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Łukasik P, Kolasa MR. With a little help from my friends: the roles of microbial symbionts in insect populations and communities. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230122. [PMID: 38705185 PMCID: PMC11070262 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
To understand insect abundance, distribution and dynamics, we need to understand the relevant drivers of their populations and communities. While microbial symbionts are known to strongly affect many aspects of insect biology, we lack data on their effects on populations or community processes, or on insects' evolutionary responses at different timescales. How these effects change as the anthropogenic effects on ecosystems intensify is an area of intense research. Recent developments in sequencing and bioinformatics permit cost-effective microbial diversity surveys, tracking symbiont transmission, and identification of functions across insect populations and multi-species communities. In this review, we explore how different functional categories of symbionts can influence insect life-history traits, how these effects could affect insect populations and their interactions with other species, and how they may affect processes and patterns at the level of entire communities. We argue that insect-associated microbes should be considered important drivers of insect response and adaptation to environmental challenges and opportunities. We also outline the emerging approaches for surveying and characterizing insect-associated microbiota at population and community scales. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Łukasik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Michał R. Kolasa
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
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2
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Nishino T, Mukai H, Moriyama M, Hosokawa T, Tanahashi M, Tachikawa S, Nikoh N, Koga R, Fukatsu T. Defensive fungal symbiosis on insect hindlegs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.25.586038. [PMID: 38585921 PMCID: PMC10996522 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.586038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Tympanal organs as "insect ears" have evolved repeatedly. Dinidorid stinkbugs were reported to possess a conspicuous tympanal organ on female's hindlegs. Here we report an unexpected discovery that the stinkbug's "tympanal organ" is actually a novel symbiotic organ. The stinkbug's "tympanum" is not membranous but a porous cuticle, where each pore connects to glandular secretory cells. In reproductive females, the hindleg organ is covered with fungal hyphae growing out of the pores. Upon oviposition, the females skillfully transfer the fungi from the organ to the eggs. The eggs are quickly covered with hyphae and physically protected against wasp parasitism. The fungi are mostly benign Cordycipitaceae entomopathogens and show considerable diversity among insect individuals and populations, indicating environmental acquisition of specific fungal associates. These results uncover a novel external fungal symbiosis in which host's elaborate morphological, physiological and behavioral specializations underpin the selective recruitment of benign entomopathogens for a defensive purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Nishino
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiromi Mukai
- Department of Forest Entomology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Minoru Moriyama
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takahiro Hosokawa
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
- Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masahiko Tanahashi
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shuji Tachikawa
- Association for Nature Restoration and Conservation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naruo Nikoh
- Department of Liberal Arts, The Open University of Japan, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Koga
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takema Fukatsu
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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3
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Grundmann CO, Guzman J, Vilcinskas A, Pupo MT. The insect microbiome is a vast source of bioactive small molecules. Nat Prod Rep 2024. [PMID: 38411238 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00054k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Covering: September 1964 to June 2023Bacteria and fungi living in symbiosis with insects have been studied over the last sixty years and found to be important sources of bioactive natural products. Not only classic producers of secondary metabolites such as Streptomyces and other members of the phylum Actinobacteria but also numerous bacteria from the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and an impressive array of fungi (usually pathogenic) serve as the source of a structurally diverse number of small molecules with important biological activities including antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antiparasitic and specific enzyme inhibitors. The insect niche is often the exclusive provider of microbes producing unique types of biologically active compounds such as gerumycins, pederin, dinactin, and formicamycins. However, numerous insects still have not been described taxonomically, and in most cases, the study of their microbiota is completely unexplored. In this review, we present a comprehensive survey of 553 natural products produced by microorganisms isolated from insects by collating and classifying all the data according to the type of compound (rather than the insect or microbial source). The analysis of the correlations among the metadata related to insects, microbial partners, and their produced compounds provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics between insects and their symbionts as well as the impact of their metabolites on these relationships. Herein, we focus on the chemical structure, biosynthesis, and biological activities of the most relevant compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Guzman
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mônica Tallarico Pupo
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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4
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Chavarría-Pizarro L, Núñez-Montero K, Gutiérrez-Araya M, Watson-Guido W, Rivera-Méndez W, Pizarro-Cerdá J. Novel strains of Actinobacteria associated with neotropical social wasps (Vespidae; Polistinae, Epiponini) with antimicrobial potential for natural product discovery. FEMS MICROBES 2024; 5:xtae005. [PMID: 38476864 PMCID: PMC10929769 DOI: 10.1093/femsmc/xtae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance has been considered a public health threat. The World Health Organization has warned about the urgency of detecting new antibiotics from novel sources. Social insects could be crucial in the search for new antibiotic metabolites, as some of them survive in places that favor parasite development. Recent studies have shown the potential of social insects to produce antimicrobial metabolites (e.g. ants, bees, and termites). However, most groups of social wasps remain unstudied. Here, we explored whether Actinobacteria are associated with workers in the Neotropical Social Wasps (Epiponini) of Costa Rica and evaluated their putative inhibitory activity against other bacteria. Most isolated strains (67%) have antagonistic effects, mainly against Bacillus thuringensis and Escherichia coli ATCC 25992. Based on genome analysis, some inhibitory Actinobacteria showed biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) related to the production of antimicrobial molecules such as Selvamycin, Piericidin A1, and Nystatin. The Actinobacteria could be associated with social wasps to produce antimicrobial compounds. For these reasons, we speculate that Actinobacteria associated with social wasps could be a novel source of antimicrobial compounds, mainly against Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Chavarría-Pizarro
- Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Escuela de Biología-Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Calle 15, Avenida 14, 159-7050 Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Kattia Núñez-Montero
- Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Escuela de Biología-Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Calle 15, Avenida 14, 159-7050 Cartago, Costa Rica
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Avenida Alemania 1090, 4810101 Temuco, Chile
| | - Mariela Gutiérrez-Araya
- Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Escuela de Biología-Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Calle 15, Avenida 14, 159-7050 Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - William Watson-Guido
- Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Escuela de Biología-Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Calle 15, Avenida 14, 159-7050 Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - William Rivera-Méndez
- Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Escuela de Biología-Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Calle 15, Avenida 14, 159-7050 Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Javier Pizarro-Cerdá
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Yersinia Research Unit - Institut Pasteur 28, rue du Docteur Roux - 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
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5
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González Porras MÁ, Pons I, García-Lozano M, Jagdale S, Emmerich C, Weiss B, Salem H. Extracellular symbiont colonizes insect during embryo development. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:ycae005. [PMID: 38439943 PMCID: PMC10910848 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Insects typically acquire their beneficial microbes early in development. Endosymbionts housed intracellularly are commonly integrated during oogenesis or embryogenesis, whereas extracellular microbes are only known to be acquired after hatching by immature instars such as larvae or nymphs. Here, however, we report on an extracellular symbiont that colonizes its host during embryo development. Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) host their digestive bacterial symbiont Stammera extracellularly within foregut symbiotic organs and in ovary-associated glands to ensure its vertical transmission. We outline the initial stages of symbiont colonization and observe that although the foregut symbiotic organs develop 3 days prior to larval emergence, they remain empty until the final 24 h of embryo development. Infection by Stammera occurs during that timeframe and prior to hatching. By experimentally manipulating symbiont availability to embryos in the egg, we describe a 12-h developmental window governing colonization by Stammera. Symbiotic organs form normally in aposymbiotic larvae, demonstrating that these Stammera-bearing structures develop autonomously. In adults, the foregut symbiotic organs are already colonized following metamorphosis and host a stable Stammera population to facilitate folivory. The ovary-associated glands, however, initially lack Stammera. Symbiont abundance subsequently increases within these transmission organs, thereby ensuring sufficient titers at the onset of oviposition ~29 days following metamorphosis. Collectively, our findings reveal that Stammera colonization precedes larval emergence, where its proliferation is eventually decoupled in adult beetles to match the nutritional and reproductive requirements of its host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Inès Pons
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Marleny García-Lozano
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Shounak Jagdale
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Christiane Emmerich
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Benjamin Weiss
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena 07745, Germany
| | - Hassan Salem
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City 0843-03092, Republic of Panama
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6
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Peng S, Ye L, Li Y, Wang F, Sun T, Wang L, Hao W, Zhao J, Dong Z. Microbiota regulates life-cycle transition and nematocyte dynamics in jellyfish. iScience 2023; 26:108444. [PMID: 38125018 PMCID: PMC10730743 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Jellyfish represent one of the most basal animal groups with complex life cycles. The polyp-to-medusa transition, termed strobilation, is the pivotal process that determines the switch in swimming behavior and jellyfish blooms. Their microbiota plays an essential role in strobilation. Here, we investigated microbiota-mediated host phenotype dynamics during strobilation in the jellyfish Aurelia coerulea via antibiotic-induced microbiome alteration. Microbial depletion delayed the initiation of strobilation and resulted in fewer segments and ephyrae, which could be restored via microbial recolonization. Jellyfish-associated cyanobacteria, which were eliminated by antibiotics in the polyp stage, had the potential to supply retinal and trigger the retinoic acid signaling cascade, which drove the strobilation process. The microbiota regulated nematocyte development and differentiation, influencing the feeding and growth of the jellyfish. The findings improve our understanding of jellyfish-microbe interactions and provide new insights into the role of the microbiota in shaping feeding behavior through nematocyte dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saijun Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lijing Ye
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
| | - Yongxue Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fanghan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tingting Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
| | - Lei Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
| | - Wenjin Hao
- School of Life Science, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Jianmin Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhijun Dong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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7
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Ning J, Gu X, Zhou J, Zhang H, Sun J, Zhao L. Palmitoleic acid as a coordinating molecule between the invasive pinewood nematode and its newly associated fungi. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1862-1871. [PMID: 37604917 PMCID: PMC10579226 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01489-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Symbiotic microorganisms are ubiquitous on the body surface or internal tissues of invertebrates, providing them with benefits. Developing symbiotic relationships requires synchronization of developmental stages and physical proximity of partners. Therefore, the identification of metabolites that coordinate the reproduction of symbiotic partners is essential. This study demonstrates that palmitoleic acid (C16: 1) coordinates bilateral propagation by regulating the synchronization of reproduction between the invasive pinewood nematode (PWN) and its newly associated blue-stain fungus, Sporothrix sp.1. When the PWN fed on Sporothrix sp.1, there was a significant increase in lipid metabolism gene expression and metabolite abundance. Through further investigations, it highlighted a significant enhancement in the reproduction of the PWN through direct acquisition of C16: 1, which was abundantly present in Sporothrix sp.1. Furthermore, the PWN biosynthesized C16: 1 through the involvement of the stearoyl-CoA 9-desaturase gene fat-5 and its hormone nuclear receptor nhr-80, which was clarified to promote the egg-laying capacity of females. Moreover, it is worth noting that the production of C16: 1 was significantly higher by the associated fungus Sporothrix sp.1 to enhance sporulation during the spore formation phase compared to the hypha growth phase. Thus, by coordinating the fecundity and spore production, the key lipid metabolite C16: 1 facilitates the rapid and successful colonization of a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between the invasive PWN and the native Sporothrix sp.1 within the host. This finding emphasizes the significant role of metabolite sharing and its function in promoting partner synchronization within symbiotic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoting Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hongxia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jianghua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions/College of Life Science, Institutes of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Lilin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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8
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Ingham CS, Engl T, Kaltenpoth M. Protection of a defensive symbiont does not constrain the composition of the multifunctional hydrocarbon profile in digger wasps. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20230301. [PMID: 37909057 PMCID: PMC10618855 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrocarbons (HCs) fulfil indispensable functions in insects, protecting against desiccation and serving chemical communication. However, the link between composition and function, and the selection pressures shaping HC profiles remain poorly understood. Beewolf digger wasps (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) use an antennal gland secretion rich in linear unsaturated HCs to form a hydrophobic barrier around their defensive bacterial symbiont, protecting it from brood cell fumigation by toxic egg-produced nitric oxide (NO). Virtually identical HC compositions mediate desiccation protection and prey preservation from moulding in underground beewolf brood cells. It is unknown whether this composition presents an optimized adaptation to all functions, or a compromise due to conflicting selection pressures. Here, we reconstitute the NO barrier with single and binary combinations of synthetic linear saturated and unsaturated HCs, corresponding to HCs found in beewolves. The results show that pure alkanes as well as 3 : 1 mixtures of alkanes and alkenes resembling the composition of beewolf HCs form efficient protective barriers against NO, indicating that protection can be achieved by different mixtures of HCs. Since in vitro assays with symbiont cultures from different beewolf hosts indicate widespread NO sensitivity, HC-mediated protection from NO is likely important across Philanthini wasps. We conclude that HC-mediated protection of the symbiont from NO does not exert a conflicting selection pressure on the multifunctional HC profile of beewolves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Selina Ingham
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tobias Engl
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Str. 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Kaltenpoth
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Str. 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
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9
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Lange C, Boyer S, Bezemer TM, Lefort MC, Dhami MK, Biggs E, Groenteman R, Fowler SV, Paynter Q, Verdecia Mogena AM, Kaltenpoth M. Impact of intraspecific variation in insect microbiomes on host phenotype and evolution. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1798-1807. [PMID: 37660231 PMCID: PMC10579242 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01500-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Microbes can be an important source of phenotypic plasticity in insects. Insect physiology, behaviour, and ecology are influenced by individual variation in the microbial communities held within the insect gut, reproductive organs, bacteriome, and other tissues. It is becoming increasingly clear how important the insect microbiome is for insect fitness, expansion into novel ecological niches, and novel environments. These investigations have garnered heightened interest recently, yet a comprehensive understanding of how intraspecific variation in the assembly and function of these insect-associated microbial communities can shape the plasticity of insects is still lacking. Most research focuses on the core microbiome associated with a species of interest and ignores intraspecific variation. We argue that microbiome variation among insects can be an important driver of evolution, and we provide examples showing how such variation can influence fitness and health of insects, insect invasions, their persistence in new environments, and their responses to global environmental changes. A and B are two stages of an individual or a population of the same species. The drivers lead to a shift in the insect associated microbial community, which has consequences for the host. The complex interplay of those consequences affects insect adaptation and evolution and influences insect population resilience or invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Lange
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand.
| | - Stéphane Boyer
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR 7261 CNRS - Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - T Martijn Bezemer
- Above-Belowground Interactions Group, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Eva Biggs
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | | | - Martin Kaltenpoth
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
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10
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Cornwallis CK, van 't Padje A, Ellers J, Klein M, Jackson R, Kiers ET, West SA, Henry LM. Symbioses shape feeding niches and diversification across insects. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:1022-1044. [PMID: 37202501 PMCID: PMC10333129 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02058-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
For over 300 million years, insects have relied on symbiotic microbes for nutrition and defence. However, it is unclear whether specific ecological conditions have repeatedly favoured the evolution of symbioses, and how this has influenced insect diversification. Here, using data on 1,850 microbe-insect symbioses across 402 insect families, we found that symbionts have allowed insects to specialize on a range of nutrient-imbalanced diets, including phloem, blood and wood. Across diets, the only limiting nutrient consistently associated with the evolution of obligate symbiosis was B vitamins. The shift to new diets, facilitated by symbionts, had mixed consequences for insect diversification. In some cases, such as herbivory, it resulted in spectacular species proliferation. In other niches, such as strict blood feeding, diversification has been severely constrained. Symbioses therefore appear to solve widespread nutrient deficiencies for insects, but the consequences for insect diversification depend on the feeding niche that is invaded.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anouk van 't Padje
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, section Ecology and Evolution, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jacintha Ellers
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, section Ecology and Evolution, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Malin Klein
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, section Ecology and Evolution, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Raphaella Jackson
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - E Toby Kiers
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, section Ecology and Evolution, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stuart A West
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lee M Henry
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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11
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Hong S, Sun Y, Chen H, Zhao P, Wang C. Fungus-insect interactions beyond bilateral regimes: the importance and strategy to outcompete host ectomicrobiomes by fungal parasites. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 74:102336. [PMID: 37320866 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Fungus-insect interactions have long been investigated at the bilateral level to unveil the factors involved in mediating fungal entomopathogenicity and insect antifungal immunity. Emerging evidence has shown that insect cuticles are inhabited by different bacteria that can delay and deter fungal parasite infections. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), however, have evolved strategies to combat the colonization resistance mediated by insect ectomicrobiomes by producing antimicrobial peptides or antibiotic compounds. Deprivation of micronutrients may also be employed by EPF to counteract the ectomicrobiome antagonism. Further investigations of insect ectomicrobiome assemblage and fungal factors involved in outcompeting cuticular microbiomes may benefit the development of cost-effective mycoinsecticides while protecting ecologically and economically important insect species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Hong
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanlei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haimin Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Chengshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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12
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Ganesan R, Janke RS, Kaltenpoth M, Flórez LV. Colonization dynamics of a defensive insect ectosymbiont. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20230100. [PMID: 37161294 PMCID: PMC10170204 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Beneficial symbionts are horizontally or vertically transmitted to offspring, relying on host- or microbe-mediated mechanisms for colonization. While multiple studies on symbionts transmitted internally or by feeding highlight host adaptations and dynamics of symbiont colonization, less is known for beneficial microbes colonizing host external surfaces, such as the insect cuticle. Here, we investigate the colonization dynamics of a bacterial symbiont that protects eggs and larvae of Lagria villosa beetles against pathogens. After maternal application to the egg surface, symbionts colonize specialized cuticular invaginations on the dorsal surface of larvae. We assessed the colonization time point and investigated the involvement of the host during this process. Symbionts remain on the egg surface before hatching, providing protection. Immediately after hatching, cells from the egg surface colonize the larvae and horizontal acquisition can occur, yet efficiency decreases with increasing larval age. Additionally, passive or host-aided translocation likely supports colonization of the larval symbiotic organs. This may be especially important for the dominant non-motile symbiont strain, while motility of additional strains in the symbiont community might also play a role. Our findings provide insights into the colonization dynamics of cuticle-associated defensive symbionts and suggest alternate or complementary strategies used by different strains for colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Ganesan
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Rebekka S. Janke
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Martin Kaltenpoth
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Laura V. Flórez
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section for Organismal Biology, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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13
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Hammer TJ, Kueneman J, Argueta-Guzmán M, McFrederick QS, Grant L, Wcislo W, Buchmann S, Danforth BN. Bee breweries: The unusually fermentative, lactobacilli-dominated brood cell microbiomes of cellophane bees. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1114849. [PMID: 37089560 PMCID: PMC10113673 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1114849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens and parasites of solitary bees have been studied for decades, but the microbiome as a whole is poorly understood for most taxa. Comparative analyses of microbiome features such as composition, abundance, and specificity, can shed light on bee ecology and the evolution of host–microbe interactions. Here we study microbiomes of ground-nesting cellophane bees (Colletidae: Diphaglossinae). From a microbial point of view, the diphaglossine genus Ptiloglossa is particularly remarkable: their larval provisions are liquid and smell consistently of fermentation. We sampled larval provisions and various life stages from wild nests of Ptiloglossa arizonensis and two species of closely related genera: Caupolicana yarrowi and Crawfordapis luctuosa. We also sampled nectar collected by P. arizonensis. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we find that larval provisions of all three bee species are near-monocultures of lactobacilli. Nectar communities are more diverse, suggesting ecological filtering. Shotgun metagenomic and phylogenetic data indicate that Ptiloglossa culture multiple species and strains of Apilactobacillus, which circulate among bees and flowers. Larval lactobacilli disappear before pupation, and hence are likely not vertically transmitted, but rather reacquired from flowers as adults. Thus, brood cell microbiomes are qualitatively similar between diphaglossine bees and other solitary bees: lactobacilli-dominated, environmentally acquired, and non-species-specific. However, shotgun metagenomes provide evidence of a shift in bacterial abundance. As compared with several other bee species, Ptiloglossa have much higher ratios of bacterial to plant biomass in larval provisions, matching the unusually fermentative smell of their brood cells. Overall, Ptiloglossa illustrate a path by which hosts can evolve quantitatively novel symbioses: not by acquiring or domesticating novel symbionts, but by altering the microenvironment to favor growth of already widespread and generalist microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobin J. Hammer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Tobin J. Hammer,
| | - Jordan Kueneman
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Magda Argueta-Guzmán
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Quinn S. McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Lady Grant
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - William Wcislo
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Stephen Buchmann
- Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Bryan N. Danforth
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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14
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Liang Y, Yang L, Wang Y, Tang T, Liu F, Zhang F. Peptidoglycan recognition protein SC (PGRP-SC) shapes gut microbiota richness, diversity and composition by modulating immunity in the house fly Musca domestica. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 32:200-212. [PMID: 36522831 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract of all animals, including insects, is colonized by a remarkable array of microorganisms which are referred to collectively as the gut microbiota. The hosts establish mutually beneficial interactions with the gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms shaping these interactions remain to be better understood. Here, we investigated the roles of Musca domestica peptidoglycan recognition protein SC (MdPGRP-SC), a secreted pattern recognition receptor, in shaping the gut microbial community structure by using biochemical and high-throughput sequencing approaches. The recombinant MdPGRP-SC (rMdPGRP-SC) could strongly bind various pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) including peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharide and D-galactose, and exhibited mild affinity to β-1, 3-glucan and D-mannose. Meanwhile, rMdPGRP-SC could also bind different kinds of microorganisms, including gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and yeast (Pichia pastoris). rMdPGRP-SC also exhibited weak antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis. Knockdown of MdPGRP-SC by RNAi reduced the persistence of ingested E. coli and a load of indigenous microbiota in the larval gut significantly. In addition, depleted MdPGRP-SC also altered the gut microbiota composition and led to increased ratios of Gram-negative bacteria. We hypothesize that MdPGRP-SC is involved in maintaining gut homeostasis by modulating the immune intensity of the gut through multiple mechanisms, including degrading or neutralizing various PAMPs and selectively suppressing the growth of some bacteria. Considering the functional conservation of the peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP) family in insects, the catalytic PGRPs might be promising candidate targets not only for pest and vector control but also for the treatment of bacterial infection in insect farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadi Liang
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Lan Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Yongpeng Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Ting Tang
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Fengsong Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
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15
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Weevil Carbohydrate Intake Triggers Endosymbiont Proliferation: A Trade-Off between Host Benefit and Endosymbiont Burden. mBio 2023; 14:e0333322. [PMID: 36779765 PMCID: PMC10127669 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03333-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
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.
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16
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Donkersley P, Rice A, Graham RI, Wilson K. Gut microbial community supplementation and reduction modulates African armyworm susceptibility to a baculovirus. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 99:6880154. [PMID: 36473704 PMCID: PMC9764207 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota stimulates the immune system and inhibits pathogens, and thus, it is critical for disease prevention. Probiotics represent an effective alternative to antibiotics used for the therapy and prevention of bacterial diseases. Probiotic bacteria are commonly used in vertebrates, although their use in invertebrates is still rare. We manipulated the gut microbiome of the African Armyworm (Spodoptera exempta Walker) using antibiotics and field-collected frass, in an attempt to understand the interactions of the gut microbiome with the nucleopolyhedrovirus, SpexNPV. We found that S. exempta individuals with supplemented gut microbiome were significantly more resistant to SpexNPV, relative to those with a typical laboratory gut microbiome. Illumina MiSeq sequencing revealed the bacterial phyla in the S. exempta gut belonged to 28 different classes. Individuals with an increased abundance of Lactobacillales had a higher probability of surviving viral infection. In contrast, there was an increased abundance of Enterobacteriales and Pseudomonadales in individuals dying from viral infection, corresponding with decreased abundance of these two Orders in surviving caterpillars, suggesting a potential role for them in modulating the interaction between the host and its pathogen. These results have important implications for laboratory studies testing biopesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Donkersley
- Corresponding author: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom. E-mail:
| | - Annabel Rice
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Robert I Graham
- Department of Rural Land Use, SRUC, Craibstone Campus, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth Wilson
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
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17
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Bacterial ectosymbionts in cuticular organs chemically protect a beetle during molting stages. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:2691-2701. [PMID: 36056153 PMCID: PMC9666510 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01311-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In invertebrates, the cuticle is the first and major protective barrier against predators and pathogen infections. While immune responses and behavioral defenses are also known to be important for insect protection, the potential of cuticle-associated microbial symbionts to aid in preventing pathogen entry during molting and throughout larval development remains unexplored. Here, we show that bacterial symbionts of the beetle Lagria villosa inhabit unusual dorsal invaginations of the insect cuticle, which remain open to the outer surface and persist throughout larval development. This specialized location enables the release of several symbiont cells and the associated protective compounds during molting. This facilitates ectosymbiont maintenance and extended defense during larval development against antagonistic fungi. One Burkholderia strain, which produces the antifungal compound lagriamide, dominates the community across all life stages, and removal of the community significantly impairs the survival probability of young larvae when exposed to different pathogenic fungi. We localize both the dominant bacterial strain and lagriamide on the surface of eggs, larvae, pupae, and on the inner surface of the molted cuticle (exuvia), supporting extended protection. These results highlight adaptations for effective defense of immature insects by cuticle-associated ectosymbionts, a potentially key advantage for a ground-dwelling insect when confronting pathogenic microbes.
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18
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Bringhurst B, Allert M, Greenwold M, Kellner K, Seal JN. Environments and Hosts Structure the Bacterial Microbiomes of Fungus-Gardening Ants and their Symbiotic Fungus Gardens. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022:10.1007/s00248-022-02138-x. [PMID: 36344828 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-02138-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The fungus gardening-ant system is considered a complex, multi-tiered symbiosis, as it is composed of ants, their fungus, and microorganisms associated with either ants or fungus. We examine the bacterial microbiome of Trachymyrmex septentrionalis and Mycetomoellerius turrifex ants and their symbiotic fungus gardens, using 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing, over a region spanning approximately 350 km (east and central Texas). Typically, microorganisms can be acquired from a parent colony (vertical transmission) or from the environment (horizontal transmission). Because the symbiosis is characterized by co-dispersal of the ants and fungus, elements of both ant and fungus garden microbiome could be characterized by vertical transmission. The goals of this study were to explore how both the ant and fungus garden bacterial microbiome are acquired. The main findings were that different mechanisms appear to explain the structure the microbiomes of ants and their symbiotic fungus gardens. Ant associated microbiomes had a strong host ant signature, which could be indicative of vertical inheritance of the ant associated bacterial microbiome or an unknown mechanism of active uptake or screening. On the other hand, the bacterial microbiome of the fungus garden was more complex in that some bacterial taxa appear to be structured by the ant host species, whereas others by fungal lineage or the environment (geographic region). Thus bacteria in fungus gardens appear to be acquired both horizontally and vertically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Bringhurst
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX, 75799, USA
| | - Mattea Allert
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX, 75799, USA
| | - Matthew Greenwold
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX, 75799, USA
| | - Katrin Kellner
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX, 75799, USA
| | - Jon N Seal
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX, 75799, USA.
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19
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Sun Y, Hong S, Chen H, Yin Y, Wang C. Production of Helvolic Acid in Metarhizium Contributes to Fungal Infection of Insects by Bacteriostatic Inhibition of the Host Cuticular Microbiomes. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0262022. [PMID: 36047778 PMCID: PMC9602595 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02620-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The nortriterpenoid helvolic acid (HA) has potent antibiotic activities and can be produced by different fungi, yet HA function remains elusive. Here, we report the chemical biology of HA production in the insect pathogen Metarhizium robertsii. After deletion of the core oxidosqualene cyclase gene in Metarhizium, insect survival rates were significantly increased compared to those of insects treated with the wild type and the gene-rescued strain during topical infections but not during injection assays to bypass insect cuticles. Further gnotobiotic infection of axenic Drosophila adults confirmed the HA contribution to fungal infection by inhibiting bacterial competitors in an inoculum-dependent manner. Loss of HA production substantially impaired fungal spore germination and membrane penetration abilities relative to the WT and gene-complemented strains during challenge with different Gram-positive bacteria. Quantitative microbiome analysis revealed that HA production could assist the fungus to suppress the Drosophila cuticular microbiomes by exerting a bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal effect. Our data unveil the chemical ecology of HA and highlight the fact that fungal pathogens have to cope with the host cuticular microbiomes prior to successful infection of hosts. IMPORTANCE Emerging evidence has shown that the plant and animal surface microbiomes can defend hosts against fungal parasite infections. The strategies employed by fungal pathogens to combat the antagonistic inhibition of insect surface bacteria are still elusive. In this study, we found that the potent antibiotic helvolic acid (HA) produced by the insect pathogen Metarhizium robertsii contributes to natural fungal infection of insect hosts. Antibiotic and gnotobiotic infection assays confirmed that HA could facilitate fungal infection of insects by suppression of the host cuticular microbiomes through its bacteriostatic instead of bactericidal activities. The data from this study provide insights into the novel chemical biology of fungal secondary metabolisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Song Hong
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Haimin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Yin
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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20
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Berasategui A, Breitenbach N, García-Lozano M, Pons I, Sailer B, Lanz C, Rodríguez V, Hipp K, Ziemert N, Windsor D, Salem H. The leaf beetle Chelymorpha alternans propagates a plant pathogen in exchange for pupal protection. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4114-4127.e6. [PMID: 35987210 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.07.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Many insects rely on microbial protection in the early stages of their development. However, in contrast to symbiont-mediated defense of eggs and young instars, the role of microbes in safeguarding pupae remains relatively unexplored, despite the susceptibility of the immobile stage to antagonistic challenges. Here, we outline the importance of symbiosis in ensuring pupal protection by describing a mutualistic partnership between the ascomycete Fusarium oxysporum and Chelymorpha alternans, a leaf beetle. The symbiont rapidly proliferates at the onset of pupation, extensively and conspicuously coating C. alternans during metamorphosis. The fungus confers defense against predation as symbiont elimination results in reduced pupal survivorship. In exchange, eclosing beetles vector F. oxysporum to their host plants, resulting in a systemic infection. By causing wilt disease, the fungus retained its phytopathogenic capacity in light of its symbiosis with C. alternans. Despite possessing a relatively reduced genome, F. oxysporum encodes metabolic pathways that reflect its dual lifestyle as a plant pathogen and a defensive insect symbiont. These include virulence factors underlying plant colonization, along with mycotoxins that may contribute to the defensive biochemistry of the insect host. Collectively, our findings shed light on a mutualism predicated on pupal protection of an herbivorous beetle in exchange for symbiont dissemination and propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Berasategui
- Max Planck Institute for Biology, Mutualisms Research Group, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen 72076, Germany; University of Tübingen, Cluster of Excellence 'Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections', Auf der Morgenstelle 28, Tübingen 72076, Germany.
| | - Noa Breitenbach
- Max Planck Institute for Biology, Mutualisms Research Group, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Marleny García-Lozano
- Max Planck Institute for Biology, Mutualisms Research Group, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Inès Pons
- Max Planck Institute for Biology, Mutualisms Research Group, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Brigitte Sailer
- Max Planck Institute for Biology, Electron Microscopy Facility, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Christa Lanz
- Max Planck Institute for Biology, Genome Center, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Viterbo Rodríguez
- Centro Regional Universitario de Veraguas, Centro de Capacitación, Investigación y Monitoreo de la Biodiversidad en Coiba, Calle Décima, vía San Francisco, Santiago 08001, Republic of Panama
| | - Katharina Hipp
- Max Planck Institute for Biology, Electron Microscopy Facility, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Nadine Ziemert
- University of Tübingen, Cluster of Excellence 'Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections', Auf der Morgenstelle 28, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Donald Windsor
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Luis Clement Avenue, Bldg. 401 Tupper, Panama City 0843-03092, Republic of Panama
| | - Hassan Salem
- Max Planck Institute for Biology, Mutualisms Research Group, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen 72076, Germany.
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21
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Su Y, Lin HC, Teh LS, Chevance F, James I, Mayfield C, Golic KG, Gagnon JA, Rog O, Dale C. Rational engineering of a synthetic insect-bacterial mutualism. Curr Biol 2022; 32:3925-3938.e6. [PMID: 35963240 PMCID: PMC10080585 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghua Su
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Ho-Chen Lin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Li Szhen Teh
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Fabienne Chevance
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ian James
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Clara Mayfield
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kent G Golic
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - James A Gagnon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ofer Rog
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Colin Dale
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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Deng J, Xu W, Lv G, Yuan H, Zhang QH, Wickham JD, Xu L, Zhang L. Associated bacteria of a pine sawyer beetle confer resistance to entomopathogenic fungi via fungal growth inhibition. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2022; 17:47. [PMID: 36085246 PMCID: PMC9463743 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-022-00443-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana is a popular fungus used to control the Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope, the key vector of pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) that is the causal agent of pine wilt disease, resulting in devastating losses of pines in China and Portugal. However, recent studies have demonstrated that some insect-associated bacteria might decrease fungal toxicity and further undermine its biological control efficacy against M. alternatus. Thus, it is of great significance to uncover whether and how associated bacteria of M. alternatus become involved in the infection process of B. bassiana. RESULTS Here, we show that axenic M. alternatus larvae died significantly faster than non-axenic larvae infected by four increasing concentrations of B. bassiana spores (Log-rank test, P < 0.001). The infection of B. bassiana significantly changed the richness and structure of the beetle-associated bacterial community both on the cuticle and in the guts of M. alternatus; meanwhile, the abundance of Pseudomonas and Serratia bacteria were significantly enriched as shown by qPCR. Furthermore, these two bacteria genera showed a strong inhibitory activity against B. bassiana (One-way ANOVA, P < 0.001) by reducing the fungal conidial germination and growth rather than regulating host immunity. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the role of insect-associated bacteria in the interaction between pest insects and entomopathogenic fungi, which should be taken into consideration when developing microbial-based pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jundan Deng
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Weikang Xu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Guochang Lv
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Hang Yuan
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Qing-He Zhang
- Sterling International, Inc., Spokane, WA, 99216, USA
| | - Jacob D Wickham
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky Prospect, Moscow, Russia, 119071
| | - Letian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
| | - Longwa Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
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23
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Parish AJ, Rice DW, Tanquary VM, Tennessen JM, Newton ILG. Honey bee symbiont buffers larvae against nutritional stress and supplements lysine. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:2160-2168. [PMID: 35726020 PMCID: PMC9381588 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01268-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees have suffered dramatic losses in recent years, largely due to multiple stressors underpinned by poor nutrition [1]. Nutritional stress especially harms larvae, who mature into workers unable to meet the needs of their colony [2]. In this study, we characterize the metabolic capabilities of a honey bee larvae-associated bacterium, Bombella apis (formerly Parasaccharibacter apium), and its effects on the nutritional resilience of larvae. We found that B. apis is the only bacterium associated with larvae that can withstand the antimicrobial larval diet. Further, we found that B. apis can synthesize all essential amino acids and significantly alters the amino acid content of synthetic larval diet, largely by supplying the essential amino acid lysine. Analyses of gene gain/loss across the phylogeny suggest that four amino acid transporters were gained in recent B. apis ancestors. In addition, the transporter LysE is conserved across all sequenced strains of B. apis. Finally, we tested the impact of B. apis on developing honey bee larvae subjected to nutritional stress and found that larvae supplemented with B. apis are bolstered against mass reduction despite limited nutrition. Together, these data suggest a novel role of B. apis as a nutritional mutualist of honey bee larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey J Parish
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Danny W Rice
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Vicki M Tanquary
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Jason M Tennessen
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Irene L G Newton
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
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24
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Janke RS, Moog S, Weiss B, Kaltenpoth M, Flórez LV. Morphological adaptation for ectosymbiont maintenance and transmission during metamorphosis in Lagria beetles. Front Physiol 2022; 13:979200. [PMID: 36111144 PMCID: PMC9468232 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.979200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity and success of holometabolous insects is partly driven by metamorphosis, which allows for the exploitation of different niches and decouples growth and tissue differentiation from reproduction. Despite its benefits, metamorphosis comes with the cost of temporal vulnerability during pupation and challenges associated with tissue reorganizations. These rearrangements can also affect the presence, abundance, and localization of beneficial microbes in the host. However, how symbionts are maintained or translocated during metamorphosis and which adaptations are necessary from each partner during this process remains unknown for the vast majority of symbiotic systems. Here, we show that Lagria beetles circumvent the constraints of metamorphosis by maintaining defensive symbionts on the surface in specialized cuticular structures. The symbionts are present in both sexes throughout larval development and during the pupal phase, in line with a protective role during the beetle’s immature stages. By comparing symbiont titer and morphology of the cuticular structures between sexes using qPCR, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and micro-computed tomography, we found that the organs likely play an important role as a symbiont reservoir for transmission to female adults, since symbiont titers and structures are reduced in male pupae. Using symbiont-sized fluorescent beads, we demonstrate transfer from the region of the dorsal symbiont-housing organs to the opening of the reproductive tract of adult females, suggesting that symbiont relocation on the outer surface is possible, even without specialized symbiont adaptations or motility. Our results illustrate a strategy for holometabolous insects to cope with the challenge of symbiont maintenance during metamorphosis via an external route, circumventing problems associated with internal tissue reorganization. Thereby, Lagria beetles keep a tight relationship with their beneficial partners during growth and metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka S. Janke
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Safira Moog
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Benjamin Weiss
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Kaltenpoth
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Laura V. Flórez
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section for Organismal Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Laura V. Flórez,
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25
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Suo P, Wang K, Yu H, Fu X, An L, Bhowmick B, Zhang J, Han Q. Seasonal Variation of Midgut Bacterial Diversity in Culex quinquefasciatus Populations in Haikou City, Hainan Province, China. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11081166. [PMID: 36009794 PMCID: PMC9405131 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Mosquito midgut microbiota has become an interesting field in mosquito vector biology, as it has been shown to form an integral part of the mosquito life history. But less is known about seasonal variation of midgut bacterial diversity of Culex quinquefasciatus. Our results illustrate that the Bacteroidetes (Bacterial Phyla) communities have been well observed in autumn and winter seasons, suggesting that this might participate in the nutritional supply of adult mosquitoes when temperatures drop. This discovery provides a new perspective for the control of Cx. quinquefasciatus to reduce the transmission of diseases. There is much sufficiently practical significance to reduce the density of Cx. quinquefasciatus in autumn and winter when their activities are weakened, which is of absolute benefit to human beings and the natural environment. Abstract Culex quinquefasciatus, one of the most significant mosquito vectors in the world, is widespread in most parts of southern China. A variety of diseases including Bancroft’s filariasis, West Nile disease, and St. Louis encephalitis could be transmitted by the vector. Mosquitoes have been shown to host diverse bacterial communities that vary depending on environmental factors such as temperature and rainfall. In this work, 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze the seasonal variation of midgut bacterial diversity of Cx. Quinquefasciatus in Haikou City, Hainan Province, China. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum, accounting for 79.7% (autumn), 73% (winter), 80.4% (spring), and 84.5% (summer). The abundance of Bacteroidetes in autumn and winter was higher than in others. Interestingly, Epsilonbacteraeota, which only exists in autumn and winter, was discovered accidentally in the midgut. We speculated that this might participate in the nutritional supply of adult mosquitoes when temperatures drop. Wolbachia is the most abundant in autumn, accounting for 31.6% of bacteria. The content of Pantoea was highest in the summer group, which might be related to the enhancement of the ability of mosquitoes as temperatures increased. Pseudomonas is carried out as the highest level in winter. On the contrary, in spring and summer, the genus in highest abundance is Enterobacter. Acinetobacter enriches in the spring when it turns from cold to hot. By studying the diversity of midgut bacteria of Cx. quinquefasciatus, we can further understand the co-evolution of mosquitoes and their symbiotic microbes. This is necessary to discuss the seasonal variation of microorganisms and ultimately provide a new perspective for the control of Cx. quinquefasciatus to reduce the spread of the diseases which have notably vital practical significance for the effective prevention of Cx. quinquefasciatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghui Suo
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (P.S.); (K.W.); (H.Y.); (X.F.); (L.A.); (B.B.)
- One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Kaixuan Wang
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (P.S.); (K.W.); (H.Y.); (X.F.); (L.A.); (B.B.)
- One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Hongxiao Yu
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (P.S.); (K.W.); (H.Y.); (X.F.); (L.A.); (B.B.)
- One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Xiuhao Fu
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (P.S.); (K.W.); (H.Y.); (X.F.); (L.A.); (B.B.)
- One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Liping An
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (P.S.); (K.W.); (H.Y.); (X.F.); (L.A.); (B.B.)
- One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Biswajit Bhowmick
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (P.S.); (K.W.); (H.Y.); (X.F.); (L.A.); (B.B.)
- One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Jiachao Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China;
| | - Qian Han
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; (P.S.); (K.W.); (H.Y.); (X.F.); (L.A.); (B.B.)
- One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Correspondence:
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Pronk LJU, Bakker PAHM, Keel C, Maurhofer M, Flury P. The secret life of plant-beneficial rhizosphere bacteria: insects as alternative hosts. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:3273-3289. [PMID: 35315557 PMCID: PMC9542179 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Root-colonizing bacteria have been intensively investigated for their intimate relationship with plants and their manifold plant-beneficial activities. They can inhibit growth and activity of pathogens or induce defence responses. In recent years, evidence has emerged that several plant-beneficial rhizosphere bacteria do not only associate with plants but also with insects. Their relationships with insects range from pathogenic to mutualistic and some rhizobacteria can use insects as vectors for dispersal to new host plants. Thus, the interactions of these bacteria with their environment are even more complex than previously thought and can extend far beyond the rhizosphere. The discovery of this secret life of rhizobacteria represents an exciting new field of research that should link the fields of plant-microbe and insect-microbe interactions. In this review, we provide examples of plant-beneficial rhizosphere bacteria that use insects as alternative hosts, and of potentially rhizosphere-competent insect symbionts. We discuss the bacterial traits that may enable a host-switch between plants and insects and further set the multi-host lifestyle of rhizobacteria into an evolutionary and ecological context. Finally, we identify important open research questions and discuss perspectives on the use of these rhizobacteria in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christoph Keel
- Department of Fundamental MicrobiologyUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Monika Maurhofer
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative BiologyETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Pascale Flury
- Crop Protection – Phytopathology, Department of Crop SciencesResearch Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBLFrickSwitzerland
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27
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Carpenter Bees ( Xylocopa) Harbor a Distinctive Gut Microbiome Related to That of Honey Bees and Bumble Bees. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0020322. [PMID: 35758673 PMCID: PMC9275229 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00203-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Eusocial corbiculate bees, including bumble bees and honey bees, maintain a socially transmitted core gut microbiome that contributes to digestion and pathogen defense. In contrast, solitary bees, which have fewer opportunities for direct interhost transmission, typically have less consistent microbiomes dominated by bacteria associated with pollen and food reserves. Carpenter bees (genus Xylocopa) are long-lived bees that are not eusocial but that often live in shared nesting sites. We characterized gut microbiomes for Xylocopa micans, X. mexicanorum, X. tabaniformis parkinsoniae, and X. virginica and for five solitary bee species from other genera (Andrena, Habropoda, Megachile, and Svastra), sampled in the same localities in central Texas. Unexpectedly, all four Xylocopa species had microbiomes dominated by bacterial lineages previously known only from social bees or other insect groups. Microbiomes were similar across three Xylocopa species and included lineages in the families Bifidobacteriaceae, Orbaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae. In contrast, X. virginica had a distinct microbiome dominated by the genus Bombilactobacillus, a group abundant in guts of eusocial bees. Phylogenetic analyses support a past transfer of bacterial lineages into Xylocopa from bumble bees or honey bees. Gut microbiome compositions of Xylocopa species were distinct from those of other co-occurring solitary bees that had variable gut microbiomes dominated by bacteria from environmental sources. IMPORTANCE Gut microbiomes from social bees, such as honey bees and bumble bees, are conserved and consist of host-restricted bacteria that are transmitted among sterile female workers within a colony and that are important to the health of these key insect pollinators. In contrast, solitary bee species typically have more erratic, environmentally acquired microbiomes. Carpenter bees (genus Xylocopa) can be solitary as they lack a worker caste, and each female can excavate nests and raise offspring alone, although females are often social share nests at least in some species. This study showed that the gut microbiomes of four Xylocopa species have distinctive and consistent compositions and are dominated by bacterial lineages previously known from honey bees and bumble bees. Thus, eusociality is not required for bees to maintain a specialized, host-restricted gut microbiome. These findings suggest that gut bacteria are transmitted at shared nesting sites and that they play a role in host ecology.
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Comparative Genomics of Acetic Acid Bacteria within the Genus Bombella in Light of Beehive Habitat Adaptation. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10051058. [PMID: 35630502 PMCID: PMC9147383 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10051058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
It is known that the bacterial microbiota in beehives is essential for keeping bees healthy. Acetic acid bacteria of the genus Bombella colonize several niches in beehives and are associated with larvae protection against microbial pathogens. We have analyzed the genomes of 22 Bombella strains of different species isolated in eight different countries for taxonomic affiliation, central metabolism, prophages, bacteriocins and tetracycline resistance to further elucidate the symbiotic lifestyle and to identify typical traits of acetic acid bacteria. The genomes can be assigned to four different species. Three genomes show ANIb values and DDH values below species demarcation values to any validly described species, which identifies them as two potentially new species. All Bombella spp. lack genes in the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, indicating a focus of intracellular carbohydrate metabolism on the pentose phosphate pathway or the Entner–Doudoroff pathway for which all genes were identified within the genomes. Five membrane-bound dehydrogenases were identified that catalyze oxidative fermentation reactions in the periplasm, yielding oxidative energy. Several complete prophages, but no bacteriocins, were identified. Resistance to tetracycline, used to prevent bacterial infections in beehives, was only found in Bombella apis MRM1T. Bombella strains exhibit increased osmotolerance in high glucose concentrations compared to Gluconobacter oxydans, indicating adaption to high sugar environments such as beehives.
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29
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Analysis of Intestinal Microbial Diversity of Four Species of Grasshoppers and Determination of Cellulose Digestibility. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13050432. [PMID: 35621768 PMCID: PMC9147371 DOI: 10.3390/insects13050432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Grasshoppers are typical phytophagous pests, which prefer eating monocotyledons with more cellulose and hemicellulose. Due to its large appetite and high utilization rate, the intestinal contents of grasshoppers have the potential to be developed into a bioreactor, which can be applied to improve straw utilization efficiency in the future. The digestive tract of grasshoppers is a complex ecosystem, inhabited by a large number of microorganisms. The existence of these microorganisms enables grasshoppers to have high decomposition and utilization of plant fibers. However, there are few reports on the microflora structure and diversity of the digestive tract of grasshoppers. In this study, the diversity of symbiotic bacteria in the intestinal tract of four species of grasshoppers, namely Acrida cinerea, Trilophidia annulata, Atractomorpha sinensis and Sphingonotus mongolicus, was studied by using the method of constructing a 16S rRNA gene library and Illumina Miseq sequencing technology. At the same time, the digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose of the four species of grasshoppers were determined and the relationship between digestibility and intestinal microbial diversity was analyzed. This study provided basic data for the development of the digestible bioreactor of cellulose and hemicellulose, which may provide a new idea for degrading straw. Abstract Grasshoppers (Insecta, Orthoptera, Acridoidea) are a large group of agricultural and animal husbandry pests. They have a large food intake with high utilization of plants fibers. However, the composition of the grasshopper gut microbial community, especially the relationship between gut microbial community and cellulose digestibility, remains unclear. In this research, 16S rRNA gene sequences were used to determine the intestinal microbial diversity of Acrida cinerea, Trilophidia annulata, Atractomorpha sinensis and Sphingonotus mongolicus, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed between the intestinal microbes of grasshoppers and the digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose. The results showed that Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum and Klebsiella was the dominant genus in the guts of the four species of grasshoppers; there was no significant difference in the species composition of the gut microbes of the four species of grasshoppers. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Brevibacterium and Stenotrophomonas were significantly correlated with cellulose digestibility. Brevibacterium, Clavibacter, Microbacterium and Stenotrophomonas were significantly associated with hemicellulose digestibility. Our results confirmed that the gut microbes of grasshoppers were correlated with the digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose, and indicated that grasshoppers may have the potential to develop into bioreactors, which can be applied to improve straw utilization efficiency in the future.
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Pons I, González Porras MÁ, Breitenbach N, Berger J, Hipp K, Salem H. For the road: calibrated maternal investment in light of extracellular symbiont transmission. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220386. [PMID: 35473381 PMCID: PMC9043728 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Faithful transmission of beneficial symbionts is critical for the persistence of mutualisms. Many insect groups rely on extracellular routes that require microbial symbionts to survive outside the host during transfer. However, given a prolonged aposymbiotic phase in offspring, how do mothers mitigate the risk of symbiont loss due to unsuccessful transmission? Here, we investigated symbiont regulation and reacquisition during extracellular transfer in the tortoise beetle, Chelymorpha alternans (Coleoptera: Cassidinae). Like many cassidines, C. alternans relies on egg caplets to vertically propagate its obligate symbiont Candidatus Stammera capleta. On average, each caplet is supplied with 12 symbiont-bearing spheres where Stammera is embedded. We observe limited deviation (±2.3) in the number of spheres allocated to each caplet, indicating strict maternal control over symbiont supply. Larvae acquire Stammera 1 day prior to eclosion but are unable to do so after hatching, suggesting that a specific developmental window governs symbiont uptake. Experimentally manipulating the number of spheres available to each egg revealed that a single sphere is sufficient to ensure successful colonization by Stammera relative to the 12 typically packaged within a caplet. Collectively, our findings shed light on a tightly regulated symbiont transmission cycle optimized to ensure extracellular transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès Pons
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | | | - Noa Breitenbach
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Jürgen Berger
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Katharina Hipp
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Hassan Salem
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
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31
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An JS, Lim HJ, Lee JY, Jang YJ, Nam SJ, Lee SK, Oh DC. Hamuramicin C, a Cytotoxic Bicyclic Macrolide Isolated from a Wasp Gut Bacterium. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:936-942. [PMID: 35362983 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c01075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A new bicyclic macrolide, hamuramicin C (1), was isolated from Streptomyces sp. MBP16, a gut bacterial strain of the wasp Vespa crabro flavofasciata. Its 22-membered macrocyclic lactone structure was determined by NMR and mass spectrometry. The relative configurations of hamuramicin C (1) were assigned by J-based configuration analysis utilizing 1H rotating frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy and heteronuclear long-range coupling NMR spectroscopy. Genomic and bioinformatic analyses of the bacterial strain enabled identification of the type-I polyketide synthase pathway, which employs a trans-acyltransferase system. The absolute configurations of 1 were proposed based on the analysis of the sequences of ketoreductases in the modular gene cluster. Moreover, hamuramicin C (1) demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against diverse human cancer cell lines (HCT116, A549, SNU-638, SK-HEP-1, and MDA-MB-231).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Soo An
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Ju Lim
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yun Lee
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Joon Jang
- Natura Center of Life and Environment, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Jip Nam
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Kook Lee
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Chan Oh
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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32
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Chakraborty A, Mori B, Rehermann G, Garcia AH, Lemmen‐Lechelt J, Hagman A, Khalil S, Håkansson S, Witzgall P, Becher PG. Yeast and fruit fly mutual niche construction and antagonism against mould. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Chakraborty
- Department of Plant Protection Biology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 102 23053 Alnarp Sweden
- EVA 4.0 Unit, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences Czech University of Life Sciences Kamýcka 129 16500 Prague Czech Republic
| | - Boyd Mori
- Department of Plant Protection Biology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 102 23053 Alnarp Sweden
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science University of Alberta Agriculture/Forestry Centre 4‐10 Edmonton Alberta Canada T6G 2P5
| | - Guillermo Rehermann
- Department of Plant Protection Biology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 102 23053 Alnarp Sweden
| | - Armando Hernández Garcia
- Department of Molecular Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 7015 75007 Uppsala Sweden
- Division of Biotechnology Department of Chemistry Faculty of Engineering Lund University Box 124 221 00 Lund Sweden
| | - Joelle Lemmen‐Lechelt
- Department of Plant Protection Biology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 102 23053 Alnarp Sweden
| | - Arne Hagman
- Division of Biotechnology Department of Chemistry Faculty of Engineering Lund University Box 124 221 00 Lund Sweden
| | - Sammar Khalil
- Department of Biosystems and Technology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 102 23053 Alnarp Sweden
| | - Sebastian Håkansson
- Department of Molecular Sciences Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 7015 75007 Uppsala Sweden
- Division of Applied Microbiology Department of Chemistry Faculty of Engineering Lund University Lund Sweden
| | - Peter Witzgall
- Department of Plant Protection Biology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 102 23053 Alnarp Sweden
| | - Paul G Becher
- Department of Plant Protection Biology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 102 23053 Alnarp Sweden
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Santos-Aberturas J, Vior NM. Beyond Soil-Dwelling Actinobacteria: Fantastic Antibiotics and Where to Find Them. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:195. [PMID: 35203798 PMCID: PMC8868522 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial secondary metabolites represent an invaluable source of bioactive molecules for the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Although screening campaigns for the discovery of new compounds have traditionally been strongly biased towards the study of soil-dwelling Actinobacteria, the current antibiotic resistance and discovery crisis has brought a considerable amount of attention to the study of previously neglected bacterial sources of secondary metabolites. The development and application of new screening, sequencing, genetic manipulation, cultivation and bioinformatic techniques have revealed several other groups of bacteria as producers of striking chemical novelty. Biosynthetic machineries evolved from independent taxonomic origins and under completely different ecological requirements and selective pressures are responsible for these structural innovations. In this review, we summarize the most important discoveries related to secondary metabolites from alternative bacterial sources, trying to provide the reader with a broad perspective on how technical novelties have facilitated the access to the bacterial metabolic dark matter.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalia M. Vior
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich NR7 4UH, UK
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Goettler W, Kaltenpoth M, McDonald S, Strohm E. Comparative Morphology of the Symbiont Cultivation Glands in the Antennae of Female Digger Wasps of the Genus Philanthus (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae). Front Physiol 2022; 13:815494. [PMID: 35153837 PMCID: PMC8826713 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.815494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Females of the solitary digger wasp tribe Philanthini, called the beewolves (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), cultivate strains of symbiotic bacteria that belong to the genus Streptomyces in unique and highly specialized glands in their antennae. The glands consist of large reservoirs that are surrounded by numerous gland cell complexes (class III). The symbionts are cultivated inside the reservoirs and are probably provisioned with nutrients secreted from the surrounding glands and/or sequestered from the hemolymph. The wasp female delivers the bacteria into the subterranean brood cell prior to oviposition. Fully grown larvae take up the bacteria and apply them to their cocoon. There the bacteria produce several antibiotics that protect the wasp offspring against fungus infestation. Hitherto Streptomyces bacteria were detected in the antennae of 38 species of the Philanthini. However, a detailed morphological analysis of the antennal glands is only available for a few species. In order to shed light on the evolutionary history of the association between beewolf wasps and bacteria, we investigated the morphology of the antennal glands of another 14 Philanthus species from the Palearctic, Paleotropic, and Nearctic. We generated 3D-models of the glands based on serial semithin sections and/or micro-CT (μCT). Despite broad similarities in number and structure of antennal glands, the results revealed interspecific differences with regard to overall shape, complexity, and relative size of the reservoirs as well as the number of the surrounding gland cell units. Mapping the morphology of all species studied so far on the phylogeny (that parallels geographical distribution) revealed that related species share similarities in gland morphology, but there are notable differences between lineages. In particular, compared to the North American species the European and African species possess more complex gland structures with a higher number of gland cells. We discuss morphological, ecological, and physiological aspects and provide scenarios for the evolution of the antennal glands of the Philanthini as symbiont cultivation organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Goettler
- Department of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Kaltenpoth
- Department of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Samuel McDonald
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Erhard Strohm
- Department of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Erhard Strohm,
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Lavy O, Lewin‐Epstein O, Bendett Y, Gophna U, Gefen E, Hadany L, Ayali A. Microbiome‐related aspects of locust density‐dependent phase transition. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:507-516. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Omer Lavy
- School of Zoology Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Ohad Lewin‐Epstein
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Yonatan Bendett
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Uri Gophna
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Eran Gefen
- Department of Biology University of Haifa – Oranim Kiryat Tivon Israel
| | - Lilach Hadany
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Amir Ayali
- School of Zoology Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
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Abstract
Beetles are hosts to a remarkable diversity of bacterial symbionts. In this article, we review the role of these partnerships in promoting beetle fitness following a surge of recent studies characterizing symbiont localization and function across the Coleoptera. Symbiont contributions range from the supplementation of essential nutrients and digestive or detoxifying enzymes to the production of bioactive compounds providing defense against natural enemies. Insights on this functional diversity highlight how symbiosis can expand the host's ecological niche, but also constrain its evolutionary potential by promoting specialization. As bacterial localization can differ within and between beetle clades, we discuss how it corresponds to the microbe's beneficial role and outline the molecular and behavioral mechanisms underlying symbiont translocation and transmission by its holometabolous host. In reviewing this literature, we emphasize how the study of symbiosis can inform our understanding of the phenotypic innovations behind the evolutionary success of beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Salem
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany;
| | - Martin Kaltenpoth
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena 07745, Germany;
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz 55128, Germany
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Prigot-Maurice C, Beltran-Bech S, Braquart-Varnier C. Why and how do protective symbionts impact immune priming with pathogens in invertebrates? DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 126:104245. [PMID: 34453995 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence demonstrates that invertebrates display adaptive-like immune abilities, commonly known as "immune priming". Immune priming is a process by which a host improves its immune defences following an initial pathogenic exposure, leading to better protection after a subsequent infection with the same - or different - pathogens. Nevertheless, beneficial symbionts can enhance similar immune priming processes in hosts, such as when they face repeated infections with pathogens. This "symbiotic immune priming" protects the host against pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi, or eukaryotic parasites. In this review, we explore the extent to which protective symbionts interfere and impact immune priming against pathogens from both a mechanical (proximal) and an evolutionary (ultimate) point of view. We highlight that the immune priming of invertebrates is the cornerstone of the tripartite interaction of hosts/symbionts/pathogens. The main shared mechanism of immune priming (induced by symbionts or pathogens) is the sustained immune response at the beginning of host-microbial interactions. However, the evolutionary outcome of immune priming leads to a specific discrimination, which provides enhanced tolerance or resistance depending on the type of microbe. Based on several studies testing immune priming against pathogens in the presence or absence of protective symbionts, we observed that both types of immune priming could overlap and affect each other inside the same hosts. As protective symbionts could be an evolutionary force that influences immune priming, they may help us to better understand the heterogeneity of pathogenic immune priming across invertebrate populations and species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cybèle Prigot-Maurice
- Université de Poitiers - UFR Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Laboratoire Écologie et Biologie des Interactions - UMR CNRS 7267, Bâtiment B8-B35, 5 rue Albert Turpin, TSA 51106, F, 86073, POITIERS Cedex 9, France.
| | - Sophie Beltran-Bech
- Université de Poitiers - UFR Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Laboratoire Écologie et Biologie des Interactions - UMR CNRS 7267, Bâtiment B8-B35, 5 rue Albert Turpin, TSA 51106, F, 86073, POITIERS Cedex 9, France
| | - Christine Braquart-Varnier
- Université de Poitiers - UFR Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Laboratoire Écologie et Biologie des Interactions - UMR CNRS 7267, Bâtiment B8-B35, 5 rue Albert Turpin, TSA 51106, F, 86073, POITIERS Cedex 9, France
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Kanyile SN, Engl T, Kaltenpoth M. Nutritional symbionts enhance structural defence against predation and fungal infection in a grain pest beetle. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:jeb243593. [PMID: 34854911 PMCID: PMC8778805 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Many insects benefit from bacterial symbionts that provide essential nutrients and thereby extend the hosts' adaptive potential and their ability to cope with challenging environments. However, the implications of nutritional symbioses for the hosts' defence against natural enemies remain largely unstudied. Here, we investigated whether the cuticle-enhancing nutritional symbiosis of the saw-toothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis confers protection against predation and fungal infection. We exposed age-defined symbiotic and symbiont-depleted (aposymbiotic) beetles to two antagonists that must actively penetrate the cuticle for a successful attack: wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana. While young beetles suffered from high predation and fungal infection rates regardless of symbiont presence, symbiotic beetles were able to escape this period of vulnerability and reach high survival probabilities significantly faster than aposymbiotic beetles. To understand the mechanistic basis of these differences, we conducted a time-series analysis of cuticle development in symbiotic and aposymbiotic beetles by measuring cuticular melanisation and thickness. The results reveal that the symbionts accelerate their host's cuticle formation and thereby enable it to quickly reach a cuticle quality threshold that confers structural protection against predation and fungal infection. Considering the widespread occurrence of cuticle enhancement via symbiont-mediated tyrosine supplementation in beetles and other insects, our findings demonstrate how nutritional symbioses can have important ecological implications reaching beyond the immediate nutrient-provisioning benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sthandiwe Nomthandazo Kanyile
- Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Tobias Engl
- Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Kaltenpoth
- Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
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Singh S, Singh A, Baweja V, Roy A, Chakraborty A, Singh IK. Molecular Rationale of Insect-Microbes Symbiosis-From Insect Behaviour to Mechanism. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122422. [PMID: 34946024 PMCID: PMC8707026 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects nurture a panoply of microbial populations that are often obligatory and exist mutually with their hosts. Symbionts not only impact their host fitness but also shape the trajectory of their phenotype. This co-constructed niche successfully evolved long in the past to mark advanced ecological specialization. The resident microbes regulate insect nutrition by controlling their host plant specialization and immunity. It enhances the host fitness and performance by detoxifying toxins secreted by the predators and abstains them. The profound effect of a microbial population on insect physiology and behaviour is exploited to understand the host–microbial system in diverse taxa. Emergent research of insect-associated microbes has revealed their potential to modulate insect brain functions and, ultimately, control their behaviours, including social interactions. The revelation of the gut microbiota–brain axis has now unravelled insects as a cost-effective potential model to study neurodegenerative disorders and behavioural dysfunctions in humans. This article reviewed our knowledge about the insect–microbial system, an exquisite network of interactions operating between insects and microbes, its mechanistic insight that holds intricate multi-organismal systems in harmony, and its future perspectives. The demystification of molecular networks governing insect–microbial symbiosis will reveal the perplexing behaviours of insects that could be utilized in managing insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujata Singh
- Molecular Biology Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, India; (S.S.); (V.B.)
- Department of Botany, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110007, India;
| | - Archana Singh
- Department of Botany, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110007, India;
| | - Varsha Baweja
- Molecular Biology Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, India; (S.S.); (V.B.)
- DBC i4 Center, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, India
| | - Amit Roy
- EVA 4.0 Unit, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, Suchdol, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic;
- Excelentní Tým pro Mitigaci (ETM), Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, Suchdol, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Amrita Chakraborty
- EVA 4.0 Unit, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, Suchdol, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (I.K.S.)
| | - Indrakant Kumar Singh
- Molecular Biology Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, India; (S.S.); (V.B.)
- DBC i4 Center, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, India
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (I.K.S.)
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40
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Boyd BM, Chevignon G, Patel V, Oliver KM, Strand MR. Evolutionary genomics of APSE: a tailed phage that lysogenically converts the bacterium Hamiltonella defensa into a heritable protective symbiont of aphids. Virol J 2021; 18:219. [PMID: 34758862 PMCID: PMC8579659 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-021-01685-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Most phages infect free-living bacteria but a few have been identified that infect heritable symbionts of insects or other eukaryotes. Heritable symbionts are usually specialized and isolated from other bacteria with little known about the origins of associated phages. Hamiltonella defensa is a heritable bacterial symbiont of aphids that is usually infected by a tailed, double-stranded DNA phage named APSE. Methods We conducted comparative genomic and phylogenetic studies to determine how APSE is related to other phages and prophages. Results Each APSE genome was organized into four modules and two predicted functional units. Gene content and order were near-fully conserved in modules 1 and 2, which encode predicted DNA metabolism genes, and module 4, which encodes predicted virion assembly genes. Gene content of module 3, which contains predicted toxin, holin and lysozyme genes differed among haplotypes. Comparisons to other sequenced phages suggested APSE genomes are mosaics with modules 1 and 2 sharing similarities with Bordetella-Bcep-Xylostella fastidiosa-like podoviruses, module 4 sharing similarities with P22-like podoviruses, and module 3 sharing no similarities with known phages. Comparisons to other sequenced bacterial genomes identified APSE-like elements in other heritable insect symbionts (Arsenophonus spp.) and enteric bacteria in the family Morganellaceae. Conclusions APSEs are most closely related to phage elements in the genus Arsenophonus and other bacteria in the Morganellaceae. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12985-021-01685-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bret M Boyd
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia Athens, Athens, GA, USA. .,Center for Biological Data Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Germain Chevignon
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie des Mollusques Marins, IFREMER, La Tremblade, France
| | - Vilas Patel
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia Athens, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kerry M Oliver
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia Athens, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Michael R Strand
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia Athens, Athens, GA, USA.
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Zhou F, Gao Y, Liu M, Xu L, Wu X, Zhao X, Zhang X. Bacterial Inhibition on Beauveria bassiana Contributes to Microbiota Stability in Delia antiqua. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:710800. [PMID: 34690955 PMCID: PMC8527029 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.710800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the multiple roles of associated microbiota in improving animal host fitness in a microbial environment, increasing numbers of researchers have focused on how the associated microbiota keeps stable under complex environmental factors, especially some biological ones. Recent studies show that associated microbiota interacts with pathogenic microbes. However, whether and how the interaction would influence microbiota stability is limitedly investigated. Based on the interaction among Delia antiqua, its associated microbiota, and one pathogen Beauveria bassiana, the associated microbiota's response to the pathogen was determined in this study. Besides, the underlying mechanism for the response was also preliminarily investigated. Results showed that B. bassiana neither infect D. antiqua larvae nor did it colonize inside the associated microbiota, and both the bacterial and fungal microbiota kept stable during the interaction. Further experiments showed that bacterial microbiota almost completely inhibited conidial germination and mycelial growth of B. bassiana during its invasion, while fungal microbiota did not inhibit conidial germination and mycelial growth of B. bassiana. According to the above results, individual dominant bacterial species were isolated, and their inhibition on conidial germination and mycelial growth of B. bassiana was reconfirmed. Thus, these results indicated that bacterial instead of fungal microbiota blocked B. bassiana conidia and stabilized the associated microbiota of D. antiqua larvae during B. bassiana invasion. The findings deepened the understanding of the role of associated microbiota–pathogen microbe interaction in maintaining microbiota stability. They may also contribute to the development of novel biological control agents and pest management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Zhou
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Ecology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Ji'nan, China
| | - Yunxiao Gao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Ecology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Ji'nan, China
| | - Mei Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Ecology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Ji'nan, China
| | - Letian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoqing Wu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Ecology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Ji'nan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Ecology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Ji'nan, China
| | - Xinjian Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Ecology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Ji'nan, China
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Dose B, Thongkongkaew T, Zopf D, Kim HJ, Bratovanov EV, García‐Altares M, Scherlach K, Kumpfmüller J, Ross C, Hermenau R, Niehs S, Silge A, Hniopek J, Schmitt M, Popp J, Hertweck C. Multimodal Molecular Imaging and Identification of Bacterial Toxins Causing Mushroom Soft Rot and Cavity Disease. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2901-2907. [PMID: 34232540 PMCID: PMC8518961 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Soft rot disease of edible mushrooms leads to rapid degeneration of fungal tissue and thus severely affects farming productivity worldwide. The bacterial mushroom pathogen Burkholderia gladioli pv. agaricicola has been identified as the cause. Yet, little is known about the molecular basis of the infection, the spatial distribution and the biological role of antifungal agents and toxins involved in this infectious disease. We combine genome mining, metabolic profiling, MALDI-Imaging and UV Raman spectroscopy, to detect, identify and visualize a complex of chemical mediators and toxins produced by the pathogen during the infection process, including toxoflavin, caryoynencin, and sinapigladioside. Furthermore, targeted gene knockouts and in vitro assays link antifungal agents to prevalent symptoms of soft rot, mushroom browning, and impaired mycelium growth. Comparisons of related pathogenic, mutualistic and environmental Burkholderia spp. indicate that the arsenal of antifungal agents may have paved the way for ancestral bacteria to colonize niches where frequent, antagonistic interactions with fungi occur. Our findings not only demonstrate the power of label-free, in vivo detection of polyyne virulence factors by Raman imaging, but may also inspire new approaches to disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Dose
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Tawatchai Thongkongkaew
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - David Zopf
- Institute of Physical Chemistry (IPC) and Abbe Center of PhotonicsHelmholtzweg 407743JenaGermany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) JenaMember of the Leibniz Research Alliance – Leibniz Health TechnologiesAlbert-Einstein-Straße 907745JenaGermany
| | - Hak Joong Kim
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Evgeni V. Bratovanov
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - María García‐Altares
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Kirstin Scherlach
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Jana Kumpfmüller
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Claudia Ross
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Ron Hermenau
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Sarah Niehs
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
| | - Anja Silge
- Institute of Physical Chemistry (IPC) and Abbe Center of PhotonicsHelmholtzweg 407743JenaGermany
| | - Julian Hniopek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry (IPC) and Abbe Center of PhotonicsHelmholtzweg 407743JenaGermany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) JenaMember of the Leibniz Research Alliance – Leibniz Health TechnologiesAlbert-Einstein-Straße 907745JenaGermany
| | - Michael Schmitt
- Institute of Physical Chemistry (IPC) and Abbe Center of PhotonicsHelmholtzweg 407743JenaGermany
| | - Jürgen Popp
- Institute of Physical Chemistry (IPC) and Abbe Center of PhotonicsHelmholtzweg 407743JenaGermany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) JenaMember of the Leibniz Research Alliance – Leibniz Health TechnologiesAlbert-Einstein-Straße 907745JenaGermany
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHKIBeutenbergstr. 11a07745JenaGermany
- Faculty of Biological SciencesFriedrich Schiller University Jena07743JenaGermany
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Worsley SF, Innocent TM, Holmes NA, Al-Bassam MM, Schiøtt M, Wilkinson B, Murrell JC, Boomsma JJ, Yu DW, Hutchings MI. Competition-based screening helps to secure the evolutionary stability of a defensive microbiome. BMC Biol 2021; 19:205. [PMID: 34526023 PMCID: PMC8444595 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01142-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cuticular microbiomes of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants pose a conundrum in microbiome biology because they are freely colonisable, and yet the prevalence of the vertically transmitted bacteria Pseudonocardia, which contributes to the control of Escovopsis fungus garden disease, is never compromised by the secondary acquisition of other bacterial strains. Game theory suggests that competition-based screening can allow the selective recruitment of antibiotic-producing bacteria from the environment, by providing abundant resources to foment interference competition between bacterial species and by using Pseudonocardia to bias the outcome of competition in favour of antibiotic producers. RESULTS Here, we use RNA-stable isotope probing (RNA-SIP) to confirm that Acromyrmex ants can maintain a range of microbial symbionts on their cuticle by supplying public resources. We then used RNA sequencing, bioassays, and competition experiments to show that vertically transmitted Pseudonocardia strains produce antibacterials that differentially reduce the growth rates of other microbes, ultimately biassing the bacterial competition to allow the selective establishment of secondary antibiotic-producing strains while excluding non-antibiotic-producing strains that would parasitise the symbiosis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that competition-based screening is a plausible mechanism for maintaining the integrity of the co-adapted mutualism between the leaf-cutting ant farming symbiosis and its defensive microbiome. Our results have broader implications for explaining the stability of other complex symbioses involving horizontal acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah F Worsley
- School of Biological Sciences, Norwich Research Park, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Tabitha M Innocent
- Centre for Social Evolution, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Neil A Holmes
- School of Biological Sciences, Norwich Research Park, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Mahmoud M Al-Bassam
- School of Biological Sciences, Norwich Research Park, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Morten Schiøtt
- Centre for Social Evolution, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Barrie Wilkinson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - J Colin Murrell
- School of Environmental Sciences, Norwich Research Park, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Jacobus J Boomsma
- Centre for Social Evolution, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Douglas W Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, Norwich Research Park, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK.
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China.
| | - Matthew I Hutchings
- School of Biological Sciences, Norwich Research Park, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UH, UK.
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Henry LP, Bruijning M, Forsberg SKG, Ayroles JF. The microbiome extends host evolutionary potential. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5141. [PMID: 34446709 PMCID: PMC8390463 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25315-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiome shapes many host traits, yet the biology of microbiomes challenges traditional evolutionary models. Here, we illustrate how integrating the microbiome into quantitative genetics can help untangle complexities of host-microbiome evolution. We describe two general ways in which the microbiome may affect host evolutionary potential: by shifting the mean host phenotype and by changing the variance in host phenotype in the population. We synthesize the literature across diverse taxa and discuss how these scenarios could shape the host response to selection. We conclude by outlining key avenues of research to improve our understanding of the complex interplay between hosts and microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas P. Henry
- grid.16750.350000 0001 2097 5006Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA ,grid.16750.350000 0001 2097 5006Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA
| | - Marjolein Bruijning
- grid.16750.350000 0001 2097 5006Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA
| | - Simon K. G. Forsberg
- grid.16750.350000 0001 2097 5006Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA ,grid.16750.350000 0001 2097 5006Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA ,grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Julien F. Ayroles
- grid.16750.350000 0001 2097 5006Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA ,grid.16750.350000 0001 2097 5006Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA
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Abstract
Many microorganisms with high prevalence in host populations are beneficial to the host and maintained by specialized transmission mechanisms. Although microbial promotion of host fitness and specificity of the associations undoubtedly enhance microbial prevalence, it is an open question whether these symbiotic traits are also a prerequisite for the evolutionary origin of prevalent microbial taxa. To address this issue, we investigate how processes without positive microbial effects on host fitness or host choice can influence the prevalence of certain microbes in a host population. Specifically, we develop a theoretical model to assess the conditions under which particular microbes can become enriched in animal hosts even when they are not providing a specific benefit to a particular host. We find increased prevalence of specific microbes in a host when both show some overlap in their lifecycles, and especially when both share dispersal routes across a patchy habitat distribution. Our results emphasize that host enrichment per se is not a reliable indicator of beneficial host-microbe interactions. The resulting increase in time spent associated with a host may nevertheless give rise to new selection conditions, which can favor microbial adaptations toward a host-associated lifestyle, and, thus, it could be the foundation for subsequent evolution of mutually beneficial coevolved symbioses.
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Lara AC, Corretto E, Kotrbová L, Lorenc F, Petříčková K, Grabic R, Chroňáková A. The Genome Analysis of the Human Lung-Associated Streptomyces sp. TR1341 Revealed the Presence of Beneficial Genes for Opportunistic Colonization of Human Tissues. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081547. [PMID: 34442631 PMCID: PMC8401907 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptomyces sp. TR1341 was isolated from the sputum of a man with a history of lung and kidney tuberculosis, recurrent respiratory infections, and COPD. It produces secondary metabolites associated with cytotoxicity and immune response modulation. In this study, we complement our previous results by identifying the genetic features associated with the production of these secondary metabolites and other characteristics that could benefit the strain during its colonization of human tissues (virulence factors, modification of the host immune response, or the production of siderophores). We performed a comparative phylogenetic analysis to identify the genetic features that are shared by environmental isolates and human respiratory pathogens. The results showed a high genomic similarity of Streptomyces sp. TR1341 to the plant-associated Streptomyces sp. endophyte_N2, inferring a soil origin of the strain. Putative virulence genes, such as mammalian cell entry (mce) genes were not detected in the TR1341’s genome. The presence of a type VII secretion system, distinct from the ones found in Mycobacterium species, suggests a different colonization strategy than the one used by other actinomycete lung pathogens. We identified a higher diversity of genes related to iron acquisition and demonstrated that the strain produces ferrioxamine B in vitro. These results indicate that TR1341 may have an advantage in colonizing environments that are low in iron, such as human tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catalina Lara
- Institute of Soil Biology, Biology Centre Academy of Sciences of The Czech Republic, Na Sádkách 702/7, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (A.C.L.); (E.C.); (L.K.); (F.L.)
| | - Erika Corretto
- Institute of Soil Biology, Biology Centre Academy of Sciences of The Czech Republic, Na Sádkách 702/7, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (A.C.L.); (E.C.); (L.K.); (F.L.)
| | - Lucie Kotrbová
- Institute of Soil Biology, Biology Centre Academy of Sciences of The Czech Republic, Na Sádkách 702/7, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (A.C.L.); (E.C.); (L.K.); (F.L.)
| | - František Lorenc
- Institute of Soil Biology, Biology Centre Academy of Sciences of The Czech Republic, Na Sádkách 702/7, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (A.C.L.); (E.C.); (L.K.); (F.L.)
| | - Kateřina Petříčková
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Studničkova 7, 12800 Prague 2, Czech Republic;
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1645/31a, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Grabic
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia, Zátiší 728/II, 38925 Vodňany, Czech Republic;
| | - Alica Chroňáková
- Institute of Soil Biology, Biology Centre Academy of Sciences of The Czech Republic, Na Sádkách 702/7, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (A.C.L.); (E.C.); (L.K.); (F.L.)
- Correspondence:
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47
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Abstract
Fungal pathogens, among other stressors, negatively impact the productivity and population size of honey bees, one of our most important pollinators (1, 2), in particular their brood (larvae and pupae) (3, 4). Understanding the factors that influence disease incidence and prevalence in brood may help us improve colony health and productivity. Here, we examined the capacity of a honey bee-associated bacterium, Bombella apis, to suppress the growth of fungal pathogens and ultimately protect bee brood from infection. Our results showed that strains of B. apis inhibit the growth of two insect fungal pathogens, Beauveria bassiana and Aspergillus flavus, in vitro. This phenotype was recapitulated in vivo; bee broods supplemented with B. apis were significantly less likely to be infected by A. flavus. Additionally, the presence of B. apis reduced sporulation of A. flavus in the few bees that were infected. Analyses of biosynthetic gene clusters across B. apis strains suggest antifungal candidates, including a type 1 polyketide, terpene, and aryl polyene. Secreted metabolites from B. apis alone were sufficient to suppress fungal growth, supporting the hypothesis that fungal inhibition is mediated by an antifungal metabolite. Together, these data suggest that B. apis can suppress fungal infections in bee brood via secretion of an antifungal metabolite.
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49
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Gao X, Niu R, Zhu X, Wang L, Ji J, Niu L, Wu C, Zhang S, Luo J, Cui J. Characterization and comparison of the bacterial microbiota of Lysiphlebia japonica parasitioid wasps and their aphid host Aphis gosypii. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:2710-2718. [PMID: 33492720 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endosymbiotic bacteria have been reported to mediate interactions between parasitoids and their insect hosts. How parasitic wasps influence changes in host microbial communities and the relationship between them are of great importance to the study of host-parasitoid co-evolutionary and ecological interactions. However, these interactions remain largely unreported for interactions between Aphis gossypii and Lysiphlebia japonica. RESULTS In this study, we characterize the bacterial microbiota of L. japonica wasps at different developmental stages and monitor changes over time in the bacterial microbiota of their parasitized and nonparasitized aphid hosts, using metagenomic analysis of 16S rDNA sequencing data. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were the three most abundant bacterial phyla identified in L. japonica. We found that parasitism was associated with an increased abundance of Buchnera nutritional endosymbionts, but decreased abundance of Acinetobacter, Arsenophonus, Candidatus_Hamiltonella, and Pseudomonas facultative symbionts in aphid hosts. Functional analysis of enriched pathways of parasitized aphids showed significant differences in the 'transport and metabolism of carbohydrates' and 'amino acid, lipid, and coenzyme biosynthesis' pathways. Notably, the composition of symbiotic bacteria in wasp larvae was highly similar to that of their aphid hosts, especially the high abundance of Buchnera. CONCLUSION The results provide a conceptual framework for L. japonica interactions with A. gossypii in which the exchange of symbiotic microbes provides a means by which microbiota can potentially serve as evolutionary drivers of complex, multilevel interactions underlying the ecology and co-evolution of these hosts and parasites. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueke Gao
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruichang Niu
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiangzhen Zhu
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jichao Ji
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lin Niu
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changcai Wu
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Luo
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinjie Cui
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Zhengzhou Reseach Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Incipient genome erosion and metabolic streamlining for antibiotic production in a defensive symbiont. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2023047118. [PMID: 33883280 PMCID: PMC8092579 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2023047118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome reduction is commonly observed in bacteria of several phyla engaging in obligate nutritional symbioses with insects. In Actinobacteria, however, little is known about the process of genome evolution, despite their importance as prolific producers of antibiotics and their increasingly recognized role as defensive partners of insects and other organisms. Here, we show that “Streptomyces philanthi,” a defensive symbiont of digger wasps, has a G+C-enriched genome in the early stages of erosion, with inactivating mutations in a large proportion of genes, causing dependency on its hosts for certain nutrients, which was validated in axenic symbiont cultures. Additionally, overexpressed catabolic and biosynthetic pathways of the bacteria inside the host indicate host–symbiont metabolic integration for streamlining and control of antibiotic production. Genome erosion is a frequently observed result of relaxed selection in insect nutritional symbionts, but it has rarely been studied in defensive mutualisms. Solitary beewolf wasps harbor an actinobacterial symbiont of the genus Streptomyces that provides protection to the developing offspring against pathogenic microorganisms. Here, we characterized the genomic architecture and functional gene content of this culturable symbiont using genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics in combination with in vitro assays. Despite retaining a large linear chromosome (7.3 Mb), the wasp symbiont accumulated frameshift mutations in more than a third of its protein-coding genes, indicative of incipient genome erosion. Although many of the frameshifted genes were still expressed, the encoded proteins were not detected, indicating post-transcriptional regulation. Most pseudogenization events affected accessory genes, regulators, and transporters, but “Streptomyces philanthi” also experienced mutations in central metabolic pathways, resulting in auxotrophies for biotin, proline, and arginine that were confirmed experimentally in axenic culture. In contrast to the strong A+T bias in the genomes of most obligate symbionts, we observed a significant G+C enrichment in regions likely experiencing reduced selection. Differential expression analyses revealed that—compared to in vitro symbiont cultures—“S. philanthi” in beewolf antennae showed overexpression of genes for antibiotic biosynthesis, the uptake of host-provided nutrients and the metabolism of building blocks required for antibiotic production. Our results show unusual traits in the early stage of genome erosion in a defensive symbiont and suggest tight integration of host–symbiont metabolic pathways that effectively grants the host control over the antimicrobial activity of its bacterial partner.
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