass release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. While releases have been conducted using a variety of techniques, egg releases, using water-soluble capsules containing mosquito eggs and larval food, offer an attractive method due to its potential to reduce onsite resource requirements. However, optimisation of this approach is required to ensure there is no detrimental impact on mosquito fitness and to promote successful Wolbachia introgression.<br><br>METHODS: We determined the impact of storage time and temperature on wild-type (WT) and Wolbachia-infected (wMel or wAlbB strains) Ae. aegypti eggs. Eggs were stored inside capsules over 8 weeks at 18&#xa0;&#xb0;C or 22&#xa0;&#xb0;C and hatch rate, emergence rate and Wolbachia density were determined. We next examined egg quality and Wolbachia density after exposing eggs to 4-40&#xa0;&#xb0;C to determine how eggs may be impacted if exposed to extreme temperatures during shipment.<br><br>RESULTS: Encapsulating eggs for 8 weeks did not negatively impact egg viability or resulting adult emergence and Wolbachia density compared to controls. When eggs were exposed to temperatures within 4-36&#xa0;&#xb0;C for 48&#xa0;h, their viability and resulting adult Wolbachia density were maintained; however, both were significantly reduced when exposed to 40&#xa0;&#xb0;C.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We describe the time and temperature limits for maintaining viability of Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti eggs when encapsulated or exposed to extreme temperatures. These findings could improve the efficiency of mass releases by providing transport and storage constraints to ensure only high-quality material is utilised during field releases.}, }
@article {pmid36929176, year = {2023}, author = {Eugénio, AT and Marialva, MSP and Beldade, P}, title = {Effects of Wolbachia on Transposable Element Expression Vary Between Drosophila melanogaster Host Genotypes.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {15}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {36929176}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; DNA Transposable Elements ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genotype ; }, abstract = {Transposable elements (TEs) are repetitive DNA sequences capable of changing position in host genomes, thereby causing mutations. TE insertions typically have deleterious effects but they can also be beneficial. Increasing evidence of the contribution of TEs to adaptive evolution further raises interest in understanding what factors impact TE activity. Based on previous studies associating the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia with changes in the abundance of piRNAs, a mechanism for TE repression, and to transposition of specific TEs, we hypothesized that Wolbachia infection would interfere with TE activity. We tested this hypothesis by studying the expression of 14 TEs in a panel of 25 Drosophila melanogaster host genotypes, naturally infected with Wolbachia and annotated for TE insertions. The host genotypes differed significantly in Wolbachia titers inside individual flies, with broad-sense heritability around 20%, and in the number of TE insertions, which depended greatly on TE identity. By removing Wolbachia from the target host genotypes, we generated a panel of 25 pairs of Wolbachia-positive and Wolbachia-negative lines in which we quantified transcription levels for our target TEs. We found variation in TE expression that was dependent on Wolbachia status, TE identity, and host genotype. Comparing between pairs of Wolbachia-positive and Wolbachia-negative flies, we found that Wolbachia removal affected TE expression in 21.1% of the TE-genotype combinations tested, with up to 2.3 times differences in the median level of transcript. Our data show that Wolbachia can impact TE activity in host genomes, underscoring the importance this endosymbiont can have in the generation of genetic novelty in hosts.}, }
@article {pmid36928089, year = {2023}, author = {Terretaz, K and Horard, B and Weill, M and Loppin, B and Landmann, F}, title = {Functional analysis of Wolbachia Cid effectors unravels cooperative interactions to target host chromatin during replication.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {19}, number = {3}, pages = {e1011211}, pmid = {36928089}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Chromatin/metabolism ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Semen/metabolism ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Drosophila/metabolism ; Cytoplasm/metabolism ; Centromere Protein A/metabolism ; *Drosophila Proteins/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are common bacteria among terrestrial arthropods. These endosymbionts transmitted through the female germline manipulate their host reproduction through several mechanisms whose most prevalent form called Cytoplasmic Incompatibility -CI- is a conditional sterility syndrome eventually favoring the infected progeny. Upon fertilization, the sperm derived from an infected male is only compatible with an egg harboring a compatible Wolbachia strain, this sperm leading otherwise to embryonic death. The Wolbachia Cif factors CidA and CidB responsible for CI and its neutralization function as a Toxin-Antitoxin system in the mosquito host Culex pipiens. However, the mechanism of CidB toxicity and its neutralization by the CidA antitoxin remain unexplored. Using transfected insect cell lines to perform a structure-function analysis of these effectors, we show that both CidA and CidB are chromatin interactors and CidA anchors CidB to the chromatin in a cell-cycle dependent-manner. In absence of CidA, the CidB toxin localizes to its own chromatin microenvironment and acts by preventing S-phase completion, independently of its deubiquitylase -DUB- domain. Experiments with transgenic Drosophila show that CidB DUB domain is required together with CidA during spermatogenesis to stabilize the CidA-CidB complex. Our study defines CidB functional regions and paves the way to elucidate the mechanism of its toxicity.}, }
@article {pmid36911919, year = {2023}, author = {Radousky, YA and Hague, MTJ and Fowler, S and Paneru, E and Codina, A and Rugamas, C and Hartzog, G and Cooper, BS and Sullivan, W}, title = {Distinct Wolbachia localization patterns in oocytes of diverse host species reveal multiple strategies of maternal transmission.}, journal = {Genetics}, volume = {224}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {36911919}, issn = {1943-2631}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster ; Oocytes ; Oogenesis ; Drosophila/genetics ; }, abstract = {A broad array of endosymbionts radiate through host populations via vertical transmission, yet much remains unknown concerning the cellular basis, diversity, and routes underlying this transmission strategy. Here, we address these issues, by examining the cellular distributions of Wolbachia strains that diverged up to 50 million years ago in the oocytes of 18 divergent Drosophila species. This analysis revealed 3 Wolbachia distribution patterns: (1) a tight clustering at the posterior pole plasm (the site of germline formation); (2) a concentration at the posterior pole plasm, but with a significant bacteria population distributed throughout the oocyte; and (3) a distribution throughout the oocyte, with none or very few located at the posterior pole plasm. Examination of this latter class indicates Wolbachia accesses the posterior pole plasm during the interval between late oogenesis and the blastoderm formation. We also find that 1 Wolbachia strain in this class concentrates in the posterior somatic follicle cells that encompass the pole plasm of the developing oocyte. In contrast, strains in which Wolbachia concentrate at the posterior pole plasm generally exhibit no or few Wolbachia in the follicle cells associated with the pole plasm. Taken together, these studies suggest that for some Drosophila species, Wolbachia invade the germline from neighboring somatic follicle cells. Phylogenomic analysis indicates that closely related Wolbachia strains tend to exhibit similar patterns of posterior localization, suggesting that specific localization strategies are a function of Wolbachia-associated factors. Previous studies revealed that endosymbionts rely on 1 of 2 distinct routes of vertical transmission: continuous maintenance in the germline (germline-to-germline) or a more circuitous route via the soma (germline-to-soma-to-germline). Here, we provide compelling evidence that Wolbachia strains infecting Drosophila species maintain the diverse arrays of cellular mechanisms necessary for both of these distinct transmission routes. This characteristic may account for its ability to infect and spread globally through a vast range of host insect species.}, }
@article {pmid36909700, year = {2022}, author = {Murugesan, RK and Balakrishnan, R and Natesan, S and Jayavel, S and Muthiah, RC}, title = {Identification of coral endosymbionts of Veedhalai and Mandapam coasts of Palk Bay, India using small subunit rDNA.}, journal = {Bioinformation}, volume = {18}, number = {4}, pages = {318-324}, pmid = {36909700}, issn = {0973-2063}, abstract = {Coral endosymbionts act as a bio-indicator of coral ecosystem under extreme environmental conditions. The health of the coral ecosystem depends on the endosymbiont cell density of the coral hosts. Therefore, it is of interest to analyze ten coral fragments found to be under the genera Acropora, Favites, Favia, and Porites collected at various locations from Veedhalai to Mandapam, southeast coast of India during January 2019 to March 2019. The zooxanthellae cell count ranged between 4.08 (Porites sp.9) and 13.75x105 cells cm2 -1 (Favites sp.3). This indicates the health of the corals in the region. The genus (clade) level identification of endosymbionts was detected using the host excluding primers of small subunit DNA (nssrDNA). Bidirectional sequencing of 18S nrDNA gene (SSU) of all ten coral fragments show that the Veedhalai corals is associated with the genus Durusdinium (Clade D) but the corals of Mandapam is associated with the genera, Cladocopium (Clade C) and Durusdinium (Clade D). It is known that the thermal stress has negative impact on coral reef ecosystem of the world. The dominance of the genus Durusdinium in the scleractinian corals of Palk Bay may be due to frequent exposure to thermal stress. This thermotolerant endosymbionts is opportunistic. Thus, the corals of Veedhalai and Mandapam coasts, Palk Bay, India are necessarily packed with thermotolerant endosymbionts enabling conservation.}, }
@article {pmid36909625, year = {2023}, author = {Verhoeve, VI and Lehman, SS and Driscoll, TP and Beckmann, JF and Gillespie, JJ}, title = {Metagenome diversity illuminates origins of pathogen effectors.}, journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {36909625}, issn = {2692-8205}, support = {R21 AI126108/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI146773/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI156762/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI166832/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Recent metagenome assembled genome (MAG) analyses have profoundly impacted Rickettsiology systematics. Discovery of basal lineages (Mitibacteraceae and Athabascaceae) with predicted extracellular lifestyles reveals an evolutionary timepoint for the transition to host dependency, which occurred independent of mitochondrial evolution. Notably, these basal rickettsiae carry the Rickettsiales vir homolog (rvh) type IV secretion system (T4SS) and purportedly use rvh to kill congener microbes rather than parasitize host cells as described for derived rickettsial pathogens. MAG analysis also substantially increased diversity for genus Rickettsia and delineated a basal lineage (Tisiphia) that stands to inform on the rise of human pathogens from protist and invertebrate endosymbionts. Herein, we probed Rickettsiales MAG and genomic diversity for the distribution of Rickettsia rvh effectors to ascertain their origins. A sparse distribution of most Rickettsia rvh effectors outside of Rickettsiaceae lineages indicates unique rvh evolution from basal extracellular species and other rickettsial families. Remarkably, nearly every effector was found in multiple divergent forms with variable architectures, illuminating profound roles for gene duplication and recombination in shaping effector repertoires in Rickettsia pathogens. Lateral gene transfer plays a prominent role shaping the rvh effector landscape, as evinced by the discover of many effectors on plasmids and conjugative transposons, as well as pervasive effector gene exchange between Rickettsia and Legionella species. Our study exemplifies how MAGs can provide incredible insight on the origins of pathogen effectors and how their architectural modifications become tailored to eukaryotic host cell biology.}, }
@article {pmid36907292, year = {2023}, author = {Ruiz, A and Gutiérrez-Bugallo, G and Rodríguez-Roche, R and Pérez, L and González-Broche, R and Piedra, LA and Martínez, LC and Menéndez, Z and Vega-Rúa, A and Bisset, JA}, title = {First report of natural Wolbachia infections in mosquitoes from Cuba.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {242}, number = {}, pages = {106891}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106891}, pmid = {36907292}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Cuba ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Aedes/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes are extensively responsible for the transmission of pathogens. Novel strategies using Wolbachia could transform that scenario, since these bacteria manipulate mosquito reproduction, and can confer a pathogen transmission-blocking phenotype in culicids. Here, we screened the Wolbachia surface protein region by PCR in eight Cuban mosquito species. We confirmed the natural infections by sequencing and assessed the phylogenetic relationships among the Wolbachia strains detected. We identified four Wolbachia hosts: Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Mansonia titillans, and Aedes mediovittatus (first report worldwide). Knowledge of Wolbachia strains and their natural hosts is essential for future operationalization of this vector control strategy in Cuba.}, }
@article {pmid40078832, year = {2023}, author = {Al Noman, A and Das, D and Nesa, Z and Tariquzzaman, M and Sharzana, F and Rakibul Hasan, M and Riaz, BK and Sharower, G and Rahman, MM}, title = {Importance of Wolbachia-mediated biocontrol to reduce dengue in Bangladesh and other dengue-endemic developing countries.}, journal = {Biosafety and health}, volume = {5}, number = {2}, pages = {69-77}, pmid = {40078832}, issn = {2590-0536}, abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue and chikungunya have become global threats, infecting millions of people worldwide, including developing countries of Southeast Asia and Latin America. Bangladesh, like many other developing countries, is experiencing frequent dengue outbreaks. This article, therefore, critically discussed the current status of dengue disease, vector control approaches, and the need for Wolbachia-mediated intervention in Bangladesh and other dengue-endemic developing countries. In this narrative review study, relevant literature was searched from major databases and search engines such as PubMed, BanglaJol, World Health Organization (WHO)/European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and Google Scholar. Considering the selection criteria, our search strategies finally involved 55 related literature for further investigation. Findings showed that current vector control strategies could not render protection for an extended period, and the disease burden of arboviruses is increasing. The impoverished outbreak preparedness, urbanization, climate change, and less efficacy of existing control methods have made people susceptible to vector-borne diseases. Hence, Wolbachia, a naturally occurring endosymbiont of many mosquito species that can potentially limit virus transmission through several host genetic alterations, would be a potential alternative for dengue prevention. We also critically discussed the challenges and prospects of Wolbachia-based dengue control in developing countries. The evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of this intervention and its mechanism have also been elucidated. Empirical evidence suggests that this introgression method could be an eco-friendly and long-lasting dengue control method. This review would help the policymakers and health experts devise a scheme of Wolbachia-based dengue control that can control mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue in Bangladesh and other developing countries.}, }
@article {pmid36897260, year = {2023}, author = {Reich, HG and Camp, EF and Roger, LM and Putnam, HM}, title = {The trace metal economy of the coral holobiont: supplies, demands and exchanges.}, journal = {Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society}, volume = {98}, number = {2}, pages = {623-642}, doi = {10.1111/brv.12922}, pmid = {36897260}, issn = {1469-185X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; Ecosystem ; Coral Reefs ; Bacteria/metabolism ; Temperature ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The juxtaposition of highly productive coral reef ecosystems in oligotrophic waters has spurred substantial interest and progress in our understanding of macronutrient uptake, exchange, and recycling among coral holobiont partners (host coral, dinoflagellate endosymbiont, endolithic algae, fungi, viruses, bacterial communities). By contrast, the contribution of trace metals to the physiological performance of the coral holobiont and, in turn, the functional ecology of reef-building corals remains unclear. The coral holobiont's trace metal economy is a network of supply, demand, and exchanges upheld by cross-kingdom symbiotic partnerships. Each partner has unique trace metal requirements that are central to their biochemical functions and the metabolic stability of the holobiont. Organismal homeostasis and the exchanges among partners determine the ability of the coral holobiont to adjust to fluctuating trace metal supplies in heterogeneous reef environments. This review details the requirements for trace metals in core biological processes and describes how metal exchanges among holobiont partners are key to sustaining complex nutritional symbioses in oligotrophic environments. Specifically, we discuss how trace metals contribute to partner compatibility, ability to cope with stress, and thereby to organismal fitness and distribution. Beyond holobiont trace metal cycling, we outline how the dynamic nature of the availability of environmental trace metal supplies can be influenced by a variability of abiotic factors (e.g. temperature, light, pH, etc.). Climate change will have profound consequences on the availability of trace metals and further intensify the myriad stressors that influence coral survival. Lastly, we suggest future research directions necessary for understanding the impacts of trace metals on the coral holobiont symbioses spanning subcellular to organismal levels, which will inform nutrient cycling in coral ecosystems more broadly. Collectively, this cross-scale elucidation of the role of trace metals for the coral holobiont will allow us to improve forecasts of future coral reef function.}, }
@article {pmid36896707, year = {2023}, author = {McKnight, KS and Gissi, F and Adams, MS and Stone, S and Jolley, D and Stauber, J}, title = {The Effects of Nickel and Copper on Tropical Marine and Freshwater Microalgae Using Single and Multispecies Tests.}, journal = {Environmental toxicology and chemistry}, volume = {42}, number = {4}, pages = {901-913}, doi = {10.1002/etc.5565}, pmid = {36896707}, issn = {1552-8618}, support = {02-231401-0414//Nickel Producers Environmental Research Association/ ; }, mesh = {Nickel/toxicity/analysis ; Copper/toxicity ; *Microalgae ; Fresh Water ; Water Quality ; *Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity/analysis ; }, abstract = {Microalgae are key components of aquatic food chains and are known to be sensitive to a range of contaminants. Much of the available data on metal toxicity to microalgae have been derived from temperate single-species tests with temperate data used to supplement tropical toxicity data sets to derive guideline values. In the present study, we used single-species and multispecies tests to investigate the toxicity of nickel and copper to tropical freshwater and marine microalgae, including the free-swimming stage of Symbiodinium sp., a worldwide coral endosymbiont. Based on the 10% effect concentration (EC10) for growth rate, copper was two to four times more toxic than nickel to all species tested. The temperate strain of Ceratoneis closterium was eight to 10 times more sensitive to nickel than the two tropical strains. Freshwater Monoraphidium arcuatum was less sensitive to copper and nickel in the multispecies tests compared with the single-species tests (EC10 values increasing from 0.45 to 1.4 µg Cu/L and from 62 to 330 µg Ni/L). The Symbiodinium sp. was sensitive to copper (EC10 of 3.1 µg Cu/L) and less sensitive to nickel (EC50 >1600 µg Ni/L). This is an important contribution of data on the chronic toxicity of nickel to Symbiodinium sp. A key result from the present study was that three microalgal species had EC10 values below the current copper water quality guideline value for 95% species protection in slightly to moderately disturbed systems in Australia and New Zealand, indicating that they may not be adequately protected by the current copper guideline value. By contrast, toxicity of nickel to microalgae is unlikely to occur at exposure concentrations typically found in fresh and marine waters. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:901-913. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.}, }
@article {pmid36889655, year = {2023}, author = {Zhu, X and Liu, T and He, A and Zhang, L and Li, J and Li, T and Miao, X and You, M and You, S}, title = {Diversity of Wolbachia infection and its influence on mitochondrial DNA variation in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {182}, number = {}, pages = {107751}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107751}, pmid = {36889655}, issn = {1095-9513}, mesh = {Animals ; *Moths/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Mitochondria/genetics ; }, abstract = {Plutella xylostella is a pest that severely damages cruciferous vegetables worldwide and has been shown to be infected with the maternally inherited bacteria Wolbachia, with the main infected strain was plutWB1. In this study, we performed a large-scale global sampling of P. xylostella and amplified 3 mtDNA genes of P. xylostella and 6 Wolbachia genes to analyze the infection status, diversity of Wolbachia in P. xylostella, and its effect on mtDNA variation in P. xylostella. This study provides a conservative estimate of Wolbachia infection rates in P. xylostella, which was found to be 7% (104/1440). The ST 108 (plutWB1) was shared among butterfly species and the moth species P. xylostella, revealing that Wolbachia strain plutWB1 acquisition in P. xylostella may be through horizontal transmission. The Parafit analyses indicated a significant association between Wolbachia and Wolbachia-infected P. xylostella individuals, and individuals infected with plutWB1 tended to cluster in the basal positions of the phylogenetic tree based on the mtDNA data. Additionally, Wolbachia infections were associated with increased mtDNA polymorphism in the infected P. xylostella population. These data suggest that Wolbachia endosymbionts may have a potential effect on mtDNA variation of P. xylostella.}, }
@article {pmid36880348, year = {2023}, author = {Tholl, D and Rebholz, Z and Morozov, AV and O'Maille, PE}, title = {Terpene synthases and pathways in animals: enzymology and structural evolution in the biosynthesis of volatile infochemicals.}, journal = {Natural product reports}, volume = {40}, number = {4}, pages = {766-793}, doi = {10.1039/d2np00076h}, pmid = {36880348}, issn = {1460-4752}, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Alkyl and Aryl Transferases/genetics ; Terpenes/metabolism ; Pheromones ; Mammals ; }, abstract = {Covering: up to the beginning of 2023Many animals release volatile or semi-volatile terpenes as semiochemicals in intra- and inter-specific interactions. Terpenes are important constituents of pheromones and serve as chemical defenses to ward off predators. Despite the occurrence of terpene specialized metabolites from soft corals to mammals, the biosynthetic origin of these compounds has largely remained obscure. An increasing number of animal genome and transcriptome resources is facilitating the identification of enzymes and pathways that allow animals to produce terpenes independent of their food sources or microbial endosymbionts. Substantial evidence has emerged for the presence of terpene biosynthetic pathways such as in the formation of the iridoid sex pheromone nepetalactone in aphids. In addition, terpene synthase (TPS) enzymes have been discovered that are evolutionary unrelated to canonical plant and microbial TPSs and instead resemble precursor enzymes called isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs) in central terpene metabolism. Structural modifications of substrate binding motifs in canonical IDS proteins presumably facilitated the transition to TPS function at an early state in insect evolution. Other arthropods such as mites appear to have adopted their TPS genes from microbial sources via horizontal gene transfer. A similar scenario likely occurred in soft corals, where TPS families with closer resemblance to microbial TPSs have been discovered recently. Together, these findings will spur the identification of similar or still unknown enzymes in terpene biosynthesis in other lineages of animals. They will also help develop biotechnological applications for animal derived terpenes of pharmaceutical value or advance sustainable agricultural practices in pest management.}, }
@article {pmid36869841, year = {2023}, author = {Cooper, WR and Walker, WB and Angelella, GM and Swisher Grimm, KD and Foutz, JJ and Harper, SJ and Nottingham, LB and Northfield, TD and Wohleb, CH and Strausbaugh, CA}, title = {Bacterial Endosymbionts Identified From Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Vectors of Phytoplasmas.}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {52}, number = {2}, pages = {243-253}, doi = {10.1093/ee/nvad015}, pmid = {36869841}, issn = {1938-2936}, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; *Phytoplasma/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Insect Vectors/microbiology ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Insects often harbor bacterial endosymbionts that provide them with nutritional benefit or with protection against natural enemies, plant defenses, insecticides, and abiotic stresses. Certain endosymbionts may also alter acquisition and transmission of plant pathogens by insect vectors. We identified bacterial endosymbionts from four leafhopper vectors (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' species by direct sequencing 16S rDNA and confirmed endosymbiont presence and identity by species-specific conventional PCR. We examined three vectors of Ca. Phytoplasma pruni, causal agent of cherry X-disease [Colladonus geminatus (Van Duzee), Colladonus montanus reductus (Van Duzee), Euscelidius variegatus (Kirschbaum)] - and a vector of Ca. Phytoplasma trifolii, the causal agent of potato purple top disease [Circulifer tenellus (Baker)]. Direct sequencing of 16S identified the two obligate endosymbionts of leafhoppers, 'Ca. Sulcia' and 'Ca. Nasuia', which are known to produce essential amino acids lacking in the leafhoppers' phloem sap diet. About 57% of C. geminatus also harbored endosymbiotic Rickettsia. We identified 'Ca. Yamatotoia cicadellidicola' in Euscelidius variegatus, providing just the second host record for this endosymbiont. Circulifer tenellus harbored the facultative endosymbiont Wolbachia, although the average infection rate was only 13% and all males were Wolbachia-uninfected. A significantly greater percentage of Wolbachia-infected Ci. tenellus adults than uninfected adults carried Ca. P. trifolii, suggesting that Wolbachia may increase this insect's ability to tolerate or acquire this pathogen. Results of our study provide a foundation for continued work on interactions between leafhoppers, bacterial endosymbionts, and phytoplasma.}, }
@article {pmid36864565, year = {2023}, author = {Gossett, JM and Porter, ML and Vasquez, YM and Bennett, GM and Chong, RA}, title = {Genomic Comparisons Reveal Selection Pressure and Functional Variation Between Nutritional Endosymbionts of Cave-Adapted and Epigean Hawaiian Planthoppers.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {15}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {36864565}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; Caves ; Hawaii ; Phylogeny ; Genomics ; *Betaproteobacteria/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Planthoppers in the family Cixiidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoromorpha) harbor a diverse set of obligate bacterial endosymbionts that provision essential amino acids and vitamins that are missing from their plant-sap diet. "Candidatus Sulcia muelleri" and "Ca. Vidania fulgoroidea" have been associated with cixiid planthoppers since their origin within the Auchenorrhyncha, whereas "Ca. Purcelliella pentastirinorum" is a more recent endosymbiotic acquisition. Hawaiian cixiid planthoppers occupy diverse habitats including lava tube caves and shrubby surface landscapes, which offer different nutritional resources and environmental constraints. Genomic studies have focused on understanding the nutritional provisioning roles of cixiid endosymbionts more broadly, yet it is still unclear how selection pressures on endosymbiont genes might differ between cixiid host species inhabiting such diverse landscapes, or how variation in selection might impact symbiont evolution. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of Sulcia, Vidania, and Purcelliella isolated from both surface and cave-adapted planthopper hosts from the genus Oliarus. We found that nutritional biosynthesis genes were conserved in Sulcia and Vidania genomes in inter- and intra-host species comparisons. In contrast, Purcelliella genomes retain different essential nutritional biosynthesis genes between surface- and cave-adapted planthopper species. Finally, we see the variation in selection pressures on symbiont genes both within and between host species, suggesting that strong coevolution between host and endosymbiont is associated with different patterns of molecular evolution on a fine scale that may be associated with the host diet.}, }
@article {pmid36850014, year = {2023}, author = {Latrofa, MS and Varotto-Boccazzi, I and Louzada-Flores, VN and Iatta, R and Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Roura, X and Zatelli, A and Epis, S and Bandi, C and Otranto, D}, title = {Interaction between Wolbachia pipientis and Leishmania infantum in heartworm infected dogs.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {77}, pmid = {36850014}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; Dogs ; *Dirofilaria immitis ; *Wolbachia ; *Leishmania infantum ; Cytokines ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is a Gram-negative endosymbiont associated with several species of arthropods and filarioid nematodes, including Dirofilaria immitis. This endosymbiont may elicit a Th1 response, which is a component of the immunity against Leishmania infantum.<br><br>METHODS: To investigate the interactions between Wolbachia of D. immitis and L. infantum in naturally infected dogs and cytokine circulation, dogs without clinical signs (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;187) were selected. Dogs were tested for microfilariae (mfs) by Knott, for female antigens of D. immitis by SNAP, and for anti-L. infantum antibodies by IFAT and assigned to four groups. Dogs of group 1 (G1) and 2 (G2) were positive for D. immitis and positive or negative to L. infantum, respectively. Dogs of group 3 (G3) and 4 (G4) were negative to D. immitis and positive or negative to L. infantum, respectively. Wolbachia and L. infantum DNA was quantified by real-time PCR (qPCR) in dog blood samples. A subset of dogs (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;65) was examined to assess pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production using an ELISA test.<br><br>RESULTS: Of 93 dogs positive to D. immitis with circulating mfs, 85% were positive to Wolbachia, with the highest amount of DNA detected in G1 and the lowest in dogs with low mfs load in G1 and G2. Among dogs positive to L. infantum, 66% from G1 showed low antibody titer, while 48.9% from G3 had the highest antibody titer. Of 37 dogs positive to Wolbachia from G1, 26 (70.3%) had low antibody titers to L. infantum (1:160). Among cytokines, TNF&#x3b1; showed the highest mean concentration in G1 (246.5&#xa0;pg/ml), IFN&#x3b3; being the one most represented (64.3%). IL-10 (1809.5&#xa0;pg/ml) and IL-6 (123.5&#xa0;pg/ml) showed the highest mean concentration in dogs from G1. A lower percentage of dogs producing IL-4 was observed in all groups examined, with the highest mean concentration (2794&#xa0;pg/ml) recorded in G2.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Results show the association of D. immitis and Wolbachia with the lower antibody titers of L. infantum in co-infected dogs, suggesting the hypothesis that the endosymbiont may affect the development of the patent leishmaniosis. However, due to the limitations associated with the heterogeneity of naturally infected dogs in field conditions, results should be validated by investigation on experimental models.}, }
@article {pmid36838431, year = {2023}, author = {Nencioni, A and Pastorelli, R and Bigiotti, G and Cucu, MA and Sacchetti, P}, title = {Diversity of the Bacterial Community Associated with Hindgut, Malpighian Tubules, and Foam of Nymphs of Two Spittlebug Species (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae).}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {36838431}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Spittlebugs are xylem-sap feeding insects that can exploit a nutrient-poor diet, thanks to mutualistic endosymbionts residing in various organs of their body. Although obligate symbioses in some spittlebug species have been quite well studied, little is known about their facultative endosymbionts, especially those inhabiting the gut. Recently, the role played by spittlebugs as vectors of the phytopathogenetic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa aroused attention to this insect group, boosting investigations aimed at developing effective yet sustainable control strategies. Since spittlebug nymphs are currently the main target of applied control, the composition of gut bacterial community of the juveniles of Philaenus spumarius and Lepyronia coleoptrata was investigated using molecular techniques. Moreover, bacteria associated with their froth, sampled from different host plants, were studied. Results revealed that Sodalis and Rickettsia bacteria are the predominant taxa in the gut of P. spumarius and L. coleoptrata nymphs, respectively, while Rhodococcus was found in both species. Our investigations also highlighted the presence of recurring bacteria in the froth. Furthermore, the foam hosted several bacterial species depending on the host plant, the insect species, or on soil contaminant. Overall, first findings showed that nymphs harbor a large and diverse bacterial community in their gut and froth, providing new accounts to the knowledge on facultative symbionts of spittlebugs.}, }
@article {pmid36838405, year = {2023}, author = {Picciotti, U and Araujo Dalbon, V and Ciancio, A and Colagiero, M and Cozzi, G and De Bellis, L and Finetti-Sialer, MM and Greco, D and Ippolito, A and Lahbib, N and Logrieco, AF and López-Llorca, LV and Lopez-Moya, F and Luvisi, A and Mincuzzi, A and Molina-Acevedo, JP and Pazzani, C and Scortichini, M and Scrascia, M and Valenzano, D and Garganese, F and Porcelli, F}, title = {"Ectomosphere": Insects and Microorganism Interactions.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {36838405}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {635646//Horizon Foundation/ ; 727987//Horizon Foundation/ ; 952337//Horizon Foundation/ ; 634353//Horizon Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {This study focuses on interacting with insects and their ectosymbiont (lato sensu) microorganisms for environmentally safe plant production and protection. Some cases help compare ectosymbiont microorganisms that are insect-borne, -driven, or -spread relevant to endosymbionts' behaviour. Ectosymbiotic bacteria can interact with insects by allowing them to improve the value of their pabula. In addition, some bacteria are essential for creating ecological niches that can host the development of pests. Insect-borne plant pathogens include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These pathogens interact with their vectors to enhance reciprocal fitness. Knowing vector-phoront interaction could considerably increase chances for outbreak management, notably when sustained by quarantine vector ectosymbiont pathogens, such as the actual Xylella fastidiosa Mediterranean invasion episode. Insect pathogenic viruses have a close evolutionary relationship with their hosts, also being highly specific and obligate parasites. Sixteen virus families have been reported to infect insects and may be involved in the biological control of specific pests, including some economic weevils. Insects and fungi are among the most widespread organisms in nature and interact with each other, establishing symbiotic relationships ranging from mutualism to antagonism. The associations can influence the extent to which interacting organisms can exert their effects on plants and the proper management practices. Sustainable pest management also relies on entomopathogenic fungi; research on these species starts from their isolation from insect carcasses, followed by identification using conventional light or electron microscopy techniques. Thanks to the development of omics sciences, it is possible to identify entomopathogenic fungi with evolutionary histories that are less-shared with the target insect and can be proposed as pest antagonists. Many interesting omics can help detect the presence of entomopathogens in different natural matrices, such as soil or plants. The same techniques will help localize ectosymbionts, localization of recesses, or specialized morphological adaptation, greatly supporting the robust interpretation of the symbiont role. The manipulation and modulation of ectosymbionts could be a more promising way to counteract pests and borne pathogens, mitigating the impact of formulates and reducing food insecurity due to the lesser impact of direct damage and diseases. The promise has a preventive intent for more manageable and broader implications for pests, comparing what we can obtain using simpler, less-specific techniques and a less comprehensive approach to Integrated Pest Management (IPM).}, }
@article {pmid36838257, year = {2023}, author = {Mashini, AG and Oakley, CA and Beepat, SS and Peng, L and Grossman, AR and Weis, VM and Davy, SK}, title = {The Influence of Symbiosis on the Proteome of the Exaiptasia Endosymbiont Breviolum minutum.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {36838257}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {VUW1601//Royal Society of New Zealand/ ; PhD Scholarship awarded to AGM//Victoria University of Wellington/ ; }, abstract = {The cellular mechanisms responsible for the regulation of nutrient exchange, immune response, and symbiont population growth in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis are poorly resolved. Here, we employed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to elucidate proteomic changes associated with symbiosis in Breviolum minutum, a native symbiont of the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana ('Aiptasia'). We manipulated nutrients available to the algae in culture and to the holobiont in hospite (i.e., in symbiosis) and then monitored the impacts of our treatments on host-endosymbiont interactions. Both the symbiotic and nutritional states had significant impacts on the B. minutum proteome. B. minutum in hospite showed an increased abundance of proteins involved in phosphoinositol metabolism (e.g., glycerophosphoinositol permease 1 and phosphatidylinositol phosphatase) relative to the free-living alga, potentially reflecting inter-partner signalling that promotes the stability of the symbiosis. Proteins potentially involved in concentrating and fixing inorganic carbon (e.g., carbonic anhydrase, V-type ATPase) and in the assimilation of nitrogen (e.g., glutamine synthase) were more abundant in free-living B. minutum than in hospite, possibly due to host-facilitated access to inorganic carbon and nitrogen limitation by the host when in hospite. Photosystem proteins increased in abundance at high nutrient levels irrespective of the symbiotic state, as did proteins involved in antioxidant defences (e.g., superoxide dismutase, glutathione s-transferase). Proteins involved in iron metabolism were also affected by the nutritional state, with an increased iron demand and uptake under low nutrient treatments. These results detail the changes in symbiont physiology in response to the host microenvironment and nutrient availability and indicate potential symbiont-driven mechanisms that regulate the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid36836374, year = {2023}, author = {Solanki, S and Lakshmi, GBVS and Dhiman, T and Gupta, S and Solanki, PR and Kapoor, R and Varma, A}, title = {Co-Application of Silver Nanoparticles and Symbiotic Fungus Piriformospora indica Improves Secondary Metabolite Production in Black Rice.}, journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {9}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {36836374}, issn = {2309-608X}, abstract = {In the current research, unique Nano-Embedded Fungus (NEF), made by the synergic association of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and endophytic fungus (Piriformospora indica), is studied, and the impact of NEF on black rice secondary metabolites is reported. AgNPs were synthesized by chemical reduction process using the temperature-dependent method and characterized for morphological and structural features through UV visible absorption spectroscopy, zeta potential, XRD, SEM-EDX, and FTIR spectroscopy. The NEF, prepared by optimizing the AgNPs concentration (300 ppm) in agar and broth media, showed better fungal biomass, colony diameter, spore count, and spore size than the control P. indica. Treatment with AgNPs, P. indica, and NEF resulted in growth enhancement in black rice. NEF and AgNPs stimulated the production of secondary metabolites in its leaves. The concentrations of chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids were increased in plants inoculated with P. indica and AgNPs. The findings of the study highlight the synergistic effect of AgNPs and the fungal symbionts in augmenting the secondary metabolites in leaves of black rice.}, }
@article {pmid36828496, year = {2023}, author = {Kallu, SA and Ndebe, J and Qiu, Y and Nakao, R and Simuunza, MC}, title = {Prevalence and Association of Trypanosomes and Sodalis glossinidius in Tsetse Flies from the Kafue National Park in Zambia.}, journal = {Tropical medicine and infectious disease}, volume = {8}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {36828496}, issn = {2414-6366}, support = {P151847//University of Zambia, Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals/ ; }, abstract = {Tsetse flies are obligate hematophagous vectors of animal and human African trypanosomosis. They cyclically transmit pathogenic Trypanosoma species. The endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius is suggested to play a role in facilitating the susceptibility of tsetse flies to trypanosome infections. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the prevalence of S. glossinidius and trypanosomes circulating in tsetse flies and checking whether an association exists between trypanosomes and Sodalis infections in tsetse flies from Kafue National Park in Zambia. A total of 326 tsetse flies were sampled from the Chunga and Ngoma areas of the national park. After DNA extraction was conducted, the presence of S. glossinidius and trypanosome DNA was checked using PCR. The Chi-square test was carried out to determine whether there was an association between the presence of S. glossinidius and trypanosome infections. Out of the total tsetse flies collected, the prevalence of S. glossinidius and trypanosomes was 21.8% and 19.3%, respectively. The prevalence of S. glossinidius was 22.2% in Glossina morsitans and 19.6% in Glossina pallidipes. In relation to sampling sites, the prevalence of S. glossinidius was 26.0% in Chunga and 21.0% in Ngoma. DNA of trypanosomes was detected in 18.9% of G. morsitans and 21.4% of G. pallidipes. The prevalence of trypanosomes was 21.7% and 6.0% for Ngoma and Chunga, respectively. The prevalences of trypanosome species detected in this study were 6.4%, 4.6%, 4.0%, 3.7%, 3.1%, and 2.5% for T. vivax, T. simiae, T. congolense, T. godfreyi, T. simiae Tsavo, and T. b. brucei, respectively. Out of 63 trypanosome infected tsetse flies, 47.6% of the flies also carried S. glossinidius, and the remaining flies were devoid of S. glossinidius. A statistically significant association was found between S. glossinidius and trypanosomes (p < 0.001) infections in tsetse flies. Our findings indicated that presence of S. glossinidius increases the susceptibility of tsetse flies to trypanosome infections and S. glossinidius could be a potential candidate for symbiont-mediated vector control in these tsetse species.}, }
@article {pmid36827319, year = {2023}, author = {Teal, E and Herrera, C and Dumonteil, E}, title = {Metabolomics of developmental changes in Triatoma sanguisuga gut microbiota.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {18}, number = {2}, pages = {e0280868}, pmid = {36827319}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Triatoma/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Trypanosoma cruzi/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Metabolomics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Nymph ; *Chagas Disease/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Triatoma sanguisuga is one of the major vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in the southeastern US, where it sustains a robust zoonotic parasite transmission cycle and occasional human infections. A better understanding of triatomine development may allow for alternative approaches to insecticide-based vector control. Indeed, the role of the gut microbiota and bacterial endosymbionts in triatomine development and in their vectorial capacity is emerging. We investigated here the differences in microbiota among nymph and adult T. sanguisuga, to shed light on the metabolomic interactions occurring during development. Microbiota composition was assessed by 16s gene amplification and deep sequencing from field-caught adult bugs and their laboratory-raised progeny. Significant differences in microbiota bacterial diversity and composition were observed between nymphs and adults. Laboratory-raised nymphs showed a higher taxonomic diversity, and at least seven families predominated. On the other hand, field-caught adults had a lower bacterial diversity and four families comprised most of the microbiota. These differences in compositions were associated with differences in predicted metabolism, with laboratory-raised nymphs microbiota metabolizing a limited diversity of carbon sources, with potential for resource competition between bacterial families, and the production of lactic acid as a predominant fermentation product. On the other hand, field-caught adult microbiota was predicted to metabolize a broader diversity of carbon sources, with complementarity rather than competition among taxa, and produced a diverse range of products in a more balanced manner. The restricted functionality of laboratory-raised nymph microbiota may be associated with their poor development in captivity, and further understanding of the metabolic interactions at play may lead to alternative vector control strategies targeting triatomine microbiota.}, }
@article {pmid36825089, year = {2023}, author = {Jiang, RX and Shang, F and Jiang, HB and Dou, W and Cernava, T and Wang, JJ}, title = {Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus: An important factor affecting bacterial community composition and Wolbachia titers in Asian citrus psyllid.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {1109803}, pmid = {36825089}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Endosymbionts play crucial roles in various physiological activities within insect hosts. The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is an important vector for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), a fatal pathogenic bacterial agent causing the disease Huanglongbing in the citrus industry. This study combines high-throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA amplicons to explore how CLas affects the bacterial community in different color morphs (blue, gray), genders, and tissues (cuticle, gut, mycetome, Malpighian tubule, ovary, and testis) of ACP. We found that there was no significant differences in the bacterial community diversity and CLas acquired ratio between the different color morphs and genders of ACP adults. However, acquiring CLas could promote the adult bacterial community's diversity and richness more than in the uninfected condition. The presence of CLas could increase the Wolbachia and unclassified_Enterobacteriaceae proportions more than in the uninfected condition. The bacterial community diversity in the CLas infected tissues of ovary and cuticle, was lower than the uninfected condition, but the richness of all tissues was not different between the infected and uninfected conditions. CLas could also change the bacterial structure in different tissues and make the bacterial relationship network simpler than it is in an uninfected condition. Furthermore, we used quantitative real-time PCR to assess the dynamic changes of Wolbachia in CLas uninfected and infected color morphs and tissues of ACP. The results showed that Wolbachia titers were significantly higher in CLas infected adults than in uninfected adults. In different tissues, the Wolbachia titers in the testis, ovary, and Malpighian tubule were higher than their uninfected counterparts. Our results provide essential knowledge for understanding the symbionts of the ACP and how CLas affects the bacterial community of the ACP.}, }
@article {pmid36824530, year = {2022}, author = {Schultz, DL and Selberherr, E and Stouthamer, CM and Doremus, MR and Kelly, SE and Hunter, MS and Schmitz-Esser, S}, title = {Sex-based de novo transcriptome assemblies of the parasitoid wasp Encarsia suzannae, a host of the manipulative heritable symbiont Cardinium hertigii.}, journal = {GigaByte (Hong Kong, China)}, volume = {2022}, number = {}, pages = {gigabyte68}, pmid = {36824530}, issn = {2709-4715}, abstract = {Parasitoid wasps in the genus Encarsia are commonly used as biological pest control agents of whiteflies and armored scale insects in greenhouses or the field. They are also hosts of the bacterial endosymbiont Cardinium hertigii, which can cause reproductive manipulation phenotypes, including parthenogenesis, feminization, and cytoplasmic incompatibility (the last is mainly studied in Encarsia suzannae). Despite their biological and economic importance, there are no published Encarsia genomes and only one public transcriptome. Here, we applied a mapping-and-removal approach to eliminate known contaminants from previously-obtained Illumina sequencing data. We generated de novo transcriptome assemblies for both female and male E. suzannae which contain 45,986 and 54,762 final coding sequences, respectively. Benchmarking Single-Copy Orthologs results indicate both assemblies are highly complete. Preliminary analyses revealed the presence of homologs of sex-determination genes characterized in other insects and putative venom proteins. Our male and female transcriptomes will be valuable tools to better understand the biology of Encarsia and their evolutionary relatives, particularly in studies involving insects of only one sex.}, }
@article {pmid36810669, year = {2023}, author = {Manoj, RRS and Latrofa, MS and Louni, M and Laidoudi, Y and Fenollar, F and Otranto, D and Mediannikov, O}, title = {In vitro maintenance of the endosymbiont Wolbachia of Dirofilaria immitis.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {122}, number = {4}, pages = {939-943}, pmid = {36810669}, issn = {1432-1955}, mesh = {Animals ; Dogs ; *Dirofilaria immitis ; *Dirofilariasis ; *Wolbachia ; Microfilariae ; *Dog Diseases/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia has an obligatory mutualistic relationship with many onchocercid nematodes of the subfamilies Dirofilariinae and Onchocercinae. Till date, no attempts have been made for the in vitro cultivation of this intracellular bacterium from the filarioid host. Hence, the current study attempted cell co-culture method using embryonic Drosophila S2 and the LD cell lines to cultivate Wolbachia from Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae (mfs) harvested from infected dogs. Microfilariae (mfs = 1500) were inoculated in shell vials supplemented with Schneider medium using both cell lines. The establishment and multiplication of the bacterium were observed during the initial inoculation, at day 0 and before every medium change (from days 14 to 115). An aliquot (50 µl) from each time point was tested by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Comparing the average of Ct values, obtained by the tested parameters (i.e., LD/S2 cell lines and mfs with/without treatment), the S2 cell line without mechanical disruption of mfs provided the highest Wolbachia cell count by qPCR. Despite the maintenance of Wolbachia within both S2 and LD-based cell co-culture models for up to 115 days, a definitive conclusion is still far. Further trials using fluorescent microscopy and viable staining will help to demonstrate the cell line infection and viability of Wolbachia. Use of considerable amount of untreated mfs to inoculate the Drosophilia S2 cell lines, as well as the supplementation of the culture media with growth stimulants or pre-treated cells to increase their susceptibility for the infection and development of a filarioid-based cell line system are recommended for the future trials.}, }
@article {pmid36810610, year = {2023}, author = {Muro, T and Hikida, H and Fujii, T and Kiuchi, T and Katsuma, S}, title = {Two Complete Genomes of Male-Killing Wolbachia Infecting Ostrinia Moth Species Illuminate Their Evolutionary Dynamics and Association with Hosts.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {86}, number = {3}, pages = {1740-1754}, pmid = {36810610}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {17H06431//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 22H00366//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Moths/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Sex Ratio ; Genomics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an extremely widespread intracellular symbiont which causes reproductive manipulation on various arthropod hosts. Male progenies are killed in Wolbachia-infected lineages of the Japanese Ostrinia moth population. While the mechanism of male killing and the evolutionary interaction between host and symbiont are significant concerns for this system, the absence of Wolbachia genomic information has limited approaches to these issues. We determined the complete genome sequences of wFur and wSca, the male-killing Wolbachia of Ostrinia furnacalis and Ostrinia scapulalis. The two genomes shared an extremely high degree of homology, with over 95% of the predicted protein sequences being identical. A comparison of these two genomes revealed nearly minimal genome evolution, with a strong emphasis on the frequent genome rearrangements and the rapid evolution of ankyrin repeat-containing proteins. Additionally, we determined the mitochondrial genomes of both species' infected lineages and performed phylogenetic analyses to deduce the evolutionary dynamics of Wolbachia infection in the Ostrinia clade. According to the inferred phylogenetic relationship, two possible scenarios were proposed: (1) Wolbachia infection was established in the Ostrinia clade prior to the speciation of related species such as O. furnacalis and O. scapulalis, or (2) Wolbachia infection in these species was introgressively transferred from a currently unidentified relative. Simultaneously, the relatively high homology of mitochondrial genomes suggested recent Wolbachia introgression between infected Ostrinia species. The findings of this study collectively shed light on the host-symbiont interaction from an evolutionary standpoint.}, }
@article {pmid36809083, year = {2023}, author = {De la Vega, P and Shimpi, GG and Bentlage, B}, title = {Genome Sequence of the Endosymbiont Endozoicomonas sp. Strain GU-1 (Gammaproteobacteria), Isolated from the Staghorn Coral Acropora pulchra (Cnidaria: Scleractinia).}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, pages = {e0135522}, pmid = {36809083}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {OIA-1946352//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; }, abstract = {Endozoicomonas sp. strain GU-1 was isolated from two separate staghorn coral (Acropora pulchra) colonies collected in Guam, Micronesia. Both isolates were grown in marine broth prior to DNA extraction and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing. Genomes were approximately 6.1 Mbp in size, containing highly similar gene content and matching sets of rRNA sequences.}, }
@article {pmid36801155, year = {2023}, author = {Ogier, JC and Akhurst, R and Boemare, N and Gaudriault, S}, title = {The endosymbiont and the second bacterial circle of entomopathogenic nematodes.}, journal = {Trends in microbiology}, volume = {31}, number = {6}, pages = {629-643}, doi = {10.1016/j.tim.2023.01.004}, pmid = {36801155}, issn = {1878-4380}, mesh = {Animals ; *Nematoda/microbiology/pathogenicity ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Single host-symbiont interactions should be reconsidered from the perspective of the pathobiome. We revisit here the interactions between entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and their microbiota. We first describe the discovery of these EPNs and their bacterial endosymbionts. We also consider EPN-like nematodes and their putative symbionts. Recent high-throughput sequencing studies have shown that EPNs and EPN-like nematodes are also associated with other bacterial communities, referred to here as the second bacterial circle of EPNs. Current findings suggest that some members of this second bacterial circle contribute to the pathogenic success of nematodes. We suggest that the endosymbiont and the second bacterial circle delimit an EPN pathobiome.}, }
@article {pmid36800397, year = {2023}, author = {Mills, MK and McCabe, LG and Rodrigue, EM and Lechtreck, KF and Starai, VJ}, title = {Wbm0076, a candidate effector protein of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi, disrupts eukaryotic actin dynamics.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {19}, number = {2}, pages = {e1010777}, pmid = {36800397}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI100913/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM110413/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Actins/metabolism ; *Brugia malayi/genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Bacterial Proteins ; }, abstract = {Brugia malayi, a parasitic roundworm of humans, is colonized by the obligate intracellular bacterium, Wolbachia pipientis. The symbiosis between this nematode and bacterium is essential for nematode reproduction and long-term survival in a human host. Therefore, identifying molecular mechanisms required by Wolbachia to persist in and colonize B. malayi tissues will provide new essential information regarding the basic biology of this endosymbiosis. Wolbachia utilize a Type IV secretion system to translocate so-called "effector" proteins into the cytosol of B. malayi cells to promote colonization of the eukaryotic host. However, the characterization of these Wolbachia secreted proteins has remained elusive due to the genetic intractability of both organisms. Strikingly, expression of the candidate Wolbachia Type IV-secreted effector protein, Wbm0076, in the surrogate eukaryotic cell model, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, resulted in the disruption of the yeast actin cytoskeleton and inhibition of endocytosis. Genetic analyses show that Wbm0076 is a member of the family of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome proteins (WAS [p]), a well-conserved eukaryotic protein family required for the organization of actin skeletal structures. Thus, Wbm0076 likely plays a central role in the active cell-to-cell movement of Wolbachia throughout B. malayi tissues during nematode development. As most Wolbachia isolates sequenced to date encode at least partial orthologs of wBm0076, we find it likely that the ability of Wolbachia to directly manipulate host actin dynamics is an essential requirement of all Wolbachia endosymbioses, independent of host cell species.}, }
@article {pmid36793689, year = {2023}, author = {Matias, AMA and Popovic, I and Thia, JA and Cooke, IR and Torda, G and Lukoschek, V and Bay, LK and Kim, SW and Riginos, C}, title = {Cryptic diversity and spatial genetic variation in the coral Acropora tenuis and its endosymbionts across the Great Barrier Reef.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {16}, number = {2}, pages = {293-310}, pmid = {36793689}, issn = {1752-4571}, abstract = {Genomic studies are uncovering extensive cryptic diversity within reef-building corals, suggesting that evolutionarily and ecologically relevant diversity is highly underestimated in the very organisms that structure coral reefs. Furthermore, endosymbiotic algae within coral host species can confer adaptive responses to environmental stress and may represent additional axes of coral genetic variation that are not constrained by taxonomic divergence of the cnidarian host. Here, we examine genetic variation in a common and widespread, reef-building coral, Acropora tenuis, and its associated endosymbiotic algae along the entire expanse of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). We use SNPs derived from genome-wide sequencing to characterize the cnidarian coral host and organelles from zooxanthellate endosymbionts (genus Cladocopium). We discover three distinct and sympatric genetic clusters of coral hosts, whose distributions appear associated with latitude and inshore-offshore reef position. Demographic modelling suggests that the divergence history of the three distinct host taxa ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 million years ago, preceding the GBR's formation, and has been characterized by low-to-moderate ongoing inter-taxon gene flow, consistent with occasional hybridization and introgression typifying coral evolution. Despite this differentiation in the cnidarian host, A. tenuis taxa share a common symbiont pool, dominated by the genus Cladocopium (Clade C). Cladocopium plastid diversity is not strongly associated with host identity but varies with reef location relative to shore: inshore colonies contain lower symbiont diversity on average but have greater differences between colonies as compared with symbiont communities from offshore colonies. Spatial genetic patterns of symbiont communities could reflect local selective pressures maintaining coral holobiont differentiation across an inshore-offshore environmental gradient. The strong influence of environment (but not host identity) on symbiont community composition supports the notion that symbiont community composition responds to habitat and may assist in the adaptation of corals to future environmental change.}, }
@article {pmid36786616, year = {2023}, author = {Li, C and Liu, S and Zhou, H and Zhu, W and Cui, M and Li, J and Wang, J and Liu, J and Zhu, J and Li, W and Bi, Y and Carr, MJ and Holmes, EC and Shi, W}, title = {Metatranscriptomic Sequencing Reveals Host Species as an Important Factor Shaping the Mosquito Virome.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {e0465522}, pmid = {36786616}, issn = {2165-0497}, abstract = {Mosquitoes are important vector hosts for numerous viral pathogens and harbor a large number of mosquito-specific viruses as well as human-infecting viruses. Previous studies have mainly focused on the discovery of mosquito viruses, and our understanding of major ecological factors associated with virome structure in mosquitoes remains limited. We utilized metatranscriptomic sequencing to characterize the viromes of five mosquito species sampled across eight locations in Yunnan Province, China. This revealed the presence of 52 viral species, of which 19 were novel, belonging to 15 viral families/clades. Of particular note was Culex hepacivirus 1, clustering within the avian clade of hepaciviruses. Notably, both the viromic diversity and abundance of Aedes genus mosquitoes were significantly higher than those of the Culex genus, while Aedes albopictus mosquitoes harbored a higher diversity than Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Our findings thus point to discernible differences in viromic structure between mosquito genera and even between mosquito species within the same genus. Importantly, such differences were not attributable to differences in sampling between geographical location. Our study also revealed the ubiquitous presence of the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia, with the genetic diversity and abundance also varying between mosquito species. In conclusion, our results suggested that the mosquito host species play an important role in shaping the virome's structure. IMPORTANCE This study revealed the huge capability of mosquitoes in harboring a rich diversity of RNA viruses, although relevant studies have characterized the intensively unparalleled diversity of RNA viruses previously. Furthermore, our findings showed discernible differences not only in viromic structure between mosquito genera and even between mosquito species within the same genus but also in the genetic diversity and abundance of Wolbachia between different mosquito populations. These findings emphasize the importance of host genetic background in shaping the virome composition of mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid36785954, year = {2023}, author = {Sanaei, E and Albery, GF and Yeoh, YK and Lin, YP and Cook, LG and Engelstädter, J}, title = {Host phylogeny and ecological associations best explain Wolbachia host shifts in scale insects.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {32}, number = {9}, pages = {2351-2363}, doi = {10.1111/mec.16883}, pmid = {36785954}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Insecta/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Wasps/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are among the most prevalent and widespread endosymbiotic bacteria on Earth. Wolbachia's success in infecting an enormous number of arthropod species is attributed to two features: the range of phenotypes they induce in their hosts, and their ability to switch between host species. Whilst much progress has been made in elucidating their induced phenotypes, our understanding of Wolbachia host-shifting is still very limited: we lack answers to even fundamental questions concerning Wolbachia's routes of transfer and the importance of factors influencing host shifts. Here, we investigate the diversity and host-shift patterns of Wolbachia in scale insects, a group of arthropods with intimate associations with other insects that make them well suited to studying host shifts. Using Illumina multitarget amplicon sequencing of Wolbachia-infected scale insects and their direct associates we determined the identity of all Wolbachia strains. We then fitted a generalized additive mixed model to our data to estimate the influence of host phylogeny and the geographical distribution on Wolbachia strain sharing among scale insect species. The model predicts no significant contribution of host geography but strong effects of host phylogeny, with high rates of Wolbachia sharing among closely related species and a sudden drop-off in sharing with increasing phylogenetic distance. We also detected the same Wolbachia strain in scale insects and several intimately associated species (ants, wasps and flies). This indicates putative host shifts and potential routes of transfers via these associates and highlights the importance of ecological connectivity in Wolbachia host-shifting.}, }
@article {pmid36781724, year = {2023}, author = {Takasuka, K and Arakawa, K}, title = {The Method of Eliminating the Wolbachia Endosymbiont Genomes from Insect Samples Prior to a Long-Read Sequencing.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2632}, number = {}, pages = {101-112}, pmid = {36781724}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Wasps/genetics ; Genome ; Insecta/genetics ; Rifampin ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {When extracting DNA of invertebrates for long-read sequencing, not only enough quantity and size of the DNA but, depending on the species, elimination of contamination of endosymbiotic Wolbachia genome also has to be achieved. These requirements become troublesome, especially in small-sized species with a limited number of individuals available for the experiment. In this chapter, using tiny parasitoid wasps (Reclinervellus nielseni) parasitizing spiders as hosts, we developed a method of eliminating the Wolbachia genomes by means of an antibiotic administration to adult wasps via honey solution. Twenty days of rifampicin treatment since their emergence from cocoons resulted in a significant decrease in the Wolbachia genomes while keeping good DNA conditions for nanopore sequencing. An adequate quantity of DNA was then gained by pooling several individuals. The method could be applied to other insects or invertebrates that can be maintained by laboratory feeding with liquid food.}, }
@article {pmid36779765, year = {2023}, author = {Dell'Aglio, E and Lacotte, V and Peignier, S and Rahioui, I and Benzaoui, F and Vallier, A and Da Silva, P and Desouhant, E and Heddi, A and Rebollo, R}, title = {Weevil Carbohydrate Intake Triggers Endosymbiont Proliferation: A Trade-Off between Host Benefit and Endosymbiont Burden.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {14}, number = {2}, pages = {e0333322}, pmid = {36779765}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Animals ; *Weevils/genetics/microbiology ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; *Coleoptera ; Symbiosis ; Insecta ; Amino Acids, Aromatic/metabolism ; Tyrosine/metabolism ; Carbohydrates ; Cell Proliferation ; }, abstract = {Nutritional symbioses between insects and intracellular bacteria (endosymbionts) are a major force of adaptation, allowing animals to colonize nutrient-poor ecological niches. Many beetles feeding on tyrosine-poor substrates rely on a surplus of aromatic amino acids produced by bacterial endosymbionts. This surplus of aromatic amino acids is crucial for the biosynthesis of a thick exoskeleton, the cuticle, which is made of a matrix of chitin with proteins and pigments built from tyrosine-derived molecules, providing an important defensive barrier against biotic and abiotic stress. Other endosymbiont-related advantages for beetles include faster development and improved fecundity. The association between Sitophilus oryzae and the Sodalis pierantonius endosymbiont represents a unique case study among beetles: endosymbionts undergo an exponential proliferation in young adults concomitant with the cuticle tanning, and then they are fully eliminated. While endosymbiont clearance, as well as total endosymbiont titer, are host-controlled processes, the mechanism triggering endosymbiont exponential proliferation remains poorly understood. Here, we show that endosymbiont exponential proliferation relies on host carbohydrate intake, unlike the total endosymbiont titer or the endosymbiont clearance, which are under host genetic control. Remarkably, insect fecundity was preserved, and the cuticle tanning was achieved, even when endosymbiont exponential proliferation was experimentally blocked, except in the context of a severely unbalanced diet. Moreover, a high endosymbiont titer coupled with nutrient shortage dramatically impacted host survival, revealing possible environment-dependent disadvantages for the host, likely due to the high energy cost of exponentially proliferating endosymbionts. IMPORTANCE Beetles thriving on tyrosine-poor diet sources often develop mutualistic associations with endosymbionts able to synthesize aromatic amino acids. This surplus of aromatic amino acids is used to reinforce the insect's protective cuticle. An exceptional feature of the Sitophilus oryzae/Sodalis pierantonius interaction is the exponential increase in endosymbiotic titer observed in young adult insects, in concomitance with cuticle biosynthesis. Here, we show that host carbohydrate intake triggers endosymbiont exponential proliferation, even in conditions that lead to the detriment of the host survival. In addition, when hosts thrive on a balanced diet, endosymbiont proliferation is dispensable for several host fitness traits. The endosymbiont exponential proliferation is therefore dependent on the nutritional status of the host, and its consequences on host cuticle biosynthesis and survival depend on food quality and availability.}, }
@article {pmid36778977, year = {2022}, author = {Sinha, DK and Gupta, A and Padmakumari, AP and Bentur, JS and Nair, S}, title = {Infestation of Rice by Gall Midge Influences Density and Diversity of Pseudomonas and Wolbachia in the Host Plant Microbiome.}, journal = {Current genomics}, volume = {23}, number = {2}, pages = {126-136}, pmid = {36778977}, issn = {1389-2029}, abstract = {Background: The virulence of phytophagous insects is predominantly determined by their ability to evade or suppress host defense for their survival. The rice gall midge (GM, Orseolia oryzae), a monophagous pest of rice, elicits a host defense similar to the one elicited upon pathogen attack. This could be due to the GM feeding behaviour, wherein the GM endosymbionts are transferred to the host plant via oral secretions, and as a result, the host mounts an appropriate defense response(s) (i.e., up-regulation of the salicylic acid pathway) against these endosymbionts. Methods: The current study aimed to analyze the microbiome present at the feeding site of GM maggots to determine the exchange of bacterial species between GM and its host and to elucidate their role in rice-GM interaction using a next-generation sequencing approach. Results: Our results revealed differential representation of the phylum Proteobacteria in the GM-infested and -uninfested rice tissues. Furthermore, analysis of the species diversity of Pseudomonas and Wolbachia supergroups at the feeding sites indicated the exchange of bacterial species between GM and its host upon infestation. Conclusion: As rice-GM microbial associations remain relatively unstudied, these findings not only add to our current understanding of microbe-assisted insect-plant interactions but also provide valuable insights into how these bacteria drive insect-plant coevolution. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report analyzing the microbiome of a host plant (rice) at the feeding site of its insect pest (GM).}, }
@article {pmid36769231, year = {2023}, author = {Tarlachkov, SV and Efeykin, BD and Castillo, P and Evtushenko, LI and Subbotin, SA}, title = {Distribution of Bacterial Endosymbionts of the Cardinium Clade in Plant-Parasitic Nematodes.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {36769231}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Bacteroidetes/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Tylenchoidea/genetics ; DNA ; Symbiosis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {Bacteria of the genus "Candidatus Cardinium" and related organisms composing the Cardinium clade are intracellular endosymbionts frequently occurring in several arthropod groups, freshwater mussels and plant-parasitic nematodes. Phylogenetic analyses based on two gene sequences (16S rRNA and gyrB) showed that the Cardinium clade comprised at least five groups: A, B, C, D and E. In this study, a screening of 142 samples of plant-parasitic nematodes belonging to 93 species from 12 families and two orders using PCR with specific primers and sequencing, revealed bacteria of Cardinium clade in 14 nematode samples belonging to 12 species of cyst nematodes of the family Heteroderidae. Furthermore, in this study, the genome of the Cardinium cHhum from the hop cyst nematode, Heterodera humuli, was also amplified, sequenced and analyzed. The comparisons of the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values for the strain Cardinium cHhum with regard to related organisms with available genomes, combined with the data on 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequence identities, showed that this strain represents a new candidate species within the genus "Candidatus Paenicardinium". The phylogenetic position of endosymbionts of the Cardinium clade detected in nematode hosts was also compared to known representatives of this clade from other metazoans. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on analysis of 16S rRNA, gyrB, sufB, gloEL, fusA, infB genes and genomes and estimates of genetic distances both indicate that the endosymbiont of the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans represented a separate lineage and is designated herein as a new group F. The phylogenetic analysis also confirmed that endosymbionts of ostracods represent the novel group G. Evolutionary relationships of bacterial endosymbionts of the Cardinium clade within invertebrates are presented and discussed.}, }
@article {pmid36757767, year = {2023}, author = {Halter, T and Köstlbacher, S and Rattei, T and Hendrickx, F and Manzano-Marín, A and Horn, M}, title = {One to host them all: genomics of the diverse bacterial endosymbionts of the spider Oedothorax gibbosus.}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {9}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {36757767}, issn = {2057-5858}, support = {DOC 69/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Spiders/genetics/microbiology ; DNA Transposable Elements ; Bacteroidetes/genetics ; Genomics ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts of the groups Wolbachia, Cardinium and Rickettsiaceae are well known for their diverse effects on their arthropod hosts, ranging from mutualistic relationships to reproductive phenotypes. Here, we analysed a unique system in which the dwarf spider Oedothorax gibbosus is co-infected with up to five different endosymbionts affiliated with Wolbachia, 'Candidatus Tisiphia' (formerly Torix group Rickettsia), Cardinium and Rhabdochlamydia. Using short-read genome sequencing data, we show that the endosymbionts are heterogeneously distributed among O. gibbosus populations and are frequently found co-infecting spider individuals. To study this intricate host-endosymbiont system on a genome-resolved level, we used long-read sequencing to reconstruct closed genomes of the Wolbachia, 'Ca. Tisiphia' and Cardinium endosymbionts. We provide insights into the ecology and evolution of the endosymbionts and shed light on the interactions with their spider host. We detected high quantities of transposable elements in all endosymbiont genomes and provide evidence that ancestors of the Cardinium, 'Ca. Tisiphia' and Wolbachia endosymbionts have co-infected the same hosts in the past. Our findings contribute to broadening our knowledge about endosymbionts infecting one of the largest animal phyla on Earth and show the usefulness of transposable elements as an evolutionary 'contact-tracing' tool.}, }
@article {pmid36755874, year = {2022}, author = {Du, S and Ye, F and Xu, S and Liang, Y and Wan, F and Guo, J and Liu, W}, title = {Apomixis for no bacteria-induced thelytoky in Diglyphus wani (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).}, journal = {Frontiers in genetics}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1061100}, pmid = {36755874}, issn = {1664-8021}, abstract = {In Hymenoptera species, the reproductive mode is usually arrhenotoky, where haploid males arise from unfertilized eggs and diploid females from fertilized eggs. In addition, a few species reproduce by thelytoky, where diploid females arise from unfertilized eggs. Diploid females can be derived through various cytological mechanisms in thelytokous Hymenoptera species. Hitherto, these mechanisms were revealed mainly in endosymbiont-induced thelytokous Hymenoptera species. In contrast, thelytokous Hymenoptera species in which a reproductive manipulator has not been verified or several common endosymbionts have been excluded were paid less attention in their cytological mechanisms, for instance, Diglyphus wani (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Here, we investigated the cytological mechanism of D. wani using cytological methods and genetic markers. Our observations indicated that the diploid karyotypes of two strains of D. wani consist of four pairs of relatively large metacentric chromosomes and one pair of short submetacentric chromosomes (2n = 10). The arrhenotokous strains could complete normal meiosis, whereas the thelytokous strain lacked meiosis and did not expulse any polar bodies. This reproductive type of lacking meiosis is classified as apomictic thelytoky. Moreover, a total of 636 microsatellite sequences were obtained from thelytokous D. wani, dominated by dinucleotide repeats. Genetic markers results showed all three generations of offspring from thelytokous strain maintained the same genotype as their parents. Our results revealed that D. wani is the first eulophid parasitoid wasp in Hymenoptera whose thelytoky was not induced by bacteria to form an apomictic thelytoky. These findings provide a baseline for future inner molecular genetic studies of ameiotic thelytoky.}, }
@article {pmid36754115, year = {2023}, author = {Prigot-Maurice, C and Lheraud, B and Guéritault, S and Beltran-Bech, S and Cordaux, R and Peccoud, J and Braquart-Varnier, C}, title = {Investigating Wolbachia symbiont-mediated host protection against a bacterial pathogen using a natural Wolbachia nuclear insert.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {197}, number = {}, pages = {107893}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2023.107893}, pmid = {36754115}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; Bacteria ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts provide protection against pathogens in various arthropod species but the underlying mechanisms remain misunderstood. By using a natural Wolbachia nuclear insert (f-element) in the isopod Armadillidium vulgare, we explored whether Wolbachia presence is mandatory to observe protection in this species or the presence of its genes is sufficient. We assessed survival of closely related females carrying or lacking the f-element (and lacking Wolbachia) challenged with the bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica. Despite marginal significant effects, the f-element alone did not appear to confer survival benefits to its host, suggesting that Wolbachia presence in cells is crucial for protection.}, }
@article {pmid36750192, year = {2023}, author = {Haydon, TD and Matthews, JL and Seymour, JR and Raina, JB and Seymour, JE and Chartrand, K and Camp, EF and Suggett, DJ}, title = {Metabolomic signatures of corals thriving across extreme reef habitats reveal strategies of heat stress tolerance.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {290}, number = {1992}, pages = {20221877}, pmid = {36750192}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; *Thermotolerance ; Coral Reefs ; Symbiosis ; Heat-Shock Response ; *Dinoflagellida/physiology ; }, abstract = {Anthropogenic stressors continue to escalate worldwide, driving unprecedented declines in reef environmental conditions and coral health. One approach to better understand how corals can function in the future is to examine coral populations that thrive within present day naturally extreme habitats. We applied untargeted metabolomics (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)) to contrast metabolite profiles of Pocillopora acuta colonies from hot, acidic and deoxygenated mangrove environments versus those from adjacent reefs. Under ambient temperatures, P. acuta predominantly associated with endosymbionts of the genera Cladocopium (reef) or Durusdinium (mangrove), exhibiting elevated metabolism in mangrove through energy-generating and biosynthesis pathways compared to reef populations. Under transient heat stress, P. acuta endosymbiont associations were unchanged. Reef corals bleached and exhibited extensive shifts in symbiont metabolic profiles (whereas host metabolite profiles were unchanged). By contrast, mangrove populations did not bleach and solely the host metabolite profiles were altered, including cellular responses in inter-partner signalling, antioxidant capacity and energy storage. Thus mangrove P. acuta populations resist periodically high-temperature exposure via association with thermally tolerant endosymbionts coupled with host metabolic plasticity. Our findings highlight specific metabolites that may be biomarkers of heat tolerance, providing novel insight into adaptive coral resilience to elevated temperatures.}, }
@article {pmid36748607, year = {2022}, author = {Giannotti, D and Boscaro, V and Husnik, F and Vannini, C and Keeling, PJ}, title = {At the threshold of symbiosis: the genome of obligately endosymbiotic 'Candidatus Nebulobacter yamunensis' is almost indistinguishable from that of a cultivable strain.}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {8}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {36748607}, issn = {2057-5858}, mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Bacteria/genetics ; Genomics ; }, abstract = {Comparing obligate endosymbionts with their free-living relatives is a powerful approach to investigate the evolution of symbioses, and it has led to the identification of several genomic traits consistently associated with the establishment of symbiosis. 'Candidatus Nebulobacter yamunensis' is an obligate bacterial endosymbiont of the ciliate Euplotes that seemingly depends on its host for survival. A subsequently characterized bacterial strain with an identical 16S rRNA gene sequence, named Fastidiosibacter lacustris, can instead be maintained in pure culture. We analysed the genomes of 'Candidatus Nebulobacter' and Fastidiosibacter seeking to identify key differences between their functional traits and genomic structure that might shed light on a recent transition to obligate endosymbiosis. Surprisingly, we found almost no such differences: the two genomes share a high level of sequence identity, the same overall structure, and largely overlapping sets of genes. The similarities between the genomes of the two strains are at odds with their different ecological niches, confirmed here with a parallel growth experiment. Although other pairs of closely related symbiotic/free-living bacteria have been compared in the past, 'Candidatus Nebulobacter' and Fastidiosibacter represent an extreme example proving that a small number of (unknown) factors might play a pivotal role in the earliest stages of obligate endosymbiosis establishment.}, }
@article {pmid36748430, year = {2022}, author = {Izraeli, Y and Lepetit, D and Atias, S and Mozes-Daube, N and Wodowski, G and Lachman, O and Luria, N and Steinberg, S and Varaldi, J and Zchori-Fein, E and Chiel, E}, title = {Genomic characterization of viruses associated with the parasitoid Anagyrus vladimiri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae).}, journal = {The Journal of general virology}, volume = {103}, number = {12}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1099/jgv.0.001810}, pmid = {36748430}, issn = {1465-2099}, mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Wasps ; *Viruses ; Genomics ; *Reoviridae/genetics ; }, abstract = {Knowledge on symbiotic microorganisms of insects has increased dramatically in recent years, yet relatively little data are available regarding non-pathogenic viruses. Here we studied the virome of the parasitoid wasp Anagyrus vladimiri Triapitsyn (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a biocontrol agent of mealybugs. By high-throughput sequencing of viral nucleic acids, we revealed three novel viruses, belonging to the families Reoviridae [provisionally termed AnvRV (Anagyrus vladimiri reovirus)], Iflaviridae (AnvIFV) and Dicistroviridae (AnvDV). Phylogenetic analysis further classified AnvRV in the genus Idnoreovirus, and AnvDV in the genus Triatovirus. The genome of AnvRV comprises 10 distinct genomic segments ranging in length from 1.5 to 4.2 kb, but only two out of the 10 ORFs have a known function. AnvIFV and AnvDV each have one polypeptide ORF, which is typical of iflaviruses but very un-common among dicistroviruses. Five conserved domains were found along both the ORFs of those two viruses. AnvRV was found to be fixed in an A. vladimiri population that was obtained from a mass rearing facility, whereas its prevalence in field-collected A. vladimiri was ~15 %. Similarly, the prevalence of AnvIFV and AnvDV was much higher in the mass rearing population than in the field population. The presence of AnvDV was positively correlated with the presence of Wolbachia in the same individuals. Transmission electron micrographs of females' ovaries revealed clusters and viroplasms of reovirus-like particles in follicle cells, suggesting that AnvRV is vertically transmitted from mother to offspring. AnvRV was not detected in the mealybugs, supporting the assumption that this virus is truly associated with the wasps. The possible effects of these viruses on A. vladimiri's biology, and on biocontrol agents in general, are discussed. Our findings identify RNA viruses as potentially involved in the multitrophic system of mealybugs, their parasitoids and other members of the holobiont.}, }
@article {pmid39749009, year = {2023}, author = {Figueroa, LL and Sadd, BM and Tripodi, AD and Strange, JP and Colla, SR and Adams, LD and Duennes, MA and Evans, EC and Lehmann, DM and Moylett, H and Richardson, L and Smith, JW and Smith, TA and Spevak, EM and Inouye, DW}, title = {Endosymbionts that threaten commercially raised and wild bumble bees (Bombus spp.).}, journal = {Journal of pollination ecology}, volume = {33}, number = {}, pages = {14-36}, pmid = {39749009}, issn = {1920-7603}, support = {EPA999999/ImEPA/Intramural EPA/United States ; }, abstract = {Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators for both wild and agriculturally managed plants. We give an overview of what is known about the diverse community of internal potentially deleterious bumble bee symbionts, including viruses, bacteria, protozoans, fungi, and nematodes, as well as methods for their detection, quantification, and control. We also provide information on assessment of risk for select bumble bee symbionts and highlight key knowledge gaps. This information is crucial for ongoing efforts to establish parasite- conscious programs for future commerce in bumble bees for crop pollination, and to mitigate the problems with pathogen spillover to wild populations.}, }
@article {pmid36744984, year = {2023}, author = {Banerjee, P and Sarkar, A and Ghosh, K and Mazumdar, A}, title = {A Metagenomic Based Approach on Abundance and Diversity of Bacterial Communities Across the Life Stages of Culicoides peregrinus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) a Vector of Bluetongue Virus.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {60}, number = {2}, pages = {373-383}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjad011}, pmid = {36744984}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ceratopogonidae ; *Bluetongue virus ; Bacteria/genetics ; Larva ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {During larval rearing of Culicoides peregrinus Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) it was obligatory to add a small quantity of mud from larval habitat to nutrient broth in culture plates. This initiated microbial growth in rearing plates which facilitated growth and development of immature. The primary aim was to enumerate gut microbial communities across the different life stages of C. peregrinus. Amplicon sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region (16S rDNA) was done on Illumina Miseq platform to detect gut bacterial communities at different life stages, while ITS regions (18S rRNA) were targeted for fungal communities of the 4th instar larvae. The major findings were: 1) Phylum Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the most abundant throughout the life stages, along with the highest bacterial alpha diversity in the egg, 2) bacterial compositions were similar to laboratory reared and field collected adults, and 3) abundant fungal phyla associated with the larval gut were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Furthermore, analyses of the gut microbiome with METAGENassist might be indicative of their likely function in the natural habitat. Abundant gut-associated bacteria and/or fungal genera detected in the present study could be used as dietary supplements to establish laboratory colonies for further vectorial research. While, individual roles of the bacteria or fungi in paratransgenesis are warned for their possible utilization to frame the management strategy in upcoming works.}, }
@article {pmid36744754, year = {2023}, author = {Chen, J and Wang, MK and Xie, QX and Bing, XL and Li, TP and Hong, XY}, title = {NDUFA8 potentially rescues Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility in Laodelphax striatellus.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {30}, number = {6}, pages = {1689-1700}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13182}, pmid = {36744754}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {32020103011//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32001905//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31871976//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Hemiptera/genetics/metabolism ; Fertility ; Reproduction ; Gene Expression Profiling ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiont Wolbachia manipulates host reproduction by several strategies, one of the most important of which is cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). CI can be rescued when Wolbachia-infected males mate with females infected with the same Wolbachia strain. However, the potential rescue mechanism of CI in the small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus is unclear. In this study, comparative transcriptome analysis was applied to explore the effect of Wolbachia on L. striatellus eggs. A total of 1387 differentially expressed genes were identified. RNA interference of 7 Wolbachia-upregulated key planthopper genes reduced egg reproduction, suggesting that Wolbachia might improve fecundity in L. striatellus by affecting these 7 genes. Suppressing the expression of another upregulated gene, NDUFA8 (encoding NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 α subcomplex subunit 8-like) by RNA interference significantly increased the mortality of early embryos without affecting the number of deposited eggs. Wolbachia infection upregulated the mRNA level of NDUFA8, and dsNDUFA8 treatment of Wolbachia-infected females recreated CI-like symptoms, suggesting that NDUFA8 is associated with the rescue phenotype. Because all L. striatellus populations worldwide are infected with Wolbachia, NDUFA8 is a potential pest control target.}, }
@article {pmid36743537, year = {2022}, author = {Mushtaq, S and Shafiq, M and Tariq, MR and Sami, A and Nawaz-Ul-Rehman, MS and Bhatti, MHT and Haider, MS and Sadiq, S and Abbas, MT and Hussain, M and Shahid, MA}, title = {Interaction between bacterial endophytes and host plants.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1092105}, pmid = {36743537}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Endophytic bacteria are mainly present in the plant's root systems. Endophytic bacteria improve plant health and are sometimes necessary to fight against adverse conditions. There is an increasing trend for the use of bacterial endophytes as bio-fertilizers. However, new challenges are also arising regarding the management of these newly discovered bacterial endophytes. Plant growth-promoting bacterial endophytes exist in a wide host range as part of their microbiome, and are proven to exhibit positive effects on plant growth. Endophytic bacterial communities within plant hosts are dynamic and affected by abiotic/biotic factors such as soil conditions, geographical distribution, climate, plant species, and plant-microbe interaction at a large scale. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the mechanism of bacterial endophytes' interaction with plants under field conditions before their application. Bacterial endophytes have both beneficial and harmful impacts on plants but the exact mechanism of interaction is poorly understood. A basic approach to exploit the potential genetic elements involved in an endophytic lifestyle is to compare the genomes of rhizospheric plant growth-promoting bacteria with endophytic bacteria. In this mini-review, we will be focused to characterize the genetic diversity and dynamics of endophyte interaction in different host plants.}, }
@article {pmid36740932, year = {2023}, author = {Becher, H and Nichols, RA}, title = {Assembly-free quantification of vagrant DNA inserts.}, journal = {Molecular ecology resources}, volume = {23}, number = {5}, pages = {1002-1013}, pmid = {36740932}, issn = {1755-0998}, support = {MC_UU_00007/16/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; PhD studentship awarded to HB//Queen Mary University of London, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Mitochondria/genetics ; Eukaryota/genetics ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; Cell Nucleus/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Inserts of DNA from extranuclear sources, such as organelles and microbes, are common in eukaryote nuclear genomes. However, sequence similarity between the nuclear and extranuclear DNA, and a history of multiple insertions, make the assembly of these regions challenging. Consequently, the number, sequence and location of these vagrant DNAs cannot be reliably inferred from the genome assemblies of most organisms. We introduce two statistical methods to estimate the abundance of nuclear inserts even in the absence of a nuclear genome assembly. The first (intercept method) only requires low-coverage (<1×) sequencing data, as commonly generated for population studies of organellar and ribosomal DNAs. The second method additionally requires that a subset of the individuals carry extranuclear DNA with diverged genotypes. We validated our intercept method using simulations and by re-estimating the frequency of human NUMTs (nuclear mitochondrial inserts). We then applied it to the grasshopper Podisma pedestris, exceptional for both its large genome size and reports of numerous NUMT inserts, estimating that NUMTs make up 0.056% of the nuclear genome, equivalent to >500 times the mitochondrial genome size. We also re-analysed a museomics data set of the parrot Psephotellus varius, obtaining an estimate of only 0.0043%, in line with reports from other species of bird. Our study demonstrates the utility of low-coverage high-throughput sequencing data for the quantification of nuclear vagrant DNAs. Beyond quantifying organellar inserts, these methods could also be used on endosymbiont-derived sequences. We provide an R implementation of our methods called "vagrantDNA" and code to simulate test data sets.}, }
@article {pmid36735822, year = {2023}, author = {Sweet, AD and Browne, DR and Hernandez, AG and Johnson, KP and Cameron, SL}, title = {Draft genome assemblies of the avian louse Brueelia nebulosa and its associates using long-read sequencing from an individual specimen.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {36735822}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Phthiraptera/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; Genome Size ; DNA ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; }, abstract = {Sequencing high molecular weight (HMW) DNA with long-read and linked-read technologies has promoted a major increase in more complete genome sequences for nonmodel organisms. Sequencing approaches that rely on HMW DNA have been limited to larger organisms or pools of multiple individuals, but recent advances have allowed for sequencing from individuals of small-bodied organisms. Here, we use HMW DNA sequencing with PacBio long reads and TELL-Seq linked reads to assemble and annotate the genome from a single individual feather louse (Brueelia nebulosa) from a European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). We assembled a genome with a relatively high scaffold N50 (637 kb) and with BUSCO scores (96.1%) comparable to louse genomes assembled from pooled individuals. We annotated a number of genes (10,938) similar to the human louse (Pediculus humanus) genome. Additionally, calling phased variants revealed that the Brueelia genome is more heterozygous (∼1%) then expected for a highly obligate and dispersal-limited parasite. We also assembled and annotated the mitochondrial genome and primary endosymbiont (Sodalis) genome from the individual louse, which showed evidence for heteroplasmy in the mitogenome and a reduced genome size in the endosymbiont compared to its free-living relative. Our study is a valuable demonstration of the capability to obtain high-quality genomes from individual small, nonmodel organisms. Applying this approach to other organisms could greatly increase our understanding of the diversity and evolution of individual genomes.}, }
@article {pmid36732111, year = {2023}, author = {Shaw, S and Roditi, I}, title = {The sweet and sour sides of trypanosome social motility.}, journal = {Trends in parasitology}, volume = {39}, number = {4}, pages = {242-250}, doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2023.01.001}, pmid = {36732111}, issn = {1471-5007}, mesh = {Animals ; *Tsetse Flies/parasitology ; *Trypanosoma ; *Trypanosoma brucei brucei ; Signal Transduction ; }, abstract = {Recent studies showed that the formation of elegant geometric patterns by communities of Trypanosoma brucei on semi-solid surfaces, dubbed social motility (SoMo) by its discoverers, is a manifestation of pH taxis. This is caused by procyclic forms generating and responding to pH gradients through glucose metabolism and cAMP signalling. These findings established that trypanosomes can sense and manipulate gradients, potentially helping them to navigate through host tissues. At the same time, the host itself and bystanders such as endosymbionts have the potential to shape the environment and influence the chances of successful transmission. We postulate that the ability to sense and contribute to the gradient landscape may also underlie the tissue tropism and migration of other parasites in their hosts.}, }
@article {pmid36727281, year = {2023}, author = {Quach, QN and Clay, K and Lee, ST and Gardner, DR and Cook, D}, title = {Phylogenetic patterns of bioactive secondary metabolites produced by fungal endosymbionts in morning glories (Ipomoeeae, Convolvulaceae).}, journal = {The New phytologist}, volume = {238}, number = {4}, pages = {1351-1361}, doi = {10.1111/nph.18785}, pmid = {36727281}, issn = {1469-8137}, mesh = {Animals ; *Convolvulaceae/metabolism/microbiology ; Swainsonine/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; *Ipomoea/genetics/metabolism/microbiology ; *Ergot Alkaloids/metabolism ; *Alkaloids/metabolism ; Diterpene Alkaloids ; }, abstract = {Heritable fungal endosymbiosis is underinvestigated in plant biology and documented in only three plant families (Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae). An estimated 40% of morning glory species in the tribe Ipomoeeae (Convolvulaceae) have associations with one of two distinct heritable, endosymbiotic fungi (Periglandula and Chaetothyriales) that produce the bioactive metabolites ergot alkaloids, indole diterpene alkaloids, and swainsonine, which have been of interest for their toxic effects on animals and potential medical applications. Here, we report the occurrence of ergot alkaloids, indole diterpene alkaloids, and swainsonine in the Convolvulaceae; and the fungi that produce them based on synthesis of previous studies and new indole diterpene alkaloid data from 27 additional species in a phylogenetic, geographic, and life-history context. We find that individual morning glory species host no more than one metabolite-producing fungal endosymbiont (with one possible exception), possibly due to costs to the host and overlapping functions of the alkaloids. The symbiotic morning glory lineages occur in distinct phylogenetic clades, and host species have significantly larger seed size than nonsymbiotic species. The distinct and widely distributed endosymbiotic relationships in the morning glory family and their alkaloids provide an accessible study system for understanding heritable plant-fungal symbiosis evolution and their potential functions for host plants.}, }
@article {pmid36725749, year = {2023}, author = {Sullivan, TJ and Roberts, H and Bultman, TL}, title = {Genetic Covariation Between the Vertically Transmitted Endophyte Epichloë canadensis and Its Host Canada Wildrye.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {86}, number = {3}, pages = {1686-1695}, pmid = {36725749}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Endophytes/genetics ; Symbiosis ; *Epichloe/genetics ; Poaceae/microbiology ; *Elymus/genetics/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic mutualisms are thought to be stabilized by correlations between the interacting genotypes which may be strengthened via vertical transmission and/or reduced genetic variability within each species. Vertical transmission, however, may weaken interactions over time as the endosymbionts would acquire mutations that could not be purged. Additionally, temporal variation in a conditional mutualism could create genetic variation and increased variation in the interaction outcome. In this study, we assessed genetic variation in both members of a symbiosis, the endosymbiotic fungal endophyte Epichloë canadensis and its grass host Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis). Both species exhibited comparable levels of diversity, mostly within populations rather than between. There were significant differences between populations, although not in the same pattern for the two species, and the differences were not correlated with geographic distance for either species. Interindividual genetic distance matrices for the two species were significantly correlated, although all combinations of discriminant analysis of principle components (DAPC) defined multilocus genotype groups were found suggesting that strict genotype matching is not necessary. Variation in interaction outcome is common in grass/endophyte interactions, and our results suggest that the accumulation of mutations overtime combined with temporal variation in selection pressures increasing genetic variation in the symbiosis may be the cause.}, }
@article {pmid36717919, year = {2023}, author = {Grandi, G and Chiappa, G and Ullman, K and Lindgren, PE and Olivieri, E and Sassera, D and Östlund, E and Omazic, A and Perissinotto, D and Söderlund, R}, title = {Characterization of the bacterial microbiome of Swedish ticks through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of whole ticks and of individual tick organs.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {39}, pmid = {36717919}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {2018-02830//Vetenskapsr&#xe5;det/ ; 2018-02830//Vetenskapsr&#xe5;det/ ; 2018-02830//Vetenskapsr&#xe5;det/ ; 2018-02830//Vetenskapsr&#xe5;det/ ; 2018-02830//Vetenskapsr&#xe5;det/ ; J-No.: 38-2-7-19//European Regional Development Fund/ ; 76413//NordForsk/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sweden ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The composition of the microbial flora associated with ixodid ticks has been studied in several species, revealing the importance of geographical origin, developmental stage(s) and feeding status of the tick, as well as substantial differences between tissues and organs. Studying the microbiome in the correct context and scale is therefore necessary for understanding the interactions between tick-borne pathogens and other microorganisms as well as other aspects of tick biology.<br><br>METHODS: In the present study the microbial flora of whole Ixodes ricinus, I. persulcatus and I. trianguliceps ticks were analyzed with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Additionally, tick organs (midguts, Malpighian tubules, ovaries, salivary glands) from flat and engorged I. ricinus female ticks were examined with the same methodology.<br><br>RESULTS: The most abundant bacteria belonged to the group of Proteobacteria (Cand. Midichloria mitochondrii and Cand. Lariskella). 16S amplicon sequencing of dissected tick organs provided more information on the diversity of I. ricinus-associated microbial flora, especially when organs were collected from engorged ticks. Bacterial genera significantly associated with tick feeding status as well as genera associated with the presence of tick-borne pathogens were identified.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These results contribute to the knowledge of microbial flora associated with ixodid ticks in their northernmost distribution limit in Europe and opens new perspectives for other investigations on the function of these bacteria, including those using other approaches like in vitro cultivation and in vitro models.}, }
@article {pmid36715911, year = {2023}, author = {Nevalainen, LBM and Newton, ILG}, title = {Detection and Assessment of Wolbachia pipientis Infection.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2626}, number = {}, pages = {291-307}, pmid = {36715911}, issn = {1940-6029}, support = {R01 AI144430/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Drosophila/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is a widespread vertically transmitted intracellular bacterium naturally present in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. As Wolbachia is present in a large number of Drosophila lines, it is critical for researchers to be able to identify which of their stocks maintain this infection to avoid any potential confounding variables. Here, we describe methods for detecting the bacterium and assessing the infection, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of DNA, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) to identify strains, western blotting for protein detection, and immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of Drosophila ovaries to visually detect Wolbachia by fluorescence microscopy.}, }
@article {pmid36714835, year = {2022}, author = {Niehs, SP and Scherlach, K and Dose, B and Uzum, Z and Stinear, TP and Pidot, SJ and Hertweck, C}, title = {A highly conserved gene locus in endofungal bacteria codes for the biosynthesis of symbiosis-specific cyclopeptides.}, journal = {PNAS nexus}, volume = {1}, number = {4}, pages = {pgac152}, pmid = {36714835}, issn = {2752-6542}, abstract = {The tight association of the pathogenic fungus Rhizopus microsporus and its toxin-producing, bacterial endosymbionts (Mycetohabitans spp.) is distributed worldwide and has significance for agriculture, food production, and human health. Intriguingly, the endofungal bacteria are essential for the propagation of the fungal host. Yet, little is known about chemical mediators fostering the symbiosis, and universal metabolites that support the mutualistic relationship have remained elusive. Here, we describe the discovery of a complex of specialized metabolites produced by endofungal bacteria under symbiotic conditions. Through full genome sequencing and comparative genomics of eight endofungal symbiont strains from geographically distant regions, we discovered a conserved gene locus (hab) for a nonribosomal peptide synthetase as a unifying trait. Bioinformatics analyses, targeted gene deletions, and chemical profiling uncovered unprecedented depsipeptides (habitasporins) whose structures were fully elucidated. Computational network analysis and labeling experiments granted insight into the biosynthesis of their nonproteinogenic building blocks (pipecolic acid and β-phenylalanine). Deletion of the hab gene locus was shown to impair the ability of the bacteria to enter their fungal host. Our study unveils a common principle of the endosymbiotic lifestyle of Mycetohabitans species and expands the repertoire of characterized chemical mediators of a globally occurring mutualistic association.}, }
@article {pmid36714306, year = {2022}, author = {Barman, M and Samanta, S and Ahmed, B and Dey, S and Chakraborty, S and Deeksha, MG and Dutta, S and Samanta, A and Tarafdar, J and Roy, D}, title = {Transcription dynamics of heat-shock proteins (Hsps) and endosymbiont titres in response to thermal stress in whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Asia-I).}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1097459}, pmid = {36714306}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is one of the several species complexes of whitefly that are currently significant agricultural pests. Bemisia tabaci infests more than 600 plant species and thrives under a wide range of temperature conditions. In addition to the direct damage caused by sucking plant sap, it vectors several plant viruses. Heat-shock proteins play a pivotal role in enabling the insect to extend its geographical location, survival, and reproduction under different stress conditions. B. tabaci harbours several endosymbionts under the genera Portiera, Rickettsia, Hamiltonella, Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, Cardinium, and Fritschea that directly or indirectly affect its fitness. By accelerating cuticle biosynthesis and sclerotisation, symbiotic microbes can reduce or enhance tolerance to extreme temperatures and detoxify heavy metals. Thus, symbionts or microbial communities can expand or constrain the abiotic niche space of their host and affect its ability to adapt to changing conditions. The present study delineates the effect of thermal stress on the expression of heat-shock genes and endosymbionts in B. tabaci. Studies of the expression level of heat-shock proteins with the help of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) showed that heat- and cold-shock treatment fuels the increased expression of heat-shock proteins (Hsp40 and Hsp70). However, Hsp90 was not induced by a heat- and cold-shock treatment. A significant decrease in the relative titre of secondary endosymbionts, such as Rickettsia, Arsenophonus, and Wolbachia, were recorded in B. tabaci upon heat treatment. However, the titre of the primary symbiont, C. Portiera, was relatively unaffected by both cold and heat treatments. These results are indicative of the fact that Hsp genes and endosymbionts in B. tabaci are modulated in response to thermal stress, and this might be responsible for the adaptation of whitefly under changing climatic scenario.}, }
@article {pmid36703713, year = {2023}, author = {Quicray, M and Wilhelm, L and Enriquez, T and He, S and Scheifler, M and Visser, B}, title = {The Drosophila-parasitizing wasp Leptopilina heterotoma: A comprehensive model system in ecology and evolution.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {e9625}, pmid = {36703713}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The parasitoid Leptopilina heterotoma has been used as a model system for more than 70 years, contributing greatly to diverse research areas in ecology and evolution. Here, we synthesized the large body of work on L. heterotoma with the aim to identify new research avenues that could be of interest also for researchers studying other parasitoids and insects. We start our review with a description of typical L. heterotoma characteristics, as well as that of the higher taxonomic groups to which this species belongs. We then continue discussing host suitability and immunity, foraging behaviors, as well as fat accumulation and life histories. We subsequently shift our focus towards parasitoid-parasitoid interactions, including L. heterotoma coexistence within the larger guild of Drosophila parasitoids, chemical communication, as well as mating and population structuring. We conclude our review by highlighting the assets of L. heterotoma as a model system, including its intermediate life history syndromes, the ease of observing and collecting natural hosts and wasps, as well as recent genomic advances.}, }
@article {pmid36699601, year = {2022}, author = {Kueneman, JG and Gillung, J and Van Dyke, MT and Fordyce, RF and Danforth, BN}, title = {Solitary bee larvae modify bacterial diversity of pollen provisions in the stem-nesting bee, Osmia cornifrons (Megachilidae).}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1057626}, pmid = {36699601}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Microbes, including diverse bacteria and fungi, play an important role in the health of both solitary and social bees. Among solitary bee species, in which larvae remain in a closed brood cell throughout development, experiments that modified or eliminated the brood cell microbiome through sterilization indicated that microbes contribute substantially to larval nutrition and are in some cases essential for larval development. To better understand how feeding larvae impact the microbial community of their pollen/nectar provisions, we examine the temporal shift in the bacterial community in the presence and absence of actively feeding larvae of the solitary, stem-nesting bee, Osmia cornifrons (Megachilidae). Our results indicate that the O. cornifrons brood cell bacterial community is initially diverse. However, larval solitary bees modify the microbial community of their pollen/nectar provisions over time by suppressing or eliminating rare taxa while favoring bacterial endosymbionts of insects and diverse plant pathogens, perhaps through improved conditions or competitive release. We suspect that the proliferation of opportunistic plant pathogens may improve nutrient availability of developing larvae through degradation of pollen. Thus, the health and development of solitary bees may be interconnected with pollen bacterial diversity and perhaps with the propagation of plant pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid36694551, year = {2023}, author = {de Gier, W}, title = {Phylomorphometrics reveal ecomorphological convergence in pea crab carapace shapes (Brachyura, Pinnotheridae).}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {e9744}, pmid = {36694551}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Most members of the speciose pea crab family (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) are characterized by their symbioses with marine invertebrates in various host phyla. The ecology of pea crabs is, however, understudied, and the degree of host dependency of most species is still unclear. With the exception of one lineage of ectosymbiotic echinoid-associated crabs, species within the subfamily Pinnotherinae are endosymbionts, living within the body cavities of mollusks, ascidians, echinoderms, and brachiopods. By contrast, most members of the two other subfamilies are considered to have an ectosymbiotic lifestyle, sharing burrows and tubes with various types of worms and burrowing crustaceans (inquilism). The body shapes within the family are extremely variable, mainly in the width and length of the carapace. The variation of carapace shapes in the family, focusing on pinnotherines, is mapped using landmark-based morphometrics. Mean carapace shapes of species groups (based on their host preference) are statistically compared. In addition, a phylomorphometric approach is used to study three different convergence events (across subfamilies; between three genera; and within one genus), and link these events with the associated hosts.}, }
@article {pmid36691279, year = {2023}, author = {Cooper, WR and Swisher Grimm, KD and Angelella, GM and Mustafa, T}, title = {Acquisition and Transmission of 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' Differs Among Wolbachia-Infected and -Uninfected Haplotypes of Bactericera cockerelli.}, journal = {Plant disease}, volume = {107}, number = {8}, pages = {2440-2445}, doi = {10.1094/PDIS-11-22-2701-RE}, pmid = {36691279}, issn = {0191-2917}, mesh = {Animals ; Liberibacter ; Haplotypes ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; *Solanum tuberosum/microbiology ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; }, abstract = {'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso) causes disease symptoms and economic losses in potato, tomato, and other solanaceous crops in North America. Lso is transmitted to plants by the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, which occurs as distinct haplotypes named western, central, and northwestern that differ in the presence or absence of the bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia. Previous work showed that all three vector haplotypes can transmit Lso, but it was not clear whether acquisition and transmission rates of Lso were equal among the haplotypes. The goal of our study was to compare Lso infection rates among psyllids of the western, central, and northwestern haplotypes. Using data collected from several years of periodic testing of Lso infection of laboratory-reared potato psyllid colonies, we showed that psyllids of the western and central haplotypes are more likely to harbor Lso than are psyllids of the northwestern haplotype. We then used greenhouse assays to demonstrate that psyllids of the northwestern haplotype are less likely to acquire and transmit Lso than those of the western haplotype. Lso infection rates corresponded with Wolbachia infection among the three psyllid haplotypes. The Wolbachia-infected central and western haplotypes were more likely to harbor and transmit Lso than the Wolbachia-free northwestern haplotype. Results demonstrate that potato psyllids of the western and central haplotypes pose a greater risk for spread of Lso in crops and suggest a pattern between infection with Lso and Wolbachia in potato psyllid.}, }
@article {pmid36689552, year = {2023}, author = {Vancaester, E and Blaxter, M}, title = {Phylogenomic analysis of Wolbachia genomes from the Darwin Tree of Life biodiversity genomics project.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {e3001972}, pmid = {36689552}, issn = {1545-7885}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 206194/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Genomics ; *Nematoda ; *Diptera ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project aims to sequence all described terrestrial and aquatic eukaryotic species found in Britain and Ireland. Reference genome sequences are generated from single individuals for each target species. In addition to the target genome, sequenced samples often contain genetic material from microbiomes, endosymbionts, parasites, and other cobionts. Wolbachia endosymbiotic bacteria are found in a diversity of terrestrial arthropods and nematodes, with supergroups A and B the most common in insects. We identified and assembled 110 complete Wolbachia genomes from 93 host species spanning 92 families by filtering data from 368 insect species generated by the DToL project. From 15 infected species, we assembled more than one Wolbachia genome, including cases where individuals carried simultaneous supergroup A and B infections. Different insect orders had distinct patterns of infection, with Lepidopteran hosts mostly infected with supergroup B, while infections in Diptera and Hymenoptera were dominated by A-type Wolbachia. Other than these large-scale order-level associations, host and Wolbachia phylogenies revealed no (or very limited) cophylogeny. This points to the occurrence of frequent host switching events, including between insect orders, in the evolutionary history of the Wolbachia pandemic. While supergroup A and B genomes had distinct GC% and GC skew, and B genomes had a larger core gene set and tended to be longer, it was the abundance of copies of bacteriophage WO who was a strong determinant of Wolbachia genome size. Mining raw genome data generated for reference genome assemblies is a robust way of identifying and analysing cobiont genomes and giving greater ecological context for their hosts.}, }
@article {pmid36686690, year = {2022}, author = {Büttiker, P and Weissenberger, S and Esch, T and Anders, M and Raboch, J and Ptacek, R and Kream, RM and Stefano, GB}, title = {Dysfunctional mitochondrial processes contribute to energy perturbations in the brain and neuropsychiatric symptoms.}, journal = {Frontiers in pharmacology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1095923}, pmid = {36686690}, issn = {1663-9812}, abstract = {Mitochondria are complex endosymbionts that evolved from primordial purple nonsulfur bacteria. The incorporation of bacteria-derived mitochondria facilitates a more efficient and effective production of energy than what could be achieved based on previous processes alone. In this case, endosymbiosis has resulted in the seamless coupling of cytochrome c oxidase and F-ATPase to maximize energy production. However, this mechanism also results in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a phenomenon that can have both positive and negative ramifications on the host. Recent studies have revealed that neuropsychiatric disorders have a pro-inflammatory component in which ROS is capable of initiating damage and cognitive malfunction. Our current understanding of cognition suggests that it is the product of a neuronal network that consumes a substantial amount of energy. Thus, alterations or perturbations of mitochondrial function may alter not only brain energy supply and metabolite generation, but also thought processes and behavior. Mitochondrial abnormalities and oxidative stress have been implicated in several well-known psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD). As cognition is highly energy-dependent, we propose that the neuronal pathways underlying maladaptive cognitive processing and psychiatric symptoms are most likely dependent on mitochondrial function, and thus involve brain energy translocation and the accumulation of the byproducts of oxidative stress. We also hypothesize that neuropsychiatric symptoms (e.g., disrupted emotional processing) may represent the vestiges of an ancient masked evolutionary response that can be used by both hosts and pathogens to promote self-repair and proliferation via parasitic and/or symbiotic pathways.}, }
@article {pmid36683703, year = {2022}, author = {Liu, Y and He, ZQ and Wen, Q and Peng, J and Zhou, YT and Mandour, N and McKenzie, CL and Ahmed, MZ and Qiu, BL}, title = {Parasitoid-mediated horizontal transmission of Rickettsia between whiteflies.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {1077494}, pmid = {36683703}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Phylogeny ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Intracellular bacterial endosymbionts of arthropods are mainly transmitted vertically from mother to offspring, but phylogenetically distant insect hosts often harbor identical endosymbionts, indicating that horizontal transmission from one species to another occurs in nature. Here, we investigated the parasitoid Encarsia formosa-mediated horizontal transmission of the endosymbiont Rickettsia between different populations of whitefly Bemisia tabaci MEAM1. Rickettsia was successfully transmitted from the positive MEAM1 nymphs (R [+]) into E. formosa and retained at least for 48 h in E. formosa adults. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) visualization results revealed that the ovipositors, mouthparts, and digestive tract of parasitoid adults get contaminated with Rickettsia. Random non-lethal probing of Rickettisia-negative (R[-]) MEAM1 nymphs by these Rickettsia-carrying E. formosa resulted in newly infected MEAM1 nymphs, and the vertical transmission of Rickettsia within the recipient females can remain at least up to F3 generation. Further phylogenetic analyses revealed that Rickettsia had high fidelity during the horizontal transmission in whiteflies and parasitoids. Our findings may help to explain why Rickettsia bacteria are so abundant in arthropods and suggest that, in some insect species that shared the same parasitoids, Rickettsia may be maintained in populations by horizontal transmission.}, }
@article {pmid36677450, year = {2023}, author = {Hoffman, T and Olsen, B and Lundkvist, &#xc5;}, title = {The Biological and Ecological Features of Northbound Migratory Birds, Ticks, and Tick-Borne Microorganisms in the African-Western Palearctic.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {36677450}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Identifying the species that act as hosts, vectors, and vehicles of vector-borne pathogens is vital for revealing the transmission cycles, dispersal mechanisms, and establishment of vector-borne pathogens in nature. Ticks are common vectors for pathogens causing human and animal diseases, and they transmit a greater variety of pathogenic agents than any other arthropod vector group. Ticks depend on the movements by their vertebrate hosts for their dispersal, and tick species with long feeding periods are more likely to be transported over long distances. Wild birds are commonly parasitized by ticks, and their migration patterns enable the long-distance range expansion of ticks. The African-Palearctic migration system is one of the world's largest migrations systems. African-Western Palearctic birds create natural links between the African, European, and Asian continents when they migrate biannually between breeding grounds in the Palearctic and wintering grounds in Africa and thereby connect different biomes. Climate is an important geographical determinant of ticks, and with global warming, the distribution range and abundance of ticks in the Western Palearctic may increase. The introduction of exotic ticks and their microorganisms into the Western Palearctic via avian vehicles might therefore pose a greater risk for the public and animal health in the future.}, }
@article {pmid36677447, year = {2023}, author = {Fujishima, M and Kawano, H and Miyakawa, I}, title = {A 63-kDa Periplasmic Protein of the Endonuclear Symbiotic Bacterium Holospora obtusa Secreted to the Outside of the Bacterium during the Early Infection Process Binds Weakly to the Macronuclear DNA of the Host Paramecium caudatum.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {36677447}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {Grant Number 22370082 and 23657157//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, abstract = {The Gram-negative bacterium Holospora obtusa is a macronucleus-specific symbiont of the ciliate Paramecium caudatum. It is known that an infection of this bacterium induces high level expressions of the host hsp60 and hsp70 genes, and the host cell acquires both heat-shock and high salt resistances. In addition, an infectious form of H. obtusa-specific 63-kDa periplasmic protein with a DNA-binding domain in its amino acid sequence is secreted into the host macronucleus after invasion into the macronucleus and remain within the nucleus. These facts suggest that binding of the 63-kDa protein to the host macronuclear DNA causes changes in the host gene expressions and enhances an environmental adaptability of the host cells. This 63-kDa protein was renamed as periplasmic region protein 1 (PRP1) to distinguish it from other proteins with similar molecular weights. To confirm whether PRP1 indeed binds to the host DNA, SDS-DNA PAGE and DNA affinity chromatography with calf thymus DNA and P. caudatum DNA were conducted and confirmed that PRP1 binds weakly to the P. caudatum DNA with a monoclonal antibody raised for the 63-kDa protein.}, }
@article {pmid36675947, year = {2023}, author = {Thimmappa, BC and Salhi, LN and Forget, L and Sarrasin, M and Bustamante Villalobos, P and Lang, BF and Burger, G}, title = {Nuclear Genome Sequence and Gene Expression of an Intracellular Fungal Endophyte Stimulating the Growth of Cranberry Plants.}, journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {36675947}, issn = {2309-608X}, support = {CRDPJ 514188-17//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council/ ; }, abstract = {Ericaceae thrive in poor soil, which we postulate is facilitated by microbes living inside those plants. Here, we investigate the growth stimulation of the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) by one of its fungal endosymbionts, EC4. We show that the symbiont resides inside the epidermal root cells of the host but extends into the rhizosphere via its hyphae. Morphological classification of this fungus is ambiguous, but phylogenetic inference based on 28S rRNA identifies EC4 as a Codinaeella species (Chaetosphaeriaceae, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycetes). We sequenced the genome and transcriptome of EC4, providing the first 'Omics' information of a Chaetosphaeriaceae fungus. The 55.3-Mbp nuclear genome contains 17,582 potential protein-coding genes, of which nearly 500 have the capacity to promote plant growth. For comparing gene sets involved in biofertilization, we annotated the published genome assembly of the plant-growth-promoting Trichoderma hamatum. The number of proteins involved in phosphate transport and solubilization is similar in the two fungi. In contrast, EC4 has ~50% more genes associated with ammonium, nitrate/nitrite transport, and phytohormone synthesis. The expression of 36 presumed plant-growth-promoting EC4 genes is stimulated when the fungus is in contact with the plant. Thus, Omics and in-plantae tests make EC4 a promising candidate for cranberry biofertilization on nutrient-poor soils.}, }
@article {pmid36675893, year = {2023}, author = {Akram, S and Ahmed, A and He, P and He, P and Liu, Y and Wu, Y and Munir, S and He, Y}, title = {Uniting the Role of Endophytic Fungi against Plant Pathogens and Their Interaction.}, journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {36675893}, issn = {2309-608X}, support = {32050410307//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 202107AA110007//Central Government Fund for Local Science and Technology Development/ ; 202102AE090023//Breeding and industrialization demonstration of green and efficient new maize varieties/ ; 2020M683664XB//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; 202103//Yunnan First Level Research Fund for Post-doctorate Researchers/ ; }, abstract = {Endophytic fungi are used as the most common microbial biological control agents (MBCAs) against phytopathogens and are ubiquitous in all plant parts. Most of the fungal species have roles against a variety of plant pathogens. Fungal endophytes provide different services to be used as pathogen control agents, using an important aspect in the form of enhanced plant growth and induced systemic resistance, produce a variety of antifungal secondary metabolites (lipopeptides, antibiotics and enzymes) through colonization, and compete with other pathogenic microorganisms for growth factors (space and nutrients). The purpose of this review is to highlight the biological control potential of fungal species with antifungal properties against different fungal plant pathogens. We focused on the introduction, biology, isolation, identification of endophytic fungi, and their antifungal activity against fungal plant pathogens. The endosymbionts have developed specific genes that exhibited endophytic behavior and demonstrated defensive responses against pathogens such as antibiosis, parasitism, lytic enzyme and competition, siderophore production, and indirect responses by induced systemic resistance (ISR) in the host plant. Finally, different microscopic detection techniques to study microbial interactions (endophytic and pathogenic fungal interactions) in host plants are briefly discussed.}, }
@article {pmid36675187, year = {2023}, author = {Deng, Y and Wang, K and Hu, Z and Hu, Q and Tang, Y}, title = {Different Geographic Strains of Dinoflagellate Karlodinium veneficum Host Highly Diverse Fungal Community and Potentially Serve as Possible Niche for Colonization of Fungal Endophytes.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {36675187}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {42176207//the National Science Foundation of China/ ; COMS2019Q09//he Key Deployment Project of Centre for Ocean Mega-Research of Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; JCYJ20210324094013037//the Natural Science Foundation of Shenzhen, China/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Endophytes ; *Mycobiome ; Ecosystem ; Harmful Algal Bloom ; Phytoplankton ; }, abstract = {In numerous studies, researchers have explored the interactions between fungi and their hosting biota in terrestrial systems, while much less attention has been paid to the counterpart interactions in aquatic, and particularly marine, ecosystems. Despite the growing recognition of the potential functions of fungi in structuring phytoplankton communities, the current insights were mostly derived from phytoplankton hosts, such as diatoms, green microalgae, and cyanobacteria. Dinoflagellates are the second most abundant group of phytoplankton in coastal marine ecosystems, and they are notorious for causing harmful algal blooms (HABs). In this study, we used high-throughput amplicon sequencing to capture global snapshots of specific fungal assemblages associated with laboratory-cultured marine dinoflagellate. We investigated a total of 13 clonal cultures of the dinoflagellate Karlodinium veneficum that were previously isolated from 5 geographic origins and have been maintained in our laboratory from several months to more than 14 years. The total recovered fungal microbiome, which consisted of 349 ASVs (amplicon sequencing variants, sequences clustered at a 100% sequence identity), could be assigned to 4 phyla, 18 classes, 37 orders, 65 families, 97 genera, and 131 species. The fungal consortium displayed high diversity and was dominated by filamentous fungi and ascomycetous and basidiomycetous yeasts. A core set of three genera among all the detected fungi was constitutively present in the K. veneficum strains isolated from geographically distant regions, with the top two most abundant genera, Thyridium and Pseudeurotium, capable of using hydrocarbons as the sole or major source of carbon and energy. In addition, fungal taxa previously documented as endophytes in other hosts were also found in all tested strains of K. veneficum. Because host-endophyte interactions are highly variable and strongly case-dependent, these fungal taxa were not necessarily genuine endosymbionts of K. veneficum; instead, it raised the possibility that dinoflagellates could potentially serve as an alternative ecological niche for the colonization of fungal endophytes. Our findings lay the foundation for further investigations into the potential roles or functions of fungi in the regulation of the growth dynamics and HABs of marine dinoflagellates in the field.}, }
@article {pmid36674613, year = {2023}, author = {Wiesinger, A and Wenderlein, J and Ulrich, S and Hiereth, S and Chitimia-Dobler, L and Straubinger, RK}, title = {Revealing the Tick Microbiome: Insights into Midgut and Salivary Gland Microbiota of Female Ixodes ricinus Ticks.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {24}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {36674613}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Humans ; *Ixodes/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Lyme Disease ; Salivary Glands/microbiology ; *Tick-Borne Diseases ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {The ectoparasite Ixodes ricinus is an important vector for many tick-borne diseases (TBD) in the northern hemisphere, such as Lyme borreliosis, rickettsiosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, or tick-borne encephalitis virus. As climate change will lead to rising temperatures in the next years, we expect an increase in tick activity, tick population, and thus in the spread of TBD. Consequently, it has never been more critical to understand relationships within the microbial communities in ticks that might contribute to the tick's fitness and the occurrence of TBD. Therefore, we analyzed the microbiota in different tick tissues such as midgut, salivary glands, and residual tick material, as well as the microbiota in complete Ixodes ricinus ticks using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. By using a newly developed DNA extraction protocol for tick tissue samples and a self-designed mock community, we were able to detect endosymbionts and pathogens that have been described in the literature previously. Further, this study displayed the usefulness of including a mock community during bioinformatic analysis to identify essential bacteria within the tick.}, }
@article {pmid36670832, year = {2023}, author = {Silva, RXG and Madeira, D and Cartaxana, P and Calado, R}, title = {Assessing the Trophic Impact of Bleaching: The Model Pair Berghia stephanieae/Exaiptasia diaphana.}, journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {36670832}, issn = {2076-2615}, support = {SFRH/BD/05303/2021//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia/ ; CEECIND/01250/2018//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia/ ; CEECIND/01434/2018//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia/ ; UIDP/50017/2020//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia/ ; UIDB/50017/2020//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia/ ; LA/P/0094/2020//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia/ ; }, abstract = {Bleaching events associated with climate change are increasing worldwide, being a major threat to tropical coral reefs. Nonetheless, the indirect impacts promoted by the bleaching of organisms hosting photosynthetic endosymbionts, such as those impacting trophic interactions, have received considerably less attention by the scientific community. Bleaching significantly affects the nutritional quality of bleached organisms. The consequences promoted by such shifts remain largely overlooked, namely on specialized predators that have evolved to prey upon organisms hosting photosynthetic endosymbionts and benefit nutritionally, either directly or indirectly, from the available pool of photosynthates. In the present study, we advocate the use of the model predator-prey pair featuring the stenophagous nudibranch sea slug Berghia stephanieae that preys upon the photosymbiotic glass anemone Exaiptasia diaphana to study the impacts of bleaching on trophic interactions. These model organisms are already used in other research fields, and one may benefit from knowledge available on their physiology, omics, and culture protocols under controlled laboratory conditions. Moreover, B. stephanieae can thrive on either photosymbiotic or aposymbiotic (bleached) glass anemones, which can be easily maintained over long periods in the laboratory (unlike photosymbiotic corals). As such, one can investigate if and how nutritional shifts induced by bleaching impact highly specialized predators (stenophagous species), as well as if and how such effects cascade over consecutive generations. Overall, by using this model predator-prey pair one can start to truly unravel the trophic effects of bleaching events impacting coral reef communities, as well as their prevalence over time.}, }
@article {pmid36670494, year = {2023}, author = {Chamankar, B and Maleki-Ravasan, N and Karami, M and Forouzan, E and Karimian, F and Naeimi, S and Choobdar, N}, title = {The structure and diversity of microbial communities in Paederus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): from ecological paradigm to pathobiome.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {11}, pmid = {36670494}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Male ; Female ; *Coleoptera/microbiology ; *Rhizobiaceae ; Enterococcus ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *Dermatitis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Paederus fuscipes is medically the most famous rove beetle, which causes dermatitis or conjunctivitis in humans, as well as gastrointestinal toxicosis in livestock, via releasing toxic hemolymph containing pederin. Pedrin biosynthesis genes have been identified in uncultured Pseudomonas-like endosymbionts that are speculated to be acquired through a horizontal transfer. However, the composition of the P. fuscipes microbial community, especially of the gut and genital microbiome, remains unclear. This study was aimed to characterize the structure and diversity of P. fuscipes-associated bacterial communities in terms of gender, organ, and location using the Illumina HiSeq platform in the southern littorals of Caspian Sea.<br><br>RESULTS: The OTUs identified from P. fuscipes specimens were collapsed into 40 phyla, 112 classes, 249 orders, 365 families, 576 genera, and 106 species. The most abundant families were Pseudomonadaceae, Spiroplasmataceae, Weeksellaceae, Enterococcaceae, and Rhizobiaceae, respectively. Thirty top genera made up > 94% of the P. fuscipes microbiome, with predominating Pseudomonas, followed by the Spiroplasma, Apibacter, Enterococcus, Dysgonomonas, Sebaldella, Ruminococcus, and Wolbachia. Interesting dissimilarities were also discovered within and between the beetle microbiomes in terms of genders and organs. Analyses showed that Spiroplasma / Apibacter as well as Pseudomonas / Pseudomonas were the most abundant in the genitals / intestines of male and female beetles, respectively. Bacterial richness did not display any significant difference in the three provinces but was higher in male beetles than in females and more in the genitals than intestines.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The present study identified Pseudomonas-like endobacterium as a common symbiont of P. fuscipes beetles; this bacterium begins its journey from gut and genitalia of females to reach the male rove beetles. Additionally, male and female rove beetles were characterized by distinctive microbiota in different organs, likely reflecting different functions and/or adaptation processes. Evidence of the extension of P. fuscipes microbiome from the environmental paradigm to the pathobiome was also presented herein. A comprehensive survey of P. fuscipes microbiome components may eventually lead to ecological insights into the production and utilization of defensive compound of pederin and also the management of linear dermatitis with the use of available antibiotics against bacterial pathogens released by the beetles. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid36669676, year = {2023}, author = {Awad, M and Piálková, R and Haelewaters, D and Nedvěd, O}, title = {Infection patterns of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) by ectoparasitic microfungi and endosymbiotic bacteria.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {197}, number = {}, pages = {107887}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2023.107887}, pmid = {36669676}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Female ; Animals ; *Coleoptera/microbiology ; *Ascomycota ; Fertility ; *Spiroplasma ; Seasons ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The invasive alien ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) hosts a wide range of natural enemies. Many observations have been done in nature but experimental studies of interactions of multiple enemies on Ha. axyridis are rare. In light of this knowledge gap, we tested whether the host phenotype and presence of bacterial endosymbionts Spiroplasma and Wolbachia affected parasitism of Ha. axyridis by the ectoparasitic fungus Hesperomyces harmoniae (Ascomycota: Laboulbeniales). We collected 379 Ha. axyridis in the Czech Republic, processed specimens, including screening for He. harmoniae and a molecular assessment for bacteria, and calculated fecundity and hatchability of females. We found that high hatchability rate (71 %) was conditioned by high fecundity (20 eggs daily or more). The average parasite prevalence of He. harmoniae was 53 %, while the infection rate of Spiroplasma was 73 % in ladybirds that survived in winter conditions. Wolbachia was only present in 2 % of the analyzed ladybirds. Infection by either He. harmoniae or Spiroplasma did not differ among host color morphs. In the novemdecimsignata morph, younger individuals (with orange elytra) were more heavily parasitized compared to old ones (with red elytra). Fecundity and hatchability rate of females were unaffected by infection with either He. harmoniae or Spiroplasma. However, female ladybirds co-infected with He. harmoniae and Spiroplasma had a significantly lower fecundity and hatchability compared to females with only one or no symbiont.}, }
@article {pmid36653630, year = {2023}, author = {Mayfield, AB}, title = {Multi-macromolecular Extraction from Endosymbiotic Anthozoans.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2625}, number = {}, pages = {17-56}, pmid = {36653630}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; Ecosystem ; *Anthozoa ; *Sea Anemones ; *Dinoflagellida/physiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Obligately symbiotic associations between reef-building corals (anthozoan cnidarians) and photosynthetically active dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae comprise the functional basis of all coral reef ecosystems. Given the existential threats of global climate change toward these thermo-sensitive entities, there is an urgent need to better understand the physiological implications of changes in the abiotic milieu of scleractinian corals and their mutualistic algal endosymbionts. Although initially slow to leverage the immense breakthroughs in molecular biotechnology that have benefited humankind, coral biologists are making up for lost time in exploiting an array of ever-advancing molecular tools for answering key questions pertaining to the survival of corals in an ever-changing world. In order to comprehensively characterize the multi-omic landscape of the coral holobiont-the cnidarian host, its intracellular dinoflagellates, and a plethora of other microbial constituents-I introduce a series of protocols herein that yield large quantities of high-quality RNA, DNA, protein, lipids, and polar metabolites from a diverse array of reef corals and endosymbiotic sea anemones. Although numerous published articles in the invertebrate zoology field feature protocols that lead to sufficiently high yield of intact host coral macromolecules, through using the approach outlined herein one may simultaneously acquire a rich, multi-compartmental biochemical pool that truly reflects the complex and dynamic nature of these animal-plant chimeras.}, }
@article {pmid36653505, year = {2023}, author = {Prada, F and Franzellitti, S and Caroselli, E and Cohen, I and Marini, M and Campanelli, A and Sana, L and Mancuso, A and Marchini, C and Puglisi, A and Candela, M and Mass, T and Tassi, F and LaJeunesse, TC and Dubinsky, Z and Falini, G and Goffredo, S}, title = {Acclimatization of a coral-dinoflagellate mutualism at a CO2 vent.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {6}, number = {1}, pages = {66}, pmid = {36653505}, issn = {2399-3642}, support = {OCE-1636022//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Carbon Dioxide ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Seawater/chemistry ; Symbiosis ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Acclimatization ; }, abstract = {Ocean acidification caused by shifts in ocean carbonate chemistry resulting from increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations is threatening many calcifying organisms, including corals. Here we assessed autotrophy vs heterotrophy shifts in the Mediterranean zooxanthellate scleractinian coral Balanophyllia europaea acclimatized to low pH/high pCO2 conditions at a CO2 vent off Panarea Island (Italy). Dinoflagellate endosymbiont densities were higher at lowest pH Sites where changes in the distribution of distinct haplotypes of a host-specific symbiont species, Philozoon balanophyllum, were observed. An increase in symbiont C/N ratios was observed at low pH, likely as a result of increased C fixation by higher symbiont cell densities. δ[13]C values of the symbionts and host tissue reached similar values at the lowest pH Site, suggesting an increased influence of autotrophy with increasing acidification. Host tissue δ[15]N values of 0‰ strongly suggest that diazotroph N2 fixation is occurring within the coral tissue/mucus at the low pH Sites, likely explaining the decrease in host tissue C/N ratios with acidification. Overall, our findings show an acclimatization of this coral-dinoflagellate mutualism through trophic adjustment and symbiont haplotype differences with increasing acidification, highlighting that some corals are capable of acclimatizing to ocean acidification predicted under end-of-century scenarios.}, }
@article {pmid36651852, year = {2023}, author = {Takagi, T and Aoyama, K and Motone, K and Aburaya, S and Yamashiro, H and Miura, N and Inoue, K}, title = {Mutualistic Interactions between Dinoflagellates and Pigmented Bacteria Mitigate Environmental Stress.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {e0246422}, pmid = {36651852}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Coral Reefs ; *Anthozoa/genetics/microbiology ; Bacteria ; Symbiosis ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; }, abstract = {Scleractinian corals form symbiotic relationships with a variety of microorganisms, including endosymbiotic dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae, and with bacteria, which are collectively termed coral holobionts. Interactions between hosts and their symbionts are critical to the physiological status of corals. Coral-microorganism interactions have been studied extensively, but dinoflagellate-bacterial interactions remain largely unexplored. Here, we developed a microbiome manipulation method employing KAS-antibiotic treatment (kanamycin, ampicillin, and streptomycin) to favor pigmented bacteria residing on cultured Cladocopium and Durusdinium, major endosymbionts of corals, and isolated several carotenoid-producing bacteria from cell surfaces of the microalgae. Following KAS-antibiotic treatment of Cladocopium sp. strain NIES-4077, pigmented bacteria increased 8-fold based on colony-forming assays from the parental strain, and 100% of bacterial sequences retrieved through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were affiliated with the genus Maribacter. Microbiome manipulation enabled host microalgae to maintain higher maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (variable fluorescence divided by maximum fluorescence [Fv/Fm]) under light-stress conditions, compared to the parental strain. Furthermore, by combining culture-dependent and -independent techniques, we demonstrated that species of the family Symbiodiniaceae and pigmented bacteria form strong interactions. Dinoflagellates protected bacteria from antibiotics, while pigmented bacteria protected microalgal cells from light stress via carotenoid production. Here, we describe for the first time a symbiotic relationship in which dinoflagellates and bacteria mutually reduce environmental stress. Investigations of microalgal-bacterial interactions further document bacterial contributions to coral holobionts and may facilitate development of novel techniques for microbiome-mediated coral reef conservation. IMPORTANCE Coral reefs cover less than 0.1% of the ocean floor, but about 25% of all marine species depend on coral reefs at some point in their life cycles. However, rising ocean temperatures associated with global climate change are a serious threat to coral reefs, causing dysfunction of the photosynthetic apparatus of endosymbiotic microalgae of corals, and overproducing reactive oxygen species harmful to corals. We manipulated the microbiome using an antibiotic treatment to favor pigmented bacteria, enabling their symbiotic microalgal partners to maintain higher photosynthetic function under insolation stress. Furthermore, we investigated mechanisms underlying microalgal-bacterial interactions, describing for the first time a symbiotic relationship in which the two symbionts mutually reduce environmental stress. Our findings extend current insights about microalgal-bacterial interactions, enabling better understanding of bacterial contributions to coral holobionts under stressful conditions and offering hope of reducing the adverse impacts of global warming on coral reefs.}, }
@article {pmid36651455, year = {2023}, author = {Mata-Somarribas, C and Quesada-López, J and Matamoros, MF and Cervantes-Gómez, C and Mejía, A and Chacón, K and Bendig, I and Campos, R and Quesada-Morera, R and Cantanhêde, LM and Pereira, LOR and Cupolillo, E}, title = {Raising the suspicion of a non-autochthonous infection: identification of Leishmania guyanensis from Costa Rica exhibits a Leishmaniavirus related to Brazilian north-east and French Guiana viral genotypes.}, journal = {Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz}, volume = {117}, number = {}, pages = {e220162}, pmid = {36651455}, issn = {1678-8060}, mesh = {Humans ; Brazil/epidemiology ; Costa Rica ; French Guiana ; Genotype ; *Leishmania guyanensis/genetics ; *Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/parasitology ; *Leishmaniavirus/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Costa Rica has a history of neglecting prevention, control and research of leishmaniasis, including limited understanding on Leishmania species causing human disease across the country and a complete lack of knowledge on the Leishmania RNA virus, described as a factor linked to the worsening and metastasis of leishmanial lesions.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to describe a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, bearing infection with Leishmaniavirus 1 (LRV1) in Costa Rica, raising the suspicion of imported parasites in the region.<br><br>METHODS: The Leishmania strain was previously identified by routine hsp70 polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in Costa Rica and subsequently characterised by isoenzyme electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing in Brazil. Screening for LRV1 was conducted with a dual RT-PCR approach and sequencing of the fragment obtained.<br><br>FINDINGS: Since 2016 Costa Rica performs Leishmania isolation and typing as part of its epidemiological surveillance activities. Amongst 113 strains typed until 2019, only one was characterised as a L. (V.) guyanensis, corresponding to the first confirmed report of this species in the country. Interestingly, the same strain tested positive for LRV1. Sequencing of the viral orf1 and 2, clustered this sample with other LRV1 genotypes of South American origin, from the Northeast of Brazil and French Guiana.<br><br>MAIN CONCLUSION: The unique characteristics of this finding raised the suspicion that it was not an autochthonous strain. Notwithstanding its presumed origin, this report points to the occurrence of said endosymbiont in Central American Leishmania strains. The possibility of its local dispersion represents one more challenge faced by regional health authorities in preventing and controlling leishmaniasis.}, }
@article {pmid36646785, year = {2023}, author = {Sétamou, M and Soto, YL and Tachin, M and Alabi, OJ}, title = {Report on the first detection of Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in the Republic of Benin, West Africa.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {801}, pmid = {36646785}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/genetics/microbiology ; *Citrus/microbiology ; Benin ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; Africa, Western ; *Rhizobiaceae/genetics ; Liberibacter ; }, abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, was detected for the first time in the Republic of Benin, West Africa. The ACP is a known vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the putative causal agent of the devastating Huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening disease). During visual surveys, ACP was only observed on residential citrus trees in southern Benin, but not in residential areas or commercial groves in the central and northern parts of the country. Its identity was confirmed morphologically and molecularly via DNA barcoding with published primers. Analysis of the obtained sequences showed that the ACP recorded in Benin clustered with the ones previously reported from Nigeria, suggesting a common origin of both populations. The ACP samples from Benin also carried Ca. Carsonella ruddii and Ca. Profftella armatura, two commonly found ACP endosymbionts. However, all the sampled ACP individuals tested negative for Ca. Liberibacter africanus, Ca. Liberibacter americanus, and CLas by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This is the second report of the ACP in West Africa after Nigeria, the eastern bordering country of the Republic of Benin. Benin has an expanding commercial citrus industry, especially in the southern part of the country. Although the ACP samples tested negative for the HLB associated bacteria, the detection of ACP in the country requires swift actions including area-wide surveys to determine the extent of spread of this pest and the implementation of eradication or control efforts to prevent its establishment and spread of HLB in the country.}, }
@article {pmid36636344, year = {2023}, author = {Hussain, M and Zhang, G and Leitner, M and Hedges, LM and Asgari, S}, title = {Wolbachia RNase HI contributes to virus blocking in the mosquito Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {26}, number = {1}, pages = {105836}, pmid = {36636344}, issn = {2589-0042}, abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis blocks replication of several arboviruses in transinfected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, the mechanism of virus blocking remains poorly understood. Here, we characterized an RNase HI gene from Wolbachia, which is rapidly induced in response to dengue virus (DENV) infection. Knocking down w RNase HI using antisense RNA in Wolbachia-transinfected mosquito cell lines and A. aegypti mosquitoes led to increased DENV replication. Furthermore, overexpression of wRNase HI, in the absence of Wolbachia, led to reduced replication of a positive sense RNA virus, but had no effect on a negative sense RNA virus, a familiar scenario in Wolbachia-infected cells. Altogether, our results provide compelling evidence for the missing link between early Wolbachia-mediated virus blocking and degradation of viral RNA. These findings and the successful pioneered knockdown of Wolbachia genes using antisense RNA in cell line and mosquitoes enable new ways to manipulate and study the complex endosymbiont-host interactions.}, }
@article {pmid36628964, year = {2023}, author = {Durand, S and Lheraud, B and Giraud, I and Bech, N and Grandjean, F and Rigaud, T and Peccoud, J and Cordaux, R}, title = {Heterogeneous distribution of sex ratio distorters in natural populations of the isopod Armadillidium vulgare.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {20220457}, pmid = {36628964}, issn = {1744-957X}, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Female ; *Isopoda/genetics ; Sex Ratio ; Haplotypes ; Europe ; Japan ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {In the isopod Armadillidium vulgare, many females produce progenies with female-biased sex ratios, owing to two feminizing sex ratio distorters (SRD): Wolbachia endosymbionts and the f element. We investigated the distribution and population dynamics of these SRD and mitochondrial DNA variation in 16 populations from Europe and Japan. Confirming and extending results from the 1990s, we found that the SRD are present at variable frequencies in populations and that the f element is overall more frequent than Wolbachia. The two SRD never co-occur at high frequency in any population, suggesting an apparent mutual exclusion. We also detected Wolbachia or the f element in some males, which probably reflects insufficient titer to induce feminization or presence of masculinizing alleles. Our results are consistent with a single integration event of a Wolbachia genome in the A. vulgare genome at the origin of the f element, which contradicts an earlier hypothesis of frequent losses and gains. We identified strong linkage between Wolbachia strains and mitochondrial haplotypes, but no association between the f element and mitochondrial background. Our results open new perspectives on SRD evolutionary dynamics in A. vulgare, the evolution of genetic conflicts and their impact on the variability of sex determination systems.}, }
@article {pmid36627918, year = {2023}, author = {Singh, T and Sakai, K and Ishida-Castañeda, J and Iguchi, A}, title = {Short-term improvement of heat tolerance in naturally growing Acropora corals in Okinawa.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {e14629}, pmid = {36627918}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Coral Reefs ; *Thermotolerance ; Temperature ; Heat-Shock Response ; }, abstract = {Mass bleaching and subsequent mortality of reef corals by heat stress has increased globally since the late 20th century, due to global warming. Some experimental studies have reported that corals may increase heat tolerance for short periods, but only a few such studies have monitored naturally-growing colonies. Therefore, we monitored the survival, growth, and bleaching status of Acropora corals in fixed plots by distinguishing individual colonies on a heat-sensitive reef flat in Okinawa, Japan. The level of heat stress, assessed by the modified version of degree heating week duration in July and August, when the seawater temperature was the highest, was minimally but significantly higher in 2017 than in 2016; however, the same colonies exhibited less bleaching and mortality in 2017 than in 2016. Another study conducted at the same site showed that the dominant unicellular endosymbiotic algal species did not change before and after the 2016 bleaching, indicating that shifting and switching of the Symbiodiniaceae community did not contribute to improved heat tolerance. Colonies that suffered from partial mortality in 2016 were completely bleached at higher rates in 2017 than those without partial mortality in 2016. The present results suggest that either genetic or epigenetic changes in coral hosts and/or algal symbionts, or the shifting or switching of microbes other than endosymbionts, may have improved coral holobiont heat tolerance.}, }
@article {pmid36626858, year = {2023}, author = {Husnik, F}, title = {Organellogenesis: Host proteins control symbiont cell divisions.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {33}, number = {1}, pages = {R22-R25}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.028}, pmid = {36626858}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Organelles ; Bacteria ; Eukaryota ; }, abstract = {Understanding the order and importance of events through which endosymbionts transition into cellular organelles (organellogenesis) is central to hypotheses about the origin of the eukaryotic cell. A new study on host-symbiont integration in a unicellular eukaryote reveals host-derived cell-division proteins that are targeted to the cell envelope of a bacterial endosymbiont and involved in its cell division.}, }
@article {pmid36624259, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, S and Wang, T and Lima, RM and Pettkó-Szandtner, A and Kereszt, A and Downie, JA and Kondorosi, E}, title = {Widely conserved AHL transcription factors are essential for NCR gene expression and nodule development in Medicago.}, journal = {Nature plants}, volume = {9}, number = {2}, pages = {280-288}, pmid = {36624259}, issn = {2055-0278}, support = {Balzan 2018//Fondazione Internazionale Premio Balzan (International Balzan Prize Foundation)/ ; }, mesh = {Root Nodules, Plant/genetics ; *Medicago truncatula/genetics ; Peptides/metabolism ; *Rhizobium/physiology ; Glycine max/genetics ; Gene Expression ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic nitrogen fixation by Rhizobium bacteria in the cells of legume root nodules alleviates the need for nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen fixation requires the endosymbionts to differentiate into bacteroids which can be reversible or terminal. The latter is controlled by the plant, it is more beneficial and has evolved in multiple clades of the Leguminosae family. The plant effectors of terminal differentiation in inverted repeat-lacking clade legumes (IRLC) are nodule-specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides, which are absent in legumes such as soybean where there is no terminal differentiation of rhizobia. It was assumed that NCRs co-evolved with specific transcription factors, but our work demonstrates that expression of NCR genes does not require NCR-specific transcription factors. Introduction of the Medicago truncatula NCR169 gene under its own promoter into soybean roots resulted in its nodule-specific expression, leading to bacteroid changes associated with terminal differentiation. We identified two AT-Hook Motif Nuclear Localized (AHL) transcription factors from both M. truncatula and soybean nodules that bound to AT-rich sequences in the NCR169 promoter inducing its expression. Whereas mutation of NCR169 arrested bacteroid development at a late stage, the absence of MtAHL1 or MtAHL2 completely blocked bacteroid differentiation indicating that they also regulate other NCR genes required for the development of nitrogen-fixing nodules. Regulation of NCRs by orthologous transcription factors in non-IRLC legumes opens up the possibility of increasing the efficiency of nitrogen fixation in legumes lacking NCRs.}, }
@article {pmid36617670, year = {2023}, author = {Torp, MK and Vaage, J and Stensløkken, KO}, title = {Mitochondria-derived damage-associated molecular patterns and inflammation in the ischemic-reperfused heart.}, journal = {Acta physiologica (Oxford, England)}, volume = {237}, number = {3}, pages = {e13920}, doi = {10.1111/apha.13920}, pmid = {36617670}, issn = {1748-1716}, mesh = {Humans ; *Myocardium/metabolism ; *Myocardial Infarction/metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism ; Inflammation/metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Cardiac cell death after myocardial infarction release endogenous structures termed damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that trigger the innate immune system and initiate a sterile inflammation in the myocardium. Cardiomyocytes are energy demanding cells and 30% of their volume are mitochondria. Mitochondria are evolutionary endosymbionts originating from bacteria containing molecular patterns similar to bacteria, termed mitochondrial DAMPs (mDAMPs). Consequently, mitochondrial debris may be particularly immunogenic and damaging. However, the role of mDAMPs in myocardial infarction is not clarified. Identifying the most harmful mDAMPs and inhibiting their early inflammatory signaling may reduce infarct size and the risk of developing post-infarct heart failure. The focus of this review is the role of mDAMPs in the immediate pro-inflammatory phase after myocardial infarction before arrival of immune cells in the myocardium. We discuss different mDAMPs, their role in physiology and present knowledge regarding their role in the inflammatory response of acute myocardial infarction.}, }
@article {pmid36605741, year = {2022}, author = {Büttner, H and Pidot, SJ and Scherlach, K and Hertweck, C}, title = {Endofungal bacteria boost anthelminthic host protection with the biosurfactant symbiosin.}, journal = {Chemical science}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {103-112}, pmid = {36605741}, issn = {2041-6520}, support = {P40 OD010440/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Effective protection of soil fungi from predators is crucial for their survival in the niche. Thus, fungi have developed efficient defence strategies. We discovered that soil beneficial Mortierella fungi employ a potent cytotoxin (necroxime) against fungivorous nematodes. Interestingly, this anthelminthic agent is produced by bacterial endosymbionts (Candidatus Mycoavidus necroximicus) residing within the fungus. Analysis of the symbiont's genome indicated a rich biosynthetic potential, yet nothing has been known about additional metabolites and their potential synergistic functions. Here we report that two distinct Mortierella endosymbionts produce a novel cyclic lipodepsipeptide (symbiosin), that is clearly of bacterial origin, but has striking similarities to various fungal specialized metabolites. The structure and absolute configuration of symbiosin were fully elucidated. By comparative genomics of symbiosin-positive strains and in silico analyses of the deduced non-ribosomal synthetases, we assigned the (sym) biosynthetic gene cluster and proposed an assembly line model. Bioassays revealed that symbiosin is not only an antibiotic, in particular against mycobacteria, but also exhibits marked synergistic effects with necroxime in anti-nematode tests. By functional analyses and substitution experiments we found that symbiosin is a potent biosurfactant and that this particular property confers a boost in the anthelmintic action, similar to formulations of therapeutics in human medicine. Our findings illustrate that "combination therapies" against parasites already exist in ecological contexts, which may inspire the development of biocontrol agents and therapeutics.}, }
@article {pmid36604515, year = {2023}, author = {Dharamshi, JE and Köstlbacher, S and Schön, ME and Collingro, A and Ettema, TJG and Horn, M}, title = {Gene gain facilitated endosymbiotic evolution of Chlamydiae.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {40-54}, pmid = {36604515}, issn = {2058-5276}, support = {P 32112/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteria/genetics ; *Chlamydia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Chlamydiae is a bacterial phylum composed of obligate animal and protist endosymbionts. However, other members of the Planctomycetes-Verrucomicrobia-Chlamydiae superphylum are primarily free living. How Chlamydiae transitioned to an endosymbiotic lifestyle is still largely unresolved. Here we reconstructed Planctomycetes-Verrucomicrobia-Chlamydiae species relationships and modelled superphylum genome evolution. Gene content reconstruction from 11,996 gene families suggests a motile and facultatively anaerobic last common Chlamydiae ancestor that had already gained characteristic endosymbiont genes. Counter to expectations for genome streamlining in strict endosymbionts, we detected substantial gene gain within Chlamydiae. We found that divergence in energy metabolism and aerobiosis observed in extant lineages emerged later during chlamydial evolution. In particular, metabolic and aerobic genes characteristic of the more metabolically versatile protist-infecting chlamydiae were gained, such as respiratory chain complexes. Our results show that metabolic complexity can increase during endosymbiont evolution, adding an additional perspective for understanding symbiont evolutionary trajectories across the tree of life.}, }
@article {pmid36602726, year = {2023}, author = {Xiao, B and Li, D and Liao, B and Zheng, H and Yang, X and Xie, Y and Xie, Z and Li, C}, title = {Effects of microplastic combined with Cr(III) on apoptosis and energy pathway of coral endosymbiont.}, journal = {Environmental science and pollution research international}, volume = {30}, number = {14}, pages = {39750-39763}, pmid = {36602726}, issn = {1614-7499}, support = {JCYJ20200109144803833//Shenzhen Science and Technology R&amp;D Fund/ ; KCXFZ202002011011057//Shenzhen Science and Technology R&amp;D Fund/ ; JCYJ20210324122606017//Shenzhen Science and Technology R&amp;D Fund/ ; KCXFZ202202011011033//Shenzhen Science and Technology R&amp;D Fund/ ; GJHZ20210705142000003//Shenzhen Science and Technology R&amp;D Fund/ ; 2020B1111030002//Guangdong Key Area R &amp; D Program Project/ ; 2022B1515020091//Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; KJYF202001-06//Special Funds for Science Technology Innovation and Industrial Development of Shenzhen Dapeng, New District/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Microplastics ; Plastics/metabolism ; Caspase 3/metabolism ; NAD/metabolism ; Chlorophyll A/metabolism ; Polyethylene/metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Coral Reefs ; }, abstract = {The combined effect of polyethylene (PE) microplastics and chromium (Cr(III)) on the scleractinian coral Acropora pruinosa (A. pruinosa) was investigated. The endpoints analysed in this study included the endosymbiont density, the chlorophyll a + c content, and the activity of enzymes involved in apoptosis (caspase-1, caspase-3), glycolysis (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH), the pentose phosphate pathway (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PDH) and electron transfer coenzyme (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD[+]/NADH). During the 7-day exposure to PE and Cr(III) stress, the endosymbiont density and chlorophyll content decreased gradually. The caspase-1 and caspase-3 activities increased in the high-concentration Cr(III) exposure group. Furthermore, the LDH and G6PDH activities decreased significantly, and the NAD[+]/NADH was decreased significantly. In summary, the results showed that PE and Cr(III) stress inhibited the endosymbiont energy metabolism enzymes and further led to endosymbiont apoptosis in coral. In addition, under exposure to the combination of stressors, when the concentration of Cr(III) remained at 1 × 10[-2] mg/L, the toxic effects of heavy metals on the endosymbiont were temporarily relieved with elevated PE concentrations. In contrast, when coral polyps were exposed to 5 mg/L PE and increasing Cr(III) concentrations, their metabolic activities were seriously disturbed, which increased the burden of energy consumption. In the short term, the toxic effect of Cr(III) was more obvious than that of PE because Cr(III) exposure leads to endosymbiont apoptosis and irreversible damage. This is the first study to provide insights into the combined effect of microplastic and Cr(III) stress on the apoptosis and energy pathways of coral endosymbionts. This study suggested that microplastics combined with Cr(III) are an important factor affecting the apoptosis and energy metabolism of endosymbionts, accelerating the collapse of the balance between the coral host and symbiotic endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid36602054, year = {2023}, author = {Jin, L and Zhang, BW and Lu, JW and Liao, JA and Zhu, QJ and Lin, Y and Yu, XQ}, title = {The mechanism of Cry41-related toxin against Myzus persicae based on its interaction with Buchnera-derived ATP-dependent 6-phosphofructokinase.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {79}, number = {5}, pages = {1684-1691}, doi = {10.1002/ps.7340}, pmid = {36602054}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {PY21002//Fujian Key Laboratory of Ecology-toxicological Effects &amp; Control for Emerging Contaminants/ ; 2017YFD0201201//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 31772227//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; Phosphofructokinases/metabolism ; *Buchnera ; Phosphofructokinase-1/metabolism ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is one of the most notorious pests of many crops worldwide. Most Cry toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis show very low toxicity to M. persicae; however, a study showed that Cry41-related toxin had moderate toxic activity against M. persicae. In our previous work, potential Cry41-related toxin-binding proteins in M. persicae were identified, including cathepsin B, calcium-transporting ATPase, and Buchnera-derived ATP-dependent 6-phosphofructokinase (PFKA). Buchnera is an endosymbiont present in almost all aphids and it provides necessary nutrients for aphid growth. This study investigated the role of Buchnera-derived PFKA in Cry41-related toxicity against M. persicae.<br><br>RESULTS: In this study, recombinant PFKA was expressed and purified, and in vitro assays revealed that PFKA bound to Cry41-related toxin, and Cry41-related toxin at 25&#x2009;&#x3bc;g&#x2009;ml[-1] significantly inhibited the activity of PFKA. In addition, when M. persicae was treated with 30&#x2009;&#x3bc;g&#x2009;ml[-1] of Cry41-related toxin for 24&#x2009;h, the expression of dnak, a single-copy gene in Buchnera, was significantly decreased, indicating a decrease in the number of Buchnera.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Cry41-related toxin interacts with Buchnera-derived PFKA to inhibit its enzymatic activity and likely impair cell viability, resulting in a decrease in the number of Buchnera, and finally leading to M. persicae death. These findings open up new perspectives in our understanding of the mode of action of Cry toxins and are useful in helping improve Cry toxicity for aphid control. &#xa9; 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid36598738, year = {2023}, author = {Scholz, H}, title = {From Natural Behavior to Drug Screening: Invertebrates as Models to Study Mechanisms Associated with Alcohol Use Disorders.}, journal = {Current topics in behavioral neurosciences}, volume = {}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {36598738}, issn = {1866-3370}, abstract = {Humans consume ethanol-containing beverages, which may cause an uncontrollable or difficult-to-control intake of ethanol-containing liquids and may result in alcohol use disorders. How the transition at the molecular level from "normal" ethanol-associated behaviors to addictive behaviors occurs is still unknown. One problem is that the components contributing to normal ethanol intake and their underlying molecular adaptations, especially in neurons that regulate behavior, are not clear. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the earthworm Caenorhabditis elegans show behavioral similarities to humans such as signs of intoxication, tolerance, and withdrawal. Underlying the phenotypic similarities, invertebrates and vertebrates share mechanistic similarities. For example in Drosophila melanogaster, the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system regulates the positive reinforcing properties of ethanol and in Caenorhabditis elegans, serotonergic neurons regulate feeding behavior. Since these mechanisms are fundamental molecular mechanisms and are highly conserved, invertebrates are good models for uncovering the basic principles of neuronal adaptation underlying the behavioral response to ethanol. This review will focus on the following aspects that might shed light on the mechanisms underlying normal ethanol-associated behaviors. First, the current status of what is required at the behavioral and cellular level to respond to naturally occurring levels of ethanol is summarized. Low levels of ethanol delay the development and activate compensatory mechanisms that in turn might be beneficial for some aspects of the animal's physiology. Repeated exposure to ethanol however might change brain structures involved in mediating learning and memory processes. The smell of ethanol is already a key component in the environment that is able to elicit behavioral changes and molecular programs. Minimal networks have been identified that regulate normal ethanol consumption. Other environmental factors that influence ethanol-induced behaviors include the diet, dietary supplements, and the microbiome. Second, the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal adaptation to the cellular stressor ethanol are discussed. Components of the heat shock and oxidative stress pathways regulate adaptive responses to low levels of ethanol and in turn change behavior. The adaptive potential of the brain cells is challenged when the organism encounters additional cellular stressors caused by aging, endosymbionts or environmental toxins or excessive ethanol intake. Finally, to underline the conserved nature of these mechanisms between invertebrates and higher organisms, recent approaches to identify drug targets for ethanol-induced behaviors are provided. Already approved drugs regulate ethanol-induced behaviors and they do so in part by interfering with cellular stress pathways. In addition, invertebrates have been used to identify new compounds targeting molecules involved in the regulation in ethanol withdrawal-like symptoms. This review primarily highlights the advances of the last 5 years concerning Drosophila melanogaster, but also provides intriguing examples of Caenorhabditis elegans and Apis mellifera in support.}, }
@article {pmid36597782, year = {2023}, author = {Mahdhi, A and Mars, M and Rejili, M}, title = {Members of Ensifer and Rhizobium genera are new bacterial endosymbionts nodulating Pisum sativum (L.).}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {99}, number = {2}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiad001}, pmid = {36597782}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {*Rhizobium/genetics ; Pisum sativum/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; *Rhizobiaceae/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {A total of 84 Pisum sativum legume nodulating bacteria (LNB) were isolated from seven geographical sites from southern Tunisia. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial sequences of 16S rRNA gene and the housekeeping genes glnII, and recA grouped strains into six clusters, four of which belonged to the genus Rhizobium and two to the Ensifer genus. Among Rhizobium clusters, 41 strains were affiliated to Rhizobium leguminosarum, two strains to R. pisi, two strains to R. etli, and interestingly two strains belonged to previously undescribed Rhizobium species. The remaining two strains were closely related to Ensifer medicae (two strains) and Ensifer meliloti (two strains). A symbiotic nodC gene-based phylogeny and host specificity test showed that all Rhizobium strains nodulating pea belonged to the symbiovar viciae, whereas the Ensifer strains were associated with the symbiovar meliloti never described to date. All strains under investigation differed in the number of induced root nodules and the effectiveness of atmospheric nitrogen fixation. The R. leguminosarum PsZA23, R. leguminosarum PsGBL42, and E. medicae PsTA22a, forming the most effective symbiosis with the plant host, are potential candidates for inoculation programs.}, }
@article {pmid36589876, year = {2022}, author = {Uni, S and Mat Udin, AS and Tan, PE and Rodrigues, J and Martin, C and Junker, K and Agatsuma, T and Low, VL and Lim, YA and Saijuntha, W and Omar, H and Zainuri, NA and Fukuda, M and Kimura, D and Matsubayashi, M and Uga, S and Takaoka, H and Azirun, MS and Ramli, R}, title = {Description and molecular characterisation of Pelecitus copsychi Uni, Mat Udin &amp; Martin n. sp. (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) from the white-rumped shama Copsychus malabaricus (Scopoli) (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae) of Pahang, Malaysia.}, journal = {Current research in parasitology &amp; vector-borne diseases}, volume = {2}, number = {}, pages = {100078}, pmid = {36589876}, issn = {2667-114X}, abstract = {Species of the genus Pelecitus Railliet &amp; Henry, 1910 the most widely distributed avian filariae in Africa and South America. Zoonotic cases in humans were reported in South America. While investigating the filarial fauna of wild animals in Malaysia, we discovered an undescribed filaria from the swollen footpad of the left leg of Copsychus malabaricus (Scopoli) in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. Adults of both sexes have a corkscrew-shaped body. Based on comparison of their morphological characteristics (i.e. pre-oesophageal cuticular ring distinct, oesophagus divided, vulva protuberant and situated at the level of anterior half of oesophagus, spicules strongly sclerotized and left spicule with broad blade) with other Pelecitus species, they are here described as Pelecitus copsychi Uni, Mat Udin &amp; Martin n. sp. Multi-locus sequence analyses based on seven genes (12S rDNA, cox1, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, MyoHC, rbp1 and hsp70) were performed to determine the phylogenetic position of the new species. The calculated p-distance between the cox1 gene sequences for P. copsychi n. sp. and Pelecitus fulicaeatrae (Diesing, 1861) was 14.1%. Intraspecific genetic variation between two individuals of the new species was 0.4%. In both the Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood trees, P. copsychi n. sp. was positioned in the second clade of ONC5, containing three genera of the subfamily Dirofilariinae (Foleyella Seurat, 1917, Pelecitus and Loa Stiles, 1905). Immunostaining and molecular analyses remained negative for the presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts. Our findings corroborate the division of the subfamily Dirofilariinae into ONC3 with Dirofilaria Railliet &amp; Henry, 1911 and ONC5 with Pelecitus.}, }
@article {pmid36585292, year = {2023}, author = {Minahan, NT and Wu, WJ and Tsai, KH}, title = {Rickettsia felis is an emerging human pathogen associated with cat fleas: A review of findings in Taiwan.}, journal = {Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi}, volume = {56}, number = {1}, pages = {10-19}, doi = {10.1016/j.jmii.2022.12.006}, pmid = {36585292}, issn = {1995-9133}, mesh = {Aged ; Animals ; Cats ; Humans ; *Cat Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology ; *Ctenocephalides/microbiology ; Retrospective Studies ; *Rickettsia felis/genetics ; Rickettsia Infections/veterinary/epidemiology/microbiology ; Taiwan/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Rickettsia felis is an emerging rickettsial agent principally associated with cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), formerly discovered in 1990. Since then, clinical cases of R. felis infection have been identified globally by specific DNA sequences in patients with undifferentiated febrile illness, including in Taiwan, but such evidence is limited. R. felis rickettsiosis is self-limiting and easily treated with doxycycline, but its diagnosis remains a challenge. Environmental risk factors for R. felis rickettsiosis have yet to be clearly demonstrated, and its transmission biology is incompletely understood. Cat fleas are naturally infected with R. felis at varying rates, and vector competence in the transmission of R. felis has been demonstrated in animal models, including dogs, which may serve as reservoir hosts. In northern Taiwan, despite ∼20% of cat fleas infesting companion animals consistently found to be infected with R. felis, only a few cases of potential R. felis infection have been identified through a retrospective serological investigation, though without molecular confirmation. Ecological studies have identified divergent R. felis-like organisms in different arthropod hosts, but these strains appear to serve as nonpathogenic endosymbionts. Although its association with disease is limited, we believe cat flea-borne R. felis warrants increased recognition in an aging population due to immunosenescence and the proximity of companion animals to the elderly. Adopting a One Health approach involving collaboration and communication between clinicians, veterinarians, public health practitioners, and environmental scientists will improve our knowledge about this neglected pathogen and promote the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid36569075, year = {2022}, author = {Obert, T and Zhang, T and Rurik, I and Vďačný, P}, title = {First molecular evidence of hybridization in endosymbiotic ciliates (Protista, Ciliophora).}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1067315}, pmid = {36569075}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Hybridization is an important evolutionary process that can fuel diversification via formation of hybrid species or can lead to fusion of previously separated lineages by forming highly diverse species complexes. We provide here the first molecular evidence of hybridization in wild populations of ciliates, a highly diverse group of free-living and symbiotic eukaryotic microbes. The impact of hybridization was studied on the model of Plagiotoma, an obligate endosymbiont of the digestive tube of earthworms, using split decomposition analyses and species networks, 2D modeling of the nuclear rRNA molecules and compensatory base change analyses as well as multidimensional morphometrics. Gene flow slowed down and eventually hampered the diversification of Lumbricus-dwelling plagiotomids, which collapsed into a single highly variable biological entity, the P. lumbrici complex. Disruption of the species boundaries was suggested also by the continuum of morphological variability in the phenotypic space. On the other hand, hybridization conspicuously increased diversity in the nuclear rDNA cistron and somewhat weakened the host structural specificity of the P. lumbrici complex, whose members colonize a variety of phylogenetically closely related anecic and epigeic earthworms. By contrast, another recorded species, P. aporrectodeae sp. n., showed no signs of introgression, no variability in the rDNA cistron, and very high host specificity. These contrasting eco-evolutionary patterns indicate that hybridization might decrease the alpha-diversity by dissolving species boundaries, weaken the structural host specificity by broadening ecological amplitudes, and increase the nuclear rDNA variability by overcoming concerted evolution within the P. lumbrici species complex.}, }
@article {pmid36558828, year = {2022}, author = {Cabezas-Cruz, A and Fogaça, AC}, title = {Lock and Key: Why Rickettsia Endosymbionts Do Not Harm Vertebrate Hosts?.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {36558828}, issn = {2076-0817}, abstract = {Are tick endosymbionts transmitted to and able to injure vertebrate hosts [...].}, }
@article {pmid36555070, year = {2022}, author = {Fan, ZY and Liu, Y and He, ZQ and Wen, Q and Chen, XY and Khan, MM and Osman, M and Mandour, NS and Qiu, BL}, title = {Rickettsia Infection Benefits Its Whitefly Hosts by Manipulating Their Nutrition and Defense.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {13}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {36555070}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {Endosymbionts play an essential role in the biology, physiology and immunity of insects. Many insects, including the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, are infected with the facultative endosymbiont Rickettsia. However, the mutualism between Rickettsia and its whitefly host remains unclear. This study investigated the biological and physiological benefits of Rickettsia infection to B. tabaci. Results revealed that infection of Rickettsia increased the fertility, the survival rate from nymph to adult and the number of female whiteflies. In addition, this facilitation caused a significant reduction in nymphal developmental duration but did not affect percentage rate of egg hatching. Rickettsia infected B. tabaci had significantly higher glycogen, soluble sugar and trehalose contents than Rickettsia negative B. tabaci individuals. Rickettsia also improved the immunity of its whitefly hosts. Rickettsia infested B. tabaci had lower mortality rates and higher semi-lethal concentrations (LC50) when exposed to the fungus Akanthomyces attenuatus and the insecticides imidacloprid and spirotetramat. The percentage of parasitism by Encarsia formosa was also reduced by Rickettsia infection. Overall, Rickettsia infection benefits B. tabaci by improving the nutritional composition of its host, and also protects B. tabaci by enhancing its resistance towards insecticides (imidacloprid and spirotetramat), entomopathogenic fungi (A. attenuatus) and its main parasitoid (E. formosa); all of which could significantly impact on current management strategies.}, }
@article {pmid36555052, year = {2022}, author = {Tomanović, &#x17d; and Kavallieratos, NG and Ye, Z and Nika, EP and Petrović, A and Vollhardt, IMG and Vorburger, C}, title = {Cereal Aphid Parasitoids in Europe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): Taxonomy, Biodiversity, and Ecology.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {13}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {36555052}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {451-03-68/2022-14/200178//Serbian Ministry of Science and Education/ ; }, abstract = {Cereals are very common and widespread crops in Europe. Aphids are a diverse group of herbivorous pests on cereals and one of the most important limiting factors of cereal production. Here, we present an overview of knowledge about the taxonomy, biodiversity, and ecology of cereal aphid parasitoids in Europe, an important group of natural enemies contributing to cereal aphid control. We review the knowledge obtained from the integrative taxonomy of 26 cereal aphid primary parasitoid species, including two allochthonous species (Lysiphlebus testaceipes and Trioxys sunnysidensis) and two recently described species (Lipolexis labialis and Paralipsis brachycaudi). We further review 28 hyperparasitoid species belonging to three hymenopteran superfamilies and four families (Ceraphronoidea: Megaspillidae; Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae, Encyrtidae; Cynipoidea: Figitidae). We also compile knowledge on the presence of secondary endosymbionts in cereal aphids, as these are expected to influence the community composition and biocontrol efficiency of cereal aphid parasitoids. To study aphid-parasitoid-hyperparasitoid food webs more effectively, we present two kinds of DNA-based approach: (i) diagnostic PCR (mainly multiplex PCR), and (ii) DNA sequence-based methods. Finally, we also review the effects of landscape complexity on the different trophic levels in the food webs of cereal aphids and their associated parasitoids, as well as the impacts of agricultural practices and environmental variation.}, }
@article {pmid36554995, year = {2022}, author = {Gümüşsoy, A and Yüksel, E and Özer, G and İmren, M and Canhilal, R and Amer, M and Dababat, AA}, title = {Identification and Biocontrol Potential of Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Endosymbiotic Bacteria in Apple Orchards against the Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {13}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {36554995}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is one of the major pests in pome fruit production worldwide. Heavy treatment of the larvae of C. pomonella with insecticides triggered the development of resistance to many groups of insecticides. In addition, the increasing concern about the adverse effects of synthetic insecticides on human health and the environment has led to the development of sustainable and eco-friendly control practices for C. pomonella. The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Steinernema and Heterorhabditis spp.) and their endosymbionts (Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp.) represent a newly emerging approach to controlling a wide range of insect pests. In the present study, field surveys were conducted in apple orchards to isolate and identify EPNs and their endosymbionts and evaluate their insecticidal efficacy on the larvae of C. pomonella. EPNs were isolated from 12 of 100 soil samples (12%). Seven samples were identified as Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev, 1934) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), whereas five samples were assigned to Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar, 1976) (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae). The pathogenicity of the EPN species/isolates was screened on the last instar larvae of G. mellonella. The two most pathogenic isolates from each EPN species were tested against fifth instar larvae of C. pomonella under controlled conditions. The maximum mortality (100%) was achieved by all EPN species/isolates at a concentration of 100 IJs/larva 96 h after treatment. The endosymbionts of selected H. bacteriophora and S. feltiae species were identified as Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. kayaii and Xenorhabdus bovienii, respectively. The mortality rates ranged between 25 and 62% when the fifth larval instar larvae of C. pomonella were exposed to the treatment of cell-free supernatants of symbiotic bacteria. In essence, the present survey indicated that EPNs and their symbiotic bacteria have good potential for biological control of C. pomonella.}, }
@article {pmid36548668, year = {2022}, author = {Zeng, W and Li, Z and Jiang, T and Cheng, D and Yang, L and Hang, T and Duan, L and Zhu, D and Fang, Y and Zhang, Y}, title = {Identification of Bacterial Communities and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Haemaphysalis spp. Collected from Shanghai, China.}, journal = {Tropical medicine and infectious disease}, volume = {7}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {36548668}, issn = {2414-6366}, support = {GWV-10.1-XK13//Fifth Round of Three-year Action for Public Health System Construction in Shanghai/ ; 2017FY101203//The Special Foundation of Basic Science and Technology Resources Survey of Ministry of Science and Technology of China/ ; 21YF1452200//Shanghai sailing program/ ; }, abstract = {Ticks can carry and transmit a large number of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and protozoa, posing a huge threat to human health and animal husbandry. Previous investigations have shown that the dominant species of ticks in Shanghai are Haemaphysalis flava and Haemaphysalis longicornis. However, no relevant investigations and research have been carried out in recent decades. Therefore, we investigated the bacterial communities and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in Haemaphysalis spp. from Shanghai, China. Ixodid ticks were collected from 18 sites in Shanghai, China, and identified using morphological and molecular methods. The V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene were amplified from the pooled tick DNA samples and subject to metagenomic analysis. The microbial diversity in the tick samples was estimated using the alpha diversity that includes the observed species index and Shannon index. The Unifrac distance matrix as determined using the QIIME software was used for unweighted Unifrac Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA). Individual tick DNA samples were screened with genus-specific or group-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for these TBPs and combined with a sequencing assay to confirm the results of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. We found H. flava and H. longicornis to be the dominant species of ticks in Shanghai in this study. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria are the main bacterial communities of Haemaphysalis spp. The total species abundances of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, are 48.8%, 20.8% and 18.1%, respectively. At the level of genus analysis, H. longicornis and H. flava carried at least 946 genera of bacteria. The bacteria with high abundance include Lactobacillus, Coxiella, Rickettsia and Muribaculaceae. Additionally, Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia japonica, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, Anaplasma bovis, Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Coxiella spp. and Coxiella-like endosymbiont were detected in Haemaphysalis spp. from Shanghai, China. This study is the first report of bacterial communities and the prevalence of some main pathogens in Haemaphysalis spp. from Shanghai, China, and may provide insights and evidence for bacterial communities and the prevalence of the main pathogen in ticks. This study also indicates that people and other animals in Shanghai, China, are exposed to several TBPs.}, }
@article {pmid36546855, year = {2023}, author = {Fujiwara, A and Meng, XY and Kamagata, Y and Tsuchida, T}, title = {Subcellular Niche Segregation of Co-Obligate Symbionts in Whiteflies.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {e0468422}, pmid = {36546855}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Many insects contain endosymbiotic bacteria within their bodies. In multiple endosymbiotic systems comprising two or more symbionts, each of the symbionts is generally localized in a different host cell or tissue. Bemisia tabaci (Sweet potato whitefly) possesses a unique endosymbiotic system where co-obligate symbionts are localized in the same bacteriocytes. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we found that endosymbionts in B. tabaci MEAM1 occupy distinct subcellular habitats, or niches, within a single bacteriocyte. Hamiltonella was located adjacent to the nucleus of the bacteriocyte, while Portiera was present in the cytoplasm surrounding Hamiltonella. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the endoplasmic reticulum separates the two symbionts. Habitat segregation was maintained for longer durations in female bacteriocytes. The same segregation was observed in three genetically distinct B. tabaci groups (MEAM1, MED Q1, and Asia II 6) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum, which shared a common ancestor with Bemisia over 80 million years ago, even though the coexisting symbionts and the size of bacteriocytes were different. These results suggest that the habitat segregation system existed in the common ancestor and was conserved in both lineages, despite different bacterial partners coexisting with Portiera. Our findings provide insights into the evolution and maintenance of complex endosymbiotic systems and highlight the importance of organelles for the construction of separate niches for endosymbionts. IMPORTANCE Co-obligate endosymbionts in B. tabaci are exceptionally localized within the same bacteriocyte (a specialized cell for endosymbiosis), but the underlying mechanism for their coexistence remains largely unknown. This study provides evidence for niche segregation at the subcellular level between the two symbionts. We showed that the endoplasmic reticulum is a physical barrier separating the two species. Despite differences in co-obligate partners, this subcellular niche segregation was conserved across various whitefly species. The physical proximity of symbionts may enable the efficient biosynthesis of essential nutrients via shared metabolic pathways. The expression "Good fences make good neighbors" appears to be true for insect endosymbiotic systems.}, }
@article {pmid36534288, year = {2023}, author = {Espino-Vázquez, AN and Córdova-López, G and Cabrera-Rangel, JF and Mendoza-Servín, JV and Partida-Martínez, LP}, title = {The Rhizopus Holobiont: A Model to Decipher Fungal-Bacterial-Viral Symbioses.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2610}, number = {}, pages = {137-147}, pmid = {36534288}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Humans ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Burkholderia/genetics/metabolism ; Reproduction ; Reproduction, Asexual ; Rhizopus/genetics ; *Bacteriophages ; }, abstract = {Rhizopus microsporus is an early-diverging fungal species that inhabits the soil, is used for the fermentation of diverse Asian and African foods, and can be a pathogen of plants, animals, and humans.Toxin-producing strains of R. microsporus live in symbiosis with Gram-negative betaproteobacteria from the genus Mycetohabitans (Burkholderia sensu lato). These bacterial endosymbionts increase the metabolic plasticity of the fungal holobiont by producing the "mycotoxins," control their asexual reproduction, and influence their sexual success. Recently, we identified two viruses of the genus Narnavirus in some R. microsporus strains that harbor Mycetohabitans. By eliminating bacteria and/or viruses from host R. microsporus strains, we have been able to study the role of these symbionts in fungal biology. Remarkably, the absence of these bacterial and viral symbionts decreases sexual reproduction. In this chapter, the method developed to eliminate and genotype the Narnavirus RmNV-20S and RmNV-23S in R. microsporus is described in detail.}, }
@article {pmid36533142, year = {2022}, author = {Zucker, F and Bischoff, V and Olo Ndela, E and Heyerhoff, B and Poehlein, A and Freese, HM and Roux, S and Simon, M and Enault, F and Moraru, C}, title = {New Microviridae isolated from Sulfitobacter reveals two cosmopolitan subfamilies of single-stranded DNA phages infecting marine and terrestrial Alphaproteobacteria.}, journal = {Virus evolution}, volume = {8}, number = {2}, pages = {veac070}, pmid = {36533142}, issn = {2057-1577}, abstract = {The Microviridae family represents one of the major clades of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) phages. Their cultivated members are lytic and infect Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chlamydiae. Prophages have been predicted in the genomes from Bacteroidales, Hyphomicrobiales, and Enterobacteriaceae and cluster within the 'Alpavirinae', 'Amoyvirinae', and Gokushovirinae. We have isolated 'Ascunsovirus oldenburgi' ICBM5, a novel phage distantly related to known Microviridae. It infects Sulfitobacter dubius SH24-1b and uses both a lytic and a carrier-state life strategy. Using ICBM5 proteins as a query, we uncovered in publicly available resources sixty-five new Microviridae prophages and episomes in bacterial genomes and retrieved forty-seven environmental viral genomes (EVGs) from various viromes. Genome clustering based on protein content and phylogenetic analysis showed that ICBM5, together with Rhizobium phages, new prophages, episomes, and EVGs cluster within two new phylogenetic clades, here tentatively assigned the rank of subfamily and named 'Tainavirinae' and 'Occultatumvirinae'. They both infect Rhodobacterales. Occultatumviruses also infect Hyphomicrobiales, including nitrogen-fixing endosymbionts from cosmopolitan legumes. A biogeographical assessment showed that tainaviruses and occultatumviruses are spread worldwide, in terrestrial and marine environments. The new phage isolated here sheds light onto new and diverse branches of the Microviridae tree, suggesting that much of the ssDNA phage diversity remains in the dark.}, }
@article {pmid36530420, year = {2022}, author = {Zhang, H and Gao, J and Ma, Z and Liu, Y and Wang, G and Liu, Q and Du, Y and Xing, D and Li, C and Zhao, T and Jiang, Y and Dong, Y and Guo, X and Zhao, T}, title = {Wolbachia infection in field-collected Aedes aegypti in Yunnan Province, southwestern China.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {1082809}, pmid = {36530420}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; China/epidemiology ; DNA Primers ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is gram-negative and common intracellular bacteria, which is maternally inherited endosymbionts and could expand their propagation in host populations by means of various manipulations. Recent reports reveal the natural infection of Wolbachia in Aedes Aegypti in Malaysia, India, Philippines, Thailand and the United States. At present, none of Wolbachia natural infection in Ae. aegypti has been reported in China.<br><br>METHODS: A total of 480 Ae. aegypti adult mosquitoes were collected from October and November 2018 based on the results of previous investigations and the distribution of Ae. aegypti in Yunnan. Each individual sample was processed and screened for the presence of Wolbachia by PCR with wsp primers. Phylogenetic trees for the wsp gene was constructed using the neighbour-joining method with 1,000 bootstrap replicates, and the p-distance distribution model of molecular evolution was applied.<br><br>RESULTS: 24 individual adult mosquito samples and 10 sample sites were positive for Wolbachia infection. The Wolbachia infection rate (IR) of each population ranged from 0 - 41.7%. The infection rate of group A alone was 0%-10%, the infection rate of group B alone was 0%-7.7%, and the infection rate of co-infection with A and B was 0-33.3%.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Wolbachia infection in wild Ae. aegypti in China is the first report based on PCR amplification of the Wolbachia wsp gene. The Wolbachia infection is 5%, and the wAlbA and wAlbB strains were found to be prevalent in the natural population of Ae. aegypti in Yunnan Province.}, }
@article {pmid36519169, year = {2022}, author = {Arai, H and Inoue, MN and Kageyama, D}, title = {Male-killing mechanisms vary between Spiroplasma species.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1075199}, pmid = {36519169}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Male-killing, a male-specific death of arthropod hosts during development, is induced by Spiroplasma (Mollicutes) endosymbionts of the Citri-Poulsonii and the Ixodetis groups, which are phylogenetically distant groups. Spiroplasma poulsonii induces male-killing in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera) using the Spaid toxin that harbors ankyrin repeats, whereas little is known about the origin and mechanisms of male-killing induced by Spiroplasma ixodetis. Here, we analyzed the genome and the biological characteristics of a male-killing S. ixodetis strain sHm in the moth Homona magnanima (Tortricidae, Lepidoptera). Strain sHm harbored a 2.1 Mb chromosome and two potential plasmids encoding Type IV effectors, putatively involved in virulence and host-symbiont interactions. Moreover, sHm did not harbor the spaid gene but harbored 10 ankyrin genes that were homologous to those in other S. ixodetis strains. In contrast to the predominant existence of S. poulsonii in hemolymph, our quantitative PCR assays revealed a systemic distribution of strain sHm in H. magnanima, with particularly high titers in Malpighian tubules but low titers in hemolymph. Furthermore, transinfection assays confirmed that strain sHm can infect cultured cells derived from distantly related insects, namely Aedes albopictus (Diptera) and Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera). These results suggest different origins and characteristics of S. ixodetis- and S. poulsonii-induced male-killing.}, }
@article {pmid36516405, year = {2023}, author = {Roldán, EL and Stelinski, LL and Pelz-Stelinski, KS}, title = {Foliar Antibiotic Treatment Reduces Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus Acquisition by the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), but Does not Reduce Tree Infection Rate.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {116}, number = {1}, pages = {78-89}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toac200}, pmid = {36516405}, issn = {1938-291X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Citrus/microbiology ; Liberibacter ; Trees ; *Rhizobiaceae ; *Insecticides ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Oxytetracycline ; Plant Diseases/prevention &amp; control/microbiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Streptomycin ; }, abstract = {Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, is the most destructive disease of cultivated citrus worldwide. Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the putative causal agent of HLB, is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). In Florida, D. citri was first reported in 1998, and CLas was confirmed in 2005. Management of HLB relies on the use of insecticides to reduce vector populations. In 2016, antibiotics were approved to manage CLas infection in citrus. Diaphorina citri is host to several bacterial endosymbionts and reducing endosymbiont abundance is known to cause a corresponding reduction in host fitness. We hypothesized that applications of oxytetracycline and streptomycin would reduce: CLas populations in young and mature citrus trees, CLas acquisition by D. citri, and D. citri abundance. Our results indicate that treatment of citrus with oxytetracycline and streptomycin reduced acquisition of CLas by D. citri adults and emerging F1 nymphs as compared with that observed in trees treated only with insecticides, but not with antibiotics. However, under field conditions, neither antibiotic treatment frequency tested affected CLas infection of young or mature trees as compared with insecticide treatment alone (negative control); whereas trees enveloped with mesh screening that excluded vectors did prevent bacterial infection (positive control). Populations of D. citri were not consistently affected by antibiotic treatment under field conditions, as compared with an insecticide only comparison. Collectively, our results suggest that while foliar application of oxytetracycline and streptomycin to citrus reduces acquisition of CLas bacteria by the vector, even high frequency applications of these formulations under field conditions do not prevent or reduce tree infection.}, }
@article {pmid36515176, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, D and He, H and Wei, C}, title = {Cellular and potential molecular mechanisms underlying transovarial transmission of the obligate symbiont Sulcia in cicadas.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {25}, number = {4}, pages = {836-852}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16310}, pmid = {36515176}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Leucine ; *Flavobacteriaceae ; Signal Transduction ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Vertical transmission of symbionts in insects is critical to persistence of symbioses across host generations. The key time point and related cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying the transmission in most insects remain unclear. Here, we reveal that in the bacteriome-endosymbiont system of the cicada Meimuna mongolica, the obligate symbiont Candidatus Sulcia muelleri (hereafter Sulcia) proliferates and migrates to the ovaries mainly after the adult emergence of cicadas. Sulcia cells swell to approximately twice their previous size with the outer membrane changed to be more irregular during this process. Almost all the Sulcia genes involved in biosynthesis of essential amino acids, heat shock protein, energy metabolism, DNA replication and repair and protein export were highly expressed in all life stages of cicadas. Among which, genes involved in DNA replication and synthesis of leucine and arginine were upregulated in the newly emerged adults relative to fifth-instar nymphs. Signal transduction is the pronounced function exhibited in both Sulcia and the cicada bacteriomes in newly emerged adults. The results suggest host sensing of arginine and leucine integrate Sulcia's output of host-EAAs into mTORC1 signalling. This study highlights the importance of signalling pathways in regulating the host/symbiont interaction and symbiont transmission in sap-feeding auchenorrhynchous insects.}, }
@article {pmid36510006, year = {2023}, author = {Elder, H and Million, WC and Bartels, E and Krediet, CJ and Muller, EM and Kenkel, CD}, title = {Long-term maintenance of a heterologous symbiont association in Acropora palmata on natural reefs.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {17}, number = {3}, pages = {486-489}, pmid = {36510006}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Child ; Coral Reefs ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Acclimatization/physiology ; Genotype ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The sensitivity of reef-building coral to elevated temperature is a function of their symbiosis with dinoflagellate algae in the family Symbiodiniaceae. Changes in the composition of the endosymbiont community in response to thermal stress can increase coral thermal tolerance. Consequently, this mechanism is being investigated as a human-assisted intervention for rapid acclimation of coral in the face of climate change. Successful establishment of novel symbioses that increase coral thermal tolerance have been demonstrated in laboratory conditions; however, it is unclear how long these heterologous relationships persist in nature. Here, we test the persistence of a novel symbiosis between Acropora palmata and Durusdinium spp. from Mote Marine Laboratory's ex situ nursery by outplanting clonal replicates (ramets) of five A. palmata host genotypes to natural reefs in the lower Florida Keys. Amplicon sequencing analysis of ITS2-type profiles revealed that the majority of surviving ramets remained dominated by Durusdinium spp. two years after transplantation. However, 15% of ramets, including representatives of all genotypes, exhibited some degree of symbiont shuffling or switching at six of eight sites, including complete takeover by site-specific strains of the native symbiont, Symbiodinium fitti. The predominant long-term stability of the novel symbiosis supports the potential effectiveness of symbiont modification as a management tool. Although, the finding that 6-7 year-old coral can alter symbiont community composition in the absence of bleaching indicates that Symbiodiniaceae communities are indeed capable of great flexibility under ambient conditions.}, }
@article {pmid36505058, year = {2022}, author = {Alarcón, ME and Polo, PG and Akyüz, SN and Rafiqi, AM}, title = {Evolution and ontogeny of bacteriocytes in insects.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1034066}, pmid = {36505058}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {The ontogenetic origins of the bacteriocytes, which are cells that harbour bacterial intracellular endosymbionts in multicellular animals, are unknown. During embryonic development, a series of morphological and transcriptional changes determine the fate of distinct cell types. The ontogeny of bacteriocytes is intimately linked with the evolutionary transition of endosymbionts from an extracellular to an intracellular environment, which in turn is linked to the diet of the host insect. Here we review the evolution and development of bacteriocytes in insects. We first classify the endosymbiotic occupants of bacteriocytes, highlighting the complex challenges they pose to the host. Then, we recall the historical account of the discovery of bacteriocytes. We then summarize the molecular interactions between the endosymbiont and the host. In addition, we illustrate the genetic contexts in which the bacteriocytes develop, with examples of the genetic changes in the hosts and endosymbionts, during specific endosymbiotic associations. We finally address the evolutionary origin as well as the putative ontogenetic or developmental source of bacteriocytes in insects.}, }
@article {pmid36504780, year = {2022}, author = {Li, T and Wei, Y and Zhao, C and Li, S and Gao, S and Zhang, Y and Wu, Y and Lu, C}, title = {Facultative symbionts are potential agents of symbiont-mediated RNAi in aphids.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1020461}, pmid = {36504780}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Aphids are major crop pests, and they can be controlled through the application of the promising RNA interference (RNAi) techniques. However, chemical synthesis yield of dsRNA for RNAi is low and costly. Another sustainable aphid pest control strategy takes advantage of symbiont-mediated RNAi (SMR), which can generate dsRNA by engineered microbes. Aphid host the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola and various facultative symbionts that not only have a wide host range but are also vertically and horizontally transmitted. Thus, we described the potential of facultative symbionts in aphid pest control by SMR. We summarized the community and host range of these facultative symbionts, and then reviewed their probable horizontal transmitted routes and ecological functions. Moreover, recent advances in the cultivation and genetic engineering of aphid facultative symbionts were discussed. In addition, current legislation of dsRNA-based pest control strategies and their safety assessments were reviewed.}, }
@article {pmid36504779, year = {2022}, author = {Liberman, R and Benayahu, Y and Huchon, D}, title = {Octocorals in the Gulf of Aqaba exhibit high photosymbiont fidelity.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1005471}, pmid = {36504779}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Symbiotic associations, widespread in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, are of considerable ecological importance. Many tropical coral species are holobionts, formed by the obligate association between a cnidarian host and endosymbiotic dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae. The latter are abundant on coral reefs from very shallow water down to the upper mesophotic zone (30-70 m). The research on scleractinians has revealed that the photosymbiont lineages present in the cnidarian host play an important role in the coral's ability to thrive under different environmental conditions, such as light regime and temperature. However, little is known regarding octocoral photosymbionts, and in particular regarding those found deeper than 30 m. Here, we used ribosomal (ITS2) and chloroplast (23S) markers to uncover, for the first time, the dominant Symbiodiniaceae taxa present in 19 mesophotic octocoral species (30-70 m depth) from the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat (northern Red Sea). In addition, using high-throughput sequencing of the ITS2 region we characterized both the dominant and the rare Symbiodiniaceae lineages found in several species across depth. The phylogenetic analyses of both markers were in agreement and revealed that most of the studied mesophotic octocorals host the genus Cladocopium. Litophyton spp. and Klyxum utinomii were exceptions, as they harbored Symbiodinium and Durusdinium photosymbionts, respectively. While the dominant algal lineage of each coral species did not vary across depth, the endosymbiont community structure significantly differed between host species, as well as between different depths for some host species. The findings from this study contribute to the growing global-catalogue of Cnidaria-Symbiodiniaceae associations. Unravelling the Symbiodiniaceae composition in octocoral holobionts across environmental gradients, depth in particular, may enable a better understanding of how specialized those associations are, and to what extent coral holobionts are able to modify their photosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid36502993, year = {2023}, author = {Venkataravanappa, V and Kodandaram, MH and Prasanna, HC and Reddy, MK and Reddy, CNL}, title = {Unraveling different begomoviruses, DNA satellites and cryptic species of Bemisia tabaci and their endosymbionts in vegetable ecosystem.}, journal = {Microbial pathogenesis}, volume = {174}, number = {}, pages = {105892}, doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105892}, pmid = {36502993}, issn = {1096-1208}, mesh = {Animals ; Vegetables ; Ecosystem ; *Begomovirus/genetics ; Crops, Agricultural/genetics ; *Hemiptera ; DNA ; Plant Diseases ; }, abstract = {Bemisia tabaci species complex contains more than 46 cryptic species. It has emerged as an important pest causing significant yield loss in many cultivated crops. This pest is also a vector for more than 100 species of begomoviruses, that are a major threat for the cultivation of many crops in different regions of the world. The relation between cryptic species of the B. tabaci species complex and associated begomoviruses that infect different crops remains unclear. In the present study, four cryptic species (Asia I, China 3, Asia II 5 and Asia II-1) of B. tabaci and four associated endosymbionts (Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Rickettsia and Wolbachia) were identified in different vegetable crops. The vector-based PCR detection revealed five different begomoviruses such as okra enation leaf curl virus (OELCuV), tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPalV), squash leaf curl China virus (SLCCNV), chilli leaf curl virus (ChiLCuV), and tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV). Of these begomoviruses, the maximum infection rate was observed (9.1%) for OELCuV, followed by 7.3% for ToLCNDV. The infection rate of the other three viruses (SLCCNV, ChiLCuV, ToLCPalV) ranged from 0.9 to 2.7% in cryptic species of B. tabaci. Further, each cryptic species was infected with multiple virus species and the virus infection rate of Asia I, Asia II-5, China 3 and Asia II-1 was 21.2%, 15.1%, 15.1% and 0.6% respectively. Similarly, in case of betasatellites the highest infection rate was 12% for ToLCBDB, followed by 6% for OLCuB and PaLCB. With regard to alphasatellites, the highest infection rate was 18.2% for AEV and 3% for CLCuMuA. This study demonstrates the distribution of cryptic species of whitefly and their endosymbionts, and associated begomoviruses and DNA satellites in vegetable ecosystem. We believe that the information generated here is useful for evolving an effective pest management strategies for vegetable production.}, }
@article {pmid36501390, year = {2022}, author = {Yu, W and Bosquée, E and Fan, J and Liu, Y and Bragard, C and Francis, F and Chen, J}, title = {Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analysis for Identification of Endosymbiotic Bacteria Associated with BYDV Transmission Efficiency by Sitobion miscanthi.}, journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {23}, pages = {}, pmid = {36501390}, issn = {2223-7747}, support = {2021YFH0112//Sichuan Science and Technology Program/ ; 2021YFYZ0021//Sichuan Breeding Research Program/ ; 2010DF A32810, 2014DFG32270//China-Belgium Cooperation Project/ ; 31371946//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; SKLOF202110//Opening Fund of State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests (SKLOpening Fund of State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests/ ; }, abstract = {Sitobion miscanthi, an important viral vector of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), is also symbiotically associated with endosymbionts, but little is known about the interactions between endosymbionts, aphid and BYDV. Therefore, two aphids' geographic populations, differing in their BYDV transmission efficiency, after characterizing their endosymbionts, were treated with antibiotics to investigate how changes in the composition of their endosymbiont population affected BYDV transmission efficiency. After antibiotic treatment, Rickettsia was eliminated from two geographic populations. BYDV transmission efficiency by STY geographic population dropped significantly, by -44.2% with ampicillin and -25.01% with rifampicin, but HDZ geographic population decreased by only 14.19% with ampicillin and 23.88% with rifampicin. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the number of DEGs related to the immune system, carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism did increase in the STY rifampicin treatment, while replication and repair, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism increased in the STY ampicillin treatment. Proteomic analysis showed that the abundance of symbionin symL, nascent polypeptide-associated complex subunit alpha and proteasome differed significantly between the two geographic populations. We found that the endosymbionts can mediate vector viral transmission. They should therefore be included in investigations into aphid-virus interactions and plant disease epidemiology. Our findings should also help with the development of strategies to prevent virus transmission.}, }
@article {pmid36480982, year = {2023}, author = {Morales, J and Ehret, G and Poschmann, G and Reinicke, T and Maurya, AK and Kröninger, L and Zanini, D and Wolters, R and Kalyanaraman, D and Krakovka, M and Bäumers, M and Stühler, K and Nowack, ECM}, title = {Host-symbiont interactions in Angomonas deanei include the evolution of a host-derived dynamin ring around the endosymbiont division site.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {33}, number = {1}, pages = {28-40.e7}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.020}, pmid = {36480982}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {*Bacteria/genetics ; *Trypanosomatina/genetics/metabolism/microbiology ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The trypanosomatid Angomonas deanei is a model to study endosymbiosis. Each cell contains a single β-proteobacterial endosymbiont that divides at a defined point in the host cell cycle and contributes essential metabolites to the host metabolism. Additionally, one endosymbiont gene, encoding an ornithine cyclodeaminase (OCD), was transferred by endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT) to the nucleus. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating the intricate host/symbiont interactions are largely unexplored. Here, we used protein mass spectrometry to identify nucleus-encoded proteins that co-purify with the endosymbiont. Expression of fluorescent fusion constructs of these proteins in A. deanei confirmed seven host proteins to be recruited to specific sites within the endosymbiont. These endosymbiont-targeted proteins (ETPs) include two proteins annotated as dynamin-like protein and peptidoglycan hydrolase that form a ring-shaped structure around the endosymbiont division site that remarkably resembles organellar division machineries. The EGT-derived OCD was not among the ETPs, but instead localizes to the glycosome, likely enabling proline production in the glycosome. We hypothesize that recalibration of the metabolic capacity of the glycosomes that are closely associated with the endosymbiont helps to supply the endosymbiont with metabolites it is auxotrophic for and thus supports the integration of host and endosymbiont metabolic networks. Hence, scrutiny of endosymbiosis-induced protein re-localization patterns in A. deanei yielded profound insights into how an endosymbiotic relationship can stabilize and deepen over time far beyond the level of metabolite exchange.}, }
@article {pmid36478675, year = {2022}, author = {Adegoke, A and Kumar, D and Budachetri, K and Karim, S}, title = {Hematophagy and tick-borne Rickettsial pathogen shape the microbial community structure and predicted functions within the tick vector, Amblyomma maculatum.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {1037387}, pmid = {36478675}, issn = {2235-2988}, support = {P20 GM103476/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R15 AI167013/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R15 GM123431/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R15 AI099910/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Amblyomma ; *Ticks ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Ticks are the primary vectors of emerging and resurging pathogens of public health significance worldwide. Analyzing tick bacterial composition, diversity, and functionality across developmental stages and tissues is crucial for designing new strategies to control ticks and prevent tick-borne diseases.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here, we explored the microbial communities across the developmental timeline and in different tissues of the Gulf-Coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum). Using a high-throughput sequencing approach, the influence of blood meal and Rickettsia parkeri, a spotted fever group rickettsiae infection in driving changes in microbiome composition, diversity, and functionality was determined.<br><br>RESULTS: This study shows that the core microbiome of Am. maculatum comprises ten core bacterial genera. The genus Rickettsia, Francisella, and Candidatus_Midichloria are the key players, with positive interactions within each developmental stage and adult tick organ tested. Blood meal and Rickettsia parkeri led to an increase in the bacterial abundance in the tissues. According to functional analysis, the increase in bacterial numbers is positively correlated to highly abundant energy metabolism orthologs with blood meal. Correlation analysis identified an increase in OTUs identified as Candidatus Midichloria and a subsequent decrease in Francisella OTUs in Rickettsia parkeri infected tick stages and tissues. Results demonstrate the abundance of Rickettsia and Francisella predominate in the core microbiome of Am. maculatum, whereas Candidatus_Midichloria and Cutibacterium prevalence increase with R. parkeri-infection. Network analysis and functional annotation suggest that R. parkeri interacts positively with Candidatus_Midichloria and negatively with Francisella.<br><br>CONCLUSION: We conclude that tick-transmitted pathogens, such as R. parkeri establishes infection by interacting with the core microbiome of the tick vector.}, }
@article {pmid36473013, year = {2022}, author = {Liu, L and Sonenshine, DE and Sultana, H and Neelakanta, G}, title = {Identification of a rickettsial endosymbiont in a soft tick Ornithodoros turicata americanus.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {17}, number = {12}, pages = {e0278582}, pmid = {36473013}, issn = {1932-6203}, support = {R01 AI130116/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Argasidae/genetics ; *Ornithodoros/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Senegal ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts are abundantly found in both hard and soft ticks. Occidentia massiliensis, a rickettsial endosymbiont, was first identified in the soft tick Ornithodoros sonrai collected from Senegal and later was identified in a hard tick Africaniella transversale. In this study, we noted the presence of Occidentia species, designated as Occidentia-like species, in a soft tick O. turicata americanus. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the two genetic markers, 16S rRNA and groEL confirmed the presence of Occidentia-like species in O. turicata americanus ticks. The Occidentia-like species was noted to be present in all developmental stages of O. turicata americanus and in different tick tissues including ovaries, synganglion, guts and salivary gland. The levels of Occidentia-like species 16S rRNA transcripts were noted to be significantly higher in ovaries than in a gut tissue. In addition, Occidentia-like species groEL expression was noted to be significantly higher in tick synganglion than in ovaries and gut tissues. Furthermore, levels of Occidentia-like species 16S rRNA transcripts increased significantly upon O. turicata americanus blood feeding. Taken together, our study not only shows that Occidentia-like species is present in O. turicata americanus but also suggests that this bacterium may play a role in tick-bacteria interactions.}, }
@article {pmid36472572, year = {2022}, author = {Pilgrim, J}, title = {The opportunities of research parasitism: A case study using the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD).}, journal = {GigaScience}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {36472572}, issn = {2047-217X}, mesh = {*Biological Science Disciplines ; }, abstract = {The Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) is primarily used to identify biological specimens based on a mitochondrial gene sequence and has been an underpinning resource for life science researchers. Importantly, curators of BOLD archive DNA extracts where possible, and also record contaminant sequences that can be made available on request. This collegial offering of samples and data led to our work describing the serendipitous discovery of new interactions between a Torix Rickettsia bacterium and their arthropod hosts and resulted in winning the 2022 Junior Research Parasite Award. A case study of this work is presented, which discusses the opportunities provided by secondary data and how careful maintenance of such large-scale repositories plays a vital role in scientific research that goes beyond obvious lines of enquiry.}, }
@article {pmid36467722, year = {2022}, author = {Hodosi, R and Kazimirova, M and Soltys, K}, title = {What do we know about the microbiome of I. ricinus?.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {990889}, pmid = {36467722}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodes ; *Microbiota ; Coxiella ; Symbiosis ; *Rickettsia ; *Francisella tularensis ; }, abstract = {I. ricinus is an obligate hematophagous parasitic arthropod that is responsible for the transmission of a wide range of zoonotic pathogens including spirochetes of the genus Borrelia, Rickettsia spp., C. burnetii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Francisella tularensis, which are part the tick´s microbiome. Most of the studies focus on "pathogens" and only very few elucidate the role of "non-pathogenic" symbiotic microorganisms in I. ricinus. While most of the members of the microbiome are leading an intracellular lifestyle, they are able to complement tick´s nutrition and stress response having a great impact on tick´s survival and transmission of pathogens. The composition of the tick´s microbiome is not consistent and can be tied to the environment, tick species, developmental stage, or specific organ or tissue. Ovarian tissue harbors a stable microbiome consisting mainly but not exclusively of endosymbiotic bacteria, while the microbiome of the digestive system is rather unstable, and together with salivary glands, is mostly comprised of pathogens. The most prevalent endosymbionts found in ticks are Rickettsia spp., Ricketsiella spp., Coxiella-like and Francisella-like endosymbionts, Spiroplasma spp. and Candidatus Midichloria spp. Since microorganisms can modify ticks' behavior, such as mobility, feeding or saliva production, which results in increased survival rates, we aimed to elucidate the potential, tight relationship, and interaction between bacteria of the I. ricinus microbiome. Here we show that endosymbionts including Coxiella-like spp., can provide I. ricinus with different types of vitamin B (B2, B6, B7, B9) essential for eukaryotic organisms. Furthermore, we hypothesize that survival of Wolbachia spp., or the bacterial pathogen A. phagocytophilum can be supported by the tick itself since coinfection with symbiotic Spiroplasma ixodetis provides I. ricinus with complete metabolic pathway of folate biosynthesis necessary for DNA synthesis and cell division. Manipulation of tick´s endosymbiotic microbiome could present a perspective way of I. ricinus control and regulation of spread of emerging bacterial pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid36466669, year = {2022}, author = {El Hamss, H and Maruthi, MN and Ally, HM and Omongo, CA and Wang, HL and van Brunschot, S and Colvin, J and Delatte, H}, title = {Spatio-temporal changes in endosymbiont diversity and composition in the African cassava whitefly, Bemisia tabaci SSA1.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {986226}, pmid = {36466669}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Sap-sucking insects, including whiteflies, are amongst the most devastating and widely distributed organisms on the planet. They are often highly invasive and endosymbiont communities within these insects help them adapt to new or changing environments. Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius; Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) whitefly species are vectors of more than 500 known plant-viruses and harbour highly diverse endosymbionts communities. To date, however, whitefly-endosymbiont interactions, community structure and their spatio-temporal changes are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the spatio-temporal changes in the composition and diversity of bacterial endosymbionts in the agricultural crop pest whitefly species, Bemisia tabaci sub-Saharan Africa 1-subgroup 1 and 2 (SSA1-SG1 and SSA1-SG2). 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis was carried out to characterise endosymbiont compositionsin field-collected SSA1 (SSA1-SG1 and SSA1-SG2) populations infesting cassava in Uganda in 1997 and 2017. We detected Portiera, Arsenophonus, Wolbachia, Hamiltonella and Hemipteriphilus, with Arsenophonus and Wolbachia infections being predominant. Hemipteriphilus and Hamiltonella frequencies were very low and were detected in seven and two samples, respectively. Bacterial diversity based on three independent parameters including Simpson index, number of haplotypes and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity matrix was significantly higher in 1997 than in 2017. This period also coincided with the advent of super-abundant cassava-whitefly populations on cassava crops in Uganda. We discuss how endosymbionts may influence the biology and behaviour of whiteflies leading to population explosions.}, }
@article {pmid36458425, year = {2023}, author = {Higashi, CHV and Nichols, WL and Chevignon, G and Patel, V and Allison, SE and Kim, KL and Strand, MR and Oliver, KM}, title = {An aphid symbiont confers protection against a specialized RNA virus, another increases vulnerability to the same pathogen.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {32}, number = {4}, pages = {936-950}, pmid = {36458425}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; *Wasps ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; *RNA Viruses/genetics ; }, abstract = {Insects often harbour heritable symbionts that provide defence against specialized natural enemies, yet little is known about symbiont protection when hosts face simultaneous threats. In pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), the facultative endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa confers protection against the parasitoid, Aphidius ervi, and Regiella insecticola protects against aphid-specific fungal pathogens, including Pandora neoaphidis. Here, we investigated whether these two common aphid symbionts protect against a specialized virus A. pisum virus (APV), and whether their antifungal and antiparasitoid services are impacted by APV infection. We found that APV imposed large fitness costs on symbiont-free aphids and these costs were elevated in aphids also housing H. defensa. In contrast, APV titres were significantly reduced and costs to APV infection were largely eliminated in aphids with R. insecticola. To our knowledge, R. insecticola is the first aphid symbiont shown to protect against a viral pathogen, and only the second arthropod symbiont reported to do so. In contrast, APV infection did not impact the protective services of either R. insecticola or H. defensa. To better understand APV biology, we produced five genomes and examined transmission routes. We found that moderate rates of vertical transmission, combined with horizontal transfer through food plants, were the major route of APV spread, although lateral transfer by parasitoids also occurred. Transmission was unaffected by facultative symbionts. In summary, the presence and species identity of facultative symbionts resulted in highly divergent outcomes for aphids infected with APV, while not impacting defensive services that target other enemies. These findings add to the diverse phenotypes conferred by aphid symbionts, and to the growing body of work highlighting extensive variation in symbiont-mediated interactions.}, }
@article {pmid36456664, year = {2022}, author = {Milenovic, M and Gouttepifre, A and Eickermann, M and Junk, J and Rapisarda, C}, title = {Plant-mediated rifampicin treatment of Bemisia tabaci disrupts but does not eliminate endosymbionts.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {20766}, pmid = {36456664}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Rifampin/pharmacology ; *Halomonadaceae ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Rickettsia ; *Hemiptera ; }, abstract = {Whiteflies are among the most important global insect pests in agriculture; their sustainable control has proven challenging and new methods are needed. Bacterial symbionts of whiteflies are poorly understood potential target of novel whitefly control methods. Whiteflies harbour an obligatory bacterium, Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum, and a diverse set of facultative bacterial endosymbionts. Function of facultative microbial community is poorly understood largely due to the difficulty in their selective elimination without removal of the primary endosymbiont. Since the discovery of secondary endosymbionts, antibiotic rifampicin has emerged as the most used tool for their manipulation. Its effectiveness is however much less clear, with contrasting reports on its effects on the endosymbiont community. The present study builds upon most recent method of rifampicin application in whiteflies and evaluates its ability to eliminate obligatory Portiera and two facultative endosymbionts (Rickettsia and Arsenophnus). Our results show that rifampicin reduces but does not eliminate any of the three endosymbionts. Additionally, rifampicin causes direct negative effect on whiteflies, likely by disrupting mitochondria. Taken together, results signify the end of a rifampicin era in whitefly endosymbiont studies. Finally, we propose refinement of current quantification and data analysis methods which yields additional insights in cellular metabolic scaling.}, }
@article {pmid36447246, year = {2022}, author = {Dieng, MM and Augustinos, AA and Demirbas-Uzel, G and Doudoumis, V and Parker, AG and Tsiamis, G and Mach, RL and Bourtzis, K and Abd-Alla, AMM}, title = {Interactions between Glossina pallidipes salivary gland hypertrophy virus and tsetse endosymbionts in wild tsetse populations.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {447}, pmid = {36447246}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Cytomegalovirus ; *Tsetse Flies ; *Coinfection ; *Glossinidae ; Hypertrophy ; *Infertility ; Salivary Glands ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tsetse control is considered an effective and sustainable tactic for the control of cyclically transmitted trypanosomosis in the absence of effective vaccines and inexpensive, effective drugs. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is currently used to eliminate tsetse fly populations in an area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) context in Senegal. For SIT, tsetse mass rearing is a major milestone that associated microbes can influence. Tsetse flies can be infected with microorganisms, including the primary and obligate Wigglesworthia glossinidia, the commensal Sodalis glossinidius, and Wolbachia pipientis. In addition, tsetse populations often carry a pathogenic DNA virus, the Glossina pallidipes salivary gland hypertrophy virus (GpSGHV) that hinders tsetse fertility and fecundity. Interactions between symbionts and pathogens might affect the performance of the insect host.<br><br>METHODS: In the present study, we assessed associations of GpSGHV and tsetse endosymbionts under field conditions to decipher the possible bidirectional interactions in different Glossina species. We determined the co-infection pattern of GpSGHV and Wolbachia in natural tsetse populations. We further analyzed the interaction of both Wolbachia and GpSGHV infections with Sodalis and Wigglesworthia density using qPCR.<br><br>RESULTS: The results indicated that the co-infection of GpSGHV and Wolbachia was most prevalent in Glossina austeni and Glossina morsitans morsitans, with an explicit significant negative correlation between GpSGHV and Wigglesworthia density. GpSGHV infection levels > 10[3.31] seem to be absent when Wolbachia infection is present at high density (>&#x2009;10[7.36]), suggesting a potential protective role of Wolbachia against GpSGHV.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The result indicates that Wolbachia infection might interact (with an undefined mechanism) antagonistically with SGHV infection protecting tsetse fly against GpSGHV, and the interactions between the tsetse host and its associated microbes are dynamic and likely species specific; significant differences may exist between laboratory and field conditions.}, }
@article {pmid36445499, year = {2022}, author = {Ramirez, P and Leavitt, JC and Gill, JJ and Mateos, M}, title = {Preliminary Characterization of Phage-Like Particles from the Male-Killing Mollicute Spiroplasma poulsonii (an Endosymbiont of Drosophila).}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {80}, number = {1}, pages = {6}, pmid = {36445499}, issn = {1432-0991}, mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Drosophila ; *Bacteriophages/genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster ; *Spiroplasma/genetics ; }, abstract = {Bacteriophages are vastly abundant, diverse, and influential, but with few exceptions (e.g. the Proteobacteria genera Wolbachia and Hamiltonella), the role of phages in heritable bacteria-arthropod interactions, which are ubiquitous and diverse, remains largely unexplored. Despite prior studies documenting phage-like particles in the mollicute Spiroplasma associated with Drosophila flies, genomic sequences of such phage are lacking, and their effects on the Spiroplasma-Drosophila interaction have not been comprehensively characterized. We used a density step gradient to isolate phage-like particles from the male-killing bacterium Spiroplasma poulsonii (strains NSRO and MSRO-Br) harbored by Drosophila melanogaster. Isolated particles were subjected to DNA sequencing, assembly, and annotation. Several lines of evidence suggest that we recovered phage-like particles of similar features (shape, size, DNA content) to those previously reported in Drosophila-associated Spiroplasma strains. We recovered three ~ 19 kb phage-like contigs (two in NSRO and one in MSRO-Br) containing 21-24 open reading frames, a read-alignment pattern consistent with circular permutation, and terminal redundancy (at least in NSRO). Although our results do not allow us to distinguish whether these phage-like contigs represent infective phage-like particles capable of transmitting their DNA to new hosts, their encoding of several typical phage genes suggests that they are at least remnants of functional phage. We also recovered two smaller non-phage-like contigs encoding a known Spiroplasma toxin (Ribosome Inactivating Protein; RIP), and an insertion element, suggesting that they are packaged into particles. Substantial homology of our particle-derived contigs was found in the genome assemblies of members of the Spiroplasma poulsonii clade.}, }
@article {pmid36445124, year = {2022}, author = {Kang, ZW and Zhang, M and Cao, HH and Guo, SS and Liu, FH and Liu, TX}, title = {Facultative Endosymbiont Serratia symbiotica Inhibits the Apterization of Pea Aphid To Enhance Its Spread.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {e0406622}, pmid = {36445124}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {*Aphids/physiology ; Pisum sativum ; Fertility ; Reproduction ; Serratia ; Symbiosis ; Animals ; }, abstract = {Aphids display wing polyphenism, and the mother can produce a wingless morph for reproduction and a winged morph for dispersal. It is believed that the wingless morph is an adaptive status under favorable conditions and is determined prenatally. In this study, we have found that winged nymphs of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, can change from winged to wingless during normal development. Our results showed that winged nymphs could become the wingless morph by apterization in response to changes from stressful to favorable conditions. The acquired wingless aphids had higher fecundity than the winged morph. However, this process of regression from winged to wingless morph was inhibited by Serratia symbiotica. The existence of the symbiont did not affect the body mass and fecundity of adult aphids, but it increased the body weight of nymphs and temporally increased the quantity of a primary symbiont, Buchnera aphidicola. Our results showed that despite temporal improvement of living conditions causing the induction of apterization of winged nymphs, the inhibition effect of S. symbiotica on this process was activated simultaneously. This finding, for the first time, reveals that the wingless morph can be changed postnatally, which explains a novel regulating mechanism of wing polyphenism driven by external abiotic stimuli and internal biotic regulation together in aphids. IMPORTANCE Wing polyphenism is an important adaptative response to environmental changes for aphids. Endosymbionts are widespread in aphids and also confer the ability to withstand unfavorable conditions. However, little is known about whether endosymbionts are involved in the wing polyphenism. In this study, we report a new finding that winged nymphs of the pea aphid could turn into adults without wings or wing-related structures through apterization when winged nymphs escaped from stressful to favorable environments. Further analysis revealed that the facultative symbiont S. symbiotica could prevent the temporal determination of the host in wing suppression by inhibiting apterization, to enhance its spread. Our findings provide a novel angle to understanding the wing polyphenism regulation of aphids.}, }
@article {pmid36441823, year = {2022}, author = {Runyen-Janecky, LJ and Scheutzow, JD and Farsin, R and Cabo, LF and Wall, KE and Kuhn, KM and Amador, R and D'Souza, SJ and Vigneron, A and Weiss, BL}, title = {Heme-induced genes facilitate endosymbiont (Sodalis glossinidius) colonization of the tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans) midgut.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {16}, number = {11}, pages = {e0010833}, pmid = {36441823}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {T32 GM133353/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Tsetse Flies/genetics ; Heme ; }, abstract = {Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) feed exclusively on vertebrate blood. After a blood meal, the enteric endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius is exposed to various environmental stressors including high levels of heme. To investigate how S. glossinidius morsitans (Sgm), the Sodalis subspecies that resides within the gut of G. morsitans, tolerates the heme-induced oxidative environment of tsetse's midgut, we used RNAseq to identify bacterial genes that are differentially expressed in cells cultured in high versus lower heme environments. Our analysis identified 436 genes that were significantly differentially expressed (> or < 2-fold) in the presence of high heme [219 heme-induced genes (HIGs) and 217 heme-repressed genes (HRGs)]. HIGs were enriched in Gene Ontology (GO) terms related to regulation of a variety of biological functions, including gene expression and metabolic processes. We observed that 11 out of 13 Sgm genes that were heme regulated in vitro were similarly regulated in bacteria that resided within tsetse's midgut 24 hr (high heme environment) and 96 hr (low heme environment) after the flies had consumed a blood meal. We used intron mutagenesis to make insertion mutations in 12 Sgm HIGs and observed no significant change in growth in vitro in any of the mutant strains in high versus low heme conditions. However, Sgm strains that carried mutations in genes encoding a putative undefined phosphotransferase sugar (PTS) system component (SG2427), fucose transporter (SG0182), bacterioferritin (SG2280), and a DNA-binding protein (SGP1-0002), presented growth and/or survival defects in tsetse midguts as compared to normal Sgm. These findings suggest that the uptake up of sugars and storage of iron represent strategies that Sgm employs to successfully reside within the high heme environment of its tsetse host's midgut. Our results are of epidemiological relevance, as many hematophagous arthropods house gut-associated bacteria that mediate their host's competency as a vector of disease-causing pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid36436891, year = {2022}, author = {Rialch, A and Sankar, M and Silamparasan, M and Madhusoodan, AP and Kharayat, NS and Gautam, S and Gurav, AR and Thankappan, S}, title = {Molecular detection of Coxiella-like endosymbionts in Rhipicephalus microplus from north India.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports}, volume = {36}, number = {}, pages = {100803}, doi = {10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100803}, pmid = {36436891}, issn = {2405-9390}, mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Animals ; Coxiella/genetics ; *Rhipicephalus/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Pilot Projects ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Francisella ; }, abstract = {Apart from the tick-borne pathogens affecting human and animal health, ticks also harbor various non-pathogenic endosymbionts with dynamic ecological interactions. These endosymbionts are unexplored from the Indian ticks; hence this pilot study was conducted. Seventy-nine ticks were collected from Nainital district of Uttarakhand state of north India and were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus morphologically and by molecular analysis. PCR and sequence analysis were carried out to detect the presence of Rickettsia-like, Coxiella-like and Francisella-like endosymbionts in these ticks. Based on the partial 16S rRNA gene sequence, Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) was detected in the adult and other life-cycle stages of ticks with 96.6-97.7% nucleotide sequence identity with the published CLE sequences from GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the CLE from R. microplus were clustered with the CLE from other Rhipicephalus species. All these CLE formed distinct clades from the pathogenic Coxiella burnetii. None of the tick samples was found positive for Rickettsia-like and Francisella-like endosymbionts in the present study. We also demonstrated the vertical transmission of CLE from surface sterilized and laboratory reared fully engorged adult females to the eggs and the larvae. However, large scale studies are to be conducted to detect various endosymbionts and endosymbiont-tick associations in the Indian tick species and to explore these associations for tick and tick-borne disease control.}, }
@article {pmid36429867, year = {2022}, author = {Chen, K and Roe, RM and Ponnusamy, L}, title = {Biology, Systematics, Microbiome, Pathogen Transmission and Control of Chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae, Leeuwenhoekiidae) with Emphasis on the United States.}, journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health}, volume = {19}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {36429867}, issn = {1660-4601}, support = {R03 AI166406/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Trombiculidae/microbiology ; *Scrub Typhus/epidemiology ; *Orientia tsutsugamushi ; *Acari ; *Microbiota ; Biology ; }, abstract = {Chiggers are the larval stage of Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhoekiidae mites of medical and veterinary importance. Some species in the genus Leptotrombidium and Herpetacarus vector Orientia species, the bacteria that causes scrub typhus disease in humans. Scrub typhus is a life-threatening, febrile disease. Chigger bites can also cause dermatitis. There were 248 chigger species reported from the US from almost every state. However, there are large gaps in our knowledge of the life history of other stages of development. North American wide morphological keys are needed for better species identification, and molecular sequence data for identification are minimal and not clearly matched with morphological data. The role of chiggers in disease transmission in the US is especially understudied, and the role of endosymbionts in Orientia infection are suggested in the scientific literature but not confirmed. The most common chiggers in the eastern United States were identified as Eutrombicula alfreddugesi but were likely misidentified and should be replaced with Eutrombicula cinnabaris. Scrub typhus was originally believed to be limited to the Tsutsugamushi Triangle and the chigger genus, Leptotrombidium, but there is increasing evidence this is not the case. The potential of Orientia species establishing in the US is high. In addition, several other recognized pathogens to infect humans, namely Hantavirus, Bartonella, Borrelia, and Rickettsia, were also detected in chiggers. The role that chiggers play in these disease transmissions in the US needs further investigation. It is possible some of the tick-borne diseases and red meat allergies are caused by chiggers.}, }
@article {pmid36424352, year = {2023}, author = {Zhang, J and Li, T and Hong, Z and Ma, C and Fang, X and Zheng, F and Teng, W and Zhang, C and Si, T}, title = {Biosynthesis of Hybrid Neutral Lipids with Archaeal and Eukaryotic Characteristics in Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae.}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)}, volume = {62}, number = {4}, pages = {e202214344}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202214344}, pmid = {36424352}, issn = {1521-3773}, mesh = {*Archaea/genetics ; *Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/metabolism ; Glycerol/metabolism ; Membrane Lipids/metabolism ; Bacteria/metabolism ; Phosphates/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Discovery of the Asgard superphylum of archaea provides new evidence supporting the two-domain model of life: eukaryotes originated from an Asgard-related archaeon that engulfed a bacterial endosymbiont. However, how eukaryotes acquired bacterial-like membrane lipids with a sn-glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) backbone instead of the archaeal-like sn-glycerol-1-phosphate (G1P) backbone remains unknown. In this study, we reconstituted archaeal lipid production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by expressing unsaturated archaeol-synthesizing enzymes. Using Golden Gate cloning for pathway assembly, modular gene replacement was performed, revealing the potential biosynthesis of both G1P- and G3P-based unsaturated archaeol by uncultured Asgard archaea. Unexpectedly, hybrid neutral lipids containing both archaeal isoprenoids and eukaryotic fatty acids were observed in recombinant S. cerevisiae. The ability of yeast and archaeal diacylglycerol acyltransferases to synthesize such hybrid lipids was demonstrated.}, }
@article {pmid36422292, year = {2022}, author = {Villacorta, JB and Rodriguez, CV and Peran, JE and Batucan, JD and Concepcion, GP and Salvador-Reyes, LA and Junio, HA}, title = {Mining Small Molecules from Teredinibacter turnerae Strains Isolated from Philippine Teredinidae.}, journal = {Metabolites}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {36422292}, issn = {2218-1989}, support = {EIDR-C08-009//University of the Philippines System Emerging Inter-Disciplinary Research Program/ ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic relationship has played a significant role in the evolution of marine species, allowing for the development of biochemical machinery for the synthesis of diverse metabolites. In this work, we explore the chemical space of exogenous compounds from shipworm endosymbionts using LC-MS-based metabolomics. Priority T. turnerae strains (1022X.S.1B.7A, 991H.S.0A.06B, 1675L.S.0A.01) that displayed antimicrobial activity, isolated from shipworms collected from several sites in the Philippines were cultured, and fractionated extracts were subjected for profiling using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry quadrupole time-of-flight mass analyzer (UHPLC-HRMS QTOF). T. turnerae T7901 was used as a reference microorganism for dereplication analysis. Tandem MS data were analyzed through the Global Natural Products Social (GNPS) molecular networking, which resulted to 93 clusters with more than two nodes, leading to four putatively annotated clusters: lipids, lysophosphatidylethanolamines, cyclic dipeptides, and rhamnolipids. Additional clusters were also annotated through molecular networking with cross-reference to previous publications. Tartrolon D cluster with analogues, turnercyclamycins A and B; teredinibactin A, dechloroteredinibactin, and two other possible teredinibactin analogues; and oxylipin (E)-11-oxooctadec-12-enoic acid were putatively identified as described. Molecular networking also revealed two additional metabolite clusters, annotated as lyso-ornithine lipids and polyethers. Manual fragmentation analysis corroborated the putative identification generated from GNPS. However, some of the clusters remained unclassified due to the limited structural information on marine natural products in the public database. The result of this study, nonetheless, showed the diversity in the chemical space occupied by shipworm endosymbionts. This study also affirms the use of bioinformatics, molecular networking, and fragmentation mechanisms analysis as tools for the dereplication of high-throughput data to aid the prioritization of strains for further analysis.}, }
@article {pmid36419550, year = {2022}, author = {Li, J and Chen, D and Yu, B and He, J and Huang, Z and Zheng, P and Mao, X and Li, H and Yu, J and Luo, J and Yan, H and Luo, Y}, title = {Batch and sampling time exert a larger influence on the fungal community than gastrointestinal location in model animals: A meaningful case study.}, journal = {Frontiers in nutrition}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {1021215}, pmid = {36419550}, issn = {2296-861X}, abstract = {Fungi play a fundamental role in the intestinal ecosystem and health, but our knowledge of fungal composition and distribution in the whole gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is very limited. The physiological similarity between humans and pigs in terms of digestive and associated metabolic processes places, the pig in a superior position over other non-primate models. Here, we aimed to characterize the diversity and composition of fungi in the GIT of pigs. Using high-throughput sequencing, we evaluated the fungal community in different locations of GIT of 11 pigs with 128.41 ± 1.25 kg body weight acquired successively. Among them, five pigs are sacrificed in April 2019 (Batch 1) and the other six are sacrificed in January 2020 (Batch 2). All subjects with similar genetic backgrounds, housing, management, and diet. Finally, no significant difference is found in the α-diversity (Richness) of the fungal community among all intestinal segments. Basidiomycota and Ascomycota are the two predominant fungal phyla, but Batch 1 harbored a notably high abundance of Basidiomycota and Batch 2 harbored a high abundance of Ascomycota. Moreover, the two batches harbored completely different fungal compositions and core fungal genera. FUNGuild (Fungal Functional Guild) analysis revealed that most of the fungal species present in the GIT are saprotroph, plant pathogen, and animal endosymbiont. Our study is the first to report that even under the same condition, large variations in fungal composition in the host GIT still occur from batch-to-batch and sampling time. The implications of our observations serve as references to the development of better models of the human gut.}, }
@article {pmid36419378, year = {2023}, author = {Lin, YT and Xu, T and Ip, JC and Sun, Y and Fang, L and Luan, T and Zhang, Y and Qian, PY and Qiu, JW}, title = {Interactions among deep-sea mussels and their epibiotic and endosymbiotic chemoautotrophic bacteria: Insights from multi-omics analysis.}, journal = {Zoological research}, volume = {44}, number = {1}, pages = {106-125}, pmid = {36419378}, issn = {2095-8137}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ecosystem ; *Bivalvia/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Carbon/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiosis with Gammaproteobacteria is fundamental for the success of bathymodioline mussels in deep-sea chemosynthesis-based ecosystems. However, the recent discovery of Campylobacteria on the gill surfaces of these mussels suggests that these host-bacterial relationships may be more complex than previously thought. Using the cold-seep mussel (Gigantidas haimaensis) as a model, we explored this host-bacterial system by assembling the host transcriptome and genomes of its epibiotic Campylobacteria and endosymbiotic Gammaproteobacteria and quantifying their gene and protein expression levels. We found that the epibiont applies a sulfur oxidizing (SOX) multienzyme complex with the acquisition of soxB from Gammaproteobacteria for energy production and switched from a reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle to a Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle for carbon assimilation. The host provides metabolic intermediates, inorganic carbon, and thiosulfate to satisfy the materials and energy requirements of the epibiont, but whether the epibiont benefits the host is unclear. The endosymbiont adopts methane oxidation and the ribulose monophosphate pathway (RuMP) for energy production, providing the major source of energy for itself and the host. The host obtains most of its nutrients, such as lysine, glutamine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine, and folate, from the endosymbiont. In addition, host pattern recognition receptors, including toll-like receptors, peptidoglycan recognition proteins, and C-type lectins, may participate in bacterial infection, maintenance, and population regulation. Overall, this study provides insights into the complex host-bacterial relationships that have enabled mussels and bacteria to thrive in deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid36417831, year = {2022}, author = {Power, RI and Šlapeta, J}, title = {Exploration of the sensitivity to macrocyclic lactones in the canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) in Australia using phenotypic and genotypic approaches.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology. Drugs and drug resistance}, volume = {20}, number = {}, pages = {145-158}, pmid = {36417831}, issn = {2211-3207}, mesh = {Dogs ; Animals ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics ; *Dirofilariasis/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Lactones/pharmacology ; *Dog Diseases/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Microfilariae/genetics ; }, abstract = {Canine heartworm disease is a potentially deadly cardiopulmonary disease caused by the mosquito-borne filarial nematode Dirofilaria immitis. In Australia, the administration of macrocyclic lactone (ML) drugs has successfully reduced the prevalence of D. immitis infection. However, the recent re-emergence of D. immitis in dogs in Queensland, Australia and the identification of ML-resistant isolates in the USA poses an important question of whether ML-resistance has emerged in this parasite in Australia. The aim of this study was to utilise phenotypic and genotypic approaches to examine the sensitivity to ML drugs in D. immitis in Australia. To do this, we surveyed 45 dogs from Queensland and New South Wales across 3 years (2019-2022) for the presence of D. immitis infection using an antigen test, quantitative Modified Knott's test, and qPCR targeting both D. immitis and the D. immitis symbiont Wolbachia. A phenotype observed by utilising sequential quantification of microfilariae for 23/45 dogs was coupled with genetic testing of filtered microfilariae for SNPs previously associated with ML-resistance in isolates from the USA. Sixteen (16/45) dogs tested positive for D. immitis infection despite reportedly receiving 'rigorous' heartworm prevention for 12 months prior to the study, according to the owners' assessment. The phenotype and genotypic assays in this study did not unequivocally demonstrate the presence of ML-resistant D. immitis in Australia. Although the failure of 16 dogs to reduce microfilaremia by >90% after ML treatment was considered a suspect phenotype of ML-resistance, no genotypic evidence was discovered using the genetic SNP analysis. The traditional quantitative Modified Knott's test can be substituted by qPCR targeting D. immitis or associated Wolbachia endosymbiont DNA for a more rapid measurement of microfilariae levels. More definitive phenotypic evidence of resistance is critically needed before the usefulness of SNPs for the detection of ML-resistance in Australia can be properly assessed.}, }
@article {pmid36412071, year = {2023}, author = {Shimpi, GG and Bentlage, B}, title = {Ancient endosymbiont-mediated transmission of a selfish gene provides a model for overcoming barriers to gene transfer into animal mitochondrial genomes.}, journal = {BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology}, volume = {45}, number = {2}, pages = {e2200190}, doi = {10.1002/bies.202200190}, pmid = {36412071}, issn = {1521-1878}, mesh = {Animals ; *Genome, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal/genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Mitochondria/genetics ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Evolution, Molecular ; }, abstract = {In contrast to bilaterian animals, non-bilaterian mitochondrial genomes contain atypical genes, often attributed to horizontal gene transfer (HGT) as an ad hoc explanation. Although prevalent in plants, HGT into animal mitochondrial genomes is rare, lacking suitable explanatory models for their occurrence. HGT of the mismatch DNA repair gene (mtMutS) from giant viruses to octocoral (soft corals and their kin) mitochondrial genomes provides a model for how barriers to HGT to animal mitochondria may be overcome. A review of the available literature suggests that this HGT was mediated by an alveolate endosymbiont infected with a lysogenic phycodnavirus that enabled insertion of the homing endonuclease containing mtMutS into octocoral mitochondrial genomes. We posit that homing endonuclease domains and similar selfish elements play a crucial role in such inter-domain gene transfers. Understanding the role of selfish genetic elements in HGT has the potential to aid development of tools for manipulating animal mitochondrial DNA.}, }
@article {pmid36407602, year = {2022}, author = {An, Y and Wang, Y and Wang, X and Xiao, J}, title = {Development of chloroplast transformation and gene expression regulation technology in land plants.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1037038}, pmid = {36407602}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Chloroplasts in land plants have their own small circular DNA that is presumed to have originated from cyanobacteria-related endosymbionts, and the chloroplast genome is an attractive target to improve photosynthetic ability and crop yield. However, to date, most transgenic or genetic engineering technologies for plants are restricted to manipulations of the nuclear genome. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of chloroplast genetic engineering and regulation of gene expression from the perspective of history and biology, focusing on current and latest methods. In addition, we suggest techniques that may regulate the chloroplast gene expression at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level.}, }
@article {pmid36404929, year = {2022}, author = {Yorimoto, S and Hattori, M and Kondo, M and Shigenobu, S}, title = {Complex host/symbiont integration of a multi-partner symbiotic system in the eusocial aphid Ceratovacuna japonica.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {25}, number = {12}, pages = {105478}, pmid = {36404929}, issn = {2589-0042}, abstract = {Some hemipteran insects rely on multiple endosymbionts for essential nutrients. However, the evolution of multi-partner symbiotic systems is not well-established. Here, we report a co-obligate symbiosis in the eusocial aphid, Ceratovacuna japonica. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing unveiled co-infection with a novel Arsenophonus sp. symbiont and Buchnera aphidicola, a common obligate endosymbiont in aphids. Both symbionts were housed within distinct bacteriocytes and were maternally transmitted. The Buchnera and Arsenophonus symbionts had streamlined genomes of 432,286 bp and 853,149 bp, respectively, and exhibited metabolic complementarity in riboflavin and peptidoglycan synthesis pathways. These anatomical and genomic properties were similar to those of independently evolved multi-partner symbiotic systems, such as Buchnera-Serratia in Lachninae and Periphyllus aphids, representing remarkable parallelism. Furthermore, symbiont populations and bacteriome morphology differed between reproductive and soldier castes. Our study provides the first example of co-obligate symbiosis in Hormaphidinae and gives insight into the evolutionary genetics of this complex system.}, }
@article {pmid36389419, year = {2022}, author = {Wang, P and Ding, L and Li, F and Liao, J and Wang, M}, title = {Herbivore camping reshapes the taxonomy, function and network of pasture soil microbial communities.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {e14314}, pmid = {36389419}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Animals ; Soil/chemistry ; Herbivory ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *Mycobiome ; Bacteria/genetics ; }, abstract = {Although the effects of herbivore camping on soil physicochemical properties have been studied, whether the effects alter the soil microbial communities (e.g., composition, functions, taxonomic and functional diversities, network) remain unknown, especially below the surface. Here, using paired subsoil samples from half month-camping and non-camping, we showed for the first time that camping significantly changed the relative abundance of 21 bacterial phylotypes and five fungal phylotypes. Specifically, we observed significant increases in the relative abundance of putative chitinase and terpenes vanillin-decomposition genes, nitrite reduction function (nirB, nasA), decreases in the relative abundance of putative carbon fixation genes (ackA, PGK, and Pak), starch-decomposition gene (dexB), gene coding nitrogenase (anfG), and tetracycline resistance gene (tetB) for bacterial communities, and significant decreases in the relative abundance of animal endosymbiont and increases in the relative abundance of litter saprotroph and endophyte for fungal communities. However, camping did not significantly impact the taxonomic and functional diversity. The niche restriction was the main driving force of bacterial and fungal community assembly. Compared to no camping, camping increased the stability of bacterial networks but decreased the stability of fungal networks. Camping exerted a positive effect on the network by compressing the niche width and reduced the change in the network by reducing the niche overlap. Our results suggest that camping restructures the soil microbial composition, function, and network, and provides a novel insight into the effect of animal camping on soil microbial communities in grassland.}, }
@article {pmid36361939, year = {2022}, author = {Alves, R and Pazos-Gil, M and Medina-Carbonero, M and Sanz-Alcázar, A and Delaspre, F and Tamarit, J}, title = {Evolution of an Iron-Detoxifying Protein: Eukaryotic and Rickettsia Frataxins Contain a Conserved Site Which Is Not Present in Their Bacterial Homologues.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {23}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {36361939}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {PID2020-118296RB-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci&#xf3;n (Spain)/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Bacterial Proteins/chemistry/metabolism ; Escherichia coli/metabolism ; Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics ; Eukaryota/metabolism ; Friedreich Ataxia/genetics/metabolism ; Iron/metabolism ; *Iron-Binding Proteins/chemistry/metabolism ; *Neurodegenerative Diseases ; *Rickettsia/metabolism ; Tyrosine/metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism/microbiology ; Frataxin ; }, abstract = {Friedreich's ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the frataxin gene. Frataxin homologues, including bacterial CyaY proteins, can be found in most species and play a fundamental role in mitochondrial iron homeostasis, either promoting iron assembly into metaloproteins or contributing to iron detoxification. While several lines of evidence suggest that eukaryotic frataxins are more effective than bacterial ones in iron detoxification, the residues involved in this gain of function are unknown. In this work, we analyze conservation of amino acid sequence and protein structure among frataxins and CyaY proteins to identify four highly conserved residue clusters and group them into potential functional clusters. Clusters 1, 2, and 4 are present in eukaryotic frataxins and bacterial CyaY proteins. Cluster 3, containing two serines, a tyrosine, and a glutamate, is only present in eukaryotic frataxins and on CyaY proteins from the Rickettsia genus. Residues from cluster 3 are blocking a small cavity of about 40 Å present in E. coli's CyaY. The function of this cluster is unknown, but we hypothesize that its tyrosine may contribute to prevent formation of reactive oxygen species during iron detoxification. This cluster provides an example of gain of function during evolution in a protein involved in iron homeostasis, as our results suggests that Cluster 3 was present in the endosymbiont ancestor of mitochondria and was conserved in eukaryotic frataxins.}, }
@article {pmid36360278, year = {2022}, author = {Montes-Rodríguez, IM and Cadilla, CL and López-Garriga, J and González-Méndez, R}, title = {Bioinformatic Characterization and Molecular Evolution of the Lucina pectinata Hemoglobins.}, journal = {Genes}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {36360278}, issn = {2073-4425}, support = {U54 MD007600/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States ; P41 RR006009/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; R25 GM088023/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P20 GM103475/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T36 GM008789/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Computational Biology ; Phylogeny ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Hemoglobins/genetics/metabolism ; *Bivalvia/genetics/metabolism ; Evolution, Molecular ; Sulfides ; Oxygen/metabolism ; }, abstract = {(1) Introduction: Lucina pectinata is a clam found in sulfide-rich mud environments that has three hemoglobins believed to be responsible for the transport of hydrogen sulfide (HbILp) and oxygen (HbIILp and HbIIILp) to chemoautotrophic endosymbionts. The physiological roles and evolution of these globins in sulfide-rich environments are not well understood. (2) Methods: We performed bioinformatic and phylogenetic analyses with 32 homologous mollusk globin sequences. Phylogenetics suggests a first gene duplication resulting in sulfide binding and oxygen binding genes. A more recent gene duplication gave rise to the two oxygen-binding hemoglobins. Multidimensional scaling analysis of the sequence space shows evolutionary drift of HbIILp and HbIIILp, while HbILp was closer to the Calyptogena hemoglobins. Further corroboration is seen by conservation in the coding region of hemoglobins from L. pectinata compared to those from Calyptogena. (3) Conclusions: Presence of glutamine in position E7 in organisms living in sulfide-rich environments can be considered an adaptation to prevent loss of protein function. In HbILp a substitution of phenylalanine in position B10 is accountable for its unique reactivity towards H2S. It appears that HbILp has been changing over time, apparently not subject to functional constraints of binding oxygen, and acquired a unique function for a specialized environment.}, }
@article {pmid36355038, year = {2022}, author = {Raval, PK and Garg, SG and Gould, SB}, title = {Endosymbiotic selective pressure at the origin of eukaryotic cell biology.}, journal = {eLife}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {36355038}, issn = {2050-084X}, mesh = {*Eukaryotic Cells/physiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Biological Evolution ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Archaea/genetics ; Cell Nucleus ; Meiosis ; Biology ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The dichotomy that separates prokaryotic from eukaryotic cells runs deep. The transition from pro- to eukaryote evolution is poorly understood due to a lack of reliable intermediate forms and definitions regarding the nature of the first host that could no longer be considered a prokaryote, the first eukaryotic common ancestor, FECA. The last eukaryotic common ancestor, LECA, was a complex cell that united all traits characterising eukaryotic biology including a mitochondrion. The role of the endosymbiotic organelle in this radical transition towards complex life forms is, however, sometimes questioned. In particular the discovery of the asgard archaea has stimulated discussions regarding the pre-endosymbiotic complexity of FECA. Here we review differences and similarities among models that view eukaryotic traits as isolated coincidental events in asgard archaeal evolution or, on the contrary, as a result of and in response to endosymbiosis. Inspecting eukaryotic traits from the perspective of the endosymbiont uncovers that eukaryotic cell biology can be explained as having evolved as a solution to housing a semi-autonomous organelle and why the addition of another endosymbiont, the plastid, added no extra compartments. Mitochondria provided the selective pressures for the origin (and continued maintenance) of eukaryotic cell complexity. Moreover, they also provided the energetic benefit throughout eukaryogenesis for evolving thousands of gene families unique to eukaryotes. Hence, a synthesis of the current data lets us conclude that traits such as the Golgi apparatus, the nucleus, autophagosomes, and meiosis and sex evolved as a response to the selective pressures an endosymbiont imposes.}, }
@article {pmid36354861, year = {2022}, author = {Ali, S and Sajjad, A and Shakeel, Q and Farooqi, MA and Aqueel, MA and Tariq, K and Ullah, MI and Iqbal, A and Jamal, A and Saeed, MF and Manachini, B}, title = {Influence of Bacterial Secondary Symbionts in Sitobion avenae on Its Survival Fitness against Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {36354861}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {35-161, PRJ-0510//University of Palermo/ ; }, abstract = {The research was focused on the ability of wheat aphids Sitobion avenae, harboring bacterial secondary symbionts (BSS) Hamiltonella defensa or Regiella insecticola, to withstand exposure to fungal isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum. In comparison to aphids lacking bacterial secondary symbionts, BSS considerably increased the lifespan of wheat aphids exposed to B. bassiana strains (Bb1022, EABb04/01-Tip) and M. brunneum strains (ART 2825 and BIPESCO 5) and also reduced the aphids' mortality. The wheat aphid clones lacking bacterial secondary symbionts were shown to be particularly vulnerable to M. brunneum strain BIPESCO 5. As opposed to wheat aphids carrying bacterial symbionts, fungal pathogens infected the wheat aphids lacking H. defensa and R. insecticola more quickly. When treated with fungal pathogens, bacterial endosymbionts had a favorable effect on the fecundity of their host aphids compared to the aphids lacking these symbionts, but there was no change in fungal sporulation on the deceased aphids. By defending their insect hosts against natural enemies, BSS increase the population of their host society and may have a significant impact on the development of their hosts.}, }
@article {pmid36352292, year = {2023}, author = {Xing, R and Zhang, HC and Gao, QB and Zhang, FQ and Chi, XF and Chen, SL}, title = {Bacterial communities associated with mushrooms in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are shaped by soil parameters.}, journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology}, volume = {26}, number = {2}, pages = {231-242}, pmid = {36352292}, issn = {1618-1905}, support = {(LHZX-2020-02-01//The Sanjiangyuan National Park Joint Program/ ; QHTX- 2020- 004//Special fund for Qilian Mountain National Park/ ; XDA2005010406//Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; 2022-ZJ-Y04//Construction Project for Innovation Platform of Qinghai province/ ; }, mesh = {Tibet ; Soil ; *Agaricales/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Soil Microbiology ; }, abstract = {Fungi capable of producing fruit bodies are essential food and medicine resources. Despite recent advances in the study of microbial communities in mycorrhizospheres, little is known about the bacterial communities contained in fruit bodies. Using high-throughput sequencing, we investigated the bacterial communities in four species of mushrooms located on the alpine meadow and saline-alkali soil of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). Proteobacteria (51.7% on average) and Actinobacteria (28.2% on average) were the dominant phyla in all of the sampled fairy ring fruit bodies, and Acidobacteria (27.5% on average) and Proteobacteria (25.7% on average) dominated their adjacent soils. For the Agria. Bitorquis, Actinobacteria was the dominant phylum in its fruit body (67.5% on average) and adjacent soils (65.9% on average). The alpha diversity (i.e., Chao1, Shannon, Richness, and Simpson indexes) of the bacterial communities in the fruit bodies were significantly lower than those in the soil samples. All of the fungi shared more than half of their bacterial phyla and 16.2% of their total operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with their adjacent soil. Moreover, NH4[+] and pH were the key factors associated with bacterial communities in the fruit bodies and soils, respectively. These results indicate that the fungi tend to create a unique niche that selects for specific members of the bacterial community. Using culture-dependent methods, we also isolated 27 bacterial species belonging to three phyla and five classes from fruit bodies and soils. The strains isolated will be useful for future research on interactions between mushroom-forming fungi and their bacterial endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid36339946, year = {2022}, author = {Compton, A and Tu, Z}, title = {Natural and Engineered Sex Ratio Distortion in Insects.}, journal = {Frontiers in ecology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {36339946}, issn = {2296-701X}, support = {R01 AI121284/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI123338/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI157491/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI154871/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Insects have evolved highly diverse genetic sex-determination mechanisms and a relatively balanced male to female sex ratio is generally expected. However, selection may shift the optimal sex ratio while meiotic drive and endosymbiont manipulation can result in sex ratio distortion (SRD). Recent advances in sex chromosome genomics and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing brought significant insights into the molecular regulators of sex determination in an increasing number of insects and provided new ways to engineer SRD. We review these advances and discuss both naturally occurring and engineered SRD in the context of the Anthropocene. We emphasize SRD-mediated biological control of insects to help improve One Health, sustain agriculture, and conserve endangered species.}, }
@article {pmid36336686, year = {2022}, author = {McIlroy, SE and terHorst, CP and Teece, M and Coffroth, MA}, title = {Nutrient dynamics in coral symbiosis depend on both the relative and absolute abundance of Symbiodiniaceae species.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {192}, pmid = {36336686}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; Symbiosis/physiology ; *Dinoflagellida/physiology ; Nitrogen ; Carbon ; Nutrients ; Coral Reefs ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Symbionts provide a variety of reproductive, nutritional, and defensive resources to their hosts, but those resources can vary depending on symbiont community composition. As genetic techniques open our eyes to the breadth of symbiont diversity within myriad microbiomes, symbiosis research has begun to consider what ecological mechanisms affect the identity and relative abundance of symbiont species and how this community structure impacts resource exchange among partners. Here, we manipulated the in hospite density and relative ratio of two species of coral endosymbionts (Symbiodinium microadriaticum and Breviolum minutum) and used stable isotope enrichment to trace nutrient exchange with the host, Briareum asbestinum.<br><br>RESULTS: The patterns of uptake and translocation of carbon and nitrogen varied with both density and ratio of symbionts. Once a density threshold was reached, carbon acquisition decreased with increasing proportions of S. microadriaticum. In hosts dominated by B. minutum, nitrogen uptake was density independent and intermediate. Conversely, for those corals dominated by S. microadriaticum, nitrogen uptake decreased as densities increased, and as a result, these hosts had the overall highest (at low density) and lowest (at high density) nitrogen enrichment.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the uptake and sharing of nutrients was strongly dependent on both the density of symbionts within the host, as well as which symbiont species was dominant. Together, these complex interactive effects suggest that host regulation and the repression of in hospite symbiont competition can ultimately lead to a more productive mutualism. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid36330308, year = {2022}, author = {Beekman, MM and Donner, SH and Litjens, JJH and Dicke, M and Zwaan, BJ and Verhulst, EC and Pannebakker, BA}, title = {Do aphids in Dutch sweet pepper greenhouses carry heritable elements that protect them against biocontrol parasitoids?.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {1580-1593}, pmid = {36330308}, issn = {1752-4571}, abstract = {Biological control (biocontrol) of crop pests is a sustainable alternative to the use of biodiversity and organismal health-harming chemical pesticides. Aphids can be biologically controlled with parasitoid wasps; however, variable results of parasitoid-based aphid biocontrol in greenhouses are reported. Aphids may display genetically encoded (endogenous) defences that increase aphid resistance against parasitoids as under high parasitoid pressure there will be selection for parasitoid-resistant aphids, potentially affecting the success of parasitoid-based aphid biocontrol in greenhouses. Additionally, aphids may carry secondary bacterial endosymbionts that protect them against parasitoids. We studied whether there is variation in either of these heritable elements in aphids in greenhouses of sweet pepper, an agro-economically important crop in the Netherlands that is prone to aphid pests and where pest management heavily relies on biocontrol. We sampled aphid populations in organic (biocontrol only) and conventional (biocontrol and pesticides) sweet pepper greenhouses in the Netherlands during the 2019 crop growth season. We assessed the aphid microbiome through both diagnostic PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing and did not detect any secondary endosymbionts in the two most encountered aphid species, Myzus persicae and Aulacorthum solani. We also compared multiple aphid lines collected from different greenhouses for variation in levels of endogenous-based resistance against the parasitoids commonly used as biocontrol agents. We found no differences in the levels of endogenous-based resistance between different aphid lines. This study does not support the hypothesis that protective endosymbionts or the presence of endogenous resistant aphid lines affects the success of parasitoid-based biocontrol of aphids in Dutch greenhouses. Future investigations will need to address what is causing the variable successes of aphid biocontrol and what (biological and management-related) lessons can be learned for aphid control in other crops, and biocontrol in general.}, }
@article {pmid36321837, year = {2022}, author = {McGlynn, SE and Perkins, G and Sim, MS and Mackey, M and Deerinck, TJ and Thor, A and Phan, S and Ballard, D and Ellisman, MH and Orphan, VJ}, title = {A Cristae-Like Microcompartment in Desulfobacterota.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {13}, number = {6}, pages = {e0161322}, pmid = {36321837}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {P41 GM103412/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anaerobiosis ; *Bacteria/metabolism ; *Archaea/metabolism ; Methane/metabolism ; Sulfates/metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Geologic Sediments/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Some Alphaproteobacteria contain intracytoplasmic membranes (ICMs) and proteins homologous to those responsible for the mitochondrial cristae, an observation which has given rise to the hypothesis that the Alphaproteobacteria endosymbiont had already evolved cristae-like structures and functions. However, our knowledge of microbial fine structure is still limited, leaving open the possibility of structurally homologous ICMs outside the Alphaproteobacteria. Here, we report on the detailed characterization of lamellar cristae-like ICMs in environmental sulfate-reducing Desulfobacterota that form syntrophic partnerships with anaerobic methane-oxidizing (ANME) archaea. These structures are junction-bound to the cytoplasmic membrane and resemble the form seen in the lamellar cristae of opisthokont mitochondria. Extending these observations, we also characterized similar structures in Desulfovibrio carbinolicus, a close relative of the magnetotactic D. magneticus, which does not contain magnetosomes. Despite a remarkable structural similarity, the key proteins involved in cristae formation have not yet been identified in Desulfobacterota, suggesting that an analogous, but not a homologous, protein organization system developed during the evolution of some members of Desulfobacterota. IMPORTANCE Working with anaerobic consortia of methane oxidizing ANME archaea and their sulfate-reducing bacterial partners recovered from deep sea sediments and with the related sulfate-reducing bacterial isolate D. carbinolicus, we discovered that their intracytoplasmic membranes (ICMs) appear remarkably similar to lamellar cristae. Three-dimensional electron microscopy allowed for the novel analysis of the nanoscale attachment of ICMs to the cytoplasmic membrane, and these ICMs are structurally nearly identical to the crista junction architecture seen in metazoan mitochondria. However, the core junction-forming proteins must be different. The outer membrane vesicles were observed to bud from syntrophic Desulfobacterota, and darkly stained granules were prominent in both Desulfobacterota and D. carbinolicus. These findings expand the taxonomic breadth of ICM-producing microorganisms and add to our understanding of three-dimensional microbial fine structure in environmental microorganisms.}, }
@article {pmid36319835, year = {2022}, author = {Moffat, JJ and Coffroth, MA and Wallingford, PD and terHorst, CP}, title = {Symbiont genotype influences holobiont response to increased temperature.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {18394}, pmid = {36319835}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {OCE-1559286//National Science Foundation/ ; OCE-1559105//National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Temperature ; Coral Reefs ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; *Dinoflagellida/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Genotype ; }, abstract = {As coral reefs face warming oceans and increased coral bleaching, a whitening of the coral due to loss of microalgal endosymbionts, the possibility of evolutionary rescue offers some hope for reef persistence. In tightly linked mutualisms, evolutionary rescue may occur through evolution of the host and/or endosymbionts. Many obligate mutualisms are composed of relatively small, fast-growing symbionts with greater potential to evolve on ecologically relevant time scales than their relatively large, slower growing hosts. Numerous jellyfish species harbor closely related endosymbiont taxa to other cnidarian species such as coral, and are commonly used as a model system for investigating cnidarian mutualisms. We examined the potential for adaptation of the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana to increased temperature via evolution of its microalgal endosymbiont, Symbiodinium microadriaticum. We quantified trait variation among five algal genotypes in response to three temperatures (26 °C, 30 °C, and 32 °C) and fitness of hosts infected with each genotype. All genotypes showed positive growth rates at each temperature, but rates of respiration and photosynthesis decreased with increased temperature. Responses varied among genotypes but were unrelated to genetic similarity. The effect of temperature on asexual reproduction and the timing of development in the host also depended on the genotype of the symbiont. Natural selection could favor different algal genotypes at different temperatures, affecting host fitness. This eco-evolutionary interaction may be a critical component of understanding species resilience in increasingly stressful environments.}, }
@article {pmid36315059, year = {2023}, author = {Shantz, AA and Ladd, MC and Ezzat, L and Schmitt, RJ and Holbrook, SJ and Schmeltzer, E and Vega Thurber, R and Burkepile, DE}, title = {Positive interactions between corals and damselfish increase coral resistance to temperature stress.}, journal = {Global change biology}, volume = {29}, number = {2}, pages = {417-431}, doi = {10.1111/gcb.16480}, pmid = {36315059}, issn = {1365-2486}, support = {1547952//Division of Ocean Sciences/ ; 1637396//Division of Ocean Sciences/ ; //Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; Coral Reefs ; Symbiosis ; Temperature ; Climate Change ; Fishes ; *Perciformes ; }, abstract = {By the century's end, many tropical seas will reach temperatures exceeding most coral species' thermal tolerance on an annual basis. The persistence of corals in these regions will, therefore, depend on their abilities to tolerate recurrent thermal stress. Although ecologists have long recognized that positive interspecific interactions can ameliorate environmental stress to expand the realized niche of plants and animals, coral bleaching studies have largely overlooked how interactions with community members outside of the coral holobiont shape the bleaching response. Here, we subjected a common coral, Pocillopora grandis, to 10 days of thermal stress in aquaria with and without the damselfish Dascyllus flavicaudus (yellowtail dascyllus), which commonly shelter within these corals, to examine how interactions with damselfish impacted coral thermal tolerance. Corals often benefit from nutrients excreted by animals they interact with and prior to thermal stress, corals grown with damselfish showed improved photophysiology (Fv /Fm) and developed larger endosymbiont populations. When exposed to thermal stress, corals with fish performed as well as control corals maintained at ambient temperatures without fish. In contrast, corals exposed to thermal stress without fish experienced photophysiological impairment, a more than 50% decline in endosymbiont density, and a 36% decrease in tissue protein content. At the end of the experiment, thermal stress caused average calcification rates to decrease by over 80% when damselfish were absent but increase nearly 25% when damselfish were present. Our study indicates that damselfish-derived nutrients can increase coral thermal tolerance and are consistent with the Stress Gradient Hypothesis, which predicts that positive interactions become increasingly important for structuring communities as environmental stress increases. Because warming of just a few degrees can exceed corals' temperature tolerance to trigger bleaching and mortality, positive interactions could play a critical role in maintaining some coral species in warming regions until climate change is aggressively addressed.}, }
@article {pmid36314939, year = {2022}, author = {Palmieri, L and Pavarini, R and Sharma, PP}, title = {Draft Genome Sequence of "Candidatus Nardonella dryophthoridicola" Strain NARMHE1, Endosymbiont of Metamasius hemipterus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Dryophthorinae).}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {e0073822}, pmid = {36314939}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {IOS-2016141//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; }, abstract = {Here, we report the draft genome and annotation of "Candidatus Nardonella dryophthoridicola" strain NARMHE1, obtained via Oxford Nanopore sequencing of the ovaries of its host, the weevil Metamasius hemipterus, from a population from southeast Brazil.}, }
@article {pmid36311398, year = {2022}, author = {Park, E and Poulin, R}, title = {Extremely divergent COI sequences within an amphipod species complex: A possible role for endosymbionts?.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {10}, pages = {e9448}, pmid = {36311398}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Some heritable endosymbionts can affect host mtDNA evolution in various ways. Amphipods host diverse endosymbionts, but whether their mtDNA has been influenced by these endosymbionts has yet to be considered. Here, we investigated the role of endosymbionts (microsporidians and Rickettsia) in explaining highly divergent COI sequences in Paracalliope fluviatilis species complex, the most common freshwater amphipods in New Zealand. We first contrasted phylogeographic patterns using COI, ITS, and 28S sequences. While molecular species delimitation methods based on 28S sequences supported 3-4 potential species (N, C, SA, and SB) among freshwater lineages, COI sequences supported 17-27 putative species reflecting high inter-population divergence. The deep divergence between NC and S lineages (~20%; 28S) and the substitution saturation on the 3rd codon position of COI detected even within one lineage (SA) indicate a very high level of morphological stasis. Interestingly, individuals infected and uninfected by Rickettsia comprised divergent COI lineages in one of four populations tested, suggesting a potential influence of endosymbionts in mtDNA patterns. We propose several plausible explanations for divergent COI lineages, although they would need further testing with multiple lines of evidence. Lastly, due to common morphological stasis and the presence of endosymbionts, phylogeographic patterns of amphipods based on mtDNA should be interpreted with caution.}, }
@article {pmid36302793, year = {2022}, author = {Spanner, C and Darienko, T and Filker, S and Sonntag, B and Pröschold, T}, title = {Morphological diversity and molecular phylogeny of five Paramecium bursaria (Alveolata, Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea) syngens and the identification of their green algal endosymbionts.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {18089}, pmid = {36302793}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {P 28333/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P28333-B25//Austrian Science Fund/ ; }, mesh = {*Paramecium/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Oligohymenophorea ; *Alveolata ; *Chlorella vulgaris ; *Ciliophora ; *Chlorophyta/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Paramecium bursaria is a mixotrophic ciliate species, which is common in stagnant and slow-flowing, nutrient-rich waters. It is usually found living in symbiosis with zoochlorellae (green algae) of the genera Chlorella or Micractinium. We investigated P. bursaria isolates from around the world, some of which have already been extensively studied in various laboratories, but whose morphological and genetic identity has not yet been completely clarified. Phylogenetic analyses of the SSU and ITS rDNA sequences revealed five highly supported lineages, which corresponded to the syngen and most likely to the biological species assignment. These syngens R1-R5 could also be distinguished by unique synapomorphies in the secondary structures of the SSU and the ITS. Considering these synapomorphies, we could clearly assign the existing GenBank entries of P. bursaria to specific syngens. In addition, we discovered synapomorphies at amino acids of the COI gene for the identification of the syngens. Using the metadata of these entries, most syngens showed a worldwide distribution, however, the syngens R1 and R5 were only found in Europe. From morphology, the syngens did not show any significant deviations. The investigated strains had either Chlorella variabilis, Chlorella vulgaris or Micractinium conductrix as endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid36301108, year = {2022}, author = {Halter, T and Hendrickx, F and Horn, M and Manzano-Marín, A}, title = {A Novel Widespread MITE Element in the Repeat-Rich Genome of the Cardinium Endosymbiont of the Spider Oedothorax gibbosus.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {e0262722}, pmid = {36301108}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {DOC 69/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *DNA Transposable Elements ; *Spiders/genetics ; Bacteroidetes/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Genomics ; Symbiosis/physiology ; }, abstract = {Free-living bacteria have evolved multiple times to become host-restricted endosymbionts. The transition from a free-living to a host-restricted lifestyle comes with a number of different genomic changes, including a massive loss of genes. In host-restricted endosymbionts, gene inactivation and genome reduction are facilitated by mobile genetic elements, mainly insertion sequences (ISs). ISs are small autonomous mobile elements, and one of, if not the most, abundant transposable elements in bacteria. Proliferation of ISs is common in some facultative endosymbionts, and is likely driven by the transmission bottlenecks, which increase the level of genetic drift. In this study, we present a manually curated genome annotation for a Cardinium endosymbiont of the dwarf spider Oedothorax gibbosus. Cardinium species are host-restricted endosymbionts that, similarly to ColbachiaWolbachia spp., include strains capable of manipulating host reproduction. Through the focus on mobile elements, the annotation revealed a rampant spread of ISs, extending earlier observations in other Cardinium genomes. We found that a large proportion of IS elements are pseudogenized, with many displaying evidence of recent inactivation. Most notably, we describe the lineage-specific emergence and spread of a novel IS-derived Miniature Inverted repeat Transposable Element (MITE), likely being actively maintained by intact copies of its parental IS982-family element. This study highlights the relevance of manual curation of these repeat-rich endosymbiont genomes for the discovery of novel MITEs, as well as the possible role these understudied elements might play in genome streamlining. IMPORTANCE Cardinium bacteria, a widespread symbiont lineage found across insects and nematodes, have been linked to reproductive manipulation of their hosts. However, the study of Cardinium has been hampered by the lack of comprehensive genomic resources. The high content of mobile genetic elements, namely, insertion sequences (ISs), has long complicated the analyses and proper annotations of these genomes. In this study, we present a manually curated annotation of the Cardinium symbiont of the spider Oedothorax gibbosus. Most notably, we describe a novel IS-like element found exclusively in this strain. We show that this mobile element likely evolved from a defective copy of its parental IS and then spread throughout the genome, contributing to the pseudogenization of several other mobile elements. We propose this element is likely being maintained by the intact copies of its parental IS element and that other similar elements in the genome could potentially follow this route.}, }
@article {pmid36299729, year = {2022}, author = {Lima, MS and Hamerski, L and Silva, TA and da Cruz, MLR and Varasteh, T and Tschoeke, DA and Atella, GC and de Souza, W and Thompson, FL and Thompson, CC}, title = {Insights on the biochemical and cellular changes induced by heat stress in the Cladocopium isolated from coral Mussismilia braziliensis.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {973980}, pmid = {36299729}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Corals are treatened by global warming. Bleaching is one immediate effect of global warming, resulting from the loss of photosynthetic endosymbiont dinoflagellates. Understanding host-symbiont associations are critical for assessing coral's habitat requirements and its response to environmental changes. Cladocopium (formerly family Symbiodiniaceae clade C) are dominant endosymbionts in the reef-building coral, Mussismilia braziliensis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of temperature on the biochemical and cellular features of Cladocopium. Heat stress increased oxygen (O2) and decreased proteins, pigments (Chla + Chlc2), hexadecanoic acid- methyl ester, methyl stearate, and octadecenoic acid (Z)- methyl ester molecules. In addition, there was an increase in neutral lipids such as esterified cholesterol and a decrease in free fatty acids that may have been incorporated for the production of lipid droplets. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated that Cladocopium cells subjected to heat stress had thinner cell walls, deformation of chloroplasts, and increased lipid droplets after 3 days at 28°C. These findings indicate that thermal stress negatively affects isolated Cladocopium spp. from Mussismilia host coral.}, }
@article {pmid36299486, year = {2022}, author = {Hargitai, D and Kenéz, L and Al-Lami, M and Szenczi, G and Lőrincz, P and Juhász, G}, title = {Autophagy controls Wolbachia infection upon bacterial damage and in aging Drosophila.}, journal = {Frontiers in cell and developmental biology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {976882}, pmid = {36299486}, issn = {2296-634X}, abstract = {Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process in eukaryotic cells that degrades intracellular components in lysosomes, often in an organelle-specific selective manner (mitophagy, ERphagy, etc). Cells also use autophagy as a defense mechanism, eliminating intracellular pathogens via selective degradation known as xenophagy. Wolbachia pipientis is a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium, which is one of the most common parasites on Earth affecting approximately half of terrestrial arthropods. Interestingly, infection grants the host resistance against other pathogens and modulates lifespan, so this bacterium resembles an endosymbiont. Here we demonstrate that Drosophila somatic cells normally degrade a subset of these bacterial cells, and autophagy is required for selective elimination of Wolbachia upon antibiotic damage. In line with these, Wolbachia overpopulates in autophagy-compromised animals during aging while its presence fails to affect host lifespan unlike in case of control flies. The autophagic degradation of Wolbachia thus represents a novel antibacterial mechanism that controls the propagation of this unique bacterium, behaving both as parasite and endosymbiont at the same time.}, }
@article {pmid36296266, year = {2022}, author = {Díaz-Abad, L and Bacco-Mannina, N and Miguel Madeira, F and Serrao, EA and Regalla, A and Patrício, AR and Frade, PR}, title = {Red, Gold and Green: Microbial Contribution of Rhodophyta and Other Algae to Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Gut Microbiome.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {10}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {36296266}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {UIDB/04326/2020//FCT-Science and Technology Foundation of Portugal/ ; SFRH/BDP/110285/2015//FCT-Science and Technology Foundation of Portugal/ ; SFRH/BSAB/150485/2019//FCT-Science and Technology Foundation of Portugal/ ; Pew Marine Fellowship//Pew Marine Fellowship/ ; LCF/BQ/PR20/11770003//Fundaci&#xf3;n La Caixa/ ; UIDB/04292/2020//FCT-Science and Technology Foundation of Portugal/ ; UIDP/04292/2020//FCT-Science and Technology Foundation of Portugal/ ; }, abstract = {The fitness of the endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) may be strongly affected by its gut microbiome, as microbes play important roles in host nutrition and health. This study aimed at establishing environmental microbial baselines that can be used to assess turtle health under altered future conditions. We characterized the microbiome associated with the gastrointestinal tract of green turtles from Guinea Bissau in different life stages and associated with their food items, using 16S rRNA metabarcoding. We found that the most abundant (% relative abundance) bacterial phyla across the gastrointestinal sections were Proteobacteria (68.1 ± 13.9% “amplicon sequence variants”, ASVs), Bacteroidetes (15.1 ± 10.1%) and Firmicutes (14.7 ± 21.7%). Additionally, we found the presence of two red algae bacterial indicator ASVs (the Alphaproteobacteria Brucella pinnipedialis with 75 ± 0% and a Gammaproteobacteria identified as methanotrophic endosymbiont of Bathymodiolus, with <1%) in cloacal compartments, along with six bacterial ASVs shared only between cloacal and local environmental red algae samples. We corroborate previous results demonstrating that green turtles fed on red algae (but, to a lower extent, also seagrass and brown algae), thus, acquiring microbial components that potentially aid them digest these food items. This study is a foundation for better understanding the microbial composition of sea turtle digestive tracts.}, }
@article {pmid36296199, year = {2022}, author = {Mofokeng, LS and Smit, NJ and Cook, CA}, title = {Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Bacteria from Amblyomma (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks Collected from Reptiles in South Africa.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {10}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {36296199}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {120395; 120237 (CAC); 128335; 138681 (LSM)//National Research Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Reptiles are hosts for various tick species and tick-associated organisms, many of which are zoonotic. However, little is known about the presence and diversity of tick-borne bacteria infecting reptiles and their ticks in South Africa. Amblyomma ticks (n = 253) collected from reptiles were screened for the presence of Coxiella, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, and Borrelia species by amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, gltA, OmpA, and Flagellin genes, respectively. This study recorded the presence of reptile associated Borrelia species and Coxiella-like endosymbiont in South Africa for the first time. Furthermore, a spotted fever group Rickettsia species was observed in 7 Amblyomma marmoreum and 14 Amblyomma sylvaticum from tortoises of genera Kinixys and Chersina. Francisella-like endosymbiont was observed from 2 Amblyomma latum collected from the Mozambique spitting cobra, Naja mossambica. Coxiella burnetii and Anaplasma spp., were not detected from the current samples. Although the direct evidence that reptiles can act as reservoir hosts remains to be determined, observations from this study provide indications that reptilian ticks may play a role in the transmission of pathogenic bacteria to homothermic animals. Furthermore, the absence of Anaplasma spp., and C. burnetii does not mean that these pathogens should be completely neglected.}, }
@article {pmid36293276, year = {2022}, author = {Lesiak-Markowicz, I and Walochnik, J and Stary, A and Fürnkranz, U}, title = {Characterisation of Trichomonas vaginalis Isolates Collected from Patients in Vienna between 2019 and 2021.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {23}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {36293276}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {KLI 751/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Female ; Humans ; *Trichomonas vaginalis/genetics ; Metronidazole/pharmacology ; HeLa Cells ; *Trichomonas Infections ; Mycoplasma hominis/genetics ; *Totiviridae ; }, abstract = {Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, the most common nonviral sexually transmitted disease. TV can carry symbionts such as Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV) or Mycoplasma hominis. Four distinct strains of TV are known: TVV1, TVV2, TVV3, and TVV4. The aim of the current study was to characterise TV isolates from Austrian patients for the presence of symbionts, and to determine their effect on metronidazole susceptibility and cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. We collected 82 TV isolates and detected presence of TVV (TVV1, TVV2, or TVV3) in 29 of them (35%); no TVV4 was detected. M. hominis was detected in vaginal/urethral swabs by culture in 37% of the TV-positive patients; M. hominis DNA was found in 28% of the TV isolates by PCR. In 15% of the patients, M. hominis was detected in the clinical samples as well as within the respective TV isolates. In 22% of the patients, M. hominis was detected by culture only. In 11 patients, M. hominis was detected only within the respective cultured TV isolates (13%), while the swab samples were negative for M. hominis. Our results provide a first insight into the distribution of symbionts in TV isolates from Austrian patients. We did not observe significant effects of the symbionts on metronidazole susceptibility, cytotoxicity, or severity of symptoms.}, }
@article {pmid36282692, year = {2022}, author = {Haziqah-Rashid, A and Stobierska, K and Glenn, L and Metelmann, S and Sherlock, K and Chrostek, E and C Blagrove, MS}, title = {Determining Temperature Preference of Mosquitoes and Other Ectotherms.}, journal = {Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE}, volume = {}, number = {187}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3791/64356}, pmid = {36282692}, issn = {1940-087X}, support = {MC_PC_15090/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Temperature ; *Culicidae ; Aluminum ; Incubators ; Insecta ; }, abstract = {Most insects and other ectotherms have a relatively narrow optimal temperature window, and deviation from their optima can have significant effects on their fitness, as well as other characteristics. Consequently, many such ectotherms seek out their optimal temperature range. Although temperature preferences of mosquitoes and other insects have been well studied, the traditional experimental setup is performed using a temperature gradient on an aluminum surface in a highly enclosed space. In some cases, this equipment restricts many natural behaviors, such as flying, which may be important in preference selection. The objective of this study is to observe insect preference for air temperature by using a two-chamber apparatus with sufficient room for flight. The two chambers consist of independent temperature-controlled incubators, each with a large aperture. The incubators are connected by these apertures using a short acrylic bridge. Inside the incubators are two netted cages, linked via the apertures and bridge, allowing the insects to freely fly between the different conditions. The acrylic bridge also acts as a temperature gradient between the two incubators. Due to the spacious area in the cage and easy construction, this method can be used to study any small ectotherm and/or any manipulation which may alter temperature preference including sensory organ manipulation, diet, gut flora, and endosymbiont presence at biosafety levels 1 or 2 (BSL 1 or 2). Additionally, the apparatus can be used for the study of pathogen infection using further containment (e.g., inside of a biosafety cabinet) at BSL 3.}, }
@article {pmid36270115, year = {2022}, author = {Araújo, IM and Cordeiro, MD and Soares, RFP and Guterres, A and Sanavria, A and Baêta, BA and da Fonseca, AH}, title = {Survey of bacterial and protozoan agents in ticks and fleas found on wild animals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {6}, pages = {102037}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102037}, pmid = {36270115}, issn = {1877-9603}, abstract = {This study evaluates the presence of bacterial and protozoan agents in ticks and fleas found on wild animals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These ectoparasites were collected on mammal species Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Tapirus terrestris, Dicotyles tajacu, Didelphis aurita, Cuniculus paca, Cerdocyon thous, and Coendou prehensilis, and on the terrestrial bird Dromaius novaehollandiae. Ticks and fleas were identified morphologically using specific taxonomic keys. A total of 396 ticks and 54 fleas were tested via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., microorganisms of the order Piroplasmida and Anaplasmataceae family. This total is distributed among nine tick species of the genus Amblyomma and one flea species. Rickettsia bellii was detected in Amblyomma dubitatum and Amblyomma pacae; Rickettsia sp. strain AL was found in Amblyomma longirostre; Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest was found in Amblyomma ovale; and "Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis" and Rickettsia felis were detected in Ctenocephalides felis felis. Wolbachia sp. was detected in C. f. felis, and Borrelia sp. was detected in Amblyomma calcaratum (here named Borrelia sp. strain Acalc110). All tested samples were negative for Ehrlichia spp. and microorganisms of the Piroplasmida order. This study detected a new bacterial strain, Borrelia sp. strain Acalc 110 (which is genetically close to B. miyamotoi and B. venezuelensis) and the Rickettsia sp. strain 19P, which is 100% similar to "Ca. R. senegalensis", a bacterium recently discovered and now being reported for the first time in Brazil.}, }
@article {pmid36261834, year = {2022}, author = {Numan, M and Islam, N and Adnan, M and Zaman Safi, S and Chitimia-Dobler, L and Labruna, MB and Ali, A}, title = {First genetic report of Ixodes kashmiricus and associated Rickettsia sp.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {378}, pmid = {36261834}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Humans ; Male ; Female ; Animals ; Sheep/genetics ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; Goats ; DNA, Ribosomal ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Hard ticks (Ixodidae) are hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit various pathogens to a variety of hosts including humans. Transhumant herds have been involved in the spread of ticks and associated Rickettsia spp., and studies on this neglected topic have been unexplored in many regions including Pakistan. This study aimed to investigate ticks infesting transhumant herds of sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) in district Shangla, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.<br><br>METHODS: Of the 144 examined animals, 112 hosts (68 sheep and 44 goats) of transhumant herds were infested by 419 ticks of different life stages including nymphs (105; 25%), males (58; 14%) and females (256; 61%). For molecular analyses, DNA was extracted from 64 collected ticks and subjected to PCR for the amplification of tick 16S rDNA and ITS2 partial sequences and for the amplification of rickettsial gltA and ompA gene sequences.<br><br>RESULTS: All tick specimens were identified as Ixodes kashmiricus based on morphological features. The obtained 16S rDNA and ITS2 sequences showed 95.7% and 95.3% identity, respectively, with Ixodes kazakstani reported from Kyrgyzstan. In the phylogenetic tree, the sequences clustered with members of the Ixodes ricinus species complex, including I. kazakstani and Ixodes apronophorus. Additionally, rickettsial gltA and ompA partial sequences were 99.7% identical to Rickettsia sp. endosymbiont of Ixodes spp. from Panama and Costa Rica and 99.2% with Rickettsia endosymbiont from the USA. Phylogenetically, the rickettsial gltA and ompA partial sequences from I. kashmiricus clustered with various haplotypes of Rickettsia endosymbiont, which were sister cladded to Rickettsia monacensis.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This is the first genetic report of I. kashmiricus and associated Rickettsia sp. Large-scale tick surveillance studies across the country are needed to investigate Ixodes ticks and associated pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid36250862, year = {2022}, author = {Huggins, LG and Colella, V and Atapattu, U and Koehler, AV and Traub, RJ}, title = {Nanopore Sequencing Using the Full-Length 16S rRNA Gene for Detection of Blood-Borne Bacteria in Dogs Reveals a Novel Species of Hemotropic Mycoplasma.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {e0308822}, pmid = {36250862}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; Dogs ; *Dog Diseases/diagnosis/epidemiology/microbiology ; Genes, rRNA ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; *Mycoplasma/classification/genetics ; *Nanopore Sequencing ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Blood-Borne Pathogens/classification ; }, abstract = {Dogs across the globe are afflicted by diverse blood- and vector-borne bacteria (VBB), many of which cause severe disease and can be fatal. Diagnosis of VBB infections can be challenging due to the low concentration of bacteria in the blood, the frequent occurrence of coinfections, and the wide range of known, emerging, and potentially novel VBB species encounterable. Therefore, there is a need for diagnostics that address these challenges by being both sensitive and capable of detecting all VBB simultaneously. We detail the first employment of a nanopore-based sequencing methodology conducted on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinION device to accurately elucidate the "hemobacteriome" from canine blood through sequencing of the full-length 16S rRNA gene. We detected a diverse range of important canine VBB, including Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Mycoplasma haemocanis, Bartonella clarridgeiae, "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum", a novel species of hemotropic mycoplasma, and Wolbachia endosymbionts of filarial worms, indicative of filariasis. Our nanopore-based protocol was equivalent in sensitivity to both quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Illumina sequencing when benchmarked against these methods, achieving high agreement as defined by the kappa statistics (k > 0.81) for three key VBB. Utilizing the ability of the ONT' MinION device to sequence long read lengths provides an excellent alternative diagnostic method by which the hemobacteriome can be accurately characterized to the species level in a way previously unachievable using short reads. We envision our method to be translatable to multiple contexts, such as the detection of VBB in other vertebrate hosts, including humans, while the small size of the MinION device is highly amenable to field use. IMPORTANCE Blood- and vector-borne bacteria (VBB) can cause severe pathology and even be lethal for dogs in many regions across the globe. Accurate characterization of all the bacterial pathogens infecting a canine host is critical, as coinfections are common and emerging and novel pathogens that may go undetected by traditional diagnostics frequently arise. Deep sequencing using devices from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) provides a solution, as the long read lengths achievable provide species-level taxonomic identification of pathogens that previous short-read technologies could not accomplish. We developed a protocol using ONT' MinION sequencer to accurately detect and classify a wide spectrum of VBB from canine blood at a sensitivity comparable to that of regularly used diagnostics, such as qPCR. This protocol demonstrates great potential for use in biosurveillance and biosecurity operations for the detection of VBB in a range of vertebrate hosts, while the MinION sequencer's portability allows this method to be used easily in the field.}, }
@article {pmid36246278, year = {2022}, author = {Li, Z and Czajkowski, R}, title = {Editorial: Insights in microbial symbioses: 2021.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1022893}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2022.1022893}, pmid = {36246278}, issn = {1664-302X}, }
@article {pmid36246272, year = {2022}, author = {Bensig, EO and Valadez-Cano, C and Kuang, Z and Freire, IR and Reyes-Prieto, A and MacLellan, SR}, title = {The two-component regulatory system CenK-CenR regulates expression of a previously uncharacterized protein required for salinity and oxidative stress tolerance in Sinorhizobium meliloti.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {1020932}, pmid = {36246272}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Genes of unknown function constitute a considerable fraction of most bacterial genomes. In a Tn5-based search for stress response genes in the nitrogen-fixing facultative endosymbiont Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti, we identified a previously uncharacterized gene required for growth on solid media with increased NaCl concentrations. The encoded protein carries a predicted thioredoxin fold and deletion of the gene also results in increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide. We have designated the gene srlA (stress resistance locus A) based on these phenotypes. A deletion mutant yields phenotypic revertants on high salt medium and genome sequencing revealed that all revertants carry a mutation in genes homologous to either cenK or cenR. srlA promoter activity is abolished in these revertant host backgrounds and in a strain carrying a deletion in cenK. We also observed that the srlA promoter is autoregulated, displaying low activity in a wildtype (wt) host background and high activity in the srl deletion mutant background. The srlA promoter includes a conserved inverted repeat directly upstream of the predicted -35 subsequence. A mutational analysis demonstrated that the site is required for the high promoter activity in the srlA deletion background. Electromobility shift assays using purified wildtype CenR response regulator and a D55E phosphomimetic derivative suggest this protein acts as a likely Class II activator by binding promoter DNA. These results document the first identified CenK-CenR regulon member in S. meliloti and demonstrate this two-component regulatory system and gene srlA influences cellular growth and persistence under certain stress-inducing conditions.}, }
@article {pmid36244047, year = {2022}, author = {Grostieta, E and Zazueta-Islas, HM and Cruz-Valdez, T and Ballados-González, GG and Álvarez-Castillo, L and García-Esparza, SM and Cruz-Romero, A and Romero-Salas, D and Aguilar-Domínguez, M and Becker, I and Sánchez-Montes, S}, title = {Molecular detection of Coxiella-like endosymbionts and absence of Coxiella burnetii in Amblyomma mixtum from Veracruz, Mexico.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {88}, number = {1}, pages = {113-125}, pmid = {36244047}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {AG201221//UNAM-PAPIIT/ ; }, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Cattle ; Horses ; *Coxiella burnetii/genetics ; Coxiella/genetics ; *Q Fever/veterinary ; Amblyomma ; Phylogeny ; Mexico ; *Ticks ; Livestock ; *Cattle Diseases ; *Horse Diseases ; }, abstract = {Ticks are obligate ectoparasites associated with a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including domestic animals. Moreover, ticks are capable of transmitting many pathogens such as Coxiella. To date, Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of coxiellosis or Q fever, is the only valid species of the genera. Nevertheless, a wide range of agents denominated Coxiella-like have been detected in recent studies, mainly associated with ticks. The pathogenicity of these Coxiella-like agents is controversial as some of them can infect both birds and humans. In Mexico, knowledge about Q fever is scarce and limited to historical serological records, and there is an overall lack of molecular proof of any agent of the genus Coxiella circulating in the country. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect the presence of Coxiella in ticks associated with cattle in all 10 regions of Veracruz, Mexico. To accomplish this objective, first, we identified ticks collected from cattle and horses in Veracruz. Then, for Coxiella detection, DNA extraction from ticks and PCR amplification of the 16S-rDNA of Coxiella was performed. Finally, we performed a phylogenetic reconstruction to determine the Coxiella lineages detected. From the 10 regions sampled we collected 888 ticks grouped in 180 pools, and only five Amblyomma mixtum from the locality of Castán, and one from Los Angeles from Tuxpan were found positive, which represents a frequency of 20% for each locality. This study represents the first attempt at molecular detection of Coxiella in ticks associated with cattle in the state of Veracruz, the major livestock producer in the country. The findings of the present study are relevant as they establish a precedent regarding the circulation of Coxiella-like agents, as well as the absence in three municipalities of the state of Veracruz of C. burnetii, an abortive agent of livestock importance.}, }
@article {pmid36240631, year = {2022}, author = {Ip, JC and Zhang, Y and Xie, JY and Yeung, YH and Qiu, JW}, title = {Stable Symbiodiniaceae composition in three coral species during the 2017 natural bleaching event in subtropical Hong Kong.}, journal = {Marine pollution bulletin}, volume = {184}, number = {}, pages = {114224}, doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114224}, pmid = {36240631}, issn = {1879-3363}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Coral Reefs ; Hong Kong ; *Dinoflagellida ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Adaptive changes in endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae communities have been reported during and after bleaching events in tropical coral species, but little is known about such shifts in subtropical species. Here we examined the Symbiodiniaceae communities in three coral species (Montipora peltiformis, Pavona decussata, and Platygyra carnosa) based on samples collected during and after the 2017 bleaching event in subtropical Hong Kong waters. In all of the collected samples, ITS2 meta-sequencing revealed that P. decussata and P. carnosa were predominantly associated with Cladocopium C1 and C1c, whereas M. peltiformis was mainly associated with two Cladocopium C21 types and C1. For each species, the predominant endosymbionts exhibited high fidelity, and the relatively low abundance ITS2-types showed minor changes between the bleached and recovered corals. Our study provided the first details of coral-algal association in Hong Kong waters, suggesting the selection of certain genotypes as a potential adaptive mechanism to the marginal environmental conditions.}, }
@article {pmid36217008, year = {2022}, author = {Brumfield, KD and Raupp, MJ and Haji, D and Simon, C and Graf, J and Cooley, JR and Janton, ST and Meister, RC and Huq, A and Colwell, RR and Hasan, NA}, title = {Gut microbiome insights from 16S rRNA analysis of 17-year periodical cicadas (Hemiptera: Magicicada spp.) Broods II, VI, and X.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {16967}, pmid = {36217008}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {R01 ES030317/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Soil ; United States ; }, abstract = {Periodical cicadas (Hemiptera: Magicicada) have coevolved with obligate bacteriome-inhabiting microbial symbionts, yet little is known about gut microbial symbiont composition or differences in composition among allochronic Magicicada broods (year classes) which emerge parapatrically or allopatrically in the eastern United States. Here, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was performed to determine gut bacterial community profiles of three periodical broods, including II (Connecticut and Virginia, 2013), VI (North Carolina, 2017), and X (Maryland, 2021, and an early emerging nymph collected in Ohio, 2017). Results showed similarities among all nymphal gut microbiomes and between morphologically distinct 17-year Magicicada, namely Magicicada septendecim (Broods II and VI) and 17-year Magicicada cassini (Brood X) providing evidence of a core microbiome, distinct from the microbiome of burrow soil inhabited by the nymphs. Generally, phyla Bacteroidetes [Bacteroidota] (> 50% relative abundance), Actinobacteria [Actinomycetota], or Proteobacteria [Pseudomonadota] represented the core. Acidobacteria and genera Cupriavidus, Mesorhizobium, and Delftia were prevalent in nymphs but less frequent in adults. The primary obligate endosymbiont, Sulcia (Bacteroidetes), was dominant amongst core genera detected. Chryseobacterium were common in Broods VI and X. Chitinophaga, Arthrobacter, and Renibacterium were common in Brood X, and Pedobacter were common to nymphs of Broods II and VI. Further taxonomic assignment of unclassified Alphaproteobacteria sequencing reads allowed for detection of multiple copies of the Hodgkinia 16S rRNA gene, distinguishable as separate operational taxonomic units present simultaneously. As major emergences of the broods examined here occur at 17-year intervals, this study will provide a valuable comparative baseline in this era of a changing climate.}, }
@article {pmid36214563, year = {2022}, author = {Zhou, JC and Zhao, X and Huo, LX and Shang, D and Dong, H and Zhang, LS}, title = {Wolbachia-Driven Memory Loss in a Parasitic Wasp Increases Superparasitism to Enhance Horizontal Transmission.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {13}, number = {6}, pages = {e0236222}, pmid = {36214563}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Female ; *Wasps/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Larva ; Memory Disorders ; }, abstract = {Horizontal transmission of the endosymbiont, Wolbachia, may occur during superparasitism when parasitoid females deposit a second clutch of eggs on a host. Wolbachia may increase the superparasitism tendency of Trichogramma wasps by depriving their memory. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of conditioning experience and memory inhibitors (actinomycin D [ACD] and anisomycin [ANI]) on memory capacity, and expressions of memory-related genes (CREB1 and PKA), and superparasitism frequency of Wolbachia-infected (TDW) and uninfected (TD) lines of Trichogramma dendrolimi after conditioning with lemon or peppermint odor. We detected the presence of Wolbachia in eggs, larvae, pre-pupae, pupae, and adults of Trichogramma by using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The results showed that TDW females had a more reduced memory capacity than TD females after conditioning. Compared with TD females, TDW females showed a higher proportion of superparasitism and a downregulation of CREB1 and PKA genes after conditioning. TD females fed ACD or ANI showed a higher tendency for superparasitism and a downregulation of CREB1 and PKA, along with memory loss after conditioning than TD females fed honey solution only. The presence of Wolbachia was detected in the anterior region of the larva, pre-pupa, and pupa, but was not found in the head of the adult. The results provide evidence of host behavioral manipulation of Wolbachia by depriving memory of host Trichogramma wasps based on Poulin' s criteria. These host behavioral changes led by Wolbachia may be caused by the virulence of Wolbachia on the nervous system of the host. IMPORTANCE The endosymbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia, live widely within cells of arthropods. Wolbachia are not only transmitted vertically from host mother to offspring, but are also transmitted horizontally among host individuals. Horizontal transmission is expected to occur during superparasitism when host parasitoid females deposit a clutch of eggs on a host previously parasitized by the same parasitoid species. Thus, a question is proposed regarding whether superparasitism behavior is a behavior modification induced by the symbiont to favor symbiont transmission. This study highlights behavioral mechanisms of Wolbachia-induced superparasitism in Trichogramma wasps and the manipulation of symbionts on host parasitoids.}, }
@article {pmid36209116, year = {2022}, author = {Kim, JI and Tanifuji, G and Jeong, M and Shin, W and Archibald, JM}, title = {Gene loss, pseudogenization, and independent genome reduction in non-photosynthetic species of Cryptomonas (Cryptophyceae) revealed by comparative nucleomorph genomics.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {227}, pmid = {36209116}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {*Cryptophyta/genetics ; *Genome ; Genomics ; Photosynthesis ; Phylogeny ; Plastids/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cryptophytes are ecologically important algae of interest to evolutionary cell biologists because of the convoluted history of their plastids and nucleomorphs, which are derived from red algal secondary endosymbionts. To better understand the evolution of the cryptophyte nucleomorph, we sequenced nucleomorph genomes from two photosynthetic and two non-photosynthetic species in the genus Cryptomonas. We performed a comparative analysis of these four genomes and the previously published genome of the non-photosynthetic species Cryptomonas paramecium CCAP977/2a.<br><br>RESULTS: All five nucleomorph genomes are similar in terms of their general architecture, gene content, and gene order and, in the non-photosynthetic strains, loss of photosynthesis-related genes. Interestingly, in terms of size and coding capacity, the nucleomorph genome of the non-photosynthetic species Cryptomonas sp. CCAC1634B is much more similar to that of the photosynthetic C. curvata species than to the non-photosynthetic species C. paramecium.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal fine-scale nucleomorph genome variation between distantly related congeneric taxa containing photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic species, including recent pseudogene formation, and provide a first glimpse into the possible impacts of the loss of photosynthesis on nucleomorph genome coding capacity and structure in independently evolved colorless strains.}, }
@article {pmid36205078, year = {2023}, author = {Iwata, M and Yoshinaga, M and Mizutani, K and Kikawada, T and Kikuta, S}, title = {Proton gradient mediates hemolymph trehalose influx into aphid bacteriocytes.}, journal = {Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology}, volume = {112}, number = {1}, pages = {e21971}, doi = {10.1002/arch.21971}, pmid = {36205078}, issn = {1520-6327}, support = {19K06044//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; //Ibaraki University Grant for promoted research/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/metabolism ; Protons ; Trehalose/metabolism ; Hemolymph ; Symbiosis ; *Buchnera/metabolism ; Carbon/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Aphids harbor proteobacterial endosymbionts such as Buchnera aphidicola housed in specialized bacteriocytes derived from host cells. The endosymbiont Buchnera supplies essential amino acids such as arginine to the host cells and, in turn, obtains sugars needed for its survival from the hemolymph. The mechanism of sugar supply in aphid bacteriocytes has been rarely studied. It also remains unclear how Buchnera acquires its carbon source. The hemolymph sugars in Acyrthosiphon pisum are composed of the disaccharide trehalose containing two glucose molecules. Here, we report for the first time that trehalose is transported and used as a potential carbon source by Buchnera across the bacteriocyte plasma membrane via trehalose transporters. The current study characterized the bacteriocyte trehalose transporter Ap_ST11 (LOC100159441) using the Xenopus oocyte expression system. The Ap_ST11 transporter was found to be proton-dependent with a Km value ≥700 mM. We re-examined the hemolymph trehalose at 217.8 mM using a fluorescent trehalose sensor. The bacteriocytes did not obtain trehalose by facilitated diffusion along the gradient across cellular membranes. These findings suggest that trehalose influx into the bacteriocytes depends on the extracellular proton-driven secondary electrochemical transporter.}, }
@article {pmid36194551, year = {2022}, author = {Gäbelein, CG and Reiter, MA and Ernst, C and Giger, GH and Vorholt, JA}, title = {Engineering Endosymbiotic Growth of E. coli in Mammalian Cells.}, journal = {ACS synthetic biology}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {3388-3396}, pmid = {36194551}, issn = {2161-5063}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Symbiosis ; *Escherichia coli/genetics ; HeLa Cells ; Biological Evolution ; Bacteria ; Amino Acids, Aromatic ; Mammals ; }, abstract = {Endosymbioses are cellular mergers in which one cell lives within another cell and have led to major evolutionary transitions, most prominently to eukaryogenesis. Generation of synthetic endosymbioses aims to provide a defined starting point for studying fundamental processes in emerging endosymbiotic systems and enable the engineering of cells with novel properties. Here, we tested the potential of different bacteria for artificial endosymbiosis in mammalian cells. To this end, we adopted the fluidic force microscopy technology to inject diverse bacteria directly into the cytosol of HeLa cells and examined the endosymbiont-host interactions by real-time fluorescence microscopy. Among them, Escherichia coli grew exponentially within the cytoplasm, however, at a faster pace than its host cell. To slow down the intracellular growth of E. coli, we introduced auxotrophies in E. coli and demonstrated that the intracellular growth rate can be reduced by limiting the uptake of aromatic amino acids. In consequence, the survival of the endosymbiont-host pair was prolonged. The presented experimental framework enables studying endosymbiotic candidate systems at high temporal resolution and at the single cell level. Our work represents a starting point for engineering a stable, vertically inherited endosymbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid36192976, year = {2022}, author = {Morales-Quintana, L and Miño, R and Mendez-Yañez, A and Gundel, PE and Ramos, P}, title = {Do fungal-endosymbionts improve crop nutritional quality and tolerance to stress by boosting flavonoid-mediated responses?.}, journal = {Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)}, volume = {161}, number = {}, pages = {111850}, doi = {10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111850}, pmid = {36192976}, issn = {1873-7145}, mesh = {*Antioxidants ; Endophytes/physiology ; *Flavonoids ; Humans ; Nutritive Value ; Plants ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Climate change is threatening human activities, but the combination of water scarcity and heat waves are particularly challenging agriculture. Accumulating literature shows that beneficial fungal endophytes improve plant performance, a condition that seems to be magnified in presence of stress. Because evidence points out to an endophytic mediation of antioxidant activity in plants, we here focused on flavonoids for two main reasons: (i) they are involved in plant tolerance to abiotic stress, and (ii) they are known to be healthy for human consumption. With these two premises as guidance, we explored the literature trying to link mechanistically the relationship between endophytes and plant responses to stress as well as identifying patterns and knowledge gaps. Overall, fungal endophytes improve plant growth and tolerance to environmental stresses. However, evidence for endophytes boosting flavonoid mediated responses in plants is relatively scarce. Reports showing endophytes promoting flavonoid contents in grains and fresh fruits are rather limited which may be related to (long) length of the required experiments for testing it. The use of endophytes isolated from extreme environments (e.g., dry and cold deserts, acid lakes, etc.) is proposed to be better in conferring tolerance to plants under very stressful conditions. However, the real challenge is to test the capacity of these endophytes to established and maintain persistent and functional symbiosis under productive conditions. In summary, there is a clear potential for symbiotically modifying crop plants as a strategy to develop more tolerant varieties to face the stress and eventually increase the quality of the agricultural products.}, }
@article {pmid36179855, year = {2022}, author = {Ünal, M and Yüksel, E and Canhilal, R}, title = {Biocontrol potential of cell suspensions and cell-free superntants of different Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacteria against the different larval instars of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).}, journal = {Experimental parasitology}, volume = {242}, number = {}, pages = {108394}, doi = {10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108394}, pmid = {36179855}, issn = {1090-2449}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Larva/microbiology ; *Xenorhabdus ; *Photorhabdus ; *Insecticides ; *Moths ; Sugars ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; }, abstract = {The black cutworm (BCW), Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the destructive cutworm species. Black cutworm is a highly polyphagous pest that feeds on more than 30 plants, many of which are of economic importance such as maize, sugar beet, and potato. The control of BCW larvae relies heavily on the application of synthetic insecticides which have a detrimental impact on human health and the natural environment. In addition, increasing insecticide resistance in many insect species requires a novel and sustainable approach to controlling insect pests. The endosymbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Xenorhabdus and Phorohabdus spp.) represent a newly emerging green approach to controlling a wide range of insect pests. In the current study, the oral and contact efficacy of cell suspension (4 × 10[7] cells ml[-1]) and cell-free supernatants of different symbiotic bacteria (X. nematophilai, X. bovienii, X. budapestensis, and P. luminescent subsp. kayaii) were evaluated against the mixed groups of 1st-2nd and 3rd-4th instars larvae of BCW under controlled conditions. The oral treatment of the cell suspension and cell-free supernatants resulted in higher mortality rates than contact treatments. In general, larval mortality was higher in the 1st-2nd instar larvae than in the 3rd-4th instar larvae. The highest (75%) mortality was obtained from the cell suspension of X. budapestensis. The results indicated that the oral formulations of the cell suspension and cell-free supernatants of bacterial strains may have a good control potential against the 1st-2nd larvae BCW. However, the efficacy of the cell suspension and cell-free supernatants of tested bacterial strains should be further evaluated under greenhouse and field conditions.}, }
@article {pmid36175838, year = {2022}, author = {Rayamajhee, B and Sharma, S and Willcox, M and Henriquez, FL and Rajagopal, RN and Shrestha, GS and Subedi, D and Bagga, B and Carnt, N}, title = {Assessment of genotypes, endosymbionts and clinical characteristics of Acanthamoeba recovered from ocular infection.}, journal = {BMC infectious diseases}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {757}, pmid = {36175838}, issn = {1471-2334}, mesh = {*Acanthamoeba/genetics ; *Acanthamoeba Keratitis ; *Disinfectants ; *Eye Infections ; Genotype ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Retrospective Studies ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Acanthamoeba is an emerging pathogen, infamous for its resilience against antiprotozoal compounds, disinfectants and harsh environments. It is known to cause keratitis, a sight-threatening, painful and difficult to treat corneal infection which is often reported among contact lens wearers and patients with ocular trauma. Acanthamoeba comprises over 24 species and currently 23 genotypes (T1-T23) have been identified.<br><br>AIMS: This retrospective study was designed to examine the Acanthamoeba species and genotypes recovered from patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), determine the presence of endosymbionts in ocular isolates of Acanthamoeba and review the clinical presentations.<br><br>METHODOLOGY: Thirteen culture-confirmed AK patients treated in a tertiary eye care facility in Hyderabad, India from February to October 2020 were included in this study. The clinical manifestations, medications and visual outcomes of all patients were obtained from medical records. The Acanthamoeba isolates were identified by sequencing the ribosomal nuclear subunit (rns) gene. Acanthamoeba isolates were assessed for the presence of bacterial or fungal endosymbionts using molecular assays, PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).<br><br>RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 33&#xa0;years (SD&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;17.4; 95% CI 22.5 to 43.5&#xa0;years). Six (46.2%) cases had AK associated risk factors; four patients had ocular trauma and two were contact lens wearers. A. culbertsoni (6/13, 46.2%) was the most common species, followed by A. polyphaga and A. triangularis. Most of the isolates (12/13) belonged to genotype T4 and one was a T12; three sub-clusters T4A, T4B, and T4F were identified within the T4 genotype. There was no significant association between Acanthamoeba types and clinical outcomes. Eight (61.5%) isolates harboured intracellular bacteria and one contained Malassezia restricta. The presence of intracellular microbes was associated with a higher proportion of stromal infiltrates (88.9%, 8/9), epithelial defect (55.6%, 5/9) and hypopyon (55.6%, 5/9) compared to 50% (2/4), 25% (1/4) and 25% (1/4) AK cases without intracellular microbes, respectively.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Genotype T4 was the predominant isolate in southern India. This is the second report of T12 genotype identified from AK patient in India, which is rarely reported worldwide. The majority of the Acanthamoeba clinical isolates in this study harboured intracellular microbes, which may impact clinical characteristics of AK.}, }
@article {pmid36172550, year = {2022}, author = {Wu, D and Yang, L and Gu, J and Tarkowska, D and Deng, X and Gan, Q and Zhou, W and Strnad, M and Lu, Y}, title = {A Functional Genomics View of Gibberellin Metabolism in the Cnidarian Symbiont Breviolum minutum.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {927200}, pmid = {36172550}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Dinoflagellate inhabitants of the reef-building corals exchange nutrients and signals with host cells, which often benefit the growth of both partners. Phytohormones serve as central hubs for signal integration between symbiotic microbes and their hosts, allowing appropriate modulation of plant growth and defense in response to various stresses. However, the presence and function of phytohormones in photosynthetic dinoflagellates and their function in the holobionts remain elusive. We hypothesized that endosymbiotic dinoflagellates may produce and employ phytohormones for stress responses. Using the endosymbiont of reef corals Breviolum minutum as model, this study aims to exam whether the alga employ analogous signaling systems by an integrated multiomics approach. We show that key gibberellin (GA) biosynthetic genes are widely present in the genomes of the selected dinoflagellate algae. The non-13-hydroxylation pathway is the predominant route for GA biosynthesis and the multifunctional GA dioxygenase in B. minutum has distinct substrate preference from high plants. GA biosynthesis is modulated by the investigated bleaching-stimulating stresses at both transcriptional and metabolic levels and the exogenously applied GAs improve the thermal tolerance of the dinoflagellate. Our results demonstrate the innate ability of a selected Symbiodiniaceae to produce the important phytohormone and the active involvement of GAs in the coordination and the integration of the stress response.}, }
@article {pmid36172295, year = {2022}, author = {Tiwary, A and Babu, R and Sen, R and Raychoudhury, R}, title = {Bacterial supergroup-specific "cost" of Wolbachia infections in Nasonia vitripennis.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {e9219}, pmid = {36172295}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The maternally inherited endosymbiont, Wolbachia, is known to alter the reproductive biology of its arthropod hosts for its own benefit and can induce both positive and negative fitness effects in many hosts. Here, we describe the effects of the maintenance of two distinct Wolbachia infections, one each from supergroups A and B, on the parasitoid host Nasonia vitripennis. We compare the effect of Wolbachia infections on various traits between the uninfected, single A-infected, single B-infected, and double-infected lines with their cured versions. Contrary to some previous reports, our results suggest that there is a significant cost associated with the maintenance of Wolbachia infections where traits such as family size, fecundity, longevity, and rates of male copulation are compromised in Wolbachia-infected lines. The double Wolbachia infection has the most detrimental impact on the host as compared to single infections. Moreover, there is a supergroup-specific negative impact on these wasps as the supergroup B infection elicits the most pronounced negative effects. These negative effects can be attributed to a higher Wolbachia titer seen in the double and the single supergroup B infection lines when compared to supergroup A. Our findings raise important questions on the mechanism of survival and maintenance of these reproductive parasites in arthropod hosts.}, }
@article {pmid36169529, year = {2022}, author = {Favoreto, AL and Carvalho, VR and Domingues, MM and Ribeiro, MF and Cavallini, G and Lawson, SA and Silva, WM and Zanuncio, JC and Wilcken, CF}, title = {Wolbachia pipientis: first detection in populations of Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) and Psyllaephagus bliteus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Brazil.}, journal = {Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia}, volume = {82}, number = {}, pages = {e264475}, doi = {10.1590/1519-6984.264475}, pmid = {36169529}, issn = {1678-4375}, mesh = {Animals ; Brazil ; *Eucalyptus ; *Hemiptera ; Humans ; *Hymenoptera ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The sucking insect, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), is originally from Australia and reduces the productivity of Eucalyptus crops. The parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is the main agent used in the integrated management of G. brimblecombei. Endosymbionts, in insects, are important in the adaptation and protection of their hosts to the environment. The intracellular symbionts Wolbachia, induces reproductive changes such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminization, male death and parthenogenesis. The objective of this study was to report the first record of Wolbachia pipientis in populations of G. brimblecombei and of its parasitoid P. bliteus in the field in Brazil. Branches with adults of G. brimblecombei and P. bliteus were collected from eucalyptus trees in commercial farms in six Brazilian states and, after emergence, the insects obtained were frozen at -20 °C. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the Wolbachia endosymbiont. Wolbachia pipientis was identified in individuals of G. brimblecombei and its parasitoid P. bliteus from populations of the counties of Agudos and Mogi-Guaçu (São Paulo State), Itamarandiba (Minas Gerais State) and São Jerônimo da Serra (Paraná State) in Brazil.}, }
@article {pmid36163269, year = {2022}, author = {Ferrarini, MG and Dell'Aglio, E and Vallier, A and Balmand, S and Vincent-Monégat, C and Hughes, S and Gillet, B and Parisot, N and Zaidman-Rémy, A and Vieira, C and Heddi, A and Rebollo, R}, title = {Efficient compartmentalization in insect bacteriomes protects symbiotic bacteria from host immune system.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {156}, pmid = {36163269}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; Immune System ; Insect Proteins ; *Peptidoglycan ; Symbiosis ; *Weevils/microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Many insects house symbiotic intracellular bacteria (endosymbionts) that provide them with essential nutrients, thus promoting the usage of nutrient-poor habitats. Endosymbiont seclusion within host specialized cells, called bacteriocytes, often organized in a dedicated organ, the bacteriome, is crucial in protecting them from host immune defenses while avoiding chronic host immune activation. Previous evidence obtained in the cereal weevil Sitophilus oryzae has shown that bacteriome immunity is activated against invading pathogens, suggesting endosymbionts might be targeted and impacted by immune effectors during an immune challenge. To pinpoint any molecular determinants associated with such challenges, we conducted a dual transcriptomic analysis of S. oryzae's bacteriome subjected to immunogenic peptidoglycan fragments.<br><br>RESULTS: We show that upon immune challenge, the bacteriome actively participates in the innate immune response via induction of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Surprisingly, endosymbionts do not undergo any transcriptomic changes, indicating that this potential threat goes unnoticed. Immunohistochemistry showed that TCT-induced AMPs are located outside the bacteriome, excluding direct contact with the endosymbionts.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates that endosymbiont protection during an immune challenge is mainly achieved by efficient confinement within bacteriomes, which provides physical separation between host systemic response and endosymbionts. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid36160860, year = {2022}, author = {An, L and Bhowmick, B and Liang, D and Suo, P and Liao, C and Zhao, J and Han, Q}, title = {The microbiota changes of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus under starvation stress.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {932130}, pmid = {36160860}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, is the most widespread tick in the world and a predominant vector of multiple pathogens affecting wild and domestic animals. There is an increasing interest in understanding the role of tick microbiome in pathogen acquisition and transmission as well as in environment-vector interfaces. Several studies suggested that the tick microbial communities are under the influence of several factors including the tick species, dietary bloodmeal, and physiological stress. Compared with insects, very little of the microbial community is known to contribute to the nutrition of the host. Therefore, it is of significance to elucidate the regulation of the microbial community of Rh. Sanguineus under starvation stress. Starvation stress was induced in wild-type adults (1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months) and the microbial composition and diversity were analyzed before and after blood feeding. After the evaluation, it was found that the microbial community composition of Rh. sanguineus changed significantly with starvation stress. The dominant symbiotic bacteria Coxiella spp. of Rh. sanguineus gradually decreased with the prolongation of starvation stress. We also demonstrated that the starvation tolerance of Rh. sanguineus was as long as 6 months. Next, Coxiella-like endosymbionts were quantitatively analyzed by fluorescence quantitative PCR. We found a pronounced tissue tropism in the Malpighian tubule and female gonad, and less in the midgut and salivary gland organs. Finally, the blood-fed nymphs were injected with ofloxacin within 24 h. The nymphs were allowed to develop into adults. It was found that the adult blood-sucking rate, adult weight after blood meal, fecundity (egg hatching rate), and feeding period of the newly hatched larvae were all affected to varying degrees, indicating that the removal of most symbiotic bacteria had an irreversible effect on it.}, }
@article {pmid36156240, year = {2023}, author = {Bespalaya, YV and Sousa, R and Gofarov, MY and Kondakov, AV and Kropotin, AV and Palatov, DM and Vikhrev, IV and Bolotov, IN}, title = {An exploration of the hidden endosymbionts of Corbicula in the native range.}, journal = {Ecology}, volume = {104}, number = {1}, pages = {e3836}, doi = {10.1002/ecy.3836}, pmid = {36156240}, issn = {1939-9170}, mesh = {Animals ; *Corbicula ; *Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis ; Fresh Water ; }, }
@article {pmid36151951, year = {2023}, author = {Niu, R and Zhu, X and Wang, L and Zhang, K and Li, D and Ji, J and Niu, L and Gao, X and Luo, J and Cui, J}, title = {Evaluation of Hamiltonella on Aphis gossypii fitness based on life table parameters and RNA sequencing.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {79}, number = {1}, pages = {306-314}, doi = {10.1002/ps.7200}, pmid = {36151951}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {//Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund (No. 1610162022048)/ ; //Natural Science Foundation of China (32001919)/ ; //Chinese academy of agricultural sciences/ ; }, mesh = {*Life Tables ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Insect endosymbionts are widespread in nature and known to play key roles in regulating host biology. As a secondary endosymbiont, bacteria in the genus Hamiltonella help cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii) defend against parasitism by parasitoid wasps, however, the potential negative impacts of these bacteria on cotton aphid biology remain largely unclear.<br><br>RESULTS: This study aims to evaluate the potential impacts of Hamiltonella on the growth and development of cotton aphids based on life table parameters and RNA sequencing. The results showed that infection with Hamiltonella resulted in smaller body type and lower body weight in aphids. Compared to the control group, there were significant differences in the finite and intrinsic rates of increase and mean generation time. Furthermore, the RNA sequencing data revealed that the genes related to energy synthesis and nutrient metabolism pathways were significantly downregulated and genes related to molting and nervous system pathways were significantly upregulated in the Hamiltonella population.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that Hamiltonella retarded the growth and development of cotton aphids accompanied by the downregulation of genes related to energy synthesis and nutrient metabolism, which provides new insights into aphid-symbiont interactions and may support the development of improved aphid management strategies. &#xa9; 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid36151871, year = {2023}, author = {Bing, XL and Xia, CB and Ye, QT and Gong, X and Cui, JR and Peng, CW and Hong, XY}, title = {Wolbachia manipulates reproduction of spider mites by influencing herbivore salivary proteins.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {79}, number = {1}, pages = {315-323}, doi = {10.1002/ps.7201}, pmid = {36151871}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities/ ; //National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; //Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; //startup grant from Nanjing Agricultural University/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Tetranychidae ; *Wolbachia ; Proteomics ; Salivary Proteins and Peptides/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The endosymbiont Wolbachia is known for manipulating host reproduction. Wolbachia also can affect host fitness by mediating interactions between plant and herbivores. However, it remains unclear whether saliva proteins are involved in this process.<br><br>RESULTS: We found that Wolbachia infection decreased the number of deposited eggs but increased the egg hatching rate in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), a cosmopolitan pest that infects >1000 species of plants. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that Wolbachia-infected mites upregulated the gene expression levels of many T.&#xa0;urticae salivary proteins including a cluster of Tetranychidae-specific, functionally uncharacterized SHOT1s (secreted host-responsive proteins of Tetranychidae). The SHOT1 genes were expressed more in the feeding stages (nymphs and adults) of mites than in eggs and highly enriched in the proterosomas. RNA interference experiments showed that knockdown of SHOT1s significantly decreased Wolbachia density, increased the number of deposited eggs and decreased the egg hatching rate.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Together, these results indicate that SHOT1s are positively correlated with Wolbachia density and account for Wolbachia-mediated phenotypes. Our results provide new evidence that herbivore salivary proteins are related to Wolbachia-mediated manipulations of host performance on plants. &#xa9; 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid36149408, year = {2022}, author = {Warecki, B and Titen, SWA and Alam, MS and Vega, G and Lemseffer, N and Hug, K and Minden, JS and Sullivan, W}, title = {Wolbachia action in the sperm produces developmentally deferred chromosome segregation defects during the Drosophila mid-blastula transition.}, journal = {eLife}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {36149408}, issn = {2050-084X}, support = {R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Blastula ; Chromatin ; Chromosome Segregation ; Cytoplasm ; Drosophila/genetics ; Female ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Semen ; Spermatozoa ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, a vertically transmitted endosymbiont infecting many insects, spreads rapidly through uninfected populations by a mechanism known as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). In CI, a paternally delivered modification of the sperm leads to chromatin defects and lethality during and after the first mitosis of embryonic development in multiple species. However, whether CI-induced defects in later stage embryos are a consequence of the first division errors or caused by independent defects remains unresolved. To address this question, we focused on ~1/3 of embryos from CI crosses in Drosophila simulans that develop apparently normally through the first and subsequent pre-blastoderm divisions before exhibiting mitotic errors during the mid-blastula transition and gastrulation. We performed single embryo PCR and whole genome sequencing to find a large percentage of these developed CI-derived embryos bypass the first division defect. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we find increased chromosome segregation errors in gastrulating CI-derived embryos that had avoided the first division defect. Thus, Wolbachia action in the sperm induces developmentally deferred defects that are not a consequence of the first division errors. Like the immediate defect, the delayed defect is rescued through crosses to infected females. These studies inform current models on the molecular and cellular basis of CI.}, }
@article {pmid36143478, year = {2022}, author = {Johnson, KP}, title = {Genomic Approaches to Uncovering the Coevolutionary History of Parasitic Lice.}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {36143478}, issn = {2075-1729}, support = {DEB-1925487//National Science Foundation/ ; DEB-1926919//National Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Next-generation sequencing technologies are revolutionizing the fields of genomics, phylogenetics, and population genetics. These new genomic approaches have been extensively applied to a major group of parasites, the lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) of birds and mammals. Two louse genomes have been assembled and annotated to date, and these have opened up new resources for the study of louse biology. Whole genome sequencing has been used to assemble large phylogenomic datasets for lice, incorporating sequences of thousands of genes. These datasets have provided highly supported trees at all taxonomic levels, ranging from relationships among the major groups of lice to those among closely related species. Such approaches have also been applied at the population scale in lice, revealing patterns of population subdivision and inbreeding. Finally, whole genome sequence datasets can also be used for additional study beyond that of the louse nuclear genome, such as in the study of mitochondrial genome fragmentation or endosymbiont function.}, }
@article {pmid36143410, year = {2022}, author = {Johnston-Monje, D and Gutiérrez, JP and Becerra Lopez-Lavalle, LA}, title = {Stochastic Inoculum, Biotic Filtering and Species-Specific Seed Transmission Shape the Rare Microbiome of Plants.}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {36143410}, issn = {2075-1729}, abstract = {A plant's health and productivity is influenced by its associated microbes. Although the common/core microbiome is often thought to be the most influential, significant numbers of rare or uncommon microbes (e.g., specialized endosymbionts) may also play an important role in the health and productivity of certain plants in certain environments. To help identify rare/specialized bacteria and fungi in the most important angiosperm plants, we contrasted microbiomes of the seeds, spermospheres, shoots, roots and rhizospheres of Arabidopsis, Brachypodium, maize, wheat, sugarcane, rice, tomato, coffee, common bean, cassava, soybean, switchgrass, sunflower, Brachiaria, barley, sorghum and pea. Plants were grown inside sealed jars on sterile sand or farm soil. Seeds and spermospheres contained some uncommon bacteria and many fungi, suggesting at least some of the rare microbiome is vertically transmitted. About 95% and 86% of fungal and bacterial diversity inside plants was uncommon; however, judging by read abundance, uncommon fungal cells are about half of the mycobiome, while uncommon bacterial cells make up less than 11% of the microbiome. Uncommon-seed-transmitted microbiomes consisted mostly of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteriodetes, Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes, which most heavily colonized shoots, to a lesser extent roots, and least of all, rhizospheres. Soil served as a more diverse source of rare microbes than seeds, replacing or excluding the majority of the uncommon-seed-transmitted microbiome. With the rarest microbes, their colonization pattern could either be the result of stringent biotic filtering by most plants, or uneven/stochastic inoculum distribution in seeds or soil. Several strong plant-microbe associations were observed, such as seed transmission to shoots, roots and/or rhizospheres of Sarocladium zeae (maize), Penicillium (pea and Phaseolus), and Curvularia (sugarcane), while robust bacterial colonization from cassava field soil occurred with the cyanobacteria Leptolyngbya into Arabidopsis and Panicum roots, and Streptomyces into cassava roots. Some abundant microbes such as Sakaguchia in rice shoots or Vermispora in Arabidopsis roots appeared in no other samples, suggesting that they were infrequent, stochastically deposited propagules from either soil or seed (impossible to know based on the available data). Future experiments with culturing and cross-inoculation of these microbes between plants may help us better understand host preferences and their role in plant productivity, perhaps leading to their use in crop microbiome engineering and enhancement of agricultural production.}, }
@article {pmid36129743, year = {2022}, author = {Weiss, BL and Rio, RVM and Aksoy, S}, title = {Microbe Profile: Wigglesworthia glossinidia: the tsetse fly's significant other.}, journal = {Microbiology (Reading, England)}, volume = {168}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {36129743}, issn = {1465-2080}, support = {R01 AI051584/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI068932/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Amidohydrolases/metabolism ; Animals ; Antiparasitic Agents/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Tsetse Flies/parasitology/physiology ; Vitamins/metabolism ; *Wigglesworthia/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Wigglesworthia glossinidia is an obligate, maternally transmitted endosymbiont of tsetse flies. The ancient association between these two organisms accounts for many of their unique physiological adaptations. Similar to other obligate mutualists, Wigglesworthia's genome is dramatically reduced in size, yet it has retained the capacity to produce many B-vitamins that are found at inadequate quantities in the fly's vertebrate blood-specific diet. These Wigglesworthia-derived B-vitamins play essential nutritional roles to maintain tsetse's physiological homeostasis as well as that of other members of the fly's microbiota. In addition to its nutritional role, Wigglesworthia contributes towards the development of tsetse's immune system during the larval period. Tsetse produce amidases that degrade symbiotic peptidoglycans and prevent activation of antimicrobial responses that can damage Wigglesworthia. These amidases in turn exhibit antiparasitic activity and decrease tsetse's ability to be colonized with parasitic trypanosomes, which reduce host fitness. Thus, the Wigglesworthia symbiosis represents a fine-tuned association in which both partners actively contribute towards achieving optimal fitness outcomes.}, }
@article {pmid36125236, year = {2023}, author = {Brinker, P and Chen, F and Chehida, YB and Beukeboom, LW and Fontaine, MC and Salles, JF}, title = {Microbiome composition is shaped by geography and population structure in the parasitic wasp Asobara japonica, but not in the presence of the endosymbiont Wolbachia.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {32}, number = {23}, pages = {6644-6658}, doi = {10.1111/mec.16699}, pmid = {36125236}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wasps/genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Geography ; }, abstract = {The microbial community composition is crucial for diverse life-history traits in many organisms. However, we still lack a sufficient understanding of how the host microbiome is acquired and maintained, a pressing issue in times of global environmental change. Here we investigated to what extent host genotype, environmental conditions, and the endosymbiont Wolbachia influence the bacterial communities in the parasitic wasp Asobara japonica. We sampled multiple wasp populations across 10 locations in their natural distribution range in Japan and sequenced the host genome (whole genome sequencing) and microbiome (16S rRNA gene). We compared the host population structure and bacterial community composition of wasps that reproduce sexually and are uninfected with Wolbachia with wasps that reproduce asexually and carry Wolbachia. The bacterial communities in asexual wasps were highly similar due to a strong effect of Wolbachia rather than host genomic structure. In contrast, in sexual wasps, bacterial communities appear primarily shaped by a combination of population structure and environmental conditions. Our research highlights that multiple factors shape the bacterial communities of an organism and that the presence of a single endosymbiont can strongly alter their compositions. This information is crucial to understanding how organisms and their associated microbiome will react in the face of environmental change.}, }
@article {pmid36124671, year = {2022}, author = {Brophy, M and Walker, KR and Adamson, JE and Ravenscraft, A}, title = {Tropical and Temperate Lineages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Host Different Strains of Coxiella-like Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {59}, number = {6}, pages = {2022-2029}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjac132}, pmid = {36124671}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Dogs ; Animals ; *Rhipicephalus sanguineus/genetics ; Coxiella/genetics ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Dog Diseases ; }, abstract = {Nonpathogenic bacteria likely play important roles in the biology and vector competence of ticks and other arthropods. Coxiella, a gram-negative gammaproteobacterium, is one of the most commonly reported maternally inherited endosymbionts in ticks and has been associated with over 40 tick species. Species-specific Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) have been reported in the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae), throughout the world, while recent research suggests low Coxiella diversity among tick species. We investigated CLE diversity among R. sanguineus s.l. ticks across Arizona. We detected 37 recurrent sequence variants (SVs) of the symbiont, indicating greater diversity in these symbiotic bacteria than previously reported. However, two SVs accounted for the vast majority of 16S rRNA amplicon reads. These two dominant CLEs were both closely related to Candidatus C. mudrowiae, an identified symbiont of Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks. One strain strongly associated with the tropical lineage of R. sanguineus s.l. while the other was found almost exclusively in the temperate lineage, supporting the conclusion that CLEs are primarily vertically transmitted. However, occasional mismatches between tick lineage and symbiont SV indicate that horizontal symbiont transfer may occur, perhaps via cofeeding of ticks from different lineages on the same dog. This study advances our understanding of CLE diversity in Rh. sanguineus s.l.}, }
@article {pmid36110209, year = {2022}, author = {Zhang, HD and Gao, J and Xing, D and Guo, XX and Li, CX and Dong, YD and Zheng, Z and Ma, Z and Wu, ZM and Zhu, XJ and Zhao, MH and Liu, QM and Yan, T and Chu, HL and Zhao, TY}, title = {Fine-scale genetic structure and wolbachia infection of aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Nanjing city, China.}, journal = {Frontiers in genetics}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {827655}, pmid = {36110209}, issn = {1664-8021}, abstract = {Background: Aedes albopictus is an indigenous primary vector of dengue and Zika viruses in China. Wolbachia is a gram-negative and common intracellular bacteria, which is maternally inherited endosymbionts and could expand their propagation in host populations by means of various manipulations. Compared with research on the dispersion of Ae. albopictus at the macrospatial level (mainly at the country or continent level), little is known about its variation and Wolbachia infection at the microspatial level, which is essential for its management. Meanwhile, no local cases of dengue fever have been recorded in the history of Nanjing, which implies that few adulticides have been applied in the city. Thus, the present study examines how the Ae. albopictus population varies and the Wolbachia infection status of each population among microspatial regions of Nanjing City. Methods: The genetic structure of 17 Aedes albopictus populations collected from urban, urban fringe, and rural regions of Nanjing City was investigated based on 9 microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial coxI gene. The Wolbachia infection status of each population was also assessed with Wolbachia A- and Wolbachia B-specific primers. Results: Nine out of 58 tested pairs of microsatellite markers were highly polymorphic, with a mean PIC value of 0.560, and these markers were therefore chosen for microsatellite genotyping analysis. The Na value of each Ae. albopictus population was very high, and the urban area populations (7.353 ± 4.975) showed a lower mean value than the urban fringe region populations (7.866 ± 5.010). A total of 19 coxI haplotypes were observed among 329 Ae. albopictus individuals via haplotype genotyping, with the highest diversity observed among the urban fringe Ae. albopictus populations (Hd = 0.456) and the lowest among the urban populations (Hd = 0.277). Each Ae. albopictus population showed significant departure from HWE, and significant population expansion was observed in only three populations from the urban (ZSL), urban fringe (HAJY), and rural areas (HSZY) (p < 0.05). Combined with DAPC analysis, all the Ae. albopictus populations were adequately allocated to two clades with significant genetic differences according to population structure analysis, and the best K value was equal to two. AMOVA results showed that most (96.18%) of the genetic variation detected in Ae. albopictus occurred within individuals (FIT = 0.22238, p < 0.0001), while no significant positive correlation was observed via isolation by distance (IBD) analysis (R [2] = 0.03262, p = 0.584). The TCS network of all haplotypes showed that haplotype 1 (H1) and haplotype 4 (H4) were the most frequent haplotypes among all populations, and the haplotype frequency significantly increased from urban regions (36.84%) to rural regions (68.42%). Frequent migration was observed among Ae. albopictus populations from rural to urban regions via the urban fringe region, with four direct migration routes between rural and urban regions. Furthermore, Wolbachia genotyping results showed that most of the individuals of each population were coinfected with Wolbachia A and Wolbachia B. The independent infection rate of Wolbachia A was slightly higher than that of Wolbachia B, and no significant differences were observed among different regions. Conclusion: In the microspatial environment of Nanjing City, the urban fringe region is an important region for the dispersion of Ae. albopictus populations between rural and urban areas, and Wolbachia A and Wolbachia B coinfection is the most common Wolbachia infection status in all Ae. albopictus populations among different regions.}, }
@article {pmid36109147, year = {2022}, author = {Matthey-Doret, C and Colp, MJ and Escoll, P and Thierry, A and Moreau, P and Curtis, B and Sahr, T and Sarrasin, M and Gray, MW and Lang, BF and Archibald, JM and Buchrieser, C and Koszul, R}, title = {Chromosome-scale assemblies of Acanthamoeba castellanii genomes provide insights into Legionella pneumophila infection-related chromatin reorganization.}, journal = {Genome research}, volume = {32}, number = {9}, pages = {1698-1710}, pmid = {36109147}, issn = {1549-5469}, mesh = {*Acanthamoeba castellanii/microbiology/genetics ; *Legionella pneumophila/genetics/pathogenicity ; Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly ; Genome, Protozoan ; Chromatin/metabolism/genetics ; Legionnaires' Disease/microbiology ; Humans ; }, abstract = {The unicellular amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii is ubiquitous in aquatic environments, where it preys on bacteria. The organism also hosts bacterial endosymbionts, some of which are parasitic, including human pathogens such as Chlamydia and Legionella spp. Here we report complete, high-quality genome sequences for two extensively studied A. castellanii strains, Neff and C3. Combining long- and short-read data with Hi-C, we generated near chromosome-level assemblies for both strains with 90% of the genome contained in 29 scaffolds for the Neff strain and 31 for the C3 strain. Comparative genomics revealed strain-specific functional enrichment, most notably genes related to signal transduction in the C3 strain and to viral replication in Neff. Furthermore, we characterized the spatial organization of the A. castellanii genome and showed that it is reorganized during infection by Legionella pneumophila Infection-dependent chromatin loops were found to be enriched in genes for signal transduction and phosphorylation processes. In genomic regions where chromatin organization changed during Legionella infection, we found functional enrichment for genes associated with metabolism, organelle assembly, and cytoskeleton organization. Given Legionella infection is known to alter its host's cell cycle, to exploit the host's organelles, and to modulate the host's metabolism in its favor, these changes in chromatin organization may partly be related to mechanisms of host control during Legionella infection.}, }
@article {pmid36100023, year = {2022}, author = {Brown, KT and Mello-Athayde, MA and Sampayo, EM and Chai, A and Dove, S and Barott, KL}, title = {Environmental memory gained from exposure to extreme pCO2 variability promotes coral cellular acid-base homeostasis.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {289}, number = {1982}, pages = {20220941}, pmid = {36100023}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; Ecosystem ; Homeostasis ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Seawater ; }, abstract = {Ocean acidification is a growing threat to coral growth and the accretion of coral reef ecosystems. Corals inhabiting environments that already endure extreme diel pCO2 fluctuations, however, may represent acidification-resilient populations capable of persisting on future reefs. Here, we examined the impact of pCO2 variability on the reef-building coral Pocillopora damicornis originating from reefs with contrasting environmental histories (variable reef flat versus stable reef slope) following reciprocal exposure to stable (218 ± 9) or variable (911 ± 31) diel pCO2 amplitude (μtam) in aquaria over eight weeks. Endosymbiont density, photosynthesis and net calcification rates differed between origins but not treatment, whereas primary calcification (extension) was affected by both origin and acclimatization to novel pCO2 conditions. At the cellular level, corals from the variable reef flat exhibited less intracellular pH (pHi) acidosis and faster pHi recovery rates in response to experimental acidification stress (pH 7.40) than corals originating from the stable reef slope, suggesting environmental memory gained from lifelong exposure to pCO2 variability led to an improved ability to regulate acid-base homeostasis. These results highlight the role of cellular processes in maintaining acidification resilience and suggest that prior exposure to pCO2 variability may promote more acidification-resilient coral populations in a changing climate.}, }
@article {pmid36099809, year = {2022}, author = {Dhali, S and Acharya, S and Pradhan, M and Patra, DK and Pradhan, C}, title = {Synergistic effect of Bacillus and Rhizobium on cytological and photosynthetic performance of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. Grown in Cr (VI) contaminated soil.}, journal = {Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB}, volume = {190}, number = {}, pages = {62-69}, doi = {10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.08.027}, pmid = {36099809}, issn = {1873-2690}, mesh = {*Bacillus ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Chromium/pharmacology ; *Fabaceae/microbiology ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Roots ; *Rhizobium ; Soil ; *Soil Pollutants/analysis ; }, abstract = {Macrotyloma uniflorum (horse gram) is considered an under-utilized legume crop despite its nutritional and medicinal values. In India, it has wide acceptance among farming communities. This investigation emphasized on the possible application of two endosymbionts (Bacillus sp. AS03 and Rhizobium sp. AS05) of horse gram cultivated on Cr (VI)-contaminated soil. The photosynthetic performance (PIφ) of Cr treated plants co-inoculated with AS03 and AS05 was significantly improved compared with non-inoculated Cr treated plants based on photosynthetic yield, which was evidenced from the rise in the fluorescence at I-P transient and rate of photosynthesis (pN), indicating synergistic action between plant and bacteria (AS03 and AS05). The smooth electron transport from PS II to PS I was achieved in the Cr stressed plants inoculated with both the bacterial strains. The detrimental effects of Cr toxicity on the root tips were also minimized with bioinoculation as revealed from mitotic index. Plants with dual inoculation of AS03 and AS05 had significantly lesser chromosomal aberration in the roots. Dual inoculation biochar or seed inoculation have beneficial impact on the plant photosynthetic performance along with improved growth of roots in plants treated with Cr (VI). The results of the current work suggest the possitive effect of dual inoculation of Cr tolerant endosymbionts, Bacillus sp. (AS03) and nodulating Rhizobium sp. (AS05), in reducing cytological as well as physiological stress of plants in Cr (VI) contaminated soil.}, }
@article {pmid36098749, year = {2023}, author = {Angelella, G and Nalam, V and Nachappa, P and White, J and Kaplan, I}, title = {Correction to: Endosymbionts Differentially Alter Exploratory Probing Behavior of a Nonpersistent Plant Virus Vector.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {86}, number = {2}, pages = {1453}, doi = {10.1007/s00248-022-02107-4}, pmid = {36098749}, issn = {1432-184X}, }
@article {pmid36094208, year = {2022}, author = {Kinjo, Y and Bourguignon, T and Hongoh, Y and Lo, N and Tokuda, G and Ohkuma, M}, title = {Coevolution of Metabolic Pathways in Blattodea and Their Blattabacterium Endosymbionts, and Comparisons with Other Insect-Bacteria Symbioses.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {e0277922}, pmid = {36094208}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; *Cockroaches/microbiology ; Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; Insecta ; Bacteria/genetics ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways/genetics ; Amino Acids ; Amino Acids, Essential/genetics ; Arginine/genetics ; Folic Acid ; Vitamins ; }, abstract = {Many insects harbor bacterial endosymbionts that supply essential nutrients and enable their hosts to thrive on a nutritionally unbalanced diet. Comparisons of the genomes of endosymbionts and their insect hosts have revealed multiple cases of mutually-dependent metabolic pathways that require enzymes encoded in 2 genomes. Complementation of metabolic reactions at the pathway level has been described for hosts feeding on unbalanced diets, such as plant sap. However, the level of collaboration between symbionts and hosts that feed on more variable diets is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated amino acid and vitamin/cofactor biosynthetic pathways in Blattodea, which comprises cockroaches and termites, and their obligate endosymbiont Blattabacterium cuenoti (hereafter Blattabacterium). In contrast to other obligate symbiotic systems, we found no clear evidence of "collaborative pathways" for amino acid biosynthesis in the genomes of these taxa, with the exception of collaborative arginine biosynthesis in 2 taxa, Cryptocercus punctulatus and Mastotermes darwiniensis. Nevertheless, we found that several gaps specific to Blattabacterium in the folate biosynthetic pathway are likely to be complemented by their host. Comparisons with other insects revealed that, with the exception of the arginine biosynthetic pathway, collaborative pathways for essential amino acids are only observed in phloem-sap feeders. These results suggest that the host diet is an important driving factor of metabolic pathway evolution in obligate symbiotic systems. IMPORTANCE The long-term coevolution between insects and their obligate endosymbionts is accompanied by increasing levels of genome integration, sometimes to the point that metabolic pathways require enzymes encoded in two genomes, which we refer to as "collaborative pathways". To date, collaborative pathways have only been reported from sap-feeding insects. Here, we examined metabolic interactions between cockroaches, a group of detritivorous insects, and their obligate endosymbiont, Blattabacterium, and only found evidence of collaborative pathways for arginine biosynthesis. The rarity of collaborative pathways in cockroaches and Blattabacterium contrasts with their prevalence in insect hosts feeding on phloem-sap. Our results suggest that host diet is a factor affecting metabolic integration in obligate symbiotic systems.}, }
@article {pmid36093053, year = {2022}, author = {Gabr, A and Stephens, TG and Bhattacharya, D}, title = {Loss of key endosymbiont genes may facilitate early host control of the chromatophore in Paulinella.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {25}, number = {9}, pages = {104974}, pmid = {36093053}, issn = {2589-0042}, abstract = {The primary plastid endosymbiosis (∼124 Mya) that occurred in the heterotrophic amoeba lineage, Paulinella, is at an earlier stage of evolution than in Archaeplastida, and provides an excellent model for studying organelle integration. Using genomic data from photosynthetic Paulinella, we identified a plausible mechanism for the evolution of host control of endosymbiont (termed the chromatophore) biosynthetic pathways and functions. Specifically, random gene loss from the chromatophore and compensation by nuclear-encoded gene copies enables host control of key pathways through a minimal number of evolutionary innovations. These gene losses impact critical enzymatic steps in nucleotide biosynthesis and the more peripheral components of multi-protein DNA replication complexes. Gene retention in the chromatophore likely reflects the need to maintain a specific stoichiometric balance of the encoded products (e.g., involved in DNA replication) rather than redox state, as in the highly reduced plastid genomes of algae and plants.}, }
@article {pmid36085198, year = {2022}, author = {Medina, GA and Flores-Martin, SN and Pereira, WA and Figueroa, EG and Guzmán, NH and Letelier, PJ and Andaur, MR and Leyán, PI and Boguen, RE and Hernández, AH and Fernández, H}, title = {Long-term survive of Aliarcobacter butzleri in two models symbiotic interaction with Acanthamoeba castellanii.}, journal = {Archives of microbiology}, volume = {204}, number = {10}, pages = {610}, pmid = {36085198}, issn = {1432-072X}, support = {VIPUCT, #2016PF-GM-03//Fondo Concurso Interno L&#xed;nea Profondecyt, Vicerrector&#xed;a de Investigaci&#xf3;n y Postgrado, Universidad Cat&#xf3;lica De Temuco/ ; FEQUIP2019-CS-05//Fondo de Equipamiento Vicerrector&#xed;a de Investigaci&#xf3;n y Posgrado Universidad Cat&#xf3;lica de Temuco/ ; FEQUIP2019-CS-05//Fondo de Equipamiento Vicerrector&#xed;a de Investigaci&#xf3;n y Posgrado Universidad Cat&#xf3;lica de Temuco/ ; FEQUIP2019-CS-05//Fondo de Equipamiento Vicerrector&#xed;a de Investigaci&#xf3;n y Posgrado Universidad Cat&#xf3;lica de Temuco/ ; FEQUIP2019-CS-05//Fondo de Equipamiento Vicerrector&#xed;a de Investigaci&#xf3;n y Posgrado Universidad Cat&#xf3;lica de Temuco/ ; FEQUIP2019-CS-05//Fondo de Equipamiento Vicerrector&#xed;a de Investigaci&#xf3;n y Posgrado Universidad Cat&#xf3;lica de Temuco/ ; 1110202//Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cient&#xed;fico y Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; }, mesh = {*Acanthamoeba castellanii/microbiology ; *Arcobacter ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Aliarcobacter butzleri (formerly known as Arcobacter butzleri) is an emerging food-borne zoonotic pathogen that establishes in vitro endosymbiotic relationships with Acanthamoeba castellanii, a free-living amoeba. Previously, we described that this bacterium acts as an endocytobiont of A. castellanii, surviving for at least 10 days in absence of bacterial replication. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of A. butzleri to survive as a long-term endosymbiont of A. castellanii for 30 days in two models of symbiotic interaction with A. castellanii: (i) endosymbiotic culture followed by gentamicin protection assay and (ii) transwell co-culture assay. The results allow us to conclude that A. butzleri is capable of surviving as an endosymbiont of A. castellanii for at least 30 days, without multiplying, under controlled laboratory conditions. In addition, in the absence of nutrients and as both microorganisms remain in the same culture, separated by semi-permeable membranes, A. castellanii does not promote the survival of A. butzleri, nor does it multiply. Our findings suggest that the greater survival capacity of A. butzleri is associated with their endosymbiont status inside A. castellanii, pointing out the complexity of this type of symbiotic relationship.}, }
@article {pmid36054322, year = {2022}, author = {Štarhová Serbina, L and Gajski, D and Pafčo, B and Zurek, L and Malenovský, I and Nováková, E and Schuler, H and Dittmer, J}, title = {Microbiome of pear psyllids: A tale about closely related species sharing their endosymbionts.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {24}, number = {12}, pages = {5788-5808}, pmid = {36054322}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Pyrus ; Symbiosis ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Insecta ; *Microbiota/genetics ; }, abstract = {Psyllids are phloem-feeding insects that can transmit plant pathogens such as phytoplasmas, intracellular bacteria causing numerous plant diseases worldwide. Their microbiomes are essential for insect physiology and may also influence the capacity of vectors to transmit pathogens. Using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding, we compared the microbiomes of three sympatric psyllid species associated with pear trees in Central Europe. All three species are able to transmit 'Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri', albeit with different efficiencies. Our results revealed potential relationships between insect biology and microbiome composition that varied during psyllid ontogeny and between generations in Cacopsylla pyri and C. pyricola, as well as between localities in C. pyri. In contrast, no variations related to psyllid life cycle and geography were detected in C. pyrisuga. In addition to the primary endosymbiont Carsonella ruddii, we detected another highly abundant endosymbiont (unclassified Enterobacteriaceae). C. pyri and C. pyricola shared the same taxon of Enterobacteriaceae which is related to endosymbionts harboured by other psyllid species from various families. In contrast, C. pyrisuga carried a different Enterobacteriaceae taxon related to the genus Sodalis. Our study provides new insights into host-symbiont interactions in psyllids and highlights the importance of host biology and geography in shaping microbiome structure.}, }
@article {pmid36042402, year = {2022}, author = {Twort, VG and Blande, D and Duplouy, A}, title = {One's trash is someone else's treasure: sequence read archives from Lepidoptera genomes provide material for genome reconstruction of their endosymbionts.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {209}, pmid = {36042402}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Animals ; *Lepidoptera ; Phylogeny ; *Spiroplasma/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Maternally inherited bacterial symbionts are extremely widespread in insects. They owe their success to their ability to promote their own transmission through various manipulations of their hosts' life-histories. Many symbionts however very often go undetected. Consequently, we have only a restricted idea of the true symbiont diversity in insects, which may hinder our understanding of even bigger questions in the field such as the evolution or establishment of symbiosis.<br><br>RESULTS: In this study, we screened publicly available Lepidoptera genomic material for two of the most common insect endosymbionts, namely Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, in 1904 entries, encompassing 106 distinct species. We compared the performance of two screening software, Kraken2 and MetaPhlAn2, to identify the bacterial infections and using a baiting approach we reconstruct endosymbiont genome assemblies. Of the 106 species screened, 20 (19%) and nine (8.5%) were found to be infected with either Wolbachia or Spiroplasma, respectively. Construction of partial symbiotic genomes and phylogenetic analyses suggested the Wolbachia strains from the supergroup B were the most prevalent type of symbionts, while Spiroplasma infections were scarce in the Lepidoptera species screened here.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that many of the host-symbiont associations remain largely unexplored, with the majority of associations we identify never being recorded before. This highlights the usefulness of public databases to explore the hidden diversity of symbiotic entities, allowing the development of hypotheses regarding host-symbiont associations. The ever-expanding genomic databases provide a diverse databank from which one can characterize and explore the true diversity of symbiotic entities.}, }
@article {pmid36042324, year = {2022}, author = {Dharamshi, JE and Gaarslev, N and Steffen, K and Martin, T and Sipkema, D and Ettema, TJG}, title = {Genomic diversity and biosynthetic capabilities of sponge-associated chlamydiae.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {16}, number = {12}, pages = {2725-2740}, pmid = {36042324}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Ecosystem ; Phylogeny ; *Chlamydia/genetics ; Bacteria ; Genomics ; *Porifera ; }, abstract = {Sponge microbiomes contribute to host health, nutrition, and defense through the production of secondary metabolites. Chlamydiae, a phylum of obligate intracellular bacteria ranging from animal pathogens to endosymbionts of microbial eukaryotes, are frequently found associated with sponges. However, sponge-associated chlamydial diversity has not yet been investigated at the genomic level and host interactions thus far remain unexplored. Here, we sequenced the microbiomes of three sponge species and found high, though variable, Chlamydiae relative abundances of up to 18.7% of bacteria. Using genome-resolved metagenomics 18 high-quality sponge-associated chlamydial genomes were reconstructed, covering four chlamydial families. Among these, Candidatus Sororchlamydiaceae shares a common ancestor with Chlamydiaceae animal pathogens, suggesting long-term co-evolution with animals. Based on gene content, sponge-associated chlamydiae resemble members from the same family more than sponge-associated chlamydiae of other families, and have greater metabolic versatility than known chlamydial animal pathogens. Sponge-associated chlamydiae are also enriched in genes for degrading diverse compounds found in sponges. Unexpectedly, we identified widespread genetic potential for secondary metabolite biosynthesis across Chlamydiae, which may represent an unexplored source of novel natural products. This finding suggests that Chlamydiae members may partake in defensive symbioses and that secondary metabolites play a wider role in mediating intracellular interactions. Furthermore, sponge-associated chlamydiae relatives were found in other marine invertebrates, pointing towards wider impacts of the Chlamydiae phylum on marine ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid36042261, year = {2022}, author = {Madsen, CS and Makela, AV and Greeson, EM and Hardy, JW and Contag, CH}, title = {Engineered endosymbionts that alter mammalian cell surface marker, cytokine and chemokine expression.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {5}, number = {1}, pages = {888}, pmid = {36042261}, issn = {2399-3642}, mesh = {Animals ; Chemokines ; *Cytokines/genetics ; *Listeria monocytogenes/genetics ; Mammals ; Phagosomes ; Transcription Factors ; }, abstract = {Developing modular tools that direct mammalian cell function and activity through controlled delivery of essential regulators would improve methods of guiding tissue regeneration, enhancing cellular-based therapeutics and modulating immune responses. To address this challenge, Bacillus subtilis was developed as a chassis organism for engineered endosymbionts (EES) that escape phagosome destruction, reside in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells, and secrete proteins that are transported to the nucleus to impact host cell response and function. Two synthetic operons encoding either the mammalian transcription factors Stat-1 and Klf6 or Klf4 and Gata-3 were recombined into the genome of B. subtilis expressing listeriolysin O (LLO) from Listeria monocytogenes and expressed from regulated promoters. Controlled expression of the mammalian proteins from B. subtilis LLO in the cytoplasm of J774A.1 macrophage/monocyte cells altered surface marker, cytokine and chemokine expression. Modulation of host cell fates displayed some expected patterns towards anti- or pro-inflammatory phenotypes by each of the distinct transcription factor pairs with further demonstration of complex regulation caused by a combination of the EES interaction and transcription factors. Expressing mammalian transcription factors from engineered intracellular B. subtilis as engineered endosymbionts comprises a new tool for directing host cell gene expression for therapeutic and research purposes.}, }
@article {pmid36039907, year = {2023}, author = {Wang, R and Sun, R and Zhang, Z and Vannini, C and Di Giuseppe, G and Liang, A}, title = {"Candidatus Euplotechlamydia quinta," a novel chlamydia-like bacterium hosted by the ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus (Ciliophora, Spirotrichea).}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {70}, number = {2}, pages = {e12945}, doi = {10.1111/jeu.12945}, pmid = {36039907}, issn = {1550-7408}, mesh = {Phylogeny ; *Euplotes/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Chlamydia/genetics ; *Ciliophora/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {Our knowledge of ciliate endosymbiont diversity greatly expanded over the past decades due to the development of characterization methods for uncultivable bacteria. Chlamydia-like bacteria have been described as symbionts of free-living amoebae and other phylogenetically diverse eukaryotic hosts. In the present work, a systematic survey of the bacterial diversity associated with the ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus strain Zam5b-1 was performed, using metagenomic screening as well as classical full-cycle rRNA approach, and a novel chlamydial symbiont was characterized. The metagenomic screening revealed 16S rRNA gene sequences from Polynucleobacter necessarius, three previously reported accessory symbionts, and a novel chlamydia-like bacterium. Following the full-cycle rRNA approach, we obtained the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence of this chlamydia-like bacterium and developed probes for diagnostic fluorescence in situ hybridizations. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences unambiguously places the new bacterium in the family Rhabdochlamydiaceae. This is the first report of chlamydia-like bacterium being found in Euplotes. Based on the obtained data, the bacterium is proposed as a new candidate genus and species: "Candidatus Euplotechlamydia quinta."}, }
@article {pmid36034709, year = {2022}, author = {Jha, B and Reverte, M and Ronet, C and Prevel, F and Morgenthaler, FD and Desponds, C and Lye, LF and Owens, KL and Scarpellino, L and Dubey, LK and Sabine, A and Petrova, TV and Luther, SA and Beverley, SM and Fasel, N}, title = {In and out: Leishmania metastasis by hijacking lymphatic system and migrating immune cells.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {941860}, pmid = {36034709}, issn = {2235-2988}, support = {R01 AI130222/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Leishmania ; *Leishmania braziliensis ; *Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous ; Lymphatic System ; *Neoplasms ; }, abstract = {The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in mounting immune response against intracellular pathogens, and recent studies have documented its role in facilitating tumor dissemination linked largely with cancer cells. However, in mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) caused by Leishmania Viannia subgenus showing infectious metastasis and resulting in severe distant secondary lesions, the route of escape of these parasites to secondary sites has not yet been investigated in detail. Our results demonstrated that when infection was associated with inflammation and additionally exacerbated by the presence of dsRNA viral endosymbiont (LRV1), lymphatic vessels could serve as efficient routes for infected cells to egress from the primary site and colonize distant organs. We challenged this hypothesis by using the intracellular Leishmania protozoan parasites Leishmania guyanensis (Lgy) associated with or without a dsRNA viral endosymbiont, exacerbating the infection and responsible for a strong inflammatory response, and favoring metastasis of the infection. We analyzed possible cargo cells and the routes of dissemination through flow cytometry, histological analysis, and in vivo imaging in our metastatic model to show that parasites disseminated not only intracellularly but also as free extracellular parasites using migrating immune cells, lymph nodes (LNs), and lymph vessels, and followed intricate connections of draining and non-draining lymph node to finally end up in the blood and in distant skin, causing new lesions.}, }
@article {pmid36034693, year = {2022}, author = {Kopelyanskiy, D and Desponds, C and Prevel, F and Rossi, M and Migliorini, R and Snäkä, T and Eren, RO and Claudinot, S and Lye, LF and Pasparakis, M and Beverley, SM and Fasel, N}, title = {Leishmania guyanensis suppressed inducible nitric oxide synthase provoked by its viral endosymbiont.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {944819}, pmid = {36034693}, issn = {2235-2988}, support = {R01 AI029646/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI031078/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI130222/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; *Leishmania ; *Leishmania guyanensis/virology ; Leishmaniavirus ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; Nitric Oxide ; *Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; }, abstract = {Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is essential to the production of nitric oxide (NO), an efficient effector molecule against intracellular human pathogens such as Leishmania protozoan parasites. Some strains of Leishmania are known to bear a viral endosymbiont termed Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1). Recognition of LRV1 by the innate immune sensor Toll-like receptor-3 (TLR3) leads to conditions worsening the disease severity in mice. This process is governed by type I interferon (type I IFNs) arising downstream of TLR3 stimulation and favoring the formation of secondary metastatic lesions. The formation of these lesions is mediated by the inflammatory cytokine IL-17A and occurs in the absence, or low level of, protective cytokine IFN-γ. Here, we described that the presence of LRV1 led to the initial expression of iNOS and low production of NO that failed to control infection. We subsequently showed that LRV1-triggered type I IFN was essential but insufficient to induce robust iNOS induction, which requires strong activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Leishmania guyanensis carrying LRV1 (LgyLRV1+) parasites mitigated strong iNOS production by limiting NF-kB activation via the induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3), also known as A20. Moreover, our data suggested that production of LRV1-induced iNOS could be correlated with parasite dissemination and metastasis via elevated secretion of IL-17A in the draining lymph nodes. Our findings support an additional strategy by which LRV1-bearing Leishmania guyanensis evaded killing by nitric oxide and suggest that low levels of LRV1-induced NO might contribute to parasite metastasis.}, }
@article {pmid36015007, year = {2022}, author = {Špitalská, E and Minichová, L and Hamšíková, Z and Stanko, M and Kazimírová, M}, title = {Bartonella, Rickettsia, Babesia, and Hepatozoon Species in Fleas (Siphonaptera) Infesting Small Mammals of Slovakia (Central Europe).}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {36015007}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {-261504 EDENext//EU grant FP7/ ; }, abstract = {Fleas (Siphonaptera) as obligate, blood-feeding ectoparasites are, together with ticks, hosted by small mammals and can transmit causative agents of serious infections. This study aimed to determine and characterize the presence and genetic diversity of Bartonella, Rickettsia, and apicomplexan parasites (Babesia, Hepatozoon) in fleas feeding on small mammals from three different habitat types (suburban, natural, and rural) in Slovakia. The most common pathogen in the examined fleas was Bartonella spp. (33.98%; 95% CI: 30.38-37.58), followed by Rickettsia spp. (19.1%; 95% CI: 16.25-22.24) and apicomplexan parasites (4.36%; 95% CI: 2.81-5.91). Bartonella strains belonging to B. taylorii, B. grahamii, B. elizabethae, Bartonella sp. wbs11, and B. rochalimae clades were identified in Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, C. congener, C. assimilis, C. sciurorum, C. solutus, C. bisoctodentatus, Palaeopsylla similis, Megabothris turbidus, and Nosopsyllus fasciatus within all habitats. The presence of Rickettsia helvetica, R. monacensis, and rickettsiae, belonging to the R. akari and R. felis clusters, and endosymbionts with a 96-100% identity with the Rickettsia endosymbiont of Nosopsyllus laeviceps laeviceps were also revealed in C. agyrtes, C. solutus, C. assimilis, C. congener, M. turbidus, and N. fasciatus. Babesia and Hepatozoon DNA was detected in the fleas from all habitat types. Hepatozoon sp. was detected in C. agyrtes, C. assimilis, and M. turbidus, while Babesia microti was identified from C. agyrtes, C. congener, and P. similis. The present study demonstrated the presence of zoonotic pathogens in fleas, parasitizing the wild-living small mammals of southwestern and central Slovakia and widens our knowledge of the ecology and genomic diversity of Bartonella, Rickettsia, Babesia, and Hepatozoon.}, }
@article {pmid36012723, year = {2022}, author = {Zong, Q and Mao, B and Zhang, HB and Wang, B and Yu, WJ and Wang, ZW and Wang, YF}, title = {Comparative Ubiquitome Analysis Reveals Deubiquitinating Effects Induced by Wolbachia Infection in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {23}, number = {16}, pages = {}, pmid = {36012723}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {31872288//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cytoplasm/metabolism ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; Female ; Male ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/metabolism ; Semen ; Testis/metabolism ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria frequently cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in their insect hosts, where Wolbachia-infected males cross with uninfected females, leading to no or fewer progenies, indicating a paternal modification by Wolbachia. Recent studies have identified a Wolbachia protein, CidB, containing a DUB (deubiquitylating enzyme) domain, which can be loaded into host sperm nuclei and involved in CI, though the DUB activity is not necessary for CI in Drosophila melanogaster. To investigate whether and how Wolbachia affect protein ubiquitination in testes of male hosts and are thus involved in male fertility, we compared the protein and ubiquitinated protein expressions in D. melanogaster testes with and without Wolbachia. A total of 643 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and 309 differentially expressed ubiquitinated proteins (DEUPs) were identified to have at least a 1.5-fold change with a p-value of <0.05. Many DEPs were enriched in metabolic pathway, ribosome, RNA transport, and post-translational protein modification pathways. Many DEUPs were involved in metabolism, ribosome, and proteasome pathways. Notably, 98.1% DEUPs were downregulated in the presence of Wolbachia. Four genes coding for DEUPs in ubiquitin proteasome pathways were knocked down, respectively, in Wolbachia-free fly testes. Among them, Rpn6 and Rpn7 knockdown caused male sterility, with no mature sperm in seminal vesicles. These results reveal deubiquitylating effects induced by Wolbachia infection, suggesting that Wolbachia can widely deubiquitinate proteins that have crucial functions in male fertility of their hosts, but are not involved in CI. Our data provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of endosymbiont/host interactions and male fertility.}, }
@article {pmid36005392, year = {2022}, author = {Richter, I and Radosa, S and Cseresnyés, Z and Ferling, I and Büttner, H and Niehs, SP and Gerst, R and Scherlach, K and Figge, MT and Hillmann, F and Hertweck, C}, title = {Toxin-Producing Endosymbionts Shield Pathogenic Fungus against Micropredators.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {13}, number = {5}, pages = {e0144022}, pmid = {36005392}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {P40 OD010440/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Burkholderia/metabolism ; *Antimitotic Agents/metabolism ; Macrolides ; Symbiosis ; *Oryza/microbiology ; *Toxins, Biological ; Seedlings ; Soil ; }, abstract = {The fungus Rhizopus microsporus harbors a bacterial endosymbiont (Mycetohabitans rhizoxinica) for the production of the antimitotic toxin rhizoxin. Although rhizoxin is the causative agent of rice seedling blight, the toxinogenic bacterial-fungal alliance is, not restricted to the plant disease. It has been detected in numerous environmental isolates from geographically distinct sites covering all five continents, thus raising questions regarding the ecological role of rhizoxin beyond rice seedling blight. Here, we show that rhizoxin serves the fungal host in fending off protozoan and metazoan predators. Fluorescence microscopy and coculture experiments with the fungivorous amoeba Protostelium aurantium revealed that ingestion of R. microsporus spores is toxic to P. aurantium. This amoebicidal effect is caused by the dominant bacterial rhizoxin congener rhizoxin S2, which is also lethal toward the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. By combining stereomicroscopy, automated image analysis, and quantification of nematode movement, we show that the fungivorous nematode Aphelenchus avenae actively feeds on R. microsporus that is lacking endosymbionts, whereas worms coincubated with symbiotic R. microsporus are significantly less lively. This study uncovers an unexpected ecological role of rhizoxin as shield against micropredators. This finding suggests that predators may function as an evolutionary driving force to maintain toxin-producing endosymbionts in nonpathogenic fungi. IMPORTANCE The soil community is a complex system characterized by predator-prey interactions. Fungi have developed effective strategies to defend themselves against predators. Understanding these strategies is of critical importance for ecology, medicine, and biotechnology. In this study, we shed light on the defense mechanisms of the phytopathogenic Rhizopus-Mycetohabitans symbiosis that has spread worldwide. We report an unexpected role of rhizoxin, a secondary metabolite produced by the bacterium M. rhizoxinica residing within the hyphae of R. microsporus. We show that this bacterial secondary metabolite is utilized by the fungal host to successfully fend off fungivorous protozoan and metazoan predators and thus identified a fundamentally new function of this infamous cytotoxic compound. This endosymbiont-dependent predator defense illustrates an unusual strategy employed by fungi that has broader implications, since it may serve as a model for understanding how animal predation acts as an evolutionary driving force to maintain endosymbionts in nonpathogenic fungi.}, }
@article {pmid36003934, year = {2022}, author = {Nishide, Y and Oguchi, K and Murakami, M and Moriyama, M and Koga, R and Fukatsu, T}, title = {Endosymbiotic bacteria of the boar louse Haematopinus apri (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Anoplura).}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {962252}, pmid = {36003934}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Insects exclusively feeding on vertebrate blood are usually dependent on symbiotic bacteria for provisioning of B vitamins. Among them, sucking lice are prominent in that their symbiotic bacteria as well as their symbiotic organs exhibit striking diversity. Here we investigated the bacterial diversity associated with the boar louse Haematopinus apri in comparison with the hog louse Haematopinus suis. Amplicon sequencing analysis identified the primary endosymbiont predominantly detected from all populations of H. apri with some minor secondary bacterial associates. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene confirmed that the endosymbionts of the boar louse H. apri, the hog louse H. suis and the cattle louse Haematopinus eurysternus form a distinct clade in the Gammaproteobacteria. The endosymbiont clade of Haematopinus spp. was phylogenetically distinct from the primary endosymbionts of other louse lineages. Fluorescence in situ hybridization visualized the endosymbiont localization within midgut epithelium, ovarial ampulla and posterior oocyte of H. apri, which were substantially the same as the endosymbiont localization previously described in H. suis and H. eurysternus. Mitochondrial haplotype analysis revealed that, although the domestic pig was derived from the wild boar over the past 8,000 years of human history, the populations of H. apri constituted a distinct sister clade to the populations of H. suis. Based on these results, we discussed possible evolutionary trajectories of the boar louse, the hog louse and their endosymbionts in the context of swine domestication. We proposed 'Candidatus Haematopinicola symbiotica' for the distinct clade of the endosymbionts of Haematopinus spp.}, }
@article {pmid36003268, year = {2022}, author = {Davies, OK and Dorey, JB and Stevens, MI and Gardner, MG and Bradford, TM and Schwarz, MP}, title = {Unparalleled mitochondrial heteroplasmy and Wolbachia co-infection in the non-model bee, Amphylaeus morosus.}, journal = {Current research in insect science}, volume = {2}, number = {}, pages = {100036}, pmid = {36003268}, issn = {2666-5158}, abstract = {Mitochondrial heteroplasmy is the occurrence of more than one type of mitochondrial DNA within a single individual. Although generally reported to occur in a small subset of individuals within a species, there are some instances of widespread heteroplasmy across entire populations. Amphylaeus morosus is an Australian native bee species in the diverse and cosmopolitan bee family Colletidae. This species has an extensive geographical range along the eastern Australian coast, from southern Queensland to western Victoria, covering approximately 2,000 km. Seventy individuals were collected from five localities across this geographical range and sequenced using Sanger sequencing for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. These data indicate that every individual had the same consistent heteroplasmic sites but no other nucleotide variation, suggesting two conserved and widespread heteroplasmic mitogenomes. Ion Torrent shotgun sequencing revealed that heteroplasmy occurred across multiple mitochondrial protein-coding genes and is unlikely explained by transposition of mitochondrial genes into the nuclear genome (NUMTs). DNA sequence data also demonstrated a consistent co-infection of Wolbachia across the A. morosus distribution with every individual infected with both bacterial strains. Our data are consistent with the presence of two mitogenomes within all individuals examined in this species and suggest a major divergence from standard patterns of mitochondrial inheritance. Because the host's mitogenome and the Wolbachia genome are genetically linked through maternal inheritance, we propose three possible hypotheses that could explain maintenance of the widespread and conserved co-occurring bacterial and mitochondrial genomes in this species.}, }
@article {pmid36000911, year = {2022}, author = {Qi, Y and Ai, L and Zhu, C and Ye, F and Lv, R and Wang, J and Mao, Y and Lu, N and Tan, W}, title = {Wild Hedgehogs and Their Parasitic Ticks Coinfected with Multiple Tick-Borne Pathogens in Jiangsu Province, Eastern China.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {e0213822}, pmid = {36000911}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Ticks/microbiology/parasitology ; Hedgehogs/parasitology ; *Coinfection/epidemiology/veterinary ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology ; Ehrlichia/genetics ; *Parasites ; }, abstract = {The increasing awareness of emerging tickborne pathogens (TBPs) has inspired much research. In the present study, the coinfections of TBPs both in ticks and their wild hedgehog hosts in Jiangsu province, Eastern China were determined by metagenome next-generation sequencing and nested PCR. As a result, Rickettsia japonica (81.1%), novel Rickettsia sp. SFGR-1 (5.1%), Anaplasma bovis (12%), A. platys (6.3%), novel Ehrlichia spp. Ehr-1 (16%) and Ehr-2 (0.6%), E. ewingii-like strain (0.6%), Coxiella burnetii (10.9%), and a novel Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) strain (61.1%) were detected in Haemaphysalis flava ticks. A. bovis (43.8%), Ehrlichia sp. Ehr-1 (83.3%), and C. burnetii (80%) were detected in Erinaceus amurensis hedgehogs. Coinfection rates with various TBPs were 71.5% and 83.3% in ticks and hedgehogs, respectively, both with double-pathogen/endosymbiont coinfection rates over 50%. We found the following. (i) Er. amurensis hedgehogs seem to contribute to the natural cycles of R. japonica, A. bovis, Ehrlichia sp., and C. burnetii and may be reservoirs of them except for R. japonica, and A. bovis is proved to infect hedgehogs for the first time. (ii) H. flava is proved to harbor various TBPs as a reservoir host, including CLE identified for the first time, which could inhibit coinfection of C. burnetii while promoting that of Rickettsia spp. in H. flava. (iii) Four novel TBP species were identified. This study provides useful epidemiological information crucial for assessing the potential infection risks to humans, thus benefiting the development of strategies to prevent and control tick-borne diseases. IMPORTANCE In the present study, we found the following. (i) Er. amurensis hedgehogs seem to contribute to the natural cycles of R. japonica, A. bovis, Ehrlichia sp., and C. burnetii and may be reservoirs of them except for R. japonica, and A. bovis is proved to infect hedgehogs for the first time. (ii) H. flava is proved to harbor various tickborne pathogens (TBPs) as a reservoir host, including Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) identified for the first time, which could inhibit coinfection of C. burnetii while promoting that of Rickettsia spp. in H. flava. (iii) Four novel TBP species were identified. This study provides useful epidemiological information on TBPs harbored and transmitted by ticks and their hosts, for assessing the potential infection risks to humans, thus benefiting the developing strategies for tick-borne diseases prevention and control.}, }
@article {pmid35997584, year = {2022}, author = {Breusing, C and Klobusnik, NH and Hauer, MA and Beinart, RA}, title = {Genome assembly of the chemosynthetic endosymbiont of the hydrothermal vent snail Alviniconcha adamantis from the Mariana Arc.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {12}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {35997584}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Ammonia ; Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Ecosystem ; *Gammaproteobacteria/genetics ; *Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Snails ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Urea ; Waste Products ; }, abstract = {Chemosynthetic animal-microbe symbioses sustain hydrothermal vent communities in the global deep sea. In the Indo-Pacific Ocean, hydrothermal ecosystems are often dominated by gastropod species of the genus Alviniconcha, which live in association with chemosynthetic Gammaproteobacteria or Campylobacteria. While the symbiont genomes of most extant Alviniconcha species have been sequenced, no genome information is currently available for the gammaproteobacterial endosymbiont of Alviniconcha adamantis-a comparatively shallow living species that is thought to be the ancestor to all other present Alviniconcha lineages. Here, we report the first genome sequence for the symbiont of A. adamantis from the Chamorro Seamount at the Mariana Arc. Our phylogenomic analyses show that the A. adamantis symbiont is most closely related to Chromatiaceae endosymbionts of the hydrothermal vent snails Alviniconcha strummeri and Chrysomallon squamiferum, but represents a distinct bacterial species or possibly genus. Overall, the functional capacity of the A. adamantis symbiont appeared to be similar to other chemosynthetic Gammaproteobacteria, though several flagella and chemotaxis genes were detected, which are absent in other gammaproteobacterial Alviniconcha symbionts. These differences might suggest potential contrasts in symbiont transmission dynamics, host recognition, or nutrient transfer. Furthermore, an abundance of genes for ammonia transport and urea usage could indicate adaptations to the oligotrophic waters of the Mariana region, possibly via recycling of host- and environment-derived nitrogenous waste products. This genome assembly adds to the growing genomic resources for chemosynthetic bacteria from hydrothermal vents and will be valuable for future comparative genomic analyses assessing gene content evolution in relation to environment and symbiotic lifestyles.}, }
@article {pmid35997363, year = {2022}, author = {Sgroi, G and Iatta, R and Lovreglio, P and Stufano, A and Laidoudi, Y and Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Bezerra-Santos, MA and Veneziano, V and Di Gennaro, F and Saracino, A and Chironna, M and Bandi, C and Otranto, D}, title = {Detection of Endosymbiont Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii and Tickborne Pathogens in Humans Exposed to Tick Bites, Italy.}, journal = {Emerging infectious diseases}, volume = {28}, number = {9}, pages = {1824-1832}, pmid = {35997363}, issn = {1080-6059}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; Rickettsiales ; *Tick Bites/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {During 2021, we collected blood and serum samples from 135 persons exposed to tick bites in southern Italy. We serologically and molecularly screened for zoonotic tickborne pathogens and only molecularly screened for Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii. Overall, 62 (45.9%) persons tested positive for tickborne pathogens. Coxiella burnetii was detected most frequently (27.4%), along with Rickettsia spp. (21.5%) and Borrelia spp. (10.4%). We detected Candidatus M. mitochondrii DNA in 46 (34.1%) participants who had statistically significant associations to tickborne pathogens (p<0.0001). Phylogenetic analysis of Candidatus M. mitochondrii sequences revealed 5 clades and 8 human sequence types that correlated with vertebrates, Ixodes spp. ticks, and countries in Europe. These data demonstrated a high circulation of tickborne pathogens and Candidatus M. mitochondrii DNA in persons participating in outdoor activities in southern Italy. Our study shows how coordinated surveillance among patients, clinicians, and veterinarians could inform a One Health approach for monitoring and controlling the circulation of tickborne pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid35994143, year = {2023}, author = {Hirunkanokpun, S and Ahantarig, A and Baimai, V and Pramual, P and Rakthong, P and Trinachartvanit, W}, title = {Correction to: Spotted fever group Rickettsia, Anaplasma and Coxiella‑like endosymbiont in Haemaphysalis ticks from mammals in Thailand.}, journal = {Veterinary research communications}, volume = {47}, number = {1}, pages = {321}, doi = {10.1007/s11259-022-09988-3}, pmid = {35994143}, issn = {1573-7446}, }
@article {pmid35992676, year = {2022}, author = {Sadanandane, C and Gunasekaran, K and Panneer, D and Subbarao, SK and Rahi, M and Vijayakumar, B and Athithan, V and Sakthivel, A and Dinesh, S and Jambulingam, P}, title = {Studies on the fitness characteristics of wMel- and wAlbB-introgressed Aedes aegypti (Pud) lines in comparison with wMel- and wAlbB-transinfected Aedes aegypti (Aus) and wild-type Aedes aegypti (Pud) lines.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {947857}, pmid = {35992676}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Wolbachia, an intracellular maternally transmitted endosymbiont, has been shown to interfere with the replication of dengue virus in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The Wolbachia-transinfected Ae. aegypti has been currently released in many countries to test its effectiveness in preventing the transmission of dengue virus. ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre in collaboration with World Mosquito Program Monash University, Australia, has generated two new Wolbachia-introgressed Ae. aegypti Puducherry (Pud) lines via backcrossing Ae. aegypti females of Australian (Aus) strains, infected with wMel and wAlbB Wolbachia with wild-type Ae. aegypti Puducherry (Pud) males. Wolbachia infections are known to induce a fitness cost and confer benefit on the host mosquito populations that will influence spread of the Wolbachia into native wild mosquito populations during the field release. Hence, the induced fitness cost or benefit/advantage in the two newly generated Ae. aegypti (Pud) lines was assessed in the laboratory in comparison with the wild-type Ae. aegypti (Pud) strain. In addition, maternal transmission (MT) efficiency, induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), and insecticide resistance status of the two (Pud) lines were determined to assess the likely frequency of wMel and wAlbB infections in the native wild population after field invasion. The study shows that wMel and wAlbB infections did not induce any fitness cost on the two newly generated (Pud) lines. Rather, in terms of wing length, fecundity, egg hatch rate, and adult survival, the Wolbachia introgression conferred fitness benefits on the (Pud) lines compared to uninfected Wolbachia free wild Ae. aegypti population. wMel and wAlbB exhibited a high maternal transmission (99-100%) and induced nearly complete (98-100%) cytoplasmic incompatibility. Both the (Pud) lines were resistant to deltamethrin, malathion, DDT, and temephos, and the level of resistance was almost the same between the two lines as in the wild type. Overall, the stable association of wMel and wAlbB established with Ae. aegypti and the reproductive advantages of the (Pud) lines encourage a pilot release in the field for population replacement potential.}, }
@article {pmid35992159, year = {2022}, author = {Bekkar, A and Isorce, N and Snäkä, T and Claudinot, S and Desponds, C and Kopelyanskiy, D and Prével, F and Reverte, M and Xenarios, I and Fasel, N and Teixeira, F}, title = {Dissection of the macrophage response towards infection by the Leishmania-viral endosymbiont duo and dynamics of the type I interferon response.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {941888}, pmid = {35992159}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Interferon Type I/immunology ; *Leishmania/virology ; *Leishmaniasis/immunology/parasitology/virology ; *Leishmaniavirus ; *Macrophages/immunology/parasitology ; Mice ; }, abstract = {Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1) is a double-stranded RNA virus found in some strains of the human protozoan parasite Leishmania, the causative agent of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease. Interestingly, the presence of LRV1 inside Leishmania constitutes an important virulence factor that worsens the leishmaniasis outcome in a type I interferon (IFN)-dependent manner and contributes to treatment failure. Understanding how macrophages respond toward Leishmania alone or in combination with LRV1 as well as the role that type I IFNs may play during infection is fundamental to oversee new therapeutic strategies. To dissect the macrophage response toward infection, RNA sequencing was performed on murine wild-type and Ifnar-deficient bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with Leishmania guyanensis (Lgy) devoid or not of LRV1. Additionally, macrophages were treated with poly I:C (mimetic virus) or with type I IFNs. By implementing a weighted gene correlation network analysis, the groups of genes (modules) with similar expression patterns, for example, functionally related, coregulated, or the members of the same functional pathway, were identified. These modules followed patterns dependent on Leishmania, LRV1, or Leishmania exacerbated by the presence of LRV1. Not only the visualization of how individual genes were embedded to form modules but also how different modules were related to each other were observed. Thus, in the context of the observed hyperinflammatory phenotype associated to the presence of LRV1, it was noted that the biomarkers tumor-necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and the interleukin 6 (IL-6) belonged to different modules and that their regulating specific Src-family kinases were segregated oppositely. In addition, this network approach revealed the strong and sustained effect of LRV1 on the macrophage response and genes that had an early, late, or sustained impact during infection, uncovering the dynamics of the IFN response. Overall, this study contributed to shed light and dissect the intricate macrophage response toward infection by the Leishmania-LRV1 duo and revealed the crosstalk between modules made of coregulated genes and provided a new resource that can be further explored to study the impact of Leishmania on the macrophage response.}, }
@article {pmid35987324, year = {2022}, author = {Fujii, S and Somei, K and Asaeda, Y and Igawa, T and Hattori, K and Yoshida, T and Sambongi, Y}, title = {Heterologous expression and biochemical comparison of two homologous SoxX proteins of endosymbiotic Candidatus Vesicomyosocius okutanii and free-living Hydrogenovibrio crunogenus from deep-sea environments.}, journal = {Protein expression and purification}, volume = {200}, number = {}, pages = {106157}, doi = {10.1016/j.pep.2022.106157}, pmid = {35987324}, issn = {1096-0279}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Bivalvia/genetics/metabolism ; Cytochromes c ; *Gammaproteobacteria ; Phylogeny ; Piscirickettsiaceae ; Sulfur/metabolism ; Sulfur Compounds ; }, abstract = {Candidatus Vesicomyosocius okutanii is a currently uncultured endosymbiotic bacterium of Phreagena okutanii, a clam that inhabits deep-sea vent environments. The genome of Ca. V. okutanii encodes a sulfur-oxidizing (Sox) enzyme complex, presumably generating biological energy for the host from inorganic sulfur compounds. Here, Ca. V. okutanii SoxX (VoSoxX), a mono-heme cytochrome c component of the Sox complex, was shown to be phylogenetically related to its homologous counterpart (HcSoxX) from a free-living deep-sea bacterium, Hydrogenovibrio crunogenus. Both proteins were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli co-expressing cytochrome c maturation genes for comparative biochemical analysis. The VoSoxX recombinant had significantly lower thermal stability than HcSoxX, reflecting the difference in growth conditions of the source bacteria. The endosymbiont inhabits a mild intracellular environment, whereas the free-living bacterium dwells in a harsh environment. This study represents the first successful case of heterologous expression of genes from Ca. V. okutanii, allowing further biochemical studies of the molecular mechanism of sulfur oxidation in deep-sea environments.}, }
@article {pmid35979496, year = {2022}, author = {Říhová, J and Bell, KC and Nováková, E and Hypša, V}, title = {Lightella neohaematopini: A new lineage of highly reduced endosymbionts coevolving with chipmunk lice of the genus Neohaematopinus.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {900312}, pmid = {35979496}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Sucking lice (Anoplura) are known to have established symbiotic associations multiple times with different groups of bacteria as diverse as Enterobacteriales, Legionellales, and Neisseriales. This diversity, together with absence of a common coevolving symbiont (such as Buchnera, in aphids), indicates that sucking lice underwent a series of symbiont acquisitions, losses, and replacements. To better understand evolution and significance of louse symbionts, genomic and phylogenetic data are needed from a broader taxonomic diversity of lice and their symbiotic bacteria. In this study, we extend the known spectrum of the louse symbionts with a new lineage associated with Neohaematopinus pacificus, a louse species that commonly parasitizes North American chipmunks. The recent coevolutionary analysis showed that rather than a single species, these lice form a cluster of unique phylogenetic lineages specific to separate chipmunk species (or group of closely related species). Using metagenomic assemblies, we show that the lice harbor a bacterium which mirrors their phylogeny and displays traits typical for obligate mutualists. Phylogenetic analyses place this bacterium within Enterobacteriaceae on a long branch related to another louse symbiont, "Candidatus Puchtella pedicinophila." We propose for this symbiotic lineage the name "Candidatus Lightella neohaematopini." Based on the reconstruction of metabolic pathways, we suggest that like other louse symbionts, L. neohaematopini provides its host with at least some B vitamins. In addition, several samples harbored another symbiotic bacterium phylogenetically affiliated with the Neisseriales-related symbionts described previously from the lice Polyplax serrata and Hoplopleura acanthopus. Characterizing these bacteria further extend the known diversity of the symbiotic associations in lice and show unique complexity and dynamics of the system.}, }
@article {pmid35976120, year = {2022}, author = {Shastry, V and Bell, KL and Buerkle, CA and Fordyce, JA and Forister, ML and Gompert, Z and Lebeis, SL and Lucas, LK and Marion, ZH and Nice, CC}, title = {A continental-scale survey of Wolbachia infections in blue butterflies reveals evidence of interspecific transfer and invasion dynamics.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {12}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {35976120}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Animals ; *Butterflies/genetics/microbiology ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Haplotypes/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Infections by maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts, especially Wolbachia, are common in insects and other invertebrates but infection dynamics across species ranges are largely under studied. Specifically, we lack a broad understanding of the origin of Wolbachia infections in novel hosts, and the historical and geographical dynamics of infections that are critical for identifying the factors governing their spread. We used Genotype-by-Sequencing data from previous population genomics studies for range-wide surveys of Wolbachia presence and genetic diversity in North American butterflies of the genus Lycaeides. As few as one sequence read identified by assembly to a Wolbachia reference genome provided high accuracy in detecting infections in host butterflies as determined by confirmatory PCR tests, and maximum accuracy was achieved with a threshold of only 5 sequence reads per host individual. Using this threshold, we detected Wolbachia in all but 2 of the 107 sampling localities spanning the continent, with infection frequencies within populations ranging from 0% to 100% of individuals, but with most localities having high infection frequencies (mean = 91% infection rate). Three major lineages of Wolbachia were identified as separate strains that appear to represent 3 separate invasions of Lycaeides butterflies by Wolbachia. Overall, we found extensive evidence for acquisition of Wolbachia through interspecific transfer between host lineages. Strain wLycC was confined to a single butterfly taxon, hybrid lineages derived from it, and closely adjacent populations in other taxa. While the other 2 strains were detected throughout the rest of the continent, strain wLycB almost always co-occurred with wLycA. Our demographic modeling suggests wLycB is a recent invasion. Within strain wLycA, the 2 most frequent haplotypes are confined almost exclusively to separate butterfly taxa with haplotype A1 observed largely in Lycaeides melissa and haplotype A2 observed most often in Lycaeides idas localities, consistent with either cladogenic mode of infection acquisition from a common ancestor or by hybridization and accompanying mutation. More than 1 major Wolbachia strain was observed in 15 localities. These results demonstrate the utility of using resequencing data from hosts to quantify Wolbachia genetic variation and infection frequency and provide evidence of multiple colonizations of novel hosts through hybridization between butterfly lineages and complex dynamics between Wolbachia strains.}, }
@article {pmid35973490, year = {2022}, author = {Qi, S and Al Naggar, Y and Li, J and Liu, Z and Xue, X and Wu, L and El-Seedi, HR and Wang, K}, title = {Acaricide flumethrin-induced sublethal risks in honeybees are associated with gut symbiotic bacterium Gilliamella apicola through microbe-host metabolic interactions.}, journal = {Chemosphere}, volume = {307}, number = {Pt 3}, pages = {136030}, doi = {10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136030}, pmid = {35973490}, issn = {1879-1298}, mesh = {*Acaricides/toxicity ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Bees ; Gammaproteobacteria ; Glycerophospholipids ; *Pesticides ; Pyrethrins ; }, abstract = {Flumethrin is one of the few acaricides that permit the control of Varroa disease or varroosis in bee colonies. However, flumethrin accumulates in hive products. We previously discovered that sublethal doses of flumethrin induce significant physiological stress in honeybees (Apis mellifera L.), however its potential impacts on the honeybee gut microenvironment remains unknown. To fill this gap, honeybees were exposed to a field-relevant concentration of flumethrin (10 μg/L) for 14 d and its potential impacts on gut system were evaluated. The results indicated that flumethrin triggered immune responses in the gut but had limited effects on survival and gut microbial composition. However, survival stress drastically increased in bees exposed to antibiotics, suggesting that the gut microbiota is closely related to flumethrin-induced dysbiosis in the bee gut. Based on a non-targeted metabolomics approach, flumethrin at 10 μg/L considerably altered the composition of intestinal metabolites, and we discovered that this metabolic stress was closely linked with a reduction of gut core bacterial endosymbiont Gilliamella spp. through a combination of microbiological and metabolomics investigations. Finally, an in vitro study showed that while flumethrin does not directly inhibit the growth of Gilliamella apicola isolates, it does have a significant impact on the glycerophospholipid metabolism in bacteria cells, which was also observed in host bees. These findings indicated that even though flumethrin administered at environmental relevant concentrations does not significantly induce death in honeybees, it still alters the metabolism balance between honeybees and the gut symbiotic bacterium, G. apicola. The considerable negative impact of flumethrin on the honeybee gut microenvironment emphasizes the importance of properly monitoring acaricide to avoid potential environmental concerns, and further studies are needed to illustrate the mode of action of bee health-gut microbiota-exogenous pesticides.}, }
@article {pmid35972515, year = {2022}, author = {Oliveira, CYB and Abreu, JL and Santos, EP and Matos, &#xc2;P and Tribuzi, G and Oliveira, CDL and Veras, BO and Bezerra, RS and Müller, MN and Gálvez, AO}, title = {Light induces peridinin and docosahexaenoic acid accumulation in the dinoflagellate Durusdinium glynnii.}, journal = {Applied microbiology and biotechnology}, volume = {106}, number = {18}, pages = {6263-6276}, pmid = {35972515}, issn = {1432-0614}, support = {Finance Code 001//Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfei&#xe7;oamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior/ ; BFP-0186-5.06/20//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco/ ; PQ 307107/2019-1//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; PQ 305467/2020-4//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; PQ 308063/2019-8//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; }, mesh = {Antioxidants ; Carotenoids ; Chlorophyll ; *Dinoflagellida ; Docosahexaenoic Acids ; }, abstract = {Peridinin is a light-harvesting carotenoid present in phototrophic dinoflagellates and has great potential for new drug applications and cosmetics development. Herein, the effects of irradiance mediated by light-emitting diodes on growth performance, carotenoid and fatty acid profiles, and antioxidant activity of the endosymbiotic dinoflagellate Durusdinium glynnii were investigated. The results demonstrate that D. glynnii is particularly well adapted to low-light conditions; however, it can be high-light-tolerant. In contrast to other light-harvesting carotenoids, the peridinin accumulation in D. glynnii occurred during high-light exposure. The peridinin to chlorophyll-a ratio varied as a function of irradiance, while the peridinin to total carotenoids ratio remained stable. Under optimal irradiance for growth, there was a peak in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) bioaccumulation. This study contributes to the understanding of the photoprotective role of peridinin in endosymbiont dinoflagellates and highlights the antioxidant activity of peridinin-rich extracts. KEY POINTS: • Peridinin has a protective role against chlorophyll photo-oxidation • High light conditions induce cellular peridinin accumulation • D. glynnii accumulates high amounts of DHA under optimal light supply.}, }
@article {pmid35968950, year = {2022}, author = {Aquino, MF and Simoes-Barbosa, A}, title = {A Microbial Piñata: Bacterial Endosymbionts of Trichomonas vaginalis Come in Different Flavors.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {e0132322}, pmid = {35968950}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Bacteria/genetics ; Female ; Humans ; *Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma hominis/genetics ; *Trichomonas vaginalis/genetics ; Vagina/microbiology ; }, abstract = {The protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis causes trichomoniasis, a prevalent human urogenital infection with significant morbidity that is commonly associated with vaginal dysbiosis. Exacerbation of T. vaginalis pathogenicity has been related to endosymbionts, including mycoplasma, and thought for a while to be solely attributable to Mycoplasma hominis. In a recent publication, Margarita and colleagues (https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.00918-22) showed that endosymbiosis extends to a second species of mycoplasma known as "Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii." Those authors confirmed the strong association of T. vaginalis with both species of mycoplasma by reassessing clinical samples. Additionally, they showed that in vitro symbiosis of protozoa and bacteria resulted in the modulation of gene expression of T. vaginalis and enhancement of parasite cytoadhesion and hemolytic activity in culture assays. In this commentary, we portray T. vaginalis as a synergistically interacting multimicrobe organism-a "microbial piñata"-whose endosymbionts contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of this medically important protozoan parasite.}, }
@article {pmid35967981, year = {2022}, author = {Shropshire, JD and Hamant, E and Conner, WR and Cooper, BS}, title = {cifB-transcript levels largely explain cytoplasmic incompatibility variation across divergent Wolbachia.}, journal = {PNAS nexus}, volume = {1}, number = {3}, pages = {pgac099}, pmid = {35967981}, issn = {2752-6542}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Divergent hosts often associate with intracellular microbes that influence their fitness. Maternally transmitted Wolbachia bacteria are the most common of these endosymbionts, due largely to cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) that kills uninfected embryos fertilized by Wolbachia-infected males. Closely related infections in females rescue CI, providing a relative fitness advantage that drives Wolbachia to high frequencies. One prophage-associated gene (cifA) governs rescue, and two contribute to CI (cifA and cifB), but CI strength ranges from very strong to very weak for unknown reasons. Here, we investigate CI-strength variation and its mechanistic underpinnings in a phylogenetic context across 20 million years (MY) of Wolbachia evolution in Drosophila hosts diverged up to 50 MY. These Wolbachia encode diverse Cif proteins (100% to 7.4% pairwise similarity), and AlphaFold structural analyses suggest that CifB sequence similarities do not predict structural similarities. We demonstrate that cifB-transcript levels in testes explain CI strength across all but two focal systems. Despite phylogenetic discordance among cifs and the bulk of the Wolbachia genome, closely related Wolbachia tend to cause similar CI strengths and transcribe cifB at similar levels. This indicates that other non-cif regions of the Wolbachia genome modulate cif-transcript levels. CI strength also increases with the length of the host's larval life stage, presumably due to prolonged cif action. Our findings reveal that cifB-transcript levels largely explain CI strength, while highlighting other covariates. Elucidating CI's mechanism contributes to our understanding of Wolbachia spread in natural systems and to improving the efficacy of CI-based biocontrol of arboviruses and agricultural pests globally.}, }
@article {pmid35963240, year = {2022}, author = {Su, Y and Lin, HC and Teh, LS and Chevance, F and James, I and Mayfield, C and Golic, KG and Gagnon, JA and Rog, O and Dale, C}, title = {Rational engineering of a synthetic insect-bacterial mutualism.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {32}, number = {18}, pages = {3925-3938.e6}, pmid = {35963240}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {R35 GM128804/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM136389/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM142950/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Amino Acids, Aromatic ; Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Insecta/microbiology ; Phenylalanine ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; Tyrosine ; *Weevils/genetics ; }, abstract = {Many insects maintain mutualistic associations with bacterial endosymbionts, but little is known about how they originate in nature. In this study, we describe the establishment and manipulation of a synthetic insect-bacterial symbiosis in a weevil host. Following egg injection, the nascent symbiont colonized many tissues, including prototypical somatic and germinal bacteriomes, yielding maternal transmission over many generations. We then engineered the nascent symbiont to overproduce the aromatic amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine, which facilitate weevil cuticle strengthening and accelerated larval development, replicating the function of mutualistic symbionts that are widely distributed among weevils and other beetles in nature. Our work provides empirical support for the notion that mutualistic symbioses can be initiated in insects by the acquisition of environmental bacteria. It also shows that certain bacterial genera, including the Sodalis spp. used in our study, are predisposed to develop these associations due to their ability to maintain benign infections and undergo vertical transmission in diverse insect hosts, facilitating the partner-fidelity feedback that is critical for the evolution of obligate mutualism. These experimental advances provide a new platform for laboratory studies focusing on the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary processes underlying insect-bacterial symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid35955579, year = {2022}, author = {Zuber, L and Domínguez-Santos, R and García-Ferris, C and Silva, FJ}, title = {Identification of the Gene Repertoire of the IMD Pathway and Expression of Antimicrobial Peptide Genes in Several Tissues and Hemolymph of the Cockroach Blattella germanica.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {23}, number = {15}, pages = {}, pmid = {35955579}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {Prometeo/2018/A/133//Generalitat Valenciana/ ; PGC2018-099344-B-I00//European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci&#xf3;n y Universidades (Spain)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Antimicrobial Peptides ; *Blattellidae/genetics ; *Flavobacteriaceae ; Hemolymph ; }, abstract = {Antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes, triggered by Toll and IMD pathways, are essential components of the innate immune system in the German cockroach Blattella germanica. Besides their role in killing pathogenic bacteria, AMPs could be involved in controlling its symbiotic systems (endosymbiont and microbiota). We found that the IMD pathway was active in the adult female transcriptomes of six tissues (salivary glands, foregut, midgut, hindgut, Malpighian tubules and fat body) and hemolymph. Total expression of AMP genes was high in hemolymph and salivary glands and much lower in the other sample types. The expression of specific AMP genes was very heterogeneous among sample types. Two genes, defensin_g10 and drosomycin_g5, displayed relevant expression in the seven sample types, although higher in hemolymph. Other genes only displayed high expression in one tissue. Almost no expression of attacin-like and blattellicin genes was observed in any sample type, although some of them were among the genes with the highest expression in adult female whole bodies. The expression of AMP genes in salivary glands could help control pathogens ingested with food and even determine gut microbiota composition. The low expression levels in midgut and hindgut are probably related to the presence of beneficial microbiota. Furthermore, a reduction in the expression of AMP genes in fat body could be the way to prevent damage to the population of the endosymbiont Blattabacterium cuenoti within bacteriocytes.}, }
@article {pmid35945408, year = {2022}, author = {Hirunkanokpun, S and Ahantarig, A and Baimai, V and Pramual, P and Rakthong, P and Trinachartvanit, W}, title = {Spotted fever group Rickettsia, Anaplasma and Coxiella-like endosymbiont in Haemaphysalis ticks from mammals in Thailand.}, journal = {Veterinary research communications}, volume = {46}, number = {4}, pages = {1209-1219}, pmid = {35945408}, issn = {1573-7446}, support = {DBG6180027//Thailand Research Fund-Chinese Academy of Science Grant/ ; BDC-PG3-163005//Center of Excellence on Biodiversity, Office of Higher Education Commission/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Ticks/genetics/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Thailand ; Ferrets ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; *Ixodidae/genetics/microbiology ; Anaplasma/genetics ; Coxiella/genetics ; *Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis/veterinary ; }, abstract = {Ticks are ectoparasites of vertebrates and vectors of various pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, the presence of bacteria and protozoa was evaluated by PCR and DNA sequencing in 233 mammal ticks collected from 8 provinces in Thailand. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of partial rickettsial ompA, ompB, sca4 and partial Coxiella 16S rRNA, GroEL, rpoB genes clearly revealed, for the first time, a co-infection of SFG Rickettsia belonging to R. massiliae subgroup and Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE), Cox-hein, in a male of Haemaphysalis heinrichi tick infesting Burmese ferret-badger in Loei province. Moreover, a male of H. hystricis tick infesting the same host was infected with another CLE, Cox-hys. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, Anaplasma sp., closely related to Anaplasma bovis was also detected in a male of H. heinrichi infesting the same Burmese ferret-badger. In addition, the third CLE, Cox-asia, found in H. asiatica collected from Asian palm civet in Chiang Rai province, was different from both Cox-hein and Cox-hys. This study provided important data and broadened our knowledge on tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts in Thailand and Southeast Asia.}, }
@article {pmid35930552, year = {2022}, author = {Gao, RF and Wang, Y and Wang, Y and Wang, ZW and Zhang, GM}, title = {Genome insights from the identification of a novel Pandoraea sputorum isolate and its characteristics.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {17}, number = {8}, pages = {e0272435}, pmid = {35930552}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*Burkholderiaceae/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Quorum Sensing ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {In this study, we sequenced a bacteria isolate Pandoraea sp. 892iso isolated from a Phytophthora rubi strain which is an important plant pathogenic oomycete, identified through genome and combined the data with existing genomic data from other 28 the genus of Pandoraea species. Next, we conducted a comparative genomic analysis of the genome structure, evolutionary relationships, and pathogenic characteristics of Pandoraea species. Our results identified Pandoraea sp. 892iso as Pandoraea sputorum at both the genome and gene levels. At the genome level, we carried out phylogenetic analysis of single-copy, gene co-linearity, ANI (average nucleotide identity) and AAI (average amino acid identity) indices, rpoB similarity, MLSA phylogenetic analysis, and genome-to-genome distance calculator calculations to identify the relationship between Pandoraea sp. 892iso and P. sputorum. At the gene level, the quorum sensing genes ppnI and ppnR and the OXA-159 gene were assessed. It is speculated that Pandoraea sp. 892iso is the endosymbiont of the Oomycetes strain of Phytophthora rubi.}, }
@article {pmid35925827, year = {2023}, author = {Kwak, Y and Argandona, JA and Degnan, PH and Hansen, AK}, title = {Chromosomal-level assembly of Bactericera cockerelli reveals rampant gene family expansions impacting genome structure, function and insect-microbe-plant-interactions.}, journal = {Molecular ecology resources}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {233-252}, pmid = {35925827}, issn = {1755-0998}, support = {//National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)/ ; //University of California, Riverside (UCR)/ ; 2019-70016-29066//United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Genome ; Bacteria/genetics ; Chromosomes ; }, abstract = {Lineage specific expansions and gene duplications are some of the most important sources of evolutionary novelty in eukaryotes. Although not as prevalent in eukaryotes compared to bacteria, horizontal gene transfer events can also result in key adaptations for insects, especially for those involved in insect-microbe interactions. In this study we assemble the first chromosomal assembly of the psyllid Bactericera cockerelli and reveal that the B. cockerelli genome has experienced significantly more gene expansion events compared to other Hemipteran representatives with fully sequenced genomes. We also reveal that B. cockerelli's genome is the largest psyllid genome (567 Mb) sequenced to date and is ~15% larger than the other two psyllid species genomes sequenced (Pachypsylla venusta and Diaphorina citri). Structurally, B. cockerelli appears to have an additional chromosome compared to the distantly related psyllid species P. venusta due to a previous chromosomal fission or fusion event. The increase in genome size and dynamic nature of the B. cockerelli genome may largely be contributed to the widespread expansion of type I and II repeat elements that are rampant across all of B. cockerelli's. chromosomes. These repeat elements are distributed near equally in both euchromatic and heterochromatic regions. Furthermore, significant gene family expansions and gene duplications were uncovered for genes that are expected to be important in its adaptation to insect-plant and microbe interactions, which include transcription factors, proteases, odorant receptors, and horizontally transferred genes that are involved in the nutritional symbioses with their long-term nutritional endosymbiont Carsonella.}, }
@article {pmid35923389, year = {2022}, author = {Tibbs-Cortes, LE and Tibbs-Cortes, BW and Schmitz-Esser, S}, title = {Tardigrade Community Microbiomes in North American Orchards Include Putative Endosymbionts and Plant Pathogens.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {866930}, pmid = {35923389}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The microbiome of tardigrades, a phylum of microscopic animals best known for their ability to survive extreme conditions, is poorly studied worldwide and completely unknown in North America. An improved understanding of tardigrade-associated bacteria is particularly important because tardigrades have been shown to act as vectors of the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris in the laboratory. However, the potential role of tardigrades as reservoirs and vectors of phytopathogens has not been investigated further. This study analyzed the microbiota of tardigrades from six apple orchards in central Iowa, United States, and is the first analysis of the microbiota of North American tardigrades. It is also the first ever study of the tardigrade microbiome in an agricultural setting. We utilized 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the tardigrade community microbiome across four contrasts: location, substrate type (moss or lichen), collection year, and tardigrades vs. their substrate. Alpha diversity of the tardigrade community microbiome differed significantly by location and year of collection but not by substrate type. Our work also corroborated earlier findings, demonstrating that tardigrades harbor a distinct microbiota from their environment. We also identified tardigrade-associated taxa that belong to genera known to contain phytopathogens (Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, and the Pantoea/Erwinia complex). Finally, we observed members of the genera Rickettsia and Wolbachia in the tardigrade microbiome; because these are obligate intracellular genera, we consider these taxa to be putative endosymbionts of tardigrades. These results suggest the presence of putative endosymbionts and phytopathogens in the microbiota of wild tardigrades in North America.}, }
@article {pmid35916900, year = {2022}, author = {Jin, C and Mo, Y and Zhao, L and Xiao, Z and Zhu, S and He, Z and Chen, Z and Zhang, M and Shu, L and Qiu, R}, title = {Host-Endosymbiont Relationship Impacts the Retention of Bacteria-Containing Amoeba Spores in Porous Media.}, journal = {Environmental science &amp; technology}, volume = {56}, number = {17}, pages = {12347-12357}, doi = {10.1021/acs.est.2c02899}, pmid = {35916900}, issn = {1520-5851}, mesh = {*Amoeba/microbiology ; *Dictyostelium/metabolism/microbiology ; Porosity ; Spores, Bacterial ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Amoebae are protists that are commonly found in water, soil, and other habitats around the world and have complex interactions with other microorganisms. In this work, we investigated how host-endosymbiont interactions between amoebae and bacteria impacted the retention behavior of amoeba spores in porous media. A model amoeba species, Dictyostelium discoideum, and a representative bacterium, Burkholderia agricolaris B1qs70, were used to prepare amoeba spores that carried bacteria. After interacting with B. agricolaris, the retention of D. discoideum spores was enhanced compared to noninfected spores. Diverse proteins, especially proteins contributing to the looser exosporium structure and cell adhesion functionality, are secreted in higher quantities on the exosporium surface of infected spores compared to that of noninfected ones. Comprehensive examinations using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), a parallel plate chamber, and a single-cell force microscope present coherent evidence that changes in the exosporium of D. discoideum spores due to infection by B. agricolaris enhance the connections between spores in the suspension and the spores that were previously deposited on the collector surface, thus resulting in more retention compared to the uninfected ones in porous media. This work provides novel insight into the retention of amoeba spores after bacterial infection in porous media and suggests that the host-endosymbiont relationship regulates the fate of biocolloids in drinking water systems, groundwater, and other porous environments.}, }
@article {pmid35916448, year = {2022}, author = {Wang, J and Gou, QY and Luo, GY and Hou, X and Liang, G and Shi, M}, title = {Total RNA sequencing of Phlebotomus chinensis sandflies in China revealed viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic microbes potentially pathogenic to humans.}, journal = {Emerging microbes &amp; infections}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {2080-2092}, pmid = {35916448}, issn = {2222-1751}, support = {U01 AI151810/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Humans ; Mammals ; *Phlebotomus/genetics ; *Phlebovirus/genetics ; *Psychodidae/genetics ; RNA ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; }, abstract = {Phlebotomus chinensis sandfly is a neglected insect vector in China that is well-known for carrying Leishmania. Recent studies have expanded its pathogen repertoire with two novel arthropod-borne phleboviruses capable of infecting humans and animals. Despite these discoveries, our knowledge of the general pathogen diversity and overall microbiome composition of this vector species is still very limited. Here we carried out a meta-transcriptomics analysis that revealed the actively replicating/transcribing RNA viruses, DNA viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic microbes, namely, the "total microbiome", of several sandfly populations in China. Strikingly, "microbiome" made up 1.8% of total non-ribosomal RNA and comprised more than 87 species, among which 70 were novel, including divergent members of the genera Flavivirus and of the family Trypanosomatidae. Importantly, among these microbes we were able to reveal four distinguished types of human and/or mammalian pathogens, including two phleboviruses (hedi and wuxiang viruses), one novel Spotted fever group rickettsia, as well as a member of Leishmania donovani complex, among which hedi virus and Leishmania each had > 50% pool prevalence rate and relatively high abundance levels. Our study also showed the ubiquitous presence of an endosymbiont, namely Wolbachia, although no anti-viral or anti-pathogen effects were detected based on our data. In summary, our results uncovered the much un-explored diversity of microbes harboured by sandflies in China and demonstrated that high pathogen diversity and abundance are currently present in multiple populations, implying disease potential for exposed local human population or domestic animals.}, }
@article {pmid35914568, year = {2022}, author = {Rosário, AAD and Dias-Lima, AG and Lambert, SM and Souza, BMPDS and Bravo, F}, title = {Identification and molecular characterization of Wolbachia strains and natural infection for Leishmania sp. in neotropical Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) species, leishmaniasis vectors.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {235}, number = {}, pages = {106624}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106624}, pmid = {35914568}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; Brazil ; Insect Vectors/parasitology ; *Leishmania infantum/genetics ; *Leishmaniasis ; *Parasites ; *Psychodidae/parasitology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Recently, Wolbachia infection has been described in leishmaniasis vector sandflies. This endosymbiont bacterium is present in 60% of insects, and has been suggested as a mechanism of biological control of vector insects, because it causes a series of changes in the invertebrate host. In addition, recent studies have shown that this bacterium can prevent the development of parasites in vector insects. In this context, the present study aims to molecularly characterize the circulating strain of this bacterium in sandflies in the State of Bahia, Brazil, as well as the natural infection rate of Leishmania sp., and to evaluate the coinfection between Wolbachia and Leishmania. Seven hundred and forty-five (745) specimens of sandflies were collected in nine municipalities of Bahia, belonging to two species, Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva, 1912) and Nyssomyia whitmani (Antunes and Coutinho, 1939). The results confirm infection by the protozoan Leishmania infantum and Wolbachia in both species collected. The identified strain of Wolbachia in sandflies was wStv MI, known to lead to a phenotype of cytoplasmic incompatibility in vector insects.}, }
@article {pmid35913594, year = {2022}, author = {Patra, AK and Kwon, YM and Yang, Y}, title = {Complete gammaproteobacterial endosymbiont genome assembly from a seep tubeworm Lamellibrachia satsuma.}, journal = {Journal of microbiology (Seoul, Korea)}, volume = {60}, number = {9}, pages = {916-927}, pmid = {35913594}, issn = {1976-3794}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; *Polychaeta/genetics/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Siboglinid tubeworms thrive in hydrothermal vent and seep habitats via a symbiotic relationship with chemosynthetic bacteria. Difficulties in culturing tubeworms and their symbionts in a laboratory setting have hindered the study of host-microbe interactions. Therefore, released symbiont genomes are fragmented, thereby limiting the data available on the genome that affect subsequent analyses. Here, we present a complete genome of gammaproteobacterial endosymbiont from the tubeworm Lamellibrachia satsuma collected from a seep in Kagoshima Bay, assembled using a hybrid approach that combines sequences generated from the Illumina and Oxford Nano-pore platforms. The genome consists of a single circular chromosome with an assembly size of 4,323,754 bp and a GC content of 53.9% with 3,624 protein-coding genes. The genome is of high quality and contains no assembly gaps, while the completeness and contamination are 99.33% and 2.73%, respectively. Comparative genome analysis revealed a total of 1,724 gene clusters shared in the vent and seep tubeworm symbionts, while 294 genes were found exclusively in L. satsuma symbionts such as transposons, genes for defense mechanisms, and inorganic ion transportations. The addition of this complete endosymbiont genome assembly would be valuable for comparative studies particularly with tubeworm symbiont genomes as well as with other chemosynthetic microbial communities.}, }
@article {pmid35906526, year = {2022}, author = {Gabriel, E and Krauß, N and Lamparter, T}, title = {Evidence for evolutionary relationship between archaeplastidal and cyanobacterial phytochromes based on their chromophore pockets.}, journal = {Photochemical &amp; photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology}, volume = {21}, number = {11}, pages = {1961-1974}, pmid = {35906526}, issn = {1474-9092}, mesh = {*Phytochrome/chemistry ; Phylogeny ; *Cyanobacteria/chemistry ; Biological Evolution ; Plants/metabolism ; Amino Acids/metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/chemistry ; }, abstract = {Phytochromes are photoreceptor proteins with a bilin chromophore that undergo photoconversion between two spectrally different forms, Pr and Pfr. In plants, phytochromes play a central role in growth and differentiation during the entire life cycle. Phytochromes of plants and other groups of archaeplastida have a common evolutionary origin in prokaryotes, but the exact prokaryotic origin is as yet uncertain. Two possibilities are presently discussed: either, archaeplastidal phytochromes arose from the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA) or they arose from the cyanobacterial endosymbiont that gave rise to plastids. We first constructed standard phylogenetic trees based on N-terminal protein sequences of the chromophore module. As usual, variation of algorithms and parameters led to different trees. A relationship between cyanobacteria and archaeplastida was observed in 7 out of 36 trees. The lack of consistency between results obtained from variation of parameters of tree constructions reflects the uncertainty of archaeplastidal origin. To gain more information about a possible cyanobacterial and archaeplastidal relationship, we performed phylogenetic studies based on the amino acids that line the chromophore pockets. These amino acids are highly conserved and could provide more accurate information about long evolutionary time scales, but the reduction of traits could also lead to insignificant results. From 30 selected chromophore-binding amino acids, 6 were invariant. The subsequent studies were thus based on the information dependent on 24 or fewer amino acid positions. Again, multiple trees were constructed to get information about the robustness of relationships. The very low number of information-containing traits resulted in low bootstrap values and many indistinguishable leaves. However, the major groups fungi, bacteria, cyanobacteria, and plants remained united. Without exception, cyanobacteria and archaeplastida were always closely linked. In this respect, the results were more robust than those of the classic approach, based on long contiguous sequences. We therefore consider cyanobacteria as the most likely origin of archaeplastidal phytochromes.}, }
@article {pmid35898209, year = {2022}, author = {Matsuo, E and Morita, K and Nakayama, T and Yazaki, E and Sarai, C and Takahashi, K and Iwataki, M and Inagaki, Y}, title = {Comparative Plastid Genomics of Green-Colored Dinoflagellates Unveils Parallel Genome Compaction and RNA Editing.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {918543}, pmid = {35898209}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Dinoflagellates possess plastids that are diverse in both pigmentation and evolutionary background. One of the plastid types found in dinoflagellates is pigmented with chlorophylls a and b (Chl a + b) and originated from the endosymbionts belonging to a small group of green algae, Pedinophyceae. The Chl a + b-containing plastids have been found in three distantly related dinoflagellates Lepidodinium spp., strain MGD, and strain TGD, and were proposed to be derived from separate partnerships between a dinoflagellate (host) and a pedinophycean green alga (endosymbiont). Prior to this study, a plastid genome sequence was only available for L. chlorophorum, which was reported to bear the features that were not found in that of the pedinophycean green alga Pedinomonas minor, a putative close relative of the endosymbiont that gave rise to the current Chl a + b-containing plastid. In this study, we sequenced the plastid genomes of strains MGD and TGD to compare with those of L. chlorophorum as well as pedinophycean green algae. The mapping of the RNA-seq reads on the corresponding plastid genome identified RNA editing on plastid gene transcripts in the three dinoflagellates. Further, the comparative plastid genomics revealed that the plastid genomes of the three dinoflagellates achieved several features, which are not found in or much less obvious than the pedinophycean plastid genomes determined to date, in parallel.}, }
@article {pmid35895627, year = {2022}, author = {Calle-Tobón, A and Pérez-Pérez, J and Forero-Pineda, N and Chávez, OT and Rojas-Montoya, W and Rúa-Uribe, G and Gómez-Palacio, A}, title = {Local-scale virome depiction in Medellín, Colombia, supports significant differences between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {17}, number = {7}, pages = {e0263143}, pmid = {35895627}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*Aedes/classification/virology ; Animals ; Colombia ; *Insect Viruses/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors/virology ; *RNA Viruses/genetics ; *Virome/genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Aedes spp. comprise the primary group of mosquitoes that transmit arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses to humans, and thus these insects pose a significant burden on public health worldwide. Advancements in next-generation sequencing and metagenomics have expanded our knowledge on the richness of RNA viruses harbored by arthropods such as Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Increasing evidence suggests that vector competence can be modified by the microbiome (comprising both bacteriome and virome) of mosquitoes present in endemic zones. Using an RNA-seq-based metataxonomic approach, this study determined the virome structure, Wolbachia presence and mitochondrial diversity of field-caught Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes in Medellín, Colombia, a municipality with a high incidence of mosquito-transmitted arboviruses. The two species are sympatric, but their core viromes differed considerably in richness, diversity, and abundance; although the community of viral species identified was large and complex, the viromes were dominated by few virus species. BLAST searches of assembled contigs suggested that at least 17 virus species (16 of which are insect-specific viruses [ISVs]) infect the Ae. aegypti population. Dengue virus 3 was detected in one sample and it was the only pathogenic virus detected. In Ae. albopictus, up to 11 ISVs and one plant virus were detected. Therefore, the virome composition appears to be species-specific. The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia was identified in all Ae. albopictus samples and in some Ae. aegypti samples collected after 2017. The presence of Wolbachia sp. in Ae. aegypti was not related to significant changes in the richness, diversity, or abundance of this mosquito's virome, although it was related to an increase in the abundance of Aedes aegypti To virus 2 (Metaviridae). The mitochondrial diversity of these mosquitoes suggested that the Ae. aegypti population underwent a change that started in the second half of 2017, which coincides with the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in Medellín, indicating that the population of wMel-infected mosquitoes released has introduced new alleles into the wild Ae. aegypti population of Medellín. However, additional studies are required on the dispersal speed and intergenerational stability of wMel in Medellín and nearby areas as well as on the introgression of genetic variants in the native mosquito population.}, }
@article {pmid35889112, year = {2022}, author = {Hoffman, T and Sjödin, A and Öhrman, C and Karlsson, L and McDonough, RF and Sahl, JW and Birdsell, D and Wagner, DM and Carra, LG and Wilhelmsson, P and Pettersson, JH and Barboutis, C and Figuerola, J and Onrubia, A and Kiat, Y and Piacentini, D and Jaenson, TGT and Lindgren, PE and Moutailler, S and Fransson, T and Forsman, M and Nilsson, K and Lundkvist, &#xc5; and Olsen, B}, title = {Co-Occurrence of Francisella, Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia, and Midichloria in Avian-Associated Hyalomma rufipes.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {10}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {35889112}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {ALF//Uppsala County Council/ ; 874735 (VEO)//European Union's Horizon 2020 research innovation program/ ; //Ax:son Johnson Foundation/ ; LPP1-007//SciLifeLab Pandemic Laboratory Preparedness/ ; //NGI/Uppmax/ ; ANSES-2016//French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES)/ ; 2020-02593//Swedish Research Council/ ; 2015-710//Swedish Research Council for Environment Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning/ ; TA 014-2010-01//Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency/ ; HSHQDC-17-C-B0021//US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate pursuant to the agreement between the Kingdom of Sweden and the US government on Cooperation in Science and Technology for Homeland Security Matters/ ; }, abstract = {The migratory behavior of wild birds contributes to the geographical spread of ticks and their microorganisms. In this study, we aimed to investigate the dispersal and co-occurrence of Francisella and spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) in ticks infesting birds migrating northward in the African-Western Palaearctic region (AWPR). Birds were trapped with mist nests across the Mediterranean basin during the 2014 and 2015 spring migration. In total, 575 ticks were collected from 244 birds. We screened the ticks for the species Francisella tularensis, the genus Francisella, and SFGR by microfluidic real-time PCR. Confirmatory analyses and metagenomic sequencing were performed on tick samples that putatively tested positive for F. tularensis during initial screenings. Hyalomma rufipes was the most common tick species and had a high prevalence of Francisella, including co-occurrence of Francisella and SFGR. Metagenomic analysis of total DNA extracted from two H. rufipes confirmed the presence of Francisella, Rickettsia, and Midichloria. Average nucleotide identity and phylogenetic inference indicated the highest identity of the metagenome-assembled genomes to a Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE), Rickettsia aeschlimannii, and Midichloria mitochondrii. The results of this study suggest that (i) FLE- and SFGR-containing ticks are dispersed by northbound migratory birds in the AWPR, (ii) H. rufipes likely is not involved in transmission of F. tularensis in the AWPR, and (iii) a dual endosymbiosis of FLEs and Midichloria may support some of the nutritional requirements of H. rufipes.}, }
@article {pmid35889091, year = {2022}, author = {Mendoza-Hoffmann, F and Zarco-Zavala, M and Ortega, R and Celis-Sandoval, H and Torres-Larios, A and García-Trejo, JJ}, title = {Evolution of the Inhibitory and Non-Inhibitory ε, ζ, and IF1 Subunits of the F1FO-ATPase as Related to the Endosymbiotic Origin of Mitochondria.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {10}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {35889091}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {DGAPA-PAPIIT IN217520//National Autonomous University of Mexico/ ; }, abstract = {The F1FO-ATP synthase nanomotor synthesizes >90% of the cellular ATP of almost all living beings by rotating in the “forward” direction, but it can also consume the same ATP pools by rotating in “reverse.” To prevent futile F1FO-ATPase activity, several different inhibitory proteins or domains in bacteria (ε and ζ subunits), mitochondria (IF1), and chloroplasts (ε and γ disulfide) emerged to block the F1FO-ATPase activity selectively. In this study, we analyze how these F1FO-ATPase inhibitory proteins have evolved. The phylogeny of the α-proteobacterial ε showed that it diverged in its C-terminal side, thus losing both the inhibitory function and the ATP-binding/sensor motif that controls this inhibition. The losses of inhibitory function and the ATP-binding site correlate with an evolutionary divergence of non-inhibitory α-proteobacterial ε and mitochondrial δ subunits from inhibitory bacterial and chloroplastidic ε subunits. Here, we confirm the lack of inhibitory function of wild-type and C-terminal truncated ε subunits of P. denitrificans. Taken together, the data show that ζ evolved to replace ε as the primary inhibitor of the F1FO-ATPase of free-living α-proteobacteria. However, the ζ inhibitory function was also partially lost in some symbiotic α-proteobacteria and totally lost in some strictly parasitic α-proteobacteria such as the Rickettsiales order. Finally, we found that ζ and IF1 likely evolved independently via convergent evolution before and after the endosymbiotic origin mitochondria, respectively. This led us to propose the ε and ζ subunits as tracer genes of the pre-endosymbiont that evolved into the actual mitochondria.}, }
@article {pmid35887442, year = {2022}, author = {Chen, C and Qi, J and He, Y and Lu, Y and Wang, Y}, title = {Genomic and Chemical Profiling of B9, a Unique Penicillium Fungus Derived from Sponge.}, journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {8}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {35887442}, issn = {2309-608X}, support = {2018YFC0311000//National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; }, abstract = {This study presented the first insights into the genomic and chemical profiles of B9, a specific Penicillium strain derived from sponges of the South China Sea that demonstrated the closest morphological and phylogenetic affinity to P. paxillin. Via the Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform, the draft genome was sequenced, along with structural assembly and functional annotation. There were 34 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) predicted against the antiSMASH database, but only 4 gene clusters could be allocated to known BGCs (≥50% identities). Meanwhile, the comparison between B9 and P. paxillin ATCC 10480 demonstrated clear distinctions in morphology, which might be ascribed to the unique environmental adaptability of marine endosymbionts. In addition, two novel pyridinones, penicidihydropyridone A (2) and penicidihydropyridone B (3), were isolated from cultures of B9, and structurally characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). The absolute configurations were confirmed by comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) curves. In addition, structure-based molecular docking indicated that both neo-pyridinones might block the programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1) pathway by competitively binding a programmed cell death 1 ligand 1(PD-L1) dimer. This was verified by the significant inhibition rates of the PD-1/L1 interaction. These indicated that Penicillium sp. B9 possessed a potential source of active secondary metabolites.}, }
@article {pmid35876309, year = {2022}, author = {Schuler, H and Dittmer, J and Borruso, L and Galli, J and Fischnaller, S and Anfora, G and Rota-Stabelli, O and Weil, T and Janik, K}, title = {Investigating the microbial community of Cacopsylla spp. as potential factor in vector competence of phytoplasma.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {24}, number = {10}, pages = {4771-4786}, pmid = {35876309}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Malus/microbiology ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *Phytoplasma/genetics ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {Phytoplasmas are obligatory intracellular bacteria that colonize the phloem of many plant species and cause hundreds of plant diseases worldwide. In nature, phytoplasmas are primarily transmitted by hemipteran vectors. While all phloem-feeding insects could in principle transmit phytoplasmas, only a limited number of species have been confirmed as vectors. Knowledge about factors that might determine the vector capacity is currently scarce. Here, we characterized the microbiomes of vector and non-vector species of apple proliferation (AP) phytoplasma 'Candidatus Phytoplasma mali' to investigate their potential role in the vector capacity of the host. We performed high-throughput 16S rRNA metabarcoding of the two principal AP-vectors Cacopsylla picta and Cacopsylla melanoneura and eight Cacopsylla species, which are not AP-vectors but co-occur in apple orchards. The microbiomes of all species are dominated by Carsonella, the primary endosymbiont of psyllids and a second uncharacterized Enterobacteriaceae endosymbiont. Each Cacopsylla species harboured a species-specific phylotype of both symbionts. Moreover, we investigated differences between the microbiomes of AP-vector versus non-vector species and identified the predominant endosymbionts but also Wolbachia and several minor taxa as potential indicator species. Our study highlights the importance of considering the microbiome in future investigations of potential factors influencing host vector competence. We investigated the potential role of symbiotic bacteria in the acquisition and transmission of phytoplasma. By comparing the two main psyillid vector species of Apple proliferation (AP) phytoplasma and eight co-occurring species, which are not able to vector AP-phytoplasma, we found differences in the microbial communities of AP-vector and non-vector species, which appear to be driven by the predominant symbionts in both vector species and Wolbachia and several minor taxa in the non-vector species. In contrast, infection with AP-phytoplasma did not affect microbiome composition in both vector species. Our study provides new insights into the endosymbiont diversity of Cacopsylla spp. and highlights the importance of considering the microbiome when investigating potential factors influencing host vector competence.}, }
@article {pmid35876244, year = {2022}, author = {Sawadogo, SP and Kabore, DA and Tibiri, EB and Hughes, A and Gnankine, O and Quek, S and Diabaté, A and Ranson, H and Hughes, GL and Dabiré, RK}, title = {Lack of robust evidence for a Wolbachia infection in Anopheles gambiae from Burkina Faso.}, journal = {Medical and veterinary entomology}, volume = {36}, number = {3}, pages = {301-308}, pmid = {35876244}, issn = {1365-2915}, support = {MR/P027873/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anopheles/genetics ; Burkina Faso ; *Malaria/veterinary ; Mosquito Vectors ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiont Wolbachia can have major effects on the reproductive fitness, and vectorial capacity of host insects and may provide new avenues to control mosquito-borne pathogens. Anopheles gambiae s.l is the major vector of malaria in Africa but the use of Wolbachia in this species has been limited by challenges in establishing stable transinfected lines and uncertainty around native infections. High frequencies of infection of Wolbachia have been previously reported in An. gambiae collected from the Valle du Kou region of Burkina Faso in 2011 and 2014. Here, we re-evaluated the occurrence of Wolbachia in natural samples, collected from Valle du Kou over a 12-year time span, and in addition, expanded sampling to other sites in Burkina Faso. Our results showed that, in contrast to earlier reports, Wolbachia is present at an extremely low prevalence in natural population of An. gambiae. From 5341 samples analysed, only 29 were positive for Wolbachia by nested PCR representing 0.54% of prevalence. No positive samples were found with regular PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons clustered across supergroup B, with some having similarity to sequences previously found in Anopheles from Burkina Faso. However, we cannot discount the possibility that the amplicon positive samples we detected were due to environmental contamination or were false positives. Regardless, the lack of a prominent native infection in An. gambiae s.l. is encouraging for applications utilizing Wolbachia transinfected mosquitoes for malaria control.}, }
@article {pmid35873163, year = {2022}, author = {Ramos, LFC and Martins, M and Murillo, JR and Domont, GB and de Oliveira, DMP and Nogueira, FCS and Maciel-de-Freitas, R and Junqueira, M}, title = {Interspecies Isobaric Labeling-Based Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Protein Changes in the Ovary of Aedes aegypti Coinfected With ZIKV and Wolbachia.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {900608}, pmid = {35873163}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {*Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; *Coinfection ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mosquito Vectors ; Ovary ; Proteomics ; *Wolbachia ; *Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; }, abstract = {Zika is a vector-borne disease caused by an arbovirus (ZIKV) and overwhelmingly transmitted by Ae. aegypti. This disease is linked to adverse fetal outcomes, mostly microcephaly in newborns, and other clinical aspects such as acute febrile illness and neurologic complications, for example, Guillain-Barré syndrome. One of the most promising strategies to mitigate arbovirus transmission involves releasing Ae. aegypti mosquitoes carrying the maternally inherited endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia pipientis. The presence of Wolbachia is associated with a reduced susceptibility to arboviruses and a fitness cost in mosquito life-history traits such as fecundity and fertility. However, the mechanisms by which Wolbachia influences metabolic pathways leading to differences in egg production remains poorly known. To investigate the impact of coinfections on the reproductive tract of the mosquito, we applied an isobaric labeling-based quantitative proteomic strategy to investigate the influence of Wolbachia wMel and ZIKV infection in Ae. aegypti ovaries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most complete proteome of Ae. aegypti ovaries reported so far, with a total of 3913 proteins identified, were also able to quantify 1044 Wolbachia proteins in complex sample tissue of Ae. aegypti ovary. Furthermore, from a total of 480 mosquito proteins modulated in our study, we discuss proteins and pathways altered in Ae. aegypti during ZIKV infections, Wolbachia infections, coinfection Wolbachia/ZIKV, and compared with no infection, focusing on immune and reproductive aspects of Ae. aegypti. The modified aspects mainly were related to the immune priming enhancement by Wolbachia presence and the modulation of the Juvenile Hormone pathway caused by both microorganism's infection.}, }
@article {pmid35869302, year = {2022}, author = {Mejia, AJ and Jimenez, L and Dutra, HLC and Perera, R and McGraw, EA}, title = {Attempts to use breeding approaches in Aedes aegypti to create lines with distinct and stable relative Wolbachia densities.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {129}, number = {4}, pages = {215-224}, pmid = {35869302}, issn = {1365-2540}, support = {R01 AI151166/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Aedes/genetics ; Animals ; Mosquito Vectors/genetics ; Specific Gravity ; Virus Replication ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an insect endosymbiont being used for biological control in the mosquito Aedes aegypti because it causes cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and limits viral replication of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. While the genetic mechanism of pathogen blocking (PB) is not fully understood, the strength of both CI and PB are positively correlated with Wolbachia densities in the host. Wolbachia densities are determined by a combination of Wolbachia strain and insect genotype, as well as interactions with the environment. We employed both artificial selection and inbreeding with the goal of creating lines of Ae. aegypti with heritable and distinct Wolbachia densities so that we might better dissect the mechanism underlying PB. We were unable to shift the mean relative Wolbachia density in Ae. aegypti lines by either strategy, with relative densities instead tending to cycle over a narrow range. In lieu of this, we used Wolbachia densities in mosquito legs as predictors of relative densities in the remaining individual's carcass. Because we worked with outbred mosquitoes, our findings indicate either a lack of genetic variation in the mosquito for controlling relative density, natural selection against extreme densities, or a predominance of environmental factors affecting densities. Our study reveals that there are moderating forces acting on relative Wolbachia densities that may help to stabilize density phenotypes post field release. We also show a means to accurately bin vector carcasses into high and low categories for non-DNA omics-based studies of Wolbachia-mediated traits.}, }
@article {pmid35868196, year = {2022}, author = {Zhang, XY and Li, SS and Chen, KL and Yang, C and Zhou, XJ and Liu, JZ and Zhang, YK}, title = {Growth dynamics and tissue localization of a Coxiella-like endosymbiont in the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {5}, pages = {102005}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102005}, pmid = {35868196}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Coxiella/genetics ; Female ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Ticks/genetics ; }, abstract = {A Coxiella-like endosymbiont (Coxiella-LE hereinafter) stably infects and influences Haemaphysalis longicornis development, indicating a mutualistic relationship of Coxiella-LE and ticks. To further elucidate the patterns of growth dynamics and tissue localization of Coxiella-LE in H. longicornis, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used in this study. The density of Coxiella-LE varied among different tick life stages, and fed female ticks had the highest density, followed by unfed female and unfed larval ticks. In the four organs that were dissected from fed female ticks, the ovary carried the highest density of Coxiella-LE, which was significantly different from salivary glands, midgut and Malpighian tubules. The high abundance of Coxiella-LE in fed female ticks and in the ovaries of fed female ticks in the bacterial microbiota analyses further confirmed that Coxiella-LE rapidly proliferates in the ovary after blood feeding. The ovaries continued to develop after engorgement and oviposition began on day 5, with a significant decrease in the density of Coxiella-LE in the ovaries occurring on day 7. FISH results indicated that Coxiella-LE is mainly colonized in the cytoplasm of the oocyte and proliferates with oogenesis. Coxiella-LE was expelled from the body with the mature oocyte, ensuring its vertical transmission. In the Malpighian tubules at different days after engorgement, the white flocculent materials were increasing, and the density of Coxiella-LE raised significantly on day 7. Unlike the localization pattern in the ovary, Coxiella-LE was initially distributed in a mass and continually increased during the development of Malpighian tubules until it filled the Malpighian tubules. These findings provide new insights on the growth dynamics and tissue localization of Coxiella-LE in ticks and are useful for further investigation on the interactions of symbiont and ticks .}, }
@article {pmid35866313, year = {2022}, author = {Chirgwin, E and Yang, Q and Umina, PA and Gill, A and Soleimannejad, S and Gu, X and Ross, P and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Fungicides have transgenerational effects on Rhopalosiphum padi but not their endosymbionts.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {78}, number = {11}, pages = {4709-4718}, doi = {10.1002/ps.7091}, pmid = {35866313}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; }, mesh = {Acetates ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Aphids ; *Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology ; Imines ; Nitriles ; Strobilurins/pharmacology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: While several agricultural fungicides are known to directly affect invertebrate pests, including aphids, the mechanisms involved are often unknown. One hypothesis is that fungicides with antibacterial activity suppress bacterial endosymbionts present in aphids which are important for aphid survival. Endosymbiont-related effects are expected to be transgenerational, given that these bacteria are maternally inherited. Here, we test for these associations using three fungicides (chlorothalonil, pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin) against the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, using a microinjected strain that carried both the primary endosymbiont Buchnera and the secondary endosymbiont Rickettsiella.<br><br>RESULTS: We show that the fungicide chlorothalonil did not cause an immediate effect on aphid survival, whereas both strobilurin fungicides (pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin) decreased survival after 48&#x2009;h exposure. However, chlorothalonil substantially reduced the lifespan and fecundity of the F1 generation. Trifloxystrobin also reduced the lifespan and fecundity of F1 offspring, however, pyraclostrobin did not affect these traits. None of the fungicides consistently altered the density of Buchnera or Rickettsiella in whole aphids.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest fungicides have sublethal impacts on R. padi that are not fully realized until the generation after exposure, and these sublethal impacts are not associated with the density of endosymbionts harbored by R. padi. However, we cannot rule out other effects of fungicides on endosymbionts that might influence fitness, like changes in their tissue distribution. We discuss these results within the context of fungicidal effects on aphid suppression across generations and point to potential field applications. &#xa9; 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid35865927, year = {2022}, author = {Bisschop, K and Kortenbosch, HH and van Eldijk, TJB and Mallon, CA and Salles, JF and Bonte, D and Etienne, RS}, title = {Microbiome Heritability and Its Role in Adaptation of Hosts to Novel Resources.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {703183}, pmid = {35865927}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Microbiomes are involved in most vital processes, such as immune response, detoxification, and digestion and are thereby elementary to organismal functioning and ultimately the host's fitness. In turn, the microbiome may be influenced by the host and by the host's environment. To understand microbiome dynamics during the process of adaptation to new resources, we performed an evolutionary experiment with the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae. We generated genetically depleted strains of the two-spotted spider mite and reared them on their ancestral host plant and two novel host plants for approximately 12 generations. The use of genetically depleted strains reduced the magnitude of genetic adaptation of the spider mite host to the new resource and, hence, allowed for better detection of signals of adaptation via the microbiome. During the course of adaptation, we tested spider mite performance (number of eggs laid and longevity) and characterized the bacterial component of its microbiome (16S rRNA gene sequencing) to determine: (1) whether the bacterial communities were shaped by mite ancestry or plant environment and (2) whether the spider mites' performance and microbiome composition were related. We found that spider mite performance on the novel host plants was clearly correlated with microbiome composition. Because our results show that only little of the total variation in the microbiome can be explained by the properties of the host (spider mite) and the environment (plant species) we studied, we argue that the bacterial community within hosts could be valuable for understanding a species' performance on multiple resources.}, }
@article {pmid35858432, year = {2022}, author = {Masson, F and Rommelaere, S and Schüpfer, F and Boquete, JP and Lemaitre, B}, title = {Disproportionate investment in Spiralin B production limits in-host growth and favors the vertical transmission of Spiroplasma insect endosymbionts.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {119}, number = {30}, pages = {e2208461119}, pmid = {35858432}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Amino Acids/metabolism ; Animals ; *Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/physiology ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; *Spiroplasma/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Insects frequently harbor endosymbionts, which are bacteria housed within host tissues. These associations are stably maintained over evolutionary timescales through vertical transmission of endosymbionts from host mothers to their offspring. Some endosymbionts manipulate host reproduction to facilitate spread within natural populations. Consequently, such infections have major impacts on insect physiology and evolution. However, technical hurdles have limited our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying such insect-endosymbiont interactions. Here, we investigate the nutritional interactions between endosymbiotic partners using the tractable insect Drosophila melanogaster and its natural endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii. Using a combination of functional assays, metabolomics, and proteomics, we show that the abundance and amino acid composition of a single Spiroplasma membrane lectin, Spiralin B (SpiB), dictates the amino acid requirements of the endosymbiont and determines its proliferation within host tissues. Ectopically increasing SpiB levels in host tissues disrupts localization of endosymbionts in the fly egg chambers and decreases vertical transmission. We find that SpiB is likely to be required by the endosymbiont to enter host oocytes, which may explain the massive investment of S. poulsonii in SpiB synthesis. SpiB both permits vertical transmission of the symbiont and limits its growth in nutrient-limiting conditions for the host; therefore, a single protein plays a pivotal role in ensuring durability of the interaction in a variable environment.}, }
@article {pmid35856677, year = {2022}, author = {Kamala Jayanthi, PD and Vyas, M}, title = {Exploring the Transient Microbe Population on Citrus Butterfly Wings.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {e0205521}, pmid = {35856677}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; *Butterflies/microbiology ; *Citrus ; Humans ; Insecta/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Wings, Animal/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Microbes carve out dwelling niches in unusual environments. Insects, in general, have been hosts to microbes in different ways. Some insects incorporate microbes as endosymbionts that help with metabolic functions, while some vector pathogenic microbes that cause serious plant and animal diseases, including humans. Microbes isolated from insect sources have been beneficial and a huge information repository. The fascinating and evolutionarily successful insect community has survived mass extinctions as a result of their unique biological traits. Wings have been one of the most important factors contributing to the evolutionary success of insects. In the current study, wings of Papilio polytes, a citrus butterfly, were investigated for the presence of ecologically significant microbes within hours of eclosing under aseptic conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of bacteria dwelling in crevices created by a specific arrangement of scales on the butterfly wing. A total of 38 bacterial isolates were obtained from the patched wings of the citrus butterfly, and Bacillus spp. were predominant among them. We probed the occurrence of these microbes to assess their significance to the insect. Many of the isolates displayed antibacterial, antifungal, and biosurfactant properties. Interestingly, one of the isolates displayed entomopathogenic potential toward the notorious agricultural pest mealybug. All the wing isolates were seen to cluster together consistently in a phylogenetic analysis, except for one isolate of Bacillus zhangzhouensis (Papilio polytes isolate [Pp] no. 28), suggesting they are distinct strains. IMPORTANCE This is a first study reporting the presence of culturable microbes on an unusual ecological niche such as butterfly wings. Our findings also establish that microbes inhabit these niches before the butterfly has contact with the environment. The findings in this report have opened up a new area of research which will not only help understand the microbiome of insect wings but might prove beneficial in other specialized studies.}, }
@article {pmid35856258, year = {2022}, author = {Guo, F and Castillo, P and Li, C and Qing, X and Li, H}, title = {Description of Rotylenchus zhongshanensis sp. nov. (Tylenchomorpha: Hoplolaimidae) and discovery of its endosymbiont Cardinium.}, journal = {Journal of helminthology}, volume = {96}, number = {}, pages = {e48}, doi = {10.1017/S0022149X22000384}, pmid = {35856258}, issn = {1475-2697}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Genes, Mitochondrial ; Male ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; *Rhabditida ; *Tylenchoidea/genetics ; }, abstract = {A new bisexual species of Rotylenchus is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characterizations. Rotylenchus zhongshanensis sp. nov. is characterized by having a conoid lip region complying with the basic pattern for Hoplolaimidae, but with pharyngeal glands slightly overlapping intestine dorsally and cuticle thickened abnormally in female tail terminus. Females have robust stylet (30.1-33.8 μm). The pharyngeal gland has short dorsal (11.2-16.8 μm) overlap on the intestine. The vulva is located at 48.0-56.5% of body length, and phasmids are pore-like, 4-6 annuli posterior to the anus. For males, phasmids are pore-like, 11-17 annuli posterior to cloaca. The spicules are ventrally arcuate (21.0-28.5 μm) with gubernaculum in 5-8 μm length. The rRNA and mitochondrial COI genes were successfully sequenced from the assembled whole-genome sequences of the new species, and were used for reconstructing the phylogenetic relationships of the new species. A new strain of cyto-endosymbiont Cardinium was also discovered from the genome sequences of R. zhongshanensis sp. nov. The 16S rRNA phylogeny analyses revealed that this new bacterial strain is closed to that from cyst and root-lesion nematodes.}, }
@article {pmid35849008, year = {2022}, author = {Chaves, EB and Nascimento-Pereira, AC and Pinto, JLM and Rodrigues, BL and de Andrade, MS and Rêbelo, JMM}, title = {Detection of Wolbachia in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the State of Maranhão, Brazil.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {59}, number = {5}, pages = {1831-1836}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjac092}, pmid = {35849008}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {*Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; *Anopheles/microbiology ; Brazil ; *Culex/microbiology ; *Culicidae/microbiology ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Recently, the endobacteria Wolbachia has emerged as a biological tool for the control of arboviruses. Thus, we investigated the rate of natural infection by Wolbachia in Culicidae species from Maranhão, Brazil. For this, we amplified the Wolbachia surface protein gene (wsp) from mosquitoes collected in six localities of Maranhão, and positive samples were subjected to new analysis using group-specific primers. In total, 448 specimens comprising 6 genera and 18 species of mosquitoes were analyzed. Wolbachia DNA was PCR-detected in 7 species, three of which are new records: Aedes scapularis (Rondani, 1848), Coquillettidia juxtamansonia (Chagas, 1907) and Cq. venezuelensis (Theobald, 1912), in addition to Ae. albopictus (Skuse, 1894) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823, which are commonly described as permissive to maintain this bacterium in natural environments, and two species of the subgenera Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) Blanchard, 1902 and Culex (Melanoconion) Theobald, 1903 which could not be identified at species level. The infection rate of all species ranged from 0 to 80%, and the average value was 16.5%. This study increases the knowledge about the prevalence of Wolbachia in the culicid fauna and may help in selecting strains for biological control purposes.}, }
@article {pmid35841879, year = {2022}, author = {Gonçalves, P and Gonçalves, C}, title = {Horizontal gene transfer in yeasts.}, journal = {Current opinion in genetics &amp; development}, volume = {76}, number = {}, pages = {101950}, doi = {10.1016/j.gde.2022.101950}, pmid = {35841879}, issn = {1879-0380}, mesh = {*Bacteria/genetics ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), defined as the exchange of genetic material other than from parent to progeny, is very common in bacteria and appears to constitute the most important mechanism contributing to enlarge a species gene pool. However, in eukaryotes, HGT is certainly much less common and some early insufficiently consubstantiated cases involving bacterial donors led some to consider that it was unlikely to occur in eukaryotes outside the host/endosymbiont relationship. More recently, plenty of reports of interdomain HGT have seen the light based on the strictest criteria, many concerning filamentous fungi and yeasts. Here, we attempt to summarize the most prominent instances of HGT reported in yeasts as well as what we have been able to learn so far concerning frequency and distribution, mechanisms, barriers, function of horizontally acquired genes, and the role of HGT in domestication.}, }
@article {pmid35841431, year = {2022}, author = {Mitra, A and Acharya, K and Bhattacharya, A}, title = {Evolutionary analysis of globin domains from kinetoplastids.}, journal = {Archives of microbiology}, volume = {204}, number = {8}, pages = {493}, pmid = {35841431}, issn = {1432-072X}, support = {SRG/2020/000702//Science and Engineering Research Board/ ; }, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Codon ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Globins/chemistry/genetics/metabolism ; Heme/chemistry/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Globin (Gb) domains function in sensing gaseous ligands like oxygen and nitric oxide. In recent years, Gb domain containing heme binding adenylate cyclases (OsAC or GbAC) emerged as significant modulator of Leishmania response to hypoxia and oxidative stress. During progression of life cycle stages, kinetoplastids experience altered condition in insect vectors or other hosts. Moreover, marked diversity in life style has been accounted among kinetoplastids. Distribution and abundance of Gb-domains vary between different groups of kinetoplastids. While in bodonoids, Gbs are not combined with any other functional domains, in trypanosomatids it is either fused with adenylate cyclase (AC) or oxidoreductase (OxR) domains. In salivarian trypanosomatids and Leishmania (Viannia) subtypes, no gene product featuring Gbs can be identified. In this context, evolution of Gb-domains in kinetoplastids was explored. GbOxR derived Gbs clustered with bacterial flavohemoglobins (fHb) including one fHb from Advenella, an endosymbiont of monoxeneous trypanosomatids. Codon adaptation and other evolutionary analysis suggested that OsAC (LmjF.28.0090), the solitary Gb-domain featuring gene product in Leishmania, was acquired via possible horizontal gene transfer. Substantial functional divergence was estimated between orthologues of genes encoding GbAC or GbOxR; an observation also reflected in structural alignment and heme-binding residue predictions. Orthologue-paralogue and synteny analysis indicated genomic reduction in GbOxR and GbAC loci for dixeneous trypanosomatids.}, }
@article {pmid35840731, year = {2022}, author = {Cárdenas, A and Raina, JB and Pogoreutz, C and Rädecker, N and Bougoure, J and Guagliardo, P and Pernice, M and Voolstra, CR}, title = {Greater functional diversity and redundancy of coral endolithic microbiomes align with lower coral bleaching susceptibility.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {16}, number = {10}, pages = {2406-2420}, pmid = {35840731}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {OSR-2017-CRG6-3400-02//King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Coral Bleaching ; Coral Reefs ; Metagenomics ; *Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The skeleton of reef-building coral harbors diverse microbial communities that could compensate for metabolic deficiencies caused by the loss of algal endosymbionts, i.e., coral bleaching. However, it is unknown to what extent endolith taxonomic diversity and functional potential might contribute to thermal resilience. Here we exposed Goniastrea edwardsi and Porites lutea, two common reef-building corals from the central Red Sea to a 17-day long heat stress. Using hyperspectral imaging, marker gene/metagenomic sequencing, and NanoSIMS, we characterized their endolithic microbiomes together with [15]N and [13]C assimilation of two skeletal compartments: the endolithic band directly below the coral tissue and the deep skeleton. The bleaching-resistant G. edwardsi was associated with endolithic microbiomes of greater functional diversity and redundancy that exhibited lower N and C assimilation than endoliths in the bleaching-sensitive P. lutea. We propose that the lower endolithic primary productivity in G. edwardsi can be attributed to the dominance of chemolithotrophs. Lower primary production within the skeleton may prevent unbalanced nutrient fluxes to coral tissues under heat stress, thereby preserving nutrient-limiting conditions characteristic of a stable coral-algal symbiosis. Our findings link coral endolithic microbiome structure and function to bleaching susceptibility, providing new avenues for understanding and eventually mitigating reef loss.}, }
@article {pmid35839761, year = {2022}, author = {Boscaro, V and Syberg-Olsen, MJ and Irwin, NAT and George, EE and Vannini, C and Husnik, F and Keeling, PJ}, title = {All essential endosymbionts of the ciliate Euplotes are cyclically replaced.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {32}, number = {15}, pages = {R826-R827}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2022.06.052}, pmid = {35839761}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; Biological Evolution ; *Ciliophora ; *Euplotes/microbiology ; Insecta ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic systems vary in the degree to which the partners are bound to each other[1]. At one extreme, there are intracellular endosymbionts in mutually obligate relationships with their host, often interpreted as mutualistic. The symbiosis between the betaproteobacterium Polynucleobacter and the ciliate Euplotes (clade B) challenges this view[2]: although freshwater Euplotes species long ago became dependent on endosymbionts, the many extant Polynucleobacter lineages they harbour arose recently and in parallel from different free-living ancestors[2]. The host requires the endosymbionts for reproduction and survival[3], but each newly established symbiont is ultimately driven to extinction in a cycle of establishment, degeneration, and replacement. Similar replacement events have been observed in sap-feeding insects[4-6], a model for bacteria-eukaryote symbioses[7], but usually only affect a small subset of the host populations. Most insects retain an ancient coevolving symbiont, suggesting that long-term mutualism and permanent integration remain the rule and symbiont turnovers are mere evolutionary side-stories. Here we show that this is not the case for Euplotes. We examined all known essential Euplotes symbionts and found that none are ancient or coevolving; rather, all are recently established and continuously replaced over relatively short evolutionary time spans, making the symbiosis ancient for the host but not for any bacterial lineage.}, }
@article {pmid35829939, year = {2022}, author = {Carvajal-Agudelo, JD and Ramírez-Chaves, HE and Ossa-López, PA and Rivera-Páez, FA}, title = {Bacteria related to tick-borne pathogen assemblages in Ornithodoros cf. hasei (Acari: Argasidae) and blood of the wild mammal hosts in the Orinoquia region, Colombia.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {87}, number = {2-3}, pages = {253-271}, pmid = {35829939}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {112777758193//Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnolog&#xed;a e innovaci&#xf3;n - Minciencias/ ; }, mesh = {*Acari ; Animals ; *Argasidae ; *Chiroptera ; Colombia ; *Ornithodoros ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; *Rickettsia ; }, abstract = {Interest in research on soft ticks has increased in recent decades, leading to valuable insight into their role as disease vectors. The use of metagenomics-based analyses have helped to elucidate ecological factors involved in pathogen, vector, and host dynamics. To understand the main bacterial assemblages present in Ornithodoros cf. hasei and its mammalian hosts, 84 ticks and 13 blood samples from bat hosts (Chiroptera) were selected, and the 16S rRNA gene V4 region was sequenced in five pools (each one related to each host-tick pairing). Bacterial taxonomic assignment analyses were performed by comparing operational taxonomic units (OTUs) shared between ticks and their host blood. This analysis showed the presence of Proteobacteria (38.8%), Enterobacteriaceae (25%), Firmicutes (12.3%), and Actinobacteria (10.9%) within blood samples, and Rickettsiaceae (39%), Firmicutes (25%), Actinobacteria (13.1%), and Proteobacteria (9%) within ticks. Species related to potentially pathogenic genera were detected in ticks, such as Borrelia sp., Bartonella tamiae, Ehrlichia sp. and Rickettsia-like endosymbiont, and the presence of these organisms was found in all analyzed bat species (Cynomops planirostris, Molossus pretiosus, Noctilio albiventris), and O. cf. hasei. About 41-48.6% of bacterial OTUs (genera and species) were shared between ticks and the blood of bat hosts. Targeted metagenomic screening techniques allowed the detection of tick-associated pathogens for O. cf. hasei and small mammals for the first time, enabling future research on many of these pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid35814684, year = {2022}, author = {Barman, M and Samanta, S and Upadhyaya, G and Thakur, H and Chakraborty, S and Samanta, A and Tarafdar, J}, title = {Unraveling the Basis of Neonicotinoid Resistance in Whitefly Species Complex: Role of Endosymbiotic Bacteria and Insecticide Resistance Genes.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {901793}, pmid = {35814684}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Bemisia tabaci (whitefly) is one of the most detrimental agricultural insect pests and vectors of many plant viruses distributed worldwide. Knowledge of the distribution patterns and insecticide resistance of this cryptic species is crucial for its management. In this study, genetic variation of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (MtCoI) gene of B. tabaci was analyzed followed by a study of the infection profile of various endosymbionts in 26 whitefly populations collected from West Bengal, India. Phylogenetic analysis revealed Asia I as the major cryptic species (65.38%), followed by Asia II 5, China 3, and Asia II 7, which were diversified into 20 different haplotypes. In addition to the primary endosymbiont (C. poriera), each of the four whitefly species showed a variable population of three secondary endosymbionts, majorly Arsenophonus with the highest infection rate (73.07%), followed by Wolbachia and Rickettsia. Further phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of two subgroups of Arsenophonus, viz., A1 and A2, and one each in Wolbachia (W1) and Rickettsia (R3). Resistance to thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, and acetamiprid insecticides was analyzed for a clear picture of pesticide resistance status. The highest susceptibility was noted toward thiamethoxam (LC50 = 5.36 mg/L), followed by imidacloprid and acetamiprid. The whitefly population from Purulia and Hooghly districts bearing Asia II 7 and Asia II 5 cryptic species, respectively, shows maximum resistance. The differences in mean relative titer of four symbiotic bacteria among field populations varied considerably; however, a significant positive linear correlation was observed between the resistance level and relative titer of Arsenophonus and Wolbachia in the case of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, while only Wolbachia was found in case of acetamiprid. Expression analysis demonstrated differential upregulation of insecticide resistance genes with Purulia and Hooghly populations showing maximally upregulated P450 genes. Moreover, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid resistance ratio (RR) showed a significant correlation with CYP6CM1, CYP6DZ7, and CYP4C64 genes, while acetamiprid RR correlated with CYP6CX1, CYP6DW2, CYP6DZ7, and CYP4C64 genes. Taken together, these findings suggested that P450 mono-oxygenase and symbiotic bacteria together affected whitefly resistance to neonicotinoids. Hence, a symbiont-oriented management programme could be a better alternative to control or delay resistance development in whitefly and can be used for pesticide clean-up in an agricultural field.}, }
@article {pmid35799468, year = {2022}, author = {Horas, EL and Metzger, SM and Platzer, B and Kelly, JB and Becks, L}, title = {Context-dependent costs and benefits of endosymbiotic interactions in a ciliate-algae system.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {24}, number = {12}, pages = {5924-5935}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16112}, pmid = {35799468}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Symbiosis ; *Chlorella ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; *Paramecium ; *Ciliophora ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiosis, an interaction between two species where one lives within the other, has evolved multiple times independently, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Evolutionary theory suggests that for an endosymbiotic interaction to remain stable over time, births of both partners should be higher than their deaths in symbiosis and deaths of both partners should be higher than their births when living independently. However, experimentally measuring this can be difficult and conclusions tend to focus on the host. Using a ciliate-algal system (Paramecium bursaria host and Chlorella endosymbionts), we estimated the benefits and costs of endosymbiosis for both organisms using fitness measurements in different biotic environments to test under which environmental conditions the net effects of the interaction were positive for both partners. We found that the net effects of harbouring endosymbionts were positive for the ciliate hosts as it allowed them to survive in conditions of low-quality bacteria food. The algae benefitted by being endosymbiotic when predators such as the hosts were present, but the net effects were dependent on the total density of hosts, decreasing as hosts densities increased. Overall, we show that including context-dependency of endosymbiosis is essential in understanding how these interactions have evolved.}, }
@article {pmid35798888, year = {2022}, author = {Schön, ME and Martijn, J and Vosseberg, J and Köstlbacher, S and Ettema, TJG}, title = {The evolutionary origin of host association in the Rickettsiales.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {7}, number = {8}, pages = {1189-1199}, pmid = {35798888}, issn = {2058-5276}, support = {817834/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Humans ; *Metagenome ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsiales/genetics ; }, abstract = {The evolution of obligate host-association of bacterial symbionts and pathogens remains poorly understood. The Rickettsiales are an alphaproteobacterial order of obligate endosymbionts and parasites that infect a wide variety of eukaryotic hosts, including humans, livestock, insects and protists. Induced by their host-associated lifestyle, Rickettsiales genomes have undergone reductive evolution, leading to small, AT-rich genomes with limited metabolic capacities. Here we uncover eleven deep-branching alphaproteobacterial metagenome assembled genomes from aquatic environments, including data from the Tara Oceans initiative and other publicly available datasets, distributed over three previously undescribed Rickettsiales-related clades. Phylogenomic analyses reveal that two of these clades, Mitibacteraceae and Athabascaceae, branch sister to all previously sampled Rickettsiales. The third clade, Gamibacteraceae, branch sister to the recently identified ectosymbiotic 'Candidatus Deianiraea vastatrix'. Comparative analyses indicate that the gene complement of Mitibacteraceae and Athabascaceae is reminiscent of that of free-living and biofilm-associated bacteria. Ancestral genome content reconstruction across the Rickettsiales species tree further suggests that the evolution of host association in Rickettsiales was a gradual process that may have involved the repurposing of a type IV secretion system.}, }
@article {pmid35795355, year = {2022}, author = {Manthey, JD and Girón, JC and Hruska, JP}, title = {Impact of host demography and evolutionary history on endosymbiont molecular evolution: A test in carpenter ants (genus Camponotus) and their Blochmannia endosymbionts.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {7}, pages = {e9026}, pmid = {35795355}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Obligate endosymbioses are tight associations between symbionts and the hosts they live inside. Hosts and their associated obligate endosymbionts generally exhibit codiversification, which has been documented in taxonomically diverse insect lineages. Host demography (e.g., effective population sizes) may impact the demography of endosymbionts, which may lead to an association between host demography and the patterns and processes of endosymbiont molecular evolution. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing data for carpenter ants (Genus Camponotus; subgenera Camponotus and Tanaemyrmex) and their Blochmannia endosymbionts as our study system to address whether Camponotus demography shapes Blochmannia molecular evolution. Using whole-genome phylogenomics, we confirmed previous work identifying codiversification between carpenter ants and their Blochmannia endosymbionts. We found that Blochmannia genes have evolved at a pace ~30× faster than that of their hosts' molecular evolution and that these rates are positively associated with host rates of molecular evolution. Using multiple tests for selection in Blochmannia genes, we found signatures of positive selection and shifts in selection strength across the phylogeny. Host demography was associated with Blochmannia shifts toward increased selection strengths, but not associated with Blochmannia selection relaxation, positive selection, genetic drift rates, or genome size evolution. Mixed support for relationships between host effective population sizes and Blochmannia molecular evolution suggests weak or uncoupled relationships between host demography and Blochmannia population genomic processes. Finally, we found that Blochmannia genome size evolution was associated with genome-wide estimates of genetic drift and number of genes with relaxed selection pressures.}, }
@article {pmid35792339, year = {2022}, author = {Mohamed, SA and Dubois, T and Azrag, AG and Ndlela, S and Neuenschwander, P}, title = {Classical biological of key horticultural pests in Africa: successes, challenges, and opportunities.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {53}, number = {}, pages = {100945}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2022.100945}, pmid = {35792339}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Africa ; Animals ; *Insecta ; *Introduced Species ; }, abstract = {Classical biological control (CBC) is considered a safer and more sustainable alternative for management of alien-invasive species. This review presents recent advances in CBC of key horticultural insect pests using parasitoids in Africa. Several CBC programs have been undertaken targeting different insect pests of both fruits and vegetables, largely yielding outstanding success. Key obstacles impeding CBC and opportunities that could promote CBC in Africa are outlined. Also, very brief highlights on recent scientific and technological advances in modeling, integrative taxonomy and molecular tools, and endosymbionts that relate to CBC are provided.}, }
@article {pmid35765190, year = {2022}, author = {Weiland, SO and Detcharoen, M and Schlick-Steiner, BC and Steiner, FM}, title = {Analyses of locomotion, wing morphology, and microbiome in Drosophila nigrosparsa after recovery from antibiotics.}, journal = {MicrobiologyOpen}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {e1291}, pmid = {35765190}, issn = {2045-8827}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Drosophila ; Locomotion ; *Microbiota ; Tetracycline/pharmacology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Antibiotics, such as tetracycline, have been frequently used to cure arthropods of Wolbachia endosymbionts. After the symbionts have been removed, the hosts must recover for some generations from the side effects of the antibiotics. However, most studies do not assess the direct and indirect longer-term effects of antibiotics used to remove Wolbachia, which may question the exact contribution of this endosymbiont to the effects observed. Here, we used the fly Drosophila nigrosparsa treated or not with tetracycline for three generations followed by two generations of recovery to investigate the effects of this antibiotic on the fly locomotion, wing morphology, and the gut microbiome. We found that antibiotic treatment did not affect fly locomotion two generations after being treated with the antibiotic. In addition, gut-microbiome restoration was tested as a more efficient solution to reduce the potential side effects of tetracycline on the microbiome. There was no significant difference in alpha diversity between gut restoration and other treatments, but the abundance of some bacterial taxa differed significantly between the gut-restoration treatment and the control. We conclude that in D. nigrosparsa the recovery period of two generations after being treated with the antibiotic is sufficient for locomotion, and suggest a general assessment of direct and indirect effects of antibiotics after a particular recovery time.}, }
@article {pmid35755814, year = {2022}, author = {Lima, RM and Rathod, BB and Tiricz, H and Howan, DHO and Al Bouni, MA and Jenei, S and Tímár, E and Endre, G and Tóth, GK and Kondorosi, &#xc9;}, title = {Legume Plant Peptides as Sources of Novel Antimicrobial Molecules Against Human Pathogens.}, journal = {Frontiers in molecular biosciences}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {870460}, pmid = {35755814}, issn = {2296-889X}, abstract = {Antimicrobial peptides are prominent components of the plant immune system acting against a wide variety of pathogens. Legume plants from the inverted repeat lacking clade (IRLC) have evolved a unique gene family encoding nodule-specific cysteine-rich NCR peptides acting in the symbiotic cells of root nodules, where they convert their bacterial endosymbionts into non-cultivable, polyploid nitrogen-fixing cells. NCRs are usually 30-50 amino acids long peptides having a characteristic pattern of 4 or 6 cysteines and highly divergent amino acid composition. While the function of NCRs is largely unknown, antimicrobial activity has been demonstrated for a few cationic Medicago truncatula NCR peptides against bacterial and fungal pathogens. The advantages of these plant peptides are their broad antimicrobial spectrum, fast killing modes of actions, multiple bacterial targets, and low propensity to develop resistance to them and no or low cytotoxicity to human cells. In the IRLC legumes, the number of NCR genes varies from a few to several hundred and it is possible that altogether hundreds of thousands of different NCR peptides exist. Due to the need for new antimicrobial agents, we investigated the antimicrobial potential of 104 synthetic NCR peptides from M. truncatula, M. sativa, Pisum sativum, Galega orientalis and Cicer arietinum against eight human pathogens, including ESKAPE bacteria. 50 NCRs showed antimicrobial activity with differences in the antimicrobial spectrum and effectivity. The most active peptides eliminated bacteria at concentrations from 0.8 to 3.1 μM. High isoelectric point and positive net charge were important but not the only determinants of their antimicrobial activity. Testing the activity of shorter peptide derivatives against Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida albicans led to identification of regions responsible for the antimicrobial activity and provided insight into their potential modes of action. This work provides highly potent lead molecules without hemolytic activity on human blood cells for novel antimicrobial drugs to fight against pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid35745515, year = {2022}, author = {Karsenti, N and Purssell, A and Lau, R and Ralevski, F and Bhasker, S and Raheel, H and Boggild, AK}, title = {Surveillance of Amoebic Keratitis-Causing Acanthamoebae for Potential Bacterial Endosymbionts in Ontario, Canada.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {35745515}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {Intramural Research Program//Public Health Ontario/ ; }, abstract = {Acanthamoeba spp. are the causative pathogens of several infections, including amoebic keratitis (AK), a vision-threatening infection. Acanthamoebae from corneal specimens of patients with AK harbor bacterial endosymbionts, which may increase virulence. We sought to understand the spectrum of bacterial endosymbionts present in clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba spp. identified in our reference parasitology laboratory. Isolates of Acanthamoeba spp. obtained from our biobank of anonymized corneal scrapings were screened for potential endosymbionts by PCR using primer pairs detecting bacteria belonging to orders Chlamydiales, Rickettsiales, or Legionellales and pan16S primers. Three primer pairs specific to the 18s rRNA gene of Acanthamoeba spp. were used for the amplification of Acanthamoeba DNA used for sequencing. Sanger sequencing of all PCR products was performed, followed by BLAST analysis for species identification. We screened 26 clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba spp. for potential endosymbionts. Five isolates (19%) were found to contain bacterial DNA belonging to Legionellales. Three (11%) contained members of the Rickettsiales and Pseudomonas genticulata was detected in a Rickettsia-positive sample. One strain (4%) contained Neochlamydia hartmannellae, a member of the Chlamydiales order. Bacterial endosymbionts are prevalent in clinical strains of Acanthamoeba causing AK isolated from corneal scrapings. The demonstration of these organisms in clinical Acanthamoeba isolates supports a potential exploration of anti-endosymbiont therapeutics as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of AK.}, }
@article {pmid35744766, year = {2022}, author = {Takahashi, T}, title = {Method for Stress Assessment of Endosymbiotic Algae in Paramecium bursaria as a Model System for Endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {35744766}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {19K06347, 20K05695 and 22K05839//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiosis between heterotrophic host and microalga often breaks down because of environmental conditions, such as temperature change and exposure to toxic substances. By the time of the apparent breakdown of endosymbiosis, it is often too late for the endosymbiotic system to recover. In this study, I developed a technique for the stress assessment of endosymbiotic algae using Paramecium bursaria as an endosymbiosis model, after treatment with the herbicide paraquat, an endosymbiotic collapse inducer. Microcapillary flow cytometry was employed to evaluate a large number of cells in an approach that is more rapid than microscopy evaluation. In the assay, red fluorescence of the chlorophyll reflected the number of endosymbionts within the host cell, while yellow fluorescence fluctuated in response to the deteriorating viability of the endosymbiont under stress. Hence, the yellow/red fluorescence intensity ratio can be used as an algal stress index independent of the algal number. An optical evaluation revealed that the viability of the endosymbiotic algae within the host cell decreased after treatment with paraquat and that the remaining endosymbionts were exposed to high stress. The devised assay is a potential environmental monitoring method, applicable not only to P. bursaria but also to multicellular symbiotic units, such as corals.}, }
@article {pmid35740880, year = {2022}, author = {Hassan, K and Chepkirui, C and Llanos-López, NA and Matasyoh, JC and Decock, C and Marin-Felix, Y and Stadler, M}, title = {Meroterpenoids Possibly Produced by a Bacterial Endosymbiont of the Tropical Basidiomycete Echinochaete brachypora.}, journal = {Biomolecules}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {35740880}, issn = {2218-273X}, mesh = {Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry ; Bacteria/metabolism ; *Basidiomycota/chemistry ; Fungi/metabolism ; *Polyporaceae/metabolism ; }, abstract = {A mycelial culture of the African basidiomycete Echinochaete cf. brachypora was studied for biologically active secondary metabolites, and four compounds were isolated from its crude extract derived from shake flask fermentations, using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The pure metabolites were identified using extensive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). Aside from the new metabolites 1-methoxyneomarinone (1) and (E)-3-methyl-5-(-12,13,14-trimethylcyclohex-10-en-6-yl)pent-2-enoic acid (4), the known metabolites neomarinone (2) and fumaquinone (4) were obtained. Such compounds had previously only been reported from Actinobacteria but were never isolated from the cultures of a fungus. This observation prompted us to evaluate whether the above metabolites may actually have been produced by an endosymbiontic bacterium that is associated with the basidiomycete. We have indeed been able to characterize bacterial 16S rDNA in the fungal mycelia, and the production of the metabolites stopped when the fungus was sub-cultured on a medium containing antibacterial antibiotics. Therefore, we have found strong evidence that compounds 1-4 are not of fungal origin. However, the endofungal bacterium was shown to belong to the genus Ralstonia, which has never been reported to produce similar metabolites to 1-4. Moreover, we failed to obtain the bacterial strain in pure culture to provide final proof for its identity. In any case, the current report is the first to document that polyporoid Basidiomycota are associated with endosymbionts and constitutes the first report on secondary metabolites from the genus Echinochaete.}, }
@article {pmid35738252, year = {2022}, author = {George, EE and Tashyreva, D and Kwong, WK and Okamoto, N and Horák, A and Husnik, F and Lukeš, J and Keeling, PJ}, title = {Gene Transfer Agents in Bacterial Endosymbionts of Microbial Eukaryotes.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {35738252}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Bacteria/genetics ; *Eukaryota/genetics ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Viruses ; }, abstract = {Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are virus-like structures that package and transfer prokaryotic DNA from donor to recipient prokaryotic cells. Here, we describe widespread GTA gene clusters in the highly reduced genomes of bacterial endosymbionts from microbial eukaryotes (protists). Homologs of the GTA capsid and portal complexes were initially found to be present in several highly reduced alphaproteobacterial endosymbionts of diplonemid protists (Rickettsiales and Rhodospirillales). Evidence of GTA expression was found in polyA-enriched metatranscriptomes of the diplonemid hosts and their endosymbionts, but due to biases in the polyA-enrichment methods, levels of GTA expression could not be determined. Examining the genomes of closely related bacteria revealed that the pattern of retained GTA head/capsid complexes with missing tail components was common across Rickettsiales and Holosporaceae (Rhodospirillales), all obligate symbionts with a wide variety of eukaryotic hosts. A dN/dS analysis of Rickettsiales and Holosporaceae symbionts revealed that purifying selection is likely the main driver of GTA evolution in symbionts, suggesting they remain functional, but the ecological function of GTAs in bacterial symbionts is unknown. In particular, it is unclear how increasing horizontal gene transfer in small, largely clonal endosymbiont populations can explain GTA retention, and, therefore, the structures may have been repurposed in endosymbionts for host interactions. Either way, their widespread retention and conservation in endosymbionts of diverse eukaryotes suggests an important role in symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid35735896, year = {2022}, author = {Nian, X and Tao, X and Xiao, Z and Wang, D and He, Y}, title = {Effects of Sublethal Concentrations of Tetracycline Hydrochloride on the Biological Characteristics and Wolbachia Titer in Parthenogenesis Trichogramma pretiosum.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {13}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {35735896}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2021A1515010784//Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong/ ; 31772219//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2019KJ125//Guangdong Provincial Special Fund for Modern Agriculture Industry Technology Innovation Teams/ ; }, abstract = {Trichogramma pretiosum Riley is an important natural enemy and biological control agent of lepidopteran pests. Wolbachia is an intracellular endosymbiont that induces parthenogenesis in the parasitoid T. pretiosum. In this paper, the sublethal effects of the antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride on the development and reproduction of T. pretiosum were studied. Emerged females were fed with sublethal concentrations (LC5, LC15, and LC35) of tetracycline for ten generations. The biological parameters (longevity, parasitized eggs, and fecundity) of treated females significantly reduced compared with the control Moreover, the percentage of female offspring in the treatments significantly reduced, but the percentage of male offspring significantly increased. In addition, the Wolbachia titer sharply reduced after two generations of antibiotic treatments, but it could still be detected even after ten successive generations of antibiotic treatments, which indicated that Wolbachia was not completely removed by sublethal concentrations of tetracycline. The control lines with higher Wolbachia titers produced more female offspring than the tetracycline treatments with lower Wolbachia titers, indicating that the Wolbachia titer affected the sex determination of T. pretiosum. Our results show that sublethal concentrations of tetracycline had adverse effects on the development of T. pretiosum, and Wolbachia titers affected the sexual development of T. pretiosum eggs.}, }
@article {pmid35731940, year = {2022}, author = {Romero Picazo, D and Werner, A and Dagan, T and Kupczok, A}, title = {Pangenome Evolution in Environmentally Transmitted Symbionts of Deep-Sea Mussels Is Governed by Vertical Inheritance.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {35731940}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genome, Bacterial ; Methane ; *Mytilidae/genetics/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Sulfur ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Microbial pangenomes vary across species; their size and structure are determined by genetic diversity within the population and by gene loss and horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Many bacteria are associated with eukaryotic hosts where the host colonization dynamics may impact bacterial genome evolution. Host-associated lifestyle has been recognized as a barrier to HGT in parentally transmitted bacteria. However, pangenome evolution of environmentally acquired symbionts remains understudied, often due to limitations in symbiont cultivation. Using high-resolution metagenomics, here we study pangenome evolution of two co-occurring endosymbionts inhabiting Bathymodiolus brooksi mussels from a single cold seep. The symbionts, sulfur-oxidizing (SOX) and methane-oxidizing (MOX) gamma-proteobacteria, are environmentally acquired at an early developmental stage and individual mussels may harbor multiple strains of each symbiont species. We found differences in the accessory gene content of both symbionts across individual mussels, which are reflected by differences in symbiont strain composition. Compared with core genes, accessory genes are enriched in genome plasticity functions. We found no evidence for recent HGT between both symbionts. A comparison between the symbiont pangenomes revealed that the MOX population is less diverged and contains fewer accessory genes, supporting that the MOX association with B. brooksi is more recent in comparison to that of SOX. Our results show that the pangenomes of both symbionts evolved mainly by vertical inheritance. We conclude that genome evolution of environmentally transmitted symbionts that associate with individual hosts over their lifetime is affected by a narrow symbiosis where the frequency of HGT is constrained.}, }
@article {pmid35726500, year = {2022}, author = {Dzul-Rosado, K and Maldonado-Borges, JI and Puerto-Manzano, FI and Lammoglia-Villagómez, MA and Becker, I and Sánchez-Montes, S}, title = {First exploratory study of bacterial pathogens and endosymbionts in head lice from a Mayan community in southern Mexico.}, journal = {Zoonoses and public health}, volume = {69}, number = {6}, pages = {729-736}, doi = {10.1111/zph.12982}, pmid = {35726500}, issn = {1863-2378}, mesh = {*Acinetobacter/genetics ; Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; DNA ; Humans ; *Lice Infestations/epidemiology/veterinary ; Mexico/epidemiology ; *Pediculus/genetics/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Lice represent one of the most neglected group of vectors worldwide, particularly in Latin America. Records of bacterial agents related to head lice are non-existent in this region of the continent. Many of these communities often do not have adequate access to public services and/or health protection. The normalization of this condition prevents them from manifesting discomfort, such as bites and itching, which further aggravates the situation, as they can be vectors of important diseases. For this reason, the aim of this work was to identify the richness of bacterial pathogens (Acinetobacter, Bartonella, and Rickettsia) and endosymbionts (Wolbachia) in head lice of paediatric patients from the indigenous municipality of Hoctun, Yucatan, Mexico. DNA extraction was performed using the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit. For the detection of bacterial pathogens, fragments of the gltA, rpoB, and 16S rDNA genes were amplified. For the detection of Wolbachia, the wsp gene was amplified. Of the 28 lice analysed, the presence of two genera of bacterial pathogens was detected Acinetobacter (42.9% = 12/28) and Bartonella (7.14% = 2/28). We also detected the endosymbiont Wolbachia (71.42% = 20/28). Our results showed that DNA from three bacteria species (Acinetobacter baumannii, Bartonella quintana, and Wolbachia pipientis) was present with frequencies ranging from 3.57% to 71.42%. This work represents the first exploratory study of the diversity of agents associated with head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) in Mexico and Latin America. Due to the findings generated in the present study, it is important to perform surveillance of head lice populations to identify the degree of spread of these pathogens and their impact on populations in the region.}, }
@article {pmid35723456, year = {2022}, author = {Chen, L and Xiao, Q and Shi, M and Cheng, J and Wu, J}, title = {Detecting Wolbachia Strain wAlbB in Aedes albopictus Cell Lines.}, journal = {Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE}, volume = {}, number = {184}, pages = {}, doi = {10.3791/63662}, pmid = {35723456}, issn = {1940-087X}, mesh = {*Aedes ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Mosquito Vectors ; *RNA Viruses ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {As a maternally harbored endosymbiont, Wolbachia infects large proportions of insect populations. Studies have recently reported the successful regulation of RNA virus transmission using Wolbachia-transfected mosquitoes. Key strategies to control viruses include the manipulation of host reproduction via cytoplasmic incompatibility and the inhibition of viral transcripts via immune priming and competition for host-derived resources. However, the underlying mechanisms of the responses of Wolbachia-transfected mosquitoes to viral infection are poorly understood. This paper presents a protocol for the in vitro identification of Wolbachia infection at the nucleic acid and protein levels in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Aa23 cells to enhance the understanding of the interactions between Wolbachia and its insect vectors. Through the combined use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR, western blot, and immunological analytical methods, a standard morphologic protocol has been described for the detection of Wolbachia-infected cells that is more accurate than the use of a single method. This approach may also be applied to the detection of Wolbachia infection in other insect taxa.}, }
@article {pmid35716742, year = {2022}, author = {Perrotta, BG and Kidd, KA and Walters, DM}, title = {PCB exposure is associated with reduction of endosymbionts in riparian spider microbiomes.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {842}, number = {}, pages = {156726}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156726}, pmid = {35716742}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Animals ; Insecta ; *Microbiota ; Ontario ; *Polychlorinated Biphenyls/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; *Spiders ; }, abstract = {Microbial communities, including endosymbionts, play diverse and critical roles in host biology and reproduction, but contaminant exposure may cause an imbalance in the microbiome composition with subsequent impacts on host health. Here, we examined whether there was a significant alteration of the microbiome community within two taxa of riparian spiders (Tetragnathidae and Araneidae) from a site with historical polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in southern Ontario, Canada. Riparian spiders specialize in the predation of adult aquatic insects and, as such, their contaminant levels closely track those of nearby aquatic ecosystems. DNA from whole spiders from sites with either low or high PCB contamination was extracted, and spider microbiota profiled by partial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The most prevalent shift in microbial communities we observed was a large reduction in endosymbionts in spiders at the high PCB site. The abundance of endosymbionts at the high PCB site was 63 % and 98 % lower for tetragnathids and araneids, respectively, than at the low PCB site. Overall, this has potential implications for spider reproductive success and food webs, as riparian spiders are critical gatekeepers of energy and material fluxes at the land-water interface.}, }
@article {pmid35715703, year = {2022}, author = {Lan, Y and Sun, J and Chen, C and Wang, H and Xiao, Y and Perez, M and Yang, Y and Kwan, YH and Sun, Y and Zhou, Y and Han, X and Miyazaki, J and Watsuji, TO and Bissessur, D and Qiu, JW and Takai, K and Qian, PY}, title = {Endosymbiont population genomics sheds light on transmission mode, partner specificity, and stability of the scaly-foot snail holobiont.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {16}, number = {9}, pages = {2132-2143}, pmid = {35715703}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {42176110//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 18K06401//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology ; Metagenomics ; Phylogeny ; Snails/physiology ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The scaly-foot snail (Chrysomallon squamiferum) inhabiting deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean relies on its sulphur-oxidising gammaproteobacterial endosymbionts for nutrition and energy. In this study, we investigate the specificity, transmission mode, and stability of multiple scaly-foot snail populations dwelling in five vent fields with considerably disparate geological, physical and chemical environmental conditions. Results of population genomics analyses reveal an incongruent phylogeny between the endosymbiont and mitochondrial genomes of the scaly-foot snails in the five vent fields sampled, indicating that the hosts obtain endosymbionts via horizontal transmission in each generation. However, the genetic homogeneity of many symbiont populations implies that vertical transmission cannot be ruled out either. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation of ovarian tissue yields symbiont signals around the oocytes, suggesting that vertical transmission co-occurs with horizontal transmission. Results of in situ environmental measurements and gene expression analyses from in situ fixed samples show that the snail host buffers the differences in environmental conditions to provide the endosymbionts with a stable intracellular micro-environment, where the symbionts serve key metabolic functions and benefit from the host's cushion. The mixed transmission mode, symbiont specificity at the species level, and stable intracellular environment provided by the host support the evolutionary, ecological, and physiological success of scaly-foot snail holobionts in different vents with unique environmental parameters.}, }
@article {pmid35715692, year = {2022}, author = {Hickin, ML and Kakumanu, ML and Schal, C}, title = {Effects of Wolbachia elimination and B-vitamin supplementation on bed bug development and reproduction.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {10270}, pmid = {35715692}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {P30 ES025128/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Bedbugs ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Nymph ; Reproduction ; *Vitamin B Complex/pharmacology ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Obligate blood feeders, such as Cimex lectularius (common bed bug), have symbiotic associations with nutritional endosymbionts that produce B-vitamins. To quantify the symbiont's contribution to host fitness in these obligate mutualisms, the symbiont must be eliminated and its absence rigorously confirmed. We developed and validated procedures for complete elimination of Wolbachia (Wb) in bed bugs and quantified development and reproduction in bed bugs with and without Wb and with and without B-vitamins supplementation. Aposymbiotic bed bugs had slower nymphal development, reduced adult survivorship, smaller adult size, fewer eggs per female, and lower hatch rate than bed bugs that harbored Wb. In aposymbiotic bed bugs that were fed B-vitamins-supplemented blood, nymph development time, adult survivorship and hatch rate recovered to control levels, but adult size and egg number only partially recovered. These results underscore the nutritional dependence of bed bugs on their Wb symbiont and suggest that Wb may provide additional nutritional benefits beyond the B-vitamin mix that we investigated.}, }
@article {pmid35714221, year = {2022}, author = {Li, Y and Altamia, MA and Shipway, JR and Brugler, MR and Bernardino, AF and de Brito, TL and Lin, Z and da Silva Oliveira, FA and Sumida, P and Smith, CR and Trindade-Silva, A and Halanych, KM and Distel, DL}, title = {Contrasting modes of mitochondrial genome evolution in sister taxa of wood-eating marine bivalves (Teredinidae and Xylophagaidae).}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {14}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {35714221}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {U19 TW008163/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The bivalve families Teredinidae and Xylophagaidae include voracious consumers of wood in shallow and deep-water marine environments, respectively. The taxa are sister clades whose members consume wood as food with the aid of intracellular cellulolytic endosymbionts housed in their gills. This combination of adaptations is found in no other group of animals and was likely present in the common ancestor of both families. Despite these commonalities, the two families have followed dramatically different evolutionary paths with respect to anatomy, life history and distribution. Here we present 42 new mitochondrial genome sequences from Teredinidae and Xylophagaidae and show that distinct trajectories have also occurred in the evolution and organization of their mitochondrial genomes. Teredinidae display significantly greater rates of amino acid substitution but absolute conservation of protein-coding gene order, whereas Xylophagaidae display significantly less amino acid change but have undergone numerous and diverse changes in genome organization since their divergence from a common ancestor. As with many bivalves, these mitochondrial genomes encode two ribosomal RNAs, 12 protein coding genes, and 22 tRNAs; atp8 was not detected. We further show that their phylogeny, as inferred from amino acid sequences of 12 concatenated mitochondrial protein-coding genes, is largely congruent with those inferred from their nuclear genomes based on 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA sequences. Our results provide a robust phylogenetic framework to explore the tempo and mode of mitochondrial genome evolution and offer directions for future phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of wood-boring bivalves.}, }
@article {pmid35707007, year = {2022}, author = {Zhao, R and Li, D and Wang, X and Li, Z and Yu, X and Shentu, X}, title = {Synergistic and Additive Interactions of Zhongshengmycin to the Chemical Insecticide Pymetrozine for Controlling Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {875610}, pmid = {35707007}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Management of the rice brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens Stål is challenging because it can rapidly adapt to new pesticides within several generations. Combined use of chemical insecticides and antimicrobials was proposed as an alternative strategy to control N. lugens. Our previous experiments identified two effective agents (chemical insecticide: pymetrozine and antimicrobial: zhongshengmycin) that act on different targets in N. lugens. However, conditions and effectiveness of combinations of antimicrobials and insecticides against N. lugens are still unknown. Here, we evaluated separate and combined effects of pymetrozine and zhongshengmycin on third instar nymphs of N. lugens under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Results showed that zhongshengmycin exerts significant inhibitory effects on the three endosymbionts Pichia guilliermondii, Cryptococcus peneaus, and Pichia anomala cultured in vitro of N. lugens. Combinations of pymetrozine and zhongshengmycin under laboratory conditions produced additive or synergistic effects on N. lugens and caused higher mortality in third instar nymphs than either of them used alone. Experiments under greenhouse conditions further demonstrated that effective component quality ratio of pymetrozine to zhongshengmycin of 1:10 and 1:40 with co-toxicity coefficients of 221.63 and 672.87, respectively, also produced significant synergistic effects against N. lugens. Our results indicated that chemical insecticides combined with antimicrobials may provide a potential novel strategy for controlling N. lugens by inhibiting its endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid35702810, year = {2022}, author = {Colunga-Salas, P and Sánchez-Montes, S and Torres-Castro, M and Andrade-Torres, A and González, CAL and Aguilar-Tipacamú, G}, title = {Is vertical transmission the only pathway for Rickettsia felis?.}, journal = {Transboundary and emerging diseases}, volume = {69}, number = {5}, pages = {e3352-e3356}, doi = {10.1111/tbed.14626}, pmid = {35702810}, issn = {1865-1682}, support = {//Fondo para el Desarrollo del Conocimiento/ ; //FNB-2021-05/ ; //Universidad Aut&#xf3;noma de Quer&#xe9;taro/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Flea Infestations/veterinary ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Rickettsia Infections/microbiology/veterinary ; *Rickettsia felis/genetics ; *Siphonaptera/microbiology ; }, abstract = {The genus Rickettsia encompasses several species grouped into two main clusters, Typhus and the Transitional groups. The latter group contains Rickettsia felis, an endosymbiont of several arthropods with an uncertain human pathogenicity and whose most efficient transmission mechanism described thus far is transovarial. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this pathway exists using phylogenetic analysis and partial sequences of the 17kDa and gltA genes and comparing them with host phylogeny using the cytb region. This is the first study that evaluates the vertical transmission of R. felis. In general, both phylogenies of R. felis showed no polytomies, as suspected if this pathway was the only pathway occurring. When phylogenies of the invertebrates and the gltA of R. felis were compared for strong coevolutionary insight, intricate relationships were observed, suggesting that other transmission pathways must occur, such as horizontal transmission. Further studies are needed to determine which other transmission routes occur in hematophagous arthropods.}, }
@article {pmid35699368, year = {2022}, author = {De Oliveira, AL and Srivastava, A and Espada-Hinojosa, S and Bright, M}, title = {The complete and closed genome of the facultative generalist Candidatus Endoriftia persephone from deep-sea hydrothermal vents.}, journal = {Molecular ecology resources}, volume = {22}, number = {8}, pages = {3106-3123}, pmid = {35699368}, issn = {1755-0998}, support = {P 31543/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {DNA Restriction-Modification Enzymes/genetics ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; *Hydrothermal Vents ; Sulfur ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Transposases/genetics ; }, abstract = {The mutualistic interactions between Riftia pachyptila and its endosymbiont Candidatus Endoriftia persephone (short Endoriftia) have been extensively researched. However, the closed Endoriftia genome is still lacking. Here, by employing single-molecule real-time sequencing we present the closed chromosomal sequence of Endoriftia. In contrast to theoretical predictions of enlarged and mobile genetic element-rich genomes related to facultative endosymbionts, the closed Endoriftia genome is streamlined with fewer than expected coding sequence regions, insertion-, prophage-sequences and transposase-coding sequences. Automated and manually curated functional analyses indicated that Endoriftia is more versatile regarding sulphur metabolism than previously reported. We identified the presence of two identical rRNA operons and two long CRISPR regions in the closed genome. Additionally, pangenome analyses revealed the presence of three types of secretion systems (II, IV and VI) in the different Endoriftia populations indicating lineage-specific adaptations. The in depth mobilome characterization identified the presence of shared genomic islands in the different Endoriftia drafts and in the closed genome, suggesting that the acquisition of foreign DNA predates the geographical dispersal of the different endosymbiont populations. Finally, we found no evidence of epigenetic regulation in Endoriftia, as revealed by gene screenings and absence of methylated modified base motifs in the genome. As a matter of fact, the restriction-modification system seems to be dysfunctional in Endoriftia, pointing to a higher importance of molecular memory-based immunity against phages via spacer incorporation into CRISPR system. The Endoriftia genome is the first closed tubeworm endosymbiont to date and will be valuable for future gene oriented and evolutionary comparative studies.}, }
@article {pmid35699129, year = {2022}, author = {Mulenga, GM and Namangala, B and Gummow, B}, title = {Prevalence of trypanosomes and selected symbionts in tsetse species of eastern Zambia.}, journal = {Parasitology}, volume = {149}, number = {11}, pages = {1406-1410}, pmid = {35699129}, issn = {1469-8161}, mesh = {Animals ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Insect Vectors/parasitology ; Prevalence ; *Trypanosoma/genetics ; *Trypanosomiasis, African/parasitology ; *Tsetse Flies/parasitology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Zambia/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Insect symbionts have attracted attention for their potential use as anti-parasitic gene products in arthropod disease vectors. While tsetse species of the Luangwa valley have been extensively studied, less is known about the prevalence of symbionts and their interactions with the trypanosome parasite. Polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the presence of Wolbachia and Sodalis bacteria, in tsetse flies infected with trypanosomes (Trypanosoma vivax, Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei). Out of 278 captured tsetse flies in eastern Zambia, 95.3% (n = 265, 95% CI = 92.8–97.8) carried endosymbionts: Wolbachia (79.1%, 95% CI 73.9–83.8) and Sodalis (86.3%, 95% CI 81.7–90.1). Overall, trypanosome prevalence was 25.5% (n = 71, 95% CI = 20.4–30.7), 10.8% (n = 30, 95% CI 7.1–14.4) for T. brucei, 1.4% (n = 4, 95% CI = 0.4–3.6) for both T. congolense and T. vivax, and 0.7% (n = 2, 95% CI 0.1–2.6) for T. b. rhodesiense. Out of 240 tsetse flies that were infected with Sodalis, trypanosome infection was reported in 40 tsetse flies (16.7%, 95% CI = 12.0–21.4) while 37 (16.8%, 95% CI 11.9–21.8) of the 220 Wolbachia infected tsetse flies were infected with trypanosomes. There was 1.3 times likelihood of T. brucei infection to be present when Wolbachia was present and 1.7 likelihood of T. brucei infection when Sodalis was present. Overall findings suggest absence of correlation between the presence of tsetse endosymbionts and tsetse with trypanosome infection. Lastly, the presence of pathogenic trypanosomes in tsetse species examined provided insights into the risk communities face, and the importance of African trypanosomiasis in the area.}, }
@article {pmid35695864, year = {2022}, author = {Nadal-Jimenez, P and Siozios, S and Halliday, N and Cámara, M and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Symbiopectobacterium purcellii, gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the leafhopper Empoasca decipiens.}, journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology}, volume = {72}, number = {6}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1099/ijsem.0.005440}, pmid = {35695864}, issn = {1466-5034}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Base Composition ; Chromatography, Liquid ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Fatty Acids/chemistry ; *Hemiptera ; *Pectobacterium ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts are found in multiple arthropod species, where they play crucial roles as nutritional symbionts, defensive symbionts or reproductive parasites. Recent work has highlighted a new clade of heritable microbes within the gammaproteobacteria that enter into both obligate and facultative symbioses, with an obligately required unculturable symbiont recently given the name Candidatus Symbiopectobacterium. In this study, we describe a culturable rod shaped non-flagellated bacterial symbiont from this clade isolated from the leafhopper Empoasca decipiens. The symbiont is related to the transovarially transmitted 'BEV' bacterium that was first isolated from the leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus by Alexander Purcell, and we therefore name the symbiont Symbiopectobacterium purcellii sp. nov., gen. nov. We further report the closed genome sequence for S. purcellii. The genome is atypical for a heritable microbe, being large in size, without profound AT bias and with little evidence of pseudogenization. The genome is predicted to encode Type II, III and VI secretion systems and associated effectors and a non-ribosomal peptide synthase array likely to produce bioactive small molecules. The predicted metabolism is more complete than for other symbionts in the Symbiopectobacterium clade, and the microbe is predicted to synthesize a range of B vitamins. However, Biolog plate results indicate that the metabolism is depauperate compared to the sister clade, represented by Pectobacterium carotovorum. A quorum-sensing pathway related to that of Pectobacterium species (containing an overlapping expI-expR1 pair in opposite directions and a "solo" expR2) is evidenced, and LC-MS/MS analysis reveals the presence of 3-hydroxy-C10-HSL as the sole N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) in our strain. This AHL profile is profoundly divergent from that of other Erwinia and Pectobacterium species which produce mostly 3-oxo-C6- and 3-oxo-C8-HSL and could aid group identification. Thus, this microbe denotes one that has lost certain pathways associated with a saprophytic lifestyle but represents an important baseline against which to compare other members of the genus Symbiopectobacterium that show more profound integration into host biology. The type strain of Symbiopectobacterium purcellii gen. nov., sp. nov. is SyEd1[T] (LMG 32449[T]=CECT 30436[T]).}, }
@article {pmid35681493, year = {2022}, author = {Das De, T and Sharma, P and Tevatiya, S and Chauhan, C and Kumari, S and Yadav, P and Singla, D and Srivastava, V and Rani, J and Hasija, Y and Pandey, KC and Kajla, M and Dixit, R}, title = {Bidirectional Microbiome-Gut-Brain-Axis Communication Influences Metabolic Switch-Associated Responses in the Mosquito Anopheles culicifacies.}, journal = {Cells}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {35681493}, issn = {2073-4409}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anopheles ; Bacteria/genetics ; Brain/metabolism ; Cell Communication ; Female ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; }, abstract = {The periodic ingestion of a protein-rich blood meal by adult female mosquitoes causes a drastic metabolic change in their innate physiological status, which is referred to as a 'metabolic switch'. While understanding the neural circuits for host-seeking is modestly attended, how the gut 'metabolic switch' modulates brain functions, and resilience to physiological homeostasis, remains unexplored. Here, through a comparative brain RNA-Seq study, we demonstrate that the protein-rich diet induces the expression of brain transcripts related to mitochondrial function and energy metabolism, possibly causing a shift in the brain's engagement to manage organismal homeostasis. A dynamic mRNA expression pattern of neuro-signaling and neuro-modulatory genes in both the gut and brain likely establishes an active gut-brain communication. The disruption of this communication through decapitation does not affect the modulation of the neuro-modulator receptor genes in the gut. In parallel, an unusual and paramount shift in the level of neurotransmitters (NTs), from the brain to the gut after blood feeding, further supports the idea of the gut's ability to serve as a 'second brain'. After blood-feeding, a moderate enrichment of the gut microbial population, and altered immunity in the gut of histamine receptor-silenced mosquitoes, provide initial evidence that the gut-microbiome plays a crucial role in gut-brain-axis communication. Finally, a comparative metagenomics evaluation of the gut microbiome highlighted that blood-feeding enriches the family members of the Morganellaceae and Pseudomonadaceae bacterial communities. The notable observation of a rapid proliferation of Pseudomonas bacterial sp. and tryptophan enrichment in the gut correlates with the suppression of appetite after blood-feeding. Additionally, altered NTs dynamics of naïve and aseptic mosquitoes provide further evidence that gut-endosymbionts are key modulators for the synthesis of major neuroactive molecules. Our data establish a new conceptual understanding of microbiome-gut-brain-axis communication in mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid35678925, year = {2022}, author = {Lin, GW and Chung, CY and Cook, CE and Lin, MD and Lee, WC and Chang, CC}, title = {Germline specification and axis determination in viviparous and oviparous pea aphids: conserved and divergent features.}, journal = {Development genes and evolution}, volume = {232}, number = {2-4}, pages = {51-65}, pmid = {35678925}, issn = {1432-041X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/physiology ; Female ; Germ Cells ; Insect Proteins ; Oviparity ; Pisum sativum ; }, abstract = {Aphids are hemimetabolous insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis without pupation. The annual life cycle of most aphids includes both an asexual (viviparous) and a sexual (oviparous) phase. Sexual reproduction only occurs once per year and is followed by many generations of asexual reproduction, during which aphids propagate exponentially with telescopic development. Here, we discuss the potential links between viviparous embryogenesis and derived developmental features in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, particularly focusing on germline specification and axis determination, both of which are key events of early development in insects. We also discuss potential evolutionary paths through which both viviparous and oviparous females might have come to utilize maternal germ plasm to drive germline specification. This developmental strategy, as defined by germline markers, has not been reported in other hemimetabolous insects. In viviparous females, furthermore, we discuss whether molecules that in other insects characterize germ plasm, like Vasa, also participate in posterior determination and how the anterior localization of the hunchback orthologue Ap-hb establishes the anterior-posterior axis. We propose that the linked chain of developing oocytes and embryos within each ovariole and the special morphology of early embryos might have driven the formation of evolutionary novelties in germline specification and axis determination in the viviparous aphids. Moreover, based upon the finding that the endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola is closely associated with germ cells throughout embryogenesis, we propose presumptive roles for B. aphidicola in aphid development, discussing how it might regulate germline migration in both reproductive modes of pea aphids. In summary, we expect that this review will shed light on viviparous as well as oviparous development in aphids.}, }
@article {pmid35678589, year = {2022}, author = {Higgins, SA and Mann, M and Heck, M}, title = {Strain Tracking of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus', the Citrus Greening Pathogen, by High-Resolution Microbiome Analysis of Asian Citrus Psyllids.}, journal = {Phytopathology}, volume = {112}, number = {11}, pages = {2273-2287}, doi = {10.1094/PHYTO-02-22-0067-R}, pmid = {35678589}, issn = {0031-949X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Citrus/microbiology ; *Rhizobiaceae/genetics ; Liberibacter ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is an invasive insect and a vector of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), a bacterium whose growth in Citrus species results in huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease. Methods to enrich and sequence CLas from D. citri often rely on biased genome amplification and nevertheless contain significant quantities of host DNA. To overcome these hurdles, we developed a simple pretreatment DNase and filtration (PDF) protocol to remove host DNA and directly sequence CLas and the complete, primarily uncultivable microbiome from D. citri adults. The PDF protocol yielded CLas abundances upward of 60% and facilitated direct measurement of CLas and endosymbiont replication rates in psyllids. The PDF protocol confirmed our lab strains derived from a progenitor Florida CLas strain and accumulated 156 genetic variants, underscoring the utility of this method for bacterial strain tracking. CLas genetic polymorphisms arising in lab-reared psyllid populations included prophage-encoding regions with key functions in CLas pathogenesis, putative antibiotic resistance loci, and a single secreted effector. These variants suggest that laboratory propagation of CLas could result in different phenotypic trajectories among laboratories and could confound CLas physiology or therapeutic design and evaluation if these differences remain undocumented. Finally, we obtained genetic signatures affiliated with Citrus nuclear and organellar genomes, entomopathogenic fungal mitochondria, and commensal bacteria from laboratory-reared and field-collected D. citri adults. Hence, the PDF protocol can directly inform agricultural management strategies related to bacterial strain tracking, insect microbiome surveillance, and antibiotic resistance screening.}, }
@article {pmid35672454, year = {2022}, author = {Pilátová, J and Pánek, T and Oborník, M and Čepička, I and Mojzeš, P}, title = {Revisiting biocrystallization: purine crystalline inclusions are widespread in eukaryotes.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {16}, number = {9}, pages = {2290-2294}, pmid = {35672454}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {796217//Grantov&#xe1; Agentura, Univerzita Karlova (Charles University Grant Agency)/ ; 20-16549Y//Grantov&#xe1; Agentura &#x10c;esk&#xe9; Republiky (Grant Agency of the Czech Republic)/ ; 19-19297S//Grantov&#xe1; Agentura &#x10c;esk&#xe9; Republiky (Grant Agency of the Czech Republic)/ ; 17-06264S//Grantov&#xe1; Agentura &#x10c;esk&#xe9; Republiky (Grant Agency of the Czech Republic)/ ; }, mesh = {*Biomineralization ; *Eukaryota/genetics/metabolism ; Guanine/metabolism ; Humans ; Purines/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Despite the widespread occurrence of intracellular crystalline inclusions in unicellular eukaryotes, scant attention has been paid to their composition, functions, and evolutionary origins. Using Raman microscopy, we examined >200 species from all major eukaryotic supergroups. We detected cellular crystalline inclusions in 77% species out of which 80% is composed of purines, such as anhydrous guanine (62%), guanine monohydrate (2%), uric acid (12%) and xanthine (4%). Our findings shifts the paradigm assuming predominance of calcite and oxalates. Purine crystals emerge in microorganisms in all habitats, e.g., in freshwater algae, endosymbionts of reef-building corals, deadly parasites, anaerobes in termite guts, or slime molds. Hence, purine biocrystallization is a general and ancestral eukaryotic process likely present in the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA) and here we propose two proteins omnipresent in eukaryotes that are likely in charge of their metabolism: hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase and equilibrative nucleoside transporter. Purine crystalline inclusions are multifunctional structures representing high-capacity and rapid-turnover reserves of nitrogen and optically active elements, e.g., used in light sensing. Thus, we anticipate our work to be a starting point for further studies spanning from cell biology to global ecology, with potential applications in biotechnologies, bio-optics, or in human medicine.}, }
@article {pmid35671755, year = {2022}, author = {Tvedte, ES and Gasser, M and Zhao, X and Tallon, LJ and Sadzewicz, L and Bromley, RE and Chung, M and Mattick, J and Sparklin, BC and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Accumulation of endosymbiont genomes in an insect autosome followed by endosymbiont replacement.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {32}, number = {12}, pages = {2786-2795.e5}, pmid = {35671755}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {R01 CA206188/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Chromosomes ; Drosophila/genetics/microbiology ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genome ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Eukaryotic genomes can acquire bacterial DNA via lateral gene transfer (LGT).[1] A prominent source of LGT is Wolbachia,[2] a widespread endosymbiont of arthropods and nematodes that is transmitted maternally through female germline cells.[3,4] The DNA transfer from the Wolbachia endosymbiont wAna to Drosophila ananassae is extensive[5-7] and has been localized to chromosome 4, contributing to chromosome expansion in this lineage.[6] As has happened frequently with claims of bacteria-to-eukaryote LGT, the contribution of wAna transfers to the expanded size of D. ananassae chromosome 4 has been specifically contested[8] owing to an assembly where Wolbachia sequences were classified as contaminants and removed.[9] Here, long-read sequencing with DNA from a Wolbachia-cured line enabled assembly of 4.9 Mbp of nuclear Wolbachia transfers (nuwts) in D. ananassae and a 24-kbp nuclear mitochondrial transfer. The nuwts are <8,000 years old in at least two locations in chromosome 4 with at least one whole-genome integration followed by rapid extensive duplication of most of the genome with regions that have up to 10 copies. The genes in nuwts are accumulating small indels and mobile element insertions. Among the highly duplicated genes are cifA and cifB, two genes associated with Wolbachia-mediated Drosophila cytoplasmic incompatibility. The wAna strain that was the source of nuwts was subsequently replaced by a different wAna endosymbiont. Direct RNA Nanopore sequencing of Wolbachia-cured lines identified nuwt transcripts, including spliced transcripts, but functionality, if any, remains elusive.}, }
@article {pmid38468766, year = {2022}, author = {Fernández, MB and Bleidorn, C and Calcaterra, LA}, title = {Wolbachia Infection in Native Populations of the Invasive Tawny Crazy Ant Nylanderia fulva.}, journal = {Frontiers in insect science}, volume = {2}, number = {}, pages = {905803}, pmid = {38468766}, issn = {2673-8600}, abstract = {Antagonistic interactions can affect population growth and dispersal of an invasive species. Wolbachia are intracellular endosymbiont bacteria that infect arthropod and nematode hosts and are able to manipulate reproduction, which in some cases leads to cocladogenesis. Moreover, the presence of the strictly maternally transferred Wolbachia in a population can indirectly induce selective sweeps on the hosts' mitochondria. Ants have a Wolbachia infection rate of about 34%, which makes phylogenetic studies using mitochondrial markers vulnerable of being confounded by the effect of the endosymbiont. Nylanderia fulva is an invasive ant native to South America, considered a pest in the United States. Its distribution and biology are poorly known in its native range, and the taxonomic identity of this and its closely related species, Nylanderia pubens, has only recently been understood with the aid of molecular phylogenies. Aiming at estimating robust phylogenetic relationships of N. fulva in its native range, we investigated the presence and pattern of Wolbachia infection in populations of N. fulva from Argentina, part of its native range, to account for its possible effect on the host population structure. Using the ftsZ gene, 30 nests of N. fulva and four from sympatric Nylanderia species were screened for the presence of Wolbachia. We sequenced the MLST genes, the highly variable gene wsp, as well as glyQ, a novel target gene for which new primers were designed. Phylogeny of the ants was estimated using mtDNA (COI). We found supergroup A Wolbachia strains infecting 73% of N. fulva nests and two nests of Nylanderia sp. 1. Wolbachia phylogenetic tree inferred with MLST genes is partially congruent with the host phylogeny topology, with the exception of a lineage of strains shared by ants from different N. fulva clades. Furthermore, by comparing with Wolbachia sequences infecting other ants, we found that the strains infecting different N. fulva clades are not monophyletic. Our findings suggest there are three recent independent horizontally transmitted Wolbachia infections in N. fulva, and we found no evidence of influence of Wolbachia in the host mtDNA based phylogeny.}, }
@article {pmid39524518, year = {2021}, author = {Wang, Y and Wang, L and Chen, S and Chen, S}, title = {A study of RNA-editing in Populus trichocarpa nuclei revealed acquisition of RNA-editing on the endosymbiont-derived genes, and a preference for intracellular remodeling genes in adaptation to endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Forestry research}, volume = {1}, number = {}, pages = {20}, pmid = {39524518}, issn = {2767-3812}, abstract = {RNA-editing is a post-transcriptional modification that can diversify genome-encoded information by modifying individual RNA bases. In contrast to the well-studied RNA-editing in organelles, little is known about nuclear RNA-editing in higher plants. We performed a genome-wide study of RNA-editing in Populus trichocarpa nuclei using the RNA-seq data generated from the sequenced poplar genotype, 'Nisqually-1'. A total of 24,653 nuclear RNA-editing sites present in 8,603 transcripts were identified. Notably, RNA-editing in P. trichocarpa nuclei tended to occur on endosymbiont-derived genes. We then scrutinized RNA-editing in a cyanobacterial strain closely related to chloroplast. No RNA-editing sites were identified therein, implying that RNA-editing of these endosymbiont-derived genes was acquired after endosymbiosis. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of all the edited genes in P. trichocarpa nuclei demonstrated that nuclear RNA-editing was primarily focused on genes involved in intracellular remodeling processes, which suggests that RNA-editing plays contributing roles in organellar establishment during endosymbiosis. We built a coexpression network using all C-to-U edited genes and then decomposed it to obtain 18 clusters, six of which contained a conserved core motif, A/G-C-A/G. Such a short core motif not only attracted the RNA-editing machinery but also enabled large numbers of sites to be targeted though further study is necessary to verify this finding.}, }
@article {pmid38650243, year = {2021}, author = {Zhang, J and Liu, G and Carvajal, AI and Wilson, RH and Cai, Z and Li, Y}, title = {Discovery of a readily heterologously expressed Rubisco from the deep sea with potential for CO2 capture.}, journal = {Bioresources and bioprocessing}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {86}, pmid = {38650243}, issn = {2197-4365}, support = {2150060111//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), the key CO2-fixing enzyme in photosynthesis, is notorious for its low carboxylation. We report a highly active and assembly-competent Form II Rubisco from the endosymbiont of a deep-sea tubeworm Riftia pachyptila (RPE Rubisco), which shows a 50.5% higher carboxylation efficiency than that of a high functioning Rubisco from Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 (7002 Rubisco). It is a simpler hexamer with three pairs of large subunit homodimers around a central threefold symmetry axis. Compared with 7002 Rubisco, it showed a 3.6-fold higher carbon capture efficiency in vivo using a designed CO2 capture model. The simple structure, high carboxylation efficiency, easy heterologous soluble expression/assembly make RPE Rubisco a ready-to-deploy enzyme for CO2 capture that does not require complex co-expression of chaperones. The chemosynthetic CO2 fixation machinery of chemolithoautotrophs, CO2-fixing endosymbionts, may be more efficient than previously realized with great potential for next-generation microbial CO2 sequestration platforms.}, }
@article {pmid37223258, year = {2021}, author = {Marra, A and Masson, F and Lemaitre, B}, title = {The iron transporter Transferrin 1 mediates homeostasis of the endosymbiotic relationship between Drosophila melanogaster and Spiroplasma poulsonii.}, journal = {microLife}, volume = {2}, number = {}, pages = {uqab008}, pmid = {37223258}, issn = {2633-6693}, abstract = {Iron is involved in numerous biological processes in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and is therefore subject to a tug-of-war between host and microbes upon pathogenic infections. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the iron transporter Transferrin 1 (Tsf1) mediates iron relocation from the hemolymph to the fat body upon infection as part of the nutritional immune response. The sequestration of iron in the fat body renders it less available for pathogens, hence limiting their proliferation and enhancing the host ability to fight the infection. Here we investigate the interaction between host iron homeostasis and Spiroplasma poulsonii, a facultative, vertically transmitted, endosymbiont of Drosophila. This low-pathogenicity bacterium is devoid of cell wall and is able to thrive in the host hemolymph without triggering pathogen-responsive canonical immune pathways. However, hemolymph proteomics revealed an enrichment of Tsf1 in infected flies. We find that S. poulsonii induces tsf1 expression and triggers an iron sequestration response similarly to pathogenic bacteria. We next demonstrate that free iron cannot be used by Spiroplasma while Tsf1-bound iron promotes bacterial growth, underlining the adaptation of Spiroplasma to the intra-host lifestyle where iron is mostly protein-bound. Our results show that Tsf1 is used both by the fly to sequester iron and by Spiroplasma to forage host iron, making it a central protein in endosymbiotic homeostasis.}, }
@article {pmid37170316, year = {2021}, author = {Serra, V and D'Alessandro, A and Nitla, V and Gammuto, L and Modeo, L and Petroni, G and Fokin, SI}, title = {The neotypification of Frontonia vernalis (Ehrenberg, 1833) Ehrenberg, 1838 and the description of Frontonia paravernalis sp. nov. trigger a critical revision of frontoniid systematics.}, journal = {BMC zoology}, volume = {6}, number = {1}, pages = {4}, pmid = {37170316}, issn = {2056-3132}, support = {247658//FP7 People: Marie-Curie Actions/ ; 872767//H2020 Marie Sk&#x142;odowska-Curie Actions/ ; 2019.0380//Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pistoia e Pescia/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Among Oligohymenophorea (Ciliophora, Alveolata) the subclass Peniculia stands as one of the most well-known groups. Frontonia is the largest genus of Peniculia, and its representatives are spread in any type of water bodies as well as in soil. At a first glance, Frontonia species exhibit an overall similar morphology, and form a well-recognizable taxon of ciliates. Despite the general morphological homogeneity, the phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S rDNA sequencing showed that Frontonia is a non-monophyletic group. The systematics of this genus should be deeply reviewed, although additional issues complicate the task solving. First, type species of the genus is not yet clearly established, and no type material is available. In this context, the situation of F. vernalis, one of the first Frontonia ever described, is somehow puzzled: the description of this ciliate made by Ehrenberg (in 1833 and 1838) contains several inaccuracies and subsequent misidentifications by other authors occurred. Moreover, the 18S rDNA sequence of a putative F. vernalis is available on GenBank, but no morphological description of the correspondent specimens is provided; thus, in our opinion, it should be only prudently associated with F. vernalis or at least indicated as "F. vernalis".<br><br>RESULTS: In the present work, we provide the neotypification of F. vernalis newly found in Italy, presenting its multidisciplinary description and its neotype material. Similarly, we describe a novel species bearing Chlorella-like endosymbionts, Frontonia paravernalis sp. nov., retrieved in two far distant locations (Italy, Russia). A critical discussion on the status of Frontonia taxonomy and phylogeny is also presented, based on the 18S rDNA sequencing of both these two newly collected species and other 14 frontoniids isolated in different parts of the world. Finally, in the present study F. leucas was neotypified and proposed as the type species of the genus.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Green frontoniids form a monophyletic clade of freshwater organisms characterized by having a single contractile vacuole and bearing intracytoplasmatic Chlorella-like symbionts. With the neotypification of F. vernalis and F. leucas a fundamental step in Frontonia systematics was taken, and the bases for further taxonomic studies were laid.}, }
@article {pmid35668761, year = {2022}, author = {Djihinto, OY and Medjigbodo, AA and Gangbadja, ARA and Saizonou, HM and Lagnika, HO and Nanmede, D and Djossou, L and Bohounton, R and Sovegnon, PM and Fanou, MJ and Agonhossou, R and Akoton, R and Mousse, W and Djogbénou, LS}, title = {Malaria-Transmitting Vectors Microbiota: Overview and Interactions With Anopheles Mosquito Biology.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {891573}, pmid = {35668761}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {109917/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Malaria remains a vector-borne infectious disease that is still a major public health concern worldwide, especially in tropical regions. Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The control interventions targeting mosquito vectors have achieved significant success during the last two decades and rely mainly on the use of chemical insecticides through the insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). Unfortunately, resistance to conventional insecticides currently being used in public health is spreading in the natural mosquito populations, hampering the long-term success of the current vector control strategies. Thus, to achieve the goal of malaria elimination, it appears necessary to improve vector control approaches through the development of novel environment-friendly tools. Mosquito microbiota has by now given rise to the expansion of innovative control tools, such as the use of endosymbionts to target insect vectors, known as "symbiotic control." In this review, we will present the viral, fungal and bacterial diversity of Anopheles mosquitoes, including the bacteriophages. This review discusses the likely interactions between the vector microbiota and its fitness and resistance to insecticides.}, }
@article {pmid35666732, year = {2022}, author = {Bordenstein, SR and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {Widespread phages of endosymbionts: Phage WO genomics and the proposed taxonomic classification of Symbioviridae.}, journal = {PLoS genetics}, volume = {18}, number = {6}, pages = {e1010227}, pmid = {35666732}, issn = {1553-7404}, support = {R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI143725/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods ; *Bacteriophages/genetics ; Eukaryota ; Genomics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are the most common obligate, intracellular bacteria in animals. They exist worldwide in arthropod and nematode hosts in which they commonly act as reproductive parasites or mutualists, respectively. Bacteriophage WO, the largest of Wolbachia's mobile elements, includes reproductive parasitism genes, serves as a hotspot for genetic divergence and genomic rearrangement of the bacterial chromosome, and uniquely encodes a Eukaryotic Association Module with eukaryotic-like genes and an ensemble of putative host interaction genes. Despite WO's relevance to genome evolution, selfish genetics, and symbiotic applications, relatively little is known about its origin, host range, diversification, and taxonomic classification. Here we analyze the most comprehensive set of 150 Wolbachia and phage WO assemblies to provide a framework for discretely organizing and naming integrated phage WO genomes. We demonstrate that WO is principally in arthropod Wolbachia with relatives in diverse endosymbionts and metagenomes, organized into four variants related by gene synteny, often oriented opposite the putative origin of replication in the Wolbachia chromosome, and the large serine recombinase is an ideal typing tool to distinguish the four variants. We identify a novel, putative lytic cassette and WO's association with a conserved eleven gene island, termed Undecim Cluster, that is enriched with virulence-like genes. Finally, we evaluate WO-like Islands in the Wolbachia genome and discuss a new model in which Octomom, a notable WO-like Island, arose from a split with WO. Together, these findings establish the first comprehensive Linnaean taxonomic classification of endosymbiont phages, including non-Wolbachia phages from aquatic environments, that includes a new family and two new genera to capture the collective relatedness of these viruses.}, }
@article {pmid35665222, year = {2022}, author = {Steinberg, RK and Ainsworth, TD and Moriarty, T and Bednarek, T and Dafforn, KA and Johnston, EL}, title = {Bleaching Susceptibility and Resistance of Octocorals and Anemones at the World's Southern-Most Coral Reef.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {804193}, pmid = {35665222}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Coral reefs are amongst the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth, and while stony corals create the foundational complexity of these ecosystems, octocorals and anemones contribute significantly to their biodiversity and function. Like stony corals, many octocorals contain Symbiodiniaceae endosymbionts and can bleach when temperatures exceed the species' upper thermal limit. Here, we report octocoral bleaching susceptibility and resistance within the subtropical Lord Howe Island coral reef ecosystem during and after marine heatwaves in 2019. Octocoral and anemone surveys were conducted at multiple reef locations within the Lord Howe Island lagoon during, immediately after, and 7 months after the heatwaves. One octocoral species, Cladiella sp. 1, experienced bleaching and mortality, with some bleached colonies detaching from the reef structure during the heatwave (presumed dead). Those that remained attached to the benthos survived the event and recovered endosymbionts within 7 months of bleaching. Cladiella sp. 1 Symbiodiniaceae density (in cells per µg protein), chlorophyll a and c 2 per µg protein, and photosynthetic efficiency were significantly lower in bleached colonies compared to unbleached colonies, while chlorophyll a and c 2 per symbiont were higher. Interestingly, no other symbiotic octocoral species of the Lord Howe Island lagoonal reef bleached. Unbleached Xenia cf crassa colonies had higher Symbiodiniaceae and chlorophyll densities during the marine heatwave compared to other monitoring intervals, while Cladiella sp. 2 densities did not change substantially through time. Previous work on octocoral bleaching has focused primarily on gorgonian octocorals, while this study provides insight into bleaching variability in other octocoral groups. The study also provides further evidence that octocorals may be generally more resistant to bleaching than stony corals in many, but not all, reef ecosystems. Responses to marine heating events vary and should be assessed on a species by species basis.}, }
@article {pmid35663891, year = {2022}, author = {James, EB and Pan, X and Schwartz, O and Wilson, ACC}, title = {SymbiQuant: A Machine Learning Object Detection Tool for Polyploid Independent Estimates of Endosymbiont Population Size.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {816608}, pmid = {35663891}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Quantifying the size of endosymbiont populations is challenging because endosymbionts are typically difficult or impossible to culture and commonly polyploid. Current approaches to estimating endosymbiont population sizes include quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting endosymbiont genomic DNA and flow-cytometry. While qPCR captures genome copy number data, it does not capture the number of bacterial cells in polyploid endosymbiont populations. In contrast, flow cytometry can capture accurate estimates of whole host-level endosymbiont population size, but it is not readily able to capture data at the level of endosymbiotic host cells. To complement these existing approaches for estimating endosymbiont population size, we designed and implemented an object detection/segmentation tool for counting the number of endosymbiont cells in micrographs of host tissues. The tool, called SymbiQuant, which makes use of recent advances in deep neural networks includes a graphic user interface that allows for human curation of tool output. We trained SymbiQuant for use in the model aphid/Buchnera endosymbiosis and studied Buchnera population dynamics and phenotype over aphid postembryonic development. We show that SymbiQuant returns accurate counts of endosymbionts, and readily captures Buchnera phenotype. By replacing our training data with data composed of annotated microscopy images from other models of endosymbiosis, SymbiQuant has the potential for broad application. Our tool, which is available on GitHub, adds to the repertoire of methods researchers can use to study endosymbiosis at the organismal, genome, and now endosymbiotic host tissue or cell levels.}, }
@article {pmid35662068, year = {2022}, author = {Lu, M and Tang, G and Ren, Z and Zhang, J and Wang, W and Qin, X and Li, K}, title = {Ehrlichia, Coxiella and Bartonella infections in rodents from Guizhou Province, Southwest China.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {5}, pages = {101974}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101974}, pmid = {35662068}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bartonella/genetics ; *Bartonella Infections/epidemiology/veterinary ; China/epidemiology ; Coxiella/genetics ; Ehrlichia/genetics ; Murinae ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rats ; *Ticks/genetics ; }, abstract = {Rodents are generally recognized to be the reservoir hosts of a great many zoonotic pathogens. In some areas of China, rodent-borne pathogens, as well as the role of rodents in the natural cycle of these pathogens, are still poorly investigated. To increase our knowledge on the distribution and epidemiology of rodent-borne bacterial pathogens, 81 rodent liver samples were collected in three locations of Guizhou province located in Southwest China, and screened for the presence of Ehrlichia, Coxiella, and Bartonella in them. A putative novel Ehrlichia species was identified in 5 Berylmys bowersi samples (100%, 5/5). Its 16S rRNA, gltA, and groEL genes have highest 99.84%, 89.11%, and 98.02% identities to those from known Ehrlichia species, and form distinct clades in the phylogenetic trees. Herein we name it "Candidatus Ehrlichia zunyiensis". Bartonella was tested positive in 8 A. agrarius (striped field mouse), 2 A. chevrieri (Chevrier's field mouse), 1 R. norvegicus (Norway rat), 1 N. confucianus, and 1 N. lotipes, with a total positive rate of 16.05% (13/81). Sequence analysis indicated high genetic diversity in these Bartonella strains. Unexpectedly, two Coxiella strains were identified from the rodents (1 Niviventer confucianus and 1 Mus pahari). Genetic and phylogenetic analysis indicated that both of them are closely related to the Coxiella endosymbiont of ticks. This result supported previous conjectures that vertebrate hosts such as rodents may play a role in the preservation and transmission of Coxiella endosymbiont of ticks.}, }
@article {pmid35660157, year = {2022}, author = {Kohga, H and Mori, T and Tanaka, Y and Yoshikaie, K and Taniguchi, K and Fujimoto, K and Fritz, L and Schneider, T and Tsukazaki, T}, title = {Crystal structure of the lipid flippase MurJ in a "squeezed" form distinct from its inward- and outward-facing forms.}, journal = {Structure (London, England : 1993)}, volume = {30}, number = {8}, pages = {1088-1097.e3}, doi = {10.1016/j.str.2022.05.008}, pmid = {35660157}, issn = {1878-4186}, mesh = {Bacterial Proteins/chemistry ; Escherichia coli/chemistry/genetics ; *Escherichia coli Proteins/chemistry ; Lipids ; Peptidoglycan/chemistry ; Phospholipid Transfer Proteins/chemistry ; Protein Conformation ; }, abstract = {The bacterial peptidoglycan enclosing the cytoplasmic membrane is a fundamental cellular architecture. The integral membrane protein MurJ plays an essential role in flipping the cell wall building block Lipid II across the cytoplasmic membrane for peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Previously reported crystal structures of MurJ have elucidated its V-shaped inward- or outward-facing forms with an internal cavity for substrate binding. MurJ transports Lipid II using its cavity through conformational transitions between these two forms. Here, we report two crystal structures of inward-facing forms from Arsenophonus endosymbiont MurJ and an unprecedented crystal structure of Escherichia coli MurJ in a "squeezed" form, which lacks a cavity to accommodate the substrate, mainly because of the increased proximity of transmembrane helices 2 and 8. Subsequent molecular dynamics simulations supported the hypothesis that the squeezed form is an intermediate conformation. This study fills a gap in our understanding of the Lipid II flipping mechanism.}, }
@article {pmid35651643, year = {2022}, author = {Badrulisham, AS and Abu Bakar, MA and Md Zain, BM and Md-Nor, S and Abd Rahman, MR and Mohd-Yusof, NS and Halim, M and Yaakop, S}, title = {Metabarcoding of Parasitic Wasp, Dolichogenidea metesae (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) That Parasitizing Bagworm, Metisa plana Walker (Lepidoptera: Psychidae).}, journal = {Tropical life sciences research}, volume = {33}, number = {1}, pages = {23-42}, pmid = {35651643}, issn = {1985-3718}, abstract = {Microbiome studies of the parasitoid wasp, Dolichogenidea metesae (Nixon) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) are important because D. metesae has potential as a biological control agent to suppress the pest, Metisa plana Walker (Lepidoptera, Psychidae). Three field populations of parasitic wasps with different Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to control M. plana collected from Perak state (Tapah) and Johor state (Yong Peng and Batu Pahat districts) in Peninsular Malaysia were studied. Bacterial community composition and structure were analysed using α and β diversity metrics. Proteobacteria (83.31%) and Bacteroidetes (6.80%) were the most dominant phyla, whereas unknown family from order Rhizobiales was the most abundant family found in all populations followed by Pseudomonadaceae. Family Micrococcaceae was absent in Tapah. Rhizobiales gen. sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were abundant in all populations. Pearson's correlation analysis showed the strongest correlation between individuals of Batu Pahat and Yong Peng (r = 0.89827, p < 0.05), followed by Tapah and Yong Peng with r = 0.75358, p < 0.05 and Batu Pahat and Tapah (r = 0.69552, p < 0.05). We hypothesise that low diversity and richness in Tapah might be due to direct and indirect effect of insecticides application. This preliminary data was the first study to do inventory of the microbiomes in the gut of the D. metesae.}, }
@article {pmid35643082, year = {2022}, author = {Paight, C and Hunter, ES and Lane, CE}, title = {Codependence of individuals in the Nephromyces species swarm requires heterospecific bacterial endosymbionts.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {32}, number = {13}, pages = {2948-2955.e4}, pmid = {35643082}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {R03 AI124092/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Apicomplexa ; Bacteria/genetics ; Codependency, Psychological ; Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; *Urochordata/genetics ; }, abstract = {Symbiosis is one of the most important evolutionary processes shaping the biodiversity on Earth. Symbiotic associations often bring together organisms from different domains of life, which can provide an unparalleled route to evolutionary innovation.[1-4] The phylum Apicomplexa encompasses 6,000 ubiquitous animal parasites; however, species in the recently described apicomplexan family, Nephromycidae, are reportedly non-virulent.[5][,][6] The members of the genus Nephromyces live within a specialized organ of tunicates, called the renal sac, in which they use concentrated uric acid as a primary nitrogen source.[7][,][8] Here, we report genomic and transcriptomic data from the diverse genus Nephromyces, as well as the three bacterial symbionts that live within this species complex. We show that the diversity of Nephromyces is unexpectedly high within each renal sac, with as many as 20 different species inhabiting the renal sacs in wild populations. The many species of Nephromyces can host three different types of bacterial endosymbionts; however, FISH microscopy allowed us to demonstrate that each individual Nephromyces cell hosts only a single bacterial type. Through the reconstruction and analyses of the endosymbiont bacterial genomes, we infer that each bacterial type supplies its host with different metabolites. No individual species of Nephromyces, in combination with its endosymbiont, can produce a complete set of essential amino acids, and culture experiments demonstrate that individual Nephromyces species cannot form a viable infection. Therefore, we hypothesize that Nephromyces spp. depend on co-infection with congeners containing different bacterial symbionts in order to exchange metabolites to meet their needs.}, }
@article {pmid35642381, year = {2022}, author = {Liu, W and Smith, DAS and Raina, G and Stanforth, R and Ng'Iru, I and Ireri, P and Martins, DJ and Gordon, IJ and Martin, SH}, title = {Global biogeography of warning coloration in the butterfly Danaus chrysippus.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {18}, number = {6}, pages = {20210639}, pmid = {35642381}, issn = {1744-957X}, mesh = {Adaptation, Biological ; Animals ; Biological Evolution ; *Butterflies/genetics ; Citizen Science ; Gene Frequency ; Phenotype ; *Pigmentation ; Predatory Behavior ; Selection, Genetic ; }, abstract = {Warning coloration provides a textbook example of natural selection, but the frequent observation of polymorphism in aposematic species presents an evolutionary puzzle. We investigated biogeography and polymorphism of warning patterns in the widespread butterfly Danaus chrysippus using records from citizen science (n = 5467), museums (n = 8864) and fieldwork (n = 2586). We find that polymorphism in three traits controlled by known mendelian loci is extensive. Broad allele frequency clines, hundreds of kilometres wide, suggest a balance between long-range dispersal and predation of unfamiliar morphs. Mismatched clines for the white hindwing and forewing tip in East Africa are consistent with a previous finding that the black wingtip allele has spread recently in the region through hitchhiking with a heritable endosymbiont. Light/dark background coloration shows more extensive polymorphism. The darker genotype is more common in cooler regions, possibly reflecting a trade-off between thermoregulation and predator warning. Overall, our findings show how studying local adaptation at the global scale provides a more complete picture of the evolutionary forces involved.}, }
@article {pmid35639693, year = {2022}, author = {Calatrava, V and Stephens, TG and Gabr, A and Bhaya, D and Bhattacharya, D and Grossman, AR}, title = {Retrotransposition facilitated the establishment of a primary plastid in the thecate amoeba Paulinella.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {119}, number = {23}, pages = {e2121241119}, pmid = {35639693}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {*Amoeba/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Plastids/genetics ; *Rhizaria ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The evolution of eukaryotic life was predicated on the development of organelles such as mitochondria and plastids. During this complex process of organellogenesis, the host cell and the engulfed prokaryote became genetically codependent, with the integration of genes from the endosymbiont into the host nuclear genome and subsequent gene loss from the endosymbiont. This process required that horizontally transferred genes become active and properly regulated despite inherent differences in genetic features between donor (endosymbiont) and recipient (host). Although this genetic reorganization is considered critical for early stages of organellogenesis, we have little knowledge about the mechanisms governing this process. The photosynthetic amoeba Paulinella micropora offers a unique opportunity to study early evolutionary events associated with organellogenesis and primary endosymbiosis. This amoeba harbors a “chromatophore,” a nascent photosynthetic organelle derived from a relatively recent cyanobacterial association (∼120 million years ago) that is independent of the evolution of primary plastids in plants (initiated ∼1.5 billion years ago). Analysis of the genome and transcriptome of Paulinella revealed that retrotransposition of endosymbiont-derived nuclear genes was critical for their domestication in the host. These retrocopied genes involved in photoprotection in cyanobacteria became expanded gene families and were “rewired,” acquiring light-responsive regulatory elements that function in the host. The establishment of host control of endosymbiont-derived genes likely enabled the cell to withstand photo-oxidative stress generated by oxygenic photosynthesis in the nascent organelle. These results provide insights into the genetic mechanisms and evolutionary pressures that facilitated the metabolic integration of the host–endosymbiont association and sustained the evolution of a photosynthetic organelle.}, }
@article {pmid35639004, year = {2022}, author = {Maruyama, S and Mandelare-Ruiz, PE and McCauley, M and Peng, W and Cho, BG and Wang, J and Mechref, Y and Loesgen, S and Weis, VM}, title = {Heat Stress of Algal Partner Hinders Colonization Success and Alters the Algal Cell Surface Glycome in a Cnidarian-Algal Symbiosis.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {e0156722}, pmid = {35639004}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {R01 GM112490/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Dinoflagellida/metabolism ; Heat-Shock Response ; Polysaccharides ; *Sea Anemones ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Corals owe their ecological success to their symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellate algae (family Symbiodiniaceae). While the negative effects of heat stress on this symbiosis are well studied, how heat stress affects the onset of symbiosis and symbiont specificity is less explored. In this work, we used the model sea anemone, Exaiptasia diaphana (commonly referred to as Aiptasia), and its native symbiont, Breviolum minutum, to study the effects of heat stress on the colonization of Aiptasia by algae and the algal cell-surface glycome. Heat stress caused a decrease in the colonization of Aiptasia by algae that were not due to confounding variables such as algal motility or oxidative stress. With mass spectrometric analysis and lectin staining, a thermally induced enrichment of glycans previously found to be associated with free-living strains of algae (high-mannoside glycans) and a concomitant reduction in glycans putatively associated with symbiotic strains of algae (galactosylated glycans) were identified. Differential enrichment of specific sialic acid glycans was also identified, although their role in this symbiosis remains unclear. We also discuss the methods used to analyze the cell-surface glycome of algae, evaluate current limitations, and provide suggestions for future work in algal-coral glycobiology. Overall, this study provided insight into how stress may affect the symbiosis between cnidarians and their algal symbionts by altering the glycome of the symbiodinian partner. IMPORTANCE Coral reefs are under threat from global climate change. Their decline is mainly caused by the fragility of their symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellate algae which they rely upon for their ecological success. To better understand coral biology, researchers used the sea anemone, Aiptasia, a model system for the study of coral-algal symbiosis, and characterized how heat stress can alter the algae's ability to communicate to the coral host. This study found that heat stress caused a decline in algal colonization success and impacted the cell surface molecules of the algae such that it became more like that of nonsymbiotic species of algae. This work adds to our understanding of the molecular signals involved in coral-algal symbiosis and how it breaks down during heat stress.}, }
@article {pmid35638879, year = {2022}, author = {Chetri, SPK and Rahman, Z and Thomas, L and Lal, R and Gour, T and Agarwal, LK and Vashishtha, A and Kumar, S and Kumar, G and Kumar, R and Sharma, K}, title = {Paradigms of actinorhizal symbiosis under the regime of global climatic changes: New insights and perspectives.}, journal = {Journal of basic microbiology}, volume = {62}, number = {7}, pages = {764-778}, doi = {10.1002/jobm.202200043}, pmid = {35638879}, issn = {1521-4028}, support = {FRPS-SRG: F.30-476/2019 (BSR)//MLS University, University Grants Commission (UGC)/ ; //MHRD-RUSA 2.0, Government of India/ ; }, mesh = {Climate Change ; Ecosystem ; Fagales/microbiology ; *Frankia/genetics ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Nitrogen Fixation ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Nitrogen occurs as inert and inaccessible dinitrogen gaseous form (N2) in the atmosphere. Biological nitrogen fixation is a chief process that makes this dinitrogen (N2) accessible and bioavailable in the form of ammonium (NH4 [+]) ions. The key organisms to fix nitrogen are certain prokaryotes, called diazotrophs either in the free-living form or establishing significant mutual relationships with a variety of plants. On such examples is ~95-100 MY old incomparable symbiosis between dicotyledonous trees and a unique actinobacterial diazotroph in diverse ecosystems. In this association, the root of the certain dicotyledonous tree (~25 genera and 225 species) belonging to three different taxonomic orders, Fagales, Cucurbitales, and Rosales (FaCuRo) known as actinorhizal trees can host a diazotroph, Frankia of order Frankiales. Frankia is gram-positive, branched, filamentous, sporulating, and free-living soil actinobacterium. It resides in the specialized, multilobed, and coralloid organs (lateral roots but without caps), the root nodules of actinorhizal tress. This review aims to provide systematic information on the distribution and the phylogenetic diversity of hosts from FaCuRo and their micro-endosymbionts (Frankia spp.), colonization mechanisms, and signaling pathways. We also aim to provide details on developmental and physiological imperatives for gene regulation and functional genomics of symbiosis, phenomenal restoration ecology, influences of contemporary global climatic changes, and anthropogenic impacts on plant-Frankia interactions for the functioning of ecosystems and the biosphere.}, }
@article {pmid35631127, year = {2022}, author = {Lu, M and Tian, J and Zhao, H and Jiang, H and Qin, X and Wang, W and Li, K}, title = {Molecular Survey of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Ticks, Sheep Keds, and Domestic Animals from Ngawa, Southwest China.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {35631127}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {2020YFA0907101//the National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 2021YFC2301202//the National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 82102390//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2021SKLID507//the State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control/ ; 2021SKLID510//the State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control/ ; 2018ZX10101002-002//the National Science and Technology Major Project of China/ ; 2018ZX10732401-001//the National Science and Technology Major Project of China/ ; NA//Medical youth top talent project of Hubei/ ; }, abstract = {Vector-borne pathogens are mainly transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods such as ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, lice, mites, etc. They pose a significant threat to animal and human health due to their worldwide distribution. Although much work has been performed on these pathogens, some neglected areas and undiscovered pathogens are still to be further researched. In this study, ticks (Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis), sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus), and blood samples from yaks and goats were collected in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture located on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Southwest China. Several vector-borne bacterial pathogens were screened and studied. Anaplasma bovis strains representing novel genotypes were detected in ticks (8.83%, 37/419), yak blood samples (45.71%, 64/140), and goat blood samples (58.93%, 33/56). Two spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsiae, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, and a novel Rickettsia species named Candidatus Rickettsia hongyuanensis were identified in ticks. Another Rickettsia species closely related to the Rickettsia endosymbiont of Polydesmus complanatus was also detected in ticks. Furthermore, a Coxiella species was detected in ticks (3.34%, 14/419), keds (1.89%, 2/106), and yak blood (0.71%, 1/140). Interestingly, another Coxiella species and a Coxiella-like bacterium were detected in a tick and a goat blood sample, respectively. These results indicate the remarkable diversity of vector-borne pathogens circulating in this area. Further investigations on their pathogenicity to humans and domestic animals are still needed.}, }
@article {pmid35630383, year = {2022}, author = {Csorba, AB and Fora, CG and Bálint, J and Felföldi, T and Szabó, A and Máthé, I and Loxdale, HD and Kentelky, E and Nyárádi, II and Balog, A}, title = {Endosymbiotic Bacterial Diversity of Corn Leaf Aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Associated with Maize Management Systems.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {35630383}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {In this study, different maize fields cultivated under different management systems were sampled to test corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis, populations in terms of total and endosymbiotic bacterial diversity. Corn leaf aphid natural populations were collected from traditionally managed maize fields grown under high agricultural and natural landscape diversity as well as conventionally treated high-input agricultural fields grown in monoculture and with fertilizers use, hence with low natural landscape diversity. Total bacterial community assessment by DNA sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. In total, 365 bacterial genera were identified and 6 endosymbiont taxa. A high abundance of the primary endosymbiont Buchnera and secondary symbionts Serratia and Wolbachia were detected in all maize crops. Their frequency was found to be correlated with the maize management system used, probably with fertilizer input. Three other facultative endosymbionts ("Candidatus Hamiltonella", an uncultured Rickettsiales genus, and Spiroplasma) were also recorded at different frequencies under the two management regimes. Principal components analyses revealed that the relative contribution of the obligate and dominant symbiont Buchnera to the aphid endosymbiotic bacterial community was 72%, whereas for the managed system this was only 16.3%. When facultative symbionts alone were considered, the effect of management system revealed a DNA diversity of 23.3%.}, }
@article {pmid35627785, year = {2022}, author = {Salomon, J and Fernandez Santos, NA and Zecca, IB and Estrada-Franco, JG and Davila, E and Hamer, GL and Rodriguez Perez, MA and Hamer, SA}, title = {Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus Sensu Lato) Infection with Endosymbiont and Human Pathogenic Rickettsia spp., in Northeastern México.}, journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health}, volume = {19}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {35627785}, issn = {1660-4601}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dog Diseases/epidemiology ; Dogs ; Humans ; Mexico/epidemiology ; *Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Tick Infestations/epidemiology/veterinary ; }, abstract = {Of the documented tick-borne diseases infecting humans in México, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, is responsible for most fatalities. Given recent evidence of brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., as an emerging vector of human RMSF, we aimed to evaluate dogs and their ticks for rickettsiae infections as an initial step in assessing the establishment of this pathosystem in a poorly studied region of northeastern México while evaluating the use of dogs as sentinels for transmission/human disease risk. We sampled owned dogs living in six disadvantaged neighborhoods of Reynosa, northeastern México to collect whole blood and ticks. Of 168 dogs assessed, tick infestation prevalence was 53%, composed of exclusively Rh. sanguineus s. l. (n = 2170 ticks). Using PCR and sequencing, we identified an overall rickettsiae infection prevalence of 4.1% (n = 12/292) in ticks, in which eight dogs harbored at least one infected tick. Rickettsiae infections included Rickettsia amblyommatis and Rickettsia parkeri, both of which are emerging human pathogens, as well as Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae. This is the first documentation of pathogenic Rickettsia species in Rh. sanguineus s.l. collected from dogs from northeastern México. Domestic dog infestation with Rickettsia-infected ticks indicates ongoing transmission; thus, humans are at risk for exposure, and this underscores the importance of public and veterinary health surveillance for these pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid35624491, year = {2022}, author = {Arora, J and Kinjo, Y and Šobotník, J and Buček, A and Clitheroe, C and Stiblik, P and Roisin, Y and Žifčáková, L and Park, YC and Kim, KY and Sillam-Dussès, D and Hervé, V and Lo, N and Tokuda, G and Brune, A and Bourguignon, T}, title = {The functional evolution of termite gut microbiota.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {78}, pmid = {35624491}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics ; *Isoptera ; Metagenome ; Phylogeny ; Soil ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Termites primarily feed on lignocellulose or soil in association with specific gut microbes. The functioning of the termite gut microbiota is partly understood in a handful of wood-feeding pest species but remains largely unknown in other taxa. We intend to fill this gap and provide a global understanding of the functional evolution of termite gut microbiota.<br><br>RESULTS: We sequenced the gut metagenomes of 145 samples representative of the termite diversity. We show that the prokaryotic fraction of the gut microbiota of all termites possesses similar genes for carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolisms, in proportions varying with termite phylogenetic position and diet. The presence of a conserved set of gut prokaryotic genes implies that essential nutritional functions were present in the ancestor of modern termites. Furthermore, the abundance of these genes largely correlated with the host phylogeny. Finally, we found that the adaptation to a diet of soil by some termite lineages was accompanied by a change in the stoichiometry of genes involved in important nutritional functions rather than by the acquisition of new genes and pathways.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that the composition and function of termite gut prokaryotic communities have been remarkably conserved since termites first appeared ~ 150 million years ago. Therefore, the "world's smallest bioreactor" has been operating as a multipartite symbiosis composed of termites, archaea, bacteria, and cellulolytic flagellates since its inception. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid35618596, year = {2022}, author = {Leister, D and Marino, G and Minagawa, J and Dann, M}, title = {An ancient function of PGR5 in iron delivery?.}, journal = {Trends in plant science}, volume = {27}, number = {10}, pages = {971-980}, doi = {10.1016/j.tplants.2022.04.006}, pmid = {35618596}, issn = {1878-4372}, support = {854126/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Antimycin A/pharmacology ; *Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism ; Electron Transport/physiology ; Ferritins/metabolism/pharmacology ; Iron/metabolism ; Photosynthesis/physiology ; *Photosystem I Protein Complex/metabolism ; Protons ; }, abstract = {In all phototrophic organisms, the photosynthetic apparatus must be protected from light-induced damage. One important mechanism that mitigates photodamage in plants is antimycin A (AA)-sensitive cyclic electron flow (CEF), the evolution of which remains largely obscure. Here we show that proton gradient regulation 5 (PGR5), a key protein involved in AA-sensitive CEF, displays intriguing commonalities - including sequence and structural features - with a group of ferritin-like proteins. We therefore propose that PGR5 may originally have been involved in prokaryotic iron mobilization and delivery, which facilitated a primordial type of CEF as a side effect. The abandonment of the bacterioferritin system during the transformation of cyanobacterial endosymbionts into chloroplasts might have allowed PGR5 to functionally specialize in CEF.}, }
@article {pmid35611654, year = {2022}, author = {Robes, JMD and Altamia, MA and Murdock, EG and Concepcion, GP and Haygood, MG and Puri, AW}, title = {A Conserved Biosynthetic Gene Cluster Is Regulated by Quorum Sensing in a Shipworm Symbiont.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {88}, number = {11}, pages = {e0027022}, pmid = {35611654}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {R00 GM118762/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; U19 TW008163/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; R00GM118762//HHS | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; U19TW008163//HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Bivalvia/microbiology ; *Gammaproteobacteria/genetics ; Multigene Family ; Phylogeny ; Quorum Sensing ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacterial symbionts often provide critical functions for their hosts. For example, wood-boring bivalves called shipworms rely on cellulolytic endosymbionts for wood digestion. However, how the relationship between shipworms and their bacterial symbionts is formed and maintained remains unknown. Quorum sensing (QS) often plays an important role in regulating symbiotic relationships. We identified and characterized a QS system found in Teredinibacter sp. strain 2052S, a gill isolate of the wood-boring shipworm Bactronophorus cf. thoracites. We determined that 2052S produces the signal N-decanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (C10-HSL) and that this signal controls the activation of a biosynthetic gene cluster colocated in the symbiont genome that is conserved among all symbiotic Teredinibacter isolates. We subsequently identified extracellular metabolites associated with the QS regulon, including ones linked to the conserved biosynthetic gene cluster, using mass spectrometry-based molecular networking. Our results demonstrate that QS plays an important role in regulating secondary metabolism in this shipworm symbiont. This information provides a step toward deciphering the molecular details of the relationship between these symbionts and their hosts. Furthermore, because shipworm symbionts harbor vast yet underexplored biosynthetic potential, understanding how their secondary metabolism is regulated may aid future drug discovery efforts using these organisms. IMPORTANCE Bacteria play important roles as symbionts in animals ranging from invertebrates to humans. Despite this recognized importance, much is still unknown about the molecular details of how these relationships are formed and maintained. One of the proposed roles of shipworm symbionts is the production of bioactive secondary metabolites due to the immense biosynthetic potential found in shipworm symbiont genomes. Here, we report that a shipworm symbiont uses quorum sensing to coordinate activation of its extracellular secondary metabolism, including the transcriptional activation of a biosynthetic gene cluster that is conserved among many shipworm symbionts. This work is a first step toward linking quorum sensing, secondary metabolism, and symbiosis in wood-boring shipworms.}, }
@article {pmid35608298, year = {2022}, author = {Margarita, V and Bailey, NP and Rappelli, P and Diaz, N and Dessì, D and Fettweis, JM and Hirt, RP and Fiori, PL}, title = {Two Different Species of Mycoplasma Endosymbionts Can Influence Trichomonas vaginalis Pathophysiology.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {e0091822}, pmid = {35608298}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {BB/M011186/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Ecosystem ; Female ; Humans ; *Mycoplasma/genetics ; Mycoplasma hominis/genetics ; *Trichomonas Infections/microbiology ; *Trichomonas vaginalis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Trichomonas vaginalis can host the endosymbiont Mycoplasma hominis, an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium capable of modulating T. vaginalis pathobiology. Recently, a new noncultivable mycoplasma, "Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii," has been shown to be closely associated with women affected by trichomoniasis, suggesting a biological association. Although several features of "Ca. M. girerdii" have been investigated through genomic analysis, the nature of the potential T. vaginalis-"Ca. M. girerdii" consortium and its impact on the biology and pathogenesis of both microorganisms have not yet been explored. Here, we investigate the association between "Ca. M. girerdii" and T. vaginalis isolated from patients affected by trichomoniasis, demonstrating their intracellular localization. By using an in vitro model system based on single- and double-Mycoplasma infection of Mycoplasma-free isogenic T. vaginalis, we investigated the ability of the protist to establish a relationship with the bacteria and impact T. vaginalis growth. Our data indicate likely competition between M. hominis and "Ca. M. girerdii" while infecting trichomonad cells. Comparative dual-transcriptomics data showed major shifts in parasite gene expression in response to the presence of Mycoplasma, including genes associated with energy metabolism and pathogenesis. Consistent with the transcriptomics data, both parasite-mediated hemolysis and binding to host epithelial cells were significantly upregulated in the presence of either Mycoplasma species. Taken together, these results support a model in which this microbial association could modulate the virulence of T. vaginalis. IMPORTANCE T. vaginalis and M. hominis form a unique case of endosymbiosis that modulates the parasite's pathobiology. Recently, a new nonculturable mycoplasma species ("Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii") has been described as closely associated with the protozoon. Here, we report the characterization of this endosymbiotic relationship. Clinical isolates of the parasite demonstrate that mycoplasmas are common among trichomoniasis patients. The relationships are studied by devising an in vitro system of single and/or double infections in isogenic protozoan recipients. Comparative growth experiments and transcriptomics data demonstrate that the composition of different microbial consortia influences the growth of the parasite and significantly modulates its transcriptomic profile, including metabolic enzymes and virulence genes such as adhesins and pore-forming proteins. The data on modulation from RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) correlated closely with those of the cytopathic effect and adhesion to human target cells. We propose the hypothesis that the presence and the quantitative ratios of endosymbionts may contribute to modulating protozoan virulence. Our data highlight the importance of considering pathogenic entities as microbial ecosystems, reinforcing the importance of the development of integrated diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.}, }
@article {pmid35606844, year = {2022}, author = {Sparagon, WJ and Gentry, EC and Minich, JJ and Vollbrecht, L and Laurens, LML and Allen, EE and Sims, NA and Dorrestein, PC and Kelly, LW and Nelson, CE}, title = {Fine scale transitions of the microbiota and metabolome along the gastrointestinal tract of herbivorous fishes.}, journal = {Animal microbiome}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {33}, pmid = {35606844}, issn = {2524-4671}, support = {ARPA-E DE-FOA-0001858//Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Gut microorganisms aid in the digestion of food by providing exogenous metabolic pathways to break down organic compounds. An integration of longitudinal microbial and chemical data is necessary to illuminate how gut microorganisms supplement the energetic and nutritional requirements of animals. Although mammalian gut systems are well-studied in this capacity, the role of microbes in the breakdown and utilization of recalcitrant marine macroalgae in herbivorous fish is relatively understudied and an emerging priority for bioproduct extraction. Here we use a comprehensive survey of the marine herbivorous fish gut microbial ecosystem via parallel 16S rRNA gene amplicon profiling (microbiota) and untargeted tandem mass spectrometry (metabolomes) to demonstrate consistent transitions among 8 gut subsections across five fish of the genus of Kyphosus.<br><br>RESULTS: Integration of microbial phylogenetic and chemical diversity data reveals that microbial communities and metabolomes covaried and differentiated continuously from stomach to hindgut, with the midgut containing multiple distinct and previously uncharacterized microenvironments and a distinct hindgut community dominated by obligate anaerobes. This differentiation was driven primarily by anaerobic gut endosymbionts of the classes Bacteroidia and Clostridia changing in concert with bile acids, small peptides, and phospholipids: bile acid deconjugation associated with early midgut microbiota, small peptide production associated with midgut microbiota, and phospholipid production associated with hindgut microbiota.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The combination of microbial and untargeted metabolomic data at high spatial resolution provides a new view of the diverse fish gut microenvironment and serves as a foundation to understand functional partitioning of microbial activities that contribute to the digestion of complex macroalgae in herbivorous marine fish.}, }
@article {pmid35602967, year = {2022}, author = {Pollmann, M and Moore, LD and Krimmer, E and D'Alvise, P and Hasselmann, M and Perlman, SJ and Ballinger, MJ and Steidle, JLM and Gottlieb, Y}, title = {Highly transmissible cytoplasmic incompatibility by the extracellular insect symbiont Spiroplasma.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {25}, number = {5}, pages = {104335}, pmid = {35602967}, issn = {2589-0042}, support = {P20 GM103646/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is a form of reproductive manipulation caused by maternally inherited endosymbionts infecting arthropods, like Wolbachia, whereby matings between infected males and uninfected females produce few or no offspring. We report the discovery of a new CI symbiont, a strain of Spiroplasma causing CI in the parasitoid wasp Lariophagus distinguendus. Its extracellular occurrence enabled us to establish CI in uninfected adult insects by transferring Spiroplasma-infected hemolymph. We sequenced the CI-Spiroplasma genome and did not find any homologues of any of the cif genes discovered to cause CI in Wolbachia, suggesting independent evolution of CI. Instead, the genome contains other potential CI-causing candidate genes, such as homologues of high-mobility group (HMG) box proteins that are crucial in eukaryotic development but rare in bacterial genomes. Spiroplasma's extracellular nature and broad host range encompassing medically and agriculturally important arthropods make it a promising tool to study CI and its applications.}, }
@article {pmid35598650, year = {2022}, author = {Louzada-Flores, VN and Kramer, L and Brianti, E and Napoli, E and Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Bezerra-Santos, MA and Latrofa, MS and Otranto, D}, title = {Treatment with doxycycline is associated with complete clearance of circulating Wolbachia DNA in Dirofilaria immitis-naturally infected dogs.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {232}, number = {}, pages = {106513}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106513}, pmid = {35598650}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; *Cell-Free Nucleic Acids ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics ; *Dirofilariasis/drug therapy ; *Dog Diseases/parasitology ; Dogs ; Doxycycline/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Bacteria of the genus Wolbachia are endosymbionts of parasitic filarial nematodes, including Dirofilaria immitis, and are a target for the treatment of canine heartworm disease. In the present study, 53 naturally-infected dogs were divided in three groups, based on their positivity to D. immitis by antigen and Knott tests, to assess the efficacy of doxycycline treatment in eliminating Wolbachia from circulating blood. At T0, dogs that scored positive to both tests (G1) or to antigen only (G2) were submitted to doxycycline (10 mg/kg BID PO) treatment and to 10% Imidacloprid + 2.5% Moxidectin (Advocate®), while those negative to both tests (G3) received only 10% Imidacloprid + 2.5% Moxidectin (Advocate®). All dogs were followed-up for one year, monthly treated with Advocate® and regularly monitored by antigen and Knott tests. During the whole period, all blood samples were screened for Wolbachia-D. immitis DNA load by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). At T0, 88.2% of the microfilariemic dogs were positive for Wolbachia DNA, while none of the dogs from G2 or G3 were positive. Wolbachia DNA was no longer detectable in dogs from G1 following 1 month of doxycycline treatment and microfilariae (mfs) were cleared at T2. All dogs from the G1 and G2 were negative for D. immitis antigen at 12 months. Results of this study suggest that successful elimination of mfs by doxycycline is associated with complete clearance of Wolbachia DNA in D. immitis-naturally infected dogs.}, }
@article {pmid35592653, year = {2022}, author = {Verhoeve, VI and Fauntleroy, TD and Risteen, RG and Driscoll, TP and Gillespie, JJ}, title = {Cryptic Genes for Interbacterial Antagonism Distinguish Rickettsia Species Infecting Blacklegged Ticks From Other Rickettsia Pathogens.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {880813}, pmid = {35592653}, issn = {2235-2988}, support = {R21 AI146773/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI156762/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI166832/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Antidotes ; Humans ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; Mammals ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The genus Rickettsia (Alphaproteobacteria: Rickettsiales) encompasses numerous obligate intracellular species with predominantly ciliate and arthropod hosts. Notable species are pathogens transmitted to mammals by blood-feeding arthropods. Mammalian pathogenicity evolved from basal, non-pathogenic host-associations; however, some non-pathogens are closely related to pathogens. One such species, Rickettsia buchneri, is prevalent in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. While I. scapularis transmits several pathogens to humans, it does not transmit Rickettsia pathogens. We hypothesize that R. buchneri established a mutualism with I. scapularis, blocking tick superinfection with Rickettsia pathogens.<br><br>METHODS: To improve estimates for assessing R. buchneri infection frequency in blacklegged tick populations, we used comparative genomics to identify an R. buchneri gene (REIS_1424) not present in other Rickettsia species present throughout the I. scapularis geographic range. Bioinformatic and phylogenomics approaches were employed to propose a function for the hypothetical protein (263 aa) encoded by REIS_1424.<br><br>RESULTS: REIS_1424 has few analogs in other Rickettsiales genomes and greatest similarity to non-Proteobacteria proteins. This cohort of proteins varies greatly in size and domain composition, possessing characteristics of Recombination hotspot (Rhs) and contact dependent growth inhibition (CDI) toxins, with similarity limited to proximal C-termini (~145 aa). This domain was named CDI-like/Rhs-like C-terminal toxin (CRCT). As such proteins are often found as toxin-antidote (TA) modules, we interrogated REIS_1423 (151 aa) as a putative antidote. Indeed, REIS_1423 is similar to proteins encoded upstream of CRCT domain-containing proteins. Accordingly, we named these proteins CDI-like/Rhs-like C-terminal toxin antidotes (CRCA). R. buchneri expressed both REIS_1423 and REIS_1424 in tick cell culture, and PCR assays showed specificity for R. buchneri over other rickettsiae and utility for positive detection in three tick populations. Finally, phylogenomics analyses uncovered divergent CRCT/CRCA modules in varying states of conservation; however, only R. buchneri and related Tamurae/Ixodes Group rickettsiae carry complete TA modules.<br><br>CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that Rickettsia CRCT/CRCA modules circulate in the Rickettsia mobile gene pool, arming rickettsiae for battle over arthropod colonization. While its functional significance remains to be tested, R. buchneri CRCT/CRCA serves as a marker to positively identify infection and begin deciphering the role this endosymbiont plays in the biology of the blacklegged tick.}, }
@article {pmid35591999, year = {2022}, author = {Guizzo, MG and Tirloni, L and Gonzalez, SA and Farber, MD and Braz, G and Parizi, LF and Dedavid E Silva, LA and da Silva Vaz, I and Oliveira, PL}, title = {Coxiella Endosymbiont of Rhipicephalus microplus Modulates Tick Physiology With a Major Impact in Blood Feeding Capacity.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {868575}, pmid = {35591999}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {In the past decade, metagenomics studies exploring tick microbiota have revealed widespread interactions between bacteria and arthropods, including symbiotic interactions. Functional studies showed that obligate endosymbionts contribute to tick biology, affecting reproductive fitness and molting. Understanding the molecular basis of the interaction between ticks and their mutualist endosymbionts may help to develop control methods based on microbiome manipulation. Previously, we showed that Rhipicephalus microplus larvae with reduced levels of Coxiella endosymbiont of R. microplus (CERM) were arrested at the metanymph life stage (partially engorged nymph) and did not molt into adults. In this study, we performed a transcriptomic differential analysis of the R. microplus metanymph in the presence and absence of its mutualist endosymbiont. The lack of CERM resulted in an altered expression profile of transcripts from several functional categories. Gene products such as DA-P36, protease inhibitors, metalloproteases, and evasins, which are involved in blood feeding capacity, were underexpressed in CERM-free metanymphs. Disregulation in genes related to extracellular matrix remodeling was also observed in the absence of the symbiont. Taken together, the observed alterations in gene expression may explain the blockage of development at the metanymph stage and reveal a novel physiological aspect of the symbiont-tick-vertebrate host interaction.}, }
@article {pmid35591989, year = {2022}, author = {Wang, R and Dong, L and Chen, Y and Wang, S and Qu, L}, title = {Third Generation Genome Sequencing Reveals That Endobacteria in Nematophagous Fungi Esteya vermicola Contain Multiple Genes Encoding for Nematicidal Proteins.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {842684}, pmid = {35591989}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Esteya vermicola is the first recorded endoparasitic nematophagous fungus with high infectivity capacity, attacking the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus which causes pine wilt disease. Endosymbionts are found in the cytoplasm of E. vermicola from various geographical areas. We sequenced the genome of endobacteria residing in E. vermicola to discover possible biological functions of these widespread endobacteria. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses showed that the endobacteria form a previously unidentified lineage sister to Phyllobacterium myrsinacearum species. The number of genes in the endobacterium was 4542, with 87.8% of the proteins having a known function. It contained a high proportion of repetitive sequences, as well as more Acyl-CoA synthetase genes and genes encoding the electron transport chain, compared with compared with plant-associated P. zundukense Tri 48 and P. myrsinacearum DSM 5893. Thus, this symbiotic bacterium is likely to be more efficient in regulating gene expression and energy release. Furthermore, the endobacteria in nematophagous fungi Esteya vermicola contained multiple nematicidal subtilase/subtilisin encoding genes, so it is likely that endobacteria cooperate with the host to kill nematodes.}, }
@article {pmid35591984, year = {2022}, author = {Quach, QN and Gardner, DR and Clay, K and Cook, D}, title = {Phylogenetic Patterns of Swainsonine Presence in Morning Glories.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {871148}, pmid = {35591984}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Endosymbionts play important roles in the life cycles of many macro-organisms. The indolizidine alkaloid swainsonine is produced by heritable fungi that occurs in diverse plant families, such as locoweeds (Fabaceae) and morning glories (Convolvulaceae) plus two species of Malvaceae. Swainsonine is known for its toxic effects on livestock following the ingestion of locoweeds and the potential for pharmaceutical applications. We sampled and tested herbarium seed samples (n = 983) from 244 morning glory species for the presence of swainsonine and built a phylogeny based on available internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of the sampled species. We show that swainsonine occurs only in a single morning glory clade and host species are established on multiple continents. Our results further indicate that this symbiosis developed ∼5 mya and that swainsonine-positive species have larger seeds than their uninfected conspecifics.}, }
@article {pmid35588270, year = {2022}, author = {Bashir, F and Kovács, S and Ábrahám, &#xc1; and Nagy, K and Ayaydin, F and Valkony-Kelemen, I and Ferenc, G and Galajda, P and Tóth, SZ and Sass, L and Kós, PB and Vass, I and Szabó, M}, title = {Viable protoplast formation of the coral endosymbiont alga Symbiodinium spp. in a microfluidics platform.}, journal = {Lab on a chip}, volume = {22}, number = {16}, pages = {2986-2999}, doi = {10.1039/d2lc00130f}, pmid = {35588270}, issn = {1473-0189}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; *Dinoflagellida/physiology ; Microfluidics ; Protoplasts ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Singlet Oxygen ; }, abstract = {Symbiodiniaceae is an important dinoflagellate family which lives in endosymbiosis with reef invertebrates, including coral polyps, making them central to the holobiont. With coral reefs currently under extreme threat from climate change, there is a pressing need to improve our understanding on the stress tolerance and stress avoidance mechanisms of Symbiodinium spp. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as singlet oxygen are central players in mediating various stress responses; however, the detection of ROS using specific dyes is still far from definitive in intact Symbiodinium cells due to the hindrance of uptake of certain fluorescent dyes because of the presence of the cell wall. Protoplast technology provides a promising platform for studying oxidative stress with the main advantage of removed cell wall, however the preparation of viable protoplasts remains a significant challenge. Previous studies have successfully applied cellulose-based protoplast preparation in Symbiodiniaceae; however, the protoplast formation and regeneration process was found to be suboptimal. Here, we present a microfluidics-based platform which allowed protoplast isolation from individually trapped Symbiodinium cells, by using a precisely adjusted flow of cell wall digestion enzymes (cellulase and macerozyme). Trapped single cells exhibited characteristic changes in their morphology, cessation of cell division and a slight decrease in photosynthetic activity during protoplast formation. Following digestion and transfer to regeneration medium, protoplasts remained photosynthetically active, regrew cell walls, regained motility, and entered exponential growth. Elevated flow rates in the microfluidic chambers resulted in somewhat faster protoplast formation; however, cell wall digestion at higher flow rates partially compromised photosynthetic activity. Physiologically competent protoplasts prepared from trapped cells in microfluidic chambers allowed for the first time the visualization of the intracellular localization of singlet oxygen (using Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green dye) in Symbiodiniaceae, potentially opening new avenues for studying oxidative stress.}, }
@article {pmid35587930, year = {2022}, author = {Benyedem, H and Lekired, A and Mhadhbi, M and Dhibi, M and Romdhane, R and Chaari, S and Rekik, M and Ouzari, HI and Hajji, T and Darghouth, MA}, title = {First insights into the microbiome of Tunisian Hyalomma ticks gained through next-generation sequencing with a special focus on H. scupense.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {17}, number = {5}, pages = {e0268172}, pmid = {35587930}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Cattle ; *Francisella/genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; *Ixodidae/genetics/microbiology ; *Microbiota/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Ticks/genetics ; }, abstract = {Ticks are one of the most important vectors of several pathogens affecting humans and animals. In addition to pathogens, ticks carry diverse microbiota of symbiotic and commensal microorganisms. In this study, we have investigated the first Tunisian insight into the microbial composition of the most dominant Hyalomma species infesting Tunisian cattle and explored the relative contribution of tick sex, life stage, and species to the diversity, richness and bacterial species of tick microbiome. In this regard, next generation sequencing for the 16S rRNA (V3-V4 region) of tick bacterial microbiota and metagenomic analysis were established. The analysis of the bacterial diversity reveals that H. marginatum and H. excavatum have greater diversity than H. scupense. Furthermore, microbial diversity and composition vary according to the tick's life stage and sex in the specific case of H. scupense. The endosymbionts Francisella, Midichloria mitochondrii, and Rickettsia were shown to be the most prevalent in Hyalomma spp. Rickettsia, Francisella, Ehrlichia, and Erwinia are the most common zoonotic bacteria found in Hyalomma ticks. Accordingly, Hyalomma ticks could represent potential vectors for these zoonotic bacterial agents.}, }
@article {pmid35581290, year = {2022}, author = {Gomes, TMFF and Wallau, GL and Loreto, ELS}, title = {Multiple long-range host shifts of major Wolbachia supergroups infecting arthropods.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {8131}, pmid = {35581290}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods/genetics/microbiology ; Female ; Insecta/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a genus of intracellular bacterial endosymbionts found in 20-66% of all insect species and a range of other invertebrates. It is classified as a single species, Wolbachia pipientis, divided into supergroups A to U, with supergroups A and B infecting arthropods exclusively. Wolbachia is transmitted mainly via vertical transmission through female oocytes, but can also be transmitted across different taxa by host shift (HS): the direct transmission of Wolbachia cells between organisms without involving vertically transmitted gametic cells. To assess the HS contribution, we recovered 50 orthologous genes from over 1000 Wolbachia genomes, reconstructed their phylogeny and calculated gene similarity. Of 15 supergroup A Wolbachia lineages, 10 have similarities ranging from 95 to 99.9%, while their hosts' similarities are around 60 to 80%. For supergroup B, four out of eight lineages, which infect diverse and distantly-related organisms such as Acari, Hemiptera and Diptera, showed similarities from 93 to 97%. These results show that Wolbachia genomes have a much higher similarity when compared to their hosts' genes, which is a major indicator of HS. Our comparative genomic analysis suggests that, at least for supergroups A and B, HS is more frequent than expected, occurring even between distantly-related species.}, }
@article {pmid35579457, year = {2022}, author = {Chaput, G and Ford, J and DeDiego, L and Narayanan, A and Tam, WY and Whalen, M and Huntemann, M and Clum, A and Spunde, A and Pillay, M and Palaniappan, K and Varghese, N and Mikhailova, N and Chen, IM and Stamatis, D and Reddy, TBK and O'Malley, R and Daum, C and Shapiro, N and Ivanova, N and Kyrpides, NC and Woyke, T and Glavina Del Rio, T and DeAngelis, KM}, title = {Sodalis ligni Strain 159R Isolated from an Anaerobic Lignin-Degrading Consortium.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {e0234621}, pmid = {35579457}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Anaerobiosis ; Animals ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics/metabolism ; *Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; *Lignin/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Novel bacterial isolates with the capabilities of lignin depolymerization, catabolism, or both, could be pertinent to lignocellulosic biofuel applications. In this study, we aimed to identify anaerobic bacteria that could address the economic challenges faced with microbial-mediated biotechnologies, such as the need for aeration and mixing. Using a consortium seeded from temperate forest soil and enriched under anoxic conditions with organosolv lignin as the sole carbon source, we successfully isolated a novel bacterium, designated 159R. Based on the 16S rRNA gene, the isolate belongs to the genus Sodalis in the family Bruguierivoracaceae. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 6.38 Mbp and a GC content of 55 mol%. To resolve the phylogenetic position of 159R, its phylogeny was reconstructed using (i) 16S rRNA genes of its closest relatives, (ii) multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of 100 genes, (iii) 49 clusters of orthologous groups (COG) domains, and (iv) 400 conserved proteins. Isolate 159R was closely related to the deadwood associated Sodalis guild rather than the tsetse fly and other insect endosymbiont guilds. Estimated genome-sequence-based digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), genome percentage of conserved proteins (POCP), and an alignment analysis between 159R and the Sodalis clade species further supported that isolate 159R was part of the Sodalis genus and a strain of Sodalis ligni. We proposed the name Sodalis ligni str. 159R (=DSM 110549 = ATCC TSD-177). IMPORTANCE Currently, in the paper industry, paper mill pulping relies on unsustainable and costly processes to remove lignin from lignocellulosic material. A greener approach is biopulping, which uses microbes and their enzymes to break down lignin. However, there are limitations to biopulping that prevent it from outcompeting other pulping processes, such as requiring constant aeration and mixing. Anaerobic bacteria are a promising alternative source for consolidated depolymerization of lignin and its conversion to valuable by-products. We presented Sodalis ligni str. 159R and its characteristics as another example of potential mechanisms that can be developed for lignocellulosic applications.}, }
@article {pmid35573785, year = {2022}, author = {Elaagip, A and Absalon, S and Florentin, A}, title = {Apicoplast Dynamics During Plasmodium Cell Cycle.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {864819}, pmid = {35573785}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; *Apicoplasts/genetics/metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Humans ; *Malaria, Falciparum/metabolism ; *Parasites/metabolism ; *Plasmodium/metabolism ; Plasmodium falciparum/genetics ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics ; }, abstract = {The deadly malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, contains a unique subcellular organelle termed the apicoplast, which is a clinically-proven antimalarial drug target. The apicoplast is a plastid with essential metabolic functions that evolved via secondary endosymbiosis. As an ancient endosymbiont, the apicoplast retained its own genome and it must be inherited by daughter cells during cell division. During the asexual replication of P. falciparum inside human red blood cells, both the parasite, and the apicoplast inside it, undergo massive morphological changes, including DNA replication and division. The apicoplast is an integral part of the cell and thus its development is tightly synchronized with the cell cycle. At the same time, certain aspects of its dynamics are independent of nuclear division, representing a degree of autonomy in organelle biogenesis. Here, we review the different aspects of organelle dynamics during P. falciparum intraerythrocytic replication, summarize our current understanding of these processes, and describe the many open questions in this area of parasite basic cell biology.}, }
@article {pmid35572673, year = {2022}, author = {Xiang, LG and Wang, HC and Wang, F and Cai, LT and Li, WH and Hsiang, T and Yu, ZH}, title = {Analysis of Phyllosphere Microorganisms and Potential Pathogens of Tobacco Leaves.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {843389}, pmid = {35572673}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {In the tobacco phyllosphere, some of the microbes may have detrimental effects on plant health, while many may be neutral or even beneficial. Some cannot be cultivated, so culture-independent methods are needed to explore microbial diversity. In this study, both metagenetic analysis and traditional culture-dependent methods were used on asymptomatic healthy leaves and symptomatic diseased leaves of tobacco plants. In the culture-independent analysis, asymptomatic leaves had higher microbial diversity and richness than symptomatic leaves. Both asymptomatic and symptomatic leaves contained several potentially pathogenic bacterial and fungal genera. The putative bacterial pathogens, such as species of Pseudomonas, Pantoea, or Ralstonia, and putative fungal pathogens, such as species of Phoma, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Fusarium, Corynespora, and Epicoccum, had a higher relative abundance in symptomatic leaves than asymptomatic leaves. FUNGuild analysis indicated that the foliar fungal community also included endophytes, saprotrophs, epiphytes, parasites, and endosymbionts. PICRUSt analysis showed that the dominant functions of the bacterial community in a symptomatic leaf were cellular processes and environmental information processing. In the other five foliar samples, the dominant functions of the bacterial community were genetic information processing, metabolism, and organismal systems. In the traditional culture-dependent method, 47 fungal strains were isolated from 60 symptomatic tobacco leaf fragments bearing leaf spots. Among them, 21 strains of Colletotrichum (29%), Xylariaceae (14%), Corynespora (14%), Pestalotiopsis (10%), Alternaria (10%), Epicoccum (10%), Byssosphaeria (5%), Phoma (5%), and Diaporthe (5%) all fulfilled Koch's postulates and were found to cause disease on detached tobacco leaves in artificial inoculation tests. Symptoms on detached leaves caused by three strains of Corynespora cassiicola in artificial inoculation tests were similar to the original disease symptoms in the tobacco field. This study showed that the combined application of culture-dependent and independent methods could give comprehensive insights into microbial composition that each method alone did not reveal.}, }
@article {pmid35563511, year = {2022}, author = {Parejo, S and Cabrera, JJ and Jiménez-Leiva, A and Tomás-Gallardo, L and Bedmar, EJ and Gates, AJ and Mesa, S}, title = {Fine-Tuning Modulation of Oxidation-Mediated Posttranslational Control of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens FixK2 Transcription Factor.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {23}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {35563511}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {AGL2015-63651-P//Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci&#xf3;n, Spain/ ; PID2020-114330GB-100//Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci&#xf3;n, Spain/ ; P12-AGR-1968//Junta de Andaluc&#xed;a/ ; P18-RT-1401//Junta de Andaluc&#xed;a/ ; FPU2015/04716//Ministerio de Educaci&#xf3;n, Cultura y Deporte/ ; BB/M00256X/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/S008942/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Bradyrhizobium/metabolism ; DNA/metabolism ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Glycine max/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Transcription Factors/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {FixK2 is a CRP/FNR-type transcription factor that plays a central role in a sophisticated regulatory network for the anoxic, microoxic and symbiotic lifestyles of the soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens. Aside from the balanced expression of the fixK2 gene under microoxic conditions (induced by the two-component regulatory system FixLJ and negatively auto-repressed), FixK2 activity is posttranslationally controlled by proteolysis, and by the oxidation of a singular cysteine residue (C183) near its DNA-binding domain. To simulate the permanent oxidation of FixK2, we replaced C183 for aspartic acid. Purified C183D FixK2 protein showed both low DNA binding and in vitro transcriptional activation from the promoter of the fixNOQP operon, required for respiration under symbiosis. However, in a B. diazoefficiens strain coding for C183D FixK2, expression of a fixNOQP'-'lacZ fusion was similar to that in the wild type, when both strains were grown microoxically. The C183D FixK2 encoding strain also showed a wild-type phenotype in symbiosis with soybeans, and increased fixK2 gene expression levels and FixK2 protein abundance in cells. These two latter observations, together with the global transcriptional profile of the microoxically cultured C183D FixK2 encoding strain, suggest the existence of a finely tuned regulatory strategy to counterbalance the oxidation-mediated inactivation of FixK2 in vivo.}, }
@article {pmid35563303, year = {2022}, author = {Buerger, P and Vanstone, RT and Maire, J and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {Long-Term Heat Selection of the Coral Endosymbiont Cladocopium C1[acro] (Symbiodiniaceae) Stabilizes Associated Bacterial Communities.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {23}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {35563303}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {FL180100036//Australian Research Council/ ; Research Office Postdoctoral Fellowship//CSIRO/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Hot Temperature ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Heat-tolerant strains of the coral endosymbiont, Cladocopium C1[acro] (Symbiodiniaceae), have previously been developed via experimental evolution. Here, we examine physiological responses and bacterial community composition (using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding) in cultures of 10 heat-evolved (SS) and 9 wild-type (WT) strains, which had been exposed for 6 years to 31 °C and 27 °C, respectively. We also examine whether the associated bacterial communities were affected by a three-week reciprocal transplantation to both temperatures. The SS strains had bacterial communities with lower diversities that showed more stability and lower variability when exposed to elevated temperatures compared with the WT strains. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of the bacterial genera Labrenzia, Algiphilus, Hyphobacterium and Roseitalea were significantly more associated with the SS strains compared with the WT strains. WT strains showed higher abundance of ASVs assigned to the genera Fabibacter and Tropicimonas. We hypothesize that these compositional differences in associated bacterial communities between SS and WT strains also contribute to the thermal tolerance of the microalgae. Future research should explore functional potential between bacterial communities using metagenomics to unravel specific genomic adaptations.}, }
@article {pmid35561259, year = {2022}, author = {Zhou, W and Zhang, X and Wang, A and Yang, L and Gan, Q and Yi, L and Summons, RE and Volkman, JK and Lu, Y}, title = {Widespread Sterol Methyltransferase Participates in the Biosynthesis of Both C4α- and C4β-Methyl Sterols.}, journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {144}, number = {20}, pages = {9023-9032}, pmid = {35561259}, issn = {1520-5126}, mesh = {Eukaryota/metabolism ; Eukaryotic Cells/metabolism ; *Methyltransferases/metabolism ; Oxidoreductases ; *Sterols ; }, abstract = {The 4-methyl steranes serve as molecular fossils and are used for studying both eukaryotic evolution and geological history. The occurrence of 4α-methyl steranes in sediments has long been considered evidence of products of partial demethylation mediated by sterol methyl oxidases (SMOs), while 4β-methyl steranes are attributed entirely to diagenetic generation from 4α-methyl steroids since possible biological sources of their precursor 4β-methyl sterols are unknown. Here, we report a previously unknown C4-methyl sterol biosynthetic pathway involving a sterol methyltransferase rather than the SMOs. We show that both C4α- and C4β-methyl sterols are end products of the sterol biosynthetic pathway in an endosymbiont of reef corals, Breviolum minutum, while this mechanism exists not only in dinoflagellates but also in eukaryotes from alveolates, haptophytes, and aschelminthes. Our discovery provides a previously untapped route for the generation of C4-methyl steranes and overturns the paradigm that all 4β-methyl steranes are diagenetically generated from the 4α isomers. This may facilitate the interpretation of molecular fossils and understanding of the evolution of eukaryotic life in general.}, }
@article {pmid35560029, year = {2022}, author = {Thayanukul, P and Lertanantawong, B and Sirawaraporn, W and Charasmongkolcharoen, S and Chaibun, T and Jittungdee, R and Kittayapong, P}, title = {Simple, sensitive, and cost-effective detection of wAlbB Wolbachia in Aedes mosquitoes, using loop mediated isothermal amplification combined with the electrochemical biosensing method.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {16}, number = {5}, pages = {e0009600}, pmid = {35560029}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {*Aedes/genetics ; Animals ; *Arbovirus Infections ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Humans ; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ; Mosquito Vectors ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium generally found in about 40% of insects, including mosquitoes, but it is absent in Aedes aegypti which is an important vector of several arboviral diseases. The evidence that Wolbachia trans-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes lost their vectorial competence and became less capable of transmitting arboviruses to human hosts highlights the potential of using Wolbachia-based approaches for prevention and control of arboviral diseases. Recently, release of Wolbachia trans-infected Ae. aegypti has been deployed widely in many countries for the control of mosquito-borne viral diseases. Field surveillance and monitoring of Wolbachia presence in released mosquitoes is important for the success of these control programs. So far, a number of studies have reported the development of loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays to detect Wolbachia in mosquitoes, but the methods still have some specificity and cost issues.<br><br>We describe here the development of a LAMP assay combined with the DNA strand displacement-based electrochemical sensor (BIOSENSOR) method to detect wAlbB Wolbachia in trans-infected Ae. aegypti. Our developed LAMP primers used a low-cost dye detecting system and 4 oligo nucleotide primers which can reduce the cost of analysis while the specificity is comparable to the previous methods. The detection capacity of our LAMP technique was 1.4 nM and the detection limit reduced to 2.2 fM when combined with the BIOSENSOR. Our study demonstrates that a BIOSENSOR can also be applied as a stand-alone method for detecting Wolbachia; and it showed high sensitivity when used with the crude DNA extracts of macerated mosquito samples without DNA purification.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that both LAMP and BIOSENSOR, either used in combination or stand-alone, are robust and sensitive. The methods have good potential for routine detection of Wolbachia in mosquitoes during field surveillance and monitoring of Wolbachia-based release programs, especially in countries with limited resources.}, }
@article {pmid35548046, year = {2022}, author = {Ben Said, M and Diaz Sanchez, S and Bastos, A and Silaghi, C}, title = {Editorial: Current Knowledge on Pathogenic and Endosymbiotic Tick-Borne Bacteria.}, journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {900510}, doi = {10.3389/fvets.2022.900510}, pmid = {35548046}, issn = {2297-1769}, }
@article {pmid35547116, year = {2022}, author = {Weyandt, N and Aghdam, SA and Brown, AMV}, title = {Discovery of Early-Branching Wolbachia Reveals Functional Enrichment on Horizontally Transferred Genes.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {867392}, pmid = {35547116}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Wolbachia is a widespread endosymbiont of insects and filarial nematodes that profoundly influences host biology. Wolbachia has also been reported in rhizosphere hosts, where its diversity and function remain poorly characterized. The discovery that plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) host Wolbachia strains with unknown roles is of interest evolutionarily, ecologically, and for agriculture as a potential target for developing new biological controls. The goal of this study was to screen communities for PPN endosymbionts and analyze genes and genomic patterns that might indicate their role. Genome assemblies revealed 1 out of 16 sampled sites had nematode communities hosting a Wolbachia strain, designated wTex, that has highly diverged as one of the early supergroup L strains. Genome features, gene repertoires, and absence of known genes for cytoplasmic incompatibility, riboflavin, biotin, and other biosynthetic functions placed wTex between mutualist C + D strains and reproductive parasite A + B strains. Functional terms enriched in group L included protoporphyrinogen IX, thiamine, lysine, fatty acid, and cellular amino acid biosynthesis, while dN/dS analysis suggested the strongest purifying selection on arginine and lysine metabolism, and vitamin B6, heme, and zinc ion binding, suggesting these as candidate roles in PPN Wolbachia. Higher dN/dS pathways between group L, wPni from aphids, wFol from springtails, and wCfeT from cat fleas suggested distinct functional changes characterizing these early Wolbachia host transitions. PPN Wolbachia had several putative horizontally transferred genes, including a lysine biosynthesis operon like that of the mitochondrial symbiont Midichloria, a spirochete-like thiamine synthesis operon shared only with wCfeT, an ATP/ADP carrier important in Rickettsia, and a eukaryote-like gene that may mediate plant systemic acquired resistance through the lysine-to-pipecolic acid system. The Discovery of group L-like variants from global rhizosphere databases suggests diverse PPN Wolbachia strains remain to be discovered. These findings support the hypothesis of plant-specialization as key to shaping early Wolbachia evolution and present new functional hypotheses, demonstrating promise for future genomics-based rhizosphere screens.}, }
@article {pmid35532932, year = {2022}, author = {Strunov, A and Lerch, S and Blanckenhorn, WU and Miller, WJ and Kapun, M}, title = {Complex effects of environment and Wolbachia infections on the life history of Drosophila melanogaster hosts.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {35}, number = {6}, pages = {788-802}, pmid = {35532932}, issn = {1420-9101}, support = {P 32275/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; Female ; Fertility ; Longevity ; Male ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria are common endosymbionts of many arthropods found in gonads and various somatic tissues. They manipulate host reproduction to enhance their transmission and confer complex effects on fitness-related traits. Some of these effects can serve to increase the survival and transmission efficiency of Wolbachia in the host population. The Wolbachia-Drosophila melanogaster system represents a powerful model to study the evolutionary dynamics of host-microbe interactions and infections. Over the past decades, there has been a replacement of the ancestral wMelCS Wolbachia variant by the more recent wMel variant in worldwide D. melanogaster populations, but the reasons remain unknown. To investigate how environmental change and genetic variation of the symbiont affect host developmental and adult life-history traits, we compared effects of both Wolbachia variants and uninfected controls in wild-caught D. melanogaster strains at three developmental temperatures. While Wolbachia did not influence any developmental life-history traits, we found that both lifespan and fecundity of host females were increased without apparent fitness trade-offs. Interestingly, wMelCS-infected flies were more fecund than uninfected and wMel-infected flies. By contrast, males infected with wMel died sooner, indicating sex-specific effects of infection that are specific to the Wolbachia variant. Our study uncovered complex temperature-specific effects of Wolbachia infections, which suggests that symbiont-host interactions in nature are strongly dependent on the genotypes of both partners and the thermal environment.}, }
@article {pmid35526060, year = {2022}, author = {Hildebrand, J and Perec-Matysiak, A and Popiołek, M and Merta, D and Myśliwy, I and Buńkowska-Gawlik, K}, title = {A molecular survey of spotted fever group rickettsiae in introduced raccoons (Procyon lotor).}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {162}, pmid = {35526060}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {2018/02/X/NZ6/01983//Narodowe Centrum Nauki/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bayes Theorem ; Phylogeny ; Raccoons ; *Rickettsia ; *Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis ; *Ticks ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The raccoon Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Carnivora; Procyonidae) is one of the most important and most intensively studied invasive mammal species in Europe. Within the last 30 years the raccoon has spread at an increasing rate, resulting in the establishment of local populations in various regions of Europe. In these newly colonised areas, gaps in knowledge of the raccoon's biology concern not only most aspects of its ecology in a broad sense, but also its pathogens and parasites. Most micropathogens recorded hitherto in the raccoons that have colonised Europe have documented epizootic and zoonotic potential. Thus, it is considered especially important to investigate the role played by the raccoon in the spread of pathogens through both animal-animal and animal-human pathways.<br><br>METHODS: Tissue samples of raccoons from Poland and Germany were examined in this study. In total, 384 tissue samples from 220 raccoons (170 spleen samples, 82 liver biopsies, 132 ear biopsies) were examined using molecular methods. The presence of Rickettsia spp. DNA was screened through amplification of a fragment of the gltA gene. Samples that were PCR positive for gltA were tested for other rickettsial genes, ompB and a 17-kDa antigen. For taxonomic purposes, the obtained sequences were compared with corresponding sequences deposited in GenBank using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Bayesian inference implemented in MrBayes software.<br><br>RESULTS: Rickettsia DNA was confirmed only in skin biopsies; no isolates from the spleen or liver were positive for Rickettsia DNA. With the exception of one sample from Germany, which was positive for Rickettsia helvetica DNA, all the samples positive for Rickettsia DNA derived from the Polish population of raccoons. DNA of Rickettsia spp. was detected in 25 samples, i.e. 11.4% of the tested raccoons, and R. helvetica was confirmed in 52% of the positive samples. Additionally, single cases of Rickettsia monacensis, Rickettsia raoultii, and Candidatus Rickettsia kotlanii-like were found, and in 32% of all the positive samples similarity was shown to different Rickettsia endosymbionts. Out of the samples that tested positive for gltA, amplicons of ompB and 17&#xa0;kDa were successfully sequenced from 14 and three samples, respectively.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this study provides, for the first time, evidence of the occurrence of Rickettsia pathogens and endosymbionts in the European population of raccoons. Further, broader research on different species of wild vertebrates, and ticks, as potential vectors and hosts for tick-borne pathogens, in natural as well as in peri-urban environments, is therefore required.}, }
@article {pmid35521555, year = {2022}, author = {Moustafa, MAM and Mohamed, WMA and Lau, ACC and Chatanga, E and Qiu, Y and Hayashi, N and Naguib, D and Sato, K and Takano, A and Matsuno, K and Nonaka, N and Taylor, D and Kawabata, H and Nakao, R}, title = {Novel symbionts and potential human pathogens excavated from argasid tick microbiomes that are shaped by dual or single symbiosis.}, journal = {Computational and structural biotechnology journal}, volume = {20}, number = {}, pages = {1979-1992}, pmid = {35521555}, issn = {2001-0370}, abstract = {Research on vector-associated microbiomes has been expanding due to increasing emergence of vector-borne pathogens and awareness of the importance of symbionts in the vector physiology. However, little is known about microbiomes of argasid (or soft-bodied) ticks due to limited access to specimens. We collected four argasid species (Argas japonicus, Carios vespertilionis, Ornithodoros capensis, and Ornithodoros sawaii) from the nests or burrows of their vertebrate hosts. One laboratory-reared argasid species (Ornithodoros moubata) was also included. Attempts were then made to isolate and characterize potential symbionts/pathogens using arthropod cell lines. Microbial community structure was distinct for each tick species. Coxiella was detected as the predominant symbiont in four tick species where dual symbiosis between Coxiella and Rickettsia or Coxiella and Francisella was observed in C. vespertilionis and O. moubata, respectively. Of note, A. japonicus lacked Coxiella and instead had Occidentia massiliensis and Thiotrichales as alternative symbionts. Our study found strong correlation between tick species and life stage. We successfully isolated Oc. massiliensis and characterized potential pathogens of genera Ehrlichia and Borrelia. The results suggest that there is no consistent trend of microbiomes in relation to tick life stage that fit all tick species and that the final interpretation should be related to the balance between environmental bacterial exposure and endosymbiont ecology. Nevertheless, our findings provide insights on the ecology of tick microbiomes and basis for future investigations on the capacity of argasid ticks to carry novel pathogens with public health importance.}, }
@article {pmid35517715, year = {2022}, author = {Kačar, D and Schleissner, C and Cañedo, LM and Rodríguez, P and de la Calle, F and Cuevas, C and Galán, B and García, JL}, title = {In vivo production of pederin by labrenzin pathway expansion.}, journal = {Metabolic engineering communications}, volume = {14}, number = {}, pages = {e00198}, pmid = {35517715}, issn = {2214-0301}, abstract = {Pederin is a potent polyketide toxin that causes severe skin lesions in humans after contact with insects of genus Paederus. Due to its potent anticancer activities, pederin family compounds have raised the interest of pharmaceutical industry. Despite the extensive studies on the cluster of biosynthetic genes responsible for the production of pederin, it has not yet been possible to isolate and cultivate its bacterial endosymbiont producer. However, the marine bacterium Labrenzia sp. PHM005 was recently reported to produce labrenzin, the closest pederin analog. By cloning a synthetic pedO gene encoding one of the three O-methyltraferase of the pederin cluster into Labrenzia sp. PHM005 we have been able to produce pederin for the first time by fermentation in the new recombinant strain.}, }
@article {pmid35508975, year = {2022}, author = {Johnson, JV and Dick, JTA and Pincheira-Donoso, D}, title = {Marine protected areas do not buffer corals from bleaching under global warming.}, journal = {BMC ecology and evolution}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {58}, pmid = {35508975}, issn = {2730-7182}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Bayes Theorem ; Coral Reefs ; Ecosystem ; Global Warming/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The rising temperature of the oceans has been identified as the primary driver of mass coral reef declines via coral bleaching (expulsion of photosynthetic endosymbionts). Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been implemented throughout the oceans with the aim of mitigating the impact of local stressors, enhancing fish biomass, and sustaining biodiversity overall. In coral reef regions specifically, protection from local stressors and the enhanced ecosystem function contributed by MPAs are expected to increase coral resistance to global-scale stressors such as marine heatwaves. However, MPAs still suffer from limitations in design, or fail to be adequately enforced, potentially reducing their intended efficacy. Here, we address the hypothesis that the local-scale benefits resulting from MPAs moderate coral bleaching under global warming related stress.<br><br>RESULTS: Bayesian analyses reveal that bleaching is expected to occur in both larger and older MPAs when corals are under thermal stress from marine heatwaves (quantified as Degree Heating Weeks, DHW), but this is partially moderated in comparison to the effects of DHW alone. Further analyses failed to identify differences in bleaching prevalence in MPAs relative to non-MPAs for coral reefs experiencing different levels of thermal stress. Finally, no difference in temperatures where bleaching occurs between MPA and non-MPA sites was found.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that bleaching is likely to occur under global warming regardless of protected status. Thus, while protected areas have key roles for maintaining ecosystem function and local livelihoods, combatting the source of global warming remains the best way to prevent the decline of coral reefs via coral bleaching.}, }
@article {pmid35503212, year = {2022}, author = {Scott, H and Davies, GJ and Armstrong, Z}, title = {The structure of Phocaeicola vulgatus sialic acid acetylesterase.}, journal = {Acta crystallographica. Section D, Structural biology}, volume = {78}, number = {Pt 5}, pages = {647-657}, pmid = {35503212}, issn = {2059-7983}, support = {BB/R001162/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Acetylation ; *Acetylesterase/chemistry/metabolism ; Bacteria/metabolism ; Bacteroides ; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases ; Humans ; *N-Acetylneuraminic Acid/metabolism ; Sialic Acids/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Sialic acids terminate many N- and O-glycans and are widely distributed on cell surfaces. There are a diverse range of enzymes which interact with these sugars throughout the tree of life. They can act as receptors for influenza and specific betacoronaviruses in viral binding and their cleavage is important in virion release. Sialic acids are also exploited by both commensal and pathogenic bacteria for nutrient acquisition. A common modification of sialic acid is 9-O-acetylation, which can limit the action of sialidases. Some bacteria, including human endosymbionts, employ esterases to overcome this modification. However, few bacterial sialic acid 9-O-acetylesterases (9-O-SAEs) have been structurally characterized. Here, the crystal structure of a 9-O-SAE from Phocaeicola vulgatus (PvSAE) is reported. The structure of PvSAE was determined to resolutions of 1.44 and 2.06 Å using crystals from two different crystallization conditions. Structural characterization revealed PvSAE to be a dimer with an SGNH fold, named after the conserved sequence motif of this family, and a Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad. These structures also reveal flexibility in the most N-terminal α-helix, which provides a barrier to active-site accessibility. Biochemical assays also show that PvSAE deacetylates both mucin and the acetylated chromophore para-nitrophenyl acetate. This structural and biochemical characterization of PvSAE furthers the understanding of 9-O-SAEs and may aid in the discovery of small molecules targeting this class of enzyme.}, }
@article {pmid35499324, year = {2022}, author = {Yang, Q and Cahn, JKB and Piel, J and Song, YF and Zhang, W and Lin, HW}, title = {Marine Sponge Endosymbionts: Structural and Functional Specificity of the Microbiome within Euryspongia arenaria Cells.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {e0229621}, pmid = {35499324}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; Lipase/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; *Porifera/genetics/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {Sponge microbiomes are typically profiled by analyzing the community DNA of whole tissues, which does not distinguish the taxa residing within sponge cells from extracellular microbes. To uncover the endosymbiotic microbiome, we separated the sponge cells to enrich the intracellular microbes. The intracellular bacterial community of sponge Euryspongia arenaria was initially assessed by amplicon sequencing, which indicated that it hosts three unique phyla not found in the extracellular and bulk tissue microbiomes. These three phyla account for 66% of the taxonomically known genera in the intracellular microbiome. The shotgun metagenomic analysis extended the taxonomic coverage to viruses and eukaryotes, revealing the most abundant signature taxa specific to the intracellular microbiome. Functional KEGG pathway annotation demonstrated that the endosymbiotic microbiome hosted the greatest number of unique gene orthologs. The pathway profiles distinguished the intra- and extracellular microbiomes from the tissue and seawater microbiomes. Carbohydrate-active enzyme analysis further discriminated each microbiome based on their representative and dominant enzyme families. One pathway involved in digestion system and family esterase had a consistently higher level in intracellular microbiome and could statistically differentiate the intracellular microbiome from the others, suggesting that triacylglycerol lipases could be the key functional component peculiar to the endosymbionts. The identified higher abundance of lipase-related eggNOG categories further supported the lipid-hydrolyzing metabolism of endosymbiotic microbiota. Pseudomonas members, reported as lipase-producing bacteria, were only in the endosymbiotic microbiome, meanwhile Pseudomonas also showed a greater abundance intracellularly. Our study aided a comprehensive sponge microbiome that demonstrated the taxonomic and functional specificity of endosymbiotic microbiota. IMPORTANCE Sponges host abundant microbial symbionts that can produce an impressive number of novel bioactive metabolites. However, knowledge on intracellular (endosymbiotic) microbiota is scarce. We characterize the composition and function of the endosymbiotic microbiome by separation of sponge cells and enrichment of intracellular microbes. We uncover a noteworthy number of taxa exclusively in the endosymbiotic microbiome. We unlock the unique pathways and enzymes of endosymbiotic taxa. This study achieves a more comprehensive sponge microbial community profile, which demonstrates the structural and functional specificity of the endosymbiotic microbiome. Our findings not only open the possibility to reveal the low abundant and the likely missed microbiota when directly sequencing the sponge bulk tissues, but also warrant future in-depth exploration within single sponge cells.}, }
@article {pmid35495648, year = {2022}, author = {Rataj, M and Zhang, T and Vd'ačný, P}, title = {Nuclear and Mitochondrial SSU rRNA Genes Reveal Hidden Diversity of Haptophrya Endosymbionts in Freshwater Planarians and Challenge Their Traditional Classification in Astomatia.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {830951}, pmid = {35495648}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Like many other aquatic animals, freshwater planarians have also become partners of symbiotic ciliates from the class Oligohymenophorea. In the present study, we explored the hidden diversity and addressed the questionable systematic position of mouthless obligatory gut endosymbionts of freshwater planarians, using the nuclear and mitochondrial SSU rRNA genes. Although all isolated ciliates morphologically corresponded to a single species, molecular analyses suggested the existence of three genetically distinct entities: Haptophrya planariarum, Haptophrya dugesiarum nov. spec., and Haptophrya schmidtearum nov. spec. The two former species share the same planarian host, which indicates a speciation model involving one duplication event without host switching. Such a diversification pattern was recognized also in astome ciliates inhabiting megascolecid and glossoscolecid earthworms. The present multi-gene phylogenies along with the secondary structure of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA molecule, however, challenge the traditional classification of Haptophrya within the subclass Astomatia. Haptophrya very likely evolved from an orphan scuticociliate lineage by the loss of oral apparatus and by the transformation of the thigmotactic field into an adhesive sucker. Since astomy evolved multiple times independently within the Oligohymenophorea, the loss of cell mouth cannot be used as a sole argument for the assignment of Haptophrya to the Astomatia anymore.}, }
@article {pmid35493735, year = {2022}, author = {Kumar, D and Sharma, SR and Adegoke, A and Kennedy, A and Tuten, HC and Li, AY and Karim, S}, title = {Recently Evolved Francisella-Like Endosymbiont Outcompetes an Ancient and Evolutionarily Associated Coxiella-Like Endosymbiont in the Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) Linked to the Alpha-Gal Syndrome.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {787209}, pmid = {35493735}, issn = {2235-2988}, support = {P20 GM103476/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Amblyomma ; Animals ; Bacteria ; Coxiella ; *Food Hypersensitivity ; *Francisella/genetics ; Humans ; *Ticks/microbiology ; United States ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Ticks are hematophagous arthropods that transmit various bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens of public health significance. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is an aggressive human-biting tick that transmits bacterial and viral pathogens, and its bites are suspected of eliciting the alpha-gal syndrome, a newly emerged delayed hypersensitivity following consumption of red meat in the United States. While ongoing studies have attempted to investigate the contribution of different tick-inherent factors to the induction of alpha-gal syndrome, an otherwise understudied aspect is the contribution of the tick microbiome and specifically obligate endosymbionts to the establishment of the alpha-gal syndrome in humans.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here we utilized a high-throughput metagenomic sequencing approach to cataloging the entire microbial communities residing within different developmental stages and tissues of unfed and blood-fed ticks from laboratory-maintained ticks and three new geographical locations in the United States. The Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME2) pipeline was used to perform data analysis and taxonomic classification. Moreover, using a SparCC (Sparse Correlations for Compositional data) network construction model, we investigated potential interactions between members of the microbial communities from laboratory-maintained and field-collected ticks.<br><br>RESULTS: Overall, Francisellaceae was the most dominant bacteria identified in the microbiome of both laboratory-raised and field-collected Am. americanum across all tissues and developmental stages. Likewise, microbial diversity was seen to be significantly higher in field-collected ticks compared with laboratory-maintained ticks as seen with a higher number of both Operational Taxonomic Units and measures of species richness. Several potential positive and negative correlations were identified from our network analysis. We observed a strong positive correlation between Francisellaceae, Rickettsiaceae, and Midichloriaceae in both developmental stages and tissues from laboratory-maintained ticks, whereas ovarian tissues had a strong positive correlation of bacteria in the family Xanthobacteraceae and Rhizobiaceae. A negative interaction was observed between Coxiellaceae and Francisellaceae in Illinois, and all the bacteria detected from ticks from Delaware were negatively correlated.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study is the first to catalog the microbiome of Am. americanum throughout its developmental stages and different tissue niches and report the potential replacement of Coxiellaceae by Francisellaceae across developmental stages and tissues tested except in ovarian tissues. These unique and significant findings advance our knowledge and open a new avenue of research to further understand the role of tick microbiome in tick-borne diseases and develop a holistic strategy to control alpha-gal syndrome.}, }
@article {pmid35490549, year = {2022}, author = {Noden, BH and Henriquez, BE and Roselli, MA and Loss, SR}, title = {Use of an exclusion assay to detect novel rickettsiae in field collected Amblyomma americanum.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {101959}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101959}, pmid = {35490549}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Amblyomma ; Animals ; Canada ; Dogs ; Humans ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; Oklahoma/epidemiology ; *Rickettsia ; *Ticks ; }, abstract = {In the south-central United States, several tick-borne diseases (TbDs) occur at or near their highest levels of incidence of anywhere in the U.S. The diversity of Rickettsia species found in Amblyomma americanum continues to be under-characterized in this region and throughout the U.S. and Canada where this tick species is expanding. One reason for this lack of knowledge about Rickettsia diversity is the high prevalence of the endosymbiont Rickettsia amblyommatis that obscures detection of other bacteria in this genus. Focusing on unknown rickettsial agents, we used a recently described R. amblyommatis exclusion assay to screen 1909 A. americanum collected in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which resulted in eight ticks that had unique rickettsial sequences. Through the process of characterizing primary and secondary rickettsiae, we identified ticks primarily infected with Rickettsia rhipicephali and a Rickettsia species (2019-CO-FNY) previously linked with a canine rickettsiosis case in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We also identified a Rickettsia agent that was 97% identical with an endosymbiont of Amblyomma tonelliae and which aligned with archaic rickettsial species. Through this study, we further demonstrate the usefulness of this exclusion assay for rapid screening in large cohort A. americanum studies to identify a small number of ticks that contain poorly described and previously undocumented rickettsiae.}, }
@article {pmid35486255, year = {2022}, author = {Oortwijn, T and de Fouw, J and Petersen, JM and van Gils, JA}, title = {Sulfur in lucinid bivalves inhibits intake rates of a molluscivore shorebird.}, journal = {Oecologia}, volume = {199}, number = {1}, pages = {69-78}, pmid = {35486255}, issn = {1432-1939}, support = {ALWOP.203//nederlandse organisatie voor wetenschappelijk onderzoek/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Bivalvia ; *Charadriiformes ; Ecosystem ; Sulfides ; Sulfur ; }, abstract = {A forager's energy intake rate is usually constrained by a combination of handling time, encounter rate and digestion rate. On top of that, food intake may be constrained when a forager can only process a maximum amount of certain toxic compounds. The latter constraint is well described for herbivores with a limited tolerance to plant secondary metabolites. In sulfidic marine ecosystems, many animals host chemoautotrophic endosymbionts, which store sulfur compounds as an energy resource, potentially making their hosts toxic to predators. The red knot Calidris canutus canutus is a molluscivore shorebird that winters on the mudflats of Banc d'Arguin, where the most abundant bivalve prey Loripes orbiculatus hosts sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. In this system, we studied the potential effect of sulfur on the red knots' intake rates, by offering Loripes with various sulfur content to captive birds. To manipulate toxicity, we starved Loripes for 10 days by removing them from their symbiont's energy source sulfide. As predicted, we found lower sulfur concentrations in starved Loripes. We also included natural variation in sulfur concentrations by offering Loripes collected at two different locations. In both cases lower sulfur levels in Loripes resulted in higher consumption rates in red knots. Over time the red knots increased their intake rates on Loripes, showing their ability to adjust to a higher intake of sulfur.}, }
@article {pmid35485184, year = {2022}, author = {Kaur, R and Singh, S and Joshi, N}, title = {Pervasive Endosymbiont Arsenophonus Plays a Key Role in the Transmission of Cotton Leaf Curl Virus Vectored by Asia II-1 Genetic Group of Bemisia tabaci.}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {51}, number = {3}, pages = {564-577}, doi = {10.1093/ee/nvac024}, pmid = {35485184}, issn = {1938-2936}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Asia ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; *Rifampin/pharmacology ; Symbiosis ; Tetracyclines ; }, abstract = {Insects often coevolved with their mutualistic partners such as gut endosymbionts, which play a key in the physiology of host. Studies on such interactions between Bemisia tabaci and its primary and secondary endosymbionts have gained importance due to their indispensable roles in the biology of this insect. Present study reports the predominance of two secondary endosymbionts, Arsenophonus and Cardinium in the Asia II-1 genetic group of whitefly and elucidates their role in the transmission of its vectored Cotton leaf curl virus. Selective elimination of endosymbionts was optimized using serial concentration of ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, tetracycline, and rifampicin administered to viruliferous whiteflies through sucrose diet. Primary endosymbiont, Portiera was unresponsive to all the antibiotics, however, rifampicin and tetracycline at 90 μg/ml selectively eliminated Arsenophonus from the whitefly. Elimination of Arsenophonus resulted in significant decrease in virus titer from viruliferous whitefly, further the CLCuV transmission efficiency of these whiteflies was significantly reduced compared to the control flies. Secondary endosymbiont, Cardinium could not be eliminated completely even with higher concentrations of antibiotics. Based on the findings, Arsenophonus plays a key role in the retention and transmission of CLCuV in the Asia II-1 genetic group of B. tabaci, while the role of Cardinium could not be established due to its unresponsiveness to antibiotics.}, }
@article {pmid35479634, year = {2022}, author = {Garzón, MJ and Reyes-Prieto, M and Gil, R}, title = {The Minimal Translation Machinery: What We Can Learn From Naturally and Experimentally Reduced Genomes.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {858983}, pmid = {35479634}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The current theoretical proposals of minimal genomes have not attempted to outline the essential machinery for proper translation in cells. Here, we present a proposal of a minimal translation machinery based on (1) a comparative analysis of bacterial genomes of insects' endosymbionts using a machine learning classification algorithm, (2) the empiric genomic information obtained from Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn3.0 the first minimal bacterial genome obtained by design and synthesis, and (3) a detailed functional analysis of the candidate genes based on essentiality according to the DEG database (Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis) and the literature. This proposed minimal translational machinery is composed by 142 genes which must be present in any synthetic prokaryotic cell designed for biotechnological purposes, 76.8% of which are shared with JCVI-syn3.0. Eight additional genes were manually included in the proposal for a proper and efficient translation.}, }
@article {pmid35474066, year = {2022}, author = {Cournoyer, J and Altman, SD and Gao, YL and Wallace, CL and Zhang, D and Lo, GH and Haskin, NT and Mehta, AP}, title = {Engineering artificial photosynthetic life-forms through endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {2254}, pmid = {35474066}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {R01 GM139949/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Biological Evolution ; Chloroplasts/genetics ; *Cyanobacteria/genetics ; Photosynthesis/genetics ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The evolutionary origin of the photosynthetic eukaryotes drastically altered the evolution of complex lifeforms and impacted global ecology. The endosymbiotic theory suggests that photosynthetic eukaryotes evolved due to endosymbiosis between non-photosynthetic eukaryotic host cells and photosynthetic cyanobacterial or algal endosymbionts. The photosynthetic endosymbionts, propagating within the cytoplasm of the host cells, evolved, and eventually transformed into chloroplasts. Despite the fundamental importance of this evolutionary event, we have minimal understanding of this remarkable evolutionary transformation. Here, we design and engineer artificial, genetically tractable, photosynthetic endosymbiosis between photosynthetic cyanobacteria and budding yeasts. We engineer various mutants of model photosynthetic cyanobacteria as endosymbionts within yeast cells where, the engineered cyanobacteria perform bioenergetic functions to support the growth of yeast cells under defined photosynthetic conditions. We anticipate that these genetically tractable endosymbiotic platforms can be used for evolutionary studies, particularly related to organelle evolution, and also for synthetic biology applications.}, }
@article {pmid35446252, year = {2022}, author = {Quek, S and Cerdeira, L and Jeffries, CL and Tomlinson, S and Walker, T and Hughes, GL and Heinz, E}, title = {Wolbachia endosymbionts in two Anopheles species indicates independent acquisitions and lack of prophage elements.}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {8}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {35446252}, issn = {2057-5858}, support = {BB/V011278/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 217303/Z/19/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 101285/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/T001240/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; R01 AI116811/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI138074/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anopheles ; Prophages/genetics ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a genus of obligate bacterial endosymbionts that infect a diverse range of arthropod species as well as filarial nematodes, with its single described species, Wolbachia pipientis , divided into several ‘supergroups’ based on multilocus sequence typing. Wolbachia strains in mosquitoes have been shown to inhibit the transmission of human pathogens, including Plasmodium malaria parasites and arboviruses. Despite their large host range, Wolbachia strains within the major malaria vectors of the Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus complexes appear at low density, established solely on PCR-based methods. Questions have been raised as to whether this represents a true endosymbiotic relationship. However, recent definitive evidence for two distinct, high-density strains of supergroup B Wolbachia within Anopheles demeilloni and Anopheles moucheti has opened exciting possibilities to explore naturally occurring Wolbachia endosymbionts in Anopheles for biocontrol strategies to block Plasmodium transmission. Here, we utilize genomic analyses to demonstrate that both Wolbachia strains have retained all key metabolic and transport pathways despite their smaller genome size, with this reduction potentially attributable to degenerated prophage regions. Even with this reduction, we confirmed the presence of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) factor genes within both strains, with wAnD maintaining intact copies of these genes while the cifB gene was interrupted in wAnM, so functional analysis is required to determine whether wAnM can induce CI. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis indicates that these Wolbachia strains may have been introduced into these two Anopheles species via horizontal transmission events, rather than by ancestral acquisition and subsequent loss events in the Anopheles gambiae species complex. These are the first Wolbachia genomes, to our knowledge, that enable us to study the relationship between natural strain Plasmodium malaria parasites and their anopheline hosts.}, }
@article {pmid35445372, year = {2022}, author = {Patra, G and Ghosh, S and Polley, S and Priyanka,  and Borthakur, SK and Choudhary, OP and Arya, RS}, title = {Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Coxiella-like endosymbionts in dogs and ticks infesting dogs in Northeast India.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {86}, number = {4}, pages = {549-566}, pmid = {35445372}, issn = {1572-9702}, mesh = {Animals ; Coxiella/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Rhipicephalus/genetics ; *Rhipicephalus sanguineus/genetics ; Superoxide Dismutase/genetics ; }, abstract = {An epidemiological study was performed to determine the role of dogs and ticks infesting dogs in the transmission of Q fever in humans and animals from April 2019 to March 2020 in the northeastern hill states of India. In total, 245 pet and stray dogs irrespective of age or sex were sampled, without specific inclusion or exclusion criteria. In total, 478 ticks belonging to three species were detected, namely Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. The DNA extracted from blood and tick samples was assayed for molecular characterization of Coxiella burnetii targeting the 16S rRNA and superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes. Amplified PCR products were purified, cloned and custom sequenced. PCR assay showed 3.3% (8/245) of the dogs were positive for Coxiella-like bacteria. Coxiella-like bacterial DNA was detected in adult fully engorged females of R. sanguineus (7.7%, 13/168), R. (B.) microplus (3.3%, 4/123) and H. anatolicum (1.9%, 1/54). Coxiella-like bacterial DNA lacked in adult male or nymphal stage. The infection rate did not vary significantly between seasons, nor according to sex or age of the host. Six nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA and SOD genes are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid35437949, year = {2022}, author = {Zhou, JC and Shang, D and Qian, Q and Zhang, C and Zhang, LS and Dong, H}, title = {Penetrance during Wolbachia-mediated parthenogenesis of Trichogramma wasps is reduced by continuous oviposition, associated with exhaustion of Wolbachia titers in ovary and offspring eggs.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {78}, number = {7}, pages = {3080-3089}, doi = {10.1002/ps.6934}, pmid = {35437949}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {//Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program (CAAS-ZDRW202108)/ ; //Fundamental Research Funds for the Universities of Liaoning Province (LR2019061, LJKZ0646)/ ; //Major Projects of China National Tobacco Corporation (110202001032 (LS-01))/ ; //Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (2020-BS-137)/ ; //Projects of Guizhou Tobacco Corporation (201936, 201937, and 201941)/ ; //Projects of National Natural Science Foundation of China (32102275, 32172476)/ ; //Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province/ ; //Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program/ ; //China National Tobacco Corporation/ ; //National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Ovary ; Oviposition ; Parthenogenesis ; Penetrance ; *Wasps/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Thelytokous Wolbachia-infected Trichogramma wasps are superior to bisexual uninfected wasps regarding biological control programs. However, continuous oviposition weakens the parthenogenesis-inducing (PI) strength of Wolbachia. Whether this reduced PI strength relates to decreases in the titer of Wolbachia in the ovary and offspring eggs of Trichogramma remains unclear. Here, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) methods, we investigated how the penetrance of Wolbachia-mediated parthenogenesis, Wolbachia density, and distributions of two Wolbachia-infected Trichogramma species, T. pretiosum (TP) and T. dendrolimi (TD), were influenced by different host access treatments [newly-emerged virgin females (NE), 7-day-old females without access to host eggs (NAH), and 7-day-old virgin females with access to host eggs (AH)].<br><br>RESULTS: Continuous oviposition decreased Wolbachia PI strength and titers in TP and TD. Continuous oviposition in AH decreased Wolbachia titers in abdomen and offspring eggs of TP and TD females, compared with NAH and NE; NAH had a lower thorax Wolbachia titer than NE. The numbers of parasitized host eggs and offspring wasps, and emergence rates of offspring deposited by AH were lower than those of NE and NAH, for either species.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Weakened PI strength, driven by continuous oviposition in Trichogramma wasps, is associated with Wolbachia titer exhaustion in ovary and offspring eggs. Wolbachia density is dependent on PI strength in Trichogramma wasps, highlighting the side effects of continuous oviposition regarding thelytokous Wolbachia-infected Trichogramma in biological control programs. &#xa9; 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid35432921, year = {2022}, author = {Darwell, CT and Souto-Vilarós, D and Michalek, J and Boutsi, S and Isua, B and Sisol, M and Kuyaiva, T and Weiblen, G and Křivan, V and Novotny, V and Segar, ST}, title = {Predicting distributions of Wolbachia strains through host ecological contact-Who's manipulating whom?.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {e8826}, pmid = {35432921}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Reproductive isolation in response to divergent selection is often mediated via third-party interactions. Under these conditions, speciation is inextricably linked to ecological context. We present a novel framework for understanding arthropod speciation as mediated by Wolbachia, a microbial endosymbiont capable of causing host cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). We predict that sympatric host sister-species harbor paraphyletic Wolbachia strains that provide CI, while well-defined congeners in ecological contact and recently diverged noninteracting congeners are uninfected due to Wolbachia redundancy. We argue that Wolbachia provides an adaptive advantage when coupled with reduced hybrid fitness, facilitating assortative mating between co-occurring divergent phenotypes-the contact contingency hypothesis. To test this, we applied a predictive algorithm to empirical pollinating fig wasp data, achieving up to 91.60% accuracy. We further postulate that observed temporal decay of Wolbachia incidence results from adaptive host purging-adaptive decay hypothesis-but implementation failed to predict systematic patterns. We then account for post-zygotic offspring mortality during CI mating, modeling fitness clines across developmental resources-the fecundity trade-off hypothesis. This model regularly favored CI despite fecundity losses. We demonstrate that a rules-based algorithm accurately predicts Wolbachia infection status. This has implications among other systems where closely related sympatric species encounter adaptive disadvantage through hybridization.}, }
@article {pmid35418670, year = {2022}, author = {Titus, BM and Daly, M}, title = {Population genomics for symbiotic anthozoans: can reduced representation approaches be used for taxa without reference genomes?.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {128}, number = {5}, pages = {338-351}, pmid = {35418670}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {Animals ; Genome/genetics ; Genomics/methods ; Humans ; *Metagenomics/methods ; Phylogeny ; *Sea Anemones/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {Population genetic studies of symbiotic anthozoans have been historically challenging because their endosymbioses with dinoflagellates have impeded marker development. Genomic approaches like reduced representation sequencing alleviate marker development issues but produce anonymous loci, and without a reference genome, it is unknown which organism is contributing to the observed patterns. Alternative methods such as bait-capture sequencing targeting Ultra-Conserved Elements are now possible but costly. Thus, RADseq remains attractive, but how useful are these methods for symbiotic anthozoan taxa without a reference genome to separate anthozoan from algal sequences? We explore this through a case-study using a double-digest RADseq dataset for the sea anemone Bartholomea annulata. We assembled a holobiont dataset (3854 loci) for 101 individuals, then used a reference genome to create an aposymbiotic dataset (1402 loci). For both datasets, we investigated population structure and used coalescent simulations to estimate demography and population parameters. We demonstrate complete overlap in the spatial patterns of genetic diversity, demographic histories, and population parameter estimates for holobiont and aposymbiotic datasets. We hypothesize that the unique combination of anthozoan biology, diversity of the endosymbionts, and the manner in which assembly programs identify orthologous loci alleviates the need for reference genomes in some circumstances. We explore this hypothesis by assembling an additional 21 datasets using the assembly programs pyRAD and Stacks. We conclude that RADseq methods are more tractable for symbiotic anthozoans without reference genomes than previously realized.}, }
@article {pmid35417002, year = {2022}, author = {Tamarozzi, F and Rodari, P and Salas-Coronas, J and Bottieau, E and Salvador, F and Soriano-Pérez, MJ and Cabeza-Barrera, MI and Van Esbroeck, M and Treviño, B and Buonfrate, D and Gobbi, FG}, title = {A large case series of travel-related Mansonella perstans (vector-borne filarial nematode): a TropNet study in Europe.}, journal = {Journal of travel medicine}, volume = {29}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {35417002}, issn = {1708-8305}, support = {//Ministry of Health/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Mansonella ; *Mansonelliasis/diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Travel ; Mebendazole/therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Travel-Related Illness ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Infection with Mansonella perstans is a neglected filariasis, widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, characterized by an elusive clinical picture; treatment for mansonellosis is not standardized. This retrospective study aimed to describe the clinical features, treatment schemes and evolution, of a large cohort of imported cases of M. perstans infection seen in four European centres for tropical diseases.<br><br>METHODS: Mansonella perstans infections, diagnosed by identification of blood microfilariae in migrants, expatriates and travellers, collected between 1994 and 2018, were retrospectively analysed. Data concerning demographics, clinical history and laboratory examinations at diagnosis and at follow-up time points were retrieved.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 392 patients were included in the study. Of the 281 patients for whom information on symptoms could be retrieved, 150 (53.4%) reported symptoms, abdominal pain and itching being the most frequent. Positive serology and eosinophilia were present in 84.4% and 66.1%, respectively, of those patients for whom these data were available. Concomitant parasitic infections were reported in 23.5% of patients. Treatment, administered to 325 patients (82.9%), was extremely heterogeneous between and within centres; the most commonly used regimen was mebendazole 100&#xa0;mg twice a day for 1 month. A total of 256 (65.3%) patients attended a first follow-up, median 3&#xa0;months (interquartile range 2-12) after the first visit; 83.1% of patients having received treatment based on mebendazole and/or doxycycline, targeting Wolbachia, became amicrofilaremic, 41.1-78.4% of whom within 12&#xa0;months from single treatment.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Lack of specific symptoms, together with the inconstant positivity of parasitological and antibody-based assays in the infected population, makes the clinical suspicion and screening for mansonellosis particularly difficult. Prospective studies evaluating prevalence of infection in migrants from endemic areas, infection-specific morbidity, presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts in M. perstans populations from different geographical areas and efficacy of treatment regimens are absolutely needed to optimize the clinical management of infection.}, }
@article {pmid35416714, year = {2022}, author = {Gu, X and Lu, X and Lin, S and Shi, X and Shen, Y and Lu, Q and Yang, Y and Yang, J and Cai, J and Fu, C and Lou, Y and Zheng, M}, title = {A Comparative Genomic Approach to Determine the Virulence Factors and Horizontal Gene Transfer Events of Clinical Acanthamoeba Isolates.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {2}, pages = {e0002522}, pmid = {35416714}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {*Acanthamoeba/genetics/microbiology ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genomics ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Pseudomonas ; Virulence Factors/genetics ; }, abstract = {Acanthamoeba species are among the most ubiquitous protists that are widespread in soil and water and act as both a replicative niche and vectors for dispersal. They are the most important human intracellular pathogens, causing Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and severely damaging the human cornea. The sympatric lifestyle within the host and amoeba-resisting microorganisms (ARMs) promotes horizontal gene transfer (HGT). However, the genomic diversity of only A. castellanii and A. polyphaga has been widely studied, and the pathogenic mechanisms remain unknown. Thus, we examined 7 clinically pathogenic strains by comparative genomic, phylogenetic, and rhizome gene mosaicism analyses to explore amoeba-symbiont interactions that possibly contribute to pathogenesis. Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis showed differences in functional characteristics between the "open" state of T3 and T4 isolates, which may contribute to the differences in virulence and pathogenicity. Through comparative genomic analysis, we identified potential genes related to virulence, such as metalloprotease, laminin-binding protein, and HSP, that were specific to the genus Acanthamoeba. Then, analysis of putative sequence trafficking between Acanthamoeba and Pandoraviruses or Acanthamoeba castellanii medusaviruses provided the best hits with viral genes; among bacteria, Pseudomonas had the most significant numbers. The most parsimonious evolutionary scenarios were between Acanthamoeba and endosymbionts; nevertheless, in most cases, the scenarios are more complex. In addition, the differences in exchanged genes were limited to the same family. In brief, this study provided extensive data to suggest the existence of HGT between Acanthamoeba and ARMs, explaining the occurrence of diseases and challenging Darwin's concept of eukaryotic evolution. IMPORTANCEAcanthamoeba has the ability to cause serious blinding keratitis. Although the prevalence of this phenomenon has increased in recent years, our knowledge of the underlying opportunistic pathogenic mechanism maybe remains incomplete. In this study, we highlighted the importance of Pseudomonas in the pathogenesis pathway using comprehensive a whole genomics approach of clinical isolates. The horizontal gene transfer events help to explain how endosymbionts contribute Acanthamoeba to act as an opportunistic pathogen. Our study opens up several potential avenues for future research on the differences in pathogenicity and interactions among clinical strains.}, }
@article {pmid35414231, year = {2022}, author = {Hornett, EA and Kageyama, D and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Sex determination systems as the interface between male-killing bacteria and their hosts.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {289}, number = {1972}, pages = {20212781}, pmid = {35414231}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods/microbiology ; Bacteria/genetics ; Male ; Sex Ratio ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Arthropods host a range of sex-ratio-distorting selfish elements, including diverse maternally inherited endosymbionts that solely kill infected males. Male-killing heritable microbes are common, reach high frequency, but until recently have been poorly understood in terms of the host-microbe interaction. Additionally, while male killing should generate strong selection for host resistance, evidence of this has been scant. The interface of the microbe with host sex determination is integral to the understanding of how death is sex limited and how hosts can evolve evasion of male killing. We first review current knowledge of the mechanisms diverse endosymbionts use to induce male-specific death. We then examine recent evidence that these agents do produce intense selection for host nuclear suppressor elements. We argue, from our understanding of male-killing mechanisms, that suppression will commonly involve evolution of the host sex determination pathways and that the host's response to male-killing microbes thus represents an unrecognized driver of the diversity of arthropod sex determination. Further work is required to identify the genes and mechanisms responsible for male-killing suppression, which will both determine the components of sex determination (or other) systems associated with suppressor evolution, and allow insight into the mechanism of male killing itself.}, }
@article {pmid35413060, year = {2022}, author = {Vandepol, N and Liber, J and Yocca, A and Matlock, J and Edger, P and Bonito, G}, title = {Linnemannia elongata (Mortierellaceae) stimulates Arabidopsis thaliana aerial growth and responses to auxin, ethylene, and reactive oxygen species.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {17}, number = {4}, pages = {e0261908}, pmid = {35413060}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*Arabidopsis/metabolism ; *Burkholderia/genetics ; Ethylenes ; Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology ; Plant Roots/metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Harnessing the plant microbiome has the potential to improve agricultural yields and protect plants against pathogens and/or abiotic stresses, while also relieving economic and environmental costs of crop production. While previous studies have gained valuable insights into the underlying genetics facilitating plant-fungal interactions, these have largely been skewed towards certain fungal clades (e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi). Several different phyla of fungi have been shown to positively impact plant growth rates, including Mortierellaceae fungi. However, the extent of the plant growth promotion (PGP) phenotype(s), their underlying mechanism(s), and the impact of bacterial endosymbionts on fungal-plant interactions remain poorly understood for Mortierellaceae. In this study, we focused on the symbiosis between soil fungus Linnemannia elongata (Mortierellaceae) and Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae), as both organisms have high-quality reference genomes and transcriptomes available, and their lifestyles and growth requirements are conducive to research conditions. Further, L. elongata can host bacterial endosymbionts related to Mollicutes and Burkholderia. The role of these endobacteria on facilitating fungal-plant associations, including potentially further promoting plant growth, remains completely unexplored. We measured Arabidopsis aerial growth at early and late life stages, seed production, and used mRNA sequencing to characterize differentially expressed plant genes in response to fungal inoculation with and without bacterial endosymbionts. We found that L. elongata improved aerial plant growth, seed mass and altered the plant transcriptome, including the upregulation of genes involved in plant hormones and "response to oxidative stress", "defense response to bacterium", and "defense response to fungus". Furthermore, the expression of genes in certain phytohormone biosynthetic pathways were found to be modified in plants treated with L. elongata. Notably, the presence of Mollicutes- or Burkholderia-related endosymbionts in Linnemannia did not impact the expression of genes in Arabidopsis or overall growth rates. Together, these results indicate that beneficial plant growth promotion and seed mass impacts of L. elongata on Arabidopsis are likely driven by plant hormone and defense transcription responses after plant-fungal contact, and that plant phenotypic and transcriptional responses are independent of whether the fungal symbiont is colonized by Mollicutes or Burkholderia-related endohyphal bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid35395710, year = {2022}, author = {Camp, EF and Nitschke, MR and Clases, D and Gonzalez de Vega, R and Reich, HG and Goyen, S and Suggett, DJ}, title = {Micronutrient content drives elementome variability amongst the Symbiodiniaceae.}, journal = {BMC plant biology}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {184}, pmid = {35395710}, issn = {1471-2229}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; *Dinoflagellida ; Micronutrients ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Elements are the basis of life on Earth, whereby organisms are essentially evolved chemical substances that dynamically interact with each other and their environment. Determining species elemental quotas (their elementome) is a key indicator for their success across environments with different resource availabilities. Elementomes remain undescribed for functionally diverse dinoflagellates within the family Symbiodiniaceae that includes coral endosymbionts. We used dry combustion and ICP-MS to assess whether Symbiodiniaceae (ten isolates spanning five genera Breviolum, Cladocopium, Durusdinium, Effrenium, Symbiodinium) maintained under long-term nutrient replete conditions have unique elementomes (six key macronutrients and nine micronutrients) that would reflect evolutionarily conserved preferential elemental acquisition. For three isolates we assessed how elevated temperature impacted their elementomes. Further, we tested whether Symbiodiniaceae conform to common stoichiometric hypotheses (e.g., the growth rate hypothesis) documented in other marine algae. This study considers whether Symbiodiniaceae isolates possess unique elementomes reflective of their natural ecologies, evolutionary histories, and resistance to environmental change.<br><br>RESULTS: Symbiodiniaceae isolates maintained under long-term luxury uptake conditions, all exhibited highly divergent elementomes from one another, driven primarily by differential content of micronutrients. All N:P and C:P ratios were below the Redfield ratio values, whereas C:N was close to the Redfield value. Elevated temperature resulted in a more homogenised elementome across isolates. The Family-level elementome was (C19.8N2.6 P1.0S18.8K0.7Ca0.1) &#xb7; 1000 (Fe55.7Mn5.6Sr2.3Zn0.8Ni0.5Se0.3Cu0.2Mo0.1V0.04) mmol Phosphorous[-1] versus (C25.4N3.1P1.0S23.1K0.9Ca0.4) &#xb7; 1000 (Fe66.7Mn6.3Sr7.2Zn0.8Ni0.4Se0.2Cu0.2Mo0.2V0.05) mmol Phosphorous [-1] at 27.4 &#xb1; 0.4 &#xb0;C and 30.7 &#xb1; 0.01 &#xb0;C, respectively. Symbiodiniaceae isolates tested here conformed to some, but not all, stoichiometric principles.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Elementomes for Symbiodiniaceae diverge from those reported for other marine algae, primarily via lower C:N:P and different micronutrient expressions. Long-term maintenance of Symbiodiniaceae isolates in culture under common nutrient replete conditions suggests isolates have evolutionary conserved preferential uptake for certain elements that allows these unique elementomes to be identified. Micronutrient content (normalised to phosphorous) commonly increased in the Symbiodiniaceae isolates in response to elevated temperature, potentially indicating a common elemental signature to warming.}, }
@article {pmid35373850, year = {2022}, author = {Ajendra, J and Allen, JE}, title = {Neutrophils: Friend or foe in Filariasis?.}, journal = {Parasite immunology}, volume = {44}, number = {6}, pages = {e12918}, doi = {10.1111/pim.12918}, pmid = {35373850}, issn = {1365-3024}, support = {MR/V011235/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; 106898/A/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Elephantiasis, Filarial ; *Filarioidea ; Humans ; Immunity ; Mice ; Neutrophils ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Infection with the filarial nematodes that cause diseases such as lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis represent major public health challenges. With millions of people at risk of infection, new strategies for treatment or prevention are urgently needed. More complete understanding of the host immune system's ability to control and eliminate the infection is an important step towards fighting these debilitating infectious diseases. Neutrophils are innate immune cells that are rapidly recruited to inflamed or infected tissues and while considered primarily anti-microbial, there is increasing recognition of their role in helminth infections. Filarial nematodes present a unique situation, as many species harbour the bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia. The unexpected involvement of neutrophils during filarial infections has been revealed both in human diseases and animal studies, with strong evidence for recruitment by Wolbachia. This present review will introduce the different human filarial diseases and discuss neutrophil involvement in both protective immune responses, but also in the exacerbation of pathology. Additionally, we will highlight the contributions of the murine model of filariasis, Litomosoides sigmodontis. While several studies have revealed the importance of neutrophils in these parasite infections, we will also draw attention to many questions that remain to be answered.}, }
@article {pmid35369521, year = {2022}, author = {Lupini, S and Peña-Bahamonde, J and Bonito, G and Rodrigues, DF}, title = {Effect of Endosymbiotic Bacteria on Fungal Resistance Toward Heavy Metals.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {822541}, pmid = {35369521}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Most studies on metal removal or tolerance by fungi or bacteria focus on single isolates, without taking into consideration that some fungi in nature may be colonized by endobacteria. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the tolerance and removal of diverse metals with two fungal species: Linnemannia elongata containing Burkholderia-related endobacteria and Benniella erionia containing Mollicute-related endobacteria. Isogenic lines of both species were generated with antibiotic treatments to remove their respective endobacteria. Experiments involved comparing the isogenic lines and wild type fungi in relation to the minimum inhibitory concentration for the metals, the fungal ability to remove these different metals via atomic adsorption spectroscopy, and the interaction of the metals with specific functional groups of the fungi and fungi-bacteria to determine the role of the bacteria via attenuated total reflection fourier transformed infrared (ATR-FTIR). Finally, we determined the influence of different metal concentrations, associated with moderate and high fungal growth inhibition, on the presence of the endobacteria inside the fungal mycelium via quantitative real-time PCR. Results showed that the presence of the endosymbiont increased B. erionia resistance to Mn[2+] and increased the removal of Fe[2+] compared to isogenic lines. The absence of the endosymbiont in L. elongata increased the fungal resistance toward Fe[2+] and improved the removal of Fe[2+]. Furthermore, when the bacterial endosymbiont was present in L. elongata, a decrease in the fungal resistance to Ca[2+], Fe[2+], and Cr[6+]was noticeable. In the ATR-FTIR analysis, we determined that C-H and C = O were the major functional groups affected by the presence of Cu[2+], Mn[2+], and Fe[2+] for L. elongata and in the presence of Cu[2+] and Ca[2+] for B. eronia. It is noteworthy that the highest concentration of Pb[2+] led to the loss of endobacteria in both L. elongata and B. eronia, while the other metals generally increased the concentration of endosymbionts inside the fungal mycelium. From these results, we concluded that bacterial endosymbionts of fungi can play a fundamental role in fungal resistance to metals. This study provides the first step toward a greater understanding of symbiotic interactions between bacteria and fungi in relation to metal tolerance and remediation.}, }
@article {pmid35369505, year = {2022}, author = {Flores, E and Romanovicz, DK and Nieves-Morión, M and Foster, RA and Villareal, TA}, title = {Adaptation to an Intracellular Lifestyle by a Nitrogen-Fixing, Heterocyst-Forming Cyanobacterial Endosymbiont of a Diatom.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {799362}, pmid = {35369505}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The symbiosis between the diatom Hemiaulus hauckii and the heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium Richelia intracellularis makes an important contribution to new production in the world's oceans, but its study is limited by short-term survival in the laboratory. In this symbiosis, R. intracellularis fixes atmospheric dinitrogen in the heterocyst and provides H. hauckii with fixed nitrogen. Here, we conducted an electron microscopy study of H. hauckii and found that the filaments of the R. intracellularis symbiont, typically composed of one terminal heterocyst and three or four vegetative cells, are located in the diatom's cytoplasm not enclosed by a host membrane. A second prokaryotic cell was also detected in the cytoplasm of H. hauckii, but observations were infrequent. The heterocysts of R. intracellularis differ from those of free-living heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria in that the specific components of the heterocyst envelope seem to be located in the periplasmic space instead of outside the outer membrane. This specialized arrangement of the heterocyst envelope and a possible association of the cyanobacterium with oxygen-respiring mitochondria may be important for protection of the nitrogen-fixing enzyme, nitrogenase, from photosynthetically produced oxygen. The cell envelope of the vegetative cells of R. intracellularis contained numerous membrane vesicles that resemble the outer-inner membrane vesicles of Gram-negative bacteria. These vesicles can export cytoplasmic material from the bacterial cell and, therefore, may represent a vehicle for transfer of fixed nitrogen from R. intracellularis to the diatom's cytoplasm. The specific morphological features of R. intracellularis described here, together with its known streamlined genome, likely represent specific adaptations of this cyanobacterium to an intracellular lifestyle.}, }
@article {pmid35369485, year = {2022}, author = {Hussain, S and Perveen, N and Hussain, A and Song, B and Aziz, MU and Zeb, J and Li, J and George, D and Cabezas-Cruz, A and Sparagano, O}, title = {The Symbiotic Continuum Within Ticks: Opportunities for Disease Control.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {854803}, pmid = {35369485}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Among blood-sucking arthropods, ticks are recognized as being of prime global importance because of their role as vectors of pathogens affecting human and animal health. Ticks carry a variety of pathogenic, commensal, and symbiotic microorganisms. For the latter, studies are available concerning the detection of endosymbionts, but their role in the physiology and ecology of ticks remains largely unexplored. This review paper focuses on tick endosymbionts of the genera Coxiella, Rickettsia, Francisella, Midichloria, and Wolbachia, and their impact on ticks and tick-pathogen interactions that drive disease risk. Tick endosymbionts can affect tick physiology by influencing nutritional adaptation, fitness, and immunity. Further, symbionts may influence disease ecology, as they interact with tick-borne pathogens and can facilitate or compete with pathogen development within the vector tissues. Rickettsial symbionts are frequently found in ticks of the genera of Ixodes, Amblyomma, and Dermacentor with relatively lower occurrence in Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, and Hyalomma ticks, while Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) were reported infecting almost all tick species tested. Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) have been identified in tick genera such as Dermacentor, Amblyomma, Ornithodoros, Ixodes, and Hyalomma, whereas Wolbachia sp. has been detected in Ixodes, Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus tick genera. Notably, CLEs and FLEs are obligate endosymbionts essential for tick survival and development through the life cycle. American dog ticks showed greater motility when infected with Rickettsia, indirectly influencing infection risk, providing evidence of a relationship between tick endosymbionts and tick-vectored pathogens. The widespread occurrence of endosymbionts across the tick phylogeny and evidence of their functional roles in ticks and interference with tick-borne pathogens suggests a significant contribution to tick evolution and/or vector competence. We currently understand relatively little on how these endosymbionts influence tick parasitism, vector capacity, pathogen transmission and colonization, and ultimately on how they influence tick-borne disease dynamics. Filling this knowledge gap represents a major challenge for future research.}, }
@article {pmid35364056, year = {2022}, author = {Andreychuk, S and Yakob, L}, title = {Mathematical modelling to assess the feasibility of Wolbachia in malaria vector biocontrol.}, journal = {Journal of theoretical biology}, volume = {542}, number = {}, pages = {111110}, doi = {10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111110}, pmid = {35364056}, issn = {1095-8541}, mesh = {*Aedes ; Animals ; *Anopheles ; Feasibility Studies ; *Malaria ; Models, Theoretical ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Releasing mosquitoes transinfected with the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia is a novel strategy for interrupting vector-borne pathogen transmission. Following its success in controlling arboviruses spread by Aedes aegypti, this technology is being adapted for anopheline malaria vectors. However, antagonistic interactions between Wolbachia and naturally resident Asaia bacteria in malaria vectors have been demonstrated experimentally, potentially jeopardising Wolbachia biocontrol. We developed the first mathematical model accounting for interspecific competition between endosymbionts to assess the feasibility of this novel strategy for controlling malaria. First, Asaia prevalences among natural mosquito populations were compared with simulations parametrized with rates of Asaia transmission reported from laboratory studies. Discrepancies between projections and natural Asaia prevalences indicated potential overestimation of Asaia transmissibility in artificial laboratory settings. With parametrization that matches natural Asaia prevalence, simulations identified redundancies in Asaia's many infection routes (vertical, sexual and environmental). This resilience was only overcome when Wolbachia conferred very high resistance to environmental infection with Asaia, resulting in Wolbachia fixation and Asaia exclusion. Wolbachia's simulated spread was prevented when its maternal transmission was impeded in coinfected mosquitoes and the pre-control Asaia prevalence was beyond a threshold of 60-75%. This theoretical assessment highlights critical next steps in laboratory experiments to inform this strategy's feasibility.}, }
@article {pmid35357208, year = {2022}, author = {Strunov, A and Schmidt, K and Kapun, M and Miller, WJ}, title = {Restriction of Wolbachia Bacteria in Early Embryogenesis of Neotropical Drosophila Species via Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mediated Autophagy.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {e0386321}, pmid = {35357208}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {P 32275/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Autophagy ; Drosophila/microbiology ; Embryonic Development ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are maternally transmitted intracellular bacteria that are not only restricted to the reproductive organs but also found in various somatic tissues of their native hosts. The abundance of the endosymbiont in the soma, usually a dead end for vertically transmitted bacteria, causes a multitude of effects on life history traits of their hosts, which are still not well understood. Thus, deciphering the host-symbiont interactions on a cellular level throughout a host's life cycle is of great importance to understand their homeostatic nature, persistence, and spreading success. Using fluorescent and transmission electron microscopy, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of Wolbachia tropism in soma and germ line of six Drosophila species at the intracellular level during host development. Our data uncovered diagnostic patterns of infections to embryonic primordial germ cells and to particular cells of the soma in three different neotropical Drosophila species that have apparently evolved independently. We further found that restricted patterns of Wolbachia tropism are determined in early embryogenesis via selective autophagy, and their spatially restricted infection patterns are preserved in adult flies. We observed tight interactions of Wolbachia with membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, which might play a scaffolding role for autophagosome formation and subsequent elimination of the endosymbiont. Finally, by analyzing D. simulans lines transinfected with nonnative Wolbachia, we uncovered that the host genetic background regulates tissue tropism of infection. Our data demonstrate a novel and peculiar mechanism to limit and spatially restrict bacterial infection in the soma during a very early stage of host development. IMPORTANCE All organisms are living in close and intimate interactions with microbes that cause conflicts but also cooperation between both unequal genetic partners due to their different innate interests of primarily enhancing their own fitness. However, stable symbioses often result in homeostatic interaction, named mutualism, by balancing costs and benefits, where both partners profit. Mechanisms that have evolved to balance and stably maintain homeostasis in mutualistic relationships are still quite understudied; one strategy is to "domesticate" potentially beneficial symbionts by actively controlling their replication rate below a critical and, hence, costly threshold, and/or to spatially and temporally restrict their localization in the host organism, which, in the latter case, in its most extreme form, is the formation of a specialized housing organ for the microbe (bacteriome). However, questions remain: how do these mutualistic associations become established in their first place, and what are the mechanisms for symbiont control and restriction in their early stages? Here, we have uncovered an unprecedented symbiont control mechanism in neotropical Drosophila species during early embryogenesis. The fruit fly evolved selective autophagy to restrict and control the proliferation of its intracellular endosymbiont Wolbachia in a defined subset of the stem cells as soon as the host's zygotic genome is activated.}, }
@article {pmid35353007, year = {2022}, author = {Li, TP and Zhou, CY and Wang, MK and Zha, SS and Chen, J and Bing, XL and Hoffmann, AA and Hong, XY}, title = {Endosymbionts Reduce Microbiome Diversity and Modify Host Metabolism and Fecundity in the Planthopper Sogatella furcifera.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {7}, number = {2}, pages = {e0151621}, pmid = {35353007}, issn = {2379-5077}, mesh = {Animals ; Fertility ; Reproduction ; Bacteroidetes ; *Microbiota ; Nymph ; *Wolbachia ; *Hemiptera ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts can strongly affect bacterial microbiota in pests. The white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera, a notorious pest in rice, is usually co-infected with Cardinium and Wolbachia, but the effects of these endosymbionts together or individually on the host microbiome and fecundity are unclear. Here, we established three S. furcifera lines (Cardinium and Wolbachia double-infected, Cardinium single-infected, and both-uninfected lines) backcrossed to a common nuclear background and found that single and double infections reduced bacterial diversity and changed bacterial community structure across nymph and adult stages and across adult tissues. The endosymbionts differed in densities between adults and nymphs as well as across adult tissues, with the distribution of Cardinium affected by Wolbachia. Both the single infection and particularly the double infection reduced host fecundity. Lines also differed in levels of metabolites, some of which may influence fecundity (e.g., arginine biosynthesis and nicotinamide metabolism). Cardinium in the single-infected line upregulated metabolic levels, while Wolbachia in the double-infected line appeared to mainly downregulate them. Association analysis pointed to possible connections between various bacteria and differential metabolites. These results reveal that Cardinium by itself and in combination with Wolbachia affect bacterial microbiota and levels of metabolites, with likely effects on host fecundity. Many of the effects of these metabolically limited endosymbionts that are dependent on the hosts may be exerted through manipulation of the microbiome. IMPORTANCE Endosymbionts can profoundly affect the nutrition, immunity, development, and reproduction of insect hosts, but the effects of multiple endosymbiont infections on microbiota and the interaction of these effects with insect host fitness are not well known. By establishing S. furcifera lines with different endosymbiont infection status, we found that Cardinium and the combined Cardinium + Wolbachia infections differentially reduced bacterial diversity as well as changing bacterial community structure and affecting metabolism, which may connect to negative fitness effects of the endosymbionts on their host. These results established the connections between reduced bacterial diversity, decreased fecundity and metabolic responses in S. furcifera.}, }
@article {pmid35350856, year = {2022}, author = {Katlav, A and Cook, JM and Riegler, M}, title = {Common endosymbionts affect host fitness and sex allocation via egg size provisioning.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {289}, number = {1971}, pages = {20212582}, pmid = {35350856}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods ; Bacteroidetes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {It is hard to overemphasize the importance of endosymbionts in arthropod biology, ecology and evolution. Some endosymbionts can complement host metabolic function or provide defence against pathogens; others, such as ubiquitous Wolbachia and Cardinium, have evolved strategies to manipulate host reproduction. A common reproductive manipulation strategy is cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) between differently infected individuals which can result in female mortality or male development of fertilized eggs in haplodiploid hosts. Recently, an additional role of endosymbionts has been recognized in the modification of sex allocation in sexually reproducing haplodiploids. This was theoretically expected due to the maternal inheritance of endosymbionts and natural selection for them to increase infected female production, yet the underlying mechanism remained unknown. Here, we tested whether and how Cardinium and Wolbachia causing different CI types interact to increase female production in a haplodiploid thrips species where sex allocation depends on both maternal condition and egg size provisioning. We found that Cardinium augmented female production by increasing maternal fitness and egg size, thereby boosting fertilization rate and offspring fitness. Wolbachia, in contrast, reduced the beneficial effects of Cardinium. Our results demonstrate different invasion strategies and antagonistic effects of endosymbiotic bacteria on host fitness and evolution of sex allocation.}, }
@article {pmid35349818, year = {2022}, author = {Hochstrasser, M}, title = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility: A Wolbachia toxin-antidote mechanism comes into view.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {32}, number = {6}, pages = {R287-R289}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.014}, pmid = {35349818}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {R35 GM136325/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Antidotes ; Cytoplasm ; Cytosol ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The Wolbachia cidA and cidB genes promote bacterial endosymbiont inheritance through the host female germline. CidB is now shown to load into maturing sperm nuclei. Following fertilization, it disrupts paternal chromosome condensation, triggering embryonic arrest if not countered by CidA in Wolbachia-infected eggs.}, }
@article {pmid35349727, year = {2022}, author = {Hsu, V and Pfab, F and Moeller, HV}, title = {Niche expansion via acquired metabolism facilitates competitive dominance in planktonic communities.}, journal = {Ecology}, volume = {103}, number = {7}, pages = {e3693}, doi = {10.1002/ecy.3693}, pmid = {35349727}, issn = {1939-9170}, mesh = {*Ecosystem ; *Paramecium ; Photosynthesis ; Plankton ; }, abstract = {Acquired phototrophs, organisms that obtain their photosynthetic abilities by hosting endosymbionts or stealing plastids from their prey, are omnipresent in aquatic ecosystems. This acquisition of photosynthetic metabolism allows for niche expansion, and can therefore influence competition outcomes by alleviating competition for shared resources. Here, we test how acquired metabolism alters competitive outcomes by manipulating light availability to control the energetic contribution of photosynthesis to acquired phototrophs. Using freshwater protists that compete for bacterial prey, we demonstrate light-dependent competition outcomes of acquired phototrophs (Paramecium bursaria) and strict heterotrophs (Colpidium sp.) in laboratory model experiments. We then synthesize these findings using a series of mathematical models, and show that explicitly accounting for resource competition improves model fits. Both empirical and mathematical models predict that the acquired phototroph should increase in competitive dominance with increasing light availability. Our results highlight the importance of acquired metabolism to community dynamics, highlighting the need for more empirical and theoretical studies of this mechanism for niche expansion.}, }
@article {pmid35346758, year = {2022}, author = {Bazzocchi, C and Genchi, M and Lucchetti, C and Cafiso, A and Ciuca, L and McCall, J and Kramer, LH and Vismarra, A}, title = {Transporter gene expression and Wolbachia quantification in adults of Dirofilaria immitis treated in vitro with ivermectin or moxidectin alone or in combination with doxycycline for 12 h.}, journal = {Molecular and biochemical parasitology}, volume = {249}, number = {}, pages = {111475}, doi = {10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111475}, pmid = {35346758}, issn = {1872-9428}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics ; *Dog Diseases/drug therapy/parasitology/prevention &amp; control ; Dogs ; Doxycycline/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Ivermectin/pharmacology ; Macrolides ; Male ; Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Due to their marked larvicidal activity, macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are used for the prevention of heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs. They have also been shown to eliminate adult parasites after long-term administration, with a so-called "slow-kill" effect. In addition, recent studies have established that a combination of doxycycline, which eliminates the endosymbiont Wolbachia, and MLs has superior adulticide effects when compared to MLs alone. It has been hypothesized that the apparent synergism between doxycycline/MLs may be due to interaction with drug efflux transport proteins. The aim of the present study was to evaluate gene expression of several transport proteins in D. immitis adults treated in vitro either with doxycycline alone, ivermectin alone, moxidectin alone, or a combination of ivermectin or moxidectin with doxycycline for 12 h. Quantitative PCR analysis showed a sex-dependent response to treatments. In female worms, Dim-pgp-10, Dim-haf-1 and Dim-haf-5 were upregulated compared to controls with doxycycline alone and when combined with ivermectin. Moxidectin did not induce any changes in gene expression. In males, moxidectin administered alone induced a slight increase in Dim-pgp-10, Dim-pgp-11and Di-avr-14, while ivermectin in combination with doxycycline produced significant upregulation of the ML receptor Di-avr-14. These results suggest possible synergism between the two drug classes and different susceptibility of males vs. females to adulticide effects.}, }
@article {pmid35346038, year = {2022}, author = {Queffelec, J and Postma, A and Allison, JD and Slippers, B}, title = {Remnants of horizontal transfers of Wolbachia genes in a Wolbachia-free woodwasp.}, journal = {BMC ecology and evolution}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {36}, pmid = {35346038}, issn = {2730-7182}, mesh = {Animals ; *Nematoda ; *Pinus ; *Wasps/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is a bacterial endosymbiont of many arthropod and nematode species. Due to its capacity to alter host biology, Wolbachia plays an important role in arthropod and nematode ecology and evolution. Sirex noctilio is a woodwasp causing economic loss in pine plantations of the Southern Hemisphere. An investigation into the genome of this wasp revealed the presence of Wolbachia sequences. Due to the potential impact of Wolbachia on the populations of this wasp, as well as its potential use as a biological control agent against invasive insects, this discovery warranted investigation.<br><br>RESULTS: In this study we first investigated the presence of Wolbachia in S. noctilio and demonstrated that South African populations of the wasp are unlikely to be infected. We then screened the full genome of S. noctilio and found 12 Wolbachia pseudogenes. Most of these genes constitute building blocks of various transposable elements originating from the Wolbachia genome. Finally, we demonstrate that these genes are distributed in all South African populations of the wasp.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence that S. noctilio might be compatible with a Wolbachia infection and that the bacteria could potentially be used in the future to regulate invasive populations of the wasp. Understanding the mechanisms that led to a loss of Wolbachia infection in S. noctilio could indicate which host species or host population should be sampled to find a Wolbachia strain that could be used as a biological control against S. noctilio.}, }
@article {pmid35339983, year = {2022}, author = {Tashyreva, D and Simpson, AGB and Prokopchuk, G and Škodová-Sveráková, I and Butenko, A and Hammond, M and George, EE and Flegontova, O and Záhonová, K and Faktorová, D and Yabuki, A and Horák, A and Keeling, PJ and Lukeš, J}, title = {Diplonemids - A Review on "New" Flagellates on the Oceanic Block.}, journal = {Protist}, volume = {173}, number = {2}, pages = {125868}, doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2022.125868}, pmid = {35339983}, issn = {1618-0941}, mesh = {Animals ; *Euglenozoa/genetics ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Oceans and Seas ; *Parasites ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Diplonemids are a group of flagellate protists, that belong to the phylum Euglenozoa alongside euglenids, symbiontids and kinetoplastids. They primarily inhabit marine environments, though are also found in freshwater lakes. Diplonemids have been considered as rare and unimportant eukaryotes for over a century, with only a handful of species described until recently. However, thanks to their unprecedented diversity and abundance in the world oceans, diplonemids now attract increased attention. Recent improvements in isolation and cultivation have enabled characterization of several new genera, warranting a re-examination of all available knowledge gathered so far. Here we summarize available data on diplonemids, focusing on the recent advances in the fields of diversity, ecology, genomics, metabolism, and endosymbionts. We illustrate the life stages of cultivated genera, and summarise all reported interspecies associations, which in turn suggest lifestyles of predation and parasitism. This review also includes the latest classification of diplonemids, with a taxonomic revision of the genus Diplonema. Ongoing efforts to sequence various diplonemids suggest the presence of large and complex genomes, which correlate with the metabolic versatility observed in the model species Paradiplonema papillatum. Finally, we highlight its successful transformation into one of few genetically tractable marine protists.}, }
@article {pmid35336121, year = {2022}, author = {Neyaz, M and Gardner, DR and Creamer, R and Cook, D}, title = {Localization of the Swainsonine-Producing Chaetothyriales Symbiont in the Seed and Shoot Apical Meristem in Its Host Ipomoea carnea.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {35336121}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Several species of fungi from the orders Chaetothyriales and Pleosporales have been reported to produce swainsonine and be associated as symbionts with plants of the Convolvulaceae and Fabaceae, respectively. An endosymbiont belonging to the Chaetothyriales produces swainsonine and grows as an epibiont on the adaxial leaf surfaces of Ipomoea carnea, but how the symbiont passes through plant growth and development is unknown. Herein, different types of microscopy were used to localize the symbiont in seeds and in cross sections of plant parts. The symbiont was found in several tissues including the hilum, the sclereids, and the hypocotyl of seeds. In five-day old seedlings and mature plants, the symbiont was found in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and the adaxial surface of immature folded leaves. The mycelia generally formed a close association with peltate glandular trichomes. This report provides further data explaining the relationship between the seed transmitted Chaetothyriales symbiont and Ipomoea carnea. These results provide a possible explanation for how this symbiont, and others like Periglandula may persist and are transmitted over time.}, }
@article {pmid35336091, year = {2022}, author = {Petrone, JR and Muñoz-Beristain, A and Glusberger, PR and Russell, JT and Triplett, EW}, title = {Unamplified, Long-Read Metagenomic Sequencing Approach to Close Endosymbiont Genomes of Low-Biomass Insect Populations.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {35336091}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {CRDF: 60100000-209- 2200-CRRNTG000780-GRANTP0004552-1//CRDF/ ; }, abstract = {With the current advancements in DNA sequencing technology, the limiting factor in long-read metagenomic assemblies is now the quantity and quality of input DNA. Although these requirements can be met through the use of axenic bacterial cultures or large amounts of biological material, insect systems that contain unculturable bacteria or that contain a low amount of available DNA cannot fully utilize the benefits of third-generation sequencing. The citrus greening disease insect vector Diaphorina citri is an example that exhibits both of these limitations. Although endosymbiont genomes have mostly been closed after the short-read sequencing of amplified template DNA, creating de novo long-read genomes from the unamplified DNA of an insect population may benefit communities using bioinformatics to study insect pathosystems. Here all four genomes of the infected D. citri microbiome were sequenced to closure using unamplified template DNA and two long-read sequencing technologies. Avoiding amplification bias and using long reads to assemble the bacterial genomes allowed for the circularization of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri for the first time and paralleled the annotation context of all four reference genomes without utilizing a traditional hybrid assembly. The strategies detailed here are suitable for the sequencing of other insect systems for which the input DNA, time, and cost are an issue.}, }
@article {pmid35328804, year = {2022}, author = {Pacheco, PJ and Cabrera, JJ and Jiménez-Leiva, A and Bedmar, EJ and Mesa, S and Tortosa, G and Delgado, MJ}, title = {Effect of Copper on Expression of Functional Genes and Proteins Associated with Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens Denitrification.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {23}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {35328804}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {*Bradyrhizobium/genetics/metabolism ; *Copper/metabolism/pharmacology ; Denitrification/genetics ; Nitrates/metabolism/pharmacology ; Nitrite Reductases/genetics/metabolism ; Nitrogen Oxides/metabolism ; Soil ; }, abstract = {Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Denitrification is one of the largest sources of N2O in soils. The soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens is a model for rhizobial denitrification studies since, in addition to fixing N2, it has the ability to grow anaerobically under free-living conditions by reducing nitrate from the medium through the complete denitrification pathway. This bacterium contains a periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap), a copper (Cu)-containing nitrite reductase (NirK), a c-type nitric oxide reductase (cNor), and a Cu-dependent nitrous oxide reductase (Nos) encoded by the napEDABC, nirK, norCBQD and nosRZDFYLX genes, respectively. In this work, an integrated study of the role of Cu in B. diazoefficiens denitrification has been performed. A notable reduction in nirK, nor, and nos gene expression observed under Cu limitation was correlated with a significant decrease in NirK, NorC and NosZ protein levels and activities. Meanwhile, nap expression was not affected by Cu, but a remarkable depletion in Nap activity was found, presumably due to an inhibitory effect of nitrite accumulated under Cu-limiting conditions. Interestingly, a post-transcriptional regulation by increasing Nap and NirK activities, as well as NorC and NosZ protein levels, was observed in response to high Cu. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the role of Cu in transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of B. diazoefficiens denitrification. Thus, this study will contribute by proposing useful strategies for reducing N2O emissions from agricultural soils.}, }
@article {pmid35325496, year = {2022}, author = {Rotterová, J and Edgcomb, VP and Čepička, I and Beinart, R}, title = {Anaerobic ciliates as a model group for studying symbioses in oxygen-depleted environments.}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {69}, number = {5}, pages = {e12912}, doi = {10.1111/jeu.12912}, pmid = {35325496}, issn = {1550-7408}, support = {//Simons Foundation/ ; 19-19297S//Czech Science Foundation/ ; MCB-0604084//NSF/ ; 9342//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Anaerobiosis ; *Ciliophora/genetics ; Ecosystem ; *Oxygen ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Anaerobiosis has independently evolved in multiple lineages of ciliates, allowing them to colonize a variety of anoxic and oxygen-depleted habitats. Anaerobic ciliates commonly form symbiotic relationships with various prokaryotes, including methanogenic archaea and members of several bacterial groups. The hypothesized functions of these ecto- and endosymbionts include the symbiont utilizing the ciliate's fermentative end products to increase the host's anaerobic metabolic efficiency, or the symbiont directly providing the host with energy by denitrification or photosynthesis. The host, in turn, may protect the symbiont from competition, the environment, and predation. Despite rapid advances in sampling, molecular, and microscopy methods, as well as the associated broadening of the known diversity of anaerobic ciliates, many aspects of these ciliate symbioses, including host specificity and coevolution, remain largely unexplored. Nevertheless, with the number of comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses targeting anaerobic ciliates and their symbionts on the rise, insights into the nature of these symbioses and the evolution of the ciliate transition to obligate anaerobiosis continue to deepen. This review summarizes the current body of knowledge regarding the complex nature of symbioses in anaerobic ciliates, the diversity of these symbionts, their role in the evolution of ciliate anaerobiosis and their significance in ecosystem-level processes.}, }
@article {pmid35323529, year = {2022}, author = {Majeed, MZ and Sayed, S and Bo, Z and Raza, A and Ma, CS}, title = {Bacterial Symbionts Confer Thermal Tolerance to Cereal Aphids Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion avenae.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {35323529}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {31620103914, 31772156//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; Y2017LM10//Fundamental Research Funds of CAAS/ ; CAAS-ZDRW202108, CAAS-ZDRW202012//The Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program/ ; TURSP-2020/92//Taif University Researchers Supporting Project/ ; }, abstract = {High-temperature events are evidenced to exert significant influence on the population performance and thermal biology of insects, such as aphids. However, it is not yet clear whether the bacterial symbionts of insects mediate the thermal tolerance traits of their hosts. This study is intended to assess the putative association among the chronic and acute thermal tolerance of two cereal aphid species, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Sitobion avenae (F.), and the abundance of their bacterial symbionts. The clones of aphids were collected randomly from different fields of wheat crops and were maintained under laboratory conditions. Basal and acclimated CTmax and chronic thermal tolerance indices were measured for 5-day-old apterous aphid individuals and the abundance (gene copy numbers) of aphid-specific and total (16S rRNA) bacterial symbionts were determined using real-time RT-qPCR. The results reveal that R. padi individuals were more temperature tolerant under chronic exposure to 31 °C and also exhibited about 1.0 °C higher acclimated and basal CTmax values than those of S. avenae. Moreover, a significantly higher bacterial symbionts' gene abundance was recorded in temperature-tolerant aphid individuals than the susceptible ones for both aphid species. Although total bacterial (16S rRNA) abundance per aphid was higher in S. avenae than R. padi, the gene abundance of aphid-specific bacterial symbionts was nearly alike for both of the aphid species. Nevertheless, basal and acclimated CTmax values were positively and significantly associated with the gene abundance of total symbiont density, Buchnera aphidicola, Serratia symbiotica, Hamilton defensa, Regiella insecticola and Spiroplasma spp. for R. padi, and with the total symbiont density, total bacteria (16S rRNA) and with all aphid-specific bacterial symbionts (except Spiroplasma spp.) for S. avenae. The overall study results corroborate the potential role of the bacterial symbionts of aphids in conferring thermal tolerance to their hosts.}, }
@article {pmid35305557, year = {2022}, author = {Purkiss, SA and Khudr, MS and Aguinaga, OE and Hager, R}, title = {Symbiont-conferred immunity interacts with effects of parasitoid genotype and intraguild predation to affect aphid immunity in a clone-specific fashion.}, journal = {BMC ecology and evolution}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {33}, pmid = {35305557}, issn = {2730-7182}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; Clone Cells ; Genotype ; *Parasites ; Predatory Behavior ; *Wasps/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Host-parasite interactions represent complex co-evolving systems in which genetic and associated phenotypic variation within a species can significantly affect selective pressures on traits, such as host immunity, in the other. While often modelled as a two-species interaction between host and parasite, some systems are more complex due to effects of host enemies, intraguild predation, and endosymbionts, all of which affect host immunity. However, it remains unclear how these factors, combined with genetic variation in the host and the parasitoid, affect host immunity. We address this question in an important agricultural pest system, the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, which shows significant intraspecific variability in immunity to the parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi. In a complex experiment, we use a quantitative genetic design in the parasitoid, two ecologically different aphid lineages and the aphid lion Chrysoperla carnea as an intraguild predator to unravel the complex interdependencies.<br><br>RESULTS: We demonstrate that aphid immunity as a key trait of this complex host-parasite system is affected by intraspecific genetic variation in the parasitoid and the aphid, the interaction of intraspecific genetic variation with intraguild predation, and differences in defensive endosymbionts between aphid lineages. Further, aphid lineages differ in their altruistic behaviour whereby infested aphids move away from the clonal colony to facilitate predation.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide new insights into the influence of endosymbiosis and genetic variability in an important host-parasitoid system which is influenced by natural enemies of the parasitoid and the aphid, including its endosymbiont communities. We show that endosymbiosis can mediate or influence the evolutionary arms race between aphids and their natural enemies. The outcome of these complex interactions between species has significant implications for understanding the evolution of multitrophic systems, including eco-agricultural settings.}, }
@article {pmid35303931, year = {2022}, author = {Hosseini, SH and Manshori-Ghaishghorshagh, F and Ramezani, M and Nayebzadeh, H and Ahoo, MB and Eslamian, A and Soltani, M and Jamshidi, S and Bezerra-Santos, MA and Jalousian, F and Sazmand, A and Otranto, D}, title = {Canine microfilaraemia in some regions of Iran.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {90}, pmid = {35303931}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {Fateme Manshori-Ghaishghorshagh//University of Tehran/ ; Ahdieh Eslamian Theses//University of Tehran/ ; Mohammad Ramezani thesis//Lorestan University/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics ; *Dirofilaria repens/genetics ; *Dog Diseases/parasitology ; Dogs ; Iran/epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are vector-borne zoonotic parasites which affect mainly dogs and humans worldwide. In Iran, information about the distribution of those nematodes is scant in several regions. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of these filarial parasites in stray dogs from five Iranian provinces where no information about these parasites is available.<br><br>METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 344 stray dogs in five provinces of Iran (i.e. Mazandaran, Gilan, Esfahan, Qazvin and Loresan). The presence of microfilariae was assessed using direct smear, modified Knott's test, molecular detection of filarial DNA (cox1 gene) and Wolbachia endosymbiont of parasitic nematodes (ftsZ gene) by conventional PCR (cPCR).&#xa0;All of the PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetic&#xa0;analysis was&#xa0;performed.<br><br>RESULTS: In total, 75 dogs (21.8%) were found to be positive for D. immitis by cPCR. Infection was detected in all provinces, with the highest prevalence in Gilan province (22/28; 78.6%). Acanthocheilonema reconditum was diagnosed in five dogs (1.4%) from three provinces (i.e. Esfahan, Mazandaran, Gilan). Two dogs were infected with both parasites and three were only infected with A. reconditum. Dirofilaria repens infection was not found in the examined population. Representative sequences of the D. immitis cox1 gene from dogs from the northern provinces (Mazandaran, Gilan, Qazvin) were grouped together and distinctly separate from the ones from western and central provinces (Lorestan and Esfahan), suggesting that different nematode populations are present in the country.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The data reported herein fill existing gaps in knowledge about canine filarial infection in two Iranian provinces and record the highest prevalence of D. immitis ever reported in the country (i.e. 78.6%). A geographical review of the literature about Dirofilaria spp. and A. reconditum infections in dogs and humans has also been summarized, indicating that D. immitis and D. repens are distributed in 22 of 31 provinces in Iran, whereas A. reconditum is present in fewer regions. Effective control strategies are advocated for owned dogs, and a national program for the management of stray dogs is needed to minimize the risk of infection in animals and humans.}, }
@article {pmid35299660, year = {2022}, author = {Madeira, C and Dias, M and Ferreira, A and Gouveia, R and Cabral, H and Diniz, MS and Vinagre, C}, title = {Does Predation Exacerbate the Risk of Endosymbiont Loss in Heat Stressed Hermatypic Corals? Molecular Cues Provide Insights Into Species-Specific Health Outcomes in a Multi-Stressor Ocean.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {801672}, pmid = {35299660}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Ocean warming has been a major driver of coral reef bleaching and mass mortality. Coupled to other biotic pressures, corals' ability for acclimatization and adaptation may become compromised. Here, we tested the combined effects of warming scenarios (26, 30, and 32°C) and predation (wound vs. no wound) in coral health condition (paleness, bleaching, and mortality), cellular stress responses (heat shock protein 70 kDa Hsp70, total ubiquitin Ub, and total antioxidant capacity TAC), and physiological state (integrated biomarker response index, IBR) of seven Scleractinian coral species, after being exposed for 60 days. Results show that although temperature was the main factor driving coral health condition, thermotolerant species (Galaxea fascicularis, Psammocora contigua, and Turbinaria reniformis) displayed increased paleness, bleaching, and mortality in predation treatments at high temperature, whereas thermosensitive species (Acropora tenuis, Echinopora lamellosa, and Montipora capricornis brown and green morphotypes) all died at 32°C, regardless of predation condition. At the molecular level, results show that there were significant main and interactive effects of species, temperature, and predation in the biomarkers assessed. Temperature affected Hsp70, Ub, and TAC, evidencing the role of protein folding and turnover, as well as reactive oxygen species scavenging in heat stress management. Predation increased Hsp70 and Ub, suggesting the activation of the pro-phenoloxidase system and cytokine activity, whereas the combination of both stressors mainly affected TAC during moderate stress and Ub under severe stress, suggesting that redox balance and defense of homeostasis are crucial in tissue repair at high temperature. IBR levels showed an increasing trend at 32°C in predated coral fragments (although non-significant). We conclude that coral responses to the combination of high temperature and predation pressure display high inter-species variability, but these stressors may pose a higher risk of endosymbiont loss, depending on species physiology and stress intensity.}, }
@article {pmid35295292, year = {2022}, author = {Yan, K and Pei, Z and Meng, L and Zheng, Y and Wang, L and Feng, R and Li, Q and Liu, Y and Zhao, X and Wei, Q and El-Sappah, AH and Abbas, M}, title = {Determination of Community Structure and Diversity of Seed-Vectored Endophytic Fungi in Alpinia zerumbet.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {814864}, pmid = {35295292}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Endophytic fungi act as seed endosymbiont, thereby playing a very crucial role in the growth and development of seeds. Seed-vectored endophytic fungi establish an everlasting association with seeds and travel from generation to generation. To explore the composition and diversity of endophytic fungi in Alpinia zerumbet seeds, high-throughput Illumina MiSeq sequencing was employed for the following stages: fruit formation period (YSJ1), young fruit period (YSJ2), early mature period (YSJ3), middle mature period (YSJ4), and late mature period (YSJ5). A total of 906,694 sequence reads and 745 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained and further classified into 8 phyla, 30 classes, 73 orders, 163 families, 302 genera, and 449 species. The highest endophytic fungal diversity was observed at YSJ5. The genera with the highest abundance were Cladosporium, Kodamaea, Hannaella, Mycothermus, Gibberella, Sarocladium, and Neopestalotiopsis. Functional Guild (FUNGuild) analysis revealed that endophytic fungi were undefined saprotroph, plant pathogens, animal pathogen-endophyte-lichen parasite-plant pathogen-wood saprotroph, and soil saprotrophs. Alternaria, Fusarium, Cladosporium, and Sarocladium, which are potential probiotics and can be used as biocontrol agents, were also abundant. This study is part of the Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations Organization (UNO) to "Establish Good Health and Well-Being."}, }
@article {pmid35294495, year = {2022}, author = {Bhattacharya, T and Yan, L and Crawford, JM and Zaher, H and Newton, ILG and Hardy, RW}, title = {Differential viral RNA methylation contributes to pathogen blocking in Wolbachia-colonized arthropods.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {18}, number = {3}, pages = {e1010393}, pmid = {35294495}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI144430/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM112641/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM141474/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI153785/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {5-Methylcytosine/metabolism ; *Aedes ; *Alphavirus/genetics ; Animals ; *Arthropods/genetics ; *Flavivirus/genetics ; Methylation ; Methyltransferases/genetics/metabolism ; RNA, Viral/genetics/metabolism ; Virus Replication ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Arthropod endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis is part of a global biocontrol strategy to reduce the replication of mosquito-borne RNA viruses such as alphaviruses. We previously demonstrated the importance of a host cytosine methyltransferase, DNMT2, in Drosophila and viral RNA as a cellular target during pathogen-blocking. Here we report a role for DNMT2 in Wolbachia-induced alphavirus inhibition in Aedes species. Expression of DNMT2 in mosquito tissues, including the salivary glands, is elevated upon virus infection. Notably, this is suppressed in Wolbachia-colonized animals, coincident with reduced virus replication and decreased infectivity of progeny virus. Ectopic expression of DNMT2 in cultured Aedes cells is proviral, increasing progeny virus infectivity, and this effect of DNMT2 on virus replication and infectivity is dependent on its methyltransferase activity. Finally, examining the effects of Wolbachia on modifications of viral RNA by LC-MS show a decrease in the amount of 5-methylcytosine modification consistent with the down-regulation of DNMT2 in Wolbachia colonized mosquito cells and animals. Collectively, our findings support the conclusion that disruption of 5-methylcytosine modification of viral RNA is a vital mechanism operative in pathogen blocking. These data also emphasize the essential role of epitranscriptomic modifications in regulating fundamental alphavirus replication and transmission processes.}, }
@article {pmid35293790, year = {2022}, author = {Shaffer, JP and Carter, ME and Spraker, JE and Clark, M and Smith, BA and Hockett, KL and Baltrus, DA and Arnold, AE}, title = {Transcriptional Profiles of a Foliar Fungal Endophyte (Pestalotiopsis, Ascomycota) and Its Bacterial Symbiont (Luteibacter, Gammaproteobacteria) Reveal Sulfur Exchange and Growth Regulation during Early Phases of Symbiotic Interaction.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {7}, number = {2}, pages = {e0009122}, pmid = {35293790}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {K12 GM068524/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Symbiosis ; Endophytes ; Pestalotiopsis ; *Gammaproteobacteria ; *Type VI Secretion Systems ; *Ascomycota/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Fungi, Unclassified ; *Xanthomonadaceae ; Plants ; Methionine ; }, abstract = {Symbiosis with bacteria is widespread among eukaryotes, including fungi. Bacteria that live within fungal mycelia (endohyphal bacteria) occur in many plant-associated fungi, including diverse Mucoromycota and Dikarya. Pestalotiopsis sp. strain 9143 is a filamentous ascomycete isolated originally as a foliar endophyte of Platycladus orientalis (Cupressaceae). It is infected naturally with the endohyphal bacterium Luteibacter sp. strain 9143, which influences auxin and enzyme production by its fungal host. Previous studies have used transcriptomics to examine similar symbioses between endohyphal bacteria and root-associated fungi such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant pathogens. However, currently there are no gene expression studies of endohyphal bacteria of Ascomycota, the most species-rich fungal phylum. To begin to understand such symbioses, we developed methods for assessing gene expression by Pestalotiopsis sp. and Luteibacter sp. when grown in coculture and when each was grown axenically. Our assays showed that the density of Luteibacter sp. in coculture was greater than in axenic culture, but the opposite was true for Pestalotiopsis sp. Dual-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) data demonstrate that growing in coculture modulates developmental and metabolic processes in both the fungus and bacterium, potentially through changes in the balance of organic sulfur via methionine acquisition. Our analyses also suggest an unexpected, potential role of the bacterial type VI secretion system in symbiosis establishment, expanding current understanding of the scope and dynamics of fungal-bacterial symbioses. IMPORTANCE Interactions between microbes and their hosts have important outcomes for host and environmental health. Foliar fungal endophytes that infect healthy plants can harbor facultative endosymbionts called endohyphal bacteria, which can influence the outcome of plant-fungus interactions. These bacterial-fungal interactions can be influential but are poorly understood, particularly from a transcriptome perspective. Here, we report on a comparative, dual-RNA-seq study examining the gene expression patterns of a foliar fungal endophyte and a facultative endohyphal bacterium when cultured together versus separately. Our findings support a role for the fungus in providing organic sulfur to the bacterium, potentially through methionine acquisition, and the potential involvement of a bacterial type VI secretion system in symbiosis establishment. This work adds to the growing body of literature characterizing endohyphal bacterial-fungal interactions, with a focus on a model facultative bacterial-fungal symbiosis in two species-rich lineages, the Ascomycota and Proteobacteria.}, }
@article {pmid35292086, year = {2022}, author = {Weck, BC and Serpa, MCA and Ramos, VN and Luz, HR and Costa, FB and Ramirez, DG and Benatti, HR and Piovezan, U and Szabó, MPJ and Marcili, A and Krawczak, FS and Muñoz-Leal, S and Labruna, MB}, title = {Novel genotypes of Hepatozoon spp. in small mammals, Brazil.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {87}, pmid = {35292086}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {2013/18046-7//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; 2017/04249-4//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado de S&#xe3;o Paulo/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Brazil/epidemiology ; *Carnivora ; *Eucoccidiida/genetics ; Haplotypes ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Small mammals (rodents and marsupials) have been poorly explored for the occurrence of apicomplexan (genus Hepatozoon and genera of the order Piroplasmorida) and Anaplasmataceae agents in Brazil. Thus, this study investigated the occurrence of Hepatozoon spp., Piroplasmorida, and Anaplasmataceae agents in small mammals in seven forest fragments in Brazil.<br><br>METHODS: During 2015-2018, small mammals were captured in six forest fragments in the State of S&#xe3;o Paulo (Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes) and one fragment in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (Pantanal biome). Mammal blood, liver, spleen, and lung samples were tested molecularly for the presence of DNA of Hepatozoon, Piroplasmorida, and Anaplasmataceae agents.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 524 mammals were captured, comprising seven species of marsupials, 14 rodents, two carnivores, and one Cingulata. Four novel haplotypes (1, 2, 3, 4) of Hepatozoon spp. were detected in small mammals from different biomes. In S&#xe3;o Paulo state, haplotype 1 was detected in rodents from Cerrado and a transition area of Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes, whereas haplotype 2 was detected in rodents from the Atlantic Forest biome. On the other hand, haplotypes 3 and 4 were restricted to rodents and marsupials, respectively, from the Pantanal biome of Mato Grosso do Sul. No host species shared more than one haplotype. Despite these distinct geographical and host associations, our phylogenetic analyses indicated that the four Hepatozoon haplotypes belonged to the same clade that contained nearly all haplotypes previously reported on rodents and marsupials, in addition to several reptile-associated haplotypes from different parts of the world. No mammal samples yielded detectable DNA of Piroplasmorida agents. On the other hand, the Anaplasmataceae-targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay amplified a sequence 100% identical to the Wolbachia pipientis endosymbiont of the rodent filarid Litomosoides galizai.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We report a variety of Hepatozoon haplotypes associated with small mammals in three Brazilian biomes: Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, and Pantanal. Through phylogenetic analyses, the Hepatozoon agents grouped in the rodent-marsupial-reptile large clade of Hepatozoon spp. from the world. The detection of a W. pipientis associated with the rodent filarid L. galizai indicates that the rodent was infected by filarial nematodes.}, }
@article {pmid35286393, year = {2022}, author = {Ndiaye, EHI and Diatta, G and Diarra, AZ and Berenger, JM and Bassene, H and Mediannikov, O and Bouganali, C and Sokhna, C and Parola, P}, title = {Morphological, Molecular and MALDI-TOF MS Identification of Bedbugs and Associated Wolbachia Species in Rural Senegal.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {59}, number = {3}, pages = {1019-1032}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjac019}, pmid = {35286393}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bedbugs/anatomy &amp; histology ; *Ectoparasitic Infestations ; Senegal ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Bed bugs are known to carry several microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of bed bug infestation in two rural areas of Senegal and determine the species present in the population. A screening was conducted to detect some arthropod associated pathogenic bacteria in bed bugs and to evaluate the prevalence of endosymbiont carriage. One survey took place in 17 villages in Niakhar and two surveys in Dielmo and Ndiop and surroundings area in the same 20 villages. Bed bugs collected were identified morphologically and by MALDI-TOF MS tools. Microorganisms screening was performed by qPCR and confirmed by sequencing. During the survey in the Niakhar region, only one household 1/255 (0.4%) in the village of Ngayokhem was found infested by bed bugs. In a monitoring survey of the surroundings of Dielmo and Ndiop area, high prevalence was found during the two rounds of surveys in 65/314 (21%) in 16/20 villages (January-March) and 93/351 (26%) in 19/20 villages (December). All bed bugs were morphologically identified as the species Cimex hemipterus, of which 285/1,637 (17%) were randomly selected for MALDI-TOF MS analysis and bacteria screening. Among the Bacteria tested only Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria, Rickettsiales, Rickettsiaceae) DNA was found in 248/276 (90%) of the bedbugs. We briefly describe a high level of non-generalized bed bug infestation in rural Senegal and the diversity of Wolbachia strains carried by C. hemipterus. This study opens perspectives for raising household awareness of bed bug infestations and possibilities for appropriate control.}, }
@article {pmid35284894, year = {2021}, author = {Bermúdez C, SE and Félix, ML and Domínguez A, L and Kadoch, N and Muñoz-Leal, S and Venzal, JM}, title = {Molecular screening for tick-borne bacteria and hematozoa in Ixodes cf. boliviensis and Ixodes tapirus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) from western highlands of Panama.}, journal = {Current research in parasitology &amp; vector-borne diseases}, volume = {1}, number = {}, pages = {100034}, pmid = {35284894}, issn = {2667-114X}, abstract = {The first molecular screening for Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Borrelia, Babesia and Hepatozoon was carried out in questing Ixodes cf. boliviensis and Ixodes tapirus from Talamanca Mountains, Panama, using specific primers, sequencing and phylogeny. Phylogenetic analyses for the microorganisms in Ixodes cf. boliviensis confirmed the presence of Rickettsia sp. strain IbR/CRC endosymbiont (26/27 ticks), three genotypes of the Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) complex (4/27 ticks), Babesia odocoilei (1/27 ticks), and Hepatozoon sp. (2/27 ticks), tentatively designated Hepatozoon sp. strain Chiriquensis. Phylogenetic analyses for the microorganisms in I. tapirus revealed an undescribed Rickettsia sp., tentatively designated Rickettsia sp. strain Itapirus LQ (6/6 ticks), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (2/6 ticks). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) complex, A. phagocytophilum, B. odocoilei, and Hepatozoon sp. in Ixodes ticks from Central America, and also the first detection of Rickettsia spp. in Ixodes species in Panama. In light of the importance of these findings, further studies are needed focusing on the role of I. tapirus and I. cf. boliviensis as vectors, and the vertebrates acting as reservoirs.}, }
@article {pmid35283769, year = {2022}, author = {Lefoulon, E and McMullen, JG and Stock, SP}, title = {Transcriptomic Analysis of Steinernema Nematodes Highlights Metabolic Costs Associated to Xenorhabdus Endosymbiont Association and Rearing Conditions.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {821845}, pmid = {35283769}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus Steinernema have a mutualistic relationship with bacteria of the genus Xenorhabdus and together they form an antagonist partnership against their insect hosts. The nematodes (third-stage infective juveniles, or IJs) protect the bacteria from the external environmental stressors and vector them from one insect host to another. Xenorhabdus produce secondary metabolites and antimicrobial compounds inside the insect that protect the cadaver from soil saprobes and scavengers. The bacteria also become the nematodes' food, allowing them to grow and reproduce. Despite these benefits, it is yet unclear what the potential metabolic costs for Steinernema IJs are relative to the maintenance and vectoring of Xenorhabdus. In this study, we performed a comparative dual RNA-seq analysis of IJs of two nematode-bacteria partnerships: Steinernema carpocapsae-Xenorhabdus nematophila and Steinernema. puntauvense-Xenorhbdus bovienii. For each association, three conditions were studied: (1) IJs reared in the insect (in vivo colonized), (2) colonized IJs reared on liver-kidney agar (in vitro colonized), and (3) IJs depleted by the bacteria reared on liver-kidney agar (in vitro aposymbiotic). Our study revealed the downregulation of numerous genes involved in metabolism pathways, such as carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism when IJs were reared in vitro, both colonized and without the symbiont. This downregulation appears to impact the longevity pathway, with the involvement of glycogen and trehalose metabolism, as well as arginine metabolism. Additionally, a differential expression of the venom protein known to be secreted by the nematodes was observed when both Steinernema species were depleted of their symbiotic partners. These results suggest Steinernema IJs may have a mechanism to adapt their virulence in absence of their symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid35273583, year = {2022}, author = {Qin, M and Chen, J and Jiang, L and Qiao, G}, title = {Insights Into the Species-Specific Microbiota of Greenideinae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) With Evidence of Phylosymbiosis.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {828170}, pmid = {35273583}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Aphids and their symbionts represent an outstanding model for studies of insect-symbiont interactions. The aphid microbiota can be shaped by aphid species, geography and host plants. However, the relative importance of phylogenetic and ecological factors in shaping microbial community structures is not well understood. Using Illumina sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene, we characterized the microbial compositions of 215 aphid colonies representing 53 species of the aphid subfamily Greenideinae from different regions and plants in China, Nepal, and Vietnam. The primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola and secondary symbiont Serratia symbiotica dominated the microbiota of Greenideinae. We simultaneously explored the relative contribution of host identity (i.e., aphid genus and aphid species), geography and host plant to the structures of bacterial, symbiont and secondary symbiont communities. Ordination analyses and statistical tests highlighted the strongest impact of aphid species on the microbial flora in Greenideinae. Furthermore, we found a phylosymbiosis pattern in natural Greenideinae populations, in which the aphid phylogeny was positively correlated with microbial community dissimilarities. These findings will advance our knowledge of host-associated microbiota assembly across both host phylogenetic and ecological contexts.}, }
@article {pmid35271765, year = {2022}, author = {Mao, B and Zhang, W and Zheng, Y and Li, D and Chen, MY and Wang, YF}, title = {Comparative phosphoproteomics reveal new candidates in the regulation of spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {29}, number = {6}, pages = {1703-1720}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13031}, pmid = {35271765}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {31672352//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31872288//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; Proteomics ; Semen ; Spermatogenesis ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Phosphoproteins ; }, abstract = {The most common phenotype induced by the endosymbiont Wolbachia in insects is cytoplasmic incompatibility, where none or fewer progenies can be produced when Wolbachia-infected males mate with uninfected females. This suggests that some modifications are induced in host sperms during spermatogenesis by Wolbachia. To identify the proteins whose phosphorylation states play essential roles in male reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster, we applied isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomic strategy combined with titanium dioxide (TiO2) enrichment to compare the phosphoproteome of Wolbachia-infected with that of uninfected male reproductive systems in D. melanogaster. We identified 182 phosphopeptides, defining 140 phosphoproteins, that have at least a 1.2 fold change in abundance with a P-value of <0.05. Most of the differentially abundant phosphoproteins (DAPPs) were associated with microtubule cytoskeleton organization and spermatid differentiation. The DAPPs included proteins already known to be associated with spermatogenesis, as well as many not previously studied during this process. Six genes coding for DAPPs were knocked down, respectively, in Wolbachia-free fly testes. Among them, Slmap knockdown caused the most severe damage in spermatogenesis, with no mature sperm observed in seminal vesicles. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the formation of individualization complex composed of actin cones was completely disrupted. These results suggest that Wolbachia may induce wide changes in the abundance of phosphorylated proteins which are closely related to male reproduction. By identifying phospho-modulated proteins we also provide a significant candidate set for future studies on their roles in spermatogenesis.}, }
@article {pmid35266572, year = {2022}, author = {Matthews, ML and Covey, HO and Drolet, BS and Brelsfoard, CL}, title = {Wolbachia wAlbB inhibits bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic fever viruses in Culicoides midge cells.}, journal = {Medical and veterinary entomology}, volume = {36}, number = {3}, pages = {320-328}, pmid = {35266572}, issn = {1365-2915}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bluetongue ; *Bluetongue virus/physiology ; *Ceratopogonidae/physiology ; *Dengue Virus/genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary ; Sheep ; *Sheep Diseases ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Culicoides midges are hematophagous insects that transmit arboviruses of veterinary importance. These viruses include bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic fever virus (EHDV). The endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis Hertig spreads rapidly through insect host populations and has been demonstrated to inhibit viral pathogen transmission in multiple mosquito vectors. Here, we have demonstrated a replication inhibitory effect on BTV and EHDV in a Wolbachia (wAlbB strain)-infected Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones W8 cell line. Viral replication was significantly reduced by day 5 for BTV and by day 2 for EHDV as detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) of the non-structural NS3 gene of both viruses. Evaluation of innate cellular immune responses as a cause of the inhibitory effect showed responses associated with BTV but not with EHDV infection. Wolbachia density also did not play a role in the observed pathogen inhibitory effects, and an alternative hypothesis is suggested. Applications of Wolbachia-mediated pathogen interference to impact disease transmission by Culicoides midges are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid35264613, year = {2022}, author = {El Karkouri, K and Ghigo, E and Raoult, D and Fournier, PE}, title = {Genomic evolution and adaptation of arthropod-associated Rickettsia.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {3807}, pmid = {35264613}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Gammaproteobacteria ; Genomics ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis ; }, abstract = {Rickettsia species are endosymbionts hosted by arthropods and are known to cause mild to fatal diseases in humans. Here, we analyse the evolution and diversity of 34 Rickettsia species using a pangenomic meta-analysis (80 genomes/41 plasmids). Phylogenomic trees showed that Rickettsia spp. diverged into two Spotted Fever groups, a Typhus group, a Canadensis group and a Bellii group, and may have inherited their plasmids from an ancestral plasmid that persisted in some strains or may have been lost by others. The results suggested that the ancestors of Rickettsia spp. might have infected Acari and/or Insecta and probably diverged by persisting inside and/or switching hosts. Pangenomic analysis revealed that the Rickettsia genus evolved through a strong interplay between genome degradation/reduction and/or expansion leading to possible distinct adaptive trajectories. The genus mainly shared evolutionary relationships with α-proteobacteria, and also with γ/β/δ-proteobacteria, cytophagia, actinobacteria, cyanobacteria, chlamydiia and viruses, suggesting lateral exchanges of several critical genes. These evolutionary processes have probably been orchestrated by an abundance of mobile genetic elements, especially in the Spotted Fever and Bellii groups. In this study, we provided a global evolutionary genomic view of the intracellular Rickettsia that may help our understanding of their diversity, adaptation and fitness.}, }
@article {pmid35264574, year = {2022}, author = {Klimov, PB and Chetverikov, PE and Dodueva, IE and Vishnyakov, AE and Bolton, SJ and Paponova, SS and Lutova, LA and Tolstikov, AV}, title = {Symbiotic bacteria of the gall-inducing mite Fragariocoptes setiger (Eriophyoidea) and phylogenomic resolution of the eriophyoid position among Acari.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {3811}, pmid = {35264574}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; Biological Evolution ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; *Mites/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plants ; }, abstract = {Eriophyoid mites represent a hyperdiverse, phytophagous lineage with an unclear phylogenetic position. These mites have succeeded in colonizing nearly every seed plant species, and this evolutionary success was in part due to the mites' ability to induce galls in plants. A gall is a unique niche that provides the inducer of this modification with vital resources. The exact mechanism of gall formation is still not understood, even as to whether it is endogenic (mites directly cause galls) or exogenic (symbiotic microorganisms are involved). Here we (i) investigate the phylogenetic affinities of eriophyoids and (ii) use comparative metagenomics to test the hypothesis that the endosymbionts of eriophyoid mites are involved in gall formation. Our phylogenomic analysis robustly inferred eriophyoids as closely related to Nematalycidae, a group of deep-soil mites belonging to Endeostigmata. Our comparative metagenomics, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy experiments identified two candidate endosymbiotic bacteria shared across samples, however, it is unlikely that they are gall inducers (morphotype1: novel Wolbachia, morphotype2: possibly Agrobacterium tumefaciens). We also detected an array of plant pathogens associated with galls that may be vectored by the mites, and we determined a mite pathogenic virus (Betabaculovirus) that could be tested for using in biocontrol of agricultural pest mites.}, }
@article {pmid35259985, year = {2022}, author = {Perez, M and Breusing, C and Angers, B and Beinart, RA and Won, YJ and Young, CR}, title = {Divergent paths in the evolutionary history of maternally transmitted clam symbionts.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {289}, number = {1970}, pages = {20212137}, pmid = {35259985}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Bivalvia/genetics ; *Gammaproteobacteria/genetics ; Genome Size ; Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Vertical transmission of bacterial endosymbionts is accompanied by virtually irreversible gene loss that results in a progressive reduction in genome size. While the evolutionary processes of genome reduction have been well described in some terrestrial symbioses, they are less understood in marine systems where vertical transmission is rarely observed. The association between deep-sea vesicomyid clams and chemosynthetic Gammaproteobacteria is one example of maternally inherited symbioses in the ocean. Here, we assessed the contributions of drift, recombination and selection to genome evolution in two extant vesicomyid symbiont clades by comparing 15 representative symbiont genomes (1.017-1.586 Mb) to those of closely related bacteria and the hosts' mitochondria. Our analyses suggest that drift is a significant force driving genome evolution in vesicomyid symbionts, though selection and interspecific recombination appear to be critical for maintaining symbiont functional integrity and creating divergent patterns of gene conservation. Notably, the two symbiont clades possess putative functional differences in sulfide physiology, anaerobic respiration and dependency on environmental vitamin B12, which probably reflect adaptations to different ecological habitats available to each symbiont group. Overall, these results contribute to our understanding of the eco-evolutionary processes shaping reductive genome evolution in vertically transmitted symbioses.}, }
@article {pmid35259567, year = {2022}, author = {Tang, J and Cai, W and Yan, Z and Zhang, K and Zhou, Z and Zhao, J and Lin, S}, title = {Interactive effects of acidification and copper exposure on the reproduction and metabolism of coral endosymbiont Cladocopium goreaui.}, journal = {Marine pollution bulletin}, volume = {177}, number = {}, pages = {113508}, doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113508}, pmid = {35259567}, issn = {1879-3363}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; Copper/metabolism/toxicity ; Coral Reefs ; Ecosystem ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Reproduction ; Seawater/chemistry ; }, abstract = {Ocean acidification resulting from increased CO2 and pollution from land-sourced toxicants such as copper have been linked to coral cover declines in coastal reef ecosystems. The impacts of ocean acidification and copper pollution on corals have been intensively investigated, whereas research on their effects on coral endosymbiont Symbiodiniaceae is limited. In this study, reproduction, photosynthetic parameters, nutrient accumulation and metabolome of Symbiodiniaceae Cladocopium goreaui were investigated after a weeklong treatment with acute CO2-induced acidification and copper ion. Acidification promoted algal reproduction through increased nutrients assimilation, upregulated citrate cycle and biomolecular biosynthesis pathway, while copper exposure repressed algal reproduction through toxic effects. The combined acidification and copper exposure caused the same decline in algal reproduction as copper exposure alone, but the upregulation of pentose phosphate pathway and the downregulation of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. These results suggest that copper pollution could override the positive effects of acidification on the symbiodiniacean reproduction.}, }
@article {pmid35252590, year = {2021}, author = {Roquis, D and Cosseau, C and Brener Raffalli, K and Romans, P and Masanet, P and Mitta, G and Grunau, C and Vidal-Dupiol, J}, title = {The tropical coral Pocillopora acuta displays an unusual chromatin structure and shows histone H3 clipping plasticity upon bleaching.}, journal = {Wellcome open research}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {195}, pmid = {35252590}, issn = {2398-502X}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Background: Pocillopora acuta is a hermatypic coral with strong ecological importance. Anthropogenic disturbances and global warming are major threats that can induce coral bleaching, the disruption of the mutualistic symbiosis between the coral host and its endosymbiotic algae. Previous works have shown that somaclonal colonies display different levels of survival depending on the environmental conditions they previously faced. Epigenetic mechanisms are good candidates to explain this phenomenon. However, almost no work had been published on the P. acuta epigenome, especially on histone modifications. In this study, we aim at providing the first insight into chromatin structure of this species. Methods: We aligned the amino acid sequence of P. acuta core histones with histone sequences from various phyla. We developed a centri-filtration on sucrose gradient to separate chromatin from the host and the symbiont. The presence of histone H3 protein and specific histone modifications were then detected by western blot performed on histone extraction done from bleached and healthy corals. Finally, micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digestions were undertaken to study nucleosomal organization. Results: The centri-filtration enabled coral chromatin isolation with less than 2% of contamination by endosymbiont material. Histone sequences alignments with other species show that P. acuta displays on average ~90% of sequence similarities with mice and ~96% with other corals. H3 detection by western blot showed that H3 is clipped in healthy corals while it appeared to be intact in bleached corals. MNase treatment failed to provide the usual mononucleosomal digestion, a feature shared with some cnidarian, but not all; suggesting an unusual chromatin structure. Conclusions: These results provide a first insight into the chromatin, nucleosome and histone structure of P. acuta. The unusual patterns highlighted in this study and partly shared with other cnidarian will need to be further studied to better understand its role in corals.}, }
@article {pmid35255163, year = {2022}, author = {Gabr, A and Stephens, TG and Bhattacharya, D}, title = {Hypothesis: Trans-splicing Generates Evolutionary Novelty in the Photosynthetic Amoeba Paulinella.}, journal = {Journal of phycology}, volume = {58}, number = {3}, pages = {392-405}, pmid = {35255163}, issn = {1529-8817}, mesh = {*Amoeba/genetics/metabolism ; Biological Evolution ; RNA, Spliced Leader/genetics/metabolism ; *Rhizaria ; Trans-Splicing ; }, abstract = {Plastid primary endosymbiosis has occurred twice, once in the Archaeplastida ancestor and once in the Paulinella (Rhizaria) lineage. Both events precipitated massive evolutionary changes, including the recruitment and activation of genes that are horizontally acquired (HGT) and the redeployment of existing genes and pathways in novel contexts. Here we address the latter aspect in Paulinella micropora KR01 (hereafter, KR01) that has independently evolved spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing (SLTS) of nuclear-derived transcripts. We investigated the role of this process in gene regulation, novel gene origination, and endosymbiont integration. Our analysis shows that 20% of KR01 genes give rise to transcripts with at least one (but in some cases, multiple) sites of SL addition. This process, which often occurs at canonical cis-splicing acceptor sites (internal introns), results in shorter transcripts that may produce 5'-truncated proteins with novel functions. SL-truncated transcripts fall into four categories that may show: (i) altered protein localization, (ii) altered protein function, structure, or regulation, (iii) loss of valid alternative start codons, preventing translation, or (iv) multiple SL addition sites at the 5'-terminus. The SL RNA genes required for SLTS are putatively absent in the heterotrophic sister lineage of photosynthetic Paulinella species. Moreover, a high proportion of transcripts derived from genes of endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT) and HGT origin contain SL sequences. We hypothesize that truncation of transcripts by SL addition may facilitate the generation and expression of novel gene variants and that SLTS may have enhanced the activation and fixation of foreign genes in the host genome of the photosynthetic lineages, playing a key role in primary endosymbiont integration.}, }
@article {pmid35251878, year = {2022}, author = {Pawar, MM and Shivanna, B and Prasannakumar, MK and Parivallal, PB and Suresh, K and Meenakshi, NH}, title = {Spatial distribution and community structure of microbiota associated with cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch).}, journal = {3 Biotech}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, pages = {75}, pmid = {35251878}, issn = {2190-572X}, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Aphid populations were collected on cowpea, dolichos, redgram and black gram from Belagavi and Udupi locations. The samples were shotgun sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 system to understand the spatial distribution and community structure of microbiota (especially bacteria) associated with aphids. In the present study, we identified obligatory nutritional symbiont Buchnera aphidicola and facultative symbionts Rickettsia sp. and Bacteroidetes endosymbiont of Geopemphigus sp. in all the aphid samples studied, although in varied abundance. On the other hand, Serratia symbiotica, Arsenophonus sp. and Acinetobacter sp. were only found in aphids on specific host plants, suggesting that host plants might influence the bacterial community structure. Furthermore, our study revealed that microbiota other than bacteria were highly insignificant in the aphid populations. Additionally, functional annotation of aphid metagenomes identified several pathways and enzymes involved in various physiological and ecological functions. Amino acid and vitamin biosynthesis-related pathways were predominant than carbohydrate metabolism, owing to their feeding habit and nutritional requirement. Chaperones related to stress tolerance such as GroEL and DnaK were identified. Enzymes involved in toxic chemical metabolisms such as glutathione transferase, phosphodiesterases and ABC transferases were observed. These enzymes may confer resistance to pesticides in the aphid populations. Overall, our results support the importance of host plants in structuring bacterial communities in aphids and show the functional roles of symbionts in aphid survival and development. Thus, these findings can be the basis for further detailed investigations and devising better strategies to manage the pests in field conditions.<br><br>SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03142-1.}, }
@article {pmid35248159, year = {2022}, author = {Hammoud, A and Louni, M and Missé, D and Cortaredona, S and Fenollar, F and Mediannikov, O}, title = {Phylogenetic relationship between the endosymbiont "Candidatus Riesia pediculicola" and its human louse host.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {73}, pmid = {35248159}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anoplura/genetics ; Biological Evolution ; Genes, Mitochondrial ; Humans ; *Pediculus/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The human louse (Pediculus humanus) is a haematophagous ectoparasite that is intimately related to its host. It has been of great public health concern throughout human history. This louse has been classified into six divergent mitochondrial clades (A, D, B, F, C and E). As with all haematophagous lice, P. humanus directly depends on the presence of a bacterial symbiont, known as "Candidatus Riesia pediculicola", to complement their unbalanced diet. In this study, we evaluated the codivergence of human lice around the world and their endosymbiotic bacteria. Using molecular approaches, we targeted lice mitochondrial genes from the six diverged clades and Candidatus Riesia pediculicola housekeeping genes.<br><br>METHODS: The mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cytb) of lice was selected for molecular analysis, with the aim to identify louse clade. In parallel, we developed four PCR primer pairs targeting three housekeeping genes of Candidatus Riesia pediculicola: ftsZ, groEL and two regions of the rpoB gene (rpoB-1 and rpoB-2).<br><br>RESULTS: The endosymbiont phylogeny perfectly mirrored the host insect phylogeny using the ftsZ and rpoB-2 genes, in addition to showing a significant co-phylogenetic congruence, suggesting a strict vertical transmission and a host-symbiont co-speciation following the evolutionary course of the human louse.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our results unequivocally indicate that louse endosymbionts have experienced a similar co-evolutionary history and that the human louse clade can be determined by their endosymbiotic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid35247466, year = {2022}, author = {Bojko, J and McCoy, KA and Blakeslee, AMH}, title = {'Candidatus Mellornella promiscua' n. gen. n. sp. (Alphaproteobacteria: Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae): An intracytoplasmic, hepatopancreatic, pathogen of the flatback mud crab, Eurypanopeus depressus.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {190}, number = {}, pages = {107737}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2022.107737}, pmid = {35247466}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {*Alphaproteobacteria/genetics ; *Anaplasmataceae/genetics ; Animals ; *Brachyura/genetics ; Ecosystem ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsiales/genetics ; }, abstract = {Bacterial pathogens are a long-standing threat to the longevity and survival of crustacean hosts. Their presence and continuing emergence require close monitoring to understand their impact on fished, cultured, and wild crustacean populations. We describe a new bacterial pathogen belonging to the Anaplasmataceae family (Alphaproteobacteria: Rickettsiales), providing pathological, ultrastructural, phylogenetic, and genomic evidence to determine a candidate genus and species ('Candidatus Mellornella promiscua'). This bacterium was found to infect the mud crab, Eurypanopeus depressus, on the North Carolina coastline (USA) at a prevalence of 10.8%. 'Candidatus Mellornella promiscua' was often observed in co-infection with the rhizocephalan barnacle, Loxothylacus panopaei. The bacterium was only found in the hepatopancreas of the mud crab host, causing cytoplasmic hypertrophy, tubule necrosis, large plaques within the cytoplasm of the host cell, and an abundance of sex-pili. The circular genome of the bacterium is 1,013,119 bp and encodes 939 genes in total. Phylogenetically, the new bacterium branches within the Anaplasmataceae. The genome is dissimilar from other described bacteria, with 16S gene similarity observed at a maximum of 85.3% to a Wolbachia endosymbiont. We explore this novel bacterial pathogen using genomic, phylogenetic, ultrastructural, and pathological methods, discussing these results in light of current bacterial taxonomy, similarity to other bacterial pathogens, and the potential impact upon the surrounding disease ecology of the host and benthic ecosystem.}, }
@article {pmid35243727, year = {2022}, author = {Fujishima, M and Kodama, Y}, title = {Mechanisms for establishing primary and secondary endosymbiosis in Paramecium.}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {69}, number = {5}, pages = {e12901}, doi = {10.1111/jeu.12901}, pmid = {35243727}, issn = {1550-7408}, support = {20K06768//Institute for Fermentation, Osaka/ ; //Tokubetsukeihi from MEXT/ ; 17K07513//Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from JSPS/ ; }, mesh = {*Chlorella ; *Paramecium/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Primary (eukaryote and procaryote) and secondary (eukaryote and eukaryote) endosymbioses are driving forces in eukaryotic cell evolution. These phenomena are still contributing to acquire new cell structures and functions. To understand mechanisms for establishment of each endosymbiosis, experiments that can induce endosymbiosis synchronously by mixing symbionts isolated from symbiont-bearing host cells and symbiont-free host cells are indispensable. Recent progress on endosymbiosis using Paramecium and their endonuclear symbiotic bacteria Holospora or symbiotic green alga Chlorella has been remarkable, providing excellent opportunities for elucidating host-symbiont interactions. These organisms are now becoming model organisms to know the mechanisms for establishing primary and secondary endosymbioses. Based on experiments of many researchers, we introduce how these endosymbionts escape from the host lysosomal fusion, how they migrate in the host cytoplasm to localize specific locations within the host, how their species specificity and strain specificity of the host cells are controlled, how their life cycles are controlled, how they escape from the host cell to infect more young host cell, how they affect the host viability and gene expression, what kind of substances are needed in these phenomena, and what changes had been induced in the symbiont and the host genomes.}, }
@article {pmid35237241, year = {2021}, author = {Li, J and Wei, X and Huang, D and Xiao, J}, title = {The Phylosymbiosis Pattern Between the Fig Wasps of the Same Genus and Their Associated Microbiota.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {800190}, pmid = {35237241}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Microbial communities can be critical for many metazoans, which can lead to the observation of phylosymbiosis with phylogenetically related species sharing similar microbial communities. Most of the previous studies on phylosymbiosis were conducted across the host families or genera. However, it is unclear whether the phylosymbiosis signal is still prevalent at lower taxonomic levels. In this study, 54 individuals from six species of the fig wasp genus Ceratosolen (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae) collected from nine natural populations and their associated microbiota were investigated. The fig wasp species were morphologically identified and further determined by mitochondrial CO1 gene fragments and nuclear ITS2 sequences, and the V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to analyze the bacterial communities. The results suggest a significant positive correlation between host genetic characteristics and microbial diversity characteristics, indicating the phylosymbiosis signal between the phylogeny of insect hosts and the associated microbiota in the lower classification level within a genus. Moreover, we found that the endosymbiotic Wolbachia carried by fig wasps led to a decrease in bacterial diversity of host-associated microbial communities. This study contributes to our understanding of the role of host phylogeny, as well as the role of endosymbionts in shaping the host-associated microbial community.}, }
@article {pmid35232465, year = {2022}, author = {Marinov, GK and Chen, X and Wu, T and He, C and Grossman, AR and Kundaje, A and Greenleaf, WJ}, title = {The chromatin organization of a chlorarachniophyte nucleomorph genome.}, journal = {Genome biology}, volume = {23}, number = {1}, pages = {65}, pmid = {35232465}, issn = {1474-760X}, support = {RM1 HG007735/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; DP2 CA228042/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HG009431/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HG008140/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; U19 AI057266/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P50 HG007735/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; UM1 HG009436/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; UM1 HG009442/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Chromatin ; Chromosomes ; *Cryptophyta/genetics ; Eukaryota/genetics ; *Genome ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Nucleomorphs are remnants of secondary endosymbiotic events between two eukaryote cells wherein the endosymbiont has retained its eukaryotic nucleus. Nucleomorphs have evolved at least twice independently, in chlorarachniophytes and cryptophytes, yet they have converged on a remarkably similar genomic architecture, characterized by the most extreme compression and miniaturization among all known eukaryotic genomes. Previous computational studies have suggested that nucleomorph chromatin likely exhibits a number of divergent features.<br><br>RESULTS: In this work, we provide the first maps of open chromatin, active transcription, and three-dimensional organization for the nucleomorph genome of the chlorarachniophyte Bigelowiella natans. We find that the B. natans nucleomorph genome exists in a highly accessible state, akin to that of ribosomal DNA in some other eukaryotes, and that it is highly transcribed over its entire length, with few signs of polymerase pausing at transcription start sites (TSSs). At the same time, most nucleomorph TSSs show very strong nucleosome positioning. Chromosome conformation (Hi-C) maps reveal that nucleomorph chromosomes interact with one other at their telomeric regions and show the relative contact frequencies between the multiple genomic compartments of distinct origin that B. natans cells contain.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first study of a nucleomorph genome using modern functional genomic tools, and derive numerous novel insights into the physical and functional organization of these unique genomes.}, }
@article {pmid35229443, year = {2022}, author = {Ashraf, HJ and Ramos Aguila, LC and Akutse, KS and Ilyas, M and Abbasi, A and Li, X and Wang, L}, title = {Comparative microbiome analysis of Diaphorina citri and its associated parasitoids Tamarixia radiata and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis reveals Wolbachia as a dominant endosymbiont.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {24}, number = {3}, pages = {1638-1652}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.15948}, pmid = {35229443}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; *Citrus/microbiology ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; *Wasps ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Microbiome analysis in a host-parasitoid interaction network was conducted to compare the taxonomic composition of bacterial communities of Diaphornia citri, Tamarixia radiata, and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis. The comparative analysis revealed differences in the composition and diversity of the symbiont populations across the host and its associated parasitoids. Proteobacteria was the most dominant phylum, representing 67.80% of the total bacterial community, while Candidatus Profftella armature and Wolbachia were the dominant genera across the host and parasitoids. There were clear differences observed in alpha and beta diversity of microbiota through the host and its associated parasitoids. The function prediction of bacterial communities and Pearson correlation analysis showed that specific bacterial communities displayed positive correlations with the carbohydrate metabolism pathway. Furthermore, when symbiotic bacteria were eliminated using a broad-spectrum antibiotic, tetracycline hydrochloride, the parasitoids' median survival time and longevity were significantly reduced. We confirmed the physiological effects of symbiotic bacteria on the fitness of parasitoids and demonstrated the effect of antibiotics in decreasing the food intake and measurement of amino acids in the hemolymph. This study sheds light on basic information about the mutualism between parasitoids and bacteria, which may be a potential source for biocontrol strategies for citrus psyllid, especially D. citri.}, }
@article {pmid35222085, year = {2022}, author = {Cotinat, P and Fricano, C and Toullec, G and Röttinger, E and Barnay-Verdier, S and Furla, P}, title = {Intrinsically High Capacity of Animal Cells From a Symbiotic Cnidarian to Deal With Pro-Oxidative Conditions.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {819111}, pmid = {35222085}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {The cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis is a mutualistic intracellular association based on the photosynthetic activity of the endosymbiont. This relationship involves significant constraints and requires co-evolution processes, such as an extensive capacity of the holobiont to counteract pro-oxidative conditions induced by hyperoxia generated during photosynthesis. In this study, we analyzed the capacity of Anemonia viridis cells to deal with pro-oxidative conditions by in vivo and in vitro approaches. Whole specimens and animal primary cell cultures were submitted to 200 and 500 μM of H2O2 during 7 days. Then, we monitored global health parameters (symbiotic state, viability, and cell growth) and stress biomarkers (global antioxidant capacity, oxidative protein damages, and protein ubiquitination). In animal primary cell cultures, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were also evaluated under H2O2 treatments. At the whole organism scale, both H2O2 concentrations didn't affect the survival and animal tissues exhibited a high resistance to H2O2 treatments. Moreover, no bleaching has been observed, even at high H2O2 concentration and after long exposure (7 days). Although, the community has suggested the role of ROS as the cause of bleaching, our results indicating the absence of bleaching under high H2O2 concentration may exculpate this specific ROS from being involved in the molecular processes inducing bleaching. However, counterintuitively, the symbiont compartment appeared sensitive to an H2O2 burst as it displayed oxidative protein damages, despite an enhancement of antioxidant capacity. The in vitro assays allowed highlighting an intrinsic high capacity of isolated animal cells to deal with pro-oxidative conditions, although we observed differences on tolerance between H2O2 treatments. The 200 μM H2O2 concentration appeared to correspond to the tolerance threshold of animal cells. Indeed, no disequilibrium on redox state was observed and only a cell growth decrease was measured. Contrarily, the 500 μM H2O2 concentration induced a stress state, characterized by a cell viability decrease from 1 day and a drastic cell growth arrest after 7 days leading to an uncomplete recovery after treatment. In conclusion, this study highlights the overall high capacity of cnidarian cells to cope with H2O2 and opens new perspective to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in this peculiar resistance.}, }
@article {pmid35215074, year = {2022}, author = {Kumar, D and Downs, LP and Adegoke, A and Machtinger, E and Oggenfuss, K and Ostfeld, RS and Embers, M and Karim, S}, title = {An Exploratory Study on the Microbiome of Northern and Southern Populations of Ixodes scapularis Ticks Predicts Changes and Unique Bacterial Interactions.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {35215074}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {P20 GM103476/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P20GM103476//NIH NIGMS/ ; NA//United States Agency for International Development/ ; }, abstract = {The black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the primary vector of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease in North America. However, the prevalence of Lyme borreliosis is clustered around the Northern States of the United States of America. This study utilized a metagenomic sequencing approach to compare the microbial communities residing within Ix. scapularis populations from northern and southern geographic locations in the USA. Using a SparCC network construction model, we performed potential interactions between members of the microbial communities from Borrelia burgdorferi-infected tissues of unfed and blood-fed ticks. A significant difference in bacterial composition and diversity was found between northern and southern tick populations. The network analysis predicted a potential antagonistic interaction between endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The network analysis, as expected, predicted significant positive and negative microbial interactions in ticks from these geographic regions, with the genus Rickettsia, Francisella, and Borreliella playing an essential role in the identified clusters. Interactions between Rickettsia buchneri and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato need more validation and understanding. Understanding the interplay between the microbiome and tick-borne pathogens within tick vectors may pave the way for new strategies to prevent tick-borne infections.}, }
@article {pmid35211975, year = {2022}, author = {Gabr, A and Zournas, A and Stephens, TG and Dismukes, GC and Bhattacharya, D}, title = {Evidence for a robust photosystem II in the photosynthetic amoeba Paulinella.}, journal = {The New phytologist}, volume = {234}, number = {3}, pages = {934-945}, doi = {10.1111/nph.18052}, pmid = {35211975}, issn = {1469-8137}, mesh = {*Amoeba/genetics ; *Chromatophores ; Light ; Photosynthesis/genetics ; Photosystem II Protein Complex ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Paulinella represents the only known case of an independent primary plastid endosymbiosis, outside Archaeplastida, that occurred c. 120 (million years ago) Ma. These photoautotrophs grow very slowly in replete culture medium with a doubling time of 6-7 d at optimal low light, and are highly sensitive to photodamage under moderate light levels. We used genomic and biophysical methods to investigate the extreme slow growth rate and light sensitivity of Paulinella, which are key to photosymbiont integration. All photosystem II (PSII) genes except psb28-2 and all cytochrome b6 f complex genes except petM and petL are present in Paulinella micropora KR01 (hereafter, KR01). Biophysical measurements of the water oxidation complex, variable chlorophyll fluorescence, and photosynthesis-irradiance curves show no obvious evidence of PSII impairment. Analysis of photoacclimation under high-light suggests that although KR01 can perform charge separation, it lacks photoprotection mechanisms present in cyanobacteria. We hypothesize that Paulinella species are restricted to low light environments because they are deficient in mitigating the formation of reactive oxygen species formed within the photosystems under peak solar intensities. The finding that many photoprotection genes have been lost or transferred to the host-genome during endosymbiont genome reduction, and may lack light-regulation, is consistent with this hypothesis.}, }
@article {pmid35208930, year = {2022}, author = {Liu, X and Zhao, J and Jiang, P}, title = {Easy Removal of Epiphytic Bacteria on Ulva (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) by Vortex with Silica Sands.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {10}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {35208930}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {2018YFD0901500//National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; 41776153//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; COMS2019Q05//Key Deployment Project of Centre for Ocean Mega-Research of Science, Chinese Academy of Science/ ; 2019GSF107012//Key R&amp;D Program of Shandong Province/ ; XDA23050302, XDB42030302//Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; }, abstract = {Macroalgae-associated bacteria play an important role in their algal hosts' biological processes. They are localized on surfaces of the host thalli, as well as between and even within algal cells. To examine the differences in community structures and functions between epi- and endo- bacteria, an effective approach for maximizing epiphyte removal from delicate seaweeds while retaining endophyte fidelity must be developed. In this study, a variety of surface sterilization methods for Ulva prolifera were compared, including mechanical, chemical, and enzymatical treatments. According to the results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis, almost complete removal of epiphytic bacteria on Ulva was obtained simply by co-vortex of seaweeds with silica sands, causing minimal disturbance to endosymbionts when compared to previous published methods. In addition, the adaptability was also confirmed in additional U. prolifera strains and Ulva species with blade-like or narrow tubular thallus shapes. This easy mechanical method would enable the analysis of community composition and host specificity for Ulva-associated epi- and endo-bacteria separately.}, }
@article {pmid35207577, year = {2022}, author = {Latorre, A and Domínguez-Santos, R and García-Ferris, C and Gil, R}, title = {Of Cockroaches and Symbionts: Recent Advances in the Characterization of the Relationship between Blattella germanica and Its Dual Symbiotic System.}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {12}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {35207577}, issn = {2075-1729}, support = {PGC2018-099344-B-I00//European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and MInisterio de Ciencia, Innovaci&#xf3;n y Universidades (MICINN, Spain)/ ; PROMETEO/2018/133//Conselleria d'Educaci&#xf3;, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; }, abstract = {Mutualistic stable symbioses are widespread in all groups of eukaryotes, especially in insects, where symbionts have played an essential role in their evolution. Many insects live in obligate relationship with different ecto- and endosymbiotic bacteria, which are needed to maintain their hosts' fitness in their natural environment, to the point of even relying on them for survival. The case of cockroaches (Blattodea) is paradigmatic, as both symbiotic systems coexist in the same organism in two separated compartments: an intracellular endosymbiont (Blattabacterium) inside bacteriocytes located in the fat body, and a rich and complex microbiota in the hindgut. The German cockroach Blattella germanica is a good model for the study of symbiotic interactions, as it can be maintained in the laboratory in controlled populations, allowing the perturbations of the two symbiotic systems in order to study the communication and integration of the tripartite organization of the host-endosymbiont-microbiota, and to evaluate the role of symbiotic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in host control over their symbionts. The importance of cockroaches as reservoirs and transmission vectors of antibiotic resistance sequences, and their putative interest to search for AMPs to deal with the problem, is also discussed.}, }
@article {pmid35196357, year = {2022}, author = {Ross, PA and Robinson, KL and Yang, Q and Callahan, AG and Schmidt, TL and Axford, JK and Coquilleau, MP and Staunton, KM and Townsend, M and Ritchie, SA and Lau, MJ and Gu, X and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {A decade of stability for wMel Wolbachia in natural Aedes aegypti populations.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {18}, number = {2}, pages = {e1010256}, pmid = {35196357}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {*Aedes ; Animals ; *Arboviruses ; Australia ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia endosymbionts are being released in many countries for arbovirus control. The wMel strain of Wolbachia blocks Aedes-borne virus transmission and can spread throughout mosquito populations by inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying wMel were first released into the field in Cairns, Australia, over a decade ago, and with wider releases have resulted in the near elimination of local dengue transmission. The long-term stability of Wolbachia effects is critical for ongoing disease suppression, requiring tracking of phenotypic and genomic changes in Wolbachia infections following releases. We used a combination of field surveys, phenotypic assessments, and Wolbachia genome sequencing to show that wMel has remained stable in its effects for up to a decade in Australian Ae. aegypti populations. Phenotypic comparisons of wMel-infected and uninfected mosquitoes from near-field and long-term laboratory populations suggest limited changes in the effects of wMel on mosquito fitness. Treating mosquitoes with antibiotics used to cure the wMel infection had limited effects on fitness in the next generation, supporting the use of tetracycline for generating uninfected mosquitoes without off-target effects. wMel has a temporally stable within-host density and continues to induce complete cytoplasmic incompatibility. A comparison of wMel genomes from pre-release (2010) and nine years post-release (2020) populations show few genomic differences and little divergence between release locations, consistent with the lack of phenotypic changes. These results indicate that releases of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes for population replacement are likely to be effective for many years, but ongoing monitoring remains important to track potential evolutionary changes.}, }
@article {pmid35194678, year = {2022}, author = {Dos Santos, DL and Virginio, VG and Berté, FK and Lorenzatto, KR and Marinho, DR and Kwitko, S and Locatelli, CI and Freitas, EC and Rott, MB}, title = {Clinical and molecular diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis in contact lens wearers in southern Brazil reveals the presence of an endosymbiont.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {121}, number = {5}, pages = {1447-1454}, pmid = {35194678}, issn = {1432-1955}, mesh = {*Acanthamoeba/genetics ; *Acanthamoeba Keratitis/diagnosis/etiology ; *Amebiasis/complications ; Brazil ; *Contact Lenses/adverse effects ; Genotype ; Humans ; }, abstract = {Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is an infection that is mostly observed in contact lens wearers. It is often misdiagnosed causing delays in the administration of the correct treatment. The aim of this study was to report the outcome of clinical and molecular diagnosis of AK cases during the summer of 2019 in the southern region of Brazil. Three suspected cases of AK were discovered after an ophthalmic examination at a public hospital in the city of Porto Alegre. These cases were then confirmed through laboratory diagnosis (cell culture and molecular analysis by PCR and sequencing). In each of the three clinical sample cell cultures of corneal scraping and molecular analysis confirmed the presence of Acanthamoeba spp., all belonging to the morphological group II and to the genotype T4, which is the most common genotype associated with AK. In addition, Acanthamoeba spp. isolated from one of the clinical samples was found to harbor the Candidatus Paracaedibacter acanthamoeba, a bacterial endosymbiont. The presence of Ca. Paracaedibacter acanthamoeba in clinical isolates requires further research to reveal its possible role in the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba infections.}, }
@article {pmid35192040, year = {2023}, author = {Detcharoen, M and Nilsai, A}, title = {Low Endosymbiont Incidence in Drosophila Species Across Peninsula Thailand.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {85}, number = {2}, pages = {730-736}, pmid = {35192040}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {SCI6404008S//Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Drosophila ; Incidence ; Thailand ; Symbiosis ; Bacteroidetes ; *Wolbachia ; *Spiroplasma ; *Rickettsia ; }, abstract = {Arthropods are known to harbor several endosymbionts, such as Cardinium, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma, and Wolbachia. Wolbachia, for example, are the most widespread known endosymbionts in the world, which are found in about half of all arthropod species. To increase their transmission, these endosymbionts must manipulate their hosts in several ways such as cytoplasmic incompatibility and male killing. In tropical regions, endosymbiont diversity has not been studied exhaustively. Here, we checked four endosymbionts, including Cardinium, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma, and Wolbachia, in eleven Drosophila species found in Thai Peninsula. The Wolbachia strain wRi-like was found in all populations of Drosophila ananassae and Drosophila simulans. Furthermore, we found two new strains, wMalA and wMalB, in two populations of Drosophila malerkotliana. Besides Wolbachia, we did not find any of the above endosymbionts in all fly species. This work reveals the hidden diversity of endosymbionts in Drosophila and is the first exhaustive study on Drosophila in the region.}, }
@article {pmid35190334, year = {2022}, author = {Yessinou, RE and Katja, MS and Heinrich, N and Farougou, S}, title = {Prevalence of Coxiella-infections in ticks - review and meta-analysis.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {101926}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101926}, pmid = {35190334}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Coxiella/genetics ; *Coxiella burnetii/genetics ; Prevalence ; *Q Fever/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary ; *Ticks/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Q fever is a global zoonotic infection caused by the intracellular Gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Historically, it is considered a vector-borne disease, but the role of ticks in transmission has not fully been elucidated yet. Excretion of C. burnetii in tick feces and saliva is well documented but the role of these findings or the epidemiological context is discussed controversially. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of C. burnetii DNA in ticks to clarify the potential role of tick species for maintenance of C. burnetii infection. A literature review was performed using Google scholar, Agora, Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus to identify original studies on C. burnetii DNA presence in ticks. The search was limited to literature published from 2009 to 2020 in English and French and focused on data obtained by molecular detection of C. burnetii DNA in ticks. Overall, the prevalence of C. burnetii in ticks collected in Africa varied from 2.91% to 13.97%, in Europe from 2.46% to 10.52% and the Middle East from 4.76% to 12.53%. Ticks collected from animals showed a prevalence of 8% (95% CI: 6%-10%), followed by ticks collected from the environment and animals of 7% (95% CI: 5%-10%). C. burnetii DNA has been found in samples of many tick species with the highest prevalence in Rhipicephalus evertsi and Amblyomma variegatum. However, most of these studies did not include a differentiation between C. burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts making it finally difficult to estimate the potential role that ticks play in the epidemiology of Q fever. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the vector competence of different tick species to transmit C. burnetii. Knowledge of the vector and reservoir competence of ticks is important for taking adequate preventive measures to limit infection risks.}, }
@article {pmid35186508, year = {2022}, author = {Lefoulon, E and Campbell, N and Stock, SP}, title = {Identification of novel prophage regions in Xenorhabdus nematophila genome and gene expression analysis during phage-like particle induction.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {e12956}, pmid = {35186508}, issn = {2167-8359}, mesh = {Animals ; Prophages/genetics ; *Bacteriophages/genetics ; *Xenorhabdus/genetics ; Mitomycin/pharmacology ; Insecta/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Entomopathogenic Xenorhabdus bacteria are endosymbionts of Steinernema nematodes and together they form an insecticidal mutualistic association that infects a wide range of insect species. Xenorhabdus produce an arsenal of toxins and secondary metabolites that kill the insect host. In addition, they can induce the production of diverse phage particles. A few studies have focused on one integrated phage responsible for producing a phage tail-like bacteriocin, associated with an antimicrobial activity against other Xenorhabdus species. However, very little is known about the diversity of prophage regions in Xenorhabdus species.<br><br>METHODS: In the present study, we identified several prophage regions in the genome of Xenorhabdus nematophila AN6/1. We performed a preliminary study on the relative expression of genes in these prophage regions. We also investigated some genes (not contained in prophage region) known to be involved in SOS bacterial response (recA and lexA) associated with mitomycin C and UV exposure.<br><br>RESULTS: We described two integrated prophage regions (designated Xnp3 and Xnp4) not previously described in the genome of Xenorhabdus nematophila AN6/1. The Xnp3 prophage region appears very similar to complete Mu-like bacteriophage. These prophages regions are not unique to X. nematophila species, although they appear less conserved among Xenorhabdus species when compared to the previously described p1 prophage region. Our results showed that mitomycin C exposure induced an up-regulation of recA and lexA suggesting activation of SOS response. In addition, mitomycin C and UV exposure seems to lead to up-regulation of genes in three of the four integrated prophages regions.}, }
@article {pmid35183553, year = {2022}, author = {Konecka, E}, title = {Fifty shades of bacterial endosymbionts and some of them still remain a mystery: Wolbachia and Cardinium in oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida).}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {189}, number = {}, pages = {107733}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2022.107733}, pmid = {35183553}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; Bacteroidetes ; *Mites/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is the most abundant intracellular symbiont among terrestrial Arthropoda. This bacterium together with other microorganisms, i.e., Cardinium, gained fame mainly as the causative agent of host sex-ratio distortion. Across the impressive diversity of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida), the microbes have been found in both parthenogenetic (Oppiella nova, Ceratozetes thienemanni, Hypochthonius rufulus) as well as sexually-reproducing (Gustavia microcephala, Achipteria coleoptrata, Microzetorchestes emeryi, Damaeus onustus) species. Wolbachia found in Oribatida represents supergroup E and is related to bacterial endosymbionts of springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola). Cardinium identified in O. nova and M. emeryi belongs to phylogenetic group A. In turn, Cardinium from A. coleoptrata constitutes a new separate group E. The occurrence of these bacterial endosymbionts in parthenogenetic and sexual oribatid mites species may suggests a different function other than manipulating host reproduction. Indeed, endosymbionts may have various "shades" of functions in invertebrate hosts, some of which cannot be excluded in the oribatid mites, e.g., enriching a nutrient-limited diet with B vitamins or contributing to host adaptation to colder and harsher climates. Nevertheless, the mystery behind the roles of bacteria in Oribatida still needs required to be unraveled.}, }
@article {pmid35175127, year = {2022}, author = {Gharabigloozare, Y and Wähling, A and Bleidorn, C}, title = {Whole-Genome Sequence of the Wolbachia Strain wTcon, an Endosymbiont of the Confused Flour Beetle, Tribolium confusum.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {e0114421}, pmid = {35175127}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Up to 60% of insects are infected with symbiont intracellular alphaproteobacteria of the genus Wolbachia, which are often able to manipulate their host's reproduction. Here, we report the annotated draft genome sequence of strain wTcon from the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum, based on long- and short-read sequence data. The assembled genome is located on 12 contigs with a total size of 1,418,452 bp.}, }
@article {pmid35172009, year = {2022}, author = {Rutins, I and Schannauer, S and Orellana, S and Laukhuff, H and Lang, E and Becker, T and McKinney, E and Thomas, K and Tilden, V and Swartz, M and Blair, JE}, title = {Genetic Diversity and Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) Prevalence Within a Remnant Population of Regal Fritillary, Argynnis idalia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), in South-Central Pennsylvania.}, journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {35172009}, issn = {1536-2442}, support = {//Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs/ ; //Bureau of Environmental Management/ ; //Franklin &amp; Marshall College Committee on Grants/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Butterflies/genetics/microbiology ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Pennsylvania ; Prevalence ; United States ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Eastern populations of the North American regal fritillary, Argynnis idalia Drury (1773), have been largely extirpated over the past half century. Here we report on the last remaining population of eastern regal fritillaries, located within a military installation in south-central Pennsylvania. Samples were obtained from field specimens during two years of annual monitoring, and from females collected for captive rearing over a five year period. Nuclear microsatellite and mitochondrial sequence data do not suggest subdivision within this population, but excess nuclear homozygosity indicates negative impacts on genetic diversity likely due to small population size and potential inbreeding effects. Molecular assays did not detect Wolbachia endosymbionts in field specimens of regal fritillary, but sympatric Argynnis sister species showed high prevalence of Wolbachia infected individuals. Our results inform ongoing conservation and reintroduction projects, designed to protect the last remaining regal fritillary population from extirpation in the eastern United States.}, }
@article {pmid35171977, year = {2022}, author = {Gagalova, KK and Whitehill, JGA and Culibrk, L and Lin, D and Lévesque-Tremblay, V and Keeling, CI and Coombe, L and Yuen, MMS and Birol, I and Bohlmann, J and Jones, SJM}, title = {The genome of the forest insect pest Pissodes strobi reveals genome expansion and evidence of a Wolbachia endosymbiont.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {35171977}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Animals ; Forests ; Insecta ; *Picea/genetics ; *Weevils/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The highly diverse insect family of true weevils, Curculionidae, includes many agricultural and forest pests. Pissodes strobi, commonly known as the spruce weevil or white pine weevil, is a major pest of spruce and pine forests in North America. Pissodes strobi larvae feed on the apical shoots of young trees, causing stunted growth and can destroy regenerating spruce or pine forests. Here, we describe the nuclear and mitochondrial Pissodes strobi genomes and their annotations, as well as the genome of an apparent Wolbachia endosymbiont. We report a substantial expansion of the weevil nuclear genome, relative to other Curculionidae species, possibly driven by an abundance of class II DNA transposons. The endosymbiont observed belongs to a group (supergroup A) of Wolbachia species that generally form parasitic relationships with their arthropod host.}, }
@article {pmid35170217, year = {2022}, author = {Breusing, C and Castel, J and Yang, Y and Broquet, T and Sun, J and Jollivet, D and Qian, PY and Beinart, RA}, title = {Global 16S rRNA diversity of provannid snail endosymbionts from Indo-Pacific deep-sea hydrothermal vents.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {14}, number = {2}, pages = {299-307}, pmid = {35170217}, issn = {1758-2229}, mesh = {Animals ; Ecosystem ; *Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Snails/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Symbioses between invertebrate animals and chemosynthetic bacteria build the foundation of deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystems worldwide. Despite the importance of these symbioses for ecosystem functioning, the diversity of symbionts within and between host organisms and geographic regions is still poorly understood. In this study we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to determine the diversity of gill endosymbionts in provannid snails of the genera Alviniconcha and Ifremeria, which are key species at deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Our analysis of 761 snail samples across the distributional range of these species confirms previous findings that symbiont lineages are strongly partitioned by host species and broad-scale geography. Less structuring was observed within geographic regions, probably due to insufficient strain resolution of the 16S rRNA gene. Symbiont richness in individual hosts appeared to be unrelated to host size, suggesting that provannid snails might acquire their symbionts only during a permissive time window in early developmental stages in contrast to other vent molluscs that obtain their symbionts throughout their lifetime. Despite the extent of our dataset, symbiont accumulation curves did not reach saturation, highlighting the need for increased sampling efforts to uncover the full diversity of symbionts within these and other hydrothermal vent species.}, }
@article {pmid35163495, year = {2022}, author = {Fish, M and Nash, D and German, A and Overton, A and Jelokhani-Niaraki, M and Chuong, SDX and Smith, MD}, title = {New Insights into the Chloroplast Outer Membrane Proteome and Associated Targeting Pathways.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {23}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {35163495}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {PGSD3//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council/ ; 05437//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {Chloroplast Proteins/chemistry/*metabolism ; Chloroplasts/*metabolism ; Intracellular Membranes/*metabolism ; Protein Transport ; Proteome/*metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; }, abstract = {Plastids are a dynamic class of organelle in plant cells that arose from an ancient cyanobacterial endosymbiont. Over the course of evolution, most genes encoding plastid proteins were transferred to the nuclear genome. In parallel, eukaryotic cells evolved a series of targeting pathways and complex proteinaceous machinery at the plastid surface to direct these proteins back to their target organelle. Chloroplasts are the most well-characterized plastids, responsible for photosynthesis and other important metabolic functions. The biogenesis and function of chloroplasts rely heavily on the fidelity of intracellular protein trafficking pathways. Therefore, understanding these pathways and their regulation is essential. Furthermore, the chloroplast outer membrane proteome remains relatively uncharted territory in our understanding of protein targeting. Many key players in the cytosol, receptors at the organelle surface, and insertases that facilitate insertion into the chloroplast outer membrane remain elusive for this group of proteins. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of well-characterized chloroplast outer membrane protein targeting pathways as well as provide new insights into novel targeting signals and pathways more recently identified using a bioinformatic approach. As a result of our analyses, we expand the known number of chloroplast outer membrane proteins from 117 to 138.}, }
@article {pmid35163408, year = {2022}, author = {Bueno, E and Mania, D and Mesa, S and Bedmar, EJ and Frostegård, &#xc5; and Bakken, LR and Delgado, MJ}, title = {Regulation of the Emissions of the Greenhouse Gas Nitrous Oxide by the Soybean Endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {23}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {35163408}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Bradyrhizobium/*metabolism ; Greenhouse Gases/*metabolism ; Nitrous Oxide/*metabolism ; Glycine max/*microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) has strong potential to drive climate change. Soils are a major source of N2O, with microbial nitrification and denitrification being the primary processes involved in such emissions. The soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens is a model microorganism to study denitrification, a process that depends on a set of reductases, encoded by the napEDABC, nirK, norCBQD, and nosRZDYFLX genes, which sequentially reduce nitrate (NO3[-]) to nitrite (NO2[-]), nitric oxide (NO), N2O, and dinitrogen (N2). In this bacterium, the regulatory network and environmental cues governing the expression of denitrification genes rely on the FixK2 and NnrR transcriptional regulators. To understand the role of FixK2 and NnrR proteins in N2O turnover, we monitored real-time kinetics of NO3[-], NO2[-], NO, N2O, N2, and oxygen (O2) in a fixK2 and nnrR mutant using a robotized incubation system. We confirmed that FixK2 and NnrR are regulatory determinants essential for NO3[-] respiration and N2O reduction. Furthermore, we demonstrated that N2O reduction by B. diazoefficiens is independent of canonical inducers of denitrification, such as the nitrogen oxide NO3[-], and it is negatively affected by acidic and alkaline conditions. These findings advance the understanding of how specific environmental conditions and two single regulators modulate N2O turnover in B. diazoefficiens.}, }
@article {pmid35162074, year = {2022}, author = {Skinner, KM and Underwood, J and Ghosh, A and Oliva Chavez, AS and Brelsfoard, CL}, title = {Wolbachia Impacts Anaplasma Infection in Ixodes scapularis Tick Cells.}, journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health}, volume = {19}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {35162074}, issn = {1660-4601}, mesh = {*Anaplasma phagocytophilum ; *Anaplasmosis ; Animals ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The specific interactions of members of tick bacterial microbiota and their effects on pathogen transmission remains relatively unexplored. Here, we introduced a novel Wolbachia infection type into Ixodes scapularis tick cells and examined the antipathogenic effects on the intracellular pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum. An increase in A. phagocytophilum replication was observed in Wolbachia-infected tick cells. However, Wolbachia infection densities decreased when cells were serially passaged and ultimately the infection was lost. Host-cell immune response was also examined as an additional factor that could have affected A. phagocytophilum replication in Wolbachia-infected cells. In early passages post-Wolbachia infection, a decreased immune response was observed, but in later passages of cells with low Wolbachia densities, there was no change in the immune response. The results are discussed in relation to the importance of studying the interactions of the tick microbiota, the host cell, and the pathogen and the development of novel tick and tick-borne disease-control approaches.}, }
@article {pmid35145076, year = {2022}, author = {Schvarcz, CR and Wilson, ST and Caffin, M and Stancheva, R and Li, Q and Turk-Kubo, KA and White, AE and Karl, DM and Zehr, JP and Steward, GF}, title = {Overlooked and widespread pennate diatom-diazotroph symbioses in the sea.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {799}, pmid = {35145076}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Cyanobacteria/physiology ; Diatoms/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Ecosystem ; Nitrogen ; Nitrogen Fixation ; Pacific Ocean ; Phylogeny ; Seawater/*microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Persistent nitrogen depletion in sunlit open ocean waters provides a favorable ecological niche for nitrogen-fixing (diazotrophic) cyanobacteria, some of which associate symbiotically with eukaryotic algae. All known marine examples of these symbioses have involved either centric diatom or haptophyte hosts. We report here the discovery and characterization of two distinct marine pennate diatom-diazotroph symbioses, which until now had only been observed in freshwater environments. Rhopalodiaceae diatoms Epithemia pelagica sp. nov. and Epithemia catenata sp. nov. were isolated repeatedly from the subtropical North Pacific Ocean, and analysis of sequence libraries reveals a global distribution. These symbioses likely escaped attention because the endosymbionts lack fluorescent photopigments, have nifH gene sequences similar to those of free-living unicellular cyanobacteria, and are lost in nitrogen-replete medium. Marine Rhopalodiaceae-diazotroph symbioses are a previously overlooked but widespread source of bioavailable nitrogen in marine habitats and provide new, easily cultured model organisms for the study of organelle evolution.}, }
@article {pmid35134329, year = {2022}, author = {Itabangi, H and Sephton-Clark, PCS and Tamayo, DP and Zhou, X and Starling, GP and Mahamoud, Z and Insua, I and Probert, M and Correia, J and Moynihan, PJ and Gebremariam, T and Gu, Y and Ibrahim, AS and Brown, GD and King, JS and Ballou, ER and Voelz, K}, title = {A bacterial endosymbiont of the fungus Rhizopus microsporus drives phagocyte evasion and opportunistic virulence.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {32}, number = {5}, pages = {1115-1130.e6}, pmid = {35134329}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {BB/S010122/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 211241/Z/18/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; R01 AI063503/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 102705/Z/13/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 108387/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 097377/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MR/V033417/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/M01116X/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 102705/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MR/N006364/2/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/M014525/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {*Amoeba ; Animals ; Bacteria ; *Dictyostelium ; Fungi ; Humans ; Mammals ; Mice ; Phagocytes ; Rhizopus ; Virulence ; Zebrafish ; }, abstract = {Opportunistic infections by environmental fungi are a growing clinical problem, driven by an increasing population of people with immunocompromising conditions. Spores of the Mucorales order are ubiquitous in the environment but can also cause acute invasive infections in humans through germination and evasion of the mammalian host immune system. How they achieve this and the evolutionary drivers underlying the acquisition of virulence mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we show that a clinical isolate of Rhizopus microsporus contains a Ralstonia pickettii bacterial endosymbiont required for virulence in both zebrafish and mice and that this endosymbiosis enables the secretion of factors that potently suppress growth of the soil amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, as well as their ability to engulf and kill other microbes. As amoebas are natural environmental predators of both bacteria and fungi, we propose that this tri-kingdom interaction contributes to establishing endosymbiosis and the acquisition of anti-phagocyte activity. Importantly, we show that this activity also protects fungal spores from phagocytosis and clearance by human macrophages, and endosymbiont removal renders the fungal spores avirulent in vivo. Together, these findings describe a new role for a bacterial endosymbiont in Rhizopus microsporus pathogenesis in animals and suggest a mechanism of virulence acquisition through environmental interactions with amoebas.}, }
@article {pmid35134189, year = {2022}, author = {Grodowitz, MJ and Gundersen-Rindal, DE and Elliott, B and Evans, R and Sparks, ME and Reed, DA and Miles, GP and Allen, ML and Perring, TM}, title = {Trypanosomatids Associated in the Alimentary Canal of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).}, journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {35134189}, issn = {1536-2442}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/parasitology ; *Trypanosoma/classification ; }, abstract = {Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) is an invasive pest of economically important crops in the United States. During physiological investigations of B. hilaris, a flagellated protozoan was discovered in the alimentary canal of many specimens. This manuscript characterizes the morphology and molecular identification of the trypanosomatid, which appears similar to trypanosomatids identified in other stink bug species. It has been identified as a species in the Blastocrithidia genus based on morphological characteristics and molecular analyses.}, }
@article {pmid35132118, year = {2022}, author = {Scharfenstein, HJ and Chan, WY and Buerger, P and Humphrey, C and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {Evidence for de novo acquisition of microalgal symbionts by bleached adult corals.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {16}, number = {6}, pages = {1676-1679}, pmid = {35132118}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/genetics ; Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; *Microalgae ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Early life stages of most coral species acquire microalgal endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) from the environment, but whether exogenous symbiont uptake is possible in the adult life stage is unclear. Deep sequencing of the Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 genetic marker has revealed novel symbionts in adult corals following bleaching; however these strains may have already been present at densities below detection limits. To test whether acquisition of symbionts from the environment occurs, we subjected adult fragments of corals (six species in four families) to a chemical bleaching treatment (menthol and DCMU). The treatment reduced the native microalgal symbiont abundance to below 2% of their starting densities. The bleached corals were then inoculated with a cultured Cladocopium C1[acro] strain. Genotyping of the Symbiodiniaceae communities before bleaching and after reinoculation showed that fragments of all six coral species acquired the Cladocopium C1[acro] strain used for inoculation. Our results provide strong evidence for the uptake of Symbiodiniaceae from the environment by adult corals. We also demonstrate the feasibility of chemical bleaching followed by reinoculation to manipulate the Symbiodiniaceae communities of adult corals, providing an innovative approach to establish new symbioses between adult corals and heat-evolved microalgal symbionts, which could prove highly relevant to coral reef restoration efforts.}, }
@article {pmid35129273, year = {2022}, author = {Chang, CY and Sun, XW and Tian, PP and Miao, NH and Zhang, YL and Liu, XD}, title = {Plant secondary metabolite and temperature determine the prevalence of Arsenophonus endosymbionts in aphid populations.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {24}, number = {8}, pages = {3764-3776}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.15929}, pmid = {35129273}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Amino Acids ; Animals ; *Aphids ; *Gammaproteobacteria ; *Gossypol ; Plants ; Prevalence ; Symbiosis ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {Transmission rate and role in hosts contribute to the prevalence of an endosymbiont. However, factors affecting transmission and role of facultative endosymbionts are still not well understood. Here, we illustrated that host plants and environmental temperatures affected the transmission, relative abundance and role of Arsenophonus in the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii. The transmission rate of this endosymbiont from mother aphids to offspring was relatively lower. High temperatures impeded the transmission, and infection rates declined as aphids were exposed to 30°C. Contents of amino acids and secondary metabolites were remarkably different among host plants. Aphids feeding on zucchini leaves containing a higher titre of amino acids and lower secondary metabolites harboured a relatively lower abundance of Arsenophonus. Concentrations of an amino acid and a plant secondary metabolite, cucurbitacin B, in aphid diet were not associated with Arsenophonus abundance. However, gossypol, another plant secondary metabolite, was strongly related with the abundance. Arsenophonus imparted a fitness benefit to aphids, and the benefit was dependent on host plants and gossypol concentration. In sum, plant secondary metabolite and environmental temperature affect transmission, relative abundance and role of Arsenophonus, which determine the endosymbiont prevalence in aphid populations.}, }
@article {pmid35127053, year = {2022}, author = {Travers Cook, TJ and Skirgaila, C and Martin, OY and Buser, CC}, title = {Infection by dsRNA viruses is associated with enhanced sporulation efficiency in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {e8558}, pmid = {35127053}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Upon starvation diploid cells of the facultative sexual yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergo sporulation, forming four metabolically quiescent and robust haploid spores encased in a degradable ascus. All endosymbionts, whether they provide net benefits or costs, utilize host resources; in yeast, this should induce an earlier onset of sporulation. Here, we tested whether the presence of endosymbiotic dsRNA viruses (M satellite and L-A helper) correspond with higher sporulation rate of their host, S. cerevisiae. We find that S. cerevisiae hosting both the M and L-A viruses (so-called "killer yeasts") have significantly higher sporulation efficiency than those without. We also found that the removal of the M virus did not reduce sporulation frequency, possibly because the L-A virus still utilizes host resources with and without the M virus. Our findings indicate that either virulent resource use by endosymbionts induces sporulation, or that viruses are spread more frequently to sporulating strains. Further exploration is required to distinguish cause from effect.}, }
@article {pmid35127049, year = {2022}, author = {Kaech, H and Jud, S and Vorburger, C}, title = {Similar cost of Hamiltonella defensa in experimental and natural aphid-endosymbiont associations.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {e8551}, pmid = {35127049}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Endosymbiont-conferred resistance to parasitoids is common in aphids, but comes at a cost to the host in the absence of parasitoids. In black bean aphids (Aphis fabae), costs in terms of reduced lifespan and lifetime reproduction were demonstrated by introducing 11 isolates of the protective symbiont Hamiltonella defensa into previously uninfected aphid clones. Transfection of H. defensa isolates into a common genetic background allows to compare the costs of different endosymbiont isolates unconfounded by host genetic variation, but has been suggested to overestimate the realized costs of the endosymbiont in natural populations, because transfection creates new and potentially maladapted host-symbiont combinations that would be eliminated by natural selection in the field. In this experiment, we show that removing H. defensa isolates from their natural host clones with antibiotics results in a fitness gain that is comparable to the fitness loss from their introduction into two new clones. This suggests that estimating cost by transfecting endosymbiont isolates into a shared host genotype does not lead to gross overestimates of their realized costs, at least not in the two recipient genotypes used here. By comparing our data with data reported in previous publications using the same lines, we show that symbiont-induced costs may fluctuate over time. Thus, costs estimated after extended culture in the laboratory may not always be representative of the costs at the time of collection in the field. Finally, we report the accidental observation that two isolates from a distinct haplotype of H. defensa could not be removed by cefotaxime treatment, while all isolates from two other haplotypes were readily eliminated, which is suggestive of variation in susceptibility to this antibiotic in H. defensa.}, }
@article {pmid35126998, year = {2022}, author = {Markalanda, SH and McFadden, CJ and Cassidy, ST and Wood, CW}, title = {The soil microbiome increases plant survival and modifies interactions with root endosymbionts in the field.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {e8283}, pmid = {35126998}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Evidence is accumulating that the soil microbiome-the community of microorganisms living in soils-has a major effect on plant traits and fitness. However, most work to date has taken place under controlled laboratory conditions and has not experimentally disentangled the effect of the soil microbiome on plant performance from the effects of key endosymbiotic constituents. As a result, it is difficult to extrapolate from existing data to understand the role of the soil microbiome in natural plant populations. To address this gap, we performed a field experiment using the black medick Medicago lupulina to test how the soil microbiome influences plant performance and colonization by two root endosymbionts (the mutualistic nitrogen-fixing bacteria Ensifer spp. and the parasitic root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla) under natural conditions. We inoculated all plants with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and factorially manipulated the soil microbiome and nematode infection. We found that plants grown in microbe-depleted soil exhibit greater mortality, but that among the survivors, there was no effect of the soil microbiome on plant performance (shoot biomass, root biomass, or shoot-to-root ratio). The soil microbiome also impacted parasitic nematode infection and affected colonization by mutualistic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in a plant genotype-dependent manner, increasing colonization in some plant genotypes and decreasing it in others. Our results demonstrate the soil microbiome has complex effects on plant-endosymbiont interactions and may be critical for survival under natural conditions.}, }
@article {pmid35115648, year = {2022}, author = {Katlav, A and Nguyen, DT and Morrow, JL and Spooner-Hart, RN and Riegler, M}, title = {Endosymbionts moderate constrained sex allocation in a haplodiploid thrips species in a temperature-sensitive way.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {128}, number = {3}, pages = {169-177}, pmid = {35115648}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes ; Female ; Male ; Sex Ratio ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Temperature ; *Thysanoptera/genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts that affect host fitness are common in nature. Some endosymbionts colonise host populations by reproductive manipulations (such as cytoplasmic incompatibility; CI) that increase the reproductive fitness of infected over uninfected females. Theory predicts that CI-inducing endosymbionts in haplodiploid hosts may also influence sex allocation, including in compatible crosses, however, empirical evidence for this is scarce. We examined the role of two common CI-inducing endosymbionts, Cardinium and Wolbachia, in the sex allocation of Pezothrips kellyanus, a haplodiploid thrips species with a split sex ratio. In this species, irrespective of infection status, some mated females are constrained to produce extremely male-biased broods, whereas other females produce extremely female-biased broods. We analysed brood sex ratio of females mated with males of the same infection status at two temperatures. We found that at 20 °C the frequency of constrained sex allocation in coinfected pairs was reduced by 27% when compared to uninfected pairs. However, at 25 °C the constrained sex allocation frequency increased and became similar between coinfected and uninfected pairs, resulting in more male-biased population sex ratios at the higher temperature. This temperature-dependent pattern occurred without changes in endosymbiont densities and compatibility. Our findings indicate that endosymbionts affect sex ratios of haplodiploid hosts beyond the commonly recognised reproductive manipulations by causing female-biased sex allocation in a temperature-dependent fashion. This may contribute to a higher transmission efficiency of CI-inducing endosymbionts and is consistent with previous models that predict that CI by itself is less efficient in driving endosymbiont invasions in haplodiploid hosts.}, }
@article {pmid35113477, year = {2022}, author = {Bourland, W and Pomahač, O and Čepička, I}, title = {Morphology and phylogeny of two anaerobic freshwater ciliates: Brachonella comma sp. nov. and the widely distributed but little-known caenomorphid, Ludio parvulus Penard, 1922.}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {69}, number = {3}, pages = {e12892}, doi = {10.1111/jeu.12892}, pmid = {35113477}, issn = {1550-7408}, support = {19-19297S//Czech Science Foundation/ ; 365021//Charles University Grant Agency/ ; }, mesh = {Anaerobiosis ; *Ciliophora/genetics ; Fresh Water ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; }, abstract = {Hypoxic, sulfidic freshwater sediments typically support a diffuse consortium of distinctive ciliated protists, including caenomorphids, metopids, and odontostomatids among others. A recent resurgence of interest in these important members of sapropelic food webs has resulted in the description of many new species and an effort, still in its infancy, to characterize them from a morphologic, molecular, and metabolic standpoint and to determine their phylogenetic relationships. Their seemingly invariable association with prokaryotic endosymbionts and, less commonly, ectosymbionts has become a focus for many researchers. In this report, based on morphologic and molecular data, we describe a Brachonella species (Ciliophora, Metopida) new to science and analyze its phylogeny. We also provide a morphologic and molecular characterization of the smallest representative of the Caenomorphidae Poche, 1913, Ludio parvulus Penard, 1922. The phylogenetic analysis confirms the inclusion of this species in the Caenomorphidae.}, }
@article {pmid35112871, year = {2022}, author = {Deutsch, JM and Mandelare-Ruiz, P and Yang, Y and Foster, G and Routhu, A and Houk, J and De La Flor, YT and Ushijima, B and Meyer, JL and Paul, VJ and Garg, N}, title = {Metabolomics Approaches to Dereplicate Natural Products from Coral-Derived Bioactive Bacteria.}, journal = {Journal of natural products}, volume = {85}, number = {3}, pages = {462-478}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c01110}, pmid = {35112871}, issn = {1520-6025}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/microbiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/metabolism/pharmacology ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Biological Products/metabolism/pharmacology ; Metabolomics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Stony corals (Scleractinia) are invertebrates that form symbiotic relationships with eukaryotic algal endosymbionts and the prokaryotic microbiome. The microbiome has the potential to produce bioactive natural products providing defense and resilience to the coral host against pathogenic microorganisms, but this potential has not been extensively explored. Bacterial pathogens can pose a significant threat to corals, with some species implicated in primary and opportunistic infections of various corals. In response, probiotics have been proposed as a potential strategy to protect corals in the face of increased incidence of disease outbreaks. In this study, we screened bacterial isolates from healthy and diseased corals for antibacterial activity. The bioactive extracts were analyzed using untargeted metabolomics. Herein, an UpSet plot and hierarchical clustering analyses were performed to identify isolates with the largest number of unique metabolites. These isolates also displayed different antibacterial activities. Through application of in silico and experimental approaches coupled with genome analysis, we dereplicated natural products from these coral-derived bacteria from Florida's coral reef environments. The metabolomics approach highlighted in this study serves as a useful resource to select probiotic candidates and enables insights into natural product-mediated chemical ecology in holobiont symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid35108076, year = {2022}, author = {Giannotti, D and Boscaro, V and Husnik, F and Vannini, C and Keeling, PJ}, title = {The "Other" Rickettsiales: an Overview of the Family "Candidatus Midichloriaceae".}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {88}, number = {6}, pages = {e0243221}, pmid = {35108076}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {*Alphaproteobacteria/genetics ; Animals ; Bacteria ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsiales ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The family "Candidatus Midichloriaceae" constitutes the most diverse but least studied lineage within the important order of intracellular bacteria Rickettsiales. "Candidatus Midichloriaceae" endosymbionts are found in many hosts, including terrestrial arthropods, aquatic invertebrates, and protists. Representatives of the family are not documented to be pathogenic, but some are associated with diseased fish or corals. Different genera display a range of unusual features, such as full sets of flagellar genes without visible flagella or the ability to invade host mitochondria. Since studies on "Ca. Midichloriaceae" tend to focus on the host, the family is rarely addressed as a unit, and we therefore lack a coherent picture of its diversity. Here, we provide four new midichloriaceae genomes, and we survey molecular and ecological data from the entire family. Features like genome size, ecological context, and host transitions vary considerably even among closely related midichloriaceae, suggesting a high frequency of such shifts, incomplete sampling, or both. Important functional traits involved in energy metabolism, flagella, and secretion systems were independently reduced multiple times with no obvious correspondence to host or habitat, corroborating the idea that many features of these "professional symbionts" are largely independent of host identity. Finally, despite "Ca. Midichloriaceae" being predominantly studied in ticks, our analyses show that the clade is mainly aquatic, with a few terrestrial offshoots. This highlights the importance of considering aquatic hosts, and protists in particular, when reconstructing the evolution of these endosymbionts and by extension all Rickettsiales. IMPORTANCE Among endosymbiotic bacterial lineages, few are as intensely studied as Rickettsiales, which include the causative agents of spotted fever, typhus, and anaplasmosis. However, an important subgroup called "Candidatus Midichloriaceae" receives little attention despite accounting for a third of the diversity of Rickettsiales and harboring a wide range of bacteria with unique features, like the ability to infect mitochondria. Midichloriaceae are found in many hosts, from ticks to corals to unicellular protozoa, and studies on them tend to focus on the host groups. Here, for the first time since the establishment of this clade, we address the genomics, evolution, and ecology of "Ca. Midichloriaceae" as a whole, highlighting trends and patterns, the remaining gaps in our knowledge, and its importance for the understanding of symbiotic processes in intracellular bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid35107338, year = {2022}, author = {Stephens, ME and Benjamino, J and Graf, J and Gage, DJ}, title = {Simultaneous Single-Cell Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing of Termite Hindgut Protists Reveals Metabolic and Evolutionary Traits of Their Endosymbionts.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {e0002122}, pmid = {35107338}, issn = {2379-5042}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; Carbon/metabolism ; Eukaryota/genetics ; *Isoptera/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Some of the protist species which colonize the hindguts of wood-feeding Reticulitermes termites are associated with endosymbiotic bacteria belonging to the genus Endomicrobium. In this study, we focused on the endosymbionts of three protist species from Reticulitermes flavipes, as follows: Pyrsonympha vertens, Trichonympha agilis, and Dinenympha species II. Since these protist hosts represented members of different taxa which colonize separate niches within the hindguts of their termite hosts, we investigated if these differences translated to differential gene content and expression in their endosymbionts. Following assembly and comparative genome and transcriptome analyses, we discovered that these endosymbionts differed with respect to some possible niche-specific traits, such as carbon metabolism. Our analyses suggest that species-specific genes related to carbon metabolism were acquired by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and may have come from taxa which are common in the termite hind gut. In addition, our analyses suggested that these endosymbionts contain and express genes related to natural transformation (competence) and recombination. Taken together, the presence of genes acquired by HGT and a putative competence pathway suggest that these endosymbionts are not cut off from gene flow and that competence may be a mechanism by which members of Endomicrobium can acquire new traits. IMPORTANCE The composition and structure of wood, which contains cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, prevent most organisms from using this common food source. Termites are a rare exception among animals, and they rely on a complex microbiota housed in their hindguts to use wood as a source of food. The lower termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, houses a variety of protists and prokaryotes that are the key players in the disassembly of lignocellulose. Here, we describe the genomes and the gene expression profiles of five Endomicrobium endosymbionts living inside three different protist species from R. flavipes. Data from these genomes suggest that these Endomicrobium species have different mechanisms for using carbon. In addition, they harbor genes that may be used to import DNA from their environment. This process of DNA uptake may contribute to the high levels of horizontal gene transfer noted previously in Endomicrobium species.}, }
@article {pmid35092614, year = {2022}, author = {Rodrigues, LR and Zélé, F and Santos, I and Magalhães, S}, title = {No evidence for the evolution of mating behavior in spider mites due to Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {76}, number = {3}, pages = {623-635}, doi = {10.1111/evo.14429}, pmid = {35092614}, issn = {1558-5646}, support = {COMPCON GA 725419//H2020 European Research Council/ ; SFRH/BD/87628/2012//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e a Tecnologia/ ; EXPL/BIA-EVL/0131/2021//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e a Tecnologia/ ; FCT-ANR//BIA- EVF/0013/2012//FCT-ANR collaboration/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Male ; Reproduction ; *Tetranychidae/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Arthropods are often infected with Wolbachia inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), whereby crosses between uninfected females and infected males yield unviable fertilized offspring. Although uninfected females benefit from avoiding mating with Wolbachia-infected males, this behavior is not always present in host populations and its evolution may hinge upon various factors. Here, we used spider mites to test whether CI could select for mate preference in uninfected females in absence of kin recognition. We found that uninfected females from several field-derived populations showed no preference for infected or uninfected males, nor evolved a preference after being exposed to CI for 12-15 generations by maintaining uninfected females with both infected and uninfected males (i.e., stable "infection polymorphism"). This suggests that Wolbachia-mediated mate choice evolution may require very specific conditions in spider mites. However, after experimental evolution, the copulation duration of Wolbachia-infected control males was significantly higher than that of uninfected control males, but not than that of uninfected males from the "infection polymorphism" regime. This result illustrates how gene flow may oppose Wolbachia-driven divergence between infected and uninfected hosts in natural populations.}, }
@article {pmid35087493, year = {2021}, author = {Flemming, FE and Grosser, K and Schrallhammer, M}, title = {Natural Shifts in Endosymbionts' Occurrence and Relative Frequency in Their Ciliate Host Population.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {791615}, pmid = {35087493}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The role of bacterial endosymbionts harbored by heterotrophic Paramecium species is complex. Obligate intracellular bacteria supposedly always inflict costs as the host is the only possible provider of resources. However, several experimental studies have shown that paramecia carrying bacterial endosymbionts can benefit from their infection. Here, we address the question which endosymbionts occur in natural paramecia populations isolated from a small lake over a period of 5 years and which factors might explain observed shifts and persistence in the symbionts occurrence. One hundred and nineteen monoclonal strains were investigated and approximately two-third harbored intracellular bacteria. The majority of infected paramecia carried the obligate endosymbiotic "Candidatus Megaira polyxenophila", followed by Caedimonas varicaedens, and Holospora undulata. The latter was only detected in a single strain. While "Ca. M. polyxenophila" was observed in seven out of 13 samplings, C. varicaedens presence was limited to a single sampling occasion. After the appearance of C. varicaedens, "Ca. M. polyxenophila" prevalence dramatically dropped with some delay but recovered to original levels at the end of our study. Potential mechanisms explaining these observations include differences in infectivity, host range, and impact on host fitness as well as host competitive capacities. Growth experiments revealed fitness advantages for infected paramecia harboring "Ca. M. polyxenophila" as well as C. varicaedens. Furthermore, we showed that cells carrying C. varicaedens gain a competitive advantage from the symbiosis-derived killer trait. Other characteristics like infectivity and overlapping host range were taken into consideration, but the observed temporal persistence of "Ca. M. polyxenophila" is most likely explained by the positive effect this symbiont provides to its host.}, }
@article {pmid35076268, year = {2022}, author = {Perez-Lamarque, B and Krehenwinkel, H and Gillespie, RG and Morlon, H}, title = {Limited Evidence for Microbial Transmission in the Phylosymbiosis between Hawaiian Spiders and Their Microbiota.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {e0110421}, pmid = {35076268}, issn = {2379-5077}, mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; Hawaii ; *Spiders ; *Microbiota ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; }, abstract = {The degree of similarity between the microbiotas of host species often mirrors the phylogenetic proximity of the hosts. This pattern, referred to as phylosymbiosis, is widespread in animals and plants. While phylosymbiosis was initially interpreted as the signal of symbiotic transmission and coevolution between microbes and their hosts, it is now recognized that similar patterns can emerge even if the microbes are environmentally acquired. Distinguishing between these two scenarios, however, remains challenging. We recently developed HOME (host-microbiota evolution), a cophylogenetic model designed to detect vertically transmitted microbes and host switches from amplicon sequencing data. Here, we applied HOME to the microbiotas of Hawaiian spiders of the genus Ariamnes, which experienced a recent radiation on the archipelago. We demonstrate that although Hawaiian Ariamnes spiders display a significant phylosymbiosis, there is little evidence of microbial vertical transmission. Next, we performed simulations to validate the absence of transmitted microbes in Ariamnes spiders. We show that this is not due to a lack of detection power because of the low number of segregating sites or an effect of phylogenetically driven or geographically driven host switches. Ariamnes spiders and their associated microbes therefore provide an example of a pattern of phylosymbiosis likely emerging from processes other than vertical transmission. IMPORTANCE How host-associated microbiotas assemble and evolve is one of the outstanding questions of microbial ecology. Studies aiming at answering this question have repeatedly found a pattern of "phylosymbiosis," that is, a phylogenetic signal in the composition of host-associated microbiotas. While phylosymbiosis was often interpreted as evidence for vertical transmission and host-microbiota coevolution, simulations have now shown that it can emerge from other processes, including host filtering of environmentally acquired microbes. However, distinguishing the processes driving phylosymbiosis in nature remains challenging. We recently developed a cophylogenetic method that can detect vertical transmission. Here, we applied this method to the microbiotas of recently diverged spiders from the Hawaiian archipelago, which display a clear phylosymbiosis pattern. We found that none of the bacterial operational taxonomic units is vertically transmitted. We show with simulations that this result is not due to methodological artifacts. Thus, we provide a striking empirical example of phylosymbiosis emerging from processes other than vertical transmission.}, }
@article {pmid35071375, year = {2021}, author = {Cull, B and Burkhardt, NY and Wang, XR and Thorpe, CJ and Oliver, JD and Kurtti, TJ and Munderloh, UG}, title = {The Ixodes scapularis Symbiont Rickettsia buchneri Inhibits Growth of Pathogenic Rickettsiaceae in Tick Cells: Implications for Vector Competence.}, journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {748427}, pmid = {35071375}, issn = {2297-1769}, support = {R01 AI049424/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI049424/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Ixodes scapularis is the primary vector of tick-borne pathogens in North America but notably does not transmit pathogenic Rickettsia species. This tick harbors the transovarially transmitted endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri, which is widespread in I. scapularis populations, suggesting that it confers a selective advantage for tick survival such as providing essential nutrients. The R. buchneri genome includes genes with similarity to those involved in antibiotic synthesis. There are two gene clusters not found in other Rickettsiaceae, raising the possibility that these may be involved in excluding pathogenic bacteria from the tick. This study explored whether the R. buchneri antibiotic genes might exert antibiotic effects on pathogens associated with I. scapularis. Markedly reduced infectivity and replication of the tick-borne pathogens Anaplasma phagocytophilum, R. monacensis, and R. parkeri were observed in IRE11 tick cells hosting R. buchneri. Using a fluorescent plate reader assay to follow infection dynamics revealed that the presence of R. buchneri in tick cells, even at low infection rates, inhibited the growth of R. parkeri by 86-100% relative to R. buchneri-free cells. In contrast, presence of the low-pathogenic species R. amblyommatis or the endosymbiont R. peacockii only partially reduced the infection and replication of R. parkeri. Addition of host-cell free R. buchneri, cell lysate of R. buchneri-infected IRE11, or supernatant from R. buchneri-infected IRE11 cultures had no effect on R. parkeri infection and replication in IRE11, nor did these treatments show any antibiotic effect against non-obligate intracellular bacteria E. coli and S. aureus. However, lysate from R. buchneri-infected IRE11 challenged with R. parkeri showed some inhibitory effect on R. parkeri infection of treated IRE11, suggesting that challenge by pathogenic rickettsiae may induce the antibiotic effect of R. buchneri. This research suggests a potential role of the endosymbiont in preventing other rickettsiae from colonizing I. scapularis and/or being transmitted transovarially. The confirmation that the observed inhibition is linked to R. buchneri's antibiotic clusters requires further investigation but could have important implications for our understanding of rickettsial competition and vector competence of I. scapularis for rickettsiae.}, }
@article {pmid35066589, year = {2022}, author = {Hidayanti, AK and Gazali, A and Tagami, Y}, title = {Effect of Quorum Sensing Inducers and Inhibitors on Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Induced by Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in American Serpentine Leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae): Potential Tool for the Incompatible Insect Technique.}, journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {35066589}, issn = {1536-2442}, mesh = {Animals ; *Diptera/microbiology ; Ovum ; *Pest Control, Biological ; *Quorum Sensing ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Agricultural crops around the world are attacked by approximately 3,000-10,000 species of pest insect. There is increasing interest in resolving this problem using environmentally friendly approaches. Wolbachia (Hertig), an insect endosymbiont, can modulate host reproduction and offspring sex through cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). The incompatible insect technique (IIT) based on CI-Wolbachia is a promising biological control method. Previous studies have reported an association between CI and Wolbachia density, which may involve a quorum sensing (QS) mechanism. In this study, we investigated the effect of manipulating QS in Wolbachia using several chemicals including 3O-C12-HSL; C2HSL; spermidine (QS inducers), 4-phenylbutanoyl; and 4-NPO (QS inhibitors) on American serpentine leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii [Burgess]), an agricultural pest. The results showed that inducing QS with 3O-C12-HSL decreased the proportion of hatched eggs and increased Wolbachia density, whereas QS inhibition with 4-phenylbutanoyl had the opposite effects. Thus, manipulating QS in Wolbachia can alter cell density and the proportion of hatched eggs in the host L. trifolii, thereby reducing the number of insect progeny. These findings provide evidence supporting the potential efficacy of the IIT based on CI-Wolbachia for the environmentally friendly control of insect pest populations.}, }
@article {pmid35057842, year = {2022}, author = {Perveen, N and Muzaffar, SB and Vijayan, R and Al-Deeb, MA}, title = {Microbial composition in Hyalomma anatolicum collected from livestock in the United Arab Emirates using next-generation sequencing.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {30}, pmid = {35057842}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {UPAR grant # G00002604//United Arab Emirates university/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/*genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Genetic Variation ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/*methods ; Ixodidae/*microbiology ; Livestock/*parasitology ; Male ; Microbiota/*genetics ; Tick Infestations/epidemiology/*veterinary ; Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology/transmission ; United Arab Emirates/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Hyalomma anatolicum is a widely distributed tick species that acts as a vector transmitting tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in livestock. Such pathogens affect the health of livestock and consequently reduce their productivity. Knowledge about the microbial communities (pathogens and endosymbionts) of ticks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is scarce. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to quantify microbial diversity in H. anatolicum using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology.<br><br>METHODS: Hyalomma anatolicum ticks were collected from livestock in the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah in the UAE during 2019. DNA was extracted from 175 male ticks sampled from livestock (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;78) and subjected to NGS. The 16S rRNA gene was analyzed using the Illumina MiSeq platform to determine the bacterial communities. Principal coordinates analysis (PCA) was performed to identify patterns of diversity in the bacterial communities.<br><br>RESULTS: Twenty-six bacterial families with high relative abundance were identified, of which the most common were Staphylococcaceae, Francisellaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Bacillaceae, Halomonadaceae, Xanthomonadaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Enterococcaceae, Actinomycetaceae and Streptococcaceae. The diversity of the microbial communities in terms of richness and evenness was different at the three study locations, with the PCA showing clear clusters separating the microbial communities in ticks collected at Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. The presence of bacterial families harboring pathogenic genera showed that H. anatolicum could pose a potential threat to livestock and food security in the UAE.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The study is the first to document important data on the microbial communities associated with H. anatolicum in the UAE. This knowledge will facilitate a better understanding of the distribution pattern of microbes in livestock ticks in the UAE and, ultimately, will aid in deciphering the relationships between microbes and in the exploration of potential factors towards developing effective management strategies.}, }
@article {pmid35056571, year = {2022}, author = {Oborník, M}, title = {Organellar Evolution: A Path from Benefit to Dependence.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {35056571}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {21-03224S//Czech Science Foundation/ ; CZ.02.1.01 /0.0/0.0/16_019/0000759//European Regional Development Fund/ ; }, abstract = {Eukaryotic organelles supposedly evolved from their bacterial ancestors because of their benefits to host cells. However, organelles are quite often retained, even when the beneficial metabolic pathway is lost, due to something other than the original beneficial function. The organellar function essential for cell survival is, in the end, the result of organellar evolution, particularly losses of redundant metabolic pathways present in both the host and endosymbiont, followed by a gradual distribution of metabolic functions between the organelle and host. Such biological division of metabolic labor leads to mutual dependence of the endosymbiont and host. Changing environmental conditions, such as the gradual shift of an organism from aerobic to anaerobic conditions or light to dark, can make the original benefit useless. Therefore, it can be challenging to deduce the original beneficial function, if there is any, underlying organellar acquisition. However, it is also possible that the organelle is retained because it simply resists being eliminated or digested untill it becomes indispensable.}, }
@article {pmid35055928, year = {2022}, author = {Lai, C and Hou, Y and Hao, P and Pang, K and Yu, X}, title = {Detection of Yeast-like Symbionts in Brown Planthopper Reared on Different Resistant Rice Varieties Combining DGGE and Absolute Quantitative Real-Time PCR.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {35055928}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {31901874//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; LQ18C140002 and LY20C140005//Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2019C02015//Key R &amp; D Projects in Zhejiang Province/ ; 2022C02047//Zhejiang Lingyan R &amp; D Project/ ; 2020YW27//Basic Scientific Research Business Fee Project of China Jiliang University - landmark development project of scientific research (Science and Technology)/ ; }, abstract = {The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, is a serious pest of rice throughout Asia. Yeast-like symbionts (YLS) are endosymbionts closely linked with the development of BPH and the adapted mechanism of BPH virulence to resistant plants. In this study, we used semi-quantitative DGGE and absolute quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to quantify the number of the three YLS strains (Ascomycetes symbionts, Pichia-like symbionts, and Candida-like symbionts) that typically infect BPH in the nymphal stages and in newly emerged female adults. The quantities of each of the three YLS assessed increased in tandem with the developing nymphal instar stages, peaking at the fourth instar stage, and then declined significantly at the fifth instar stage. However, the amount of YLS present recovered sharply within the emerging adult females. Additionally, we estimated the quantities of YLS for up to eight generations after their inoculation onto resistant cultivars (Mudgo, ASD7, and RH) to reassociate the dynamics of YLS with the fitness of BPH. The minimum number of each YLS was detected in the second generation and gradually increased from the third generation with regard to resistant rice varieties. In addition, the Ascomycetes symbionts of YLS were found to be the most abundant of the three YLS strains tested for all of the development stages of BPH.}, }
@article {pmid35055852, year = {2021}, author = {Du, S and Ye, F and Wang, Q and Liang, Y and Wan, W and Guo, J and Liu, W}, title = {Multiple Data Demonstrate That Bacteria Regulating Reproduction Could Be Not the Cause for the Thelytoky of Diglyphus&amp;nbsp;wani (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {35055852}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {Grant No. 31772236 and No. 31972344//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; Grant No. caascx-2017-2022-IAS//the Science and Technology Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/ ; Grant No. 2021YFC2600400//the National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; }, abstract = {In Hymenoptera parasitoids, the reproductive mode is arrhenotoky, while a few species reproduce by thelytoky. The thelytoky of Hymenoptera parasitoids is generally genetically determined by the parasitoids themselves or induced by bacteria, including Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Rickettsia. Diglyphus&amp;nbsp;wani (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a recently reported thelytokous species is a main parasitoid attacking agromyzid leafminers. To assess whether endosymbionts induce thelytoky in D.&amp;nbsp;wani, we performed universal PCR detection and sequenced the V3-V4 region of 16S ribosomal RNA gene. In addition, bacteria were removed through high-temperature and antibiotic treatments, and the localized bacteria were detected using FISH. Based on general PCR detection, Wolbachia, Cardinium, Rickettsia, Arsenophonus, Spiroplasma, and Microsporidia were absent in laboratory and field individuals of thelytokous D.&amp;nbsp;wani. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the dominant endosymbionts in thelytokous D.&amp;nbsp;wani were not reproductive manipulators. High-temperature and antibiotic treatment for five consecutive generations cannot reverse the thelytokous pattern of D.&amp;nbsp;wani, and no male offspring were produced. Moreover, no bacterial spots were found in the ovaries of D.&amp;nbsp;wani. Thus, it is considered that the thelytoky of D. wani does not result in the presence of endosymbionts. This species is thus the second reported eulophid parasitoid whose thelytoky appears not to be associated with endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid35053126, year = {2022}, author = {Castelo, MK and Crespo, JE}, title = {Microorganismal Cues Involved in Host-Location in Asilidae Parasitoids.}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {35053126}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {PIP 2014 11220130100368CO//Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cient&#xed;ficas y T&#xe9;cnicas/ ; UBACyT 2020 20020190100059BA and 2017 20020160100019BA//Universidad de Buenos Aires/ ; }, abstract = {Parasitoids are organisms that kill their host before completing their development. Typical parasitoids belong to Hymenoptera, whose females search for the hosts. But some atypical Diptera parasitoids also have searching larvae that must orientate toward, encounter, and accept hosts, through cues with different levels of detectability. In this work, the chemical cues involved in the detection of the host by parasitoid larvae of the genus Mallophora are shown with a behavioral approach. Through olfactometry assays, we show that two species of Mallophora orient to different host species and that chemical cues are produced by microorganisms. We also show that treating potential hosts with antibiotics reduces attractiveness on M. ruficauda but not to M. bigoti suggesting that endosymbiotic bacteria responsible for the host cues production should be located in different parts of the host. In fact, we were able to show that M. bigoti is attracted to frass from the most common host. Additionally, we evaluated host orientation under a context of interspecific competence and found that both parasitoid species orient to Cyclocephaala signaticollis showing that host competition could occur in the field. Our work shows how microorganisms mediate orientation to hosts but differences in their activity or location in the host result in differences in the attractiveness of different cues. We show for the first time that M. bigoti behaves similar to M. ruficauda extending and reinforcing that all Mallophora species have adopted a parasitoid lifestyle.}, }
@article {pmid35051873, year = {2022}, author = {Gomaa, F and Utter, DR and Loo, W and Lahr, DJG and Cavanaugh, CM}, title = {Exploring the protist microbiome: The diversity of bacterial communities associated with Arcella spp. (Tubulina: Amoebozoa).}, journal = {European journal of protistology}, volume = {82}, number = {}, pages = {125861}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejop.2021.125861}, pmid = {35051873}, issn = {1618-0429}, mesh = {*Amoebozoa ; Bacteria/genetics ; Humans ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Tubulina ; }, abstract = {Research on protist-bacteria interactions is increasingly relevant as these associations are now known to play important roles in ecosystem and human health. Free-living amoebae are abundant in all environments and are frequent hosts for bacterial endosymbionts including pathogenic bacteria. However, to date, only a small fraction of these symbionts have been identified, while the structure and composition of the total symbiotic bacterial communities still remains largely unknown. Here, we use the testate amoeba Arcella spp. as model organisms to investigate the specificity and diversity of Arcella-associated microbial communities. High-throughputamplicon sequencing from the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene revealed high diversity in the bacterial communities associated with the wild Arcella spp. To investigate the specificity of the associated bacterial community with greater precision, we investigated the bacterial communities of two lab-cultured Arcella species, A. hemispherica and A. intermedia, grown in two different media types. Our results suggest that Arcella-bacteria associations are species-specific, and that the associated bacterial community of lab-cultured Arcella spp. remains distinct from that of the surrounding media. Further, each host Arcella species could be distinguished based on its bacterial composition. Our findings provide insight into the understanding of eukaryotic-bacterial symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid35050159, year = {2022}, author = {Fernando, K and Reddy, P and Guthridge, KM and Spangenberg, GC and Rochfort, SJ}, title = {A Metabolomic Study of Epichloë Endophytes for Screening Antifungal Metabolites.}, journal = {Metabolites}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {35050159}, issn = {2218-1989}, support = {na//DairyBio/ ; }, abstract = {Epichloë endophytes, fungal endosymbionts of Pooidae grasses, are commonly utilized in forage and turf industries because they produce beneficial metabolites that enhance resistance against environmental stressors such as insect feeding and disease caused by phytopathogen infection. In pastoral agriculture, phytopathogenic diseases impact both pasture quality and animal production. Recently, bioactive endophyte strains have been reported to secrete compounds that significantly inhibit the growth of phytopathogenic fungi in vitro. A screen of previously described Epichloë-produced antifeedant and toxic alkaloids determined that the antifungal bioactivity observed is not due to the production of these known metabolites, and so there is a need for methods to identify new bioactive metabolites. The process described here is applicable more generally for the identification of antifungals in new endophytes. This study aims to characterize the fungicidal potential of novel, 'animal friendly' Epichloë endophyte strains NEA12 and NEA23 that exhibit strong antifungal activity using an in vitro assay. Bioassay-guided fractionation, followed by metabolite analysis, identified 61 metabolites that, either singly or in combination, are responsible for the observed bioactivity. Analysis of the perennial ryegrass-endophyte symbiota confirmed that NEA12 and NEA23 produce the prospective antifungal metabolites in symbiotic association and thus are candidates for compounds that promote disease resistance in planta. The "known unknown" suite of antifungal metabolites identified in this study are potential biomarkers for the selection of strains that enhance pasture and turf production through better disease control.}, }
@article {pmid35049085, year = {2022}, author = {Cao, Y and Dietrich, CH}, title = {Phylogenomics of flavobacterial insect nutritional endosymbionts with implications for Auchenorrhyncha phylogeny.}, journal = {Cladistics : the international journal of the Willi Hennig Society}, volume = {38}, number = {1}, pages = {38-58}, doi = {10.1111/cla.12474}, pmid = {35049085}, issn = {1096-0031}, support = {DEB 16-39601//U.S. National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Flavobacteriaceae/genetics ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Insecta/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {"Candidatus Sulcia muelleri" (Sulcia) is a diverse lineage of intracellular nutritional endosymbiotic bacteria strictly associated with auchenorrhynchous hemipteran insects. Sulcia has undergone long-term codiversification with its insect hosts but the phylogeny of these endosymbionts, their relationships to other bacteria, and the extent of their occurrence within various groups of Auchenorrhyncha remain inadequately explored. Comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of Sulcia and related bacteria were performed to elucidate its position relative to other members of Phylum Bacteroidetes and the degree of congruence to the phylogeny of its auchenorrhynchous hosts. Maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum parsimony (MP) analyses of Flavobacteriales based on genomic data from 182 bacterial strains recover a monophyletic Sulcia within a larger clade of flavobacterial insect endosymbionts, closely related to Weeksellaceae. Molecular divergence time analysis of Sulcia dates the origin of Sulcia at approximately 339.95 million years ago (Myr) and the initial divergence within Sulcia at approximately 256.91 Myr but these are considered underestimates due to the tendency for endosymbionts to evolve at higher rates compared to their free-living relatives. Screening of 96 recently sequenced hemipteran transcriptomes revealed that 73 of these species, all Auchenorrhyncha, harbored Sulcia. Phylogenetic analysis of 131 orthologous genes plus 16S rRNA for 101 Sulcia strains, representing six fulgoroid families and all the families of Cicadomorpha except Tettigarctidae, recover largely congruent phylogenies between Sulcia and Auchenorrhyncha. The phylogeny of Sulcia strongly supports the superfamily relationships Fulgoroidea + (Cicadoidea + (Cercopoidea + Membracoidea)). Relationships within individual superfamilies are also largely concordant, with the few areas of apparent incongruence between Sulcia and insect genes attributable to low branch support in one or both datasets. These results suggest that analysis of Sulcia phylogeny may contribute to resolution of contentious aspects of Auchenorrhyncha phylogeny.}, }
@article {pmid35048168, year = {2023}, author = {Boscaro, V and Manassero, V and Keeling, PJ and Vannini, C}, title = {Single-cell Microbiomics Unveils Distribution and Patterns of Microbial Symbioses in the Natural Environment.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {85}, number = {1}, pages = {307-316}, pmid = {35048168}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Humans ; Phylogeny ; *Ciliophora/microbiology ; Bacteria/genetics ; Environment ; Symbiosis ; Rickettsiales ; *Euplotes/microbiology ; *Burkholderiaceae ; }, abstract = {Protist-bacteria associations are extremely common. Among them, those involving ciliates of the genus Euplotes are emerging as models for symbioses between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and a great deal of information is available from cultured representatives of this system. Even so, as for most known microbial symbioses, data on natural populations is lacking, and their ecology remains largely unexplored; how well lab cultures represent actual diversity is untested. Here, we describe a survey on natural populations of Euplotes based on a single-cell microbiomic approach, focusing on taxa that include known endosymbionts of this ciliate. The results reveal an unexpected variability in symbiotic communities, with individual hosts of the same population harboring different sets of bacterial endosymbionts. Co-occurring Euplotes individuals of the same population can even have different essential symbionts, Polynucleobacter and "Candidatus Protistobacter," which might suggest that replacement events could be more frequent in nature than previously hypothesized. Accessory symbionts are even more variable: some showed a strong affinity for one host species, some for a sampling site, and two ("Candidatus Cyrtobacter" and "Candidatus Anadelfobacter") displayed an unusual pattern of competitive exclusion. These data represent the first insight into the prevalence and patterns of bacterial symbionts in natural populations of free-living protists.}, }
@article {pmid35046559, year = {2022}, author = {Grupstra, CGB and Howe-Kerr, LI and Veglia, AJ and Bryant, RL and Coy, SR and Blackwelder, PL and Correa, AMS}, title = {Thermal stress triggers productive viral infection of a key coral reef symbiont.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {16}, number = {5}, pages = {1430-1441}, pmid = {35046559}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {#1635798//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; #2000009651//National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine | National Academy of Sciences (NAS)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Symbiosis ; *Virus Diseases ; }, abstract = {Climate change-driven ocean warming is increasing the frequency and severity of bleaching events, in which corals appear whitened after losing their dinoflagellate endosymbionts (family Symbiodiniaceae). Viral infections of Symbiodiniaceae may contribute to some bleaching signs, but little empirical evidence exists to support this hypothesis. We present the first temporal analysis of a lineage of Symbiodiniaceae-infecting positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses ("dinoRNAVs") in coral colonies, which were exposed to a 5-day heat treatment (+2.1 °C). A total of 124 dinoRNAV major capsid protein gene "aminotypes" (unique amino acid sequences) were detected from five colonies of two closely related Pocillopora-Cladocopium (coral-symbiont) combinations in the experiment; most dinoRNAV aminotypes were shared between the two coral-symbiont combinations (64%) and among multiple colonies (82%). Throughout the experiment, seventeen dinoRNAV aminotypes were found only in heat-treated fragments, and 22 aminotypes were detected at higher relative abundances in heat-treated fragments. DinoRNAVs in fragments of some colonies exhibited higher alpha diversity and dispersion under heat stress. Together, these findings provide the first empirical evidence that exposure to high temperatures triggers some dinoRNAVs to switch from a persistent to a productive infection mode within heat-stressed corals. Over extended time frames, we hypothesize that cumulative dinoRNAV production in the Pocillopora-Cladocopium system could affect colony symbiotic status, for example, by decreasing Symbiodiniaceae densities within corals. This study sets the stage for reef-scale investigations of dinoRNAV dynamics during bleaching events.}, }
@article {pmid35045070, year = {2022}, author = {Yang, CJ and Hu, JM}, title = {Molecular phylogeny of Asian Ardisia (Myrsinoideae, Primulaceae) and their leaf-nodulated endosymbionts, Burkholderia s.l. (Burkholderiaceae).}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {e0261188}, pmid = {35045070}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Plant Leaves/microbiology ; Burkholderia/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Ardisia/genetics/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {The genus Ardisia (Myrsinoideae, Primulaceae) has 16 subgenera and over 700 accepted names, mainly distributed in tropical Asia and America. The circumscription of Ardisia is not well-defined and sometimes confounded with the separation of some small genera. A taxonomic revision focusing on Ardisia and allies is necessary. In the Ardisia subgenus Crispardisia, symbiotic association with leaf-nodule bacteria is a unique character within the genus. The endosymbionts are vertically transmitted, highly specific and highly dependent on the hosts, suggesting strict cospeciation may have occurred in the evolutionary history. In the present study, we aimed to establish a phylogenetic framework for further taxonomic revision. We also aimed to test the cospeciation hypothesis of the leaf-nodulate Ardisia and their endosymbiotic bacteria. Nuclear ITS and two chloroplast intergenic spaces were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of Asian Ardisia and relatives in Myrsinoideae, Primulaceae. The 16S-23S rRNA were used to reconstruct the bacterial symbionts' phylogeny. To understand the evolutionary association of the Ardisia and symbionts, topology tests and cophylogenetic analyses were conducted. The molecular phylogeny suggested Ardisia is not monophyletic, unless Sardiria, Hymenandra, Badula and Oncostemum are included. The results suggest the generic limit within Myrsinoideae (Primulaceae) needs to be further revised. The subgenera Crispardisia, Pimelandra, and Stylardisia were supported as monophyly, while the subgenus Bladhia was separated into two distant clades. We proposed to divide the subgenus Bladhia into subgenus Bladhia s.str. and subgenus Odontophylla. Both of the cophylogenetic analyses and topology tests rejected strict cospeciation hypothesis between Ardisia hosts and symbiotic Burkholderia. Cophylogenetic analyses showed general phylogenetic concordance of Ardisia and Burkholderia, and cospeciation events, host-switching events and loss events were all inferred.}, }
@article {pmid35042972, year = {2022}, author = {Prokopchuk, G and Korytář, T and Juricová, V and Majstorović, J and Horák, A and Šimek, K and Lukeš, J}, title = {Trophic flexibility of marine diplonemids - switching from osmotrophy to bacterivory.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {16}, number = {5}, pages = {1409-1419}, pmid = {35042972}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Bacteria/genetics ; *Ecosystem ; *Eukaryota ; Feeding Behavior ; Plankton ; }, abstract = {Diplonemids are one of the most abundant groups of heterotrophic planktonic microeukaryotes in the world ocean and, thus, are likely to play an essential role in marine ecosystems. So far, only few species have been introduced into a culture, allowing basic studies of diplonemid genetics, morphology, ultrastructure, metabolism, as well as endosymbionts. However, it remains unclear whether these heterotrophic flagellates are parasitic or free-living and what are their predominant dietary patterns and preferred food items. Here we show that cultured diplonemids, maintained in an organic-rich medium as osmotrophs, can gradually switch to bacterivory as a sole food resource, supporting positive growth of their population, even when fed with a low biovolume of bacteria. We further observed remarkable differences in species-specific feeding patterns, size-selective grazing preferences, and distinct feeding strategies. Diplonemids can discriminate between low-quality food items and inedible particles, such as latex beads, even after their ingestion, by discharging them in the form of large waste vacuoles. We also detected digestion-related endogenous autofluorescence emitted by lysosomes and the activity of a melanin-like material. We present the first evidence that these omnipresent protists possess an opportunistic lifestyle that provides a considerable advantage in the generally food resource-limited marine environments.}, }
@article {pmid35024989, year = {2022}, author = {Cicuttin, GL and De Salvo, MN and Venzal, JM and Nava, S}, title = {Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia sp. and Candidatus Midichloria sp. associated to ticks from a protected urban area in Buenos Aires City (Argentina).}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {86}, number = {2}, pages = {271-282}, pmid = {35024989}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {Clinical and Epidemiological Research 2016-2018//Fundaci&#xf3;n Alberto J. Roemmers/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Argentina ; Ehrlichia/genetics ; *Ixodes/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The aim of this study was to determine the infection with Rickettsiales in ticks and birds from the main protected urban area of Buenos Aires City (Argentina). One Amblyomma aureolatum (0.2%) and one Ixodes auritulus (0.1%) were positive by PCR targeting Rickettsia 23S-5S rRNA intergenic spacer. Phylogenetic analysis shows to findings in A. aureolatum are closely to Rickettsia bellii and for I. auritulus are related to 'Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii'. One I. auritulus (0.1%) and three A. aureolatum (0.6%) were positive by PCR for a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of the Anaplasmataceae family. The sequences obtained from A. aureolatum were phylogenetically related to Midichloriaceae endosymbionts. The sequence from I. auritulus s.l. had 100% identity with Ehrlichia sp. Magellanica from Chile and two genotypes of Ehrlichia sp. from Uruguay. The results of our study show that Rickettsia and Ehrlichia are present in ticks in the main protected urban area of Buenos Aires City.}, }
@article {pmid35023810, year = {2022}, author = {Udayan, S and Stamou, P and Crispie, F and Hickey, A and Floyd, AN and Hsieh, CS and Cotter, PD and O'Sullivan, O and Melgar, S and O'Toole, PW and Newberry, RD and Rossini, V and Nally, K}, title = {Identification of Gut Bacteria such as Lactobacillus johnsonii that Disseminate to Systemic Tissues of Wild Type and MyD88-/- Mice.}, journal = {Gut microbes}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {2007743}, pmid = {35023810}, issn = {1949-0984}, support = {U01 AI163073/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK097317/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Dendritic Cells/microbiology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology ; Lactobacillus johnsonii/genetics/*physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/*deficiency/genetics ; }, abstract = {In healthy hosts the gut microbiota is restricted to gut tissues by several barriers some of which require MyD88-dependent innate immune sensor pathways. Nevertheless, some gut taxa have been reported to disseminate to systemic tissues. However, the extent to which this normally occurs during homeostasis in healthy organisms is still unknown. In this study, we recovered viable gut bacteria from systemic tissues of healthy wild type (WT) and MyD88[-/-] mice. Shotgun metagenomic-sequencing revealed a marked increase in the relative abundance of L. johnsonii in intestinal tissues of MyD88[-/-] mice compared to WT mice. Lactobacillus johnsonii was detected most frequently from multiple systemic tissues and at higher levels in MyD88[-/-] mice compared to WT mice. Viable L. johnsonii strains were recovered from different cell types sorted from intestinal and systemic tissues of WT and MyD88[-/-] mice. L. johnsonii could persist in dendritic cells and may represent murine immunomodulatory endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid35019702, year = {2022}, author = {Cibichakravarthy, B and Oses-Prieto, JA and Ben-Yosef, M and Burlingame, AL and Karr, TL and Gottlieb, Y}, title = {Comparative Proteomics of Coxiella like Endosymbionts (CLEs) in the Symbiotic Organs of Rhipicephalus sanguineus Ticks.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {e0167321}, pmid = {35019702}, issn = {2165-0497}, support = {P41 GM103481/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD016229/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Coxiella/genetics/*metabolism ; Dogs ; Female ; Gene Ontology ; Malpighian Tubules ; Ovary ; *Proteomics ; Rhipicephalus ; Rhipicephalus sanguineus ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Maternally transmitted obligatory endosymbionts are found in the female gonads as well as in somatic tissue and are expected to provide missing metabolite to their hosts. These deficiencies are presumably complemented through specific symbiotic microorganisms such as Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) of Rhipicephalus ticks. CLEs are localized in specialized host tissue cells within the Malpighian tubules (Mt) and the ovaries (Ov) from which they are maternally transmitted to developing oocytes. These two organs differ in function and cell types, but the role of CLEs in these tissues is unknown. To probe possible functions of CLEs, comparative proteomics was performed between Mt and Ov of R. sanguineus ticks. Altogether, a total of 580 and 614 CLE proteins were identified in Mt and Ov, respectively. Of these, 276 CLE proteins were more abundant in Mt, of which 12 were significantly differentially abundant. In Ov, 290 CLE proteins were more abundant, of which 16 were significantly differentially abundant. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that most of the proteins enriched in Mt are related to cellular metabolic functions and stress responses, whereas in Ov, the majority were related to cell proliferation suggesting CLEs function differentially and interdependently with host requirements specific to each organ. The results suggest Mt CLEs provide essential nutrients to its host and Ov CLEs promote proliferation and vertical transmission to tick progeny. IMPORTANCE Here we compare the Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) proteomes from Malpighian tubule (Mt) and the ovaries (Ov) of the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Our results support the hypothesis that CLEs function interdependently with host requirements in each of the organs. The different functional specificity of CLE in the same host suggest that metabolic capabilities evolved according to the constrains imposed by the specific organ function and requirements. Our findings provide specific CLE protein targets that can be useful for future studies of CLE biology with a focus on tick population control.}, }
@article {pmid35019223, year = {2022}, author = {Richardson, KM and Schiffer, M and Ross, PA and Thia, JA and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Characterization of the first Wolbachia from the genus Scaptodrosophila, a male-killer from the rainforest species S. claytoni.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {29}, number = {5}, pages = {1401-1413}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13000}, pmid = {35019223}, issn = {1744-7917}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila/genetics ; Female ; Male ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Phylogeny ; Rainforest ; Tetracyclines ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The Scaptodrosophila genus represents a large group of drosophilids with a worldwide distribution and a predominance of species in Australia, but there is little information on the presence and impacts of Wolbachia endosymbionts in this group. Here we describe the first Wolbachia infection from this group, wClay isolated from Scaptodrosophila claytoni (van Klinken), a species from the east coast of Australia. The infection is polymorphic in natural populations, occurring at a frequency of around 6%-10%. wClay causes male killing, producing female-biased lines; most lines showed 100% male killing, though in 1 line it was <80%. The lines need to be maintained through the introduction of males unless the infection is removed by tetracycline treatment. wClay is transmitted at a high fidelity (98.6%) through the maternal lineage and has been stable in 2 laboratory lines across 24 generations, suggesting it is likely to persist in populations. The infection has not been previously described but is closely related to the male-killing Wolbachia recently described from Drosophila pandora based on multilocus sequence typing and the wsp gene. Male-killing Wolbachia are likely to be common in drosophilids but remain difficult to detect because the infections can often be at a low frequency.}, }
@article {pmid35013476, year = {2022}, author = {Towett-Kirui, S and Morrow, JL and Riegler, M}, title = {Substantial rearrangements, single nucleotide frameshift deletion and low diversity in mitogenome of Wolbachia-infected strepsipteran endoparasitoid in comparison to its tephritid hosts.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {477}, pmid = {35013476}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {2018 E.A. Southee Award//Hawkesbury Foundation/ ; IC150100026//Australian Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Australia ; Frameshift Mutation ; Gene Rearrangement ; *Genome, Insect ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; Insect Proteins/genetics ; Sequence Deletion ; Tephritidae/classification/*genetics/*microbiology/physiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Insect mitogenome organisation is highly conserved, yet, some insects, especially with parasitic life cycles, have rearranged mitogenomes. Furthermore, intraspecific mitochondrial diversity can be reduced by fitness-affecting bacterial endosymbionts like Wolbachia due to their maternal coinheritance with mitochondria. We have sequenced mitogenomes of the Wolbachia-infected endoparasitoid Dipterophagus daci (Strepsiptera: Halictophagidae) and four of its 22 known tephritid fruit fly host species using total genomic extracts of parasitised flies collected across > 700 km in Australia. This halictophagid mitogenome revealed extensive rearrangements relative to the four fly mitogenomes which exhibited the ancestral insect mitogenome pattern. Compared to the only four available other strepsipteran mitogenomes, the D. daci mitogenome had additional transpositions of one rRNA and two tRNA genes, and a single nucleotide frameshift deletion in nad5 requiring translational frameshifting or, alternatively, resulting in a large protein truncation. Dipterophagus daci displays an almost completely endoparasitic life cycle when compared to Strepsiptera that have maintained the ancestral state of free-living adults. Our results support the hypothesis that the transition to extreme endoparasitism evolved together with increased levels of mitogenome changes. Furthermore, intraspecific mitogenome diversity was substantially smaller in D. daci than the parasitised flies suggesting Wolbachia reduced mitochondrial diversity because of a role in D. daci fitness.}, }
@article {pmid35006317, year = {2022}, author = {Schlabe, S and Korir, P and Lämmer, C and Landmann, F and Dubben, B and Koschel, M and Albers, A and Debrah, LB and Debrah, AY and Hübner, MP and Pfarr, K and Klarmann-Schulz, U and Hoerauf, A}, title = {A qPCR to quantify Wolbachia from few Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae as a surrogate for adult worm histology in clinical trials of antiwolbachial drugs.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {121}, number = {4}, pages = {1199-1206}, pmid = {35006317}, issn = {1432-1955}, support = {OPPGH5342//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; TI 07.001_Schlabe_00//Deutsches Zentrum f&#xfc;r Infektionsforschung, Clinical Leave Stipend/ ; TI 07.001_Schlabe_01//Deutsches Zentrum f&#xfc;r Infektionsforschung, Clinical Leave Stipend/ ; TI 03.907//Deutsches Zentrum f&#xfc;r Infektionsforschung/ ; EXC2151 - 390873048//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Filarioidea ; Microfilariae ; Onchocerca ; *Onchocerca volvulus/genetics ; Reproducibility of Results ; *Wolbachia/drug effects/genetics ; }, abstract = {The filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus causes onchocerciasis (river blindness), a neglected tropical disease affecting 21 million people, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Targeting the endosymbiont Wolbachia with antibiotics leads to permanent sterilization and killing of adult worms. The gold standard to assess Wolbachia depletion is the histological examination of adult worms in nodules beginning at 6 months post-treatment. However, nodules can only be used once, limiting the time points to monitor Wolbachia depletion. A diagnostic to longitudinally monitor Wolbachia depletion from microfilariae (MF) at more frequent intervals < 6 months post-treatment would accelerate clinical trials of antiwolbachials. We developed a TaqMan qPCR amplifying the single-copy gene wOvftsZ to quantify Wolbachia from as few as one MF that had migrated from skin biopsies and compared quantification using circular and linearized plasmids or synthetic dsDNA (gBlock®). qPCR for MF from the rodent nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis was used to support the reproducibility and validate the principle. The qPCR using as few as 2 MF from O. volvulus and L. sigmodontis reproducibly quantified Wolbachia. Use of a linearized plasmid standard or synthesized dsDNA resulted in numbers of Wolbachia/MF congruent with biologically plausible estimates in O. volvulus and L. sigmodontis MF. The qPCR assay yielded a median of 48.8 (range 1.5-280.5) Wolbachia/O. volvulus MF. The qPCR is a sensitive tool for quantifying Wolbachia in a few MF from skin biopsies and allows for establishing the qPCR as a surrogate parameter for monitoring Wolbachia depletion in adult worms of new antiwolbachial candidates.}, }
@article {pmid35006065, year = {2022}, author = {Leitner, M and Etebari, K and Asgari, S}, title = {Transcriptional response of Wolbachia-transinfected Aedes aegypti mosquito cells to dengue virus at early stages of infection.}, journal = {The Journal of general virology}, volume = {103}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {35006065}, issn = {1465-2099}, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Dengue/*virology ; Dengue Virus/*genetics/physiology ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Humans ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; Sumoylation ; Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Mosquito-borne flaviviruses are responsible for viral infections and represent a considerable public health burden. Aedes aegypti is the principal vector of dengue virus (DENV), therefore understanding the intrinsic virus-host interactions is vital, particularly in the presence of the endosymbiont Wolbachia, which blocks virus replication in mosquitoes. Here, we examined the transcriptional response of Wolbachia-transinfected Ae. aegypti Aag2 cells to DENV infection. We identified differentially expressed immune genes that play a key role in the activation of anti-viral defence such as the Toll and immune deficiency pathways. Further, genes encoding cytosine and N[6]-adenosine methyltransferases and SUMOylation, involved in post-transcriptional modifications, an antioxidant enzyme, and heat-shock response were up-regulated at the early stages of DENV infection and are reported here for the first time. Additionally, several long non-coding RNAs were among the differentially regulated genes. Our results provide insight into Wolbachia-transinfected Ae. aegypti's initial virus recognition and transcriptional response to DENV infection.}, }
@article {pmid35003655, year = {2021}, author = {El Hamss, H and Ghosh, S and Maruthi, MN and Delatte, H and Colvin, J}, title = {Microbiome diversity and reproductive incompatibility induced by the prevalent endosymbiont Arsenophonus in two species of African cassava Bemisia tabaci whiteflies.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {11}, number = {24}, pages = {18032-18041}, pmid = {35003655}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {A minimum of 13 diverse whitefly species belonging to the Bemisia tabaci (B. tabaci) species complex are known to infest cassava crops in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), designated as SSA1-13. Of these, the SSA1 and SSA2 are the predominant species colonizing cassava crops in East Africa. The SSA species of B. tabaci harbor diverse bacterial endosymbionts, many of which are known to manipulate insect reproduction. One such symbiont, Arsenophonus, is known to drive its spread by inducing reproductive incompatibility in its insect host and are abundant in SSA species of B. tabaci. However, whether Arsenophonus affects the reproduction of SSA species is unknown. In this study, we investigated both the reproductive compatibility between Arsenophonus infected and uninfected whiteflies by inter-/intraspecific crossing experiments involving the sub-group three haplotypes of the SSA1 (SSA1-SG3), SSA2 species, and their microbial diversity. The number of eggs, nymphs, progenies produced, hatching rate, and survival rate were recorded for each cross. In intra-specific crossing trials, both male and female progenies were produced and thus demonstrated no reproductive incompatibility. However, the total number of eggs laid, nymphs hatched, and the emerged females were low in the intra-species crosses of SSA1-SG3A+, indicating the negative effect of Arsenophonus on whitefly fitness. In contrast, the inter-species crosses between the SSA1-SG3 and SSA2 produced no female progeny and thus demonstrated reproductive incompatibility. The relative frequency of other bacteria colonizing the whiteflies was also investigated using Illumina sequencing of 16S rDNA and diversity indices were recorded. Overall, SSA1-SG3 and SSA2 harbored high microbial diversity with more than 137 bacteria discovered. These results described for the first time the microbiome diversity and the reproductive behaviors of intra-/inter-species of Arsenophonus in whitefly reproduction, which is crucial for understanding the invasion abilities of cassava whiteflies.}, }
@article {pmid34996906, year = {2022}, author = {Neupane, S and Bonilla, SI and Manalo, AM and Pelz-Stelinski, KS}, title = {Complete de novo assembly of Wolbachia endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) using long-read genome sequencing.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {125}, pmid = {34996906}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {D19AP00013//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; D19AP00013//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; D19AP00013//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; D19AP00013//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cell Line ; *Chromosomes, Bacterial ; DNA, Bacterial/*genetics ; DNA, Circular/*genetics ; *Genes, Bacterial ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Symbiosis ; *Whole Genome Sequencing ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, a gram-negative [Formula: see text]-proteobacterium, is an endosymbiont found in some arthropods and nematodes. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the vector of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), are naturally infected with a strain of Wolbachia (wDi), which has been shown to colocalize with the bacteria pathogens CLas, the pathogen associated with huanglongbing (HLB) disease of citrus. The relationship between wDi and CLas is poorly understood in part because the complete genome of wDi has not been available. Using high-quality long-read PacBio circular consensus sequences, we present the largest complete circular wDi genome among supergroup-B members. The assembled circular chromosome is 1.52 megabases with 95.7% genome completeness with contamination of 1.45%, as assessed by checkM. We identified Insertion Sequences (ISs) and prophage genes scattered throughout the genomes. The proteins were annotated using Pfam, eggNOG, and COG that assigned unique domains and functions. The wDi genome was compared with previously sequenced Wolbachia genomes using pangenome and phylogenetic analyses. The availability of a complete circular chromosome of wDi will facilitate understanding of its role within the insect vector, which may assist in developing tools for disease management. This information also provides a baseline for understanding phylogenetic relationships among Wolbachia of other insect vectors.}, }
@article {pmid34995739, year = {2022}, author = {Cejp, B and Ravara, A and Aguado, MT}, title = {First mitochondrial genomes of Chrysopetalidae (Annelida) from shallow-water and deep-sea chemosynthetic environments.}, journal = {Gene}, volume = {815}, number = {}, pages = {146159}, doi = {10.1016/j.gene.2021.146159}, pmid = {34995739}, issn = {1879-0038}, mesh = {Animals ; Codon Usage ; Ecosystem ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; *Phylogeny ; Polychaeta/*genetics ; Proteins/genetics ; RNA, Transfer/genetics ; *Selection, Genetic ; Symbiosis ; Water ; }, abstract = {Among Annelida, Chrysopetalidae is an ecologically and morphologically diverse group, which includes shallow-water, deep-sea, free-living, and symbiotic species. Here, the four first mitochondrial genomes of this group are presented and described. One of the free-living shallow-water species Chrysopetalum debile (Chrysopetalinae), one of the yet undescribed free-living deep-sea species Boudemos sp., and those of the two deep-sea bivalve endosymbionts Craseoschema thyasiricola and Iheyomytilidicola lauensis (Calamyzinae). An updated phylogeny of Chrysopetalidae is performed, which supports previous phylogenetic hypotheses within Chrysopetalinae and indicates a complex ecological evolution within Calamyzinae. Additionally, analyses of natural selection pressure in the four mitochondrial genomes and additional genes from the two shallow-water species Bhawania goodei and Arichlidon gathofi were performed. Relaxed selection pressure in the mitochondrion of deep-sea and symbiotic species was found, with many sites under selection identified in the COX3 gene of deep-sea species.}, }
@article {pmid34981990, year = {2022}, author = {Peta, V and Tantely, LM and Potts, R and Girod, R and Pietri, JE}, title = {A Francisella tularensis-Like Bacterium in Tropical Bed Bugs from Madagascar.}, journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {58-61}, doi = {10.1089/vbz.2021.0079}, pmid = {34981990}, issn = {1557-7759}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bedbugs/microbiology ; *Francisella ; Insect Vectors/microbiology ; Madagascar/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {The genus Francisella includes several highly virulent human pathogens and some tick endosymbionts. Francisella infections are acquired by humans through contact with vertebrate animal reservoirs or contaminated water or dust. The species Francisella tularensis can also be transmitted by arthropods including ticks, mosquitoes, and flies. For the first time, we describe the molecular detection of an F. tularensis-like bacterium in bed bugs from samples collected in rural Madagascar. This finding suggests a potential involvement of bed bugs in the ecology of Francisella. The role of bed bugs as possible hosts, reservoirs, or vectors of Francisella spp. should be further investigated.}, }
@article {pmid34980289, year = {2022}, author = {Yang, Y and Sun, J and Chen, C and Zhou, Y and Van Dover, CL and Wang, C and Qiu, JW and Qian, PY}, title = {Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses reveal minor-yet-crucial roles of gut microbiome in deep-sea hydrothermal vent snail.}, journal = {Animal microbiome}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {3}, pmid = {34980289}, issn = {2524-4671}, support = {DY135-E2-1-03//China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association/ ; GML2019ZD0409//the Key Special Project for Introduced Talents Team of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)/ ; 2019B030302004-04//the Major Basic and Applied Basic Research Projects of Guangdong Province/ ; SMSEGL20SC01//the Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)/ ; 91951201//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Marine animals often exhibit complex symbiotic relationship with gut microbes to attain better use of the available resources. Many animals endemic to deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems host chemoautotrophic bacteria endocellularly, and they are thought to rely entirely on these symbionts for energy and nutrition. Numerous investigations have been conducted on the interdependence between these animal hosts and their chemoautotrophic symbionts. The provannid snail Alviniconcha marisindica from the Indian Ocean hydrothermal vent fields hosts a Campylobacterial endosymbiont in its gill. Unlike many other chemosymbiotic animals, the gut of A. marisindica is reduced but remains functional; yet the contribution of gut microbiomes and their interactions with the host remain poorly characterised.<br><br>RESULTS: Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses showed that the gut microbiome of A. marisindica plays key nutritional and metabolic roles. The composition and relative abundance of gut microbiota of A. marisindica were different from those of snails that do not depend on endosymbiosis. The relative abundance of microbial taxa was similar amongst three individuals of A. marisindica with significant inter-taxa correlations. These correlations suggest the potential for interactions between taxa that may influence community assembly and stability. Functional profiles of the gut microbiome revealed thousands of additional genes that assist in the use of vent-supplied inorganic compounds (autotrophic energy source), digest host-ingested organics (carbon source), and recycle the metabolic waste of the host. In addition, members of five taxonomic classes have the potential to form slime capsules&#xa0;to protect themselves from the host immune system, thereby contributing to homeostasis. Gut microbial ecology and its interplay with the host thus contribute to the nutritional and metabolic demands of A. marisindica.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The findings advance the understanding of how deep-sea chemosymbiotic animals use available resources through contributions from gut microbiota. Gut microbiota may be critical in the survival of invertebrate hosts with autotrophic endosymbionts in extreme environments.}, }
@article {pmid34967937, year = {2021}, author = {Singh, PP and Srivastava, D and Shukla, S and Varsha, }, title = {Rhizophagus proliferus genome sequence reiterates conservation of genetic traits in AM fungi, but predicts higher saprotrophic activity.}, journal = {Archives of microbiology}, volume = {204}, number = {1}, pages = {105}, pmid = {34967937}, issn = {1432-072X}, support = {"EMR/2017/000657"//science and engineering research board (serb), department of science and technology (dst), india/ ; }, mesh = {Fungi ; Genome, Fungal ; Genomics ; Humans ; *Mycorrhizae/genetics ; Plants ; Soil ; }, abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are ubiquitous endosymbionts of terrestrial plants. It helps plants to extract more nutrients from the soil and enhances the plant tolerance to various ecological stress factors. The AM fungal genome sequence helps to identify the gene repertoires that are crucial for adaptation to different habitat and mechanisms for interaction with host plant. The present work comprises the first draft of the genome sequence of Rhizophagus proliferus, which is an important AM species present in biofertilizer consortia for agricultural purpose. The estimated genome size of R. proliferus is ~ 110 Mbps and its genomic assembly is 94.35% complete. Genome mining was carried out to identify putative gene families important for biological functions. A total of 22,526 protein-coding genes were estimated in the genome, with an abundance of kinases and reduced number of glycoside hydrolases as compared to other fungal classes. A striking finding in the R. proliferus genome was higher number of carbohydrate esterases (CE), which may suggest towards presence of higher saprotrophic activity in this species as compared to the previously reported AM fungi, which may indicate towards its role as a link between plants and soil mineral nutrients. The genome sequence and annotation of R. proliferus presented here would serve as an important reference for functional genomics studies required for developing biofertilizer formulations in future. In addition, the findings from this work may also prove important in deciphering molecular mechanisms in AM fungi that govern the host-specific interaction and associated agriculture benefits.}, }
@article {pmid34955690, year = {2021}, author = {Sánchez-Suárez, J and Garnica-Agudelo, M and Villamil, L and Díaz, L and Coy-Barrera, E}, title = {Bioactivity and Biotechnological Overview of Naturally Occurring Compounds from the Dinoflagellate Family Symbiodiniaceae: A Systematic Review.}, journal = {TheScientificWorldJournal}, volume = {2021}, number = {}, pages = {1983589}, pmid = {34955690}, issn = {1537-744X}, mesh = {Biological Products/*pharmacology ; *Biotechnology ; Dinoflagellida/*chemistry ; }, abstract = {Marine invertebrates are a significant source of biologically active compounds. Recent studies have highlighted the role of microbiota associated with marine invertebrates in the production of bioactive compounds. Corals and sponges are the main marine invertebrates producing bioactive substances, and Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates are well-recognized endosymbionts with corals and sponges playing vital functions. The biological properties of Symbiodiniaceae-derived compounds have garnered attention in the past decades owing to their ecological implications and potentiality for bioprospecting initiatives. This study aims to systematically review studies on bioactivities and potential biotechnological applications of Symbiodiniaceae-derived compounds. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Our study showed that anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive activities of Symbiodiniaceae-derived compounds have been the most investigated. However, very few studies have been published, with in vitro culturing of Symbiodiniaceae being the most significant challenge. Therefore, we surveyed for the metabolites reported so far, analyzed their chemodiversity, and discussed approaches to overcome culturing-related limitations.}, }
@article {pmid34954414, year = {2022}, author = {Namias, A and Sicard, M and Weill, M and Charlat, S}, title = {From Wolbachia genomics to phenotype: molecular models of cytoplasmic incompatibility must account for the multiplicity of compatibility types.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {49}, number = {}, pages = {78-84}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2021.12.005}, pmid = {34954414}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; Antidotes ; Genomics ; Male ; Models, Molecular ; Phenotype ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia endosymbionts commonly induce cytoplasmic incompatibility, making infected males' sperm lethal to the embryos unless these are rescued by the same bacterium, inherited from their mother. Causal genes were recently identified but two families of mechanistic models are still opposed. In the toxin-antidote model, interaction between the toxin and the antidote is required for rescuing the embryos. In host modification models, a host factor is misregulated in sperm and rescue occurs through compensation or withdrawal of this modification. While these models have been thoroughly discussed, the multiplicity of compatibility types, that is, the existence of many mutually incompatible strains, as seen in Culex mosquitoes, has not received sufficient attention. To explain such a fact, host modification models must posit that the same embryonic defects can be induced and rescued through a large variety of host targets. Conversely, the toxin-antidote model simply accommodates this pattern in a lock-key fashion, through variations in the toxin-antidote interaction sites.}, }
@article {pmid34953157, year = {2022}, author = {Røed, ES and Engelstädter, J}, title = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility in hybrid zones: infection dynamics and resistance evolution.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {35}, number = {2}, pages = {240-253}, doi = {10.1111/jeb.13974}, pmid = {34953157}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Male ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility is an endosymbiont-induced mating incompatibility common in arthropods. Unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility impairs crosses between infected males and uninfected females, whereas bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility occurs when two host lineages are infected with reciprocally incompatible endosymbionts. Bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility is unstable in unstructured populations, but may be stable in hybrid zones. Stable coexistence of incompatible host lineages should generate frequent incompatible crosses. Therefore, hosts are expected to be under selection to resist their endosymbionts. Here, we formulate a mathematical model of hybrid zones where two bidirectionally incompatible host lineages meet. We expand this model to consider the invasion of a hypothetical resistance allele. To corroborate our mathematical predictions, we test each prediction with stochastic, individual-based simulations. Our models suggest that hybrid zones may sustain stable coinfections of bidirectionally incompatible endosymbiont strains. Over a range of conditions, hosts are under selection for resistance against cytoplasmic incompatibility. Under asymmetric migration, a resistance allele can facilitate infection turnover and subsequently either persist or become lost. The predictions we present may inform our understanding of the cophylogenetic relationship between the endosymbiont Wolbachia and its hosts.}, }
@article {pmid34946034, year = {2021}, author = {Sonenshine, DE and Stewart, PE}, title = {Microbiomes of Blood-Feeding Arthropods: Genes Coding for Essential Nutrients and Relation to Vector Fitness and Pathogenic Infections. A Review.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {9}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {34946034}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {Blood-feeding arthropods support a diverse array of symbiotic microbes, some of which facilitate host growth and development whereas others are detrimental to vector-borne pathogens. We found a common core constituency among the microbiota of 16 different arthropod blood-sucking disease vectors, including Bacillaceae, Rickettsiaceae, Anaplasmataceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Moraxellaceae and Staphylococcaceae. By comparing 21 genomes of common bacterial symbionts in blood-feeding vectors versus non-blooding insects, we found that certain enteric bacteria benefit their hosts by upregulating numerous genes coding for essential nutrients. Bacteria of blood-sucking vectors expressed significantly more genes (p < 0.001) coding for these essential nutrients than those of non-blooding insects. Moreover, compared to endosymbionts, the genomes of enteric bacteria also contained significantly more genes (p < 0.001) that code for the synthesis of essential amino acids and proteins that detoxify reactive oxygen species. In contrast, microbes in non-blood-feeding insects expressed few gene families coding for these nutrient categories. We also discuss specific midgut bacteria essential for the normal development of pathogens (e.g., Leishmania) versus others that were detrimental (e.g., bacterial toxins in mosquitoes lethal to Plasmodium spp.).}, }
@article {pmid34939561, year = {2021}, author = {Moran, NA}, title = {Microbe Profile: Buchnera aphidicola: ancient aphid accomplice and endosymbiont exemplar.}, journal = {Microbiology (Reading, England)}, volume = {167}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {34939561}, issn = {1465-2080}, support = {R35 GM131738/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; *Buchnera/genetics/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Buchnera aphidicola is an obligate endosymbiont of aphids that cannot be cultured outside of hosts. It exists as diverse strains in different aphid species, and phylogenetic reconstructions show that it has been maternally transmitted in aphids for >100 million years. B. aphidicola genomes are highly reduced and show conserved gene order and no gene acquisition, but encoded proteins undergo rapid evolution. Aphids depend on B. aphidicola for biosynthesis of essential amino acids and as an integral part of embryonic development. How B. aphidicola populations are regulated within hosts remains little known.}, }
@article {pmid34933456, year = {2021}, author = {Smith, TE and Lee, M and Person, MD and Hesek, D and Mobashery, S and Moran, NA}, title = {Horizontal-Acquisition of a Promiscuous Peptidoglycan-Recycling Enzyme Enables Aphids To Influence Symbiont Cell Wall Metabolism.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {e0263621}, pmid = {34933456}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {R35 GM131685/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; F32 GM126706/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM131738/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*enzymology/genetics/microbiology/physiology ; Bacterial Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Buchnera/*enzymology/genetics/metabolism ; Cell Wall/genetics/*metabolism ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Insect Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase/*genetics/metabolism ; Peptidoglycan/*biosynthesis ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {During evolution, enzymes can undergo shifts in preferred substrates or in catalytic activities. An intriguing question is how enzyme function changes following horizontal gene transfer, especially for bacterial genes that have moved to animal genomes. Some insects have acquired genes that encode enzymes for the biosynthesis of bacterial cell wall components and that appear to function to support or control their obligate endosymbiotic bacteria. In aphids, the bacterial endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola provides essential amino acids for aphid hosts but lacks most genes for remodeling of the bacterial cell wall. The aphid genome has acquired seven genes with putative functions in cell wall metabolism that are primarily expressed in the aphid cells harboring Buchnera. In analyses of aphid homogenates, we detected peptidoglycan (PGN) muropeptides indicative of the reactions of PGN hydrolases encoded by horizontally acquired aphid genes but not by Buchnera genes. We produced one such host enzyme, ApLdcA, and characterized its activity with both cell wall derived and synthetic PGN. Both ApLdcA and the homologous enzyme in Escherichia coli, which functions as an l,d-carboxypeptidase in the cytoplasmic PGN recycling pathway, exhibit turnover of PGN substrates containing stem pentapeptides and cross-linkages via l,d-endopeptidase activity, consistent with a potential role in cell wall remodeling. Our results suggest that ApLdcA derives its functions from the promiscuous activities of an ancestral LdcA enzyme, whose acquisition by the aphid genome may have enabled hosts to influence Buchnera cell wall metabolism as a means to control symbiont growth and division. IMPORTANCE Most enzymes are capable of performing biologically irrelevant side reactions. During evolution, promiscuous enzyme activities may acquire new biological roles, especially after horizontal gene transfer to new organisms. Pea aphids harbor obligate bacterial symbionts called Buchnera and encode horizontally acquired bacterial genes with putative roles in cell wall metabolism. Though Buchnera lacks cell wall endopeptidase genes, we found evidence of endopeptidase activity among peptidoglycan muropeptides purified from aphids. We characterized a multifunctional, aphid-encoded enzyme, ApLdcA, which displays l,d-endopeptidase activities considered promiscuous for the Escherichia coli homolog, for which these activities do not contribute to its native role in peptidoglycan recycling. These results exemplify the roles of enzyme promiscuity and horizontal gene transfer in enzyme evolution and demonstrate how aphids influence symbiont cell wall metabolism.}, }
@article {pmid34932865, year = {2022}, author = {Wheelhouse, N and Hearn, J and Livingstone, M and Flockhart, A and Dagleish, M and Longbottom, D}, title = {Identification of Parachlamydiaceae DNA in nasal and rectal passages of healthy dairy cattle.}, journal = {Journal of applied microbiology}, volume = {132}, number = {4}, pages = {2642-2648}, doi = {10.1111/jam.15422}, pmid = {34932865}, issn = {1365-2672}, support = {//Scottish Government's Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS)/ ; //Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)/ ; BB/J015083/1//Zoetis Industrial Partnership Award/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cattle ; *Chlamydiales/genetics ; DNA ; DNA, Bacterial/analysis/genetics ; Female ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {AIMS: The order Chlamydiales comprises a broad range of bacterial pathogens and endosymbionts, which infect a wide variety of host species. Within this order, members of the family Parachlamydiaceae, which includes Parachlamydia and Neochlamydia species, have been particularly associated with infections in both humans and cattle, including having a potential pathogenic role in cases of bovine abortion. While the route of transmission has yet to be defined, it has been hypothesised that asymptomatic carriage and contamination of the immediate environment may be a route of inter-animal transmission. We investigated the asymptomatic carriage of Chlamydia-related organisms in healthy cattle.<br><br>METHODS &amp; RESULTS: DNA was isolated from nasal and rectal swabs obtained from 38&#xa0;healthy dairy heifers. A Chlamydiales sp. 16S rRNA qPCR was performed on each sample. A total of 18/38 nasal samples and all 38/38 rectal samples were identified as positive for Chlamydiales sp. Each positive sample was sequenced confirming the presence of DNA belonging to the Parachlamydiaceae.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The presence of Parachlamydiaceae DNA in nasal and rectal swab samples of healthy cattle provides evidence for the asymptomatic carriage of parachlamydial organisms within cattle.<br><br>The study provides evidence of potential routes of environmental contamination that could provide a route for inter-animal and animal transmission of Parachlamydiaceae.}, }
@article {pmid34928947, year = {2021}, author = {Vivero-Gomez, RJ and Castañeda-Monsalve, VA and Atencia, MC and Hoyos-Lopez, R and Hurst, GD and Cadavid-Restrepo, G and Moreno-Herrera, CX}, title = {Molecular phylogeny of heritable symbionts and microbiota diversity analysis in phlebotominae sand flies and Culex nigripalpus from Colombia.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {15}, number = {12}, pages = {e0009942}, pmid = {34928947}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Biodiversity ; Colombia ; Culex/*microbiology/physiology ; *Microbiota ; Microsporidia/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; *Phylogeny ; Psychodidae/*microbiology/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Secondary symbionts of insects include a range of bacteria and fungi that perform various functional roles on their hosts, such as fitness, tolerance to heat stress, susceptibility to insecticides and effects on reproduction. These endosymbionts could have the potential to shape microbial communites and high potential to develop strategies for mosquito-borne disease control.<br><br>The relative frequency and molecular phylogeny of Wolbachia, Microsporidia and Cardinium were determined of phlebotomine sand flies and mosquitoes in two regions from Colombia. Illumina Miseq using the 16S rRNA gene as a biomarker was conducted to examine the microbiota. Different percentages of natural infection by Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Microsporidia in phlebotomines and mosquitoes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis of Wolbachia shows putative new strains of Lutzomyia gomezi (wLgom), Brumptomyia hamata (wBrham), and a putative new group associated with Culex nigripalpus (Cnig) from the Andean region, located in Supergroup A and Supergroup B, respectively. The sequences of Microsporidia were obtained of Pi. pia and Cx. nigripalpus, which are located on phylogeny in the IV clade (terrestrial origin). The Cardinium of Tr. triramula and Ps. shannoni were located in group C next to Culicoides sequences while Cardinium of Mi. cayennensis formed two putative new subgroups of Cardinium in group A. In total were obtained 550 bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 189 taxa to the genus level. The microbiota profiles of Sand flies and mosquitoes showed mainly at the phylum level to Proteobacteria (67.6%), Firmicutes (17.9%) and Actinobacteria (7.4%). High percentages of relative abundance for Wolbachia (30%-83%) in Lu. gomezi, Ev. dubitans, Mi. micropyga, Br. hamata, and Cx. nigripalpus were found. ASVs assigned as Microsporidia were found in greater abundance in Pi. pia (23%) and Cx. nigripalpus (11%). An important finding is the detection of Rickettsia in Pi. pia (58,8%) and Bartonella sp. in Cx. nigripalpus.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We found that Wolbachia infection significantly decreased the alpha diversity and negatively impacts the number of taxa on sand flies and Culex nigripalpus. The Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) is consistent, which showed statistically significant differences (PERMANOVA, F = 2.4744; R2 = 0.18363; p-value = 0.007) between the microbiota of sand flies and mosquitoes depending on its origin, host and possibly for the abundance of some endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Rickettsia).}, }
@article {pmid34925404, year = {2021}, author = {Suzuki, S and Kawachi, M and Tsukakoshi, C and Nakamura, A and Hagino, K and Inouye, I and Ishida, KI}, title = {Unstable Relationship Between Braarudosphaera bigelowii (= Chrysochromulina parkeae) and Its Nitrogen-Fixing Endosymbiont.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {749895}, pmid = {34925404}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Marine phytoplankton are major primary producers, and their growth is primarily limited by nitrogen in the oligotrophic ocean environment. The haptophyte Braarudosphaera bigelowii possesses a cyanobacterial endosymbiont (UCYN-A), which plays a major role in nitrogen fixation in the ocean. However, host-symbiont interactions are poorly understood because B. bigelowii was unculturable. In this study, we sequenced the complete genome of the B. bigelowii endosymbiont and showed that it was highly reductive and closely related to UCYN-A2 (an ecotype of UCYN-A). We succeeded in establishing B. bigelowii strains and performed microscopic observations. The detailed observations showed that the cyanobacterial endosymbiont was surrounded by a single host derived membrane and divided synchronously with the host cell division. The transcriptome of B. bigelowii revealed that B. bigelowii lacked the expression of many essential genes associated with the uptake of most nitrogen compounds, except ammonia. During cultivation, some of the strains completely lost the endosymbiont. Moreover, we did not find any evidence of endosymbiotic gene transfer from the endosymbiont to the host. These findings illustrate an unstable morphological, metabolic, and genetic relationship between B. bigelowii and its endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid34919808, year = {2022}, author = {Hague, MTJ and Shropshire, JD and Caldwell, CN and Statz, JP and Stanek, KA and Conner, WR and Cooper, BS}, title = {Temperature effects on cellular host-microbe interactions explain continent-wide endosymbiont prevalence.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {32}, number = {4}, pages = {878-888.e8}, pmid = {34919808}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Prevalence ; Temperature ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Endosymbioses influence host physiology, reproduction, and fitness, but these relationships require efficient microbe transmission between host generations to persist. Maternally transmitted Wolbachia are the most common known endosymbionts,[1] but their frequencies vary widely within and among host populations for unknown reasons.[2][,][3] Here, we integrate genomic, cellular, and phenotypic analyses with mathematical models to provide an unexpectedly simple explanation for global wMel Wolbachia prevalence in Drosophila melanogaster. Cooling temperatures decrease wMel cellular abundance at a key stage of host oogenesis, producing temperature-dependent variation in maternal transmission that plausibly explains latitudinal clines of wMel frequencies on multiple continents. wMel sampled from a temperate climate targets the germline more efficiently in the cold than a recently differentiated tropical variant (∼2,200 years ago), indicative of rapid wMel adaptation to climate. Genomic analyses identify a very narrow list of wMel alleles-most notably, a derived stop codon in the major Wolbachia surface protein WspB-that underlie thermal sensitivity of cellular Wolbachia abundance and covary with temperature globally. Decoupling temperate wMel and host genomes further reduces transmission in the cold, a pattern that is characteristic of host-microbe co-adaptation to a temperate climate. Complex interactions among Wolbachia, hosts, and the environment (GxGxE) mediate wMel cellular abundance and maternal transmission, implicating temperature as a key determinant of Wolbachia spread and equilibrium frequencies, in conjunction with Wolbachia effects on host fitness and reproduction.[4][,][5] Our results motivate the strategic use of locally selected wMel variants for Wolbachia-based biocontrol efforts, which protect millions of individuals from arboviruses that cause human disease.[6].}, }
@article {pmid34906073, year = {2021}, author = {Cotroneo, CE and Gormley, IC and Shields, DC and Salter-Townshend, M}, title = {Computational modelling of chromosomally clustering protein domains in bacteria.}, journal = {BMC bioinformatics}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {593}, pmid = {34906073}, issn = {1471-2105}, mesh = {Archaea/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Cluster Analysis ; Computer Simulation ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome, Archaeal ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; Protein Domains ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: In bacteria, genes with related functions-such as those involved in the metabolism of the same compound or in infection processes-are often physically close on the genome and form groups called clusters. The enrichment of such clusters over various distantly related bacteria can be used to predict the roles of genes of unknown function that cluster with characterised genes. There is no obvious rule to define a cluster, given their variability in size and intergenic distances, and the definition of what comprises a "gene", since genes can gain and lose domains over time. Protein domains can cluster within a gene, or in adjacent genes of related function, and in both cases these are chromosomally clustered. Here, we model the distances between pairs of protein domain coding regions across a wide range of bacteria and archaea via a probabilistic two component mixture model, without imposing arbitrary thresholds in terms of gene numbers or distances.<br><br>RESULTS: We trained our model using matched gene ontology terms to label functionally related pairs and assess the stability of the parameters of the model across 14,178 archaeal and bacterial strains. We found that the parameters of our mixture model are remarkably stable across bacteria and archaea, except for endosymbionts and obligate intracellular pathogens. Obligate pathogens have smaller genomes, and although they vary, on average do not show noticeably different clustering distances; the main difference in the parameter estimates is that a far greater proportion of the genes sharing ontology terms are clustered. This may reflect that these genomes are enriched for complexes encoded by clustered core housekeeping genes, as a proportion of the total genes. Given the overall stability of the parameter estimates, we then used the mean parameter estimates across the entire dataset to investigate which gene ontology terms are most frequently associated with clustered genes.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Given the stability of the mixture model across species, it may be used to predict bacterial gene clusters that are shared across multiple species, in addition to giving insights into the evolutionary pressures on the chromosomal locations of genes in different species.}, }
@article {pmid34903056, year = {2021}, author = {Shropshire, JD and Hamant, E and Cooper, BS}, title = {Male Age and Wolbachia Dynamics: Investigating How Fast and Why Bacterial Densities and Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Strengths Vary.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {e0299821}, pmid = {34903056}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cytoplasm/genetics/*microbiology ; Drosophila/genetics/immunology/*microbiology/physiology ; Drosophila melanogaster ; Female ; Male ; Species Specificity ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts can influence host reproduction and fitness to favor their maternal transmission. For example, endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria often cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) that kills uninfected embryos fertilized by Wolbachia-modified sperm. Infected females can rescue CI, providing them a relative fitness advantage. Wolbachia-induced CI strength varies widely and tends to decrease as host males age. Since strong CI drives Wolbachia to high equilibrium frequencies, understanding how fast and why CI strength declines with male age is crucial to explaining age-dependent CI's influence on Wolbachia prevalence. Here, we investigate if Wolbachia densities and/or CI gene (cif) expression covary with CI-strength variation and explore covariates of age-dependent Wolbachia-density variation in two classic CI systems. wRi CI strength decreases slowly with Drosophila simulans male age (6%/day), but wMel CI strength decreases very rapidly (19%/day), yielding statistically insignificant CI after only 3 days of Drosophila melanogaster adult emergence. Wolbachia densities and cif expression in testes decrease as wRi-infected males age, but both surprisingly increase as wMel-infected males age, and CI strength declines. We then tested if phage lysis, Octomom copy number (which impacts wMel density), or host immune expression covary with age-dependent wMel densities. Only host immune expression correlated with density. Together, our results identify how fast CI strength declines with male age in two model systems and reveal unique relationships between male age, Wolbachia densities, cif expression, and host immunity. We discuss new hypotheses about the basis of age-dependent CI strength and its contributions to Wolbachia prevalence. IMPORTANCEWolbachia bacteria are the most common animal-associated endosymbionts due in large part to their manipulation of host reproduction. Many Wolbachia cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) that kills uninfected host eggs. Infected eggs are protected from CI, favoring Wolbachia spread in natural systems and in transinfected mosquito populations where vector-control groups use strong CI to maintain pathogen-blocking Wolbachia at high frequencies for biocontrol of arboviruses. CI strength varies considerably in nature and declines as males age for unknown reasons. Here, we determine that CI strength weakens at different rates with age in two model symbioses. Wolbachia density and CI gene expression covary with wRi-induced CI strength in Drosophila simulans, but neither explain rapidly declining wMel-induced CI in aging D. melanogaster males. Patterns of host immune gene expression suggest a candidate mechanism behind age-dependent wMel densities. These findings inform how age-dependent CI may contribute to Wolbachia prevalence in natural systems and potentially in transinfected systems.}, }
@article {pmid34893862, year = {2022}, author = {de Oliveira, AL and Mitchell, J and Girguis, P and Bright, M}, title = {Novel Insights on Obligate Symbiont Lifestyle and Adaptation to Chemosynthetic Environment as Revealed by the Giant Tubeworm Genome.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {39}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {34893862}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {Acclimatization ; Animals ; *Gammaproteobacteria/genetics ; *Polychaeta/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The mutualism between the giant tubeworm Riftia pachyptila and its endosymbiont Candidatus Endoriftia persephone has been extensively researched over the past 40 years. However, the lack of the host whole-genome information has impeded the full comprehension of the genotype/phenotype interface in Riftia. Here, we described the high-quality draft genome of Riftia, its complete mitogenome, and tissue-specific transcriptomic data. The Riftia genome presents signs of reductive evolution, with gene family contractions exceeding expansions. Expanded gene families are related to sulfur metabolism, detoxification, antioxidative stress, oxygen transport, immune system, and lysosomal digestion, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to the vent environment and endosymbiosis. Despite the derived body plan, the developmental gene repertoire in the gutless tubeworm is extremely conserved with the presence of a near intact and complete Hox cluster. Gene expression analyses establish that the trophosome is a multifunctional organ marked by intracellular digestion of endosymbionts, storage of excretory products, and hematopoietic functions. Overall, the plume and gonad tissues both in contact to the environment harbor highly expressed genes involved with cell cycle, programed cell death, and immunity indicating a high cell turnover and defense mechanisms against pathogens. We posit that the innate immune system plays a more prominent role into the establishment of the symbiosis during the infection in the larval stage, rather than maintaining the symbiostasis in the trophosome. This genome bridges four decades of physiological research in Riftia, whereas it simultaneously provides new insights into the development, whole organism functions, and evolution in the giant tubeworm.}, }
@article {pmid34889195, year = {2021}, author = {Gürelli, G and Mohamed, ARA}, title = {Comparative Study of Rumen Ciliate Fauna of Goat and Sheep in Libya.}, journal = {Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi}, volume = {45}, number = {4}, pages = {274-279}, doi = {10.4274/tpd.galenos.2021.39974}, pmid = {34889195}, issn = {2146-3077}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ciliophora ; *Goats ; Laboratories ; Libya/epidemiology ; Rumen ; Sheep ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide comparative information on the rumen ciliate fauna of goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries) living in Zawiya, Libya.<br><br>METHODS: We obtained rumen samples from 16 goats and 17 sheep after the slaughter in Zawiya, Libya between June and August 2016. We immediately fixed the well-mixed samples with an equal volume of 18.5% formalin. We filtered and stained the samples in the laboratory with methyl green formalin saline solution to determine the nuclei and added 2% Lugol's iodine solution to visualize the skeletal plates.<br><br>RESULTS: We found that the mean number (&#xb1; standard deviation) of ciliates in the rumen contents from goats and sheep was 70.9&#xb1;61.6&#xd7;10[4] cells mL[-1] (minimum-maximum value, 4.0-187.0&#xd7;10[4] cells mL[-1]) and 96.3&#xb1;49.3&#xd7;10[4] cells mL[-1] (minimum-maximum value, 19.5-235.0&#xd7;10[4] cells mL[-1]), respectively. Results also showed that the total number of species per goat and sheep was 1-17 (mean, 8.2&#xb1;4.7) and 1-13 (mean, 7.9&#xb1;3.8), respectively. We identified 10 genera, 19 species, and 11 morphotypes in goats and 9 genera, 16 species, and 13 morphotypes in sheep. Additionally, we found that Entodinium simulans prevalence in all goats and sheep was 100%. On the other hand, we observed Hsiungia triciliata and Ostracodinium gracile in only one goat (6.3% prevalence) and Polyplastron multivesiculatum in only one sheep (5.9% prevalence). Overall, the ruminal ciliate fauna of goat and sheep in Libya comprised Entodinium species (mean for goats, 85.9%; mean for sheep, 83.5%).<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study recorded Hsiungia triciliata as a new endosymbiont in goats. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report all of the species detected in goats from Libya. Similarly, this is the first to detect Diplodinium anisacanthum, Entodinium bursa, E. ellipsoideum, E. longinucleatum, E. simulans, Isotricha prostoma, Ophryoscolex caudatus, Ostracodinium gracile, and Polyplastron multivesiculatum in sheep from Libya.}, }
@article {pmid34881320, year = {2021}, author = {Takhampunya, R and Sakolvaree, J and Chanarat, N and Youngdech, N and Phonjatturas, K and Promsathaporn, S and Tippayachai, B and Tachavarong, W and Srinoppawan, K and Poole-Smith, BK and McCardle, PW and Chaorattanakawee, S}, title = {The Bacterial Community in Questing Ticks From Khao Yai National Park in Thailand.}, journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {764763}, pmid = {34881320}, issn = {2297-1769}, abstract = {Ticks are known vectors for a variety of pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. In this study, bacterial communities were investigated in active life stages of three tick genera (Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor, and Amblyomma) collected from Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. Four hundred and thirty-three questing ticks were selected for pathogen detection individually using real-time PCR assays, and 58 of these were subjected to further metagenomics analysis. A total of 62 ticks were found to be infected with pathogenic bacteria, for a 14.3% prevalence rate, with Amblyomma spp. exhibiting the highest infection rate (20.5%), followed by Haemaphysalis spp. (14.5%) and Dermacentor spp. (8.6%). Rickettsia spp. were the most prevalent bacteria (7.9%) found, followed by Ehrlichia spp. (3.2%), and Anaplasma spp. and Borrelia spp. each with a similar prevalence of 1.6%. Co-infection between pathogenic bacteria was only detected in three Haemaphysalis females, and all co-infections were between Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasmataceae (Ehrlichia spp. or Anaplasma spp.), accounting for 4.6% of infected ticks or 0.7% of all examined questing ticks. The prevalence of the Coxiella-like endosymbiont was also investigated. Of ticks tested, 65.8% were positive for the Coxiella-like endosymbiont, with the highest infection rate in nymphs (86.7%), followed by females (83.4%). Among tick genera, Haemaphysalis exhibited the highest prevalence of infection with the Coxiella-like endosymbiont. Ticks harboring the Coxiella-like endosymbiont were more likely to be infected with Ehrlichia spp. or Rickettsia spp. than those without, with statistical significance for Ehrlichia spp. infection in particular (p-values = 0.003 and 0.917 for Ehrlichia spp. and Rickettsia spp., respectively). Profiling the bacterial community in ticks using metagenomics revealed distinct, predominant bacterial taxa in tick genera. Alpha and beta diversities analyses showed that the bacterial community diversity and composition in Haemaphysalis spp. was significantly different from Amblyomma spp. However, when examining bacterial diversity among tick life stages (larva, nymph, and adult) in Haemaphysalis spp., no significant difference among life stages was detected. These results provide valuable information on the bacterial community composition and co-infection rates in questing ticks in Thailand, with implications for animal and human health.}, }
@article {pmid34878815, year = {2022}, author = {Horn, CJ and Yoon, T and Mierzejewski, MK and Luong, LT}, title = {Endosymbiotic Male-Killing Spiroplasma Affects the Physiological and Behavioral Ecology of Macrocheles-Drosophila Interactions.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {88}, number = {3}, pages = {e0197221}, pmid = {34878815}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Male ; Phylogeny ; *Spiroplasma/physiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {While many arthropod endosymbionts are vertically transmitted, phylogenetic studies reveal repeated introductions of hemolymph-dwelling Spiroplasma into Drosophila. Introductions are often attributed to horizontal transmission via ectoparasite vectors. Here, we test if mites (Macrocheles subbadius) prefer to infect Spiroplasma poulsonii MSRO (Melanogaster sex ratio organism)-infected flies and if MSRO infection impairs fly resistance against secondary mite attack. First, we tested if mites prefer MSRO[+] or MSRO[-] flies using pairwise choice tests across fly ages. We then tested whether mite preferences are explained by changes in fly physiology, specifically increased metabolic rate (measured as CO2 production). We hypothesize that this preference is due in part to MSRO[+] flies expressing higher metabolic rates. However, our results showed mite preference depended on an interaction between fly age and MSRO status: mites avoided 14-day-old MSRO[+] flies relative to MSRO[-] flies (31% infection) but preferred MSRO[+] flies (64% infection) among 26-day-old flies. Using flowthrough respirometry, we found 14-day-old MSRO[+] flies had higher CO2 emissions than MSRO[-] flies (32% greater), whereas at 26 days old the CO2 production among MSRO[+] flies was 20% lower than that of MSRO[-] flies. Thus, mite preferences for high-metabolic-rate hosts did not explain the infection biases in this study. To assess changes in susceptibility to infection, we measured fly endurance using geotaxis assays. Older flies had lower endurance consistent with fly senescence, and this effect was magnified among MSRO[+] flies. Given the biological importance of male-killing Spiroplasma, potential changes in the interactions of hosts and potential vectors could impact the ecology and evolution of host species. IMPORTANCE Male-killing endosymbionts are transmitted from mother to daughter and kill male offspring. Despite these major ecological effects, how these endosymbionts colonize new host species is not always clear. Mites are sometimes hypothesized to transfer these bacteria between hosts/host species. Here, we test if (i) mites prefer to infect flies that harbor Spiroplasma poulisoni MSRO and (ii) flies infected with MSRO are less able to resist mite infection. Our results show that flies infected with MSRO have weaker anti-mite resistance, but the mite preference/aversion for MSRO[+] flies varied with fly age. Given the fitness and population impacts of male-killing Spiroplasma, changes in fly-mite interactions have implications for the ecology and evolution of these symbioses.}, }
@article {pmid34878113, year = {2022}, author = {Byrne, S and Schughart, M and Carolan, JC and Gaffney, M and Thorpe, P and Malloch, G and Wilkinson, T and McNamara, L}, title = {Genome sequence of the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae and its endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {34878113}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 05621/Z/14/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; *Buchnera/genetics ; Genome ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Triticum/genetics ; }, abstract = {The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, is a major agricultural pest of wheat, barley and oats, and one of the principal vectors of barley yellow dwarf virus leading to significant reductions in grain yield, annually. Emerging resistance to and increasing regulation of insecticides has resulted in limited options for their control. Using PacBio HiFi data, we have produced a high-quality draft assembly of the S. avenae genome; generating a primary assembly with a total assembly size of 475.7 Mb, and an alternate assembly with a total assembly size of 430.8 Mb. Our primary assembly was highly contiguous with only 326 contigs and a contig N50 of 15.95 Mb. Assembly completeness was estimated at 97.7% using BUSCO analysis and 31,007 and 29,037 protein-coding genes were predicted from the primary and alternate assemblies, respectively. This assembly, which is to our knowledge the first for an insecticide resistant clonal lineage of English grain aphid, will provide novel insight into the molecular and mechanistic determinants of resistance and will facilitate future research into mechanisms of viral transmission and aphid behavior.}, }
@article {pmid34869220, year = {2021}, author = {Ding, L and Zhang, SD and Haidar, AK and Bajimaya, M and Guo, Y and Larsen, TO and Gram, L}, title = {Polycyclic Tetramate Macrolactams-A Group of Natural Bioactive Metallophores.}, journal = {Frontiers in chemistry}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {772858}, pmid = {34869220}, issn = {2296-2646}, abstract = {New infectious diseases and increase in drug-resistant microbial pathogens emphasize the need for antibiotics with novel mode-of-action. Tetramates represented by fungi-derived tenuazonic acid and bacterial polycyclic tetramate macrolactams (PTMs) are an important family of natural products with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. Despite their potential application as new antibiotics, it remains unknown how PTMs function. In this study, genomic mining revealed that PTM biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) are widespread in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and we investigated a sponge endosymbiont Actinoalloteichus hymeniacidonis harboring a potential PTM-BGC. Xanthobaccin A that previously has only been isolated from a Gram-negative bacterium was obtained after a scale-up fermentation, isolation, and structure elucidation through mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Xanthobaccin A as well as two previously reported tetramates, equisetin and ikarugamycin, exhibited antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis. In addition, these three tetramates were for the first time to be confirmed as metallophores and the stoichiometry of the complexes were shown to be Fe(III)(equisetin)3/Fe(III)(equisetin)2 and Fe(III)(ikarugamycin)2, respectively. Meanwhile, we found that all three tetramates could reduce ferric into ferrous iron, which triggers the Fenton chemistry reaction. Their antibacterial activity was reduced by adding the radical scavenger, vitamin C. Altogether, our work demonstrates that equisetin and PTMs can act as metallophores and their antimicrobial mechanism is possibly mediated through Fenton chemistry.}, }
@article {pmid34864906, year = {2022}, author = {Cooper, WR and Horton, DR and Swisher-Grimm, K and Krey, K and Wildung, MR}, title = {Bacterial Endosymbionts of Bactericera maculipennis and Three Mitochondrial Haplotypes of B. cockerelli (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Triozidae).}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {51}, number = {1}, pages = {94-107}, doi = {10.1093/ee/nvab133}, pmid = {34864906}, issn = {1938-2936}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Haplotypes ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; *Rhizobiaceae ; *Solanum tuberosum/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Insects harbor bacterial endosymbionts that provide their hosts with nutritional benefit or with protection against natural enemies, plant defenses, insecticides, or abiotic stresses. We used directed sequencing of 16S rDNA to identify and compare endosymbionts of Bactericera maculipennis (Crawford) and the western, central, and northwestern haplotypes of B. cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Triozidae). Both species are native to North America, are known to harbor the plant pathogen 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' and develop on shared host plants within the Convolvulaceae. The Old-World species Heterotrioza chenopodii (Reuter) (Psylloidea: Triozidae), now found in North America, was included as an outgroup. 16S sequencing confirmed that both Bactericera species harbor 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' and revealed that both species harbor unique strains of Wolbachia and Sodalis. However, the presence of Wolbachia and Sodalis varied among haplotypes of B. cockerelli. The central and western haplotypes harbored the same strains of Wolbachia, which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing of the wsp and ftsZ genes. Wolbachia was also detected in very low abundance from the northwestern haplotype by high-throughput sequencing of 16S but was not detected from this haplotype by PCR screening. The northwestern and central haplotypes also harbored Sodalis, which was not detected in the western haplotype. Heterotrioza chenopodii harbored an entirely different community of potential endosymbionts compared with the Bactericera spp. that included Rickettsia and an unidentified bacterium in the Enterobacteriaceae. Results of this study provide a foundation for further research on the interactions between psyllids and their bacterial endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid34863611, year = {2022}, author = {Nobs, SJ and MacLeod, FI and Wong, HL and Burns, BP}, title = {Eukarya the chimera: eukaryotes, a secondary innovation of the two domains of life?.}, journal = {Trends in microbiology}, volume = {30}, number = {5}, pages = {421-431}, doi = {10.1016/j.tim.2021.11.003}, pmid = {34863611}, issn = {1878-4380}, mesh = {Archaea/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; *Eukaryota/genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {One of the most significant events in the evolution of life is the origin of the eukaryotic cell, an increase in cellular complexity that occurred approximately 2 billion years ago. Ground-breaking research has centered around unraveling the characteristics of the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (LECA) and the nuanced archaeal and bacterial contributions in eukaryogenesis, resulting in fundamental changes in our understanding of the Tree of Life. The archaeal and bacterial roles are covered by theories of endosymbiogenesis wherein an ancestral host archaeon and a bacterial endosymbiont merged to create a new complex cell type - Eukarya - and its mitochondrion. Eukarya is often regarded as a unique and distinct domain due to complex innovations not found in archaea or bacteria, despite housing a chimeric genome containing genes of both archaeal and bacterial origin. However, the discovery of complex cell machineries in recently described Asgard archaeal lineages, and the growing support for diverse bacterial gene transfers prior to and during the time of LECA, is redefining our understanding of eukaryogenesis. Indeed, the uniqueness of Eukarya, as a domain, is challenged. It is likely that many microbial syntrophies, encompassing a 'microbial village', were required to 'raise' a eukaryote during the process of eukaryogenesis.}, }
@article {pmid34861071, year = {2022}, author = {Armstrong, EE and Perez-Lamarque, B and Bi, K and Chen, C and Becking, LE and Lim, JY and Linderoth, T and Krehenwinkel, H and Gillespie, RG}, title = {A holobiont view of island biogeography: Unravelling patterns driving the nascent diversification of a Hawaiian spider and its microbial associates.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {31}, number = {4}, pages = {1299-1316}, doi = {10.1111/mec.16301}, pmid = {34861071}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; Geography ; Hawaii ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Spiders/genetics ; }, abstract = {The diversification of a host lineage can be influenced by both the external environment and its assemblage of microbes. Here, we use a young lineage of spiders, distributed along a chronologically arranged series of volcanic mountains, to investigate how their associated microbial communities have changed as the spiders colonized new locations. Using the stick spider Ariamnes waikula (Araneae, Theridiidae) on the island of Hawai'i, and outgroup taxa on older islands, we tested whether each component of the "holobiont" (spider hosts, intracellular endosymbionts and gut microbial communities) showed correlated signatures of diversity due to sequential colonization from older to younger volcanoes. To investigate this, we generated ddRAD data for the host spiders and 16S rRNA gene amplicon data from their microbiota. We expected sequential colonizations to result in a (phylo)genetic structuring of the host spiders and in a diversity gradient in microbial communities. The results showed that the host A. waikula is indeed structured by geographical isolation, suggesting sequential colonization from older to younger volcanoes. Similarly, the endosymbiont communities were markedly different between Ariamnes species on different islands, but more homogeneous among A. waikula populations on the island of Hawai'i. Conversely, the gut microbiota, which we suspect is generally environmentally derived, was largely conserved across all populations and species. Our results show that different components of the holobiont respond in distinct ways to the dynamic environment of the volcanic archipelago. This highlights the necessity of understanding the interplay between different components of the holobiont, to properly characterize its evolution.}, }
@article {pmid34849818, year = {2021}, author = {Bauer DuMont, VL and White, SL and Zinshteyn, D and Aquadro, CF}, title = {Molecular population genetics of Sex-lethal (Sxl) in the Drosophila melanogaster species group: a locus that genetically interacts with Wolbachia pipientis in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {11}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {34849818}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {R01 GM095793/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/metabolism ; Female ; Genetics, Population ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; *Wolbachia/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Sex-lethal (Sxl) is the sex determination switch in Drosophila, and also plays a critical role in germ-line stem cell daughter differentiation in Drosophila melanogaster. Three female-sterile alleles at Sxl in D. melanogaster were previously shown to genetically interact to varying degrees with the maternally inherited endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis. Given this genetic interaction and W. pipientis' ability to manipulate reproduction in Drosophila, we carried out a careful study of both the population genetics (within four Drosophila species) and molecular evolutionary analysis (across 20 Drosophila species) of Sxl. Consistent with earlier studies, we find that selective constraint has played a prominent role in Sxl's molecular evolution within Drosophila, but we also observe patterns that suggest both episodic bursts of protein evolution and recent positive selection at Sxl. The episodic nature of Sxl's protein evolution is discussed in light of its genetic interaction with W. pipientis.}, }
@article {pmid34846757, year = {2022}, author = {Kuo, CC and Lee, PL and Wang, HC}, title = {Molecular identification of Rickettsia spp. in chigger mites in Taiwan.}, journal = {Medical and veterinary entomology}, volume = {36}, number = {2}, pages = {223-229}, doi = {10.1111/mve.12560}, pmid = {34846757}, issn = {1365-2915}, mesh = {Animals ; *Mite Infestations/veterinary ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Rodent Diseases ; Rodentia ; *Scrub Typhus/microbiology/veterinary ; *Siphonaptera/microbiology ; Taiwan ; *Ticks ; *Trombiculidae/microbiology ; }, abstract = {The genus Rickettsia is the causative agent of several rickettsial diseases that are primarily transmitted by hard ticks. The occurrence of Rickettsia in chigger mites, which are vectors of scrub typhus in the western Pacific region, has been infrequently investigated. We identified Rickettsia spp. in chiggers collected from small mammals in six counties of Taiwan. Moreover, by capitalising on parallel Rickettsia detections on small mammals and their infested ticks and fleas, we were able to identify Rickettsia spp. that suggested more intimate associations with chigger mites. Rickettsia detection rates in 318 pools of chiggers were 21.7% and 22.3% when based on the ompB and gltA gene, respectively. Overall, we identified six (based on the ompB gene) and eight (gltA gene) Rickettsia species. Approximately half of the sequenced species were most similar to Rickettsia sp. clone MB74-1 (ompB gene) and Rickettsia sp. TwKM02 (gltA gene). Furthermore, both species were either infrequently or never identified in small mammals, ticks and fleas, which suggests that chigger mites might be the primary host of both rickettsiae. Whether both species are pathogenic to humans remains to be studied. They may also be microbial endosymbionts of chigger mites, with their potential effects on the pathogenicity of the aetiologic agent of scrub typhus deserving further investigations.}, }
@article {pmid34845838, year = {2022}, author = {Watanabe, K and Motonaga, A and Tachibana, M and Shimizu, T and Watarai, M}, title = {Francisella novicida can utilize Paramecium bursaria as its potential host.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {50-59}, doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.13029}, pmid = {34845838}, issn = {1758-2229}, mesh = {*Chlorella ; *Francisella ; *Paramecium/microbiology ; *Tularemia/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Francisella novicida is a facultative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia. Although cases of infection caused by exposure to contaminated water have been reported, its natural host and ecology in the environment remain unclear. In this study, we investigated in vitro the possibility that Paramecium bursaria may be a useful tool as a protist host model of F. novicida. Experimental infection with F. novicida resulted in a stable intracellular relationship within P. bursaria. This symbiotic intracellular relationship was not observed in experimental infections with other Francisella species and Legionella pneumophila. We found that F. novicida showed similar behaviour to that of the eukaryotic endosymbiont of P. bursaria, the green algae Chlorella, in the internalization process. In addition, stable intracellular localization of F. novicida was possible only when Chlorella was not present. Although we investigated the type VI secretion system of F. novicida as a candidate for the bacterial factor, we found that it was not involved in the establishment of an intracellular relationship with P. bursaria. These results suggested that P. bursaria is potentially a protist host model for F. novicida and may be a useful tool for understanding the relationship between protist hosts and their symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid34843992, year = {2022}, author = {Manoj, RRS and Latrofa, MS and Bezerra-Santos, MA and Sgroi, G and Samarelli, R and Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Otranto, D}, title = {Molecular detection and characterization of the endosymbiont Wolbachia in the European hedgehog flea, Archaeopsylla erinacei.}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases}, volume = {97}, number = {}, pages = {105161}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105161}, pmid = {34843992}, issn = {1567-7257}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/analysis ; Female ; Italy ; Male ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Bacterial/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; Siphonaptera/*microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, the endosymbiont of arthropods and onchocercid nematodes is present in many medically important insect species, being also considered for the indirect control of parasitic ones. Archaeopsylla erinacei is a flea species infesting hedgehogs acting as vector of Rickettsia felis, Bartonella henselae, and Rickettsia helvetica, thus having public health relevance. The Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) and 16S rRNA genes were used to determine the presence, prevalence and molecular typing of Wolbachia in this flea species collected in two regions of southern Italy. Of the 45 fleas tested (n = 16 males, 35.6%; n = 29 females, 64.4%), 43 (95.6%; 95% CI: 84.8-99.2) scored positive for Wolbachia, of which 15 (33.3%) and 28 (62.2%) were males and females, respectively. The sex-wise prevalence of this endosymbiont was almost equal in both sexes (males 93.8%; 95% CI: 69.5-99.7; females 96.7%; 95% CI: 83.1-99.8). Single locus sequence analysis (SLST) of Wolbachia revealed two sequence types for 16S rRNA gene, named as wAr_15227 and wAr_15234, which came from two different areas, equally distributed in male and female fleas, whilst only one sequence type was identified for wsp gene. The phylogenetic analysis placed the two 16S rRNA sequence types in paraphyletic clades belonging to the supergroup A and B, respectively. Whilst, the tree of wsp gene clustered the corresponding sequence in the same clade including those of Wolbachia supergroup A. In MLST analyses, both Wolbachia sequence types clustered in a monophyletic clade with Drosophila nikananu (wNik) and Drosophila sturtevanti (wStv) from supergroup A. ClonalFrame analysis revealed a recombination event in the wAr_15234 strain which came from Apulia region. Scientific knowledge of the presence/prevalence of Wolbachia among medically important fleas, may contribute to develop an alternative biological method for the vector control.}, }
@article {pmid34843507, year = {2021}, author = {Singh, I and Kaur, R and Kumar, A and Singh, S and Sharma, A}, title = {Differential expression of gut protein genes and population density of Arsenophonus contributes to sex-biased transmission of Bemisia tabaci vectored Cotton leaf curl virus.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {11}, pages = {e0259374}, pmid = {34843507}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Begomovirus/growth &amp; development/*physiology ; Cyclophilins/antagonists &amp; inhibitors/genetics/metabolism ; Digestive System/*metabolism ; Female ; Gammaproteobacteria/*growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Silencing ; HSP40 Heat-Shock Proteins/antagonists &amp; inhibitors/genetics/metabolism ; Haplotypes ; Hemiptera/*virology ; Insect Proteins/antagonists &amp; inhibitors/genetics/*metabolism ; Insect Vectors/virology ; Male ; Plant Diseases/virology ; RNA, Double-Stranded/metabolism ; Sex Factors ; Symbiosis ; Viral Load ; }, abstract = {Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an important pest of cotton causing direct damage as sap feeder and vector of Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV). Previous few studies suggest that female whiteflies are more efficient vector of begomovirusthan males, however the sex-biased transmission efficiency is still not clearly understood. Present studies with B. tabaci AsiaII-1 haplotype showed higher virus transmission efficiency of females compared to males. This variable begomovirus transmission efficiency has been related to previously identifiedkey factors associated with B. tabaci. The higher density of endosymbiont Arsenophonus and variable expression of some midgut proteins genes i.e. Cyclophilin, Knottin, Hsp40, Hsp70 may be possibly imparting higher vector competency to the females compared to males. The present studies suggest low abundance of Arsenophonus spp. as well as lower expressionof Cyclophilin genein males as compared to females. This is further supplemented by overexpression of Knottin, Hsp40, and Hsp70 genes in males compared to females and thus collectively all these factors might be playing a key role in low virus transmission efficiency of males. The relative density of Arsenophonus spp. and expression of midgut proteins genes in male and female whitefly first time enriches our understanding about sex-biased transmission efficiency of begomovirus.}, }
@article {pmid34838119, year = {2021}, author = {Hamlili, FZ and Bérenger, JM and Diarra, AZ and Parola, P}, title = {Molecular and MALDI-TOF MS identification of swallow bugs Cimex hirundinis (Heteroptera: Cimicidae) and endosymbionts in France.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {587}, pmid = {34838119}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bedbugs/classification/microbiology ; Birds ; France ; Humans ; Pathology, Molecular ; Phylogeny ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization/methods ; Swallows/*parasitology ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Cimicidae are obligatory blood-feeding ectoparasites of medical and veterinary importance. We aim in the current study to assess the ability of MALDI-TOF MS to identify Cimex hirundinis swallow bugs collected in house martin nests.<br><br>METHODS: Swallow bugs were picked out from abandoned nests of house martin swallows and identified morphologically to the species level. The bugs were randomly selected, dissected and then subjected to MALDI-TOF MS and molecular analyses.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 65 adults and 50 nymphs were used in the attempt to determine whether this tool could identify the bug species and discriminate their developmental stages. Five adults and four nymphs of C. hirundinis specimens were molecularly identified to update our MS homemade arthropod database. BLAST analysis of COI gene sequences from these C. hirundinis revealed 98.66-99.12% identity with the corresponding sequences of C. hirundinis of the GenBank. The blind test against the database supplemented with MS reference spectra showed 100% (57/57) C. hirundinis adults and 100% (46/46) C. hirundinis nymphs were reliably identified and in agreement with morphological identification with logarithmic score values between 1.922 and 2.665. Ninety-nine percent of C. hirundinis specimens tested were positive for Wolbachia spp. The sequencing results revealed that they were identical to Wolbachia massiliensis, belonging to the new T-supergroup strain and previously isolated from C. hemipterus.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We report for the first time to our knowledge a case of human infestation by swallow bugs (C. hirundinis) in France. We also show the usefulness of MALDI-TOF MS in the rapid identification of C. hirundinis specimens and nymphs with minimal sample requirements. We phylogenetically characterized the novel Wolbachia strain (W. massiliensis) infecting C. hirundinis and compared it to other recognized Wolbachia clades.}, }
@article {pmid34831890, year = {2021}, author = {Rousseau, R and Vanwambeke, SO and Boland, C and Mori, M}, title = {The Isolation of Culturable Bacteria in Ixodes ricinus Ticks of a Belgian Peri-Urban Forest Uncovers Opportunistic Bacteria Potentially Important for Public Health.}, journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health}, volume = {18}, number = {22}, pages = {}, pmid = {34831890}, issn = {1660-4601}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Belgium ; Forests ; Humans ; *Ixodes ; Public Health ; }, abstract = {Most bacteria found in ticks are not pathogenic to humans but coexist as endosymbionts and may have effects on tick fitness and pathogen transmission. In this study, we cultured and isolated 78 bacteria from 954 Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in 7 sites of a Belgian peri-urban forest. Most isolated species were non-pathogenic environmental microorganisms, and were from the Firmicutes (69.23%), Actinobacteria (17.95%) and Proteobacteria (3.84%) phyla. One bacterium isolate was particularly noteworthy, Cedecea davisae, a rare opportunistic bacterium, naturally resistant to various antibiotics. It has never been isolated from ticks before and this isolated strain was resistant to ampicillin, cefoxitin and colistin. Although cultivable bacteria do not represent the complete tick microbiota, the sites presented variable bacterial compositions and diversities. This study is a first attempt to describe the culturable microbiota of ticks collected in Belgium. Further collections and analyses of ticks of different species, from various areas and using other bacterial identification methods would strengthen these results. However, they highlight the importance of ticks as potential sentinel for opportunistic bacteria of public health importance.}, }
@article {pmid34829911, year = {2021}, author = {Kwofie, SK and Broni, E and Yunus, FU and Nsoh, J and Adoboe, D and Miller, WA and Wilson, MD}, title = {Molecular Docking Simulation Studies Identifies Potential Natural Product Derived-Antiwolbachial Compounds as Filaricides against Onchocerciasis.}, journal = {Biomedicines}, volume = {9}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {34829911}, issn = {2227-9059}, abstract = {Onchocerciasis is the leading cause of blindness and severe skin lesions which remain a major public health problem, especially in tropical areas. The widespread use of antibiotics and the long duration required for effective treatment continues to add to the increasing global menace of multi-resistant pathogens. Onchocerca volvulus harbors the endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia, essential for the normal development of embryos, larvae and long-term survival of the adult worm, O. volvulus. We report here results of using structure-based drug design (SBDD) approach aimed at identifying potential novel Wolbachia inhibitors from natural products against the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP). The protein sequence of the WSP with UniProtKB identifier Q0RAI4 was used to model the three-dimensional (3D) structure via homology modelling techniques using three different structure-building algorithms implemented in Modeller, I-TASSER and Robetta. Out of the 15 generated models of WSP, one was selected as the most reasonable quality model which had 82, 15.5, 1.9 and 0.5% of the amino acid residues in the most favored regions, additionally allowed regions, generously allowed regions and disallowed regions, respectively, based on the Ramachandran plot. High throughput virtual screening was performed via Autodock Vina with a library comprising 42,883 natural products from African and Chinese databases, including 23 identified anti-Onchocerca inhibitors. The top six compounds comprising ZINC000095913861, ZINC000095486235, ZINC000035941652, NANPDB4566, acetylaleuritolic acid and rhemannic acid had binding energies of -12.7, -11.1, -11.0, -11, -10.3 and -9.5 kcal/mol, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations including molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann (MMPBSA) calculations reinforced the stability of the ligand-WSP complexes and plausible binding mechanisms. The residues Arg45, Tyr135, Tyr148 and Phe195 were predicted as potential novel critical residues required for ligand binding in pocket 1. Acetylaleuritolic acid and rhemannic acid (lantedene A) have previously been shown to possess anti-onchocercal activity. This warrants the need to evaluate the anti-WSP activity of the identified molecules. The study suggests the exploitation of compounds which target both pockets 1 and 2, by investigating their potential for effective depletion of Wolbachia. These compounds were predicted to possess reasonably good pharmacological profiles with insignificant toxicity and as drug-like. The compounds were computed to possess biological activity including antibacterial, antiparasitic, anthelmintic and anti-rickettsials. The six natural products are potential novel antiwolbachial agents with insignificant toxicities which can be explored further as filaricides for onchocerciasis.}, }
@article {pmid34823581, year = {2021}, author = {Bleidorn, C and Henze, K}, title = {A new primer pair for barcoding of bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) without amplifying the orthologous coxA gene of Wolbachia bacteria.}, journal = {BMC research notes}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {427}, pmid = {34823581}, issn = {1756-0500}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; Bees/genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Hip ; *Hymenoptera ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: DNA barcoding became an effective method for the identification and monitoring of bees. However, standard primer pairs used for barcoding often result in (co-) amplification of bacterial endosymbionts of the genus Wolbachia, which are widespread among bee species. Here we designed a new primer pair and compared it with the performance of the standard Folmer-primers for a small sample set of bees representing the main taxonomic groups of bees.<br><br>RESULTS: The newly designed primer pair (BeeCox1F1/BeeCox1R2) outperformed the standard barcoding primer (LCO1490/HCO2198). By generating barcodes for a small test set of bees we found that the new primer pair produced high-quality sequences in all cases for unambiguous species identification using BOLD. Conversely, the standard barcoding primers often co-amplified the homologous Wolbachia gene and resulted in mixed chromatogram signals. These sequences showed high similarity with the bacterial endosymbiont instead of the host.}, }
@article {pmid34821769, year = {2021}, author = {Thorpe, CJ and Wang, XR and Munderloh, UG and Kurtti, TJ}, title = {Tick Cell Culture Analysis of Growth Dynamics and Cellular Tropism of Rickettsia buchneri, an Endosymbiont of the Blacklegged Tick, Ixodes scapularis.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {34821769}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {R01 AI049424/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01AI049424//US National Institutes of Health/ ; R01AI81690//US National Institutes of Health/ ; }, abstract = {The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, a species of significant importance to human and animal health, harbors an endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri sensu stricto. The symbiont is largely restricted to the ovaries, but all life stages can harbor various quantities or lack R. buchneri entirely. The endosymbiont is cultivable in cell lines isolated from embryos of Ixodes ticks. Rickettsia buchneri most readily grows and is maintained in the cell line IRE11 from the European tick, Ixodes ricinus. The line was characterized by light and electron microscopy and used to analyze the growth dynamics of wildtype and GFPuv-expressing R. buchneri. qPCR indicated that the genome copy doubling time in IRE11 was >7 days. Measurements of fluorescence using a plate reader indicated that the amount of green fluorescent protein doubled every 11 days. Two 23S rRNA probes were tested via RNA FISH on rickettsiae grown in vitro and adapted to evaluate the tissue tropism of R. buchneri in field-collected female I. scapularis. We observed strong positive signals of R. buchneri in the ovaries and surrounding the nucleus of the developing oocytes. Tissue tropism in I. scapularis and in vitro growth dynamics strengthen the contemporary understanding of R. buchneri as a transovarially transmitted, non-pathogenic endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid34820894, year = {2022}, author = {Guo, J and Hao, G and Hatt, S and Wang, Z and Francis, F}, title = {Host plant adaptability and proteomic differences of diverse Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) lineages.}, journal = {Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology}, volume = {109}, number = {1}, pages = {e21853}, doi = {10.1002/arch.21853}, pmid = {34820894}, issn = {1520-6327}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*metabolism/microbiology/physiology ; Enterobacteriaceae/metabolism ; Hordeum/parasitology ; Insect Proteins/metabolism ; Plant Leaves/parasitology ; *Proteome ; Serratia/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Zea mays/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Corn leaf aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) can feed on various cereal crops and transmit viruses that may cause serious economic losses. To test the impact of both host plant species and age on R. maidis, as well as the proteomic difference of diverse populations, we first investigated the survival and reproduction of six R. maidis populations (i.e., LF, HF, GZ, DY, BJ, and MS) via a direct observation method in the laboratory on 10 and 50 cm high maize seedlings, and 10 cm high barley seedlings. Then a proteomic approach was implemented to identify the differentially expressed proteins from both aphids and endosymbionts of BJ and MS populations. Results indicated that the BJ population performed significantly better than the others on both barley and 50 cm high maize seedlings, while no population could survive on 10 cm high maize seedlings. The proteomic results demonstrated that the expression levels of myosin heavy chain (muscle isoform X12) (spot 781) and peroxidase (spot 1383) were upregulated, while ATP-dependent protease Hsp 100 (spot 2137) from Hamiltonella defensa and protein SYMBAF (spot 2703) from Serratia symbiotica were downregulated in the BJ population when compared to expression levels of the MS population. We hypothesize that the fatalness observed on 10 cm high maize seedlings may be caused by secondary metabolites that are synthesized by the seedlings and the MS population of R. maidis should be more stress-resistant than the BJ population. Our results also provide insights for understanding the interaction between host plants and aphids.}, }
@article {pmid34820166, year = {2021}, author = {Price, DC and Brennan, JR and Wagner, NE and Egizi, AM}, title = {Comparative hologenomics of two Ixodes scapularis tick populations in New Jersey.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {e12313}, pmid = {34820166}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Tick-borne diseases, such as those transmitted by the blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis, are a significant and growing public health problem in the US. There is mounting evidence that co-occurring non-pathogenic microbes can also impact tick-borne disease transmission. Shotgun metagenome sequencing enables sampling of the complete tick hologenome-the collective genomes of the tick and all of the microbial species contained therein, whether pathogenic, commensal or symbiotic. This approach simultaneously uncovers taxonomic composition and allows the detection of intraspecific genetic variation, making it a useful tool to compare spatial differences across tick populations. We evaluated this approach by comparing hologenome data from two tick samples (N = 6 ticks per location) collected at a relatively fine spatial scale, approximately 23 km apart, within a single US county. Several intriguing variants in the data between the two sites were detected, including polymorphisms in both in the tick's own mitochondrial DNA and that of a rickettsial endosymbiont. The two samples were broadly similar in terms of the microbial species present, including multiple known tick-borne pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum), filarial nematodes, and Wolbachia and Babesia species. We assembled the complete genome of the rickettsial endosymbiont (most likely Rickettsia buchneri) from both populations. Our results provide further evidence for the use of shotgun metagenome sequencing as a tool to compare tick hologenomes and differentiate tick populations across localized spatial scales.}, }
@article {pmid34807291, year = {2022}, author = {Chowdanayaka, R and Basappa, RN}, title = {Rapid Divergence of Key Spermatogenesis Genes in nasuta-Subgroup of Drosophila.}, journal = {Journal of molecular evolution}, volume = {90}, number = {1}, pages = {2-16}, pmid = {34807291}, issn = {1432-1432}, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila/genetics ; Humans ; Hybridization, Genetic ; *Infertility, Male/genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Spermatogenesis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The crosses between closely related Drosophila species usually produce sterile hybrid males with spermatogenesis disrupted at post-meiotic phase, especially in sperm individualization stage than the pre-meiotic stage. This is possibly due to the rapid interspecies divergence of male sex and reproduction-related genes. Here we annotated 11 key spermatogenesis genes in 35 strains of species belonging to nasuta-subgroup of Drosophila, where many interspecies crosses produce sterile males. We characterized the divergence and polymorphism in the protein coding regions by employing gene-wide, codon-wide, and lineage-specific selection analysis to test the mode and strength of selection acting on these genes. Our analysis showed signature of positive selection at bag of marbles (bam) and benign gonial cell neoplasma (bgcn) despite the selection constrains and the absence of endosymbiont infection which could potentially drive rapid divergence due to an arms race while roughex (rux) showed lineage-specific rapid divergence in frontal sheen complex of nasuta-subgroup. cookie monster (comr) showed rapid divergence consistent with the possibility of meiotic arrest observed in sterile hybrids of Drosophila species. Rapid divergence observed at don juan (dj) and Mst98Ca-like was consistent with fused sperm-tail abnormality observed in the hybrids of Drosophila nasuta and Drosophila albomicans. These findings highlight the potential role of rapid nucleotide divergence in bringing about hybrid incompatibility in the form of male sterility; however, additional genetic manipulation studies can widen our understanding of hybrid incompatibilities. Furthermore, our study emphasizes the importance of young species belonging to nasuta-subgroup of Drosophila in studying post-zygotic reproductive isolation mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid34800866, year = {2022}, author = {Duan, DY and Liu, YK and Liu, L and Liu, GH and Cheng, TY}, title = {Microbiome analysis of the midguts of different developmental stages of Argas persicus in China.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {101868}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101868}, pmid = {34800866}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; *Argas/genetics ; Chickens/parasitology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Female ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Argas persicus is an ectoparasite of poultry. The bacterial community structure and the pathogenic bacteria associated with different developmental stages of A. persicus have implications for control. Argas persicus were collected from chickens in the city of Jiuquan in Gansu, China. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the midgut contents of blood engorged larvae, nymphs and adult females. The V3-V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA genes were sequenced using the IonS5™XL platform. Identification of Rickettsia spp. and detection of Coxiella burnetii were performed using PCR on target genes. The bacterial diversity within larvae was the highest and the bacterial diversity within nymphs was greater than that of adults. At different classification levels, seven bacterial phyla were common phyla, 27 genera were common genera, and 18 species were common species in the three samples. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria showed a marked predominance in all samples. Rickettsia, Stenotrophomonas, Spiroplasma, and Coxiella were the dominant bacteria at the genus level. The Rickettsia species in A. persicus was identified as Rickettsia hoogstraalii and the Coxiella species was identified as a Coxiella-like endosymbiont. Additionally, some bacterial species such as Pseudomonas geniculata, Sphingomonas koreensis, and Acinetobacter haemolyticus were reported here for the first time in A. persicus.}, }
@article {pmid34798529, year = {2022}, author = {Mumcuoglu, KY and Arslan-Akveran, G and Aydogdu, S and Karasartova, D and Kosar, N and Gureser, AS and Shacham, B and Taylan-Ozkan, A}, title = {Pathogens in ticks collected in Israel: I. Bacteria and protozoa in Hyalomma aegyptium and Hyalomma dromedarii collected from tortoises and camels.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {101866}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101866}, pmid = {34798529}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Camelus/parasitology ; Israel/epidemiology ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; *Rickettsia ; *Ticks/microbiology ; *Turtles ; }, abstract = {Ticks were collected from 30 Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca), and 10 Arabian camels (dromedary) (Camelus dromedarius) in Israel. All those collected from Greek tortoises belonged to Hyalomma aegyptium, while all specimens collected from the camels belonged to Hyalomma dromedarii. Out of 84 specimens of H. aegyptium, 31 pools were examined by PCR, while from 75 H. dromedarii specimens nine pools were studied. Out of 31 pools of H. aegyptium 26 were positive for pathogens or endosymbiont; 14 for one, 11 for two and one for three pathogens. Out of nine pools prepared from H. dromedarii, seven were positive for pathogens (two for C. burnetii and five for Leishmania infantum). In H. aegyptium, Rickettsia africae, Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Rickettsia endosymbiont, Coxiella burnetii, Hemolivia mauritanica, Babesia microti, Theileria sp., and Leishmania infantum was detected, while in H. dromedarii C. burnetii and L. infantum were found. None of the ticks were positive for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia, Listeria monocytogenes, Bartonella spp., Hepatozoon spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. H Rickettsia endosymbionts, C. burnetii, B. microti, Theileria sp. and L. infantum are reported for the first time in H. aegyptium, and C. burnetii and L. infantum for the first time in H. dromedarii.}, }
@article {pmid34791442, year = {2022}, author = {Kundu, A and Mishra, S and Kundu, P and Jogawat, A and Vadassery, J}, title = {Piriformospora indica recruits host-derived putrescine for growth promotion in plants.}, journal = {Plant physiology}, volume = {188}, number = {4}, pages = {2289-2307}, pmid = {34791442}, issn = {1532-2548}, mesh = {*Basidiomycota ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Roots/metabolism ; *Putrescine/metabolism/pharmacology ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; }, abstract = {Growth promotion induced by the endosymbiont Piriformospora indica has been observed in various plants; however, except growth phytohormones, specific functional metabolites involved in P. indica-mediated growth promotion are unknown. Here, we used a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolite analysis to identify tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) metabolites whose levels were altered during P. indica-mediated growth promotion. Metabolomic multivariate analysis revealed several primary metabolites with altered levels, with putrescine (Put) induced most significantly in roots during the interaction. Further, our results indicated that P. indica modulates the arginine decarboxylase (ADC)-mediated Put biosynthesis pathway via induction of SlADC1 in tomato. Piriformospora indica did not promote growth in Sladc1-(virus-induced gene silencing of SlADC1) lines of tomato and showed less colonization. Furthermore, using LC-MS/MS we showed that Put promoted growth by elevation of auxin (indole-3-acetic acid) and gibberellin (GA4 and GA7) levels in tomato. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) adc knockout mutants, P. indica colonization also decreased and showed no plant growth promotion, and this response was rescued upon exogenous application of Put. Put is also important for hyphal growth of P. indica, indicating that it is co-adapted by both host and microbe. Taken together, we conclude that Put is an essential metabolite and its biosynthesis in plants is crucial for P. indica-mediated plant growth promotion and fungal growth.}, }
@article {pmid34791181, year = {2022}, author = {Mostoufi, SL and Singh, ND}, title = {Diet-induced changes in titer support a discrete response of Wolbachia-associated plastic recombination in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {34791181}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {T32 GM007413/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/physiology ; Phenotype ; Plastics ; Recombination, Genetic ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Plastic recombination in Drosophila melanogaster has been associated with a variety of extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as temperature, starvation, and parasite infection. The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis has also been associated with plastic recombination in D. melanogaster. Wolbachia infection is pervasive in arthropods and this infection induces a variety of phenotypes in its hosts, the strength of which can depend on bacterial titer. Here, we test the hypothesis that the magnitude of Wolbachia-associated plastic recombination in D. melanogaster depends on titer. To manipulate titer, we raised Wolbachia-infected and uninfected flies on diets that have previously been shown to increase or decrease Wolbachia titer relative to controls. We measured recombination in treated and control individuals using a standard backcrossing scheme with two X-linked visible markers. Our results recapitulate previous findings that Wolbachia infection is associated with increased recombination rate across the yellow-vermillion interval of the X chromosome. Our data show no significant effect of diet or diet by Wolbachia interactions on recombination, suggesting that diet-induced changes in Wolbachia titer have no effect on the magnitude of plastic recombination. These findings represent one of the first steps toward investigating Wolbachia-associated plastic recombination and demonstrate that the phenotype is a discrete response rather than a continuous one.}, }
@article {pmid34789815, year = {2021}, author = {Georgiou, A and Sieber, S and Hsiao, CC and Grayfer, T and Gorenflos López, JL and Gademann, K and Eberl, L and Bailly, A}, title = {Leaf nodule endosymbiotic Burkholderia confer targeted allelopathy to their Psychotria hosts.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {22465}, pmid = {34789815}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {Sinergia grant CRSII3_154430//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; }, mesh = {Allelopathy/*physiology ; Arabidopsis/drug effects/growth &amp; development ; Burkholderia/*metabolism ; Cyclohexanols/*pharmacology ; Germination/drug effects ; Lactuca/drug effects/growth &amp; development ; Meristem/drug effects/growth &amp; development ; Mustard Plant/drug effects/growth &amp; development ; Pheromones/*pharmacology ; Phylogeny ; Plant Extracts/*pharmacology ; Plant Leaves/*chemistry/metabolism/*microbiology ; Psychotria/*chemistry/metabolism/*microbiology ; Seedlings/drug effects/growth &amp; development ; Seeds/drug effects/growth &amp; development ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {After a century of investigations, the function of the obligate betaproteobacterial endosymbionts accommodated in leaf nodules of tropical Rubiaceae remained enigmatic. We report that the α-D-glucose analogue (+)-streptol, systemically supplied by mature Ca. Burkholderia kirkii nodules to their Psychotria hosts, exhibits potent and selective root growth inhibiting activity. We provide compelling evidence that (+)-streptol specifically affects meristematic root cells transitioning to anisotropic elongation by disrupting cell wall organization in a mechanism of action that is distinct from canonical cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors. We observed no inhibitory or cytotoxic effects on organisms other than seed plants, further suggesting (+)-streptol as a bona fide allelochemical. We propose that the suppression of growth of plant competitors is a major driver of the formation and maintenance of the Psychotria-Burkholderia association. In addition to potential agricultural applications as a herbicidal agent, (+)-streptol might also prove useful to dissect plant cell and organ growth processes.}, }
@article {pmid34788070, year = {2022}, author = {Hirayama, H and Takaki, Y and Abe, M and Imachi, H and Ikuta, T and Miyazaki, J and Tasumi, E and Uematsu, K and Tame, A and Tsuda, M and Tanaka, K and Matsui, Y and Watanabe, HK and Yamamoto, H and Takai, K}, title = {Multispecies Populations of Methanotrophic Methyloprofundus and Cultivation of a Likely Dominant Species from the Iheya North Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Field.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {88}, number = {2}, pages = {e0075821}, pmid = {34788070}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Methane/metabolism ; *Methylococcaceae/genetics/metabolism ; *Microbiota ; *Mytilidae/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The Methyloprofundus clade is represented by uncultivated methanotrophic bacterial endosymbionts of deep-sea bathymodiolin mussels, but only a single free-living species has been cultivated to date. This study reveals the existence of free-living Methyloprofundus variants in the Iheya North deep-sea hydrothermal field in the mid-Okinawa Trough. A clade-targeted amplicon analysis of the particulate methane monooxygenase gene (pmoA) detected 647 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of the Methyloprofundus clade in microbial communities newly formed in in situ colonization systems. Such systems were deployed at colonies of bathymodiolin mussels and a galatheoid crab in diffuse-flow areas. These ASVs were classified into 161 species-like groups. The proportion of the species-like groups representing endosymbionts of mussels was unexpectedly low. A methanotrophic bacterium designated INp10, a likely dominant species in the Methyloprofundus population in this field, was enriched in a biofilm formed in a methane-fed cultivation system operated at 10°C. Genomic characterization with the gene transcription data set of INp10 from the biofilm suggested traits advantageous to niche competition in environments, such as mobility, chemotaxis, biofilm formation, offensive and defensive systems, and hypoxia tolerance. The notable metabolic traits that INp10 shares with some Methyloprofundus members are the use of lanthanide-dependent XoxF as the sole methanol dehydrogenase due to the absence of the canonical MxaFI, the glycolytic pathway using fructose-6-phosphate aldolase instead of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, and the potential to perform partial denitrification from nitrate under oxygen-limited conditions. These findings help us better understand the ecological strategies of this possibly widespread marine-specific methanotrophic clade. IMPORTANCE The Iheya North deep-sea hydrothermal field in the mid-Okinawa Trough is characterized by abundant methane derived from organic-rich sediments and diverse chemosynthetic animal species, including those harboring methanotrophic bacterial symbionts, such as bathymodiolin mussels Bathymodiolus japonicus and "Bathymodiolus" platifrons and a galatheoid crab, Shinkaia crosnieri. Symbiotic methanotrophs have attracted significant attention, and yet free-living methanotrophs in this environment have not been studied in detail. We focused on the free-living Methyloprofundus spp. that thrive in this hydrothermal field and identified an unexpectedly large number of species-like groups in this clade. Moreover, we enriched and characterized a methanotroph whose genome sequence indicated that it corresponds to a new species in the genus Methyloprofundus. This species might be a dominant member of the indigenous Methyloprofundus population. New information on free-living Methyloprofundus populations suggests that the hydrothermal field is a promising locale at which to investigate the adaptive capacity and associated genetic diversity of Methyloprofundus spp.}, }
@article {pmid34781749, year = {2021}, author = {Benhamou, S and Rahioui, I and Henri, H and Charles, H and Da Silva, P and Heddi, A and Vavre, F and Desouhant, E and Calevro, F and Mouton, L}, title = {Cytotype Affects the Capability of the Whitefly Bemisia tabaci MED Species To Feed and Oviposit on an Unfavorable Host Plant.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {e0073021}, pmid = {34781749}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Amino Acids/chemistry ; Animals ; Feeding Behavior ; Fertility ; Hemiptera/classification/*physiology ; Hibiscus/chemistry/*parasitology/physiology ; Host Specificity ; Lantana/chemistry/*parasitology/physiology ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Oviposition ; Symbiosis ; Nicotiana/chemistry/*parasitology/physiology ; }, abstract = {The acquisition of nutritional obligate primary endosymbionts (P-symbionts) allowed phloemo-phageous insects to feed on plant sap and thus colonize novel ecological niches. P-symbionts often coexist with facultative secondary endosymbionts (S-symbionts), which may also influence their hosts' niche utilization ability. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a highly diversified species complex harboring, in addition to the P-symbiont "Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum," seven S-symbionts whose roles remain poorly understood. Here, we compare the phenotypic and metabolic responses of three B. tabaci lines differing in their S-symbiont community, reared on three different host plants, hibiscus, tobacco, or lantana, and address whether and how S-symbionts influence insect capacity to feed and produce offspring on those plants. We first show that hibiscus, tobacco, and lantana differ in their free amino acid composition. Insects' performance, as well as free amino acid profile and symbiotic load, were shown to be plant dependent, suggesting a critical role for the plant nutritional properties. Insect fecundity was significantly lower on lantana, indicating that it is the least favorable plant. Remarkably, insects reared on this plant show a specific amino acid profile and a higher symbiont density compared to the two other plants. In addition, this plant was the only one for which fecundity differences were observed between lines. Using genetically homogeneous hybrids, we demonstrate that cytotype (mitochondria and symbionts), and not genotype, is a major determinant of females' fecundity and amino acid profile on lantana. As cytotypes differ in their S-symbiont community, we propose that these symbionts may mediate their hosts' suitable plant range. IMPORTANCE Microbial symbionts are universal in eukaryotes, and it is now recognized that symbiotic associations represent major evolutionary driving forces. However, the extent to which symbionts contribute to their hosts' ecological adaptation and subsequent diversification is far from being fully elucidated. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a sap feeder associated with multiple coinfecting intracellular facultative symbionts. Here, we show that plant species simultaneously affect whiteflies' performance, amino acid profile, and symbiotic density, which could be partially explained by differences in plant nutritional properties. We also demonstrate that, on lantana, the least favorable plant used in our study, whiteflies' performance is determined by their cytotype. We propose that the host plant utilization in B. tabaci is influenced by its facultative symbiont community composition, possibly through its impact on the host dietary requirements. Altogether, our data provide new insights into the impact of intracellular microorganisms on their animal hosts' ecological niche range and diversification.}, }
@article {pmid34773705, year = {2022}, author = {Hitchcock, TJ and Gardner, A and Ross, L}, title = {Sexual antagonism in haplodiploids.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {76}, number = {2}, pages = {292-309}, doi = {10.1111/evo.14398}, pmid = {34773705}, issn = {1558-5646}, mesh = {Alleles ; Animals ; Biological Evolution ; *Diploidy ; Female ; *Inbreeding ; Inheritance Patterns ; Male ; }, abstract = {Females and males may face different selection pressures, such that alleles conferring a benefit in one sex may be deleterious in the other. Such sexual antagonism has received a great deal of theoretical and empirical attention, almost all of which has focused on diploids. However, a sizeable minority of animals display an alternative haplodiploid mode of inheritance, encompassing both arrhenotoky, whereby males develop from unfertilized eggs, and paternal genome elimination (PGE), whereby males receive but do not transmit a paternal genome. Alongside unusual genetics, haplodiploids often exhibit social ecologies that modulate the relative value of females and males. Here, we develop a series of evolutionary-genetic models of sexual antagonism for haplodiploids, incorporating details of their molecular biology and social ecology. We find that: (1) PGE promotes female-beneficial alleles more than arrhenotoky, and to an extent determined by the timing of elimination-and degree of silencing of-the paternal genome; (2) sib-mating relatively promotes female-beneficial alleles, as do other forms of inbreeding including limited male-dispersal, oedipal-mating, and the pseudo-hermaphroditism of Icerya purchasi; (3) resource competition between related females inhibits the invasion of female-beneficial alleles; and (4) sexual antagonism foments conflicts between parents and offspring, endosymbionts and hosts, and maternal- and paternal-origin genes.}, }
@article {pmid34765121, year = {2021}, author = {Gupta, M and Kaur, R and Gupta, A and Raychoudhury, R}, title = {Are ecological communities the seat of endosymbiont horizontal transfer and diversification? A case study with soil arthropod community.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {11}, number = {21}, pages = {14490-14508}, pmid = {34765121}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Maternally inherited endosymbionts of arthropods are one of the most abundant and diverse group of bacteria. These bacterial endosymbionts also show extensive horizontal transfer to taxonomically unrelated hosts and widespread recombination in their genomes. Such horizontal transfers can be enhanced when different arthropod hosts come in contact like in an ecological community. Higher rates of horizontal transfer can also increase the probability of recombination between endosymbionts, as they now share the same host cytoplasm. However, reports of community-wide endosymbiont data are rare as most studies choose few host taxa and specific ecological interactions among the hosts. To better understand endosymbiont spread within host populations, we investigated the incidence, diversity, extent of horizontal transfer, and recombination of three endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Arsenophonus) in a specific soil arthropod community. Wolbachia strains were characterized with MLST genes whereas 16S rRNA gene was used for Cardinium and Arsenophonus. Among 3,509 individual host arthropods, belonging to 390 morphospecies, 12.05% were infected with Wolbachia, 2.82% with Cardinium and 2.05% with Arsenophonus. Phylogenetic incongruence between host and endosymbiont indicated extensive horizontal transfer of endosymbionts within this community. Three cases of recombination between Wolbachia supergroups and eight incidences of within-supergroup recombination were also found. Statistical tests of similarity indicated supergroup A Wolbachia and Cardinium show a pattern consistent with extensive horizontal transfer within the community but not for supergroup B Wolbachia and Arsenophonus. We highlight the importance of extensive community-wide studies for a better understanding of the spread of endosymbionts across global arthropod communities.}, }
@article {pmid34749528, year = {2021}, author = {Mancini, MV and Ant, TH and Herd, CS and Martinez, J and Murdochy, SM and Gingell, DD and Mararo, E and Johnson, PCD and Sinkins, SP}, title = {High Temperature Cycles Result in Maternal Transmission and Dengue Infection Differences Between Wolbachia Strains in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {e0025021}, pmid = {34749528}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 108508/A/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/growth &amp; development/*microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Dengue/transmission/virology ; Dengue Virus/physiology ; Ecosystem ; Female ; Humans ; Larva/*growth &amp; development/microbiology/virology ; Male ; Mosquito Control ; Mosquito Vectors/growth &amp; development/*microbiology/virology ; Population Dynamics ; Temperature ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Environmental factors play a crucial role in the population dynamics of arthropod endosymbionts, and therefore in the deployment of Wolbachia symbionts for the control of dengue arboviruses. The potential of Wolbachia to invade, persist, and block virus transmission depends in part on its intracellular density. Several recent studies have highlighted the importance of larval rearing temperature in modulating Wolbachia densities in adults, suggesting that elevated temperatures can severely impact some strains, while having little effect on others. The effect of a replicated tropical heat cycle on Wolbachia density and levels of virus blocking was assessed using Aedes aegypti lines carrying strains wMel and wAlbB, two Wolbachia strains currently used for dengue control. Impacts on intracellular density, maternal transmission fidelity, and dengue inhibition capacity were observed for wMel. In contrast, wAlbB-carrying Ae. aegypti maintained a relatively constant intracellular density at high temperatures and conserved its capacity to inhibit dengue. Following larval heat treatment, wMel showed a degree of density recovery in aging adults, although this was compromised by elevated air temperatures. IMPORTANCE In the past decades, dengue incidence has dramatically increased all over the world. An emerging dengue control strategy utilizes Aedes aegypti mosquitoes artificially transinfected with the bacterial symbiont Wolbachia, with the ultimate aim of replacing wild mosquito populations. However, the rearing temperature of mosquito larvae is known to impact on some Wolbachia strains. In this study, we compared the effects of a temperature cycle mimicking natural breeding sites in tropical climates on two Wolbachia strains, currently used for open field trials. When choosing the Wolbachia strain to be used in a dengue control program it is important to consider the effects of environmental temperatures on invasiveness and virus inhibition. These results underline the significance of understanding the impact of environmental factors on released mosquitoes, in order to ensure the most efficient strategy for dengue control.}, }
@article {pmid34744550, year = {2022}, author = {Milenovic, M and Ghanim, M and Hoffmann, L and Rapisarda, C}, title = {Whitefly endosymbionts: IPM opportunity or tilting at windmills?.}, journal = {Journal of pest science}, volume = {95}, number = {2}, pages = {543-566}, pmid = {34744550}, issn = {1612-4758}, abstract = {Whiteflies are sap-sucking insects responsible for high economic losses. They colonize hundreds of plant species and cause direct feeding damage and indirect damage through transmission of devastating viruses. Modern agriculture has seen a history of invasive whitefly species and populations that expand to novel regions, bringing along fierce viruses. Control efforts are hindered by fast virus transmission, insecticide-resistant populations, and a wide host range which permits large natural reservoirs for whiteflies. Augmentative biocontrol by parasitoids while effective in suppressing high population densities in greenhouses falls short when it comes to preventing virus transmission and is ineffective in the open field. A potential source of much needed novel control strategies lays within a diverse community of whitefly endosymbionts. The idea to exploit endosymbionts for whitefly control is as old as identification of these bacteria, yet it still has not come to fruition. We review where our knowledge stands on the aspects of whitefly endosymbiont evolution, biology, metabolism, multitrophic interactions, and population dynamics. We show how these insights are bringing us closer to the goal of better integrated pest management strategies. Combining most up to date understanding of whitefly-endosymbiont interactions and recent technological advances, we discuss possibilities of disrupting and manipulating whitefly endosymbionts, as well as using them for pest control.}, }
@article {pmid34739816, year = {2021}, author = {Kaur, H and Kalia, A and Sharma, SP}, title = {Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes, Metal Oxide and Hydroxy-Apatite Nanoparticles Enhanced Plant Growth Promoting Capabilities of Root Endosymbionts of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.).}, journal = {Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology}, volume = {21}, number = {6}, pages = {3634-3649}, doi = {10.1166/jnn.2021.18995}, pmid = {34739816}, issn = {1533-4899}, mesh = {Apatites ; *Nanoparticles ; *Nanotubes, Carbon ; Oxides ; *Vigna ; }, abstract = {The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of three different nanomaterials (NMs) on the growth, physiology and protein profile of the endosymbiotic bacteria isolated from the root nodules of vegetable cowpea. The alterations in growth and viability of the bacterial cells, their indole-acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore production abilities, phosphate solubilization potential and total protein content were assessed. Further, the isolates were also analyzed for changes in their exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and secretion behavior with exposure to different concentrations of the NMs. The NM supplementation of the broth improved the growth, viable cell count, IAA content, siderophore production and potential to solubilize tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) as sole phosphorus (P)-source. The NMs also improved the total protein content of the bacterial cells indicating the improved physiology and biochemistry of the treated bacterial cells. The treated cells produced significantly high EPS compared to untreated control cultures. The present investigation revealed that the NMs improved plant growth abilities of cowpea root endosymbiotic bacteria, though the impact varied across various isolates as well as NM concentrations.}, }
@article {pmid34737333, year = {2021}, author = {Marzonie, M and Flores, F and Sadoun, N and Thomas, MC and Valada-Mennuni, A and Kaserzon, S and Mueller, JF and Negri, AP}, title = {Toxicity thresholds of nine herbicides to coral symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae).}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {21636}, pmid = {34737333}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*drug effects/*metabolism ; Conservation of Natural Resources/methods ; Coral Reefs ; Ecosystem ; Herbicides/*adverse effects/pharmacology/toxicity ; Photosynthesis/drug effects ; Photosystem II Protein Complex/drug effects ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/pharmacology ; }, abstract = {Over 30 herbicides have been detected in catchments and waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and their toxicity to key tropical species, including the coral endosymbiotic algae Symbiodiniaceae, is not generally considered in current water quality guideline values (WQGVs). Mutualistic symbionts of the family Symbiodiniaceae are essential for the survival of scleractinian corals. We tested the effects of nine GBR-relevant herbicides on photosynthetic efficiency (ΔF/Fm') and specific growth rate (SGR) over 14 days of cultured coral endosymbiont Cladocopium goreaui (formerly Symbiodinium clade C1). All seven Photosystem II (PSII) herbicides tested inhibited ΔF/Fm' and SGR, with toxicity thresholds for SGR ranging between 2.75 and 320 µg L[-1] (no effect concentration) and 2.54-257 µg L[-1] (EC10). There was a strong correlation between EC50s for ΔF/Fm' and SGR for all PSII herbicides indicating that inhibition of ΔF/Fm' can be considered a biologically relevant toxicity endpoint for PSII herbicides to this species. The non-PSII herbicides haloxyfop and imazapic did not affect ΔF/Fm' or SGR at the highest concentrations tested. The inclusion of this toxicity data for Symbiodiniaceae will contribute to improving WQGVs to adequately inform risk assessments and the management of herbicides in tropical marine ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid34733585, year = {2021}, author = {Solak, CN and Gastineau, R and Lemieux, C and Turmel, M and Gorecka, E and Trobajo, R and Rybak, M and Yılmaz, E and Witkowski, A}, title = {Nitzschia anatoliensis sp. nov., a cryptic diatom species from the highly alkaline Van Lake (Turkey).}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {e12220}, pmid = {34733585}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {In this article we describe Nitzschia anatoliensis Górecka, Gastineau &amp; Solak sp. nov., an example of a diatom species inhabiting extreme habitats. The new species has been isolated and successfully grown from the highly alkaline Van Lake in East Turkey. The description is based on morphology (light and scanning electron microscopy), the sequencing of its organellar genomes and several molecular phylogenies. This species could easily be overlooked because of its extreme similarity to Nitzschia aurariae but molecular phylogenies indicate that they are only distantly related. Furthermore, molecular data suggest that N. anatoliensis may occur in several alkaline lakes of Asia Minor and Siberia, but was previously misidentified as Nitzschia communis. It also revealed the very close genetic proximity between N. anatoliensis and the endosymbiont of the dinotom Kryptoperidinium foliaceum, providing additional clues on what might have been the original species of diatoms to enter symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid34730808, year = {2022}, author = {Cummings, TFM and Gori, K and Sanchez-Pulido, L and Gavriilidis, G and Moi, D and Wilson, AR and Murchison, E and Dessimoz, C and Ponting, CP and Christophorou, MA}, title = {Citrullination Was Introduced into Animals by Horizontal Gene Transfer from Cyanobacteria.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {39}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {34730808}, issn = {1537-1719}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_00007/15/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12008/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; 105642/A/14/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Citrullination ; Conserved Sequence ; *Cyanobacteria/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Protein posttranslational modifications add great sophistication to biological systems. Citrullination, a key regulatory mechanism in human physiology and pathophysiology, is enigmatic from an evolutionary perspective. Although the citrullinating enzymes peptidylarginine deiminases (PADIs) are ubiquitous across vertebrates, they are absent from yeast, worms, and flies. Based on this distribution PADIs were proposed to have been horizontally transferred, but this has been contested. Here, we map the evolutionary trajectory of PADIs into the animal lineage. We present strong phylogenetic support for a clade encompassing animal and cyanobacterial PADIs that excludes fungal and other bacterial homologs. The animal and cyanobacterial PADI proteins share functionally relevant primary and tertiary synapomorphic sequences that are distinct from a second PADI type present in fungi and actinobacteria. Molecular clock calculations and sequence divergence analyses using the fossil record estimate the last common ancestor of the cyanobacterial and animal PADIs to be less than 1 billion years old. Additionally, under an assumption of vertical descent, PADI sequence change during this evolutionary time frame is anachronistically low, even when compared with products of likely endosymbiont gene transfer, mitochondrial proteins, and some of the most highly conserved sequences in life. The consilience of evidence indicates that PADIs were introduced from cyanobacteria into animals by horizontal gene transfer (HGT). The ancestral cyanobacterial PADI is enzymatically active and can citrullinate eukaryotic proteins, suggesting that the PADI HGT event introduced a new catalytic capability into the regulatory repertoire of animals. This study reveals the unusual evolution of a pleiotropic protein modification.}, }
@article {pmid34728194, year = {2022}, author = {Sun, Y and Jiang, L and Gong, S and Diaz-Pulido, G and Yuan, X and Tong, H and Huang, L and Zhou, G and Zhang, Y and Huang, H}, title = {Changes in physiological performance and protein expression in the larvae of the coral Pocillopora damicornis and their symbionts in response to elevated temperature and acidification.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {807}, number = {Pt 2}, pages = {151251}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151251}, pmid = {34728194}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Ecosystem ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Larva ; Proteomics ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {Climate change causes ocean warming and acidification, which threaten coral reef ecosystems. Ocean warming and acidification cause bleaching and mortality, and decrease calcification in adult corals, leading to changes in the composition of coral communities; however, their interactive effects on coral larvae are not comprehensively understood. To examine the underlying molecular mechanisms of larval responses to elevated temperature and pCO2, we examined the physiological performance and protein expression profiles of Pocillopora damicornis at two temperatures (29 and 33 °C) and pCO2 levels (500 and 1000 μatm) for 5 d. Extensive physiological and proteomic changes were observed in coral larvae. The results indicated a significant decrease in net photosynthesis (PNET) and autotrophic capability (PNET/RD) of larvae exposed to elevated temperature but a marked increase in PNET and PNET/RD of larvae exposed to high pCO2 levels. Elevated temperature significantly reduced endosymbiont densities by 70% and photochemical efficiency, indicating that warming impaired host-symbiont symbiosis. Expression of photosynthesis-related proteins, the photosystem (PS) I reaction center subunits IV and XI as well as oxygen-evolving enhancer 1, was downregulated at higher temperatures in symbionts, whereas expression of the PS I iron‑sulfur center protein was increased under high pCO2 conditions. Furthermore, expression of phosphoribulokinase (involved in the Calvin cycle) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (related to the C4 pathway) was downregulated in symbionts under thermal stress; this finding suggests reduced carbon fixation at high temperatures. The abundance of carbonic anhydrase-associated proteins, which are predicted to exert biochemical roles in dissolved inorganic carbon transport in larvae, was reduced in coral host and symbionts at high temperatures. These results elucidate potential mechanisms underlying the responses of coral larvae exposed to elevated temperature and acidification and suggest an important role of symbionts in the response to warming and acidification.}, }
@article {pmid34726818, year = {2022}, author = {Urrutia, A and Mitsi, K and Foster, R and Ross, S and Carr, M and Ward, GM and van Aerle, R and Marigomez, I and Leger, MM and Ruiz-Trillo, I and Feist, SW and Bass, D}, title = {Txikispora philomaios n. sp., n. g., a micro-eukaryotic pathogen of amphipods, reveals parasitism and hidden diversity in Class Filasterea.}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {69}, number = {2}, pages = {e12875}, doi = {10.1111/jeu.12875}, pmid = {34726818}, issn = {1550-7408}, support = {747789/MCCC_/Marie Curie/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {*Amphipoda/parasitology ; Animals ; Eukaryota ; Eukaryotic Cells ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; }, abstract = {This study provides a morphological, ultrastructural, and phylogenetic characterization of a novel micro-eukaryotic parasite (2.3-2.6 µm) infecting amphipod genera Echinogammarus and Orchestia. Longitudinal studies across two years revealed that infection prevalence peaked in late April and May, reaching 64% in Echinogammarus sp. and 15% in Orchestia sp., but was seldom detected during the rest of the year. The parasite infected predominantly hemolymph, connective tissue, tegument, and gonad, although hepatopancreas and nervous tissue were affected in heavier infections, eliciting melanization and granuloma formation. Cell division occurred inside walled parasitic cysts, often within host hemocytes, resulting in hemolymph congestion. Small subunit (18S) rRNA gene phylogenies including related environmental sequences placed the novel parasite as a highly divergent lineage within Class Filasterea, which together with Choanoflagellatea represent the closest protistan relatives of Metazoa. We describe the new parasite as Txikispora philomaios n. sp. n. g., the first confirmed parasitic filasterean lineage, which otherwise comprises four free-living flagellates and a rarely observed endosymbiont of snails. Lineage-specific PCR probing of other hosts and surrounding environments only detected T. philomaios in the platyhelminth Procerodes sp. We expand the known diversity of Filasterea by targeted searches of metagenomic datasets, resulting in 13 previously unknown lineages from environmental samples.}, }
@article {pmid34726490, year = {2021}, author = {Hubert, J and Nesvorna, M and Klimov, PB and Erban, T and Sopko, B and Dowd, SE and Scully, ED}, title = {Interactions of the Intracellular Bacterium Cardinium with Its Host, the House Dust Mite Dermatophagoides farinae, Based on Gene Expression Data.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {6}, number = {6}, pages = {e0091621}, pmid = {34726490}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {19-09998S//Grantov&#xe1; Agentura &#x10c;esk&#xe9; Republiky (GA&#x10c;R)/ ; RO0418//Ministerstvo Zem&#x11b;d&#x11b;lstv&#xed; (Ministry of Agriculture)/ ; 19-14-00004//Russian Science Foundation (RSF)/ ; }, abstract = {Dermatophagoides farinae is inhabited by an intracellular bacterium, Cardinium. Using correlations between host and symbiont gene expression profiles, we identified several important molecular pathways that potentially regulate/facilitate their interactions. The expression of Cardinium genes collectively explained 95% of the variation in the expression of mite genes assigned to pathways for phagocytosis, apoptosis, the MAPK signaling cascade, endocytosis, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathway, the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway, lysozyme, and the Toll/Imd pathway. In addition, expression of mite genes explained 76% of the variability in Cardinium gene expression. In particular, the expression of the Cardinium genes encoding the signaling molecules BamD, LepA, SymE, and VirD4 was either positively or negatively correlated with the expression levels of mite genes involved in endocytosis, phagocytosis, and apoptosis. We also found that Cardinium possesses a complete biosynthetic pathway for lipoic acid and may provide lipoate, but not biotin, to mites. Cardinium gene expression collectively explained 84% of the variation in expression related to several core mite metabolic pathways, and, most notably, a negative correlation was observed between bacterial gene expression and expression of mite genes assigned to the glycolysis and citric acid cycle pathways. Furthermore, we showed that Cardinium gene expression is correlated with expression levels of genes associated with terpenoid backbone biosynthesis. This pathway is important for the synthesis of pheromones, thus providing an opportunity for Cardinium to influence mite reproductive behavior to facilitate transmission of the bacterium. Overall, our study provided correlational gene expression data that can be useful for future research on mite-Cardinium interactions. IMPORTANCE The molecular mechanisms of mite-symbiont interactions and their impacts on human health are largely unknown. Astigmatid mites, such as house dust and stored-product mites, are among the most significant allergen sources worldwide. Although mites themselves are the main allergen sources, recent studies have indicated that mite-associated microbiomes may have implications for allergen production and human health. The major medically important house dust mite, D. farinae, is known to harbor a highly abundant intracellular bacterium belonging to the genus Cardinium. Expression analysis of the mite and symbiont genes can identify key mite molecular pathways that facilitate interactions with this endosymbiont and possibly shed light on how this bacterium affects mite allergen production and physiology in general.}, }
@article {pmid34724941, year = {2021}, author = {Pesante, G and Sabbadin, F and Elias, L and Steele-King, C and Shipway, JR and Dowle, AA and Li, Y and Busse-Wicher, M and Dupree, P and Besser, K and Cragg, SM and Bruce, NC and McQueen-Mason, SJ}, title = {Characterisation of the enzyme transport path between shipworms and their bacterial symbionts.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {233}, pmid = {34724941}, issn = {1741-7007}, support = {BB/H531543/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/L001926/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; *Bivalvia ; Phylogeny ; *Proteomics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Shipworms are marine xylophagus bivalve molluscs, which can live on a diet solely of wood due to their ability to produce plant cell wall-degrading enzymes. Bacterial carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), synthesised by endosymbionts living in specialised shipworm cells called bacteriocytes and located in the animal's gills, play an important role in wood digestion in shipworms. However, the main site of lignocellulose digestion within these wood-boring molluscs, which contains both endogenous lignocellulolytic enzymes and prokaryotic enzymes, is the caecum, and the mechanism by which bacterial enzymes reach the distant caecum lumen has remained so far mysterious. Here, we provide a characterisation of the path through which bacterial CAZymes produced in the gills of the shipworm Lyrodus pedicellatus reach the distant caecum to contribute to the digestion of wood.<br><br>RESULTS: Through a combination of transcriptomics, proteomics, X-ray microtomography, electron microscopy studies and in vitro biochemical characterisation, we show that wood-digesting enzymes produced by symbiotic bacteria are localised not only in the gills, but also in the lumen of the food groove, a stream of mucus secreted by gill cells that carries food particles trapped by filter feeding to the mouth. Bacterial CAZymes are also present in the crystalline style and in the caecum of their shipworm host, suggesting a unique pathway by which enzymes involved in a symbiotic interaction are transported to their site of action. Finally, we characterise in vitro four new bacterial glycosyl hydrolases and a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase identified in our transcriptomic and proteomic analyses as some of the major bacterial enzymes involved in this unusual biological system.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Based on our data, we propose that bacteria and their enzymes are transported from the gills along the food groove to the shipworm's mouth and digestive tract, where they aid in wood digestion.}, }
@article {pmid34719095, year = {2022}, author = {Malkeyeva, D and Kiseleva, E and Fedorova, SA}, title = {Loss of Hsp67Bc leads to autolysosome enlargement in the Drosophila brain.}, journal = {Cell biology international}, volume = {46}, number = {2}, pages = {203-212}, doi = {10.1002/cbin.11721}, pmid = {34719095}, issn = {1095-8355}, support = {0259-2021-0011//Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Brain/metabolism ; *Drosophila/genetics ; *Drosophila Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/metabolism ; Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism ; Lysosomes/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Hsp67Bc is a small heat shock protein found in Drosophila melanogaster. Apart from performing a function (common for all small heat shock proteins) of preventing aggregation of misfolded proteins, it is involved in macroautophagy regulation alongside the Starvin protein. Overexpression of the D. melanogaster Hsp67Bc gene has been shown to stimulate macroautophagy in S2 cell culture. Nonetheless, it has been unknown how the absence of the Hsp67Bc gene may affect it. Here, we studied the effect of Hsp67Bc gene deletion on the macroautophagy induced by the pathogenic Wolbachia wMelPop strain in D. melanogaster. We detected Wolbachia inside autophagic vacuoles in fly neurons, thereby proving that these endosymbionts were being eliminated via macroautophagy. Nevertheless, we did not register any difference in brain bacterial load between Hsp67Bc-null and control flies at all tested stages of ontogenesis. Moreover, the abundance of autophagic vacuoles was similar between neurons of the mutant and control flies, yet the cross-sectional area of autolysosomes on ultrathin sections was more than 1.5-fold larger in Hsp67Bc-null fly brains than in the control line. Our findings suggest that the product of the Hsp67Bc gene does not participate in the initiation of endosymbiont-induced macroautophagy but may mediate autophagosome maturation: the deletion of the Hsp67Bc gene leads to the increase in autolysosome size.}, }
@article {pmid34708258, year = {2021}, author = {Deng, S and Liu, Y and Deng, Z and Huang, Y}, title = {Isolation of actinobacterial endophytes from wheat sprouts as biocontrol agents to control seed pathogenic fungi.}, journal = {Archives of microbiology}, volume = {203}, number = {10}, pages = {6163-6171}, pmid = {34708258}, issn = {1432-072X}, support = {31700288//chinese national natural science foundation/ ; 31971384//chinese national natural science foundation/ ; QNYC20170103//youth elite project of guangzhou university of chinese medicine/ ; }, mesh = {*Endophytes ; Fungi ; Plant Diseases ; Seeds ; *Streptomyces ; Triticum ; }, abstract = {Seed-borne Streptomyces can transmit vertically from generation to generation and be a mutualism between the endosymbionts and hosts. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize endophytic Streptomyces strains from wheat sprouts, and to investigate their protection against wheat seed pathogenic fungi Penicillium. Endophytic Streptomyces sp. F6 and Streptomyces sp. F39 were isolated from wheat sprouts germinated under sterile conditions. Both Streptomyces strains could produce siderophores, and showed antagonistic activities against the seed pathogenic fungi Penicillium sp. Z17. The inoculation of Streptomyces sp. F39 and F6 could protect wheat seed germination and promote seedling growth under Penicillium sp. Z17 infection. However, the protection efficiency was impacted by the Streptomyces spore concentrations, the concentration ratios of Streptomyces spores to pathogen spores, and inoculation methods. The results suggested that wheat sprouts harbored diverse endophytic Streptomyces species which derived from wheat seeds, these strains should be more likely transmitted to the next generation, and confer competitive ability to pathogens on the offspring. Owing to the more intimate correlation between sprout endophytic flora with host plants, these strains are more suitable for mature plant interiors compared with those from rhizosphere soils and root interiors.}, }
@article {pmid34704919, year = {2021}, author = {Ortiz-Baez, AS and Shi, M and Hoffmann, AA and Holmes, EC}, title = {RNA virome diversity and Wolbachia infection in individual Drosophila simulans flies.}, journal = {The Journal of general virology}, volume = {102}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {34704919}, issn = {1465-2099}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila simulans/*microbiology/virology ; Female ; Phylogeny ; RNA Viruses/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Symbiosis ; Virome/genetics/*physiology ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiont bacteria of the genus Wolbachia are associated with multiple mutualistic effects on insect biology, including nutritional and antiviral properties. Members of the genus Wolbachia naturally occur in fly species of the genus Drosophila, providing an operational model host for studying how virome composition may be affected by its presence. Drosophila simulans populations can carry a variety of strains of members of the genus Wolbachia, with the wAu strain associated with strong antiviral protection under experimental conditions. We used D. simulans sampled from the Perth Hills, Western Australia, to investigate the potential virus protective effect of the wAu strain of Wolbachia on individual wild-caught flies. Our data revealed no appreciable variation in virus composition and abundance between individuals infected or uninfected with Wolbachia associated with the presence or absence of wAu. However, it remains unclear whether wAu might affect viral infection and host survival by increasing tolerance rather than inducing complete resistance. These data also provide new insights into the natural virome diversity of D. simulans. Despite the small number of individuals sampled, we identified a repertoire of RNA viruses, including nora virus, galbut virus, thika virus and La Jolla virus, that have been identified in other species of the genus Drosophila. Chaq virus-like sequences associated with galbut virus were also detected. In addition, we identified five novel viruses from the families Reoviridae, Tombusviridae, Mitoviridae and Bunyaviridae. Overall, this study highlights the complex interaction between Wolbachia and RNA virus infections and provides a baseline description of the natural virome of D. simulans.}, }
@article {pmid34699520, year = {2021}, author = {Miller, AK and Westlake, CS and Cross, KL and Leigh, BA and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {The microbiome impacts host hybridization and speciation.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {19}, number = {10}, pages = {e3001417}, pmid = {34699520}, issn = {1545-7885}, support = {F32 AI140694/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Genetic Speciation ; Genome ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*genetics ; *Hybridization, Genetic ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {Microbial symbiosis and speciation profoundly shape the composition of life's biodiversity. Despite the enormous contributions of these two fields to the foundations of modern biology, there is a vast and exciting frontier ahead for research, literature, and conferences to address the neglected prospects of merging their study. Here, we survey and synthesize exemplar cases of how endosymbionts and microbial communities affect animal hybridization and vice versa. We conclude that though the number of case studies remain nascent, the wide-ranging types of animals, microbes, and isolation barriers impacted by hybridization will likely prove general and a major new phase of study that includes the microbiome as part of the functional whole contributing to reproductive isolation. Though microorganisms were proposed to impact animal speciation a century ago, the weight of the evidence supporting this view has now reached a tipping point.}, }
@article {pmid34695269, year = {2021}, author = {Gimmi, E and Vorburger, C}, title = {Strong genotype-by-genotype interactions between aphid-defensive symbionts and parasitoids persist across different biotic environments.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {34}, number = {12}, pages = {1944-1953}, pmid = {34695269}, issn = {1420-9101}, support = {31003A_181969/SNSF_/Swiss National Science Foundation/Switzerland ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; Genotype ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Symbiosis ; *Wasps/genetics ; }, abstract = {The dynamics of coevolution between hosts and parasites are influenced by their genetic interactions. Highly specific interactions, where the outcome of an infection depends on the precise combination of host and parasite genotypes (G × G interactions), have the potential to maintain genetic variation by inducing negative frequency-dependent selection. The importance of this effect also rests on whether such interactions are consistent across different environments or modified by environmental variation (G × G × E interaction). In the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae, resistance to its parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabarum is largely determined by the possession of a heritable bacterial endosymbiont, Hamiltonella defensa, with strong G × G interactions between H. defensa and L. fabarum. A key environmental factor in this system is the host plant on which the aphid feeds. Here, we exposed genetically identical aphids harbouring three different strains of H. defensa to three asexual genotypes of L. fabarum and measured parasitism success on three common host plants of A. fabae, namely Vicia faba, Chenopodium album and Beta vulgaris. As expected, we observed the pervasive G × G interaction between H. defensa and L. fabarum, but despite strong main effects of the host plants on average rates of parasitism, this interaction was not altered significantly by the host plant environment (no G × G × E interaction). The symbiont-conferred specificity of resistance is thus likely to mediate the coevolution of A. fabae and L. fabarum, even when played out across diverse host plants of the aphid.}, }
@article {pmid34687882, year = {2021}, author = {Chen, H and Wang, M and Zhang, H and Wang, H and Zhou, L and Zhong, Z and Cao, L and Lian, C and Sun, Y and Li, C}, title = {microRNAs facilitate comprehensive responses of Bathymodiolinae mussel against symbiotic and nonsymbiotic bacteria stimulation.}, journal = {Fish &amp; shellfish immunology}, volume = {119}, number = {}, pages = {420-431}, doi = {10.1016/j.fsi.2021.10.025}, pmid = {34687882}, issn = {1095-9947}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Hydrothermal Vents ; *MicroRNAs/genetics ; *Mytilidae/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bathymodiolinae mussels are dominant species in cold seeps and hydrothermal vents and could harbor endosymbionts in gill bacteriocytes. However, mechanisms underlying the symbiosis have remained largely undisclosed for years. In the present study, the global expression pattern of immune-related genes and miRNAs were surveyed in Gigantidas platifrons during bacterial challenges using enriched symbiotic methane oxidation bacteria MOBs or nonsymbiotic Vibrio. As a result, multiple pattern recognition receptors were found differentially expressed at 12 h and 24 h post bacteria challenges and distinctly clustered between stimulations. Dozens of immune effectors along with signal transducers were also modulated simultaneously during MOB or Vibrio challenge. A total of 459 miRNAs were identified in the gill while some were differentially expressed post MOB or nonsymbiotic bacteria challenge. A variety of immune-related genes were annotated as target genes of aforesaid differentially expressed miRNAs. As a result, biological processes including the immune recognition, lysosome activity and bacteria engulfment were suggested to be dynamically modulated by miRNAs in either symbiotic or nonsymbiotic bacteria challenge. It was suggested that G. platifrons mussels could maintain a robust immune response against invading pathogens while establishing symbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria with the orchestra of immune-related genes and miRNAs.}, }
@article {pmid34683491, year = {2021}, author = {Al-Ameeli, ZT and Al-Sammak, MA and DeLong, JP and Dunigan, DD and Van Etten, JL}, title = {Catalysis of Chlorovirus Production by the Foraging of Bursaria truncatella on Paramecia bursaria Containing Endosymbiotic Algae.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {9}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {34683491}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {1736030//National Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Chloroviruses are large viruses that replicate in chlorella-like green algae and normally exist as mutualistic endosymbionts (referred to as zoochlorellae) in protists such as Paramecium bursaria. Chlorovirus populations rise and fall in indigenous waters through time; however, the factors involved in these virus fluctuations are still under investigation. Chloroviruses attach to the surface of P. bursaria but cannot infect their zoochlorellae hosts because the viruses cannot reach the zoochlorellae as long as they are in the symbiotic phase. Predators of P. bursaria, such as copepods and didinia, can bring chloroviruses into contact with zoochlorellae by disrupting the paramecia, which results in an increase in virus titers in microcosm experiments. Here, we report that another predator of P. bursaria, Bursaria truncatella, can also increase chlorovirus titers. After two days of foraging on P. bursaria, B. truncatella increased infectious chlorovirus abundance about 20 times above the controls. Shorter term foraging (3 h) resulted in a small increase of chlorovirus titers over the controls and more foraging generated more chloroviruses. Considering that B. truncatella does not release viable zoochlorellae either during foraging or through fecal pellets, where zoochlorellae could be infected by chlorovirus, we suggest a third pathway of predator virus catalysis. By engulfing the entire protist and digesting it slowly, virus replication can occur within the predator and some of the virus is passed out through a waste vacuole. These results provide additional support for the hypothesis that predators of P. bursaria are important drivers of chlorovirus population sizes and dynamics.}, }
@article {pmid34681115, year = {2021}, author = {Muñoz-Benavent, M and Latorre, A and Alemany-Cosme, E and Marín-Miret, J and Domínguez-Santos, R and Silva, FJ and Gil, R and García-Ferris, C}, title = {Gut Microbiota Cannot Compensate the Impact of (quasi) Aposymbiosis in Blattella germanica.}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {10}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {34681115}, issn = {2079-7737}, support = {PGC2018-099344-B-I00//European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci&#xf3;n y Universidades (MICINN, Spain)/ ; PROMETEO/2018/133//Conselleria d'Educaci&#xf3;, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; }, abstract = {Blattella germanica presents a very complex symbiotic system, involving the following two kinds of symbionts: the endosymbiont Blattabacterium and the gut microbiota. Although the role of the endosymbiont has been fully elucidated, the function of the gut microbiota remains unclear. The study of the gut microbiota will benefit from the availability of insects deprived of Blattabacterium. Our goal is to determine the effect of the removal (or, at least, the reduction) of the endosymbiont population on the cockroach's fitness, in a normal gut microbiota community. For this purpose, we treated our cockroach population, over several generations, with rifampicin, an antibiotic that only affects the endosymbiont during its extracellular phase, and decreases its amount in the following generation. As rifampicin also affects gut bacteria that are sensitive to this antibiotic, the treatment was performed during the first 12 days of the adult stage, which is the period when the endosymbiont infects the oocytes and lacks bacteriocyte protection. We found that after this antibiotic treatment, the endosymbiont population remained extremely reduced and only the microbiota was able to recover, although it could not compensate for the endosymbiont role, and the host's fitness was drastically affected. This accomplished reduction, however, is not homogenous and requires further study to develop stable quasi-aposymbiotic cockroaches.}, }
@article {pmid34680698, year = {2021}, author = {Chen, XD and Kaur, N and Horton, DR and Cooper, WR and Qureshi, JA and Stelinski, LL}, title = {Crude Extracts and Alkaloids Derived from Ipomoea-Periglandula Symbiotic Association Cause Mortality of Asian Citrus Psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae).}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {34680698}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is an important economic pest of citrus crops because it vectors the causal pathogen of huanglongbing (HLB; aka citrus greening). Population suppression of D. citri with insecticides has been disproportionally relied on for HLB management and a greater diversity of more sustainable tools is needed. Periglandula spp. is a fungal endosymbiont (family Clavicipitaceae) that forms a mutualistic relationship with members of plants in family Convolvulaceae. This association results in the production of ergot alkaloids that were previously documented as having psyllicidal properties. We investigated the mortality and behavior of D. citri exposed to crude extracts from morning glories in the plant family Convolvulaceae, as well as synthetic ergot alkaloids. Nymphs and adults were exposed to the crude plant extracts from Periglandula positive species of Convolvulaceae, as well as five synthetic ergot alkaloids. Treatments were prepared by exposing clippings of citrus to 100 ng/µL of crude extract from Periglandula-positive species of Ipomoea (I. imperati, I. leptophylla, I. pandurata and I. tricolor), and Turbina corymbosa, and from one Periglandula-negative species (I. alba) (100 ng/µL). Mortality of adult and nymphal D. citri was significantly higher than the control after exposure to extracts from I. tricolor and I. imperati. The synthetic ergot alkaloids, lysergol (10-100 ng/µL), ergonovine maleate (100 ng/µL), agroclavine (10-100 ng/µL), and ergosine (10-100 ng/µL) increased mortality of D. citri nymphs, while ergosine (100 ng/µL) and agroclavine (100 ng/µL) increased mortality of adults compared to water controls. Fewer D. citri adults settled on plants treated with crude extracts or synthetic ergot alkaloids than on water controls at 48 h after release. D. citri that fed on citrus leaves treated with 10 ng/μL solution of crude extract from the Periglandula-positive species Ipomoea (I. imperati, I. leptophylla, I. pandurata, I. tricolor), and Turbina corymbosa excreted significantly less honeydew compared with a negative water control and extract from Periglandula-negative species (I. alba). Our results indicate that crude extracts and ergot alkaloids exhibit toxic and sub-lethal effects on D. citri that could be useful for management of this pest.}, }
@article {pmid34680677, year = {2021}, author = {Horgan, FG and Peñalver Cruz, A and Arida, A and Ferrater, JB and Bernal, CC}, title = {Adaptation by the Brown Planthopper to Resistant Rice: A Test of Female-Derived Virulence and the Role of Yeast-like Symbionts.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {34680677}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {OPP52303//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {The adaptation by planthoppers to feed and develop on resistant rice is a challenge for pest management in Asia. We conducted a series of manipulative experiments with the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)) on the resistant rice variety IR62 (BPH3/BPH32 genes) to assess behavioral and bionomic changes in planthoppers exhibiting virulence adaptation. We also examined the potential role of yeast-like symbionts (YLS) in virulence adaptation by assessing progeny fitness (survival × reproduction) following controlled matings between virulent males or females and avirulent males or females, and by manipulating YLS densities in progeny through heat treatment. We found virulence-adapted planthoppers developed faster, grew larger, had adults that survived for longer, had female-biased progeny, and produced more eggs than non-selected planthoppers on the resistant variety. However, feeding capacity-as revealed through honeydew composition-remained inefficient on IR62, even after 20+ generations of exposure to the resistant host. Virulence was derived from both the male and female parents; however, females contributed more than males to progeny virulence. We found that YLS are essential for normal planthopper development and densities are highest in virulent nymphs feeding on the resistant host; however, we found only weak evidence that YLS densities contributed more to virulence. Virulence against IR62 in the brown planthopper, therefore, involves a complex of traits that encompass a series of behavioral, physiological, and genetic mechanisms, some of which are determined only by the female parent.}, }
@article {pmid34680640, year = {2021}, author = {Bell-Sakyi, L and Beliavskaia, A and Hartley, CS and Jones, L and Luu, L and Haines, LR and Hamilton, JGC and Darby, AC and Makepeace, BL}, title = {Isolation in Natural Host Cell Lines of Wolbachia Strains wPip from the Mosquito Culex pipiens and wPap from the Sand Fly Phlebotomus papatasi.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {34680640}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {BBS/E/I/00007039/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BBS/E/I/00002118/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 204806/Z/16/Z and 080961/Z/06/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/P024270/1, BBS/E/I/00002118 and BBS/E/I/00007039/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia are harboured by many species of invertebrates. They display a wide range of developmental, metabolic and nutritional interactions with their hosts and may impact the transmission of arboviruses and protozoan parasites. Wolbachia have occasionally been isolated during insect cell line generation. Here, we report the isolation of two strains of Wolbachia, wPip and wPap, during cell line generation from their respective hosts, the mosquito Culex pipiens and the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi. wPip was pathogenic for both new C. pipiens cell lines, CPE/LULS50 and CLP/LULS56, requiring tetracycline treatment to rescue the lines. In contrast, wPap was tolerated by the P. papatasi cell line PPL/LULS49, although tetracycline treatment was applied to generate a Wolbachia-free subline. Both Wolbachia strains were infective for a panel of heterologous insect and tick cell lines, including two novel lines generated from the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis, LLE/LULS45 and LLL/LULS52. In all cases, wPip was more pathogenic for the host cells than wPap. These newly isolated Wolbachia strains, and the novel mosquito and sand fly cell lines reported here, will add to the resources available for research on host-endosymbiont relationships, as well as on C. pipiens, P. papatasi, L. longipalpis and the pathogens that they transmit.}, }
@article {pmid34680622, year = {2021}, author = {Shapoval, NA and Nokkala, S and Nokkala, C and Kuftina, GN and Kuznetsova, VG}, title = {The Incidence of Wolbachia Bacterial Endosymbiont in Bisexual and Parthenogenetic Populations of the Psyllid Genus Cacopsylla (Hemiptera, Psylloidea).}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {34680622}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {19-14-00202//Russian Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is one of the most common intracellular bacteria; it infects a wide variety of insects, other arthropods, and some nematodes. Wolbachia is ordinarily transmitted vertically from mother to offspring and can manipulate physiology and reproduction of their hosts in different ways, e.g., induce feminization, male killing, and parthenogenesis. Despite the great interest in Wolbachia, many aspects of its biology remain unclear and its incidence across many insect orders, including Hemiptera, is still poorly understood. In this report, we present data on Wolbachia infection in five jumping plant-lice species (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) of the genus Cacopsylla Ossiannilsson, 1970 with different reproductive strategies and test the hypothesis that Wolbachia mediates parthenogenetic and bisexual patterns observed in some Cacopsylla species. We show that the five species studied are infected with a single Wolbachia strain, belonging to the supergroup B. This strain has also been found in different insect orders (Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Plecoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera) and even in acariform mites (Trombidiformes), suggesting extensive horizontal transmission of Wolbachia between representatives of these taxa. Our survey did not reveal significant differences in infection frequency between parthenogenetic and bisexual populations or between males and females within bisexual populations. However, infection rate varied notably in different Cacopsylla species or within distinct populations of the same species. Overall, we demonstrate that Wolbachia infects a high proportion of Cacopsylla individuals and populations, suggesting the essential role of this bacterium in their biology.}, }
@article {pmid34677126, year = {2021}, author = {Perlmutter, JI and Meyers, JE and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {A single synonymous nucleotide change impacts the male-killing phenotype of prophage WO gene wmk.}, journal = {eLife}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {34677126}, issn = {2050-084X}, support = {R21 AI133522/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; F31 AI143152/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P20 GM103418/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; Male ; Microorganisms, Genetically-Modified/genetics/physiology ; Prophages/*genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are the most widespread bacterial endosymbionts in animals. Within arthropods, these maternally transmitted bacteria can selfishly hijack host reproductive processes to increase the relative fitness of their transmitting females. One such form of reproductive parasitism called male killing, or the selective killing of infected males, is recapitulated to degrees by transgenic expression of the prophage WO-mediated killing (wmk) gene. Here, we characterize the genotype-phenotype landscape of wmk-induced male killing in D. melanogaster using transgenic expression. While phylogenetically distant wmk homologs induce no sex-ratio bias, closely-related homologs exhibit complex phenotypes spanning no death, male death, or death of all hosts. We demonstrate that alternative start codons, synonymous codons, and notably a single synonymous nucleotide in wmk can ablate killing. These findings reveal previously unrecognized features of transgenic wmk-induced killing and establish new hypotheses for the impacts of post-transcriptional processes in male killing variation. We conclude that synonymous sequence changes are not necessarily silent in nested endosymbiotic interactions with life-or-death consequences.}, }
@article {pmid34669447, year = {2022}, author = {Mendiola, SY and Stoy, KS and DiSalvo, S and Wynn, CL and Civitello, DJ and Gerardo, NM}, title = {Competitive Exclusion of Phytopathogenic Serratia marcescens from Squash Bug Vectors by the Gut Endosymbiont Caballeronia.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {88}, number = {1}, pages = {e0155021}, pmid = {34669447}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {1R01 AI150774-01//HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; R01 AI150774/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; NIFA 2019-67013-29371//U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/ ; RC Lewontin Graduate Research Excellence//Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE)/ ; NSF IOS-1755002//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; DGE-1444932//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Burkholderiaceae ; *Heteroptera ; Insecta ; Serratia marcescens ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Many insects harbor microbial symbiotic partners that offer protection against pathogens, parasitoids, and other natural enemies. Mounting evidence suggests that these symbiotic microbes can play key roles in determining infection outcomes in insect vectors, making them important players in the quest to develop novel vector control strategies. Using the squash bug Anasa tristis, we investigated how the presence of Caballeronia symbionts affected the persistence and intensity of phytopathogenic Serratia marcescens within the insect vector. We reared insects aposymbiotically and with different Caballeronia isolates, infected them with S. marcescens, and then sampled the insects periodically to assess the intensity and persistence of pathogen infection. Squash bugs harboring Caballeronia consistently had much lower-intensity infections and cleared S. marcescens significantly faster than their aposymbiotic counterparts. These patterns held even when we reversed the timing of exposure to symbiont and pathogen. Taken together, these results indicate that Caballeronia symbionts play an essential role in S. marcescens infection outcomes in squash bugs and could be used to alter vector competence to enhance agricultural productivity in the future. IMPORTANCE Insect-microbe symbioses have repeatedly been shown to profoundly impact an insect's ability to vector pathogens to other hosts. The use of symbiotic microbes to control insect vector populations is of growing interest in agricultural settings. Our study examines how symbiotic microbes affect the dynamics of a plant pathogen infection within the squash bug vector Anasa tristis, a well-documented pest of squash and other cucurbit plants and a vector of Serratia marcescens, the causative agent of cucurbit yellow vine disease. We provide evidence that the symbiont Caballeronia prevents successful, long-term establishment of S. marcescens in the squash bug. These findings give us insight into symbiont-pathogen dynamics within the squash bug that could ultimately determine its ability to transmit pathogens and be leveraged to interrupt disease transmission in this system.}, }
@article {pmid34668578, year = {2022}, author = {Zülfikaroğlu, T and Turgay-İzzetoğlu, G and Yikilmaz, MS and İzzetoğlu, S}, title = {Demonstrating the general structure and cell types of the fat body in Blatta orientalis (Oriental Cockroach).}, journal = {Anatomia, histologia, embryologia}, volume = {51}, number = {1}, pages = {23-35}, doi = {10.1111/ahe.12748}, pmid = {34668578}, issn = {1439-0264}, support = {FYL-2018-20133//Ege University Scientific Research Fund/ ; }, mesh = {Adipocytes ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; *Cockroaches ; *Fat Body ; }, abstract = {The fat body is a tissue that originates from mesoderm in insects. It consists of several cell types. The basic cell of the fat body is trophocyte. Glycogen, protein and lipid which are required for energy are stored in these cells. Mycetocyte, urocyte, chromotocyte and haemoglobin cells are the other cell types which originate from differentiated trophocytes. Of the cells found in cockroaches, mycetocytes contain an endosymbiont species of bacteria while urocytes are specialized cells for storing and discharging uric acid. Oenocyte, which is not the fat body cell type but associated with epidermis and the fat body cells, is also found in cockroaches. In this research, the fat body distribution was shown for the first time in three selected sections (thorax, beginning and end of abdomen) in all stages of Blatta orientalis (Linnaeus, 1758). In addition, the fat body cell types and distribution were determined by histological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies. As a result, trophocytes, mycetocytes, urocytes of the fat body and oenocytes which are related to the fat body were determined in B. orientalis. Also, it was revealed that the fat body content increased in the selected regions of the stages depending on the development. We hope that these findings will contribute to data about the fat body and give some directions to insecticide studies.}, }
@article {pmid34666103, year = {2021}, author = {Poopandi, S and Sundaraj, R and Rajmichael, R and Thangaraj, S and Dhamodharan, P and Biswal, J and Malaisamy, V and Jeyaraj Pandian, C and Jeyaraman, J}, title = {Computational screening of potential inhibitors targeting MurF of Brugia malayi Wolbachia through multi-scale molecular docking, molecular dynamics and MM-GBSA analysis.}, journal = {Molecular and biochemical parasitology}, volume = {246}, number = {}, pages = {111427}, doi = {10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111427}, pmid = {34666103}, issn = {1872-9428}, mesh = {Animals ; *Brugia malayi ; *Elephantiasis, Filarial/parasitology ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; *Wolbachia/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by the worms Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. Three anti-filarial drugs namely Diethylcarbamazine, Ivermectin and Albendazole and their combinations are used as the control strategies for filariasis. The disease has received much attention in drug discovery due to the unavailability of vaccines and the toxic pharmaceutical properties of the existing drugs. In Wolbachia endosymbiont Brugia malayi, the UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-tripeptide-d-alanyl-d-alanine ligase (MurF) plays a key role in peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway and therefore can be considered as effective drug target against filariasis disease. Therefore, in the present study, MurF was selected as the therapeutic target to identify specific inhibitors against filariasis. Homology modeling was performed to predict the three-dimensional structure of MurF due to the absence of the experimental structure. Further molecular dynamics simulation and structure-based high throughput virtual screening with three different chemical databases (Zinc, Maybridge and Specs) were carried out to identify potent inhibitors and also to check their conformations inside the binding site of MurF, respectively. Top three compounds with high docking score and high relative binding affinity against MurF were selected. Further, validation studies, including predicted ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion) assessment, binding free energy using MM-GBSA (Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area) and DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations were performed for the top three compounds. From the results, it was observed that all the three compounds were predicted to show high reactivity, acceptable range of pharmacokinetic properties and high binding affinity with the drug target MurF. Overall, the results could provide more understanding on the inhibition of MurF enzyme and the screened compounds could lead to the development of new specific anti-filarial drugs.}, }
@article {pmid34662426, year = {2022}, author = {Hill, T and Unckless, RL and Perlmutter, JI}, title = {Positive Selection and Horizontal Gene Transfer in the Genome of a Male-Killing Wolbachia.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {39}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {34662426}, issn = {1537-1719}, support = {P20 GM103418/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P20 GM103638/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R00 GM114714/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI139154/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila/genetics/microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genome ; Male ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are a genus of widespread bacterial endosymbionts in which some strains can hijack or manipulate arthropod host reproduction. Male killing is one such manipulation in which these maternally transmitted bacteria benefit surviving daughters in part by removing competition with the sons for scarce resources. Despite previous findings of interesting genome features of microbial sex ratio distorters, the population genomics of male-killers remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we uncover several unique features of the genome and population genomics of four Arizonan populations of a male-killing Wolbachia strain, wInn, that infects mushroom-feeding Drosophila innubila. We first compared the wInn genome with other closely related Wolbachia genomes of Drosophila hosts in terms of genome content and confirm that the wInn genome is largely similar in overall gene content to the wMel strain infecting D. melanogaster. However, it also contains many unique genes and repetitive genetic elements that indicate lateral gene transfers between wInn and non-Drosophila eukaryotes. We also find that, in line with literature precedent, genes in the Wolbachia prophage and Octomom regions are under positive selection. Of all the genes under positive selection, many also show evidence of recent horizontal transfer among Wolbachia symbiont genomes. These dynamics of selection and horizontal gene transfer across the genomes of several Wolbachia strains and diverse host species may be important underlying factors in Wolbachia's success as a male-killer of divergent host species.}, }
@article {pmid34659281, year = {2021}, author = {Sarkar, S and Dey, A and Kumar, V and Batiha, GE and El-Esawi, MA and Tomczyk, M and Ray, P}, title = {Fungal Endophyte: An Interactive Endosymbiont With the Capability of Modulating Host Physiology in Myriad Ways.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {701800}, pmid = {34659281}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Endophytic fungi ubiquitously dwell inside the tissue-spaces of plants, mostly asymptomatically. They grow either intercellularly or intracellularly in a particular host plant to complete the whole or part of their life cycle. They have been found to be associated with almost all the plants occurring in a natural ecosystem. Due to their important role in the survival of plants (modulate photosynthesis, increase nutrient uptake, alleviate the effect of various stresses) they have been selected to co-evolve with their hosts through the course of evolution. Many years of intense research have discovered their tremendous roles in increasing the fitness of the plants in both normal and stressed conditions. There are numerous literature regarding the involvement of various endophytic fungi in enhancing plant growth, nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, etc. But, there are scant reports documenting the specific mechanisms employed by fungal endophytes to manipulate plant physiology and exert their effects. In this review, we aim to document the probable ways undertaken by endophytic fungi to alter different physiological parameters of their host plants. Our objective is to present an in-depth elucidation about the impact of fungal endophytes on plant physiology to make this evolutionarily conserved symbiotic interaction understandable from a broader perspective.}, }
@article {pmid34659173, year = {2021}, author = {Kwak, Y and Sun, P and Meduri, VR and Percy, DM and Mauck, KE and Hansen, AK}, title = {Uncovering Symbionts Across the Psyllid Tree of Life and the Discovery of a New Liberibacter Species, "Candidatus" Liberibacter capsica.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {739763}, pmid = {34659173}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Sap-feeding insects in the order Hemiptera associate with obligate endosymbionts that are required for survival and facultative endosymbionts that can potentially modify resistance to stress, enemies, development, and reproduction. In the superfamily Psylloidea, the jumping plant lice (psyllids), less is known about the diversity and prevalence of their endosymbionts compared to other sap-feeding pests such as aphids (Aphididae). To address this knowledge gap, using 16S rRNA sequencing we identify symbionts across divergent psyllid host lineages from around the world. Taking advantage of a new comprehensive phylogenomic analyses of Psylloidea, we included psyllid samples from 44 species of 35 genera of five families, collected from 11 international locations for this study. Across psyllid lineages, a total of 91 OTUs were recovered, predominantly of the Enterobacteriaceae (68%). The diversity of endosymbionts harbored by each psyllid species was low with an average of approximately 3 OTUs. Two clades of endosymbionts (clade 1 and 2), belonging to Enterobacteriaceae, were identified that appear to be long term endosymbionts of the psyllid families Triozidae and Psyllidae, respectively. We also conducted high throughput metagenomic sequencing on three Ca. Liberibacter infected psyllid species (Russelliana capsici, Trichochermes walkeri, and Macrohomotoma gladiata), initially identified from 16S rRNA sequencing, to obtain more genomic information on these putative Liberibacter plant pathogens. The phylogenomic analyses from these data identified a new Ca. Liberibacter species, Candidatus Liberibacter capsica, that is a potential pathogen of solanaceous crops. This new species shares a distant ancestor with Ca. L. americanus, which occurs in the same range as R. capsici in South America. We also detected the first association between a psyllid specializing on woody hosts and the Liberibacter species Ca. L. psyllaurous, which is a globally distributed pathogen of herbaceous crop hosts in the Solanaceae. Finally, we detected a potential association between a psyllid pest of figs (M. gladiata) and a Ca. Liberibacter related to Ca. L. asiaticus, which causes severe disease in citrus. Our findings reveal a wider diversity of associations between facultative symbionts and psyllids than previously reported and suggest numerous avenues for future work to clarify novel associations of ecological, evolutionary, and pathogenic interest.}, }
@article {pmid34659172, year = {2021}, author = {Shan, HW and Liu, SS}, title = {The Costs and Benefits of Two Secondary Symbionts in a Whitefly Host Shape Their Differential Prevalence in the Field.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {739521}, pmid = {34659172}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Insects commonly harbor maternally inherited intracellular symbionts in nature, and the microbial partners often exert influence on host reproduction and fitness to promote their prevalence. Here, we investigated composition of symbionts and their biological effects in the invasive Bemisia tabaci MED species of a whitefly complex. Our field surveys revealed that populations of the MED whitefly, in addition to the primary symbiont Portiera, mainly contain two secondary symbionts Hamiltonella, which is nearly fixed in the host populations, and Cardinium with infection frequencies ranging from 0 to 86%. We isolated and established Cardinium-positive and Cardinium-free whitefly lines with a similar nuclear genetic background from a field population, and compared performance of the two whitefly lines. The infection of Cardinium incurred significant fitness costs on the MED whitefly, including reduction of fecundity and egg viability as well as delay in development. We then selectively removed Hamiltonella from the Cardinium-free whitefly line and compared performance of two whitefly lines, one harboring both Portiera and Hamiltonella and the other harboring only Portiera. While depletion of Hamiltonella had little or only marginal effects on the fecundity, developmental rate, and offspring survival, the Hamiltonella-free whitefly line produced very few female offspring, often reducing the progeny female ratio from about 50% to less than 1%. Our findings indicate that the varying costs and benefits of the association between these two symbionts and the MED whitefly may play an important role in shaping their differential prevalence in the field.}, }
@article {pmid34657608, year = {2021}, author = {Maffo, CGT and Sandeu, MM and Fadel, AN and Tchouakui, M and Nguete, DN and Menze, B and Kusimo, MO and Njiokou, F and Hughes, GL and Wondji, CS}, title = {Molecular detection and maternal transmission of a bacterial symbiont Asaia species in field-caught Anopheles mosquitoes from Cameroon.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {539}, pmid = {34657608}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {MR/P027873/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MR/P027873/1//Medical Research Council, UK, and Global Challenges Research Fund, through the PIIVeC/ ; }, mesh = {Acetobacteraceae/classification/*genetics ; Animals ; Anopheles/classification/*microbiology ; Cameroon ; Female ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Insecticide Resistance ; Mosquito Control ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Malaria control relies mainlyon insecticide-based tools. However, the effectiveness of these tools is threatened by widespread insecticide resistance in malaria vectors, highlighting the need for alternative control approaches. The endosymbiont Asaia has emerged as a promising candidate for paratransgenic control of malaria, but its biology and genetics still need to be further analyzed across Africa. Here, we investigated the prevalence of Asaia and its maternal transmission in the natural population of Anopheles mosquitoes in Cameroon.<br><br>METHODS: Indoor-resting adult mosquitoes belonging to four species (An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis, An. funestus and An. gambiae) were collected from eight localities across Cameroon from July 2016 to February 2020. PCR was performed on the Asaia-specific 16S ribosomal RNA gene, and samples positive by PCR for Asaia were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The vertical transmission of Asaia was investigated by screening F1 mosquitoes belonging to F0 Asaia-positive females.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 895 mosquitoes were screened. We found 43% (384) Asaia infection prevalence in four mosquito species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Asaia from Cameroon clustered together with the strains of Asaia isolated from other parts of the world. In addition, seven nucleotide sequence variants were found with low genetic diversity (&#x3c0;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.00241) and nucleotide sequence variant diversity (Hd&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.481). Asaia was vertically transmitted with high frequency (range from 42.5 to 100%).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study provides field-based evidence of the presence of Asaia in Anopheles mosquitoes in Cameroon for exploitation as a symbiont in the control of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.}, }
@article {pmid34643449, year = {2021}, author = {Lefoulon, E and Truchon, A and Clark, T and Long, C and Frey, D and Slatko, BE}, title = {Greenhead (Tabanus nigrovittatus) Wolbachia and Its Microbiome: A Preliminary Study.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {9}, number = {2}, pages = {e0051721}, pmid = {34643449}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Diptera/*microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria are known to influence the host physiology, microbiota composition, and dissemination of pathogens. We surveyed a population of Tabanus nigrovittatus, commonly referred to as "greenheads," from Crane Beach (Ipswich, MA, USA) for the presence of the alphaproteobacterial symbiont Wolbachia. We studied the COI (mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase) marker gene to evaluate the phylogenetic diversity of the studied specimens. The DNA sequences show strong similarity (between 99.9 and 98%) among the collected specimens but lower similarity to closely related entries in the NCBI database (only between 96.3 and 94.7%), suggesting a more distant relatedness. Low levels of Wolbachia presence necessitated a nested PCR approach, and using 5 markers (ftsZ, fbpA, dnaA, coxA, and gatB), we determined that two recognized "supergroups" of Wolbachia species were represented in the studied specimens, members of clades A and B. Using next-generation sequencing, we also surveyed the insect gut microbiomes of a subset of flies, using Illumina and PacBio 16S rRNA gene sequencing with barcoded primers. The composition of Proteobacteria also varied from fly to fly, with components belonging to Gammaproteobacteria making up the largest percentage of organisms (30 to 70%) among the microbiome samples. Most of the samples showed the presence of Spiroplasma, a member of the phylum Mollicutes, although the frequency of its presence was variable, ranging from 2 to 57%. Another noteworthy bacterial phylum consistently identified was Firmicutes, though the read abundances were typically below 10%. Of interest is an association between Wolbachia presence and higher Alphaproteobacteria representation in the microbiomes, suggesting that the presence of Wolbachia affects the host microbiome. IMPORTANCE Tabanus nigrovittatus greenhead populations contain two supergroups of Wolbachia endosymbionts, members of supergroups A and B. Analysis of the greenhead microbiome using next-generation sequencing revealed that the majority of bacterial species detected belonged to Gammaproteobacteria, with most of the samples also showing the presence of Spiroplasma, a member of the Mollicutes phylum also known to infect insects. An association between Wolbachia presence and higher Alphaproteobacteria representation in the microbiomes suggests that Wolbachia presence affects the host microbiome composition.}, }
@article {pmid34642800, year = {2021}, author = {Ngwewondo, A and Scandale, I and Specht, S}, title = {Onchocerciasis drug development: from preclinical models to humans.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {120}, number = {12}, pages = {3939-3964}, pmid = {34642800}, issn = {1432-1955}, mesh = {Humans ; Neglected Diseases/drug therapy/prevention &amp; control ; *Onchocerciasis/drug therapy ; *Pharmaceutical Preparations ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Twenty diseases are recognized as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by World Health Assembly resolutions, including human filarial diseases. The end of NTDs is embedded within the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, under target 3.3. Onchocerciasis afflicts approximately 20.9 million people worldwide with > 90% of those infected residing in Africa. Control programs have made tremendous efforts in the management of onchocerciasis by mass drug administration and aerial larviciding; however, disease elimination is not yet achieved. In the new WHO roadmap, it is recognized that new drugs or drug regimens that kill or permanently sterilize adult filarial worms would significantly improve elimination timelines and accelerate the achievement of the program goal of disease elimination. Drug development is, however, handicapped by high attrition rates, and many promising molecules fail in preclinical development or in subsequent toxicological, safety and efficacy testing; thus, research and development (R&amp;D) costs are, in aggregate, very high. Drug discovery and development for NTDs is largely driven by unmet medical needs put forward by the global health community; the area is underfunded and since no high return on investment is possible, there is no dedicated drug development pipeline for human filariasis. Repurposing existing drugs is one approach to filling the drug development pipeline for human filariasis. The high cost and slow pace of discovery and development of new drugs has led to the repurposing of "old" drugs, as this is more cost-effective and allows development timelines to be shortened. However, even if a drug is marketed for a human or veterinary indication, the safety margin and dosing regimen will need to be re-evaluated to determine the risk in humans. Drug repurposing is a promising approach to enlarging the pool of active molecules in the drug development pipeline. Another consideration when providing new treatment options is the use of combinations, which is not addressed in this review. We here summarize recent advances in the late preclinical or early clinical stage in the search for a potent macrofilaricide, including drugs against the nematode and against its endosymbiont, Wolbachia pipientis.}, }
@article {pmid34636935, year = {2021}, author = {Wackerow-Kouzova, ND and Myagkov, DV}, title = {Clarification of the Taxonomic Position of Paramecium caudatum Micronucleus Symbionts.}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {78}, number = {12}, pages = {4098-4102}, pmid = {34636935}, issn = {1432-0991}, mesh = {*Holosporaceae/genetics ; *Paramecium caudatum/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacteria of genus Holospora (order Holosporales, class Alphaproteobacteria) are obligate intranuclear symbionts of ciliates Paramecium spp. with strict host species and nuclear (macronucleus or micronucleus) specificity. However, three species under study Holospora undulata, Holospora elegans and 'Holospora recta' occupy the same ecological niche-micronucleus of Paramecium caudatum and demonstrate some differences in morphology of infectious form. The genetic diversity of holosporas by rrs and rpoB sequence analysis was determined. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analysis of Holospora spp., as well as some phenotypic features indicate that there is no distinctive difference supporting studied micronuclear endosymbionts as distinct species. Therefore, Holospora elegans and 'Holospora recta' should be considered subspecies of Holospora undulata (ex Haffkine 1890) Gromov and Ossipov 1981, which was described first. Thus, we confirmed the evolutionary aspects of the development of symbiotic relationships: holosporas have a strict specificity to the host species and the type of nucleus.}, }
@article {pmid34634928, year = {2021}, author = {Jiménez, NE and Gerdtzen, ZP and Olivera-Nappa, &#xc1; and Salgado, JC and Conca, C}, title = {Novel Symbiotic Genome-Scale Model Reveals Wolbachia's Arboviral Pathogen Blocking Mechanism in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {5}, pages = {e0156321}, pmid = {34634928}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Amino Acids/metabolism ; Animals ; Arboviruses/metabolism/*pathogenicity ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Lipid Metabolism ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Virus Replication/physiology ; Wolbachia/*genetics/metabolism/*virology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiont bacteria known to infect arthropods causing different effects, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility and pathogen blocking in Aedes aegypti. Although several Wolbachia strains have been studied, there is little knowledge regarding the relationship between this bacterium and their hosts, particularly on their obligate endosymbiont nature and its pathogen blocking ability. Motivated by the potential applications on disease control, we developed a genome-scale model of two Wolbachia strains: wMel and the strongest Dengue blocking strain known to date: wMelPop. The obtained metabolic reconstructions exhibit an energy metabolism relying mainly on amino acids and lipid transport to support cell growth that is consistent with altered lipid and cholesterol metabolism in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. The obtained metabolic reconstruction was then coupled with a reconstructed mosquito model to retrieve a symbiotic genome-scale model accounting for 1,636 genes and 6,408 reactions of the Aedes aegypti-Wolbachia interaction system. Simulation of an arboviral infection in the obtained novel symbiotic model represents a metabolic scenario characterized by pathogen blocking in higher titer Wolbachia strains, showing that pathogen blocking by Wolbachia infection is consistent with competition for lipid and amino acid resources between arbovirus and this endosymbiotic bacteria. IMPORTANCE Arboviral diseases such as Zika and Dengue have been on the rise mainly due to climate change, and the development of new treatments and strategies to limit their spreading is needed. The use of Wolbachia as an approach for disease control has motivated new research related to the characterization of the mechanisms that underlie its pathogen-blocking properties. In this work, we propose a new approach for studying the metabolic interactions between Aedes aegypti and Wolbachia using genome-scale models, finding that pathogen blocking is mainly influenced by competition for the resources required for Wolbachia and viral replication.}, }
@article {pmid34627407, year = {2021}, author = {McGorum, BC and Chen, Z and Glendinning, L and Gweon, HS and Hunt, L and Ivens, A and Keen, JA and Pirie, RS and Taylor, J and Wilkinson, T and McLachlan, G}, title = {Equine grass sickness (a multiple systems neuropathy) is associated with alterations in the gastrointestinal mycobiome.}, journal = {Animal microbiome}, volume = {3}, number = {1}, pages = {70}, pmid = {34627407}, issn = {2524-4671}, support = {G1016//The Horse Trust/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a multiple systems neuropathy of grazing horses of unknown aetiology. An apparently identical disease occurs in cats, dogs, rabbits, hares, sheep, alpacas and llamas. Many of the risk factors for EGS are consistent with it being a pasture mycotoxicosis. To identify potential causal fungi, the gastrointestinal mycobiota of EGS horses were evaluated using targeted amplicon sequencing, and compared with those of two control groups. Samples were collected post mortem from up to 5 sites in the gastrointestinal tracts of EGS horses (EGS group; 150 samples from 54 horses) and from control horses that were not grazing EGS pastures and that had been euthanased for reasons other than neurologic and gastrointestinal diseases (CTRL group; 67 samples from 31 horses). Faecal samples were also collected from healthy control horses that were co-grazing pastures with EGS horses at disease onset (CoG group; 48 samples from 48 horses).<br><br>RESULTS: Mycobiota at all 5 gastrointestinal sites comprised large numbers of fungi exhibiting diverse taxonomy, growth morphology, trophic mode and ecological guild. FUNGuild analysis parsed most phylotypes as ingested environmental microfungi, agaricoids and yeasts, with only 1% as gastrointestinal adapted animal endosymbionts. Mycobiota richness varied throughout the gastrointestinal tract and was greater in EGS horses. There were significant inter-group and inter-site differences in mycobiota structure. A large number of phylotypes were differentially abundant among groups. Key phylotypes (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;56) associated with EGS were identified that had high abundance and high prevalence in EGS samples, significantly increased abundance in EGS samples, and were important determinants of the inter-group differences in mycobiota structure. Many key phylotypes were extremophiles and/or were predicted to produce cytotoxic and/or neurotoxic extrolites.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported molecular characterisation of the gastrointestinal mycobiota of grazing horses. Key phylotypes associated with EGS were identified. Further work is required to determine whether neurotoxic extrolites from key phylotypes contribute to EGS aetiology or whether the association of key phylotypes and EGS is a consequence of disease or is non-causal.}, }
@article {pmid34623904, year = {2022}, author = {Simon, C and Cooley, JR and Karban, R and Sota, T}, title = {Advances in the Evolution and Ecology of 13- and 17-Year Periodical Cicadas.}, journal = {Annual review of entomology}, volume = {67}, number = {}, pages = {457-482}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-ento-072121-061108}, pmid = {34623904}, issn = {1545-4487}, mesh = {Animals ; Ecology ; Ecosystem ; *Hemiptera/genetics/microbiology ; Humans ; Life Cycle Stages ; Phylogeography ; }, abstract = {Apart from model organisms, 13- and 17-year periodical cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Magicicada) are among the most studied insects in evolution and ecology. They are attractive subjects because they predictably emerge in large numbers; have a complex biogeography shaped by both spatial and temporal isolation; and include three largely sympatric, parallel species groups that are, in a sense, evolutionary replicates. Magicicada are also relatively easy to capture and manipulate, and their spectacular, synchronized mass emergences facilitate outreach and citizen science opportunities. Since the last major review, studies of Magicicada have revealed insights into reproductive character displacement and the nature of species boundaries, provided additional examples of allochronic speciation, found evidence for repeated and parallel (but noncontemporaneous) evolution of 13- and 17-year life cycles, quantified the amount and direction of gene flow through time, revealed phylogeographic patterning resulting from paleoclimate change, examined the timing of juvenile development, and created hypotheses for the evolution of life-cycle control and the future effects of climate changeon Magicicada life cycles. New ecological studies have supported and questioned the role of prime numbers in Magicicada ecology and evolution, found bidirectional shifts in population size over generations, quantified the contribution of Magicicada to nutrient flow in forest ecosystems, and examined behavioral and biochemical interactions between Magicicada and their fungal parasites and bacterial endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid34621258, year = {2021}, author = {Jiao, J and Zhang, J and He, P and OuYang, X and Yu, Y and Wen, B and Sun, Y and Yuan, Q and Xiong, X}, title = {Identification of Tick-Borne Pathogens and Genotyping of Coxiella burnetii in Rhipicephalus microplus in Yunnan Province, China.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {736484}, pmid = {34621258}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Rhipicephalus microplus, a vector that can transmit many pathogens to humans and domestic animals, is widely distributed in Yunnan province, China. However, few reports on the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in Rh. microplus in Yunnan are available. The aim of this study was to detect TBPs in Rh. microplus in Yunnan and to analyze the phylogenetic characterization of TBPs detected in these ticks. The adult Rh. microplus (n = 516) feeding on cattle were collected. The pooled DNA samples of these ticks were evaluated using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and then TBPs in individual ticks were identified using genus- or group-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with DNA sequencing assay. As a result, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (24.61%, 127/516), Anaplasma marginale (13.18%, 68/516), Coxiella burnetii (3.10%, 16/516), and Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) (8.33%, 43/516) were detected. The dual coinfection with Ca. R. jingxinensis and A. marginale and the triple coinfection with Ca. R. jingxinensis, A. marginale, and CLE were most frequent and detected in 3.68% (19/516) and 3.10% (16/516) of these ticks, respectively. The results provide insight into the diversity of TBPs and their coinfections in Rh. microplus in Yunnan province of China, reporting for the first time that C. burnetii had been found in Rh. microplus in China. Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis with 6 loci (MLVA-6) discriminated the C. burnetii detected in Rh. microplus in Yunnan into MLVA genotype 1, which is closely related to previously described genotypes found primarily in tick and human samples from different regions of the globe, indicating a potential public health threat posed by C. burnetii in Rh. microplus in Yunnan.}, }
@article {pmid34620940, year = {2021}, author = {Kuroyanagi, A and Irie, T and Kinoshita, S and Kawahata, H and Suzuki, A and Nishi, H and Sasaki, O and Takashima, R and Fujita, K}, title = {Decrease in volume and density of foraminiferal shells with progressing ocean acidification.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {19988}, pmid = {34620940}, issn = {2045-2322}, abstract = {Rapid increases in anthropogenic atmospheric CO2 partial pressure have led to a decrease in the pH of seawater. Calcifying organisms generally respond negatively to ocean acidification. Foraminifera are one of the major carbonate producers in the ocean; however, whether calcification reduction by ocean acidification affects either foraminiferal shell volume or density, or both, has yet to be investigated. In this study, we cultured asexually reproducing specimens of Amphisorus kudakajimensis, a dinoflagellate endosymbiont-bearing large benthic foraminifera (LBF), under different pH conditions (pH 7.7-8.3, NBS scale). The results suggest that changes in seawater pH would affect not only the quantity (i.e., shell volume) but also the quality (i.e., shell density) of foraminiferal calcification. We proposed that pH and temperature affect these growth parameters differently because (1) they have differences in the contribution to the calcification process (e.g., Ca[2+]-ATPase and Ω) and (2) pH mainly affects calcification and temperature mainly affects photosynthesis. Our findings also suggest that, under the IPCC RCP8.5 scenario, both ocean acidification and warming will have a significant impact on reef foraminiferal carbonate production by the end of this century, even in the tropics.}, }
@article {pmid34614366, year = {2022}, author = {Vorburger, C}, title = {Defensive Symbionts and the Evolution of Parasitoid Host Specialization.}, journal = {Annual review of entomology}, volume = {67}, number = {}, pages = {329-346}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-ento-072621-062042}, pmid = {34614366}, issn = {1545-4487}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology ; Food Chain ; Host Specificity ; Symbiosis ; *Wasps ; }, abstract = {Insect host-parasitoid interactions abound in nature and are characterized by a high degree of host specialization. In addition to their behavioral and immune defenses, many host species rely on heritable bacterial endosymbionts for defense against parasitoids. Studies on aphids and flies show that resistance conferred by symbionts can be very strong and highly specific, possibly as a result of variation in symbiont-produced toxins. I argue that defensive symbionts are therefore an important source of diversifying selection, promoting the evolution of host specialization by parasitoids. This is likely to affect the structure of host-parasitoid food webs. I consider potential changes in terms of food web complexity, although the nature of these effects will also be influenced by whether maternally transmitted symbionts have some capacity for lateral transfer. This is discussed in the light of available evidence for horizontal transmission routes. Finally, I propose that defensive mutualisms other than microbial endosymbionts may also exert diversifying selection on insect parasitoids.}, }
@article {pmid34613411, year = {2022}, author = {Uthanumallian, K and Iha, C and Repetti, SI and Chan, CX and Bhattacharya, D and Duchene, S and Verbruggen, H}, title = {Tightly Constrained Genome Reduction and Relaxation of Purifying Selection during Secondary Plastid Endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {39}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {34613411}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {*Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Genome ; *Genome, Plastid ; Phylogeny ; Plastids/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiosis, the establishment of a former free-living prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell as an organelle inside a host cell, can dramatically alter the genomic architecture of the endosymbiont. Plastids or chloroplasts, the light-harvesting organelle of photosynthetic eukaryotes, are excellent models to study this phenomenon because plastid origin has occurred multiple times in evolution. Here, we investigate the genomic signature of molecular processes acting through secondary plastid endosymbiosis-the origination of a new plastid from a free-living eukaryotic alga. We used phylogenetic comparative methods to study gene loss and changes in selective regimes on plastid genomes, focusing on green algae that have given rise to three independent lineages with secondary plastids (euglenophytes, chlorarachniophytes, and Lepidodinium). Our results show an overall increase in gene loss associated with secondary endosymbiosis, but this loss is tightly constrained by the retention of genes essential for plastid function. The data show that secondary plastids have experienced temporary relaxation of purifying selection during secondary endosymbiosis. However, this process is tightly constrained, with selection relaxed only relative to the background in primary plastids. Purifying selection remains strong in absolute terms even during the endosymbiosis events. Selection intensity rebounds to pre-endosymbiosis levels following endosymbiosis events, demonstrating the changes in selection efficiency during different origin phases of secondary plastids. Independent endosymbiosis events in the euglenophytes, chlorarachniophytes, and Lepidodinium differ in their degree of relaxation of selection, highlighting the different evolutionary contexts of these events. This study reveals the selection-drift interplay during secondary endosymbiosis and evolutionary parallels during organellogenesis.}, }
@article {pmid34612500, year = {2021}, author = {Colosimo, G and Jackson, AC and Benton, A and Varela-Stokes, A and Iverson, J and Knapp, CR and Welch, M}, title = {Correlated Population Genetic Structure in a Three-Tiered Host-Parasite System: The Potential for Coevolution and Adaptive Divergence.}, journal = {The Journal of heredity}, volume = {112}, number = {7}, pages = {590-601}, doi = {10.1093/jhered/esab058}, pmid = {34612500}, issn = {1465-7333}, mesh = {Animals ; Genetics, Population ; *Iguanas ; *Lizards ; *Parasites ; }, abstract = {Three subspecies of Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas, Cyclura cychlura, are currently recognized: C. c. cychlura, restricted to Andros Island, and C. c. figginsi and C. c. inornata, native to the Exuma Island chain. Populations on Andros are genetically distinct from Exuma Island populations, yet genetic divergence among populations in the Exumas is inconsistent with the 2 currently recognized subspecies from those islands. The potential consequences of this discrepancy might include the recognition of a single subspecies throughout the Exumas rather than 2. That inference also ignores evidence that populations of C. cychlura are potentially adaptively divergent. We compared patterns of population relatedness in a three-tiered host-parasite system: C. cychlura iguanas, their ticks (genus Amblyomma, preferentially parasitizing these reptiles), and Rickettsia spp. endosymbionts (within tick ectoparasites). Our results indicate that while C. c. cychlura on Andros is consistently supported as a separate clade, patterns of relatedness among populations of C. c. figginsi and C. c. inornata within the Exuma Island chain are more complex. The distribution of the hosts, different tick species, and Rickettsia spp., supports the evolutionary independence of C. c. inornata. Further, these patterns are also consistent with two independent evolutionarily significant units within C. c. figginsi. Our findings suggest coevolutionary relationships between the reptile hosts, their ectoparasites, and rickettsial organisms, suggesting local adaptation. This work also speaks to the limitations of using neutral molecular markers from a single focal taxon as the sole currency for recognizing evolutionary novelty in populations of endangered species.}, }
@article {pmid34599211, year = {2021}, author = {Hertaeg, C and Risse, M and Vorburger, C and De Moraes, CM and Mescher, MC}, title = {Aphids harbouring different endosymbionts exhibit differences in cuticular hydrocarbon profiles that can be recognized by ant mutualists.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {19559}, pmid = {34599211}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ants ; Aphids/*microbiology/*physiology ; Behavior, Animal ; Hydrocarbons/chemistry/*metabolism ; Species Specificity ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) have important communicative functions for ants, which use CHC profiles to recognize mutualistic aphid partners. Aphid endosymbionts can influence the quality of their hosts as ant mutualists, via effects on honeydew composition, and might also affect CHC profiles, suggesting that ants could potentially use CHC cues to discriminate among aphid lines harbouring different endosymbionts. We explored how several strains of Hamiltonella defensa and Regiella insecticola influence the CHC profiles of host aphids (Aphis fabae) and the ability of aphid-tending ants (Lasius niger) to distinguish the profiles of aphids hosting different endosymbionts. We found significant compositional differences between the CHCs of aphids with different infections. Some endosymbionts changed the proportions of odd-chain linear alkanes, while others changed primarily methyl-branched compounds, which may be particularly important for communication. Behavioural assays, in which we trained ants to associate CHC profiles of endosymbiont infected or uninfected aphids with food rewards, revealed that ants readily learned to distinguish differences in aphid CHC profiles associated with variation in endosymbiont strains. While previous work has documented endosymbiont effects on aphid interactions with antagonists, the current findings support the hypothesis that endosymbionts also alter traits that influence communicative interactions with ant mutualists.}, }
@article {pmid34596262, year = {2021}, author = {Guo, C and Peng, X and Wang, H and Zheng, X and Hu, P and Zhou, J and Ding, Z and Wang, X and Yang, Z}, title = {Bacterial diversity of Leptocybe invasa Fisher &amp; La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from different geographical conditions in China.}, journal = {Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology}, volume = {108}, number = {4}, pages = {e21847}, doi = {10.1002/arch.21847}, pmid = {34596262}, issn = {1520-6327}, support = {2018GXNSFAA138099//Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province/ ; 2018GXNSFDA281004//Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province/ ; 2018GXNSFAA294008//Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province/ ; 31560212//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31870634//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31971664//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Acclimatization ; Animals ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Genes, Bacterial ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Metagenomics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Symbiosis ; Wasps/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Insects harbor numerous endosymbionts, including bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses, which could affect the ecology and behavior of their hosts. However, data regarding the effect of environmental factors on endosymbiotic bacteria of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are quite rare. In this study, we assessed the diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria of L. invasa from 10 different geographic populations collected across China through the Illumina MiSeq platform. A total of 547 OTUs were generated, which were annotated into 19 phyla, 33 classes, 75 orders, 137 families, and 274 genera. The dominant bacteria detected in L. invasa were Rickettsia, and Pantoea, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Bacillus were also annotated among each population. Nevertheless, the endosymbiotic bacterial abundance and diversity varied among different populations, which was related to the local climate (annual mean high temperature). The bacterial function prediction analysis showed that these endosymbiotic bacteria were concentrated in metabolism, such as carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism. Overall, the results provide a comprehensive description of the endosymbiotic bacteria in 10 different populations of an important eucalyptus pest L. invasa, and help to understand the endosymbiotic bacterial diversity and adaptation of various conditions.}, }
@article {pmid34588907, year = {2021}, author = {Tyagi, K and Tyagi, I and Kumar, V}, title = {Insights into the gut bacterial communities of spider from wild with no evidence of phylosymbiosis.}, journal = {Saudi journal of biological sciences}, volume = {28}, number = {10}, pages = {5913-5924}, pmid = {34588907}, issn = {1319-562X}, abstract = {In the present study, an effort has been made to elucidate the gut bacterial diversity of twelve species of the family Araneidae under three subfamilies collected from 5 states of India along with their predicted metabolic role in functional metabolism. Further, we also compared the host species phylogeny based on partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences with the gut bacteria composition dendrogram to decipher the phylosymbiotic relationships. Analysis revealed the presence of 22 bacterial phyla, 145 families, and 364 genera in the gut, with Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Deinococcus-Thermus as the highest abundant phyla. Moreover, phylum Bacteriodetes was dominated only in Cyclosa mulmeinensis and Chlamydiae in Neoscona bengalensis. At the genus level, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Cutibacterium, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus were the most dominant genera. Furthermore, the genus Prevotella was observed only in Cyclosa mulmeinensis, and endosymbiont Wolbachia only in Eriovixia laglaizei. The differential abundance analysis (DeSeq2) revealed the 19 significant ASVs represented by the genera like Acinetobacter, Vagoccoccus, Prevotella, Staphylococcus, Curvibacter, Corynebacterium, Paracoccus, Streptococcus, Microbacterium, and Pseudocitrobacter. The inter- and intra-subfamilies comparison based on diversity indices (alpha and beta diversity) revealed that the subfamily Araneinae have high richness and diversity than Argiopinae and Gasteracanthinae. The phylosymbiotic analysis revealed that there is no congruence between the gut bacteria composition dendrogram with their host phylogeny.}, }
@article {pmid34580706, year = {2021}, author = {Bubnell, JE and Fernandez-Begne, P and Ulbing, CKS and Aquadro, CF}, title = {Diverse wMel variants of Wolbachia pipientis differentially rescue fertility and cytological defects of the bag of marbles partial loss of function mutation in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {11}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {34580706}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {R01 GM095793/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Calcium Carbonate ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; Female ; Fertility/genetics ; Loss of Function Mutation ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {In Drosophila melanogaster, the maternally inherited endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis interacts with germline stem cell genes during oogenesis. One such gene, bag of marbles (bam) is the key switch for differentiation and also shows signals of adaptive evolution for protein diversification. These observations have led us to hypothesize that W. pipientis could be driving the adaptive evolution of bam for control of oogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we must understand the specificity of the genetic interaction between bam and W. pipientis. Previously, we documented that the W. pipientis variant, wMel, rescued the fertility of the bamBW hypomorphic mutant as a transheterozygote over a bam null. However, bamBW was generated more than 20 years ago in an uncontrolled genetic background and maintained over a balancer chromosome. Consequently, the chromosome carrying bamBW accumulated mutations that have prevented controlled experiments to further assess the interaction. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to engineer the same single amino acid bam hypomorphic mutation (bamL255F) and a new bam null disruption mutation into the w1118 isogenic background. We assess the fertility of wildtype bam, bamL255F/bamnull hypomorphic, and bamL255F/bamL255F mutant females, each infected individually with 10 W. pipientis wMel variants representing three phylogenetic clades. Overall, we find that all of the W. pipientis variants tested here rescue bam hypomorphic fertility defects with wMelCS-like variants exhibiting the strongest rescue effects. In addition, these variants did not increase wildtype bam female fertility. Therefore, both bam and W. pipientis interact in genotype-specific ways to modulate female fertility, a critical fitness phenotype.}, }
@article {pmid34579766, year = {2021}, author = {Lee, H and Seo, MG and Lee, SH and Oem, JK and Kim, SH and Jeong, H and Kim, Y and Jheong, WH and Kwon, OD and Kwak, D}, title = {Relationship among bats, parasitic bat flies, and associated pathogens in Korea.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {503}, pmid = {34579766}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {NIER-2019-01-01-006//national institute of environmental research/ ; NRF-2016R1D1A1B02015366//National Research Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/*genetics/pathogenicity ; Chiroptera/*parasitology ; Diptera/anatomy &amp; histology/classification/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Disease Reservoirs/microbiology/parasitology ; Disease Vectors ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Male ; Parasites/classification/*genetics/pathogenicity ; Phylogeny ; Republic of Korea ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Bats are hosts for many ectoparasites and act as reservoirs for several infectious agents, some of which exhibit zoonotic potential. Here, species of bats and bat flies were identified and screened for microorganisms that could be mediated by bat flies.<br><br>METHODS: Bat species were identified on the basis of their morphological characteristics. Bat flies associated with bat species were initially morphologically identified and further identified at the genus level by analyzing the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Different vector-borne pathogens and endosymbionts were screened using PCR to assess all possible relationships among bats, parasitic bat flies, and their associated organisms.<br><br>RESULTS: Seventy-four bat flies were collected from 198 bats; 66 of these belonged to Nycteribiidae and eight to Streblidae families. All Streblidae bat flies were hosted by Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, known as the most common Korean bat. Among the 74 tested bat flies, PCR and nucleotide sequencing data showed that 35 (47.3%) and 20 (27.0%) carried Wolbachia and Bartonella bacteria, respectively, whereas tests for Anaplasma, Borrelia, Hepatozoon, Babesia, Theileria, and Coxiella were negative. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Wolbachia endosymbionts belonged to two different supergroups, A and F. One sequence of Bartonella was identical to that of Bartonella isolated from Taiwanese bats.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The vectorial role of bat flies should be checked by testing the same pathogen and bacterial organisms by collecting blood from host bats. This study is of great interest in the fields of disease ecology and public health owing to the bats' potential to transmit pathogens to humans and/or livestock.}, }
@article {pmid34578149, year = {2021}, author = {Cantanhêde, LM and Mattos, CB and Cruz, AK and Ikenohuchi, YJ and Fernandes, FG and Medeiros, EHRT and da Silva-Júnior, CF and Cupolillo, E and Ferreira, GEM and Ferreira, RGM}, title = {Overcoming the Negligence in Laboratory Diagnosis of Mucosal Leishmaniasis.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {34578149}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {Elisa Cupolillo - Finance Code 001//Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfei&#xe7;oamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior/ ; Elisa Cupolillo - Researcher Fellow - 302622/2017-9//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; Elisa Cupolillo - CNE, E26-202.569/2019//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo &#xe0; Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/ ; Instituto Nacional de Ci&#xea;ncia e Tecnologia da Amaz&#xf4;nia Ocidental - INCT EpiAmO (465657/2014-1)//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; Universal Fapero 003/2015 (01.1331.00032.029/2015), PAP-PRO-RO (01133100038-0000.75/2016); PPSUS 003/2016 (01133100051-0000.83/2015), Chamada 009/2016 (33621.506.20448.26082016)//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Amparo ao Desenvolvimento das A&#xe7;&#xf5;es Cient&#xed;ficas e Tecnol&#xf3;gicas e &#xe0; Pesquisa - FAPERO/ ; }, abstract = {The northern region of Brazil, which has the largest number of cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) in the country, is also the region that has the highest diversity of species of vectors and Leishmania parasites. In this region, cases of mucosal leishmaniasis (ML), a clinical form of TL, exceed the national average of cases, reaching up to 12% of the total annual TL notifications. ML is associated with multiple factors, such as the parasite species and the viral endosymbiont Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1). Being a chronic parasitological disease, laboratory diagnosis of ML poses a challenge for health services. Here, we evaluated more than 700 clinical samples from patients with clinical suspicion of TL, including patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucosal leishmaniasis, comparing the results of parasitological tests-direct parasitological examination by microscopy (DP) and conventional PCR (cPCR) targeting of both kDNA and hsp70. The DP was performed by collecting material from lesions through biopsies (mucosal lesions) or scarification (cutaneous lesions); for PCR, a cervical brush was used for sample collection. Blood samples were tested employing standardized real-time PCR (qPCR) protocol targeting the HSP70 gene. PCR tests showed higher sensitivity than DP for both CL and ML samples. Considering ML samples only (N = 89), DP showed a sensitivity of 49.4% (N = 44) against 98.8% (N = 88) for kDNA PCR. The qPCR hsp70 for blood samples from patients with ML (N = 14) resulted in superior sensitivity (50%; N = 7) compared to DP (21.4%; N = 3) for samples from the same patients. Our results reinforced the need to implement a molecular test for the diagnosis of ML, in addition to proposing methods less invasive for collecting material from TL patients. Sample collection using a cervical brush in lesions observed in CL and ML patients is easy to perform and less invasive, compared to scarification and biopsies. Blood samples could be a good source for qPCR diagnosis for ML patients. Thus, we propose here a standardized method for collection and for performing of molecular diagnosis of clinical samples from suspicious ML patients that can be applied in reference services for improving ML diagnosis.}, }
@article {pmid34568917, year = {2021}, author = {Ettinger, CL and Byrne, FJ and Collin, MA and Carter-House, D and Walling, LL and Atkinson, PW and Redak, RA and Stajich, JE}, title = {Improved draft reference genome for the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis), a vector for Pierce's disease.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {34568917}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {S10 OD016290/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Genome, Insect ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Metagenome ; Pilot Projects ; *Xylella ; }, abstract = {Homalodisca vitripennis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), known as the glassy-winged sharpshooter, is a xylem feeding leafhopper and an important agricultural pest as a vector of Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Pierce's disease in grapes and a variety of other scorch diseases. The current H. vitripennis reference genome from the Baylor College of Medicine's i5k pilot project is a 1.4-Gb assembly with 110,000 scaffolds, which still has significant gaps making identification of genes difficult. To improve on this effort, we used a combination of Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing technology combined with Illumina sequencing reads to generate a better assembly and first-pass annotation of the whole genome sequence of a wild-caught Californian (Tulare County) individual of H. vitripennis. The improved reference genome assembly for H. vitripennis is 1.93-Gb in length (21,254 scaffolds, N50 = 650 Mb, BUSCO completeness = 94.3%), with 33.06% of the genome masked as repetitive. In total, 108,762 gene models were predicted including 98,296 protein-coding genes and 10,466 tRNA genes. As an additional community resource, we identified 27 orthologous candidate genes of interest for future experimental work including phenotypic marker genes like white. Furthermore, as part of the assembly process, we generated four endosymbiont metagenome-assembled genomes, including a high-quality near complete 1.7-Mb Wolbachia sp. genome (1 scaffold, CheckM completeness = 99.4%). The improved genome assembly and annotation for H. vitripennis, curated set of candidate genes, and endosymbiont MAGs will be invaluable resources for future research of H. vitripennis.}, }
@article {pmid34564228, year = {2021}, author = {Xu, X and Ridland, PM and Umina, PA and Gill, A and Ross, PA and Pirtle, E and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {High Incidence of Related Wolbachia across Unrelated Leaf-Mining Diptera.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {34564228}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {MT16004//Hort Innovation/ ; }, abstract = {The maternally inherited endosymbiont, Wolbachia pipientis, plays an important role in the ecology and evolution of many of its hosts by affecting host reproduction and fitness. Here, we investigated 13 dipteran leaf-mining species to characterize Wolbachia infections and the potential for this endosymbiont in biocontrol. Wolbachia infections were present in 12 species, including 10 species where the Wolbachia infection was at or near fixation. A comparison of Wolbachia relatedness based on the wsp/MLST gene set showed that unrelated leaf-mining species often shared similar Wolbachia, suggesting common horizontal transfer. We established a colony of Liriomyza brassicae and found adult Wolbachia density was stable; although Wolbachia density differed between the sexes, with females having a 20-fold higher density than males. Wolbachia density increased during L. brassicae development, with higher densities in pupae than larvae. We removed Wolbachia using tetracycline and performed reciprocal crosses between Wolbachia-infected and uninfected individuals. Cured females crossed with infected males failed to produce offspring, indicating that Wolbachia induced complete cytoplasmic incompatibility in L. brassicae. The results highlight the potential of Wolbachia to suppress Liriomyza pests based on approaches such as the incompatible insect technique, where infected males are released into populations lacking Wolbachia or with a different incompatible infection.}, }
@article {pmid34564160, year = {2021}, author = {De Rinaldis, G and Leone, A and De Domenico, S and Bosch-Belmar, M and Slizyte, R and Milisenda, G and Santucci, A and Albano, C and Piraino, S}, title = {Biochemical Characterization of Cassiopea andromeda (Forsskål, 1775), Another Red Sea Jellyfish in the Western Mediterranean Sea.}, journal = {Marine drugs}, volume = {19}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {34564160}, issn = {1660-3397}, support = {AFD9B120//POR PUGLIA FESR-FSE 2014 / 2020 - Research for Innovation REFIN/ ; 774499//European Commission, H2020 program, Research and Innovation Action Project "GoJelly - A gelatinous solution to plastic pollution"/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Antioxidants ; Aquatic Organisms ; *Dietary Supplements ; Ecosystem ; Mediterranean Sea ; *Scyphozoa ; }, abstract = {Increasing frequency of native jellyfish proliferations and massive appearance of non-indigenous jellyfish species recently concur to impact Mediterranean coastal ecosystems and human activities at sea. Nonetheless, jellyfish biomass may represent an exploitable novel resource to coastal communities, with reference to its potential use in the pharmaceutical, nutritional, and nutraceutical Blue Growth sectors. The zooxanthellate jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda, Forsskål, 1775 (Cnidaria, Rhizostomeae) entered the Levant Sea through the Suez Canal and spread towards the Western Mediterranean to reach Malta, Tunisia, and recently also the Italian coasts. Here we report on the biochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of C. andromeda specimens with a discussion on their relative biological activities. The biochemical characterization of the aqueous (PBS) and hydroalcoholic (80% ethanol) soluble components of C. andromeda were performed for whole jellyfish, as well as separately for umbrella and oral arms. The insoluble components were hydrolyzed by sequential enzymatic digestion with pepsin and collagenase. The composition and antioxidant activity of the insoluble and enzymatically digestible fractions were not affected by the pre-extraction types, resulting into collagen- and non-collagen-derived peptides with antioxidant activity. Both soluble compounds and hydrolyzed fractions were characterized for the content of proteins, phenolic compounds, and lipids. The presence of compounds coming from the endosymbiont zooxanthellae was also detected. The notable yield and the considerable antioxidant activity detected make this species worthy of further study for its potential biotechnological sustainable exploitation.}, }
@article {pmid34563127, year = {2021}, author = {Deng, J and Assandri, G and Chauhan, P and Futahashi, R and Galimberti, A and Hansson, B and Lancaster, LT and Takahashi, Y and Svensson, EI and Duplouy, A}, title = {Wolbachia-driven selective sweep in a range expanding insect species.}, journal = {BMC ecology and evolution}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {181}, pmid = {34563127}, issn = {2730-7182}, mesh = {Animals ; Cyprus ; *DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Odonata/*genetics/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Evolutionary processes can cause strong spatial genetic signatures, such as local loss of genetic diversity, or conflicting histories from mitochondrial versus nuclear markers. Investigating these genetic patterns is important, as they may reveal obscured processes and players. The maternally inherited bacterium Wolbachia is among the most widespread symbionts in insects. Wolbachia typically spreads within host species by conferring direct fitness benefits, and/or by manipulating its host reproduction to favour infected over uninfected females. Under sufficient selective advantage, the mitochondrial haplotype associated with the favoured maternally-inherited symbiotic strains will spread (i.e. hitchhike), resulting in low mitochondrial genetic variation across the host species range.<br><br>METHOD: The common bluetail damselfly (Ischnura elegans: van der Linden, 1820) has recently emerged as a model organism for genetics and genomic signatures of range expansion during climate change. Although there is accumulating data on the consequences of such expansion on the genetics of I. elegans, no study has screened for Wolbachia in the damselfly genus Ischnura. Here, we present the biogeographic variation in Wolbachia prevalence and penetrance across Europe and Japan (including samples from 17 populations), and from close relatives in the Mediterranean area (i.e. I. genei: Rambur, 1842; and I. saharensis: Aguesse, 1958).<br><br>RESULTS: Our data reveal (a) multiple Wolbachia-strains, (b) potential transfer of the symbiont through hybridization, (c) higher infection rates at higher latitudes, and (d) reduced mitochondrial diversity in the north-west populations, indicative of hitchhiking associated with the selective sweep of the most common strain. We found low mitochondrial haplotype diversity in the Wolbachia-infected north-western European populations (Sweden, Scotland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Italy) of I. elegans, and, conversely, higher mitochondrial diversity in populations with low penetrance of Wolbachia (Ukraine, Greece, Montenegro and Cyprus). The timing of the selective sweep associated with infected lineages was estimated between 20,000 and 44,000&#xa0;years before present, which is consistent with the end of the last glacial period about 20,000 years.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide an example of how endosymbiont infections can shape spatial variation in their host evolutionary genetics during postglacial expansion. These results also challenge population genetic studies that do not consider the prevalence of symbionts in many insects, which we show can impact geographic patterns of mitochondrial genetic diversity.}, }
@article {pmid34562300, year = {2021}, author = {Ramírez, CS and Tolmie, C and Opperman, DJ and González, PJ and Rivas, MG and Brondino, CD and Ferroni, FM}, title = {Copper nitrite reductase from Sinorhizobium meliloti 2011: Crystal structure and interaction with the physiological versus a nonmetabolically related cupredoxin-like mediator.}, journal = {Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society}, volume = {30}, number = {11}, pages = {2310-2323}, pmid = {34562300}, issn = {1469-896X}, mesh = {Azurin/*chemistry ; Bacterial Proteins/*chemistry ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Nitrite Reductases/*chemistry ; Protein Domains ; Sinorhizobium meliloti/*enzymology ; }, abstract = {We report the crystal structure of the copper-containing nitrite reductase (NirK) from the Gram-negative bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti 2011 (Sm), together with complex structural alignment and docking studies with both non-cognate and the physiologically related pseudoazurins, SmPaz1 and SmPaz2, respectively. S. meliloti is a rhizobacterium used for the formulation of Medicago sativa bionoculants, and SmNirK plays a key role in this symbiosis through the denitrification pathway. The structure of SmNirK, solved at a resolution of 2.5 Å, showed a striking resemblance with the overall structure of the well-known Class I NirKs composed of two Greek key β-barrel domains. The activity of SmNirK is ~12% of the activity reported for classical NirKs, which could be attributed to several factors such as subtle structural differences in the secondary proton channel, solvent accessibility of the substrate channel, and that the denitrifying activity has to be finely regulated within the endosymbiont. In vitro kinetics performed in homogenous and heterogeneous media showed that both SmPaz1 and SmPaz2, which are coded in different regions of the genome, donate electrons to SmNirK with similar performance. Even though the energetics of the interprotein electron transfer (ET) process is not favorable with either electron donors, adduct formation mediated by conserved residues allows minimizing the distance between the copper centers involved in the interprotein ET process.}, }
@article {pmid34557283, year = {2021}, author = {Husain, DR and Wardhani, R}, title = {Antibacterial activity of endosymbiotic bacterial compound from Pheretima sp. earthworms inhibit the growth of Salmonella Typhi and Staphylococcus aureus: in vitro and in silico approach.}, journal = {Iranian journal of microbiology}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {537-543}, pmid = {34557283}, issn = {2008-3289}, abstract = {BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Earthworms coexist with various pathogenic microorganisms; thus, their immunity mechanisms have developed through a long process of adaptation, including through endogenous bacterial symbionts. This study aims to identify earthworm endosymbiont bacteria compounds and their antibacterial activity through an in vitro approach supported by an in silico approach.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was conducted using the in vitro inhibition test through agar diffusion and the in silico test using molecular docking applications, namely, PyRx and Way2Drugs Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS).<br><br>RESULTS: The in vitro results showed a potent inhibition activity with a clear zone diameter of 21.75 and 15.5 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhi, respectively. These results are supported by chromatography and in silico tests, which showed that several compounds in endosymbiotic bacteria, cyclo (phenylalanyl-prolyl) and sedanolide, have high binding affinity values with several antibiotic-related target proteins in both pathogenic bacteria. Cyclo (phenylalanyl-prolyl) has the highest binding affinity of -6.0 to dihydropteroate synthase, -8.2 to topoisomerase, and -8.2 to the outer membrane, whereas sedanolide has the highest binding affinity to DNA gyrase with approximately -7.3. This antibiotic activity was also clarified through the Way2Drugs PASS application.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Ten active compounds of endosymbiont bacteria, Cyclo (phenylalanyl-prolyl) and sedanolide were potential candidates for antibacterial compounds based on the inhibition test of the agar diffusion method and the results of reverse docking and Way2Drugs PASS.}, }
@article {pmid34557206, year = {2021}, author = {Jorrin, B and Maluk, M and Atoliya, N and Kumar, SC and Chalasani, D and Tkacz, A and Singh, P and Basu, A and Pullabhotla, SV and Kumar, M and Mohanty, SR and East, AK and Ramachandran, VK and James, EK and Podile, AR and Saxena, AK and Rao, D and Poole, PS}, title = {Genomic Diversity of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) Endosymbionts in India and Selection of Potential Strains for Use as Agricultural Inoculants.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {680981}, pmid = {34557206}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) is a legume crop resilient to climate change due to its tolerance to drought. It is grown by millions of resource-poor farmers in semiarid and tropical subregions of Asia and Africa and is a major contributor to their nutritional food security. Pigeon pea is the sixth most important legume in the world, with India contributing more than 70% of the total production and harbouring a wide variety of cultivars. Nevertheless, the low yield of pigeon pea grown under dry land conditions and its yield instability need to be improved. This may be done by enhancing crop nodulation and, hence, biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by supplying effective symbiotic rhizobia through the application of "elite" inoculants. Therefore, the main aim in this study was the isolation and genomic analysis of effective rhizobial strains potentially adapted to drought conditions. Accordingly, pigeon pea endosymbionts were isolated from different soil types in Southern, Central, and Northern India. After functional characterisation of the isolated strains in terms of their ability to nodulate and promote the growth of pigeon pea, 19 were selected for full genome sequencing, along with eight commercial inoculant strains obtained from the ICRISAT culture collection. The phylogenomic analysis [Average nucleotide identity MUMmer (ANIm)] revealed that the pigeon pea endosymbionts were members of the genera Bradyrhizobium and Ensifer. Based on nodC phylogeny and nod cluster synteny, Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense was revealed as the most common endosymbiont, harbouring nod genes similar to those of Bradyrhizobium cajani and Bradyrhizobium zhanjiangense. This symbiont type (e.g., strain BRP05 from Madhya Pradesh) also outperformed all other strains tested on pigeon pea, with the notable exception of an Ensifer alkalisoli strain from North India (NBAIM29). The results provide the basis for the development of pigeon pea inoculants to increase the yield of this legume through the use of effective nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, tailored for the different agroclimatic regions of India.}, }
@article {pmid34555085, year = {2021}, author = {Lau, MJ and Hoffmann, AA and Endersby-Harshman, NM}, title = {A diagnostic primer pair to distinguish between wMel and wAlbB Wolbachia infections.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {9}, pages = {e0257781}, pmid = {34555085}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Anaplasmataceae Infections/*diagnosis/veterinary ; Animals ; DNA Primers/*genetics ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Wolbachia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Detection of the Wolbachia endosymbiont in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes through real-time polymerase chain reaction assays is widely used during and after Wolbachia releases in dengue reduction trials involving the wMel and wAlbB strains. Although several different primer pairs have been applied in current successful Wolbachia releases, they cannot be used in a single assay to distinguish between these strains. Here, we developed a new diagnostic primer pair, wMwA, which can detect the wMel or wAlbB infection in the same assay. We also tested current Wolbachia primers and show that there is variation in their performance when they are used to assess the relative density of Wolbachia. The new wMwA primers provide an accurate and efficient estimate of the presence and density of both Wolbachia infections, with practical implications for Wolbachia estimates in field collected Ae. aegypti where Wolbachia releases have taken place.}, }
@article {pmid34552138, year = {2021}, author = {Figueroa, RI and Howe-Kerr, LI and Correa, AMS}, title = {Direct evidence of sex and a hypothesis about meiosis in Symbiodiniaceae.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {18838}, pmid = {34552138}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Coral Reefs ; DNA/genetics ; Dinoflagellida/genetics/*physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; *Meiosis/physiology ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Mitosis/physiology ; Recombination, Genetic ; Reproduction ; Zygote/physiology ; }, abstract = {Dinoflagellates in the family Symbiodiniaceae are obligate endosymbionts of diverse marine invertebrates, including corals, and impact the capacity of their hosts to respond to climate change-driven ocean warming. Understanding the conditions under which increased genetic variation in Symbiodiniaceae arises via sexual recombination can support efforts to evolve thermal tolerance in these symbionts and ultimately mitigate coral bleaching, the breakdown of the coral-Symbiodiniaceae partnership under stress. However, direct observations of meiosis in Symbiodiniaceae have not been reported, despite various lines of indirect evidence that it occurs. We present the first cytological evidence of sex in Symbiodiniaceae based on nuclear DNA content and morphology using Image Flow Cytometry, Cell Sorting and Confocal Microscopy. We show the Symbiodiniaceae species, Cladocopium latusorum, undergoes gamete conjugation, zygote formation, and meiosis within a dominant reef-building coral in situ. On average, sex was detected in 1.5% of the cells analyzed (N = 10,000-40,000 cells observed per sample in a total of 20 samples obtained from 3 Pocillopora colonies). We hypothesize that meiosis follows a two-step process described in other dinoflagellates, in which diploid zygotes form dyads during meiosis I, and triads and tetrads as final products of meiosis II. This study sets the stage for investigating environmental triggers of Symbiodiniaceae sexuality and can accelerate the assisted evolution of a key coral symbiont in order to combat reef degradation.}, }
@article {pmid34548405, year = {2021}, author = {Beckmann, JF and Van Vaerenberghe, K and Akwa, DE and Cooper, BS}, title = {A single mutation weakens symbiont-induced reproductive manipulation through reductions in deubiquitylation efficiency.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {118}, number = {39}, pages = {}, pmid = {34548405}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cytoplasm/microbiology/*pathology ; Deubiquitinating Enzymes/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/*microbiology ; Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism/*microbiology ; Female ; Male ; *Mutation ; *Symbiosis ; *Ubiquitination ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Animals interact with microbes that affect their performance and fitness, including endosymbionts that reside inside their cells. Maternally transmitted Wolbachia bacteria are the most common known endosymbionts, in large part because of their manipulation of host reproduction. For example, many Wolbachia cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) that reduces host embryonic viability when Wolbachia-modified sperm fertilize uninfected eggs. Operons termed cifs control CI, and a single factor (cifA) rescues it, providing Wolbachia-infected females a fitness advantage. Despite CI's prevalence in nature, theory indicates that natural selection does not act to maintain CI, which varies widely in strength. Here, we investigate the genetic and functional basis of CI-strength variation observed among sister Wolbachia that infect Drosophila melanogaster subgroup hosts. We cloned, Sanger sequenced, and expressed cif repertoires from weak CI-causing wYak in Drosophila yakuba, revealing mutations suspected to weaken CI relative to model wMel in D. melanogaster A single valine-to-leucine mutation within the deubiquitylating (DUB) domain of the wYak cifB homolog (cidB) ablates a CI-like phenotype in yeast. The same mutation reduces both DUB efficiency in vitro and transgenic CI strength in the fly, each by about twofold. Our results map hypomorphic transgenic CI to reduced DUB activity and indicate that deubiquitylation is central to CI induction in cid systems. We also characterize effects of other genetic variation distinguishing wMel-like cifs Importantly, CI strength determines Wolbachia prevalence in natural systems and directly influences the efficacy of Wolbachia biocontrol strategies in transinfected mosquito systems. These approaches rely on strong CI to reduce human disease.}, }
@article {pmid34547433, year = {2021}, author = {Tang, W and Guo, M and Jiang, X and Xu, H}, title = {Expression, purification, and biochemical characterization of an NAD[+]-dependent homoserine dehydrogenase from the symbiotic Polynucleobacter necessarius subsp. necessarius.}, journal = {Protein expression and purification}, volume = {188}, number = {}, pages = {105977}, doi = {10.1016/j.pep.2021.105977}, pmid = {34547433}, issn = {1096-0279}, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Aspartic Acid/analogs &amp; derivatives/*biosynthesis/metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/biosynthesis/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Burkholderiaceae/chemistry/*enzymology/genetics ; Chromatography, Gel ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism ; Euplotes/microbiology ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors/chemistry/metabolism ; Homoserine/metabolism ; Homoserine Dehydrogenase/biosynthesis/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Kinetics ; Molecular Weight ; NAD/*metabolism ; NADP/metabolism ; Protein Multimerization ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/physiology ; }, abstract = {Homoserine dehydrogenase (HSD), encoded by the hom gene, is a key enzyme in the aspartate pathway, which reversibly catalyzes the conversion of l-aspartate β-semialdehyde to l-homoserine (l-Hse), using either NAD(H) or NADP(H) as a coenzyme. In this work, we presented the first characterization of the HSD from the symbiotic Polynucleobacter necessaries subsp. necessarius (PnHSD) produced in Escherichia coli. Sequence analysis showed that PnHSD is an ACT domain-containing monofunctional HSD with 436 amnio acid residues. SDS-PAGE and Western blot demonstrated that PnHSD could be overexpressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) cell as a soluble form by using SUMO fusion technique. It could be purified to apparent homogeneity for biochemical characterization. Size-exclusion chromatography revealed that the purified PnHSD has a native molecular mass of ∼160 kDa, indicating a homotetrameric structure. The oxidation activity of PnHSD was studied in this work. Kinetic analysis revealed that PnHSD displayed an up to 1460-fold preference for NAD[+] over NADP[+], in contrast to its homologs. The purified PnHSD displayed maximal activity at 35 °C and pH 11. Similar to its NAD[+]-dependent homolog, neither NaCl and KCl activation nor L-Thr inhibition on the enzymatic activity of PnHSD was observed. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the coenzyme specificity of the HSD family and the aspartate pathway of P. necessarius.}, }
@article {pmid34539600, year = {2021}, author = {Price, DRG and Bartley, K and Blake, DP and Karp-Tatham, E and Nunn, F and Burgess, STG and Nisbet, AJ}, title = {A Rickettsiella Endosymbiont Is a Potential Source of Essential B-Vitamins for the Poultry Red Mite, Dermanyssus gallinae.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {695346}, pmid = {34539600}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Many obligate blood-sucking arthropods rely on symbiotic bacteria to provision essential B vitamins that are either missing or at sub-optimal levels in their nutritionally challenging blood diet. The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae, an obligate blood-feeding ectoparasite, is a serious threat to the hen egg industry. Poultry red mite infestation has a major impact on hen health and welfare and causes a significant reduction in both egg quality and production. Thus far, the identity and biological role of nutrient provisioning bacterial mutualists from D. gallinae are little understood. Here, we demonstrate that an obligate intracellular bacterium of the Rickettsiella genus is detected in D. gallinae mites collected from 63 sites (from 15 countries) across Europe. In addition, we report the genome sequence of Rickettsiella from D. gallinae (Rickettsiella - D. gallinae endosymbiont; Rickettsiella DGE). Rickettsiella DGE has a circular 1.89Mbp genome that encodes 1,973 proteins. Phylogenetic analysis confirms the placement of Rickettsiella DGE within the Rickettsiella genus, related to a facultative endosymbiont from the pea aphid and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) from blood feeding ticks. Analysis of the Rickettsiella DGE genome reveals that many protein-coding sequences are either pseudogenized or lost, but Rickettsiella DGE has retained several B vitamin biosynthesis pathways, suggesting the importance of these pathways in evolution of a nutritional symbiosis with D. gallinae. In silico metabolic pathway reconstruction revealed that Rickettsiella DGE is unable to synthesize protein amino acids and, therefore, amino acids are potentially provisioned by the host. In contrast, Rickettsiella DGE retains biosynthetic pathways for B vitamins: thiamine (vitamin B1) via the salvage pathway; riboflavin (vitamin B2) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and the cofactors: flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and coenzyme A (CoA) that likely provision these nutrients to the host.}, }
@article {pmid34533888, year = {2021}, author = {Nagase, H and Watanabe, T and Koshikawa, N and Yamamoto, S and Takenaga, K and Lin, J}, title = {Mitochondria: Endosymbiont bacteria DNA sequence as a target against cancer.}, journal = {Cancer science}, volume = {112}, number = {12}, pages = {4834-4843}, pmid = {34533888}, issn = {1349-7006}, support = {//The Tokyo Biochemical Research Foundation/ ; //the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund/ ; 18ae0101051//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; 21ek0109495//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; 21zf0127001//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; 17H03602//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JP16H01579//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JP20H03540//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JP26290060//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, mesh = {Genome, Mitochondrial/drug effects ; Humans ; Mitochondria/drug effects/*genetics ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Mutation ; Neoplasms/drug therapy/*genetics ; Organophosphorus Compounds/chemistry/*pharmacology/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {As the energy factory for the cell, the mitochondrion, through its role of adenosine triphosphate production by oxidative phosphorylation, can be regarded as the guardian of well regulated cellular metabolism; the integrity of mitochondrial functions, however, is particularly vulnerable in cancer due to the lack of superstructures such as histone and lamina folds to protect the mitochondrial genome from unintended exposure, which consequently elevates risks of mutation. In cancer, mechanisms responsible for enforcing quality control surveillance for identifying and eliminating defective mitochondria are often poorly regulated, and certain uneliminated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and polymorphisms can be advantageous for the proliferation, progression, and metastasis of tumor cells. Such pathogenic mtDNA aberrations are likely to increase and occasionally be homoplasmic in cancer cells and, intriguingly, in normal cells in the proximity of tumor microenvironments as well. Distinct characteristics of these abnormalities in mtDNA may provide a new path for cancer therapy. Here we discuss a promising novel therapeutic strategy, using the sequence-specific properties of pyrrole-imidazole polyamide-triphenylphosphonium conjugates, against cancer for clearing abnormal mtDNA by reactivating mitochondrial quality control surveillance.}, }
@article {pmid34529715, year = {2021}, author = {Son, JH and Weiss, BL and Schneider, DI and Dera, KM and Gstöttenmayer, F and Opiro, R and Echodu, R and Saarman, NP and Attardo, GM and Onyango, M and Abd-Alla, AMM and Aksoy, S}, title = {Infection with endosymbiotic Spiroplasma disrupts tsetse (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) metabolic and reproductive homeostasis.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {17}, number = {9}, pages = {e1009539}, pmid = {34529715}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {D43 TW007391/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI068932/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI139525/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR001863/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/*physiology ; Male ; *Spiroplasma ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Tsetse Flies/*microbiology/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) house a population-dependent assortment of microorganisms that can include pathogenic African trypanosomes and maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria, the latter of which mediate numerous aspects of their host's metabolic, reproductive, and immune physiologies. One of these endosymbionts, Spiroplasma, was recently discovered to reside within multiple tissues of field captured and laboratory colonized tsetse flies grouped in the Palpalis subgenera. In various arthropods, Spiroplasma induces reproductive abnormalities and pathogen protective phenotypes. In tsetse, Spiroplasma infections also induce a protective phenotype by enhancing the fly's resistance to infection with trypanosomes. However, the potential impact of Spiroplasma on tsetse's viviparous reproductive physiology remains unknown. Herein we employed high-throughput RNA sequencing and laboratory-based functional assays to better characterize the association between Spiroplasma and the metabolic and reproductive physiologies of G. fuscipes fuscipes (Gff), a prominent vector of human disease. Using field-captured Gff, we discovered that Spiroplasma infection induces changes of sex-biased gene expression in reproductive tissues that may be critical for tsetse's reproductive fitness. Using a Gff lab line composed of individuals heterogeneously infected with Spiroplasma, we observed that the bacterium and tsetse host compete for finite nutrients, which negatively impact female fecundity by increasing the length of intrauterine larval development. Additionally, we found that when males are infected with Spiroplasma, the motility of their sperm is compromised following transfer to the female spermatheca. As such, Spiroplasma infections appear to adversely impact male reproductive fitness by decreasing the competitiveness of their sperm. Finally, we determined that the bacterium is maternally transmitted to intrauterine larva at a high frequency, while paternal transmission was also noted in a small number of matings. Taken together, our findings indicate that Spiroplasma exerts a negative impact on tsetse fecundity, an outcome that could be exploited for reducing tsetse population size and thus disease transmission.}, }
@article {pmid34529074, year = {2022}, author = {Roeder, AHK and Otegui, MS and Dixit, R and Anderson, CT and Faulkner, C and Zhang, Y and Harrison, MJ and Kirchhelle, C and Goshima, G and Coate, JE and Doyle, JJ and Hamant, O and Sugimoto, K and Dolan, L and Meyer, H and Ehrhardt, DW and Boudaoud, A and Messina, C}, title = {Fifteen compelling open questions in plant cell biology.}, journal = {The Plant cell}, volume = {34}, number = {1}, pages = {72-102}, pmid = {34529074}, issn = {1532-298X}, support = {R01 GM134037/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139552/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Cell Biology ; Plant Cells/*physiology ; Plant Development ; *Plant Physiological Phenomena ; }, abstract = {As scientists, we are at least as excited about the open questions-the things we do not know-as the discoveries. Here, we asked 15 experts to describe the most compelling open questions in plant cell biology. These are their questions: How are organelle identity, domains, and boundaries maintained under the continuous flux of vesicle trafficking and membrane remodeling? Is the plant cortical microtubule cytoskeleton a mechanosensory apparatus? How are the cellular pathways of cell wall synthesis, assembly, modification, and integrity sensing linked in plants? Why do plasmodesmata open and close? Is there retrograde signaling from vacuoles to the nucleus? How do root cells accommodate fungal endosymbionts? What is the role of cell edges in plant morphogenesis? How is the cell division site determined? What are the emergent effects of polyploidy on the biology of the cell, and how are any such "rules" conditioned by cell type? Can mechanical forces trigger new cell fates in plants? How does a single differentiated somatic cell reprogram and gain pluripotency? How does polarity develop de-novo in isolated plant cells? What is the spectrum of cellular functions for membraneless organelles and intrinsically disordered proteins? How do plants deal with internal noise? How does order emerge in cells and propagate to organs and organisms from complex dynamical processes? We hope you find the discussions of these questions thought provoking and inspiring.}, }
@article {pmid34527601, year = {2021}, author = {Altinli, M and Schnettler, E and Sicard, M}, title = {Symbiotic Interactions Between Mosquitoes and Mosquito Viruses.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {694020}, pmid = {34527601}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; *Arboviruses ; *Culicidae ; Female ; Humans ; *Insect Viruses ; Metagenomics ; *Viruses ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes not only transmit human and veterinary pathogens called arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) but also harbor mosquito-associated insect-specific viruses (mosquito viruses) that cannot infect vertebrates. In the past, studies investigating mosquito viruses mainly focused on highly pathogenic interactions that were easier to detect than those without visible symptoms. However, the recent advances in viral metagenomics have highlighted the abundance and diversity of viruses which do not generate mass mortality in host populations. Over the last decade, this has facilitated the rapid growth of virus discovery in mosquitoes. The circumstances around the discovery of mosquito viruses greatly affected how they have been studied so far. While earlier research mainly focused on the pathogenesis caused by DNA and some double-stranded RNA viruses during larval stages, more recently discovered single-stranded RNA mosquito viruses were heavily studied for their putative interference with arboviruses in female adults. Thus, many aspects of mosquito virus interactions with their hosts and host-microbiota are still unknown. In this context, considering mosquito viruses as endosymbionts can help to identify novel research areas, in particular in relation to their long-term interactions with their hosts (e.g. relationships during all life stages, the stability of the associations at evolutionary scales, transmission routes and virulence evolution) and the possible context-dependent range of interactions (i.e. beneficial to antagonistic). Here, we review the symbiotic interactions of mosquito viruses considering different aspects of their ecology, such as transmission, host specificity, host immune system and interactions with other symbionts within the host cellular arena. Finally, we highlight related research gaps in mosquito virus research.}, }
@article {pmid34525331, year = {2021}, author = {Zhong, Z and Zhong, T and Peng, Y and Zhou, X and Wang, Z and Tang, H and Wang, J}, title = {Symbiont-regulated serotonin biosynthesis modulates tick feeding activity.}, journal = {Cell host &amp; microbe}, volume = {29}, number = {10}, pages = {1545-1557.e4}, doi = {10.1016/j.chom.2021.08.011}, pmid = {34525331}, issn = {1934-6069}, mesh = {Animals ; Blood/parasitology ; Coxiella/*physiology ; Feeding Behavior ; Humans ; Serotonin/*biosynthesis ; *Symbiosis ; Ticks/*microbiology/*physiology ; Tryptophan/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods. Blood feeding ensures that ticks obtain nutrients essential for their survival, development, and reproduction while providing routes for pathogen transmission. However, the effectors that determine tick feeding activities remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that reduced abundance of the symbiont Coxiella (CHI) in Haemaphysalis longicornis decreases blood intake. Providing tetracycline-treated ticks with the CHI-derived tryptophan precursor chorismate, tryptophan, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) restores the feeding defect. Mechanistically, CHI-derived chorismate increases tick 5-HT biosynthesis by stimulating the expression of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD), which catalyzes the decarboxylation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) to 5-HT. The increased level of 5-HT in the synganglion and midgut promotes tick feeding. Inhibition of CHI chorismate biosynthesis by treating the colonized tick with the herbicide glyphosate suppresses blood-feeding behavior. Taken together, our results demonstrate an important function of the endosymbiont Coxiella in the regulation of tick 5-HT biosynthesis and feeding.}, }
@article {pmid34525260, year = {2022}, author = {Chen, F and Schenkel, M and Geuverink, E and van de Zande, L and Beukeboom, LW}, title = {Absence of complementary sex determination in two Leptopilina species (Figitidae, Hymenoptera) and a reconsideration of its incompatibility with endosymbiont-induced thelytoky.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {29}, number = {3}, pages = {900-914}, pmid = {34525260}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {824.15.015//Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)/ ; 201506300038//China Scholarship Council/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Diploidy ; Female ; Haploidy ; *Hymenoptera/genetics/microbiology ; Male ; Parthenogenesis ; *Wasps/genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Complementary sex determination (CSD) is a widespread sex determination mechanism in haplodiploid Hymenoptera. Under CSD, sex is determined by the allelic state of one or multiple CSD loci. Heterozygosity at one or more loci leads to female development, whereas hemizygosity of haploid eggs and homozygosity of diploid eggs results in male development. Sexual (arrhenotokous) reproduction normally yields haploid male and diploid female offspring. Under asexual reproduction (thelytoky), diploidized unfertilized eggs develop into females. Thelytoky is often induced by bacterial endosymbionts that achieve egg diploidization by gamete duplication. As gamete duplication leads to complete homozygosity, endosymbiont-induced thelytokous reproduction is presumed to be incompatible with CSD, which relies on heterozygosity for female development. Previously, we excluded CSD in four Asobara (Braconidae) species and proposed a two-step mechanism for Wolbachia-induced thelytoky in Asobara japonica. Here, we conclusively reject CSD in two cynipid wasp species, Leptopilina heterotoma and Leptopilina clavipes. We further show that thelytoky in L. clavipes depends on Wolbachia titer but that diploidization and feminization steps cannot be separated, unlike in A. japonica. We discuss what these results reveal about the sex determination mechanism of L. clavipes and the presumed incompatibility between CSD and endosymbiont-induced thelytoky in the Hymenoptera.}, }
@article {pmid34521754, year = {2021}, author = {Jenkins, BH and Maguire, F and Leonard, G and Eaton, JD and West, S and Housden, BE and Milner, DS and Richards, TA}, title = {Emergent RNA-RNA interactions can promote stability in a facultative phototrophic endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {118}, number = {38}, pages = {}, pmid = {34521754}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; WT107791/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Chlorella/genetics ; Chloroplasts/genetics ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Paramecium/genetics ; Phototrophic Processes/*genetics ; Plastids/genetics ; RNA/*genetics ; RNA Interference/physiology ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Eukaryote-eukaryote endosymbiosis was responsible for the spread of chloroplast (plastid) organelles. Stability is required for the metabolic and genetic integration that drives the establishment of new organelles, yet the mechanisms that act to stabilize emergent endosymbioses-between two fundamentally selfish biological organisms-are unclear. Theory suggests that enforcement mechanisms, which punish misbehavior, may act to stabilize such interactions by resolving conflict. However, how such mechanisms can emerge in a facultative endosymbiosis has yet to be explored. Here, we propose that endosymbiont-host RNA-RNA interactions, arising from digestion of the endosymbiont population, can result in a cost to host growth for breakdown of the endosymbiosis. Using the model facultative endosymbiosis between Paramecium bursaria and Chlorella spp., we demonstrate that this mechanism is dependent on the host RNA-interference (RNAi) system. We reveal through small RNA (sRNA) sequencing that endosymbiont-derived messenger RNA (mRNA) released upon endosymbiont digestion can be processed by the host RNAi system into 23-nt sRNA. We predict multiple regions of shared sequence identity between endosymbiont and host mRNA, and demonstrate through delivery of synthetic endosymbiont sRNA that exposure to these regions can knock down expression of complementary host genes, resulting in a cost to host growth. This process of host gene knockdown in response to endosymbiont-derived RNA processing by host RNAi factors, which we term "RNAi collisions," represents a mechanism that can promote stability in a facultative eukaryote-eukaryote endosymbiosis. Specifically, by imposing a cost for breakdown of the endosymbiosis, endosymbiont-host RNA-RNA interactions may drive maintenance of the symbiosis across fluctuating ecological conditions.}, }
@article {pmid34518054, year = {2021}, author = {Voolstra, CR and Aranda, M and Zhan, Y and Dekker, J}, title = {Symbiodinium microadriaticum (coral microalgal endosymbiont).}, journal = {Trends in genetics : TIG}, volume = {37}, number = {11}, pages = {1044-1045}, doi = {10.1016/j.tig.2021.08.008}, pmid = {34518054}, issn = {0168-9525}, support = {R01 HG003143/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; *Microalgae/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, }
@article {pmid34513731, year = {2021}, author = {Salazar, MM and Pupo, MT and Brown, AMV}, title = {Co-Occurrence of Viruses, Plant Pathogens, and Symbionts in an Underexplored Hemipteran Clade.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {715998}, pmid = {34513731}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; *Bacteriophages ; Phylogeny ; *Plant Viruses ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Interactions between insect symbionts and plant pathogens are dynamic and complex, sometimes involving direct antagonism or synergy and sometimes involving ecological and evolutionary leaps, as insect symbionts transmit through plant tissues or plant pathogens transition to become insect symbionts. Hemipterans such as aphids, whiteflies, psyllids, leafhoppers, and planthoppers are well-studied plant pests that host diverse symbionts and vector plant pathogens. The related hemipteran treehoppers (family Membracidae) are less well-studied but offer a potentially new and diverse array of symbionts and plant pathogenic interactions through their distinct woody plant hosts and ecological interactions with diverse tending hymenopteran taxa. To explore membracid symbiont-pathogen diversity and co-occurrence, this study performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing on 20 samples (16 species) of treehopper, and characterized putative symbionts and pathogens using a combination of rapid blast database searches and phylogenetic analysis of assembled scaffolds and correlation analysis. Among the 8.7 billion base pairs of scaffolds assembled were matches to 9 potential plant pathogens, 12 potential primary and secondary insect endosymbionts, numerous bacteriophages, and other viruses, entomopathogens, and fungi. Notable discoveries include a divergent Brenneria plant pathogen-like organism, several bee-like Bombella and Asaia strains, novel strains of Arsenophonus-like and Sodalis-like symbionts, Ralstonia sp. and Ralstonia-type phages, Serratia sp., and APSE-type phages and bracoviruses. There were several short Phytoplasma and Spiroplasma matches, but there was no indication of plant viruses in these data. Clusters of positively correlated microbes such as yeast-like symbionts and Ralstonia, viruses and Serratia, and APSE phage with parasitoid-type bracoviruses suggest directions for future analyses. Together, results indicate membracids offer a rich palette for future study of symbiont-plant pathogen interactions.}, }
@article {pmid34512702, year = {2021}, author = {Aroney, STN and Poole, PS and Sánchez-Cañizares, C}, title = {Rhizobial Chemotaxis and Motility Systems at Work in the Soil.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {725338}, pmid = {34512702}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Bacteria navigate their way often as individual cells through their chemical and biological environment in aqueous medium or across solid surfaces. They swim when starved or in response to physical and chemical stimuli. Flagella-driven chemotaxis in bacteria has emerged as a paradigm for both signal transduction and cellular decision-making. By altering motility, bacteria swim toward nutrient-rich environments, movement modulated by their chemotaxis systems with the addition of pili for surface movement. The numbers and types of chemoreceptors reflect the bacterial niche and lifestyle, with those adapted to complex environments having diverse metabolic capabilities, encoding far more chemoreceptors in their genomes. The Alpha-proteobacteria typify the latter case, with soil bacteria such as rhizobia, endosymbionts of legume plants, where motility and chemotaxis are essential for competitive symbiosis initiation, among other processes. This review describes the current knowledge of motility and chemotaxis in six model soil bacteria: Sinorhizobium meliloti, Agrobacterium fabacearum, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Azorhizobium caulinodans, Azospirillum brasilense, and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens. Although motility and chemotaxis systems have a conserved core, rhizobia possess several modifications that optimize their movements in soil and root surface environments. The soil provides a unique challenge for microbial mobility, since water pathways through particles are not always continuous, especially in drier conditions. The effectiveness of symbiont inoculants in a field context relies on their mobility and dispersal through the soil, often assisted by water percolation or macroorganism movement or networks. Thus, this review summarizes the factors that make it essential to consider and test rhizobial motility and chemotaxis for any potential inoculant.}, }
@article {pmid34509839, year = {2022}, author = {Sun, Y and Wang, M and Zhong, Z and Chen, H and Wang, H and Zhou, L and Cao, L and Fu, L and Zhang, H and Lian, C and Sun, S and Li, C}, title = {Adaption to hydrogen sulfide-rich environments: Strategies for active detoxification in deep-sea symbiotic mussels, Gigantidas platifrons.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {804}, number = {}, pages = {150054}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150054}, pmid = {34509839}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; *Hydrogen Sulfide ; *Hydrothermal Vents ; *Mytilidae ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The deep-sea mussel Gigantidas platifrons is a representative species that relies on nutrition provided by chemoautotrophic endosymbiotic bacteria to survive in both hydrothermal vent and methane seep environments. However, vent and seep habitats have distinct geochemical features, with vents being more harsh than seeps because of abundant toxic chemical substances, particularly hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Until now, the adaptive strategies of G. platifrons in a heterogeneous environment and their sulfide detoxification mechanisms are still unclear. Herein, we conducted 16S rDNA sequencing and metatranscriptome sequencing of G. platifrons collected from a methane seep at Formosa Ridge in the South China Sea and a hydrothermal vent at Iheya North Knoll in the Mid-Okinawa Trough to provide a model for understanding environmental adaption and sulfide detoxification mechanisms, and a three-day laboratory controlled Na2S stress experiment to test the transcriptomic responses under sulfide stress. The results revealed the active detoxification of sulfide in G. platifrons gills. First, epibiotic Campylobacterota bacteria were more abundant in vent mussels and contributed to environmental adaptation by active oxidation of extracellular H2S. Notably, a key sulfide-oxidizing gene, sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (sqr), derived from the methanotrophic endosymbiont, was significantly upregulated in vent mussels, indicating the oxidization of intracellular sulfide by the endosymbiont. In addition, transcriptomic comparison further suggested that genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial sulfide oxidization pathway played important roles in the sulfide tolerance of the host mussels. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis of Na2S stressed mussels confirmed the upregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and sulfide oxidization genes in response to sulfide exposure. Overall, this study provided a systematic transcriptional analysis of both the active bacterial community members and the host mussels, suggesting that the epibionts, endosymbionts, and mussel host collaborated on sulfide detoxification from extracellular to intracellular space to adapt to harsh H2S-rich environments.}, }
@article {pmid34506949, year = {2022}, author = {Zhang, T and Vd'ačný, P}, title = {Multiple independent losses of cell mouth in phylogenetically distant endosymbiotic lineages of oligohymenophorean ciliates: A lesson from Clausilocola.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {166}, number = {}, pages = {107310}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107310}, pmid = {34506949}, issn = {1095-9513}, mesh = {*Ciliophora/genetics ; Mouth ; *Oligohymenophorea ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {The cell mouth is a property of the vast majority of free-living and endosymbiotic/epibiotic ciliates of the class Oligohymenophorea. Cytostome, however, naturally absents in the whole endosymbiotic subclass Astomatia and was naturally or experimentally lost in a few members of the subclass Hymenostomatia. This poses a question of how homoplastic might be the lack of oral structures in the oligohymenophorean evolution. To address this question, we used two mitochondrial genes, five nuclear markers, and detailed morphological data from an enigmatic mouthless ciliate, Clausilocola apostropha, which we re-discovered after more than half of a century. According to the present phylogenetic analyses, astomy evolved at least three times independently and in different time frames of the oligohymenophorean phylogeny, ranging from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic period. Mouthless endosymbionts inhabiting mollusks (represented by Clausilocola), planarians (Haptophrya), and annelids ('core' astomes) never clustered together. Haptophrya grouped with the scuticociliate genus Conchophthirus, 'core' astomes were placed in a sister position to the scuticociliate orders Philasterida and Pleuronematida, and Clausilocola was robustly nested within the hymenostome family Tetrahymenidae. The tetrahymenid origin of Clausilocola is further corroborated by the existence of mouthless Tetrahymena mutants and the huge phenotypic plasticity in the cytostome size in tetrahymenids.}, }
@article {pmid34504301, year = {2021}, author = {Kiefer, JST and Batsukh, S and Bauer, E and Hirota, B and Weiss, B and Wierz, JC and Fukatsu, T and Kaltenpoth, M and Engl, T}, title = {Author Correction: Inhibition of a nutritional endosymbiont by glyphosate abolishes mutualistic benefit on cuticle synthesis in Oryzaephilus surinamensis.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {1079}, pmid = {34504301}, issn = {2399-3642}, }
@article {pmid34504005, year = {2021}, author = {Büttner, H and Niehs, SP and Vandelannoote, K and Cseresnyés, Z and Dose, B and Richter, I and Gerst, R and Figge, MT and Stinear, TP and Pidot, SJ and Hertweck, C}, title = {Bacterial endosymbionts protect beneficial soil fungus from nematode attack.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {118}, number = {37}, pages = {}, pmid = {34504005}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {P40 OD010440/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anthelmintics/*pharmacology ; Burkholderiaceae/*physiology ; Genomics ; Lactones/*pharmacology ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; *Metagenome ; Mortierella/drug effects/*physiology ; Nematoda/*drug effects/pathogenicity ; Peptide Synthases/genetics/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Soil Microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Fungi of the genus Mortierella occur ubiquitously in soils where they play pivotal roles in carbon cycling, xenobiont degradation, and promoting plant growth. These important fungi are, however, threatened by micropredators such as fungivorous nematodes, and yet little is known about their protective tactics. We report that Mortierella verticillata NRRL 6337 harbors a bacterial endosymbiont that efficiently shields its host from nematode attacks with anthelmintic metabolites. Microscopic investigation and 16S ribosomal DNA analysis revealed that a previously overlooked bacterial symbiont belonging to the genus Mycoavidus dwells in M. verticillata hyphae. Metabolic profiling of the wild-type fungus and a symbiont-free strain obtained by antibiotic treatment as well as genome analyses revealed that highly cytotoxic macrolactones (CJ-12,950 and CJ-13,357, syn necroxime C and D), initially thought to be metabolites of the soil-inhabiting fungus, are actually biosynthesized by the endosymbiont. According to comparative genomics, the symbiont belongs to a new species (Candidatus Mycoavidus necroximicus) with 12% of its 2.2 Mb genome dedicated to natural product biosynthesis, including the modular polyketide-nonribosomal peptide synthetase for necroxime assembly. Using Caenorhabditis elegans and the fungivorous nematode Aphelenchus avenae as test strains, we show that necroximes exert highly potent anthelmintic activities. Effective host protection was demonstrated in cocultures of nematodes with symbiotic and chemically complemented aposymbiotic fungal strains. Image analysis and mathematical quantification of nematode movement enabled evaluation of the potency. Our work describes a relevant role for endofungal bacteria in protecting fungi against mycophagous nematodes.}, }
@article {pmid34495683, year = {2021}, author = {Li, TP and Zha, SS and Zhou, CY and Xia, X and Hoffmann, AA and Hong, XY}, title = {Two Newly Introduced Wolbachia Endosymbionts Induce Cell Host Differences in Competitiveness and Metabolic Responses.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {87}, number = {22}, pages = {e0147921}, pmid = {34495683}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {2016YFC1201200//MOST | National Key Research and Development Program of China (973 Program)/ ; 32020103011//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; }, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/classification/growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia endosymbionts can induce multiple reproductive manipulations in their hosts, with cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) being one of the most common manipulations. Two important agricultural pests, the white-backed planthopper (Sogatella furcifera) and the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), are usually infected with CI-inducing Wolbachia strain wFur and non-CI-inducing Wolbachia strain wLug, respectively. The biological effects of these infections when present in a host cell are unknown. Here, we introduced the two Wolbachia strains into an Aedes albopictus cell line to stably establish a wFur-infected cell line (WFI) and a wLug-infected cell line (WLI). In a mixed culture, WFI cells were completely replaced by WLI cells, pointing to a stronger competitiveness of the WLI cell line. We found that infection by both Wolbachia strains reduced cell growth rates, but WLI had a higher cell growth rate than WFI, and this difference in cell growth rate combined with possible Wolbachia differences in diffusivity may have affected cell competitiveness. By examining gene expression and metabolites in the two lines, we found that some genes and key metabolites responded to differences in cell competitiveness. These results point to potential mechanisms that could contribute to the relative performance of hosts infected by these strains and also highlight the substantial impact of a non-CI Wolbachia on metabolism, which may in turn influence the fitness of its native host. IMPORTANCEWolbachia transinfection in insects can be used to suppress pests and block virus transmission. We stably introduced two Wolbachia strains from rice planthoppers into cell lines of an important arbovirus mosquito vector, Aedes albopictus. The levels of competitiveness of host cells from the lines infected by the two Wolbachia strains were different, as were metabolic responses of the cell lines. These results suggest potential metabolic effects of Wolbachia on native hosts that could be exploited when they are transinfected into novel hosts for pest control.}, }
@article {pmid34488648, year = {2021}, author = {Prazeres, M and Roberts, TE and Ramadhani, SF and Doo, SS and Schmidt, C and Stuhr, M and Renema, W}, title = {Diversity and flexibility of algal symbiont community in globally distributed larger benthic foraminifera of the genus Amphistegina.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {243}, pmid = {34488648}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Coral Reefs ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Diatoms/genetics ; *Ecosystem ; Foraminifera/classification/*genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Oceans and Seas ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Understanding the specificity and flexibility of the algal symbiosis-host association is fundamental for predicting how species occupy a diverse range of habitats. Here we assessed the algal symbiosis diversity of three species of larger benthic foraminifera from the genus Amphistegina and investigated the role of habitat and species identity in shaping the associated algal community.<br><br>RESULTS: We used next-generation sequencing to identify the associated algal community, and DNA barcoding to identify the diatom endosymbionts associated with species of A. lobifera, A. lessonii, and A. radiata, collected from shallow habitats (<&#x2009;15&#x2009;m) in 16 sites, ranging from the Mediterranean Sea to French Polynesia. Next-generation sequencing results showed the consistent presence of Ochrophyta as the main algal phylum associated with all species and sites analysed. A significant proportion of phylotypes were classified as Chlorophyta and Myzozoa. We uncovered unprecedented diversity of algal phylotypes found in low abundance, especially of the class Bacillariophyta (i.e., diatoms). We found a significant influence of sites rather than host identity in shaping algal communities in all species. DNA barcoding revealed the consistent presence of phylotypes classified within the order Fragilariales as the diatoms associated with A. lobifera and A. lessonii, while A. radiata specimens host predominately diatoms of the order Triceratiales.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We show that local habitat is the main factor influencing the overall composition of the algal symbiont community. However, host identity and the phylogenetic relationship among hosts is relevant in shaping the specific endosymbiont diatom community, suggesting that the relationship between diatom endosymbiont and hosts plays a crucial role in the evolutionary history of the genus Amphistegina. The capacity of Amphistegina species to associate with a diverse array of diatoms, and possibly other algal groups, likely underpins the ecological success of these crucial calcifying organisms across their extensive geographic range.}, }
@article {pmid34488624, year = {2021}, author = {Urban, JM and Foulk, MS and Bliss, JE and Coleman, CM and Lu, N and Mazloom, R and Brown, SJ and Spradling, AC and Gerbi, SA}, title = {High contiguity de novo genome assembly and DNA modification analyses for the fungus fly, Sciara coprophila, using single-molecule sequencing.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {643}, pmid = {34488624}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {P20 GM103418/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32-GM 007601/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM121455/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; GM121455/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {DNA ; Female ; Fungi ; *High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Male ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *X Chromosome ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The lower Dipteran fungus fly, Sciara coprophila, has many unique biological features that challenge the rule of genome DNA constancy. For example, Sciara undergoes paternal chromosome elimination and maternal X chromosome nondisjunction during spermatogenesis, paternal X elimination during embryogenesis, intrachromosomal DNA amplification of DNA puff loci during larval development, and germline-limited chromosome elimination from all somatic cells. Paternal chromosome elimination in Sciara was the first observation of imprinting, though the mechanism remains a mystery. Here, we present the first draft genome sequence for Sciara coprophila to take a large step forward in addressing these features.<br><br>RESULTS: We assembled the Sciara genome using PacBio, Nanopore, and Illumina sequencing. To find an optimal assembly using these datasets, we generated 44 short-read and 50 long-read assemblies. We ranked assemblies using 27 metrics assessing contiguity, gene content, and dataset concordance. The highest-ranking assemblies were scaffolded using BioNano optical maps. RNA-seq datasets from multiple life stages and both sexes facilitated genome annotation. A set of 66 metrics was used to select the first draft assembly for Sciara. Nearly half of the Sciara genome sequence was anchored into chromosomes, and all scaffolds were classified as X-linked or autosomal by coverage.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We determined that X-linked genes in Sciara males undergo dosage compensation. An entire bacterial genome from the Rickettsia genus, a group known to be endosymbionts in insects, was co-assembled with the Sciara genome, opening the possibility that Rickettsia may function in sex determination in Sciara. Finally, the signal level of the PacBio and Nanopore data support the presence of cytosine and adenine modifications in the Sciara genome, consistent with a possible role in imprinting.}, }
@article {pmid34479645, year = {2021}, author = {Zhou, K and Xu, Y and Zhang, R and Qian, PY}, title = {Arms race in a cell: genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic insights into intracellular phage-bacteria interplay in deep-sea snail holobionts.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {182}, pmid = {34479645}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Bacteriophages/genetics ; Genomics ; Proteomics ; Snails ; Transcriptome/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Deep-sea animals in hydrothermal vents often form endosymbioses with chemosynthetic bacteria. Endosymbionts serve essential biochemical and ecological functions, but the prokaryotic viruses (phages) that determine their fate are unknown.<br><br>RESULTS: We conducted metagenomic analysis of a deep-sea vent snail. We assembled four genome bins for Caudovirales phages that had developed dual endosymbiosis with sulphur-oxidising bacteria (SOB) and methane-oxidising bacteria (MOB). Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) spacer mapping, genome comparison, and transcriptomic profiling revealed that phages Bin1, Bin2, and Bin4 infected SOB and MOB. The observation of prophages in the snail endosymbionts and expression of the phage integrase gene suggested the presence of lysogenic infection, and the expression of phage structural protein and lysozyme genes indicated active lytic infection. Furthermore, SOB and MOB appear to employ adaptive CRISPR-Cas systems to target phage DNA. Additional expressed defence systems, such as innate restriction-modification systems and dormancy-inducing toxin-antitoxin systems, may co-function and form multiple lines for anti-viral defence. To counter host defence, phages Bin1, Bin2, and Bin3 appear to have evolved anti-restriction mechanisms and expressed methyltransferase genes that potentially counterbalance host restriction activity. In addition, the high-level expression of the auxiliary metabolic genes narGH, which encode nitrate reductase subunits, may promote ATP production, thereby benefiting phage DNA packaging for replication.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new insights into phage-bacteria interplay in intracellular environments of a deep-sea vent snail. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid34475861, year = {2021}, author = {Mosquera, KD and Martinez Villegas, LE and Pidot, SJ and Sharif, C and Klimpel, S and Stinear, TP and Moreira, LA and Tobias, NJ and Lorenzo, MG}, title = {Multi-Omic Analysis of Symbiotic Bacteria Associated With Aedes aegypti Breeding Sites.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {703711}, pmid = {34475861}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {MR/N017455/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Mosquito breeding sites are complex aquatic environments with wide microbial diversity and physicochemical parameters that can change over time during the development of immature insect stages. Changes in biotic and abiotic conditions in water can alter life-history traits of adult mosquitos but this area remains understudied. Here, using microbial genomic and metabolomics analyses, we explored the metabolites associated with Aedes aegypti breeding sites as well as the potential contribution of Klebsiella sp., symbiotic bacteria highly associated with mosquitoes. We sought to address whether breeding sites have a signature metabolic profile and understand the metabolite contribution of the bacteria in the aquatic niches where Ae. aegypti larvae develop. An analysis of 32 mosquito-associated bacterial genomes, including Klebsiella, allowed us to identify gene clusters involved in primary metabolic pathways. From them, we inferred metabolites that could impact larval development (e.g., spermidine), as well as influence the quality assessment of a breeding site by a gravid female (e.g., putrescine), if produced by bacteria in the water. We also detected significant variance in metabolite presence profiles between water samples representing a decoupled oviposition event (oviposition by single females and manually deposited eggs) versus a control where no mosquito interactions occurred (PERMANOVA: p < 0.05; R [2] = 24.64% and R [2] = 30.07%). Five Klebsiella metabolites were exclusively linked to water samples where oviposition and development occurred. These data suggest metabolomics can be applied to identify compounds potentially used by female Ae. aegypti to evaluate the quality of a breeding site. Elucidating the physiological mechanisms by which the females could integrate these sensory cues while ovipositing constitutes a growing field of interest, which could benefit from a more depurated list of candidate molecules.}, }
@article {pmid34474788, year = {2021}, author = {Krishnamoorthy, P and Sudhagar, S and Goudar, AL and Jacob, SS and Suresh, KP}, title = {Molecular survey and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne pathogens in ticks infesting cattle from two South Indian states.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports}, volume = {25}, number = {}, pages = {100595}, doi = {10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100595}, pmid = {34474788}, issn = {2405-9390}, mesh = {Animals ; Cattle ; *Cattle Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology ; India/epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; *Rhipicephalus/microbiology ; *Tick Infestations/epidemiology/veterinary ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary ; }, abstract = {In this study, the molecular survey of cattle ticks and tick-borne pathogens in various agroclimatic zones in Karnataka and Kerala states, India, and phylogenetic analysis of gene sequences were accomplished. Overall, 240 pooled tick DNA samples from two states were used for the identification of three tick genera and nine tick-borne pathogens by using the PCR method and sequencing. The distribution of Haemaphysalis (Ha.), Hyalomma (Hy.), and Rhipicephalus (R.) species were 5.0, 17.5, and 65.8% in Karnataka and 5.8, 11.7, and 65.0% in Kerala, respectively. The prevalence of Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis, Rickettsia species, and Trypanosoma evansi was 8.3, 0.8, 6.7, and 0.0% in Karnataka and 14.2, 0.0, 8.3, and 8.3% in Kerala, respectively. The pooled tick DNA samples were negative for Bartonella species, Borrelia species, Coxiella burnetti, Pasteurella multocida, and Theileria species. The season-wise analysis revealed a high occurrence of Ha. species in all seasons except for post-monsoon, Hy. and Rhipicephalus species in monsoon season in Karnataka, and all three tick genera were present in monsoon season in Kerala. The sequence analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene facilitated the identification of tick species namely, Ha. bispinosa, Ha. japonica, Hy. excavatum, R. annulatus, R. decoloratus, R. microplus, and R. sanguineus. The Rhipicephalus species was a major tick in these two states, and Rickettsia endosymbiont and Trypanosoma evansi in tick were detected in this study. This study represents the first report about the presence of Rickettsia massiliae in Ha. bispinosa in Karnataka and Trypanosoma evansi in R. species in Kerala. Phylogenetic analysis revealed sequence homology between the different isolates from India and neighbouring countries. Thus, the study provides key information on the distribution of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of cattle in Karnataka and Kerala, which will aid in developing and strategizing effective control measures.}, }
@article {pmid34470970, year = {2022}, author = {Sasaki, T and Moi, ML and Saito, K and Isawa, H and Takasaki, T and Sawabe, K}, title = {Aedes albopictus Strain and Dengue Virus Serotype in the Dengue Fever Outbreaks in Japan: Implications of Wolbachia Infection.}, journal = {Japanese journal of infectious diseases}, volume = {75}, number = {2}, pages = {140-143}, doi = {10.7883/yoken.JJID.2021.376}, pmid = {34470970}, issn = {1884-2836}, mesh = {*Aedes/genetics/virology ; Anaplasmataceae Infections/microbiology/virology ; Animals ; *Dengue/epidemiology/immunology/virology ; *Dengue Virus/genetics/immunology ; *Disease Outbreaks ; Disease Susceptibility ; Japan/epidemiology ; Serogroup ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics/virology ; }, abstract = {From August 27 to October 15, 2014, a dengue fever outbreak with 158 autochthonous cases occurred after nearly 70 years of no reports of autochthonous cases in Japan. The most competent mosquito vector for dengue virus (DENV) transmission in Japan is Aedes albopictus. Since A. albopictus is widely distributed throughout Japan, we examined the susceptibility of this species to infection by DENV and the relationship of the endosymbiont Wolbachia (wAlbA and wAlbB) with susceptibility to DENV. The A. albopictus YYG strain, collected from the Yoyogi Park in 2014, the epicenter of the dengue fever outbreak, was found to have lower susceptibility to DENV 1 and 3 than that of the indigenous Japanese strains A. albopictus EBN 201808 (F1 from the field) and A. albopictus ISG 201603. Furthermore, the A. albopictus EBN 201808 strain showed the same susceptibility to DENV3 as the A. albopictus ISG 201603tet strain (Wolbachia-free). Susceptibility to DENV3 was not related to Wolbachia strains wAlbA or wAlbB in the A. albopictus ISG 201603 strain.}, }
@article {pmid34466651, year = {2021}, author = {Pupić-Bakrač, A and Pupić-Bakrač, J and Beck, A and Jurković, D and Polkinghorne, A and Beck, R}, title = {Dirofilaria repens microfilaremia in humans: Case description and literature review.}, journal = {One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands)}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {100306}, pmid = {34466651}, issn = {2352-7714}, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Dirofilaria repens is a vector-borne filaroid helminth of carnivorous animals, primarily domesticated dogs. Humans are considered to be accidental hosts in which D. repens rarely reach sexual maturity but induce local inflammation, mainly in subcutaneous and ocular tissues.<br><br>METHODS: In the current study, we present the detection of multiple adults of D. repens, endosymbiont Wolbachia sp. and microfilariae by molecular analysis in peripheral tissues and bloodstream of a human host. A subsequent meta-analysis of published literature identified 21 cases of human infection with adult D. repens producing microfilariae.<br><br>RESULTS: Within the study population, there were 13 (59.09%) males, eight (36.36%) females and, in one (4.55%) case, sex was not reported. A total of 11 (50.00%) cases had subcutaneous dirofilariasis, six (27.27%) had ocular dirofiliariasis, with single cases (4.55% each) of genital, mammary, lymphatic and a combination of subcutaneous and pulmonary dirofilariasis described. In one (4.55%) case, the primary anatomical site of adult D. repens could not be found. D. repens microfilariae were detected in the local tissue (local microfilariasis) in 11 (50.00%) cases and the peripheral blood (microfilaremia) in 11 (50.50%) cases. Final identification of D. repens microfilariae was based on morphological detection in 14 (63.64%) cases, and molecular detection in eight (36.36%) cases.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that humans may act as a final host for D. repens, however its role as a source of D. repens infection is less clear.}, }
@article {pmid34463330, year = {2021}, author = {Álvarez-Lagazzi, AP and Cabrera, N and Francis, F and Ramírez, CC}, title = {Bacillus subtilis (Bacillales, Bacillaceae) Spores Affect Survival and Population Growth in the Grain Aphid Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera, Aphididae) in Relation to the Presence of the Facultative Bacterial Endosymbiont Regiella insecticola (Enterobacteriales, Enterobacteriaceae).}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {114}, number = {5}, pages = {2043-2050}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toab164}, pmid = {34463330}, issn = {1938-291X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; *Bacillaceae ; *Bacillales ; Bacillus subtilis ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Population Growth ; Spores, Bacterial ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The grain aphid Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) is one of the most important cereal pests, damaging crops through sap sucking and virus transmission. Sitobion avenae harbors the secondary endosymbiont Regiella insecticola, which is highly prevalent in populations in south-central Chile and other regions of the world. In order to develop ecological alternatives for biological control, we studied the effect of applying the spores of a strain of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis on the survival and fecundity of the most prevalent genotype of S. avenae in central Chile. The strain selected was one that in previous studies had shown the ability to outcompete other bacteria. Using clones of this aphid genotype infected and uninfected with R. insecticola, we found that applying B. subtilis spores through artificial diets and spraying on leaves decreased both adult survival and nymph production. The detection of spores within the aphid body was negatively correlated with nymph production and was lower in the presence of R. insecticola when applied in diets. B. subtilis spores applied on leaves reduced the number of aphids, an effect that was stronger on aphids harboring R. insecticola. A possible interaction between endosymbiotic bacteria and bacterial antagonists within the aphid body is discussed.}, }
@article {pmid34455644, year = {2022}, author = {Bruzzese, DJ and Schuler, H and Wolfe, TM and Glover, MM and Mastroni, JV and Doellman, MM and Tait, C and Yee, WL and Rull, J and Aluja, M and Hood, GR and Goughnour, RB and Stauffer, C and Nosil, P and Feder, JL}, title = {Testing the potential contribution of Wolbachia to speciation when cytoplasmic incompatibility becomes associated with host-related reproductive isolation.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {31}, number = {10}, pages = {2935-2950}, pmid = {34455644}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {J 3527/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 31441/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cytoplasm/genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Drosophila/genetics ; Male ; Reproductive Isolation ; *Tephritidae/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiont-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) may play an important role in arthropod speciation. However, whether CI consistently becomes associated or coupled with other host-related forms of reproductive isolation (RI) to impede the transfer of endosymbionts between hybridizing populations and further the divergence process remains an open question. Here, we show that varying degrees of pre- and postmating RI exist among allopatric populations of two interbreeding cherry-infesting tephritid fruit flies (Rhagoletis cingulata and R. indifferens) across North America. These flies display allochronic and sexual isolation among populations, as well as unidirectional reductions in egg hatch in hybrid crosses involving southwestern USA males. All populations are infected by a Wolbachia strain, wCin2, whereas a second strain, wCin3, only co-infects flies from the southwest USA and Mexico. Strain wCin3 is associated with a unique mitochondrial DNA haplotype and unidirectional postmating RI, implicating the strain as the cause of CI. When coupled with nonendosymbiont RI barriers, we estimate the strength of CI associated with wCin3 would not prevent the strain from introgressing from infected southwestern to uninfected populations elsewhere in the USA if populations were to come into secondary contact and hybridize. In contrast, cytoplasmic-nuclear coupling may impede the transfer of wCin3 if Mexican and USA populations were to come into contact. We discuss our results in the context of the general paucity of examples demonstrating stable Wolbachia hybrid zones and whether the spread of Wolbachia among taxa can be constrained in natural hybrid zones long enough for the endosymbiont to participate in speciation.}, }
@article {pmid34451405, year = {2021}, author = {Kisten, D and Brinkerhoff, J and Tshilwane, SI and Mukaratirwa, S}, title = {A Pilot Study on the Microbiome of Amblyomma hebraeum Tick Stages Infected and Non-Infected with Rickettsia africae.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {34451405}, issn = {2076-0817}, abstract = {Variation in tick microbiota may affect pathogen acquisition and transmission but for many vector species, including Amblyomma hebraeum, components and determinants of the microbiome are unidentified. This pilot study aimed to determine baseline microbial community within A. hebraeum nymphs infected- and non-infected with Rickettsia africae from the environment, and within adult ticks infected- and non-infected with R. africae collected from cattle sampled from two locations in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Adult A. hebraeum ticks (N = 13) and A. hebraeum nymph (N = 15) preliminary screened for R. africae were randomly selected and subjected to Illumina sequencing targeting the v3-v4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. No significant difference in microbial community composition, as well as rarefied OTU richness and diversity were detected between adults and nymphs. Nymphs showed a higher richness of bacterial taxa indicating blood-feeding could have resulted in loss of microbial diversity during the moulting stage from nymph to adult. Core OTUs that were in at least 50% of nymphs and adults negative and positive for Rickettsia at 1% minimum relative abundance were Rickettsia, Coxiella and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 with a single genus Arsenophonus occurring only in nymphs negative for Rickettsia. Ehrlichia spp. was present in only four nymphal ticks positive for Rickettsia. Interestingly, Rickettsia&amp;nbsp;aeschlimannii was found in one nymph and one adult, indicating the first ever detection of the species in A. hebraeum. Furthermore, A. hebraeum harboured a Coxiella-like endosymbiont, which should be investigated further as Coxiella may affect the viability and transmission of other organisms.}, }
@article {pmid34450656, year = {2021}, author = {Verster, KI and Tarnopol, RL and Akalu, SM and Whiteman, NK}, title = {Horizontal Transfer of Microbial Toxin Genes to Gall Midge Genomes.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {34450656}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {R35 GM119816/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 GM132022/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; *Diptera/genetics ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genome ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {A growing body of evidence has underscored the role of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in animal evolution. Previously, we discovered the horizontal transfer of the gene encoding the eukaryotic genotoxin cytolethal distending toxin B (cdtB) from the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum secondary endosymbiont (APSE) phages to drosophilid and aphid nuclear genomes. Here, we report cdtB in the nuclear genome of the gall-forming "swede midge" Contarinia nasturtii (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) via HGT. We searched all available gall midge genome sequences for evidence of APSE-to-insect HGT events and found five toxin genes (aip56, cdtB, lysozyme, rhs, and sltxB) transferred horizontally to cecidomyiid nuclear genomes. Surprisingly, phylogenetic analyses of HGT candidates indicated APSE phages were often not the ancestral donor lineage of the toxin gene to cecidomyiids. We used a phylogenetic signal statistic to test a transfer-by-proximity hypothesis for animal HGT, which suggested that microbe-to-insect HGT was more likely between taxa that share environments than those from different environments. Many of the toxins we found in midge genomes target eukaryotic cells, and catalytic residues important for toxin function are conserved in insect copies. This class of horizontally transferred, eukaryotic cell-targeting genes is potentially important in insect adaptation.}, }
@article {pmid34448004, year = {2021}, author = {Cruz, LNPD and Carvalho-Costa, LF and Rebêlo, JMM}, title = {Molecular Evidence Suggests That Wolbachia pipientis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) is Widely Associated With South American Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae).}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {58}, number = {6}, pages = {2186-2195}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjab130}, pmid = {34448004}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Animals ; Brazil ; DNA, Bacterial/analysis ; Psychodidae/*physiology ; Wolbachia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis (Hertig) is an endosymbiotic microorganism widespread among arthropods and other invertebrate hosts, and employed in strategies to reduce the incidence of arthropod-borne diseases. Here, we used a PCR-based approach for 16S RNA and wsp genes to investigate the prevalence, geographical distribution, and strains of Wolbachia in sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), the main vectors of the causative agents of leishmaniasis, from three biomes in Brazil: Amazon, Cerrado, and Caatinga. We found that: 1) Wolbachia DNA is present in most (66.7%) of the sampled sand fly species, including vectors of Leishmania spp. (Ross, Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae), 2) the prevalence of Wolbachia DNA varies among species and populations, 3) some strains of Wolbachia may have wider geographical and host range in South America, and 4) two phylogenetic distinct wsp sequences might represent two novel strains for Wolbachia in South America sand flies. Those findings increase the basic knowledge about Wolbachia in South American sand flies and might foster further researches on its use to reduce the transmission of sand fly-borne parasites.}, }
@article {pmid34446060, year = {2021}, author = {Bergman, A and Hesson, JC}, title = {Wolbachia prevalence in the vector species Culex pipiens and Culex torrentium in a Sindbis virus-endemic region of Sweden.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {428}, pmid = {34446060}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {874735//Horizon 2020/ ; }, mesh = {Alphavirus Infections/*epidemiology/virology ; Animals ; Culex/classification/*microbiology ; Endemic Diseases ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology ; Prevalence ; Sindbis Virus/physiology ; Sweden/epidemiology ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia pipientis are endosymbiotic bacteria present in a large proportion of terrestrial arthropods. The species is known to sometimes affect the ability of its host to transmit vector-borne pathogens. Central Sweden is endemic for Sindbis virus (SINV), where it is mainly transmitted by the vector species Culex pipiens and Culex torrentium, with the latter established as the main vector. In this study we investigated the Wolbachia prevalence in these two vector species in a region highly endemic for SINV.<br><br>METHODS: Culex mosquitoes were collected using CDC light traps baited with carbon dioxide over 9 years at 50 collection sites across the River Dal&#xe4;lven floodplains in central Sweden. Mosquito genus was determined morphologically, while a molecular method was used for reliable species determination. The presence of Wolbachia was determined through PCR using general primers targeting the wsp gene and sequencing of selected samples.<br><br>RESULTS: In total, 676 Cx. pipiens and 293 Cx. torrentium were tested for Wolbachia. The prevalence of Wolbachia in Cx. pipiens was 97% (95% CI 94.8-97.6%), while only 0.7% (95% CI 0.19-2.45%) in Cx. torrentium. The two Cx. torrentium mosquitoes that were infected with Wolbachia carried different types of the bacteria.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The main vector of SINV in the investigated endemic region, Cx. torrentium, was seldom infected with Wolbachia, while it was highly prevalent in the secondary vector, Cx. pipiens. The presence of Wolbachia could potentially have an impact on the vector competence of these two species. Furthermore, the detection of Wolbachia in Cx. torrentium could indicate horizontal transmission of the endosymbiont between arthropods of different species.}, }
@article {pmid34442816, year = {2021}, author = {Osuna-Mascaró, C and Doña, J and Johnson, KP and de Rojas, M}, title = {Genome-Resolved Metagenomic Analyses Reveal the Presence of a Putative Bacterial Endosymbiont in an Avian Nasal Mite (Rhinonyssidae; Mesostigmata).}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {9}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {34442816}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {V//V Plan Propio de Investigaci&#xf3;n of the University of Seville, Spain/ ; DEB-1926919//NSF/ ; DEB-1925487//NSF/ ; }, abstract = {Rhinonyssidae (Mesostigmata) is a family of nasal mites only found in birds. All species are hematophagous endoparasites, which may damage the nasal cavities of birds, and also could be potential reservoirs or vectors of other infections. However, the role of members of Rhinonyssidae as disease vectors in wild bird populations remains uninvestigated, with studies of the microbiomes of Rhinonyssidae being almost non-existent. In the nasal mite (Tinaminyssus melloi) from rock doves (Columba livia), a previous study found evidence of a highly abundant putatively endosymbiotic bacteria from Class Alphaproteobacteria. Here, we expanded the sample size of this species (two different hosts- ten nasal mites from two independent samples per host), incorporated contamination controls, and increased sequencing depth in shotgun sequencing and genome-resolved metagenomic analyses. Our goal was to increase the information regarding this mite species and its putative endosymbiont. We obtained a metagenome assembled genome (MAG) that was estimated to be 98.1% complete and containing only 0.9% possible contamination. Moreover, the MAG has characteristics typical of endosymbionts (namely, small genome size an AT bias). Overall, our results support the presence of a potential endosymbiont, which is the first described for avian nasal mites to date, and improve the overall understanding of the microbiota inhabiting these mites.}, }
@article {pmid34442312, year = {2021}, author = {Barman, M and Samanta, S and Thakur, H and Chakraborty, S and Samanta, A and Ghosh, A and Tarafdar, J}, title = {Effect of Neonicotinoids on Bacterial Symbionts and Insecticide-Resistant Gene in Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {34442312}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a major threat to field and horticultural crops worldwide. Persistent use of insecticides for the management of this pest is a lingering problem. In the present study, the status of sensitivity of B. tabaci to two neonicotinoids, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, was evaluated. The expression pattern of two cytochrome P450 (cyp) genes and changes in the relative amount of symbionts in insecticide-treated B. tabaci were also assessed. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) studies indicate that the CYP6CM1 and CYP6CX1 genes were always expressed higher in imidacloprid-treated whitefly, suggesting a correlation between gene expression and the insect's ability to detoxify toxic compounds such as insecticides. In addition, the thiamethoxam-treated population harbored higher Portiera and lower Rickettsia titers, whereas the imidacloprid-treated population harbored more Rickettsia at different time intervals. Interestingly, we also examined that an increase in exposure to both the insecticides resulted in a reduction in the mutualistic partners from their insect host. These differential responses of endosymbionts to insecticide exposure imply the complex interactions among the symbionts inside the host insect. The results also provide a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism of resistance development that might be useful for formulating effective management strategies to control B. tabaci by manipulating symbionts and detoxifying genes.}, }
@article {pmid34438657, year = {2021}, author = {Silva, RXG and Cartaxana, P and Calado, R}, title = {Prevalence and Photobiology of Photosynthetic Dinoflagellate Endosymbionts in the Nudibranch Berghia stephanieae.}, journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI}, volume = {11}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {34438657}, issn = {2076-2615}, support = {UIDP/50017/2020//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e a Tecnologia/ ; UIDB/50017/2020//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e a Tecnologia/ ; CEECIND/01434/2018//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e a Tecnologia/ ; }, abstract = {Berghia stephanieae is a stenophagous sea slug that preys upon glass anemones, such as Exaiptasia diaphana. Glass anemones host photosynthetic dinoflagellate endosymbionts that sea slugs ingest when consuming E. diaphana. However, the prevalence of these photosynthetic dinoflagellate endosymbionts in sea slugs appears to be short-lived, particularly if B.stephanieae is deprived of prey that host these microalgae (e.g., during bleaching events impacting glass anemones). In the present study, we investigated this scenario, along with food deprivation, and validated the use of a non-invasive and non-destructive approach employing chlorophyll fluorescence as a proxy to monitor the persistence of the association between sea slugs and endosymbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates acquired through the consumption of glass anemones. Berghia stephanieae deprived of a trophic source hosting photosynthetic dinoflagellate endosymbionts (e.g., through food deprivation or by feeding on bleached E. diaphana) showed a rapid decrease in minimum fluorescence (Fo) and photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) when compared to sea slugs fed with symbiotic anemones. A complete loss of endosymbionts was observed within 8 days, confirming that no true symbiotic association was established. The present work opens a new window of opportunity to rapidly monitor in vivo and over time the prevalence of associations between sea slugs and photosynthetic dinoflagellate endosymbionts, particularly during bleaching events that prevent sea slugs from incorporating new microalgae through trophic interactions.}, }
@article {pmid34436602, year = {2021}, author = {Petrů, M and Dohnálek, V and Füssy, Z and Doležal, P}, title = {Fates of Sec, Tat, and YidC Translocases in Mitochondria and Other Eukaryotic Compartments.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {38}, number = {12}, pages = {5241-5254}, pmid = {34436602}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {*Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics ; *Eukaryota/genetics/metabolism ; Evolution, Molecular ; Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Mitochondria/genetics/metabolism ; Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Protein Transport ; }, abstract = {Formation of mitochondria by the conversion of a bacterial endosymbiont was a key moment in the evolution of eukaryotes. It was made possible by outsourcing the endosymbiont's genetic control to the host nucleus, while developing the import machinery for proteins synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes. The original protein export machines of the nascent organelle remained to be repurposed or were completely abandoned. This review follows the evolutionary fates of three prokaryotic inner membrane translocases Sec, Tat, and YidC. Homologs of all three translocases can still be found in current mitochondria, but with different importance for mitochondrial function. Although the mitochondrial YidC homolog, Oxa1, became an omnipresent independent insertase, the other two remained only sporadically present in mitochondria. Only a single substrate is known for the mitochondrial Tat and no function has yet been assigned for the mitochondrial Sec. Finally, this review compares these ancestral mitochondrial proteins with their paralogs operating in the plastids and the endomembrane system.}, }
@article {pmid34429360, year = {2021}, author = {Perreau, J and Zhang, B and Maeda, GP and Kirkpatrick, M and Moran, NA}, title = {Strong within-host selection in a maternally inherited obligate symbiont: Buchnera and aphids.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {118}, number = {35}, pages = {}, pmid = {34429360}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {R01 GM116853/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/genetics/*microbiology ; Buchnera/*physiology ; *Genetic Drift ; Genome ; *Haplotypes ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; *Maternal Inheritance ; Phylogeny ; Reproduction ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Numerous animal lineages have maternally inherited symbionts that are required for host reproduction and growth. Endosymbionts also pose a risk to their hosts because of the mutational decay of their genomes through genetic drift or to selfish mutations that favor symbiont fitness over host fitness. One model for heritable endosymbiosis is the association of aphids with their obligate bacterial symbiont, Buchnera We experimentally established heteroplasmic pea aphid matrilines containing pairs of closely related Buchnera haplotypes and used deep sequencing of diagnostic markers to measure haplotype frequencies in successive host generations. These frequencies were used to estimate the effective population size of Buchnera within hosts (i.e., the transmission bottleneck size) and the extent of within-host selection. The within-host effective population size was in the range of 10 to 20, indicating a strong potential for genetic drift and fixation of deleterious mutations. Remarkably, closely related haplotypes were subject to strong within-host selection, with selection coefficients as high as 0.5 per aphid generation. In one case, the direction of selection depended on the thermal environment and went in the same direction as between-host selection. In another, a new mutant haplotype had a strong within-host advantage under both environments but had no discernible effect on host-level fitness under laboratory conditions. Thus, within-host selection can be strong, resulting in a rapid fixation of mutations with little impact on host-level fitness. Together, these results show that within-host selection can drive evolution of an obligate symbiont, accelerating sequence evolution.}, }
@article {pmid34429226, year = {2022}, author = {Maire, J and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {A role for bacterial experimental evolution in coral bleaching mitigation?.}, journal = {Trends in microbiology}, volume = {30}, number = {3}, pages = {217-228}, doi = {10.1016/j.tim.2021.07.006}, pmid = {34429226}, issn = {1878-4380}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Bacteria/genetics ; Climate Change ; *Coral Bleaching ; Coral Reefs ; Seawater ; }, abstract = {Coral reefs are rapidly declining because of widespread mass coral bleaching causing extensive coral mortality. Elevated seawater temperatures are the main drivers of coral bleaching, and climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of destructive marine heatwaves. Efforts to enhance coral thermal bleaching tolerance can be targeted at the coral host or at coral-associated microorganisms (e.g., dinoflagellate endosymbionts and bacteria). The literature on experimental evolution of bacteria suggests that it has value as a tool to increase coral climate resilience. We provide a workflow on how to experimentally evolve coral-associated bacteria to confer thermal tolerance to coral hosts and emphasize the value of implementing this approach in coral reef conservation and restoration efforts.}, }
@article {pmid34426845, year = {2021}, author = {Kinjo, Y and Lo, N and Martín, PV and Tokuda, G and Pigolotti, S and Bourguignon, T}, title = {Enhanced Mutation Rate, Relaxed Selection, and the "Domino Effect" are associated with Gene Loss in Blattabacterium, A Cockroach Endosymbiont.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {38}, number = {9}, pages = {3820-3831}, pmid = {34426845}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes/*genetics ; Cockroaches/*microbiology ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Mutation Rate ; Selection, Genetic ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Intracellular endosymbionts have reduced genomes that progressively lose genes at a timescale of tens of million years. We previously reported that gene loss rate is linked to mutation rate in Blattabacterium, however, the mechanisms causing gene loss are not yet fully understood. Here, we carried out comparative genomic analyses on the complete genome sequences of a representative set of 67 Blattabacterium strains, with sizes ranging between 511 and 645 kb. We found that 200 of the 566 analyzed protein-coding genes were lost in at least one lineage of Blattabacterium, with the most extreme case being one gene that was lost independently in 24 lineages. We found evidence for three mechanisms influencing gene loss in Blattabacterium. First, gene loss rates were found to increase exponentially with the accumulation of substitutions. Second, genes involved in vitamin and amino acid metabolism experienced relaxed selection in Cryptocercus and Mastotermes, possibly triggered by their vertically inherited gut symbionts. Third, we found evidence of epistatic interactions among genes leading to a "domino effect" of gene loss within pathways. Our results highlight the complexity of the process of genome erosion in an endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid34422675, year = {2021}, author = {Fichorova, RN and DeLong, AK and Cu-Uvin, S and King, CC and Jamieson, DJ and Klein, RS and Sobel, JD and Vlahov, D and Yamamoto, HS and Mayer, KH}, title = {Protozoan-Viral-Bacterial Co-Infections Alter Galectin Levels and Associated Immunity Mediators in the Female Genital Tract.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {649940}, pmid = {34422675}, issn = {2235-2988}, support = {P30 AI042853/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI079085/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R56 AI091889/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; RC1 AI086788/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Bacteria ; *Coinfection ; Female ; Galectin 3 ; Humans ; Prevotella ; *Trichomonas Vaginitis ; *Virus Diseases ; }, abstract = {Co-infections with sexually transmittable pathogens are common and more likely in women with disturbed vaginal bacteriome. Among those pathogens, the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is most common after accounting for the highly persistent DNA viruses human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital herpes. The parasitic infection often concurs with the dysbiotic syndrome diagnosed as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and both are associated with risks of superimposed viral infections. Yet, the mechanisms of microbial synergisms in evading host immunity remain elusive. We present clinical and experimental evidence for a new role of galectins, glycan-sensing family of proteins, in mixed infections. We assessed participants of the HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS) at each of their incident TV visits (223 case visits) matched to controls who remained TV-negative throughout the study. Matching criteria included age, race, BV (by Nugent score), HIV status, hysterectomy, and contraceptive use. Non-matched variables included BV status at 6 months before the matched visit, and variables examined at baseline, within 6 months of and/or at the matched visit e.g. HSV-2, HPV, and relevant laboratory and socio-demographic parameters. Conditional logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations calculated odds ratios (OR) for incident TV occurrence with each log10 unit higher cervicovaginal concentration of galectins and cytokines. Incident TV was associated with higher levels of galectin-1, galectin-9, IL-1β and chemokines (ORs 1.53 to 2.91, p <0.001). Galectin-9, IL-1β and chemokines were up and galectin-3 down in TV cases with BV or intermediate Nugent versus normal Nugent scores (p <0.001). Galectin-9, IL-1β and chemokines were up in TV-HIV and down in TV-HPV co-infections. In-vitro, TV synergized with its endosymbiont Trichomonasvirus (TVV) and BV bacteria to upregulate galectin-1, galectin-9, and inflammatory cytokines. The BV-bacterium Prevotella bivia alone and together with TV downregulated galectin-3 and synergistically upregulated galectin-1, galectin-9 and IL-1β, mirroring the clinical findings of mixed TV-BV infections. P. bivia also downregulated TVV+TV-induced anti-viral response e.g. IP-10 and RANTES, providing a mechanism for conducing viral persistence in TV-BV co-infections. Collectively, the experimental and clinical data suggest that galectin-mediated immunity may be dysregulated and exploited by viral-protozoan-bacterial synergisms exacerbating inflammatory complications from dysbiosis and sexually transmitted infections.}, }
@article {pmid34413841, year = {2021}, author = {Vaccaro, L and Gomes, TS and Izquierdo, F and Magnet, A and Llorens Berzosa, S and Ollero, D and Salso, S and Alhambra, A and Gómez, C and López Cano, M and Pelaz, C and Bellido Samaniego, B and Del Aguila, C and Fenoy, S and Hurtado-Marcos, C}, title = {Legionella feeleii: Ubiquitous Pathogen in the Environment and Causative Agent of Pneumonia.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {707187}, pmid = {34413841}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {L. feeleii is one of the most frequent Legionella species isolated from natural pools of the central region of Spain. This study aimed to evaluate its ecology and to identify this Legionella species as a respiratory pathogen. A PCR assay for detecting the L. feeleii mip gene was developed to identify it in clinical and environmental samples. Culture and PCR were performed in environmental samples from four drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). Free L. feeleii was only detected in raw water samples (3.4%), while L. feeleii as an Acanthamoeba endosymbiont was found in 30.7% of raw water, 11.5% of decanter biofilm, and 32% of finished water samples. Therefore, Acanthamoeba spp. plays an essential role in the multiplication, persistence, and spread of Legionella species in the environment. The first case of Legionnaires' disease caused by L. feeleii in Spain is described in this study. The case was diagnosed in an older woman through PCR and sequencing from urine and sputum samples. A respiratory infection could be linked with health care procedures, and the patient presented several risk factors (age, insulin-dependent diabetes, and heart disease). The detection of non-L. pneumophila, such as L. feeleii, is a factor that must be considered when establishing or reviewing measures for the control and prevention of legionellosis.}, }
@article {pmid34402109, year = {2021}, author = {Arif, S and Gerth, M and Hone-Millard, WG and Nunes, MDS and Dapporto, L and Shreeve, TG}, title = {Evidence for multiple colonisations and Wolbachia infections shaping the genetic structure of the widespread butterfly Polyommatus icarus in the British Isles.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {30}, number = {20}, pages = {5196-5213}, doi = {10.1111/mec.16126}, pmid = {34402109}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Butterflies/genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Genetic Structures ; Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny ; Phylogeography ; Refugium ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The paradigm of isolation in southern refugia during glacial periods followed by expansions during interglacials, producing limited genetic differentiation in northern areas, dominates European phylogeography. However, the existence of complex structured populations in formerly glaciated areas, and islands connected to mainland areas during glacial maxima, call for alternative explanations. We reconstructed the mtDNA phylogeography of the widespread Polyommatus Icarus butterfly with an emphasis on the formerly glaciated and connected British Isles. We found distinct geographical structuring of CO1 haplogroups, with an ancient lineage restricted to the marginal European areas, including Northern Scotland and Outer Hebrides. Population genomic analyses, using ddRADSeq genomic markers, also reveal substantial genetic structuring within Britain. However, there is negligble mito-nuclear concordance consistent with independent demographic histories of mitochondrial versus nuclear DNA. While mtDNA-Wolbachia associations in northern Britain could account for the geographic structuring of mtDNA across most of the British Isles, for nuclear DNA markers (derived from ddRADseq data) butterflies from France cluster between northern and southern British populations - an observation consistent with a scenario of multiple recolonisation. Taken together our results suggest that contemporary mtDNA structuring in the British Isles (and potentially elsewhere in Europe) largely results from Wolbachia infections, however, nuclear genomic structuring suggests a history of at least two distinct colonisations. This two-stage colonisation scenario has previously been put forth to explain genetic diversity and structuring in other British flora and fauna. Additionally, we also present preliminary evidence for potential Wolbachia-induced feminization in the Outer Hebrides.}, }
@article {pmid34399629, year = {2021}, author = {Zakharova, A and Saura, A and Butenko, A and Podešvová, L and Warmusová, S and Kostygov, AY and Nenarokova, A and Lukeš, J and Opperdoes, FR and Yurchenko, V}, title = {A New Model Trypanosomatid, Novymonas esmeraldas: Genomic Perception of Its "Candidatus Pandoraea novymonadis" Endosymbiont.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {e0160621}, pmid = {34399629}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Bacteria/classification/*genetics/*metabolism ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Trypanosoma/classification/*metabolism/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {The closest relative of human pathogen Leishmania, the trypanosomatid Novymonas esmeraldas, harbors a bacterial endosymbiont "Candidatus Pandoraea novymonadis." Based on genomic data, we performed a detailed characterization of the metabolic interactions of both partners. While in many respects the metabolism of N. esmeraldas resembles that of other Leishmaniinae, the endosymbiont provides the trypanosomatid with heme, essential amino acids, purines, some coenzymes, and vitamins. In return, N. esmeraldas shares with the bacterium several nonessential amino acids and phospholipids. Moreover, it complements its carbohydrate metabolism and urea cycle with enzymes missing from the "Ca. Pandoraea novymonadis" genome. The removal of the endosymbiont from N. esmeraldas results in a significant reduction of the overall translation rate, reduced expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and mitochondrial respiratory activity, and downregulation of several aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, enzymes involved in the synthesis of some amino acids, as well as proteins associated with autophagy. At the same time, the genes responsible for protection against reactive oxygen species and DNA repair become significantly upregulated in the aposymbiotic strain of this trypanosomatid. By knocking out a component of its flagellum, we turned N. esmeraldas into a new model trypanosomatid that is amenable to genetic manipulation using both conventional and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated approaches. IMPORTANCENovymonas esmeraldas is a parasitic flagellate of the family Trypanosomatidae representing the closest insect-restricted relative of the human pathogen Leishmania. It bears symbiotic bacteria in its cytoplasm, the relationship with which has been established relatively recently and independently from other known endosymbioses in protists. Here, using the genome analysis and comparison of transcriptomic profiles of N. esmeraldas with and without the endosymbionts, we describe a uniquely complex cooperation between both partners on the biochemical level. We demonstrate that the removal of bacteria leads to a decelerated growth of N. esmeraldas, substantial suppression of many metabolic pathways, and increased oxidative stress. Our success with the genetic transformation of this flagellate makes it a new model trypanosomatid species that can be used for the dissection of mechanisms underlying the symbiotic relationships between protists and bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid34394061, year = {2021}, author = {Gesto, JSM and Pinto, SB and Dias, FBS and Peixoto, J and Costa, G and Kutcher, S and Montgomery, J and Green, BR and Anders, KL and Ryan, PA and Simmons, CP and O'Neill, SL and Moreira, LA}, title = {Large-Scale Deployment and Establishment of Wolbachia Into the Aedes aegypti Population in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {711107}, pmid = {34394061}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Traditional methods of vector control have proven insufficient to reduce the alarming incidence of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya in endemic countries. The bacterium symbiont Wolbachia has emerged as an efficient pathogen-blocking and self-dispersing agent that reduces the vectorial potential of Aedes aegypti populations and potentially impairs arboviral disease transmission. In this work, we report the results of a large-scale Wolbachia intervention in Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. wMel-infected adults were released across residential areas between August 2017 and March 2020. Over 131 weeks, including release and post-release phases, we monitored the wMel prevalence in field specimens and analyzed introgression profiles of two assigned intervention areas, RJ1 and RJ2. Our results revealed that wMel successfully invaded both areas, reaching overall infection rates of 50-70% in RJ1 and 30-60% in RJ2 by the end of the monitoring period. At the neighborhood-level, wMel introgression was heterogeneous in both RJ1 and RJ2, with some profiles sustaining a consistent increase in infection rates and others failing to elicit the same. Correlation analysis revealed a weak overall association between RJ1 and RJ2 (r = 0.2849, p = 0.0236), and an association at a higher degree when comparing different deployment strategies, vehicle or backpack-assisted, within RJ1 (r = 0.4676, p < 0.0001) or RJ2 (r = 0.6263, p < 0.0001). The frequency knockdown resistance (kdr) alleles in wMel-infected specimens from both areas were consistently high over this study. Altogether, these findings corroborate that wMel can be successfully deployed at large-scale as part of vector control intervention strategies and provide the basis for imminent disease impact studies in Southeastern Brazil.}, }
@article {pmid34390927, year = {2021}, author = {Calderon, RH and Strand, &#xc5;}, title = {How retrograde signaling is intertwined with the evolution of photosynthetic eukaryotes.}, journal = {Current opinion in plant biology}, volume = {63}, number = {}, pages = {102093}, doi = {10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102093}, pmid = {34390927}, issn = {1879-0356}, mesh = {Biological Evolution ; *Eukaryota ; Photosynthesis/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Plastids/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Chloroplasts and mitochondria evolved from free-living prokaryotic organisms that entered the eukaryotic cell through endosymbiosis. The gradual conversion from endosymbiont to organelle during the course of evolution was accompanied by the development of a communication system between the host and the endosymbiont, referred to as retrograde signaling or organelle-to-nucleus signaling. In higher plants, plastid-to-nucleus signaling involves multiple signaling pathways necessary to coordinate plastid function and cellular responses to developmental and environmental stimuli. Phylogenetic reconstructions using sequence information from evolutionarily diverse photosynthetic eukaryotes have begun to provide information about how retrograde signaling pathways were adopted and modified in different lineages over time. A tight communication system was likely a major facilitator of plants conquest of the land because it would have enabled the algal ancestors of land plants to better allocate their cellular resources in response to high light and desiccation, the major stressor for streptophyte algae in a terrestrial habitat. In this review, we aim to give an evolutionary perspective on plastid-to-nucleus signaling.}, }
@article {pmid34390609, year = {2021}, author = {Towett-Kirui, S and Morrow, JL and Close, S and Royer, JE and Riegler, M}, title = {Host-endoparasitoid-endosymbiont relationships: concealed Strepsiptera provide new twist to Wolbachia in Australian tephritid fruit flies.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {23}, number = {9}, pages = {5587-5604}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.15715}, pmid = {34390609}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Animals ; Australia ; *Symbiosis ; *Tephritidae/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are widespread endosymbionts that affect arthropod reproduction and fitness. Mostly maternally inherited, Wolbachia are occasionally transferred horizontally. Previously, two Wolbachia strains were reported at low prevalence and titres across seven Australian tephritid species, possibly indicative of frequent horizontal transfer. Here, we performed whole-genome sequencing of field-caught Wolbachia-positive flies. Unexpectedly, we found complete mitogenomes of an endoparasitic strepsipteran, Dipterophagus daci, suggesting that Wolbachia in the flies are linked to concealed parasitization. We performed the first genetic characterization of D. daci and detected D. daci in Wolbachia-positive flies not visibly parasitized, and most but not all Wolbachia-negative flies were D. daci-negative, presumably reflecting polymorphism for the Wolbachia infections in D. daci. We dissected D. daci from stylopized flies and confirmed that Wolbachia infects D. daci, but also found Wolbachia in stylopized fly tissues, likely somatic, horizontally transferred, non-heritable infections. Furthermore, no Wolbachia cif and wmk genes were detected and very low mitogenomic variation in D. daci across its distribution. Therefore, Wolbachia may influence host fitness without reproductive manipulation. Our study of 13 tephritid species highlights that concealed early stages of strepsipteran parasitization led to the previous incorrect assignment of Wolbachia co-infections to tephritid species, obscuring ecological studies of this common endosymbiont and its horizontal transmission by parasitoids.}, }
@article {pmid34388986, year = {2021}, author = {Morrow, JL and Riegler, M}, title = {Genome analyses of four Wolbachia strains and associated mitochondria of Rhagoletis cerasi expose cumulative modularity of cytoplasmic incompatibility factors and cytoplasmic hitchhiking across host populations.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {616}, pmid = {34388986}, issn = {1471-2164}, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Cytoplasm ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Tephritidae ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The endosymbiont Wolbachia can manipulate arthropod reproduction and invade host populations by inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Some host species are coinfected with multiple Wolbachia strains which may have sequentially invaded host populations by expressing different types of modular CI factor (cif) genes. The tephritid fruit fly Rhagoletis cerasi is a model for CI and Wolbachia population dynamics. It is associated with at least four Wolbachia strains in various combinations, with demonstrated (wCer2, wCer4), predicted (wCer1) or unknown (wCer5) CI phenotypes.<br><br>RESULTS: We sequenced and assembled the draft genomes of the Wolbachia strains wCer1, wCer4 and wCer5, and compared these with the previously sequenced genome of wCer2 which currently invades R. cerasi populations. We found complete cif gene pairs in all strains: four pairs in wCer2 (three Type I; one Type V), two pairs in wCer1 (both Type I) and wCer4 (one Type I; one Type V), and one pair in wCer5 (Type IV). Wolbachia genome variant analyses across geographically and genetically distant host populations revealed the largest diversity of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in wCer5, followed by wCer1 and then wCer2, indicative of their different lengths of host associations. Furthermore, mitogenome analyses of the Wolbachia genome-sequenced individuals in combination with SNP data from six European countries revealed polymorphic mitogenome sites that displayed reduced diversity in individuals infected with wCer2 compared to those without.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Coinfections with Wolbachia are common in arthropods and affect options for Wolbachia-based management strategies of pest and vector species already infected by Wolbachia. Our analyses of Wolbachia genomes of a host naturally coinfected&#xa0;by several strains unravelled signatures of the evolutionary dynamics in both Wolbachia and host mitochondrial genomes as a consequence of repeated invasions. Invasion of already infected populations by new Wolbachia strains requires new sets of functionally different cif genes and thereby may select for a cumulative modularity of cif gene diversity in invading strains. Furthermore, we demonstrated at the mitogenomic scale that repeated CI-driven Wolbachia invasions of hosts result in reduced mitochondrial diversity and hitchhiking effects. Already resident Wolbachia strains may experience similar cytoplasmic hitchhiking effects caused by the invading Wolbachia strain.}, }
@article {pmid34379678, year = {2021}, author = {Fakhour, S and Renoz, F and Ambroise, J and Pons, I and Noël, C and Gala, JL and Hance, T}, title = {Insight into the bacterial communities of the subterranean aphid Anoecia corni.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {8}, pages = {e0256019}, pmid = {34379678}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; *Biodiversity ; *Biological Evolution ; *Genetic Variation ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Microbiota ; Morocco ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Many insect species are associated with bacterial partners that can significantly influence their evolutionary ecology. Compared to other insect groups, aphids harbor a bacterial microbiota that has the reputation of being poorly diversified, generally limited to the presence of the obligate nutritional symbiont Buchnera aphidicola and some facultative symbionts. In this study, we analyzed the bacterial diversity associated with the dogwood-grass aphid Anoecia corni, an aphid species that spends much of its life cycle in a subterranean environment. Little is known about the bacterial diversity associated with aphids displaying such a lifestyle, and one hypothesis is that close contact with the vast microbial community of the rhizosphere could promote the acquisition of a richer bacterial diversity compared to other aphid species. Using 16S rRNA amplicon Illumina sequencing on specimens collected on wheat roots in Morocco, we identified 10 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) corresponding to five bacterial genera. In addition to the obligate symbiont Buchnera, we identified the facultative symbionts Serratia symbiotica and Wolbachia in certain aphid colonies. The detection of Wolbachia is unexpected as it is considered rare in aphids. Moreover, its biological significance remains unknown in these insects. Besides, we also detected Arsenophonus and Dactylopiibacterium carminicum. These results suggest that, despite its subterranean lifestyle, A. corni shelter a bacterial diversity mainly limited to bacterial endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid34371395, year = {2021}, author = {Ferreira, V and Pavlaki, MD and Martins, R and Monteiro, MS and Maia, F and Tedim, J and Soares, AMVM and Calado, R and Loureiro, S}, title = {Effects of nanostructure antifouling biocides towards a coral species in the context of global changes.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {799}, number = {}, pages = {149324}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149324}, pmid = {34371395}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; *Biofouling/prevention &amp; control ; Coral Reefs ; *Disinfectants/toxicity ; Ecosystem ; *Nanostructures/toxicity ; Thiazoles ; }, abstract = {Biofouling prevention is one of the biggest challenges faced by the maritime industry, but antifouling agents commonly impact marine ecosystems. Advances in antifouling technology include the use of nanomaterials. Herein we test an antifouling nano-additive based on the encapsulation of the biocide 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT) in engineered silica nanocontainers (SiNC). The work aims to assess the biochemical and physiological effects on the symbiotic coral Sarcophyton cf. glaucum caused by (1) thermal stress and (2) DCOIT exposure (free or nanoencapsulated forms), in a climate change scenario. Accordingly, the following hypotheses were addressed: (H1) ocean warming can cause toxicity on S. cf. glaucum; (H2) the nanoencapsulation process decreases DCOIT toxicity towards this species; (H3) the biocide toxicity, free or encapsulated forms, can be affected by ocean warming. Coral fragments were exposed for seven days to DCOIT in both free and encapsulated forms, SiNC and negative controls, under two water temperature regimes (26 °C and 30.5 °C). Coral polyp behavior and photosynthetic efficiency were determined in the holobiont, while biochemical markers were assessed individually in the endosymbiont and coral host. Results showed transient coral polyp retraction and diminished photosynthetic efficiency in the presence of heat stress or free DCOIT, with effects being magnified in the presence of both stressors. The activity of catalase and glutathione-S-transferase were modulated by temperature in each partner of the symbiosis. The shifts in enzymatic activity were more pronounced in the presence of free DCOIT, but to a lower extent for encapsulated DCOIT. Increased levels of oxidative damage were detected under heat conditions. The findings highlight the physiological constrains elicited by the increase of seawater temperature to symbiotic corals and demonstrate that DCOIT toxicity can be minimized through encapsulation in SiNC. The presence of both stressors magnifies toxicity and confirm that ocean warming enhances the vulnerability of tropical photosynthetic corals to local stressors.}, }
@article {pmid34370055, year = {2022}, author = {Travanty, NV and Vargo, EL and Apperson, CS and Ponnusamy, L}, title = {Colonization by the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, Modifies Soil Bacterial Communities.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {84}, number = {1}, pages = {240-256}, pmid = {34370055}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ants/microbiology ; Bacteria/genetics ; Ecosystem ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Soil ; }, abstract = {The long-standing association between insects and microorganisms has been especially crucial to the evolutionary and ecological success of social insect groups. Notably, research on the interaction of the two social forms (monogyne and polygyne) of the red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren, with microbes in its soil habitat is presently limited. In this study, we characterized bacterial microbiomes associated with RIFA nest soils and native (RIFA-negative) soils to better understand the effects of colonization of RIFA on soil microbial communities. Bacterial community fingerprints of 16S rRNA amplicons using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed significant differences in the structure of the bacterial communities between RIFA-positive and RIFA-negative soils at 0 and 10 cm depths. Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons provided fine-scale analysis to test for effects of RIFA colonization, RIFA social form, and soil depth on the composition of the bacterial microbiomes of the soil and RIFA workers. Our results showed the bacterial community structure of RIFA-colonized soils to be significantly different from native soil communities and to evidence elevated abundances of several taxa, including Actinobacteria. Colony social form was not found to be a significant factor in nest or RIFA worker microbiome compositions. RIFA workers and nest soils were determined to have markedly different bacterial communities, with RIFA worker microbiomes being characterized by high abundances of a Bartonella-like endosymbiont and Entomoplasmataceae. Cloning and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the Bartonella sp. to be a novel bacterium.}, }
@article {pmid34367558, year = {2021}, author = {Wheeler, TB and Thompson, V and Conner, WR and Cooper, BS}, title = {Wolbachia in the spittlebug Prosapia ignipectus: Variable infection frequencies, but no apparent effect on host reproductive isolation.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {11}, number = {15}, pages = {10054-10065}, pmid = {34367558}, issn = {2045-7758}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Animals serve as hosts for complex communities of microorganisms, including endosymbionts that live inside their cells. Wolbachia bacteria are perhaps the most common endosymbionts, manipulating host reproduction to propagate. Many Wolbachia cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), which results in reduced egg hatch when uninfected females mate with infected males. Wolbachia that cause intense CI spread to high and relatively stable frequencies, while strains that cause weak or no CI tend to persist at intermediate, often variable, frequencies. Wolbachia could also contribute to host reproductive isolation (RI), although current support for such contributions is limited to a few systems. To test for Wolbachia frequency variation and effects on host RI, we sampled several local Prosapia ignipectus (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) spittlebug populations in the northeastern United States over two years, including closely juxtaposed Maine populations with different monomorphic color forms, "black" and "lined." We discovered a group-B Wolbachia (wPig) infecting P. ignipectus that diverged from group-A Wolbachia-like model wMel and wRi strains in Drosophila-6 to 46 MYA. Populations of the sister species Prosapia bicincta (Say) from Hawaii and Florida are uninfected, suggesting that P. ignipectus acquired wPig after their initial divergence. wPig frequencies were generally high and variable among sites and between years. While phenotyping wPig effects on host reproduction is not currently feasible, the wPig genome contains three divergent sets of CI loci, consistent with high wPig frequencies. Finally, Maine monomorphic black and monomorphic lined populations of P. ignipectus share both wPig and mtDNA haplotypes, implying no apparent effect of wPig on the maintenance of this morphological contact zone. We hypothesize P. ignipectus acquired wPig horizontally as observed for many Drosophila species, and that significant CI and variable transmission produce high but variable wPig frequencies.}, }
@article {pmid34364896, year = {2021}, author = {Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Gabrielli, S and Cascio, A and Manoj, RRS and Bezerra-Santos, MA and Benelli, G and Brianti, E and Latrofa, MS and Otranto, D}, title = {Zoonotic Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens infection in humans and an integrative approach to the diagnosis.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {223}, number = {}, pages = {106083}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106083}, pmid = {34364896}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics ; *Dirofilaria repens/genetics ; *Dirofilariasis/diagnosis/epidemiology ; Dog Diseases/diagnosis/epidemiology ; Dogs ; Humans ; Islands ; Italy ; Phylogeny ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; *Zoonoses/diagnosis/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Dirofilariosis by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens is endemic in dogs from countries of the Mediterranean basin. Both species may infect humans, with most of the infected patients remaining asymptomatic. Based on the recent description of the southernmost hyperendemic European focus of heartworm disease in dogs from the Pelagie archipelagos, we performed a serological and molecular survey in human population of that area. Human blood samples were collected in the islands of Linosa (n=101) and Lampedusa (n=296) and tested by ELISA and molecular test for the detection of D. immitis and D. repens. Samples were also screened for filarioid-associated endosymbionts, Wolbachia sp. The seroprevalence of D. immitis and D. repens was, respectively, 7.9% and 3.96% in Linosa, and 7.77% and 19.93% in Lampedusa. Out of 397 human blood samples tested molecularly, 4 scored positive (1%) for Dirofilaria spp. by qPCR (i.e., three for D. immitis and one for D. repens) and 6 (1.5%) for Wolbachia. Of the qPCR positive for Dirofilaria spp., only D. repens was amplified by cPCR and was positive for Wolbachia. In the phylogenetic analysis, the sequence of Wolbachia detected in D. repens positive samples clustered along with other C supergroup filarioids. Our results overlap with the recent prevalence data collected on dogs from the same area, where D. immitis is prevalent in Linosa and D. repens prevails in Lampedusa. Molecular detection of D. immitis in human blood is quite unusual considering that humans are dead-end hosts for dirofilarial infection and most of the human cases described so far in Europe were ascribed to D. repens. An integrative diagnostic approach using serum analysis and Wolbachia detection is also presented. In endemic areas for canine dirofilarioses humans are exposed to the infection, suggesting the importance of One Health approach in diagnosing, treating and controlling this zoonotic parasitosis.}, }
@article {pmid34357349, year = {2021}, author = {Bellés-Sancho, P and Lardi, M and Liu, Y and Eberl, L and Zamboni, N and Bailly, A and Pessi, G}, title = {Metabolomics and Dual RNA-Sequencing on Root Nodules Revealed New Cellular Functions Controlled by Paraburkholderia phymatum NifA.}, journal = {Metabolites}, volume = {11}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {34357349}, issn = {2218-1989}, support = {31003A_179322//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; }, abstract = {Paraburkholderia phymatum STM815 is a nitrogen-fixing endosymbiont that nodulate the agriculturally important Phaseolus vulgaris and several other host plants. We previously showed that the nodules induced by a STM815 mutant of the gene encoding the master regulator of nitrogen fixation NifA showed no nitrogenase activity (Fix[-]) and increased in number compared to P. vulgaris plants infected with the wild-type strain. To further investigate the role of NifA during symbiosis, nodules from P. phymatum wild-type and nifA mutants were collected and analyzed by metabolomics and dual RNA-Sequencing, allowing us to investigate both host and symbiont transcriptome. Using this approach, several metabolites' changes could be assigned to bacterial or plant responses. While the amount of the C4-dicarboxylic acid succinate and of several amino acids was lower in Fix[-] nodules, the level of indole-acetamide (IAM) and brassinosteroids increased. Transcriptome analysis identified P. phymatum genes involved in transport of C4-dicarboxylic acids, carbon metabolism, auxin metabolism and stress response to be differentially expressed in absence of NifA. Furthermore, P. vulgaris genes involved in autoregulation of nodulation (AON) are repressed in nodules in absence of NifA potentially explaining the hypernodulation phenotype of the nifA mutant. These results and additional validation experiments suggest that P. phymatum STM815 NifA is not only important to control expression of nitrogenase and related enzymes but is also involved in regulating its own auxin production and stress response. Finally, our data indicate that P. vulgaris does sanction the nifA nodules by depleting the local carbon allocation rather than by mounting a strong systemic immune response to the Fix[-] rhizobia.}, }
@article {pmid34351459, year = {2021}, author = {Balaji, S and Deepthi, KNG and Prabagaran, SR}, title = {Native Wolbachia influence bacterial composition in the major vector mosquito Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Archives of microbiology}, volume = {203}, number = {8}, pages = {5225-5240}, pmid = {34351459}, issn = {1432-072X}, mesh = {*Aedes ; Animals ; Female ; Mosquito Vectors ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Bacterial species that inhabit mosquito microbiota play an essential role in determining vector competence. In addition to critical factors such as host genotype, feeding habit and geography, intracellular endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis modulates microbial composition considerably. In the present study, we assessed the midgut bacterial diversity of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that is either naturally carrying Wolbachia (wAegB[+]) or antibiotic cured (wAegB[-]) through a culture-independent approach. Towards this, 16S rRNA gene libraries were constructed from midgut bacterial DNA of laboratory-reared larvae and adult female mosquitoes fed with sugar or blood. Among them 33 genera comprising 65 distinct species were identified, where > 75% of bacterial taxa were commonly shared by both groups (wAegB[+] and wAegB[-]), implying a subtle shift in the bacterial composition influenced by Wolbachia. Though the change was mostly restricted to minimally represented species, predominant taxa were observed unaltered except for certain genera. While Serratia sp. was abundant in Wolbachia carrying mosquitoes, Pseudomonas sp. and Acinetobacter sp. were predominant in Wolbachia free mosquitoes. This result demonstrates the influence of Wolbachia that could modulate the colonization of certain resident bacterial taxa through competitive interactions. Overall, this study shed more light on the impact of wAegB in altering the gut microbiota of Ae. aegypti mosquito, which might challenge host fitness and vector competence.}, }
@article {pmid34349742, year = {2021}, author = {Zhang, Y and Liu, S and Jiang, R and Zhang, C and Gao, T and Wang, Y and Liu, C and Long, Y and Zhang, Y and Yang, Y}, title = {Wolbachia Strain wGri From the Tea Geometrid Moth Ectropis grisescens Contributes to Its Host's Fecundity.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {694466}, pmid = {34349742}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Members of the Wolbachia genus manipulate insect-host reproduction and are the most abundant bacterial endosymbionts of insects. The tea Geometrid moth Ectropis grisescens (Warren) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is the most devastating insect pest of tea plants [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] in China. However, limited data on the diversity, typing, or phenotypes of Wolbachia in E. grisescens are available. Here, we used a culture-independent method to compare the gut bacteria of E. grisescens and other tea Geometridae moths. The results showed that the composition of core gut bacteria in larvae of the three Geometridae moth species was similar, except for the presence of Wolbachia. Moreover, Wolbachia was also present in adult female E. grisescens samples. A Wolbachia strain was isolated from E. grisescens and designated as wGri. Comparative analyses showed that this strain shared multilocus sequence types and Wolbachia surface protein hypervariable region profiles with cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI)-inducing strains in supergroup B; however, the wGri-associated phenotypes were undetermined. A reciprocal cross analysis showed that Wolbachia-uninfected females mated with infected males resulted in 100% embryo mortality (0% eggs hatched per female). Eggs produced by mating between uninfected males and infected females hatched normally. These findings indicated that wGri induces strong unidirectional CI in E. grisescens. Additionally, compared with uninfected females, Wolbachia-infected females produced approximately 30-40% more eggs. Together, these results show that this Wolbachia strain induces reproductive CI in E. grisescens and enhances the fecundity of its female host. We also demonstrated that wGri potential influences reproductive communication between E. grisescens and Ectropis obliqua through CI.}, }
@article {pmid34349734, year = {2021}, author = {Herrera, M and Liew, YJ and Venn, A and Tambutté, E and Zoccola, D and Tambutté, S and Cui, G and Aranda, M}, title = {New Insights From Transcriptomic Data Reveal Differential Effects of CO2 Acidification Stress on Photosynthesis of an Endosymbiotic Dinoflagellate in hospite.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {666510}, pmid = {34349734}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Ocean acidification (OA) has both detrimental as well as beneficial effects on marine life; it negatively affects calcifiers while enhancing the productivity of photosynthetic organisms. To date, many studies have focused on the impacts of OA on calcification in reef-building corals, a process particularly susceptible to acidification. However, little is known about the effects of OA on their photosynthetic algal partners, with some studies suggesting potential benefits for symbiont productivity. Here, we investigated the transcriptomic response of the endosymbiont Symbiodinium microadriaticum (CCMP2467) in the Red Sea coral Stylophora pistillata subjected to different long-term (2 years) OA treatments (pH 8.0, 7.8, 7.4, 7.2). Transcriptomic analyses revealed that symbionts from corals under lower pH treatments responded to acidification by increasing the expression of genes related to photosynthesis and carbon-concentrating mechanisms. These processes were mostly up-regulated and associated metabolic pathways were significantly enriched, suggesting an overall positive effect of OA on the expression of photosynthesis-related genes. To test this conclusion on a physiological level, we analyzed the symbiont's photochemical performance across treatments. However, in contrast to the beneficial effects suggested by the observed gene expression changes, we found significant impairment of photosynthesis with increasing pCO2. Collectively, our data suggest that over-expression of photosynthesis-related genes is not a beneficial effect of OA but rather an acclimation response of the holobiont to different water chemistries. Our study highlights the complex effects of ocean acidification on these symbiotic organisms and the role of the host in determining symbiont productivity and performance.}, }
@article {pmid34346878, year = {2021}, author = {Karatepe, M and Aksoy, S and Karatepe, B}, title = {Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. in Musca spp.: Detection Using Molecular Approaches.}, journal = {Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi}, volume = {45}, number = {3}, pages = {211-215}, doi = {10.4274/tpd.galenos.2021.35229}, pmid = {34346878}, issn = {2146-3077}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Spiroplasma/genetics ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to detect the presence of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma endosymbionts in Musca flies through molecular approaches.<br><br>METHODS: In total, 40 Musca spp. (20 female and 20 male) were used. Before DNA extraction, the flies were dissected and their heads, wings and legs were detached from their bodies under a stereomicroscope. Genomic DNA was analysed by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers against Musca beta-tubulin. Afterward, the samples were examined for the presence of Wolbachia spp. using primers against Wolbachia wsp and GroEL. Furthermore, the DNA samples were analysed by PCR to detect the presence of Spiroplasma using primers against the 16S rRNA.<br><br>RESULTS: No Wolbachia positivity was detected in Musca flies, as shown by the negative PCR results for wsp and GroEL. Spiroplasma positivity was detected in 5% (1/20) of the female Musca flies but not in the male flies (0/20).<br><br>CONCLUSION: Wolbachia spp. were not detected in Musca flies. Of the total Musca flies, only one was positive for Spiroplasma spp. To our knowledge, this is the first study to detect the presence of Spiroplasma in Musca flies.}, }
@article {pmid34339868, year = {2021}, author = {Hilander, T and Jackson, CB and Robciuc, M and Bashir, T and Zhao, H}, title = {The roles of assembly factors in mammalian mitoribosome biogenesis.}, journal = {Mitochondrion}, volume = {60}, number = {}, pages = {70-84}, doi = {10.1016/j.mito.2021.07.008}, pmid = {34339868}, issn = {1872-8278}, mesh = {Animals ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; Mammals/*genetics/*physiology ; Mitochondrial Ribosomes/*physiology ; }, abstract = {As ancient bacterial endosymbionts of eukaryotic cells, mitochondria have retained their own circular DNA as well as protein translation system including mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes). In recent years, methodological advancements in cryoelectron microscopy and mass spectrometry have revealed the extent of the evolutionary divergence of mitoribosomes from their bacterial ancestors and their adaptation to the synthesis of 13 mitochondrial DNA encoded oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits. In addition to the structural data, the first assembly pathway maps of mitoribosomes have started to emerge and concomitantly also the assembly factors involved in this process to achieve fully translational competent particles. These transiently associated factors assist in the intricate assembly process of mitoribosomes by enhancing protein incorporation, ribosomal RNA folding and modification, and by blocking premature or non-native protein binding, for example. This review focuses on summarizing the current understanding of the known mammalian mitoribosome assembly factors and discussing their possible roles in the assembly of small or large mitoribosomal subunits.}, }
@article {pmid34335311, year = {2021}, author = {Yue, L and Guan, Z and Zhong, M and Zhao, L and Pang, R and Liu, K}, title = {Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Amino Acid Polyamine Organocation Transporter Family Genes Reveal Their Role in Fecundity Regulation in a Brown Planthopper Species (Nilaparvata lugens).}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {708639}, pmid = {34335311}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera:Delphacidae), is one of the most destructive pests of rice worldwide. As a sap-feeding insect, the BPH is incapable of synthesizing several amino acids which are essential for normal growth and development. Therefore, the insects have to acquire these amino acids from dietary sources or their endosymbionts, in which amino acid transporters (AATs) play a crucial role by enabling the movement of amino acids into and out of insect cells. In this study, a common amino acid transporter gene family of amino acid/polyamine/organocation (APC) was identified in BPHs and analyzed. Based on a homology search and conserved functional domain recognition, 20 putative APC transporters were identified in the BPH genome. Molecular trait analysis showed that the verified BPH APC family members were highly variable in protein features, conserved motif distribution patterns, and exon/intron organization. Phylogenetic analysis of five hemipteran species revealed an evolutionary pattern of interfamily conservation and lineage-specific expansion of this gene family. Moreover, stage- and tissue-specific expression analysis revealed diverse expression patterns in the 20 BPH APC transporter genes. Lastly, a potential BPH fecundity regulatory gene of NlAPC09 was identified and shown to participate in the fecundity regulation through the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and RNA inference experiments. Our results provide a basis for further functional investigations of APC transporters in BPH.}, }
@article {pmid34329639, year = {2021}, author = {Cirino, L and Tsai, S and Wen, ZH and Wang, LH and Chen, HK and Cheng, JO and Lin, C}, title = {Lipid profiling in chilled coral larvae.}, journal = {Cryobiology}, volume = {102}, number = {}, pages = {56-67}, doi = {10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.07.012}, pmid = {34329639}, issn = {1090-2392}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Coral Reefs ; Cryopreservation/methods ; Ecosystem ; Humans ; Larva ; Lipids ; }, abstract = {Coral reefs are disappearing worldwide as a result of several harmful human activities. The establishment of cryobanks can secure a future for these ecosystems. To design effective cryopreservation protocols, basic proprieties such as chilling tolerance and lipid content must be assessed. In the present study, we investigated chilling sensitivity and the effect of chilling exposure on the lipid content and composition of larvae belonging to 2 common Indo-Pacific corals: Seriatopora caliendrum and Pocillopora verrucosa. The viability of coral larvae incubated with 0.5, 1, and 2 M ethylene glycol (EG), propylene glycol (PG), dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO), methanol, or glycerol and kept at 5 °C for different time periods was documented. In addition, we investigated the content of cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TAG), wax ester (WE), sterol ester (SE), lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and several fatty acid (FA) classes in coral propagules incubated with 1 M PG or EG and kept at 5 °C for 6 h. Moreover, we examined seasonal changes in the aforementioned lipid classes in coral larvae. S. caliendrum incubated with 0.5 M PG or Me2SO and chilled for 2 h exhibited a viability rate of 11 ± 11%, whereas P. verrucosa exhibited a viability rate of 22 ± 14% after being chilled for 4 h. Furthermore, the results indicated that chilling exposure did not affect the content of any investigated lipid class in either species. The higher concentration of SE in P. verrucosa compared to S. caliendrum larvae may have contributed to the different cryotolerance displayed by the 2 larval species. A year-round lipid analysis of both coral larvae species revealed trends of homeoviscous adaptation and seasonal enhancement of lipid fluxes from symbionts to the host. During winter, the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio significantly increased, and P. verrucosa larvae exhibited an averagely decrease in FA chain lengths. During spring and summer, intracellular lipid content in the form of TAGs and WEs significantly increased in both species, and the average content of Symbiodiniaceae-derived FAs increased in P. verrucosa larvae. We concluded that the low cryotolerance displayed by S. caliendrum and P. verrucosa larvae is attributable to their chilling-sensitive membrane lipid profile and the high intracellular lipid content provided by their endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid34328183, year = {2022}, author = {Koskimäki, JJ and Pohjanen, J and Kvist, J and Fester, T and Härtig, C and Podolich, O and Fluch, S and Edesi, J and Häggman, H and Pirttilä, AM}, title = {The meristem-associated endosymbiont Methylorubrum extorquens DSM13060 reprograms development and stress responses of pine seedlings.}, journal = {Tree physiology}, volume = {42}, number = {2}, pages = {391-410}, pmid = {34328183}, issn = {1758-4469}, mesh = {Endophytes/physiology ; Meristem ; *Pinus/genetics ; *Pinus sylvestris ; Seedlings ; }, abstract = {Microbes living in plant tissues-endophytes-are mainly studied in crop plants where they typically colonize the root apoplast. Trees-a large carbon source with a high capacity for photosynthesis-provide a variety of niches for endophytic colonization. We have earlier identified a new type of plant-endophyte interaction in buds of adult Scots pine, where Methylorubrum species live inside the meristematic cells. The endosymbiont Methylorubrum extorquens DSM13060 significantly increases needle and root growth of pine seedlings without producing plant hormones, but by aggregating around host nuclei. Here, we studied gene expression and metabolites of the pine host induced by M. extorquens DSM13060 infection. Malic acid was produced by pine to potentially boost M. extorquens colonization and interaction. Based on gene expression, the endosymbiont activated the auxin- and ethylene (ET)-associated hormonal pathways through induction of CUL1 and HYL1, and suppressed salicylic and abscisic acid signaling of pine. Infection by the endosymbiont had an effect on pine meristem and leaf development through activation of GLP1-7 and ALE2, and suppressed flowering, root hair and lateral root formation by downregulation of AGL8, plantacyanin, GASA7, COW1 and RALFL34. Despite of systemic infection of pine seedlings by the endosymbiont, the pine genes CUL1, ETR2, ERF3, HYL, GLP1-7 and CYP71 were highly expressed in the shoot apical meristem, rarely in needles and not in stem or root tissues. Low expression of MERI5, CLH2, EULS3 and high quantities of ononitol suggest that endosymbiont promotes viability and protects pine seedlings against abiotic stress. Our results indicate that the endosymbiont positively affects host development and stress tolerance through mechanisms previously unknown for endophytic bacteria, manipulation of plant hormone signaling pathways, downregulation of senescence and cell death-associated genes and induction of ononitol biosynthesis.}, }
@article {pmid34327796, year = {2021}, author = {Orlofsky, E and Zabari, L and Bonito, G and Masaphy, S}, title = {Changes in soil bacteria functional ecology associated with Morchella rufobrunnea fruiting in a natural habitat.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {23}, number = {11}, pages = {6651-6662}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.15692}, pmid = {34327796}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Ascomycota ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Soil ; Soil Microbiology ; }, abstract = {Morchella rufobrunnea is a saprobic edible mushroom, found in a range of ecological niches, indicating nutritional adjustment to different habitats and possible interaction with soil prokaryotic microbiome (SPM). Using the 16S rRNA gene, we examined the SPM of M. rufobrunnea that appeared in a natural habitat in Northern Israel. Three sample types were included: bare soil without mushroom, soil beneath young mushroom initials and soil beneath the mature fruiting body. Morchella rufobrunnea developmental stage was significantly associated with changes in bacterial populations (PERMANOVA, p < 0.0005). Indicator analysis with point-biserial correlation coefficient found 180 operational taxonomic units (OTU) uniquely associated with distinct stages of development. The Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxonomy (FAPROTAX) database helped to infer ecological roles for indicator OTU. The functional ecological progression begins with establishment of a photoautotrophic N-fixing bacterial mat on bare soil. Pioneer heterotrophs including oligotrophs, acidifying nutrient mobilizers and nitrifiers are congruent with appearance of young M. rufobrunnea initials. Under the mature fruiting body, the population changed to saprobes, organic-N degraders, denitrifiers, insect endosymbionts and fungal antagonists. Based on this work, M. rufobrunnea may be able to influence SPM and change the soil nutritional profile.}, }
@article {pmid34326342, year = {2021}, author = {Wang, B and Lin, YC and Vasquez-Rifo, A and Jo, J and Price-Whelan, A and McDonald, ST and Brown, LM and Sieben, C and Dietrich, LEP}, title = {Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 produces R-bodies, extendable protein polymers with roles in host colonization and virulence.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {4613}, pmid = {34326342}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {R01 AI103369/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Biofilms/growth &amp; development ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; Phylogeny ; Pseudomonas Infections/genetics/metabolism/*microbiology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/cytology/genetics/*metabolism/*pathogenicity ; Virulence ; Virulence Factors/genetics/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {R-bodies are long, extendable protein polymers formed in the cytoplasm of some bacteria; they are best known for their role in killing of paramecia by bacterial endosymbionts. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14, an opportunistic pathogen of diverse hosts, contains genes (referred to as the reb cluster) with potential to confer production of R-bodies and that have been implicated in virulence. Here, we show that products of the PA14 reb cluster associate with R-bodies and control stochastic expression of R-body structural genes. PA14 expresses reb genes during colonization of plant and nematode hosts, and R-body production is required for full virulence in nematodes. Analyses of nematode ribosome content and immune response indicate that P. aeruginosa R-bodies act via a mechanism involving ribosome cleavage and translational inhibition. Our observations provide insight into the biology of R-body production and its consequences during P. aeruginosa infection.}, }
@article {pmid34324610, year = {2021}, author = {Rothman, JA and Loope, KJ and McFrederick, QS and Wilson Rankin, EE}, title = {Microbiome of the wasp Vespula pensylvanica in native and invasive populations, and associations with Moku virus.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {7}, pages = {e0255463}, pmid = {34324610}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; *Wasps/virology/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; *Introduced Species ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Hawaii ; Bacteria/genetics/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Symbiosis ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Invasive species present a worldwide concern as competition and pathogen reservoirs for native species. Specifically, the invasive social wasp, Vespula pensylvanica, is native to western North America and has become naturalized in Hawaii, where it exerts pressures on native arthropod communities as a competitor and predator. As invasive species may alter the microbial and disease ecology of their introduced ranges, there is a need to understand the microbiomes and virology of social wasps. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the microbiome of V. pensylvanica samples pooled by colony across two geographically distinct ranges and found that wasps generally associate with taxa within the bacterial genera Fructobacillus, Fructilactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, and Zymobacter, and likely associate with environmentally-acquired bacteria. Furthermore, V. pensylvanica harbors-and in some cases were dominated by-many endosymbionts including Wolbachia, Sodalis, Arsenophonus, and Rickettsia, and were found to contain bee-associated taxa, likely due to scavenging on or predation upon honey bees. Next, we used reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR to assay colony-level infection intensity for Moku virus (family: Iflaviridae), a recently-described disease that is known to infect multiple Hymenopteran species. While Moku virus was prevalent and in high titer, it did not associate with microbial diversity, indicating that the microbiome may not directly interact with Moku virus in V. pensylvanica in meaningful ways. Collectively, our results suggest that the invasive social wasp V. pensylvanica associates with a simple microbiome, may be infected with putative endosymbionts, likely acquires bacterial taxa from the environment and diet, and is often infected with Moku virus. Our results suggest that V. pensylvanica, like other invasive social insects, has the potential to act as a reservoir for bacteria pathogenic to other pollinators, though this requires experimental demonstration.}, }
@article {pmid34324516, year = {2021}, author = {Rangel-Chávez, CP and Galán-Vásquez, E and Pescador-Tapia, A and Delaye, L and Martínez-Antonio, A}, title = {RNA polymerases in strict endosymbiont bacteria with extreme genome reduction show distinct erosions that might result in limited and differential promoter recognition.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {7}, pages = {e0239350}, pmid = {34324516}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/genetics/metabolism ; *Promoter Regions, Genetic ; *Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Genome Size ; }, abstract = {Strict endosymbiont bacteria present high degree genome reduction, retain smaller proteins, and in some instances, lack complete functional domains compared to free-living counterparts. Until now, the mechanisms underlying these genetic reductions are not well understood. In this study, the conservation of RNA polymerases, the essential machinery for gene expression, is analyzed in endosymbiont bacteria with extreme genome reductions. We analyzed the RNA polymerase subunits to identify and define domains, subdomains, and specific amino acids involved in precise biological functions known in Escherichia coli. We also perform phylogenetic analysis and three-dimensional models over four lineages of endosymbiotic proteobacteria with the smallest genomes known to date: Candidatus Hodgkinia cicadicola, Candidatus Tremblaya phenacola, Candidatus Tremblaya Princeps, Candidatus Nasuia deltocephalinicola, and Candidatus Carsonella ruddii. We found that some Hodgkinia strains do not encode for the RNA polymerase α subunit. The rest encode genes for α, β, β', and σ subunits to form the RNA polymerase. However, 16% shorter, on average, respect their orthologous in E. coli. In the α subunit, the amino-terminal domain is the most conserved. Regarding the β and β' subunits, both the catalytic core and the assembly domains are the most conserved. However, they showed compensatory amino acid substitutions to adapt to changes in the σ subunit. Precisely, the most erosive diversity occurs within the σ subunit. We identified broad amino acid substitution even in those recognizing and binding to the -10-box promoter element. In an overall conceptual image, the RNA polymerase from Candidatus Nasuia conserved the highest similarity with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and their σ70. It might be recognizing the two main promoter elements (-10 and -35) and the two promoter accessory elements (-10 extended and UP-element). In Candidatus Carsonella, the RNA polymerase could recognize all the promoter elements except the -10-box extended. In Candidatus Tremblaya and Hodgkinia, due to the α carboxyl-terminal domain absence, they might not recognize the UP-promoter element. We also identified the lack of the β flap-tip helix domain in most Hodgkinia's that suggests the inability to bind the -35-box promoter element.}, }
@article {pmid34322098, year = {2021}, author = {Stravoravdis, S and Shipway, JR and Goodell, B}, title = {How Do Shipworms Eat Wood? Screening Shipworm Gill Symbiont Genomes for Lignin-Modifying Enzymes.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {665001}, pmid = {34322098}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Shipworms are ecologically and economically important mollusks that feed on woody plant material (lignocellulosic biomass) in marine environments. Digestion occurs in a specialized cecum, reported to be virtually sterile and lacking resident gut microbiota. Wood-degrading CAZymes are produced both endogenously and by gill endosymbiotic bacteria, with extracellular enzymes from the latter being transported to the gut. Previous research has predominantly focused on how these animals process the cellulose component of woody plant material, neglecting the breakdown of lignin - a tough, aromatic polymer which blocks access to the holocellulose components of wood. Enzymatic or non-enzymatic modification and depolymerization of lignin has been shown to be required in other wood-degrading biological systems as a precursor to cellulose deconstruction. We investigated the genomes of five shipworm gill bacterial symbionts obtained from the Joint Genome Institute Integrated Microbial Genomes and Microbiomes Expert Review for the production of lignin-modifying enzymes, or ligninases. The genomes were searched for putative ligninases using the Joint Genome Institute's Function Profile tool and blastp analyses. The resulting proteins were then modeled using SWISS-MODEL. Although each bacterial genome possessed at least four predicted ligninases, the percent identities and protein models were of low quality and were unreliable. Prior research demonstrates limited endogenous ability of shipworms to modify lignin at the chemical/molecular level. Similarly, our results reveal that shipworm bacterial gill-symbiont enzymes are unlikely to play a role in lignin modification during lignocellulose digestion in the shipworm gut. This suggests that our understanding of how these keystone organisms digest and process lignocellulose is incomplete, and further research into non-enzymatic and/or other unknown mechanisms for lignin modification is required.}, }
@article {pmid34315897, year = {2021}, author = {Zhang, M and Wang, C and Oberstaller, J and Thomas, P and Otto, TD and Casandra, D and Boyapalle, S and Adapa, SR and Xu, S and Button-Simons, K and Mayho, M and Rayner, JC and Ferdig, MT and Jiang, RHY and Adams, JH}, title = {The apicoplast link to fever-survival and artemisinin-resistance in the malaria parasite.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {4563}, pmid = {34315897}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {F31 AI083053/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; F32 AI112271/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; 098051/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; R01 AI130171/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI094973/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI117017/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Apicoplasts/drug effects/*metabolism ; Artemisinins/*pharmacology ; *Drug Resistance/drug effects ; Fever/*parasitology ; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects ; Heat-Shock Response/drug effects ; Malaria, Falciparum/*parasitology ; Mutation/genetics ; Parasites/drug effects/*physiology ; Phenotype ; Plasmodium falciparum/genetics ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Temperature ; Terpenes/metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic/drug effects ; Unfolded Protein Response/drug effects ; }, abstract = {The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum parasites resistant to front-line antimalarial artemisinin-combination therapies (ACT) threatens to erase the considerable gains against the disease of the last decade. Here, we develop a large-scale phenotypic screening pipeline and use it to carry out a large-scale forward-genetic phenotype screen in P. falciparum to identify genes allowing parasites to survive febrile temperatures. Screening identifies more than 200 P. falciparum mutants with differential responses to increased temperature. These mutants are more likely to be sensitive to artemisinin derivatives as well as to heightened oxidative stress. Major processes critical for P. falciparum tolerance to febrile temperatures and artemisinin include highly essential, conserved pathways associated with protein-folding, heat shock and proteasome-mediated degradation, and unexpectedly, isoprenoid biosynthesis, which originated from the ancestral genome of the parasite's algal endosymbiont-derived plastid, the apicoplast. Apicoplast-targeted genes in general are upregulated in response to heat shock, as are other Plasmodium genes with orthologs in plant and algal genomes. Plasmodium falciparum parasites appear to exploit their innate febrile-response mechanisms to mediate resistance to artemisinin. Both responses depend on endosymbiont-derived genes in the parasite's genome, suggesting a link to the evolutionary origins of Plasmodium parasites in free-living ancestors.}, }
@article {pmid34312980, year = {2021}, author = {Herran, B and Houdelet, C and Raimond, M and Delaunay, C and Cerveau, N and Debenest, C and Grève, P and Bertaux, J}, title = {Feminising Wolbachia disrupt Armadillidium vulgare insulin-like signalling pathway.}, journal = {Cellular microbiology}, volume = {23}, number = {11}, pages = {e13381}, doi = {10.1111/cmi.13381}, pmid = {34312980}, issn = {1462-5822}, support = {//European Regional Development Fund/ ; //National Centre for Scientific Research/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Feminization ; Humans ; Insulin ; *Isopoda ; Male ; Signal Transduction ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiont Wolbachia feminises male isopods by making them refractory to the insulin-like masculinising hormone, which shunts the autocrine development of the androgenic glands. It was, therefore, proposed that Wolbachia silences the IR receptors, either by preventing their expression or by inactivating them. We describe here the two IR paralogs of Armadillidium vulgare. They displayed a conventional structure and belonged to a family widespread among isopods. Av-IR1 displayed an ubiquist expression, whereas the expression of Av-IR2 was restricted to the gonads. Both were constitutively expressed in males and females and throughout development. However, upon silencing, altered gland physiology and gene expression therein suggested antagonistic roles for Av-IR1 (androinhibiting) and Av-IR2 (androstimulating). They may function in tandem with regulating neurohormones, as a conditional platform that conveys insulin signalling. Wolbachia infection did not alter their expression patterns: leaving the IRs unscathed, the bacteria would suppress the secretion of the neurohormones, thus inducing body-wide IR deactivation and feminisation. Adult males injected with Wolbachia acquired an intersexed physiology. Their phenotypes and gene expressions mirrored the silencing of Av-IR1 only, suggesting that imperfect feminisation stems from a flawed invasion of the androstimulating centre, whereas in fully feminised males invasion would be complete in early juveniles. TAKE AWAY: Two antagonistic Insulin Receptors were characterised in Armadillidium vulgare. The IRs were involved in androstimulating and androinhibiting functions. Wolbachia-induced feminisation did not prevent the expression of the IRs. Imperfectly feminised intersexes phenocopied the silencing of Av-IR1 only. Wolbachia would deactivate the IRs by suppressing neurosecretory co-factors.}, }
@article {pmid34311584, year = {2021}, author = {Atwal, S and Chuenklin, S and Bonder, EM and Flores, J and Gillespie, JJ and Driscoll, TP and Salje, J}, title = {Discovery of a Diverse Set of Bacteria That Build Their Cell Walls without the Canonical Peptidoglycan Polymerase aPBP.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {e0134221}, pmid = {34311584}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {R01 AI043006/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI152219/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI146773/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R56 AI148645/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI156762/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 220211/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; R21 AI052108/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI144385/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Bacterial Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Cell Division ; Cell Wall/*metabolism ; Humans ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins/classification/genetics/*metabolism ; Peptidoglycan/*metabolism ; Rickettsiaceae/classification/*enzymology/genetics/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Peptidoglycan (PG) is a highly cross-linked peptide-glycan mesh that confers structural rigidity and shape to most bacterial cells. Polymerization of new PG is usually achieved by the concerted activity of two membrane-bound machineries, class-A penicillin binding proteins (aPBPs) and class-B penicillin binding proteins (bPBPs) in complex with shape, elongation, division, and sporulation (SEDS) proteins. Here, we have identified four phylogenetically distinct groups of bacteria that lack any identifiable aPBPs. We performed experiments on a panel of species within one of these groups, the Rickettsiales, and found that bacteria lacking aPBPs build a PG-like cell wall with minimal abundance and rigidity relative to cell walls of aPBP-containing bacteria. This reduced cell wall may have evolved to minimize the activation of host responses to pathogens and endosymbionts while retaining the minimal PG-biosynthesis machinery required for cell elongation and division. We term these "peptidoglycan-intermediate" bacteria, a cohort of host-associated species that includes some human pathogens. IMPORTANCE Peptidoglycan (PG) is a large, cross-linked polymer that forms the cell wall of most bacterial species and confers shape, rigidity, and protection from osmotic shock. It is also a potent stimulator of the immune response in animals. PG is normally polymerized by two groups of enzymes, aPBPs and bPBPs working together with shape, elongation, division, and sporulation (SEDS) proteins. We have identified a diverse set of host-associated bacteria that have selectively lost aPBP genes while retaining bPBP/SEDS and show that some of these build a minimal PG-like structure. It is expected that these minimal cell walls built in the absence of aPBPs improve the evolutionary fitness of host-associated bacteria, potentially through evasion of PG-recognition by the host immune system.}, }
@article {pmid34311575, year = {2021}, author = {Nicoud, Q and Barrière, Q and Busset, N and Dendene, S and Travin, D and Bourge, M and Le Bars, R and Boulogne, C and Lecroël, M and Jenei, S and Kereszt, A and Kondorosi, E and Biondi, EG and Timchenko, T and Alunni, B and Mergaert, P}, title = {Sinorhizobium meliloti Functions Required for Resistance to Antimicrobial NCR Peptides and Bacteroid Differentiation.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {e0089521}, pmid = {34311575}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Antimicrobial Peptides/genetics/*metabolism/*pharmacology ; *Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Medicago truncatula/*chemistry/microbiology ; Nitrogen Fixation ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; Sinorhizobium meliloti/*drug effects/genetics/*metabolism ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Legumes of the Medicago genus have a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti and develop root nodules housing large numbers of intracellular symbionts. Members of the nodule-specific cysteine-rich peptide (NCR) family induce the endosymbionts into a terminal differentiated state. Individual cationic NCRs are antimicrobial peptides that have the capacity to kill the symbiont, but the nodule cell environment prevents killing. Moreover, the bacterial broad-specificity peptide uptake transporter BacA and exopolysaccharides contribute to protect the endosymbionts against the toxic activity of NCRs. Here, we show that other S. meliloti functions participate in the protection of the endosymbionts; these include an additional broad-specificity peptide uptake transporter encoded by the yejABEF genes and lipopolysaccharide modifications mediated by lpsB and lpxXL, as well as rpoH1, encoding a stress sigma factor. Strains with mutations in these genes show a strain-specific increased sensitivity profile against a panel of NCRs and form nodules in which bacteroid differentiation is affected. The lpsB mutant nodule bacteria do not differentiate, the lpxXL and rpoH1 mutants form some seemingly fully differentiated bacteroids, although most of the nodule bacteria are undifferentiated, while the yejABEF mutants form hypertrophied but nitrogen-fixing bacteroids. The nodule bacteria of all the mutants have a strongly enhanced membrane permeability, which is dependent on the transport of NCRs to the endosymbionts. Our results suggest that S. meliloti relies on a suite of functions, including peptide transporters, the bacterial envelope structures, and stress response regulators, to resist the aggressive assault of NCR peptides in the nodule cells. IMPORTANCE The nitrogen-fixing symbiosis of legumes with rhizobium bacteria has a predominant ecological role in the nitrogen cycle and has the potential to provide the nitrogen required for plant growth in agriculture. The host plants allow the rhizobia to colonize specific symbiotic organs, the nodules, in large numbers in order to produce sufficient reduced nitrogen for the plants' needs. Some legumes, including Medicago spp., produce massively antimicrobial peptides to keep this large bacterial population in check. These peptides, known as NCRs, have the potential to kill the rhizobia, but in nodules, they rather inhibit the division of the bacteria, which maintain a high nitrogen-fixing activity. In this study, we show that the tempering of the antimicrobial activity of the NCR peptides in the Medicago symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti is multifactorial and requires the YejABEF peptide transporter, the lipopolysaccharide outer membrane, and the stress response regulator RpoH1.}, }
@article {pmid34308025, year = {2021}, author = {Neiers, F and Saliou, JM and Briand, L and Robichon, A}, title = {Adaptive Variation of Buchnera Endosymbiont Density in Aphid Host Acyrthosiphon pisum Controlled by Environmental Conditions.}, journal = {ACS omega}, volume = {6}, number = {28}, pages = {17902-17914}, pmid = {34308025}, issn = {2470-1343}, abstract = {The scarcity of transcriptional regulatory genes in Buchnera aphidicola, an obligate endosymbiont in aphids, suggests the stability of expressed gene patterns and metabolic pathways. This observation argues in favor of the hypothesis that this endosymbiont bacteria might contribute little to the host adaptation when aphid hosts are facing challenging fluctuating environment. Finding evidence for the increased expression or silenced genes involved in metabolic pathways under the pressure of stress conditions and/or a given environment has been challenging for experimenters with this bacterial symbiotic model. Transcriptomic data have shown that Buchnera gene expression changes are confined to a narrow range when the aphids face brutal environmental variations. In this report, we demonstrate that instead of manipulating individual genes, the conditions may act on the relative mass of endosymbiont corresponding to the needs of the host. The control of the fluctuating number of endosymbiont cells per individual host appears to be an unexpected regulatory modality that contributes to the adaptation of aphids to their environment. This feature may account for the success of the symbiotic advantages in overcoming the drastic changes in temperature and food supplies during evolution.}, }
@article {pmid34305877, year = {2021}, author = {Zhu, YX and Song, ZR and Zhang, YY and Hoffmann, AA and Hong, XY}, title = {Spider Mites Singly Infected With Either Wolbachia or Spiroplasma Have Reduced Thermal Tolerance.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {706321}, pmid = {34305877}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Heritable symbionts play an essential role in many aspects of host ecology in a temperature-dependent manner. However, how temperature impacts the host and their interaction with endosymbionts remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the impact of moderate (20°C) and high (30 and 35°C) temperatures on symbioses between the spider mite Tetranychus truncatus and two maternally inherited endosymbionts (Wolbachia and Spiroplasma). We found that the thermal tolerance of mites (as measured by survival after heat exposure) was lower for mites that were singly infected with either Wolbachia or Spiroplasma than it was for co-infected or uninfected mites. Although a relatively high temperature (30°C) is thought to promote bacterial replication, rearing at high temperature (35°C) resulted in losses of Wolbachia and particularly Spiroplasma. Exposing the mites to 20°C reduced the density and transmission of Spiroplasma but not Wolbachia. The four spider mite strains tested differed in the numbers of heat shock genes (Hsps) induced under moderate or high temperature exposure. In thermal preference (Tp) assays, the two Wolbachia-infected spider mite strains preferred a lower temperature than strains without Wolbachia. Our results show that endosymbiont-mediated spider mite responses to temperature stress are complex, involving a combination of changing endosymbiont infection patterns, altered thermoregulatory behavior, and transcription responses.}, }
@article {pmid34295000, year = {2021}, author = {Cano-Calle, D and Saldamando-Benjumea, CI and Vivero-Gómez, RJ and Moreno-Herrera, CX and Arango-Isaza, RE}, title = {Two New Strains of Wolbachia Affecting Natural Avocado Thrips.}, journal = {Indian journal of microbiology}, volume = {61}, number = {3}, pages = {348-354}, pmid = {34295000}, issn = {0046-8991}, abstract = {UNLABELLED: Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular bacterium with a high frequency of infection and a continental distribution in arthropods and nematodes. This endosymbiont can induce various reproductive phenotypes in their hosts and has been previously found naturally in several pests including thrips (Thripidae). These insects cause physical fruit damage and economic losses in avocado. The presence of Wolbachia was evaluated for the first time in avocado thrips populations of Frankliniella sp. and Scirtothrips hansoni sp.n. from eastern Antioquia. DNA from adult thrips individuals was used to assess the detection of Wolbachia by amplifying a fragment (600 bp) of the Wolbachia major surface protein (wsp) gene. Results confirmed the presence of two new Wolbachia strains in these two thrips species, with a higher percentage of natural infection in S. hansoni sp.n. The first Wolbachia species was found in Frankliniella sp. and belongs to supergroup A and the second was detected in S. hansoni sp.n. and is part of supergroup B. Wolbachia was more frequently found in females (32.73%), and only found in one male. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships, suggests that the two new Wolbachia sequences (wFran: Frankliniella and wShan: Scirtothrips hansoni) detected here represent two new groups for this endosymbiont. The haplotype network shows the presence of two possible haplotypes for each strain. Future studies to evaluate the possible use of Wolbachia as a control agent in avocado thrips are necessary.<br><br>SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-021-00951-5.}, }
@article {pmid34294881, year = {2022}, author = {Szabó, G and Schulz, F and Manzano-Marín, A and Toenshoff, ER and Horn, M}, title = {Evolutionarily recent dual obligatory symbiosis among adelgids indicates a transition between fungus- and insect-associated lifestyles.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {247-256}, pmid = {34294881}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {P 22533/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Fungi ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Insecta ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Adelgids (Insecta: Hemiptera: Adelgidae) form a small group of insects but harbor a surprisingly diverse set of bacteriocyte-associated endosymbionts, which suggest multiple replacement and acquisition of symbionts over evolutionary time. Specific pairs of symbionts have been associated with adelgid lineages specialized on different secondary host conifers. Using a metagenomic approach, we investigated the symbiosis of the Adelges laricis/Adelges tardus species complex containing betaproteobacterial ("Candidatus Vallotia tarda") and gammaproteobacterial ("Candidatus Profftia tarda") symbionts. Genomic characteristics and metabolic pathway reconstructions revealed that Vallotia and Profftia are evolutionary young endosymbionts, which complement each other's role in essential amino acid production. Phylogenomic analyses and a high level of genomic synteny indicate an origin of the betaproteobacterial symbiont from endosymbionts of Rhizopus fungi. This evolutionary transition was accompanied with substantial loss of functions related to transcription regulation, secondary metabolite production, bacterial defense mechanisms, host infection, and manipulation. The transition from fungus to insect endosymbionts extends our current framework about evolutionary trajectories of host-associated microbes.}, }
@article {pmid34293581, year = {2021}, author = {Krueger, S and Moritz, G}, title = {Sperm ultrastructure in arrhenotokous and thelytokous Thysanoptera.}, journal = {Arthropod structure &amp; development}, volume = {64}, number = {}, pages = {101084}, doi = {10.1016/j.asd.2021.101084}, pmid = {34293581}, issn = {1873-5495}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Insecta ; Male ; Parthenogenesis ; Reproduction ; Spermatozoa ; *Thysanoptera ; }, abstract = {Thysanoptera are haplo-diploid insects that reproduce either via arrhenotoky or thelytoky. Beside genetically based thelytoky, this reproduction mode can also be endosymbiont induced. The recovery of these females from their infection again leads to the development of males. Functionality of these males ranges widely, and this might be associated with sperm structure. We analyzed the sperm ultrastructure in three different species belonging to both suborders with different reproduction systems via electron microscopy. Beside the different reproduction modes, and adaptations to their life style, the arrhenotokous species Suocerathrips linguis (Thysanoptera: Tubulifera) and Echinothrips americanus (Thysanoptera: Terebrantia) possess typical thysanopteran-like sperm structure. But endosymbiont-cured males from the thelytokous species Hercinothrips femoralis (Thysanoptera: Terebrantia) possess several malformed spermatozoa and a large amount of secretions in their testes. Spermiophagy seems to be typical. It indicates a highly conserved mechanism of the male developmental pathways, despite the observed decay. However, this decay would explain why in some species no stable arrhenotokous line can be re-established.}, }
@article {pmid34292377, year = {2021}, author = {Manoj, RRS and Latrofa, MS and Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Otranto, D}, title = {Molecular detection of Wolbachia endosymbiont in reptiles and their ectoparasites.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {120}, number = {9}, pages = {3255-3261}, pmid = {34292377}, issn = {1432-1955}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Mites/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Reptiles/*microbiology/parasitology ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, a maternally transmitted Gram-negative endosymbiont of onchocercid nematodes and arthropods, has a role in the biology of their host; thus it has been exploited for the filariasis treatment in humans. To assess the presence and prevalence of this endosymbiont in reptiles and their ectoparasites, blood and tail tissue as well as ticks and mites collected from them were molecularly screened for Wolbachia DNA using two sets of primers targeting partial 16S rRNA and Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) genes. Positive samples were screened for the partial 12S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) genes for filarioids. Of the different species of lizards (Podarcis siculus, Podarcis muralis and Lacerta bilineata) and snakes (Elaphe quatuorlineata and Boa constrictor constrictor) screened from three collection sites, only P. siculus scored positive for Wolbachia 16S rRNA. Among ectoparasites collected from reptiles (Ixodes ricinus ticks and Neotrombicula autumnalis, Ophionyssus sauracum and Ophionyssus natricis mites), I. ricinus (n = 4; 2.8%; 95% CI, 0.9-7) from P. siculus, N. autumnalis (n = 2 each; 2.8%; 95% CI, 0.9-6.5) from P. siculus and P. muralis and O. natricis (n = 1; 14.3%; 95% CI, 0.7-55.4) from Boa constrictor constrictor scored positive for Wolbachia DNA. None of the positive Wolbachia samples scored positive for filarioids. This represents the first report of Wolbachia in reptilian hosts and their ectoparasites, which follows a single identification in the intestinal cells of a filarioid associated with a gecko. This data could contribute to better understand the reptile filarioid-Wolbachia association and to unveil the evolutionary pattern of Wolbachia in its filarial host.}, }
@article {pmid34288947, year = {2021}, author = {Tyagi, K and Tyagi, I and Kumar, V}, title = {Interspecific variation and functional traits of the gut microbiome in spiders from the wild: The largest effort so far.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {7}, pages = {e0251790}, pmid = {34288947}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; *Spiders/microbiology/physiology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Phylogeny ; Species Specificity ; Biodiversity ; }, abstract = {Spiders being one of the most diverse group in phylum arthropod are of great importance due to their role as predators, silk producer, and in medicinal applications. Spiders in prey-predator relationships play a crucial role in balancing the food-chain of any ecosystem; therefore it is essential to characterize the gut microbiota of spiders collected from natural environments. In the present work, the largest effort so far has been made to characterize the gut microbiota of 35 spider species belonging to four different families using 16S amplicon targeting sequencing. Further, we compared the gut microbiota composition including endosymbiont abundance in spider species collected from different geographical locations. The results obtained revealed the presence of genera like Acinetobacter (15%), V7clade (9%), Wolbachia (8%), Pseudomonas (5%), Bacillus (6%). Although comparative analysis revealed that the gut bacterial composition in all the spider families has a similar pattern, in terms of community richness and evenness. The bacterial diversity in the spider family, Lycosidae are more diverse than in Salticidae, Tetragnathidae and Araneidae. Furthermore, it was observed that the abundance of endosymbiont genera, i.e. Wolbachia and Rickettsia, leads to shift in the abundance of other bacterial taxa and may cause sexual alterations in spider species. Moreover, predicted functional analysis based on PICRUSt2 reveals that gut microbiota of spider species were involved in functions like metabolism of carbohydrates, cofactors and vitamins, amino acids; biosynthesis of organic compounds, fatty acids, lipids etc. Based on the results obtained, it can be said that different locations do not correlate with community composition of gut microbiota in spider species collected from natural environments.}, }
@article {pmid34287117, year = {2021}, author = {Palomares-Rius, JE and Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez, C and Mota, M and Bert, W and Claeys, M and Yushin, VV and Suzina, NE and Ariskina, EV and Evtushenko, LI and Subbotin, SA and Castillo, P}, title = {'Candidatus Xiphinematincola pachtaicus' gen. nov., sp. nov., an endosymbiotic bacterium associated with nematode species of the genus Xiphinema (Nematoda, Longidoridae).}, journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology}, volume = {71}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {34287117}, issn = {1466-5034}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Base Composition ; Burkholderiaceae/*classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Citrus/parasitology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Fatty Acids/chemistry ; Female ; Genes, Bacterial ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Nematoda/*microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rhizosphere ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Spain ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {An intracellular bacterium, strain IAS[T], was observed to infect several species of the plant-parasitic nematode genus Xiphinema (Xiphinema astaregiense, Xiphinema incertum, Xiphinema madeirense, Xiphinema pachtaicum, Xiphinema parapachydermum and Xiphinema vallense). The bacterium could not be recovered on axenic medium. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of IAS[T] was found to be new, being related to the family Burkholderiaceae, class Betaproteobacteria. Fungal endosymbionts Mycoavidus cysteinexigens B1-EB[T] (92.9 % sequence identity) and 'Candidatus Glomeribacter gigasporarum' BEG34 (89.8 % identity) are the closest taxa and form a separate phylogenetic clade inside Burkholderiaceae. Other genes (atpD, lepA and recA) also separated this species from its closest relatives using a multilocus sequence analysis approach. These genes were obtained using a partial genome of this bacterium. The localization of the bacterium (via light and fluorescence in situ hybridization microscopy) is in the X. pachtaicum females clustered around the developing oocytes, primarily found embedded inside the epithelial wall cells of the ovaries, from where they are dispersed in the intestine. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations supported the presence of bacteria inside the nematode body, where they occupy ovaries and occur inside the intestinal epithelium. Ultrastructural analysis of the bacterium showed cells that appear as mostly irregular, slightly curved rods with rounded ends, 0.8-1.2 µm wide and 2.5-6.0 µm long, possessing a typical Gram-negative cell wall. The peptidoglycan layer is, however, evident only occasionally and not detectable by TEM in most cells. Another irregularly occurring shell surrounding the endosymbiont cells or the cell clusters was also revealed, probably originating from the host cell membrane. Flagella or spore-like cells do not occur and the nucleoid is diffusely distributed throughout the cell. This endosymbiont is transmitted vertically through nematode generations. These results support the proposal of IAS[T] as a new species, although its obligate intracellular and obligate endosymbiont nature prevented isolation of a definitive type strain. Strain IAS[T] is therefore proposed as representing 'Candidatus Xiphinematincola pachtaicus' gen. nov., sp. nov.}, }
@article {pmid34276617, year = {2021}, author = {Huang, J and Dai, Z and Zheng, Z and da Silvia, PA and Kumagai, L and Xiang, Q and Chen, J and Deng, X}, title = {Bacteriomic Analyses of Asian Citrus Psyllid and Citrus Samples Infected With "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" in Southern California and Huanglongbing Management Implications.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {683481}, pmid = {34276617}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB; yellow shoot disease) is associated with an unculturable α-proteobacterium "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas). HLB was found in southern California in 2012, and the current management strategy is based on suppression of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) that transmits CLas and removal of confirmed CLas-positive trees. Little is known about Asian citrus psyllid-associated bacteria and citrus-associated bacteria in the HLB system. Such information is important in HLB management, particularly for accurate detection of CLas. Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing technology provide new opportunities to study HLB through genomic DNA sequence analyses (metagenomics). In this study, HLB-related bacteria in Asian citrus psyllid and citrus (represented by leaf midrib tissues) samples from southern California were analyzed. A metagenomic pipeline was developed to serve as a prototype for future bacteriomic research. This pipeline included steps of next-generation sequencing in Illumina platform, de novo assembly of Illumina reads, sequence classification using the Kaiju tool, acquisition of bacterial draft genome sequences, and taxonomic validation and diversity evaluation using average nucleotide identity. The identified bacteria in Asian citrus psyllids and citrus together included Bradyrhizobium, Buchnera, Burkholderia, "Candidatus Profftella armature," "Candidatus Carsonella ruddii," CLas, Mesorhizobium, Paraburkholderia, Pseudomonas, and Wolbachia. The whole genome of a CLas strain recently found in San Bernardino County was sequenced and classified into prophage typing group 1 (PTG-1), one of the five known CLas groups in California. Based on sequence similarity, Bradyrhizobium and Mesorhizobium were identified as possible source that could interfere with CLas detection using the 16S rRNA gene-based PCR commonly used for HLB diagnosis, particularly at low or zero CLas titer situation.}, }
@article {pmid34273392, year = {2021}, author = {Gangwar, M and Jha, R and Goyal, M and Srivastava, M}, title = {Biochemical characterization of Recombinase A from Wolbachia endosymbiont of filarial nematode Brugia malayi (wBmRecA).}, journal = {International journal for parasitology}, volume = {51}, number = {10}, pages = {841-853}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.02.007}, pmid = {34273392}, issn = {1879-0135}, mesh = {Animals ; *Brugia malayi ; *Elephantiasis, Filarial ; Female ; Humans ; Microfilariae ; Rec A Recombinases/antagonists &amp; inhibitors/chemistry/*metabolism ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis is a debilitating disease that affects over 890 million people in 49 countries. A lack of vaccines, non-availability of adulticidal drugs, the threat of emerging drug resistance against available chemotherapeutics and an incomplete understanding of the immunobiology of the disease have sustained the problem. Characterization of Wolbachia proteins, the bacterial endosymbiont which helps in the growth and development of filarial worms, regulates fecundity in female worms and mediates immunopathogenesis of Lymphatic Filariasis, is an important approach to gain insights into the immunopathogenesis of the disease. In this study, we carried out extensive biochemical characterization of Recombinase A from Wolbachia of the filarial nematode Brugia malayi (wBmRecA) using an Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay, an ATP binding and hydrolysis assay, DNA strand exchange reactions, DAPI displacement assay and confocal microscopy, and evaluated anti-filarial activity of RecA inhibitors. Confocal studies showed that wBmRecA was expressed and localised within B. malayi microfilariae (Mf) and uteri and lateral chord of adult females. Recombinant wBmRecA was biochemically active and showed intrinsic binding capacity towards both single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA that were enhanced by ATP, suggesting ATP-induced cooperativity. wBmRecA promoted ATP hydrolysis and DNA strand exchange reactions in a concentration-dependent manner, and its binding to DNA was sensitive to temperature, pH and salt concentration. Importantly, the anti-parasitic drug Suramin, and Phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (PcTs)-based inhibitors Fe-PcTs and 3,4-Cu-PcTs, inhibited wBmRecA activity and affected the motility and viability of Mf. The addition of Doxycycline further enhanced microfilaricidal activity of wBmRecA, suggesting potential synergism. Taken together, the omnipresence of wBmRecA in B. malayi life stages and the potent microfilaricidal activity of RecA inhibitors suggest an important role of wBmRecA in filarial pathogenesis.}, }
@article {pmid34272503, year = {2021}, author = {Russell, A and Borrelli, S and Fontana, R and Laricchiuta, J and Pascar, J and Becking, T and Giraud, I and Cordaux, R and Chandler, CH}, title = {Evolutionary transition to XY sex chromosomes associated with Y-linked duplication of a male hormone gene in a terrestrial isopod.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {127}, number = {3}, pages = {266-277}, pmid = {34272503}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {Animals ; Evolution, Molecular ; Female ; Genome ; Hormones ; Humans ; *Isopoda/genetics ; Male ; Sex Chromosomes/genetics ; Sex Determination Processes/genetics ; }, abstract = {Sex chromosomes are highly variable in some taxonomic groups, but the evolutionary mechanisms underlying this diversity are not well understood. In terrestrial isopod crustaceans, evolutionary turnovers in sex chromosomes are frequent, possibly caused by Wolbachia, a vertically-transmitted endosymbiont causing male-to-female sex reversal. Here, we use surgical manipulations and genetic crosses, plus genome sequencing, to examine sex chromosomes in the terrestrial isopod Trachelipus rathkei. Although an earlier cytogenetics study suggested a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in this species, we surprisingly find multiple lines of evidence that in our study population, sex is determined by an XX/XY system. Consistent with a recent evolutionary origin for this XX/XY system, the putative male-specific region of the genome is small. The genome shows evidence of Y-linked duplications of the gene encoding the androgenic gland hormone, a major component of male sexual differentiation in isopods. Our analyses also uncover sequences horizontally acquired from past Wolbachia infections, consistent with the hypothesis that Wolbachia may have interfered with the evolution of sex determination in T. rathkei. Overall, these results provide evidence for the co-occurrence of multiple sex chromosome systems within T. rathkei, further highlighting the relevance of terrestrial isopods as models for the study of sex chromosome evolution.}, }
@article {pmid34272286, year = {2021}, author = {Osvatic, JT and Wilkins, LGE and Leibrecht, L and Leray, M and Zauner, S and Polzin, J and Camacho, Y and Gros, O and van Gils, JA and Eisen, JA and Petersen, JM and Yuen, B}, title = {Global biogeography of chemosynthetic symbionts reveals both localized and globally distributed symbiont groups.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {118}, number = {29}, pages = {}, pmid = {34272286}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {DOC 69/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; S10 OD010786/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Autotrophic Processes ; Biodiversity ; Biological Evolution ; Bivalvia/classification/*microbiology/physiology ; Gammaproteobacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Host Specificity ; Phylogeny ; Phylogeography ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {In the ocean, most hosts acquire their symbionts from the environment. Due to the immense spatial scales involved, our understanding of the biogeography of hosts and symbionts in marine systems is patchy, although this knowledge is essential for understanding fundamental aspects of symbiosis such as host-symbiont specificity and evolution. Lucinidae is the most species-rich and widely distributed family of marine bivalves hosting autotrophic bacterial endosymbionts. Previous molecular surveys identified location-specific symbiont types that "promiscuously" form associations with multiple divergent cooccurring host species. This flexibility of host-microbe pairings is thought to underpin their global success, as it allows hosts to form associations with locally adapted symbionts. We used metagenomics to investigate the biodiversity, functional variability, and genetic exchange among the endosymbionts of 12 lucinid host species from across the globe. We report a cosmopolitan symbiont species, Candidatus Thiodiazotropha taylori, associated with multiple lucinid host species. Ca. T. taylori has achieved more success at dispersal and establishing symbioses with lucinids than any other symbiont described thus far. This discovery challenges our understanding of symbiont dispersal and location-specific colonization and suggests both symbiont and host flexibility underpin the ecological and evolutionary success of the lucinid symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid34255082, year = {2021}, author = {Sun, Y and Sun, J and Yang, Y and Lan, Y and Ip, JC and Wong, WC and Kwan, YH and Zhang, Y and Han, Z and Qiu, JW and Qian, PY}, title = {Genomic Signatures Supporting the Symbiosis and Formation of Chitinous Tube in the Deep-Sea Tubeworm Paraescarpia echinospica.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {38}, number = {10}, pages = {4116-4134}, pmid = {34255082}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {Animals ; Chitin ; Ecosystem ; Genomics ; *Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology ; Proteomics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Vestimentiferan tubeworms are iconic animals that present as large habitat-forming chitinized tube bushes in deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems. They are gutless and depend entirely on their endosymbiotic sulfide-oxidizing chemoautotrophic bacteria for nutrition. Information on the genomes of several siboglinid endosymbionts has improved our understanding of their nutritional supplies. However, the interactions between tubeworms and their endosymbionts remain largely unclear due to a paucity of host genomes. Here, we report the chromosome-level genome of the vestimentiferan tubeworm Paraescarpia echinospica. We found that the genome has been remodeled to facilitate symbiosis through the expansion of gene families related to substrate transfer and innate immunity, suppression of apoptosis, regulation of lysosomal digestion, and protection against oxidative stress. Furthermore, the genome encodes a programmed cell death pathway that potentially controls the endosymbiont population. Our integrated genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses uncovered matrix proteins required for the formation of the chitinous tube and revealed gene family expansion and co-option as evolutionary mechanisms driving the acquisition of this unique supporting structure for deep-sea tubeworms. Overall, our study provides novel insights into the host's support system that has enabled tubeworms to establish symbiosis, thrive in deep-sea hot vents and cold seeps, and produce the unique chitinous tubes in the deep sea.}, }
@article {pmid34253453, year = {2022}, author = {Massey, JH and Newton, ILG}, title = {Diversity and function of arthropod endosymbiont toxins.}, journal = {Trends in microbiology}, volume = {30}, number = {2}, pages = {185-198}, pmid = {34253453}, issn = {1878-4380}, support = {R01 AI144430/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods ; Male ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsia ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts induce dramatic phenotypes in their arthropod hosts, including cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminization, parthenogenesis, male killing, parasitoid defense, and pathogen blocking. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown but recent evidence suggests that protein toxins secreted by the endosymbionts play a role. Here, we describe the diversity and function of endosymbiont proteins with homology to known bacterial toxins. We focus on maternally transmitted endosymbionts belonging to the Wolbachia, Rickettsia, Arsenophonus, Hamiltonella, Spiroplasma, and Cardinium genera because of their ability to induce the above phenotypes. We identify at least 16 distinct toxin families with diverse enzymatic activities, including AMPylases, nucleases, proteases, and glycosyltransferases. Notably, several annotated toxins contain domains with homology to eukaryotic proteins, suggesting that arthropod endosymbionts mimic host biochemistry to manipulate host physiology, similar to bacterial pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid34252087, year = {2021}, author = {Noroy, C and Meyer, DF}, title = {The super repertoire of type IV effectors in the pangenome of Ehrlichia spp. provides insights into host-specificity and pathogenesis.}, journal = {PLoS computational biology}, volume = {17}, number = {7}, pages = {e1008788}, pmid = {34252087}, issn = {1553-7358}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins ; Computational Biology ; *Ehrlichia/genetics/pathogenicity ; Ehrlichiosis/microbiology ; Genome, Bacterial/*genetics ; Host Specificity/*genetics ; Humans ; Type IV Secretion Systems/*genetics ; Virulence/*genetics ; }, abstract = {The identification of bacterial effectors is essential to understand how obligatory intracellular bacteria such as Ehrlichia spp. manipulate the host cell for survival and replication. Infection of mammals-including humans-by the intracellular pathogenic bacteria Ehrlichia spp. depends largely on the injection of virulence proteins that hijack host cell processes. Several hypothetical virulence proteins have been identified in Ehrlichia spp., but one so far has been experimentally shown to translocate into host cells via the type IV secretion system. However, the current challenge is to identify most of the type IV effectors (T4Es) to fully understand their role in Ehrlichia spp. virulence and host adaptation. Here, we predict the T4E repertoires of four sequenced Ehrlichia spp. and four other Anaplasmataceae as comparative models (pathogenic Anaplasma spp. and Wolbachia endosymbiont) using previously developed S4TE 2.0 software. This analysis identified 579 predicted T4Es (228 pT4Es for Ehrlichia spp. only). The effector repertoires of Ehrlichia spp. overlapped, thereby defining a conserved core effectome of 92 predicted effectors shared by all strains. In addition, 69 species-specific T4Es were predicted with non-canonical GC% mostly in gene sparse regions of the genomes and we observed a bias in pT4Es according to host-specificity. We also identified new protein domain combinations, suggesting novel effector functions. This work presenting the predicted effector collection of Ehrlichia spp. can serve as a guide for future functional characterisation of effectors and design of alternative control strategies against these bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid34249780, year = {2021}, author = {Reyes, JIL and Suzuki, Y and Carvajal, T and Muñoz, MNM and Watanabe, K}, title = {Intracellular Interactions Between Arboviruses and Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {690087}, pmid = {34249780}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {*Aedes ; Animals ; *Arboviruses ; Humans ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Wolbachia ; *Zika Virus ; *Zika Virus Infection ; }, abstract = {Aedes aegypti is inherently susceptible to arboviruses. The geographical expansion of this vector host species has led to the persistence of Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya human infections. These viruses take advantage of the mosquito's cell to create an environment conducive for their growth. Arboviral infection triggers transcriptomic and protein dysregulation in Ae. aegypti and in effect, host antiviral mechanisms are compromised. Currently, there are no existing vaccines able to protect human hosts from these infections and thus, vector control strategies such as Wolbachia mass release program is regarded as a viable option. Considerable evidence demonstrates how the presence of Wolbachia interferes with arboviruses by decreasing host cytoskeletal proteins and lipids essential for arboviral infection. Also, Wolbachia strengthens host immunity, cellular regeneration and causes the expression of microRNAs which could potentially be involved in virus inhibition. However, variation in the magnitude of Wolbachia's pathogen blocking effect that is not due to the endosymbiont's density has been recently reported. Furthermore, the cellular mechanisms involved in this phenotype differs depending on Wolbachia strain and host species. This prompts the need to explore the cellular interactions between Ae. aegypti-arboviruses-Wolbachia and how different Wolbachia strains overall affect the mosquito's cell. Understanding what happens at the cellular and molecular level will provide evidence on the sustainability of Wolbachia vector control.}, }
@article {pmid34247634, year = {2021}, author = {Endersby-Harshman, NM and Ali, A and Alhumrani, B and Alkuriji, MA and Al-Fageeh, MB and Al-Malik, A and Alsuabeyl, MS and Elfekih, S and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Voltage-sensitive sodium channel (Vssc) mutations associated with pyrethroid insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti (L.) from two districts of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: baseline information for a Wolbachia release program.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {361}, pmid = {34247634}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Aedes/*drug effects/*genetics ; Animals ; Biological Assay/methods/statistics &amp; numerical data ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Female ; Insecticide Resistance/*genetics ; Insecticides/*pharmacology ; Mosquito Control/methods/statistics &amp; numerical data ; *Mutation ; Pyrethrins/*pharmacology ; Saudi Arabia ; Sodium Channels/*genetics ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue suppression often relies on control of the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, through applications of insecticides of which the pyrethroid group has played a dominant role. Insecticide resistance is prevalent in Ae. aegypti around the world, and the resulting reduction of insecticide efficacy is likely to exacerbate the impact of dengue. Dengue has been a public health problem in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Jeddah, since its discovery there in the 1990s, and insecticide use for vector control is widespread throughout the city. An alternative approach to insecticide use, based on blocking dengue transmission in mosquitoes by the endosymbiont Wolbachia, is being trialed in Jeddah following the success of this approach in Australia and Malaysia. Knowledge of insecticide resistance status of mosquito populations in Jeddah is a prerequisite for establishing a Wolbachia-based dengue control program as releases of Wolbachia mosquitoes succeed when resistance status of the release population is similar to that of the wild population.<br><br>METHODS: WHO resistance bioassays of mosquitoes with deltamethrin, permethrin and DDT were used in conjunction with TaqMan[&#xae;] SNP Genotyping Assays to characterize mutation profiles of Ae. aegypti.<br><br>RESULTS: Screening of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel (Vssc), the pyrethroid target site, revealed mutations at codons 989, 1016 and 1534 in Ae. aegypti from two districts of Jeddah. The triple mutant homozygote (1016G/1534C/989P) was confirmed from Al Safa and Al Rawabi. Bioassays with pyrethroids (Type I and II) and DDT showed that mosquitoes were resistant to each of these compounds based on WHO definitions. An association between Vssc mutations and resistance was established for the Type II pyrethroid, deltamethrin, with one genotype (989P/1016G/1534F) conferring a survival advantage over two others (989S/1016V/1534C and the triple heterozygote). An indication of synergism of Type I pyrethroid activity with piperonyl butoxide suggests that detoxification by cytochrome P450s accounts for some of the pyrethroid resistance response in Ae. aegypti populations from Jeddah.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results provide a baseline for monitoring and management of resistance as well as knowledge of Vssc genotype frequencies required in Wolbachia release populations to ensure homogeneity with the target field population. Vssc mutation haplotypes observed show some similarity with those from Ae. aegypti in southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, but the presence of the triple mutant haplotype in three genotypes indicates that the species in this region may have a unique population history.}, }
@article {pmid34235554, year = {2022}, author = {Buysse, M and Binetruy, F and Leibson, R and Gottlieb, Y and Duron, O}, title = {Ecological Contacts and Host Specificity Promote Replacement of Nutritional Endosymbionts in Ticks.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {83}, number = {3}, pages = {776-788}, pmid = {34235554}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {EVOSYM//Ministry of Science and Technology, Israel/ ; EVOSYM//centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)/ ; ANR-10-LAX-25-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche (FR)/ ; ISF No. 1074/18//Israel science foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Francisella ; Host Specificity ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; *Ticks ; }, abstract = {Symbiosis with vitamin-provisioning microbes is essential for the nutrition of animals with some specialized feeding habits. While coevolution favors the interdependence between symbiotic partners, their associations are not necessarily stable: Recently acquired symbionts can replace ancestral symbionts. In this study, we demonstrate successful replacement by Francisella-like endosymbionts (-LE), a group of B-vitamin-provisioning endosymbionts, across tick communities driven by horizontal transfers. Using a broad collection of Francisella-LE-infected tick species, we determined the diversity of Francisella-LE haplotypes through a multi-locus strain typing approach and further characterized their phylogenetic relationships and their association with biological traits of their tick hosts. The patterns observed showed that Francisella-LE commonly transfer through similar ecological networks and geographic distributions shared among different tick species and, in certain cases, through preferential shuffling across congeneric tick species. Altogether, these findings reveal the importance of geographic, ecological, and phylogenetic proximity in shaping the replacement pattern in which new nutritional symbioses are initiated.}, }
@article {pmid34229954, year = {2021}, author = {Johnston, KL and Hong, WD and Turner, JD and O'Neill, PM and Ward, SA and Taylor, MJ}, title = {Anti-Wolbachia drugs for filariasis.}, journal = {Trends in parasitology}, volume = {37}, number = {12}, pages = {1068-1081}, doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2021.06.004}, pmid = {34229954}, issn = {1471-5007}, support = {MR/R025401/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; NC/M00175X/1/NC3RS_/National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Drug Discovery ; *Elephantiasis, Filarial/drug therapy ; Humans ; *Nematode Infections/drug therapy ; *Onchocerciasis/drug therapy ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The mutualistic association between Wolbachia endosymbionts and their filarial nematode hosts has been exploited as a validated drug target delivering macrofilaricidal outcomes. Limitations of existing antibiotics to scale-up have driven the search for new drugs, which are effective in shorter regimens of 7 days or less. Here, we review the last 14 years of anti-Wolbachia drug discovery by the anti-Wolbachia (A·WOL) consortium, which has screened more than two million compounds, delivering thousands of hit compounds. Refined screening models integrated with robust pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) driven optimisation and selection strategies have delivered the first two drug candidates specifically designed to target Wolbachia. AWZ1066S and ABBV-4083 are currently progressing through clinical trials with the aim of delivering safe and effective macrofilaricides to support the elimination of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis.}, }
@article {pmid34220782, year = {2021}, author = {Obert, T and Rurik, I and Vd'ačný, P}, title = {Diversity and Eco-Evolutionary Associations of Endosymbiotic Astome Ciliates With Their Lumbricid Earthworm Hosts.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {689987}, pmid = {34220782}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Coevolution of endosymbionts with their hosts plays an important role in the processes of speciation and is among the most fascinating topics in evolutionary biology. Astome ciliates represent an interesting model for coevolutionary studies because they are so tightly associated with their host organisms that they completely lost the cell oral apparatus. In the present study, we used five nuclear markers (18S rRNA gene, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region, and 28S rRNA gene) and two mitochondrial genes (16S rRNA gene and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) to explore the diversity of astomes inhabiting the digestive tract of lumbricid earthworms at temperate latitudes in Central Europe and to cast more light on their host specificity and coevolution events that shaped their diversification. The present coevolutionary and phylogenetic interaction-adjusted similarity analyses suggested that almost every host switch leads to speciation and firm association with the new host. Nevertheless, the suggested high structural host specificity of astomes needs to be tested with increased earthworm sampling, as only 52 out of 735 lumbricid earthworms (7.07%) were inhabited by ciliates. On the other hand, the diversification of astomes associated with megascolecid and glossoscolecid earthworms might have been driven by duplication events without host switching.}, }
@article {pmid34216527, year = {2021}, author = {Yang, K and Yuan, MY and Liu, Y and Guo, CL and Liu, TX and Zhang, YJ and Chu, D}, title = {First evidence for thermal tolerance benefits of the bacterial symbiont Cardinium in an invasive whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {77}, number = {11}, pages = {5021-5031}, doi = {10.1002/ps.6543}, pmid = {34216527}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {//First class grassland science discipline programme in Shandong Province/ ; 31872030//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; tsqn20161040//Taishan Scholar Foundation of Shandong Province/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; Female ; Fertility ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Longevity ; Male ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUD: Cardinium symbiont is a maternally inherited bacterial endosymbiont and widely spreads in arthropods including Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). However, the potential role of Cardinium played in the biology of their hosts is largely unknown. In two genetic lines (i.e. LS and SG lines) of B. tabaci MED, collected from different locations in China, we tested the effects of Cardinium on the performance of the host whitefly under a constant high temperature (31 °C) using the age-stage two-sex life table method, and explored the genes influenced by Cardinium-infection by RNA-sequencing.<br><br>RESULTS: We found that Cardinium did provide protection of B. tabaci against heat stress under 31&#x2009;&#xb0;C. However, there was a significant connection between Cardinium-infection and whitefly genetic backgrounds. Performance revealed that Cardinium infection can increase the longevity of both female and male adults and oviposition periods in both lines, but it also conferred benefits of fecundity and pre-adult period to LS line. Additionally, the population parameters such as intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (&#x3bb;) and mean generation time (T) demonstrated that Cardinium infection conferred fitness benefits to LS line but not to SG line. Transcriptome analysis indicated that several genes related to homeostasis and metamorphosis such as ubiquitin-related genes were highly expressed in Cardinium-infected B. tabaci.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The research provided the first evidence that Cardinium can increase the thermal tolerance of whitefly, which may be associated with host genetic background.}, }
@article {pmid34215695, year = {2021}, author = {Uwizeye, C and Mars Brisbin, M and Gallet, B and Chevalier, F and LeKieffre, C and Schieber, NL and Falconet, D and Wangpraseurt, D and Schertel, L and Stryhanyuk, H and Musat, N and Mitarai, S and Schwab, Y and Finazzi, G and Decelle, J}, title = {Cytoklepty in the plankton: A host strategy to optimize the bioenergetic machinery of endosymbiotic algae.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {118}, number = {27}, pages = {}, pmid = {34215695}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Carbon Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism ; *Energy Metabolism ; Haptophyta/*metabolism ; Microalgae/cytology ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Plankton/*cytology ; Plastids/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbioses have shaped the evolutionary trajectory of life and remain ecologically important. Investigating oceanic photosymbioses can illuminate how algal endosymbionts are energetically exploited by their heterotrophic hosts and inform on putative initial steps of plastid acquisition in eukaryotes. By combining three-dimensional subcellular imaging with photophysiology, carbon flux imaging, and transcriptomics, we show that cell division of endosymbionts (Phaeocystis) is blocked within hosts (Acantharia) and that their cellular architecture and bioenergetic machinery are radically altered. Transcriptional evidence indicates that a nutrient-independent mechanism prevents symbiont cell division and decouples nuclear and plastid division. As endosymbiont plastids proliferate, the volume of the photosynthetic machinery volume increases 100-fold in correlation with the expansion of a reticular mitochondrial network in close proximity to plastids. Photosynthetic efficiency tends to increase with cell size, and photon propagation modeling indicates that the networked mitochondrial architecture enhances light capture. This is accompanied by 150-fold higher carbon uptake and up-regulation of genes involved in photosynthesis and carbon fixation, which, in conjunction with a ca.15-fold size increase of pyrenoids demonstrates enhanced primary production in symbiosis. Mass spectrometry imaging revealed major carbon allocation to plastids and transfer to the host cell. As in most photosymbioses, microalgae are contained within a host phagosome (symbiosome), but here, the phagosome invaginates into enlarged microalgal cells, perhaps to optimize metabolic exchange. This observation adds evidence that the algal metamorphosis is irreversible. Hosts, therefore, trigger and benefit from major bioenergetic remodeling of symbiotic microalgae with potential consequences for the oceanic carbon cycle. Unlike other photosymbioses, this interaction represents a so-called cytoklepty, which is a putative initial step toward plastid acquisition.}, }
@article {pmid34213555, year = {2021}, author = {Thairu, MW and Meduri, VRS and Degnan, PH and Hansen, AK}, title = {Natural Selection Shapes Maintenance of Orthologous sRNAs in Divergent Host-Restricted Bacterial Genomes.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {38}, number = {11}, pages = {4778-4791}, pmid = {34213555}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {Animals ; *Buchnera/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Genome, Bacterial ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; RNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Selection, Genetic ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Historically it has been difficult to study the evolution of bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) across distantly related species. For example, identifying homologs of sRNAs is often difficult in genomes that have undergone multiple structural rearrangements. Also, some types of regulatory sRNAs evolve at rapid rates. The high degree of genomic synteny among divergent host-restricted bacterial lineages, including intracellular symbionts, is conducive to sRNA maintenance and homolog identification. In turn, symbiont genomes can provide us with novel insights into sRNA evolution. Here, we examine the sRNA expression profile of the obligate symbiont of psyllids, Carsonella ruddii, which has one of the smallest cellular genomes described. Using RNA-seq, we identified 36 and 32 antisense sRNAs (asRNAs) expressed by Carsonella from the psyllids Bactericera cockerelli (Carsonella-BC) and Diaphorina citri (Carsonella-DC), respectively. The majority of these asRNAs were associated with genes that are involved in essential amino acid biosynthetic pathways. Eleven of the asRNAs were conserved in both Carsonella lineages and the majority were maintained by selection. Notably, five of the corresponding coding sequences are also the targets of conserved asRNAs in a distantly related insect symbiont, Buchnera. We detected differential expression of two asRNAs for genes involved in arginine and leucine biosynthesis occurring between two distinct Carsonella-BC life stages. Using asRNAs identified in Carsonella, Buchnera, and Profftella which are all endosymbionts, and Escherichia coli, we determined that regions upstream of these asRNAs encode unique conserved patterns of AT/GC richness, GC skew, and sequence motifs which may be involved in asRNA regulation.}, }
@article {pmid34212028, year = {2021}, author = {Choi, NJ and Xi, H and Park, J}, title = {A Comparative Analyses of the Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Fungal Endosymbionts in Sogatella furcifera, White-Backed Planthoppers.}, journal = {International journal of genomics}, volume = {2021}, number = {}, pages = {6652508}, pmid = {34212028}, issn = {2314-4378}, abstract = {Sogatella furcifera Horvath, commonly known as the white-backed planthoppers (WBPH), is an important pest in East Asian rice fields. Fungal endosymbiosis is widespread among planthoppers in the infraorder Fulgoromorpha and suborder Auchenorrhyncha. We successfully obtained complete mitogenome of five WBPH fungal endosymbionts, belonging to the Ophiocordycipitaceae family, from next-generation sequencing (NGS) reads obtained from S. furcifera samples. These five mitogenomes range in length from 55,390 bp to 55,406 bp, which is shorter than the mitogenome of the fungal endosymbiont found in Ricania speculum, black planthoppers. Twenty-eight protein-coding genes (PCGs), 12 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs were found in the mitogenomes. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, two insertions, and three deletions were identified among the five mitogenomes, which were fewer in number than those of four species of Ophiocordycipitaceae, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Hirsutella thompsonii, Hirsutella rhossiliensis, and Tolypocladium inflatum. Noticeably short lengths (up to 18 bp) of simple sequence repeats were identified in the five WBPH fungal endosymbiont mitogenomes. Phylogenetic analysis based on conserved PCGs across 25 Ophiocordycipitaceae mitogenomes revealed that the five mitogenomes were clustered with that of R. speculum, forming an independent clade. In addition to providing the full mitogenome sequences, obtaining complete mitogenomes of WBPH endosymbionts can provide insights into their phylogenetic positions without needing to isolate the mtDNA from the host. This advantage is of value to future studies involving fungal endosymbiont mitogenomes.}, }
@article {pmid34209060, year = {2021}, author = {Getange, D and Bargul, JL and Kanduma, E and Collins, M and Bodha, B and Denge, D and Chiuya, T and Githaka, N and Younan, M and Fèvre, EM and Bell-Sakyi, L and Villinger, J}, title = {Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Associated with Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Northern Kenya.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {9}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {34209060}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {NUF/ NRF-BBSRC CALL 1/1/02//Kenya's National Research Fund (NRF)/ ; BB/P024378/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/L019019/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; DEL-15-011//DELTAS Africa Initiative/ ; Newton-Utafiti Fund project BB/S004890/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 107742/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are major constraints to camel health and production, yet epidemiological data on their diversity and impact on dromedary camels remain limited. We surveyed the diversity of ticks and TBPs associated with camels and co-grazing sheep at 12 sites in Marsabit County, northern Kenya. We screened blood and ticks (858 pools) from 296 camels and 77 sheep for bacterial and protozoan TBPs by high-resolution melting analysis and sequencing of PCR products. Hyalomma (75.7%), Amblyomma (17.6%) and Rhipicephalus (6.7%) spp. ticks were morphologically identified and confirmed by molecular analyses. We detected TBP DNA in 80.1% of blood samples from 296 healthy camels. "Candidatus Anaplasma camelii", "Candidatus Ehrlichia regneryi" and Coxiella burnetii were detected in both camels and associated ticks, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Rickettsia africae, Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Coxiella endosymbionts were detected in camel ticks. We also detected Ehrlichia ruminantium, which is responsible for heartwater disease in ruminants, in Amblyomma ticks infesting camels and sheep and in sheep blood, indicating its endemicity in Marsabit. Our findings also suggest that camels and/or the ticks infesting them are disease reservoirs of zoonotic Q fever (C. burnetii), ehrlichiosis (E. chaffeensis) and rickettsiosis (R. africae), which pose public health threats to pastoralist communities.}, }
@article {pmid34208681, year = {2021}, author = {Ourry, M and Crosland, A and Lopez, V and Derocles, SAP and Mougel, C and Cortesero, AM and Poinsot, D}, title = {Influential Insider: Wolbachia, an Intracellular Symbiont, Manipulates Bacterial Diversity in Its Insect Host.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {9}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {34208681}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {SE 0000282 MP-P10026 EB06//Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/ ; }, abstract = {Facultative intracellular symbionts like the α-proteobacteria Wolbachia influence their insect host phenotype but little is known about how much they affect their host microbiota. Here, we quantified the impact of Wolbachia infection on the bacterial community of the cabbage root fly Delia radicum by comparing the microbiota of Wolbachia-free and infected adult flies of both sexes. We used high-throughput DNA sequencing (Illumina MiSeq, 16S rRNA, V5-V7 region) and performed a community and a network analysis. In both sexes, Wolbachia infection significantly decreased the diversity of D. radicum bacterial communities and modified their structure and composition by reducing abundance in some taxa but increasing it in others. Infection by Wolbachia was negatively correlated to 8 bacteria genera (Erwinia was the most impacted), and positively correlated to Providencia and Serratia. We suggest that Wolbachia might antagonize Erwinia for being entomopathogenic (and potentially intracellular), but would favor Providencia and Serratia because they might protect the host against chemical plant defenses. Although they might seem prisoners in a cell, endocellular symbionts can impact the whole microbiota of their host, hence its extended phenotype, which provides them with a way to interact with the outside world.}, }
@article {pmid34205691, year = {2021}, author = {Kobayashi, T and Chatanga, E and Qiu, Y and Simuunza, M and Kajihara, M and Hang'ombe, BM and Eto, Y and Saasa, N and Mori-Kajihara, A and Simulundu, E and Takada, A and Sawa, H and Katakura, K and Nonaka, N and Nakao, R}, title = {Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Coxiella-Like Endosymbionts in Ticks Collected from Animals and Vegetation in Zambia.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {34205691}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {16H06431, 19H03118, 19F19097, 20K21358, 20KK0151//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 20wm0225016j0001//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP20jm0110019//Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development/ ; }, abstract = {Ticks are obligate ectoparasites as they require to feed on their host blood during some or all stages of their life cycle. In addition to the pathogens that ticks harbor and transmit to vertebrate hosts, they also harbor other seemingly nonpathogenic microorganisms including nutritional mutualistic symbionts. Tick nutritional mutualistic symbionts play important roles in the physiology of the host ticks as they are involved in tick reproduction and growth through the supply of B vitamins as well as in pathogen maintenance and propagation. Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) are the most widespread endosymbionts exclusively reported in ticks. Although CLEs have been investigated in ticks in other parts of the world, there is no report of their investigation in ticks in Zambia. To investigate the occurrence of CLEs, their maintenance, and association with host ticks in Zambia, 175 ticks belonging to six genera, namely Amblyomma, Argas, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ornithodoros, and Rhipicephalus, were screened for CLEs, followed by characterization of CLEs by multi-locus sequence typing of the five Coxiella housekeeping genes (dnaK, groEL, rpoB, 16S rRNA, and 23S rRNA). The results showed that 45.7% (n = 80) were positive for CLEs. The comparison of the tick 16S rDNA phylogenetic tree with that of the CLEs concatenated sequences showed that there was a strong correlation between the topology of the trees. The results suggest that most of the CLEs have evolved within tick species, supporting the vertical transmission phenomenon. However, the negative results for CLE in some ticks warrants further investigations of other endosymbionts that the ticks in Zambia may also harbor.}, }
@article {pmid34204648, year = {2021}, author = {Frangoulidis, D and Kahlhofer, C and Said, AS and Osman, AY and Chitimia-Dobler, L and Shuaib, YA}, title = {High Prevalence and New Genotype of Coxiella burnetii in Ticks Infesting Camels in Somalia.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {34204648}, issn = {2076-0817}, abstract = {Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever. It can infect animals, humans, and birds, as well as ticks, and it has a worldwide geographical distribution. To better understand the epidemiology of C. burnetii in Somalia, ticks infesting camels were collected from five different regions, including Bari, Nugaal, Mudug, Sool, and Sanaag, between January and March 2018. Collected ticks were tested for C. burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbiont DNA by using IS1111, icd, and Com1-target PCR assays. Moreover, sequencing of the 16S-rRNA was conducted. Molecular characterization and typing were done by adaA-gene analysis and plasmid-type identification. Further typing was carried out by 14-marker Multi-Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeats (MLVA/VNTR) analysis. The investigated ticks (n = 237) were identified as Hyalomma spp. (n = 227, 95.8%), Amblyomma spp. (n = 8, 3.4%), and Ripicephalus spp. (n = 2, 0.8%), and 59.1% (140/237) of them were positive for Coxiella spp. While Sanger sequencing and plasmid-type identification revealed a C. burnetii that harbours the QpRS-plasmid, MLVA/VNTR genotyping showed a new genotype which was initially named D21. In conclusion, this is the first report of C. burnetii in ticks in Somalia. The findings denote the possibility that C. burnetii is endemic in Somalia. Further epidemiological studies investigating samples from humans, animals, and ticks within the context of "One Health" are warranted.}, }
@article {pmid34200026, year = {2021}, author = {Skalický, T and Alves, JMP and Morais, AC and Režnarová, J and Butenko, A and Lukeš, J and Serrano, MG and Buck, GA and Teixeira, MMG and Camargo, EP and Sanders, M and Cotton, JA and Yurchenko, V and Kostygov, AY}, title = {Endosymbiont Capture, a Repeated Process of Endosymbiont Transfer with Replacement in Trypanosomatids Angomonas spp.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {34200026}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {20-07186S//Grantov&#xe1; Agentura &#x10c;esk&#xe9; Republiky/ ; CZ.02.1.01/16_019/0000759//European Regional Development Fund/ ; SGS/PrF/2021//Ostravsk&#xe1; Univerzita v Ostrav&#x11b;/ ; &#x410;&#x410;&#x410;&#x410;-&#x410;19-119031390116-9//State Assignment for ZIN RAS/ ; R01 AI050196/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Trypanosomatids of the subfamily Strigomonadinae bear permanent intracellular bacterial symbionts acquired by the common ancestor of these flagellates. However, the cospeciation pattern inherent to such relationships was revealed to be broken upon the description of Angomonas ambiguus, which is sister to A. desouzai, but bears an endosymbiont genetically close to that of A. deanei. Based on phylogenetic inferences, it was proposed that the bacterium from A. deanei had been horizontally transferred to A. ambiguus. Here, we sequenced the bacterial genomes from two A. ambiguus isolates, including a new one from Papua New Guinea, and compared them with the published genome of the A. deanei endosymbiont, revealing differences below the interspecific level. Our phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the endosymbionts of A. ambiguus were obtained from A. deanei and, in addition, demonstrated that this occurred more than once. We propose that coinfection of the same blowfly host and the phylogenetic relatedness of the trypanosomatids facilitate such transitions, whereas the drastic difference in the occurrence of the two trypanosomatid species determines the observed direction of this process. This phenomenon is analogous to organelle (mitochondrion/plastid) capture described in multicellular organisms and, thereafter, we name it endosymbiont capture.}, }
@article {pmid34199688, year = {2021}, author = {Vivero, RJ and Castañeda-Monsalve, VA and Romero, LR and D Hurst, G and Cadavid-Restrepo, G and Moreno-Herrera, CX}, title = {Gut Microbiota Dynamics in Natural Populations of Pintomyia evansi under Experimental Infection with Leishmania infantum.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {9}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {34199688}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {47050//Universidad Nacional de Colombia/ ; AV/PP0018/1//Global Challenges Research Fund/ ; }, abstract = {Pintomyia evansi is recognized by its vectorial competence in the transmission of parasites that cause fatal visceral leishmaniasis in rural and urban environments of the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The effect on and the variation of the gut microbiota in female P. evansi infected with Leishmania infantum were evaluated under experimental conditions using 16S rRNA Illumina MiSeq sequencing. In the coinfection assay with L. infantum, 96.8% of the midgut microbial population was composed mainly of Proteobacteria (71.0%), followed by Cyanobacteria (20.4%), Actinobacteria (2.7%), and Firmicutes (2.7%). In insect controls (uninfected with L. infantum) that were treated or not with antibiotics, Ralstonia was reported to have high relative abundance (55.1-64.8%), in contrast to guts with a high load of infection from L. infantum (23.4-35.9%).&amp;nbsp;ASVs that moderately increased in guts infected with Leishmania were Bacillus and Aeromonas. Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric variance statistical inference showed statistically significant intergroup differences in the guts of P. evansi infected and uninfected with L. infantum (p < 0.05), suggesting that some individuals of the microbiota could induce or restrict Leishmania infection. This assay also showed a negative effect of the antibiotic treatment and L. infantum infection on the gut microbiota diversity. Endosymbionts, such as Microsporidia infections (<2%), were more often associated with guts without Leishmania infection, whereas Arsenophonus was only found in guts with a high load of Leishmania infection and treated with antibiotics. Finally, this is the first report that showed the potential role of intestinal microbiota in natural populations of P. evansi in susceptibility to L. infantum infection.}, }
@article {pmid34197460, year = {2021}, author = {Kupritz, J and Martin, J and Fischer, K and Curtis, KC and Fauver, JR and Huang, Y and Choi, YJ and Beatty, WL and Mitreva, M and Fischer, PU}, title = {Isolation and characterization of a novel bacteriophage WO from Allonemobius socius crickets in Missouri.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {7}, pages = {e0250051}, pmid = {34197460}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteriophages/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Capsid Proteins/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/metabolism ; DNA, Viral/chemistry/metabolism ; Female ; *Genome, Viral ; Gryllidae/*microbiology/virology ; Membrane Proteins/genetics ; Missouri ; Open Reading Frames/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/virology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbionts of numerous arthropod and some nematode species, are important for their development and if present can cause distinct phenotypes of their hosts. Prophage DNA has been frequently detected in Wolbachia, but particles of Wolbachia bacteriophages (phage WO) have been only occasionally isolated. Here, we report the characterization and isolation of a phage WO of the southern ground cricket, Allonemobius socius, and provided the first whole-genome sequence of phage WO from this arthropod family outside of Asia. We screened A. socius abdomen DNA extracts from a cricket population in eastern Missouri by quantitative PCR for Wolbachia surface protein and phage WO capsid protein and found a prevalence of 55% and 50%, respectively, with many crickets positive for both. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies against Wolbachia surface protein showed many Wolbachia clusters in the reproductive system of female crickets. Whole-genome sequencing using Oxford Nanopore MinION and Illumina technology allowed for the assembly of a high-quality, 55 kb phage genome containing 63 open reading frames (ORF) encoding for phage WO structural proteins and host lysis and transcriptional manipulation. Taxonomically important regions of the assembled phage genome were validated by Sanger sequencing of PCR amplicons. Analysis of the nucleotides sequences of the ORFs encoding the large terminase subunit (ORF2) and minor capsid (ORF7) frequently used for phage WO phylogenetics showed highest homology to phage WOAu of Drosophila simulans (94.46% identity) and WOCin2USA1 of the cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cingulata (99.33% identity), respectively. Transmission electron microscopy examination of cricket ovaries showed a high density of phage particles within Wolbachia cells. Isolation of phage WO revealed particles characterized by 40-62 nm diameter heads and up to 190 nm long tails. This study provides the first detailed description and genomic characterization of phage WO from North America that is easily accessible in a widely distributed cricket species.}, }
@article {pmid34197116, year = {2021}, author = {Hanke, W and Patt, J and Alenfelder, J and Voss, JH and Zdouc, MM and Kehraus, S and Kim, JB and Grujičić, GV and Namasivayam, V and Reher, R and Müller, CE and Kostenis, E and Crüsemann, M and König, GM}, title = {Feature-Based Molecular Networking for the Targeted Identification of Gq-Inhibiting FR900359 Derivatives.}, journal = {Journal of natural products}, volume = {84}, number = {7}, pages = {1941-1953}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00194}, pmid = {34197116}, issn = {1520-6025}, mesh = {Ardisia/chemistry ; Chromobacterium/chemistry ; Depsipeptides/*pharmacology ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves/chemistry ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/*antagonists &amp; inhibitors ; Signal Transduction/*drug effects ; }, abstract = {Both the soil bacterium Chromobacterium vaccinii and the bacterial endosymbiont Candidatus Burkholderia crenata of the plant Ardisia crenata are producers of FR900359 (FR). This cyclic depsipeptide is a potent and selective Gq protein inhibitor used extensively to investigate the intracellular signaling of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). In this study, the metabolomes of both FR producers were investigated and compared using feature-based molecular networking (FBMN). As a result, 30 previously unknown FR derivatives were identified, one-third being unique to C. vaccinii. Guided by MS, a novel FR derivative, FR-6 (compound 1), was isolated, and its structure unambiguously established. In a whole-cell biosensing assay based on detection of dynamic mass redistribution (DMR) as readout for Gq inhibition, FR-6 suppressed Gq signaling with micromolar potency (pIC50 = 5.56). This functional activity was confirmed in radioligand binding assays (pKi = 7.50). This work demonstrates the power of molecular networking, guiding the way to a novel Gq-inhibiting FR derivative and underlining the potency of FR as a Gq inhibitor.}, }
@article {pmid34194462, year = {2021}, author = {Hoecker, N and Hennecke, Y and Schrott, S and Marino, G and Schmidt, SB and Leister, D and Schneider, A}, title = {Gene Replacement in Arabidopsis Reveals Manganese Transport as an Ancient Feature of Human, Plant and Cyanobacterial UPF0016 Proteins.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {697848}, pmid = {34194462}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {The protein family 0016 (UPF0016) is conserved through evolution, and the few members characterized share a function in Mn[2+] transport. So far, little is known about the history of these proteins in Eukaryotes. In Arabidopsis thaliana five such proteins, comprising four different subcellular localizations including chloroplasts, have been described, whereas non-photosynthetic Eukaryotes have only one. We used a phylogenetic approach to classify the eukaryotic proteins into two subgroups and performed gene-replacement studies to investigate UPF0016 genes of various origins. Replaceability can be scored readily in the Arabidopsis UPF0016 transporter mutant pam71, which exhibits a functional deficiency in photosystem II. The N-terminal region of the Arabidopsis PAM71 was used to direct selected proteins to chloroplast membranes. Transgenic pam71 lines overexpressing the closest plant homolog (CMT1), human TMEM165 or cyanobacterial MNX successfully restored photosystem II efficiency, manganese binding to photosystem II complexes and consequently plant growth rate and biomass production. Thus AtCMT1, HsTMEM165, and SynMNX can operate in the thylakoid membrane and substitute for PAM71 in a non-native environment, indicating that the manganese transport function of UPF0016 proteins is an ancient feature of the family. We propose that the two chloroplast-localized UPF0016 proteins, CMT1 and PAM71, in plants originated from the cyanobacterial endosymbiont that gave rise to the organelle.}, }
@article {pmid34192342, year = {2021}, author = {Salsbery, ME and DeLong, JP}, title = {Thermal adaptation in a holobiont accompanied by phenotypic changes in an endosymbiont.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {75}, number = {8}, pages = {2074-2084}, doi = {10.1111/evo.14301}, pmid = {34192342}, issn = {1558-5646}, mesh = {Acclimatization ; Adaptation, Physiological ; *Ciliophora ; *Paramecium ; Symbiosis ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {How and if organisms can adapt to changing temperatures has drastic consequences for the natural world. Thermal adaptation involves finding a match between temperatures permitting growth and the expected temperature distribution of the environment. However, if and how this match is achieved, and how tightly linked species change together, is poorly understood. Paramecium bursaria is a ciliate that has a tight physiological interaction with endosymbiotic green algae (zoochlorellae). We subjected a wild population of P. bursaria to a cold and warm climate (20 and 32℃) for ∼300 generations. We then measured the thermal performance curve (TPC) for intrinsic rate of growth (rmax) for these evolved lines across temperatures. We also evaluated number and size of the zoochlorellae populations within paramecia cells. TPCs for warm-adapted populations were shallower and broader than TPCs of cold-adapted populations, indicating that the warm populations adapted by moving along a thermal generalist/specialist trade off rather than right-shifting the TPC. Zoochlorellae populations within cold-adapted paramecia had fewer and larger zoochlorellae than hot-adapted paramecia, indicating phenotypic shifts in the endosymbiont accompany thermal adaptation in the host. Our results provide new and novel insight into how species involved in complex interactions will be affected by continuing increasing global temperatures.}, }
@article {pmid34190607, year = {2021}, author = {Leonard, JM and Mitchell, J and Beinart, RA and Delaney, JA and Sanders, JG and Ellis, G and Goddard, EA and Girguis, PR and Scott, KM}, title = {Cooccurring Activities of Two Autotrophic Pathways in Symbionts of the Hydrothermal Vent Tubeworm Riftia pachyptila.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {87}, number = {17}, pages = {e0079421}, pmid = {34190607}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Autotrophic Processes ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Citric Acid Cycle ; Gammaproteobacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology/parasitology ; Photosynthesis ; Polychaeta/*microbiology/physiology ; Sulfides/metabolism ; Sulfur/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Genome and proteome data predict the presence of both the reductive citric acid cycle (rCAC; also called the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle) and the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle (CBB) in "Candidatus Endoriftia persephonae," the autotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacterial endosymbiont from the giant hydrothermal vent tubeworm Riftia pachyptila. We tested whether these cycles were differentially induced by sulfide supply, since the synthesis of biosynthetic intermediates by the rCAC is less energetically expensive than that by the CBB. R. pachyptila was incubated under in situ conditions in high-pressure aquaria under low (28 to 40 μmol · h[-1]) or high (180 to 276 μmol · h[-1]) rates of sulfide supply. Symbiont-bearing trophosome samples excised from R. pachyptila maintained under the two conditions were capable of similar rates of CO2 fixation. Activities of the rCAC enzyme ATP-dependent citrate lyase (ACL) and the CBB enzyme 1,3-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) did not differ between the two conditions, although transcript abundances for ATP-dependent citrate lyase were 4- to 5-fold higher under low-sulfide conditions. δ[13]C values of internal dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) pools were varied and did not correlate with sulfide supply rate. In samples taken from freshly collected R. pachyptila, δ[13]C values of lipids fell between those collected for organisms using either the rCAC or the CBB exclusively. These observations are consistent with cooccurring activities of the rCAC and the CBB in this symbiosis. IMPORTANCE Previous to this study, the activities of the rCAC and CBB in R. pachyptila had largely been inferred from "omics" studies of R. pachyptila without direct assessment of in situ conditions prior to collection. In this study, R. pachyptila was maintained and monitored in high-pressure aquaria prior to measuring its CO2 fixation parameters. Results suggest that ranges in sulfide concentrations similar to those experienced in situ do not exert a strong influence on the relative activities of the rCAC and the CBB. This observation highlights the importance of further study of this symbiosis and other organisms with multiple CO2-fixing pathways, which recent genomics and biochemical studies suggest are likely to be more prevalent than anticipated.}, }
@article {pmid34190587, year = {2021}, author = {Leitner, M and Bishop, C and Asgari, S}, title = {Transcriptional Response of Wolbachia to Dengue Virus Infection in Cells of the Mosquito Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {6}, number = {3}, pages = {e0043321}, pmid = {34190587}, issn = {2379-5042}, abstract = {Aedes aegypti transmits one of the most significant mosquito-borne viruses, dengue virus (DENV). The absence of effective vaccines and clinical treatments and the emergence of insecticide resistance in A. aegypti necessitate novel vector control strategies. A new approach uses the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis to reduce the spread of arboviruses. However, the Wolbachia-mediated antiviral mechanism is not well understood. To shed light on this mechanism, we investigated an unexplored aspect of Wolbachia-virus-mosquito interaction. We used RNA sequencing to examine the transcriptional response of Wolbachia to DENV infection in A. aegypti Aag2 cells transinfected with the wAlbB strain of Wolbachia. Our results suggest that genes encoding an endoribonuclease (RNase HI), a regulator of sigma 70-dependent gene transcription (6S RNA), essential cellular, transmembrane, and stress response functions and primary type I and IV secretion systems were upregulated, while a number of transport and binding proteins of Wolbachia, ribosome structure, and elongation factor-associated genes were downregulated due to DENV infection. Furthermore, bacterial retrotransposon, transposable, and phage-related elements were found among the up- and downregulated genes. We show that Wolbachia elicits a transcriptional response to virus infection and identify differentially expressed Wolbachia genes mostly at the early stages of virus infection. These findings highlight Wolbachia's ability to alter its gene expression in response to DENV infection of the host cell. IMPORTANCE Aedes aegypti is a vector of several pathogenic viruses, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses, which are of importance to human health. Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium currently used in transinfected mosquitoes to suppress replication and transmission of dengue viruses. However, the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated virus inhibition is not fully understood. While several studies have shown mosquitoes' transcriptional responses to dengue virus infection, none have investigated these responses in Wolbachia, which may provide clues to the inhibition mechanism. Our results suggest changes in the expression of a number of functionally important Wolbachia genes upon dengue virus infection, including those involved in stress responses, providing insights into the endosymbiont's reaction to virus infection.}, }
@article {pmid34188937, year = {2021}, author = {Page, CE and Leggat, W and Heron, SF and Fordyce, AJ and Ainsworth, TD}, title = {High flow conditions mediate damaging impacts of sub-lethal thermal stress on corals' endosymbiotic algae.}, journal = {Conservation physiology}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {coab046}, pmid = {34188937}, issn = {2051-1434}, abstract = {The effects of thermal anomalies on tropical coral endosymbiosis can be mediated by a range of environmental factors, which in turn ultimately influence coral health and survival. One such factor is the water flow conditions over coral reefs and corals. Although the physiological benefits of living under high water flow are well known, there remains a lack of conclusive experimental evidence characterizing how flow mitigates thermal stress responses in corals. Here we use in situ measurements of flow in a variety of reef habitats to constrain the importance of flow speeds on the endosymbiosis of an important reef building species under different thermal regimes. Under high flow speeds (0.15 m s[-1]) and thermal stress, coral endosymbionts retained photosynthetic function and recovery capacity for longer compared to low flow conditions (0.03 m s[-1]). We hypothesize that this may be due to increased rates of mass transfer of key metabolites under higher flow, putatively allowing corals to maintain photosynthetic efficiency for longer. We also identified a positive interactive effect between high flow and a pre-stress, sub-lethal pulse in temperature. While higher flow may delay the onset of photosynthetic stress, it does not appear to confer long-term protection; sustained exposure to thermal stress (eDHW accumulation equivalent to 4.9°C weeks) eventually overwhelmed the coral meta-organism as evidenced by eventual declines in photo-physiological function and endosymbiont densities. Investigating flow patterns at the scale of metres within the context of these physiological impacts can reveal interesting avenues for coral reef management. This study increases our understanding of the effects of water flow on coral reef health in an era of climate change and highlights the potential to learn from existing beneficial bio-physical interactions for the effective preservation of coral reefs into the future.}, }
@article {pmid34187119, year = {2020}, author = {Chigurupati, S and Vijayabalan, S and Selvarajan, KK and Alhowail, A and Kauser, F}, title = {Bacterial endosymbiont inhabiting Leucaena leucocephala leaves and their antioxidant and antidiabetic potential.}, journal = {Journal of complementary &amp; integrative medicine}, volume = {18}, number = {2}, pages = {319-325}, doi = {10.1515/jcim-2020-0203}, pmid = {34187119}, issn = {1553-3840}, mesh = {Animals ; *Antioxidants/pharmacology ; Bacteria ; *Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy ; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rats ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Research on endosymbionts is emerging globally and is considered as a potential source of bioactive phytochemicals. The present study examines the antioxidant and antidiabetic of the endophytic crude extract isolated from Leucaena leucocephala leaves.<br><br>METHODS: Endophytic bacteria were isolated from the leaves of L.&#xa0;leucocephala and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to establish their identity. The in vitro antioxidant effect of endophytic crude extract (LL) was evaluated using 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) free radical scavenging methods. The in vitro antidiabetic properties of LL were evaluated using &#x3b1;-amylase and &#x3b1;-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assay.<br><br>RESULTS: The isolated endophytic bacteria were identified as Cronobacter sakazakii. LL displayed potent free radical scavenging effect against ABTS and DPPH radicals with an inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) value of 17.49&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;0.06 and 11.3&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;0.1&#xa0;&#x3bc;g/mL respectively. LL exhibited &#x3b1;-amylase and &#x3b1;-glucosidase inhibition with an IC50 value of 23.3&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;0.08 and 23.4&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;0.1&#xa0;&#x3bc;g/mL respectively compared to the standard drug (acarbose). Both glucose loaded normoglycemic rats and STZ induced diabetic rats treated with LL (200&#xa0;mg/kg) exhibited a considerable reduction in blood glucose levels p<0.01 after 8&#xa0;h of treatment when compared to normal and diabetic control rats respectively.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the study shows that LL has a wellspring of natural source of antioxidants, and antidiabetic agents and phytoconstituents present in endophytes could be the rich source for bioactive compounds.}, }
@article {pmid34177846, year = {2021}, author = {Tláskal, V and Pylro, VS and Žifčáková, L and Baldrian, P}, title = {Ecological Divergence Within the Enterobacterial Genus Sodalis: From Insect Symbionts to Inhabitants of Decomposing Deadwood.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {668644}, pmid = {34177846}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The bacterial genus Sodalis is represented by insect endosymbionts as well as free-living species. While the former have been studied frequently, the distribution of the latter is not yet clear. Here, we present a description of a free-living strain, Sodalis ligni sp. nov., originating from decomposing deadwood. The favored occurrence of S. ligni in deadwood is confirmed by both 16S rRNA gene distribution and metagenome data. Pangenome analysis of available Sodalis genomes shows at least three groups within the Sodalis genus: deadwood-associated strains, tsetse fly endosymbionts and endosymbionts of other insects. This differentiation is consistent in terms of the gene frequency level, genome similarity and carbohydrate-active enzyme composition of the genomes. Deadwood-associated strains contain genes for active decomposition of biopolymers of plant and fungal origin and can utilize more diverse carbon sources than their symbiotic relatives. Deadwood-associated strains, but not other Sodalis strains, have the genetic potential to fix N2, and the corresponding genes are expressed in deadwood. Nitrogenase genes are located within the genomes of Sodalis, including S. ligni, at multiple loci represented by more gene variants. We show decomposing wood to be a previously undescribed habitat of the genus Sodalis that appears to show striking ecological divergence.}, }
@article {pmid34159734, year = {2021}, author = {Haselkorn, TS and Jimenez, D and Bashir, U and Sallinger, E and Queller, DC and Strassmann, JE and DiSalvo, S}, title = {Novel Chlamydiae and Amoebophilus endosymbionts are prevalent in wild isolates of the model social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {13}, number = {5}, pages = {708-719}, pmid = {34159734}, issn = {1758-2229}, mesh = {*Amoeba ; Bacteria ; Bacteroidetes ; *Dictyostelium/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Amoebae interact with bacteria in multifaceted ways. Amoeba predation can serve as a selective pressure for the development of bacterial virulence traits. Bacteria may also adapt to life inside amoebae, resulting in symbiotic relationships. Indeed, particular lineages of obligate bacterial endosymbionts have been found in different amoebae. Here, we screened an extensive collection of Dictyostelium discoideum wild isolates for the presence of these bacterial symbionts using endosymbiont specific PCR primers. We find that these symbionts are surprisingly common, identified in 42% of screened isolates (N = 730). Members of the Chlamydiae phylum are particularly prevalent, occurring in 27% of the amoeba isolated. They are novel and phylogenetically distinct from other Chlamydiae. We also found Amoebophilus symbionts in 8% of screened isolates (N = 730). Antibiotic-cured amoebae behave similarly to their Chlamydiae or Amoebophilus-infected counterparts, suggesting that these endosymbionts do not significantly impact host fitness, at least in the laboratory. We found several natural isolates were co-infected with multiple endosymbionts, with no obvious fitness effect of co-infection under laboratory conditions. The high prevalence and novelty of amoeba endosymbiont clades in the model organism D. discoideum opens the door to future research on the significance and mechanisms of amoeba-symbiont interactions.}, }
@article {pmid34157872, year = {2021}, author = {Scucchia, F and Malik, A and Zaslansky, P and Putnam, HM and Mass, T}, title = {Combined responses of primary coral polyps and their algal endosymbionts to decreasing seawater pH.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {288}, number = {1953}, pages = {20210328}, pmid = {34157872}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/genetics ; Coral Reefs ; Ecosystem ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Oceans and Seas ; Seawater ; }, abstract = {With coral reefs declining globally, resilience of these ecosystems hinges on successful coral recruitment. However, knowledge of the acclimatory and/or adaptive potential in response to environmental challenges such as ocean acidification (OA) in earliest life stages is limited. Our combination of physiological measurements, microscopy, computed tomography techniques and gene expression analysis allowed us to thoroughly elucidate the mechanisms underlying the response of early-life stages of corals, together with their algal partners, to the projected decline in oceanic pH. We observed extensive physiological, morphological and transcriptional changes in surviving recruits, and the transition to a less-skeleton/more-tissue phenotype. We found that decreased pH conditions stimulate photosynthesis and endosymbiont growth, and gene expression potentially linked to photosynthates translocation. Our unique holistic study discloses the previously unseen intricate net of interacting mechanisms that regulate the performance of these organisms in response to OA.}, }
@article {pmid34152527, year = {2021}, author = {Dângelo, RAC and Michereff-Filho, M and Inoue-Nagata, AK and da Silva, PS and Chediak, M and Guedes, RNC}, title = {Area-wide insecticide resistance and endosymbiont incidence in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (B biotype): A Neotropical context.}, journal = {Ecotoxicology (London, England)}, volume = {30}, number = {6}, pages = {1056-1070}, pmid = {34152527}, issn = {1573-3017}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insecticide Resistance ; *Insecticides/toxicity ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Agriculture insecticides are used against insect pest species, but are able to change community structure in contaminated habitats, and also the genetic pool of exposed individuals. In fact, the latter effect is a relevant tool to in situ biomonitoring of pollutant contamination and impact, besides its practical economic and management concerns. This takes place because the emergence of individuals with resistance to insecticides is particularly frequent among insect pest species and usually enhances insecticide overuse and crop losses. Pest insects of global prominence such as whiteflies are a focus of attention due to problems with insecticide resistance and association with endosymbionts, as the case of the invasive putative species Bemisia tabaci MEAM1. The scenario is particularly complex in the Neotropics, where insecticide use is ubiquitous, but whose spatial scale of occurrence is usually neglected. Here we explored the spatial-dependence of both phenomena in MEAM1 whiteflies recording resistance to two widely used insecticides, lambda-cyhalothrin and spiromesifen, and endosymbiont co-occurrence. Resistance to both insecticides was frequent exhibiting low to moderate frequency of lambda-cyhalothrin resistance and moderate to high frequency of spiromesifen resistance. Among the prevailing whitefly endosymbionts, Wolbachia, Cardinium and Arsenophonus were markedly absent. In contrast, Hamiltonella and Rickettsia prevailed and their incidence was correlated. Furthermore, Rickettsia endosymbionts were particularly associated with lambda-cyhalothrin susceptibility. These traits were spatially dependent with significant variation taking place within an area of about 700 Km[2]. Such findings reinforce the notion of endosymbiont-associated resistance to insecticides, and also of their local incidence allowing spatial mapping and locally-targeted mitigation.}, }
@article {pmid34149652, year = {2021}, author = {Xiao, B and Li, D and Liao, B and Zheng, H and Yang, X and Xie, Y and Xie, Z and Li, C}, title = {Effects of Microplastics Exposure on the Acropora sp. Antioxidant, Immunization and Energy Metabolism Enzyme Activities.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {666100}, pmid = {34149652}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Microplastic pollution in marine environments has increased rapidly in recent years, with negative influences on the health of marine organisms. Scleractinian coral, one of the most important species in the coral ecosystems, is highly sensitive to microplastic. However, whether microplastic causes physiological disruption of the coral, via oxidative stress, immunity, and energy metabolism, is unclear. In the present study, the physiological responses of the coral Acropora sp. were determined after exposure to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide 66 (PA66), and polyethylene (PE) microplastic for 96 h. The results showed that there were approximately 4-22 items/nubbin on the surface of the coral skeleton and 2-10 items/nubbin on the inside of the skeleton in the MPs exposure groups. The density of endosymbiont decreased (1.12 × 10[5]-1.24 × 10[5] cell/cm[2]) in MPs exposure groups compared with the control group. Meanwhile, the chlorophyll content was reduced (0.11-0.76 μg/cm[2]) after MPs exposure. Further analysis revealed that the antioxidant enzymes in coral tissues were up-regulated (Total antioxidant capacity T-AOC 2.35 × 10[-3]-1.05 × 10[-2] mmol/mg prot, Total superoxide dismutase T-SOD 3.71-28.67 U/mg prot, glutathione GSH 10.21-10.51 U/mg prot). The alkaline phosphatase (AKP) was inhibited (1.44-4.29 U/mg prot), while nitric oxide (NO) increased (0.69-2.26 μmol/g prot) for cell signal. Moreover, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was down-regulated in the whole experiment period (0.19-0.22 U/mg prot), and Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) for cell the phosphate pentoses pathway was also reduced (0.01-0.04 U/mg port). Results showed that the endosymbiont was released and chlorophyll was decreased. In addition, a disruption could occur under MPs exposure, which was related to anti-oxidant, immune, and energy metabolism.}, }
@article {pmid34146106, year = {2021}, author = {Ying, L and Baiming, L and Hongran, L and Tianbo, D and Yunli, T and Dong, C}, title = {Effect of Cardinium Infection on the Probing Behavior of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MED.}, journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)}, volume = {21}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {34146106}, issn = {1536-2442}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; Bacterial Infections ; *Behavior ; *Hemiptera/microbiology/physiology ; Host Microbial Interactions/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Facultative endosymbionts can affect the growth, physiology, and behavior of their arthropod hosts. There are several endosymbionts in the invasive whitefly Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED, Q biotype) that influence host fitness by altering stylet probing behavior. We investigated the probing behavior of B. tabaci MED infected with the facultative endosymbiont Candidatus Cardinium hertigii (Cardinium (Sphingobacteriales: Flexibacteraceae)). We generated genetically similar Cardinium-infected (C*+) and uninfected (C-) clonal sublines and analyzed the probing behavior of newly emerged adult on cotton (Malvales: Malvaceae), Gossypium hirsutum L., using electropenetrography (EPG). The C- subline demonstrated a longer duration of E2 (2.81-fold) and more events of E2 (2.22-fold) than the C*+ subline, indicating a greater level of sustained ingestion of plant phloem. These findings provide insight into the fitness costs (fitness of a particular genotype is lower than the average fitness of the population) of the Cardinium-infected B. tabaci.}, }
@article {pmid34143770, year = {2021}, author = {Duarte, EH and Carvalho, A and López-Madrigal, S and Costa, J and Teixeira, L}, title = {Forward genetics in Wolbachia: Regulation of Wolbachia proliferation by the amplification and deletion of an addictive genomic island.}, journal = {PLoS genetics}, volume = {17}, number = {6}, pages = {e1009612}, pmid = {34143770}, issn = {1553-7404}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Load ; Dicistroviridae/growth &amp; development/pathogenicity ; Drosophila melanogaster/immunology/*microbiology/virology ; Female ; Gene Editing/methods ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Genomic Islands ; Longevity/*immunology ; Male ; Phenotype ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wolbachia/*genetics/growth &amp; development/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is one of the most prevalent bacterial endosymbionts, infecting approximately 40% of terrestrial arthropod species. Wolbachia is often a reproductive parasite but can also provide fitness benefits to its host, as, for example, protection against viral pathogens. This protective effect is currently being applied to fight arboviruses transmission by releasing Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes. Titre regulation is a crucial aspect of Wolbachia biology. Higher titres can lead to stronger phenotypes and fidelity of transmission but can have a higher cost to the host. Since Wolbachia is maternally transmitted, its fitness depends on host fitness, and, therefore, its cost to the host may be under selection. Understanding how Wolbachia titres are regulated and other aspects of Wolbachia biology has been hampered by the lack of genetic tools. Here we developed a forward genetic screen to identify new Wolbachia over-proliferative mutant variants. We characterized in detail two new mutants, wMelPop2 and wMelOctoless, and show that the amplification or loss of the Octomom genomic region lead to over-proliferation. These results confirm previous data and expand on the complex role of this genomic region in the control of Wolbachia proliferation. Both new mutants shorten the host lifespan and increase antiviral protection. Moreover, we show that Wolbachia proliferation rate in Drosophila melanogaster depends on the interaction between Octomom copy number, the host developmental stage, and temperature. Our analysis also suggests that the life shortening and antiviral protection phenotypes of Wolbachia are dependent on different, but related, properties of the endosymbiont; the rate of proliferation and the titres near the time of infection, respectively. We also demonstrate the feasibility of a novel and unbiased experimental approach to study Wolbachia biology, which could be further adapted to characterize other genetically intractable bacterial endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid34141272, year = {2021}, author = {Zhao, C and Miao, S and Yin, Y and Zhu, Y and Nabity, P and Bansal, R and Liu, C}, title = {Tripartite parasitic and symbiotic interactions as a possible mechanism of horizontal gene transfer.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {7018-7028}, pmid = {34141272}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Herbivory is a highly sophisticated feeding behavior that requires abilities of plant defense suppression, phytochemical detoxification, and plant macromolecule digestion. For plant-sucking insects, salivary glands (SGs) play important roles in herbivory by secreting and injecting proteins into plant tissues to facilitate feeding. Little is known on how insects evolved secretory SG proteins for such specialized functions. Here, we investigated the composition and evolution of secretory SG proteins in the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) and identified a group of secretory SG phospholipase C (PLC) genes with highest sequence similarity to the bacterial homologs. Further analyses demonstrated that they were most closely related to PLCs of Xenorhabdus, a genus of Gammaproteobacteria living in symbiosis with insect-parasitizing nematodes. These suggested that H. halys might acquire these PLCs from Xenorhabdus through the mechanism of horizontal gene transfer (HGT), likely mediated by a nematode during its parasitizing an insect host. We also showed that the original HGT event was followed by gene duplication and expansion, leading to functional diversification of the bacterial-origin PLC genes in H. halys. Thus, this study suggested that an herbivore might enhance adaptation through gaining genes from an endosymbiont of its parasite in the tripartite parasitic and symbiotic interactions.}, }
@article {pmid34140946, year = {2021}, author = {Williams, TJ and Allen, MA and Ivanova, N and Huntemann, M and Haque, S and Hancock, AM and Brazendale, S and Cavicchioli, R}, title = {Genome Analysis of a Verrucomicrobial Endosymbiont With a Tiny Genome Discovered in an Antarctic Lake.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {674758}, pmid = {34140946}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Organic Lake in Antarctica is a marine-derived, cold (-13∘C), stratified (oxic-anoxic), hypersaline (>200 gl[-1]) system with unusual chemistry (very high levels of dimethylsulfide) that supports the growth of phylogenetically and metabolically diverse microorganisms. Symbionts are not well characterized in Antarctica. However, unicellular eukaryotes are often present in Antarctic lakes and theoretically could harbor endosymbionts. Here, we describe Candidatus Organicella extenuata, a member of the Verrucomicrobia with a highly reduced genome, recovered as a metagenome-assembled genome with genetic code 4 (UGA-to-Trp recoding) from Organic Lake. It is closely related to Candidatus Pinguicocccus supinus (163,218 bp, 205 genes), a newly described cytoplasmic endosymbiont of the freshwater ciliate Euplotes vanleeuwenhoeki (Serra et al., 2020). At 158,228 bp (encoding 194 genes), the genome of Ca. Organicella extenuata is among the smallest known bacterial genomes and similar to the genome of Ca. Pinguicoccus supinus (163,218 bp, 205 genes). Ca. Organicella extenuata retains a capacity for replication, transcription, translation, and protein-folding while lacking any capacity for the biosynthesis of amino acids or vitamins. Notably, the endosymbiont retains a capacity for fatty acid synthesis (type II) and iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster assembly. Metagenomic analysis of 150 new metagenomes from Organic Lake and more than 70 other Antarctic aquatic locations revealed a strong correlation in abundance between Ca. Organicella extenuata and a novel ciliate of the genus Euplotes. Like Ca. Pinguicoccus supinus, we infer that Ca. Organicella extenuata is an endosymbiont of Euplotes and hypothesize that both Ca. Organicella extenuata and Ca. Pinguicocccus supinus provide fatty acids and Fe-S clusters to their Euplotes host as the foundation of a mutualistic symbiosis. The discovery of Ca. Organicella extenuata as possessing genetic code 4 illustrates that in addition to identifying endosymbionts by sequencing known symbiotic communities and searching metagenome data using reference endosymbiont genomes, the potential exists to identify novel endosymbionts by searching for unusual coding parameters.}, }
@article {pmid34134631, year = {2021}, author = {Kaech, H and Dennis, AB and Vorburger, C}, title = {Triple RNA-Seq characterizes aphid gene expression in response to infection with unequally virulent strains of the endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {449}, pmid = {34134631}, issn = {1471-2164}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Gene Expression ; RNA-Seq ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wasps ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Secondary endosymbionts of aphids provide benefits to their hosts, but also impose costs such as reduced lifespan and reproductive output. The aphid Aphis fabae is host to different strains of the secondary endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa, which encode different putative toxins. These strains have very different phenotypes: They reach different densities in the host, and the costs and benefits (protection against parasitoid wasps) they confer to the host vary strongly.<br><br>RESULTS: We used RNA-Seq to generate hypotheses on why four of these strains inflict such different costs to A. fabae. We found different H. defensa strains to cause strain-specific changes in aphid gene expression, but little effect of H. defensa on gene expression of the primary endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola. The highly costly and over-replicating H. defensa strain H85 was associated with strongly reduced aphid expression of hemocytin, a marker of hemocytes in Drosophila. The closely related strain H15 was associated with downregulation of ubiquitin-related modifier 1, which is related to nutrient-sensing and oxidative stress in other organisms. Strain H402 was associated with strong differential regulation of a set of hypothetical proteins, the majority of which were only differentially regulated in presence of H402.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results suggest that costs of different strains of H. defensa are likely caused by different mechanisms, and that these costs are imposed by interacting with the host rather than the host's obligatory endosymbiont B. aphidicola.}, }
@article {pmid34125088, year = {2021}, author = {Dukes, HE and Dyer, JE and Ottesen, EA}, title = {Establishment and Maintenance of Gnotobiotic American Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana).}, journal = {Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE}, volume = {}, number = {171}, pages = {}, pmid = {34125088}, issn = {1940-087X}, support = {R35 GM133789/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Germ-Free Life ; *Periplaneta/microbiology ; Rats ; }, abstract = {Gnotobiotic animals are a powerful tool for the study of controls on microbiome structure and function. Presented here is a protocol for the establishment and maintenance of gnotobiotic American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana). This approach includes built-in sterility checks for ongoing quality control. Gnotobiotic insects are defined here as cockroaches that still contain their vertically transmitted endosymbiont (Blattabacterium) but lack other microbes that normally reside on their surface and in their digestive tract. For this protocol, egg cases (oothecae) are removed from a (nonsterile) stock colony and surface sterilized. Once collected and sterilized, the oothecae are incubated at 30 °C for approximately 4-6 weeks on brain-heart infusion (BHI) agar until they hatch or are removed due to contamination. Hatched nymphs are transferred to an Erlenmeyer flask containing a BHI floor, sterile water, and sterile rat food. To ensure that the nymphs are not housing microbes that are unable to grow on BHI in the given conditions, an additional quality control measure uses restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) to test for nonendosymbiotic microbes. Gnotobiotic nymphs generated using this approach can be inoculated with simple or complex microbial communities and used as a tool in gut microbiome studies.}, }
@article {pmid34124939, year = {2021}, author = {Baaziz, H and Compton, KK and Hildreth, SB and Helm, RF and Scharf, BE}, title = {McpT, a Broad-Range Carboxylate Chemoreceptor in Sinorhizobium meliloti.}, journal = {Journal of bacteriology}, volume = {203}, number = {17}, pages = {e0021621}, pmid = {34124939}, issn = {1098-5530}, mesh = {Bacterial Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Carboxylic Acids/chemistry/metabolism ; Chemotactic Factors/genetics/*metabolism ; Chemotaxis ; Gene Deletion ; Glyoxylates/metabolism ; Ligands ; Sinorhizobium meliloti/genetics/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Chemoreceptors enable the legume symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti to detect and respond to specific chemicals released from their host plant alfalfa, which allows the establishment of a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. The periplasmic region (PR) of transmembrane chemoreceptors act as the sensory input module for chemotaxis systems via binding of specific ligands, either directly or indirectly. S. meliloti has six transmembrane and two cytosolic chemoreceptors. However, the function of only three of the transmembrane receptors have been characterized so far, with McpU, McpV, and McpX serving as general amino acid, short-chain carboxylate, and quaternary ammonium compound sensors, respectively. In the present study, we analyzed the S. meliloti chemoreceptor McpT. High-throughput differential scanning fluorimetry assays, using Biolog phenotype microarray plates, identified 15 potential ligands for McpT[PR], with the majority classified as mono-, di-, and tricarboxylates. S. meliloti exhibited positive chemotaxis toward seven selected carboxylates, namely, α-ketobutyrate, citrate, glyoxylate, malate, malonate, oxalate, and succinate. These carboxylates were detected in seed exudates of the alfalfa host. Deletion of mcpT resulted in a significant decrease of chemotaxis to all carboxylates except for citrate. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed that McpT[PR] bound preferentially to the monocarboxylate glyoxylate and with lower affinity to the dicarboxylates malate, malonate, and oxalate. However, no direct binding was detected for the remaining three carboxylates that elicited an McpT-dependent chemotaxis response. Taken together, these results demonstrate that McpT is a broad-range carboxylate chemoreceptor that mediates chemotactic response via direct ligand binding and an indirect mechanism that needs to be identified. IMPORTANCE Nitrate pollution is one of the most widespread and challenging environmental problems that is mainly caused by the agricultural overapplication of nitrogen fertilizers. Biological nitrogen fixation by the endosymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti enhances the growth of its host Medicago sativa (alfalfa), which also efficiently supplies the soil with nitrogen. Establishment of the S. meliloti-alfalfa symbiosis relies on the early exchange and recognition of chemical signals. The present study contributes to the disclosure of this complex molecular dialogue by investigating the underlying mechanisms of carboxylate sensing in S. meliloti. Understanding individual steps that govern the S. meliloti-alfalfa molecular cross talk helps in the development of efficient, commercial bacterial inoculants that promote the growth of alfalfa, which is the most cultivated forage legume in the world, and improves soil fertility.}, }
@article {pmid34122387, year = {2021}, author = {Fujiwara, Y and Kawamura, I and Reimer, JD and Parkinson, JE}, title = {Zoantharian Endosymbiont Community Dynamics During a Stress Event.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {674026}, pmid = {34122387}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Coral reefs are complex ecosystems composed of many interacting species. One ecologically important group consists of zoantharians, which are closely related to reef-building corals. Like corals, zoantharians form mutualistic symbioses with dinoflagellate micro-algae (family Symbiodiniaceae), but their associations remain underexplored. To examine the degree to which zoantharians exhibit altered symbiont dynamics under changing environmental conditions, we reciprocally transplanted colonies of Zoanthus sansibaricus between intertidal (2 m) and subtidal (26 m) depths within a reef in Okinawa, Japan. At this location, Z. sansibaricus can associate with three Symbiodiniaceae species from two genera distributed along a light and depth gradient. We developed species-specific molecular assays and sampled colonies pre- and post-transplantation to analyze symbiont community diversity. Despite large environmental differences across depths, we detected few symbiont compositional changes resulting from transplantation stress. Colonies sourced from the intertidal zone associated with mixtures of a "shallow" Symbiodinium sp. and a "shallow" Cladocopium sp. independent of whether they were transplanted to shallow or deep waters. Colonies sourced from the subtidal zone were dominated by a "deep" Cladocopium sp. regardless of transplant depth. Subtidal colonies brought to shallow depths did not transition to the presumably high-light adapted shallow symbionts present in the new environment, but rather bleached and died. These patterns mirror observations of highly stable coral-algal associations subjected to depth transplantation. Our results indicate that Zoanthus-Symbiodiniaceae symbioses remain stable despite stress, suggesting these important reef community members have relatively low capacity to shuffle to more stress-tolerant micro-algae in response to ongoing climate change.}, }
@article {pmid34122367, year = {2021}, author = {Demirbas-Uzel, G and Augustinos, AA and Doudoumis, V and Parker, AG and Tsiamis, G and Bourtzis, K and Abd-Alla, AMM}, title = {Interactions Between Tsetse Endosymbionts and Glossina pallidipes Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus in Glossina Hosts.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {653880}, pmid = {34122367}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Tsetse flies are the sole cyclic vector for trypanosomosis, the causative agent for human African trypanosomosis or sleeping sickness and African animal trypanosomosis or nagana. Tsetse population control is the most efficient strategy for animal trypanosomosis control. Among all tsetse control methods, the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is one of the most powerful control tactics to suppress or eradicate tsetse flies. However, one of the challenges for the implementation of SIT is the mass production of target species. Tsetse flies have a highly regulated and defined microbial fauna composed of three bacterial symbionts (Wigglesworthia, Sodalis and Wolbachia) and a pathogenic Glossina pallidipes Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus (GpSGHV) which causes reproduction alterations such as testicular degeneration and ovarian abnormalities with reduced fertility and fecundity. Interactions between symbionts and GpSGHV might affect the performance of the insect host. In the present study, we assessed the possible impact of GpSGHV on the prevalence of tsetse endosymbionts under laboratory conditions to decipher the bidirectional interactions on six Glossina laboratory species. The results indicate that tsetse symbiont densities increased over time in tsetse colonies with no clear impact of the GpSGHV infection on symbionts density. However, a positive correlation between the GpSGHV and Sodalis density was observed in Glossina fuscipes species. In contrast, a negative correlation between the GpSGHV density and symbionts density was observed in the other taxa. It is worth noting that the lowest Wigglesworthia density was observed in G. pallidipes, the species which suffers most from GpSGHV infection. In conclusion, the interactions between GpSGHV infection and tsetse symbiont infections seems complicated and affected by the host and the infection density of the GpSGHV and tsetse symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid34121858, year = {2021}, author = {Ibrahim, S and Gupta, RK and War, AR and Hussain, B and Kumar, A and Sofi, T and Noureldeen, A and Darwish, H}, title = {Degradation of chlorpyriphos and polyethylene by endosymbiotic bacteria from citrus mealybug.}, journal = {Saudi journal of biological sciences}, volume = {28}, number = {6}, pages = {3214-3224}, pmid = {34121858}, issn = {1319-562X}, abstract = {Chlorpyriphos is one of the major organophosphorus pesticides used widely to control a range of insect pests across several crops. This insecticide is hazardous to the environment and toxic to mammals, thus, it is essential to remove the same from the environment. Similarly, use of polythene is also increasing day by day. Therefore, it is highly important to identify ways to degrade chlorpyriphos and other pesticides from the environment. We studied the degradation of chlorpyriphos and polyethylene by Citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri) bacterial endosymbionts such as Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas cereus, Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus subtilis. This investigation revealed that bacterial endosymbionts use the polythene as a source of carbon and solubilize them by their enzymatic machinery. The degradation of polyethylene by endosymbionts showed a significant reduction in weight of polyethylene sheet after 15, 30 and 45 days of treatment. The SEM images showed localized degradation of the polyethylene around the bacterial cells in the biofilm. Further, the tensile strength (percentage elongation) was significantly reduced after 45 days of incubation. The weight of paraffin wax showed significant reduction in B. cereus. A significant reduction in total amount of chlorpyriphos in soil was observed at an interval of 7, 14 and 21 days after treatment by the bacterial isolates. Among the bacteria, B. cereus and P. putida were found to be most effective. The results from this study show that endosymbionts can be significantly implicated in degrading chlorpyriphos and polyethylene from the environment.}, }
@article {pmid34117067, year = {2021}, author = {Muñoz-Gómez, SA and Kreutz, M and Hess, S}, title = {A microbial eukaryote with a unique combination of purple bacteria and green algae as endosymbionts.}, journal = {Science advances}, volume = {7}, number = {24}, pages = {}, pmid = {34117067}, issn = {2375-2548}, abstract = {Oxygenic photosynthesizers (cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae) have repeatedly become endosymbionts throughout evolution. In contrast, anoxygenic photosynthesizers (e.g., purple bacteria) are exceedingly rare as intracellular symbionts. Here, we report on the morphology, ultrastructure, lifestyle, and metagenome of the only "purple-green" eukaryote known. The ciliate Pseudoblepharisma tenue harbors green algae and hundreds of genetically reduced purple bacteria. The latter represent a new candidate species of the Chromatiaceae that lost known genes for sulfur dissimilation. The tripartite consortium is physiologically complex because of the versatile energy metabolism of each partner but appears to be ecologically specialized as it prefers hypoxic sediments. The emergent niche of this complex symbiosis is predicted to be a partial overlap of each partners' niches and may be largely defined by anoxygenic photosynthesis and possibly phagotrophy. This purple-green ciliate thus represents an extraordinary example of how symbiosis merges disparate physiologies and allows emergent consortia to create novel ecological niches.}, }
@article {pmid34108021, year = {2021}, author = {Novelo, M and Audsley, MD and McGraw, EA}, title = {The effects of DENV serotype competition and co-infection on viral kinetics in Wolbachia-infected and uninfected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {314}, pmid = {34108021}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {R01 AI143758/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/physiology/*virology ; Animals ; Dengue Virus/chemistry/classification/genetics/*physiology ; Female ; Kinetics ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology/physiology/*virology ; Viral Load ; Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Aedes aegypti mosquito is responsible for the transmission of several medically important arthropod-borne viruses, including multiple serotypes of dengue virus (DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4). Competition within the mosquito between DENV serotypes can affect viral infection dynamics, modulating the transmission potential of the pathogen. Vector control remains the main method for limiting dengue fever. The insect endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis is currently being trialed in field releases globally as a means of biological control because it reduces virus replication inside the mosquito. It is not clear how co-infection between DENV serotypes in the same mosquito might alter the pathogen-blocking phenotype elicited by Wolbachia in Ae. aegypti.<br><br>METHODS: Five- to 7-day-old female Ae. aegypti from two lines, namely, with (wMel) and without Wolbachia infection (WT), were fed virus-laden blood through an artificial membrane with either a mix of DENV-2 and DENV-3 or the same DENV serotypes singly. Mosquitoes were subsequently incubated inside environmental chambers and collected on the following days post-infection: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13. Midgut, carcass, and salivary glands were collected from each mosquito at each timepoint and individually analyzed to determine the percentage of DENV infection and viral RNA load via RT-qPCR.<br><br>RESULTS: We saw that for WT mosquitoes DENV-3 grew to higher viral RNA loads across multiple tissues when co-infected with DENV-2 than when it was in a mono-infection. Additionally, we saw a strong pathogen-blocking phenotype in wMel mosquitoes independent of co-infection status.<br><br>CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that the wMel mosquito line is capable of blocking DENV serotype co-infection in a systemic way across the mosquito body. Moreover, we showed that for WT mosquitoes, serotype co-infection can affect infection frequency in a tissue- and time-specific manner and that both viruses have the potential of being transmitted simultaneously. Our findings suggest that the long-term efficacy of Wolbachia pathogen blocking is not compromised by arthropod-borne virus co-infection.}, }
@article {pmid34107000, year = {2021}, author = {Yang, L and Weiss, BL and Williams, AE and Aksoy, E and de Silva Orfano, A and Son, JH and Wu, Y and Vigneron, A and Karakus, M and Aksoy, S}, title = {Paratransgenic manipulation of a tsetse microRNA alters the physiological homeostasis of the fly's midgut environment.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {17}, number = {6}, pages = {e1009475}, pmid = {34107000}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI139525/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR001863/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; Genes, Insect ; Homeostasis/*physiology ; Insect Vectors/genetics/parasitology ; Intestines/*physiology ; MicroRNAs/*genetics ; Trypanosoma ; Trypanosomiasis, African/*parasitology ; Tsetse Flies/*genetics/*parasitology ; }, abstract = {Tsetse flies are vectors of parasitic African trypanosomes, the etiological agents of human and animal African trypanosomoses. Current disease control methods include fly-repelling pesticides, fly trapping, and chemotherapeutic treatment of infected people and animals. Inhibiting tsetse's ability to transmit trypanosomes by strengthening the fly's natural barriers can serve as an alternative approach to reduce disease. The peritrophic matrix (PM) is a chitinous and proteinaceous barrier that lines the insect midgut and serves as a protective barrier that inhibits infection with pathogens. African trypanosomes must cross tsetse's PM in order to establish an infection in the fly, and PM structural integrity negatively correlates with trypanosome infection outcomes. Bloodstream form trypanosomes shed variant surface glycoproteins (VSG) into tsetse's gut lumen early during the infection establishment, and free VSG molecules are internalized by the fly's PM-producing cardia. This process results in a reduction in the expression of a tsetse microRNA (miR275) and a sequential molecular cascade that compromises PM integrity. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are critical in regulating many physiological processes. In the present study, we investigated the role(s) of tsetse miR275 by developing a paratransgenic expression system that employs tsetse's facultative bacterial endosymbiont, Sodalis glossinidius, to express tandem antagomir-275 repeats (or miR275 sponges). This system induces a constitutive, 40% reduction in miR275 transcript abundance in the fly's midgut and results in obstructed blood digestion (gut weights increased by 52%), a significant increase (p-value < 0.0001) in fly survival following infection with an entomopathogenic bacteria, and a 78% increase in trypanosome infection prevalence. RNA sequencing of cardia and midgut tissues from paratransgenic tsetse confirmed that miR275 regulates processes related to the expression of PM-associated proteins and digestive enzymes as well as genes that encode abundant secretory proteins. Our study demonstrates that paratransgenesis can be employed to study microRNA regulated pathways in arthropods that house symbiotic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid34103228, year = {2022}, author = {Elston, KM and Leonard, SP and Geng, P and Bialik, SB and Robinson, E and Barrick, JE}, title = {Engineering insects from the endosymbiont out.}, journal = {Trends in microbiology}, volume = {30}, number = {1}, pages = {79-96}, doi = {10.1016/j.tim.2021.05.004}, pmid = {34103228}, issn = {1878-4380}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Ecosystem ; *Insecta/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Insects are an incredibly diverse group of animals with species that benefit and harm natural ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. Many insects have consequential associations with microbes: bacterial symbionts may be embedded in different insect tissues and cell types, inherited across insect generations, and required for insect survival and reproduction. Genetically engineering insect symbionts is key to understanding and harnessing these associations. We summarize different types of insect-bacteria relationships and review methods used to genetically modify endosymbiont and gut symbiont species. Finally, we discuss recent studies that use this approach to study symbioses, manipulate insect-microbe interactions, and influence insect biology. Further progress in insect symbiont engineering promises to solve societal challenges, ranging from controlling pests to protecting pollinator health.}, }
@article {pmid34096774, year = {2022}, author = {Killiny, N}, title = {Made for Each Other: Vector-Pathogen Interfaces in the Huanglongbing Pathosystem.}, journal = {Phytopathology}, volume = {112}, number = {1}, pages = {26-43}, doi = {10.1094/PHYTO-05-21-0182-FI}, pmid = {34096774}, issn = {0031-949X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Citrus ; *Hemiptera ; Insect Vectors ; Plant Diseases ; *Rhizobiaceae ; }, abstract = {Citrus greening, or huanglongbing (HLB), currently is the most destructive disease of citrus. HLB disease is putatively caused by the phloem-restricted α-proteobacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus'. This bacterium is transmitted primarily by the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Most animal pathogens are considered pathogenic to their insect vectors, whereas the relationships between plant pathogens and their insect vectors are variable. Lately, the relationship of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' with its insect vector, D. citri, has been well investigated at the molecular, biochemical, and biological levels in many studies. Herein, the findings concerning this relationship are discussed and molecular features of the acquisition of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' from the plant host and its growth and circulation within D. citri, as well as its transmission to plants, are presented. In addition, the effects of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' on the energy metabolism (respiration, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and adenosine triphosphate production), metabolic pathways, immune system, endosymbionts, and detoxification enzymes of D. citri are discussed together with other impacts such as shorter lifespan, altered feeding behavior, and higher fecundity. Overall, although 'Ca. L. asiaticus' has significant negative effects on its insect vector, it increases its vector fitness, indicating that it develops a mutualistic relationship with its vector. This review will help in understanding the specific interactions between 'Ca. L. asiaticus' and its psyllid vector in order to design innovative management strategies.}, }
@article {pmid34084554, year = {2021}, author = {Huffmyer, AS and Johnson, CJ and Epps, AM and Lemus, JD and Gates, RD}, title = {Feeding and thermal conditioning enhance coral temperature tolerance in juvenile Pocillopora acuta.}, journal = {Royal Society open science}, volume = {8}, number = {5}, pages = {210644}, pmid = {34084554}, issn = {2054-5703}, abstract = {Scleractinian corals form the foundation of coral reefs by acquiring autotrophic nutrition from photosynthetic endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) and use feeding to obtain additional nutrition, especially when the symbiosis is compromised (i.e. bleaching). Juvenile corals are vulnerable to stress due to low energetic reserves and high demand for growth, which is compounded when additional stressors occur. Therefore, conditions that favour energy acquisition and storage may enhance survival under stressful conditions. To investigate the influence of feeding on thermal tolerance, we exposed Pocillopora acuta juveniles to temperature (ambient, 27.4°C versus cool, 25.9°C) and feeding treatments (fed versus unfed) for 30 days post-settlement and monitored growth and physiology, followed by tracking survival under thermal stress. Feeding increased growth and resulted in thicker tissues and elevated symbiont fluorescence. Under high-temperature stress (31-60 days post-settlement; ca 30.1°C), corals that were fed and previously exposed to cool temperature had 33% higher survival than other treatment groups. These corals demonstrated reduced symbiont fluorescence, which may have provided protective effects under thermal stress. These results highlight that the impacts of feeding on coral physiology and stress tolerance are dependent on temperature and as oceans continue to warm, early life stages may experience shifts in feeding strategies to survive.}, }
@article {pmid34082325, year = {2021}, author = {Gao, X and Hu, F and Zhang, S and Luo, J and Zhu, X and Wang, L and Zhang, K and Li, D and Ji, J and Niu, L and Wu, C and Cui, J}, title = {Glyphosate exposure disturbs the bacterial endosymbiont community and reduces body weight of the predatory ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {790}, number = {}, pages = {147847}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147847}, pmid = {34082325}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Body Weight ; *Coleoptera ; Crops, Agricultural ; Glycine/analogs &amp; derivatives ; Larva ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; Predatory Behavior ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Glyphosate ; }, abstract = {The predatory ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, is a predominant natural enemy of pest insects in cotton fields. Commercialization of genetically modified crops has promoted the increased use of the herbicide glyphosate. In this study, to assess potential negative effects of glyphosate on beneficial non-target organisms in cotton fields, we first examined how glyphosate exposure affected the development and endosymbiotic bacterial community of H. axyridis. The results showed that the survival rate, development duration, pupation rate and emergence rate of H. axyridis under low and high concentrations of glyphosate exposure were not significantly changed, but glyphosate did significantly reduce the body weight of H. axyridis. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing, there were no significant differences in the diversity or richness of the endosymbiotic bacteria of H. axyridis before and after glyphosate exposure. The dominant bacterial phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and genera Staphylococcus and Enterobacter remained the same regardless of treatment with glyphosate, however the abundance and copy number of these bacteria were altered. Glyphosate treatment significantly reduced the abundance and gene copy number of Staphylococcus and increased the abundance and gene copy number of Enterobacter. This is the first report demonstrating that glyphosate can reduce the body weight H. axyridis and alter the bacterial endosymbiont community by affecting the abundance and gene copy number of dominant bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid34078265, year = {2021}, author = {Alickovic, L and Johnson, KP and Boyd, BM}, title = {The reduced genome of a heritable symbiont from an ectoparasitic feather feeding louse.}, journal = {BMC ecology and evolution}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {108}, pmid = {34078265}, issn = {2730-7182}, support = {DEB-1239788//Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences and National Science Foundation awards/ ; DEB-1342604//Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences and National Science Foundation awards/ ; DEB-1855812//Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences and National Science Foundation awards/ ; DEB-1926919//Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences and National Science Foundation awards/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; *Ischnocera ; *Parasites ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Feather feeding lice are abundant and diverse ectoparasites that complete their entire life cycle on an avian host. The principal or sole source of nutrition for these lice is feathers. Feathers appear to lack four amino acids that the lice would require to complete development and reproduce. Several insect groups have acquired heritable and intracellular bacteria that can synthesize metabolites absent in an insect's diet, allowing insects to feed exclusively on nutrient-poor resources. Multiple species of feather feeding lice have been shown to harbor heritable and intracellular bacteria. We expected that these bacteria augment the louse's diet with amino acids and facilitated the evolution of these diverse and specialized parasites. Heritable symbionts of insects often have small genomes that contain a minimal set of genes needed to maintain essential cell functions and synthesize metabolites absent in the host insect's diet. Therefore, we expected the genome of a bacterial endosymbiont in feather lice would be small, but encode pathways for biosynthesis of amino acids.<br><br>RESULTS: We sequenced the genome of a bacterial symbiont from a feather feeding louse (Columbicola wolffhuegeli) that parasitizes the Pied Imperial Pigeon (Ducula bicolor) and used its genome to predict metabolism of amino acids based on the presence or absence of genes. We found that this bacterial symbiont has a small genome, similar to the genomes of heritable symbionts described in other insect groups. However, we failed to identify many of the genes that we expected would support metabolism of amino acids in the symbiont genome. We also evaluated other gene pathways and features of the highly reduced genome of this symbiotic bacterium.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Based on the data collected in this study, it does not appear that this bacterial symbiont can synthesize amino acids needed to complement the diet of a feather feeding louse. Our results raise additional questions about the biology of feather chewing lice and the roles of symbiotic bacteria in evolution of diverse avian parasites.}, }
@article {pmid34073039, year = {2021}, author = {Zhou, X and Ling, X and Guo, H and Zhu-Salzman, K and Ge, F and Sun, Y}, title = {Serratia symbiotica Enhances Fatty Acid Metabolism of Pea Aphid to Promote Host Development.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {22}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {34073039}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {31870394//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31770452//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/metabolism/microbiology ; Fatty Acids/*metabolism ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Serratia/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacterial symbionts associated with insects are often involved in host development and ecological adaptation. Serratia symbiotica, a common facultative endosymbiont harbored in pea aphids, improves host fitness and heat tolerance, but studies concerning the nutritional metabolism and impact on the aphid host associated with carrying Serratia are limited. In the current study, we showed that Serratia-infected aphids had a shorter nymphal developmental time and higher body weight than Serratia-free aphids when fed on detached leaves. Genes connecting to fatty acid biosynthesis and elongation were up-regulated in Serratia-infected aphids. Specifically, elevated expression of fatty acid synthase 1 (FASN1) and diacylglycerol-o-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) could result in accumulation of myristic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidic acid in fat bodies. Impairing fatty acid synthesis in Serratia-infected pea aphids either by a pharmacological inhibitor or through silencing FASN1 and DGAT2 expression prolonged the nymphal growth period and decreased the aphid body weight. Conversely, supplementation of myristic acid (C14:0) to these aphids restored their normal development and weight gain. Our results indicated that Serratia promoted development and growth of its aphid host through enhancing fatty acid biosynthesis. Our discovery has shed more light on nutritional effects underlying the symbiosis between aphids and facultative endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid34071987, year = {2021}, author = {Sato, N}, title = {Are Cyanobacteria an Ancestor of Chloroplasts or Just One of the Gene Donors for Plants and Algae?.}, journal = {Genes}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {34071987}, issn = {2073-4425}, mesh = {Chlorophyta/*genetics ; Chloroplasts/*genetics ; Cyanobacteria/*genetics ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Peptidoglycan/genetics ; }, abstract = {Chloroplasts of plants and algae are currently believed to originate from a cyanobacterial endosymbiont, mainly based on the shared proteins involved in the oxygenic photosynthesis and gene expression system. The phylogenetic relationship between the chloroplast and cyanobacterial genomes was important evidence for the notion that chloroplasts originated from cyanobacterial endosymbiosis. However, studies in the post-genomic era revealed that various substances (glycolipids, peptidoglycan, etc.) shared by cyanobacteria and chloroplasts are synthesized by different pathways or phylogenetically unrelated enzymes. Membranes and genomes are essential components of a cell (or an organelle), but the origins of these turned out to be different. Besides, phylogenetic trees of chloroplast-encoded genes suggest an alternative possibility that chloroplast genes could be acquired from at least three different lineages of cyanobacteria. We have to seriously examine that the chloroplast genome might be chimeric due to various independent gene flows from cyanobacteria. Chloroplast formation could be more complex than a single event of cyanobacterial endosymbiosis. I present the "host-directed chloroplast formation" hypothesis, in which the eukaryotic host cell that had acquired glycolipid synthesis genes as an adaptation to phosphate limitation facilitated chloroplast formation by providing glycolipid-based membranes (pre-adaptation). The origins of the membranes and the genome could be different, and the origin of the genome could be complex.}, }
@article {pmid34070926, year = {2021}, author = {Mandon, K and Nazaret, F and Farajzadeh, D and Alloing, G and Frendo, P}, title = {Redox Regulation in Diazotrophic Bacteria in Interaction with Plants.}, journal = {Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {34070926}, issn = {2076-3921}, support = {LABEX SIGNALIFE: program reference # ANR-11-LABX-0028-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; program reference 42938YA//Hubert Curien Gundishapur program/ ; }, abstract = {Plants interact with a large number of microorganisms that greatly influence their growth and health. Among the beneficial microorganisms, rhizosphere bacteria known as Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria increase plant fitness by producing compounds such as phytohormones or by carrying out symbioses that enhance nutrient acquisition. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, either as endophytes or as endosymbionts, specifically improve the growth and development of plants by supplying them with nitrogen, a key macro-element. Survival and proliferation of these bacteria require their adaptation to the rhizosphere and host plant, which are particular ecological environments. This adaptation highly depends on bacteria response to the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), associated to abiotic stresses or produced by host plants, which determine the outcome of the plant-bacteria interaction. This paper reviews the different antioxidant defense mechanisms identified in diazotrophic bacteria, focusing on their involvement in coping with the changing conditions encountered during interaction with plant partners.}, }
@article {pmid34067814, year = {2021}, author = {Vallino, M and Rossi, M and Ottati, S and Martino, G and Galetto, L and Marzachì, C and Abbà, S}, title = {Bacteriophage-Host Association in the Phytoplasma Insect Vector Euscelidius variegatus.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {34067814}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {773567//Horizon H2020 Research and Innovation Programme/ ; Project Phaser//Department of Biology, agriculture and food sciences - CNR/ ; }, abstract = {Insect vectors transmit viruses and bacteria that can cause severe diseases in plants and economic losses due to a decrease in crop production. Insect vectors, like all other organisms, are colonized by a community of various microorganisms, which can influence their physiology, ecology, evolution, and also their competence as vectors. The important ecological meaning of bacteriophages in various ecosystems and their role in microbial communities has emerged in the past decade. However, only a few phages have been described so far in insect microbiomes. The leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus is a laboratory vector of the phytoplasma causing Flavescence dorée, a severe grapevine disease that threatens viticulture in Europe. Here, the presence of a temperate bacteriophage in E. variegatus (named Euscelidius variegatus phage 1, EVP-1) was revealed through both insect transcriptome analyses and electron microscopic observations. The bacterial host was isolated in axenic culture and identified as the bacterial endosymbiont of E. variegatus (BEV), recently assigned to the genus Candidatus Symbiopectobacterium. BEV harbors multiple prophages that become active in culture, suggesting that different environments can trigger different mechanisms, finely regulating the interactions among phages. Understanding the complex relationships within insect vector microbiomes may help in revealing possible microbe influences on pathogen transmission, and it is a crucial step toward innovative sustainable strategies for disease management in agriculture.}, }
@article {pmid34066350, year = {2021}, author = {Liu, Q and Zhang, H and Zeng, L and Yu, Y and Lin, X and Huang, X}, title = {Coexistence of Three Dominant Bacterial Symbionts in a Social Aphid and Implications for Ecological Adaptation.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {34066350}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {31970446//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2016YFE0203100//National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; }, abstract = {Aphids are associated with an array of symbionts that have diverse ecological and evolutionary effects on their hosts. To date, symbiont communities of most aphid species are still poorly characterized, especially for the social aphids. In this study, high-throughput 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing was used to assess the bacterial communities of the social aphid Pseudoregma bambucicola, and the differences in bacterial diversity with respect to ant attendance and time series were also assessed. We found that the diversity of symbionts in P. bambucicola was low and three dominant symbionts (Buchnera, Pectobacterium and Wolbachia) were stably coexisting. Pectobacterium may help P. bambucicola feed on the hard bamboo stems, and genetic distance analysis suggests that the Pectobacterium in P. bambucicola may be a new symbiont species. Wolbachia may be associated with the transition of reproduction mode or has a nutritional role in P. bambucicola. Statistical tests on the diversity of bacterial communities in P. bambucicola suggest that aphid populations attended by ants usually have a significantly higher evenness than populations without ant attendance but there was no significant difference among aphid populations from different seasons.}, }
@article {pmid34065848, year = {2021}, author = {Lyu, D and Msimbira, LA and Nazari, M and Antar, M and Pagé, A and Shah, A and Monjezi, N and Zajonc, J and Tanney, CAS and Backer, R and Smith, DL}, title = {The Coevolution of Plants and Microbes Underpins Sustainable Agriculture.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {9}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {34065848}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {RGPIN 2020-07047.//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; }, abstract = {Terrestrial plants evolution occurred in the presence of microbes, the phytomicrobiome. The rhizosphere microbial community is the most abundant and diverse subset of the phytomicrobiome and can include both beneficial and parasitic/pathogenic microbes. Prokaryotes of the phytomicrobiome have evolved relationships with plants that range from non-dependent interactions to dependent endosymbionts. The most extreme endosymbiotic examples are the chloroplasts and mitochondria, which have become organelles and integral parts of the plant, leading to some similarity in DNA sequence between plant tissues and cyanobacteria, the prokaryotic symbiont of ancestral plants. Microbes were associated with the precursors of land plants, green algae, and helped algae transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments. In the terrestrial setting the phytomicrobiome contributes to plant growth and development by (1) establishing symbiotic relationships between plant growth-promoting microbes, including rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, (2) conferring biotic stress resistance by producing antibiotic compounds, and (3) secreting microbe-to-plant signal compounds, such as phytohormones or their analogues, that regulate aspects of plant physiology, including stress resistance. As plants have evolved, they recruited microbes to assist in the adaptation to available growing environments. Microbes serve themselves by promoting plant growth, which in turn provides microbes with nutrition (root exudates, a source of reduced carbon) and a desirable habitat (the rhizosphere or within plant tissues). The outcome of this coevolution is the diverse and metabolically rich microbial community that now exists in the rhizosphere of terrestrial plants. The holobiont, the unit made up of the phytomicrobiome and the plant host, results from this wide range of coevolved relationships. We are just beginning to appreciate the many ways in which this complex and subtle coevolution acts in agricultural systems.}, }
@article {pmid34063663, year = {2021}, author = {Manocha, E and Caruso, A and Caccuri, F}, title = {Viral Proteins as Emerging Cancer Therapeutics.}, journal = {Cancers}, volume = {13}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {34063663}, issn = {2072-6694}, abstract = {Viruses are obligatory intracellular parasites that originated millions of years ago. Viral elements cover almost half of the human genome sequence and have evolved as genetic blueprints in humans. They have existed as endosymbionts as they are largely dependent on host cell metabolism. Viral proteins are known to regulate different mechanisms in the host cells by hijacking cellular metabolism to benefit viral replication. Amicable viral proteins, on the other hand, from several viruses can participate in mediating growth retardation of cancer cells based on genetic abnormalities while sparing normal cells. These proteins exert discreet yet converging pathways to regulate events like cell cycle and apoptosis in human cancer cells. This property of viral proteins could be harnessed for their use in cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss viral proteins from different sources as potential anticancer therapeutics.}, }
@article {pmid34061893, year = {2021}, author = {Yamashita, H and Koike, K and Shinzato, C and Jimbo, M and Suzuki, G}, title = {Can Acropora tenuis larvae attract native Symbiodiniaceae cells by green fluorescence at the initial establishment of symbiosis?.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {6}, pages = {e0252514}, pmid = {34061893}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Alveolata/*physiology ; Animals ; Anthozoa/*physiology ; Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida/physiology ; *Fluorescence ; Larva/*physiology ; Phototaxis/physiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Ultraviolet Rays ; }, abstract = {Most corals acquire symbiodiniacean symbionts from the surrounding environment to initiate symbiosis. The cell densities of Symbiodiniaceae in the environment are usually low, and mechanisms may exist by which new coral generations attract suitable endosymbionts. Phototaxis of suitable symbiodiniacean cells toward green fluorescence in corals has been proposed as one such mechanism. In the present study, we observed the phototaxis action wavelength of various strains of Symbiodiniaceae and the fluorescence spectra of aposymbiotic Acropora tenuis larvae at the time of endosymbiont uptake. The phototaxis patterns varied among the Symbiodiniaceae species and "native" endosymbionts-commonly found in Acropora juveniles present in natural environments; that is, Symbiodinium microadriaticum was attracted to blue light rather than to green light. Another native endosymbiont, Durusdinium trenchii, showed no phototaxis specific to any wavelength. Although the larvae exhibited green and broad orange fluorescence under blue-violet excitation light, the maximum green fluorescence peak did not coincide with that of the phototaxis action spectrum of S. microadriaticum. Rather, around the peak wavelength of larval green fluorescence, this native endosymbiont showed slightly negative phototaxis, suggesting that the green fluorescence of A. tenuis larvae may not play a role in the initial attraction of native endosymbionts. Conversely, broad blue larval fluorescence under UV-A excitation covered the maximum phototaxis action wavelength of S. microadriaticum. We also conducted infection tests using native endosymbionts and aposymbiotic larvae under red LED light that does not excite visible larval fluorescence. Almost all larvae failed to acquire S. microadriaticum cells, whereas D. trenchii cells were acquired by larvae even under red illumination. Thus, attraction mechanisms other than visible fluorescence might exist, at least in the case of D. trenchii. Our results suggest that further investigation and discussion, not limited to green fluorescence, would be required to elucidate the initial attraction mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid34061185, year = {2021}, author = {Garber, AI and Kupper, M and Laetsch, DR and Weldon, SR and Ladinsky, MS and Bjorkman, PJ and McCutcheon, JP}, title = {The Evolution of Interdependence in a Four-Way Mealybug Symbiosis.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {34061185}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {P50 AI150464/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Betaproteobacteria/genetics ; *Gammaproteobacteria/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; *Hemiptera/genetics/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Mealybugs are insects that maintain intracellular bacterial symbionts to supplement their nutrient-poor plant sap diets. Some mealybugs have a single betaproteobacterial endosymbiont, a Candidatus Tremblaya species (hereafter Tremblaya) that alone provides the insect with its required nutrients. Other mealybugs have two nutritional endosymbionts that together provision these same nutrients, where Tremblaya has gained a gammaproteobacterial partner that resides in its cytoplasm. Previous work had established that Pseudococcus longispinus mealybugs maintain not one but two species of gammaproteobacterial endosymbionts along with Tremblaya. Preliminary genomic analyses suggested that these two gammaproteobacterial endosymbionts have large genomes with features consistent with a relatively recent origin as insect endosymbionts, but the patterns of genomic complementarity between members of the symbiosis and their relative cellular locations were unknown. Here, using long-read sequencing and various types of microscopy, we show that the two gammaproteobacterial symbionts of P. longispinus are mixed together within Tremblaya cells, and that their genomes are somewhat reduced in size compared with their closest nonendosymbiotic relatives. Both gammaproteobacterial genomes contain thousands of pseudogenes, consistent with a relatively recent shift from a free-living to an endosymbiotic lifestyle. Biosynthetic pathways of key metabolites are partitioned in complex interdependent patterns among the two gammaproteobacterial genomes, the Tremblaya genome, and horizontally acquired bacterial genes that are encoded on the mealybug nuclear genome. Although these two gammaproteobacterial endosymbionts have been acquired recently in evolutionary time, they have already evolved codependencies with each other, Tremblaya, and their insect host.}, }
@article {pmid34059765, year = {2021}, author = {Detcharoen, M and Schilling, MP and Arthofer, W and Schlick-Steiner, BC and Steiner, FM}, title = {Differential gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster and D. nigrosparsa infected with the same Wolbachia strain.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {11336}, pmid = {34059765}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/*metabolism/*microbiology ; Female ; *Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Species Specificity ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are maternally inherited endosymbionts that infect nearly half of all arthropod species. Wolbachia manipulate their hosts to maximize their transmission, but they can also provide benefits such as nutrients and resistance against viruses to their hosts. The Wolbachia strain wMel was recently found to increase locomotor activities and possibly trigger cytoplasmic incompatibility in the transinfected fly Drosophila nigrosparsa. Here, we investigated, in females of both D. melanogaster and D. nigrosparsa, the gene expression between animals uninfected and infected with wMel, using RNA sequencing to see if the two Drosophila species respond to the infection in the same or different ways. A total of 2164 orthologous genes were used. The two fly species responded to the infection in different ways. Significant changes shared by the fly species belong to the expression of genes involved in processes such as oxidation-reduction process, iron-ion binding, and voltage-gated potassium-channel activity. We discuss our findings also in the light of how Wolbachia survive within both the native and the novel host.}, }
@article {pmid34058098, year = {2021}, author = {Paredes, GF and Viehboeck, T and Lee, R and Palatinszky, M and Mausz, MA and Reipert, S and Schintlmeister, A and Maier, A and Volland, JM and Hirschfeld, C and Wagner, M and Berry, D and Markert, S and Bulgheresi, S and König, L}, title = {Anaerobic Sulfur Oxidation Underlies Adaptation of a Chemosynthetic Symbiont to Oxic-Anoxic Interfaces.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {6}, number = {3}, pages = {e0118620}, pmid = {34058098}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {P 28743/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P28953//Austrian Science Fund (FWF)/ ; P28743//Austrian Science Fund (FWF)/ ; DK plus grant W1257: Microbial Nitrogen Cycling//Austrian Science Fund (FWF)/ ; }, abstract = {Chemosynthetic symbioses occur worldwide in marine habitats, but comprehensive physiological studies of chemoautotrophic bacteria thriving on animals are scarce. Stilbonematinae are coated by thiotrophic Gammaproteobacteria. As these nematodes migrate through the redox zone, their ectosymbionts experience varying oxygen concentrations. However, nothing is known about how these variations affect their physiology. Here, by applying omics, Raman microspectroscopy, and stable isotope labeling, we investigated the effect of oxygen on "Candidatus Thiosymbion oneisti." Unexpectedly, sulfur oxidation genes were upregulated in anoxic relative to oxic conditions, but carbon fixation genes and incorporation of [13]C-labeled bicarbonate were not. Instead, several genes involved in carbon fixation were upregulated under oxic conditions, together with genes involved in organic carbon assimilation, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and urea utilization. Furthermore, in the presence of oxygen, stress-related genes were upregulated together with vitamin biosynthesis genes likely necessary to withstand oxidative stress, and the symbiont appeared to proliferate less. Based on its physiological response to oxygen, we propose that "Ca. T. oneisti" may exploit anaerobic sulfur oxidation coupled to denitrification to proliferate in anoxic sand. However, the ectosymbiont would still profit from the oxygen available in superficial sand, as the energy-efficient aerobic respiration would facilitate carbon and nitrogen assimilation. IMPORTANCE Chemoautotrophic endosymbionts are famous for exploiting sulfur oxidization to feed marine organisms with fixed carbon. However, the physiology of thiotrophic bacteria thriving on the surface of animals (ectosymbionts) is less understood. One longstanding hypothesis posits that attachment to animals that migrate between reduced and oxic environments would boost sulfur oxidation, as the ectosymbionts would alternatively access sulfide and oxygen, the most favorable electron acceptor. Here, we investigated the effect of oxygen on the physiology of "Candidatus Thiosymbion oneisti," a gammaproteobacterium which lives attached to marine nematodes inhabiting shallow-water sand. Surprisingly, sulfur oxidation genes were upregulated under anoxic relative to oxic conditions. Furthermore, under anoxia, the ectosymbiont appeared to be less stressed and to proliferate more. We propose that animal-mediated access to oxygen, rather than enhancing sulfur oxidation, would facilitate assimilation of carbon and nitrogen by the ectosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid34056878, year = {2021}, author = {Wang, S and Hua, X and Cui, L}, title = {Characterization of microbiota diversity of engorged ticks collected from dogs in China.}, journal = {Journal of veterinary science}, volume = {22}, number = {3}, pages = {e37}, pmid = {34056878}, issn = {1976-555X}, support = {2017YFC1200202//National Key Research and Development Program of China/China ; PKJ2018-N02//Shanghai Pudong New Area Science and Technology Development Fund/China ; }, mesh = {*Animal Distribution ; Animals ; Bacteria/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; China ; Dogs ; Female ; Ixodidae/*microbiology ; Male ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Bacterial/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; Sex Factors ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Ticks are one of the most common external parasites in dogs, and are associated with the transmission of a number of major zoonoses, which result in serious harm to human health and even death. Also, the increasing number of pet dogs and pet owners in China has caused concern regarding human tick-borne illnesses. Accordingly, studies are needed to gain a complete understanding of the bacterial composition and diversity of the ticks that parasitize dogs.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: To date, there have been relatively few reports on the analysis of the bacterial community structure and diversity in ticks that parasitize dogs. The objective of this study was to investigate the microbial composition and diversity of parasitic ticks of dogs, and assessed the effect of tick sex and geographical region on the bacterial composition in two tick genera collected from dogs in China.<br><br>METHODS: A total of 178 whole ticks were subjected to a 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) next generation sequencing analysis. The Illumina MiSeq platform targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was used to characterize the bacterial communities of the collected ticks. Sequence analysis and taxonomic assignment were performed using QIIME 2 and the GreenGene database, respectively. After clustering the sequences into taxonomic units, the sequences were quality-filtered and rarefied.<br><br>RESULTS: After pooling 24 tick samples, we identified a total of 2,081 operational taxonomic units, which were assigned to 23 phyla and 328 genera, revealing a diverse bacterial community profile. The high, moderate and low prevalent taxa include 46, 101, and 182 genera, respectively. Among them, dominant taxa include environmental bacterial genera, such as Psychrobacter and Burkholderia. Additionally, some known tick-associated endosymbionts were also detected, including Coxiella, Rickettsia, and Ricketssiella. Also, the potentially pathogenic genera Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas were detected in the tick pools. Moreover, our preliminary study found that the differences in microbial communities are more dependent on the sampling location than tick sex in the tick specimens collected from dogs.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study support the need for future research on the microbial population present in ticks collected from dogs in China.}, }
@article {pmid34054743, year = {2021}, author = {Chandra, S and Harvey, E and Emery, D and Holmes, EC and Šlapeta, J}, title = {Unbiased Characterization of the Microbiome and Virome of Questing Ticks.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {627327}, pmid = {34054743}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Due to their vector capacity, ticks are ectoparasites of medical and veterinary significance. Modern sequencing tools have facilitated tick-associated microbiota studies, but these have largely focused on bacterial pathogens and symbionts. By combining 16S rRNA gene sequencing with total RNA-sequencing methods, we aimed to determine the complete microbiome and virome of questing, female Ixodes holocyclus recovered from coastal, north-eastern New South Wales (NSW), Australia. We present, for the first time, a robust and unbiased method for the identification of novel microbes in ticks that enabled us to identify bacteria, viruses, fungi and eukaryotic pathogens. The dominant bacterial endosymbionts were Candidatus Midichloria sp. Ixholo1 and Candidatus Midichloria sp. Ixholo2. Candidatus Neoehrlichia australis and Candidatus Neoehrlichia arcana were also recovered, confirming that these bacteria encompass I. holocyclus' core microbiota. In addition, seven virus species were detected-four previously identified in I. holocyclus and three novel species. Notably, one of the four previously identified virus species has pathogenic potential based on its phylogenetic relationship to other tick-associated pathogens. No known pathogenic eukaryotes or fungi were identified. This study has revealed the microbiome and virome of female I. holocyclus from the environment in north-eastern NSW. We propose that future tick microbiome and virome studies utilize equivalent methods to provide an improved representation of the microbial diversity in ticks globally.}, }
@article {pmid34052226, year = {2021}, author = {Maeda, I and Kudou, S and Iwai, S}, title = {Efficient isolation and cultivation of endosymbiotic Chlorella from Paramecium bursaria on agar plates by co-culture with yeast cells.}, journal = {Journal of microbiological methods}, volume = {186}, number = {}, pages = {106254}, doi = {10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106254}, pmid = {34052226}, issn = {1872-8359}, mesh = {Chlorella/growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Coculture Techniques/*methods ; Paramecium/*parasitology/physiology ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/*growth &amp; development ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Paramecium bursaria is a ciliate that harbors Chlorella-like unicellular green algae as endosymbionts. The relationship between the host P. bursaria and the endosymbiotic Chlorella is facultative; therefore, both partners can be cultured independently and re-combined to re-establish symbiosis, making this system suitable for studying algal endosymbiosis. However, despite many previous studies, cultivation of endosymbiotic Chlorella remains difficult, particularly on agar plates. Here we describe a simple agar plate method for efficiently isolating and culturing cells of the endosymbiotic alga Chlorella variabilis from an individual P. bursaria cell, by co-culturing them with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The co-culture with the yeast significantly improved the colony-forming efficiency of the alga on agar. Growth assays suggest that the main role of the co-cultured yeast cells is not to provide nutrients for the algal cells, but to protect the algal cells from some environmental stresses on the agar surface. Using the algal cells grown on the plates and a set of specially designed primers, direct colony PCR can be performed for screening of multiple endosymbiont clones isolated from a single host ciliate. These methods may provide a useful tool for studying endosymbiotic Chlorella species within P. bursaria and various other protists.}, }
@article {pmid34047357, year = {2021}, author = {Ün, &#xc7; and Schultner, E and Manzano-Marín, A and Flórez, LV and Seifert, B and Heinze, J and Oettler, J}, title = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility between Old and New World populations of a tramp ant.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {75}, number = {7}, pages = {1775-1791}, doi = {10.1111/evo.14261}, pmid = {34047357}, issn = {1558-5646}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ants/genetics ; Biological Evolution ; Cytoplasm ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Reproductive manipulation by endosymbiotic Wolbachia can cause unequal inheritance, allowing the manipulator to spread and potentially impacting evolutionary dynamics in infected hosts. Tramp and invasive species are excellent models to study the dynamics of host-Wolbachia associations because introduced populations often diverge in their microbiomes after colonizing new habitats, resulting in infection polymorphisms between native and introduced populations. Ants are the most abundant group of insects on earth, and numerous ant species are classified as highly invasive. However, little is known about the role of Wolbachia in these ecologically dominant insects. Here, we provide the first description of reproductive manipulation by Wolbachia in an ant. We show that Old and New World populations of the cosmotropic tramp ant Cardiocondyla obscurior harbor distinct Wolbachia strains, and that only the Old World strain manipulates host reproduction by causing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in hybrid crosses. By uncovering a symbiont-induced mechanism of reproductive isolation in a social insect, our study provides a novel perspective on the biology of tramp ants and introduces a new system for studying the evolutionary consequences of CI.}, }
@article {pmid34044867, year = {2021}, author = {Jiao, J and Lu, Z and Yu, Y and Ou, Y and Fu, M and Zhao, Y and Wu, N and Zhao, M and Liu, Y and Sun, Y and Wen, B and Zhou, D and Yuan, Q and Xiong, X}, title = {Identification of tick-borne pathogens by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in Dermacentor nuttalli and Ixodes persulcatus in Inner Mongolia, China.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {287}, pmid = {34044867}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {5204039//Beijing Natural Science Foundation/ ; 2019YFC1200500//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 31970178//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32000139//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32000140//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Anaplasma/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Arthropod Vectors/genetics ; Babesia/genetics ; Babesiosis/diagnosis ; Cattle ; Dermacentor/*genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/*methods ; Ixodes/classification/*genetics ; Ixodidae/genetics ; *Metagenomics ; Mongolia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rickettsia/genetics ; Rickettsia Infections/diagnosis/veterinary ; Tick-Borne Diseases/*diagnosis/parasitology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Hard ticks act as arthropod vectors in the transmission of human and animal pathogens and are widely distributed in northern China. The aim of this study is to screen the important tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) carried by hard ticks in Inner Mongolia using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and to estimate the risk of human infection imposed by tick bites.<br><br>METHODS: The adult Dermacentor nuttalli (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;203) and Ixodes persulcatus (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;36) ticks feeding on cattle were collected. The pooled DNA samples prepared from these ticks were sequenced as the templates for mNGS to survey the presence of TBPs at the genus level. Individual tick DNA samples were detected by genus--specific or group-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of these TBPs and combined with DNA sequencing assay to confirm the results of mNGS.<br><br>RESULTS: R. raoultii (45.32%, 92/203), Candidatus R. tarasevichiae (5.42%, 11/203), Anaplasma sp. Mongolia (26.60%, 54/203), Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) (53.69%, 109/203), and Babesia venatorum (7.88%, 16/203) were detected in D. nuttalli, while R. raoultii (30.56%, 11/36), Anaplasma sp. Mongolia (27.80%, 10/36), and CLE (27.80%, 10/36) were detected in I. persulcatus. The double- and triple-pathogen/endosymbiont co-infections were detected in 40.39% of D. nuttalli and 13.89% of I. persulcatus, respectively. The dual co-infection with R. raoultii and CLE (14.29%, 29/203) and triple co-infection with R. raoultii, Anaplasma sp. Mongolia, and CLE (13.79%, 28/203) were most frequent in D. nuttalli.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into the microbial diversity of D. nuttalli and I. persulcatus in Inner Mongolia, China, reporting for the first time that Candidatus R. tarasevichiae had been found in D. nuttalli in China, and for the first time in the world that Anaplasma sp. Mongolia has been detected in I. persulcatus. This study proves that various vertically transmitted pathogens co-inhabit D. nuttalli and I. persulcatus, and indicates that cattle in Inner Mongolia are exposed to several TBPs.}, }
@article {pmid34040152, year = {2021}, author = {Fukuda, K and Yamasaki, K and Ogura, Y and Kawanami, T and Ikegami, H and Noguchi, S and Akata, K and Katsura, K and Yatera, K and Mukae, H and Hayashi, T and Taniguchi, H}, title = {A human respiratory tract-associated bacterium with an extremely small genome.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {628}, pmid = {34040152}, issn = {2399-3642}, mesh = {Bacteria/genetics ; Base Composition/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/*genetics ; Genome, Human/genetics ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Respiratory System/*microbiology ; Respiratory Tract Diseases/genetics/microbiology ; Rickettsiales/*genetics/pathogenicity ; Whole Genome Sequencing/methods ; }, abstract = {Recent advances in culture-independent microbiological analyses have greatly expanded our understanding of the diversity of unculturable microbes. However, human pathogenic bacteria differing significantly from known taxa have rarely been discovered. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of an uncultured bacterium detected in human respiratory tract named IOLA, which was determined by developing a protocol to selectively amplify extremely AT-rich genomes. The IOLA genome is 303,838 bp in size with a 20.7% GC content, making it the smallest and most AT-rich genome among known human-associated bacterial genomes to our best knowledge and comparable to those of insect endosymbionts. While IOLA belongs to order Rickettsiales (mostly intracellular parasites), the gene content suggests an epicellular parasitic lifestyle. Surveillance of clinical samples provides evidence that IOLA can be predominantly detected in patients with respiratory bacterial infections and can persist for at least 15 months in the respiratory tract, suggesting that IOLA is a human respiratory tract-associated bacterium.}, }
@article {pmid34022346, year = {2021}, author = {Kohli, S and Gulati, P and Narang, A and Maini, J and Shamsudheen, KV and Pandey, R and Scaria, V and Sivasubbu, S and Brahmachari, V}, title = {Genome and transcriptome analysis of the mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus: Correlation with its unique phenotypes.}, journal = {Genomics}, volume = {113}, number = {4}, pages = {2483-2494}, doi = {10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.05.014}, pmid = {34022346}, issn = {1089-8646}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Male ; Phenotype ; Symbiosis ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Mealybugs are aggressive pests with world-wide distribution and are suitable for the study of different phenomena like genomic imprinting and epigenetics. Genomic approaches facilitate these studies in absence of robust genetics in this system. We sequenced, de novo assembled, annotated Maconellicoccus hirsutus genome. We carried out comparative genomics it with four mealybug and eight other insect species, to identify expanded, specific and contracted gene classes that relate to pesticide and desiccation resistance. We identified horizontally transferred genes adding to the mutualism between the mealybug and its endosymbionts. Male and female transcriptome analysis indicates differential expression of metabolic pathway genes correlating with their physiology and the genes for sexual dimorphism. The significantly lower expression of endosymbiont genes in males relates to the depletion of endosymbionts in males during development.}, }
@article {pmid34020585, year = {2021}, author = {Lucek, K and Bouaouina, S and Jospin, A and Grill, A and de Vos, JM}, title = {Prevalence and relationship of endosymbiotic Wolbachia in the butterfly genus Erebia.}, journal = {BMC ecology and evolution}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {95}, pmid = {34020585}, issn = {2730-7182}, mesh = {Animals ; *Butterflies ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is an endosymbiont common to most invertebrates, which can have significant evolutionary implications for its host species by acting as a barrier to gene flow. Despite the importance of Wolbachia, still little is known about its prevalence and diversification pattern among closely related host species. Wolbachia strains may phylogenetically coevolve with their hosts, unless horizontal host-switches are particularly common. We address these issues in the genus Erebia, one of the most diverse Palearctic butterfly genera.<br><br>RESULTS: We sequenced the Wolbachia genome from a strain infecting Erebia cassioides and showed that it belongs to the Wolbachia supergroup B, capable of infecting arthropods from different taxonomic orders. The prevalence of Wolbachia across 13 closely related Erebia host species based on extensive population-level genetic data revealed that multiple Wolbachia strains jointly infect all investigated taxa, but with varying prevalence. Finally, the phylogenetic relationships of Wolbachia strains are in some cases significantly associated to that of their hosts, especially among the most closely related Erebia species, demonstrating mixed evidence for phylogenetic coevolution.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Closely related host species can be infected by closely related Wolbachia strains, evidencing some phylogenetic coevolution, but the actual pattern of infection more often reflects historical or contemporary geographic proximity among host species. Multiple processes, including survival in distinct glacial refugia, recent host shifts in sympatry, and a loss of Wolbachia during postglacial range expansion seem to have jointly shaped the complex interactions between Wolbachia evolution and the diversification of its host among our studied Erebia species.}, }
@article {pmid34018613, year = {2021}, author = {Stephens, TG and Gabr, A and Calatrava, V and Grossman, AR and Bhattacharya, D}, title = {Why is primary endosymbiosis so rare?.}, journal = {The New phytologist}, volume = {231}, number = {5}, pages = {1693-1699}, pmid = {34018613}, issn = {1469-8137}, support = {80NSSC19K0462/ImNASA/Intramural NASA/United States ; }, mesh = {*Amoeba ; Biological Evolution ; Eukaryota ; Phylogeny ; Plastids ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiosis is a relationship between two organisms wherein one cell resides inside the other. This affiliation, when stable and beneficial for the 'host' cell, can result in massive genetic innovation with the foremost examples being the evolution of eukaryotic organelles, the mitochondria and plastids. Despite its critical evolutionary role, there is limited knowledge about how endosymbiosis is initially established and how host-endosymbiont biology is integrated. Here, we explore this issue, using as our model the rhizarian amoeba Paulinella, which represents an independent case of primary plastid origin that occurred c. 120 million yr ago. We propose the 'chassis and engine' model that provides a theoretical framework for understanding primary plastid endosymbiosis, potentially explaining why it is so rare.}, }
@article {pmid34015229, year = {2021}, author = {Mioduchowska, M and Nitkiewicz, B and Roszkowska, M and Kačarević, U and Madanecki, P and Pinceel, T and Namiotko, T and Gołdyn, B and Kaczmarek, &#x141;}, title = {Taxonomic classification of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia based on next-generation sequencing: is there molecular evidence for its presence in tardigrades?.}, journal = {Genome}, volume = {64}, number = {10}, pages = {951-958}, doi = {10.1139/gen-2020-0036}, pmid = {34015229}, issn = {1480-3321}, mesh = {Animals ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Tardigrada/*microbiology ; *Wolbachia/classification ; }, abstract = {We used high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA to test whether tardigrade species are infected with Wolbachia parasites. We applied SILVA and Greengenes databases that allowed taxonomic classification of bacterial sequences to OTUs. The results obtained from both databases differed considerably in the number of OTUs, and only the Greengenes database allowed identification of Wolbachia (infection was also supported by comparison of sequences to NCBI database). The putative bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia was discovered only in adult eutardigrades, while bacteria identified down to the order Rickettsiales were detected in both eutardigrade eggs and adult specimens. Nevertheless, the frequency of Wolbachia in the bacterial communities of the studied eutardigrades was low. Similarly, in our positive control, i.e., a fairy shrimp Streptocephalus cafer, which was found to be infected with Wolbachia in our previous study using Sanger sequencing, only the Rickettsiales were detected. We also carried out phylogenetic reconstruction using Wolbachia sequences from the SILVA and Greengenes databases, Alphaproteobacteria putative endosymbionts and Rickettsiales OTUs obtained in previous studies on the microbial community of tardigrades, and Rickettsiales and Wolbachia OTUs obtained in the current study. Our discovery of Wolbachia in tardigrades can fuel new research to uncover the specifics of this interaction.}, }
@article {pmid34013860, year = {2021}, author = {Huebl, L and Tappe, D and Giese, M and Mempel, S and Tannich, E and Kreuels, B and Ramharter, M and Veletzky, L and Jochum, J}, title = {Recurrent Swelling and Microfilaremia Caused by Dirofilaria repens Infection after Travel to India.}, journal = {Emerging infectious diseases}, volume = {27}, number = {6}, pages = {1701-1704}, pmid = {34013860}, issn = {1080-6059}, mesh = {Animals ; *Dirofilaria repens ; *Dirofilariasis ; Germany ; Humans ; India ; Travel ; }, abstract = {Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis is an emerging mosquitoborne zoonosis. A traveler returning to Germany from India experienced Dirofilaria infection with concomitant microfilaremia. Molecular analysis indicated Dirofilaria repens nematodes of an Asian genotype. Microfilaremia showed no clear periodicity. Presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts enabled successful treatment with doxycycline.}, }
@article {pmid34012059, year = {2021}, author = {Ulrich, GF and Zemp, N and Vorburger, C and Boulain, H}, title = {Quantitative trait locus analysis of parasitoid counteradaptation to symbiont-conferred resistance.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {127}, number = {2}, pages = {219-232}, pmid = {34012059}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Female ; Quantitative Trait Loci ; Symbiosis ; *Wasps/genetics ; }, abstract = {Insect hosts and parasitoids are engaged in an intense struggle of antagonistic coevolution. Infection with heritable bacterial endosymbionts can substantially increase the resistance of aphids to parasitoid wasps, which exerts selection on parasitoids to overcome this symbiont-conferred protection (counteradaptation). Experimental evolution in the laboratory has produced counteradapted populations of the parasitoid wasp Lysiphlebus fabarum. These populations can parasitize black bean aphids (Aphis fabae) protected by the bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa, which confers high resistance against L. fabarum. We used two experimentally evolved parasitoid populations to study the genetic architecture of the counteradaptation to symbiont-conferred resistance by QTL analysis. With simple crossing experiments, we showed that the counteradaptation is a recessive trait depending on the maternal genotype. Based on these results, we designed a customized crossing scheme to genotype a mapping population phenotyped for the ability to parasitize Hamiltonella-protected aphids. Using 1835 SNP markers obtained by ddRAD sequencing, we constructed a high-density linkage map consisting of six linkage groups (LGs) with an overall length of 828.3 cM and an average marker spacing of 0.45 cM. We identified a single QTL associated with the counteradaptation to Hamiltonella in L. fabarum on linkage group 2. Out of 120 genes located in this QTL, several genes encoding putative venoms may represent candidates for counteradaptation, as parasitoid wasps inject venoms into their hosts during oviposition.}, }
@article {pmid34009306, year = {2021}, author = {Brenner, AE and Muñoz-Leal, S and Sachan, M and Labruna, MB and Raghavan, R}, title = {Coxiella burnetii and Related Tick Endosymbionts Evolved from Pathogenic Ancestors.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {34009306}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {R03 AI123464/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R03 AI133023/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R15 AI126385/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Argasidae/microbiology ; Coxiella/genetics ; *Coxiella burnetii/genetics ; Symbiosis ; *Ticks ; }, abstract = {Both symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria in the family Coxiellaceae cause morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. For instance, Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) improve the reproductive success of ticks-a major disease vector, while Coxiella burnetii causes human Q fever, and uncharacterized coxiellae infect both animals and humans. To better understand the evolution of pathogenesis and symbiosis in this group of intracellular bacteria, we sequenced the genome of a CLE present in the soft tick Ornithodoros amblus (CLEOA) and compared it to the genomes of other bacteria in the order Legionellales. Our analyses confirmed that CLEOA is more closely related to C. burnetii, the human pathogen, than to CLEs in hard ticks, and showed that most clades of CLEs contain both endosymbionts and pathogens, indicating that several CLE lineages have evolved independently from pathogenic Coxiella. We also determined that the last common ancestorof CLEOA and C. burnetii was equipped to infect macrophages and that even though horizontal gene transfer (HGT) contributed significantly to the evolution of C. burnetii, most acquisition events occurred primarily in ancestors predating the CLEOA-C. burnetii divergence. These discoveries clarify the evolution of C. burnetii, which previously was assumed to have emerged when an avirulent tick endosymbiont recently gained virulence factors via HGT. Finally, we identified several metabolic pathways, including heme biosynthesis, that are likely critical to the intracellular growth of the human pathogen but not the tick symbiont, and show that the use of heme analog is a promising approach to controlling C. burnetii infections.}, }
@article {pmid34008202, year = {2021}, author = {Speijer, D}, title = {Zombie ideas about early endosymbiosis: Which entry mechanisms gave us the "endo" in different endosymbionts?.}, journal = {BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology}, volume = {43}, number = {7}, pages = {e2100069}, doi = {10.1002/bies.202100069}, pmid = {34008202}, issn = {1521-1878}, mesh = {Bacteria/genetics ; Biological Evolution ; Eukaryota ; *Eukaryotic Cells ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Recently, a review regarding the mechanics and evolution of mitochondrial fission appeared in Nature. Surprisingly, it stated authoritatively that the mitochondrial outer membrane, in contrast with the inner membrane of bacterial descent, was acquired from the host, presumably during uptake. However, it has been known for quite some time that this membrane was also derived from the Gram-negative, alpha-proteobacterium related precursor of present-day mitochondria. The zombie idea of the host membrane still surrounding the endosymbiont is not only wrong, but more importantly, might hamper the proper conception of possible scenarios of eukaryogenesis. Why? Because it steers the imagination not only with regard to possible uptake mechanisms, but also regarding what went on before. Here I critically discuss both the evidence for the continuity of the bacterial outer membrane, the reasons for the persistence of the erroneous host membrane hypothesis and the wider implications of these misconceptions for the ideas regarding events occurring during the first steps towards the evolution of the eukaryotes and later major eukaryotic differentiations. I will also highlight some of the latest insights regarding different instances of endosymbiont evolution.}, }
@article {pmid34007993, year = {2021}, author = {Nadolny, RM and Kennedy, AC and Rodgers, JM and Vincent, ZT and Cornman, H and Haynes, SA and Casal, C and Robbins, RG and Richards, AL and Jiang, J and Farris, CM}, title = {Carios kelleyi (Acari: Ixodida: Argasidae) Infected With Rickettsial Agents Documented Infesting Housing in Kansas, United States.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {58}, number = {6}, pages = {2398-2405}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjab069}, pmid = {34007993}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Animals ; Argasidae/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Female ; Housing ; Kansas ; Male ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Rickettsia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Tick Infestations/*parasitology ; }, abstract = {During September-December 2018, 25 live ticks were collected on-post at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in a home with a history of bat occupancy. Nine ticks were sent to the Army Public Health Center Tick-Borne Disease Laboratory and were identified as Carios kelleyi (Cooley and Kohls, 1941), a species that seldom bites humans but that may search for other sources of blood meals, including humans, when bats are removed from human dwellings. The ticks were tested for numerous agents of human disease. Rickettsia lusitaniae was identified by multilocus sequence typing to be present in two ticks, marking the first detection of this Rickettsia agent in the United States and in this species of tick. Two other Rickettsia spp. were also detected, including an endosymbiont previously associated with C. kelleyi and a possible novel Rickettsia species. The potential roles of C. kelleyi and bats in peridomestic Rickettsia transmission cycles warrant further investigation.}, }
@article {pmid34006882, year = {2021}, author = {Schrader, L and Pan, H and Bollazzi, M and Schiøtt, M and Larabee, FJ and Bi, X and Deng, Y and Zhang, G and Boomsma, JJ and Rabeling, C}, title = {Relaxed selection underlies genome erosion in socially parasitic ant species.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {2918}, pmid = {34006882}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Animals ; Ants/classification/*genetics/physiology ; Evolution, Molecular ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement/genetics ; Genome, Insect/*genetics ; Genomics/methods ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Insect Proteins/classification/genetics ; Male ; Parasites/classification/*genetics/physiology ; Phylogeny ; Receptors, Odorant/classification/genetics ; *Social Behavior ; Species Specificity ; }, abstract = {Inquiline ants are highly specialized and obligate social parasites that infiltrate and exploit colonies of closely related species. They have evolved many times convergently, are often evolutionarily young lineages, and are almost invariably rare. Focusing on the leaf-cutting ant genus Acromyrmex, we compared genomes of three inquiline social parasites with their free-living, closely-related hosts. The social parasite genomes show distinct signatures of erosion compared to the host lineages, as a consequence of relaxed selective constraints on traits associated with cooperative ant colony life and of inquilines having very small effective population sizes. We find parallel gene losses, particularly in olfactory receptors, consistent with inquiline species having highly reduced social behavioral repertoires. Many of the genomic changes that we uncover resemble those observed in the genomes of obligate non-social parasites and intracellular endosymbionts that branched off into highly specialized, host-dependent niches.}, }
@article {pmid34003269, year = {2021}, author = {Baião, GC and Janice, J and Galinou, M and Klasson, L}, title = {Comparative Genomics Reveals Factors Associated with Phenotypic Expression of Wolbachia.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {34003269}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; Cytoplasm/genetics ; Female ; Genomics ; Male ; Phenotype ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a widespread, vertically transmitted bacterial endosymbiont known for manipulating arthropod reproduction. Its most common form of reproductive manipulation is cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), observed when a modification in the male sperm leads to embryonic lethality unless a compatible rescue factor is present in the female egg. CI attracts scientific attention due to its implications for host speciation and in the use of Wolbachia for controlling vector-borne diseases. However, our understanding of CI is complicated by the complexity of the phenotype, whose expression depends on both symbiont and host factors. In the present study, we perform a comparative analysis of nine complete Wolbachia genomes with known CI properties in the same genetic host background, Drosophila simulans STC. We describe genetic differences between closely related strains and uncover evidence that phages and other mobile elements contribute to the rapid evolution of both genomes and phenotypes of Wolbachia. Additionally, we identify both known and novel genes associated with the modification and rescue functions of CI. We combine our observations with published phenotypic information and discuss how variability in cif genes, novel CI-associated genes, and Wolbachia titer might contribute to poorly understood aspects of CI such as strength and bidirectional incompatibility. We speculate that high titer CI strains could be better at invading new hosts already infected with a CI Wolbachia, due to a higher rescue potential, and suggest that titer might thus be a relevant parameter to consider for future strategies using CI Wolbachia in biological control.}, }
@article {pmid33984469, year = {2021}, author = {Chow, LH and De Grave, S and Tsang, LM}, title = {Evolution of protective symbiosis in palaemonid shrimps (Decapoda: Caridea) with emphases on host spectrum and morphological adaptations.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {162}, number = {}, pages = {107201}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107201}, pmid = {33984469}, issn = {1095-9513}, mesh = {Adaptation, Biological/*genetics ; Animals ; *Host Specificity ; Palaemonidae/*classification/*genetics ; *Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Palaemonidae is the most speciose caridean shrimp family, with its huge biodiversity partially generated via symbiosis with various marine invertebrates. Previous studies have provided insights into the evolution of protective symbiosis in this family with evidence for frequent inter-phyla host switches, but the comprehensiveness of evolutionary pathways is hampered by the resolution of the previous phylogenetic trees as well as the taxon coverage. Furthermore, several critical issues related to the evolution of a symbiotic lifestyle, including the change in host spectrum and corresponding morphological adaptations, remain largely unresolved. We therefore performed a much extended phylogenetic comparative study on Palaemonidae, rooted in a comprehensive phylogeny reconstructed by a supermatrix-supertree approach based on a total of three mitochondrial and five nuclear markers. Ancestral state reconstruction of host associations revealed at least three independent evolutions into symbiosis, with potentially a drive to seek protection fuelling incipient symbiosis. Yet, most of the observed symbiotic species diversity was radiated from a single cnidarian associate. The evolution of mandibles and ambulatory dactyli suggests a general lack of correlation with host affiliation (except sponge endosymbionts), implying limited morphological adaptations following host switching, despite being putatively a major adaptive consequence of symbiosis. Our analyses of host spectrum, in terms of basic and taxonomic specificity, revealed no apparent phylogenetic signal but instead resolved a dynamic pattern attributable to frequent host switching. Uncoupling between host spectrum and the degree of morphological specialisation is the norm in palaemonids, suggesting that morphological characters are not fully in tune with host spectrum, in addition to host affiliation. This study demonstrates the complexity in the evolution of symbiosis, pointing to the presence of cryptic adaptations determining host spectrum and governing host switch diversification, and provides a clear direction for the evolutionary study of symbiosis in other marine symbiotic groups involving host switching.}, }
@article {pmid33981744, year = {2021}, author = {Körner, S and Makert, GR and Ulbert, S and Pfeffer, M and Mertens-Scholz, K}, title = {The Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Hard Ticks in Europe and Their Role in Q Fever Transmission Revisited-A Systematic Review.}, journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {655715}, pmid = {33981744}, issn = {2297-1769}, abstract = {The zoonosis Q fever is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Besides the main transmission route via inhalation of contaminated aerosols, ticks are discussed as vectors since the first isolation of the pathogen from a Dermacentor andersonii tick. The rare detection of C. burnetii in ticks and the difficult differentiation of C. burnetii from Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) are questioning the relevance of ticks in the epidemiology of Q fever. In this review, literature databases were systematically searched for recent prevalence studies concerning C. burnetii in ticks in Europe and experimental studies evaluating the vector competence of tick species. A total of 72 prevalence studies were included and evaluated regarding DNA detection methods and collection methods, country, and tested tick species. Specimens of more than 25 different tick species were collected in 23 European countries. Overall, an average prevalence of 4.8% was determined. However, in half of the studies, no Coxiella-DNA was detected. In Southern European countries, a significantly higher prevalence was observed, possibly related to the abundance of different tick species here, namely Hyalomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp. In comparison, a similar proportion of studies used ticks sampled by flagging and dragging or tick collection from animals, under 30% of the total tick samples derived from the latter. There was no significant difference in the various target genes used for the molecular test. In most of the studies, no distinction was made between C. burnetii and CLEs. The application of specific detection methods and the confirmation of positive results are crucial to determine the role of ticks in Q fever transmission. Only two studies were available, which assessed the vector competence of ticks for C. burnetii in the last 20 years, demonstrating the need for further research.}, }
@article {pmid33976379, year = {2021}, author = {Kiefer, JST and Batsukh, S and Bauer, E and Hirota, B and Weiss, B and Wierz, JC and Fukatsu, T and Kaltenpoth, M and Engl, T}, title = {Inhibition of a nutritional endosymbiont by glyphosate abolishes mutualistic benefit on cuticle synthesis in Oryzaephilus surinamensis.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, pages = {554}, pmid = {33976379}, issn = {2399-3642}, mesh = {Animal Scales/metabolism ; Animals ; Coleoptera/*metabolism/physiology ; Glycine/*analogs &amp; derivatives/metabolism/pharmacology ; Herbicides ; Phylogeny ; Shikimic Acid/metabolism ; Symbiosis/drug effects/*physiology ; Glyphosate ; }, abstract = {Glyphosate is widely used as a herbicide, but recent studies begin to reveal its detrimental side effects on animals by targeting the shikimate pathway of associated gut microorganisms. However, its impact on nutritional endosymbionts in insects remains poorly understood. Here, we sequenced the tiny, shikimate pathway encoding symbiont genome of the sawtoothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis. Decreased titers of the aromatic amino acid tyrosine in symbiont-depleted beetles underscore the symbionts' ability to synthesize prephenate as the precursor for host tyrosine synthesis and its importance for cuticle sclerotization and melanization. Glyphosate exposure inhibited symbiont establishment during host development and abolished the mutualistic benefit on cuticle synthesis in adults, which could be partially rescued by dietary tyrosine supplementation. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses indicate that the shikimate pathways of many nutritional endosymbionts likewise contain a glyphosate sensitive 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase. These findings highlight the importance of symbiont-mediated tyrosine supplementation for cuticle biosynthesis in insects, but also paint an alarming scenario regarding the use of glyphosate in light of recent declines in insect populations.}, }
@article {pmid33975971, year = {2021}, author = {Domínguez-Santos, R and Pérez-Cobas, AE and Cuti, P and Pérez-Brocal, V and García-Ferris, C and Moya, A and Latorre, A and Gil, R}, title = {Interkingdom Gut Microbiome and Resistome of the Cockroach Blattella germanica.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {6}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {33975971}, issn = {2379-5077}, abstract = {Cockroaches are intriguing animals with two coexisting symbiotic systems, an endosymbiont in the fat body, involved in nitrogen metabolism, and a gut microbiome whose diversity, complexity, role, and developmental dynamics have not been fully elucidated. In this work, we present a metagenomic approach to study Blattella germanica populations not treated, treated with kanamycin, and recovered after treatment, both naturally and by adding feces to the diet, with the aim of better understanding the structure and function of its gut microbiome along the development as well as the characterization of its resistome.IMPORTANCE For the first time, we analyze the interkingdom hindgut microbiome of this species, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses. Network analysis reveals putative cooperation between core bacteria that could be key for ecosystem equilibrium. We also show how antibiotic treatments alter microbiota diversity and function, while both features are restored after one untreated generation. Combining data from B. germanica treated with three antibiotics, we have characterized this species' resistome. It includes genes involved in resistance to several broad-spectrum antibiotics frequently used in the clinic. The presence of genetic elements involved in DNA mobilization indicates that they can be transferred among microbiota partners. Therefore, cockroaches can be considered reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and potential transmission vectors.}, }
@article {pmid33963929, year = {2021}, author = {Yang, F and Zhang, J and Cai, Z and Zhou, J and Li, Y}, title = {Exploring the oxygenase function of Form II Rubisco for production of glycolate from CO2.}, journal = {AMB Express}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {65}, pmid = {33963929}, issn = {2191-0855}, support = {31470231//Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, abstract = {The oxygenase activity of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) converts ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) into 2-phosphoglycolate, which in turn channels into photorespiration, resulting in carbon and energy loss in higher plants. We observed that glycolate can be accumulated extracellularly when two genes encoding the glycolate dehydrogenase of cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 were inactivated. This inspired us to explore the oxygenase function of Rubisco for production of glycolate, an important industrial chemical, from CO2 by engineered cyanobacteria. Since the oxygenase activity of Rubisco is generally low in CO2-rich carboxysome of cyanobacteria, we introduced Form II Rubisco, which cannot be assembled in carboxysome, into the cytoplasm of cyanobacteria. Heterologous expression of a Form II Rubisco from endosymbiont of tubeworm Riftia pachyptila (RPE Rubisco) significantly increased glycolate production. We show that the RPE Rubisco is expressed in the cytoplasm. Glycolate production increased upon addition of NaHCO3 but decreased upon supplying CO2. The titer of glycolate reached 2.8 g/L in 18 days, a 14-fold increase compared with the initial strain with glycolate dehydrogenase inactivated. This is also the highest glycolate titer biotechnologically produced from CO2 ever reported. Photosynthetic production of glycolate demonstrated the oxygenase activity of Form II Rubisco can be explored for production of chemicals from CO2.}, }
@article {pmid33963405, year = {2021}, author = {Skejo, J and Garg, SG and Gould, SB and Hendriksen, M and Tria, FDK and Bremer, N and Franjević, D and Blackstone, NW and Martin, WF}, title = {Evidence for a Syncytial Origin of Eukaryotes from Ancestral State Reconstruction.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {33963405}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Archaea/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; *Eukaryota/genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; Phylogeny ; Prokaryotic Cells ; }, abstract = {Modern accounts of eukaryogenesis entail an endosymbiotic encounter between an archaeal host and a proteobacterial endosymbiont, with subsequent evolution giving rise to a unicell possessing a single nucleus and mitochondria. The mononucleate state of the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA) is seldom, if ever, questioned, even though cells harboring multiple (syncytia, coenocytes, and polykaryons) are surprisingly common across eukaryotic supergroups. Here, we present a survey of multinucleated forms. Ancestral character state reconstruction for representatives of 106 eukaryotic taxa using 16 different possible roots and supergroup sister relationships, indicate that LECA, in addition to being mitochondriate, sexual, and meiotic, was multinucleate. LECA exhibited closed mitosis, which is the rule for modern syncytial forms, shedding light on the mechanics of its chromosome segregation. A simple mathematical model shows that within LECA's multinucleate cytosol, relationships among mitochondria and nuclei were neither one-to-one, nor one-to-many, but many-to-many, placing mitonuclear interactions and cytonuclear compatibility at the evolutionary base of eukaryotic cell origin. Within a syncytium, individual nuclei and individual mitochondria function as the initial lower-level evolutionary units of selection, as opposed to individual cells, during eukaryogenesis. Nuclei within a syncytium rescue each other's lethal mutations, thereby postponing selection for viable nuclei and cytonuclear compatibility to the generation of spores, buffering transitional bottlenecks at eukaryogenesis. The prokaryote-to-eukaryote transition is traditionally thought to have left no intermediates, yet if eukaryogenesis proceeded via a syncytial common ancestor, intermediate forms have persisted to the present throughout the eukaryotic tree as syncytia but have so far gone unrecognized.}, }
@article {pmid33962669, year = {2021}, author = {Manoj, RRS and Latrofa, MS and Epis, S and Otranto, D}, title = {Wolbachia: endosymbiont of onchocercid nematodes and their vectors.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {245}, pmid = {33962669}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/microbiology/physiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Nematoda/growth &amp; development/immunology/*microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular maternally transmitted, gram-negative bacterium which forms a spectrum of endosymbiotic relationships from parasitism to obligatory mutualism in a wide range of arthropods and onchocercid nematodes, respectively. In arthropods Wolbachia produces reproductive manipulations such as male killing, feminization, parthenogenesis and cytoplasmic incompatibility for its propagation and provides an additional fitness benefit for the host to protect against pathogens, whilst in onchocercid nematodes, apart from the mutual metabolic dependence, this bacterium is involved in moulting, embryogenesis, growth and survival of the host.<br><br>METHODS: This review details the molecular data of Wolbachia and its effect on host biology, immunity, ecology and evolution, reproduction, endosymbiont-based treatment and control strategies exploited for filariasis. Relevant peer-reviewed scientic papers available in various authenticated scientific data bases were considered while writing the review.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The information presented provides an overview on Wolbachia biology and its use in the control and/or treatment of vectors, onchocercid nematodes and viral diseases of medical and veterinary importance. This offers the development of new approaches for the control of a variety of vector-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid33958407, year = {2021}, author = {Park, J and Lee, SH and Kim, JH}, title = {Complete Genome Sequence of the Endosymbiotic Bacterium "Candidatus Riesia pediculicola".}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {10}, number = {18}, pages = {}, pmid = {33958407}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Human head and body lice host the obligate endosymbiotic bacterium "Candidatus Riesia pediculicola." In this announcement, we describe the complete genome sequence of a "Ca. Riesia pediculicola" strain isolated from the human head louse, Pediculus humanus subsp. capitis The inter- and intraspecific variations of endosymbiont genomes were investigated, and this strain was found to display high-level variations in its genome.}, }
@article {pmid33956519, year = {2021}, author = {Hensley, JR and Zambrano, ML and Williams-Newkirk, AJ and Dasch, GA}, title = {Detection of Rickettsia Species, and Coxiella-Like and Francisella-Like Endosymbionts in Amblyomma americanum and Amblyomma maculatum from a Shared Field Site in Georgia, United States of America.}, journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)}, volume = {21}, number = {7}, pages = {509-516}, doi = {10.1089/vbz.2020.2683}, pmid = {33956519}, issn = {1557-7759}, mesh = {Amblyomma ; Animals ; Coxiella ; Dogs ; *Ehrlichia chaffeensis ; *Francisella/genetics ; Georgia/epidemiology ; *Ixodidae ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Two abundant species of aggressive ticks commonly feed on humans in Georgia: the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) and the Lone Star tick (A. americanum). A. maculatum is the primary host of Rickettsia parkeri, "Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae," and a Francisella-like endosymbiont (AmacFLE), whereas A. americanum is the primary host for R. amblyommatis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and a Coxiella-like endosymbiont (AamCLE). Horizontal transmission of R. parkeri from A. maculatum to A. americanum by co-feeding has been described, and R. amblyommatis has been found infrequently in A. maculatum ticks. We assessed the prevalence of these agents and whether exchange of tick-associated bacteria is common between A. maculatum and A. americanum collected from the same field site. Unengorged ticks were collected May-August 2014 in west-central Georgia from a 4.14 acre site by flagging and from humans and canines traversing that site. All DNA samples were screened with quantitative PCR assays for the bacteria found in both ticks, and the species of any Rickettsia detected was identified by species-specific TaqMan assays or sequencing of the rickettsial ompA gene. Only R. amblyommatis (15) and AamCLE (39) were detected in 40 A. americanum, while the 74 A. maculatum only contained R. parkeri (30), "Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae" (3), and AmacFLE (74). Neither tick species had either Ehrlichia species. Consequently, we obtained no evidence for the frequent exchange of these tick-borne agents in a natural setting despite high levels of carriage of each agent and the common observance of infestation of both ticks on both dogs and humans at this site. Based on these data, exchange of these Rickettsia, Coxiella, and Francisella agents between A. maculatum and A. americanum appears to be an infrequent event.}, }
@article {pmid33955029, year = {2021}, author = {Pilgrim, J and Siozios, S and Baylis, M and Venter, G and Garros, C and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Identifying potential candidate Culicoides spp. for the study of interactions with Candidatus Cardinium hertigii.}, journal = {Medical and veterinary entomology}, volume = {35}, number = {3}, pages = {501-506}, doi = {10.1111/mve.12517}, pmid = {33955029}, issn = {1365-2915}, support = {BB/M011186/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes ; *Ceratopogonidae ; Mosquito Vectors ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors responsible for the transmission of several viruses of veterinary importance. Previous screens of Culicoides have described the presence of the endosymbiont Candidatus Cardinium hertigii (Bacteroidetes). However, any impacts of this microbe on vectorial capacity, akin to those conferred by Wolbachia in mosquitoes, are yet to be uncovered and await a suitable system to study Cardinium-midge interactions. To identify potential candidate species to investigate these interactions, accurate knowledge of the distribution of the endosymbiont within Culicoides populations is needed. We used conventional and nested PCR assays to screen Cardinium infection in 337 individuals of 25 Culicoides species from both Palearctic and Afrotropical regions. Infections were observed in several vector species including C. imicola and the Pulicaris complex (C. pulicaris, C. bysta, C. newsteadi and C. punctatus) with varying prevalence. Phylogenetic analysis based on the Gyrase B gene grouped all new isolates within 'group C' of the genus, a clade that has to date been exclusively described in Culicoides. Through a comparison of our results with previous screens, we suggest C. imicola and C. sonorensis represent good candidates for onward study of Cardinium-midge interactions.}, }
@article {pmid33947218, year = {2021}, author = {Hague, MTJ and Woods, HA and Cooper, BS}, title = {Pervasive effects of Wolbachia on host activity.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {17}, number = {5}, pages = {20210052}, pmid = {33947218}, issn = {1744-957X}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila ; Locomotion ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Heritable symbionts have diverse effects on the physiology, reproduction and fitness of their hosts. Maternally transmitted Wolbachia are one of the most common endosymbionts in nature, infecting about half of all insect species. We test the hypothesis that Wolbachia alter host behaviour by assessing the effects of 14 different Wolbachia strains on the locomotor activity of nine Drosophila host species. We find that Wolbachia alter the activity of six different host genotypes, including all hosts in our assay infected with wRi-like Wolbachia strains (wRi, wSuz and wAur), which have rapidly spread among Drosophila species in about the last 14 000 years. While Wolbachia effects on host activity were common, the direction of these effects varied unpredictably and sometimes depended on host sex. We hypothesize that the prominent effects of wRi-like Wolbachia may be explained by patterns of Wolbachia titre and localization within host somatic tissues, particularly in the central nervous system. Our findings support the view that Wolbachia have wide-ranging effects on host behaviour. The fitness consequences of these behavioural modifications are important for understanding the evolution of host-symbiont interactions, including how Wolbachia spread within host populations.}, }
@article {pmid33945798, year = {2021}, author = {Kaur, R and Shropshire, JD and Cross, KL and Leigh, B and Mansueto, AJ and Stewart, V and Bordenstein, SR and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {Living in the endosymbiotic world of Wolbachia: A centennial review.}, journal = {Cell host &amp; microbe}, volume = {29}, number = {6}, pages = {879-893}, pmid = {33945798}, issn = {1934-6069}, support = {F32 AI140694/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI143725/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteriophages/physiology ; Biological Evolution ; Feminization ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Host Specificity ; Humans ; Male ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; Preventive Medicine ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*cytology/*physiology/*virology ; }, abstract = {The most widespread intracellular bacteria in the animal kingdom are maternally inherited endosymbionts of the genus Wolbachia. Their prevalence in arthropods and nematodes worldwide and stunning arsenal of parasitic and mutualistic adaptations make these bacteria a biological archetype for basic studies of symbiosis and applied outcomes for curbing human and agricultural diseases. Here, we conduct a summative, centennial analysis of living in the Wolbachia world. We synthesize literature on Wolbachia's host range, phylogenetic diversity, genomics, cell biology, and applications to filarial, arboviral, and agricultural diseases. We also review the mobilome of Wolbachia including phage WO and its essentiality to hallmark reproductive phenotypes in arthropods. Finally, the Wolbachia system is an exemplar for discovery-based science education using biodiversity, biotechnology, and bioinformatics lessons. As we approach a century of Wolbachia research, the interdisciplinary science of this symbiosis stands as a model for consolidating and teaching the integrative rules of endosymbiotic life.}, }
@article {pmid33940005, year = {2021}, author = {Das, A and Roy, A and Mandal, A and Mondal, HA and Hess, D and Kundu, P and Das, S}, title = {Inhibition of Bemisia tabaci vectored, GroEL mediated transmission of tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus by garlic leaf lectin (Allium sativum leaf agglutinin).}, journal = {Virus research}, volume = {300}, number = {}, pages = {198443}, doi = {10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198443}, pmid = {33940005}, issn = {1872-7492}, mesh = {Agglutinins ; Animals ; *Aphids ; *Begomovirus/genetics ; Chromatography, Liquid ; *Garlic ; *Hemiptera ; Lectins ; Plant Diseases ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; }, abstract = {GroEL or symbionin synthesized by the endosymbionts of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)/ aphids play a cardinal role in the persistent, circulative transmission of plant viruses by binding to viral coat protein/ read-through protein. Allium sativum leaf agglutinin (ASAL), a Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA)- related mannose-binding lectin from garlic leaf has been reported as a potent controlling agent against hemipteran insects including whitefly and aphids. GroEL related chaperonin- symbionin was previously identified as a receptor of ASAL by the present group in the brush border membrane vesicle (BBMV) of mustard aphid. In the present study similar GroEL receptor of ASAL has been identified through LC-MS/MS in the BBMV of B. tabaci which serves as a vector for several plant viruses including tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV). Ligand blot analysis of ASAL-fed B. tabaci showed that when GroEL is pre-occupied by ASAL, it completely blocks its further binding to ToLCNDV coat protein (ToLCNDV-CP). Prior feeding of ASAL hindered the co-localization of ToLCNDV-CP and GroEL in the midgut of B. tabaci. Immunoprecipitation followed by western blot with ASAL-fed B. tabaci yielded similar result. Moreover, ASAL feeding inhibited viral transmission by B. tabaci. Together, these results confirmed that the interaction of ASAL with GroEL interferes with the binding of ToLCNDV-CP and inhibits further B. tabaci mediated viral transmission.}, }
@article {pmid33930291, year = {2021}, author = {Jia, N and Wang, J and Du, L and Shi, W and Zhao, F and Cao, WC}, title = {Reply to Evidence that microbes identified as tick-borne pathogens are nutritional endosymbionts.}, journal = {Cell}, volume = {184}, number = {9}, pages = {2261-2262}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2021.03.054}, pmid = {33930291}, issn = {1097-4172}, mesh = {Animals ; DNA, Bacterial ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Ticks ; }, }
@article {pmid33930290, year = {2021}, author = {Buysse, M and Duron, O}, title = {Evidence that microbes identified as tick-borne pathogens are nutritional endosymbionts.}, journal = {Cell}, volume = {184}, number = {9}, pages = {2259-2260}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2021.03.053}, pmid = {33930290}, issn = {1097-4172}, mesh = {Animals ; DNA, Bacterial ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Ticks ; }, }
@article {pmid33927399, year = {2021}, author = {Nand, A and Zhan, Y and Salazar, OR and Aranda, M and Voolstra, CR and Dekker, J}, title = {Genetic and spatial organization of the unusual chromosomes of the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium microadriaticum.}, journal = {Nature genetics}, volume = {53}, number = {5}, pages = {618-629}, pmid = {33927399}, issn = {1546-1718}, support = {R01 HG003143/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; /HHMI/Howard Hughes Medical Institute/United States ; }, mesh = {Base Composition/genetics ; Benzimidazoles/pharmacology ; Chromosomes/*genetics ; Cross-Linking Reagents/chemistry ; Dinoflagellida/drug effects/*genetics ; Diterpenes/pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds/pharmacology ; Gene Dosage ; Genome ; Phenanthrenes/pharmacology ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics ; Telomere/genetics ; Transcription, Genetic/drug effects ; }, abstract = {Dinoflagellates are main primary producers in the oceans, the cause of algal blooms and endosymbionts of marine invertebrates. Much remains to be understood about their biology, including their peculiar crystalline chromosomes. We assembled 94 chromosome-scale scaffolds of the genome of the coral endosymbiont Symbiodinium microadriaticum and analyzed their organization. Genes are enriched towards the ends of chromosomes and are arranged in alternating unidirectional blocks. Some chromosomes are enriched for genes involved in specific biological processes. The chromosomes fold as linear rods and each is composed of a series of structural domains separated by boundaries. Domain boundaries are positioned at sites where transcription of two gene blocks converges and disappear when cells are treated with chemicals that block transcription, indicating correlations between gene orientation, transcription and chromosome folding. The description of the genetic and spatial organization of the S. microadriaticum genome provides a foundation for deeper exploration of the extraordinary biology of dinoflagellates and their chromosomes.}, }
@article {pmid33927044, year = {2021}, author = {Park, J and Xi, H and Park, J}, title = {Complete Genome Sequence of a Blochmannia Endosymbiont of Colobopsis nipponica.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {10}, number = {17}, pages = {}, pmid = {33927044}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Blochmannia endosymbionts (Gammaproteobacteria) live in bacteriocytes, which are specialized cells found in the genus Camponotus and its neighbor genera. In this announcement, we describe the complete genome sequence of the Blochmannia endosymbiont of Colobopsis nipponica, which originated from a colony collected in the Republic of Korea.}, }
@article {pmid33925663, year = {2021}, author = {Cantanhêde, LM and Mata-Somarribas, C and Chourabi, K and Pereira da Silva, G and Dias das Chagas, B and de Oliveira R Pereira, L and Côrtes Boité, M and Cupolillo, E}, title = {The Maze Pathway of Coevolution: A Critical Review over the Leishmania and Its Endosymbiotic History.}, journal = {Genes}, volume = {12}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {33925663}, issn = {2073-4425}, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Humans ; Leishmania/*genetics ; Leishmaniasis/parasitology ; Phylogeny ; RNA Viruses/genetics ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {The description of the genus Leishmania as the causative agent of leishmaniasis occurred in the modern age. However, evolutionary studies suggest that the origin of Leishmania can be traced back to the Mesozoic era. Subsequently, during its evolutionary process, it achieved worldwide dispersion predating the breakup of the Gondwana supercontinent. It is assumed that this parasite evolved from monoxenic Trypanosomatidae. Phylogenetic studies locate dixenous Leishmania in a well-supported clade, in the recently named subfamily Leishmaniinae, which also includes monoxenous trypanosomatids. Virus-like particles have been reported in many species of this family. To date, several Leishmania species have been reported to be infected by Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) and Leishbunyavirus (LBV). Since the first descriptions of LRVs decades ago, differences in their genomic structures have been highlighted, leading to the designation of LRV1 in L. (Viannia) species and LRV2 in L. (Leishmania) species. There are strong indications that viruses that infect Leishmania spp. have the ability to enhance parasitic survival in humans as well as in experimental infections, through highly complex and specialized mechanisms. Phylogenetic analyses of these viruses have shown that their genomic differences correlate with the parasite species infected, suggesting a coevolutionary process. Herein, we will explore what has been described in the literature regarding the relationship between Leishmania and endosymbiotic Leishmania viruses and what is known about this association that could contribute to discussions about the worldwide dispersion of Leishmania.}, }
@article {pmid33919688, year = {2021}, author = {He, W and Pan, L and Han, W and Wang, X}, title = {Isothiazolinones as Novel Candidate Insecticides for the Control of Hemipteran Insects.}, journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {33919688}, issn = {2079-6382}, support = {31925033//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; CARS-23-D07//China Agricultural Research System/ ; }, abstract = {Hemipteran insects, such as whiteflies, aphids and planthoppers, resemble one of the most important pest groups threating food security. While many insecticides have been used to control these pests, many issues such as insecticide resistance have been found, highlighting the urgent need to develop novel insecticides. Here, we first observed that a commercial tetramycin solution was highly effective in killing whitefly. The major bioactive constituents were identified to be isothiazolinones, a group of biocides. We then tested the toxicity of several isothiazolinones to five hemipteran insects. The results show that Kathon, a widely used biocide against microorganisms, and its two constituents, chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), can cause considerable levels of mortality to whiteflies and aphids when applied at concentrations close to, or lower than, the upper limit of these chemicals permitted in cosmetic products. The results also indicate that two other isothiazolinones, benzisothiazolinone (BIT) and octylisothiazolinone (OIT) can cause considerable levels of mortality to whitefly and aphids but are less toxic than Kathon. Further, we show that Kathon marginally affects whitefly endosymbionts, suggesting its insecticidal activity is independent of its biocidal activity. These results suggest that some isothiazolinones are promising candidates for the development of a new class of insecticides for the control of hemipteran pests.}, }
@article {pmid33914801, year = {2021}, author = {Masson, F and Rommelaere, S and Marra, A and Schüpfer, F and Lemaitre, B}, title = {Dual proteomics of Drosophila melanogaster hemolymph infected with the heritable endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {4}, pages = {e0250524}, pmid = {33914801}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster/*genetics/immunology/microbiology ; Female ; Hemolymph/microbiology ; Oogenesis/genetics ; Proteome/*genetics ; *Proteomics ; Signal Transduction/genetics/immunology ; Spiroplasma/*genetics/pathogenicity ; Symbiosis/genetics/immunology ; }, abstract = {Insects are frequently infected with heritable bacterial endosymbionts. Endosymbionts have a dramatic impact on their host physiology and evolution. Their tissue distribution is variable with some species being housed intracellularly, some extracellularly and some having a mixed lifestyle. The impact of extracellular endosymbionts on the biofluids they colonize (e.g. insect hemolymph) is however difficult to appreciate because biofluid composition can depend on the contribution of numerous tissues. Here we investigate Drosophila hemolymph proteome changes in response to the infection with the endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii. S. poulsonii inhabits the fly hemolymph and gets vertically transmitted over generations by hijacking the oogenesis in females. Using dual proteomics on infected hemolymph, we uncovered a weak, chronic activation of the Toll immune pathway by S. poulsonii that was previously undetected by transcriptomics-based approaches. Using Drosophila genetics, we also identified candidate proteins putatively involved in controlling S. poulsonii growth. Last, we also provide a deep proteome of S. poulsonii, which, in combination with previously published transcriptomics data, improves our understanding of the post-transcriptional regulations operating in this bacterium.}, }
@article {pmid33914388, year = {2021}, author = {Wong, KH and Goodbody-Gringley, G and de Putron, SJ and Becker, DM and Chequer, A and Putnam, HM}, title = {Brooded coral offspring physiology depends on the combined effects of parental press and pulse thermal history.}, journal = {Global change biology}, volume = {27}, number = {13}, pages = {3179-3195}, doi = {10.1111/gcb.15629}, pmid = {33914388}, issn = {1365-2486}, mesh = {Acclimatization ; Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Chlorophyll A ; Coral Reefs ; Hot Temperature ; }, abstract = {Reef-building corals respond to the temporal integration of both pulse events (i.e., heat waves) and press thermal history (i.e., local environment) via physiological changes, with ecological consequences. We used a "press-pulse-press" experimental framework to expose the brooding coral Porites astreoides to various thermal histories to understand the physiological response of temporal dynamics within and across generations. We collected adult colonies from two reefs (outer Rim reef and inner Patch reef) in Bermuda with naturally contrasting thermal regimes as our initial "press" scenario, followed by a 21-day ex situ "pulse" thermal stress of 30.4°C during larval brooding, and a "press" year-long adult reciprocal transplant between the original sites. Higher endosymbiont density and holobiont protein was found in corals originating from the lower thermal variability site (Rim) compared to the higher thermal variability site (Patch). The thermal pulse event drove significant declines in photosynthesis, endosymbiont density, and chlorophyll a, with bleaching phenotype convergence for adults from both histories. Following the reciprocal transplant, photosynthesis was higher in previously heated corals, indicating recovery from the thermal pulse. The effect of origin (initial press) modulated the response to transplant site for endosymbiont density and chlorophyll a, suggesting contrasting acclimation strategies. Higher respiration and photosynthetic rates were found in corals originating from the Rim site, indicating greater energy available for reproduction, supported by larger larvae released from Rim corals post-transplantation. Notably, parental exposure to the pulse thermal event resulted in increased offspring plasticity when parents were transplanted to foreign sites, highlighting the legacy of the pulse event and the importance of the environment during recovery in contributing to cross-generational or developmental plasticity. Together, these findings provide novel insight into the role of historical disturbance events in driving differential outcomes within and across generations, which is of critical importance in forecasting reef futures.}, }
@article {pmid33912718, year = {2021}, author = {Shemshadian, A and Vatandoost, H and Oshaghi, MA and Abai, MR and Djadid, ND and Karimian, F}, title = {Relationship between Wolbachia infection in Culex quinquefasciatus and its resistance to insecticide.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {7}, number = {4}, pages = {e06749}, pmid = {33912718}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {Many studies have been done on the various factors affecting resistance to insecticides. The relationship between Wolbachia bacteria and resistance to insecticides is one of the factors that has attracted a lot of attentions. Wolbachia are obligatory intracellular endosymbionts that naturally occur in a wide range of arthropods and nematodes, including the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. Initially, the presence of bacteria was proved by molecular assays. Then the resistance level of this species was evaluated in adults against DDT 4.0% and deltamethrin 0.05% using the standard WHO guideline. After elimination of Wolbachia by tetracycline and its proof by molecular assays, the susceptibility tests were conducted again on uninfected line. Finally, the two lines were compared in terms of responding to insecticides. The findings indicated that there is no significant correlation between susceptibility of two lines in response to DDT 4.0% while they represented a significant correlation for deltamethrin (P =0.00). We propose that Wolbachia bacteria increase the susceptibility to deltamethrin but they show neutral effect on DDT susceptibility in Cx. quinquefasciatus. However, more studies on other vectors and insecticides still need to be done.}, }
@article {pmid33901257, year = {2021}, author = {Nichols, HL and Goldstein, EB and Saleh Ziabari, O and Parker, BJ}, title = {Intraspecific variation in immune gene expression and heritable symbiont density.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {17}, number = {4}, pages = {e1009552}, pmid = {33901257}, issn = {1553-7374}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/classification/genetics/immunology/*microbiology ; Bacterial Load/*genetics/physiology ; Enterobacteriaceae/classification/cytology/genetics/*immunology ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Genes, Insect/genetics ; Genetic Variation/physiology ; Host Microbial Interactions/genetics/immunology ; Immunity, Innate/*genetics ; Species Specificity ; *Symbiosis/genetics/immunology ; }, abstract = {Host genetic variation plays an important role in the structure and function of heritable microbial communities. Recent studies have shown that insects use immune mechanisms to regulate heritable symbionts. Here we test the hypothesis that variation in symbiont density among hosts is linked to intraspecific differences in the immune response to harboring symbionts. We show that pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) harboring the bacterial endosymbiont Regiella insecticola (but not all other species of symbionts) downregulate expression of key immune genes. We then functionally link immune expression with symbiont density using RNAi. The pea aphid species complex is comprised of multiple reproductively-isolated host plant-adapted populations. These 'biotypes' have distinct patterns of symbiont infections: for example, aphids from the Trifolium biotype are strongly associated with Regiella. Using RNAseq, we compare patterns of gene expression in response to Regiella in aphid genotypes from multiple biotypes, and we show that Trifolium aphids experience no downregulation of immune gene expression while hosting Regiella and harbor symbionts at lower densities. Using F1 hybrids between two biotypes, we find that symbiont density and immune gene expression are both intermediate in hybrids. We propose that in this system, Regiella symbionts are suppressing aphid immune mechanisms to increase their density, but that some hosts have adapted to prevent immune suppression in order to control symbiont numbers. This work therefore suggests that antagonistic coevolution can play a role in host-microbe interactions even when symbionts are transmitted vertically and provide a clear benefit to their hosts. The specific immune mechanisms that we find are downregulated in the presence of Regiella have been previously shown to combat pathogens in aphids, and thus this work also highlights the immune system's complex dual role in interacting with both beneficial and harmful microbes.}, }
@article {pmid33895462, year = {2021}, author = {Zurita, A and Benkacimi, L and El Karkouri, K and Cutillas, C and Parola, P and Laroche, M}, title = {New records of bacteria in different species of fleas from France and Spain.}, journal = {Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases}, volume = {76}, number = {}, pages = {101648}, doi = {10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101648}, pmid = {33895462}, issn = {1878-1667}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics ; *Ctenocephalides/microbiology ; Europe ; *Flea Infestations/epidemiology/veterinary ; France ; *Siphonaptera/microbiology ; Spain/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {In this study, we assessed the presence of vector-borne microorganisms in different species of fleas collected from different hosts in diverse areas of South-Western Europe by molecular methods. A total of 319 fleas belonging to eight different species was tested for the presence of eight microorganisms. Wolbachia spp. endosymbionts were detected in Ctenocephalides felis, Pulex irritans, Archaeopsylla erinacei and Ctenophthalmus baeticus boisseauorum specimens. Rickettsia felis, an emerging pathogen, was detected in C. felis, A. erinacei and Ct. b. boisseauorum. Rickettsia typhi, the agent of murine typhus was detected for the first time in A. erinacei and Mycobacterium spp. were detected for the first time in fleas (C. felis, P. irritans and A. erinacei). Lastly, five different species of Bartonella were detected in fleas' DNA in this study, including a possible new bacterium belonging to this genus. With this study, we updated the knowledge of the flea-borne bacteria present in the South-West of Europe reinforcing the idea about the necessity to expand and increase the current knowledge on flea-borne pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid33892498, year = {2021}, author = {Knopp, M and Stockhorst, S and van der Giezen, M and Garg, SG and Gould, SB}, title = {The Asgard Archaeal-Unique Contribution to Protein Families of the Eukaryotic Common Ancestor Was 0.3.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {33892498}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Archaea/*genetics ; Bacteria/*genetics ; Eukaryota/*genetics ; *Multigene Family ; }, abstract = {The identification of the asgard archaea has fueled speculations regarding the nature of the archaeal host in eukaryogenesis and its level of complexity prior to endosymbiosis. Here, we analyzed the coding capacity of 150 eukaryotes, 1,000 bacteria, and 226 archaea, including the only cultured member of the asgard archaea. Clustering methods that consistently recover endosymbiotic contributions to eukaryotic genomes recover an asgard archaeal-unique contribution of a mere 0.3% to protein families present in the last eukaryotic common ancestor, while simultaneously suggesting that this group's diversity rivals that of all other archaea combined. The number of homologs shared exclusively between asgard archaea and eukaryotes is only 27 on average. This tiny asgard archaeal-unique contribution to the root of eukaryotic protein families questions claims that archaea evolved complexity prior to eukaryogenesis. Genomic and cellular complexity remains a eukaryote-specific feature and is best understood as the archaeal host's solution to housing an endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid33882628, year = {2021}, author = {Wolfe, TM and Bruzzese, DJ and Klasson, L and Corretto, E and Lečić, S and Stauffer, C and Feder, JL and Schuler, H}, title = {Comparative genome sequencing reveals insights into the dynamics of Wolbachia in native and invasive cherry fruit flies.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {30}, number = {23}, pages = {6259-6272}, pmid = {33882628}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {P 31441/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Tephritidae/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited obligate endosymbiont that can induce a wide spectrum of effects in its host, ranging from mutualism to reproductive parasitism. At the genomic level, recombination within and between strains, transposable elements, and horizontal transfer of strains between host species make Wolbachia an evolutionarily dynamic bacterial system. The invasive cherry fruit fly Rhagoletis cingulata arrived in Europe from North America ~40 years ago, where it now co-occurs with the native cherry pest R. cerasi. This shared distribution has been proposed to have led to the horizontal transfer of different Wolbachia strains between the two species. To better understand transmission dynamics, we performed a comparative genome study of the strain wCin2 in its native United States and invasive European populations of R. cingulata with wCer2 in European R. cerasi. Previous multilocus sequence genotyping (MLST) of six genes implied that the source of wCer2 in R. cerasi was wCin2 from R. cingulata. However, we report genomic evidence discounting the recent horizontal transfer hypothesis for the origin of wCer2. Despite near identical sequences for the MLST markers, substantial sequence differences for other loci were found between wCer2 and wCin2, as well as structural rearrangements, and differences in prophage, repetitive element, gene content, and cytoplasmic incompatibility inducing genes. Our study highlights the need for whole-genome sequencing rather than relying on MLST markers for resolving Wolbachia strains and assessing their evolutionary dynamics.}, }
@article {pmid33882275, year = {2021}, author = {Liu, XC and Li, ZX}, title = {Transmission of the wMel Wolbachia strain is modulated by its titre and by immune genes in Drosophila melanogaster (Wolbachia density and transmission).}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {181}, number = {}, pages = {107591}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2021.107591}, pmid = {33882275}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/*immunology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are common intracellular endosymbionts of arthropods, but the interactions between Wolbachia and arthropods are only partially understood. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a model insect for understanding Wolbachia-host interactions. Here the native wMel strain of D. melanogaster was isolated and then different initial titres of wMel were artificially transferred back into antibiotics-treated fruit flies. Our purpose was to examine the interactions between the injected wMel in a density gradient and the recipient host during trans-generational transmission. The results showed that the trans-generational transmission rates of wMel and titres of wMel exhibited a fluctuating trend over nine generations, and the titres of wMel displayed a similar fluctuating trans-generational trend. There was a significant positive correlation between the transmission rate and the titre of wMel. Reciprocal crossings between wMel-transinfected and uninfected fruit flies revealed that wMel could induce cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) at different initial titres, but the intensity of CI was not significantly correlated with the initial titre of wMel. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that the immune genes Drsl5 and Spn38F displayed a significant transcriptional response to wMel transfection, with an obvious negative correlation with the titre of wMel at the 3rd and 4th generations. Furthermore, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of Drsl5 and Spn38F elicited a drastic increase in the titre of wMel. In combination, our study suggests that the trans-generational transmission of wMel is modulated by its density, and the immune genes are involved in the regulation of Wolbachia density.}, }
@article {pmid33876478, year = {2021}, author = {Smith, AH and O'Connor, MP and Deal, B and Kotzer, C and Lee, A and Wagner, B and Joffe, J and Woloszynek, S and Oliver, KM and Russell, JA}, title = {Does getting defensive get you anywhere?-Seasonal balancing selection, temperature, and parasitoids shape real-world, protective endosymbiont dynamics in the pea aphid.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {30}, number = {10}, pages = {2449-2472}, doi = {10.1111/mec.15906}, pmid = {33876478}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; Genotype ; Pisum sativum ; Seasons ; Symbiosis ; Temperature ; *Wasps/genetics ; }, abstract = {Facultative, heritable endosymbionts are found at intermediate prevalence within most insect species, playing frequent roles in their hosts' defence against environmental pressures. Focusing on Hamiltonella defensa, a common bacterial endosymbiont of aphids, we tested the hypothesis that such pressures impose seasonal balancing selection, shaping a widespread infection polymorphism. In our studied pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) population, Hamiltonella frequencies ranged from 23.2% to 68.1% across a six-month longitudinal survey. Rapid spikes and declines were often consistent across fields, and we estimated that selection coefficients for Hamiltonella-infected aphids changed sign within this field season. Prior laboratory research suggested antiparasitoid defence as the major Hamiltonella benefit, and costs under parasitoid absence. While a prior field study suggested these forces can sometimes act as counter-weights in a regime of seasonal balancing selection, our present survey showed no significant relationship between parasitoid wasps and Hamiltonella prevalence. Field cage experiments provided some explanation: parasitoids drove modest ~10% boosts to Hamiltonella frequencies that would be hard to detect under less controlled conditions. They also showed that Hamiltonella was not always costly under parasitoid exclusion, contradicting another prediction. Instead, our longitudinal survey - and two overwintering studies - showed temperature to be the strongest predictor of Hamiltonella prevalence. Matching some prior lab discoveries, this suggested that thermally sensitive costs and benefits, unrelated to parasitism, can shape Hamiltonella dynamics. These results add to a growing body of evidence for rapid, seasonal adaptation in multivoltine organisms, suggesting that such adaptation can be mediated through the diverse impacts of heritable bacterial endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid33875732, year = {2021}, author = {Kwarteng, A and Asiedu, E and Sylverken, A and Larbi, A and Mubarik, Y and Apprey, C}, title = {In silico drug repurposing for filarial infection predicts nilotinib and paritaprevir as potential inhibitors of the Wolbachia 5'-aminolevulinic acid synthase.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {8455}, pmid = {33875732}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase/*antagonists &amp; inhibitors ; Amino Acid Sequence ; *Computer Simulation ; Cyclopropanes/*pharmacology ; Drug Repositioning/*methods ; Enzyme Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Humans ; Lactams, Macrocyclic/*pharmacology ; Proline/*analogs &amp; derivatives/pharmacology ; Pyrimidines/*pharmacology ; Sequence Homology ; Sulfonamides/*pharmacology ; Wolbachia/*drug effects/enzymology/growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Filarial infections affect millions of individuals and are responsible for some notorious disabilities. Current treatment options involve repeated mass drug administrations, which have been met with several challenges despite some successes. Administration of doxycycline, an anti-Wolbachia agent, has shown clinical effectiveness but has several limitations, including long treatment durations and contraindications. We describe the use of an in silico drug repurposing approach to screening a library of over 3200 FDA-approved medications against the filarial endosymbiont, Wolbachia. We target the enzyme which catalyzes the first step of heme biosynthesis in the Wolbachia. This presents an opportunity to inhibit heme synthesis, which leads to depriving the filarial worm of heme, resulting in a subsequent macrofilaricidal effect. High throughput virtual screening, molecular docking and molecular simulations with binding energy calculations led to the identification of paritaprevir and nilotinib as potential anti-Wolbachia agents. Having higher binding affinities to the catalytic pocket than the natural substrate, these drugs have the structural potential to bind and engage active site residues of the wolbachia 5'-Aminolevulinic Acid Synthase. We hereby propose paritaprevir and nilotinib for experimental validations as anti-Wolbachia agents.}, }
@article {pmid33868697, year = {2021}, author = {Jeffries, CL and Cansado-Utrilla, C and Beavogui, AH and Stica, C and Lama, EK and Kristan, M and Irish, SR and Walker, T}, title = {Evidence for natural hybridization and novel Wolbachia strain superinfections in the Anopheles gambiae complex from Guinea.}, journal = {Royal Society open science}, volume = {8}, number = {4}, pages = {202032}, pmid = {33868697}, issn = {2054-5703}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, a widespread bacterium which can influence mosquito-borne pathogen transmission, has recently been detected within Anopheles (An.) species that are malaria vectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although studies have reported Wolbachia strains in the An. gambiae complex, apparent low density and prevalence rates require confirmation. In this study, wild Anopheles mosquitoes collected from two regions of Guinea were investigated. In contrast with previous studies, RNA was extracted from adult females (n = 516) to increase the chances for the detection of actively expressed Wolbachia genes, determine Wolbachia prevalence rates and estimate relative strain densities. Molecular confirmation of mosquito species and Wolbachia multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were carried out to analyse phylogenetic relationships of mosquito hosts and newly discovered Wolbachia strains. Strains were detected in An. melas (prevalence rate of 11.6%-16/138) and hybrids between An. melas and An. gambiae sensu stricto (prevalence rate of 40.0%-6/15) from Senguelen in the Maferinyah region. Furthermore, a novel high-density strain, termed wAnsX, was found in an unclassified Anopheles species. The discovery of novel Wolbachia strains (particularly in members, and hybrids, of the An. gambiae complex) provides further candidate strains that could be used for future Wolbachia-based malaria biocontrol strategies.}, }
@article {pmid33860546, year = {2021}, author = {Brandeis, M}, title = {Were eukaryotes made by sex?: Sex might have been vital for merging endosymbiont and host genomes giving rise to eukaryotes.}, journal = {BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology}, volume = {43}, number = {6}, pages = {e2000256}, doi = {10.1002/bies.202000256}, pmid = {33860546}, issn = {1521-1878}, mesh = {Archaea/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; *Eukaryota/genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {I hypothesize that the appearance of sex facilitated the merging of the endosymbiont and host genomes during early eukaryote evolution. Eukaryotes were formed by symbiosis between a bacterium that entered an archaeon, eventually giving rise to mitochondria. This entry was followed by the gradual transfer of most bacterial endosymbiont genes into the archaeal host genome. I argue that the merging of the mitochondrial genes into the host genome was vital for the evolution of genuine eukaryotes. At the time this process commenced it was unprecedented and required a novel mechanism. I suggest that this mechanism was meiotic sex, and that its appearance might have been THE crucial step that enabled the evolution of proper eukaryotes from early endosymbiont containing proto-eukaryotes. Sex might continue to be essential today for keeping genome insertions in check. Also see the video abstract here: https://youtu.be/aVMvWMpomac.}, }
@article {pmid33857748, year = {2021}, author = {Bermúdez, S and Martínez-Mandiche, J and Domínguez, L and Gonzalez, C and Chavarria, O and Moreno, A and Góndola, J and Correa, N and Rodríguez, I and Castillo, B and Smith, D and Martínez, AA}, title = {Diversity of Rickettsia in ticks collected from wild animals in Panama.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {101723}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101723}, pmid = {33857748}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Amblyomma/*microbiology/physiology ; Animals ; *Iguanas ; Ixodes/*microbiology/physiology ; *Mammals ; *Microbiota ; Panama ; Rickettsia/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Tick Infestations/parasitology/*veterinary ; }, abstract = {This paper presents new data about Rickettsia species detected in ticks collected from wild animals, using 16S rRNA, gltA and ompA. Rickettsia DNA was found in 66 of 101 ticks. Using EZ BioCloud libraries were produced reads that identified Rickettsia aeschlimannii, and Illumina BaseSpace produced reads of Rickettsia rickettsii group, Rickettsia bellii group, and unclassified Rickettsia. Using gltA and ompA gene-specific primers, R. aeschlimannii could not be confirmed, but detection of Rickettsia amblyommatis was achieved in Amblyomma auricularium, Amblyomma geayi, Amblyomma mixtum, and Amblyomma pacae; R. bellii from Amblyomma dissimile, "Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi" from A. dissimile, Rickettsia spp. closely related to R. raoultii from A. geayi, Rickettsia tamurae from A. dissimile, and Rickettsia endosymbionts of Ixodes from Ixodes affinis. There were no databases available specifically for 16S rRNA of Neotropical Rickettsia, highlighting the need to use species primers over only 16S rRNA primers to achieve more accurate interpretations and identifications. These findings increase the number of Rickettsia species detected in Panama and highlight the need to establish isolates to further characterize the nature of Rickettsia in the area.}, }
@article {pmid33857432, year = {2021}, author = {Walker, T and Quek, S and Jeffries, CL and Bandibabone, J and Dhokiya, V and Bamou, R and Kristan, M and Messenger, LA and Gidley, A and Hornett, EA and Anderson, ER and Cansado-Utrilla, C and Hegde, S and Bantuzeko, C and Stevenson, JC and Lobo, NF and Wagstaff, SC and Nkondjio, CA and Irish, SR and Heinz, E and Hughes, GL}, title = {Stable high-density and maternally inherited Wolbachia infections in Anopheles moucheti and Anopheles demeilloni mosquitoes.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {31}, number = {11}, pages = {2310-2320.e5}, pmid = {33857432}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; R21 AI124452/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI129507/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI138074/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; BB/T001240/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; V011278/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anopheles/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; *Malaria ; Maternal Inheritance ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, a widespread bacterium that can reduce pathogen transmission in mosquitoes, has recently been reported to be present in Anopheles (An.) species. In wild populations of the An. gambiae complex, the primary vectors of Plasmodium malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa, Wolbachia DNA sequences at low density and infection frequencies have been detected. As the majority of studies have used highly sensitive nested PCR as the only method of detection, more robust evidence is required to determine whether Wolbachia strains are established as endosymbionts in Anopheles species. Here, we describe high-density Wolbachia infections in geographically diverse populations of An. moucheti and An. demeilloni. Fluorescent in situ hybridization localized a heavy infection in the ovaries of An. moucheti, and maternal transmission was observed. Genome sequencing of both Wolbachia strains obtained genome depths and coverages comparable to those of other known infections. Notably, homologs of cytoplasmic incompatibility factor (cif) genes were present, indicating that these strains possess the capacity to induce the cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotype, which allows Wolbachia to spread through host populations. These strains should be further investigated as candidates for use in Wolbachia biocontrol strategies in Anopheles aiming to reduce the transmission of malaria.}, }
@article {pmid33857428, year = {2021}, author = {Moore, WM and Chan, C and Ishikawa, T and Rennie, EA and Wipf, HM and Benites, V and Kawai-Yamada, M and Mortimer, JC and Scheller, HV}, title = {Reprogramming sphingolipid glycosylation is required for endosymbiont persistence in Medicago truncatula.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {31}, number = {11}, pages = {2374-2385.e4}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2021.03.067}, pmid = {33857428}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Glucosamine ; Glycosylation ; Inositol ; *Medicago truncatula/genetics/metabolism ; *Mycorrhizae/metabolism ; Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Plant Roots/metabolism ; Sphingolipids ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Plant endosymbiosis relies on the development of specialized membranes that encapsulate the endosymbiont and facilitate nutrient exchange. However, the identity and function of lipids within these membrane interfaces is largely unknown. Here, we identify GLUCOSAMINE INOSITOL PHOSPHORYLCERAMIDE TRANSFERASE1 (GINT1) as a sphingolipid glycosyltransferase highly expressed in Medicago truncatula root nodules and roots colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and further demonstrate that this enzyme functions in the synthesis of N-acetyl-glucosamine-decorated glycosyl inositol phosphoryl ceramides (GIPCs) in planta. MtGINT1 expression was developmentally regulated in symbiotic tissues associated with the development of symbiosome and periarbuscular membranes. RNAi silencing of MtGINT1 did not affect overall root growth but strongly impaired nodulation and AM symbiosis, resulting in the senescence of symbiosomes and arbuscules. Our results indicate that, although M. truncatula root sphingolipidome predominantly consists of hexose-decorated GIPCs, local reprogramming of GIPC glycosylation by MtGINT1 is required for the persistence of endosymbionts within the plant cell.}, }
@article {pmid33855055, year = {2021}, author = {Palomar, AM and Veiga, J and Portillo, A and Santibáñez, S and Václav, R and Santibáñez, P and Oteo, JA and Valera, F}, title = {Novel Genotypes of Nidicolous Argas Ticks and Their Associated Microorganisms From Spain.}, journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {637837}, pmid = {33855055}, issn = {2297-1769}, abstract = {The knowledge of the distribution, richness and epidemiological importance of soft ticks of the genus Argas is incomplete. In Spain, five Argas species have been recorded, including three ornitophilic nidicolous ticks, but their associated microorganisms remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate ticks from bird nests and their microorganisms. Ticks were collected extensively from natural cavities and nest-boxes used by European rollers (Coracias garrulus) and little owls (Athene noctua) in Southeastern and Central Spain. Ticks were morphologically and genetically identified and corresponding DNA/RNA tick extracts were analyzed [individually (n = 150) or pooled (n = 43)] using specific PCR assays for bacteria (Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella, Borrelia, Coxiella/Rickettsiella, and Rickettsia spp.), viruses (Flaviviruses, Orthonairoviruses, and Phenuiviruses), and protozoa (Babesia/Theileria spp.). Six Argas genotypes were identified, of which only those of Argas reflexus (n = 8) were identified to the species level. Two other genotypes were closely related to each other and to Argas vulgaris (n = 83) and Argas polonicus (n = 33), respectively. These two species have not been previously reported from Western Europe. Two additional genotypes (n = 4) clustered with Argas persicus, previously reported in Spain. The remaining genotype (n = 22) showed low sequence identity with any Argas species, being most similar to the African Argas africolumbae. The microbiological screening revealed infection with a rickettsial strain belonging to Rickettsia fournieri and Candidatus Rickettsia vini group in 74.7% of ticks, mainly comprising ticks genetically related to A. vulgaris and A. polonicus. Other tick endosymbionts belonging to Coxiella, Francisella and Rickettsiella species were detected in ten, one and one tick pools, respectively. In addition, one Babesia genotype, closely related to avian Babesia species, was found in one tick pool. Lastly, Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella, Borrelia, and viruses were not detected. In conclusion, five novel Argas genotypes and their associated microorganisms with unproven pathogenicity are reported for Spain. The re-use of nests between and within years by different bird species appears to be ideal for the transmission of tick-borne microorganisms in cavity-nesting birds of semiarid areas. Further work should be performed to clarify the taxonomy and the potential role of soft Argas ticks and their microorganisms in the epidemiology of zoonoses.}, }
@article {pmid33854192, year = {2021}, author = {Maire, J and Girvan, SK and Barkla, SE and Perez-Gonzalez, A and Suggett, DJ and Blackall, LL and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {Correction to: Intracellular bacteria are common and taxonomically diverse in cultured and in hospite algal endosymbionts of coral reefs.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {15}, number = {7}, pages = {2168-2170}, doi = {10.1038/s41396-021-00970-6}, pmid = {33854192}, issn = {1751-7370}, }
@article {pmid33853946, year = {2021}, author = {Carrier, TJ and Leigh, BA and Deaker, DJ and Devens, HR and Wray, GA and Bordenstein, SR and Byrne, M and Reitzel, AM}, title = {Microbiome reduction and endosymbiont gain from a switch in sea urchin life history.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {118}, number = {16}, pages = {}, pmid = {33853946}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Adaptation, Biological/genetics ; Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Gastrointestinal Tract/*microbiology/physiology ; Microbiota/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sea Urchins/genetics/*microbiology ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Animal gastrointestinal tracts harbor a microbiome that is integral to host function, yet species from diverse phyla have evolved a reduced digestive system or lost it completely. Whether such changes are associated with alterations in the diversity and/or abundance of the microbiome remains an untested hypothesis in evolutionary symbiosis. Here, using the life history transition from planktotrophy (feeding) to lecithotrophy (nonfeeding) in the sea urchin Heliocidaris, we demonstrate that the lack of a functional gut corresponds with a reduction in microbial community diversity and abundance as well as the association with a diet-specific microbiome. We also determine that the lecithotroph vertically transmits a Rickettsiales that may complement host nutrition through amino acid biosynthesis and influence host reproduction. Our results indicate that the evolutionary loss of a functional gut correlates with a reduction in the microbiome and the association with an endosymbiont. Symbiotic transitions can therefore accompany life history transitions in the evolution of developmental strategies.}, }
@article {pmid33850182, year = {2021}, author = {Tekle, YI and Lyttle, JM and Blasingame, MG and Wang, F}, title = {Comprehensive comparative genomics reveals over 50 phyla of free-living and pathogenic bacteria are associated with diverse members of the amoebozoa.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {8043}, pmid = {33850182}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {R15 GM116103/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Genomics/methods ; *Bacteria/genetics/classification ; *Amoebozoa/genetics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Humans ; Transcriptome ; Genome, Bacterial ; }, abstract = {The Amoebozoa, a group containing predominantly amoeboid unicellular protists has been shown to play an important ecological role in controlling environmental bacteria. Amoebozoans not only graze bacteria but also serve as a safe niche for bacterial replication and harbor endosymbiotic bacteria including dangerous human pathogens. Despite their importance, only a few lineages of Amoebozoa have been studied in this regard. In this research, we conducted a comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic study with expansive taxon sampling by including representatives from the three known clades of the Amoebozoa. We used culture independent whole culture and single cell genomics/transcriptomics to investigate the association of bacteria with diverse amoebozoans. Relative to current published evidence, we recovered the largest number of bacterial phyla (64) and human pathogen genera (51) associated with the Amoebozoa. Using single cell genomics/transcriptomics we were able to determine up to 24 potential endosymbiotic bacterial phyla, some potentially endosymbionts. This includes the majority of multi-drug resistant pathogens designated as major public health threats. Our study demonstrates amoebozoans are associated with many more phylogenetically diverse bacterial phyla than previously recognized. It also shows that all amoebozoans are capable of harboring far more dangerous human pathogens than presently documented, making them of primal public health concern.}, }
@article {pmid33850043, year = {2021}, author = {Cui, WJ and Zhang, B and Zhao, R and Liu, LX and Jiao, J and Zhang, Z and Tian, CF}, title = {Lineage-Specific Rewiring of Core Pathways Predating Innovation of Legume Nodules Shapes Symbiotic Efficiency.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {6}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {33850043}, issn = {2379-5077}, abstract = {The interkingdom coevolution innovated the rhizobium-legume symbiosis. The application of this nitrogen-fixing system in sustainable agriculture is usually impeded by incompatible interactions between partners. However, the progressive evolution of rhizobium-legume compatibility remains elusive. In this work, deletions of rhcV encoding a structural component of the type three secretion system allow related Sinorhizobium strains to nodulate a previously incompatible soybean cultivar (Glycine max). These rhcV mutants show low to medium to high symbiotic efficiency on the same cultivated soybean while being indistinguishable on wild soybean plants (Glycine soja). The dual pantranscriptomics reveals nodule-specific activation of core symbiosis genes of Sinorhizobium and Glycine genes associated with genome duplication events along the chronogram. Unexpectedly, symbiotic efficiency is in line with lineage-dependent transcriptional profiles of core pathways which predate the diversification of Fabaceae and Sinorhizobium. This is supported by further physiological and biochemical experiments. Particularly, low-efficiency nodules show disordered antioxidant activity and low-energy status, which restrict nitrogen fixation activity. Collectively, the ancient core pathways play a crucial role in optimizing the function of later-evolved mutualistic arsenals in the rhizobium-legume coevolution.IMPORTANCE Significant roles of complex extracellular microbiota in environmental adaptation of eukaryotes in ever-changing circumstances have been revealed. Given the intracellular infection ability, facultative endosymbionts can be considered pioneers within complex extracellular microbiota and are ideal organisms for understanding the early stage of interkingdom adaptation. This work reveals that the later innovation of key symbiotic arsenals and the lineage-specific network rewiring in ancient core pathways, predating the divergence of legumes and rhizobia, underline the progressive evolution of rhizobium-legume compatibility. This insight not only is significant for improving the application benefits of rhizobial inoculants in sustainable agriculture but also advances our general understanding of the interkingdom coevolution which is theoretically explored by all host-microbiota interactions.}, }
@article {pmid33848694, year = {2021}, author = {Pang, HE and Poquita-Du, RC and Jain, SS and Huang, D and Todd, PA}, title = {Among-genotype responses of the coral Pocillopora acuta to emersion: implications for the ecological engineering of artificial coastal defences.}, journal = {Marine environmental research}, volume = {168}, number = {}, pages = {105312}, doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105312}, pmid = {33848694}, issn = {1879-0291}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/genetics ; Chlorophyll A ; Coral Reefs ; Genotype ; Salinity ; Sunlight ; }, abstract = {Stony corals are promising transplant candidates for the ecological engineering of artificial coastal defences such as seawalls as they attract and host numerous other organisms. However, seawalls are exposed to a wide range of environmental stressors associated with periods of emersion during low tide such as desiccation and changes in salinity, temperature, and solar irradiance. All of these variables have known deleterious effects on coral physiology, growth, and fitness. In this study, we performed parallel experiments (in situ and ex situ) to examine among-genotype responses of Pocillopora acuta to emersion by quantifying growth, photophysiological metrics (Fv/Fm, non-photochemical quenching [NPQ], endosymbiont density, and chlorophyll [chl] a concentration) and survival, following different emersion periods. Results showed that coral fragments emersed for longer durations (>2 h) exhibited reduced growth and survival. Endosymbiont density and NPQ, but not Fv/Fm and chl a concentration, varied significantly among genotypes across different durations of emersion. Overall, the ability of P. acuta to tolerate emersion for up to 2 h suggests its potential to serve as a 'starter species' for transplantation efforts on seawalls. Further, careful characterisation and selection of genotypes with a high capacity to withstand emersion can help maximise the efficacy of ecological engineering using coral transplants.}, }
@article {pmid33848483, year = {2021}, author = {Lhee, D and Bhattacharya, D and Yoon, HS}, title = {Independent evolution of the thioredoxin system in photosynthetic Paulinella species.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {31}, number = {7}, pages = {R328-R329}, pmid = {33848483}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {80NSSC19K0462/ImNASA/Intramural NASA/United States ; }, mesh = {Amoeba ; Chromatophores ; *Evolution, Molecular ; *Photosynthesis ; Phylogeny ; Plastids ; *Rhizaria/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Thioredoxins/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Redox regulation allows phytoplankton to monitor and stabilize metabolic pathways under changing conditions[1]. In plastids, the thioredoxin (TRX) system is linked to photosynthetic electron transport and fine tuning of metabolic pathways to fluctuating light levels. Expansion of the number of redox signal transmitters and their protein targets, as seen in plants, is believed to increase cell robustness[2]. In this study, we searched for genes related to redox regulation in the photosynthetic amoeba Paulinella micropora KR01 (hereafter, KR01). The genus Paulinella includes testate filose amoebae, in which a single clade acquired a photosynthetic organelle, the chromatophore, from an alpha-cyanobacterial donor[3]. This independent primary endosymbiosis occurred relatively recently (∼124 million years ago) when compared to Archaeplastida (>1 billion years ago), making photosynthetic Paulinella a valuable model for studying the early stages of primary endosymbiosis[4]. Our comparative analysis demonstrates that this lineage has evolved a TRX system similar to other algae, relying, however, on genes with diverse phylogenetic origins (including the endosymbiont, host, bacteria, and red algae). One TRX of eukaryotic provenance is targeted to the chromatophore, implicating host-endosymbiont coordination of redox regulation. A chromatophore-targeted glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) of red algal origin suggests that Paulinella exploited the existing redox regulation system in Archaeplastida to foster integration. Our study elucidates the independent evolution of the TRX system in photosynthetic Paulinella, whose parts derive from the existing genetic toolkit in diverse organisms.}, }
@article {pmid33842580, year = {2021}, author = {Beliavskaia, A and Hönig, V and Erhart, J and Vyhlidalova, T and Palus, M and Cerny, J and Kozlova, I and Ruzek, D and Palomar, AM and Bell-Sakyi, L}, title = {Spiroplasma Isolated From Third-Generation Laboratory Colony Ixodes persulcatus Ticks.}, journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {659786}, pmid = {33842580}, issn = {2297-1769}, abstract = {Spiroplasma are vertically-transmitted endosymbionts of ticks and other arthropods. Field-collected Ixodes persulcatus have been reported to harbour Spiroplasma, but nothing is known about their persistence during laboratory colonisation of this tick species. We successfully isolated Spiroplasma from internal organs of 6/10 unfed adult ticks, belonging to the third generation of an I. persulcatus laboratory colony, into tick cell culture. We screened a further 51 adult male and female ticks from the same colony for presence of Spiroplasma by genus-specific PCR amplification of fragments of the 16S rRNA and rpoB genes; 100% of these ticks were infected and the 16S rRNA sequence showed 99.8% similarity to that of a previously-published Spiroplasma isolated from field-collected I. persulcatus. Our study shows that Spiroplasma endosymbionts persist at high prevalence in colonised I. persulcatus through at least three generations, and confirms the usefulness of tick cell lines for isolation and cultivation of this bacterium.}, }
@article {pmid33837831, year = {2021}, author = {Joseph, R and Keyhani, NO}, title = {Fungal mutualisms and pathosystems: life and death in the ambrosia beetle mycangia.}, journal = {Applied microbiology and biotechnology}, volume = {105}, number = {9}, pages = {3393-3410}, pmid = {33837831}, issn = {1432-0614}, support = {2019-05150//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; }, mesh = {Ambrosia ; Animals ; *Coleoptera ; Hong Kong ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; *Weevils ; }, abstract = {Ambrosia beetles and their microbial communities, housed in specialized structures termed mycangia, represent one of the oldest and most diverse systems of mutualism and parasitism described thus far. Comprised of core filamentous fungal members, but also including bacteria and yeasts, the mycangia represent a unique adaptation that allows beetles to store and transport their source of nutrition. Although perhaps the most ancient of "farmers," the nature of these interactions remains largely understudied, with the exception of a handful of emerging pathosystems, where the fungal partner acts as a potentially devastating tree pathogen. Such virulence is often seen during "invasions," where (invasive) beetles carrying the fungal symbiont/plant pathogen expand into new territories and presumably "naïve" trees. Here, we summarize recent findings on the phylogenetic relationships between beetles and their symbionts and advances in the developmental and genetic characterization of the mechanisms that underlie insect-fungal-plant interactions. Results on genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic aspects of these relationships are described. Although many members of the fungal Raffaelea-beetle symbiont genera are relatively harmless to host trees, specialized pathosystems including wilt diseases of laurel and oak, caused by specific subspecies (R. lauricola and R. quercus, in the USA and East Asia, respectively), have emerged as potent plant pathogens capable of killing healthy trees. With the development of genetic tools, coupled to biochemical and microscopic techniques, the ambrosia beetle-fungal symbiont is establishing itself as a unique model system to study the molecular determinants and mechanisms that underlie the convergences of symbioses, mutualism, parasitism, and virulence. KEY POINTS: • Fungal-beetle symbioses are diverse and ancient examples of microbial farming. • The mycangium is a specialized structure on insects that houses microbial symbionts. • Some beetle symbiotic fungi are potent plant pathogens vectored by the insect.}, }
@article {pmid33831149, year = {2021}, author = {Pers, D and Hansen, AK}, title = {The boom and bust of the aphid's essential amino acid metabolism across nymphal development.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {11}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {33831149}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Amino Acids, Essential ; Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; *Buchnera/genetics ; Plants ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Within long-term symbioses, animals integrate their physiology and development with their symbiont. In a model nutritional mutualism, aphids harbor the endosymbiont, Buchnera, within specialized bacteriocyte cells. Buchnera synthesizes essential amino acids (EAAs) and vitamins for their host, which are lacking from the aphid's plant sap diet. It is unclear if the aphid host differentially expresses aphid EAA metabolism pathways and genes that collaborate with Buchnera for the production of EAA and vitamins throughout nymphal development when feeding on plants. It is also unclear if aphid bacteriocytes are differentially methylated throughout aphid development as DNA methylation may play a role in gene regulation. By analyzing aphid gene expression, we determined that the bacteriocyte is metabolically more active in metabolizing Buchnera's EAAs and vitamins early in nymphal development compared to intermediate or later immature and adult lifestages. The largest changes in aphid bacteriocyte gene expression, especially for aphid genes that collaborate with Buchnera, occurred during the 3rd to 4th instar transition. During this transition, there is a huge shift in the bacteriocyte from a high energy "nutrient-consuming state" to a "recovery and growth state" where patterning and signaling genes and pathways are upregulated and differentially methylated, and de novo methylation is reduced as evidenced by homogenous DNA methylation profiles after the 2nd instar. Moreover, bacteriocyte number increased and Buchnera's titer decreased throughout aphid nymphal development. These data suggest in combination that bacteriocytes of older nymphal and adult lifestages depend less on the nutritional symbiosis compared to early nymphal lifestages.}, }
@article {pmid33826895, year = {2021}, author = {Özsoy, &#x15e; and Vujovic, F and Simonian, M and Valova, V and Hunter, N and Farahani, RM}, title = {Cannibalized erythroblasts accelerate developmental neurogenesis by regulating mitochondrial dynamics.}, journal = {Cell reports}, volume = {35}, number = {1}, pages = {108942}, doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108942}, pmid = {33826895}, issn = {2211-1247}, support = {512524.3/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Chick Embryo ; Erythroblasts/*metabolism ; Guanosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Heme/metabolism ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; *Mitochondrial Dynamics ; Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism ; Neural Tube/metabolism ; *Neurogenesis ; Protein Stability ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic ; beta Catenin/metabolism ; Mice ; }, abstract = {Metabolic support was long considered to be the only developmental function of hematopoiesis, a view that is gradually changing. Here, we disclose a mechanism triggered during neurulation that programs brain development by donation of sacrificial yolk sac erythroblasts to neuroepithelial cells. At embryonic day (E) 8.5, neuroepithelial cells transiently integrate with the endothelium of yolk sac blood vessels and cannibalize intravascular erythroblasts as transient heme-rich endosymbionts. This cannibalistic behavior instructs precocious neuronal differentiation of neuroepithelial cells in the proximity of blood vessels. By experiments in vitro, we show that access to erythroblastic heme accelerates the pace of neurogenesis by induction of a truncated neurogenic differentiation program from a poised state. Mechanistically, the poised state is invoked by activation of the mitochondrial electron transport chain that leads to amplified production of reactive oxygen species in addition to omnipresent guanosine triphosphate (GTP) with consequential upregulation of pro-differentiation β-catenin.}, }
@article {pmid33824193, year = {2021}, author = {Daisley, BA and Reid, G}, title = {BEExact: a Metataxonomic Database Tool for High-Resolution Inference of Bee-Associated Microbial Communities.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {6}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {33824193}, issn = {2379-5077}, abstract = {High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing technologies have robust potential to improve our understanding of bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)-associated microbial communities and their impact on hive health and disease. Despite recent computation algorithms now permitting exact inferencing of high-resolution exact amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), the taxonomic classification of these ASVs remains a challenge due to inadequate reference databases. To address this, we assemble a comprehensive data set of all publicly available bee-associated 16S rRNA gene sequences, systematically annotate poorly resolved identities via inclusion of 618 placeholder labels for uncultivated microbial dark matter, and correct for phylogenetic inconsistencies using a complementary set of distance-based and maximum likelihood correction strategies. To benchmark the resultant database (BEExact), we compare performance against all existing reference databases in silico using a variety of classifier algorithms to produce probabilistic confidence scores. We also validate realistic classification rates on an independent set of ∼234 million short-read sequences derived from 32 studies encompassing 50 different bee types (36 eusocial and 14 solitary). Species-level classification rates on short-read ASVs range from 80 to 90% using BEExact (with ∼20% due to "bxid" placeholder names), whereas only ∼30% at best can be resolved with current universal databases. A series of data-driven recommendations are developed for future studies. We conclude that BEExact (https://github.com/bdaisley/BEExact) enables accurate and standardized microbiota profiling across a broad range of bee species-two factors of key importance to reproducibility and meaningful knowledge exchange within the scientific community that together, can enhance the overall utility and ecological relevance of routine 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing endeavors.IMPORTANCE The failure of current universal taxonomic databases to support the rapidly expanding field of bee microbiota research has led to many investigators relying on "in-house" reference sets or manual classification of sequence reads (usually based on BLAST searches), often with vague identity thresholds and subjective taxonomy choices. This time-consuming, error- and bias-prone process lacks standardization, cripples the potential for comparative cross-study analysis, and in many cases is likely to incorrectly sway study conclusions. BEExact is structured on and leverages several complementary bioinformatic techniques to enable refined inference of bee host-associated microbial communities without any other methodological modifications necessary. It also bridges the gap between current practical outcomes (i.e., phylotype-to-genus level constraints with 97% operational taxonomic units [OTUs]) and the theoretical resolution (i.e., species-to-strain level classification with 100% ASVs) attainable in future microbiota investigations. Other niche habitats could also likely benefit from customized database curation via implementation of the novel approaches introduced in this study.}, }
@article {pmid33823812, year = {2021}, author = {Vera-Ponce León, A and Dominguez-Mirazo, M and Bustamante-Brito, R and Higareda-Alvear, V and Rosenblueth, M and Martínez-Romero, E}, title = {Functional genomics of a Spiroplasma associated with the carmine cochineals Dactylopius coccus and Dactylopius opuntiae.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {240}, pmid = {33823812}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {019-000012-01EXTV-00267//Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnolog&#xed;a/ ; IN207718//Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigaci&#xf3;n e Innovaci&#xf3;n Tecnol&#xf3;gica (PAPIIT)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Carmine ; Female ; Genomics ; *Hemiptera ; Male ; *Spiroplasma/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Spiroplasma is a widely distributed endosymbiont of insects, arthropods, and plants. In insects, Spiroplasma colonizes the gut, hemolymph, and reproductive organs of the host. Previous metagenomic surveys of the domesticated carmine cochineal Dactylopius coccus and the wild cochineal D. opuntiae reported sequences of Spiroplasma associated with these insects. However, there is no analysis of the genomic capabilities and the interaction of this Spiroplasma with Dactylopius.<br><br>RESULTS: Here we present three Spiroplasma genomes independently recovered from metagenomes of adult males and females of D. coccus, from two different populations, as well as from adult females of D. opuntiae. Single-copy gene analysis showed that these genomes were&#x2009;>&#x2009;92% complete. Phylogenomic analyses classified these genomes as new members of Spiroplasma ixodetis. Comparative genome analysis indicated that they exhibit fewer genes involved in amino acid and carbon catabolism compared to other spiroplasmas. Moreover, virulence factor-encoding genes (i.e., glpO, spaid and rip2) were found incomplete in these S. ixodetis genomes. We also detected an enrichment of genes encoding the type IV secretion system (T4SS) in S. ixodetis genomes of Dactylopius. A metratranscriptomic analysis of D. coccus showed that some of these T4SS genes (i.e., traG, virB4 and virD4) in addition to the superoxide dismutase sodA of S. ixodetis were overexpressed in the ovaries.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The symbiont S. ixodetis is a new member of the bacterial community of D. coccus and D. opuntiae. The recovery of incomplete virulence factor-encoding genes in S. ixodetis of Dactylopius suggests that this bacterium is a non-pathogenic symbiont. A high number of genes encoding the T4SS, in the S. ixodetis genomes and the overexpression of these genes in the ovary and hemolymph of the host suggest that S. ixodetis use the T4SS to interact with the Dactylopius cells. Moreover, the transcriptional differences of S. ixodetis among the gut, hemolymph and ovary tissues of D. coccus indicate that this bacterium can respond and adapt to the different conditions (e.g., oxidative stress) present within the host. All this evidence proposes that there is a strong interaction and molecular signaling in the symbiosis between S. ixodetis and the carmine cochineal Dactylopius.}, }
@article {pmid33817579, year = {2021}, author = {Row, S and Huang, YC and Deng, WM}, title = {Developmental regulation of oocyte lipid intake through 'patent' follicular epithelium in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {iScience}, volume = {24}, number = {4}, pages = {102275}, pmid = {33817579}, issn = {2589-0042}, support = {R01 CA224381/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 CA227789/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM072562/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD021685/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Epithelia form protective permeability barriers that selectively allow the exchange of material while maintaining tissue integrity under extreme mechanical, chemical, and bacterial loads. Here, we report in the Drosophila follicular epithelium a developmentally regulated and evolutionarily conserved process "patency", wherein a breach is created in the epithelium at tricellular contacts during mid-vitellogenesis. In Drosophila, patency exhibits a strict temporal range potentially delimited by the transcription factor Tramtrack69 and a spatial pattern influenced by the dorsal-anterior signals of the follicular epithelium. Crucial for growth and lipid uptake by the oocyte, patency is also exploited by endosymbionts such as Spiroplasma pulsonii. Our findings reveal an evolutionarily conserved and developmentally regulated non-typical epithelial function in a classic model system.}, }
@article {pmid33813285, year = {2021}, author = {Daveu, R and Laurence, C and Bouju-Albert, A and Sassera, D and Plantard, O}, title = {Symbiont dynamics during the blood meal of Ixodes ricinus nymphs differ according to their sex.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {101707}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101707}, pmid = {33813285}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Ixodes/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Male ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Rickettsiales/*physiology ; Sex Factors ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Ticks harbour rich and diverse microbiota and, among the microorganisms associated with them, endosymbionts are the subject of a growing interest due to their crucial role in the biology of their arthropod host. Midichloria mitochondrii is the main endosymbiont of the European tick Ixodes ricinus and is found in abundance in all I. ricinus females, while at a much lower density in males, where it is even absent in 56 % of the individuals. This endosymbiont is also known to increase in numbers after the blood meal of larvae, nymphs or females. Because of this difference in the prevalence of M. mitochondrii between the two sexes, surveying the density of these bacteria in nymphs that will become either females or males could help to understand the behaviour of Midichloria in its arthropod host. To this aim, we have set up an experimental design by building 3 groups of unfed nymphs based on their scutum and hypostome lengths. After engorgement, weighing and moulting of a subset of the nymphs, a significant difference in sex-ratio among the 3 groups was observed. In parallel, Midichloria load in individual nymphs was quantified by qPCR both before and after engorgement. No difference in either body mass or Midichloria load was observed at the unfed stage, but following engorgement, both features were significantly different between each size group. Our results demonstrate that symbiont dynamics during nymphal engorgement is different between the two sexes, resulting in a significantly higher Midichloria load in nymphs that will become females. The consequences of those findings on our understanding of the interplay between the endosymbiont and its arthropod host are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid33806926, year = {2021}, author = {Greczek-Stachura, M and Leśnicka, PZ and Tarcz, S and Rautian, M and Możdżeń, K}, title = {Genetic Diversity of Symbiotic Green Algae of Paramecium bursaria Syngens Originating from Distant Geographical Locations.}, journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {33806926}, issn = {2223-7747}, support = {BN.XX//Pedagogical University of Krakow, Krak&#xf3;w, Poland/ ; }, abstract = {Paramecium bursaria (Ehrenberg 1831) is a ciliate species living in a symbiotic relationship with green algae. The aim of the study was to identify green algal symbionts of P. bursaria originating from distant geographical locations and to answer the question of whether the occurrence of endosymbiont taxa was correlated with a specific ciliate syngen (sexually separated sibling group). In a comparative analysis, we investigated 43 P. bursaria symbiont strains based on molecular features. Three DNA fragments were sequenced: two from the nuclear genomes-a fragment of the ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 region and a fragment of the gene encoding large subunit ribosomal RNA (28S rDNA), as well as a fragment of the plastid genome comprising the 3'rpl36-5'infA genes. The analysis of two ribosomal sequences showed the presence of 29 haplotypes (haplotype diversity Hd = 0.98736 for ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 and Hd = 0.908 for 28S rDNA) in the former two regions, and 36 haplotypes in the 3'rpl36-5'infA gene fragment (Hd = 0.984). The following symbiotic strains were identified: Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella variabilis, Chlorella sorokiniana and Micractinium conductrix. We rejected the hypotheses concerning (i) the correlation between P. bursaria syngen and symbiotic species, and (ii) the relationship between symbiotic species and geographic distribution.}, }
@article {pmid33806260, year = {2021}, author = {Zepeda-Paulo, F and Lavandero, B}, title = {Effect of the Genotypic Variation of an Aphid Host on the Endosymbiont Associations in Natural Host Populations.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {33806260}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {3140299//Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cient&#xed;fico y Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; 1140632//Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cient&#xed;fico y Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; }, abstract = {Understanding the role of facultative endosymbionts on the host's ecology has been the main aim of the research in symbiont-host systems. However, current research on host-endosymbiont dynamics has failed to examine the genetic background of the hosts and its effect on host-endosymbiont associations in real populations. We have addressed the seasonal dynamic of facultative endosymbiont infections among different host clones of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae, on two cereal crops (wheat and oat) and whether their presence affects the total hymenopteran parasitism of aphid hosts at the field level. We present evidence of rapid seasonal shifts in the endosymbiont frequency, suggesting a positive selection of endosymbionts at the host-level (aphids) through an agricultural growing season, by two mechanisms; (1) an increase of aphid infections with endosymbionts over time, and (2) the seasonal replacement of host clones within natural populations by increasing the prevalence of aphid clones closely associated to endosymbionts. Our results highlight how genotypic variation of hosts can affect the endosymbiont prevalence in the field, being an important factor for understanding the magnitude and direction of the adaptive and/or maladaptive responses of hosts to the environment.}, }
@article {pmid33803682, year = {2021}, author = {Boularias, G and Azzag, N and Galon, C and Šimo, L and Boulouis, HJ and Moutailler, S}, title = {High-Throughput Microfluidic Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Multiple Microorganisms in Ixodid Cattle Ticks in Northeast Algeria.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {33803682}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {Microfluidic_2020-2021//Agence Nationale de S&#xe9;curit&#xe9; Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail/ ; grant no. ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID//the French Government's Investissement d'Avenir program, Laboratoire d'Excellence "Integra-tive Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases"/ ; }, abstract = {Ixodid ticks are hematophagous arthropods considered to be prominent ectoparasite vectors that have a negative impact on cattle, either through direct injury or via the transmission of several pathogens. In this study, we investigated the molecular infection rates of numerous tick-borne pathogens in ticks sampled on cattle from the Kabylia region, northeastern Algeria, using a high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR system. A total of 235 ticks belonging to seven species of the genera Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, and Ixodes were sampled on cattle and then screened for the presence of 36 different species of bacteria and protozoans. The most prevalent tick-borne microorganisms were Rickettsia spp. at 79.1%, followed by Francisella-like endosymbionts (62.9%), Theileria spp. (17.8%), Anaplasma spp. (14.4%), Bartonella spp. (6.8%), Borrelia spp. (6.8%), and Babesia spp. (2.5%). Among the 80.4% of ticks bearing microorganisms, 20%, 36.6%, 21.7%, and 2.1% were positive for one, two, three, and four different microorganisms, respectively. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma detritum, and Rhipicephalus bursa ticks. Rickettsia massiliae was found in Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Rickettsiamonacensis and Rickettsia helvetica were detected in Ixodesricinus. Anaplasma marginale was found in all identified tick genera, but Anaplasma centrale was detected exclusively in Rhipicephalus spp. ticks. The DNA of Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp. was identified in several tick species. Theileria orientalis was found in R. bursa, R. sanguineus, H. detritum, H. marginatum, and I. ricinus and Babesia bigemina was found in Rhipicephalus annulatus and R. sanguineus. Our study highlights the importance of tick-borne pathogens in cattle in Algeria.}, }
@article {pmid33801932, year = {2021}, author = {Gałęcki, R and Jaroszewski, J and Bakuła, T and Galon, EM and Xuan, X}, title = {Molecular Detection of Selected Pathogens with Zoonotic Potential in Deer Keds (Lipoptena fortisetosa).}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {33801932}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {"Regional initiative of Excellence" Project No. 010/RID/2018/19//Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wy&#x17c;szego/ ; }, abstract = {Deer keds are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites of birds and mammals. Cervids serve as specific hosts for these insects. However, ked infestations have been observed in non-specific hosts, including humans, companion animals, and livestock. Lipoptena fortisetosa is a weakly studied ectoparasite, but there is evidence to indicate that it continues to spread across Europe. The existing knowledge on deer keds' impact on wildlife is superficial, and their veterinary importance is enigmatic. Lipoptena fortisetosa is a species with vectorial capacity, but potential pathogen transmission has not been assessed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of selected pathogens in L. fortisetosa collected from cervids and host-seeking individuals in the environment. Out of 500 acquired samples, 307 (61.4%) had genetic material from at least one tested pathogen. Our research suggests that L. fortisetosa may be a potential vector of several pathogens, including A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Borellia spp., Coxiella-like endosymbionts, Francisiella tularensis, Mycoplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., and Theileria spp.; however, further, more extensive investigations are required to confirm this. The results of the study indicate that keds can be used as biological markers for investigating the prevalence of vector-borne diseases in the population of free-ranging cervids.}, }
@article {pmid33800543, year = {2021}, author = {Moelling, K and Broecker, F}, title = {Viroids and the Origin of Life.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {22}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {33800543}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Animals ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Complementation Test ; Humans ; Meteoroids ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; *Origin of Life ; Plant Diseases/virology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Catalytic/*genetics ; RNA, Viral/*genetics ; Ribosomes/chemistry/*genetics ; Symbiosis ; Viroids/*genetics ; Virus Diseases/metabolism ; *Virus Replication ; }, abstract = {Viroids are non-coding circular RNA molecules with rod-like or branched structures. They are often ribozymes, characterized by catalytic RNA. They can perform many basic functions of life and may have played a role in evolution since the beginning of life on Earth. They can cleave, join, replicate, and undergo Darwinian evolution. Furthermore, ribozymes are the essential elements for protein synthesis of cellular organisms as parts of ribosomes. Thus, they must have preceded DNA and proteins during evolution. Here, we discuss the current evidence for viroids or viroid-like RNAs as a likely origin of life on Earth. As such, they may also be considered as models for life on other planets or moons in the solar system as well as on exoplanets.}, }
@article {pmid33794350, year = {2021}, author = {Konecka, E and Olszanowski, Z}, title = {Wolbachia supergroup E found in Hypochthonius rufulus (Acari: Oribatida) in Poland.}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases}, volume = {91}, number = {}, pages = {104829}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104829}, pmid = {33794350}, issn = {1567-7257}, mesh = {Animals ; Mites/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Poland ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Data on the spread of intracellular bacteria in oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) are scarce. Our work fills a gap in the research on endosymbionts in this group of invertebrates and provides information on Wolbachia infection in Hypochthonius rufulus (Acari: Oribatida) from soil, litter and moss sample collected in south-eastern Poland. This is the first report of Wolbachia in H. rufulus. Phylogeny based on the analysis of the 16S rRNA, gatB, fbpA, gltA, ftsZ and hcpA gene sequences revealed that Wolbachia from H. rufulus represented supergroup E and was related to bacterial endosymbionts of Collembola. The unique sequence within Wolbachia supergroup E was detected for the 16S rRNA gene of the bacteria from H. rufulus. The sequences of Wolbachia 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes have been deposited in publicly available databases and are an important source of molecular data for comparative studies.}, }
@article {pmid33793664, year = {2021}, author = {Nooroong, P and Trinachartvanit, W and Baimai, V and Anuracpreeda, P and Ahantarig, A}, title = {Partial DnaK protein expression from Coxiella-like endosymbiont of Rhipicephalus annulatus tick.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {4}, pages = {e0249354}, pmid = {33793664}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Adenosine Triphosphatases/classification/genetics/immunology/*metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/classification/genetics/immunology/*metabolism ; Coxiella burnetii/isolation &amp; purification/*metabolism ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/metabolism ; Databases, Genetic ; Epitopes/analysis/immunology ; Haplotypes ; Mutation ; Phylogeny ; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis/chemistry/isolation &amp; purification ; Rhipicephalus/*microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Q fever is one of the most important zoonotic diseases caused by the obligate intracellular bacteria, Coxiella burnetii. This bacterial infection has been frequently reported in both humans and animals, especially ruminants. Ticks are important ectoparasite and serve as reservoir hosts of Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs). In this study, we have attempted to express chaperone-coding genes from CLEs of Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks collected fromcow path. The partial DnaK coding sequence has been amplified and expressed by Escherichia coli. Amino acid sequences have been analyzed by MS-MS spectrometry and the UniProt database. Despites nucleotide sequences indicating high nucleotide variation and diversity, many nucleotide substitutions are synonymous. In addition, amino acid substitutions compensate for the physicochemical properties of the original amino acids. Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB-AR) was employed to indicate the antigenicity of the partial DnaK protein and predict the epitopes of B-and T-cells. Interestingly, some predicted HLA-A and B alleles of the MHC-I and HLA-DR alleles belonging to MHC-II were similar to T-cell responses to C. burnetii in Q fever patients. Therefore, the partial DnaK protein of CLE from R. annulatus could be considered a vaccine candidate and immunogenic marker with future prospects.}, }
@article {pmid33787747, year = {2021}, author = {Ribeiro, MF and Carvalho, VR and Favoreto, AL and De Marchi, BR and Jordan, C and Zanuncio, JC and Soares, MA and Zanuncio, AJV and Wilcken, CF}, title = {Yersinia massiliensis (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae) in the host Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae): first report of association with insects.}, journal = {Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia}, volume = {82}, number = {}, pages = {e237098}, doi = {10.1590/1519-6984.237098}, pmid = {33787747}, issn = {1678-4375}, mesh = {Animals ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; *Hymenoptera/genetics ; *Weevils ; Yersinia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiont bacteria can affect biological parameters and reduce the effectiveness of natural enemies in controlling the target insect. The objective of this work was to identify endosymbiont bacteria in Anaphes nitens (Girault, 1928) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), the main natural enemy used to manage Gonipterus platensis (Marelli, 1926) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Genomic DNA from six A. nitens populations was extracted and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed with the primers to detect endosymbiont bacteria in this insect. The PCR products were amplified, sequenced, and compared with sequences deposited in the GenBank for the bacteria identification. All A. nitens populations had the bacterium Yersinia massiliensis (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae). This bacterium was originally described as free-living, and it is associated with and composes part of the A. nitens microbiota. This is the first report of Y. massiliensis in an insect host.}, }
@article {pmid33786972, year = {2021}, author = {Shang, J and Yao, YS and Zhu, XZ and Wang, L and Li, DY and Zhang, KX and Gao, XK and Wu, CC and Niu, L and Ji, JC and Luo, JY and Cui, JJ}, title = {Evaluation of sublethal and transgenerational effects of sulfoxaflor on Aphis gossypii via life table parameters and 16S rRNA sequencing.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {77}, number = {7}, pages = {3406-3418}, doi = {10.1002/ps.6385}, pmid = {33786972}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {//Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences./ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; Humans ; Life Tables ; Pyridines ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sulfur Compounds/toxicity ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aphis gossypii, a polyphagous and recurrent pest induced by pesticides, causes tremendous loss crop yields each year. Previous studies on the mechanism of pesticide-induced sublethal effects mainly focus on the gene level. The symbiotic bacteria are also important participants of this mechanism, but their roles in hormesis are still unclear.<br><br>RESULTS: In this study, life table parameters and 16S rRNA sequencing were applied to evaluate the sublethal and transgenerational effects of sulfoxaflor on adult A. gossypii after 24-h LC20 (6.96&#x2009;mg&#x2009;L[-1]) concentration exposure. The results indicated that the LC20 of sulfoxaflor significantly reduced the finite rate of increase (&#x3bb;) and net reproductive rate (R0) of parent generation (G0), and significantly increased mean generation time (T) of G1 and G2, but not of G3 and G4. Both reproductive period and fecundity of G1 and G2 were significantly higher than those of the control. Furthermore, our sequencing data revealed that more than 95% bacterial communities were dominated by the phylum Proteobacteria, in which the maximum proportion genus was the primary symbiont Buchnera and the facultative symbiont Arsenophonus. Compared to those of the control, the abundance and composition of symbiotic bacteria of A. gossypii for three successive generations (G0-G2) were changed after G0 A. gossypii was exposed to sulfoxaflor: the diversity of the bacterial community was decreased, but the abundance of Buchnera was increased (G0), while the abundance of Arsenophonus was decreased. Contrary to G0, G1 and G2 cotton aphid exhibited an increased relative abundance of Arsenophonus in the sublethal treatment group.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results provide an insight into the interactions among pesticide resistance, aphids, and symbionts, which will eventually help to better manage the resurgence of A. gossypii. &#xa9; 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid33786050, year = {2021}, author = {Ertabaklar, H and Malatyali, E and Özün Özbay, EP and Yildiz, &#x130; and Sinecen, M and Ertuğ, S and Bozdoğan, B and Güçlü, &#xd6;}, title = {Microsatellite-Based Genotyping, Analysis of Population Structure, Presence of Trichomonas vaginalis Virus (TVV) and Mycoplasma hominis in T. vaginalis Isolates from Southwest of Turkey.}, journal = {Iranian journal of parasitology}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {81-90}, pmid = {33786050}, issn = {1735-7020}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to determine genetic diversity of Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) isolates with microsatellite markers in Turkey (Nov 2015 to 2016) and to create a web-based microsatellite typing (MT) approach for the global interpretation of the data. In addition, the endosymbiosis of Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) and T. vaginalis virus (TVV) in the isolates was also examined.<br><br>METHODS: The allele sizes for each locus were calculated and microsatellite types were determined according to the allele profiles. The population structure was examined with Bayesian clustering method. A website (http://mttype.adu.edu.tr) was created for collection and sharing of microsatellite data. Presence of TVV and M. hominis in T. vaginalis isolates were investigated with electrophoresis and PCR.<br><br>RESULTS: Of 630 vaginal samples T. vaginalis was detected in 30 (4.7%) and those were used for further analysis. The structure produced by a clustering algorithm revealed eight genetic groups. The typing of isolates according to microsatellites revealed 23 different microsatellite types. Three clones were determined among isolates (MT10 16.7%; MT18 10% and MT3 6.7%). The frequency of TVV and M. hominis was 16.6% (n=5) and 20% (n=6), respectively.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Presence of three clones among 30 T. vaginalis isolates indicated that microsatellite-based genotyping was efficient to determine the clonal distribution of T. vaginalis isolates. Therefore, a promising tool might be developed further and adapted to the studies dealing with molecular epidemiology of T. vaginalis. Microsatellite data from forthcoming studies will be deposited and presented on the website. In addition, we also presented the frequency of two endosymbionts in T. vaginalis isolates for the first time in Turkey.}, }
@article {pmid33785618, year = {2021}, author = {Ledermann, R and Emmenegger, B and Couzigou, JM and Zamboni, N and Kiefer, P and Vorholt, JA and Fischer, HM}, title = {Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens Requires Chemical Chaperones To Cope with Osmotic Stress during Soybean Infection.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {33785618}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Amino Acids, Diamino/metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Betaine/metabolism ; Bradyrhizobium/genetics/*metabolism ; Osmotic Pressure ; Plant Root Nodulation ; Root Nodules, Plant/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Glycine max/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Trehalose/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {When engaging in symbiosis with legume hosts, rhizobia are confronted with environmental changes, including nutrient availability and stress exposure. Genetic circuits allow responding to these environmental stimuli to optimize physiological adaptations during the switch from the free-living to the symbiotic life style. A pivotal regulatory system of the nitrogen-fixing soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens for efficient symbiosis is the general stress response (GSR), which relies on the alternative sigma factor σ[EcfG] However, the GSR-controlled process required for symbiosis has not been identified. Here, we demonstrate that biosynthesis of trehalose is under GSR control, and mutants lacking the respective biosynthetic genes otsA and/or otsB phenocopy GSR-deficient mutants under symbiotic and selected free-living stress conditions. The role of trehalose as a cytoplasmic chemical chaperone and stress protectant can be functionally replaced in an otsA or otsB mutant by introducing heterologous genetic pathways for biosynthesis of the chemically unrelated compatible solutes glycine betaine and (hydroxy)ectoine. Alternatively, uptake of exogenously provided trehalose also restores efficient symbiosis and tolerance to hyperosmotic and hyperionic stress of otsA mutants. Hence, elevated cytoplasmic trehalose levels resulting from GSR-controlled biosynthesis are crucial for B. diazoefficiens cells to overcome adverse conditions during early stages of host infection and ensure synchronization with root nodule development.IMPORTANCE The Bradyrhizobium-soybean symbiosis is of great agricultural significance and serves as a model system for fundamental research in bacterium-plant interactions. While detailed molecular insight is available about mutual recognition and early nodule organogenesis, our understanding of the host-imposed conditions and the physiology of infecting rhizobia during the transition from a free-living state in the rhizosphere to endosymbiotic bacteroids is currently limited. In this study, we show that the requirement of the rhizobial general stress response (GSR) during host infection is attributable to GSR-controlled biosynthesis of trehalose. Specifically, trehalose is crucial for an efficient symbiosis by acting as a chemical chaperone to protect rhizobia from osmostress during host infection.}, }
@article {pmid33776981, year = {2021}, author = {Flatau, R and Segoli, M and Hawlena, H}, title = {Wolbachia Endosymbionts of Fleas Occur in All Females but Rarely in Males and Do Not Show Evidence of Obligatory Relationships, Fitness Effects, or Sex-Distorting Manipulations.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {649248}, pmid = {33776981}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The widespread temporal and spatial persistence of endosymbionts in arthropod host populations, despite potential conflicts with their hosts and fluctuating environmental conditions, is puzzling. Here, we disentangled three main mechanisms that are commonly proposed to explain such persistence, namely, obligatory relationships, in which the host is fully dependent on its endosymbiont, fitness advantages conferred by the endosymbiont, and reproductive manipulations imposed by the endosymbiont. Our model system reflects an extreme case, in which the Wolbachia endosymbiont persists in all female flea hosts but rarely in male ones. We cured fleas of both sexes of Wolbachia but found no indications for either lower reproduction, offspring survival, or a change in the offspring sex ratio, compared to Wolbacia-infected fleas. These results do not support any of the suggested mechanisms. We highlight future directions to advance our understanding of endosymbiont persistence in fleas, as well as in other model systems, with extreme sex-differences in endosymbiont persistence. Insights from such studies are predicted to shed light on the evolution and ecology of arthropod-endosymbiont interactions in nature.}, }
@article {pmid33774874, year = {2021}, author = {Chen, H and Wang, M and Li, M and Lian, C and Zhou, L and Zhang, X and Zhang, H and Zhong, Z and Wang, H and Cao, L and Li, C}, title = {A glimpse of deep-sea adaptation in chemosynthetic holobionts: Depressurization causes DNA fragmentation and cell death of methanotrophic endosymbionts rather than their deep-sea Bathymodiolinae host.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {30}, number = {10}, pages = {2298-2312}, doi = {10.1111/mec.15904}, pmid = {33774874}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Acclimatization ; Animals ; Cell Death ; DNA Fragmentation ; *Hydrothermal Vents ; *Mytilidae ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Bathymodiolinae mussels are typical species in deep-sea cold seeps and hydrothermal vents and an ideal model for investigating chemosynthetic symbiosis and the influence of high hydrostatic pressure on deep-sea organisms. Herein, the potential influence of depressurization on DNA fragmentation and cell death in Bathymodiolinae hosts and their methanotrophic symbionts were surveyed using isobaric and unpressurized samples. As a hallmark of cell death, massive DNA fragmentation was observed in methanotrophic symbionts from unpressurized Bathymodiolinae while several endonucleases and restriction enzymes were upregulated. Additionally, genes involved in DNA repair, glucose/methane metabolism as well as two-component regulatory system were also differentially expressed in depressurized symbionts. DNA fragmentation and programmed cell death, however, were rarely detected in the host bacteriocytes owing to the orchestrated upregulation of inhibitor of apoptosis genes and downregulation of caspase genes. Meanwhile, diverse host immune recognition receptors were promoted during depressurization, probably enabling the regain of symbionts. When the holobionts were subjected to a prolonged acclimation at atmospheric pressure, alternations in both the DNA fragmentation and the expression atlas of aforesaid genes were continuously observed in symbionts, demonstrating the persistent influence of depressurization. Contrarily, the host cells demonstrated certain tolerance against depressurization stress as expression level of some immune-related genes returned to the basal level in isobaric samples. Altogether, the present study illustrates the distinct stress responses of Bathymodiolinae hosts and their methanotrophic symbionts against depressurization, which could provide further insight into the deep-sea adaptation of Bathymodiolinae holobionts while highlighting the necessity of using isobaric sampling methods in deep-sea research.}, }
@article {pmid33769570, year = {2021}, author = {Katlav, A and Nguyen, DT and Cook, JM and Riegler, M}, title = {Constrained sex allocation after mating in a haplodiploid thrips species depends on maternal condition.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {75}, number = {6}, pages = {1525-1536}, doi = {10.1111/evo.14217}, pmid = {33769570}, issn = {1558-5646}, mesh = {Animals ; Body Size ; Crosses, Genetic ; Female ; Fertilization ; Genetic Fitness ; Male ; Ovum ; Paternal Inheritance ; Reproduction ; *Sex Ratio ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; Thysanoptera/*genetics/physiology ; Time Factors ; }, abstract = {In females of haplodiploid animals, female production requires fertilization, whereas male production does not. Therefore, haplodiploid species can display extraordinary sex ratios. Constrained sex allocation occurs when a female cannot produce daughters. This can be due to virginity but may also occur after mating due to insemination failure, selfish genetic elements or physiological constraints. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying constrained sex allocation in Pezothrips kellyanus. In this species some mated females produce highly female-biased broods, yet, for unknown reasons, others produce extremely male-biased broods. Using crossing experiments controlled for maternally inherited endosymbionts we confirmed that constrained females were successfully inseminated. Furthermore, male-biased offspring production was not paternally inherited, ruling out paternal sex ratio elements previously identified as sex ratio distorters in some parasitoid wasps. Next, we excluded mating time and paternal fitness effects (male size) on sex allocation. However, we found that constrained sex allocation only occurred in small females producing smaller eggs than large females producing larger eggs and female-biased broods. Consequently, the bimodal sex allocation pattern correlates with maternal condition, and may have arisen (adaptively or non-adaptively) in association with an egg size-mediated fertilization mechanism recently detected in some haplodiploids, with egg size positively affecting fertilization success.}, }
@article {pmid33765083, year = {2021}, author = {Reverte, M and Eren, RO and Jha, B and Desponds, C and Snäkä, T and Prevel, F and Isorce, N and Lye, LF and Owens, KL and Gazos Lopes, U and Beverley, SM and Fasel, N}, title = {The antioxidant response favors Leishmania parasites survival, limits inflammation and reprograms the host cell metabolism.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {17}, number = {3}, pages = {e1009422}, pmid = {33765083}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI031078/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI130222/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Host-Parasite Interactions/*physiology ; Inflammation/immunology/metabolism ; Leishmania/immunology/*metabolism ; Leishmaniasis/immunology/*metabolism ; Mice ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology/*metabolism ; Oxidative Stress/*physiology ; Signal Transduction/immunology ; }, abstract = {The oxidative burst generated by the host immune system can restrict intracellular parasite entry and growth. While this burst leads to the induction of antioxidative enzymes, the molecular mechanisms and the consequences of this counter-response on the life of intracellular human parasites are largely unknown. The transcription factor NF-E2-related factor (NRF2) could be a key mediator of antioxidant signaling during infection due to the entry of parasites. Here, we showed that NRF2 was strongly upregulated in infection with the human Leishmania protozoan parasites, its activation was dependent on a NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and SRC family of protein tyrosine kinases (SFKs) signaling pathway and it reprogrammed host cell metabolism. In inflammatory leishmaniasis caused by a viral endosymbiont inducing TNF-α in chronic leishmaniasis, NRF2 activation promoted parasite persistence but limited TNF-α production and tissue destruction. These data provided evidence of the dual role of NRF2 in protecting both the invading pathogen from reactive oxygen species and the host from an excess of the TNF-α destructive pro-inflammatory cytokine.}, }
@article {pmid33764469, year = {2021}, author = {Pilgrim, J and Thongprem, P and Davison, HR and Siozios, S and Baylis, M and Zakharov, EV and Ratnasingham, S and deWaard, JR and Macadam, CR and Smith, MA and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Torix Rickettsia are widespread in arthropods and reflect a neglected symbiosis.}, journal = {GigaScience}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {33764469}, issn = {2047-217X}, support = {BB/M011186/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods/genetics ; Base Sequence ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Rickettsia are intracellular bacteria best known as the causative agents of human and animal diseases. Although these medically important Rickettsia are often transmitted via haematophagous arthropods, other Rickettsia, such as those in the Torix group, appear to reside exclusively in invertebrates and protists with no secondary vertebrate host. Importantly, little is known about the diversity or host range of Torix group Rickettsia.<br><br>RESULTS: This study describes the serendipitous discovery of Rickettsia amplicons in the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD), a sequence database specifically designed for the curation of mitochondrial DNA barcodes. Of 184,585 barcode sequences analysed, Rickettsia is observed in &#x223c;0.41% of barcode submissions and is more likely to be found than Wolbachia (0.17%). The Torix group of Rickettsia are shown to account for 95% of all unintended amplifications from the genus. A further targeted PCR screen of 1,612 individuals from 169 terrestrial and aquatic invertebrate species identified mostly Torix strains and supports the "aquatic hot spot" hypothesis for Torix infection. Furthermore, the analysis of 1,341 SRA deposits indicates that Torix infections represent a significant proportion of all Rickettsia symbioses found in arthropod genome projects.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study supports a previous hypothesis that suggests that Torix Rickettsia are overrepresented in aquatic insects. In addition, multiple methods reveal further putative hot spots of Torix Rickettsia infection, including in phloem-feeding bugs, parasitoid wasps, spiders, and vectors of disease. The unknown host effects and transmission strategies of these endosymbionts make these newly discovered associations important to inform future directions of investigation involving the understudied Torix Rickettsia.}, }
@article {pmid33763389, year = {2021}, author = {Solbach, MD and Bonkowski, M and Dumack, K}, title = {Novel Endosymbionts in Rhizarian Amoebae Imply Universal Infection of Unrelated Free-Living Amoebae by Legionellales.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {642216}, pmid = {33763389}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {*Amoeba ; *Amoebida ; Bacteria ; Humans ; *Legionella ; *Legionnaires' Disease ; }, abstract = {Legionellales-infected water is a frequent cause of local outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever. Decontaminations are difficult because Legionellales reproduce in eukaryotic microorganisms (protists). Most often, Legionellales have been isolated from amoebae; however, the culture-based sampling methods are taxonomically biased. Sequencing studies show that amoebae in the cercozoan class Thecofilosea are dominant in soils and wastewater treatment plants, prompting us to screen their capability to serve as potential hosts of endosymbiotic bacteria. Environmental isolates of Thecofilosea contained a surprising richness of endosymbiotic Legionellales, including Legionella. Considering the widespread dispersal of Legionellales in apparently unrelated amoeboid protist taxa, it appears that the morphotype and not the evolutionary origin of amoebae determines their suitability as hosts for Legionellales. We further provide a protocol for gnotobiotic cultivation of Legionellales and their respective hosts, facilitating future genomic and transcriptomic research of host-symbiont relationships.}, }
@article {pmid33762724, year = {2021}, author = {Schalm, G and Bruns, K and Drachenberg, N and Geyer, N and Foulkes, NS and Bertolucci, C and Gerlach, G}, title = {Finding Nemo's clock reveals switch from nocturnal to diurnal activity.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {6801}, pmid = {33762724}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Circadian Clocks/*genetics ; Circadian Rhythm/physiology/radiation effects ; Coral Reefs ; DNA Repair/genetics ; Larva/genetics/metabolism ; Light ; Locomotion ; Perciformes/*genetics/growth &amp; development/physiology ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Timing mechanisms play a key role in the biology of coral reef fish. Typically, fish larvae leave their reef after hatching, stay for a period in the open ocean before returning to the reef for settlement. During this dispersal, larvae use a time-compensated sun compass for orientation. However, the timing of settlement and how coral reef fish keep track of time via endogenous timing mechanisms is poorly understood. Here, we have studied the behavioural and genetic basis of diel rhythms in the clown anemonefish Amphiprion ocellaris. We document a behavioural shift from nocturnal larvae to diurnal adults, while juveniles show an intermediate pattern of activity which potentially indicates flexibility in the timing of settlement on a host anemone. qRTPCR analysis of six core circadian clock genes (bmal1, clocka, cry1b, per1b, per2, per3) reveals rhythmic gene expression patterns that are comparable in larvae and juveniles, and so do not reflect the corresponding activity changes. By establishing an embryonic cell line, we demonstrate that clown anemonefish possess an endogenous clock with similar properties to that of the zebrafish circadian clock. Furthermore, our study provides a first basis to study the multi-layered interaction of clocks from fish, anemones and their zooxanthellae endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid33761023, year = {2021}, author = {Clausi, M and Leone, D and Strano, A and Lizio, A and Rappazzo, G and Mulder, C and Conti, E}, title = {Effects of tetracycline on entomopathogenic nematodes and their bacterial symbionts.}, journal = {Ecotoxicology (London, England)}, volume = {30}, number = {4}, pages = {705-710}, pmid = {33761023}, issn = {1573-3017}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/toxicity ; Bacteria ; Humans ; *Moths ; *Rhabditida ; Tetracyclines ; }, abstract = {Among the new contaminants relevant for environment, one of the most significant roles is played by pharmaceuticals like antibiotic products for either human or veterinary use. Their presence could cause serious damage to bacteria and microfauna, like nematodes. Within the widely investigated nematodes, very little is known about the interaction between antibiotics and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). EPNs have been used for biological control of crops, due to their ability to penetrate arthropod pests and kill their hosts thanks to a complex symbiotic mechanism with specific gram-negative bacteria. Tetracycline is an antibiotic used in human and veterinary medicine, both for therapeutic purposes and for the growth of livestock. Since its action against gram-negative bacteria is documented, we verified in this study the survival, growth and pathogenicity of two species of EPNs, Steinernema vulcanicum and S. feltiae. All tests were performed with tetracycline in 1% ethanol solution and up to 300 mg/L. Apparently, this incubation did not harm the vitality of EPNs. Both S. vulcanicum as S. feltiae recovered their vitality and entomopathogenic ability after 48 h. Moreover, the latter EPN species did not grow nor reproduce in the hemolymph of the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella, and their endosymbionts did not grow on MacConkey Agar. Our results suggest that the first EPN species has always retained all its abilities and that endosymbionts have acquired resistance to tetracycline, while experiments with the second EPN species provided some contrasting results in time that will require further investigations.}, }
@article {pmid33740894, year = {2021}, author = {Pyrih, J and Žárský, V and Fellows, JD and Grosche, C and Wloga, D and Striepen, B and Maier, UG and Tachezy, J}, title = {The iron-sulfur scaffold protein HCF101 unveils the complexity of organellar evolution in SAR, Haptista and Cryptista.}, journal = {BMC ecology and evolution}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {46}, pmid = {33740894}, issn = {2730-7182}, mesh = {Animals ; *Cryptosporidiosis ; *Cryptosporidium ; Iron ; *Iron-Sulfur Proteins/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Sulfur ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Nbp35-like proteins (Nbp35, Cfd1, HCF101, Ind1, and AbpC) are P-loop NTPases that serve as components of iron-sulfur cluster (FeS) assembly machineries. In eukaryotes, Ind1 is present in mitochondria, and its function is associated with the assembly of FeS clusters in subunits of respiratory Complex I, Nbp35 and Cfd1 are the components of the cytosolic FeS assembly (CIA) pathway, and HCF101 is involved in FeS assembly of photosystem I in plastids of plants (chHCF101). The AbpC protein operates in Bacteria and Archaea. To date, the cellular distribution of these proteins is considered to be highly conserved with only a few exceptions.<br><br>RESULTS: We searched for the genes of all members of the Nbp35-like protein family and analyzed their targeting sequences. Nbp35 and Cfd1 were predicted to reside in the cytoplasm with some exceptions of Nbp35 localization to the mitochondria; Ind1was found in the mitochondria, and HCF101 was predicted to reside in plastids (chHCF101) of all photosynthetically active eukaryotes. Surprisingly, we found a second HCF101 paralog in all members of Cryptista, Haptista, and SAR that was predicted to predominantly target mitochondria (mHCF101), whereas Ind1 appeared to be absent in these organisms. We also identified a few exceptions, as apicomplexans possess mHCF101 predicted to localize in the cytosol and Nbp35 in the mitochondria. Our predictions were experimentally confirmed in selected representatives of Apicomplexa (Toxoplasma gondii), Stramenopila (Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Thalassiosira pseudonana), and Ciliophora (Tetrahymena thermophila) by tagging proteins with a transgenic reporter. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that chHCF101 and mHCF101 evolved from a common ancestral HCF101 independently of the Nbp35/Cfd1 and Ind1 proteins. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis supports rather a lateral gene transfer of ancestral HCF101 from bacteria than its acquisition being associated with either &#x3b1;-proteobacterial or cyanobacterial endosymbionts.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our searches for Nbp35-like proteins across eukaryotic lineages revealed that SAR, Haptista, and Cryptista possess mitochondrial HCF101. Because plastid localization of HCF101 was only known thus far, the discovery of its mitochondrial paralog explains confusion regarding the presence of HCF101 in organisms that possibly lost secondary plastids (e.g., ciliates, Cryptosporidium) or possess reduced nonphotosynthetic plastids (apicomplexans).}, }
@article {pmid33739376, year = {2021}, author = {Tria, FDK and Brueckner, J and Skejo, J and Xavier, JC and Kapust, N and Knopp, M and Wimmer, JLE and Nagies, FSP and Zimorski, V and Gould, SB and Garg, SG and Martin, WF}, title = {Gene Duplications Trace Mitochondria to the Onset of Eukaryote Complexity.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {33739376}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {*Biological Evolution ; Eukaryota/*genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Gene Duplication ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genes, Archaeal ; Genes, Bacterial ; Mitochondria/*genetics ; }, abstract = {The last eukaryote common ancestor (LECA) possessed mitochondria and all key traits that make eukaryotic cells more complex than their prokaryotic ancestors, yet the timing of mitochondrial acquisition and the role of mitochondria in the origin of eukaryote complexity remain debated. Here, we report evidence from gene duplications in LECA indicating an early origin of mitochondria. Among 163,545 duplications in 24,571 gene trees spanning 150 sequenced eukaryotic genomes, we identify 713 gene duplication events that occurred in LECA. LECA's bacterial-derived genes include numerous mitochondrial functions and were duplicated significantly more often than archaeal-derived and eukaryote-specific genes. The surplus of bacterial-derived duplications in LECA most likely reflects the serial copying of genes from the mitochondrial endosymbiont to the archaeal host's chromosomes. Clustering, phylogenies and likelihood ratio tests for 22.4 million genes from 5,655 prokaryotic and 150 eukaryotic genomes reveal no evidence for lineage-specific gene acquisitions in eukaryotes, except from the plastid in the plant lineage. That finding, and the functions of bacterial genes duplicated in LECA, suggests that the bacterial genes in eukaryotes are acquisitions from the mitochondrion, followed by vertical gene evolution and differential loss across eukaryotic lineages, flanked by concomitant lateral gene transfer among prokaryotes. Overall, the data indicate that recurrent gene transfer via the copying of genes from a resident mitochondrial endosymbiont to archaeal host chromosomes preceded the onset of eukaryotic cellular complexity, favoring mitochondria-early over mitochondria-late hypotheses for eukaryote origin.}, }
@article {pmid33732075, year = {2021}, author = {Pachla, A and Ptaszyńska, AA and Wicha, M and Kunat, M and Wydrych, J and Oleńska, E and Małek, W}, title = {Insight into probiotic properties of lactic acid bacterial endosymbionts of Apis mellifera L. derived from the Polish apiary.}, journal = {Saudi journal of biological sciences}, volume = {28}, number = {3}, pages = {1890-1899}, pmid = {33732075}, issn = {1319-562X}, abstract = {Taking into account that fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) can play an important role in the health of honey bees and can be used as probiotics, phenotypic properties of probiotic interest of Lactobacillus kunkeei (12 strains) and Fructobacillus fructossus bacteria (2 strains), isolated from Apis mellifera gastrointestinal tract, have been studied. We have evaluated survival of tested FLAB in honey bee gut, their susceptibility to antibiotics (ampicillin, erythromycin, tylosin), cell surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation ability, co-aggregation with model pathogenic bacteria, biofilm formation capacity, and effect of studied FLAB, added to sucrose syrup bee diet, on longevity of honey bees. The tested FLAB exhibited good gastrointestinal tract tolerance and high antibiotic susceptibility, which are important criteria in the screening of probiotic candidates. It was also found that all FLAB studied have high cell surface hydrophobicity and fulfil next selection criterion for their use as probiotics. Symbionts of A. mellifera showed also auto- and co-aggregation capacities regarded as valuable features for biofilm formation and inhibition of pathogens adhesion to the bee gut cells. Biofilm-development ability is a desired characteristic of probiotic lactic acid bacteria. As indicated by quantitative crystal violet-stained microplate assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging, all studied A. mellifera gut isolates exhibit a biofilm positive phenotype. Moreover, it was also documented, on honey bees kept in cages, that supplementation of A. mellifera sucrose diet with FLAB decreases mortality and improves significantly longevity of honey bees. Presented research showed that A. mellifera FLAB symbionts are good candidates for application as probiotics.}, }
@article {pmid33731867, year = {2021}, author = {Otto, G}, title = {A new bacterial endosymbiont.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {5}, pages = {283}, pmid = {33731867}, issn = {1740-1534}, }
@article {pmid33730185, year = {2021}, author = {Arab, DA and Lo, N}, title = {Evolutionary Rates are Correlated Between Buchnera Endosymbionts and the Mitochondrial Genomes of Their Aphid Hosts.}, journal = {Journal of molecular evolution}, volume = {89}, number = {4-5}, pages = {238-248}, pmid = {33730185}, issn = {1432-1432}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; Bacteroidetes ; *Buchnera/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {The evolution of bacterial endosymbiont genomes is strongly influenced by host-driven selection. Factors affecting host genome evolution will potentially affect endosymbiont genomes in similar ways. One potential outcome is correlations in molecular rates between the genomes of the symbiotic partners. Recently, we presented the first evidence of such correlations between the mitochondrial genomes of cockroaches and the genomes of their endosymbiont (Blattabacterium cuenoti). Here we investigate whether similar patterns are found in additional host-symbiont partners. We use partial genome data from multiple strains of the bacterial endosymbionts Buchnera aphidicola and Sulcia muelleri, and the mitochondrial genomes of their sap-feeding insect hosts. Both endosymbionts show phylogenetic congruence with the mitochondria of their hosts, a result that is expected due to their identical mode of inheritance. We compared root-to-tip distances and branch lengths of phylogenetically independent species pairs. Both analyses showed a highly significant correlation of molecular rates between the genomes of Buchnera and the mitochondrial genomes of their hosts. A similar correlation was detected between Sulcia and their hosts, but was not statistically significant. Our results indicate that evolutionary rate correlations between hosts and long-term symbionts may be a widespread phenomenon.}, }
@article {pmid33723272, year = {2021}, author = {Pröschold, T and Rieser, D and Darienko, T and Nachbaur, L and Kammerlander, B and Qian, K and Pitsch, G and Bruni, EP and Qu, Z and Forster, D and Rad-Menendez, C and Posch, T and Stoeck, T and Sonntag, B}, title = {An integrative approach sheds new light onto the systematics and ecology of the widespread ciliate genus Coleps (Ciliophora, Prostomatea).}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {5916}, pmid = {33723272}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {I 2238/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 28333/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Biodiversity ; Biological Variation, Population ; Ciliophora/*classification/cytology/*genetics ; DNA, Protozoan/chemistry/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/chemistry/genetics ; Ecology ; Ecosystem ; Lakes ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; Seasons ; Symbiosis ; Water/*parasitology ; }, abstract = {Species of the genus Coleps are one of the most common planktonic ciliates in lake ecosystems. The study aimed to identify the phenotypic plasticity and genetic variability of different Coleps isolates from various water bodies and from culture collections. We used an integrative approach to study the strains by (i) cultivation in a suitable culture medium, (ii) screening of the morphological variability including the presence/absence of algal endosymbionts of living cells by light microscopy, (iii) sequencing of the SSU and ITS rDNA including secondary structures, (iv) assessment of their seasonal and spatial occurrence in two lakes over a one-year cycle both from morphospecies counts and high-throughput sequencing (HTS), and, (v) proof of the co-occurrence of Coleps and their endosymbiotic algae from HTS-based network analyses in the two lakes. The Coleps strains showed a high phenotypic plasticity and low genetic variability. The algal endosymbiont in all studied strains was Micractinium conductrix and the mutualistic relationship turned out as facultative. Coleps is common in both lakes over the whole year in different depths and HTS has revealed that only one genotype respectively one species, C. viridis, was present in both lakes despite the different lifestyles (mixotrophic with green algal endosymbionts or heterotrophic without algae). Our results suggest a future revision of the species concept of the genus Coleps.}, }
@article {pmid33716790, year = {2021}, author = {Martins, M and Ramos, LFC and Murillo, JR and Torres, A and de Carvalho, SS and Domont, GB and de Oliveira, DMP and Mesquita, RD and Nogueira, FCS and Maciel-de-Freitas, R and Junqueira, M}, title = {Comprehensive Quantitative Proteome Analysis of Aedes aegypti Identifies Proteins and Pathways Involved in Wolbachia pipientis and Zika Virus Interference Phenomenon.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {642237}, pmid = {33716790}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Zika virus (ZIKV) is a global public health emergency due to its association with microcephaly, Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy, and myelitis in children and adults. A total of 87 countries have had evidence of autochthonous mosquito-borne transmission of ZIKV, distributed across four continents, and no antivirus therapy or vaccines are available. Therefore, several strategies have been developed to target the main mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, to reduce the burden of different arboviruses. Among such strategies, the use of the maternally-inherited endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis has been applied successfully to reduce virus susceptibility and decrease transmission. However, the mechanisms by which Wolbachia orchestrate resistance to ZIKV infection remain to be elucidated. In this study, we apply isobaric labeling quantitative mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics to quantify proteins and identify pathways altered during ZIKV infection; Wolbachia infection; co-infection with Wolbachia/ZIKV in the A. aegypti heads and salivary glands. We show that Wolbachia regulates proteins involved in reactive oxygen species production, regulates humoral immune response, and antioxidant production. The reduction of ZIKV polyprotein in the presence of Wolbachia in mosquitoes was determined by MS and corroborates the idea that Wolbachia helps to block ZIKV infections in A. aegypti. The present study offers a rich resource of data that may help to elucidate mechanisms by which Wolbachia orchestrate resistance to ZIKV infection in A. aegypti, and represents a step further on the development of new targeted methods to detect and quantify ZIKV and Wolbachia directly in complex tissues.}, }
@article {pmid33715441, year = {2021}, author = {Cornwell, BH and Hernández, L}, title = {Genetic structure in the endosymbiont Breviolum 'muscatinei' is correlated with geographical location, environment and host species.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {288}, number = {1946}, pages = {20202896}, pmid = {33715441}, issn = {1471-2954}, support = {P30 CA093373/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD018223/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/genetics ; Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Ecosystem ; Genetic Structures ; *Sea Anemones ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Corals and cnidarians form symbioses with dinoflagellates across a wide range of habitats from the tropics to temperate zones. Notably, these partnerships create the foundation of coral reef ecosystems and are at risk of breaking down due to climate change. This symbiosis couples the fitness of the partners, where adaptations in one species can benefit the holobiont. However, the scales over which each partner can match their current-and future-environment are largely unknown. We investigated population genetic patterns of temperate anemones (Anthopleura spp.) and their endosymbiont Breviolum 'muscatinei', across an extensive geographical range to identify the spatial scales over which local adaptation is possible. Similar to previously published results, two solitary host species exhibited isolation by distance across hundreds of kilometres. However, symbionts exhibited genetic structure across multiple spatial scales, from geographical location to depth in the intertidal zone, and host species, suggesting that symbiont populations are more likely than their hosts to adaptively mitigate the impact of increasing temperatures.}, }
@article {pmid33712703, year = {2021}, author = {Smee, MR and Raines, SA and Ferrari, J}, title = {Genetic identity and genotype × genotype interactions between symbionts outweigh species level effects in an insect microbiome.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {2537-2546}, pmid = {33712703}, issn = {1751-7370}, support = {BB/J00524X/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; Genotype ; *Microbiota ; Pedigree ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Microbial symbionts often alter the phenotype of their host. Benefits and costs to hosts depend on many factors, including host genotype, symbiont species and genotype, and environmental conditions. Here, we present a study demonstrating genotype-by-genotype (G×G) interactions between multiple species of endosymbionts harboured by an insect, and the first to quantify the relative importance of G×G interactions compared with species interactions in such systems. In the most extensive study to date, we microinjected all possible combinations of five Hamiltonella defensa and five Fukatsuia symbiotica (X-type; PAXS) isolates into the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. We applied several ecological challenges: a parasitoid wasp, a fungal pathogen, heat shock, and performance on different host plants. Surprisingly, genetic identity and genotype × genotype interactions explained far more of the phenotypic variation (on average 22% and 31% respectively) than species identity or species interactions (on average 12% and 0.4%, respectively). We determined the costs and benefits associated with co-infection, and how these compared to corresponding single infections. All phenotypes were highly reliant on individual isolates or interactions between isolates of the co-infecting partners. Our findings highlight the importance of exploring the eco-evolutionary consequences of these highly specific interactions in communities of co-inherited species.}, }
@article {pmid33705534, year = {2021}, author = {Lim, SJ and Davis, B and Gill, D and Swetenburg, J and Anderson, LC and Engel, AS and Campbell, BJ}, title = {Gill microbiome structure and function in the chemosymbiotic coastal lucinid Stewartia floridana.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {97}, number = {4}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiab042}, pmid = {33705534}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; *Bivalvia ; Gills ; *Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Lucinid bivalves harbor environmentally acquired, chemosynthetic, gammaproteobacterial gill endosymbionts. Lucinid gill microbiomes, which may contain other gammaproteobacterial and/or spirochete taxa, remain under-sampled. To understand inter-host variability of the lucinid gill microbiome, specifically in the bacterial communities, we analyzed the microbiome content of Stewartia floridana collected from Florida. Sampled gills contained a monospecific gammaproteobacterial endosymbiont expressing lithoautotrophic, mixotrophic, diazotrophic and C1 compound oxidation-related functions previously characterized in similar lucinid species. Another low-abundance Spirochaeta-like species in ∼72% of the sampled gills was most closely related to Spirochaeta-like species in another lucinid Phacoides pectinatus and formed a clade with known marine Spirochaeta symbionts. The spirochete expressed genes were involved in heterotrophy and the transport of sugars, amino acids, peptides and other substrates. Few muscular and neurofilament genes from the host and none from the gammaproteobacterial and spirochete symbionts were differentially expressed among quadrats predominantly covered with seagrass species or 80% bare sand. Our results suggest that spirochetes are facultatively associated with S. floridana, with potential scavenging and nutrient cycling roles. Expressed stress- and defense-related functions in the host and symbionts also suggest species-species communications, which highlight the need for further study of the interactions among lucinid hosts, their microbiomes and their environment.}, }
@article {pmid33684989, year = {2021}, author = {Moon, EK and Park, SM and Chu, KB and Quan, FS and Kong, HH}, title = {Differentially Expressed Gene Profile of Acanthamoeba castellanii Induced by an Endosymbiont Legionella pneumophila.}, journal = {The Korean journal of parasitology}, volume = {59}, number = {1}, pages = {67-75}, pmid = {33684989}, issn = {1738-0006}, support = {2020R1F1A1068719//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; //Ministry of Science and ICT/ ; }, mesh = {Acanthamoeba castellanii/enzymology/*genetics/*microbiology ; Acetyltransferases/genetics/metabolism ; Catalysis ; Gene Ontology ; Genes, Protozoan/*genetics ; Hydrolases/metabolism ; Legionella pneumophila/pathogenicity/*physiology ; Methyltransferases/genetics/metabolism ; Oxidoreductases/metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Transcription, Genetic ; Transcriptome/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Legionella pneumophila is an opportunistic pathogen that survives and proliferates within protists such as Acanthamoeba spp. in environment. However, intracellular pathogenic endosymbiosis and its implications within Acanthamoeba spp. remain poorly understood. In this study, RNA sequencing analysis was used to investigate transcriptional changes in A. castellanii in response to L. pneumophila infection. Based on RNA sequencing data, we identified 1,211 upregulated genes and 1,131 downregulated genes in A. castellanii infected with L. pneumophila for 12 hr. After 24 hr, 1,321 upregulated genes and 1,379 downregulated genes were identified. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that L. pneumophila endosymbiosis enhanced hydrolase activity, catalytic activity, and DNA binding while reducing oxidoreductase activity in the molecular function (MF) domain. In particular, multiple genes associated with the GO term 'integral component of membrane' were downregulated during endosymbiosis. The endosymbiont also induced differential expression of various methyltransferases and acetyltransferases in A. castellanii. Findings herein are may significantly contribute to understanding endosymbiosis of L. pneumophila within A. castellanii.}, }
@article {pmid33669045, year = {2021}, author = {Wang, YJ and Li, SC and Lin, WC and Huang, FC}, title = {Intracellular Microbiome Profiling of the Acanthamoeba Clinical Isolates from Lens Associated Keratitis.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {33669045}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {109-2628-B-006-022//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan/ ; }, abstract = {Acanthamoeba act as hosts for various microorganisms and pathogens, causing Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK). To investigate the association between endosymbionts and AK progression, we performed a metagenomics study to characterize the intracellular microbiome from five lenses associated with AK isolates and standard strains to characterize the role of ocular flora in AK progression. The used clinical isolates were axenic cultured from lenses associated with AK patients. AK isolates and standard controls such as 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing techniques were used for analysis. The microbiome compositions and relative abundance values were compared. The orders of Clostridiales and Bacteroidales presented major populations of intracellular microbes belonging to all isolates. Comparison of the different source isolates showed that most of the abundance in keratitis isolates came from Ruminococcus gnavus (121.0 folds), Eubacterium dolichum (54.15 folds), Roseburia faecis (24.51 folds), and Blautia producta (3.15 folds). Further analysis of the relative abundance data from keratitis isolates showed that Blautia producta was positively correlated with the disease course. In contrast, Bacteroides ovatus was found to be abundant in early-stage keratitis isolates. This study reveals the abundant anaerobic Gram-positive rods present in severe keratitis isolate and characterize the association between Acanthamoeba and ocular flora in AK progression.}, }
@article {pmid33664278, year = {2021}, author = {Ma, YJ and He, HP and Zhao, HM and Xian, YD and Guo, H and Liu, B and Xue, K}, title = {Microbiome diversity of cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii) is associated with host alternation.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {5260}, pmid = {33664278}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/genetics/*microbiology ; Genetic Variation/*genetics ; Gossypium/genetics/microbiology ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*genetics ; Microbiota/*genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Aphids are infected by a series of bacteria that can help them survive on specific host plants. However, the associations between aphids and these bacteria are not clear, and the bacterial communities in many aphid species are poorly characterized. Here, we investigated the bacterial communities of cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii) on 2 representative winter host plants and transferred to 3 summer host plants by 16S rDNA sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Our results revealed that the bacterial communities varied among cotton aphids on hibiscus, cotton aphids on pomegranate, cotton aphids on cotton transferred from hibiscus, cotton aphids on muskmelon transferred from hibiscus, cotton aphids on cucumber transferred from hibiscus,. The diversity and richness of the bacterial communities were significantly higher in aphids on muskmelon and aphids on cucumber than in the other treatments. There were two main factors influencing the distribution of internal bacterial OTUs revealed by principal component analysis, including the differences among Punicaceae, Malvaceae and Cucurbitaceae. There were 28 bacterial communities with significant differences between two arbitrary treatments, which could be grouped into 6 main clusters depending on relative abundance. Moreover, our results indicated that in addition to the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera, with a dominant position (> 52%), A. gossypii also harbored 3 facultative endosymbiotic bacteria (Serratia, Arsenophonus, and Wolbachia) and 3 possibly symbiotic bacteria (Acinetobacter, Pantoea, and Flavobacterium). There were several correspondences between the symbiotic bacteria in cotton aphids and the specific host plants of the aphids. This study provides a better understanding of the interactions among symbiotic bacteria, aphids and host plants, suggesting that the selection pressure on aphid bacterial communities is likely to be exerted by the species of host plants.}, }
@article {pmid33659853, year = {2020}, author = {Romanov, DA and Zakharov, IA and Shaikevich, EV}, title = {Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Rickettsia symbiotic bacteria in aphids (Aphidoidea).}, journal = {Vavilovskii zhurnal genetiki i selektsii}, volume = {24}, number = {6}, pages = {673-682}, doi = {10.18699/VJ20.661}, pmid = {33659853}, issn = {2500-0462}, abstract = {Aphids are a diverse family of crop pests. Aphids formed a complex relationship with intracellular bacteria. Depending on the region of study, the species composition of both aphids and their facultative endosymbionts varies. The aim of the work was to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of Wolbachia, Spiroplasma and Rickettsia symbionts in aphids collected in 2018-2019 in Moscow. For these purposes, 578 aphids from 32 collection sites were tested by PCR using specific primers. At least 21 species of aphids from 14 genera and four families were identified by barcoding method, of which 11 species were infected with endosymbionts. Rickettsia was found in six species, Wolbachia in two species, Spiroplasma in one species. The presence of Rickettsia in Impatientinum asiaticum, Myzus cerasi, Hyalopterus pruni, Eucallipterus tiliae, Chaitophorus tremulae and Wolbachia in Aphis pomi and C. tremulae has been described for the first time. A double infection with Rickettsia and Spiroplasma was detected in a half of pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) individuals. For the first time was found that six species of aphids are infected with Rickettsia that are genetically different from previously known. It was first discovered that A. pomi is infected with two Wolbachia strains, one of which belongs to supergroup B and is genetically close to Wolbachia from C. tremulae. The second Wolbachia strain from A. pomi belongs to the supergroup M, recently described in aphid species. Spiroplasma, which we observed in A. pisum, is genetically close to male killing Spiroplasma from aphids, ladybirds and moths. Both maternal inheritance and horizontal transmission are the pathways for the distribution of facultative endosymbiotic bacteria in aphids.}, }
@article {pmid33658719, year = {2021}, author = {Graf, JS and Schorn, S and Kitzinger, K and Ahmerkamp, S and Woehle, C and Huettel, B and Schubert, CJ and Kuypers, MMM and Milucka, J}, title = {Anaerobic endosymbiont generates energy for ciliate host by denitrification.}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {591}, number = {7850}, pages = {445-450}, pmid = {33658719}, issn = {1476-4687}, mesh = {Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; *Anaerobiosis ; Bacteria/genetics/*metabolism ; Biological Evolution ; Cell Respiration ; Ciliophora/chemistry/cytology/*metabolism ; Citric Acid Cycle/genetics ; *Denitrification ; Electron Transport/genetics ; *Energy Metabolism ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; *Host Microbial Interactions/genetics ; Mitochondria ; Nitrates/metabolism ; Oxygen/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Mitochondria are specialized eukaryotic organelles that have a dedicated function in oxygen respiration and energy production. They evolved about 2 billion years ago from a free-living bacterial ancestor (probably an alphaproteobacterium), in a process known as endosymbiosis[1,2]. Many unicellular eukaryotes have since adapted to life in anoxic habitats and their mitochondria have undergone further reductive evolution[3]. As a result, obligate anaerobic eukaryotes with mitochondrial remnants derive their energy mostly from fermentation[4]. Here we describe 'Candidatus Azoamicus ciliaticola', which is an obligate endosymbiont of an anaerobic ciliate and has a dedicated role in respiration and providing energy for its eukaryotic host. 'Candidatus A. ciliaticola' contains a highly reduced 0.29-Mb genome that encodes core genes for central information processing, the electron transport chain, a truncated tricarboxylic acid cycle, ATP generation and iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis. The genome encodes a respiratory denitrification pathway instead of aerobic terminal oxidases, which enables its host to breathe nitrate instead of oxygen. 'Candidatus A. ciliaticola' and its ciliate host represent an example of a symbiosis that is based on the transfer of energy in the form of ATP, rather than nutrition. This discovery raises the possibility that eukaryotes with mitochondrial remnants may secondarily acquire energy-providing endosymbionts to complement or replace functions of their mitochondria.}, }
@article {pmid33650119, year = {2021}, author = {Zhou, Z and Zhang, K and Wang, L and Su, Y and Wang, J and Song, T and Yang, X and Tang, J and Lin, S}, title = {Nitrogen availability improves the physiological resilience of coral endosymbiont Cladocopium goreaui to high temperature.}, journal = {Journal of phycology}, volume = {57}, number = {4}, pages = {1187-1198}, doi = {10.1111/jpy.13156}, pmid = {33650119}, issn = {1529-8817}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; *Dinoflagellida ; Nitrogen ; Symbiosis ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {The physiological response of symbiotic Symbiodiniaceae to high temperature is believed to result in coral bleaching. However, the potential effect of nitrogen availability on heat acclimatization of symbiotic Symbiodiniaceae is still unclear. In this study, physiological responses of Symbiodiniaceae Cladocopium goreaui to temperature and nitrogen nutrient stress conditions were investigated. Nitrogen deficiency caused significant declines in cell concentration and chlorophyll content per cell, but significant increases in nitric oxide synthase activity, caspase3 activation level, and cellular carbon content of C. goreaui at normal temperature. Algal cells under high temperature and nitrogen deficiency showed significant rises in Fv/Fm, catalase activity, and caspase3 activation level, but no significant changes in cell yield, cell size, chlorophyll content, superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide synthase activity, and cellular contents of nitrogen and carbon, in comparison with those under normal temperature and nitrogen deficiency. Growth, chlorophyll, and nitrogen contents of algal cells under the high temperature and nitrogen-replete conditions were significantly higher than those under high temperature or nitrogen deficiency alone, whereas nitric oxide synthase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity, carbon content, and caspase3 activation level exhibited opposite trends of variation. Transcriptomic and network analyses revealed ion transport and metabolic processes mainly involved in regulating these physiological activities under different temperature and nitrogen nutrient. The totality of results shows that high temperature activates stress responses, induces antioxidant capacity of apoptosis, and limits the growth rate of C. goreaui. Adequate nitrogen nutrient can improve the resilience of this Symbiodiniaceae against heat stress through repressed apoptosis, promoted ion transport, and optimized metabolism.}, }
@article {pmid33646482, year = {2021}, author = {Olivieri, E and Kariuki, E and Floriano, AM and Castelli, M and Tafesse, YM and Magoga, G and Kumsa, B and Montagna, M and Sassera, D}, title = {Multi-country investigation of the diversity and associated microorganisms isolated from tick species from domestic animals, wildlife and vegetation in selected african countries.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {83}, number = {3}, pages = {427-448}, pmid = {33646482}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {RGY0075-2017//Human Frontiers Science Program/ ; 2016-1012//Fondazione Cariplo/ ; }, mesh = {Africa ; Animals ; Animals, Domestic ; Animals, Wild ; Egypt/epidemiology ; *Rickettsia ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary ; }, abstract = {In many areas of Africa, recent studies highlighted the great impact of ticks on animal and human health throughout the continent. On the other hand, very limited information on the bacterial endosymbionts of the African ticks and their pattern of co-infections with other bacteria are found in literature, notwithstanding their pivotal role in tick survival and vector efficiency. Thus, we investigated the distribution of selected pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria in hard ticks collected from wild, domestic animals and from vegetation in various ecological zones in Africa and their co-occurrence in the same tick host. Overall, 339 hard ticks were morphologically identified as belonging to the genera Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus. Molecular screening provided information on pathogens circulation in Africa, detecting spotted fever group rickettsiae, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia ruminantium, Borrelia garinii, Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Coxiella burnetii. Furthermore, our work provides insights on the African scenario of tick-symbiont associations, revealing the presence of Coxiella, Francisella and Midichloria across multiple tick populations. Coxiella endosymbionts were the most prevalent microorganisms, and that with the broadest spectrum of hosts, being detected in 16 tick species. Francisella was highly prevalent among the Hyalomma species tested and correlated negatively with the presence of Coxiella, showing a potential competitive interaction. Interestingly, we detected a positive association of Francisella with Rickettsia in specimens of Hy. rufipes, suggesting a synergistic interaction between them. Finally, Midichloria was the most prevalent symbiont in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato from Egypt.}, }
@article {pmid33634321, year = {2021}, author = {Teoh, MC and Furusawa, G and Veera Singham, G}, title = {Multifaceted interactions between the pseudomonads and insects: mechanisms and prospects.}, journal = {Archives of microbiology}, volume = {203}, number = {5}, pages = {1891-1915}, pmid = {33634321}, issn = {1432-072X}, support = {FRGS/1/2018/STG03/USM/02/2//Ministry of Education Malaysia/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Control Agents ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Vectors/classification/microbiology ; Insecta/classification/*microbiology ; Pseudomonas/metabolism/*physiology ; Symbiosis ; Virulence Factors/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Insects and bacteria are the most widespread groups of organisms found in nearly all habitats on earth, establishing diverse interactions that encompass the entire range of possible symbiotic associations from strict parasitism to obligate mutualism. The complexity of their interactions is instrumental in shaping the roles of insects in the environment, meanwhile ensuring the survival and persistence of the associated bacteria. This review aims to provide detailed insight on the multifaceted symbiosis between one of the most versatile bacterial genera, Pseudomonas (Gammaproteobacteria: Pseudomonadaceae) and a diverse group of insect species. The Pseudomonas engages with varied interactions with insects, being either a pathogen or beneficial endosymbiont, as well as using insects as vectors. In addition, this review also provides updates on existing and potential applications of Pseudomonas and their numerous insecticidal metabolites as biocontrol agents against pest insects for the improvement of integrated pest management strategies. Here, we have summarized several known modes of action and the virulence factors of entomopathogenic Pseudomonas strains essential for their pathogenicity against insects. Meanwhile, the beneficial interactions between pseudomonads and insects are currently limited to a few known insect taxa, despite numerous studies reporting identification of pseudomonads in the guts and haemocoel of various insect species. The vector-symbiont association between pseudomonads and insects can be diverse from strict phoresy to a role switch from commensalism to parasitism following a dose-dependent response. Overall, the pseudomonads appeared to have evolved independently to be either exclusively pathogenic or beneficial towards insects.}, }
@article {pmid33627171, year = {2021}, author = {Bulman, CA and Chappell, L and Gunderson, E and Vogel, I and Beerntsen, B and Slatko, BE and Sullivan, W and Sakanari, JA}, title = {The Eagle effect in the Wolbachia-worm symbiosis.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {118}, pmid = {33627171}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {OPP1017584//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Brugia malayi/drug effects/microbiology/*physiology ; Doxycycline/pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Microfilariae/drug effects/*microbiology/physiology ; Onchocerca/drug effects/microbiology/*physiology ; *Symbiosis/drug effects ; Wolbachia/drug effects/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) are two human neglected tropical diseases that cause major disabilities. Mass administration of drugs targeting the microfilarial stage has reduced transmission and eliminated these diseases in several countries but a macrofilaricidal drug that kills or sterilizes the adult worms is critically needed to eradicate the diseases. The causative agents of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis are filarial worms that harbor the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia. Because filarial worms depend on Wolbachia for reproduction and survival, drugs targeting Wolbachia hold great promise as a means to eliminate these diseases.<br><br>METHODS: To better understand the relationship between Wolbachia and its worm host, adult&#xa0;Brugia pahangi&#xa0;were exposed to varying concentrations of doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline and rifampicin&#xa0;in vitro&#xa0;and assessed for Wolbachia numbers and worm motility. Worm motility was monitored using the Worminator system, and Wolbachia titers were assessed by qPCR of the single copy gene wsp from Wolbachia and gst from Brugia to calculate IC50s and in time course experiments. Confocal microscopy was also used to quantify Wolbachia located at the distal tip region of worm ovaries to assess the effects of antibiotic treatment in this region of the worm where Wolbachia are transmitted vertically to the microfilarial stage.<br><br>RESULTS: Worms treated with higher concentrations of antibiotics had higher Wolbachia titers, i.e. as antibiotic concentrations increased there was a corresponding increase in Wolbachia titers. As the concentration of antibiotic increased, worms stopped moving and never recovered despite maintaining Wolbachia titers comparable to controls. Thus, worms were rendered moribund by the higher concentrations of antibiotics but Wolbachia persisted suggesting that these antibiotics may act directly on the worms at high concentration. Surprisingly, in contrast to these results, antibiotics given at low concentrations reduced Wolbachia titers.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Wolbachia in B. pahangi display a counterintuitive dose response known as the "Eagle effect." This effect in Wolbachia suggests a common underlying mechanism that allows diverse bacterial and fungal species to persist despite exposure to high concentrations of antimicrobial compounds. To our knowledge this is the first report of this phenomenon occurring in an intracellular endosymbiont, Wolbachia, in its filarial host.}, }
@article {pmid33624756, year = {2021}, author = {Baniya, A and DiGennaro, P}, title = {Genome announcement of Steinernema khuongi and its associated symbiont from Florida.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {33624756}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Animals ; Florida ; *Rhabditida ; Symbiosis ; *Xenorhabdus ; }, abstract = {Citrus root weevil (Diaprepes abbreviates) causes significant yield loss in citrus, especially in Florida. A promising source of control for this pest is biological control agents, namely, native entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) within the genus Steinernema. Two species of endemic EPN in Florida are S. diaparepesi, abundant within the central ridge, and S. khuongi, dominating the flatwood regions of the state. These citrus-growing regions differ significantly in their soil habitats, which impacts the potential success of biological control measures. Although the genome sequence of S. diaprepesi is currently available, the genome sequence of S. khuongi and identity of the symbiotic bacteria is still unknown. Understanding the genomic differences between these two nematodes and their favored habitats can inform successful biological control practices. Here, MiSeq libraries were used to simultaneously sequence and assemble the draft genome of S. khuongi and its associated symbionts. The final draft genome for S. khuongi has 8,794 contigs with a total length of ∼82 Mb, a largest contig of 428,226 bp, and N50 of 46 kb; its BUSCO scores indicate that it is > 86% complete. An associated bacterial genome was assembled with a total length of ∼3.5 Mb, a largest contig at 116,532 bp, and N50 of 17,487 bp. The bacterial genome encoded 3,721 genes, similar to other Xenorhabdus genomes. Comparative genomics identified the symbiotic bacteria of S. khuongi as Xenorhabdus poinarii. These new draft genomes of a host and symbiont can be used as a valuable tool for comparative genomics with other EPNs and its symbionts to understand host range and habitat suitability.}, }
@article {pmid33620311, year = {2021}, author = {Wang, XQ and Guo, JS and Li, DT and Yu, Y and Hagoort, J and Moussian, B and Zhang, CX}, title = {Three-dimensional reconstruction of a whole insect reveals its phloem sap-sucking mechanism at nano-resolution.}, journal = {eLife}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {33620311}, issn = {2050-084X}, mesh = {Animals ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Hemiptera/growth &amp; development/*ultrastructure ; *Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Mouth/ultrastructure ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/ultrastructure ; Phloem ; }, abstract = {Using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, we report on the internal 3D structures of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) at nanometer resolution for the first time. Within the reconstructed organs and tissues, we found many novel and fascinating internal structures in the planthopper such as naturally occurring three four-way rings connecting adjacent spiracles to facilitate efficient gas exchange, and fungal endosymbionts in a single huge insect cell occupying 22% of the abdomen volume to enable the insect to live on plant sap. To understand the muscle and stylet movement during phloem sap-sucking, the cephalic skeleton and muscles were reconstructed in feeding nymphs. The results revealed an unexpected contraction of the protractors of the stylets and suggested a novel feeding model for the phloem sap-sucking.}, }
@article {pmid33610188, year = {2021}, author = {Guo, H and Wang, N and Niu, H and Zhao, D and Zhang, Z}, title = {Interaction of Arsenophonus with Wolbachia in Nilaparvata lugens.}, journal = {BMC ecology and evolution}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {31}, pmid = {33610188}, issn = {2730-7182}, mesh = {Animals ; China/epidemiology ; *Hemiptera ; Humans ; *Spiroplasma ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Co-infection of endosymbionts in the same host is ubiquitous, and the interactions of the most common symbiont Wolbachia with other symbionts, including Spiroplasma, in invertebrate organisms have received increasing attention. However, the interactions between Wolbachia and Arsenophonus, another widely distributed symbiont in nature, are poorly understood. We tested the co-infection of Wolbachia and Arsenophonus in different populations of Nilaparvata lugens and investigated whether co-infection affected the population size of the symbionts in their host.<br><br>RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in the co-infection incidence of Wolbachia and Arsenophonus among 5 populations of N. lugens from China, with nearly half of the individuals in the Zhenjiang population harbouring the two symbionts simultaneously, and the rate of occurrence was significantly higher than that of the other 4 populations. The Arsenophonus density in the superinfection line was significantly higher only in the Maanshan population compared with that of the single-infection line. Differences in the density of Wolbachia and Arsenophonus were found in all the tested double-infection lines, and the dominant symbiont species varied with the population only in the Nanjing population, with Arsenophonus the overall dominant symbiont.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Wolbachia and Arsenophonus could coexist in N. lugens, and the co-infection incidence varied with the geographic populations. Antagonistic interactions were not observed between Arsenophonus and Wolbachia, and the latter was the dominant symbiont in most populations.}, }
@article {pmid33608555, year = {2021}, author = {Lan, Y and Sun, J and Chen, C and Sun, Y and Zhou, Y and Yang, Y and Zhang, W and Li, R and Zhou, K and Wong, WC and Kwan, YH and Cheng, A and Bougouffa, S and Van Dover, CL and Qiu, JW and Qian, PY}, title = {Hologenome analysis reveals dual symbiosis in the deep-sea hydrothermal vent snail Gigantopelta aegis.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {1165}, pmid = {33608555}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*genetics/metabolism ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Hydrothermal Vents/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Snails/*genetics/metabolism/*microbiology ; Sulfur/metabolism ; Symbiosis/*genetics/physiology ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Animals endemic to deep-sea hydrothermal vents often form obligatory symbioses with bacteria, maintained by intricate host-symbiont interactions. Most genomic studies on holobionts have not investigated both sides to similar depths. Here, we report dual symbiosis in the peltospirid snail Gigantopelta aegis with two gammaproteobacterial endosymbionts: a sulfur oxidiser and a methane oxidiser. We assemble high-quality genomes for all three parties, including a chromosome-level host genome. Hologenomic analyses reveal mutualism with nutritional complementarity and metabolic co-dependency, highly versatile in transporting and using chemical energy. Gigantopelta aegis likely remodels its immune system to facilitate dual symbiosis. Comparisons with Chrysomallon squamiferum, a confamilial snail with a single sulfur-oxidising gammaproteobacterial endosymbiont, show that their sulfur-oxidising endosymbionts are phylogenetically distant. This is consistent with previous findings that they evolved endosymbiosis convergently. Notably, the two sulfur-oxidisers share the same capabilities in biosynthesising nutrients lacking in the host genomes, potentially a key criterion in symbiont selection.}, }
@article {pmid33600263, year = {2021}, author = {Snellgrove, AN and Krapiunaya, I and Scott, P and Levin, ML}, title = {Assessment of the Pathogenicity of Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia bellii, and Rickettsia montanensis in a Guinea Pig Model.}, journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)}, volume = {21}, number = {4}, pages = {232-241}, pmid = {33600263}, issn = {1557-7759}, support = {CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHS/United States ; /CC/CDC HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Ticks ; Virulence ; }, abstract = {Members of the genus Rickettsia range from nonpathogenic endosymbionts to virulent pathogens such as Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Many rickettsiae are considered nonpathogenic because they have been isolated from ticks but not vertebrate hosts. We assessed the ability of three presumed endosymbionts: Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia bellii, and Rickettsia montanensis, to infect a guinea pig animal model. These species were chosen because of their high prevalence in respective tick vectors or published reports suggestive of human or animal pathogenicity. Following intraperitoneal (IP) inoculation of cell culture suspensions of R. rickettsii, R. amblyommatis, R. bellii, or R. montanensis into guinea pigs, animals were monitored for signs of clinical illness for 13 days. Ear biopsies and blood samples were taken at 2- to 3-day intervals for detection of rickettsial DNA by PCR. Animals were necropsied and internal organ samples were also tested using PCR assays. Among the six guinea pigs inoculated with R. amblyommatis, fever, orchitis, and dermatitis were observed in one, one, and three animals respectively. In R. bellii-exposed animals, we noted fever in one of six animals, orchitis in one, and dermatitis in two. No PCR-positive tissues were present in either the R. amblyommatis- or R. bellii-exposed groups. In the R. montanensis-exposed group, two of six animals became febrile, two had orchitis, and three developed dermatitis in ears or footpads. R. montanensis DNA was detected in ear skin biopsies collected on multiple days from three animals. Also, a liver specimen from one animal and spleen specimens of two animals were PCR positive. The course and severity of disease in the three experimental groups were significantly milder than that of R. rickettsii. This study suggests that the three rickettsiae considered nonpathogenic can cause either subclinical or mild infections in guinea pigs when introduced via IP inoculation.}, }
@article {pmid33597173, year = {2021}, author = {Keller, CM and Kendra, CG and Bruna, RE and Craft, D and Pontes, MH}, title = {Genetic Modification of Sodalis Species by DNA Transduction.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {6}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33597173}, issn = {2379-5042}, support = {R21 AI148774/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Bacteriophages/genetics/metabolism ; DNA, Bacterial/*genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae/classification/*genetics/*virology ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; *Gene Transfer Techniques ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Host Specificity ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; *Transduction, Genetic ; }, abstract = {Bacteriophages (phages) are ubiquitous in nature. These viruses play a number of central roles in microbial ecology and evolution by, for instance, promoting horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among bacterial species. The ability of phages to mediate HGT through transduction has been widely exploited as an experimental tool for the genetic study of bacteria. As such, bacteriophage P1 represents a prototypical generalized transducing phage with a broad host range that has been extensively employed in the genetic manipulation of Escherichia coli and a number of other model bacterial species. Here we demonstrate that P1 is capable of infecting, lysogenizing, and promoting transduction in members of the bacterial genus Sodalis, including the maternally inherited insect endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius While establishing new tools for the genetic study of these bacterial species, our results suggest that P1 may be used to deliver DNA to many Gram-negative endosymbionts in their insect host, thereby circumventing a culturing requirement to genetically manipulate these organisms.IMPORTANCE A large number of economically important insects maintain intimate associations with maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria. Due to the inherent nature of these associations, insect endosymbionts cannot be usually isolated in pure culture or genetically manipulated. Here we use a broad-host-range bacteriophage to deliver exogenous DNA to an insect endosymbiont and a closely related free-living species. Our results suggest that broad-host-range bacteriophages can be used to genetically alter insect endosymbionts in their insect host and, as a result, bypass a culturing requirement to genetically alter these bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid33591248, year = {2021}, author = {Gerth, M and Martinez-Montoya, H and Ramirez, P and Masson, F and Griffin, JS and Aramayo, R and Siozios, S and Lemaitre, B and Mateos, M and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Rapid molecular evolution of Spiroplasma symbionts of Drosophila.}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {7}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {33591248}, issn = {2057-5858}, mesh = {Amino Acid Substitution ; Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Drosophila/*microbiology ; Evolution, Molecular ; MutL Proteins/*genetics ; MutS Proteins/*genetics ; Mutation Rate ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Spiroplasma/*classification/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Spiroplasma is a genus of Mollicutes whose members include plant pathogens, insect pathogens and endosymbionts of animals. Spiroplasma phenotypes have been repeatedly observed to be spontaneously lost in Drosophila cultures, and several studies have documented a high genomic turnover in Spiroplasma symbionts and plant pathogens. These observations suggest that Spiroplasma evolves quickly in comparison to other insect symbionts. Here, we systematically assess evolutionary rates and patterns of Spiroplasma poulsonii, a natural symbiont of Drosophila. We analysed genomic evolution of sHy within flies, and sMel within in vitro culture over several years. We observed that S. poulsonii substitution rates are among the highest reported for any bacteria, and around two orders of magnitude higher compared with other inherited arthropod endosymbionts. The absence of mismatch repair loci mutS and mutL is conserved across Spiroplasma, and likely contributes to elevated substitution rates. Further, the closely related strains sMel and sHy (>99.5 % sequence identity in shared loci) show extensive structural genomic differences, which potentially indicates a higher degree of host adaptation in sHy, a protective symbiont of Drosophila hydei. Finally, comparison across diverse Spiroplasma lineages confirms previous reports of dynamic evolution of toxins, and identifies loci similar to the male-killing toxin Spaid in several Spiroplasma lineages and other endosymbionts. Overall, our results highlight the peculiar nature of Spiroplasma genome evolution, which may explain unusual features of its evolutionary ecology.}, }
@article {pmid33590884, year = {2021}, author = {Larsen, T and Jefferson, C and Bartley, A and Strassmann, JE and Queller, DC}, title = {Inference of symbiotic adaptations in nature using experimental evolution.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {75}, number = {4}, pages = {945-955}, doi = {10.1111/evo.14193}, pmid = {33590884}, issn = {1558-5646}, mesh = {*Adaptation, Physiological ; Burkholderiaceae/*genetics/pathogenicity ; Dictyostelium/*genetics/microbiology ; *Directed Molecular Evolution ; *Symbiosis ; Virulence ; }, abstract = {Microbes must adapt to the presence of other species, but it can be difficult to recreate the natural context for these interactions in the laboratory. We describe a method for inferring the existence of symbiotic adaptations by experimentally evolving microbes that would normally interact in an artificial environment without access to other species. By looking for changes in the fitness effects microbes adapted to isolation have on their partners, we can infer the existence of ancestral adaptations that were lost during experimental evolution. The direction and magnitude of trait changes can offer useful insight as to whether the microbes have historically been selected to help or harm one another in nature. We apply our method to the complex symbiosis between the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum and two intracellular bacterial endosymbionts, Paraburkholderia agricolaris and Paraburkholderia hayleyella. Our results suggest P. hayleyella-but not P. agricolaris-has generally been selected to attenuate its virulence in nature, and that D. discoideum has evolved to antagonistically limit the growth of Paraburkholderia. The approach demonstrated here can be a powerful tool for studying adaptations in microbes, particularly when the specific natural context in which the adaptations evolved is unknown or hard to reproduce.}, }
@article {pmid33584729, year = {2020}, author = {Pimentel, AC and Cesar, CS and Martins, M and Cogni, R}, title = {The Antiviral Effects of the Symbiont Bacteria Wolbachia in Insects.}, journal = {Frontiers in immunology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {626329}, pmid = {33584729}, issn = {1664-3224}, mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila/immunology/microbiology/virology ; RNA Virus Infections/*immunology ; RNA Viruses/*immunology ; Symbiosis/*immunology ; Wolbachia/*immunology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally transmitted bacterium that lives inside arthropod cells. Historically, it was viewed primarily as a parasite that manipulates host reproduction, but more recently it was discovered that Wolbachia can also protect Drosophila species against infection by RNA viruses. Combined with Wolbachia's ability to invade insect populations due to reproductive manipulations, this provides a way to modify mosquito populations to prevent them transmitting viruses like dengue. In this review, we discuss the main advances in the field since Wolbachia's antiviral effect was discovered 12 years ago, identifying current research gaps and potential future developments. We discuss that the antiviral effect works against a broad range of RNA viruses and depends on the Wolbachia lineage. We describe what is known about the mechanisms behind viral protection, and that recent studies suggest two possible mechanisms: activation of host immunity or competition with virus for cellular resources. We also discuss how association with Wolbachia may influence the evolution of virus defense on the insect host genome. Finally, we investigate whether the antiviral effect occurs in wild insect populations and its ecological relevance as a major antiviral component in insects.}, }
@article {pmid33580178, year = {2021}, author = {Kapantaidaki, DE and Antonatos, S and Evangelou, V and Papachristos, DP and Milonas, P}, title = {Genetic and endosymbiotic diversity of Greek populations of Philaenus spumarius, Philaenus signatus and Neophilaenus campestris, vectors of Xylella fastidiosa.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {3752}, pmid = {33580178}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Genetic Variation/genetics ; Greece ; Hemiptera/*genetics/*microbiology ; Insect Vectors/genetics/microbiology ; Olea/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Xylella/*genetics/metabolism/pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {The plant-pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa which causes significant diseases to various plant species worldwide, is exclusively transmitted by xylem sap-feeding insects. Given the fact that X. fastidiosa poses a serious potential threat for olive cultivation in Greece, the main aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variation of Greek populations of three spittlebug species (Philaenus spumarius, P. signatus and Neophilaenus campestris), by examining the molecular markers Cytochrome Oxidase I, cytochrome b and Internal Transcribed Spacer. Moreover, the infection status of the secondary endosymbionts Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, Hamiltonella, Cardinium and Rickettsia, among these populations, was determined. According to the results, the ITS2 region was the less polymorphic, while the analyzed fragments of COI and cytb genes, displayed high genetic diversity. The phylogenetic analysis placed the Greek populations of P. spumarius into the previously obtained Southwest clade in Europe. The analysis of the bacterial diversity revealed a diverse infection status. Rickettsia was the most predominant endosymbiont while Cardinium was totally absent from all examined populations. Philaenus spumarius harbored Rickettsia, Arsenophonus, Hamiltonella and Wolbachia, N. campestris carried Rickettsia, Hamiltonella and Wolbachia while P. signatus was infected only by Rickettsia. The results of this study will provide an important knowledge resource for understanding the population dynamics of vectors of X. fastidiosa with a view to formulate effective management strategies towards the bacterium.}, }
@article {pmid33567508, year = {2021}, author = {Mannella, CA}, title = {VDAC-A Primal Perspective.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {22}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {33567508}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {P41 RR001219/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; P41RR01219/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; U01HLI16321/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Ion Channel Gating ; Lipid Bilayers/*metabolism ; *Membrane Potentials ; Mitochondria/*physiology ; Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {The evolution of the eukaryotic cell from the primal endosymbiotic event involved a complex series of adaptations driven primarily by energy optimization. Transfer of genes from endosymbiont to host and concomitant expansion (by infolding) of the endosymbiont's chemiosmotic membrane greatly increased output of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and placed selective pressure on the membrane at the host-endosymbiont interface to sustain the energy advantage. It is hypothesized that critical functions at this interface (metabolite exchange, polypeptide import, barrier integrity to proteins and DNA) were managed by a precursor β-barrel protein ("pβB") from which the voltage-dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC) descended. VDAC's role as hub for disparate and increasingly complex processes suggests an adaptability that likely springs from a feature inherited from pβB, retained because of important advantages conferred. It is proposed that this property is the remarkable structural flexibility evidenced in VDAC's gating mechanism, a possible origin of which is discussed.}, }
@article {pmid33563832, year = {2021}, author = {Lindsey, ARI and Bhattacharya, T and Hardy, RW and Newton, ILG}, title = {Wolbachia and Virus Alter the Host Transcriptome at the Interface of Nucleotide Metabolism Pathways.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33563832}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {P40 OD018537/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI144430/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI121849/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/*genetics/microbiology/virology ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics ; Male ; *Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; *Microbial Interactions ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Nucleotides/genetics/*metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Transcriptome ; Virus Diseases/virology ; Virus Replication ; Viruses/*pathogenicity ; Wolbachia/*pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally transmitted bacterium that manipulates arthropod and nematode biology in myriad ways. The Wolbachia strain colonizing Drosophila melanogaster creates sperm-egg incompatibilities and protects its host against RNA viruses, making it a promising tool for vector control. Despite successful trials using Wolbachia-transfected mosquitoes for dengue control, knowledge of how Wolbachia and viruses jointly affect insect biology remains limited. Using the Drosophila melanogaster model, transcriptomics and gene expression network analyses revealed pathways with altered expression and splicing due to Wolbachia colonization and virus infection. Included are metabolic pathways previously unknown to be important for Wolbachia-host interactions. Additionally, Wolbachia-colonized flies exhibit a dampened transcriptomic response to virus infection, consistent with early blocking of virus replication. Finally, using Drosophila genetics, we show that Wolbachia and expression of nucleotide metabolism genes have interactive effects on virus replication. Understanding the mechanisms of pathogen blocking will contribute to the effective development of Wolbachia-mediated vector control programs.IMPORTANCE Recently developed arbovirus control strategies leverage the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia, which spreads in insect populations and blocks viruses from replicating. While this strategy has been successful, details of how this "pathogen blocking" works are limited. Here, we use a combination of virus infections, fly genetics, and transcriptomics to show that Wolbachia and virus interact at host nucleotide metabolism pathways.}, }
@article {pmid33563818, year = {2021}, author = {Sicard, M and Namias, A and Perriat-Sanguinet, M and Carron, E and Unal, S and Altinli, M and Landmann, F and Weill, M}, title = {Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Variations in Relation with Wolbachia cid Genes Divergence in Culex pipiens.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33563818}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Animals ; Cell Line ; Centromere Protein A/*genetics ; Culex/*microbiology/physiology ; Cytoplasm/*physiology ; Cytosol/*microbiology ; Female ; Genetic Drift ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring ; Host Specificity ; Male ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; Thiourea/analogs &amp; derivatives ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {In arthropods, Wolbachia endosymbionts induce conditional sterility, called cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), resulting from embryonic lethality. CI penetrance (i.e., embryonic death rate) varies depending on host species and Wolbachia strains involved. All Culex pipiens mosquitoes are infected by the endosymbiotic alphaproteobacteria Wolbachia wPip. CI in Culex, characterized as a binary "compatible/incompatible" phenomenon, revealed an unparalleled diversity of patterns linked to the amplification-diversification of cidA and cidB genes. Here, we accurately studied CI penetrance variations in the light of cid genes divergence by generating a C. pipiens compatibility matrix between 11 lines hosting different phylogenetic wPip groups and exhibiting distinct cid gene repertoires. We showed, as expected, that crosses involving wPip from the same group were mostly compatible. In contrast, only 22% of the crosses involving different wPip groups were compatible, while 54% were fully incompatible. For the remaining 24% of the crosses, "intermediate" compatibilities were reported, and a cytological observation of the first zygotic division confirmed the occurrence of "canonical" CI phenotypes in a fraction of the eggs. Backcross experiments demonstrated that intermediate compatibilities were not linked to host genetic background but to the Wolbachia strains involved. This previously unstudied intermediate penetrance CI was more severe and frequent in crosses involving wPip-IV strains exhibiting cid variants markedly divergent from other wPip groups. Our data demonstrate that CI is not always a binary compatible/incompatible phenomenon in C. pipiens but that intermediate compatibilities putatively resulting from partial mismatch due to Cid proteins divergence exist in this species complex.IMPORTANCECulex pipiens mosquitoes are infected with wPip. These endosymbionts induce a conditional sterility called CI resulting from embryonic deaths, which constitutes a cornerstone for Wolbachia antivectorial methods. Recent studies revealed that (i) two genes, cidA and cidB, are central in Wolbachia-CI mechanisms, and (ii) compatibility versus incompatibility between mosquito lines depends on the wPip phylogenetic groups at play. Here, we studied CI variations in relation to wPip groups and cid genes divergence. We showed, as expected, that the crosses involving wPip from the same group were compatible. In contrast, 78% of the crosses involving different wPip groups were partially or fully incompatible. In such crosses, we reported defects during the first zygotic division, a hallmark of CI. We showed that CI was more severe and frequent in crosses involving wPip-IV strains exhibiting cid variants, which markedly diverge from those of other wPip groups.}, }
@article {pmid33561560, year = {2021}, author = {Puthiyaveetil, S and McKenzie, SD and Kayanja, GE and Ibrahim, IM}, title = {Transcription initiation as a control point in plastid gene expression.}, journal = {Biochimica et biophysica acta. Gene regulatory mechanisms}, volume = {1864}, number = {3}, pages = {194689}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbagrm.2021.194689}, pmid = {33561560}, issn = {1876-4320}, mesh = {DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/*physiology ; Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Plastids/genetics/*metabolism ; Transcription Initiation, Genetic/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The extensive processing and protein-assisted stabilization of transcripts have been taken as evidence for a viewpoint that the control of gene expression had shifted entirely in evolution from transcriptional in the bacterial endosymbiont to posttranscriptional in the plastid. This suggestion is however at odds with many observations on plastid gene transcription. Chloroplasts of flowering plants and mosses contain two or more RNA polymerases with distinct promoter preference and division of labor for the coordinated synthesis of plastid RNAs. Plant and algal plastids further possess multiple nonredundant sigma factors that function as transcription initiation factors. The controlled accumulation of plastid sigma factors and modification of their activity by sigma-binding proteins and phosphorylation constitute additional transcriptional regulatory strategies. Plant and algal plastids also contain dedicated one- or two-component transcriptional regulators. Transcription initiation thus continues to form a critical control point at which varied developmental and environmental signals intersect with plastid gene expression.}, }
@article {pmid33561222, year = {2021}, author = {Davey, JW and Catta-Preta, CMC and James, S and Forrester, S and Motta, MCM and Ashton, PD and Mottram, JC}, title = {Chromosomal assembly of the nuclear genome of the endosymbiont-bearing trypanosomatid Angomonas deanei.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33561222}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 200807/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Bacteria/genetics ; Chromosomes ; Genome ; *Symbiosis ; *Trypanosomatina/genetics ; }, abstract = {Angomonas deanei is an endosymbiont-bearing trypanosomatid with several highly fragmented genome assemblies and unknown chromosome number. We present an assembly of the A. deanei nuclear genome based on Oxford Nanopore sequence that resolves into 29 complete or close-to-complete chromosomes. The assembly has several previously unknown special features; it has a supernumerary chromosome, a chromosome with a 340-kb inversion, and there is a translocation between two chromosomes. We also present an updated annotation of the chromosomal genome with 10,365 protein-coding genes, 59 transfer RNAs, 26 ribosomal RNAs, and 62 noncoding RNAs.}, }
@article {pmid33559322, year = {2021}, author = {Almeida, C}, title = {A potential third-order role of the host endoplasmic reticulum as a contact site in interkingdom microbial endosymbiosis and viral infection.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {255-271}, doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.12938}, pmid = {33559322}, issn = {1758-2229}, mesh = {Bacteria/genetics ; Biological Evolution ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism/microbiology ; Humans ; *Symbiosis ; *Virus Diseases/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The normal functioning of eukaryotic cells depends on the compartmentalization of metabolic processes within specific organelles. Interactions among organelles, such as those between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) - considered the largest single structure in eukaryotic cells - and other organelles at membrane contact sites (MCSs) have also been suggested to trigger synergisms, including intracellular immune responses against pathogens. In addition to the ER-endogenous functions and ER-organelle MCSs, we present the perspective of a third-order role of the ER as a host contact site for endosymbiotic microbial non-pathogens and pathogens, from endosymbiont bacteria to parasitic protists and viruses. Although understudied, ER-endosymbiont interactions have been observed in a range of eukaryotic hosts, including protists, plants, algae, and metazoans. Host ER interactions with endosymbionts could be an ER function built from ancient, conserved mechanisms selected for communicating with mutualistic endosymbionts in specific life cycle stages, and they may be exploited by pathogens and parasites. The host ER-'guest' interactome and traits in endosymbiotic biology are briefly discussed. The acknowledgment and understanding of these possible mechanisms might reveal novel evolutionary perspectives, uncover the causes of unexplained cellular disorders and suggest new pharmacological targets.}, }
@article {pmid33558689, year = {2021}, author = {Maire, J and Girvan, SK and Barkla, SE and Perez-Gonzalez, A and Suggett, DJ and Blackall, LL and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {Intracellular bacteria are common and taxonomically diverse in cultured and in hospite algal endosymbionts of coral reefs.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {15}, number = {7}, pages = {2028-2042}, pmid = {33558689}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Corals house a variety of microorganisms which they depend on for their survival, including endosymbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodiniaceae) and bacteria. While cnidarian-microorganism interactions are widely studied, Symbiodiniaceae-bacteria interactions are only just beginning to receive attention. Here, we describe the localization and composition of the bacterial communities associated with cultures of 11 Symbiodiniaceae strains from nine species and six genera. Three-dimensional confocal laser scanning and electron microscopy revealed bacteria are present inside the Symbiodiniaceae cells as well as closely associated with their external cell surface. Bacterial pure cultures and 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding from Symbiodiniaceae cultures highlighted distinct and highly diverse bacterial communities occur intracellularly, closely associated with the Symbiodiniaceae outer cell surface and loosely associated (i.e., in the surrounding culture media). The intracellular bacteria are highly conserved across Symbiodiniaceae species, suggesting they may be involved in Symbiodiniaceae physiology. Our findings provide unique new insights into the biology of Symbiodiniaceae.}, }
@article {pmid33557932, year = {2021}, author = {Pilgrim, J and Siozios, S and Baylis, M and Venter, G and Garros, C and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Cardinium symbiosis as a potential confounder of mtDNA based phylogeographic inference in Culicoides imicola (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a vector of veterinary viruses.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {100}, pmid = {33557932}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {BB/M011186/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; H2020-MSCA-IF-2014//H2020 Marie Sk&#x142;odowska-Curie Actions/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Infections/*transmission ; Bacteroidetes/genetics ; Ceratopogonidae/*genetics/*microbiology ; DNA, Mitochondrial/chemistry/*genetics ; Gene Flow ; Horses ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology ; Mediterranean Region ; Phylogeny ; Phylogeography ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; South Africa ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Culicoides imicola (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is an important Afrotropical and Palearctic vector of disease, transmitting viruses of animal health and economic significance including African horse sickness and bluetongue viruses. Maternally inherited symbiotic bacteria (endosymbionts) of arthropods can alter the frequency of COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) mitochondrial haplotypes (mitotypes) in a population, masking the true patterns of host movement and gene flow. Thus, this study aimed to assess the mtDNA structure of C. imicola in relation to infection with Candidatus Cardinum hertigii (Bacteroides), a common endosymbiont of Culicoides spp.<br><br>METHODS: Using haplotype network analysis, COI Sanger sequences from Cardinium-infected and -uninfected C. imicola individuals were first compared in a population from South Africa. The network was then extended to include mitotypes from a geographic range where Cardinium infection has previously been investigated.<br><br>RESULTS: The mitotype network of the South African population demonstrated the presence of two broad mitotype groups. All Cardinium-infected specimens fell into one group (Fisher's exact test, P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.00071) demonstrating a linkage disequilibrium between endosymbiont and mitochondria. Furthermore, by extending this haplotype network to include other C. imicola populations from the Mediterranean basin, we revealed mitotype variation between the Eastern and Western Mediterranean basins (EMB and WMB) mirrored Cardinium-infection heterogeneity.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that the linkage disequilibrium of Cardinium and mitochondria reflects endosymbiont gene flow within the Mediterranean basin but may not assist in elucidating host gene flow. Subsequently, we urge caution on the single usage of the COI marker to determine population structure and movement in C. imicola and instead suggest the complementary utilisation of additional molecular markers.}, }
@article {pmid33556614, year = {2021}, author = {Vieri, MK and Hendy, A and Mokili, JL and Colebunders, R}, title = {Nodding syndrome research revisited.}, journal = {International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases}, volume = {104}, number = {}, pages = {739-741}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.006}, pmid = {33556614}, issn = {1878-3511}, mesh = {Animals ; Biomedical Research/*trends ; Humans ; Nodding Syndrome/*etiology ; Onchocerca volvulus/physiology ; Onchocerciasis/*complications/parasitology ; Prevalence ; }, abstract = {Nodding syndrome is one of several forms of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) seen among children in areas formerly hyperendemic for the transmission of Onchocerca volvulus. These forms of epilepsy are highly prevalent and clustered in certain villages located close to blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) breeding sites. OAE presents with a wide spectrum of seizures, including generalized tonic-clonic and head nodding seizures, impaired cognitive function, growth stunting and delayed puberty. In 2014, the present authors published a perspective paper in this journal which hypothesized that nodding syndrome may be caused by either a neurotropic virus transmitted by blackflies or an endosymbiont present within the O. volvulus parasite. Seven years later, this critical review presents progress in nodding syndrome research, and assesses whether it is still plausible that a neurotropic virus or endosymbiont could be the cause.}, }
@article {pmid33548192, year = {2021}, author = {Iha, C and Dougan, KE and Varela, JA and Avila, V and Jackson, CJ and Bogaert, KA and Chen, Y and Judd, LM and Wick, R and Holt, KE and Pasella, MM and Ricci, F and Repetti, SI and Medina, M and Marcelino, VR and Chan, CX and Verbruggen, H}, title = {Genomic adaptations to an endolithic lifestyle in the coral-associated alga Ostreobium.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {31}, number = {7}, pages = {1393-1402.e5}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2021.01.018}, pmid = {33548192}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Adaptation, Biological/*genetics ; Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Chlorophyta/*genetics ; *Genomics ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The green alga Ostreobium is an important coral holobiont member, playing key roles in skeletal decalcification and providing photosynthate to bleached corals that have lost their dinoflagellate endosymbionts. Ostreobium lives in the coral's skeleton, a low-light environment with variable pH and O2 availability. We present the Ostreobium nuclear genome and a metatranscriptomic analysis of healthy and bleached corals to improve our understanding of Ostreobium's adaptations to its extreme environment and its roles as a coral holobiont member. The Ostreobium genome has 10,663 predicted protein-coding genes and shows adaptations for life in low and variable light conditions and other stressors in the endolithic environment. This alga presents a rich repertoire of light-harvesting complex proteins but lacks many genes for photoprotection and photoreceptors. It also has a large arsenal of genes for oxidative stress response. An expansion of extracellular peptidases suggests that Ostreobium may supplement its energy needs by feeding on the organic skeletal matrix, and a diverse set of fermentation pathways allows it to live in the anoxic skeleton at night. Ostreobium depends on other holobiont members for vitamin B12, and our metatranscriptomes identify potential bacterial sources. Metatranscriptomes showed Ostreobium becoming a dominant agent of photosynthesis in bleached corals and provided evidence for variable responses among coral samples and different Ostreobium genotypes. Our work provides a comprehensive understanding of the adaptations of Ostreobium to its extreme environment and an important genomic resource to improve our comprehension of coral holobiont resilience, bleaching, and recovery.}, }
@article {pmid33543432, year = {2021}, author = {Nazipi, S and Vangkilde-Pedersen, SG and Busck, MM and Lund, DK and Marshall, IPG and Bilde, T and Lund, MB and Schramm, A}, title = {An antimicrobial Staphylococcus sciuri with broad temperature and salt spectrum isolated from the surface of the African social spider, Stegodyphus dumicola.}, journal = {Antonie van Leeuwenhoek}, volume = {114}, number = {3}, pages = {325-335}, pmid = {33543432}, issn = {1572-9699}, support = {NNF16OC0021110//Novo Nordisk Fonden/ ; ERC StG-2011_282163//FP7 Ideas: European Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Spiders ; Staphylococcus/genetics ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {Some social arthropods engage in mutualistic symbiosis with antimicrobial compound-producing microorganisms that provide protection against pathogens. Social spiders live in communal nests and contain specific endosymbionts with unknown function. Bacteria are also found on the spiders' surface, including prevalent staphylococci, which may have protective potential. Here we present the genomic and phenotypic characterization of strain i1, isolated from the surface of the social spider Stegodyphus dumicola. Phylogenomic analysis identified i1 as novel strain of Staphylococcus sciuri within subgroup 2 of three newly defined genomic subgroups. Further phenotypic investigations showed that S. sciuri i1 is an extremophile that can grow at a broad range of temperatures (4 °C-45 °C), high salt concentrations (up to 27%), and has antimicrobial activity against closely related species. We identified a lactococcin 972-like bacteriocin gene cluster, likely responsible for the antimicrobial activity, and found it conserved in two of the three subgroups of S. sciuri. These features indicate that S. sciuri i1, though not a specific symbiont, is well-adapted to survive on the surface of social spiders and may gain a competitive advantage by inhibiting closely related species.}, }
@article {pmid33540276, year = {2021}, author = {Al-Hosary, A and Răileanu, C and Tauchmann, O and Fischer, S and Nijhof, AM and Silaghi, C}, title = {Tick species identification and molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in blood and ticks collected from cattle in Egypt.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, pages = {101676}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101676}, pmid = {33540276}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/*epidemiology/microbiology/parasitology ; Egypt/epidemiology ; Female ; Ixodidae/classification/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Male ; Nymph/classification/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Tick Infestations/parasitology/veterinary ; Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology/*veterinary ; }, abstract = {To address the lack of information on ticks infesting cattle in Egypt and the pathogens that they transmit, the current study aimed to (i) provide insight into tick species found on cattle in Egypt, (ii) identify the pathogens in ticks and their cattle hosts and (iii) detect pathogen associations in ticks and cattle. Tick samples and blood from their bovine hosts were collected from three different areas in Egypt (EL-Faiyum Oasis, Assiut Governorate and EL-Kharga Oasis). Tick species were identified by morphology and by sequence analysis of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Tick pools and blood samples from cattle were screened by the Reverse Line Blot hybridization (RLB) assay for the simultaneous detection of tick-borne pathogens, including Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia spp., as well as the tick endosymbiont Midichloria mitochondrii. The RLB results were confirmed with specific conventional and semi-nested PCRs followed by sequencing. In total, 570 ticks (males, females and nymphs) were collected from 41 heads of cattle. Altogether 398 ticks belonged to the genus Hyalomma (397 Hyalomma excavatum and one Hyalomma scupense) while 172 ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus annulatus. Pooled H. excavatum ticks tested positive for several protozoa and bacteria with different minimum infection rates (MIRs): Theileria annulata (18.1 %), Babesia occultans (1.8 %), Anaplasma marginale (28.5 %), Anaplasma platys (0.25 %), Midichloria mitochondrii (11.6 %), Ehrlichia chaffeensis-like (1.8 %) and Ehrlichia minasensis (1 %). In R. annulatus, several agents were identified at different MIRs: T. annulata (2.3 %), B. bovis (0.6 %), A. marginale (18.0 %), A. platys (1.2 %), M. mitochondrii (2.9 %), E. minasensis (0.6 %). Pathogens co-detection in tick pools revealed A. marginale and T. annulata in 13.3 % samples followed by the co-detection of A. marginale and M. mitochondrii (8.4 %). In addition, triple co-detection with A. marginale, T. annulata and M. mitochondrii were found in 5.3 % of the tick pools. In cattle, the most common coinfection was with A. marginale and T. annulata (82.9 %) followed by the coinfection between A. marginale, T. annulata and B. bovis (4.9 %), A. marginale and B. bigemina (2.4 %) and finally the coinfection between T. annulata and B. occultans (2.4 %). Anaplasma platys, Babesia occultans, and E. minasensis were detected for the first time in Egypt in both cattle and ticks. These findings should be taken in consideration regarding human and animal wellbeing by the public health and veterinary authorities in Egypt.}, }
@article {pmid33536456, year = {2021}, author = {Tikhonenkov, DV and Gawryluk, RMR and Mylnikov, AP and Keeling, PJ}, title = {First finding of free-living representatives of Prokinetoplastina and their nuclear and mitochondrial genomes.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {2946}, pmid = {33536456}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Biological Evolution ; Cell Nucleus/*genetics ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; Kinetoplastida/cytology/*genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Kinetoplastids are heterotrophic flagellated protists, including important parasites of humans and animals (trypanosomatids), and ecologically important free-living bacterial consumers (bodonids). Phylogenies have shown that the earliest-branching kinetoplastids are all parasites or obligate endosymbionts, whose highly-derived state makes reconstructing the ancestral state of the group challenging. We have isolated new strains of unusual free-living flagellates that molecular phylogeny shows to be most closely related to endosymbiotic and parasitic Perkinsela and Ichthyobodo species that, together with unidentified environmental sequences, form the clade at the base of kinetoplastids. These strains are therefore the first described free-living prokinetoplastids, and potentially very informative in understanding the evolution and ancestral states of morphological and molecular characteristics described in other kinetoplastids. Overall, we find that these organisms morphologically and ultrastructurally resemble some free-living bodonids and diplonemids, and possess nuclear genomes with few introns, polycistronic mRNA expression, high coding density, and derived traits shared with other kinetoplastids. Their genetic repertoires are more diverse than the best-studied free-living kinetoplastids, which is likely a reflection of their higher metabolic potential. Mitochondrial RNAs of these new species undergo the most extensive U insertion/deletion editing reported so far, and limited deaminative C-to-U and A-to-I editing, but we find no evidence for mitochondrial trans-splicing.}, }
@article {pmid33531619, year = {2021}, author = {Sandoval-Mojica, AF and Hunter, WB and Aishwarya, V and Bonilla, S and Pelz-Stelinski, KS}, title = {Antibacterial FANA oligonucleotides as a novel approach for managing the Huanglongbing pathosystem.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {2760}, pmid = {33531619}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Arabinonucleotides/administration &amp; dosage/genetics ; Cell Line ; Citrus/microbiology ; Drosophila ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/*drug effects ; Gene Silencing ; Hemiptera/drug effects/*microbiology ; Insect Vectors/drug effects/microbiology ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense/*administration &amp; dosage/genetics ; Plant Diseases/microbiology/*prevention &amp; control ; Rhizobiaceae/*drug effects/genetics/pathogenicity ; Symbiosis/drug effects/genetics ; }, abstract = {Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), a bacterium transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is the causal agent of citrus greening disease, or Huanglongbng (HLB). Currently, vector population suppression with insecticides and tree removal are the most effective strategies for managing the HLB pathosystem. In this study, we assessed the bactericidal capabilities of 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-D-arabinonucleic acid antisense oligonucleotides (FANA ASO) both in vitro and in vivo by (1) confirming their capacity to penetrate insect cells, (2) silencing bacterial essential genes, and (3) quantifying reductions in bacterial titer and D. citri transmission. We confirmed that FANA ASO are able to penetrate insect cells without the use of a delivery agent. Expression of an essential gene in the D. citri endosymbiont, Wolbachia (wDi), significantly decreased by 30% following incubation with a wDi-specific FANA ASO. Viability of isolated wDi cells also decreased in response to the FANA ASO treatment. Delivery of a CLas-specific FANA ASO to infected adult D. citri in feeding assays resulted in significant silencing of a CLas essential gene. CLas relative density and transmission were significantly lower among D. citri fed FANA ASO in diet compared to untreated insects. Root infusions of a CLas-specific FANA ASO into infected Citrus trees significantly reduced CLas titer during a 30-day trial. Our results suggest that FANA ASO targeting insect-transmitted plant bacteria or insect endosymbionts may be useful tool for integrated management of agricultural pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid33531407, year = {2021}, author = {Myers, KN and Conn, D and Brown, AMV}, title = {Essential Amino Acid Enrichment and Positive Selection Highlight Endosymbiont's Role in a Global Virus-Vectoring Pest.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {6}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33531407}, issn = {2379-5077}, abstract = {Host-associated microbes display remarkable convergence in genome repertoire resulting from selection to supplement missing host functions. Nutritional supplementation has been proposed in the verrucomicrobial endosymbiont Xiphinematobacter sp., which lives within a globally widespread group of plant-parasitic nematodes that vector damaging nepoviruses to plants. Only one genome sequence has been published from this symbiont, leaving unanswered questions about its diversity, host range, role, and selective pressures within its hosts. Because its hosts are exceptionally resistant to culturing, this symbiont is best studied through advanced genomic approaches. To analyze the role of Xiphinematobacter sp. in its host, sequencing was performed on nematode communities, and then genomes were extracted for comparative genomics, gene ontology enrichment tests, polymorphism analysis, de Bruijn-based genome-wide association studies, and tests of pathway- and site-specific selection on genes predicted play a role in the symbiosis. Results showed a closely clustered set of Xiphinematobacter isolates with reduced genomes of ∼917 kbp, for which a new species was proposed. Symbionts shared only 2.3% of genes with outgroup Verrucomicrobia, but comparative analyses showed high conservation of all 10 essential amino acid (EAA) biosynthesis pathways plus several vitamin pathways. These findings were supported by gene ontology enrichment tests and high polymorphisms in these pathways compared with background. Genome-wide association analysis confirmed high between-species fixation of alleles with significant functional enrichment for EAA and thiamine synthesis. Strong positive selection was detected on sites within these pathways, despite several being under increased purifying selection. Together, these results suggest that supplementation of EAAs missing in the host diet may drive this widespread symbiosis.IMPORTANCE Xiphinematobacter spp. are distinctly evolved intracellular symbionts in the phylum Verrucomicrobia, which includes the important human gut-associated microbe Akkermansia muciniphila and many highly abundant free-living soil microbes. Like Akkermansia sp., Xiphinematobacter sp. is obligately associated with the gut of its hosts, which in this case consists of a group of plant-parasitic nematodes that are among the top 10 most destructive species to global agriculture, by vectoring plant viruses. This study examined the hypothesis that the key to this symbiont's stable evolutionary association with its host is through provisioning nutrients that its host cannot make that may be lacking in the nematode's plant phloem diet, such as essential amino acids and several vitamins. The significance of our research is in demonstrating, using population genomics, the signatures of selective pressure on these hypothesized roles to ultimately learn how this independently evolved symbiont functionally mirrors symbionts of phloem-feeding insects.}, }
@article {pmid33519791, year = {2020}, author = {Kaech, H and Vorburger, C}, title = {Horizontal Transmission of the Heritable Protective Endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa Depends on Titre and Haplotype.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {628755}, pmid = {33519791}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Secondary endosymbionts of aphids have an important ecological and evolutionary impact on their host, as they provide resistance to natural enemies but also reduce the host's lifespan and reproduction. While secondary symbionts of aphids are faithfully transmitted from mother to offspring, they also have some capacity to be transmitted horizontally between aphids. Here we explore whether 11 isolates from 3 haplotypes of the secondary endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa differ in their capacity for horizontal transmission. These isolates vary in the protection they provide against parasitoid wasps as well as the costs they inflict on their host, Aphis fabae. We simulated natural horizontal transmission through parasitoid wasps by stabbing aphids with a thin needle and assessed horizontal transmission success of the isolates from one shared donor clone into three different recipient clones. Specifically, we asked whether potentially costly isolates reaching high cell densities in aphid hosts are more readily transmitted through this route. This hypothesis was only partially supported. While transmissibility increased with titre for isolates from two haplotypes, isolates of the H. defensa haplotype 1 were transmitted with greater frequency than isolates of other haplotypes with comparable titres. Thus, it is not sufficient to be merely frequent-endosymbionts might have to evolve specific adaptations to transmit effectively between hosts.}, }
@article {pmid33514519, year = {2021}, author = {Kueneman, JG and Esser, HJ and Weiss, SJ and Jansen, PA and Foley, JE}, title = {Tick Microbiomes in Neotropical Forest Fragments Are Best Explained by Tick-Associated and Environmental Factors Rather than Host Blood Source.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {87}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {33514519}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*isolation &amp; purification ; Forests ; Larva/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Mammals/parasitology ; *Microbiota ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Panama ; Ticks/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {The composition of tick microbiomes varies both within and among tick species. Whether this variation is intrinsic (related to tick characteristics) or extrinsic (related to vertebrate host and habitat) is poorly understood but important, as microbiota can influence the reproductive success and vector competence of ticks. We aimed to uncover what intrinsic and extrinsic factors best explain the microbial composition and taxon richness of 11 species of neotropical ticks collected from eight species of small mammals in 18 forest fragments across central Panama. Microbial richness varied among tick species, life stages, and collection sites but was not related to host blood source. Microbiome composition was best explained by tick life stage, with bacterial assemblages of larvae being a subset of those of nymphs. Collection site explained most of the bacterial taxa with differential abundance across intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Francisella and Rickettsia were highly prevalent, but their proportional abundance differed greatly among tick species, and we found both positive and negative cooccurrence between members of these two genera. Other tick endosymbionts (e.g., Coxiella and Rickettsiella) were associated with specific tick species. In addition, we detected Anaplasma and Bartonella in several tick species. Our results indicate that the microbial composition and richness of neotropical ticks are principally related to intrinsic factors (tick species and life stage) and collection site. Taken together, our analysis informs how tick microbiomes are structured and can help anchor our understanding of tick microbiomes from tropical environments more broadly.IMPORTANCE Blood-feeding arthropod microbiomes often play important roles in disease transmission, yet the factors that structure tick microbial communities in the Neotropics are unknown. Utilizing ticks collected from live animals in neotropical forest fragments, this study teases apart the contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic tick-associated factors on tick microbial composition as well as which specific microbes contribute to differences across tick species, tick life stages, the mammals they fed on, and the locations from where they were sampled. Furthermore, this study provides revelations of how notable tick-associated bacterial genera are interacting with other tick-associated microbes as well as the forest animals they encounter.}, }
@article {pmid33514310, year = {2021}, author = {Shi, XB and Yan, S and Zhang, C and Zheng, LM and Zhang, ZH and Sun, SE and Gao, Y and Tan, XQ and Zhang, DY and Zhou, XG}, title = {Aphid endosymbiont facilitates virus transmission by modulating the volatile profile of host plants.}, journal = {BMC plant biology}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {67}, pmid = {33514310}, issn = {1471-2229}, support = {2019JJ30014//Natural Science Foundation of&#xa0;Hunan Province/ ; CARS-16-E-17, CARS-23-D-02//Agriculture Research System of China/ ; 32030088, 32072383, 31872932, 31901854//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/drug effects/microbiology/physiology/*virology ; Buchnera/*physiology ; Capsicum/microbiology/parasitology/*virology ; Cucumovirus/*physiology ; Feeding Behavior ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Insect Vectors/physiology ; Plant Diseases/microbiology/parasitology/*virology ; Rifampin/pharmacology ; *Symbiosis ; Volatile Organic Compounds/metabolism ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Most plant viruses rely on vectors for their transmission and spread. One of the outstanding biological questions concerning the vector-pathogen-symbiont multi-trophic interactions is the potential involvement of vector symbionts in the virus transmission process. Here, we used a multi-factorial system containing a non-persistent plant virus, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), its primary vector, green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, and the obligate endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola to explore this uncharted territory.<br><br>RESULTS: Based on our preliminary research, we hypothesized that aphid endosymbiont B. aphidicola can facilitate CMV transmission by modulating plant volatile profiles. Gene expression analyses demonstrated that CMV infection reduced B. aphidicola abundance in M. persicae, in which lower abundance of B. aphidicola was associated with a preference shift in aphids from infected to healthy plants. Volatile profile analyses confirmed that feeding by aphids with lower B. aphidicola titers reduced the production of attractants, while increased the emission of deterrents. As a result, M. persicae changed their feeding preference from infected to healthy plants.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CMV infection reduces the B. aphidicola abundance in M. persicae. When viruliferous aphids feed on host plants, dynamic changes in obligate symbionts lead to a shift in plant volatiles from attraction to avoidance, thereby switching insect vector's feeding preference from infected to healthy plants.}, }
@article {pmid33503057, year = {2021}, author = {de Kluijver, A and Nierop, KGJ and Morganti, TM and Bart, MC and Slaby, BM and Hanz, U and de Goeij, JM and Mienis, F and Middelburg, JJ}, title = {Bacterial precursors and unsaturated long-chain fatty acids are biomarkers of North-Atlantic deep-sea demosponges.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {e0241095}, pmid = {33503057}, issn = {1932-6203}, support = {294757/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aquatic Organisms/classification/metabolism/microbiology ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/*metabolism ; Geodia/*metabolism ; Porifera/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Sponges produce distinct fatty acids (FAs) that (potentially) can be used as chemotaxonomic and ecological biomarkers to study endosymbiont-host interactions and the functional ecology of sponges. Here, we present FA profiles of five common habitat-building deep-sea sponges (class Demospongiae, order Tetractinellida), which are classified as high microbial abundance (HMA) species. Geodia hentscheli, G. parva, G. atlantica, G. barretti, and Stelletta rhaphidiophora were collected from boreal and Arctic sponge grounds in the North-Atlantic Ocean. Bacterial FAs dominated in all five species and particularly isomeric mixtures of mid-chain branched FAs (MBFAs, 8- and 9-Me-C16:0 and 10- and 11-Me-C18:0) were found in high abundance (together ≥ 20% of total FAs) aside more common bacterial markers. In addition, the sponges produced long-chain linear, mid- and a(i)-branched unsaturated FAs (LCFAs) with a chain length of 24‒28 C atoms and had predominantly the typical Δ5,9 unsaturation, although the Δ9,19 and (yet undescribed) Δ11,21 unsaturations were also identified. G. parva and S. rhaphidiophora each produced distinct LCFAs, while G. atlantica, G. barretti, and G. hentscheli produced similar LCFAs, but in different ratios. The different bacterial precursors varied in carbon isotopic composition (δ13C), with MBFAs being more enriched compared to other bacterial (linear and a(i)-branched) FAs. We propose biosynthetic pathways for different LCFAs from their bacterial precursors, that are consistent with small isotopic differences found in LCFAs. Indeed, FA profiles of deep-sea sponges can serve as chemotaxonomic markers and support the concept that sponges acquire building blocks from their endosymbiotic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid33499057, year = {2021}, author = {Dittmer, J and Lusseau, T and Foissac, X and Faoro, F}, title = {Skipping the Insect Vector: Plant Stolon Transmission of the Phytopathogen 'Ca. Phlomobacter fragariae' from the Arsenophonus Clade of Insect Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {33499057}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {792813//European Commission/ ; }, abstract = {The genus Arsenophonus represents one of the most widespread clades of insect endosymbionts, including reproductive manipulators and bacteriocyte-associated primary endosymbionts. Two strains belonging to the Arsenophonus clade have been identified as insect-vectored plant pathogens of strawberry and sugar beet. The bacteria accumulate in the phloem of infected plants, ultimately causing leaf yellows and necrosis. These symbionts therefore represent excellent model systems to investigate the evolutionary transition from a purely insect-associated endosymbiont towards an insect-vectored phytopathogen. Using quantitative PCR and transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that 'Candidatus Phlomobacter fragariae', bacterial symbiont of the planthopper Cixius wagneri and the causative agent of Strawberry Marginal Chlorosis disease, can be transmitted from an infected strawberry plant to multiple daughter plants through stolons. Stolons are horizontally growing stems enabling the nutrient provisioning of daughter plants during their early growth phase. Our results show that Phlomobacter was abundant in the phloem sieve elements of stolons and was efficiently transmitted to daughter plants, which rapidly developed disease symptoms. From an evolutionary perspective, Phlomobacter is, therefore, not only able to survive within the plant after transmission by the insect vector, but can even be transmitted to new plant generations, independently from its ancestral insect host.}, }
@article {pmid33492720, year = {2021}, author = {Gao, X and Niu, R and Zhu, X and Wang, L and Ji, J and Niu, L and Wu, C and Zhang, S and Luo, J and Cui, J}, title = {Characterization and comparison of the bacterial microbiota of Lysiphlebia japonica parasitioid wasps and their aphid host Aphis gosypii.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {77}, number = {6}, pages = {2710-2718}, doi = {10.1002/ps.6299}, pmid = {33492720}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {31572015//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Buchnera ; *Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; *Wasps ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Endosymbiotic bacteria have been reported to mediate interactions between parasitoids and their insect hosts. How parasitic wasps influence changes in host microbial communities and the relationship between them are of great importance to the study of host-parasitoid co-evolutionary and ecological interactions. However, these interactions remain largely unreported for interactions between Aphis gossypii and Lysiphlebia japonica.<br><br>RESULTS: In this study, we characterize the bacterial microbiota of L. japonica wasps at different developmental stages and monitor changes over time in the bacterial microbiota of their parasitized and nonparasitized aphid hosts, using metagenomic analysis of 16S rDNA sequencing data. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were the three most abundant bacterial phyla identified in L. japonica. We found that parasitism was associated with an increased abundance of Buchnera nutritional endosymbionts, but decreased abundance of Acinetobacter, Arsenophonus, Candidatus_Hamiltonella, and Pseudomonas facultative symbionts in aphid hosts. Functional analysis of enriched pathways of parasitized aphids showed significant differences in the 'transport and metabolism of carbohydrates' and 'amino acid, lipid, and coenzyme biosynthesis' pathways. Notably, the composition of symbiotic bacteria in wasp larvae was highly similar to that of their aphid hosts, especially the high abundance of Buchnera.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The results provide a conceptual framework for L. japonica interactions with A. gossypii in which the exchange of symbiotic microbes provides a means by which microbiota can potentially serve as evolutionary drivers of complex, multilevel interactions underlying the ecology and co-evolution of these hosts and parasites. &#xa9; 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid33492605, year = {2021}, author = {Chisu, V and Mura, L and Foxi, C and Masala, G}, title = {Coxiellaceae in Ticks from Human, Domestic and Wild Hosts from Sardinia, Italy: High Diversity of Coxiella-like Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Acta parasitologica}, volume = {66}, number = {2}, pages = {654-663}, pmid = {33492605}, issn = {1896-1851}, mesh = {Animals ; Coxiella/genetics ; *Coxiellaceae ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Ticks ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: Coxiella burnetii is known for its potential as veterinary and human bacterial pathogen. The bacteria have been described in ticks, but their role in transmission of Q fever in humans is considered low. Coxiella endosymbionts closely related to C. burnetii have been also isolated from an extensive range of tick species and evidence is growing that these endosymbionts could be linked to human bacteremia. The aim of this study was to get new information on the presence of Coxiella species in ticks infesting wild and domestic hosts in Sardinia, Italy.<br><br>METHODS: Here, 138 ticks collected from the study area were analyzed for the presence of C. burnetii and Coxiella-like bacteria by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing and philogenetic analyses using a set of primers targeting the 16S rRNA gene.<br><br>RESULTS: DNA of Coxiella species was detected in 69% of the total ticks examined. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the 16S rRNA Coxiella genotypes identified in this study grouped in strongly supported monophyletic clades with identified reference sequences of CLEs detected from Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis and Ornithodoros species and with Coxiella burnetii strains isolated worldwide.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study reports the molecular detection of a high diversity of Coxiella-like bacteria in Sardinian ticks and confirms also the presence of C. burnetii in tick species previously identified in the island. The role that Coxiella-like endosymbionts play in Sardinian ticks and in their vertebrate hosts needs to be explored further.}, }
@article {pmid33489283, year = {2020}, author = {Seas, C and Chaverri, P}, title = {Response of psychrophilic plant endosymbionts to experimental temperature increase.}, journal = {Royal Society open science}, volume = {7}, number = {12}, pages = {201405}, pmid = {33489283}, issn = {2054-5703}, abstract = {Countless uncertainties remain regarding the effects of global warming on biodiversity, including the ability of organisms to adapt and how that will affect obligate symbiotic relationships. The present study aimed to determine the consequences of temperature increase in the adaptation of plant endosymbionts (endophytes) that grow better at low temperatures (psychrophilic). We isolated fungal endophytes from a high-elevation (paramo) endemic plant, Chusquea subtessellata. Initial growth curves were constructed at different temperatures (4-25°C). Next, experiments were carried out in which only the psychrophilic isolates were subjected to repeated increments in temperature. After the experiments, the final growth curves showed significantly slower growth than the initial curves, and some isolates even ceased to grow. While most studies suggest that the distribution of microorganisms will expand as temperatures increase because most of these organisms grow better at 25°C, the results from our experiments demonstrate that psychrophilic fungi were negatively affected by temperature increases. These outcomes raise questions concerning the potential adaptation of beneficial endosymbiotic fungi in the already threatened high-elevation ecosystems. Assessing the consequences of global warming at all trophic levels is urgent because many species on Earth depend on their microbial symbionts for survival.}, }
@article {pmid33488562, year = {2020}, author = {Wang, B and Artsimovitch, I}, title = {NusG, an Ancient Yet Rapidly Evolving Transcription Factor.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {619618}, pmid = {33488562}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {R01 GM067153/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Timely and accurate RNA synthesis depends on accessory proteins that instruct RNA polymerase (RNAP) where and when to start and stop transcription. Among thousands of transcription factors, NusG/Spt5 stand out as the only universally conserved family of regulators. These proteins interact with RNAP to promote uninterrupted RNA synthesis and with diverse cellular partners to couple transcription to RNA processing, modification or translation, or to trigger premature termination of aberrant transcription. NusG homologs are present in all cells that utilize bacterial-type RNAP, from endosymbionts to plants, underscoring their ancient and essential function. Yet, in stark contrast to other core RNAP components, NusG family is actively evolving: horizontal gene transfer and sub-functionalization drive emergence of NusG paralogs, such as bacterial LoaP, RfaH, and UpxY. These specialized regulators activate a few (or just one) operons required for expression of antibiotics, capsules, secretion systems, toxins, and other niche-specific macromolecules. Despite their common origin and binding site on the RNAP, NusG homologs differ in their target selection, interacting partners and effects on RNA synthesis. Even among housekeeping NusGs from diverse bacteria, some factors promote pause-free transcription while others slow the RNAP down. Here, we discuss structure, function, and evolution of NusG proteins, focusing on unique mechanisms that determine their effects on gene expression and enable bacterial adaptation to diverse ecological niches.}, }
@article {pmid33488560, year = {2020}, author = {Henriquez, FL and Mooney, R and Bandel, T and Giammarini, E and Zeroual, M and Fiori, PL and Margarita, V and Rappelli, P and Dessì, D}, title = {Paradigms of Protist/Bacteria Symbioses Affecting Human Health: Acanthamoeba species and Trichomonas vaginalis.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {616213}, pmid = {33488560}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Ever since the publication of the seminal paper by Lynn Margulis in 1967 proposing the theory of the endosymbiotic origin of organelles, the study of the symbiotic relationships between unicellular eukaryotes and prokaryotes has received ever-growing attention by microbiologists and evolutionists alike. While the evolutionary significance of the endosymbiotic associations within protists has emerged and is intensively studied, the impact of these relationships on human health has been seldom taken into account. Microbial endosymbioses involving human eukaryotic pathogens are not common, and the sexually transmitted obligate parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and the free-living opportunistic pathogen Acanthamoeba represent two unique cases in this regard, to date. The reasons of this peculiarity for T. vaginalis and Acanthamoeba may be due to their lifestyles, characterized by bacteria-rich environments. However, this characteristic does not fully explain the reason why no bacterial endosymbiont has yet been detected in unicellular eukaryotic human pathogens other than in T. vaginalis and Acanthamoeba, albeit sparse and poorly investigated examples of morphological identification of bacteria-like microorganisms associated with Giardia and Entamoeba were reported in the past. In this review article we will present the body of experimental evidences revealing the profound effects of these examples of protist/bacteria symbiosis on the pathogenesis of the microbial species involved, and ultimately their impact on human health.}, }
@article {pmid33486127, year = {2021}, author = {Lozano-Sardaneta, YN and Valderrama, A and Sánchez-Montes, S and Grostieta, E and Colunga-Salas, P and Sánchez-Cordero, V and Becker, I}, title = {Rickettsial agents detected in the genus Psathyromyia (Diptera:Phlebotominae) from a Biosphere Reserve of Veracruz, Mexico.}, journal = {Parasitology international}, volume = {82}, number = {}, pages = {102286}, doi = {10.1016/j.parint.2021.102286}, pmid = {33486127}, issn = {1873-0329}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Mexico ; Psychodidae/*microbiology ; Rickettsia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Wolbachia/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Phlebotomine sand flies are considered the main vectors of Leishmania, the causal agents of leishmaniasis, which is a serious emerging public health problem worldwide. The use of biological control alternatives, like endosymbiotic bacteria (Wolbachia and Rickettsia), have been proposed to decrease sand fly populations and reduce Leishmania transmissions, yet only few records on the detection of Wolbachia or Rickettsia in sand flies are available worldwide. The aim of this study was to perform the molecular detection of Rickettsial agents associated with sand flies from the last patch of a rainforest in south-eastern Mexico, where a high prevalence of Leishmania infantum has been reported. Sampling effort of sand flies covered 300 trap-nights between 2011 and 2013, and a total of 925 specimens from twelve species were morphologically identified. Using PCR techniques, we identified a new lineage of the endosymbionts Rickettsia in Psathyromyia aclydifera (prevalence of 19.54%), and Wolbachia in Psathyromyia shannoni and Lutzomyia sp. (prevalence of 25%). The detected Wolbachia lineage was similar to the wWhi strain found in Pa. shannoni from Colombia and Nyssomyia whitmani from Brazil; whereas the identified Rickettsia represents a new lineage worldwide. This is the first record of Rickettsial agents associated to sand flies from this region, yet it remains for analysed if these bacteria possibly play a role as vector control agents, capable of reducing the sand fly populations in Mexico.}, }
@article {pmid33484388, year = {2021}, author = {Yang, K and Chen, H and Bing, XL and Xia, X and Zhu, YX and Hong, XY}, title = {Wolbachia and Spiroplasma could influence bacterial communities of the spider mite Tetranychus truncatus.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {83}, number = {2}, pages = {197-210}, pmid = {33484388}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {32020103011//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31871976//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31901888//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Spiroplasma/genetics ; Symbiosis ; *Tetranychidae/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The structures of arthropod bacterial communities are complex. These microbiotas usually provide many beneficial services to their hosts, whereas occasionally they may be parasitical. To date, little is known about the bacterial communities of Tetranychus truncatus and the factors contributing to the structure of its bacterial communities are unexplored yet. Here, we used four symbiont-infected T. truncatus strains-including one Wolbachia and Spiroplasma co-infected strain, two symbiont singly-infected strains and one symbiont uninfected strain-to investigate the influence of endosymbionts on the structure of the host mites' microbiota. Based on 16S rRNA genes sequencing analysis, we found Wolbachia and Spiroplasma were the two most abundant bacteria in T. truncatus and the presence of both symbionts could not change the diversity of bacterial communities (based on alpha-diversity indexes such as ACE, Chao1, Shannon and Simpson diversity index). Symbiont infection did alter the abundance of many other bacterial genera, such as Megamonas and Bacteroides. The structures of bacterial communities differed significantly among symbiont-infected strains. These results suggested a prominent effect of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma on bacterial communities of the host T. truncatus. These findings advance our understanding of T. truncatus microbiota and will be helpful for further study on bacterial communities of spider mites.}, }
@article {pmid33483310, year = {2021}, author = {Okrasińska, A and Bokus, A and Duk, K and Gęsiorska, A and Sokołowska, B and Miłobędzka, A and Wrzosek, M and Pawłowska, J}, title = {New Endohyphal Relationships between Mucoromycota and Burkholderiaceae Representatives.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {87}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {33483310}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Burkholderiaceae/*physiology ; Fungi/*physiology ; Hyphae/*physiology ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Bacterial/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; }, abstract = {Mucoromycota representatives are known to harbor two types of endohyphal bacteria (EHB)-Burkholderia-related endobacteria (BRE) and Mycoplasma-related endobacteria (MRE). While both BRE and MRE occur in fungi representing all subphyla of Mucoromycota, their distribution is not well studied. Therefore, it is difficult to resolve the evolutionary history of these associations in favor of one of the following two alternative hypotheses explaining their origin: "early invasion" and "late invasion." Our main goal was to fill this knowledge gap by surveying Mucoromycota fungi for the presence of EHB. We screened 196 fungal strains from 16 genera using a PCR-based approach to detect bacterial 16S rRNA genes, complemented with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) imaging to confirm the presence of bacteria within the hyphae. We detected Burkholderiaceae in ca. 20% of fungal strains. Some of these bacteria clustered phylogenetically with previously described BRE clades, whereas others grouped with free-living Paraburkholderia Importantly, the latter were detected in Umbelopsidales, which previously were not known to harbor endobacteria. Our results suggest that this group of EHB is recruited from the environment, supporting the late invasion scenario. This pattern complements the early invasion scenario apparent in the BRE clade of EHB.IMPORTANCE Bacteria living within fungal hyphae present an example of one of the most intimate relationships between fungi and bacteria. Even though there are several well-described examples of such partnerships, their prevalence within the fungal kingdom remains unknown. Our study focused on early divergent terrestrial fungi in the phylum Mucoromycota. We found that ca. 20% of the strains tested harbored bacteria from the family Burkholderiaceae Not only did we confirm the presence of bacteria from previously described endosymbiont clades, we also identified a new group of endohyphal Burkholderiaceae representing the genus Paraburkholderia We established that more than half of the screened Umbelopsis strains were positive for bacteria from this new group. We also determined that, while previously described BRE codiverged with their fungal hosts, Paraburkholderia symbionts did not.}, }
@article {pmid33470507, year = {2021}, author = {Castelli, M and Lanzoni, O and Nardi, T and Lometto, S and Modeo, L and Potekhin, A and Sassera, D and Petroni, G}, title = {'Candidatus Sarmatiella mevalonica' endosymbiont of the ciliate Paramecium provides insights on evolutionary plasticity among Rickettsiales.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {23}, number = {3}, pages = {1684-1701}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.15396}, pmid = {33470507}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {*Paramecium ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsiales/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Members of the bacterial order Rickettsiales are obligatorily associated with a wide range of eukaryotic hosts. Their evolutionary trajectories, in particular concerning the origin of shared or differential traits among distant sub-lineages, are still poorly understood. Here, we characterized a novel Rickettsiales bacterium associated with the ciliate Paramecium tredecaurelia and phylogenetically related to the Rickettsia genus. Its genome encodes significant lineage-specific features, chiefly the mevalonate pathway gene repertoire, involved in isoprenoid precursor biosynthesis. Not only this pathway has never been described in Rickettsiales, it also is very rare among bacteria, though typical in eukaryotes, thus likely representing a horizontally acquired trait. The presence of these genes could enable an efficient exploitation of host-derived intermediates for isoprenoid synthesis. Moreover, we hypothesize the reversed reactions could have replaced canonical pathways for producing acetyl-CoA, essential for phospholipid biosynthesis. Additionally, we detected phylogenetically unrelated mevalonate pathway genes in metagenome-derived Rickettsiales sequences, likely indicating evolutionary convergent effects of independent horizontal gene transfer events. Accordingly, convergence, involving both gene acquisitions and losses, is highlighted as a relevant evolutionary phenomenon in Rickettsiales, possibly favoured by plasticity and comparable lifestyles, representing a potentially hidden origin of other more nuanced similarities among sub-lineages.}, }
@article {pmid33468211, year = {2021}, author = {Beard, D and Stannard, HJ and Old, JM}, title = {Morphological identification of ticks and molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens from bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus).}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {60}, pmid = {33468211}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Wild/parasitology ; Bacteria/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification/pathogenicity ; Female ; Male ; Marsupialia/*parasitology ; New South Wales/epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Tick Infestations/epidemiology/*veterinary ; Ticks/*anatomy &amp; histology/classification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites of vertebrate hosts and transmit the widest range of pathogenic organisms of any arthropod vector. Seven tick species are known to feed on bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus), in addition to the highly prevalent Sarcoptes scabiei mite which causes fatal sarcoptic mange in most bare-nosed wombat populations. Little is known about the pathogens carried by most wombat ticks or how they may impact wombats and wombat handlers.<br><br>METHODS: Wombat ticks were sourced from wildlife hospitals and sanctuaries across Australia and identified to species level using taxonomic keys. Genomic DNA was extracted from a subsample, and following the amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 hypervariable region, next-generation sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina MiSeq platform was used to assess the microbial composition.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 447 tick specimens were collected from 47 bare-nosed wombats between January 2019 and January 2020. Five species of ticks were identified comprising wombat tick Bothriocroton auruginans (n = 420), wallaby tick Haemaphysalis bancrofti (n = 8), bush tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (n = 3), common marsupial tick Ixodes tasmani (n = 12), and Australian paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus (n = 4). Tick infestations ranged from one to 73 ticks per wombat. The wombat tick was the most prevalent tick species comprising 94% of the total number of samples and was present on 97.9% (46/47) of wombat hosts. NGS results revealed the 16S rRNA gene diversity profile was predominantly Proteobacteria (55.1%) followed by Firmicutes (21.9%) and Actinobacteria (18.4%). A species of Coxiella sharing closest sequence identity to Coxiella burnetii (99.07%), was detected in 72% of B. auruginans and a Rickettsiella endosymbiont dominated the bacterial profile for I. tasmani.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: A new host record for H. longicornis is the bare-nosed wombat. One adult male and two engorged adult female specimens were found on an adult male wombat from Coolagolite in New South Wales, and more specimens should be collected to confirm this host record. The most prevalent tick found on bare-nosed wombats was B. auruginans, confirming previous records. Analysis of alpha-diversity showed high variability across both sample locations and instars, similar to previous studies. The detection of various Proteobacteria in this study highlights the high bacterial diversity in native Australian ticks.}, }
@article {pmid33468006, year = {2021}, author = {Yoshida, K and Sanada-Morimura, S and Huang, SH and Tokuda, M}, title = {Silence of the killers: discovery of male-killing suppression in a rearing strain of the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {288}, number = {1943}, pages = {20202125}, pmid = {33468006}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Male ; Sex Ratio ; *Spiroplasma ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {According to evolutionary theory, sex ratio distortions caused by reproductive parasites such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma are predicted to be rapidly normalized by the emergence of host nuclear suppressors. However, such processes in the evolutionary arms race are difficult to observe because sex ratio biases will be promptly hidden and become superficially unrecognizable. The evolution of genetic suppressors has been reported in just two insect species so far. In the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus, female-biases caused by Spiroplasma, which is a 'late' male-killer, have been found in some populations. During the continuous rearing of L. striatellus, we noted that a rearing strain had a 1 : 1 sex ratio even though it harboured Spiroplasma. Through introgression crossing experiments with a strain lacking suppressors, we revealed that the L. striatellus strain had the zygotic male-killing suppressor acting as a dominant trait. The male-killing phenotype was hidden by the suppressor even though Spiroplasma retained its male-killing ability. This is the first study to demonstrate the existence of a late male-killing suppressor and its mode of inheritance. Our results, together with those of previous studies, suggest that the inheritance modes of male-killing suppressors are similar regardless of insect order or early or late male killing.}, }
@article {pmid33454808, year = {2021}, author = {Takano, SI and Gotoh, Y and Hayashi, T}, title = {"Candidatus Mesenet longicola": Novel Endosymbionts of Brontispa longissima that Induce Cytoplasmic Incompatibility.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {82}, number = {2}, pages = {512-522}, pmid = {33454808}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {18H02207//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 16H06279//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Intracellular bacteria that are mainly transmitted maternally affect their arthropod hosts' biology in various ways. One such effect is known as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), and three bacterial species are known to induce CI: Wolbachia, Cardinium hertigii, and a recently found alphaproteobacterial symbiont. To clarify the taxonomic status and provide the foundation for future studies to reveal CI mechanisms and other phenotypes, we investigated genetic and morphological properties of the third CI inducer that we have previously reported inducing CI in the coconut beetle Brontispa longissima. The draft genome of the bacteria was obtained from the oocytes of two isofemale lines of B. longissima infected with the bacteria: one from Japan (GL2) and the other from Vietnam (L5). Genome features of the symbionts (sGL2 and sL5) were highly similar, showing 1.3 Mb in size, 32.1% GC content, and 99.83% average nucleotide sequence. A phylogenetic study based on 43 universal and single-copy phylogenetic marker genes indicates that they formed a distinct clade in the family Anaplasmataceae. 16S rRNA gene sequences indicate that they are different from the closest known relatives, at least at the genus level. Therefore, we propose a new genus and species, "Candidatus Mesenet longicola", for the symbionts of B. longissima. Morphological analyses showed that Ca. M. longicola is an intracellular bacterium that is ellipsoidal to rod-shaped and 0.94 ± 0.26 μm (mean ± SD) in length, and accumulated in the anterior part of the oocyte. Candidates for the Ca. M. longicola genes responsible for CI induction are also described.}, }
@article {pmid33452833, year = {2021}, author = {Jiang, J and Dehesh, K}, title = {Plastidial retrograde modulation of light and hormonal signaling: an odyssey.}, journal = {The New phytologist}, volume = {230}, number = {3}, pages = {931-937}, doi = {10.1111/nph.17192}, pmid = {33452833}, issn = {1469-8137}, support = {R01 GM107311/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {*Arabidopsis/metabolism ; *Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism ; Chloroplasts/metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plastids/metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; }, abstract = {The transition from an engulfed autonomous unicellular photosynthetic bacterium to a semiautonomous endosymbiont plastid was accompanied by the transfer of genetic material from the endosymbiont to the nuclear genome of the host, followed by the establishment of plastid-to-nucleus (retrograde) signaling. The retrograde coordinated activities of the two subcellular genomes ensure chloroplast biogenesis and function as the photosynthetic hub and sensing and signaling center that tailors growth-regulating and adaptive processes. This review specifically focuses on the current knowledge of selected stress-induced retrograde signals, genomes uncoupled 1 (GUN1), methylerythritol cyclodiphosphate (MEcPP), apocarotenoid and β-cyclocitral, and 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphate (PAP), which evolved to establish the photoautotrophic lifestyle and are instrumental in the integration of light and hormonal signaling networks to ultimately fashion adaptive responses in an ever-changing environment.}, }
@article {pmid33452479, year = {2021}, author = {Midha, S and Rigden, DJ and Siozios, S and Hurst, GDD and Jackson, AP}, title = {Bodo saltans (Kinetoplastida) is dependent on a novel Paracaedibacter-like endosymbiont that possesses multiple putative toxin-antitoxin systems.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {1680-1694}, pmid = {33452479}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {*Alphaproteobacteria ; Eukaryota ; *Kinetoplastida ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; *Toxin-Antitoxin Systems ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbiosis has been instrumental in eukaryotic evolution, and includes both mutualistic, dependent and parasitic associations. Here we characterize an intracellular bacterium inhabiting the flagellated protist Bodo saltans (Kinetoplastida). We present a complete bacterial genome comprising a 1.39 Mb circular chromosome with 40.6% GC content. Fluorescent in situ hybridisation confirms that the endosymbiont is located adjacent to the nuclear membrane, and a detailed model of its intracellular niche is generated using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. Phylogenomic analysis shows that the endosymbiont belongs to the Holosporales, most closely related to other α-proteobacterial endosymbionts of ciliates and amoebae. Comparative genomics indicates that it has a limited metabolism and is nutritionally host-dependent. However, the endosymbiont genome does encode diverse symbiont-specific secretory proteins, including a type VI secretion system and three separate toxin-antitoxin systems. We show that these systems are actively transcribed and hypothesize they represent a mechanism by which B. saltans becomes addicted to its endosymbiont. Consistent with this idea, attempts to cure Bodo of endosymbionts led to rapid and uniform cell death. This study adds kinetoplastid flagellates to ciliates and amoebae as hosts of Paracaedibacter-like bacteria, suggesting that these antagonistic endosymbioses became established very early in Eukaryotic evolution.}, }
@article {pmid33436511, year = {2021}, author = {Chung, M and Adkins, RS and Mattick, JSA and Bradwell, KR and Shetty, AC and Sadzewicz, L and Tallon, LJ and Fraser, CM and Rasko, DA and Mahurkar, A and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {FADU: a Quantification Tool for Prokaryotic Transcriptomic Analyses.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {6}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33436511}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Quantification tools for RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analyses are often designed and tested using human transcriptomics data sets, in which full-length transcript sequences are well annotated. For prokaryotic transcriptomics experiments, full-length transcript sequences are seldom known, and coding sequences must instead be used for quantification steps in RNA-Seq analyses. However, operons confound accurate quantification of coding sequences since a single transcript does not necessarily equate to a single gene. Here, we introduce FADU (Feature Aggregate Depth Utility), a quantification tool designed specifically for prokaryotic RNA-Seq analyses. FADU assigns partial count values proportional to the length of the fragment overlapping the target feature. To assess the ability of FADU to quantify genes in prokaryotic transcriptomics analyses, we compared its performance to those of eXpress, featureCounts, HTSeq, kallisto, and Salmon across three paired-end read data sets of (i) Ehrlichia chaffeensis, (ii) Escherichia coli, and (iii) the Wolbachia endosymbiont wBm. Across each of the three data sets, we find that FADU can more accurately quantify operonic genes by deriving proportional counts for multigene fragments within operons. FADU is available at https://github.com/IGS/FADUIMPORTANCE Most currently available quantification tools for transcriptomics analyses have been designed for human data sets, in which full-length transcript sequences, including the untranslated regions, are well annotated. In most prokaryotic systems, full-length transcript sequences have yet to be characterized, leading to prokaryotic transcriptomics analyses being performed based on only the coding sequences. In contrast to eukaryotes, prokaryotes contain polycistronic transcripts, and when genes are quantified based on coding sequences instead of transcript sequences, this leads to an increased abundance of improperly assigned ambiguous multigene fragments, specifically those mapping to multiple genes in operons. Here, we describe FADU, a quantification tool for prokaryotic RNA-Seq analyses designed to assign proportional counts with the purpose of better quantifying operonic genes while minimizing the pitfalls associated with improperly assigning fragment counts from ambiguous transcripts.}, }
@article {pmid33436431, year = {2021}, author = {Deehan, M and Lin, W and Blum, B and Emili, A and Frydman, H}, title = {Intracellular Density of Wolbachia Is Mediated by Host Autophagy and the Bacterial Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Gene cifB in a Cell Type-Dependent Manner in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33436431}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Animals ; Autophagy/*genetics/physiology ; Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism ; Cytoplasm/*microbiology ; Cytosol ; Drosophila Proteins ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/immunology/*microbiology ; Female ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Genes, Bacterial/*genetics ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*genetics/immunology ; Immunity, Innate ; Male ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Autophagy is an intracellular degradation pathway involved in innate immunity. Pathogenic bacteria have evolved several mechanisms to escape degradation or exploit autophagy to acquire host nutrients. In the case of endosymbionts, which often have commensal or mutualistic interactions with the host, autophagy is not well characterized. We utilized tissue-specific autophagy mutants to determine if Wolbachia, a vertically transmitted obligate endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster, is regulated by autophagy in somatic and germ line cell types. Our analysis revealed core autophagy proteins Atg1 and Atg8 and a selective autophagy-specific protein Ref(2)p negatively regulate Wolbachia in the hub, a male gonad somatic cell type. Furthermore, we determined that the Wolbachia effector protein, CifB, modulates autophagy-Wolbachia interactions, identifying a new host-related pathway which these bacterial proteins interact with. In the female germ line, the cell type necessary for inheritance of Wolbachia through vertical transmission, we discovered that bulk autophagy mediated by Atg1 and Atg8 positively regulates Wolbachia density, whereas Ref(2)p had no effect. Global metabolomics of fly ovaries deficient in germ line autophagy revealed reduced lipid and carbon metabolism, implicating metabolites from these pathways as positive regulators of Wolbachia Our work provides further understanding of how autophagy affects bacteria in a cell type-dependent manner.IMPORTANCE Autophagy is a eukaryotic intracellular degradation pathway which can act as an innate immune response to eliminate pathogens. Conversely, pathogens can evolve proteins which modulate the autophagy pathway to subvert degradation and establish an infection. Wolbachia, a vertically transmitted obligate endosymbiont which infects up to 40% of insect species, is negatively regulated by autophagy in whole animals, but the specific molecular mechanism and tissue which govern this interaction remain unknown. Our studies use cell type-specific autophagy mutants to reveal that Wolbachia is negatively regulated by selective autophagy in the soma, while nonselective autophagy positively regulates Wolbachia in the female germ line. These data provide evidence that cell type can drive different basal autophagy programs which modulate intracellular microbes differently. Additionally, we identified that the Wolbachia effector CifB acts in the selective autophagy pathway to aid in intracellular bacterial survival, providing a new function for CifB beyond its previously identified role in reproductive manipulation.}, }
@article {pmid33432342, year = {2021}, author = {Harada, R and Inagaki, Y}, title = {Phage Origin of Mitochondrion-Localized Family A DNA Polymerases in Kinetoplastids and Diplonemids.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {33432342}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Bacteriophages/enzymology/*genetics ; DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase/classification/*genetics ; Euglenozoa/enzymology/*genetics ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Kinetoplastida/enzymology/*genetics ; Mitochondria/enzymology/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Mitochondria retain their own genomes as other bacterial endosymbiont-derived organelles. Nevertheless, no protein for DNA replication and repair is encoded in any mitochondrial genomes (mtDNAs) assessed to date, suggesting that the nucleus primarily governs the maintenance of mtDNA. As the proteins of diverse evolutionary origins occupy a large proportion of the current mitochondrial proteomes, we anticipate finding the same evolutionary trend in the nucleus-encoded machinery for mtDNA maintenance. Indeed, none of the DNA polymerases (DNAPs) in the mitochondrial endosymbiont, a putative α-proteobacterium, seemingly had been inherited by their descendants (mitochondria), as none of the known types of mitochondrion-localized DNAP showed a specific affinity to the α-proteobacterial DNAPs. Nevertheless, we currently have no concrete idea of how and when the known types of mitochondrion-localized DNAPs emerged. We here explored the origins of mitochondrion-localized DNAPs after the improvement of the samplings of DNAPs from bacteria and phages/viruses. Past studies have revealed that a set of mitochondrion-localized DNAPs in kinetoplastids and diplonemids, namely PolIB, PolIC, PolID, PolI-Perk1/2, and PolI-dipl (henceforth designated collectively as "PolIBCD+") have emerged from a single DNAP. In this study, we recovered an intimate connection between PolIBCD+ and the DNAPs found in a particular group of phages. Thus, the common ancestor of kinetoplastids and diplonemids most likely converted a laterally acquired phage DNAP into a mitochondrion-localized DNAP that was ancestral to PolIBCD+. The phage origin of PolIBCD+ hints at a potentially large contribution of proteins acquired via nonvertical processes to the machinery for mtDNA maintenance in kinetoplastids and diplonemids.}, }
@article {pmid33430009, year = {2021}, author = {Badji, CA and Sol-Mochkovitch, Z and Fallais, C and Sochard, C and Simon, JC and Outreman, Y and Anton, S}, title = {Alarm Pheromone Responses Depend on Genotype, but Not on the Presence of Facultative Endosymbionts in the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33430009}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {16-CE02-0014//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; Symbiogate//INRAE Departement SPE/ ; }, abstract = {Aphids use an alarm pheromone, E-β farnesene (EBF), to warn conspecifics of potential danger. The antennal sensitivity and behavioural escape responses to EBF can be influenced by different factors. In the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, different biotypes are adapted to different legume species, and within each biotype, different genotypes exist, which can carry or not Hamiltonella defensa, a bacterial symbiont that can confer protection against natural enemies. We investigate here the influence of the aphid genotype and symbiotic status on the escape behaviour using a four-way olfactometer and antennal sensitivity for EBF using electroantennograms (EAGs). Whereas the investigated three genotypes from two biotypes showed significantly different escape and locomotor behaviours in the presence of certain EBF doses, the infection with H. defensa did not significantly modify the escape behaviour and only marginally influenced the locomotor behaviour at high doses of EBF. Dose-response curves of EAG amplitudes after stimulation with EBF differed significantly between aphid genotypes in correlation with behavioural differences, whereas antennal sensitivity to EBF did not change significantly as a function of the symbiotic status. The protective symbiont H. defensa does thus not modify the olfactory sensitivity to the alarm pheromone. How EBF sensitivity is modified between genotypes or biotypes remains to be investigated.}, }
@article {pmid33424811, year = {2020}, author = {Thongprem, P and Evison, SEF and Hurst, GDD and Otti, O}, title = {Transmission, Tropism, and Biological Impacts of Torix Rickettsia in the Common Bed Bug Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae).}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {608763}, pmid = {33424811}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The torix group of Rickettsia have been recorded from a wide assemblage of invertebrates, but details of transmission and biological impacts on the host have rarely been established. The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is a hemipteran insect which lives as an obligatory hematophagous pest of humans and is host to a primary Wolbachia symbiont and two facultative symbionts, a BEV-like symbiont, and a torix group Rickettsia. In this study, we first note the presence of a single Rickettsia strain in multiple laboratory bed bug isolates derived from Europe and Africa. Importantly, we discovered that the Rickettsia has segregated in two laboratory strains, providing infected and uninfected isogenic lines for study. Crosses with these lines established transmission was purely maternal. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization analysis indicates Rickettsia infection in oocytes, bacteriomes, and other somatic tissues. We found no evidence that Rickettsia infection was associated with sex ratio distortion activity, but Rickettsia infected individuals developed from first instar to adult more slowly. The impact of Rickettsia on fecundity and fertility resulted in infected females producing fewer fertile eggs. However, we could not find any evidence for cytoplasmic incompatibility associated with Rickettsia presence. These data imply the existence of an unknown benefit to C. lectularius carrying Rickettsia that awaits further research.}, }
@article {pmid33420046, year = {2021}, author = {Hermes, C and Richarz, R and Wirtz, DA and Patt, J and Hanke, W and Kehraus, S and Voß, JH and Küppers, J and Ohbayashi, T and Namasivayam, V and Alenfelder, J and Inoue, A and Mergaert, P and Gütschow, M and Müller, CE and Kostenis, E and König, GM and Crüsemann, M}, title = {Thioesterase-mediated side chain transesterification generates potent Gq signaling inhibitor FR900359.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {144}, pmid = {33420046}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/biosynthesis/chemistry/isolation &amp; purification/*pharmacology ; Chromobacterium/*metabolism ; Depsipeptides/biosynthesis/chemistry/isolation &amp; purification/*pharmacology ; Esterases/metabolism ; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11/*antagonists &amp; inhibitors/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; HEK293 Cells ; Hemiptera ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Molecular Structure ; Signal Transduction/drug effects/genetics ; }, abstract = {The potent and selective Gq protein inhibitor depsipeptide FR900359 (FR), originally discovered as the product of an uncultivable plant endosymbiont, is synthesized by a complex biosynthetic system comprising two nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) assembly lines. Here we characterize a cultivable bacterial FR producer, enabling detailed investigations into biosynthesis and attachment of the functionally important FR side chain. We reconstitute side chain assembly by the monomodular NRPS FrsA and the non-heme monooxygenase FrsH, and characterize intermolecular side chain transesterification to the final macrocyclic intermediate FR-Core, mediated by the FrsA thioesterase domain. We harness FrsA substrate promiscuity to generate FR analogs with altered side chains and demonstrate indispensability of the FR side chain for efficient Gq inhibition by comparative bioactivity, toxicity and docking studies. Finally, evolution of FR and side chain biosynthesis is discussed based on bioinformatics analyses. Side chain transesterification boosts potency and target affinity of selective Gq inhibitor natural products.}, }
@article {pmid33419736, year = {2021}, author = {Shore, A and Day, RD and Stewart, JA and Burge, CA}, title = {Dichotomy between Regulation of Coral Bacterial Communities and Calcification Physiology under Ocean Acidification Conditions.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {87}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {33419736}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*microbiology/*physiology ; Bacteria/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; *Calcification, Physiologic ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Oceans and Seas ; Seawater/*chemistry ; }, abstract = {Ocean acidification (OA) threatens the growth and function of coral reef ecosystems. A key component to coral health is the microbiome, but little is known about the impact of OA on coral microbiomes. A submarine CO2 vent at Maug Island in the Northern Mariana Islands provides a natural pH gradient to investigate coral responses to long-term OA conditions. Three coral species (Pocillopora eydouxi, Porites lobata, and Porites rus) were sampled from three sites where the mean seawater pH is 8.04, 7.98, and 7.94. We characterized coral bacterial communities (using 16S rRNA gene sequencing) and determined pH of the extracellular calcifying fluid (ECF) (using skeletal boron isotopes) across the seawater pH gradient. Bacterial communities of both Porites species stabilized (decreases in community dispersion) with decreased seawater pH, coupled with large increases in the abundance of Endozoicomonas, an endosymbiont. P. lobata experienced a significant decrease in ECF pH near the vent, whereas P. rus experienced a trending decrease in ECF pH near the vent. In contrast, Pocillopora exhibited bacterial community destabilization (increases in community dispersion), with significant decreases in Endozoicomonas abundance, while its ECF pH remained unchanged across the pH gradient. Our study shows that OA has multiple consequences on Endozoicomonas abundance and suggests that Endozoicomonas abundance may be an indicator of coral response to OA. We reveal an interesting dichotomy between two facets of coral physiology (regulation of bacterial communities and regulation of calcification), highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to understanding coral health and function in a changing ocean.IMPORTANCE Ocean acidification (OA) is a consequence of anthropogenic CO2 emissions that is negatively impacting marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. OA affects many aspects of coral physiology, including growth (i.e., calcification) and disrupting associated bacterial communities. Coral-associated bacteria are important for host health, but it remains unclear how coral-associated bacterial communities will respond to future OA conditions. We document changes in coral-associated bacterial communities and changes to calcification physiology with long-term exposure to decreases in seawater pH that are environmentally relevant under midrange IPCC emission scenarios (0.1 pH units). We also find species-specific responses that may reflect different responses to long-term OA. In Pocillopora, calcification physiology was highly regulated despite changing seawater conditions. In Porites spp., changes in bacterial communities do not reflect a breakdown of coral-bacterial symbiosis. Insights into calcification and host-microbe interactions are critical to predicting the health and function of different coral taxa to future OA conditions.}, }
@article {pmid33419303, year = {2020}, author = {Lacerna, NM and Ramones, CMV and Robes, JMD and Picart, MRD and Tun, JO and Miller, BW and Haygood, MG and Schmidt, EW and Salvador-Reyes, LA and Concepcion, GP}, title = {Inhibition of Biofilm Formation by Modified Oxylipins from the Shipworm Symbiont Teredinibacter turnerae.}, journal = {Marine drugs}, volume = {18}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {33419303}, issn = {1660-3397}, support = {U19TW008163//Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Health/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Biofilms/*drug effects/growth &amp; development ; Bivalvia ; *Gammaproteobacteria/chemistry ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods ; Oxylipins/isolation &amp; purification/*pharmacology ; Symbiosis/*drug effects/physiology ; }, abstract = {The bioactivity-guided purification of the culture broth of the shipworm endosymbiont Teredinibacter turnerae strain 991H.S.0a.06 yielded a new fatty acid, turneroic acid (1), and two previously described oxylipins (2-3). Turneroic acid (1) is an 18-carbon fatty acid decorated by a hydroxy group and an epoxide ring. Compounds 1-3 inhibited bacterial biofilm formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis, while only 3 showed antimicrobial activity against planktonic S. epidermidis. Comparison of the bioactivity of 1-3 with structurally related compounds indicated the importance of the epoxide moiety for selective and potent biofilm inhibition.}, }
@article {pmid33418339, year = {2021}, author = {Díaz-Sánchez, S and Fernández, AM and Habela, MA and Calero-Bernal, R and de Mera, IGF and de la Fuente, J}, title = {Microbial community of Hyalomma lusitanicum is dominated by Francisella-like endosymbiont.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {2}, pages = {101624}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101624}, pmid = {33418339}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Francisella/*physiology ; Ixodidae/*microbiology ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Bacterial/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; Spain ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Exploring tick associations with complex microbial communities and single-microbial partners, especially intracellular symbionts, has become crucial to understand tick biology. Of particular interest are the underlying interactions with biological consequences i.e. tick fitness, vector competence. In this study, we first sequenced the 16S rRNA bacterial phylogenetic marker in adult male ticks of Hyalomma lusitanicum collected from 5 locations in the province of Cáceres to explore the composition of its microbial community. Overall, 16S rRNA sequencing results demonstrated that the microbial community of H. lusitanicum is mostly dominated by Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) (ranging from 52% to 99% of relative abundance) suggesting it is a key taxon within the microbial community and likely a primary endosymbiont. However, further research is required to explore the mechanisms underlying the interaction between FLEs and H. lusitanicum.}, }
@article {pmid33406151, year = {2021}, author = {Chevignon, G and Foray, V and Pérez-Jiménez, MM and Libro, S and Chung, M and Foster, JM and Landmann, F}, title = {Dual RNAseq analyses at soma and germline levels reveal evolutionary innovations in the elephantiasis-agent Brugia malayi, and adaptation of its Wolbachia endosymbionts.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {e0008935}, pmid = {33406151}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; *Biological Evolution ; Brugia malayi/*genetics ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; *Carisoprodol ; Elephantiasis/*genetics ; Elephantiasis, Filarial/genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Genome ; *Germ Cells ; Humans ; Oogenesis ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Brugia malayi is a human filarial nematode responsible for elephantiasis, a debilitating condition that is part of a broader spectrum of diseases called filariasis, including lymphatic filariasis and river blindness. Almost all filarial nematode species infecting humans live in mutualism with Wolbachia endosymbionts, present in somatic hypodermal tissues but also in the female germline which ensures their vertical transmission to the nematode progeny. These α-proteobacteria potentially provision their host with essential metabolites and protect the parasite against the vertebrate immune response. In the absence of Wolbachia wBm, B. malayi females become sterile, and the filarial nematode lifespan is greatly reduced. In order to better comprehend this symbiosis, we investigated the adaptation of wBm to the host nematode soma and germline, and we characterized these cellular environments to highlight their specificities. Dual RNAseq experiments were performed at the tissue-specific and ovarian developmental stage levels, reaching the resolution of the germline mitotic proliferation and meiotic differentiation stages. We found that most wBm genes, including putative effectors, are not differentially regulated between infected tissues. However, two wBm genes involved in stress responses are upregulated in the hypodermal chords compared to the germline, indicating that this somatic tissue represents a harsh environment to which wBm have adapted. A comparison of the B. malayi and C. elegans germline transcriptomes reveals a poor conservation of genes involved in the production of oocytes, with the filarial germline proliferative zone relying on a majority of genes absent from C. elegans. The first orthology map of the B. malayi genome presented here, together with tissue-specific expression enrichment analyses, indicate that the early steps of oogenesis are a developmental process involving genes specific to filarial nematodes, that likely result from evolutionary innovations supporting the filarial parasitic lifestyle.}, }
@article {pmid33406097, year = {2021}, author = {Makhulu, EE and Villinger, J and Adunga, VO and Jeneby, MM and Kimathi, EM and Mararo, E and Oundo, JW and Musa, AA and Wambua, L}, title = {Tsetse blood-meal sources, endosymbionts and trypanosome-associations in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a wildlife-human-livestock interface.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {e0008267}, pmid = {33406097}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Wild/*parasitology ; Artiodactyla/parasitology ; Blood ; Buffaloes/parasitology ; Ecosystem ; Elephants/parasitology ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/*parasitology ; Kenya ; Livestock/*parasitology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Trypanosoma/genetics/*physiology ; Trypanosoma vivax ; Trypanosomiasis, African/parasitology ; Tsetse Flies/*parasitology ; }, abstract = {African trypanosomiasis (AT) is a neglected disease of both humans and animals caused by Trypanosoma parasites, which are transmitted by obligate hematophagous tsetse flies (Glossina spp.). Knowledge on tsetse fly vertebrate hosts and the influence of tsetse endosymbionts on trypanosome presence, especially in wildlife-human-livestock interfaces, is limited. We identified tsetse species, their blood-meal sources, and correlations between endosymbionts and trypanosome presence in tsetse flies from the trypanosome-endemic Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya. Among 1167 tsetse flies (1136 Glossina pallidipes, 31 Glossina swynnertoni) collected from 10 sampling sites, 28 (2.4%) were positive by PCR for trypanosome DNA, most (17/28) being of Trypanosoma vivax species. Blood-meal analyses based on high-resolution melting analysis of vertebrate cytochrome c oxidase 1 and cytochrome b gene PCR products (n = 354) identified humans as the most common vertebrate host (37%), followed by hippopotamus (29.1%), African buffalo (26.3%), elephant (3.39%), and giraffe (0.84%). Flies positive for trypanosome DNA had fed on hippopotamus and buffalo. Tsetse flies were more likely to be positive for trypanosomes if they had the Sodalis glossinidius endosymbiont (P = 0.0002). These findings point to complex interactions of tsetse flies with trypanosomes, endosymbionts, and diverse vertebrate hosts in wildlife ecosystems such as in the MMNR, which should be considered in control programs. These interactions may contribute to the maintenance of tsetse populations and/or persistent circulation of African trypanosomes. Although the African buffalo is a key reservoir of AT, the higher proportion of hippopotamus blood-meals in flies with trypanosome DNA indicates that other wildlife species may be important in AT transmission. No trypanosomes associated with human disease were identified, but the high proportion of human blood-meals identified are indicative of human African trypanosomiasis risk. Our results add to existing data suggesting that Sodalis endosymbionts are associated with increased trypanosome presence in tsetse flies.}, }
@article {pmid33406079, year = {2021}, author = {Buysse, M and Duhayon, M and Cantet, F and Bonazzi, M and Duron, O}, title = {Vector competence of the African argasid tick Ornithodoros moubata for the Q fever agent Coxiella burnetii.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {e0009008}, pmid = {33406079}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropod Vectors/*microbiology ; Coxiella burnetii/*isolation &amp; purification ; Feces/microbiology ; Female ; Male ; Ornithodoros/*microbiology ; Q Fever/*transmission ; }, abstract = {Q fever is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. While transmission is primarily but not exclusively airborne, ticks are usually thought to act as vectors on the basis of early microscopy studies. However, recent observations revealed that endosymbionts of ticks have been commonly misidentified as C. burnetii, calling the importance of tick-borne transmission into question. In this study, we re-evaluated the vector competence of the African soft tick Ornithodoros moubata for an avirulent strain of C. burnetii. To this end, we used an artificial feeding system to initiate infection of ticks, specific molecular tools to monitor further infections, and culture assays in axenic and cell media to check for the viability of C. burnetii excreted by ticks. We observed typical traits associated with vector competence: The exposure to an infected blood meal resulted in viable and persistent infections in ticks, trans-stadial transmissions of infection from nymphs to adults and the ability of adult ticks to transmit infectious C. burnetii. However, in contrast to early studies, we found that infection differed substantially between tick organs. In addition, while adult female ticks were infected, we did not observe C. burnetii in eggs, suggesting that transovarial transmission is not effective. Finally, we detected only a sporadic presence of C. burnetii DNA in tick faeces, but no living bacterium was further isolated in culture assays, suggesting that excretion in faeces is not a common mode of transmission in O. moubata.}, }
@article {pmid33399931, year = {2021}, author = {Shih, CM and Ophine, L and Chao, LL}, title = {Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of Wolbachia Endosymbiont in Wild-Caught Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes from Sumatera Utara, Indonesia.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {81}, number = {4}, pages = {1064-1074}, pmid = {33399931}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {MOST 109-2314-B-037-077//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Culex ; *Culicidae ; Female ; Indonesia ; Male ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The genetic identity of Wolbachia endosymbiont in wild-caught Culex quinquefasciatus was determined for the first time in Indonesia. A total of 314 Cx. quinquefasciatus were examined for Wolbachia by PCR assay targeting the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene. The prevalence of Wolbachia infection was detected in 29.94% of Cx. specimens (45.86% female and 8.27% male). The group-specific infection was detected with an infection rate of 0.32%, 28.98%, and 0.64% in groups A, B, and A&amp;B, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed all Wolbachia strains from Indonesia were genetically affiliated to the supergroup A and B with the high sequence similarity of 97.9-100% and 99.7-100%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships can be easily distinguished by neighbor-joining analysis and were congruent by maximum likelihood method. The genetic distance (GD) values of intra- and inter-group analysis indicated a lower level (GD < 0.007 for group A and GD < 0.003 for group B) within the Indonesia strains and a higher level (GD > 1.125 for group A and GD > 1.129 for group B) as compared with other Wolbachia strains. Our results provide the first genetic identification of Wolbachia endosymbiont in Cx. quinquefasciatus collected from Indonesia, and the phylogenetic analysis revealed a new discovery of group A Wolbachia in wild-caught Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes.}, }
@article {pmid33391879, year = {2020}, author = {Manullang, C and Millyaningrum, IH and Iguchi, A and Miyagi, A and Tanaka, Y and Nojiri, Y and Sakai, K}, title = {Responses of branching reef corals Acropora digitifera and Montipora digitata to elevated temperature and pCO2.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {e10562}, pmid = {33391879}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Anthropogenic emission of CO2 into the atmosphere has been increasing exponentially, causing ocean acidification (OA) and ocean warming (OW). The "business-as-usual" scenario predicts that the atmospheric concentration of CO2 may exceed 1,000 µatm and seawater temperature may increase by up to 3 °C by the end of the 21[st] century. Increases in OA and OW may negatively affect the growth and survival of reef corals. In the present study, we separately examined the effects of OW and OA on the corals Acropora digitifera and Montipora digitata, which are dominant coral species occurring along the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, at three temperatures (28 °C, 30 °C, and 32 °C) and following four pCO2 treatments (400, 600, 800, and 1,000 µatm) in aquarium experiments. In the OW experiment, the calcification rate (p = 0.02), endosymbiont density, and maximum photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) (both p < 0.0001) decreased significantly at the highest temperature (32 °C) compared to those at the lower temperatures (28 °C and 30 °C) in both species. In the OA experiment, the calcification rate decreased significantly as pCO2 increased (p < 0.0001), whereas endosymbiont density, chlorophyll content, and Fv/Fm were not affected. The calcification rate of A. digitifera showed greater decreases from 30 °C to 32 °C than that of M. digitata. The calcification of the two species responded differently to OW and OA. These results suggest that A. digitifera is more sensitive to OW than M. digitata, whereas M. digitata is more sensitive to OA. Thus, differences in the sensitivity of the two coral species to OW and OA might be attributed to differences in the endosymbiont species and high calcification rates, respectively.}, }
@article {pmid33389546, year = {2021}, author = {Awad, M and Sharaf, A and Elrahman, TA and El-Saadany, HM and ElKraly, OA and Elnagdy, SM}, title = {The First Report for the Presence of Spiroplasma and Rickettsia in Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Egypt.}, journal = {Acta parasitologica}, volume = {66}, number = {2}, pages = {593-604}, pmid = {33389546}, issn = {1896-1851}, support = {LM2015047//ELIXIR-CZ project/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera ; Egypt ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Spiroplasma ; *Weevils ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE: The study of the Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), as an invasive pest of palm trees.<br><br>METHODS: In this study, 36 RPW individuals were collected from 6 different locations in Egypt. The presences of endosymbionts in the RPW individuals were assayed. The phylogenetic analysis of the RPW inhabiting Egypt was conducted using Cytochrome c oxidase sub-unit 1 (CO1) gene.<br><br>RESULTS: Spiroplasma was found, for the first time, in all individuals, while Rickettsia was found, for the first time, in individuals collected from only 3 of the 6 locations. Endosymbionts harbouring Egyptian RPW were closely related to those harbouring Diptera and\or Trombidiformes associated with palm trees. This may be due to horizontal transmission through palm sap or through ectoparasites living on the RPW. Finally, the phylogenetic analysis of the RPW inhabiting Egypt was conducted. The collected individuals were closely related to Saudi Arabia specimens collected from the eastern region. Thus, Saudi Arabia may be the origin of the RPW which invaded Egypt. Individuals from populations inhabiting the same geographical locations were closely related. This may be due to secondary invasion incidents that may have taken place through transportation of infested date palm trees and offshoots from infected to uninfected locations.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This study reports the first incidence for the presence and coexistence of Spiroplasma and Rickettsia in RPW collected from Egypt. In addition, it was found that the collected individuals of RPW were closely related to a Saudi haplotype. Thus, Saudi Arabia may be the origin of infection which invaded Egypt.}, }
@article {pmid33387647, year = {2021}, author = {Conner, WR and Delaney, EK and Bronski, MJ and Ginsberg, PS and Wheeler, TB and Richardson, KM and Peckenpaugh, B and Kim, KJ and Watada, M and Hoffmann, AA and Eisen, MB and Kopp, A and Cooper, BS and Turelli, M}, title = {A phylogeny for the Drosophila montium species group: A model clade for comparative analyses.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {158}, number = {}, pages = {107061}, pmid = {33387647}, issn = {1095-9513}, support = {F32 GM120893/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM104325/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM122592/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; /HHMI/Howard Hughes Medical Institute/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bayes Theorem ; DNA/chemistry/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Drosophila/*classification/genetics ; Drosophila Proteins/classification/genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster/classification/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {The Drosophila montium species group is a clade of 94 named species, closely related to the model species D. melanogaster. The montium species group is distributed over a broad geographic range throughout Asia, Africa, and Australasia. Species of this group possess a wide range of morphologies, mating behaviors, and endosymbiont associations, making this clade useful for comparative analyses. We use genomic data from 42 available species to estimate the phylogeny and relative divergence times within the montium species group, and its relative divergence time from D. melanogaster. To assess the robustness of our phylogenetic inferences, we use 3 non-overlapping sets of 20 single-copy coding sequences and analyze all 60 genes with both Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods. Our analyses support monophyly of the group. Apart from the uncertain placement of a single species, D. baimaii, our analyses also support the monophyly of all seven subgroups proposed within the montium group. Our phylograms and relative chronograms provide a highly resolved species tree, with discordance restricted to estimates of relatively short branches deep in the tree. In contrast, age estimates for the montium crown group, relative to its divergence from D. melanogaster, depend critically on prior assumptions concerning variation in rates of molecular evolution across branches, and hence have not been reliably determined. We discuss methodological issues that limit phylogenetic resolution - even when complete genome sequences are available - as well as the utility of the current phylogeny for understanding the evolutionary and biogeographic history of this clade.}, }
@article {pmid33375268, year = {2020}, author = {Barradas, PF and Lima, C and Cardoso, L and Amorim, I and Gärtner, F and Mesquita, JR}, title = {Molecular Evidence of Hemolivia mauritanica, Ehrlichia spp. and the Endosymbiont Candidatus Midichloria Mitochondrii in Hyalomma aegyptium Infesting Testudo graeca Tortoises from Doha, Qatar.}, journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33375268}, issn = {2076-2615}, abstract = {Tick-borne agents constitute a growing concern for human and animal health worldwide. Hyalomma aegyptium is a hard tick with a three-host life cycle, whose main hosts for adults are Palearctic tortoises of genus Testudo. Nevertheless, immature ticks can feed on a variety of hosts, representing an important eco-epidemiological issue regarding H. aegyptium pathogens circulation. Hyalomma aegyptium ticks are vectors and/or reservoirs of various pathogenic agents, such as Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia and Hepatozoon/Hemolivia. Ehrlichia and Anaplasma are emergent tick-borne bacteria with a worldwide distribution and zoonotic potential, responsible for diseases that cause clinical manifestations that grade from acute febrile illness to a fulminant disease characterized by multi-organ system failure, depending on the species. Babesia and Hepatozoon/Hemolivia are tick-borne parasites with increasing importance in multiple species. Testudo graeca tortoises acquired in a large animal market in Doha, Qatar, were screened for a panel of tick-borne pathogens by conventional PCR followed by bidirectional sequencing. The most prevalent agent identified in ticks was Hemolivia mauritanica (28.6%), followed by Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii (9.5%) and Ehrlichia spp. (4.7%). All samples were negative for Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. Overall, 43% of the examined adult ticks were infected with at least one agent. Only 4.7% of the ticks appeared to be simultaneously infected with two agents, i.e., Ehrlichia spp. and H. mauritanica. This is the first detection of H. mauritanica, Ehrlichia spp. and Candidatus M. mitochondrii in H. aegyptium ticks collected from pet spur-thighed tortoises, in Qatar, a fact which adds to the geographical extension of these agents. The international trade of Testudo tortoises carrying ticks infected with pathogens of veterinary and medical importance deserves strict control, in order to reduce potential exotic diseases.}, }
@article {pmid33356903, year = {2021}, author = {Pérez-Rodríguez, F and González-Prieto, JM and Vera-Núñez, JA and Ruiz-Medrano, R and Peña-Cabriales, JJ and Ruiz-Herrera, J}, title = {Wide distribution of the Ustilago maydis-bacterium endosymbiosis in naturally infected maize plants.}, journal = {Plant signaling &amp; behavior}, volume = {16}, number = {2}, pages = {1855016}, pmid = {33356903}, issn = {1559-2324}, mesh = {Basidiomycota/*pathogenicity ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Zea mays/genetics/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {We have previously described that laboratory strains of Ustilago maydis, a fungal pathogen of maize and its ancestor teosinte, harbor an intracellular bacterium that enables the fungus to fix nitrogen. However, it is not clear whether other strains isolated from nature also harbor endosymbiotic bacteria, and whether these fix nitrogen for its host. In the present study, we isolated U. maydis strains from naturally infected maize. All the isolated strains harbored intracellular bacteria as determined by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, and some of them showed capacity to fix nitrogen. That these are truly bacterial endosymbionts were shown by the fact that, after thorough treatments with CuSO4 followed by serial incubations with antibiotics, the aforementioned bacterial gene was still amplified in treated fungi. In all, these data support the notion that U. maydis-bacterium endosymbiosis is a general phenomenon in this species.}, }
@article {pmid33352133, year = {2020}, author = {Sullivan, W}, title = {Vector Control: Wolbachia Expands Its Protective Reach from Humans to Plants.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {30}, number = {24}, pages = {R1489-R1491}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2020.11.005}, pmid = {33352133}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera ; Humans ; Insect Vectors ; *Oryza ; Plant Diseases/prevention &amp; control ; *Reoviridae ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {RNA viral titers are often suppressed in insects co-infected with the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. This property has been used to suppress transmission of the ragged rice stunt virus from its insect host, the brown planthopper, to the rice plant.}, }
@article {pmid33344080, year = {2020}, author = {Gil, JC and Helal, ZH and Risatti, G and Hird, SM}, title = {Ixodes scapularis microbiome correlates with life stage, not the presence of human pathogens, in ticks submitted for diagnostic testing.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {e10424}, pmid = {33344080}, issn = {2167-8359}, support = {U18 FD004640/FD/FDA HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Ticks are globally distributed arthropods and a public health concern due to the many human pathogens they carry and transmit, including the causative agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. As tick species' ranges increase, so do the number of reported tick related illnesses. The microbiome is a critical part of understanding arthropod biology, and the microbiome of pathogen vectors may provide critical insight into disease transmission and management. Yet we lack a comprehensive understanding of the microbiome of wild ticks, including what effect the presence of multiple tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) has on the microbiome. In this study we chose samples based on life stage (adult or nymph) and which TBPs were present. We used DNA from previously extracted Ixodes scapularis ticks that tested positive for zero, one, two or three common TBPs (B. burgdorferi, B. miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti). We produced 16S rRNA amplicon data for the whole tick microbiome and compared samples across TBPs status, single vs multiple coinfections, and life stages. Focusing on samples with a single TBP, we found no significant differences in microbiome diversity in ticks that were infected with B. burgdorferi and ticks with no TBPs. When comparing multiple TBPs, we found no significant difference in both alpha and beta diversity between ticks with a single TBP and ticks with multiple TBPs. Removal of TBPs from the microbiome did not alter alpha or beta diversity results. Life stage significantly correlated to variation in beta diversity and nymphs had higher alpha diversity than adult ticks. Rickettsia, a common tick endosymbiont, was the most abundant genus. This study confirms that the wild tick microbiome is highly influenced by life stage and much less by the presence of human pathogenic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid33335517, year = {2020}, author = {Hunter, ES and Paight, C and Lane, CE}, title = {Metabolic Contributions of an Alphaproteobacterial Endosymbiont in the Apicomplexan Cardiosporidium cionae.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {580719}, pmid = {33335517}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {R03 AI124092/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Apicomplexa is a diverse protistan phylum composed almost exclusively of metazoan-infecting parasites, including the causative agents of malaria, cryptosporidiosis, and toxoplasmosis. A single apicomplexan genus, Nephromyces, was described in 2010 as a mutualist partner to its tunicate host. Here we present genomic and transcriptomic data from the parasitic sister species to this mutualist, Cardiosporidium cionae, and its associated bacterial endosymbiont. Cardiosporidium cionae and Nephromyces both infect tunicate hosts, localize to similar organs within these hosts, and maintain bacterial endosymbionts. Though many other protists are known to harbor bacterial endosymbionts, these associations are completely unknown in Apicomplexa outside of the Nephromycidae clade. Our data indicate that a vertically transmitted α-proteobacteria has been retained in each lineage since Nephromyces and Cardiosporidium diverged. This α-proteobacterial endosymbiont has highly reduced metabolic capabilities, but contributes the essential amino acid lysine, and essential cofactor lipoic acid to C. cionae. This partnership likely reduces resource competition with the tunicate host. However, our data indicate that the contribution of the single α-proteobacterial endosymbiont in C. cionae is minimal compared to the three taxa of endosymbionts present in the Nephromyces system, and is a potential explanation for the virulence disparity between these lineages.}, }
@article {pmid33330486, year = {2020}, author = {Zeng, M and He, Y and Du, H and Yang, J and Wan, H}, title = {Output Regulation and Function Optimization of Mitochondria in Eukaryotes.}, journal = {Frontiers in cell and developmental biology}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {598112}, pmid = {33330486}, issn = {2296-634X}, abstract = {The emergence of endosymbiosis between aerobic alpha-proteobacterium and anaerobic eukaryotic cell precursors opened the chapter of eukaryotic evolution. Multiple functions of mitochondria originated from the ancient precursors of mitochondria and underwent remodeling in eukaryotic cells. Due to the dependence on mitochondrial functions, eukaryotic cells need to constantly adjust mitochondrial output based on energy demand and cellular stress. Meanwhile, eukaryotes conduct the metabolic cooperation between different cells through the involvement of mitochondria. Under some conditions, mitochondria might also be transferred to nearby cells to provide a protective mechanism. However, the endosymbiont relationship determines the existence of various types of mitochondrial injury, such as proteotoxic stress, mutational meltdown, oxidative injure, and immune activation caused by released mitochondrial contents. Eukaryotes have a repertoire of mitochondrial optimization processes, including various mitochondrial quality-control proteins, regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and activation of mitochondrial autophagy. When these quality-control processes fail, eukaryotic cells can activate apoptosis to intercept uncontrolled cell death, thereby minimizing the damage to extracellular tissue. In this review, we describe the intracellular and extracellular context-based regulation of mitochondrial output in eukaryotic cells, and introduce new findings on multifaceted quality-control processes to deal with mitochondrial defects.}, }
@article {pmid33329655, year = {2020}, author = {Yamada, N and Sakai, H and Onuma, R and Kroth, PG and Horiguchi, T}, title = {Five Non-motile Dinotom Dinoflagellates of the Genus Dinothrix.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {591050}, pmid = {33329655}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Dinothrix paradoxa and Gymnodinium quadrilobatum are benthic dinoflagellates possessing diatom-derived tertiary plastids, so-called dinotoms. Due to the lack of available genetic information, their phylogenetic relationship remains unknown. In this study, sequencing of 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the rbcL gene from temporary cultures isolated from natural samples revealed that they are close relatives of another dinotom, Galeidinium rugatum. The morphologies of these three dinotoms differ significantly from each other; however, they share a distinctive life cycle, in which the non-motile cells without flagella are their dominant phase. Cell division occurs in this non-motile phase, while swimming cells only appear for several hours after being released from each daughter cell. Furthermore, we succeeded in isolating and establishing two novel dinotom strains, HG180 and HG204, which show a similar life cycle and are phylogenetically closely related to the aforementioned three species. The non-motile cells of strain HG180 are characterized by the possession of a hemispheroidal cell covered with numerous nodes, while those of the strain HG204 form aggregations consisting of spherical smooth-surface cells. Based on the similarity in life cycles and phylogenetic closeness, we conclude that all five species should belong to a single genus, Dinothrix, the oldest genus within this clade. We transferred Ga. rugatum and Gy. quadrilobatum to Dinothrix, and described strains HG180 and HG204 as Dinothrix phymatodea sp. nov. and Dinothrix pseudoparadoxa sp. nov.}, }
@article {pmid33329499, year = {2020}, author = {Oberleitner, L and Poschmann, G and Macorano, L and Schott-Verdugo, S and Gohlke, H and Stühler, K and Nowack, ECM}, title = {The Puzzle of Metabolite Exchange and Identification of Putative Octotrico Peptide Repeat Expression Regulators in the Nascent Photosynthetic Organelles of Paulinella chromatophora.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {607182}, pmid = {33329499}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The endosymbiotic acquisition of mitochondria and plastids more than one billion years ago was central for the evolution of eukaryotic life. However, owing to their ancient origin, these organelles provide only limited insights into the initial stages of organellogenesis. The cercozoan amoeba Paulinella chromatophora contains photosynthetic organelles-termed chromatophores-that evolved from a cyanobacterium ∼100 million years ago, independently from plastids in plants and algae. Despite the more recent origin of the chromatophore, it shows tight integration into the host cell. It imports hundreds of nucleus-encoded proteins, and diverse metabolites are continuously exchanged across the two chromatophore envelope membranes. However, the limited set of chromatophore-encoded solute transporters appears insufficient for supporting metabolic connectivity or protein import. Furthermore, chromatophore-localized biosynthetic pathways as well as multiprotein complexes include proteins of dual genetic origin, suggesting that mechanisms evolved that coordinate gene expression levels between chromatophore and nucleus. These findings imply that similar to the situation in mitochondria and plastids, also in P. chromatophora nuclear factors evolved that control metabolite exchange and gene expression in the chromatophore. Here we show by mass spectrometric analyses of enriched insoluble protein fractions that, unexpectedly, nucleus-encoded transporters are not inserted into the chromatophore inner envelope membrane. Thus, despite the apparent maintenance of its barrier function, canonical metabolite transporters are missing in this membrane. Instead we identified several expanded groups of short chromatophore-targeted orphan proteins. Members of one of these groups are characterized by a single transmembrane helix, and others contain amphipathic helices. We hypothesize that these proteins are involved in modulating membrane permeability. Thus, the mechanism generating metabolic connectivity of the chromatophore fundamentally differs from the one for mitochondria and plastids, but likely rather resembles the poorly understood mechanism in various bacterial endosymbionts in plants and insects. Furthermore, our mass spectrometric analysis revealed an expanded family of chromatophore-targeted helical repeat proteins. These proteins show similar domain architectures as known organelle-targeted expression regulators of the octotrico peptide repeat type in algae and plants. Apparently these chromatophore-targeted proteins evolved convergently to plastid-targeted expression regulators and are likely involved in gene expression control in the chromatophore.}, }
@article {pmid33329443, year = {2020}, author = {Venice, F and Desirò, A and Silva, G and Salvioli, A and Bonfante, P}, title = {The Mosaic Architecture of NRPS-PKS in the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Gigaspora margarita Shows a Domain With Bacterial Signature.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {581313}, pmid = {33329443}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {As obligate biotrophic symbionts, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) live in association with most land plants. Among them, Gigaspora margarita has been deeply investigated because of its peculiar features, i.e., the presence of an intracellular microbiota with endobacteria and viruses. The genome sequencing of this fungus revealed the presence of some hybrid non-ribosomal peptide synthases-polyketide synthases (NRPS-PKS) that have been rarely identified in AMF. The aim of this study is to describe the architecture of these NRPS-PKS sequences and to understand whether they are present in other fungal taxa related to G. margarita. A phylogenetic analysis shows that the ketoacyl synthase (KS) domain of one G. margarita NRPS-PKS clusters with prokaryotic sequences. Since horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has often been advocated as a relevant evolutionary mechanism for the spread of secondary metabolite genes, we hypothesized that a similar event could have interested the KS domain of the PKS module. The bacterial endosymbiont of G. margarita, Candidatus Glomeribacter gigasporarum (CaGg), was the first candidate as a donor, since it possesses a large biosynthetic cluster involving an NRPS-PKS. However, bioinformatics analyses do not confirm the hypothesis of a direct HGT from the endobacterium to the fungal host: indeed, endobacterial and fungal sequences show a different evolution and potentially different donors. Lastly, by amplifying a NRPS-PKS conserved fragment and mining the sequenced AMF genomes, we demonstrate that, irrespective of the presence of CaGg, G. margarita, and some other related Gigasporaceae possess such a sequence.}, }
@article {pmid33328698, year = {2020}, author = {Pröschold, T and Darienko, T}, title = {Choricystis and Lewiniosphaera gen. nov. (Trebouxiophyceae Chlorophyta), two different green algal endosymbionts in freshwater sponges.}, journal = {Symbiosis (Philadelphia, Pa.)}, volume = {82}, number = {3}, pages = {175-188}, pmid = {33328698}, issn = {0334-5114}, support = {P 28333/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, abstract = {Associations of freshwater sponges with coccoid green algae have been known for a long time. Two types of coccoid green algae, which are commonly assigned as zoochlorellae, are recognized by morphology: small coccoids (< 3 μm) without pyrenoids and larger Chlorella-like algae (4-6 μm) with pyrenoids. Despite their wide distribution in some freshwater sponges, these green algae were never studied using a combined analysis of morphology and molecular phylogeny. We investigated several endosymbiotic strains isolated from different Spongilla species, which were available in culture collections. Phylogenetic analyses of SSU and ITS rDNA sequences revealed that the strain SAG 211-40a is a member of the Chlorellaceae and represents a new species of the newly erected genus Lewiniosphaera, L symbiontica. The phylogenetic position was confirmed by morphology and ITS-2 barcode. The endosymbionts without pyrenoid were identified as Choricystis parasitica by morphology and phylogenetic analyses. The comparison with free-living strains revealed the recognition of two new Choricystis species, C. krienitzii and C. limnetica, which were confirmed by molecular signatures in V9 region of SSU rDNA and ITS-2 barcode.}, }
@article {pmid33324385, year = {2020}, author = {Mironov, T and Sabaneyeva, E}, title = {A Robust Symbiotic Relationship Between the Ciliate Paramecium multimicronucleatum and the Bacterium Ca. Trichorickettsia Mobilis.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {603335}, pmid = {33324385}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Close reciprocal interactions in symbiotic systems have suggested the holobiont concept, in which the host and its microbiota are considered as a single entity. Ciliates are known for their ability to form symbiotic associations with prokaryotes. Relationships between the partners in such systems vary from mutualism to parasitism and differ significantly in their robustness. We assessed the viability of the ciliate Paramecium multimicronucleatum and its ability to maintain its intranuclear endosymbiont Ca. Trichorickettsia mobilis (Rickettsiaceae) after treatment with antibiotics characterized by different mode of action, such as ampicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline. The presence of endosymbionts in the host cell was determined by means of living cell observations made using differential interference contrast or fluorescence in situ hybridization with the species-specific oligonucleotide probe (FISH). Administration of antibiotics traditionally used in treatments of rickettsioses, tetracycline and chloramphenicol, depending on the concentration used and the ciliate strain treated, either caused death of both, infected and control cells, or did not affect the ability of the host to maintain the intranuclear endosymbiont. The surviving cells always manifested motile bacteria in the macronucleus. Streptomycin treatment never led to the loss of endosymbionts in any of the four infected strains, and nearly all ciliates remained viable. Ampicillin treatment never caused host cell death, but resulted in formation of filamentous and immobile oval bacterial forms. Under repeated ampicillin treatments, a part of endosymbionts was registered in the host cytoplasm, as evidenced both by FISH and transmission electron microscopy. Endosymbionts located in the host cytoplasm were enclosed in vacuoles, apparently, corresponding to autophagosomes. Nevertheless, the bacteria seemed to persist in this compartment and might cause relapse of the infection. Although the antibiotic sensitivity profile of Trichorickettsia seems to resemble that of other representatives of Rickettsiaceae, causative agents of severe diseases in humans, neither of the antibiotic treatments used in this study resulted in an aposymbiotic cell line, apparently, due to the protists' sensitivity to tetracyclines, the drugs of preference in rickettsiosis treatment. The observed robustness of this symbiotic system makes it a good model for further elaboration of the holobiont concept.}, }
@article {pmid33323078, year = {2020}, author = {Lyndby, NH and Rädecker, N and Bessette, S and Søgaard Jensen, LH and Escrig, S and Trampe, E and Kühl, M and Meibom, A}, title = {Amoebocytes facilitate efficient carbon and nitrogen assimilation in the Cassiopea-Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {287}, number = {1941}, pages = {20202393}, pmid = {33323078}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Ammonium Compounds ; Animals ; Anthozoa ; Dinoflagellida/*physiology ; Ecosystem ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Nutrients ; Photosynthesis ; Scyphozoa/*physiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea engages in symbiosis with photosynthetic microalgae that facilitate uptake and recycling of inorganic nutrients. By contrast to most other symbiotic cnidarians, algal endosymbionts in Cassiopea are not restricted to the gastroderm but are found in amoebocyte cells within the mesoglea. While symbiont-bearing amoebocytes are highly abundant, their role in nutrient uptake and cycling in Cassiopea remains unknown. By combining isotopic labelling experiments with correlated scanning electron microscopy, and Nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) imaging, we quantified the anabolic assimilation of inorganic carbon and nitrogen at the subcellular level in juvenile Cassiopea medusae bell tissue. Amoebocytes were clustered near the sub-umbrella epidermis and facilitated efficient assimilation of inorganic nutrients. Photosynthetically fixed carbon was efficiently translocated between endosymbionts, amoebocytes and host epidermis at rates similar to or exceeding those observed in corals. The Cassiopea holobionts efficiently assimilated ammonium, while no nitrate assimilation was detected, possibly reflecting adaptation to highly dynamic environmental conditions of their natural habitat. The motile amoebocytes allow Cassiopea medusae to distribute their endosymbiont population to optimize access to light and nutrients, and transport nutrition between tissue areas. Amoebocytes thus play a vital role for the assimilation and translocation of nutrients in Cassiopea, providing an interesting new model for studies of metabolic interactions in photosymbiotic marine organisms.}, }
@article {pmid33315074, year = {2020}, author = {Cardoso, A and Gómez-Zurita, J}, title = {Food Resource Sharing of Alder Leaf Beetle Specialists (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) as Potential Insect-Plant Interface for Horizontal Transmission of Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {49}, number = {6}, pages = {1402-1414}, pmid = {33315074}, issn = {1938-2936}, mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera ; Insecta ; North America ; Phylogeny ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Specialization ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Recent studies suggest that endosymbionts of herbivore insects can be horizontally transferred to other herbivores feeding on the same host plants, whereby the plant acts as an intermediate stage in the chain of transmission. If this mechanism operates, it is also expected that insect communities sharing the same host plant will have higher chances to share their endosymbionts. In this study, we use a high-throughput 16S rRNA metabarcoding approach to investigate the presence, diversity, and potential sharing of endosymbionts in several species of leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of a local community specialized on an alder diet in North America. Rickettsia and Wolbachia were predominant in the sample, with strong evidence for each species having their own dominant infection, of either or both types of bacteria. However, all species shared a much lower proportion of a particular Wolbachia type, compatible with the same strain dominant in one of the species of leaf beetles. Crucially, the same 16S rRNA haplotype of Wolbachia was found on alder leaf extracts. The combined evidence and the absence of this strain in a syntopic species of leaf beetle feeding on a different host plant support the hypothesis that at least the initial stages of the mechanism that would allow horizontal transmission of endosymbionts across species feeding on the same plant is possible. The accessibility and characteristics of endosymbiont associations of this system make it suitable for deeper analyses of their diversity and transmission in natural conditions.}, }
@article {pmid33313861, year = {2021}, author = {Murray, GGR and Charlesworth, J and Miller, EL and Casey, MJ and Lloyd, CT and Gottschalk, M and Tucker, AWD and Welch, JJ and Weinert, LA}, title = {Genome Reduction Is Associated with Bacterial Pathogenicity across Different Scales of Temporal and Ecological Divergence.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {38}, number = {4}, pages = {1570-1579}, pmid = {33313861}, issn = {1537-1719}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/G019274/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 109385/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/L018934/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics/*pathogenicity ; *Biological Evolution ; *Genome Size ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Emerging bacterial pathogens threaten global health and food security, and so it is important to ask whether these transitions to pathogenicity have any common features. We present a systematic study of the claim that pathogenicity is associated with genome reduction and gene loss. We compare broad-scale patterns across all bacteria, with detailed analyses of Streptococcus suis, an emerging zoonotic pathogen of pigs, which has undergone multiple transitions between disease and carriage forms. We find that pathogenicity is consistently associated with reduced genome size across three scales of divergence (between species within genera, and between and within genetic clusters of S. suis). Although genome reduction is also found in mutualist and commensal bacterial endosymbionts, genome reduction in pathogens cannot be solely attributed to the features of their ecology that they share with these species, that is, host restriction or intracellularity. Moreover, other typical correlates of genome reduction in endosymbionts (reduced metabolic capacity, reduced GC content, and the transient expansion of nonfunctional elements) are not consistently observed in pathogens. Together, our results indicate that genome reduction is a consistent correlate of pathogenicity in bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid33310079, year = {2021}, author = {Park, HJ and Kim, J and Choi, YJ and Kim, HC and Klein, TA and Chong, ST and Jiang, J and Richards, AL and Jang, WJ}, title = {Tick-borne rickettsiae in Midwestern region of Republic of Korea.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {215}, number = {}, pages = {105794}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105794}, pmid = {33310079}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Republic of Korea ; Rickettsia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Ticks/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {To identify spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae among ticks collected by dragging at eight sites in three provinces of the midwestern region of the Republic of Korea (ROK), genus- and species-specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays and sequencing were performed. DNA was extracted from a total of 2,312 ticks that were assayed individually (n=140) or in pools (n=444), resulting in a total of 584 individual and pooled tick samples. The 584 tick samples were screened with the genus-specific qPCR assay (Rick17b) and produced 265 (45.38%) positive reactions [individual (n=64) and pooled (n=101) samples]. Of these genus-specific positive samples, 57 (21.51%) were identified as Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii and 48 (18.11%) were identified as R. monacensis by species-specific qPCR assays. Subsequently, nested PCR (nPCR) was performed with 120 samples, which tested positive samples for genus-specific, but not species-specific, qPCR assays. The sequences of ompA and ompB genes showed how many close relatedness to Ca. R. longicornii and Ca. R. jingxinensis isolate Xian Hl-79, uncultured Rickettsia sp. Y27-1, Ca. R. tasmanensis strain T152, R. endosymbiont of H. longicornis tick 47, and R. koreansis strain CNH17-7. In conclusion, we successfully detected specific rickettsial agents using qPCR and a sequence-based analysis approach that demonstrated the prevalence of various tick-borne Rickettsia spp. in midwestern ROK.}, }
@article {pmid33304490, year = {2020}, author = {Doellman, MM and Saint Jean, G and Egan, SP and Powell, THQ and Hood, GR and Schuler, H and Bruzzese, DJ and Glover, MM and Smith, JJ and Yee, WL and Goughnour, R and Rull, J and Aluja, M and Feder, JL}, title = {Evidence for spatial clines and mixed geographic modes of speciation for North American cherry-infesting Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) flies.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {23}, pages = {12727-12744}, pmid = {33304490}, issn = {2045-7758}, support = {J 3527/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 31441/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, abstract = {An important criterion for understanding speciation is the geographic context of population divergence. Three major modes of allopatric, parapatric, and sympatric speciation define the extent of spatial overlap and gene flow between diverging populations. However, mixed modes of speciation are also possible, whereby populations experience periods of allopatry, parapatry, and/or sympatry at different times as they diverge. Here, we report clinal patterns of variation for 21 nuclear-encoded microsatellites and a wing spot phenotype for cherry-infesting Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) across North America consistent with these flies having initially diverged in parapatry followed by a period of allopatric differentiation in the early Holocene. However, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) displays a different pattern; cherry flies at the ends of the clines in the eastern USA and Pacific Northwest share identical haplotypes, while centrally located populations in the southwestern USA and Mexico possess a different haplotype. We hypothesize that the mitochondrial difference could be due to lineage sorting but more likely reflects a selective sweep of a favorable mtDNA variant or the spread of an endosymbiont. The estimated divergence time for mtDNA suggests possible past allopatry, secondary contact, and subsequent isolation between USA and Mexican fly populations initiated before the Wisconsin glaciation. Thus, the current genetics of cherry flies may involve different mixed modes of divergence occurring in different portions of the fly's range. We discuss the need for additional DNA sequencing and quantification of prezygotic and postzygotic reproductive isolation to verify the multiple mixed-mode hypothesis for cherry flies and draw parallels from other systems to assess the generality that speciation may commonly involve complex biogeographies of varying combinations of allopatric, parapatric, and sympatric divergence.}, }
@article {pmid33301664, year = {2020}, author = {Lubova, VA and Leonova, GN and Shutikova, AL and Bondarenko, EI}, title = {Indication Q fever pathogen in the south of Far east.}, journal = {Klinicheskaia laboratornaia diagnostika}, volume = {65}, number = {11}, pages = {724-728}, doi = {10.18821/0869-2084-2020-65-11-724-728}, pmid = {33301664}, issn = {0869-2084}, mesh = {Animals ; *Coxiella burnetii/genetics ; Asia, Eastern ; Horses ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; *Q Fever/epidemiology ; Sheep ; Ticks/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Q fever (coxiellosis) is a widespread natural focal disease in the world. The causative agent of coxiellosis is the gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which is highly contagious and low virulence. The main carriers of C. burnetii are ixodid ticks, which feed on domestic and farm animals in anthropurgic foci. To address the possible circulation of the Q fever pathogen in the territory of the Primorsky Territory, 334 samples of various natural material collected in the spring-summer period of 2019 were studied. In the vicinity of the Vladivostok (on Reineke island), genetic markers of C. burnetii were detected in 19.7% of all tick species. In the Khankaisk region, coxiella DNA was detected more often (in 6.3%) in ticks of D. silvarum, in ticks of I. persulcatus and H. japonica, 1 case was detected. From 56 copies. ixodid ticks sucked to humans, C. burnetii DNA was detected in ticks of I. persulcatus in 38.8%, H. concinna - in 14.3%. In the serum of farm animals, the presence of coxiella in sheep in 3 samples was detected, in horses - in two. Sequencing of the obtained sequences showed the presence of the pathogen C. burnetii in the blood serum of animals. The ticks have stuck to people in 6 samples were identified C. burnetii and 6 samples - Coxiella-like endosymbiont. The presented results indicate the circulation of the causative agent of Q fever in the territory of the Primorsky Territory. To obtain a more complete description of the current epidemiological situation, it is necessary to conduct more extensive studies of natural material and blood of people with suspected Q fever.}, }
@article {pmid33298138, year = {2020}, author = {Ding, H and Yeo, H and Puniamoorthy, N}, title = {Wolbachia infection in wild mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae): implications for transmission modes and host-endosymbiont associations in Singapore.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {612}, pmid = {33298138}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {R154000A56133//National University of Singapore/ ; R154000A75114//Ministry of Education, Singapore/ ; }, mesh = {Aedes/genetics/microbiology ; Anaplasmataceae Infections/*microbiology/*transmission ; Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Culex/genetics/microbiology ; Culicidae/*microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; Female ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*physiology ; Male ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis ; Singapore ; Vector Borne Diseases ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia are intracellular bacterial endosymbionts found in most insect lineages. In mosquitoes, the influence of these endosymbionts on host reproduction and arboviral transmission has spurred numerous studies aimed at using Wolbachia infection as a vector control technique. However, there are several knowledge gaps in the literature and little is known about natural Wolbachia infection across species, their transmission modes, or associations between various Wolbachia lineages and their hosts. This study aims to address these gaps by exploring mosquito-Wolbachia associations and their evolutionary implications.<br><br>METHODS: We conducted tissue-specific polymerase chain reaction screening for Wolbachia infection in the leg, gut and reproductive tissues of wild mosquitoes from Singapore using the Wolbachia surface protein gene (wsp) molecular marker. Mosquito-Wolbachia associations were explored using three methods-tanglegram, distance-based, and event-based methods-and by inferred instances of vertical transmission and host shifts.<br><br>RESULTS: Adult mosquitoes (271 specimens) representing 14 genera and 40 species were screened for Wolbachia. Overall, 21 species (51.2%) were found positive for Wolbachia, including five in the genus Aedes and five in the genus Culex. To our knowledge, Wolbachia infections have not been previously reported in seven of these 21 species: Aedes nr. fumidus, Aedes annandalei, Uranotaenia obscura, Uranotaenia trilineata, Verrallina butleri, Verrallina sp. and Zeugnomyia gracilis. Wolbachia were predominantly detected in the reproductive tissues, which is an indication of vertical transmission. However, Wolbachia infection rates varied widely within a mosquito host species. There was no clear signal of cophylogeny between the mosquito hosts and the 12 putative Wolbachia strains observed in this study. Host shift events were also observed.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the mosquito-Wolbachia relationship is complex and that combinations of transmission modes and multiple evolutionary events likely explain the observed distribution of Wolbachia diversity across mosquito hosts. These findings have implications for a better understanding of the diversity and ecology of Wolbachia and for their utility as biocontrol agents.}, }
@article {pmid33297293, year = {2020}, author = {Sontowski, R and Gerth, M and Richter, S and Gruppe, A and Schlegel, M and van Dam, NM and Bleidorn, C}, title = {Infection Patterns and Fitness Effects of Rickettsia and Sodalis Symbionts in the Green Lacewing Chrysoperla carnea.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {11}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {33297293}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {-//Georg-August-Universit&#xe4;t G&#xf6;ttingen/ ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts are widely distributed in insects and can strongly affect their host ecology. The common green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) is a neuropteran insect which is widely used in biological pest control. However, their endosymbionts and their interactions with their hosts have not been very well studied. Therefore, we screened for endosymbionts in natural and laboratory populations of Ch. carnea using diagnostic PCR amplicons. We found the endosymbiont Rickettsia to be very common in all screened natural and laboratory populations, while a hitherto uncharacterized Sodalis strain was found only in laboratory populations. By establishing lacewing lines with no, single or co-infections of Sodalis and Rickettsia, we found a high vertical transmission rate for both endosymbionts (>89%). However, we were only able to estimate these numbers for co-infected lacewings. Sodalis negatively affected the reproductive success in single and co-infected Ch. carnea, while Rickettsia showed no effect. We hypothesize that the fitness costs accrued by Sodalis infections might be more tolerable in the laboratory than in natural populations, as the latter are also prone to fluctuating environmental conditions and natural enemies. The economic and ecological importance of lacewings in biological pest control warrants a more profound understanding of its biology, which might be influenced by symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid33295865, year = {2020}, author = {Lefoulon, E and Clark, T and Guerrero, R and Cañizales, I and Cardenas-Callirgos, JM and Junker, K and Vallarino-Lhermitte, N and Makepeace, BL and Darby, AC and Foster, JM and Martin, C and Slatko, BE}, title = {Diminutive, degraded but dissimilar: Wolbachia genomes from filarial nematodes do not conform to a single paradigm.}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {6}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {33295865}, issn = {2057-5858}, mesh = {Animals ; Databases, Genetic ; Evolution, Molecular ; Filarioidea/*microbiology ; Genome Size ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Molecular Sequence Annotation ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/*methods ; Wolbachia/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are alpha-proteobacteria symbionts infecting a large range of arthropod species and two different families of nematodes. Interestingly, these endosymbionts are able to induce diverse phenotypes in their hosts: they are reproductive parasites within many arthropods, nutritional mutualists within some insects and obligate mutualists within their filarial nematode hosts. Defining Wolbachia 'species' is controversial and so they are commonly classified into 17 different phylogenetic lineages, termed supergroups, named A-F, H-Q and S. However, available genomic data remain limited and not representative of the full Wolbachia diversity; indeed, of the 24 complete genomes and 55 draft genomes of Wolbachia available to date, 84 % belong to supergroups A and B, exclusively composed of Wolbachia from arthropods. For the current study, we took advantage of a recently developed DNA-enrichment method to produce four complete genomes and two draft genomes of Wolbachia from filarial nematodes. Two complete genomes, wCtub and wDcau, are the smallest Wolbachia genomes sequenced to date (863 988 bp and 863 427 bp, respectively), as well as the first genomes representing supergroup J. These genomes confirm the validity of this supergroup, a controversial clade due to weaknesses of the multilocus sequence typing approach. We also produced the first draft Wolbachia genome from a supergroup F filarial nematode representative (wMhie), two genomes from supergroup D (wLsig and wLbra) and the complete genome of wDimm from supergroup C. Our new data confirm the paradigm of smaller Wolbachia genomes from filarial nematodes containing low levels of transposable elements and the absence of intact bacteriophage sequences, unlike many Wolbachia from arthropods, where both are more abundant. However, we observe differences among the Wolbachia genomes from filarial nematodes: no global co-evolutionary pattern, strong synteny between supergroup C and supergroup J Wolbachia, and more transposable elements observed in supergroup D Wolbachia compared to the other supergroups. Metabolic pathway analysis indicates several highly conserved pathways (haem and nucleotide biosynthesis, for example) as opposed to more variable pathways, such as vitamin B biosynthesis, which might be specific to certain host-symbiont associations. Overall, there appears to be no single Wolbachia-filarial nematode pattern of co-evolution or symbiotic relationship.}, }
@article {pmid33294364, year = {2020}, author = {Olafson, PU and Buckmeier, BG and May, MA and Thomas, DB}, title = {Molecular screening for rickettsial bacteria and piroplasms in ixodid ticks surveyed from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in southern Texas.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {252-260}, pmid = {33294364}, issn = {2213-2244}, abstract = {A survey of ixodid ticks parasitizing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) was completed during the 2018-2019 public hunt season on the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Cameron County, Texas) and the East Foundation's El Sauz Ranch in nearby Willacy County (Texas). Anocenter nitens was the predominant tick species identified with 5% of these ticks collected from nilgai. All life stages were encountered in high numbers on white-tailed deer, indicating that deer may be a primary host in this region. Amblyomma maculatum and Amblyomma inornatum were identified from both hosts, while Ixodes scapularis was encountered only on white-tailed deer. This is the first published record of A. inornatum on nilgai. A subset of ticks was used in PCR assays to detect Rickettsia spp., family Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia spp., and Theileria-Babesia spp. Borrelia spp. were not detected in any of the ticks analyzed. Rickettsia parkeri was detected in three A. maculatum adult ticks from deer, Rickettsia sp. endosymbiont sequences were present in all I. scapularis ticks, and Rickettsia amblyommatis was detected in three A. inornatum adult ticks from deer. Sequence analysis of Anaplasmataceae-positive amplicons from A. nitens and A. maculatum had low percent identity to published Anaplasma spp. sequences, suggesting a unique Anaplasma sp. may be circulating in the population. Anaplasma platys was detected from A. nitens larvae and an Ehrlichia sp. Delta strain was present in A. maculatum, both of unknown pathogenicity towards deer. Theileria cervi was detected in all stages of A. nitens ticks, and positive ticks originated from 27 of 31 deer and a single nilgai sampled from throughout the survey site. The primary vector for T. cervi is absent from this region, suggesting T. cervi is possibly maintained by a different tick species.}, }
@article {pmid33294020, year = {2020}, author = {Fu, Z and Meier, AR and Epstein, B and Bergland, AO and Castillo Carrillo, CI and Cooper, WR and Cruzado, RK and Horton, DR and Jensen, AS and Kelley, JL and Rashed, A and Reitz, SR and Rondon, SI and Thinakaran, J and Wenninger, EJ and Wohleb, CH and Crowder, DW and Snyder, WE}, title = {Host plants and Wolbachia shape the population genetics of sympatric herbivore populations.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {13}, number = {10}, pages = {2740-2753}, pmid = {33294020}, issn = {1752-4571}, support = {F32 GM097837/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Changing climate and land-use practices have the potential to bring previously isolated populations of pest insects into new sympatry. This heightens the need to better understand how differing patterns of host-plant association, and unique endosymbionts, serve to promote genetic isolation or integration. We addressed these factors in populations of potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc), a generalist herbivore that vectors a bacterial pathogen (Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, causal pathogen of zebra chip disease) of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Genome-wide SNP data revealed two major genetic clusters-psyllids collected from potato crops were genetically similar to psyllids found on a common weed, Lycium spp., but dissimilar from those found on another common non-crop host, Solanum dulcamara L. Most psyllids found on Lycium spp. and potato represented a single mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) haplotype that has been suggested to not be native to the region, and whose arrival may have been concurrent with zebra chip disease first emerging. The putatively introduced COI haplotype usually co-occurred with endosymbiotic Wolbachia, while the putatively resident COI haplotype generally did not. Genetic intermediates between the two genetic populations of insects were rare, consistent with recent sympatry or reproductive isolation, although admixture patterns of apparent hybrids were consistent with introgression of genes from introduced into resident populations. Our results suggest that both host-plant associations and endosymbionts are shaping the population genetic structure of sympatric psyllid populations associated with different non-crop hosts. It is of future interest to explicitly examine vectorial capacity of the two populations and their potential hybrids, as population structure and hybridization might alter regional vector capacity and disease outbreaks.}, }
@article {pmid33292476, year = {2020}, author = {Banfill, CR and Wilson, ACC and Lu, HL}, title = {Further evidence that mechanisms of host/symbiont integration are dissimilar in the maternal versus embryonic Acyrthosiphon pisum bacteriome.}, journal = {EvoDevo}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {23}, pmid = {33292476}, issn = {2041-9139}, support = {IOS-1121847//National Science Foundation/ ; IOS-1354154//National Science Foundation/ ; 108-2313-B-150-001-MY3//Ministry of Science and Technology/ ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Host/symbiont integration is a signature of evolutionarily ancient, obligate endosymbioses. However, little is known about the cellular and developmental mechanisms of host/symbiont integration at the molecular level. Many insects possess obligate bacterial endosymbionts that provide essential nutrients. To advance understanding of the developmental and metabolic integration of hosts and endosymbionts, we track the localization of a non-essential amino acid transporter, ApNEAAT1, across asexual embryogenesis in the aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Previous work in adult bacteriomes revealed that ApNEAAT1 functions to exchange non-essential amino acids at the A. pisum/Buchnera aphidicola symbiotic interface. Driven by amino acid concentration gradients, ApNEAAT1 moves proline, serine, and alanine from A. pisum to Buchnera and cysteine from Buchnera to A. pisum. Here, we test the hypothesis that ApNEAAT1 is localized to the symbiotic interface during asexual embryogenesis.<br><br>RESULTS: During A. pisum asexual embryogenesis, ApNEAAT1 does not localize to the symbiotic interface. We observed ApNEAAT1 localization to the maternal follicular epithelium, the germline, and, in late-stage embryos, to anterior neural structures and insect immune cells (hemocytes). We predict that ApNEAAT1 provisions non-essential amino acids to developing oocytes and embryos, as well as to the brain and related neural structures. Additionally, ApNEAAT1 may perform roles related to host immunity.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our work provides further evidence that the embryonic and adult bacteriomes of asexual A. pisum are not equivalent. Future research is needed to elucidate the developmental time point at which the bacteriome reaches maturity.}, }
@article {pmid33284808, year = {2020}, author = {Schiefer, A and Hübner, MP and Krome, A and Lämmer, C and Ehrens, A and Aden, T and Koschel, M and Neufeld, H and Chaverra-Muñoz, L and Jansen, R and Kehraus, S and König, GM and Pogorevc, D and Müller, R and Stadler, M and Hüttel, S and Hesterkamp, T and Wagner, K and Pfarr, K and Hoerauf, A}, title = {Corallopyronin A for short-course anti-wolbachial, macrofilaricidal treatment of filarial infections.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {14}, number = {12}, pages = {e0008930}, pmid = {33284808}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Filariasis/*drug therapy/parasitology ; Filaricides/*therapeutic use ; Filarioidea/*drug effects/microbiology ; Lactones/*therapeutic use ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Symbiosis/drug effects ; Wolbachia/*drug effects ; }, abstract = {Current efforts to eliminate the neglected tropical diseases onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, caused by the filarial nematodes Onchocerca volvulus and Wuchereria bancrofti or Brugia spp., respectively, are hampered by lack of a short-course macrofilaricidal-adult-worm killing-treatment. Anti-wolbachial antibiotics, e.g. doxycycline, target the essential Wolbachia endosymbionts of filariae and are a safe prototype adult-worm-sterilizing and macrofilaricidal regimen, in contrast to standard treatments with ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine, which mainly target the microfilariae. However, treatment regimens of 4-5 weeks necessary for doxycycline and contraindications limit its use. Therefore, we tested the preclinical anti-Wolbachia drug candidate Corallopyronin A (CorA) for in vivo efficacy during initial and chronic filarial infections in the Litomosoides sigmodontis rodent model. CorA treatment for 14 days beginning immediately after infection cleared >90% of Wolbachia endosymbionts from filariae and prevented development into adult worms. CorA treatment of patently infected microfilaremic gerbils for 14 days with 30 mg/kg twice a day (BID) achieved a sustained reduction of >99% of Wolbachia endosymbionts from adult filariae and microfilariae, followed by complete inhibition of filarial embryogenesis resulting in clearance of microfilariae. Combined treatment of CorA and albendazole, a drug currently co-administered during mass drug administrations and previously shown to enhance efficacy of anti-Wolbachia drugs, achieved microfilarial clearance after 7 days of treatment at a lower BID dose of 10 mg/kg CorA, a Human Equivalent Dose of 1.4 mg/kg. Importantly, this combination led to a significant reduction in the adult worm burden, which has not yet been published with other anti-Wolbachia candidates tested in this model. In summary, CorA is a preclinical candidate for filariasis, which significantly reduces treatment times required to achieve sustained Wolbachia depletion, clearance of microfilariae, and inhibition of embryogenesis. In combination with albendazole, CorA is robustly macrofilaricidal after 7 days of treatment and fulfills the Target Product Profile for a macrofilaricidal drug.}, }
@article {pmid33277267, year = {2021}, author = {Elston, KM and Perreau, J and Maeda, GP and Moran, NA and Barrick, JE}, title = {Engineering a Culturable Serratia symbiotica Strain for Aphid Paratransgenesis.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {87}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {33277267}, issn = {1098-5336}, abstract = {Aphids are global agricultural pests and important models for bacterial symbiosis. To date, none of the native symbionts of aphids have been genetically manipulated, which limits our understanding of how they interact with their hosts. Serratia symbiotica CWBI-2.3[T] is a culturable, gut-associated bacterium isolated from the black bean aphid. Closely related Serratia symbiotica strains are facultative aphid endosymbionts that are vertically transmitted from mother to offspring during embryogenesis. We demonstrate that CWBI-2.3[T] can be genetically engineered using a variety of techniques, plasmids, and gene expression parts. Then, we use fluorescent protein expression to track the dynamics with which CWBI-2.3[T] colonizes the guts of multiple aphid species, and we measure how this bacterium affects aphid fitness. Finally, we show that we can induce heterologous gene expression from engineered CWBI-2.3[T] in living aphids. These results inform the development of CWBI-2.3[T] for aphid paratransgenesis, which could be used to study aphid biology and enable future agricultural technologies.IMPORTANCE Insects have remarkably diverse and integral roles in global ecosystems. Many harbor symbiotic bacteria, but very few of these bacteria have been genetically engineered. Aphids are major agricultural pests and an important model system for the study of symbiosis. This work describes methods for engineering a culturable aphid symbiont, Serratia symbiotica CWBI-2.3[T] These approaches and genetic tools could be used in the future to implement new paradigms for the biological study and control of aphids.}, }
@article {pmid33275136, year = {2021}, author = {Waneka, G and Vasquez, YM and Bennett, GM and Sloan, DB}, title = {Mutational Pressure Drives Differential Genome Conservation in Two Bacterial Endosymbionts of Sap-Feeding Insects.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {33275136}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {R01 GM118046/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/*genetics ; Betaproteobacteria/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Hemiptera ; Insecta/*microbiology ; *Mutation ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/*genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Compared with free-living bacteria, endosymbionts of sap-feeding insects have tiny and rapidly evolving genomes. Increased genetic drift, high mutation rates, and relaxed selection associated with host control of key cellular functions all likely contribute to genome decay. Phylogenetic comparisons have revealed massive variation in endosymbiont evolutionary rate, but such methods make it difficult to partition the effects of mutation versus selection. For example, the ancestor of Auchenorrhynchan insects contained two obligate endosymbionts, Sulcia and a betaproteobacterium (BetaSymb; called Nasuia in leafhoppers) that exhibit divergent rates of sequence evolution and different propensities for loss and replacement in the ensuing ∼300 Ma. Here, we use the auchenorrhynchan leafhopper Macrosteles sp. nr. severini, which retains both of the ancestral endosymbionts, to test the hypothesis that differences in evolutionary rate are driven by differential mutagenesis. We used a high-fidelity technique known as duplex sequencing to measure and compare low-frequency variants in each endosymbiont. Our direct detection of de novode novo mutations reveals that the rapidly evolving endosymbiont (Nasuia) has a much higher frequency of single-nucleotide variants than the more stable endosymbiont (Sulcia) and a mutation spectrum that is potentially even more AT-biased than implied by the 83.1% AT content of its genome. We show that indels are common in both endosymbionts but differ substantially in length and distribution around repetitive regions. Our results suggest that differences in long-term rates of sequence evolution in Sulcia versus BetaSymb, and perhaps the contrasting degrees of stability of their relationships with the host, are driven by differences in mutagenesis.}, }
@article {pmid33275132, year = {2021}, author = {Nardi, T and Olivieri, E and Kariuki, E and Sassera, D and Castelli, M}, title = {Sequence of a Coxiella Endosymbiont of the Tick Amblyomma nuttalli Suggests a Pattern of Convergent Genome Reduction in the Coxiella Genus.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33275132}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Amblyomma/classification/*genetics/microbiology ; Animals ; Bacteria ; Base Sequence ; Coxiella/*genetics/metabolism ; Female ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Ticks/genetics ; }, abstract = {Ticks require bacterial symbionts for the provision of necessary compounds that are absent in their hematophagous diet. Such symbionts are frequently vertically transmitted and, most commonly, belong to the Coxiella genus, which also includes the human pathogen Coxiella burnetii. This genus can be divided in four main clades, presenting partial but incomplete cocladogenesis with the tick hosts. Here, we report the genome sequence of a novel Coxiella, endosymbiont of the African tick Amblyomma nuttalli, and the ensuing comparative analyses. Its size (∼1 Mb) is intermediate between symbionts of Rhipicephalus species and other Amblyomma species. Phylogenetic analyses show that the novel sequence is the first genome of the B clade, the only one for which no genomes were previously available. Accordingly, it allows to draw an enhanced scenario of the evolution of the genus, one of parallel genome reduction of different endosymbiont lineages, which are now at different stages of reduction from a more versatile ancestor. Gene content comparison allows to infer that the ancestor could be reminiscent of C. burnetii. Interestingly, the convergent loss of mismatch repair could have been a major driver of such reductive evolution. Predicted metabolic profiles are rather homogenous among Coxiella endosymbionts, in particular vitamin biosynthesis, consistently with a host-supportive role. Concurrently, similarities among Coxiella endosymbionts according to host genus and despite phylogenetic unrelatedness hint at possible host-dependent effects.}, }
@article {pmid33263887, year = {2020}, author = {Ye, S and Siemann, E}, title = {Endosymbiont-Mediated Adaptive Responses to Stress in Holobionts.}, journal = {Results and problems in cell differentiation}, volume = {69}, number = {}, pages = {559-580}, pmid = {33263887}, issn = {0080-1844}, mesh = {Adaptation, Biological ; Animals ; Aquatic Organisms/*microbiology ; Bacteria ; Climate Change ; Ecosystem ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Insecta/*microbiology ; Plants/*microbiology ; Stress, Physiological ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiosis is found in all types of ecosystems and it can be sensitive to environmental changes due to the intimate interaction between the endosymbiont and the host. Indeed, global climate change disturbs the local ambient environment and threatens endosymbiotic species, and in some cases leads to local ecosystem collapse. Recent studies have revealed that the endosymbiont can affect holobiont (endosymbiont and host together) stress tolerance as much as the host does, and manipulation of the microbial partners in holobionts may mitigate the impacts of the environmental stress. Here, we first show how the endosymbiont presence affects holobiont stress tolerance by discussing three well-studied endosymbiotic systems, which include plant-fungi, aquatic organism-algae, and insect-bacteria systems. We then review how holobionts are able to alter their stress tolerance via associated endosymbionts by changing their endosymbiont composition, by adaptation of their endosymbionts, or by acclimation of their endosymbionts. Finally, we discuss how different transmission modes (vertical or horizontal transmission) might affect the adaptability of holobionts. We propose that the endosymbiont is a good target for modifying holobiont stress tolerance, which makes it critical to more fully investigate the role of endosymbionts in the adaptive responses of holobionts to stress.}, }
@article {pmid33263872, year = {2020}, author = {Dunn, CD and Somborac, T and Akpınar, BA}, title = {We're in this Together: Sensation of the Host Cell Environment by Endosymbiotic Bacteria.}, journal = {Results and problems in cell differentiation}, volume = {69}, number = {}, pages = {179-197}, pmid = {33263872}, issn = {0080-1844}, mesh = {*Bacteria/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; Cell Communication ; Genome ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacteria inhabit diverse environments, including the inside of eukaryotic cells. While a bacterial invader may initially act as a parasite or pathogen, a subsequent mutualistic relationship can emerge in which the endosymbiotic bacteria and their host share metabolites. While the environment of the host cell provides improved stability when compared to an extracellular environment, the endosymbiont population must still cope with changing conditions, including variable nutrient concentrations, the host cell cycle, host developmental programs, and host genetic variation. Furthermore, the eukaryotic host can deploy mechanisms actively preventing a bacterial return to a pathogenic state. Many endosymbionts are likely to use two-component systems (TCSs) to sense their surroundings, and expanded genomic studies of endosymbionts should reveal how TCSs may promote bacterial integration with a host cell. We suggest that studying TCS maintenance or loss may be informative about the evolutionary pathway taken toward endosymbiosis, or even toward endosymbiont-to-organelle conversion.}, }
@article {pmid33263869, year = {2020}, author = {Sabater-Muñoz, B and Toft, C}, title = {Evolution from Free-Living Bacteria to Endosymbionts of Insects: Genomic Changes and the Importance of the Chaperonin GroEL.}, journal = {Results and problems in cell differentiation}, volume = {69}, number = {}, pages = {77-103}, pmid = {33263869}, issn = {0080-1844}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*genetics ; Bacterial Proteins ; *Biological Evolution ; Chaperonin 60/*genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Insecta/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Major insect lineages have independently acquired bacterial species, mainly from Gamma-proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes class, which could be nutritional mutualistic factories, facultative mutualists that protect against biotic and abiotic stresses, or reproductive manipulators (which alter the fertility of the host species in its benefit). Some of them are enclosed in bacteriocytes to assure their maternal transmission over generations. All of them show an increased level of genetic drift due to the small population size and the continuous population bottlenecking at each generation, processes that have shaped their genome, proteome, and morphology. Depending on the nature of the relationship, the degree of genome plasticity varies, i.e., obligate nutritional mutualistic symbionts have extremely small genomes lacking mobile elements, bacteriophages, or recombination machinery. Under these conditions, endosymbionts face high mutational pressures that may drive to extinction or symbiont replacement. How do then they survive for such long evolutionary time, and why do they show a genome stasis? In this chapter, after a brief introduction to the problem, we will focus on the genome changes suffered by these endosymbionts, and on the mutational robustness mechanisms, including the moonlighting chaperone GroEL that could explain their long prevalence from an evolutionary perspective by comparing them with free-living bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid33260091, year = {2021}, author = {Banović, P and Díaz-Sánchez, AA and Galon, C and Simin, V and Mijatović, D and Obregón, D and Moutailler, S and Cabezas-Cruz, A}, title = {Humans infested with Ixodes ricinus are exposed to a diverse array of tick-borne pathogens in Serbia.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {2}, pages = {101609}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101609}, pmid = {33260091}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Aged ; Animals ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/*microbiology ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Ixodes/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Larva/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Male ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhipicephalus sanguineus/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Serbia ; Tick-Borne Diseases/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) pose a major threat to human health in Europe and the whole northern hemisphere. Despite a high prevalence of TBPs in Ixodes ricinus ticks, knowledge on the incidence of tick-borne diseases in humans infested by this tick species is limited. This study was conducted in the year 2019 on patients who presented themselves to the Pasteur Institute Novi Sad with tick infestations. Ticks (n = 31) feeding on human (n = 30) and blood samples from the same individuals were collected by physicians and a microfluidic real-time high-throughput PCR system was used to test the genomic DNA of the samples for the presence of 27 bacterial and eight parasitic microorganisms in Serbia. Except for one Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. adult male tick, all ticks infesting humans were morphologically identified as I. ricinus. A high proportion of ticks (74 %, 23/31) were infected with at least one of the tested TB microorganisms, being Rickettsia helvetica (54 %, 17/31) the most common pathogen, but Borrelia afzelii (9 %, 3/31), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (6 %, 2/31), Borrelia miyamotoi (6 %, 2/31), and Francisella like-endosymbiont (6 %, 2/31), Borrelia valaisiana (3 %, 1/31), Borrelia lusitaniae (3 %, 1/31), Rickettsia felis (3 %, 1/31) and Rickettsia aeschlimannii (3 %, 1/31) were also identified. Despite the high infection rate of TBPs in ticks, only two human blood samples (6 %, 2/30) tested positive for the presence of TBPs, one patient (code H12, 67 years old female) was diagnosed with Borrelia spp. and the other patient was diagnosed (code H17, 71 years old female) with R. felis infection. The tick infesting patient H12 tested positive for B. afzelii, and R. helvetica and the tick infesting patient H17 tested positive for R. felis. Upon clinical examination, both patients were diagnosed with erythema migrans. No additional discomfort was reported by the patient and no additional pathology was observed by the physician. We concluded that humans bitten by I. ricinus in Serbia are exposed to a diverse array of TBPs with clinical impact in the Serbian cohort studied.}, }
@article {pmid33257562, year = {2020}, author = {Martinson, VG and Gawryluk, RMR and Gowen, BE and Curtis, CI and Jaenike, J and Perlman, SJ}, title = {Multiple origins of obligate nematode and insect symbionts by a clade of bacteria closely related to plant pathogens.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {117}, number = {50}, pages = {31979-31986}, pmid = {33257562}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila/microbiology/*parasitology ; Enterobacteriaceae/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Genomics ; Pectobacterium/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Pseudogenes/genetics ; Rhabditida/microbiology/*physiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Obligate symbioses involving intracellular bacteria have transformed eukaryotic life, from providing aerobic respiration and photosynthesis to enabling colonization of previously inaccessible niches, such as feeding on xylem and phloem, and surviving in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. A major challenge in the study of obligate symbioses is to understand how they arise. Because the best studied obligate symbioses are ancient, it is especially challenging to identify early or intermediate stages. Here we report the discovery of a nascent obligate symbiosis in Howardula aoronymphium, a well-studied nematode parasite of Drosophila flies. We have found that Haoronymphium and its sister species harbor a maternally inherited intracellular bacterial symbiont. We never find the symbiont in nematode-free flies, and virtually all nematodes in the field and the laboratory are infected. Treating nematodes with antibiotics causes a severe reduction in fly infection success. The association is recent, as more distantly related insect-parasitic tylenchid nematodes do not host these endosymbionts. We also report that the Howardula nematode symbiont is a member of a widespread monophyletic group of invertebrate host-associated microbes that has independently given rise to at least four obligate symbioses, one in nematodes and three in insects, and that is sister to Pectobacterium, a lineage of plant pathogenic bacteria. Comparative genomic analysis of this group, which we name Candidatus Symbiopectobacterium, shows signatures of genome erosion characteristic of early stages of symbiosis, with the Howardula symbiont's genome containing over a thousand predicted pseudogenes, comprising a third of its genome.}, }
@article {pmid33248417, year = {2020}, author = {Madhav, M and Baker, D and Morgan, JAT and Asgari, S and James, P}, title = {Wolbachia: A tool for livestock ectoparasite control.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {288}, number = {}, pages = {109297}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109297}, pmid = {33248417}, issn = {1873-2550}, mesh = {Animals ; Camelus/parasitology ; Cattle/parasitology ; Cimicidae/microbiology ; Diptera/microbiology ; Ectoparasitic Infestations/parasitology/prevention &amp; control/*veterinary ; Goats/parasitology ; Horses/parasitology ; *Livestock ; Mites/microbiology ; Phthiraptera/microbiology ; Sheep, Domestic/parasitology ; Siphonaptera/microbiology ; Sus scrofa/parasitology ; Ticks/microbiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Ectoparasites and livestock-associated insects are a major concern throughout the world because of their economic and welfare impacts. Effective control is challenging and relies mainly on the use of chemical insecticides and acaricides. Wolbachia, an arthropod and nematode-infecting, maternally-transmitted endosymbiont is currently of widespread interest for use in novel strategies for the control of a range of arthropod-vectored human diseases and plant pests but to date has received only limited consideration for use in the control of diseases of veterinary concern. Here, we review the currently available information on Wolbachia in veterinary ectoparasites and disease vectors, consider the feasibility for use of Wolbachia in the control of livestock pests and diseases and highlight critical issues which need further investigation.}, }
@article {pmid33244313, year = {2020}, author = {Pan, H and Pierson, LS and Pierson, EA}, title = {PcsR2 Is a LuxR-Type Regulator That Is Upregulated on Wheat Roots and Is Unique to Pseudomonas chlororaphis.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {560124}, pmid = {33244313}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {LuxR solos are common in plant-associated bacteria and increasingly recognized for playing important roles in plant-microbe interkingdom signaling. Unlike the LuxR-type transcriptional regulators of prototype LuxR/LuxI quorum sensing systems, luxR solos do not have a LuxI-type autoinducer synthase gene associated with them. LuxR solos in plant-pathogenic bacteria are important for virulence and in plant endosymbionts contribute to symbiosis. In the present study, we characterized an atypical LuxR solo, PcsR2, in the biological control species Pseudomonas chlororaphis 30-84 that is highly conserved among sequenced P. chlororaphis strains. Unlike most LuxR solos in the plant-associated bacteria characterized to date, pcsR2 is not associated with a proline iminopeptidase gene and the protein has an atypical N-terminal binding domain. We created a pcsR2 deletion mutant and used quantitative RT-PCR to show that the expression of pcsR2 and genes in the operon immediately downstream was upregulated ∼10-fold when the wild type strain was grown on wheat roots compared to planktonic culture. PcsR2 was involved in upregulation. Using a GFP transcriptional reporter, we found that expression of pcsR2 responded specifically to root-derived substrates as compared to leaf-derived substrates but not to endogenous AHLs. Compared to the wild type, the mutant was impaired in the ability to utilize root carbon and nitrogen sources in wheat root macerate and to colonize wheat roots. Phenazine production and most biofilm traits previously shown to be correlated with phenazine production also were diminished in the mutant. Gene expression of several of the proteins in the phenazine regulatory network including PhzR, Pip (phenazine inducing protein) and RpeA/RpeB were reduced in the mutant, and overexpression of these genes in trans restored phenazine production in the mutant to wild-type levels, indicating PcsR2 affects the activity of the these regulatory genes upstream of RpeA/RpeB via an undetermined mechanism. Our results indicate PcsR2 upregulates the expression of the adjacent operon in response to unknown wheat root-derived signals and belongs to a novel subfamily of LuxR-type transcriptional regulators found in sequenced P. chlororaphis strains.}, }
@article {pmid33240234, year = {2020}, author = {Momtaz, AZ and Ahumada Sabagh, AD and Gonzalez Amortegui, JG and Salazar, SA and Finessi, A and Hernandez, J and Christensen, S and Serbus, LR}, title = {A Role for Maternal Factors in Suppressing Cytoplasmic Incompatibility.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {576844}, pmid = {33240234}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Wolbachia are maternally transmitted bacterial endosymbionts, carried by approximately half of all insect species. Wolbachia prevalence in nature stems from manipulation of host reproduction to favor the success of infected females. The best known reproductive modification induced by Wolbachia is referred to as sperm-egg Cytoplasmic Incompatibility (CI). In CI, the sperm of Wolbachia-infected males cause embryonic lethality, attributed to paternal chromatin segregation defects during early mitotic divisions. Remarkably, the embryos of Wolbachia-infected females "rescue" CI lethality, yielding egg hatch rates equivalent to uninfected female crosses. Several models have been discussed as the basis for Rescue, and functional evidence indicates a major contribution by Wolbachia CI factors. A role for host contributions to Rescue remains largely untested. In this study, we used a chemical feeding approach to test for CI suppression capabilities by Drosophila simulans. We found that uninfected females exhibited significantly higher CI egg hatch rates in response to seven chemical treatments that affect DNA integrity, cell cycle control, and protein turnover. Three of these treatments suppressed CI induced by endogenous wRi Wolbachia, as well as an ectopic wMel Wolbachia infection. The results implicate DNA integrity as a focal aspect of CI suppression for different Wolbachia strains. The framework presented here, applied to diverse CI models, will further enrich our understanding of host reproductive manipulation by insect endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid33237151, year = {2020}, author = {Pimentel, AC and Beraldo, CS and Cogni, R}, title = {Host-shift as the cause of emerging infectious diseases: Experimental approaches using Drosophila-virus interactions.}, journal = {Genetics and molecular biology}, volume = {44}, number = {1 Suppl 1}, pages = {e20200197}, pmid = {33237151}, issn = {1415-4757}, abstract = {Host shifts, when a cross-species transmission of a pathogen can lead to successful infections, are the main cause of emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. A complex challenge faced by the scientific community is to address the factors that determine whether the cross-species transmissions will result in spillover or sustained onwards infections. Here we review recent literature and present a perspective on current approaches we are using to understand the mechanisms underlying host shifts. We highlight the usefulness of the interactions between Drosophila species and viruses as an ideal study model. Additionally, we discuss how cross-infection experiments - when pathogens from a natural reservoir are intentionally injected in novel host species- can test the effect cross-species transmissions may have on the fitness of virus and host, and how the host phylogeny may influence this response. We also discuss experiments evaluating how cooccurrence with other viruses or the presence of the endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia may affect the performance of new viruses in a novel host. Finally, we discuss the need of surveys of virus diversity in natural populations using next-generation sequencing technologies. In the long term, these approaches can contribute to a better understanding of the basic biology of host shifts.}, }
@article {pmid33224901, year = {2020}, author = {Govender, Y and Chan, T and Yamamoto, HS and Budnik, B and Fichorova, RN}, title = {The Role of Small Extracellular Vesicles in Viral-Protozoan Symbiosis: Lessons From Trichomonasvirus in an Isogenic Host Parasite Model.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {591172}, pmid = {33224901}, issn = {2235-2988}, support = {R56 AI091889/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; RC1 AI086788/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Extracellular Vesicles ; Female ; Humans ; *Parasites ; Symbiosis ; *Totiviridae ; *Trichomonas vaginalis ; }, abstract = {The protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), exclusively adapted to the human genital tract, is one of the most common sexually transmitted pathogens. Adding to the complexity of the host-pathogen interactions, the parasite harbors TV-specific endosymbiont viruses (Trichomonasvirus, TVV). It was reported that small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) released by TV play a role in host immunity; however, the role of the viral endosymbiosis in this process remained unknown. We hypothesized that the virus may offer evolutionary benefit to its protozoan host at least in part by altering the immunomodulatory properties of sEVs spreading from the site of infection to non-infected immune effector cells. We infected human vaginal epithelial cells, the natural host of the parasite, with TV natively harboring TVV and an isogenic derivative of the parasite cured from the viral infection. sEVs were isolated from vaginal cell culture 24 h post TV infection and from medium where the isogenic TV strains were cultured in the absence of the human host. sEVs from TVV-negative but not TVV-positive parasites cultured alone caused NF-κB activation and increase of IL-8 and RANTES expression by uterine endocervical cells, which provide innate immune defense at the gate to the upper reproductive tract. Similarly, mononuclear leukocytes increased their IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-α output in response to sEVs from virus-negative, but not isogenic virus-positive parasites, the latter exosomes being immunosuppressive in comparison to TV medium control. The same phenomenon of suppressed immunity induced by the TVV-positive compared to TVV-negative phenotype was seen when stimulating the leukocytes with sEVs originating from infected vaginal cultures. In addition, the sEVs from the TVV-positive infection phenotype suppressed immune signaling of a toll-like receptor ligand derived from mycoplasma, another frequent TV symbiont. Quantitative comparative proteome analysis of the secreted sEVs from virus-positive versus virus-negative TV revealed differential expression of two functionally uncharacterized proteins and five proteins involved in Zn binding, protein binding, electron transfer, transferase and catalytic activities. These data support the concept that symbiosis with viruses may provide benefit to the protozoan parasite by exploiting sEVs as a vehicle for inter-cellular communications and modifying their protein cargo to suppress host immune activation.}, }
@article {pmid33222623, year = {2022}, author = {Amala, M and Richard, M and Saritha, P and Prabhu, D and Veerapandiyan, M and Surekha, K and Jeyakanthan, J}, title = {Molecular evolution, binding site interpretation and functional divergence of aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase.}, journal = {Journal of biomolecular structure &amp; dynamics}, volume = {40}, number = {7}, pages = {3223-3241}, doi = {10.1080/07391102.2020.1846619}, pmid = {33222623}, issn = {1538-0254}, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; *Aspartate-Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase/chemistry/genetics ; Binding Sites ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Aspartate Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase (ASDH) is an important enzyme essential for the viability of pathogenic microorganisms. ASDH is mainly involved in amino acid and cell wall biosynthesis of microorganisms, hence it is considered to be a promising target for drug design. This enzyme depicts similar mechanistic function in all microorganisms; although, the kinetic efficiency of an enzyme differs according to their active site residual composition. Therefore, understanding the residual variation and kinetic efficiency of the enzyme would pave new insights in structure-based drug discovery and a novel drug molecule against ASDH. Here, ASDH from Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi is used as a prime enzyme to execute evolutionary studies. The phylogenetic analysis was opted to classify 400 sequences of ASDH enzymes based on their structure and electrostatic surfaces. Analysis resulted in 37 monophyletic clades of diverse pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms. The representative structures of 37 ASDHs from different clades were further deciphered to structural homologues. These enzymes exhibited presence of more positively charged surfaces than negatively charged surfaces in the active site pocket which restrains evolutionary significance. Docking studies of NADP[+] with 37 enzymes reveals that site-specific residual variation in the active site pocket modulates the binding affinity (ranges of -13 to -9 kcal/mol). Type-I and Type-II divergence studies show, no significant functional divergence among ASDH, but residual changes were found among the enzyme that modulates the biochemical characteristics and catalytic efficiency. The present study not only explores residual alteration and catalytic variability, it also aids in the design of species-specific inhibitors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.}, }
@article {pmid33222325, year = {2021}, author = {Grottoli, AG and Toonen, RJ and van Woesik, R and Vega Thurber, R and Warner, ME and McLachlan, RH and Price, JT and Bahr, KD and Baums, IB and Castillo, KD and Coffroth, MA and Cunning, R and Dobson, KL and Donahue, MJ and Hench, JL and Iglesias-Prieto, R and Kemp, DW and Kenkel, CD and Kline, DI and Kuffner, IB and Matthews, JL and Mayfield, AB and Padilla-Gamiño, JL and Palumbi, S and Voolstra, CR and Weis, VM and Wu, HC}, title = {Increasing comparability among coral bleaching experiments.}, journal = {Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America}, volume = {31}, number = {4}, pages = {e02262}, pmid = {33222325}, issn = {1939-5582}, support = {NSF-1838667//National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {Coral bleaching is the single largest global threat to coral reefs worldwide. Integrating the diverse body of work on coral bleaching is critical to understanding and combating this global problem. Yet investigating the drivers, patterns, and processes of coral bleaching poses a major challenge. A recent review of published experiments revealed a wide range of experimental variables used across studies. Such a wide range of approaches enhances discovery, but without full transparency in the experimental and analytical methods used, can also make comparisons among studies challenging. To increase comparability but not stifle innovation, we propose a common framework for coral bleaching experiments that includes consideration of coral provenance, experimental conditions, and husbandry. For example, reporting the number of genets used, collection site conditions, the experimental temperature offset(s) from the maximum monthly mean (MMM) of the collection site, experimental light conditions, flow, and the feeding regime will greatly facilitate comparability across studies. Similarly, quantifying common response variables of endosymbiont (Symbiodiniaceae) and holobiont phenotypes (i.e., color, chlorophyll, endosymbiont cell density, mortality, and skeletal growth) could further facilitate cross-study comparisons. While no single bleaching experiment can provide the data necessary to determine global coral responses of all corals to current and future ocean warming, linking studies through a common framework as outlined here, would help increase comparability among experiments, facilitate synthetic insights into the causes and underlying mechanisms of coral bleaching, and reveal unique bleaching responses among genets, species, and regions. Such a collaborative framework that fosters transparency in methods used would strengthen comparisons among studies that can help inform coral reef management and facilitate conservation strategies to mitigate coral bleaching worldwide.}, }
@article {pmid33219271, year = {2020}, author = {Serra, V and Gammuto, L and Nitla, V and Castelli, M and Lanzoni, O and Sassera, D and Bandi, C and Sandeep, BV and Verni, F and Modeo, L and Petroni, G}, title = {Morphology, ultrastructure, genomics, and phylogeny of Euplotes vanleeuwenhoeki sp. nov. and its ultra-reduced endosymbiont "Candidatus Pinguicoccus supinus" sp. nov.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {20311}, pmid = {33219271}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Computational Biology ; DNA, Bacterial/isolation &amp; purification ; Euplotes/*classification/genetics/microbiology/ultrastructure ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; *Terminology as Topic ; Verrucomicrobia/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Taxonomy is the science of defining and naming groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics and, more recently, on evolutionary relationships. With the birth of novel genomics/bioinformatics techniques and the increasing interest in microbiome studies, a further advance of taxonomic discipline appears not only possible but highly desirable. The present work proposes a new approach to modern taxonomy, consisting in the inclusion of novel descriptors in the organism characterization: (1) the presence of associated microorganisms (e.g.: symbionts, microbiome), (2) the mitochondrial genome of the host, (3) the symbiont genome. This approach aims to provide a deeper comprehension of the evolutionary/ecological dimensions of organisms since their very first description. Particularly interesting, are those complexes formed by the host plus associated microorganisms, that in the present study we refer to as "holobionts". We illustrate this approach through the description of the ciliate Euplotes vanleeuwenhoeki sp. nov. and its bacterial endosymbiont "Candidatus Pinguicoccus supinus" gen. nov., sp. nov. The endosymbiont possesses an extremely reduced genome (~ 163 kbp); intriguingly, this suggests a high integration between host and symbiont.}, }
@article {pmid33216144, year = {2021}, author = {Cormier, A and Chebbi, MA and Giraud, I and Wattier, R and Teixeira, M and Gilbert, C and Rigaud, T and Cordaux, R}, title = {Comparative Genomics of Strictly Vertically Transmitted, Feminizing Microsporidia Endosymbionts of Amphipod Crustaceans.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {33216144}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Amphipoda/*genetics ; Animals ; Female ; Feminization/*genetics/parasitology ; *Genomics ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Male ; Microsporidia/*genetics ; Nosema ; Phylogeny ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Microsporidia are obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites of vertebrates and invertebrates. Microsporidia are usually pathogenic and undergo horizontal transmission or a mix of horizontal and vertical transmission. However, cases of nonpathogenic microsporidia, strictly vertically transmitted from mother to offspring, have been reported in amphipod crustaceans. Some of them further evolved the ability to feminize their nontransmitting male hosts into transmitting females. However, our understanding of the evolution of feminization in microsporidia is hindered by a lack of genomic resources. We report the sequencing and analysis of three strictly vertically transmitted microsporidia species for which feminization induction has been demonstrated (Nosema granulosis) or is strongly suspected (Dictyocoela muelleri and Dictyocoela roeselum), along with a draft genome assembly of their host Gammarus roeselii. Contrary to horizontally transmitted microsporidia that form environmental spores that can be purified, feminizing microsporidia cannot be easily isolated from their host cells. Therefore, we cosequenced symbiont and host genomic DNA and devised a computational strategy to obtain genome assemblies for the different partners. Genomic comparison with feminizing Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts of isopod crustaceans indicated independent evolution of feminization in microsporidia and Wolbachia at the molecular genetic level. Feminization thus represents a remarkable evolutionary convergence of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms. Furthermore, a comparative genomics analysis of microsporidia allowed us to identify several candidate genes for feminization, involving functions such as DNA binding and membrane fusion. The genomic resources we generated contribute to establish Gammarus roeselii and its microsporidia symbionts as a new model to study the evolution of symbiont-mediated feminization.}, }
@article {pmid33207056, year = {2020}, author = {Lefcort, H and Tsybulnik, DY and Browning, RJ and Eagle, HP and Eggleston, TE and Magori, K and Andrade, CC}, title = {Behavioral characteristics and endosymbionts of two potential tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever tick vectors.}, journal = {Journal of vector ecology : journal of the Society for Vector Ecology}, volume = {45}, number = {2}, pages = {321-332}, doi = {10.1111/jvec.12403}, pmid = {33207056}, issn = {1948-7134}, mesh = {Animals ; Arachnid Vectors/microbiology/*physiology ; *Behavior, Animal ; Dermacentor/microbiology/*physiology ; Female ; Francisella/*isolation &amp; purification ; Male ; Rickettsia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever/transmission ; Symbiosis ; Tularemia/transmission ; Washington ; }, abstract = {Due to climate change-induced alterations of temperature and humidity, the distribution of pathogen-carrying organisms such as ticks may shift. Tick survival is often limited by environmental factors such as dryness, but a predicted hotter and wetter world may allow the expansion of tick ranges. Dermacentor andersoni and D. variabilis ticks are morphologically similar, co-occur throughout the Inland Northwest of Washington State, U.S.A., and both can be injected with pathogenic Rickettsia and Francisella bacteria. Differences in behavior and the potential role of endosymbiotic Rickettsia and Francisella in these ticks are poorly studied. We wanted to measure behavioral and ecological differences between the two species and determine which, if any, Rickettsia and Francisella bacteria - pathogenic or endosymbiotic - they carried. Additionally, we wanted to determine if either tick species may be selected for if the climate in eastern Washington becomes wetter or dryer. We found that D. andersoni is more resistant to desiccation, but both species share similar questing behaviors such as climbing and attraction to bright light. Both also avoid the odor of eucalyptus and DEET but not permethrin. Although both tick species are capable of transmitting pathogenic species of Francisella and Rickettsia, which cause tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, respectively, we found primarily non-pathogenic endosymbiotic strains of Francisella and Rickettsia, and only one tick infected with F. tularensis subspecies holarctica.}, }
@article {pmid33202505, year = {2020}, author = {Lee, S and Kim, JY and Yi, MH and Lee, IY and Lee, WJ and Moon, HS and Yong, D and Yong, TS}, title = {Comparative Microbiome Analysis of Three Species of Laboratory-Reared Periplaneta Cockroaches.}, journal = {The Korean journal of parasitology}, volume = {58}, number = {5}, pages = {537-542}, pmid = {33202505}, issn = {1738-0006}, support = {2019R1A2B5B01069843//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; 2020R1I1A2074562//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; //Ministry of Education, Science and Technology/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Ecosystem ; Environment ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; *Laboratories ; Male ; *Microbiota ; Periplaneta/classification/*microbiology ; Species Specificity ; }, abstract = {Cockroaches inhabit various habitats, which will influence their microbiome. Although the microbiome can be influenced by the diet and environmental factors, it can also differ between species. Therefore, we conducted 16S rDNAtargeted high-throughput sequencing to evaluate the overall bacterial composition of the microbiomes of 3 cockroach species, Periplaneta americana, P. japonica, and P. fuliginosa, raised in laboratory for several generations under the same conditions. The experiments were conducted using male adult cockroaches. The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was not significantly different among the 3 species. With regard to the Shannon and Pielou indexes, higher microbiome values were noted in P. americana than in P. japonica and P. fuliginosa. Microbiome composition was also evaluated, with endosymbionts accounting for over half of all OTUs in P. japonica and P. fuliginosa. Beta diversity analysis further showed that P. japonica and P. fuliginosa had similar microbiome composition, which differed from that of P. americana. However, we also identified that P. japonica and P. fuliginosa host distinct OTUs. Thus, although microbiome compositions may vary based on multiple conditions, it is possible to identify distinct microbiome compositions among different Periplaneta cockroach species, even when the individuals are reared under the same conditions.}, }
@article {pmid33198339, year = {2020}, author = {Mubarik, MS and Khan, SH and Ahmad, A and Raza, A and Khan, Z and Sajjad, M and Sammour, RHA and Mustafa, AEMA and Al-Ghamdi, AA and Alajmi, AH and Alshamasi, FKI and Elshikh, MS}, title = {Controlling Geminiviruses before Transmission: Prospects.}, journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {9}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {33198339}, issn = {2223-7747}, abstract = {Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)-transmitted Geminiviruses cause serious diseases of crop plants in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Plants, animals, and their microbial symbionts have evolved complex ways to interact with each other that impact their life cycles. Blocking virus transmission by altering the biology of vector species, such as the whitefly, can be a potential approach to manage these devastating diseases. Virus transmission by insect vectors to plant hosts often involves bacterial endosymbionts. Molecular chaperonins of bacterial endosymbionts bind with virus particles and have a key role in the transmission of Geminiviruses. Hence, devising new approaches to obstruct virus transmission by manipulating bacterial endosymbionts before infection opens new avenues for viral disease control. The exploitation of bacterial endosymbiont within the insect vector would disrupt interactions among viruses, insects, and their bacterial endosymbionts. The study of this cooperating web could potentially decrease virus transmission and possibly represent an effective solution to control viral diseases in crop plants.}, }
@article {pmid33196908, year = {2021}, author = {Chao, LL and Castillo, CT and Shih, CM}, title = {Molecular detection and genetic identification of Wolbachia endosymbiont in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks of Taiwan.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {83}, number = {1}, pages = {115-130}, pmid = {33196908}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {MOST 108-2314-B-037-063//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Ixodidae ; Male ; Phylogeny ; *Rhipicephalus sanguineus ; Taiwan ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The genetic identity of Wolbachia endosymbiont in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks was determined for the first time in Taiwan. In total 1004 Rh. sanguineus ticks were examined for Wolbachia by polymerase chain reaction assay targeting the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene. The prevalence of Wolbachia infection was detected in nymphs, females, and males with an infection rate of 55.8, 39.8, and 44%, respectively. The phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the sequences of wsp gene obtained from 60 strains of Wolbachia representing 11 strains of supergroup A and 10 strains of supergroup B. In general, seven major clades of supergroup A and six major clades of supergroup B can be easily distinguished by neighbour-joining analysis and were congruent by maximum likelihood method. All these Wolbachia strains of Taiwan were genetically affiliated to supergroups A and B with high sequence similarity of 98.3-100% and 98.6-100%, respectively. Intra- and inter-group analysis based on the genetic distance (GD) values indicated a lower level (GD < 0.017) within the group A strains of Taiwan compared with the group B (GD > 0.576) of other Wolbachia strains, as well as a lower level (GD < 0.062) within the group B strains of Taiwan compared with the group A (GD > 0.246) of other Wolbachia strains. Our results provide the first genetic identification of Wolbachia endosymbiont in Rh. sanguineus ticks collected from Taiwan, and detection of Wolbachia in male and nymphal ticks may imply the possible mechanism of transstadial transmission in Rh. sanguineus ticks.}, }
@article {pmid33196140, year = {2021}, author = {Brzechffa, C and Goffredi, SK}, title = {Contrasting influences on bacterial symbiont specificity by co-occurring deep-sea mussels and tubeworms.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, pages = {104-111}, doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.12909}, pmid = {33196140}, issn = {1758-2229}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Bivalvia/microbiology ; Methane ; *Polychaeta/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Relationships fueled by sulfide between deep-sea invertebrates and bacterial symbionts are well known, yet the diverse overlapping factors influencing symbiont specificity are complex. For animals that obtain their symbionts from the environment, both host identity and geographic location can impact the ultimate symbiont partner. Bacterial symbionts were analysed for three co-occurring species each of Bathymodiolus mussels and vestimentiferan tubeworms, from three deep methane seeps off the west coast of Costa Rica. The bacterial internal transcribed spacer gene was analysed via direct and barcoded amplicon sequencing to reveal fine-scale symbiont diversity. Each of the three mussel species (B. earlougheri, B. billschneideri and B. nancyschneideri) hosted genetically distinct thiotrophic endosymbionts, despite living nearly side-by-side in their habitat, suggesting that host identity is crucial in driving symbiont specificity. The dominant thiotrophic symbiont of co-occurring tubeworms Escarpia spicata and Lamellibrachia (L. barhami and L. donwalshi), on the other hand, was identical regardless of host species or sample location, suggesting lack of influence by either factor on symbiont selectivity in this group of animals. These findings highlight the specific, yet distinct, influences on the environmental acquisition of symbionts in two foundational invertebrates with similar lifestyles, and provide a rapid, precise method of examining symbiont identities.}, }
@article {pmid33193996, year = {2020}, author = {Maire, J and Chouaia, B and Zaidman-Rémy, A and Heddi, A}, title = {Endosymbiosis morphological reorganization during metamorphosis diverges in weevils.}, journal = {Communicative &amp; integrative biology}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {184-188}, pmid = {33193996}, issn = {1942-0889}, abstract = {Virtually all animals associate with beneficial symbiotic bacteria. Whether and how these associations are modulated across a host's lifecycle is an important question in disentangling animal-bacteria interactions. We recently reported a case of complete morphological reorganization of symbiosis during metamorphosis of the cereal weevil, Sitophilus oryzae. In this model, the bacteriome, a specialized organ that houses the intracellular bacterium Sodalis pierantonius, undergoes a two-phase remodeling program synchronously driven by host and endosymbiont, resulting in a localization shift and the formation of multiple new bacteriomes. Here, we provide comparative data in a closely-related coleopteran, the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, which is associated with the ancestral endosymbiont Nardonella. Using cell imaging experiments, we show that the red pal weevil bacteriome remains unchanged during metamorphosis, hence contrasting with what we reported in the cereal weevil S. oryzae. These findings highlight the complexity and divergence of host-symbiont interactions and their intertwining with host development, even in closely-related species. Abbreviations: DAPI: 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; FISH: Fluorescence in situ hybridization; T3SS: Type III secretion system.}, }
@article {pmid33193249, year = {2020}, author = {Hirota, B and Meng, XY and Fukatsu, T}, title = {Bacteriome-Associated Endosymbiotic Bacteria of Nosodendron Tree Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nosodendridae).}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {588841}, pmid = {33193249}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The family Nosodendridae is a small group of tree sap beetles with only 91 described species representing three genera from the world. In 1930s, bacteria-harboring symbiotic organs, called bacteriomes, were briefly described in a European species Nosodendron fasciculare. Since then, however, no studies have been conducted on the nosodendrid endosymbiosis for decades. Here we investigated the bacteriomes and the endosymbiotic bacteria of Nosodendron coenosum and Nosodendron asiaticum using molecular phylogenetic and histological approaches. In adults and larvae, a pair of slender bacteriomes were found along both sides of the midgut. The bacteriomes consisted of large bacteriocytes at the center and flat sheath cells on the surface. Fluorescence in situ hybridization detected preferential localization of the endosymbiotic bacteria in the cytoplasm of the bacteriocytes. In reproductive adult females, the endosymbiotic bacteria were also detected at the infection zone in the ovarioles and on the surface of growing oocytes, indicating vertical symbiont transmission via ovarial passage. Transmission electron microscopy unveiled bizarre structural features of the bacteriocytes, whose cytoplasm exhibited degenerate cytology with deformed endosymbiont cells. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the nosodendrid endosymbionts formed a distinct clade in the Bacteroidetes. The nosodendrid endosymbionts were the most closely related to the bacteriome endosymbionts of bostrichid powderpost beetles and also allied to the bacteriome endosymbionts of silvanid grain beetles, uncovering an unexpected endosymbiont relationship across the unrelated beetle families Nosodendridae, Bostrichidae and Silvanidae. Host-symbiont co-evolution and presumable biological roles of the endosymbiotic bacteria are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid33193196, year = {2020}, author = {Cano, I and Ryder, D and Webb, SC and Jones, BJ and Brosnahan, CL and Carrasco, N and Bodinier, B and Furones, D and Pretto, T and Carella, F and Chollet, B and Arzul, I and Cheslett, D and Collins, E and Lohrmann, KB and Valdivia, AL and Ward, G and Carballal, MJ and Villalba, A and Marigómez, I and Mortensen, S and Christison, K and Kevin, WC and Bustos, E and Christie, L and Green, M and Feist, SW}, title = {Cosmopolitan Distribution of Endozoicomonas-Like Organisms and Other Intracellular Microcolonies of Bacteria Causing Infection in Marine Mollusks.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {577481}, pmid = {33193196}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Intracellular microcolonies of bacteria (IMC), in some cases developing large extracellular cysts (bacterial aggregates), infecting primarily gill and digestive gland, have been historically reported in a wide diversity of economically important mollusk species worldwide, sometimes associated with severe lesions and mass mortality events. As an effort to characterize those organisms, traditionally named as Rickettsia or Chlamydia-like organisms, 1950 specimens comprising 22 mollusk species were collected over 10 countries and after histology examination, a selection of 99 samples involving 20 species were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed Endozoicomonadaceae sequences in all the mollusk species analyzed. Geographical differences in the distribution of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) and a particular OTU associated with pathology in king scallop (OTU_2) were observed. The presence of Endozoicomonadaceae sequences in the IMC was visually confirmed by in situ hybridization (ISH) in eight selected samples. Sequencing data also indicated other symbiotic bacteria. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis of those OTUs revealed a novel microbial diversity associated with molluskan IMC infection distributed among different taxa, including the phylum Spirochetes, the families Anaplasmataceae and Simkaniaceae, the genera Mycoplasma and Francisella, and sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts. Sequences like Francisella halioticida/philomiragia and Candidatus Brownia rhizoecola were also obtained, however, in the absence of ISH studies, the association between those organisms and the IMCs were not confirmed. The sequences identified in this study will allow for further molecular characterization of the microbial community associated with IMC infection in marine mollusks and their correlation with severity of the lesions to clarify their role as endosymbionts, commensals or true pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid33188003, year = {2021}, author = {Oliver, JD and Price, LD and Burkhardt, NY and Heu, CC and Khoo, BS and Thorpe, CJ and Kurtti, TJ and Munderloh, UG}, title = {Growth Dynamics and Antibiotic Elimination of Symbiotic Rickettsia buchneri in the Tick Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae).}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {87}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {33188003}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {R01 AI049424/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI081690/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Ciprofloxacin/*pharmacology ; Female ; Genes, Bacterial ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Rickettsia/*drug effects/genetics/growth &amp; development ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Rickettsia buchneri is the principal symbiotic bacterium of the medically significant tick Ixodes scapularis This species has been detected primarily in the ovaries of adult female ticks and is vertically transmitted, but its tissue tropism in other life stages and function with regard to tick physiology is unknown. In order to determine the function of R. buchneri, it may be necessary to produce ticks free from this symbiont. We quantified the growth dynamics of R. buchneri naturally occurring in I. scapularis ticks throughout their life cycle and compared it with bacterial growth in ticks in which symbiont numbers were experimentally reduced or eliminated. To eliminate the bacteria, we exposed ticks to antibiotics through injection and artificial membrane feeding. Both injection and membrane feeding of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin were effective at eliminating R. buchneri from most offspring of exposed females. Because of its effectiveness and ease of use, we have determined that injection of ciprofloxacin into engorged female ticks is an efficient means of clearing R. buchneri from the majority of progeny.IMPORTANCE This paper describes the growth of symbiotic Rickettsia buchneri within Ixodes scapularis through the life cycle of the tick and provides methods to eliminate R. buchneri from I. scapularis ticks.}, }
@article {pmid33182634, year = {2020}, author = {Andreason, SA and Shelby, EA and Moss, JB and Moore, PJ and Moore, AJ and Simmons, AM}, title = {Whitefly Endosymbionts: Biology, Evolution, and Plant Virus Interactions.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {33182634}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {6080-22000-027-02O//U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; }, abstract = {Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are sap-feeding global agricultural pests. These piercing-sucking insects have coevolved with intracellular endosymbiotic bacteria that help to supplement their nutrient-poor plant sap diets with essential amino acids and carotenoids. These obligate, primary endosymbionts have been incorporated into specialized organs called bacteriomes where they sometimes coexist with facultative, secondary endosymbionts. All whitefly species harbor the primary endosymbiont Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum and have a variable number of secondary endosymbionts. The secondary endosymbiont complement harbored by the cryptic whitefly species Bemisia tabaci is particularly complex with various assemblages of seven different genera identified to date. In this review, we discuss whitefly associated primary and secondary endosymbionts. We focus on those associated with the notorious B. tabaci species complex with emphasis on their biological characteristics and diversity. We also discuss their interactions with phytopathogenic begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae), which are transmitted exclusively by B. tabaci in a persistent-circulative manner. Unraveling the complex interactions of these endosymbionts with their insect hosts and plant viruses could lead to advancements in whitefly and whitefly transmitted virus management.}, }
@article {pmid33177190, year = {2020}, author = {Masson, F and Lemaitre, B}, title = {Growing Ungrowable Bacteria: Overview and Perspectives on Insect Symbiont Culturability.}, journal = {Microbiology and molecular biology reviews : MMBR}, volume = {84}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {33177190}, issn = {1098-5557}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*genetics/*growth &amp; development ; *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Bacteriological Techniques ; Biological Evolution ; Coculture Techniques ; Culture Media ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Insecta/*microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Insects are often involved in endosymbiosis, that is, the housing of symbiotic microbes within their tissues or within their cells. Endosymbionts are a major driving force in insects' evolution, because they dramatically affect their host physiology and allow them to adapt to new niches, for example, by complementing their diet or by protecting them against pathogens. Endosymbiotic bacteria are, however, fastidious and therefore difficult to manipulate outside of their hosts, especially intracellular species. The coevolution between hosts and endosymbionts leads to alterations in the genomes of endosymbionts, limiting their ability to cope with changing environments. Consequently, few insect endosymbionts are culturable in vitro and genetically tractable, making functional genetics studies impracticable on most endosymbiotic bacteria. However, recently, major progress has been made in manipulating several intracellular endosymbiont species in vitro, leading to astonishing discoveries on their physiology and the way they interact with their host. This review establishes a comprehensive picture of the in vitro tractability of insect endosymbiotic bacteria and addresses the reason why most species are not culturable. By compiling and discussing the latest developments in the design of custom media and genetic manipulation protocols, it aims at providing new leads to expand the range of tractable endosymbionts and foster genetic research on these models.}, }
@article {pmid33161541, year = {2021}, author = {Dumack, K and Bonkowski, M}, title = {Protists in the Plant Microbiome: An Untapped Field of Research.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {2232}, number = {}, pages = {77-84}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-0716-1040-4_8}, pmid = {33161541}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Classification/*methods ; Microbiota/*genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Diseases/*genetics/microbiology ; Plant Leaves/genetics/microbiology ; Plant Roots/genetics/microbiology ; Plants/genetics/*microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Rhizosphere ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {Protists are mostly unicellular eukaryotes. Some protists are beneficial for plants, while others live as endosymbionts and can cause severe plant diseases. More detailed studies on plant-protist interactions exist only for plant pathogens and parasites. A number of protists live as inconspicuous endophytes and cause no visible disease symptoms, while others appear closely associated with the rhizosphere or phyllosphere of plants, but we still have only a vague understanding on their identities and functions. Here, we provide a protocol on how to assess the plant-associated protist community via Illumina-sequencing of ribosomal marker-amplicons and describe how to assign taxonomic affiliation to the obtained sequences.}, }
@article {pmid33160070, year = {2020}, author = {Varotto-Boccazzi, I and Epis, S and Arnoldi, I and Corbett, Y and Gabrieli, P and Paroni, M and Nodari, R and Basilico, N and Sacchi, L and Gramiccia, M and Gradoni, L and Tranquillo, V and Bandi, C}, title = {Boosting immunity to treat parasitic infections: Asaia bacteria expressing a protein from Wolbachia determine M1 macrophage activation and killing of Leishmania protozoans.}, journal = {Pharmacological research}, volume = {161}, number = {}, pages = {105288}, doi = {10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105288}, pmid = {33160070}, issn = {1096-1186}, mesh = {Acetobacteraceae/genetics/*immunology/metabolism ; Animals ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics/*immunology/metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cytokines/metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; *Immunity, Innate ; Leishmania infantum/growth &amp; development/*immunology/ultrastructure ; Leishmaniasis Vaccines/genetics/*immunology/metabolism ; *Macrophage Activation ; Macrophages/immunology/metabolism/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism ; Phagocytosis ; Phenotype ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Vaccines, DNA/immunology ; }, abstract = {Leishmaniases are severe vector-borne diseases affecting humans and animals, caused by Leishmania protozoans. Over one billion people and millions of dogs live in endemic areas for leishmaniases and are at risk of infection. Immune polarization plays a major role in determining the outcome of Leishmania infections: hosts displaying M1-polarized macrophages are protected, while those biased on the M2 side acquire a chronic infection that could develop into a deadly disease. The identification of the factors involved in M1 polarization is essential for the design of therapeutic and prophylactic interventions, including vaccines. Infection by the filarial nematode Dirofilaria immitis could be one of the factors that interfere with leishmaniasis in dogs. Indeed, filarial nematodes induce a partial skew of the immune response towards M1, likely caused by their bacterial endosymbionts, Wolbachia. Here we have examined the potential of Asaia[WSP], a bacterium engineered for the expression of the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP), as an inductor of M1 macrophage activation and Leishmania killing. Macrophages stimulated with Asaia[WSP] displayed a strong leishmanicidal activity, comparable to that determined by the choice-drug amphotericin B. Additionally, Asaia[WSP] determined the expression of markers of classical macrophage activation, including M1 cytokines, ROS and NO, and an increase in phagocytosis activity. Asaia not expressing WSP also induced macrophage activation, although at a lower extent compared to Asaia[WSP]. In summary, the results of the present study confirm the immunostimulating properties of WSP highlighting a potential therapeutic efficacy against Leishmania parasites. Furthermore, Asaia was designed as a delivery system for WSP, thus developing a novel type of immunomodulating agent, worthy of being investigated for immuno-prophylaxis and -therapy of leishmaniases and other diseases that could be subverted by M1 macrophage activation.}, }
@article {pmid33148821, year = {2020}, author = {Kendra, CG and Keller, CM and Bruna, RE and Pontes, MH}, title = {Conjugal DNA Transfer in Sodalis glossinidius, a Maternally Inherited Symbiont of Tsetse Flies.}, journal = {mSphere}, volume = {5}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {33148821}, issn = {2379-5042}, support = {R21 AI148774/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Conjugation, Genetic ; Enterobacteriaceae/*genetics ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; Insect Vectors/microbiology ; Maternal Inheritance/*genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Trypanosoma brucei brucei/physiology ; Tsetse Flies/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Stable associations between insects and bacterial species are widespread in nature. This is the case for many economically important insects, such as tsetse flies. Tsetse flies are the vectors of Trypanosoma brucei, the etiological agent of African trypanosomiasis-a zoonotic disease that incurs a high socioeconomic cost in regions of endemicity. Populations of tsetse flies are often infected with the bacterium Sodalis glossinidius Following infection, S. glossinidius establishes a chronic, stable association characterized by vertical (maternal) and horizontal (paternal) modes of transmission. Due to the stable nature of this association, S. glossinidius has been long sought as a means for the implementation of anti-Trypanosoma paratransgenesis in tsetse flies. However, the lack of tools for the genetic modification of S. glossinidius has hindered progress in this area. Here, we establish that S. glossinidius is amenable to DNA uptake by conjugation. We show that conjugation can be used as a DNA delivery method to conduct forward and reverse genetic experiments in this bacterium. This study serves as an important step in the development of genetic tools for S. glossinidius The methods highlighted here should guide the implementation of genetics for the study of the tsetse-Sodalis association and the evaluation of S. glossinidius-based tsetse fly paratransgenesis strategies.IMPORTANCE Tsetse flies are the insect vectors of T. brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness-a zoonotic disease that inflicts a substantial economic cost on a broad region of sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, tsetse flies can be infected with the bacterium S. glossinidius to establish an asymptomatic chronic infection. This infection can be inherited by future generations of tsetse flies, allowing S. glossinidius to spread and persist within populations. To this effect, S. glossinidius has been considered a potential expression platform to create flies which reduce T. brucei stasis and lower overall parasite transmission to humans and animals. However, the efficient genetic manipulation of S. glossinidius has remained a technical challenge due to its complex growth requirements and uncharacterized physiology. Here, we exploit a natural mechanism of DNA transfer among bacteria and develop an efficient technique to genetically manipulate S. glossinidius for future studies in reducing trypanosome transmission.}, }
@article {pmid33148243, year = {2020}, author = {Bell, RT and Wolf, YI and Koonin, EV}, title = {Modified base-binding EVE and DCD domains: striking diversity of genomic contexts in prokaryotes and predicted involvement in a variety of cellular processes.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {159}, pmid = {33148243}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {Archaeal Proteins/*metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/*metabolism ; DNA, Archaeal/*metabolism ; *Genome, Archaeal ; *Genome, Bacterial ; RNA, Bacterial/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: DNA and RNA of all cellular life forms and many viruses contain an expansive repertoire of modified bases. The modified bases play diverse biological roles that include both regulation of transcription and translation, and protection against restriction endonucleases and antibiotics. Modified bases are often recognized by dedicated protein domains. However, the elaborate networks of interactions and processes mediated by modified bases are far from being completely understood.<br><br>RESULTS: We present a comprehensive census and classification of EVE domains that belong to the PUA/ASCH domain superfamily and bind various modified bases in DNA and RNA. We employ the "guilt by association" approach to make functional inferences from comparative analysis of bacterial and archaeal genomes, based on the distribution and associations of EVE domains in (predicted) operons and functional networks of genes. Prokaryotes encode two classes of EVE domain proteins, slow-evolving and fast-evolving ones. Slow-evolving EVE domains in &#x3b1;-proteobacteria are embedded in conserved operons, potentially involved in coupling between translation and respiration, cytochrome c biogenesis in particular, via binding 5-methylcytosine in tRNAs. In &#x3b2;- and &#x3b3;-proteobacteria, the conserved associations implicate the EVE domains in the coordination of cell division, biofilm formation, and global transcriptional regulation by non-coding 6S small RNAs, which are potentially modified and bound by the EVE domains. In eukaryotes, the EVE domain-containing THYN1-like proteins have been reported to inhibit PCD and regulate the cell cycle, potentially, via binding 5-methylcytosine and its derivatives in DNA and/or RNA. We hypothesize that the link between PCD and cytochrome c was inherited from the &#x3b1;-proteobacterial and proto-mitochondrial endosymbiont and, unexpectedly, could involve modified base recognition by EVE domains. Fast-evolving EVE domains are typically embedded in defense contexts, including toxin-antitoxin modules and type IV restriction systems, suggesting roles in the recognition of modified bases in invading DNA molecules and targeting them for restriction. We additionally identified EVE-like prokaryotic Development and Cell Death (DCD) domains that are also implicated in defense functions including PCD. This function was inherited by eukaryotes, but in animals, the DCD proteins apparently were displaced by the extended Tudor family proteins, whose partnership with Piwi-related Argonautes became the centerpiece of the Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) system.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of modified bases in DNA and RNA by EVE-like domains appears to be an important, but until now, under-appreciated, common denominator in a variety of processes including PCD, cell cycle control, antivirus immunity, stress response, and germline development in animals.}, }
@article {pmid33146464, year = {2021}, author = {Mugerwa, H and Wang, HL and Sseruwagi, P and Seal, S and Colvin, J}, title = {Whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism and mating compatibility studies reveal the presence of distinct species in sub-Saharan Africa Bemisia tabaci whiteflies.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {28}, number = {6}, pages = {1553-1566}, pmid = {33146464}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {Project/OPP1058938//African Cassava Whitefly/ ; OPP1080766//Enabling Research Tools for Cassava Virologists and Breeders/ ; /GATES/Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation/United States ; }, mesh = {Africa South of the Sahara ; Animals ; Genome, Insect ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; *Hemiptera/classification/genetics ; Manihot ; Phylogeny ; Plant Diseases ; *Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; }, abstract = {In sub-Saharan Africa cassava growing areas, two members of the Bemisia tabaci species complex termed sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1) and SSA2 have been reported as the prevalent whiteflies associated with the spread of viruses that cause cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) pandemics. At the peak of CMD pandemic in the late 1990s, SSA2 was the prevalent whitefly, although its numbers have diminished over the last two decades with the resurgence of SSA1 whiteflies. Three SSA1 subgroups (SG1 to SG3) are the predominant whiteflies in East Africa and vary in distribution and biological properties. Mating compatibility between SSA1 subgroups and SSA2 whiteflies was reported as the possible driver for the resurgence of SSA1 whiteflies. In this study, a combination of both phylogenomic methods and reciprocal crossing experiments were applied to determine species status of SSA1 subgroups and SSA2 whitefly populations. Phylogenomic analyses conducted with 26 548 205 bp whole genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the full mitogenomes clustered SSA1 subgroups together and separate from SSA2 species. Mating incompatibility between SSA1 subgroups and SSA2 further demonstrated their distinctiveness from each other. Phylogenomic analyses conducted with SNPs and mitogenomes also revealed different genetic relationships among SSA1 subgroups. The former clustered SSA1-SG1 and SSA1-SG2 together but separate from SSA1-SG3, while the latter clustered SSA1-SG2 and SSA1-SG3 together but separate from SSA1-SG1. Mating compatibility was observed between SSA1-SG1 and SSA1-SG2, while incompatibility occurred between SSA1-SG1 and SSA1-SG3, and SSA1-SG2 and SSA1-SG3. Mating results among SSA1 subgroups were coherent with phylogenomics results based on SNPs but not the full mitogenomes. Furthermore, this study revealed that the secondary endosymbiont-Wolbachia-did not mediate reproductive success in the crossing assays carried out. Overall, using genome wide SNPs together with reciprocal crossings assays, this study established accurate genetic relationships among cassava-colonizing populations, illustrating that SSA1 and SSA2 are distinct species while at least two species occur within SSA1 species.}, }
@article {pmid33138055, year = {2020}, author = {Laidoudi, Y and Levasseur, A and Medkour, H and Maaloum, M and Ben Khedher, M and Sambou, M and Bassene, H and Davoust, B and Fenollar, F and Raoult, D and Mediannikov, O}, title = {An Earliest Endosymbiont, Wolbachia massiliensis sp. nov., Strain PL13 from the Bed Bug (Cimex hemipterus), Type Strain of a New Supergroup T.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {21}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {33138055}, issn = {1422-0067}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/*genetics ; Bedbugs/*microbiology ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wolbachia/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {The symbiotic Wolbachia are the most sophisticated mutualistic bacterium among all insect-associated microbiota. Wolbachia-insect relationship fluctuates from the simple facultative/parasitic to an obligate nutritional-mutualistic association as it was the case of the bedbug-Wolbachia from Cimexlectularius. Understanding this association may help in the control of associated arthropods. Genomic data have proven to be reliable tools in resolving some aspects of these symbiotic associations. Although, Wolbachia appear to be fastidious or uncultivated bacteria which strongly limited their study. Here we proposed Drosophila S2 cell line for the isolation and culture model to study Wolbachia strains. We therefore isolated and characterized a novel Wolbachia strain associated with the bedbug Cimexhemipterus, designated as wChem strain PL13, and proposed Wolbachiamassiliensis sp. nov. strain wChem-PL13 a type strain of this new species from new supergroup T. Phylogenetically, T-supergroup was close to F and S-supergroups from insects and D-supergroup from filarial nematodes. We determined the 1,291,339-bp genome of wChem-PL13, which was the smallest insect-associated Wolbachia genomes. Overall, the wChem genome shared 50% of protein coding genes with the other insect-associated facultative Wolbachia strains. These findings highlight the diversity of Wolbachia genotypes as well as the Wolbachia-host relationship among Cimicinae subfamily. The wChem provides folate and riboflavin vitamins on which the host depends, while the bacteria had a limited translation mechanism suggesting its strong dependence to its hosts. However, the clear-cut distinction between mutualism and parasitism of the wChem in C. hemipterus cannot be yet ruled out.}, }
@article {pmid33137653, year = {2021}, author = {Ryan, DG and Frezza, C and O'Neill, LA}, title = {TCA cycle signalling and the evolution of eukaryotes.}, journal = {Current opinion in biotechnology}, volume = {68}, number = {}, pages = {72-88}, pmid = {33137653}, issn = {1879-0429}, support = {109443/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12022/6/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Archaea/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; *Eukaryota/genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; Phylogeny ; Prokaryotic Cells ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {A major question remaining in the field of evolutionary biology is how prokaryotic organisms made the leap to complex eukaryotic life. The prevailing theory depicts the origin of eukaryotic cell complexity as emerging from the symbiosis between an α-proteobacterium, the ancestor of present-day mitochondria, and an archaeal host (endosymbiont theory). A primary contribution of mitochondria to eukaryogenesis has been attributed to the mitochondrial genome, which enabled the successful internalisation of bioenergetic membranes and facilitated remarkable genome expansion. It has also been postulated that a key contribution of the archaeal host during eukaryogenesis was in providing 'archaeal histones' that would enable compaction and regulation of an expanded genome. Yet, how the communication between the host and the symbiont evolved is unclear. Here, we propose an evolutionary concept in which mitochondrial TCA cycle signalling was also a crucial player during eukaryogenesis enabling the dynamic control of an expanded genome via regulation of DNA and histone modifications. Furthermore, we discuss how TCA cycle remodelling is a common evolutionary strategy invoked by eukaryotic organisms to coordinate stress responses and gene expression programmes, with a particular focus on the TCA cycle-derived metabolite itaconate.}, }
@article {pmid33128981, year = {2020}, author = {Rosado Rodríguez, G and Otero Morales, E}, title = {Assessment of heavy metal contamination at Tallaboa Bay (Puerto Rico) by marine sponges' bioaccumulation and fungal community composition.}, journal = {Marine pollution bulletin}, volume = {161}, number = {Pt B}, pages = {111803}, doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111803}, pmid = {33128981}, issn = {1879-3363}, mesh = {Animals ; Bays ; Bioaccumulation ; Ecosystem ; Environmental Monitoring ; *Metals, Heavy/analysis ; *Mycobiome ; *Porifera ; Puerto Rico ; *Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis ; }, abstract = {The water filtering capacity, and the potential to accumulate contaminants such as heavy metals, make marine sponges suitable candidates for biomonitoring of marine ecosystems. Sponges also harbor a variety of endosymbionts, including fungi, which could be affected by the accumulation of contaminants. This work examined the bioaccumulation factors of heavy metals by sponges from coastal waters from Puerto Rico. Fungal communities associated with marine sponges were assessed to determine if their composition co-varied with heavy metals in sponge tissue. All sponges in our study where found to bioaccumulate arsenic, cadmium and copper. Fungi associated with the sponges showed variations in community composition among localities and sponge species. Our results suggest that sponges, specially Tedania ignis, could be used as a complementary component for biomonitoring of arsenic, cadmium and copper; and that members of the harbored fungal communities could be negatively affected by the accumulation of heavy metals in the sponges.}, }
@article {pmid33128345, year = {2021}, author = {Sanaei, E and Charlat, S and Engelstädter, J}, title = {Wolbachia host shifts: routes, mechanisms, constraints and evolutionary consequences.}, journal = {Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society}, volume = {96}, number = {2}, pages = {433-453}, doi = {10.1111/brv.12663}, pmid = {33128345}, issn = {1469-185X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods ; Biological Evolution ; Mosquito Vectors ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is one of the most abundant endosymbionts on earth, with a wide distribution especially in arthropods. Effective maternal transmission and the induction of various phenotypes in their hosts are two key features of this bacterium. Here, we review our current understanding of another central aspect of Wolbachia's success: their ability to switch from one host species to another. We build on the proposal that Wolbachia host shifts occur in four main steps: (i) physical transfer to a new species; (ii) proliferation within that host; (iii) successful maternal transmission; and (iv) spread within the host species. Host shift can fail at each of these steps, and the likelihood of ultimate success is influenced by many factors. Some stem from traits of Wolbachia (different strains have different abilities for host switching), others on host features such as genetic resemblance (e.g. host shifting is likely to be easier between closely related species), ecological connections (the donor and recipient host need to interact), or the resident microbiota. Host shifts have enabled Wolbachia to reach its enormous current incidence and global distribution among arthropods in an epidemiological process shaped by loss and acquisition events across host species. The ability of Wolbachia to transfer between species also forms the basis of ongoing endeavours to control pests and disease vectors, following artificial introduction into uninfected hosts such as mosquitoes. Throughout, we emphasise the many knowledge gaps in our understanding of Wolbachia host shifts, and question the effectiveness of current methodology to detect these events. We conclude by discussing an apparent paradox: how can Wolbachia maintain its ability to undergo host shifts given that its biology seems dominated by vertical transmission?}, }
@article {pmid33126019, year = {2020}, author = {Li, Z and Mertens, KN and Gottschling, M and Gu, H and Söhner, S and Price, AM and Marret, F and Pospelova, V and Smith, KF and Carbonell-Moore, C and Nézan, E and Bilien, G and Shin, HH}, title = {Taxonomy and Molecular Phylogenetics of Ensiculiferaceae, fam. nov. (Peridiniales, Dinophyceae), with Consideration of their Life-history.}, journal = {Protist}, volume = {171}, number = {5}, pages = {125759}, doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2020.125759}, pmid = {33126019}, issn = {1618-0941}, mesh = {Diatoms/physiology ; Dinoflagellida/*classification/*genetics/parasitology ; *Phylogeny ; Species Specificity ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {In the current circumscription, the Thoracosphaeraceae comprise all dinophytes exhibiting calcified coccoid cells produced during their life-history. Species hitherto assigned to Ensiculifera and Pentapharsodinium are mostly based on the monadoid stage of life-history, while the link to the coccoid stage (occasionally treated taxonomically distinct) is not always resolved. We investigated the different life-history stages and DNA sequence data of Ensiculifera mexicana and other species occurring in samples collected from all over the world. Based on concatenated ribosomal RNA gene sequences Ensiculiferaceae represented a distinct peridinalean branch, which showed a distant relationship to other calcareous dinophytes. Both molecular and morphological data (particularly of the coccoid stage) revealed the presence of three distinct clades within Ensiculiferaceae, which may include other dinophytes exhibiting a parasitic life-history stage. At a higher taxonomic level, Ensiculiferaceae showed relationships to parasites and endosymbionts (i.e., Blastodinium and Zooxanthella) as well as to dinophytes harbouring diatoms instead of chloroplasts. These unexpected phylogenetic relationships are corroborated by the presence of five cingular plates in all such taxa, which differs from the six cingular plates of most other Thoracosphaeraceae. We herein describe Ensiculiferaceae, emend the descriptions of Ensiculifera and Pentapharsodinium, erect Matsuokaea and provide several new combinations at the species level.}, }
@article {pmid33117302, year = {2020}, author = {Sun, Y and Jiang, L and Gong, S and Guo, M and Yuan, X and Zhou, G and Lei, X and Zhang, Y and Yuan, T and Lian, J and Qian, P and Huang, H}, title = {Impact of Ocean Warming and Acidification on Symbiosis Establishment and Gene Expression Profiles in Recruits of Reef Coral Acropora intermedia.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {532447}, pmid = {33117302}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The onset of symbiosis and the early development of most broadcast spawning corals play pivotal roles in recruitment success, yet these critical early stages are threatened by multiple stressors. However, molecular mechanisms governing these critical processes under ocean warming and acidification are still poorly understood. The present study investigated the interactive impact of elevated temperature (∼28.0°C and ∼30.5°C) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) (∼600 and ∼1,200 μatm) on early development and the gene expression patterns in juvenile Acropora intermedia over 33 days. The results showed that coral survival was >89% and was unaffected by high temperature, pCO2, or the combined treatment. Notably, high temperature completely arrested successful symbiosis establishment and the budding process, whereas acidification had a negligible effect. Moreover, there was a positive exponential relationship between symbiosis establishment and budding rates (y = 0.0004e[6.43x], R = 0.72, P < 0.0001), which indicated the importance of symbiosis in fueling asexual budding. Compared with corals at the control temperature (28°C), those under elevated temperature preferentially harbored Durusdinium spp., despite unsuccessful symbiosis establishment. In addition, compared to the control, 351 and 153 differentially expressed genes were detected in the symbiont and coral host in response to experimental conditions, respectively. In coral host, some genes involved in nutrient transportation and tissue fluorescence were affected by high temperature. In the symbionts, a suite of genes related to cell growth, ribosomal proteins, photosynthesis, and energy production was downregulated under high temperatures, which may have severely hampered successful cell proliferation of the endosymbionts and explains the failure of symbiosis establishment. Therefore, our results suggest that the responses of symbionts to future ocean conditions could play a vital role in shaping successful symbiosis in juvenile coral.}, }
@article {pmid33114018, year = {2020}, author = {Tully, BG and Huntley, JF}, title = {Mechanisms Affecting the Acquisition, Persistence and Transmission of Francisella tularensis in Ticks.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {33114018}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {R01 AI093351/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; Bridge Funding//University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences/ ; }, abstract = {Over 600,000 vector-borne disease cases were reported in the United States (U.S.) in the past 13 years, of which more than three-quarters were tick-borne diseases. Although Lyme disease accounts for the majority of tick-borne disease cases in the U.S., tularemia cases have been increasing over the past decade, with >220 cases reported yearly. However, when comparing Borrelia burgdorferi (causative agent of Lyme disease) and Francisella tularensis (causative agent of tularemia), the low infectious dose (<10 bacteria), high morbidity and mortality rates, and potential transmission of tularemia by multiple tick vectors have raised national concerns about future tularemia outbreaks. Despite these concerns, little is known about how F. tularensis is acquired by, persists in, or is transmitted by ticks. Moreover, the role of one or more tick vectors in transmitting F. tularensis to humans remains a major question. Finally, virtually no studies have examined how F. tularensis adapts to life in the tick (vs. the mammalian host), how tick endosymbionts affect F. tularensis infections, or whether other factors (e.g., tick immunity) impact the ability of F. tularensis to infect ticks. This review will assess our current understanding of each of these issues and will offer a framework for future studies, which could help us better understand tularemia and other tick-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid33113477, year = {2021}, author = {Rollins, RE and Schaper, S and Kahlhofer, C and Frangoulidis, D and Strauß, AFT and Cardinale, M and Springer, A and Strube, C and Bakkes, DK and Becker, NS and Chitimia-Dobler, L}, title = {Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on birds migrating to the island of Ponza, Italy, and the tick-borne pathogens they carry.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {101590}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101590}, pmid = {33113477}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/isolation &amp; purification ; Bacterial Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary ; Bird Diseases/*epidemiology/microbiology/parasitology ; Incidence ; Islands ; Italy/epidemiology ; Ixodidae/growth &amp; development/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Larva/growth &amp; development/microbiology/parasitology ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/microbiology/parasitology ; Piroplasmida/isolation &amp; purification ; Prevalence ; Protozoan Infections, Animal/epidemiology/parasitology ; *Songbirds ; Tick Infestations/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary ; Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology/parasitology/*veterinary ; }, abstract = {Seasonal migration of birds between breeding and wintering areas can facilitate the spread of tick species and tick-borne diseases. In this study, 151 birds representing 10 different bird species were captured on Ponza Island, an important migratory stopover off the western coast of Italy and screened for tick infestation. Ticks were collected and identified morphologically. Morphological identification was supported through sequencing a fragment of the 16S mitochondrial gene. In total, 16 captured birds carried ticks from four tick species: Hyalomma rufipes (n = 14), Amblyomma variegatum (n = 1), Amblyomma sp. (n = 1), and Ixodes ventalloi (n = 2). All specimens were either larvae (n = 2) or nymphs (n = 16). All ticks were investigated for tick-borne pathogens using published molecular methods. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in six of the 14 collected H. rufipes ticks. Additionally, the singular A. variegatum nymph tested positive for R. africae. In all 14 H. rufipes specimens (2 larvae and 12 nymphs), Francisella-like endosymbionts were detected. Four H. rufipes ticks tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in a screening PCR but did not produce sufficient amplicon amounts for species identification. All ticks tested negative for tick-borne encephalitis virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Coxiella burnetii, Coxiella-like organisms, Babesia spp., and Theileria spp. This study confirms the role of migratory birds in the spread and establishment of both exotic tick species and tick-borne pathogens outside their endemic range.}, }
@article {pmid33104188, year = {2020}, author = {Durante, IM and Butenko, A and Rašková, V and Charyyeva, A and Svobodová, M and Yurchenko, V and Hashimi, H and Lukeš, J}, title = {Large-Scale Phylogenetic Analysis of Trypanosomatid Adenylate Cyclases Reveals Associations with Extracellular Lifestyle and Host-Pathogen Interplay.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {12}, pages = {2403-2416}, pmid = {33104188}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Adenylyl Cyclases/*genetics ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Gene Duplication ; Genome, Protozoan ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*genetics ; *Phylogeny ; Trypanosomatina/*enzymology/genetics ; Up-Regulation ; }, abstract = {Receptor adenylate cyclases (RACs) on the surface of trypanosomatids are important players in the host-parasite interface. They detect still unidentified environmental signals that affect the parasites' responses to host immune challenge, coordination of social motility, and regulation of cell division. A lesser known class of oxygen-sensing adenylate cyclases (OACs) related to RACs has been lost in trypanosomes and expanded mostly in Leishmania species and related insect-dwelling trypanosomatids. In this work, we have undertaken a large-scale phylogenetic analysis of both classes of adenylate cyclases (ACs) in trypanosomatids and the free-living Bodo saltans. We observe that the expanded RAC repertoire in trypanosomatids with a two-host life cycle is not only associated with an extracellular lifestyle within the vertebrate host, but also with a complex path through the insect vector involving several life cycle stages. In Trypanosoma brucei, RACs are split into two major clades, which significantly differ in their expression profiles in the mammalian host and the insect vector. RACs of the closely related Trypanosoma congolense are intermingled within these two clades, supporting early RAC diversification. Subspecies of T. brucei that have lost the capacity to infect insects exhibit high numbers of pseudogenized RACs, suggesting many of these proteins have become redundant upon the acquisition of a single-host life cycle. OACs appear to be an innovation occurring after the expansion of RACs in trypanosomatids. Endosymbiont-harboring trypanosomatids exhibit a diversification of OACs, whereas these proteins are pseudogenized in Leishmania subgenus Viannia. This analysis sheds light on how ACs have evolved to allow diverse trypanosomatids to occupy multifarious niches and assume various lifestyles.}, }
@article {pmid33099649, year = {2021}, author = {Sandri, TL and Kreidenweiss, A and Cavallo, S and Weber, D and Juhas, S and Rodi, M and Woldearegai, TG and Gmeiner, M and Veletzky, L and Ramharter, M and Tazemda-Kuitsouc, GB and Matsiegui, PB and Mordmüller, B and Held, J}, title = {Molecular Epidemiology of Mansonella Species in Gabon.}, journal = {The Journal of infectious diseases}, volume = {223}, number = {2}, pages = {287-296}, doi = {10.1093/infdis/jiaa670}, pmid = {33099649}, issn = {1537-6613}, mesh = {Animals ; Carrier State/parasitology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Gabon/epidemiology ; Humans ; Loa/genetics ; Male ; Mansonella/*classification/*genetics ; Mansonelliasis/*epidemiology/*parasitology ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rural Population ; }, abstract = {Mansonella perstans, a filarial nematode, infects large populations in Africa and Latin America. Recently, a potential new species, Mansonella sp "DEUX," was reported. Carriage of endosymbiotic Wolbachia opens treatment options for Mansonella infections. Within a cross-sectional study, we assessed the prevalence of filarial infections in 834 Gabonese individuals and the presence of the endosymbiont Wolbachia. Almost half of the participants (400/834 [48%]) were infected with filarial nematodes, with Mansonella sp "DEUX" being the most frequent (295/400 [74%]), followed by Loa loa (273/400 [68%]) and Mansonella perstans (82/400 [21%]). Being adult/elderly, male, and living in rural areas was associated with a higher risk of infection. Wolbachia carriage was confirmed in M. perstans and Mansonella sp "DEUX." In silico analysis revealed that Mansonella sp "DEUX" is not detected with currently published M. perstans-specific assays. Mansonella infections are highly prevalent in Gabon and might have been underreported, likely also beyond Gabon.}, }
@article {pmid33083143, year = {2020}, author = {Pyle, AE and Johnson, AM and Villareal, TA}, title = {Isolation, growth, and nitrogen fixation rates of the Hemiaulus-Richelia (diatom-cyanobacterium) symbiosis in culture.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {e10115}, pmid = {33083143}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Nitrogen fixers (diazotrophs) are often an important nitrogen source to phytoplankton nutrient budgets in N-limited marine environments. Diazotrophic symbioses between cyanobacteria and diatoms can dominate nitrogen-fixation regionally, particularly in major river plumes and in open ocean mesoscale blooms. This study reports the successful isolation and growth in monocultures of multiple strains of a diatom-cyanobacteria symbiosis from the Gulf of Mexico using a modified artificial seawater medium. We document the influence of light and nutrients on nitrogen fixation and growth rates of the host diatom Hemiaulus hauckii Grunow together with its diazotrophic endosymbiont Richelia intracellularis Schmidt, as well as less complete results on the Hemiaulus membranaceus-R. intracellularis symbiosis. The symbioses rates reported here are for the joint diatom-cyanobacteria unit. Symbiont diazotrophy was sufficient to support both the host diatom and cyanobacteria symbionts, and the entire symbiosis replicated and grew without added nitrogen. Maximum growth rates of multiple strains of H. hauckii symbioses in N-free medium with N2 as the sole N source were 0.74-0.93 div d[-1]. Growth rates followed light saturation kinetics in H. hauckii symbioses with a growth compensation light intensity (EC) of 7-16 µmol m[-2]s[-1]and saturation light level (EK) of 84-110 µmol m[-2]s[-1]. Nitrogen fixation rates by the symbiont while within the host followed a diel pattern where rates increased from near-zero in the scotophase to a maximum 4-6 h into the photophase. At the onset of the scotophase, nitrogen-fixation rates declined over several hours to near-zero values. Nitrogen fixation also exhibited light saturation kinetics. Maximum N2 fixation rates (84 fmol N2 heterocyst[-1]h[-1]) in low light adapted cultures (50 µmol m[-2]s[-]1) were approximately 40-50% of rates (144-154 fmol N2 heterocyst[-1]h[-1]) in high light (150 and 200 µmol m[-2]s[-1]) adapted cultures. Maximum laboratory N2 fixation rates were ~6 to 8-fold higher than literature-derived field rates of the H. hauckii symbiosis. In contrast to published results on the Rhizosolenia-Richelia symbiosis, the H. hauckii symbiosis did not use nitrate when added, although ammonium was consumed by the H. hauckii symbiosis. Symbiont-free host cell cultures could not be established; however, a symbiont-free H. hauckii strain was isolated directly from the field and grown on a nitrate-based medium that would not support DDA growth. Our observations together with literature reports raise the possibility that the asymbiotic H. hauckii are lines distinct from an obligately symbiotic H. hauckii line. While brief descriptions of successful culture isolation have been published, this report provides the first detailed description of the approaches, handling, and methodologies used for successful culture of this marine symbiosis. These techniques should permit a more widespread laboratory availability of these important marine symbioses.}, }
@article {pmid33081422, year = {2020}, author = {Garcia-Vozmediano, A and Giglio, G and Ramassa, E and Nobili, F and Rossi, L and Tomassone, L}, title = {Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus, and Their Infection by SFG Rickettsiae and Francisella-Like Endosymbionts, in Mountain and Periurban Habitats of Northwestern Italy.}, journal = {Veterinary sciences}, volume = {7}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {33081422}, issn = {2306-7381}, abstract = {We investigated the distribution of Dermacentor spp. and their infection by zoonotic bacteria causing SENLAT (scalp eschar neck lymphadenopathy) in Turin province, northwestern Italy. We collected ticks in a mountain and in a periurban park, from vegetation and different animal sources, and we sampled tissues from wild boar. Dermacentor marginatus (n = 121) was collected in both study areas, on vegetation, humans, and animals, while D. reticulatus (n = 13) was exclusively collected on wild boar from the periurban area. Rickettsia slovaca and Candidatus Rickettsia rioja infected 53.1% of the ticks, and R. slovaca was also identified in 11.3% of wild boar tissues. Bartonella spp. and Francisella tularensis were not detected, however, Francisella-like endosymbionts infected both tick species (9.2%). Our findings provide new insights on the current distribution of Dermacentor spp. and their infection with a spotted-fever group rickettsiae in the Alps region. Wild boar seem to play a major role in their eco-epidemiology and dispersion in the study area. Although further studies are needed to assess the burden of rickettsial diseases, our results highlight the risk of contracting SENLAT infection through Dermacentor spp. bites in the region.}, }
@article {pmid33073851, year = {2020}, author = {Can-Vargas, X and Barboza, N and Fuchs, EJ and Hernández, EJ}, title = {Spatial Distribution of Whitefly Species (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Identification of Secondary Bacterial Endosymbionts in Tomato Fields in Costa Rica.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {113}, number = {6}, pages = {2900-2910}, pmid = {33073851}, issn = {1938-291X}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; Costa Rica ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; *Solanum lycopersicum ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {In Costa Rica, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Linnaeus) Linnaeus (Solanales: Solanaceae) is one of the crops most severely affected by the whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) and the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) species complex. The objective of this study was to monitor the spatial distribution and diversity of these species and to detect the presence of secondary bacterial endosymbionts in individuals collected in areas of intensive tomato production. In total, 628 whitefly individuals were identified to the species level using restriction analysis (PCR-RFLP) of a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I gene (mtCOI). Trialeurodes vaporariorum was the predominant species, followed by B. tabaci Mediterranean (MED). Bemisia tabaci New World (NW) and B. tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) were present in lower numbers. The mtCOI fragment was sequenced for 89 individuals and a single haplotype was found for each whitefly species. Using molecular markers, the 628 individuals were analyzed for the presence of four endosymbionts. Arsenophonus Gherna et al. (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) was most frequently associated with T. vaporariorum, whereas Wolbachia Hertig (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) and Rickettsia da Rocha-Lima (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) were associated with B. tabaci MED. This study confirmed that B. tabaci NW has not been completely displaced by the invasive species B. tabaci MED and B. tabaci MEAM1 present in the country. An association was found between whitefly species present in tomato and certain secondary endosymbionts, elevation was the most likely environmental factor to affect their frequency.}, }
@article {pmid33071999, year = {2020}, author = {Yang, Y and Liu, L and Singh, RP and Meng, C and Ma, S and Jing, C and Li, Y and Zhang, C}, title = {Nodule and Root Zone Microbiota of Salt-Tolerant Wild Soybean in Coastal Sand and Saline-Alkali Soil.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {2178}, pmid = {33071999}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Soil salinization limits crop growth and yield in agro-ecosystems worldwide by reducing soil health and altering the structure of microbial communities. Salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) alleviate plant salinity stress. Wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. and Zucc.) is unique in agricultural ecosystems owing to its ability to grow in saline-alkali soils and fix atmospheric nitrogen via symbiotic interactions with diverse soil microbes. However, this rhizosphere microbiome and the nodule endosymbionts have not been investigated to identify PGPR. In this study, we investigated the structural and functional rhizosphere microbial communities in saline-alkali soil from the Yellow River Delta and coastal soil in China, as well as wild soybean root nodule endosymbionts. To reveal the composition of the microbial ecosystem, we performed 16S rRNA and nifH gene amplicon sequencing on root nodules and root zones under different environmental conditions. In addition, we used culture-independent methods to examine the root bacterial microbiome of wild soybean. For functional characterization of individual members of the microbiome and their impact on plant growth, we inoculated isolates from the root microbiome with wild soybean and observed nodulation. Sinorhizobium/Ensifer accounted for 97% of the root nodule microbiome, with other enriched members belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, and Gemmatimonadetes; the genera Sphingomonas, Microbacterium, Arthrobacter, Nocardioides, Streptomyces, Flavobacterium, Flavisolibacter, and Pseudomonas; and the family Enterobacteriaceae. Compared to saline-alkali soil from the Yellow River Delta, coastal soil was highly enriched for soybean nodules and displayed significant differences in the abundance and diversity of β-proteobacteria, δ-proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Overall, the wild soybean root nodule microbiome was dominated by nutrient-providing Sinorhizobium/Ensifer and was enriched for bacterial genera that may provide salt resistance. Thus, this reductionist experimental approach provides an avenue for future systematic and functional studies of the plant root microbiome.}, }
@article {pmid33070212, year = {2021}, author = {Xu, S and Jiang, L and Qiao, G and Chen, J}, title = {Diversity of bacterial symbionts associated with Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae) revealed by 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {81}, number = {3}, pages = {784-794}, pmid = {33070212}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {2016YFE0203100//National Key R &amp; D Program of China/ ; 31620103916//National Natural Science Foundation of China (CN)/ ; 31772492//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; XDA19050303//Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; 2020087//Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Buchnera/genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Aphids are known to be associated with a variety of symbiotic bacteria. To improve our knowledge of the bacterial diversity of polyphagous aphids, in the present study, we investigated the microbiota of the cosmopolitan agricultural pest Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Ninety-two aphid samples collected from different host plants in various regions of China were examined using high-throughput amplicon sequencing. We comprehensively characterized the symbiont diversity of M. persicae and assessed the variations in aphid-associated symbiont communities. We detected a higher diversity of symbionts than has been previously observed. M. persicae hosted the primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola and seven secondary symbionts, among which Wolbachia was the most prevalent and Rickettsia, Arsenophonus, and Spiroplasma were reported for the first time. Ordination analyses and statistical tests revealed that the symbiont flora associated with M. persicae did not change with respect to host plant or geography, which may be due to frequent migrations between different aphid populations. These findings will advance our knowledge of the microbiota of polyphagous insects and will enrich our understanding of assembly of host-microbiome systems.}, }
@article {pmid33060749, year = {2020}, author = {Vega de Luna, F and Córdoba-Granados, JJ and Dang, KV and Roberty, S and Cardol, P}, title = {In vivo assessment of mitochondrial respiratory alternative oxidase activity and cyclic electron flow around photosystem I on small coral fragments.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {17514}, pmid = {33060749}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*physiology ; Chlorophyll A/*chemistry ; Electron Transport ; Energy Metabolism ; Fluorescence ; Genotype ; Light ; Mitochondria/*enzymology ; Mitochondrial Proteins/*chemistry ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidoreductases/*chemistry ; Oxygen/chemistry ; Oxygen Consumption ; Photosynthesis ; Photosystem I Protein Complex ; Photosystem II Protein Complex ; Plant Proteins/*chemistry ; Spectrophotometry ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The mutualistic relationship existing between scleractinian corals and their photosynthetic endosymbionts involves a complex integration of the metabolic pathways within the holobiont. Respiration and photosynthesis are the most important of these processes and although they have been extensively studied, our understanding of their interactions and regulatory mechanisms is still limited. In this work we performed chlorophyll-a fluorescence, oxygen exchange and time-resolved absorption spectroscopy measurements on small and thin fragments (0.3 cm[2]) of the coral Stylophora pistillata. We showed that the capacity of mitochondrial alternative oxidase accounted for ca. 25% of total coral respiration, and that the high-light dependent oxygen uptake, commonly present in isolated Symbiodiniaceae, was negligible. The ratio between photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) active centers as well as their respective electron transport rates, indicated that PSI cyclic electron flow occurred in high light in S. pistillata and in some branching and lamellar coral species freshly collected in the field. Altogether, these results show the potential of applying advanced biophysical and spectroscopic methods on small coral fragments to understand the complex mechanisms of coral photosynthesis and respiration and their responses to environmental changes.}, }
@article {pmid33049039, year = {2020}, author = {Santos-Garcia, D and Mestre-Rincon, N and Ouvrard, D and Zchori-Fein, E and Morin, S}, title = {Portiera Gets Wild: Genome Instability Provides Insights into the Evolution of Both Whiteflies and Their Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {11}, pages = {2107-2124}, pmid = {33049039}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Acidosis ; Animals ; *Biological Evolution ; DNA Polymerase III/*genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; *Genomic Instability ; Halomonadaceae/*genetics/metabolism ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae) are a superfamily of small phloem-feeding insects. They rely on their primary endosymbionts "Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum" to produce essential amino acids not present in their diet. Portiera has been codiverging with whiteflies since their origin and therefore reflects its host's evolutionary history. Like in most primary endosymbionts, the genome of Portiera stays stable across the Aleyrodidae superfamily after millions of years of codivergence. However, Portiera of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci has lost the ancestral genome order, reflecting a rare event in the endosymbiont evolution: the appearance of genome instability. To gain a better understanding of Portiera genome evolution, identify the time point in which genome instability appeared and contribute to the reconstruction of whitefly phylogeny, we developed a new phylogenetic framework. It targeted five Portiera genes and determined the presence of the DNA polymerase proofreading subunit (dnaQ) gene, previously associated with genome instability, and two alternative gene rearrangements. Our results indicated that Portiera gene sequences provide a robust tool for studying intergenera phylogenetic relationships in whiteflies. Using these new framework, we found that whitefly species from the Singhiella, Aleurolobus, and Bemisia genera form a monophyletic tribe, the Aleurolobini, and that their Portiera exhibit genome instability. This instability likely arose once in the common ancestor of the Aleurolobini tribe (at least 70 Ma), drawing a link between the appearance of genome instability in Portiera and the switch from multibacteriocyte to a single-bacteriocyte mode of inheritance in this tribe.}, }
@article {pmid33041180, year = {2021}, author = {Rosset, SL and Oakley, CA and Ferrier-Pagès, C and Suggett, DJ and Weis, VM and Davy, SK}, title = {The Molecular Language of the Cnidarian-Dinoflagellate Symbiosis.}, journal = {Trends in microbiology}, volume = {29}, number = {4}, pages = {320-333}, doi = {10.1016/j.tim.2020.08.005}, pmid = {33041180}, issn = {1878-4380}, mesh = {Animals ; Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida/*genetics/*physiology ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; Signal Transduction/*genetics/physiology ; Symbiosis/*genetics/physiology ; }, abstract = {The cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis is of huge importance as it underpins the success of coral reefs, yet we know very little about how the host cnidarian and its dinoflagellate endosymbionts communicate with each other to form a functionally integrated unit. Here, we review the current knowledge of interpartner molecular signaling in this symbiosis, with an emphasis on lipids, glycans, reactive species, biogenic volatiles, and noncoding RNA. We draw upon evidence of these compounds from recent omics-based studies of cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis and discuss the signaling roles that they play in other, better-studied symbioses. We then consider how improved knowledge of interpartner signaling might be used to develop solutions to the coral reef crisis by, for example, engineering more thermally resistant corals.}, }
@article {pmid33038482, year = {2021}, author = {Khoo, JJ and Husin, NA and Lim, FS and Oslan, SNH and Mohd Azami, SNI and To, SW and Abd Majid, MA and Lee, HY and Loong, SK and Khor, CS and AbuBakar, S}, title = {Molecular detection of pathogens from ectoparasites recovered from peri-domestic animals, and the first description of a Candidatus Midichloria sp. from Haemaphysalis wellingtoni from rural communities in Malaysia.}, journal = {Parasitology international}, volume = {80}, number = {}, pages = {102202}, doi = {10.1016/j.parint.2020.102202}, pmid = {33038482}, issn = {1873-0329}, mesh = {Anaplasma/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Borrelia/isolation &amp; purification ; Cats/microbiology/parasitology ; Chickens/microbiology/parasitology ; Coxiella burnetii/isolation &amp; purification ; Ctenocephalides/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Dogs/microbiology/parasitology ; Ixodidae/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Malaysia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary ; Rickettsiales/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Rural Population ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/veterinary ; }, abstract = {Rural communities in Malaysia have been shown to be exposed to Coxiella, Borrelia and rickettsial infections in previous seroprevalence studies. Further research is necessary to identify the actual causative agents and the potential vectors of these infections. The arthropods parasitizing peri-domestic animals in these communities may serve as the vector in transmitting arthropod-borne and zoonotic agents to the humans. Molecular screening of bacterial and zoonotic pathogens from ticks and fleas collected from dogs, cats and chickens from six rural communities in Malaysia was undertaken. These communities were made up of mainly the indigenous people of Malaysia, known as the Orang Asli, as well as settlers in oil palm plantations. The presence of Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia, and rickettsial agents, including Rickettsia and Anaplasma, was investigated by performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis was detected in one out of eight pools of Ctenocephalides felis fleas. A relapsing fever group Borrelia sp. was identified from one of seven Haemaphysalis hystricis ticks tested. The results from the PCR screening for Anaplasma unexpectedly revealed the presence of Candidatus Midichloria sp., a potential tick endosymbiont, in two out of fourteen Haemaphysalis wellingtoni ticks tested. C. burnetii was not detected in any of the samples tested. The findings here provide evidence for the presence of potentially novel strains of rickettsial and borrelial agents in which their impact on public health risks among the rural communities in Malaysia merit further investigation. The detection of a potential endosymbiont of ticks also suggest that the presence of tick endosymbionts in the region is not fully explored.}, }
@article {pmid33033309, year = {2020}, author = {Park, E and Poulin, R}, title = {Widespread Torix Rickettsia in New Zealand amphipods and the use of blocking primers to rescue host COI sequences.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {16842}, pmid = {33033309}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Amphipoda/*genetics/*microbiology ; Animals ; *DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV/*genetics ; Genetic Variation ; Genetics, Population ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; New Zealand ; Phylogeny ; Rickettsia/*genetics/physiology ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts and intracellular parasites are common in arthropod hosts. As a consequence, (co)amplification of untargeted bacterial sequences has been occasionally reported as a common problem in DNA barcoding. While identifying amphipod species with universal COI primers, we unexpectedly detected rickettsial endosymbionts belonging to the Torix group. To map the distribution and diversity of Rickettsia species among amphipod hosts, we conducted a nationwide molecular screening of seven families of New Zealand freshwater amphipods. In addition to uncovering a diversity of Torix Rickettsia species across multiple amphipod populations from three different families, our research indicates that: (1) detecting Torix Rickettsia with universal primers is not uncommon, (2) obtaining 'Rickettsia COI sequences' from many host individuals is highly likely when a population is infected, and (3) obtaining 'host COI' may not be possible with a conventional PCR if an individual is infected. Because Rickettsia COI is highly conserved across diverse host taxa, we were able to design blocking primers that can be used in a wide range of host species infected with Torix Rickettsia. We propose the use of blocking primers to circumvent problems caused by unwanted amplification of Rickettsia and to obtain targeted host COI sequences for DNA barcoding, population genetics, and phylogeographic studies.}, }
@article {pmid33028894, year = {2020}, author = {Horák, A and Allen, AE and Oborník, M}, title = {Common origin of ornithine-urea cycle in opisthokonts and stramenopiles.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {16687}, pmid = {33028894}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Databases, Genetic ; Ornithine/*metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Stramenopiles/*metabolism ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Urea/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Eukaryotic complex phototrophs exhibit a colorful evolutionary history. At least three independent endosymbiotic events accompanied by the gene transfer from the endosymbiont to host assembled a complex genomic mosaic. Resulting patchwork may give rise to unique metabolic capabilities; on the other hand, it can also blur the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships. The ornithine-urea cycle (OUC) belongs to the cornerstone of the metabolism of metazoans and, as found recently, also photosynthetic stramenopiles. We have analyzed the distribution and phylogenetic positions of genes encoding enzymes of the urea synthesis pathway in eukaryotes. We show here that metazoan and stramenopile OUC enzymes share common origins and that enzymes of the OUC found in primary algae (including plants) display different origins. The impact of this fact on the evolution of stramenopiles is discussed here.}, }
@article {pmid33027888, year = {2020}, author = {Bakovic, V and Schebeck, M and Stauffer, C and Schuler, H}, title = {Wolbachia-Mitochondrial DNA Associations in Transitional Populations of Rhagoletis cerasi.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {33027888}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {I 2604/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; J 3527/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 31441/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiont Wolbachia can manipulate arthropod host reproduction by inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), which results in embryonic mortality when infected males mate with uninfected females. A CI-driven invasion of Wolbachia can result in a selective sweep of associated mitochondrial haplotype. The co-inheritance of Wolbachia and host mitochondrial DNA can therefore provide significant information on the dynamics of an ongoing Wolbachia invasion. Therefore, transition zones (i.e., regions where a Wolbachia strain is currently spreading from infected to uninfected populations) represent an ideal area to investigate the relationship between Wolbachia and host mitochondrial haplotype. Here, we studied Wolbachia-mitochondrial haplotype associations in the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi, in two transition zones in the Czech Republic and Hungary, where the CI-inducing strain wCer2 is currently spreading. The wCer2-infection status of 881 individuals was compared with the two known R. cerasi mitochondrial haplotypes, HT1 and HT2. In accordance with previous studies, wCer2-uninfected individuals were associated with HT1, and wCer2-infected individuals were mainly associated with HT2. We found misassociations only within the transition zones, where HT2 flies were wCer2-uninfected, suggesting the occurrence of imperfect maternal transmission. We did not find any HT1 flies that were wCer2-infected, suggesting that Wolbachia was not acquired horizontally. Our study provides new insights into the dynamics of the early phase of a Wolbachia invasion.}, }
@article {pmid33025290, year = {2020}, author = {Dabravolski, SA}, title = {Evolutionary aspects of the Viridiplantae nitroreductases.}, journal = {Journal, genetic engineering &amp; biotechnology}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {60}, pmid = {33025290}, issn = {2090-5920}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Nitroreductases are a family of evolutionarily related proteins catalyzing the reduction of nitro-substituted compounds. Nitroreductases are widespread enzymes, but nearly all modern research and practical application have been concentrated on the bacterial proteins, mainly nitroreductases of Escherichia coli. The main aim of this study is to describe the phylogenic distribution of the nitroreductases in the photosynthetic eukaryotes (Viridiplantae) to highlight their structural similarity and areas for future research and application.<br><br>RESULTS: This study suggests that homologs of nitroreductase proteins are widely presented also in Viridiplantae. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree reconstruction method and comparison of the structural models suggest close evolutional relation between cyanobacterial and Viridiplantae nitroreductases.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first attempt to understand the evolution of nitroreductase protein family in Viridiplantae. Our phylogeny estimation and preservation of the chloroplasts/mitochondrial localization indicate the evolutional origin of the plant nitroreductases from the cyanobacterial endosymbiont. A defined high level of the similarity on the structural level suggests conservancy also for the functions. Directions for the future research and industrial application of the Viridiplantae nitroreductases are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid33024036, year = {2020}, author = {Hague, MTJ and Caldwell, CN and Cooper, BS}, title = {Pervasive Effects of Wolbachia on Host Temperature Preference.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {11}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {33024036}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; *Body Temperature ; Body Temperature Regulation ; Cytoplasm/microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/*physiology ; Female ; Genotype ; Host Microbial Interactions/*physiology ; Male ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Heritable symbionts can modify a range of ecologically important host traits, including behavior. About half of all insect species are infected with maternally transmitted Wolbachia, a bacterial endosymbiont known to alter host reproduction, nutrient acquisition, and virus susceptibility. Here, we broadly test the hypothesis that Wolbachia modifies host behavior by assessing the effects of eight different Wolbachia strains on the temperature preference of six Drosophila melanogaster subgroup species. Four of the seven host genotypes infected with A-group Wolbachia strains (wRi in Drosophila simulans, wHa in D. simulans, wSh in Drosophila sechellia, and wTei in Drosophila teissieri) prefer significantly cooler temperatures relative to uninfected genotypes. Contrastingly, when infected with divergent B-group wMau, Drosophila mauritiana prefers a warmer temperature. For most strains, changes to host temperature preference do not alter Wolbachia titer. However, males infected with wSh and wTei tend to experience an increase in titer when shifted to a cooler temperature for 24 h, suggesting that Wolbachia-induced changes to host behavior may promote bacterial replication. Our results indicate that Wolbachia modifications to host temperature preference are likely widespread, which has important implications for insect thermoregulation and physiology. Understanding the fitness consequences of these Wolbachia effects is crucial for predicting evolutionary outcomes of host-symbiont interactions, including how Wolbachia spreads to become common.IMPORTANCE Microbes infect a diversity of species, influencing the performance and fitness of their hosts. Maternally transmitted Wolbachia bacteria infect most insects and other arthropods, making these bacteria some of the most common endosymbionts in nature. Despite their global prevalence, it remains mostly unknown how Wolbachia influence host physiology and behavior to proliferate. We demonstrate pervasive effects of Wolbachia on Drosophila temperature preference. Most hosts infected with A-group Wolbachia prefer cooler temperatures, whereas the one host species infected with divergent B-group Wolbachia prefers warmer temperatures, relative to uninfected genotypes. Changes to host temperature preference generally do not alter Wolbachia abundance in host tissues, but for some A-group strains, adult males have increased Wolbachia titer when shifted to a cooler temperature. This suggests that Wolbachia-induced changes to host behavior may promote bacterial replication. Our results help elucidate the impact of endosymbionts on their hosts amid the global Wolbachia pandemic.}, }
@article {pmid33022020, year = {2020}, author = {Coates, LC and Mahoney, J and Ramsey, JS and Warwick, E and Johnson, R and MacCoss, MJ and Krasnoff, SB and Howe, KJ and Moulton, K and Saha, S and Mueller, LA and Hall, DG and Shatters, RG and Heck, ML and Slupsky, CM}, title = {Development on Citrus medica infected with 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' has sex-specific and -nonspecific impacts on adult Diaphorina citri and its endosymbionts.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e0239771}, pmid = {33022020}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Citrus/metabolism/*microbiology/physiology ; Female ; Hemiptera/metabolism/*microbiology/physiology ; Insect Vectors/metabolism/*microbiology/physiology ; Male ; Metabolome/physiology ; Microbiota/physiology ; Oxidative Stress/physiology ; Plant Diseases/*microbiology ; Proteome/metabolism ; Rhizobiaceae/*pathogenicity/*physiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Transcriptome/physiology ; }, abstract = {Huanglongbing (HLB) is a deadly, incurable citrus disease putatively caused by the unculturable bacterium, 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), and transmitted by Diaphorina citri. Prior studies suggest D. citri transmits CLas in a circulative and propagative manner; however, the precise interactions necessary for CLas transmission remain unknown, and the impact of insect sex on D. citri-CLas interactions is poorly understood despite reports of sex-dependent susceptibilities to CLas. We analyzed the transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, and microbiome of male and female adult D. citri reared on healthy or CLas-infected Citrus medica to determine shared and sex-specific responses of D. citri and its endosymbionts to CLas exposure. More sex-specific than shared D. citri responses to CLas were observed, despite there being no difference between males and females in CLas density or relative abundance. CLas exposure altered the abundance of proteins involved in immunity and cellular and oxidative stress in a sex-dependent manner. CLas exposure impacted cuticular proteins and enzymes involved in chitin degradation, as well as energy metabolism and abundance of the endosymbiont 'Candidatus Profftella armatura' in both sexes similarly. Notably, diaphorin, a toxic Profftella-derived metabolite, was more abundant in both sexes with CLas exposure. The responses reported here resulted from a combination of CLas colonization of D. citri as well as the effect of CLas infection on C. medica. Elucidating these impacts on D. citri and their endosymbionts contributes to our understanding of the HLB pathosystem and identifies the responses potentially critical to limiting or promoting CLas acquisition and propagation in both sexes.}, }
@article {pmid33021711, year = {2021}, author = {Shan, H and Liu, Y and Luan, J and Liu, S}, title = {New insights into the transovarial transmission of the symbiont Rickettsia in whiteflies.}, journal = {Science China. Life sciences}, volume = {64}, number = {7}, pages = {1174-1186}, pmid = {33021711}, issn = {1869-1889}, mesh = {Animals ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Oocytes/*microbiology ; Oogenesis ; Rickettsia/*pathogenicity ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiont transmission via eggs to future host generations has been recognized as the main strategy for its persistence in insect hosts; however, the mechanisms for transmission have yet to be elucidated. Here, we describe the dynamic locations of Rickettsia in the ovarioles and eggs during oogenesis and embryogenesis in a globally significant pest whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Field populations of the whitefly have a high prevalence of Rickettsia, and in all Rickettsia-infected individuals, the bacterium distributes in the body cavity of the host, especially in the midgut, fat body, hemocytes, hemolymph, and near bacteriocytes. The distribution of Rickettsia was subjected to dynamic changes in the ovary during oogenesis, and our ultrastructural observations indicated that the bacteria infect host ovarioles during early developmental stages via two routes: (i) invasion of the tropharium by endocytosis and then transmission into vitellarium via nutritive cord and (ii) entry into vitellarium by hijacking bacteriocyte translocation. Most of the Rickettsia are degraded in the oocyte cytoplasm in late-stage oogenesis. However, a few reside beneath the vitelline envelope of mature eggs, spread into the embryo, and proliferate during embryogenesis to sustain high-fidelity transmission to the next generation. Our findings provide novel insights into the maternal transmission underpinning the persistence and spread of insect symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid33016322, year = {2021}, author = {Moreno, E}, title = {The one hundred year journey of the genus Brucella (Meyer and Shaw 1920).}, journal = {FEMS microbiology reviews}, volume = {45}, number = {1}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsre/fuaa045}, pmid = {33016322}, issn = {1574-6976}, mesh = {Animals ; Brucella/*classification/genetics/pathogenicity ; Brucellosis/*microbiology ; Host Specificity ; Humans ; Terminology as Topic ; Virulence Factors/genetics ; }, abstract = {The genus Brucella, described by Meyer and Shaw in 1920, comprises bacterial pathogens of veterinary and public health relevance. For 36 years, the genus came to include three species that caused brucellosis in livestock and humans. In the second half of the 20th century, bacteriologists discovered five new species and several 'atypical' strains in domestic animals and wildlife. In 1990, the Brucella species were recognized as part of the Class Alphaproteobacteria, clustering with pathogens and endosymbionts of animals and plants such as Bartonella, Agrobacterium and Ochrobactrum; all bacteria that live in close association with eukaryotic cells. Comparisons with Alphaproteobacteria contributed to identify virulence factors and to establish evolutionary relationships. Brucella members have two circular chromosomes, are devoid of plasmids, and display close genetic relatedness. A proposal, asserting that all brucellae belong to a single species with several subspecies debated for over 70 years, was ultimately rejected in 2006 by the subcommittee of taxonomy, based on scientific, practical, and biosafety considerations. Following this, the nomenclature of having multiples Brucella species prevailed and defined according to their molecular characteristics, host preference, and virulence. The 100-year history of the genus corresponds to the chronicle of scientific efforts and the struggle for understanding brucellosis.}, }
@article {pmid33016318, year = {2020}, author = {Moussa, A and Passera, A and Sanna, F and Faccincani, M and Casati, P and Bianco, PA and Mori, N and Quaglino, F}, title = {Bacterial microbiota associated with insect vectors of grapevine Bois noir disease in relation to phytoplasma infection.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {96}, number = {11}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiaa203}, pmid = {33016318}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Insect Vectors ; *Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; Phytoplasma Disease ; Plant Diseases ; *Vitis ; }, abstract = {Bois noir is a grapevine disease causing severe yield loss in vineyards worldwide. It is associated with 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani', a phloem-limited bacterium transmitted by polyphagous insects. Due to its complex epidemiology, it is difficult to organize effective containment measures. This study aimed to describe the bacterial microbiota associated with 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' infected and non-infected insect hosts and vectors to investigate if phytoplasma presence can shape the microbiota. Alpha-diversity analysis showed a low microbiota diversity in these insects, in which few genera were highly abundant. Beta-diversity analysis revealed that the xylem- and phloem-feeding behavior influences the microbiota structure. Moreover, it highlighted that phytoplasma infection is associated with a restructuring of microbiota exclusively in Deltocephalinae insect vectors. Obtained data showed that 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' may have adverse effects on the endosymbionts Sulcia and Wolbachia, suggesting a possible fitness modification in the insects. The phytoplasma-antagonistic Dyella was not found in any of the examined insect species. The results indicate an interesting perspective regarding the microbial signatures associated with xylem- and phloem-feeding insects, and determinants that could be relevant to establish whether an insect species can be a vector or not, opening up new avenues for developing microbial resource management-based approaches.}, }
@article {pmid33014260, year = {2020}, author = {Nakayama, T and Takahashi, K and Kamikawa, R and Iwataki, M and Inagaki, Y and Tanifuji, G}, title = {Putative genome features of relic green alga-derived nuclei in dinoflagellates and future perspectives as model organisms.}, journal = {Communicative &amp; integrative biology}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {84-88}, pmid = {33014260}, issn = {1942-0889}, abstract = {Nucleomorphs, relic endosymbiont nuclei, have been studied as a model to elucidate the evolutionary process of integrating a eukaryotic endosymbiont into a host cell organelle. Recently, we reported two new dinoflagellates possessing nucleomorphs, and proposed them as new models in this research field based on the following findings: genome integration processes are incomplete, and the origins of the endosymbiont lineages were pinpointed. Here, we focused on the nucleomorph genome features in the two green dinoflagellates and compared them with those of the known nucleomorph genomes of cryptophytes and chlorarachniophytes. All nucleomorph genomes showed similar trends suggesting convergent evolution. However, the number of nucleomorph genes that are unrelated to housekeeping machineries in the two green dinoflagellates are greater than the numbers in cryptophytes and chlorarachniophytes, providing additional evidence that their genome reduction has not progressed much compared with those of cryptophytes and chlorarachniophytes. Finally, potential future work is discussed.}, }
@article {pmid33002324, year = {2021}, author = {Izraeli, Y and Lalzar, M and Netanel, N and Mozes-Daube, N and Steinberg, S and Chiel, E and Zchori-Fein, E}, title = {Wolbachia influence on the fitness of Anagyrus vladimiri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a bio-control agent of mealybugs.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {77}, number = {2}, pages = {1023-1034}, doi = {10.1002/ps.6117}, pmid = {33002324}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {20-02-0092//Chief Scientist of Agriculture, Israel/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Hymenoptera ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; *Wasps ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Like numerous other animals, biocontrol agents (BCAs) of arthropod pests carry various microorganisms that may have diverse effects on the biology of their eukaryote hosts. We postulated that it is possible to improve the efficacy of BCAs by manipulating the composition of their associated microbiota. The parasitoid wasp Anagyrus vladimiri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) from a mass-rearing facility was chosen for testing this hypothesis.<br><br>RESULTS: High-throughput sequencing analysis indicated that fungal abundance in A. vladimiri was low and variable, whereas the bacterial community was dominated by the endosymbiont Wolbachia. Wolbachia was fixed in the mass-rearing population, whereas in field-collected A. vladimiri Wolbachia's prevalence was only approximately 20%. Identification of Wolbachia strains from the two populations by Multi Locus Sequence Typing, revealed two closely related but unique strains. A series of bioassays with the mass-rearing Wolbachia-fixed (W[+]) and a derived antibiotic-treated Wolbachia-free (W[-]) lines revealed that: (i) Wolbachia does not induce reproductive manipulations; (ii) W[-] females have higher fecundity when reared individually, but not when reared with conspecifics; (iii) W[+] females outcompete W[-] when they share hosts for oviposition; (iv) longevity and developmental time were similar in both lines.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that W[+] A. vladimiri have no clear fitness benefit under mass-rearing conditions and may be disadvantageous under lab-controlled conditions. In a broader view, the results suggest that augmentative biological control can benefit from manipulation of the microbiome of natural enemies.}, }
@article {pmid33002000, year = {2020}, author = {Sorroche, F and Morales, V and Mouffok, S and Pichereaux, C and Garnerone, AM and Zou, L and Soni, B and Carpéné, MA and Gargaros, A and Maillet, F and Burlet-Schiltz, O and Poinsot, V and Polard, P and Gough, C and Batut, J}, title = {The ex planta signal activity of a Medicago ribosomal uL2 protein suggests a moonlighting role in controlling secondary rhizobial infection.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {e0235446}, pmid = {33002000}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Coinfection/prevention &amp; control ; Ethylenes/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genes, Plant ; *Medicago truncatula/genetics/metabolism/microbiology ; Plant Immunity/genetics ; Plant Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Plant Root Nodulation/physiology ; Plant Roots/metabolism/microbiology ; Ribosomal Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Root Nodules, Plant/*metabolism/microbiology ; Signal Transduction ; Sinorhizobium meliloti/*metabolism ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {We recently described a regulatory loop, which we termed autoregulation of infection (AOI), by which Sinorhizobium meliloti, a Medicago endosymbiont, downregulates the root susceptibility to secondary infection events via ethylene. AOI is initially triggered by so-far unidentified Medicago nodule signals named signal 1 and signal 1' whose transduction in bacteroids requires the S. meliloti outer-membrane-associated NsrA receptor protein and the cognate inner-membrane-associated adenylate cyclases, CyaK and CyaD1/D2, respectively. Here, we report on advances in signal 1 identification. Signal 1 activity is widespread as we robustly detected it in Medicago nodule extracts as well as in yeast and bacteria cell extracts. Biochemical analyses indicated a peptidic nature for signal 1 and, together with proteomic analyses, a universally conserved Medicago ribosomal protein of the uL2 family was identified as a candidate signal 1. Specifically, MtRPuL2A (MtrunA17Chr7g0247311) displays a strong signal activity that requires S. meliloti NsrA and CyaK, as endogenous signal 1. We have shown that MtRPuL2A is active in signaling only in a non-ribosomal form. A Medicago truncatula mutant in the major symbiotic transcriptional regulator MtNF-YA1 lacked most signal 1 activity, suggesting that signal 1 is under developmental control. Altogether, our results point to the MtRPuL2A ribosomal protein as the candidate for signal 1. Based on the Mtnf-ya1 mutant, we suggest a link between root infectiveness and nodule development. We discuss our findings in the context of ribosomal protein moonlighting.}, }
@article {pmid33000998, year = {2020}, author = {Noutoshi, Y and Toyoda, A and Ishii, T and Saito, K and Watanabe, M and Kawaguchi, A}, title = {Complete Genome Sequence Data of Nonpathogenic and Nonantagonistic Strain of Rhizobium vitis VAR06-30 Isolated From Grapevine Rhizosphere.}, journal = {Molecular plant-microbe interactions : MPMI}, volume = {33}, number = {11}, pages = {1283-1285}, doi = {10.1094/MPMI-07-20-0182-A}, pmid = {33000998}, issn = {0894-0282}, mesh = {*Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; Plant Tumors/*microbiology ; *Rhizobium/genetics ; Rhizosphere ; Vitis/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Rhizobium (Agrobacterium) is one genus in the family Rhizobiaceae. Most of the species are epi- or endophytic bacteria which include tumorigenic or rhizogenic pathogens, root nodule bacteria, and commensal endosymbionts. Rhizobium vitis strain VAR06-30 is a commensal bacterium without pathogenicity which was isolated from a rootstock of grapevine in Japan. It also does not have antagonistic activity to the pathogenic strain of R. vitis. Here, we show the complete genome sequence data with annotation of R. vitis VAR06-30 which was analyzed by sequence reads obtained from both PacBio and Illumina platforms. This genome sequence would contribute to the understanding of evolutionary lineage and characteristics of Rhizobium commensal bacteria.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.}, }
@article {pmid32994291, year = {2020}, author = {Lu, Y and Jiang, J and Zhao, H and Han, X and Xiang, Y and Zhou, W}, title = {Clade-Specific Sterol Metabolites in Dinoflagellate Endosymbionts Are Associated with Coral Bleaching in Response to Environmental Cues.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {5}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {32994291}, issn = {2379-5077}, abstract = {Cnidarians cannot synthesize sterols (which play essential roles in growth and development) de novo but often use sterols acquired from endosymbiotic dinoflagellates. While sterol availability can impact the mutualistic interaction between coral host and algal symbiont, the biosynthetic pathways (in the dinoflagellate endosymbionts) and functional roles of sterols in these symbioses are poorly understood. In this study, we found that itraconazole, which perturbs sterol metabolism by inhibiting the sterol 14-demethylase CYP51 in dinoflagellates, induces bleaching of the anemone Heteractis crispa and that bleaching perturbs sterol metabolism of the dinoflagellate. While Symbiodiniaceae have clade-specific sterol metabolites, they share features of the common sterol biosynthetic pathway but with distinct architecture and substrate specificity features of participating enzymes. Tracking sterol profiles and transcripts of enzymes involved in sterol biosynthesis across time in response to different environmental cues revealed similarities and idiosyncratic features of sterol synthesis in the endosymbiont Breviolum minutum Exposure of algal cultures to high levels of light, heat, and acidification led to alterations in sterol synthesis, including blocks through downregulation of squalene synthase transcript levels accompanied by marked growth reductions.IMPORTANCE These results indicate that sterol metabolites in Symbiodiniaceae are clade specific, that their biosynthetic pathways share architectural and substrate specificity features with those of animals and plants, and that environmental stress-specific perturbation of sterol biosynthesis in dinoflagellates can impair a key mutualistic partnership for healthy reefs.}, }
@article {pmid32993944, year = {2020}, author = {Sperling, J and MacDonald, Z and Normandeau, J and Merrill, E and Sperling, F and Magor, K}, title = {Within-population diversity of bacterial microbiomes in winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus).}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {6}, pages = {101535}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101535}, pmid = {32993944}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Alberta ; Animals ; Bacteria/*isolation &amp; purification ; Dermacentor/*microbiology ; Microbiota/*genetics ; RNA, Bacterial/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; }, abstract = {The bacterial microbiome of ticks is notoriously diverse, but the factors leading to this diversity are poorly understood. We sequenced bacterial 16S rRNA amplicons from individual winter ticks, Dermacentor albipictus, to assess whether their one-host life cycle is associated with reduced bacterial diversity. On average, about 100 bacterial genera were found for individual ticks. Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE) dominated bacterial communities, particularly in female ticks and in ticks that had fed. The remainder of the winter tick microbiome was highly variable. In addition to FLE, the main bacterial genera associated with winter ticks on elk were Pseudomonas, Ehrlichia, Asinibacterium, Acinetobacter and Streptococcus, although sequences associated with hundreds of other minor bacterial genera were detected. A complex interaction between richness and evenness was revealed in comparisons among tick life stages, using the Hill number series to show trends in diversity with decreasing emphasis on rare members of the assemblage. Male ticks had a significantly greater number of bacterial genera than females or nymphs, while males had greater evenness than females and similar evenness to nymphs. We intentionally sampled ticks from a single host species, North American elk, from a single location in Alberta, Canada, to constrain the ecological and blood meal variation that individuals experience through their life cycle. In spite of this, we found that the number of bacterial genera detected in this one-host tick system was remarkably diverse. The high taxonomic variability of the minor components of the winter tick microbiome suggests that this part of their microbiome diversity should be examined for functional significance.}, }
@article {pmid32993936, year = {2020}, author = {Tufts, DM and Sameroff, S and Tagliafierro, T and Jain, K and Oleynik, A and VanAcker, MC and Diuk-Wasser, MA and Lipkin, WI and Tokarz, R}, title = {A metagenomic examination of the pathobiome of the invasive tick species, Haemaphysalis longicornis, collected from a New York City borough, USA.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {6}, pages = {101516}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101516}, pmid = {32993936}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Ixodidae/growth &amp; development/*microbiology/virology ; Larva/growth &amp; development/microbiology/virology ; *Metagenome ; Metagenomics ; *Microbiota ; New York City ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/microbiology/virology ; *Virome ; }, abstract = {Haemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick, is an invasive tick species that has spread rapidly across the northeastern and southeastern regions of the United States in recent years. This invasive pest species, known to transmit several tick-borne pathogens in its native range, is a potential threat to wildlife, livestock, domestic animals, and humans. Questing larval (n = 25), nymph (n = 10), and adult (n = 123), along with host-derived adult (n = 25) H. longicornis ticks were collected from various locations on Staten Island, NY. The pathobiome of each specimen was examined using two different high throughput sequencing approaches, virus enrichment and shotgun metagenomics. An average of 45,828,061 total reads per sample were recovered from the virus enriched samples and an average of 11,381,144 total reads per sample were obtained using shotgun metagenomics. Aside from endogenous viral sequences, no viruses were identified through either approach. Through shotgun metagenomics, Coxiella-like bacteria, Legionella, Sphingomonas, and other bacterial species were recovered. The Coxiella-like agent was ubiquitous and present at high abundances in all samples, suggesting it may be an endosymbiont. The other bacterial agents are not known to be transmitted by ticks. From these analyses, H. longicornis do not appear to host any endemic human tick-borne pathogens in the New York City region.}, }
@article {pmid32993931, year = {2020}, author = {Al-Khafaji, AM and Bell-Sakyi, L and Fracasso, G and Luu, L and Heylen, D and Matthysen, E and Oteo, JA and Palomar, AM}, title = {Isolation of Candidatus Rickettsia vini from Belgian Ixodes arboricola ticks and propagation in tick cell lines.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {6}, pages = {101511}, pmid = {32993931}, issn = {1877-9603}, support = {BB/N023889/2/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Belgium ; Cell Line ; Female ; Genes, Bacterial ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Rickettsia/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Candidatus Rickettsia vini was originally detected in Ixodes arboricola ticks from Spain, and subsequently reported from several other Western Palearctic countries including Belgium. Recently, the bacterium was isolated in mammalian (Vero) cell culture from macerated male I. arboricola from Czech Republic, but there have been no reports of propagation in tick cells. Here we report isolation in a tick cell line of three strains of Ca. R. vini from I. arboricola collected from nests of great tits (Parus major) in Belgium. Internal organs of one male and two engorged female ticks were dissected aseptically, added to cultures of the Rhipicephalus microplus cell line BME/CTVM23 and incubated at 28 °C. Rickettsia-like bacteria were first seen in Giemsa-stained cytocentrifuge smears between 2 and 15 weeks later. Two of the isolates grew rapidly, destroying the tick cells within 2-4 weeks of onward passage in BME/CTVM23 cells, while the third isolate grew much more slowly, only requiring subculture at 4-5-month intervals. PCR amplification of bacterial 16S rRNA and Rickettsia gltA, sca4, ompB, ompA and 17-kDa genes revealed that all three isolates were Ca. R. vini, with 100 % identity to each other and to published Ca. R. vini sequences from other geographical locations. Transmission electron microscopy revealed typical single Rickettsia bacteria in the cytoplasm of BME/CTVM23 cells. The Ca. R. vini strain isolated from the male I. arboricola tick, designated Boshoek1, was tested for ability to grow in a panel of Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes scapularis and R. microplus cell lines and in Vero cells. The Boshoek1 strain grew rapidly, causing severe cytopathic effect, in the R. microplus line BME26, the I. ricinus line IRE11 and Vero cells, more slowly in the I. ricinus line IRE/CTVM19, possibly established a low-level infection in the I. ricinus line IRE/CTVM20, and failed to infect cells of any of four I. scapularis lines over a 12-week observation period. This study confirmed the applicability of the simple tick organ-cell line co-cultivation technique for isolation of tick-borne Rickettsia spp. using BME/CTVM23 cells.}, }
@article {pmid32972080, year = {2020}, author = {Noda, T and Okude, G and Meng, XY and Koga, R and Moriyama, M and Fukatsu, T}, title = {Bacteriocytes and Blattabacterium Endosymbionts of the German Cockroach Blattella germanica, the Forest Cockroach Blattella nipponica, and Other Cockroach Species.}, journal = {Zoological science}, volume = {37}, number = {5}, pages = {399-410}, doi = {10.2108/zs200054}, pmid = {32972080}, issn = {0289-0003}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes/*physiology ; Cockroaches/*cytology/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Cockroaches are commonly found in human residences and notorious as hygienic and nuisance pests. Notably, however, no more than 30 cockroach species are regarded as pests, while the majority of 4,500 cockroaches in the world are living in forest environments with little relevance to human life. Why some cockroaches have exceptionally adapted to anthropic environments and established pest status is of interest. Here we investigated the German cockroach Blattella germanica, which is a cosmopolitan pest species, and the forest cockroach Blattella nipponica, which is a wild species closely related to B. germanica. In contrast to easy rearing of B. germanica, laboratory rearing of B. nipponica was challenging-several trials enabled us to keep the insects for up to three months. We particularly focused on the distribution patterns of specialized cells, bacteriocytes, for harboring endosymbiotic Blattabacterium, which has been suggested to contribute to host's nitrogen metabolism and recycling, during the postembryonic development of the insects. The bacteriocytes were consistently localized to visceral fat bodies filling the abdominal body cavity, where a number of single bacteriocytes were scattered among the adipocytes, throughout the developmental stages in both females and males. The distribution patterns of the bacteriocytes were quite similar between B. germanica and B. nipponica, and also among other diverse cockroach species, plausibly reflecting the highly conserved cockroach-Blattabacterium symbiotic association over evolutionary time. Our study lays a foundation to experimentally investigate the origin and the processes of urban pest evolution, on account of possible involvement of microbial associates.}, }
@article {pmid32970802, year = {2020}, author = {Li, TP and Zha, SS and Zhou, CY and Gong, JT and Zhu, YX and Zhang, X and Xi, Z and Hong, XY}, title = {Newly introduced Cardinium endosymbiont reduces microbial diversity in the rice brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {96}, number = {12}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiaa194}, pmid = {32970802}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Bacteroidetes/genetics ; Female ; *Hemiptera ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic microorganisms in invertebrates play vital roles in host ecology and evolution. Cardinium, a common intracellular symbiont, is transinfected into the important agricultural pest Nilaparvata lugens (rice brown planthopper) to regulate its reproduction, but how this impacts its microbial community is unknown. Here, we characterized the bacterial microbiota from N. lugens, with or without Cardinium, at different developmental stages and in various adult tissues using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) gene sequencing. Upon infection with Cardinium, we found that microbial diversity in the different developmental stages of N. lugens (especially females), and in female midguts and male testes, was lower than that in the uninfected control. There was a negative correlation between Cardinium and most related genera and between Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Although the microbial structure varied during Cardinium infection, Acinetobacter spp. were a core microbiome genus. The Cardinium infection enhanced the relative density of midgut-associated Acinetobacter spp., with both bacteria exhibiting tissue-specific tropism. In addition, this infection caused the changes of main microbial functions in N. lugens. These results offer insights into the effects of alien (i.e. newly introduced from other organism) Cardinium infection on N. lugens-associated microbiotas, aiding in the development of transinfected endosymbionts for pest control.}, }
@article {pmid32968175, year = {2020}, author = {Shao, M and Sun, C and Liu, X and Wang, X and Li, W and Wei, X and Li, Q and Ju, J}, title = {Upregulation of a marine fungal biosynthetic gene cluster by an endobacterial symbiont.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {3}, number = {1}, pages = {527}, pmid = {32968175}, issn = {2399-3642}, mesh = {Actinobacteria/*genetics/metabolism/physiology ; Alcaligenes faecalis/*genetics/metabolism/physiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/biosynthesis/pharmacology ; Aquatic Organisms/*genetics ; Geologic Sediments/microbiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Multigene Family/*physiology ; Symbiosis ; Up-Regulation ; }, abstract = {Fungal-bacterial associations are present in nature, playing important roles in ecological, evolutionary and medicinal processes. Here we report a fungus-bacterial symbiont from marine sediment. The bacterium lives inside the fungal mycelium yet is robust enough to survive independent of its host; the independently grown bacterium can infect the fungal host in vitro and continue to grow progenitively. The bacterial symbiont modulates the fungal host to biosynthesize a polyketide antimicrobial, spiromarmycin. Spiromarmycin appears to endow upon the symbiont pair a protective/defensive means of warding off competitor organisms, be they prokaryotic or eukaryotic microorganisms. Genomic analyses revealed the spiromarmycin biosynthetic machinery to be encoded, not by the bacterium, but rather the fungal host. This unique fungal-bacterial symbiotic relationship and the molecule/s resulting from it dramatically expand our knowledge of marine microbial diversity and shed important insights into endosymbionts and fungal-bacterial relationships.}, }
@article {pmid32961808, year = {2020}, author = {Salcedo-Porras, N and Umaña-Diaz, C and Bitencourt, ROB and Lowenberger, C}, title = {The Role of Bacterial Symbionts in Triatomines: An Evolutionary Perspective.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {32961808}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {Discovery Grant #261940//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; President's Research Grant and a graduate Fellowship//Simon Fraser University/ ; Emerging Leaders of the Americas Fellowship//Government of Canada/ ; }, abstract = {Insects have established mutualistic symbiotic interactions with microorganisms that are beneficial to both host and symbiont. Many insects have exploited these symbioses to diversify and expand their ecological ranges. In the Hemiptera (i.e., aphids, cicadas, and true bugs), symbioses have established and evolved with obligatory essential microorganisms (primary symbionts) and with facultative beneficial symbionts (secondary symbionts). Primary symbionts are usually intracellular microorganisms found in insects with specialized diets such as obligate hematophagy or phytophagy. Most Heteroptera (true bugs), however, have gastrointestinal (GI) tract extracellular symbionts with functions analogous to primary endosymbionts. The triatomines, are vectors of the human parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. A description of their small GI tract microbiota richness was based on a few culturable microorganisms first described almost a century ago. A growing literature describes more complex interactions between triatomines and bacteria with properties characteristic of both primary and secondary symbionts. In this review, we provide an evolutionary perspective of beneficial symbioses in the Hemiptera, illustrating the context that may drive the evolution of symbioses in triatomines. We highlight the diversity of the triatomine microbiota, bacterial taxa with potential to be beneficial symbionts, the unique characteristics of triatomine-bacteria symbioses, and the interactions among trypanosomes, microbiota, and triatomines.}, }
@article {pmid32957540, year = {2020}, author = {Ghafar, A and Khan, A and Cabezas-Cruz, A and Gauci, CG and Niaz, S and Ayaz, S and Mateos-Hernández, L and Galon, C and Nasreen, N and Moutailler, S and Gasser, RB and Jabbar, A}, title = {An Assessment of the Molecular Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Microorganisms of Small Ruminants in Pakistan.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {32957540}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {This study investigated ticks and tick-borne microorganisms of small ruminants from five districts of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan. Morphological (n = 104) and molecular (n = 54) characterization of the ticks revealed the presence of six ixodid ticks: Rhipicephalus (Rh.) haemaphysaloides, Rh. microplus, Rh. turanicus, Haemaphysalis (Hs.) punctata, Hs. sulcata and Hyalomma anatolicum. Phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequence data for two mitochondrial (16S and cytochrome c oxidase 1) and one nuclear (second internal transcribed spacer) DNA regions provided strong support for the grouping of the six tick species identified in this study. Microfluidic real-time PCR, employing multiple pre-validated nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers, detected 11 potential pathogens and endosymbionts in 72.2% of the ticks (n = 54) tested. Rickettsia (R.) massiliae was the most common pathogen found (42.6% of ticks) followed by Theileria spp. (33.3%), Anaplasma (A.) ovis and R. slovaca (25.9% each). Anaplasma centrale, A. marginale, Ehrlichia spp., R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii and endosymbionts (Francisella- and Coxiella-like) were detected at much lower rates (1.9-22.2%) in ticks. Ticks from goats (83.9%) carried significantly higher microorganisms than those from sheep (56.5%). This study demonstrates that ticks of small ruminants from the FATA are carrying multiple microorganisms of veterinary and medical health significance and provides the basis for future investigations of ticks and tick-borne diseases of animals and humans in this and neighboring regions.}, }
@article {pmid32956455, year = {2021}, author = {Ip, JC and Xu, T and Sun, J and Li, R and Chen, C and Lan, Y and Han, Z and Zhang, H and Wei, J and Wang, H and Tao, J and Cai, Z and Qian, PY and Qiu, JW}, title = {Host-Endosymbiont Genome Integration in a Deep-Sea Chemosymbiotic Clam.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {38}, number = {2}, pages = {502-518}, pmid = {32956455}, issn = {1537-1719}, support = {EP-C-18-007/EPA/EPA/United States ; }, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Bivalvia/*microbiology/physiology ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Genome ; Hemoglobins/chemistry/genetics ; Hydrothermal Vents/*microbiology ; Immune System ; Phylogeny ; Piscirickettsiaceae/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria has enabled many deep-sea invertebrates to thrive at hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, but most previous studies on this mutualism have focused on the bacteria only. Vesicomyid clams dominate global deep-sea chemosynthesis-based ecosystems. They differ from most deep-sea symbiotic animals in passing their symbionts from parent to offspring, enabling intricate coevolution between the host and the symbiont. Here, we sequenced the genomes of the clam Archivesica marissinica (Bivalvia: Vesicomyidae) and its bacterial symbiont to understand the genomic/metabolic integration behind this symbiosis. At 1.52 Gb, the clam genome encodes 28 genes horizontally transferred from bacteria, a large number of pseudogenes and transposable elements whose massive expansion corresponded to the timing of the rise and subsequent divergence of symbiont-bearing vesicomyids. The genome exhibits gene family expansion in cellular processes that likely facilitate chemoautotrophy, including gas delivery to support energy and carbon production, metabolite exchange with the symbiont, and regulation of the bacteriocyte population. Contraction in cellulase genes is likely adaptive to the shift from phytoplankton-derived to bacteria-based food. It also shows contraction in bacterial recognition gene families, indicative of suppressed immune response to the endosymbiont. The gammaproteobacterium endosymbiont has a reduced genome of 1.03 Mb but retains complete pathways for sulfur oxidation, carbon fixation, and biosynthesis of 20 common amino acids, indicating the host's high dependence on the symbiont for nutrition. Overall, the host-symbiont genomes show not only tight metabolic complementarity but also distinct signatures of coevolution allowing the vesicomyids to thrive in chemosynthesis-based ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid32943577, year = {2020}, author = {Becker, DM and Silbiger, NJ}, title = {Nutrient and sediment loading affect multiple facets of functionality in a tropical branching coral.}, journal = {The Journal of experimental biology}, volume = {223}, number = {Pt 21}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.225045}, pmid = {32943577}, issn = {1477-9145}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Chlorophyll A ; Coral Reefs ; Ecosystem ; Nutrients ; Polynesia ; }, abstract = {Coral reefs, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, face increasing pressures from global and local anthropogenic stressors. Therefore, a better understanding of the ecological ramifications of warming and land-based inputs (e.g. sedimentation and nutrient loading) on coral reef ecosystems is necessary. In this study, we measured how a natural nutrient and sedimentation gradient affected multiple facets of coral functionality, including endosymbiont and coral host response variables, holobiont metabolic responses and percent cover of Pocillopora acuta colonies in Mo'orea, French Polynesia. We used thermal performance curves to quantify the relationship between metabolic rates and temperature along the environmental gradient. We found that algal endosymbiont percent nitrogen content, endosymbiont densities and total chlorophyll a content increased with nutrient input, while endosymbiont nitrogen content per cell decreased, likely representing competition among the algal endosymbionts. Nutrient and sediment loading decreased coral metabolic responses to thermal stress in terms of their thermal performance and metabolic rate processes. The acute thermal optimum for dark respiration decreased, along with the maximal performance for gross photosynthetic and calcification rates. Gross photosynthetic and calcification rates normalized to a reference temperature (26.8°C) decreased along the gradient. Lastly, percent cover of P. acuta colonies decreased by nearly two orders of magnitude along the nutrient gradient. These findings illustrate that nutrient and sediment loading affect multiple levels of coral functionality. Understanding how local-scale anthropogenic stressors influence the responses of corals to temperature can inform coral reef management, particularly in relation to the mediation of land-based inputs into coastal coral reef ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid32943557, year = {2020}, author = {DeAngelis, KM and Pold, G}, title = {Genome Sequences of Frankineae sp. Strain MT45 and Jatrophihabitans sp. Strain GAS493, Two Actinobacteria Isolated from Forest Soil.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {9}, number = {38}, pages = {}, pmid = {32943557}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Frankiaceae are bacterial endosymbionts that are also found free-living in soil. Here, we present the genome sequences of two novel bacterial members of the order Frankiales, class Actinobacteria, isolated from temperate terrestrial forest soils. The genomes for MT45 and GAS493 indicate a genetic capacity for carbohydrate degradation but not nitrogen fixation.}, }
@article {pmid32937243, year = {2020}, author = {Shin, PT and Baptista, RP and O'Neill, CM and Wallis, C and Reaves, BJ and Wolstenholme, AJ}, title = {Comparative sequences of the Wolbachia genomes of drug-sensitive and resistant isolates of Dirofilaria immitis.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {286}, number = {}, pages = {109225}, pmid = {32937243}, issn = {1873-2550}, support = {R01 AI103140/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI125899/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Dirofilaria immitis/*drug effects/microbiology ; *Drug Resistance ; *Genetic Variation ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Lactones/*pharmacology ; Macrocyclic Compounds/pharmacology ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {The recent identification of isolates of D. immitis with confirmed resistance to the macrocyclic lactone preventatives presents an opportunity for comparative genomic studies using these isolates, and examining the genetic diversity within and between them. We studied the genomes of Wolbachia endosymbionts of five isolates of D. immitis maintained at the University of Georgia. Missouri and Georgia-2 are maintained as drug susceptible isolates, and JYD-27, Yazoo-2013 and Metairie-2014 are resistant to the macrocyclic lactone preventatives. We used whole genome amplification followed by Illumina-based sequencing from 8 to 12 individual microfilariae from each of the five isolates, obtaining a depth of coverage of approximately 40-75 fold for each. The Illumina sequences were used to create new genome assemblies for all the Wolbachia isolates studied. Comparisons of the Wolbachia sequences revealed more than 3000 sequence variations in each isolate. We identified 67 loci specific in resistant isolates but not in susceptible isolates, including 18 genes affected.Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the endosymbionts of the drug-susceptible isolates are more closely related to each other than to those from any of the resistant parasites. This level of variation in the Wolbachia endosymbionts of D. immitis isolates suggests a potential for selection for resistance against drugs targeting them.}, }
@article {pmid32927527, year = {2020}, author = {Kakumanu, ML and DeVries, ZC and Barbarin, AM and Santangelo, RG and Schal, C}, title = {Bed bugs shape the indoor microbial community composition of infested homes.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {743}, number = {}, pages = {140704}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140704}, pmid = {32927527}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Aged ; Animals ; *Bedbugs ; Hot Temperature ; Housing ; Humans ; *Microbiota ; Poverty ; }, abstract = {Indoor pests, and the allergens they produce, adversely affect human health. Surprisingly, however, their effects on indoor microbial communities have not been assessed. Bed bug (Cimex lectularius) infestations pose severe challenges in elderly and low-income housing. They void large amounts of liquid feces into the home environment, which might alter the indoor microbial community composition. In this study, using bed bug-infested and uninfested homes, we showed a strong impact of bed bug infestations on the indoor microbial diversity. Floor dust samples were collected from uninfested and bed bug-infested homes and their microbiomes were analyzed before and after heat interventions that eliminated bed bugs. The microbial communities of bed bug-infested homes were radically different from those of uninfested homes, and the bed bug endosymbiont Wolbachia was the major driver of this difference. After bed bugs were eliminated, the microbial community gradually shifted toward the community composition of uninfested homes, strongly implicating bed bugs in shaping the dust-associated environmental microbiome. Further studies are needed to understand the viability of these microbial communities and the potential risks that bed bug-associated microbes and their metabolites pose to human health.}, }
@article {pmid32924896, year = {2020}, author = {Gonçalves, WG and Fernandes, KM and Silva, APA and Gonçalves, DG and Fiaz, M and Serrão, JE}, title = {Ultrastructure of the Bacteriocytes in the Midgut of the Carpenter ant Camponotus rufipes: Endosymbiont Control by Autophagy.}, journal = {Microscopy and microanalysis : the official journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada}, volume = {26}, number = {6}, pages = {1236-1244}, doi = {10.1017/S1431927620024484}, pmid = {32924896}, issn = {1435-8115}, mesh = {Animals ; *Ants ; Autophagy ; Bacteria ; Humans ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The carpenter ant Camponotus rufipes has intracellular bacteria in bacteriocytes scattered in the midgut epithelium, which have different amounts of endosymbionts, according to the developmental stages. However, there are no detailed data about the midgut cells in adult workers. The present work aimed to evaluate the morphology and cellular events that coordinate the abundance of endosymbionts in the midgut cells in C. rufipes workers. The midgut epithelium has digestive cells, bacteriocytes, and cells with intermediate morphology. The latter is similar to bacteriocytes, due to the abundance of endosymbionts, and similar to digestive cells, due to their microvilli. The digestive and intermediate cells are rich in autophagosomes and autolysosomes, both with bacteria debris in the lumen. These findings suggest that midgut cells of C. rufipes control the endosymbiont level by the autophagy pathway.}, }
@article {pmid32908591, year = {2020}, author = {Rossbacher, S and Vorburger, C}, title = {Prior adaptation of parasitoids improves biological control of symbiont-protected pests.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {13}, number = {8}, pages = {1868-1876}, pmid = {32908591}, issn = {1752-4571}, abstract = {There is increasing demand for sustainable pest management to reduce harmful effects of pesticides on the environment and human health. For pest aphids, biological control with parasitoid wasps provides a welcome alternative, particularly in greenhouses. However, aphids are frequently infected with the heritable bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa, which increases resistance to parasitoids and thereby hampers biological control. Using the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae) and its main parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabarum, we tested whether prior adaptation of parasitoids can improve the control of symbiont-protected pests. We had parasitoid lines adapted to two different strains of H. defensa by experimental evolution, as well as parasitoids evolved on H. defensa-free aphids. We compared their ability to control caged aphid populations comprising 60% unprotected and 40% H. defensa-protected aphids, with both H. defensa strains present in the populations. Parasitoids that were not adapted to H. defensa had virtually no effect on aphid population dynamics compared to parasitoid-free controls, but one of the adapted lines and a mixture of both adapted lines controlled aphids successfully, strongly benefitting plant growth. Selection by parasitoids altered aphid population composition in a very specific manner. Aphid populations became dominated by H. defensa-protected aphids in the presence of parasitoids, and each adapted parasitoid line selected for the H. defensa strain it was not adapted to. This study shows, for the first time, that prior adaptation of parasitoids improves biological control of symbiont-protected pests, but the high specificity of parasitoid counter-resistance may represent a challenge for its implementation.}, }
@article {pmid32906741, year = {2020}, author = {Jain, SS and Afiq-Rosli, L and Feldman, B and Levy, O and Phua, JW and Wainwright, BJ and Huang, D}, title = {Homogenization of Endosymbiont Communities Hosted by Equatorial Corals during the 2016 Mass Bleaching Event.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {32906741}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {MSRDP-P03; NRF2017NRF-ISF002-2658; Grant Number 2658/17//National Research Foundation; Israel Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Thermal stress drives the bleaching of reef corals, during which the endosymbiotic relationship between Symbiodiniaceae microalgae and the host breaks down. The endosymbiont communities are known to shift in response to environmental disturbances, but how they respond within and between colonies during and following bleaching events remains unclear. In 2016, a major global-scale bleaching event hit countless tropical reefs. Here, we investigate the relative abundances of Cladocopium LaJeunesse &amp; H.J.Jeong, 2018 and Durusdinium LaJeunesse, 2018 within and among Pachyseris speciosa colonies in equatorial Singapore that are known to host both these Symbiodiniaceae clades. Bleached and unbleached tissues from bleaching colonies, as well as healthy colonies, during and following the bleaching event were sampled and analyzed for comparison. The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were separately amplified and quantified using a SYBR Green-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method and Illumina high-throughput sequencing. We found Cladocopium to be highly abundant relative to Durusdinium. The relative abundance of Durusdinium, known to be thermally tolerant, was highest in post-bleaching healthy colonies, while bleached and unbleached tissues from bleaching colonies as well as tissue from healthy colonies during the event had depressed proportions of Durusdinium. Given the importance of Durusdinium for thermal tolerance and stress response, it is surprising that bleached tissue showed limited change over healthy tissue during the bleaching event. Moreover, colonies were invariably dominated by Cladocopium during bleaching, but a minority of colonies were Durusdinium-dominant during non-bleaching times. The detailed characterization of Symbiodiniaceae in specific colonies during stress and recovery will provide insights into this crucial symbiosis, with implications for their responses during major bleaching events.}, }
@article {pmid32904796, year = {2020}, author = {Ciuca, L and Vismarra, A and Lebon, W and Beugnet, F and Morchon, R and Rinaldi, L and Cringoli, G and Kramer, L and Genchi, M}, title = {New insights into the biology, diagnosis and immune response to Dirofilaria repens in the canine host.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology: X}, volume = {4}, number = {}, pages = {100029}, pmid = {32904796}, issn = {2590-1389}, abstract = {Dogs are the primary host for Dirofilaria repens, therefore it is mandatory to accurately diagnose the canine infection and to expand our current knowledge on parasite biology and the immune response of the infected host for a better prevention.Thus, the aim of the present study was to provide new insights from experimental infections of dogs with D. repens, focusing on the evaluation of: 1) the pre-patent period and 2) the antibody response against D. repens somatic antigens and against the Wolbachia endosymbiont. Briefly, on Day 0, twenty purpose-bred Beagle dogs were experimentally infected with 50 infective larvae (L3) of D. repens. Starting from Day 58 until the last day of the study (Day 281), blood samples were collected on a monthly basis for detection of antibodies against D. repens (Dr) and recombinant Wolbachia surface protein (rWSP) by non-commercial IgG-ELISAs. Additional samples were collected on Days 220, 245 and 281 for the detection of microfilariae (mff) using the modified Knott's test and biomolecular analysis, following two PCR protocols: Gioia et al. (2010; protocol A) and Rishniw et al. (2006- protocol B). The results were analysed by univariate statistical analyses using 2 × 2 contingency tables and K Cohen was calculated to assess the agreement among all the diagnostic techniques. Overall, the outcome of the study revealed that out of the 20 dogs experimentally infected with D. repens, 16 (80 %) were microfilaraemic, 17 (85 %) were positive at DNA detection in the blood, 18 (90 %) had D. repens antibodies and 16 (80 %) had Wolbachia antibodies on the last day of the study. The overall k agreement between Knott's and PCR protocol B was 0.442 (P = 0.0001) and increased throughout the study, reaching 0.828 (P = 0.0001) on Day 281. To the authors knowledge, this is only the second study reporting antibody response to D. repens somatic antigen in experimentally infected dogs. ELISA results showed that an antibody response develops before the onset of patency, and steadily increases with time. Results would suggest that the development of an immunological response to infection could lead to application in epidemiological studies, risk assessment and as an aid in the diagnostic approach in dogs, in particular for early infections without mff.}, }
@article {pmid32899580, year = {2020}, author = {Barraza-Guerrero, SI and Meza-Herrera, CA and García-De la Peña, C and González-Álvarez, VH and Vaca-Paniagua, F and Díaz-Velásquez, CE and Sánchez-Tortosa, F and Ávila-Rodríguez, V and Valenzuela-Núñez, LM and Herrera-Salazar, JC}, title = {General Microbiota of the Soft Tick Ornithodoros turicata Parasitizing the Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus) in the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve, Mexico.}, journal = {Biology}, volume = {9}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {32899580}, issn = {2079-7737}, abstract = {The general bacterial microbiota of the soft tick Ornithodoros turicata found on Bolson tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus) were analyzed using next generation sequencing. The main aims of the study were to establish the relative abundance of bacterial taxa in the tick, and to document the presence of potentially pathogenic species for this tortoise, other animals, and humans. The study was carried-out in the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve in the northern-arid part of Mexico. Bolson tortoises (n = 45) were inspected for the presence of soft ticks, from which 11 tortoises (24.4%) had ticks in low loads (1-3 ticks per individual). Tick pools (five adult ticks each) were analyzed through 16S rRNA V3-V4 region amplification in a MiSeq Illumina, using EzBioCloud as a taxonomical reference. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) revealed 28 phyla, 84 classes, 165 orders, 342 families, 1013 genera, and 1326 species. The high number of taxa registered for O. turicata may be the result of the variety of hosts that this tick parasitizes as they live inside G. flavomarginatus burrows. While the most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, the most abundant species were two endosymbionts of ticks (Midichloria-like and Coxiella-like). Two bacteria documented as pathogenic to Gopherus spp. were registered (Mycoplasma spp. and Pasteurella testudinis). The bovine and ovine tick-borne pathogens A. marginale and A. ovis, respectively, were recorded, as well as the zoonotic bacteria A. phagocytophilum,Coxiella burnetii, and Neoehrlichia sp. Tortoises parasitized with O. turicata did not show evident signs of disease, which could indicate a possible ecological role as a reservoir that has yet to be demonstrated. In fact, the defense mechanisms of this tortoise against the microorganisms transmitted by ticks during their feeding process are still unknown. Future studies on soft ticks should expand our knowledge about what components of the microbiota are notable across multiple host-microbe dynamics. Likewise, studies are required to better understand the host competence of this tortoise, considered the largest terrestrial reptile in North America distributed throughout the Chihuahuan Desert since the late Pleistocene.}, }
@article {pmid32894786, year = {2020}, author = {Lenhart, PA and White, JA}, title = {Endosymbionts facilitate rapid evolution in a polyphagous herbivore.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {33}, number = {10}, pages = {1507-1511}, doi = {10.1111/jeb.13697}, pmid = {32894786}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*genetics/microbiology ; *Biological Evolution ; Gammaproteobacteria/*physiology ; *Herbivory ; Robinia ; *Selection, Genetic ; Symbiosis ; Vicia faba ; }, abstract = {Maternally transmitted bacterial symbionts can be important mediators of the interactions between insect herbivores and their foodplants. These symbionts are often facultative (present in some host individuals but not others) and can have large effects on their host's phenotype, thus giving rise to heritable variation upon which selection can act. In the cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora), it has been established that the facultative endosymbiont Arsenophonus improves aphid performance on black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia) but not on fava (Vicia faba). Here, we tested whether this fitness differential translated into contemporaneous evolution of aphid populations associated with the different plants. In a laboratory study lasting 16 weeks, we found that the frequency of Arsenophonus-infected individuals significantly increased over time for aphid populations on black locust but declined for aphid populations on fava. By the end of the experiment, Arsenophonus infection was >3× more common on black locust than fava, which is comparable to previously described infection frequencies in natural field populations. Our results clearly demonstrate that aphid populations with mixed facultative symbiont infection status can rapidly evolve in response to the selective environments imposed by different host plants. This selection differential may be a sufficient explanation for the global association between Arsenophonus-infected cowpea aphids and black locust trees, without invoking additional assortative mechanisms. Because the aphid and plant originate from different parts of the world, we further hypothesize that Arsenophonus infection may have acted as a preadaptation that has promoted functional specialization of infected aphids on a novel host plant.}, }
@article {pmid32878185, year = {2020}, author = {Karakaidos, P and Rampias, T}, title = {Mitonuclear Interactions in the Maintenance of Mitochondrial Integrity.}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {10}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {32878185}, issn = {2075-1729}, abstract = {In eukaryotic cells, mitochondria originated in an α-proteobacterial endosymbiont. Although these organelles harbor their own genome, the large majority of genes, originally encoded in the endosymbiont, were either lost or transferred to the nucleus. As a consequence, mitochondria have become semi-autonomous and most of their processes require the import of nuclear-encoded components to be functional. Therefore, the mitochondrial-specific translation has evolved to be coordinated by mitonuclear interactions to respond to the energetic demands of the cell, acquiring unique and mosaic features. However, mitochondrial-DNA-encoded genes are essential for the assembly of the respiratory chain complexes. Impaired mitochondrial function due to oxidative damage and mutations has been associated with numerous human pathologies, the aging process, and cancer. In this review, we highlight the unique features of mitochondrial protein synthesis and provide a comprehensive insight into the mitonuclear crosstalk and its co-evolution, as well as the vulnerabilities of the animal mitochondrial genome.}, }
@article {pmid32876380, year = {2021}, author = {Shi, T and Niu, G and Kvitt, H and Zheng, X and Qin, Q and Sun, D and Ji, Z and Tchernov, D}, title = {Untangling ITS2 genotypes of algal symbionts in zooxanthellate corals.}, journal = {Molecular ecology resources}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {137-152}, doi = {10.1111/1755-0998.13250}, pmid = {32876380}, issn = {1755-0998}, support = {2016YFA0601203//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 41876119//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 41976127//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31661143029//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 20720150067//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/microbiology ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/*genetics ; Databases, Genetic ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Genotype ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S/genetics ; }, abstract = {Collectively called zooxanthellae, photosynthetic dinoflagellates in the family Symbiodiniaceae are typical endosymbionts that unequivocally mediate coral responses to environmental changes. Symbiodiniaceae are genetically diverse, encompassing at least nine phylogenetically distinct genera (clades A-I). The ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region is commonly utilized for determining Symbiodiniaceae diversity within clades. However, ITS2 is often inadvertently interpreted together with the tailing part of the ribosomal RNA genes (5.8S and 28S or equivalent), leading to unresolved taxonomy and equivocal annotations. To overcome this hurdle, we mined in GenBank and expert reference databases for ITS2 sequences of Symbiodiniaceae having explicit boundaries with adjacent rRNAs. We profiled a Hidden Markov Model of the ITS2-proximal 5.8S-28S rRNA interaction, which was shown to facilitate the delimitation of Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 from GenBank, while considerably reducing sequence ambiguity and redundancy in reference databases. The delineation of ITS2 sequences unveiled intra-clade sequence diversity and inter-clade secondary structure conservation. We compiled the clean data into a non-redundant database that archives the largest number of Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 sequences known to date with definite genotype/subclade representations and well-defined secondary structures. This database provides a fundamental reference catalog for consistent and precise genotyping of Symbiodiniaceae and a tool for automated annotation of user-supplied sequences.}, }
@article {pmid32866324, year = {2021}, author = {Lamin, H and Alami, S and Bouhnik, O and Bennis, M and Benkritly, S and Abdelmoumen, H and Bedmar, EJ and Missbah-El Idrissi, M}, title = {Identification of the endosymbionts from Sulla spinosissima growing in a lead mine tailings in Eastern Morocco as Mesorhizobium camelthorni sv. aridi.}, journal = {Journal of applied microbiology}, volume = {130}, number = {3}, pages = {948-959}, doi = {10.1111/jam.14834}, pmid = {32866324}, issn = {1365-2672}, mesh = {Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Fabaceae/*microbiology ; Genes, Essential/genetics ; Host Specificity ; Lead/*metabolism ; Mesorhizobium/classification/*physiology ; *Mining ; Morocco ; Phylogeny ; Plant Root Nodulation/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; Soil Microbiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {AIMS: To identify the bacteria nodulating Sulla spinosissima growing profusely in a lead and zinc mine tailings in Eastern Morocco.<br><br>METHODS AND RESULTS: In all, 32 rhizobial cultures, isolated from root nodules of S. spinosissima growing in soils of the mining site, were tolerant to different heavy metals. The ERIC-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting analysis clustered the isolates into seven different groups, and the analysis of the 16S rRNA sequences of four selected representative strains, showed they were related to different species of the genus Mesorhizobium. The atpD, glnII and recA housekeeping genes analysis confirmed the affiliation of the four representative strains to Mesorhizobium camelthorni CCNWXJ40-4[T] , with similarity percentages varying from 96&#xb7;30 to 98&#xb7;30%. The sequences of the nifH gene had 97&#xb7;33-97&#xb7;78% similarities with that of M. camelthorni CCNWXJ40-4[T] ; however, the nodC phylogeny of the four strains diverged from the type and other reference strains of M. camelthorni and formed a separated cluster. The four strains nodulate also Astragalus gombiformis and A. armatus but did not nodulate A. boeticus, Vachellia gummifera, Prosopis chilensis, Cicer arietinum, Lens culinaris, Medicago truncatula, Lupinus luteus or Phaseolus vulgaris.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Based on similarities of the nodC symbiotic gene and differences in the host range, the strains isolated from S. spinosissima growing in soils of the Sidi Boubker mining site may form a different symbiovar within Mesorhizobium for which the name aridi is proposed.<br><br>In this work, we show that strains of M. camelthorni species nodulating S. spinosissima in the arid area of Eastern Morocco constitute a distinct phylogenetic clade of nodulation genes; we named symbiovar aridi, which encompasses also mesorhizobia from other Mediterranean desert legumes.}, }
@article {pmid32866142, year = {2020}, author = {Oundo, JW and Villinger, J and Jeneby, M and Ong'amo, G and Otiende, MY and Makhulu, EE and Musa, AA and Ouso, DO and Wambua, L}, title = {Pathogens, endosymbionts, and blood-meal sources of host-seeking ticks in the fast-changing Maasai Mara wildlife ecosystem.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {15}, number = {8}, pages = {e0228366}, pmid = {32866142}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Wild ; Babesia ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/microbiology ; Coxiella ; Ecosystem ; Ehrlichia ; Humans ; Ixodidae/microbiology ; Kenya/epidemiology ; Rhipicephalus ; Rickettsia ; Sheep ; Theileria ; Tick Infestations/*epidemiology/veterinary ; Tick-Borne Diseases/*epidemiology/microbiology ; Ticks/parasitology/*pathogenicity ; Zoonoses ; }, abstract = {The role of questing ticks in the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR), an ecosystem with intensified human-wildlife-livestock interactions, remains poorly understood. We surveyed the diversity of questing ticks, their blood-meal hosts, and tick-borne pathogens to understand potential effects on human and livestock health. By flagging and hand-picking from vegetation in 25 localities, we collected 1,465 host-seeking ticks, mostly Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma species identified by morphology and molecular analysis. We used PCR with high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis and sequencing to identify Anaplasma, Babesia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Theileria pathogens and blood-meal remnants in 231 tick pools. We detected blood-meals from humans, wildebeest, and African buffalo in Rh. appendiculatus, goat in Rh. evertsi, sheep in Am. gemma, and cattle in Am. variegatum. Rickettsia africae was detected in Am. gemma (MIR = 3.10) that had fed on sheep and in Am. variegatum (MIR = 250) that had fed on cattle. We found Rickettsia spp. in Am. gemma (MIR = 9.29) and Rh. evertsi (MIR = 200), Anaplasma ovis in Rh. appendiculatus (MIR = 0.89) and Rh. evertsi (MIR = 200), Anaplasma bovis in Rh. appendiculatus (MIR = 0.89), and Theileria parva in Rh. appendiculatus (MIR = 24). No Babesia, Ehrlichia, or Coxiella pathogens were detected. Unexpectedly, species-specific Coxiella sp. endosymbionts were detected in all tick genera (174/231 pools), which may affect tick physiology and vector competence. These findings show that ticks from the MMNR are infected with zoonotic R. africae and unclassified Rickettsia spp., demonstrating risk of African tick-bite fever and other spotted-fever group rickettsioses to locals and visitors. The protozoan pathogens identified may also pose risk to livestock production. The diverse vertebrate blood-meals of questing ticks in this ecosystem including humans, wildlife, and domestic animals, may amplify transmission of tick-borne zoonoses and livestock diseases.}, }
@article {pmid32859597, year = {2020}, author = {Li, L and Wang, M and Li, L and Du, Z and Sun, Y and Wang, X and Zhang, X and Li, C}, title = {Endosymbionts of Metazoans Dwelling in the PACManus Hydrothermal Vent: Diversity and Potential Adaptive Features Revealed by Genome Analysis.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {86}, number = {21}, pages = {}, pmid = {32859597}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {*Adaptation, Biological ; Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Gastropoda/*microbiology ; Genome, Bacterial ; Hydrothermal Vents/*microbiology ; Microbiota ; Mytilidae/*microbiology ; Pacific Ocean ; Papua New Guinea ; Polychaeta/*microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities are dominated by invertebrates, namely, bathymodiolin mussels, siboglinid tubeworms, and provannid snails. Symbiosis is considered key to successful colonization by these sedentary species in such extreme environments. In the PACManus vent fields, snails, tubeworms, and mussels each colonized a niche with distinct geochemical characteristics. To better understand the metabolic potentials and genomic features contributing to host-environment adaptation, we compared the genomes of the symbionts of Bathymodiolus manusensis, Arcovestia ivanovi, and Alviniconcha boucheti sampled at PACManus, and we discuss their environmentally adaptive features. We found that B. manusensis and A. ivanovi are colonized by Gammaproteobacteria from distinct clades, whereas endosymbionts of B. manusensis feature high intraspecific heterogeneity with differing metabolic potentials. A. boucheti harbored three novel Epsilonproteobacteria symbionts, suggesting potential species-level diversity of snail symbionts. Genome comparisons revealed that the relative abundance of gene families related to low-pH homeostasis, metal resistance, oxidative stress resistance, environmental sensing/responses, and chemotaxis and motility was the highest in A. ivanovi's symbiont, followed by symbionts of the vent-mouth-dwelling snail A. boucheti, and was relatively low in the symbiont of the vent-periphery-dwelling mussel B. manusensis, which is consistent with their environmental adaptations and host-symbiont interactions. Gene families classified as encoding host interaction/attachment, virulence factors/toxins, and eukaryotic-like proteins were most abundant in symbionts of mussels and least abundant in those of snails, indicating that these symbionts may differ in their host colonization strategies. Comparison of Epsilonproteobacteria symbionts to nonsymbionts demonstrated that the expanded gene families in symbionts were related to vitamin B12 synthesis, toxin-antitoxin systems, methylation, and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, suggesting that these are vital to symbiont establishment and development in EpsilonproteobacteriaIMPORTANCE Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are dominated by several invertebrate species. The establishment of symbiosis has long been thought to be the key to successful colonization by these sedentary species in such harsh environments. However, the relationships between symbiotic bacteria and their hosts and their role in environmental adaptations generally remain unclear. In this paper, we show that the distribution of three host species showed characteristic niche partitioning in the Manus Basin, giving us the opportunity to understand how they adapt to their particular habitats. This study also revealed three novel genomes of symbionts from the snails of A. boucheti Combined with a data set on other ectosymbiont and free-living bacteria, genome comparisons for the snail endosymbionts pointed to several genetic traits that may have contributed to the lifestyle shift of Epsilonproteobacteria into the epithelial cells. These findings could increase our understanding of invertebrate-endosymbiont relationships in deep-sea ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid32857636, year = {2020}, author = {Medini, H and Cohen, T and Mishmar, D}, title = {Mitochondria Are Fundamental for the Emergence of Metazoans: On Metabolism, Genomic Regulation, and the Birth of Complex Organisms.}, journal = {Annual review of genetics}, volume = {54}, number = {}, pages = {151-166}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-genet-021920-105545}, pmid = {32857636}, issn = {1545-2948}, mesh = {Animals ; Chromatin/genetics ; Embryonic Development/genetics ; Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics ; Genome/*genetics ; Humans ; Mitochondria/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Out of many intracellular bacteria, only the mitochondria and chloroplasts abandoned their independence billions of years ago and became endosymbionts within the host eukaryotic cell. Consequently, one cannot grow eukaryotic cells without their mitochondria, and the mitochondria cannot divide outside of the cell, thus reflecting interdependence. Here, we argue that such interdependence underlies the fundamental role of mitochondrial activities in the emergence of metazoans. Several lines of evidence support our hypothesis: (a) Differentiation and embryogenesis rely on mitochondrial function; (b) mitochondrial metabolites are primary precursors for epigenetic modifications (such as methyl and acetyl), which are critical for chromatin remodeling and gene expression, particularly during differentiation and embryogenesis; and (c) mitonuclear coregulation adapted to accommodate both housekeeping and tissue-dependent metabolic needs. We discuss the evolution of the unique mitochondrial genetic system, mitochondrial metabolites, mitonuclear coregulation, and their critical roles in the emergence of metazoans and in human disorders.}, }
@article {pmid32855244, year = {2020}, author = {Neupane, S and Bonilla, SI and Manalo, AM and Pelz-Stelinski, KS}, title = {Near-Complete Genome Sequences of a Wolbachia Strain Isolated from Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae).}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {9}, number = {35}, pages = {}, pmid = {32855244}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Wolbachia strains are one of three endosymbionts associated with the insect vector of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus," Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). We report three near-complete genome sequences of samples of Wolbachia from D. citri (wDi), with sizes of 1,518,595, 1,542,468, and 1,538,523 bp.}, }
@article {pmid32854141, year = {2020}, author = {Altinli, M and Lequime, S and Atyame, C and Justy, F and Weill, M and Sicard, M}, title = {Wolbachia modulates prevalence and viral load of Culex pipiens densoviruses in natural populations.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {29}, number = {20}, pages = {4000-4013}, doi = {10.1111/mec.15609}, pmid = {32854141}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Culex/genetics ; *Densovirus/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; Viral Load ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The inadequacy of standard mosquito control strategies calls for ecologically safe novel approaches, for example the use of biological agents such as the endosymbiotic α-proteobacteria Wolbachia or insect-specific viruses (ISVs). Understanding the ecological interactions between these "biocontrol endosymbionts" is thus a fundamental step. Wolbachia are transmitted vertically from mother to offspring and modify their hosts' phenotypes, including reproduction (e.g., cytoplasmic incompatibility) and survival (e.g., viral interference). In nature, Culex pipiens (sensu lato) mosquitoes are always found infected with genetically diverse Wolbachia called wPip that belong to five phylogenetic groups. In recent years, ISVs have also been discovered in these mosquito species, although their interactions with Wolbachia in nature are unknown. Here, we studied the interactions between a widely prevalent ISV, the Culex pipiens densovirus (CpDV, Densovirinae), and Wolbachia in northern Tunisian C. pipiens populations. We showed an influence of different Wolbachia groups on CpDV prevalence and a general positive correlation between Wolbachia and CpDV loads. By investigating the putative relationship between CpDV diversification and wPip groups in the different sites, we detected a signal linked to wPip groups in CpDV phylogeny in sites where all larvae were infected by the same wPip group. However, no such signal was detected where the wPip groups coexisted, suggesting CpDV horizontal transfer between hosts. Overall, our results provide good evidence for an ecological influence of Wolbachia on an ISV, CpDV, in natural populations and highlight the importance of integrating Wolbachia in our understanding of ISV ecology in nature.}, }
@article {pmid32849379, year = {2020}, author = {Lu, P and Sun, Q and Fu, P and Li, K and Liang, X and Xi, Z}, title = {Wolbachia Inhibits Binding of Dengue and Zika Viruses to Mosquito Cells.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1750}, pmid = {32849379}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {R01 AI080597/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {As traditional approaches to the control of dengue and Zika are insufficient, significant efforts have been made to develop utilization of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia to reduce the ability of mosquitoes to transmit pathogens. Although Wolbachia is known to inhibit flaviviruses in mosquitoes, including dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), it remains unclear how the endosymbiont interferes with viral replication cycle. In this study, we have carried out viral binding assays to investigate the impact of the Wolbachia strain wAlbB on the attachment of DENV serotype 2 (DENV-2) and ZIKV to Aedes aegypti Aag-2 cells. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to silence a variety of putative mosquito receptors of DENV that were differentially regulated by wAlbB in Aag-2 cells, in order to identify host factors involved in the inhibition of viral binding. Our results showed that, in addition to suppression of viral replication, Wolbachia strongly inhibited binding of both DENV-2 and ZIKV to Aag-2 cells. Moreover, the expression of two putative mosquito DENV receptors - dystroglycan and tubulin - was downregulated by wAlbB, and their knock-down resulted in the inhibition of DENV-2 binding to Aag-2 cells. These results will aid in understanding the Wolbachia-DENV interactions in mosquito and the development of novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid32848325, year = {2020}, author = {Elbir, H and Almathen, F and Elnahas, A}, title = {Low genetic diversity among Francisella-like endosymbionts within different genotypes of Hyalomma dromedarii ticks infesting camels in Saudi Arabia.}, journal = {Veterinary world}, volume = {13}, number = {7}, pages = {1462-1472}, pmid = {32848325}, issn = {0972-8988}, abstract = {BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hyalomma dromedarii ticks are vectors of disease agents and hosts of Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs). Knowledge about intraspecific genetic variation among H. dromedarii and its Francisella species is limited. The aims of this study were to investigate whether certain H. dromedarii genotypes are specialized in carrying specific Francisella species genotypes and scrutinize the population structure of H. dromedarii ticks in Saudi Arabia.<br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected 151 H. dromedarii ticks from 33 camels from 13 locations in Saudi Arabia. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2), cytochrome c oxidase subunit-1(COI), and 16S rRNA genes were used for single- and multi-locus sequence typing and phylogenetic analyses. H. dromedarii-borne Francisella was screened using the tul4 gene and 16S rRNA Francisella-specific primers followed by amplicon Sanger sequencing.<br><br>RESULTS: Single-locus typing of ticks using ITS2, 16S rRNA, and COI genes yielded 1, 10, and 31 sequence types (ST), respectively, with pairwise sequence similarity of 100% for ITS2, 99.18-99.86% for COI, and 99.50-99.75% for 16S rRNA. COI sequence analysis indicated a lack of strict geographical structuration, as ST15 was found in both Saudi Arabia and Kenya. In contrast, multilocus sequence typing resolved 148 H. dromedarii ticks into 39 genotypes of ticks and three genotypes of FLEs. The ST2-FLE genotype was carried by the tick genotype ST35, while the ST1-FLE genotype and 41.89% of the ST3-FLE genotype were carried by the tick genotype ST32. Accordingly, there appeared to be no specialization of certain tick genotypes to harbor-specific FLE genotypes.<br><br>CONCLUSION: For the 1[st] time, we have provided an overview of the population structure of H. dromedarii ticks and FLE strains. We found a low level of genetic diversity among FLEs and non-specialized circulation of FLEs among H. dromedarii ticks.}, }
@article {pmid32841522, year = {2021}, author = {McGinley, LM and Willsey, MS and Kashlan, ON and Chen, KS and Hayes, JM and Bergin, IL and Mason, SN and Stebbins, AW and Kwentus, JF and Pacut, C and Kollmer, J and Sakowski, SA and Bell, CB and Chestek, CA and Murphy, GG and Patil, PG and Feldman, EL}, title = {Magnetic resonance imaging of human neural stem cells in rodent and primate brain.}, journal = {Stem cells translational medicine}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {83-97}, pmid = {32841522}, issn = {2157-6580}, support = {P30 CA046592/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; T32 NS007222/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States ; R43 TR001202/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; R25 NS089450/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States ; P60 DK020572/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AG052934/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; U01 AG057562/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteria ; *Brain/diagnostic imaging ; Cell Tracking ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; *Magnetics ; Mice ; *Neural Stem Cells ; Primates ; Rodentia ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; }, abstract = {Stem cell transplantation therapies are currently under investigation for central nervous system disorders. Although preclinical models show benefit, clinical translation is somewhat limited by the absence of reliable noninvasive methods to confirm targeting and monitor transplanted cells in vivo. Here, we assess a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent derived from magnetotactic bacteria, magneto-endosymbionts (MEs), as a translatable methodology for in vivo tracking of stem cells after intracranial transplantation. We show that ME labeling provides robust MRI contrast without impairment of cell viability or other important therapeutic features. Labeled cells were visualized immediately post-transplantation and over time by serial MRI in nonhuman primate and mouse brain. Postmortem tissue analysis confirmed on-target grft location, and linear correlations were observed between MRI signal, cell engraftment, and tissue ME levels, suggesting that MEs may be useful for determining graft survival or rejection. Overall, these findings indicate that MEs are an effective tool for in vivo tracking and monitoring of cell transplantation therapies with potential relevance to many cellular therapy applications.}, }
@article {pmid32841233, year = {2020}, author = {Russell, SL and Pepper-Tunick, E and Svedberg, J and Byrne, A and Ruelas Castillo, J and Vollmers, C and Beinart, RA and Corbett-Detig, R}, title = {Horizontal transmission and recombination maintain forever young bacterial symbiont genomes.}, journal = {PLoS genetics}, volume = {16}, number = {8}, pages = {e1008935}, pmid = {32841233}, issn = {1553-7404}, support = {R25 GM058903/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM128932/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG008345/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics/*pathogenicity ; Bivalvia/genetics/*microbiology ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genetic Variation ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Recombination, Genetic ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Bacterial symbionts bring a wealth of functions to the associations they participate in, but by doing so, they endanger the genes and genomes underlying these abilities. When bacterial symbionts become obligately associated with their hosts, their genomes are thought to decay towards an organelle-like fate due to decreased homologous recombination and inefficient selection. However, numerous associations exist that counter these expectations, especially in marine environments, possibly due to ongoing horizontal gene flow. Despite extensive theoretical treatment, no empirical study thus far has connected these underlying population genetic processes with long-term evolutionary outcomes. By sampling marine chemosynthetic bacterial-bivalve endosymbioses that range from primarily vertical to strictly horizontal transmission, we tested this canonical theory. We found that transmission mode strongly predicts homologous recombination rates, and that exceedingly low recombination rates are associated with moderate genome degradation in the marine symbionts with nearly strict vertical transmission. Nonetheless, even the most degraded marine endosymbiont genomes are occasionally horizontally transmitted and are much larger than their terrestrial insect symbiont counterparts. Therefore, horizontal transmission and recombination enable efficient natural selection to maintain intermediate symbiont genome sizes and substantial functional genetic variation.}, }
@article {pmid32838795, year = {2020}, author = {Onyiche, TE and Răileanu, C and Tauchmann, O and Fischer, S and Vasić, A and Schäfer, M and Biu, AA and Ogo, NI and Thekisoe, O and Silaghi, C}, title = {Prevalence and molecular characterization of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Nigeria.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {428}, pmid = {32838795}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {91709125//Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst/ ; }, mesh = {Anaplasma/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Babesia/isolation &amp; purification ; *Camelus/microbiology/parasitology ; Coxiella/isolation &amp; purification ; Humans ; *Ixodidae/microbiology/parasitology ; Nigeria/epidemiology ; Pathology, Molecular ; Prevalence ; Rickettsia/isolation &amp; purification ; Tick Infestations/*veterinary ; Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary ; Zoonoses ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Ticks are hematophagous arthropods responsible for maintenance and transmission of several pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Current knowledge on species diversity and pathogens transmitted by ticks infesting camels in Nigeria is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to unravel the status of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of camels in Nigeria.<br><br>METHODS: Blood samples (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;176) and adult ticks (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;593) were collected from one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) of both sexes in three locations (Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto states) in north-western Nigeria and screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma spp. and Coxiella-like organisms using molecular techniques. All ticks were identified to species level using a combination of morphological and molecular methods.<br><br>RESULTS: Ticks comprised the three genera Hyalomma, Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus. Hyalomma dromedarii was the most frequently detected tick species (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;465; 78.4%) while Amblyomma variegatum (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1; 0.2%) and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1; 0.2%) were less frequent. Other tick species included H. truncatum (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;87; 14.7%), H. rufipes (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;19; 3.2%), H. impeltatum (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;18; 3.0%) and H. impressum (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;2; 0.3%). The minimum infection rates of tick-borne pathogens in 231 tick pools included Rickettsia aeschlimannii (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;51; 8.6%); Babesia species, (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;4; 0.7%) comprising of B. occultans (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;2), B. caballi (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1) and Babesia sp. (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1); Coxiella burnetii (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;17; 2.9%); and endosymbionts in ticks (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;62; 10.5%). We detected DNA of "Candidatus Anaplasma camelli" in 40.3% of the blood samples of camels. Other tick-borne pathogens including Anaplasma marginale were not detected. Analysis of risk factors associated with both tick infestation and infection with Anaplasma spp. in the blood indicated that age and body condition scores of the camels were significant (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05) risk factors while gender was not.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study reports low to moderate prevalence rates of selected tick-borne pathogens associated with camels and their ticks in north-western Nigeria. The presence of zoonotic R. aeschlimannii emphasizes the need for a concerted tick control programme in Nigeria.}, }
@article {pmid32837530, year = {2021}, author = {Kumar, S and Gupta, S and Mohmad, A and Fular, A and Parthasarathi, BC and Chaubey, AK}, title = {Molecular tools-advances, opportunities and prospects for the control of parasites of veterinary importance.}, journal = {International journal of tropical insect science}, volume = {41}, number = {1}, pages = {33-42}, pmid = {32837530}, issn = {1742-7584}, abstract = {The recent advancement in genome sequencing facilities, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics of eukaryotes have opened door for employment of molecular diagnostic techniques for early detection of parasites and determining target molecules for formulating control strategies. It further leads to the introduction of several purified vaccines in the field of veterinary parasitology. Earlier, the conventional diagnostic methods was entirely based upon morphological taxonomy for diagnosis of parasites but nowadays improved molecular techniques help in phylogenetic study and open an another area of molecular taxonomy of parasites with high precision. Control measures based upon targeting endosymbionts in parasites like Dirofilaria immitis is also under exploration in veterinary parasitology. Metagenomics have added an inside story of parasites bionomics which have created havoc in human and animals population since centuries. Omics era is playing a key role in opening the new approaches on parasite biology. Various newer generations of safer vaccines like edible vaccines and subunit vaccines and diagnostic techniques based upon purified immunologically active epitopes have become commercially available against the parasites (helminths, protozoa and arthropod borne diseases). Nowadays, a transgenic and gene knock out studies using RNA interference and CRISPR are also helping in understanding the functions of genes and screening of target genes, which are not available before the advent of molecular tools. Molecular techniques had paramount impact on increasing the sensitivity of diagnostic tools, epidemiological studies and more importantly in controlling these diseases. This review is about the advancements in veterinary parasitology and their impact on the control of these pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid32831146, year = {2020}, author = {Wada, N and Yuasa, H and Kajitani, R and Gotoh, Y and Ogura, Y and Yoshimura, D and Toyoda, A and Tang, SL and Higashimura, Y and Sweatman, H and Forsman, Z and Bronstein, O and Eyal, G and Thongtham, N and Itoh, T and Hayashi, T and Yasuda, N}, title = {A ubiquitous subcuticular bacterial symbiont of a coral predator, the crown-of-thorns starfish, in the Indo-Pacific.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {123}, pmid = {32831146}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Bacteria/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Coral Reefs ; Indian Ocean ; Male ; Pacific Ocean ; Phylogeny ; *Predatory Behavior ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Starfish/genetics/*microbiology/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Population outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci sensu lato; COTS), a primary predator of reef-building corals in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, are a major threat to coral reefs. While biological and ecological knowledge of COTS has been accumulating since the 1960s, little is known about its associated bacteria. The aim of this study was to provide fundamental information on the dominant COTS-associated bacteria through a multifaceted molecular approach.<br><br>METHODS: A total of 205 COTS individuals from 17 locations throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean were examined for the presence of COTS-associated bacteria. We conducted 16S rRNA metabarcoding of COTS to determine the bacterial profiles of different parts of the body and generated a full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence from a single dominant bacterium, which we designated COTS27. We performed phylogenetic analysis to determine the taxonomy, screening of COTS27 across the Indo-Pacific, FISH to visualize it within the COTS tissues, and reconstruction of the bacterial genome from the hologenome sequence data.<br><br>RESULTS: We discovered that a single bacterium exists at high densities in the subcuticular space in COTS forming a biofilm-like structure between the cuticle and the epidermis. COTS27 belongs to a clade that presumably represents a distinct order (so-called marine spirochetes) in the phylum Spirochaetes and is universally present in COTS throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean. The reconstructed genome of COTS27 includes some genetic traits that are probably linked to adaptation to marine environments and evolution as an extracellular endosymbiont in subcuticular spaces.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: COTS27 can be found in three allopatric COTS species, ranging from the northern Red Sea to the Pacific, implying that the symbiotic relationship arose before the speciation events (approximately 2 million years ago). The universal association of COTS27 with COTS and nearly mono-specific association at least with the Indo-Pacific COTS provides a useful model system for studying symbiont-host interactions in marine invertebrates and may have applications for coral reef conservation. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid32816285, year = {2021}, author = {Militello, G and Bich, L and Moreno, A}, title = {Functional Integration and Individuality in Prokaryotic Collective Organisations.}, journal = {Acta biotheoretica}, volume = {69}, number = {3}, pages = {391-415}, pmid = {32816285}, issn = {1572-8358}, support = {IT1228-19//Eusko Jaurlaritza/ ; RYC-2016-19798//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci&#xf3;n y Universidades/ ; PID2019-104576GB-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci&#xf3;n y Universidades/ ; PIF17/31//Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea/ ; }, mesh = {*Biological Evolution ; Humans ; *Prokaryotic Cells ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Both physiological and evolutionary criteria of biological individuality are underpinned by the idea that an individual is a functionally integrated whole. However, a precise account of functional integration has not been provided so far, and current notions are not developed in the details, especially in the case of composite systems. To address this issue, this paper focuses on the organisational dimension of two representative associations of prokaryotes: biofilms and the endosymbiosis between prokaryotes. Some critical voices have been raised against the thesis that biofilms are biological individuals. Nevertheless, it has not been investigated which structural and functional obstacles may prevent them from being fully integrated physiological or evolutionary units. By contrast, the endosymbiotic association of different species of prokaryotes has the potential for achieving a different type of physiological integration based on a common boundary and interlocked functions. This type of association had made it possible, under specific conditions, to evolve endosymbionts into fully integrated organelles. This paper therefore has three aims: first, to analyse the organisational conditions and the physiological mechanisms that enable integration in prokaryotic associations; second, to discuss the organisational differences between biofilms and prokaryotic endosymbiosis and the types of integration they achieve; finally, to provide a more precise account of functional integration based on these case studies.}, }
@article {pmid32813725, year = {2020}, author = {Shropshire, JD and Kalra, M and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {Evolution-guided mutagenesis of the cytoplasmic incompatibility proteins: Identifying CifA's complex functional repertoire and new essential regions in CifB.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {16}, number = {8}, pages = {e1008794}, pmid = {32813725}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI143725/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified/microbiology/physiology ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; *Biological Evolution ; Cytoplasm/*metabolism/microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology/physiology ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/*metabolism/microbiology/pathology ; Male ; *Mutation ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are the world's most common, maternally-inherited, arthropod endosymbionts. Their worldwide distribution is due, in part, to a selfish drive system termed cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) that confers a relative fitness advantage to females that transmit Wolbachia to their offspring. CI results in embryonic death when infected males mate with uninfected females but not infected females. Under the Two-by-One genetic model of CI, males expressing the two phage WO proteins CifA and CifB cause CI, and females expressing CifA rescue CI. While each protein is predicted to harbor three functional domains, there is no knowledge on how sites across these Cif domains, rather than in any one particular domain, contribute to CI and rescue. Here, we use evolution-guided, substitution mutagenesis of conserved amino acids across the Cif proteins, coupled with transgenic expression in uninfected Drosophila melanogaster, to determine the functional impacts of conserved residues evolving mostly under purifying selection. We report that amino acids in CifA's N-terminal unannotated region and annotated catalase-related domain are important for both complete CI and rescue, whereas C-terminal residues in CifA's putative domain of unknown function are solely important for CI. Moreover, conserved CifB amino acids in the predicted nucleases, peptidase, and unannotated regions are essential for CI. Taken together, these findings indicate that (i) all CifA amino acids determined to be crucial in rescue are correspondingly crucial in CI, (ii) an additional set of CifA amino acids are uniquely important in CI, and (iii) CifB amino acids across the protein, rather than in one particular domain, are all crucial for CI. We discuss how these findings advance an expanded view of Cif protein evolution and function, inform the mechanistic and biochemical bases of Cif-induced CI/rescue, and continue to substantiate the Two-by-One genetic model of CI.}, }
@article {pmid32809186, year = {2020}, author = {Cotes-Perdomo, AP and Oviedo, &#xc1; and Castro, LR}, title = {Molecular detection of pathogens in ticks associated with domestic animals from the Colombian Caribbean region.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {82}, number = {1}, pages = {137-150}, doi = {10.1007/s10493-020-00531-0}, pmid = {32809186}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {812 de 2018//Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnolog&#xed;a e Innovaci&#xf3;n/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Domestic/*parasitology ; Caribbean Region ; Colombia/epidemiology ; Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology ; Ticks/*microbiology/*parasitology ; }, abstract = {Tick-borne diseases constitute a problem for livestock and public health. Given the socio-economic and environmental conditions of the Colombian Caribbean, ticks are particularly abundant, in turn exposing domestic animals and people in contact with them to such diseases. This study evaluates the presence of Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Coxiella spp. and Borrelia spp. in domestic animal ticks (Amblyomma mixtum, A. dissimile, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and R. microplus) by conventional PCR. Findings show a prevalence of 12.5% of Babesia, 0% of Borrelia, 39.4% of Anaplasma and 52.9% of Coxiella, whereas 6.2% of a total sample of 104 tick pools presented coinfections between Babesia and Anaplasma. Among the molecularly identified species are Ba. vogeli, Ba. bigemina and A. marginale, in addition to two Coxiella species-one being C. mudrowiae and the other similar to an undescribed endosymbiont of Rhipicephalus sp. It is necessary to evaluate the vector capacity of ticks such as A. mixtum, D. nitens and R. sanguineus in the transmission of A. marginale. Moreover, it is necessary to explore the role that bacteria of the genus Coxiella might have both in the health of humans and animals, and in the metabolism and reproduction of ticks. This is the first report on Babesia vogeli and B. bigemina in ticks from the Colombian Caribbean, representing a risk to animal and human health.}, }
@article {pmid32809024, year = {2020}, author = {Kucuk, RA}, title = {Gut Bacteria in the Holometabola: A Review of Obligate and Facultative Symbionts.}, journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)}, volume = {20}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {32809024}, issn = {1536-2442}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Holometabola/*microbiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The diversity and ecological variety of Holometabola foregrounds a wide array of dynamic symbiotic relationships with gut-dwelling bacteria. A review of the literature highlights that holometabolous insects rely on both obligate bacteria and facultative bacteria living in their guts to satisfy a number of physiological needs. The driving forces behind these differing relationships can be hypothesized through the scrutiny of bacterial associations with host gut morphology, and transmission of bacteria within a given host taxon. Our knowledge of the evolution of facultative or obligate symbiotic bacteria in holometabolan systems is further enhanced by an assessment of the various services the bacteria provide, including nutrition, immune system health, and development. The diversity of Holometabola can thus be examined through an assessment of known bacterial partnerships within the orders of Holometabola.}, }
@article {pmid32806647, year = {2020}, author = {Poquita-Du, RC and Goh, YL and Huang, D and Chou, LM and Todd, PA}, title = {Gene Expression and Photophysiological Changes in Pocillopora acuta Coral Holobiont Following Heat Stress and Recovery.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {32806647}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {MSRDP-P03//National Research Foundation Singapore/ ; MSRDP-P05//National Research Foundation Singapore/ ; }, abstract = {The ability of corals to withstand changes in their surroundings is a critical survival mechanism for coping with environmental stress. While many studies have examined responses of the coral holobiont to stressful conditions, its capacity to reverse responses and recover when the stressor is removed is not well-understood. In this study, we investigated among-colony responses of Pocillopora acuta from two sites with differing distance to the mainland (Kusu (closer to the mainland) and Raffles Lighthouse (further from the mainland)) to heat stress through differential expression analysis of target genes and quantification of photophysiological metrics. We then examined how these attributes were regulated after the stressor was removed to assess the recovery potential of P. acuta. The fragments that were subjected to heat stress (2 °C above ambient levels) generally exhibited significant reduction in their endosymbiont densities, but the extent of recovery following stress removal varied depending on natal site and colony. There were minimal changes in chl a concentration and maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm, the proportion of variable fluorescence (Fv) to maximum fluorescence (Fm)) in heat-stressed corals, suggesting that the algal endosymbionts' Photosystem II was not severely compromised. Significant changes in gene expression levels of selected genes of interest (GOI) were observed following heat exposure and stress removal among sites and colonies, including Actin, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type IV (Camk4), kinesin-like protein (KIF9), and small heat shock protein 16.1 (Hsp16.1). The most responsive GOIs were Actin, a major component of the cytoskeleton, and the adaptive immune-related Camk4 which both showed significant reduction following heat exposure and subsequent upregulation during the recovery phase. Our findings clearly demonstrate specific responses of P. acuta in both photophysiological attributes and gene expression levels, suggesting differential capacity of P. acuta corals to tolerate heat stress depending on the colony, so that certain colonies may be more resilient than others.}, }
@article {pmid32801211, year = {2020}, author = {Kaltenpoth, M}, title = {An endosymbiont's journey through metamorphosis of its insect host.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {117}, number = {35}, pages = {20994-20996}, pmid = {32801211}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; Insecta ; Metamorphosis, Biological ; *Symbiosis ; *Weevils ; }, }
@article {pmid32801177, year = {2020}, author = {Pilgrim, J and Siozios, S and Baylis, M and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Tissue Tropisms and Transstadial Transmission of a Rickettsia Endosymbiont in the Highland Midge, Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {86}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {32801177}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {BBS/E/I/00001701/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/M011186/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/M012441/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Ceratopogonidae/*microbiology ; Female ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Rickettsia/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Tropism ; }, abstract = {Rickettsia is a genus of intracellular bacteria which can manipulate host reproduction and alter sensitivity to natural enemy attack in a diverse range of arthropods. The maintenance of Rickettsia endosymbionts in insect populations can be achieved through both vertical and horizontal transmission routes. For example, the presence of the symbiont in the follicle cells and salivary glands of Bemisia whiteflies allows Belli group Rickettsia transmission via the germ line and plants, respectively. However, the transmission routes of other Rickettsia bacteria, such as those in the Torix group of the genus, remain underexplored. Through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) screening, this study describes the pattern of Torix Rickettsia tissue tropisms in the highland midge, Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Of note is the high intensity of infection of the ovarian suspensory ligament, suggestive of a novel germ line targeting strategy. Additionally, localization of the symbiont in tissues of several developmental stages suggests transstadial transmission is a major route for ensuring maintenance of Rickettsia within C. impunctatus populations. Aside from providing insights into transmission strategies, the presence of Rickettsia bacteria in the fat body of larvae indicates potential host fitness and vector capacity impacts to be investigated in the future.IMPORTANCE Microbial symbionts of disease vectors have garnered recent attention due to their ability to alter vectorial capacity. Their consideration as a means of arbovirus control depends on symbiont vertical transmission, which leads to spread of the bacteria through a population. Previous work has identified a Rickettsia symbiont present in several species of biting midges (Culicoides spp.), which transmit bluetongue and Schmallenberg arboviruses. However, symbiont transmission strategies and host effects remain underexplored. In this study, we describe the presence of Rickettsia in the ovarian suspensory ligament of Culicoides impunctatus Infection of this organ suggests the connective tissue surrounding developing eggs is important for ensuring vertical transmission of the symbiont in midges and possibly other insects. Additionally, our results indicate Rickettsia localization in the fat body of Culicoides impunctatus As the arboviruses spread by midges often replicate in the fat body, this location implies possible symbiont-virus interactions to be further investigated.}, }
@article {pmid32797213, year = {2021}, author = {Martinez, J and Klasson, L and Welch, JJ and Jiggins, FM}, title = {Life and Death of Selfish Genes: Comparative Genomics Reveals the Dynamic Evolution of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {38}, number = {1}, pages = {2-15}, pmid = {32797213}, issn = {1537-1719}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 281668/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; WT202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; WT094664MA/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila/microbiology/physiology ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Female ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*genetics ; Male ; *Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Spermatozoa/physiology ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Cytoplasmic incompatibility is a selfish reproductive manipulation induced by the endosymbiont Wolbachia in arthropods. In males Wolbachia modifies sperm, leading to embryonic mortality in crosses with Wolbachia-free females. In females, Wolbachia rescues the cross and allows development to proceed normally. This provides a reproductive advantage to infected females, allowing the maternally transmitted symbiont to spread rapidly through host populations. We identified homologs of the genes underlying this phenotype, cifA and cifB, in 52 of 71 new and published Wolbachia genome sequences. They are strongly associated with cytoplasmic incompatibility. There are up to seven copies of the genes in each genome, and phylogenetic analysis shows that Wolbachia frequently acquires new copies due to pervasive horizontal transfer between strains. In many cases, the genes have subsequently acquired loss-of-function mutations to become pseudogenes. As predicted by theory, this tends to occur first in cifB, whose sole function is to modify sperm, and then in cifA, which is required to rescue the cross in females. Although cif genes recombine, recombination is largely restricted to closely related homologs. This is predicted under a model of coevolution between sperm modification and embryonic rescue, where recombination between distantly related pairs of genes would create a self-incompatible strain. Together, these patterns of gene gain, loss, and recombination support evolutionary models of cytoplasmic incompatibility.}, }
@article {pmid32789571, year = {2020}, author = {Pavlinec, &#x17d; and Zupičić, IG and Oraić, D and Petani, B and Mustać, B and Mihaljević, &#x17d; and Beck, R and Zrnčić, S}, title = {Assessment of predominant bacteria in noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis) collected in the Eastern Adriatic Sea.}, journal = {Environmental monitoring and assessment}, volume = {192}, number = {9}, pages = {581}, doi = {10.1007/s10661-020-08541-6}, pmid = {32789571}, issn = {1573-2959}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria ; *Bivalvia ; *Ecosystem ; Environmental Monitoring ; Mediterranean Sea ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Vibrio ; }, abstract = {Noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis) is an endemic species and the largest known bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea. By filtering large amounts of water, they maintain a high percentage of organic matter, hence playing an important role in the marine ecosystem. The ecological community of pen shells is impressive, and there are numerous microorganisms present in its soft tissues. Since this species is highly endangered due to recently described mass mortalities throughout the Mediterranean, this study was aimed at finding out more about its microbiome. In this study, we identified the predominant bacterial populations of specimens collected at three separate locations along the Eastern Adriatic coast. The predominant bacteria were isolated and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to identify eight different bacterial genera: Aestuariibacter sp., Aliivibrio sp., Alteromonas sp., Marinobacter sp., Pseudoalteromonas sp., Rubritalea sp., Thalassospira sp. and the Vibrio splendidus clade. The identified genera are ubiquitous in the marine environment and have previously been described as both beneficial symbionts and potential pathogens in other molluscs. There was a clear difference in the predominant bacterial populations between northern and southern sampling sites, which could be linked to water temperature. These findings indicate the need for expanded sampling over a longer time period, since more exhaustive research would provide information vital to the conservation of this critically endangered species.}, }
@article {pmid32788982, year = {2020}, author = {N Miyata, M and Nomura, M and Kageyama, D}, title = {Wolbachia have made it twice: Hybrid introgression between two sister species of Eurema butterflies.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {15}, pages = {8323-8330}, pmid = {32788982}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Wolbachia, cytoplasmically inherited endosymbionts of arthropods, are known to hijack their host reproduction in various ways to increase their own vertical transmission. This may lead to the selective sweep of associated mitochondria, which can have a large impact on the evolution of mitochondrial lineages. In Japan, two different Wolbacahia strains (wCI and wFem) are found in two sister species of pierid butterflies, Eurema mandarina and Eurema hecabe. In both species, females infected with wCI (C females) produce offspring with a nearly 1:1 sex ratio, while females infected with both wCI and wFem (CF females) produce all-female offspring. Previous studies have suggested the historical occurrence of hybrid introgression in C individuals between the two species. Furthermore, hybrid introgression in CF individuals is suggested by the distinct mitochondrial lineages between C females and CF females of E. mandarina. In this study, we performed phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA markers of E. hecabe with previously published data on E. mandarina. We found that the nuclear DNA of this species significantly diverged from that of E. mandarina. By contrast, mitochondrial DNA haplotypes comprised two clades, mostly reflecting Wolbachia infection status rather than the individual species. Collectively, our results support the previously suggested occurrence of two independent historical events wherein the cytoplasms of CF females and C females moved between E. hecabe and E. mandarina through hybrid introgression.}, }
@article {pmid32787974, year = {2020}, author = {Wong, ML and Liew, JWK and Wong, WK and Pramasivan, S and Mohamed Hassan, N and Wan Sulaiman, WY and Jeyaprakasam, NK and Leong, CS and Low, VL and Vythilingam, I}, title = {Natural Wolbachia infection in field-collected Anopheles and other mosquito species from Malaysia.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {414}, pmid = {32787974}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {LR002C-2018//Ministry of Education Malaysia/ ; }, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; Anopheles/microbiology ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics ; Culex/microbiology ; Culicidae/*microbiology ; Genes, Bacterial ; Insect Control ; Malaysia/epidemiology ; Malvaceae/microbiology ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Pathology, Molecular ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Vector Borne Diseases/prevention &amp; control ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia is maternally inherited and naturally infects some filarial nematodes and a diverse range of arthropods, including mosquito vectors responsible for disease transmission in humans. Previously, it has been found infecting most mosquito species but absent in Anopheles and Aedes aegypti. However, recently these two mosquito species were found to be naturally infected with Wolbachia. We report here the extent of Wolbachia infections in field-collected mosquitoes from Malaysia based on PCR amplification of the Wolbachia wsp and 16S rRNA genes.<br><br>METHODS: The prevalence of Wolbachia in Culicinae mosquitoes was assessed via PCR with wsp primers. For some of the mosquitoes, in which the wsp primers failed to amplify a product, Wolbachia screening was performed using nested PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Wolbachia sequences were aligned using Geneious 9.1.6 software, analyzed with BLAST, and the most similar sequences were downloaded. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out with MEGA 7.0 software. Graphs were drawn with GraphPad Prism 8.0 software.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 217 adult mosquitoes representing 26 mosquito species were screened. Of these, infections with Wolbachia were detected in 4 and 15 mosquito species using wsp and 16S rRNA primers, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first time Wolbachia was detected using 16S rRNA gene amplification, in some Anopheles species (some infected with Plasmodium), Culex sinensis, Culex vishnui, Culex pseudovishnui, Mansonia bonneae and Mansonia annulifera. Phylogenetic analysis based on wsp revealed Wolbachia from most of the mosquitoes belonged to Wolbachia Supergroup B. Based on 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis, the Wolbachia strain from Anopheles mosquitoes were more closely related to Wolbachia&#xa0;infecting Anopheles from Africa than from Myanmar.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Wolbachia was found infecting Anopheles and other important disease vectors such as Mansonia. Since Wolbachia can affect its host by reducing the life span and provide resistance to pathogen infection, several studies have suggested it as a potential innovative tool for vector/vector-borne disease control. Therefore, it is important to carry out further studies on natural Wolbachia infection in vector mosquitoes' populations as well as their long-term effects in new hosts and pathogen suppression.}, }
@article {pmid32779567, year = {2020}, author = {Curran, DM and Grote, A and Nursimulu, N and Geber, A and Voronin, D and Jones, DR and Ghedin, E and Parkinson, J}, title = {Modeling the metabolic interplay between a parasitic worm and its bacterial endosymbiont allows the identification of novel drug targets.}, journal = {eLife}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {32779567}, issn = {2050-084X}, support = {R21 AI126466/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI007180/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; F31 AI131527/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Brugia malayi/*drug effects/microbiology ; *Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Filariasis/*drug therapy ; Filaricides/*pharmacology ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways/drug effects ; Models, Biological ; *Symbiosis/drug effects ; Wolbachia/*drug effects ; }, abstract = {The filarial nematode Brugia malayi represents a leading cause of disability in the developing world, causing lymphatic filariasis in nearly 40 million people. Currently available drugs are not well-suited to mass drug administration efforts, so new treatments are urgently required. One potential vulnerability is the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia-present in many filariae-which is vital to the worm. Genome scale metabolic networks have been used to study prokaryotes and protists and have proven valuable in identifying therapeutic targets, but have only been applied to multicellular eukaryotic organisms more recently. Here, we present iDC625, the first compartmentalized metabolic model of a parasitic worm. We used this model to show how metabolic pathway usage allows the worm to adapt to different environments, and predict a set of 102 reactions essential to the survival of B. malayi. We validated three of those reactions with drug tests and demonstrated novel antifilarial properties for all three compounds.}, }
@article {pmid32774328, year = {2020}, author = {Duan, R and Xu, H and Gao, S and Gao, Z and Wang, N}, title = {Effects of Different Hosts on Bacterial Communities of Parasitic Wasp Nasonia vitripennis.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1435}, pmid = {32774328}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Parasitism is a special interspecific relationship in insects. Unlike most other ectoparasites, Nasonia vitripennis spend most of its life cycle (egg, larvae, pupae, and early adult stage) inside the pupae of flies, which is covered with hard puparium. Microbes play important roles in host development and help insect hosts to adapt to various environments. How the microbes of parasitic wasp respond to different fly hosts living in such close relationships motivated this investigation. In this study, we used N. vitripennis and three different fly pupa hosts (Lucilia sericata, Sarcophaga marshalli, and Musca domestica) to address this question, as well as to illustrate the potential transfer of bacteria through the trophic food chains. We found that N. vitripennis from different fly pupa hosts showed distinct microbiota, which means that the different fly hosts could affect the bacterial communities of their parasitic wasps. Some bacteria showed potential horizontal transfer through the trophic food chains, from the food through the fly to the parasitic wasp. We also found that the heritable endosymbiont Wolbachia could transferred from the fly host to the parasite and correlated with the bacterial communities of the corresponding parasitic wasps. Our findings provide new insight to the microbial interactions between parasite and host.}, }
@article {pmid32770272, year = {2021}, author = {Thongprem, P and Davison, HR and Thompson, DJ and Lorenzo-Carballa, MO and Hurst, GDD}, title = {Incidence and Diversity of Torix Rickettsia-Odonata Symbioses.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {81}, number = {1}, pages = {203-212}, pmid = {32770272}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {CGL2008-02799//Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci&#xf3;n/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Female ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Odonata/*microbiology ; Ovary/microbiology ; Rickettsia/classification/genetics/*physiology ; Rickettsia Infections/*transmission ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Heritable microbes are an important component of invertebrate biology, acting both as beneficial symbionts and reproductive parasites. Whilst most previous research has focussed on the 'Wolbachia pandemic', recent work has emphasised the importance of other microbial symbionts. In this study, we present a survey of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) for torix group Rickettsia, following previous research indicating that this clade can be common in other aquatic insect groups. PCR assays were used to screen a broad range of odonates from two continents and revealed 8 of 76 species tested were infected with Rickettsia. We then conducted further deeper screening of UK representatives of the Coenagrionidae damselfly family, revealing 6 of 8 UK coenagrionid species to be positive for torix Rickettsia. Analysis of Rickettsia gene sequences supported multiple establishments of symbiosis in the group. Some strains were shared between UK coenagrionid species that shared mtDNA barcodes, indicating a likely route for mitochondrial introgression between sister species. There was also evidence of coinfecting Rickettsia strains in two species. FISH analysis indicated Rickettsia were observed in the ovarioles, consistent with heritable symbiosis. We conclude that torix Rickettsia represent an important associate of odonates, being found in a broad range of species from both Europe and South America. There is evidence that coinfection can occur, vertical transmission is likely, and that symbiont movement following hybridisation may underpin the lack of 'barcoding gap' between well-established species pairs in the genus. Future work should establish the biological significance of the symbioses observed.}, }
@article {pmid32765466, year = {2020}, author = {Liang, X and Liu, J and Bian, G and Xi, Z}, title = {Wolbachia Inter-Strain Competition and Inhibition of Expression of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility in Mosquito.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1638}, pmid = {32765466}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Successful field trials have been reported as part of the effort to develop the maternally transmitted endosymbiontic bacteria Wolbachia as an intervention agent for controlling mosquito vectors and their transmitted diseases. In order to further improve this novel intervention, artificially transinfected mosquitoes must be optimized to display maximum pathogen blocking, the desired cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) pattern, and the lowest possible fitness cost. Achieving such optimization, however, requires a better understanding of the interactions between the host and various Wolbabachia strains and their combinations. Here, we transferred the Wolbachia wMel strain by embryonic microinjection into Aedes albopictus, resulting in the successful establishment of a transinfected line, HM (wAlbAwAlbBwMel), with a triple-strain infection comprising wMel, wAlbA, and wAlbB. Surprisingly, no CI was induced when the triply infected males were crossed with the wild-type GUA females or with another triply infected HC females carrying wPip, wAlbA, and wAlbB, but specific removal of wAlbA from the HM (wAlbAwAlbBwMel) line resulted in the expression of CI after crosses with lines infected by either one, two, or three strains of Wolbachia. The transinfected line showed perfect maternal transmission of the triple infection, with fluctuating egg hatch rates that improved to normal levels after repeated outcrosses with GUA line. Strain-specific qPCR assays showed that wMel and wAlbB were present at the highest densities in the ovaries and midguts, respectively, of the HM (wAlbAwAlbBwMel) mosquitoes. These finding suggest that introducing a novel strain of Wolbachia into a Wolbachia-infected host may result in complicated interactions between Wolbachia and the host and between the various Wolbachia strains, with competition likely to occur between strains in the same supergroup.}, }
@article {pmid32763167, year = {2020}, author = {Bourguignon, T and Kinjo, Y and Villa-Martín, P and Coleman, NV and Tang, Q and Arab, DA and Wang, Z and Tokuda, G and Hongoh, Y and Ohkuma, M and Ho, SYW and Pigolotti, S and Lo, N}, title = {Increased Mutation Rate Is Linked to Genome Reduction in Prokaryotes.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {30}, number = {19}, pages = {3848-3855.e4}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2020.07.034}, pmid = {32763167}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Archaea/*genetics ; Bacteria/*genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genetic Drift ; Genetic Variation/genetics ; Genome/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Genomic Instability/*genetics ; Mutation ; Mutation Rate ; Phylogeny ; Population Density ; Prokaryotic Cells/metabolism ; Selection, Genetic/genetics ; }, abstract = {The evolutionary processes that drive variation in genome size across the tree of life remain unresolved. Effective population size (Ne) is thought to play an important role in shaping genome size [1-3]-a key example being the reduced genomes of insect endosymbionts, which undergo population bottlenecks during transmission [4]. However, the existence of reduced genomes in marine and terrestrial prokaryote species with large Ne indicate that genome reduction is influenced by multiple processes [3]. One candidate process is enhanced mutation rate, which can increase adaptive capacity but can also promote gene loss. To investigate evolutionary forces associated with prokaryotic genome reduction, we performed molecular evolutionary and phylogenomic analyses of nine lineages from five bacterial and archaeal phyla. We found that gene-loss rate strongly correlated with synonymous substitution rate (a proxy for mutation rate) in seven of the nine lineages. However, gene-loss rate showed weak or no correlation with the ratio of nonsynonymous/synonymous substitution rate (dN/dS). These results indicate that genome reduction is largely associated with increased mutation rate, while the association between gene loss and changes in Ne is less well defined. Lineages with relatively high dS and dN, as well as smaller genomes, lacked multiple DNA repair genes, providing a proximate cause for increased mutation rates. Our findings suggest that similar mechanisms drive genome reduction in both intracellular and free-living prokaryotes, with implications for developing a comprehensive theory of prokaryote genome size evolution.}, }
@article {pmid32760836, year = {2020}, author = {Papa, A and Tsioka, K and Daskou, MA and Minti, F and Papadopoulou, E and Melidou, A and Giadinis, N}, title = {Application of 16S rRNA next generation sequencing in ticks in Greece.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {6}, number = {7}, pages = {e04542}, pmid = {32760836}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {Tick-borne bacteria pose a significant threat to human and veterinary public health. Greece is a Mediterranean country with rich tick fauna and the most commonly detected tick-borne bacterial pathogens are members of the Rickettsia and Anaplasma species. The variable V2-V4 and V6-V9 regions of 16S rRNA gene of seven ticks belonging to four genera representative in Greece (Ixodes, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, Haemophyssalis) were analysed using multiple primer pairs by next generation sequencing (NGS). Nine bacterial phyla corresponding to 95 families, 116 genera and 172 species were identified. Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum in five of the seven ticks, followed by Actinobacteria, which predominated in two ticks. The tick-borne bacteria included Rickettsia and Anaplasma species, while "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii" were detected in high abundance in I. ricinus ticks and less in Rhipicephalus bursa; Coxiella-like endosymbionts were detected in Rh. sanguineus, H. parva, and less in Rh. bursa ticks. Co-infections with Rickettsia and Anaplasma were also observed. 16S rRNA NGS is a powerful tool to investigate the tick bacteriome and can improve the strategies for prevention and control of tick-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid32759662, year = {2020}, author = {Hu, FY and Tsai, CW}, title = {Nutritional Relationship between Bemisia tabaci and Its Primary Endosymbiont, Portiera aleyrodidarum, during Host Plant Acclimation.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {11}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {32759662}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {MOST 106-2313-B-002-016//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan/ ; }, abstract = {Plant sap-sucking insects commonly have established mutualistic relationships with endosymbiotic bacteria that can provide nutrients lacking in their diet. Bemisia tabaci harbors one primary endosymbiont, Portiera aleyrodidarum, and up to seven secondary endosymbionts, including Hamiltonella defensa and Rickettsia sp. Portiera aleyrodidarum is already known to play a critical role in providing necessary nutrients for B. tabaci. In the present study, the relationship among B. tabaci, its primary endosymbiont, and the host plant were examined through the effects of host plant shifting and acclimation. Bemisia tabaci was transferred from Chinese kale to four different host plants, and the effects on both its performance and the expression levels of nutrient-related genes of P. aleyrodidarum were analyzed. The results showed that host shifting from Chinese kale to cotton plants led to a decrease in the performance of B. tabaci in the first generation, which was restored after 10 generations of acclimation. Furthermore, the expression levels of essential amino acid biosynthesis genes of P. aleyrodidarum were found to be differentially regulated after B. tabaci had acclimated to the cotton plants. Host plant shifting and acclimation to cucumber, poinsettia, and tomato plants did not affect the fecundity of B. tabaci and the expression levels of most examined genes. We speculate that P. aleyrodidarum may help B. tabaci improve its performance and acclimate to new hosts and that P. aleyrodidarum has a close nutritional relationship with its host during host plant acclimation.}, }
@article {pmid32748037, year = {2020}, author = {Ashour, DS and Othman, AA}, title = {Parasite-bacteria interrelationship.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {119}, number = {10}, pages = {3145-3164}, pmid = {32748037}, issn = {1432-1955}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Arthropods/microbiology ; Bacterial Infections/*complications ; Filarioidea/*microbiology ; Humans ; Parasites/microbiology ; Parasitic Diseases/*complications ; Probiotics/therapeutic use ; Schistosoma haematobium/*microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/microbiology/parasitology/pathology ; Wolbachia/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Parasites and bacteria have co-evolved with humankind, and they interact all the time in a myriad of ways. For example, some bacterial infections result from parasite-dwelling bacteria as in the case of Salmonella infection during schistosomiasis. Other bacteria synergize with parasites in the evolution of human disease as in the case of the interplay between Wolbachia endosymbiont bacteria and filarial nematodes as well as the interaction between Gram-negative bacteria and Schistosoma haematobium in the pathogenesis of urinary bladder cancer. Moreover, secondary bacterial infections may complicate several parasitic diseases such as visceral leishmaniasis and malaria, due to immunosuppression of the host during parasitic infections. Also, bacteria may colonize the parasitic lesions; for example, hydatid cysts and skin lesions of ectoparasites. Remarkably, some parasitic helminths and arthropods exhibit antibacterial activity usually by the release of specific antimicrobial products. Lastly, some parasite-bacteria interactions are induced as when using probiotic bacteria to modulate the outcome of a variety of parasitic infections. In sum, parasite-bacteria interactions involve intricate processes that never cease to intrigue the researchers. However, understanding and exploiting these interactions could have prophylactic and curative potential for infections by both types of pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid32737539, year = {2021}, author = {Takamatsu, T and Arai, H and Abe, N and Nakai, M and Kunimi, Y and Inoue, MN}, title = {Coexistence of Two Male-Killers and Their Impact on the Development of Oriental Tea Tortrix Homona magnanima.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {81}, number = {1}, pages = {193-202}, pmid = {32737539}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {24580076//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 19J13123//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; Moths/*microbiology ; RNA Virus Infections/*mortality ; RNA Viruses/*pathogenicity ; Reproduction/*physiology ; Spiroplasma/*physiology ; Wolbachia/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Male-killing, the death of male offspring induced by maternally transmitted microbes, is classified as early, or late, male-killing. The primary advantage afforded by early male-killing, which typically occurs during embryogenesis, is the reallocation of resources to females, that would have otherwise been consumed by males. Meanwhile, the key advantage of late male-killing, which typically occurs during late larval development, is the maximized potential for horizontal transmission. To date, no studies have reported on the associated developmental and physiological effects of host coinfection with early and late male-killers, which may have a significant impact on the population dynamics of the male-killers. Here we used a lepidopteran tea pest Homona magnanima as a model, which is a unique system wherein an early male-killer (a Spiroplasma bacterium) and a late male-killer (an RNA virus) can coexist in nature. An artificially established matriline, coinfected with both Spiroplasma and RNA virus, exhibited embryonic death (early male-killing) as seen in the host line singly infected with Spiroplasma. Moreover, the coinfected line also exhibited developmental retardation and low pupal weight similar to the host line singly infected with the RNA virus. A series of field surveys revealed that Spiroplasma-RNA virus coinfection occurs in nature at a low frequency. Hence, although the two male-killers are capable of coexisting within the H. magnanima population independently, high associated fitness cost appears to limit the prevalence of male-killer coinfection in the field host population.}, }
@article {pmid32736314, year = {2020}, author = {Bass, D and Del Campo, J}, title = {Microeukaryotes in animal and plant microbiomes: Ecologies of disease?.}, journal = {European journal of protistology}, volume = {76}, number = {}, pages = {125719}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejop.2020.125719}, pmid = {32736314}, issn = {1618-0429}, mesh = {Animals ; DNA Primers/genetics ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Disease ; Eukaryota/*classification ; Host-Parasite Interactions/*physiology ; *Microbiota/genetics ; Plants/*parasitology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Studies of animal and plant microbiomes are burgeoning, but the majority of these focus on bacteria and rarely include microeukaryotes other than fungi. However, there is growing evidence that microeukaryotes living on and in larger organisms (e.g. plants, animals, macroalgae) are diverse and in many cases abundant. We present here a new combination of 'anti-metazoan' primers: 574*f-UNonMet_DB that amplify a wide diversity of microeukaryotes including some groups that are difficult to amplify using other primer combinations. While many groups of microeukaryotic parasites are recognised, myriad other microeukaryotes are associated with hosts as previously unknown parasites (often genetically divergent so difficult to amplify using standard PCR primers), opportunistic parasites, commensals, and other ecto- and endo-symbionts, across the 'symbiotic continuum'. These fulfil a wide range of roles from pathogenesis to mutually beneficial symbioses, but mostly their roles are unknown and likely fall somewhere along this spectrum, with the potential to switch the nature of their interactions with the host under different conditions. The composition and dynamics of host-associated microbial communities are also increasingly recognised as important moderators of host health. This 'pathobiome' approach to understanding disease is beginning to supercede a one-pathogen-one-disease paradigm, which cannot sufficiently explain many disease scenarios.}, }
@article {pmid32733401, year = {2020}, author = {Pasqualetti, C and Szokoli, F and Rindi, L and Petroni, G and Schrallhammer, M}, title = {The Obligate Symbiont "Candidatus Megaira polyxenophila" Has Variable Effects on the Growth of Different Host Species.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1425}, pmid = {32733401}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {"Candidatus Megaira polyxenophila" is a recently described member of Rickettsiaceae which comprises exclusively obligate intracellular bacteria. Interestingly, these bacteria can be found in a huge diversity of eukaryotic hosts (protist, green algae, metazoa) living in marine, brackish or freshwater habitats. Screening of amplicon datasets revealed a high frequency of these bacteria especially in freshwater environments, most likely associated to eukaryotic hosts. The relationship of "Ca. Megaira polyxenophila" with their hosts and their impact on host fitness have not been studied so far. Even less is known regarding the responses of these intracellular bacteria to potential stressors. In this study, we used two phylogenetically close species of the freshwater ciliate Paramecium, Paramecium primaurelia and Paramecium pentaurelia (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea) naturally infected by "Ca. Megaira polyxenophila". In order to analyze the effect of the symbiont on the fitness of these two species, we compared the growth performance of both infected and aposymbiotic paramecia at different salinity levels in the range of freshwater and oligohaline brackish water i.e., at 0, 2, and 4.5 ppt. For the elimination of "Ca. Megaira polyxenophila" we established an antibiotic treatment to obtain symbiont-free lines and confirmed its success by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The population and infection dynamics during the growth experiment were observed by cell density counts and FISH. Paramecia fitness was compared applying generalized additive mixed models. Surprisingly, both infected Paramecium species showed higher densities under all salinity concentrations. The tested salinity concentrations did not significantly affect the growth of any of the two species directly, but we observed the loss of the endosymbiont after prolonged exposure to higher salinity levels. This experimental data might explain the higher frequency of "Ca. M. polyxenophila" in freshwater habitats as observed from amplicon data.}, }
@article {pmid32732238, year = {2020}, author = {Sato, Y and Wippler, J and Wentrup, C and Woyke, T and Dubilier, N and Kleiner, M}, title = {High-Quality Draft Genome Sequences of the Uncultured Delta3 Endosymbiont (Deltaproteobacteria) Assembled from Metagenomes of the Gutless Marine Worm Olavius algarvensis.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {9}, number = {31}, pages = {}, pmid = {32732238}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Here, we present two high-quality, draft metagenome-assembled genomes of deltaproteobacterial OalgDelta3 endosymbionts from the gutless marine worm Olavius algarvensis Their 16S rRNA gene sequences share 98% identity with Delta3 endosymbionts of related host species Olavius ilvae (GenBank accession no. AJ620501) and Inanidrilus exumae (GenBank accession no. FM202060), for which no symbiont genomes are available.}, }
@article {pmid32732049, year = {2020}, author = {Satta, CT and Pulina, S and Reñé, A and Padedda, BM and Caddeo, T and Fois, N and Lugliè, A}, title = {Ecological, morphological and molecular characterization of Kryptoperidinium sp. (Dinophyceae) from two Mediterranean coastal shallow lagoons.}, journal = {Harmful algae}, volume = {97}, number = {}, pages = {101855}, doi = {10.1016/j.hal.2020.101855}, pmid = {32732049}, issn = {1878-1470}, mesh = {*Dinoflagellida/genetics ; *Ecosystem ; Italy ; Phylogeny ; Salinity ; }, abstract = {In this study, the field ecology of Kryptoperidinium sp. was examined in two Mediterranean shallow lagoons, Calich (CA) and Santa Giusta (SG) in Sardinia, Italy. Kryptoperidinium cell density and the environmental conditions were examined monthly from 2008 to 2015 in CA and from 2011 to 2016 in SG. Cell morphology was determined by observing specimens taken from the field and from cultures that were established by single-cell isolation from samples collected in the two lagoons. The molecular identity of strains from each lagoon was also ascertained. The growth rates of the strains were determined under three different temperature conditions and six salinity treatments. The two wild populations shared the same morphology and the cultured strains were morphologically and molecularly identical. The SSU and 5.8S phylogenies show the presence of two clusters within the available Kryptoperidinium sequences and the strains obtained in this study clustered with others from the Mediterranean and Baltic. The multiannual dynamics of Kryptoperidinium sp. in the field significantly differed in the two lagoons, showing much higher cell densities in CA than in SG. The presence of Kryptoperidinium sp. was detected throughout the year in CA, with recurrent blooms also affecting the adjacent coastal area. In contrast, Kryptoperidinium sp. was sporadically observed in SG. The variation in the environmental parameters was fairly wide during the presence and blooms of Kryptoperidinium sp., especially in CA. The application of Generalized Linear Models to the field data revealed a significant role of rainfall and dissolved inorganic nitrogen on the presence and blooms of the species. Although growth rates were similar between the two strains, significant differences were detected for the 10 and 40 salinity treatments. The results obtained in this study add to our knowledge about the ecology of a harmful species that is not well understood in transitional ecosystems such as Mediterranean lagoons.}, }
@article {pmid32731621, year = {2020}, author = {Garrido, C and Caspari, OD and Choquet, Y and Wollman, FA and Lafontaine, I}, title = {Evidence Supporting an Antimicrobial Origin of Targeting Peptides to Endosymbiotic Organelles.}, journal = {Cells}, volume = {9}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {32731621}, issn = {2073-4409}, mesh = {Anti-Infective Agents/*metabolism ; Humans ; Organelles/*metabolism ; Peptides/*metabolism ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Mitochondria and chloroplasts emerged from primary endosymbiosis. Most proteins of the endosymbiont were subsequently expressed in the nucleo-cytosol of the host and organelle-targeted via the acquisition of N-terminal presequences, whose evolutionary origin remains enigmatic. Using a quantitative assessment of their physico-chemical properties, we show that organelle targeting peptides, which are distinct from signal peptides targeting other subcellular compartments, group with a subset of antimicrobial peptides. We demonstrate that extant antimicrobial peptides target a fluorescent reporter to either the mitochondria or the chloroplast in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and, conversely, that extant targeting peptides still display antimicrobial activity. Thus, we provide strong computational and functional evidence for an evolutionary link between organelle-targeting and antimicrobial peptides. Our results support the view that resistance of bacterial progenitors of organelles to the attack of host antimicrobial peptides has been instrumental in eukaryogenesis and in the emergence of photosynthetic eukaryotes.}, }
@article {pmid32727924, year = {2020}, author = {Tabima, JF and Trautman, IA and Chang, Y and Wang, Y and Mondo, S and Kuo, A and Salamov, A and Grigoriev, IV and Stajich, JE and Spatafora, JW}, title = {Phylogenomic Analyses of Non-Dikarya Fungi Supports Horizontal Gene Transfer Driving Diversification of Secondary Metabolism in the Amphibian Gastrointestinal Symbiont, Basidiobolus.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {10}, number = {9}, pages = {3417-3433}, pmid = {32727924}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Amphibians ; Animals ; *Entomophthorales ; Fungi ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Phylogeny ; Secondary Metabolism ; }, abstract = {Research into secondary metabolism (SM) production by fungi has resulted in the discovery of diverse, biologically active compounds with significant medicinal applications. The fungi rich in SM production are taxonomically concentrated in the subkingdom Dikarya, which comprises the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Here, we explore the potential for SM production in Mucoromycota and Zoopagomycota, two phyla of nonflagellated fungi that are not members of Dikarya, by predicting and identifying core genes and gene clusters involved in SM. The majority of non-Dikarya have few genes and gene clusters involved in SM production except for the amphibian gut symbionts in the genus BasidiobolusBasidiobolus genomes exhibit an enrichment of SM genes involved in siderophore, surfactin-like, and terpene cyclase production, all these with evidence of constitutive gene expression. Gene expression and chemical assays also confirm that Basidiobolus has significant siderophore activity. The expansion of SMs in Basidiobolus are partially due to horizontal gene transfer from bacteria, likely as a consequence of its ecology as an amphibian gut endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid32726353, year = {2020}, author = {Fraser, JE and O'Donnell, TB and Duyvestyn, JM and O'Neill, SL and Simmons, CP and Flores, HA}, title = {Novel phenotype of Wolbachia strain wPip in Aedes aegypti challenges assumptions on mechanisms of Wolbachia-mediated dengue virus inhibition.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {16}, number = {7}, pages = {e1008410}, pmid = {32726353}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 102591/Z/13/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; *Dengue Virus ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; Microbial Interactions/*physiology ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Phenotype ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia is a biocontrol tool that inhibits the ability of the Aedes aegypti mosquito to transmit positive-sense RNA viruses such as dengue and Zika. Growing evidence indicates that when Wolbachia strains wMel or wAlbB are introduced into local mosquito populations, human dengue incidence is reduced. Despite the success of this novel intervention, we still do not fully understand how Wolbachia protects mosquitoes from viral infection. Here, we demonstrate that the Wolbachia strain wPip does not inhibit virus infection in Ae. aegypti. We have leveraged this novel finding, and a panel of Ae. aegypti lines carrying virus-inhibitory (wMel and wAlbB) and non-inhibitory (wPip) strains in a common genetic background, to rigorously test a number of hypotheses about the mechanism of Wolbachia-mediated virus inhibition. We demonstrate that, contrary to previous suggestions, there is no association between a strain's ability to inhibit dengue infection in the mosquito and either its typical density in the midgut or salivary glands, or the degree to which it elevates innate immune response pathways in the mosquito. These findings, and the experimental platform provided by this panel of genetically comparable mosquito lines, clear the way for future investigations to define how Wolbachia prevents Ae. aegypti from transmitting viruses.}, }
@article {pmid32723830, year = {2020}, author = {Maire, J and Parisot, N and Galvao Ferrarini, M and Vallier, A and Gillet, B and Hughes, S and Balmand, S and Vincent-Monégat, C and Zaidman-Rémy, A and Heddi, A}, title = {Spatial and morphological reorganization of endosymbiosis during metamorphosis accommodates adult metabolic requirements in a weevil.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {117}, number = {32}, pages = {19347-19358}, pmid = {32723830}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Biological Evolution ; Digestive System/microbiology ; Endophytes/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Female ; Larva/growth &amp; development/microbiology/physiology ; Male ; Metamorphosis, Biological ; *Symbiosis ; Weevils/*growth &amp; development/*microbiology/physiology ; }, abstract = {Bacterial intracellular symbiosis (endosymbiosis) is widespread in nature and impacts many biological processes. In holometabolous symbiotic insects, metamorphosis entails a complete and abrupt internal reorganization that creates a constraint for endosymbiont transmission from larvae to adults. To assess how endosymbiosis copes-and potentially evolves-throughout this major host-tissue reorganization, we used the association between the cereal weevil Sitophilus oryzae and the bacterium Sodalis pierantonius as a model system. S. pierantonius are contained inside specialized host cells, the bacteriocytes, that group into an organ, the bacteriome. Cereal weevils require metabolic inputs from their endosymbiont, particularly during adult cuticle synthesis, when endosymbiont load increases dramatically. By combining dual RNA-sequencing analyses and cell imaging, we show that the larval bacteriome dissociates at the onset of metamorphosis and releases bacteriocytes that undergo endosymbiosis-dependent transcriptomic changes affecting cell motility, cell adhesion, and cytoskeleton organization. Remarkably, bacteriocytes turn into spindle cells and migrate along the midgut epithelium, thereby conveying endosymbionts to midgut sites where future mesenteric caeca will develop. Concomitantly, endosymbiont genes encoding a type III secretion system and a flagellum apparatus are transiently up-regulated while endosymbionts infect putative stem cells and enter their nuclei. Infected cells then turn into new differentiated bacteriocytes and form multiple new bacteriomes in adults. These findings show that endosymbiosis reorganization in a holometabolous insect relies on a synchronized host-symbiont molecular and cellular "choreography" and illustrates an adaptive feature that promotes bacteriome multiplication to match increased metabolic requirements in emerging adults.}, }
@article {pmid32723650, year = {2020}, author = {Rahal, M and Medkour, H and Diarra, AZ and Bitam, I and Parola, P and Mediannikov, O}, title = {Molecular identification and evaluation of Coxiella-like endosymbionts genetic diversity carried by cattle ticks in Algeria.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {5}, pages = {101493}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101493}, pmid = {32723650}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Algeria ; Animals ; Coxiella/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Genes, Bacterial ; Genes, rRNA ; *Genetic Variation ; Ixodidae/*microbiology ; Species Specificity ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Coxiella-like bacteria are a large group of yet-to-isolate and characterize bacteria phylogenetically close to the agent of Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, and often associated with ixodid ticks worldwide. This study was designed to assess the presence of Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) in ticks and to describe their genetic diversity in different tick species infesting cattle in Algeria. A total of 765 ticks were collected from three locations. The screening of 20 % of sampled ticks (147/765) exhibited the presence of Coxiella-like in 51.7 % (76/147). The sequencing of partial 16S rRNA and the GroEl genes showed an identity higher than 98 % with different Coxiella-like endosymbionts. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed the positions of identified Coxiella bacteria. Eleven of the 13 sequences from Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor and Hyalomma ticks were grouped in a distinct clade, the other two each represent an independent clade. This study reported that CLE are prevalent in cattle ticks. Most of the identified Coxiella-like bacteria, from different species of ticks found on cattle, were identical. This may mean that, unlike the currently accepted paradigm, Coxiella-like bacteria are not only tick host-associated, but rather can be transmitted from one tick species to another via the vertebrate host.}, }
@article {pmid32722516, year = {2020}, author = {Chen, H and Zhang, M and Hochstrasser, M}, title = {The Biochemistry of Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Caused by Endosymbiotic Bacteria.}, journal = {Genes}, volume = {11}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {32722516}, issn = {2073-4425}, support = {R01 GM053756/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM136325/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; GM046904 and GM053756/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cytoplasm/*microbiology/*pathology ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Many species of arthropods carry maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts that can influence host sexual reproduction to benefit the bacterium. The most well-known of such reproductive parasites is Wolbachia pipientis. Wolbachia are obligate intracellular α-proteobacteria found in nearly half of all arthropod species. This success has been attributed in part to their ability to manipulate host reproduction to favor infected females. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), a phenomenon wherein Wolbachia infection renders males sterile when they mate with uninfected females, but not infected females (the rescue mating), appears to be the most common. CI provides a reproductive advantage to infected females in the presence of a threshold level of infected males. The molecular mechanisms of CI and other reproductive manipulations, such as male killing, parthenogenesis, and feminization, have remained mysterious for many decades. It had been proposed by Werren more than two decades ago that CI is caused by a Wolbachia-mediated sperm modification and that rescue is achieved by a Wolbachia-encoded rescue factor in the infected egg. In the past few years, new research has highlighted a set of syntenic Wolbachia gene pairs encoding CI-inducing factors (Cifs) as the key players for the induction of CI and its rescue. Within each Cif pair, the protein encoded by the upstream gene is denoted A and the downstream gene B. To date, two types of Cifs have been characterized based on the enzymatic activity identified in the B protein of each protein pair; one type encodes a deubiquitylase (thus named CI-inducing deubiquitylase or cid), and a second type encodes a nuclease (named CI-inducing nuclease or cin). The CidA and CinA proteins bind tightly and specifically to their respective CidB and CinB partners. In transgenic Drosophila melanogaster, the expression of either the Cid or Cin protein pair in the male germline induces CI and the expression of the cognate A protein in females is sufficient for rescue. With the identity of the Wolbachia CI induction and rescue factors now known, research in the field has turned to directed studies on the molecular mechanisms of CI, which we review here.}, }
@article {pmid32719697, year = {2020}, author = {Izarra, ML and Panta, AL and Maza, CR and Zea, BC and Cruzado, J and Gutarra, LR and Rivera, CR and Ellis, D and Kreuze, JF}, title = {Identification and Control of Latent Bacteria in in vitro Cultures of Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam].}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {903}, pmid = {32719697}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Bacterial microorganisms which are latent in in vitro cultures can limit the efficiency of in vitro methods for the conservation of genetic resources. In this study we screened 2,373 accessions from the in vitro sweetpotato germplasm collection of the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru for bacteria associated with plantlets in tissue culture through a combination of morphological methods and partial 16S rDNA sequencing. Bacteria were detected in 240 accessions (10% of the accessions screened) and we were able to isolate 184 different bacterial isolates from 177 different accessions. These corresponded to at least nineteen Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) of bacteria, belonging to the genera Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Methylobacterium, Brevibacterium, Acinetobacter, Microbacterium, Streptomyces, Staphylococcus, and Janibacter. Specific primers were developed for PCR based diagnostic tests that were able to rapidly detect these bacteria directly from tissue culture plants, without the need of microbial sub-culturing. Based on PCR screening the largest bacterial OTUs corresponded to a Paenibacillus sp. closely related to Paenibacillus taichungensis (41.67%), and Bacillus sp. closely related to Bacillus cereus (22.22%), and Bacillus pumilus (16.67%). Since in vitro plant genetic resources must be microbe-free for international distribution and use, any microbial presence is considered a contamination and therefore it is critical to clean all cultures of these latent-appearing bacteria. To accomplish this, plantlets from in vitro were transferred to soil, watered with Dimanin[®] (2 ml/l) weekly and then reintroduced into in vitro. Of the 191 accessions processed for bacterial elimination, 100% tested bacteria-free after treatment. It is suspected that these bacteria may be endosymbionts and some may be beneficial for the plants.}, }
@article {pmid32718933, year = {2020}, author = {Chung, M and Basting, PJ and Patkus, RS and Grote, A and Luck, AN and Ghedin, E and Slatko, BE and Michalski, M and Foster, JM and Bergman, CM and Hotopp, JCD}, title = {A Meta-Analysis of Wolbachia Transcriptomics Reveals a Stage-Specific Wolbachia Transcriptional Response Shared Across Different Hosts.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {10}, number = {9}, pages = {3243-3260}, pmid = {32718933}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Filarioidea ; *Nematoda ; Symbiosis ; Transcriptome ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a genus containing obligate, intracellular endosymbionts with arthropod and nematode hosts. Numerous studies have identified differentially expressed transcripts in Wolbachia endosymbionts that potentially inform the biological interplay between these endosymbionts and their hosts, albeit with discordant results. Here, we re-analyze previously published Wolbachia RNA-Seq transcriptomics data sets using a single workflow consisting of the most up-to-date algorithms and techniques, with the aim of identifying trends or patterns in the pan-Wolbachia transcriptional response. We find that data from one of the early studies in filarial nematodes did not allow for robust conclusions about Wolbachia differential expression with these methods, suggesting the original interpretations should be reconsidered. Across datasets analyzed with this unified workflow, there is a general lack of global gene regulation with the exception of a weak transcriptional response resulting in the upregulation of ribosomal proteins in early larval stages. This weak response is observed across diverse Wolbachia strains from both nematode and insect hosts suggesting a potential pan-Wolbachia transcriptional response during host development that diverged more than 700 million years ago.}, }
@article {pmid32708808, year = {2020}, author = {Lindsey, ARI}, title = {Sensing, Signaling, and Secretion: A Review and Analysis of Systems for Regulating Host Interaction in Wolbachia.}, journal = {Genes}, volume = {11}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {32708808}, issn = {2073-4425}, support = {R01AI144430//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/microbiology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics ; Nematoda/microbiology ; Quorum Sensing/*genetics ; Secretory Pathway/*genetics ; Signal Transduction/genetics ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics/metabolism/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia (Anaplasmataceae) is an endosymbiont of arthropods and nematodes that resides within host cells and is well known for manipulating host biology to facilitate transmission via the female germline. The effects Wolbachia has on host physiology, combined with reproductive manipulations, make this bacterium a promising candidate for use in biological- and vector-control. While it is becoming increasingly clear that Wolbachia's effects on host biology are numerous and vary according to the host and the environment, we know very little about the molecular mechanisms behind Wolbachia's interactions with its host. Here, I analyze 29 Wolbachia genomes for the presence of systems that are likely central to the ability of Wolbachia to respond to and interface with its host, including proteins for sensing, signaling, gene regulation, and secretion. Second, I review conditions under which Wolbachia alters gene expression in response to changes in its environment and discuss other instances where we might hypothesize Wolbachia to regulate gene expression. Findings will direct mechanistic investigations into gene regulation and host-interaction that will deepen our understanding of intracellular infections and enhance applied management efforts that leverage Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid32696581, year = {2021}, author = {Suhag, A and Yadav, H and Chaudhary, D and Subramanian, S and Jaiwal, R and Jaiwal, PK}, title = {Biotechnological interventions for the sustainable management of a global pest, whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {28}, number = {5}, pages = {1228-1252}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12853}, pmid = {32696581}, issn = {1744-7917}, mesh = {Animals ; *Biotechnology ; Crops, Agricultural ; *Hemiptera/genetics ; Insect Control/*methods ; *Insecticides ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Double-Stranded ; }, abstract = {Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) are polyphagous invasive hemipteran insects that cause serious losses of important crops by directly feeding on phloem sap and transmitting pathogenic viruses. These insects have emerged as a major threat to global agriculture and food security. Chemically synthesized insecticides are currently the only option to control whiteflies, but the ability of whiteflies to evolve resistance against insecticides has made the management of these insects very difficult. Natural host-plant resistance against whiteflies identified in some crop plants has not been exploited to a great extent. Genetic engineering approaches, such as transgenics and RNA interference (RNAi), are potentially useful for the control of whiteflies. Transgenic plants harboring insecticidal toxins/lectins developed via nuclear or chloroplast transformation are a promising vehicle for whitefly control. Double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) of several insect genes, delivered either through microinjection into the insect body cavity or orally via an artificial diet and transiently or stably expressed in transgenic plants, have controlled whiteflies in model plants and in some crops at the laboratory level, but not at the field level. In this review, we highlight the merits and demerits of each delivery method along with strategies for sustained delivery of dsRNAs via fungal entomopathogen/endosymbiont or nontransgenic RNAi approaches, foliar sprays, root absorption or nanocarriers as well as the factors affecting efficient RNAi and their biosafety issues. Genome sequencing and transcriptome studies of whitefly species are facilitating the selection of appropriate genes for RNAi and gene-editing technology for the efficient and resilient management of whiteflies and their transmitted viruses.}, }
@article {pmid32690191, year = {2020}, author = {Jorrin, B and Palacios, JM and Peix, &#xc1; and Imperial, J}, title = {Rhizobium ruizarguesonis sp. nov., isolated from nodules of Pisum sativum L.}, journal = {Systematic and applied microbiology}, volume = {43}, number = {4}, pages = {126090}, doi = {10.1016/j.syapm.2020.126090}, pmid = {32690191}, issn = {1618-0984}, mesh = {DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Fatty Acids/analysis ; Genes, Bacterial/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Genotype ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Pisum sativum/*microbiology ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rhizobium/chemistry/*classification/cytology/*physiology ; Root Nodules, Plant/*microbiology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Soil/chemistry ; Soil Microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Four strains, coded as UPM1132, UPM1133[T], UPM1134 and UPM1135, and isolated from nodules of Pisum sativum plants grown on Ni-rich soils were characterised through a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Their 16S rRNA gene sequences were identical and showed 100% similarity with their closest phylogenetic neighbors, the species included in the 'R. leguminosarum group': R. laguerreae FB206[T], R. leguminosarum USDA 2370[T], R. anhuiense CCBAU 23252[T], R. sophoreae CCBAU 03386[T], R. acidisoli FH13[T] and R. hidalgonense FH14[T], and 99.6% sequence similarity with R. esperanzae CNPSo 668[T]. The analysis of combined housekeeping genes recA, atpD and glnII sequences showed similarities of 92-95% with the closest relatives. Whole genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) values were 97.5-99.7% ANIb similarity among the four strains, and less than 92.4% with closely related species, while digital DNA-DNA hybridization average values (dDDH) were 82-85% within our strains and 34-52% with closely related species. Major fatty acids in strain UPM1133[T] were C18:1 ω7c / C18:1 ω6c in summed feature 8, C14:0 3OH/ C16:1 iso I in summed feature 2 and C18:0. Colonies were small to medium, pearl-white coloured in YMA at 28°C and growth was observed in the ranges 8-34°C, pH 5.5-7.5 and 0-0.7% (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content was 60.8mol %. The combined genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data support the classification of strains UPM1132, UPM1133[T], UPM1134 and UPM1135 into a novel species of Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium ruizarguesonis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is UPM1133[T] (=CECT 9542[T]=LMG 30526[T]).}, }
@article {pmid32690078, year = {2020}, author = {Huang, EYY and Wong, AYP and Lee, IHT and Qu, Z and Yip, HY and Leung, CW and Yin, SM and Hui, JHL}, title = {Infection patterns of dengue, Zika and endosymbiont Wolbachia in the mosquito Aedes albopictus in Hong Kong.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {361}, pmid = {32690078}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {*Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Animals ; Dengue/transmission ; Dengue Virus/*isolation &amp; purification ; Hong Kong/epidemiology ; Mosquito Vectors/virology ; Pathology, Molecular ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; *Prevalence ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Zika Virus/*isolation &amp; purification ; Zika Virus Infection/transmission ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The mosquito Aedes albopictus is a vector of dengue and Zika viruses. Insecticide-resistant mosquito populations have evolved in recent decades, suggesting that new control strategies are needed. Hong Kong has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate, which favours the spread of mosquitoes. However, baseline information on the composition and dynamics of the occurrence of endosymbiont Wolbachia in local Ae. albopictus is lacking, hindering the development of scientifically-informed control measures. This study identifies the presence and absence of dengue and Zika viruses, and Wolbachia infection in Aedes albopictus in Hong Kong.<br><br>METHODS: Oviposition traps were set at 57 areas in Hong Kong, and both immature and adult mosquitoes were collected on a monthly basis between April 2018 and April 2019 as the study sample. Each individual mosquito in this sample was processed and screened for the presence of the dengue and Zika viruses and the endosymbionts Wolbachia wAlbA and wAlbB with PCR.<br><br>RESULTS: Totals of 967 and 984 mosquitoes were tested respectively for the presence of dengue and Zika viruses, and no trace of either infection was found in these samples. The presence of wAlbA and wAlbB was also tested in 1582 individuals. Over 80% of these individuals were found to be stably infected with Wolbachia throughout the thirteen-month collection period (~&#x2009;47% singly-infected; ~&#x2009;36.8% doubly infected with both wAlbA and wAlbB).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The high degree of Wolbachia wAlbA and wAlbB infection in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes in Hong Kong, coupled with the absence of any signs of infection by dengue and Zika viruses, contrasts significantly with the pattern of mosquito infection in other parts of Asia. Further studies of the infection pattern in local mosquitoes are warranted before mosquito control strategies used in other regions are implemented in Hong Kong.}, }
@article {pmid32689950, year = {2020}, author = {Morrow, JL and Om, N and Beattie, GAC and Chambers, GA and Donovan, NJ and Liefting, LW and Riegler, M and Holford, P}, title = {Characterization of the bacterial communities of psyllids associated with Rutaceae in Bhutan by high throughput sequencing.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {215}, pmid = {32689950}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Bhutan ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/*genetics ; Rutaceae/microbiology/*parasitology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/*methods ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Several plant-pathogenic bacteria are transmitted by insect vector species that often also act as hosts. In this interface, these bacteria encounter plant endophytic, insect endosymbiotic and other microbes. Here, we used high throughput sequencing to examine the bacterial communities of five different psyllids associated with citrus and related plants of Rutaceae in Bhutan: Diaphorina citri, Diaphorina communis, Cornopsylla rotundiconis, Cacopsylla heterogena and an unidentified Cacopsylla sp.<br><br>RESULTS: The microbiomes of the psyllids largely comprised their obligate P-endosymbiont 'Candidatus Carsonella ruddii', and one or two S-endosymbionts that are fixed and specific to each lineage. In addition, all contained Wolbachia strains; the Bhutanese accessions of D. citri were dominated by a Wolbachia strain first found in American isolates of D. citri, while D. communis accessions were dominated by the Wolbachia strain, wDi, first detected in D. citri from China. The S-endosymbionts from the five psyllids grouped with those from other psyllid taxa; all D. citri and D. communis individuals contained sequences matching 'Candidatus Profftella armatura' that has previously only been reported from other Diaphorina species, and the remaining psyllid species contained OTUs related to unclassified Enterobacteriaceae. The plant pathogenic 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' was found in D. citri but not in D. communis. Furthermore, an unidentified 'Candidatus Liberibacter sp.' occurred at low abundance in both Co. rotundiconis and the unidentified Cacopsylla sp. sampled from Zanthoxylum sp.; the status of this new liberibacter as a plant pathogen and its potential plant hosts are currently unknown. The bacterial communities of Co. rotundiconis also contained a range of OTUs with similarities to bacteria previously found in samples taken from various environmental sources.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The bacterial microbiota detected in these Bhutanese psyllids support the trends that have been seen in previous studies: psyllids have microbiomes largely comprising their obligate P-endosymbiont and one or two S-endosymbionts. In addition, the association with plant pathogens has been demonstrated, with the detection of liberibacters in a known host, D. citri, and identification of a putative new species of liberibacter in Co. rotundiconis and Cacopsylla sp.}, }
@article {pmid32676060, year = {2020}, author = {Gupta, A and Nair, S}, title = {Dynamics of Insect-Microbiome Interaction Influence Host and Microbial Symbiont.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1357}, pmid = {32676060}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Insects share an intimate relationship with their gut microflora and this symbiotic association has developed into an essential evolutionary outcome intended for their survival through extreme environmental conditions. While it has been clearly established that insects, with very few exceptions, associate with several microbes during their life cycle, information regarding several aspects of these associations is yet to be fully unraveled. Acquisition of bacteria by insects marks the onset of microbial symbiosis, which is followed by the adaptation of these bacterial species to the gut environment for prolonged sustenance and successful transmission across generations. Although several insect-microbiome associations have been reported and each with their distinctive features, diversifications and specializations, it is still unclear as to what led to these diversifications. Recent studies have indicated the involvement of various evolutionary processes operating within an insect body that govern the transition of a free-living microbe to an obligate or facultative symbiont and eventually leading to the establishment and diversification of these symbiotic relationships. Data from various studies, summarized in this review, indicate that the symbiotic partners, i.e., the bacteria and the insect undergo several genetic, biochemical and physiological changes that have profound influence on their life cycle and biology. An interesting outcome of the insect-microbe interaction is the compliance of the microbial partner to its eventual genome reduction. Endosymbionts possess a smaller genome as compared to their free-living forms, and thus raising the question what is leading to reductive evolution in the microbial partner. This review attempts to highlight the fate of microbes within an insect body and its implications for both the bacteria and its insect host. While discussion on each specific association would be too voluminous and outside the scope of this review, we present an overview of some recent studies that contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary trajectory and dynamics of the insect-microbe association and speculate that, in the future, a better understanding of the nature of this interaction could pave the path to a sustainable and environmentally safe way for controlling economically important pests of crop plants.}, }
@article {pmid32675189, year = {2020}, author = {Park, J and Xi, H and Park, J and Nam, SJ and Lee, YD}, title = {Complete Genome Sequence of the Blochmannia Endosymbiont of Camponotus nipponensis.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {9}, number = {29}, pages = {}, pmid = {32675189}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Blochmannia endosymbionts, belonging to Gammaproteobacteria, live in bacteriocytes, which are specialized cells for these bacterial species in the Camponotus genus (carpenter ants). In this announcement, we describe the complete genome sequence of the Blochmannia endosymbiont of Camponotus nipponensis, which originated from a C. nipponensis colony collected in the Republic of Korea.}, }
@article {pmid32668699, year = {2020}, author = {Chandra, S and Šlapeta, J}, title = {Biotic Factors Influence Microbiota of Nymph Ticks from Vegetation in Sydney, Australia.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {9}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {32668699}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {n/a//Dugdale Guy Peele Bequest, University of Sydney/ ; n/a//University of Sydney Postgraduate Award (UPA)/ ; }, abstract = {Ticks are haematophagous ectoparasites of medical and veterinary significance due to their excellent vector capacity. Modern sequencing techniques enabled the rapid sequencing of bacterial pathogens and symbionts. This study's aims were two-fold; to determine the nymph diversity in Sydney, and to determine whether external biotic factors affect the microbiota. Tick DNA was isolated, and the molecular identity was determined for nymphs at the cox1 level. The tick DNA was subjected to high throughput DNA sequencing to determine the bacterial profile and the impact of biotic factors on the microbiota. Four nymph tick species were recovered from Sydney, NSW: Haemaphysalis bancrofti, Ixodes holocyclus, Ixodes trichosuri and Ixodes tasmani. Biotic factors, notably tick species and geography, were found to have a significance influence on the microbiota. The microbial analyses revealed that Sydney ticks display a core microbiota. The dominating endosymbionts among all tick species were Candidatus Midichloria sp. Ixholo1 and Candidatus Midichloria sp. Ixholo2. A novel Candidatus Midichloria sp. OTU_2090 was only found in I. holocyclus ticks (nymph: 96.3%, adult: 75.6%). Candidatus Neoehrlichia australis and Candidatus Neoehrlichia arcana was recovered from I. holocyclus and one I. trichosuri nymph ticks. Borrelia spp. was absent from all ticks. This study has shown that nymph and adult ticks carry different bacteria, and a tick bite in Sydney, Australia will result in different bacterial transfer depending on tick life stage, tick species and geography.}, }
@article {pmid32661403, year = {2020}, author = {Fan, L and Wu, D and Goremykin, V and Xiao, J and Xu, Y and Garg, S and Zhang, C and Martin, WF and Zhu, R}, title = {Phylogenetic analyses with systematic taxon sampling show that mitochondria branch within Alphaproteobacteria.}, journal = {Nature ecology &amp; evolution}, volume = {4}, number = {9}, pages = {1213-1219}, pmid = {32661403}, issn = {2397-334X}, mesh = {*Alphaproteobacteria/genetics ; Mitochondria/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Reproducibility of Results ; }, abstract = {Though it is well accepted that mitochondria originated from an alphaproteobacteria-like ancestor, the phylogenetic relationship of the mitochondrial endosymbiont to extant Alphaproteobacteria is yet unresolved. The focus of much debate is whether the affinity between mitochondria and fast-evolving alphaproteobacterial lineages reflects true homology or artefacts. Approaches such as site exclusion have been claimed to mitigate compositional heterogeneity between taxa, but this comes at the cost of information loss, and the reliability of such methods is so far unproven. Here we demonstrate that site-exclusion methods produce erratic phylogenetic estimates of mitochondrial origin. Thus, previous phylogenetic hypotheses on the origin of mitochondria based on pretreated datasets should be re-evaluated. We applied alternative strategies to reduce phylogenetic noise by systematic taxon sampling while keeping site substitution information intact. Cross-validation based on a series of trees placed mitochondria robustly within Alphaproteobacteria, sharing an ancient common ancestor with Rickettsiales and currently unclassified marine lineages.}, }
@article {pmid32651207, year = {2020}, author = {Guo, Y and Takashima, Y and Sato, Y and Narisawa, K and Ohta, H and Nishizawa, T}, title = {Mycoavidus sp. Strain B2-EB: Comparative Genomics Reveals Minimal Genomic Features Required by a Cultivable Burkholderiaceae-Related Endofungal Bacterium.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {86}, number = {18}, pages = {}, pmid = {32651207}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Burkholderiaceae/*genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Mortierella/*pathogenicity ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Obligate bacterial endosymbionts are critical to the existence of many eukaryotes. Such endobacteria are usually characterized by reduced genomes and metabolic dependence on the host, which may cause difficulty in isolating them in pure cultures. Family Burkholderiaceae-related endofungal bacteria affiliated with the Mycoavidus-Glomeribacter clade can be associated with the fungal subphyla Mortierellomycotina and Glomeromycotina. In this study, a cultivable endosymbiotic bacterium, Mycoavidus sp. strain B2-EB, present in the fungal host Mortierella parvispora was obtained successfully. The B2-EB genome (1.88 Mb) represents the smallest genome among the endofungal bacterium Mycoavidus cysteinexigens (2.64-2.80 Mb) of Mortierella elongata and the uncultured endosymbiont "Candidatus Glomeribacter gigasporarum" (1.37 to 2.36 Mb) of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Despite a reduction in genome size, strain B2-EB displays a high genome completeness, suggesting a nondegenerative reduction in the B2-EB genome. Compared with a large proportion of transposable elements (TEs) in other known Mycoavidus genomes (7.2 to 11.5% of the total genome length), TEs accounted for only 2.4% of the B2-EB genome. This pattern, together with a high proportion of single-copy genes in the B2-EB genome, suggests that the B2-EB genome reached a state of relative evolutionary stability. These results represent the most streamlined structure among the cultivable endofungal bacteria and suggest the minimal genome features required by both an endofungal lifestyle and artificial culture. This study allows us to understand the genome evolution of Burkholderiaceae-related endosymbionts and to elucidate microbiological interactions.IMPORTANCE This study attempted the isolation of a novel endobacterium, Mycoavidus sp. B2-EB (JCM 33615), harbored in the fungal host Mortierella parvispora E1425 (JCM 39028). We report the complete genome sequence of this strain, which possesses a reduced genome size with relatively high genome completeness and a streamlined genome structure. The information indicates the minimal genomic features required by both the endofungal lifestyle and artificial cultivation, which furthers our understanding of genome reduction in fungal endosymbionts and extends the culture resources for biotechnological development on engineering synthetic microbiomes.}, }
@article {pmid32639986, year = {2020}, author = {Gunderson, EL and Vogel, I and Chappell, L and Bulman, CA and Lim, KC and Luo, M and Whitman, JD and Franklin, C and Choi, YJ and Lefoulon, E and Clark, T and Beerntsen, B and Slatko, B and Mitreva, M and Sullivan, W and Sakanari, JA}, title = {The endosymbiont Wolbachia rebounds following antibiotic treatment.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {16}, number = {7}, pages = {e1008623}, pmid = {32639986}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI081803/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM097435/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R56 AI081803/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Brugia pahangi/*microbiology ; Female ; Filariasis/*microbiology ; Filaricides/*pharmacology ; Gerbillinae ; Rifampin/*pharmacology ; Wolbachia/*drug effects ; }, abstract = {Antibiotic treatment has emerged as a promising strategy to sterilize and kill filarial nematodes due to their dependence on their endosymbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia. Several studies have shown that novel and FDA-approved antibiotics are efficacious at depleting the filarial nematodes of their endosymbiont, thus reducing female fecundity. However, it remains unclear if antibiotics can permanently deplete Wolbachia and cause sterility for the lifespan of the adult worms. Concerns about resistance arising from mass drug administration necessitate a careful exploration of potential Wolbachia recrudescence. In the present study, we investigated the long-term effects of the FDA-approved antibiotic, rifampicin, in the Brugia pahangi jird model of infection. Initially, rifampicin treatment depleted Wolbachia in adult worms and simultaneously impaired female worm fecundity. However, during an 8-month washout period, Wolbachia titers rebounded and embryogenesis returned to normal. Genome sequence analyses of Wolbachia revealed that despite the population bottleneck and recovery, no genetic changes occurred that could account for the rebound. Clusters of densely packed Wolbachia within the worm's ovarian tissues were observed by confocal microscopy and remained in worms treated with rifampicin, suggesting that they may serve as privileged sites that allow Wolbachia to persist in worms while treated with antibiotic. To our knowledge, these clusters have not been previously described and may be the source of the Wolbachia rebound.}, }
@article {pmid32635864, year = {2020}, author = {Rosenwald, LC and Sitvarin, MI and White, JA}, title = {Endosymbiotic Rickettsiella causes cytoplasmic incompatibility in a spider host.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {287}, number = {1930}, pages = {20201107}, pmid = {32635864}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Coxiellaceae/*physiology ; Cytoplasm/*microbiology ; Female ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Male ; Spiders/*microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Many arthropod hosts are infected with bacterial endosymbionts that manipulate host reproduction, but few bacterial taxa have been shown to cause such manipulations. Here, we show that a bacterial strain in the genus Rickettsiella causes cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) between infected and uninfected hosts. We first surveyed the bacterial community of the agricultural spider Mermessus fradeorum (Linyphiidae) using high throughput sequencing and found that individual spiders can be infected with up to five different strains of maternally inherited symbiont from the genera Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Rickettsiella. The Rickettsiella strain was pervasive, found in all 23 tested spider matrilines. We used antibiotic curing to generate uninfected matrilines that we reciprocally crossed with individuals infected only with Rickettsiella. We found that only 13% of eggs hatched when uninfected females were mated with Rickettsiella-infected males; in contrast, at least 83% of eggs hatched in the other cross types. This is the first documentation of Rickettsiella, or any Gammaproteobacteria, causing CI. We speculate that induction of CI may be much more widespread among maternally inherited bacteria than previously appreciated. Further, our results reinforce the importance of thoroughly characterizing and assessing the inherited microbiome before attributing observed host phenotypes to well-characterized symbionts such as Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid32630209, year = {2020}, author = {Khoo, JJ and Kurtti, TJ and Husin, NA and Beliavskaia, A and Lim, FS and Zulkifli, MMS and Al-Khafaji, AM and Hartley, C and Darby, AC and Hughes, GL and AbuBakar, S and Makepeace, BL and Bell-Sakyi, L}, title = {Isolation and Propagation of Laboratory Strains and a Novel Flea-Derived Field Strain of Wolbachia in Tick Cell Lines.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {32630209}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {MO002-2019//Ministry of Education, Malaysia/ ; 332192305//Malaysian Industry - Government Group for High Technology/ ; R21 AI138074/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI129507/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; BB/P024378/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 332192305//Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, UK Government/ ; BB/P024270/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/T001240/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are intracellular endosymbionts of several invertebrate taxa, including insects and nematodes. Although Wolbachia DNA has been detected in ticks, its presence is generally associated with parasitism by insects. To determine whether or not Wolbachia can infect and grow in tick cells, cell lines from three tick species, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus microplus, were inoculated with Wolbachia strains wStri and wAlbB isolated from mosquito cell lines. Homogenates prepared from fleas collected from cats in Malaysia were inoculated into an I. scapularis cell line. Bacterial growth and identity were monitored by microscopy and PCR amplification and sequencing of fragments of Wolbachia genes. The wStri strain infected Ixodes spp. cells and was maintained through 29 passages. The wAlbB strain successfully infected Ixodes spp. and R. microplus cells and was maintained through 2-5 passages. A novel strain of Wolbachia belonging to the supergroup F, designated wCfeF, was isolated in I. scapularis cells from a pool of Ctenocephalides sp. cat fleas and maintained in vitro through two passages over nine months. This is the first confirmed isolation of a Wolbachia strain from a flea and the first isolation of any Wolbachia strain outside the "pandemic" A and B supergroups. The study demonstrates that tick cells can host multiple Wolbachia strains, and can be added to panels of insect cell lines to improve success rates in isolation of field strains of Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid32625188, year = {2020}, author = {Lima, RM and Kylarová, S and Mergaert, P and Kondorosi, &#xc9;}, title = {Unexplored Arsenals of Legume Peptides With Potential for Their Applications in Medicine and Agriculture.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1307}, pmid = {32625188}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {During endosymbiosis, bacteria live intracellularly in the symbiotic organ of their host. The host controls the proliferation of endosymbionts and prevents their spread to other tissues and organs. In Rhizobium-legume symbiosis the major host effectors are secreted nodule-specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides, produced exclusively in the symbiotic cells. NCRs have evolved in the Inverted Repeat Lacking Clade (IRLC) of the Leguminosae family. They are secreted peptides that mediate terminal differentiation of the endosymbionts, forming polyploid, non-cultivable cells with increased membrane permeability. NCRs form an extremely large family of peptides, which have four or six conserved cysteines but otherwise highly diverse amino acid sequences, resulting in a wide variety of anionic, neutral and cationic peptides. In vitro, many synthetic NCRs have strong antimicrobial activities against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including the ESKAPE strains and pathogenic fungi. The spectra and minimal bactericidal and anti-fungal concentrations of NCRs differ, indicating that, in addition to their charge, the amino acid composition and sequence also play important roles in their antimicrobial activity. NCRs attack the bacteria and fungi at the cell envelope and membrane as well as intracellularly, forming interactions with multiple essential cellular machineries. NCR-like peptides with similar symbiotic functions as the NCRs also exist in other branches of the Leguminosae family. Thus, legumes provide countless and so far unexplored sources of symbiotic peptides representing an enormous resource of pharmacologically interesting molecules.}, }
@article {pmid32623757, year = {2020}, author = {Chauhan, C and Das De, T and Kumari, S and Rani, J and Sharma, P and Tevatiya, S and Pandey, KC and Pande, V and Dixit, R}, title = {Hemocyte-specific FREP13 abrogates the exogenous bacterial population in the hemolymph and promotes midgut endosymbionts in Anopheles stephensi.}, journal = {Immunology and cell biology}, volume = {98}, number = {9}, pages = {757-769}, doi = {10.1111/imcb.12374}, pmid = {32623757}, issn = {1440-1711}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anopheles/immunology ; Bacteria ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Hemocytes/*parasitology ; Hemolymph/*microbiology ; Insect Proteins/*genetics ; Plasmodium vivax ; Sporozoites ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The immune blood cells "hemocytes" of mosquitoes impart a highly selective immune response against various microorganisms/pathogens. Among several immune effectors, fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs) have been recognized as key modulators of cellular immune responses; however, their physiological relevance has not been investigated in detail. Our ongoing comparative RNA-sequencing analysis identified a total of 13 FREPs originating from naïve sugar-fed, blood-fed, bacterial challenged and Plasmodium vivax-infected hemocytes in Anopheles stephensi. Transcriptional profiling of the selected seven FREP transcripts showed distinct responses against different pathophysiological conditions, where an exclusive induction of FREP12 after 10 days of P. vivax infection was observed. This represents a possible role of FREP12 in immunity against free circulating sporozoites and needs to be explored in the future. When challenged with live bacterial injection in the thorax, we observed a higher affinity of FREP13 and FREP65 toward Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in the mosquito hemocytes, respectively. Furthermore, we observed increased bacterial survival and proliferation, which is likely compromised by the downregulation of TEP1, in FREP13 messenger RNA-depleted mosquito hemolymph. In contrast, after blood-feeding, we also noticed a significant delay of 24 h in the enrichment of gut endosymbionts in the FREP13-silenced mosquitoes. Taken together, we conclude that hemocyte-specific FREP13 carries the unique ability of tissue-specific regulation, having an antagonistic antibacterial role in the hemolymph, and an agonistic role against gut endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid32621939, year = {2020}, author = {Heryanto, C and Eleftherianos, I}, title = {Nematode endosymbiont competition: Fortune favors the fittest.}, journal = {Molecular and biochemical parasitology}, volume = {238}, number = {}, pages = {111298}, doi = {10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111298}, pmid = {32621939}, issn = {1872-9428}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/growth &amp; development/*metabolism ; Biological Factors/*biosynthesis ; Catechol Oxidase/metabolism ; Enzyme Precursors/metabolism ; Helminth Proteins/metabolism ; Hemolymph/microbiology/parasitology ; Insecta/microbiology/*parasitology ; Nematoda/enzymology/*microbiology/pathogenicity ; Nematode Infections/microbiology/*parasitology ; Phospholipases A2/metabolism ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic bacteria that obligately associate with entomopathogenic nematodes as a complex are a unique model system to study competition. These nematodes seek an insect host and provide entry for their endosymbionts. Through their natural products, the endosymbionts nurture their nematodes by eliminating secondary infection, providing nutrients through bioconversion of the insect cadaver, and facilitating reproduction. On one hand, they cooperatively colonize the insect host and neutralize other opportunistic biotic threats. On the other hand, inside the insect cadaver as a fighting pit, they fiercely compete for the fittest partnership that will grant them the reproductive dominance. Here, we review the protective and nurturing nature of endosymbiotic bacteria for their nematodes and how their selective preference shapes the superior nematode-endosymbiont pairs as we know today.}, }
@article {pmid32621601, year = {2020}, author = {Yu, L and Li, T and Li, L and Lin, X and Li, H and Liu, C and Guo, C and Lin, S}, title = {SAGER: a database of Symbiodiniaceae and Algal Genomic Resource.}, journal = {Database : the journal of biological databases and curation}, volume = {2020}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {32621601}, issn = {1758-0463}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa ; Chlorophyta/genetics ; Computational Biology ; *Databases, Genetic ; Dinoflagellida/*genetics ; Phaeophyceae/genetics ; Rhodophyta/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Transcriptome/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates are essential endosymbionts of reef building corals and some other invertebrates. Information of their genome structure and function is critical for understanding coral symbiosis and bleaching. With the rapid development of sequencing technology, genome draft assemblies of several Symbiodiniaceae species and diverse marine algal genomes have become publicly available but spread in multiple separate locations. Here, we present a Symbiodiniaceae and Algal Genomic Resource Database (SAGER), a user-friendly online repository for integrating existing genomic data of Symbiodiniaceae species and diverse marine algal gene sets from MMETSP and PhyloDB databases. Relevant algal data are included to facilitate comparative analyses. The database is freely accessible at http://sampgr.org.cn. It provides comprehensive tools for studying gene function, expression and comparative genomics, including search tools to identify gene information from Symbiodiniaceae species, and BLAST tool to find orthologs from marine algae and protists. Moreover, SAGER integrates transcriptome datasets derived from diverse culture conditions of corresponding Symbiodiniaceae species. SAGER was developed with the capacity to incorporate future Symbiodiniaceae and algal genome and transcriptome data, and will serve as an open-access and sustained platform providing genomic and molecular tools that can be conveniently used to study Symbiodiniaceae and other marine algae. Database URL: http://sampgr.org.cn.}, }
@article {pmid32616636, year = {2020}, author = {Lebov, JF and Mattick, J and Libro, S and Sparklin, BC and Chung, M and Bromley, RE and Nadendla, S and Zhao, X and Ott, S and Sadzewicz, L and Tallon, LJ and Michalski, ML and Foster, JM and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Complete Genome Sequence of wBp, the Wolbachia Endosymbiont of Brugia pahangi FR3.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {9}, number = {27}, pages = {}, pmid = {32616636}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis is a devastating disease caused by filarial nematode roundworms, which contain obligate Wolbachia endosymbionts. Here, we assembled the genome of wBp, the Wolbachia endosymbiont of the filarial nematode Brugia pahangi, from Illumina, Pacific Biosciences, and Oxford Nanopore data. The complete, circular genome is 1,072,967 bp.}, }
@article {pmid32616041, year = {2020}, author = {Duan, XZ and Sun, JT and Wang, LT and Shu, XH and Guo, Y and Keiichiro, M and Zhu, YX and Bing, XL and Hoffmann, AA and Hong, XY}, title = {Recent infection by Wolbachia alters microbial communities in wild Laodelphax striatellus populations.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {104}, pmid = {32616041}, issn = {2049-2618}, support = {31672035 and 31871976//National Natural Science Foundation of China/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; China ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Japan ; *Microbiota/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Host-associated microbial communities play an important role in the fitness of insect hosts. However, the factors shaping microbial communities in wild populations, including genetic background, ecological factors, and interactions among microbial species, remain largely unknown.<br><br>RESULTS: Here, we surveyed microbial communities of the small brown planthopper (SBPH, Laodelphax striatellus) across 17 geographical populations in China and Japan by using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Using structural equation models (SEM) and Mantel analyses, we show that variation in microbial community structure is likely associated with longitude, annual mean precipitation (Bio12), and mitochondrial DNA variation. However, a Wolbachia infection, which is spreading to northern populations of SBPH, seems to have a relatively greater role than abiotic factors in shaping microbial community structure, leading to sharp decreases in bacterial taxon diversity and abundance in host-associated microbial communities. Comparative RNA-Seq analyses between Wolbachia-infected and -uninfected strains indicate that the Wolbachia do not seem to alter the immune reaction of SBPH, although Wolbachia affected expression of metabolism genes.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Together, our results identify potential factors and interactions among different microbial species in the microbial communities of SBPH, which can have effects on insect physiology, ecology, and evolution. Video Abstract.}, }
@article {pmid32609768, year = {2020}, author = {Segura, JA and Isaza, JP and Botero, LE and Alzate, JF and Gutiérrez, LA}, title = {Assessment of bacterial diversity of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks from two livestock agroecosystems in Antioquia, Colombia.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {15}, number = {7}, pages = {e0234005}, pmid = {32609768}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/microbiology ; Colombia ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics ; Livestock/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rhipicephalus/*genetics/*microbiology ; Saliva/chemistry ; Tick Infestations/veterinary ; Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Rhipicephalus microplus is recognized as a tick species highly prevalent in cattle, with a wide pantropical distribution that seems to continue spreading geographically. However, its role as a biological vector has been scarcely studied in the livestock context. In this study, a 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing analysis was used to determine bacterial diversity in salivary glands and gut of R. microplus from two contrasting livestock agroecosystems in Antioquia, Colombia. Both the culture-independent approach (CI) and the culture-dependent (CD) approach were complementarily adopted in this study. A total of 341 unique OTUs were assigned, the richness showed to be higher in the Northern than in the Middle Magdalena region, and a high diversity was found at the phylum and genus levels in the samples obtained. With the CI approach, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were the most common phylum of bacteria regardless of the organ, or geographic origin of the specimens analyzed. While the relative abundance of bacteria at a phylum level with the CD approach varied between analyzed samples, the data obtained suggest that a high diversity of species of bacteria occurs in R. microplus from both livestock agroecosystems. Bacterial genera such as Anaplasma, Coxiella, and Ehrlichia, recognized for their implications in tick-borne diseases, were also detected, together with endosymbionts such as Lysinibacillus, previously reported as a potential tool for biological control. This information is useful to deepen the knowledge about microbial diversity regarding the relations between endosymbionts and pathogens and could facilitate the future development of epidemiological surveillance in livestock systems.}, }
@article {pmid32605521, year = {2020}, author = {Keaney, TA and Wong, HWS and Dowling, DK and Jones, TM and Holman, L}, title = {Sibling rivalry versus mother's curse: can kin competition facilitate a response to selection on male mitochondria?.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {287}, number = {1930}, pages = {20200575}, pmid = {32605521}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster ; Female ; Haplotypes ; Male ; Maternal Inheritance ; *Mitochondria ; *Selection, Genetic ; Siblings ; }, abstract = {Assuming that fathers never transmit mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to their offspring, mitochondrial mutations that affect male fitness are invisible to direct selection on males, leading to an accumulation of male-harming alleles in the mitochondrial genome (mother's curse). However, male phenotypes encoded by mtDNA can still undergo adaptation via kin selection provided that males interact with females carrying related mtDNA, such as their sisters. Here, using experiments with Drosophila melanogaster carrying standardized nuclear DNA but distinct mitochondrial DNA, we test whether the mitochondrial haplotype carried by interacting pairs of larvae affects survival to adulthood, as well as the fitness of the adults. Although mtDNA had no detectable direct or indirect genetic effect on larva-to-adult survival, the fitness of male and female adults was significantly affected by their own mtDNA and the mtDNA carried by their social partner in the larval stage. Thus, mtDNA mutations that alter the effect of male larvae on nearby female larvae (which often carry the same mutation, due to kinship) could theoretically respond to kin selection. We discuss the implications of our findings for the evolution of mitochondria and other maternally inherited endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid32599512, year = {2020}, author = {Ferreira, AG and Fairlie, S and Moreira, LA}, title = {Insect vectors endosymbionts as solutions against diseases.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {40}, number = {}, pages = {56-61}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2020.05.014}, pmid = {32599512}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; Communicable Disease Control/*methods ; Disease Transmission, Infectious/*prevention &amp; control ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/*physiology ; Insecta/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Viral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, known as arboviruses, pose a significant threat to human life and are a major burden on many health systems around the world. Currently, arbovirus control strategies rely on insecticides or vector source reduction and, in the absence of effective, accessible and affordable vaccines, mainly on symptomatic based, non-specific treatments. However, insecticides have the potential to interfere with non-target organisms, cause environmental toxicity and insecticide resistance reduces their effectiveness as a sustainable control method. Complementary and sustainable strategies are urgently needed. Wolbachia, an invertebrate endosymbiont, has been used as an alternative strategy for arboviral control, through suppression or modification of mosquito populations. Here we discuss the burden that arboviruses impose on human populations and how Wolbachia can be used as a sustainable strategy for control, in alignment with the United Nations- 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.}, }
@article {pmid32596816, year = {2020}, author = {Wang, Q and Yuan, E and Ling, X and Zhu-Salzman, K and Guo, H and Ge, F and Sun, Y}, title = {An aphid facultative symbiont suppresses plant defence by manipulating aphid gene expression in salivary glands.}, journal = {Plant, cell &amp; environment}, volume = {43}, number = {9}, pages = {2311-2322}, doi = {10.1111/pce.13836}, pmid = {32596816}, issn = {1365-3040}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/genetics/microbiology/*physiology ; Calcium/metabolism ; China ; Gene Expression ; Insect Proteins/genetics ; Medicago truncatula/*physiology ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Salivary Glands/*physiology ; Serratia/*physiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Aphids often carry facultative symbionts to achieve diverse advantages. Serratia symbiotica, one of facultative endosymbionts, increases aphid tolerance to heat. However, whether it benefits aphid colonization on host plants is yet to be determined. In the current study, we found that Acyrthosiphon pisum harbouring S. symbiotica had longer feeding duration on Medicago truncatula than Serratia-free aphids. Contrastingly, Serratia-free aphids triggered higher accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), jasmonic acid and salicylic acid responsive genes and cytosolic Ca[2+] elevations than Serratia-infected aphids. Transcriptomic analysis of salivary glands indicated that a histidine-rich Ca[2+] -binding protein-like gene (ApHRC) was expressed more highly in the salivary gland of Serratia-infected aphids than that of Serratia-free aphids. Once ApHRC was silenced, Serratia-infected aphids also displayed shorter phloem-feeding duration and caused Ca[2+] elevation and ROS accumulation in plants. Our results suggest that ApHRC, a potential effector up-regulated by S. symbiotica in the salivary glands, impairs plant defence response by suppressing Ca[2+] elevation and ROS accumulation, allowing colonization of aphids. This study has provided an insight into how facultative symbionts facilitate aphid colonization and adaptation to host plants.}, }
@article {pmid32592285, year = {2020}, author = {Sproles, AE and Oakley, CA and Krueger, T and Grossman, AR and Weis, VM and Meibom, A and Davy, SK}, title = {Sub-cellular imaging shows reduced photosynthetic carbon and increased nitrogen assimilation by the non-native endosymbiont Durusdinium trenchii in the model cnidarian Aiptasia.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {9}, pages = {3741-3753}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.15142}, pmid = {32592285}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {1202//Marsden Fund of the Royal Society Te Ap&#x101;rangi/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Carbon/metabolism ; Dinoflagellida/genetics/*metabolism ; Metabolome ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Proteome ; Sea Anemones/genetics/*metabolism/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Hosting different symbiont species can affect inter-partner nutritional fluxes within the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Using nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS), we measured the spatial incorporation of photosynthetically fixed [13] C and heterotrophically derived [15] N into host and symbiont cells of the model symbiotic cnidarian Aiptasia (Exaiptasia pallida) when colonized with its native symbiont Breviolum minutum or the non-native Durusdinium trenchii. Breviolum minutum exhibited high photosynthetic carbon assimilation per cell and translocation to host tissue throughout symbiosis establishment, whereas D. trenchii assimilated significantly less carbon, but obtained more host nitrogen. These findings suggest that D. trenchii has less potential to provide photosynthetically fixed carbon to the host despite obtaining considerable amounts of heterotrophically derived nitrogen. These sub-cellular events help explain previous observations that demonstrate differential effects of D. trenchii compared to B. minutum on the host transcriptome, proteome, metabolome and host growth and asexual reproduction. Together, these differential effects suggest that the non-native host-symbiont pairing is sub-optimal with respect to the host's nutritional benefits under normal environmental conditions. This contributes to our understanding of the ways in which metabolic integration impacts the benefits of a symbiotic association, and the potential evolution of novel host-symbiont pairings.}, }
@article {pmid32589643, year = {2020}, author = {Ajene, IJ and Khamis, FM and van Asch, B and Pietersen, G and Rasowo, BA and Ombura, FL and Wairimu, AW and Akutse, KS and Sétamou, M and Mohamed, S and Ekesi, S}, title = {Microbiome diversity in Diaphorina citri populations from Kenya and Tanzania shows links to China.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {e0235348}, pmid = {32589643}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; *Biodiversity ; China ; Drug Resistance, Microbial/genetics ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Insect Vectors/microbiology ; Kenya ; *Microbiota/drug effects/genetics ; *Phylogeny ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; Sequence Analysis ; Symbiosis ; Tanzania ; }, abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is a key pest of Citrus spp. worldwide, as it acts as a vector for "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las)", the bacterial pathogen associated with the destructive Huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Recent detection of D. citri in Africa and reports of Las-associated HLB in Ethiopia suggest that the citrus industry on the continent is under imminent threat. Endosymbionts and gut bacteria play key roles in the biology of arthropods, especially with regards to vector-pathogen interactions and resistance to antibiotics. Thus, we aim to profile the bacterial genera and to identify antibiotic resistance genes within the microbiome of different populations worldwide of D. citri. The metagenome of D. citri was sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore full-length 16S metagenomics protocol, and the "What's in my pot" (WIMP) analysis pipeline. Microbial diversity within and between D. citri populations was assessed, and antibiotic resistance genes were identified using the WIMP-ARMA workflow. The most abundant genera were key endosymbionts of D. citri ("Candidatus Carsonella", "Candidatus Profftella", and Wolbachia). The Shannon diversity index showed that D. citri from Tanzania had the highest diversity of bacterial genera (1.92), and D. citri from China had the lowest (1.34). The Bray-Curtis dissimilarity showed that China and Kenya represented the most diverged populations, while the populations from Kenya and Tanzania were the least diverged. The WIMP-ARMA analyses generated 48 CARD genes from 13 bacterial species in each of the populations. Spectinomycin resistance genes were the most frequently found, with an average of 65.98% in all the populations. These findings add to the knowledge on the diversity of the African D. citri populations and the probable introduction source of the psyllid in these African countries.}, }
@article {pmid32582067, year = {2020}, author = {Mateos, M and Martinez Montoya, H and Lanzavecchia, SB and Conte, C and Guillén, K and Morán-Aceves, BM and Toledo, J and Liedo, P and Asimakis, ED and Doudoumis, V and Kyritsis, GA and Papadopoulos, NT and Augustinos, AA and Segura, DF and Tsiamis, G}, title = {Wolbachia pipientis Associated With Tephritid Fruit Fly Pests: From Basic Research to Applications.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {1080}, pmid = {32582067}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Members of the true fruit flies (family Tephritidae) are among the most serious agricultural pests worldwide, whose control and management demands large and costly international efforts. The need for cost-effective and environmentally friendly integrated pest management (IPM) has led to the development and implementation of autocidal control strategies. These approaches include the widely used sterile insect technique and the incompatible insect technique (IIT). IIT relies on maternally transmitted bacteria (namely Wolbachia) to cause a conditional sterility in crosses between released mass-reared Wolbachia-infected males and wild females, which are either uninfected or infected with a different Wolbachia strain (i.e., cytoplasmic incompatibility; CI). Herein, we review the current state of knowledge on Wolbachia-tephritid interactions including infection prevalence in wild populations, phenotypic consequences, and their impact on life history traits. Numerous pest tephritid species are reported to harbor Wolbachia infections, with a subset exhibiting high prevalence. The phenotypic effects of Wolbachia have been assessed in very few tephritid species, due in part to the difficulty of manipulating Wolbachia infection (removal or transinfection). Based on recent methodological advances (high-throughput DNA sequencing) and breakthroughs concerning the mechanistic basis of CI, we suggest research avenues that could accelerate generation of necessary knowledge for the potential use of Wolbachia-based IIT in area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) strategies for the population control of tephritid pests.}, }
@article {pmid32581834, year = {2020}, author = {Mannella, CA}, title = {Consequences of Folding the Mitochondrial Inner Membrane.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {536}, pmid = {32581834}, issn = {1664-042X}, support = {P41 RR001219/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {A fundamental first step in the evolution of eukaryotes was infolding of the chemiosmotic membrane of the endosymbiont. This allowed the proto-eukaryote to amplify ATP generation while constraining the volume dedicated to energy production. In mitochondria, folding of the inner membrane has evolved into a highly regulated process that creates specialized compartments (cristae) tuned to optimize function. Internalizing the inner membrane also presents complications in terms of generating the folds and maintaining mitochondrial integrity in response to stresses. This review describes mechanisms that have evolved to regulate inner membrane topology and either preserve or (when appropriate) rupture the outer membrane.}, }
@article {pmid32575747, year = {2020}, author = {Miller, JW and Bocke, CR and Tresslar, AR and Schniepp, EM and DiSalvo, S}, title = {Paraburkholderia Symbionts Display Variable Infection Patterns That Are Not Predictive of Amoeba Host Outcomes.}, journal = {Genes}, volume = {11}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {32575747}, issn = {2073-4425}, mesh = {Amoeba/genetics/microbiology ; Burkholderiaceae/*genetics/pathogenicity ; Dictyostelium/*genetics/microbiology ; Genotype ; Host Microbial Interactions/genetics ; Host-Parasite Interactions/*genetics ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic interactions exist within a parasitism to mutualism continuum that is influenced, among others, by genes and context. Dynamics of intracellular invasion, replication, and prevalence may underscore both host survivability and symbiont stability. More infectious symbionts might exert higher corresponding costs to hosts, which could ultimately disadvantage both partners. Here, we quantify infection patterns of diverse Paraburkholderia symbiont genotypes in their amoeba host Dictyostelium discoideum and probe the relationship between these patterns and host outcomes. We exposed D. discoideum to thirteen strains of Paraburkholderia each belonging to one of the three symbiont species found to naturally infect D. discoideum: Paraburkholderia agricolaris, Paraburkholderia hayleyella, and Paraburkholderia bonniea. We quantified the infection prevalence and intracellular density of fluorescently labeled symbionts along with the final host population size using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. We find that infection phenotypes vary across symbiont strains. Symbionts belonging to the same species generally display similar infection patterns but are interestingly distinct when it comes to host outcomes. This results in final infection loads that do not strongly correlate to final host outcomes, suggesting other genetic factors that are not a direct cause or consequence of symbiont abundance impact host fitness.}, }
@article {pmid32573833, year = {2020}, author = {Lucek, K and Butlin, RK and Patsiou, T}, title = {Secondary contact zones of closely-related Erebia butterflies overlap with narrow phenotypic and parasitic clines.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {33}, number = {9}, pages = {1152-1163}, doi = {10.1111/jeb.13669}, pmid = {32573833}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {Animals ; Butterflies/anatomy &amp; histology/*genetics/microbiology ; Ecosystem ; *Gene Flow ; Hybridization, Genetic ; Phenotype ; *Reproductive Isolation ; Switzerland ; Wings, Animal/anatomy &amp; histology ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Zones of secondary contact between closely related taxa are a common legacy of the Quaternary ice ages. Despite their abundance, the factors that keep species apart and prevent hybridization are often unknown. Here, we study a very narrow contact zone between three closely related butterfly species of the Erebia tyndarus species complex. Using genomic data, we first determined whether gene flow occurs and then assessed whether it might be hampered by differences in chromosome number between some species. We found interspecific gene flow between sibling species that differ in karyotype by one chromosome. Conversely, only F1 hybrids occurred between two species that have the same karyotype, forming a steep genomic cline. In a second step, we fitted clines to phenotypic, ecological and parasitic data to identify the factors associated with the genetic cline. We found clines for phenotypic data and the prevalence of the endosymbiont parasite Wolbachia to overlap with the genetic cline, suggesting that they might be drivers for separating the two species. Overall, our results highlight that some gene flow is possible between closely related species despite different chromosome numbers, but that other barriers restrict such gene flow.}, }
@article {pmid32560686, year = {2020}, author = {Driscoll, TP and Verhoeve, VI and Gillespie, JJ and Johnston, JS and Guillotte, ML and Rennoll-Bankert, KE and Rahman, MS and Hagen, D and Elsik, CG and Macaluso, KR and Azad, AF}, title = {A chromosome-level assembly of the cat flea genome uncovers rampant gene duplication and genome size plasticity.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {70}, pmid = {32560686}, issn = {1741-7007}, support = {R01 AI126853/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI017828/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI122672/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI146773/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21AI26108/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI095190/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Chromosomes ; Ctenocephalides/*genetics ; *DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; *Gene Duplication ; *Genome Size ; Male ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are small flightless parasites of birds and mammals; their blood-feeding can transmit many serious pathogens (i.e., the etiological agents of bubonic plague, endemic and murine typhus). The lack of flea genome assemblies has hindered research, especially comparisons to other disease vectors. Accordingly, we sequenced the genome of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, an insect with substantial human health and veterinary importance across the globe.<br><br>RESULTS: By combining Illumina and PacBio sequencing of DNA derived from multiple inbred female fleas with Hi-C scaffolding techniques, we generated a chromosome-level genome assembly for C. felis. Unexpectedly, our assembly revealed extensive gene duplication across the entire genome, exemplified by ~&#x2009;38% of protein-coding genes with two or more copies and over 4000 tRNA genes. A broad range of genome size determinations (433-551&#x2009;Mb) for individual fleas sampled across different populations supports the widespread presence of fluctuating copy number variation (CNV) in C. felis. Similarly, broad genome sizes were also calculated for individuals of Xenopsylla cheopis (Oriental rat flea), indicating that this remarkable "genome-in-flux" phenomenon could be a siphonapteran-wide trait. Finally, from the C. felis sequence reads, we also generated closed genomes for two novel strains of Wolbachia, one parasitic and one symbiotic, found to co-infect individual fleas.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Rampant CNV in C. felis has dire implications for gene-targeting pest control measures and stands to complicate standard normalization procedures utilized in comparative transcriptomics analysis. Coupled with co-infection by novel Wolbachia endosymbionts-potential tools for blocking pathogen transmission-these oddities highlight a unique and underappreciated disease vector.}, }
@article {pmid32559249, year = {2020}, author = {Bagnaresi, P and Cattivelli, L}, title = {Ab initio GO-based mining for non-tandem-duplicated functional clusters in three model plant diploid genomes.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {e0234782}, pmid = {32559249}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Arabidopsis/*genetics ; Databases, Genetic ; Diploidy ; Gene Duplication ; *Gene Ontology ; *Genome, Plant ; Multigene Family ; Oryza/*genetics ; Plant Proteins/genetics ; Signal Transduction ; Vitis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {A functional Non-Tandem Duplicated Cluster (FNTDC) is a group of non-tandem-duplicated genes that are located closer than expected by mere chance and have a role in the same biological function. The identification of secondary-compounds-related FNTDC has gained increased interest in recent years, but little ab-initio attempts aiming to the identification of FNTDCs covering all biological functions, including primary metabolism compounds, have been carried out. We report an extensive FNTDC dataset accompanied by a detailed assessment on parameters used for genome scanning and their impact on FNTDC detection. We propose 70% identity and 70% alignment coverage as intermediate settings to exclude tandem duplicated genes and a dynamic scanning window of 24 genes. These settings were applied to rice, arabidopsis and grapevine genomes to call for FNTDCs. Besides the best-known secondary metabolism clusters, we identified many FNTDCs associated to primary metabolism ranging from macromolecules synthesis/editing, TOR signalling, ubiquitination, proton and electron transfer complexes. Using the intermediate FNTDC setting parameters (at P-value 1e-6), 130, 70 and 140 candidate FNTDCs were called in rice, arabidopsis and grapevine, respectively, and 20 to 30% of GO tags associated to called FNTDC were common among the 3 genomes. The datasets developed along with this work provide a rich framework for pinpointing candidate FNTDCs reflecting all GO-BP tags covering both primary and secondary metabolism with large macromolecular complexes/metabolons as the most represented FNTDCs. Noteworthy, several FNTDCs are tagged with GOs referring to organelle-targeted multi-enzyme complex, a finding that suggest the migration of endosymbiont gene chunks towards nuclei could be at the basis of these class of candidate FNTDCs. Most FNTDC appear to have evolved prior of genome duplication events. More than one-third of genes interspersed/adjacent to called FNTDCs lacked any functional annotation; however, their co-localization may provide hints towards a candidate biological role.}, }
@article {pmid32555677, year = {2020}, author = {Bhattacharya, T and Newton, ILG and Hardy, RW}, title = {Viral RNA is a target for Wolbachia-mediated pathogen blocking.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {16}, number = {6}, pages = {e1008513}, pmid = {32555677}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R01 AI144430/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI121849/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI153785/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Aedes ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; Cricetinae ; Drosophila melanogaster ; Flavivirus/genetics/*metabolism ; RNA, Viral/genetics/*metabolism ; Togaviridae/genetics/*metabolism ; Vero Cells ; Wolbachia/genetics/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {The ability of the endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis to restrict RNA viruses is presently being leveraged to curb global transmission of arbovirus-induced diseases. Past studies have shown that virus replication is limited early in arthropod cells colonized by the bacterium, although it is unclear if this phenomenon is replicated in mosquito cells that first encounter viruses obtained through a vertebrate blood meal. Furthermore, these cellular events neither explain how Wolbachia limits dissemination of viruses between mosquito tissues, nor how it prevents transmission of infectious viruses from mosquitoes to vertebrate host. In this study, we try to address these issues using an array of mosquito cell culture models, with an additional goal being to identify a common viral target for pathogen blocking. Our results establish the viral RNA as a cellular target for Wolbachia-mediated inhibition, with the incoming viral RNA experiencing rapid turnover following internalization in cells. This early block in replication in mosquito cells initially infected by the virus thus consequently reduces the production of progeny viruses from these same cells. However, this is not the only contributor to pathogen blocking. We show that the presence of Wolbachia reduces the per-particle infectivity of progeny viruses on naïve mosquito and vertebrate cells, consequently limiting virus dissemination and transmission, respectively. Importantly, we demonstrate that this aspect of pathogen blocking is independent of any particular Wolbachia-host association and affects viruses belonging to Togaviridae and Flaviviridae families of RNA viruses. Finally, consistent with the idea of the viral RNA as a target, we find that the encapsidated virion RNA is less infectious for viruses produced from Wolbachia-colonized cells. Collectively, our findings present a common mechanism of pathogen blocking in mosquitoes that establish a link between virus inhibition in the cell to virus dissemination and transmission.}, }
@article {pmid32555454, year = {2020}, author = {Hu, M and Zheng, X and Fan, CM and Zheng, Y}, title = {Lineage dynamics of the endosymbiotic cell type in the soft coral Xenia.}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {582}, number = {7813}, pages = {534-538}, pmid = {32555454}, issn = {1476-4687}, support = {R01 AR060042/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AR071976/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM106023/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM110151/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*cytology/*genetics/immunology/metabolism ; Carbon/metabolism ; Cell Differentiation/genetics ; Cell Lineage/*genetics ; Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida/immunology/*metabolism/physiology ; Ecosystem ; Endocytosis ; Genome/genetics ; Phagocytosis ; Photosynthesis ; RNA-Seq ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Symbiosis/*genetics/immunology ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Many corals harbour symbiotic dinoflagellate algae. The algae live inside coral cells in a specialized membrane compartment known as the symbiosome, which shares the photosynthetically fixed carbon with coral host cells while host cells provide inorganic carbon to the algae for photosynthesis[1]. This endosymbiosis-which is critical for the maintenance of coral reef ecosystems-is increasingly threatened by environmental stressors that lead to coral bleaching (that is, the disruption of endosymbiosis), which in turn leads to coral death and the degradation of marine ecosystems[2]. The molecular pathways that orchestrate the recognition, uptake and maintenance of algae in coral cells remain poorly understood. Here we report the chromosome-level genome assembly of a Xenia species of fast-growing soft coral[3], and use this species as a model to investigate coral-alga endosymbiosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing identified 16 cell clusters, including gastrodermal cells and cnidocytes, in Xenia sp. We identified the endosymbiotic cell type, which expresses a distinct set of genes that are implicated in the recognition, phagocytosis and/or endocytosis, and maintenance of algae, as well as in the immune modulation of host coral cells. By coupling Xenia sp. regeneration and single-cell RNA sequencing, we observed a dynamic lineage progression of the endosymbiotic cells. The conserved genes associated with endosymbiosis that are reported here may help to reveal common principles by which different corals take up or lose their endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid32547306, year = {2020}, author = {Valle, LG and Stoianova, D}, title = {First record of Harpellales, Orphellales (Kickxellomycotina) and Amoebidiales (Mesomycetozoea) from Bulgaria, including a new species of Glotzia.}, journal = {MycoKeys}, volume = {67}, number = {}, pages = {55-80}, pmid = {32547306}, issn = {1314-4049}, abstract = {This paper presents the results obtained from a short survey performed in Bulgaria, southeast Europe, where the trichomycetes (sensu lato), an ecological group of arthropod gut endosymbionts, were previously completely unknown. The present study initiates the comprehension of these cryptic organisms, members of the Kickxellomycotina (Harpellales, Orphellales) and the Mesomycetozoea (Amoebidiales), in this Balkan country. Eighteen new geographic records for Bulgaria are reported, including 10 species of Harpellales, three species of Orphellales and five species of Amoebidiales. Within the Harpellales, the species Glotzia balkanensis sp. nov. is described. This new species is most related to the rare species G. centroptili Gauthier ex Manier &amp; Lichtw. and G. stenospora White &amp; Lichtw., but is differentiated by spore and thallial characteristics. Photographs are provided and biogeographic implications of these records are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid32546745, year = {2020}, author = {Pirritano, M and Zaburannyi, N and Grosser, K and Gasparoni, G and Müller, R and Simon, M and Schrallhammer, M}, title = {Dual-Seq reveals genome and transcriptome of Caedibacter taeniospiralis, obligate endosymbiont of Paramecium.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {9727}, pmid = {32546745}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Gammaproteobacteria/*genetics/pathogenicity ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Paramecium/genetics/*microbiology ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/*genetics/physiology ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Interest in host-symbiont interactions is continuously increasing, not only due to the growing recognition of the importance of microbiomes. Starting with the detection and description of novel symbionts, attention moves to the molecular consequences and innovations of symbioses. However, molecular analysis requires genomic data which is difficult to obtain from obligate intracellular and uncultivated bacteria. We report the identification of the Caedibacter genome, an obligate symbiont of the ciliate Paramecium. The infection does not only confer the host with the ability to kill other cells but also renders them immune against this effect. We obtained the C. taeniospiralis genome and transcriptome by dual-Seq of DNA and RNA from infected paramecia. Comparison of codon usage and expression level indicates that genes necessary for a specific trait of this symbiosis, i.e. the delivery of an unknown toxin, result from horizontal gene transfer hinting to the relevance of DNA transfer for acquiring new characters. Prediction of secreted proteins of Caedibacter as major agents of contact with the host implies, next to several toxin candidates, a rather uncharacterized secretome which appears to be highly adapted to this symbiosis. Our data provides new insights into the molecular establishment and evolution of this obligate symbiosis and for the pathway characterization of toxicity and immunity.}, }
@article {pmid32544473, year = {2020}, author = {Ng, KT and Tay, HW and Namkabir, S and Kovilpillai, FJ}, title = {An Unwanted Kiss by Charlie Beetle: An Unusual Case Report.}, journal = {Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons}, volume = {78}, number = {10}, pages = {1766-1769}, doi = {10.1016/j.joms.2020.05.013}, pmid = {32544473}, issn = {1531-5053}, mesh = {Adult ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; *Coleoptera ; Humans ; Male ; Skin ; *Toxins, Biological ; Young Adult ; }, abstract = {Pederin, a vesicant chemical and one of the most powerful animal toxins in the world, is produced by an endosymbiont bacteria (Pseudomonas spp) found on the beetle Paederus fuscipes. This small, red- and black-striped beetle is also commonly known as the Charlie or rove beetle. Accidental contact with skin causes Paederus dermatitis, with the clinical presentation ranging from mild dermatitis to more severe vesiculobullous lesions. We report a rare case of severe lip destruction caused by the Charlie beetle in a 24-year-old man. Treatment involved intravenous antibiotics in addition to local wound debridement. The thinner stratum corneum on the lips and close proximity to the oral cavity could have resulted in the severe tissue destruction encountered.}, }
@article {pmid32543366, year = {2020}, author = {Hall, RJ and Thorpe, S and Thomas, GH and Wood, AJ}, title = {Simulating the evolutionary trajectories of metabolic pathways for insect symbionts in the genus Sodalis.}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {6}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {32543366}, issn = {2057-5858}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/M011151/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; WT095024MA/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Adaptation, Physiological ; Algorithms ; Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Computational Biology/*methods ; Enterobacteriaceae/*physiology ; Evolution, Molecular ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Models, Theoretical ; Mutation ; Symbiosis ; Tsetse Flies/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Insect-bacterial symbioses are ubiquitous, but there is still much to uncover about how these relationships establish, persist and evolve. The tsetse endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius displays intriguing metabolic adaptations to its microenvironment, but the process by which this relationship evolved remains to be elucidated. The recent chance discovery of the free-living species of the genus Sodalis, Sodalis praecaptivus, provides a serendipitous starting point from which to investigate the evolution of this symbiosis. Here, we present a flux balance model for S. praecaptivus and empirically verify its predictions. Metabolic modelling is used in combination with a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to explore the trajectories that S. glossinidius may have undertaken from this starting point after becoming internalized. The order in which key genes are lost is shown to influence the evolved populations, providing possible targets for future in vitro genetic manipulation. This method provides a detailed perspective on possible evolutionary trajectories for S. glossinidius in this fundamental process of evolutionary and ecological change.}, }
@article {pmid32535971, year = {2020}, author = {Pierangelini, M and Thiry, M and Cardol, P}, title = {Different levels of energetic coupling between photosynthesis and respiration do not determine the occurrence of adaptive responses of Symbiodiniaceae to global warming.}, journal = {The New phytologist}, volume = {228}, number = {3}, pages = {855-868}, pmid = {32535971}, issn = {1469-8137}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; *Global Warming ; Oceans and Seas ; Photosynthesis ; Respiration ; Symbiosis ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {Disentangling the metabolic functioning of corals' endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) is relevant to understanding the response of coral reefs to warming oceans. In this work, we first question whether there is an energetic coupling between photosynthesis and respiration in Symbiodiniaceae (Symbiodinium, Durusdinium and Effrenium), and second, how different levels of energetic coupling will affect their adaptive responses to global warming. Coupling between photosynthesis and respiration was established by determining the variation of metabolic rates during thermal response curves, and how inhibition of respiration affects photosynthesis. Adaptive (irreversible) responses were studied by exposing two Symbiodinium species with different levels of photosynthesis-respiration interaction to high temperature conditions (32°C) for 1 yr. We found that some Symbiodiniaceae have a high level of energetic coupling; that is, photosynthesis and respiration have the same temperature dependency, and photosynthesis is negatively affected when respiration is inhibited. Conversely, photosynthesis and respiration are not coupled in other species. In any case, prolonged exposure to high temperature caused adjustments in both photosynthesis and respiration, but these changes were fully reversible. We conclude that energetic coupling between photosynthesis and respiration exhibits wide variation amongst Symbiodiniaceae and does not determine the occurrence of adaptive responses in Symbiodiniaceae to temperature increase.}, }
@article {pmid32525589, year = {2020}, author = {Cornwell, BH}, title = {Gene flow in the anemone Anthopleura elegantissima limits signatures of local adaptation across an extensive geographic range.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {29}, number = {14}, pages = {2550-2566}, doi = {10.1111/mec.15506}, pmid = {32525589}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {*Adaptation, Physiological ; Animals ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Gene Flow ; *Genetics, Population ; North America ; Pacific Ocean ; *Sea Anemones/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Species inhabiting marine environments face a wide range of environmental conditions that vary spatially across several orders of magnitude. The selective pressures that these conditions impose on marine organisms, in combination with potentially high rates of gene flow between distant populations, make it difficult to predict the extent to which these populations can locally adapt. Here, I identify how selection and gene flow influence the population genetic structure of the anemone Anthopleura elegantissima along the Pacific coast of North America. Isolation by distance is the dominant pattern across the range of this species, with a genetic break near Pt. Conception, CA. Furthermore, demographic modelling suggests that this species was historically confined to southerly latitudes before expanding northward. Outlier analyses identify 24 loci under selection (out of ~1,100), but the same analysis on simulated genetic data generated using the most likely demographic model erroneously identified the same number of loci under selection, if not more. Taken together, these results suggest that demographic processes are the dominant force shaping population genetic patterns in A. elegantissima along the Pacific coast of North America. I discuss these patterns in terms of the evolutionary history of A. elegantissima, the potential for local adaptation, and their consequences with respect to interactions with the endosymbiont Breviolum muscatinei across their geographic range.}, }
@article {pmid32523601, year = {2020}, author = {Ocampo-Alvarez, H and Meza-Canales, ID and Mateos-Salmón, C and Rios-Jara, E and Rodríguez-Zaragoza, FA and Robles-Murguía, C and Muñoz-Urias, A and Hernández-Herrera, RM and Choix-Ley, FJ and Becerril-Espinosa, A}, title = {Diving Into Reef Ecosystems for Land-Agriculture Solutions: Coral Microbiota Can Alleviate Salt Stress During Germination and Photosynthesis in Terrestrial Plants.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {648}, pmid = {32523601}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {From their chemical nature to their ecological interactions, coral reef ecosystems have a lot in common with highly productive terrestrial ecosystems. While plants are responsible for primary production in the terrestrial sphere, the photosynthetic endosymbionts of corals are the key producers in reef communities. As in plants, coral microbiota have been suggested to stimulate the growth and physiological performance of the photosynthetic endosymbionts that provide energy sources to the coral. Among them, actinobacteria are some of the most probable candidates. To explore the potential of coral actinobacteria as plant biostimulants, we have analyzed the activity of Salinispora strains isolated from the corals Porites lobata and Porites panamensis, which were identified as Salinispora arenicola by 16S rRNA sequencing. We evaluated the effects of this microorganism on the germination, plant growth, and photosynthetic response of wild tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) under a saline regime. We identified protective activity of this actinobacteria on seed germination and photosynthetic performance under natural light conditions. Further insights into the possible mechanism showed an endophytic-like symbiosis between N. attenuata roots and S. arenicola and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity by S. arenicola. We discuss these findings in the context of relevant ecological and physiological responses and biotechnological potential. Overall, our results will contribute to the development of novel biotechnologies to cope with plant growth under saline stress. Our study highlights the importance of understanding marine ecological interactions for the development of novel, strategic, and sustainable agricultural solutions.}, }
@article {pmid32523040, year = {2020}, author = {Oke, AO and Oladigbolu, AA and Kunta, M and Alabi, OJ and Sétamou, M}, title = {First report of the occurrence of Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), an invasive species in Nigeria, West Africa.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {9418}, pmid = {32523040}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Africa, Eastern ; Africa, Western ; Animals ; Citrus/*parasitology ; Hemiptera/*genetics ; Insect Vectors/genetics ; *Introduced Species ; Nigeria ; Nymph/genetics ; Plant Diseases/*parasitology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Rhizobiaceae/genetics ; }, abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP; Diaphorina citri) is the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that is associated with the devastating Huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening disease). This pest of Asian origin has spread into the Americas and more recently into a few countries in East Africa. During recent surveys, suspect ACP adults and nymphs were recorded for the first time infesting citrus trees in southwest Nigeria. Morphological identification and DNA barcoding confirmed the samples to be D. citri. Analysis of the obtained sequences revealed that the ACP recorded in Nigeria clustered with other taxa in the previously identified B1 clade that consists of populations from different continents. The presence of the endosymbionts Ca. Carsonella ruddii and Ca. Profftella armatura in ACP from Nigeria was also confirmed by PCR and Sanger sequencing. The ACP individuals were assayed for the presence of CLaf, CLam and CLas by qPCR, but none of the insects tested positive for any of the Liberibacters. The prolific nature of ACP and the tropical climate prevailing in the citrus-producing areas of Nigeria and other West African countries may favor its rapid spread and population increase, thus posing a grave threat to the sustainability of citriculture in these countries.}, }
@article {pmid32522243, year = {2020}, author = {Madhav, M and Brown, G and Morgan, JAT and Asgari, S and McGraw, EA and James, P}, title = {Transinfection of buffalo flies (Haematobia irritans exigua) with Wolbachia and effect on host biology.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {296}, pmid = {32522243}, issn = {1756-3305}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Fertility ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Life Cycle Stages ; Longevity ; Male ; Microinjections ; Muscidae/*microbiology ; Pest Control, Biological/*methods ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Buffalo flies (Haematobia irritans exigua) (BF) and closely related horn flies (Haematobia irritans irritans) (HF) are invasive haematophagous parasites with significant economic and welfare impacts on cattle production. Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria found widely in insects and currently of much interest for use in novel strategies for the area wide control of insect pests and insect-vectored diseases. In this paper, we report the transinfection of BF towards the development of area-wide controls.<br><br>METHODS: Three stages of BF; embryos, pupae and adult female flies, were injected with different Wolbachia strains (wAlbB, wMel and wMelPop). The success of transinfection and infection dynamics was compared by real-time PCR and FISH and fitness effects were assessed in transinfected flies.<br><br>RESULTS: BF eggs were not easily injected because of their tough outer chorion and embryos were frequently damaged with less than 1% hatch rate of microinjected eggs. No Wolbachia infection was recorded in flies successfully reared from injected eggs. Adult and pupal injection resulted in higher survival rates and somatic and germinal tissue infections, with transmission to the succeeding generations on some occasions. Investigations of infection dynamics in flies from injected pupae confirmed that Wolbachia were actively multiplying in somatic tissues. Ovarian infections were confirmed with wMel and wMelPop in a number of instances, though not with wAlbB. Measurement of fitness traits indicated reduced longevity, decreased and delayed adult emergence, and reduced fecundity in Wolbachia-infected flies compared to mock-injected flies. Effects varied with the Wolbachia strain injected with most marked changes seen in the wMelPop-injected flies and least severe effects seen with wAlbB.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Adult and pupal injection were the most suitable methods for transinfecting BF and all three strains of Wolbachia successfully replicated in somatic tissues. The Wolbachia-induced fitness effects seen in transinfected BF suggest potential for use of the wMel or wMelPop strains in Wolbachia-based biocontrol programmes for BF.}, }
@article {pmid32519794, year = {2021}, author = {Bigiotti, G and Sacchetti, P and Pastorelli, R and Lauzon, CR and Belcari, A}, title = {Bacterial symbiosis in Bactrocera oleae, an Achilles' heel for its pest control.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {28}, number = {4}, pages = {874-884}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12835}, pmid = {32519794}, issn = {1744-7917}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteria/genetics/pathogenicity ; Crops, Agricultural ; Genes, Bacterial ; Host Microbial Interactions/genetics/physiology ; *Olea ; *Pest Control, Biological ; Symbiosis ; Tephritidae/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Investigations on microbial symbioses in Tephritidae have increased over the past 30 years owing to the potential use of these relationships in developing new control strategies for economically important fruit flies. Bactrocera oleae (Rossi)-the olive fruit fly-is a monophagous species strictly associated with the olive tree, and among all the tephritids, its symbionts are the most investigated. The bacterium Candidatus Erwinia dacicola is the major persistent resident endosymbiont in wild B. oleae populations. Its relationship with B. oleae has been investigated since being identified in 2005. This endosymbiont is vertically transmitted through generations from the female to the egg. It exists at every developmental stage, although it is more abundant in larvae and ovipositing females, and is necessary for both larvae and adults. Studying B. oleae-Ca. E. dacicola, or other B. oleae-microbe interactions, will allow us to develop modern biological control systems for area-wide olive protection and set an example for similar programs in other important food crops. This review summarizes the information available on tephritid-microbe interactions and investigates relationships among fruit flies, bacteria and host plants; however, its focus is on B. oleae and its strict association with Ca. E. dacicola to promote environmentally friendly control strategies for area-wide pest management.}, }
@article {pmid32507278, year = {2020}, author = {Matsumoto, T and Awai, K}, title = {Adaptations in chloroplast membrane lipid synthesis from synthesis in ancestral cyanobacterial endosymbionts.}, journal = {Biochemical and biophysical research communications}, volume = {528}, number = {3}, pages = {473-477}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.05.175}, pmid = {32507278}, issn = {1090-2104}, mesh = {Arabidopsis/genetics/metabolism ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Chloroplasts/genetics/*metabolism ; Endophytes/genetics/metabolism ; Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism ; Evolution, Molecular ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Genes, Bacterial ; Genes, Essential ; Glycerol-3-Phosphate O-Acyltransferase/genetics/metabolism ; Lysophospholipids/biosynthesis ; Membrane Lipids/*biosynthesis ; Symbiosis ; Synechocystis/genetics/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Cyanobacteria and chloroplasts are believed to share a common ancestor, but synthetic pathways for membrane lipids are different. Lyso-phosphatidic acid (lyso-PA) is the precursor for the synthesis of all membrane lipids and synthesized by an acyl-ACP dependent glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) in chloroplasts. In cyanobacteria, GPAT genes are not found and, instead, genes coding for enzymes in the acyl-phosphate dependent lyso-PA synthetic pathway (plsX and plsY) are conserved. We report that the PlsX/Y dependent lyso-PA synthetic pathway is essential in cyanobacteria, but can be replaced by acyl-ACP dependent GPAT from Escherichia coli (plsB) and Arabidopsis thaliana (ATS1). Cyanobacteria thus display the capacity to accept enzymes from other organisms to synthesize essential components. This ability may have enabled them to evolve into current chloroplasts from their ancestral origins.}, }
@article {pmid32503277, year = {2020}, author = {Tal, O and Selvaraj, G and Medina, S and Ofaim, S and Freilich, S}, title = {NetMet: A Network-Based Tool for Predicting Metabolic Capacities of Microbial Species and their Interactions.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {32503277}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {484/17//Israel Science Foundation/ ; N/A//Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique/ ; }, abstract = {Metabolic conversions allow organisms to produce a set of essential metabolites from the available nutrients in an environment, frequently requiring metabolic exchanges among co-inhabiting organisms. Genomic-based metabolic simulations are being increasingly applied for exploring metabolic capacities, considering different environments and different combinations of microorganisms. NetMet is a web-based tool and a software package for predicting the metabolic performances of microorganisms and their corresponding combinations in user-defined environments. The algorithm takes, as input, lists of (i) species-specific enzymatic reactions (EC numbers), and (ii) relevant metabolic environments. The algorithm generates, as output, lists of (i) compounds that individual species can produce in each given environment, and (ii) compounds that are predicted to be produced through complementary interactions. The tool is demonstrated in two case studies. First, we compared the metabolic capacities of different haplotypes of the obligatory fruit and vegetable pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum to those of their culturable taxonomic relative Liberibacter crescens. Second, we demonstrated the potential production of complementary metabolites by pairwise combinations of co-occurring endosymbionts of the plant phloem-feeding whitefly Bemisia tabaci. NetMet, a new web-based tool, is available at https://freilich-lab-tools.com/.}, }
@article {pmid32502919, year = {2020}, author = {Carretón, E and Morchón, R and Falcón-Cordón, Y and Falcón-Cordón, S and Matos, JI and Montoya-Alonso, JA}, title = {Evaluation of different dosages of doxycycline during the adulticide treatment of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {283}, number = {}, pages = {109141}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109141}, pmid = {32502919}, issn = {1873-2550}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Antibodies, Bacterial/*blood ; Antinematodal Agents/administration &amp; dosage ; Dirofilariasis/drug therapy/parasitology ; Dog Diseases/drug therapy/parasitology ; Dogs ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Doxycycline/*pharmacology ; Wolbachia/drug effects/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia plays an important role in the pathogenesis and inflammatory immune response to heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in dogs. Doxycycline is used to reduce Wolbachia from all life stages of heartworm to avoid large releases of the bacteria during the death of the worms. However, the dose and duration currently recommended have been extrapolated from the treatment of other rickettsial infections. Therefore, the aim was to study the dynamics of Wolbachia IgG antibodies in heartworm-infected dogs under adulticide treatment using different dosages of doxycycline. Forty-nine heartworm-infected dogs were recruited. On day 0 (diagnosis), monthly ivermectin (6 μg/kg) was prescribed, as well as daily doxycycline for 30 days, at 10 mg/kg/12 h (n = 13), 5 mg/kg/12 h (n = 19), and 10 mg/kg/24 h (n = 17). Dogs underwent adulticide treatment and blood samples were collected on days 0, 30, 90, and 120. All dogs had antibodies against recombinant Wolbachia surface protein (rWSP), confirming the important role of the bacteria in heartworm. No significant differences were found in anti-rWSP response by presence/absence of microfilariae, or by parasite burden on day 0. In all treated groups, the anti-rWSP antibody response was not significantly different between days 0 and 30 but was significantly lower between days 0 and 120 (p < 0.05). The results of the present study suggest that the administration of a lower dose than currently recommended is sufficient to achieve a significant reduction of Wolbachia in dogs infected by D. immitis.}, }
@article {pmid32497084, year = {2020}, author = {McCabe, RA and Receveur, JP and Houtz, JL and Thomas, KL and Benbow, ME and Pechal, JL and Wallace, JR}, title = {Characterizing the microbiome of ectoparasitic louse flies feeding on migratory raptors.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {15}, number = {6}, pages = {e0234050}, pmid = {32497084}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {*Animal Migration ; Animals ; Diptera/*microbiology/*physiology ; *Host-Parasite Interactions ; *Microbiota ; Raptors/*parasitology ; }, abstract = {Louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) are obligate ectoparasites that often cause behavioral, pathogenic, and evolutionary effects on their hosts. Interactions between ectoparasites and avian hosts, especially migrating taxa, may influence avian pathogen spread in tropical and temperate ecosystems and affect long-term survival, fitness and reproductive success. The purpose of this study was to characterize the vector-associated microbiome of ectoparasitic louse flies feeding on migrating raptors over the fall migration period. Surveys for louse flies occurred during fall migration (2015-2016) at a banding station in Pennsylvania, United States; flies were collected from seven species of migrating raptors, and we sequenced their microbial (bacteria and archaea) composition using high-throughput targeted amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene (V4 region). All louse flies collected belonged to the same species, Icosta americana. Our analysis revealed no difference in bacterial communities of louse flies retrieved from different avian host species. The louse fly microbiome was dominated by a primary endosymbiont, suggesting that louse flies maintain a core microbial structure despite receiving blood meals from different host species. Thus, our findings highlight the importance of characterizing both beneficial and potentially pathogenic endosymbionts when interpreting how vector-associated microbiomes may impact insect vectors and their avian hosts.}, }
@article {pmid32494722, year = {2020}, author = {Singh, KS and Troczka, BJ and Duarte, A and Balabanidou, V and Trissi, N and Carabajal Paladino, LZ and Nguyen, P and Zimmer, CT and Papapostolou, KM and Randall, E and Lueke, B and Marec, F and Mazzoni, E and Williamson, MS and Hayward, A and Nauen, R and Vontas, J and Bass, C}, title = {The genetic architecture of a host shift: An adaptive walk protected an aphid and its endosymbiont from plant chemical defenses.}, journal = {Science advances}, volume = {6}, number = {19}, pages = {eaba1070}, pmid = {32494722}, issn = {2375-2548}, abstract = {Host shifts can lead to ecological speciation and the emergence of new pests and pathogens. However, the mutational events that facilitate the exploitation of novel hosts are poorly understood. Here, we characterize an adaptive walk underpinning the host shift of the aphid Myzus persicae to tobacco, including evolution of mechanisms that overcame tobacco chemical defenses. A series of mutational events added as many as 1.5 million nucleotides to the genome of the tobacco-adapted subspecies, M. p. nicotianae, and yielded profound increases in expression of an enzyme that efficiently detoxifies nicotine, both in aphid gut tissue and in the bacteriocytes housing the obligate aphid symbiont Buchnera aphidicola. This dual evolutionary solution overcame the challenge of preserving fitness of a mutualistic symbiosis during adaptation to a toxic novel host. Our results reveal the intricate processes by which genetic novelty can arise and drive the evolution of key innovations required for ecological adaptation.}, }
@article {pmid32491177, year = {2020}, author = {Adams, M and McBroome, J and Maurer, N and Pepper-Tunick, E and Saremi, NF and Green, RE and Vollmers, C and Corbett-Detig, RB}, title = {One fly-one genome: chromosome-scale genome assembly of a single outbred Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Nucleic acids research}, volume = {48}, number = {13}, pages = {e75}, pmid = {32491177}, issn = {1362-4962}, support = {R35 GM128932/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM133569/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG008345/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Chromosomes, Bacterial/*genetics ; Chromosomes, Insect/*genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster/*genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/*genetics ; Genome, Insect/*genetics ; Genomics/methods ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {A high quality genome assembly is a vital first step for the study of an organism. Recent advances in technology have made the creation of high quality chromosome scale assemblies feasible and low cost. However, the amount of input DNA needed for an assembly project can be a limiting factor for small organisms or precious samples. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of creating a chromosome scale assembly using a hybrid method for a low input sample, a single outbred Drosophila melanogaster. Our approach combines an Illumina shotgun library, Oxford nanopore long reads, and chromosome conformation capture for long range scaffolding. This single fly genome assembly has a N50 of 26 Mb, a length that encompasses entire chromosome arms, contains 95% of expected single copy orthologs, and a nearly complete assembly of this individual's Wolbachia endosymbiont. The methods described here enable the accurate and complete assembly of genomes from small, field collected organisms as well as precious clinical samples.}, }
@article {pmid32490527, year = {2020}, author = {Luévano-Martínez, LA and Duncan, AL}, title = {Origin and diversification of the cardiolipin biosynthetic pathway in the Eukarya domain.}, journal = {Biochemical Society transactions}, volume = {48}, number = {3}, pages = {1035-1046}, doi = {10.1042/BST20190967}, pmid = {32490527}, issn = {1470-8752}, support = {BB/R00126X/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Archaea/*enzymology ; Bacteria/*enzymology ; Binding Sites ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Cardiolipins/*biosynthesis ; Catalysis ; Eukaryota/*enzymology ; Evolution, Molecular ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Hydrolases/metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Models, Molecular ; Phosphatidylglycerols/*metabolism ; Phospholipids/metabolism ; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Cardiolipin (CL) and its precursor phosphatidylglycerol (PG) are important anionic phospholipids widely distributed throughout all domains of life. They have key roles in several cellular processes by shaping membranes and modulating the activity of the proteins inserted into those membranes. They are synthesized by two main pathways, the so-called eukaryotic pathway, exclusively found in mitochondria, and the prokaryotic pathway, present in most bacteria and archaea. In the prokaryotic pathway, the first and the third reactions are catalyzed by phosphatidylglycerol phosphate synthase (Pgps) belonging to the transferase family and cardiolipin synthase (Cls) belonging to the hydrolase family, while in the eukaryotic pathway, those same reactions are catalyzed by unrelated homonymous enzymes: Pgps of the hydrolase family and Cls of the transferase family. Because of the enzymatic arrangement found in both pathways, it seems that the eukaryotic pathway evolved by convergence to the prokaryotic pathway. However, since mitochondria evolved from a bacterial endosymbiont, it would suggest that the eukaryotic pathway arose from the prokaryotic pathway. In this review, it is proposed that the eukaryote pathway evolved directly from a prokaryotic pathway by the neofunctionalization of the bacterial enzymes. Moreover, after the eukaryotic radiation, this pathway was reshaped by horizontal gene transfers or subsequent endosymbiotic processes.}, }
@article {pmid32489617, year = {2020}, author = {Zélé, F and Altıntaş, M and Santos, I and Cakmak, I and Magalhães, S}, title = {Population-specific effect of Wolbachia on the cost of fungal infection in spider mites.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {9}, pages = {3868-3880}, pmid = {32489617}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Many studies have revealed the ability of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia to protect its arthropod hosts against diverse pathogens. However, as Wolbachia may also increase the susceptibility of its host to infection, predicting the outcome of a particular Wolbachia-host-pathogen interaction remains elusive. Yet, understanding such interactions and their eco-evolutionary consequences is crucial for disease and pest control strategies. Moreover, how natural Wolbachia infections affect artificially introduced pathogens for biocontrol has never been studied. Tetranychus urticae spider mites are herbivorous crop pests, causing severe damage on numerous economically important crops. Due to the rapid evolution of pesticide resistance, biological control strategies using entomopathogenic fungi are being developed. However, although spider mites are infected with various Wolbachia strains worldwide, whether this endosymbiont protects them from fungi is as yet unknown. Here, we compared the survival of two populations, treated with antibiotics or naturally harboring different Wolbachia strains, after exposure to the fungal biocontrol agents Metarhizium brunneum and Beauveria bassiana. To control for potential effects of the bacterial community of spider mites, we also compared the susceptibility of two populations naturally uninfected by Wolbachia, treated with antibiotics or not. In one population, Wolbachia-infected mites had a better survival than uninfected ones in absence of fungi but not in their presence, whereas in the other population Wolbachia increased the mortality induced by B. bassiana. In one naturally Wolbachia-uninfected population, the antibiotic treatment increased the susceptibility of spider mites to M. brunneum, but it had no effect in the other treatments. These results suggest that natural Wolbachia infections may not hamper and may even improve the success of biological control using entomopathogenic fungi. However, they also draw caution on the generalization of such effects, given the complexity of within-host-pathogens interaction and the potential eco-evolutionary consequences of the use of biocontrol agents for Wolbachia-host associations.}, }
@article {pmid32489610, year = {2020}, author = {Detcharoen, M and Arthofer, W and Jiggins, FM and Steiner, FM and Schlick-Steiner, BC}, title = {Wolbachia affect behavior and possibly reproductive compatibility but not thermoresistance, fecundity, and morphology in a novel transinfected host, Drosophila nigrosparsa.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {10}, pages = {4457-4470}, pmid = {32489610}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Wolbachia, intracellular endosymbionts, are estimated to infect about half of all arthropod species. These bacteria manipulate their hosts in various ways for their maximum benefits. The rising global temperature may accelerate species migration, and thus, horizontal transfer of Wolbachia may occur across species previously not in contact. We transinfected and then cured the alpine fly Drosophila nigrosparsa with Wolbachia strain wMel to study its effects on this species. We found low Wolbachia titer, possibly cytoplasmic incompatibility, and an increase in locomotion of both infected larvae and adults compared with cured ones. However, no change in fecundity, no impact on heat and cold tolerance, and no change in wing morphology were observed. Although Wolbachia increased locomotor activities in this species, we conclude that D. nigrosparsa may not benefit from the infection. Still, D. nigrosparsa can serve as a host for Wolbachia because vertical transmission is possible but may not be as high as in the native host of wMel, Drosophila melanogaster.}, }
@article {pmid32489376, year = {2020}, author = {Khanmohammadi, M and Akhlaghi, L and Razmjou, E and Falak, R and Zolfaghari Emameh, R and Mokhtarian, K and Arshadi, M and Tasbihi, M and Meamar, AR}, title = {Morphological Description, Phylogenetic and Molecular Analysis of Dirofilaria immitis Isolated from Dogs in the Northwest of Iran.}, journal = {Iranian journal of parasitology}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {57-66}, pmid = {32489376}, issn = {1735-7020}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dirofilariasis is a globally distributed arthropod-borne parasitic disease of mainly canids and felids. We evaluated to extend the knowledge of morpho-molecular characteristics and outer ultrastructure of Dirofilaria immitis isolated from Northwest of Iran.<br><br>METHODS: Overall, 67 filarial worms including 41 females and 26 males parasites were collected from the cardiovascular system of the 43 stray dogs in Meshkinshar, Ardebil Province, Northwest of Iran in 2017, and subjected to light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as carmine alum staining for morpho-molecular and identification. Molecular methods were used for confirmation of morphological findings by sequencing of Cyto-chrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene.<br><br>RESULTS: The partial DNA sequencing of cox1 gene of adult parasites showed considerable homology and close proximity to the previously isolated from Kerman and Meshkinshahr, Iran. The lowest genetic variation and the highest intra-species variability was found in D. immitis and Dirofilaria repens, respectively. No similarity was identified between D. immitis nucleotide sequence and Wolbachia species as its endosymbiont bacteria.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The SEM technique is an excellent tool for differential recognition of the parasite surface morphology and molecular techniques could differentiate and identify Dirofilaria spp.}, }
@article {pmid32477411, year = {2020}, author = {Mazzucco, R and Nolte, V and Vijayan, T and Schlötterer, C}, title = {Long-Term Dynamics Among Wolbachia Strains During Thermal Adaptation of Their Drosophila melanogaster Hosts.}, journal = {Frontiers in genetics}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {482}, pmid = {32477411}, issn = {1664-8021}, support = {P 27630/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; W 1225/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, abstract = {Climate change is a major evolutionary force triggering thermal adaptation in a broad range of species. While the consequences of global warming are being studied for an increasing number of species, limited attention has been given to the evolutionary dynamics of endosymbionts in response to climate change. Here, we address this question by studying the dynamics of Wolbachia, a well-studied endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster. D. melanogaster populations infected with 13 different Wolbachia strains were exposed to novel hot and cold laboratory environments for up to 180 generations. The short-term dynamics suggested a temperature-related fitness difference resulting in the increase of clade V strains in the cold environment only. Our long-term analysis now uncovers that clade V dominates in all replicates after generation 60 irrespective of temperature treatment. We propose that adaptation of the Drosophila host to either temperature or Drosophila C virus (DCV) infection are the cause of the replicated, temporally non-concordant Wolbachia dynamics. Our study provides an interesting case demonstrating that even simple, well-controlled experiments can result in complex, but repeatable evolutionary dynamics, thus providing a cautionary note on too simple interpretations on the impact of climate change.}, }
@article {pmid32471448, year = {2020}, author = {Dennis, AB and Ballesteros, GI and Robin, S and Schrader, L and Bast, J and Berghöfer, J and Beukeboom, LW and Belghazi, M and Bretaudeau, A and Buellesbach, J and Cash, E and Colinet, D and Dumas, Z and Errbii, M and Falabella, P and Gatti, JL and Geuverink, E and Gibson, JD and Hertaeg, C and Hartmann, S and Jacquin-Joly, E and Lammers, M and Lavandero, BI and Lindenbaum, I and Massardier-Galata, L and Meslin, C and Montagné, N and Pak, N and Poirié, M and Salvia, R and Smith, CR and Tagu, D and Tares, S and Vogel, H and Schwander, T and Simon, JC and Figueroa, CC and Vorburger, C and Legeai, F and Gadau, J}, title = {Functional insights from the GC-poor genomes of two aphid parasitoids, Aphidius ervi and Lysiphlebus fabarum.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {376}, pmid = {32471448}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {1130483 and 1170943//Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cient&#xed;fico y Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; ANR-11-LABX-0028-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; PP00P3_123376//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; PP00P3_146341//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; PP00P3_170627//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; GA 661/4-1//Deutsches Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; 1554/3-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*genetics/immunology ; DNA Methylation/genetics ; GC Rich Sequence ; *Genomics ; Insect Proteins/genetics ; Sex Determination Processes/genetics ; Venoms/genetics ; Wasps/*genetics/immunology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Parasitoid wasps have fascinating life cycles and play an important role in trophic networks, yet little is known about their genome content and function. Parasitoids that infect aphids are an important group with the potential for biological control. Their success depends on adapting to develop inside aphids and overcoming both host aphid defenses and their protective endosymbionts.<br><br>RESULTS: We present the de novo genome assemblies, detailed annotation, and comparative analysis of two closely related parasitoid wasps that target pest aphids: Aphidius ervi and Lysiphlebus fabarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae). The genomes are small (139 and 141 Mbp) and the most AT-rich reported thus far for any arthropod (GC content: 25.8 and 23.8%). This nucleotide bias is accompanied by skewed codon usage and is stronger in genes with adult-biased expression. AT-richness may be the consequence of reduced genome size, a near absence of DNA methylation, and energy efficiency. We identify missing desaturase genes, whose absence may underlie mimicry in the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of L. fabarum. We highlight key gene groups including those underlying venom composition, chemosensory perception, and sex determination, as well as potential losses in immune pathway genes.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These findings are of fundamental interest for insect evolution and biological control applications. They provide a strong foundation for further functional studies into coevolution between parasitoids and their hosts. Both genomes are available at https://bipaa.genouest.org.}, }
@article {pmid32470630, year = {2020}, author = {Shah, SHJ and Malik, AH and Zhang, B and Bao, Y and Qazi, J}, title = {Metagenomic analysis of relative abundance and diversity of bacterial microbiota in Bemisia tabaci infesting cotton crop in Pakistan.}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases}, volume = {84}, number = {}, pages = {104381}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104381}, pmid = {32470630}, issn = {1567-7257}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Genetic Variation ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics/*methods ; Gossypium/*parasitology ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; *Metagenome ; Pakistan ; RNA, Bacterial/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {B. tabaci species complex are among the world's most devastating agricultural pests causing economic losses by direct feeding and more importantly by transmitting plant viruses like cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) associated viruses to cultivated cotton in Pakistan. Taxonomic diversity of B. tabaci associated bacterial communities using NGS techniques so far is reported from insects grown on artificial diet under lab conditions. In this study 16S rDNA metagenome sequencing analysis was used to characterize bacterial compositions in wild adult B. tabaci infesting cultivated cotton in eight major cotton growing districts of southern Punjab, Pakistan. We have identified 50 known and 7 unknown genera of bacteria belonging to 10 phyla, 20 classes, 30 orders and 40 families. Beta diversity analysis of our data sets reveal that whiteflies infesting cotton in geographically distinct locations had similar bacterial diversity. These results for the first time provide insights into the microbiome diversity of wild type whiteflies infesting a cultivated crop.}, }
@article {pmid32457850, year = {2020}, author = {Guizzo, MG and Neupane, S and Kucera, M and Perner, J and Frantová, H and da Silva Vaz, I and de Oliveira, PL and Kopacek, P and Zurek, L}, title = {Poor Unstable Midgut Microbiome of Hard Ticks Contrasts With Abundant and Stable Monospecific Microbiome in Ovaries.}, journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {211}, pmid = {32457850}, issn = {2235-2988}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Humans ; *Ixodes ; *Ixodidae ; *Microbiota ; Ovary ; *Rhipicephalus ; }, abstract = {Culture-independent metagenomic methodologies have enabled detection and identification of microorganisms in various biological systems and often revealed complex and unknown microbiomes. In many organisms, the microbiome outnumbers the host cells and greatly affects the host biology and fitness. Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites with a wide host range. They vector a number of human and animal pathogens and also directly cause major economic losses in livestock. Although several reports on a tick midgut microbiota show a diverse bacterial community, in most cases the size of the bacterial population has not been determined. In this study, the microbiome was quantified in the midgut and ovaries of the ticks Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus microplus before, during, and after blood feeding. Although the size of bacterial community in the midgut fluctuated with blood feeding, it was overall extremely low in comparison to that of other hematophagous arthropods. In addition, the tick ovarian microbiome of both tick species exceeded the midgut 16S rDNA copy numbers by several orders of magnitude. This indicates that the ratio of a tick midgut/ovary microbiome represents an exception to the general biology of other metazoans. In addition to the very low abundance, the tick midgut diversity in I. ricinus was variable and that is in contrast to that found in the tick ovary. The ovary of I. ricinus had a very low bacterial diversity and a very high and stable bacterial abundance with the dominant endosymbiont, Midichloria sp. The elucidation of this aspect of tick biology highlights a unique tissue-specific microbial-invertebrate host interaction.}, }
@article {pmid32455576, year = {2020}, author = {Laidoudi, Y and Marie, JL and Tahir, D and Watier-Grillot, S and Mediannikov, O and Davoust, B}, title = {Detection of Canine Vector-Borne Filariasis and Their Wolbachia Endosymbionts in French Guiana.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {32455576}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {In French Guiana, canine heartworm disease is well known, but the diversity of filarial parasites of dogs remains largely unknown. A total of 98 canine blood samples from Cayenne and Kourou were assessed by a blood wet mount preparation, heartworm antigen test and molecular exploration of filarioid and Wolbachia DNAs, followed by a multiplex species-specific qPCR's identification and a subsequent sequencing analysis. Thereafter, a phylogeny based on maximum likelihood was carried out to facilitate specific identification. Five dogs were microfilaremic. Heartworm antigens were detected in 15 (15.3%) dogs. Of these, six (6.1%) were considered as occult infections as neither microfilariae nor Dirofilaria immitis DNA were detected. The 11 (11.2%) D. immitis isolates corresponded to a low virulent strain. Six of the D. immitis isolates were positive for Wolbachia endosymbionts of D. immitis belonging to the clade C DNA. Acanthocheilonema reconditum DNA was detected in 3 (3.1%) samples. Of these latter, one was found co-infected with the Brugia sp. genotype and the DNA of the clade D of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia species. This latter was also detected in two filarioid DNA-free samples. Finally, two samples were positive for Cercopithifilaria bainae genotype, which is distinct from those identified in Europe. The present study highlights the urgent need to implement chemoprophylaxis associated with anti-Wolbachia drugs to control these potential zoonoses.}, }
@article {pmid32448525, year = {2020}, author = {Li, J and Kelly, P and Guo, W and Zhang, J and Yang, Y and Liu, W and Wang, C}, title = {Molecular detection of Rickettsia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia and SFTSV in goat ticks.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports}, volume = {20}, number = {}, pages = {100407}, doi = {10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100407}, pmid = {32448525}, issn = {2405-9390}, mesh = {Animals ; China ; Ehrlichia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Eucoccidiida/*isolation &amp; purification ; Goats/parasitology ; Phlebovirus/*isolation &amp; purification ; Rickettsia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Species Specificity ; Ticks/*microbiology/*parasitology/virology ; }, abstract = {Ticks are vectors of various pathogens to people, livestock, companion animals and wildlife. We describe here the ticks found on goats in Anhui province of China and the results of molecular studies on six tick-borne pathogens they might harbor. Among 125 ticks collected (119 Haemaphysalis longicornis, n = 119; Rhipicephalus microplus, n = 6), we detected four of the six tick-borne agents for which we tested. In total, 16.8% of the H. longicornis were positive for Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii (18/119), Rickettsia endosymbiont of Leptocybe invasa (1/119) and Rickettsia sibirica (1/119). Hepatozoon canis was positive for 41.6% of the ticks (H. longicornis 42.0%, 50/119; R. microplus 12.5%, 2/6). Only 5.6% of the ticks were positive for Ehrlichia (H. longicornis 5.0%, 6/119; R. microplus 16.7%, 1/6). The Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus was only identified in one H. longicornis. Such data is important in developing effective, integrated and strategic control measures for ticks and the pathogens they transmit.}, }
@article {pmid32444468, year = {2020}, author = {Masson, F and Schüpfer, F and Jollivet, C and Lemaitre, B}, title = {Transformation of the Drosophila Sex-Manipulative Endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii and Persisting Hurdles for Functional Genetic Studies.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {86}, number = {14}, pages = {}, pmid = {32444468}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology/*physiology ; Female ; Male ; Reproduction ; Spiroplasma/*genetics ; *Symbiosis ; *Transformation, Bacterial ; }, abstract = {Insects are frequently infected by bacterial symbionts that greatly affect their physiology and ecology. Most of these endosymbionts are, however, barely tractable outside their native host, rendering functional genetics studies difficult or impossible. Spiroplasma poulsonii is a facultative bacterial endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster that manipulates the reproduction of its host by killing its male progeny at the embryonic stage. S. poulsonii, although a very fastidious bacterium, is closely related to pathogenic Spiroplasma species that are cultivable and genetically modifiable. In this work, we present the transformation of S. poulsonii with a plasmid bearing a fluorescence cassette, leveraging techniques adapted from those used to modify the pathogenic species Spiroplasma citri We demonstrate the feasibility of S. poulsonii transformation and discuss approaches for mutant selection and fly colonization, which are persisting hurdles that must be overcome to allow functional bacterial genetics studies of this endosymbiont in vivoIMPORTANCE Dozens of bacterial endosymbiont species have been described and estimated to infect about half of all insect species. However, only a few them are tractable in vitro, which hampers our understanding of the bacterial determinants of the host-symbiont interaction. Developing a transformation method for S. poulsonii is a major step toward genomic engineering of this symbiont, which will foster basic research on endosymbiosis. This could also open the way to practical uses of endosymbiont engineering through paratransgenesis of vector or pest insects.}, }
@article {pmid32443976, year = {2020}, author = {Manzano-Marín, A}, title = {No evidence for Wolbachia as a nutritional co-obligate endosymbiont in the aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {72}, pmid = {32443976}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; *Buchnera/genetics ; Hemolymph ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Obligate symbiotic associations are present in a wide variety of animals with a nutrient-restricted diet. Aphids (hemiptera: Aphididae) almost-universally host Buchnera aphidicola bacteria in specialised organs (called bacteriomes). These bacteria supply the aphid with essential nutrients lacking from their diet (i.e. essential amino acids and some B vitamins). Some aphid lineages, such as species from the Lacninae subfamily, have evolved co-obligate associations with secondary endosymbionts, deriving from a loss of biotin- and riboflavin-biosynthetic genes. In this study, I re-analyse previously published sequencing data from the banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa. I show that the metabolic inference results from De Clerck et al. (Microbiome 3:63, 2015) are incorrect and possibly arise from the use of inadequate methods. Additionally, I discuss how the seemingly biased interpretation of their antibiotic treatment analyses together with an incorrect genome-based metabolic inference resulted in the erroneous suggestion "that a co-obligatory symbiosis between B. aphidicola and Wolbachia occurs in the banana aphid".}, }
@article {pmid32436345, year = {2020}, author = {Goñi, P and Benito, M and LaPlante, D and Fernández, MT and Sánchez, E and Chueca, P and Miguel, N and Mosteo, R and Ormad, MP and Rubio, E}, title = {Identification of free-living amoebas and amoeba-resistant bacteria accumulated in Dreissena polymorpha.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {8}, pages = {3315-3324}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.15093}, pmid = {32436345}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {B43_20R//Gobierno de Arag&#xf3;n/International ; //Feder 2014-2020 'Building Europe from Arag&#xf3;n'/International ; }, mesh = {Amoeba/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Bacteria/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Cryptosporidium/*isolation &amp; purification ; Dreissena/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Giardia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Rivers/microbiology/parasitology ; Spain ; }, abstract = {To identify the free-living amoeba (FLA) and amoeba-resistant bacteria (ARB) accumulated in zebra mussels and in the water in which they are found, mussels were collected at two locations in the Ebro river basin (North East Spain). FLAs and bacteria were isolated from mussel extracts and from natural water. PCR techniques were used to identify the FLAs and endosymbiont bacteria (Legionella, Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas and cyanobacteria), and to detect Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The most frequently found FLAs were Naegleria spp. The presence of Legionella, Mycobacterium and Pseudomonas inside the FLA was demonstrated, and in some cases both Legionella and Pseudomonas were found together. Differences between FLAs and ARB identified inside the mussels and in the water were detected. In addition, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp. and Enterococcus spp. were accumulated in mussels in concentrations unconnected with those found in water. The results show the ability of the zebra mussel to act as a reservoir of potentially pathogenic FLAs, which are associated with potentially pathogenic ARB, although the lack of association between microorganisms inside the mussels and in the water suggests that they are not useful for monitoring microbiological contamination at a specific time.}, }
@article {pmid32428484, year = {2020}, author = {Lane, N}, title = {How energy flow shapes cell evolution.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {30}, number = {10}, pages = {R471-R476}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2020.03.055}, pmid = {32428484}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Archaea/genetics/metabolism ; *Biological Evolution ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Eukaryota/*genetics/*physiology ; Gene Deletion ; Mitochondria/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {How mitochondria shaped the evolution of eukaryotic complexity has been controversial for decades. The discovery of the Asgard archaea, which harbor close phylogenetic ties to the eukaryotes, supports the idea that a critical endosymbiosis between an archaeal host and a bacterial endosymbiont transformed the selective constraints present at the origin of eukaryotes. Cultured Asgard archaea are typically prokaryotic in both size and internal morphology, albeit featuring extensive protrusions. The acquisition of the mitochondrial predecessor by an archaeal host cell fundamentally altered the topology of genes in relation to bioenergetic membranes. Mitochondria internalised not only the bioenergetic membranes but also the genetic machinery needed for local control of oxidative phosphorylation. Gene loss from mitochondria enabled expansion of the nuclear genome, giving rise to an extreme genomic asymmetry that is ancestral to all extant eukaryotes. This genomic restructuring gave eukaryotes thousands of fold more energy availability per gene. In principle, that difference can support more and larger genes, far more non-coding DNA, greater regulatory complexity, and thousands of fold more protein synthesis per gene. These changes released eukaryotes from the bioenergetic constraints on prokaryotes, facilitating the evolution of morphological complexity.}, }
@article {pmid32426508, year = {2020}, author = {Buerger, P and Alvarez-Roa, C and Coppin, CW and Pearce, SL and Chakravarti, LJ and Oakeshott, JG and Edwards, OR and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {Heat-evolved microalgal symbionts increase coral bleaching tolerance.}, journal = {Science advances}, volume = {6}, number = {20}, pages = {eaba2498}, pmid = {32426508}, issn = {2375-2548}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/genetics/metabolism ; Coral Bleaching ; Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Hot Temperature ; *Microalgae ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Coral reefs worldwide are suffering mass mortalities from marine heat waves. With the aim of enhancing coral bleaching tolerance, we evolved 10 clonal strains of a common coral microalgal endosymbiont at elevated temperatures (31°C) for 4 years in the laboratory. All 10 heat-evolved strains had expanded their thermal tolerance in vitro following laboratory evolution. After reintroduction into coral host larvae, 3 of the 10 heat-evolved endosymbionts also increased the holobionts' bleaching tolerance. Although lower levels of secreted reactive oxygen species (ROS) accompanied thermal tolerance of the heat-evolved algae, reduced ROS secretion alone did not predict thermal tolerance in symbiosis. The more tolerant symbiosis exhibited additional higher constitutive expression of algal carbon fixation genes and coral heat tolerance genes. These findings demonstrate that coral stock with enhanced climate resilience can be developed through ex hospite laboratory evolution of their microalgal endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid32417295, year = {2020}, author = {Bodnar, J and Fitch, S and Sanchez, J and Lesser, M and Baston, DS and Zhong, J}, title = {GTP cyclohydrolase I activity from Rickettsia monacensis strain Humboldt, a rickettsial endosymbiont of Ixodes pacificus.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {101434}, pmid = {32417295}, issn = {1877-9603}, support = {R15 AI099902/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; GTP Cyclohydrolase/genetics/*metabolism ; Ixodes/microbiology ; Rickettsia/*enzymology ; Sequence Alignment ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The complete folate biosynthesis pathway exists in the genome of a rickettsial endosymbiont of Ixodes pacificus, Rickettsia monacensis strain Humboldt (formerly known as Rickettsia species phylotype G021). Recently, our lab demonstrated that the folA gene of strain Humboldt, the final gene in the folate biosynthesis pathway, encodes a functional dihydrofolate reductase enzyme. In this study, we report R. monacensis strain Humboldt has a functional GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH1), an enzyme required for the hydrolysis of GTP to form 7,8-dihydroneopterin triphosphate in the folate biosynthesis pathway. The GCH1 gene of R. monacensis, folE, share homology with the folE gene of R. monacensis strain IrR/Munich, with a nucleotide sequence identity of 99%. Amino acid alignment and comparative protein structure modeling have shown that the FolE protein of R. monacensis has a conserved core subunit of GCH1 from the T-fold structural superfamily. All amino acid residues, including conserved GTP binding sites and zinc binding sites, are preserved in the FolE protein of R. monacensis. A recombinant GST-FolE protein from R. monacensis was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified by affinity chromatography, and assayed for enzyme activity in vitro. The in vitro enzymatic assay described in this study accorded the recombinant GCH1 enzyme of R. monacensis with a specific activity of 0.81 U/mg. Our data suggest folate genes of R. monacensis strain Humboldt have the potential to produce biochemically active enzymes for de novo folate synthesis, addressing the physioecological underpinnings behind tick-Rickettsia symbioses.}, }
@article {pmid32410239, year = {2020}, author = {Agtuca, BJ and Stopka, SA and Evans, S and Samarah, L and Liu, Y and Xu, D and Stacey, MG and Koppenaal, DW and Paša-Tolić, L and Anderton, CR and Vertes, A and Stacey, G}, title = {Metabolomic profiling of wild-type and mutant soybean root nodules using laser-ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry reveals altered metabolism.}, journal = {The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology}, volume = {103}, number = {5}, pages = {1937-1958}, doi = {10.1111/tpj.14815}, pmid = {32410239}, issn = {1365-313X}, mesh = {Bradyrhizobium/*metabolism ; Carbon/metabolism ; Metabolomics/*methods ; Mutation/genetics ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Nitrogen Fixation ; Root Nodules, Plant/metabolism/*microbiology ; Glycine max/metabolism/*microbiology ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The establishment of the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between soybean and Bradyrhizobium japonicum is a complex process. To document the changes in plant metabolism as a result of symbiosis, we utilized laser ablation electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LAESI-MS) for in situ metabolic profiling of wild-type nodules, nodules infected with a B. japonicum nifH mutant unable to fix nitrogen, nodules doubly infected by both strains, and nodules formed on plants mutated in the stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase (sacpd-c) gene, which were previously shown to have an altered nodule ultrastructure. The results showed that the relative abundance of fatty acids, purines, and lipids was significantly changed in response to the symbiosis. The nifH mutant nodules had elevated levels of jasmonic acid, correlating with signs of nitrogen deprivation. Nodules resulting from the mixed inoculant displayed similar, overlapping metabolic distributions within the sectors of effective (fix[+]) and ineffective (nifH mutant, fix[-]) endosymbionts. These data are inconsistent with the notion that plant sanctioning is cell autonomous. Nodules lacking sacpd-c displayed an elevation of soyasaponins and organic acids in the central necrotic regions. The present study demonstrates the utility of LAESI-MS for high-throughput screening of plant phenotypes. Overall, nodules disrupted in the symbiosis were elevated in metabolites related to plant defense.}, }
@article {pmid32409535, year = {2020}, author = {Köstlbacher, S and Michels, S and Siegl, A and Schulz, F and Domman, D and Jongwutiwes, S and Putaporntip, C and Horn, M and Collingro, A}, title = {Draft Genome Sequences of Chlamydiales Bacterium STE3 and Neochlamydia sp. Strain AcF84, Endosymbionts of Acanthamoeba spp.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {9}, number = {20}, pages = {}, pmid = {32409535}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Chlamydiales bacterium STE3 and Neochlamydia sp. strain AcF84 are obligate intracellular symbionts of Acanthamoeba spp. isolated from the biofilm of a littoral cave wall and gills from striped tiger leaf fish, respectively. We report the draft genome sequences of these two environmental chlamydiae affiliated with the family Parachlamydiaceae.}, }
@article {pmid32402068, year = {2020}, author = {Sibbald, SJ and Archibald, JM}, title = {Genomic Insights into Plastid Evolution.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {7}, pages = {978-990}, pmid = {32402068}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Amoeba ; *Biological Evolution ; Chromatophores ; Diatoms ; Genomics ; Photosynthesis ; *Plastids ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The origin of plastids (chloroplasts) by endosymbiosis stands as one of the most important events in the history of eukaryotic life. The genetic, biochemical, and cell biological integration of a cyanobacterial endosymbiont into a heterotrophic host eukaryote approximately a billion years ago paved the way for the evolution of diverse algal groups in a wide range of aquatic and, eventually, terrestrial environments. Plastids have on multiple occasions also moved horizontally from eukaryote to eukaryote by secondary and tertiary endosymbiotic events. The overall picture of extant photosynthetic diversity can best be described as "patchy": Plastid-bearing lineages are spread far and wide across the eukaryotic tree of life, nested within heterotrophic groups. The algae do not constitute a monophyletic entity, and understanding how, and how often, plastids have moved from branch to branch on the eukaryotic tree remains one of the most fundamental unsolved problems in the field of cell evolution. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in our understanding of the origin and spread of plastids from the perspective of comparative genomics. Recent years have seen significant improvements in genomic sampling from photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic lineages, both of which have added important pieces to the puzzle of plastid evolution. Comparative genomics has also allowed us to better understand how endosymbionts become organelles.}, }
@article {pmid32397333, year = {2020}, author = {Ghosh, S and Sela, N and Kontsedalov, S and Lebedev, G and Haines, LR and Ghanim, M}, title = {An Intranuclear Sodalis-Like Symbiont and Spiroplasma Coinfect the Carrot Psyllid, Bactericera trigonica (Hemiptera, Psylloidea).}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {32397333}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {1163/18//Israel Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts harbored inside insects play critical roles in the biology of their insect host and can influence the transmission of pathogens by insect vectors. Bactericera trigonica infests umbelliferous plants and transmits the bacterial plant pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), causing carrot yellows disease. To characterize the bacterial diversity of B. trigonica, as a first step, we used PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analyses of 16S rDNA to identify Sodalis and Spiroplasma endosymbionts. The prevalence of both symbionts in field-collected psyllid populations was determined: Sodalis was detected in 100% of field populations, while Spiroplasma was present in 82.5% of individuals. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA revealed that Sodalis infecting B. trigonica was more closely related to symbionts infecting weevils, stink bugs and tsetse flies than to those from psyllid species. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunostaining, Sodalis was found to be localized inside the nuclei of the midgut cells and bacteriocytes. Spiroplasma was restricted to the cytoplasm of the midgut cells. We further show that a recently reported Bactericera trigonica densovirus (BtDNV), a densovirus infecting B. trigonica was detected in 100% of psyllids and has reduced titers inside CLso-infected psyllids by more than two-fold compared to CLso uninfected psyllids. The findings of this study will help to increase our understanding of psyllid-endosymbiont interactions.}, }
@article {pmid32391935, year = {2020}, author = {Kaur, R and Martinez, J and Rota-Stabelli, O and Jiggins, FM and Miller, WJ}, title = {Age, tissue, genotype and virus infection regulate Wolbachia levels in Drosophila.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {29}, number = {11}, pages = {2063-2079}, doi = {10.1111/mec.15462}, pmid = {32391935}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {P 28255/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {*Age Factors ; Animals ; *Drosophila/genetics/microbiology/virology ; Genotype ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Virus Diseases ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The bacterial symbiont Wolbachia can protect insects against viral pathogens, and the varying levels of antiviral protection are correlated with the endosymbiont load within the insects. To understand why Wolbachia strains differ in their antiviral effects, we investigated the factors controlling Wolbachia density in five closely related strains in their natural Drosophila hosts. We found that Wolbachia density varied greatly across different tissues and between flies of different ages, and these effects depended on the host-symbiont association. Some endosymbionts maintained largely stable densities as flies aged while others increased, and these effects in turn depended on the tissue being examined. Measuring Wolbachia rRNA levels in response to viral infection, we found that viral infection itself also altered Wolbachia levels, with Flock House virus causing substantial reductions in symbiont loads late in the infection. This effect, however, was virus-specific as Drosophila C virus had little impact on Wolbachia in all of the five host systems. Because viruses have strong tissue tropisms and antiviral protection is thought to be cell-autonomous, these effects are likely to affect the virus-blocking phenomenon. However, we were unable to find any evidence of a correlation between Wolbachia and viral titres within the same tissues. We conclude that Wolbachia levels within flies are regulated in a complex host-symbiont-virus-dependent manner and this trinity is likely to influence the antiviral effects of Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid32390951, year = {2020}, author = {Ben-Yosef, M and Rot, A and Mahagna, M and Kapri, E and Behar, A and Gottlieb, Y}, title = {Coxiella-Like Endosymbiont of Rhipicephalus sanguineus Is Required for Physiological Processes During Ontogeny.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {493}, pmid = {32390951}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Obligatory hematophagous arthropods such as lice, bugs, flies, and ticks harbor bacterial endosymbionts that are expected to complement missing essential nutrients in their diet. Genomic and some experimental evidence support this expectation. Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are associated with several lineages of bacterial symbionts, and very few were experimentally shown to be essential to some aspects of tick's fitness. In order to pinpoint the nature of interactions between hard ticks and their symbionts, we tested the effect of massive elimination of Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) by antibiotics on the development and fitness of the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Administration of ofloxacin to engorged (blood fed) nymphs resulted in significant and acute reduction of their CLE loads - an effect that also persisted in subsequent life stages (aposymbiotic ticks). As a result, the post-feeding development of aposymbiotic female (but not male) nymphs was delayed. Additionally, aposymbiotic adult females needed a significantly prolonged feeding period in order to replete (detach from host), and had reduced engorgement weight and a lower capacity to produce eggs. Consequently, their fecundity and fertility were significantly reduced. Eggs produced by aposymbiotic females were free of CLE, and the resulting aposymbiotic larvae were unable to feed successfully. Our findings demonstrate that the observed fitness effects are due to CLE reduction and not due to antibiotic administration. Additionally, we suggest that the contribution of CLE is not mandatory for oocyte development and embryogenesis, but is required during feeding in females, when blood meal processing and tissue buildup are taking place. Presumably, under these extreme physiological demands, CLE contribute to R. sanguineus through supplementing essential micro- and macronutrients. Further nutrient complementary studies are required to support this hypothesis.}, }
@article {pmid32388920, year = {2020}, author = {Zhu, YX and Song, ZR and Song, YL and Hong, XY}, title = {Double infection of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma alters induced plant defense and spider mite fecundity.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {76}, number = {9}, pages = {3273-3281}, doi = {10.1002/ps.5886}, pmid = {32388920}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {2019M651864//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; 31672035//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31871976//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 1901888//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Fertility ; *Mites ; *Spiroplasma ; *Tetranychidae ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Herbivore-associated bacterial symbionts can change plant physiology and influence herbivore fitness. The spider mite Tetranychus truncatus is a notorious pest harboring various bacterial symbionts; however, the effect of bacterial symbionts on host plant physiology remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether infection with the endosymbionts Wolbachia and Spiroplasma altered spider mite performance on tomato plants and affected plant-induced defenses.<br><br>RESULTS: Wolbachia and Spiroplasma were mainly located in the gnathosoma and ovaries of their spider mite hosts. Wolbachia and Spiroplasma significantly improved spider mite reproductive performance in cultivated and wild-type tomato. However, in plants deficient in jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA), there were no significant differences in reproduction between spider mites infected with Wolbachia and Spiroplasma and uninfected mites. The results indicated that the reproduction benefits conferred by endosymbionts may relate to plant defenses. Both spider mites infected with Wolbachia and Spiroplasma and uninfected mites induced similar levels of JA and SA accumulation in tomato, whereas tomato plants damaged by spider mites infected with both Wolbachia and Spiroplasma showed lower expression levels of JA- and SA-responsive genes than those damaged by uninfected spider mites. In addition, mites infected with Wolbachia and Spiroplasma mites consumed more tomato amino acids compared to uninfected spider mites, which may have contributed to host fecundity.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the reproduction benefits conferred by endosymbionts may be associated with changes in plant defense parameters and the concentrations of plant amino acids. The results highlight the importance of endosymbionts in interactions between spider mites and their host plants. &#xa9; 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid32386316, year = {2020}, author = {Rouïl, J and Jousselin, E and Coeur d'acier, A and Cruaud, C and Manzano-Marín, A}, title = {The Protector within: Comparative Genomics of APSE Phages across Aphids Reveals Rampant Recombination and Diverse Toxin Arsenals.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {6}, pages = {878-889}, pmid = {32386316}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology ; Bacteriophages/*genetics ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/*virology ; Genome, Viral ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Phages can fundamentally alter the physiology and metabolism of their hosts. Although these phages are ubiquitous in the bacterial world, they have seldom been described among endosymbiotic bacteria. One notable exception is the APSE phage that is found associated with the gammaproteobacterial Hamiltonella defensa, hosted by several insect species. This secondary facultative endosymbiont is not necessary for the survival of its hosts but can infect certain individuals or even whole populations. Its infection in aphids is often associated with protection against parasitoid wasps. This protective phenotype has actually been linked to the infection of the symbiont strain with an APSE, which carries a toxin cassette that varies among so-called "types." In the present work, we seek to expand our understanding of the diversity of APSE phages as well as the relations of their Hamiltonella hosts. For this, we assembled and annotated the full genomes of 16 APSE phages infecting Hamiltonella symbionts across ten insect species. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses suggest that recombination has occurred repeatedly among lineages. Comparative genomics of the phage genomes revealed two variable regions that are useful for phage typing. Additionally, we find that mobile elements could play a role in the acquisition of new genes in the toxin cassette. Altogether, we provide an unprecedented view of APSE diversity and their genome evolution across aphids. This genomic investigation will provide a valuable resource for the design and interpretation of experiments aiming at understanding the protective phenotype these phages confer to their insect hosts.}, }
@article {pmid32382991, year = {2020}, author = {Špitalská, E and Kraljik, J and Miklisová, D and Boldišová, E and Sparagano, OAE and Stanko, M}, title = {Circulation of Rickettsia species and rickettsial endosymbionts among small mammals and their ectoparasites in Eastern Slovakia.}, journal = {Parasitology research}, volume = {119}, number = {7}, pages = {2047-2057}, doi = {10.1007/s00436-020-06701-8}, pmid = {32382991}, issn = {1432-1955}, support = {2/0068/17//Vedeck&#xe1; Grantov&#xe1; Agent&#xfa;ra M&#x160;VVa&#x160; SR a SAV/ ; 1/0084/18//Vedeck&#xe1; Grantov&#xe1; Agent&#xfa;ra M&#x160;VVa&#x160; SR a SAV/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Ectoparasitic Infestations/microbiology ; Mites/*microbiology ; Rickettsia/classification/genetics/physiology ; Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/*transmission ; Rodentia/*parasitology ; Shrews/*parasitology ; Siphonaptera/*microbiology ; Slovakia/epidemiology ; Ticks/*microbiology ; Vector Borne Diseases/epidemiology/*microbiology/transmission ; }, abstract = {Bacteria belonging to the genus Rickettsia are known as causative agents of vector-borne zoonotic diseases, such as spotted fevers, epidemic typhus and endemic typhus. Different species of ticks, mites and fleas could act as reservoirs and arthropod vectors of different pathogenic Rickettsia species. The aim of this work was to establish active surveillance of Rickettsia spp. in mites, ticks and fleas collected from small mammals (rodents and shrews) in Eastern Slovakia. A total of 964 animal ear biopsies, 871 mites, 667 ticks and 743 fleas were collected from small mammals in the Košice region, Eastern Slovakia. All specimens were identified using specialized taxonomic keys, and were conserved in ethanol until DNA extraction was performed. After DNA extraction, identification of Rickettsia species was performed by PCR-based methods. The total prevalence of rickettsiae from ear biopsies was 4.6% (95% CI, 3.2-5.9), in tested mites 9.3% (95% CI, 7.4-11.2), 17.2% (95% CI, 14.3-20.1) in I. ricinus ticks and 3.5% (95% CI, 2.2-4.8) in fleas. Sequence analysis of the partial gltA gene and Rickettsia helvetica-, Rickettsia slovaca-, Rickettsia raoultii- species specific real-time PCR tests revealed the presence of R. helvetica, R. slovaca, unidentified Rickettsia and rickettsial endosymbionts. These pathogenic and symbiotic species were confirmed in the following ectoparasite species-Laelaps jettmari, Haemogamasus nidi, Laelaps agilis and Eulaelaps stabularis mites, Ixodes ricinus ticks, Ctenophthalmus solutus, C. assimilis and Megabothris turbidus fleas infesting host-Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, Microtus arvalis and Myodes glareolus small mammals. These results confirm the circulation of R. helvetica, R. slovaca, unidentified Rickettsia and rickettsial endosymbionts in mites, ticks and fleas collected on small mammals in the Košice region, Eastern Slovakia.}, }
@article {pmid32358914, year = {2020}, author = {Sinno, M and Bézier, A and Vinale, F and Giron, D and Laudonia, S and Garonna, AP and Pennacchio, F}, title = {Symbiosis disruption in the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), as a potential tool for sustainable control.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {76}, number = {9}, pages = {3199-3207}, doi = {10.1002/ps.5875}, pmid = {32358914}, issn = {1526-4998}, support = {COST-STSM-ECOST-STSM-FA1405-270217-083727//COST Action FA1405/ ; Protection n. F/050421/01-03/X32//MISE CRESO/ ; Linfa 03PE_00026_1//MIURPON/ ; Marea 03PE_00106//MIURPON/ ; Bioagro 559//POR FESR CAMPANIA 2014/2020- O.S. 1.1/ ; Divine n. 3589659//PSR Veneto 16.1.1/ ; 2014-00094521//The R&#xe9;gion Centre Projet Insect Effect/ ; //University of Florence/ ; //University of Naples/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila ; *Erwinia ; Female ; Fruit ; *Olea ; Symbiosis ; *Tephritidae ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (OLF) is a major agricultural pest, whose control primarily relies on the use of chemical insecticides. Therefore, development of sustainable control strategies is highly desirable. The primary endosymbiotic bacterium of OLF, 'Candidatus Erwinia dacicola', is essential for successful larval development in unripe olive fruits. Therefore, targeting this endosymbiont with antimicrobial compounds may result in OLF fitness reduction and may exert control on natural populations of OLF.<br><br>RESULTS: Here, we evaluate the impact of compounds with antimicrobial activity on the OLF endosymbiont. Copper oxychloride (CO) and the fungal metabolite viridiol (Vi), produced by Trichoderma spp., were used. Laboratory bioassays were carried out to assess the effect of oral administration of these compounds on OLF fitness and molecular analyses (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) were conducted to measure the load of OLF-associated microorganisms in treated flies. CO and Vi were both able to disrupt the symbiotic association between OLF and its symbiotic bacteria, determining a significant reduction in the endosymbiont and gut microbiota load as well as a decrease in OLF fitness. CO had a direct negative effect on OLF adults. Conversely, exposure to Vi significantly undermined larval development of the treated female's progeny but did not show any toxicity in OLF adults.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These results provide new insights into the symbiotic control of OLF and pave the way for the development of more sustainable strategies of pest control based on the use of natural compounds with antimicrobial activity. &#xa9; 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid32354088, year = {2020}, author = {Roberty, S and Béraud, E and Grover, R and Ferrier-Pagès, C}, title = {Coral Productivity Is Co-Limited by Bicarbonate and Ammonium Availability.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {32354088}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {The nitrogen environment and nitrogen status of reef-building coral endosymbionts is one of the important factors determining the optimal assimilation of phototrophic carbon and hence the growth of the holobiont. However, the impact of inorganic nutrient availability on the photosynthesis and physiological state of the coral holobiont is partly understood. This study aimed to determine if photosynthesis of the endosymbionts associated with the coral Stylophora pistillata and the overall growth of the holobiont were limited by the availability of dissolved inorganic carbon and nitrogen in seawater. For this purpose, colonies were incubated in absence or presence of 4 µM ammonium and/or 6 mM bicarbonate. Photosynthetic performances, pigments content, endosymbionts density and growth rate of the coral colonies were monitored for 3 weeks. Positive effects were observed on coral physiology with the supplementation of one or the other nutrient, but the most important changes were observed when both nutrients were provided. The increased availability of DIC and NH4[+] significantly improved the photosynthetic efficiency and capacity of endosymbionts, in turn enhancing the host calcification rate. Overall, these results suggest that in hospite symbionts are co-limited by nitrogen and carbon availability for an optimal photosynthesis.}, }
@article {pmid32351785, year = {2020}, author = {Modeo, L and Salvetti, A and Rossi, L and Castelli, M and Szokoli, F and Krenek, S and Serra, V and Sabaneyeva, E and Di Giuseppe, G and Fokin, SI and Verni, F and Petroni, G}, title = {"Candidatus Trichorickettsia mobilis", a Rickettsiales bacterium, can be transiently transferred from the unicellular eukaryote Paramecium to the planarian Dugesia japonica.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {e8977}, pmid = {32351785}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Most of the microorganisms responsible for vector-borne diseases (VBD) have hematophagous arthropods as vector/reservoir. Recently, many new species of microorganisms phylogenetically related to agents of VBD were found in a variety of aquatic eukaryotic hosts; in particular, numerous new bacterial species related to the genus Rickettsia (Alphaproteobacteria, Rickettsiales) were discovered in protist ciliates and other unicellular eukaryotes. Although their pathogenicity for humans and terrestrial animals is not known, several indirect indications exist that these bacteria might act as etiological agents of possible VBD of aquatic organisms, with protists as vectors. In the present study, a novel strain of the Rickettsia-Like Organism (RLO) endosymbiont "Candidatus (Ca.) Trichorickettsia mobilis" was identified in the macronucleus of the ciliate Paramecium multimicronucleatum. We performed transfection experiments of this RLO to planarians (Dugesia japonica) per os. Indeed, the latter is a widely used model system for studying bacteria pathogenic to humans and other Metazoa. In transfection experiments, homogenized paramecia were added to food of antibiotic-treated planarians. Treated and non-treated (i.e. control) planarians were investigated at day 1, 3, and 7 after feeding for endosymbiont presence by means of PCR and ultrastructural analyses. Obtained results were fully concordant and suggest that this RLO endosymbiont can be transiently transferred from ciliates to metazoans, being detected up to day 7 in treated planarians' enterocytes. Our findings might offer insights into the potential role of ciliates or other protists as putative vectors for diseases caused by Rickettsiales or other RLOs and occurring in fish farms or in the wild.}, }
@article {pmid32350156, year = {2020}, author = {Ganyukova, AI and Frolov, AO and Malysheva, MN and Spodareva, VV and Yurchenko, V and Kostygov, AY}, title = {A novel endosymbiont-containing trypanosomatid Phytomonas borealis sp. n. from the predatory bug Picromerus bidens (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).}, journal = {Folia parasitologica}, volume = {67}, number = {}, pages = {}, doi = {10.14411/fp.2020.004}, pmid = {32350156}, issn = {1803-6465}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Heteroptera/growth &amp; development/*parasitology ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/parasitology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Protozoan/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/analysis ; Russia ; *Symbiosis ; Trypanosomatina/*classification/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Here we describe the new trypanosomatid, Phytomonas borealis sp. n., from the midgut of the spiked shieldbugs, Picromerus bidens (Linnaeus), collected in two locations, Novgorod and Pskov Oblasts of Russia. The phylogenetic analyses, based on the 18S rRNA gene, demonstrated that this flagellate is a sister species to the secondary monoxenous Phytomonas nordicus Frolov et Malysheva, 1993, which was concurrently documented in the same host species in Pskov Oblast. Unlike P. nordicus, which can complete its development (including exit to haemolymph and penetration into salivary glands) in Picromerus bidens, the new species did not form any extraintestinal stages in the host. It also did not produce endomastigotes, indispensable for transmission in other Phytomonas spp. These observations, along with the fact that P. bidens overwinters at the egg stage, led us to the conclusion that the examined infections with P. borealis were non-specific. Strikingly, the flagellates from the Novgorod population contained prokaryotic endosymbionts, whereas the parasites from the second locality were endosymbiont-free. This is a first case documenting presence of intracellular symbiotic bacteria in Phytomonas spp. We suggest that this novel endosymbiotic association arose very recently and did not become obligate yet. Further investigation of P. borealis and its intracellular bacteria may shed light on the origin and early evolution of endosymbiosis in trypanosomatids.}, }
@article {pmid32349659, year = {2020}, author = {Ellis, JC}, title = {P finder: genomic and metagenomic annotation of RNase P RNA gene (rnpB).}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {334}, pmid = {32349659}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {DE-AC05-00OR2272//Center for Bioenergy Innovation/ ; DE-AC05-00OR22725//Plant Microbe Interfaces/ ; }, mesh = {Algorithms ; Chloroflexi/enzymology/genetics ; Databases, Genetic ; *Genes, Microbial ; Genome, Microbial/genetics ; Genomics/*methods ; Metagenomics/methods ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; Prokaryotic Cells/enzymology ; RNA, Catalytic/chemistry/classification/genetics ; Ribonuclease P/chemistry/classification/*genetics ; Software ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The rnpB gene encodes for an essential catalytic RNA (RNase P). Like other essential RNAs, RNase P's sequence is highly variable. However, unlike other essential RNAs (i.e. tRNA, 16 S, 6 S,...) its structure is also variable with at least 5 distinct structure types observed in prokaryotes. This structural variability makes it labor intensive and challenging to create and maintain covariance models for the detection of RNase P RNA in genomic and metagenomic sequences. The lack of a facile and rapid annotation algorithm has led to the rnpB gene being the most grossly under annotated essential gene in completed prokaryotic genomes with only a 24% annotation rate. Here we describe the coupling of the largest RNase P RNA database with the local alignment scoring algorithm to create the most sensitive and rapid prokaryote rnpB gene identification and annotation algorithm to date.<br><br>RESULTS: Of the 2772 completed microbial genomes downloaded from GenBank only 665 genomes had an annotated rnpB gene. We applied P Finder to these genomes and were able to identify 2733 or nearly 99% of the 2772 microbial genomes examined. From these results four new rnpB genes that encode the minimal T-type P RNase P RNAs were identified computationally for the first time. In addition, only the second C-type RNase P RNA was identified in Sphaerobacter thermophilus. Of special note, no RNase P RNAs were detected in several obligate endosymbionts of sap sucking insects suggesting a novel evolutionary adaptation.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The coupling of the largest RNase P RNA database and associated structure class identification with the P Finder algorithm is both sensitive and rapid, yielding high quality results to aid researchers annotating either genomic or metagenomic data. It is the only algorithm to date that can identify challenging RNAse P classes such as C-type and the minimal T-type RNase P RNAs. P Finder is written in C# and has a user-friendly GUI that can run on multiple 64-bit windows platforms (Windows Vista/7/8/10). P Finder is free available for download at https://github.com/JChristopherEllis/P-Finder as well as a small sample RNase P RNA file for testing.}, }
@article {pmid32341569, year = {2020}, author = {López-García, P and Moreira, D}, title = {The Syntrophy hypothesis for the origin of eukaryotes revisited.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {5}, number = {5}, pages = {655-667}, pmid = {32341569}, issn = {2058-5276}, mesh = {Archaea/genetics/*metabolism ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; Cell Nucleus ; Eukaryota/genetics/*metabolism ; Eukaryotic Cells/*metabolism ; Genome, Archaeal ; Hydrogen/metabolism ; Membranes/metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; *Phylogeny ; Sulfur/metabolism ; Symbiosis/physiology ; }, abstract = {The discovery of Asgard archaea, phylogenetically closer to eukaryotes than other archaea, together with improved knowledge of microbial ecology, impose new constraints on emerging models for the origin of the eukaryotic cell (eukaryogenesis). Long-held views are metamorphosing in favour of symbiogenetic models based on metabolic interactions between archaea and bacteria. These include the classical Searcy's and Hydrogen hypothesis, and the more recent Reverse Flow and Entangle-Engulf-Endogenize models. Two decades ago, we put forward the Syntrophy hypothesis for the origin of eukaryotes based on a tripartite metabolic symbiosis involving a methanogenic archaeon (future nucleus), a fermentative myxobacterial-like deltaproteobacterium (future eukaryotic cytoplasm) and a metabolically versatile methanotrophic alphaproteobacterium (future mitochondrion). A refined version later proposed the evolution of the endomembrane and nuclear membrane system by invagination of the deltaproteobacterial membrane. Here, we adapt the Syntrophy hypothesis to contemporary knowledge, shifting from the original hydrogen and methane-transfer-based symbiosis (HM Syntrophy) to a tripartite hydrogen and sulfur-transfer-based model (HS Syntrophy). We propose a sensible ecological scenario for eukaryogenesis in which eukaryotes originated in early Proterozoic microbial mats from the endosymbiosis of a hydrogen-producing Asgard archaeon within a complex sulfate-reducing deltaproteobacterium. Mitochondria evolved from versatile, facultatively aerobic, sulfide-oxidizing and, potentially, anoxygenic photosynthesizing alphaproteobacterial endosymbionts that recycled sulfur in the consortium. The HS Syntrophy hypothesis accounts for (endo)membrane, nucleus and metabolic evolution in a realistic ecological context. We compare and contrast the HS Syntrophy hypothesis to other models of eukaryogenesis, notably in terms of the mode and tempo of eukaryotic trait evolution, and discuss several model predictions and how these can be tested.}, }
@article {pmid32339445, year = {2021}, author = {Lv, N and Peng, J and Chen, XY and Guo, CF and Sang, W and Wang, XM and Ahmed, MZ and Xu, YY and Qiu, BL}, title = {Antagonistic interaction between male-killing and cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by Cardinium and Wolbachia in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {28}, number = {2}, pages = {330-346}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12793}, pmid = {32339445}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {2018B020205003//Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province/ ; 31672028//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; U1701231//NSFC-Guangdong Joint Research Fund/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes/*physiology ; Female ; Fertility ; Hemiptera/*microbiology/physiology ; Longevity ; Male ; Sex Ratio ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Cardinium and Wolbachia are maternally inherited bacterial symbionts of arthropods that can manipulate host reproduction by increasing the fitness of infected females. Here, we report that Cardinium and Wolbachia coinfection induced male-killing and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) when they coexisted in a cryptic species of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Asia II7. Cardinium and Wolbachia symbionts were either singly or simultaneously localized in the bacteriocytes placed in the abdomen of B. tabaci nymphs and adults. Cardinium-Wolbachia coinfection induced male-killing and resulted in a higher female sex ratio in the intraspecific amphigenetic progeny of Asia II7 ICWH and ICWL lines; interestingly, male-killing induction was enhanced with increased Cardinium titer. Moreover, single infection of Wolbachia induced partial CI in the Asia II7 IW line and resulted in reduced fecundity, higher embryonic mortality, and lower female sex ratio. The uninfected Asia II7 IU line had significantly higher fecundity, lower embryonic and nymphal mortalities, and a lower level of CI than both the Wolbachia-infected Asia II7 IW line and the Cardinium-Wolbachia-coinfected Asia II7 ICWH line. Our findings indicate that Cardinium-Wolbachia coinfection induced male-killing, which may have had antagonistic effects on Wolbachia-induced CI in the Asia II7 whiteflies. For the first time, our study revealed that B. tabaci Asia II7 reproduction is co-manipulated by Cardinium and Wolbachia endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid32338395, year = {2020}, author = {Sass, K and Güllert, S and Streit, WR and Perner, M}, title = {A hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium enriched from the open ocean resembling a symbiont.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {396-405}, doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.12847}, pmid = {32338395}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {03G0253//Bundesministerium f&#xfc;r Bildung und Forschung/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Autotrophic Processes ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Hydrogen/*metabolism ; Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Phylogeny ; Seawater/*microbiology ; Snails/*microbiology/physiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {A new autotrophic hydrogen-oxidizing Chromatiaceae bacterium, namely bacterium CTD079, was enriched from a water column sample at 1500 m water depth in the southern Pacific Ocean. Based on the phylogeny of 16S rRNA genes, it was closely related to a scaly snail endosymbiont (99.2% DNA sequence identity) whose host so far is only known to colonize hydrothermal vents along the Indian ridge. The average nucleotide identity between the genomes of CTD079 and the snail endosymbiont was 91%. The observed differences likely reflect adaptations to their specific habitats. For example, CTD079 encodes additional enzymes like the formate dehydrogenase increasing the organism's spectrum of energy generation pathways. Other additional physiological features of CTD079 included the increase of viral defence strategies, secretion systems and specific transporters for essential elements. These important genome characteristics suggest an adaptation to life in the open ocean.}, }
@article {pmid32329790, year = {2020}, author = {Coimbra-Dores, MJ and Jaarsma, RI and Carmo, AO and Maia-Silva, M and Fonville, M and da Costa, DFF and Brandão, RML and Azevedo, F and Casero, M and Oliveira, AC and Afonso, SMS and Sprong, H and Rosa, F and Dias, D}, title = {Mitochondrial sequences of Rhipicephalus and Coxiella endosymbiont reveal evidence of lineages co-cladogenesis.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {96}, number = {6}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiaa072}, pmid = {32329790}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Animals ; Coxiella/genetics ; *Dog Diseases ; Dogs ; Genetic Speciation ; Phylogeny ; *Rhipicephalus ; *Rhipicephalus sanguineus ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Rhipicephalus ticks are competent vectors of several pathogens, such as Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae (SFGR) and many Babesia species. Within this genus, different R. sanguineus s.l. lineages show an unequal vector competence and resistance regarding some pathogenic strains. Current literature supports that tick endosymbionts may play an essential role in the transmission ability of a vector. Indeed, the microbial community of Rhipicephalus seems to be dominated by Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE). Still, their co-evolutionary associations with the complicated phylogeny of Rhipicephalus lineages and their transmissible pathogens remain unclear. We performed a phylogenetic congruence analysis to address whether divergent R. sanguineus s.l. lineages had a different symbiont composition. For that, we applied a PCR based approach to screen part of the microbial community present in 279 Rhipicephalus ticks from the Iberian Peninsula and Africa. Our analyses detected several qPCR-positive signals for both SFGR and Babesia species, of which we suggest R. sanguineus-tropical lineage as a natural vector of Babesia vogeli and R. sanguineus-temperate lineage of SFGR. The acquisition of 190 CLE sequences allowed to evaluate co-phylogenetic associations between the tick and the symbiont. With this data, we observed a strong but incomplete co-cladogenesis between CLE strains and their Rhipicephalus tick lineages hosts.}, }
@article {pmid32322900, year = {2020}, author = {Osborne, CJ and Wakeman-Hill, AJ and Loa, SE and Crosbie, PR and Van Laar, TA}, title = {Rickettsia spp. in Five Tick Species Collected in Central California.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {57}, number = {5}, pages = {1596-1603}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjaa080}, pmid = {32322900}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Animals ; California ; Female ; Ixodidae/*microbiology ; Male ; Ornithodoros/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Rickettsia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Tick-borne disease surveillance in North America has long focused on Lyme disease, though there is currently a significant shift towards comprehensive pathogen surveillance in ticks. Central California has often been overlooked in regular tick-borne pathogen surveillance despite the presence of numerous medically important tick species. The bacterial genus Rickettsia contains tick-borne species that are known pathogens, such as those in the spotted fever group; nonpathogenic endosymbionts; and many species with unknown pathogenic potential. Five common tick species (Ixodes pacificus Cooley and Kohls [Acari: Ixodidae], Dermacentor occidentalis Marx [Acari: Ixodidae], D. variabilis Say, Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille [Acari: Ixodidae], and Ornithodoros parkeri Cooley [Acari: Argasidae]) of California were collected by both traditional and modern techniques, and subsequently screened for Rickettsia spp. Many individuals from all five tick species were PCR positive for Rickettsia spp., and a combination of species-specific primers, a restriction fragment length polymorphism assay, and DNA sequencing was used to further characterize the species composition in these ticks. Probable Rickettsia philipii (Rickettsia 364D) was detected in one (1.56%) D. occidentalis collected in Fresno County; R. rhipicephali was detected in 23.4% of D. occidentalis from Fresno Co.; R. bellii was detected in 88.2% of D. variabilis, 7.8% of D. occidentalis, and in one R. rhipicephalus (1.1%) from Fresno Co.; R. monacensis str. Humboldt was detected in three (100%) of I. pacificus collected in both Fresno and Madera Co.; and an uncharacterized Rickettsia was detected in (26.4%) of O. parkeri collected in both Fresno and Madera Co. The findings in this study highlight the need for ongoing surveillance in this region of California.}, }
@article {pmid32317320, year = {2020}, author = {Koto, A and Nobu, MK and Miyazaki, R}, title = {Deep Sequencing Uncovers Caste-Associated Diversity of Symbionts in the Social Ant Camponotus japonicus.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {32317320}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Animals ; Ants/classification/*microbiology/*physiology ; *Behavior, Animal ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; *Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Social Behavior ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic microorganisms can have a profound impact on the host physiology and behavior, and novel relationships between symbionts and their hosts are continually discovered. A colony of social ants consists of various castes that exhibit distinct lifestyles and is, thus, a unique model for investigating how symbionts may be involved in host eusociality. Yet our knowledge of social ant-symbiont dynamics has remained rudimentary. Through 16S rRNA gene deep sequencing of the carpenter ant Camponotus japonicus symbiont community across various castes, we here report caste-dependent diversity of commensal gut microbiota and lineage divergence of "Candidatus Blochmannia," an obligate endosymbiont. While most prevalent gut-associated bacterial populations are found across all castes (Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria), we also discovered uncultured populations that are found only in males (belonging to Corynebacteriales, Alkanindiges, and Burkholderia). Most of those populations are not detected in laboratory-maintained queens and workers, suggesting that they are facultative gut symbionts introduced via environmental acquisition. Further inspection of "Ca. Blochmannia" endosymbionts reveals that two populations are dominant in all individuals across all castes but that males preferentially contain two different sublineages that are diversified from others. Clearly, each caste has distinct symbiont communities, suggesting an overlooked biological aspect of host-symbiont interaction in social insects.IMPORTANCE Social animals, such as primates and some insects, have been shown to exchange symbiotic microbes among individuals through sharing diet or habitats, resulting in increased consistency of microbiota among social partners. The ant is a representative of social insects exhibiting various castes within a colony; queens, males, and nonreproductive females (so-called workers) show distinct morphologies, physiologies, and behaviors but tightly interact with each other in the nest. However, how this social context affects their gut microbiota has remained unclear. In this study, we deeply sequenced the gut symbiont community across various castes of the carpenter ant Camponotus japonicus We report caste-dependent diversity of commensal gut microbial community and lineage divergence of the mutualistic endosymbiont "Candidatus Blochmannia." This report sheds light on the hidden diversity in microbial populations and community structure associated with guts of males in social ants.}, }
@article {pmid32314065, year = {2020}, author = {Shamseldin, A and Velázquez, E}, title = {The promiscuity of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (common bean) for nodulation with rhizobia: a review.}, journal = {World journal of microbiology &amp; biotechnology}, volume = {36}, number = {5}, pages = {63}, pmid = {32314065}, issn = {1573-0972}, mesh = {Africa ; Asia ; Bradyrhizobium/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Burkholderiaceae/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Cupriavidus/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Europe ; Phaseolus/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Phylogeography ; Rhizobium/*isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Root Nodules, Plant/*microbiology ; Seeds/microbiology ; Soil Microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; United States ; }, abstract = {Phaseolus vulgaris L. (common bean) is a legume indigenous to American countries currently cultivated in all continents, which is nodulated by different rhizobial species and symbiovars. Most of species able to nodulate this legume worldwide belong to the genus Rhizobium, followed by those belonging to the genera Ensifer (formerly Sinorhizobium) and Pararhizobium (formerly Rhizobium) and minority by species of the genus Bradyrhizobium. All these genera belong to the phylum alpha-Proteobacteria, but the nodulation of P. vulgaris has also been reported for some species belonging to Paraburkholderia and Cupriavidus from the beta-Proteobacteria. Several species nodulating P. vulgaris were originally isolated from nodules of this legume in American countries and are linked to the symbiovars phaseoli and tropici, which are currently present in other continents probably because they were spread in their soils together with the P. vulgaris seeds. In addition, this legume can be nodulated by species and symbiovars originally isolated from nodules of other legumes due its high promiscuity, a concept currently related with the ability of a legume to be nodulated by several symbiovars rather than by several species. In this article we review the species and symbiovars able to nodulate P. vulgaris in different countries and continents and the challenges on the study of the P. vulgaris endosymbionts diversity in those countries where they have not been studied yet, that will allow to select highly effective rhizobial strains in order to guarantee the success of P. vulgaris inoculation.}, }
@article {pmid32299882, year = {2020}, author = {Sato, Y and Wippler, J and Wentrup, C and Dubilier, N and Kleiner, M}, title = {High-Quality Draft Genome Sequences of Two Deltaproteobacterial Endosymbionts, Delta1a and Delta1b, from the Uncultured Sva0081 Clade, Assembled from Metagenomes of the Gutless Marine Worm Olavius algarvensis.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {9}, number = {16}, pages = {}, pmid = {32299882}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Here, we present high-quality metagenome-assembled genome sequences of two closely related deltaproteobacterial endosymbionts from the gutless marine worm Olavius algarvensis (Annelida). The first is an improved draft genome sequence of the previously described sulfate-reducing symbiont Delta1. The second is from a closely related, recently discovered symbiont of O. algarvensis.}, }
@article {pmid32295978, year = {2020}, author = {Takashima, Y and Degawa, Y and Nishizawa, T and Ohta, H and Narisawa, K}, title = {Aposymbiosis of a Burkholderiaceae-Related Endobacterium Impacts on Sexual Reproduction of Its Fungal Host.}, journal = {Microbes and environments}, volume = {35}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {32295978}, issn = {1347-4405}, mesh = {Biological Evolution ; Burkholderiaceae/drug effects/*physiology ; Ciprofloxacin/pharmacology ; Mortierella/*physiology ; Mycelium/physiology ; Reproduction ; Spores, Fungal/physiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts inhabit diverse fungal lineages. Although the number of studies on bacteria is increasing, the mechanisms by which bacteria affect their fungal hosts remain unclear. We herein examined the homothallic isolate, Mortierella sugadairana YTM39, harboring a Burkholderiaceae-related endobacterium, which did not produce sexual spores. We successfully eliminated the bacterium from fungal isolates using ciprofloxacin treatment and asexual spore isolation for germinated asexual spores. Sexual spore formation by the fungus was restored by eliminating the bacterium from isolates. These results indicate that sexual reproduction by the fungus was inhibited by the bacterium. This is the first study on the sexual spore infertility of fungal hosts by endofungal bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid32289879, year = {2020}, author = {Gabr, A and Grossman, AR and Bhattacharya, D}, title = {Paulinella, a model for understanding plastid primary endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Journal of phycology}, volume = {56}, number = {4}, pages = {837-843}, pmid = {32289879}, issn = {1529-8817}, support = {80NSSC19K0462/ImNASA/Intramural NASA/United States ; 1756616//National Science Foundation/International ; 80NSSC19K0462/NASA/NASA/United States ; NJ01170//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/International ; }, mesh = {*Amoeba ; Biological Evolution ; *Chromatophores ; Phylogeny ; Plastids ; *Rhizaria ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The uptake and conversion of a free-living cyanobacterium into a photosynthetic organelle by the single-celled Archaeplastida ancestor helped transform the biosphere from low to high oxygen. There are two documented, independent cases of plastid primary endosymbiosis. The first is the well-studied instance in Archaeplastida that occurred ca. 1.6 billion years ago, whereas the second occurred 90-140 million years ago, establishing a permanent photosynthetic compartment (the chromatophore) in amoebae in the genus Paulinella. Here, we briefly summarize knowledge about plastid origin in the Archaeplastida and then focus on Paulinella. In particular, we describe features of the Paulinella chromatophore that make it a model for examining earlier events in the evolution of photosynthetic organelles. Our review stresses recently gained insights into the evolution of chromatophore and nuclear encoded DNA sequences in Paulinella, metabolic connectivity between the endosymbiont and cytoplasm, and systems that target proteins into the chromatophore. We also describe future work with Paulinella, and the potential rewards and challenges associated with developing further this model system.}, }
@article {pmid32281227, year = {2020}, author = {Acuña-Rodríguez, IS and Newsham, KK and Gundel, PE and Torres-Díaz, C and Molina-Montenegro, MA}, title = {Functional roles of microbial symbionts in plant cold tolerance.}, journal = {Ecology letters}, volume = {23}, number = {6}, pages = {1034-1048}, doi = {10.1111/ele.13502}, pmid = {32281227}, issn = {1461-0248}, support = {PII-20150126//Fondo de Fomento al Desarrollo Cient&#xed;fico y Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; NE/P003079/1//British Antarctic Survey/ ; 1181034//Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cient&#xed;fico y Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; 3180441//Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cient&#xed;fico y Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; NE/P003079/1//NERC-CONICYT/ ; PII20150126//NERC-CONICYT/ ; }, mesh = {Biomass ; *Mycorrhizae ; Plant Physiological Phenomena ; Plant Roots ; Plants ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {In this review, we examine the functional roles of microbial symbionts in plant tolerance to cold and freezing stresses. The impacts of symbionts on antioxidant activity, hormonal signaling and host osmotic balance are described, including the effects of the bacterial endosymbionts Burkholderia, Pseudomonas and Azospirillum on photosynthesis and the accumulation of carbohydrates such as trehalose and raffinose that improve cell osmotic regulation and plasma membrane integrity. The influence of root fungal endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on plant physiology at low temperatures, for example their effects on nutrient acquisition and the accumulation of indole-3-acetic acid and antioxidants in tissues, are also reviewed. Meta-analyses are presented showing that aspects of plant performance (shoot biomass, relative water content, sugar and proline concentrations and Fv /Fm) are enhanced in symbiotic plants at low (-1 to 15 °C), but not at high (20-26 °C), temperatures. We discuss the implications of microbial symbionts for plant performance at low and sub-zero temperatures in the natural environment and propose future directions for research into the effects of symbionts on the cold and freezing tolerances of plants, concluding that further studies should routinely incorporate symbiotic microbes in their experimental designs.}, }
@article {pmid32281201, year = {2020}, author = {Nieves-Morión, M and Flores, E and Foster, RA}, title = {Predicting substrate exchange in marine diatom-heterocystous cyanobacteria symbioses.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {6}, pages = {2027-2052}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.15013}, pmid = {32281201}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {//Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation/International ; BFU2017-88202-P//Spanish Government and European Regional Development Fund/International ; 2018-04161//The Swedish Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Biological Transport/*physiology ; Carrier Proteins/metabolism ; Cyanobacteria/genetics/*metabolism/physiology ; Diatoms/genetics/*microbiology ; Genome Size ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Nitrogen Fixation ; Phytoplankton/*metabolism/physiology ; Symbiosis/physiology ; }, abstract = {In the open ocean, some phytoplankton establish symbiosis with cyanobacteria. Some partnerships involve diatoms as hosts and heterocystous cyanobacteria as symbionts. Heterocysts are specialized cells for nitrogen fixation, and a function of the symbiotic cyanobacteria is to provide the host with nitrogen. However, both partners are photosynthetic and capable of carbon fixation, and the possible metabolites exchanged and mechanisms of transfer are poorly understood. The symbiont cellular location varies from internal to partial to fully external, and this is reflected in the symbiont genome size and content. In order to identify the membrane transporters potentially involved in metabolite exchange, we compare the draft genomes of three differently located symbionts with known transporters mainly from model free-living heterocystous cyanobacteria. The types and numbers of transporters are directly related to the symbiont cellular location: restricted in the endosymbionts and wider in the external symbiont. Three proposed models of metabolite exchange are suggested which take into account the type of transporters in the symbionts and the influence of their cellular location on the available nutrient pools. These models provide a basis for several hypotheses that given the importance of these symbioses in global N and C budgets, warrant future testing.}, }
@article {pmid32276978, year = {2020}, author = {Huang, Z and Wang, D and Li, J and Wei, C and He, H}, title = {Transovarial Transmission of Bacteriome-Associated Symbionts in the Cicada Pycna repanda (Hemiptera: Cicadidae).}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {86}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {32276978}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Female ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Male ; Ovary/microbiology ; Ovum/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Although transovarial transmission of bacteriome-associated symbionts in hemipteran insects is extremely important for maintaining intimate host-symbiont associations, our knowledge of cellular mechanisms underlying the transmission process is quite limited. We investigated bacterial communities of salivary glands, bacteriomes, and digestive and reproductive organs and clarified the transovarial transmission of bacteriome-associated symbionts of the mountain-habitat specialist Pycna repanda using integrated methods. The bacterial communities among different gut tissues and those of bacteriomes of males and females both show similarity, whereas differences are exhibited among bacterial communities in testes and ovaries. The primary symbionts "Candidatus Sulcia muelleri" (hereafter "Ca Sulcia") and "Candidatus Hodgkinia cicadicola" (hereafter "Ca Hodgkinia") were not only restricted to but also dominant in the bacteriomes and ovaries. "Ca Hodgkinia" cells in the bacteriomes of both sexes exhibited different colors by histological and electron microscopy. Also considering the results of a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based cloning approach, we hypothesize that "Ca Hodgkinia" may have split into cytologically different cellular lineages within this cicada species. Regarding the dominant secondary symbionts, Rickettsia was detected in the salivary glands, digestive organs, and testes, whereas Arsenophonus was detected in the bacteriomes and ovaries. Our results show that Arsenophonus can coexist with "Ca Sulcia" and "Ca Hodgkinia" within bacteriomes and can be transovarially transmitted with these obligate symbionts together from mother to offspring in cicadas, but it is not harbored in the cytoplasm of "Ca Sulcia." The change in the shape of "Ca Sulcia" and "Ca Hodgkinia" during the transovarial transmission process is hypothesized to be related to the limited space and novel microenvironment.IMPORTANCE Cicadas establish an intimate symbiosis with microorganisms to obtain essential nutrients that are extremely deficient in host plant sap. Previous studies on bacterial communities of cicadas mainly focused on a few widely distributed species, but knowledge about mountain-habitat species is quite poor. We initially revealed the physical distribution of the primary symbionts "Ca Sulcia" and "Ca Hodgkinia" and the dominant secondary symbionts Rickettsia and Arsenophonus in the mountain-habitat specialist Pycna repanda and then clarified the transovarial transmission process of bacteriome-associated symbionts in this species. Our observations suggest that "Ca Hodgkinia" may have split into cytologically distinct lineages within this cicada species, and related cicadas might have developed complex mechanisms for the vertical transmission of the bacteriome-associated symbionts. We also revealed that Arsenophonus can be transovarially transmitted in auchenorrhynchan insects when it is not harbored in the cytoplasm of other endosymbionts. Our results highlight transovarial transmission mechanisms of bacteriome-associated symbionts in sap-feeding insects.}, }
@article {pmid32276327, year = {2020}, author = {Serteyn, L and Quaghebeur, C and Ongena, M and Cabrera, N and Barrera, A and Molina-Montenegro, MA and Francis, F and Ramírez, CC}, title = {Induced Systemic Resistance by a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium Impacts Development and Feeding Behavior of Aphids.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {32276327}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {The effects of microorganisms on plant-insect interactions have usually been underestimated. While plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are known to induce plant defenses, endosymbiotic bacteria hosted by herbivorous insects are often beneficial to the host. Here, we aimed to assess whether PGPR-induced defenses in broad bean plants impact the pea aphid, depending on its genotype and the presence of endosymbionts. We estimated aphid reproduction, quantified defense- and growth-related phytohormones by GC-MS, and measured different plant growth and physiology parameters, after PGPR treatment. In addition, we recorded the feeding behavior of aphids by electropenetrography. We found that the PGPR treatment of broad bean plants reduced the reproduction of one of the pea aphid clones. We highlighted a phenomenon of PGPR-induced plant defense priming, but no noticeable plant growth promotion. The main changes in aphid probing behavior were related to salivation events into phloem sieve elements. We suggest that the endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa played a key role in plant-insect interactions, possibly helping aphids to counteract plant-induced resistance and allowing them to develop normally on PGPR-treated plants. Our results imply that plant- and aphid-associated microorganisms add greater complexity to the outcomes of aphid-plant interactions.}, }
@article {pmid32274814, year = {2020}, author = {Farré, EM}, title = {The brown clock: circadian rhythms in stramenopiles.}, journal = {Physiologia plantarum}, volume = {169}, number = {3}, pages = {430-441}, doi = {10.1111/ppl.13104}, pmid = {32274814}, issn = {1399-3054}, mesh = {Animals ; *Circadian Clocks ; Circadian Rhythm ; *Cyanobacteria ; Ecosystem ; *Stramenopiles ; }, abstract = {Circadian clocks allow organisms to anticipate environmental changes associated with the diurnal light/dark cycle. Circadian oscillators have been described in plants and green algae, cyanobacteria, animals and fungi, however, little is known about the circadian clocks of photosynthetic eukaryotes outside the green lineage. Stramenopiles are a diverse group of secondary endosymbionts whose plastid originated from a red alga. Photosynthetic stramenopiles, which include diatoms and brown algae, play key roles in biogeochemical cycles and are important components of marine ecosystems. Genome annotation efforts indicated the presence of a novel type of oscillator in these organisms and the first circadian clock component in a stramenopile has been recently discovered. This review summarizes the phenotypic characterization of circadian rhythms in stramenopiles and current efforts to determine the mechanisms of this 'brown clock'. The elucidation of this brown clock will enable a deeper understanding of the role of self-sustained oscillations in the adaptation to life in marine environments.}, }
@article {pmid32269557, year = {2020}, author = {Domínguez-Santos, R and Pérez-Cobas, AE and Artacho, A and Castro, JA and Talón, I and Moya, A and García-Ferris, C and Latorre, A}, title = {Unraveling Assemblage, Functions and Stability of the Gut Microbiota of Blattella germanica by Antibiotic Treatment.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {487}, pmid = {32269557}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Symbiosis between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is a widespread phenomenon that has contributed to the evolution of eukaryotes. In cockroaches, two types of symbionts coexist: an endosymbiont in the fat body (Blattabacterium), and a rich gut microbiota. The transmission mode of Blattabacterium is vertical, while the gut microbiota of a new generation is mainly formed by bacterial species present in feces. We have carried out a metagenomic analysis of Blattella germanica populations, treated and non-treated with two antibiotics (vancomycin and ampicillin) over two generations to (1) determine the core of bacterial communities and potential functions of the gut microbiota and (2) to gain insights into the mechanisms of resistance and resilience of the gut microbiota. Our results indicate that the composition and functions of the bacteria were affected by treatment, more severely in the case of vancomycin. Further results demonstrated that in an untreated second-generation population that comes from antibiotic-treated first-generation, the microbiota is not yet stabilized at nymphal stages but can fully recover in adults when feces of a control population were added to the diet. This signifies the existence of a stable core in either composition and functions in lab-reared populations. The high microbiota diversity as well as the observed functional redundancy point toward the microbiota of cockroach hindguts as a robust ecosystem that can recover from perturbations, with recovery being faster when feces are added to the diet.}, }
@article {pmid32244698, year = {2020}, author = {Xu, TT and Jiang, LY and Chen, J and Qiao, GX}, title = {Host Plants Influence the Symbiont Diversity of Eriosomatinae (Hemiptera: Aphididae).}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {32244698}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2016YFE0203100//National Key R &amp; D Program of China/ ; 31620103916//National Natural Sciences Foundation of China/ ; 31572307//National Natural Sciences Foundation of China/ ; 2019QZKK0501//Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research (STEP) program/ ; XDA19050303//Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; }, abstract = {Eriosomatinae is a particular aphid group with typically heteroecious holocyclic life cycle, exhibiting strong primary host plant specialization and inducing galls on primary host plants. Aphids are frequently associated with bacterial symbionts, which can play fundamental roles in the ecology and evolution of their host aphids. However, the bacterial communities in Eriosomatinae are poorly known. In the present study, using high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene, we surveyed the bacterial flora of eriosomatines and explored the associations between symbiont diversity and aphid relatedness, aphid host plant and geographical distribution. The microbiota of Eriosomatinae is dominated by the heritable primary endosymbiont Buchnera and several facultative symbionts. The primary endosymbiont Buchnera is expectedly the most abundant symbiont across all species. Six facultative symbionts were identified. Regiella was the most commonly identified facultative symbiont, and multiple infections of facultative symbionts were detected in the majority of the samples. Ordination analyses and statistical tests show that the symbiont community of aphids feeding on plants from the family Ulmaceae were distinguishable from aphids feeding on other host plants. Species in Eriosomatinae feeding on different plants are likely to carry different symbiont compositions. The symbiont distributions seem to be not related to taxonomic distance and geographical distance. Our findings suggest that host plants can affect symbiont maintenance, and will improve our understanding of the interactions between aphids, their symbionts and ecological conditions.}, }
@article {pmid32243856, year = {2020}, author = {Monnin, D and Jackson, R and Kiers, ET and Bunker, M and Ellers, J and Henry, LM}, title = {Parallel Evolution in the Integration of a Co-obligate Aphid Symbiosis.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {30}, number = {10}, pages = {1949-1957.e6}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2020.03.011}, pmid = {32243856}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/genetics/*microbiology ; Biological Evolution ; Genomics ; Host Microbial Interactions/genetics/physiology ; Serratia/genetics/*physiology ; Species Specificity ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Insects evolve dependence-often extreme-on microbes for nutrition. This includes cases in which insects harbor multiple endosymbionts that function collectively as a metabolic unit [1-5]. How do these dependences originate [6], and is there a predictable sequence of events leading to the integration of new symbionts? While co-obligate symbioses, in which hosts rely on multiple nutrient-provisioning symbionts, have evolved numerous times across sap-feeding insects, there is only one known case in aphids, involving Buchnera aphidicola and Serratia symbiotica in the Lachninae subfamily [7-9]. Here, we identify three additional independent transitions to the same co-obligate symbiosis in different aphids. Comparing recent and ancient associations allow us to investigate intermediate stages of metabolic and anatomical integration of Serratia. We find that these uniquely replicated evolutionary events support the idea that co-obligate associations initiate in a predictable manner-through parallel evolutionary processes. Specifically, we show how the repeated losses of the riboflavin and peptidoglycan pathways in Buchnera lead to dependence on Serratia. We then provide evidence of a stepwise process of symbiont integration, whereby dependence evolves first. Then, essential amino acid pathways are lost (at ∼30-60 mya), which coincides with the increased anatomical integration of the companion symbiont. Finally, we demonstrate that dependence can evolve ahead of specialized structures (e.g., bacteriocytes), and in one case with no direct nutritional basis. More generally, our results suggest the energetic costs of synthesizing nutrients may provide a unified explanation for the sequence of gene losses that occur during the evolution of co-obligate symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid32240342, year = {2020}, author = {Guz, N and Arshad, M and Cagatay, NS and Dageri, A}, title = {High Prevalence of Pantoea in Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae): Vector of Citrus Huanglongbing Disease.}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {77}, number = {8}, pages = {1525-1531}, pmid = {32240342}, issn = {1432-0991}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Citrus/*microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology ; Nymph/microbiology ; Pantoea/*classification/isolation &amp; purification ; *Phylogeny ; Plant Diseases/microbiology/prevention &amp; control ; Prevalence ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {As an important insect vector, Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) transmits the pathogen 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas) that is associated with citrus greening also known as Huanglongbing (HLB) disease. The bacterial endosymbionts have a potential role in shaping the host range of insect herbivores and their performance on different host plants, which might affect the endosymbiont distribution in insect populations. Here, we detected and characterized Pantoea endosymbiont in nymph and adult ACP specimens collected from Citrus reticulata Blanco and Cordia myxa L. plants. The phylogenetic tree constructed using endosymbiotic bacteria 16S ribosomal RNA sequences indicated that Pantoea sp. was closely related to Mixta calida, sharing about 98% identity and was grouped with other Mixta and Pantoea endosymbionts. Our findings showed 100% and 92.3% infection of Pantoea in adults while 61.5% and 90% infection of Pantoea in nymphs collected from C. reticulata and C. myxa plants, respectively. Understanding the interaction of endosymbiotic bacteria with ACP associated with host plants could be useful for developing an effective management strategy for both ACP and HLB disease.}, }
@article {pmid32231650, year = {2020}, author = {Silvestri, A and Turina, M and Fiorilli, V and Miozzi, L and Venice, F and Bonfante, P and Lanfranco, L}, title = {Different Genetic Sources Contribute to the Small RNA Population in the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Gigaspora margarita.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {395}, pmid = {32231650}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {RNA interference (RNAi) is a key regulatory pathway of gene expression in almost all eukaryotes. This mechanism relies on short non-coding RNA molecules (sRNAs) to recognize in a sequence-specific manner DNA or RNA targets leading to transcriptional or post-transcriptional gene silencing. To date, the fundamental role of sRNAs in the regulation of development, stress responses, defense against viruses and mobile elements, and cross-kingdom interactions has been extensively studied in a number of biological systems. However, the knowledge of the "RNAi world" in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is still limited. AMF are obligate mutualistic endosymbionts of plants, able to provide several benefits to their partners, from improved mineral nutrition to stress tolerance. Here we described the RNAi-related genes of the AMF Gigaspora margarita and characterized, through sRNA sequencing, its complex small RNAome, considering the possible genetic sources and targets of the sRNAs. G. margarita indeed is a mosaic of different genomes since it hosts endobacteria, RNA viruses, and non-integrated DNA fragments corresponding to mitovirus sequences. Our findings show that G. margarita is equipped with a complete set of RNAi-related genes characterized by the expansion of the Argonaute-like (AGO-like) gene family that seems a common trait of AMF. With regards to sRNAs, we detected populations of sRNA reads mapping to nuclear, mitochondrial, and viral genomes that share similar features (25-nt long and 5'-end uracil read enrichments), and that clearly differ from sRNAs of endobacterial origin. Furthermore, the annotation of nuclear loci producing sRNAs suggests the occurrence of different sRNA-generating processes. In silico analyses indicate that the most abundant G. margarita sRNAs, including those of viral origin, could target transcripts in the host plant, through a hypothetical cross-kingdom RNAi.}, }
@article {pmid32229918, year = {2019}, author = {Huston, DC}, title = {&lt;em&gt;Collastoma esotericum (Neodalyellida: Umagillidae), a new species of sipunculan-inhabiting rhabdocoel from Queensland, Australia.}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4701}, number = {6}, pages = {zootaxa.4701.6.5}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4701.6.5}, pmid = {32229918}, issn = {1175-5334}, mesh = {Animals ; Australia ; Echinodermata ; Phylogeny ; *Platyhelminths ; Queensland ; }, abstract = {The Umagillidae Wahl, represent a group of endosymbiotic Platyhelminthes which inhabit two disparate invertebrate host groups, the echinoderms and sipunculans. Sipunculan-inhabiting umagillids are morphologically distinct from those inhabiting echinoderms and have traditionally been placed in a distinct genus and subfamily, Collastoma Dörler, and the Collastominae Wahl, respectively. Although molecular data are available for umagillid species inhabiting echinoids and holothurians, species inhabiting sipunculans have yet to be evaluated with molecular data. Collastoma esotericum n. sp. from the sipunculan Phascolosoma scolops (Selenka &amp; de Man) collected in Moreton Bay, southeast Queensland, Australia, is described. Phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rRNA gene sequences placed C. esotericum in a clade with species of the Umagillidae and the Provorticinae Luther, with strong support. However, within this clade the relationship of C. esotericum to the Umagillidae and Provorticinae was not resolved.}, }
@article {pmid32226612, year = {2020}, author = {Chen, CY and Mao, YB}, title = {Research advances in plant-insect molecular interaction.}, journal = {F1000Research}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {32226612}, issn = {2046-1402}, mesh = {Animals ; Herbivory ; *Insecta ; *Plants ; Signal Transduction ; }, abstract = {Acute and precise signal perception and transduction are essential for plant defense against insects. Insect elicitors-that is, the biologically active molecules from insects' oral secretion (which contains regurgitant and saliva), frass, ovipositional fluids, and the endosymbionts-are recognized by plants and subsequently induce a local or systematic defense response. On the other hand, insects secrete various types of effectors to interfere with plant defense at multiple levels for better adaptation. Jasmonate is a main regulator involved in plant defense against insects and integrates with multiple pathways to make up the intricate defense network. Jasmonate signaling is strictly regulated in plants to avoid the hypersensitive defense response and seems to be vulnerable to assault by insect effectors at the same time. Here, we summarize recently identified elicitors, effectors, and their target proteins in plants and discuss their underlying molecular mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid32213418, year = {2020}, author = {Chen, B and Yu, K and Qin, Z and Liang, J and Wang, G and Huang, X and Wu, Q and Jiang, L}, title = {Dispersal, genetic variation, and symbiont interaction network of heat-tolerant endosymbiont Durusdinium trenchii: Insights into the adaptive potential of coral to climate change.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {723}, number = {}, pages = {138026}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138026}, pmid = {32213418}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; China ; Climate Change ; Coral Reefs ; Ecosystem ; Genetic Variation ; Hot Temperature ; }, abstract = {Global warming has degraded coral reef ecosystems worldwide. Some corals develop thermal tolerance by associating with heat-tolerant Symbiodiniaceae. Here, we studied the mechanisms surrounding the dispersal, genetic variation and symbionts interaction of heat-tolerant Durusdinium trenchii across 13° latitudes in the South China Sea (SCS), to explore the possible mechanisms underlying these changes. Our results showed that Durusdinium trenchii are widely distributed in the seawater from the SCS. Our analyses of microsatellite loci revealed that D. trenchii has a high genetic diversity in the SCS; STRUCTURE analysis indicated that D. trenchii can be divided into four populations within the SCS; There exist positive correlations between genetic variation and geographic isolation, average sea surface temperature (SST) and variations in SST. Network modelling inferences showed that D. trenchii is a key species in the Symbiodiniaceae communities in the tropical SCS and contributes the greatest number of co-exclusion relationships. These results indicated that D. trenchii can affect the rare Symbiodiniaceae community. The long lifespan and the monsoon-driven ocean currents have shaped the wide distribution of D. trenchii. But low SST limits the ability of D. trenchii to establish stable symbioses with coral in the subtropical habitats. Geographical isolation and SST have shaped significant genetic variation of D.trenchii around the SCS. Our data reveals the biogeography and genetic population characteristics of D. trenchii in the Indo-Pacific region, and suggests that heat-tolerance and high genetic diversity of D. trenchii aid the corals with their adaptation to climate change.}, }
@article {pmid32211166, year = {2020}, author = {Paredes-Montero, JR and Zia-Ur-Rehman, M and Hameed, U and Haider, MS and Herrmann, HW and Brown, JK}, title = {Genetic variability, community structure, and horizontal transfer of endosymbionts among three Asia II-Bemisia tabaci mitotypes in Pakistan.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {2928-2943}, pmid = {32211166}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Endosymbionts associated with the whitefly Bemisia tabaci cryptic species are known to contribute to host fitness and environmental adaptation. The genetic diversity and population complexity were investigated for endosymbiont communities of B. tabaci occupying different micro-environments in Pakistan. Mitotypes of B. tabaci were identified by comparative sequence analysis of the mitochondria cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene sequence. Whitefly mitotypes belonged to the Asia II-1, -5, and -7 mitotypes of the Asia II major clade. The whitefly-endosymbiont communities were characterized based on 16S ribosomal RNA operational taxonomic unit (OTU) assignments, resulting in 43 OTUs. Most of the OTUs occurred in the Asia II-1 and II-7 mitotypes (r [2] = .9, p < .005), while the Asia II-5 microbiome was less complex. The microbiome OTU groups were mitotype-specific, clustering with a basis in phylogeographical distribution and the corresponding ecological niche of their whitefly host, suggesting mitotype-microbiome co-adaptation. The primary endosymbiont Portiera was represented by a single, highly homologous OTU (0%-0.67% divergence). Two of six Arsenophonus OTUs were uniquely associated with Asia II-5 and -7, and one occurred exclusively in Asia II-1, two only in Asia II-5, and one in both Asia II-1 and -7. Four other secondary endosymbionts, Cardinium, Hemipteriphilus, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia OTUs, were found at ≤29% frequencies. The most prevalent Arsenophonus OTU was found in all three Asia II mitotypes (55% frequency), whereas the same strain of Cardinium and Wolbachia was found in both Asia II-1 and -5, and a single Hemipteriphilus OTU occurred in Asia II-1 and -7. This pattern is indicative of horizontal transfer, suggestive of a proximity between mitotypes sufficient for gene flow at overlapping mitotype ecological niches.}, }
@article {pmid32209690, year = {2020}, author = {Frost, CL and Siozios, S and Nadal-Jimenez, P and Brockhurst, MA and King, KC and Darby, AC and Hurst, GDD}, title = {The Hypercomplex Genome of an Insect Reproductive Parasite Highlights the Importance of Lateral Gene Transfer in Symbiont Biology.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {32209690}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {BB/L024209/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteriophages/genetics ; Gammaproteobacteria/*genetics ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; *Interspersed Repetitive Sequences ; Phylogeny ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wasps/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Mobile elements-plasmids and phages-are important components of microbial function and evolution via traits that they encode and their capacity to shuttle genetic material between species. We here report the unusually rich array of mobile elements within the genome of Arsenophonus nasoniae, the son-killer symbiont of the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis This microbe's genome has the highest prophage complement reported to date, with over 50 genomic regions that represent either intact or degraded phage material. Moreover, the genome is predicted to include 17 extrachromosomal genetic elements, which carry many genes predicted to be important at the microbe-host interface, derived from a diverse assemblage of insect-associated gammaproteobacteria. In our system, this diversity was previously masked by repetitive mobile elements that broke the assembly derived from short reads. These findings suggest that other complex bacterial genomes will be revealed in the era of long-read sequencing.IMPORTANCE The biology of many bacteria is critically dependent on genes carried on plasmid and phage mobile elements. These elements shuttle between microbial species, thus providing an important source of biological innovation across taxa. It has recently been recognized that mobile elements are also important in symbiotic bacteria, which form long-lasting interactions with their host. In this study, we report a bacterial symbiont genome that carries a highly complex array of these elements. Arsenophonus nasoniae is the son-killer microbe of the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis and exists with the wasp throughout its life cycle. We completed its genome with the aid of recently developed long-read technology. This assembly contained over 50 chromosomal regions of phage origin and 17 extrachromosomal elements within the genome, encoding many important traits at the host-microbe interface. Thus, the biology of this symbiont is enabled by a complex array of mobile elements.}, }
@article {pmid32207826, year = {2020}, author = {Guz, N and Arshad, M and Cagatay, NS and Dageri, A and Ullah, MI}, title = {Detection of Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Rhizobiales: Rhizobiaceae) Associated With Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) Collected From Citrus reticulata (Sapindales: Rutaceae) and Alternate Host, Cordia myxa (Boraginales: Boraginaceae).}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {113}, number = {3}, pages = {1486-1492}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toaa043}, pmid = {32207826}, issn = {1938-291X}, mesh = {*Anaplasmataceae ; Animals ; *Boraginaceae ; *Citrus ; *Cordia ; *Hemiptera ; Plant Diseases ; *Rhizobiaceae ; Rickettsiales ; *Rutaceae ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is an important insect pest of the citrus crop worldwide. It vectors the pathogen 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas) that causes a serious disease known as citrus greening. Here, we tested the infection frequency of Wolbachia and CLas from 100 D. citri individuals collected from two host plants belonging to families Rutaceae (Citrus reticulata Blanco) and Boraginaceae (Cordia myxa L.) using molecular methods. The following trend of endosymbionts infection in adult D. citri was found; 85.4% (35/41) by Wolbachia, and 19.5% (8/41) by CLas collected from C. reticulata plants and 65.4% (17/26) by Wolbachia, and 15.4% (4/26) by CLas in case of C. myxa plant. However, 61.5% (8/13) nymphs collected from C. reticulata and 20.0% (4/20) collected from C. myxa plants were infected by Wolbachia, while no nymph was infected by CLas collected from either host plants. Findings from this work represent the first report of CLas presence in D. citri feeding on C. myxa plants. By studying the presence of CLas with other endosymbiotic bacteria, future basic and applied research to develop control strategies can be prioritized.}, }
@article {pmid32191724, year = {2020}, author = {Dionysopoulou, NK and Papanastasiou, SA and Kyritsis, GA and Papadopoulos, NT}, title = {Effect of host fruit, temperature and Wolbachia infection on survival and development of Ceratitis capitata immature stages.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {15}, number = {3}, pages = {e0229727}, pmid = {32191724}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Ceratitis capitata/*growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Fruit/*parasitology ; Larva/growth &amp; development ; *Life Cycle Stages ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Pupa/growth &amp; development ; Survival Analysis ; *Temperature ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), holds an impressive record of successful invasions promoted by the growth and development of international fruit trade. Hence, survival of immatures within infested fruit that are subjected to various conditions during transportation seems to be a crucial feature that promotes invasion success. Wolbachia pipientis is a common endosymbiont of insects and other arthropods generating several biological effects on its hosts. Existing information report the influence of Wolbachia on the fitness traits of insect host species, including the Mediterranean fruit fly. However, little is known regarding effects of Wolbachia infection on immature development in different host fruits and temperatures. This study was conducted to determine the development and survival of immature stages of four different Mediterranean fruit fly populations, either infected or uninfected with Wolbachia, in two hosts (apples, bitter oranges) under three constant temperatures (15, 25 and 30°C), constant relative humidity (45-55 ± 5%), and a photoperiod of 14L:10D. Our findings demonstrate both differential response of two fruit fly lines to Wolbachia infection and differential effects of the two Wolbachia strains on the same Mediterranean fruit fly line. Larva-to-pupa and larva-to-adult survival followed similar patterns and varied a lot among the four medfly populations, the two host fruits and the different temperatures. Pupation rates and larval developmental time were higher for larvae implanted in apples compared to bitter oranges. The survival rates of wildish medflies were higher than those of the laboratory adapted ones, particularly in bitter oranges. The Wolbachia infected medflies, expressed lower survival rates and higher developmental times, especially the wCer4 infected line. High temperatures constrained immature development and were lethal for the Wolbachia infected wCer4 medfly line. Lower temperatures inferred longer developmental times to immature stages of all medfly populations tested, in both host fruits. Implications on the ecology and survival of the fly in nature are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid32188733, year = {2020}, author = {Mahar, JE and Shi, M and Hall, RN and Strive, T and Holmes, EC}, title = {Comparative Analysis of RNA Virome Composition in Rabbits and Associated Ectoparasites.}, journal = {Journal of virology}, volume = {94}, number = {11}, pages = {}, pmid = {32188733}, issn = {1098-5514}, mesh = {Animals ; *Astroviridae/classification/genetics ; *Genome, Viral ; *Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit/classification/genetics ; *Myxoma virus/classification/genetics ; RNA, Viral/*genetics ; Rabbits ; Siphonaptera/*virology ; }, abstract = {Ectoparasites play an important role in virus transmission among vertebrates. Little, however, is known about the nature of those viruses that pass between invertebrates and vertebrates. In Australia, flies and fleas support the mechanical transmission of two viral biological controls against wild rabbits-rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and myxoma virus. We compared virome compositions in rabbits and these ectoparasites, sequencing total RNA from multiple tissues and gut contents of wild rabbits, fleas collected from these rabbits, and flies trapped sympatrically. Meta-transcriptomic analyses identified 50 novel viruses from multiple RNA virus families. Rabbits and their ectoparasites were characterized by markedly different viromes, with virus abundance greatest in flies. Although viral contigs from six virus families/groups were found in both rabbits and ectoparasites, they clustered in distinct host-dependent lineages. A novel calicivirus and a picornavirus detected in rabbit cecal content were vertebrate specific; the newly detected calicivirus was distinct from known rabbit caliciviruses, while the picornavirus clustered with sapeloviruses. Several picobirnaviruses were also identified that fell in diverse phylogenetic positions, compatible with the idea that they are associated with bacteria. Further comparative analysis revealed that the remaining viruses found in rabbits, and all those from ectoparasites, were likely associated with invertebrates, plants, and coinfecting endosymbionts. While no full genomes of vertebrate-associated viruses were detected in ectoparasites, small numbers of reads from rabbit astrovirus, RHDV, and other lagoviruses were present in flies. This supports a role for flies in the mechanical transmission of RHDV, while their involvement in astrovirus transmission merits additional exploration.IMPORTANCE Ectoparasites play an important role in the transmission of many vertebrate-infecting viruses, including Zika and dengue viruses. Although it is becoming increasingly clear that invertebrate species harbor substantial virus diversity, it is unclear how many of the viruses carried by invertebrates have the potential to infect vertebrate species. We used the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as a model species to compare virome compositions in a vertebrate host and known associated ectoparasite mechanical vectors, in this case, fleas and blowflies. In particular, we aimed to infer the extent of viral transfer between these distinct types of host. Our analysis revealed that despite extensive viral diversity in both rabbits and associated ectoparasites, and the close interaction of these vertebrate and invertebrate species, biological viral transmission from ectoparasites to vertebrate species is rare. We did, however, find evidence to support the idea of a role of blowflies in transmitting viruses without active replication in the insect.}, }
@article {pmid32185832, year = {2020}, author = {García-Del Portillo, F}, title = {Building peptidoglycan inside eukaryotic cells: A view from symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria.}, journal = {Molecular microbiology}, volume = {113}, number = {3}, pages = {613-626}, pmid = {32185832}, issn = {1365-2958}, mesh = {Bacteria/metabolism ; Bacterial Infections/metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism ; Cell Wall/metabolism ; Eukaryotic Cells/*microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/physiology ; Humans ; Peptidoglycan/*biosynthesis/*metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Virulence ; }, abstract = {The peptidoglycan (PG), as the exoskeleton of most prokaryotes, maintains a defined shape and ensures cell integrity against the high internal turgor pressure. These important roles have attracted researchers to target PG metabolism in order to control bacterial infections. Most studies, however, have been performed in bacteria grown under laboratory conditions, leading to only a partial view on how the PG is synthetized in natural environments. As a case in point, PG metabolism and its regulation remain poorly understood in symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria living inside eukaryotic cells. This review focuses on the PG metabolism of intracellular bacteria, emphasizing the necessity of more in vivo studies involving the analysis of enzymes produced in the intracellular niche and the isolation of PG from bacteria residing within eukaryotic cells. The review also points to persistent infections caused by some intracellular bacterial pathogens and the extent at which the PG could contribute to establish such physiological state. Based on recent evidences, I speculate on the idea that certain structural features of the PG may facilitate attenuation of intracellular growth. Lastly, I discuss recent findings in endosymbionts supporting a cooperation between host and bacterial enzymes to assemble a mature PG.}, }
@article {pmid32185527, year = {2020}, author = {Kuroiwa, T and Ohnuma, M and Imoto, Y and Yagisawa, F and Misumi, O and Nagata, N and Kuroiwa, H}, title = {Evolutionary significance of the ring-like plastid nucleus in the primitive red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae as revealed by drying.}, journal = {Protoplasma}, volume = {257}, number = {4}, pages = {1069-1078}, doi = {10.1007/s00709-020-01496-y}, pmid = {32185527}, issn = {1615-6102}, support = {16H04813 and 19H03260//the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan/ ; 11044//the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, mesh = {Biological Evolution ; Cell Nucleus/*genetics ; Plastids/*genetics ; Rhodophyta/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Primary plastids originated from a free-living cyanobacterial ancestor and possess their own genomes-probably a few DNA copies. These genomes, which are organized in centrally located plastid nuclei (CN-type pt-nuclei), are produced from preexisting plastids by binary division. Ancestral algae with a CN-type pt-nucleus diverged and evolved into two basal eukaryotic lineages: red algae with circular (CL-type) pt-nuclei and green algae with scattered small (SN-type) pt-nuclei. Although the molecular dynamics of pt-nuclei in green algae and plants are now being analyzed, the process of the conversion of the original algae with a CN-type pt-nucleus to red algae with a CL-type one has not been studied. Here, we show that the CN-type pt-nucleus in the primitive red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae can be changed to the CL-type by application of drying to produce slight cell swelling. This result implies that CN-type pt-nuclei are produced by compact packing of CL-type ones, which suggests that a C. merolae-like alga was the original progenitor of the red algal lineage. We also observed that the CL-type pt-nucleus has a chain-linked bead-like structure. Each bead is most likely a small unit of DNA, similar to CL-type pt-nuclei in brown algae. Our results thus suggest a C. merolae-like alga as the candidate for the secondary endosymbiont of brown algae.}, }
@article {pmid32175575, year = {2020}, author = {Lavy, O and Gophna, U and Gefen, E and Ayali, A}, title = {Dynamics of bacterial composition in the locust reproductive tract are affected by the density-dependent phase.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {96}, number = {4}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiaa044}, pmid = {32175575}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Female ; *Grasshoppers/genetics ; Population Density ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {The important role that locust gut bacteria play in their host biology is well accepted. Among other roles, gut bacteria are suggested to be involved in the locust swarming phenomenon. In addition, in many insect orders, the reproductive system is reported to serve as a vector for trans-generation bacterial inoculation. Knowledge of the bacterial composition of the locust reproductive tract is, however, practically absent. Here we characterized the reproductive system bacterial composition of gregarious and solitary females. We investigated its temporal dynamics and how it interacts with the locust phase, by comparative sampling and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We revealed that the bacterial composition of the locust female reproductive tract is mostly constructed of three core genera: Micrococcus, Acinetobacter and Staphylococcus. While solitary females maintained a consistent bacterial composition, in the gregarious phase this consortium demonstrated large temporal shifts, mostly manifested by Brevibacterium blooms. These data are in accord with our previous report on the dynamics of locust hindgut bacterial microbiota, further indicating that locust endosymbionts are affected by their host population density. These newly understood dynamics may have implications beyond their contribution to our knowledge of locust ecology, as aggregation and mass migration are prevalent phenomena across many migrating animals.}, }
@article {pmid32174906, year = {2020}, author = {van den Bosch, TJM and Welte, CU}, title = {The Microbial Diversity of Cabbage Pest Delia radicum Across Multiple Life Stages.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {11}, number = {}, pages = {315}, pmid = {32174906}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The cabbage root fly Delia radicum is a worldwide pest that causes yield losses of many common cabbage crops. The bacteria associated with D. radicum are suggested to influence the pest status of their host. In this study, we characterized insect-associated bacteria of D. radicum across multiple life stages and of their diet plant (turnip, Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) by sequencing the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA genes using the Illumina MiSeq platform. In total, over 1.2M paired-end reads were obtained, identifying 1006 bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in samples obtained from the eggs, larvae, pupae and adults of D. radicum, as well as turnips that were either fresh or infested with D. radicum larvae. The microbial community in D. radicum was dominated by Wolbachia, a common endosymbiont of arthropods which we found in all of the investigated insect samples, with the pupal stage having the highest relative abundance. Moderate amounts of Firmicutes were found only in adult D. radicum flies, but not in previous life stages. Actinobacteria were mostly found on the eggs and on the skin of fresh plants on which the eggs were deposited. These plants also harbored a large amount of Pseudomonas. The bacterial diversity of the healthy turnip was low, whereas the microbial community of decaying turnips that were heavily infested by D. radicum larvae and showing symptoms of advanced soft rot was characterized by a high bacterial diversity. Taken together, this work provides insights into the bacterial communities associated with the cabbage pest D. radicum and its associated disease symptoms.}, }
@article {pmid32168905, year = {2020}, author = {Rossitto De Marchi, B and Smith, HA}, title = {Bacterial Endosymbiont Diversity Among Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Populations in Florida.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {32168905}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a pest of many economically important agricultural crops and a vector of plant viruses. Bemisia tabaci harbors facultative endosymbiont species that have been implicated in pest status, including tolerance to insecticides, virus transmission efficiency and tolerance to high-temperatures. The facultative endosymbionts reported in B. tabaci include Arsenophonus, Hamiltonella, Wolbachia, Cardinium, Fritschea and Rickettsia. We collected whitefly populations from weed and crop hosts in south Florida and identified the whitefly species as well as the facultative endosymbionts present in these populations by molecular analysis. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis of whiteflies and their endosymbionts was performed. The only facultative endosymbionts found among the B. tabaci populations collected in Florida were Hamiltonella and Rickettsia. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the low genetic diversity of whiteflies and their endosymbionts. Additionally, the phylogenetic tree clustered Rickettsia from Florida in the R1 genetic group. The results will aid to understand the role of the bacterial endosymbionts in the whitefly host.}, }
@article {pmid32161299, year = {2020}, author = {Claar, DC and Tietjen, KL and Cox, KD and Gates, RD and Baum, JK}, title = {Chronic disturbance modulates symbiont (Symbiodiniaceae) beta diversity on a coral reef.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {4492}, pmid = {32161299}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {*Biodiversity ; *Coral Reefs ; *Dinoflagellida ; *Ecosystem ; Human Activities ; Humans ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Chronic disturbance can disrupt ecological interactions including the foundational symbiosis between reef-building corals and the dinoflagellate family Symbiodiniaceae. Symbiodiniaceae are photosynthetic endosymbionts necessary for coral survival, but many Symbiodiniaceae can also be found free-living in the environment. Since most coral species acquire new Symbiodiniaceae from the environment each generation, free-living Symbiodiniaceae represent important pools for coral symbiont acquisition. Yet, little is known about the diversity of, or impacts of disturbance on, free-living Symbiodiniaceae. To determine how chronic and pulse disturbances influence Symbiodiniaceae communities, we sampled three reef habitat compartments - sediment, water, and coral (Pocillopora grandis, Montipora aequituberculata, Porites lobata) - at sites exposed to different levels of chronic anthropogenic disturbance, before, during, and after a major storm. Almost no (4%) Symbiodiniaceae amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were found in all three compartments, and over half were found uniquely in coral. Sites experiencing chronic disturbance were typically associated with higher symbiont beta diversity (i.e., variability and turnover) across reef habitat compartments. Pulse stress, from the storm, exhibited some influence on symbiont beta diversity but the effect was inconsistent. This suggests that in this ecosystem, the effects of chronic disturbance are more prominent than temporal variability during a pulse disturbance for shaping symbiont communities.}, }
@article {pmid32157725, year = {2020}, author = {Speijer, D}, title = {Debating Eukaryogenesis-Part 2: How Anachronistic Reasoning Can Lure Us into Inventing Intermediates.}, journal = {BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology}, volume = {42}, number = {5}, pages = {e1900153}, doi = {10.1002/bies.201900153}, pmid = {32157725}, issn = {1521-1878}, mesh = {Archaea/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; *Eukaryota ; Eukaryotic Cells ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Eukaryotic origins are inextricably linked with the arrival of a pre-mitochondrion of alphaproteobacterial-like ancestry. However, the nature of the "host" cell and the mode of entry are subject to heavy debate. It is becoming clear that the mutual adaptation of a relatively simple, archaeal host and the endosymbiont has been the defining influence at the beginning of the eukaryotic lineage; however, many still resist such symbiogenic models. In part 1, it is posited that a symbiotic stage before uptake ("pre-symbiosis") seems essential to allow further metabolic integration of the two partners ending in endosymbiosis. Thus, the author argued against phagocytic mechanisms (in which the bacterium is prey or parasite) as the mode of entry. Such positions are still broadly unpopular. Here it is explained why. Evolutionary thinking, especially in the case of eukaryogenesis, is still dominated by anachronistic reasoning, in which highly derived protozoan organisms are seen as in some way representative of intermediate steps during eukaryotic evolution, hence poisoning the debate. This reasoning reflects a mind-set that ignores that Darwinian evolution is a fundamentally historic process. Numerous examples of this kind of erroneous reasoning are given, and some basic precautions against its use are formulated. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/ekqtNleVJpU.}, }
@article {pmid32150959, year = {2020}, author = {Rincón-Tomás, B and González, FJ and Somoza, L and Sauter, K and Madureira, P and Medialdea, T and Carlsson, J and Reitner, J and Hoppert, M}, title = {Siboglinidae Tubes as an Additional Niche for Microbial Communities in the Gulf of Cádiz-A Microscopical Appraisal.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {32150959}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {CTM2016-75947//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci&#xf3;n y Universidades/ ; CGL2012-39524-C02//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci&#xf3;n y Universidades/ ; CE15012//Marine Institute/ ; }, abstract = {Siboglinids were sampled from four mud volcanoes in the Gulf of Cádiz (El Cid MV, Bonjardim MV, Al Gacel MV, and Anastasya MV). These invertebrates are characteristic to cold seeps and are known to host chemosynthetic endosymbionts in a dedicated trophosome organ. However, little is known about their tube as a potential niche for other microorganisms. Analyses by scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed dense biofilms on the tube in Al Gacel MV and Anastasya MV specimens by prokaryotic cells. Methanotrophic bacteria were the most abundant forming these biofilms as further supported by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, elemental analyses with electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy point to the mineralization and silicification of the tube, most likely induced by the microbial metabolisms. Bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA sequence libraries revealed abundant microorganisms related to these siboglinid specimens and certain variations in microbial communities among samples. Thus, the tube remarkably increases the microbial biomass related to the worms and provides an additional microbial niche in deep-sea ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid32144639, year = {2020}, author = {Duan, DY and Liu, GH and Cheng, TY}, title = {Microbiome analysis of the saliva and midgut from partially or fully engorged female adult Dermacentor silvarum ticks in China.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {80}, number = {4}, pages = {543-558}, pmid = {32144639}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {No. 2018JJ2167//the Natural&#x2002;Science&#x2002;Foundation&#x2002;of&#x2002;Hunan&#x2002;Province, China/ ; No. SYL201802016//the Double First-Class Construction Project of Hunan Agricultural University/ ; No. 18QN24//the Youth Science Foundation of Hunan Agricultural University/ ; No. 31902294//the National Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; China ; Dermacentor/*microbiology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract/*microbiology ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Saliva/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Dermacentor silvarum is widely distributed in northern China and transmits several pathogens that cause diseases in humans and domestic animals. We analysed the comprehensive bacterial community of the saliva and midgut from partially and fully engorged female adult D. silvarum. Dermacentor silvarum samples were collected from Guyuan, China. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the saliva and midgut contents of partially or fully engorged female adult D. silvarum. Sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA genes was performed using the IonS5[TM]XL platform. The bacterial diversity in saliva was higher than in the midgut. The bacterial diversity of saliva from fully engorged ticks was greater than in partially engorged tick saliva. The bacterial diversity in midguts from partially engorged ticks was greater than in fully engorged tick midguts. Proteobacteria was the most dominant bacterial phylum in all of the samples. Twenty-nine bacterial genera were detected in all of the samples. Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Stenotrophomonas were the main genera. The symbionts Coxiella, Arsenophonus, and Wolbachia were also detected in all of the samples. Eight bacterial species were identified in all of the experimental samples. Anaplasma marginale was reported for the first time in D. silvarum.}, }
@article {pmid32140734, year = {2020}, author = {Ebrahimi, H and Siavoshi, F and Heydari, S and Sarrafnejad, A and Saniee, P}, title = {Yeast engineered translucent cell wall to provide its endosymbiont cyanobacteria with light.}, journal = {Archives of microbiology}, volume = {202}, number = {6}, pages = {1317-1325}, pmid = {32140734}, issn = {1432-072X}, mesh = {Candida tropicalis/*genetics/*ultrastructure ; Cell Wall/*genetics/*ultrastructure ; Cyanobacteria/*physiology ; Genes, Bacterial/genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Vacuoles/*microbiology/ultrastructure ; }, abstract = {In this study, relationship between translucent property of yeast cell wall and occurrence of cyanobacteria inside the yeast vacuole was examined. Microscopic observations on fruit yeast Candida tropicalis showed occurrence of bacterium-like bodies inside the yeast vacuole. Appearance of vacuoles as distinct cavities indicated the perfect harvesting of light by the yeast's cell wall. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed electron-dense outer and electron-lucent inner layers in yeast cell wall. Cyanobacteria-specific 16S rRNA gene was amplified from total DNA of yeast. Cultivation of yeast in distilled water led to excision of intracellular bacteria which grew on cyanobacteria-specific medium. Examination of wet mount and Gram-stained preparations of excised bacteria showed typical bead-like trichomes. Amplification of cyanobacteria-specific genes, 16S rRNA, cnfR and dxcf, confirmed bacterial identity as Leptolyngbya boryana. These results showed that translucent cell wall of yeast has been engineered through evolution for receiving light for vital activities of cyanobacteria.}, }
@article {pmid32140238, year = {2020}, author = {Wang, X and Ding, J and Lin, S and Liu, D and Gu, T and Wu, H and Trigiano, RN and McAvoy, R and Huang, J and Li, Y}, title = {Evolution and roles of cytokinin genes in angiosperms 2: Do ancient CKXs play housekeeping roles while non-ancient CKXs play regulatory roles?.}, journal = {Horticulture research}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {29}, pmid = {32140238}, issn = {2662-6810}, support = {31471860//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 31401842//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; }, abstract = {Cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) is a key enzyme responsible for the degradation of endogenous cytokinins. However, the origins and roles of CKX genes in angiosperm evolution remain unclear. Based on comprehensive bioinformatic and transgenic plant analyses, we demonstrate that the CKXs of land plants most likely originated from an ancient chlamydial endosymbiont during primary endosymbiosis. We refer to the CKXs retaining evolutionarily ancient characteristics as "ancient CKXs" and those that have expanded and functionally diverged in angiosperms as "non-ancient CKXs". We show that the expression of some non-ancient CKXs is rapidly inducible within 15 min upon the dehydration of Arabidopsis, while the ancient CKX (AtCKX7) is not drought responsive. Tobacco plants overexpressing a non-ancient CKX display improved oxidative and drought tolerance and root growth. Previous mutant studies have shown that non-ancient CKXs regulate organ development, particularly that of flowers. Furthermore, ancient CKXs preferentially degrade cis-zeatin (cZ)-type cytokinins, while non-ancient CKXs preferentially target N[6]-(Δ[2]-isopentenyl) adenines (iPs) and trans-zeatins (tZs). Based on the results of this work, an accompanying study (Wang et al. 10.1038/s41438-019-0211-x) and previous studies, we hypothesize that non-ancient CKXs and their preferred substrates of iP/tZ-type cytokinins regulate angiosperm organ development and environmental stress responses, while ancient CKXs and their preferred substrates of cZs play a housekeeping role, which echoes the conclusions and hypothesis described in the accompanying report (Wang, X. et al. Evolution and roles of cytokinin genes in angiosperms 1: Doancient IPTs play housekeeping while non-ancient IPTs play regulatory roles? Hortic Res7, (2020). 10.1038/s41438-019-0211-x).}, }
@article {pmid32138145, year = {2020}, author = {Bubici, G and Prigigallo, MI and Garganese, F and Nugnes, F and Jansen, M and Porcelli, F}, title = {First Report of Aleurocanthus spiniferus on Ailanthus altissima: Profiling of the Insect Microbiome and MicroRNAs.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {32138145}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {CoBIAs/AGG2016//Apulia region, Italy/ ; }, abstract = {We report the first occurrence of the orange spiny whitefly (Aleurocanthus spiniferus; OSW) on the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) in Bari, Apulia region, Italy. After our first observation in 2016, the infestation recurred regularly during the following years and expanded to the neighboring trees. Since then, we have also found the insect on numerous patches of the tree of heaven and other plant species in the Bari province. Nevertheless, the tree of heaven was not particularly threatened by the insect, so that a possible contribution by OSW for the control of such an invasive plant cannot be hypothesized hitherto. This work was also aimed at profiling the microbiome of OSW feeding on A. altissima. For this purpose, we used the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and the deep sequencing of small RNAs (sRNAs). Both techniques unveiled the presence of "Candidatus Portiera" (primary endosymbiont), Wolbachia sp. and Rickettsia sp., endosymbionts already reported for other Aleyrodidae. Deep sequencing data were analyzed by four computational pipelines in order to understand the reliability of the detection of fungi, bacteria, and viruses: Kraken, Kaiju, Velvet, and VelvetOptimiser. Some contigs assembled by Velvet or VelvetOptimiser were associated with insects, but not necessarily in the Aleurocanthus genus or Aleyrodidae family, suggesting the non-specificity of sRNAs or possible traces of parasitoids in the sample (e.g., Eretmocerus sp.). Finally, deep sequencing data were used to describe the microtranscriptome of OSW: 56 canonical and at least four high-confidence novel microRNAs (miRNAs) were identified. The overall miRNA abundance in OSW was in agreement with previous works on Bemisia tabaci, and bantam-3p, miR-276a-3p, miR-317-3p, miR-750-3p, and mir-8-3p were the most represented miRNAs.}, }
@article {pmid32128956, year = {2020}, author = {Li, Y and Liu, X and Wang, N and Zhang, Y and Hoffmann, AA and Guo, H}, title = {Background-dependent Wolbachia-mediated insecticide resistance in Laodelphax striatellus.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {7}, pages = {2653-2663}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.14974}, pmid = {32128956}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {31672027//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/International ; 31972265//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/International ; //a Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council/International ; cx(16)1001//the Independent Innovation Fund of Agricultural Science and Technology in Jiangsu province, China/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; China ; Hemiptera/*drug effects/microbiology ; Insecticide Resistance/*physiology ; Insecticides/*pharmacology ; Thiadiazines/*pharmacology ; Wolbachia/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Although facultative endosymbionts are now known to protect insect hosts against pathogens and parasitoids, the effects of endosymbionts on insecticide resistance are still unclear. Here we show that Wolbachia are associated with increased resistance to the commonly used insecticide, buprofezin, in the small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus) in some genetic backgrounds while having no effect in other backgrounds. In three Wolbachia-infected lines from experimental buprofezin-resistant strains and one line from a buprofezin-susceptible line established from Chuxiong, Yunnan province, China, susceptibility to buprofezin increased after removal of Wolbachia. An increase in susceptibility was also evident in a Wolbachia-infected line established from a field population in Rugao, Jiangsu province. However, no increase was evident in two field populations from Nanjing and Fengxian, Jiangsu province, China. When Wolbachia was introgressed into different genetic backgrounds, followed by Wolbachia removal, the data pointed to Wolbachia effects that depend on the nuclear background as well as on the Wolbachia strain. However, there was no relationship between Wolbachia density and the component of buprofezin resistance associated with the symbiont. The results suggest that Wolbachia effects associated with chemical resistance are complex and unpredictable, but also that they can be substantial.}, }
@article {pmid32126342, year = {2020}, author = {Turner, JD and Marriott, AE and Hong, D and O' Neill, P and Ward, SA and Taylor, MJ}, title = {Novel anti-Wolbachia drugs, a new approach in the treatment and prevention of veterinary filariasis?.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {279}, number = {}, pages = {109057}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109057}, pmid = {32126342}, issn = {1873-2550}, support = {MC_PC_17167/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_PC_18055/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; NC/S001131/1/NC3RS_/National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Dirofilaria immitis/*drug effects ; Dirofilaria repens/*drug effects ; Dirofilariasis/*prevention &amp; control ; Doxycycline/*pharmacology ; Filaricides/*pharmacology ; Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Filarial nematodes are tissue-dwelling parasitic worms that can cause a range of disfiguring pathologies in humans and potentially lethal infections of companion animals. The bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia, is present within most human and veterinary filarial pathogens, including the causative agent of heartworm disease, Dirofilaria immitis. Doxycycline-mediated drug targeting of Wolbachia leads to sterility, clearance of microfilariae and gradual death of adult filariae. This mode of action is attractive in the treatment of filariasis because it avoids severe host inflammatory adverse reactions invoked by rapid-killing anthelmintic agents. However, doxycycline needs to be taken for four weeks to exert curative activity. In this review, we discuss the evidence that Wolbachia drug targeting is efficacious in blocking filarial larval development as well as in the treatment of chronic filarial disease. We present the current portfolio of next-generation anti-Wolbachia candidates discovered through phenotypic screening of chemical libraries and validated in a range of in vitro and in vivo filarial infection models. Several novel chemotypes have been identified with selected narrow-spectrum anti-Wolbachia specificity and superior time-to-kill kinetics compared with doxycycline. We discuss the opportunities of developing these novel anti-Wolbachia agents as either cures, adjunct therapies or new preventatives for the treatment of veterinary filariasis.}, }
@article {pmid32125545, year = {2020}, author = {Hinkelman, J and Vršanská, L}, title = {A Myanmar amber cockroach with protruding feces contains pollen and a rich microcenosis.}, journal = {Die Naturwissenschaften}, volume = {107}, number = {2}, pages = {13}, pmid = {32125545}, issn = {1432-1904}, support = {2/0042/18//Vedeck&#xe1; Grantov&#xe1; Agent&#xfa;ra M&#x160;VVa&#x160; SR a SAV/ ; 2/0042/18//Vedeck&#xe1; Grantov&#xe1; Agent&#xfa;ra M&#x160;VVa&#x160; SR a SAV/ ; APVV-0436-12//Agent&#xfa;ra na Podporu V&#xfd;skumu a V&#xfd;voja/ ; NA//UNESCO Amba/ ; NA//UNESCO Amba/ ; }, mesh = {*Amber ; Animals ; Cockroaches/*microbiology/*parasitology ; *Feces/cytology/microbiology ; *Fossils ; Myanmar ; *Pollen ; }, abstract = {Early endosymbiotic interactions are recorded only from a Cretaceous termite and a cockroach. Mesoblatta maxi Hinkelman, gen. et sp. nov. is the second representative of the dominant, cosmopolitan Mesozoic family Mesoblattinidae known from Cenomanian northern Myanmar amber, and the fourteenth from both amber and sedimentary rocks. Unique characters are rare (n = 19), symplesiomorphies are frequent (n = 140), and foremost is a standard maxillary palp, an irregular area between forewing veins radius and media, central ocellus, and multisegmented styli, suggesting an ancestral position with respect to Blattidae. Autapomorphies of this otherwise conservative taxon are only its large size and a short probasitarsus. Two nymphs with fecal pellets protruding from their body, Blattocoprolites mesoblattamaxi Hinkelman, ichogen. et ichnosp. nov., represent the first cockroaches with formalized coprolites (along with Blattocoprolites blattulidae Hinkelman, ichnosp. nov. established herein from Lebanese amber) and provide evidence of burial defecation. Subhomogenic consistency of coprolites with mucous components, "pseudoinclusions," leaf, trichia, wood debris, cycad pollen, endosymbiotic protists, and epibiotic bacteria directly document pollen transfer through the digestive tract and the earliest coevolution with protists and bacteria. Other post-burial fecal bacteria at the surface are documented for the first time in the Mesozoic, directly indicating structured dung processing. Reference samples (as well as almost all Myanmar amber samples) contain numerous "pseudoinclusions," probably representing damaged or dead cysts of Chlamydomonas hanublikanus Vršanská et Hinkelman, sp. nov. established on the basis of its reproductive stages (with an origin within the resin inside the tree). These are documented together with green algae, including Spirogyra Nees, 1820; flagellates; and flagellate amoebae, promoting massive future microbiota studies.}, }
@article {pmid32117618, year = {2020}, author = {Martins, C and Moreau, CS}, title = {Influence of host phylogeny, geographical location and seed harvesting diet on the bacterial community of globally distributed Pheidole ants.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {8}, number = {}, pages = {e8492}, pmid = {32117618}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {The presence of symbiotic relationships between organisms is a common phenomenon found across the tree of life. In particular, the association of bacterial symbionts with ants is an active area of study. This close relationship between ants and microbes can significantly impact host biology and is also considered one of the driving forces in ant evolution and diversification. Diet flexibility of ants may explain the evolutionary success of the group, which may be achieved by the presence of endosymbionts that aid in nutrition acquisition from a variety of food sources. With more than 1,140 species, ants from the genus Pheidole have a worldwide distribution and an important role in harvesting seeds; this behavior is believed to be a possible key innovation leading to the diversification of this group. This is the first study to investigate the bacterial community associated with Pheidole using next generation sequencing (NGS) to explore the influences of host phylogeny, geographic location and food preference in shaping the microbial community. In addition, we explore if there are any microbiota signatures related to granivory. We identified Proteobacteria and Firmicutes as the major phyla associated with these ants. The core microbiome in Pheidole (those found in >50% of all samples) was composed of 14 ASVs and the most prevalent are family Burkholderiaceae and the genera Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Cloacibacterium and Ralstonia. We found that geographical location and food resource may influence the bacterial community of Pheidole ants. These results demonstrate that Pheidole has a relatively stable microbiota across species, which suggests the bacterial community may serve a generalized function in this group.}, }
@article {pmid32110116, year = {2020}, author = {Fazeli, B and Mirhosseini, A and Hashemi, Z and Taheri, H}, title = {Detection of Rickettsia Endosymbiont Bemisia Tabaci in the Amputated Limbs of Three Buerger's Disease Patients.}, journal = {International medical case reports journal}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {33-40}, pmid = {32110116}, issn = {1179-142X}, abstract = {Until recently, the aetiology of Buerger's disease (BD) has been unknown. Although there is a close relationship between BD and smoking, it cannot explain the low prevalence of BD among smokers or the disease's geographical distribution. Infectious pathogens, such as Rickettsial infection, have also been suggested as the trigger of BD development, but this theory has neither been proven nor ruled out. The aim of this study was to evaluate the footprint of Rickettsial infection in tissue specimens obtained from amputees with Buerger's disease. Forty-nine tissue biopsies were obtained from three below-the-knee amputees who also had a diagnosis of BD according to Olin's criteria (between 14-21 biopsies for each patient). After extraction of DNA from the tissue samples, the existence of 16srRNA was evaluated using a PCR test. The sequence of PCR products was evaluated using Geneious 11.1.2 software and NCBI blast. The 16srRNA was found in 3 to 7 samples from each patient. The sequence of the PCR products had a 98% homology with Rickettsia Tabaci. The sequences of the three patients were aligned, and no difference was found in the sequence of 16srRNA amongst the patients. Rickettsia Tabaci is a pathogen that infects tobacco leaves. Thus, BD might be an infectious disease for which smoking could be the route of pathogen entry into the bloodstreams of the sufferers. However, further studies are highly recommended to confirm this hypothesis.}, }
@article {pmid32108180, year = {2020}, author = {Martin, SH and Singh, KS and Gordon, IJ and Omufwoko, KS and Collins, S and Warren, IA and Munby, H and Brattström, O and Traut, W and Martins, DJ and Smith, DAS and Jiggins, CD and Bass, C and Ffrench-Constant, RH}, title = {Whole-chromosome hitchhiking driven by a male-killing endosymbiont.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {18}, number = {2}, pages = {e3000610}, pmid = {32108180}, issn = {1545-7885}, support = {339873/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Butterflies/*genetics/microbiology ; Chromosomes, Insect/*genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; Genome/genetics ; Haplotypes ; Male ; Phenotype ; Sex Chromosomes/*genetics ; Spiroplasma/genetics ; }, abstract = {Neo-sex chromosomes are found in many taxa, but the forces driving their emergence and spread are poorly understood. The female-specific neo-W chromosome of the African monarch (or queen) butterfly Danaus chrysippus presents an intriguing case study because it is restricted to a single 'contact zone' population, involves a putative colour patterning supergene, and co-occurs with infection by the male-killing endosymbiont Spiroplasma. We investigated the origin and evolution of this system using whole genome sequencing. We first identify the 'BC supergene', a broad region of suppressed recombination across nearly half a chromosome, which links two colour patterning loci. Association analysis suggests that the genes yellow and arrow in this region control the forewing colour pattern differences between D. chrysippus subspecies. We then show that the same chromosome has recently formed a neo-W that has spread through the contact zone within approximately 2,200 years. We also assembled the genome of the male-killing Spiroplasma, and find that it shows perfect genealogical congruence with the neo-W, suggesting that the neo-W has hitchhiked to high frequency as the male-killer has spread through the population. The complete absence of female crossing-over in the Lepidoptera causes whole-chromosome hitchhiking of a single neo-W haplotype, carrying a single allele of the BC supergene and dragging multiple non-synonymous mutations to high frequency. This has created a population of infected females that all carry the same recessive colour patterning allele, making the phenotypes of each successive generation highly dependent on uninfected male immigrants. Our findings show how hitchhiking can occur between the physically unlinked genomes of host and endosymbiont, with dramatic consequences.}, }
@article {pmid32098825, year = {2020}, author = {Teymournejad, O and Lin, M and Bekebrede, H and Kamr, A and Toribio, RE and Arroyo, LG and Baird, JD and Rikihisa, Y}, title = {Isolation and Molecular Analysis of a Novel Neorickettsia Species That Causes Potomac Horse Fever.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {32098825}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Anaplasmataceae Infections/diagnosis/*microbiology ; Animals ; Antigens, Bacterial/genetics ; Canada ; DNA, Bacterial/analysis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Horse Diseases/diagnosis/*microbiology ; Horses ; Male ; Neorickettsia/*classification/*genetics/*isolation &amp; purification/pathogenicity ; Neorickettsia risticii/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis ; Trematoda/microbiology ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; }, abstract = {Potomac horse fever (PHF), a severe and frequently fatal febrile diarrheal disease, has been known to be caused only by Neorickettsia risticii, an endosymbiont of digenean trematodes. Here, we report the cell culture isolation of a new Neorickettsia species found in two locations in eastern Ontario, Canada, in 2016 and 2017 (in addition to 10 variable strains of N. risticii) from N. risticii PCR-negative horses with clinical signs of PHF. Gene sequences of 16S rRNA and the major surface antigen P51 of this new Neorickettsia species were distinct from those of all previously characterized N. risticii strains and Neorickettsia species, except for those from an uncharacterized Neorickettsia species culture isolate from a horse with PHF in northern Ohio in 1991. The new Neorickettsia species nonetheless had the characteristic intramolecular repeats within strain-specific antigen 3 (Ssa3), which were found in all sequenced Ssa3s of N. risticii strains. Experimental inoculation of two naive ponies with the new Neorickettsia species produced severe and subclinical PHF, respectively, and the bacteria were reisolated from both of them, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Serological assay titers against the new Neorickettsia species were higher than those against N. risticii Whole-genome sequence analysis of the new Neorickettsia species revealed unique features of this bacterium compared with N. risticii We propose to classify this new bacterium as Neorickettsia finleia sp. nov. This finding will improve the laboratory diagnosis of and vaccine for PHF, environmental risk assessment of PHF, and understanding of PHF pathogenesis and Neorickettsia biology in general.IMPORTANCE Despite the detection of Neorickettsia species DNA sequences in various trematode species and their hosts, only three Neorickettsia species have been cell culture isolated and whole-genome sequenced and are known to infect mammals and/or cause disease. The molecular mechanisms that enable the obligatory intracellular bacterium Neorickettsia to colonize trematodes and to horizontally transmit from trematodes to mammals, as well as the virulence factors associated with specific mammalian hosts, are unknown. Potomac horse fever (PHF) is a severe and acute systemic infectious disease of horses, with clinical signs that include diarrhea. Neorickettsia risticii is the only known bacterial species that causes PHF. Ingestion of insects harboring N. risticii-infected trematodes by horses leads to PHF. Our discovery of a new Neorickettsia species that causes PHF and whole-genome sequence analysis of this bacterium will improve laboratory diagnosis and vaccine development for PHF and will contribute to our understanding of Neorickettsia ecology, pathogenesis, and biology.}, }
@article {pmid32096554, year = {2020}, author = {Preedy, KF and Chaplain, MAJ and Leybourne, DJ and Marion, G and Karley, AJ}, title = {Learning-induced switching costs in a parasitoid can maintain diversity of host aphid phenotypes although biocontrol is destabilized under abiotic stress.}, journal = {The Journal of animal ecology}, volume = {89}, number = {5}, pages = {1216-1229}, doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.13189}, pmid = {32096554}, issn = {1365-2656}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Phenotype ; Stress, Physiological ; Symbiosis ; *Wasps ; }, abstract = {Aphid populations frequently include phenotypes that are resistant to parasitism by hymenopterous parasitoid wasps, which is often attributed to the presence of 'protective' facultative endosymbionts residing in aphid tissues, particularly Hamiltonella defensa. In field conditions, under parasitoid pressure, the observed coexistence of aphids with and without protective symbionts cannot be explained by their difference in fitness alone. Using the cereal aphid Rhopalosiphum padi as a model, we propose an alternative mechanism whereby parasitoids are more efficient at finding common phenotypes of aphid and experience a fitness cost when switching to the less common phenotype. We construct a model based on delay differential equations and parameterize and validate the model with values within the ranges obtained from experimental studies. We then use it to explore the possible effects on system dynamics under conditions of environmental stress, using our existing data on the effects of drought stress in crops as an example. We show the 'switching penalty' incurred by parasitoids leads to stable coexistence of aphids with and without H. defensa and provides a potential mechanism for maintaining phenotypic diversity among host organisms. We show that drought-induced reduction in aphid development time has little impact. However, greater reduction in fecundity on droughted plants of symbiont-protected aphids can cause insect population cycles when the system would be stable in the absence of drought stress. The stabilizing effect of the increased efficiency in dealing with more commonly encountered host phenotypes is applicable to a broad range of consumer-resource systems and could explain stable coexistence in competitive environments. The loss of stable coexistence when drought has different effects on the competing aphid phenotypes highlights the importance of scenario testing when considering biocontrol for pest management.}, }
@article {pmid32095829, year = {2020}, author = {Zou, M and Mu, Y and Chai, X and Ouyang, M and Yu, LJ and Zhang, L and Meurer, J and Chi, W}, title = {The critical function of the plastid rRNA methyltransferase, CMAL, in ribosome biogenesis and plant development.}, journal = {Nucleic acids research}, volume = {48}, number = {6}, pages = {3195-3210}, pmid = {32095829}, issn = {1362-4962}, mesh = {Arabidopsis/genetics/growth &amp; development ; Chloroplasts/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/genetics ; Methylation ; Methyltransferases/*genetics ; Plant Development/*genetics ; Plant Leaves/genetics/growth &amp; development ; Plastids/genetics ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; RNA, Plant/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/*genetics ; Ribosomes/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Methylation of nucleotides in ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) is a ubiquitous feature that occurs in all living organisms. The formation of methylated nucleotides is performed by a variety of RNA-methyltransferases. Chloroplasts of plant cells result from an endosymbiotic event and possess their own genome and ribosomes. However, enzymes responsible for rRNA methylation and the function of modified nucleotides in chloroplasts remain to be determined. Here, we identified an rRNA methyltransferase, CMAL (Chloroplast MraW-Like), in the Arabidopsis chloroplast and investigated its function. CMAL is the Arabidopsis ortholog of bacterial MraW/ RsmH proteins and accounts to the N4-methylation of C1352 in chloroplast 16S rRNA, indicating that CMAL orthologs and this methyl-modification nucleotide is conserved between bacteria and the endosymbiont-derived eukaryotic organelle. The knockout of CMAL in Arabidopsis impairs the chloroplast ribosome accumulation and accordingly reduced the efficiency of mRNA translation. Interestingly, the loss of CMAL leads not only to defects in chloroplast function, but also to abnormal leaf and root development and overall plant morphology. Further investigation showed that CMAL is involved in the plant development probably by modulating auxin derived signaling pathways. This study uncovered the important role of 16S rRNA methylation mediated by CMAL in chloroplast ribosome biogenesis and plant development.}, }
@article {pmid32094181, year = {2020}, author = {Sarai, C and Tanifuji, G and Nakayama, T and Kamikawa, R and Takahashi, K and Yazaki, E and Matsuo, E and Miyashita, H and Ishida, KI and Iwataki, M and Inagaki, Y}, title = {Dinoflagellates with relic endosymbiont nuclei as models for elucidating organellogenesis.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {117}, number = {10}, pages = {5364-5375}, pmid = {32094181}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Cell Nucleus/genetics/physiology ; Cercozoa/classification/genetics/*ultrastructure ; Chlorophyta/classification/physiology/ultrastructure ; Cryptophyta/classification/genetics/*ultrastructure ; Dinoflagellida/classification/genetics/*ultrastructure ; *Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome, Plastid ; Models, Biological ; Phylogeny ; Plastids/genetics/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Nucleomorphs are relic endosymbiont nuclei so far found only in two algal groups, cryptophytes and chlorarachniophytes, which have been studied to model the evolutionary process of integrating an endosymbiont alga into a host-governed plastid (organellogenesis). However, past studies suggest that DNA transfer from the endosymbiont to host nuclei had already ceased in both cryptophytes and chlorarachniophytes, implying that the organellogenesis at the genetic level has been completed in the two systems. Moreover, we have yet to pinpoint the closest free-living relative of the endosymbiotic alga engulfed by the ancestral chlorarachniophyte or cryptophyte, making it difficult to infer how organellogenesis altered the endosymbiont genome. To counter the above issues, we need novel nucleomorph-bearing algae, in which endosymbiont-to-host DNA transfer is on-going and for which endosymbiont/plastid origins can be inferred at a fine taxonomic scale. Here, we report two previously undescribed dinoflagellates, strains MGD and TGD, with green algal endosymbionts enclosing plastids as well as relic nuclei (nucleomorphs). We provide evidence for the presence of DNA in the two nucleomorphs and the transfer of endosymbiont genes to the host (dinoflagellate) genomes. Furthermore, DNA transfer between the host and endosymbiont nuclei was found to be in progress in both the MGD and TGD systems. Phylogenetic analyses successfully resolved the origins of the endosymbionts at the genus level. With the combined evidence, we conclude that the host-endosymbiont integration in MGD/TGD is less advanced than that in cryptophytes/chrorarachniophytes, and propose the two dinoflagellates as models for elucidating organellogenesis.}, }
@article {pmid32092972, year = {2020}, author = {Kaczmarczyk-Ziemba, A and Zagaja, M and Wagner, GK and Pietrykowska-Tudruj, E and Staniec, B}, title = {First Insight into Microbiome Profiles of Myrmecophilous Beetles and Their Host, Red Wood Ant Formica polyctena (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)-A Case Study.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {32092972}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {EZ.0290.1.28.2017//State Forests National Forest Holding/ ; NB 520-3/2017//Polesie National Park/ ; }, abstract = {Formica polyctena belongs to the red wood ant species group. Its nests provide a stable, food rich, and temperature and humidity controlled environment, utilized by a wide range of species, called myrmecophiles. Here, we used the high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina platform for identification of the microbiome profiles of six selected myrmecophilous beetles (Dendrophilus pygmaeus, Leptacinus formicetorum, Monotoma angusticollis, Myrmechixenus subterraneus, Ptenidium formicetorum and Thiasophila angulata) and their host F. polyctena. Analyzed bacterial communities consisted of a total of 23 phyla, among which Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes were the most abundant. Two known endosymbionts-Wolbachia and Rickettsia-were found in the analyzed microbiome profiles and Wolbachia was dominant in bacterial communities associated with F. polyctena, M. subterraneus, L. formicetorum and P. formicetorum (>90% of reads). In turn, M. angusticollis was co-infected with both Wolbachia and Rickettsia, while in the microbiome of T. angulata, the dominance of Rickettsia has been observed. The relationships among the microbiome profiles were complex, and no relative abundance pattern common to all myrmecophilous beetles tested was observed. However, some subtle, species-specific patterns have been observed for bacterial communities associated with D. pygmaeus, M. angusticollis, and T. angulata.}, }
@article {pmid32087072, year = {2019}, author = {Elbir, H and Almathen, F and Alhumam, NA}, title = {A glimpse of the bacteriome of Hyalomma dromedarii ticks infesting camels reveals human Helicobacter pylori pathogen.}, journal = {Journal of infection in developing countries}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, pages = {1001-1012}, doi = {10.3855/jidc.11604}, pmid = {32087072}, issn = {1972-2680}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Camelus/*parasitology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Helicobacter pylori/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/pathogenicity ; Humans ; Ixodidae/*microbiology/physiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Saudi Arabia ; }, abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The tick Hyalomma dromedarii is predominant in camels of Saudi Arabia and harbor multiple pathogens causing disease in humans and animals. Knowing the bacterial community of ticks is crucial for surveillance of known and newly emerging pathogens. Yet, the bacteriome of H. dromedarii remain unexplored to date.<br><br>METHODOLOGY: In a cross-sectional survey, we used V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA to characterize the bacteriome of 62 whole H. dromedarii tick samples collected from camels found in Hofuf city in Saudi Arabia.<br><br>RESULTS: Sequencing results yielded 217 species incorporated into 114 genera, which in turn belong to the dominant phylum Proteobacteria (98%) followed by Firmicutes (1.38%), Actinobacteria (0.36%), Bacteroidetes (0.17%), meanwhile the phyla Cyanobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and unclassified bacteria were rarely detected. Francisella endosymbiont dominated the bacteriome of H. dromedarii ticks with average abundance of 94.37% and together with Salincoccus sp. accounted for 94.51% of the average sequences. The remaining bacteriome consisted of low abundance of potential pathogens and environmental bacteria. Of these pathogens, we found Helicobacter pylori in the tick H. dromedarii for the first time. Notably, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia pathogens known to be found in H. dromedarii ticks were not detected.<br><br>CONCLUSION: This first preliminary study advances our knowledge about the bacterial community of H. dromedarii ticks and provides a basis for pathogen surveillance and studying the influences of symbionts on vector competence. Presence of pathogens in ticks, raise concerns about potential transmission of these agents to humans or animals.}, }
@article {pmid32080867, year = {2020}, author = {Speijer, D}, title = {Debating Eukaryogenesis-Part 1: Does Eukaryogenesis Presuppose Symbiosis Before Uptake?.}, journal = {BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology}, volume = {42}, number = {4}, pages = {e1900157}, doi = {10.1002/bies.201900157}, pmid = {32080867}, issn = {1521-1878}, mesh = {Adaptation, Physiological ; Archaea/*metabolism ; Bacteria/*metabolism ; Biological Evolution ; Eukaryota/*metabolism ; Eukaryotic Cells/*metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Phagocytosis/physiology ; Phylogeny ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Signal Transduction/physiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Eukaryotic origins are heavily debated. The author as well as others have proposed that they are inextricably linked with the arrival of a pre-mitochondrion of alphaproteobacterial-like ancestry, in a so-called symbiogenic scenario. The ensuing mutual adaptation of archaeal host and endosymbiont seems to have been a defining influence during the processes leading to the last eukaryotic common ancestor. An unresolved question in this scenario deals with the means by which the bacterium ends up inside. Older hypotheses revolve around the application of known antagonistic interactions, the bacterium being prey or parasite. Here, in reviewing the field, the author argues that such models share flaws, hence making them less likely, and that a "pre-symbiotic stage" would have eased ongoing metabolic integration. Based on this the author will speculate about the nature of the (endo) symbiosis that started eukaryotic evolution-in the context of bacterial entry being a relatively "early" event-and stress the differences between this uptake and subsequent ones. He will also briefly discuss how the mutual adaptation following the merger progressed and how many eukaryotic hallmarks can be understood in light of coadaptation. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/ekqtNleVJpU.}, }
@article {pmid32077495, year = {2020}, author = {Selim, KA and Ermilova, E and Forchhammer, K}, title = {From cyanobacteria to Archaeplastida: new evolutionary insights into PII signalling in the plant kingdom.}, journal = {The New phytologist}, volume = {227}, number = {3}, pages = {722-731}, doi = {10.1111/nph.16492}, pmid = {32077495}, issn = {1469-8137}, mesh = {Bacterial Proteins/metabolism ; *Cyanobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Ketoglutaric Acids ; PII Nitrogen Regulatory Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Rhodophyta ; Signal Transduction ; }, abstract = {The PII superfamily consists of signal transduction proteins found in all domains of life. Canonical PII proteins sense the cellular energy state through the competitive binding of ATP and ADP, and carbon/nitrogen balance through 2-oxoglutarate binding. The ancestor of Archaeplastida inherited its PII signal transduction protein from an ancestral cyanobacterial endosymbiont. Over the course of evolution, plant PII proteins acquired a glutamine-sensing C-terminal extension, subsequently present in all Chloroplastida PII proteins. The PII proteins of various algal strains (red, green and nonphotosynthetic algae) have been systematically investigated with respect to their sensory and regulatory properties. Comparisons of the PII proteins from different phyla of oxygenic phototrophs (cyanobacteria, red algae, Chlorophyta and higher plants) have yielded insights into their evolutionary conservation vs adaptive properties. The highly conserved role of the controlling enzyme of arginine biosynthesis, N-acetyl-l-glutamate kinase (NAGK), as a main PII-interactor has been demonstrated across oxygenic phototrophs of cyanobacteria and Archaeplastida. In addition, the PII signalling system of red algae has been identified as an evolutionary intermediate between that of Cyanobacteria and Chloroplastida. In this review, we consider recent advances in understanding metabolic signalling by PII proteins of the plant kingdom.}, }
@article {pmid32076535, year = {2020}, author = {Ross, PA and Callahan, AG and Yang, Q and Jasper, M and Arif, MAK and Afizah, AN and Nazni, WA and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {An elusive endosymbiont: Does Wolbachia occur naturally in Aedes aegypti?.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {1581-1591}, pmid = {32076535}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Wolbachia are maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria found within many insect species. Aedes mosquitoes experimentally infected with Wolbachia are being released into the field for Aedes-borne disease control. These Wolbachia infections induce cytoplasmic incompatibility which is used to suppress populations through incompatible matings or replace populations through the reproductive advantage provided by this mechanism. However, the presence of naturally occurring Wolbachia in target populations could interfere with both population replacement and suppression programs depending on the compatibility patterns between strains. Aedes aegypti were thought to not harbor Wolbachia naturally but several recent studies have detected Wolbachia in natural populations of this mosquito. We therefore review the evidence for natural Wolbachia infections in A. aegypti to date and discuss limitations of these studies. We draw on research from other mosquito species to outline the potential implications of natural Wolbachia infections in A. aegypti for disease control. To validate previous reports, we obtained a laboratory population of A. aegypti from New Mexico, USA, that harbors a natural Wolbachia infection, and we conducted field surveys in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where a natural Wolbachia infection has also been reported. However, we were unable to detect Wolbachia in both the laboratory and field populations. Because the presence of naturally occurring Wolbachia in A. aegypti could have profound implications for Wolbachia-based disease control programs, it is important to continue to accurately assess the Wolbachia status of target Aedes populations.}, }
@article {pmid32072355, year = {2020}, author = {Erban, T and Klimov, P and Molva, V and Hubert, J}, title = {Whole genomic sequencing and sex-dependent abundance estimation of Cardinium sp., a common and hyperabundant bacterial endosymbiont of the American house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {80}, number = {3}, pages = {363-380}, pmid = {32072355}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {17-12068S//Grantov&#xe1; Agentura &#x10c;esk&#xe9; Republiky/ ; RO0418//Ministerstvo Zem&#x11b;d&#x11b;lstv&#xed;/ ; 19-14-00004//Russian Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes/*isolation &amp; purification ; China ; Dermatophagoides farinae/*microbiology ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/microbiology ; Europe ; Female ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Male ; Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; United States ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; }, abstract = {The two common species of house dust mites (HDMs), Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus, are major sources of allergens in human dwellings worldwide. Many allergens from HDMs have been described, but their extracts vary in immunogens. Mite strains may differ in their microbiomes, which affect mite allergen expression and contents of bacterial endotoxins. Some bacteria, such as the intracellular symbiont Cardinium, can affect both the sex ratio and biochemical pathways of mites, resulting in abundance variations of mite allergens/immunogens. Here, we investigated the bacterial microbiomes of D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus males and females using barcode 16S rDNA sequencing, qPCR, and genomic data analysis. We found a single species of Cardinium associated with D. farinae strains from the USA, China and Europe. Cardinium had high abundance relative to other bacterial taxa and represented 99% of all bacterial DNA reads from female mites from the USA. Cardinium was also abundant with respect to the number of host cells-we estimated 10.4-11.8 cells of Cardinium per single female mite cell. In a European D. farinae strain, Cardinium was more prevalent in females than in males (representing 92 and 67% of all bacterial taxa in females and males, respectively). In contrast, D. pteronyssinus lacked any Cardinium species, and the microbiomes of male and female mites were similar. We produced a Cardinium genome assembly (1.48 Mb; GenBank: PRJNA555788, GCA_007559345.1) associated with D. farinae. The ascertained ubiquity and abundance of Cardinium strongly suggest that this intracellular bacterium plays an important biological role in D. farinae.}, }
@article {pmid32068830, year = {2020}, author = {Husnik, F and Hypsa, V and Darby, A}, title = {Insect-Symbiont Gene Expression in the Midgut Bacteriocytes of a Blood-Sucking Parasite.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {429-442}, pmid = {32068830}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {BB/J017698/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Biological Evolution ; DNA, Bacterial/analysis/genetics ; Digestive System/*microbiology ; Diptera/*genetics/*microbiology ; Disease Vectors ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Genes, Insect ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Phylogeny ; Sheep/*parasitology ; Symbiosis ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Animals interact with a diverse array of both beneficial and detrimental microorganisms. In insects, these symbioses in many cases allow feeding on nutritionally unbalanced diets. It is, however, still not clear how are obligate symbioses maintained at the cellular level for up to several hundred million years. Exact mechanisms driving host-symbiont interactions are only understood for a handful of model species and data on blood-feeding hosts with intracellular bacteria are particularly scarce. Here, we analyzed interactions between an obligately blood-sucking parasite of sheep, the louse fly Melophagus ovinus, and its obligate endosymbiont, Arsenophonus melophagi. We assembled a reference transcriptome for the insect host and used dual RNA-Seq with five biological replicates to compare expression in the midgut cells specialized for housing symbiotic bacteria (bacteriocytes) to the rest of the gut (foregut-hindgut). We found strong evidence for the importance of zinc in the system likely caused by symbionts using zinc-dependent proteases when acquiring amino acids, and for different immunity mechanisms controlling the symbionts than in closely related tsetse flies. Our results show that cellular and nutritional interactions between this blood-sucking insect and its symbionts are less intimate than what was previously found in most plant-sap sucking insects. This finding is likely interconnected to several features observed in symbionts in blood-sucking arthropods, particularly their midgut intracellular localization, intracytoplasmic presence, less severe genome reduction, and relatively recent associations caused by frequent evolutionary losses and replacements.}, }
@article {pmid32067949, year = {2020}, author = {Eisen, L}, title = {Vector competence studies with hard ticks and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes: A review.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {101359}, pmid = {32067949}, issn = {1877-9603}, support = {CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Arachnid Vectors/*microbiology ; Borrelia burgdorferi Group/*physiology ; Ixodidae/*microbiology ; Lyme Disease/*transmission ; Species Specificity ; }, abstract = {Use of emerging technology allowing for identification of genetic material from pathogens and endosymbionts in ticks collected from humans, domestic animals, wildlife, or the environment has resulted in an avalanche of new data on tick-microorganism associations. This rapidly growing stream of new information is a tremendous resource but also presents challenges, including how detection of pathogen genetic material in ticks should best be interpreted. There is a tendency in the more recent published literature to incorrectly use the term "vector" based on detection of pathogen genetic material from tick species not experimentally confirmed to serve as vectors of the pathogen in question. To serve as a vector of a horizontally maintained pathogen, such as a Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) Lyme borreliosis spirochete, the tick species in question must be capable of acquiring the pathogen while feeding in the larval or nymphal stage on an infectious host, maintaining it transstadially through the molt, and then transmitting the pathogen to a naïve host while feeding in the subsequent nymphal or adult stage. This review examines the experimental evidence for and against species of hard (ixodid) ticks from different genera to serve as vectors of B. burgdorferi s.l. spirochetes. Of the 18 Ixodes species ticks evaluated to date, 13 were experimentally confirmed as vectors of B. burgdorferi s.l. spirochetes. These studies focused primarily on the three major Lyme borreliosis agents: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. In striking contrast, none of 8 tick species from other genera (1 Amblyomma species, 5 Dermacentor species, and 2 Haemaphysalis species) evaluated to date were unequivocally experimentally confirmed as vectors of B. burgdorferi s.l. spirochetes. The strength of the evidence for or against each tick species to serve as a vector of B. burgdorferi s.l. spirochetes is discussed together with key knowledge gaps and research challenges.}, }
@article {pmid32053248, year = {2020}, author = {Zhao, W and Li, M and Xiong, F and Zhang, D and Wu, S and Zou, H and Li, W and Wang, G}, title = {Identification of Intracellular Bacteria in the Ciliate Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni (Ciliophora, Litostomatea).}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {67}, number = {4}, pages = {417-426}, doi = {10.1111/jeu.12791}, pmid = {32053248}, issn = {1550-7408}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Balantidium/*growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Carps/*parasitology ; Cytoplasm/microbiology/ultrastructure ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Microbiological Techniques ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/*methods ; }, abstract = {The ciliate Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni is the most prominent protist in the guts of grass carp, where it mainly inhabits the creamy luminal contents of the hindgut. Ciliates are generally colonized by microorganisms via phagotrophic feeding. In order to study the intracellular bacteria in this ciliate, we have successfully established it in in vitro culture. Herein, we investigated and compared the bacterial community structures of cultured and freshly collected B. ctenopharyngodoni. The results showed that these two groups exhibited different bacterial communities. The most abundant bacterial family in freshly collected samples was Enterobacteriaceae, while in cultured samples it was Fusobacteriaceae. In addition, a key intracellular bacterium, Cetobacterium somerae, was identified in the cytoplasm of cultured ciliates using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). This study shows that ciliates can retain the intracellular bacteria acquired in the natural habitat for quite a long time, but the bacterial community structure of ciliates eventually changes after a long period of cultivation.}, }
@article {pmid32052099, year = {2020}, author = {Nakabachi, A and Malenovský, I and Gjonov, I and Hirose, Y}, title = {16S rRNA Sequencing Detected Profftella, Liberibacter, Wolbachia, and Diplorickettsia from Relatives of the Asian Citrus Psyllid.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {80}, number = {2}, pages = {410-422}, doi = {10.1007/s00248-020-01491-z}, pmid = {32052099}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {KAKENHI grant number 26292174//the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; NA//Tatematsu Foundation/ ; NA//Nagase Science and Technology Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; France ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Male ; RNA, Bacterial/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) is a serious pest of citrus species worldwide because it transmits Candidatus Liberibacter spp. (Alphaproteobacteria: Rhizobiales), the causative agents of the incurable citrus disease, huanglongbing or greening disease. Diaphorina citri possesses a specialized organ called a bacteriome, which harbors vertically transmitted intracellular mutualists, Ca. Carsonella ruddii (Gammaproteobacteria: Oceanospirillales) and Ca. Profftella armatura (Gammaproteobacteria: Betaproteobacteriales). Whereas Carsonella is a typical nutritional symbiont, Profftella is an unprecedented type of toxin-producing defensive symbiont, unusually sharing organelle-like features with nutritional symbionts. Additionally, many D. citri strains are infected with Wolbachia, which manipulate reproduction in various arthropod hosts. In the present study, in an effort to obtain insights into the evolution of symbioses between Diaphorina and bacteria, microbiomes of psyllids closely related to D. citri were investigated. Bacterial populations of Diaphorina cf. continua and Diaphorina lycii were analyzed using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and compared with data obtained from D. citri. The analysis revealed that all three Diaphorina spp. harbor Profftella as well as Carsonella lineages, implying that Profftella is widespread within the genus Diaphorina. Moreover, the analysis identified Ca. Liberibacter europaeus and Diplorickettsia sp. (Gammaproteobacteria: Diplorickettsiales) in D. cf. continua, and a total of four Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria: Rickettsiales) lineages in the three psyllid species. These results provide deeper insights into the interactions among insects, bacteria, and plants, which would eventually help to better manage horticulture.}, }
@article {pmid32051527, year = {2020}, author = {Miyazaki, J and Ikuta, T and Watsuji, TO and Abe, M and Yamamoto, M and Nakagawa, S and Takaki, Y and Nakamura, K and Takai, K}, title = {Dual energy metabolism of the Campylobacterota endosymbiont in the chemosynthetic snail Alviniconcha marisindica.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {14}, number = {5}, pages = {1273-1289}, pmid = {32051527}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Campylobacter/*physiology ; Energy Metabolism ; Gills/microbiology ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Indian Ocean ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Snails/*microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Some deep-sea chemosynthetic invertebrates and their symbiotic bacteria can use molecular hydrogen (H2) as their energy source. However, how much the chemosynthetic holobiont (endosymbiont-host association) physiologically depends on H2 oxidation has not yet been determined. Here, we demonstrate that the Campylobacterota endosymbionts of the gastropod Alviniconcha marisindica in the Kairei and Edmond fields (kAlv and eAlv populations, respectively) of the Indian Ocean, utilize H2 in response to their physical and environmental H2 conditions, although the 16S rRNA gene sequence of both the endosymbionts shared 99.6% identity. A thermodynamic calculation using in situ H2 and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations indicated that chemosynthetic symbiosis could be supported by metabolic energy via H2 oxidation, particularly for the kAlv holobiont. Metabolic activity measurements showed that both the living individuals and the gill tissues consumed H2 and H2S at similar levels. Moreover, a combination of fluorescence in situ hybridization, quantitative transcript analyses, and enzymatic activity measurements showed that the kAlv endosymbiont expressed the genes and enzymes for both H2- and sulfur-oxidations. These results suggest that both H2 and H2S could serve as the primary energy sources for the kAlv holobiont. The eAlv holobiont had the ability to utilize H2, but the gene expression and enzyme activity for hydrogenases were much lower than for sulfur-oxidation enzymes. These results suggest that the energy acquisitions of A. marisindica holobionts are dependent on H2- and sulfur-oxidation in the H2-enriched Kairei field and that the mechanism of dual metabolism is controlled by the in situ H2 concentration.}, }
@article {pmid32048447, year = {2020}, author = {Howe-Kerr, LI and Bachelot, B and Wright, RM and Kenkel, CD and Bay, LK and Correa, AMS}, title = {Symbiont community diversity is more variable in corals that respond poorly to stress.}, journal = {Global change biology}, volume = {26}, number = {4}, pages = {2220-2234}, doi = {10.1111/gcb.14999}, pmid = {32048447}, issn = {1365-2486}, support = {G2016100191023671//Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research/ ; G11/34671.1//Australian Institute of Marine Science/ ; G14/37318.1//Australian Institute of Marine Science/ ; 1635798//US National Science Foundation/ ; 1800914//US National Science Foundation/ ; 1928609//US National Science Foundation/ ; 1401165//US National Science Foundation/ ; 2000009651//National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine/ ; }, abstract = {Coral reefs are declining globally as climate change and local water quality press environmental conditions beyond the physiological tolerances of holobionts-the collective of the host and its microbial symbionts. To assess the relationship between symbiont composition and holobiont stress tolerance, community diversity metrics were quantified for dinoflagellate endosymbionts (Family: Symbiodiniaceae) from eight Acropora millepora genets that thrived under or responded poorly to various stressors. These eight selected genets represent the upper and lower tails of the response distribution of 40 coral genets that were exposed to four stress treatments (and control conditions) in a 10-day experiment. Specifically, four 'best performer' coral genets were analyzed at the end of the experiment because they survived high temperature, high pCO2 , bacterial exposure, or combined stressors, whereas four 'worst performer' genets were characterized because they experienced substantial mortality under these stressors. At the end of the experiment, seven of eight coral genets mainly hosted Cladocopium symbionts, whereas the eighth genet was dominated by both Cladocopium and Durusdinium symbionts. Symbiodiniaceae alpha and beta diversity were higher in worst performing genets than in best performing genets. Symbiont communities in worst performers also differed more after stress exposure relative to their controls (based on normalized proportional differences in beta diversity), than did best performers. A generalized joint attribute model estimated the influence of host genet and treatment on Symbiodiniaceae community composition and identified strong associations among particular symbionts and host genet performance, as well as weaker associations with treatment. Although dominant symbiont physiology and function contribute to host performance, these findings emphasize the importance of symbiont community diversity and stochasticity as components of host performance. Our findings also suggest that symbiont community diversity metrics may function as indicators of resilience and have potential applications in diverse disciplines from climate change adaptation to agriculture and medicine.}, }
@article {pmid32047292, year = {2020}, author = {Zélé, F and Santos, I and Matos, M and Weill, M and Vavre, F and Magalhães, S}, title = {Endosymbiont diversity in natural populations of Tetranychus mites is rapidly lost under laboratory conditions.}, journal = {Heredity}, volume = {124}, number = {4}, pages = {603-617}, pmid = {32047292}, issn = {1365-2540}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteroidetes/genetics ; Female ; Laboratories ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; *Tetranychidae/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Although the diversity of bacterial endosymbionts in arthropods is well documented, whether and how such diversity is maintained remains an open question. We investigated the temporal changes occurring in the prevalence and composition of endosymbionts after transferring natural populations of Tetranychus spider mites from the field to the laboratory. These populations, belonging to three different Tetranychus species (T. urticae, T. ludeni and T. evansi) carried variable infection frequencies of Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Rickettsia. We report a rapid change of the infection status of these populations after only 6 months of laboratory rearing, with an apparent loss of Rickettsia and Cardinium, while Wolbachia apparently either reached fixation or was lost. We show that Wolbachia had variable effects on host longevity and fecundity, and induced variable levels of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in each fully infected population, despite no sequence divergence in the markers used and full CI rescue between all populations. This suggests that such effects are largely dependent upon the host genotype. Subsequently, we used these data to parameterize a theoretical model for the invasion of CI-inducing symbionts in haplodiploids, which shows that symbiont effects are sufficient to explain their dynamics in the laboratory. This further suggests that symbiont diversity and prevalence in the field are likely maintained by environmental heterogeneity, which is reduced in the laboratory. Overall, this study highlights the lability of endosymbiont infections and draws attention to the limitations of laboratory studies to understand host-symbiont interactions in natural populations.}, }
@article {pmid32043447, year = {2020}, author = {Lechner, AM and Gastager, H and Kern, JM and Wagner, B and Tappe, D}, title = {Case Report: Successful Treatment of a Patient with Microfilaremic Dirofilariasis Using Doxycycline.}, journal = {The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene}, volume = {102}, number = {4}, pages = {844-846}, pmid = {32043447}, issn = {1476-1645}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*therapeutic use ; *Dirofilaria repens ; Dirofilariasis/*diagnostic imaging/*therapy ; Doxycycline/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; }, abstract = {We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with microfilaremic dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens, which is a very rare condition in humans. Of note, just one of six large-volume blood samples of this patient was positive for microfilariae. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the parasite gene determined the geographic origin of the causative helminth. The patient was treated successfully with doxycycline. This drug was chosen because of the patient's reluctance to the use of ivermectin and to provide an anthelmintic effect by targeting the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia present in most filarial species.}, }
@article {pmid32041638, year = {2020}, author = {Ekwudu, O and Devine, GJ and Aaskov, JG and Frentiu, FD}, title = {Wolbachia strain wAlbB blocks replication of flaviviruses and alphaviruses in mosquito cell culture.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {54}, pmid = {32041638}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {APP1020817//National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia/ ; Internal grant//Queensland University of Technology/ ; }, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Alphavirus/*growth &amp; development ; Alphavirus Infections/prevention &amp; control ; Animals ; Cell Line/microbiology/virology ; Dengue/prevention &amp; control ; Flavivirus/*growth &amp; development ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/virology ; *Microbial Interactions ; Pest Control, Biological ; Virus Diseases/prevention &amp; control/transmission ; *Virus Replication ; West Nile Fever/prevention &amp; control ; *Wolbachia ; Zika Virus Infection/prevention &amp; control ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia pipientis are bacterial endosymbionts of arthropods currently being implemented as biocontrol agents to reduce the global burden of arboviral diseases. Some strains of Wolbachia, when introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, reduce or block the replication of RNA viruses pathogenic to humans. The wAlbB strain of Wolbachia was originally isolated from Aedes albopictus, and when transinfected into Ae. aegypti, persists in mosquitoes under high temperature conditions longer than other strains. The utility of wAlbB to block a broad spectrum of RNA viruses has received limited attention. Here we test the ability of wAlbB to reduce or block the replication of a range of Flavivirus and Alphavirus species in cell culture.<br><br>METHODS: The C6/36 mosquito cell line was stably infected with the wAlbB strain using the shell-vial technique. The replication of dengue, West Nile and three strains of Zika (genus Flavivirus), and Ross River, Barmah Forest and Sindbis (genus Alphavirus) viruses was compared in wAlbB-infected cells with Wolbachia-free controls. Infectious virus titres were determined using either immunofocus or plaque assays. A general linear model was used to test for significant differences in replication between flaviviruses and alphaviruses.<br><br>RESULTS: Titres of all viruses were significantly reduced in cell cultures infected with wAlbB versus Wolbachia-free controls. The magnitude of reduction in virus yields varied among virus species and, within species, also among the strains utilized.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that wAlbB infection of arthropods could be used to reduce transmission of a wide range of pathogenic RNA viruses.}, }
@article {pmid32035054, year = {2020}, author = {Adenyo, C and Ohya, K and Qiu, Y and Takashima, Y and Ogawa, H and Matsumoto, T and Thu, MJ and Sato, K and Kawabata, H and Katayama, Y and Omatsu, T and Mizutani, T and Fukushi, H and Katakura, K and Nonaka, N and Inoue-Murayama, M and Kayang, B and Nakao, R}, title = {Bacterial and protozoan pathogens/symbionts in ticks infecting wild grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) in Ghana.}, journal = {Acta tropica}, volume = {205}, number = {}, pages = {105388}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105388}, pmid = {32035054}, issn = {1873-6254}, mesh = {Animals ; Babesia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Bacteria/*isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; Ghana ; Humans ; Ixodes/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Male ; Rodentia/*parasitology ; Theileria/*isolation &amp; purification ; Tick-Borne Diseases/parasitology ; }, abstract = {Ticks and tick-borne pathogens constitute a great threat to livestock production and are a potential health hazard to humans. Grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) are widely hunted for meat in Ghana and many other West and Central African countries. However, tick-borne zoonotic risks posed by wild grasscutters have not been assessed. The objective of this study was to investigate bacterial and protozoan pathogens in ticks infecting wild grasscutters. A total of 81 ticks were collected from three hunted grasscutters purchased from Kantamanto, the central bushmeat market in Accra. Ticks were identified as Ixodes aulacodi and Rhipicephalus sp. based on morphological keys, which were further confirmed by sequencing mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) genes of specimens. Protozoan infections were tested by PCR amplifying 18S rDNA of Babesia/Theileria/Hepatozoon, while bacterial infections were evaluated by PCRs or real-time PCRs targeting Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia, spotted fever group rickettsiae, chlamydiae and Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii. The results of PCR screening showed that 35.5% (27 out of 76) of I. aulacodi were positive for parasite infections. Sequencing analysis of the amplified products gave one identical sequence showing similarity with Babesia spp. reported from Africa. The Ca. M. mitochondrii endosymbiont was present in 85.5% (65 out of 76) of I. aulacodi but not in the five Rhipicephalus ticks. Two Anaplasmataceae bacteria genetically related to Ehrlichia muris and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were also detected in two I. aulacodi. None of the ticks were positive for Borrelia spp., spotted fever group rickettsiae and chlamydiae. Since I. aulacodi on wild grasscutters are potential carriers of tick-borne pathogens, some of which could be of zoonotic potential, rigorous tick control and pathogen analyses should be instituted especially when wild caught grasscutters are being used as foundation stock for breeding.}, }
@article {pmid32034827, year = {2020}, author = {Binetruy, F and Buysse, M and Lejarre, Q and Barosi, R and Villa, M and Rahola, N and Paupy, C and Ayala, D and Duron, O}, title = {Microbial community structure reveals instability of nutritional symbiosis during the evolutionary radiation of Amblyomma ticks.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {29}, number = {5}, pages = {1016-1029}, doi = {10.1111/mec.15373}, pmid = {32034827}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Amblyomma/classification/*microbiology ; Animals ; Bacteria/classification ; *Biological Evolution ; Coxiella ; Francisella ; *Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; Rickettsia ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Mutualistic interactions with microbes have facilitated the adaptation of major eukaryotic lineages to restricted diet niches. Hence, ticks with their strictly blood-feeding lifestyle are associated with intracellular bacterial symbionts through an essential B vitamin supplementation. In this study, examination of bacterial diversity in 25 tick species of the genus Amblyomma showed that three intracellular bacteria, Coxiella-like endosymbionts (LE), Francisella-LE and Rickettsia, are remarkably common. No other bacterium is as uniformly present in Amblyomma ticks. Almost all Amblyomma species were found to harbour a nutritive obligate symbiont, Coxiella-LE or Francisella-LE, that is able to synthesize B vitamins. However, despite the co-evolved and obligate nature of these mutualistic interactions, the structure of microbiomes does not mirror the Amblyomma phylogeny, with a clear exclusion pattern between Coxiella-LE and Francisella-LE across tick species. Coxiella-LE, but not Francisella-LE, form evolutionarily stable associations with ticks, commonly leading to co-cladogenesis. We further found evidence for symbiont replacements during the radiation of Amblyomma, with recent, and probably ongoing, invasions by Francisella-LE and subsequent replacements of ancestral Coxiella-LE through transient co-infections. Nutritional symbiosis in Amblyomma ticks is thus not a stable evolutionary state, but instead arises from conflicting origins between unrelated but competing symbionts with similar metabolic capabilities.}, }
@article {pmid32030839, year = {2020}, author = {Hundertmark, A and Goodacre, SL and Brookfield, JFY}, title = {Alternative evolutionary outcomes following endosymbiont-mediated selection on male mating preference alleles.}, journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology}, volume = {33}, number = {5}, pages = {653-667}, pmid = {32030839}, issn = {1420-9101}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/*microbiology ; Avoidance Learning ; *Biological Evolution ; Female ; Male ; *Mating Preference, Animal ; *Models, Biological ; Selection, Genetic ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {In many arthropods, intracellular bacteria, such as those of the genus Wolbachia, may spread through host populations as a result of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Here, there is sterility or reduced fertility in crosses between infected males and uninfected females. As the bacterium is maternally inherited, the reduced fertility of uninfected females increases the frequency of the infection. If the transmission fidelity of the bacterium is less than 100%, the bacterium cannot invade from a low frequency, but if its frequency exceeds a threshold, it increases to a high, stable, equilibrium frequency. We explore the expected evolutionary dynamics of mutant alleles that cause their male bearers to avoid mating with uninfected females. For alleles which create this avoidance behaviour conditional upon the male being infected, there is a wide zone of parameter space that allows the preference allele to drive Wolbachia from the population when it would otherwise stably persist. There is also a wide zone of parameter space that allows a joint stable equilibrium for the Wolbachia and a polymorphism for the preference allele. When the male's avoidance of uninfected females is unconditional, the preference allele's effect on Wolbachia frequency is reduced, but there is a narrow range of values for the transmission rate and CI fertility that allow an unconditional preference allele to drive Wolbachia from the population, in a process driven by positive linkage disequilibrium between Wolbachia and the preference allele. The possibility of the evolution of preference could hamper attempts to manipulate wild populations through Wolbachia introductions.}, }
@article {pmid32028994, year = {2020}, author = {Uni, S and Mat Udin, AS and Agatsuma, T and Junker, K and Saijuntha, W and Bunchom, N and Fukuda, M and Martin, C and Lefoulon, E and Labat, A and Khan, FAA and Low, VL and Cheah, PL and Lim, YA and Ramli, R and Belabut, DM and Zainuri, NA and Matsubayashi, M and Omar, H and Bhassu, S and Uga, S and Hashim, R and Takaoka, H and Azirun, MS}, title = {Description, molecular characteristics and Wolbachia endosymbionts of Onchocerca borneensis Uni, Mat Udin &amp; Takaoka n. sp. (Nematoda: Filarioidea) from the Bornean bearded pig Sus barbatus Müller (Cetartiodactyla: Suidae) of Sarawak, Malaysia.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {50}, pmid = {32028994}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {FRGS EP020-2012//The Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Coevolution ; Classification ; Genes, Bacterial ; Genes, Helminth ; Humans ; *Onchocerca/anatomy &amp; histology/classification/microbiology ; Onchocerciasis/transmission/*veterinary ; Onchocerciasis, Ocular/parasitology/transmission ; Phylogeny ; Swine/*parasitology ; Swine Diseases ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Zoonoses/transmission ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The genus Onchocerca Diesing, 1841 includes species of medical importance, such as O. volvulus (Leuckart, 1893), which causes river blindness in the tropics. Recently, zoonotic onchocercosis has been reported in humans worldwide. In Japan, O. dewittei japonica Uni, Bain &amp; Takaoka, 2001 from wild boars is a causative agent for this zoonosis. Many filarioid nematodes are infected with Wolbachia endosymbionts which exhibit various evolutionary relationships with their hosts. While investigating the filarial fauna of Borneo, we discovered an undescribed Onchocerca species in the bearded pig Sus barbatus Müller (Cetartiodactyla: Suidae).<br><br>METHODS: We isolated Onchocerca specimens from bearded pigs and examined their morphology. For comparative material, we collected fresh specimens of O. d. dewittei Bain, Ramachandran, Petter &amp; Mak, 1977 from banded pigs (S. scrofa vittatus Boie) in Peninsular Malaysia. Partial sequences of three different genes (two mitochondrial genes, cox1 and 12S rRNA, and one nuclear ITS region) of these filarioids were analysed. By multi-locus sequence analyses based on six genes (16S rDNA, ftsZ, dnaA, coxA, fbpA and gatB) of Wolbachia, we determined the supergroups in the specimens from bearded pigs and those of O. d. dewittei.<br><br>RESULTS: Onchocerca borneensis Uni, Mat Udin &amp; Takaoka n. sp. is described on the basis of morphological characteristics and its genetic divergence from congeners. Molecular characteristics of the new species revealed its close evolutionary relationship with O. d. dewittei. Calculated p-distance for the cox1 gene sequences between O. borneensis n. sp. and O. d. dewittei was 5.9%, while that between O. d. dewittei and O. d. japonica was 7.6%. No intraspecific genetic variation was found for the new species. Wolbachia strains identified in the new species and O. d. dewittei belonged to supergroup C and are closely related.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our molecular analyses of filarioids from Asian suids indicate that the new species is sister to O. d. dewittei. On the basis of its morphological and molecular characteristics, we propose to elevate O. d. japonica to species level as O. japonica Uni, Bain &amp; Takaoka, 2001. Coevolutionary relationships exist between the Wolbachia strains and their filarial hosts in Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.}, }
@article {pmid32027869, year = {2020}, author = {Fuess, LE and Butler, CC and Brandt, ME and Mydlarz, LD}, title = {Investigating the roles of transforming growth factor-beta in immune response of Orbicella faveolata, a scleractinian coral.}, journal = {Developmental and comparative immunology}, volume = {107}, number = {}, pages = {103639}, doi = {10.1016/j.dci.2020.103639}, pmid = {32027869}, issn = {1879-0089}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*immunology ; Caribbean Region ; Cells, Cultured ; Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida ; Immunity ; Immunomodulation ; Signal Transduction ; Symbiosis ; Transcriptome ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic relationships range from parasitic to mutualistic, yet all endosymbionts face similar challenges, including evasion of host immunity. Many symbiotic organisms have evolved similar mechanisms to face these challenges, including manipulation of the host's transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) pathway. Here we investigate the TGFβ pathway in scelaractinian corals which are dependent on symbioses with dinoflagellates from the family Symbiodiniaceae. Using the Caribbean coral, Orbicella faveolata, we explore the effects of enhancement and inhibition of the TGFβ pathway on host gene expression. Following transcriptomic analyses, we demonstrated limited effects of pathway manipulation in absence of immune stimulation. However, manipulation of the TGFβ pathway significantly affects the subsequent ability of host corals to mount an immune response. Enhancement of the TGFβ pathway eliminates transcriptomic signatures of host coral immune response, while inhibition of the pathway maintains the response. This is, to our knowledge, the first evidence of an immunomodulatory role for TGFβ in a scelaractinian coral. These findings suggest variation in TGFβ signaling may have implications in the face of increasing disease prevelance. Our results suggest that the TGFβ pathway can modulate tradeoffs between symbiosis and immunity. Further study of links between symbiosis, TGFβ, and immunity is needed to better understand the ecological implications of these findings.}, }
@article {pmid32025311, year = {2020}, author = {Potts, R and Molina, I and Sheele, JM and Pietri, JE}, title = {Molecular detection of Rickettsia infection in field-collected bed bugs.}, journal = {New microbes and new infections}, volume = {34}, number = {}, pages = {100646}, pmid = {32025311}, issn = {2052-2975}, abstract = {Bed bugs are now one of the most prevalent human-associated, blood-feeding pests in the urban world, but few studies of their association with human pathogens have been conducted since their resurgence. Here, we used PCR to screen samples of field-collected bed bugs (Cimex spp.) for the presence of Rickettsia bacteria and we describe the first detection of an uncharacterized Rickettsia in Cimex lectularius in nature. Rickettsia was detected in 5/39 (12.8%) of the bed bug samples tested. In particular, three pools from the USA and two individual insects from the UK were positive for Rickettsia DNA. Sequencing and analysis of a fragment of the citrate synthase gene (gltA) from positive samples from each country revealed that the Rickettsia detected in both were identical and were closely related to a Rickettsia previously detected in the rat flea Nosopsyllus laeviceps. Additional experiments indicated that the Rickettsia localizes to multiple tissues in the bed bug and reaches high titres. Attempts were made to infect mammalian cells in culture but these efforts were inconclusive. Our findings suggest that Rickettsia are secondary endosymbionts of bed bugs and have potential implications for both bed bug control and public health. However, further investigation is required to determine the pathogenicity of this Rickettsia, its transmission mechanisms, and its contributions to bed bug physiology.}, }
@article {pmid32024068, year = {2020}, author = {de Jesus, CP and Dias, FBS and Villela, DMA and Maciel-de-Freitas, R}, title = {Ovitraps Provide a Reliable Estimate of Wolbachia Frequency during wMelBr Strain Deployment in a Geographically Isolated Aedes aegypti Population.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {32024068}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {001//Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfei&#xe7;oamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior/ ; }, abstract = {Deployment of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia has been identified as a promising strategy to reduce dengue, chikungunya, and Zika transmission. We investigated whether sampling larvae from ovitraps can provide reliable estimates on Wolbachia frequency during releases, as compared to the expensive adult-based BG-Sentinel. We conducted pilot releases in a semi-field system (SFS) divided into six cages of 21 m[2], each with five ovitraps. Five treatments were chosen to represent different points of a hypothetical invasion curve: 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% of Wolbachia frequency. Collected eggs were counted and hatched, and the individuals from a net sample of 27% of larvae per treatment were screened for Wolbachia presence by RT-qPCR. Ovitrap positioning had no effect on egg hatching rate. Treatment strongly affected the number of eggs collected and also the hatching rate, especially when Wolbachia was at a 10% frequency. A second observation was done during the release of Wolbachia in Rio under a population replacement approach when bacterium frequency was estimated using 30 BG-Sentinel traps and 45 ovitraps simultaneously. By individually screening 35% (N = 3904) of larvae collected by RT-qPCR, we were able to produce a similar invasion curve to the one observed when all adults were individually screened. If sampling is reduced to 20%, monitoring Wolbachia frequency with 45 ovitraps would be roughly half the cost of screening all adult mosquitoes captured by 30 BG-Sentinels. Our findings support the scale-up of Wolbachia releases, especially in areas with limited resources to afford massive trapping with BG-Sentinel traps.}, }
@article {pmid32008576, year = {2020}, author = {Osman, EO and Suggett, DJ and Voolstra, CR and Pettay, DT and Clark, DR and Pogoreutz, C and Sampayo, EM and Warner, ME and Smith, DJ}, title = {Coral microbiome composition along the northern Red Sea suggests high plasticity of bacterial and specificity of endosymbiotic dinoflagellate communities.}, journal = {Microbiome}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {8}, pmid = {32008576}, issn = {2049-2618}, mesh = {Acclimatization ; Animals ; Anthozoa/*microbiology ; Bacteria/*classification ; Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida/classification/*physiology ; *Host Specificity ; Hot Temperature ; Indian Ocean ; *Microbiota ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The capacity of reef-building corals to tolerate (or adapt to) heat stress is a key factor determining their resilience to future climate change. Changes in coral microbiome composition (particularly for microalgal endosymbionts and bacteria) is a potential mechanism that may assist corals to thrive in warm waters. The northern Red Sea experiences extreme temperatures anomalies, yet corals in this area rarely bleach suggesting possible refugia to climate change. However, the coral microbiome composition, and how it relates to the capacity to thrive in warm waters in this region, is entirely unknown.<br><br>RESULTS: We investigated microbiomes for six coral species (Porites nodifera, Favia favus, Pocillopora damicornis, Seriatopora hystrix, Xenia umbellata, and Sarcophyton trocheliophorum) from five sites in the northern Red Sea spanning 4&#xb0; of latitude&#xa0;and summer mean temperature ranges from 26.6&#x2009;&#xb0;C to 29.3&#x2009;&#xb0;C. A total of 19 distinct dinoflagellate endosymbionts were identified as belonging to three genera in the family Symbiodiniaceae (Symbiodinium, Cladocopium, and Durusdinium). Of these, 86% belonged to the genus Cladocopium, with notably five novel types (19%). The endosymbiont community showed a high degree of host-specificity despite the latitudinal gradient. In contrast, the diversity and composition of bacterial communities of the surface mucus layer (SML)-a compartment particularly sensitive to environmental change-varied significantly between sites, however for any given coral was species-specific.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The conserved endosymbiotic community&#xa0;suggests high physiological plasticity to support holobiont productivity&#xa0;across the different latitudinal regimes. Further, the presence of five novel algal endosymbionts suggests selection of certain genotypes (or genetic adaptation) within the semi-isolated Red Sea. In contrast, the dynamic composition of bacteria associated&#xa0;with&#xa0;the SML across sites may contribute to&#xa0;holobiont&#xa0;function and broaden the ecological&#xa0;niche. In doing so, SML bacterial communities may aid holobiont local acclimatization (or adaptation) by readily responding to changes in the host environment. Our study provides novel insight about the selective and endemic nature of coral microbiomes along the northern Red Sea refugia.}, }
@article {pmid32008087, year = {2020}, author = {Zachar, I and Boza, G}, title = {Endosymbiosis before eukaryotes: mitochondrial establishment in protoeukaryotes.}, journal = {Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS}, volume = {77}, number = {18}, pages = {3503-3523}, pmid = {32008087}, issn = {1420-9071}, support = {NKFI-K124438//National Research, Development, and Innovation Office/ ; GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00057//National Research, Development, and Innovation Office/ ; }, mesh = {Biological Evolution ; Eukaryotic Cells/metabolism ; Microbial Consortia ; Mitochondria/*metabolism ; Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases/metabolism ; Plastids ; Prokaryotic Cells/*metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiosis and organellogenesis are virtually unknown among prokaryotes. The single presumed example is the endosymbiogenetic origin of mitochondria, which is hidden behind the event horizon of the last eukaryotic common ancestor. While eukaryotes are monophyletic, it is unlikely that during billions of years, there were no other prokaryote-prokaryote endosymbioses as symbiosis is extremely common among prokaryotes, e.g., in biofilms. Therefore, it is even more precarious to draw conclusions about potentially existing (or once existing) prokaryotic endosymbioses based on a single example. It is yet unknown if the bacterial endosymbiont was captured by a prokaryote or by a (proto-)eukaryote, and if the process of internalization was parasitic infection, slow engulfment, or phagocytosis. In this review, we accordingly explore multiple mechanisms and processes that could drive the evolution of unicellular microbial symbioses with a special attention to prokaryote-prokaryote interactions and to the mitochondrion, possibly the single prokaryotic endosymbiosis that turned out to be a major evolutionary transition. We investigate the ecology and evolutionary stability of inter-species microbial interactions based on dependence, physical proximity, cost-benefit budget, and the types of benefits, investments, and controls. We identify challenges that had to be conquered for the mitochondrial host to establish a stable eukaryotic lineage. Any assumption about the initial interaction of the mitochondrial ancestor and its contemporary host based solely on their modern relationship is rather perilous. As a result, we warn against assuming an initial mutually beneficial interaction based on modern mitochondria-host cooperation. This assumption is twice fallacious: (i) endosymbioses are known to evolve from exploitative interactions and (ii) cooperativity does not necessarily lead to stable mutualism. We point out that the lack of evidence so far on the evolution of endosymbiosis from mutual syntrophy supports the idea that mitochondria emerged from an exploitative (parasitic or phagotrophic) interaction rather than from syntrophy.}, }
@article {pmid31997547, year = {2020}, author = {Wang, HL and Lei, T and Wang, XW and Maruthi, MN and Zhu, DT and Cameron, SL and Rao, Q and Shan, HW and Colvin, J and Liu, YQ and Liu, SS}, title = {A newly recorded Rickettsia of the Torix group is a recent intruder and an endosymbiont in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {4}, pages = {1207-1221}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.14927}, pmid = {31997547}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {517000-X91609//China Postdoctoral Science Special Foundation/International ; 517000-X91502//Chinese Postdoctoral Science Foundation/International ; OPP1058938/GATES/Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Asia ; Female ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Male ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; Rickettsia/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The bacterium Rickettsia is found widely in phytophagous insects and often exerts profound effects on the phenotype and fitness of its hosts. Here, we decrypt a new, independent, phylogenetically ancient Torix Rickettsia endosymbiont found constantly in a laboratory line of an economically important insect Asia II 7, a putative species of the Bemisia tabaci whitefly complex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and occasionally in field whitefly populations. This new Rickettsia distributes throughout the body of its whitefly host. Genetically, compared to Rickettsia_bellii_MEAM1 found earlier in whiteflies, the new Rickettsia species has more gene families and pathways, which may be important factors in shaping specific symbiotic relationships. We propose the name 'Candidatus Rickettsia_Torix_Bemisia_tabaci (RiTBt)' for this new endosymbiont associated with whiteflies. Comparative genomic analyses indicate that RiTBi may be a relatively recent intruder in whiteflies given its low abundance in the field and relatively larger genome compared to Rickettsia_bellii_MEAM1.}, }
@article {pmid31997503, year = {2020}, author = {Camp, EF and Kahlke, T and Nitschke, MR and Varkey, D and Fisher, NL and Fujise, L and Goyen, S and Hughes, DJ and Lawson, CA and Ros, M and Woodcock, S and Xiao, K and Leggat, W and Suggett, DJ}, title = {Revealing changes in the microbiome of Symbiodiniaceae under thermal stress.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {4}, pages = {1294-1309}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.14935}, pmid = {31997503}, issn = {1462-2920}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Dinoflagellida/genetics/*microbiology ; *Heat-Shock Response ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; }, abstract = {Symbiodiniaceae are a diverse family of marine dinoflagellates, well known as coral endosymbionts. Isolation and in vitro culture of Symbiodiniaceae strains for physiological studies is a widely adopted tool, especially in the context of understanding how environmental stress perturbs Symbiodiniaceae cell functioning. While the bacterial microbiomes of corals often correlate with coral health, the bacterial communities co-cultured with Symbiodiniaceae isolates have been largely overlooked, despite the potential of bacteria to significantly influence the emergent physiological properties of Symbiodiniaceae cultures. We examined the physiological response to heat stress by Symbiodiniaceae isolates (spanning three genera) with well-described thermal tolerances, and combined these observations with matched changes in bacterial composition and abundance through 16S rRNA metabarcoding. Under thermal stress, there were Symbiodiniaceae strain-specific changes in maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (proxy for health) and growth rates that were accompanied by changes in the relative abundance of multiple Symbiodiniaceae-specific bacteria. However, there were no Symbiodiniaceae-independent signatures of bacterial community reorganisation under heat stress. Notably, the thermally tolerant Durusdinium trenchii (ITS2 major profile D1a) had the most stable bacterial community under heat stress. Ultimately, this study highlights the complexity of Symbiodiniaceae-bacteria interactions and provides a first step towards uncoupling their relative contributions towards Symbiodiniaceae physiological functioning.}, }
@article {pmid31993121, year = {2020}, author = {Maor-Landaw, K and van Oppen, MJH and McFadden, GI}, title = {Symbiotic lifestyle triggers drastic changes in the gene expression of the algal endosymbiont Breviolum minutum (Symbiodiniaceae).}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {451-466}, pmid = {31993121}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis underpins the evolutionary success of corals reefs. Successful exchange of molecules between the cnidarian host and the Symbiodiniaceae algae enables the mutualistic partnership. The algae translocate photosynthate to their host in exchange for nutrients and shelter. The photosynthate must traverse multiple membranes, most likely facilitated by transporters. Here, we compared gene expression profiles of cultured, free-living Breviolum minutum with those of the homologous symbionts freshly isolated from the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana, a widely used model for coral hosts. Additionally, we assessed expression levels of a list of candidate host transporters of interest in anemones with and without symbionts. Our transcriptome analyses highlight the distinctive nature of the two algal life stages, with many gene expression level changes correlating to the different morphologies, cell cycles, and metabolisms adopted in hospite versus free-living. Morphogenesis-related genes that likely underpin the metamorphosis process observed when symbionts enter a host cell were up-regulated. Conversely, many down-regulated genes appear to be indicative of the protective and confined nature of the symbiosome. Our results emphasize the significance of transmembrane transport to the symbiosis, and in particular of ammonium and sugar transport. Further, we pinpoint and characterize candidate transporters-predicted to be localized variously to the algal plasma membrane, the host plasma membrane, and the symbiosome membrane-that likely serve pivotal roles in the interchange of material during symbiosis. Our study provides new insights that expand our understanding of the molecular exchanges that underpin the cnidarian-algal symbiotic relationship.}, }
@article {pmid31991915, year = {2020}, author = {Gondard, M and Temmam, S and Devillers, E and Pinarello, V and Bigot, T and Chrétien, D and Aprelon, R and Vayssier-Taussat, M and Albina, E and Eloit, M and Moutailler, S}, title = {RNA Viruses of Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus microplus and Cattle Susceptibility in the French Antilles.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {12}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {31991915}, issn = {1999-4915}, support = {PHD 2017//Agence Nationale de S&#xe9;curit&#xe9; Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail/ ; PHD 2017//Centre de Coop&#xe9;ration Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le D&#xe9;veloppement/ ; PathoID Metaprogramme//Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/ ; ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ST 2019//Direction Internationale de l'Institut Pasteur/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Antibodies, Viral/blood ; Cattle/immunology ; *Cattle Diseases/immunology/parasitology ; Disease Susceptibility ; Flaviviridae/genetics/immunology/*isolation &amp; purification ; Genome, Viral ; Ixodidae/*virology ; Martinique ; Phylogeny ; RNA Viruses/*classification/genetics/immunology/*isolation &amp; purification ; RNA, Viral/analysis/genetics ; Rhipicephalus/*virology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Tick Infestations/immunology/*veterinary ; West Indies ; }, abstract = {Ticks transmit a wide variety of pathogens including bacteria, parasites and viruses. Over the last decade, numerous novel viruses have been described in arthropods, including ticks, and their characterization has provided new insights into RNA virus diversity and evolution. However, little is known about their ability to infect vertebrates. As very few studies have described the diversity of viruses present in ticks from the Caribbean, we implemented an RNA-sequencing approach on Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus microplus ticks collected from cattle in Guadeloupe and Martinique. Among the viral communities infecting Caribbean ticks, we selected four viruses belonging to the Chuviridae, Phenuiviridae and Flaviviridae families for further characterization and designing antibody screening tests. While viral prevalence in individual tick samples revealed high infection rates, suggesting a high level of exposure of Caribbean cattle to these viruses, no seropositive animals were detected. These results suggest that the Chuviridae- and Phenuiviridae-related viruses identified in the present study are more likely tick endosymbionts, raising the question of the epidemiological significance of their occurrence in ticks, especially regarding their possible impact on tick biology and vector capacity. The characterization of these viruses might open the door to new ways of preventing and controlling tick-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid31987066, year = {2020}, author = {Bello, VH and Watanabe, LFM and Fusco, LM and De Marchi, BR and da Silva, FB and Gorayeb, ES and Moura, MF and de Souza, IM and Muller, C and Salas, FJS and Yuki, VA and Bueno, RCOF and Pavan, MA and Krause-Sakate, R}, title = {Outbreaks of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean species in vegetable crops in São Paulo and Paraná States, Brazil.}, journal = {Bulletin of entomological research}, volume = {110}, number = {4}, pages = {487-496}, doi = {10.1017/S0007485319000841}, pmid = {31987066}, issn = {1475-2670}, mesh = {Animals ; Begomovirus/isolation &amp; purification ; Brazil ; Crinivirus/isolation &amp; purification ; *Crops, Agricultural ; Disease Outbreaks ; Hemiptera/*classification/genetics/*virology ; Introduced Species ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Plant Diseases/virology ; Symbiosis ; Vegetables ; }, abstract = {The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is one of the most important agricultural pests and virus vectors worldwide. Bemisia tabaci is considered a complex of cryptic species with at least 44 species. Among them, the species Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1, formerly B biotype) and Mediterranean (MED, formerly Q biotype) are the most important, and they have attained global status. In Brazil, MEAM1 was first reported in the 1990s and is currently the predominant species in the country, meanwhile, MED was recently reported in the South and Southeast regions and was found to be mainly associated with ornamental plants. Currently, an increasing problem in the management of whitefly infestations in greenhouses associated with bell pepper was observed in São Paulo State, Brazil. The whiteflies were collected and identified based on a microsatellite locus (primer pair BEM23F and BEM23R) and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing. We observed that MED was the predominant species collected on bell pepper, but it was also found on tomato, cucumber, eggplant, and weeds grown in greenhouses. In open field, we found MED on tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplants. In addition, MED was identified in Goiás State in association with ornamental plants. The begomovirus Tomato severe rugose virus and the crinivirus Tomato chlorosis virus was detected on bell pepper and tomato, respectively. Only MED specimens were found associated with the virus-infected plants. Moreover, we also investigated the endosymbionts present in the MED whiteflies. The collected populations of B. tabaci MED harbored a diversity of secondary endosymbionts, with Hamiltonella (H) found predominantly in 89 specimens of the 129 tested. These results represent a new concern for Brazilian agriculture, especially for the management of the newly introduced whitefly MED species, which must be implemented to limit the spreading and establishment of this pest in different crops in this country.}, }
@article {pmid31986143, year = {2020}, author = {Ehrens, A and Lunde, CS and Jacobs, RT and Struever, D and Koschel, M and Frohberger, SJ and Lenz, F and Fendler, M and Turner, JD and Ward, SA and Taylor, MJ and Freund, YR and Stefanakis, R and Easom, E and Li, X and Plattner, JJ and Hoerauf, A and Hübner, MP}, title = {In vivo efficacy of the boron-pleuromutilin AN11251 against Wolbachia of the rodent filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {e0007957}, pmid = {31986143}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Boron ; Diterpenes/*pharmacology ; Doxycycline/pharmacology ; Female ; Filariasis/*drug therapy/microbiology ; Filarioidea/*drug effects/microbiology ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Polycyclic Compounds/*pharmacology ; Rifampin/pharmacology ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*drug effects ; Pleuromutilins ; }, abstract = {The elimination of filarial diseases such as onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis is hampered by the lack of a macrofilaricidal-adult worm killing-drug. In the present study, we tested the in vivo efficacy of AN11251, a boron-pleuromutilin that targets endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria from filarial nematodes and compared its efficacy to doxycycline and rifampicin. Doxycycline and rifampicin were previously shown to deplete Wolbachia endosymbionts leading to a permanent sterilization of the female adult filariae and adult worm death in human clinical studies. Twice-daily oral treatment of Litomosoides sigmodontis-infected mice with 200 mg/kg AN11251 for 10 days achieved a Wolbachia depletion > 99.9% in the adult worms, exceeding the Wolbachia reduction by 10-day treatments with bioequivalent human doses of doxycycline and a similar reduction as high-dose rifampicin (35 mg/kg). Wolbachia reductions of > 99% were also accomplished by 14 days of oral AN11251 at a lower twice-daily dose (50 mg/kg) or once-per-day 200 mg/kg AN11251 treatments. The combinations tested of AN11251 with doxycycline had no clear beneficial impact on Wolbachia depletion, achieving a > 97% Wolbachia reduction with 7 days of treatment. These results indicate that AN11251 is superior to doxycycline and comparable to high-dose rifampicin in the L. sigmodontis mouse model, allowing treatment regimens as short as 10-14 days. Therefore, AN11251 represents a promising pre-clinical candidate that was identified in the L. sigmodontis model, and could be further evaluated and developed as potential clinical candidate for human lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.}, }
@article {pmid31978335, year = {2020}, author = {George, EE and Husnik, F and Tashyreva, D and Prokopchuk, G and Horák, A and Kwong, WK and Lukeš, J and Keeling, PJ}, title = {Highly Reduced Genomes of Protist Endosymbionts Show Evolutionary Convergence.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {30}, number = {5}, pages = {925-933.e3}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2019.12.070}, pmid = {31978335}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Euglenozoa/microbiology ; *Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Holosporaceae/*genetics ; Rickettsiaceae/*genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Genome evolution in bacterial endosymbionts is notoriously extreme: the combined effects of strong genetic drift and unique selective pressures result in highly reduced genomes with distinctive adaptations to hosts [1-4]. These processes are mostly known from animal endosymbionts, where nutritional endosymbioses represent the best-studied systems. However, eukaryotic microbes, or protists, also harbor diverse bacterial endosymbionts, but their genome reduction and functional relationships with their hosts are largely unexplored [5-7]. We sequenced the genomes of four bacterial endosymbionts from three species of diplonemids, poorly studied but abundant and diverse heterotrophic protists [8-12]. The endosymbionts come from two bacterial families, Rickettsiaceae and Holosporaceae, that have invaded two families of diplonemids, and their genomes have converged on an extremely small size (605-632 kilobase pairs [kbp]), similar gene content (e.g., metabolite transporters and secretion systems), and reduced metabolic potential (e.g., loss of energy metabolism). These characteristics are generally found in both families, but the diplonemid endosymbionts have evolved greater extremes in parallel. They possess modified type VI secretion systems that could function in manipulating host metabolism or other intracellular interactions. Finally, modified cellular machinery like the ATP synthase without oxidative phosphorylation, and the reduced flagellar apparatus present in some diplonemid endosymbionts and nutritional animal endosymbionts, indicates that intracellular mechanisms have converged in bacterial endosymbionts with various functions and from different eukaryotic hosts across the tree of life.}, }
@article {pmid31976829, year = {2020}, author = {Livengood, J and Hutchinson, ML and Thirumalapura, N and Tewari, D}, title = {Detection of Babesia, Borrelia, Anaplasma, and Rickettsia spp. in Adult Black-Legged Ticks (Ixodes scapularis) from Pennsylvania, United States, with a Luminex Multiplex Bead Assay.}, journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)}, volume = {20}, number = {6}, pages = {406-411}, doi = {10.1089/vbz.2019.2551}, pmid = {31976829}, issn = {1557-7759}, mesh = {Anaplasma/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Babesia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Borrelia/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; DNA/genetics ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; Pennsylvania ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Rickettsia/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Ixodes scapularis, the black-legged tick, harbors multiple organisms and transmits several pathogens to animals and humans. To determine the presence of tick-borne microorganisms carried by I. scapularis in Pennsylvania, 299 adult I. scapularis ticks were collected from across the state and tested with a multiplex bead panel targeting 20 microorganisms. The Luminex bead-based xMAP[®] MultiFLEX Mega Tick Panel detected microorganisms in these ticks, including Anaplasma spp. (1.7%), Borrelia spp. (45.8%), Babesia spp. (16.1%), and Rickettsia spp. (22.1%) at the genera level and identified Anaplasma phagocytophilum (1.7%), Babesia microti (0.7%), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (45.5%), Borrelia miyamotoi (0.3%), and Rickettsia parkeri (0.7%) at the species level. Babesia spp. reactivity was found to be due to Ba. odocoilei, and Rickettsia spp. reactivity was mainly due to rickettsial endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid31976537, year = {2020}, author = {Pérez-Alonso, MM and Guerrero-Galán, C and Scholz, SS and Kiba, T and Sakakibara, H and Ludwig-Müller, J and Krapp, A and Oelmüller, R and Vicente-Carbajosa, J and Pollmann, S}, title = {Harnessing symbiotic plant-fungus interactions to unleash hidden forces from extreme plant ecosystems.}, journal = {Journal of experimental botany}, volume = {71}, number = {13}, pages = {3865-3877}, pmid = {31976537}, issn = {1460-2431}, mesh = {Basidiomycota ; *Climate Change ; *Ecosystem ; Europe ; Fungi ; }, abstract = {Global climate change is arguably one of the biggest threats of modern times and has already led to a wide range of impacts on the environment, economy, and society. Owing to past emissions and climate system inertia, global climate change is predicted to continue for decades even if anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions were to stop immediately. In many regions, such as central Europe and the Mediterranean region, the temperature is likely to rise by 2-5 °C and annual precipitation is predicted to decrease. Expected heat and drought periods followed by floods, and unpredictable growing seasons, are predicted to have detrimental effects on agricultural production systems, causing immense economic losses and food supply problems. To mitigate the risks of climate change, agricultural innovations counteracting these effects need to be embraced and accelerated. To achieve maximum improvement, the required agricultural innovations should not focus only on crops but rather pursue a holistic approach including the entire ecosystem. Over millions of years, plants have evolved in close association with other organisms, particularly soil microbes that have shaped their evolution and contemporary ecology. Many studies have already highlighted beneficial interactions among plants and the communities of microorganisms with which they coexist. Questions arising from these discoveries are whether it will be possible to decipher a common molecular pattern and the underlying biochemical framework of interspecies communication, and whether such knowledge can be used to improve agricultural performance under environmental stress conditions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of plant interactions with fungal endosymbionts found in extreme ecosystems. Special attention will be paid to the interaction of plants with the symbiotic root-colonizing endophytic fungus Serendipita indica, which has been developed as a model system for beneficial plant-fungus interactions.}, }
@article {pmid31973172, year = {2020}, author = {Seo, MG and Kwon, OD and Kwak, D}, title = {Molecular and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Parasitizing Native Korean Goats (Capra hircus coreanae) in South Korea.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {9}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {31973172}, issn = {2076-0817}, support = {NRF-2016R1D1A1B02015366//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; }, abstract = {Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are considered zoonotic re-emerging pathogens, with ticks playing important roles in their transmission and ecology. Previous studies in South Korea have examined TBPs residing in ticks; however, there is no phylogenetic information on TBPs in ticks parasitizing native Korean goat (NKG; Capra hircus coreanae). The present study assessed the prevalence, risk factors, and co-infectivity of TBPs in ticks parasitizing NKGs. In total, 107 hard ticks, including Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes nipponensis, and Haemaphysalis flava, were obtained from NKGs in South Korea between 2016 and 2019. In 40 tested tick pools, genes for four TBPs, namely Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE, 5.0%), Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii (45.0%), Anaplasma bovis (2.5%), and Theileria luwenshuni (5.0%) were detected. Ehrlichia, Bartonella spp., and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus were not detected. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report CLE and T. luwenshuni in H. flava ticks in South Korea. Considering the high prevalence of Candidatus R. longicornii in ticks parasitizing NKGs, there is a possibility of its transmission from ticks to animals and humans. NKG ticks might be maintenance hosts for TBPs, and we recommend evaluation of the potential public health threat posed by TBP-infected ticks.}, }
@article {pmid31971489, year = {2020}, author = {Pokutnaya, D and Molaei, G and Weinberger, DM and Vossbrinck, CR and Diaz, AJ}, title = {Prevalence of Infection and Co-Infection and Presence of Rickettsial Endosymbionts in Ixodes Scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Connecticut, USA.}, journal = {The Journal of parasitology}, volume = {106}, number = {1}, pages = {30-37}, pmid = {31971489}, issn = {1937-2345}, support = {U01 CK000509/CK/NCEZID CDC HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Anaplasma phagocytophilum/physiology ; Animals ; Arachnid Vectors/*microbiology ; Babesia/physiology ; Babesia microti/physiology ; Borrelia burgdorferi/physiology ; Connecticut/epidemiology ; Female ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; Nymph/parasitology ; Prevalence ; Rickettsia/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/*transmission ; }, abstract = {Ixodes scapularis is currently known to transmit 7 pathogens responsible for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, tick-borne relapsing fever, ehrlichiosis, and Powassan encephalitis. Ixodes scapularis can also be colonized by endosymbiotic bacteria including those in the genus of Rickettsia. We screened 459 I. scapularis ticks submitted to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Tick Testing Laboratory with the objectives to (1) examine differences in infection prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi, (2) evaluate whether prevalence of co-infections occur at the same frequency that would be expected based on single infection, and (3) determine the presence of rickettsial endosymbionts in I. scapularis. The prevalence of infection in I. scapularis was highest with Bo. burgdorferi sensu lato (nymph = 45.8%; female = 47.0%), followed by A. phagocytophilum (nymph = 4.0%; female = 6.9%), Ba. microti (nymph = 5.7%; female = 4.7%), and Bo. miyamotoi (nymph = 0%; female = 7.3%). We also identified rickettsial endosymbionts in 93.3% of I. scapularis. Nymphs were significantly more likely to be infected with Bo. burgdorferi if they were infected with Ba. microti, whereas adult females were significantly more likely to be infected with Bo. burgdorferi if they were infected with A. phagocytophilum. Our study suggests that the infection prevalence of Bo. burgdorferi is not independent of other co-circulating pathogens and that there is a substantially higher infection of Bo. miyamotoi in I. scapularis females compared with nymphs in this study. High prevalence of infection and co-infection with multiple pathogens in I. scapularis highlights the public health consequences in Connecticut, a state endemic for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid31964724, year = {2020}, author = {Motone, K and Takagi, T and Aburaya, S and Miura, N and Aoki, W and Ueda, M}, title = {A Zeaxanthin-Producing Bacterium Isolated from the Algal Phycosphere Protects Coral Endosymbionts from Environmental Stress.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {31964724}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification/*metabolism ; Microbiota ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Zeaxanthins/*biosynthesis ; }, abstract = {Reef-building corals form a complex consortium with photosynthetic algae in the family Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria, collectively termed the coral holobiont. These bacteria are hypothesized to be involved in the stress resistance of the coral holobiont, but their functional roles remain largely elusive. Here, we show that cultured Symbiodiniaceae algae isolated from the reef-building coral Galaxea fascicularis are associated with novel bacteria affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae Antibiotic treatment eliminated the bacteria from cultured Symbiodiniaceae, resulting in a decreased maximum quantum yield of PSII (variable fluorescence divided by maximum fluorescence [Fv/Fm]) and an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under thermal and light stresses. We then isolated this bacterial strain, named GF1. GF1 inoculation in the antibiotic-treated Symbiodiniaceae cultures restored the Fv/Fm and reduced the ROS production. Furthermore, we found that GF1 produces the carotenoid zeaxanthin, which possesses potent antioxidant activity. Zeaxanthin supplementation to cultured Symbiodiniaceae ameliorated the Fv/Fm and ROS production, suggesting that GF1 mitigates thermal and light stresses in cultured Symbiodiniaceae via zeaxanthin production. These findings could advance our understanding of the roles of bacteria in Symbiodiniaceae and the coral holobiont, thereby contributing to the development of novel approaches toward coral protection through the use of symbiotic bacteria and their metabolites.IMPORTANCE Occupying less than 1% of the seas, coral reefs are estimated to harbor ∼25% of all marine species. However, the destruction of coral reefs has intensified in the face of global climate changes, such as rising seawater temperatures, which induce the overproduction of reactive oxygen species harmful to corals. Although reef-building corals form complex consortia with bacteria and photosynthetic endosymbiotic algae of the family Symbiodiniaceae, the functional roles of coral-associated bacteria remain largely elusive. By manipulating the Symbiodiniaceae bacterial community, we demonstrated that a bacterium that produces an antioxidant carotenoid could mitigate thermal and light stresses in cultured Symbiodiniaceae isolated from a reef-building coral. Therefore, this study illuminates the unexplored roles of coral-associated bacteria under stressful conditions.}, }
@article {pmid31961929, year = {2020}, author = {Covey, H and Hall, RH and Krafsur, A and Matthews, ML and Shults, PT and Brelsfoard, CL}, title = {Cryptic Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) Detection and Prevalence in Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Midge Populations in the United States.}, journal = {Journal of medical entomology}, volume = {57}, number = {4}, pages = {1262-1269}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjaa003}, pmid = {31961929}, issn = {1938-2928}, mesh = {Animals ; Ceratopogonidae/*microbiology ; Female ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; United States ; Wolbachia/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Culicoides midges vector numerous veterinary and human pathogens. Many of these diseases lack effective therapeutic treatments or vaccines to limit transmission. The only effective approach to limit disease transmission is vector control. However, current vector control for Culicoides midges is complicated by the biology of many Culicoides species and is not always effective at reducing midge populations and impacting disease transmission. The endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis Hertig may offer an alternative control approach to limit disease transmission and affect Culicoides populations. Here the detection of Wolbachia infections in nine species of Culicoides midges is reported. Infections were detected at low densities using qPCR. Wolbachia infections were confirmed with the sequencing of a partial region of the 16S gene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones adults and dissected ovaries confirm the presence of Wolbachia infections in an important vector of Bluetongue and Epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses. The presence of Wolbachia in Culicoides populations in the United States suggests the need for further investigation of Wolbachia as a strategy to limit transmission of diseases vectored by Culicoides midges.}, }
@article {pmid31958374, year = {2020}, author = {Agany, DDM and Potts, R and Hernandez, JLG and Gnimpieba, EZ and Pietri, JE}, title = {Microbiome Differences Between Human Head and Body Lice Ecotypes Revealed by 16S RRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing.}, journal = {The Journal of parasitology}, volume = {106}, number = {1}, pages = {14-24}, pmid = {31958374}, issn = {1937-2345}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics ; DNA/isolation &amp; purification ; *Ecotype ; Female ; Humans ; *Microbiota ; Pediculus/classification/*microbiology/physiology ; Principal Component Analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/*chemistry ; Rabbits ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; }, abstract = {Human head lice and body lice (Pediculus humanus) are neglected ectoparasites. Head lice continue to be prevalent in children worldwide, and insecticide resistance in these insects has complicated their treatment. Meanwhile, body lice, which are most common in the developing world, are resurging among marginalized populations in developed nations. Today, the microbiome is being increasingly recognized as a key mediator of insect physiology. However, the microbial communities that inhabit human lice have remained unknown beyond only a few species of bacteria. Knowledge of the microbiomes of head and body lice could improve our understanding of the observed physiological differences between the 2 ecotypes and potentially inform the development of novel interventions against lice infestations and louse-borne infectious diseases. Toward these goals, here we performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the microbiomes of both head and body lice and identify patterns of interest among these communities. Our data reveal that head and body lice harbor limited but distinct communities of bacteria that include known intracellular endosymbionts ("Candidatus Riesia pediculicola"), extracellular bacteria that may be horizontally acquired from the host environment, and a number of taxa of known or potential public health significance. Notably, in body lice, the relative abundance of vertically transmitted endosymbionts is lower than in head lice, which is a significant driver of greater alpha diversity. Further, several differentially abundant non-endosymbiont taxa and differences in beta diversity were observed between head lice and body lice. These findings support the hypothesis that microbiome differences could contribute to the divergence between human louse ecotypes and underscore the need for future studies to better comprehend the acquisition and physiological roles of human lice microbiomes.}, }
@article {pmid31958110, year = {2020}, author = {Bing, XL and Zhao, DS and Sun, JT and Zhang, KJ and Hong, XY}, title = {Genomic Analysis of Wolbachia from Laodelphax striatellus (Delphacidae, Hemiptera) Reveals Insights into Its "Jekyll and Hyde" Mode of Infection Pattern.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {12}, number = {2}, pages = {3818-3831}, pmid = {31958110}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Biotin/metabolism ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Genomics/methods ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; Riboflavin/metabolism ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a widely distributed intracellular bacterial endosymbiont among invertebrates. The wStriCN, the Wolbachia strain that naturally infects an agricultural pest Laodelphax striatellus, has a "Jekyll and Hyde" mode of infection pattern with positive and negative effects: It not only kills many offspring by inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) but also significantly increases host fecundity. In this study, we assembled the draft genome of wStriCN and compared it with other Wolbachia genomes to look for clues to its Jekyll and Hyde characteristics. The assembled wStriCN draft genome is 1.79 Mb in size, which is the largest Wolbachia genome in supergroup B. Phylogenomic analysis showed that wStriCN is closest to Wolbachia from Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri. These strains formed a monophylogentic clade within supergroup B. Compared with other Wolbachia genomes, wStriCN contains the most diverse insertion sequence families, the largest amount of prophage sequences, and the most ankyrin domain protein coding genes. The wStriCN genome encodes components of multiple secretion systems, including Types I, II, IV, VI, Sec, and Tac. We detected three pairs of homologs for CI factors CifA and CifB. These proteins harbor the catalytic domains responsible for CI phenotypes but are phylogenetically and structurally distinct from all known Cif proteins. The genome retains pathways for synthesizing biotin and riboflavin, which may explain the beneficial roles of wStriCN in its host planthoppers, which feed on nutrient-poor plant sap. Altogether, the genomic sequencing of wStriCN provides insight into understanding the phylogeny and biology of Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid31957790, year = {2020}, author = {Jogawat, A and Meena, MK and Kundu, A and Varma, M and Vadassery, J}, title = {Calcium channel CNGC19 mediates basal defense signaling to regulate colonization by Piriformospora indica in Arabidopsis roots.}, journal = {Journal of experimental botany}, volume = {71}, number = {9}, pages = {2752-2768}, pmid = {31957790}, issn = {1460-2431}, mesh = {*Arabidopsis/genetics/metabolism/microbiology ; *Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Basidiomycota/*physiology ; *Calcium Channels ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Roots/metabolism/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The activation of calcium signaling is a crucial event for perceiving environmental stress. Colonization by Piriformospora indica, a growth-promoting root endosymbiont, activates cytosolic Ca2+ in Arabidopsis roots. In this study, we examined the role and functional relevance of calcium channels responsible for Ca2+ fluxes. Expression profiling revealed that CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE GATED CHANNEL 19 (CNGC19) is an early-activated gene, induced by unidentified components in P. indica cell-wall extract. Functional analysis showed that loss-of-function of CNGC19 resulted in growth inhibition by P.indica, due to increased colonization and loss of controlled fungal growth. The cngc19 mutant showed reduced elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ in response to P. indica cell-wall extract in comparison to the wild-type. Microbe-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity was compromised in the cngc19 lines, as evidenced by unaltered callose deposition, reduced cis-(+)-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid, jasmonate, and jasmonoyl isoleucine levels, and down-regulation of jasmonate and other defense-related genes, which contributed to a shift towards a pathogenic response. Loss-of-function of CNGC19 resulted in an inability to modulate indole glucosinolate content during P. indica colonization. CNGC19-mediated basal immunity was dependent on the AtPep receptor, PEPR. CNGC19 was also crucial for P. indica-mediated suppression of AtPep-induced immunity. Our results thus demonstrate that Arabidopsis CNGC19 is an important Ca2+ channel that maintains a robust innate immunity and is crucial for growth-promotion signaling upon colonization by P. indica.}, }
@article {pmid31955109, year = {2020}, author = {Rocha, RJM and Rodrigues, ACM and Campos, D and Cícero, LH and Costa, APL and Silva, DAM and Oliveira, M and Soares, AMVM and Patrício Silva, AL}, title = {Do microplastics affect the zoanthid Zoanthus sociatus?.}, journal = {The Science of the total environment}, volume = {713}, number = {}, pages = {136659}, doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136659}, pmid = {31955109}, issn = {1879-1026}, mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Coral Reefs ; Microplastics ; }, abstract = {Microplastics (1 μm-5 mm), a ubiquitous and persistent marine pollutant, pose a severe threat to coral reefs when recently associated with physiological distress and increased diseases on corals. Studies conducted so far have only reported effects on scleractinian species. Knowledge about its effects on other corals (e.g. Order Zoantharia) remains uncovered, and responses at biochemical levels remain poorly documented. This study aimed to assess the potential effects induced by the presence of microplastics (1 and 10 mg L[-1] low-density polyethylene, LDPE MP, or polyvinyl chloride, PVC MP) in the tropical and subtropical cosmopolitan species Zoanthus sociatus (order Zoantharia. Anthozoa: Hexacorallia), at organism level (survival and behaviour), endosymbionts (photosynthetic efficiency) and the cellular level (oxidative stress, detoxification capacity and energy metabolism). In a short-term exposure (96 h), this species was more sensitive to PVC MP. The presence of this polymer at a concentration of 10 mg L[-1] caused a ten-fold higher adhesion to the coral epidermis, increased photosynthetic efficiency, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant defences; without, however, inducing energetic costs. Although the observed physiological and biochemical effects did not compromise Z. sociatus survival in the short term, it does not rule out potential long-term (cumulative) effects that could endanger this and other physiologically similar species that underlie coral reefs.}, }
@article {pmid31953633, year = {2020}, author = {Dergousoff, SJ and Anstead, CA and Chilton, NB}, title = {Identification of bacteria in the Rocky Mountain wood tick, Dermacentor andersoni, using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {80}, number = {2}, pages = {247-256}, pmid = {31953633}, issn = {1572-9702}, support = {RGPIN-2015-06300//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Canada ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Dermacentor/*microbiology ; *Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsia/*classification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {PCR-based single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analyses combined with DNA sequencing of the prokaryotic 16S ribosomal (r) RNA gene encompassing the hypervariable V4 region was used to determine the bacterial composition of Rocky Mountain wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni) attached to Richardson's ground squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) and questing on vegetation in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. The bacteria present in questing adult ticks from Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park included Rickettsia peacockii, a Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE) and an Arsenophonus-like endosymbiont. Bacteria in the adult and nymphal ticks attached to U. richardsonii collected from Beechy included R. peacockii, a FLE, and several other genera (e.g., Ralstonia, Sphingobium, Comamonas and Pseudomonas). The bacteria detected in D. andersoni in the present study are consistent with the findings of other studies that have characterized the microbiome of this tick species in the USA using next generation sequencing. This result demonstrates that the SSCP-based approach used in this study is cost- and time-effective for examining bacterial composition in ticks.}, }
@article {pmid31947801, year = {2020}, author = {Lüthi, MN and Vorburger, C and Dennis, AB}, title = {A Novel RNA Virus in the Parasitoid Wasp Lysiphlebus fabarum: Genomic Structure, Prevalence, and Transmission.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {31947801}, issn = {1999-4915}, support = {PP00P3_146341//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/International ; CRSII3_154396//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/International ; }, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Aphids/parasitology ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Genome, Viral/*genetics ; Haplotypes ; Insect Viruses/classification/genetics/*physiology ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Positive-Strand RNA Viruses/classification/genetics/*physiology ; Viral Load ; Viral Proteins/genetics ; Wasps/physiology/*virology ; }, abstract = {We report on a novel RNA virus infecting the wasp Lysiphlebus fabarum, a parasitoid of aphids. This virus, tentatively named "Lysiphlebus fabarum virus" (LysV), was discovered in transcriptome sequences of wasps from an experimental evolution study in which the parasitoids were allowed to adapt to aphid hosts (Aphis fabae) with or without resistance-conferring endosymbionts. Based on phylogenetic analyses of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), LysV belongs to the Iflaviridae family in the order of the Picornavirales, with the closest known relatives all being parasitoid wasp-infecting viruses. We developed an endpoint PCR and a more sensitive qPCR assay to screen for LysV in field samples and laboratory lines. These screens verified the occurrence of LysV in wild parasitoids and identified the likely wild-source population for lab infections in Western Switzerland. Three viral haplotypes could be distinguished in wild populations, of which two were found in the laboratory. Both vertical and horizontal transmission of LysV were demonstrated experimentally, and repeated sampling of laboratory populations suggests that the virus can form persistent infections without obvious symptoms in infected wasps.}, }
@article {pmid31945519, year = {2020}, author = {Meenatchi, R and Thinesh, T and Brindangnanam, P and Hassan, S and Kiran, GS and Selvin, J}, title = {Revealing the impact of global mass bleaching on coral microbiome through 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomic analysis.}, journal = {Microbiological research}, volume = {233}, number = {}, pages = {126408}, doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2019.126408}, pmid = {31945519}, issn = {1618-0623}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*microbiology/physiology ; Bacteria/*classification ; Coral Reefs ; *Heat-Shock Response ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; India ; *Metagenome ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Coral bleaching, a phenomenon by which the expulsion of corals' alveolate endosymbiont (zooxanthellae) occurs when experiencing thermal stress is the major cause for devastation of corals. However, apart from this obligate symbiont of Scleractinian corals, there are different kinds of microbes that exist as stable, transient or sporadic members of the holobiont which reside within various microhabitats in the coral structures. Thus, this study aims to profile the coral bacterial community composition among different coral genera (thermally-sensitive (Acropora digetifera and A. noblis) and thermally resistant (Favites abdita) coral genera analyzed by field monitoring surveys) and also in a particular coral genus (thermally sensitive coral-A. digetifera) at two different sampling times (March 2016 and January 2017). A total of about 608695 paired end reads were obtained through Illumina MiSeq Sequencing platform. The alpha diversity indices (ACE, Chao1 and Shannon) were found to be higher in A. nobilis, followed by A. digetifera and Favites abdita, and the corresponding Simpson values were also found to follow the same trend, indicating that the samples are both rich in species diversity and species evenness. Proteobacteria was found to be the most dominant phylum and Gammaproteobacteria was the predominant class present in all the coral genera studied as also during different sampling time periods. As Vibrionaceae was previously reported to increase its abundance during bleaching stress conditions, bacterial profiling among different coral genera showed the presence of 86 % Vibrionaceae in A. digetifera colonies, and it was 93 % in A. digetifera samples collected during March 2016 whereas, it was found to decrease significantly (7 %) in same tagged colonies collected during January 2017. Thus, profiling of microbiome is of prime importance while studying the holobiont organism like the corals. Stress levels experienced by Palk Bay are even depicted in this microbiome study showing high alpha diversity indices that should alarm reef managers to pay attention to this precious stress tolerant reef community.}, }
@article {pmid31942975, year = {2020}, author = {Zhu, YX and Song, ZR and Huo, SM and Yang, K and Hong, XY}, title = {Variation in the microbiome of the spider mite Tetranychus truncatus with sex, instar and endosymbiont infection.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {96}, number = {2}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiaa004}, pmid = {31942975}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Female ; Fertility ; Male ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Spiroplasma/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Tetranychidae/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Most arthropod-associated bacterial communities play a crucial role in host functional traits, whose structure could be dominated by endosymbionts. The spider mite Tetranychus truncatus is a notorious agricultural pest harboring various endosymbionts, yet the effects of endosymbionts on spider mite microbiota remain largely unknown. Here, using deep sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we characterized the microbiota of male and female T. truncatus with different endosymbionts (Wolbachia and Spiroplasma) across different developmental stages. Although the spider mite microbiota composition varied across the different developmental stages, Proteobacteria were the most dominant bacteria harbored in all samples. Positive relationships among related operational taxonomic units dominated the significant coassociation networks among bacteria. Moreover, the spider mites coinfected with Wolbachia and Spiroplasma had a significantly higher daily fecundity and juvenile survival rate than the singly infected or uninfected spider mites. The possible function of spider-mite associated bacteria was discussed. Our results highlight the dynamics of spider mite microbiotas across different life stages, and the potential role of endosymbionts in shaping the microbiota of spider mites and improving host fitness.}, }
@article {pmid31941692, year = {2020}, author = {Larson, MA and Sayood, K and Bartling, AM and Meyer, JR and Starr, C and Baldwin, J and Dempsey, MP}, title = {Differentiation of Francisella tularensis Subspecies and Subtypes.}, journal = {Journal of clinical microbiology}, volume = {58}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {31941692}, issn = {1098-660X}, mesh = {*Francisella ; *Francisella tularensis/genetics ; Humans ; *Tularemia/diagnosis ; }, abstract = {The highly infectious and zoonotic pathogen Francisella tularensis is the etiologic agent of tularemia, a potentially fatal disease if untreated. Despite the high average nucleotide identity, which is >99.2% for the virulent subspecies and >98% for all four subspecies, including the opportunistic microbe Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida, there are considerable differences in genetic organization. These chromosomal disparities contribute to the substantial differences in virulence observed between the various F. tularensis subspecies and subtypes. The methods currently available to genotype F. tularensis cannot conclusively identify the associated subpopulation without using time-consuming testing or complex scoring matrices. To address this need, we developed both single and multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays that can accurately detect and identify the hypervirulent F. tularensis subsp. tularensis subtype A.I, the virulent F. tularensis subsp. tularensis subtype A.II, F. tularensis subsp. holarctica (also referred to as type B), and F. tularensis subsp. mediasiatica, as well as opportunistic F. tularensis subsp. novicida from each other and near neighbors, such as Francisella philomiragia, Francisella persica, and Francisella-like endosymbionts found in ticks. These fluorescence-based singleplex and non-matrix scoring multiplex qPCR assays utilize a hydrolysis probe, providing sensitive and specific F. tularensis subspecies and subtype identification in a rapid manner. Furthermore, sequencing of the amplified F. tularensis targets provides clade confirmation and informative strain-specific details. Application of these qPCR- and sequencing-based detection assays will provide an improved capability for molecular typing and clinical diagnostics, as well as facilitate the accurate identification and differentiation of F. tularensis subpopulations during epidemiological investigations of tularemia source outbreaks.}, }
@article {pmid31940381, year = {2020}, author = {Breusing, C and Franke, M and Young, CR}, title = {Intra-host symbiont diversity in eastern Pacific cold seep tubeworms identified by the 16S-V6 region, but undetected by the 16S-V4 region.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {e0227053}, pmid = {31940381}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics/metabolism ; Biodiversity ; Ecosystem ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Geologic Sediments ; Pacific Ocean ; Polychaeta/*classification/genetics/metabolism/*microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Vestimentiferan tubeworms are key taxa in deep-sea chemosynthetic habitats worldwide. As adults they obtain their nutrition through their sulfide-oxidizing bacterial endosymbionts, which are acquired from the environment. Although horizontal transmission should favor infections by various symbiotic microbes, the current paradigm holds that every tubeworm harbors only one endosymbiotic 16S rRNA phylotype. Although previous studies based on traditional Sanger sequencing have questioned these findings, population level high-throughput analyses of the symbiont 16S diversity are still missing. To get further insights into the symbiont genetic variation and uncover hitherto hidden diversity we applied state-of-the-art 16S-V4 amplicon sequencing to populations of the co-occurring tubeworm species Lamellibrachia barhami and Escarpia spicata that were collected during E/V Nautilus and R/V Western Flyer cruises to cold seeps in the eastern Pacific Ocean. In agreement with earlier work our sequence data indicated that L. barhami and E. spicata share one monomorphic symbiont phylotype. However, complementary CARD-FISH analyses targeting the 16S-V6 region implied the existence of an additional phylotype in L. barhami. Our results suggest that the V4 region might not be sufficiently variable to investigate diversity in the intra-host symbiont population at least in the analyzed sample set. This is an important finding given that this region has become the standard molecular marker for high-throughput microbiome analyses. Further metagenomic research will be necessary to solve these issues and to uncover symbiont diversity that is hidden below the 16S rRNA level.}, }
@article {pmid31937677, year = {2020}, author = {Perlmutter, JI and Meyers, JE and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {Transgenic Testing Does Not Support a Role for Additional Candidate Genes in Wolbachia Male Killing or Cytoplasmic Incompatibility.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {5}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {31937677}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {F31 AI143152/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P30 DK058404/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI133522/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic bacteria in the genus Wolbachia remarkably infect nearly half of all arthropod species. They spread in part because of manipulations of host sexual reproduction that enhance the maternal transmission of the bacteria, including male killing (death of infected males) and unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI; death of offspring from infected fathers and uninfected mothers). Recent discoveries identified several genes in prophage WO of Wolbachia (wmk, cifA, and cifB) that fully or partially recapitulate male killing or CI when transgenically expressed in Drosophila melanogaster However, it is not yet fully resolved if other gene candidates contribute to these phenotypes. Here, we transgenically tested 10 additional gene candidates for their involvement in male killing and/or CI. The results show that despite sequence and protein architecture similarities or comparative associations with reproductive parasitism, transgenic expression of the candidates does not recapitulate male killing or CI. Sequence analysis across Wmk and its closest relatives reveals amino acids that may be important to its function. In addition, evidence is presented to propose new hypotheses regarding the relationship between wmk transcript length and its ability to kill a given host, as well as copy number of wmk homologs within a bacterial strain, which may be predictive of host resistance. Together, these analyses continue to build the evidence for identification of wmk, cifA, and cifB as the major genes that have thus far been shown to cause reproductive parasitism in Wolbachia, and the transgenic resources provide a basis for further functional study of phage WO genes.IMPORTANCE Wolbachia are widespread bacterial endosymbionts that manipulate the reproduction of diverse arthropods to spread through a population and can substantially shape host evolution. Recently, reports identified three prophage WO genes (wmk, cifA, and cifB) that transgenically recapitulate many aspects of reproductive manipulation in Drosophila melanogaster Here, we transgenically tested 10 additional gene candidates for CI and/or male killing in flies. The results yield no evidence for the involvement of these gene candidates in reproductive parasitism, bolstering the evidence for identification of the cif and wmk genes as the major factors involved in their phenotypes. In addition, evidence supports new hypotheses for prediction of male-killing phenotypes or lack thereof based on wmk transcript length and copy number. These experiments inform efforts to understand the full basis of reproductive parasitism for basic and applied purposes and lay the foundation for future work on the function of an interesting group of Wolbachia and phage WO genes.}, }
@article {pmid31932140, year = {2020}, author = {Pettifor, BJ and Doonan, J and Denman, S and McDonald, JE}, title = {Survival of Brenneria goodwinii and Gibbsiella quercinecans, associated with acute oak decline, in rainwater and forest soil.}, journal = {Systematic and applied microbiology}, volume = {43}, number = {2}, pages = {126052}, doi = {10.1016/j.syapm.2019.126052}, pmid = {31932140}, issn = {1618-0984}, mesh = {Enterobacteriaceae/growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; *Forests ; Gammaproteobacteria/growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Microbial Viability ; Plant Diseases/*microbiology ; Quercus/*microbiology ; Rain/*microbiology ; *Soil Microbiology ; Species Specificity ; }, abstract = {Acute oak decline (AOD) affects native UK oak species causing rapid decline and mortality in as little as five years. A major symptom of AOD is black weeping stem lesions associated with bacterial phytopathogens, Brenneria goodwinii and Gibbsiella quercinecans. However, there is limited knowledge on the ecological and environmental reservoirs of these phytopathogens. Rainwater and soils are common reservoirs of plant pathogens in a forest environment; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the survival of B. goodwinii and G. quercinecans in vitro when inoculated into rainwater and forest soil using a combination of agar-based colony counts and gyrB gene-targeted quantitative PCR (qPCR). Brenneria goodwinii lost viability on inoculation into soil and rainwater, but was detectable at low abundance in soil for 28 days using qPCR, suggesting a limited ability to persist outside of the host, potentially in a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state. Conversely, Gibbsiella quercinecans, was re-isolated from rainwater for the entire duration of the experiment (84 days) and was re-isolated from forest soil after 28 days, with qPCR analysis corroborating these trends. These data demonstrate that B. goodwinii is unable to survive in forest soils and rainwater, suggesting that it may be an endosymbiont of oak trees, whereas G. quercinecans remains viable in soil and rainwater biomes, suggesting a broad ecological distribution. These data advance understanding of the potential epidemiology of AOD-associated bacteria and their ecological reservoirs, thus increasing the overall knowledge of the pathology of AOD, which assists the development of future management strategies.}, }
@article {pmid31927646, year = {2020}, author = {Bezerra-Santos, MA and Nogueira, BCF and Yamatogi, RS and Ramos, RAN and Galhardo, JA and Campos, AK}, title = {Ticks, fleas and endosymbionts in the ectoparasite fauna of the black-eared opossum Dipelphis aurita in Brazil.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {80}, number = {3}, pages = {329-338}, pmid = {31927646}, issn = {1572-9702}, mesh = {Anaplasmataceae/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Brazil ; Didelphis/*parasitology ; Flea Infestations/*veterinary ; Ixodidae/*microbiology ; Siphonaptera/*microbiology ; Tick Infestations/*veterinary ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Ticks and fleas are essential vectors of pathogens that affect humans and animals, and among their hosts, synanthropic animals such as the black-eared opossum, Didelphis aurita, play a role in public health due to their ability to move between urban centers and forested areas in Brazil. This study aimed to assess the ectoparasite fauna of D. aurita, as well as the presence of pathogens and endosymbionts in ticks and fleas. Opossums (n = 58) captured in Tomahawk livetraps were examined for ectoparasites, and their blood sampled for further analysis. Additionally, spleen samples were collected in individuals found dead. Samples were PCR screened for Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., Anaplasmataceae, and Babesia spp. Two tick species were morphologically identified as Ixodes loricatus 24/58 (41.4%) and Amblyomma sculptum 1/58 (1.7%). For fleas, Ctenocephalides felis was detected in 60.3% (35/58) of the animals, and Xenopsylla cheopis in 5.2% (3/58). PCR analysis detected Anaplasmataceae DNA in 34% (16/47) of pooled samples of C. felis, and in 66.7% (2/3) pooled samples of X. cheopis. Sequence analysis revealed Wolbachia pipientis symbiont in all positive samples. Tick, blood and spleen samples were all negative for the microorganisms assessed. These findings suggest that these arthropods circulate among wildlife and urban environments, which may implicate in their participation in the cycle of zoonotic pathogens among opossums, humans and companion animals.}, }
@article {pmid31922467, year = {2020}, author = {Goodhead, I and Blow, F and Brownridge, P and Hughes, M and Kenny, J and Krishna, R and McLean, L and Pongchaikul, P and Beynon, R and Darby, AC}, title = {Large-scale and significant expression from pseudogenes in Sodalis glossinidius - a facultative bacterial endosymbiont.}, journal = {Microbial genomics}, volume = {6}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {31922467}, issn = {2057-5858}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/L014777/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BBJ017698/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae/*genetics ; *Genes, Bacterial ; Proteome ; *Pseudogenes ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Symbiosis ; Transcriptome ; Tsetse Flies/microbiology ; }, abstract = {The majority of bacterial genomes have high coding efficiencies, but there are some genomes of intracellular bacteria that have low gene density. The genome of the endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius contains almost 50 % pseudogenes containing mutations that putatively silence them at the genomic level. We have applied multiple 'omic' strategies, combining Illumina and Pacific Biosciences Single-Molecule Real-Time DNA sequencing and annotation, stranded RNA sequencing and proteome analysis to better understand the transcriptional and translational landscape of Sodalis pseudogenes, and potential mechanisms for their control. Between 53 and 74 % of the Sodalis transcriptome remains active in cell-free culture. The mean sense transcription from coding domain sequences (CDSs) is four times greater than that from pseudogenes. Comparative genomic analysis of six Illumina-sequenced Sodalis isolates from different host Glossina species shows pseudogenes make up ~40 % of the 2729 genes in the core genome, suggesting that they are stable and/or that Sodalis is a recent introduction across the genus Glossina as a facultative symbiont. These data shed further light on the importance of transcriptional and translational control in deciphering host-microbe interactions. The combination of genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics gives a multidimensional perspective for studying prokaryotic genomes with a view to elucidating evolutionary adaptation to novel environmental niches.}, }
@article {pmid31919396, year = {2020}, author = {Garcia, GA and Hoffmann, AA and Maciel-de-Freitas, R and Villela, DAM}, title = {Aedes aegypti insecticide resistance underlies the success (and failure) of Wolbachia population replacement.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {63}, pmid = {31919396}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; *Insecticide Resistance/drug effects ; Insecticides/toxicity ; Models, Biological ; Population Dynamics ; Pyrethrins/toxicity ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/drug effects/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Mosquitoes that carry Wolbachia endosymbionts may help control the spread of arboviral diseases, such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Wolbachia frequencies systematically increase only when the frequency-dependent advantage due to cytoplasmic incompatibility exceeds frequency-independent costs, which may be intrinsic to the Wolbachia and/or can be associated with the genetic background into which Wolbachia are introduced. Costs depend on field conditions such as the environmental pesticide load. Introduced mosquitoes need adequate protection against insecticides to ensure survival after release. We model how insecticide resistance of transinfected mosquitoes determines the success of local Wolbachia introductions and link our theoretical results to field data. Two Ae. aegypti laboratory strains carrying Wolbachia were released in an isolated district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: wMelBr (susceptible to pyrethroids) and wMelRio (resistant to pyrethroids). Our models elucidate why releases of the susceptible strain failed to result in Wolbachia establishment, while releases of the resistant strain led to Wolbachia transforming the native Ae. aegypti population. The results highlight the importance of matching insecticide resistance levels in release stocks to those in the target natural populations during Wolbachia deployment.}, }
@article {pmid31913264, year = {2020}, author = {Xiang, T and Lehnert, E and Jinkerson, RE and Clowez, S and Kim, RG and DeNofrio, JC and Pringle, JR and Grossman, AR}, title = {Symbiont population control by host-symbiont metabolic interaction in Symbiodiniaceae-cnidarian associations.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {108}, pmid = {31913264}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Animals ; Carbon/metabolism ; Dinoflagellida/genetics/growth &amp; development/*physiology ; Glutamate Synthase/genetics/metabolism ; Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase/genetics/metabolism ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Sea Anemones/enzymology/genetics/*metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {In cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae symbioses, algal endosymbiont population control within the host is needed to sustain a symbiotic relationship. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie such population control are unclear. Here we show that a cnidarian host uses nitrogen limitation as a primary mechanism to control endosymbiont populations. Nitrogen acquisition and assimilation transcripts become elevated in symbiotic Breviolum minutum algae as they reach high-densities within the sea anemone host Exaiptasia pallida. These same transcripts increase in free-living algae deprived of nitrogen. Symbiotic algae also have an elevated carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and shift metabolism towards scavenging nitrogen from purines relative to free-living algae. Exaiptasia glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase transcripts concomitantly increase with the algal endosymbiont population, suggesting an increased ability of the host to assimilate ammonium. These results suggest algal growth and replication in hospite is controlled by access to nitrogen, which becomes limiting for the algae as their population within the host increases.}, }
@article {pmid31912942, year = {2020}, author = {Masson, F and Calderon-Copete, S and Schüpfer, F and Vigneron, A and Rommelaere, S and Garcia-Arraez, MG and Paredes, JC and Lemaitre, B}, title = {Blind killing of both male and female Drosophila embryos by a natural variant of the endosymbiotic bacterium Spiroplasma poulsonii.}, journal = {Cellular microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {5}, pages = {e13156}, pmid = {31912942}, issn = {1462-5822}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Drosophila/embryology/*microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/*microbiology/*mortality/veterinary ; Male ; Phenotype ; Spiroplasma/*genetics/*metabolism ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Spiroplasma poulsonii is a vertically transmitted endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster that causes male-killing, that is the death of infected male embryos during embryogenesis. Here, we report a natural variant of S. poulsonii that is efficiently vertically transmitted yet does not selectively kill males, but kills rather a subset of all embryos regardless of their sex, a phenotype we call 'blind-killing'. We show that the natural plasmid of S. poulsonii has an altered structure: Spaid, the gene coding for the male-killing toxin, is deleted in the blind-killing strain, confirming its function as a male-killing factor. Then we further investigate several hypotheses that could explain the sex-independent toxicity of this new strain on host embryos. As the second non-male-killing variant isolated from a male-killing original population, this new strain raises questions on how male-killing is maintained or lost in fly populations. As a natural knock-out of Spaid, which is unachievable yet by genetic engineering approaches, this variant also represents a valuable tool for further investigations on the male-killing mechanism.}, }
@article {pmid31910734, year = {2020}, author = {Arab, DA and Bourguignon, T and Wang, Z and Ho, SYW and Lo, N}, title = {Evolutionary rates are correlated between cockroach symbionts and mitochondrial genomes.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {20190702}, pmid = {31910734}, issn = {1744-957X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Cockroaches ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genome, Bacterial ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts evolve under strong host-driven selection. Factors influencing host evolution might affect symbionts in similar ways, potentially leading to correlations between the molecular evolutionary rates of hosts and symbionts. Although there is evidence of rate correlations between mitochondrial and nuclear genes, similar investigations of hosts and symbionts are lacking. Here, we demonstrate a correlation in molecular rates between the genomes of an endosymbiont (Blattabacterium cuenoti) and the mitochondrial genomes of their hosts (cockroaches). We used partial genome data for multiple strains of B. cuenoti to compare phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary rates for 55 cockroach/symbiont pairs. The phylogenies inferred for B. cuenoti and the mitochondrial genomes of their hosts were largely congruent, as expected from their identical maternal and cytoplasmic mode of inheritance. We found a correlation between evolutionary rates of the two genomes, based on comparisons of root-to-tip distances and on comparisons of the branch lengths of phylogenetically independent species pairs. Our results underscore the profound effects that long-term symbiosis can have on the biology of each symbiotic partner.}, }
@article {pmid31904510, year = {2020}, author = {Kaczmarek, &#x141; and Roszkowska, M and Poprawa, I and Janelt, K and Kmita, H and Gawlak, M and Fiałkowska, E and Mioduchowska, M}, title = {Integrative description of bisexual Paramacrobiotus experimentalis sp. nov. (Macrobiotidae) from republic of Madagascar (Africa) with microbiome analysis.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {145}, number = {}, pages = {106730}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106730}, pmid = {31904510}, issn = {1095-9513}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroides/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/metabolism ; Electron Transport Complex IV/classification/genetics ; Female ; Madagascar ; Male ; *Microbiota ; Mitochondria/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Proteobacteria/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/classification/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Tardigrada/*classification/genetics/microbiology ; }, abstract = {In a moss samples collected on Madagascar two populations of Paramacrobiotus experimentalis sp. nov. were found. Paramacrobiotus experimentalis sp. nov. with the presence of a microplacoid and areolatus type of eggs is similar to Pam. danielae, Pam. garynahi, Pam. hapukuensis, Pam. peteri, Pam. rioplatensis and Pam. savai, but it differs from them by some morphological and morphometric characters of the eggs. The p-distance between two COI haplotypes of Pam. experimentalis sp. nov. was 0.17%. In turn, the ranges of uncorrected genetic p-distances of all Paramacrobiotus species available in GenBank was from 18.27% (for Pam. lachowskae) to 25.26% (for Pam. arduus) with an average distance of 20.67%. We also found that Pam. experimentalis sp. nov. is bisexual. This observation was congruent on three levels: (i) morphological - specimen size dimorphism; (ii) structural (primary sexual characteristics) - females have an unpaired ovary while males have an unpaired testis and (iii) molecular - heterozygous and homozygous strains of the ITS-2 marker. Although symbiotic associations of hosts with bacteria (including endosymbiotic bacteria) are common in nature and these interactions exert various effects on the evolution, biology and reproductive ecology of hosts, there is still very little information on the bacterial community associated with tardigrades. To fill this gap and characterise the bacterial community of Pam. experimentalis sp. nov. populations and microbiome of its microhabitat, high throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions in the bacterial 16S rRNA gene fragment was performed. The obtained 16S rRNA gene sequences ranged from 92,665 to 131,163. In total, 135 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified across the rarefied dataset. Overall, both Pam. experimentalis sp. nov. populations were dominated by OTUs ascribed to the phylum Proteobacteria (89-92%) and Firmicutes (6-7%). In the case of samples from tardigrades' laboratory habitat, the most abundant bacterial phylum was Proteobacteria (51-90%) and Bacteroides (9-48%). In all compared microbiome profiles, only 16 of 137 OTUs were shared. We found also significant differences in beta diversity between the partly species-specific microbiome of Pam. experimentalis sp. nov. and its culturing environment. Two OTUs belonging to a putative bacterial endosymbiont were identified - Rickettsiales and Polynucleobacter. We also demonstrated that each bacterial community was rich in genes involved in membrane transport, amino acid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism.}, }
@article {pmid31900444, year = {2020}, author = {Wall, CB and Kaluhiokalani, M and Popp, BN and Donahue, MJ and Gates, RD}, title = {Divergent symbiont communities determine the physiology and nutrition of a reef coral across a light-availability gradient.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {945-958}, pmid = {31900444}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*physiology ; Autotrophic Processes ; Carbon ; *Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida ; Heterotrophic Processes ; Photosynthesis ; Seasons ; Species Specificity ; *Sunlight ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Reef corals are mixotrophic organisms relying on symbiont-derived photoautotrophy and water column heterotrophy. Coral endosymbionts (Family: Symbiodiniaceae), while typically considered mutualists, display a range of species-specific and environmentally mediated opportunism in their interactions with coral hosts, potentially requiring corals to rely more on heterotrophy to avoid declines in performance. To test the influence of symbiont communities on coral physiology (tissue biomass, symbiont density, photopigmentation) and nutrition (δ[13]C, δ[15]N), we sampled Montipora capitata colonies dominated by a specialist symbiont Cladocopium spp. or a putative opportunist Durusdinium glynnii (hereafter, C- or D-colonies) from Kāne'ohe Bay, Hawai'i, across gradients in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) during summer and winter. We report for the first time that isotope values of reef corals are influenced by Symbiodiniaceae communities, indicative of different autotrophic capacities among symbiont species. D-colonies had on average 56% higher symbiont densities, but lower photopigments per symbiont cell and consistently lower δ[13]C values in host and symbiont tissues; this pattern in isotope values is consistent with lower symbiont carbon assimilation and translocation to the host. Neither C- nor D-colonies showed signs of greater heterotrophy or nutritional plasticity; instead changes in δ[13]C values were driven by PAR availability and photoacclimation attributes that differed between symbiont communities. Together, these results reveal Symbiodiniaceae functional diversity produces distinct holobionts with different capacities for autotrophic nutrition, and energy tradeoffs from associating with opportunist symbionts are not met with increased heterotrophy.}, }
@article {pmid31900308, year = {2020}, author = {Madhav, M and Parry, R and Morgan, JAT and James, P and Asgari, S}, title = {Wolbachia Endosymbiont of the Horn Fly (Haematobia irritans irritans): a Supergroup A Strain with Multiple Horizontally Acquired Cytoplasmic Incompatibility Genes.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {86}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {31900308}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Genes, Bacterial ; Muscidae/*microbiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The horn fly, Haematobia irritansirritans, is a hematophagous parasite of livestock distributed throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Welfare losses on livestock due to horn fly infestation are estimated to cost between $1 billion and $2.5 billion (U.S. dollars) annually in North America and Brazil. The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis is a maternally inherited manipulator of reproductive biology in arthropods and naturally infects laboratory colonies of horn flies from Kerrville, TX, and Alberta, Canada, but it has also been identified in wild-caught samples from Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Hungary. Reassembly of PacBio long-read and Illumina genomic DNA libraries from the Kerrville H. i. irritans genome project allowed for a complete and circularized 1.3-Mb Wolbachia genome (wIrr). Annotation of wIrr yielded 1,249 coding genes, 34 tRNAs, 3 rRNAs, and 5 prophage regions. Comparative genomics and whole-genome Bayesian evolutionary analysis of wIrr compared to published Wolbachia genomes suggested that wIrr is most closely related to and diverged from Wolbachia supergroup A strains known to infect Drosophila spp. Whole-genome synteny analyses between wIrr and closely related genomes indicated that wIrr has undergone significant genome rearrangements while maintaining high nucleotide identity. Comparative analysis of the cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) genes of wIrr suggested two phylogenetically distinct CI loci and acquisition of another cifB homolog from phylogenetically distant supergroup A Wolbachia strains, suggesting horizontal acquisition of these loci. The wIrr genome provides a resource for future examination of the impact Wolbachia may have in both biocontrol and potential insecticide resistance of horn flies.IMPORTANCE Horn flies, Haematobia irritans irritans, are obligate hematophagous parasites of cattle having significant effects on production and animal welfare. Control of horn flies mainly relies on the use of insecticides, but issues with resistance have increased interest in development of alternative means of control. Wolbachia pipientis is an endosymbiont bacterium known to have a range of effects on host reproduction, such as induction of cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminization, male killing, and also impacts vector transmission. These characteristics of Wolbachia have been exploited in biological control approaches for a range of insect pests. Here we report the assembly and annotation of the circular genome of the Wolbachia strain of the Kerrville, TX, horn fly (wIrr). Annotation of wIrr suggests its unique features, including the horizontal acquisition of additional transcriptionally active cytoplasmic incompatibility loci. This study provides the foundation for future studies of Wolbachia-induced biological effects for control of horn flies.}, }
@article {pmid31900233, year = {2020}, author = {Ghafar, A and Cabezas-Cruz, A and Galon, C and Obregon, D and Gasser, RB and Moutailler, S and Jabbar, A}, title = {Bovine ticks harbour a diverse array of microorganisms in Pakistan.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {1}, pmid = {31900233}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {Australian Government Research Training Scholarship//University of Melbourne/ ; LPS/2016/011//Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research/ ; Research Initiative Fund//The University of Melbourne/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Buffaloes/*parasitology ; Cattle/*parasitology ; Disease Reservoirs/microbiology/parasitology ; Pakistan ; Parasites/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Phylogeny ; Ticks/classification/*microbiology/*parasitology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TTBP) are a major constraint to livestock production in Pakistan; despite a high prevalence of TTBPs, knowledge on the capacity of Pakistani ticks to carry pathogens and endosymbionts is limited. Furthermore, mixed infections with multiple microorganisms further complicate and limit the detection potential of traditional diagnostic methods. The present study investigated the tick-borne microorganisms in bovine ticks in Pakistan, employing a high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR based technique.<br><br>METHODS: Ticks were collected from clinically healthy cattle (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;116) and water buffaloes (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;88) from 30 villages across six districts located in five agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Pakistan from September to November 2017. The microfluidic real-time PCR was used to test the genomic DNA of individual ticks for the presence of 27 bacterial and eight parasitic microorganisms. Phylogenetic methods were used to assess the genetic relationship of DNA sequences determined herein.<br><br>RESULTS: PCR detected DNA of at least one microorganism in each of 221 ticks tested (94.4%, 221/234). DNA-based detection inferred that single pathogens/endosymbionts were the most common (43.4%, 96/221) followed by double (38.9%, 86/221), triple (14.5%, 32/221), quadruple (2.3%, 5/221) and quintuple (0.9%, 2/221) mixed infections. Piroplasms (Babesia/Theileria spp.) were the most prevalent (31.6%, 74/234), followed by Ehrlichia spp. (20%, 47/234) and Anaplasma marginale (7.7%, 18/234). Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. ovis, A. centrale, Babesia ovis, Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., R. massiliae, Bartonella spp. and Hepatozoon spp. were also detected. Endosymbionts such as Francisella-like (91.5%, 214/234) and Coxiella-like (1.3%, 3/234) organisms were also detected in ticks. The highest diversity of microorganisms was detected in Hyalomma anatolicum ticks (test-positive for 14/14 microorganisms), followed by Rhipicephalus microplus (4/14), Hy. hussaini (3/14) and Rh. annulatus (2/14). Ticks collected from cattle carried significantly more frequently piroplasms (41.2%, 54/131; P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) than those from buffaloes (19.4%, 20/103). However, the overall prevalence of microorganisms did not vary significantly among ticks from the two host species as well as across different AEZs.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate a wide range of tick-borne microorganisms in bovine ticks using a high-throughput diagnostic method from different AEZs in Pakistan. These findings will aid in establishing the distribution patterns and the control of tick-borne pathogens of bovines in Pakistan.}, }
@article {pmid34392954, year = {2020}, author = {Ciuca, L and Vismarra, A and Lebon, W and Beugnet, F and Morchon, R and Rinaldi, L and Cringoli, G and Kramer, L and Genchi, M}, title = {New insights into the biology, diagnosis and immune response to Dirofilaria repens in the canine host.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {277S}, number = {}, pages = {100029}, doi = {10.1016/j.vpoa.2020.100029}, pmid = {34392954}, issn = {1873-2550}, abstract = {Dogs are the primary host for Dirofilaria repens, therefore it is mandatory to accurately diagnose the canine infection and to expand our current knowledge on parasite biology and the immune response of the infected host for a better prevention.Thus, the aim of the present study was to provide new insights from experimental infections of dogs with D. repens, focusing on the evaluation of: 1) the pre-patent period and 2) the antibody response against D. repens somatic antigens and against the Wolbachia endosymbiont. Briefly, on Day 0, twenty purpose-bred Beagle dogs were experimentally infected with 50 infective larvae (L3) of D. repens. Starting from Day 58 until the last day of the study (Day 281), blood samples were collected on a monthly basis for detection of antibodies against D. repens (Dr) and recombinant Wolbachia surface protein (rWSP) by non-commercial IgG-ELISAs. Additional samples were collected on Days 220, 245 and 281 for the detection of microfilariae (mff) using the modified Knott's test and biomolecular analysis, following two PCR protocols: Gioia et al. (2010; protocol A) and Rishniw et al. (2006- protocol B). The results were analysed by univariate statistical analyses using 2×2 contingency tables and K Cohen was calculated to assess the agreement among all the diagnostic techniques. Overall, the outcome of the study revealed that out of the 20 dogs experimentally infected with D. repens, 16 (80 %) were microfilaraemic, 17 (85 %) were positive at DNA detection in the blood, 18 (90 %) had D. repens antibodies and 16 (80 %) had Wolbachia antibodies on the last day of the study. The overall k agreement between Knott's and PCR protocol B was 0.442 (P=0.0001) and increased throughout the study, reaching 0.828 (P=0.0001) on Day 281. To the authors knowledge, this is only the second study reporting antibody response to D. repens somatic antigen in experimentally infected dogs. ELISA results showed that an antibody response develops before the onset of patency, and steadily increases with time. Results would suggest that the development of an immunological response to infection could lead to application in epidemiological studies, risk assessment and as an aid in the diagnostic approach in dogs, in particular for early infections without mff.}, }
@article {pmid31879707, year = {2019}, author = {Ngamniyom, A and Sriyapai, T and Sriyapai, P and Panyarachun, B}, title = {Contributions to the knowledge of Pseudolevinseniella (Trematoda: Digenea) and temnocephalans from alien crayfish in natural freshwaters of Thailand.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {5}, number = {12}, pages = {e02990}, pmid = {31879707}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) is a decapod species originating from Australian freshwater. For more than two decades, these crayfish have been re-distributing to environments in many countries, including Thailand. Moreover, they can carry endosymbionts and/or ectosymbionts into new environments. The aim of this study was to introduce a morphological description of Pseudolevinseniella anenteron as a metacercaria of the endoparasites of redclaw crayfish collected from natural water sources in Thailand. The occurrence of two ectosymbiotic temnocephalans (Diceratocephala boschmai and Temnosewellia sp.) in C. quadricarinatus was also reported. The internal morphology of P. anenteron, D. boschmai and Temnosewellia were described and discussed. The surface ultrastructure of the multidentate spines on the body and the metacercarial cyst wall of P. anenteron was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By performing a search of the GenBank nucleotide database of partial sequences of 18S, 28S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1), P. anenteron was found to be related to Maritrema, and Temnosewellia was found to be related to T. fasciata. However, according to the cox1 gene, Temnosewellia was found to be similar to T. minor. These results reveal that redclaw crayfish that inhabit natural freshwaters in Thailand may harbour endoparasites and ecto- and endosymbionts. Furthermore, these findings may be able to monitor invasive or non-invasive species in an ecosystem.}, }
@article {pmid31878033, year = {2019}, author = {Van Etten, JL and Agarkova, IV and Dunigan, DD}, title = {Chloroviruses.}, journal = {Viruses}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {31878033}, issn = {1999-4915}, support = {1/CX/CSRD VA/United States ; }, mesh = {Biotechnology ; Chlorella/*virology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; Genome, Viral ; Genomics/methods ; Life Cycle Stages ; Phycodnaviridae/*physiology/ultrastructure ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Viral Proteins/chemistry/genetics/metabolism ; *Virus Physiological Phenomena ; Virus Replication ; }, abstract = {Chloroviruses are large dsDNA, plaque-forming viruses that infect certain chlorella-like green algae; the algae are normally mutualistic endosymbionts of protists and metazoans and are often referred to as zoochlorellae. The viruses are ubiquitous in inland aqueous environments throughout the world and occasionally single types reach titers of thousands of plaque-forming units per ml of native water. The viruses are icosahedral in shape with a spike structure located at one of the vertices. They contain an internal membrane that is required for infectivity. The viral genomes are 290 to 370 kb in size, which encode up to 16 tRNAs and 330 to ~415 proteins, including many not previously seen in viruses. Examples include genes encoding DNA restriction and modification enzymes, hyaluronan and chitin biosynthetic enzymes, polyamine biosynthetic enzymes, ion channel and transport proteins, and enzymes involved in the glycan synthesis of the virus major capsid glycoproteins. The proteins encoded by many of these viruses are often the smallest or among the smallest proteins of their class. Consequently, some of the viral proteins are the subject of intensive biochemical and structural investigation.}, }
@article {pmid31875152, year = {2019}, author = {Aivelo, T and Norberg, A and Tschirren, B}, title = {Bacterial microbiota composition of Ixodes ricinus ticks: the role of environmental variation, tick characteristics and microbial interactions.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {e8217}, pmid = {31875152}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Ecological factors, host characteristics and/or interactions among microbes may all shape the occurrence of microbes and the structure of microbial communities within organisms. In the past, disentangling these factors and determining their relative importance in shaping within-host microbiota communities has been hampered by analytical limitations to account for (dis)similar environmental preferences ('environmental filtering'). Here we used a joint species distribution modelling (JSDM) approach to characterize the bacterial microbiota of one of the most important disease vectors in Europe, the sheep tick Ixodes ricinus, along ecological gradients in the Swiss Alps. Although our study captured extensive environmental variation along elevational clines, the explanatory power of such large-scale ecological factors was comparably weak, suggesting that tick-specific traits and behaviours, microhabitat and -climate experienced by ticks, and interactions among microbes play an important role in shaping tick microbial communities. Indeed, when accounting for shared environmental preferences, evidence for significant patterns of positive or negative co-occurrence among microbes was found, which is indicative of competition or facilitation processes. Signals of facilitation were observed primarily among human pathogens, leading to co-infection within ticks, whereas signals of competition were observed between the tick endosymbiont Spiroplasma and human pathogens. These findings highlight the important role of small-scale ecological variation and microbe-microbe interactions in shaping tick microbial communities and the dynamics of tick-borne disease.}, }
@article {pmid31870969, year = {2020}, author = {Kong, X and Li, Y and Zhang, H}, title = {Adaptation evolution and bioactivity of galectin from the deep sea Vesicomyidae clam Archivesica packardana.}, journal = {Fish &amp; shellfish immunology}, volume = {97}, number = {}, pages = {483-492}, doi = {10.1016/j.fsi.2019.12.064}, pmid = {31870969}, issn = {1095-9947}, mesh = {*Acclimatization ; Agglutination ; Animals ; Bacteria ; Bivalvia/*genetics/physiology ; Cold Temperature ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Fungi ; Galectins/*genetics/*metabolism ; Hydrothermal Vents ; Immunity, Innate ; Oceans and Seas ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Hydrothermal vents and cold seep zones are two special habitats in the deep sea. These habitats are always dark, and have extreme temperatures (low or high), heavy metals and toxic substances (sulfide, methane). Vesicomyidae clams, which maintain endosymbionts in their gills, are common species in these two special zones and are thought to develop an efficacious immune system against unusual habitats. In the present study, a novel galectin (Apgalectin) was identified from the Vesicomyidae clam Archivesica packardana. The phylogenetic tree indicated that Apgalectin had two CRDs and was closely clustered with galectins from invertebrates, especially mollusks. A branch-site model showed that 9 positively selected sites (ω2 = 6.83950) were identified comparing to galectins from the Order Veneroida, implying a different function of Vesicomyidae galectins. A microbe binding assay showed that rApgalectin could bind to gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and fungi. A PAMP binding assay indicated that Apgalectin could bind LPS, PGN, β-1,3-glucan, glucan from yeast and Poly I:C in dose-dependent manner. Apgalectin only agglutinated Micrococcus luteus and agglutination could be inhibited by galactose which demonstrated that Apgalectin might be involved in immune defense by recognizing and binding bacteria in a β-galactoside manner. Further experiments showed that Apgalectin might play an indirect effector role in the immune response because of its limited antibacterial spectrum. All analyses validated that Apgalectin from Archivesica packardana plays a variety of functions in immune responses and provided basal information for the immune study of deep-sea mollusks.}, }
@article {pmid31870298, year = {2019}, author = {Asimakis, ED and Doudoumis, V and Hadapad, AB and Hire, RS and Batargias, C and Niu, C and Khan, M and Bourtzis, K and Tsiamis, G}, title = {Detection and characterization of bacterial endosymbionts in Southeast Asian tephritid fruit fly populations.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {290}, pmid = {31870298}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Pest Control, Biological ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/*genetics ; Symbiosis ; Tephritidae/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Various endosymbiotic bacteria, including Wolbachia of the Alphaproteobacteria, infect a wide range of insects and are capable of inducing reproductive abnormalities to their hosts such as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), parthenogenesis, feminization and male-killing. These extended phenotypes can be potentially exploited in enhancing environmentally friendly methods, such as the sterile insect technique (SIT), for controlling natural populations of agricultural pests. The goal of the present study is to investigate the presence of Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Arsenophonus and Cardinium among Bactrocera, Dacus and Zeugodacus flies of Southeast Asian populations, and to genotype any detected Wolbachia strains.<br><br>RESULTS: A specific 16S rRNA PCR assay was used to investigate the presence of reproductive parasites in natural populations of nine different tephritid species originating from three Asian countries, Bangladesh, China and India. Wolbachia infections were identified in Bactrocera dorsalis, B. correcta, B. scutellaris and B. zonata, with 12.2-42.9% occurrence, Entomoplasmatales in B. dorsalis, B. correcta, B. scutellaris, B. zonata, Zeugodacus cucurbitae and Z. tau (0.8-14.3%) and Cardinium in B. dorsalis and Z. tau (0.9-5.8%), while none of the species tested, harbored infections with Arsenophonus. Infected populations showed a medium (between 10 and 90%) or low (<&#x2009;10%) prevalence, ranging from 3 to 80% for Wolbachia, 2 to 33% for Entomoplasmatales and 5 to 45% for Cardinium. Wolbachia and Entomoplasmatales infections were found both in tropical and subtropical populations, the former mostly in India and the latter in various regions of India and Bangladesh. Cardinium infections were identified in both countries but only in subtropical populations. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of Wolbachia with some strains belonging either to supergroup B or supergroup A. Sequence analysis revealed deletions of variable length and nucleotide variation in three Wolbachia genes. Spiroplasma strains were characterized as citri-chrysopicola-mirum and ixodetis strains while the remaining Entomoplasmatales to the Mycoides-Entomoplasmataceae clade. Cardinium strains were characterized as group A, similar to strains infecting Encarsia pergandiella.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that in the Southeast natural populations examined, supergroup A Wolbachia strain infections were the most common, followed by Entomoplasmatales and Cardinium. In terms of diversity, most strains of each bacterial genus detected clustered in a common group. Interestingly, the deletions detected in three Wolbachia genes were either new or similar to those of previously identified pseudogenes that were integrated in the host genome indicating putative horizontal gene transfer events in B. dorsalis, B. correcta and B. zonata.}, }
@article {pmid31870295, year = {2019}, author = {Hadapad, AB and Shettigar, SKG and Hire, RS}, title = {Bacterial communities in the gut of wild and mass-reared Zeugodacus cucurbitae and Bactrocera dorsalis revealed by metagenomic sequencing.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {282}, pmid = {31870295}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Cucurbitaceae/parasitology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/*methods ; Male ; Mangifera/parasitology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/*genetics ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Tephritidae/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Insect pests belonging to genus Bactrocera sp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) pose major biotic stress on various fruits and vegetable crops around the world. Zeugodacus and Bactrocera sp. are associated with diverse bacterial communities which play an important role in the fitness of sterile insects. The wild populations of melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) and Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) were collected from pumpkin and mango fields, respectively. The laboratory populations of Z. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis were mass-reared on bottle gourd and sweet banana, respectively. Bacterial communities present in the gut of wild and mass-reared mature (~ 12 days old) and newly emerged (< 1 h after emergence) male and female adults of Z. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis were assessed. We used Illumina HiSeq next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA gene to profile the gut bacterial communities of wild and mass-reared mature and newly emerged Z. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis adults.<br><br>RESULTS: We found diverse bacterial composition in the gut of wild and mass-reared Z. cucurbitae (ZC) and B. dorsalis (BD) with varied relative abundance. Few taxonomic groups were common to both the species. The most dominant phyla in all samples of Z. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis adults were Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. The phylum Proteobacteria occurred more in wild Z. cucurbitae (~&#x2009;87.72%) and B. dorsalis (~&#x2009;83.87%) as compared to mass-reared Z. cucurbitae (64.15%) and B. dorsalis (~&#x2009;80.96%). Higher relative abundance of Phylum Firmicutes was observed in mass-reared fruit fly than wild adults. Cyanobacteria/Chloroplast and Actinobacteria were also present with very low relative abundance in both wild as well as mass-reared melon fly and Oriental fruit fly. Enterobacteriaceae (61.21%) was dominant family in the gut of both wild and mass-reared adults. Providencia and Lactococcus were dominant genera with varied relative abundance in wild as well as in mass-reared mature and newly emerged fruit fly adults of both species. Some of the genera like Morganella and Serratia were only detected in mass-reared mature and newly emerged Z. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis adults. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) showed that fruit fly adult samples were grouped based on species and age of the adults while no grouping was observed on the basis of sex of the adult fruit fly.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The gut bacterial communities associated with wild and mass-reared mature and newly emerged adults of Z. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis showed variation that depends on species and age of the insects. Understanding the gut microbiota of wild and mass-reared Z. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis using high throughput technology will help to illustrate microbial diversity and this information could be used to develop efficient mass-rearing protocols for successful implementation of sterile insect technique (SIT).}, }
@article {pmid31870290, year = {2019}, author = {Conte, CA and Segura, DF and Milla, FH and Augustinos, A and Cladera, JL and Bourtzis, K and Lanzavecchia, SB}, title = {Wolbachia infection in Argentinean populations of Anastrepha fraterculus sp1: preliminary evidence of sex ratio distortion by one of two strains.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {289}, pmid = {31870290}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/*genetics ; Female ; Male ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Phylogeny ; Sex Ratio ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; Tephritidae/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia, one of the most abundant taxa of intracellular Alphaproteobacteria, is widespread among arthropods and filarial nematodes. The presence of these maternally inherited bacteria is associated with modifications of host fitness, including a variety of reproductive abnormalities, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, thelytokous parthenogenesis, host feminization and male-killing. Wolbachia has attracted much interest for its role in biological, ecological and evolutionary processes as well as for its potential use in novel and environmentally-friendly strategies for the control of insect pests and disease vectors including a major agricultural pest, the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae).<br><br>RESULTS: We used wsp, 16S rRNA and a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme including gatB, coxA, hcpA, fbpA, and ftsZ genes to detect and characterize the Wolbachia infection in laboratory strains and wild populations of A. fraterculus from Argentina. Wolbachia was found in all A. fraterculus individuals studied. Nucleotide sequences analysis of wsp gene allowed the identification of two Wolbachia nucleotide variants (named wAfraCast1_A and wAfraCast2_A). After the analysis of 76 individuals, a high prevalence of the wAfraCast2_A variant was found both, in laboratory (82%) and wild populations (95%). MLST analysis identified both Wolbachia genetic variants as sequence type 13. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated MLST datasets clustered wAfraCast1/2_A in the supergroup A. Paired-crossing experiments among single infected laboratory strains showed a phenotype specifically associated to wAfraCast1_A that includes slight detrimental effects on larval survival, a female-biased sex ratio; suggesting the induction of male-killing phenomena, and a decreased proportion of females producing descendants that appears attributable to the lack of sperm in their spermathecae.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We detected and characterized at the molecular level two wsp gene sequence variants of Wolbachia both in laboratory and wild populations of A. fraterculus sp.1 from Argentina. Crossing experiments on singly-infected A. fraterculus strains showed evidence of a male killing-like mechanism potentially associated to the wAfraCast1_A - A. fraterculus interactions. Further mating experiments including antibiotic treatments and the analysis of early and late immature stages of descendants will contribute to our understanding of the phenotypes elicited by the Wolbachia variant wAfraCast1_A in A. fraterculus sp.1.}, }
@article {pmid31869759, year = {2020}, author = {Hübner, MP and Gunderson, E and Vogel, I and Bulman, CA and Lim, KC and Koschel, M and Ehrens, A and Frohberger, SJ and Fendler, M and Tricoche, N and Voronin, D and Steven, A and Chi, V and Bakowski, MA and Woods, AK and Petrassi, HM and McNamara, CW and Beerntsen, B and Chappell, L and Sullivan, W and Taylor, MJ and Turner, JD and Hoerauf, A and Lustigman, S and Sakanari, JA}, title = {Short-course quinazoline drug treatments are effective in the Litomosoides sigmodontis and Brugia pahangi jird models.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology. Drugs and drug resistance}, volume = {12}, number = {}, pages = {18-27}, pmid = {31869759}, issn = {2211-3207}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration &amp; dosage/*therapeutic use ; Brugia pahangi/drug effects ; Female ; Filariasis/*drug therapy/microbiology ; Filarioidea/drug effects ; Gerbillinae/microbiology/parasitology ; Microfilariae/drug effects ; Onchocerciasis/*drug therapy ; Quinazolines/administration &amp; dosage/*therapeutic use ; Symbiosis/drug effects ; Wolbachia/*drug effects ; }, abstract = {The quinazolines CBR417 and CBR490 were previously shown to be potent anti-wolbachials that deplete Wolbachia endosymbionts of filarial nematodes and present promising pre-clinical candidates for human filarial diseases such as onchocerciasis. In the present study we tested both candidates in two models of chronic filarial infection, namely the Litomosoides sigmodontis and Brugia pahangi jird model and assessed their long-term effect on Wolbachia depletion, microfilariae counts and filarial embryogenesis 16-18 weeks after treatment initiation (wpt). Once per day (QD) oral treatment with CBR417 (50 mg/kg) for 4 days or twice per day (BID) with CBR490 (25 mg/kg) for 7 days during patent L. sigmodontis infection reduced the Wolbachia load by >99% and completely cleared peripheral microfilaremia from 10-14 wpt. Similarly, 7 days of QD treatments (40 mg/kg) with CBR417 or CBR490 cleared >99% of Wolbachia from B. pahangi and reduced peritoneal microfilariae counts by 93% in the case of CBR417 treatment. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated intensive damage to the B. pahangi ovaries following CBR417 treatment and in accordance filarial embryogenesis was inhibited in both models after CBR417 or CBR490 treatment. Suboptimal treatment regimens of CBR417 or CBR490 did not lead to a maintained reduction of the microfilariae and Wolbachia load. In conclusion, CBR417 or CBR490 are pre-clinical candidates for filarial diseases, which achieve long-term clearance of Wolbachia endosymbionts of filarial nematodes, inhibit filarial embryogenesis and clear microfilaremia with treatments as short as 7 days.}, }
@article {pmid31862723, year = {2020}, author = {Weldon, SR and Russell, JA and Oliver, KM}, title = {More Is Not Always Better: Coinfections with Defensive Symbionts Generate Highly Variable Outcomes.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {86}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {31862723}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/genetics/*microbiology/parasitology ; Enterobacteriaceae/*physiology ; Environment ; Genotype ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Animal-associated microbes are highly variable, contributing to a diverse set of symbiont-mediated phenotypes. Given that host and symbiont genotypes, and their interactions, can impact symbiont-based phenotypes across environments, there is potential for extensive variation in fitness outcomes. Pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum, host a diverse assemblage of heritable facultative symbionts (HFS) with characterized roles in host defense. Protective phenotypes have been largely studied as single infections, but pea aphids often carry multiple HFS species, and particular combinations may be enriched or depleted compared to expectations based on chance. Here, we examined the consequences of single infection versus coinfection with two common HFS exhibiting variable enrichment, the antiparasitoid Hamiltonella defensa and the antipathogen Regiella insecticola, across three host genotypes and environments. As expected, single infections with either H. defensa or R. insecticola raised defenses against their respective targets. Single infections with protective H. defensa lowered aphid fitness in the absence of enemy challenge, while R. insecticola was comparatively benign. However, as a coinfection, R. insecticola ameliorated H. defensa infection costs. Coinfected aphids continued to receive antiparasitoid protection from H. defensa, but protection was weakened by R. insecticola in two clones. Notably, H. defensa eliminated survival benefits conferred after pathogen exposure by coinfecting R. insecticola Since pathogen sporulation was suppressed by R. insecticola in coinfected aphids, the poor performance likely stemmed from H. defensa-imposed costs rather than weakened defenses. Our results reveal a complex set of coinfection outcomes which may partially explain natural infection patterns and suggest that symbiont-based phenotypes may not be easily predicted based solely on infection status.IMPORTANCE The hyperdiverse arthropods often harbor maternally transmitted bacteria that protect against natural enemies. In many species, low-diversity communities of heritable symbionts are common, providing opportunities for cooperation and conflict among symbionts, which can impact the defensive services rendered. Using the pea aphid, a model for defensive symbiosis, we show that coinfections with two common defensive symbionts, the antipathogen Regiella and the antiparasite Hamiltonella, produce outcomes that are highly variable compared to single infections, which consistently protect against designated enemies. Compared to single infections, coinfections often reduced defensive services during enemy challenge yet improved aphid fitness in the absence of enemies. Thus, infection with multiple symbionts does not necessarily create generalist aphids with "Swiss army knife" defenses against numerous enemies. Instead, particular combinations of symbionts may be favored for a variety of reasons, including their abilities to lessen the costs of other defensive symbionts when enemies are not present.}, }
@article {pmid31861544, year = {2019}, author = {Sheffer, MM and Uhl, G and Prost, S and Lueders, T and Urich, T and Bengtsson, MM}, title = {Tissue- and Population-Level Microbiome Analysis of the Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi Identified a Novel Dominant Bacterial Symbiont.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {31861544}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {RTG 2010//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; }, abstract = {Many ecological and evolutionary processes in animals depend upon microbial symbioses. In spiders, the role of the microbiome in these processes remains mostly unknown. We compared the microbiome between populations, individuals, and tissue types of a range-expanding spider, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our study is one of the first to go beyond targeting known endosymbionts in spiders and characterizes the total microbiome across different body compartments (leg, prosoma, hemolymph, book lungs, ovaries, silk glands, midgut, and fecal pellets). Overall, the microbiome differed significantly between populations and individuals, but not between tissue types. The microbiome of the wasp spider Argiope bruennichi features a novel dominant bacterial symbiont, which is abundant in every tissue type in spiders from geographically distinct populations and that is also present in offspring. The novel symbiont is affiliated with the Tenericutes, but has low sequence identity (<85%) to all previously named taxa, suggesting that the novel symbiont represents a new bacterial clade. Its presence in offspring implies that it is vertically transmitted. Our results shed light on the processes that shape microbiome differentiation in this species and raise several questions about the implications of the novel dominant bacterial symbiont on the biology and evolution of its host.}, }
@article {pmid31860434, year = {2020}, author = {Dietrich, EA and Kingry, LC and Kugeler, KJ and Levy, C and Yaglom, H and Young, JW and Mead, PS and Petersen, JM}, title = {Francisella opportunistica sp. nov., isolated from human blood and cerebrospinal fluid.}, journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology}, volume = {70}, number = {2}, pages = {1145-1151}, pmid = {31860434}, issn = {1466-5034}, support = {CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Base Composition ; Blood/*microbiology ; Cerebrospinal Fluid/*microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Francisella/*classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Genes, Bacterial ; Humans ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; United States ; }, abstract = {Two isolates of a Gram-negative, non-spore-forming coccobacillus cultured from the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of immunocompromised patients in the United States were described previously. Biochemical and phylogenetic analyses revealed that they belong to a novel species within the Francisella genus. Here we describe a third isolate of this species, recovered from blood of a febrile patient with renal failure, and formally name the Francisella species. Whole genome comparisons indicated the three isolates display greater than 99.9 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) to each other and are most closely related to the tick endosymbiont F. persica, with only 88.6-88.8 % ANI to the type strain of F. persica. Based on biochemical, metabolic and genomic comparisons, we propose that these three isolates should be recognized as Francisella opportunistica sp. nov, with the type strain of the species, PA05-1188[T], available through the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSM 107100) and the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC BAA-2974).}, }
@article {pmid31848270, year = {2019}, author = {Hinzke, T and Kleiner, M and Breusing, C and Felbeck, H and Häsler, R and Sievert, SM and Schlüter, R and Rosenstiel, P and Reusch, TBH and Schweder, T and Markert, S}, title = {Host-Microbe Interactions in the Chemosynthetic Riftia pachyptila Symbiosis.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {31848270}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Adaptation, Biological ; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Animals ; Aquatic Organisms ; Energy Metabolism ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Metabolome ; *Microbiota ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Polychaeta/*metabolism/*microbiology/ultrastructure ; Proteome ; Proteomics/methods ; Seawater ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The deep-sea tubeworm Riftia pachyptila lacks a digestive system but completely relies on bacterial endosymbionts for nutrition. Although the symbiont has been studied in detail on the molecular level, such analyses were unavailable for the animal host, because sequence information was lacking. To identify host-symbiont interaction mechanisms, we therefore sequenced the Riftia transcriptome, which served as a basis for comparative metaproteomic analyses of symbiont-containing versus symbiont-free tissues, both under energy-rich and energy-limited conditions. Our results suggest that metabolic interactions include nutrient allocation from symbiont to host by symbiont digestion and substrate transfer to the symbiont by abundant host proteins. We furthermore propose that Riftia maintains its symbiont by protecting the bacteria from oxidative damage while also exerting symbiont population control. Eukaryote-like symbiont proteins might facilitate intracellular symbiont persistence. Energy limitation apparently leads to reduced symbiont biomass and increased symbiont digestion. Our study provides unprecedented insights into host-microbe interactions that shape this highly efficient symbiosis.IMPORTANCE All animals are associated with microorganisms; hence, host-microbe interactions are of fundamental importance for life on earth. However, we know little about the molecular basis of these interactions. Therefore, we studied the deep-sea Riftia pachyptila symbiosis, a model association in which the tubeworm host is associated with only one phylotype of endosymbiotic bacteria and completely depends on this sulfur-oxidizing symbiont for nutrition. Using a metaproteomics approach, we identified both metabolic interaction processes, such as substrate transfer between the two partners, and interactions that serve to maintain the symbiotic balance, e.g., host efforts to control the symbiont population or symbiont strategies to modulate these host efforts. We suggest that these interactions are essential principles of mutualistic animal-microbe associations.}, }
@article {pmid31847845, year = {2019}, author = {Bigiotti, G and Pastorelli, R and Guidi, R and Belcari, A and Sacchetti, P}, title = {Horizontal transfer and finalization of a reliable detection method for the olive fruit fly endosymbiont, Candidatus Erwinia dacicola.}, journal = {BMC biotechnology}, volume = {19}, number = {Suppl 2}, pages = {93}, pmid = {31847845}, issn = {1472-6750}, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Laboratory/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Erwinia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; Insect Control ; Larva/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Male ; Olea/*parasitology ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; Symbiosis ; Tephritidae/growth &amp; development/microbiology/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The olive fly, Bactrocera oleae, is the most important insect pest in olive production, causing economic damage to olive crops worldwide. In addition to extensive research on B. oleae control methods, scientists have devoted much effort in the last century to understanding olive fly endosymbiosis with a bacterium eventually identified as Candidatus Erwinia dacicola. This bacterium plays a relevant role in olive fly fitness. It is vertically transmitted, and it benefits both larvae and adults in wild populations; however, the endosymbiont is not present in lab colonies, probably due to the antibiotics and preservatives required for the preparation of artificial diets. Endosymbiont transfer from wild B. oleae populations to laboratory-reared ones allows olive fly mass-rearing, thus producing more competitive flies for future Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) applications.<br><br>RESULTS: We tested the hypothesis that Ca. E. dacicola might be transmitted from wild, naturally symbiotic adults to laboratory-reared flies. Several trials have been performed with different contamination sources of Ca. E. dacicola, such as ripe olives and gelled water contaminated by wild flies, wax domes containing eggs laid by wild females, cages dirtied by faeces dropped by wild flies and matings between lab and wild adults. PCR-DGGE, performed with the primer set 63F-GC/518R, demonstrated that the transfer of the endosymbiont from wild flies to lab-reared ones occurred only in the case of cohabitation.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Cohabitation of symbiotic wild flies and non-symbiotic lab flies allows the transfer of Ca. E. dacicola through adults. Moreover, PCR-DGGE performed with the primer set 63F-GC/518R was shown to be a consistent method for screening Ca. E. dacicola, also showing the potential to distinguish between the two haplotypes (htA and htB). This study represents the first successful attempt at horizontal transfer of Ca. E. dacicola and the first step in acquiring a better understanding of the endosymbiont physiology and its relationship with the olive fly. Our research also represents a starting point for the development of a laboratory symbiotic olive fly colony, improving perspectives for future applications of the Sterile Insect Technique.}, }
@article {pmid31847764, year = {2019}, author = {Wedell, N and Price, TAR and Lindholm, AK}, title = {Gene drive: progress and prospects.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {286}, number = {1917}, pages = {20192709}, pmid = {31847764}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Aedes ; Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Culicidae ; Dengue ; *Disease Vectors ; *Gene Drive Technology ; Mosquito Vectors ; Reproduction ; Wolbachia ; Zika Virus ; Zika Virus Infection ; }, abstract = {Gene drive is a naturally occurring phenomenon in which selfish genetic elements manipulate gametogenesis and reproduction to increase their own transmission to the next generation. Currently, there is great excitement about the potential of harnessing such systems to control major pest and vector populations. If synthetic gene drive systems can be constructed and applied to key species, they may be able to rapidly spread either modifying or eliminating the targeted populations. This approach has been lauded as a revolutionary and efficient mechanism to control insect-borne diseases and crop pests. Driving endosymbionts have already been deployed to combat the transmission of dengue and Zika virus in mosquitoes. However, there are a variety of barriers to successfully implementing gene drive techniques in wild populations. There is a risk that targeted organisms will rapidly evolve an ability to suppress the synthetic drive system, rendering it ineffective. There are also potential risks of synthetic gene drivers invading non-target species or populations. This Special Feature covers the current state of affairs regarding both natural and synthetic gene drive systems with the aim to identify knowledge gaps. By understanding how natural drive systems spread through populations, we may be able to better predict the outcomes of synthetic drive release.}, }
@article {pmid31843766, year = {2019}, author = {Gegner, HM and Rädecker, N and Ochsenkühn, M and Barreto, MM and Ziegler, M and Reichert, J and Schubert, P and Wilke, T and Voolstra, CR}, title = {High levels of floridoside at high salinity link osmoadaptation with bleaching susceptibility in the cnidarian-algal endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Biology open}, volume = {8}, number = {12}, pages = {}, pmid = {31843766}, issn = {2046-6390}, abstract = {Coral reefs are in global decline mainly due to increasing sea surface temperatures triggering coral bleaching. Recently, high salinity has been linked to increased thermotolerance and decreased bleaching in the sea anemone coral model Aiptasia. However, the underlying processes remain elusive. Using two Aiptasia host--endosymbiont pairings, we induced bleaching at different salinities and show reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) release at high salinities, suggesting a role of osmoadaptation in increased thermotolerance. A subsequent screening of osmolytes revealed that this effect was only observed in algal endosymbionts that produce 2-O-glycerol-α-D-galactopyranoside (floridoside), an osmolyte capable of scavenging ROS. This result argues for a mechanistic link between osmoadaptation and thermotolerance, mediated by ROS-scavenging osmolytes (e.g., floridoside). This sheds new light on the putative mechanisms underlying the remarkable thermotolerance of corals from water bodies with high salinity such as the Red Sea or Persian/Arabian Gulf and holds implications for coral thermotolerance under climate change.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.}, }
@article {pmid31843539, year = {2020}, author = {Li, C and He, M and Yun, Y and Peng, Y}, title = {Co-infection with Wolbachia and Cardinium may promote the synthesis of fat and free amino acids in a small spider, Hylyphantes graminicola.}, journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology}, volume = {169}, number = {}, pages = {107307}, doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2019.107307}, pmid = {31843539}, issn = {1096-0805}, mesh = {Amino Acids/*metabolism ; Animals ; Bacteroidetes/*physiology ; Fats/*metabolism ; Spiders/*metabolism/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Transcriptome ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Associations between endosymbiotic bacteria and their hosts are widespread in nature and have been demonstrated extensively; however, only a few studies have examined how facultative symbionts affect host nutrition and metabolism. To gain insight into the associations between facultative symbionts and host nutrition and metabolic activity, we detected endosymbiotic infection in a small spider species, Hylyphantes graminicola, and established two infectious strains, i.e., W[-]C[+] (Wolbachia negative, Cardinium positive) and W[+]C[+] (Wolbachia positive, Cardinium positive). We then determined the content of fat and free amino acids in W[-]C[+] and W[+]C[+] spiders, respectively. We also detected the transcriptome of H. graminicola and the expression of genes involved in fat and amino acid metabolism at different host ages. Results showed that fat content in W[+]C[+] spiders was higher than that in W[-]C[+] spiders, and free amino acid content was higher in W[+]C[+] males than W[-]C[+] males, with no difference observed in females. Transcriptome analysis identified 144 (W[-]C[+] vs W[+]C[+]) differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Moreover, the expression of five genes involved in fat and amino acid metabolism were significantly up-regulated in the third, fourth, and fifth instar stages in W[+]C[+] spiders. This study indicated that Wolbachia and Cardinium co-infection had a pivotal effect on fat and amino acid synthesis in hosts. Moreover, our results provide strong evidence explaining the long-term coexistence of hosts and endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid31840419, year = {2021}, author = {Xu, TT and Chen, J and Jiang, LY and Qiao, GX}, title = {Diversity of bacteria associated with Hormaphidinae aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae).}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {28}, number = {1}, pages = {165-179}, pmid = {31840419}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {[2016]7988//China Scholarship Council/ ; 2016YFE0203100//National Key R&amp;D Program of China/ ; XDA19050303//Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; 31620103916//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31430078//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {*Animal Distribution ; Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology/physiology ; Bacteria/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; RNA, Bacterial/*analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/*analysis ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacteria are ubiquitous inhabitants of animals. Hormaphidinae is a particular aphid group exhibiting very diverse life history traits. However, the microbiota in this group is poorly known. In the present study, using high-throughput sequencing of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicons, we surveyed the bacterial flora in hormaphidine aphids and explored whether the aphid tribe, host plant and geographical distribution are associated with the distribution of secondary symbionts. The most dominant bacteria detected in hormaphidine species are heritable symbionts. As expected, the primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola is the most abundant symbiont across all species and has cospeciated with its host aphids. Six secondary symbionts were detected in Hormaphidinae. Arsenophonus is widespread in Hormaphidinae species, suggesting the possibility of ancient acquisition of this symbiont. Ordination analyses and statistical tests show that the symbiont composition does not seem to relate to any of the aphid tribes, host plants or geographical distributions, which indicate that horizontal transfers might occur for these symbionts in Hormaphidinae. Correlation analysis exhibits negative interference between Buchnera and coexisting secondary symbionts, while the interactions between different secondary symbionts are complicated. These findings display a comprehensive picture of the microbiota in Hormaphidinae and may be helpful in understanding the symbiont diversity within a group of aphids.}, }
@article {pmid31827855, year = {2019}, author = {Schausberger, P and Gotoh, T and Sato, Y}, title = {Spider mite mothers adjust reproduction and sons' alternative reproductive tactics to immigrating alien conspecifics.}, journal = {Royal Society open science}, volume = {6}, number = {11}, pages = {191201}, pmid = {31827855}, issn = {2054-5703}, abstract = {Maternal effects on environmentally induced alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) are poorly understood but likely to be selected for if mothers can reliably predict offspring environments. We assessed maternal effects in two populations (Y and G) of herbivorous arrhenotokous spider mites Tetranychus urticae, where males conditionally express fighting and sneaking tactics in male-male combat and pre-copulatory guarding behaviour. We hypothesized that resident mothers should adjust their reproduction and sons' ARTs to immigrating alien conspecifics in dependence of alien conspecifics posing a fitness threat or advantage. To induce maternal effects, females were exposed to own or alien socio-environments and mated to own or alien males. Across maternal and sons' reproductive traits, the maternal socio-environment induced stronger effects than the maternal mate, and G-mothers responded more strongly to Y-influence than vice versa. G-socio-environments and Y-mates enhanced maternal egg production in both populations. Maternal exposure to G-socio-environments demoted, yet maternal Y-mates promoted, guarding occurrence and timing by sons. Sneakers guarded earlier than fighters in Y-environments, whereas the opposite happened in G-environments. The endosymbiont Cardinium, present in G, did not exert any classical effect but may have played a role via the shared plant. Our study highlights interpopulation variation in immediate and anticipatory maternal responses to immigrants.}, }
@article {pmid31827121, year = {2019}, author = {Thompson, MC and Feng, H and Wuchty, S and Wilson, ACC}, title = {The green peach aphid gut contains host plant microRNAs identified by comprehensive annotation of Brassica oleracea small RNA data.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {18904}, pmid = {31827121}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*physiology ; Brassica/genetics/*metabolism ; Buchnera/genetics ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; MicroRNAs/genetics/*metabolism ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Like all organisms, aphids, plant sap-sucking insects that house a bacterial endosymbiont called Buchnera, are members of a species interaction network. Ecological interactions across such networks can result in phenotypic change in network members mediated by molecular signals, like microRNAs. Here, we interrogated small RNA data from the aphid, Myzus persicae, to determine the source of reads that did not map to the aphid or Buchnera genomes. Our analysis revealed that the pattern was largely explained by reads that mapped to the host plant, Brassica oleracea, and a facultative symbiont, Regiella. To start elucidating the function of plant small RNA in aphid gut, we annotated 213 unique B. oleracea miRNAs; 32/213 were present in aphid gut as mature and star miRNAs. Next, we predicted targets in the B. oleracea and M. persicae genomes for these 32 plant miRNAs. We found that plant targets were enriched for genes associated with transcription, while the distribution of targets in the aphid genome was similar to the functional distribution of all genes in the aphid genome. We discuss the potential of plant miRNAs to regulate aphid gene expression and the mechanisms involved in processing, export and uptake of plant miRNAs by aphids.}, }
@article {pmid31825546, year = {2020}, author = {Brumin, M and Lebedev, G and Kontsedalov, S and Ghanim, M}, title = {Levels of the endosymbiont Rickettsia in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci are influenced by the expression of vitellogenin.}, journal = {Insect molecular biology}, volume = {29}, number = {2}, pages = {241-255}, doi = {10.1111/imb.12629}, pmid = {31825546}, issn = {1365-2583}, mesh = {Animals ; Gene Expression ; Hemiptera/genetics/*microbiology ; Insect Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Rickettsia/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Vitellogenins/*genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts play essential roles in the biology of their arthropod hosts by interacting with internal factors in the host. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a worldwide agricultural pest and a supervector for more than 100 plant viruses. Like many other arthropods, Be. tabaci harbours a primary endosymbiont, Porteira aleyrodidarum, and an array of secondary endosymbionts that coexist with Portiera inside bacteriocyte cells. Unlike all of the other secondary symbionts that infect Be. tabaci, Rickettsia has been shown to be an exception by infecting insect organs and not colocalizing with Portiera, and has been shown to significantly impact the insect biology and its interactions with the environment. Little is known about the molecular interactions that underlie insect-symbiont interactions in general, and particularly Be. tabaci-Rickettsia interactions. Here we performed transcriptomic analysis and identified vitellogenin as an important protein that influences the levels of Rickettsia in Be. tabaci. Vitellogenin expression levels were lower in whole insects, but higher in midguts of Rickettsia-infected insects. Immunocapture-PCR assay showed interaction between vitellogenin and Rickettsia, whereas silencing of vitellogenin resulted in nearly complete disappearance of Rickettsia from midguts. Altogether, these results suggest that vitellogenin plays an important role in influencing the levels of Rickettsia in Be. tabaci.}, }
@article {pmid31824764, year = {2019}, author = {Dellagnola, FA and Rodriguez, C and Castro-Vazquez, A and Vega, IA}, title = {A multiple comparative study of putative endosymbionts in three coexisting apple snail species.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {e8125}, pmid = {31824764}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {We here compare morphological and molecular characters of some putative endosymbiotic elements of the digestive gland of three ampullariid species (Pomacea canaliculata, Pomacea scalaris and Asolene platae) which coexist in Lake Regatas (Palermo, Buenos Aires). The putative endosymbionts were reported in these species and were identified as C and K corpuscles. The three species show tubuloacinar glands, each adenomere was constituted mainly by two distinct cell types (columnar and pyramidal). C and K corpuscles together occupied from one-fourth to one-fifth of the tissue area in the three host species, where C corpuscles were round and greenish-brown, were delimited by a distinct wall, stained positively with Alcian Blue and were associated with columnar cells. K corpuscles were oval, dark-brown multilamellar bodies and were associated with pyramidal cells. Under TEM, C corpuscles occurred within vacuoles of columnar cells and contained many electron-dense clumps and irregular membrane stacks and vesicles spread in an electron-lucent matrix. Sometimes a membrane appeared detached from the inner surface of the wall, suggesting the existence of a plasma membrane. In turn, K corpuscles were contained within vacuoles of pyramidal cells and were made of concentric lamellae, which were in turn made of an electron-dense fibrogranular material. No membranes were seen in them. Interspecifically, C corpuscles vary significantly in width and inner contents. K corpuscles were also variable in length and width. However, both C and K corpuscles in the three studied species hybridised with generalised cyanobacterial/chloroplast probes for 16S rRNA. Also, both corpuscle types (isolated from gland homogenates) were sensitive to lysozyme digestion, which indicates that bacterial peptidoglycans are an integral part of their covers. The reported data confirm and extend previous studies on P. canaliculata in which the endosymbiotic nature of C and K corpuscles were first proposed. We further propose that the endosymbiotic corpuscles are related to the Cyanobacteria/chloroplasts clade. Based on the known distribution of these corpuscles in the major clades of Ampullariidae, we hypothesise they may be universally distributed in this family, and that may constitute an interesting model for studying the co-evolution of endosymbionts and their gastropod hosts.}, }
@article {pmid31824759, year = {2019}, author = {Benítez-Malvido, J and Giménez, A and Graciá, E and Rodríguez-Caro, RC and De Ybáñez, RR and Siliceo-Cantero, HH and Traveset, A}, title = {Impact of habitat loss on the diversity and structure of ecological networks between oxyurid nematodes and spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca L.).}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {e8076}, pmid = {31824759}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Habitat loss and fragmentation are recognized as affecting the nature of biotic interactions, although we still know little about such changes for reptilian herbivores and their hindgut nematodes, in which endosymbiont interactions could range from mutualistic to commensal and parasitic. We investigated the potential cost and benefit of endosymbiont interactions between the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca L.) and adult oxyurid nematodes (Pharyngodonidae order Oxyurida) in scrublands of southern Spain. For this, we assessed the association between richness and abundance of oxyurid species with tortoises' growth rates and body traits (weight and carapace length) across levels of habitat loss (low, intermediate and high). Furthermore, by using an intrapopulation ecological network approach, we evaluated the structure and diversity of tortoise-oxyurid interactions by focusing on oxyurid species infesting individual tortoises with different body traits and growth rates across habitats. Overall, tortoise body traits were not related to oxyurid infestation across habitats. Oxyurid richness and abundance however, showed contrasting relationships with growth rates across levels of habitat loss. At low habitat loss, oxyurid infestation was positively associated with growth rates (suggesting a mutualistic oxyurid-tortoise relationship), but the association became negative at high habitat loss (suggesting a parasitic relationship). Furthermore, no relationship was observed when habitat loss was intermediate (suggesting a commensal relationship). The network analysis showed that the oxyurid community was not randomly assembled but significantly nested, revealing a structured pattern for all levels of habitat loss. The diversity of interactions was lowest at low habitat loss. The intermediate level, however, showed the greatest specialization, which indicates that individuals were infested by fewer oxyurids in this landscape, whereas at high habitat loss individuals were the most generalized hosts. Related to the latter, connectance was greatest at high habitat loss, reflecting a more uniform spread of interactions among oxyurid species. At an individual level, heavier and larger tortoises tended to show a greater number of oxyurid species interactions. We conclude that there is an association between habitat loss and the tortoise-oxyurid interaction. Although we cannot infer causality in their association, we hypothesize that such oxyurids could have negative, neutral and positive consequences for tortoise growth rates. Ecological network analysis can help in the understanding of the nature of such changes in tortoise-oxyurid interactions by showing how generalized or specialized such interactions are under different environmental conditions and how vulnerable endosymbiont interactions might be to further habitat loss.}, }
@article {pmid31822714, year = {2019}, author = {Li, K and Stanojević, M and Stamenković, G and Ilić, B and Paunović, M and Lu, M and Pešić, B and Đurić Maslovara, I and Siljic, M and Cirkovic, V and Zhang, Y}, title = {Insight into diversity of bacteria belonging to the order Rickettsiales in 9 arthropods species collected in Serbia.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {18680}, pmid = {31822714}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; *Biodiversity ; Biological Evolution ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsiales/*classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Seasons ; Serbia ; }, abstract = {Rickettsiales bacteria in arthropods play a significant role in both public health and arthropod ecology. However, the extensive genetic diversity of Rickettsiales endosymbionts of arthropods is still to be discovered. In 2016, 515 arthropods belonging to 9 species of four classes (Insecta, Chilopoda, Diplopoda and Arachnida) were collected in Serbia. The presence and genetic diversity of Rickettsiales bacteria were evaluated by characterizing the 16S rRNA (rrs), citrate synthase (gltA) and heat shock protein (groEL) genes. The presence of various Rickettsiales bacteria was identified in the majority of tested arthropod species. The results revealed co-circulation of five recognized Rickettsiales species including Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and Wolbachia, as well as four tentative novel species, including one tentative novel genus named Neowolbachia. These results suggest the remarkable genetic diversity of Rickettsiales bacteria in certain arthropod species in this region. Furthermore, the high prevalence of spotted fever group Rickettsia in Ixodes ricinus ticks highlights the potential public health risk of human Rickettsia infection.}, }
@article {pmid31822555, year = {2020}, author = {Leybourne, DJ and Valentine, TA and Bos, JIB and Karley, AJ}, title = {A fitness cost resulting from Hamiltonella defensa infection is associated with altered probing and feeding behaviour in Rhopalosiphum padi.}, journal = {The Journal of experimental biology}, volume = {223}, number = {Pt 1}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.207936}, pmid = {31822555}, issn = {1477-9145}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/genetics/growth &amp; development/*physiology ; Enterobacteriaceae/*physiology ; Feeding Behavior ; *Genetic Fitness ; Nymph/genetics/growth &amp; development/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Many herbivorous arthropods, including aphids, frequently associate with facultative endosymbiotic bacteria, which influence arthropod physiology and fitness. In aphids, endosymbionts can increase resistance against natural enemies, enhance aphid virulence and alter aphid fitness. Here, we used the electrical penetration graph technique to uncover physiological processes at the insect-plant interface affected by endosymbiont infection. We monitored the feeding and probing behaviour of four independent clonal lines of the cereal-feeding aphid Rhopalosiphum padi derived from the same multilocus genotype containing differential infection (+/-) with a common facultative endosymbiont, Hamiltonella defensa Aphid feeding was examined on a partially resistant wild relative of barley known to impair aphid fitness and a susceptible commercial barley cultivar. Compared with uninfected aphids, endosymbiont-infected aphids on both plant species exhibited a twofold increase in the number of plant cell punctures, a 50% reduction in the duration of each cellular puncture and a twofold higher probability of achieving sustained phloem ingestion. Feeding behaviour was also altered by host plant identity: endosymbiont-infected aphids spent less time probing plant tissue, required twice as many probes to reach the phloem and showed a 44% reduction in phloem ingestion when feeding on the wild barley relative compared with the susceptible commercial cultivar. Reduced feeding success could explain the 22% reduction in growth of H. defensa-infected aphids measured on the wild barley relative. This study provides the first demonstration of mechanisms at the aphid-plant interface contributing to physiological effects of endosymbiont infection on aphid fitness, through altered feeding processes on different quality host plants.}, }
@article {pmid31811433, year = {2020}, author = {Sato, N}, title = {Complex origins of chloroplast membranes with photosynthetic machineries: multiple transfers of genes from divergent organisms at different times or a single endosymbiotic event?.}, journal = {Journal of plant research}, volume = {133}, number = {1}, pages = {15-33}, pmid = {31811433}, issn = {1618-0860}, support = {17H03715//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; }, mesh = {Chloroplasts ; *Cyanobacteria ; *Photosynthesis ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The paradigm "cyanobacterial origin of chloroplasts" is currently viewed as an established fact. However, we may have to re-consider the origin of chloroplast membranes, because membranes are not replicated by their own. It is the genes for lipid biosynthetic enzymes that are inherited. In the current understandings, these enzymes became encoded by the nuclear genome as a result of endosymbiotic gene transfer from the endosymbiont. However, we previously showed that many enzymes involved in the synthesis of chloroplast peptidoglycan and glycolipids did not originate from cyanobacteria. Here I present results of comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast enzymes involved in fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis, as well as additional chloroplast components related to photosynthesis and gene expression. Four types of phylogenetic relationship between chloroplast enzymes (encoded by the chloroplast and nuclear genomes) and cyanobacterial counterparts were found: type 1, chloroplast enzymes diverged from inside of cyanobacterial clade; type 2, chloroplast and cyanobacterial enzymes are sister groups; type 3, chloroplast enzymes originated from homologs of bacteria other than cyanobacteria; type 4, chloroplast enzymes diverged from eukaryotic homologs. Estimation of evolutionary distances suggested that the acquisition times of chloroplast enzymes were diverse, indicating that multiple gene transfers accounted for the chloroplast enzymes analyzed. Based on the results, I try to relax the tight logic of the endosymbiotic origin of chloroplasts involving a single endosymbiotic event by proposing alternative hypotheses. The hypothesis of host-directed chloroplast formation proposes that glycolipid synthesis ability had been acquired by the eukaryotic host before the acquisition of chloroplast ribosomes. Chloroplast membrane system could have been provided by the host, whereas cyanobacteria contributed to the genes for the genetic and photosynthesis systems, at various times, either before or after the formation of chloroplast membranes. The origin(s) of chloroplasts seems to be more complicated than the single event of primary endosymbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid31811209, year = {2019}, author = {Uzuka, A and Kobayashi, Y and Onuma, R and Hirooka, S and Kanesaki, Y and Yoshikawa, H and Fujiwara, T and Miyagishima, SY}, title = {Responses of unicellular predators to cope with the phototoxicity of photosynthetic prey.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {5606}, pmid = {31811209}, issn = {2041-1723}, mesh = {Amoebozoa/physiology/radiation effects ; Animals ; Bacteria/metabolism ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Biological Evolution ; Chlorophyll ; Coculture Techniques ; Eukaryota ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Food Chain ; Light/adverse effects ; Naegleria/growth &amp; development/physiology ; Organelles/physiology ; Oxidative Stress ; Phagocytosis/physiology ; Photosynthesis/*physiology ; Predatory Behavior/*physiology/radiation effects ; Protein Domains ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Symbiosis/*physiology/radiation effects ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Feeding on unicellular photosynthetic organisms by unicellular eukaryotes is the base of the aquatic food chain and evolutionarily led to the establishment of photosynthetic endosymbionts/organelles. Photosynthesis generates reactive oxygen species and damages cells; thus, photosynthetic organisms possess several mechanisms to cope with the stress. Here, we demonstrate that photosynthetic prey also exposes unicellular amoebozoan and excavates predators to photosynthetic oxidative stress. Upon illumination, there is a commonality in transcriptomic changes among evolutionarily distant organisms feeding on photosynthetic prey. One of the genes commonly upregulated is a horizontally transferred homolog of algal and plant genes for chlorophyll degradation/detoxification. In addition, the predators reduce their phagocytic uptake while accelerating digestion of photosynthetic prey upon illumination, reducing the number of photosynthetic cells inside the predator cells, as this also occurs in facultative endosymbiotic associations upon certain stresses. Thus, some mechanisms in predators observed here probably have been necessary for evolution of endosymbiotic associations.}, }
@article {pmid31811033, year = {2020}, author = {Li, TP and Zhou, CY and Zha, SS and Gong, JT and Xi, Z and Hoffmann, AA and Hong, XY}, title = {Stable Establishment of Cardinium spp. in the Brown Planthopper Nilaparvata lugens despite Decreased Host Fitness.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {86}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {31811033}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Cytophagaceae/*physiology ; Female ; Genetic Fitness ; Hemiptera/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Male ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera) is a major pest of rice crops in Asia. Artificial transinfections of Wolbachia have recently been used for reducing host impacts, but transinfections have not yet been undertaken with another important endosymbiont, Cardinium This endosymbiont can manipulate the reproduction of hosts through phenotypes such as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), which is strong in the related white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera). Here, we stably infected N. lugens with Cardinium from S. furcifera and showed that it exhibits perfect maternal transmission in N. lugens The density of Cardinium varied across developmental stages and tissues of the transinfected host. Cardinium did not induce strong CI in N. lugens, likely due to its low density in testicles. The infection did decrease fecundity and hatching rate in the transinfected host, but a decrease in fecundity was not apparent when transinfected females mated with Wolbachia-infected males. The experiments show the feasibility of transferring Cardinium endosymbionts across hosts, but the deleterious effects of Cardinium on N. lugens limit its potential to spread in wild populations of N. lugens in the absence of strong CI.IMPORTANCE In this study we established a Cardinium-infected N. lugens line that possessed complete maternal transmission. Cardinium had a widespread distribution in tissues of N. lugens, and this infection decreased the fecundity and hatching rate of the host. Our findings emphasize the feasibility of transinfection of Cardinium in insects, which expands the range of endosymbionts that could be manipulated for pest control.}, }
@article {pmid31805300, year = {2020}, author = {Liu, Y and Fan, ZY and An, X and Shi, PQ and Ahmed, MZ and Qiu, BL}, title = {A single-pair method to screen Rickettsia-infected and uninfected whitefly Bemisia tabaci populations.}, journal = {Journal of microbiological methods}, volume = {168}, number = {}, pages = {105797}, doi = {10.1016/j.mimet.2019.105797}, pmid = {31805300}, issn = {1872-8359}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Hemiptera/*microbiology/physiology ; Male ; Microbiological Techniques/*methods ; *Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsia/*genetics/physiology ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts such as Rickettsia and Wolbachia play prominent roles in the development and behaviour of their insect hosts, such as whiteflies, aphids, psyllids and mealybugs. Accumulating studies have emphasized the importance of establishing experimental insect populations that are either lacking or bearing certain species of endosymbionts, because they are the basis in which to reveal the biological role of individual symbionts. In this study, using Rickettsia as an example, we explored a "single-pair screening" method to establish Rickettsia infected and uninfected populations of whitefly Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 for further experimental use. The original host population had a relatively low infection rate of Rickettsia (< 35%). When B. tabaci adults newly emerged, unmated males and females were randomly selected, and released into a leaf cage that covered a healthy plant leaf in order to oviposit F1 generation eggs. Following 6 days of oviposition, the parents were recaptured and used for PCR detection. The F1 progeny, for which parents were either Rickettsia positive or negative, were used to produce the F2 generation, and similarly in turn for the F3, F4 and F5 generations respectively; if the infection status of Rickettsia was consistent in the F1 to F5 generations, then the populations can be used as Rickettsia positive or negative lines for further experiments. In addition, our phylogenetic analyses revealed that Rickettsia has high fidelity during the maternal transmission in different generations.}, }
@article {pmid31800204, year = {2020}, author = {Bratovanov, EV and Ishida, K and Heinze, B and Pidot, SJ and Stinear, TP and Hegemann, JD and Marahiel, MA and Hertweck, C}, title = {Genome Mining and Heterologous Expression Reveal Two Distinct Families of Lasso Peptides Highly Conserved in Endofungal Bacteria.}, journal = {ACS chemical biology}, volume = {15}, number = {5}, pages = {1169-1176}, doi = {10.1021/acschembio.9b00805}, pmid = {31800204}, issn = {1554-8937}, mesh = {Biological Products/chemistry ; Burkholderiaceae/*chemistry/*genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Humans ; Multigene Family ; Mutation ; Peptides/*chemistry/*genetics ; Protein Biosynthesis ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Rhizopus/*chemistry/*genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Genome mining identified the fungal-bacterial endosymbiosis Rhizopus microsporus-Mycetohabitans (previously Burkholderia) rhizoxinica as a rich source of novel natural products. However, most of the predicted compounds have remained cryptic. In this study, we employed heterologous expression to isolate and characterize three ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides with lariat topology (lasso peptides) from the endosymbiont M. rhizoxinica: burhizin-23, mycetohabin-16, and mycetohabin-15. Through coexpression experiments, it was shown that an orphan gene product results in mature mycetohabin-15, albeit encoded remotely from the core biosynthetic gene cluster. Comparative genomics revealed that mycetohabins are highly conserved among M. rhizoxinica and related endosymbiotic bacteria. Gene knockout and reinfection experiments indicated that the lasso peptides are not crucial for establishing symbiosis; instead, the peptides are exported into the environment during endosymbiosis. This is the first report on lasso peptides from endosymbiotic bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid31796568, year = {2019}, author = {Chung, M and Teigen, LE and Libro, S and Bromley, RE and Olley, D and Kumar, N and Sadzewicz, L and Tallon, LJ and Mahurkar, A and Foster, JM and Michalski, ML and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Drug Repurposing of Bromodomain Inhibitors as Potential Novel Therapeutic Leads for Lymphatic Filariasis Guided by Multispecies Transcriptomics.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {4}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {31796568}, issn = {2379-5077}, support = {U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {To better understand the transcriptomic interplay of organisms associated with lymphatic filariasis, we conducted multispecies transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) on the filarial nematode Brugia malayi, its Wolbachia endosymbiont wBm, and its laboratory vector Aedes aegypti across the entire B. malayi life cycle. In wBm, transcription of the noncoding 6S RNA suggests that it may be a regulator of bacterial cell growth, as its transcript levels correlate with bacterial replication rates. For A. aegypti, the transcriptional response reflects the stress that B. malayi infection exerts on the mosquito with indicators of increased energy demand. In B. malayi, expression modules associated with adult female samples consistently contained an overrepresentation of genes involved in chromatin remodeling, such as the bromodomain-containing proteins. All bromodomain-containing proteins encoded by B. malayi were observed to be upregulated in the adult female, embryo, and microfilaria life stages, including 2 members of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein family. The BET inhibitor JQ1(+), originally developed as a cancer therapeutic, caused lethality of adult worms in vitro, suggesting that it may be a potential therapeutic that can be repurposed for treating lymphatic filariasis.IMPORTANCE The current treatment regimen for lymphatic filariasis is mostly microfilaricidal. In an effort to identify new drug candidates for lymphatic filariasis, we conducted a three-way transcriptomics/systems biology study of one of the causative agents of lymphatic filariasis, Brugia malayi, its Wolbachia endosymbiont wBm, and its vector host Aedes aegypti at 16 distinct B. malayi life stages. B. malayi upregulates the expression of bromodomain-containing proteins in the adult female, embryo, and microfilaria stages. In vitro, we find that the existing cancer therapeutic JQ1(+), which is a bromodomain and extraterminal protein inhibitor, has adulticidal activity in B. malayi.}, }
@article {pmid31790921, year = {2020}, author = {Macumber, AL and Blandenier, Q and Todorov, M and Duckert, C and Lara, E and Lahr, DJG and Mitchell, EAD and Roe, HM}, title = {Phylogenetic divergence within the Arcellinida (Amoebozoa) is congruent with test size and metabolism type.}, journal = {European journal of protistology}, volume = {72}, number = {}, pages = {125645}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejop.2019.125645}, pmid = {31790921}, issn = {1618-0429}, mesh = {Amoebozoa/*classification/*cytology/metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; *Phylogeny ; Protozoan Infections/genetics ; Species Specificity ; }, abstract = {Arcellinida (lobose testate amoebae) are abundant and diverse in many ecosystems, especially in moist to aquatic environments. Molecular phylogeny has shown that overall test morphology (e.g., spherical or elongate) is generally conserved in Arcellinida lineages, but the taxonomic value of other traits (e.g., size, ornamentation, mixotrophy/heterotrophy metabolism type) has not been systematically evaluated. Morphological and physiological traits that correspond to genetic differences likely represent adaptive traits of ecological significance. We combined high-resolution phylogenetics (NAD9-NAD7 genes) and advanced morphometrics to assess the phylogenetic signal of morphological traits of a group of elongate Difflugia species (Arcellinida). The phylogenetic analyses revealed two clades which could be reliably separated by test size and the presence/absence of mixotrophy. Differences in test size may reflect trophic level, with smaller organisms occupying lower trophic levels. In addition to having larger tests, elongate mixotrophic Difflugia are characterised by wide, flat bases and an inflation of the lower two thirds of their test. These morphological traits may provide additional volume for endosymbionts and/or increased surface area to aid light transmission. Our results showcase greater diversity within the elongate Difflugia and highlight morphological traits of ecological and evolutionary significance.}, }
@article {pmid31790790, year = {2020}, author = {Hosseini-Chegeni, A and Kayedi, MH}, title = {Molecular detection of Coxiella (Gammaproteobacteria: Coxiellaceae) in Argas persicus and Alveonasus canestrinii (Acari: Argasidae) from Iran.}, journal = {Microbial pathogenesis}, volume = {139}, number = {}, pages = {103902}, doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103902}, pmid = {31790790}, issn = {1096-1208}, mesh = {Acari/*microbiology/physiology ; Animals ; Argas/*microbiology/physiology ; Coxiella/classification/*genetics/*isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; DNA Transposable Elements ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Iran ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Coxiella burnetii and non-C. burnetii bacteria or endosymbiotic Coxiella-like were reported in various tick species. We aimed to detect C. burnetii within soft tick species, Argas persicus and Alveonasus canestrinii.<br><br>METHODS: Argasid ticks were collected from different counties of Lorestan province, west of Iran. Partial fragments of 16S rRNA, IS1111 insertion sequence, com1, htpB, and icd genes related to Coxiella genus were sequenced.<br><br>RESULTS: A partial 16S rRNA and com1 gene fragment as well as IS1111 was detected in four Ar. persicus and twelve Al. canestrinii pools. Moreover, partial htpB and icd gene was only detected in one pool of Ar. persicus.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Detection of C. burnetii in tick samples was failed due to the occurrence of Coxiella-like endosymbionts and leads to misidentification. Thus, the house-keeping genes should be designated to distinguish C. burnetii within Coxiella-like endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid31788212, year = {2019}, author = {McIlroy, SE and Cunning, R and Baker, AC and Coffroth, MA}, title = {Competition and succession among coral endosymbionts.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {22}, pages = {12767-12778}, pmid = {31788212}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Host species often support a genetically diverse guild of symbionts, the identity and performance of which can determine holobiont fitness under particular environmental conditions. These symbiont communities are structured by a complex set of potential interactions, both positive and negative, between the host and symbionts and among symbionts. In reef-building corals, stable associations with specific symbiont species are common, and we hypothesize that this is partly due to ecological mechanisms, such as succession and competition, which drive patterns of symbiont winnowing in the initial colonization of new generations of coral recruits. We tested this hypothesis using the experimental framework of the de Wit replacement series and found that competitive interactions occurred among symbionts which were characterized by unique ecological strategies. Aposymbiotic octocoral recruits within high- and low-light environments were inoculated with one of three Symbiodiniaceae species as monocultures or with cross-paired mixtures, and we tracked symbiont uptake using quantitative genetic assays. Priority effects, in which early colonizers excluded competitive dominants, were evidenced under low light, but these early opportunistic species were later succeeded by competitive dominants. Under high light, a more consistent competitive hierarchy was established in which competitive dominants outgrew and limited the abundance of others. These findings provide insight into mechanisms of microbial community organization and symbiosis breakdown and recovery. Furthermore, transitions in competitive outcomes across spatial and temporal environmental variation may improve lifetime host fitness.}, }
@article {pmid31786411, year = {2020}, author = {Bastías, DA and Johnson, LJ and Card, SD}, title = {Symbiotic bacteria of plant-associated fungi: friends or foes?.}, journal = {Current opinion in plant biology}, volume = {56}, number = {}, pages = {1-8}, doi = {10.1016/j.pbi.2019.10.010}, pmid = {31786411}, issn = {1879-0356}, mesh = {Bacteria/genetics ; *Fungi ; Genotype ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Many bacteria form symbiotic associations with plant-associated fungi. The effects of these symbionts on host fitness usually depend on symbiont or host genotypes and environmental conditions. However, bacterial endosymbionts, that is those living within fungal cells, may positively regulate host performance as their survival is often heavily dependent on host fitness. Contrary to this, bacteria that establish ectosymbiotic associations with fungi, that is those located on the hyphal surface or in close vicinity to fungal mycelia, may not have an apparent net effect on fungal performance due to the low level of fitness dependency on their host. Our analysis supports the hypothesis that endosymbiotic bacteria of fungi are beneficial symbionts, and that effects of ectosymbiotic bacteria on fungal performance depends on the bacterial type involved in the interaction (e.g. helper versus pathogen of fungi). Ecological scenarios, where the presence of beneficial bacterial endosymbionts of fungi could be compromised, are also discussed.}, }
@article {pmid31786246, year = {2020}, author = {Hotterbeekx, A and Raimon, S and Abd-Elfarag, G and Carter, JY and Sebit, W and Suliman, A and Siewe Fodjo, JN and De Witte, P and Logora, MY and Colebunders, R and Kumar-Singh, S}, title = {Onchocerca volvulus is not detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of persons with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy.}, journal = {International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases}, volume = {91}, number = {}, pages = {119-123}, pmid = {31786246}, issn = {1878-3511}, mesh = {Adult ; Animals ; DNA, Helminth/cerebrospinal fluid ; Epilepsy/*parasitology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microfilariae/isolation &amp; purification ; Onchocerca volvulus/genetics/growth &amp; development/*isolation &amp; purification ; Onchocerciasis/cerebrospinal fluid/*complications/parasitology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin/parasitology ; Zebrafish ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological evidence links onchocerciasis with the development of epilepsy. The aim of this study was to detect Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae or its bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of persons with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE).<br><br>METHODS: Thirteen persons with OAE and O. volvulus skin snip densities of >80 microfilariae were recruited in Maridi County (South Sudan) and their CSF obtained. Cytospin centrifuged preparations of CSF were examined by light microscopy for the presence of O. volvulus microfilariae. DNA was extracted from CSF to detect O. volvulus (O-150 repeat) by quantitative real-time PCR, and Wolbachia (FtsZ gene) by standard PCR. To further investigate whether CSF from onchocerciasis-infected participants could induce seizures, 3- and 7-day old zebrafish larvae were injected with the CSF intracardially and intraperitoneally, respectively. For other zebrafish larvae, CSF was added directly to the larval medium.<br><br>RESULTS: No microfilariae, parasite DNA, or Wolbachia DNA were detected in any of the CSF samples by light microscopy or PCR. All zebrafish survived the procedures and none developed seizures.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The absence of O. volvulus in the CSF suggests that OAE is likely not caused by direct parasite invasion into the central nervous system, but by another phenomenon triggered by O. volvulus infection.}, }
@article {pmid31780680, year = {2019}, author = {Vivero, RJ and Villegas-Plazas, M and Cadavid-Restrepo, GE and Herrera, CXM and Uribe, SI and Junca, H}, title = {Wild specimens of sand fly phlebotomine Lutzomyia evansi, vector of leishmaniasis, show high abundance of Methylobacterium and natural carriage of Wolbachia and Cardinium types in the midgut microbiome.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {17746}, pmid = {31780680}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology ; Leishmaniasis/*transmission ; Male ; Methylobacterium/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Psychodidae/*microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Wolbachia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Phlebotomine sand flies are remarkable vectors of several etiologic agents (virus, bacterial, trypanosomatid Leishmania), posing a heavy health burden for human populations mainly located at developing countries. Their intestinal microbiota is involved in a wide range of biological and physiological processes, and could exclude or facilitate such transmission of pathogens. In this study, we investigated the Eubacterial microbiome from digestive tracts of Lu. evansi adults structure using 16S rRNA gene sequence amplicon high throughput sequencing (Illumina MiSeq) obtained from digestive tracts of Lu. evansi adults. The samples were collected at two locations with high incidence of the disease in humans: peri-urban and forest ecosystems from the department of Sucre, Colombia. 289,068 quality-filtered reads of V4 region of 16S rRNA gene were obtained and clustered into 1,762 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with 97% similarity. Regarding eubacterial diversity, 14 bacterial phyla and 2 new candidate phyla were found to be consistently associated with the gut microbiome content. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant phyla in all the samples and the core microbiome was particularly dominated by Methylobacterium genus. Methylobacterium species, are known to have mutualistic relationships with some plants and are involved in shaping the microbial community in the phyllosphere. As a remarkable feature, OTUs classified as Wolbachia spp. were found abundant on peri-urban ecosystem samples, in adult male (OTUs n = 776) and unfed female (OTUs n = 324). Furthermore, our results provide evidence of OTUs classified as Cardinium endosymbiont in relative abundance, notably higher with respect to Wolbachia. The variation in insect gut microbiota may be determined by the environment as also for the type of feeding. Our findings increase the richness of the microbiota associated with Lu. evansi. In this study, OTUs of Methylobacterium found in Lu. evansi was higher in engorged females, suggesting that there are interactions between microbes from plant sources, blood nutrients and the parasites they transmit during the blood intake.}, }
@article {pmid31775631, year = {2019}, author = {Stouthamer, CM and Kelly, SE and Mann, E and Schmitz-Esser, S and Hunter, MS}, title = {Development of a multi-locus sequence typing system helps reveal the evolution of Cardinium hertigii, a reproductive manipulator symbiont of insects.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {266}, pmid = {31775631}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Typing Techniques/methods ; Bacteroidetes/*classification ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Insecta/*microbiology/physiology ; Multilocus Sequence Typing/*methods ; Phenotype ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Reproduction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cardinium is an intracellular bacterial symbiont in the phylum Bacteroidetes that is found in many different species of arthropods and some nematodes. This symbiont is known to be able to induce three reproductive manipulation phenotypes, including cytoplasmic incompatibility. Placing individual strains of Cardinium within a larger evolutionary context has been challenging because only two, relatively slowly evolving genes, 16S rRNA gene and Gyrase B, have been used to generate phylogenetic trees, and consequently, the relationship of different strains has been elucidated in only its roughest form.<br><br>RESULTS: We developed a Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) system that provides researchers with three new genes in addition to Gyrase B for inferring phylogenies and delineating Cardinium strains. From our Cardinium phylogeny, we confirmed the presence of a new group D, a Cardinium clade that resides in the arachnid order harvestmen (Opiliones). Many Cardinium clades appear to display a high degree of host affinity, while some show evidence of host shifts to phylogenetically distant hosts, likely associated with ecological opportunity. Like the unrelated reproductive manipulator Wolbachia, the Cardinium phylogeny also shows no clear phylogenetic signal associated with particular reproductive manipulations.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The Cardinium phylogeny shows evidence of diversification within particular host lineages, and also of host shifts among trophic levels within parasitoid-host communities. Like Wolbachia, the relatedness of Cardinium strains does not necessarily predict their reproductive phenotypes. Lastly, the genetic tools proposed in this study may help future authors to characterize new strains and add to our understanding of Cardinium evolution.}, }
@article {pmid31772223, year = {2019}, author = {Kamm, K and Osigus, HJ and Stadler, PF and DeSalle, R and Schierwater, B}, title = {Genome analyses of a placozoan rickettsial endosymbiont show a combination of mutualistic and parasitic traits.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {17561}, pmid = {31772223}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Amino Acids/biosynthesis ; Animals ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genome/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Placozoa/*genetics/microbiology/physiology ; Rickettsia/*genetics/physiology ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic relationships between eukaryotic hosts and bacteria range from parasitism to mutualism and may deeply influence both partners' fitness. The presence of intracellular bacteria in the metazoan phylum Placozoa has been reported several times, but without any knowledge about the nature of this relationship and possible implications for the placozoan holobiont. This information may be of crucial significance since little is known about placozoan ecology and how different species adapt to different environmental conditions, despite being almost invariable at the morphological level. We here report on the novel genome of the rickettsial endosymbiont of Trichoplax sp. H2 (strain "Panama"). The combination of eliminated and retained metabolic pathways of the bacterium indicates a potential for a mutualistic as well as for a parasitic relationship, whose outcome could depend on the environmental context. In particular we show that the endosymbiont is dependent on the host for growth and reproduction and that the latter could benefit from a supply with essential amino acids and important cofactors. These findings call for further studies to clarify the actual benefit for the placozoan host and to investigate a possible role of the endosymbiont for ecological separation between placozoan species.}, }
@article {pmid31763192, year = {2019}, author = {Lucchetti, C and Genchi, M and Venco, L and Bazzocchi, C and Kramer, LH and Vismarra, A}, title = {Optimized protocol for DNA/RNA co-extraction from adults of Dirofilaria immitis.}, journal = {MethodsX}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {2601-2605}, pmid = {31763192}, issn = {2215-0161}, abstract = {Dirofilaria immitis, the etiologic agent of canine heartworm disease, like several other filarial nematodes, harbors the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. To investigate metabolic and functional pathways of D. immitis and Wolbachia individually, along with their interactions, the use of both transcriptomic and genome analysis has becoming increasingly popular. Although several commercial kits are available for the single extraction of either DNA or RNA, no specific protocol has been described for simultaneous extraction of DNA and RNA from such a large organism like an adult D. immitis, where female worms generally reach ∼25 cm in length. More importantly, adult worms of D. immitis can only be obtained either through necropsy of experimentally infected dogs or by minimally-invasive surgical heartworm removal of naturally infected dogs. This makes each individual worm sample extremely important. Thus, in the context of a project aimed at the evaluation of both gene expression analysis and Wolbachia population assessment following different treatments, an optimized protocol for co-extraction of DNA and RNA from a single sample of adult D. immitis has been developed. •An optimized method for DNA/RNA co-extraction from large size nematodes using TRIzol® reagent.•Allows maximum exploitation of unique samples as adults of D. immitis.}, }
@article {pmid31761702, year = {2019}, author = {Nazni, WA and Hoffmann, AA and NoorAfizah, A and Cheong, YL and Mancini, MV and Golding, N and Kamarul, GMR and Arif, MAK and Thohir, H and NurSyamimi, H and ZatilAqmar, MZ and NurRuqqayah, M and NorSyazwani, A and Faiz, A and Irfan, FMN and Rubaaini, S and Nuradila, N and Nizam, NMN and Irwan, SM and Endersby-Harshman, NM and White, VL and Ant, TH and Herd, CS and Hasnor, AH and AbuBakar, R and Hapsah, DM and Khadijah, K and Kamilan, D and Lee, SC and Paid, YM and Fadzilah, K and Topek, O and Gill, BS and Lee, HL and Sinkins, SP}, title = {Establishment of Wolbachia Strain wAlbB in Malaysian Populations of Aedes aegypti for Dengue Control.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {29}, number = {24}, pages = {4241-4248.e5}, pmid = {31761702}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {108508/A/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 202888/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12014/8/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 108508/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/genetics/metabolism/*microbiology ; Animals ; Dengue/*prevention &amp; control ; Dengue Virus/metabolism/pathogenicity ; Female ; Humans ; Insect Vectors ; Malaysia ; Male ; Mosquito Vectors ; Pest Control, Biological/*methods ; Wolbachia/genetics/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Dengue has enormous health impacts globally. A novel approach to decrease dengue incidence involves the introduction of Wolbachia endosymbionts that block dengue virus transmission into populations of the primary vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti. The wMel Wolbachia strain has previously been trialed in open releases of Ae. aegypti; however, the wAlbB strain has been shown to maintain higher density than wMel at high larval rearing temperatures. Releases of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes carrying wAlbB were carried out in 6 diverse sites in greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with high endemic dengue transmission. The strain was successfully established and maintained at very high population frequency at some sites or persisted with additional releases following fluctuations at other sites. Based on passive case monitoring, reduced human dengue incidence was observed in the release sites when compared to control sites. The wAlbB strain of Wolbachia provides a promising option as a tool for dengue control, particularly in very hot climates.}, }
@article {pmid31760169, year = {2019}, author = {Brunoro, GVF and Menna-Barreto, RFS and Garcia-Gomes, AS and Boucinha, C and Lima, DB and Carvalho, PC and Teixeira-Ferreira, A and Trugilho, MRO and Perales, J and Schwämmle, V and Catanho, M and de Vasconcelos, ATR and Motta, MCM and d'Avila-Levy, CM and Valente, RH}, title = {Quantitative Proteomic Map of the Trypanosomatid Strigomonas culicis: The Biological Contribution of its Endosymbiotic Bacterium.}, journal = {Protist}, volume = {170}, number = {6}, pages = {125698}, doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2019.125698}, pmid = {31760169}, issn = {1618-0941}, mesh = {*Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Proteome/*genetics ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Trypanosomatina/genetics/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Strigomonas culicis is a kinetoplastid parasite of insects that maintains a mutualistic association with an intracellular symbiotic bacterium, which is highly integrated into the protist metabolism: it furnishes essential compounds and divides in synchrony with the eukaryotic nucleus. The protist, conversely, can be cured of the endosymbiont, producing an aposymbiotic cell line, which presents a diminished ability to colonize the insect host. This obligatory association can represent an intermediate step of the evolution towards the formation of an organelle, therefore representing an interesting model to understand the symbiogenesis theory. Here, we used shotgun proteomics to compare the S. culicis endosymbiont-containing and aposymbiotic strains, revealing a total of 11,305 peptides, and up to 2,213 proteins (2,029 and 1,452 for wild type and aposymbiotic, respectively). Gene ontology associated to comparative analysis between both strains revealed that the biological processes most affected by the elimination of the symbiont were the amino acid synthesis, as well as protein synthesis and folding. This large-scale comparison of the protein expression in S. culicis marks a step forward in the comprehension of the role of endosymbiotic bacteria in monoxenous trypanosomatid biology, particularly because trypanosomatids expression is mostly post-transcriptionally regulated.}, }
@article {pmid31760093, year = {2020}, author = {Bombaça, ACS and Brunoro, GVF and Dias-Lopes, G and Ennes-Vidal, V and Carvalho, PC and Perales, J and d'Avila-Levy, CM and Valente, RH and Menna-Barreto, RFS}, title = {Glycolytic profile shift and antioxidant triggering in symbiont-free and H2O2-resistant Strigomonas culicis.}, journal = {Free radical biology &amp; medicine}, volume = {146}, number = {}, pages = {392-401}, doi = {10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.11.025}, pmid = {31760093}, issn = {1873-4596}, mesh = {Animals ; *Antioxidants ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Symbiosis ; *Trypanosomatina ; }, abstract = {During their life cycle, trypanosomatids are exposed to stress conditions and adapt their energy and antioxidant metabolism to colonize their hosts. Strigomonas culicis is a monoxenous protist found in invertebrates with an endosymbiotic bacterium that completes essential biosynthetic pathways for the trypanosomatid. Our research group previously generated a wild-type H2O2-resistant (WTR) strain that showed improved mitochondrial metabolism and antioxidant defenses, which led to higher rates of Aedes aegypti infection. Here, we assess the biological contribution of the S. culicis endosymbiont and reactive oxygen species (ROS) resistance to oxidative and energy metabolism processes. Using high-throughput proteomics, several proteins involved in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway and glutathione metabolism were identified. The results suggest that ROS resistance decreases glucose consumption and indicate that the metabolic products from gluconeogenesis are key to supplying the protist with high-energy and reducing intermediates. Our hypothesis was confirmed by biochemical assays showing opposite profiles for glucose uptake and hexokinase and pyruvate kinase activity levels in the WTR and aposymbiotic strains, while the enzyme glucose-6P 1-dehydrogenase was more active in both strains. Regarding the antioxidant system, ascorbate peroxidase has an important role in H2O2 resistance and may be responsible for the high infection rates previously described for A. aegypti. In conclusion, our data indicate that the energy-related and antioxidant metabolic processes of S. culicis are modulated in response to oxidative stress conditions, providing new perspectives on the biology of the trypanosomatid-insect interaction as well as on the possible impact of resistant parasites in accidental human infection.}, }
@article {pmid31758847, year = {2020}, author = {Missbah El Idrissi, M and Lamin, H and ElFaik, S and Tortosa, G and Peix, A and Bedmar, EJ and Abdelmoumen, H}, title = {Microvirga sp. symbiovar mediterranense nodulates Lupinus cosentinii grown wild in Morocco.}, journal = {Journal of applied microbiology}, volume = {128}, number = {4}, pages = {1109-1118}, doi = {10.1111/jam.14526}, pmid = {31758847}, issn = {1365-2672}, support = {, PPR2//Ministry of National Education/ ; PEAGR2012-1968//Ministry of National Education/ ; }, mesh = {DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Genes, Essential/genetics ; Lupinus/classification/*microbiology ; Methylobacteriaceae/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Morocco ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {AIM: To analyse the diversity of nodule-forming bacteria isolated from Lupinus cosentinii naturally grown in the Maamora cork oak forest (Rabat, Morocco).<br><br>METHODS AND RESULTS: Of the 31 bacterial strains, four were selected based on their REP-PCR fingerprinting that were studied by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of their 16S rRNA, gyrB, dnaK, recA and rpoB housekeeping genes as well as the nodC symbiotic gene. The nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of the four representative strains showed that they are related to Tunisian strains of genus Microvirga isolated from L. micranthus with nucleotide identity values ranging from 98&#xb7;67 to 97&#xb7;13%. The single and concatenated sequences of the 16S rRNA, gyrB, dnaK, recA and rpoB housekeeping genes indicated that the L. cosentinii-isolated strains had 99&#xb7;2-99&#xb7;9% similarities with the Tunisian L. micranthus microsymbionts. The nodC gene phylogeny revealed that the Moroccan strains clustered in the newly described mediterranense symbiovar, and nodulation tests showed that they nodulated not only L. cosentinii but also L. angustifolius, L. luteus and L. albus.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report concerning the isolation, molecular identification and phylogenetic diversity of L. cosentinii nodule-forming endosymbionts and of their description as members of the Microvirga genus.<br><br>In this work, we show that Microvirga sp. can be isolated from root nodules of wild-grown L. cosentinii in Northeast Africa, that selected strains also nodulate L. angustifolius, L. luteus and L. albus, and that they belong to symbiovar mediterranense. In addition, our data support that the ability of Microvirga to nodulate lupines could be related to the soil pH, its geographical distribution being more widespread than expected.}, }
@article {pmid31758593, year = {2020}, author = {Cabello-Vílchez, AM and Chura-Araujo, MA and Anicama Lima, WE and Vela, C and Asencio, AY and García, H and Del Carmen Garaycochea, M and Náquira, C and Rojas, E and Martínez, DY}, title = {Fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis due to free-living amoebae in two boys in two different hospitals in Lima, Perú.}, journal = {Neuropathology : official journal of the Japanese Society of Neuropathology}, volume = {40}, number = {2}, pages = {180-184}, doi = {10.1111/neup.12617}, pmid = {31758593}, issn = {1440-1789}, mesh = {Adolescent ; Amebiasis/*diagnosis/pathology ; Fatal Outcome ; Granuloma/etiology ; Humans ; Infectious Encephalitis/*diagnosis/*etiology/pathology ; Male ; Peru ; }, abstract = {Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis caused by free-living amoebae is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose and hard to treat, generally being fatal. Anti-amoebic treatment is often delayed because clinical signs and symptoms may hide the probable causing agent misleading the appropriate diagnostic test. There are four genera of free-living amoeba associated with human infection, Naegleria, Acanthamoeba sp., Balamuthia and Sappinia. Two boys were admitted with diagnosis of acute encephalitis. The history of having been in contact with swimming pools and rivers, supports the suspicion of an infection due to free-living amoebae. In both cases a brain biopsy was done, the histology confirmed granulomatous amoebic encephalitis with the presence of amoebic trophozoites.}, }
@article {pmid31758008, year = {2019}, author = {Lawson, CA and Possell, M and Seymour, JR and Raina, JB and Suggett, DJ}, title = {Coral endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) emit species-specific volatilomes that shift when exposed to thermal stress.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {17395}, pmid = {31758008}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Adaptation, Biological/physiology ; Animals ; Anthozoa/metabolism/*parasitology ; Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida/*metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Heat-Shock Response/*physiology ; Hot Temperature ; Species Specificity ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Volatile Organic Compounds/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) influence organism fitness by promoting stress resistance and regulating trophic interactions. Studies examining BVOC emissions have predominantly focussed on terrestrial ecosystems and atmospheric chemistry - surprisingly, highly productive marine ecosystems remain largely overlooked. Here we examined the volatilome (total BVOCs) of the microalgal endosymbionts of reef invertebrates, Symbiodiniaceae. We used GC-MS to characterise five species (Symbiodinium linucheae, Breviolum psygmophilum, Durusdinium trenchii, Effrenium voratum, Fugacium kawagutii) under steady-state growth. A diverse range of 32 BVOCs were detected (from 12 in D. trenchii to 27 in S. linucheae) with halogenated hydrocarbons, alkanes and esters the most common chemical functional groups. A thermal stress experiment on thermally-sensitive Cladocopium goreaui and thermally-tolerant D. trenchii significantly affected the volatilomes of both species. More BVOCs were detected in D. trenchii following thermal stress (32 °C), while fewer BVOCs were recorded in stressed C. goreaui. The onset of stress caused dramatic increases of dimethyl-disulfide (98.52%) in C. goreaui and nonanoic acid (99.85%) in D. trenchii. This first volatilome analysis of Symbiodiniaceae reveals that both species-specificity and environmental factors govern the composition of BVOC emissions among the Symbiodiniaceae, which potentially have, as yet unexplored, physiological and ecological importance in shaping coral reef community functioning.}, }
@article {pmid31750894, year = {2019}, author = {López-Madrigal, S and Duarte, EH}, title = {Titer regulation in arthropod-Wolbachia symbioses.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology letters}, volume = {366}, number = {23}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsle/fnz232}, pmid = {31750894}, issn = {1574-6968}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/*microbiology ; Bacterial Load ; Environment ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Symbiosis between intracellular bacteria (endosymbionts) and animals are widespread. The alphaproteobacterium Wolbachia pipientis is known to maintain a variety of symbiotic associations, ranging from mutualism to parasitism, with a wide range of invertebrates. Wolbachia infection might deeply affect host fitness (e.g. reproductive manipulation and antiviral protection), which is thought to explain its high prevalence in nature. Bacterial loads significantly influence both the infection dynamics and the extent of bacteria-induced host phenotypes. Hence, fine regulation of bacterial titers is considered as a milestone in host-endosymbiont interplay. Here, we review both environmental and biological factors modulating Wolbachia titers in arthropods.}, }
@article {pmid31744432, year = {2019}, author = {Shan, HW and Luan, JB and Liu, YQ and Douglas, AE and Liu, SS}, title = {The inherited bacterial symbiont Hamiltonella influences the sex ratio of an insect host.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {286}, number = {1915}, pages = {20191677}, pmid = {31744432}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Enterobacteriaceae/*physiology ; Female ; Hemiptera/*microbiology/*physiology ; Male ; Reproduction ; *Sex Ratio ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {In many intracellular symbioses, the microbial symbionts provide nutrients advantageous to the host. However, the function of Hamiltonella defensa, a symbiotic bacterium localized in specialized host cells (bacteriocytes) of a whitefly Bemisia tabaci, is uncertain. We eliminate this bacterium from its whitefly host by two alternative methods: heat treatment and antibiotics. The sex ratio of the host progeny and subsequent generations of Hamiltonella-free females was skewed from 1 : 1 (male : female) to an excess of males, often exceeding a ratio of 20 : 1. B. tabaci is haplodiploid, with diploid females derived from fertilized eggs and haploid males from unfertilized eggs. The Hamiltonella status of the insect did not affect copulation frequency or sperm reserve in the spermathecae, indicating that the male-biased sex ratio is unlikely due to the limitation of sperm but likely to be associated with events subsequent to sperm transfer to the female insects, such as failure in fertilization. The host reproductive response to Hamiltonella elimination is consistent with two alternative processes: adaptive shift in sex allocation by females and a constitutive compensatory response of the insect to Hamiltonella-mediated manipulation. Our findings suggest that a bacteriocyte symbiont influences the reproductive output of female progeny in a haplodiploid insect.}, }
@article {pmid31740601, year = {2019}, author = {Zhang, B and Leonard, SP and Li, Y and Moran, NA}, title = {Obligate bacterial endosymbionts limit thermal tolerance of insect host species.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {116}, number = {49}, pages = {24712-24718}, pmid = {31740601}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/microbiology/*physiology ; Buchnera/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Female ; Host Specificity/physiology ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Thermotolerance/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The thermal tolerance of an organism limits its ecological and geographic ranges and is potentially affected by dependence on temperature-sensitive symbiotic partners. Aphid species vary widely in heat sensitivity, but almost all aphids are dependent on the nutrient-provisioning intracellular bacterium Buchnera, which has evolved with aphids for 100 million years and which has a reduced genome potentially limiting heat tolerance. We addressed whether heat sensitivity of Buchnera underlies variation in thermal tolerance among 5 aphid species. We measured how heat exposure of juvenile aphids affects later survival, maturation time, and fecundity. At one extreme, heat exposure of Aphis gossypii enhanced fecundity and had no effect on the Buchnera titer. In contrast, heat suppressed Buchnera populations in Aphis fabae, which suffered elevated mortality, delayed development and reduced fecundity. Likewise, in Acyrthosiphon kondoi and Acyrthosiphon pisum, heat caused rapid declines in Buchnera numbers, as well as reduced survivorship, development rate, and fecundity. Fecundity following heat exposure is severely decreased by a Buchnera mutation that suppresses the transcriptional response of a gene encoding a small heat shock protein. Similarly, absence of this Buchnera heat shock gene may explain the heat sensitivity of Ap. fabae Fluorescent in situ hybridization revealed heat-induced deformation and shrinkage of bacteriocytes in heat-sensitive species but not in heat-tolerant species. Sensitive and tolerant species also differed in numbers and transcriptional responses of heat shock genes. These results show that shifts in Buchnera heat sensitivity contribute to host variation in heat tolerance.}, }
@article {pmid31739792, year = {2019}, author = {Li, Y and Tassia, MG and Waits, DS and Bogantes, VE and David, KT and Halanych, KM}, title = {Genomic adaptations to chemosymbiosis in the deep-sea seep-dwelling tubeworm Lamellibrachia luymesi.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {91}, pmid = {31739792}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {Animals ; *Chemoautotrophic Growth ; Genome/*physiology ; Hydrothermal Vents ; Polychaeta/*genetics/*microbiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Symbiotic relationships between microbes and their hosts are widespread and diverse, often providing protection or nutrients, and may be either obligate or facultative. However, the genetic mechanisms allowing organisms to maintain host-symbiont associations at the molecular level are still mostly unknown, and in the case of bacterial-animal associations, most genetic studies have focused on adaptations and mechanisms of the bacterial partner. The gutless tubeworms (Siboglinidae, Annelida) are obligate hosts of chemoautotrophic endosymbionts (except for Osedax which houses heterotrophic Oceanospirillales), which rely on the sulfide-oxidizing symbionts for nutrition and growth. Whereas several siboglinid endosymbiont genomes have been characterized, genomes of hosts and their adaptations to this symbiosis remain unexplored.<br><br>RESULTS: Here, we present and characterize adaptations of the cold seep-dwelling tubeworm Lamellibrachia luymesi, one of the longest-lived solitary&#xa0;invertebrates. We sequenced the worm's ~&#x2009;688-Mb haploid genome with an overall completeness of ~&#x2009;95% and discovered that L. luymesi lacks many genes essential in amino acid biosynthesis, obligating them to products provided by symbionts. Interestingly, the host is known to carry hydrogen sulfide to thiotrophic endosymbionts using hemoglobin. We also found an expansion of hemoglobin B1 genes, many of which possess a free cysteine residue which is hypothesized to function in sulfide binding. Contrary to previous analyses, the sulfide binding mediated by zinc ions is not conserved across tubeworms. Thus, the sulfide-binding mechanisms in sibgolinids need to be further explored, and B1 globins might play a more important role than previously thought. Our comparative analyses also suggest the Toll-like receptor pathway may be essential for tolerance/sensitivity to symbionts and pathogens. Several genes related to the worm's unique life history which are known to play important roles in apoptosis, cell proliferation, and aging were also identified. Last, molecular clock analyses based on phylogenomic data suggest modern siboglinid diversity originated in 267&#xa0;mya (&#xb1;&#x2009;70&#xa0;my) support previous hypotheses indicating a Late Mesozoic or Cenozoic origins of approximately 50-126&#xa0;mya for vestimentiferans.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Here, we elucidate several specific adaptations along various molecular pathways that link phenome to genome to improve understanding of holobiont evolution. Our findings of adaptation in genomic mechanisms to reducing environments likely extend to other chemosynthetic symbiotic systems.}, }
@article {pmid31737016, year = {2019}, author = {Foo, E and Plett, JM and Lopez-Raez, JA and Reid, D}, title = {Editorial: The Role of Plant Hormones in Plant-Microbe Symbioses.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1391}, doi = {10.3389/fpls.2019.01391}, pmid = {31737016}, issn = {1664-462X}, }
@article {pmid31730153, year = {2020}, author = {Richardson, LGL and Schnell, DJ}, title = {Origins, function, and regulation of the TOC-TIC general protein import machinery of plastids.}, journal = {Journal of experimental botany}, volume = {71}, number = {4}, pages = {1226-1238}, pmid = {31730153}, issn = {1460-2431}, support = {R01 GM061893/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Chloroplast Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Chloroplasts/metabolism ; *Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Plastids/metabolism ; Protein Transport ; }, abstract = {The evolution of chloroplasts from the original endosymbiont involved the transfer of thousands of genes from the ancestral bacterial genome to the host nucleus, thereby combining the two genetic systems to facilitate coordination of gene expression and achieve integration of host and organelle functions. A key element of successful endosymbiosis was the evolution of a unique protein import system to selectively and efficiently target nuclear-encoded proteins to their site of function within the chloroplast after synthesis in the cytoplasm. The chloroplast TOC-TIC (translocon at the outer chloroplast envelope-translocon at the inner chloroplast envelope) general protein import system is conserved across the plant kingdom, and is a system of hybrid origin, with core membrane transport components adapted from bacterial protein targeting systems, and additional components adapted from host genes to confer the specificity and directionality of import. In vascular plants, the TOC-TIC system has diversified to mediate the import of specific, functionally related classes of plastid proteins. This functional diversification occurred as the plastid family expanded to fulfill cell- and tissue-specific functions in terrestrial plants. In addition, there is growing evidence that direct regulation of TOC-TIC activities plays an essential role in the dynamic remodeling of the organelle proteome that is required to coordinate plastid biogenesis with developmental and physiological events.}, }
@article {pmid31722669, year = {2019}, author = {Sauvage, T and Schmidt, WE and Yoon, HS and Paul, VJ and Fredericq, S}, title = {Promising prospects of nanopore sequencing for algal hologenomics and structural variation discovery.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {850}, pmid = {31722669}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {GIAR 2013&amp;2014//Phycological Society of America/ ; }, mesh = {Caulerpa/*genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; *Genome, Chloroplast ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Genomics/methods ; Nanopore Sequencing/*methods ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/*methods ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The MinION Access Program (MAP, 2014-2016) allowed selected users to test the prospects of long nanopore reads for diverse organisms and applications through the rapid development of improving chemistries. In 2014, faced with a fragmented Illumina assembly for the chloroplast genome of the green algal holobiont Caulerpa ashmeadii, we applied to the MAP to test the prospects of nanopore reads to investigate such intricacies, as well as further explore the hologenome of this species with native and hybrid approaches.<br><br>RESULTS: The chloroplast genome could only be resolved as a circular molecule in nanopore assemblies, which also revealed structural variants (i.e. chloroplast polymorphism or heteroplasmy). Signal and Illumina polishing of nanopore-assembled organelle genomes (chloroplast and mitochondrion) reflected the importance of coverage on final quality and current limitations. In hybrid assembly, our modest nanopore data sets showed encouraging results to improve assembly length, contiguity, repeat content, and binning of the larger nuclear and bacterial genomes. Profiling of the holobiont with nanopore or Illumina data unveiled a dominant Rhodospirillaceae (Alphaproteobacteria) species among six putative endosymbionts. While very fragmented, the cumulative hybrid assembly length of C. ashmeadii's nuclear genome reached 24.4 Mbp, including 2.1 Mbp in repeat, ranging closely with GenomeScope's estimate (>&#x2009;26.3 Mbp, including 4.8 Mbp in repeat).<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our findings relying on a very modest number of nanopore R9 reads as compared to current output with newer chemistries demonstrate the promising prospects of the technology for the assembly and profiling of an algal hologenome and resolution of structural variation. The discovery of polymorphic 'chlorotypes' in C. ashmeadii, most likely mediated by homing endonucleases and/or retrohoming by reverse transcriptases, represents the first report of chloroplast heteroplasmy in the siphonous green algae. Improving contiguity of C. ashmeadii's nuclear and bacterial genomes will require deeper nanopore sequencing to greatly increase the coverage of these larger genomic compartments.}, }
@article {pmid31720723, year = {2020}, author = {Wang, D and Wei, C}, title = {Bacterial communities in digestive and excretory organs of cicadas.}, journal = {Archives of microbiology}, volume = {202}, number = {3}, pages = {539-553}, doi = {10.1007/s00203-019-01763-4}, pmid = {31720723}, issn = {1432-072X}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Bacteriocyte-associated symbionts are essential for the health of many sap-sucking insects, such as cicadas, leafhoppers and treehoppers, etc., but little is known about the bacterial community in the gut and other related organs in these insects. We characterized the bacterial communities in the salivary glands, alimentary canal and the Malpighian tubules of two populations of the cicada Subpsaltria yangi occurring in different habitats and feeding on different hosts. A high degree of similarity of core microbiota was revealed between the two populations, both with the top three bacteria belonging to Meiothermus, Candidatus Sulcia and Halomonas. The bacterial communities in various organs clustered moderately by populations possibly reflect adaptive changes in the microbiota of related S. yangi populations, which provide a better understanding of the speciation and adaptive mechanism of this species to different diets and habitats. When compared with two phylogenetically distant cicada species, Hyalessa maculaticollis and Meimuna mongolica, the core microbiota in S. yangi was significantly different to that of these species. In addition, our results confirm that Ca. Sulcia distributes in the digestive and excretory organs besides the bacteriomes and gonads, which provide potential important information onto the trophic functions of this obligate endosymbiont to the host insects.}, }
@article {pmid31716328, year = {2019}, author = {Normark, BB and Okusu, A and Morse, GE and Peterson, DA and Itioka, T and Schneider, SA}, title = {Phylogeny and classification of armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae).}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4616}, number = {1}, pages = {zootaxa.4616.1.1}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4616.1.1}, pmid = {31716328}, issn = {1175-5334}, mesh = {Animals ; Bayes Theorem ; *Hemiptera ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) are major economic pests and are among the world's most invasive species. Here we describe a system of specimen and identification management that establishes a basis for well-vouchered molecular identification. We also present an expanded Bayesian phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated fragments of 4 genetic loci: the large ribosomal subunit (28S), elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α), cytochrome oxidase I and II (COI‒II), and the small ribosomal subunit (16S) of the primary endosymbiont, Uzinura diaspidicola (Bacteroidetes: Flavobacteriales). Our sample includes 1,389 individuals, representing 11 outgroup species and at least 311 described and 61 undescribed diaspidid species. The results broadly support Takagi's 2002 classification but indicate that some revisions are needed. We propose a revised classification recognizing 4 subfamilies: Ancepaspidinae Borchsenius, new rank, Furcaspidinae Balachowsky, new rank, Diaspidinae Targioni Tozzetti, and Aspidiotinae Westwood. Within Aspidiotinae, in addition to the existing tribes Aspidiotini Westwood, Parlatoriini Leonardi, Odonaspidini Ferris, Leucaspidini Atkinson, and Smilacicolini Takagi, we recognize as tribes Gymnaspidini Balachowsky, new rank, and Aonidiini Balachowsky, new rank. Within Diaspidinae we recognize the 2 tribes Lepidosaphidini Shimer and Diaspidini Targioni Tozzetti, and within Diaspidini we recognize three subtribes: Diaspidina Targioni Tozzetti, Fioriniina Leonardi, and Chionaspidina Brues Melander. We regard Kuwanaspidina Borchsenius as a junior synonym of Fioriniina, Thysanaspidini Takagi as a junior synonym of Leucaspidini, and Protodiaspidina Takagi and Ulucoccinae Takagi as junior synonyms of Chionaspidina. To clarify the composition of the higher taxa we describe 2 new genera for Australian species heretofore misplaced in the genus Ancepaspis Ferris: Brimblecombia Normark (Aonidiini) and Hendersonaspis Normark (Leucaspidini). We also propose many additional minor modifications to the taxonomy of Diaspididae, including the following new combinations, revived combinations, and replacement names: Aonidia edgerleyi (Mamet), new combination (from Bigymnaspis Balachowsky); Aonidomytilus espinosai Porter, revived combination (from Porterinaspis González); Aspidiotus badius (Brain), new combination (this and the next 5 Aspidiotus species all from Aonidia Targioni Tozzetti); Aspidiotus biafrae (Lindinger), new combination; Aspidiotus chaetachmeae (Brain), new combination; Aspidiotus laticornis (Balachowsky), new combination; Aspidiotus rhusae (Brain), new combination; Aspidiotus sclerosus (Munting), new combination; Brimblecombia asperata (Brimblecombe), new combination (this and the next 5 Brimblecombia species all from Ancepaspis); Brimblecombia longicauda (Brimblecombe), new combination; Brimblecombia magnicauda (Brimblecombe), new combination; Brimblecombia reticulata (Brimblecombe), new combination; Brimblecombia rotundicauda (Brimblecombe), new combination; Brimblecombia striata (Brimblecombe), new combination; Cooleyaspis pseudomorpha (Leonardi), new combination (from Dinaspis Leonardi); Cupidaspis wilkeyi (Howell Tippins), new combination (from Paracupidaspis Howell Tippins); Cupressaspis isfarensis Borchsenius, revived combination (this species, the next 2 species in Cupressaspis Borchsenius, revived genus, and the next 9 species in Diaspidiotus Cockerell all from Aonidia); Cupressaspis mediterranea (Lindinger), revived combination; Cupressaspis relicta (Balachowsky), new combination; Diaspidiotus atlanticus (Ferris), new combination; Diaspidiotus marginalis (Brain), new combination; Diaspidiotus maroccanus (Balachowsky), new combination; Diaspidiotus mesembryanthemae (Brain), new combination; Diaspidiotus opertus (De Lotto), new combination; Diaspidiotus shastae (Coleman), new combination; Diaspidiotus simplex (Leonardi), new combination; Diaspidiotus visci (Hall), new combination; Diaspidiotus yomae (Munting), new combination; Diaspis arundinariae (Tippins Howell), new combination (from Geodiaspis Tippins Howell); Duplachionaspis arecibo (Howell), new combination (this and the next 10 Duplachionaspis MacGillivray species all from Haliaspis Takagi); Duplachionaspis asymmetrica Ferris, revived combination; Duplachionaspis distichlii (Ferris), revived combination; Duplachionaspis litoralis Ferris, revived combination; Duplachionaspis mackenziei McDaniel, revived combination; Duplachionaspis milleri (Howell), new combination; Duplachionaspis nakaharai (Howell), new combination; Duplachionaspis peninsularis (Howell), new combination; Duplachionaspis spartinae (Comstock), revived combination; Duplachionaspis texana (Liu Howell) new combination; Duplachionaspis uniolae (Takagi), new combination; Duplachionaspis mutica (Williams) (from Aloaspis Williams), new combination; Epidiaspis doumtsopi (Schneider), new combination (from Diaspis Costa); Fiorinia ficicola (Takahashi), new combination (from Ichthyaspis Takagi); Fiorinia macroprocta (Leonardi), revived combination (this and the next 2 species of Fiorinia Targioni Tozzetti all from Trullifiorinia Leonardi); Fiorinia rubrolineata Leonardi, revived combination; Fiorinia scrobicularum Green, revived combination; Genaparlatoria pseudaspidiotus (Lindinger), revived combination (from Parlatoria); Greeniella acaciae (Froggatt), new combination (this and the next 4 Greeniella Cockerell species all from Gymnaspis Newstead); Greeniella cassida (Hall Williams), new combination; Greeniella grandis (Green), new combination; Greeniella perpusilla (Maskell), new combination; Greeniella serrata (Froggatt), new combination; Hendersonaspis anomala (Green), new combination (from Ancepaspis); Hulaspis bulba (Munting), new combination (this and the next Hulaspis Hall species both from Andaspis MacGillivray); Hulaspis formicarum (Ben-Dov), new combination; Lepidosaphes antidesmae (Rao in Rao Ferris), new combination (this and the next 19 species all from Andaspis); Lepidosaphes arcana (Matile-Ferrero), new combination; Lepidosaphes betulae (Borchsenius), new combination; Lepidosaphes citricola (Young Hu), new combination; Lepidosaphes conocarpi (Takagi), new combination; Lepidosaphes crawi (Cockerell), revived combination; Lepidosaphes erythrinae Rutherford, revived combination; Lepidosaphes incisor Green, revived combination; Lepidosaphes indica (Borchsenius), new combination; Lepidosaphes kashicola Takahashi, revived combination; Lepidosaphes kazimiae (Williams), new combination; Lepidosaphes laurentina (Almeida), new combination; Lepidosaphes maai (Williams Watson), new combination; Lepidosaphes mackieana McKenzie, revived combination; Lepidosaphes micropori (Borchsenius), new combination; Lepidosaphes punicae Laing, revived combination; Lepidosaphes quercicola (Borchsenius), new combination; Lepidosaphes recurrens (Takagi Kawai), new combination; Lepidosaphes viticis (Takagi), new combination; Lepidosaphes xishuanbannae (Young Hu), new combination; Lepidosaphes giffardi (Adachi Fullaway), new combination (from Carulaspis MacGillivray); Lepidosaphes garciniae (Young Hu), new combination (this and the next 2 species all from Ductofrontaspis Young Hu); Lepidosaphes huangyangensis (Young Hu), new combination; Lepidosaphes jingdongensis (Young Hu), new combination; Lepidosaphes recurvata (Froggatt), revived combination (from Metandaspis Williams); Lepidosaphes ficicola Takahashi, revived combination (this and the next 2 species all from Ungulaspis MacGillivray); Lepidosaphes pinicolous Chen, revived combination; Lepidosaphes ungulata Green, revived combination; Lepidosaphes serrulata (Ganguli), new combination (from Velataspis Ferris); Lepidosaphes huyoung Normark, replacement name for Andaspis ficicola Young Hu; Lepidosaphes tangi Normark, replacement name for Andaspis schimae Tang; Lepidosaphes yuanfeng Normark, replacement name for Andaspis keteleeriae Yuan Feng; Leucaspis ilicitana (Gómez-Menor), new combination (from Aonidia); Lopholeucaspis spinomarginata (Green), new combination (from Gymnaspis); Melanaspis campylanthi (Lindinger), new combination (from Aonidia); Mohelnaspis bidens (Green), new combination (from Fiorinia); Parlatoria affinis (Ramakrishna Ayyar), new combination (this and the next 4 Parlatoria species all from Gymnaspis); Parlatoria ficus (Ramakrishna Ayyar), new combination; Parlatoria mangiferae (Ramakrishna Ayyar), new combination; Parlatoria ramakrishnai (Green), new combination; Parlatoria sclerosa (Munting), new combination; Parlatoria bullata (Green), new combination (from Bigymnaspis); Parlatoria leucaspis (Lindinger), new combination (this and the next species both from Cryptoparlatorea Lindinger); Parlatoria pini (Takahashi), new combination; Parlatoria tangi Normark, replacement name for Parlatoria pini Tang; Pseudoparlatoria bennetti (Williams), new combination (from Parlagena McKenzie); Pseudoparlatoria chinchonae (McKenzie), new combination (from Protodiaspis Cockerell); Pseudoparlatoria larreae (Leonardi), revived combination (from Protargionia Leonardi); Quernaspis lepineyi (Balachowsky), new combination (from Chionaspis); Rhizaspidiotus nullispinus (Munting), new combination (from Aonidia); Rolaspis marginalis (Leonardi), new combination (from Lepidosaphes); Salicicola lepelleyi (De Lotto), new combination (from Anotaspis Ferris); Tecaspis giffardi (Leonardi), new combination (from Dinaspis); Trullifiorinia geijeriae (Froggatt), new combination (from Fiorinia); Trullifiorinia nigra (Lindinger), new combination (from Crypthemichionaspis Lindinger); and Voraspis olivina (Leonardi), new combination (from Lepidosaphes).}, }
@article {pmid31715700, year = {2019}, author = {Yin, X and Zhao, S and Yan, B and Tian, Y and Ba, T and Zhang, J and Wang, Y}, title = {Bartonella rochalimae, B. grahamii, B. elizabethae, and Wolbachia spp. in Fleas from Wild Rodents near the China-Kazakhstan Border.}, journal = {The Korean journal of parasitology}, volume = {57}, number = {5}, pages = {553-559}, pmid = {31715700}, issn = {1738-0006}, support = {2016IK264//General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine/ ; 81560338//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2018ZX10101002-007//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Wild/microbiology ; Bartonella/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Bartonella Infections/microbiology/*veterinary ; China ; Genotype ; Kazakhstan ; Phylogeny ; Rodent Diseases/*microbiology ; Rodentia/classification/*microbiology ; Siphonaptera/classification/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {The Alataw Pass, near the Ebinur Lake Wetland (northwest of China) and Taldykorgan (east of Kazakhstan), is a natural habitat for wild rodents. To date, little has been done on the surveillance of Bartonella spp. and Wolbachia spp. from fleas in the region. Here we molecularly detected Bartonella spp. and Wolbachia spp. in wild rodent fleas during January and October of 2016 along the Alataw Pass-Kazakhstan border. A total of 1,706 fleas belonging to 10 species were collected from 6 rodent species. Among the 10 flea species, 4 were found to be positive for Wolbachia, and 5 flea species were positive for Bartonella. Molecular analysis indicated that i) B. rochalimae was firstly identified in Xenopsylla gerbilli minax and X. conforms conforms, ii) B. grahamii was firstly identified in X. gerbilli minax, and iii) B. elizabethae was firstly detected in Coptopsylla lamellifer ardua, Paradoxopsyllus repandus, and Nosopsyllus laeviceps laeviceps. Additionally, 3 Wolbachia endosymbionts were firstly found in X. gerbilli minax, X. conforms conforms, P. repandus, and N. laeviceps laeviceps. BLASTn analysis indicated 3 Bartonella species showed genotypic variation. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 3 Wolbachia endosymbionts were clustered into the non-Siphonaptera Wolbachia group. These findings extend our knowledge of the geographical distribution and carriers of B. rochalimae, B. grahamii, B. elizabethae, and Wolbachia spp. In the future, there is a need for China-Kazakhstan cooperation to strengthen the surveillance of flea-borne pathogens in wildlife.}, }
@article {pmid31713895, year = {2020}, author = {Clanner-Engelshofen, BM and French, LE and Reinholz, M}, title = {Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii subsp. demodicis is the endobacterium of Demodex folliculorum.}, journal = {Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV}, volume = {34}, number = {5}, pages = {1043-1049}, doi = {10.1111/jdv.16069}, pmid = {31713895}, issn = {1468-3083}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacillus ; Corynebacterium ; Humans ; *Mite Infestations ; *Mites ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Demodex spp. mites are the most complex member of the human skin microbiome. Mostly they are commensals, although their pathophysiological role in inflammatory dermatoses is recognized. Demodex mites cannot be cultivated in vitro, so only little is known about their life cycle, biology and physiology. Different bacterial species have been suggested to be the endobacterium of Demodex mites, including Bacillus oleronius, B. simplex, B. cereus and B. pumilus.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to find the true endobacterium of human Demodex mites.<br><br>METHODS: The distinct genetic and phenotypic differences and similarities between the type strain and native isolates are described by DNA sequencing, PCR, MALDI-TOF, DNA-DNA hybridization, fatty and mycolic acid analyses, and antibiotic resistance testing.<br><br>RESULTS: We report the true endobacterium of Demodex folliculorum, independent of the sampling source of mites or life stage: Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii subsp. demodicis.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We anticipate our finding to be a starting point for more in-depth understanding of the tripartite microbe-host interaction between Demodex mites, its bacterial endosymbiont and the human host.}, }
@article {pmid31709681, year = {2020}, author = {Damjanovic, K and Menéndez, P and Blackall, LL and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {Mixed-mode bacterial transmission in the common brooding coral Pocillopora acuta.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {397-412}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.14856}, pmid = {31709681}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {DP160101468//Australian Research Council/International ; FL180100036//Australian Research Council/International ; Holsworth Wildlife Endowment//Ecological Society of Australia/International ; //Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment/International ; //Australian Institute of Marine Science/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*microbiology ; *Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Gammaproteobacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rhodobacteraceae/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Reef-building corals form associations with a huge diversity of microorganisms, which are essential for the survival and well-being of their host. While the acquisition patterns of Symbiodiniaceae microalgal endosymbionts are strongly linked to the coral's reproductive strategy, few studies have investigated the transmission mode of bacteria, especially in brooding species. Here, we relied on 16S rRNA gene and Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 marker metabarcoding in conjunction with fluorescence in situ hybridisation microscopy to describe the onset of microbial associations in the common brooding coral Pocillopora acuta. We analysed the bacterial and Symbiodiniaceae community composition in five adult colonies, their larvae, and 4-day old recruits. Larvae and recruits inherited Symbiodiniaceae, as well as a small number of bacterial strains, from their parents. Rhodobacteraceae and Endozoicomonas were among the most abundant taxa that were likely maternally transmitted to the offspring. The presence of bacterial aggregates in newly released larvae was observed with confocal microscopy, confirming the occurrence of vertical transmission of bacteria in P. acuta. We concluded that host factors, as well as the environmental bacterial pool influenced the microbiome of P. acuta.}, }
@article {pmid31705651, year = {2020}, author = {Igloi, GL}, title = {Molecular evidence for the evolution of the eukaryotic mitochondrial arginyl-tRNA synthetase from the prokaryotic suborder Cystobacterineae.}, journal = {FEBS letters}, volume = {594}, number = {5}, pages = {951-957}, doi = {10.1002/1873-3468.13665}, pmid = {31705651}, issn = {1873-3468}, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Arginine-tRNA Ligase/*genetics ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Data Mining ; Eukaryota/*enzymology/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Mitochondria/*enzymology/genetics ; Myxococcales/*enzymology/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; }, abstract = {The evolutionary origin of the family of eukaryotic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that are essential to all living organisms is a matter of debate. In order to shed molecular light on the ancient source of arginyl-tRNA synthetase, a total of 1347 eukaryotic arginyl-tRNA synthetase sequences were mined from databases and analyzed. Their multiple sequence alignment reveals a signature sequence that is characteristic of the nuclear-encoded enzyme, which is imported into mitochondria. Using this molecular beacon, the origins of this gene can be traced to modern prokaryotes. In this way, a previous phylogenetic analysis linking Myxococcus to the emergence of the eukaryotic mitochondrial arginyl-tRNA synthetase is supported by the unique existence of the molecular signature within the suborder Cystobacterineae that includes Myxococcus.}, }
@article {pmid31704208, year = {2020}, author = {Hodo, CL and Forgacs, D and Auckland, LD and Bass, K and Lindsay, C and Bingaman, M and Sani, T and Colwell, K and Hamer, GL and Hamer, SA}, title = {Presence of diverse Rickettsia spp. and absence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks in an East Texas forest with reduced tick density associated with controlled burns.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {101310}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101310}, pmid = {31704208}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Amblyomma/*microbiology ; Animals ; Borrelia burgdorferi Group/*isolation &amp; purification ; Fires/prevention &amp; control ; Forestry/*methods ; Forests ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; Population Density ; Rickettsia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Texas ; }, abstract = {As tick-borne diseases continue to emerge across the United States, there is need for a better understanding of the tick and pathogen communities in the southern states and of habitat features that influence transmission risk. We surveyed questing and on-host ticks in pine-dominated forests with various fire management regimes in the Sam Houston National Forest, a popular recreation area near Houston, Texas. Four linear transects were established- two with a history of controlled burns, and two unburned. Systematic drag sampling yielded 112 ticks from two species, Ixodes scapularis (n=73) and Amblyomma americanum (n=39), with an additional 106 questing ticks collected opportunistically from drag cloth operators. There was a significant difference in systematically-collected questing tick density between unburned (15 and 18 ticks/1000 m[2]) and burned (2 and 4 ticks/1000 m[2]) transects. We captured 106 rodents and found 74 ticks on the rodents, predominantly Dermacentor variabilis. One unburned transect had significantly more ticks per mammal than any of the other three transects. DNA of Rickettsia species was detected in 146/292 on and off-host ticks, including the 'Rickettsial endosymbiont of I. scapularis' and Rickettsia amblyommatis, which are of uncertain pathogenicity to humans. Borrelia lonestari was detected in one A. americanum, while Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the agent of Lyme disease, was not detected in any tick samples. Neither Borrelia nor Rickettsia spp. were detected in any of the mammal ear biopsies (n=64) or blood samples (n=100) tested via PCR. This study documents a high prevalence in ticks of Rickettsia spp. thought to be endosymbionts, a low prevalence of relapsing fever group Borrelia in ticks, and a lack of detection of Lyme disease-group Borrelia in both ticks and mammals in an east Texas forested recreation area. Additionally, we observed low questing tick density in areas with a history of controlled burns. These results expand knowledge of tick-borne disease ecology in east Texas which can aid in directing future investigative, modeling, and management efforts.}, }
@article {pmid31702774, year = {2020}, author = {Julca, I and Marcet-Houben, M and Cruz, F and Vargas-Chavez, C and Johnston, JS and Gómez-Garrido, J and Frias, L and Corvelo, A and Loska, D and Cámara, F and Gut, M and Alioto, T and Latorre, A and Gabaldón, T}, title = {Phylogenomics Identifies an Ancestral Burst of Gene Duplications Predating the Diversification of Aphidomorpha.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {37}, number = {3}, pages = {730-756}, pmid = {31702774}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*classification/*genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Gene Duplication ; Gene Expression Profiling/*methods ; Gene Expression Regulation ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Insect Proteins/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Species Specificity ; Synteny ; Whole Genome Sequencing/*methods ; }, abstract = {Aphids (Aphidoidea) are a diverse group of hemipteran insects that feed on plant phloem sap. A common finding in studies of aphid genomes is the presence of a large number of duplicated genes. However, when these duplications occurred remains unclear, partly due to the high relatedness of sequenced species. To better understand the origin of aphid duplications we sequenced and assembled the genome of Cinara cedri, an early branching lineage (Lachninae) of the Aphididae family. We performed a phylogenomic comparison of this genome with 20 other sequenced genomes, including the available genomes of five other aphids, along with the transcriptomes of two species belonging to Adelgidae (a closely related clade to the aphids) and Coccoidea. We found that gene duplication has been pervasive throughout the evolution of aphids, including many parallel waves of recent, species-specific duplications. Most notably, we identified a consistent set of very ancestral duplications, originating from a large-scale gene duplication predating the diversification of Aphidomorpha (comprising aphids, phylloxerids, and adelgids). Genes duplicated in this ancestral wave are enriched in functions related to traits shared by Aphidomorpha, such as association with endosymbionts, and adaptation to plant defenses and phloem-sap-based diet. The ancestral nature of this duplication wave (106-227 Ma) and the lack of sufficiently conserved synteny make it difficult to conclude whether it originated from a whole-genome duplication event or, alternatively, from a burst of large-scale segmental duplications. Genome sequencing of other aphid species belonging to different Aphidomorpha and related lineages may clarify these findings.}, }
@article {pmid31699757, year = {2019}, author = {Basting, PJ and Bergman, CM}, title = {Complete Genome Assemblies for Three Variants of the Wolbachia Endosymbiont of Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {8}, number = {45}, pages = {}, pmid = {31699757}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Here, we report genome assemblies for three strains of Wolbachia pipientis, assembled from unenriched, unfiltered long-read shotgun sequencing data of geographically distinct strains of Drosophila melanogaster Our simple methodology can be applied to long-read data sets of other Wolbachia-infected species with limited Wolbachia-host lateral gene transfers to produce complete assemblies for this important model symbiont.}, }
@article {pmid31699041, year = {2019}, author = {Yuen, B and Polzin, J and Petersen, JM}, title = {Organ transcriptomes of the lucinid clam Loripes orbiculatus (Poli, 1791) provide insights into their specialised roles in the biology of a chemosymbiotic bivalve.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {820}, pmid = {31699041}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {VRG14-021//Vienna Science and Technology Fund/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Apoptosis/genetics ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Bivalvia/cytology/*genetics/immunology/microbiology ; Environment ; Foot/physiology ; *Gene Expression Profiling ; Immunity, Innate/genetics ; Nutrients/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The lucinid clam Loripes orbiculatus lives in a nutritional symbiosis with sulphur-oxidizing bacteria housed in its gills. Although our understanding of the lucinid endosymbiont physiology and metabolism has made significant progress, relatively little is known about how the host regulates the symbiosis at the genetic and molecular levels. We generated transcriptomes from four L. orbiculatus organs (gills, foot, visceral mass, and mantle) for differential expression analyses, to better understand this clam's physiological adaptations to a chemosymbiotic lifestyle, and how it regulates nutritional and immune interactions with its symbionts.<br><br>RESULTS: The transcriptome profile of the symbiont-housing gill suggests the regulation of apoptosis and innate immunity are important processes in this organ. We also identified many transcripts encoding ion transporters from the solute carrier family that possibly allow metabolite exchange between host and symbiont. Despite the clam holobiont's clear reliance on chemosynthesis, the clam's visceral mass, which contains the digestive tract, is characterised by enzymes involved in digestion, carbohydrate recognition and metabolism, suggesting that L. orbiculatus has a mixotrophic diet. The foot transcriptome is dominated by the biosynthesis of glycoproteins for the construction of mucus tubes, and receptors that mediate the detection of chemical cues in the environment.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The transcriptome profiles of gills, mantle, foot and visceral mass provide insights into the molecular basis underlying the functional specialisation of bivalve organs adapted to a chemosymbiotic lifestyle.}, }
@article {pmid31698114, year = {2020}, author = {Karut, K and Castle, SJ and Karut, &#x15e;T and Karaca, MM}, title = {Secondary endosymbiont diversity of Bemisia tabaci and its parasitoids.}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases}, volume = {78}, number = {}, pages = {104104}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104104}, pmid = {31698114}, issn = {1567-7257}, mesh = {Animals ; Arizona ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Genotyping Techniques/*methods ; Hemiptera/*classification/genetics/*microbiology ; Mediterranean Region ; Phylogeography ; Rickettsia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Species Specificity ; Symbiosis ; Turkey ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most important insect pests worldwide. It is known as a species complex consisting of at least 40 cryptic species. Although there are substantial data regarding species composition, parasitoids and endosymbionts of B. tabaci, data on relationship between the pest, parasitoids and endosymbionts are very restricted. Therefore, in this study, secondary endosymbionts in populations of B. tabaci and their parasitoids collected from Turkey and the USA were determined by PCR-based DNA analysis. Whitefly populations in Turkey represented both Mediterranean (MED) and Middle East-Asia Minor1 (MEAM1) genotypes from single or mixed populations of both genotypes. Arsenophonus, Rickettsia and Wolbachia were found in MED, while Hamiltonella and Rickettsia in MEAM1. Whitefly populations collected from Arizona were all MEAM1 and dually infected with Hamiltonella and Rickettsia. The aphelinid parasitoids Encarsia lutea and Eretmocerus mundus predominated in all Turkish populations. While almost all En. lutea populations were infected with Wolbachia, no endosymbionts were detected in any Er. mundus. Parasitoid species and the pattern of secondary endosymbiont infection in Arizona populations were different with Rickettsia detected only from Encarsia sophia while both Rickettsia and Wolbachia were found in Eretmocerus species. As a result, four secondary endosymbionts, namely, Rickettsia, Hamiltonella, Arsenophonus and Wolbachia, were detected from B.tabaci and its parasitoids. Among them only Wolbachia and Rickettsia were found in both the pest and parasitoids. It is conclude that further studies should be pursued to determine effect of these endosymbionts on biology of the parasitoids and success in biological control of B. tabaci.}, }
@article {pmid31693775, year = {2019}, author = {Bellantuono, AJ and Dougan, KE and Granados-Cifuentes, C and Rodriguez-Lanetty, M}, title = {Free-living and symbiotic lifestyles of a thermotolerant coral endosymbiont display profoundly distinct transcriptomes under both stable and heat stress conditions.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {28}, number = {24}, pages = {5265-5281}, doi = {10.1111/mec.15300}, pmid = {31693775}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*genetics/physiology ; Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Heat-Shock Response/*genetics ; Hot Temperature ; Life Style ; Oceans and Seas ; Photosynthesis/genetics ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Temperature ; Thermotolerance ; Transcriptome/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Reef-building corals depend upon a nutritional endosymbiosis with photosynthetic dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae for the majority of their energetic needs. While this mutualistic relationship is impacted by numerous stressors, warming oceans are a predominant threat to coral reefs, placing the future of the world's reefs in peril. Some Symbiodiniaceae species exhibit tolerance to thermal stress, but the in hospite symbiont response to thermal stress is underexplored. To describe the underpinnings of symbiosis and heat stress response, we compared in hospite and free-living transcriptomes of Durusdinium trenchii, a pan-tropical heat-tolerant Symbiodiniaceae species, under stable temperature conditions and acute hyperthermal stress. We discovered that symbiotic state was a larger driver of the transcriptional landscape than heat stress. The majority of differentially expressed transcripts between in hospite and free-living cells were downregulated, suggesting the in hospite condition is associated with the shutdown of numerous processes uniquely required for a free-living lifestyle. In the free-living state, we identified enrichment for numerous cell signalling pathways and other functions related to detecting and responding to a changing environment, as well as transcripts relating to mitosis, meiosis, and motility. In contrast, in hospite cells exhibited enhanced transcriptional activity for photosynthesis and carbohydrate transport as well as chromatin modifications and a disrupted circadian clock. Hyperthermal stress induced drastic alteration of transcriptional activity in hospite, suggesting symbiotic engagement with the host elicited an exacerbated stress response when compared to free-living D. trenchii. Altogether, the dramatic differences in gene expression between in hospite and free-living D. trenchii indicate the importance of considering symbiotic state in investigations of symbiosis and hyperthermal stress in Symbiodiniaceae.}, }
@article {pmid31686336, year = {2019}, author = {Durden, L and Wang, D and Panaccione, D and Clay, K}, title = {Decreased Root-Knot Nematode Gall Formation in Roots of the Morning Glory Ipomoea tricolor Symbiotic with Ergot Alkaloid-Producing Fungal Periglandula Sp.}, journal = {Journal of chemical ecology}, volume = {45}, number = {10}, pages = {879-887}, pmid = {31686336}, issn = {1573-1561}, support = {R15 GM114774/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; 429440//Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute/ ; 2R15GM114774-2//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Biomass ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Ergot Alkaloids/analysis/*chemistry ; Hypocreales/*metabolism ; Ipomoea/chemistry/metabolism/*parasitology ; Plant Roots/metabolism/parasitology ; Plant Tumors/parasitology ; Seeds/chemistry/metabolism ; Soil/parasitology ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Symbiosis ; Tylenchoidea/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Many species of morning glories (Convolvulaceae) form symbioses with seed-transmitted Periglandula fungal endosymbionts, which produce ergot alkaloids and may contribute to defensive mutualism. Allocation of seed-borne ergot alkaloids to various tissues of several Ipomoea species has been demonstrated, including roots of I. tricolor. The goal of this study was to determine if infection of I. tricolor by the Periglandula sp. endosymbiont affects Southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) gall formation and host plant biomass. We hypothesized that I. tricolor plants infected by Periglandula (E+) would develop fewer nematode-induced galls compared to non-symbiotic plants (E-). E+ or E- status of plant lines was confirmed by testing methanol extracts from individual seeds for endosymbiont-produced ergot alkaloids. To test the effects of Periglandula on nematode colonization, E+ and E- I. tricolor seedlings were grown in soil infested with high densities of M. incognita nematodes (N+) or no nematodes (N-) for four weeks in the greenhouse before harvesting. After harvest, nematode colonization of roots was visualized microscopically, and total gall number and plant biomass were quantified. Four ergot alkaloids were detected in roots of E+ plants, but no alkaloids were found in E- plants. Gall formation was reduced by 50% in E+ plants compared to E- plants, independent of root biomass. Both N+ plants and E+ plants had significantly reduced biomass compared to N- and E- plants, respectively. These results demonstrate Periglandula's defensive role against biotic enemies, albeit with a potential trade-off with host plant growth.}, }
@article {pmid31657869, year = {2020}, author = {Murik, O and Chandran, SA and Nevo-Dinur, K and Sultan, LD and Best, C and Stein, Y and Hazan, C and Ostersetzer-Biran, O}, title = {Topologies of N[6] -adenosine methylation (m[6] A) in land plant mitochondria and their putative effects on organellar gene expression.}, journal = {The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology}, volume = {101}, number = {6}, pages = {1269-1286}, doi = {10.1111/tpj.14589}, pmid = {31657869}, issn = {1365-313X}, mesh = {Adenosine/*metabolism ; Arabidopsis/metabolism ; Brassica/metabolism ; *Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Methylation ; Mitochondria/*metabolism ; Organelles/*metabolism ; Plants/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Mitochondria serve as major sites of ATP production and play key roles in many other metabolic processes that are critical to the cell. As relicts of an ancient bacterial endosymbiont, mitochondria contain their own hereditary material (i.e. mtDNA, or mitogenome) and a machinery for protein biosynthesis. The expression of the mtDNA in plants is complex, particularly at the post-transcriptional level. Following transcription, the polycistronic pre-RNAs undergo extensive modifications, including trimming, splicing and editing, before being translated by organellar ribosomes. Our study focuses on N[6] -methylation of adenosine ribonucleotides (m[6] A-RNA) in plant mitochondria. m[6] A is a prevalent modification in nuclear-encoded mRNAs. The biological significance of this dynamic modification is under investigation, but it is widely accepted that m[6] A mediates structural switches that affect RNA stability and/or activity. Using m[6] A-pulldown/RNA-seq (m[6] A-RIP-seq) assays of Arabidopsis and cauliflower mitochondria, we provide information on the m[6] A-RNA landscapes in Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica oleracea mitochondria. The results show that m[6] A targets different types of mitochondrial transcripts, including known genes, mtORFs, as well as non-coding (transcribed intergenic) RNA species. While ncRNAs undergo multiple m[6] A modifications, N[6] -methylation of adenosine residues with mRNAs seem preferably positioned near start codons and may modulate their translatability.}, }
@article {pmid31657678, year = {2020}, author = {Chigurupati, S and Vijayabalan, S and Selvarajan, KK and Aldubayan, M and Alhowail, A and Mani, V and Das, S}, title = {Antimicrobial Exploration Between Counterpart Endosymbiont and Host Plant (Tamarindus indica Linn.).}, journal = {Current pharmaceutical biotechnology}, volume = {21}, number = {5}, pages = {384-389}, doi = {10.2174/1389201020666191028105325}, pmid = {31657678}, issn = {1873-4316}, mesh = {Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation &amp; purification/*pharmacology ; Endophytes/*isolation &amp; purification ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects ; Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Plant Extracts/isolation &amp; purification/*pharmacology ; Plant Leaves/chemistry/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Tamarindus/*chemistry/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Endophytic bacteria produce various bioactive secondary metabolites, which benefit human health. Tamarindus indica L. is well known for its medicinal value in human health care. Several studies have reported on its biological effects from various parts of T. indica, but only a few studies have been devoted to examining the biological activity of endophytes of T. indica.<br><br>OBJECTIVES: In the present study, an endophyte was isolated from the leaves of T. indica and screened for its antimicrobial potential.<br><br>METHODS: The selected endophyte was identified by 16s rRNA partial genome sequencing and investigated for their antimicrobial potency. The preliminary phytochemical tests were conducted for the affirmation of phytoconstituents in the endophytic crude ethyl acetate extract of T. indica (TIM) and total phenolic content was performed. The antimicrobial potential of TIM was evaluated against human pathogenic ATCC gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains.<br><br>RESULTS: TIM exhibited an appreciable amount of gallic acid equivalent phenolic content (21.6 &#xb1; 0.04 mg GAE/g of crude extract). TIM showed the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) at 250 &#x3bc;g/mL and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) at 500 &#x3bc;g/mL among the selected human pathogenic ATCC strains. At MIC of 500 &#x3bc;g/mL, TIM displayed a significant zone of inhibition against P. aeruginosa and N. gonorrhoeae.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The results from our study highlighted for the first time the antimicrobial potential of endophytic bacterial strain Bacillus velezensis in T. indica leaves and it could be further explored as a source of natural antimicrobial agents.}, }
@article {pmid31650337, year = {2019}, author = {Chisu, V and Foxi, C and Masala, G}, title = {First molecular detection of Francisella-like endosymbionts in Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus tick species collected from vertebrate hosts from Sardinia island, Italy.}, journal = {Experimental &amp; applied acarology}, volume = {79}, number = {2}, pages = {245-254}, pmid = {31650337}, issn = {1572-9702}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Francisella/*classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Italy ; Ixodidae/*microbiology ; Male ; Mammals/parasitology ; Rhipicephalus/microbiology ; }, abstract = {Ticks are vectors of a wide variety of human and animal pathogens as well as non-pathogenic microorganisms acting as endosymbionts and whose role in ticks is still little known. Symbionts such as Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) are members of Francisellaceae family with unknown pathogenicity, detected in both hard and soft ticks. A total of 236 ticks collected from several sites in Sardinia were screened for Francisella species by PCR using primers targeting a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene. DNA of Francisella was detected in 5.1% (12/236) of the ticks tested. Sequencing results revealed that seven Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., three Hyalomma marginatum, one Hy. lusitanicum, and one Rh. bursa ticks exhibited DNA with 99-100% similarity to Francisella-like endosymbionts isolated from different tick species all over the world. Further research is needed in order to better characterize FLE strains obtained in Sardinia and to better understand if their presence could be related to the infection with other zoonotic pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid31649084, year = {2019}, author = {Gasser, MT and Chung, M and Bromley, RE and Nadendla, S and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Complete Genome Sequence of wAna, the Wolbachia Endosymbiont of Drosophila ananassae.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {8}, number = {43}, pages = {}, pmid = {31649084}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {R01 CA206188/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Here, we present the complete genome sequence of the Wolbachia endosymbiont wAna, isolated from Drosophila ananassae and derived from Oxford Nanopore and Illumina sequencing. We anticipate that this will aid in Wolbachia comparative genomics and the assembly of D. ananassae specifically in regions containing extensive lateral gene transfer events.}, }
@article {pmid31635285, year = {2019}, author = {Chicana, B and Couper, LI and Kwan, JY and Tahiraj, E and Swei, A}, title = {Comparative Microbiome Profiles of Sympatric Tick Species from the Far-Western United States.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {10}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {31635285}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {1745411//National Science Foundation/ ; 1427772//National Science Foundation/ ; GM008574//National Institutes of Health/ ; 175037//National Science Foundation/ ; }, abstract = {Insight into the composition and function of the tick microbiome has expanded considerably in recent years. Thus far, tick microbiome studies have focused on species and life stages that are responsible for transmitting disease. In this study we conducted extensive field sampling of six tick species in the far-western United States to comparatively examine the microbial composition of sympatric tick species: Ixodes pacificus, Ixodes angustus, Dermacentor variabilis, Dermacentor occidentalis, Dermacentor albipictus, and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris. These species represent both common vectors of disease and species that rarely encounter humans, exhibiting a range of host preferences and natural history. We found significant differences in microbial species diversity and composition by tick species and life stage. The microbiome of most species examined were dominated by a few primary endosymbionts. Across all species, the relative abundance of these endosymbionts increased with life stage while species richness and diversity decreased with development. Only one species, I. angustus, did not show the presence of a single dominant microbial species indicating the unique physiology of this species or its interaction with the surrounding environment. Tick species that specialize in a small number of host species or habitat ranges exhibited lower microbiome diversity, suggesting that exposure to environmental conditions or host blood meal diversity can affect the tick microbiome which in turn may affect pathogen transmission. These findings reveal important associations between ticks and their microbial community and improve our understanding of the function of non-pathogenic microbiomes in tick physiology and pathogen transmission.}, }
@article {pmid31634977, year = {2020}, author = {Liu, C and Cheng, SH and Lin, S}, title = {Illuminating the dark depths inside coral.}, journal = {Cellular microbiology}, volume = {22}, number = {1}, pages = {e13122}, doi = {10.1111/cmi.13122}, pmid = {31634977}, issn = {1462-5822}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*physiology ; *Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida/physiology ; Microscopy, Fluorescence/methods ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The ability to observe in situ 3D distribution and dynamics of endosymbionts in corals is crucial for gaining a mechanistic understanding of coral bleaching and reef degradation. Here, we report the development of a tissue clearing (TC) coupled with light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) method for 3D imaging of the coral holobiont at single-cell resolution. The initial applications have demonstrated the ability of this technique to provide high spatial resolution quantitative information of endosymbiont abundance and distribution within corals. With specific fluorescent probes or assays, TC-LSFM also revealed spatial distribution and dynamics of physiological conditions (such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and hypoxia response) in both corals and their endosymbionts. This tool is highly promising for in situ and in-depth data acquisition to illuminate coral symbiosis and health conditions in the changing marine environment, providing fundamental information for coral reef conservation and restoration.}, }
@article {pmid31632650, year = {2019}, author = {König, K and Zundel, P and Krimmer, E and König, C and Pollmann, M and Gottlieb, Y and Steidle, JLM}, title = {Reproductive isolation due to prezygotic isolation and postzygotic cytoplasmic incompatibility in parasitoid wasps.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {18}, pages = {10694-10706}, pmid = {31632650}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The reproductive barriers that prevent gene flow between closely related species are a major topic in evolutionary research. Insect clades with parasitoid lifestyle are among the most species-rich insects and new species are constantly described, indicating that speciation occurs frequently in this group. However, there are only very few studies on speciation in parasitoids. We studied reproductive barriers in two lineages of Lariophagus distinguendus (Chalcidoidea: Hymenoptera), a parasitoid wasp of pest beetle larvae that occur in human environments. One of the two lineages occurs in households preferably attacking larvae of the drugstore beetle Stegobium paniceum ("DB-lineage"), the other in grain stores with larvae of the granary weevil Sitophilus granarius as main host ("GW-lineage"). Between two populations of the DB-lineage, we identified slight sexual isolation as intraspecific barrier. Between populations from both lineages, we found almost complete sexual isolation caused by female mate choice, and postzygotic isolation, which is partially caused by cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by so far undescribed endosymbionts which are not Wolbachia or Cardinium. Because separation between the two lineages is almost complete, they should be considered as separate species according to the biological species concept. This demonstrates that cryptic species within parasitoid Hymenoptera also occur in Central Europe in close contact to humans.}, }
@article {pmid31631529, year = {2020}, author = {Bi, J and Wang, YF}, title = {The effect of the endosymbiont Wolbachia on the behavior of insect hosts.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {27}, number = {5}, pages = {846-858}, pmid = {31631529}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {31672352//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2017AHB050//International Cooperation Projects of Science and Technology of Hubei Province, China/ ; 2017AHB050//the International Cooperation Projects of Science and Technology of Hubei Province, China/ ; }, mesh = {Aggression ; Animals ; *Behavior, Animal ; Feeding Behavior ; Insecta/*microbiology/*physiology ; Learning ; Memory ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; Sleep ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {As one of the most successful intracellular symbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia can infect many arthropods and nematodes. Wolbachia infection usually affects the reproduction of their hosts to promote their own proliferation and transmission. Currently, most of the studies focus on the mechanisms of Wolbachia interactions with host reproduction. However, in addition to distribution in the reproductive tissues, Wolbachia also infect various somatic tissues of their hosts, including the brain. This raises the potential that Wolbachia may influence some somatic processes, such as behaviors in their hosts. So far, information about the effects of Wolbachia infection on host behavior is still very limited. The present review presents the current literature on different aspects of the influence of Wolbachia on various behaviors, including sleep, learning and memory, mating, feeding and aggression in their insect hosts. We then highlight ongoing scientific efforts in the field that need addressing to advance this field, which can have significant implications for further developing Wolbachia as environmentally friendly biocontrol agents to control insect-borne diseases and agricultural pests.}, }
@article {pmid31626766, year = {2019}, author = {Radkov, AD and Chou, S}, title = {An Affair to Remember: How an Endosymbiont Partners with Its Host to Build a Cell Envelope.}, journal = {Cell}, volume = {179}, number = {3}, pages = {584-586}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2019.09.024}, pmid = {31626766}, issn = {1097-4172}, mesh = {Animals ; Cell Wall ; Insecta ; *Peptidoglycan ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Studying endosymbionts gives us insight into early cellular mechanisms that led to the emergence of eukaryotic organelles. In this issue of Cell, Bublitz et al. (2019) report on how a nested bacterial endosymbiont of mealybugs builds its cell wall peptidoglycan through a biosynthetic pathway that is dependent on transported host enzymes.}, }
@article {pmid31624345, year = {2020}, author = {Manzano-Marı N, A and Coeur d'acier, A and Clamens, AL and Orvain, C and Cruaud, C and Barbe, V and Jousselin, E}, title = {Serial horizontal transfer of vitamin-biosynthetic genes enables the establishment of new nutritional symbionts in aphids' di-symbiotic systems.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {259-273}, pmid = {31624345}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology ; Buchnera/*genetics ; Erwinia/*genetics ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Vitamins/biosynthesis ; }, abstract = {Many insects depend on obligate mutualistic bacteria to provide essential nutrients lacking from their diet. Most aphids, whose diet consists of phloem, rely on the bacterial endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola to supply essential amino acids and B vitamins. However, in some aphid species, provision of these nutrients is partitioned between Buchnera and a younger bacterial partner, whose identity varies across aphid lineages. Little is known about the origin and the evolutionary stability of these di-symbiotic systems. It is also unclear whether the novel symbionts merely compensate for losses in Buchnera or carry new nutritional functions. Using whole-genome endosymbiont sequences of nine Cinara aphids that harbour an Erwinia-related symbiont to complement Buchnera, we show that the Erwinia association arose from a single event of symbiont lifestyle shift, from a free-living to an obligate intracellular one. This event resulted in drastic genome reduction, long-term genome stasis, and co-divergence with aphids. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation reveals that Erwinia inhabits its own bacteriocytes near Buchnera's. Altogether these results depict a scenario for the establishment of Erwinia as an obligate symbiont that mirrors Buchnera's. Additionally, we found that the Erwinia vitamin-biosynthetic genes not only compensate for Buchnera's deficiencies, but also provide a new nutritional function; whose genes have been horizontally acquired from a Sodalis-related bacterium. A subset of these genes have been subsequently transferred to a new Hamiltonella co-obligate symbiont in one specific Cinara lineage. These results show that the establishment and dynamics of multi-partner endosymbioses can be mediated by lateral gene transfers between co-ocurring symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid31622546, year = {2020}, author = {Galis, F and van Alphen, JJM}, title = {Parthenogenesis and developmental constraints.}, journal = {Evolution &amp; development}, volume = {22}, number = {1-2}, pages = {205-217}, doi = {10.1111/ede.12324}, pmid = {31622546}, issn = {1525-142X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Biological Evolution ; Invertebrates/*growth &amp; development ; *Parthenogenesis ; Vertebrates/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {The absence of a paternal contribution in an unfertilized ovum presents two developmental constraints against the evolution of parthenogenesis. We discuss the constraint caused by the absence of a centrosome and the one caused by the missing set of chromosomes and how they have been broken in specific taxa. They are examples of only a few well-underpinned examples of developmental constraints acting at macro-evolutionary scales in animals. Breaking of the constraint of the missing chromosomes is the best understood and generally involves rare occasions of drastic changes of meiosis. These drastic changes can be best explained by having been induced, or at least facilitated, by sudden cytological events (e.g., repeated rounds of hybridization, endosymbiont infections, and contagious infections). Once the genetic and developmental machinery is in place for regular or obligate parthenogenesis, shifts to other types of parthenogenesis can apparently rather easily evolve, for example, from facultative to obligate parthenogenesis, or from pseudoarrhenotoky to haplodiploidy. We argue that the combination of the two developmental constraints forms a near-absolute barrier against the gradual evolution from sporadic to obligate or regular facultative parthenogenesis, which can probably explain why the occurrence of the highly advantageous mode of regular facultative parthenogenesis is so rare and entirely absent in vertebrates.}, }
@article {pmid31621296, year = {2019}, author = {Aoyagi, S and Kodama, Y and Passarelli, MK and Vorng, JL and Kawashima, T and Yoshikiyo, K and Yamamoto, T and Gilmore, IS}, title = {OrbiSIMS Imaging Identifies Molecular Constituents of the Perialgal Vacuole Membrane of Paramecium bursaria with Symbiotic Chlorella variabilis.}, journal = {Analytical chemistry}, volume = {91}, number = {22}, pages = {14545-14551}, doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03571}, pmid = {31621296}, issn = {1520-6882}, mesh = {Chlorella/*chemistry ; Intracellular Membranes/*chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Oligosaccharides/analysis ; Paramecium/*chemistry ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Vacuoles/*chemistry ; }, abstract = {The protist (mostly single-celled organisms), Paramecium bursaria, forms an intracellular symbiotic relationship with the single-celled algae, Chlorella variabilis, where P. bursaria provides nutrients (i.e., Ca[2+], Mg[2+], and K[+]), carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and protection from viruses, while C. variabilis provides oxygen, carbon fixation, and nutrients. Key to this successful relationship is the perialgal vacuole (PV) membrane, which surrounds C. variabilis and protects it from digestion by P. bursaria. The membrane is fragile and difficult to analyze using conventional methods therefore very little is known about the molecular composition. We used the OrbiSIMS, a new high-resolution mass spectrometer with subcellular resolution imaging, to study the compartmentalization of endosymbionts and elucidate biomolecular interactions between the host and endosymbiont. Ions from the region of interest, close to C. variabilis, and specific to the target samples containing PVs were found based on the chemical mapping and masses of the ions. We show chemical localizations of oligosaccharides in close proximity of C. variabilis endosymbionts in P. bursaria. These oligosaccharides are detected in host-endosymbiont samples containing PV membrane-bound algae and absent in free-living algae and digestive vacuole (DV) membrane-bound algae in P. bursaria.}, }
@article {pmid33224472, year = {2018}, author = {Feranchuk, S and Belkova, N and Chernogor, L and Potapova, U and Belikov, S}, title = {The signs of adaptive mutations identified in the chloroplast genome of the algae endosymbiont of Baikal sponge.}, journal = {F1000Research}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {1405}, pmid = {33224472}, issn = {2046-1402}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Monitoring and investigating the ecosystem of the great lakes provide a thorough background when forecasting the ecosystem dynamics at a greater scale. Nowadays, changes in the Baikal lake biota require a deeper investigation of their molecular mechanisms. Understanding these mechanisms is especially important, as the endemic Baikal sponge disease may cause a degradation of the littoral ecosystem of the lake.<br><br>METHODS: The chloroplast genome fragment for the algae endosymbiont of the Baikal sponge was assembled from metagenomic sequencing data. The distributions of the polymorphic sites were obtained separately for the genome fragments from healthy, diseased and dead sponge tissues.<br><br>RESULTS: The distribution of polymorphic sites allows for the detection of the signs of extensive mutations in the chloroplasts isolated from the diseased sponge tissues. Additionally, the comparative analysis of chloroplast genome sequences suggests that the symbiotic algae from Baikal sponge is close to the Choricystis genus of unicellular algae.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Mutations observed in the chloroplast genome could be interpreted as signs of rapid adaptation processes in the symbiotic algae. The development of sponge disease is still expanding in Baikal, but an optimistic prognoses regarding a development of the disease is nevertheless considered.}, }
@article {pmid33474093, year = {2018}, author = {Sun, Y and Liang, Q and Sun, J and Yang, Y and Tao, J and Liang, J and Feng, D and Qiu, JW and Qian, PY}, title = {The mitochondrial genome of the deep-sea tubeworm Paraescarpia echinospica (Siboglinidae, Annelida) and its phylogenetic implications.}, journal = {Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources}, volume = {3}, number = {1}, pages = {131-132}, pmid = {33474093}, issn = {2380-2359}, abstract = {Paraescarpia echinospica is a conspicuous annelid living in the cold seeps and hydrothermal vents of the Western Pacific region and relying on their endosymbiont bacteria as a source of energy and organic carbon. We report the complete mitochondrial genome of P. echinospica, which is 15,280 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a putative control region. The overall base composition is AT-biased. The control region contains repeated nucleotide motifs. Phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated mitochondrial genes strongly support a sister relationship of P. echinospica with a clade containing Escarpia and Seepiophila.}, }
@article {pmid34595249, year = {2017}, author = {Kageyama, D}, title = {Quantification of Densities of Bacterial Endosymbionts of Insects by Real-time PCR.}, journal = {Bio-protocol}, volume = {7}, number = {19}, pages = {e2566}, pmid = {34595249}, issn = {2331-8325}, abstract = {Increased attention has been paid to the endosymbiotic bacteria of insects. Because most insect endosymbionts are uncultivable, quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a practical and convenient method to quantify endosymbiont titers. Here we report a protocol for real-time qPCR based on SYBR Green I fluorescence as well as some tips to prevent possible pitfalls.}, }
@article {pmid32669893, year = {2014}, author = {Higazi, TB and Geary, TG and Mackenzie, CD}, title = {Chemotherapy in the treatment, control, and elimination of human onchocerciasis.}, journal = {Research and reports in tropical medicine}, volume = {5}, number = {}, pages = {77-93}, pmid = {32669893}, issn = {1179-7282}, abstract = {Onchocerciasis treatment is one of the most positive stories in tropical medicine although major challenges remain to reaching the ultimate goal of disease elimination. Such challenges are to be expected when the therapeutic goal is to kill and safely remove a large multistage, efficient, metazoan infectious agent such as Onchocerca volvulus that has an exceptionally complicated relationship with its host. Successful control of onchocerciasis has often been hampered by host reactions following chemotherapy, that can sometimes cause significant tissue pathology. Presence of other filariae, particularly Loa loa, in endemic onchocerciasis-treatment areas also poses severe problems due to adverse reactions caused by drug-induced death of the coincident microfilariae of this usually clinically benign species. Although ivermectin has been very successful, there is a need to enhance the progress toward elimination of onchocerciasis; new drugs and their efficient use are keys to this. The permanent absence of Onchocerca microfilaridermia, defined as the lack of resurgence of skin microfilarial loads after treatment, is the ultimate characteristic of a useful new chemotherapeutic agent. Several drugs are under investigation to achieve this, including the reassessment of currently available and previously tested agents, such as the antibiotic, doxycycline, which targets the adult parasites through its anti-Wolbachia endosymbiont activity. Flubendazole, a benzimidazole derivative approved for treatment of human gastrointestinal nematodes, is also being considered for repurposing as a macrofilaricide to aid in the achievement of eradication. The managerial challenges existing at the population level also need to be addressed; these include drug-distribution fatigue, the need to include noncompliant people, civil unrest in endemic areas, political cross-border issues, restrictions of age and pregnancy, and complications due to integration with other treatment programs. It is likely that a panel of chemotherapeutic options, new and old, supported by strong and effective distribution systems will be the best way to address challenges of treatment and elimination of this infection. Future research should also address management of treatment and control, and consider how new treatment paradigms can be incorporated to meet time lines set for global elimination by 2025.}, }
@article {pmid31766793, year = {2008}, author = {Fabricius, KE and De'ath, G}, title = {PHOTOSYNTHETIC SYMBIONTS AND ENERGY SUPPLY DETERMINE OCTOCORAL BIODIVERSITY IN CORAL REEFS.}, journal = {Ecology}, volume = {89}, number = {11}, pages = {3163-3173}, doi = {10.1890/08-0005.1}, pmid = {31766793}, issn = {1939-9170}, abstract = {Many coral reef organisms live in symbiotic relationships with photosynthetic microalgae. This symbiosis extends the energy resources available to reef organisms, thereby potentially influencing biodiversity. In octocorals, about one-half of the taxa contain photosynthetic symbionts while the rest do not, and thus octocorals are an ideal model to assess the relationships between biodiversity, spatial and environmental factors, and photosynthetic symbionts. Data collected from 1106 sites on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, between 12° and 24° S showed that taxa with photosynthetic symbionts (phototrophs) had higher abundances, wider ranges, and a wider spread of locations than taxa without symbionts (heterotrophs). In phototrophic assemblages, spatial turnover comprised both exchange and loss of taxa, and their richness was high across a broad range of environmental conditions. In contrast, heterotrophs were uncommon, had short ranges, and were located where energy supply was highest and disturbance lowest. Turnover between heterotrophic assemblages comprised taxonomic loss rather than exchange of taxa. The biodiversity patterns and differences between phototrophic and heterotrophic octocorals are similar to those recorded in more spatially limited studies of phototrophic sponges and hard corals, and heterotrophic sponges. This study therefore suggests that the association, or not, with photosynthetic symbionts, and spatial and environmental factors related to energy supply and disturbance are principal drivers of biodiversity, community composition, and ranges of coral reef benthos.}, }
@article {pmid34991281, year = {2005}, author = {Donner, SD and Skirving, WJ and Little, CM and Oppenheimer, M and Hoegh-Guldberg, O}, title = {Global assessment of coral bleaching and required rates of adaptation under climate change.}, journal = {Global change biology}, volume = {11}, number = {12}, pages = {2251-2265}, doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2486.2005.01073.x}, pmid = {34991281}, issn = {1365-2486}, abstract = {Elevated ocean temperatures can cause coral bleaching, the loss of colour from reef-building corals because of a breakdown of the symbiosis with the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium. Recent studies have warned that global climate change could increase the frequency of coral bleaching and threaten the long-term viability of coral reefs. These assertions are based on projecting the coarse output from atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (GCMs) to the local conditions around representative coral reefs. Here, we conduct the first comprehensive global assessment of coral bleaching under climate change by adapting the NOAA Coral Reef Watch bleaching prediction method to the output of a low- and high-climate sensitivity GCM. First, we develop and test algorithms for predicting mass coral bleaching with GCM-resolution sea surface temperatures for thousands of coral reefs, using a global coral reef map and 1985-2002 bleaching prediction data. We then use the algorithms to determine the frequency of coral bleaching and required thermal adaptation by corals and their endosymbionts under two different emissions scenarios. The results indicate that bleaching could become an annual or biannual event for the vast majority of the world's coral reefs in the next 30-50 years without an increase in thermal tolerance of 0.2-1.0°C per decade. The geographic variability in required thermal adaptation found in each model and emissions scenario suggests that coral reefs in some regions, like Micronesia and western Polynesia, may be particularly vulnerable to climate change. Advances in modelling and monitoring will refine the forecast for individual reefs, but this assessment concludes that the global prognosis is unlikely to change without an accelerated effort to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.}, }
@article {pmid31617302, year = {2020}, author = {Biwot, JC and Zhang, HB and Liu, C and Qiao, JX and Yu, XQ and Wang, YF}, title = {Wolbachia-induced expression of kenny gene in testes affects male fertility in Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {27}, number = {5}, pages = {869-882}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12730}, pmid = {31617302}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {31672352//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics/microbiology/*physiology ; Fertility/*genetics ; Gene Expression ; I-kappa B Kinase/*genetics/metabolism ; Male ; Testis/metabolism ; *Up-Regulation ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are Gram-negative endosymbionts that are known to cause embryonic lethality when infected male insects mate with uninfected females or with females carrying a different strain of Wolbachia, a situation characterized as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). However, the mechanism of CI is not yet fully understood, although recent studies on Drosophila melanogaster have achieved great progress. Here, we found that Wolbachia infection caused changes in the expressions of several immunity-related genes, including significant upregulation of kenny (key), in the testes of D. melanogaster. Overexpression of key in fly testes led to a significant decrease in egg hatch rates when these flies mate with wild-type females. Wolbachia-infected females could rescue this embryonic lethality. Furthermore, in key overexpressing testes terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling signal was significantly stronger than in the control testes, and the level of reactive oxygen species was significantly increased. Overexpression of key also resulted in alterations of some other immunity-related gene expressions, including the downregulation of Zn72D. Knockdown of Zn72D in fly testes also led to a significant decrease in egg hatch rates. These results suggest that Wolbachia might induce the defect in male host fertility by immunity-related pathways and thus cause an oxidative damage and cell death in male testes.}, }
@article {pmid31615544, year = {2019}, author = {Ghosh, A and Jasperson, D and Cohnstaedt, LW and Brelsfoard, CL}, title = {Transfection of Culicoides sonorensis biting midge cell lines with Wolbachia pipientis.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {483}, pmid = {31615544}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {Start up funds//Texas Tech University/ ; }, mesh = {Aedes/cytology ; Animals ; Biological Control Agents ; Cell Line/microbiology ; Ceratopogonidae/immunology/*microbiology ; Immunity/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Insect Vectors/immunology/*microbiology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reproduction ; Transfection/*methods ; Wolbachia/genetics/immunology/*pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Biting midges of the genus Culicoides vector multiple veterinary pathogens and are difficult to control. Endosymbionts particularly Wolbachia pipientis may offer an alternative to control populations of Culicoides and/or impact disease transmission in the form of population suppression or replacement strategies.<br><br>METHODS: Culicoides sonorensis cell lines were transfected with a Wolbachia infection using a modified shell vial technique. Infections were confirmed using PCR and cell localization using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The stability of Wolbachia infections and density was determined by qPCR. qPCR was also used to examine immune genes in the IMD, Toll and JACK/STAT pathways to determine if Wolbachia were associated with an immune response in infected cells.<br><br>RESULTS: Here we have transfected two Culicoides sonorensis cell lines (W3 and W8) with a Wolbachia infection (walbB) from donor Aedes albopictus Aa23 cells. PCR and FISH showed the presence of Wolbachia infections in both C. sonorensis cell lines. Infection densities were higher in the W8 cell lines when compared to W3. In stably infected cells, genes in the immune Toll, IMD and JAK/STAT pathways were upregulated, along with Attacin and an Attacin-like anti-microbial peptides.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The successful introduction of Wolbachia infections in C. sonorensis cell lines and the upregulation of immune genes, suggest the utility of using Wolbachia for a population replacement and/or population suppression approach to limit the transmission of C. sonorensis vectored diseases. Results support the further investigation of Wolbachia induced pathogen inhibitory effects in Wolbachia-infected C. sonorensis cell lines and the introduction of Wolbachia into C. sonorensis adults via embryonic microinjection to examine for reproductive phenotypes and host fitness effects of a novel Wolbachia infection.}, }
@article {pmid31615401, year = {2019}, author = {Liang, Z and Liu, F and Wang, W and Zhang, P and Sun, X and Wang, F and Kell, H}, title = {High-throughput sequencing revealed differences of microbial community structure and diversity between healthy and diseased Caulerpa lentillifera.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {225}, pmid = {31615401}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Bacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Biodiversity ; Caulerpa/growth &amp; development/*microbiology/parasitology ; Chlorophyta/*classification/genetics ; DNA, Intergenic ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Diatoms/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/*methods ; Japan ; Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Vietnam ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Caulerpa lentillifera is one of the most important economic green macroalgae in the world. Increasing demand for consumption has led to the commercial cultivation of C. lentillifera in Japan and Vietnam in recent decades. Concomitant with the increase of C. lentillifera cultivation is a rise in disease. We hypothesise that epiphytes or other microorganisms outbreak at the C. lentillifera farm may be an important factor contributing to disease in C. lentillifera. The main aims are obtaining differences in the microbial community structure and diversity between healthy and diseased C. lentillifera and key epiphytes and other microorganisms affecting the differences through the results of high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis in the present study.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 14,050, 2479, and 941 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained from all samples using 16S rDNA, 18S rDNA, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) high-throughput sequencing, respectively. 16S rDNA sequencing and 18S rDNA sequencing showed that microbial community diversity was higher in diseased C. lentillifera than in healthy C. lentillifera. Both PCoA results and UPGMA results indicated that the healthy and diseased algae samples have characteristically different microbial communities. The predominant prokaryotic phyla were Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Acidobacteria, Acidobacteria and Parcubacteria in all sequences. Chlorophyta was the most abundant eukaryotic phylum followed by Bacillariophyta based on 18S rDNA sequencing. Ascomycota was the dominant fungal phylum detected in healthy C. lentillifera based on ITS sequencing, whereas fungi was rare in diseased C. lentillifera, suggesting that Ascomycota was probably fungal endosymbiont in healthy C. lentillifera. There was a significantly higher abundance of Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Bacillariophyta, Ulvales and Tetraselmis in diseased C. lentillifera than in healthy C. lentillifera. Disease outbreaks significantly change carbohydrate metabolism, environmental information processing and genetic information processing of prokaryotic communities in C. lentillifera through predicted functional analyses using the Tax4Fun tool.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Bacillariophyta, Ulvales and Tetraselmis outbreak at the C. lentillifera farm sites was an important factor contributing to disease in C. lentillifera.}, }
@article {pmid31608107, year = {2019}, author = {Chiodi, A and Comandatore, F and Sassera, D and Petroni, G and Bandi, C and Brilli, M}, title = {SeqDeχ: A Sequence Deconvolution Tool for Genome Separation of Endosymbionts From Mixed Sequencing Samples.}, journal = {Frontiers in genetics}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {853}, pmid = {31608107}, issn = {1664-8021}, abstract = {In recent years, the advent of NGS technology has made genome sequencing much cheaper than in the past; the high parallelization capability and the possibility to sequence more than one organism at once have opened the door to processing whole symbiotic consortia. However, this approach needs the development of specific bioinformatics tools able to analyze these data. In this work, we describe SeqDex, a tool that starts from a preliminary assembly obtained from sequencing a mixture of DNA from different organisms, to identify the contigs coming from one organism of interest. SeqDex is a fully automated machine learning-based tool exploiting partial taxonomic affiliations and compositional analysis to predict the taxonomic affiliations of contigs in an assembly. In literature, there are few methods able to deconvolve host-symbiont datasets, and most of them heavily rely on user curation and are therefore time consuming. The problem has strong similarities with metagenomic studies, where mixed samples are sequenced and the bioinformatics challenge is trying to separate contigs on the basis of their source organism; however, in symbiotic systems, additional information can be exploited to improve the output. To assess the ability of SeqDex to deconvolve host-symbiont datasets, we compared it to state-of-the-art methods for metagenomic binning and for host-symbiont deconvolution on three study cases. The results point out the good performances of the presented tool that, in addition to the ease of use and customization potential, make SeqDex a useful tool for rapid identification of endosymbiont sequences.}, }
@article {pmid31608043, year = {2019}, author = {Gifford, I and Vance, S and Nguyen, G and Berry, AM}, title = {A Stable Genetic Transformation System and Implications of the Type IV Restriction System in the Nitrogen-Fixing Plant Endosymbiont Frankia alni ACN14a.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {2230}, pmid = {31608043}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Genus Frankia is comprised primarily of nitrogen-fixing actinobacteria that form root nodule symbioses with a group of hosts known as the actinorhizal plants. These plants are evolutionarily closely related to the legumes that are nodulated by the rhizobia. Both host groups utilize homologs of nodulation genes for root-nodule symbiosis, derived from common plant ancestors. The corresponding endosymbionts, Frankia and the rhizobia, however, are distantly related groups of bacteria, leading to questions about their symbiotic mechanisms and evolutionary history. To date, a stable system of electrotransformation has been lacking in Frankia despite numerous attempts by research groups worldwide. We have identified type IV methyl-directed restriction systems, highly-expressed in a range of actinobacteria, as a likely barrier to Frankia transformation. Here we report the successful electrotransformation of the model strain F. alni ACN14a with an unmethylated, broad host-range replicating plasmid, expressing chloramphenicol-resistance for selection and GFP as a marker of gene expression. This system circumvented the type IV restriction barrier and allowed the stable maintenance of the plasmid. During nitrogen limitation, Frankia differentiates into two cell types: the vegetative hyphae and nitrogen-fixing vesicles. When the expression of egfp under the control of the nif gene cluster promoter was localized using fluorescence imaging, the expression of nitrogen fixation in nitrogen-limited culture was localized in Frankia vesicles but not in hyphae. The ability to separate gene expression patterns between Frankia hyphae and vesicles will enable deeper comparisons of molecular signaling and metabolic exchange between Frankia-actinorhizal and rhizobia-legume symbioses to be made, and may broaden potential applications in agriculture. Further downstream applications are possible, including gene knock-outs and complementation, to open up a range of experiments in Frankia and its symbioses. Additionally, in the transcriptome of F. alni ACN14a, type IV restriction enzymes were highly expressed in nitrogen-replete culture but their expression strongly decreased during symbiosis. The down-regulation of type IV restriction enzymes in symbiosis suggests that horizontal gene transfer may occur more frequently inside the nodule, with possible new implications for the evolution of Frankia.}, }
@article {pmid31608037, year = {2019}, author = {Antoine, R and Rivera-Millot, A and Roy, G and Jacob-Dubuisson, F}, title = {Relationships Between Copper-Related Proteomes and Lifestyles in β Proteobacteria.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {2217}, pmid = {31608037}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Copper is an essential transition metal whose redox properties are used for a variety of enzymatic oxido-reductions and in electron transfer chains. It is also toxic to living beings, and therefore its cellular concentration must be strictly controlled. We have performed in silico analyses of the predicted proteomes of more than one hundred species of β proteobacteria to characterize their copper-related proteomes, including cuproproteins, i.e., proteins with active-site copper ions, copper chaperones, and copper-homeostasis systems. Copper-related proteomes represent between 0 and 1.48% of the total proteomes of β proteobacteria. The numbers of cuproproteins are globally proportional to the proteome sizes in all phylogenetic groups and strongly linked to aerobic respiration. In contrast, environmental bacteria have considerably larger proportions of copper-homeostasis systems than the other groups of bacteria, irrespective of their proteome sizes. Evolution toward commensalism, obligate, host-restricted pathogenesis or symbiosis is globally reflected in the loss of copper-homeostasis systems. In endosymbionts, defense systems and copper chaperones have disappeared, whereas residual cuproenzymes are electron transfer proteins for aerobic respiration. Lifestyle is thus a major determinant of the size and composition of the copper-related proteome, and it is particularly reflected in systems involved in copper homeostasis. Analyses of the copper-related proteomes of a number of species belonging to the Burkholderia, Bordetella, and Neisseria genera indicates that commensals are in the process of shedding their copper-homeostasis systems and chaperones to greater extents yet than pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid31603613, year = {2020}, author = {Caputo, B and Moretti, R and Manica, M and Serini, P and Lampazzi, E and Bonanni, M and Fabbri, G and Pichler, V and Della Torre, A and Calvitti, M}, title = {A bacterium against the tiger: preliminary evidence of fertility reduction after release of Aedes albopictus males with manipulated Wolbachia infection in an Italian urban area.}, journal = {Pest management science}, volume = {76}, number = {4}, pages = {1324-1332}, doi = {10.1002/ps.5643}, pmid = {31603613}, issn = {1526-4998}, mesh = {*Aedes ; Animals ; Female ; Fertility ; Italy ; Male ; Mosquito Control ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Novel tools are needed to reduce the nuisance and risk of exotic arbovirus transmission associated with the colonization of temperate regions by Aedes albopictus. The incompatible insect technique (IIT) is a population suppression approach based on cytoplasmic incompatibility between males with manipulated endosymbionts and wild females. Here, we present the results of the first field experiment in Europe to assess the capacity of an Ae. albopictus line (ARwP) deprived of its natural endosymbiont Wolbachia and transinfected with a Wolbachia strain from the mosquito Culex pipiens, to sterilize wild females.<br><br>RESULTS: We released &#x223c;&#x2009;4500 ARwP males weekly for 6&#x2009;weeks in a green area within urban Rome (Italy) and carried out egg (N&#xa0;=&#x2009;13&#x2009;442), female (N&#xa0;=&#x2009;128) and male (N&#xa0;=&#x2009;352) collections. Egg (N&#xa0;=&#x2009;13&#x2009;783) and female (N&#xa0;=&#x2009;48) collections were also carried out at two untreated control sites. The percentage of viable eggs during release was, on average, significantly lower in treated sites than in control sites, with the greatest difference (16%) seen after the fourth release. The ARwP to wild male ratio in the release spots between day&#xa0;3 after the first ARwP male release and day 7 after the last release was, on average, 7:10. Released males survived up to 2&#x2009;weeks. Approximately 30% of females collected in the release spots showed 100% sterility and 20% showed strongly reduced fertility compared with control sites.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Results support the potential of IIT as a tool contributing to Ae. albopictus control in the urban context, and stress the need for larger field trials to evaluate the cost-efficacy of the approach in suppressing wild populations. &#xa9; 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.}, }
@article {pmid31603571, year = {2020}, author = {Obert, T and Vďačný, P}, title = {Evolutionary Origin and Host Range of Plagiotoma lumbrici (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia), an Obligate Gut Symbiont of Lumbricid Earthworms.}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {67}, number = {2}, pages = {176-189}, doi = {10.1111/jeu.12768}, pmid = {31603571}, issn = {1550-7408}, mesh = {Animals ; Gastrointestinal Tract/parasitology ; Host Specificity ; Hypotrichida/*classification/genetics/physiology ; Oligochaeta/*parasitology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Protozoan/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/analysis ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Four common earthworm species, the anecic Lumbricus terrestris, the endogeic Octolasion tyrteum as well as the epigeic Eisenia fetida and Dendrobaena veneta, were examined for the presence of the microbial gut symbiont Plagiotoma lumbrici. The evolutionary origin of this endobiotic microbe was reconstructed, using the 18S rRNA gene, the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region, and the first two domains of the 28S rRNA gene. Plagiotoma lumbrici was exclusively detected in the anecic Lumbricus terrestris. Multigene analyses and the ITS2 secondary structure robustly determined the phylogenetic home of Plagiotoma lumbrici populations within the oxytrichid Dorsomarginalia (Spirotrichea: Hypotrichia) as a sister taxon of the free-living Hemiurosomoida longa. This indicates that earthworms obtained their gut endosymbiont by ingesting soil/leaf litter containing oxytrichine ciliates that became adapted to the intestinal tract of earthworms. Interestingly, according to the literature data, Plagiotoma lumbrici was detected in multiple anecic and some epigeic but never in endogeic earthworms. These observations suggest that Plagiotoma lumbrici might be adapted to certain gut conditions and the lifestyle of anecic Lumbricidae, such as Lumbricus, Aporrectodea, and Scherotheca, as well as of some co-occurring epigeic Lumbricus species.}, }
@article {pmid31600190, year = {2019}, author = {Becking, T and Chebbi, MA and Giraud, I and Moumen, B and Laverré, T and Caubet, Y and Peccoud, J and Gilbert, C and Cordaux, R}, title = {Sex chromosomes control vertical transmission of feminizing Wolbachia symbionts in an isopod.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {17}, number = {10}, pages = {e3000438}, pmid = {31600190}, issn = {1545-7885}, mesh = {Alleles ; Animals ; Female ; Genotype ; Homozygote ; Isopoda/*genetics/microbiology ; Male ; Models, Genetic ; Quantitative Trait, Heritable ; *Sex Chromosomes ; *Sex Determination Processes ; Sex Ratio ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Microbial endosymbiosis is widespread in animals, with major ecological and evolutionary implications. Successful symbiosis relies on efficient vertical transmission through host generations. However, when symbionts negatively affect host fitness, hosts are expected to evolve suppression of symbiont effects or transmission. Here, we show that sex chromosomes control vertical transmission of feminizing Wolbachia endosymbionts in the isopod Armadillidium nasatum. Theory predicts that the invasion of an XY/XX species by cytoplasmic sex ratio distorters is unlikely because it leads to fixation of the unusual (and often lethal or infertile) YY genotype. We demonstrate that A. nasatum X and Y sex chromosomes are genetically highly similar and that YY individuals are viable and fertile, thereby enabling Wolbachia spread in this XY-XX species. Nevertheless, we show that Wolbachia cannot drive fixation of YY individuals, because infected YY females do not transmit Wolbachia to their offspring, unlike XX and XY females. The genetic basis fits the model of a Y-linked recessive allele (associated with an X-linked dominant allele), in which the homozygous state suppresses Wolbachia transmission. Moreover, production of all-male progenies by infected YY females restores a balanced sex ratio at the host population level. This suggests that blocking of Wolbachia transmission by YY females may have evolved to suppress feminization, thereby offering a whole new perspective on the evolutionary interplay between microbial symbionts and host sex chromosomes.}, }
@article {pmid31600008, year = {2020}, author = {Bondarenko, N and Volkova, E and Masharsky, A and Kudryavtsev, A and Smirnov, A}, title = {A Comparative Characterization of the Mitochondrial Genomes of Paramoeba aparasomata and Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis (Amoebozoa, Paramoebidae).}, journal = {The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology}, volume = {67}, number = {2}, pages = {167-175}, doi = {10.1111/jeu.12767}, pmid = {31600008}, issn = {1550-7408}, mesh = {*Genome, Mitochondrial ; *Genome, Protozoan ; Lobosea/*genetics ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; Protozoan Proteins/chemistry ; }, abstract = {Marine amebae of the genus Paramoeba (Amoebozoa, Dactylopodida) normally contain a eukaryotic endosymbiont known as Perkinsela-like organism (PLO). This is one of the characters to distinguish the genera Neoparamoeba and Paramoeba from other Dactylopodida. It is known that the PLO may be lost, but PLO-free strains of paramoebians were never available for molecular studies. Recently, we have described the first species of the genus Paramoeba which has no parasome-Paramoeba aparasomata. In this study, we present a mitochondrial genome of this species, compare it with that of Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis, and analyze the evolutionary dynamics of gene sequences and gene order rearrangements between these species. The mitochondrial genome of P. aparasomata is 46,254 bp long and contains a set of 31 protein-coding genes, 19 tRNAs, two rRNA genes, and 7 open reading frames. Our results suggest that these two mitochondrial genomes within the genus Paramoeba have rather similar organization and gene order, base composition, codon usage, the composition and structure of noncoding, and overlapping regions.}, }
@article {pmid31596993, year = {2019}, author = {Walker, NS and Fernández, R and Sneed, JM and Paul, VJ and Giribet, G and Combosch, DJ}, title = {Differential gene expression during substrate probing in larvae of the Caribbean coral Porites astreoides.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {28}, number = {22}, pages = {4899-4913}, pmid = {31596993}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*genetics ; Caribbean Region ; Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida/genetics ; Gene Expression/*genetics ; Larva/*genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Transcriptome/genetics ; }, abstract = {The transition from larva to adult is a critical step in the life history strategy of most marine animals. However, the genetic basis of this life history change remains poorly understood in many taxa, including most coral species. Recent evidence suggests that coral planula larvae undergo significant changes at the physiological and molecular levels throughout the development. To investigate this, we characterized differential gene expression (DGE) during the transition from planula to adult polyp in the abundant Caribbean reef-building coral Porites astreoides, that is from nonprobing to actively substrate-probing larva, a stage required for colony initiation. This period is crucial for the coral, because it demonstrates preparedness to locate appropriate substrata for settlement based on vital environmental cues. Through RNA-Seq, we identified 860 differentially expressed holobiont genes between probing and nonprobing larvae (p ≤ .01), the majority of which were upregulated in probing larvae. Surprisingly, differentially expressed genes of endosymbiotic dinoflagellate origin greatly outnumbered coral genes, compared with a nearly 1:1 ratio of coral-to-dinoflagellate gene representation in the holobiont transcriptome. This unanticipated result suggests that dinoflagellate endosymbionts may play a significant role in the transition from nonprobing to probing behaviour in dinoflagellate-rich larvae. Putative holobiont genes were largely involved in protein and nucleotide binding, metabolism and transport. Genes were also linked to environmental sensing and response and integral signalling pathways. Our results thus provide detailed insight into molecular changes prior to larval settlement and highlight the complex physiological and biochemical changes that occur in early transition stages from pelagic to benthic stages in corals, and perhaps more importantly, in their endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid31596027, year = {2020}, author = {Bing, XL and Lu, YJ and Xia, CB and Xia, X and Hong, XY}, title = {Transcriptome of Tetranychus urticae embryos reveals insights into Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility.}, journal = {Insect molecular biology}, volume = {29}, number = {2}, pages = {193-204}, doi = {10.1111/imb.12620}, pmid = {31596027}, issn = {1365-2583}, mesh = {Animals ; Cytoplasm ; Embryo, Nonmammalian/microbiology/physiology ; Female ; Male ; Reproduction ; Tetranychidae/embryology/growth &amp; development/microbiology/*physiology ; *Transcriptome ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The endosymbiont Wolbachia is known for manipulating host reproduction in selfish ways. However, the molecular mechanisms have not yet been investigated in embryos. Here, we found that Wolbachia had no effect on the number of deposited eggs in Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) but caused two types of reproductive manipulation: killing uninfected female embryos via cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and increasing the hatching ratio of infected female embryos. RNA sequencing analyses showed that 145 genes were differentially expressed between Wolbachia-infected (WI) and Wolbachia-uninfected (WU) embryos. Wolbachia infection down-regulated messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of glutathione S-transferase that could buffer oxidative stress. In addition, 1613 and 294 genes were identified as CI-specific up-/down-regulated genes. Compared to WU and WI embryos, embryos of CI cross strongly expressed genes involved in transcription, translation, tissue morphogenesis, DNA damage and mRNA surveillance. In contrast, most of the genes associated with energy production and metabolism were down-regulated in the CI embryos compared to the WU and WI embryos, which provides some clues as to the cause of death of CI embryos. These results identify several genes that could be candidates for explaining Wolbachia-induced CI. Our data form a basis to help elucidate the molecular consequences of CI in embryos.}, }
@article {pmid31595051, year = {2020}, author = {Yang, Y and Sun, J and Sun, Y and Kwan, YH and Wong, WC and Zhang, Y and Xu, T and Feng, D and Zhang, Y and Qiu, JW and Qian, PY}, title = {Genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic insights into the symbiosis of deep-sea tubeworm holobionts.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {135-150}, pmid = {31595051}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*genetics/*metabolism/pathogenicity ; Carbon Cycle ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genomics ; Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology ; Immunity, Innate/genetics ; Polychaeta/genetics/immunology/metabolism/*microbiology ; Proteomics ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Deep-sea hydrothermal vents and methane seeps are often densely populated by animals that host chemosynthetic symbiotic bacteria, but the molecular mechanisms of such host-symbiont relationship remain largely unclear. We characterized the symbiont genome of the seep-living siboglinid Paraescarpia echinospica and compared seven siboglinid-symbiont genomes. Our comparative analyses indicate that seep-living siboglinid endosymbionts have more virulence traits for establishing infections and modulating host-bacterium interaction than the vent-dwelling species, and have a high potential to resist environmental hazards. Metatranscriptome and metaproteome analyses of the Paraescarpia holobiont reveal that the symbiont is highly versatile in its energy use and efficient in carbon fixation. There is close cooperation within the holobiont in production and supply of nutrients, and the symbiont may be able to obtain nutrients from host cells using virulence factors. Moreover, the symbiont is speculated to have evolved strategies to mediate host protective immunity, resulting in weak expression of host innate immunity genes in the trophosome. Overall, our results reveal the interdependence of the tubeworm holobiont through mutual nutrient supply, a pathogen-type regulatory mechanism, and host-symbiont cooperation in energy utilization and nutrient production, which is a key adaptation allowing the tubeworm to thrive in deep-sea chemosynthetic environments.}, }
@article {pmid31587897, year = {2019}, author = {Bublitz, DC and Chadwick, GL and Magyar, JS and Sandoz, KM and Brooks, DM and Mesnage, S and Ladinsky, MS and Garber, AI and Bjorkman, PJ and Orphan, VJ and McCutcheon, JP}, title = {Peptidoglycan Production by an Insect-Bacterial Mosaic.}, journal = {Cell}, volume = {179}, number = {3}, pages = {703-712.e7}, pmid = {31587897}, issn = {1097-4172}, support = {MR/S009272/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; P20 GM103546/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD021806/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*genetics/pathogenicity ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genes, Bacterial ; Hemiptera/*genetics/microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Peptidoglycan/*biosynthesis/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Peptidoglycan (PG) is a defining feature of bacteria, involved in cell division, shape, and integrity. We previously reported that several genes related to PG biosynthesis were horizontally transferred from bacteria to the nuclear genome of mealybugs. Mealybugs are notable for containing a nested bacteria-within-bacterium endosymbiotic structure in specialized insect cells, where one bacterium, Moranella, lives in the cytoplasm of another bacterium, Tremblaya. Here we show that horizontally transferred genes on the mealybug genome work together with genes retained on the Moranella genome to produce a PG layer exclusively at the Moranella cell periphery. Furthermore, we show that an insect protein encoded by a horizontally transferred gene of bacterial origin is transported into the Moranella cytoplasm. These results provide a striking parallel to the genetic and biochemical mosaicism found in organelles, and prove that multiple horizontally transferred genes can become integrated into a functional pathway distributed between animal and bacterial endosymbiont genomes.}, }
@article {pmid31587649, year = {2019}, author = {Galindo, LJ and Torruella, G and Moreira, D and Eglit, Y and Simpson, AGB and Völcker, E and Clauß, S and López-García, P}, title = {Combined cultivation and single-cell approaches to the phylogenomics of nucleariid amoebae, close relatives of fungi.}, journal = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences}, volume = {374}, number = {1786}, pages = {20190094}, pmid = {31587649}, issn = {1471-2970}, mesh = {Eukaryota/*classification ; *Phylogeny ; Single-Cell Analysis/*methods ; }, abstract = {Nucleariid amoebae (Opisthokonta) have been known since the nineteenth century but their diversity and evolutionary history remain poorly understood. To overcome this limitation, we have obtained genomic and transcriptomic data from three Nuclearia, two Pompholyxophrys and one Lithocolla species using traditional culturing and single-cell genome (SCG) and single-cell transcriptome amplification methods. The phylogeny of the complete 18S rRNA sequences of Pompholyxophrys and Lithocolla confirmed their suggested evolutionary relatedness to nucleariid amoebae, although with moderate support for internal splits. SCG amplification techniques also led to the identification of probable bacterial endosymbionts belonging to Chlamydiales and Rickettsiales in Pompholyxophrys. To improve the phylogenetic framework of nucleariids, we carried out phylogenomic analyses based on two datasets of, respectively, 264 conserved proteins and 74 single-copy protein domains. We obtained full support for the monophyly of the nucleariid amoebae, which comprise two major clades: (i) Parvularia-Fonticula and (ii) Nuclearia with the scaled genera Pompholyxophrys and Lithocolla. Based on these findings, the evolution of some traits of the earliest-diverging lineage of Holomycota can be inferred. Our results suggest that the last common ancestor of nucleariids was a freshwater, bacterivorous, non-flagellated filose and mucilaginous amoeba. From the ancestor, two groups evolved to reach smaller (Parvularia-Fonticula) and larger (Nuclearia and related scaled genera) cell sizes, leading to different ecological specialization. The Lithocolla + Pompholyxophrys clade developed exogenous or endogenous cell coverings from a Nuclearia-like ancestor. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Single cell ecology'.}, }
@article {pmid31587647, year = {2019}, author = {Tyml, T and Date, SV and Woyke, T}, title = {A single-cell genome perspective on studying intracellular associations in unicellular eukaryotes.}, journal = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences}, volume = {374}, number = {1786}, pages = {20190082}, pmid = {31587647}, issn = {1471-2970}, mesh = {Eukaryotic Cells/*physiology ; *Genome ; Genomics/*methods ; Single-Cell Analysis/*methods ; }, abstract = {Single-cell genomics (SCG) methods provide a unique opportunity to analyse whole genome information at the resolution of an individual cell. While SCG has been extensively used to investigate bacterial and archaeal genomes, the technique has been rarely used to access the genetic makeup of uncultivated microbial eukaryotes. In this regard, the use of SCG can provide a wealth of information; not only do the methods allow exploration of the genome, they can also help elucidate the relationship between the cell and intracellular entities extant in nearly all eukaryotes. SCG enables the study of total eukaryotic cellular DNA, which in turn allows us to better understand the evolutionary history and diversity of life, and the physiological interactions that define complex organisms. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Single cell ecology'.}, }
@article {pmid31585988, year = {2019}, author = {Takeshita, K and Yamada, T and Kawahara, Y and Narihiro, T and Ito, M and Kamagata, Y and Shinzato, N}, title = {Tripartite Symbiosis of an Anaerobic Scuticociliate with Two Hydrogenosome-Associated Endosymbionts, a Holospora-Related Alphaproteobacterium and a Methanogenic Archaeon.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {85}, number = {24}, pages = {}, pmid = {31585988}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Alphaproteobacteria/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*metabolism ; Anaerobiosis/*physiology ; Ciliophora/*microbiology ; Culture Media/chemistry ; Euryarchaeota/classification/genetics/*metabolism ; Holosporaceae/classification/genetics/*physiology ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Organelles/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {A number of anaerobic ciliates, unicellular eukaryotes, intracellularly possess methanogenic archaea and bacteria as symbiotic partners. Although this tripartite relationship is of interest in terms of the fact that each participant is from a different domain, the difficulty in culture and maintenance of those host species with symbiotic partners has disturbed both ecological and functional studies so far. In this study, we obtained a stable culture of a small anaerobic scuticociliate, strain GW7. By transmission electron microscopic observation and fluorescent in situ hybridization with domain-specific probes, we demonstrate that GW7 possesses both archaeal and bacterial endosymbionts in its cytoplasm. These endosymbionts are in dependently associated with hydrogenosomes, which are organelle producing hydrogen and ATP under anaerobic conditions. Clone library analyses targeting prokaryotic 16S rRNA genes, fluorescent in situ hybridization with endosymbiont-specific probes, and molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed the phylogenetic affiliations and intracellular localizations of these endosymbionts. The endosymbiotic archaeon is a methanogen belonging to the genus Methanoregula (order Methanomicrobiales); a member of this genus has previously been described as the endosymbiont of an anaerobic ciliate from the genus Metopus (class Armophorea), which is only distantly related to strain GW7 (class Oligohymenophorea). The endosymbiotic bacterium belongs to the family Holosporaceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria, which also comprises several endosymbionts of various aerobic ciliates. For this endosymbiotic bacterium, we propose a novel candidate genus and species, "Candidatus Hydrogenosomobacter endosymbioticus."IMPORTANCE Tripartite symbioses between anaerobic ciliated protists and their intracellular archaeal and bacterial symbionts are not uncommon, but most reports have been based mainly on microscopic observations. Deeper insights into the function, ecology, and evolution of these fascinating symbioses involving partners from all three domains of life have been hampered by the difficulties of culturing anaerobic ciliates in the laboratory and the frequent loss of their prokaryotic partners during long-term cultivation. In the present study, we report the isolation of an anaerobic scuticociliate, strain GW7, which has been stably maintained in our laboratory for more than 3 years without losing either of its endosymbionts. Unexpectedly, molecular characterization of the endosymbionts revealed that the bacterial partner of GW7 is phylogenetically related to intranuclear endosymbionts of aerobic ciliates. This strain will enable future genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses of the interactions in this tripartite symbiosis and a comparison with endosymbioses in aerobic ciliates.}, }
@article {pmid31578438, year = {2019}, author = {Spicer, GLC and Eid, A and Wangpraseurt, D and Swain, TD and Winkelmann, JA and Yi, J and Kühl, M and Marcelino, LA and Backman, V}, title = {Measuring light scattering and absorption in corals with Inverse Spectroscopic Optical Coherence Tomography (ISOCT): a new tool for non-invasive monitoring.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {14148}, pmid = {31578438}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Absorption, Radiation ; Animals ; Anthozoa/chemistry/*physiology ; Coral Reefs ; Dynamic Light Scattering/methods ; Environmental Monitoring/*methods ; Tomography, Optical Coherence/*methods ; }, abstract = {The success of reef-building corals for >200 million years has been dependent on the mutualistic interaction between the coral host and its photosynthetic endosymbiont dinoflagellates (family Symbiodiniaceae) that supply the coral host with nutrients and energy for growth and calcification. While multiple light scattering in coral tissue and skeleton significantly enhance the light microenvironment for Symbiodiniaceae, the mechanisms of light propagation in tissue and skeleton remain largely unknown due to a lack of technologies to measure the intrinsic optical properties of both compartments in live corals. Here we introduce ISOCT (inverse spectroscopic optical coherence tomography), a non-invasive approach to measure optical properties and three-dimensional morphology of living corals at micron- and nano-length scales, respectively, which are involved in the control of light propagation. ISOCT enables measurements of optical properties in the visible range and thus allows for characterization of the density of light harvesting pigments in coral. We used ISOCT to characterize the optical scattering coefficient (μs) of the coral skeleton and chlorophyll a concentration of live coral tissue. ISOCT further characterized the overall micro- and nano-morphology of live tissue by measuring differences in the sub-micron spatial mass density distribution (D) that vary throughout the tissue and skeleton and give rise to light scattering, and this enabled estimates of the spatial directionality of light scattering, i.e., the anisotropy coefficient, g. Thus, ISOCT enables imaging of coral nanoscale structures and allows for quantifying light scattering and pigment absorption in live corals. ISOCT could thus be developed into an important tool for rapid, non-invasive monitoring of coral health, growth and photophysiology with unprecedented spatial resolution.}, }
@article {pmid31573138, year = {2019}, author = {McLean, AHC and Godfray, HCJ and Ellers, J and Henry, LM}, title = {Host relatedness influences the composition of aphid microbiomes.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {11}, number = {6}, pages = {808-816}, pmid = {31573138}, issn = {1758-2229}, support = {NBAF708//Natural Environment Research Council/International ; NE/M018016/1//Natural Environment Research Council/International ; VICI 865.12.003//Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/classification/*microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/genetics ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Metagenomics ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {Animals are host to a community of microbes, collectively referred to as their microbiome, that can play a key role in their hosts' biology. The bacterial endosymbionts of insects have a particularly strong influence on their hosts, but despite their importance we still know little about the factors that influence the composition of insect microbial communities. Here, we ask: what is the relative importance of host relatedness and host ecology in structuring symbiont communities of diverse aphid species? We used next-generation sequencing to compare the microbiomes of 46 aphid species with known host plant affiliations. We find that relatedness between aphid species is the key factor explaining the microbiome composition, with more closely related aphid species housing more similar bacterial communities. Endosymbionts dominate the microbial communities, and we find a novel bacterium in the genus Sphingopyxis that is associated with numerous aphid species feeding exclusively on trees. The influence of ecology was less pronounced than that of host relatedness. Our results suggest that co-adaptation between insect species and their facultative symbionts is a more important determinant of symbiont species presence in aphids than shared ecology of hosts.}, }
@article {pmid31568486, year = {2019}, author = {Voronin, D and Schnall, E and Grote, A and Jawahar, S and Ali, W and Unnasch, TR and Ghedin, E and Lustigman, S}, title = {Pyruvate produced by Brugia spp. via glycolysis is essential for maintaining the mutualistic association between the parasite and its endosymbiont, Wolbachia.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {e1008085}, pmid = {31568486}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {R56 AI118936/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI007180/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; F31 AI131527/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Brugia/genetics/*metabolism/*microbiology ; Brugia malayi/genetics/metabolism/microbiology ; Brugia pahangi/genetics/metabolism/microbiology ; Female ; Filariasis/metabolism/microbiology/parasitology ; Genes, Helminth ; Glycolysis ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Humans ; Male ; Pyruvic Acid/*metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/genetics/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Human parasitic nematodes are the causative agents of lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) and onchocerciasis (river blindness), diseases that are endemic to more than 80 countries and that consistently rank in the top ten for the highest number of years lived with disability. These filarial nematodes have evolved an obligate mutualistic association with an intracellular bacterium, Wolbachia, a symbiont that is essential for the successful development, reproduction, and survival of adult filarial worms. Elimination of the bacteria causes adult worms to die, making Wolbachia a primary target for developing new interventional tools to combat filariases. To further explore Wolbachia as a promising indirect macrofilaricidal drug target, the essential cellular processes that define the symbiotic Wolbachia-host interactions need to be identified. Genomic analyses revealed that while filarial nematodes encode all the enzymes necessary for glycolysis, Wolbachia does not encode the genes for three glycolytic enzymes: hexokinase, 6-phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate kinase. These enzymes are necessary for converting glucose into pyruvate. Wolbachia, however, has the full complement of genes required for gluconeogenesis starting with pyruvate, and for energy metabolism via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Therefore, we hypothesized that Wolbachia might depend on host glycolysis to maintain a mutualistic association with their parasitic host. We did conditional experiments in vitro that confirmed that glycolysis and its end-product, pyruvate, sustain this symbiotic relationship. Analysis of alternative sources of pyruvate within the worm indicated that the filarial lactate dehydrogenase could also regulate the local intracellular concentration of pyruvate in proximity to Wolbachia and thus help control bacterial growth via molecular interactions with the bacteria. Lastly, we have shown that the parasite's pyruvate kinase, the enzyme that performs the last step in glycolysis, could be a potential novel anti-filarial drug target. Establishing that glycolysis is an essential component of symbiosis in filarial worms could have a broader impact on research focused on other intracellular bacteria-host interactions where the role of glycolysis in supporting intracellular survival of bacteria has been reported.}, }
@article {pmid31568480, year = {2019}, author = {Gawande, SJ and Anandhan, S and Ingle, A and Roylawar, P and Khandagale, K and Gawai, T and Jacobson, A and Asokan, R and Singh, M}, title = {Microbiome profiling of the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {14}, number = {9}, pages = {e0223281}, pmid = {31568480}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Actinobacteria/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Bacteroidetes/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Cyanobacteria/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Firmicutes/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/*genetics ; Genetic Variation ; India ; Phylogeny ; Proteobacteria/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Thysanoptera/*microbiology ; Nicotiana/parasitology ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {The gut microbial community structure of adult Thrips tabaci collected from 10 different agro-climatically diverse locations of India was characterized by using the Illumina MiSeq platform to amplify the V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene of bacteria present in the sampled insects. Analyses were performed to study the bacterial communities associated with Thrips tabaci in India. The complete bacterial metagenome of T. tabaci was comprised of 1662 OTUs of which 62.25% belong to known and 37.7% of unidentified/unknown bacteria. These OTUs constituted 21 bacterial phyla of 276 identified genera. Phylum Proteobacteria was predominant, followed by Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria. Additionally, the occurrence of the reproductive endosymbiont, Wolbachia was detected at two locations (0.56%) of the total known OTUs. There is high variation in diversity and species richness among the different locations. Alpha-diversity metrics indicated the higher gut bacterial diversity at Bangalore and lowest at Rahuri whereas higher bacterial species richness at T. tabaci samples from Imphal and lowest at Jhalawar. Beta diversity analyses comparing bacterial communities between the samples showed distinct differences in bacterial community composition of T. tabaci samples from different locations. This paper also constitutes the first record of detailed bacterial communities associated with T. tabaci. The location-wise variation in microbial metagenome profile of T. tabaci suggests that bacterial diversity might be governed by its population genetic structure, environment and habitat.}, }
@article {pmid31566662, year = {2019}, author = {Detcharoen, M and Arthofer, W and Schlick-Steiner, BC and Steiner, FM}, title = {Wolbachia megadiversity: 99% of these microorganismic manipulators unknown.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {95}, number = {11}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiz151}, pmid = {31566662}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/microbiology ; *Biodiversity ; Ecosystem ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria) are the most widespread endosymbionts of arthropods, manipulating their hosts by various means to maximize the number of host individuals infected. Based on quantitative analyzes of the published literature from Web of Science® and of DNA sequences of arthropod-hosted Wolbachia from GenBank, we made plausible that less than 1% of the expected 100 000 strains of Wolbachia in arthropods is known. Our findings suggest that more and globally better coordinated efforts in screening arthropods are needed to explore the true Wolbachia diversity and to help us understand the ecology and evolution of these host-endosymbiont interactions.}, }
@article {pmid31565579, year = {2019}, author = {Leveque, S and Afiq-Rosli, L and Ip, YCA and Jain, SS and Huang, D}, title = {Searching for phylogenetic patterns of Symbiodiniaceae community structure among Indo-Pacific Merulinidae corals.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {e7669}, pmid = {31565579}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Over half of all extant stony corals (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia) harbour endosymbiotic dinoflagellates of the family Symbiodiniaceae, forming the foundational species of modern shallow reefs. However, whether these associations are conserved on the coral phylogeny remains unknown. Here we aim to characterise Symbiodiniaceae communities in eight closely-related species in the genera Merulina, Goniastrea and Scapophyllia, and determine if the variation in endosymbiont community structure can be explained by the phylogenetic relatedness among hosts. We perform DNA metabarcoding of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 using Symbiodiniaceae-specific primers on 30 coral colonies to recover three major endosymbiont clades represented by 23 distinct types. In agreement with previous studies on Southeast Asian corals, we find an abundance of Cladocopium and Durusdinium, but also detect Symbiodinium types in three of the eight coral host species. Interestingly, differences in endosymbiont community structure are dominated by host variation at the intraspecific level, rather than interspecific, intergeneric or among-clade levels, indicating a lack of phylogenetic constraint in the coral-endosymbiont association among host species. Furthermore, the limited geographic sampling of four localities spanning the Western and Central Indo-Pacific preliminarily hints at large-scale spatial structuring of Symbiodiniaceae communities. More extensive collections of corals from various regions and environments will help us better understand the specificity of the coral-endosymbiont relationship.}, }
@article {pmid31564642, year = {2020}, author = {Molaei, G and Little, EAH and Stafford, KC and Gaff, H}, title = {A seven-legged tick: Report of a morphological anomaly in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) biting a human host from the Northeastern United States.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {101304}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101304}, pmid = {31564642}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Anaplasma phagocytophilum/*isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Borrelia burgdorferi Group/*isolation &amp; purification ; Connecticut ; Female ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Humans ; Ixodes/*anatomy &amp; histology/genetics/ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Middle Aged ; Rickettsia/*isolation &amp; purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {Cases of morphological anomalies in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae), have recently been reported from the Northeastern and upper Midwestern United States, potentially complicating identification of this important vector of human disease-causing pathogens. We hereby report a case of a morphological anomaly in I. scapularis, biting a human host residing in Norwich, Connecticut. Using a dichotomous morphological key, high-resolution and scanning electron microscopy images, as well as DNA sequencing, the tick was identified as an adult female I. scapularis with three legs on the left side of the abdomen versus four on the right side, which we believe is the first case of ectromely in an adult I. scapularis. Using diagnostic genes in polymerase chain reaction, the specimen tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agents for Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, respectively, and also showed evidence of a rickettsial endosymbiont. Here we discuss recent reports of morphological anomalies in I. scapularis, and emphasize the significance of additional studies of teratology in this important tick species and its potential implications.}, }
@article {pmid31564246, year = {2019}, author = {Feng, H and Park, JS and Zhai, RG and Wilson, ACC}, title = {microRNA-92a regulates the expression of aphid bacteriocyte-specific secreted protein 1.}, journal = {BMC research notes}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {638}, pmid = {31564246}, issn = {1756-0500}, support = {R56 NS095893/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States ; IOS-354154//National Science Foundation/ ; R56NS095893//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health/ ; IOS-1121847//National Science Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*genetics/microbiology ; Base Pairing ; Base Sequence ; Buchnera/physiology ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Genes, Reporter ; Insect Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Luciferases/genetics/metabolism ; Mice ; MicroRNAs/*genetics/metabolism ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Recombinant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Aphids harbor a nutritional obligate endosymbiont in specialized cells called bacteriocytes, which aggregate to form an organ known as the bacteriome. Aphid bacteriomes display distinct gene expression profiles that facilitate the symbiotic relationship. Currently, the mechanisms that regulate these patterns of gene expression are unknown. Recently using computational pipelines, we identified miRNAs that are conserved in expression in the bacteriomes of two aphid species and proposed that they function as important regulators of bacteriocyte gene expression. Here using a dual luciferase assay in mouse NIH/3T3 cell culture, we aimed to experimentally validate the computationally predicted interaction between Myzus persicae miR-92a and the predicted target region of M. persicae bacteriocyte-specific secreted protein 1 (SP1) mRNA.<br><br>RESULTS: In the dual luciferase assay, miR-92a interacted with the SP1 target region resulting in a significant downregulation of the luciferase signal. Our results demonstrate that miR-92a interacts with SP1 to alter expression in a heterologous expression system, thereby supporting our earlier assertion that miRNAs are regulators of the aphid/Buchnera symbiotic interaction.}, }
@article {pmid31562384, year = {2020}, author = {Assié, A and Leisch, N and Meier, DV and Gruber-Vodicka, H and Tegetmeyer, HE and Meyerdierks, A and Kleiner, M and Hinzke, T and Joye, S and Saxton, M and Dubilier, N and Petersen, JM}, title = {Horizontal acquisition of a patchwork Calvin cycle by symbiotic and free-living Campylobacterota (formerly Epsilonproteobacteria).}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {14}, number = {1}, pages = {104-122}, pmid = {31562384}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Bivalvia/microbiology ; Carbon Cycle ; Citric Acid Cycle ; Epsilonproteobacteria/classification/genetics/*metabolism ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics ; *Photosynthesis ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Most autotrophs use the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle for carbon fixation. In contrast, all currently described autotrophs from the Campylobacterota (previously Epsilonproteobacteria) use the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle (rTCA) instead. We discovered campylobacterotal epibionts ("Candidatus Thiobarba") of deep-sea mussels that have acquired a complete CBB cycle and may have lost most key genes of the rTCA cycle. Intriguingly, the phylogenies of campylobacterotal CBB cycle genes suggest they were acquired in multiple transfers from Gammaproteobacteria closely related to sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts associated with the mussels, as well as from Betaproteobacteria. We hypothesize that "Ca. Thiobarba" switched from the rTCA cycle to a fully functional CBB cycle during its evolution, by acquiring genes from multiple sources, including co-occurring symbionts. We also found key CBB cycle genes in free-living Campylobacterota, suggesting that the CBB cycle may be more widespread in this phylum than previously known. Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics confirmed high expression of CBB cycle genes in mussel-associated "Ca. Thiobarba". Direct stable isotope fingerprinting showed that "Ca. Thiobarba" has typical CBB signatures, suggesting that it uses this cycle for carbon fixation. Our discovery calls into question current assumptions about the distribution of carbon fixation pathways in microbial lineages, and the interpretation of stable isotope measurements in the environment.}, }
@article {pmid31551286, year = {2019}, author = {Cato, ML and Jester, HD and Lavertu, A and Lyman, A and Tallent, LM and Mitchell, GC}, title = {Genome-Wide Analysis of Cell Cycle-Regulating Genes in the Symbiotic Dinoflagellate Breviolum minutum.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {9}, number = {11}, pages = {3843-3853}, pmid = {31551286}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {T32 LM012409/LM/NLM NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cell Cycle/*genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/genetics ; Dinoflagellida/*genetics ; Genome ; Phylogeny ; Sea Anemones/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {A delicate relationship exists between reef-building corals and their photosynthetic endosymbionts. Unfortunately, this relationship can be disrupted, with corals expelling these algae when temperatures rise even marginally above the average summer maximum. Interestingly, several studies indicate that failure of corals to regulate symbiont cell divisions at high temperatures may underlie this disruption; increased proliferation of symbionts may stress host cells by over-production of reactive oxygen species or by disrupting the flow of nutrients. This needs to be further investigated, so to begin deciphering the molecular mechanisms controlling the cell cycle in these organisms, we used a computational approach to identify putative cell cycle-regulating genes in the genome of the dinoflagellate Breviolum minutum This species is important as an endosymbiont of Aiptasia pallida-an anemone that is used as a model for studying coral biology. We then correlated expression of these putative cell cycle genes with cell cycle phase in diurnally growing B. minutum in culture. This approach allowed us to identify a cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase pair that may function in the G1/S transition-a likely point for coral cells to exert control over algal cell divisions.}, }
@article {pmid31551054, year = {2019}, author = {Lucas, JM and Gora, E and Salzberg, A and Kaspari, M}, title = {Antibiotics as chemical warfare across multiple taxonomic domains and trophic levels in brown food webs.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {286}, number = {1911}, pages = {20191536}, pmid = {31551054}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*metabolism ; Bacteria ; Ecosystem ; *Environmental Microbiology ; *Food Chain ; Invertebrates/physiology ; Predatory Behavior ; }, abstract = {Bacteria and fungi secrete antibiotics to suppress and kill other microbes, but can these compounds be agents of competition against macroorganisms? We explore how one competitive tactic, antibiotic production, can structure the composition and function of brown food webs. This aspect of warfare between microbes and invertebrates is particularly important today as antibiotics are introduced into ecosystems via anthropogenic activities, but the ecological implications of these introductions are largely unknown. We hypothesized that antimicrobial compounds act as agents of competition against invertebrate and microbial competitors. Using field-like mesocosms, we tested how antifungal and antibacterial compounds influence microbes, invertebrates, and decomposition in the brown food web. Both antibiotics changed prokaryotic microbial community composition, but only the antibacterial changed invertebrate composition. Antibacterials reduced the abundance of invertebrate detritivores by 34%. However, the addition of antimicrobials did not ramify up the food web as predator abundances were unaffected. Decomposition rates did not change. To test the mechanisms of antibiotic effects, we provided antibiotic-laden water to individual invertebrate detritivores in separate microcosm experiments. We found that the antibiotic compounds can directly harm invertebrate taxa, probably through a disruption of endosymbionts. Combined, our results show that antibiotic compounds could be an effective weapon for microbes to compete against both microbial and invertebrate competitors. In the context of human introductions, the detrimental effects of antibiotics on invertebrate communities indicates that the scope of this anthropogenic disturbance is much greater than previously expected.}, }
@article {pmid31550003, year = {2019}, author = {Avtzis, DN and Schebeck, M and Petsopoulos, D and Memtsas, GI and Stauffer, C and Kavallieratos, NG and Athanassiou, CG and Boukouvala, MC}, title = {New Data on the Range Expansion of the Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) 'ENA clade' in Greece: The Role of Bacterial Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {112}, number = {6}, pages = {2761-2766}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toz216}, pmid = {31550003}, issn = {1938-291X}, support = {I 2604/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 26749/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Greece ; Humans ; *Moths ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {The pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis and Schiffermüller), is an important insect in the Mediterranean region, as it defoliates pines and its urticating hairs can cause allergic reactions in humans and animals. Moreover, this species exhibits an interesting genetic structure as recently a distinct East-North African mtDNA lineage ('ENA clade') has been described. This clade has been recently detected in Greek populations where it has currently expanded its range by replacing the 'endemic' T. pityocampa lineages. Here, we report new data on the rapid spread of 'ENA clade' in the Greek island Evoia in only a few years. As the underlying mechanisms of the 'ENA clade' range expansion has not been studied so far, we screened T. pityocampa for an infection with the heritable bacterial endosymbionts Wolbachia (Bacteria: Anaplasmataceae), Cardinium (Bacteria: Bacteroidaceae), Rickettsia (Bacteria: Rickettsiaceae) and Spiroplasma (Bacteria: Spiroplasmataceae). These bacteria can manipulate the reproduction of infected hosts, something that could potentially explain the rapid spread of 'ENA clade' lineage. Therefore, we screened 28 individuals that exhibited T. pityocampa 'ENA clade' and 'endemic' T. pityocampa haplotypes from nine populations scattered all over Greece. None of them was infected with any of the four endosymbionts, suggesting that these bacteria do not cause reproductive manipulations in T. pityocampa lineages and, thus, other factors should be explored in future research efforts.}, }
@article {pmid31549736, year = {2020}, author = {Ogawa, M and Takahashi, M and Matsutani, M and Takada, N and Noda, S and Saijo, M}, title = {Obligate intracellular bacteria diversity in unfed Leptotrombidium scutellare larvae highlights novel bacterial endosymbionts of mites.}, journal = {Microbiology and immunology}, volume = {64}, number = {1}, pages = {1-9}, doi = {10.1111/1348-0421.12745}, pmid = {31549736}, issn = {1348-0421}, support = {//"OSIMO" Foundation (Japan)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; *Biodiversity ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Larva/*microbiology ; Life Cycle Stages ; Mites/*microbiology ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsia/classification/genetics ; Scrub Typhus/microbiology ; Sequence Analysis ; *Symbiosis ; Trombiculidae/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/classification ; }, abstract = {It is well known that the mite Leptotrombidium scutellare carries the pathogen of scrub typhus, Orientia tsutsugamushi. However, our understanding of other bacterial endosymbionts of mites is limited. This study investigated the diversity of the obligate intracellular bacteria carried by L. scutellare using 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis with next-generation sequencing. The results showed that the detected bacteria were classified into the genera Rickettsia, Wolbachia, and Rickettsiella and an unknown genus of the order Rickettsiales. For further classification of the detected bacteria, a representative read that was most closely related to the assigned taxonomic classification was subjected to homology search and phylogenic analysis. The results showed that some bacteria of the genus Rickettsia were identical or very close to the human pathogens Rickettsia akari, Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Rickettsia felis, and Rickettsia australis. The genetic distance between the genus Wolbachia bacteria in the present study and in previous reports is highly indicative that the bacteria in the present study can be classified as a new taxon of Wolbachia. This study detected obligate intracellular bacteria from unfed mites; thus, the mites did not acquire bacteria from infected animals or any other infectious sources. Finally, the present study demonstrated that various and novel bacterial endosymbionts of mites, in addition to O. tsutsugamushi, might uniquely evolve with the host mites throughout overlapping generations of the mite life cycle. The roles of the bacteria in mites and their pathogenicity should be further examined in studies based on bacterial isolation.}, }
@article {pmid31544193, year = {2020}, author = {Saraiva, RG and Dimopoulos, G}, title = {Bacterial natural products in the fight against mosquito-transmitted tropical diseases.}, journal = {Natural product reports}, volume = {37}, number = {3}, pages = {338-354}, doi = {10.1039/c9np00042a}, pmid = {31544193}, issn = {1460-4752}, support = {R01 AI141532/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI122743/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Alkaloids/chemistry/pharmacology ; Animals ; Antimalarials/chemistry/pharmacology ; Antiviral Agents/*pharmacology ; Bacteria/*chemistry/metabolism ; Biological Products/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Culicidae/*microbiology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; Humans ; Tetracyclines/chemistry/pharmacology ; Tropical Medicine ; Vector Borne Diseases/*drug therapy ; }, abstract = {Covering: up to 2019 Secondary metabolites of microbial origin have long been acknowledged as medically relevant, but their full potential remains largely unexploited. Of the countless natural compounds discovered thus far, only 5-10% have been isolated from microorganisms. At the same time, while whole-genome sequencing has demonstrated that bacteria and fungi often encode natural products, only a few genera have yet been mined for new compounds. This review explores the contributions of bacterial natural products to combatting infection by malaria parasites, filarial worms, and arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, and West Nile. It highlights how molecules isolated from microorganisms ranging from marine cyanobacteria to mosquito endosymbionts can be exploited as antimicrobials and antivirals. Pursuit of this mostly untapped source of chemical entities will potentially result in new interventions against these tropical diseases, which are urgently needed to combat the increase in the incidence of resistance.}, }
@article {pmid31543454, year = {2019}, author = {Schiessl, K and Lilley, JLS and Lee, T and Tamvakis, I and Kohlen, W and Bailey, PC and Thomas, A and Luptak, J and Ramakrishnan, K and Carpenter, MD and Mysore, KS and Wen, J and Ahnert, S and Grieneisen, VA and Oldroyd, GED}, title = {NODULE INCEPTION Recruits the Lateral Root Developmental Program for Symbiotic Nodule Organogenesis in Medicago truncatula.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {29}, number = {21}, pages = {3657-3668.e5}, pmid = {31543454}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {EP-C-15-010/EPA/EPA/United States ; BB/K003712/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Medicago truncatula/*genetics/growth &amp; development/metabolism ; Organogenesis, Plant/*genetics ; Plant Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Plant Root Nodulation/*genetics ; Plant Roots/genetics/*growth &amp; development ; *Symbiosis ; Transcription Factors/*genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {To overcome nitrogen deficiencies in the soil, legumes enter symbioses with rhizobial bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium. Rhizobia are accommodated as endosymbionts within lateral root organs called nodules that initiate from the inner layers of Medicago truncatula roots in response to rhizobial perception. In contrast, lateral roots emerge from predefined founder cells as an adaptive response to environmental stimuli, including water and nutrient availability. CYTOKININ RESPONSE 1 (CRE1)-mediated signaling in the pericycle and in the cortex is necessary and sufficient for nodulation, whereas cytokinin is antagonistic to lateral root development, with cre1 showing increased lateral root emergence and decreased nodulation. To better understand the relatedness between nodule and lateral root development, we undertook a comparative analysis of these two root developmental programs. Here, we demonstrate that despite differential induction, lateral roots and nodules share overlapping developmental programs, with mutants in LOB-DOMAIN PROTEIN 16 (LBD16) showing equivalent defects in nodule and lateral root initiation. The cytokinin-inducible transcription factor NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) allows induction of this program during nodulation through activation of LBD16 that promotes auxin biosynthesis via transcriptional induction of STYLISH (STY) and YUCCAs (YUC). We conclude that cytokinin facilitates local auxin accumulation through NIN promotion of LBD16, which activates a nodule developmental program overlapping with that induced during lateral root initiation.}, }
@article {pmid31540983, year = {2019}, author = {Tian, PP and Chang, CY and Miao, NH and Li, MY and Liu, XD}, title = {Infections with Arsenophonus Facultative Endosymbionts Alter Performance of Aphids (Aphis gossypii) on an Amino-Acid-Deficient Diet.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {85}, number = {23}, pages = {}, pmid = {31540983}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Amino Acids/deficiency ; Animals ; Aphids/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Cucumis sativus ; *Food Chain ; Gammaproteobacteria/*physiology ; Gossypium ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Genetic polymorphism and endosymbiont infection are ubiquitous in aphid populations. It has been known that the obligate symbiont Buchnera provides aphids with essential amino acids which cannot be ingested from plant sap. Buchnera often coexists with facultative endosymbionts in aphids. However, it is unclear whether the facultative endosymbionts affect the aphid's amino acid requirements from diet. In this study, we found that the facultative endosymbiont status in populations of the cotton-melon aphid Aphis gossypii was associated with aphid genotype or host plant. The infection frequency of Arsenophonus in aphids living on cotton was significantly higher than that in aphids on cucumber, and cucumber leaves contained higher titers of free amino acids than cotton leaves, especially amino acids Leu, Arg, Ile, Val, and Phe. The net reproductive rates of five aphid genotypes infected with Arsenophonus were not different on the complete-amino-acid diet, but the values were significantly different among seven Arsenophonus-free aphid genotypes. Moreover, the net reproductive rates of aphids on the amino-acid-deficient diet were significantly affected by Arsenophonus infection and aphid genotype. Arsenophonus infection decreased aphid performance on the Phe-free diet but improved performance on the Leu-free diet and did not affect the performance on the Ile-free or Val-free diet. Arsenophonus infections altered aphid requirements for amino acids that were significantly different in cotton and cucumber leaves, suggesting this endosymbiont would modulate the host specialization of this aphid.IMPORTANCE The facultative endosymbiont Arsenophonus plays an important role in regulating reproduction through son killing, enemy resistance, and the dietary breadth of its insect hosts. In this study, we found Arsenophonus could alter aphid performance on the amino-acid-deficient diets. Arsenophonus infection increased aphid requirements for the amino acid Phe, but decreased requirements for the Leu. Cotton and cucumber leaves contained drastically different titers of free amino acids Phe and Leu, and aphids living on these two plants were infected with different incidences of Arsenophonus We hypothesize that host specialization or the host plant range of aphids may be mediated by Arsenophonus.}, }
@article {pmid31540253, year = {2019}, author = {De Jesus, CE and Ganser, C and Kessler, WH and White, ZS and Bhosale, CR and Glass, GE and Wisely, SM}, title = {A Survey of Tick-Borne Bacterial Pathogens in Florida.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {10}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {31540253}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {U01 CK000510/CK/NCEZID CDC HHS/United States ; 1U01CK000510-01/CC/CDC HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Within the past three decades, new bacterial etiological agents of tick-borne disease have been discovered in the southeastern U.S., and the number of reported tick-borne pathogen infections has increased. In Florida, few systematic studies have been conducted to determine the presence of tick-borne bacterial pathogens. This investigation examined the distribution and presence of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in Florida. Ticks were collected by flagging at 41 field sites, spanning the climatic regions of mainland Florida. DNA was extracted individually from 1608 ticks and screened for Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia using conventional PCR and primers that amplified multiple species for each genus. PCR positive samples were Sanger sequenced. Four species of ticks were collected: Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Ixodes scapularis. Within these ticks, six bacterial species were identified: Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia lonestari, Ehrlichia ewingii, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia andeanae, Rickettsia parkeri, and Rickettsia endosymbionts. Pathogenic Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia species were all detected in the North and North-Central Florida counties; however, we found only moderate concordance between the distribution of ticks infected with pathogenic bacteria and human cases of tick-borne diseases in Florida. Given the diversity and numerous bacterial species detected in ticks in Florida, further investigations should be conducted to identify regional hotspots of tick-borne pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid31537670, year = {2019}, author = {Mead, ME and Raja, HA and Steenwyk, JL and Knowles, SL and Oberlies, NH and Rokas, A}, title = {Draft Genome Sequence of the Griseofulvin-Producing Fungus Xylaria flabelliformis Strain G536.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {8}, number = {38}, pages = {}, pmid = {31537670}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {T32 AT008938/AT/NCCIH NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {The draft genome of the ascomycete fungus Xylaria flabelliformis (previously known as Xylaria cubensis) was sequenced using Illumina paired-end technology. The assembled genome is 41.2 Mb long and contains 11,404 genes. This genome will contribute to our understanding of X. flabelliformis secondary metabolism and the organism's ability to live as a decomposer as well as an endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid31511895, year = {2020}, author = {Bellan, A and Bucci, F and Perin, G and Alboresi, A and Morosinotto, T}, title = {Photosynthesis Regulation in Response to Fluctuating Light in the Secondary Endosymbiont Alga Nannochloropsis gaditana.}, journal = {Plant &amp; cell physiology}, volume = {61}, number = {1}, pages = {41-52}, doi = {10.1093/pcp/pcz174}, pmid = {31511895}, issn = {1471-9053}, mesh = {Biodiversity ; Electron Transport/physiology ; *Light ; Oxidative Stress ; Photosynthesis/*physiology ; Photosystem I Protein Complex/metabolism/radiation effects ; Plants/metabolism ; Stramenopiles/growth &amp; development/*metabolism/radiation effects ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {In nature, photosynthetic organisms are exposed to highly dynamic environmental conditions where the excitation energy and electron flow in the photosynthetic apparatus need to be continuously modulated. Fluctuations in incident light are particularly challenging because they drive oversaturation of photosynthesis with consequent oxidative stress and photoinhibition. Plants and algae have evolved several mechanisms to modulate their photosynthetic machinery to cope with light dynamics, such as thermal dissipation of excited chlorophyll states (non-photochemical quenching, NPQ) and regulation of electron transport. The regulatory mechanisms involved in the response to light dynamics have adapted during evolution, and exploring biodiversity is a valuable strategy for expanding our understanding of their biological roles. In this work, we investigated the response to fluctuating light in Nannochloropsis gaditana, a eukaryotic microalga of the phylum Heterokonta originating from a secondary endosymbiotic event. Nannochloropsis gaditana is negatively affected by light fluctuations, leading to large reductions in growth and photosynthetic electron transport. Exposure to light fluctuations specifically damages photosystem I, likely because of the ineffective regulation of electron transport in this species. The role of NPQ, also assessed using a mutant strain specifically depleted of this response, was instead found to be minor, especially in responding to the fastest light fluctuations.}, }
@article {pmid31507561, year = {2019}, author = {Meng, L and Li, X and Cheng, X and Zhang, H}, title = {16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Reveals a Shift in the Microbiota of Diaphorina citri During the Psyllid Life Cycle.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1948}, pmid = {31507561}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is a major pest of citrus trees as it transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). The composition of a host's microbiota can affect the evolution and ecological distribution of the host. This study monitored the compositional shifts in the citrus psyllid microbiota through all the life stages (egg, nymph 1-5 stages, and adult) by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative real-time PCR. There were clear differences in both α- and β-diversity of microbiota through the psyllid life stages. Microbiota diversity was markedly higher in the nymph 2-5 stages than in the adult, egg, and nymph 1 stages. Proteobacteria were dominant in all the life stages of D. citri, representing >97.5% of the total bacterial community, and Candidatus Profftella armature was the dominant genus in all the life stages. Data from the qPCR analysis showed an exponential increase in the populations of three D. citri endosymbionts: Candidatus Profftella armature, Candidatus Carsonella ruddii, and Wolbachia. The gut bacterium Pantoea was present in all the life stages, but it was markedly higher in the nymph 2-5 stages. The microbiota composition substantially differed among the egg-nymph 1, nymphs 2-5, and adult stages. Therefore, we successfully characterized the microbiota dynamics and thus identified a microbiota shift during the life cycle of D. citri by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantitative PCR. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene sequencing suggested that D. citri acquired the ability to bear CLas in the nymph 1 stage. This study enhances our understanding of microbial establishment in the developing D. citri and provides a reference resource for the identification of potential biocontrol approaches against this pest.}, }
@article {pmid31505824, year = {2019}, author = {Smith, DAS and Traut, W and Martin, SH and Ireri, P and Omufwoko, KS and Ffrench-Constant, R and Gordon, IJ}, title = {Neo Sex Chromosomes, Colour Polymorphism and Male-Killing in the African Queen Butterfly, Danaus chrysippus (L.).}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {10}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {31505824}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {Danaus chrysippus (L.), one of the world's commonest butterflies, has an extensive range throughout the Old-World tropics. In Africa it is divided into four geographical subspecies which overlap and hybridise freely in the East African Rift: Here alone a male-killing (MK) endosymbiont, Spiroplasma ixodetis, has invaded, causing female-biased populations to predominate. In ssp. chrysippus, inside the Rift only, an autosome carrying a colour locus has fused with the W chromosome to create a neo-W chromosome. A total of 40-100% of Rift females are neo-W and carry Spiroplasma, thus transmitting a linked, matrilineal neo-W, MK complex. As neo-W females have no sons, half the mother's genes are lost in each generation. Paradoxically, although neo-W females have no close male relatives and are thereby forced to outbreed, MK restricts gene flow between subspecies and may thus promote speciation. The neo-W chromosome originated in the Nairobi region around 2.2 k years ago and subsequently spread throughout the Rift contact zone in some 26 k generations, possibly assisted by not having any competing brothers. Our work on the neo-W chromosome, the spread of Spiroplasma and possible speciation is ongoing.}, }
@article {pmid31504075, year = {2019}, author = {Perlmutter, JI and Bordenstein, SR and Unckless, RL and LePage, DP and Metcalf, JA and Hill, T and Martinez, J and Jiggins, FM and Bordenstein, SR}, title = {The phage gene wmk is a candidate for male killing by a bacterial endosymbiont.}, journal = {PLoS pathogens}, volume = {15}, number = {9}, pages = {e1007936}, pmid = {31504075}, issn = {1553-7374}, support = {WT094664MA/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; R21 HD086833/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; P30 DK058404/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD021630/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI133522/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P30 EY008126/EY/NEI NIH HHS/United States ; P30 CA068485/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI132581/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; U24 DK059637/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI139154/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; 281668/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; P30 DK020593/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R00 GM114714/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics/physiology ; Drosophila/embryology/microbiology/virology ; Drosophila melanogaster/embryology/microbiology/virology ; Female ; Genes, Lethal ; Genes, Viral ; Host Microbial Interactions/genetics/physiology ; Male ; Prophages/*genetics/*pathogenicity/physiology ; Sex Ratio ; Symbiosis/genetics/physiology ; Viral Proteins/genetics/physiology ; Wolbachia/*pathogenicity/*virology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are the most widespread maternally-transmitted bacteria in the animal kingdom. Their global spread in arthropods and varied impacts on animal physiology, evolution, and vector control are in part due to parasitic drive systems that enhance the fitness of infected females, the transmitting sex of Wolbachia. Male killing is one common drive mechanism wherein the sons of infected females are selectively killed. Despite decades of research, the gene(s) underlying Wolbachia-induced male killing remain unknown. Here using comparative genomic, transgenic, and cytological approaches in fruit flies, we identify a candidate gene in the eukaryotic association module of Wolbachia prophage WO, termed WO-mediated killing (wmk), which transgenically causes male-specific lethality during early embryogenesis and cytological defects typical of the pathology of male killing. The discovery of wmk establishes new hypotheses for the potential role of phage genes in sex-specific lethality, including the control of arthropod pests and vectors.}, }
@article {pmid31500667, year = {2019}, author = {Fisher, ML and Levine, JF and Guy, JS and Mochizuki, H and Breen, M and Schal, C and Watson, DW}, title = {Lack of influence by endosymbiont Wolbachia on virus titer in the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {436}, pmid = {31500667}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {2016scholarship//W. M. Keck Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bedbugs/*microbiology/*virology ; Calicivirus, Feline/*growth &amp; development/*isolation &amp; purification ; *Microbial Interactions ; *Viral Load ; Wolbachia/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is an obligatory blood-feeding ectoparasite that requires a blood meal to molt and produce eggs. Their frequent biting to obtain blood meals and intimate association with humans increase the potential for disease transmission. However, despite more than 100 years of inquiry into bed bugs as potential disease vectors, they still have not been conclusively linked to any pathogen or disease. This ecological niche is extraordinarily rare, given that nearly every other blood-feeding arthropod is associated with some type of human or zoonotic disease. Bed bugs rely on the bacteria Wolbachia as an obligate endosymbiont to biosynthesize B vitamins, since they acquire a nutritionally deficient diet, but it is unknown if Wolbachia confers additional benefits to its bed bug host. In some insects, Wolbachia induces resistance to viruses such as Dengue, Chikungunya, West Nile, Drosophila C and Zika, and primes the insect immune system in other blood-feeding insects. Wolbachia might have evolved a similar role in its mutualistic association with the bed bug. In this study, we evaluated the influence of Wolbachia on virus replication within C. lectularius.<br><br>METHODS: We used feline calicivirus as a model pathogen. We fed 40 bed bugs from an established line of Wolbachia-cured and a line of Wolbachia-positive C. lectularius a virus-laden blood meal, and quantified the amount of virus over five time intervals post-feeding. The antibiotic rifampicin was used to cure bed bugs of Wolbachia.<br><br>RESULTS: There was a significant effect of time post-feeding, as the amount of virus declined by ~90% over 10 days in both groups, but no significant difference in virus titer was observed between the Wolbachia-positive and Wolbachia-cured groups.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that other mechanisms are involved in virus suppression within bed bugs, independent of the influence of Wolbachia, and our conclusions underscore the need for future research.}, }
@article {pmid31500535, year = {2019}, author = {Foster, RA and Zehr, JP}, title = {Diversity, Genomics, and Distribution of Phytoplankton-Cyanobacterium Single-Cell Symbiotic Associations.}, journal = {Annual review of microbiology}, volume = {73}, number = {}, pages = {435-456}, doi = {10.1146/annurev-micro-090817-062650}, pmid = {31500535}, issn = {1545-3251}, mesh = {*Biodiversity ; Cyanobacteria/*classification/*growth &amp; development ; Endophytes/classification/growth &amp; development ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Nitrogen Fixation ; Phototrophic Processes ; Phytoplankton/*microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Cyanobacteria are common in symbiotic relationships with diverse multicellular organisms (animals, plants, fungi) in terrestrial environments and with single-celled heterotrophic, mixotrophic, and autotrophic protists in aquatic environments. In the sunlit zones of aquatic environments, diverse cyanobacterial symbioses exist with autotrophic taxa in phytoplankton, including dinoflagellates, diatoms, and haptophytes (prymnesiophytes). Phototrophic unicellular cyanobacteria related to Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus are associated with a number of groups. N2-fixing cyanobacteria are symbiotic with diatoms and haptophytes. Extensive genome reduction is involved in the N2-fixing endosymbionts, most dramatically in the unicellular cyanobacteria associated with haptophytes, which have lost most of the photosynthetic apparatus, the ability to fix C, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The mechanisms involved in N2-fixing symbioses may involve more interactions beyond simple exchange of fixed C for N. N2-fixing cyanobacterial symbioses are widespread in the oceans, even more widely distributed than the best-known free-living N2-fixing cyanobacteria, suggesting they may be equally or more important in the global ocean biogeochemical cycle of N.Despite their ubiquitous nature and significance in biogeochemical cycles, cyanobacterium-phytoplankton symbioses remain understudied and poorly understood.}, }
@article {pmid31495588, year = {2019}, author = {Iwai, S and Fujita, K and Takanishi, Y and Fukushi, K}, title = {Photosynthetic Endosymbionts Benefit from Host's Phagotrophy, Including Predation on Potential Competitors.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {29}, number = {18}, pages = {3114-3119.e3}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2019.07.074}, pmid = {31495588}, issn = {1879-0445}, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii/metabolism ; Chlorella/*growth &amp; development/metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Light ; Paramecium/metabolism ; Phagocytosis/physiology ; Photosynthesis ; Predatory Behavior ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {In many endosymbioses, hosts have been shown to benefit from symbiosis, but it remains unclear whether intracellular endosymbionts benefit from their association with hosts [1, 2]. This makes it difficult to determine evolutionary mechanisms underlying cooperative behaviors between hosts and intracellular endosymbionts, such as mutual exchange of vital resources. Here, we investigate the fitness effects of symbiosis on the ciliate host Paramecium bursaria and on the algal endosymbiont Chlorella [3, 4], using experimental microcosms that include the free-living alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to mimic ecologically realistic conditions. We demonstrate that both host ciliate and the endosymbiotic algae gain fitness benefits from the symbiosis when another alga C. reinhardtii is present in the system. Specifically, the endosymbiotic Chlorella can grow as the host ciliate feeds and grows on C. reinhardtii, whereas the growth of free-living Chlorella is reduced by its competitor, C. reinhardtii. Thus, we propose that the endosymbiotic algae benefit from the host's phagotrophy, which allows the endosymbiont to access particulate nutrient sources and to indirectly prey on the potential competitors competing with its free-living counterparts. Even though the ecological contexts in which each partner receives its benefits differ, both partners would gain net fitness benefits in an ecological timescale. Thus, the cooperative behaviors can evolve through fitness feedback (partner fidelity feedback) between the host and the endosymbiont, without need for special partner control mechanisms. The proposed ecological and evolutionary mechanisms provide a basis for understanding cooperative resource exchanges in endosymbioses, including many photosynthetic endosymbioses widespread in aquatic ecosystems.}, }
@article {pmid31491378, year = {2019}, author = {Zheng, Y and Shen, W and Bi, J and Chen, MY and Wang, RF and Ai, H and Wang, YF}, title = {Small RNA analysis provides new insights into cytoplasmic incompatibility in Drosophila melanogaster induced by Wolbachia.}, journal = {Journal of insect physiology}, volume = {118}, number = {}, pages = {103938}, doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.103938}, pmid = {31491378}, issn = {1879-1611}, mesh = {3' Untranslated Regions ; Animals ; Cytoplasm/*genetics/pathology ; Drosophila melanogaster/embryology/genetics/metabolism/*microbiology ; Female ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Male ; MicroRNAs/genetics ; RNA, Small Untranslated ; Symbiosis ; Testis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is a genus of endosymbiotic bacteria that induce a wide range of effects on their insect hosts. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is the most common phenotype mediated by Wolbachia and results in embryonic lethality when Wolbachia-infected males mate with uninfected females. Studies have revealed that bacteria can regulate many cellular processes in their hosts using small non-coding RNAs, so we investigated the involvement of small RNAs (sRNAs) in CI. Comparison of sRNA libraries between Wolbachia-infected and uninfected Drosophila melanogaster testes revealed 18 novel microRNAs (miRNAs), of which 12 were expressed specifically in Wolbachia-infected flies and one specifically in Wolbachia-uninfected flies. Furthermore, ten miRNAs showed differential expression, with four upregulated and six downregulated in Wolbachia-infected flies. Of the upregulated miRNAs, nov-miR-12 exhibited the highest upregulation in the testes of D. melanogaster. We then identified pipsqueak (psq) as the target gene of nov-miR-12 with the greatest complementarity in its 3' untranslated region (UTR). Wolbachia infection was correlated with reduced psq expression in D. melanogaster, and luciferase assays demonstrated that nov-miR-12 could downregulate psq through binding to its 3'UTR region. Knockdown of psq in Wolbachia-free fly testes significantly reduced egg hatching rate and mimicked the cellular abnormalities of Wolbachia-induced CI in embryos, including asynchronous nuclear division, chromatin bridging, and chromatin fragmentation. These results suggest that Wolbachia may induce CI in insect hosts by miRNA-mediated changes in host gene expression. Moreover, these findings reveal a potential molecular strategy for elucidating the complex interactions between endosymbionts and their insect hosts, such as Wolbachia-driven CI.}, }
@article {pmid31481951, year = {2019}, author = {Jiménez-Leiva, A and Cabrera, JJ and Bueno, E and Torres, MJ and Salazar, S and Bedmar, EJ and Delgado, MJ and Mesa, S}, title = {Expanding the Regulon of the Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens NnrR Transcription Factor: New Insights Into the Denitrification Pathway.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1926}, pmid = {31481951}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Denitrification in the soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens is controlled by a complex regulatory network composed of two hierarchical cascades, FixLJ-FixK2-NnrR and RegSR-NifA. In the former cascade, the CRP/FNR-type transcription factors FixK2 and NnrR exert disparate control on expression of core denitrifying systems encoded by napEDABC, nirK, norCBQD, and nosRZDFYLX genes in response to microoxia and nitrogen oxides, respectively. To identify additional genes controlled by NnrR and involved in the denitrification process in B. diazoefficiens, we compared the transcriptional profile of an nnrR mutant with that of the wild type, both grown under anoxic denitrifying conditions. This approach revealed more than 170 genes were simultaneously induced in the wild type and under the positive control of NnrR. Among them, we found the cycA gene which codes for the c 550 soluble cytochrome (CycA), previously identified as an intermediate electron donor between the bc 1 complex and the denitrifying nitrite reductase NirK. Here, we demonstrated that CycA is also required for nitrous oxide reductase activity. However, mutation in cycA neither affected nosZ gene expression nor NosZ protein steady-state levels. Furthermore, cycA, nnrR and its proximal divergently oriented nnrS gene, are direct targets for FixK2 as determined by in vitro transcription activation assays. The dependence of cycA expression on FixK2 and NnrR in anoxic denitrifying conditions was validated at transcriptional level, determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and at the level of protein by performing heme c-staining of soluble cytochromes. Thus, this study expands the regulon of NnrR and demonstrates the role of CycA in the activity of the nitrous oxide reductase, the key enzyme for nitrous oxide mitigation.}, }
@article {pmid31481018, year = {2019}, author = {Christensen, S and Camacho, M and Sharmin, Z and Momtaz, AJMZ and Perez, L and Navarro, G and Triana, J and Samarah, H and Turelli, M and Serbus, LR}, title = {Quantitative methods for assessing local and bodywide contributions to Wolbachia titer in maternal germline cells of Drosophila.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {206}, pmid = {31481018}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {R01 GM104325/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animal Feed/analysis ; Animals ; Cytological Techniques/*methods ; Drosophila melanogaster/metabolism/*microbiology ; Female ; Ovary/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Ovum/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Wolbachia/genetics/*growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Little is known about how bacterial endosymbionts colonize host tissues. Because many insect endosymbionts are maternally transmitted, egg colonization is critical for endosymbiont success. Wolbachia bacteria, carried by approximately half of all insect species, provide an excellent model for characterizing endosymbiont infection dynamics. To date, technical limitations have precluded stepwise analysis of germline colonization by Wolbachia. It is not clear to what extent titer-altering effects are primarily mediated by growth rates of Wolbachia within cell lineages or migration of Wolbachia between cells.<br><br>RESULTS: The objective of this work is to inform mechanisms of germline colonization through use of optimized methodology. The approaches are framed in terms of nutritional impacts on Wolbachia. Yeast-rich diets in particular have been shown to suppress Wolbachia titer in the Drosophila melanogaster germline. To determine the extent of Wolbachia sensitivity to diet, we optimized 3-dimensional, multi-stage quantification of Wolbachia titer in maternal germline cells. Technical and statistical validation confirmed the identity of Wolbachia in vivo, the reproducibility of Wolbachia quantification and the statistical power to detect these effects. The data from adult feeding experiments demonstrated that germline Wolbachia titer is distinctly sensitive to yeast-rich host diets in late oogenesis. To investigate the physiological basis for these nutritional impacts, we optimized methodology for absolute Wolbachia quantification by real-time qPCR. We found that yeast-rich diets exerted no significant effect on bodywide Wolbachia titer, although ovarian titers were significantly reduced. This suggests that host diets affects Wolbachia distribution between the soma and late stage germline cells. Notably, relative qPCR methods distorted apparent wsp abundance, due to altered host DNA copy number in yeast-rich conditions. This highlights the importance of absolute quantification data for testing mechanistic hypotheses.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that absolute quantification of Wolbachia, using well-controlled cytological and qPCR-based methods, creates new opportunities to determine how bacterial abundance within the germline relates to bacterial distribution within the body. This methodology can be applied to further test germline infection dynamics in response to chemical treatments, genetic conditions, new host/endosymbiont combinations, or potentially adapted to analyze other cell and tissue types.}, }
@article {pmid31471686, year = {2019}, author = {Li, Y and Liu, X and Guo, H}, title = {Population Dynamics of Wolbachia in Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) Under Successive Stress of Antibiotics.}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {76}, number = {11}, pages = {1306-1312}, pmid = {31471686}, issn = {1432-0991}, support = {31672027//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; cx(16)1001//the Independent Innovation Fund of Agricultural Science and Technology in Jiangsu province, China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Biodiversity ; Female ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Male ; Tetracycline/*pharmacology ; Wolbachia/*drug effects/growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are the most common symbionts in arthropods; antibiotic treatment for eliminating the symbionts from their host is necessary to investigate the functions. Tetracycline antibiotics are widely used to remove endosymbiont Wolbachia from insect hosts. However, very little has been known on the effects of tetracycline on population size of Wolbachia in small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén), an important insect pest of rice in Asia. Here, we investigated the dynamics of Wolbachia population density in females and males of L. striatellus by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method. The Wolbachia density in females and males of L. striatellus all declined sharply after treatment with 2 mg/mL tetracycline for one generation, and continued to decrease to a level which could not be detected by both qPCR and diagnostic PCR after treated for another generation, then maintained at 0 in the following three generations with continuous antibiotic treatment. Wolbachia infection did not recover in L. striatellus after stopping tetracycline treatment for ten generations. This is the first report to precisely monitor the population dynamics of Wolbachia in L. striatellus during successive tetracycline treatment and after that. The results provide a useful method for evaluating the efficiency of artificial operation of endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid31470668, year = {2019}, author = {Doellman, MM and Schuler, H and Jean, GS and Hood, GR and Egan, SP and Powell, THQ and Glover, MM and Bruzzese, DJ and Smith, JJ and Yee, WL and Goughnour, RB and Rull, J and Aluja, M and Feder, JL}, title = {Geographic and Ecological Dimensions of Host Plant-Associated Genetic Differentiation and Speciation in the Rhagoletis cingulata (Diptera: Tephritidae) Sibling Species Group.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {10}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {31470668}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {J 3527/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 31441/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, abstract = {Ascertaining the causes of adaptive radiation is central to understanding how new species arise and come to vary with their resources. The ecological theory posits adaptive radiation via divergent natural selection associated with novel resource use; an alternative suggests character displacement following speciation in allopatry and then secondary contact of reproductively isolated but ecologically similar species. Discriminating between hypotheses, therefore, requires the establishment of a key role for ecological diversification in initiating speciation versus a secondary role in facilitating co-existence. Here, we characterize patterns of genetic variation and postzygotic reproductive isolation for tephritid fruit flies in the Rhagoletis cingulata sibling species group to assess the significance of ecology, geography, and non-adaptive processes for their divergence. Our results support the ecological theory: no evidence for intrinsic postzygotic reproductive isolation was found between two populations of allopatric species, while nuclear-encoded microsatellites implied strong ecologically based reproductive isolation among sympatric species infesting different host plants. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA suggested, however, that cytoplasmic-related reproductive isolation may also exist between two geographically isolated populations within R cingulata. Thus, ecology associated with sympatric host shifts and cytoplasmic effects possibly associated with an endosymbiont may be the key initial drivers of the radiation of the R. cingulata group.}, }
@article {pmid31470232, year = {2019}, author = {Husnik, F and Keeling, PJ}, title = {The fate of obligate endosymbionts: reduction, integration, or extinction.}, journal = {Current opinion in genetics &amp; development}, volume = {58-59}, number = {}, pages = {1-8}, doi = {10.1016/j.gde.2019.07.014}, pmid = {31470232}, issn = {1879-0380}, mesh = {Animals ; *Biological Evolution ; Extinction, Biological ; Mitochondria/*genetics/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plastids/genetics/metabolism ; Protein Transport ; Symbiosis/*genetics/physiology ; }, abstract = {Whether mitochondria and plastids originated by endosymbiosis is no longer questioned, but we still do not understand the actual process of integration. Other, younger endosymbiotic systems are, however, relatively common. Traditionally, it was not clear whether these systems could be directly and informatively compared to organelles because they appear sufficiently different. Surprisingly, new data from both organelles and endosymbiotic bacteria are changing this view. As more commonalities are described, the processes underlaying these associations appear to be not so different after all. New models for endosymbiotic associations emphasize the importance of transient stages, conflict more than cooperation, and population genetics forces that lead to genome reduction, which in turn restricts most endosymbionts to one of a few possible evolutionary pathways, commonly ending with extinction.}, }
@article {pmid31462919, year = {2019}, author = {Monticelli, LS and Nguyen, LTH and Amiens-Desneux, E and Luo, C and Lavoir, AV and Gatti, JL and Desneux, N}, title = {The preference-performance relationship as a means of classifying parasitoids according to their specialization degree.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {12}, number = {8}, pages = {1626-1640}, pmid = {31462919}, issn = {1752-4571}, abstract = {Host range in parasitoids could be described by the preference-performance hypothesis (PPH) where preference is defined as host acceptance and performance is defined as the sum of all species on which parasitoid offspring can complete their life cycle. The PPH predicts that highly suitable hosts will be preferred by ovipositing females. However, generalist parasitoids may not conform to this hypothesis if they attack a large range of hosts of varying suitability. Under laboratory conditions, we tested the PPH relationship of three aphid parasitoids currently considered as generalist species (Aphelinus abdominalis, Aphidius ervi, Diaeretiella rapae). As expected, the three parasitoids species showed low selectivity, i.e., females stung all aphid species encountered (at least in some extent). However, depending on the parasitoid species, only 42%-58% of aphid species enabled producing parasitoid offspring. We did not find a correlation between the extent of preference and the performance of three generalist aphid parasitoids. For A. ervi, host phylogeny is also important as females showed higher attack and developmental rates on hosts closely related to the most suitable one. In addition, traits such as (a) the presence of protective secondary endosymbionts, for example, Hamiltonella defensa detected in Aphis fabae and Metopolophium dirhodum and (b) the sequestration of plant toxins as defense mechanism against parasitism, for example, in Aphis nerii and Brevicoryne brassicae, were likely at play to some extent in narrowing parasitoid host range. The lack of PPH relationship involved a low selectivity leading to a high adaptability, as well as selection pressure; the combination of which enabled the production of offspring in a new host species or a new environment. Testing for PPH relationships in parasitoids may provide useful cues to classify parasitoids in terms of specialization degree.}, }
@article {pmid31462916, year = {2019}, author = {Ayala, D and Akone-Ella, O and Rahola, N and Kengne, P and Ngangue, MF and Mezeme, F and Makanga, BK and Nigg, M and Costantini, C and Simard, F and Prugnolle, F and Roche, B and Duron, O and Paupy, C}, title = {Natural Wolbachia infections are common in the major malaria vectors in Central Africa.}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {12}, number = {8}, pages = {1583-1594}, pmid = {31462916}, issn = {1752-4571}, abstract = {During the last decade, the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia has emerged as a biological tool for vector disease control. However, for long time, it was believed that Wolbachia was absent in natural populations of Anopheles. The recent discovery that species within the Anopheles gambiae complex host Wolbachia in natural conditions has opened new opportunities for malaria control research in Africa. Here, we investigated the prevalence and diversity of Wolbachia infection in 25 African Anopheles species in Gabon (Central Africa). Our results revealed the presence of Wolbachia in 16 of these species, including the major malaria vectors in this area. The infection prevalence varied greatly among species, confirming that sample size is a key factor to detect the infection. Moreover, our sequencing and phylogenetic analyses showed the important diversity of Wolbachia strains that infect Anopheles. Co-evolutionary analysis unveiled patterns of Wolbachia transmission within some Anopheles species, suggesting that past independent acquisition events were followed by co-cladogenesis. The large diversity of Wolbachia strains that infect natural populations of Anopheles offers a promising opportunity to select suitable phenotypes for suppressing Plasmodium transmission and/or manipulating Anopheles reproduction, which in turn could be used to reduce the malaria burden in Africa.}, }
@article {pmid31455638, year = {2019}, author = {Lim, SJ and Alexander, L and Engel, AS and Paterson, AT and Anderson, LC and Campbell, BJ}, title = {Extensive Thioautotrophic Gill Endosymbiont Diversity within a Single Ctena orbiculata (Bivalvia: Lucinidae) Population and Implications for Defining Host-Symbiont Specificity and Species Recognition.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {4}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {31455638}, issn = {2379-5077}, abstract = {Seagrass-dwelling members of the bivalve family Lucinidae harbor environmentally acquired gill endosymbionts. According to previous studies, lucinid symbionts potentially represent multiple strains from a single thioautotrophic gammaproteobacterium species. This study utilized genomic- and transcriptomic-level data to resolve symbiont taxonomic, genetic, and functional diversity from Ctena orbiculata endosymbiont populations inhabiting carbonate-rich sediment at Sugarloaf Key, FL (USA). The sediment had mixed seagrass and calcareous green alga coverage and also was colonized by at least five other lucinid species. Four coexisting, thioautotrophic endosymbiont operational taxonomic units (OTUs), likely representing four strains from two different bacterial species, were identified from C. orbiculata Three of these OTUs also occurred at high relative abundances in the other sympatric lucinid species. Interspecies genetic differences averaged about 5% lower at both pairwise average nucleotide identity and amino acid identity than interstrain differences. Despite these genetic differences, C. orbiculata endosymbionts shared a high number of metabolic functions, including highly expressed thioautotrophy-related genes and a moderately to weakly expressed conserved one-carbon (C1) oxidation gene cluster previously undescribed in lucinid symbionts. Few symbiont- and host-related genes, including those encoding symbiotic sulfurtransferase, host respiratory functions, and host sulfide oxidation functions, were differentially expressed between seagrass- and alga-covered sediment locations. In contrast to previous studies, the identification of multiple endosymbiont taxa within and across C. orbiculata individuals, which were also shared with other sympatric lucinid species, suggests that neither host nor endosymbiont displays strict taxonomic specificity. This necessitates further investigations into the nature and extent of specificity of lucinid hosts and their symbionts.IMPORTANCE Symbiont diversity and host/symbiont functions have been comprehensively profiled for only a few lucinid species. In this work, unprecedented thioautotrophic gill endosymbiont taxonomic diversity was characterized within a Ctena orbiculata population associated with both seagrass- and alga-covered sediments. Endosymbiont metabolisms included known chemosynthetic functions and an additional conserved, previously uncharacterized C1 oxidation pathway. Lucinid-symbiont associations were not species specific because this C. orbiculata population hosted multiple endosymbiont strains and species, and other sympatric lucinid species shared overlapping symbiont 16S rRNA gene diversity profiles with C. orbiculata Our results suggest that lucinid-symbiont association patterns within some host species could be more taxonomically diverse than previously thought. As such, this study highlights the importance of holistic analyses, at the population, community, and even ecosystem levels, in understanding host-microbe association patterns.}, }
@article {pmid31448151, year = {2019}, author = {Yoder, JA and Rodell, BM and Klever, LA and Dobrotka, CJ and Pekins, PJ}, title = {Vertical transmission of the entomopathogenic soil fungus Scopulariopsis brevicaulis as a contaminant of eggs in the winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, collected from calf moose (New Hampshire, USA).}, journal = {Mycology}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {174-181}, pmid = {31448151}, issn = {2150-1203}, abstract = {Moose naturally acquire soil fungi on their fur that are entomopathogenic to the winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus. Presumed to provide a measure of on-host tick control, it is unknown whether these soil fungi impact subsequent off-host stages of the tick. Eggs and resultant larvae originating from engorged, adult female winter ticks collected from dead calf moose (Alces alces) were used to investigate the presence and extent of fungal infection. Approximately 40% of eggs and larvae were infected, almost exclusively by the fungus Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (teleomorph Microascus brevicaulis: Microascaceae, Ascomycota). Eggs analysed on the day of oviposition and day of hatching had high frequency (40%) of S. brevicaulis, whereas the frequency in eggs harvested in utero was minimal (7%); therefore, exposure occurs pre-oviposition in the female's genital chamber, not by transovarial transmission. At hatching, larvae emerge containing S. brevicaulis indicating transstadial transmission. Artificial infection by topical application of eggs and larvae with a large inoculum of S. brevicaulis spores caused rapid dehydration, marked mortality; pathogenicity was confirmed by Koch's postulates. The high hatching success (>90%) and multi-month survival of larvae imply that S. brevicaulis is maintained as a natural pathobiont in winter ticks.}, }
@article {pmid31442887, year = {2019}, author = {Genchi, M and Vismarra, A and Lucchetti, C and Viglietti, A and Crosara, S and Gnudi, G and Quintavalla, C and Schaper, R and Kramer, L}, title = {Efficacy of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 2.5% spot on (Advocate®, Advantage Multi®) and doxycycline for the treatment of natural Dirofilaria immitis infections in dogs.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology}, volume = {273}, number = {}, pages = {11-16}, doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.07.011}, pmid = {31442887}, issn = {1873-2550}, mesh = {Animals ; Antigens, Helminth/blood ; Arsenicals/therapeutic use ; Dirofilaria immitis ; Dirofilariasis/*drug therapy ; Dog Diseases/drug therapy ; Dogs ; Doxycycline/*therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Filaricides/therapeutic use ; Macrolides/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Neonicotinoids/*therapeutic use ; Nitro Compounds/*therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Triazines/therapeutic use ; }, abstract = {Heartworm infection (also known as dirofilariosis due to Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs causes chronic pulmonary disease that, if left untreated, can lead to right-side congestive heart failure. Currently, the only registered drug for adulticide therapy in dogs with heartworm disease (HWD) is melarsomine dihydrochloride. The recent targeting of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia, through antibiotic therapy of the infected host, has offered an interesting alternative for the treatment of HWD. Recent reports of the adulticide activity of an ivermectin/doxycycline combination protocol has lead the American Heartworm Society (AHS) to include in its guidelines that, in cases where arsenical therapy is not possible or is contraindicated, a monthly heartworm preventive along with doxycycline for a 4-week period might be considered. In the present study, 20 dogs with confirmed natural D. immitis infection were included following owner consent. Fourteen dogs were treated with a topical formulation containing 10% w/v imidacloprid and 2.5% w/v moxidectin (Advocate®, Advantage Multi®, Bayer), monthly for nine months, associated to doxycycline (10 mg/kg/BID) for the first 30 days. Six dogs were treated with melarsomine (Immiticide®, Merial) (2.5 mg/kg) at enrollment, followed one month later by two injections 24 h apart. The presence of circulating antigens and the number of microfilariae (mf) were evaluated at the moment of enrollment and then at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 18, 24 months post enrollment. Echocardiogram and radiographs were performed at month 0, 6, 12, 18, 24. Monthly moxidectin combined with 30 days of doxycycline eliminated circulating microfilariae within one month, thus breaking the transmission cycle very quickly. Furthermore, dogs treated with the combination protocol started to become negative for circulating antigens at 4 months from the beginning of treatment and all except one were antigen negative at 9 months. All dogs treated with melarsomine were antigen negative by 5 months from the beginning of the treatment. No dogs showed worsening of pulmonary patterns or criteria indicative of pulmonary hypertension 12 to 24 months after. For the criteria mf concentration, antigen concentration, radiography and echocardiography at 12, 18 and 24 months the non-inferiority for the moxidectin group could be proven for a non-inferiority margin of 15% for the rate difference. Dogs treated with moxidectin and doxycycline became negative for microfilariae and antigens sooner when compared to melarsomine in the present study and to dogs treated with doxycycline combined with ivermectin in studies previously published.}, }
@article {pmid31438811, year = {2019}, author = {Hammer, TJ and Moran, NA}, title = {Links between metamorphosis and symbiosis in holometabolous insects.}, journal = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences}, volume = {374}, number = {1783}, pages = {20190068}, pmid = {31438811}, issn = {1471-2970}, support = {R01 GM108477/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Insecta/growth &amp; development/microbiology/parasitology ; Larva/growth &amp; development/microbiology/parasitology ; *Metamorphosis, Biological ; *Microbiota ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Many animals depend on microbial symbionts to provide nutrition, defence or other services. Holometabolous insects, as well as other animals that undergo metamorphosis, face unique constraints on symbiont maintenance. Microbes present in larvae encounter a radical transformation of their habitat and may also need to withstand chemical and immunological challenges. Metamorphosis also provides an opportunity, in that symbiotic associations can be decoupled over development. For example, some holometabolous insects maintain the same symbiont as larvae and adults, but house it in different tissues; in other species, larvae and adults may harbour entirely different types or numbers of microbes, in accordance with shifts in host diet or habitat. Such flexibility may provide an advantage over hemimetabolous insects, in which selection on adult-stage microbial associations may be constrained by its negative effects on immature stages, and vice versa. Additionally, metamorphosis itself can be directly influenced by symbionts. Across disparate insect taxa, microbes protect hosts from pathogen infection, supply nutrients essential for rebuilding the adult body and provide cues regulating pupation. However, microbial associations remain completely unstudied for many families and even orders of Holometabola, and future research will undoubtedly reveal more links between metamorphosis and microbiota, two widespread features of animal life. This article is part of the theme issue 'The evolution of complete metamorphosis'.}, }
@article {pmid31432763, year = {2019}, author = {Charlesworth, J and Weinert, LA and Araujo, EV and Welch, JJ}, title = {Wolbachia, Cardinium and climate: an analysis of global data.}, journal = {Biology letters}, volume = {15}, number = {8}, pages = {20190273}, pmid = {31432763}, issn = {1744-957X}, support = {109385/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Arthropods ; Bacteroidetes ; Insecta ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts are very common in terrestrial arthropods, but infection levels vary widely among populations. Experiments and within-species comparisons suggest that environmental temperature might be important in explaining this variation. To investigate the importance of temperature, at broad geographical and taxonomic scales, we extended a global database of terrestrial arthropods screened for Wolbachia and Cardinium. Our final dataset contained data from more than 117 000 arthropods (over 2500 species) screened for Wolbachia and more than 18 000 arthropods (over 800 species) screened for Cardinium, including samples from 137 different countries, with mean temperatures varying from -6.5 to 29.2°C. In insects and relatives, Cardinium infection showed a clear and consistent tendency to increase with temperature. For Wolbachia, a tendency to increase with temperature in temperate climates is counteracted by reduced prevalence in the tropics, resulting in a weak negative trend overall. We discuss the implications of these results for natural and introduced symbionts in regions affected by climate change.}, }
@article {pmid31430401, year = {2019}, author = {Mathé-Hubert, H and Kaech, H and Hertaeg, C and Jaenike, J and Vorburger, C}, title = {Nonrandom associations of maternally transmitted symbionts in insects: The roles of drift versus biased cotransmission and selection.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {28}, number = {24}, pages = {5330-5346}, doi = {10.1111/mec.15206}, pmid = {31430401}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*genetics/microbiology ; Bayes Theorem ; Drosophila/genetics/microbiology ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal/genetics ; Maternal Inheritance/genetics ; Microbiota/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Spiroplasma/*genetics ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Virtually all higher organisms form holobionts with associated microbiota. To understand the biology of holobionts we need to know how species assemble and interact. Controlled experiments are suited to study interactions between particular symbionts, but they only accommodate a tiny portion of the diversity within each species. Alternatively, interactions can be inferred by testing if associations among symbionts in the field are more or less frequent than expected under random assortment. However, random assortment may not be a valid null hypothesis for maternally transmitted symbionts since drift alone can result in associations. Here, we analyse a European field survey of endosymbionts in pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), confirming that symbiont associations are pervasive. To interpret them, we develop a model simulating the effect of drift on symbiont associations. We show that drift induces apparently nonrandom assortment, even though horizontal transmissions and maternal transmission failures tend to randomise symbiont associations. We also use this model in the approximate Bayesian computation framework to revisit the association between Spiroplasma and Wolbachia in Drosophila neotestacea. New field data reported here reveal that this association has disappeared in the investigated location, yet a significant interaction between Spiroplasma and Wolbachia can still be inferred. Our study confirms that negative and positive associations are pervasive and often induced by symbiont-symbiont interactions. Nevertheless, some associations are also likely to be driven by drift. This possibility needs to be considered when performing such analyses, and our model is helpful for this purpose.}, }
@article {pmid31427512, year = {2019}, author = {Hehenberger, E and Gast, RJ and Keeling, PJ}, title = {A kleptoplastidic dinoflagellate and the tipping point between transient and fully integrated plastid endosymbiosis.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {116}, number = {36}, pages = {17934-17942}, pmid = {31427512}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Dinoflagellida/*physiology ; Electron Transport ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Models, Biological ; *Mutagenesis, Insertional ; Plastids/*genetics ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Plastid endosymbiosis has been a major force in the evolution of eukaryotic cellular complexity, but how endosymbionts are integrated is still poorly understood at a mechanistic level. Dinoflagellates, an ecologically important protist lineage, represent a unique model to study this process because dinoflagellate plastids have repeatedly been reduced, lost, and replaced by new plastids, leading to a spectrum of ages and integration levels. Here we describe deep-transcriptomic analyses of the Antarctic Ross Sea dinoflagellate (RSD), which harbors long-term but temporary kleptoplasts stolen from haptophyte prey, and is closely related to dinoflagellates with fully integrated plastids derived from different haptophytes. In some members of this lineage, called the Kareniaceae, their tertiary haptophyte plastids have crossed a tipping point to stable integration, but RSD has not, and may therefore reveal the order of events leading up to endosymbiotic integration. We show that RSD has retained its ancestral secondary plastid and has partitioned functions between this plastid and the kleptoplast. It has also obtained genes for kleptoplast-targeted proteins via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) that are not derived from the kleptoplast lineage. Importantly, many of these HGTs are also found in the related species with fully integrated plastids, which provides direct evidence that genetic integration preceded organelle fixation. Finally, we find that expression of kleptoplast-targeted genes is unaffected by environmental parameters, unlike prey-encoded homologs, suggesting that kleptoplast-targeted HGTs have adapted to posttranscriptional regulation mechanisms of the host.}, }
@article {pmid31422731, year = {2019}, author = {Wari, D and Alamgir, KM and Mujiono, K and Hojo, Y and Tani, A and Shinya, T and Nakatani, H and Galis, I}, title = {Brown planthopper honeydew-associated symbiotic microbes elicit momilactones in rice.}, journal = {Plant signaling &amp; behavior}, volume = {14}, number = {11}, pages = {1655335}, pmid = {31422731}, issn = {1559-2324}, mesh = {Animals ; Cucumis melo/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Diterpenes/*metabolism ; Hemiptera/*physiology ; Lactones/*metabolism ; Oryza/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Plant Leaves/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Plants use many natural products to counter pests and diseases in nature. In rice, direct defense mechanisms include broad range of secondary metabolites, such as phenolamides (PA), diterpene phytoalexins, and flavonoid sakuranetin. Recently, accumulation of PAs in rice was shown to be under control of microbial symbionts in honeydew (HD), digestive waste from the rice brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens; BPH), but whether HD microbiota can also promote diterpene phytoalexins, momilactone A (MoA) and MoB, has not been reported. Here, we demonstrate that crude HD, but not a filtered one, induces MoA and MoB in rice, suggesting the involvement of BPH-HD endosymbionts. Consequently, microbial strains previously isolated from HD could promote MoA and MoB levels in wounded rice leaves, suggesting that rice indeed responds to BPH by cumulative chemical defense that involves both PA and diterpene phytoalexin pathways.}, }
@article {pmid31419116, year = {2019}, author = {Mehta, AP and Ko, Y and Supekova, L and Pestonjamasp, K and Li, J and Schultz, PG}, title = {Toward a Synthetic Yeast Endosymbiont with a Minimal Genome.}, journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {141}, number = {35}, pages = {13799-13802}, pmid = {31419116}, issn = {1520-5126}, support = {R01 GM132071/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Escherichia coli/genetics/*metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/*metabolism ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Based on the endosymbiotic theory, one of the key events that occurred during mitochondrial evolution was an extensive loss of nonessential genes from the protomitochondrial endosymbiont genome and transfer of some of the essential endosymbiont genes to the host nucleus. We have developed an approach to recapitulate various aspects of endosymbiont genome minimization using a synthetic system consisting of Escherichia coli endosymbionts within host yeast cells. As a first step, we identified a number of E. coli auxotrophs of central metabolites that can form viable endosymbionts within yeast cells. These studies provide a platform to identify nonessential biosynthetic pathways that can be deleted in the E. coli endosymbionts to investigate the evolutionary adaptations in the host and endosymbiont during the evolution of mitochondria.}, }
@article {pmid31417112, year = {2019}, author = {Lorenzo-Carballa, MO and Torres-Cambas, Y and Heaton, K and Hurst, GDD and Charlat, S and Sherratt, TN and Van Gossum, H and Cordero-Rivera, A and Beatty, CD}, title = {Widespread Wolbachia infection in an insular radiation of damselflies (Odonata, Coenagrionidae).}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {11933}, pmid = {31417112}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Alleles ; Animals ; Bayes Theorem ; *Biological Evolution ; Fiji ; Geography ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/*microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Odonata/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Wolbachia/classification/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is one of the most common endosymbionts found infecting arthropods. Theory predicts symbionts like Wolbachia will be more common in species radiations, as host shift events occur with greatest frequency between closely related species. Further, the presence of Wolbachia itself may engender reproductive isolation, and promote speciation of their hosts. Here we screened 178 individuals belonging to 30 species of the damselfly genera Nesobasis and Melanesobasis - species radiations endemic to the Fiji archipelago in the South Pacific - for Wolbachia, using multilocus sequence typing to characterize bacterial strains. Incidence of Wolbachia was 71% in Nesobasis and 40% in Melanesobasis, and prevalence was also high, with an average of 88% in the Nesobasis species screened. We identified a total of 25 Wolbachia strains, belonging to supergroups A, B and F, with some epidemic strains present in multiple species. The occurrence of Wolbachia in both males and females, and the similar global prevalence found in both sexes rules out any strong effect of Wolbachia on the primary sex-ratio, but are compatible with the phenotype of cytoplasmic incompatibility. Nesobasis has higher species richness than most endemic island damselfly genera, and we discuss the potential for endosymbiont-mediated speciation within this group.}, }
@article {pmid31416937, year = {2019}, author = {Youle, RJ}, title = {Mitochondria-Striking a balance between host and endosymbiont.}, journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)}, volume = {365}, number = {6454}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1126/science.aaw9855}, pmid = {31416937}, issn = {1095-9203}, mesh = {Animals ; DNA, Mitochondrial/immunology ; Host Microbial Interactions/*immunology ; Humans ; *Immunity, Innate ; Mitochondria/genetics/*immunology ; Mitophagy/immunology ; Symbiosis/*immunology ; }, abstract = {Mitochondria are organelles with their own genome that arose from α-proteobacteria living within single-celled Archaea more than a billion years ago. This step of endosymbiosis offered tremendous opportunities for energy production and metabolism and allowed the evolution of fungi, plants, and animals. However, less appreciated are the downsides of this endosymbiosis. Coordinating gene expression between the mitochondrial genomes and the nuclear genome is imprecise and can lead to proteotoxic stress. The clonal reproduction of mitochondrial DNA requires workarounds to avoid mutational meltdown. In metazoans that developed innate immune pathways to thwart bacterial and viral infections, mitochondrial components can cross-react with pathogen sensors and invoke inflammation. Here, I focus on the numerous and elegant quality control processes that compensate for or mitigate these challenges of endosymbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid31411007, year = {2020}, author = {Zhu, YX and Song, ZR and Song, YL and Zhao, DS and Hong, XY}, title = {The microbiota in spider mite feces potentially reflects intestinal bacterial communities in the host.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {27}, number = {5}, pages = {859-868}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12716}, pmid = {31411007}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {2019M651864//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; 31672035//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31871976//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31901888//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*isolation &amp; purification ; Feces/microbiology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Microbiota/*physiology ; RNA, Bacterial/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; *Symbiosis ; Tetranychidae/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Microorganisms provide many physiological functions to herbivorous hosts. Spider mites (genus Tetranychus) are important agricultural pests throughout the world; however, the composition of the spider mite microbial community, especially gut microbiome, remains unclear. Here, we investigated the bacterial community in five spider mite species and their associated feces by deep sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The composition of the bacterial community was significantly different among the five prevalent spider mite species, and some bacterial symbionts showed host-species specificity. Moreover, the abundance of the bacterial community in spider mite feces was significantly higher than that in the corresponding spider mite samples. However, Flavobacterium was detected in all samples, and represent a "core microbiome". Remarkably, the maternally inherited endosymbiont Wolbachia was detected in both spider mite and feces. Overall, these results offer insight into the complex community of symbionts in spider mites, and give a new direction for future studies.}, }
@article {pmid31409870, year = {2019}, author = {Swe, PM and Zakrzewski, M and Waddell, R and Sriprakash, KS and Fischer, K}, title = {High-throughput metagenome analysis of the Sarcoptes scabiei internal microbiota and in-situ identification of intestinal Streptomyces sp.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {11744}, pmid = {31409870}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Feces/microbiology ; Female ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; *Metagenome ; *Metagenomics/methods ; *Microbiota ; Sarcoptes scabiei/*microbiology ; Sodium Hypochlorite/pharmacology ; Streptomyces/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Multiple parasitic arthropods of medical importance depend on symbiotic bacteria. While the link between scabies and secondary bacterial infections causing post infective complications of Group A streptococcal and staphylococcal pyoderma is increasingly recognized, very little is known about the microbiota of Sarcoptes scabiei. Here we analyze adult female mite and egg metagenome datasets. The majority of adult mite bacterial reads matched with Enterobacteriaceae (phylum Proteobacteria), followed by Corynebacteriaceae (phylum Actinobacteria). Klebsiella was the most dominant genus (78%) and Corynebacterium constituted 9% of the assigned sequences. Scabies mite eggs had a more diverse microbial composition with sequences from Proteobacteria being the most dominant (75%), while Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes accounted for 23% of the egg microbiome sequences. DNA sequences of a potential endosymbiont, namely Streptomyces, were identified in the metagenome sequence data of both life stages. The presence of Streptomyces was confirmed by conventional PCR. Digital droplet PCR indicated higher Streptomyces numbers in adult mites compared to eggs. Streptomyces were localized histologically in the scabies mite gut and faecal pellets by Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH). Streptomyces may have essential symbiotic roles in the scabies parasite intestinal system requiring further investigation.}, }
@article {pmid31409030, year = {2019}, author = {Meron, D and Maor-Landaw, K and Weizman, E and Waldman Ben-Asher, H and Eyal, G and Banin, E and Loya, Y and Levy, O}, title = {The Algal Symbiont Modifies the Transcriptome of the Scleractinian Coral Euphyllia paradivisa During Heat Stress.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {7}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {31409030}, issn = {2076-2607}, abstract = {The profound mutualistic symbiosis between corals and their endosymbiotic counterparts, Symbiodiniaceae algae, has been threatened by the increase in seawater temperatures, leading to breakdown of the symbiotic relationship-coral bleaching. To characterize the heat-stress response of the holobiont, we generated vital apo-symbiotic Euphylliaparadivisa corals that lacked the endosymbiotic algae. Using RNA sequencing, we analyzed the gene expression of these apo-symbionts vs. symbiotic ones, to test the effect of the algal presence on the tolerance of the coral. We utilized literature-derived lists of "symbiosis differentially expressed genes" and "coral heat-stress genes" in order to compare between the treatments. The symbiotic and apo-symbiotic samples were segregated into two separate groups with several different enriched gene ontologies. Our findings suggest that the presence of endosymbionts has a greater negative impact on the host than the environmental temperature conditions experienced by the holobiont. The peak of the stress reaction was identified as 28 °C, with the highest number of differentially expressed genes. We suggest that the algal symbionts increase coral holobiont susceptibility to elevated temperatures. Currently, we can only speculate whether coral species, such as E.paradivisa, with the plasticity to also flourish as apo-symbionts, may have a greater chance to withstand the upcoming global climate change challenge.}, }
@article {pmid31407021, year = {2020}, author = {Bockoven, AA and Bondy, EC and Flores, MJ and Kelly, SE and Ravenscraft, AM and Hunter, MS}, title = {What Goes Up Might Come Down: the Spectacular Spread of an Endosymbiont Is Followed by Its Decline a Decade Later.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {79}, number = {2}, pages = {482-494}, pmid = {31407021}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {DEB-1020460//Division of Environmental Biology/ ; IOS-1256905//Division of Integrative Organismal Systems/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Arizona ; Genetic Fitness ; Hemiptera/genetics/*microbiology/*physiology ; *Microbiota ; Rickettsia/*physiology ; Sex Ratio ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Facultative, intracellular bacterial symbionts of arthropods may dramatically affect host biology and reproduction. The length of these symbiont-host associations may be thousands to millions of years, and while symbiont loss is predicted, there have been very few observations of a decline of symbiont infection rates. In a population of the sweet potato whitefly species (Bemisia tabaci MEAM1) in Arizona, USA, we documented the frequency decline of a strain of Rickettsia in the Rickettsia bellii clade from near-fixation in 2011 to 36% of whiteflies infected in 2017. In previous studies, Rickettsia had been shown to increase from 1 to 97% from 2000 to 2006 and remained at high frequency for at least five years. At that time, Rickettsia infection was associated with both fitness benefits and female bias. In the current study, we established matrilines of whiteflies from the field (2016, Rickettsia infection frequency = 58%) and studied (a) Rickettsia vertical transmission, (b) fitness and sex ratios associated with Rickettsia infection, (c) symbiont titer, and (d) bacterial communities within whiteflies. The vertical transmission rate was high, approximately 98%. Rickettsia infection in the matrilines was not associated with fitness benefits or sex ratio bias and appeared to be slightly costly, as more Rickettsia-infected individuals produced non-hatching eggs. Overall, the titer of Rickettsia in the matrilines was lower in 2016 than in the whiteflies collected in 2011, but the titer distribution appeared bimodal, with high- and low-titer lines, and constancy of the average titer within lines over three generations. We found neither association between Rickettsia titer and fitness benefits or sex ratio bias nor evidence that Rickettsia was replaced by another secondary symbiont. The change in the interaction between symbiont and host in 2016 whiteflies may explain the drop in symbiont frequency we observed.}, }
@article {pmid31397213, year = {2019}, author = {Serra, V and Krey, V and Daschkin, C and Cafiso, A and Sassera, D and Maxeiner, HG and Modeo, L and Nicolaus, C and Bandi, C and Bazzocchi, C}, title = {Seropositivity to Midichloria mitochondrii (order Rickettsiales) as a marker to determine the exposure of humans to tick bite.}, journal = {Pathogens and global health}, volume = {113}, number = {4}, pages = {167-172}, pmid = {31397213}, issn = {2047-7732}, mesh = {Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial/*blood ; Bacterial Proteins/*immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Europe/epidemiology ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Ixodes/microbiology/*physiology ; Male ; Rickettsiales/*immunology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Tick Bites/*diagnosis/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Ixodes ricinus is the most common tick species parasitizing humans in Europe, and the main vector of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the causative agent of Lyme disease in the continent. This tick species also harbors the endosymbiont Midichloria mitochondrii, and there is strong evidence that this bacterium is inoculated into the vertebrate host during the blood meal. A high proportion of tick bites remains unnoticed due to rarity of immediate symptoms, implying the risk of occult tick-borne infections in turn a potential risk factor for the onset of chronic-degenerative diseases. Since suitable tools to determine the previous exposure to I. ricinus bites are needed, this work investigated whether seropositivity toward a protein of M. mitochondrii (rFliD) could represent a marker for diagnosis of I. ricinus bite. We screened 274 sera collected from patients from several European countries, at different risk of tick bite, using an ELISA protocol. Our results show a clear trend indicating that positivity to rFliD is higher where the tick bite can be regarded as certain/almost certain, and lower where there is an uncertainty on the bite, with the highest positivity in Lyme patients (47.30%) and the lowest (2.00%) in negative controls. According to the obtained results, M. mitochondrii can be regarded as a useful source of antigens, with the potential to be used to assess the exposure to ticks harboring this bacterium. In prospect, additional antigens from M. mitochondrii and tick salivary glands should be investigated and incorporated in a multi-antigen test for tick bite diagnosis.}, }
@article {pmid31396178, year = {2019}, author = {Trappeniers, K and Matetovici, I and Van Den Abbeele, J and De Vooght, L}, title = {The Tsetse Fly Displays an Attenuated Immune Response to Its Secondary Symbiont, Sodalis glossinidius.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {1650}, pmid = {31396178}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Sodalis glossinidius, a vertically transmitted facultative symbiont of the tsetse fly, is a bacterium in the early/intermediate state of its transition toward symbiosis, representing an important model for investigating how the insect host immune defense response is regulated to allow endosymbionts to establish a chronic infection within their hosts without being eliminated. In this study, we report on the establishment of a tsetse fly line devoid of S. glossinidius only, allowing us to experimentally investigate (i) the complex immunological interactions between a single bacterial species and its host, (ii) how the symbiont population is kept under control, and (iii) the impact of the symbiont on the vector competence of the tsetse fly to transmit the sleeping sickness parasite. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed no difference in the expression of genes involved in innate immune processes between symbiont-harboring (Gmm [Sod+]) and S. glossinidius-free (Gmm [Sod-]) flies. Re-exposure of (Gmm [Sod-]) flies to the endosymbiotic bacterium resulted in a moderate immune response, whereas exposure to pathogenic E. coli or to a close non-insect associated relative of S. glossinidius, i.e., S. praecaptivus, resulted in full immune activation. We also showed that S. glossinidius densities are not affected by experimental activation or suppression of the host immune system, indicating that S. glossinidius is resistant to mounted immune attacks and that the host immune system does not play a major role in controlling S. glossinidius proliferation. Finally, we demonstrate that the absence or presence of S. glossinidius in the tsetse fly does not alter its capacity to mount an immune response to pathogens nor does it affect the fly's susceptibility toward trypanosome infection.}, }
@article {pmid31396100, year = {2019}, author = {Liu, L and Zhang, KJ and Rong, X and Li, YY and Liu, H}, title = {Identification of Wolbachia-Responsive miRNAs in the Small Brown Planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {928}, pmid = {31396100}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Laodelphax striatellus is naturally infected with the Wolbachia strain wStri, which induces strong cytoplasmic incompatibility of its host. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous non-coding small RNAs that play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression at post-transcriptional level in various biological processes. Despite various studies reporting that Wolbachia affects the miRNA expression of their hosts, the molecular mechanism underlying interactions between Wolbachia and their host miRNAs has not been well understood. In order to better understand the impact of Wolbachia infection on its host, we investigated the differentially expressed miRNAs between Wolbachia-infected and Wolbachia-uninfected strains of L. striatellus. Compared with uninfected strains, Wolbachia infection resulted in up-regulation of 18 miRNAs and down-regulation of 6 miRNAs in male, while 25 miRNAs were up-regulated and 15 miRNAs were down-regulated in female. The target genes of these differentially expressed miRNAs involved in immune response regulation, reproduction, redox homeostasis and ecdysteroidogenesis were also annotated in both sexes. We further verified the expression of several significantly differentially expressed miRNAs and their predicted target genes by qRT-PCR method. The results suggested that Wolbachia appears to reduce the expression of genes related to fertility in males and increase the expression of genes related to fecundity in females. At the same time, Wolbachia may enhance the expression of immune-related genes in both sexes. All of the results in this study may be helpful in further exploration of the molecular mechanisms by which Wolbachia affects on its hosts.}, }
@article {pmid31388025, year = {2019}, author = {Lanzoni, O and Plotnikov, A and Khlopko, Y and Munz, G and Petroni, G and Potekhin, A}, title = {The core microbiome of sessile ciliate Stentor coeruleus is not shaped by the environment.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {11356}, pmid = {31388025}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Bacteria/*isolation &amp; purification ; Ciliophora/*microbiology ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; *Environment ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Sewage/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Microbiomes of multicellular organisms are one of the hottest topics in microbiology and physiology, while only few studies addressed bacterial communities associated with protists. Protists are widespread in all environments and can be colonized by plethora of different bacteria, including also human pathogens. The aim of this study was to characterize the prokaryotic community associated with the sessile ciliate Stentor coeruleus. 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding was performed on single cells of S. coeruleus and on their environment, water from the sewage stream. Our results showed that the prokaryotic community composition differed significantly between Stentor cells and their environment. The core microbiome common for all ciliate specimens analyzed could be defined, and it was composed mainly by representatives of bacterial genera which include also potential human pathogens and commensals, such as Neisseria, Streptococcus, Capnocytophaga, Porphyromonas. Numerous 16S rRNA gene contigs belonged to endosymbiont "Candidatus Megaira polyxenophila". Our data suggest that each ciliate cell can be considered as an ecological microniche harboring diverse prokaryotic organisms. Possible benefits for persistence and transmission in nature for bacteria associated with protists are discussed. Our results support the hypothesis that ciliates attract potentially pathogenic bacteria and play the role of natural reservoirs for them.}, }
@article {pmid31382604, year = {2019}, author = {Nobre, T}, title = {Symbiosis in Sustainable Agriculture: Can Olive Fruit Fly Bacterial Microbiome Be Useful in Pest Management?.}, journal = {Microorganisms}, volume = {7}, number = {8}, pages = {}, pmid = {31382604}, issn = {2076-2607}, support = {PTDC/ASP-PLA/30650/2017//Funda&#xe7;&#xe3;o para a Ci&#xea;ncia e a Tecnologia/ ; }, abstract = {The applied importance of symbiosis has been gaining recognition. The relevance of symbiosis has been increasing in agriculture, in developing sustainable practices, including pest management. Insect symbiotic microorganisms' taxonomical and functional diversity is high, and so is the potential of manipulation of these microbial partners in suppressing pest populations. These strategies, which rely on functional organisms inhabiting the insect, are intrinsically less susceptible to external environmental variations and hence likely to overcome some of the challenges posed by climate change. Rates of climate change in the Mediterranean Basin are expected to exceed global trends for most variables, and this warming will also affect olive production and impact the interactions of olives and their main pest, the obligate olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae). This work summarizes the current knowledge on olive fly symbiotic bacteria towards the potential development of symbiosis-based strategies for olive fruit fly control. Particular emphasis is given to Candidatus Erwinia dacicola, an obligate, vertically transmitted endosymbiont that allows the insect to cope with the olive-plant produced defensive compound oleuropein, as a most promising target for a symbiosis disruption approach.}, }
@article {pmid31381563, year = {2019}, author = {Hübner, MP and Koschel, M and Struever, D and Nikolov, V and Frohberger, SJ and Ehrens, A and Fendler, M and Johannes, I and von Geldern, TW and Marsh, K and Turner, JD and Taylor, MJ and Ward, SA and Pfarr, K and Kempf, DJ and Hoerauf, A}, title = {In vivo kinetics of Wolbachia depletion by ABBV-4083 in L. sigmodontis adult worms and microfilariae.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {8}, pages = {e0007636}, pmid = {31381563}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Doxycycline/pharmacology ; Female ; Filariasis ; Filarioidea/drug effects/*microbiology ; Gerbillinae ; Kinetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Microfilariae/drug effects/embryology/*microbiology ; Models, Animal ; Wolbachia/*drug effects/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Depletion of Wolbachia endosymbionts of human pathogenic filariae using 4-6 weeks of doxycycline treatment can lead to permanent sterilization and adult filarial death. We investigated the anti-Wolbachia drug candidate ABBV-4083 in the Litomosoides sigmodontis rodent model to determine Wolbachia depletion kinetics with different regimens. Wolbachia reduction occurred in mice as early as 3 days after the initiation of ABBV-4083 treatment and continued throughout a 10-day treatment period. Importantly, Wolbachia levels continued to decline after a 5-day-treatment from 91.5% to 99.9% during a 3-week washout period. In jirds, two weeks of ABBV-4083 treatment (100mg/kg once-per-day) caused a >99.9% Wolbachia depletion in female adult worms, and the kinetics of Wolbachia depletion were recapitulated in peripheral blood microfilariae. Similar to Wolbachia depletion, inhibition of embryogenesis was time-dependent in ABBV-4083-treated jirds, leading to a complete lack of late embryonic stages (stretched microfilariae) and lack of peripheral microfilariae in 5/6 ABBV-4083-treated jirds by 14 weeks after treatment. Twice daily treatment in comparison to once daily treatment with ABBV-4083 did not significantly improve Wolbachia depletion. Moreover, up to 4 nonconsecutive daily treatments within a 14-dose regimen did not significantly erode Wolbachia depletion. Within the limitations of an animal model that does not fully recapitulate human filarial disease, our studies suggest that Wolbachia depletion should be assessed clinically no earlier than 3-4 weeks after the end of treatment, and that Wolbachia depletion in microfilariae may be a viable surrogate marker for the depletion within adult worms. Furthermore, strict daily adherence to the dosing regimen with anti-Wolbachia candidates may not be required, provided that the full regimen is subsequently completed.}, }
@article {pmid31380084, year = {2019}, author = {Yoshida, K and Sanada-Morimura, S and Huang, SH and Tokuda, M}, title = {Influences of two coexisting endosymbionts, CI-inducing Wolbachia and male-killing Spiroplasma, on the performance of their host Laodelphax striatellus (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {14}, pages = {8214-8224}, pmid = {31380084}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is reported to have the endosymbiont Wolbachia, which shows a strong cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) between infected males and uninfected females. In the 2000s, female-biased L. striatellus populations were found in Taiwan, and this sex ratio distortion was the result of male-killing induced by the infection of another endosymbiont, Spiroplasma. Spiroplasma infection is considered to negatively affect both L. striatellus and Wolbachia because the male-killing halves the offspring of L. striatellus and hinders the spread of Wolbachia infection via CI. Spiroplasma could have traits that increase the fitness of infected L. striatellus and/or coexisting organisms because the coinfection rates of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma were rather high in some areas. In this study, we investigated the influences of the infection of these two endosymbionts on the development, reproduction, and insecticide resistance of L. striatellus in the laboratory. Our results show that the single-infection state of Spiroplasma had a negative influence on the fertility of L. striatellus, while the double-infection state had no significant influence. At late nymphal and adult stages, the abundance of Spiroplasma was lower in the double-infection state than in the single-infection state. In the double-infection state, the reduction of Spiroplasma density may be caused by competition between the two endosymbionts, and the negative influence of Spiroplasma on the fertility of host may be relieved. The resistance of L. striatellus to four insecticides was compared among different infection states of endosymbionts, but Spiroplasma infection did not contribute to increase insecticide resistance. Because positive influences of Spiroplasma infection were not found in terms of the development, reproduction, and insecticide resistance of L. striatellus, other factors improving the fitness of Spiroplasma-infected L. striatellus may be related to the high frequency of double infection in some L. striatellus populations.}, }
@article {pmid31380036, year = {2019}, author = {Su, Q and Wang, X and Ilyas, N and Zhang, F and Yun, Y and Jian, C and Peng, Y}, title = {Combined effects of elevated CO2 concentration and Wolbachia on Hylyphantes graminicola (Araneae: Linyphiidae).}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {12}, pages = {7112-7121}, pmid = {31380036}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in atmosphere is not only a major cause of global warming, but it also adversely affects the ecological diversity of invertebrates. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of elevated CO2 concentration (ambient, 400 ppm and high, 800 ppm) and Wolbachia (Wolbachia-infected, W[+] and Wolbachia-uninfected, W[-]) on Hylyphantes graminicola. The total survival rate, developmental duration, carapace width and length, body weight, sex ratio, net reproductive rate, nutrition content, and enzyme activity in H. graminicola were examined under four treatments: W[-] 400 ppm, W[-] 800 ppm, W[+] 400 ppm, and W[+] 800 ppm. Results showed that Wolbachia-infected spiders had significantly decreased the total developmental duration. Different instars showed variations up to some extent, but no obvious effect was found under elevated CO2 concentration. Total survival rate, sex ratio, and net reproductive rate were not affected by elevated CO2 concentration or Wolbachia infection. The carapace width of Wolbachia-uninfected spiders decreased significantly under elevated CO2 concentration, while the width, length and weight were not significantly affected in Wolbachia-infected spiders reared at ambient CO2 concentration. The levels of protein, specific activities of peroxidase, and amylase were significantly increased under elevated CO2 concentration or Wolbachia-infected spiders, while the total amino content was only increased in Wolbachia-infected spiders. Thus, our current finding suggested that elevated CO2 concentration and Wolbachia enhance nutrient contents and enzyme activity of H. graminicola and decrease development duration hence explore the interactive effects of factors which were responsible for reproduction regulation, but it also gives a theoretical direction for spider's protection in such a dynamic environment. Increased activities of enzymes and nutrients caused by Wolbachia infection aids for better survival of H. graminicola under stress.}, }
@article {pmid31372337, year = {2019}, author = {Monnens, M and Frost, EJ and Clark, M and Sewell, MA and Vanhove, MPM and Artois, T}, title = {Description and ecophysiology of a new species of Syndesmis Silliman, 1881 (Rhabdocoela: Umagillidae) from the sea urchin Evechinus chloroticus (Valenciennes, 1846) Mortensen, 1943 in New Zealand.}, journal = {International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {71-82}, pmid = {31372337}, issn = {2213-2244}, abstract = {A new rhabdocoel of the genus Syndesmis Silliman, 1881 (Umagillidae) is described from the intestine of the New Zealand sea urchin Evechinus chloroticus (Valenciennes, 1846) Mortensen, 1943a. This new species, Syndesmis kurakaikina n. sp., is morphologically distinct and can easily be recognised by its very long (±1 mm) stylet and its bright-red colour. In addition to providing a formal description, we present some observations on reproduction and life history of this new species. Fecundity is comparable to that of other umagillids and the rate of egg production and development increases with temperature. Hatching in this species is induced by intestinal fluids of its host. Relevant to global warming, we assessed the effect of temperature on survival, fecundity, and development. The tests indicate that Syndesmis kurakaikina n. sp. is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures (11-25 °C) and that its temperature optimum lies between 18.0 and 21.5 °C. Egg viability is, however, significantly compromised at the higher end of this temperature range, with expelled egg capsules often being deformed and showing increasingly lower rates of hatching. Given this, a rise in global temperature might increase the risk of Syndesmis kurakaikina n. sp. infecting new hosts and would possibly facilitate the spread of these endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid31369548, year = {2019}, author = {Schneider, DI and Saarman, N and Onyango, MG and Hyseni, C and Opiro, R and Echodu, R and O'Neill, M and Bloch, D and Vigneron, A and Johnson, TJ and Dion, K and Weiss, BL and Opiyo, E and Caccone, A and Aksoy, S}, title = {Spatio-temporal distribution of Spiroplasma infections in the tsetse fly (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) in northern Uganda.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {8}, pages = {e0007340}, pmid = {31369548}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {D43 TW007391/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI068932/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI139525/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Coinfection ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/*microbiology/*veterinary ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/parasitology ; Male ; Prevalence ; Spiroplasma/genetics/*pathogenicity/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Trypanosoma ; Tsetse Flies/*microbiology/parasitology ; Uganda ; Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) are vectors of parasitic trypanosomes, which cause human (HAT) and animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Gff) is the main vector of HAT, where it transmits Gambiense disease in the northwest and Rhodesiense disease in central, southeast and western regions. Endosymbionts can influence transmission efficiency of parasites through their insect vectors via conferring a protective effect against the parasite. It is known that the bacterium Spiroplasma is capable of protecting its Drosophila host from infection with a parasitic nematode. This endosymbiont can also impact its host's population structure via altering host reproductive traits. Here, we used field collections across 26 different Gff sampling sites in northern and western Uganda to investigate the association of Spiroplasma with geographic origin, seasonal conditions, Gff genetic background and sex, and trypanosome infection status. We also investigated the influence of Spiroplasma on Gff vector competence to trypanosome infections under laboratory conditions. Generalized linear models (GLM) showed that Spiroplasma probability was correlated with the geographic origin of Gff host and with the season of collection, with higher prevalence found in flies within the Albert Nile (0.42 vs 0.16) and Achwa River (0.36 vs 0.08) watersheds and with higher prevalence detected in flies collected in the intermediate than wet season. In contrast, there was no significant correlation of Spiroplasma prevalence with Gff host genetic background or sex once geographic origin was accounted for in generalized linear models. Additionally, we found a potential negative correlation of Spiroplasma with trypanosome infection, with only 2% of Spiroplasma infected flies harboring trypanosome co-infections. We also found that in a laboratory line of Gff, parasitic trypanosomes are less likely to colonize the midgut in individuals that harbor Spiroplasma infection. These results indicate that Spiroplasma infections in tsetse may be maintained by not only maternal but also via horizontal transmission routes, and Spiroplasma infections may also have important effects on trypanosome transmission efficiency of the host tsetse. Potential functional effects of Spiroplasma infection in Gff could have impacts on vector control approaches to reduce trypanosome infections.}, }
@article {pmid31362350, year = {2019}, author = {Satjawongvanit, H and Phumee, A and Tiawsirisup, S and Sungpradit, S and Brownell, N and Siriyasatien, P and Preativatanyou, K}, title = {Molecular Analysis of Canine Filaria and Its Wolbachia Endosymbionts in Domestic Dogs Collected from Two Animal University Hospitals in Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand.}, journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {8}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {31362350}, issn = {2076-0817}, abstract = {Canine filariasis is caused by several nematode species, such as Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, Brugia pahangi, Brugia malayi, and Acanthocheilonema reconditum. Zoonotic filariasis is one of the world's neglected tropical diseases. Since 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) has promoted a global filarial eradication program to eliminate filariasis by 2020. Apart from vector control strategies, the infection control of reservoir hosts is necessary for more effective filariasis control. In addition, many studies have reported that Wolbachia is necessary for the development, reproduction, and survival of the filarial nematode. Consequently, the use of antibiotics to kill Wolbachia in nematodes has now become an alternative strategy to control filariasis. Previously, a case of subconjunctival dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria spp. has been reported in a woman who resides in the center of Bangkok, Thailand. Therefore, our study aimed to principally demonstrate the presence of filarial nematodes and Wolbachia bacteria in blood collected from domestic dogs from the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand. A total of 57 blood samples from dogs with suspected dirofilariasis who had visited veterinary clinics in Bangkok were collected. The investigations for the presence of microfilaria were carried out by using both microscopic and molecular examinations. PCR was used as the molecular detection method for the filarial nematodes based on the COI and ITS1 regions. The demonstration of Wolbachia was performed using PCR to amplify the FtsZ gene. All positive samples by PCR were then cloned and sequenced. The results showed that the filarial nematodes were detected in 16 samples (28.07%) using microscopic examinations. The molecular detection of filarial species using COI-PCR revealed that 50 samples (87.72%) were positive; these consisted of 33 (57.89%), 13 (22.81%), and 4 (7.02%) samples for D. immitis, B. pahangi, and B. malayi, respectively. While the ITS1-PCR showed that 41 samples (71.93%) were positive-30 samples (52.63%) were identified as containing D. immitis and 11 samples (19.30%) were identified to have B. pahangi, whereas B. malayi was not detected. Forty-seven samples (82.45%) were positive for Wolbachia DNA and the phylogenetic tree of all positive Wolbachia was classified into the supergroup C clade. This study has established fundamental data on filariasis associated with Wolbachia infection in domestic dogs in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. An extensive survey of dog blood samples would provide valuable epidemiologic data on potential zoonotic filariasis in Thailand. In addition, this information could be used for the future development of more effective prevention and control strategies for canine filariasis in Thailand.}, }
@article {pmid31358202, year = {2019}, author = {Eilenberg, J and Saussure, S and Ben Fekih, I and Jensen, AB and Klingen, I}, title = {Factors driving susceptibility and resistance in aphids that share specialist fungal pathogens.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {33}, number = {}, pages = {91-98}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2019.05.002}, pmid = {31358202}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology/physiology ; Entomophthorales/*pathogenicity ; Female ; Life Cycle Stages ; Poaceae ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Pandora neoaphidis and Entomophthora planchoniana are widespread and important specialist fungal pathogens of aphids in cereals (Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi). The two aphid species share these pathogens and we compare factors influencing susceptibility and resistance. Among factors that may influence susceptibility and resistance are aphid behavior, conspecific versus heterospecific host, aphid morph, life cycle, and presence of protective endosymbionts. It seems that the conspecific host is more susceptible (less resistant) than the heterospecific host, and alates are more susceptible than apterae. We conceptualize the findings in a diagram showing possible transmission in field situations and we pinpoint where there are knowledge gaps.}, }
@article {pmid31358201, year = {2019}, author = {Liu, XD and Guo, HF}, title = {Importance of endosymbionts Wolbachia and Rickettsia in insect resistance development.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {33}, number = {}, pages = {84-90}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2019.05.003}, pmid = {31358201}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Insecta/*microbiology/physiology ; *Insecticide Resistance ; Insecticides/toxicity ; Rickettsia/*physiology ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts play important roles in protecting hosts from environmental stress, such as natural enemies, heat, and toxins. Many insects are infected with the facultative nonessential endosymbionts Wolbachia and Rickettsia, which are the crux in this review, although other relevant symbiont genera will also be treated. Insecticide resistance of hosts can be related to infections with Wolbachia and Rickettsia. These endosymbionts commonly increase host susceptibility to chemical insecticides, but cases of increased resistance also exist. The symbiont-mediated insecticide resistance/susceptibility varies with species of insect, species of symbiont, and chemical compound. Changes in insecticide resistance levels of insects can be associated with fluctuations in population density of endosymbionts. Effects of endosymbionts on host fitness, metabolism, immune system, and gene expression may determine how endosymbionts influence insecticide resistance. A clearer understanding of these interactions can improve our knowledge about drivers of decreasing insecticide resistance.}, }
@article {pmid31346538, year = {2019}, author = {Khanmohammadi, M and Falak, R and Meamar, AR and Arshadi, M and Akhlaghi, L and Razmjou, E}, title = {Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) Isolated from Dirofilaria immitis in Northwest of Iran.}, journal = {Journal of arthropod-borne diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {83-93}, pmid = {31346538}, issn = {2322-1984}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Wolbachia species of Dirofilaria immitis.<br><br>METHODS: Adult filarial nematodes were collected from the cardiovascular and pulmonary arterial systems of naturally infected dogs, which caught in different geographical areas of Meshkin Shahr in Ardabil Province, Iran, during 2017. Dirofilaria immitis genomic DNA were extracted. Phylogenetic analysis for proofing of D. immitis was carried out using cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Afterward, the purified DNA was used to determine the molecular pattern of the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP) gene sequence by PCR.<br><br>RESULTS: Phylogeny and homology studies showed high consistency of the COI gene with the previously-registered sequences for D. immitis. Comparison of DNA sequences revealed no nucleotide variation between them. PCR showed that all of the collected parasites were infected with W. pipientis. The sequence of the WSP gene in Wolbachia species from D. immitis was significantly different from other species of Dirofilaria as well as other filarial species. The maximum homology was observed with the Wolbachia isolated from D. immitis. The greatest distance between WSP nucleotides of Wolbachia species found between D. immitis and those isolated from Onchocerca lupi.<br><br>CONCLUSION: PCR could be a simple but suitable method for detection of Wolbachia species. There is a pattern of host specificity between Wolbachia and Dirofilaria that can be related to ancestral evolutions. The results of this phylogenetic analysis and molecular characterization may help us for better identification of Wolbachia species and understanding of their coevolution.}, }
@article {pmid31346439, year = {2019}, author = {Couper, LI and Kwan, JY and Ma, J and Swei, A}, title = {Drivers and patterns of microbial community assembly in a Lyme disease vector.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {13}, pages = {7768-7779}, pmid = {31346439}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Vector-borne diseases constitute a major global health burden and are increasing in geographic range and prevalence. Mounting evidence has demonstrated that the vector microbiome can impact pathogen dynamics, making the microbiome a focal point in vector-borne disease ecology. However, efforts to generalize preliminary findings across studies and systems and translate these findings into disease control strategies are hindered by a lack of fundamental understanding of the processes shaping the vector microbiome and the interactions therein. Here, we use 16S rRNA sequencing and apply a community ecology framework to analyze microbiome community assembly and interactions in Ixodes pacificus, the Lyme disease vector in the western United States. We find that vertical transmission routes drive population-level patterns in I. pacificus microbial diversity and composition, but that microbial function and overall abundance do not vary over time or between clutches. Further, we find that the I. pacificus microbiome is not strongly structured based on competition but assembles nonrandomly, potentially due to vector-specific filtering processes which largely eliminate all but the dominant endosymbiont, Rickettsia. At the scale of the individual I. pacificus, we find support for a highly limited internal microbial community, and hypothesize that the tick endosymbiont may be the most important component of the vector microbiome in influencing pathogen dynamics.}, }
@article {pmid31340757, year = {2019}, author = {He, Z and Zheng, Y and Yu, WJ and Fang, Y and Mao, B and Wang, YF}, title = {How do Wolbachia modify the Drosophila ovary? New evidences support the "titration-restitution" model for the mechanisms of Wolbachia-induced CI.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {608}, pmid = {31340757}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {31672352//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Cytosol ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Genes, Insect ; Male ; MicroRNAs/genetics ; Ovary/*microbiology ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; RNA-Seq ; Testis/microbiology ; Transcriptome ; Up-Regulation ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is the most common phenotype induced by endosymbiont Wolbachia and results in embryonic lethality when Wolbachia-modified sperm fertilize eggs without Wolbachia. However, eggs carrying the same strain of Wolbachia can rescue this embryonic death, thus producing viable Wolbachia-infected offspring. Hence Wolbachia can be transmitted mainly by hosts' eggs. One of the models explaining CI is "titration-restitution", which hypothesized that Wolbachia titrated-out some factors from the sperm and the Wolbachia in the egg would restitute the factors after fertilization. However, how infected eggs rescue CI and how hosts' eggs ensure the proliferation and transmission of Wolbachia are not well understood.<br><br>RESULTS: By RNA-seq analyses, we first compared the transcription profiles of Drosophila melanogaster adult ovaries with and without the wMel Wolbachia and identified 149 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 116 genes were upregulated and 33 were downregulated by Wolbachia infection. To confirm the results obtained from RNA-seq and to screen genes potentially associated with reproduction, 15 DEGs were selected for quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Thirteen genes showed the same changing trend as RNA-seq analyses. To test whether these genes are associated with CI, we also detected their expression levels in testes. Nine of them exhibited different changing trends in testes from those in ovaries. To investigate how these DEGs were regulated, sRNA sequencing was performed and identified seven microRNAs (miRNAs) that were all upregulated in fly ovaries by Wolbachia infection. Matching of miRNA and mRNA data showed that these seven miRNAs regulated 15 DEGs. Wolbachia-responsive genes in fly ovaries were involved in biological processes including metabolism, transportation, oxidation-reduction, immunity, and development.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons of mRNA and miRNA data from fly ovaries revealed 149 mRNAs and seven miRNAs that exhibit significant changes in expression due to Wolbachia infection. Notably, most of the DEGs showed variation in opposite directions in ovaries versus testes in the presence of Wolbachia, which generally supports the "titration-restitution" model for CI. Furthermore, genes related to metabolism were upregulated, which may benefit maximum proliferation and transmission of Wolbachia. This provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of Wolbachia-induced CI and Wolbachia dependence on host ovaries.}, }
@article {pmid31335437, year = {2019}, author = {Barkati, S and Ndao, M and Libman, M}, title = {Cutaneous leishmaniasis in the 21st century: from the laboratory to the bedside.}, journal = {Current opinion in infectious diseases}, volume = {32}, number = {5}, pages = {419-425}, doi = {10.1097/QCO.0000000000000579}, pmid = {31335437}, issn = {1473-6527}, mesh = {Antiprotozoal Agents/therapeutic use ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine/methods ; Disease Management ; *Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Genotype ; Global Health ; Humans ; Leishmania/classification/*drug effects/genetics/*virology ; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/diagnosis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Neglected Diseases/*epidemiology ; Prognosis ; RNA Viruses/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite modern advances in molecular diagnostic tools and a better understanding of its complex pathophysiology, cutaneous leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, remains a major global health problem. Laboratory methods to inform prognosis and treatment are not widely available, the therapeutic options are limited and have significant adverse effects, and emergence of drug resistance is a further complication. New advances in the understanding of the role of Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) as a prognostic factor, speciation methods and antimicrobial resistance testing and their limitations will be discussed.<br><br>RECENT FINDINGS: LRV, an intracytoplasmic endosymbiont found mostly in Leishmania spp. associated with more severe disease, appears to play a role in modulating the host immune response and has been associated with treatment failure in some Viannia subgenus species. Proper speciation is an important guide to management. However, recent findings have demonstrated significant heterogeneity of results related to differences in genotyping methods.<br><br>SUMMARY: Recognition of the role of LRV in immune modulation and response to treatment along with more accessible tools for its detection to guide management at the bedside should allow a better individualized approach. Improving accessibility and standardization of speciation methods and antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be major goals to improve cutaneous leishmaniasis management in the 21st century.}, }
@article {pmid31334752, year = {2019}, author = {Rejili, M and Msaddak, A and Filali, I and Benabderrahim, MA and Mars, M and Marín, M}, title = {New chromosomal lineages within Microvirga and Bradyrhizobium genera nodulate Lupinus angustifolius growing on different Tunisian soils.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology}, volume = {95}, number = {9}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiz118}, pmid = {31334752}, issn = {1574-6941}, mesh = {Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Bradyrhizobium/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Chromosomes, Bacterial/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Lupinus/*microbiology ; Methylobacteriaceae/classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Phylogeny ; *Plant Root Nodulation ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; Soil Microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Tunisia ; }, abstract = {Thirty-one rhizobial isolates nodulating native Lupinus angustifolius (blue lupine) plants growing in Northern Tunisian soils were isolated and analysed using different chromosomal and symbiotic gene markers. Phylogenetic analyses based on recA partial sequences grouped them into at least five groups: four of them within the genus Bradyrhizobium (26 isolates) and one into the genus Microvirga (5 isolates). Representative strains were analysed by multilocus sequence analysis of three housekeeping genes rrs-recA-glnII and rrs-gyrB-dnaK for Bradyrhizobium and Microvirga isolates, respectively. Based on this analysis, eight isolates clustered with the previously described strains Bradyrhizobium lupini USDA3051 and Bradyrhizobium canariense BTA-1. However, five of the isolates clustered separately and may constitute a new species within the Bradyrhizobium genus. The remaining five isolates were closely related to the strain Microvirga sp. LmiM8 and may constitute a new Microvirga species. The analysis of the nodC gene showed that all Bradyrhizobium strains nodulating blue lupine belong to the symbiovar genistearum, whereas the Microvirga isolates are associated with the symbiovar mediterranense. The results of this study support that the L. angustifolius root nodule symbionts isolated in Northern Tunisia belong mostly to the B. canariense/B. lupini lineages. However, new clades of Bradyrhizobium and Microvirga have been identified as L. angustifolius endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid31329312, year = {2019}, author = {Chan, WY and Peplow, LM and Menéndez, P and Hoffmann, AA and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {The roles of age, parentage and environment on bacterial and algal endosymbiont communities in Acropora corals.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {28}, number = {16}, pages = {3830-3843}, doi = {10.1111/mec.15187}, pmid = {31329312}, issn = {1365-294X}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*microbiology ; Australia ; Bacteria/*classification ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Dinoflagellida/*classification ; Hybridization, Genetic ; Life Cycle Stages ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Species Specificity ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The bacterial and microalgal endosymbiont (Symbiodiniaceae spp.) communities associated with corals have important roles in their health and resilience, yet little is known about the factors driving their succession during early coral life stages. Using 16S rRNA gene and ITS2 metabarcoding, we compared these communities in four Acropora coral species and their hybrids obtained from two laboratory crosses (Acropora tenuis × Acropora loripes and Acropora sarmentosa × Acropora florida) across the parental, recruit (7 months old) and juvenile (2 years old) life stages. We tested whether microbiomes differed between (a) life stages, (b) hybrids and purebreds, and (c) treatment conditions (ambient/elevated temperature and pCO2). Microbial communities of early life stage corals were highly diverse, lacked host specificity and were primarily determined by treatment conditions. Over time, a winnowing process occurred, and distinct microbial communities developed between the two species pair crosses by 2 years of age, irrespective of hybrid or purebred status. These findings suggest that the microbial communities of corals have a period of flexibility prior to adulthood, which can be valuable to future research aimed at the manipulation of coral microbial communities.}, }
@article {pmid31328784, year = {2019}, author = {Muñoz-Gómez, SA and Durnin, K and Eme, L and Paight, C and Lane, CE and Saffo, MB and Slamovits, CH}, title = {Nephromyces Represents a Diverse and Novel Lineage of the Apicomplexa That Has Retained Apicoplasts.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {11}, number = {10}, pages = {2727-2740}, pmid = {31328784}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {R03 AI124092/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Apicomplexa/classification/*genetics ; Apicoplasts/*genetics ; Cell Nucleus/genetics ; *Genome ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways/genetics ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {A most interesting exception within the parasitic Apicomplexa is Nephromyces, an extracellular, probably mutualistic, endosymbiont found living inside molgulid ascidian tunicates (i.e., sea squirts). Even though Nephromyces is now known to be an apicomplexan, many other questions about its nature remain unanswered. To gain further insights into the biology and evolutionary history of this unusual apicomplexan, we aimed to 1) find the precise phylogenetic position of Nephromyces within the Apicomplexa, 2) search for the apicoplast genome of Nephromyces, and 3) infer the major metabolic pathways in the apicoplast of Nephromyces. To do this, we sequenced a metagenome and a metatranscriptome from the molgulid renal sac, the specialized habitat where Nephromyces thrives. Our phylogenetic analyses of conserved nucleus-encoded genes robustly suggest that Nephromyces is a novel lineage sister to the Hematozoa, which comprises both the Haemosporidia (e.g., Plasmodium) and the Piroplasmida (e.g., Babesia and Theileria). Furthermore, a survey of the renal sac metagenome revealed 13 small contigs that closely resemble the genomes of the nonphotosynthetic reduced plastids, or apicoplasts, of other apicomplexans. We show that these apicoplast genomes correspond to a diverse set of most closely related but genetically divergent Nephromyces lineages that co-inhabit a single tunicate host. In addition, the apicoplast of Nephromyces appears to have retained all biosynthetic pathways inferred to have been ancestral to parasitic apicomplexans. Our results shed light on the evolutionary history of the only probably mutualistic apicomplexan known, Nephromyces, and provide context for a better understanding of its life style and intricate symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid31328166, year = {2019}, author = {Van Steenkiste, NWL and Stephenson, I and Herranz, M and Husnik, F and Keeling, PJ and Leander, BS}, title = {A new case of kleptoplasty in animals: Marine flatworms steal functional plastids from diatoms.}, journal = {Science advances}, volume = {5}, number = {7}, pages = {eaaw4337}, pmid = {31328166}, issn = {2375-2548}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aquatic Organisms ; *Diatoms ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Photosynthesis ; Phylogeny ; Plastids/*genetics/ultrastructure ; Platyhelminths/classification/*physiology ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {To date, sea slugs have been considered the only animals known to sequester functional algal plastids into their own cells, via a process called "kleptoplasty." We report here, however, that endosymbionts in the marine flatworms Baicalellia solaris and Pogaina paranygulgus are isolated plastids stolen from diatoms. Ultrastructural data show that kleptoplasts are located within flatworm cells, while algal nuclei and other organelles are absent. Transcriptomic analysis and rbcL amplicons confirm the absence of algal nuclear mRNA and reveal that the plastids originate from different species of diatoms. Laboratory experiments demonstrated photosynthetic activity and short-term retention of kleptoplasts in starved worms. This lineage of flatworms represents the first known case of functional kleptoplasty involving diatoms and only the second known case of kleptoplasty across the entire tree of animals.}, }
@article {pmid31323841, year = {2019}, author = {Bakowski, MA and McNamara, CW}, title = {Advances in Antiwolbachial Drug Discovery for Treatment of Parasitic Filarial Worm Infections.}, journal = {Tropical medicine and infectious disease}, volume = {4}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {31323841}, issn = {2414-6366}, abstract = {The intracellular bacteria now known as Wolbachia were first described in filarial worms in the 1970s, but the idea of Wolbachia being used as a macrofilaricidal target did not gain wide attention until the early 2000s, with research in filariae suggesting the requirement of worms for the endosymbiont. This new-found interest prompted the eventual organization of the Anti-Wolbachia Consortium (A-WOL) at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, who, among others have been active in the field of antiwolbachial drug discovery to treat filarial infections. Clinical proof of concept studies using doxycycline demonstrated the utility of the antiwolbachial therapy, but efficacious treatments were of long duration and not safe for all infected. With the advance of robotics, automation, and high-speed computing, the search for superior antiwolbachials shifted away from smaller studies with a select number of antibiotics to high-throughput screening approaches, centered largely around cell-based phenotypic screens due to the rather limited knowledge about, and tools available to manipulate, this bacterium. A concomitant effort was put towards developing validation approaches and in vivo models supporting drug discovery efforts. In this review, we summarize the strategies behind and outcomes of recent large phenotypic screens published within the last 5 years, hit compound validation approaches and promising candidates with profiles superior to doxycycline, including ones positioned to advance into clinical trials for treatment of filarial worm infections.}, }
@article {pmid31312027, year = {2019}, author = {Macher, JN and Speksnijder, A and Choo, LQ and van der Hoorn, B and Renema, W}, title = {Uncovering bacterial and functional diversity in macroinvertebrate mitochondrial-metagenomic datasets by differential centrifugation.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {10257}, pmid = {31312027}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics ; *Biodiversity ; Centrifugation/methods ; Databases, Genetic ; Invertebrates/genetics/*microbiology ; *Metagenome ; Metagenomics/methods ; Mitochondria/genetics ; }, abstract = {PCR-free techniques such as meta-mitogenomics (MMG) can recover taxonomic composition of macroinvertebrate communities, but suffer from low efficiency, as >90% of sequencing data is mostly uninformative due to the great abundance of nuclear DNA that cannot be identified with current reference databases. Current MMG studies do not routinely check data for information on macroinvertebrate-associated bacteria and gene functions. However, this could greatly increase the efficiency of MMG studies by revealing yet overlooked diversity within ecosystems and making currently unused data available for ecological studies. By analysing six 'mock' communities, each containing three macroinvertebrate taxa, we tested whether this additional data on bacterial taxa and functional potential of communities can be extracted from MMG datasets. Further, we tested whether differential centrifugation, which is known to greatly increase efficiency of macroinvertebrate MMG studies by enriching for mitochondria, impacts on the inferred bacterial community composition. Our results show that macroinvertebrate MMG datasets contain a high number of mostly endosymbiont bacterial taxa and associated gene functions. Centrifugation reduced both the absolute and relative abundance of highly abundant Gammaproteobacteria, thereby facilitating detection of rare taxa and functions. When analysing both taxa and gene functions, the number of features obtained from the MMG dataset increased 31-fold ('enriched') respectively 234-fold ('not enriched'). We conclude that analysing MMG datasets for bacteria and gene functions greatly increases the amount of information available and facilitates the use of shotgun metagenomic techniques for future studies on biodiversity.}, }
@article {pmid31311477, year = {2019}, author = {Boscaro, V and Husnik, F and Vannini, C and Keeling, PJ}, title = {Symbionts of the ciliate Euplotes: diversity, patterns and potential as models for bacteria-eukaryote endosymbioses.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {286}, number = {1907}, pages = {20190693}, pmid = {31311477}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Burkholderiaceae/classification/genetics/*physiology ; Euplotes/*microbiology ; Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Bacterial/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbioses between bacteria and eukaryotes are enormously important in ecology and evolution, and as such are intensely studied. Despite this, the range of investigated hosts is narrow in the context of the whole eukaryotic tree of life: most of the information pertains to animal hosts, while most of the diversity is found in unicellular protists. A prominent case study is the ciliate Euplotes, which has repeatedly taken up the bacterium Polynucleobacter from the environment, triggering its transformation into obligate endosymbiont. This multiple origin makes the relationship an excellent model to understand recent symbioses, but Euplotes may host bacteria other than Polynucleobacter, and a more detailed knowledge of these additional interactions is needed in order to correctly interpret the system. Here, we present the first systematic survey of Euplotes endosymbionts, adopting a classical as well as a metagenomic approach, and review the state of knowledge. The emerging picture is indeed quite complex, with some Euplotes harbouring rich, stable prokaryotic communities not unlike those of multicellular animals. We provide insights into the distribution, evolution and diversity of these symbionts (including the establishment of six novel bacterial taxa), and outline differences and similarities with the most well-understood group of eukaryotic hosts: insects.}, }
@article {pmid31306759, year = {2019}, author = {Chen, H and Wang, M and Zhang, H and Wang, H and Lv, Z and Zhou, L and Zhong, Z and Lian, C and Cao, L and Li, C}, title = {An LRR-domain containing protein identified in Bathymodiolus platifrons serves as intracellular recognition receptor for the endosymbiotic methane-oxidation bacteria.}, journal = {Fish &amp; shellfish immunology}, volume = {93}, number = {}, pages = {354-360}, doi = {10.1016/j.fsi.2019.07.032}, pmid = {31306759}, issn = {1095-9947}, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation/*immunology ; Immunity, Innate/*genetics ; Mytilidae/*genetics/*immunology ; Phylogeny ; Receptors, Pattern Recognition/chemistry/*genetics/*immunology ; Sequence Alignment ; }, abstract = {As domain species in seep and vent ecosystem, Bathymodioline mussels has been regarded as a model organism in investigating deep sea chemosymbiosis. However, mechanisms underlying their symbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria, especially how the host recognizes symbionts, have remained largely unsolved. In the present study, a modified pull-down assay was conducted using enriched symbiotic methane-oxidation bacteria as bait and gill proteins of Bathymodiolus platifrons as a target to isolate pattern recognition receptors involved in the immune recognition of symbionts. As a result, a total of 47 proteins including BpLRR-1 were identified from the pull-down assay. It was found that complete cDNA sequence of BpLRR-1 contained an open reading frame of 1479 bp and could encode a protein of 492 amino acid residues with no signal peptide or transmembrane region but eight LRR motif and two EFh motif. The binding patterns of BpLRR-1 against microbial associated molecular patterns were subsequently investigated by surface plasmon resonance analysis and LPS pull-down assay. Consequently, BpLRR-1 was found with high binding affinity with LPS and suggested as a key molecule in recognizing symbionts. Besides, transcripts of BpLRR-1 were found decreased significantly during symbiont depletion assay yet increased rigorously during symbionts or nonsymbiotic Vibrio alginolyticus challenge, further demonstrating its participation in the chemosynthetic symbiosis. Collectively, these results suggest that BpLRR-1 could serve as an intracellular recognition receptor for the endosymbionts, providing new hints for understanding the immune recognition in symbiosis of B. platifrons.}, }
@article {pmid31303231, year = {2019}, author = {Koh, FX and Nurhidayah, MN and Tan, PE and Kho, KL and Tay, ST}, title = {Francisella spp. detected in Dermacentor ticks in Malaysian forest reserve areas.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports}, volume = {17}, number = {}, pages = {100315}, doi = {10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100315}, pmid = {31303231}, issn = {2405-9390}, mesh = {Animals ; Arachnid Vectors/*microbiology ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/parasitology ; DNA/chemistry/isolation &amp; purification ; DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry ; Dermacentor/*microbiology ; Female ; Forests ; Francisella/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/microbiology/*transmission ; Malaysia ; Male ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rhipicephalus/microbiology ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases/parasitology ; Tick Infestations/parasitology/veterinary ; Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/*transmission ; Tularemia/microbiology/transmission ; }, abstract = {Limited information is available on tropical ticks and tick-borne bacteria affecting the health of humans and animals in the Southeast Asia region. Francisella tularensis is a tick-borne bacterium which causes a potentially life-threatening disease known as tularemia. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of Francisella spp. in questing ticks collected from Malaysian forest reserve areas. A total of 106 ticks (mainly Dermacentor and Haemaphysalis spp.) were examined for Francisella DNA using a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the bacterial 16S rDNA. Francisella DNA was detected from 12 Dermacentor ticks. Sequence analysis of the amplified 16S rDNA sequences (1035 bp) show >99% identity with that of Francisella endosymbiont reported in a tick from Thailand. A dendrogram constructed based on the bacterial 16S rDNA shows that the Francisella spp. were distantly related to the pathogenic strains of F. tularensis. Three Francisella-positive ticks were identified as Dermacentor atrosignatus, based on sequence analysis of the tick mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Further screening of cattle and sheep ticks (Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Rhipicephalus microplus) and animal samples (cattle, sheep, and goats) did not yield any positive findings. Our findings provide the first molecular data on the occurrence of a Francisella strain with unknown pathogenicity in Dermacentor questing ticks in Malaysia.}, }
@article {pmid31300838, year = {2020}, author = {White, JA and Styer, A and Rosenwald, LC and Curry, MM and Welch, KD and Athey, KJ and Chapman, EG}, title = {Endosymbiotic Bacteria Are Prevalent and Diverse in Agricultural Spiders.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {79}, number = {2}, pages = {472-481}, pmid = {31300838}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {0224651//U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; 148-502-16-377//Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation/ ; 148-502-10-261//Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Bacteriological Techniques/*methods ; Entomology/*methods ; Food Deprivation ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Kentucky ; *Microbiota/genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spiders/*microbiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts are common in arthropods, but their distribution and prevalence are poorly characterized in many host taxa. Initial surveys have suggested that vertically transmitted symbionts may be particularly common in spiders (Araneae). Here, we used diagnostic PCR and high-throughput sequencing to evaluate symbiont infection in 267 individual spiders representing 14 species (3 families) of agricultural spiders. We found 27 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that are likely endosymbiotic, including multiple strains of Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Cardinium, which are all vertically transmitted and frequently associated with reproductive manipulation of arthropod hosts. Additional strains included Rickettsiella, Spiroplasma, Rhabdochlamydia, and a novel Rickettsiales, all of which could range from pathogenic to mutualistic in their effects upon their hosts. Seventy percent of spider species had individuals that tested positive for one or more endosymbiotic OTUs, and specimens frequently contained multiple symbiotic strain types. The most symbiont-rich species, Idionella rugosa, had eight endosymbiotic OTUs, with as many as five present in the same specimen. Individual specimens within infected spider species had a variety of symbiotypes, differing from one another in the presence or absence of symbiotic strains. Our sample included both starved and unstarved specimens, and dominant bacterial OTUs were consistent per host species, regardless of feeding status. We conclude that spiders contain a remarkably diverse symbiotic microbiota. Spiders would be an informative group for investigating endosymbiont population dynamics in time and space, and unstarved specimens collected for other purposes (e.g., food web studies) could be used, with caution, for such investigations.}, }
@article {pmid31288476, year = {2019}, author = {Oborník, M}, title = {Endosymbiotic Evolution of Algae, Secondary Heterotrophy and Parasitism.}, journal = {Biomolecules}, volume = {9}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {31288476}, issn = {2218-273X}, mesh = {*Chlorophyta/metabolism/microbiology ; Electron Transport ; Heterotrophic Processes ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Photosynthesis is a biochemical process essential for life, serving as the ultimate source of chemical energy for phototrophic and heterotrophic life forms. Since the machinery of the photosynthetic electron transport chain is quite complex and is unlikely to have evolved multiple independent times, it is believed that this machinery has been transferred to diverse eukaryotic organisms by endosymbiotic events involving a eukaryotic host and a phototrophic endosymbiont. Thus, photoautotrophy, as a benefit, is transmitted through the evolution of plastids. However, many eukaryotes became secondarily heterotrophic, reverting to hetero-osmotrophy, phagotrophy, or parasitism. Here, I briefly review the constructive evolution of plastid endosymbioses and the consequential switch to reductive evolution involving losses of photosynthesis and plastids and the evolution of parasitism from a photosynthetic ancestor.}, }
@article {pmid31283888, year = {2019}, author = {Harish, ER and ManiChellappan,  and MakeshKumar, T and Mathew, D and Ranjith, MT and Girija, D}, title = {Next-generation sequencing reveals endosymbiont variability in cassava whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, across the agro-ecological zones of Kerala, India.}, journal = {Genome}, volume = {62}, number = {9}, pages = {571-584}, doi = {10.1139/gen-2018-0050}, pmid = {31283888}, issn = {1480-3321}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/isolation &amp; purification ; DNA, Bacterial ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; India ; Manihot/*parasitology ; Molecular Typing ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is one of the most notorious invasive insect pests, infesting more than 900 species of plants and spreading more than 200 viral diseases. This polyphagous agricultural pest harbours diverse bacterial communities in its gut, which perform multiple functions in whiteflies, including nutrient provisioning, amino acid biosynthesis, and virus transmission. The present exploratory study compares the bacterial communities associated with silverleaf whitefly infesting cassava, also known as cassava whitefly, collected from two different zones (zone P: plains; zone H: high ranges), from Kerala, India, using next-generation sequencing of 16S rDNA. The data sets for these two regions consisted of 1 321 906 and 690 661 high-quality paired-end sequences with mean length of 150 bp. Highly diverse bacterial communities were present in the sample, containing approximately 3513 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Sequence analysis showed a marked difference in the relative abundance of bacteria in the populations. A total of 16 bacterial phyla, 27 classes, 56 orders, 91 families, 236 genera, and 409 species were identified from the P population, against 16, 31, 60, 88, 225, and 355, respectively, in the H population. Arsenophonus sp. (Enterobacteriaceae), which is important for virus transmission by whiteflies, was relatively abundant in the P population, whereas in the H population Bacillus sp. was the most dominant group. The association of whitefly biotypes and secondary symbionts suggests a possible contribution of these bacteria to host characteristics such as virus transmission, host range, insecticide resistance, and speciation.}, }
@article {pmid31283172, year = {2019}, author = {Niehs, SP and Dose, B and Scherlach, K and Pidot, SJ and Stinear, TP and Hertweck, C}, title = {Genome Mining Reveals Endopyrroles from a Nonribosomal Peptide Assembly Line Triggered in Fungal-Bacterial Symbiosis.}, journal = {ACS chemical biology}, volume = {14}, number = {8}, pages = {1811-1818}, doi = {10.1021/acschembio.9b00406}, pmid = {31283172}, issn = {1554-8937}, mesh = {Burkholderiaceae/genetics/metabolism ; Depsipeptides/*biosynthesis ; Genome, Bacterial/physiology ; Genomics/methods ; Multigene Family/physiology ; Proof of Concept Study ; Pyrroles/*metabolism ; Rhizopus/metabolism ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The bacterial endosymbiont (Burkholderia rhizoxinica) of the rice seedling blight fungus (Rhizopus microsporus) harbors a large number of cryptic biosynthesis gene clusters. Genome mining and sequence similarity networks based on an encoded nonribosomal peptide assembly line and the associated pyrrole-forming enzymes in the symbiont indicated that the encoded metabolites are unique among a large number of tentative pyrrole natural products in diverse and unrelated bacterial phyla. By performing comparative metabolic profiling using a mutant generated with an improved pheS Burkholderia counterselection marker, we found that the symbionts' biosynthetic pathway is mainly activated under salt stress and exclusively in symbiosis with the fungal host. The cryptic metabolites were fully characterized as novel pyrrole-substituted depsipeptides (endopyrroles). A broader survey showed that endopyrrole production is a hallmark of geographically distant endofungal bacteria, which produce the peptides solely under symbiotic conditions.}, }
@article {pmid31269657, year = {2019}, author = {van Oers, MM and Eilenberg, J}, title = {Mechanisms Underlying the Transmission of Insect Pathogens.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {10}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {31269657}, issn = {2075-4450}, abstract = {In this special issue the focus is on the factors and (molecular) mechanisms that determine the transmission efficiency of a variety of insect pathogens in a number of insect hosts. In this editorial, we summarize the main findings of the twelve papers in this special issue and conclude that much more needs to be learned for an in-depth understanding of pathogen transmission in field and cultured insect populations. Analyses of mutual interactions between pathogens or between endosymbionts and pathogens, aspects rather under-represented in the scientific literature, are described in a number of contributions to this special issue.}, }
@article {pmid31265751, year = {2020}, author = {Yang, K and Xie, K and Zhu, YX and Huo, SM and Hoffmann, A and Hong, XY}, title = {Wolbachia dominate Spiroplasma in the co-infected spider mite Tetranychus truncatus.}, journal = {Insect molecular biology}, volume = {29}, number = {1}, pages = {19-37}, doi = {10.1111/imb.12607}, pmid = {31265751}, issn = {1365-2583}, mesh = {Animals ; Coinfection/microbiology ; Female ; Fertility ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Male ; Spiroplasma/*physiology ; Symbiosis ; Tetranychidae/genetics/metabolism/*microbiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia and Spiroplasma are both maternally inherited endosymbionts in arthropods, and they can co-infect the same species. However, how they interact with each other in the same host is not clear. Here we investigate a co-infected Tetranychus truncatus spider mite strain that shares the same genetic background with singly infected and uninfected strains to detect the impacts of the two symbionts on their host. We found that Wolbachia-infected and Spiroplasma-infected mites can suffer significant fitness costs involving decreased fecundity, although with no effect on lifespan or development. Wolbachia induced incomplete cytoplasmic incompatibility in T. truncatus both in singly infected and doubly infected strains, resulting in female killing. In both females and males of the co-infected spider mite strain, Wolbachia density was higher than Spiroplasma density. Transcriptome analysis of female adults showed that the most differentially expressed genes were found between the co-infected strain and both the singly infected Spiroplasma strain and uninfected strain. The Wolbachia strain had the fewest differentially expressed genes compared with the co-infected strain, consistent with the higher density of Wolbachia in the co-infected strain. Wolbachia, therefore, appears to have a competitive advantage in host mites over Spiroplasma and is likely maintained in populations by cytoplasmic incompatibility despite having deleterious fitness effects.}, }
@article {pmid31263246, year = {2019}, author = {van Oppen, MJH and Blackall, LL}, title = {Coral microbiome dynamics, functions and design in a changing world.}, journal = {Nature reviews. Microbiology}, volume = {17}, number = {9}, pages = {557-567}, doi = {10.1038/s41579-019-0223-4}, pmid = {31263246}, issn = {1740-1534}, mesh = {Adaptation, Physiological ; Animals ; Anthozoa/*microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/*growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification ; Global Warming ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; *Microbiota ; }, abstract = {Corals associate not only with dinoflagellates, which are their algal endosymbionts and which have been extensively studied over the past four decades, but also with a variety of other microorganisms. The coral microbiome includes dinoflagellates, viruses, fungi, archaea and bacteria, with knowledge of the latter growing rapidly. This Review focuses on the bacterial members of the coral microbiome and draws parallels with better-studied microbiomes in other biological systems. We synthesize current understanding of spatial, temporal and host-specific patterns in coral-associated bacterial communities, the drivers shaping these patterns, and the role of the microbiome in acclimatization and adaptation of the host to climate warming. We discuss how this knowledge can be harnessed to assist the future persistence of coral reefs and provide novel perspectives for the development of microbiome engineering and its implications for coral reef conservation and restoration.}, }
@article {pmid31251761, year = {2019}, author = {Carballo-Bolaños, R and Denis, V and Huang, YY and Keshavmurthy, S and Chen, CA}, title = {Temporal variation and photochemical efficiency of species in Symbiodinaceae associated with coral Leptoria phrygia (Scleractinia; Merulinidae) exposed to contrasting temperature regimes.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {14}, number = {6}, pages = {e0218801}, pmid = {31251761}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Acclimatization ; Alveolata/chemistry/*classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Anthozoa/*parasitology ; Chlorophyll A/*metabolism ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Symbiosis ; Taiwan ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {The Symbiodinaceae are paradoxical in that they play a fundamental role in the success of scleractinian corals, but also in their dismissal when under stress. In the past decades, the discovery of the endosymbiont's genetic and functional diversity has led people to hope that some coral species can survive bleaching events by associating with a stress-resistant symbiont that can become dominant when seawater temperatures increase. The variety of individual responses encouraged us to scrutinize each species individually to gauge its resilience to future changes. Here, we analyse the temporal variation in the Symbiodinaceae community associated with Leptoria phrygia, a common scleractinian coral from the Indo-Pacific. Coral colonies were sampled from two distant reef sites located in southern Taiwan that differ in temperature regimes, exemplifying a 'variable site' (VS) and a 'steady site' (SS). We investigated changes in the relative abundance of the dominant symbiont and its physiology every 3-4 months from 2016-2017. At VS, 11 of the 12 colonies were dominated by the stress-resistant Durusdinium spp. (>90% dominance) and only one colony exhibited co-dominance between Durusdinium spp. and Cladocopium spp. Every colony displayed high photochemical efficiency across all sampling periods, while showing temporal differences in symbiont density and chlorophyll a concentration. At SS, seven colonies out of 13 were dominated by Cladocopium spp., five presented co-dominance between Durusdinium spp./Cladocopium spp. and only one was dominated by Durusdinium spp. Colonies showed temporal differences in photochemical efficiency and chlorophyll a concentration during the study period. Our results suggest that VS colonies responded physiologically better to high temperature variability by associating with Durusdinium spp., while in SS there is still inter-colonial variability, a feature that might be advantageous for coping with different environmental changes.}, }
@article {pmid31247412, year = {2019}, author = {Sicard, M and Bonneau, M and Weill, M}, title = {Wolbachia prevalence, diversity, and ability to induce cytoplasmic incompatibility in mosquitoes.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {34}, number = {}, pages = {12-20}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2019.02.005}, pmid = {31247412}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; Culicidae/*microbiology ; Female ; Genes, Bacterial ; Male ; *Mosquito Control ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {To protect humans and domestic animals from mosquito borne diseases, alternative methods to chemical insecticides have to be found. Pilot studies using the vertically transmitted bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia were already launched in different parts of the world. Wolbachia can be used either in Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT), to decrease mosquito population, or to decrease the ability of mosquitoes to transmit pathogens. Not all mosquito species are naturally infected with Wolbachia: while in Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus almost all individuals harbor Wolbachia, putative infections have to be further investigated in Anopheles species and in Aedes aegypti. All Wolbachia-based control methods rely on the ability of Wolbachia to induce cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) resulting in embryonic death in incompatible crossings. Knowledge on CI diversity in mosquito is required to find the better Wolbachia-mosquito associations to optimize the success of both 'sterile insect' and 'pathogen blocking' Wolbachia-based methods.}, }
@article {pmid31242223, year = {2019}, author = {Mobasseri, M and Hutchinson, MC and Afshar, FJ and Pedram, M}, title = {New evidence of nematode-endosymbiont bacteria coevolution based on one new and one known dagger nematode species of Xiphinema americanum-group (Nematoda, Longidoridae).}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {14}, number = {6}, pages = {e0217506}, pmid = {31242223}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics ; *Nematoda/genetics/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Three populations of Xiphinema primum n. sp. and two populations of X. pachtaicum were recovered from natural forests and cultural regions of northern Iran. Both species belong to the X. americanum-group and were characterized by their morphological, morphometric and molecular data. The new species, which was recovered in three locations, belongs to the X. brevicolle-complex and is characterized by 2124-2981 μm long females with a widely rounded lip region separated from the rest of the body by a depression, 103-125 μm long odontostyle, two equally developed genital branches with endosymbiont bacteria inside the ovary, which are visible under light microscope (LM), vulva located at 51.8-58.0%, the tail is 26-37 μm long with a bluntly rounded end and four juvenile developmental stages. It was morphologically compared with nine similar species viz. X. brevicolle, X. diffusum, X. incognitum, X. himalayense, X. luci, X. parabrevicolle, X. paramonovi, X. parataylori and X. taylori. The second species, X. pachtaicum, was recovered in two geographically distant points close to city of Amol. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the new species were performed using partial sequences of the D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU rDNA D2-D3), the internal-transcribed spacer rDNA (ITS = ITS1+5.8S+ITS2), and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI mtDNA) regions. The Iranian population of X. pachtaicum was also phylogenetically studied based upon its LSU rDNA D2-D3 sequences. Both species were also inspected for their putative endosymbiont bacteria. Candidatus Xiphinematobacter sp. was detected from two examined populations of the new species, whereas the second endosymbiont bacterium, detected from three examined isolates of X. pachtaicum, was related to the plant and fungal endosymbionts of the family Burkholderiaceae. The phylogenetic analyses of the two endosymbiont bacteria were performed using partial sequences of 16S rDNA. In cophylogenetic analyses, significant levels of cophylogenetic signal were observed using both LSU rDNA D2-D3 and COI mtDNA markers of the host nematodes and 16S rDNA marker of the endosymbiont bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid31234774, year = {2019}, author = {Thapa, S and Zhang, Y and Allen, MS}, title = {Bacterial microbiomes of Ixodes scapularis ticks collected from Massachusetts and Texas, USA.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {138}, pmid = {31234774}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Dogs/microbiology ; Female ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/*methods ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; Male ; Massachusetts ; Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; Phylogeography ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/*genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods ; Sex Characteristics ; Texas ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is the primary vector of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi in North America. Though the tick is found across the eastern United States, Lyme disease is endemic to the northeast and upper midwest and rare or absent in the southern portion of the vector's range. In an effort to better understand the tick microbiome from diverse geographic and climatic regions, we analysed the bacterial community of 115 I. scapularis adults collected from vegetation in Texas and Massachusetts, representing extreme ends of the vector's range, by massively parallel sequencing of the 16S V4 rRNA gene. In addition, 7 female I. scapularis collected from dogs in Texas were included in the study.<br><br>RESULTS: Male I. scapularis ticks had a more diverse bacterial microbiome in comparison to the female ticks. Rickettsia spp. dominated the microbiomes of field-collected female I. scapularis from both regions, as well as half of the males from Texas. In addition, the male and female ticks captured from Massachusetts contained high proportions of the pathogens Anaplasma and Borrelia, as well as the arthropod endosymbiont Wolbachia. None of these were found in libraries generated from ticks collected in Texas. Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Mycobacterium were significantly differently abundant (p&#x2009;<&#xa0;0.05) between the male ticks from Massachusetts and Texas. Anaplasma and Borrelia were found in 15 and 63% of the 62 Massachusetts ticks, respectively, with a co-infection rate of 11%. Female ticks collected from Texas dogs were particularly diverse, and contained several genera including Rickettsia, Pseudomonas, Bradyrhizobium, Sediminibacterium, and Ralstonia.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the bacterial microbiomes of I. scapularis ticks vary by sex and geography, with significantly more diversity in male microbiomes compared to females. We found that sex plays a larger role than geography in shaping the composition/diversity of the I. scapularis microbiome, but that geography affects what additional taxa are represented (beyond Rickettsia) and whether pathogens are found. Furthermore, recent feeding may have a role in shaping the tick microbiome, as evident from a more complex bacterial community in female ticks from dogs compared to the wild-caught questing females. These findings may provide further insight into the differences in the ability of the ticks to acquire, maintain and transmit pathogens. Future studies on possible causes and consequences of these differences will shed additional light on tick microbiome biology and vector competence.}, }
@article {pmid31232527, year = {2020}, author = {Headley, SA and Viana, NE and Michelazzo, MMZ and Xavier, AAC and Costa, CJS and de Pinho, FHO and Dos Santos, MD}, title = {Neorickettsia helminthoeca associated lymphoid, enteric, and pulmonary lesions in dogs from Southern Brazil: An immunohistochemical study.}, journal = {Transboundary and emerging diseases}, volume = {67 Suppl 2}, number = {}, pages = {49-59}, doi = {10.1111/tbed.13194}, pmid = {31232527}, issn = {1865-1682}, support = {//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; //Coordena&#xe7;&#xe3;o de Aperfei&#xe7;oamento de Pessoal de N&#xed;vel Superior/ ; }, mesh = {Anaplasmataceae Infections/*veterinary ; Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial/blood ; Antibodies, Viral/blood ; Antigens, Bacterial/immunology ; Brazil/epidemiology ; Cross Reactions ; Distemper Virus, Canine/immunology ; Dog Diseases/epidemiology/immunology/*microbiology ; Dogs ; Female ; Gastroenteritis/epidemiology/immunology/microbiology/*veterinary ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Diseases/epidemiology/immunology/microbiology/*veterinary ; Lymphatic Diseases/epidemiology/immunology/microbiology/*veterinary ; Male ; Neorickettsia/immunology/*isolation &amp; purification ; Parvovirus, Canine/immunology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Neorickettsia helminthoeca (NH), the agent of salmon poisoning disease or canine neorickettiosis (CN), is a bacterial endosymbiont of the nematode Nanophyetus salmincola, and infections are spreading among specific fish-eating mammalians. This article describes the pathologic and immunohistochemical findings associated with spontaneous NH-induced infections in dogs from Southern Brazil. The principal pathologic findings were hypertrophy of Peyer patches and lymphadenopathy with lymphocytic proliferation, chronic interstitial pneumonia, and chronic enteritis associated with positive intralesional immunoreactivity to antigens of NH within macrophages and histiocytes. Positive immunoreactivity against canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) or/and canine distemper virus was not detected in the evaluated intestinal segments or in the samples from the cerebellum and lungs, respectively, from the dogs evaluated. These findings demonstrated that NH was involved in the enteric, pulmonary, and lymphoid lesions herein described, and provide additional information to confirm the occurrence of this bacterial endosymbiont within this geographical location. It is proposed that chronic pneumonia should be considered as a pathologic manifestation of NH-induced infections. Additionally, our results show that the occurrences of CN seem to be underdiagnosed in Southern Brazil due to the confusion with the incidence of CPV-2.}, }
@article {pmid31232523, year = {2020}, author = {Zhao, DX and Zhang, ZC and Niu, HT and Guo, HF}, title = {Selective and stable elimination of endosymbionts from multiple-infected whitefly Bemisia tabaci by feeding on a cotton plant cultured in antibiotic solutions.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {27}, number = {5}, pages = {964-974}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12703}, pmid = {31232523}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {31701797//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; BE2010342//Key Research and Development Program of Jiangsu Province, China/ ; BK20170598//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China/ ; }, mesh = {Ampicillin/pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Bacteria/*drug effects/growth &amp; development ; China ; Female ; Gossypium/growth &amp; development ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Herbivory ; Rifampin/pharmacology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The maternally heritable endosymbiont provides many ecosystem functions. Antibiotic elimination of a specific symbiont and establishment of experimental host lines lacking certain symbionts enable the roles of a given symbiont to be explored. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) in China harbors obligate symbiont Portiera infecting each individual, as well as facultative symbionts, such as Hamiltonella, Rickettsia and Cardinium, with co-infections occurring relatively frequently. So far no studies have evaluated the selectivity and efficacy of a specific symbiont elimination using antibiotics in whiteflies co-infected with different symbionts. Furthermore, no success has been achieved in establishing certain symbiont-free B. tabaci lines. In this study, we treated Hamiltonella-infected B. tabaci line, Hamiltonella-Rickettsia-co-infected line and Hamiltonella-Cardinium co-infected line by feeding B. tabaci adults with cotton plants cultured in water containing rifampicin, ampicillin or a mixture of them, aiming to selectively curing symbiont infections and establishing stable symbiont-free lines. We found ampicillin selectively eliminated Cardinium without affecting Portiera, Hamiltonella and Rickettsia, although they coexisted in the same host body. Meanwhile, all of the symbionts considered in our study can be removed by rifampicin. The reduction of facultative symbionts occurred at a much quicker pace than obligate symbiont Portiera during rifampicin treatment. Also, we measured the stability of symbiont elimination in whitefly successive generations and established Rickettsia-infected and Cardinium-infected lines which are absent in natural populations. Our results provide new protocols for selective elimination of symbionts co-existing in a host and establishment of different symbiont-infected host lines.}, }
@article {pmid31231971, year = {2020}, author = {Hsi, TE and Hsiao, SW and Minahan, NT and Yen, TY and de Assunção Carvalho, AV and Raoult, D and Fournier, PE and Tsai, KH}, title = {Seroepidemiological and molecular investigation of spotted fever group rickettsiae and Coxiella burnetii in Sao Tome Island: A One Health approach.}, journal = {Transboundary and emerging diseases}, volume = {67 Suppl 2}, number = {}, pages = {36-43}, doi = {10.1111/tbed.13191}, pmid = {31231971}, issn = {1865-1682}, support = {103-2314-B-002-036-MY2//Ministry of Science and Technology Council/ ; //Ministry of Health and Welfare and National Taiwan University Infectious Diseases Research and Education Center/ ; }, mesh = {Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial/blood ; Antigens, Bacterial/immunology ; Cattle ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coxiella burnetii/genetics/immunology/*isolation &amp; purification ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect/veterinary ; Goats ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Islands ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Biology ; One Health ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Q Fever/*epidemiology/veterinary ; RNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsia/genetics/immunology/*isolation &amp; purification ; Sao Tome and Principe/epidemiology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/veterinary ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis/*epidemiology/veterinary ; Tick-Borne Diseases/*epidemiology/veterinary ; Ticks ; }, abstract = {Spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) and Coxiella burnetii are intracellular bacteria that cause potentially life-threatening tick-borne rickettsioses and Q fever respectively. Sao Tome and Principe (STP), small islands located in the Gulf of Guinea, recently experienced a dramatic reduction in the incidence of malaria owing to international collaborative efforts. However, unexplained febrile illnesses persist. A One Health approach was adopted to investigate exposure to SFGR and C. burnetii in humans and examine the diversity of these bacteria in ticks parasitizing domestic ruminants. A cross-sectional human serological study was conducted in Agua Grande district in Sao Tome Island from January to March 2016, and ticks were collected from farmed domestic ruminants in 2012 and 2016. In total, 240 individuals varying in age were randomly screened for exposure to SFGR and C. burnetii by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Twenty of 240 individuals (8.3%) were seropositive for SFGR (4 for Rickettsia africae and 16 for R. conorii) and 16 (6.7%) were seropositive for C. burnetii. Amblyomma astrion were collected exclusively in 2012, as were A. variegatum in 2016 and Rickettsia spp. were detected in 22/42 (52.4%) and 49/60 (81.7%) respectively. Sequence analysis of multiple gene targets from Rickettsia spp. detected in ticks suggests the presence of a single divergent R. africae strain (Sao Tome). While no ticks were found positive for C. burnetii, Coxiella-like endosymbionts were detected in nearly all ticks. This is the first study in STP to provide serological evidence in humans of SFGR and C. burnetii and additional molecular evidence in ticks for SFGR, which may be responsible for some of the unexplained febrile illnesses that persist despite the control of malaria. Future epidemiological studies are needed to confirm the occurrence and risk factors associated with SFG rickettsioses and Q fever in both humans and animals.}, }
@article {pmid31222094, year = {2019}, author = {Mateos, M and Silva, NO and Ramirez, P and Higareda-Alvear, VM and Aramayo, R and Erickson, JW}, title = {Effect of heritable symbionts on maternally-derived embryo transcripts.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {8847}, pmid = {31222094}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {R03 AI078348/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/*embryology/genetics/*microbiology ; Embryo, Nonmammalian/*microbiology ; Female ; Genes, Insect/genetics ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics ; Male ; Phenotype ; RNA, Ribosomal ; Reproduction/genetics ; Ribosome Inactivating Proteins/genetics/physiology ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Spiroplasma/enzymology ; *Symbiosis ; Transcriptome/*genetics ; Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Maternally-transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria are ubiquitous in insects. Among other influential phenotypes, many heritable symbionts of arthropods are notorious for manipulating host reproduction through one of four reproductive syndromes, which are generally exerted during early developmental stages of the host: male feminization; parthenogenesis induction; male killing; and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Major advances have been achieved in understanding mechanisms and identifying symbiont factors involved in reproductive manipulation, particularly male killing and cytoplasmic incompatibility. Nonetheless, whether cytoplasmically-transmitted bacteria influence the maternally-loaded components of the egg or early embryo has not been examined. In the present study, we investigated whether heritable endosymbionts that cause different reproductive phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster influence the mRNA transcriptome of early embryos. We used mRNA-seq to evaluate differential expression in Drosophila embryos lacking endosymbionts (control) to those harbouring the male-killing Spiroplasma poulsonii strain MSRO-Br, the CI-inducing Wolbachia strain wMel, or Spiroplasma poulsonii strain Hyd1; a strain that lacks a reproductive phenotype and is naturally associated with Drosophila hydei. We found no consistent evidence of influence of symbiont on mRNA composition of early embryos, suggesting that the reproductive manipulation mechanism does not involve alteration of maternally-loaded transcripts. In addition, we capitalized on several available mRNA-seq datasets derived from Spiroplasma-infected Drosophila melanogaster embryos, to search for signals of depurination of rRNA, consistent with the activity of Ribosome Inactivating Proteins (RIPs) encoded by Spiroplasma poulsonii. We found small but statistically significant signals of depurination of Drosophila rRNA in the Spiroplasma treatments (both strains), but not in the symbiont-free control or Wolbachia treatment, consistent with the action of RIPs. The depurination signal was slightly stronger in the treatment with the male-killing strain. This result supports a recent report that RIP-induced damage contributes to male embryo death.}, }
@article {pmid31217220, year = {2019}, author = {Day, PM and Inoue, K and Theg, SM}, title = {Chloroplast Outer Membrane β-Barrel Proteins Use Components of the General Import Apparatus.}, journal = {The Plant cell}, volume = {31}, number = {8}, pages = {1845-1855}, pmid = {31217220}, issn = {1532-298X}, mesh = {Arabidopsis/genetics/*metabolism ; Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Chloroplast Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Chloroplasts/*metabolism ; Membrane Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Protein Transport/genetics/physiology ; Nicotiana/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Chloroplasts evolved from a cyanobacterial endosymbiont that resided within a eukaryotic cell. Due to their prokaryotic heritage, chloroplast outer membranes contain transmembrane β-barrel proteins. While most chloroplast proteins use N-terminal transit peptides to enter the chloroplasts through the translocons at the outer and inner chloroplast envelope membranes (TOC/TIC), only one β-barrel protein, Toc75, has been shown to use this pathway. The route other β-barrel proteins use has remained unresolved. Here we use in vitro pea (Pisum sativum) chloroplast import assays and transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana to address this. We show that a paralog of Toc75, outer envelope protein 80 kD (OEP80), also uses a transit peptide but has a distinct envelope sorting signal. Our results additionally indicate that β-barrels that do not use transit peptides also enter the chloroplast using components of the general import pathway.}, }
@article {pmid31214820, year = {2019}, author = {Konecka, E and Olszanowski, Z}, title = {First Evidence of Intracellular Bacteria Cardinium in Thermophilic Mite Microzetorchestes emeryi (Acari: Oribatida): Molecular Screening of Bacterial Endosymbiont Species.}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {76}, number = {9}, pages = {1038-1044}, pmid = {31214820}, issn = {1432-0991}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes/classification/*genetics/*isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Mites/*microbiology/physiology ; Phylogeny ; Poland ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {We undertook the issue of the distribution of intracellular bacteria among Oribatida (Acari). Six genera of bacteria were detected by PCR and Sanger DNA sequencing: Wolbachia, Cardinium, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma, Arsenophonus, and Hamiltonella. Our research, for the first time, revealed the presence of Cardinium in Microzetorchestes emeryi in two subpopulations separated from each other by 300 m. The percentages of infected animals were the same in both subpopulations-ca. 20%. The identity of 16S rDNA sequences of Cardinium between these two subpopulations of M. emeryi was 97%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Cardinium in M. emeryi was clustered into the group A. The occurrence of M. emeryi in Poland has not been reported before and our report is the first one. Cardinium maybe help the thermophilic M. emeryi to adapt to low temperatures in the Central Europe.}, }
@article {pmid31213566, year = {2019}, author = {Van Leuven, JT and Mao, M and Xing, DD and Bennett, GM and McCutcheon, JP}, title = {Cicada Endosymbionts Have tRNAs That Are Correctly Processed Despite Having Genomes That Do Not Encode All of the tRNA Processing Machinery.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {31213566}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {P20 GM104420/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Female ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Protein Modification, Translational ; RNA, Transfer/*genetics ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Gene loss and genome reduction are defining characteristics of endosymbiotic bacteria. The most highly reduced endosymbiont genomes have lost numerous essential genes related to core cellular processes such as replication, transcription, and translation. Computational gene predictions performed for the genomes of the two bacterial symbionts of the cicada Diceroprocta semicincta, "Candidatus Hodgkinia cicadicola" (Alphaproteobacteria) and "Ca Sulcia muelleri" (Bacteroidetes), have found only 26 and 16 tRNA genes and 15 and 10 aminoacyl tRNA synthetase genes, respectively. Furthermore, the original "Ca Hodgkinia cicadicola" genome annotation was missing several essential genes involved in tRNA processing, such as those encoding RNase P and CCA tRNA nucleotidyltransferase as well as several RNA editing enzymes required for tRNA maturation. How these cicada endosymbionts perform basic translation-related processes remains unknown. Here, by sequencing eukaryotic mRNAs and total small RNAs, we show that the limited tRNA set predicted by computational annotation of "Ca Sulcia muelleri" and "Ca Hodgkinia cicadicola" is likely correct. Furthermore, we show that despite the absence of genes encoding tRNA processing activities in the symbiont genomes, symbiont tRNAs have correctly processed 5' and 3' ends and seem to undergo nucleotide modification. Surprisingly, we found that most "Ca Hodgkinia cicadicola" and "Ca Sulcia muelleri" tRNAs exist as tRNA halves. We hypothesize that "Ca Sulcia muelleri" and "Ca Hodgkinia cicadicola" tRNAs function in bacterial translation but require host-encoded enzymes to do so.IMPORTANCE The smallest bacterial genomes, in the range of about 0.1 to 0.5 million base pairs, are commonly found in the nutritional endosymbionts of insects. These tiny genomes are missing genes that encode proteins and RNAs required for the translation of mRNAs, one of the most highly conserved and important cellular processes. In this study, we found that the bacterial endosymbionts of cicadas have genomes which encode incomplete tRNA sets and lack genes required for tRNA processing. Nevertheless, we found that endosymbiont tRNAs are correctly processed at their 5' and 3' ends and, surprisingly, that mostly exist as tRNA halves. We hypothesize that the cicada host must supply its symbionts with these missing tRNA processing activities.}, }
@article {pmid31208002, year = {2019}, author = {Schebeck, M and Feldkirchner, L and Stauffer, C and Schuler, H}, title = {Dynamics of an Ongoing Wolbachia Spread in the European Cherry Fruit Fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (Diptera: Tephritidae).}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {31208002}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {J 3527/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 26749/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; I 2604/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 31441/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, abstract = {Numerous terrestrial arthropods are infected with the alphaproteobacterium Wolbachia. This endosymbiont is usually transmitted vertically from infected females to their offspring and can alter the reproduction of hosts through various manipulations, like cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), enhancing its spread in new host populations. Studies on the spatial and temporal dynamics of Wolbachia under natural conditions are scarce. Here, we analyzed Wolbachia infection frequencies in populations of the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (L.), in central Germany-an area of an ongoing spread of the CI-inducing strain wCer2. In total, 295 individuals from 19 populations were PCR-screened for the presence of wCer2 and their mitochondrial haplotype. Results were compared with historic data to understand the infection dynamics of the ongoing wCer2 invasion. An overall wCer2 infection frequency of about 30% was found, ranging from 0% to 100% per population. In contrast to an expected smooth transition from wCer2-infected to completely wCer2-uninfected populations, a relatively scattered infection pattern across geography was observed. Moreover, a strong Wolbachia-haplotype association was detected, with only a few rare misassociations. Our results show a complex dynamic of an ongoing Wolbachia spread in natural field populations of R. cerasi.}, }
@article {pmid31194893, year = {2020}, author = {Ant, TH and Herd, C and Louis, F and Failloux, AB and Sinkins, SP}, title = {Wolbachia transinfections in Culex quinquefasciatus generate cytoplasmic incompatibility.}, journal = {Insect molecular biology}, volume = {29}, number = {1}, pages = {1-8}, pmid = {31194893}, issn = {1365-2583}, support = {202888/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 108508/A/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12014/8/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/K004506/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 108508/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; Culex/*microbiology ; Female ; Male ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Salivary Glands/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/classification/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Culex quinquefasciatus is an important mosquito vector of a number of viral and protozoan pathogens of humans and animals, and naturally carries the endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis, strain wPip. Wolbachia are used in two distinct vector control strategies: firstly, population suppression caused by mating incompatibilities between mass-released transinfected males and wild females; and secondly, the spread of pathogen transmission-blocking strains through populations. Using embryonic microinjection, two novel Wolbachia transinfections were generated in C. quinquefasciatus using strains native to the mosquito Aedes albopictus: a wAlbB single infection, and a wPip plus wAlbA superinfection. The wAlbB infection showed full bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) with wild-type C. quinquefasciatus in reciprocal crosses. The wPipwAlbA superinfection showed complete unidirectional CI, and therefore population invasion potential. Whereas the wAlbB strain showed comparatively low overall densities, similar to the native wPip, the wPipwAlbA superinfection reached over 400-fold higher densities in the salivary glands compared to the native wPip, suggesting it may be a candidate for pathogen transmission blocking.}, }
@article {pmid31191980, year = {2019}, author = {Koh, C and Audsley, MD and Di Giallonardo, F and Kerton, EJ and Young, PR and Holmes, EC and McGraw, EA}, title = {Sustained Wolbachia-mediated blocking of dengue virus isolates following serial passage in Aedes aegypti cell culture.}, journal = {Virus evolution}, volume = {5}, number = {1}, pages = {vez012}, pmid = {31191980}, issn = {2057-1577}, abstract = {Wolbachia is an intracellular endosymbiont of insects that inhibits the replication of a range of pathogens in its arthropod hosts. The release of Wolbachia into wild populations of mosquitoes is an innovative biocontrol effort to suppress the transmission of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) to humans, most notably dengue virus. The success of the Wolbachia-based approach hinges upon the stable persistence of the 'pathogen blocking' effect, whose mechanistic basis is poorly understood. Evidence suggests that Wolbachia may affect viral replication via a combination of competition for host resources and activation of host immunity. The evolution of resistance against Wolbachia and pathogen blocking in the mosquito or the virus could reduce the public health impact of the symbiont releases. Here, we investigate if dengue 3 virus (DENV-3) is capable of accumulating adaptive mutations that improve its replicative capacity during serial passage in Wolbachia wMel-infected cells. During the passaging regime, viral isolates in Wolbachia-infected cells exhibited greater variation in viral loads compared to controls. The viral loads of these isolates declined rapidly during passaging due to the blocking effects of Wolbachia carriage, with several being lost all together and the remainder recovering to low but stable levels. We attempted to sequence the genomes of the surviving passaged isolates but, given their low abundance, were unable to obtain sufficient depth of coverage for evolutionary analysis. In contrast, viral loads in Wolbachia-free control cells were consistently high during passaging. The surviving isolates passaged in the presence of Wolbachia exhibited a reduced ability to replicate even in Wolbachia-free cells. These experiments demonstrate the challenge for dengue in evolving resistance to Wolbachia-mediated blocking.}, }
@article {pmid31191462, year = {2019}, author = {Purahong, W and Mapook, A and Wu, YT and Chen, CT}, title = {Characterization of the Castanopsis carlesii Deadwood Mycobiome by Pacbio Sequencing of the Full-Length Fungal Nuclear Ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS).}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {983}, pmid = {31191462}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Short-read next generation sequencing (NGS) platforms can easily and quickly generate thousands to hundreds of thousands of sequences per sample. However, the limited length of these sequences can cause problems during fungal taxonomic identification. Here we validate the use of Pacbio sequencing, a long-read NGS method, for characterizing the fungal community (mycobiome) of Castanopsis carlesii deadwood. We report the successful use of Pacbio sequencing to generate long-read sequences of the full-length (500-780 bp) fungal ITS regions of the C. carlesii mycobiome. Our results show that the studied deadwood mycobiome is taxonomically and functionally diverse, with an average of 85 fungal OTUs representing five functional groups (animal endosymbionts, endophytes, mycoparasites, plant pathogens, and saprotrophs). Based on relative abundance data, Basidiomycota were the most frequently detected phyla (50% of total sequences), followed by unidentified phyla, and Ascomycota. However, based on presence/absence data, the most OTU-rich phyla were Ascomycota (58% of total OTUs, 72 OTUs) followed by Basidiomycota and unidentified phyla. The majority of fungal OTUs were identified as saprotrophs (70% of successfully function-assigned OTUs) followed by plant pathogens. Finally, we used phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length ITS sequences to confirm the species identification of 14/36 OTUs with high bootstrap support (99-100%). Based on the numbers of sequence reads obtained per sample, which ranged from 3,047 to 13,463, we conclude that Pacbio sequencing can be a powerful tool for characterizing moderate- and possibly high-complexity fungal communities.}, }
@article {pmid31186513, year = {2019}, author = {Gabay, Y and Parkinson, JE and Wilkinson, SP and Weis, VM and Davy, SK}, title = {Inter-partner specificity limits the acquisition of thermotolerant symbionts in a model cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {13}, number = {10}, pages = {2489-2499}, pmid = {31186513}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Acclimatization ; Animals ; Dinoflagellida/*physiology ; Hot Temperature ; Models, Biological ; Sea Anemones/*physiology ; Species Specificity ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The ability of corals and other cnidarians to survive climate change depends partly on the composition of their endosymbiont communities. The dinoflagellate family Symbiodiniaceae is genetically and physiologically diverse, and one proposed mechanism for cnidarians to acclimate to rising temperatures is to acquire more thermally tolerant symbionts. However, cnidarian-dinoflagellate associations vary in their degree of specificity, which may limit their capacity to alter symbiont communities. Here, we inoculated symbiont-free polyps of the sea anemone Exaiptasia pallida (commonly referred to as 'Aiptasia'), a model system for the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis, with simultaneous or sequential mixtures of thermally tolerant and thermally sensitive species of Symbiodiniaceae. We then monitored symbiont success (relative proportional abundance) at normal and elevated temperatures across two to four weeks. All anemones showed signs of bleaching at high temperature. During simultaneous inoculations, the native, thermally sensitive Breviolum minutum colonized polyps most successfully regardless of temperature when paired against the non-native but more thermally tolerant Symbiodinium microadriaticum or Durusdinium trenchii. Furthermore, anemones initially colonized with B. minutum and subsequently exposed to S. microadriaticum failed to acquire the new symbiont. These results highlight how partner specificity may place strong limitations on the ability of certain cnidarians to acquire more thermally tolerant symbionts, and hence their adaptive potential under climate change.}, }
@article {pmid31186318, year = {2019}, author = {Chrostek, E and Gerth, M}, title = {Is Anopheles gambiae a Natural Host of Wolbachia?.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {31186318}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {Africa ; Animals ; Anopheles/*microbiology ; Female ; Genome, Bacterial ; Malaria/transmission ; Male ; Metagenomics ; Mosquito Vectors/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria, Rickettsiales) is an intraovarially transmitted symbiont of insects able to exert striking phenotypes, including reproductive manipulations and pathogen blocking. These phenotypes make Wolbachia a promising tool to combat mosquito-borne diseases. Although Wolbachia is present in the majority of terrestrial arthropods, including many disease vectors, it was considered absent from Anopheles gambiae mosquitos, the main vectors of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2014, Wolbachia sequences were detected in A. gambiae samples collected in Burkina Faso. Subsequently, similar evidence came from collections all over Africa, revealing a high Wolbachia 16S rRNA sequence diversity, low abundance, and a lack of congruence between host and symbiont phylogenies. Here, we reanalyze and discuss recent evidence on the presence of Wolbachia sequences in A. gambiae. We find that although detected at increasing frequencies, the unusual properties of these Wolbachia sequences render them insufficient to diagnose natural infections in A. gambiae Future studies should focus on uncovering the origin of Wolbachia sequence variants in Anopheles and seeking sequence-independent evidence for this new symbiosis. Understanding the ecology of Anopheles mosquitos and their interactions with Wolbachia will be key in designing successful, integrative approaches to limit malaria spread. Although the prospect of using Wolbachia to fight malaria is intriguing, the newly discovered strains do not bring it closer to realization.IMPORTANCEAnopheles gambiae mosquitos are the main vectors of malaria, threatening around half of the world's population. The bacterial symbiont Wolbachia can interfere with disease transmission by other important insect vectors, but until recently, it was thought to be absent from natural A. gambiae populations. Here, we critically analyze the genomic, metagenomic, PCR, imaging, and phenotypic data presented in support of the presence of natural Wolbachia infections in A. gambiae We find that they are insufficient to diagnose Wolbachia infections and argue for the need of obtaining robust data confirming basic Wolbachia characteristics in this system. Determining the Wolbachia infection status of Anopheles is critical due to its potential to influence Anopheles population structure and Plasmodium transmission.}, }
@article {pmid31177395, year = {2020}, author = {Liu, H and Wu, M and Liu, J and Qu, Y and Gao, Y and Ren, A}, title = {Tripartite Interactions Between Endophytic Fungi, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, and Leymus chinensis.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {79}, number = {1}, pages = {98-109}, pmid = {31177395}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {31570433//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2016YFC0500702//National Key Research and Development Program/ ; }, mesh = {Endophytes/*physiology ; Glomeromycota/*physiology ; Mycorrhizae/*physiology ; Plant Roots/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Poaceae/growth &amp; development/*microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Grasses often establish multiple simultaneous symbiotic associations with endophytic fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Many studies have examined pair-wise interactions between plants and endophytic fungi or between plants and AMF, overlooking the interplays among multiple endosymbionts and their combined impacts on hosts. Here, we examined both the way in which each symbiont affects the other symbionts and the tripartite interactions between leaf endophytic fungi, AMF, and Leymus chinensis. As for AMF, different species (Glomus etunicatum, GE; Glomus mosseae, GM; Glomus claroideum, GC; and Glomus intraradices, GI) and AMF richness (no AMF, single AMF taxa, double AMF mixtures, triple AMF mixtures, and all four together) were considered. Our results showed that significant interactions were observed between endophytes and AMF, with endophytes interacting antagonistically with GM but synergistically with GI. No definitive interactions were observed between the endophytes and GE or GC. Additionally, the concentration of endophytes in the leaf sheath was positively correlated with the concentration of AMF in the roots under low AMF richness. The shoot biomass of L. chinensis was positively related to both endophyte concentration and AMF concentration, with only endophytes contributing to shoot biomass more than AMF. Endophytes and AMF increased shoot growth by contributing to phosphorus uptake. The interactive effects of endophytes and AMF on host growth were affected by the identity of AMF species. The beneficial effect of the endophytes decreased in response to GM but increased in response to GI. However, no influences were observed with other GC and GE. In addition, endophyte presence can alter the response of host plants to AMF richness. When leaf endophytes were absent, shoot biomass increased with higher AMF richness, only the influence of AMF species identity outweighed that of AMF richness. However, when leaf endophytes were present, no significant association was observed between AMF richness and shoot biomass. AMF species identity rather than AMF richness promoted shoot growth. The results of this study demonstrate that the outcomes of interspecific symbiotic interactions are very complex and vary with partner identity such that the effects of simultaneous symbioses cannot be generalized and highlight the need for studies to evaluate fitness response of all three species, as the interactive effects may not be the same for each partner.}, }
@article {pmid31176662, year = {2019}, author = {Olivieri, E and Epis, S and Castelli, M and Varotto Boccazzi, I and Romeo, C and Desirò, A and Bazzocchi, C and Bandi, C and Sassera, D}, title = {Tissue tropism and metabolic pathways of Midichloria mitochondrii suggest tissue-specific functions in the symbiosis with Ixodes ricinus.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {1070-1077}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.05.019}, pmid = {31176662}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Computer Simulation ; Female ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Italy ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; *Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Rickettsiales/genetics/metabolism/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Viral Tropism ; }, abstract = {A wide range of arthropod species harbour bacterial endosymbionts in various tissues, many of them playing important roles in the fitness and biology of their hosts. In several cases, many different symbionts have been reported to coexist simultaneously within the same host and synergistic or antagonistic interactions can occur between them. While the associations with endosymbiotic bacteria have been widely studied in many insect species, in ticks such interactions are less investigated. The females and immatures of Ixodes ricinus (Ixodidae), the most common hard tick in Europe, harbour the intracellular endosymbiont "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii" with a prevalence up to 100%, suggesting a mutualistic relationship. Considering that the tissue distribution of a symbiont might be indicative of its functional role in the physiology of the host, we investigated M. mitochondrii specific localization pattern and the corresponding abundance in selected organs of I. ricinus females. We paired these experiments with in silico analysis of the metabolic pathways of M. mitochondrii, inferred from the available genome sequence, and additionally compared the presence of these pathways in seven other symbionts commonly harboured by ticks to try to obtain a comparative understanding of their biological effects on the tick hosts. M. mitochondrii was found to be abundant in ovaries and tracheae of unfed I. ricinus, and in ovaries, Malpighian tubules and salivary glands of semi-engorged females. These results, together with the in silico metabolic reconstruction allow to hypothesize that the bacterium could play multiple tissue-specific roles in the host, both enhancing the host fitness (supplying essential nutrients, enhancing the reproductive fitness, helping in the anti-oxidative defence, in the energy production and in the maintenance of homeostasis and water balance) and/or for ensuring its presence in the host population (nutrients acquisition, vertical and horizontal transmission). The ability of M. mitochondrii to colonize different tissues allows to speculate that distinctive sub-populations may display different specializations in accordance with tissue tropism. Our hypotheses should be corroborated with future nutritional and physiological experiments for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying this symbiotic interaction.}, }
@article {pmid31173475, year = {2020}, author = {Xie, K and Lu, YJ and Yang, K and Huo, SM and Hong, XY}, title = {Co-infection of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma in spider mite Tetranychus truncatus increases male fitness.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {27}, number = {5}, pages = {921-937}, pmid = {31173475}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {31672035//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31871976//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Genetic Fitness ; Male ; Spiroplasma/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Tetranychidae/*genetics/microbiology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia and Spiroplasma are intracellular bacteria that are of great interest to entomologists, because of their ability to alter insect host biology in multiple ways. In the spider mite Tetranychus truncatus, co-infection of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma can induce cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and fitness costs; however, little is known about the effect of co-infection at the genetic level and the molecular mechanisms underlying CI. In this study, we explored the influence of the two symbionts on male mite host fitness and used RNA sequencing to generate the transcriptomes of T. truncatus with four different types of infection. In total, we found symbiont-infected lines had a higher hatch proportion than the uninfected line, and the development time of the uninfected line was longer than that of the other lines. Co-infection changed the expression of many genes related to digestion detoxification, reproduction, immunity and oxidation reduction. Our results indicate that co-infection of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma confers multiple effects on their hosts, and helps illuminate the complex interactions between endosymbionts and arthropods.}, }
@article {pmid31167958, year = {2020}, author = {Wilson, JR and DeBlasio, SL and Alexander, MM and Heck, M}, title = {Looking Through the Lens of 'Omics Technologies: Insights Into the Transmission of Insect Vector-borne Plant Viruses.}, journal = {Current issues in molecular biology}, volume = {34}, number = {}, pages = {113-144}, doi = {10.21775/cimb.034.113}, pmid = {31167958}, issn = {1467-3045}, mesh = {Animals ; *Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Genome, Insect ; *Genomics/methods ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Proteins ; Insect Vectors/*virology ; Plant Diseases/*virology ; Plant Viruses/*physiology ; Proteomics/methods ; }, abstract = {Insects in the orders Hemiptera and Thysanoptera transmit viruses and other pathogens associated with the most serious diseases of plants. Plant viruses transmitted by these insects target similar tissues, genes, and proteins within the insect to facilitate plant-to-plant transmission with some degree of specificity at the molecular level. 'Omics experiments are becoming increasingly important and practical for vector biologists to use towards better understanding the molecular mechanisms and biochemistry underlying transmission of these insect-borne diseases. These discoveries are being used to develop novel means to obstruct virus transmission into and between plants. In this chapter, we summarize 'omics technologies commonly applied in vector biology and the important discoveries that have been made using these methods, including virus and insect proteins involved in transmission, as well as the tri-trophic interactions involved in host and vector manipulation. Finally, we critically examine the limitations and new horizons in this area of research, including the role of endosymbionts and insect viruses in virus-vector interactions, and the development of novel control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid31163164, year = {2019}, author = {Havird, JC and Forsythe, ES and Williams, AM and Werren, JH and Dowling, DK and Sloan, DB}, title = {Selfish Mitonuclear Conflict.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {29}, number = {11}, pages = {R496-R511}, pmid = {31163164}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {F32 GM116361/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; *Biological Evolution ; Eukaryota/physiology ; Genome, Mitochondrial/*physiology ; Plastids/physiology ; Symbiosis/physiology ; }, abstract = {Mitochondria, a nearly ubiquitous feature of eukaryotes, are derived from an ancient symbiosis. Despite billions of years of cooperative coevolution - in what is arguably the most important mutualism in the history of life - the persistence of mitochondrial genomes also creates conditions for genetic conflict with the nucleus. Because mitochondrial genomes are present in numerous copies per cell, they are subject to both within- and among-organism levels of selection. Accordingly, 'selfish' genotypes that increase their own proliferation can rise to high frequencies even if they decrease organismal fitness. It has been argued that uniparental (often maternal) inheritance of cytoplasmic genomes evolved to curtail such selfish replication by minimizing within-individual variation and, hence, within-individual selection. However, uniparental inheritance creates conditions for cytonuclear conflict over sex determination and sex ratio, as well as conditions for sexual antagonism when mitochondrial variants increase transmission by enhancing maternal fitness but have the side-effect of being harmful to males (i.e., 'mother's curse'). Here, we review recent advances in understanding selfish replication and sexual antagonism in the evolution of mitochondrial genomes and the mechanisms that suppress selfish interactions, drawing parallels and contrasts with other organelles (plastids) and bacterial endosymbionts that arose more recently. Although cytonuclear conflict is widespread across eukaryotes, it can be cryptic due to nuclear suppression, highly variable, and lineage-specific, reflecting the diverse biology of eukaryotes and the varying architectures of their cytoplasmic genomes.}, }
@article {pmid31163163, year = {2019}, author = {McCutcheon, JP and Boyd, BM and Dale, C}, title = {The Life of an Insect Endosymbiont from the Cradle to the Grave.}, journal = {Current biology : CB}, volume = {29}, number = {11}, pages = {R485-R495}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2019.03.032}, pmid = {31163163}, issn = {1879-0445}, support = {R01 AI095736/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Enterobacteriaceae/*physiology ; Fungi/*physiology ; Insecta/*microbiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Host-beneficial endosymbioses, which are formed when a microorganism takes up residence inside another cell and provides a fitness advantage to the host, have had a dramatic influence on the evolution of life. These intimate relationships have yielded the mitochondrion and the plastid (chloroplast) - the ancient organelles that in part define eukaryotic life - along with many more recent associations involving a wide variety of hosts and microbial partners. These relationships are often envisioned as stable associations that appear cooperative and persist for extremely long periods of time. But recent evidence suggests that this stable state is often born from turbulent and conflicting origins, and that the apparent stability of many beneficial endosymbiotic relationships - although certainly real in many cases - is not an inevitable outcome of these associations. Here we review how stable endosymbioses form, how they are maintained, and how they sometimes break down and are reborn. We focus on relationships formed by insects and their resident microorganisms because these symbioses have been the focus of significant empirical work over the last two decades. We review these relationships over five life stages: origin, birth, middle age, old age, and death.}, }
@article {pmid31159272, year = {2019}, author = {Gichuhi, J and Khamis, FM and Van den Berg, J and Ekesi, S and Herren, JK}, title = {Unexpected Diversity of Wolbachia Associated with Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Africa.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {31159272}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {IBCARP//European Union/ ; }, abstract = {Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is an important pest of fruit-bearing plants in many countries worldwide. In Africa, this pest has spread rapidly and has become widely established since the first invasion report in 2003. Wolbachia is a vertically transmitted endosymbiont that can significantly influence aspects of the biology and, in particular, the reproduction of its host. In this study, we screened B. dorsalis specimens collected from several locations in Africa between 2005 and 2017 for Wolbachia using a PCR-based assay to target the Wolbachia surface protein wsp. Of the 357 individuals tested, 10 were positive for Wolbachia using the wsp assay. We identified four strains of Wolbachia infecting two B. dorsalis mitochondrial haplotypes. We found no strict association between the infecting strain and host haplotype, with one strain being present in two different host haplotypes. All the detected strains belonged to Super Group B Wolbachia and did not match any strains reported previously in B. dorsalis in Asia. These findings indicate that diverse Wolbachia infections are present in invasive populations of B. dorsalis.}, }
@article {pmid31151922, year = {2019}, author = {Petersen, A and Rosenstierne, MW and Rasmussen, M and Fuursted, K and Nielsen, HV and O'Brien Andersen, L and Bødker, R and Fomsgaard, A}, title = {Field samplings of Ixodes ricinus ticks from a tick-borne encephalitis virus micro-focus in Northern Zealand, Denmark.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {1028-1032}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.05.005}, pmid = {31151922}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Denmark ; Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/*isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; Ixodes/growth &amp; development/*virology ; Male ; Nymph/growth &amp; development/virology ; }, abstract = {In 2008-2009 a tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) micro-focus was detected in Northern Zealand, Denmark. No new cases of TBE with an epidemiological link to Northern Zealand has been reported since. Here we undertook to investigate Ixodes ricinus ticks from this endemic micro-focus in 2016 and 2017. In addition to TBEV, I. ricinus ticks may host other pathogens that include Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis, together with various endosymbiont microorganisms. To detect multiple organisms we used a metagenomics PanVirus microarray and next-generation sequencing to examine the persistence and evolution of other emerging viruses, bacteria and parasites. Here we report the rise and fall of the Danish TBEV micro-focus in Northern Zealand. However, we identify for the first time in Danish I. ricinus ticks the presence of Uukuniemi virus in addition to a tick-borne phlebovirus and a range of bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid31150542, year = {2019}, author = {Aguilar-Rodríguez, J and Fares, MA and Wagner, A}, title = {Chaperonin overproduction and metabolic erosion caused by mutation accumulation in Escherichia coli.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology letters}, volume = {366}, number = {10}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsle/fnz121}, pmid = {31150542}, issn = {1574-6968}, mesh = {Carbon/metabolism ; Chaperonin 60/*genetics/metabolism ; Directed Molecular Evolution ; Escherichia coli/*genetics/*metabolism ; Genome, Bacterial ; *Mutation Accumulation ; *Phenotype ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacterial cells adapting to a constant environment tend to accumulate mutations in portions of their genome that are not maintained by selection. This process has been observed in bacteria evolving under strong genetic drift, and especially in bacterial endosymbionts of insects. Here, we study this process in hypermutable Escherichia coli populations evolved through 250 single-cell bottlenecks on solid rich medium in a mutation accumulation experiment that emulates the evolution of bacterial endosymbionts. Using phenotype microarrays monitoring metabolic activity in 95 environments distinguished by their carbon sources, we observe how mutation accumulation has decreased the ability of cells to metabolize most carbon sources. We study if the chaperonin GroEL, which is naturally overproduced in bacterial endosymbionts, can ameliorate the process of metabolic erosion, because of its known ability to buffer destabilizing mutations in metabolic enzymes. Our results indicate that GroEL can slow down the negative phenotypic consequences of genome decay in some environments.}, }
@article {pmid31144269, year = {2019}, author = {de Alencar Menezes Júnior, I and Feitosa de Matos, G and Moura de Freitas, K and da Conceição Jesus, E and Rouws, LFM}, title = {Occurrence of diverse Bradyrhizobium spp. in roots and rhizospheres of two commercial Brazilian sugarcane cultivars.}, journal = {Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]}, volume = {50}, number = {3}, pages = {759-767}, pmid = {31144269}, issn = {1678-4405}, support = {0216050170002003//Embrapa/ ; 420746/2016-1//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; 308898/2017-6//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient&#xed;fico e Tecnol&#xf3;gico/ ; }, mesh = {Bradyrhizobium/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Brazil ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rhizosphere ; Root Nodules, Plant/*microbiology ; Saccharum/*microbiology ; Vigna/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; }, abstract = {The genus Bradyrhizobium harbors many endosymbionts of legumes, but recent research has shown their widespread presence in soils and in non-legumes, notably in roots of sugarcane. This study aimed to investigate the Bradyrhizobium sp. community density in the endosphere and the rhizosphere of two commercial sugarcane cultivars. Samples of the rhizosphere and root endosphere of two Brazilian sugarcane cultivars (RB867515 and IACSP95-5000) were collected, serially diluted, and inoculated on axenic cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and the induction of nodules was evaluated. Based on the results, a density was estimated of at least 1.6 × 10[4] rhizobia g root[-1] in rhizosphere samples and up to 105 rhizobia g root [-1] in endosphere. BOX-PCR profiling of 93 Bradyrhizobium isolates revealed genetic variability, with some dominant (up to 18 representants) and less dominant genotypes. 16S rRNA and ITS sequence analyses confirmed nine phylotypes, six of which pertained to the B. elkanii clade and three to the B. japonicum clade. Five isolates were genetically similar to the recently described species B. sacchari. There was no effect of the factors "plant cultivar" and "root compartment" on Bradyrhizobium sp. community composition and the most abundant genotypes occurred both in rhizosphere and endosphere of both cultivars. Therefore, this study confirms the natural presence of diverse Bradyrhizobium spp. in sugarcane root systems (mainly the rhizosphere) and indicates that certain Bradyrhizobium phylotypes have a special affinity for sugarcane root colonization.}, }
@article {pmid31140970, year = {2019}, author = {Lynn-Bell, NL and Strand, MR and Oliver, KM}, title = {Bacteriophage acquisition restores protective mutualism.}, journal = {Microbiology (Reading, England)}, volume = {165}, number = {9}, pages = {985-989}, doi = {10.1099/mic.0.000816}, pmid = {31140970}, issn = {1465-2080}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology ; *Bacteriophages ; DNA Transposable Elements ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Enterobacteriaceae/*virology ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; *Symbiosis ; Wasps ; }, abstract = {Insects are frequently infected with inherited facultative symbionts known to provide a range of conditionally beneficial services, including host protection. Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) often harbour the bacterium Hamiltonella defensa, which together with its associated bacteriophage A. pisum secondary endosymbiont (APSE) confer protection against an important natural enemy, the parasitic wasp Aphidius ervi. Previous studies showed that spontaneous loss of phage APSE resulted in the complete loss of the protective phenotype. Here, we demonstrate that APSEs can be experimentally transferred into phage-free (i.e. non-protecting) Hamiltonella strains. Unexpectedly, trials using injections of phage particles alone failed, with successful transfer occurring only when APSE and Hamiltonella were simultaneously injected. After transfer, stable establishment of APSE fully restored anti-parasitoid defenses. Thus, phages associated with heritable bacterial symbionts can move horizontally among symbiont strains facilitating the rapid transfer of ecologically important traits although natural barriers may preclude regular exchange.}, }
@article {pmid31134764, year = {2019}, author = {Purahong, W and Pietsch, KA and Bruelheide, H and Wirth, C and Buscot, F and Wubet, T}, title = {Potential links between wood-inhabiting and soil fungal communities: Evidence from high-throughput sequencing.}, journal = {MicrobiologyOpen}, volume = {8}, number = {9}, pages = {e00856}, pmid = {31134764}, issn = {2045-8827}, mesh = {Animals ; China ; Forests ; Fungi/*classification/*genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Metagenomics ; *Mycobiome ; Pinus ; *Soil Microbiology ; Wood/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Wood-inhabiting fungi (WIF) are pivotal to wood decomposition, which in turn strongly influences nutrient dynamics in forest soils. However, their dispersal mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that the majority of WIF are soil-borne. For this reason, the presented research aimed to quantify the contribution of soil as a source and medium for the dispersal of WIF to deadwood using high-throughput sequencing. We tested effects of tree species (specifically Schima superba and Pinus massoniana) on the percentage of WIF shared between soil and deadwood in a Chinese subtropical forest ecosystem. We also assessed the taxonomic and ecological functional group affiliations of the fungal community shared between soil and deadwood. Our results indicate that soil is a major route for WIF colonization as 12%-15% (depending on the tree species) of soil fungi were simultaneously detected in deadwood. We also demonstrate that tree species (p < 0.01) significantly shapes the composition of the shared soil and deadwood fungal community. The pH of decomposing wood was shown to significantly correspond (p < 0.01) with the shared community of wood-inhabiting (of both studied tree species) and soil fungi. Furthermore, our data suggest that a wide range of fungal taxonomic (Rozellida, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota) and ecological functional groups (saprotrophs, ectomycorrhizal, mycoparasites, and plant pathogens) may use soil as a source and medium for transport to deadwood in subtropical forest ecosystem. While 12%-62% of saprotrophic, ectomycorrhizal, and mycoparasitic WIF may utilize soil to colonize deadwood, only 5% of the detected plant pathogens were detected in both soil and deadwood, implying that these fungi use other dispersal routes. Animal endosymbionts and lichenized WIF were not detected in the soil samples. Future studies should consider assessing the relative contributions of other possible dispersal mechanisms (e.g. wind, water splash, water dispersal, animal dispersal, and mycelial network) in the colonization of deadwood by soil fungi.}, }
@article {pmid31134014, year = {2019}, author = {Wasala, SK and Brown, AMV and Kang, J and Howe, DK and Peetz, AB and Zasada, IA and Denver, DR}, title = {Variable Abundance and Distribution of Wolbachia and Cardinium Endosymbionts in Plant-Parasitic Nematode Field Populations.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {964}, pmid = {31134014}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia interacts with different invertebrate hosts, engaging in diverse symbiotic relationships. Wolbachia is often a reproductive parasite in arthropods, but an obligate mutualist in filarial nematodes. Wolbachia was recently discovered in plant-parasitic nematodes, and, is thus far known in just two genera Pratylenchus and Radopholus, yet the symbiont's function remains unknown. The occurrence of Wolbachia in these economically important plant pests offers an unexplored biocontrol strategy. However, development of Wolbachia-based biocontrol requires an improved understanding of symbiont-host functional interactions and the symbiont's prevalence among nematode field populations. This study used a molecular-genetic approach to assess the prevalence of a Wolbachia lineage (wPpe) in 32 field populations of Pratylenchus penetrans. Populations were examined from eight different plant species in Washington, Oregon, and California. Nematodes were also screened for the endosymbiotic bacterium Cardinium (cPpe) that was recently shown to co-infect P. penetrans. Results identified wPpe in 9/32 and cPpe in 1/32 of P. penetrans field populations analyzed. No co-infection was observed in field populations. Wolbachia was detected in nematodes from 4/8 plant-hosts examined (raspberry, strawberry, clover, and lily), and in all three states surveyed. Cardinium was detected in nematodes from mint in Washington. In the wPpe-infected P. penetrans populations collected from raspberry, the prevalence of wPpe infection ranged from 11 to 58%. This pattern is unlike that in filarial nematodes where Wolbachia is an obligate mutualist and occurs in 100% of the host. Further analysis of wPpe-infected populations revealed female-skewed sex ratios (up to 96%), with the degree of skew positively correlating with wPpe prevalence. Uninfected nematode populations had approximately equal numbers of males and females. Comparisons of 54 wPpe 16S ribosomal RNA sequences revealed high similarity across the geographic isolates, with 45 of 54 isolates being identical at this locus. The complete absence of wPpe among some populations and low prevalence in others suggest that this endosymbiont is not an obligate mutualist of P. penetrans. The observed sex ratio bias in wPpe-infected nematode populations is similar to that observed in arthropods where Wolbachia acts as a reproductive manipulator, raising the question of a similar role in plant-parasitic nematodes.}, }
@article {pmid31134003, year = {2019}, author = {Fernández, N and Cabrera, JJ and Varadarajan, AR and Lutz, S and Ledermann, R and Roschitzki, B and Eberl, L and Bedmar, EJ and Fischer, HM and Pessi, G and Ahrens, CH and Mesa, S}, title = {An Integrated Systems Approach Unveils New Aspects of Microoxia-Mediated Regulation in Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {924}, pmid = {31134003}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The adaptation of rhizobia from the free-living state in soil to the endosymbiotic state comprises several physiological changes in order to cope with the extremely low oxygen availability (microoxia) within nodules. To uncover cellular functions required for bacterial adaptation to microoxia directly at the protein level, we applied a systems biology approach on the key rhizobial model and soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA 110 (formerly B. japonicum USDA 110). As a first step, the complete genome of B. diazoefficiens 110spc4, the model strain used in most prior functional genomics studies, was sequenced revealing a deletion of a ~202 kb fragment harboring 223 genes and several additional differences, compared to strain USDA 110. Importantly, the deletion strain showed no significantly different phenotype during symbiosis with several host plants, reinforcing the value of previous OMICS studies. We next performed shotgun proteomics and detected 2,900 and 2,826 proteins in oxically and microoxically grown cells, respectively, largely expanding our knowledge about the inventory of rhizobial proteins expressed in microoxia. A set of 62 proteins was significantly induced under microoxic conditions, including the two nitrogenase subunits NifDK, the nitrogenase reductase NifH, and several subunits of the high-affinity terminal cbb 3 oxidase (FixNOQP) required for bacterial respiration inside nodules. Integration with the previously defined microoxia-induced transcriptome uncovered a set of 639 genes or proteins uniquely expressed in microoxia. Finally, besides providing proteogenomic evidence for novelties, we also identified proteins with a regulation similar to that of FixK2: transcript levels of these protein-coding genes were significantly induced, while the corresponding protein abundance remained unchanged or was down-regulated. This suggested that, apart from fixK 2, additional B. diazoefficiens genes might be under microoxia-specific post-transcriptional control. This hypothesis was indeed confirmed for several targets (HemA, HemB, and ClpA) by immunoblot analysis.}, }
@article {pmid31132110, year = {2019}, author = {Hammer, TJ and Sanders, JG and Fierer, N}, title = {Not all animals need a microbiome.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology letters}, volume = {366}, number = {10}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsle/fnz117}, pmid = {31132110}, issn = {1574-6968}, mesh = {Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {It is often taken for granted that all animals host and depend upon a microbiome, yet this has only been shown for a small proportion of species. We propose that animals span a continuum of reliance on microbial symbionts. At one end are the famously symbiont-dependent species such as aphids, humans, corals and cows, in which microbes are abundant and important to host fitness. In the middle are species that may tolerate some microbial colonization but are only minimally or facultatively dependent. At the other end are species that lack beneficial symbionts altogether. While their existence may seem improbable, animals are capable of limiting microbial growth in and on their bodies, and a microbially independent lifestyle may be favored by selection under some circumstances. There is already evidence for several 'microbiome-free' lineages that represent distantly related branches in the animal phylogeny. We discuss why these animals have received such little attention, highlighting the potential for contaminants, transients, and parasites to masquerade as beneficial symbionts. We also suggest ways to explore microbiomes that address the limitations of DNA sequencing. We call for further research on microbiome-free taxa to provide a more complete understanding of the ecology and evolution of macrobe-microbe interactions.}, }
@article {pmid31126748, year = {2019}, author = {Sánchez-Montes, S and Isaak-Delgado, AB and Guzmán-Cornejo, C and Rendón-Franco, E and Muñoz-García, CI and Bermúdez, S and Morales-Diaz, J and Cruz-Romero, A and Romero-Salas, D and Dzul-Rosado, K and Lugo-Caballero, C and Colunga-Salas, P and Becker, I}, title = {Rickettsia species in ticks that parasitize amphibians and reptiles: Novel report from Mexico and review of the worldwide record.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {987-994}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.013}, pmid = {31126748}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {*Amphibians ; Animals ; *Host-Parasite Interactions ; Mexico/epidemiology ; *Reptiles ; Rickettsia/classification/*isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Tick Infestations/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary ; Ticks/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites that are associated with a wide range of vertebrate hosts, among them also reptiles and amphibians. They have dynamic ecological interactions with multiple microorganisms, ranging from endosymbionts to pathogens, such as the members of the genus Rickettsia. The aim of this work was to detect Rickettsia in ticks from amphibians and reptiles from southern Mexico by the amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic reconstruction of the gltA and ompA genes, and also to compile all the published records worldwide of Rickettsia associated with ticks attached to reptiles and amphibians, in order to elucidate the host-parasite relationships, and to identify the geographical distribution of each bacterial species. We record for the first time the presence of Rickettsia sp. strain Colombianensi and Rickettsia amblyommatis in ticks from several reptiles and amphibians collected in three new localities from the states of Guerrero and Veracruz, Mexico. Additionally, we here report 23 Rickettsia taxa associated with 18 tick species attached to 42 host taxa of amphibians and reptiles in 36 countries. Our findings increase the inventory of rickettsia reported in Mexico and summarizes the knowledge of these bacteria associated with ticks of this particular group of vertebrate host worldwide.}, }
@article {pmid31124562, year = {2019}, author = {Zauner, S and Heimerl, T and Moog, D and Maier, UG}, title = {The Known, the New, and a Possible Surprise: A Re-Evaluation of the Nucleomorph-Encoded Proteome of Cryptophytes.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {11}, number = {6}, pages = {1618-1629}, pmid = {31124562}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Chromatin ; Chromosomes ; Cryptophyta/*cytology/*genetics ; Open Reading Frames ; Proteome/genetics ; }, abstract = {Nucleomorphs are small nuclei that evolved from the nucleus of former eukaryotic endosymbionts of cryptophytes and chlorarachniophytes. These enigmatic organelles reside in their complex plastids and harbor the smallest and most compacted eukaryotic genomes investigated so far. Although the coding capacity of the nucleomorph genomes is small, a significant percentage of the encoded proteins (predicted nucleomorph-encoded proteins, pNMPs) is still not functionally annotated. We have analyzed pNMPs with unknown functions via Phyre2, a bioinformatic tool for prediction and modeling of protein structure, resulting in a functional annotation of 215 pNMPs out of 826 uncharacterized open reading frames of cryptophytes. The newly annotated proteins are predicted to participate in nucleomorph-specific functions such as chromosome organization and expression, as well as in modification and degradation of nucleomorph-encoded proteins. Additionally, we have functionally assigned nucleomorph-encoded, putatively plastid-targeted proteins among the reinvestigated pNMPs. Hints for a putative function in the periplastid compartment, the cytoplasm surrounding the nucleomorphs, emerge from the identification of pNMPs that might be homologs of endomembrane system-related proteins. These proteins are discussed in respect to their putative functions.}, }
@article {pmid31124129, year = {2019}, author = {El-Deeb, O}, title = {Digest: Fitness costs of Spiroplasma infection in pea aphids.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {73}, number = {7}, pages = {1490-1491}, doi = {10.1111/evo.13763}, pmid = {31124129}, issn = {1558-5646}, mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Pisum sativum ; *Spiroplasma ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts sometimes help their hosts resist parasites, but does infection of pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) with different strains of the endosymbiont Spiroplasma confer fitness benefits that offset the costs? Mathé-Hubert et al. found that across four life-history traits, Spiroplasma infection induced negative effects on host fitness when compared to controls. Only two of 12 strains of Spiroplasma showed a marginal protective effect against host parasitism by Aphidius ervi, implying Spiroplasma infection is almost entirely detrimental to pea aphid host fitness.}, }
@article {pmid31120156, year = {2020}, author = {Chouin-Carneiro, T and Ant, TH and Herd, C and Louis, F and Failloux, AB and Sinkins, SP}, title = {Wolbachia strain wAlbA blocks Zika virus transmission in Aedes aegypti.}, journal = {Medical and veterinary entomology}, volume = {34}, number = {1}, pages = {116-119}, pmid = {31120156}, issn = {1365-2915}, support = {202888/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; ZK/16-021/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; 202888/Z/16/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; MC_UU_12014/8/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; 108508/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Female ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; Zika Virus/physiology ; Zika Virus Infection/*transmission ; }, abstract = {Transinfections of the maternally transmitted endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis can reduce RNA virus replication and prevent transmission by Aedes aegypti, and also have the capacity to invade wild-type populations, potentially reaching and maintaining high infection frequencies. Levels of virus transmission blocking are positively correlated with Wolbachia intracellular density. Despite reaching high densities in Ae. aegypti, transinfections of wAlbA, a strain native to Aedes albopictus, showed no blocking of Semliki Forest Virus in previous intrathoracic injection challenges. To further characterize wAlbA blocking in Ae. aegypti, adult females were intrathoracically challenged with Zika (ZIKV) and dengue viruses, and then fed a ZIKV-containing bloodmeal. No blocking was observed with either virus when challenged by intrathoracic injection. However, when ZIKV was delivered orally, wAlbA-infected females showed a significant reduction in viral replication and dissemination compared with uninfected controls, as well as a complete absence of virus in saliva. Although other Wolbachia strains have been shown to cause more robust viral blocking in Ae. aegypti, these findings demonstrate that, in principle, wAlbA could be used to reduce virus transmission in this species. Moreover, the results highlight the potential for underestimation of the strength of virus-blocking when based on intrathoracic injection compared with more natural oral challenges.}, }
@article {pmid31115477, year = {2019}, author = {Gómez-Díaz, JS and Montoya-Lerma, J and Muñoz Valencia, V}, title = {Prevalence and Diversity of Endosymbionts in Cassava Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) From Colombia.}, journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)}, volume = {19}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {31115477}, issn = {1536-2442}, mesh = {Animals ; Hemiptera/genetics/*microbiology ; Manihot ; Nymph/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Whiteflies cause huge economic losses for cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivation. Damage can be caused directly when the insects feed on the phloem and/or indirectly by the transmission of viruses. It has been found that whiteflies maintain a close relationship with some endosymbiotic bacteria and that this interaction produces different effects on host biology and can also facilitate viral transmission. This study aimed to characterize the diversity of secondary endosymbionts (SE) present in whiteflies associated with cassava. Whitefly adults and nymphs were collected from cassava crops at nine locations in Southwestern Colombia. Molecular identification of insects and endosymbionts was carried out using specific mtCOI, wsp, 23s rRNA, and 16s rRNA primers. Phylogenetic trees were constructed from these sequences, both for whitefly species and the endosymbionts found. In addition, morphological identification of whitefly species was made using last instar nymphs. Molecular and morphological evaluation revealed that the most abundant whitefly species was Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) followed by Aleurotrachelus socialis Bondar and Bemisia tuberculata Bondar. One hundred percent of the individuals contained the primary endosymbiont Portiera. The SE Rickettsia, Hamiltonella, Wolbachia, and Fritschea were not detected in the samples tested. Prevalence of Cardinium and Arsenophonus were variable at each locality, Cardinium being most prevalent in A. socialis adults. This study is the first report on the presence of Cardinium and Arsenophonus in A. socialis and T. variabilis. It is also the first report of endosymbiotic diversity in whiteflies associated with cassava in Colombia.}, }
@article {pmid31113635, year = {2019}, author = {Monticelli, LS and Outreman, Y and Frago, E and Desneux, N}, title = {Impact of host endosymbionts on parasitoid host range - from mechanisms to communities.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {32}, number = {}, pages = {77-82}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2018.11.005}, pmid = {31113635}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; Appetitive Behavior ; Bacteria ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Insecta/*microbiology/*parasitology/physiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {In insects, bacterial endosymbionts are known to influence the ecology of their hosts by modifying interactions with natural enemies such as parasitoids. Symbionts can modulate both parasitoid behavioral and/or physiological traits as well as host behaviors and life-history traits. Together these suggest that endosymbionts may impact the host range of parasitoids. For example, endosymbionts may narrow parasitoid host range through first, reducing parasitoid ability to locate hosts and/or larval survival, second, affecting fitness traits of the emerging adult parasitoid and/or third, modulating the outcome of interference and exploitative competition between parasitoid species. From both a fundamental and applied point of view, these symbiotic effects would influence the ecology and evolution of parasitoids and associated population-level processes and ecosystem services (e.g. biocontrol).}, }
@article {pmid31113630, year = {2019}, author = {McLean, AH}, title = {Cascading effects of defensive endosymbionts.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {32}, number = {}, pages = {42-46}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2018.10.003}, pmid = {31113630}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; *Food Chain ; Insecta/*microbiology/parasitology ; Plants ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Defensive endosymbionts are now understood to be widespread among insects, targeting many different threats, including predators, parasites and disease. The effects on natural enemies can be significant, resulting in dramatic changes in the outcome of interactions between insects and their attackers. Evidence is now emerging from laboratory and field work that defensive symbionts can have important effects on the surrounding insect community, as well as on vulnerable enemy species; for example, by reducing prey available for the trophic level above the enemy. However, there is a need for more experimental work across a greater taxonomic range of species in order to understand the different ways in which defensive symbionts influence insect communities.}, }
@article {pmid31109677, year = {2019}, author = {Tvedte, ES and Logsdon, JM and Forbes, AA}, title = {Sex loss in insects: causes of asexuality and consequences for genomes.}, journal = {Current opinion in insect science}, volume = {31}, number = {}, pages = {77-83}, doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2018.11.007}, pmid = {31109677}, issn = {2214-5753}, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Hybridization, Genetic ; Insecta/*genetics/*physiology ; Male ; Parthenogenesis ; Reproduction, Asexual/*genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Boasting a staggering diversity of reproductive strategies, insects provide attractive models for the comparative study of the causes and consequences of transitions to asexuality. We provide an overview of some contemporary studies of reproductive systems in insects and compile an initial database of asexual insect genome resources. Insect systems have already yielded some important insights into various mechanisms by which sex is lost, including genetic, endosymbiont-mediated, and hybridization. Studies of mutation and substitution after loss of sex provide the strongest empirical support for hypothesized effects of asexuality, whereas there is mixed evidence for ecological hypotheses such as increased parasite load and altered niche breadth in asexuals. Most hypotheses have been explored in a select few taxa (e.g. stick insects, aphids), such that much of the great taxonomic breadth of insects remain understudied. Given the variation in the proximate causes of asexuality in insects, we argue for expanding the taxonomic breadth of study systems. Despite some challenges for investigating sex in insects, the increasing cost-effectiveness of genomic sequencing makes data generation for closely-related asexual and sexual lineages increasingly feasible.}, }
@article {pmid31107632, year = {2019}, author = {Forester, NT and Lane, GA and McKenzie, CM and Lamont, IL and Johnson, LJ}, title = {The Role of SreA-Mediated Iron Regulation in Maintaining Epichloë festucae-Lolium perenne Symbioses.}, journal = {Molecular plant-microbe interactions : MPMI}, volume = {32}, number = {10}, pages = {1324-1335}, doi = {10.1094/MPMI-03-19-0060-R}, pmid = {31107632}, issn = {0894-0282}, mesh = {*Epichloe/genetics ; Fungal Proteins/genetics ; *GATA Transcription Factors/genetics/metabolism ; Iron/metabolism ; *Lolium/microbiology ; Mutation ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {In ascomycetes and basidiomycetes, iron-responsive GATA-type transcriptional repressors are involved in regulating iron homeostasis, notably to prevent iron toxicity through control of iron uptake. To date, it has been unknown whether this iron regulator contributes toward mutualistic endosymbiosis of microbes with plants, a system where the endophyte must function within the constraints of an in-host existence, including a dependency on the host for nutrient acquisition. Functional characterization of one such protein, SreA from Epichloë festucae, a fungal endosymbiont of cool-season grasses, indicates that regulation of iron homeostasis processes is important for symbiotic maintenance. The deletion of the sreA gene (ΔsreA) led to iron-dependent aberrant hyphal growth and the gradual loss of endophyte hyphae from perennial ryegrass. SreA negatively regulates the siderophore biosynthesis and high-affinity iron uptake systems of E. festucae, similar to other fungi, resulting in iron accumulation in mutants. Our evidence suggests that SreA is involved in the processes that moderate Epichloë iron acquisition from the plant apoplast, because overharvesting of iron in ΔsreA mutants was detected as premature chlorosis of the host using a hydroponic plant growth assay. E. festucae appears to have a tightly regulated iron management system, involving SreA that balances endophyte growth with its survival and prevents overcompetition with the host for iron in the intercellular niche, thus promoting mutualistic associations. Mutations that interfere with Epichloë iron management negatively affect iron-dependent fungal growth and destabilize mutualistic Epichloë -ryegrass associations.}, }
@article {pmid31095639, year = {2019}, author = {Hosseinzadeh, S and Ramsey, J and Mann, M and Bennett, L and Hunter, WB and Shams-Bakhsh, M and Hall, DG and Heck, M}, title = {Color morphology of Diaphorina citri influences interactions with its bacterial endosymbionts and 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus'.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {14}, number = {5}, pages = {e0216599}, pmid = {31095639}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Citrus/*microbiology/parasitology ; Color ; Hemiptera/*microbiology/physiology ; Hemocyanins/metabolism ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/physiology ; Plant Diseases/*microbiology ; Rhizobiaceae/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Diaphorina citri is a vector of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,' (CLas), associated with Huanglongbing, (HLB, or citrus greening) disease in citrus. D. citri exhibits three different color morph variants, blue, gray and yellow. Blue morphs have a greater capacity for long-distance flight as compared to non-blue morphs, but little else is known about how color morphology influences vector characteristics. In this study, we show that the color morphology of the insect is derived from pigmented cells of the fat body. Blue morphs acquire a lower level of CLas in their bodies from infected trees as compared to their gray and yellow conspecifics, referred to in this paper collectively as non-blue morphs. Accordingly, CLas titer in citrus leaves inoculated by non-blue insects was 6-fold higher than in leaves inoculated by blue insects. Blue color morphs harbored lower titers of Wolbachia and 'Candidatus Profftella armatura,' two of the D. citri bacterial endosymbionts. Expression of hemocyanin, a copper-binding oxygen transport protein responsible for the blue coloration of hemolymph of other arthropods and mollusks, was previously correlated with blue color morphology and is highly up-regulated in insects continuously reared on CLas infected citrus trees. Based on our results, we hypothesized that a reduction of hemocyanin expression would reduce the D. citri immune response and an increase in the titer of CLas would be observed. Surprisingly, a specific 3-fold reduction of hemocyanin-1 transcript levels using RNA silencing in blue adult D. citri morphs had an approximately 2-fold reduction on the titer of CLas. These results suggest that hemocyanin signaling from the fat body may have multiple functions in the regulation of bacterial titers in D. citri, and that hemocyanin is one of multiple psyllid genes involved in regulating CLas titer.}, }
@article {pmid31095275, year = {2019}, author = {Karimi, S and Askari Seyahooei, M and Izadi, H and Bagheri, A and Khodaygan, P}, title = {Effect of Arsenophonus Endosymbiont Elimination on Fitness of the Date Palm Hopper, Ommatissus lybicus (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae).}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {48}, number = {3}, pages = {614-622}, doi = {10.1093/ee/nvz047}, pmid = {31095275}, issn = {1938-2936}, mesh = {Animals ; Enterobacteriaceae ; *Hemiptera ; Insecta ; *Phoeniceae ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The date palm hopper, Ommatissus lybicus de Bergevin, is one of the most important pests of the date palm in the Middle East and North Africa. This insect uses its needle-like sucking mouthparts to feed on phloem, which is devoid of most essential amino acids and many vitamins. The absence of essential nutrient in its diet is suggested to be ameliorated by endosymbionts in O. lybicus. Arsenophonus is one of the main bacterial endosymbionts widely prevalent in O. lybicus. In this study, we used antibiotics to eliminate Arsenophonus from O. lybicus originating from three populations (Fin, Qale'e Qazi, and Roodan) and studied the effects on the fitness of the pest. Our results revealed that the removal of Arsenophonus increased the developmental time of the immature stages and reduced the values of different life-history parameters including nymphal survival rate and adult longevity in the host. Furthermore, elimination of Arsenophonus completely obliterated offspring production in all O. lybicus populations investigated. These results confirm the dependency of O. lybicus on Arsenophonus for fitness and give a new insight regarding the possibility of symbiotic control of O. lybicus.}, }
@article {pmid31090497, year = {2019}, author = {Jain, M and Cai, L and Fleites, LA and Munoz-Bodnar, A and Davis, MJ and Gabriel, DW}, title = {Liberibacter crescens Is a Cultured Surrogate for Functional Genomics of Uncultured Pathogenic 'Candidatus Liberibacter' spp. and Is Naturally Competent for Transformation.}, journal = {Phytopathology}, volume = {109}, number = {10}, pages = {1811-1819}, doi = {10.1094/PHYTO-04-19-0129-R}, pmid = {31090497}, issn = {0031-949X}, mesh = {*Citrus/microbiology ; *DNA Transformation Competence ; *Genome, Fungal/genetics ; Genomics ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; *Rhizobiaceae ; *Solanum tuberosum/microbiology ; }, abstract = {'Candidatus Liberibacter' spp. are uncultured insect endosymbionts and phloem-limited bacterial plant pathogens associated with diseases ranging from severe to nearly asymptomatic. 'Ca. L. asiaticus', causal agent of Huanglongbing or citrus "greening," and 'Ca. L. solanacearum', causal agent of potato zebra chip disease, respectively threaten citrus and potato production worldwide. Research on both pathogens has been stymied by the inability to culture these agents and to reinoculate into any host. Only a single isolate of a single species of Liberibacter, Liberibacter crescens, has been axenically cultured. L. crescens strain BT-1 is genetically tractable to standard molecular manipulation techniques and has been developed as a surrogate model for functional studies of genes, regulatory elements, promoters, and secreted effectors derived from the uncultured pathogenic Liberibacters. Detailed, step-by-step, and highly reproducible protocols for axenic culture, transformation, and targeted gene knockouts of L. crescens are described. In the course of developing these protocols, we found that L. crescens is also naturally competent for direct uptake and homology-guided chromosomal integration of both linear and circular plasmid DNA. The efficiency of natural transformation was about an order of magnitude higher using circular plasmid DNA compared with linearized fragments. Natural transformation using a replicative plasmid was obtained at a rate of approximately 900 transformants per microgram of plasmid, whereas electroporation using the same plasmid resulted in 6 × 10[4] transformants. Homology-guided marker interruptions using either natural uptake or electroporation of nonreplicative plasmids yielded 10 to 12 transformation events per microgram of DNA, whereas similar interruptions using linear fragments via natural uptake yielded up to 34 transformation events per microgram of DNA.}, }
@article {pmid31088922, year = {2019}, author = {König, L and Wentrup, C and Schulz, F and Wascher, F and Escola, S and Swanson, MS and Buchrieser, C and Horn, M}, title = {Symbiont-Mediated Defense against Legionella pneumophila in Amoebae.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {}, pmid = {31088922}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {I 1628/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Acanthamoeba castellanii/*microbiology/physiology ; Chlamydiales/*physiology ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Legionella pneumophila/*pathogenicity ; *Symbiosis ; Virulence ; }, abstract = {Legionella pneumophila is an important opportunistic pathogen for which environmental reservoirs are crucial for the infection of humans. In the environment, free-living amoebae represent key hosts providing nutrients and shelter for highly efficient intracellular proliferation of L. pneumophila, which eventually leads to lysis of the protist. However, the significance of other bacterial players for L. pneumophila ecology is poorly understood. In this study, we used a ubiquitous amoeba and bacterial endosymbiont to investigate the impact of this common association on L. pneumophila infection. We demonstrate that L. pneumophila proliferation was severely suppressed in Acanthamoeba castellanii harboring the chlamydial symbiont Protochlamydia amoebophila The amoebae survived the infection and were able to resume growth. Different environmental amoeba isolates containing the symbiont were equally well protected as different L. pneumophila isolates were diminished, suggesting ecological relevance of this symbiont-mediated defense. Furthermore, protection was not mediated by impaired L. pneumophila uptake. Instead, we observed reduced virulence of L. pneumophila released from symbiont-containing amoebae. Pronounced gene expression changes in the presence of the symbiont indicate that interference with the transition to the transmissive phase impedes the L. pneumophila infection. Finally, our data show that the defensive response of amoebae harboring P. amoebophila leaves the amoebae with superior fitness reminiscent of immunological memory. Given that mutualistic associations between bacteria and amoebae are widely distributed, P. amoebophila and potentially other amoeba endosymbionts could be key in shaping environmental survival, abundance, and virulence of this important pathogen, thereby affecting the frequency of human infection.IMPORTANCE Bacterial pathogens are generally investigated in the context of disease. To prevent outbreaks, it is essential to understand their lifestyle and interactions with other microbes in their natural environment. Legionella pneumophila is an important human respiratory pathogen that survives and multiplies in biofilms or intracellularly within protists, such as amoebae. Importantly, transmission to humans occurs from these environmental sources. Legionella infection generally leads to rapid host cell lysis. It was therefore surprising to observe that amoebae, including fresh environmental isolates, were well protected during Legionella infection when the bacterial symbiont Protochlamydia amoebophila was also present. Legionella was not prevented from invading amoebae but was impeded in its ability to develop fully virulent progeny and were ultimately cleared in the presence of the symbiont. This study highlights how ecology and virulence of an important human pathogen is affected by a defensive amoeba symbiont, with possibly major consequences for public health.}, }
@article {pmid31087693, year = {2019}, author = {Hofstatter, PG and Lahr, DJG}, title = {All Eukaryotes Are Sexual, unless Proven Otherwise: Many So-Called Asexuals Present Meiotic Machinery and Might Be Able to Have Sex.}, journal = {BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology}, volume = {41}, number = {6}, pages = {e1800246}, doi = {10.1002/bies.201800246}, pmid = {31087693}, issn = {1521-1878}, mesh = {Biological Evolution ; Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics ; Chromosomes/genetics ; DNA Repair/genetics ; Eukaryota/*genetics ; Heredity/genetics ; Life Cycle Stages/genetics ; Meiosis/*genetics ; Phylogeny ; Ploidies ; Recombination, Genetic ; Reproduction/genetics ; Reproduction, Asexual/genetics ; *Sex ; }, abstract = {Here a wide distribution of meiotic machinery is shown, indicating the occurrence of sexual processes in all major eukaryotic groups, without exceptions, including the putative "asexuals." Meiotic machinery has evolved from archaeal DNA repair machinery by means of ancestral gene duplications. Sex is very conserved and widespread in eukaryotes, even though its evolutionary importance is still a matter of debate. The main processes in sex are plasmogamy, followed by karyogamy and meiosis. Meiosis is fundamentally a chromosomal process, which implies recombination and ploidy reduction. Several eukaryotic lineages are proposed to be asexual because their sexual processes are never observed, but presumed asexuality correlates with lack of study. The authors stress the complete lack of meiotic proteins in nucleomorphs and their almost complete loss in the fungus Malassezia. Inversely, complete sets of meiotic proteins are present in fungal groups Glomeromycotina, Trichophyton, and Cryptococcus. Endosymbiont Perkinsela and endoparasitic Microsporidia also present meiotic proteins.}, }
@article {pmid31086829, year = {2019}, author = {Burgsdorf, I and Handley, KM and Bar-Shalom, R and Erwin, PM and Steindler, L}, title = {Life at Home and on the Roam: Genomic Adaptions Reflect the Dual Lifestyle of an Intracellular, Facultative Symbiont.}, journal = {mSystems}, volume = {4}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {31086829}, issn = {2379-5077}, abstract = {"Candidatus Synechococcus feldmannii" is a facultative intracellular symbiont of the Atlanto-Mediterranean sponge Petrosia ficiformis. Genomic information of sponge-associated cyanobacteria derives thus far from the obligate and extracellular symbiont "Candidatus Synechococcus spongiarum." Here we utilized a differential methylation-based approach for bacterial DNA enrichment combined with metagenomics to obtain the first draft genomes of "Ca. Synechococcus feldmannii." By comparative genomics, we revealed that some genomic features (e.g., iron transport mediated by siderophores, eukaryotic-like proteins, and defense mechanisms, like CRISPR-Cas [clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated proteins]) are unique to both symbiont types and absent or rare in the genomes of taxonomically related free-living cyanobacteria. These genomic features likely enable life under the conditions found inside the sponge host. Interestingly, there are many genomic features that are shared by "Ca. Synechococcus feldmannii" and free-living cyanobacteria, while they are absent in the obligate symbiont "Ca. Synechococcus spongiarum." These include genes related to cell surface structures, genetic regulation, and responses to environmental stress, as well as the composition of photosynthetic genes and DNA metabolism. We speculate that the presence of these genes confers on "Ca. Synechococcus feldmannii" its facultative nature (i.e., the ability to respond to a less stable environment when free-living). Our comparative analysis revealed that distinct genomic features depend on the nature of the symbiotic interaction: facultative and intracellular versus obligate and extracellular. IMPORTANCE Given the evolutionary position of sponges as one of the earliest phyla to depart from the metazoan stem lineage, studies on their distinct and exceptionally diverse microbial communities should yield a better understanding of the origin of animal-bacterium interactions. While genomes of several extracellular sponge symbionts have been published, the intracellular symbionts have, so far, been elusive. Here we compare the genomes of two unicellular cyanobacterial sponge symbionts that share an ancestor but followed different evolutionary paths-one became intracellular and the other extracellular. Counterintuitively, the intracellular cyanobacteria are facultative, while the extracellular ones are obligate. By sequencing the genomes of the intracellular cyanobacteria and comparing them to the genomes of the extracellular symbionts and related free-living cyanobacteria, we show how three different cyanobacterial lifestyles are reflected by adaptive genomic features.}, }
@article {pmid31083952, year = {2019}, author = {Fabre, B and Korona, D and Lees, JG and Lazar, I and Livneh, I and Brunet, M and Orengo, CA and Russell, S and Lilley, KS}, title = {Comparison of Drosophila melanogaster Embryo and Adult Proteome by SWATH-MS Reveals Differential Regulation of Protein Synthesis, Degradation Machinery, and Metabolism Modules.}, journal = {Journal of proteome research}, volume = {18}, number = {6}, pages = {2525-2534}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00076}, pmid = {31083952}, issn = {1535-3907}, support = {BB/L002817/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/*genetics/growth &amp; development/metabolism/microbiology ; Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism/microbiology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/genetics ; Protein Biosynthesis/*genetics ; Proteolysis ; Proteome/*genetics/metabolism ; Proteomics/methods ; Transcriptome/*genetics ; Wolbachia/pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {An important area of modern biology consists of understanding the relationship between genotype and phenotype. However, to understand this relationship it is essential to investigate one of the principal links between them: the proteome. With the development of recent mass-spectrometry approaches, it is now possible to quantify entire proteomes and thus relate them to different phenotypes. Here, we present a comparison of the proteome of two extreme developmental states in the well-established model organism Drosophila melanogaster: adult and embryo. Protein modules such as ribosome, proteasome, tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, or oxidative phosphorylation were found differentially expressed between the two developmental stages. Analysis of post-translation modifications of the proteins identified in this study indicates that they generally follow the same trend as their corresponding protein. Comparison between changes in the proteome and the transcriptome highlighted patterns of post-transcriptional regulation for the subunits of protein complexes such as the ribosome and the proteasome, whereas protein from modules such as TCA cycle, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation seem to be coregulated at the transcriptional level. Finally, the impact of the endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis on the proteome of both developmental states was also investigated.}, }
@article {pmid31079194, year = {2019}, author = {Sadali, NM and Sowden, RG and Ling, Q and Jarvis, RP}, title = {Differentiation of chromoplasts and other plastids in plants.}, journal = {Plant cell reports}, volume = {38}, number = {7}, pages = {803-818}, pmid = {31079194}, issn = {1432-203X}, support = {BB/M015165/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/R009333/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/R016984/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/R005591/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Chloroplast Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Chloroplasts/genetics/*metabolism ; Organelles/metabolism ; Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Plasmids/genetics ; Plastids/genetics/*metabolism ; Protein Transport ; }, abstract = {Plant cells are characterized by a unique group of interconvertible organelles called plastids, which are descended from prokaryotic endosymbionts. The most studied plastid type is the chloroplast, which carries out the ancestral plastid function of photosynthesis. During the course of evolution, plastid activities were increasingly integrated with cellular metabolism and functions, and plant developmental processes, and this led to the creation of new types of non-photosynthetic plastids. These include the chromoplast, a carotenoid-rich organelle typically found in flowers and fruits. Here, we provide an introduction to non-photosynthetic plastids, and then review the structures and functions of chromoplasts in detail. The role of chromoplast differentiation in fruit ripening in particular is explored, and the factors that govern plastid development are examined, including hormonal regulation, gene expression, and plastid protein import. In the latter process, nucleus-encoded preproteins must pass through two successive protein translocons in the outer and inner envelope membranes of the plastid; these are known as TOC and TIC (translocon at the outer/inner chloroplast envelope), respectively. The discovery of SP1 (suppressor of ppi1 locus1), which encodes a RING-type ubiquitin E3 ligase localized in the plastid outer envelope membrane, revealed that plastid protein import is regulated through the selective targeting of TOC complexes for degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This suggests the possibility of engineering plastid protein import in novel crop improvement strategies.}, }
@article {pmid31074963, year = {2019}, author = {Xu, Z and Fang, SM and Bakowski, MA and Rateb, ME and Yang, D and Zhu, X and Huang, Y and Zhao, LX and Jiang, Y and Duan, Y and Hull, MV and McNamara, CW and Shen, B}, title = {Discovery of Kirromycins with Anti- Wolbachia Activity from Streptomyces sp. CB00686.}, journal = {ACS chemical biology}, volume = {14}, number = {6}, pages = {1174-1182}, doi = {10.1021/acschembio.9b00086}, pmid = {31074963}, issn = {1554-8937}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*chemistry/*pharmacology ; Biological Products/chemistry/pharmacology ; Drosophila/microbiology ; *Drug Discovery ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Pyridones/chemistry/pharmacology ; Streptomyces/*chemistry ; Wolbachia/*drug effects ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis diseases caused by filarial parasite infections can lead to profound disability and affect millions of people worldwide. Standard mass drug administration campaigns require repetitive delivery of anthelmintics for years to temporarily block parasite transmission but do not cure infection because long-lived adult worms survive the treatment. Depletion of the endosymbiont Wolbachia, present in most filarial nematode species, results in death of adult worms and therefore represents a promising target for the treatment of filariasis. Here, we used a high-content imaging assay to screen the pure compounds collection of the natural products library at The Scripps Research Institute for anti- Wolbachia activity, leading to the identification of kirromycin B (1) as a lead candidate. Two additional congeners, kirromycin (2) and kirromycin C (3), were isolated and characterized from the same producing strain Streptomyces sp. CB00686. All three kirromycin congeners depleted Wolbachia in LDW1 Drosophila cells in vitro with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) in nanomolar range, while doxycycline, a registered drug with anti- Wolbachia activity, showed lower activity with an IC50 of 152 ± 55 nM. Furthermore, 1-3 eliminated the Wolbachia endosymbiont in Brugia pahangi ovaries ex vivo with higher efficiency (65%-90%) at 1 μM than that of doxycycline (50%). No cytotoxicity against HEK293T and HepG2 mammalian cells was observed with 1-3 at the highest concentration (40 μM) used in the assay. These results suggest kirromycin is an effective lead scaffold, further exploration of which could potentially lead to the development of novel treatments for filarial nematode infections.}, }
@article {pmid31072343, year = {2019}, author = {Chamberlain, NB and Mehari, YT and Hayes, BJ and Roden, CM and Kidane, DT and Swehla, AJ and Lorenzana-DeWitt, MA and Farone, AL and Gunderson, JH and Berk, SG and Farone, MB}, title = {Infection and nuclear interaction in mammalian cells by 'Candidatus Berkiella cookevillensis', a novel bacterium isolated from amoebae.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {91}, pmid = {31072343}, issn = {1471-2180}, mesh = {Amoeba/*microbiology ; Cell Nucleus/*microbiology ; Cytoplasm/microbiology ; Gammaproteobacteria/*physiology/ultrastructure ; HeLa Cells ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Monocytes/*microbiology/ultrastructure ; Symbiosis ; THP-1 Cells ; U937 Cells ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: 'Candidatus Berkiella cookevillensis' and 'Ca. Berkiella aquae' have previously been described as intranuclear bacteria of amoebae. Both bacteria were isolated from amoebae and were described as appearing within the nuclei of Acanthamoeba polyphaga and ultimately lysing their host cells within 4 days. Both bacteria are Gammaproteobacteria in the order Legionellales with the greatest similarity to Coxiella burnetii. Neither bacterium grows axenically in artificial culture media. In this study, we further characterized 'Ca. B. cookevillensis' by demonstrating association with nuclei of human phagocytic and nonphagocytic cell lines.<br><br>RESULTS: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy were used to confirm nuclear co-localization of 'Ca. B. cookevillensis' in the amoeba host A. polyphaga with 100% of cells having bacteria co-localized with host nuclei by 48&#x2009;h. TEM and confocal microscopy demonstrated that the bacterium was also observed to be closely associated with nuclei of human U937 and THP-1 differentiated macrophage cell lines and nonphagocytic HeLa human epithelial-like cells. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that the bacteria-containing vacuole invaginates the nuclear membranes and appears to cross from the cytoplasm into the nucleus as an intact vacuole.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Results of this study indicate that a novel coccoid bacterium isolated from amoebae can infect human cell lines by associating with the host cell nuclei, either by crossing the nuclear membranes or by deeply invaginating the nuclear membranes. When associated with the nuclei, the bacteria appear to be bound within a vacuole and replicate to high numbers by 48&#x2009;h. We believe this is the first report of such a process involving bacteria and human cell lines.}, }
@article {pmid31068442, year = {2019}, author = {Bakowski, MA and Shiroodi, RK and Liu, R and Olejniczak, J and Yang, B and Gagaring, K and Guo, H and White, PM and Chappell, L and Debec, A and Landmann, F and Dubben, B and Lenz, F and Struever, D and Ehrens, A and Frohberger, SJ and Sjoberg, H and Pionnier, N and Murphy, E and Archer, J and Steven, A and Chunda, VC and Fombad, FF and Chounna, PW and Njouendou, AJ and Metuge, HM and Ndzeshang, BL and Gandjui, NV and Akumtoh, DN and Kwenti, TDB and Woods, AK and Joseph, SB and Hull, MV and Xiong, W and Kuhen, KL and Taylor, MJ and Wanji, S and Turner, JD and Hübner, MP and Hoerauf, A and Chatterjee, AK and Roland, J and Tremblay, MS and Schultz, PG and Sullivan, W and Chu, XJ and Petrassi, HM and McNamara, CW}, title = {Discovery of short-course antiwolbachial quinazolines for elimination of filarial worm infections.}, journal = {Science translational medicine}, volume = {11}, number = {491}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1126/scitranslmed.aav3523}, pmid = {31068442}, issn = {1946-6242}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; *Drug Discovery ; Female ; Filariasis/*drug therapy/*parasitology ; Filarioidea/drug effects/microbiology/*physiology ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; Mice ; Phenotype ; Quinazolines/chemistry/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Small Molecule Libraries ; Wolbachia/drug effects ; }, abstract = {Parasitic filarial nematodes cause debilitating infections in people in resource-limited countries. A clinically validated approach to eliminating worms uses a 4- to 6-week course of doxycycline that targets Wolbachia, a bacterial endosymbiont required for worm viability and reproduction. However, the prolonged length of therapy and contraindication in children and pregnant women have slowed adoption of this treatment. Here, we describe discovery and optimization of quinazolines CBR417 and CBR490 that, with a single dose, achieve >99% elimination of Wolbachia in the in vivo Litomosoides sigmodontis filarial infection model. The efficacious quinazoline series was identified by pairing a primary cell-based high-content imaging screen with an orthogonal ex vivo validation assay to rapidly quantify Wolbachia elimination in Brugia pahangi filarial ovaries. We screened 300,368 small molecules in the primary assay and identified 288 potent and selective hits. Of 134 primary hits tested, only 23.9% were active in the worm-based validation assay, 8 of which contained a quinazoline heterocycle core. Medicinal chemistry optimization generated quinazolines with excellent pharmacokinetic profiles in mice. Potent antiwolbachial activity was confirmed in L. sigmodontis, Brugia malayi, and Onchocerca ochengi in vivo preclinical models of filarial disease and in vitro selectivity against Loa loa (a safety concern in endemic areas). The favorable efficacy and in vitro safety profiles of CBR490 and CBR417 further support these as clinical candidates for treatment of filarial infections.}, }
@article {pmid31056486, year = {2019}, author = {Alowaysi, M and Chen, J and Stark, S and Teague, K and LaCourse, M and Proctor, J and Vigil, K and Corrigan, J and Harding, A and Li, J and Kurtti, T and Zhong, J}, title = {Isolation and characterization of a Rickettsia from the ovary of a Western black-legged tick, Ixodes pacificus.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {918-923}, pmid = {31056486}, issn = {1877-9603}, support = {R15 AI099902/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; California ; DNA, Bacterial/*genetics ; DNA, Intergenic ; Female ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Ovary/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsia/*classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {A rickettsial isolate was obtained from a partially engorged Ixodes pacificus female, which was collected from Humboldt County, California. The isolate was provisionally named Rickettsia endosymbiont Ixodes pacificus (REIP). The REIP isolate displayed the highest nucleotide sequence identity to Rickettsia species phylotype G021 in I. pacificus (99%, 99%, and 100% for ompA, 16S rRNA, and gltA, respectively), a bacterium that was previously identified in I. pacifiucs by PCR. Analysis of sequences from complete opening frames of five genes, 16S rRNA, gltA, ompA, ompB, and sca4, provided inference to the bacteria's classification among other Rickettsia species. The REIP isolate displayed 99.8%, 99.4%, 99.2%, 99.5%, and 99.6% nucleotide sequence identity for 16S rRNA, gltA, ompA, ompB, and sca4 gene, respectively, with genes of 'R. monacensis' str. IrR/Munich, indicating the REIP isolate is closely related to 'R. monacensis'. Our suggestion was further supported by phylogenetic analysis using concatenated sequences of 16S rRNA, gltA, ompA, ompB, and sca4 genes, concatenated sequences of dksA-xerC, mppA-purC, and rpmE-tRNA[fMet] intergenic spacer regions. Both phylogenetic trees implied that the REIP isolate is most closely related to 'R. monacensis' str. IrR/Munich. We propose the bacterium be considered as 'Rickettsia monacensis' str. Humboldt for its closest phylogenetic relative (=DSM 103975 T = ATCC TSD-94 T).}, }
@article {pmid31052498, year = {2019}, author = {Cao, LJ and Jiang, W and Hoffmann, AA}, title = {Life History Effects Linked to an Advantage for wAu Wolbachia in Drosophila.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {31052498}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {DP120100916//Australian Research Council/ ; R01 GM104325/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; 1118640//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; GJHZ2017-5//Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences/ ; LE150100083//Australian Research Council/ ; 5R01GM104325//National Institutes of Health/ ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia endosymbiont infections can persist and spread in insect populations without causing apparent effects on reproduction of their insect hosts, but the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. Here, we test for fitness effects of the wAu infection of Drosophila simulans by comparing multiple infected and uninfected polymorphic isofemale lines derived from nature. We show a fitness advantage (higher offspring number) for lines with the wAu Wolbachia infection when breeding on grapes, but only where there was Talaromyces and Penicillium fungal mycelial growth. When breeding on laboratory medium, the wAu infection extended the development time and resulted in larger females with higher fecundity, life history traits, which may increase fitness. A chemical associated with the fungi (ochratoxin A) did not specifically alter the fitness of wAu-infected larvae, which developed slower and emerged with a greater weight regardless of toxin levels. These findings suggest that the fitness benefits of Wolbachia in natural populations may reflect life history changes that are advantageous under particular circumstances, such as when breeding occurs in rotting fruit covered by abundant mycelial growth.}, }
@article {pmid31037804, year = {2019}, author = {Bañuelos-Vazquez, LA and Torres Tejerizo, G and Cervantes-De La Luz, L and Girard, L and Romero, D and Brom, S}, title = {Conjugative transfer between Rhizobium etli endosymbionts inside the root nodule.}, journal = {Environmental microbiology}, volume = {21}, number = {9}, pages = {3430-3441}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.14645}, pmid = {31037804}, issn = {1462-2920}, support = {188967//Bilateral Mexico-Argentina Cooperation, from CONACYT-CONICET/ ; IN203515//Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigaci&#xf3;n e Innovaci&#xf3;n Tecnol&#xf3;gica (PAPIIT), UNAM/ ; //Alexander von Humboldt Foundation/ ; 384814//Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnolog&#xed;a/ ; //Universidad Nacional Aut&#xf3;noma de M&#xe9;xico/ ; }, abstract = {Since the discovery that biological nitrogen fixation ensues in nodules resulting from the interaction of rhizobia with legumes, nodules were thought to be exclusive for hosting nitrogen-fixing and plant growth promoting bacteria. In this work, we uncover a novel function of nodules, as a niche permissive to acquisition of plasmids via conjugative transfer. We used Rhizobium etli CFN42, which nodulates Phaseolus vulgaris. The genome of R. etli CFN42 contains a chromosome and six plasmids. pRet42a is a conjugative plasmid regulated by Quorum-Sensing (QS), and pRet42d is the symbiotic plasmid. Here, using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, we show that pRet42a transfers on the root's surface, and unexpectedly, inside the nodules. Conjugation still took place inside nodules, even when it was restricted on the plant surface by placing the QS traI regulator under the promoter of the nitrogenase gene, which is only expressed inside the nodules, or by inhibiting the QS transcriptional induction of transfer genes with a traM antiactivator on an unstable vector maintained on the plant surface and lost inside the nodules. These results conclusively confirm the occurrence of conjugation in these structures, defining them as a protected environment for bacterial diversification.}, }
@article {pmid31034469, year = {2019}, author = {Dietel, AK and Merker, H and Kaltenpoth, M and Kost, C}, title = {Selective advantages favour high genomic AT-contents in intracellular elements.}, journal = {PLoS genetics}, volume = {15}, number = {4}, pages = {e1007778}, pmid = {31034469}, issn = {1553-7404}, mesh = {*Base Composition ; Extrachromosomal Inheritance ; Gene Dosage ; *Genetic Structures ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Genomics/methods ; Plasmids ; Selection, Genetic ; }, abstract = {Extrachromosomal genetic elements such as bacterial endosymbionts and plasmids generally exhibit AT-contents that are increased relative to their hosts' DNA. The AT-bias of endosymbiotic genomes is commonly explained by neutral evolutionary processes such as a mutational bias towards increased A+T. Here we show experimentally that an increased AT-content of host-dependent elements can be selectively favoured. Manipulating the nucleotide composition of bacterial cells by introducing A+T-rich or G+C-rich plasmids, we demonstrate that cells containing GC-rich plasmids are less fit than cells containing AT-rich plasmids. Moreover, the cost of GC-rich elements could be compensated by providing precursors of G+C, but not of A+T, thus linking the observed fitness effects to the cytoplasmic availability of nucleotides. Accordingly, introducing AT-rich and GC-rich plasmids into other bacterial species with different genomic GC-contents revealed that the costs of G+C-rich plasmids decreased with an increasing GC-content of their host's genomic DNA. Taken together, our work identifies selection as a strong evolutionary force that drives the genomes of intracellular genetic elements toward higher A+T contents.}, }
@article {pmid31031440, year = {2019}, author = {Kaushik, S and Sharma, KK and Ramani, R and Lakhanpaul, S}, title = {Detection of Wolbachia Phage (WO) in Indian Lac Insect [Kerria lacca (Kerr.)] and Its Implications.}, journal = {Indian journal of microbiology}, volume = {59}, number = {2}, pages = {237-240}, pmid = {31031440}, issn = {0046-8991}, abstract = {Wolbachia, a maternally inherited bacterium induces reproductive alterations in its hosts such as feminization of males, male killing and parthenogenesis. It is the most diverse endosymbiont infecting more than 70% of the insects ranging from pests to pollinators. Kerria lacca-a hemipteran is a sedentary, oriental insect known to produce lac-the only resin of animal origin. The present study was conducted to screen the presence of Wolbachia and its associated phages in the two infrasubspecific forms (four insect lines) of K. lacca viz. kusmi and rengeeni differing from each other on the basis of host preference. Wolbachia and its associated phage were found to be prevalent in all the insect lines analyzed. We, hereby, report the presence of WO-phage (Wolbachia phage) for the first time in K. lacca. Further, phylogenetic data differentiated the kusmi and rengeeni infrasubspecific forms into two different groups on the basis of WO-phage sequences.}, }
@article {pmid31024030, year = {2019}, author = {Wang, HL and Lei, T and Xia, WQ and Cameron, SL and Liu, YQ and Zhang, Z and Gowda, MMN and De Barro, P and Navas-Castillo, J and Omongo, CA and Delatte, H and Lee, KY and Patel, MV and Krause-Sakate, R and Ng, J and Wu, SL and Fiallo-Olivé, E and Liu, SS and Colvin, J and Wang, XW}, title = {Insight into the microbial world of Bemisia tabaci cryptic species complex and its relationships with its host.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {6568}, pmid = {31024030}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae/classification/physiology ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsia/classification/physiology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The 37 currently recognized Bemisia tabaci cryptic species are economically important species and contain both primary and secondary endosymbionts, but their diversity has never been mapped systematically across the group. To achieve this, PacBio sequencing of full-length bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons was carried out on 21 globally collected species in the B. tabaci complex, and two samples from B. afer were used here as outgroups. The microbial diversity was first explored across the major lineages of the whole group and 15 new putative bacterial sequences were observed. Extensive comparison of our results with previous endosymbiont diversity surveys which used PCR or multiplex 454 pyrosequencing platforms showed that the bacterial diversity was underestimated. To validate these new putative bacteria, one of them (Halomonas) was first confirmed to be present in MED B. tabaci using Hiseq2500 and FISH technologies. These results confirmed PacBio is a reliable and informative venue to reveal the bacterial diversity of insects. In addition, many new secondary endosymbiotic strains of Rickettsia and Arsenophonus were found, increasing the known diversity in these groups. For the previously described primary endosymbionts, one Portiera Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU) was shared by all B. tabaci species. The congruence of the B. tabaci-host and Portiera phylogenetic trees provides strong support for the hypothesis that primary endosymbionts co-speciated with their hosts. Likewise, a comparison of bacterial alpha diversities, Principal Coordinate Analysis, indistinct endosymbiotic communities harbored by different species and the co-divergence analyses suggest a lack of association between overall microbial diversity with cryptic species, further indicate that the secondary endosymbiont-mediated speciation is unlikely to have occurred in the B. tabaci species group.}, }
@article {pmid31023629, year = {2019}, author = {Tokarz, R and Tagliafierro, T and Sameroff, S and Cucura, DM and Oleynik, A and Che, X and Jain, K and Lipkin, WI}, title = {Microbiome analysis of Ixodes scapularis ticks from New York and Connecticut.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {894-900}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.011}, pmid = {31023629}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Anaplasma phagocytophilum/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Babesia microti/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Bacteria/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Borrelia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Connecticut ; Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Ixodes/*microbiology/parasitology/virology ; Male ; Metagenomics ; *Microbiota ; Nematoda/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; New York ; Nymph/microbiology/parasitology/virology ; Rickettsia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Viruses/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {We employed high throughput sequencing to survey the microbiomes of Ixodes scapularis collected in New York and Connecticut. We examined 197 individual I. scapularis adults and pools from 132 adults and 197 nymphs. We detected Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto in 56.3% of individual ticks, Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 10.6%, Borrelia miyamotoi in 5%, Babesia microti in 7.6%, and Powassan virus in 3.6%. We did not detect Borrelia mayonii, Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis, Bartonella spp. or pathogenic Babesia species other than B. microti. The most abundant bacterium (65%), and only rickettsial species identified, was the endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri. A filarial nematode was found in 13.7% of adult ticks. Fourteen viruses were detected including South Bay virus (22%) and blacklegged tick phlebovirus 1 and 2 (73%). This study provides insight into the microbial diversity of I. scapularis in New York State and Connecticut.}, }
@article {pmid31017531, year = {2019}, author = {Rana, VS and Popli, S and Saurav, GK and Raina, HS and Jamwal, R and Chaubey, R and Ramamurthy, VV and Natarajan, K and Rajagopal, R}, title = {Implication of the Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, Collagen Protein in Begomoviruses Acquisition and Transmission.}, journal = {Phytopathology}, volume = {109}, number = {8}, pages = {1481-1493}, doi = {10.1094/PHYTO-03-18-0082-R}, pmid = {31017531}, issn = {0031-949X}, mesh = {Animals ; *Begomovirus/pathogenicity ; Collagen ; *Hemiptera/virology ; India ; Plant Diseases/*virology ; }, abstract = {Begomoviruses are the largest group of plant viruses transmitted exclusively by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), in a persistent, circulative, and nonpropagative manner. Begomoviruses in association with B. tabaci cause enormous loss to world agricultural crops. Transmission, retention, and circulation of begomovirus in B. tabaci are facilitated by its interaction with several proteins of the insect and its endosymbionts. However, very few such proteins have been identified from B. tabaci that are involved in this specific interaction. Here, we have performed yeast two-hybrid assay between B. tabaci complementary DNA expression library and the coat protein (CP) of tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) and cotton leaf curl Rajasthan virus (CLCuV). Collagen was the common protein found to be interacting with both of the viruses. The collagen protein was found to be localized in gut layers of B. tabaci. Additionally, pull-down and dot-blot assays confirmed the association of endogenous collagen with ToLCNDV CP. Immunolocalization analysis also showed colocalization of ToLCNDV particles and collagen within insect gut. Finally, B. tabaci fed on anticollagen antibody and exhibited ∼46% reduction in ToLCNDV transmission, suggesting a supportive role for collagen in virus transmission.}, }
@article {pmid31014872, year = {2018}, author = {Phoosangwalthong, P and Hii, SF and Kamyingkird, K and Kengradomkij, C and Pinyopanuwat, N and Chimnoi, W and Traub, RJ and Inpankaew, T}, title = {Cats as potential mammalian reservoirs for Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125 in Bangkok, Thailand.}, journal = {Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports}, volume = {13}, number = {}, pages = {188-192}, doi = {10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.07.001}, pmid = {31014872}, issn = {2405-9390}, mesh = {Animals ; Animals, Wild/microbiology ; Cat Diseases/epidemiology/microbiology ; Cats/*microbiology ; Ctenocephalides/microbiology ; Disease Reservoirs/microbiology/*veterinary ; Female ; Genotype ; Male ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Rickettsia/*classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/*veterinary ; Rickettsia felis/genetics ; Risk Factors ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Thailand/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {Rickettsia felis is an obligate intracellular alpha-proteobacteria and the cause of flea-borne spotted fever (FBSF), an emerging zoonosis of global public health importance, for which dogs and cats have been implicated as potential mammalian reservoirs hosts. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for R. felis-like species in semi-domesticated cats and their fleas in aim of understanding public health risks posed by cats and their fleas in Bangkok, Thailand. Single whole blood samples (n = 432) and where observed, fleas (n = 234), were collected from cats from 53 temple communities in Bangkok. Fleas were morphologically and genetically identified to a species level. Cat blood and fleas were subjected to a spotted fever group (SFG)-specific PCR targeting the partial outer membrane protein B (ompB). Those that were positive, were further characterised using an R. felis-specific nested PCR targeting the partial citrate synthase A (gltA) gene. All fleas were identified as Ctenocephalides felis felis. In total SFG Rickettsiae were detected in the blood of 82/482 (17.01%) cats and 3/234 fleas (1.28%). DNA sequencing of the partial ompB characterised all positive amplicons from cat blood and their fleas as 100% identical to Rickettsia endosymbiont of Ctenocephalides felis orientis isolate (Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125) and Rickettsia asemboensis (GenBank accession no. KP256362 and KY650699, respectively). The gltA gene targeting R. felis was successfully amplified from 12/82 PCR-positive cat blood samples and these clustered with 99% bootstrap support with isolates within the Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125 clade. Cats that were permitted to roam freely inside monasteries were more likely to be infected with R. felis compared with cats confined indoors. The results suggest that cats in Thailand are potential mammalian reservoir hosts for Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125.}, }
@article {pmid31006611, year = {2019}, author = {Vila, A and Estrada-Peña, A and Altet, L and Cusco, A and Dandreano, S and Francino, O and Halos, L and Roura, X}, title = {Endosymbionts carried by ticks feeding on dogs in Spain.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {848-852}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.003}, pmid = {31006611}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*pathogenicity ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Dermacentor/microbiology ; Dogs/*parasitology ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Ixodidae/microbiology ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology ; Spain ; *Symbiosis ; Tick Infestations/microbiology/*veterinary ; Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/*veterinary ; Ticks/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Studies on tick microbial communities historically focused on tick-borne pathogens. However, there is an increasing interest in capturing relationships among non-pathogenic endosymbionts and exploring their relevance for tick biology. The present study included a total of 1600 adult ticks collected from domestic dogs in 4 different biogeographical regions of Spain. Each pool formed by 1 to 10 halves of individuals representing one specific ticks species was examined by PCR for the presence of Coxiellaceae, Rickettsia spp., Rickettsiales, Wolbachia spp., and other bacterial DNA. Of the pools analyzed, 92% tested positive for endosymbiont-derived DNA. Coxiella spp. endosymbionts were the most prevalent microorganisms, being always present in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) pools. Rickettsia spp. DNA was detected in 60% of Dermacentor reticulatus pools and 40% of R. sanguineus s.l. pools, with a higher diversity of Rickettsia species in R. sanguineus s.l. pools. Our study reveals a negative relationship of Rickettsia massiliae with the presence of tick-borne pathogens in the same pool of ticks. An additional endosymbiont, 'Candidatus Rickettsiella isopodorum', was only detected in D. reticulatus pools. Data from this study indicate that dogs in Spain are exposed to several endosymbionts. Due to the importance of tick-borne pathogens, characterizing the role of endosymbionts for tick physiology and prevalence, may lead to novel control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid31001206, year = {2019}, author = {Chiellini, C and Pasqualetti, C and Lanzoni, O and Fagorzi, C and Bazzocchi, C and Fani, R and Petroni, G and Modeo, L}, title = {Harmful Effect of Rheinheimera sp. EpRS3 (Gammaproteobacteria) Against the Protist Euplotes aediculatus (Ciliophora, Spirotrichea): Insights Into the Ecological Role of Antimicrobial Compounds From Environmental Bacterial Strains.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {510}, pmid = {31001206}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Rheinheimera sp. strain EpRS3, isolated from the rhizosphere of Echinacea purpurea, is already known for its ability to produce antibacterial compounds. By use of culture experiments, we verified and demonstrated its harmful effect against the ciliated protist Euplotes aediculatus (strain EASCc1), which by FISH experiments resulted to harbor in its cytoplasm the obligate bacterial endosymbiont Polynucleobacter necessarius (Betaproteobacteria) and the secondary endosymbiont "Candidatus Nebulobacter yamunensis" (Gammaproteobacteria). In culture experiments, the number of ciliates treated both with liquid broth bacteria-free (Supernatant treatment) and bacteria plus medium (Tq treatment), decreases with respect to control cells, with complete disappearance of ciliates within 6 h after Tq treatment. Results suggest that Rheinheimera sp. EpRS3 produces and releases in liquid culture one or more bioactive molecules affecting E. aediculatus survival. TEM analysis of control (not treated) ciliates allowed to morphologically characterize both kind of E. aediculatus endosymbionts. In treated ciliates, collected soon after the arising of cell suffering leading to death, TEM observations revealed some ultrastructural damages, indicating that P. necessarius endosymbionts went into degradation and vacuolization after both Supernatant and Tq treatments. Additionally, TEM investigation showed that when the ciliate culture was inoculated with Tq treatment, both a notable decrease of P. necessarius number and an increase of damaged and degraded mitochondria occur. FISH experiments performed on treated ciliates confirmed TEM results and, by means of the specific probe herein designed, disclosed the presence of Rheinheimera sp. EpRS3 both inside phagosomes and free in cytoplasm in ciliates after Tq treatment. This finding suggests a putative ability of Rheinheimera sp. EpRS3 to reintroduce itself in the environment avoiding ciliate digestion.}, }
@article {pmid30999960, year = {2019}, author = {Sabūnas, V and Radzijevskaja, J and Sakalauskas, P and Petkevičius, S and Karvelienė, B and Žiliukienė, J and Lipatova, I and Paulauskas, A}, title = {Dirofilaria repens in dogs and humans in Lithuania.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {177}, pmid = {30999960}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {VP1-3.1-&#x160;MM-01-V-02-003//Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba (LT)/ ; }, mesh = {Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Child ; *Dirofilaria repens/microbiology ; Dirofilariasis/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Dog Diseases/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Dogs ; Eye Diseases/parasitology ; Female ; Humans ; Lithuania/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: In Lithuania, the first case of canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis was recorded in 2010. Since then, an increasing number of cases of canine dirofilariosis have been documented in different veterinary clinics throughout the country. Human dirofilariosis was diagnosed in Lithuania for the first time in September 2011. However, to the authors' knowledge, there are no published data on the presence and prevalence of autochthonous dirofilariosis in dogs and humans in the country. The present study provides information about the predominant species and prevalence of Dirofilaria in dogs and describes the cases of human dirofilariosis in Lithuania. It also outlines PCR detection of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia that contributes to the inflammatory features of filarioid infection.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 2280 blood samples and six adult worms from pet and shelter dogs were collected in the central and eastern regions of Lithuania in 2013-2015. Based on their morphological appearance, morphometric measurements and molecular analysis, all the adult nematodes were identified as Dirofilaria repens. The diagnosis of microfilariae in blood samples was based on blood smear analysis and Knott's test. The PCR and sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA ITS2 region and cox1 gene confirmed the presence of D. repens. Overall, 61 (2.7%) of the 2280 blood samples were found to be positive for the presence of D. repens. The infection rate of D. repens was significantly higher in shelter dogs (19.0%; 19/100) than in pet dogs (1.9%; 42/2180) (&#x3c7;[2]&#x2009;=&#x2009;100.039, df&#x2009;=&#x2009;1, P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.0001). Forty-nine DNA samples of D. repens-infected dogs were tested for the presence of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia and, of these, 40 samples (81.6%) were found to be positive. Three ocular and six subcutaneous cases of human dirofilariosis were diagnosed in Lithuania in the period 2011-2018.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of autochthonous D. repens infection in dogs and humans in Lithuania. The present data demonstrate that D. repens is the main etiological agent of dirofilariosis in Lithuania. The DNA of the filarioid endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia was detected in the vast majority of dogs infected with D. repens.}, }
@article {pmid30992179, year = {2019}, author = {Muñoz-Leal, S and Macedo, C and Gonçalves, TC and Dias Barreira, J and Labruna, MB and de Lemos, ERS and Ogrzewalska, M}, title = {Detected microorganisms and new geographic records of Ornithodoros rietcorreai (Acari: Argasidae) from northern Brazil.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {853-861}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.004}, pmid = {30992179}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Anaplasmataceae/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Babesia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Bacteria/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Borrelia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Brazil ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; Geography ; Larva/microbiology ; Male ; Nymph/microbiology ; Ornithodoros/*microbiology/*parasitology ; *Phylogeny ; Rickettsia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Reliable data on distributional ranges of soft ticks (Argasidae) and assessments of putative tick-borne agents enhance the understanding on tick-associated microorganisms. A total of 96 ticks morphologicaly and molecularly identified as Ornithodoros rietcorreai were collected in Tocantins State, Brazil, using Noireau traps with living bait as CO2 source. Ninety-six ticks (54 nymphs, 32 males, 10 females) with different engorgement degrees were collected. Fourty-seven (48.9%) of them were individually screened by PCR for detecting bacteria of Anaplasmataceae family and genera Rickettsia, and Borrelia. The presence of protozoans of the genus Babesia was assessed as well. Fourty seven ticks were submitted to analysis. Nine ticks (19.1%) yielded sequences for gltA and htrA genes most identical with a series of endosymbiont rickettsiae and Rickettsia bellii, respectively. Upon two ticks (4.2%) we retrieved DNA of a potential new Wolbachia sp., and DNA of a putative novel Hepatozoon was characterized from three (6.4%) specimens. No DNA of Babesia or Borrelia was detected. Remarkably, amplicons of unidentified eukaryotic organisms, most closely related with apicomplexans but also with dinoflagellates (91% of identity after BLAST analyses), were recovered from two ticks (4.2%) using primers designed for Babesia 18S rRNA gene. Our records expand the distribution of O. rietcorreai into Brazilian Cerrado biome and introduce the occurrence of microorganisms in this tick species.}, }
@article {pmid30991952, year = {2019}, author = {Dhaygude, K and Nair, A and Johansson, H and Wurm, Y and Sundström, L}, title = {The first draft genomes of the ant Formica exsecta, and its Wolbachia endosymbiont reveal extensive gene transfer from endosymbiont to host.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {301}, pmid = {30991952}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {252411 and 284666 (Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions)//Academy of Finland/ ; BB/K004204/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; NE/L00626X/1//Natural Environment Research Council/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Ants/*genetics/*microbiology ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genes, Insect/genetics ; *Genomics ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wolbachia/*genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Adapting to changes in the environment is the foundation of species survival, and is usually thought to be a gradual process. However, transposable elements (TEs), epigenetic modifications, and/or genetic material acquired from other organisms by means of horizontal gene transfer (HGTs), can also lead to novel adaptive traits. Social insects form dense societies, which attract and maintain extra- and intracellular accessory inhabitants, which may facilitate gene transfer between species. The wood ant Formica exsecta (Formicidae; Hymenoptera), is a common ant species throughout the Palearctic region. The species is a well-established model for studies of ecological characteristics and evolutionary conflict.<br><br>RESULTS: In this study, we sequenced and assembled draft genomes for F. exsecta and its endosymbiont Wolbachia. The F. exsecta draft genome is 277.7&#x2009;Mb long; we identify 13,767 protein coding genes, for which we provide gene ontology and protein domain annotations. This is also the first report of a Wolbachia genome from ants, and provides insights into the phylogenetic position of this endosymbiont. We also identified multiple horizontal gene transfer events (HGTs) from Wolbachia to F. exsecta. Some of these HGTs have also occurred in parallel in multiple other insect genomes, highlighting the extent of HGTs in eukaryotes.<br><br>CONCLUSION: We present the first draft genome of ant F. exsecta, and its endosymbiont Wolbachia (wFex), and show considerable rates of gene transfer from the symbiont to the host. We expect that especially the F. exsecta genome will be valuable resource in further exploration of the molecular basis of the evolution of social organization.}, }
@article {pmid30990223, year = {2019}, author = {Mathé-Hubert, H and Kaech, H and Ganesanandamoorthy, P and Vorburger, C}, title = {Evolutionary costs and benefits of infection with diverse strains of Spiroplasma in pea aphids.}, journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution}, volume = {73}, number = {7}, pages = {1466-1481}, doi = {10.1111/evo.13740}, pmid = {30990223}, issn = {1558-5646}, support = {CRSII3_154396//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#xf6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology/*parasitology ; *Biological Evolution ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Spiroplasma/genetics/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Wasps/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The heritable endosymbiont Spiroplasma infects many insects and has repeatedly evolved the ability to protect its hosts against different parasites. Defenses do not come for free to the host, and theory predicts that more costly symbionts need to provide stronger benefits to persist in host populations. We investigated the costs and benefits of Spiroplasma infections in pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), testing 12 bacterial strains from three different clades. Virtually all strains decreased aphid lifespan and reproduction, but only two had a (weak) protective effect against the parasitoid Aphidius ervi, an important natural enemy of pea aphids. Spiroplasma-induced fitness costs were variable, with strains from the most slowly evolving clade reaching higher titers and curtailing aphid lifespan more strongly than other strains. Some Spiroplasma strains shared their host with a second endosymbiont, Regiella insecticola. Although the result of an unfortunate handling error, these co-infections proved instructive, because they showed that the cost of infection with Spiroplasma may be attenuated in the presence of Regiella. These results suggest that mechanisms other than protection against A. ervi maintain pea aphid infections with diverse strains of Spiroplasma, and that studying them in isolation will not provide a complete picture of their effects on host fitness.}, }
@article {pmid30989224, year = {2019}, author = {Chong, RA and Park, H and Moran, NA}, title = {Genome Evolution of the Obligate Endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {36}, number = {7}, pages = {1481-1489}, doi = {10.1093/molbev/msz082}, pmid = {30989224}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/microbiology ; Buchnera/*genetics ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Gene Rearrangement ; Genetic Variation ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; *Selection, Genetic ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {An evolutionary consequence of uniparentally transmitted symbiosis is degradation of symbiont genomes. We use the system of aphids and their maternally inherited obligate endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, to explore the evolutionary process of genome degradation. We compared complete genome sequences for 39 Buchnera strains, including 23 newly sequenced symbiont genomes from diverse aphid hosts. We reconstructed the genome of the most recent shared Buchnera ancestor, which contained 616 protein-coding genes, and 39 RNA genes. The extent of subsequent gene loss varied across lineages, resulting in modern genomes ranging from 412 to 646 kb and containing 354-587 protein-coding genes. Loss events were highly nonrandom across loci. Genes involved in replication, transcription, translation, and amino acid biosynthesis are largely retained, whereas genes underlying ornithine biosynthesis, stress responses, and transcriptional regulation were lost repeatedly. Aside from losses, gene order is almost completely stable. The main exceptions involve movement between plasmid and chromosome locations of genes underlying tryptophan and leucine biosynthesis and supporting nutrition of aphid hosts. This set of complete genomes enabled tests for signatures of positive diversifying selection. Of 371 Buchnera genes tested, 29 genes show strong support for ongoing positive selection. These include genes encoding outer membrane porins that are expected to be involved in direct interactions with hosts. Collectively, these results indicate that extensive genome reduction occurred in the ancestral Buchnera prior to aphid diversification and that reduction has continued since, with losses greater in some lineages and for some loci.}, }
@article {pmid30984153, year = {2019}, author = {Buckley, A and MacGregor, B and Teske, A}, title = {Identification, Expression and Activity of Candidate Nitrite Reductases From Orange Beggiatoaceae, Guaymas Basin.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {644}, pmid = {30984153}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Orange filamentous Beggiatoaceae form massive microbial mats on hydrothermal sediments in Guaymas Basin; these bacteria are considered to oxidize sulfide with nitrate and nitrite as electron acceptors. From a previously analyzed genome of an orange Beggiatoaceae filament, three candidate genes for enzymes with nitrite-reducing function - an orange octaheme cytochrome, a nirS nitrite reductase, and a nitrite/tetrathionate-reducing octaheme cytochrome - were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed and purified orange cytochrome showed reduced nitrite-reducing activity compared to the multifunctional native protein obtained from microbial mats. The nirS gene product showed in vitro but no in-gel nitrite-reducing activity; and the nitrite/tetrathionate-reducing octaheme cytochrome was capable of reducing both nitrite and tetrathionate in vitro. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the orange Beggiatoaceae nirS, in contrast to the other candidate nitrite reductases, does not form monophyletic lineages with its counterparts in other large sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, and most likely represents a recent acquisition by lateral gene transfer. The nitrite/tetrathionate-reducing enzyme of the orange Beggiatoaceae is related to nitrite- and tetrathionate reductases harbored predominantly by Gammaproteobacteria, including obligate endosymbionts of hydrothermal vent tubeworms. Thus, the orange Guaymas Basin Beggiatoaceae have a repertoire of at least three different functional enzymes for nitrite reduction. By demonstrating the unusual diversity of enzymes with a potential role in nitrite reduction, we show that bacteria in highly dynamic, sulfide-rich hydrothermal vent habitats adapt to these conditions that usually prohibit nitrate and nitrite reduction. In the case of the orange Guaymas Beggiatoaceae, classical denitrification appears to be replaced by different multifunctional enzymes for nitrite and tetrathionate reduction; the resulting ecophysiological flexibility provides a new key to the dominance of these Beggiatoaceae in hydrothermal hot spots.}, }
@article {pmid30963950, year = {2019}, author = {Uchiumi, Y and Ohtsuki, H and Sasaki, A}, title = {Evolution of self-limited cell division of symbionts.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {286}, number = {1895}, pages = {20182238}, pmid = {30963950}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {*Biological Coevolution ; Cell Division/*physiology ; Models, Biological ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {In mutualism between unicellular hosts and their endosymbionts, symbiont's cell division is often synchronized with its host's, ensuring the permanent relationship between endosymbionts and their hosts. The evolution of synchronized cell division thus has been considered to be an essential step in the evolutionary transition from symbionts to organelles. However, if symbionts would accelerate their cell division without regard for the synchronization with the host, they would proliferate more efficiently. Thus, it is paradoxical that symbionts evolve to limit their own division for synchronized cell division. Here, we theoretically explore the condition for the evolution of self-limited cell division of symbionts, by assuming that symbionts control their division rate and that hosts control symbionts' death rate by intracellular digestion and nutrient supply. Our analysis shows that symbionts can evolve to limit their own cell division. Such evolution occurs if not only symbiont's but also host's benefit through symbiosis is large. Moreover, the coevolution of hosts and symbionts leads to either permanent symbiosis where symbionts proliferate to keep pace with their host, or the arms race between symbionts that behave as lytic parasites and hosts that resist them by rapid digestion.}, }
@article {pmid30963947, year = {2019}, author = {Evangelista, DA and Wipfler, B and Béthoux, O and Donath, A and Fujita, M and Kohli, MK and Legendre, F and Liu, S and Machida, R and Misof, B and Peters, RS and Podsiadlowski, L and Rust, J and Schuette, K and Tollenaar, W and Ware, JL and Wappler, T and Zhou, X and Meusemann, K and Simon, S}, title = {An integrative phylogenomic approach illuminates the evolutionary history of cockroaches and termites (Blattodea).}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {286}, number = {1895}, pages = {20182076}, pmid = {30963947}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Cockroaches/*classification/genetics ; Isoptera/*classification/genetics ; *Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Phylogenetic relationships among subgroups of cockroaches and termites are still matters of debate. Their divergence times and major phenotypic transitions during evolution are also not yet settled. We addressed these points by combining the first nuclear phylogenomic study of termites and cockroaches with a thorough approach to divergence time analysis, identification of endosymbionts, and reconstruction of ancestral morphological traits and behaviour. Analyses of the phylogenetic relationships within Blattodea robustly confirm previously uncertain hypotheses such as the sister-group relationship between Blaberoidea and remaining Blattodea, and Lamproblatta being the closest relative to the social and wood-feeding Cryptocercus and termites. Consequently, we propose new names for various clades in Blattodea: Cryptocercus + termites = Tutricablattae; Lamproblattidae + Tutricablattae = Kittrickea; and Blattoidea + Corydioidea = Solumblattodea. Our inferred divergence times contradict previous studies by showing that most subgroups of Blattodea evolved in the Cretaceous, reducing the gap between molecular estimates of divergence times and the fossil record. On a phenotypic level, the blattodean ground-plan is for egg packages to be laid directly in a hole while other forms of oviposition, including ovovivipary and vivipary, arose later. Finally, other changes in egg care strategy may have allowed for the adaptation of nest building and other novelties.}, }
@article {pmid30963934, year = {2019}, author = {Taubner, I and Hu, MY and Eisenhauer, A and Bleich, M}, title = {Electrophysiological evidence for light-activated cation transport in calcifying corals.}, journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences}, volume = {286}, number = {1896}, pages = {20182444}, pmid = {30963934}, issn = {1471-2954}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/growth &amp; development/metabolism/*radiation effects ; Calcification, Physiologic ; Cations/*metabolism/radiation effects ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Ion Transport/*radiation effects ; *Light ; }, abstract = {Light has been demonstrated to enhance calcification rates in hermatypic coral species. To date, it remains unresolved whether calcifying epithelia change their ion transport activity during illumination, and whether such a process is mediated by the endosymbiotic algae or can be controlled by the coral host itself. Using a modified Ussing chamber in combination with H[+] sensitive microelectrode measurements, the present work demonstrates that light triggers the generation of a skeleton positive potential of up to 0.9 mV in the hermatypic coral Stylophora pistillata. This potential is generated by a net flux of cations towards the skeleton and reaches its maximum at blue (450 nm) light. The effects of pharmacological inhibitors targeting photosynthesis 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) and anion transport 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS) were investigated by pH microelectrode measurements in coral tissues demonstrating a rapid decrease in tissue pH under illumination. However, these inhibitors showed no effect on the electrophysiological light response of the coral host. By contrast, metabolic inhibition by cyanide and deoxyglucose reversibly inhibited the light-induced cation flux towards the skeleton. These results suggest that ion transport across coral epithelia is directly triggered by blue light, independent of photosynthetic activity of algal endosymbionts. Measurements of this very specific and quantifiable physiological response can provide parameters to identify photoreception mechanisms and will help to broaden our understanding of the mechanistic link between light stimulation and epithelial ion transport, potentially relevant for calcification in hermatypic corals.}, }
@article {pmid30963267, year = {2019}, author = {Boevé, JL and Rozenberg, R}, title = {Berberis sawfly contains toxic peptides not only at larval stage.}, journal = {Die Naturwissenschaften}, volume = {106}, number = {5-6}, pages = {14}, pmid = {30963267}, issn = {1432-1904}, mesh = {Animals ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Feces/chemistry ; Hymenoptera/*chemistry ; Larva/chemistry ; Oligopeptides/analysis ; Peptides/*analysis ; Pupa/chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Toxins, Biological/*analysis ; }, abstract = {Livestock can die from grazing in areas where larvae of certain Argidae or Pergidae species containing toxic peptides occur in mass. However, it remains unknown whether other stages also contain these compounds. Here, single specimens of larvae, prepupae, and adults of Arge berberidis, plus samples of its cocoons and larval feces, were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The four peptides, pergidin (Perg), 4-valinepergidin (VPerg), dephosphorylated pergidin (dpPerg), and lophyrotomin (LGln), were detected in each of the three stages. Peptide concentrations, in percentage fresh weight, increased from larval up to adult stages, with mean values from 0.044 to 0.125% for Perg, 0.008 to 0.023% for VPerg, and 0.064 to 0.116% for LGln, whereas dpPerg never exceeded 0.001%. The concentrations of this latter peptide averaged 0.002% in the cocoon built by the prepupa, and nearly no peptides were detected in larval feces. Moreover, the concentrations of the three main peptides (Perg, LGln, and VPerg) tended to be correlated with each other in larvae and especially in adults. It is likely that peptide production, purportedly by an endosymbiont, stops at prepupal stage and that concentration of the peptides increases from prepupa to adult due to a decrease of body weight.}, }
@article {pmid30962510, year = {2019}, author = {Gallo-Franco, JJ and Duque-Gamboa, DN and Toro-Perea, N}, title = {Bacterial communities of Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from pepper crops (Capsicum sp.).}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {5766}, pmid = {30962510}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology/pathogenicity ; Bacteria/classification/genetics ; Capsicum/parasitology ; *Host Specificity ; *Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {Insects harbor a wide variety of microorganisms that form complex and changing communities and play an important role in the biology and evolution of their hosts. Aphids have been used as model organisms to study microorganism-insect interactions. Almost all aphids are infected with the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola and can host different bacteria that allow them to acquire traits of agronomic importance, such as resistance to high temperatures and/or defense against natural enemies. However, the bacterial communities of most aphid species remain poorly characterized. In this study, we used high-throughput DNA sequencing to characterize the bacterial communities of Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae from two cultivable pepper species, Capsicum frutescens (Tabasco variety) and C. annuum (Cayenne variety), in four localities of southwestern Colombia. In addition, we evaluated the dynamics of A. gossypii-associated microorganisms on a seasonal basis. Our results show that the bacterial communities of A. gossypii and M. persicae are dominated by the primary endosymbiont B. aphidicola, while the presence of the facultative symbiont Arsenophonus sp. was only detected in one A. gossypii population from cayenne pepper. In addition to these two known symbionts, eight bacterial OTUs were identified that presented a frequency of 1% or more in at least one of the analyzed populations. The results show that the bacterial communities of aphids associated with pepper crops appears to be structured according to the host aphid species and the geographical location, while no differences were observed in the diversity of bacteria between host plants. Finally, the diversity and abundance of the A. gossypii bacterial community was variable among the four sampling points evaluated over the year and showed a relation with the aphid's population dynamics. This study represents the first approach to the knowledge of the bacterial community present in chili pepper aphids from Colombia. Nevertheless, more in-depth studies, including replicates, are required to confirm the patterns observed in the microbial communities of aphids from pepper crops.}, }
@article {pmid30962361, year = {2019}, author = {Jäckle, O and Seah, BKB and Tietjen, M and Leisch, N and Liebeke, M and Kleiner, M and Berg, JS and Gruber-Vodicka, HR}, title = {Chemosynthetic symbiont with a drastically reduced genome serves as primary energy storage in the marine flatworm Paracatenula.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {116}, number = {17}, pages = {8505-8514}, pmid = {30962361}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; Chemoautotrophic Growth/genetics/physiology ; Genome, Bacterial/*genetics ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; *Platyhelminths/metabolism/microbiology/physiology ; *Rhodospirillaceae/genetics/physiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics/physiology ; }, abstract = {Hosts of chemoautotrophic bacteria typically have much higher biomass than their symbionts and consume symbiont cells for nutrition. In contrast to this, chemoautotrophic Candidatus Riegeria symbionts in mouthless Paracatenula flatworms comprise up to half of the biomass of the consortium. Each species of Paracatenula harbors a specific Ca Riegeria, and the endosymbionts have been vertically transmitted for at least 500 million years. Such prolonged strict vertical transmission leads to streamlining of symbiont genomes, and the retained physiological capacities reveal the functions the symbionts provide to their hosts. Here, we studied a species of Paracatenula from Sant'Andrea, Elba, Italy, using genomics, gene expression, imaging analyses, as well as targeted and untargeted MS. We show that its symbiont, Ca R. santandreae has a drastically smaller genome (1.34 Mb) than the symbiont´s free-living relatives (4.29-4.97 Mb) but retains a versatile and energy-efficient metabolism. It encodes and expresses a complete intermediary carbon metabolism and enhanced carbon fixation through anaplerosis and accumulates massive intracellular inclusions such as sulfur, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and carbohydrates. Compared with symbiotic and free-living chemoautotrophs, Ca R. santandreae's versatility in energy storage is unparalleled in chemoautotrophs with such compact genomes. Transmission EM as well as host and symbiont expression data suggest that Ca R. santandreae largely provisions its host via outer-membrane vesicle secretion. With its high share of biomass in the symbiosis and large standing stocks of carbon and energy reserves, it has a unique role for bacterial symbionts-serving as the primary energy storage for its animal host.}, }
@article {pmid30953568, year = {2019}, author = {Chen, W and Shakir, S and Bigham, M and Richter, A and Fei, Z and Jander, G}, title = {Genome sequence of the corn leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch).}, journal = {GigaScience}, volume = {8}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {30953568}, issn = {2047-217X}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/classification/drug effects/*genetics/metabolism ; Computational Biology/methods ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Genome ; *Genomics/methods ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Insecticide Resistance ; Molecular Sequence Annotation ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The corn leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch) is the most economically damaging aphid pest on maize (Zea mays), one of the world's most important grain crops. In addition to causing direct damage by removing photoassimilates, R. maidis transmits several destructive maize viruses, including maize yellow dwarf virus, barley yellow dwarf virus, sugarcane mosaic virus, and cucumber mosaic virus.<br><br>FINDINGS: The genome of a parthenogenetically reproducing R. maidis clone was assembled with a combination of Pacific Biosciences (207-fold coverage) and Illumina (83-fold coverage) sequencing. The 689 assembled contigs, which have an N50 size of 9.0 megabases (Mb) and a low level of heterozygosity, were clustered using Phase Genomics Hi-C interaction maps. Consistent with the commonly observed 2n = 8 karyotype of R. maidis, most of the contigs (473 spanning 321 Mb) were successfully oriented into 4 scaffolds. The genome assembly captured the full length of 95.8% of the core eukaryotic genes, indicating that it is highly complete. Repetitive sequences accounted for 21.2% of the assembly, and a total of 17,629 protein-coding genes were predicted with integrated evidence from ab initio and homology-based gene predictions and transcriptome sequences generated with both Pacific Biosciences and Illumina. An analysis of likely horizontally transferred genes identified 2 from bacteria, 7 from fungi, 2 from protozoa, and 9 from algae. Repeat elements, transposons, and genes encoding likely detoxification enzymes (cytochrome P450s, glutathione S-transferases, carboxylesterases, uridine diphosphate-glucosyltransferases, and ABC transporters) were identified in the genome sequence. Other than Buchnera aphidicola (642,929 base pairs, 602 genes), no endosymbiont bacteria were found in R. maidis.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: A high-quality R. maidis genome was assembled at the chromosome level. This genome sequence will enable further research related to ecological interactions, virus transmission, pesticide resistance, and other aspects of R. maidis biology. It also serves as a valuable resource for comparative investigation of other aphid species.}, }
@article {pmid30953430, year = {2019}, author = {Landmann, F}, title = {The Wolbachia Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Microbiology spectrum}, volume = {7}, number = {2}, pages = {}, pmid = {30953430}, issn = {2165-0497}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/microbiology ; Filarioidea/microbiology ; Host Microbial Interactions/*physiology ; Insecta/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/pathogenicity/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The Wolbachia endosymbionts encompass a large group of intracellular bacteria of biomedical and veterinary relevance, closely related to Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia. This genus of Gram-negative members of the Alphaproteobacteria does not infect vertebrates but is instead restricted to ecdysozoan species, including terrestrial arthropods and a family of parasitic filarial nematodes, the Onchocercidae. The Wolbachia profoundly impact not only the ecology and evolution but also the reproductive biology of their hosts, through a wide range of symbiotic interactions. Because they are essential to the survival and reproduction of their filarial nematode hosts, they represent an attractive target to fight filariasis. Their abilities to spread through insect populations and to affect vector competence through pathogen protection have made Wolbachia a staple for controlling vector-borne diseases. Estimated to be present in up to 66% of insect species, the Wolbachia are probably the most abundant endosymbionts on earth. Their success resides in their unique capacity to infect and manipulate the host germ line to favor their vertical transmission through the maternal lineage. Because the Wolbachia resist genetic manipulation and growth in axenic culture, our understanding of their biology is still in its infancy. Despite these limitations, the "-omics" revolution combined with the use of well-established and emerging experimental host models is accelerating our comprehension of the host phenotypes caused by Wolbachia, and the identification of Wolbachia effectors is ongoing.}, }
@article {pmid30952366, year = {2019}, author = {Gosavi, SM and Verma, CR and Kharat, SS and Pise, M and Kumkar, P}, title = {Structural adequacy of the digestive tract supports dual feeding habit in catfish Pachypterus khavalchor (Siluriformes: Horabagridae).}, journal = {Acta histochemica}, volume = {121}, number = {4}, pages = {437-449}, doi = {10.1016/j.acthis.2019.03.006}, pmid = {30952366}, issn = {1618-0372}, mesh = {Animals ; Catfishes/*anatomy &amp; histology/metabolism/*physiology ; Chitin/metabolism ; Feeding Behavior/*physiology ; Female ; Gastric Mucins/metabolism ; Gastrointestinal Tract/*anatomy &amp; histology/*physiology ; Goblet Cells/cytology/physiology ; Male ; }, abstract = {Lepidophagy is comparatively rare amongst teleost fishes, yet our understanding of this specialization is lacking. Therefore we examined the digestive tract features of Pachypterus khavalchor using morphological, osteological, histological and histochemical techniques to comprehend and relate structural organization of digestive tract with scale eating habit. Morphologically, the alimentary canal is defined by a short and muscular esophagus, well-developed stomach and comparatively short intestine. Gut content analysis and intestinal coefficient value (0.53 ± 0.01) revealed that P. khavalchor exhibit both carnivory and lepidophagy. However, P. khavalchor primarily feeds on the scales (67.47%) and other chitin-rich material like aquatic insects (17.62%), aquatic larvae (8.66%) which affirms its solid association with chitinase producing endosymbionts in the gut. Lepidophagy is further supported by the osteological observations. The perfect segregation of the functions such as food capture, ingestion and processing amongst the different types of teeth located in the oral cavity and pharyngeal region thus could be taken as evolutionary adaptations in scale eaters to support lepidophagy. Specialized arrangement of the esophageal and stomach epithelial folds could be altogether taken as an adaptation with the end goal to frame the scale stacks and accordingly facilitate the handling and processing of chitin-rich bolus. The esophageal mucosa is simple squamous epithelium instead of stratified epithelium with numerous goblet cells to withstand the mechanical harm by hard-food stuff like scales. The cardiac and fundic regions exhibited large number tubular gastric glands with simple columnar epithelium. Surface cells of all three stomach regions stained positive for PAS staining. The intestine is without pyloric caeca and is divided into anterior and posterior region. Histologically it is characterized by simple columnar epithelium with brush border and numerous goblet cells throughout its length. Presence of large number microvilli on anterior and posterior intestine was noticeable. Intestinal goblet cells reacted positively to PAS, AB (pH 1) and AB (pH 2.5). Secretions of goblet cells are important for lubricating and protecting the epithelium. The results of present investigation improve the understanding of the digestive physiology of scale eaters in general and P. khavalchor in particular. Overall, our data indicates that though P. khavalchor predominantly feeds on scale, the digestive physiology is adapted to support dual feeding habit (lepidophagy and carnivory).}, }
@article {pmid30949677, year = {2019}, author = {Pillonel, T and Bertelli, C and Aeby, S and de Barsy, M and Jacquier, N and Kebbi-Beghdadi, C and Mueller, L and Vouga, M and Greub, G}, title = {Sequencing the Obligate Intracellular Rhabdochlamydia helvetica within Its Tick Host Ixodes ricinus to Investigate Their Symbiotic Relationship.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {1334-1344}, pmid = {30949677}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Animals ; Chlamydiales/*genetics/metabolism ; Female ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Host-Parasite Interactions ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The Rhabdochlamydiaceae family is one of the most widely distributed within the phylum Chlamydiae, but most of its members remain uncultivable. Rhabdochlamydia 16S rRNA was recently reported in more than 2% of 8,534 pools of ticks from Switzerland. Shotgun metagenomics was performed on a pool of five female Ixodes ricinus ticks presenting a high concentration of chlamydial DNA, allowing the assembly of a high-quality draft genome. About 60% of sequence reads originated from a single bacterial population that was named "Candidatus Rhabdochlamydia helvetica" whereas only few thousand reads mapped to the genome of "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii," a symbiont normally observed in all I. ricinus females. The 1.8 Mbp genome of R. helvetica is smaller than other Chlamydia-related bacteria. Comparative analyses with other chlamydial genomes identified transposases of the PD-(D/E)XK nuclease family that are unique to this new genome. These transposases show evidence of interphylum horizontal gene transfers between multiple arthropod endosymbionts, including Cardinium spp. (Bacteroidetes) and diverse proteobacteria such as Wolbachia, Rickettsia spp. (Rickettsiales), and Caedimonas varicaedens (Holosporales). Bacterial symbionts were previously suggested to provide B-vitamins to hematophagous hosts. However, incomplete metabolic capacities including for B-vitamin biosynthesis, high bacterial density and limited prevalence suggest that R. helvetica is parasitic rather than symbiotic to its host. The identification of novel Rhabdochlamydia strains in different hosts and their sequencing will help understanding if members of this genus have become highly specialized parasites with reduced genomes, like the Chlamydiaceae, or if they could be pathogenic to humans using ticks as a transmission vector.}, }
@article {pmid30941581, year = {2019}, author = {Han, W and Fan, X and Teng, L and Kaczurowski, MJS and Zhang, X and Xu, D and Yin, Y and Ye, N}, title = {Identification, classification, and evolution of putative xylosyltransferases from algae.}, journal = {Protoplasma}, volume = {256}, number = {4}, pages = {1119-1132}, pmid = {30941581}, issn = {1615-6102}, mesh = {Charophyceae/genetics ; Chlorophyta/*enzymology/genetics ; Embryophyta ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Pentosyltransferases/chemistry/*classification/*genetics/metabolism ; Phaeophyceae/*enzymology/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Polysaccharides ; Protein Conformation ; Rhodophyta/*enzymology/genetics ; UDP Xylose-Protein Xylosyltransferase ; }, abstract = {Xylosyltransferases (XylTs) play key roles in the biosynthesis of many different polysaccharides. These enzymes transfer D-xylose from UDP-xylose to substrate acceptors. In this study, we identified 30 XylTs from primary endosymbionts (green algae, red algae, and glaucophytes) and secondary or higher endosymbionts (brown algae, diatoms, Eustigmatophyceae, Pelagophyceae, and Cryptophyta). We performed comparative phylogenetic studies on key XylT subfamilies, and investigated the functional divergence of genes using RNA-Seq. Of the 30 XylTs, one β-1,4-XylT IRX14-related, one β-1,4 XylT IRX10L-related, and one xyloglucan 6-XylT 1-related gene were identified in the Charophyta, showing strong similarities to their land plant descendants. This implied the ancient occurrence of xylan and xyloglucan biosynthetic machineries in Charophyta. The other 27 XylTs were identified as UDP-D-xylose: L-fucose-α-1,3-D-XylT (FucXylT) type that specifically transferred D-xylose to fucose. We propose that FucXylTs originated from the last eukaryotic common ancestor, rather than being plant specific, because they are also distributed in Choanoflagellatea and Echinodermata. Considering the evidence from many aspects, we hypothesize that the FucXylTs likely participated in fucoidan biosynthesis in brown algae. We provide the first insights into the evolutionary history and functional divergence of FucXylT in algal biology.}, }
@article {pmid30941110, year = {2019}, author = {Moelling, K and Broecker, F}, title = {Viruses and Evolution - Viruses First? A Personal Perspective.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {523}, pmid = {30941110}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The discovery of exoplanets within putative habitable zones revolutionized astrobiology in recent years. It stimulated interest in the question about the origin of life and its evolution. Here, we discuss what the roles of viruses might have been at the beginning of life and during evolution. Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth. They are present everywhere, in our surrounding, the oceans, the soil and in every living being. Retroviruses contributed to about half of our genomic sequences and to the evolution of the mammalian placenta. Contemporary viruses reflect evolution ranging from the RNA world to the DNA-protein world. How far back can we trace their contribution? Earliest replicating and evolving entities are the ribozymes or viroids fulfilling several criteria of life. RNA can perform many aspects of life and influences our gene expression until today. The simplest structures with non-protein-coding information may represent models of life built on structural, not genetic information. Viruses today are obligatory parasites depending on host cells. Examples of how an independent lifestyle might have been lost include mitochondria, chloroplasts, Rickettsia and others, which used to be autonomous bacteria and became intracellular parasites or endosymbionts, thereby losing most of their genes. Even in vitro the loss of genes can be recapitulated all the way from coding to non-coding RNA. Furthermore, the giant viruses may indicate that there is no sharp border between living and non-living entities but an evolutionary continuum. Here, it is discussed how viruses can lose and gain genes, and that they are essential drivers of evolution. This discussion may stimulate the thinking about viruses as early possible forms of life. Apart from our view "viruses first", there are others such as "proteins first" and "metabolism first."}, }
@article {pmid30940213, year = {2019}, author = {Tsagmo Ngoune, JM and Reveillaud, J and Sempere, G and Njiokou, F and Melachio, TT and Abate, L and Tchioffo, MT and Geiger, A}, title = {The composition and abundance of bacterial communities residing in the gut of Glossina palpalis palpalis captured in two sites of southern Cameroon.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {151}, pmid = {30940213}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {Chercheur d'Avenir 2011//Conseil R&#xe9;gional Languedoc-Roussillon/ ; ANR-10-INBS-0009-10//Aix-Marseille Universit&#xe9; (FR)/ ; AGAP HPC Data Center of the South Green Bioinformatics platform//CIRAD/ ; Bourse ARTS//Institut de Recherche pour le D&#xe9;veloppement/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Cameroon ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Molecular Typing ; RNA, Bacterial ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Tsetse Flies/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: A number of reports have demonstrated the role of insect bacterial flora on their host's physiology and metabolism. The tsetse host and vector of trypanosomes responsible for human sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis, HAT) and nagana in animals (African animal trypanosomiasis, AAT) carry bacteria that influence its diet and immune processes. However, the mechanisms involved in these processes remain poorly documented. This underscores the need for increased research into the bacterial flora composition and structure of tsetse flies. The aim of this study was to identify the diversity and relative abundance of bacterial genera in Glossina palpalis palpalis flies collected in two trypanosomiasis foci in Cameroon.<br><br>METHODS: Samples of G. p. palpalis which were either negative or naturally trypanosome-positive were collected in two foci located in southern Cameroon (Campo and Bipindi). Using the V3V4 and V4 variable regions of the small subunit of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene, we analyzed the respective bacteriome of the flies' midguts.<br><br>RESULTS: We identified ten bacterial genera. In addition, we observed that the relative abundance of the obligate endosymbiont Wigglesworthia was highly prominent (around 99%), regardless of the analyzed region. The remaining genera represented approximately 1% of the bacterial flora, and were composed of Salmonella, Spiroplasma, Sphingomonas, Methylobacterium, Acidibacter, Tsukamurella, Serratia, Kluyvera and an unidentified bacterium. The genus Sodalis was present but with a very low abundance. Globally, no statistically significant difference was found between the bacterial compositions of flies from the two foci, and between positive and trypanosome-negative flies. However, Salmonella and Serratia were only described in trypanosome-negative flies, suggesting a potential role for these two bacteria in fly refractoriness to trypanosome infection. In addition, our study showed the V4 region of the small subunit of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was more efficient than the V3V4 region at describing the totality of the bacterial diversity.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: A very large diversity of bacteria was identified with the discovering of species reported to secrete anti-parasitic compounds or to modulate vector competence in other insects. For future studies, the analyses should be enlarged with larger sampling including foci from several countries.}, }
@article {pmid30937430, year = {2019}, author = {Hill, GE}, title = {Reconciling the Mitonuclear Compatibility Species Concept with Rampant Mitochondrial Introgression.}, journal = {Integrative and comparative biology}, volume = {59}, number = {4}, pages = {912-924}, doi = {10.1093/icb/icz019}, pmid = {30937430}, issn = {1557-7023}, mesh = {*Biological Evolution ; Cell Nucleus/*genetics ; Eukaryota/*genetics ; Genetic Introgression ; Genome, Mitochondrial/*genetics ; Genotype ; }, abstract = {The mitonuclear compatibility species concept defines a species as a population that is genetically isolated from other populations by uniquely coadapted mitochondrial (mt) and nuclear genes. A key prediction of this hypothesis is that the mt genotype of each species will be functionally distinct and that introgression of mt genomes will be prevented by mitonuclear incompatibilities that arise when heterospecific mt and nuclear genes attempt to cofunction to enable aerobic respiration. It has been proposed, therefore, that the observation of rampant introgression of mt genotypes from one species to another constitutes a strong refutation of the mitonuclear speciation. The displacement of a mt genotype from a nuclear background with which it co-evolved to a foreign nuclear background will necessarily lead to fitness loss due to mitonuclear incompatibilities. Here I consider two potential benefits of mt introgression between species that may, in some cases, overcome fitness losses arising from mitonuclear incompatibilities. First, the introgressed mt genotype may be better adapted to the local environment than the native mt genotype such that higher fitness is achieved through improved adaptation via introgression. Second, if the mitochondria of the recipient taxa carry a high mutational load, then introgression of a foreign, less corrupt mt genome may enable the recipient taxa to escape its mutational load and gain a fitness advantage. Under both scenarios, fitness gains from novel mt genotypes could theoretically compensate for the fitness that is lost via mitonuclear incompatibility. I also consider the role of endosymbionts in non-adaptive rampant introgression of mt genomes. I conclude that rampant introgression is not necessarily evidence against the idea of tight mitonuclear coadaptation or the mitonuclear compatibility species concept. Rampant mt introgression will typically lead to erasure of species but in some cases could lead to hybrid speciation.}, }
@article {pmid30936488, year = {2019}, author = {Spang, A and Stairs, CW and Dombrowski, N and Eme, L and Lombard, J and Caceres, EF and Greening, C and Baker, BJ and Ettema, TJG}, title = {Proposal of the reverse flow model for the origin of the eukaryotic cell based on comparative analyses of Asgard archaeal metabolism.}, journal = {Nature microbiology}, volume = {4}, number = {7}, pages = {1138-1148}, pmid = {30936488}, issn = {2058-5276}, mesh = {Archaea/classification/*genetics/*metabolism ; Archaeal Proteins/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; Eukaryotic Cells/metabolism/*physiology ; Genome, Archaeal/genetics ; Heterotrophic Processes ; Hydrogen/metabolism ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; *Models, Biological ; Oxidation-Reduction ; *Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The origin of eukaryotes represents an unresolved puzzle in evolutionary biology. Current research suggests that eukaryotes evolved from a merger between a host of archaeal descent and an alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont. The discovery of the Asgard archaea, a proposed archaeal superphylum that includes Lokiarchaeota, Thorarchaeota, Odinarchaeota and Heimdallarchaeota suggested to comprise the closest archaeal relatives of eukaryotes, has helped to elucidate the identity of the putative archaeal host. Whereas Lokiarchaeota are assumed to employ a hydrogen-dependent metabolism, little is known about the metabolic potential of other members of the Asgard superphylum. We infer the central metabolic pathways of Asgard archaea using comparative genomics and phylogenetics to be able to refine current models for the origin of eukaryotes. Our analyses indicate that Thorarchaeota and Lokiarchaeota encode proteins necessary for carbon fixation via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and for obtaining reducing equivalents from organic substrates. By contrast, Heimdallarchaeum LC2 and LC3 genomes encode enzymes potentially enabling the oxidation of organic substrates using nitrate or oxygen as electron acceptors. The gene repertoire of Heimdallarchaeum AB125 and Odinarchaeum indicates that these organisms can ferment organic substrates and conserve energy by coupling ferredoxin reoxidation to respiratory proton reduction. Altogether, our genome analyses suggest that Asgard representatives are primarily organoheterotrophs with variable capacity for hydrogen consumption and production. On this basis, we propose the 'reverse flow model', an updated symbiogenetic model for the origin of eukaryotes that involves electron or hydrogen flow from an organoheterotrophic archaeal host to a bacterial symbiont.}, }
@article {pmid30930872, year = {2019}, author = {Ali, H and Muhammad, A and Sanda, NB and Huang, Y and Hou, Y}, title = {Pyrosequencing Uncovers a Shift in Bacterial Communities Across Life Stages of Octodonta nipae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {466}, pmid = {30930872}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Bacterial symbionts of insects affect a wide array of host traits including fitness and immunity. Octodonta nipae (Maulik), commonly known as hispid leaf beetle is a destructive palm pest around the world. Understanding the dynamics of microbiota is essential to unravel the complex interplay between O. nipae and its bacterial symbionts. In this study, bacterial 16S rRNA V3-V4 region was targeted to decipher the diversity and dynamics of bacterial symbionts across different life stages [eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult (male and female)] and reproductive organs (ovaries and testis) of O. nipae. Clustering analysis at ≥97% similarity threshold produced 3,959 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that belonged to nine different phyla. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes represented the bulk of taxa that underwent notable changes during metamorphosis. Enterobacteriaceae and Dermabacteraceae were the most abundant families in immature stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae), while Anaplasmataceae family was dominated in adults (male and female) and reproductive organs (ovaries and testis). The genus Serratia and Lactococcus were most abundant in eggs, whereas Pantoea and Brachybacterium represented the bulk of larvae and pupae microbiota. Interestingly the genus Wolbachia found positive to all tested samples and was recorded extremely high (>64%) in the adults and reproductive organs. The bacteria varied across the developmental stages and responsible for various metabolic activities. Selection choice exerted by the insect host as a result of its age or developmental stage could be the main reason to ascertain the shift in the bacteria populations. Maternally inherited Wolbachia was found to be an obligate endosymbiont infecting all tested life stages, body parts, and tissues. These outcomes foster our understanding of the intricate associations between bacteria and O. nipae and will incorporate in devising novel pest control strategies against this palm pest.}, }
@article {pmid30922601, year = {2019}, author = {Buysse, M and Plantard, O and McCoy, KD and Duron, O and Menard, C}, title = {Tissue localization of Coxiella-like endosymbionts in three European tick species through fluorescence in situ hybridization.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {4}, pages = {798-804}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.03.014}, pmid = {30922601}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Coxiella/*isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; Dermacentor/anatomy &amp; histology/microbiology ; Europe ; Female ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Ixodidae/anatomy &amp; histology/microbiology ; Malpighian Tubules/microbiology ; Ovary/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Salivary Glands/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Ticks/anatomy &amp; histology/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Ticks are commonly infected by Coxiella-like endosymbionts (Coxiella-LE) which are thought to supply missing B vitamin nutrients required for blood digestion.While this nutritional symbiosis is essential for the survival and reproduction of infected tick species, our knowledge of where Coxiella-LE is localized in tick tissues is partial at best since previous studies have focused on a limited number of Asian or American tick species. To fill this gap, we investigated the tissue localization of Coxiella-LE in three European tick species, Ornithodoros maritimus, Dermacentor marginatus and Ixodes hexagonus, using a diagnostic fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay, combined with PCR-based detection. Specific fluorescent foci were observed in several tick tissues. We visualized a pronounced tissue tropism of Coxiella-LE for tick ovaries and Malpighian tubules, a pattern suggestive of a high degree of lifestyle specialization toward mutualism: infection of the ovaries is indicative of transovarial transmission, whereas infection of the Malpighian tubules suggests a nutritional function. We postulate that Malpighian tubules are key organs for the nutritional symbiosis, notably the synthesis of B vitamins by Coxiella-LE, whereas the infection of the ovaries ensures vertical transmission of the symbionts to future generations. We also detected occasional infections in other organs, such as salivary glands and the midgut. Finally, we discuss the potential significance of the different tissue tropism for tick biology.}, }
@article {pmid30917916, year = {2019}, author = {Hajialilo, E and Rezaeian, M and Niyyati, M and Pourmand, MR and Mohebali, M and Norouzi, M and Razavi Pashabeyg, K and Rezaie, S and Khodavaisy, S}, title = {Molecular characterization of bacterial, viral and fungal endosymbionts of Acanthamoeba isolates in keratitis patients of Iran.}, journal = {Experimental parasitology}, volume = {200}, number = {}, pages = {48-54}, doi = {10.1016/j.exppara.2019.03.013}, pmid = {30917916}, issn = {1090-2449}, mesh = {Acanthamoeba/isolation &amp; purification/microbiology/pathogenicity/*physiology ; Acanthamoeba Keratitis/*complications ; Adenoviruses, Human/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Animals ; Bacteria/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; Cloning, Molecular ; Communicable Diseases/microbiology/transmission ; Contact Lenses/parasitology ; Cornea/parasitology ; Disease Reservoirs ; Fungi/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Humans ; Iran ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; *Symbiosis ; Vero Cells ; Virulence ; }, abstract = {Free-living amoebae belong to the genus Acanthamoeba; can feed on microbial population by phagocytosis, and with the capability to act as a reservoir and a vehicle of microorganisms to susceptible host. Therefore, the role of endosymbiosis in the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba is complex and not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to identify bacterial, fungal, and human adenovirus (HADV) endosymbionts as well as evaluating the endosymbionts role of such organisms in the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba in keratitis patients living in Iran. Fifteen Acanthamoeba (T4 genotype) isolates were recovered from corneal scrapes and contact lenses of patients with keratitis. Cloning and purification was performed for all isolate. Gram staining was performed to identify bacterial endosymbionts. DNA extraction, PCR, and nested PCR was set up to identify endosymbiont of amoeba. Evaluation of pathogenicity was conducted by osmo-tolerance and thermo-tolerance assays and cell culture, and then CPE (cytopathic effect) was survey. Statistical analysis was used between Acanthamoeba associated endosymbionts and Acanthamoeba without endosymbiont at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. A p value < 0.05 was considered as significant, statistically. A total of 9 (60%) Acanthamoeba (T4 genotypes) isolates were successfully cloned for detecting microorganism endosymbionts. The only isolate negative for the presence of endosymbiont was ICS9. ICS7 (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus sp., and human adenovirus endosymbionts) and ICS2 (Escherichia coli endosymbiont) isolates were considered as Acanthamoeba associated endosymbionts. ICS7 and ICS2 isolates were highly pathogen whereas ICS9 isolate showed low pathogenicity in pathogenicity evaluated. Positive CPE for ICS7 and ICS2 isolates and negative CPE for ICS9 isolate were observed in cell culture. The average number of cells, trophozoites, and cysts among ICS7, ICS2, and ICS9 isolates at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h was significant. This is the first survey on microbial endosymbionts of Acanthamoeba in keratitis patients of Iran, and also the first report of Aspergillus sp, Achromobacter sp., Microbacterium sp., Brevibacillus sp, Brevundimonas sp and Mastadenovirus sp in Acanthamoeba as endosymbionts. Our study demonstrated that microbial endosymbionts can affect the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba; however, further research is required to clarify the exact pattern of symbiosis, in order to modify treatment protocol.}, }
@article {pmid30915518, year = {2019}, author = {Kolasa, M and Ścibior, R and Mazur, MA and Kubisz, D and Dudek, K and Kajtoch, &#x141;}, title = {How Hosts Taxonomy, Trophy, and Endosymbionts Shape Microbiome Diversity in Beetles.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {78}, number = {4}, pages = {995-1013}, pmid = {30915518}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {DEC-2013/11/D/NZ8/00583//National Science Centre, Poland/ ; small grants for young researchers//Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Coleoptera/classification/*microbiology/*physiology ; Feeding Behavior ; Microbiota/*physiology ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Bacterial communities play a crucial role in the biology, ecology, and evolution of multicellular organisms. In this research, the microbiome of 24 selected beetle species representing five families (Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Curculionidae, Chrysomelidae, Scarabaeidae) and three trophic guilds (carnivorous, herbivorous, detrivorous) was examined using 16S rDNA sequencing on the Illumina platform. The aim of the study was to compare diversity within and among species on various levels of organization, including evaluation of the impact of endosymbiotic bacteria. Collected data showed that beetles possess various bacterial communities and that microbiota of individuals of particular species hosts are intermixed. The most diverse microbiota were found in Carabidae and Scarabaeidae; the least diverse, in Staphylinidae. On higher organization levels, the diversity of bacteria was more dissimilar between families, while the most distinct with respect to their microbiomes were trophic guilds. Moreover, eight taxa of endosymbiotic bacteria were detected including common genera such as Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma, as well as the rarely detected Cardinium, Arsenophonus, Buchnera, Sulcia, Regiella, and Serratia. There were no correlations among the abundance of the most common Wolbachia and Rickettsia; a finding that does not support the hypothesis that these bacteria occur interchangeably. The abundance of endosymbionts only weakly and negatively correlates with diversity of the whole microbiome in beetles. Overall, microbiome diversity was found to be more dependent on host phylogeny than on the abundance of endosymbionts. This is the first study in which bacteria diversity is compared between numerous species of beetles in a standardized manner.}, }
@article {pmid30914689, year = {2019}, author = {Naranjo, E and Merfa, MV and Ferreira, V and Jain, M and Davis, MJ and Bahar, O and Gabriel, DW and De La Fuente, L}, title = {Liberibacter crescens biofilm formation in vitro: establishment of a model system for pathogenic 'Candidatus Liberibacter spp.'.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {5150}, pmid = {30914689}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Biofilms/*growth &amp; development ; *Lab-On-A-Chip Devices ; Liberibacter ; *Microfluidic Analytical Techniques ; *Models, Biological ; *Rhizobiaceae/pathogenicity/physiology ; Serum Albumin, Bovine/chemistry ; }, abstract = {The Liberibacter genus comprises insect endosymbiont bacterial species that cause destructive plant diseases, including Huanglongbing in citrus and zebra chip in potato. To date, pathogenic 'Candidatus Liberibacter spp.' (CLs) remain uncultured, therefore the plant-associated Liberibacter crescens (Lcr), only cultured species of the genus, has been used as a biological model for in vitro studies. Biofilm formation by CLs has been observed on the outer midgut surface of insect vectors, but not in planta. However, the role of biofilm formation in the life cycle of these pathogens remains unclear. Here, a model system for studying CLs biofilms was developed using Lcr. By culture media modifications, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was identified as blocking initial cell-surface adhesion. Removal of BSA allowed for the first time observation of Lcr biofilms. After media optimization for biofilm formation, we demonstrated that Lcr attaches to surfaces, and form cell aggregates embedded in a polysaccharide matrix both in batch cultures and under flow conditions in microfluidic chambers. Biofilm structures may represent excellent adaptive advantages for CLs during insect vector colonization helping with host retention, immune system evasion, and transmission. Future studies using the Lcr model established here will help in the understanding of the biology of CLs.}, }
@article {pmid30914397, year = {2019}, author = {Konecka, E and Olszanowski, Z and Koczura, R}, title = {Wolbachia of phylogenetic supergroup E identified in oribatid mite Gustavia microcephala (Acari: Oribatida).}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {135}, number = {}, pages = {230-235}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2019.03.019}, pmid = {30914397}, issn = {1095-9513}, mesh = {Animals ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Likelihood Functions ; Mites/*microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; Wolbachia/*classification/genetics ; }, abstract = {Heritable endosymbionts have been observed in arthropod and nematode hosts. The most-known among them is Wolbachia. Although the bacterium was previously identified in oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida), it was not assigned to any phylogenetic group. Endosymbionts have a profound influence on their hosts, playing various functions that affect invertebrate's biology such as changing the way of reproduction. Oribatida provide the very unique examples of groups in which even whole families appear to be thelytokous, so we considered that it is worth to investigate the occurrence of endosymbiotic microorganisms in oribatid mites, especially that the knowledge on the symbionts occurrence in this invertebrate group is negligible. We report for the first time Wolbachia in oribatid mite Gustavia microcephala. The sequences of 16S rDNA, gltA, and ftsZ genes of the endosymbiont from the mite showed the highest similarity to Wolbachia found in Collembola. Phylogenetic analysis based on single gene and concatenated alignments of three genes revealed that the bacteria from G. microcephala and Collembola were related and clustered together with supergroup E. Relatively close relationship of Wolbachia from oribatid and collembolan hosts might mean at the evolutionary scale that horizontal transfer of bacteria between these two groups of invertebrates may take place.}, }
@article {pmid30912316, year = {2019}, author = {Guo, J and Liu, X and Poncelet, N and He, K and Francis, F and Wang, Z}, title = {Detection and geographic distribution of seven facultative endosymbionts in two Rhopalosiphum aphid species.}, journal = {MicrobiologyOpen}, volume = {8}, number = {8}, pages = {e00817}, pmid = {30912316}, issn = {2045-8827}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology ; China ; Europe ; Gammaproteobacteria/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; *Phylogeography ; Rickettsiales/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; Spiroplasma/classification/*isolation &amp; purification ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Study of the mutualistic associations between facultative symbionts and aphids are developed only in a few models. That survey on the situation and distribution of the symbionts in a certain area is helpful to obtain clues for the acquisition and spread of them as well as their roles played in host evolution. To understand the infection patterns of seven facultative symbionts (Serratia symbiotica, Hamiltonella defensa, Regiella insecticola, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma, Wolbachia, and Arsenophonus) in Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus) and Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), we collected 882 R. maidis samples (37 geographical populations) from China and 585 R. padi samples (32 geographical populations) from China and Europe. Results showed that both species were widely infected with various symbionts and totally 50.8% of R. maidis and 50.1% of R. padi were multi-infected with targeted symbionts. However, very few Rhopalosiphum aphids were infected with S. symbiotica. The infection frequencies of some symbionts were related to the latitude of collecting sites, suggesting the importance of environmental factors in shaping the geographic distribution of facultative symbionts. Also, R. maidis and R. padi were infected with different H. defensa strains based on phylogenetic analysis which may be determined by host ×symbiont genotype interactions. According to our results, the ubiquitous symbionts may play important roles in the evolution of their host aphid and their impacts on adaptation of R. padi and R. maidis were discussed as well.}, }
@article {pmid30905896, year = {2019}, author = {Uchi, N and Fukudome, M and Nozaki, N and Suzuki, M and Osuki, KI and Shigenobu, S and Uchiumi, T}, title = {Antimicrobial Activities of Cysteine-rich Peptides Specific to Bacteriocytes of the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum.}, journal = {Microbes and environments}, volume = {34}, number = {2}, pages = {155-160}, pmid = {30905896}, issn = {1347-4405}, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents/chemical synthesis/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Aphids/*metabolism/microbiology ; Buchnera/physiology ; Cell Membrane Permeability/drug effects/genetics ; Cysteine/*chemistry ; Escherichia coli/cytology/drug effects/genetics ; Insect Proteins/chemical synthesis/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Mutation ; Peptides/chemical synthesis/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Sinorhizobium meliloti/drug effects/genetics ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Aphids have a mutualistic relationship with the bacterial endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola. We previously reported seven cysteine-rich peptides in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum and named them Bacteriocyte-specific Cysteine-Rich (BCR) peptides; these peptides are exclusively expressed in bacteriocytes, special aphid cells that harbor symbionts. Similar symbiotic organ-specific cysteine-rich peptides identified in the root nodules of leguminous plants are named Nodule-specific Cysteine-Rich (NCR) peptides. NCR peptides target rhizobia in the nodules and are essential for symbiotic nitrogen fixation. A BacA (membrane protein) mutant of Sinorhizobium is sensitive to NCR peptides and is unable to establish symbiosis. Based on the structural and expressional similarities between BCR peptides and NCR peptides, we hypothesized that aphid BCR peptides exhibit antimicrobial activity, similar to some NCR peptides. We herein synthesized BCR peptides and investigated their antimicrobial activities and effects on the bacterial membrane of Escherichia coli. The peptides BCR1, BCR3, BCR5, and BCR8 exhibited antimicrobial activities with increased membrane permeability. An sbmA mutant of E. coli, a homolog of bacA of S. meliloti, was more sensitive to BCR peptides than the wild type. Our results suggest that BCR peptides have properties that may be required to control the endosymbiont, similar to NCR peptides in legumes.}, }
@article {pmid30894837, year = {2019}, author = {Tolley, SJA and Nonacs, P and Sapountzis, P}, title = {Wolbachia Horizontal Transmission Events in Ants: What Do We Know and What Can We Learn?.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {296}, pmid = {30894837}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {While strict vertical transmission insures the durability of intracellular symbioses, phylogenetic incongruences between hosts and endosymbionts suggest horizontal transmission must also occur. These horizontal acquisitions can have important implications for the biology of the host. Wolbachia is one of the most ecologically successful prokaryotes in arthropods, infecting an estimated 50-70% of all insect species. Much of this success is likely due to the fact that, in arthropods, Wolbachia is notorious for manipulating host reproduction to favor transmission through the female germline. However, its natural potential for horizontal transmission remains poorly understood. Here we evaluate the fundamental prerequisites for successful horizontal transfer, including necessary environmental conditions, genetic potential of bacterial strains, and means of mediating transfers. Furthermore, we revisit the relatedness of Wolbachia strains infecting the Panamanian leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex echinatior, and its inquiline social parasite, Acromyrmex insinuator, and compare our results to a study published more than 15 years ago by Van Borm et al. (2003). The results of this pilot study prompt us to reevaluate previous notions that obligate social parasitism reliably facilitates horizontal transfer and suggest that not all Wolbachia strains associated with ants have the same genetic potential for horizontal transmission.}, }
@article {pmid30893296, year = {2019}, author = {Fattouh, N and Cazevieille, C and Landmann, F}, title = {Wolbachia endosymbionts subvert the endoplasmic reticulum to acquire host membranes without triggering ER stress.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {e0007218}, pmid = {30893296}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Animals ; Cell Line ; Drosophila melanogaster/cytology/*microbiology ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism/*microbiology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Golgi Apparatus/metabolism/microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Intracellular Membranes/metabolism/*microbiology ; Stress, Physiological/genetics/*physiology ; Symbiosis/genetics/*physiology ; Vacuoles/microbiology ; Wolbachia/pathogenicity/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The reproductive parasites Wolbachia are the most common endosymbionts on earth, present in a plethora of arthropod species. They have been introduced into mosquitos to successfully prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases, yet the strategies of host cell subversion underlying their obligate intracellular lifestyle remain to be explored in depth in order to gain insights into the mechanisms of pathogen-blocking. Like some other intracellular bacteria, Wolbachia reside in a host-derived vacuole in order to replicate and escape the immune surveillance. Using here the pathogen-blocking Wolbachia strain from Drosophila melanogaster, introduced into two different Drosophila cell lines, we show that Wolbachia subvert the endoplasmic reticulum to acquire their vacuolar membrane and colonize the host cell at high density. Wolbachia redistribute the endoplasmic reticulum, and time lapse experiments reveal tight coupled dynamics suggesting important signalling events or nutrient uptake. Wolbachia infection however does not affect the tubular or cisternal morphologies. A fraction of endoplasmic reticulum becomes clustered, allowing the endosymbionts to reside in between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus, possibly modulating the traffic between these two organelles. Gene expression analyses and immunostaining studies suggest that Wolbachia achieve persistent infections at very high titers without triggering endoplasmic reticulum stress or enhanced ERAD-driven proteolysis, suggesting that amino acid salvage is achieved through modulation of other signalling pathways.}, }
@article {pmid30891514, year = {2019}, author = {Sprong, H and Fonville, M and Docters van Leeuwen, A and Devillers, E and Ibañez-Justicia, A and Stroo, A and Hansford, K and Cull, B and Medlock, J and Heyman, P and Cochez, C and Weis, L and Silaghi, C and Moutailler, S}, title = {Detection of pathogens in Dermacentor reticulatus in northwestern Europe: evaluation of a high-throughput array.}, journal = {Heliyon}, volume = {5}, number = {2}, pages = {e01270}, pmid = {30891514}, issn = {2405-8440}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The geographic distribution of Dermacentor reticulatus is expanding in Europe. Surveillance of this tick species and its pathogens is desirable, as it transmits pathogens of public and veterinary importance. A high-throughput real-time PCR-based array was used to screen 1.741 D. reticulatus ticks from Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, and Great Britain for the presence of 28 tick-borne bacteria and twelve protozoan parasites. The presence of pathogen DNA was confirmed by conventional PCR followed by sequencing.<br><br>RESULTS: The array detected the presence of DNA from Borrelia spp. (7%), B. afzelii (0.1%), B. garinii (0.1%), B. spielmanii (0.1%), B. miyamotoi (0.2%), Anaplasma marginale (0.1%), A. phagocytophilum (0.1%), Ehrlichia canis (2%), Rickettsia helvetica (0.2%), spotted fever group Rickettsia (9.6%), Francisella tularensis or Francisella-like endosymbionts (95%), Coxiella burnettii (0.1%), Babesia divergens (0.2%), B. canis (0.9%) B. vogeli (5.6%), and Theileria equi (0.1%). Only the presence of B. canis and spotted fever group Rickettsia could be confirmed by conventional PCR and sequencing. The spotted fever Rickettsia-positive samples were all identified as R. raoultii.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We successfully detected and determined the prevalence of B. canis and R. raoultii in D. reticulatus. An high-throughput array that allows fast and comprehensive testing of tick-borne pathogens is advantageous for surveillance and future epidemiological studies. The importance of thorough validation of real-time PCR-based assays and careful interpretation is evident.}, }
@article {pmid30889213, year = {2019}, author = {Kanakala, S and Ghanim, M}, title = {Global genetic diversity and geographical distribution of Bemisia tabaci and its bacterial endosymbionts.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {14}, number = {3}, pages = {e0213946}, pmid = {30889213}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Bayes Theorem ; Genetic Variation ; Hemiptera/classification/*genetics/*microbiology ; Host Microbial Interactions/genetics ; Insect Control ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Bemisia tabaci is one of the most threatening pests in agriculture, causing significant losses to many important crops on a global scale. The dramatic increase and availability of sequence data for B. tabaci species complex and its bacterial endosymbionts is critical for developing emerging sustainable pest management strategies which are based on pinpointing the global diversity of this important pest and its bacterial endosymbionts. To unravel the global genetic diversity of B. tabaci species complex focusing on its associated endosymbionts, along with Israeli whitefly populations collected in this study, we combined available sequences in databases, resulting in a total of 4,253 mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) sequences from 82 countries and 1,226 16S/23S rRNA endosymbiont sequences from 32 countries that were analyzed. Using Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, we identified two new B. tabaci groups within the species complex and described the global distribution of endosymbionts within this complex. Our analyses revealed complex divergence of the different endosymbiont sequences within the species complex, with overall one Hamiltonella, two Porteria (P1 and P2), two Arsenophonus (A1 and A2), two Wolbachia (super-groups O and B), four Cardinium (C1-C4) and three Rickettsia (R1-R3) groups were identified. Our comprehensive analysis provides an updated important resource for this globally important pest and its secondary symbionts, which have been a major subject for research in last three decades.}, }
@article {pmid30879203, year = {2019}, author = {Kohlmeier, MG and White, CE and Fowler, JE and Finan, TM and Oresnik, IJ}, title = {Galactitol catabolism in Sinorhizobium meliloti is dependent on a chromosomally encoded sorbitol dehydrogenase and a pSymB-encoded operon necessary for tagatose catabolism.}, journal = {Molecular genetics and genomics : MGG}, volume = {294}, number = {3}, pages = {739-755}, pmid = {30879203}, issn = {1617-4623}, mesh = {ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/genetics/metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/classification/*genetics/metabolism ; Chromosomes, Bacterial/genetics ; Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase/classification/genetics/metabolism ; Galactitol/*metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Hexoses/*metabolism ; L-Iditol 2-Dehydrogenase/*genetics/metabolism ; Operon/*genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plasmids/genetics ; Sinorhizobium meliloti/classification/*genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {The legume endosymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti can utilize a broad range of carbon compounds to support its growth. The linear, six-carbon polyol galactitol is abundant in vascular plants and is metabolized in S. meliloti by the contribution of two loci SMb21372-SMb21377 and SMc01495-SMc01503 which are found on pSymB and the chromosome, respectively. The data suggest that several transport systems, including the chromosomal ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter smoEFGK, contribute to the uptake of galactitol, while the adjacent gene smoS encodes a protein for oxidation of galactitol into tagatose. Subsequently, genes SMb21374 and SMb21373, encode proteins that phosphorylate and epimerize tagatose into fructose-6-phosphate, which is further metabolized by the enzymes of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Of note, it was found that SMb21373, which was annotated as a 1,6-bis-phospho-aldolase, is homologous to the E. coli gene gatZ, which is annotated as encoding the non-catalytic subunit of a tagatose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase heterodimer. When either of these genes was introduced into an Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain that carries a tagatose-6-phosphate epimerase mutation, they are capable of complementing the galactitol growth deficiency associated with this mutation, strongly suggesting that these genes are both epimerases. Phylogenetic analysis of the protein family (IPR012062) to which these enzymes belong, suggests that this misannotation is systemic throughout the family. S. meliloti galactitol catabolic mutants do not exhibit symbiotic deficiencies or the inability to compete for nodule occupancy.}, }
@article {pmid30873148, year = {2019}, author = {Lockwood, S and Brayton, KA and Daily, JA and Broschat, SL}, title = {Whole Proteome Clustering of 2,307 Proteobacterial Genomes Reveals Conserved Proteins and Significant Annotation Issues.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {10}, number = {}, pages = {383}, pmid = {30873148}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {We clustered 8.76 M protein sequences deduced from 2,307 completely sequenced Proteobacterial genomes resulting in 707,311 clusters of one or more sequences of which 224,442 ranged in size from 2 to 2,894 sequences. To our knowledge this is the first study of this scale. We were surprised to find that no single cluster contained a representative sequence from all the organisms in the study. Given the minimal genome concept, we expected to find a shared set of proteins. To determine why the clusters did not have universal representation we chose four essential proteins, the chaperonin GroEL, DNA dependent RNA polymerase subunits beta and beta' (RpoB/RpoB'), and DNA polymerase I (PolA), representing fundamental cellular functions, and examined their cluster distribution. We found these proteins to be remarkably conserved with certain caveats. Although the groEL gene was universally conserved in all the organisms in the study, the protein was not represented in all the deduced proteomes. The genes for RpoB and RpoB' were missing from two genomes and merged in 88, and the sequences were sufficiently divergent that they formed separate clusters for 18 RpoB proteins (seven clusters) and 14 RpoB' proteins (three clusters). For PolA, 52 organisms lacked an identifiable sequence, and seven sequences were sufficiently divergent that they formed five separate clusters. Interestingly, organisms lacking an identifiable PolA and those with divergent RpoB/RpoB' were predominantly endosymbionts. Furthermore, we present a range of examples of annotation issues that caused the deduced proteins to be incorrectly represented in the proteome. These annotation issues made our task of determining protein conservation more difficult than expected and also represent a significant obstacle for high-throughput analyses.}, }
@article {pmid30867321, year = {2019}, author = {Taylor, MJ and von Geldern, TW and Ford, L and Hübner, MP and Marsh, K and Johnston, KL and Sjoberg, HT and Specht, S and Pionnier, N and Tyrer, HE and Clare, RH and Cook, DAN and Murphy, E and Steven, A and Archer, J and Bloemker, D and Lenz, F and Koschel, M and Ehrens, A and Metuge, HM and Chunda, VC and Ndongmo Chounna, PW and Njouendou, AJ and Fombad, FF and Carr, R and Morton, HE and Aljayyoussi, G and Hoerauf, A and Wanji, S and Kempf, DJ and Turner, JD and Ward, SA}, title = {Preclinical development of an oral anti-Wolbachia macrolide drug for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.}, journal = {Science translational medicine}, volume = {11}, number = {483}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1126/scitranslmed.aau2086}, pmid = {30867321}, issn = {1946-6242}, support = {MC_PC_16052/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MR/L018756/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MR/R025401/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; NC/M00175X/1/NC3RS_/National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Elephantiasis, Filarial/blood/*drug therapy/*microbiology ; Female ; Macrolides/*administration &amp; dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, SCID ; Onchocerciasis/blood/*drug therapy/*microbiology ; Treatment Outcome ; Tylosin/blood/chemical synthesis/chemistry/therapeutic use ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {There is an urgent global need for a safe macrofilaricide drug to accelerate elimination of the neglected tropical diseases onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. From an anti-infective compound library, the macrolide veterinary antibiotic, tylosin A, was identified as a hit against Wolbachia This bacterial endosymbiont is required for filarial worm viability and fertility and is a validated target for macrofilaricidal drugs. Medicinal chemistry was undertaken to develop tylosin A analogs with improved oral bioavailability. Two analogs, A-1535469 and A-1574083, were selected. Their efficacy was tested against the gold-standard second-generation tetracycline antibiotics, doxycycline and minocycline, in mouse and gerbil infection models of lymphatic filariasis (Brugia malayi and Litomosoides sigmodontis) and onchocerciasis (Onchocerca ochengi). A 1- or 2-week course of oral A-1535469 or A-1574083 provided >90% Wolbachia depletion from nematodes in infected animals, resulting in a block in embryogenesis and depletion of microfilarial worm loads. The two analogs delivered comparative or superior efficacy compared to a 3- to 4-week course of doxycycline or minocycline. A-1574083 (now called ABBV-4083) was selected for further preclinical testing. Cardiovascular studies in dogs and toxicology studies in rats and dogs revealed no adverse effects at doses (50 mg/kg) that achieved plasma concentrations >10-fold above the efficacious concentration. A-1574083 (ABBV-4083) shows potential as an anti-Wolbachia macrolide with an efficacy, pharmacology, and safety profile that is compatible with a short-term oral drug course for treating lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.}, }
@article {pmid30865445, year = {2019}, author = {Carter, AC and Petersen, CL and Wendt, KL and Helff, SK and Risinger, AL and Mooberry, SL and Cichewicz, RH}, title = {In Situ Ring Contraction and Transformation of the Rhizoxin Macrocycle through an Abiotic Pathway.}, journal = {Journal of natural products}, volume = {82}, number = {4}, pages = {886-894}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00974}, pmid = {30865445}, issn = {1520-6025}, mesh = {Burkholderia/chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Humans ; Macrocyclic Compounds/*chemistry/*pharmacokinetics ; Macrolides/*chemistry/*pharmacokinetics ; Molecular Structure ; Rhizopus/chemistry ; Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology ; *Stress, Physiological ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {A Rhizopus sp. culture containing an endosymbiont partner (Burkholderia sp.) was obtained through a citizen-science-based soil-collection program. An extract prepared from the pair of organisms exhibited strong inhibition of Ewing sarcoma cells and was selected for bioassay-guided fractionation. This led to the purification of rhizoxin (1), a potent antimitotic agent that inhibited microtubule polymerization, along with several new (2-5) and known (6) analogues of 1. The structures of 2-6 were established using a combination of NMR data analysis, while the configurations of the new stereocenters were determined using ROESY spectroscopy and comparison of GIAO-derived and experimental data for NMR chemical shift and [3] JHH coupling values. Whereas compound 1 showed modest selectivity for Ewing sarcoma cell lines carrying the EWSR1/ FLI1 fusion gene, the other compounds were determined to be inactive. Chemically, compound 2 stands out from other rhizoxin analogues because it is the first member of this class that is reported to contain a one-carbon-smaller 15-membered macrolactone system. Through a combination of experimental and computational tests, we determined that 2 is likely formed via an acid-catalyzed Meinwald rearrangement from 1 because of the mild acidic culture environment created by the Rhizopus sp. isolate and its symbiont.}, }
@article {pmid30862902, year = {2019}, author = {Savage, C}, title = {Seabird nutrients are assimilated by corals and enhance coral growth rates.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {4284}, pmid = {30862902}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*growth &amp; development/*metabolism ; Birds/*metabolism ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Seaweed/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Nutrient subsidies across ecotone boundaries can enhance productivity in the recipient ecosystem, especially if the nutrients are transferred from a nutrient rich to an oligotrophic ecosystem. This study demonstrates that seabird nutrients from islands are assimilated by endosymbionts in corals on fringing reefs and enhance growth of a dominant reef-building species, Acropora formosa. Nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ[15]N) of zooxanthellae were enriched in corals near seabird colonies and decreased linearly with distance from land, suggesting that ornithogenic nutrients were assimilated in corals. In a one-year reciprocal transplant experiment, A. formosa fragments grew up to four times faster near the seabird site than conspecifics grown without the influence of seabird nutrients. The corals influenced by elevated ornithogenic nutrients were located within a marine protected area with abundant herbivorous fish populations, which kept nuisance macroalgae to negligible levels despite high nutrient concentrations. In this pristine setting, seabird nutrients provide a beneficial nutrient subsidy that increases growth of the ecologically important branching corals. The findings highlight the importance of catchment-to-reef management, not only for ameliorating negative impacts from land but also to maintain beneficial nutrient subsidies, in this case seabird guano.}, }
@article {pmid30859201, year = {2019}, author = {Grisdale, CJ and Smith, DR and Archibald, JM}, title = {Relative Mutation Rates in Nucleomorph-Bearing Algae.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {11}, number = {4}, pages = {1045-1053}, pmid = {30859201}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Biological Evolution ; Cryptophyta/*genetics ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; *Genome, Plastid ; *Mutation Rate ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Chlorarachniophyte and cryptophyte algae are unique among plastid-containing species in that they have a nucleomorph genome: a compact, highly reduced nuclear genome from a photosynthetic eukaryotic endosymbiont. Despite their independent origins, the nucleomorph genomes of these two lineages have similar genomic architectures, but little is known about the evolutionary pressures impacting nucleomorph DNA, particularly how their rates of evolution compare to those of the neighboring genetic compartments (the mitochondrion, plastid, and nucleus). Here, we use synonymous substitution rates to estimate relative mutation rates in the four genomes of nucleomorph-bearing algae. We show that the relative mutation rates of the host versus endosymbiont nuclear genomes are similar in both chlorarachniophytes and cryptophytes, despite the fact that nucleomorph gene sequences are notoriously highly divergent. There is some evidence, however, for slightly elevated mutation rates in the nucleomorph DNA of chlorarachniophytes-a feature not observed in that of cryptophytes. For both lineages, relative mutation rates in the plastid appear to be lower than those in the nucleus and nucleomorph (and, in one case, the mitochondrion), which is consistent with studies of other plastid-bearing protists. Given the divergent nature of nucleomorph genes, our finding of relatively low evolutionary rates in these genomes suggests that for both lineages a burst of evolutionary change and/or decreased selection pressures likely occurred early in the integration of the secondary endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid30857919, year = {2019}, author = {Brinker, P and Fontaine, MC and Beukeboom, LW and Falcao Salles, J}, title = {Host, Symbionts, and the Microbiome: The Missing Tripartite Interaction.}, journal = {Trends in microbiology}, volume = {27}, number = {6}, pages = {480-488}, doi = {10.1016/j.tim.2019.02.002}, pmid = {30857919}, issn = {1878-4380}, mesh = {Animals ; Environment ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Microbial Interactions ; *Microbiota ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Symbiosis between microbial associates and a host is a ubiquitous feature of life on earth, modulating host phenotypes. In addition to endosymbionts, organisms harbour a collection of host-associated microbes, the microbiome that can impact important host traits. In this opinion article we argue that the mutual influences of the microbiome and endosymbionts, as well as their combined influence on the host, are still understudied. Focusing on the endosymbiont Wolbachia, we present growing evidence indicating that host phenotypic effects are exerted in interaction with the remainder microbiome and the host. We thus advocate that only through an integrated approach that considers multiple interacting partners and environmental influences will we be able to gain a better understanding of host-microbe associations.}, }
@article {pmid30850675, year = {2019}, author = {Liu, XD and Lei, HX and Chen, FF}, title = {Infection pattern and negative effects of a facultative endosymbiont on its insect host are environment-dependent.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {4013}, pmid = {30850675}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae Infections/*microbiology ; Genotype ; Rickettsia/genetics ; Rickettsia Infections/microbiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {Regiella insecticola is a bacterial endosymbiont in insects that exhibits a negative effect on the fitness of hosts. Thus, it is not clear why this costly endosymbiont can persist in host populations. Here, we tested a hypothesis that the infection pattern and negative roles of the endosymbiont were not constant but environmentally dependent. The grain aphids Sitobion avenae, belonging to different genotypes and infected with Regiella or not, were used in this study. We found that S. avenae populations were infected with Regiella, Hamiltonella defensa, Serratia symbiotica and Rickettsia. The predominant endosymbionts in the aphid populations varied with season. Serratia and Rickettsia were predominant from December to February while Regiella predominated from March to May. The vertical transmission of Regiella was poorer at high temperature, but following conditioning for seven generations, the transmission rate improved. Regiella inhibited the production of winged aphids at 25 °C, but it did not affect winged morph production at the higher temperatures of 28 °C and 31 °C. Regiella infection decreased the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of aphids at 25 °C and 28 °C. However, at 31 °C, the effect of Regiella on the rm varied depending on the aphid genotype and density. Thus, the negative effects of this endosymbiont on its host were environmentally dependent.}, }
@article {pmid30850430, year = {2019}, author = {Pons, I and Renoz, F and Noël, C and Hance, T}, title = {New Insights into the Nature of Symbiotic Associations in Aphids: Infection Process, Biological Effects, and Transmission Mode of Cultivable Serratia symbiotica Bacteria.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {85}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {30850430}, issn = {1098-5336}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Serratia/genetics/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Symbiotic microorganisms are widespread in nature and can play a major role in the ecology and evolution of animals. The aphid-Serratia symbiotica bacterium interaction provides a valuable model to study the mechanisms behind these symbiotic associations. The recent discovery of cultivable S. symbiotica strains with a free-living lifestyle allowed us to simulate their environmental acquisition by aphids to examine the mechanisms involved in this infection pathway. Here, after oral ingestion, we analyzed the infection dynamics of cultivable S. symbiotica during the host's lifetime using quantitative PCR and fluorescence techniques and determined the immediate fitness consequences of these bacteria on their new host. We further examined the transmission behavior and phylogenetic position of cultivable strains. Our study revealed that cultivable S. symbiotica bacteria are predisposed to establish a symbiotic association with a new aphid host, settling in its gut. We show that cultivable S. symbiotica bacteria colonize the entire aphid digestive tract following infection, after which the bacteria multiply exponentially during aphid development. Our results further reveal that gut colonization by the bacteria induces a fitness cost to their hosts. Nevertheless, it appeared that the bacteria also offer an immediate protection against parasitoids. Interestingly, cultivable S. symbiotica strains seem to be extracellularly transmitted, possibly through the honeydew, while S. symbiotica is generally considered a maternally transmitted bacterium living within the aphid body cavity and bringing some benefits to its hosts, despite its costs. These findings provide new insights into the nature of symbiosis in aphids and the mechanisms underpinning these interactions.IMPORTANCES. symbiotica is one of the most common symbionts among aphid populations and includes a wide variety of strains whose degree of interdependence on the host may vary considerably. S. symbiotica strains with a free-living capacity have recently been isolated from aphids. By using these strains, we established artificial associations by simulating new bacterial acquisitions involved in aphid gut infections to decipher their infection processes and biological effects on their new hosts. Our results showed the early stages involved in this route of infection. So far, S. symbiotica has been considered a maternally transmitted aphid endosymbiont. Nevertheless, we show that our cultivable S. symbiotica strains occupy and replicate in the aphid gut and seem to be transmitted over generations through an environmental transmission mechanism. Moreover, cultivable S. symbiotica bacteria are both parasites and mutualists given the context, as are many aphid endosymbionts. Our findings give new perception of the associations involved in bacterial mutualism in aphids.}, }
@article {pmid30847086, year = {2019}, author = {Lin, D and Zhang, L and Shao, W and Li, X and Liu, X and Wu, H and Rao, Q}, title = {Phylogenetic analyses and characteristics of the microbiomes from five mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {4}, pages = {1972-1984}, pmid = {30847086}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Associations between Sternorrhyncha insects and intracellular bacteria are common in nature. Mealybugs are destructive pests that seriously threaten the production of agriculture and forestry. Mealybugs have evolved intimate endosymbiotic relationships with bacteria, which provide them with essential amino acids, vitamins, and other nutrients. In this study, the divergence of five mealybugs was analyzed based up the sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI). Meanwhile, the distinct regions of the 16S rRNA gene of primary symbionts in the mealybugs were sequenced. Finally, high-throughput sequencing (HTS) techniques were used to study the microbial abundance and diversity in mealybugs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that these five mealybugs were subdivided into two different clusters. One cluster of mealybugs (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes, Pseudococcus comstocki, and Planococcus minor) harbored the primary endosymbiont "Candidatus Tremblaya princeps," and another cluster (Phenacoccus solenopsis and Phenacoccus solani) harbored "Ca. Tremblaya phenacola." The mtCOI sequence divergence between the two clusters was similar to the 16S rRNA sequence divergence between T. princeps and T. phenacola. Thus, we concluded that the symbiont phylogeny was largely concordant with the host phylogeny. The HTS showed that the microbial abundance and diversity within P. solani and P. solenopsis were highly similar, and there was lower overall species richness compared to the other mealybugs. Among the five mealybugs, we also found significant differences in Shannon diversity and observed species. These results provide a theoretical basis for further research on the coevolution of mealybugs and their symbiotic microorganisms. These findings are also useful for research on the effect of symbiont diversity on the pest status of mealybugs in agricultural systems.}, }
@article {pmid30844054, year = {2019}, author = {Thairu, MW and Hansen, AK}, title = {It's a small, small world: unravelling the role and evolution of small RNAs in organelle and endosymbiont genomes.}, journal = {FEMS microbiology letters}, volume = {366}, number = {5}, pages = {}, doi = {10.1093/femsle/fnz049}, pmid = {30844054}, issn = {1574-6968}, mesh = {Bacteria/*genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genome/genetics ; Organelles/*genetics ; RNA, Bacterial/genetics/metabolism ; RNA, Small Untranslated/genetics/metabolism/*physiology ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Organelles and host-restricted bacterial symbionts are characterized by having highly reduced genomes that lack many key regulatory genes and elements. Thus, it has been hypothesized that the eukaryotic nuclear genome is primarily responsible for regulating these symbioses. However, with the discovery of organelle- and symbiont-expressed small RNAs (sRNAs) there is emerging evidence that these sRNAs may play a role in gene regulation as well. Here, we compare the diversity of organelle and bacterial symbiont sRNAs recently identified using genome-enabled '-omic' technologies and discuss their potential role in gene regulation. We also discuss how the genome architecture of small genomes may influence the evolution of these sRNAs and their potential function. Additionally, these new studies suggest that some sRNAs are conserved within organelle and symbiont taxa and respond to changes in the environment and/or their hosts. In summary, these results suggest that organelle and symbiont sRNAs may play a role in gene regulation in addition to nuclear-encoded host mechanisms.}, }
@article {pmid30834847, year = {2019}, author = {Zhang, J and Dai, Y and Fan, S and Zhang, K and Shuai, C and Bian, X and Hui, L and Wu, Z and Zhang, J and Guo, Z and Deng, F and Guo, M}, title = {Association between extrauterine growth restriction and changes of intestinal flora in Chinese preterm infants.}, journal = {Journal of developmental origins of health and disease}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {513-521}, doi = {10.1017/S2040174419000084}, pmid = {30834847}, issn = {2040-1752}, mesh = {Bacteria/*classification/genetics ; Birth Weight ; Feces/*microbiology ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation/*physiopathology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature/*growth &amp; development ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight/*growth &amp; development ; Intestines/*microbiology/pathology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Risk Factors ; }, abstract = {The aim of the study was to investigate any association between extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) and intestinal flora of <30-week-old preterm infants. A total of 59 preterm infants were assigned to EUGR (n=23) and non-EUGR (n=36) groups. Intestinal bacteria were compared by using high-throughput sequencing of bacterial rRNA. The total abundance of bacteria in 344 genera (7568 v. 13,760; P<0.0001) and 456 species (10,032 v. 18,240; P<0.0001) was significantly decreased in the EUGR group compared with the non-EUGR group. After application of a multivariate logistic model and adjusting for potential confounding factors, as well as false-discovery rate corrections, we found four bacterial genera with higher and one bacterial genus with lower abundance in the EUGR group compared with the control group. In addition, the EUGR group showed significantly increased abundances of six species (Streptococcus parasanguinis, Bacterium RB5FF6, two Klebsiella species and Microbacterium), but decreased frequencies of three species (one Acinetobacter species, Endosymbiont_of_Sphenophorus_lev and one Enterobacter_species) compared with the non-EUGR group. Taken together, there were significant changes in the intestinal microflora of preterm infants with EUGR compared to preterm infants without EUGR.}, }
@article {pmid30830691, year = {2019}, author = {Mareš, J and Johansen, JR and Hauer, T and Zima, J and Ventura, S and Cuzman, O and Tiribilli, B and Kaštovský, J}, title = {Taxonomic resolution of the genus Cyanothece (Chroococcales, Cyanobacteria), with a treatment on Gloeothece and three new genera, Crocosphaera, Rippkaea, and Zehria.}, journal = {Journal of phycology}, volume = {55}, number = {3}, pages = {578-610}, doi = {10.1111/jpy.12853}, pmid = {30830691}, issn = {1529-8817}, support = {RVO 6795939//Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences/International ; 15-11912S//Grantov&#xe1; Agentura &#x10c;esk&#xe9; Republiky/International ; }, mesh = {*Cyanobacteria ; *Cyanothece ; Nitrogen Fixation ; Oceans and Seas ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; }, abstract = {The systematics of single-celled cyanobacteria represents a major challenge due to morphological convergence and application of various taxonomic concepts. The genus Cyanothece is one of the most problematic cases, as the name has been applied to oval-shaped coccoid cyanobacteria lacking sheaths with little regard to their phylogenetic position and details of morphology and ultrastructure. Hereby we analyze an extensive set of complementary genetic and phenotypic evidence to disentangle the relationships among these cyanobacteria. We provide diagnostic characters to separate the known genera Cyanothece, Gloeothece, and Aphanothece, and provide a valid description for Crocosphaera gen. nov. We describe two new genera, Rippkaea and Zehria, to characterize two distinct phylogenetic lineages outside the previously known genera. We further describe 13 new species in total including Cyanothece svehlovae, Gloeothece aequatorialis, G. aurea, G. bryophila, G. citriformis, G. reniformis, Gloeothece tonkinensis, G. verrucosa, Crocosphaera watsonii, C. subtropica, C. chwakensis, Rippkaea orientalis, and Zehria floridana to recognize the intrageneric diversity as rendered by polyphasic analysis. We discuss the close relationship of free-living cyanobacteria from the Crocosphaera lineage to nitrogen-fixing endosymbionts of marine algae. The current study includes several experimental strains (Crocosphaera and "Cyanothece") important for the study of diazotrophy and the global oceanic nitrogen cycle, and provides evidence suggesting ancestral N2 -fixing capability in the chroococcalean lineage.}, }
@article {pmid30826731, year = {2019}, author = {Koehler, L and Flemming, FE and Schrallhammer, M}, title = {Towards an ecological understanding of the killer trait - A reproducible protocol for testing its impact on freshwater ciliates.}, journal = {European journal of protistology}, volume = {68}, number = {}, pages = {108-120}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejop.2019.02.002}, pmid = {30826731}, issn = {1618-0429}, mesh = {Bacteria/*metabolism ; *Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Ciliophora/*microbiology/*physiology ; Fresh Water ; Paramecium/microbiology/physiology ; *Water Microbiology ; }, abstract = {Paramecium strains with the ability to kill other paramecia often harbour intracellular bacteria belonging to the genera Caedibacter or Caedimonas. Central structures of this killer trait are refractile bodies (R-bodies) produced by the endosymbionts. Once ingested by a sensitive Paramecium, R-bodies presumably act as delivery system for an unidentified toxin which causes the death of endosymbiont-free paramecia while those infected gain resistance from their symbionts. The killer trait is therefore considered as competitive advantage for the hosts of R-body producers. While its effectiveness against paramecia is well documented, the effects on other aquatic ciliates are much less studied. In order to address the broadness of the killer trait, a reproducible killer test assay considering the effects on predatory ciliates (Climacostomum virens and Dileptus jonesi) as well as potential bacterivorous Paramecium competitors (Dexiostoma campyla, Euplotes aediculatus, Euplotes woodruffi, and Spirostomum teres) as possibly susceptible species was established. All used organisms were molecularly characterized to increase traceability and reproducibility. The absence of any lethal effects in both predators and competitors after exposure to killer paramecia strongly suggests a narrow action range for the killer trait. Thus, R-body producing bacteria provide their host with a complex, costly strategy to outcompete symbiont-free congeners only.}, }
@article {pmid30823538, year = {2019}, author = {Gil, R and Latorre, A}, title = {Unity Makes Strength: A Review on Mutualistic Symbiosis in Representative Insect Clades.}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {30823538}, issn = {2075-1729}, support = {BFU2015-64322-C2-1-R//Ministerio de Econom&#xed;a, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de Espa&#xf1;a/ ; PROMETEO/2018/133//Generalitat Valenciana/ ; }, abstract = {Settled on the foundations laid by zoologists and embryologists more than a century ago, the study of symbiosis between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is an expanding field. In this review, we present several models of insect[-]bacteria symbioses that allow for the detangling of most known features of this distinctive way of living, using a combination of very diverse screening approaches, including molecular, microscopic, and genomic techniques. With the increasing the amount of endosymbiotic bacteria genomes available, it has been possible to develop evolutionary models explaining the changes undergone by these bacteria in their adaptation to the intracellular host environment. The establishment of a given symbiotic system can be a root cause of substantial changes in the partners' way of life. Furthermore, symbiont replacement and/or the establishment of bacterial consortia are two ways in which the host can exploit its interaction with environmental bacteria for endosymbiotic reinvigoration. The detailed study of diverse and complex symbiotic systems has revealed a great variety of possible final genomic products, frequently below the limit considered compatible with cellular life, and sometimes with unanticipated genomic and population characteristics, raising new questions that need to be addressed in the near future through a wider exploration of new models and empirical observations.}, }
@article {pmid30820826, year = {2019}, author = {Onder, Z and Ciloglu, A and Duzlu, O and Yildirim, A and Okur, M and Yetismis, G and Inci, A}, title = {Molecular detection and identification of Wolbachia endosymbiont in fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera).}, journal = {Folia microbiologica}, volume = {64}, number = {6}, pages = {789-796}, pmid = {30820826}, issn = {1874-9356}, mesh = {Animals ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Female ; Flea Infestations/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary ; Genes, Bacterial/genetics ; Genetic Variation ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Host Specificity ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Siphonaptera/*microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Turkey/epidemiology ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {The aim of this study was to determine the presence and prevalence of Wolbachia bacteria in natural population of fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) in Turkey, and to exhibit the molecular characterization and the phylogenetic reconstruction at the positive isolates with other species in GenBank, based on 16S rDNA sequences. One hundred twenty-four flea samples belonging to the species Ctenocephalides canis, C. felis, and Pulex irritans were collected from animal shelters in Kayseri between January and August 2017. All flea species were individually screened for the presence of Wolbachia spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. According to PCR analyses, Wolbachia spp. were found prevalent in C. canis and P. irritans fleas, while it was not detected in the C. felis species. Totally, 20 isolates were purified from agarose gel and sequenced with the same primers for molecular characterization and phylogenetic analyses. The sequence analyses revealed 17 polymorphic sites and 2 genetically different Wolbachia isolates, representing two different haplotypes in two flea species. The distribution patterns, molecular characterization, and phylogenetic status of Wolbachia spp. of fleas in Turkey are presented for the first time with this study. Understanding of the role of Wolbachia in vector biology may provide information for developing Wolbachia-based biological control tools.}, }
@article {pmid30819893, year = {2019}, author = {Maire, J and Vincent-Monégat, C and Balmand, S and Vallier, A and Hervé, M and Masson, F and Parisot, N and Vigneron, A and Anselme, C and Perrin, J and Orlans, J and Rahioui, I and Da Silva, P and Fauvarque, MO and Mengin-Lecreulx, D and Zaidman-Rémy, A and Heddi, A}, title = {Weevil pgrp-lb prevents endosymbiont TCT dissemination and chronic host systemic immune activation.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {116}, number = {12}, pages = {5623-5632}, pmid = {30819893}, issn = {1091-6490}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/immunology/metabolism ; Carrier Proteins/immunology/*physiology ; Cytotoxins ; Host Microbial Interactions/*immunology/physiology ; Insect Proteins/genetics ; Larva/metabolism ; Peptidoglycan/immunology/metabolism ; Protein Isoforms ; Symbiosis/*immunology ; Weevils/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Long-term intracellular symbiosis (or endosymbiosis) is widely distributed across invertebrates and is recognized as a major driving force in evolution. However, the maintenance of immune homeostasis in organisms chronically infected with mutualistic bacteria is a challenging task, and little is known about the molecular processes that limit endosymbiont immunogenicity and host inflammation. Here, we investigated peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP)-encoding genes in the cereal weevil Sitophilus zeamais's association with Sodalis pierantonius endosymbiont. We discovered that weevil pgrp-lb generates three transcripts via alternative splicing and differential regulation. A secreted isoform is expressed in insect tissues under pathogenic conditions through activation of the PGRP-LC receptor of the immune deficiency pathway. In addition, cytosolic and transmembrane isoforms are permanently produced within endosymbiont-bearing organ, the bacteriome, in a PGRP-LC-independent manner. Bacteriome isoforms specifically cleave the tracheal cytotoxin (TCT), a peptidoglycan monomer released by endosymbionts. pgrp-lb silencing by RNAi results in TCT escape from the bacteriome to other insect tissues, where it chronically activates the host systemic immunity through PGRP-LC. While such immune deregulations did not impact endosymbiont load, they did negatively affect host physiology, as attested by a diminished sexual maturation of adult weevils. Whereas pgrp-lb was first described in pathogenic interactions, this work shows that, in an endosymbiosis context, specific bacteriome isoforms have evolved, allowing endosymbiont TCT scavenging and preventing chronic endosymbiont-induced immune responses, thus promoting host homeostasis.}, }
@article {pmid30813886, year = {2019}, author = {Bykov, R&#x410; and Yudina, MA and Gruntenko, NE and Zakharov, IK and Voloshina, MA and Melashchenko, ES and Danilova, MV and Mazunin, IO and Ilinsky, YY}, title = {Prevalence and genetic diversity of Wolbachia endosymbiont and mtDNA in Palearctic populations of Drosophila melanogaster.}, journal = {BMC evolutionary biology}, volume = {19}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {48}, pmid = {30813886}, issn = {1471-2148}, support = {F32 MH010832/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; DNA, Mitochondrial/*genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; *Genetic Variation ; Genomics ; Geography ; Haplotypes ; Mitochondria/genetics ; Prevalence ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/cytology/*genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Maternally inherited Wolbachia symbionts infect D. melanogaster populations worldwide. Infection rates vary greatly. Genetic diversity of Wolbachia in D. melanogaster can be subdivided into several closely related genotypes coinherited with certain mtDNA lineages. mtDNA haplotypes have the following global distribution pattern: mtDNA clade I is mostly found in North America, II and IV in Africa, III in Europe and Africa, V in Eurasia, VI is global but very rare, and VIII is found in Asia. The wMel Wolbachia genotype is predominant in D. melanogaster populations. However, according to the hypothesis of global Wolbachia replacement, the wMelCS genotype was predominant before the XX century when it was replaced by the wMel genotype. Here we analyse over 1500 fly isolates from the Palearctic region to evaluate the prevalence, genetic diversity and distribution pattrern of the Wolbachia symbiont, occurrence of mtDNA variants, and finally to discuss the Wolbachia genotype global replacement hypothesis.<br><br>RESULTS: All studied Palearctic populations of D. melanogaster were infected with Wolbachia at a rate of 33-100%. We did not observe any significant correlation between infection rate and longitude or latitude. Five previously reported Wolbachia genotypes were found in Palearctic populations with a predominance of the wMel variant. The mtDNA haplotypes of the I_II_III clade and V clade were prevalent in Palearctic populations. To test the recent Wolbachia genotype replacement hypothesis, we examined three genomic regions of CS-like genotypes. Low genetic diversity was observed, only two haplotypes of the CS genotypes with a 'CCG' variant predominance were found.<br><br>CONCLUSION: The results of our survey of Wolbachia infection prevalence and genotype diversity in Palearctic D. melanogaster populations confirm previous studies. Wolbachia is ubiquitous in the Palearctic region. The wMel genotype is dominant with local occurrence of rare genotypes. Together with variants of the V mtDNA clade, the variants of the 'III+' clade are dominant in both infected and uninfected flies of Palearctic populations. Based on our data on Wolbachia and mtDNA in different years in some Palearctic localities, we can conclude that flies that survive the winter make the predominant symbiont contribution to the subsequent generation. A comprehensive overview of mtDNA and Wolbachia infection of D. melanogaster populations worldwide does not support the recent global Wolbachia genotype replacement hypothesis. However, we cannot exclude wMelCS genotype rate fluctuations in the past.}, }
@article {pmid30806054, year = {2019}, author = {Du, J and Jiang, S and Wei, J and Shen, Y and Ni, J}, title = {[Co-expression of lignocellulase from termite and their endosymbionts].}, journal = {Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology}, volume = {35}, number = {2}, pages = {244-253}, doi = {10.13345/j.cjb.180235}, pmid = {30806054}, issn = {1872-2075}, mesh = {Animals ; Cellulase ; Cellulose ; Hydrolysis ; *Isoptera ; Lignin ; Symbiosis ; beta-Glucosidase ; }, abstract = {Natural lignocellulosic materials contain cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Cellulose hydrolysis to glucose requires a series of lignocellulases. Recently, the research on the synergistic effect of lignocellulases has become a new research focus. Here, four lignocellulase genes encoding β-glucosidase, endo-1,4-β-glucanase, xylanase and laccase from termite and their endosymbionts were cloned into pETDuet-1 and pRSFDuet-1 and expressed in Escherichia coli. After SDS-PAGE analysis, the corresponding protein bands consistent with the theoretical values were observed and all the proteins showed enzyme activities. We used phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC) as substrate to measure the synergistic effect of crude extracts of co-expressing enzymes and the mixture of single enzyme. The co-expressed enzymes increased the degradation efficiency of PASC by 44% compared with the single enzyme mixture; while the degradation rate increased by 34% and 20%, respectively when using filter paper and corn cob pretreated with phosphoric acid as substrates. The degradation efficiency of the co-expressed enzymes was higher than the total efficiency of the single enzyme mixture.}, }
@article {pmid30805132, year = {2019}, author = {Gardner, SG and Camp, EF and Smith, DJ and Kahlke, T and Osman, EO and Gendron, G and Hume, BCC and Pogoreutz, C and Voolstra, CR and Suggett, DJ}, title = {Coral microbiome diversity reflects mass coral bleaching susceptibility during the 2016 El Niño heat wave.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {9}, number = {3}, pages = {938-956}, pmid = {30805132}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Repeat marine heat wave-induced mass coral bleaching has decimated reefs in Seychelles for 35 years, but how coral-associated microbial diversity (microalgal endosymbionts of the family Symbiodiniaceae and bacterial communities) potentially underpins broad-scale bleaching dynamics remains unknown. We assessed microbiome composition during the 2016 heat wave peak at two contrasting reef sites (clear vs. turbid) in Seychelles, for key coral species considered bleaching sensitive (Acropora muricata, Acropora gemmifera) or tolerant (Porites lutea, Coelastrea aspera). For all species and sites, we sampled bleached versus unbleached colonies to examine how microbiomes align with heat stress susceptibility. Over 30% of all corals bleached in 2016, half of which were from Acropora sp. and Pocillopora sp. mass bleaching that largely transitioned to mortality by 2017. Symbiodiniaceae ITS2-sequencing revealed that the two Acropora sp. and P. lutea generally associated with C3z/C3 and C15 types, respectively, whereas C. aspera exhibited a plastic association with multiple D types and two C3z types. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that bacterial communities were coral host-specific, largely through differences in the most abundant families, Hahellaceae (comprising Endozoicomonas), Rhodospirillaceae, and Rhodobacteraceae. Both Acropora sp. exhibited lower bacterial diversity, species richness, and community evenness compared to more bleaching-resistant P. lutea and C. aspera. Different bleaching susceptibility among coral species was thus consistent with distinct microbiome community profiles. These profiles were conserved across bleached and unbleached colonies of all coral species. As this pattern could also reflect a parallel response of the microbiome to environmental changes, the detailed functional associations will need to be determined in future studies. Further understanding such microbiome-environmental interactions is likely critical to target more effective management within oceanically isolated reefs of Seychelles.}, }
@article {pmid30798391, year = {2019}, author = {Singhal, K and Mohanty, S}, title = {Genome organisation and comparative genomics of four novel Wolbachia genome assemblies from Indian Drosophila host.}, journal = {Functional &amp; integrative genomics}, volume = {19}, number = {4}, pages = {617-632}, pmid = {30798391}, issn = {1438-7948}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Drosophila/microbiology ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*genetics/pathogenicity ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia has long been known to share an endosymbiotic relationship with its host as an obligate intracellular organism. Wolbachia diversity as different supergroups is found to be host-specific in most cases except a few, where the host species is seen to accommodate multiple strains. Besides, the Wolbachia genome must have undergone several changes in response to the evolving host genome in order to adapt and establish a strong association with its host, thus making a distinctive Wolbachia-host alliance. The present study focusses on four novel genome assembly and genome-wide sequence variations of Indian Wolbachia strains, i.e. wMel and wRi isolated from two different Drosophila hosts. The genome assembly has an average size of ~ 1.1 Mb and contains ~ 1100 genes, which is comparable with the previously sequenced Wolbachia genomes. The comparative genomics analysis of these genomes and sequence-wide comparison of some functionally significant genes, i.e. ankyrin repeats, Wsp and T4SS, highlight their sequence similarities and dissimilarities, further supporting the strain-specific association of Wolbachia to its host. Interestingly, some of the sequence variations are also found to be restricted to only Indian Wolbachia strains. Further analysis of prophage and their flanking regions in the Wolbachia genome reveals the presence of several functional genes which may assist the phage to reside inside the bacterial host, thus providing a trade-off for the endosymbiont-host association. Understanding this endosymbiont genome in different eco-geographical conditions has become imperative for the recent use of Wolbachia in medical entomology as a vector-control agent.}, }
@article {pmid30796245, year = {2019}, author = {Lhee, D and Ha, JS and Kim, S and Park, MG and Bhattacharya, D and Yoon, HS}, title = {Evolutionary dynamics of the chromatophore genome in three photosynthetic Paulinella species.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {2560}, pmid = {30796245}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Amoeba/*genetics ; *Chromatophores ; *Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome, Protozoan ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {The thecate amoeba Paulinella is a valuable model for understanding plastid organellogenesis because this lineage has independently gained plastids (termed chromatophores) of alpha-cyanobacterial provenance. Plastid primary endosymbiosis in Paulinella occurred relatively recently (90-140 million years ago, Mya), whereas the origin of the canonical Archaeplastida plastid occurred >1,500 Mya. Therefore, these two events provide independent perspectives on plastid formation on vastly different timescales. Here we generated the complete chromatophore genome sequence from P. longichromatophora (979,356 bp, GC-content = 38.8%, 915 predicted genes) and P. micropora NZ27 (977,190 bp, GC-content = 39.9%, 911 predicted genes) and compared these data to that from existing chromatophore genomes. Our analysis suggests that when a basal split occurred among photosynthetic Paulinella species ca. 60 Mya, only 35% of the ancestral orthologous gene families from the cyanobacterial endosymbiont remained in chromatophore DNA. Following major gene losses during the early stages of endosymbiosis, this process slowed down significantly, resulting in a conserved gene content across extant taxa. Chromatophore genes faced relaxed selection when compared to homologs in free-living alpha-cyanobacteria, likely reflecting the homogeneous intracellular environment of the Paulinella host. Comparison of nucleotide substitution and insertion/deletion events among different P. micropora strains demonstrates that increases in AT-content and genome reduction are ongoing and dynamic processes in chromatophore evolution.}, }
@article {pmid30792089, year = {2019}, author = {Morozov, AA and Galachyants, YP}, title = {Diatom genes originating from red and green algae: Implications for the secondary endosymbiosis models.}, journal = {Marine genomics}, volume = {45}, number = {}, pages = {72-78}, doi = {10.1016/j.margen.2019.02.003}, pmid = {30792089}, issn = {1876-7478}, mesh = {Algal Proteins/analysis ; Chlorophyta/*genetics ; Diatoms/*genetics ; *Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome ; Phylogeny ; Rhodophyta/*genetics ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Previous phylogenomic analyses of diatoms have discovered some plastid-targeted genes apparently coming from green algae. Number of these genes varied from less than a half of EGT-compatible genes to an overwhelming majority, and their presence was treated as an evidence of cryptic green plastid. We have performed such an analysis with a novel weighted approach on an extended dataset of diatom genomes and proteomes. Approximately equal evidence was found for red and green algal origins for diatoms genes. Considering that very similar results were obtained on other secondary photosynthetic groups whose endosymbioses were independent from that of the diatom ancestors, we consider the serial plastid replacements unparsimonious. A better explanation of these data can be provided by the shopping bag model, where a future host switches numerous endosymbionts and acquires some genes from each of them. Eventually the host loses the ability to replace endosymbionts (e.g. through the loss of phagotrophy) and whatever symbiont was present at the moment gets fixed and reduced to an organelle.}, }
@article {pmid30786854, year = {2019}, author = {Garcia-Arraez, MG and Masson, F and Escobar, JCP and Lemaitre, B}, title = {Functional analysis of RIP toxins from the Drosophila endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {46}, pmid = {30786854}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {339970/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Bacterial Toxins/*genetics/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology ; Embryo, Nonmammalian/microbiology ; Female ; Hemocytes ; Hemolymph/microbiology ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Longevity ; Male ; Ribosome Inactivating Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Spiroplasma/*chemistry/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Insects frequently live in close relationship with symbiotic bacteria that carry out beneficial functions for their host, like protection against parasites and viruses. However, in some cases, the mutualistic nature of such associations is put into question because of detrimental phenotypes caused by the symbiont. One example is the association between the vertically transmitted facultative endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii and its natural host Drosophila melanogaster. Whereas S. poulsonii protects its host against parasitoid wasps and nematodes by the action of toxins from the family of Ribosome Inactivating Proteins (RIPs), the presence of S. poulsonii has been reported to reduce host's life span and to kill male embryos by a toxin called Spaid. In this work, we investigate the harmful effects of Spiroplasma RIPs on Drosophila in the absence of parasite infection.<br><br>RESULTS: We show that only two Spiroplasma RIPs (SpRIP1 and SpRIP2) among the five RIP genes encoded in the S. poulsonii genome are significantly expressed during the whole Drosophila life cycle. Heterologous expression of SpRIP1 and 2 in uninfected flies confirms their toxicity, as indicated by a reduction of Drosophila lifespan and hemocyte number. We also show that RIPs can cause the death of some embryos, including females.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that RIPs released by S. poulsonii contribute to the reduction of host lifespan and embryo mortality. This suggests that SpRIPs may impact the insect-symbiont homeostasis beyond their protective function against parasites.}, }
@article {pmid30779681, year = {2019}, author = {Thu, MJ and Qiu, Y and Kataoka-Nakamura, C and Sugimoto, C and Katakura, K and Isoda, N and Nakao, R}, title = {Isolation of Rickettsia, Rickettsiella, and Spiroplasma from Questing Ticks in Japan Using Arthropod Cells.}, journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)}, volume = {19}, number = {7}, pages = {474-485}, doi = {10.1089/vbz.2018.2373}, pmid = {30779681}, issn = {1557-7759}, mesh = {Aedes ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Coxiellaceae/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; DNA, Bacterial ; Ixodes ; Japan ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rickettsia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Spiroplasma/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Symbiosis ; Ticks/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {Ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites that transmit zoonotic pathogens to humans and animals. Ticks harbor not only pathogenic microorganisms but also endosymbionts. Although some tick endosymbionts are known to be essential for the survival of ticks, their roles in ticks remain poorly understood. The main aim of this study was to isolate and characterize tick-borne microorganisms from field-collected ticks using two arthropod cell lines derived from Ixodes scapularis embryos (ISE6) and Aedes albopictus larvae (C6/36). A total of 170 tick homogenates originating from 15 different tick species collected in Japan were inoculated into each cell line. Bacterial growth was confirmed by PCR amplification of 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of eubacteria. During the 8-week observation period, bacterial isolation was confirmed in 14 and 4 samples using ISE6 and C6/36 cells, respectively. The sequencing analysis of the 16S rDNA PCR products indicated that they were previously known tick-borne pathogens/endosymbionts in three different genera: Rickettsia, Rickettsiella, and Spiroplasma. These included four previously validated rickettsial species namely Rickettsia asiatica (n = 2), Rickettsia helvetica (n = 3), Rickettsia monacensis (n = 2), and Rickettsia tamurae (n = 3) and one uncharacterized genotype Rickettsia sp. LON (n = 2). Four isolates of Spiroplasma had the highest similarity with previously reported Spiroplasma isolates: Spiroplasma ixodetis obtained from ticks in North America and Spiroplasma sp. Bratislava 1 obtained from Ixodes ricinus in Europe, while two isolates of Rickettsiella showed 100% identity with Rickettsiella sp. detected from Ixodes uriae at Grimsey Island in Iceland. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on successful isolation of Rickettsiella from ticks. The isolates obtained in this study can be further analyzed to evaluate their pathogenic potential in animals and their roles as symbionts in ticks.}, }
@article {pmid30765418, year = {2019}, author = {Yamashita, T and Rhoads, DD and Pummill, J}, title = {Genome Analyses of a New Mycoplasma Species from the Scorpion Centruroides vittatus.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {9}, number = {4}, pages = {993-997}, pmid = {30765418}, issn = {2160-1836}, support = {P20 GM103429/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Base Composition ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Mycoplasma/classification/*genetics ; Phylogeny ; Scorpions/*microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; }, abstract = {Arthropod Mycoplasma are little known endosymbionts in insects, primarily known as plant disease vectors. Mycoplasma in other arthropods such as arachnids are unknown. We report the first complete Mycoplasma genome sequenced, identified, and annotated from a scorpion, Centruroides vittatus, and designate it as Mycoplasma vittatus We find the genome is at least a 683,827 bp single circular chromosome with a GC content of 42.7% and with 987 protein-coding genes. The putative virulence determinants include 11 genes associated with the virulence operon associated with protein synthesis or DNA transcription and ten genes with antibiotic and toxic compound resistance. Comparative analysis revealed that the M. vittatus genome is smaller than other Mycoplasma genomes and exhibits a higher GC content. Phylogenetic analysis shows M. vittatus as part of the Hominis group of Mycoplasma As arthropod genomes accumulate, further novel Mycoplasma genomes may be identified and characterized.}, }
@article {pmid30762095, year = {2019}, author = {Martínez-Rodríguez, P and Rolán-Alvarez, E and Del Mar Pérez-Ruiz, M and Arroyo-Yebras, F and Carpena-Catoira, C and Carvajal-Rodríguez, A and Bella, JL}, title = {Geographic and Temporal Variation of Distinct Intracellular Endosymbiont Strains of Wolbachia sp. in the Grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus: a Frequency-Dependent Mechanism?.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {77}, number = {4}, pages = {1036-1047}, pmid = {30762095}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {CGL2016-75482-P//Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnolog?a/ ; BFU2013-44635//Ministerio de Econom?a, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de Espa?a/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Coevolution ; Computer Simulation ; Geography ; Grasshoppers/*microbiology ; Linear Models ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Seasons ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an intracellular endosymbiont that can produce a range of effects on host fitness, but the temporal dynamics of Wolbachia strains have rarely been experimentally evaluated. We compare interannual strain frequencies along a geographical region for understanding the forces that shape Wolbachia strain frequency in natural populations of its host, Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera, Acrididae). General linear models show that strain frequency changes significantly across geographical and temporal scales. Computer simulation allows to reject the compatibility of the observed patterns with either genetic drift or sampling errors. We use consecutive years to estimate total Wolbachia strain fitness. Our estimation of Wolbachia fitness is significant in most cases, within locality and between consecutive years, following a negatively frequency-dependent trend. Wolbachia spp. B and F strains show a temporal pattern of variation that is compatible with a negative frequency-dependent natural selection mechanism. Our results suggest that such a mechanism should be at least considered in future experimental and theoretical research strategies that attempt to understand Wolbachia biodiversity.}, }
@article {pmid30744948, year = {2019}, author = {Binetruy, F and Bailly, X and Chevillon, C and Martin, OY and Bernasconi, MV and Duron, O}, title = {Phylogenetics of the Spiroplasma ixodetis endosymbiont reveals past transfers between ticks and other arthropods.}, journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {575-584}, doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.02.001}, pmid = {30744948}, issn = {1877-9603}, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/*microbiology ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/*transmission ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Male ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; *Phylogeny ; Spiroplasma/classification/*genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Ticks/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {The bacterium Spiroplasma ixodetis is a maternally inherited endosymbiont primarily described from ticks but also found widespread across other arthropods. While it has been identified as a male-killing agent in some insect species, the consequences of infection with S. ixodetis in ticks are entirely unknown, and it is unclear how this endosymbiont spreads across tick species. Here, we have investigated this aspect through the examination of the diversity and evolutionary history of S. ixodetis infections in 12 tick species and 12 other arthropod species. Using a multi-locus typing approach, we identified that ticks harbor a substantial diversity of divergent S. ixodetis strains. Phylogenetic investigations revealed that these S. ixodetis strains do not cluster within a tick-specific subclade but rather exhibit distinct evolutionary origins. In their past, these strains have undergone repeated horizontal transfers between ticks and other arthropods, including aphids and flies. This diversity pattern strongly suggests that maternal inheritance and horizontal transfers are key drivers of S. ixodetis spread, dictating global incidence of infections across tick communities. We do not, however, detect evidence of S. ixodetis-based male-killing since we observed that infections were widely present in both males and females across populations of the African blue tick Rhipicephalus decoloratus.}, }
@article {pmid30744707, year = {2019}, author = {Augustinos, AA and Moraiti, CA and Drosopoulou, E and Kounatidis, I and Mavragani-Tsipidou, P and Bourtzis, K and Papadopoulos, NT}, title = {Old residents and new arrivals of Rhagoletis species in Europe.}, journal = {Bulletin of entomological research}, volume = {109}, number = {6}, pages = {701-712}, doi = {10.1017/S0007485319000063}, pmid = {30744707}, issn = {1475-2670}, mesh = {Animals ; Europe ; Insect Control/methods ; Introduced Species ; Population Dynamics ; Tephritidae/*classification/genetics/microbiology ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {The genus Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) comprises more than 65 species distributed throughout Europe, Asia and America, including many species of high economic importance. Currently, there are three Rhagoletis species that infest fruits and nuts in Europe. The European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (may have invaded Europe a long time ago from the Caucasian area of West Asia), and two invasive species (recently introduced from North America): the eastern American cherry fruit fly, R. cingulata, and the walnut husk fly, R. completa. The presence of different Rhagoletis species may enhance population dynamics and establish an unpredictable economic risk for several fruit and nut crops in Europe. Despite their excessive economic importance, little is known on population dynamics, genetics and symbiotic associations for making sound pest control decisions in terms of species-specific, environmental friendly pest control methods. To this end, the current paper (a) summarizes recently accumulated genetic and population data for the European Rhagoletis species and their association with the endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis, and (b) explores the possibility of using the current knowledge for implementing the innovative biological control methods of sterile insect technique and incompatible insect technique.}, }
@article {pmid30740457, year = {2019}, author = {Gruber, A}, title = {What's in a name? How organelles of endosymbiotic origin can be distinguished from endosymbionts.}, journal = {Microbial cell (Graz, Austria)}, volume = {6}, number = {2}, pages = {123-133}, pmid = {30740457}, issn = {2311-2638}, abstract = {Mitochondria and plastids evolved from free-living bacteria, but are now considered integral parts of the eukaryotic species in which they live. Therefore, they are implicitly called by the same eukaryotic species name. Historically, mitochondria and plastids were known as "organelles", even before their bacterial origin became fully established. However, since organelle evolution by endosymbiosis has become an established theory in biology, more and more endosymbiotic systems have been discovered that show various levels of host/symbiont integration. In this context, the distinction between "host/symbiont" and "eukaryote/organelle" systems is currently unclear. The criteria that are commonly considered are genetic integration (via gene transfer from the endosymbiont to the nucleus), cellular integration (synchronization of the cell cycles), and metabolic integration (the mutual dependency of the metabolisms). Here, I suggest that these criteria should be evaluated according to the resulting coupling of genetic recombination between individuals and congruence of effective population sizes, which determines if independent speciation is possible for either of the partners. I would like to call this aspect of integration "sexual symbiont integration". If the partners lose their independence in speciation, I think that they should be considered one species. The partner who maintains its genetic recombination mechanisms and life cycle should then be the name giving "host"; the other one would be the organelle. Distinguishing between organelles and symbionts according to their sexual symbiont integration is independent of any particular mechanism or structural property of the endosymbiont/host system under investigation.}, }
@article {pmid30733451, year = {2019}, author = {Vujanovic, V and Kim, SH and Lahlali, R and Karunakaran, C}, title = {Spectroscopy and SEM imaging reveal endosymbiont-dependent components changes in germinating kernel through direct and indirect coleorhiza-fungus interactions under stress.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {1665}, pmid = {30733451}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {//CIHR/Canada ; }, mesh = {Disease Resistance ; Fungi/*physiology ; Germination ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*immunology ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/methods ; Plant Diseases/*immunology/microbiology ; Seeds/*anatomy &amp; histology/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared/methods ; *Stress, Physiological ; *Symbiosis ; Triticum/*anatomy &amp; histology/growth &amp; development/microbiology ; }, abstract = {In the present study, FTIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging was introduced as a non-destructive, sensitive-reliable tool for assessing the tripartite kernel-fungal endophyte environment interaction. Composition of coleorhizae of Triticum durum was studied under ambient and drought stress conditions. The OH-stretch IR absorption spectrum suggests that the water-deficit was possibly improved or moderated by kernel's endophytic partner. The OH-stretch frequency pattern coincides with other (growth and stress) related molecular changes. Analysis of lipid (3100-2800 cm[-1]) and protein (1700-1550 cm[-1]) regions seems to demonstrate that drought has a positive impact on lipids. The fungal endosymbiont direct contact with kernel during germination had highest effect on both lipid and protein (Amide I and II) groups, indicating an increased stress resistance in inoculated kernel. Compared to the indirect kernel-fungus interaction and to non-treated kernels (control), direct interaction produced highest effect on lipids. Among treatments, the fingerprint region (1800-800 cm[-1]) and SEM images indicated an important shift in glucose oligosaccharides, possibly linked to coleorhiza-polymer layer disappearance. Acquired differentiation in coleorhiza composition of T. durum, between ambient and drought conditions, suggests that FTIR spectroscopy could be a promising tool for studying endosymbiont-plant interactions within a changing environment.}, }
@article {pmid30727958, year = {2019}, author = {Kampfraath, AA and Klasson, L and Anvar, SY and Vossen, RHAM and Roelofs, D and Kraaijeveld, K and Ellers, J}, title = {Genome expansion of an obligate parthenogenesis-associated Wolbachia poses an exception to the symbiont reduction model.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {106}, pmid = {30727958}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {865.12.003//Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ ; 15494//Stichting voor de Technische Wetenschappen/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropods/*microbiology/physiology ; DNA Repair ; Evolution, Molecular ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Parthenogenesis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*genetics/physiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Theory predicts that dependency within host-endosymbiont interactions results in endosymbiont genome size reduction. Unexpectedly, the largest Wolbachia genome was found in the obligate, parthenogenesis-associated wFol. In this study, we investigate possible processes underlying this genome expansion by comparing a re-annotated wFol genome to other Wolbachia genomes. In addition, we also search for candidate genes related to parthenogenesis induction (PI).<br><br>RESULTS: Within wFol, we found five phage WO regions representing 25.4% of the complete genome, few pseudogenized genes, and an expansion of DNA-repair genes in comparison to other Wolbachia. These signs of genome conservation were mirrored in the wFol host, the springtail F. candida, which also had an expanded DNA-repair gene family and many horizontally transferred genes. Across all Wolbachia genomes, there was a strong correlation between gene numbers of Wolbachia strains and their hosts. In order to identify genes with a potential link to PI, we assembled the genome of an additional PI strain, wLcla. Comparisons between four PI Wolbachia, including wFol and wLcla, and fourteen non-PI Wolbachia yielded a small set of potential candidate genes for further investigation.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The strong similarities in genome content of wFol and its host, as well as the correlation between host and Wolbachia gene numbers suggest that there may be some form of convergent evolution between endosymbiont and host genomes. If such convergent evolution would be strong enough to overcome the evolutionary forces causing genome reduction, it would enable expanded genomes within long-term obligate endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid30727955, year = {2019}, author = {Détrée, C and Haddad, I and Demey-Thomas, E and Vinh, J and Lallier, FH and Tanguy, A and Mary, J}, title = {Global host molecular perturbations upon in situ loss of bacterial endosymbionts in the deep-sea mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus assessed using proteomics and transcriptomics.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {109}, pmid = {30727955}, issn = {1471-2164}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*metabolism ; *Chemoautotrophic Growth ; Gene Expression Profiling ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Gills/microbiology ; Hydrothermal Vents ; Microbiota ; Mytilidae/genetics/*microbiology ; Proteomics ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Colonization of deep-sea hydrothermal vents by most invertebrates was made efficient through their adaptation to a symbiotic lifestyle with chemosynthetic bacteria, the primary producers in these ecosystems. Anatomical adaptations such as the establishment of specialized cells or organs have been evidenced in numerous deep-sea invertebrates. However, very few studies detailed global inter-dependencies between host and symbionts in these ecosystems. In this study, we proposed to describe, using a proteo-transcriptomic approach, the effects of symbionts loss on the deep-sea mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus' molecular biology. We induced an in situ depletion of symbionts and compared the proteo-transcriptome of the gills of mussels in three conditions: symbiotic mussels (natural population), symbiont-depleted mussels and aposymbiotic mussels.<br><br>RESULTS: Global proteomic and transcriptomic results evidenced a global disruption of host machinery in aposymbiotic organisms. We observed that the total number of proteins identified decreased from 1118 in symbiotic mussels to 790 in partially depleted mussels and 761 in aposymbiotic mussels. Using microarrays we identified 4300 transcripts differentially expressed between symbiont-depleted and symbiotic mussels. Among these transcripts, 799 were found differentially expressed in aposymbiotic mussels and almost twice as many in symbiont-depleted mussels as compared to symbiotic mussels. Regarding apoptotic and immune system processes - known to be largely involved in symbiotic interactions - an overall up-regulation of associated proteins and transcripts was observed in symbiont-depleted mussels.<br><br>CONCLUSION: Overall, our study showed a global impairment of host machinery and an activation of both the immune and apoptotic system following symbiont-depletion. One of the main assumptions is the involvement of symbiotic bacteria in the inhibition and regulation of immune and apoptotic systems. As such, symbiotic bacteria may increase their lifespan in gill cells while managing the defense of the holobiont against putative pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid30718604, year = {2019}, author = {Lanzoni, O and Sabaneyeva, E and Modeo, L and Castelli, M and Lebedeva, N and Verni, F and Schrallhammer, M and Potekhin, A and Petroni, G}, title = {Diversity and environmental distribution of the cosmopolitan endosymbiont "Candidatus Megaira".}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {1179}, pmid = {30718604}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Aquatic Organisms/microbiology ; Ciliophora/*microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsiaceae/*classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Members of the order Rickettsiales are often found in association with ciliated protists. An interesting case is the bacterial endosymbiont "Candidatus Megaira", which is phylogenetically closely related to the pathogen Rickettsia. "Candidatus Megaira" was first described as an intracellular bacterium in several ciliate species. Since then it has been found in association with diverse evolutionary distantly-related hosts, among them other unicellular eukaryotes, and also algae, and metazoa, such as cnidarians. We provide the characterization of several new strains of the type species "Candidatus Megaira polyxenophila", and the multidisciplinary description of a novel species, "Candidatus Megaira venefica", presenting peculiar features, which highlight the diversity and variability of these widespread bacterial endosymbionts. Screening of the 16S rRNA gene short amplicon database and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene hypervariable regions revealed the presence of further hidden lineages, and provided hints on the possibility that these bacteria may be horizontally transmitted among aquatic protists and metazoa. The phylogenetic reconstruction supports the existence of at least five different separate species-level clades of "Candidatus Megaira", and we designed a set of specific probes allowing easy recognition of the four major clades of the genus.}, }
@article {pmid30716462, year = {2019}, author = {Odeniran, PO and Macleod, ET and Ademola, IO and Welburn, SC}, title = {Endosymbionts interaction with trypanosomes in Palpalis group of Glossina captured in southwest Nigeria.}, journal = {Parasitology international}, volume = {70}, number = {}, pages = {64-69}, doi = {10.1016/j.parint.2019.01.011}, pmid = {30716462}, issn = {1873-0329}, mesh = {Animals ; Enterobacteriaceae/*isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/parasitology ; Nigeria ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; *Symbiosis ; Trypanosoma/microbiology/*physiology ; Tsetse Flies/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Glossina species epidemiological studies were conducted in "fly-belt" endemic zone of southwest Nigeria. Two major study areas were identified and four Nzi traps were set in each site for tsetse collection. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of endosymbionts (Wigglesworthia glossinidia, Sodalis glossinidius and Wolbachia) in natural field-trapped populations of G. p. palpalis and G. tachinoides and investigate the corresponding interactions with African trypanosomes. A total of 64 tsetse flies were collected, these included G. p. palpalis (n = 28) and G. tachinoides (n = 36). Trypanosome infection and endosymbionts of these flies were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The infection rates of W. glossinidia was 100.0% in both species, no flies were positive for Wolbachia. Sodalis glossinidius prevalence was similar between the two-tsetse species, with G. p. palpalis and G. tachinoides showing prevalence of 35.7% (95%CI: 20.7-54.2) and 27.8% (95%CI: 15.9-44.0) respectively. No relationship was found between the endosymbionts and trypanosomes in trapped tsetse flies. More studies are needed to enhance the potential control interventions mediated by endosymbionts to reduce parasitic infections.}, }
@article {pmid30716127, year = {2019}, author = {Piquet, B and Shillito, B and Lallier, FH and Duperron, S and Andersen, AC}, title = {High rates of apoptosis visualized in the symbiont-bearing gills of deep-sea Bathymodiolus mussels.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {14}, number = {2}, pages = {e0211499}, pmid = {30716127}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; *Apoptosis ; Bivalvia/*cytology/*physiology ; Gills/*cytology ; Hydrothermal Vents ; Species Specificity ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Symbiosis between Bathymodiolus and Gammaproteobacteria allows these deep-sea mussels to live in toxic environments such as hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. The quantity of endosymbionts within the gill-bacteriocytes appears to vary according to the hosts environment; however, the mechanisms of endosymbiont population size regulation remain obscure. We investigated the possibility of a control of endosymbiont density by apoptosis, a programmed cell death, in three mussel species. Fluorometric TUNEL and active Caspase-3-targeting antibodies were used to visualize and quantify apoptotic cells in mussel gills. To control for potential artefacts due to depressurization upon specimen recovery from the deep-sea, the apoptotic rates between mussels recovered unpressurised, versus mussels recovered in a pressure-maintaining device, were compared in two species from hydrothermal vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Bathymodiolus azoricus and B. puteoserpentis. Results show that pressurized recovery had no significant effect on the apoptotic rate in the gill filaments. Apoptotic levels were highest in the ciliated zone and in the circulating hemocytes, compared to the bacteriocyte zone. Apoptotic gill-cells in B. aff. boomerang from cold seeps off the Gulf of Guinea show similar distribution patterns. Deep-sea symbiotic mussels have much higher rates of apoptosis in their gills than the coastal mussel Mytilus edulis, which lacks chemolithoautotrophic symbionts. We discuss how apoptosis might be one of the mechanisms that contribute to the adaptation of deep-sea mussels to toxic environments and/or to symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid30715337, year = {2019}, author = {Sinha, A and Li, Z and Sun, L and Carlow, CKS}, title = {Complete Genome Sequence of the Wolbachia wAlbB Endosymbiont of Aedes albopictus.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {11}, number = {3}, pages = {706-720}, pmid = {30715337}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology ; Animals ; Ankyrins/genetics ; Cell Line ; DNA Transposable Elements ; Genome Size ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Prophages/genetics ; Proteome ; Type IV Secretion Systems ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia, an alpha-proteobacterium closely related to Rickettsia, is a maternally transmitted, intracellular symbiont of arthropods and nematodes. Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are naturally infected with Wolbachia strains wAlbA and wAlbB. Cell line Aa23 established from Ae. albopictus embryos retains only wAlbB and is a key model to study host-endosymbiont interactions. We have assembled the complete circular genome of wAlbB from the Aa23 cell line using long-read PacBio sequencing at 500× median coverage. The assembled circular chromosome is 1.48 megabases in size, an increase of more than 300 kb over the published draft wAlbB genome. The annotation of the genome identified 1,205 protein coding genes, 34 tRNA, 3 rRNA, 1 tmRNA, and 3 other ncRNA loci. The long reads enabled sequencing over complex repeat regions which are difficult to resolve with short-read sequencing. Thirteen percent of the genome comprised insertion sequence elements distributed throughout the genome, some of which cause pseudogenization. Prophage WO genes encoding some essential components of phage particle assembly are missing, while the remainder are found in five prophage regions/WO-like islands or scattered around the genome. Orthology analysis identified a core proteome of 535 orthogroups across all completed Wolbachia genomes. The majority of proteins could be annotated using Pfam and eggNOG analyses, including ankyrins and components of the Type IV secretion system. KEGG analysis revealed the absence of five genes in wAlbB which are present in other Wolbachia. The availability of a complete circular chromosome from wAlbB will enable further biochemical, molecular, and genetic analyses on this strain and related Wolbachia.}, }
@article {pmid30714238, year = {2019}, author = {Fromont, C and Adair, KL and Douglas, AE}, title = {Correlation and causation between the microbiome, Wolbachia and host functional traits in natural populations of drosophilid flies.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {28}, number = {7}, pages = {1826-1841}, doi = {10.1111/mec.15041}, pmid = {30714238}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {BIO 1241099//National Science Foundation/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification ; Drosophila/classification/*microbiology ; *Microbiota ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Spiroplasma/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Sympatry ; Transcriptome ; Wolbachia/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Resident microorganisms are known to influence the fitness and traits of animals under controlled laboratory conditions, but the relevance of these findings to wild animals is uncertain. This study investigated the host functional correlates of microbiota composition in a wild community of three sympatric species of mycophagous drosophilid flies, Drosophila falleni, Drosophila neotestacea and Drosophila putrida. Specifically, we quantified bacterial communities and host transcriptomes by parallel 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and RNA-Seq of individual flies. Among-fly variation in microbiota composition did not partition strongly by sex or species, and included multiple modules, that is, sets of bacterial taxa whose abundance varied in concert across different flies. The abundance of bacteria in several modules varied significantly with multiple host transcripts, especially in females, but the identity of the correlated host transcriptional functions differed with host species, including epithelial barrier function in D. falleni, muscle function in D. putrida, and insect growth and development in D. neotestacea. In D. neotestacea, which harbours the endosymbionts Wolbachia and Spiroplasma, Wolbachia promotes the abundance of Spiroplasma, and is positively correlated with abundance of Lactobacillales and Bacteroidales. Furthermore, most correlations between host gene expression and relative abundance of bacterial modules were co-correlated with abundance of Wolbachia (but not Spiroplasma), indicative of an interdependence between host functional traits, microbiota composition and Wolbachia abundance in this species. These data suggest that, in these natural populations of drosophilid flies, different host species interact with microbial communities in functionally different ways that can vary with the abundance of endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid30713526, year = {2018}, author = {Lavy, O and Gophna, U and Gefen, E and Ayali, A}, title = {The Effect of Density-Dependent Phase on the Locust Gut Bacterial Composition.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {3020}, pmid = {30713526}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The desert locust demonstrates density-dependent phase polyphenism: For extended periods it appears in a non-aggregating, non-migrating phenotype, known as the solitary phase. When circumstances change, solitary individuals may aggregate and transform to the gregarious phenotype, which have a strong propensity for generating large swarms. Previous reports have suggested a role for gut-bacteria derived volatiles in the swarming phenomenon, and suggested that locusts are capable of manipulating their gut microbiome according to their density-dependent phases. Here, we directly tested this hypothesis for the first time. Using locusts of both phases from well-controlled laboratory cultures as well as gregarious field-collected individuals; and high-throughput sequencing. We characterized the hindgut bacterial community composition in the two phases of the desert locust. Our findings demonstrate that laboratory-reared gregarious and solitary locusts maintain a stable core of Enterobacter. However, while different generations of gregarious locust experience shifts in their Enterobacter's relative abundance; the solitary locusts maintain a stable gut microbiome, highly similar to that of the field-collected locusts. Tentative phase differences in wild populations' microbiome may thus be an indirect effect of environmental or other factors that push the swarming individuals to homogenous gut bacteria. We therefore conclude that there are phase-related differences in the population dynamics of the locust hindgut bacterial composition, but there is no intrinsic density-dependent mechanism directly affecting the gut microbiome.}, }
@article {pmid30708135, year = {2019}, author = {Konecka, E and Olszanowski, Z}, title = {Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rDNA, gltA, gatB, and hcpA gene sequences of Wolbachia from the novel host Ceratozetes thienemanni (Acari: Oribatida).}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases}, volume = {70}, number = {}, pages = {175-181}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2019.01.032}, pmid = {30708135}, issn = {1567-7257}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Mites/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wolbachia/*classification/genetics ; }, abstract = {We determined the occurrence of intracellular endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Cardinium, Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma, Hamiltonella, flavobacteria, and microsporidia) in oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) with the use of PCR technique. For the first time we looked for and detected Wolbachia in parthenogenetic oribatid mite Ceratozetes thienemanni Willmann, 1943. The 16S rDNA, gatB, hcpA, and gltA sequences of Wolbachia in C. thienemanni showed the highest similarity (≥ 90%) to the genes of Wolbachia from springtails (Collembola) and oribatid mite Gustavia microcephala. We found the unique sequence 5'-GGGGTAATGGCC-3' in 16S rDNA of Wolbachia from C. thienemanni and collembolan representing group E. The phylogeny of Wolbachia based on the analysis of single genes as well as concatenated alignments of four bacterial loci showed that the bacteria from C. thienemanni belonged to Wolbachia group E, like the endosymbionts from springtail hosts and G. microcephala. Considering coexisting of representatives of Oribatida and Collembola in the same soil habitat and similar food, it is possible that the source of Wolbachia infection was the same. Residues of dead invertebrates could be in organic matter of their soil food, so the scenario of infection transferred by eating of remains of soil cohabitates is also possible. It could explain the similarity and relationship of the Wolbachia in these two arthropod groups. Oribatid mite C. thienemanni is a parthenogenetic mite which is a unique feature in the genus Ceratozetes. Moreover, this species, within the entire genus Ceratozetes, is characterized by the most northerly distribution. It is difficult to determine either it is parthenogenesis or the presence of endosymbionts that are in some way responsible for this kind of evolutionary success. Maybe we are dealing here with a kind of synergy of both factors?}, }
@article {pmid30705413, year = {2019}, author = {Epstein, HE and Torda, G and Munday, PL and van Oppen, MJH}, title = {Parental and early life stage environments drive establishment of bacterial and dinoflagellate communities in a common coral.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {13}, number = {6}, pages = {1635-1638}, pmid = {30705413}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*growth &amp; development/*microbiology/parasitology/physiology ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Dinoflagellida/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The establishment of coral microbial communities in early developmental stages is fundamental to coral fitness, but its drivers are largely unknown, particularly for bacteria. Using an in situ reciprocal transplant experiment, we examined the influence of parental, planulation and early recruit environments on the microbiome of brooded offspring in the coral Pocillopora damicornis. 16S rRNA and ITS2 rDNA gene metabarcoding showed that bacterial and microalgal endosymbiont communities varied according to parental and planulation environments, but not with early recruit environment. Only a small number of bacterial strains were shared between offspring and their respective parents, revealing bacterial establishment as largely environmentally driven in very early life stages. Conversely, microalgal communities of recruits were highly similar to those of their respective parents, but also contained additional low abundance strains, suggesting both vertical transmission and novel ('horizontal') acquisition. Altogether, recruits harboured more variable microbiomes compared to their parents, indicating winnowing occurs as corals mature.}, }
@article {pmid30670614, year = {2019}, author = {González-Torres, P and Rodríguez-Mateos, F and Antón, J and Gabaldón, T}, title = {Impact of Homologous Recombination on the Evolution of Prokaryotic Core Genomes.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {30670614}, issn = {2150-7511}, mesh = {*Adaptation, Biological ; Archaea/*genetics ; Bacteria/*genetics ; Computational Biology ; *Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome, Archaeal ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Homologous Recombination ; }, abstract = {Homologous recombination (HR) enables the exchange of genetic material between and within species. Recent studies suggest that this process plays a major role in the microevolution of microbial genomes, contributing to core genome homogenization and to the maintenance of cohesive population structures. However, we still have a very poor understanding of the possible adaptive roles of intraspecific HR and of the factors that determine its differential impact across clades and lifestyles. Here we used a unified methodological framework to assess HR in 338 complete genomes from 54 phylogenetically diverse and representative prokaryotic species, encompassing different lifestyles and a broad phylogenetic distribution. Our results indicate that lifestyle and presence of restriction-modification (RM) machineries are among the main factors shaping HR patterns, with symbionts and intracellular pathogens having the lowest HR levels. Similarly, the size of exchanged genomic fragments correlated with the presence of RM and competence machineries. Finally, genes exchanged by HR showed functional enrichments which could be related to adaptations to different environments and ecological strategies. Taken together, our results clarify the factors underlying HR impact and suggest important adaptive roles of genes exchanged through this mechanism. Our results also revealed that the extent of genetic exchange correlated with lifestyle and some genomic features. Moreover, the genes in exchanged regions were enriched for functions that reflected specific adaptations, supporting identification of HR as one of the main evolutionary mechanisms shaping prokaryotic core genomes.IMPORTANCE Microbial populations exchange genetic material through a process called homologous recombination. Although this process has been studied in particular organisms, we lack an understanding of its differential impact over the genome and across microbes with different life-styles. We used a common analytical framework to assess this process in a representative set of microorganisms. Our results uncovered important trends. First, microbes with different lifestyles are differentially impacted, with endosymbionts and obligate pathogens being those less prone to undergo this process. Second, certain genetic elements such as restriction-modification systems seem to be associated with higher rates of recombination. Most importantly, recombined genomes show the footprints of natural selection in which recombined regions preferentially contain genes that can be related to specific ecological adaptations. Taken together, our results clarify the relative contributions of factors modulating homologous recombination and show evidence for a clear a role of this process in shaping microbial genomes and driving ecological adaptations.}, }
@article {pmid30668787, year = {2019}, author = {Chebbi, MA and Becking, T and Moumen, B and Giraud, I and Gilbert, C and Peccoud, J and Cordaux, R}, title = {The Genome of Armadillidium vulgare (Crustacea, Isopoda) Provides Insights into Sex Chromosome Evolution in the Context of Cytoplasmic Sex Determination.}, journal = {Molecular biology and evolution}, volume = {36}, number = {4}, pages = {727-741}, doi = {10.1093/molbev/msz010}, pmid = {30668787}, issn = {1537-1719}, mesh = {Animals ; *Biological Evolution ; Female ; *Genome ; Isopoda/*genetics ; Male ; *Sex Chromosomes ; *Sex Determination Processes ; Wolbachia/genetics ; }, abstract = {The terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare is an original model to study the evolution of sex determination and symbiosis in animals. Its sex can be determined by ZW sex chromosomes, or by feminizing Wolbachia bacterial endosymbionts. Here, we report the sequence and analysis of the ZW female genome of A. vulgare. A distinguishing feature of the 1.72 gigabase assembly is the abundance of repeats (68% of the genome). We show that the Z and W sex chromosomes are essentially undifferentiated at the molecular level and the W-specific region is extremely small (at most several hundreds of kilobases). Our results suggest that recombination suppression has not spread very far from the sex-determining locus, if at all. This is consistent with A. vulgare possessing evolutionarily young sex chromosomes. We characterized multiple Wolbachia nuclear inserts in the A. vulgare genome, none of which is associated with the W-specific region. We also identified several candidate genes that may be involved in the sex determination or sexual differentiation pathways. The A. vulgare genome serves as a resource for studying the biology and evolution of crustaceans, one of the most speciose and emblematic metazoan groups.}, }
@article {pmid30668658, year = {2019}, author = {Moreira, M and Aguiar, AMF and Bourtzis, K and Latorre, A and Khadem, M}, title = {Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria: Rickettsiales) Infections in Isolated Aphid Populations from Oceanic Islands of the Azores Archipelago: Revisiting the Supergroups M and N.}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {48}, number = {2}, pages = {326-334}, doi = {10.1093/ee/nvy189}, pmid = {30668658}, issn = {1938-2936}, mesh = {Animals ; Aphids/genetics/*microbiology ; Azores ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) have provided a suitable model to study endosymbionts, their community, and dynamics since the discovery of the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola in these organisms. In previous studies, Wolbachia was found in some aphid species. In the present study, we report the prevalence of Wolbachia in aphids sampled from a geographically isolated region (Azores Islands), aiming at a better understanding and characterization of the two newly reported supergroups, M and N. The description of the supergroup M was based on 16S rRNA as well as some protein-coding genes. However, the assignment of the supergroup N was according to 16S rRNA gene sequences of a very few samples. We collected aphid samples and performed phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene as well as four protein-coding genes (gatB, ftsZ, coxA, and hcpA). The results demonstrate that the 16S rRNA gene data can unambiguously assign the strain supergroup and that the two supergroups, N and M, are equally prevalent in Azorean aphids. The available sequence data for the protein-coding markers can identify supergroup M but the status of supergroup N is inconclusive, requiring further studies. The data suggest that horizontal transmission of Wolbachia (Hertig and Wolbach) between two phylogenetically distant aphid species cohabiting the same plant host.}, }
@article {pmid30663253, year = {2020}, author = {Tang, XT and Ibanez, F and Tamborindeguy, C}, title = {Quenching autofluorescence in the alimentary canal tissues of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) for immunofluorescence labeling.}, journal = {Insect science}, volume = {27}, number = {3}, pages = {475-486}, doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.12660}, pmid = {30663253}, issn = {1744-7917}, support = {//Texas A&amp;M University and Texas A&amp;M AgriLife Research (Controlling Exotic and Invasive Insect-Transmitted Pathogens)/ ; 1015773//Hatch project TEX0-1-9381/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Azo Compounds ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique/*methods ; Gastrointestinal Tract/*microbiology ; Hemiptera/*anatomy &amp; histology/microbiology ; *Naphthalenes ; Optical Imaging/methods ; Rhizobiaceae/isolation &amp; purification ; Staining and Labeling/*methods ; }, abstract = {Immunofluorescence has been widely used to localize microbes or specific molecules in insect tissues or cells. However, significant autofluorescence is frequently observed in tissues which can interfere with the fluorescent identification of target antigens, leading to inaccurate or even false positive fluorescent labeling. The alimentary canal of the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli Šulc, exhibits intense autofluorescence, hindering the application of immunolocalization for the detection and localization of the economically important pathogen transmitted by this insect, "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" (Lso). In the present study, we tested the use of irradiation, hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2) and Sudan black B (SBB) treatments to reduce the autofluorescence in the B. cockerelli alimentary canal tissues. Furthermore, we assessed the compatibility of the above-mentioned treatments with Lso immunolocalization and actin staining using phalloidin. Our results showed that the autofluorescence in the alimentary canal was reduced by irradiation, H2 O2 , or SBB treatments. The compatibility assays indicated that irradiation and H2 O2 treatment both greatly reduced the fluorescent signal associated with Lso and actin. However, the SBB incubation preserved those target signals, while efficiently eliminating autofluorescence in the psyllid alimentary canal. Therefore, herein we propose a robust method for reducing the autofluorescence in the B. cockerelli alimentary canal with SBB treatment, which may improve the use of immunofluorescence labeling in this organism. This method may also have a wide range of uses by reducing the autofluorescence in other arthropod species.}, }
@article {pmid30657252, year = {2019}, author = {Adhav, A and Harne, S and Bhide, A and Giri, A and Gayathri, P and Joshi, R}, title = {Mechanistic insights into enzymatic catalysis by trehalase from the insect gut endosymbiont Enterobacter cloacae.}, journal = {The FEBS journal}, volume = {286}, number = {9}, pages = {1700-1716}, doi = {10.1111/febs.14760}, pmid = {30657252}, issn = {1742-4658}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/antagonists &amp; inhibitors/chemistry/*metabolism ; Biocatalysis ; Catalytic Domain ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Enterobacter cloacae/*enzymology ; Inositol/analogs &amp; derivatives/pharmacology ; Kinetics ; Ligands ; Models, Molecular ; Moths/microbiology ; Protein Binding ; Protein Conformation ; Recombinant Proteins/chemistry/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Trehalase/antagonists &amp; inhibitors/chemistry/*metabolism ; Tryptophan/chemistry ; }, abstract = {Energy metabolism in the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella is facilitated by trehalase, an enzyme which assists in trehalose hydrolysis, from the predominant gut bacterium Enterobacter cloacae. We report the biochemical and structural characterization of recombinant trehalase from E. cloacae (Px_EclTre). Px_EclTre showed KM of 1.47 (±0.05) mm, kcat of 6254.72 min[-1] and Vmax 0.2 (±0.002) mm·min[-1] at 55 °C and acidic pH. Crystal structures of Px_EclTre were determined in the ligand-free form and bound to the inhibitor Validoxylamine A. The crystal structure of the ligand-free form, unavailable until now for any other bacterial trehalases, enabled us to delineate the conformational changes accompanying ligand binding in trehalases. Multiple salt bridges were identified that potentially facilitated closure of a hood over the substrate-binding site. A cluster of five tryptophans lined the -1 substrate-binding subsite, interacted with crucial active site residues and contributed to both trehalase activity and stability. The importance of these residues in enzyme activity was further validated by mutagenesis studies. Many of these identified residues form part of signature motifs and other conserved sequences in trehalases. The structure analysis thus led to the assignment of the functional role to these conserved residues. This information can be further explored for the design of effective inhibitors against trehalases.}, }
@article {pmid30640905, year = {2019}, author = {Ravi, A and Ereqat, S and Al-Jawabreh, A and Abdeen, Z and Abu Shamma, O and Hall, H and Pallen, MJ and Nasereddin, A}, title = {Metagenomic profiling of ticks: Identification of novel rickettsial genomes and detection of tick-borne canine parvovirus.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {e0006805}, pmid = {30640905}, issn = {1935-2735}, support = {//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Anaplasma ovis/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Camelus ; Coxiella/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Dogs ; Francisella/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Genome, Bacterial/*genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Insect Vectors/genetics/microbiology/virology ; Israel/epidemiology ; Ixodes/*microbiology/*virology ; Parvovirus, Canine/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsia/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Sheep ; Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Across the world, ticks act as vectors of human and animal pathogens. Ticks rely on bacterial endosymbionts, which often share close and complex evolutionary links with tick-borne pathogens. As the prevalence, diversity and virulence potential of tick-borne agents remain poorly understood, there is a pressing need for microbial surveillance of ticks as potential disease vectors.<br><br>We developed a two-stage protocol that includes 16S-amplicon screening of pooled samples of hard ticks collected from dogs, sheep and camels in Palestine, followed by shotgun metagenomics on individual ticks to detect and characterise tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts. Two ticks isolated from sheep yielded an abundance of reads from the genus Rickettsia, which were assembled into draft genomes. One of the resulting genomes was highly similar to Rickettsia massiliae strain MTU5. Analysis of signature genes showed that the other represents the first genome sequence of the potential pathogen Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae. Ticks from a dog and a sheep yielded draft genome sequences of Coxiella strains. A sheep tick yielded sequences from the sheep pathogen Anaplasma ovis, while Hyalomma ticks from camels yielded sequences belonging to Francisella-like endosymbionts. From the metagenome of a dog tick from Jericho, we generated a genome sequence of a canine parvovirus.<br><br>SIGNIFICANCE: Here, we have shown how a cost-effective two-stage protocol can be used to detect and characterise tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts. In recovering genome sequences from an unexpected pathogen (canine parvovirus) and a previously unsequenced pathogen (Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae), we demonstrate the open-ended nature of metagenomics. We also provide evidence that ticks can carry canine parvovirus, raising the possibility that ticks might contribute to the spread of this troublesome virus.}, }
@article {pmid30635006, year = {2019}, author = {Brinkmann, A and Hekimoğlu, O and Dinçer, E and Hagedorn, P and Nitsche, A and Ergünay, K}, title = {A cross-sectional screening by next-generation sequencing reveals Rickettsia, Coxiella, Francisella, Borrelia, Babesia, Theileria and Hemolivia species in ticks from Anatolia.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {12}, number = {1}, pages = {26}, pmid = {30635006}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {not applicable//Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (DE)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Arthropod Vectors/microbiology ; Arthropods ; Babesia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Bacteria/*isolation &amp; purification ; Borrelia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Coxiella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Francisella/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques/*methods ; Rickettsia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Species Specificity ; Theileria/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Ticks/*microbiology ; Turkey ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Ticks participate as arthropod vectors in the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to humans. Several tick-borne infections have reemerged, along with newly described agents of unexplored pathogenicity. In an attempt to expand current information on tick-associated bacteria and protozoans, we performed a cross-sectional screening of ticks, using next-generation sequencing. Ticks seeking hosts and infesting domestic animals were collected in four provinces across the Aegean, Mediterranean and Central Anatolia regions of Turkey and analyzed by commonly used procedures and platforms.<br><br>RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty ticks comprising 10 species were evaluated in 40 pools. Contigs from tick-associated microorganisms were detected in 22 (55%) questing and 4 feeding (10%) tick pools, with multiple microorganisms identified in 12 pools. Rickettsia 16S ribosomal RNA gene, gltA, sca1 and ompA sequences were present in 7 pools (17.5%), comprising feeding Haemaphysalis parva and questing/hunting Rhipicephalus bursa, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) and Hyalomma marginatum specimens. A near-complete genome and conjugative plasmid of a Rickettsia hoogstraalii strain could be characterized in questing Ha. parva. Coxiella-like endosymbionts were identified in pools of questing (12/40) as well as feeding (4/40) ticks of the genera Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis and Hyalomma. Francisella-like endosymbionts were also detected in 22.5% (9/40) of the pools that comprise hunting Hyalomma ticks in 8 pools. Coxiella-like and Francisella-like endosymbionts formed phylogenetically distinct clusters associated with their tick hosts. Borrelia turcica was characterized in 5% (2/40) of the pools, comprising hunting Hyalomma aegyptium ticks. Co-infection of Coxiella-like endosymbiont and Babesia was noted in a questing R. sanguineus (s.l.) specimen. Furthermore, protozoan 18S rRNA gene sequences were detected in 4 pools of questing/hunting ticks (10%) and identified as Babesia ovis, Hemolivia mauritanica, Babesia and Theileria spp.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our metagenomic approach enabled identification of diverse pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms in questing and feeding ticks in Anatolia.}, }
@article {pmid30629162, year = {2019}, author = {Ševcíková, T and Yurchenko, T and Fawley, KP and Amaral, R and Strnad, H and Santos, LMA and Fawley, MW and Eliáš, M}, title = {Plastid Genomes and Proteins Illuminate the Evolution of Eustigmatophyte Algae and Their Bacterial Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {362-379}, pmid = {30629162}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {P20 GM103429/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; *Biological Evolution ; *Genome, Plastid ; *Operon ; Rickettsiaceae/*genetics ; Stramenopiles/*genetics/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Eustigmatophytes, a class of stramenopile algae (ochrophytes), include not only the extensively studied biotechnologically important genus Nannochloropsis but also a rapidly expanding diversity of lineages with much less well characterized biology. Recent discoveries have led to exciting additions to our knowledge about eustigmatophytes. Some proved to harbor bacterial endosymbionts representing a novel genus, Candidatus Phycorickettsia, and an operon of unclear function (ebo) obtained by horizontal gene transfer from the endosymbiont lineage was found in the plastid genomes of still other eustigmatophytes. To shed more light on the latter event, as well as to generally improve our understanding of the eustigmatophyte evolutionary history, we sequenced plastid genomes of seven phylogenetically diverse representatives (including new isolates representing undescribed taxa). A phylogenomic analysis of plastid genome-encoded proteins resolved the phylogenetic relationships among the main eustigmatophyte lineages and provided a framework for the interpretation of plastid gene gains and losses in the group. The ebo operon gain was inferred to have probably occurred within the order Eustigmatales, after the divergence of the two basalmost lineages (a newly discovered hitherto undescribed strain and the Pseudellipsoidion group). When looking for nuclear genes potentially compensating for plastid gene losses, we noticed a gene for a plastid-targeted acyl carrier protein that was apparently acquired by horizontal gene transfer from Phycorickettsia. The presence of this gene in all eustigmatophytes studied, including representatives of both principal clades (Eustigmatales and Goniochloridales), is a genetic footprint indicating that the eustigmatophyte-Phycorickettsia partnership started no later than in the last eustigmatophyte common ancestor.}, }
@article {pmid30629155, year = {2019}, author = {Sazama, EJ and Ouellette, SP and Wesner, JS}, title = {Bacterial Endosymbionts Are Common Among, but not Necessarily Within, Insect Species.}, journal = {Environmental entomology}, volume = {48}, number = {1}, pages = {127-133}, doi = {10.1093/ee/nvy188}, pmid = {30629155}, issn = {1938-2936}, mesh = {Animals ; Insecta/*microbiology ; Linear Models ; Rickettsiales ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts, particularly Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), and Cardinium (Bacteroidales: Bacteroidaceae), are commonly found in several arthropod groups, including insects. Most estimates of the global infection rate of Wolbachia (52% [95% credible intervals: 44-60]) show that these bacteria infect more than half of all insect species. Other endosymbionts, such as Rickettsia (24% [confidence intervals [CIs] 20-42]) and Cardinium (13% [CIs 13-55]), infect a smaller but still substantial proportion of insect species. In spite of these observations, it is unclear what proportion of individuals within those species are infected. Here, we used published databases to estimate the proportion of individuals that are infected with either Wolbachia, Rickettsia, or Cardinium. We found that the majority (69%) of Wolbachia-infected species have less than half of their individuals infected with Wolbachia, indicating that although the bacterium may be common among species, it is not common within species. The same was true for Rickettsia (81%) and Cardinium (87%). This discrepancy was consistent across orders, in which less than 10% of individuals were typically infected, even though more than 50% of species within orders were infected. For example, according to our model, nearly 50% of beetle (Coleoptera) species are infected with Wolbachia (i.e., contain at least one individual that has tested positive for Wolbachia), but less than 5% of all individuals are infected. These results add to the growing knowledge base about endosymbionts in insects and should guide future sampling efforts and investigations on the role that these bacteria play in populations.}, }
@article {pmid30627761, year = {2019}, author = {Fokin, SI and Serra, V and Ferrantini, F and Modeo, L and Petroni, G}, title = {"Candidatus Hafkinia simulans" gen. nov., sp. nov., a Novel Holospora-Like Bacterium from the Macronucleus of the Rare Brackish Water Ciliate Frontonia salmastra (Oligohymenophorea, Ciliophora): Multidisciplinary Characterization of the New Endosymbiont and Its Host.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {77}, number = {4}, pages = {1092-1106}, pmid = {30627761}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {PRA_2018_63//Universit&#xe0; di Pisa/ ; }, mesh = {Holosporaceae/classification/genetics/*physiology/ultrastructure ; Italy ; Macronucleus/microbiology ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Peniculina/*microbiology/physiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Bacterial/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/analysis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {We characterized a novel Holospora-like bacterium (HLB) (Alphaproteobacteria, Holosporales) living in the macronucleus of the brackish water ciliate Frontonia salmastra. This bacterium was morphologically and ultrastructurally investigated, and its life cycle and infection capabilities were described. We also obtained its 16S rRNA gene sequence and performed in situ hybridization experiments with a specifically-designed probe. A new taxon, "Candidatus Hafkinia simulans", was established for this HLB. The phylogeny of the family Holosporaceae based on 16S rRNA gene sequences was inferred, adding to the already available data both the sequence of the novel bacterium and those of other Holospora and HLB species recently characterized. Our phylogenetic analysis provided molecular support for the monophyly of HLBs and placed the new endosymbiont as the sister genus of Holospora. Additionally, the host ciliate F. salmastra, recorded in Europe for the first time, was concurrently described through a multidisciplinary study. Frontonia salmastra's phylogenetic position in the subclass Peniculia and the genus Frontonia was assessed according to 18S rRNA gene sequencing. Comments on the biodiversity of this genus were added according to past and recent literature.}, }
@article {pmid30626679, year = {2019}, author = {Dunigan, DD and Al-Sammak, M and Al-Ameeli, Z and Agarkova, IV and DeLong, JP and Van Etten, JL}, title = {Chloroviruses Lure Hosts through Long-Distance Chemical Signaling.}, journal = {Journal of virology}, volume = {93}, number = {7}, pages = {}, pmid = {30626679}, issn = {1098-5514}, mesh = {DNA Viruses/*genetics ; Host Microbial Interactions/*genetics ; Phycodnaviridae/*genetics ; Population Dynamics ; }, abstract = {Chloroviruses exist in aquatic systems around the planet and they infect certain eukaryotic green algae that are mutualistic endosymbionts in a variety of protists and metazoans. Natural chlorovirus populations are seasonally dynamic, but the precise temporal changes in these populations and the mechanisms that underlie them have heretofore been unclear. We recently reported the novel concept that predator/prey-mediated virus activation regulates chlorovirus population dynamics, and in the current study, we demonstrate virus-packaged chemotactic modulation of prey behavior.IMPORTANCE Viruses have not previously been reported to act as chemotactic/chemoattractive agents. Rather, viruses as extracellular entities are generally viewed as non-metabolically active spore-like agents that await further infection events upon collision with appropriate host cells. That a virus might actively contribute to its fate via chemotaxis and change the behavior of an organism independent of infection is unprecedented.}, }
@article {pmid30620733, year = {2019}, author = {Garcia, GA and Sylvestre, G and Aguiar, R and da Costa, GB and Martins, AJ and Lima, JBP and Petersen, MT and Lourenço-de-Oliveira, R and Shadbolt, MF and Rašić, G and Hoffmann, AA and Villela, DAM and Dias, FBS and Dong, Y and O'Neill, SL and Moreira, LA and Maciel-de-Freitas, R}, title = {Matching the genetics of released and local Aedes aegypti populations is critical to assure Wolbachia invasion.}, journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {e0007023}, pmid = {30620733}, issn = {1935-2735}, mesh = {Aedes/*drug effects/genetics/*virology ; Animals ; Arboviruses/*growth &amp; development ; Biological Control Agents ; Brazil ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Female ; Insecticide Resistance/*genetics ; Male ; Mosquito Vectors/virology ; Pest Control, Biological/*methods ; Pyrethrins/pharmacology ; Wolbachia/*growth &amp; development ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Traditional vector control approaches such as source reduction and insecticide spraying have limited effect on reducing Aedes aegypti population. The endosymbiont Wolbachia is pointed as a promising tool to mitigate arbovirus transmission and has been deployed worldwide. Models predict a rapid increase on the frequency of Wolbachia-positive Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in local settings, supported by cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and high maternal transmission rate associated with the wMelBr strain.<br><br>Wolbachia wMelBr strain was released for 20 consecutive weeks after receiving >87% approval of householders of the isolated community of Tubiacanga, Rio de Janeiro. wMelBr frequency plateued~40% during weeks 7-19, peaked 65% but dropped as releases stopped. A high (97.56%) maternal transmission was observed. Doubling releases and deploying mosquitoes with large wing length and low laboratory mortality produced no detectable effects on invasion trend. By investigating the lab colony maintenance procedures backwardly, pyrethroid resistant genotypes in wMelBr decreased from 68% to 3.5% after 17 generations. Therefore, we initially released susceptible mosquitoes in a local population highly resistant to pyrethroids which, associated with the over use of insecticides by householders, ended jeopardizing Wolbachia invasion. A new strain (wMelRio) was produced after backcrossing wMelBr females with males from field to introduce mostly pyrethroid resistance alleles. The new strain increased mosquito survival but produced relevant negative effects on Ae. aegypti fecundity traits, reducing egg clutche size and egg hatch. Despite the cost on fitness, wMelRio successful established where wMelBr failed, revealing that matching the local population genetics, especially insecticide resistance background, is critical to achieve invasion.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Local householders support was constantly high, reaching 90% backing on the second release (wMelRio strain). Notwithstanding the drought summer, the harsh temperature recorded (daily average above 30&#xb0;C) did not seem to affect the expression of maternal transmission of wMel on a Brazilian background. Wolbachia deployment should match the insecticide resistance profile of the wild population to achieve invasion. Considering pyrethroid-resistance is a widely distributed phenotype in natural Ae. aegypti populations, future Wolbachia deployments must pay special attention in maintaining insecticide resistance in lab colonies for releases.}, }
@article {pmid30619600, year = {2018}, author = {Li, S and Liu, D and Zhang, R and Zhai, Y and Huang, X and Wang, D and Shi, X}, title = {Effects of a presumably protective endosymbiont on life-history characters and their plasticity for its host aphid on three plants.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, number = {24}, pages = {13004-13013}, pmid = {30619600}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {Hamiltonella defensa is well known for its protective roles against parasitoids for its aphid hosts, but its functional roles in insect-plant interactions are less understood. Thus, the impact of H. defensa infections on life-history characters and the underlying genetic variation for the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), was explored on three plants (i.e., wheat, oat, and rye). Compared to cured lines, H. defensa infected lines of S. avenae had lower fecundity on wheat and oat, but not on rye, suggesting an infection cost for the aphid on susceptible host plants. However, when tested on rye, the infected lines showed a shorter developmental time for the nymphal stage than corresponding cured lines, showing some benefit for S. avenae carrying the endosymbiont on resistant host plants. The infection of H. defensa altered genetic variation underlying its host S. avenea's life-history characters, which was shown by differences in heritabilities and genetic correlations of life-history characters between S. avenae lines infected and cured of the endosymbiont. This was further substantiated by disparity in G-matrices of their life-history characters for the two types of aphid lines. The G-matrices for life-history characters of aphid lines infected with and cured of H. defensa were significantly different from each other on rye, but not on oat, suggesting strong plant-dependent effects. The developmental durations of infected S. avenae lines showed a lower plasticity compared with those of corresponding cured lines, and this could mean higher adaptability for the infected lines.Overall, our results showed novel functional roles of a common secondary endosymbiont (i.e., H. defensa) in plant-insect interactions, and its infections could have significant consequences for the evolutionary ecology of its host insect populations in nature.}, }
@article {pmid30619179, year = {2018}, author = {Regier, Y and Komma, K and Weigel, M and Pulliainen, AT and Göttig, S and Hain, T and Kempf, VAJ}, title = {Microbiome Analysis Reveals the Presence of Bartonella spp. and Acinetobacter spp. in Deer Keds (Lipoptena cervi).}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {3100}, pmid = {30619179}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {The deer ked (Lipoptena cervi) is distributed in Europe, North America, and Siberia and mainly infests cervids as roe deer, fallow deer, and moose. From a one health perspective, deer keds occasionally bite other animals or humans and are a potential vector for Bartonella schoenbuchensis. This bacterium belongs to a lineage of ruminant-associated Bartonella spp. and is suspected to cause dermatitis and febrile diseases in humans. In this study, we analyzed the microbiome from 130 deer keds collected from roe deer, fallow deer and humans in the federal states of Hesse, Baden-Wuerttemberg, and Brandenburg, Germany. Endosymbiontic Arsenophonus spp. and Bartonella spp. represented the biggest portion (~90%) of the microbiome. Most Bartonella spp. (n = 93) were confirmed to represent B. schoenbuchensis. In deer keds collected from humans, no Bartonella spp. were detected. Furthermore, Acinetobacter spp. were present in four samples, one of those was confirmed to represent A. baumannii. These data suggest that deer keds harbor only a very narrow spectrum of bacteria which are potentially pathogenic for animals of humans.}, }
@article {pmid30617214, year = {2019}, author = {Brenner, WG and Mader, M and Müller, NA and Hoenicka, H and Schroeder, H and Zorn, I and Fladung, M and Kersten, B}, title = {High Level of Conservation of Mitochondrial RNA Editing Sites Among Four Populus Species.}, journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)}, volume = {9}, number = {3}, pages = {709-717}, pmid = {30617214}, issn = {2160-1836}, mesh = {Gene Expression Profiling ; Mitochondria/genetics/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; *Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Populus/*genetics/metabolism ; *RNA Editing ; RNA, Mitochondrial/*metabolism ; RNA, Plant/metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; }, abstract = {RNA editing occurs in the endosymbiont organelles of higher plants as C-to-U conversions of defined nucleotides. The availability of large quantities of RNA sequencing data makes it possible to identify RNA editing sites and to quantify their editing extent. We have investigated RNA editing in 34 protein-coding mitochondrial transcripts of four Populus species, a genus noteworthy for its remarkably small number of RNA editing sites compared to other angiosperms. 27 of these transcripts were subject to RNA editing in at least one species. In total, 355 RNA editing sites were identified with high confidence, their editing extents ranging from 10 to 100%. The most heavily edited transcripts were ccmB with the highest density of RNA editing sites (53.7 sites / kb) and ccmFn with the highest number of sites (39 sites). Most of the editing events are at position 1 or 2 of the codons, usually altering the encoded amino acid, and are highly conserved among the species, also with regard to their editing extent. However, one SNP was found in the newly sequenced and annotated mitochondrial genome of P. alba resulting in the loss of an RNA editing site compared to P. tremula and P. davidiana This SNP causes a C-to-T transition and an amino acid exchange from Ser to Phe, highlighting the widely discussed role of RNA editing in compensating mutations.}, }
@article {pmid30617067, year = {2019}, author = {Hong, WD and Benayoud, F and Nixon, GL and Ford, L and Johnston, KL and Clare, RH and Cassidy, A and Cook, DAN and Siu, A and Shiotani, M and Webborn, PJH and Kavanagh, S and Aljayyoussi, G and Murphy, E and Steven, A and Archer, J and Struever, D and Frohberger, SJ and Ehrens, A and Hübner, MP and Hoerauf, A and Roberts, AP and Hubbard, ATM and Tate, EW and Serwa, RA and Leung, SC and Qie, L and Berry, NG and Gusovsky, F and Hemingway, J and Turner, JD and Taylor, MJ and Ward, SA and O'Neill, PM}, title = {AWZ1066S, a highly specific anti-Wolbachia drug candidate for a short-course treatment of filariasis.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {116}, number = {4}, pages = {1414-1419}, pmid = {30617067}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {MC_PC_16052/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MC_PC_17167/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MR/R025401/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Elephantiasis, Filarial/drug therapy/microbiology ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, SCID ; Onchocerciasis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Pyrimidines/pharmacology ; Quinazolines/pharmacology ; Wolbachia/*drug effects ; }, abstract = {Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis are two neglected tropical diseases that together affect ∼157 million people and inflict severe disability. Both diseases are caused by parasitic filarial nematodes with elimination efforts constrained by the lack of a safe drug that can kill the adult filaria (macrofilaricide). Previous proof-of-concept human trials have demonstrated that depleting >90% of the essential nematode endosymbiont bacterium, Wolbachia, using antibiotics, can lead to permanent sterilization of adult female parasites and a safe macrofilaricidal outcome. AWZ1066S is a highly specific anti-Wolbachia candidate selected through a lead optimization program focused on balancing efficacy, safety and drug metabolism/pharmacokinetic (DMPK) features of a thienopyrimidine/quinazoline scaffold derived from phenotypic screening. AWZ1066S shows superior efficacy to existing anti-Wolbachia therapies in validated preclinical models of infection and has DMPK characteristics that are compatible with a short therapeutic regimen of 7 days or less. This candidate molecule is well-positioned for onward development and has the potential to make a significant impact on communities affected by filariasis.}, }
@article {pmid30615101, year = {2019}, author = {Sen, D and Paul, K and Saha, C and Mukherjee, G and Nag, M and Ghosh, S and Das, A and Seal, A and Tripathy, S}, title = {A unique life-strategy of an endophytic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1-a comparative genomics viewpoint.}, journal = {DNA research : an international journal for rapid publication of reports on genes and genomes}, volume = {26}, number = {2}, pages = {131-146}, pmid = {30615101}, issn = {1756-1663}, mesh = {Bacteria/metabolism ; *Endophytes ; *Genome, Fungal ; Genomics ; *Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Pseudomonas stutzeri/metabolism ; Rhodotorula/*genetics/metabolism/physiology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Symbiosis ; Typhaceae ; }, abstract = {Endophytic yeasts of genus Rhodotorula are gaining importance for their ability to improve plant growth. The nature of their interaction with plants, however, remains unknown. Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1 was isolated as an endophyte of Typha angustifolia and promoted growth in the host. To investigate the life-strategy of the yeast from a genomics perspective, we used Illumina and Oxford Nanopore reads to generate a high-quality annotated draft assembly of JGTA-S1 and compared its genome to three other Rhodotorula yeasts and the close relative Rhodosporidium toruloides. JGTA-S1 is a haploid yeast possessing several genes potentially facilitating its endophytic lifestyle such as those responsible for solubilizing phosphate and producing phytohormones. An intact mating-locus in JGTA-S1 raised the possibility of a yet unknown sexual reproductive cycle in Rhodotorula yeasts. Additionally, JGTA-S1 had functional anti-freezing genes and was also unique in lacking a functional nitrate-assimilation pathway-a feature that is associated with obligate biotrophs. Nitrogen-fixing endobacteria were found within JGTA-S1 that may circumvent this defective N-metabolism. JGTA-S1 genome data coupled with experimental evidence give us an insight into the nature of its beneficial interaction with plants.}, }
@article {pmid30613848, year = {2019}, author = {Ye, S and Bhattacharjee, M and Siemann, E}, title = {Thermal Tolerance in Green Hydra: Identifying the Roles of Algal Endosymbionts and Hosts in a Freshwater Holobiont Under Stress.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {77}, number = {2}, pages = {537-545}, pmid = {30613848}, issn = {1432-184X}, mesh = {Animals ; Chlorophyta/*physiology ; Fresh Water/chemistry/parasitology ; Hot Temperature ; Hydra/*parasitology/physiology ; Stress, Physiological ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {It has been proposed that holobionts (host-symbiont units) could swap endosymbionts, rapidly alter the hologenome (host plus symbiont genome), and increase their stress tolerance. However, experimental tests of individual and combined contributions of hosts and endosymbionts to holobiont stress tolerance are needed to test this hypothesis. Here, we used six green hydra (Hydra viridissima) strains to tease apart host (hydra) and symbiont (algae) contributions to thermal tolerance. Heat shock experiments with (1) hydra with their original symbionts, (2) aposymbiotic hydra (algae removed), (3) novel associations (a single hydra strain hosting different algae individually), and (4) control hydra (aposymbiotic hydra re-associated with their original algae) showed high variation in thermal tolerance in each group. Relative tolerances of strains were the same within original, aposymbiotic, and control treatments, but reversed in the novel associations group. Aposymbiotic hydra had similar or higher thermal tolerance than hydra with algal symbionts. Selection on the holobiont appears to be stronger than on either partner alone, suggesting endosymbiosis could become an evolutionary trap under climate change. Our results suggest that green hydra thermal tolerance is strongly determined by the host, with a smaller, non-positive role for the algal symbiont. Once temperatures exceed host tolerance limits, swapping symbionts is unlikely to allow these holobionts to persist. Rather, increases in host tolerance through in situ adaptation or migration of pre-adapted host strains appear more likely to increase local thermal tolerance. Overall, our results indicate green hydra is a valuable system for studying aquatic endosymbiosis under changing environmental conditions, and demonstrate how the host and the endosymbiont contribute to holobiont stress tolerance.}, }
@article {pmid30611207, year = {2019}, author = {Kamm, K and Schierwater, B and DeSalle, R}, title = {Innate immunity in the simplest animals - placozoans.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {5}, pmid = {30611207}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {Schi-277/26//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; Schi-277/27//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; Schi-277/29//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Genome/*immunology ; Immunity, Innate/*genetics ; Invertebrates/genetics/immunology ; *Phylogeny ; Placozoa/genetics/*immunology ; Symbiosis/genetics/immunology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Innate immunity provides the core recognition system in animals for preventing infection, but also plays an important role in managing the relationship between an animal host and its symbiont. Most of our knowledge about innate immunity stems from a few animal model systems, but substantial variation between metazoan phyla has been revealed by comparative genomic studies. The exploration of more taxa is still needed to better understand the evolution of immunity related mechanisms. Placozoans are morphologically the simplest organized metazoans and the association between these enigmatic animals and their rickettsial endosymbionts has recently been elucidated. Our analyses of the novel placozoan nuclear genome of Trichoplax sp. H2 and its associated rickettsial endosymbiont genome clearly pointed to a mutualistic and co-evolutionary relationship. This discovery raises the question of how the placozoan holobiont manages symbiosis and, conversely, how it defends against harmful microorganisms. In this study, we examined the annotated genome of Trichoplax sp. H2 for the presence of genes involved in innate immune recognition and downstream signaling.<br><br>RESULTS: A rich repertoire of genes belonging to the Toll-like and NOD-like receptor pathways, to scavenger receptors and to secreted fibrinogen-related domain genes was identified in the genome of Trichoplax sp. H2. Nevertheless, the innate immunity related pathways in placozoans deviate in several instances from well investigated vertebrates and invertebrates. While true Toll- and NOD-like receptors are absent, the presence of many genes of the downstream signaling cascade suggests at least primordial Toll-like receptor signaling in Placozoa. An abundance of scavenger receptors, fibrinogen-related domain genes and Apaf-1 genes clearly constitutes an expansion of the immunity related gene repertoire specific to Placozoa.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The found wealth of immunity related genes present in Placozoa is surprising and quite striking in light of the extremely simple placozoan body plan and their sparse cell type makeup. Research is warranted to reveal how Placozoa utilize this immune repertoire to manage and maintain their associated microbiota as well as to fend-off pathogens.}, }
@article {pmid30609847, year = {2019}, author = {Bustamante-Brito, R and Vera-Ponce de León, A and Rosenblueth, M and Martínez-Romero, JC and Martínez-Romero, E}, title = {Metatranscriptomic Analysis of the Bacterial Symbiont Dactylopiibacterium carminicum from the Carmine Cochineal Dactylopius coccus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae).}, journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)}, volume = {9}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {30609847}, issn = {2075-1729}, support = {IN207718//Universidad Nacional Aut&#xf3;noma de M&#xe9;xico/ ; 253116//Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnolog&#xed;a/ ; }, abstract = {The scale insect Dactylopius coccus produces high amounts of carminic acid, which has historically been used as a pigment by pre-Hispanic American cultures. Nowadays carmine is found in food, cosmetics, and textiles. Metagenomic approaches revealed that Dactylopius spp. cochineals contain two Wolbachia strains, a betaproteobacterium named Candidatus Dactylopiibacterium carminicum and Spiroplasma, in addition to different fungi. We describe here a transcriptomic analysis indicating that Dactylopiibacterium is metabolically active inside the insect host, and estimate that there are over twice as many Dactylopiibacterium cells in the hemolymph than in the gut, with even fewer in the ovary. Albeit scarce, the transcripts in the ovaries support the presence of Dactylopiibacterium in this tissue and a vertical mode of transmission. In the cochineal, Dactylopiibacterium may catabolize plant polysaccharides, and be active in carbon and nitrogen provisioning through its degradative activity and by fixing nitrogen. In most insects, nitrogen-fixing bacteria are found in the gut, but in this study they are shown to occur in the hemolymph, probably delivering essential amino acids and riboflavin to the host from nitrogen substrates derived from nitrogen fixation.}, }
@article {pmid30608924, year = {2019}, author = {Makki, A and Rada, P and Žárský, V and Kereïche, S and Kováčik, L and Novotný, M and Jores, T and Rapaport, D and Tachezy, J}, title = {Triplet-pore structure of a highly divergent TOM complex of hydrogenosomes in Trichomonas vaginalis.}, journal = {PLoS biology}, volume = {17}, number = {1}, pages = {e3000098}, pmid = {30608924}, issn = {1545-7885}, mesh = {Carrier Proteins/genetics/*metabolism/physiology ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins/*metabolism ; Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins ; Organelles ; Phylogeny ; Protein Transport/physiology ; Trichomonas vaginalis/*metabolism/pathogenicity/physiology ; }, abstract = {Mitochondria originated from proteobacterial endosymbionts, and their transition to organelles was tightly linked to establishment of the protein import pathways. The initial import of most proteins is mediated by the translocase of the outer membrane (TOM). Although TOM is common to all forms of mitochondria, an unexpected diversity of subunits between eukaryotic lineages has been predicted. However, experimental knowledge is limited to a few organisms, and so far, it remains unsettled whether the triplet-pore or the twin-pore structure is the generic form of TOM complex. Here, we analysed the TOM complex in hydrogenosomes, a metabolically specialised anaerobic form of mitochondria found in the excavate Trichomonas vaginalis. We demonstrate that the highly divergent β-barrel T. vaginalis TOM (TvTom)40-2 forms a translocation channel to conduct hydrogenosomal protein import. TvTom40-2 is present in high molecular weight complexes, and their analysis revealed the presence of four tail-anchored (TA) proteins. Two of them, Tom36 and Tom46, with heat shock protein (Hsp)20 and tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains, can bind hydrogenosomal preproteins and most likely function as receptors. A third subunit, Tom22-like protein, has a short cis domain and a conserved Tom22 transmembrane segment but lacks a trans domain. The fourth protein, hydrogenosomal outer membrane protein 19 (Homp19) has no known homology. Furthermore, our data indicate that TvTOM is associated with sorting and assembly machinery (Sam)50 that is involved in β-barrel assembly. Visualisation of TvTOM by electron microscopy revealed that it forms three pores and has an unconventional skull-like shape. Although TvTOM seems to lack Tom7, our phylogenetic profiling predicted Tom7 in free-living excavates. Collectively, our results suggest that the triplet-pore TOM complex, composed of three conserved subunits, was present in the last common eukaryotic ancestor (LECA), while receptors responsible for substrate binding evolved independently in different eukaryotic lineages.}, }
@article {pmid30603945, year = {2018}, author = {Pavlova, LV}, title = {First Finding of Representatives of the Eccrinida Order in the Digestive Tract of King Crab Specie from the Barents Sea.}, journal = {Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections}, volume = {483}, number = {1}, pages = {231-234}, pmid = {30603945}, issn = {1608-3105}, mesh = {Animals ; Anomura/*anatomy &amp; histology ; Gastrointestinal Tract/*anatomy &amp; histology ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {This is the first report on the finding of large intra-intestinal symbionts belonging to the order Eccrinida in crab-like decapod crustaceans of the family Lithodidae, Paralithodes camtschaticus and Lithodes maja, inhabiting the Barents Sea. Studies have been regularly conducted since the early 2000s in Kola Bay and in one of the inlets of the Eastern Murman Coast. Since 2005, Eccrinida representatives (presumably, a new species of the genus Arundinula) have been found in the guts of the red king crab. A brief description of the endosymbionts and data on their frequency of occurrence are presented. The possible reasons for the distribution of eccrinids in the crab-like decapod crustaceans of the Barents Sea are discussed.}, }
@article {pmid30602718, year = {2019}, author = {Clare, RH and Bardelle, C and Harper, P and Hong, WD and Börjesson, U and Johnston, KL and Collier, M and Myhill, L and Cassidy, A and Plant, D and Plant, H and Clark, R and Cook, DAN and Steven, A and Archer, J and McGillan, P and Charoensutthivarakul, S and Bibby, J and Sharma, R and Nixon, GL and Slatko, BE and Cantin, L and Wu, B and Turner, J and Ford, L and Rich, K and Wigglesworth, M and Berry, NG and O'Neill, PM and Taylor, MJ and Ward, SA}, title = {Industrial scale high-throughput screening delivers multiple fast acting macrofilaricides.}, journal = {Nature communications}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {11}, pmid = {30602718}, issn = {2041-1723}, support = {MC_PC_17167/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MR/R025401/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes ; Animals ; Cell Line ; *Drug Discovery ; Filaricides/*analysis ; *High-Throughput Screening Assays ; Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Nematodes causing lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis rely on their bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia, for survival and fecundity, making Wolbachia a promising therapeutic target. Here we perform a high-throughput screen of AstraZeneca's 1.3 million in-house compound library and identify 5 novel chemotypes with faster in vitro kill rates (<2 days) than existing anti-Wolbachia drugs that cure onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. This industrial scale anthelmintic neglected tropical disease (NTD) screening campaign is the result of a partnership between the Anti-Wolbachia consortium (A∙WOL) and AstraZeneca. The campaign was informed throughout by rational prioritisation and triage of compounds using cheminformatics to balance chemical diversity and drug like properties reducing the chance of attrition from the outset. Ongoing development of these multiple chemotypes, all with superior time-kill kinetics than registered antibiotics with anti-Wolbachia activity, has the potential to improve upon the current therapeutic options and deliver improved, safer and more selective macrofilaricidal drugs.}, }
@article {pmid30602581, year = {2019}, author = {Hall, RJ and Flanagan, LA and Bottery, MJ and Springthorpe, V and Thorpe, S and Darby, AC and Wood, AJ and Thomas, GH}, title = {A Tale of Three Species: Adaptation of Sodalis glossinidius to Tsetse Biology, Wigglesworthia Metabolism, and Host Diet.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {30602581}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/M011151/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/N010426/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/J017698/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; WT095024MA//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {*Adaptation, Physiological ; Animals ; Carbon/metabolism ; Culture Media/chemistry ; Disease Vectors ; Energy Metabolism ; Enterobacteriaceae/*growth &amp; development/*metabolism ; *Feeding Behavior ; Glucose/metabolism ; Glutamates/metabolism ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; Thiamine/metabolism ; Tsetse Flies/*microbiology/*physiology ; }, abstract = {The tsetse fly is the insect vector for the Trypanosoma brucei parasite, the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis. The colonization and spread of the trypanosome correlate positively with the presence of a secondary symbiotic bacterium, Sodalis glossinidius The metabolic requirements and interactions of the bacterium with its host are poorly understood, and herein we describe a metabolic model of S. glossinidius metabolism. The model enabled the design and experimental verification of a defined medium that supports S. glossinidius growth ex vivo This has been used subsequently to analyze in vitro aspects of S. glossinidius metabolism, revealing multiple unique adaptations of the symbiont to its environment. Continued dependence on a sugar, and the importance of the chitin monomer N-acetyl-d-glucosamine as a carbon and energy source, suggests adaptation to host-derived molecules. Adaptation to the amino acid-rich blood diet is revealed by a strong dependence on l-glutamate as a source of carbon and nitrogen and by the ability to rescue a predicted l-arginine auxotrophy. Finally, the selective loss of thiamine biosynthesis, a vitamin provided to the host by the primary symbiont Wigglesworthia glossinidia, reveals an intersymbiont dependence. The reductive evolution of S. glossinidius to exploit environmentally derived metabolites has resulted in multiple weaknesses in the metabolic network. These weaknesses may become targets for reagents that inhibit S. glossinidius growth and aid the reduction of trypanosomal transmission.IMPORTANCE Human African trypanosomiasis is caused by the Trypanosoma brucei parasite. The tsetse fly vector is of interest for its potential to prevent disease spread, as it is essential for T. brucei life cycle progression and transmission. The tsetse's mutualistic endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius has a link to trypanosome establishment, providing a disease control target. Here, we describe a new, experimentally verified model of S. glossinidius metabolism. This model has enabled the development of a defined growth medium that was used successfully to test aspects of S. glossinidius metabolism. We present S. glossinidius as uniquely adapted to life in the tsetse, through its reliance on the blood diet and host-derived sugars. Additionally, S. glossinidius has adapted to the tsetse's obligate symbiont Wigglesworthia glossinidia by scavenging a vitamin it produces for the insect. This work highlights the use of metabolic modeling to design defined growth media for symbiotic bacteria and may provide novel inhibitory targets to block trypanosome transmission.}, }
@article {pmid30598000, year = {2018}, author = {Mannaa, M and Park, I and Seo, YS}, title = {Genomic Features and Insights into the Taxonomy, Virulence, and Benevolence of Plant-Associated Burkholderia Species.}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {20}, number = {1}, pages = {}, pmid = {30598000}, issn = {1422-0067}, support = {918019-04-1-HD030//Strategic Initiative for Microbiomes in Agriculture and Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Republic of Korea/ ; }, mesh = {Burkholderia/classification/*genetics/pathogenicity ; Crops, Agricultural/*microbiology ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The members of the Burkholderia genus are characterized by high versatility and adaptability to various ecological niches. With the availability of the genome sequences of numerous species of Burkholderia, many studies have been conducted to elucidate the unique features of this exceptional group of bacteria. Genomic and metabolic plasticity are common among Burkholderia species, as evidenced by their relatively large multi-replicon genomes that are rich in insertion sequences and genomic islands and contain a high proportion of coding regions. Such unique features could explain their adaptability to various habitats and their versatile lifestyles, which are reflected in a multiplicity of species including free-living rhizospheric bacteria, plant endosymbionts, legume nodulators, and plant pathogens. The phytopathogenic Burkholderia group encompasses several pathogens representing threats to important agriculture crops such as rice. Contrarily, plant-beneficial Burkholderia have also been reported, which have symbiotic and growth-promoting roles. In this review, the taxonomy of Burkholderia is discussed emphasizing the recent updates and the contributions of genomic studies to precise taxonomic positioning. Moreover, genomic and functional studies on Burkholderia are reviewed and insights are provided into the mechanisms underlying the virulence and benevolence of phytopathogenic and plant-beneficial Burkholderia, respectively, on the basis of cutting-edge knowledge.}, }
@article {pmid30595344, year = {2019}, author = {Gangwar, M and Jha, R and Goyal, M and Srivastava, M}, title = {Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of Recombinase A from Wolbachia endosymbiont of filarial nematode Brugia malayi (wBmRecA).}, journal = {Vaccine}, volume = {37}, number = {4}, pages = {571-580}, doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.12.015}, pmid = {30595344}, issn = {1873-2518}, mesh = {Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth/blood ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology ; Brugia malayi/*microbiology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cytokines/immunology ; Elephantiasis, Filarial/immunology/prevention &amp; control ; Female ; *Immunogenicity, Vaccine ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Mice ; Rec A Recombinases/genetics/*immunology ; Spleen/immunology ; Wolbachia/*enzymology ; }, abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis causes global morbidity. Wolbachia, an endo-symbiotic intracellular bacterium of the filarial nematode helps in their growth and development, regulates fecundity in female worms and contributes to the immunopathogenesis of the disease. However, genes and proteins of Wolbachia that may act as putative vaccine candidates are not known. In this study, we cloned recombinase-A protein of Wolbachia from Brugia malayi (wBmRecA) and carried out its detailed biochemical and immunological characterization. Bioinformatics analysis, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectral studies showed significant sequence and structural similarities between wBmRecA and RecA of other alpha-proteo- bacterial species. wBmRecA was ubiquitously expressed in all the three major life stages of B. malayi, including excretory-secretory products of the adult worm. In silico studies suggested immunogenic potential of wBmRecA, and mice immunized with wBmRecA exhibited elevated levels of immunoglobulins IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 in their serum along with increased percentages of CD4[+], CD8[+] T cells and CD19[+] B cells in their spleens. Notably, splenocytes from immunized mice showed increased m-RNA expression of T-bet, elevated proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12, while peritoneal MФs exhibited increased levels of iNOS, downregulated Arg-1 and secreted copious amounts of nitric oxide which contributed to severely impaired development of the infective larvae (Bm-L3). Interestingly, sera from immunized mice promoted significant cellular adherence and cytotoxicity against microfilariae and Bm-L3. Importantly, wBmRecA demonstrated strong immuno-reactivity with bancroftian sera from endemic normal individuals. These results suggest that wBmRecA is highly immunogenic, and should be explored further as a putative vaccine candidate against lymphatic filariasis.}, }
@article {pmid30581663, year = {2018}, author = {Mioduchowska, M and Czyż, MJ and Gołdyn, B and Kilikowska, A and Namiotko, T and Pinceel, T and Łaciak, M and Sell, J}, title = {Detection of bacterial endosymbionts in freshwater crustaceans: the applicability of non-degenerate primers to amplify the bacterial 16S rRNA gene.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {6}, number = {}, pages = {e6039}, pmid = {30581663}, issn = {2167-8359}, abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts of aquatic invertebrates remain poorly studied. This is at least partly due to a lack of suitable techniques and primers for their identification. We designed a pair of non-degenerate primers which enabled us to amplify a fragment of ca. 500 bp of the 16S rRNA gene from various known bacterial endosymbiont species. By using this approach, we identified four bacterial endosymbionts, two endoparasites and one uncultured bacterium in seven, taxonomically diverse, freshwater crustacean hosts from temporary waters across a wide geographical area. The overall efficiency of our new WOLBSL and WOLBSR primers for amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was 100%. However, if different bacterial species from one sample were amplified simultaneously, sequences were illegible, despite a good quality of PCR products. Therefore, we suggest using our primers at the first stage of bacterial endosymbiont identification. Subsequently, genus specific primers are recommended. Overall, in the era of next-generation sequencing our method can be used as a first simple and low-cost approach to identify potential microbial symbionts associated with freshwater crustaceans using simple Sanger sequencing. The potential to detected bacterial symbionts in various invertebrate hosts in such a way will facilitate studies on host-symbiont interactions and coevolution.}, }
@article {pmid30560551, year = {2019}, author = {Maleki-Ravasan, N and Akhavan, N and Raz, A and Jafari, M and Zakeri, S and Dinparast Djadid, N}, title = {Co-occurrence of pederin-producing and Wolbachia endobacteria in Paederus fuscipes Curtis, 1840 (Coleoptera: Staphilinidae) and its evolutionary consequences.}, journal = {MicrobiologyOpen}, volume = {8}, number = {7}, pages = {e00777}, pmid = {30560551}, issn = {2045-8827}, abstract = {The dual occurrence of Pseudomonas-like and Wolbachia endobacteria has not been investigated in the Pederus beetles yet. We investigated pederin-producing bacteria (PPB) infection in Paederus fuscipes specimens from the southern margins of the Caspian Sea by designed genus-specific (OprF) and species-specific (16S rRNA) primers. Wolbachia infection was studied through a nested-PCR assay of Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene. Of the 125 analyzed beetles, 42 females (82.35%) and 15 males (20.27%) were positive to PPB infection; this is the first study reporting male P. fuscipes infection to PPB. Wolbachia infection was found in 45 female (88.23%) and 50 male (67.57%) analyzed beetles. Surprisingly, a number of 36 females (70.59%) and 13 males (17.57%) were found to be infected with both PPB and Wolbachia endosymbionts. In general, population infection rates to PPB and Wolbachia were determined to be 45.6% and 76%, respectively. The infection rates of female beetles to PPB and PPB-Wolbachia were significantly higher than males. In Paederus species, only female beetles shelter PPB and the discovery of this bacterium in adult males may reflect their cannibalistic behavior on the contaminated stages. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequences of OprF gene were unique among Pseudomonas spp.; however, sequences of 16S rRNA gene were related to the PPB of Pederus species. The co-occurrence and random distribution of these endobacteria may imply putative tripartite interactions among PPB, Wolbachia, and Paederus. In order to elucidate these possible tripartite interactions, further studies are required even at gender level.}, }
@article {pmid30557379, year = {2018}, author = {Wang, X and Li, C and Wang, M and Zheng, P}, title = {Stable isotope signatures and nutritional sources of some dominant species from the PACManus hydrothermal area and the Desmos caldera.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {12}, pages = {e0208887}, pmid = {30557379}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Animals ; Carbon Isotopes/*analysis ; *Crustacea ; *Ecosystem ; Geologic Sediments ; *Hydrothermal Vents ; Nitrogen Isotopes/*analysis ; }, abstract = {Deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the western Pacific are increasingly explored for potential mineral extraction. The study of the composition of the food web plays an important guiding role in the ecological protection and restoration of potential mining areas. The general picture of the nutritional sources of species should be established to assess the potential impacts of future mining activities on the biological composition and food sources. To provide basic information, we analyzed the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of the dominant macrofauna (mussels, commensal scale worms, crustaceans, gastropods, and vestimentiferans) at three different sites in the PACManus hydrothermal area and the Desmos caldera. The δ13C ratio was significantly different between species: mussels and commensal scale worms showed lighter δ13C ratios, whereas crustaceans showed heavier ratios. In terms of δ15N, mussels had the lowest values and the crustaceans had the highest values. By taking into account these stable isotope signatures, we were able to develop inferences of the food sources for vent community organisms. We found that the food web was based on various species of chemoautotrophic bacteria. Mussels appeared to rely primarily on sulfur-based endosymbionts, which use the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle and RuBisCO form I as the CO2-fixing enzyme. Commensal polychaetes mostly obtained their nutrition from their hosts. Crustacean species were omnivorous, feeding on chemosynthetic bacteria, sedimentary debris, or even animals according to the local environment. In contrast, gastropods relied mainly on symbiotic bacteria with some supplementary consumption of detritus. Vestimentiferans obtained food from symbiotic bacteria using the RuBisCO form II enzyme in the CBB cycle and may have several symbionts using different fixation pathways. Although most macrofauna relied on symbiotic chemoautotrophic bacteria, our study suggested a closer trophic relationship between animals. Therefore, to evaluate the potential impacts of deep sea mining, it is necessary to study the cascade effects on the food web of the whole ecosystem. Before exploiting deep-sea resources, further systematic investigations concerning the protection of deep-sea ecosystems are necessary.}, }
@article {pmid30552831, year = {2019}, author = {Manzello, DP and Matz, MV and Enochs, IC and Valentino, L and Carlton, RD and Kolodziej, G and Serrano, X and Towle, EK and Jankulak, M}, title = {Role of host genetics and heat-tolerant algal symbionts in sustaining populations of the endangered coral Orbicella faveolata in the Florida Keys with ocean warming.}, journal = {Global change biology}, volume = {25}, number = {3}, pages = {1016-1031}, doi = {10.1111/gcb.14545}, pmid = {30552831}, issn = {1365-2486}, mesh = {Alveolata/genetics/*physiology ; Animals ; Anthozoa/genetics/*parasitology/*physiology ; Coral Reefs ; Florida ; Genetic Variation ; *Hot Temperature ; Oceans and Seas ; *Symbiosis ; Thermotolerance/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Identifying which factors lead to coral bleaching resistance is a priority given the global decline of coral reefs with ocean warming. During the second year of back-to-back bleaching events in the Florida Keys in 2014 and 2015, we characterized key environmental and biological factors associated with bleaching resilience in the threatened reef-building coral Orbicella faveolata. Ten reefs (five inshore, five offshore, 179 corals total) were sampled during bleaching (September 2015) and recovery (May 2016). Corals were genotyped with 2bRAD and profiled for algal symbiont abundance and type. O. faveolata at the inshore sites, despite higher temperatures, demonstrated significantly higher bleaching resistance and better recovery compared to offshore. The thermotolerant Durusdinium trenchii (formerly Symbiondinium trenchii) was the dominant endosymbiont type region-wide during initial (78.0% of corals sampled) and final (77.2%) sampling; >90% of the nonbleached corals were dominated by D. trenchii. 2bRAD host genotyping found no genetic structure among reefs, but inshore sites showed a high level of clonality. While none of the measured environmental parameters were correlated with bleaching, 71% of variation in bleaching resistance and 73% of variation in the proportion of D. trenchii was attributable to differences between genets, highlighting the leading role of genetics in shaping natural bleaching patterns. Notably, D. trenchii was rarely dominant in O. faveolata from the Florida Keys in previous studies, even during bleaching. The region-wide high abundance of D. trenchii was likely driven by repeated bleaching associated with the two warmest years on record for the Florida Keys (2014 and 2015). On inshore reefs in the Upper Florida Keys, O. faveolata was most abundant, had the highest bleaching resistance, and contained the most corals dominated by D. trenchii, illustrating a causal link between heat tolerance and ecosystem resilience with global change.}, }
@article {pmid30552191, year = {2019}, author = {Asselin, AK and Villegas-Ospina, S and Hoffmann, AA and Brownlie, JC and Johnson, KN}, title = {Contrasting Patterns of Virus Protection and Functional Incompatibility Genes in Two Conspecific Wolbachia Strains from Drosophila pandora.}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {85}, number = {5}, pages = {}, pmid = {30552191}, issn = {1098-5336}, support = {R01 GM104325/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animal Diseases/microbiology ; Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Base Sequence ; Cytoplasm/physiology ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Dicistroviridae/genetics/metabolism/pathogenicity ; Drosophila/*microbiology/*virology ; Female ; Genes, Bacterial/genetics ; Genes, Viral ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Male ; Phenotype ; *Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology/*virology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia infections can present different phenotypes in hosts, including different forms of reproductive manipulation and antiviral protection, which may influence infection dynamics within host populations. In populations of Drosophila pandora two distinct Wolbachia strains coexist, each manipulating host reproduction: strain wPanCI causes cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), whereas strain wPanMK causes male killing (MK). CI occurs when a Wolbachia-infected male mates with a female not infected with a compatible type of Wolbachia, leading to nonviable offspring. wPanMK can rescue wPanCI-induced CI but is unable to induce CI. The antiviral protection phenotypes provided by the wPanCI and wPanMK infections were characterized; the strains showed differential protection phenotypes, whereby cricket paralysis virus (CrPV)-induced mortality was delayed in flies infected with wPanMK but enhanced in flies infected with wPanCI compared to their respective Wolbachia-cured counterparts. Homologs of the cifA and cifB genes involved in CI identified in wPanMK and wPanCI showed a high degree of conservation; however, the CifB protein in wPanMK is truncated and is likely nonfunctional. The presence of a likely functional CifA in wPanMK and wPanMK's ability to rescue wPanCI-induced CI are consistent with the recent confirmation of CifA's involvement in CI rescue, and the absence of a functional CifB protein further supports its involvement as a CI modification factor. Taken together, these findings indicate that wPanCI and wPanMK have different relationships with their hosts in terms of their protective and CI phenotypes. It is therefore likely that different factors influence the prevalence and dynamics of these coinfections in natural Drosophila pandora hosts.IMPORTANCEWolbachia strains are common endosymbionts in insects, with multiple strains often coexisting in the same species. The coexistence of multiple strains is poorly understood but may rely on Wolbachia organisms having diverse phenotypic effects on their hosts. As Wolbachia is increasingly being developed as a tool to control disease transmission and suppress pest populations, it is important to understand the ways in which multiple Wolbachia strains persist in natural populations and how these might then be manipulated. We have therefore investigated viral protection and the molecular basis of cytoplasmic incompatibility in two coexisting Wolbachia strains with contrasting effects on host reproduction.}, }
@article {pmid30545384, year = {2018}, author = {Baldini, F and Rougé, J and Kreppel, K and Mkandawile, G and Mapua, SA and Sikulu-Lord, M and Ferguson, HM and Govella, N and Okumu, FO}, title = {First report of natural Wolbachia infection in the malaria mosquito Anopheles arabiensis in Tanzania.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {635}, pmid = {30545384}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {WT102350/Z/13/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; EP-C-15-008/EPA/EPA/United States ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anopheles/classification/*microbiology ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Malaria/*transmission ; Mosquito Vectors/classification/*microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tanzania ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Natural infections of the endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia have recently been discovered in populations of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) in Burkina Faso and Mali, West Africa. This Anopheles specific strain wAnga limits the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum infections in the mosquito, thus it offers novel opportunities for malaria control.<br><br>RESULTS: We investigated Wolbachia presence in Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus, which are the two main malaria vectors in the Kilombero Valley, a malaria endemic region in south-eastern Tanzania. We found 3.1% (n = 65) and 7.5% (n = 147) wAnga infection prevalence in An. arabiensis in mosquitoes collected in 2014 and 2016, respectively, while no infection was detected in An. funestus (n = 41). Phylogenetic analysis suggests that at least two distinct strains of wAnga were detected, both belonging to Wolbachia supergroup A and B.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first confirmation of natural Wolbachia in malaria vectors in Tanzania, which opens novel questions on the ecological and genetic basis of its persistence and pathogen transmission in the vector hosts. Understanding the basis of interactions between Wolbachia, Anopheles mosquitoes and malaria parasites is crucial for investigation of its potential application as a biocontrol strategy to reduce malaria transmission, and assessment of how natural wAnga infections influence pathogen transmission in different ecological settings.}, }
@article {pmid30545379, year = {2018}, author = {Song, S and Chen, C and Yang, M and Zhao, S and Wang, B and Hornok, S and Makhatov, B and Rizabek, K and Wang, Y}, title = {Diversity of Rickettsia species in border regions of northwestern China.}, journal = {Parasites &amp; vectors}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {634}, pmid = {30545379}, issn = {1756-3305}, support = {2018ZX10101002-002-007//National Key Research &amp; Development Program of China/ ; 2017YFD0500304//National Key Research &amp; Development Program of China/ ; 2017ZX10304402-002-005//National Key Research &amp; Development Program of China/ ; 81560338//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Biodiversity ; China ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Disease Vectors/classification ; Genes, Bacterial/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Geography ; Ixodidae/classification/*microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsia/*classification/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Rickettsia Infections/*microbiology ; Siphonaptera/classification/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Rickettsia species belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) cause infections in humans, domestic animals and wildlife. At least ten SFG Rickettsia species are known to occur in China. However, the distribution of rickettsiae in ticks and fleas in the border region of northwestern China have not been systematically studied to date.<br><br>RESULTS: A total of 982 ticks (Rhipicephalus turanicus, Dermacentor marginatus, D. nuttalli and Haemaphysalis punctata) and 5052 fleas (18 flea species from 14 species of wild mammals) were collected in ten and five counties, respectively, of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (northwestern China). Tick and flea species were identified according to morphological and molecular characteristics. Seven sets of primers for amplifying the 17-kDa antigen gene (17-kDa), citrate synthase gene (gltA), 16S rRNA gene (rrs), outer membrane protein A and B genes (ompA, ompB), surface cell antigen 1 gene (sca1) and PS120-protein encoding gene (gene D) were used to identify the species of rickettsiae. Nine Rickettsia species have been detected, seven of them in ticks: R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii, R. raoultii, Rickettsia sibirica, R. slovaca, R. massiliae and "Candidatus R. barbariae". In addition, R. bellii and two genotypes of a rickettsia endosymbiont (phylogenetically in an ancestral position to R. bellii) have been detected from flea pools.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study provides molecular evidence for the occurrence of several SFG rickettsiae in Rhipicephalus turanicus, Dermacentor nuttalli and D. marginatus. Furthermore, R. bellii and two ancestral rickettsia endosymbionts are present in fleas infesting wild rodents in the border regions of northwestern China. These data extend our knowledge on the diversity of rickettsiae in Central Asia.}, }
@article {pmid30540238, year = {2019}, author = {Altamia, MA and Shipway, JR and Concepcion, GP and Haygood, MG and Distel, DL}, title = {Thiosocius teredinicola gen. nov., sp. nov., a sulfur-oxidizing chemolithoautotrophic endosymbiont cultivated from the gills of the giant shipworm, Kuphus polythalamius.}, journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology}, volume = {69}, number = {3}, pages = {638-644}, pmid = {30540238}, issn = {1466-5034}, support = {U01 TW008163/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; U19 TW008163/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Base Composition ; Bivalvia/*microbiology ; Chemoautotrophic Growth ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Fatty Acids/chemistry ; Gammaproteobacteria/*classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Geologic Sediments/microbiology ; Gills/*microbiology ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Philippines ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sulfur/metabolism ; Thiosulfates ; }, abstract = {A chemolithoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing, diazotrophic, facultatively heterotrophic, endosymbiotic bacterium, designated as strain 2141T, was isolated from the gills of the giant shipworm Kuphus polythalamius (Teredinidae: Bivalvia). Based on its 16S rRNA sequence, the endosymbiont falls within a clade that includes the as-yet-uncultivated thioautotrophic symbionts of a marine ciliate and hydrothermal vent gastropods, uncultivated marine sediment bacteria, and a free-living sulfur-oxidizing bacterium ODIII6, all of which belong to the Gammaproteobacteria. The endosymbiont is Gram-negative, rod-shaped and has a single polar flagellum when grown in culture. This bacterium can be grown chemolithoautotrophically on a chemically defined medium supplemented with either hydrogen sulfide, thiosulfate, tetrathionate or elemental sulfur. The closed-circular genome has a DNA G+C content of 60.1 mol% and is 4.79 Mbp in size with a large nitrogenase cluster spanning nearly 40 kbp. The diazotrophic capability was confirmed by growing the strain on chemolithoautotrophic thiosulfate-based medium without a combined source of fixed nitrogen. The bacterium is also capable of heterotrophic growth on organic acids such as acetate and propionate. The pH, temperature and salinity optima for chemolithoautotrophic growth on thiosulfate were found to be 8.5, 34 °C and 0.2 M NaCl, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pure culture of a thioautotrophic animal symbiont. The type strain of Thiosocius teredinicola is PMS-2141T.STBD.0c.01a[T] (=DSM 108030[T]).}, }
@article {pmid30483601, year = {2018}, author = {Jeffries, CL and Lawrence, GG and Golovko, G and Kristan, M and Orsborne, J and Spence, K and Hurn, E and Bandibabone, J and Tantely, LM and Raharimalala, FN and Keita, K and Camara, D and Barry, Y and Wat'senga, F and Manzambi, EZ and Afrane, YA and Mohammed, AR and Abeku, TA and Hedge, S and Khanipov, K and Pimenova, M and Fofanov, Y and Boyer, S and Irish, SR and Hughes, GL and Walker, T}, title = {Novel Wolbachia strains in Anopheles malaria vectors from Sub-Saharan Africa.}, journal = {Wellcome open research}, volume = {3}, number = {}, pages = {113}, pmid = {30483601}, issn = {2398-502X}, support = {U01CK000512/ACL/ACL HHS/United States ; R21 AI124452/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI138074/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI129507/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; R01 AI123074/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Background: Wolbachia, a common insect endosymbiotic bacterium that can influence pathogen transmission and manipulate host reproduction, has historically been considered absent from the Anopheles (An.) genera, but has recently been found in An. gambiae s.l. populations in West Africa. As there are numerous Anopheles species that have the capacity to transmit malaria, we analysed a range of species across five malaria endemic countries to determine Wolbachia prevalence rates, characterise novel Wolbachia strains and determine any correlation between the presence of Plasmodium, Wolbachia and the competing bacterium Asaia. Methods: Anopheles adult mosquitoes were collected from five malaria-endemic countries: Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ghana, Uganda and Madagascar, between 2013 and 2017. Molecular analysis was undertaken using quantitative PCR, Sanger sequencing, Wolbachia multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Results: Novel Wolbachia strains were discovered in five species: An. coluzzii, An. gambiae s.s., An. arabiensis, An. moucheti and An. species A, increasing the number of Anopheles species known to be naturally infected. Variable prevalence rates in different locations were observed and novel strains were phylogenetically diverse, clustering with Wolbachia supergroup B strains. We also provide evidence for resident strain variants within An. species A. Wolbachia is the dominant member of the microbiome in An. moucheti and An. species A but present at lower densities in An. coluzzii. Interestingly, no evidence of Wolbachia/Asaia co-infections was seen and Asaia infection densities were shown to be variable and location dependent. Conclusions: The important discovery of novel Wolbachia strains in Anopheles provides greater insight into the prevalence of resident Wolbachia strains in diverse malaria vectors. Novel Wolbachia strains (particularly high-density strains) are ideal candidate strains for transinfection to create stable infections in other Anopheles mosquito species, which could be used for population replacement or suppression control strategies.}, }
@article {pmid30536677, year = {2019}, author = {Crowell, RM and Nienow, JA and Cahoon, AB}, title = {The complete chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of the diatom Nitzschia palea (Bacillariophyceae) demonstrate high sequence similarity to the endosymbiont organelles of the dinotom Durinskia baltica.}, journal = {Journal of phycology}, volume = {55}, number = {2}, pages = {352-364}, doi = {10.1111/jpy.12824}, pmid = {30536677}, issn = {1529-8817}, mesh = {Chloroplasts ; *Diatoms ; *Dinoflagellida ; *Genome, Chloroplast ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; }, abstract = {Nitzschia palea is a common freshwater diatom used as a bioindicator because of its tolerance of polluted waterways. There is also evidence it may be the tertiary endosymbiont within the "dinotom" dinoflagellate Durinskia baltica. A putative strain of N. palea was collected from a pond on the University of Virginia's College at Wise campus and cultured. For initial identification, three markers were sequenced-nuclear 18S rDNA, the chloroplast 23S rDNA, and rbcL. Morphological characteristics were determined using light and scanning electron microscopy; based on these observations the cells were identified as N. palea and named strain "Wise." DNA from N. palea was deep sequenced and the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes assembled. Single gene phylogenies grouped N. palea-Wise within a clearly defined N. palea clade and showed it was most closely related to the strain "SpainA3." The chloroplast genome of N. palea is 119,447 bp with a quadripartite structure, 135 protein-coding, 28 tRNA, and 3 rRNA genes. The mitochondrial genome is 37,754 bp with a single repeat region as found in other diatom chondriomes, 37 protein-coding, 23 tRNA, and 2 rRNA genes. The chloroplast genomes of N. palea and D. baltica have identical gene content, synteny, and a 92.7% pair-wise sequence similarity with most differences occurring in intergenic regions. The N. palea mitochondrial genome and D. baltica's endosymbiont mitochondrial genome also have identical gene content and order with a sequence similarity of 90.7%. Genome-based phylogenies demonstrated that D. baltica is more similar to N. palea than any other diatom sequence currently available. These data provide the genome sequences of two organelles for a widespread diatom and show they are very similar to those of Durinskia baltica's endosymbiont.}, }
@article {pmid30535231, year = {2019}, author = {Qi, LD and Sun, JT and Hong, XY and Li, YX}, title = {Diversity and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Horizontal Transmission of Endosymbionts Between Whiteflies and Their Parasitoids.}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {112}, number = {2}, pages = {894-905}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toy367}, pmid = {30535231}, issn = {1938-291X}, mesh = {Animals ; China ; *Hemiptera ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {Endosymbionts are widely distributed among insects via intraspecific vertical transmission and interspecific horizontal transmission. Parasitoids have attracted considerable interest due to their possible role in the horizontal transmission of endosymbionts. Horizontal transmission of endosymbionts between whiteflies via parasitoids has been revealed in the laboratory. However, whether this occurs under field conditions remains unknown. Here, the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of endosymbionts in 1,350 whiteflies and 36 parasitoids that emerged from whitefly nymphs collected from three locations in Jiangsu Province of China were investigated. Only Rickettsia and Wolbachia were identified in both whiteflies and parasitoids, with an overall infection frequency of 22.67% in whiteflies and 16.67% in parasitoids for Wolbachia and of 12.15% in whiteflies and 25% in parasitoids for Rickettsia. Despite the distant relationship between whiteflies and their parasitoids, phylogenetic analyses revealed that the Rickettsia and Wolbachia individuals collected from the two types of organisms were grouped together. Furthermore, shared haplotypes were also identified, which was consistent with the horizontal transmission of endosymbionts between parasitoids and whiteflies. In addition, a parasitoid resistance-related symbiont, Hamiltonella, was detected in whiteflies at a 100% infection frequency, probably accounting for the relatively low parasitism of the whiteflies in the field. The factors affecting the infection frequency of the four secondary endosymbionts in whiteflies were also examined.}, }
@article {pmid30533936, year = {2018}, author = {Estes, AM and Hearn, DJ and Nadendla, S and Pierson, EA and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Draft Genome Sequence of Enterobacter sp. Strain OLF, a Colonizer of Olive Flies.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {7}, number = {9}, pages = {}, pmid = {30533936}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Enterobacter sp. strain OLF colonizes laboratory-reared and wild individuals of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae. The 5.07-kbp genome sequence of Enterobacter sp. strain OLF encodes metabolic pathways that allow the bacterium to partially supplement the diet of the olive fly when its dominant endosymbiont, Erwinia dacicola, is absent.}, }
@article {pmid30533772, year = {2018}, author = {Chung, M and Teigen, L and Libro, S and Bromley, RE and Kumar, N and Sadzewicz, L and Tallon, LJ and Foster, JM and Michalski, ML and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Multispecies Transcriptomics Data Set of Brugia malayi, Its Wolbachia Endosymbiont wBm, and Aedes aegypti across the B. malayi Life Cycle.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {7}, number = {18}, pages = {}, pmid = {30533772}, issn = {2576-098X}, support = {U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, abstract = {Here, we present a comprehensive transcriptomics data set of Brugia malayi, its Wolbachia endosymbiont wBm, and its vector host. This study samples from 16 stages across the entire B. malayi life cycle, including stage 1 through 4 larvae, adult males and females, embryos, immature microfilariae, and mature microfilariae.}, }
@article {pmid30533624, year = {2018}, author = {Estes, AM and Hearn, DJ and Nadendla, S and Pierson, EA and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Draft Genome Sequence of Erwinia dacicola, a Dominant Endosymbiont of Olive Flies.}, journal = {Microbiology resource announcements}, volume = {7}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {30533624}, issn = {2576-098X}, abstract = {Erwinia dacicola is a dominant endosymbiont of the pestiferous olive fly. Its genome is similar in size and GC content to those of free-living Erwinia species, including the plant pathogen Erwinia amylovora. The E. dacicola genome encodes the metabolic capability to supplement and detoxify the olive fly's diet in larval and adult stages.}, }
@article {pmid30519408, year = {2018}, author = {Burmester, EM and Breef-Pilz, A and Lawrence, NF and Kaufman, L and Finnerty, JR and Rotjan, RD}, title = {The impact of autotrophic versus heterotrophic nutritional pathways on colony health and wound recovery in corals.}, journal = {Ecology and evolution}, volume = {8}, number = {22}, pages = {10805-10816}, pmid = {30519408}, issn = {2045-7758}, abstract = {For animals that harbor photosynthetic symbionts within their tissues, such as corals, the different relative contributions of autotrophy versus heterotrophy to organismal energetic requirements have direct impacts on fitness. This is especially true for facultatively symbiotic corals, where the balance between host-caught and symbiont-produced energy can be altered substantially to meet the variable demands of a shifting environment. In this study, we utilized a temperate coral-algal system (the northern star coral, Astrangia poculata, and its photosynthetic endosymbiont, Symbiodinium psygmophilum) to explore the impacts of nutritional sourcing on the host's health and ability to regenerate experimentally excised polyps. For fed and starved colonies, wound healing and total colony tissue cover were differentially impacted by heterotrophy versus autotrophy. There was an additive impact of positive nutritional and symbiotic states on a coral's ability to initiate healing, but a greater influence of symbiont state on the recovery of lost tissue at the lesion site and complete polyp regeneration. On the other hand, regardless of symbiont state, fed corals maintained a higher overall colony tissue cover, which also enabled more active host behavior (polyp extension) and endosymbiont behavior (photosynthetic ability of Symbiondinium). Overall, we determined that the impact of nutritional state and symbiotic state varied between biological functions, suggesting a diversity in energetic sourcing for each of these processes.}, }
@article {pmid30518817, year = {2019}, author = {Lim, SJ and Davis, BG and Gill, DE and Walton, J and Nachman, E and Engel, AS and Anderson, LC and Campbell, BJ}, title = {Taxonomic and functional heterogeneity of the gill microbiome in a symbiotic coastal mangrove lucinid species.}, journal = {The ISME journal}, volume = {13}, number = {4}, pages = {902-920}, pmid = {30518817}, issn = {1751-7370}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics ; Bivalvia/*microbiology ; Gills/microbiology ; Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sulfides/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Wetlands ; }, abstract = {Lucinidae clams harbor gammaproteobacterial thioautotrophic gill endosymbionts that are environmentally acquired. Thioautotrophic lucinid symbionts are related to metabolically similar symbionts associated with diverse marine host taxa and fall into three distinct phylogenetic clades. Most studies on the lucinid-bacteria chemosymbiosis have been done with seagrass-dwelling hosts, whose symbionts belong to the largest phylogenetic clade. In this study, we examined the taxonomy and functional repertoire of bacterial endosymbionts at an unprecedented resolution from Phacoides pectinatus retrieved from mangrove-lined coastal sediments, which are underrepresented in chemosymbiosis studies. The P. pectinatus thioautotrophic endosymbiont expressed metabolic gene variants for thioautotrophy, respiration, and nitrogen assimilation distinct from previously characterized lucinid thioautotrophic symbionts and other marine symbionts. At least two other bacterial species with different metabolisms were also consistently identified in the P. pectinatus gill microbiome, including a Kistimonas-like species and a Spirochaeta-like species. Bacterial transcripts involved in adhesion, growth, and virulence and mixotrophy were highly expressed, as were host-related hemoglobin and lysozyme transcripts indicative of sulfide/oxygen/CO2 transport and bactericidal activity. This study suggests the potential roles of P. pectinatus and its gill microbiome species in mangrove sediment biogeochemistry and offers insights into host and microbe metabolisms in the habitat.}, }
@article {pmid30506836, year = {2019}, author = {Hartmann, AC and Marhaver, KL and Klueter, A and Lovci, MT and Closek, CJ and Diaz, E and Chamberland, VF and Archer, FI and Deheyn, DD and Vermeij, MJA and Medina, M}, title = {Acquisition of obligate mutualist symbionts during the larval stage is not beneficial for a coral host.}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {28}, number = {1}, pages = {141-155}, doi = {10.1111/mec.14967}, pmid = {30506836}, issn = {1365-294X}, support = {//PADI Foundation/International ; //CARMABI Foundation/International ; Graduate Office//Scripps Institution of Oceanography Graduate Office/International ; GK-12 Fellowship//National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 Fellowship, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship/International ; Graduate Research Fellowship//National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 Fellowship, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship/International ; IOS-1146880//National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 Fellowship, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship/International ; OCE-0926822//National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 Fellowship, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship/International ; OCE-1442206//National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 Fellowship, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship/International ; OCE-1642311//National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 Fellowship, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/genetics/*physiology ; *Biological Evolution ; Caribbean Region ; Coral Reefs ; Dinoflagellida/genetics/growth &amp; development ; *Ecology ; Larva/genetics ; Photosynthesis/genetics ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; }, abstract = {Theory suggests that the direct transmission of beneficial endosymbionts (mutualists) from parents to offspring (vertical transmission) in animal hosts is advantageous and evolutionarily stable, yet many host species instead acquire their symbionts from the environment (horizontal acquisition). An outstanding question in marine biology is why some scleractinian corals do not provision their eggs and larvae with the endosymbiotic dinoflagellates that are necessary for a juvenile's ultimate survival. We tested whether the acquisition of photosynthetic endosymbionts (family Symbiodiniaceae) during the planktonic larval stage was advantageous, as is widely assumed, in the ecologically important and threatened Caribbean reef-building coral Orbicella faveolata. Following larval acquisition, similar changes occurred in host energetic lipid use and gene expression regardless of whether their symbionts were photosynthesizing, suggesting the symbionts did not provide the energetic benefit characteristic of the mutualism in adults. Larvae that acquired photosymbionts isolated from conspecific adults on their natal reef exhibited a reduction in swimming, which may interfere with their ability to find suitable settlement substrate, and also a decrease in survival. Larvae exposed to two cultured algal species did not exhibit differences in survival, but decreased their swimming activity in response to one species. We conclude that acquiring photosymbionts during the larval stage confers no advantages and can in fact be disadvantageous to this coral host. The timing of symbiont acquisition appears to be a critical component of a host's life history strategy and overall reproductive fitness, and this timing itself appears to be under selective pressure.}, }
@article {pmid30503908, year = {2019}, author = {McLean, BJ and Dainty, KR and Flores, HA and O'Neill, SL}, title = {Differential suppression of persistent insect specific viruses in trans-infected wMel and wMelPop-CLA Aedes-derived mosquito lines.}, journal = {Virology}, volume = {527}, number = {}, pages = {141-145}, pmid = {30503908}, issn = {1096-0341}, support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 102591/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Aedes/*microbiology/*virology ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Coinfection ; Flavivirus/*physiology ; Microbial Interactions ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Orthobunyavirus/*physiology ; RNA, Viral/genetics/metabolism ; Species Specificity ; Virus Replication ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia suppresses the replication of +ssRNA viruses such as dengue and Zika viruses in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. However, the range of viruses affected by this endosymbiont is yet to be explored. Recently, novel insect-specific viruses (ISVs) have been described from numerous mosquito species and mosquito-derived cell lines. Cell-fusing agent virus (Flaviviridae) and Phasi Charoen-like virus (Bunyaviridae) persistently infect the Ae. aegypti cell line Aag2 which has been used for experimental studies with both the wMel and wMelPop-CLA strains. Wolbachia was found to restrict the replication of CFAV but not the PCLV infection in these lines. Furthermore, an additional Ae. albopictus cell line (RML-12) which contained either wMel or wMelPop-CLA was assessed. While no infectious +ssRNA or dsRNA viruses were detected, a PCLV infection was identified. These observations provide additional evidence to support that insect-specific, +ssRNA viruses can be suppressed in cell culture by Wolbachia but -ssRNA viruses may not.}, }
@article {pmid30498482, year = {2018}, author = {Khare, E and Mishra, J and Arora, NK}, title = {Multifaceted Interactions Between Endophytes and Plant: Developments and Prospects.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {2732}, pmid = {30498482}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Microbial endophytes are present in all known plant species. The ability to enter and thrive in the plant tissues makes endophytes unique, showing multidimensional interactions within the host plant. Several vital activities of the host plant are known to be influenced by the presence of endophytes. They can promote plant growth, elicit defense response against pathogen attack, and can act as remediators of abiotic stresses. To date, most of the research has been done assuming that the interaction of endophytes with the host plant is similar to the plant growth-promoting (PGP) microbes present in the rhizosphere. However, a new appreciation of the difference of the rhizosphere environment from that of internal plant tissues is gaining attention. It would be interesting to explore the impact of endosymbionts on the host's gene expression, metabolism, and other physiological aspects essential in conferring resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. A more intriguing and inexplicable issue with many endophytes that has to be critically evaluated is their ability to produce host metabolites, which can be harnessed on a large scale for potential use in diverse areas. In this review, we discuss the concept of endophytism, looking into the latest insights related to the multifarious interactions beneficial for the host plant and exploring the importance of these associations in agriculture and the environment and in other vital aspects such as human health.}, }
@article {pmid30496431, year = {2019}, author = {Sakamoto, H and Suzuki, R and Nishizawa, N and Matsuda, T and Gotoh, T}, title = {Effects of Wolbachia/Cardinium Infection on the Mitochondrial Phylogeny of Oligonychus castaneae (Acari: Tetranychidae).}, journal = {Journal of economic entomology}, volume = {112}, number = {2}, pages = {883-893}, doi = {10.1093/jee/toy354}, pmid = {30496431}, issn = {1938-291X}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Japan ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; *Tetranychidae ; *Wolbachia ; }, abstract = {A wide range of invertebrates harbor intracellular endosymbiotic bacteria. Within these endosymbionts, Wolbachia and Cardinium, have been attracting particular attention because these bacteria frequently affect the genetic structure and genetic diversity of their hosts. They cause various reproductive alterations such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, parthenogenesis induction, male-killing, and feminization. Through these alterations, they also affect the maternally inherited organelles of their hosts. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can be used for molecular phylogenetic analysis of invertebrates. However, in Wolbachia- or Cardinium-infected invertebrates, phylogenetic trees based on mtDNA are often inconsistent with those based on nuclear DNA. In the present study, we determined the Wolbachia/Cardinium infection status of 45 populations of the mite, Oligonychus castaneae Ehara &amp; Gotoh (Acari: Tetranychidae), collected throughout Japan. Then, we compared phylogenetic trees of O. castaneae based on both the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of mtDNA and the 28S rRNA gene of nuclear DNA to clarify the effects of Wolbachia and/or Cardinium infection. We found 106 Wolbachia-infected individuals and 250 Cardinium-infected individuals in a total of 450 individuals, indicating an infection rate of 79%. No double-infected individuals were observed. In the 28S tree, almost all populations formed a single group. In the COI tree, O. castaneae formed four separate groups that more closely followed Wolbachia/Cardinium infection than geographic distribution. These results strongly suggest that the endosymbionts affected mitochondrial variation of O. castaneae.}, }
@article {pmid30484903, year = {2019}, author = {Grover, S and Jindal, V and Banta, G and Taning, CNT and Smagghe, G and Christiaens, O}, title = {Potential of RNA interference in the study and management of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.}, journal = {Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology}, volume = {100}, number = {2}, pages = {e21522}, doi = {10.1002/arch.21522}, pmid = {30484903}, issn = {1520-6327}, support = {//Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India/ ; //Special Research Fund (BOF)/ ; //Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen)/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Hemiptera/*genetics/physiology ; Insect Control ; *RNA Interference ; }, abstract = {Whiteflies cause considerable losses to crops, directly by feeding, and indirectly by transmission of viruses. The current control methods consist of a combination of different control tactics, mainly still relying on unsafe and non-ecofriendly chemical control. RNA interference (RNAi) is a post-transcriptional gene-silencing strategy in which double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), corresponding specifically to a target gene, is introduced in a target organism. Research on RNAi in the previous decade has shown its success as a potential insect control strategy, which can be highly species-specific and environment friendly. In whiteflies, the success of dsRNA delivery through the oral route opened possibilities for its management through plant-mediated RNAi. To date, several genes have been targeted in whiteflies through RNAi and these assays demonstrated its potential to manage whiteflies at lab level. However, further research and investments are needed to move toward an application at field level. In this review, for the first time, we collected the literature on genes targeted for silencing via RNAi in whiteflies and discuss the potential of RNAi in whitefly pest control. We also discuss likely delivery methods, including transgenic in planta delivery and symbiont-mediated delivery, and its potential for studying and interfering with insecticide resistance mechanisms and virus transmission by whiteflies.}, }
@article {pmid30482201, year = {2018}, author = {Cenci, U and Sibbald, SJ and Curtis, BA and Kamikawa, R and Eme, L and Moog, D and Henrissat, B and Maréchal, E and Chabi, M and Djemiel, C and Roger, AJ and Kim, E and Archibald, JM}, title = {Nuclear genome sequence of the plastid-lacking cryptomonad Goniomonas avonlea provides insights into the evolution of secondary plastids.}, journal = {BMC biology}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {137}, pmid = {30482201}, issn = {1741-7007}, mesh = {Algal Proteins/analysis ; Cell Nucleus/genetics ; Cryptophyta/cytology/*genetics ; *Evolution, Molecular ; *Genome ; Phylogeny ; Plastids/*genetics ; Tryptophan-tRNA Ligase/analysis ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The evolution of photosynthesis has been a major driver in eukaryotic diversification. Eukaryotes have acquired plastids (chloroplasts) either directly via the engulfment and integration of a photosynthetic cyanobacterium (primary endosymbiosis) or indirectly by engulfing a photosynthetic eukaryote (secondary or tertiary endosymbiosis). The timing and frequency of secondary endosymbiosis during eukaryotic evolution is currently unclear but may be resolved in part by studying cryptomonads, a group of single-celled eukaryotes comprised of both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic species. While cryptomonads such as Guillardia theta harbor a red algal-derived plastid of secondary endosymbiotic origin, members of the sister group Goniomonadea lack plastids. Here, we present the genome of Goniomonas avonlea-the first for any goniomonad-to address whether Goniomonadea are ancestrally non-photosynthetic or whether they lost a plastid secondarily.<br><br>RESULTS: We sequenced the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of Goniomonas avonlea and carried out a comparative analysis of Go. avonlea, Gu. theta, and other cryptomonads. The Go. avonlea genome assembly is ~&#x2009;92 Mbp in size, with 33,470 predicted protein-coding genes. Interestingly, some metabolic pathways (e.g., fatty acid biosynthesis) predicted to occur in the plastid and periplastidal compartment of Gu. theta appear to operate in the cytoplasm of Go. avonlea, suggesting that metabolic redundancies were generated during the course of secondary plastid integration. Other cytosolic pathways found in Go. avonlea are not found in Gu. theta, suggesting secondary loss in Gu. theta and other plastid-bearing cryptomonads. Phylogenetic analyses revealed no evidence for algal endosymbiont-derived genes in the Go. avonlea genome. Phylogenomic analyses point to a specific relationship between Cryptista (to which cryptomonads belong) and Archaeplastida.<br><br>CONCLUSION: We found no convincing genomic or phylogenomic evidence that Go. avonlea evolved from a secondary red algal plastid-bearing ancestor, consistent with goniomonads being ancestrally non-photosynthetic eukaryotes. The Go. avonlea genome sheds light on the physiology of heterotrophic cryptomonads and serves as an important reference point for studying the metabolic "rewiring" that took place during secondary plastid integration in the ancestor of modern-day Cryptophyceae.}, }
@article {pmid30474731, year = {2019}, author = {Hosseinzadeh, S and Shams-Bakhsh, M and Mann, M and Fattah-Hosseini, S and Bagheri, A and Mehrabadi, M and Heck, M}, title = {Distribution and Variation of Bacterial Endosymbiont and "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" Titer in the Huanglongbing Insect Vector, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama.}, journal = {Microbial ecology}, volume = {78}, number = {1}, pages = {206-222}, pmid = {30474731}, issn = {1432-184X}, support = {5300-163//California Citrus Research Board/ ; 2016-70016-24779//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 8062-22410-006-00-D//Agricultural Research Service/ ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Citrus/*microbiology/parasitology ; Endophytes/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; Female ; Hemiptera/*microbiology/physiology ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/physiology ; Male ; Plant Diseases/*microbiology ; Rhizobiaceae/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/*physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; }, abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is an economic insect pest in most citrus-growing regions and the vector of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), one of at least three known bacteria associated with Huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening disease). D. citri harbors bacterial endosymbionts, including Wolbachia pipientis (strain Wolbachia wDi), 'Candidatus Carsonella ruddii,' and 'Candidatus Profftella armatura.' Many important functions of these bacteria can be inferred from their genome sequences, but their interactions with each other, CLas, and their D. citri host are poorly understood. In the present study, the titers of the endosymbionts in different tissues, in each sex, and in insects reared on healthy citrus (referred to as unexposed) and CLas-infected citrus (referred to as CLas-exposed) D. citri were investigated using real-time, quantitative PCR (qPCR) using two different quantitative approaches. Wolbachia and CLas were detected in all insect tissues. The titer of Wolbachia was higher in heads of CLas-exposed males as compared to unexposed males. In males and females, Wolbachia titer was highest in the Malpighian tubules. The highest titer of CLas was observed in the gut. Profftella and Carsonella titers were significantly reduced in the bacteriome of CLas-exposed males compared with that of unexposed males, but this effect was not observed in females. In ovaries of CLas-exposed females, the Profftella and Carsonella titers were increased as compared to non-exposed females. CLas appeared to influence the overall levels of the symbionts but did not drastically perturb the overall microbial community structure. In all the assessed tissues, CLas titer in males was significantly higher than that of females using absolute quantification. These data provide a better understanding of multi-trophic interactions regulating symbiont dynamics in the HLB pathosystem.}, }
@article {pmid30472481, year = {2019}, author = {Marangoni, LFB and Pinto, MMAN and Marques, JA and Bianchini, A}, title = {Copper exposure and seawater acidification interaction: Antagonistic effects on biomarkers in the zooxanthellate scleractinian coral Mussismilia harttii.}, journal = {Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands)}, volume = {206}, number = {}, pages = {123-133}, doi = {10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.11.005}, pmid = {30472481}, issn = {1879-1514}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*drug effects ; Biomarkers/*metabolism ; Chlorophyll A/analysis ; Copper/*toxicity ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Photosynthesis/drug effects ; Seawater/*chemistry ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity ; }, abstract = {Coral reefs are threatened by global and local impacts, such as ocean acidification (OA) and metal contamination. Toxicity of metals, such as copper (Cu), is expected to be enhanced with OA. However, the interaction between these environmental stressors is still poorly evaluated. In the present study, the interactive effects of seawater acidification and increasing Cu concentrations were evaluated in a zooxanthellate scleractinian coral (Mussismilia harttii), using biochemical biomarkers involved in the coral calcification process and the photosynthetic metabolism of endosymbionts. Corals were kept under control conditions (no seawater acidification and no Cu addition in seawater) or exposed to combined treatments of reduced seawater pH (8.1, 7.8, 7.5 and 7.2) and environmentally relevant concentrations of dissolved Cu (measured: 1.0, 1.6, 2.3 and 3.2 μg/L) in a mesocosm system. After 15- and 35-days exposure, corals were analyzed for photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), chlorophyll a content, Ca-ATPase and carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity. Results showed that 76% of the interactions between reduced seawater pH and increasing Cu concentrations were antagonistic. Only 24% of these interactions were additive or synergistic. In general, the combination of stressors had no significant deleterious effects in the photosynthetic metabolism of endosymbionts or Ca-ATPase activity. In fact, the lowest dissolved Cu concentration tested had a consistent positive effect on Ca-ATPase activity in corals facing any of the reduced seawater pH conditions tested. In turn, potentially deleterious effects on acid-base balance in M. harttii, associated with changes in CA activity, were intensified by the combination of stressors. Findings reported here indicate that Cu toxicity in future OA scenarios can be less severe than previously suggested in this coral holobiont.}, }
@article {pmid30470198, year = {2018}, author = {Scolari, F and Attardo, GM and Aksoy, E and Weiss, B and Savini, G and Takac, P and Abd-Alla, A and Parker, AG and Aksoy, S and Malacrida, AR}, title = {Symbiotic microbes affect the expression of male reproductive genes in Glossina m. morsitans.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {18}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {169}, pmid = {30470198}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {R21 AI109263/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Insect Control ; Male ; *Microbiota ; Reproduction/genetics ; Sex Factors ; *Symbiosis ; Testis ; Transcriptome ; Tsetse Flies/*genetics/*microbiology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tsetse flies (Diptera, Glossinidae) display unique reproductive biology traits. Females reproduce through adenotrophic viviparity, nourishing the growing larva into their modified uterus until parturition. Males transfer their sperm and seminal fluid, produced by both testes and male accessory glands, in a spermatophore capsule transiently formed within the female reproductive tract upon mating. Both sexes are obligate blood feeders and have evolved tight relationships with endosymbionts, already shown to provide essential nutrients lacking in their diet. However, the partnership between tsetse and its symbionts has so far been investigated, at the molecular, genomic and metabolomics level, only in females, whereas the roles of microbiota in male reproduction are still unexplored.<br><br>RESULTS: Here we begin unravelling the impact of microbiota on Glossina m. morsitans (G. morsitans) male reproductive biology by generating transcriptomes from the reproductive tissues of males deprived of their endosymbionts (aposymbiotic) via maternal antibiotic treatment and dietary supplementation. We then compared the transcriptional profiles of genes expressed in the male reproductive tract of normal and these aposymbiotic flies. We showed that microbiota removal impacts several male reproductive genes by depressing the activity of genes in the male accessory glands (MAGs), including sequences encoding seminal fluid proteins, and increasing expression of genes in the testes. In the MAGs, in particular, the expression of genes related to mating, immunity and seminal fluid components' synthesis is reduced. In the testes, the absence of symbionts activates genes involved in the metabolic apparatus at the basis of male reproduction, including sperm production, motility and function.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our findings mirrored the complementary roles male accessory glands and testes play in supporting male reproduction and open new avenues for disentangling the interplay between male insects and endosymbionts. From an applied perspective, unravelling the metabolic and functional relationships between tsetse symbionts and male reproductive physiology will provide fundamental information useful to understanding the biology underlying improved male reproductive success in tsetse. This information is of particular importance in the context of tsetse population control via Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and its impact on trypanosomiasis transmission.}, }
@article {pmid30470188, year = {2018}, author = {Engl, T and Michalkova, V and Weiss, BL and Uzel, GD and Takac, P and Miller, WJ and Abd-Alla, AMM and Aksoy, S and Kaltenpoth, M}, title = {Effect of antibiotic treatment and gamma-irradiation on cuticular hydrocarbon profiles and mate choice in tsetse flies (Glossina m. morsitans).}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {18}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {145}, pmid = {30470188}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {P 22634/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 28255/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; R01 AI051584/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Ampicillin/pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Female ; Hydrocarbons/*analysis ; Insect Proteins/*chemistry/radiation effects ; Male ; Microbiota/*drug effects ; *Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects/radiation effects ; Symbiosis/drug effects ; Tetracycline/pharmacology ; Tsetse Flies/*physiology/radiation effects ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Symbiotic microbes represent a driving force of evolutionary innovation by conferring novel ecological traits to their hosts. Many insects are associated with microbial symbionts that contribute to their host's nutrition, digestion, detoxification, reproduction, immune homeostasis, and defense. In addition, recent studies suggest a microbial involvement in chemical communication and mating behavior, which can ultimately impact reproductive isolation and, hence, speciation. Here we investigated whether a disruption of the microbiota through antibiotic treatment or irradiation affects cuticular hydrocarbon profiles, and possibly mate choice behavior in the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans. Four independent experiments that differentially knock down the multiple bacterial symbionts of tsetse flies were conducted by subjecting tsetse flies to ampicillin, tetracycline, or gamma-irradiation and analyzing their cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in comparison to untreated controls by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. In two of the antibiotic experiments, flies were mass-reared, while individual rearing was done for the third experiment to avoid possible chemical cross-contamination between individual flies.<br><br>RESULTS: All three antibiotic experiments yielded significant effects of antibiotic treatment (particularly tetracycline) on cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in both female and male G. m. morsitans, while irradiation itself had no effect on the CHC profiles. Importantly, tetracycline&#xa0;treatment reduced relative amounts of 15,19,23-trimethyl-heptatriacontane, a known compound of the female contact sex pheromone, in two of the three experiments, suggesting a possible implication of microbiota disturbance on mate choice decisions. Concordantly, both female and male flies preferred non-treated over tetracycline-treated flies in direct choice assays.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: While we cannot exclude the possibility that antibiotic treatment had a directly detrimental effect on fly vigor as we are unable&#xa0;to recolonize antibiotic treated flies with individual symbiont taxa, our results are consistent with an effect of the microbiota, particularly the obligate nutritional endosymbiont Wigglesworthia, on CHC profiles and mate choice behavior. These findings highlight the importance of considering host-microbiota interactions when studying chemical communication and mate choice in insects.}, }
@article {pmid30470184, year = {2018}, author = {Channumsin, M and Ciosi, M and Masiga, D and Turner, CMR and Mable, BK}, title = {Sodalis glossinidius presence in wild tsetse is only associated with presence of trypanosomes in complex interactions with other tsetse-specific factors.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {18}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {163}, pmid = {30470184}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 093692//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Age Factors ; Animals ; Enterobacteriaceae/*physiology ; Environment ; Female ; Geography ; Kenya ; Male ; Sex Factors ; *Symbiosis ; Tsetse Flies/*microbiology/*parasitology ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Susceptibility of tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) to trypanosomes of both humans and animals has been associated with the presence of the endosymbiont Sodalis glossinidius. However, intrinsic biological characteristics of the flies and environmental factors can influence the presence of both S. glossinidius and the parasites. It thus remains unclear whether it is the S. glossinidius or other attributes of the flies that explains the apparent association. The objective of this study was to test whether the presence of Trypanosoma vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei are related to the presence of S. glossinidius in tsetse flies when other factors are accounted for: geographic location, species of Glossina, sex or age of the host flies.<br><br>RESULTS: Flies (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1090) were trapped from four sites in the Shimba Hills and Nguruman regions in Kenya. Sex and species of tsetse (G. austeni, G. brevipalpis, G. longipennis and G. pallidipes) were determined based on external morphological characters and age was estimated by a wing fray score method. The presence of trypanosomes and S. glossinidius was detected using PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer region 1 and the haemolysin gene, respectively. Sequencing was used to confirm species identification. Generalised Linear Models (GLMs) and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) were applied to investigate multivariable associations. The overall prevalence of trypanosomes was 42.1%, but GLMs revealed complex patterns of associations: the presence of S. glossinidius was associated with trypanosome presence but only in interactions with other factors and only in some species of trypanosomes. The strongest association was found for T. congolense, and no association was found for T. vivax. The MCA also suggested only a weak association between the presence of trypanosomes and S. glossinidius. Trypanosome-positive status showed strong associations with sex and age while S. glossinidius-positive status showed a strong association with geographic location and species of fly.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that previous conclusions about the presence of endosymbionts increasing probability of trypanosome presence in tsetse flies may have been confounded by other factors, such as community composition of the tsetse flies and the specific trypanosomes found in different regions.}, }
@article {pmid30470178, year = {2018}, author = {Griffith, BC and Weiss, BL and Aksoy, E and Mireji, PO and Auma, JE and Wamwiri, FN and Echodu, R and Murilla, G and Aksoy, S}, title = {Analysis of the gut-specific microbiome from field-captured tsetse flies, and its potential relevance to host trypanosome vector competence.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {18}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {146}, pmid = {30470178}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {D43 TW007391/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI051584/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI068932/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; U01 AI115648/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/*classification ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Geography ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Insect Vectors/*microbiology/parasitology ; Kenya ; Symbiosis ; Trypanosoma/*physiology ; Tsetse Flies/*microbiology/parasitology ; Uganda ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The tsetse fly (Glossina sp.) midgut is colonized by maternally transmitted and environmentally acquired bacteria. Additionally, the midgut serves as a niche in which pathogenic African trypanosomes reside within infected flies. Tsetse's bacterial microbiota impacts many aspects of the fly's physiology. However, little is known about the structure of tsetse's midgut-associated bacterial communities as they relate to geographically distinct fly habitats in east Africa and their contributions to parasite infection outcomes. We utilized culture dependent and independent methods to characterize the taxonomic structure and density of bacterial communities that reside within the midgut of tsetse flies collected at geographically distinct locations in Kenya and Uganda.<br><br>RESULTS: Using culture dependent methods, we isolated 34 strains of bacteria from four different tsetse species (G. pallidipes, G. brevipalpis, G. fuscipes and G. fuscipleuris) captured at three distinct locations in Kenya. To increase the depth of this study, we deep sequenced midguts from individual uninfected and trypanosome infected G. pallidipes captured at two distinct locations in Kenya and one in Uganda. We found that tsetse's obligate endosymbiont, Wigglesworthia, was the most abundant bacterium present in the midgut of G. pallidipes, and the density of this bacterium remained largely consistent regardless of whether or not its tsetse host was infected with trypanosomes. These fly populations also housed the commensal symbiont Sodalis, which was found at significantly higher densities in trypanosome infected compared to uninfected flies. Finally, midguts of field-captured G. pallidipes were colonized with distinct, low density communities of environmentally acquired microbes that differed in taxonomic structure depending on parasite infection status and the geographic location from which the flies were collected.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will enhance our understanding of the tripartite relationship between tsetse, its microbiota and trypanosome vector competence. This information may be useful for developing novel disease control strategies or enhancing the efficacy of those already in use.}, }
@article {pmid30470176, year = {2018}, author = {Zaidman-Rémy, A and Vigneron, A and Weiss, BL and Heddi, A}, title = {What can a weevil teach a fly, and reciprocally? Interaction of host immune systems with endosymbionts in Glossina and Sitophilus.}, journal = {BMC microbiology}, volume = {18}, number = {Suppl 1}, pages = {150}, pmid = {30470176}, issn = {1471-2180}, support = {R01 AI051584/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Biological Evolution ; Enterobacteriaceae/immunology ; Host Microbial Interactions/*immunology ; Pest Control ; Symbiosis/*immunology ; Tsetse Flies/immunology/*microbiology ; Weevils/immunology/*microbiology ; Wigglesworthia/immunology ; Wolbachia/immunology ; }, abstract = {The tsetse fly (Glossina genus) is the main vector of African trypanosomes, which are protozoan parasites that cause human and animal African trypanosomiases in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the frame of the IAEA/FAO program 'Enhancing Vector Refractoriness to Trypanosome Infection', in addition to the tsetse, the cereal weevil Sitophilus has been introduced as a comparative system with regards to immune interactions with endosymbionts. The cereal weevil is an agricultural pest that destroys a significant proportion of cereal stocks worldwide. Tsetse flies are associated with three symbiotic bacteria, the multifunctional obligate Wigglesworthia glossinidia, the facultative commensal Sodalis glossinidius and the parasitic Wolbachia. Cereal weevils house an obligatory nutritional symbiosis with the bacterium Sodalis pierantonius, and occasionally Wolbachia. Studying insect host-symbiont interactions is highly relevant both for understanding the evolution of symbiosis and for envisioning novel pest control strategies. In both insects, the long co-evolution between host and endosymbiont has led to a stringent integration of the host-bacteria partnership. These associations were facilitated by the development of specialized host traits, including symbiont-housing cells called bacteriocytes and specific immune features that enable both tolerance and control of the bacteria. In this review, we compare the tsetse and weevil model systems and compile the latest research findings regarding their biological and ecological similarities, how the immune system controls endosymbiont load and location, and how host-symbiont interactions impact developmental features including cuticle synthesis and immune system maturation. We focus mainly on the interactions between the obligate symbionts and their host's immune systems, a central theme in both model systems. Finally, we highlight how parallel studies on cereal weevils and tsetse flies led to mutual discoveries and stimulated research on each model, creating a pivotal example of scientific improvement through comparison between relatively distant models.}, }
@article {pmid30468769, year = {2019}, author = {Bi, J and Zheng, Y and Wang, RF and Ai, H and Haynes, PR and Brownlie, JC and Yu, XQ and Wang, YF}, title = {Wolbachia infection may improve learning and memory capacity of Drosophila by altering host gene expression through microRNA.}, journal = {Insect biochemistry and molecular biology}, volume = {106}, number = {}, pages = {47-54}, doi = {10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.11.007}, pmid = {30468769}, issn = {1879-0240}, mesh = {Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology/*physiology ; Drosophila simulans/microbiology/*physiology ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Learning ; Memory ; MicroRNAs/*genetics/metabolism ; Wolbachia/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria present in a wide range of invertebrates. Although their dramatic effects on host reproductive biology have been well studied, little is known about the effects of Wolbachia on the learning and memory capacity (LMC) of hosts, despite their distribution in the host nervous system, including brain. In this study, we found that Wolbachia infection significantly enhanced LMC in both Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans. Expression of LMC-related genes was significantly increased in the head of D. melanogaster infected with the wMel strain, and among these genes, crebA was up-regulated the most. Knockdown of crebA in Wolbachia-infected flies significantly decreased LMC, while overexpression of crebA in Wolbachia-free flies significantly enhanced the LMC of flies. More importantly, a microRNA (miRNA), dme-miR-92b, was identified to be complementary to the 3'UTR of crebA. Wolbachia infection was correlated with reduced expression of dme-miR-92b in D. melanogaster, and dme-miR-92b negatively regulated crebA through binding to its 3'UTR region. Overexpression of dme-miR-92b in Wolbachia-infected flies by microinjection of agomirs caused a significant decrease in crebA expression and LMC, while inhibition of dme-miR-92b in Wolbachia-free flies by microinjection of antagomirs resulted in a significant increase in crebA expression and LMC. These results suggest that Wolbachia may improve LMC in Drosophila by altering host gene expression through a miRNA-target pathway. Our findings help better understand the host-endosymbiont interactions and, in particular, the impact of Wolbachia on cognitive processes in invertebrate hosts.}, }
@article {pmid30464337, year = {2018}, author = {Chen, YL and Chen, LJ and Chu, CC and Huang, PK and Wen, JR and Li, HM}, title = {TIC236 links the outer and inner membrane translocons of the chloroplast.}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {564}, number = {7734}, pages = {125-129}, doi = {10.1038/s41586-018-0713-y}, pmid = {30464337}, issn = {1476-4687}, mesh = {Arabidopsis/*cytology/metabolism ; Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism ; Chloroplast Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Chloroplasts/genetics/*metabolism ; Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism ; Evolution, Molecular ; Intracellular Membranes/*metabolism ; Membrane Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Multiprotein Complexes/genetics/metabolism ; Mutation ; Pisum sativum/cytology ; Protein Binding ; Protein Precursors/metabolism ; Protein Transport ; }, abstract = {The two-membrane envelope is a defining feature of chloroplasts. Chloroplasts evolved from a Gram-negative cyanobacterial endosymbiont. During evolution, genes of the endosymbiont have been transferred to the host nuclear genome. Most chloroplast proteins are synthesized in the cytosol as higher-molecular-mass preproteins with an N-terminal transit peptide. Preproteins are transported into chloroplasts by the TOC and TIC (translocons at the outer- and inner-envelope membranes of chloroplasts, respectively) machineries[1,2], but how TOC and TIC are assembled together is unknown. Here we report the identification of the TIC component TIC236; TIC236 is an integral inner-membrane protein that projects a 230-kDa domain into the intermembrane space, which binds directly to the outer-membrane channel TOC75. The knockout mutation of TIC236 is embryonically lethal. In TIC236-knockdown mutants, a smaller amount of the inner-membrane channel TIC20 was associated with TOC75; the amount of TOC-TIC supercomplexes was also reduced. This resulted in a reduced import rate into the stroma, though outer-membrane protein insertion was unaffected. The size and the essential nature of TIC236 indicate that-unlike in mitochondria, in which the outer- and inner-membrane translocons exist as separate complexes and a supercomplex is only transiently assembled during preprotein translocation[3,4]-a long and stable protein bridge in the intermembrane space is required for protein translocation into chloroplasts. Furthermore, TIC236 and TOC75 are homologues of bacterial inner-membrane TamB[5] and outer-membrane BamA, respectively. Our evolutionary analyses show that, similar to TOC75, TIC236 is preserved only in plants and has co-evolved with TOC75 throughout the plant lineage. This suggests that the backbone of the chloroplast protein-import machinery evolved from the bacterial TamB-BamA protein-secretion system.}, }
@article {pmid30459726, year = {2018}, author = {Brown, AMV and Wasala, SK and Howe, DK and Peetz, AB and Zasada, IA and Denver, DR}, title = {Comparative Genomics of Wolbachia-Cardinium Dual Endosymbiosis in a Plant-Parasitic Nematode.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {2482}, pmid = {30459726}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Wolbachia and Cardinium are among the most important and widespread of all endosymbionts, occurring in nematodes and more than half of insect and arachnid species, sometimes as coinfections. These symbionts are of significant interest as potential biocontrol agents due to their abilities to cause major effects on host biology and reproduction through cytoplasmic incompatibility, sex ratio distortion, or obligate mutualism. The ecological and metabolic effects of coinfections are not well understood. This study examined a Wolbachia-Cardinium coinfection in the plant-parasitic nematode (PPN), Pratylenchus penetrans, producing the first detailed study of such a coinfection using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and comparative genomic analysis. Results from FISH and single-nematode PCR showed 123/127 individuals in a focal population carried Cardinium (denoted strain cPpe), and 48% were coinfected with Wolbachia strain wPpe. Both endosymbionts showed dispersed tissue distribution with highest densities in the anterior intestinal walls and gonads. Phylogenomic analyses confirmed an early place of cPpe and long distance from a sister strain in another PPN, Heterodera glycines, supporting a long history of both Cardinium and Wolbachia in PPNs. The genome of cPpe was 1.36 Mbp with 35.8% GC content, 1,131 predicted genes, 41% having no known function, and missing biotin and lipoate synthetic capacity and a plasmid present in other strains, despite having a slightly larger genome compared to other sequenced Cardinium. The larger genome revealed expansions of gene families likely involved in host-cellular interactions. More than 2% of the genes of cPpe and wPpe were identified as candidate horizontally transferred genes, with some of these from eukaryotes, including nematodes. A model of the possible Wolbachia-Cardinium interaction is proposed with possible complementation in function for pathways such as methionine and fatty acid biosynthesis and biotin transport.}, }
@article {pmid30458311, year = {2019}, author = {Yu, J and Wang, M and Liu, B and Yue, X and Li, C}, title = {Gill symbionts of the cold-seep mussel Bathymodiolus platifrons: Composition, environmental dependency and immune control.}, journal = {Fish &amp; shellfish immunology}, volume = {86}, number = {}, pages = {246-252}, doi = {10.1016/j.fsi.2018.11.041}, pmid = {30458311}, issn = {1095-9947}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Gills/metabolism/*microbiology ; Methane/metabolism ; Mytilidae/immunology/metabolism/*microbiology ; R-SNARE Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Deep-sea Bathymodiolus mussels depend on the organic carbon supplied by symbionts inside their gills. In this study, optimized methods of quantitative real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization targeted to both mRNA and 16S rRNA were used to investigate the gill symbionts of the cold-seep mussel Bathymodiolus platifrons, including species composition, environmental dependency and immune control by the host. Our results showed that methanotrophs were the major symbiotic bacteria in the gills of B. platifrons, while thiotrophs were scarce. In the mussels freshly collected from the deep sea, methanotrophs were housed in bacteriocytes in a unique circular pattern, and a lysosome-related gene (VAMP) encoding a vesicle-associated membrane protein was expressed at a high level and presented exactly where the methanotrophs occurred. After the mussels were reared for three months in aquaria without methane supply, the abundance of methanotrophs decreased significantly and their circle-shaped distribution pattern disappeared; in addition, the expression of VAMP decreased significantly. These results suggest that the symbiosis between B. platifrons and methanotrophs is influenced by the environment and that the lysosomal system plays an important immune role in controlling the abundance of endosymbionts in host. This study provides a reliable method for investigating symbionts in deep-sea mussels and enriches the knowledge about symbionts in B. platifrons.}, }
@article {pmid30456532, year = {2019}, author = {Schneider, DI and Ehrman, L and Engl, T and Kaltenpoth, M and Hua-Van, A and Le Rouzic, A and Miller, WJ}, title = {Symbiont-Driven Male Mating Success in the Neotropical Drosophila paulistorum Superspecies.}, journal = {Behavior genetics}, volume = {49}, number = {1}, pages = {83-98}, pmid = {30456532}, issn = {1573-3297}, support = {P 22634/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 28255/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Biological Evolution ; Drosophila/*microbiology ; Drosophila Proteins/metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Reproduction/*physiology ; Reproductive Isolation ; Sex Attractants/metabolism/physiology ; Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology ; Species Specificity ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {Microbial symbionts are ubiquitous associates of living organisms but their role in mediating reproductive isolation (RI) remains controversial. We addressed this knowledge gap by employing the Drosophila paulistorum-Wolbachia model system. Semispecies in the D. paulistorum species complex exhibit strong RI between each other and knockdown of obligate mutualistic Wolbachia bacteria in female D. paulistorum flies triggers loss of assortative mating behavior against males carrying incompatible Wolbachia strains. Here we set out to determine whether de novo RI can be introduced by Wolbachia-knockdown in D. paulistorum males. We show that Wolbachia-knockdown D. paulistorum males (i) are rejected as mates by wild type females, (ii) express altered sexual pheromone profiles, and (iii) are devoid of the endosymbiont in pheromone producing cells. Our findings suggest that changes in Wolbachia titer and tissue tropism can induce de novo premating isolation by directly or indirectly modulating sexual behavior of their native D. paulistorum hosts.}, }
@article {pmid30455292, year = {2018}, author = {Melnikov, SV and van den Elzen, A and Stevens, DL and Thoreen, CC and Söll, D}, title = {Loss of protein synthesis quality control in host-restricted organisms.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {115}, number = {49}, pages = {E11505-E11512}, pmid = {30455292}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {R01 GM125955/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM122560/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Amino Acids ; Bacteria/*genetics/*metabolism ; Conserved Sequence ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/physiology ; Protein Biosynthesis ; Protein Domains ; RNA Editing ; }, abstract = {Intracellular organisms, such as obligate parasites and endosymbionts, typically possess small genomes due to continuous genome decay caused by an environment with alleviated natural selection. Previously, a few species with highly reduced genomes, including the intracellular pathogens Mycoplasma and Microsporidia, have been shown to carry degenerated editing domains in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. These defects in the protein synthesis machinery cause inaccurate translation of the genetic code, resulting in significant statistical errors in protein sequences that are thought to help parasites to escape immune response of a host. In this study we analyzed 10,423 complete bacterial genomes to assess conservation of the editing domains in tRNA synthetases, including LeuRS, IleRS, ValRS, ThrRS, AlaRS, and PheRS. We found that, while the editing domains remain intact in free-living species, they are degenerated in the overwhelming majority of host-restricted bacteria. Our work illustrates that massive genome erosion triggered by an intracellular lifestyle eradicates one of the most fundamental components of a living cell: the system responsible for proofreading of amino acid selection for protein synthesis. This finding suggests that inaccurate translation of the genetic code might be a general phenomenon among intercellular organisms with reduced genomes.}, }
@article {pmid30454555, year = {2018}, author = {Sapountzis, P and Zhukova, M and Shik, JZ and Schiott, M and Boomsma, JJ}, title = {Reconstructing the functions of endosymbiotic Mollicutes in fungus-growing ants.}, journal = {eLife}, volume = {7}, number = {}, pages = {}, pmid = {30454555}, issn = {2050-084X}, support = {323085/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; ERC Advanced Grant 323085/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; }, mesh = {Acetates/metabolism ; Animals ; Ants/*microbiology ; Arginine/metabolism ; Biotransformation ; Citrates/metabolism ; Glucose/metabolism ; Intestines/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Tenericutes/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Mollicutes, a widespread class of bacteria associated with animals and plants, were recently identified as abundant abdominal endosymbionts in healthy workers of attine fungus-farming leaf-cutting ants. We obtained draft genomes of the two most common strains harbored by Panamanian fungus-growing ants. Reconstructions of their functional significance showed that they are independently acquired symbionts, most likely to decompose excess arginine consistent with the farmed fungal cultivars providing this nitrogen-rich amino-acid in variable quantities. Across the attine lineages, the relative abundances of the two Mollicutes strains are associated with the substrate types that foraging workers offer to fungus gardens. One of the symbionts is specific to the leaf-cutting ants and has special genomic machinery to catabolize citrate/glucose into acetate, which appears to deliver direct metabolic energy to the ant workers. Unlike other Mollicutes associated with insect hosts, both attine ant strains have complete phage-defense systems, underlining that they are actively maintained as mutualistic symbionts.}, }
@article {pmid30448382, year = {2019}, author = {Herran, B and Cerveau, N and Houdelet, C and Bernier, C and Debenest, C and Delaunay, C and Raimond, M and Bertaux, J and Grève, P}, title = {IGFBP-rP1, a strongly conserved member of the androgenic hormone signalling pathway in Isopoda.}, journal = {General and comparative endocrinology}, volume = {272}, number = {}, pages = {9-19}, doi = {10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.11.006}, pmid = {30448382}, issn = {1095-6840}, mesh = {Androgens ; Animals ; Female ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins/*genetics/*metabolism ; Isopoda/*metabolism ; Male ; Signal Transduction ; }, abstract = {The first protein which has been described to interact with the malacostracan Androgenic Gland Hormone (AGH) is a binding protein called IGFBP-rP1. It has been identified and studied in several species of decapods, in which its interaction with the masculinizing hormone and its expression patterns have been established in several ways. However, this protein remains uncharacterised to date in the other malacostracan orders, like Amphipoda and Isopoda, although they were historically the first ones in which the androgenic gland and the corresponding hormone were respectively described. In this article, we identified the IGFBP-rP1 of isopods and established its implication in the pathway of the AGH with a silencing approach in the model species Armadillidium vulgare. We also showed that this gene is expressed in all the tissues of males and females, with a similar pattern in animals infected with Wolbachia, a feminizing endosymbiont of several isopod species. The expression pattern did not differ during the development of uninfected and infected animals either. We finally studied the evolution of the IGFBP-rP1 in 68 isopod species, looking for conserved motifs and evidence of natural selection. Altogether, our results showed that this gene is constitutively expressed and strongly conserved in isopods, in which it likely constitutes a key element of the insulin/IGF signalling pathway. However, we also illustrated that IGFBP-rP1 is not sufficient on its own to explain the different developmental paths taken by the males and the females or feminized genetic males.}, }
@article {pmid30447617, year = {2018}, author = {Hines, HN and Onsbring, H and Ettema, TJG and Esteban, GF}, title = {Molecular Investigation of the Ciliate Spirostomum semivirescens, with First Transcriptome and New Geographical Records.}, journal = {Protist}, volume = {169}, number = {6}, pages = {875-886}, doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2018.08.001}, pmid = {30447617}, issn = {1618-0941}, mesh = {Chlorella/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Ciliophora/*classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification/microbiology ; Codon, Terminator ; Endophytes/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; *Gene Expression Profiling ; *Phylogeography ; Protein Biosynthesis ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Sweden ; United Kingdom ; }, abstract = {The ciliate Spirostomum semivirescens is a large freshwater protist densely packed with endosymbiotic algae and capable of building a protective coating from surrounding particles. The species has been rarely recorded and it lacks any molecular investigations. We obtained such data from S. semivirescens isolated in the UK and Sweden. Using single-cell RNA sequencing of isolates from both countries, the transcriptome of S. semivirescens was generated. A phylogenetic analysis identified S. semivirescens as a close relative to S. minus. Additionally, rRNA sequence analysis of the green algal endosymbiont revealed that it is closely related to Chlorella vulgaris. Along with the molecular species identification, an analysis of the ciliates' stop codons was carried out, which revealed a relationship where TGA stop codon frequency decreased with increasing gene expression levels. The observed codon bias suggests that S. semivirescens could be in an early stage of reassigning the TGA stop codon. Analysis of the transcriptome indicates that S. semivirescens potentially uses rhodoquinol-dependent fumarate reduction to respire in the oxygen-depleted habitats where it lives. The data also shows that despite large geographical distances (over 1,600km) between the sampling sites investigated, a morphologically-identical species can share an exact molecular signature, suggesting that some ciliate species, even those over 1mm in size, could have a global biogeographical distribution.}, }
@article {pmid30426159, year = {2019}, author = {Mohanty, I and Rath, A and Swain, SP and Pradhan, N and Hazra, RK}, title = {Wolbachia Population in Vectors and Non-vectors: A Sustainable Approach Towards Dengue Control.}, journal = {Current microbiology}, volume = {76}, number = {2}, pages = {133-143}, pmid = {30426159}, issn = {1432-0991}, support = {0//Lady Tata Memorial Trust/ ; }, mesh = {Aedes/microbiology ; Animals ; Biological Control Agents ; Communicable Disease Control/*methods ; Dengue/*prevention &amp; control/transmission ; Female ; India ; Male ; Mosquito Vectors/classification/*microbiology ; Ovary/microbiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Salivary Glands/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/genetics/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is gram negative obligate endosymbiont known for reproductive manipulation in the host. It is important to study the presence of natural Wolbachia in mosquitoes which can later help in understanding the effect of transfected strain on indigenous strain. With this view, the present study is undertaken to focus on the prevalence, diversity, infection frequencies, phylogeny and density of indigenous Wolbachia strains in wild mosquito species of Odisha. Our study confirms Wolbachia presence in Ae. albopictus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. vishnui, Cx. gelidus, Ar. subalbatus, Mn. uniformis, and Mn. indiana. Wolbachia in the above mosquitoes were separated into two supergroups (A and B). Ae. albopictus, the major vector of dengue and chikungungunya had both super-infection and mono-infection. The ovaries of Ae. albopictus were highest in density of Wolbachia as compared to midguts or salivary glands. wAlBA and wAlbB density were variable in mosquitoes of F1 generation for both the sex and at different age. We also found that Wolbachia super-infection in females tends to increase whereas wAlbA density reduced completely as compared to wAlbB in males when they grew old. Giemsa stained squashed ovaries revealed pink pleomorphic Wolbachia cells with different shapes and forms. This study is unique in its kind covering the major aspects of the endosymbiont Wolbachia and focusing on its potential as a biocontrol agent in arboviral outbreaks. Knowledge on potential of the indigenous strain and interactions between Wolbachia and viruses can be utilized further to reduce the global burden of vector borne diseases.}, }
@article {pmid30425149, year = {2018}, author = {Campbell, MA and Łukasik, P and Meyer, MC and Buckner, M and Simon, C and Veloso, C and Michalik, A and McCutcheon, JP}, title = {Changes in Endosymbiont Complexity Drive Host-Level Compensatory Adaptations in Cicadas.}, journal = {mBio}, volume = {9}, number = {6}, pages = {}, pmid = {30425149}, issn = {2150-7511}, support = {P20 GM103546/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Alphaproteobacteria/genetics ; Animals ; Evolution, Molecular ; Female ; Genome, Bacterial ; Hemiptera/*microbiology/*physiology ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Ovum/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {For insects that depend on one or more bacterial endosymbionts for survival, it is critical that these bacteria are faithfully transmitted between insect generations. Cicadas harbor two essential bacterial endosymbionts, "Candidatus Sulcia muelleri" and "Candidatus Hodgkinia cicadicola." In some cicada species, Hodgkinia has fragmented into multiple distinct but interdependent cellular and genomic lineages that can differ in abundance by more than two orders of magnitude. This complexity presents a potential problem for the host cicada, because low-abundance but essential Hodgkinia lineages risk being lost during the symbiont transmission bottleneck from mother to egg. Here we show that all cicada eggs seem to receive the full complement of Hodgkinia lineages, and that in cicadas with more complex Hodgkinia this outcome is achieved by increasing the number of Hodgkinia cells transmitted by up to 6-fold. We further show that cicada species with varying Hodgkinia complexity do not visibly alter their transmission mechanism at the resolution of cell biological structures. Together these data suggest that a major cicada adaptation to changes in endosymbiont complexity is an increase in the number of Hodgkinia cells transmitted to each egg. We hypothesize that the requirement to increase the symbiont titer is one of the costs associated with Hodgkinia fragmentation.IMPORTANCE Sap-feeding insects critically rely on one or more bacteria or fungi to provide essential nutrients that are not available at sufficient levels in their diets. These microbes are passed between insect generations when the mother places a small packet of microbes into each of her eggs before it is laid. We have previously described an unusual lineage fragmentation process in a nutritional endosymbiotic bacterium of cicadas called Hodgkinia In some cicadas, a single Hodgkinia lineage has split into numerous related lineages, each performing a subset of original function and therefore each required for normal host function. Here we test how this splitting process affects symbiont transmission to eggs. We find that cicadas dramatically increase the titer of Hodgkinia cells passed to each egg in response to lineage fragmentation, and we hypothesize that this increase in bacterial cell count is one of the major costs associated with endosymbiont fragmentation.}, }
@article {pmid30423824, year = {2018}, author = {Lv, N and Wang, L and Sang, W and Liu, CZ and Qiu, BL}, title = {Effects of Endosymbiont Disruption on the Nutritional Dynamics of the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum.}, journal = {Insects}, volume = {9}, number = {4}, pages = {}, pmid = {30423824}, issn = {2075-4450}, support = {2016TX03N273//the Guangdong science and technology innovation leading talent program/ ; 2014-19//he Guangdong Province Universities and Colleges Pearl River Scholar Funded Scheme/ ; 201509010023, 201804020070//the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou/ ; }, abstract = {Pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) is a worldwide pest that feeds exclusively on the phloem sap of numerous host plants. It harbours a well-known primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola that helps to overcome the nutritional deficiency of a plant-based diet. However, how the Buchnera contributes to the nutritional and energy metabolism of its aphid host is unclear to date. In the current study, the function of Buchnera in relation to nutritional synthesis of pea aphid was investigated by disrupting the primary endosymbiont with an antibiotic rifampicin. Our findings revealed that the disruption of Buchnera led to infertility and higher loss in body mass of aphid hosts. Body length and width were also decreased significantly compared to healthy aphids. The detection of nutrition indicated that the quantity of proteins, soluble sugars, and glycogen in aposymbiotic pea aphids increased slowly with the growth of the aphid host. In comparison, the quantities of all the nutritional factors were significantly lower than those of symbiotic pea aphids, while the quantity of total lipid and neutral fat in aposymbiotic pea aphids were distinctly higher than those of symbiotic ones. Thus, we concluded that the significant reduction of the total amount of proteins, soluble sugars, and glycogen and the significant increase of neutral fats in aposymbiotic pea aphids were due to the disruption of Buchnera, which confirmed that the function of Buchnera is irreplaceable in the pea aphid.}, }
@article {pmid30415881, year = {2019}, author = {Flores-Félix, JD and Sánchez-Juanes, F and García-Fraile, P and Valverde, A and Mateos, PF and Gónzalez-Buitrago, JM and Velázquez, E and Rivas, R}, title = {Phaseolus vulgaris is nodulated by the symbiovar viciae of several genospecies of Rhizobium laguerreae complex in a Spanish region where Lens culinaris is the traditionally cultivated legume.}, journal = {Systematic and applied microbiology}, volume = {42}, number = {2}, pages = {240-247}, doi = {10.1016/j.syapm.2018.10.009}, pmid = {30415881}, issn = {1618-0984}, mesh = {Bacterial Typing Techniques ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Genes, Bacterial ; Phaseolus/*microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; Rhizobium/*classification/isolation &amp; purification ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Soil Microbiology ; Spain ; }, abstract = {Phaseolus vulgaris and Lens culinaris are two legumes with different distribution centers that were introduced in Spain at different times, but in some regions L. culinaris has been traditionally cultivated and P. vulgaris did not. Here we analysed the rhizobia isolated from nodules of these two legumes in one of these regions. MALDI-TOF MS analysis showed that all isolated strains matched with Rhizobium laguerreae and the phylogenetic analysis of rrs, atpD and recA genes confirmed these results. The phylogenetic analysis of these core genes allowed the differentiation of several groups within R. laguerreae and unexpectedly, strains with housekeeping genes identical to that of the type strain of R. laguerreae presented some differences in the rrs gene. In some strains this gene contains an intervening sequence (IVS) identical to that found in Rhizobium strains nodulating several legumes in different geographical locations. The atpD, recA and nodC genes of all isolated strains clustered with those of strains nodulating L. culinaris in its distribution centers, but not with those nodulating P. vulgaris in theirs. Therefore, all these strains belong to the symbiovar viciae, including those isolated from P. vulgaris, which in the studied region established effective symbiosis with the common endosymbiont of L. culinaris, instead to with its common endosymbiont, the symbiovar phaseoli. These results are particularly interesting for biogeography studies, because they showed that, due its high promiscuity degree, P. vulgaris is able to establish symbiosis with local symbiovars well established in the soil after centuries of cultivation with other legumes.}, }
@article {pmid30414119, year = {2019}, author = {Schuler, H and Lopez, JA and Doellman, MM and Hood, GR and Egan, SP and Feder, JL}, title = {Target-Enriched Endosymbiont Sequencing (TEEseq): A New High-Throughput Sequencing Approach Applied to the Comprehensive Characterization of Endosymbionts.}, journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)}, volume = {1858}, number = {}, pages = {195-212}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-4939-8775-7_14}, pmid = {30414119}, issn = {1940-6029}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Computational Biology/*methods ; DNA, Bacterial/analysis/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/*methods ; Insecta/*microbiology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods ; *Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/*genetics/isolation &amp; purification/physiology ; }, abstract = {Intracellular bacteria are ubiquitous in the insect world, with perhaps the best-studied example being the alphaproteobacterium, Wolbachia. Like most endosymbionts, Wolbachia cannot be cultivated outside of its host cells, hindering traditional microbial characterization techniques. Furthermore, multiple Wolbachia strains can be present within a single host, and certain strains can be present in densities below the detection limit of current methods. To date, Wolbachia has most commonly been studied using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and Sanger DNA sequencing by targeting specific genes in the bacterium's genome. PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing of multiple Wolbachia strains requires analysis of individually cloned sequences, which is resource and labor intensive. To help mitigate these difficulties, we present a modified double digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) approach to target and sequence in parallel multiple genes by adding restriction enzyme recognition sites to gene-specific PCR primers. Adopting this strategy allows us to uniquely tag and sequence amplicons from multiple hosts simultaneously on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Our approach represents an efficient and cost-effective method to characterize multiple target genes in population surveys.}, }
@article {pmid30410449, year = {2018}, author = {Colella, S and Parisot, N and Simonet, P and Gaget, K and Duport, G and Baa-Puyoulet, P and Rahbé, Y and Charles, H and Febvay, G and Callaerts, P and Calevro, F}, title = {Bacteriocyte Reprogramming to Cope With Nutritional Stress in a Phloem Sap Feeding Hemipteran, the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum.}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {1498}, pmid = {30410449}, issn = {1664-042X}, abstract = {Nutritional symbioses play a central role in the ability of insects to thrive on unbalanced diets and in ensuring their evolutionary success. A genomic model for nutritional symbiosis comprises the hemipteran Acyrthosiphon pisum, and the gamma-3-proteobacterium, Buchnera aphidicola, with genomes encoding highly integrated metabolic pathways. A. pisum feeds exclusively on plant phloem sap, a nutritionally unbalanced diet highly variable in composition, thus raising the question of how this symbiotic system responds to nutritional stress. We addressed this by combining transcriptomic, phenotypic and life history trait analyses to determine the organismal impact of deprivation of tyrosine and phenylalanine. These two aromatic amino acids are essential for aphid development, are synthesized in a metabolic pathway for which the aphid host and the endosymbiont are interdependent, and their concentration can be highly variable in plant phloem sap. We found that this nutritional challenge does not have major phenotypic effects on the pea aphid, except for a limited weight reduction and a 2-day delay in onset of nymph laying. Transcriptomic analyses through aphid development showed a prominent response in bacteriocytes (the core symbiotic tissue which houses the symbionts), but not in gut, thus highlighting the role of bacteriocytes as major modulators of this homeostasis. This response does not involve a direct regulation of tyrosine and phenylalanine biosynthetic pathway and transporter genes. Instead, we observed an extensive transcriptional reprogramming of the bacteriocyte with a rapid down-regulation of genes encoding sugar transporters and genes required for sugar metabolism. Consistently, we observed continued overexpression of the A. pisum homolog of RRAD, a small GTPase implicated in repressing aerobic glycolysis. In addition, we found increased transcription of genes involved in proliferation, cell size control and signaling. We experimentally confirmed the significance of these gene expression changes detecting an increase in bacteriocyte number and cell size in vivo under tyrosine and phenylalanine depletion. Our results support a central role of bacteriocytes in the aphid response to amino acid deprivation: their transcriptional and cellular responses fine-tune host physiology providing the host insect with an effective way to cope with the challenges posed by the variability in composition of phloem sap.}, }
@article {pmid30405656, year = {2018}, author = {Cissoko, M and Hocher, V and Gherbi, H and Gully, D and Carré-Mlouka, A and Sane, S and Pignoly, S and Champion, A and Ngom, M and Pujic, P and Fournier, P and Gtari, M and Swanson, E and Pesce, C and Tisa, LS and Sy, MO and Svistoonoff, S}, title = {Actinorhizal Signaling Molecules: Frankia Root Hair Deforming Factor Shares Properties With NIN Inducing Factor.}, journal = {Frontiers in plant science}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {1494}, pmid = {30405656}, issn = {1664-462X}, abstract = {Actinorhizal plants are able to establish a symbiotic relationship with Frankia bacteria leading to the formation of root nodules. The symbiotic interaction starts with the exchange of symbiotic signals in the soil between the plant and the bacteria. This molecular dialog involves signaling molecules that are responsible for the specific recognition of the plant host and its endosymbiont. Here we studied two factors potentially involved in signaling between Frankia casuarinae and its actinorhizal host Casuarina glauca: (1) the Root Hair Deforming Factor (CgRHDF) detected using a test based on the characteristic deformation of C. glauca root hairs inoculated with F. casuarinae and (2) a NIN activating factor (CgNINA) which is able to activate the expression of CgNIN, a symbiotic gene expressed during preinfection stages of root hair development. We showed that CgRHDF and CgNINA corresponded to small thermoresistant molecules. Both factors were also hydrophilic and resistant to a chitinase digestion indicating structural differences from rhizobial Nod factors (NFs) or mycorrhizal Myc-LCOs. We also investigated the presence of CgNINA and CgRHDF in 16 Frankia strains representative of Frankia diversity. High levels of root hair deformation (RHD) and activation of ProCgNIN were detected for Casuarina-infective strains from clade Ic and closely related strains from clade Ia unable to nodulate C. glauca. Lower levels were present for distantly related strains belonging to clade III. No CgRHDF or CgNINA could be detected for Frankia coriariae (Clade II) or for uninfective strains from clade IV.}, }
@article {pmid30398619, year = {2018}, author = {Hagen, R and Verhoeve, VI and Gillespie, JJ and Driscoll, TP}, title = {Conjugative Transposons and Their Cargo Genes Vary across Natural Populations of Rickettsia buchneri Infecting the Tick Ixodes scapularis.}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {12}, pages = {3218-3229}, pmid = {30398619}, issn = {1759-6653}, support = {R01 AI017828/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI126853/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI126108/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Female ; *Gene Amplification ; Genetic Variation ; Genome, Bacterial ; *Interspersed Repetitive Sequences ; Ixodes/*microbiology ; Male ; Rickettsia/*genetics ; Species Specificity ; }, abstract = {Rickettsia buchneri (formerly Rickettsia endosymbiont of Ixodes scapularis, or REIS) is an obligate intracellular endoparasite of the black-legged tick, the primary vector of Lyme disease in North America. It is noteworthy among the rickettsiae for its relatively large genome (1.8 Mb) and extraordinary proliferation of mobile genetic elements (MGEs), which comprise nearly 35% of its genome. Previous analysis of the R. buchneri genome identified several integrative conjugative elements named Rickettsiales amplified genomic elements (RAGEs); the composition of these RAGEs suggests that continued genomic invasions by MGEs facilitated the proliferation of rickettsial genes related to an intracellular lifestyle. In this study, we compare the genomic diversity at RAGE loci among sequenced rickettsiae that infect three related Ixodes spp., including two strains of R. buchneri and Rickettsia endosymbiont of Ixodes pacificus strain Humboldt, as well as a closely related species R. tamurae infecting Amblyomma testudinarium ticks. We further develop a novel multiplex droplet digital PCR assay and use it to quantify copy number ratios of chromosomal R. buchneri RAGE-A and RAGE-B to the single-copy gene gltA within natural populations of I. scapularis. Our results reveal substantial diversity among R. buchneri at these loci, both within individual ticks as well as in the I. scapularis population at large, demonstrating that genomic rearrangement of MGEs is an active process in these intracellular bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid30391314, year = {2019}, author = {Konecka, E and Olszanowski, Z}, title = {A new Cardinium group of bacteria found in Achipteria coleoptrata (Acari: Oribatida).}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {131}, number = {}, pages = {64-71}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2018.10.043}, pmid = {30391314}, issn = {1095-9513}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteroidetes/*physiology ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Likelihood Functions ; Mites/*microbiology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {The understanding of the biology of arthropods requires an understanding of their bacterial associates. We determined the distribution of bacteria Wolbachia sp., Rickettsia sp., Cardinium sp., Spiroplasma sp., Arsenophonus sp., Hamiltonella sp., and Flavobacterium in oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida). We identified Cardinium sp. in Achipteria coleoptrata. This is the first report of this bacterium in A. coleoptrata. Approximately 30% of the mite population was infected by Cardinium sp. The Cardinium 16S rDNA was examined for the presence of two sequences unique for this microorganism. One of them was noted in Cardinium sp. of A. coleoptrata. In the second sequence, we found nucleotide substitution in the 7th position: A instead of T. In our opinion, this demonstrated the unique nature of Cardinium sp. of A. coleoptrata. We also determined phylogenetic relationship between Cardinium sp., including the strain found in A. coleoptrata by studying the 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences. It revealed that Cardinium from A. coleoptrata did not cluster together with strains from groups A, B, C or D, and constituted a separate clade E. These observations make A. coleoptrata a unique Cardinium host in terms of the distinction of the strain.}, }
@article {pmid30384840, year = {2018}, author = {Ying, H and Cooke, I and Sprungala, S and Wang, W and Hayward, DC and Tang, Y and Huttley, G and Ball, EE and Forêt, S and Miller, DJ}, title = {Comparative genomics reveals the distinct evolutionary trajectories of the robust and complex coral lineages.}, journal = {Genome biology}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {175}, pmid = {30384840}, issn = {1474-760X}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*classification/*genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; Genome ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Genomics/*methods ; Phylogeny ; }, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Despite the biological and economic significance of scleractinian reef-building corals, the lack of large molecular datasets for a representative range of species limits understanding of many aspects of their biology. Within the Scleractinia, based on molecular evidence, it is generally recognised that there are two major clades, Complexa and Robusta, but the genomic bases of significant differences between them remain unclear.<br><br>RESULTS: Draft genome assemblies and annotations were generated for three coral species: Galaxea fascicularis (Complexa), Fungia sp., and Goniastrea aspera (Robusta). Whilst phylogenetic analyses strongly support a deep split between Complexa and Robusta, synteny analyses reveal a high level of gene order conservation between all corals, but not between corals and sea anemones or between sea anemones. HOX-related gene clusters are, however, well preserved across all of these combinations. Differences between species are apparent in the distribution and numbers of protein domains and an apparent correlation between number of HSP20 proteins and stress tolerance. Uniquely amongst animals, a complete histidine biosynthesis pathway is present in robust corals but not in complex corals or sea anemones. This pathway appears to be ancestral, and its retention in the robust coral lineage has important implications for coral nutrition and symbiosis.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The availability of three new coral genomes enabled&#xa0;recognition of a de novo histidine biosynthesis pathway in robust corals which is only the second identified biosynthetic difference between corals. These datasets provide a platform for understanding many aspects of coral biology, particularly the interactions of corals with their endosymbionts.}, }
@article {pmid30374735, year = {2019}, author = {Hashmi, TR and Devi, SR and Ahmad, A and Meshram, NM and Prasad, R}, title = {Genetic Status and Endosymbionts Diversity of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on Hosts Belonging to Family Malvaceae in India.}, journal = {Neotropical entomology}, volume = {48}, number = {2}, pages = {207-218}, pmid = {30374735}, issn = {1678-8052}, mesh = {Abelmoschus ; Animals ; Bacteria/*classification ; DNA Primers ; Gossypium ; Hemiptera/*microbiology ; India ; *Malvaceae ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {A study was instigated to examine the genetic status and distribution of known endosymbionts namely Portiera, Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Arsenophonus in the populations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) from three host plants: cotton (Gossypium herbaceum), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), and China rose (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) belonging to the family Malvaceae. The presence of four secondary endosymbionts Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Arsenophonus was checked in Bemisia tabaci populations. Phylogenetic analyses grounded on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (mtCO1) unveiled the presence of Asia 1, Asia II 1, and Asia II 7 genetic groups for Bemisia tabaci on abovementioned crops. Individuals were examined for symbiotic bacterial infection with specific primers amplifying the 16S rRNA gene for Portiera, Rickettsia, Cardinium, and Wolbachia, and the 23S rRNA gene for Arsenophonus. The results show that Portiera was present in all the Bemisia tabaci samples. However, variations were noted in the circulation frequencies of secondary endosymbionts among the Bemisia tabaci populations. A significant difference was noticed in the distribution frequency of Rickettsia between cotton and China rose or okra with their p values as 0.016 and 0.033 respectively. The uneven incidence of secondary endosymbionts ropes the assumption that each endosymbiotic bacterium not only has a role in the endurance but may contribute to the polyphagous nature of Bemisia tabaci. It also brings an uncomplicated evidence for progressive studies on control measures of this notorious insect pest.}, }
@article {pmid30374192, year = {2018}, author = {Estes, AM and Hearn, DJ and Agrawal, S and Pierson, EA and Dunning Hotopp, JC}, title = {Comparative genomics of the Erwinia and Enterobacter olive fly endosymbionts.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {15936}, pmid = {30374192}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Base Composition ; Enterobacter/*genetics ; Erwinia/*genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics/*methods ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Olea/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry/genetics/metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The pestivorous tephritid olive fly has long been known as a frequent host of the obligately host-associated bacterial endosymbiont, Erwinia dacicola, as well as other facultative endosymbionts. The genomes of Erwinia dacicola and Enterobacter sp. OLF, isolated from a California olive fly, encode the ability to supplement amino acids and vitamins missing from the olive fruit on which the larvae feed. The Enterobacter sp. OLF genome encodes both uricase and ureases, and the Er. dacicola genome encodes an allantoate transport pathway, suggesting that bird feces or recycling the fly's waste products may be important sources of nitrogen. No homologs to known nitrogenases were identified in either bacterial genome, despite suggestions of their presence from experiments with antibiotic-treated flies. Comparisons between the olive fly endosymbionts and their free-living relatives revealed similar GC composition and genome size. The Er. dacicola genome has fewer genes for amino acid metabolism, cell motility, and carbohydrate transport and metabolism than free-living Erwinia spp. while having more genes for cell division, nucleotide metabolism and replication as well as mobile elements. A 6,696 bp potential lateral gene transfer composed primarily of amino acid synthesis and transport genes was identified that is also observed in Pseudomonas savastanoii pv savastanoii, the causative agent of olive knot disease.}, }
@article {pmid30373839, year = {2018}, author = {Mehta, AP and Supekova, L and Chen, JH and Pestonjamasp, K and Webster, P and Ko, Y and Henderson, SC and McDermott, G and Supek, F and Schultz, PG}, title = {Engineering yeast endosymbionts as a step toward the evolution of mitochondria.}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {115}, number = {46}, pages = {11796-11801}, pmid = {30373839}, issn = {1091-6490}, support = {P41 GM103445/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Bioengineering/*methods ; Biological Evolution ; Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism ; Mitochondria/*genetics/metabolism ; Models, Biological ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Thiamine/metabolism ; }, abstract = {It has been hypothesized that mitochondria evolved from a bacterial ancestor that initially became established in an archaeal host cell as an endosymbiont. Here we model this first stage of mitochondrial evolution by engineering endosymbiosis between Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae An ADP/ATP translocase-expressing E. coli provided ATP to a respiration-deficient cox2 yeast mutant and enabled growth of a yeast-E. coli chimera on a nonfermentable carbon source. In a reciprocal fashion, yeast provided thiamin to an endosymbiotic E. coli thiamin auxotroph. Expression of several SNARE-like proteins in E. coli was also required, likely to block lysosomal degradation of intracellular bacteria. This chimeric system was stable for more than 40 doublings, and GFP-expressing E. coli endosymbionts could be observed in the yeast by fluorescence microscopy and X-ray tomography. This readily manipulated system should allow experimental delineation of host-endosymbiont adaptations that occurred during evolution of the current, highly reduced mitochondrial genome.}, }
@article {pmid30368822, year = {2019}, author = {Sun, X and Chen, W and Ivanov, S and MacLean, AM and Wight, H and Ramaraj, T and Mudge, J and Harrison, MJ and Fei, Z}, title = {Genome and evolution of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Diversispora epigaea (formerly Glomus versiforme) and its bacterial endosymbionts.}, journal = {The New phytologist}, volume = {221}, number = {3}, pages = {1556-1573}, doi = {10.1111/nph.15472}, pmid = {30368822}, issn = {1469-8137}, support = {1237993//US National Science Foundation, Plant Genome Research program/International ; DE-SC0012460//Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research/International ; 2014-67013-21571//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/International ; }, mesh = {*Biological Evolution ; Gene Duplication ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal/genetics ; Genes, Fungal ; *Genome, Fungal ; Glomeromycota/*genetics/metabolism ; Multigene Family ; Mycoplasma/*physiology ; Mycorrhizae/*genetics ; Phylogeny ; Spores, Fungal/physiology ; Symbiosis/*genetics ; Tenericutes/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form endosymbioses with most plants, and they themselves are hosts for Mollicutes/Mycoplasma-related endobacteria (MRE). Despite their significance, genomic information for AM fungi and their MRE are relatively sparse, which hinders our understanding of their biology and evolution. We assembled the genomes of the AM fungus Diversispora epigaea (formerly Glomus versiforme) and its MRE and performed comparative genomics and evolutionary analyses. The D. epigaea genome showed a pattern of substantial gene duplication and differential evolution of gene families, including glycosyltransferase family 25, whose activities are exclusively lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. Genes acquired by horizontal transfer from bacteria possibly function in defense against foreign DNA or viruses. The MRE population was diverse, with multiple genomes displaying characteristics of differential evolution and encoding many MRE-specific genes as well as genes of AM fungal origin. Gene family expansion in D. epigaea may enhance adaptation to both external and internal environments, such as expansion of kinases for signal transduction upon external stimuli and expansion of nucleoside salvage pathway genes potentially for competition with MRE, whose genomes lack purine and pyrimidine biosynthetic pathways. Collectively, this metagenome provides high-quality references and begins to reveal the diversity within AM fungi and their MRE.}, }
@article {pmid30358445, year = {2018}, author = {Sigwart, JD and Chen, C}, title = {Comparative Oxygen Consumption of Gastropod Holobionts from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents in the Indian Ocean.}, journal = {The Biological bulletin}, volume = {235}, number = {2}, pages = {102-112}, doi = {10.1086/699326}, pmid = {30358445}, issn = {1939-8697}, mesh = {Animals ; Gastropoda/*metabolism ; *Hydrothermal Vents ; Indian Ocean ; Oxygen Consumption/*physiology ; Symbiosis/*physiology ; Temperature ; }, abstract = {Physiological traits are the foundation of an organism's success in a dynamic environment, yet basic measurements are unavailable for many taxa and even ecosystems. We measured routine metabolism in two hydrothermal vent gastropods, Alviniconcha marisindica (n = 40) and the scaly-foot gastropod Chrysomallon squamiferum (n = 18), from Kairei and Edmond vent fields on the Central Indian Ridge (23-25°S, about 3000 meter depth). No previous studies have measured metabolism in any Indian Ocean vent animals. After recovering healthy animals to the surface, we performed shipboard closed-chamber respirometry experiments to compare oxygen uptake at different temperatures (10, 16, and 25 °C) at surface pressure (1 atm). The physiology of these species is driven by the demands of their chemoautotrophic symbionts. Chrysomallon has very enlarged respiratory and circulatory systems, and endosymbionts are housed in its trophosome-like internal esophageal gland. By contrast, Alviniconcha has chemoautotrophic bacteria within the gill and less extensive associated anatomical adaptations. Thus, we predicted that routine oxygen consumption of Chrysomallon might be higher than that of Alviniconcha. However, oxygen consumption of Chrysomallon was not higher than that of Alviniconcha, and, further, Chrysomallon maintained a steady metabolic demand in two widely separated experimental temperatures, while Alviniconcha did not. We interpret that these findings indicate that (1) the "trophosome" does not fundamentally increase oxygen requirement compared to other gastropod holobionts, and (2) cold temperatures (10 °C) induce a stress response in Alviniconcha, resulting in aberrantly high uptake. While these two large gastropod species co-occur, differences in oxygen consumption may reflect the separate niches they occupy in the vent ecosystem.}, }
@article {pmid30358065, year = {2018}, author = {Paris, Z and Alfonzo, JD}, title = {How the intracellular partitioning of tRNA and tRNA modification enzymes affects mitochondrial function.}, journal = {IUBMB life}, volume = {70}, number = {12}, pages = {1207-1213}, pmid = {30358065}, issn = {1521-6551}, support = {R01 GM084065/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R56 AI131248/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; U01 AI131348/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Cytoplasm/genetics ; Genome, Mitochondrial/*genetics ; Intracellular Membranes ; Mitochondria/*genetics ; Mitochondrial Membranes/metabolism ; Protein Biosynthesis/*genetics ; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional/genetics ; RNA, Transfer/*genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; }, abstract = {Organisms have evolved different strategies to seclude certain molecules to specific locations of the cell. This is most pronounced in eukaryotes with their extensive intracellular membrane systems. Intracellular compartmentalization is particularly critical in genome containing organelles, which because of their bacterial evolutionary ancestry still maintain protein-synthesis machinery that resembles more their evolutionary origin than the extant eukaryotic cell they once joined as an endosymbiont. Despite this, it is clear that genome-containing organelles such as the mitochondria are not in isolation and many molecules make it across the mitochondrial membranes from the cytoplasm. In this realm the import of tRNAs and the enzymes that modify them prove most consequential. In this review, we discuss two recent examples of how modifications typically found in cytoplasmic tRNAs affect mitochondrial translation in organisms that forcibly import all their tRNAs from the cytoplasm. In our view, the combination of tRNA import and the compartmentalization of modification enzymes must have played a critical role in the evolution of the organelle. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(12):1207-1213, 2018.}, }
@article {pmid30356282, year = {2018}, author = {Chan, LL and Mak, JW and Ambu, S and Chong, PY}, title = {Identification and ultrastructural characterization of Acanthamoeba bacterial endocytobionts belonging to the Alphaproteobacteria class.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {10}, pages = {e0204732}, pmid = {30356282}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Acanthamoeba/*genetics ; Alphaproteobacteria/*genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/methods ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; }, abstract = {The detection and identification of two endocytobiotic bacterial strains, one affiliated to the "Candidatus Caedibacter acanthamoebae"/"Ca. Paracaedimonas acanthamoeba", and another to the endosymbiont of Acanthamoeba UWC8 and "Ca. Jidaibacter acanthamoeba" are described. For endocytobiont screening, we developed a PCR method with a set of broad-range bacterial 16S rRNA primers to substitute the commonly used but technically demanding fluorescent in situ hybridization technique. Our PCR test alone without sequencing failed to discriminate the endocytobiont-containing and endocytobiont-free Acanthamoeba sp. due to the presence of mismatched primers to host mitochondrial DNA. We highlighted the need to perform bacterial primer checking against the Acanthamoeba genome to avoid false positive detection in PCR. Although the genetic aspect of "Ca. Caedibacter acanthamoebae"/"Ca. Paracaedimonas acanthamoeba" and the endosymbiont of Acanthamoeba UWC8/"Ca. Jidaibacter acanthamoeba" are well studied, knowledge pertaining to their morphologies are quite vague. Hence, we used transmission electron microscopy to examine our endocytobionts which are affiliated to previously described intracellular bacteria of Acanthamoeba sp. We used good-quality TEM images for the localization and the fate of the current endocytobionts inside different life stages of the hosts. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, our TEM findings are the first to provide morphological evidence for the clearance of defective Acanthamoeba endocytobionts via an autophagic-like process.}, }
@article {pmid30337547, year = {2018}, author = {Morioka, E and Oida, M and Tsuchida, T and Ikeda, M}, title = {Nighttime activities and peripheral clock oscillations depend on Wolbachia endosymbionts in flies.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {15432}, pmid = {30337547}, issn = {2045-2322}, support = {JP16H04651//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/International ; JP16H04651//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/International ; }, mesh = {Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Circadian Clocks/genetics/*physiology ; Circadian Rhythm/genetics/*physiology ; Crosses, Genetic ; Drosophila Proteins/genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster/*microbiology/physiology ; Female ; Genes, Reporter ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; Locomotion/*physiology/radiation effects ; Male ; Period Circadian Proteins/genetics ; Photic Stimulation ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Tetracycline/pharmacology ; Wolbachia/drug effects/*physiology ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia are ubiquitous bacterial endosymbionts of arthropods and affect host gene expression. Although Wolbachia infections were suggested to modulate sleep in flies, their influence on the circadian clock remained obscure. Here, we screened bacterial symbionts in a laboratory Drosophila melanogaster colony, and observed widespread infections of wMel strain Wolbachia. We established a Wolbachia-free strain from a clock gene reporter strain, period-luciferase (per-luc). Temperature (19-29 °C)-compensated free-running periods were detected regardless of infections which may reflect the lack of wMel infections in central circadian pacemaker neurons. However, locomotor activity levels during the night or subjective night were significantly amplified in uninfected flies. Moreover, the behavioral phenotype of F1 offspring of an uninfected female and infected male resembled that of uninfected flies. This trait is consistent with maternal transmission of Wolbachia infection. Interestingly, per-luc activities in headless bodies, as an index of peripheral circadian oscillators, were severely damped in uninfected flies. Additionally, circadian amplitudes of PER immunoreactivities in Malpighian tubules were reduced in uninfected flies. These results demonstrate that Wolbachia boost fly peripheral clock oscillations and diurnal behavioral patterns. Genetic mechanisms underlying behavioral rhythms have been widely analyzed using mutant flies whereas screening of Wolbachia will be necessary for future studies.}, }
@article {pmid30323231, year = {2018}, author = {Cenci, U and Qiu, H and Pillonel, T and Cardol, P and Remacle, C and Colleoni, C and Kadouche, D and Chabi, M and Greub, G and Bhattacharya, D and Ball, SG}, title = {Host-pathogen biotic interactions shaped vitamin K metabolism in Archaeplastida.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {15243}, pmid = {30323231}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Archaea/genetics/metabolism ; Cyanobacteria/classification/*genetics/*metabolism ; Eukaryotic Cells/metabolism ; Evolution, Molecular ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Genome, Plastid ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*genetics ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plastids/*genetics ; Rhodophyta/genetics/metabolism ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Vitamin K/*metabolism ; }, abstract = {Menaquinone (vitamin K2) shuttles electrons between membrane-bound respiratory complexes under microaerophilic conditions. In photosynthetic eukaryotes and cyanobacteria, phylloquinone (vitamin K1) participates in photosystem I function. Here we elucidate the evolutionary history of vitamin K metabolism in algae and plants. We show that Chlamydiales intracellular pathogens made major genetic contributions to the synthesis of the naphthoyl ring core and the isoprenoid side-chain of these quinones. Production of the core in extremophilic red algae is under control of a menaquinone (Men) gene cluster consisting of 7 genes that putatively originated via lateral gene transfer (LGT) from a chlamydial donor to the plastid genome. In other green and red algae, functionally related nuclear genes also originated via LGT from a non-cyanobacterial, albeit unidentified source. In addition, we show that 3-4 of the 9 required steps for synthesis of the isoprenoid side chains are under control of genes of chlamydial origin. These results are discussed in the light of the hypoxic response experienced by the cyanobacterial endosymbiont when it gained access to the eukaryotic cytosol.}, }
@article {pmid30319574, year = {2018}, author = {Santos-Garcia, D and Juravel, K and Freilich, S and Zchori-Fein, E and Latorre, A and Moya, A and Morin, S and Silva, FJ}, title = {To B or Not to B: Comparative Genomics Suggests Arsenophonus as a Source of B Vitamins in Whiteflies.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {2254}, pmid = {30319574}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Insect lineages feeding on nutritionally restricted diets such as phloem sap, xylem sap, or blood, were able to diversify by acquiring bacterial species that complement lacking nutrients. These bacteria, considered obligate/primary endosymbionts, share a long evolutionary history with their hosts. In some cases, however, these endosymbionts are not able to fulfill all of their host's nutritional requirements, driving the acquisition of additional symbiotic species. Phloem-feeding members of the insect family Aleyrodidae (whiteflies) established an obligate relationship with Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum, which provides its hots with essential amino acids and carotenoids. In addition, many whitefly species harbor additional endosymbionts which may potentially further supplement their host's diet. To test this hypothesis, genomes of several endosymbionts of the whiteflies Aleurodicus dispersus, Aleurodicus floccissimus and Trialeurodes vaporariorum were analyzed. In addition to Portiera, all three species were found to harbor one Arsenophonus and one Wolbachia endosymbiont. A comparative analysis of Arsenophonus genomes revealed that although all three are capable of synthesizing B vitamins and cofactors, such as pyridoxal, riboflavin, or folate, their genomes and phylogenetic relationship vary greatly. Arsenophonus of A. floccissimus and T. vaporariorum belong to the same clade, and display characteristics of facultative endosymbionts, such as large genomes (3 Mb) with thousands of genes and pseudogenes, intermediate GC content, and mobile genetic elements. In contrast, Arsenophonus of A. dispersus belongs to a different lineage and displays the characteristics of a primary endosymbiont-a reduced genome (670 kb) with ~400 genes, 32% GC content, and no mobile genetic elements. However, the presence of 274 pseudogenes suggests that this symbiotic association is more recent than other reported primary endosymbionts of hemipterans. The gene repertoire of Arsenophonus of A. dispersus is completely integrated in the symbiotic consortia, and the biosynthesis of most vitamins occurs in shared pathways with its host. In addition, Wolbachia endosymbionts have also retained the ability to produce riboflavin, flavin adenine dinucleotide, and folate, and may make a nutritional contribution. Taken together, our results show that Arsenophonus hold a pivotal place in whitefly nutrition by their ability to produce B vitamins.}, }
@article {pmid30313172, year = {2018}, author = {GÜrellİ, G and Mohamed, ARA}, title = {Ciliated Protozoan Fauna in the Forestomach of Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Libya.}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4434}, number = {3}, pages = {429-440}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4434.3.2}, pmid = {30313172}, issn = {1175-5334}, mesh = {Animals ; *Camelus ; Ciliophora ; Libya ; Myxozoa ; Rumen ; }, abstract = {Species composition and distribution of ciliated protozoa obtained from the forestomach of 20 dromedary camels living in Zawiya, Libya were examined. Nineteen species and 10 morphotypes belonging to eight genera were identified. The mean number of ciliates was 54.2 ± 32.9 × 104 cells ml-1 in the forestomach contents, and the mean number of ciliate species per host was 6.5 ± 2.9. Entodinium and Epidinium were the main genera, as these ciliates were found consistently at higher proportions than those of the other genera. In contrast, Ophryoscolex and Polyplastron were only observed at low frequencies. Diplodinium rangiferi, Entodinium ellipsoideum, E. simulans, and Polyplastron multivesiculatum were new endosymbionts recorded from camels.}, }
@article {pmid30311675, year = {2018}, author = {Leftwich, PT and Hutchings, MI and Chapman, T}, title = {Diet, Gut Microbes and Host Mate Choice: Understanding the significance of microbiome effects on host mate choice requires a case by case evaluation.}, journal = {BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology}, volume = {40}, number = {12}, pages = {e1800053}, doi = {10.1002/bies.201800053}, pmid = {30311675}, issn = {1521-1878}, support = {BB/K000489/1//Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; }, mesh = {Alleles ; Animals ; Biological Evolution ; *Diet ; Drosophila melanogaster/physiology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/*physiology ; Male ; Mating Preference, Animal/*physiology ; Symbiosis ; Wolbachia/physiology ; }, abstract = {All organisms live in close association with microbes. However, not all such associations are meaningful in an evolutionary context. Current debate concerns whether hosts and microbes are best described as communities of individuals or as holobionts (selective units of hosts plus their microbes). Recent reports that assortative mating of hosts by diet can be mediated by commensal gut microbes have attracted interest as a potential route to host reproductive isolation (RI). Here, the authors discuss logical problems with this line of argument. The authors briefly review how microbes can affect host mating preferences and evaluate recent findings from fruitflies. Endosymbionts can potentially influence host RI given stable and recurrent co-association of hosts and microbes over evolutionary time. However, observations of co-occurrence of microbes and hosts are ripe for misinterpretation and such associations will rarely represent a meaningful holobiont. A framework in which hosts and their microbes are independent evolutionary units provides the only satisfactory explanation for the observed range of effects and associations.}, }
@article {pmid30311439, year = {2019}, author = {Zhu, YX and Song, YL and Hoffmann, AA and Jin, PY and Huo, SM and Hong, XY}, title = {A change in the bacterial community of spider mites decreases fecundity on multiple host plants.}, journal = {MicrobiologyOpen}, volume = {8}, number = {6}, pages = {e00743}, pmid = {30311439}, issn = {2045-8827}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Female ; Fertility ; Host Specificity ; Male ; *Microbiota ; Plants/parasitology ; Spiroplasma/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; Tetranychidae/*microbiology/*physiology ; Wolbachia/classification/genetics/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Bacterial symbionts may influence the fitness of their herbivore hosts, but such effects have been poorly studied across most invertebrate groups. The spider mite, Tetranychus truncatus, is a polyphagous agricultural pest harboring various bacterial symbionts whose function is largely unknown. Here, by using a high-throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing approach, we characterized the bacterial diversity and community composition of spider mites fed on five host plants after communities were modified following tetracycline exposure. We demonstrated that spider mite bacterial diversity and community composition were significantly affected by host plants and antibiotics. In particular, the abundance of the maternally inherited endosymbionts Wolbachia and Spiroplasma significantly differed among spider mites that were reared on different plant species and were completely removed by antibiotics. There was an overall tendency for daily fecundity to be lower in the mites with reduced bacterial diversity following the antibiotic treatment. Our data suggest that host plants and antibiotics can shape spider mite bacterial communities and that bacterial symbionts improve mite performance.}, }
@article {pmid30309901, year = {2018}, author = {Kikuchi, S and Asakura, Y and Imai, M and Nakahira, Y and Kotani, Y and Hashiguchi, Y and Nakai, Y and Takafuji, K and Bédard, J and Hirabayashi-Ishioka, Y and Mori, H and Shiina, T and Nakai, M}, title = {A Ycf2-FtsHi Heteromeric AAA-ATPase Complex Is Required for Chloroplast Protein Import.}, journal = {The Plant cell}, volume = {30}, number = {11}, pages = {2677-2703}, pmid = {30309901}, issn = {1532-298X}, mesh = {Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Chloroplast Proteins/*metabolism ; Chloroplasts/metabolism ; Malate Dehydrogenase/metabolism ; Plant Proteins/*metabolism ; Protein Transport ; }, abstract = {Chloroplasts import thousands of nucleus-encoded preproteins synthesized in the cytosol through the TOC and TIC translocons on the outer and inner envelope membranes, respectively. Preprotein translocation across the inner membrane requires ATP; however, the import motor has remained unclear. Here, we report that a 2-MD heteromeric AAA-ATPase complex associates with the TIC complex and functions as the import motor, directly interacting with various translocating preproteins. This 2-MD complex consists of a protein encoded by the previously enigmatic chloroplast gene ycf2 and five related nuclear-encoded FtsH-like proteins, namely, FtsHi1, FtsHi2, FtsHi4, FtsHi5, and FtsH12. These components are each essential for plant viability and retain the AAA-type ATPase domain, but only FtsH12 contains the zinc binding active site generally conserved among FtsH-type metalloproteases. Furthermore, even the FtsH12 zinc binding site is dispensable for its essential function. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that all AAA-type members of the Ycf2/FtsHi complex including Ycf2 evolved from the chloroplast-encoded membrane-bound AAA-protease FtsH of the ancestral endosymbiont. The Ycf2/FtsHi complex also contains an NAD-malate dehydrogenase, a proposed key enzyme for ATP production in chloroplasts in darkness or in nonphotosynthetic plastids. These findings advance our understanding of this ATP-driven protein translocation system that is unique to the green lineage of photosynthetic eukaryotes.}, }
@article {pmid30294317, year = {2018}, author = {Bellec, L and Cambon-Bonavita, MA and Cueff-Gauchard, V and Durand, L and Gayet, N and Zeppilli, D}, title = {A Nematode of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Hydrothermal Vents Harbors a Possible Symbiotic Relationship.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {2246}, pmid = {30294317}, issn = {1664-302X}, abstract = {Deep-sea hydrothermal vent meiofauna have been the focus of recent research and the discovery of an abundant well-adapted free-living marine nematode on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge offers new perspectives on adaptations to the vent environment. Indeed, knowledge concerning biological interactions of microbes and meiofauna in marine extreme environments is scarce, especially for nematodes. In this study, we used microscopic observations [fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)] and metabarcoding of 16S rRNA to characterize the bacterial community of the nematode species Oncholaimus dyvae, an overlooked but ecologically important vent organism. Detection of bacteria in the buccal cavity and on the cuticle (SEM) and epibionts in its intestine (FISH) suggests that O. dyvae harbors its own bacterial community. Molecular results and phylogenetic analysis show that bacteria associated with this species are related to symbiotic lineages typical of hydrothermal vent fauna, such as sulfur-oxidizing bacteria related to Epsilonproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. This multi-approach study suggests a potential symbiotic role of bacteria with its nematode host and opens new research perspectives on vent meiofauna.}, }
@article {pmid30291507, year = {2018}, author = {Day, PM and Theg, SM}, title = {Evolution of protein transport to the chloroplast envelope membranes.}, journal = {Photosynthesis research}, volume = {138}, number = {3}, pages = {315-326}, pmid = {30291507}, issn = {1573-5079}, mesh = {*Biological Evolution ; Chloroplasts/*metabolism ; Intracellular Membranes/*metabolism ; Models, Biological ; Protein Transport ; }, abstract = {Chloroplasts are descendants of an ancient endosymbiotic cyanobacterium that lived inside a eukaryotic cell. They inherited the prokaryotic double membrane envelope from cyanobacteria. This envelope contains prokaryotic protein sorting machineries including a Sec translocase and relatives of the central component of the bacterial outer membrane β-barrel assembly module. As the endosymbiont was integrated with the rest of the cell, the synthesis of most of its proteins shifted from the stroma to the host cytosol. This included nearly all the envelope proteins identified so far. Consequently, the overall biogenesis of the chloroplast envelope must be distinct from cyanobacteria. Envelope proteins initially approach their functional locations from the exterior rather than the interior. In many cases, they have been shown to use components of the general import pathway that also serves the stroma and thylakoids. If the ancient prokaryotic protein sorting machineries are still used for chloroplast envelope proteins, their activities must have been modified or combined with the general import pathway. In this review, we analyze the current knowledge pertaining to chloroplast envelope biogenesis and compare this to bacteria.}, }
@article {pmid30283652, year = {2017}, author = {Kageyama, D and Ohno, M and Sasaki, T and Yoshido, A and Konagaya, T and Jouraku, A and Kuwazaki, S and Kanamori, H and Katayose, Y and Narita, S and Miyata, M and Riegler, M and Sahara, K}, title = {Feminizing Wolbachia endosymbiont disrupts maternal sex chromosome inheritance in a butterfly species.}, journal = {Evolution letters}, volume = {1}, number = {5}, pages = {232-244}, pmid = {30283652}, issn = {2056-3744}, abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited ubiquitous endosymbiotic bacterium of arthropods that displays a diverse repertoire of host reproductive manipulations. For the first time, we demonstrate that Wolbachia manipulates sex chromosome inheritance in a sexually reproducing insect. Eurema mandarina butterfly females on Tanegashima Island, Japan, are infected with the wFem Wolbachia strain and produce all-female offspring, while antibiotic treatment results in male offspring. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed that wFem-positive and wFem-negative females have Z0 and WZ sex chromosome sets, respectively, demonstrating the predicted absence of the W chromosome in wFem-infected lineages. Genomic quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis showed that wFem-positive females lay only Z0 eggs that carry a paternal Z, whereas females from lineages that are naturally wFem-negative lay both WZ and ZZ eggs. In contrast, antibiotic treatment of adult wFem females resulted in the production of Z0 and ZZ eggs, suggesting that this Wolbachia strain can disrupt the maternal inheritance of Z chromosomes. Moreover, most male offspring produced by antibiotic-treated wFem females had a ZZ karyotype, implying reduced survival of Z0 individuals in the absence of feminizing effects of Wolbachia. Antibiotic treatment of wFem-infected larvae induced male-specific splicing of the doublesex (dsx) gene transcript, causing an intersex phenotype. Thus, the absence of the female-determining W chromosome in Z0 individuals is functionally compensated by Wolbachia-mediated conversion of sex determination. We discuss how Wolbachia may manipulate the host chromosome inheritance and that Wolbachia may have acquired this coordinated dual mode of reproductive manipulation first by the evolution of female-determining function and then cytoplasmically induced disruption of sex chromosome inheritance.}, }
@article {pmid30279438, year = {2018}, author = {Quintanilla, E and Ramírez-Portilla, C and Adu-Oppong, B and Walljasper, G and Glaeser, SP and Wilke, T and Muñoz, AR and Sánchez, JA}, title = {Local confinement of disease-related microbiome facilitates recovery of gorgonian sea fans from necrotic-patch disease.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {14636}, pmid = {30279438}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*microbiology ; Bacteria/*classification/*genetics ; Microbiota/*genetics ; Pacific Ocean ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Bacterial ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Microbiome disruptions triggering disease outbreaks are increasingly threatening corals worldwide. In the Tropical Eastern Pacific, a necrotic-patch disease affecting gorgonian corals (sea fans, Pacifigorgia spp.) has been observed in recent years. However, the composition of the microbiome and its disease-related disruptions remain unknown in these gorgonian corals. Therefore, we analysed 16S rRNA gene amplicons from tissues of healthy colonies (n = 19) and from symptomatic-asymptomatic tissues of diseased colonies (n = 19) of Pacifigorgia cairnsi (Gorgoniidae: Octocorallia) in order to test for disease-related changes in the bacterial microbiome. We found that potential endosymbionts (mostly Endozoicomonas spp.) dominate the core microbiome in healthy colonies. Moreover, healthy tissues differed in community composition and functional profile from those of the symptomatic tissues but did not show differences to asymptomatic tissues of the diseased colonies. A more diverse set of bacteria was observed in symptomatic tissues, together with the decline in abundance of the potential endosymbionts from the healthy core microbiome. Furthermore, according to a comparative taxonomy-based functional profiling, these symptomatic tissues were characterized by the increase in heterotrophic, ammonia oxidizer and dehalogenating bacteria and by the depletion of nitrite and sulphate reducers. Overall, our results suggest that the bacterial microbiome associated with the disease behaves opportunistically and is likely in a state of microbial dysbiosis. We also conclude that the confinement of the disease-related consortium to symptomatic tissues may facilitate colony recovery.}, }
@article {pmid30279399, year = {2018}, author = {Montes-Rodríguez, IM and Rodríguez-Pou, Y and González-Méndez, RR and Lopez-Garriga, J and Ropelewski, AJ and Cadilla, CL}, title = {Characterization of Histone Genes from the Bivalve Lucina Pectinata.}, journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health}, volume = {15}, number = {10}, pages = {}, pmid = {30279399}, issn = {1660-4601}, support = {U54 MD007600/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States ; T36 GM095335/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P20 GM103475/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T36 GM008789/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; U54 MD007587/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States ; G12 MD007600/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States ; P20 RR016470/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; R25 GM088023/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bivalvia/*genetics ; Conserved Sequence ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Exons ; Extreme Environments ; Histones/*genetics ; Phylogeny ; Puerto Rico ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Wetlands ; }, abstract = {Lucina pectinata is a clam that lives in sulfide-rich environments and houses intracellular sulfide-oxidizing endosymbionts. To identify new Lucina pectinata proteins, we produced libraries for genome and transcriptome sequencing and assembled them de novo. We searched for histone-like sequences using the Lucina pectinata histone H3 partial nucleotide sequence against our previously described genome assembly to obtain the complete coding region and identify H3 coding sequences from mollusk sequences in Genbank. Solen marginatus histone nucleotide sequences were used as query sequences using the genome and transcriptome assemblies to identify the Lucina pectinata H1, H2A, H2B and H4 genes and mRNAs and obtained the complete coding regions of the five histone genes by RT-PCR combined with automated Sanger DNA sequencing. The amino acid sequence conservation between the Lucina pectinata and Solen marginatus histones was: 77%, 93%, 83%, 96% and 97% for H1, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4, respectively. As expected, the H3 and H4 proteins were the most conserved and the H1 proteins were most similar to H1's from aquatic organisms like Crassostrea gigas, Aplysia californica, Mytilus trossulus and Biomphalaria glabrata. The Lucina pectinata draft genome and transcriptome assemblies, obtained by semiconductor sequencing, were adequate for identification of conserved proteins as evidenced by our results for the histone genes.}, }
@article {pmid30277756, year = {2018}, author = {Farfan, GA and Apprill, A and Webb, SM and Hansel, CM}, title = {Coupled X-ray Fluorescence and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Microscale Imaging and Identification of Sulfur Species within Tissues and Skeletons of Scleractinian Corals.}, journal = {Analytical chemistry}, volume = {90}, number = {21}, pages = {12559-12566}, doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.8b02638}, pmid = {30277756}, issn = {1520-6882}, mesh = {Animals ; Anthozoa/*chemistry ; Chondroitin Sulfates/analysis ; Cysteine/*analysis ; Glutathione Disulfide/*analysis ; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission ; Sulfates/*analysis ; X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy ; }, abstract = {Identifying and mapping the wide range of sulfur species within complex matrices presents a challenge for understanding the distribution of these important biomolecules within environmental and biological systems. Here, we present a coupled micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy method for determining the presence of specific sulfur species in coral tissues and skeletons at high spatial resolution. By using multiple energy stacks and principal component analysis of a large spectral database, we were able to more accurately identify sulfur species components and distinguish different species and distributions of sulfur formerly unresolved by previous studies. Specifically, coral tissues were dominated by more reduced sulfur species, such as glutathione disulfide, cysteine, and sulfoxide, as well as organic sulfate as represented by chondroitin sulfate. Sulfoxide distributions were visually correlated with the presence of zooxanthellae endosymbionts. Coral skeletons were composed primarily of carbonate-associated sulfate (CAS) along with minor contributions from organic sulfate and a separate inorganic sulfate likely in the form of adsorbed sulfate. This coupled XRF-XANES approach allows for a more accurate and informative view of sulfur within biological systems in situ and holds great promise for pairing with other techniques to allow for a more encompassing understanding of elemental distributions within the environment.}, }
@article {pmid30275487, year = {2018}, author = {de Moraes, LA and Muller, C and Bueno, RCOF and Santos, A and Bello, VH and De Marchi, BR and Watanabe, LFM and Marubayashi, JM and Santos, BR and Yuki, VA and Takada, HM and de Barros, DR and Neves, CG and da Silva, FN and Gonçalves, MJ and Ghanim, M and Boykin, L and Pavan, MA and Krause-Sakate, R}, title = {Distribution and phylogenetics of whiteflies and their endosymbiont relationships after the Mediterranean species invasion in Brazil.}, journal = {Scientific reports}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {14589}, pmid = {30275487}, issn = {2045-2322}, mesh = {Alphaproteobacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Animals ; Brazil ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Gammaproteobacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Genetic Variation ; Hemiptera/*classification/genetics/*growth &amp; development/microbiology ; *Introduced Species ; *Phylogeography ; *Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {The Bemisia tabaci is a polyphagous insect and a successful vector of plant viruses. B. tabaci is a species complex and in Brazil native species from the New World (NW) group, as well as the invasive species, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) were reported. For better understanding the distribution of the different species four years after the Mediterranean species invasion in Brazil, whiteflies were collected from 237 locations throughout the country between the years of 2013 and 2017, species were identified and the facultative endosymbionts detected. The survey revealed that MEAM1 was the prevalent species found on major crops across Brazil. It is the only species present in North, Northwestern and Central Brazil and was associated with virus-infected plants. MED was found in five States from Southeast to South regions, infesting mainly ornamental plants and was not associated with virus-infected plants. The prevalent endosymbionts identified in MEAM1 were Hamiltonella and Rickettsia; and the mtCOI analysis revealed low genetic diversity for MEAM1. In contrast, several different endosymbionts were identified in MED including Hamiltonella, Rickettsia, Wolbachia and Arsenophonus; and two distinct genetic groups were found based on the mtCOI analysis. Monitoring the distribution of the whiteflies species in Brazil is essential for proper management of this pest.}, }
@article {pmid30273387, year = {2018}, author = {Ruocco, N and Mutalipassi, M and Pollio, A and Costantini, S and Costantini, M and Zupo, V}, title = {First evidence of Halomicronema metazoicum (Cyanobacteria) free-living on Posidonia oceanica leaves.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {10}, pages = {e0204954}, pmid = {30273387}, issn = {1932-6203}, mesh = {Alismatales/*microbiology ; Base Sequence ; Cyanobacteria/classification/genetics/*isolation &amp; purification ; Plant Leaves/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry/isolation &amp; purification/metabolism ; Seawater/microbiology ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Cyanobacteria contribute to the ecology of various marine environments, also for their symbioses, since some of them are common hosts of sponges and ascidians. They are also emerging as an important source of novel bioactive secondary metabolites in pharmacological (as anticancer drugs) and biotechnological applications. In the present work we isolated a cyanobacteria in a free-living state from leaves of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica leaves. This newly collected strain was then cultivated under two laboratory conditions, and then characterized by combining morphological observation and molecular studies based on 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis. The strain showed 99% pairwise sequence identity with Halomicronema metazoicum ITAC101, never isolated before as a free-living organisms, but firstly described as an endosymbiont of the Mediterranean marine spongae Petrosia ficiformis, under the form of a filamentous strain. Further studies will investigate the actual role of this cyanobacterium in the leaf stratum of P. oceanica leaves, given its demonstrated ability to influence the vitality and the life cycle of other organisms. In fact, its newly demonstrated free-living stage, described in this study, indicate that Phormidium-like cyanobacteria could play important roles in the ecology of benthic and planktonic communities.}, }
@article {pmid30271976, year = {2018}, author = {Liu, H and Stephens, TG and González-Pech, RA and Beltran, VH and Lapeyre, B and Bongaerts, P and Cooke, I and Aranda, M and Bourne, DG and Forêt, S and Miller, DJ and van Oppen, MJH and Voolstra, CR and Ragan, MA and Chan, CX}, title = {Symbiodinium genomes reveal adaptive evolution of functions related to coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis.}, journal = {Communications biology}, volume = {1}, number = {}, pages = {95}, pmid = {30271976}, issn = {2399-3642}, abstract = {Symbiosis between dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium and reef-building corals forms the trophic foundation of the world's coral reef ecosystems. Here we present the first draft genome of Symbiodinium goreaui (Clade C, type C1: 1.03 Gbp), one of the most ubiquitous endosymbionts associated with corals, and an improved draft genome of Symbiodinium kawagutii (Clade F, strain CS-156: 1.05 Gbp) to further elucidate genomic signatures of this symbiosis. Comparative analysis of four available Symbiodinium genomes against other dinoflagellate genomes led to the identification of 2460 nuclear gene families (containing 5% of Symbiodinium genes) that show evidence of positive selection, including genes involved in photosynthesis, transmembrane ion transport, synthesis and modification of amino acids and glycoproteins, and stress response. Further, we identify extensive sets of genes for meiosis and response to light stress. These draft genomes provide a foundational resource for advancing our understanding of Symbiodinium biology and the coral-algal symbiosis.}, }
@article {pmid30266174, year = {2018}, author = {Wintermantel, WM}, title = {Integration of Omics Approaches toward Understanding Whitefly Transmission of Viruses.}, journal = {Advances in virus research}, volume = {102}, number = {}, pages = {199-223}, doi = {10.1016/bs.aivir.2018.06.005}, pmid = {30266174}, issn = {1557-8399}, mesh = {Animals ; Bacteria/growth &amp; development/metabolism ; Begomovirus/genetics/metabolism ; Biological Coevolution ; Crinivirus/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hemiptera/*virology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions/*genetics ; Insect Control/methods ; Insect Proteins/classification/*genetics/metabolism ; Insect Vectors/*virology ; Metabolomics/*methods ; Plant Diseases/virology ; Plants/*virology ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Transcriptome ; }, abstract = {Viruses transmitted by whiteflies are predominantly classified as having either persistent circulative or semipersistent transmission, and the majority of studies have addressed transmission of viruses in the genera Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) and Crinivirus (family Closteroviridae), respectively. Early studies on vector transmission primarily addressed individual aspects of transmission; however, with the breadth of new technology now available, an increasingly greater number of studies involve coordinated research that is beginning to assemble a more complete picture of how whiteflies and viruses have coevolved to facilitate transmission. In particular the integration of gene expression and metabolomic studies into broader research topics is providing knowledge of changes within the whitefly vector in response to the presence of viruses that would have been impossible to identify previously. Examples include comparative studies on the response of Bemisia tabaci to begomovirus and crinivirus infection of common host plants, evolution of whitefly endosymbiont relationships, and opportunities to evaluate responses to specific transmission-related events. Integration of metabolomics, as well as the application of electrical penetration graphing, can lead to an ability to monitor the changes that occur in vector insects associated with specific aspects of virus transmission. Through gaining more complete knowledge of the mechanisms behind whitefly transmission of viruses new control strategies will undoubtedly emerge for control of whiteflies and the viruses they transmit.}, }
@article {pmid30261054, year = {2018}, author = {Carpinone, EM and Li, Z and Mills, MK and Foltz, C and Brannon, ER and Carlow, CKS and Starai, VJ}, title = {Identification of putative effectors of the Type IV secretion system from the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi.}, journal = {PloS one}, volume = {13}, number = {9}, pages = {e0204736}, pmid = {30261054}, issn = {1932-6203}, support = {R01 AI100913/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; }, mesh = {Animals ; *Bacterial Proteins/biosynthesis/genetics ; Brugia malayi/*microbiology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/*physiology ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; *Type IV Secretion Systems/genetics/metabolism ; *Wolbachia/genetics/metabolism ; }, abstract = {Wolbachia is an unculturable, intracellular bacterium that persists within an extremely broad range of arthropod and parasitic nematode hosts, where it is transmitted maternally to offspring via vertical transmission. In the filarial nematode Brugia malayi, a causative agent of human lymphatic filariasis, Wolbachia is an endosymbiont, and its presence is essential for proper nematode development, survival, and pathogenesis. While the elucidation of Wolbachia:nematode interactions that promote the bacterium's intracellular persistence is of great importance, research has been hampered due to the fact that Wolbachia cannot be cultured in the absence of host cells. The Wolbachia endosymbiont of B. malayi (wBm) has an active Type IV secretion system (T4SS). Here, we have screened 47 putative T4SS effector proteins of wBm for their ability to modulate growth or the cell biology of a typical eukaryotic cell, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Five candidates strongly inhibited yeast growth upon expression, and 6 additional proteins showed toxicity in the presence of zinc and caffeine. Studies on the uptake of an endocytic vacuole-specific fluorescent marker, FM4-64, identified 4 proteins (wBm0076 wBm00114, wBm0447 and wBm0152) involved in vacuole membrane dynamics. The WAS(p)-family protein, wBm0076, was found to colocalize with yeast cortical actin patches and disrupted actin cytoskeleton dynamics upon expression. Deletion of the Arp2/3-activating protein, Abp1p, provided resistance to wBm0076 expression, suggesting a role for wBm0076 in regulating eukaryotic actin dynamics and cortical actin patch formation. Furthermore, wBm0152 was found to strongly disrupt endosome:vacuole cargo trafficking in yeast. This study provides molecular insight into the potential role of the T4SS in the Wolbachia endosymbiont:nematode relationship.}, }
@article {pmid30254612, year = {2018}, author = {Schmidt, C and Morard, R and Romero, O and Kucera, M}, title = {Diverse Internal Symbiont Community in the Endosymbiotic Foraminifera Pararotalia calcariformata: Implications for Symbiont Shuffling Under Thermal Stress.}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, volume = {9}, number = {}, pages = {2018}, pmid = {30254612}, issn = {1664-302X}, support = {EP-C-17-015/EPA/EPA/United States ; }, abstract = {Many shallow-water tropical and subtropical foraminifera engage in photosymbiosis with eukaryotic microalgae. Some of these foraminifera appear to harbor a diverse consortium of endosymbiotic algae within a single host. Such apparent ability to contain different symbionts could facilitate change in symbiont community composition (symbiont shuffling) and mediate the ecological success of the group in a changing environment. However, the discovery of the intra-individual symbiont diversity was thus far based on symbiont culturing, which provides strong constraints on the vitality of the identified algae but provides poor constraints on their initial abundance and thus functional relevance to the host. Here we analyze the algal symbiont diversity in Pararotalia calcariformata, a benthic foraminifera sampled at four stations, inside and outside of a thermal plume in the eastern Mediterranean coast of Israel. This species has recently invaded the Mediterranean, is unusually thermally tolerant and was described previously to host at least one different diatom symbiont than other symbiont-bearing foraminifera. Our results using genotyping and isolation of algae in culture medium, confirm multiple associations with different diatom species within the same individual. Both methods revealed spatially consistent symbiont associations and identified the most common symbiont as a pelagic diatom Minutocellus polymorphus. In one case, an alternative dominant symbiont, the diatom Navicula sp., was detected by genotyping. This diatom was the third most abundant species identified using standard algae culturing method. This method further revealed a spatially consistent pattern in symbiont diversity of a total of seventeen identified diatom species, across the studied localities. Collectively, these results indicate that P. calcariformata hosts a diverse consortium of diatom endosymbionts, where different members can become numerically dominant and thus functionally relevant in a changing environment.}, }
@article {pmid30247558, year = {2018}, author = {Mix, AK and Cenci, U and Heimerl, T and Marter, P and Wirkner, ML and Moog, D}, title = {Identification and Localization of Peroxisomal Biogenesis Proteins Indicates the Presence of Peroxisomes in the Cryptophyte Guillardia theta and Other "Chromalveolates".}, journal = {Genome biology and evolution}, volume = {10}, number = {10}, pages = {2834-2852}, pmid = {30247558}, issn = {1759-6653}, mesh = {Amino Acid Sequence ; Conserved Sequence ; Cryptophyta/genetics/*metabolism ; *Organelle Biogenesis ; Peroxins/genetics/*metabolism ; Peroxisomes/*metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Protein Domains ; }, abstract = {Peroxisomes are single-membrane-bound organelles with a huge metabolic versatility, including the degradation of fatty acids (β-oxidation) and the detoxification of reactive oxygen species as most conserved functions. Although peroxisomes seem to be present in the majority of investigated eukaryotes, where they are responsible for many eclectic and important spatially separated metabolic reactions, knowledge about their existence in the plethora of protists (eukaryotic microorganisms) is scarce. Here, we investigated genomic data of organisms containing complex plastids with red algal ancestry (so-called "chromalveolates") for the presence of genes encoding peroxins-factors specific for the biogenesis, maintenance, and division of peroxisomes in eukaryotic cells. Our focus was on the cryptophyte Guillardia theta, a marine microalga, which possesses two phylogenetically different nuclei of host and endosymbiont origin, respectively, thus being of enormous evolutionary significance. Besides the identification of a complete set of peroxins in G. theta, we heterologously localized selected factors as GFP fusion proteins via confocal and electron microscopy in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Furthermore, we show that peroxins, and thus most likely peroxisomes, are present in haptophytes as well as eustigmatophytes, brown algae, and alveolates including dinoflagellates, chromerids, and noncoccidian apicomplexans. Our results indicate that diatoms are not the only "chromalveolate" group devoid of the PTS2 receptor Pex7, and thus a PTS2-dependent peroxisomal import pathway, which seems to be absent in haptophytes (Emiliania huxleyi) as well. Moreover, important aspects of peroxisomal biosynthesis and protein import in "chromalveolates"are highlighted.}, }
@article {pmid30244151, year = {2019}, author = {Schön, I and Kamiya, T and Van den Berghe, T and Van den Broecke, L and Martens, K}, title = {Novel Cardinium strains in non-marine ostracod (Crustacea) hosts from natural populations.}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {130}, number = {}, pages = {406-415}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2018.09.008}, pmid = {30244151}, issn = {1095-9513}, mesh = {Animals ; Aquatic Organisms/*microbiology ; Bacteroidetes/genetics/*physiology ; Base Sequence ; Crustacea/genetics/*microbiology ; Diptera/genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity ; Symbiosis ; }, abstract = {Endosymbiotic bacteria are known from many metazoan taxa, where they manipulate host biology and reproduction. Here, we used classic PCR amplification and direct DNA sequencing with universal primers for four different endosymbionts to test for their presence in more than 300 specimens of three recent non-marine ostracod superfamilies from different geographic areas and aquatic habitats. We verified these results with "high throughput" amplicon sequencing of 16S of nine selected specimens and evolutionary placement algorithms. The phylogenetic position of endosymbionts detected in ostracod hosts was compared to known endosymbionts from other metazoans. While Wolbachia, Spiroplasma and Rickettsia are absent, we find evidence for the general presence of Cardinium bacteria in natural populations of various non-marine ostracod species. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on Cardinium 16S data and estimates of genetic distances both indicate that Cardinium from ostracods are distantly related to Cardinium from Diptera and Nematoda but represent novel strains with a monophyletic origin. Cardinium bacteria from different ostracod hosts have genetic distances of up to 3.8%, providing evidence against recent and frequent horizontal transmissions amongst the three ostracod superfamilies. High throughput sequencing reveals more than 400 different 16S amplicon sequence variants in the investigated ostracods as well as the presence of different Cardinium strains within individual Eucypris virens and Heterocypris hosts. These results call for future, more in-depth investigations. Mapping Cardinium infections on COI trees of non-marine ostracod hosts shows that the occurrence of these endosymbionts is not linked to genetic species identity or phylogenetic host groups and, except for one ostracod morphospecies, prevalence never reaches 100%.}, }
@article {pmid30243102, year = {2018}, author = {Jacobson, AL and Duffy, S and Sseruwagi, P}, title = {Whitefly-transmitted viruses threatening cassava production in Africa.}, journal = {Current opinion in virology}, volume = {33}, number = {}, pages = {167-176}, doi = {10.1016/j.coviro.2018.08.016}, pmid = {30243102}, issn = {1879-6265}, mesh = {Africa ; Animals ; Begomovirus/*growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification ; Developing Countries ; Hemiptera/*virology ; Insect Vectors/*virology ; Manihot/*growth &amp; development ; Plant Diseases/*virology ; Potyviridae/*growth &amp; development/isolation &amp; purification ; }, abstract = {Emerging plant viruses are one of the greatest problems facing crop production worldwide, and have severe consequences in the developing world where subsistence farming is a major source of food production, and knowledge and resources for management are limited. In Africa, evolution of two viral disease complexes, cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) (Geminiviridae) and cassava brown streak viruses (CBSVs) (Potyviridae), have resulted in severe pandemics that continue to spread and threaten cassava production. Identification of genetically diverse and rapidly evolving CMBs and CBSVs, extensive genetic variation in the vector, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and numerous secondary endosymbiont profiles that influence vector phenotypes suggest that complex local and regional vector-virus-plant-environment interactions may be driving the evolution and epidemiology of these viruses.}, }
@article {pmid30231855, year = {2018}, author = {Zeng, Z and Fu, Y and Guo, D and Wu, Y and Ajayi, OE and Wu, Q}, title = {Bacterial endosymbiont Cardinium cSfur genome sequence provides insights for understanding the symbiotic relationship in Sogatella furcifera host.}, journal = {BMC genomics}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, pages = {688}, pmid = {30231855}, issn = {1471-2164}, support = {XDB11040400//Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; 2014CB138405//Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China/ ; 31571305//National Natural Science Foundation of China