1
|
Li C, Li CQ, Chen ZB, Liu BQ, Sun X, Wei KH, Li CY, Luan JB. Wolbachia symbionts control sex in a parasitoid wasp using a horizontally acquired gene. Curr Biol 2024; 34:2359-2372.e9. [PMID: 38692276 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Host reproduction can be manipulated by bacterial symbionts in various ways. Parthenogenesis induction is the most effective type of reproduction manipulation by symbionts for their transmission. Insect sex is determined by regulation of doublesex (dsx) splicing through transformer2 (tra2) and transformer (tra) interaction. Although parthenogenesis induction by symbionts has been studied since the 1970s, its underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. Here we identify a Wolbachia parthenogenesis-induction feminization factor gene (piff) that targets sex-determining genes and causes female-producing parthenogenesis in the haplodiploid parasitoid Encarsia formosa. We found that Wolbachia elimination repressed expression of female-specific dsx and enhanced expression of male-specific dsx, which led to the production of wasp haploid male offspring. Furthermore, we found that E. formosa tra is truncated and non-functional, and Wolbachia has a functional tra homolog, termed piff, with an insect origin. Wolbachia PIFF can colocalize and interact with wasp TRA2. Moreover, Wolbachia piff has coordinated expression with tra2 and dsx of E. formosa. Our results demonstrate the bacterial symbiont Wolbachia has acquired an insect gene to manipulate the host sex determination cascade and induce parthenogenesis in wasps. This study reveals insect-to-bacteria horizontal gene transfer drives the evolution of animal sex determination systems, elucidating a striking mechanism of insect-microbe symbiosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ce Li
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Chu-Qiao Li
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Zhan-Bo Chen
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Bing-Qi Liu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiang Sun
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Kai-Heng Wei
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Chen-Yi Li
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Jun-Bo Luan
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gwokyalya R, Herren JK, Weldon CW, Ndlela S, Gichuhi J, Ongeso N, Wairimu AW, Ekesi S, Mohamed SA. Shaping the Microbial Landscape: Parasitoid-Driven Modifications of Bactrocera dorsalis Microbiota. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2024; 87:81. [PMID: 38829379 PMCID: PMC11147917 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02393-0] [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: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Koinobiont endoparasitoids regulate the physiology of their hosts through altering host immuno-metabolic responses, processes which function in tandem to shape the composition of the microbiota of these hosts. Here, we employed 16S rRNA and ITS amplicon sequencing to investigate whether parasitization by the parasitoid wasps, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmaed) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Psyttalia cosyrae (Wilkinson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), induces gut dysbiosis and differentially alter the gut microbial (bacteria and fungi) communities of an important horticultural pest, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae). We further investigated the composition of bacterial communities of adult D. longicaudata and P. cosyrae to ascertain whether the adult parasitoids and parasitized host larvae share microbial taxa through transmission. We demonstrated that parasitism by D. longicaudata induced significant gut perturbations, resulting in the colonization and increased relative abundance of pathogenic gut bacteria. Some pathogenic bacteria like Stenotrophomonas and Morganella were detected in both the guts of D. longicaudata-parasitized B. dorsalis larvae and adult D. longicaudata wasps, suggesting a horizontal transfer of microbes from the parasitoid to the host. The bacterial community of P. cosyrae adult wasps was dominated by Arsenophonus nasoniae, whereas that of D. longicaudata adults was dominated by Paucibater spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Parasitization by either parasitoid wasp was associated with an overall reduction in fungal diversity and evenness. These findings indicate that unlike P. cosyrae which is avirulent to B. dorsalis, parasitization by D. longicaudata induces shifts in the gut bacteriome of B. dorsalis larvae to a pathobiont-dominated community. This mechanism possibly enhances its virulence against the pest, further supporting its candidacy as an effective biocontrol agent of this frugivorous tephritid fruit fly pest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rehemah Gwokyalya
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Jeremy K Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Christopher W Weldon
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Shepard Ndlela
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joseph Gichuhi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nehemiah Ongeso
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anne W Wairimu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sunday Ekesi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samira A Mohamed
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tang XF, Sun YF, Liang YS, Yang KY, Chen PT, Li HS, Huang YH, Pang H. Metabolism, digestion, and horizontal transfer: potential roles and interaction of symbiotic bacteria in the ladybird beetle Novius pumilus and their prey Icerya aegyptiaca. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0295523. [PMID: 38497713 PMCID: PMC11064573 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02955-23] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we first time sequenced and analyzed the 16S rRNA gene data of predator ladybird beetles Novius pumilus and globally distributed invasive pest Icerya aegyptiaca at different stages, and combined data with bacterial genome sequences in N. pumilus to explored the taxonomic distribution, alpha and beta diversity, differentially abundant bacteria, co-occurrence network, and putative functions of their microbial community. Our finding revealed that Candidatus Walczuchella, which exhibited a higher abundance in I. aegyptiaca, possessed several genes in essential amino acid biosynthesis and seemed to perform roles in providing nutrients to the host, similar to other obligate symbionts in scale insects. Lactococcus, Serratia, and Pseudomonas, more abundant in N. pumilus, were predicted to have genes related to hydrocarbon, fatty acids, and chitin degradation, which may assist their hosts in digesting the wax shell covering the scale insects. Notably, our result showed that Lactococcus had relatively higher abundances in adults and eggs compared to other stages in N. pumilus, indicating potential vertical transmission. Additionally, we found that Arsenophonus, known to influence sex ratios in whitefly and wasp, may also function in I. aegyptiaca, probably by influencing nutrient metabolism as it similarly had many genes corresponding to vitamin B and essential amino acid biosynthesis. Also, we observed a potential horizontal transfer of Arsenophonus between the scale insect and its predator, with a relatively high abundance in the ladybirds compared to other bacteria from the scale insects.IMPORTANCEThe composition and dynamic changes of microbiome in different developmental stages of ladybird beetles Novius pumilus with its prey Icerya aegyptiaca were detected. We found that Candidatus Walczuchella, abundant in I. aegyptiaca, probably provide nutrients to their host based on their amino acid biosynthesis-related genes. Abundant symbionts in N. pumilus, including Lactococcus, Serratia, and Pseudophonus, may help the host digest the scale insects with their hydrocarbon, fatty acid, and chitin degrading-related genes. A key endosymbiont Arsenophonus may play potential roles in the nutrient metabolisms and sex determination in I. aegyptiaca, and is possibly transferred from the scale insect to the predator.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Fei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi-Fei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuan-Sen Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kun-Yu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pei-Tao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hao-Sen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu-Hao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hong Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fricke LC, Lindsey ARI. Identification of Parthenogenesis-Inducing Effector Proteins in Wolbachia. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae036. [PMID: 38530785 PMCID: PMC11019157 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae036] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria in the genus Wolbachia have evolved numerous strategies to manipulate arthropod sex, including the conversion of would-be male offspring to asexually reproducing females. This so-called "parthenogenesis induction" phenotype can be found in a number of Wolbachia strains that infect arthropods with haplodiploid sex determination systems, including parasitoid wasps. Despite the discovery of microbe-mediated parthenogenesis more than 30 yr ago, the underlying genetic mechanisms have remained elusive. We used a suite of genomic, computational, and molecular tools to identify and characterize two proteins that are uniquely found in parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia and have strong signatures of host-associated bacterial effector proteins. These putative parthenogenesis-inducing proteins have structural homology to eukaryotic protein domains including nucleoporins, the key insect sex determining factor Transformer, and a eukaryotic-like serine-threonine kinase with leucine-rich repeats. Furthermore, these proteins significantly impact eukaryotic cell biology in the model Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We suggest that these proteins are parthenogenesis-inducing factors and our results indicate that this would be made possible by a novel mechanism of bacterial-host interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Fricke
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Amelia R I Lindsey
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Garrido-Bautista J, Norte AC, Moreno-Rueda G, Nadal-Jiménez P. Ecological determinants of prevalence of the male-killing bacterium Arsenophonus nasoniae. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 203:108073. [PMID: 38346575 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Male-killing bacteria are found in a broad range of arthropods. Arsenophonus nasoniae is a male-killing bacterium, causing a 80% reduction of the male progeny in infected Nasonia vitripennis wasps. Although the discovery of A. nasoniae dates from the early 80's, knowledge about the biology and ecology of this endosymbiont is still scarce. One of these poorly studied features is the ecological factors underlying A. nasoniae incidence on its Nasonia spp. hosts in different geographical locations. Here, we studied the prevalence of A. nasoniae in Iberian wild populations of its host N. vitripennis. This wasp species is a common parasitoid of the blowfly Protocalliphora azurea pupae, which in turn is a parasite of hole-nesting birds, such as the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). We also examined the effects of bird rearing conditions on the prevalence of A. nasoniae through a brood size manipulation experiment (creating enlarged, control and reduced broods). Both the wasp and bacterium presence were tested through PCR assays in blowfly pupae. We found A. nasoniae in almost half (47%) of nests containing blowflies parasitized by N. vitripennis. The prevalence of A. nasoniae was similar in the two geographical areas examined (central Portugal and southeastern Spain) and the probability of infection by A. nasoniae was independent of the number of blowfly pupae in the nest. Experimental manipulation of brood size did not affect the prevalence of A. nasoniae nor the prevalence of its host, N. vitripennis. These results suggest that the incidence of A. nasoniae in natural populations of N. vitripennis is high in the Iberian Peninsula, and the infestation frequency of nests by N. vitripennis carrying A. nasoniae is spatially stable in this geographical region independently of bird rearing conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Garrido-Bautista
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Ana Cláudia Norte
- University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Gregorio Moreno-Rueda
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Pol Nadal-Jiménez
- Institute for Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, L69 7ZB Liverpool, United Kingdom; Departments of Vector Biology, Tropical Disease Biology, and Centre for Neglected Topical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fricke LC, Lindsey ARI. Identification of parthenogenesis-inducing effector proteins in Wolbachia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.01.569668. [PMID: 38076953 PMCID: PMC10705499 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.01.569668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria in the genus Wolbachia have evolved numerous strategies to manipulate arthropod sex, including the conversion of would-be male offspring to asexually reproducing females. This so-called "parthenogenesis-induction" phenotype can be found in a number of Wolbachia strains that infect arthropods with haplodiploid sex determination systems, including parasitoid wasps. Despite the discovery of microbe-mediated parthenogenesis more than 30 years ago, the underlying genetic mechanisms have remained elusive. We used a suite of genomic, computational, and molecular tools to identify and characterize two proteins that are uniquely found in parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia and have strong signatures of host-associated bacterial effector proteins. These putative parthenogenesis-inducing proteins have structural homology to eukaryotic protein domains including nucleoporins, the key insect sex-determining factor Transformer, and a eukaryotic-like serine-threonine kinase with leucine rich repeats. Furthermore, these proteins significantly impact eukaryotic cell biology in the model, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We suggest these proteins are parthenogenesis-inducing factors and our results indicate this would be made possible by a novel mechanism of bacterial-host interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Fricke
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108
| | - Amelia RI Lindsey
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Remmal I, Bel Mokhtar N, Maurady A, Reda Britel M, El Fakhouri K, Asimakis E, Tsiamis G, Stathopoulou P. Characterization of the Bacterial Microbiome in Natural Populations of Barley Stem Gall Midge, Mayetiola hordei, in Morocco. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030797. [PMID: 36985370 PMCID: PMC10051481 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mayetiola hordei (Kieffer), known as barley stem gall midge, is one of the most destructive barley pests in many areas around the world, inflicting significant qualitative and quantitative damage to crop production. In this study, we investigate the presence of reproductive symbionts, the effect of geographical origin on the bacterial microbiome's structure, and the diversity associated with natural populations of M. hordei located in four barley-producing areas in Morocco. Wolbachia infection was discovered in 9% of the natural populations using a precise 16S rDNA PCR assay. High-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene indicated that the native environments of samples had a substantial environmental impact on the microbiota taxonomic assortment. Briefly, 5 phyla, 7 classes, and 42 genera were identified across all the samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the bacterial composition of M. hordei natural populations. The presence of Wolbachia infection may assist in the diagnosis of ideal natural populations, providing a new insight into the employment of Wolbachia in the control of barley midge populations, in the context of the sterile insect technique or other biological control methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Imane Remmal
- Laboratory of Innovative Technologies, National School of Applied Sciences of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, BP 1818 Tanger Principal, Tanger 90000, Morocco
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essâadi University, Tétouan 93000, Morocco
| | - Naima Bel Mokhtar
- Laboratory of Innovative Technologies, National School of Applied Sciences of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, BP 1818 Tanger Principal, Tanger 90000, Morocco
- Laboratory of Systems Microbiology and Applied Genomics, Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
| | - Amal Maurady
- Laboratory of Innovative Technologies, National School of Applied Sciences of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, BP 1818 Tanger Principal, Tanger 90000, Morocco
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essâadi University, Tétouan 93000, Morocco
| | - Mohammed Reda Britel
- Laboratory of Innovative Technologies, National School of Applied Sciences of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, BP 1818 Tanger Principal, Tanger 90000, Morocco
| | - Karim El Fakhouri
- AgroBioSciences Program, College for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Science, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
| | - Elias Asimakis
- Laboratory of Systems Microbiology and Applied Genomics, Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
| | - George Tsiamis
- Laboratory of Systems Microbiology and Applied Genomics, Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
| | - Panagiota Stathopoulou
- Laboratory of Systems Microbiology and Applied Genomics, Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yao YL, Ma XY, Wang TY, Yan JY, Chen NF, Hong JS, Liu BQ, Xu ZQ, Zhang N, Lv C, Sun X, Luan JB. A bacteriocyte symbiont determines whitefly sex ratio by regulating mitochondrial function. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112102. [PMID: 36774548 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutritional symbionts influence host reproduction, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unclear. We previously found that the bacteriocyte symbiont Hamiltonella impacts the sex ratio of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Hamiltonella synthesizes folate by cooperation with the whitefly. Folate deficiency by Hamiltonella elimination or whitefly gene silencing distorted whitefly sex ratio, and folate supplementation restored the sex ratio. Hamiltonella deficiency or gene silencing altered histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) level, which was restored by folate supplementation. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation-seq analysis of H3K9me3 indicated mitochondrial dysfunction in symbiont-deficient whiteflies. Hamiltonella deficiency compromised mitochondrial quality of whitefly ovaries. Repressing ovary mitochondrial function led to distorted whitefly sex ratio. These findings indicate that the symbiont-derived folate regulates host histone methylation modifications, which thereby impacts ovary mitochondrial function, and finally determines host sex ratio. Our study suggests that a nutritional symbiont can regulate animal reproduction in a way that differs from reproductive manipulators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Lin Yao
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xin-Yu Ma
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Tian-Yu Wang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Jin-Yang Yan
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Nai-Fei Chen
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ji-Sheng Hong
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Bing-Qi Liu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Zi-Qi Xu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Nuo Zhang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Chao Lv
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiang Sun
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Jun-Bo Luan
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Herran B, Sugimoto TN, Watanabe K, Imanishi S, Tsuchida T, Matsuo T, Ishikawa Y, Kageyama D. Cell-based analysis reveals that sex-determining gene signals in Ostrinia are pivotally changed by male-killing Wolbachia. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 2:pgac293. [PMID: 36712932 PMCID: PMC9837667 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Wolbachia, a maternally transmitted bacterium, shows male-killing, an adaptive phenotype for cytoplasmic elements, in various arthropod species during the early developmental stages. In lepidopteran insects, lethality of males is accounted for by improper dosage compensation in sex-linked genes owing to Wolbachia-induced feminization. Herein, we established Ostrinia scapulalis cell lines that retained sex specificity per the splicing pattern of the sex-determining gene doublesex (Osdsx). We found that Wolbachia transinfection in male cell lines enhanced the female-specific splice variant of Osdsx (OsdsxF ) while suppressing the male-specific variant (OsdsxM ), indicating that Wolbachia affects sex-determining gene signals even in vitro. Comparative transcriptome analysis isolated only two genes that behave differently upon Wolbachia infection. The two genes were respectively homologous to Masculinizer (BmMasc) and zinc finger-2 (Bmznf-2), male-specifically expressed sex-determining genes of the silkworm Bombyx mori that encode CCCH-type zinc finger motif proteins. By using cultured cells and organismal samples, OsMasc and Osznf-2 were found to be sex-determining genes of O. scapulalis that are subjected to sex-specific alternative splicing depending upon the chromosomal sex, developmental stage, and infection status. Overall, our findings expound the cellular autonomy in insect sex determination and the mechanism through which sex is manipulated by intracellular selfish microbes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kazuyo Watanabe
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0851, Japan
| | - Shigeo Imanishi
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0851, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Tsuchida
- Faculty of Science, Academic Assembly, Toyama University, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Takashi Matsuo
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yukio Ishikawa
- Faculty of Agriculture, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotogecho, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Štarhová Serbina L, Gajski D, Pafčo B, Zurek L, Malenovský I, Nováková E, Schuler H, Dittmer J. Microbiome of pear psyllids: A tale about closely related species sharing their endosymbionts. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:5788-5808. [PMID: 36054322 PMCID: PMC10086859 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Psyllids are phloem-feeding insects that can transmit plant pathogens such as phytoplasmas, intracellular bacteria causing numerous plant diseases worldwide. Their microbiomes are essential for insect physiology and may also influence the capacity of vectors to transmit pathogens. Using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding, we compared the microbiomes of three sympatric psyllid species associated with pear trees in Central Europe. All three species are able to transmit 'Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri', albeit with different efficiencies. Our results revealed potential relationships between insect biology and microbiome composition that varied during psyllid ontogeny and between generations in Cacopsylla pyri and C. pyricola, as well as between localities in C. pyri. In contrast, no variations related to psyllid life cycle and geography were detected in C. pyrisuga. In addition to the primary endosymbiont Carsonella ruddii, we detected another highly abundant endosymbiont (unclassified Enterobacteriaceae). C. pyri and C. pyricola shared the same taxon of Enterobacteriaceae which is related to endosymbionts harboured by other psyllid species from various families. In contrast, C. pyrisuga carried a different Enterobacteriaceae taxon related to the genus Sodalis. Our study provides new insights into host-symbiont interactions in psyllids and highlights the importance of host biology and geography in shaping microbiome structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liliya Štarhová Serbina
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Domagoj Gajski
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Pafčo
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Zurek
- Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Igor Malenovský
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Nováková
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hannes Schuler
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.,Competence Centre for Plant Health, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Jessica Dittmer
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.,Université d'Angers, Institut Agro, INRAE, IRHS, SFR Quasav, Angers, France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hornett EA, Kageyama D, Hurst GDD. Sex determination systems as the interface between male-killing bacteria and their hosts. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20212781. [PMID: 35414231 PMCID: PMC9005997 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropods host a range of sex-ratio-distorting selfish elements, including diverse maternally inherited endosymbionts that solely kill infected males. Male-killing heritable microbes are common, reach high frequency, but until recently have been poorly understood in terms of the host–microbe interaction. Additionally, while male killing should generate strong selection for host resistance, evidence of this has been scant. The interface of the microbe with host sex determination is integral to the understanding of how death is sex limited and how hosts can evolve evasion of male killing. We first review current knowledge of the mechanisms diverse endosymbionts use to induce male-specific death. We then examine recent evidence that these agents do produce intense selection for host nuclear suppressor elements. We argue, from our understanding of male-killing mechanisms, that suppression will commonly involve evolution of the host sex determination pathways and that the host's response to male-killing microbes thus represents an unrecognized driver of the diversity of arthropod sex determination. Further work is required to identify the genes and mechanisms responsible for male-killing suppression, which will both determine the components of sex determination (or other) systems associated with suppressor evolution, and allow insight into the mechanism of male killing itself.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Hornett
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.,Vector Biology, LSTM, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | | | - Gregory D D Hurst
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tyagi K, Tyagi I, Patidar A, Singha D, Kaczmarczyk-Ziemba A, Banerjee D, Kumar V. Gut microbial composition in developmental stages of gall inducing thrips Gynaikothrips uzeli and associated plant pathogenesis. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:1439-1446. [PMID: 35280592 PMCID: PMC8913411 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Gut bacteria play a crucial role in the several metabolic activity of the insects. In the present work, effort has been made to decipher the gut microbiota associated with the developmental stages of Gynaikothrips uzeli a gall inducing thrips along with their predicted functional role. Further, an effort has been made to correlate the bacterial communities with plant pathogenesis and thelytoky behaviour of G. uzeli. Findings obtained revealed that genus Arsenophonus dominated the total bacterial diversity and was transmitted vertically through the developmental stages. Further, it was observed that the high abundance of genus Arsenophonus promotes the thelytoky behaviour in G. uzeli and results in the killing of males. Furthermore, strong connecting link between Arsenophonus abundance and gall induction in F. benjamina was observed in the current dataset. G. uzeli being in the category of phloem sucking insect was known for the induction of galls and the current findings for the first time unveiled the facts that high abundance of genus Arsenophonus a well-known plant pathogen may be one of the major reason for inducing galls in F. benjamina. Moreover, PICRUSt2 analysis revealed that predicted functional pathways like biosynthesis of amino acids, and metabolism of carbon, nitrogen, carbohydrates and amino acids (e.g. Arginine, Alanine, Aspartate, Glutamate, Proline, Cysteine, Methionine, Glycine, Threonine, and Serine) were frequently noticed in profiles associated with all the developmental stages of G. uzeli. More to this, the high abundance of Arsenophonus in G. uzeli suggest that representatives of this genus may be resistant and/or tolerant to different antibacterial agents, alkaloids, flavonoids, and glycosides (e.g. quercetin). The correlation of bacterial diversity in pathogenicity can be extrapolated in different pest and vector species of other arthropods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaomud Tyagi
- Centre for DNA Taxonomy, Molecular Systematics Division, Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, Kolkata 700053, India
| | - Inderjeet Tyagi
- Centre for DNA Taxonomy, Molecular Systematics Division, Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, Kolkata 700053, India
| | - Abhishek Patidar
- Centre for DNA Taxonomy, Molecular Systematics Division, Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, Kolkata 700053, India
| | - Devkant Singha
- Centre for DNA Taxonomy, Molecular Systematics Division, Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, Kolkata 700053, India
| | - Agnieszka Kaczmarczyk-Ziemba
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics and Biosystematics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Dhriti Banerjee
- Director, Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, Kolkata 700053, India
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Centre for DNA Taxonomy, Molecular Systematics Division, Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, Kolkata 700053, India
- Corresponding authors.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chang CY, Sun XW, Tian PP, Miao NH, Zhang YL, Liu XD. Plant secondary metabolite and temperature determine the prevalence of Arsenophonus endosymbionts in aphid populations. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:3764-3776. [PMID: 35129273 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Transmission rate and role in hosts contribute to the prevalence of an endosymbiont. However, factors affecting transmission and role of facultative endosymbionts are still not well understood. Here, we illustrated that host plants and environmental temperatures affected the transmission, relative abundance, and role of Arsenophonus in the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii. The transmission rate of this endosymbiont from mother aphids to offspring was relatively lower. High temperatures impeded the transmission, and infection rates declined as aphids were exposed to 30 °C. Contents of amino acids and secondary metabolites were remarkable different among host plants. Aphids feeding on zucchini leaves containing a higher titer of amino acids and lower secondary metabolites harbored a relatively lower abundance of Arsenophonus. Concentrations of an amino acid and a plant secondary metabolite, cucurbitacin B, in aphid diet were not associated with Arsenophonus abundance. However, gossypol, another plant secondary metabolite, was strongly related with the abundance. Arsenophonus imparted a fitness benefit to aphids, and the benefit was dependent on host plants and gossypol concentration. In sum, plant secondary metabolite and environmental temperature affect transmission, relative abundance, and role of Arsenophonus, which determine the endosymbiont prevalence in aphid populations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yan Chang
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiao-Wan Sun
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Pan-Pan Tian
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Ning-Hui Miao
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yu-Lin Zhang
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiang-Dong Liu
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
First human case of infection with Arsenophonus nasoniae, the male killer insect pathogen. Pathology 2021; 54:664-666. [PMID: 34801280 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2021.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
15
|
Dalla Benetta E, Akbari OS, Ferree PM. Mechanistically comparing reproductive manipulations caused by selfish chromosomes and bacterial symbionts. Heredity (Edinb) 2021; 126:707-716. [PMID: 33649572 PMCID: PMC8102561 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-021-00410-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects naturally harbor a broad range of selfish agents that can manipulate their reproduction and development, often leading to host sex ratio distortion. Such effects directly benefit the spread of the selfish agents. These agents include two broad groups: bacterial symbionts and selfish chromosomes. Recent studies have made steady progress in uncovering the cellular targets of these agents and their effector genes. Here we highlight what is known about the targeted developmental processes, developmental timing, and effector genes expressed by several selfish agents. It is now becoming apparent that: (1) the genetic toolkits used by these agents to induce a given reproductive manipulation are simple, (2) these agents target sex-specific cellular processes very early in development, and (3) in some cases, similar processes are targeted. Knowledge of the molecular underpinnings of these systems will help to solve long-standing puzzles and provide new tools for controlling insect pests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dalla Benetta
- W. M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA 91711 USA ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, CA 92093 USA
| | - Omar S. Akbari
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, CA 92093 USA
| | - Patrick M. Ferree
- W. M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA 91711 USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Skipping the Insect Vector: Plant Stolon Transmission of the Phytopathogen ' Ca. Phlomobacter fragariae' from the Arsenophonus Clade of Insect Endosymbionts. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12020093. [PMID: 33499057 PMCID: PMC7912703 DOI: 10.3390/insects12020093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Numerous plant sap-feeding insects are vectors of plant-pathogenic bacteria that cause devastating crop diseases. Some of these bacteria had initially been insect endosymbionts that eventually evolved the capacity to survive in plants after being frequently transmitted to plants by their insect hosts during feeding. An example for this evolutionary transition is the bacterial symbiont ‘Candidatus Phlomobacter fragariae’ (hereafter Phlomobacter) of the planthopper Cixius wagneri. Upon transmission to strawberry plants by its insect vector, the bacterium accumulates in the plant phloem and causes Strawberry Marginal Chlorosis disease. Using quantitative PCR and transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate an additional plant-to-plant transmission route: Phlomobacter can be transmitted from an infected plant to daughter plants through stolons, a specific type of stem from which daughter plants can develop. Our results show that Phlomobacter was abundant in stolons and was efficiently transmitted to daughter plants, which developed disease symptoms. Hence, Phlomobacter is not only able to survive in plants, but can even be transmitted to new plant generations, independently from its ancestral insect host. Abstract The genus Arsenophonus represents one of the most widespread clades of insect endosymbionts, including reproductive manipulators and bacteriocyte-associated primary endosymbionts. Two strains belonging to the Arsenophonus clade have been identified as insect-vectored plant pathogens of strawberry and sugar beet. The bacteria accumulate in the phloem of infected plants, ultimately causing leaf yellows and necrosis. These symbionts therefore represent excellent model systems to investigate the evolutionary transition from a purely insect-associated endosymbiont towards an insect-vectored phytopathogen. Using quantitative PCR and transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that ‘Candidatus Phlomobacter fragariae’, bacterial symbiont of the planthopper Cixius wagneri and the causative agent of Strawberry Marginal Chlorosis disease, can be transmitted from an infected strawberry plant to multiple daughter plants through stolons. Stolons are horizontally growing stems enabling the nutrient provisioning of daughter plants during their early growth phase. Our results show that Phlomobacter was abundant in the phloem sieve elements of stolons and was efficiently transmitted to daughter plants, which rapidly developed disease symptoms. From an evolutionary perspective, Phlomobacter is, therefore, not only able to survive within the plant after transmission by the insect vector, but can even be transmitted to new plant generations, independently from its ancestral insect host.
Collapse
|
17
|
|
18
|
Detection of Wolbachia Infections in Natural and Laboratory Populations of the Moroccan Hessian Fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say). INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11060340. [PMID: 32498270 PMCID: PMC7349215 DOI: 10.3390/insects11060340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Mayetiola destructor (Hessian fly) is a destructive pest of wheat in several parts of the world. Here, we investigated the presence of reproductive symbionts and the effect of the geographical location on the bacterial community associated to adult Hessian flies derived from four major wheat producing areas in Morocco. Using specific 16S rDNA PCR assay, Wolbachia infection was observed in 3% of the natural populations and 10% of the laboratory population. High throughput sequencing of V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene revealed that the microbiota of adult Hessian flies was significantly influenced by their native regions. A total of 6 phyla, 10 classes and 79 genera were obtained from all the samples. Confirming the screening results, Wolbachia was identified as well in the natural Hessian flies. Phylogenetic analysis using the sequences obtained in this study indicated that there is one Wolbachia strain belonging to supergroup A. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Wolbachia in Hessian fly populations. The observed low abundance of Wolbachia most likely does not indicate induction of reproductive incompatibility. Yet, this infection may give a new insight into the use of Wolbachia for the fight against Hessian fly populations.
Collapse
|
19
|
Transovarial Transmission of Bacteriome-Associated Symbionts in the Cicada Pycna repanda (Hemiptera: Cicadidae). Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.02957-19. [PMID: 32276978 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02957-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although transovarial transmission of bacteriome-associated symbionts in hemipteran insects is extremely important for maintaining intimate host-symbiont associations, our knowledge of cellular mechanisms underlying the transmission process is quite limited. We investigated bacterial communities of salivary glands, bacteriomes, and digestive and reproductive organs and clarified the transovarial transmission of bacteriome-associated symbionts of the mountain-habitat specialist Pycna repanda using integrated methods. The bacterial communities among different gut tissues and those of bacteriomes of males and females both show similarity, whereas differences are exhibited among bacterial communities in testes and ovaries. The primary symbionts "Candidatus Sulcia muelleri" (hereafter "Ca Sulcia") and "Candidatus Hodgkinia cicadicola" (hereafter "Ca Hodgkinia") were not only restricted to but also dominant in the bacteriomes and ovaries. "Ca Hodgkinia" cells in the bacteriomes of both sexes exhibited different colors by histological and electron microscopy. Also considering the results of a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based cloning approach, we hypothesize that "Ca Hodgkinia" may have split into cytologically different cellular lineages within this cicada species. Regarding the dominant secondary symbionts, Rickettsia was detected in the salivary glands, digestive organs, and testes, whereas Arsenophonus was detected in the bacteriomes and ovaries. Our results show that Arsenophonus can coexist with "Ca Sulcia" and "Ca Hodgkinia" within bacteriomes and can be transovarially transmitted with these obligate symbionts together from mother to offspring in cicadas, but it is not harbored in the cytoplasm of "Ca Sulcia." The change in the shape of "Ca Sulcia" and "Ca Hodgkinia" during the transovarial transmission process is hypothesized to be related to the limited space and novel microenvironment.IMPORTANCE Cicadas establish an intimate symbiosis with microorganisms to obtain essential nutrients that are extremely deficient in host plant sap. Previous studies on bacterial communities of cicadas mainly focused on a few widely distributed species, but knowledge about mountain-habitat species is quite poor. We initially revealed the physical distribution of the primary symbionts "Ca Sulcia" and "Ca Hodgkinia" and the dominant secondary symbionts Rickettsia and Arsenophonus in the mountain-habitat specialist Pycna repanda and then clarified the transovarial transmission process of bacteriome-associated symbionts in this species. Our observations suggest that "Ca Hodgkinia" may have split into cytologically distinct lineages within this cicada species, and related cicadas might have developed complex mechanisms for the vertical transmission of the bacteriome-associated symbionts. We also revealed that Arsenophonus can be transovarially transmitted in auchenorrhynchan insects when it is not harbored in the cytoplasm of other endosymbionts. Our results highlight transovarial transmission mechanisms of bacteriome-associated symbionts in sap-feeding insects.
Collapse
|
20
|
Ferree PM, Aldrich JC, Jing XA, Norwood CT, Van Schaick MR, Cheema MS, Ausió J, Gowen BE. Spermatogenesis in haploid males of the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12194. [PMID: 31434920 PMCID: PMC6704150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48332-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Males of hymenopteran insects, which include ants, bees and wasps, develop as haploids from unfertilized eggs. In order to accommodate their lack of homologous chromosome pairs, some hymenopterans such as the honeybee have been shown to produce haploid sperm through an abortive meiosis. We employed microscopic approaches to visualize landmark aspects of spermatogenesis in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis, a model for hymenopteran reproduction and development. Our work demonstrates that N. vitripennis, like other examined hymenopterans, exhibits characteristics indicative of an abortive meiosis, including slight enlargement of spermatocytes preceding meiotic initiation. However, we saw no evidence of cytoplasmic buds containing centrioles that are produced from the first abortive meiotic division, which occurs in the honeybee. In contrast to other previously studied hymenopterans, N. vitripennis males produce sperm in bundles that vary widely from 16 to over 200, thus reflecting a range of cellular divisions. Our results highlight interesting variations in spermatogenesis among the hymenopteran insects, and together with previous studies, they suggest a pattern of progression from meiosis to a more mitotic state in producing sperm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Ferree
- W. M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA.
| | - John C Aldrich
- W. M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA
| | - Xueyuan A Jing
- W. M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA
| | - Christopher T Norwood
- W. M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA
| | - Mary R Van Schaick
- W. M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA
| | - Manjinder S Cheema
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W-3P6, Canada
| | - Juan Ausió
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W-3P6, Canada
| | - Brent E Gowen
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W-3P6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Nadal-Jimenez P, Griffin JS, Davies L, Frost CL, Marcello M, Hurst GDD. Genetic manipulation allows in vivo tracking of the life cycle of the son-killer symbiont, Arsenophonus nasoniae, and reveals patterns of host invasion, tropism and pathology. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:3172-3182. [PMID: 31237728 PMCID: PMC6771839 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Maternally heritable symbionts are common in arthropods and represent important partners and antagonists. A major impediment to understanding the mechanistic basis of these symbioses has been lack of genetic manipulation tools, for instance, those enabling transgenic GFP expression systems for in vivo visualization. Here, we transform the ‘son‐killer’ reproductive parasite Arsenophonus nasoniae that infects the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis with the plasmid pOM1‐gfp, re‐introduce this strain to N. vitripennis and then used this system to track symbiont life history in vivo. These data revealed transfer of the symbiont into the fly pupa by N. vitripennis during oviposition and N. vitripennis larvae developing infection over time through feeding. A strong tropism of A. nasoniae to the N. vitripennis ovipositor developed during wasp pupation, which aids onward transmission. The symbiont was also visualized in diapause larvae. Occasional necrotic diapause larvae were observed which displayed intense systemic infection alongside widespread melanotic nodules indicative of an active but failed immune response. Our results provide the foundation for the study of this symbiosis through in vivo tracking of the fate of symbionts through host development, which is rarely achieved in heritable microbe/insect interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pol Nadal-Jimenez
- Institute for Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joanne S Griffin
- Institute for Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Lianne Davies
- Institute for Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Crystal L Frost
- Institute for Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Marco Marcello
- Institute for Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gregory D D Hurst
- Institute for Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhang YK, Yu ZJ, Wang D, Bronislava V, Branislav P, Liu JZ. The bacterial microbiome of field-collected Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus from Slovakia. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:325. [PMID: 31248443 PMCID: PMC6598266 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3582-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The important roles of microbial flora in tick biology and ecology have received much attention. Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus are known vectors of various pathogens across Europe, including Slovakia. However, their bacterial microbiomes are poorly explored. Methods In this study, bacterial microbiomes of field-collected D. marginatus and D. reticulatus from Slovakia were characterized using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Results Different analyses demonstrated that the D. marginatus and D. reticulatus microbiomes differ in their diversity and taxonomic structures. Furthermore, species- and sex-specific bacteria were detected in the two species. A possible bacterial pathogen “Candidatus Rhabdochlamydia sp.” was detected from D. marginatus males. Among the observed bacteria, Rickettsia showed high abundance in the two species. Several maternally inherited bacteria such as Coxiella, Arsenophonus, Spiroplasma, Francisella and Rickettsiella, were abundant, and their relative abundance varied depending on tick species and sex, suggesting their biological roles in the two species. Conclusions The bacterial microbiomes of field-collected D. marginatus and D. reticulatus were shaped by tick phylogeny and sex. Maternally inherited bacteria were abundant in the two species. These findings are valuable for understanding tick-bacteria interactions, biology and vector competence of ticks. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3582-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Kai Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, Hebei, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Yu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, Hebei, China
| | - Duo Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, Hebei, China
| | - Víchová Bronislava
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 04001, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Peťko Branislav
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 04001, Kosice, Slovak Republic.,University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, 04185, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Jing-Ze Liu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, Hebei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Karimi S, Askari Seyahooei M, Izadi H, Bagheri A, Khodaygan P. Effect of Arsenophonus Endosymbiont Elimination on Fitness of the Date Palm Hopper, Ommatissus lybicus (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae). ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 48:614-622. [PMID: 31095275 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvz047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The date palm hopper, Ommatissus lybicus de Bergevin, is one of the most important pests of the date palm in the Middle East and North Africa. This insect uses its needle-like sucking mouthparts to feed on phloem, which is devoid of most essential amino acids and many vitamins. The absence of essential nutrient in its diet is suggested to be ameliorated by endosymbionts in O. lybicus. Arsenophonus is one of the main bacterial endosymbionts widely prevalent in O. lybicus. In this study, we used antibiotics to eliminate Arsenophonus from O. lybicus originating from three populations (Fin, Qale'e Qazi, and Roodan) and studied the effects on the fitness of the pest. Our results revealed that the removal of Arsenophonus increased the developmental time of the immature stages and reduced the values of different life-history parameters including nymphal survival rate and adult longevity in the host. Furthermore, elimination of Arsenophonus completely obliterated offspring production in all O. lybicus populations investigated. These results confirm the dependency of O. lybicus on Arsenophonus for fitness and give a new insight regarding the possibility of symbiotic control of O. lybicus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Karimi
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Majeed Askari Seyahooei
- Plant Protection Research Department, Hormozgan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Hamzeh Izadi
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Abdoolnabi Bagheri
- Plant Protection Research Department, Hormozgan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Pejman Khodaygan
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Duplouy A, Hornett EA. Uncovering the hidden players in Lepidoptera biology: the heritable microbial endosymbionts. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4629. [PMID: 29761037 PMCID: PMC5947162 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Lepidoptera is one of the most widespread and recognisable insect orders. Due to their remarkable diversity, economic and ecological importance, moths and butterflies have been studied extensively over the last 200 years. More recently, the relationship between Lepidoptera and their heritable microbial endosymbionts has received increasing attention. Heritable endosymbionts reside within the host’s body and are often, but not exclusively, inherited through the female line. Advancements in molecular genetics have revealed that host-associated microbes are both extremely prevalent among arthropods and highly diverse. Furthermore, heritable endosymbionts have been repeatedly demonstrated to play an integral role in many aspects of host biology, particularly host reproduction. Here, we review the major findings of research of heritable microbial endosymbionts of butterflies and moths. We promote the Lepidoptera as important models in the study of reproductive manipulations employed by heritable endosymbionts, with the mechanisms underlying male-killing and feminisation currently being elucidated in moths and butterflies. We also reveal that the vast majority of research undertaken of Lepidopteran endosymbionts concerns Wolbachia. While this highly prevalent bacterium is undoubtedly important, studies should move towards investigating the presence of other, and interacting endosymbionts, and we discuss the merits of examining the microbiome of Lepidoptera to this end. We finally consider the importance of understanding the influence of endosymbionts under global environmental change and when planning conservation management of endangered Lepidoptera species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Duplouy
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emily A Hornett
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Goerzen DW, Erlandson MA. Infection of the chalcid parasitoid Pteromalus venustus Walker (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) with the male-killing symbiont Arsenophonus nasoniae (Gamma-Proteobacteria: Enterobacteriaceae). J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 154:24-28. [PMID: 29588209 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2018.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The male-killing symbiont Arsenophonus nasoniae is a gamma-proteobacterium that infects parasitic wasps; the male progeny of infected females exhibit increased embryonic death. In this study, we examined methods to horizontally infect Pteromalus venustus (a parasitoid infesting populations of the alfalfa leafcutting bee Megachile rotundata) with A. nasoniae. We then tested the success of these methods via semi-quantitative PCR and quantitative digital PCR, using a molecular marker specific to A. nasoniae. Controlled parasitoid mating experiments were then undertaken to determine whether infections of A. nasoniae in P. venustus induce the male-killing phenotype as has been reported for other host species; evidence of this male-killing phenotype was observed in the current study. Over the course of the eight parasitoid generations following introduction of A. nasoniae infection in P. venustus, the male component of the parasitoid sex ratio was substantially reduced in the infected population (1.05 ♂: 1.00 ♀) compared to the control population (2.46 ♂: 1.00 ♀). Establishment of stable A. nasoniae infections in P. venustus populations could lower the proportion of male progeny, thus negatively impacting the mating success of females, and reducing overall populations of the parasitoid in alfalfa leafcutting bee populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D W Goerzen
- Saskatchewan Alfalfa Seed Producers Development Commission, 127 E - 116 Research Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3R3, Canada.
| | - M A Erlandson
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research and Development Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Li M, Bui M, Akbari OS. Embryo Microinjection and Transplantation Technique for Nasonia vitripennis Genome Manipulation. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 29364231 PMCID: PMC5908372 DOI: 10.3791/56990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis has emerged as an effective model system for the study of processes including sex determination, haplo-diploid sex determination, venom synthesis, and host-symbiont interactions, among others. A major limitation of working with this organism is the lack of effective protocols to perform directed genome modifications. An important part of genome modification is delivery of editing reagents, including CRISPR/Cas9 molecules, into embryos through microinjection. While microinjection is well established in many model organisms, this technique is particularly challenging to perform in N. vitripennis primarily due to its small embryo size, and the fact that embryonic development occurs entirely within a parasitized blowfly pupa. The following procedure overcomes these significant challenges while demonstrating a streamlined, visual procedure for effectively removing wasp embryos from parasitized host pupae, microinjecting them, and carefully transplanting them back into the host for continuation and completion of development. This protocol will strongly enhance the capability of research groups to perform advanced genome modifications in this organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Department of Entomology and Riverside Center of Disease Vector Research, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside; Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego
| | - Michelle Bui
- Department of Entomology and Riverside Center of Disease Vector Research, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside; Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Department of Entomology and Riverside Center of Disease Vector Research, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside; Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego;
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Challenging the Wigglesworthia, Sodalis, Wolbachia symbiosis dogma in tsetse flies: Spiroplasma is present in both laboratory and natural populations. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4699. [PMID: 28680117 PMCID: PMC5498494 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04740-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Profiling of wild and laboratory tsetse populations using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing allowed us to examine whether the "Wigglesworthia-Sodalis-Wolbachia dogma" operates across species and populations. The most abundant taxa, in wild and laboratory populations, were Wigglesworthia (the primary endosymbiont), Sodalis and Wolbachia as previously characterized. The species richness of the microbiota was greater in wild than laboratory populations. Spiroplasma was identified as a new symbiont exclusively in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and G. tachinoides, members of the palpalis sub-group, and the infection prevalence in several laboratory and natural populations was surveyed. Multi locus sequencing typing (MLST) analysis identified two strains of tsetse-associated Spiroplasma, present in G. f. fuscipes and G. tachinoides. Spiroplasma density in G. f. fuscipes larva guts was significantly higher than in guts from teneral and 15-day old male and female adults. In gonads of teneral and 15-day old insects, Spiroplasma density was higher in testes than ovaries, and was significantly higher density in live versus prematurely deceased females indicating a potentially mutualistic association. Higher Spiroplasma density in testes than in ovaries was also detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization in G. f. fuscipes.
Collapse
|
28
|
Li M, Au LYC, Douglah D, Chong A, White BJ, Ferree PM, Akbari OS. Generation of heritable germline mutations in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis using CRISPR/Cas9. Sci Rep 2017; 7:901. [PMID: 28424460 PMCID: PMC5430486 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The revolutionary RNA-guided endonuclease CRISPR/Cas9 system has proven to be a powerful tool for gene editing in a plethora of organisms. Here, utilizing this system we developed an efficient protocol for the generation of heritable germline mutations in the parasitoid jewel wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, a rising insect model organism for the study of evolution, development of axis pattern formation, venom production, haplo-diploid sex determination, and host–symbiont interactions. To establish CRISPR-directed gene editing in N. vitripennis, we targeted a conserved eye pigmentation gene cinnabar, generating several independent heritable germline mutations in this gene. Briefly, to generate these mutants, we developed a protocol to efficiently collect N. vitripennis eggs from a parasitized flesh fly pupa, Sarcophaga bullata, inject these eggs with Cas9/guide RNA mixtures, and transfer injected eggs back into the host to continue development. We also describe a flow for screening mutants and establishing stable mutant strains through genetic crosses. Overall, our results demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful tool for genome manipulation in N. vitripennis, with strong potential for expansion to target critical genes, thus allowing for the investigation of several important biological phenomena in this organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Department of Entomology and Riverside Center for Disease Vector Research, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Lauren Yun Cook Au
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, 925 Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA
| | - Deema Douglah
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, 925 Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA
| | - Abigail Chong
- Department of Entomology and Riverside Center for Disease Vector Research, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Bradley J White
- Department of Entomology and Riverside Center for Disease Vector Research, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Patrick M Ferree
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, 925 Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA, 91711, USA.
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Department of Entomology and Riverside Center for Disease Vector Research, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Dittmer J, van Opstal EJ, Shropshire JD, Bordenstein SR, Hurst GDD, Brucker RM. Disentangling a Holobiont - Recent Advances and Perspectives in Nasonia Wasps. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1478. [PMID: 27721807 PMCID: PMC5033955 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The parasitoid wasp genus Nasonia (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) is a well-established model organism for insect development, evolutionary genetics, speciation, and symbiosis. The host-microbiota assemblage which constitutes the Nasonia holobiont (a host together with all of its associated microbes) consists of viruses, two heritable bacterial symbionts and a bacterial community dominated in abundance by a few taxa in the gut. In the wild, all four Nasonia species are systematically infected with the obligate intracellular bacterium Wolbachia and can additionally be co-infected with Arsenophonus nasoniae. These two reproductive parasites have different transmission modes and host manipulations (cytoplasmic incompatibility vs. male-killing, respectively). Pioneering studies on Wolbachia in Nasonia demonstrated that closely related Nasonia species harbor multiple and mutually incompatible Wolbachia strains, resulting in strong symbiont-mediated reproductive barriers that evolved early in the speciation process. Moreover, research on host-symbiont interactions and speciation has recently broadened from its historical focus on heritable symbionts to the entire microbial community. In this context, each Nasonia species hosts a distinguishable community of gut bacteria that experiences a temporal succession during host development and members of this bacterial community cause strong hybrid lethality during larval development. In this review, we present the Nasonia species complex as a model system to experimentally investigate questions regarding: (i) the impact of different microbes, including (but not limited to) heritable endosymbionts, on the extended phenotype of the holobiont, (ii) the establishment and regulation of a species-specific microbiota, (iii) the role of the microbiota in speciation, and (iv) the resilience and adaptability of the microbiota in wild populations subjected to different environmental pressures. We discuss the potential for easy microbiota manipulations in Nasonia as a promising experimental approach to address these fundamental aspects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Dittmer
- Rowland Institute at Harvard, Harvard University, Cambridge MA, USA
| | | | - J Dylan Shropshire
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN, USA
| | - Seth R Bordenstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, NashvilleTN, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, NashvilleTN, USA
| | - Gregory D D Hurst
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool Liverpool, UK
| | - Robert M Brucker
- Rowland Institute at Harvard, Harvard University, Cambridge MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Male-killing symbiont damages host's dosage-compensated sex chromosome to induce embryonic apoptosis. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12781. [PMID: 27650264 PMCID: PMC5036004 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Some symbiotic bacteria are capable of interfering with host reproduction in selfish ways. How such bacteria can manipulate host's sex-related mechanisms is of fundamental interest encompassing cell, developmental and evolutionary biology. Here, we uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Spiroplasma-induced embryonic male lethality in Drosophila melanogaster. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that many genes related to DNA damage and apoptosis are up-regulated specifically in infected male embryos. Detailed genetic and cytological analyses demonstrate that male-killing Spiroplasma causes DNA damage on the male X chromosome interacting with the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex. The damaged male X chromosome exhibits a chromatin bridge during mitosis, and bridge breakage triggers sex-specific abnormal apoptosis via p53-dependent pathways. Notably, the MSL complex is not only necessary but also sufficient for this cytotoxic process. These results highlight symbiont's sophisticated strategy to target host's sex chromosome and recruit host's molecular cascades toward massive apoptosis in a sex-specific manner. Symbiotic bacteria are able to interfere with host reproduction in ways that are detrimental to the host organism. Here the authors show that Spiroplasma induces DNA damage on the male X chromosome in Drosophila, causing sex-specific apoptosis.
Collapse
|
31
|
Shropshire JD, van Opstal EJ, Bordenstein SR. An optimized approach to germ-free rearing in the jewel wasp Nasonia. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2316. [PMID: 27602283 PMCID: PMC4991892 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of a Nasonia in vitrogerm-free rearing system in 2012 enabled investigation of Nasonia-microbiota interactions and real-time visualization of parasitoid metamorphosis. However, the use of antibiotics, bleach, and fetal bovine serum introduced artifacts relative to conventional rearing of Nasonia. Here, we optimize the germ-free rearing procedure by using filter sterilization in lieu of antibiotics and by removing residual bleach and fetal bovine serum. Comparison of these methods reveals no influence on larval survival or growth, and a 52% improvement in adult production. Additionally, adult males produced in the new germ-free system are similar in size to conventionally reared males. Experimental implications of these changes are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Dylan Shropshire
- Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | | | - Seth R Bordenstein
- Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Parratt SR, Frost CL, Schenkel MA, Rice A, Hurst GDD, King KC. Superparasitism Drives Heritable Symbiont Epidemiology and Host Sex Ratio in a Wasp. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005629. [PMID: 27322651 PMCID: PMC4920596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Heritable microbial symbionts have profound impacts upon the biology of their arthropod hosts. Whilst our current understanding of the dynamics of these symbionts is typically cast within a framework of vertical transmission only, horizontal transmission has been observed in a number of cases. For instance, several symbionts can transmit horizontally when their parasitoid hosts share oviposition patches with uninfected conspecifics, a phenomenon called superparasitism. Despite this, horizontal transmission, and the host contact structures that facilitates it, have not been considered in heritable symbiont epidemiology. Here, we tested for the importance of host contact, and resulting horizontal transmission, for the epidemiology of a male-killing heritable symbiont (Arsenophonus nasoniae) in parasitoid wasp hosts. We observed that host contact through superparasitism is necessary for this symbiont's spread in populations of its primary host Nasonia vitripennis, such that when superparasitism rates are high, A. nasoniae almost reaches fixation, causes highly female biased population sex ratios and consequently causes local host extinction. We further tested if natural interspecific variation in superparasitism behaviours predicted symbiont dynamics among parasitoid species. We found that A. nasoniae was maintained in laboratory populations of a closely related set of Nasonia species, but declined in other, more distantly related pteromalid hosts. The natural proclivity of a species to superparasitise was the primary factor determining symbiont persistence. Our results thus indicate that host contact behaviour is a key factor for heritable microbe dynamics when horizontal transmission is possible, and that 'reproductive parasite' phenotypes, such as male-killing, may be of secondary importance in the dynamics of such symbiont infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven R. Parratt
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Crystal L. Frost
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Martijn A. Schenkel
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Annabel Rice
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory D. D. Hurst
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Kayla C. King
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Cheng B, Kuppanda N, Aldrich JC, Akbari OS, Ferree PM. Male-Killing Spiroplasma Alters Behavior of the Dosage Compensation Complex during Drosophila melanogaster Embryogenesis. Curr Biol 2016; 26:1339-45. [PMID: 27161498 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.03.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Numerous arthropods harbor maternally transmitted bacteria that induce the preferential death of males [1-7]. This sex-specific lethality benefits the bacteria because males are "dead ends" regarding bacterial transmission, and their absence may result in additional resources for their viable female siblings who can thereby more successfully transmit the bacteria [5]. Although these symbionts disrupt a range of developmental processes [8-10], the underlying cellular mechanisms are largely unknown. It was previously shown that mutations in genes of the dosage compensation pathway of Drosophila melanogaster suppressed male killing caused by the bacterium, Spiroplasma [10]. This result suggested that dosage compensation is a target of Spiroplasma. However, it remains unclear how this pathway is affected, and whether the underlying interactions require the male-specific cellular environment. Here, we investigated the cellular basis of male embryonic lethality in D. melanogaster induced by Spiroplasma. We found that the dosage compensation complex (DCC), which acetylates X chromatin in males [11], becomes mis-localized to ectopic regions of the nucleus immediately prior to the killing phase. This effect was accompanied by inappropriate histone acetylation and genome-wide mis-regulation of gene expression. Artificially induced formation of the DCC in infected females, through transgenic expression of the DCC-specific gene msl-2, resulted in mis-localization of this complex to non-X regions and early Spiroplasma-induced death, mirroring the killing effects in males. These findings strongly suggest that Spiroplasma initiates male killing by targeting the dosage compensation machinery directly and independently of other cellular features characteristic of the male sex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Becky Cheng
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, 925 N. Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Nitin Kuppanda
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, 925 N. Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - John C Aldrich
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, 925 N. Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Department of Entomology and Riverside Center for Disease Vector Research, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Patrick M Ferree
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, 925 N. Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Zhao Y, Zhang S, Luo JY, Wang CY, Lv LM, Cui JJ. Bacterial communities of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii associated with Bt cotton in northern China. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22958. [PMID: 27079679 PMCID: PMC4832190 DOI: 10.1038/srep22958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aphids are infected with a wide variety of endosymbionts that can confer ecologically relevant traits. However, the bacterial communities of most aphid species are still poorly characterized. This study investigated the bacterial diversity of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii associated with Bt cotton in northern China by targeting the V4 region of the 16S rDNA using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Our sequencing data revealed that bacterial communities of A. gossypii were generally dominated by the primary symbiont Buchnera, together with the facultative symbionts Arsenophonus and Hamiltonella. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting the facultative symbiont Hamiltonella in A. gossypii. Moreover, the bacterial community structure was similar within aphids from the same province, but distinct among those from different provinces. The taxonomic diversity of the bacterial community is greater in Hebei Province compared with in samples from Henan and Shandong Provinces. The selection pressure exerted by the different geographical locations could explain the differences found among the various provinces. These findings broaden our understanding of the interactions among aphids, endosymbionts and their environments, and provide clues to develop potential biocontrol techniques against this cotton aphid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China.,Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Jun-Yu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Chun-Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Li-Min Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Jin-Jie Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Bohacsova M, Mediannikov O, Kazimirova M, Raoult D, Sekeyova Z. Arsenophonus nasoniae and Rickettsiae Infection of Ixodes ricinus Due to Parasitic Wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149950. [PMID: 26901622 PMCID: PMC4762546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenophonus nasoniae, a male-killing endosymbiont of chalcid wasps, was recently detected in several hard tick species. Following the hypothesis that its presence in ticks may not be linked to the direct occurrence of bacteria in tick's organs, we identified A. nasoniae in wasps emerging from parasitised nymphs. We confirmed that 28.1% of Ixodiphagus hookeri wasps parasitizing Ixodes ricinus ticks were infected by A. nasoniae. Moreover, in examined I. ricinus nymphs, A. nasoniae was detected only in those, which were parasitized by the wasp. However, in part of the adult wasps as well as in some ticks that contained wasp's DNA, we did not confirm A. nasoniae. We also found, that in spite of reported male-killing, some newly emerged adult wasp males were also infected by A. nasoniae. Additionally, we amplified the DNA of Rickettsia helvetica and Rickettsia monacensis (known to be Ixodes ricinus-associated bacteria) in adult parasitoid wasps. This may be related either with the digested bacterial DNA in wasp body lumen or with a role of wasps in circulation of rickettsiae among tick vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Bohacsova
- Department of Rickettsiology, Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Unite de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) IRD 198, CNRS 7278, INSERM 1095, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Mediterranee-Infection, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Maria Kazimirova
- Department of Medical Zoology, Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Didier Raoult
- Unite de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) IRD 198, CNRS 7278, INSERM 1095, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Mediterranee-Infection, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Zuzana Sekeyova
- Department of Rickettsiology, Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
The parasitoid wasp Nasonia represents a genus of four species that is emerging as a powerful genetic model system that has made and will continue to make important contributions to our understanding of evolutionary biology, development, ecology, and behavior. Particularly powerful are the haplodiploid genetics of the system, which allow some of the advantages of microbial genetics to be applied to a complex multicellular eukaryote. In addition, fertile, viable hybrids can be made among the four species in the genus. This makes Nasonia exceptionally well suited for evolutionary genetics approaches, especially when combined with its haploid genetics and tractability in the laboratory. These features are complemented by an expanding array of genomic, transcriptomic, and functional resources, the application of which has already made Nasonia an important model system in such emerging fields as evolutionary developmental biology and microbiomics. This article describes the genetic and genomic advantages of Nasonia wasps and the resources available for their genetic analysis.
Collapse
|
37
|
Identification of Genes Uniquely Expressed in the Germ-Line Tissues of the Jewel Wasp Nasonia vitripennis. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2015; 5:2647-53. [PMID: 26464360 PMCID: PMC4683638 DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.021386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis is a rising model organism for the study of haplo-diploid reproduction characteristic of hymenopteran insects, which include all wasps, bees, and ants. We performed transcriptional profiling of the ovary, the female soma, and the male soma of N. vitripennis to complement a previously existing transcriptome of the wasp testis. These data were deposited into an open-access genome browser for visualization of transcripts relative to their gene models. We used these data to identify the assemblies of genes uniquely expressed in the germ-line tissues. We found that 156 protein-coding genes are expressed exclusively in the wasp testis compared with only 22 in the ovary. Of the testis-specific genes, eight are candidates for male-specific DNA packaging proteins known as protamines. We found very similar expression patterns of centrosome associated genes in the testis and ovary, arguing that de novo centrosome formation, a key process for development of unfertilized eggs into males, likely does not rely on large-scale transcriptional differences between these tissues. In contrast, a number of meiosis-related genes show a bias toward testis-specific expression, despite the lack of true meiosis in N. vitripennis males. These patterns may reflect an unexpected complexity of male gamete production in the haploid males of this organism. Broadly, these data add to the growing number of genomic and genetic tools available in N. vitripennis for addressing important biological questions in this rising insect model organism.
Collapse
|
38
|
Saeed A, White JA. Surveys for maternally-inherited endosymbionts reveal novel and variable infections within solitary bee species. J Invertebr Pathol 2015; 132:111-114. [PMID: 26410254 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Maternally-inherited bacteria can affect the fitness and population dynamics of their host insects; for solitary bees, such effects have the potential to influence bee efficacy as pollinators. We screened bee species for bacterial associates using 454-pyrosequencing (4 species) and diagnostic PCR (183 specimens across 29 species). The endosymbiont Wolbachia was abundant, infecting 18 species, including all specimens from the family Halictidae. Among commercially-supplied orchard bees (family Megachilidae), only 2/7 species were Wolbachia-infected, but one species showed variable infection among specimens. Two other maternally-inherited bacteria, Arsenophonus and Sodalis, were also detected, neither of which was fixed in infection frequency. Differential endosymbiont infection could potentially compromise fitness and reproductive compatibility among commercially redistributed pollinator populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abiya Saeed
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Sciences Center North, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
| | - Jennifer A White
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Sciences Center North, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Hurst GDD, Frost CL. Reproductive parasitism: maternally inherited symbionts in a biparental world. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2015; 7:a017699. [PMID: 25934011 PMCID: PMC4448626 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a017699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Most species of insect, and many other plants and animals, carry maternally heritable microorganisms-viruses, bacteria, unicellular eukaryotes, and fungi that pass from a female host to her progeny. Maternal inheritance establishes a correlation between the fitness of symbiont and host female, which can select for the symbiont to contribute to host fitness. Nevertheless, its lack of transmission through male hosts places the symbiont in conflict with biparentally inherited nuclear genes. In this review, we first examine how this conflict is manifest in selection to promote the production and survival of infected female hosts and gametes. We then examine how the distorted population sex ratios that they produce may affect host reproductive ecology, and thus the intensity of other conflicts associated with sexual reproduction. Finally, we examine evolved host responses to symbiont manipulation. We argue that the unusual intensity of symbiont-host conflict generates extreme selection pressures that can drive changes in sex-determination systems, the basic pathway through which males and females are constructed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory D D Hurst
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Crystal L Frost
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Voronin D, Abeykoon AMLL, Gunawardene YIS, Dassanayake RS. Absence of Wolbachia endobacteria in Sri Lankan isolates of the nematode parasite of animals Setaria digitata. Vet Parasitol 2014; 207:350-4. [PMID: 25579393 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Setaria digitata is an animal filarial parasite with natural hosts of cattle and buffaloes that causes mild disease conditions. Infection of non-permissive hosts such as goats, sheep and horses, by this nematode can cause cerebrospinal nematodiasis that leads to lumbar paralysis and the eventual death of the animals and inflicts considerable economic losses on livestock farmers. Wolbachia are obligate mutualistic endosymbionts for some filarial nematodes and are currently being targeted for the control of diseases caused by these parasites. However, little is known about the occurrence of this endosymbiont in the Setariidae family. In this work, worms collected from infected cattle in Sri Lanka were morphologically identified as S. digitata and tested for the presence of Wolbachia by PCR screening using the WSP- and Wolbachia-specific 16S rRNA and multilocus sequence typing primers that were designed to amplify the gatB, coxA, hcpA, ftsZ and fbpA sequences of Wolbachia. The presence of endobacteria in S. digitata was also examined by whole-mount immunofluorescence staining of the parasites and transmission electron microscopic studies. These analyses did not produce evidence of presence of Wolbachia or any other endosymbiotic bacteria in S. digitata, whereas such evidence was found in Brugia malayi, which was used as a positive control in this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denis Voronin
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; Molecular Parasitology, Lindsley F Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, USA.
| | - A M L L Abeykoon
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Y I Silva Gunawardene
- Molecular Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Ranil S Dassanayake
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Kapantaidaki DE, Ov arenko I, Fytrou N, Knott KE, Bourtzis K, Tsagkarakou A. Low Levels of Mitochondrial DNA and Symbiont Diversity in the Worldwide Agricultural Pest, the Greenhouse Whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). J Hered 2014; 106:80-92. [DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esu061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
|
42
|
Scott M, Pimsler M, Tarone A. Sex Determination Mechanisms in the Calliphoridae (Blow Flies). Sex Dev 2014; 8:29-37. [DOI: 10.1159/000357132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
|
43
|
Ma WJ, Vavre F, Beukeboom LW. Manipulation of arthropod sex determination by endosymbionts: diversity and molecular mechanisms. Sex Dev 2013; 8:59-73. [PMID: 24355929 DOI: 10.1159/000357024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropods exhibit a large variety of sex determination systems both at the chromosomal and molecular level. Male heterogamety, female heterogamety, and haplodiploidy occur frequently, but partially different genes are involved. Endosymbionts, such as Wolbachia, Cardinium,Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma, can manipulate host reproduction and sex determination. Four major reproductive manipulation types are distinguished: cytoplasmic incompatibility, thelytokous parthenogenesis, male killing, and feminization. In this review, the effects of these manipulation types and how they interfere with arthropod sex determination in terms of host developmental timing, alteration of sex determination, and modification of sexual differentiation pathways are summarized. Transitions between different manipulation types occur frequently which suggests that they are based on similar molecular processes. It is also discussed how mechanisms of reproductive manipulation and host sex determination can be informative on each other, with a special focus on haplodiploidy. Future directions on how the study of endosymbiotic manipulation of host reproduction can be key to further studies of arthropod sex determination are shown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W-J Ma
- Evolutionary Genetics, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Akbari OS, Antoshechkin I, Hay BA, Ferree PM. Transcriptome profiling of Nasonia vitripennis testis reveals novel transcripts expressed from the selfish B chromosome, paternal sex ratio. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2013; 3:1597-605. [PMID: 23893741 PMCID: PMC3755920 DOI: 10.1534/g3.113.007583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A widespread phenomenon in nature is sex ratio distortion of arthropod populations caused by microbial and genetic parasites. Currently little is known about how these agents alter host developmental processes to favor one sex or the other. The paternal sex ratio (PSR) chromosome is a nonessential, paternally transmitted centric fragment that segregates in natural populations of the jewel wasp, Nasonia vitripennis. To persist, PSR is thought to modify the hereditary material of the developing sperm, with the result that all nuclear DNA other than the PSR chromosome is destroyed shortly after fertilization. This results in the conversion of a fertilized embryo--normally a female--into a male, thereby insuring transmission of the "selfish" PSR chromosome, and simultaneously leading to wasp populations that are male-biased. To begin to understand this system at the mechanistic level, we carried out transcriptional profiling of testis from WT and PSR-carrying males. We identified a number of transcripts that are differentially expressed between these conditions. We also discovered nine transcripts that are uniquely expressed from the PSR chromosome. Four of these PSR-specific transcripts encode putative proteins, whereas the others have very short open reading frames and no homology to known proteins, suggesting that they are long noncoding RNAs. We propose several different models for how these transcripts could facilitate PSR-dependent effects. Our analyses also revealed 15.71 MB of novel transcribed regions in the N. vitripennis genome, thus increasing the current annotation of total transcribed regions by 53.4%. Finally, we detected expression of multiple meiosis-related genes in the wasp testis, despite the lack of conventional meiosis in the male sex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omar S. Akbari
- Division of Biology, MC156-29, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology, MC156-29, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
| | - Bruce A. Hay
- Division of Biology, MC156-29, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
| | - Patrick M. Ferree
- W. M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, California 91711
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Sanada-Morimura S, Matsumura M, Noda H. Male killing caused by a Spiroplasma symbiont in the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus. J Hered 2013; 104:821-9. [PMID: 23975837 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/est052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spiroplasma-mediated late male killing was found in the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus. Female-biased colonies (maternal lines, N = 4) were established from planthoppers collected in Taiwan and Japan. This sex ratio distortion was maternally inherited (sex ratio of total number of progenies [female:male]: 488:0 in F1, 198:7 in F2, 407:0 in F3; likelihood ratio test of all generations, P < 0.0001) and caused by male death during nymphal stages. The female-biased colonies were doubly infected with Spiroplasma and Wolbachia, and the non-biased colonies were infected solely with Wolbachia. Antibiotic treatment resulted in a normal sex ratio, strongly suggesting that bacteria are manipulating host reproduction. Spiroplasma-singly-infected planthopper colonies created by the antibiotic treatment produced progeny with strongly female-biased sex ratios (181:2; likelihood ratio test, χ(2) = 231.6, P < 0.0001). This is the first report of Spiroplasma-mediated male killing in hemimetabolous insects.
Collapse
|
46
|
Edouard S, Subramanian G, Lefevre B, Dos Santos A, Pouedras P, Poinsignon Y, Mediannikov O, Raoult D. Co-infection with Arsenophonus nasoniae and Orientia tsutsugamushi in a traveler. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2013; 13:565-71. [PMID: 23930974 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we report a case of co-infection with Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus, and Arsenophonus nasoniae in a woman with a rash and an eschar who returned from a trip to Southeast Asia. A. nasoniae was previously considered to be a secondary insect and tick endosymbiont of unknown pathogenicity in humans. We amplified both O. tsutsugamushi and A. nasoniae DNA from a skin eschar with qPCR, and a seroconversion for O. tsutsugamushi and A. nasoniae was observed with immunofluorescence assays and western blotting for this patient. And we used 2-D western blotting with an A. nasoniae antigen and polyclonal mouse anti-A. nasoniae antibodies produced in our laboratory to detect the specific antigenic A. nasoniae proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Edouard
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Evolution, multiple acquisition, and localization of endosymbionts in bat flies (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea: Streblidae and Nycteribiidae). Appl Environ Microbiol 2013; 79:2952-61. [PMID: 23435889 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03814-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bat flies are a diverse clade of obligate ectoparasites on bats. Like most blood-feeding insects, they harbor endosymbiotic prokaryotes, but the origins and nature of these symbioses are still poorly understood. To expand the knowledge of bacterial associates in bat flies, the diversity and evolution of the dominant endosymbionts in six of eight nominal subfamilies of bat flies (Streblidae and Nycteribiidae) were studied. Furthermore, the localization of endosymbionts and their transmission across developmental stages within the family Streblidae were explored. The results show diverse microbial associates in bat flies, with at least four ancestral invasions of distantly related microbial lineages throughout bat fly evolution. Phylogenetic relationships support the presence of at least two novel symbiont lineages (here clades B and D), and extend the geographic and taxonomic range of a previously documented lineage ("Candidatus Aschnera chinzeii"; here clade A). Although these lineages show reciprocally monophyletic clusters with several bat fly host clades, their phylogenetic relationships generally do not reflect current bat fly taxonomy or phylogeny. However, within some endosymbiont clades, congruent patterns of symbiont-host divergence are apparent. Other sequences identified in this study fall into the widely distributed, highly invasive, insect-associated Arsenophonus lineage and may be the result of symbiont replacements and/or transient infections (here clade C). Vertical transmission of endosymbionts of clades B and D is supported by fluorescent signal (fluorescent in situ hybridization [FISH]) and microbial DNA detection across developmental stages. The fluorescent bacterial signal is consistently localized within structures resembling bacteriomes, although their anatomical position differs by host fly clade. In summary, the results suggest an obligate host-endosymbiont relationship for three of the four known symbiont clades associated with bat flies (clades A, B, and D).
Collapse
|
48
|
Duplouy A, Iturbe-Ormaetxe I, Beatson SA, Szubert JM, Brownlie JC, McMeniman CJ, McGraw EA, Hurst GDD, Charlat S, O'Neill SL, Woolfit M. Draft genome sequence of the male-killing Wolbachia strain wBol1 reveals recent horizontal gene transfers from diverse sources. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:20. [PMID: 23324387 PMCID: PMC3639933 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis causes diverse and sometimes dramatic phenotypes in its invertebrate hosts. Four Wolbachia strains sequenced to date indicate that the constitution of the genome is dynamic, but these strains are quite divergent and do not allow resolution of genome diversification over shorter time periods. We have sequenced the genome of the strain wBol1-b, found in the butterfly Hypolimnas bolina, which kills the male offspring of infected hosts during embyronic development and is closely related to the non-male-killing strain wPip from Culex pipiens. Results The genomes of wBol1-b and wPip are similar in genomic organisation, sequence and gene content, but show substantial differences at some rapidly evolving regions of the genome, primarily associated with prophage and repetitive elements. We identified 44 genes in wBol1-b that do not have homologs in any previously sequenced strains, indicating that Wolbachia’s non-core genome diversifies rapidly. These wBol1-b specific genes include a number that have been recently horizontally transferred from phylogenetically distant bacterial taxa. We further report a second possible case of horizontal gene transfer from a eukaryote into Wolbachia. Conclusions Our analyses support the developing view that many endosymbiotic genomes are highly dynamic, and are exposed and receptive to exogenous genetic material from a wide range of sources. These data also suggest either that this bacterial species is particularly permissive for eukaryote-to-prokaryote gene transfers, or that these transfers may be more common than previously believed. The wBol1-b-specific genes we have identified provide candidates for further investigations of the genomic bases of phenotypic differences between closely-related Wolbachia strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Duplouy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Mediannikov O, Subramanian G, Sekeyova Z, Bell-Sakyi L, Raoult D. Isolation of Arsenophonus nasoniae from Ixodes ricinus ticks in Slovakia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2012. [PMID: 23182269 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The tick Ixodes ricinus is the most prevalent and widely distributed tick species in Central Europe, commonly found in woodlands, heaths, and forests and particularly abundant in the Alpine region. This tick readily bites humans and transmits a number of bacterial and viral pathogens. We collected 10 live nymphs of I. ricinus ticks from vegetation in the Rovinka forest, Slovakia, and isolated a strain of Arsenophonus nasoniae from one tick using the BME/CTVM2 cell line. A new isolate was then subcultured on axenic media (Columbia agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood). To the best of our knowledge, this bacterium was never previously isolated from hard ticks or identified in ticks in Europe. We amplified and sequenced the 16S rRNA, rpoB, and ftsY genes. Limited genetic characterization showed that the isolated strain is almost identical to a strain from the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Electron microscopy revealed a typical morphology of a Gram-negative bacterium, without pili or flagellae. Its role in human and animal pathology remains to be evaluated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Mediannikov
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod Borne Bacterial Diseases, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 5, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
Eighty Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in the Rovinka forest in Slovakia were tested by real-time and routine single-step PCR for the presence of different pathogenic and endosymbiotic bacteria. No evidence of Coxiella burnetii, Diplorickettsia massiliensis, or Bartonella spp. was found. However, we identified, as the pathogenic bacteria, Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 8%, Rickettsia helvetica in 11%, Borrelia afzelii in 9%, Bo. garinii in 8%, Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto in 5%, Bo. valaisiana in 3%, and Bo. miyamotoi in 1% of ticks. Other bacteria with unknown or suspected pathogenicity for humans were also identified: Arsenophonus nasoniae in 25%, Spiroplasma ixodetis in 3%, Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii in 4%, Wolbachia aff. pipientis in 14%, and Ehrlichia muris in 3% of ticks. A. nasoniae was found almost exclusively in nymphs, and E. muris was only found in adult ticks. In total, 65% of ticks contained at least one species of bacteria, and 16% contained 2 or more species.
Collapse
|