@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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/gbe/evad100},
pmid = {37267326},
issn = {1759-6653},
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 same evolutionary processes that drive genome reduction and simplification may sometimes 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},
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},
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},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2305007120},
pmid = {37256931},
issn = {1091-6490},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toad098},
pmid = {37247378},
issn = {1938-291X},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms24108712},
pmid = {37240058},
issn = {1422-0067},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology12050707},
pmid = {37237521},
issn = {2079-7737},
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},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiad055},
pmid = {37226596},
issn = {1574-6941},
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 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 {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 {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 = {},
doi = {10.21203/rs.3.rs-2902767/v1},
pmid = {37214831},
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},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2023.1137452},
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 = {},
doi = {10.1101/2023.05.04.539352},
pmid = {37205465},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.060},
pmid = {37201521},
issn = {1879-0445},
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 {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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {107936},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2023.107936},
pmid = {37196858},
issn = {1096-0805},
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 {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},
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 {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},
doi = {10.1126/sciadv.adg0773},
pmid = {37196086},
issn = {2375-2548},
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},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2218506120},
pmid = {37192168},
issn = {1091-6490},
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},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0285587},
pmid = {37186593},
issn = {1932-6203},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0140423},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.01404-23},
pmid = {37184407},
issn = {2165-0497},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {103962},
doi = {10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103962},
pmid = {37178742},
issn = {1879-0240},
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},
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 {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},
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 {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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {37160773},
issn = {1432-203X},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/mec.16976},
pmid = {37160764},
issn = {1365-294X},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {100611},
doi = {10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100611},
pmid = {37147800},
issn = {2590-3462},
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 to 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 the stage of describing phases of chloroplast gene expression to explore the underlying mechanisms. In this review, we focus on recent advances and emerging principles that govern chloroplast gene expression in land plants. We discuss the PPR protein engineering and its biotechnological impacts on chloroplast RNA research, new techniques for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of chloroplast gene expression, and some important aspects of chloroplast gene expression for improving crop yield and stress tolerance. We also discuss the remaining biological and mechanistic questions 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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0027523},
doi = {10.1128/jvi.00275-23},
pmid = {37133447},
issn = {1098-5514},
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},
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},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.010},
pmid = {37116483},
issn = {1879-0445},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms11040937},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects14040401},
pmid = {37103216},
issn = {2075-4450},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects14040314},
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 {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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-micro-041320-032304},
pmid = {37100405},
issn = {1545-3251},
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. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 77 is September 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.},
}
@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},
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 {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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0209522},
doi = {10.1128/aem.02095-22},
pmid = {37098937},
issn = {1098-5336},
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},
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 co-infection outcomes among strains of the aphid endosymbiont Regiella insecticola.},
journal = {Evolution; international journal of organic evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/evolut/qpad071},
pmid = {37094805},
issn = {1558-5646},
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 co-infections of a higher- and a lower-density Regiella strain, and we showed that the higher-density strain is better able to persist in co-infections 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},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2217278120},
pmid = {37094148},
issn = {1091-6490},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {37085551},
issn = {1751-7370},
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},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0284704},
pmid = {37079598},
issn = {1932-6203},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jme/tjad044},
pmid = {37075471},
issn = {1938-2928},
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},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2206527120},
pmid = {37071674},
issn = {1091-6490},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0036123},
doi = {10.1128/aem.00361-23},
pmid = {37067424},
issn = {1098-5336},
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 = {},
doi = {10.1101/2023.03.08.531752},
pmid = {37066385},
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 = {},
doi = {10.1093/jisesa/iead021},
pmid = {37052365},
issn = {1536-2442},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/zph.13043},
pmid = {37042290},
issn = {1863-2378},
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, SD 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 = {},
doi = {10.7554/eLife.83845},
pmid = {37022136},
issn = {2050-084X},
abstract = {All life requires ribonucleotide reduction for de novo synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides. A handful of obligate intracellular species are known to lack ribonucleotide reduction and are instead dependent on their host for deoxyribonucleotide synthesis. As ribonucleotide reduction has on occasion been lost in obligate intracellular parasites and endosymbionts, we reasoned that it should in principle be possible to knock this process out entirely under conditions where deoxyribonucleosides are present in the growth media. We report here the creation of a strain of E. coli where all three ribonucleotide reductase operons have been fully deleted following introduction of a broad spectrum deoxyribonucleoside kinase from Mycoplasma mycoides. Our strain is able to grow in the presence of deoxyribonucleosides and shows slowed but substantial growth. 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 are able to adapt to limited supplies of deoxyribonucleosides, as might occur in the evolutionary 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 of replicate lines reveals that several 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 synthesis via this pathway 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 intracellular 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},
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},
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},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-biochem-032620-104401},
pmid = {37001140},
issn = {1545-4509},
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, and senescence and aging. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biochemistry, Volume 92 is June 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.},
}
@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 = {},
doi = {10.1101/2023.03.23.533954},
pmid = {36993585},
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},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/pathogens12030366},
pmid = {36986288},
issn = {2076-0817},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms11030716},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms11030714},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms11030644},
pmid = {36985217},
issn = {2076-2607},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms24065753},
pmid = {36982826},
issn = {1422-0067},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects14030252},
pmid = {36975937},
issn = {2075-4450},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e2300013},
doi = {10.1002/bies.202300013},
pmid = {36965057},
issn = {1521-1878},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {101023},
doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2023.101023},
pmid = {36958587},
issn = {2214-5753},
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},
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, T 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},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pbio.3001879},
pmid = {36947547},
issn = {1545-7885},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0030223},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.00302-23},
pmid = {36939357},
issn = {2150-7511},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0007423},
doi = {10.1128/msphere.00074-23},
pmid = {36939349},
issn = {2379-5042},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/gbe/evad036},
pmid = {36929176},
issn = {1759-6653},
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 to 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 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 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 median level of transcript. Our data shows 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},
doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1011211},
pmid = {36928089},
issn = {1553-7374},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/genetics/iyad038},
pmid = {36911919},
issn = {1943-2631},
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 three 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; 3) and 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 one 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 one of two 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 = {},
doi = {10.1101/2023.02.26.530123},
pmid = {36909625},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {106891},
doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106891},
pmid = {36907292},
issn = {1873-6254},
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 {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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/etc.5565},
pmid = {36896707},
issn = {1552-8618},
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;00:1-13. © 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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {107751},
doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107751},
pmid = {36889655},
issn = {1095-9513},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1039/d2np00076h},
pmid = {36880348},
issn = {1460-4752},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ee/nvad015},
pmid = {36869841},
issn = {1938-2936},
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, Y 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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/gbe/evad031},
pmid = {36864565},
issn = {1759-6653},
abstract = {Planthoppers in the family Cixiidae (Hempitera: 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, while "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 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 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},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms11020466},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms11020440},
pmid = {36838405},
issn = {2076-2607},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms11020292},
pmid = {36838257},
issn = {2076-2607},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof9020260},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/tropicalmed8020080},
pmid = {36828496},
issn = {2414-6366},
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},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0280868},
pmid = {36827319},
issn = {1932-6203},
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},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2023.1109803},
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},
doi = {10.46471/gigabyte.68},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36810669},
issn = {1432-1955},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36810610},
issn = {1432-184X},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0135522},
doi = {10.1128/mra.01355-22},
pmid = {36809083},
issn = {2576-098X},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tim.2023.01.004},
pmid = {36801155},
issn = {1878-4380},
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},
doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1010777},
pmid = {36800397},
issn = {1553-7374},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0465522},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.04655-22},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/mec.16883},
pmid = {36785954},
issn = {1365-294X},
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 multi-target amplicon sequencing of Wolbachia-infected scale insects and their direct associates we determined the identity of all Wolbachia strains. We then fitted a Generalised Additive Mixed Model (GAMM) to our data to estimate the influence of host phylogeny and the geographic 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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0333322},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.03333-22},
pmid = {36779765},
issn = {2150-7511},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms24032905},
pmid = {36769231},
issn = {1422-0067},
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 = {},
doi = {10.1099/mgen.0.000943},
pmid = {36757767},
issn = {2057-5858},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {107893},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2023.107893},
pmid = {36754115},
issn = {1096-0805},
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},
doi = {10.1098/rspb.2022.1877},
pmid = {36750192},
issn = {1471-2954},
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 = {},
doi = {10.1099/mgen.0.000909},
pmid = {36748607},
issn = {2057-5858},
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},
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 {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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jme/tjad011},
pmid = {36744984},
issn = {1938-2928},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13182},
pmid = {36744754},
issn = {1744-7917},
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 (WI) 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. RNAi of seven Wolbachia-upregulated key planthopper genes reduced egg reproduction, suggesting that Wolbachia might improve fecundity in L. striatellus by affecting these seven genes. Suppressing the expression of another upregulated gene, NDUFA8 (encoding NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 8-like) by RNAi 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 WI females re-created 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. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.},
}
@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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1755-0998.13764},
pmid = {36740932},
issn = {1755-0998},
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 (<1x) 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 extra-nuclear 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 dataset 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 datasets.},
}
@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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/g3journal/jkad030},
pmid = {36735822},
issn = {2160-1836},
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 non-model 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, non-model 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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.pt.2023.01.001},
pmid = {36732111},
issn = {1471-5007},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.18785},
pmid = {36727281},
issn = {1469-8137},
abstract = {Heritable fungal endosymbiosis is under-investigated in plant biology and documented in only three plant families (Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, 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 non-symbiotic 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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36725749},
issn = {1432-184X},
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},
doi = {10.1186/s13071-022-05638-4},
pmid = {36717919},
issn = {1756-3305},
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},
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, W and Swisher Grimm, K and Angelella, G 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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1094/PDIS-11-22-2701-RE},
pmid = {36691279},
issn = {0191-2917},
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 potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, which occurs as distinct haplotypes named western, central, and northwestern that differ in 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 compared with 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 compared with 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},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pbio.3001972},
pmid = {36689552},
issn = {1545-7885},
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},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms11010158},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms11010155},
pmid = {36677447},
issn = {2076-2607},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof9010126},
pmid = {36675947},
issn = {2309-608X},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof9010072},
pmid = {36675893},
issn = {2309-608X},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms24021672},
pmid = {36675187},
issn = {1422-0067},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms24021100},
pmid = {36674613},
issn = {1422-0067},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani13020291},
pmid = {36670832},
issn = {2076-2615},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {107887},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2023.107887},
pmid = {36669676},
issn = {1096-0805},
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},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0246422},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.02464-22},
pmid = {36651852},
issn = {2165-0497},
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},
doi = {10.1590/0074-02760220162},
pmid = {36651455},
issn = {1678-8060},
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},
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},
doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2022.0457},
pmid = {36628964},
issn = {1744-957X},
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},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36624259},
issn = {2055-0278},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e13920},
doi = {10.1111/apha.13920},
pmid = {36617670},
issn = {1748-1716},
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},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36602726},
issn = {1614-7499},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.7340},
pmid = {36602054},
issn = {1526-4998},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is one of the most notorious pests to 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's 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 &#x3bc;g/mL significantly inhibited the activity of PFKA. Additionally, when M. persicae was treated with 30 &#x3bc;g/mL of Cry41-related toxin for 24 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 new perspectives in understanding the mode of action of Cry toxins and are useful to help improve the Cry toxicity for aphid control. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.},
}
@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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiad001},
pmid = {36597782},
issn = {1574-6941},
abstract = {Eighty-four 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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jmii.2022.12.006},
pmid = {36585292},
issn = {1995-9133},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/pathogens11121494},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects13121161},
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&amp;nbsp;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&amp;nbsp;attenuatus and the insecticides imidacloprid and spirotetramat. The percentage of parasitism by Encarsia&amp;nbsp;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.&amp;nbsp;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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects13121142},
pmid = {36555052},
issn = {2075-4450},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects13121085},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/tropicalmed7120413},
pmid = {36548668},
issn = {2414-6366},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0468422},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.04684-22},
pmid = {36546855},
issn = {2165-0497},
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},
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},
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},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2022.1075199},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toac200},
pmid = {36516405},
issn = {1938-291X},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16310},
pmid = {36515176},
issn = {1462-2920},
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 up-regulated in the newly emerged adults relative to 5[th] -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 signaling. This study highlights the importance of signaling pathways in regulating the host/symbiont interaction and symbiont transmission in sap-feeding auchenorrhynchous insects. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.},
}
@article {pmid36510006,
year = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36510006},
issn = {1751-7370},
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 = {2022},
author = {V Venkataravanappa, 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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {105892},
doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105892},
pmid = {36502993},
issn = {1096-1208},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants11233352},
pmid = {36501390},
issn = {2223-7747},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.020},
pmid = {36480982},
issn = {1879-0445},
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},
doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2022.1037387},
pmid = {36478675},
issn = {2235-2988},
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},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0278582},
pmid = {36473013},
issn = {1932-6203},
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 = {},
doi = {10.1093/gigascience/giac123},
pmid = {36472572},
issn = {2047-217X},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/mec.16801},
pmid = {36458425},
issn = {1365-294X},
abstract = {Insects often harbor heritable symbionts that provide defense 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 anti-fungal and anti-parasitoid 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 titers 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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0406622},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.04066-22},
pmid = {36445124},
issn = {2165-0497},
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},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0010833},
pmid = {36441823},
issn = {1935-2735},
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 = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijerph192215147},
pmid = {36429867},
issn = {1660-4601},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/anie.202214344},
pmid = {36424352},
issn = {1521-3773},
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. Here 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},
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},
doi = {10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.279},
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},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.11.003},
pmid = {36417831},
issn = {2211-3207},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e2200190},
doi = {10.1002/bies.202200190},
pmid = {36412071},
issn = {1521-1878},
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},
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},
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 ; },
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 ; P20 GM103475/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R25 GM088023/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P41 RR006009/RR/NCRR 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},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {36352292},
issn = {1618-1905},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0161322},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.01613-22},
pmid = {36321837},
issn = {2150-7511},
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},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/gcb.16480},
pmid = {36315059},
issn = {1365-2486},
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},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0262722},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.02627-22},
pmid = {36301108},
issn = {2165-0497},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0308822},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.03088-22},
pmid = {36250862},
issn = {2165-0497},
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},
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 = {R01ES030317A/NH/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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0236222},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.02362-22},
pmid = {36214563},
issn = {2150-7511},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e21971},
doi = {10.1002/arch.21971},
pmid = {36205078},
issn = {1520-6327},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e3836},
doi = {10.1002/ecy.3836},
pmid = {36156240},
issn = {1939-9170},
}
@article {pmid36151951,
year = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.7200},
pmid = {36151951},
issn = {1526-4998},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.7201},
pmid = {36151871},
issn = {1526-4998},
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},
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 = {},
doi = {10.1099/mic.0.001242},
pmid = {36129743},
issn = {1465-2080},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/mec.16699},
pmid = {36125236},
issn = {1365-294X},
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},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16180},
pmid = {36054322},
issn = {1462-2920},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {e12945},
doi = {10.1111/jeu.12945},
pmid = {36039907},
issn = {1550-7408},
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 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},
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},
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 = {2022},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
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},
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},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2022.07.036},
pmid = {35963240},
issn = {1879-0445},
support = {R35 GM136389/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},
mesh = {Adenosine Monophosphate ; Animals ; Antimicrobial Peptides ; *Blattellidae/genetics ; Female ; *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},
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},
doi = {10.1111/1755-0998.13693},
pmid = {35925827},
issn = {1755-0998},
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},
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},
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},
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},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16138},
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},
doi = {10.1111/mve.12601},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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 = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16112},
pmid = {35799468},
issn = {1462-2920},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
doi = {10.1111/1755-0998.13668},
pmid = {35699368},
issn = {1755-0998},
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},
doi = {10.1017/S0031182022000804},
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 ; Peas ; },
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},
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 {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},
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},
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},
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 ; },
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},
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},
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 = {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 ; Soybeans/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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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, JE 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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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 ; 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 ; },
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},
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},
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},
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},
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 ; },
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},
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},
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 = {2022},
author = {Detcharoen, M and Nilsai, A},
title = {Low Endosymbiont Incidence in Drosophila Species Across Peninsula Thailand.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {35192040},
issn = {1432-184X},
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},
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},
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},
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 ; Soybeans/*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 = {MR/N006364/2/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; MR/V033417/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; 108387/Z/15/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; 097377/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/M01116X/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/S010122/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; R01 AI063503/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; 102705/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; BB/M014525/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 211241/Z/18/Z/WT_/Wellcome Trust/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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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 sign