@article {pmid42464925,
year = {2026},
author = {Záhonová, K and Doležal, P and Tachezy, J and Lukeš, J and Speijer, D and Hampl, V},
title = {Phylogenetic ancestry of Metamonada proteins points to a common origin of mitochondria in all eukaryotes.},
journal = {Molecular biology and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/molbev/msag175},
pmid = {42464925},
issn = {1537-1719},
abstract = {Hypotheses concerning eukaryogenesis, the evolution of eukaryotic cells, differ in the relative timing of mitochondrial acquisition. Recently, a serial endosymbiotic hypothesis proposed that hydrogenosomes and mitosomes (MROs) in Metamonada originated from an independent endosymbiosis, later replaced by Alphaproteobacteria-related mitochondria, contradicting the paradigm of mitochondrial presence in the last eukaryotic common ancestor. This serial endosymbiotic hypothesis implicitly predicts the scarcity of alphaproteobacterial genes from Metamonada genomes, because they never contained this endosymbiont. We tested this prediction using a set of 1,399 and 97 proteins inferred for the Metamonada ancestor and confined to their MROs, respectively. We detected five and 14 orthologous groups (OGs) with alphaproteobacterial affiliation in the respective datasets. None of these OGs was present in oxymonads, a Metamonada subgroup lacking MROs, thus serving as blank references. Our data are therefore consistent with the ruling paradigm that mitochondria and MROs originated from an Alphaproteobacterium during a single common endosymbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid42466849,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, Y and Huang, X and Li, Q and Ruan, Y and Long, Y and Zhang, S and Yang, Y},
title = {Wolbachia-centered cytoplasmic axis links elevational mitochondrial DNA turnover with microbiome restructuring.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrag188},
pmid = {42466849},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Mountain gradients act as natural experiments, and elevational mitochondrial DNA clines in insects are often interpreted as signatures of local metabolic adaptation. However, mitochondrial DNA is maternally co-inherited with heritable endosymbionts that can promote cytoplasmic hitchhiking and, when abundant, dominate marker-gene microbiome profiles, complicating inference about environmental forcing. Here we evaluate a symbiont-aware cytoplasmic-axis framework in the tea green leafhopper Empoasca onukii using a densely replicated elevational survey across tea agroecosystems. Across 790 adults from 79 sites spanning 11 to 2750 meters above sea level, we quantified Wolbachia infection prevalence, within-host burden, and strain composition and related these measures to mitochondrial haplotypes, a conservative nuclear reference marker, and whole-insect bacterial community profiles. Wolbachia prevalence, burden, and strain composition varied along elevation, with pronounced strain turnover. Mitochondrial diversity declined and haplotypes homogenized at high elevation, whereas the nuclear reference marker showed weak spatial structure, yielding mitochondrial-nuclear discordance consistent with cytoplasmic hitchhiking and sweep-like mtDNA homogenization. Bacterial community separation was strongest when Wolbachia features were retained but persisted after Wolbachia removal and renormalization, indicating both compositional dominance by Wolbachia and residual restructuring among non-Wolbachia taxa. In a balanced subset, mitochondrial coding variation and host energetic readouts provided observational functional context for the Wolbachia-centered cytoplasmic-axis pattern. Together, these results place Wolbachia at the center of a testable cytoplasmic framework linking elevational mitochondrial turnover with microbiome restructuring, and highlight the broader importance of dominant heritable symbionts.},
}

@article {pmid42466884,
year = {2026},
author = {D'Angelo, G and Kleiner, M and Mankowski, A and Cifuentes-Anticevic, J and Violette, MJ and De Anda, V and Mussmann, M and Kröber, E and Dubilier, N and Liebeke, M},
title = {Symbiosis reshapes metabolism of sulfate-reducing bacteria in gutless marine worms.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrag190},
pmid = {42466884},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are widespread in marine and terrestrial environments, where they often form syntrophic associations with bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. Among the most intimate of these are multipartite symbioses in gutless marine oligochaete worms, which host SRB and sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts that engage in a syntrophic exchange of sulfur compounds. Despite decades of research on free-living SRB, the metabolic traits that enable SRB to persist in symbiosis, and how these differ across hosts and environments, remain poorly understood. We show that a globally distributed clade of symbiotic SRB, which we named Candidatus Desulfoconcordia, has a conserved core metabolism that diverges from free-living relatives. Using comparative genomics and metaproteomics, we reveal that these endosymbionts retain key traits of SRB such as sulfate reduction, complete oxidation of acetate to CO2, amino acid degradation for nitrogen acquisition, and transport of essential nutrients. However, they exhibit a more oxygen-tolerant metabolism and lack typical nutrient-scavenging mechanisms of free-living SRB. One trait, the glyoxylate bypass, was consistently expressed in situ and may serve both in reactive oxygen species defence and in biomass generation. The expression of oxygen-tolerant pathways, coupled with the loss of nutrient-scavenging functions, indicate specialization to a host-associated, redox-fluctuating environment distinct from that of free-living SRB. The symbiont genomes are also larger than those of free-living relatives, contrasting with genome reduction in many endosymbionts and reinforcing the importance of metabolic versatility. Our findings provide a framework for understanding how metabolic flexibility enables SRB to persist in long-term multipartite symbioses across diverse marine ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid42469297,
year = {2026},
author = {Jeangkhwoa, P and Rattananupong, V and Chaloemthanetphong, A and Apanaskevich, DA and Ahantarig, A and Hirunkanokpun, S and Baimai, V and Trinachartvanit, W},
title = {A novel Candidatus Rickettsia chiangmaiensis and occurrence of Candidatus Rickettsia laoensis in hard ticks from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-62151-9},
pmid = {42469297},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {MRC-MGR 06/2565//Mahidol University grant/ ; MRC-MGR 06/2565//Mahidol University grant/ ; SC-RNC68-C005//Faculty of Science, Mahidol University grant/ ; SC-RNC68-C005//Faculty of Science, Mahidol University grant/ ; BDC-PG3-161006//Center of Excellence on Biodiversity, Office of Higher Education Commission/ ; },
abstract = {Hard ticks are important vectors of zoonotic pathogens, including bacteria that cause rickettsiosis, Q fever, and anaplasmosis. In this study, 167 ticks were collected from vegetation in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, and examined using morphological and molecular methods. Five tick species were identified: Dermacentor tamokensis (n = 81), D. bellulus (n = 49), D. pasteuri (n = 9), Ixodes acutitarsus (n = 26), and Haemaphysalis hystricis (n = 2), with the first three species newly characterized at the molecular level. Moreover, D. tamokensis and D. bellulus are newly recorded in Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis using the multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) approach revealed two distinct genotypic groups of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGRs): a novel Candidatus Rickettsia chiangmaiensis in I. acutitarsus (20/26) and Candidatus Rickettsia laoensis in D. tamokensis (12/81) and D. bellulus (10/49). The latter SFGR was closely related to strains found only in western Thailand and Laos. Additionally, Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) were detected in D. tamokensis (61/81), D. bellulus (13/49), and H. hystricis (1/2), while Anaplasma sp. was found in D. tamokensis (2/81). Notably, double infections: Ca. R. laoensis-CLEs, Anaplasma-CLEs, and a triple infection: Ca. R. laoensis-CLE-Anaplasma were reported herein. These findings demonstrate the diverse bacterial associations in ticks, suggesting the ecological complexity of forested areas in northern Thailand.},
}

@article {pmid37938758,
year = {2022},
author = {Luo, H and Wang, J and Goes, JI and Gomes, HDR and Al-Hashmi, K and Tobias, C and Koerting, C and Lin, S},
title = {A grazing-driven positive nutrient feedback loop and active sexual reproduction underpin widespread Noctiluca green tides.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {2},
number = {1},
pages = {103},
pmid = {37938758},
issn = {2730-6151},
support = {4980.01//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Gordon E. and Betty I. Moore Foundation)/ ; 2019983//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Gordon E. and Betty I. Moore Foundation)/ ; 42276096//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; NNX17AG66G-ECO4CAST//National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/ ; CMS-80NSSC20K0014//National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/ ; },
abstract = {The mixoplankton green Noctiluca scintillans (gNoctiluca) is known to form extensive green tides in tropical coastal ecosystems prone to eutrophication. In the Arabian Sea, their recent appearance and annual recurrence have upended an ecosystem that was once exclusively dominated by diatoms. Despite evidence of strong links to eutrophication, hypoxia and warming, the mechanisms underlying outbreaks of this mixoplanktonic dinoflagellate remain uncertain. Here we have used eco-physiological measurements and transcriptomic profiling to ascribe gNoctiluca's explosive growth during bloom formation to the form of sexual reproduction that produces numerous gametes. Rapid growth of gNoctiluca coincided with active ammonium and phosphate release from gNoctiluca cells, which exhibited high transcriptional activity of phagocytosis and metabolism generating ammonium. This grazing-driven nutrient flow ostensibly promotes the growth of phytoplankton as prey and offers positive support successively for bloom formation and maintenance. We also provide the first evidence that the host gNoctiluca cell could be manipulating growth of its endosymbiont population in order to exploit their photosynthetic products and meet critical energy needs. These findings illuminate gNoctiluca's little known nutritional and reproductive strategies that facilitate its ability to form intense and expansive gNoctiluca blooms to the detriment of regional water, food and the socio-economic security in several tropical countries.},
}

@article {pmid37944675,
year = {2023},
author = {Chaves-Olarte, E and Meza-Torres, J and Herrera-Rodríguez, F and Lizano-González, E and Suárez-Esquivel, M and Baker, KS and Rivas-Solano, O and Ruiz-Villalobos, N and Villalta-Romero, F and Cheng, HP and Walker, GC and Cloeckaert, A and Thomson, NR and Frisan, T and Moreno, E and Guzmán-Verri, C},
title = {A sensor histidine kinase from a plant-endosymbiont bacterium restores the virulence of a mammalian intracellular pathogen.},
journal = {Microbial pathogenesis},
volume = {185},
number = {},
pages = {106442},
pmid = {37944675},
issn = {1096-1208},
support = {R01 GM031030/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; Virulence/genetics ; Histidine Kinase/genetics ; *Brucella abortus ; *Genes, Bacterial ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Mammals/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Alphaproteobacteria include organisms living in close association with plants or animals. This interaction relies partly on orthologous two-component regulatory systems (TCS), with sensor and regulator proteins modulating the expression of conserved genes related to symbiosis/virulence. We assessed the ability of the exoS[+]Sm gene, encoding a sensor protein from the plant endosymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti to substitute its orthologous bvrS in the related animal/human pathogen Brucella abortus. ExoS phosphorylated the B. abortus regulator BvrR in vitro and in cultured bacteria, showing conserved biological function. Production of ExoS in a B. abortus bvrS mutant reestablished replication in host cells and the capacity to infect mice. Bacterial outer membrane properties, the production of the type IV secretion system VirB, and its transcriptional regulators VjbR and BvrR were restored as compared to parental B. abortus. These results indicate that conserved traits of orthologous TCS from bacteria living in and sensing different environments are sufficient to achieve phenotypic plasticity and support bacterial survival. The knowledge of bacterial genetic networks regulating host interactions allows for an understanding of the subtle differences between symbiosis and parasitism. Rewiring these networks could provide new alternatives to control and prevent bacterial infection.},
}

Animals
Mice
Humans
Virulence/genetics
Histidine Kinase/genetics
*Brucella abortus
*Genes, Bacterial
Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Mammals/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid37948354,
year = {2024},
author = {Hussain, M and Zhong, Y and Tao, T and Xiu, B and Ye, F and Gao, J and Mao, R},
title = {Effect of tree height and spraying methods on Diaphorina citri kuwayama endosymbionts in the context of Huanglongbing disease management in citrus orchards.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {80},
number = {3},
pages = {1484-1500},
doi = {10.1002/ps.7880},
pmid = {37948354},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {2021GDASYL-20210103051//The GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development/ ; 2022GDASZH-2022030501//The GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development/ ; QN2022030005//Foreign Youth Talent Programs/ ; 2023SDZG06//the open competition program of top ten critical priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-year plan of Guangdong province/ ; 2022SDZG06//the open competition program of top ten critical priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-year plan of Guangdong province/ ; 20220610043//the Research Programs of Guangzhou/ ; 202103000065//the Research Programs of Guangzhou/ ; KTP20210352//Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Trees ; *Citrus ; *Hemiptera ; Disease Management ; Plant Diseases ; *Rhizobiaceae ; *Liberibacter ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Huanglongbing (HLB) (caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) is the most damaging disease of citrus around the world. This study investigated the effects of citrus tree height on Diaphorina citri Kuwayama mortality, endosymbiont responses, and HLB distribution.

RESULTS: The results reveal that the age of citrus trees plays a significant role in psyllid mortality. Interestingly, the cumulative mean mortality (%) of psyllids over the seven-day observation period was higher (31.50±0.03) when four-year-old (501A1, 502A2, 501A3) citrus trees were sprayed with a US-SMART mechanical sprayer. In contrast, the psyllids mortality was 0.09±0.23 for the 13-year-old citrus trees (104A2, 104A3, 104C1) sprayed with a US-SMART mechanical sprayer and 9.10±0.05 for 13-year-old (502A2, 502B2, 502D1) citrus trees sprayed with a fixed US-SMART mechanical sprayer. Our findings also revealed that psyllids from both four- and 13-year-old citrus trees carried Candidatus Carsonella ruddii species and Wolbachia, the primary and secondary endosymbionts, respectively. Surprisingly, infection rates of these endosymbionts remained consistent across different age groups, as confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Furthermore, our study highlights the significance of tree height as a proxy for tree age in influencing HLB occurrence. Specifically, four-year-old citrus trees subjected to the US-SMART mechanical sprayer for citrus psyllid control demonstrated effective disease management compared to 13-year-old (104A2, 104A3, 104C1) citrus trees sprayed with US-SMART mechanical sprayers. Additionally, the investigation explored the impact of tree height on HLB distribution. In four-year-old trees, no significant correlation between HLB disease and tree height was observed, potentially due to effective spray coverage with US-SMART mechanical sprayer. However, in 13-year-old (104A2, 104A3, 104C1) citrus tree sprayed with US-SMART mechanical sprayer, a positive correlation between tree height and HLB disease was evident.

CONCLUSION: This research provides valuable insights into the complex interaction between citrus tree age, psyllid endosymbionts responses, and HLB distribution. These results emphasize effective HLB management strategies, especially in orchards with diverse tree age populations, ultimately contributing to the long-term sustainability of citrus cultivation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

Animals
Trees
*Citrus
*Hemiptera
Disease Management
Plant Diseases
*Rhizobiaceae
*Liberibacter

@article {pmid37949964,
year = {2024},
author = {Bickerstaff, JRM and Jordal, BH and Riegler, M},
title = {Two sympatric lineages of Australian Cnestus solidus share Ambrosiella symbionts but not Wolbachia.},
journal = {Heredity},
volume = {132},
number = {1},
pages = {43-53},
pmid = {37949964},
issn = {1365-2540},
mesh = {Animals ; *Weevils/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Australia ; *Ascomycota/genetics ; },
abstract = {Sympatric lineages of inbreeding species provide an excellent opportunity to investigate species divergence patterns and processes. Many ambrosia beetle lineages (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) reproduce by predominant inbreeding through sib mating in nests excavated in woody plant parts wherein they cultivate symbiotic ambrosia fungi as their sole source of nutrition. The Xyleborini ambrosia beetle species Cnestus solidus and Cnestus pseudosolidus are sympatrically distributed across eastern Australia and have overlapping morphological variation. Using multilocus sequencing analysis of individuals collected from 19 sites spanning their sympatric distribution, we assessed their phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic status and microbial symbionts. We found no genetic differentiation between individuals morphologically identified as C. solidus and C. pseudosolidus confirming previous suggestions that C. pseudosolidus is synonymous to C. solidus. However, within C. solidus we unexpectedly discovered the sympatric coexistence of two morphologically indistinguishable but genetically distinct lineages with small nuclear yet large mitochondrial divergence. At all sites except one, individuals of both lineages carried the same primary fungal symbiont, a new Ambrosiella species, indicating that fungal symbiont differentiation may not be involved in lineage divergence. One strain of the maternally inherited bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia was found at high prevalence in individuals of the more common lineage but not in the other, suggesting that it may influence host fitness. Our data suggest that the two Australian Cnestus lineages diverged allopatrically, and one lineage then acquired Wolbachia. Predominant inbreeding and Wolbachia infection may have reinforced reproductive barriers between these two lineages after their secondary contact contributing to their current sympatric distribution.},
}

Animals
*Weevils/microbiology
Phylogeny
*Wolbachia/genetics
Australia
*Ascomycota/genetics

@article {pmid37952050,
year = {2023},
author = {Miyagishima, SY},
title = {Taming the perils of photosynthesis by eukaryotes: constraints on endosymbiotic evolution in aquatic ecosystems.},
journal = {Communications biology},
volume = {6},
number = {1},
pages = {1150},
pmid = {37952050},
issn = {2399-3642},
mesh = {*Ecosystem ; Photosynthesis/physiology ; Chloroplasts/metabolism ; Plants ; *Cyanobacteria/genetics ; },
abstract = {An ancestral eukaryote acquired photosynthesis by genetically integrating a cyanobacterial endosymbiont as the chloroplast. The chloroplast was then further integrated into many other eukaryotic lineages through secondary endosymbiotic events of unicellular eukaryotic algae. While photosynthesis enables autotrophy, it also generates reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative stress. To mitigate the stress, photosynthetic eukaryotes employ various mechanisms, including regulating chloroplast light absorption and repairing or removing damaged chloroplasts by sensing light and photosynthetic status. Recent studies have shown that, besides algae and plants with innate chloroplasts, several lineages of numerous unicellular eukaryotes engage in acquired phototrophy by hosting algal endosymbionts or by transiently utilizing chloroplasts sequestrated from algal prey in aquatic ecosystems. In addition, it has become evident that unicellular organisms engaged in acquired phototrophy, as well as those that feed on algae, have also developed mechanisms to cope with photosynthetic oxidative stress. These mechanisms are limited but similar to those employed by algae and plants. Thus, there appear to be constraints on the evolution of those mechanisms, which likely began by incorporating photosynthetic cells before the establishment of chloroplasts by extending preexisting mechanisms to cope with oxidative stress originating from mitochondrial respiration and acquiring new mechanisms.},
}

*Ecosystem
Photosynthesis/physiology
Chloroplasts/metabolism
Plants
*Cyanobacteria/genetics

@article {pmid37952351,
year = {2024},
author = {El Hamss, H and Maruthi, MN and Omongo, CA and Wang, HL and van Brunschot, S and Colvin, J and Delatte, H},
title = {Microbiome diversity and composition in Bemisia tabaci SSA1-SG1 whitefly are influenced by their host's life stage.},
journal = {Microbiological research},
volume = {278},
number = {},
pages = {127538},
doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2023.127538},
pmid = {37952351},
issn = {1618-0623},
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Life Cycle Stages ; },
abstract = {Within the Bemisia tabaci group of cryptic whitefly species, many are damaging agricultural pests and plant-virus vectors, conferring upon this group the status of one of the world's top 100 most invasive and destructive species, affecting farmers' income and threatening their livelihoods. Studies on the microbiome of whitefly life stages are scarce, although their composition and diversity greatly influence whitefly fitness and development. We used high-throughput sequencing to understand microbiome diversity in different developmental stages of the B. tabaci sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1-SG1) species of the whitefly from Uganda. Endosymbionts (Portiera, Arsenophonus, Wolbachia, and Hemipteriphilus were detected but excluded from further statistical analysis as they were not influenced by life stage using Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance Using Distance Matrices (ADONIS, p = 0.925 and Bray, p = 0.903). Our results showed significant differences in the meta microbiome composition in different life stages of SSA1-SG1. The diversity was significantly higher in eggs (Shannon, p = 0.024; Simpson, p = 0.047) than that in nymphs and pupae, while the number of microbial species observed by the amplicon sequence variant (ASV) was not significant (n(ASV), p = 0.094). At the phylum and genus levels, the dominant constituents in the microbiome changed significantly during various developmental stages, with Halomonas being present in eggs, whereas Bacillus and Caldalkalibacillus were consistently found across all life stages. These findings provide the first description of differing meta microbiome diversity in the life stage of whiteflies, suggesting their putative role in whitefly development.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/microbiology
*Microbiota
Life Cycle Stages

@article {pmid37953792,
year = {2023},
author = {Furtado, DP and Vieira, EA and Nascimento, WF and Inagaki, KY and Bleuel, J and Alves, MAZ and Longo, GO and Oliveira, LS},
title = {#DeOlhoNosCorais: a polygonal annotated dataset to optimize coral monitoring.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {11},
number = {},
pages = {e16219},
pmid = {37953792},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; Coral Reefs ; Ecosystem ; Crustacea ; Fishes ; },
abstract = {Corals are colonial animals within the Phylum Cnidaria that form coral reefs, playing a significant role in marine environments by providing habitat for fish, mollusks, crustaceans, sponges, algae, and other organisms. Global climate changes are causing more intense and frequent thermal stress events, leading to corals losing their color due to the disruption of a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic endosymbionts. Given the importance of corals to the marine environment, monitoring coral reefs is critical to understanding their response to anthropogenic impacts. Most coral monitoring activities involve underwater photographs, which can be costly to generate on large spatial scales and require processing and analysis that may be time-consuming. The Marine Ecology Laboratory (LECOM) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) developed the project "#DeOlhoNosCorais" which encourages users to post photos of coral reefs on their social media (Instagram) using this hashtag, enabling people without previous scientific training to contribute to coral monitoring. The laboratory team identifies the species and gathers information on coral health along the Brazilian coast by analyzing each picture posted on social media. To optimize this process, we conducted baseline experiments for image classification and semantic segmentation. We analyzed the classification results of three different machine learning models using the Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) algorithm. The best results were achieved by combining EfficientNet for feature extraction and Logistic Regression for classification. Regarding semantic segmentation, the U-Net Pix2Pix model produced a pixel-level accuracy of 86%. Our results indicate that this tool can enhance image selection for coral monitoring purposes and open several perspectives for improving classification performance. Furthermore, our findings can be expanded by incorporating other datasets to create a tool that streamlines the time and cost associated with analyzing coral reef images across various regions.},
}

Humans
Animals
*Anthozoa/physiology
Coral Reefs
Ecosystem
Crustacea
Fishes

@article {pmid37955420,
year = {2023},
author = {Whittle, M and Bonsall, MB and Barreaux, AMG and Ponton, F and English, S},
title = {A theoretical model for host-controlled regulation of symbiont density.},
journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology},
volume = {36},
number = {12},
pages = {1731-1744},
pmid = {37955420},
issn = {1420-9101},
support = {BB/P006159/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Biological Evolution ; *Symbiosis/physiology ; Models, Theoretical ; },
abstract = {There is growing empirical evidence that animal hosts actively control the density of their mutualistic symbionts according to their requirements. Such active regulation can be facilitated by compartmentalization of symbionts within host tissues, which confers a high degree of control of the symbiosis to the host. Here, we build a general theoretical framework to predict the underlying ecological drivers and evolutionary consequences of host-controlled endosymbiont density regulation for a mutually obligate association between a host and a compartmentalized, vertically transmitted symbiont. Building on the assumption that the costs and benefits of hosting a symbiont population increase with symbiont density, we use state-dependent dynamic programming to determine an optimal strategy for the host, i.e., that which maximizes host fitness, when regulating the density of symbionts. Simulations of active host-controlled regulation governed by the optimal strategy predict that the density of the symbiont should converge to a constant level during host development, and following perturbation. However, a similar trend also emerges from alternative strategies of symbiont regulation. The strategy which maximizes host fitness also promotes symbiont fitness compared to alternative strategies, suggesting that active host-controlled regulation of symbiont density could be adaptive for the symbiont as well as the host. Adaptation of the framework allowed the dynamics of symbiont density to be predicted for other host-symbiont ecologies, such as for non-essential symbionts, demonstrating the versatility of this modelling approach.},
}

Animals
*Biological Evolution
*Symbiosis/physiology
Models, Theoretical

@article {pmid37961388,
year = {2023},
author = {Karim, S and Zenzal, TJ and Beati, L and Sen, R and Adegoke, A and Kumar, D and Downs, LP and Keko, M and Nussbaum, A and Becker, DJ and Moore, FR},
title = {Ticks without borders: Microbial communities of immature Neotropical tick species parasitizing migratory landbirds along northern Gulf of Mexico.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {37961388},
issn = {2692-8205},
support = {P20 GM103476/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R15 GM120716/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {The long-distance, seasonal migrations of birds make them an effective ecological bridge for the movement of ticks. The introduction of exotic tick species to new geographical regions can lead to the emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens or the re-emergence of previously eradicated ones. This study assessed the prevalence of exotic tick species parasitizing resident, short-distance, and long-distance songbirds during spring and autumn at stopover sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico using the mitochondrial 12S rDNA gene. Birds were captured for tick collection from six different sites from late August to early November in both 2018 and 2019. The highest number of ticks were collected in the 2019 season. Most ticks were collected off the Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) and Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), and 54% of the total ticks collected were from Grand Chenier, LA. A high throughput 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing approach was followed to characterize the microbial communities and identify pathogenic microbes in all tick samples. Tick microbial communities, diversity, and community structure were determined using quantitative insight into microbial ecology (QIIME). The sparse correlations for compositional data (SparCC) approach was then used to construct microbial network maps and infer microbial correlations. A total of 421 individual ticks in the genera Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis, and Ixodes were recorded from 28 songbird species, of which Amblyomma and Amblyomma longirostre was the most abundant tick genus and species, respectively. Microbial profiles showed that Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum. The most abundant bacteria include the pathogenic Rickettsia and endosymbiont Francisella, Candidatus Midichloria, and Spiroplasma. BLAST analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction of the Rickettsia sequences revealed the highest similarities to pathogenic spotted and non-spotted fever groups, including R. buchneri, R. conorii, R. prowazekii, R. bellii, R. australis, R. parkeri, R. monacensis, and R. monteiroi. Permutation multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the relative abundance of Francisella and Rickettsia drives microbial patterns across the tick genera. We also observed a higher percentage of positive correlations in microbe-microbe interactions among members of the microbial communities. Network analysis suggested a negative correlation between a) Francisella and Rickettsia and, b) Francisella and Cutibacterium. Lastly, mapping the distributions of bird species parasitized during spring migrations highlighted geographic hotspots where migratory songbirds could disperse ticks and their pathogens at stopover sites or upon arrival to their breeding grounds, the latter showing means dispersal distances from 421-5003 kilometers. These findings strongly highlight the potential role of migratory birds in the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens.},
}

@article {pmid37963163,
year = {2023},
author = {Takasu, R and Yasuda, Y and Izu, T and Nakabachi, A},
title = {Diaphorin, a polyketide produced by a bacterial endosymbiont of the Asian citrus psyllid, adversely affects the in vitro gene expression with ribosomes from Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {18},
number = {11},
pages = {e0294360},
pmid = {37963163},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Animals ; Bacillus subtilis/genetics/metabolism ; Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Polyketides/pharmacology/metabolism ; *Citrus/microbiology ; *Gammaproteobacteria/metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; *Rhizobiaceae/physiology ; },
abstract = {Diaphorin is a polyketide produced by "Candidatus Profftella armatura" (Gammaproteobacteria), an obligate mutualist of an important agricultural pest, the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera). Our previous study demonstrated that diaphorin, at physiological concentrations in D. citri, inhibits the growth and cell division of Bacillus subtilis (Firmicutes) but promotes the growth and metabolic activity of Escherichia coli (Gammaproteobacteria). This unique property of diaphorin may aid microbial mutualism in D. citri, potentially affecting the transmission of "Candidatus Liberibacter spp." (Alphaproteobacteria), the pathogens of the most destructive citrus disease Huanglongbing. Moreover, this property may be exploited to promote microbes' efficiency in producing industrial materials. However, the mechanism underlying this activity is unknown. Diaphorin belongs to the family of pederin-type compounds, which inhibit protein synthesis in eukaryotes by binding to eukaryotic ribosomes. Therefore, as a first step to assess diaphorin's direct influence on bacterial gene expression, this study examined the effect of diaphorin on the in vitro translation using ribosomes of B. subtilis and E. coli, quantifying the production of the green fluorescent protein. The results showed that the gene expression involving B. subtilis and E. coli ribosomes along with five millimolar diaphorin was 29.6% and 13.1%, respectively, less active than the control. This suggests that the diaphorin's adverse effects on B. subtilis are attributed to, at least partly, its inhibitory effects on gene expression. Moreover, as ingredients of the translation system were common other than ribosomes, the greater inhibitory effects observed with the B. subtilis ribosome imply that the ribosome is among the potential targets of diaphorin. On the other hand, the results also imply that diaphorin's positive effects on E. coli are due to targets other than the core machinery of transcription and translation. This study demonstrated for the first time that a pederin congener affects bacterial gene expression.},
}

Animals
Bacillus subtilis/genetics/metabolism
Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism
*Hemiptera/microbiology
*Polyketides/pharmacology/metabolism
*Citrus/microbiology
*Gammaproteobacteria/metabolism
Gene Expression
Plant Diseases/microbiology
*Rhizobiaceae/physiology

@article {pmid37970093,
year = {2023},
author = {Awori, RM and Hendre, P and Amugune, NO},
title = {The genome of a steinernematid-associated Pseudomonas piscis bacterium encodes the biosynthesis of insect toxins.},
journal = {Access microbiology},
volume = {5},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {37970093},
issn = {2516-8290},
abstract = {Several species of soil-dwelling Steinernema nematodes are used in the biocontrol of crop pests, due to their natural capacity to kill diverse lepidopteran species. Although this insect-killing trait is known to be augmented by the nematodes' Xenorhabdus endosymbionts, the role of other steinernematid-associated bacterial genera in the nematode lifecycle remains unclear. This genomic study aimed to determine the potential of Pseudomonas piscis to contribute to the entomopathogenicity of its Steinernema host. Insect larvae were infected with three separate Steinernema cultures. From each of the three treatments, the prevalent bacteria in the haemocoel of cadavers, four days post-infection, were isolated. These three bacterial isolates were morphologically characterised. DNA was extracted from each of the three bacterial isolates and used for long-read genome sequencing and assembly. Assemblies were used to delineate species and identify genes that encode insect toxins, antimicrobials, and confer antibiotic resistance. We assembled three complete genomes. Through digital DNA-DNA hybridisation analyses, we ascertained that the haemocoels of insect cadavers previously infected with Steinernema sp. Kalro, Steinernema sp. 75, and Steinernema sp. 97 were dominated by Xenorhabdus griffiniae Kalro, Pseudomonas piscis 75, and X. griffiniae 97, respectively. X. griffiniae Kalro and X. griffiniae 97 formed a subspecies with other X. griffiniae symbionts of steinernematids from Kenya. P. piscis 75 phylogenetically clustered with pseudomonads that are characterised by high insecticidal activity. The P. piscis 75 genome encoded the production pathway of insect toxins such as orfamides and rhizoxins, antifungals such as pyrrolnitrin and pyoluteorin, and the broad-spectrum antimicrobial 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol. The P. piscis 75 genome encoded resistance to over ten classes of antibiotics, including cationic lipopeptides. Steinernematid-associated P. piscis bacteria hence have the biosynthetic potential to contribute to nematode entomopathogenicity.},
}

@article {pmid37974296,
year = {2023},
author = {Sun, Y and Wang, M and Cao, L and Seim, I and Zhou, L and Chen, J and Wang, H and Zhong, Z and Chen, H and Fu, L and Li, M and Li, C and Sun, S},
title = {Mosaic environment-driven evolution of the deep-sea mussel Gigantidas platifrons bacterial endosymbiont.},
journal = {Microbiome},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {253},
pmid = {37974296},
issn = {2049-2618},
mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Mytilidae/genetics/microbiology ; Bacteria ; Ecosystem ; Methane/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; *Hydrothermal Vents ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The within-species diversity of symbiotic bacteria represents an important genetic resource for their environmental adaptation, especially for horizontally transmitted endosymbionts. Although strain-level intraspecies variation has recently been detected in many deep-sea endosymbionts, their ecological role in environmental adaptation, their genome evolution pattern under heterogeneous geochemical environments, and the underlying molecular forces remain unclear.

RESULTS: Here, we conducted a fine-scale metagenomic analysis of the deep-sea mussel Gigantidas platifrons bacterial endosymbiont collected from distinct habitats: hydrothermal vent and methane seep. Endosymbiont genomes were assembled using a pipeline that distinguishes within-species variation and revealed highly heterogeneous compositions in mussels from different habitats. Phylogenetic analysis separated the assemblies into three distinct environment-linked clades. Their functional differentiation follows a mosaic evolutionary pattern. Core genes, essential for central metabolic function and symbiosis, were conserved across all clades. Clade-specific genes associated with heavy metal resistance, pH homeostasis, and nitrate utilization exhibited signals of accelerated evolution. Notably, transposable elements and plasmids contributed to the genetic reshuffling of the symbiont genomes and likely accelerated adaptive evolution through pseudogenization and the introduction of new genes.

CONCLUSIONS: The current study uncovers the environment-driven evolution of deep-sea symbionts mediated by mobile genetic elements. Its findings highlight a potentially common and critical role of within-species diversity in animal-microbiome symbioses. Video Abstract.},
}

Animals
Phylogeny
*Mytilidae/genetics/microbiology
Bacteria
Ecosystem
Methane/metabolism
Symbiosis
*Hydrothermal Vents

@article {pmid37978413,
year = {2023},
author = {Pascar, J and Middleton, H and Dorus, S},
title = {Aedes aegypti microbiome composition covaries with the density of Wolbachia infection.},
journal = {Microbiome},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {255},
pmid = {37978413},
issn = {2049-2618},
support = {R21 HD088910/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; Female ; *Dengue Virus ; *Aedes ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Wolbachia is a widespread bacterial endosymbiont that can inhibit vector competency when stably transinfected into the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, a primary vector of the dengue virus (DENV) and other arboviruses. Although a complete mechanistic understanding of pathogen blocking is lacking, it is likely to involve host immunity induction and resource competition between Wolbachia and DENV, both of which may be impacted by microbiome composition. The potential impact of Wolbachia transinfection on host fitness is also of importance given the widespread release of mosquitos infected with the Drosophila melanogaster strain of Wolbachia (wMel) in wild populations. Here, population-level genomic data from Ae. aegypti was surveyed to establish the relationship between the density of wMel infection and the composition of the host microbiome.

RESULTS: Analysis of genomic data from 172 Ae. aegypti females across six populations resulted in an expanded and quantitatively refined, species-level characterization of the bacterial, archaeal, and fungal microbiome. This included 844 species of bacteria across 23 phyla, of which 54 species were found to be ubiquitous microbiome members across these populations. The density of wMel infection was highly variable between individuals and negatively correlated with microbiome diversity. Network analyses revealed wMel as a hub comprised solely of negative interactions with other bacterial species. This contrasted with the large and highly interconnected network of other microbiome species that may represent members of the midgut microbiome community in this population.

CONCLUSION: Our bioinformatic survey provided a species-level characterization of Ae. aegypti microbiome composition and variation. wMel load varied substantially across populations and individuals and, importantly, wMel was a major hub of a negative interactions across the microbiome. These interactions may be an inherent consequence of heightened pathogen blocking in densely infected individuals or, alternatively, may result from antagonistic Wolbachia-incompatible bacteria that could impede the efficacy of wMel as a biological control agent in future applications. The relationship between wMel infection variation and the microbiome warrants further investigation in the context of developing wMel as a multivalent control agent against other arboviruses. Video Abstract.},
}

Humans
Animals
Female
*Dengue Virus
*Aedes
*Wolbachia/genetics
Mosquito Vectors/microbiology
Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology
*Microbiota

@article {pmid37980433,
year = {2023},
author = {Sanches, P and De Moraes, CM and Mescher, MC},
title = {Endosymbionts modulate virus effects on aphid-plant interactions.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {17},
number = {12},
pages = {2441-2451},
pmid = {37980433},
issn = {1751-7370},
mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; *Viruses ; },
abstract = {Vector-borne pathogens frequently modify traits of their primary hosts and vectors in ways that influence disease transmission. Such effects can themselves be altered by the presence of other microbial symbionts, yet we currently have limited understanding of these interactions. Here we show that effects of pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) on interactions between host plants and aphid vectors are modulated by the presence of different aphid endosymbionts. In a series of laboratory assays, we found strong interactive effects of virus infection and endosymbionts on aphid metabolomic profiles, population growth, behavior, and virus transmission during aphid feeding. Furthermore, the strongest effects-and those predicted to favor virus transmission-were most apparent in aphid lines harboring particular endosymbionts. These findings show that virus effects on host-vector interactions can be strongly influenced by other microbial symbionts and suggest a potentially important role for such interactions in disease ecology and evolution.},
}

Animals
*Aphids
*Viruses

@article {pmid37994906,
year = {2023},
author = {Meyer, DF and Moumène, A and Rodrigues, V},
title = {Microbe Profile: Ehrlichia ruminantium - stealthy as it goes.},
journal = {Microbiology (Reading, England)},
volume = {169},
number = {11},
pages = {},
pmid = {37994906},
issn = {1465-2080},
mesh = {*Ehrlichia ruminantium ; },
abstract = {Ehrlichia ruminantium is an obligate intracellular pathogenic bacterium that causes heartwater, a fatal disease of ruminants in tropical areas. Some human cases have also been reported. This globally important pathogen is primarily transmitted by ticks of the Amblyomma genus and threatens American mainland. E. ruminantium replicates within eukaryotic mammal or tick cell is a membrane-bound vacuole, where it undergoes a biphasic developmental growth cycle and differentiates from noninfectious replicative form into infectious elementary bodies. The ability of E. ruminantium to hijack host cellular processes and avoid innate immunity is a fundamental, but not yet fully understood, virulence trait of this stealth pathogen in the genomic era.},
}

*Ehrlichia ruminantium

@article {pmid37995370,
year = {2023},
author = {Strunov, A and Kirchner, S and Schindelar, J and Kruckenhauser, L and Haring, E and Kapun, M},
title = {Historic Museum Samples Provide Evidence for a Recent Replacement of Wolbachia Types in European Drosophila melanogaster.},
journal = {Molecular biology and evolution},
volume = {40},
number = {12},
pages = {},
pmid = {37995370},
issn = {1537-1719},
support = {P 32275/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Museums ; Biological Evolution ; Reproduction ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is one of the most common bacterial endosymbionts, which is frequently found in numerous arthropods and nematode taxa. Wolbachia infections can have a strong influence on the evolutionary dynamics of their hosts since these bacteria are reproductive manipulators that affect the fitness and life history of their host species for their own benefit. Host-symbiont interactions with Wolbachia are perhaps best studied in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, which is naturally infected with at least 5 different variants among which wMel and wMelCS are the most frequent ones. Comparisons of infection types between natural flies and long-term lab stocks have previously indicated that wMelCS represents the ancestral type, which was only very recently replaced by the nowadays dominant wMel in most natural populations. In this study, we took advantage of recently sequenced museum specimens of D. melanogaster that have been collected 90 to 200 yr ago in Northern Europe to test this hypothesis. Our comparison to contemporary Wolbachia samples provides compelling support for the replacement hypothesis. Our analyses show that sequencing data from historic museum specimens and their bycatch are an emerging and unprecedented resource to address fundamental questions about evolutionary dynamics in host-symbiont interactions. However, we also identified contamination with DNA from crickets that resulted in co-contamination with cricket-specific Wolbachia in several samples. These results underpin the need for rigorous quality assessments of museomic data sets to account for contamination as a source of error that may strongly influence biological interpretations if it remains undetected.},
}

Animals
*Drosophila melanogaster/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics
Museums
Biological Evolution
Reproduction
Symbiosis

@article {pmid37999087,
year = {2023},
author = {Lei, T and Luo, N and Song, C and Yu, J and Zhou, Y and Qi, X and Liu, Y},
title = {Comparative Genomics Reveals Three Genetic Groups of the Whitefly Obligate Endosymbiont Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {14},
number = {11},
pages = {},
pmid = {37999087},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {32070481//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; CARS-23-C05//Earmarked Fund for China Agriculture Research System/ ; LY22C040003//Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 21hb04//Science & Technology Project of Taizhou/ ; 21nya17//Science & Technology Project of Taizhou/ ; 1902gy23//Science & Technology Project of Taizhou/ ; },
abstract = {Maternally inherited obligate endosymbionts codiverge with their invertebrate hosts and reflect their host's evolutionary history. Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) harbor one obligate endosymbiont, Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum (hereafter Portiera). Portiera was anciently acquired by whitefly and has been coevolving with its host ever since. Uncovering the divergence of endosymbionts provides a fundamental basis for inspecting the coevolutionary processes between the bacteria and their hosts. To illustrate the divergence of Portiera lineages across different whitefly species, we sequenced the Portiera genome from Aleyrodes shizuokensis and conducted a comparative analysis on the basic features and gene evolution with bacterial genomes from five whitefly genera, namely Aleurodicus, Aleyrodes, Bemisia, Pealius, and Trialeurodes. The results indicated that Portiera from Bemisia possessed significantly larger genomes, fewer coding sequences (CDSs), and a lower coding density. Their gene arrangement differed notably from those of other genera. The phylogeny of the nine Portiera lineages resembled that of their hosts. Moreover, the lineages were classified into three distinct genetic groups based on the genetic distance, one from Aleurodicus (Aleurodicinae), one from Bemisia (Aleyrodinae), and another from Aleyrodes, Pealius, and Trialeurrodes (Aleyrodinae). Synonymous and nonsynonymous rate analyses, parity rule 2 plot analyses, neutrality plot analyses, and effective number of codons analyses supported the distinction of the three genetic groups. Our results indicated that Portiera from distant hosts exhibit distinct genomic contents, implying codivergence between hosts and their endosymbionts. This work will enhance our understanding of coevolution between hosts and their endosymbionts.},
}

@article {pmid38006542,
year = {2024},
author = {Fallon, AM},
title = {Wolbachia: Advancing into a Second Century.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {2739},
number = {},
pages = {1-13},
pmid = {38006542},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Filarioidea ; *Arthropods ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis had its scientific debut nearly a century ago and has recently emerged as a target for therapeutic treatment of filarial infections and an attractive tool for control of arthropod pests. Wolbachia was known as a biological entity before DNA was recognized as the molecule that carries the genetic information on which life depends, and before arthropods and nematodes were grouped in the Ecdysozoa. Today, some investigators consider Wolbachia the most abundant endosymbiont on earth, given the numbers of its hosts and its diverse mutualistic, commensal, and parasitic roles in their life histories. Recent advances in molecular technologies have revolutionized our understanding of Wolbachia and its associated reproductive phenotypes. New models have emerged for its investigation, and substantial progress has been made towards Wolbachia-based interventions in medicine and agriculture. Here I introduce Wolbachia, with a focus on aspects of its biology that are covered in greater detail in subsequent chapters.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/genetics
*Filarioidea
*Arthropods
Symbiosis

@article {pmid38006547,
year = {2024},
author = {Kakumanu, ML and Hickin, ML and Schal, C},
title = {Detection, Quantification, and Elimination of Wolbachia in Bed Bugs.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {2739},
number = {},
pages = {97-114},
pmid = {38006547},
issn = {1940-6029},
support = {P30 ES025128/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Bedbugs/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligatory nutritional symbiont of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, providing B-vitamins to its host. The biological significance of Wolbachia to bed bugs is investigated primarily by eliminating the symbiont with antibiotics, which is followed by confirmation with molecular assays. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for eliminating Wolbachia in bed bugs using the ansamycin antibiotic rifampicin (also known as rifampin) and three molecular methods to accurately detect and quantify the Wolbachia gene copies in bed bug samples. We describe the digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), a highly sensitive technique for absolute quantification of low abundance target genes, which has proven to be a valuable technique for confirmation of the elimination of Wolbachia.},
}

Animals
*Bedbugs/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics
Anti-Bacterial Agents

@article {pmid38006554,
year = {2024},
author = {Walker, T},
title = {Detection of Natural Wolbachia Strains in Anopheles Mosquitoes.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {2739},
number = {},
pages = {205-218},
pmid = {38006554},
issn = {1940-6029},
support = {(101285)//Sir Henry Dale Wellcome Trust/Royal Society fellowship/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Anopheles/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Mosquito Vectors ; *Malaria ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium that naturally infects many insect species, including mosquitoes that transmit human diseases. Wolbachia strains have been shown to inhibit the transmission of both arboviruses and malaria Plasmodium parasites. The existence of natural strains in wild Anopheles (An.) mosquitoes, the vectors of malaria parasites, in an endosymbiotic relationship is still to be fully determined. Although Wolbachia has been reported to be present in wild populations of the An. gambiae complex, the primary vectors of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa, Wolbachia DNA sequence density and infection frequencies are low. As most studies have used highly sensitive nested PCR as the only detection method, more robust evidence is required to determine whether Wolbachia strains are established as endosymbionts in Anopheles species. Techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridization, microbiome sequencing, and Wolbachia whole genome sequencing have provided concrete evidence for genuine Wolbachia strains in two mosquito species: An. moucheti and An. demeilloni. In this chapter, the current methodology used to determine if resident strains exist in Anopheles mosquitoes will be reviewed, including both PCR- and non-PCR-based protocols.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Anopheles/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics
In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
Mosquito Vectors
*Malaria

@article {pmid38006558,
year = {2024},
author = {Valerio, F and Twort, VG and Duplouy, A},
title = {A Worked Example of Screening Genomic Material for the Presence of Wolbachia Infection.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {2739},
number = {},
pages = {275-299},
doi = {10.1007/978-1-0716-3553-7_17},
pmid = {38006558},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; },
abstract = {This chapter gives a brief overview of how to screen existing host genomic data for the presence of endosymbionts, such as Wolbachia. The various programs used provide test examples, and the corresponding manuals and discussion boards provide invaluable information. Please do consult these resources.},
}

Genome, Bacterial
Genomics
Phylogeny
Symbiosis/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics

@article {pmid38006562,
year = {2024},
author = {Serbus, LR},
title = {A Light in the Dark: Uncovering Wolbachia-Host Interactions Using Fluorescence Imaging.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {2739},
number = {},
pages = {349-373},
pmid = {38006562},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Arthropods/microbiology ; *Nematoda ; Symbiosis ; Optical Imaging ; },
abstract = {The success of microbial endosymbionts, which reside naturally within a eukaryotic "host" organism, requires effective microbial interaction with, and manipulation of, the host cells. Fluorescence microscopy has played a key role in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of endosymbiosis. For 30 years, fluorescence analyses have been a cornerstone in studies of endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria, focused on host colonization, maternal transmission, reproductive parasitism, horizontal gene transfer, viral suppression, and metabolic interactions in arthropods and nematodes. Fluorescence-based studies stand to continue informing Wolbachia-host interactions in increasingly detailed and innovative ways.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/genetics
*Arthropods/microbiology
*Nematoda
Symbiosis
Optical Imaging

@article {pmid38009998,
year = {2023},
author = {Naka, H and Haygood, MG},
title = {The dual role of TonB genes in turnerbactin uptake and carbohydrate utilization in the shipworm symbiont Teredinibacter turnerae.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {89},
number = {12},
pages = {e0074423},
pmid = {38009998},
issn = {1098-5336},
support = {U01 TW008163/TW/FIC NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {*Bivalvia/microbiology ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism ; Cellulose/metabolism ; Bacteria/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Animals ; Iron/metabolism ; Carbohydrates ; Oligopeptides ; Hydroxybenzoates ; Gammaproteobacteria ; },
abstract = {This study highlights diversity in iron acquisition and regulation in bacteria. The mechanisms of iron acquisition and its regulation in Teredinibacter turnerae, as well as its connection to cellulose utilization, a hallmark phenotype of T. turnerae, expand the paradigm of bacterial iron acquisition. Two of the four TonB genes identified in T. turnerae exhibit functional redundancy and play a crucial role in siderophore-mediated iron transport. Unlike typical TonB genes in bacteria, none of the TonB genes in T. turnerae are clearly iron regulated. This unusual regulation could be explained by another important finding in this study, namely, that the two TonB genes involved in iron transport are also essential for cellulose utilization as a carbon source, leading to the expression of TonB genes even under iron-rich conditions.},
}

*Bivalvia/microbiology
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism
Cellulose/metabolism
Bacteria/metabolism
Symbiosis
Animals
Iron/metabolism
Carbohydrates
Oligopeptides
Hydroxybenzoates
Gammaproteobacteria

@article {pmid38010882,
year = {2024},
author = {Espada-Hinojosa, S and Karthäuser, C and Srivastava, A and Schuster, L and Winter, T and de Oliveira, AL and Schulz, F and Horn, M and Sievert, S and Bright, M},
title = {Comparative genomics of a vertically transmitted thiotrophic bacterial ectosymbiont and its close free-living relative.},
journal = {Molecular ecology resources},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {e13889},
pmid = {38010882},
issn = {1755-0998},
support = {DOC 69/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; P 32197//Austrian Science Fund/ ; //WHOI Investment in Science Fund/ ; P 24565//Austrian Science Fund/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Bacteria ; *Genomics ; Symbiosis ; Sulfur/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Thiotrophic symbioses between sulphur-oxidizing bacteria and various unicellular and metazoan eukaryotes are widespread in reducing marine environments. The giant colonial ciliate Zoothamnium niveum, however, is the only host of thioautotrophic symbionts that has been cultivated along with its symbiont, the vertically transmitted ectosymbiont Candidatus Thiobius zoothamnicola (short Thiobius). Because theoretical predictions posit a smaller genome in vertically transmitted endosymbionts compared to free-living relatives, we investigated whether this is true also for an ectosymbiont. We used metagenomics to recover the high-quality draft genome of this bacterial symbiont. For comparison we have also sequenced a closely related free-living cultured but not formally described strain Milos ODIII6 (short ODIII6). We then performed comparative genomics to assess the functional capabilities at gene, metabolic pathway and trait level. 16S rRNA gene trees and average amino acid identity confirmed the close phylogenetic relationship of both bacteria. Indeed, Thiobius has about a third smaller genome than its free-living relative ODIII6, with reduced metabolic capabilities and fewer functional traits. The functional capabilities of Thiobius were a subset of those of the more versatile ODIII6, which possessed additional genes for oxygen, sulphur and hydrogen utilization and for the acquisition of phosphorus illustrating features that may be adaptive for the unstable environmental conditions at hydrothermal vents. In contrast, Thiobius possesses genes potentially enabling it to utilize lactate and acetate heterotrophically, compounds that may be provided as byproducts by the host. The present study illustrates the effect of strict host-dependence of a bacterial ectosymbiont on genome evolution and host adaptation.},
}

Animals
Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Bacteria
*Genomics
Symbiosis
Sulfur/metabolism

@article {pmid38016137,
year = {2024},
author = {Azarm, A and Koosha, M and Dalimi, A and Zahraie-Ramazani, A and Akhavan, AA and Saeidi, Z and Mohebali, M and Azam, K and Vatandoost, H and Oshaghi, MA},
title = {Association Between Wolbachia Infection and Susceptibility to Deltamethrin Insecticide in Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae), the Main Vector of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.},
journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)},
volume = {24},
number = {3},
pages = {159-165},
doi = {10.1089/vbz.2023.0085},
pmid = {38016137},
issn = {1557-7759},
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Phlebotomus/microbiology ; *Psychodidae ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/veterinary ; *Nitriles ; *Pyrethrins ; },
abstract = {Background: Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the main vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Wolbachia is a symbiotic alphaproteobacteria of arthropods that can be involved in susceptibility or resistance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Wolbachia and Deltamethrin susceptibility/resistance in Ph. papatasi. Deltamethrin filter papers (0.00002%) were used to test sand fly field collected from southern Iran. After the test, PCR amplification of the Wolbachia surface protein gene (wsp) was used to measure Wolbachia infection rate in the killed, surviving, and control groups. Result: The rates of infection by Wolbachia strain (wPap, super group A) differed between killed (susceptible) and surviving (resistant) Ph. papatasi specimens. The rate of Wolbachia infection in susceptible individuals was more than twice (2.3) (39% vs. 17%) in resistant individuals with the same genetic background. This difference was highly significant (p < 0.001), indicating a positive association between Wolbachia infection and susceptibility to Deltamethrin. In addition, the results showed that Deltamethrin can act as a PCR inhibitor during detection of Wolbachia in Ph. papatasi. Conclusion: Results of this study show that Wolbachia is associated with Deltamethrin susceptibility level in Ph. papatasi. Also, as Deltamethrin has been identified as a PCR inhibitor, great care must be taken in interpreting Wolbachia infection status in infected populations. The results of this study may provide information for a better understanding of the host-symbiont relationship, as well as application of host symbiosis in pest management.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Phlebotomus/microbiology
*Psychodidae
*Insecticides/pharmacology
*Wolbachia/genetics
*Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/veterinary
*Nitriles
*Pyrethrins

@article {pmid38018626,
year = {2023},
author = {Sperandio, NDC and Tunholi, VM and Amaral, LS and Vidal, MLB and Cassani, LS and Tunholi-Alves, VM and Couto-Chambarelli, MCMD and Boeloni, JN and Monteiro, C and Martins, IVF},
title = {Influence of exposure Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88, (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) on biological and physiological parameters of Pseudosuccinea columella (Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae).},
journal = {Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria},
volume = {32},
number = {4},
pages = {e007023},
pmid = {38018626},
issn = {1984-2961},
mesh = {Animals ; *Rhabditida ; Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Snails/parasitology ; *Fascioliasis/veterinary ; },
abstract = {Many studies about fasciolosis control have been carried out, whether acting on the adult parasite or in Pseudosuccinea columella, compromising the development of the larval stages. The present study aimed to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, the susceptibility of P. columella to Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88, during for 24 and 48 hours of exposure. The snails were evaluated for 21 days for accumulated mortality; number of eggs laid; hatchability rate; biochemical changes; and histopathological analysis. We found that exposure induced a reduction in glucose and glycogen levels, characterizing a negative energy balance, due to the depletion of energy reserves as a result of the direct competition established by the nematode/endosymbiont bacteria complex in such substrates. A mortality rate of 48.25% and 65.52% was observed in the group exposed for 24 h and 48 h, respectively, along with significant impairment of reproductive biology in both exposed groups in relation to the respective controls. The results presented here show that P. columella is susceptible to the nematode H. bacteriophora, with the potential to be used as an alternative bioagent in the control of this mollusk, especially in areas considered endemic for fascioliasis, in line with the position expressed by the World Health Organization Health.},
}

Animals
*Rhabditida
Pest Control, Biological/methods
Snails/parasitology
*Fascioliasis/veterinary

@article {pmid38021190,
year = {2023},
author = {Bawm, S and Khaing, Y and Chel, HM and Hmoon, MM and Win, SY and Bo, M and Naing, T and Htun, LL},
title = {Molecular detection of Dirofilaria immitis and its Wolbachia endosymbionts in dogs from Myanmar.},
journal = {Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases},
volume = {4},
number = {},
pages = {100148},
pmid = {38021190},
issn = {2667-114X},
abstract = {Heartworm disease in dogs and cats caused by Dirofilaria immitis continues to be a major clinical issue globally. This study focused on dogs suspicious of having tick-borne diseases (TBD) brought to a clinic and a veterinary teaching hospital in Myanmar. Blood samples were collected and initially screened using SNAP® 4Dx® Plus test kit. All dog blood samples were subjected to conventional PCR to detect both Dirofilaria spp. (cox1 gene) and Wolbachia spp. (16S rDNA) infections. Infection with D. immitis was detected in 14 (28.0%) of 50 examined samples, while the detection rate of TBD causative agents, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia canis, was 26.0% (13/50) and 26.0% (13/50), respectively, as determined by ELISA rapid test. In this study, D. immitis infection was moderately but significantly correlated with TBD infections (Pearson's r = 0.397, P = 0.008). Comparative sequence and phylogenetic analyses provided molecular identification of D. immitis in Myanmar and confirmed the identity of its Wolbachia endosymbiont with Wolbachia endosymbionts isolated from D. immitis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Aedes aegypti. The present study contributes to our understanding of the coexistence of D. immitis and Wolbachia endosymbiosis in dogs, and the findings may benefit the future prevention and control of dirofilariasis in dogs.},
}

@article {pmid38038450,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, X-R and Cull, B and Oliver, JD and Kurtti, TJ and Munderloh, UG},
title = {The role of autophagy in tick-endosymbiont interactions: insights from Ixodes scapularis and Rickettsia buchneri.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {e0108623},
pmid = {38038450},
issn = {2165-0497},
support = {R01 AI049424/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Ticks are second only to mosquitoes in their importance as vectors of disease agents; however, tick-borne diseases (TBDs) account for the majority of all vector-borne disease cases in the United States (approximately 76.5%), according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Newly discovered tick species and their associated disease-causing pathogens, and anthropogenic and demographic factors also contribute to the emergence and re-emergence of TBDs. Thus, incorporating different tick control approaches based on a thorough knowledge of tick biology has great potential to prevent and eliminate TBDs in the future. Here we demonstrate that replication of a transovarially transmitted rickettsial endosymbiont depends on the tick's autophagy machinery but not on apoptosis. Our findings improve our understanding of the role of symbionts in tick biology and the potential to discover tick control approaches to prevent or manage TBDs.},
}

Animals
*Ixodes/microbiology
*Rickettsia/genetics
*Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology

@article {pmid38047686,
year = {2023},
author = {Zhang, W and Wang, J and Huang, Z and He, X and Wei, C},
title = {Symbionts in Hodgkinia-free cicadas and their implications for co-evolution between endosymbionts and host insects.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {89},
number = {12},
pages = {e0137323},
pmid = {38047686},
issn = {1098-5336},
support = {32270496//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 32070476//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera ; Insecta ; Phylogeny ; *Alphaproteobacteria ; Symbiosis/genetics ; },
abstract = {Obligate symbionts in sap-sucking hemipterans are harbored in either the same or different organs, which provide a unique perspective for uncovering complicated insect-microbe symbiosis. Here, we investigated the distribution of symbionts in adults of 10 Hodgkinia-free cicada species of 2 tribes (Sonatini and Polyneurini) and the co-phylogeny between 65 cicada species and related symbionts (Sulcia and YLSs). We revealed that YLSs commonly colonize the bacteriome sheath besides the fat bodies in these two tribes, which is different with that in most other Hodgkinia-free cicadas. Co-phylogeny analyses between cicadas and symbionts suggest that genetic variation of Sulcia occurred in Sonatini and some other cicada lineages and more independent replacement events in the loss of Hodgkinia/acquisition of YLS in Cicadidae. Our results provide new information on the complex relationships between auchenorrhynchans and related symbionts.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera
Insecta
Phylogeny
*Alphaproteobacteria
Symbiosis/genetics

@article {pmid38070273,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhang, B and Wang, X and Aguli Nurland, R and Lu, M and Guan, Y and Liu, M and Gao, F and Li, K},
title = {Investigation of tick-borne bacterial microorganisms in Haemaphysalis ticks from Hebei, Shandong, and Qinghai provinces, China.},
journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {102290},
doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102290},
pmid = {38070273},
issn = {1877-9603},
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Ticks/microbiology ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; Anaplasma/genetics ; Ehrlichia/genetics ; *Bartonella/genetics ; *Anaplasmataceae/genetics ; *Borrelia/genetics ; Goats ; China/epidemiology ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Tick-borne microorganisms in many tick species and many areas of China are still not thoroughly investigated. In this study, 224 ticks including two species (Haemaphysalis longicornis and Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis) were collected from four cities in Hebei, Shandong, and Qinghai provinces, China. Ticks were screened for the presence of tick-borne bacterial microorganisms including Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae (Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neoehrlichia, etc.), Coxiella, Borrelia, and Bartonella. Two Anaplasma species (Anaplasma ovis and Anaplasma capra) were detected in H. longicornis from Xingtai City of Hebei Province, with a positive rate of 3 % and 8 %, respectively. A Coxiella species was detected in H. longicornis ticks from all three locations in Hebei and Shandong provinces, with the positive rate ranging from 30 to 75 %. All the 16S and rpoB sequences were very similar (99.77-100 % identity) to Coxiella endosymbiont of Haemaphysalis ticks. An Ehrlichia species was detected in H. qinghaiensis (6/66, 9 %) from Xining City, Qinghai Province. The 16S and groEL sequences had 100 % and 97.40-97.85 % nucleotide identities to "Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana" strains, respectively, suggesting that it may be a variant of "Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana". All the ticks were negative for Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Bartonella. Because all the ticks were removed from goats or humans and were partially or fully engorged, it is possible that the microorganisms were from the blood meal but not vectored by the ticks. Our results may provide some information on the diversity and distribution of tick-borne pathogens in China.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Ticks/microbiology
*Ixodidae/microbiology
*Rickettsia/genetics
Anaplasma/genetics
Ehrlichia/genetics
*Bartonella/genetics
*Anaplasmataceae/genetics
*Borrelia/genetics
Goats
China/epidemiology
*Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology

@article {pmid38071646,
year = {2024},
author = {Urairi, C and Fujito, S},
title = {Interbiotype hybridization between biotypes A and B of Liriomyza chinensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae).},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {117},
number = {1},
pages = {240-250},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toad223},
pmid = {38071646},
issn = {1938-291X},
mesh = {Female ; Male ; Animals ; *Diptera/genetics ; *Hemiptera ; Reproduction ; Hybridization, Genetic ; Fertility ; },
abstract = {Liriomyza chinensis (Kato) is a formidable pest of Allium species, especially the Japanese bunching onion Allium fistulosum L. Recently, a novel biotype of L. chinensis (biotype B) has emerged, which causes more severe damage than the native biotype A. It has been reported that biotype B has frequently displaced biotype A in the Japanese bunching onion fields in Japan. As interbiotype hybridization is a possible factor that influences such displacement, interbiotype hybridization was conducted between L. chinensis biotypes A and B. Eggs were not laid under one-by-one crossing conditions; however, adult hybrid progeny of both sexes emerged from no-choice mating combinations-when multiple males and females were present. The fertility of F1 hybrid adults was also investigated, and backcrossed adults emerged from F1 females in both mating combinations. F1 males might have exhibited reproductive abnormalities because only a small number of backcross progeny emerged from the mating combinations using F1 males. Additionally, 3 representative endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Cardinium) were investigated, and both biotypes were found to be infected by the same strain of Wolbachia. In addition, the courtship signals (tapping) of male adults differed between biotypes A and B as well as between F1 hybrids; the F1 males exhibited tapping behavior that was intermediate between biotypes A and B. Therefore, mating sounds serve as a form of premating reproductive isolation between biotypes A and B.},
}

Female
Male
Animals
*Diptera/genetics
*Hemiptera
Reproduction
Hybridization, Genetic
Fertility

@article {pmid38072536,
year = {2023},
author = {Zhou, YM and Xie, W and Zhi, JR and Zou, X},
title = {Frankliniella occidentalis pathogenic fungus Lecanicillium interacts with internal microbes and produces sublethal effects.},
journal = {Pesticide biochemistry and physiology},
volume = {197},
number = {},
pages = {105679},
doi = {10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105679},
pmid = {38072536},
issn = {1095-9939},
mesh = {Animals ; *Thysanoptera ; Insecta ; Reproduction ; Pupa ; Hormones ; },
abstract = {Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a pest that feeds on various crops worldwide. A prior study identified Lecanicillium attenuatum and L. cauligalbarum as pathogens of F. occidentalis. Unfortunately, the potential of these two entomopathogenic fungi for the biocontrol of F. occidentalis has not been effectively evaluated. The internal microbes (endosymbionts and the gut microbiota) of insects, especially gut bacteria, are crucial in regulating the interactions between the host and intestinal pathogens. The role of thrips internal microbes in the infection of these two entomopathogenic fungi is also unknown. Therefore, biological control of thrips is immediately needed, and to accomplish that, an improved understanding of the internal microbes of thrips against Lecanicillium infection is essential. The virulence of the two pathogenic fungi against F. occidentalis increased with the conidia concentration. Overall, the LC50 of L. cauligalbarum was lower than that of L. attenuatum, and the pathogenicity degree was adult > pupa > nymphs. The activities of protective enzymes include superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD); detoxification enzymes include polyphenol oxidase (PPO), glutathione s-transferase (GSTs), and carboxylesterase (CarE); hormones include ecdysone and juvenile hormone; and the composition and proportion of microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in F. occidentalis infected by L. cauligalbarum and L. attenuatum have changed significantly. According to the network correlation results, there was a considerable correlation among the internal microbes (including bacteria and fungi), enzyme activities, and hormones, which indicates that in addition to bacteria, internal fungi of F. occidentalis are also involved in the L. cauligalbarum and L. attenuatum infection process. In addition, the development time of the surviving F. occidentalis exposed to L. cauligalbarum or L. attenuatum was significantly shorter than that of the control group. Furthermore, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), mean generation time (T), and gross reproductive rate (GRR) were significantly lower in the treatment groups than in the control group. L. attenuatum and L. cauligalbarum have biocontrol potential against F. occidentalis. In addition to bacteria, internal fungi of F. occidentalis are also involved in the infection process of insect pathogenic fungi. Disruption of the internal microbial balance results in discernible sublethal effects. Such prevention and control potential should not be ignored. These findings provide an improved understanding of physiological responses in thrips with altered immunity against entomopathogenic fungal infections, which can guide us toward the development of novel biocontrol strategies against thrips.},
}

Animals
*Thysanoptera
Insecta
Reproduction
Pupa
Hormones

@article {pmid38072824,
year = {2024},
author = {Valadez-Cano, C and Olivares-Hernández, R and Espino-Vázquez, AN and Partida-Martínez, LP},
title = {Genome-Scale Model of Rhizopus microsporus: Metabolic integration of a fungal holobiont with its bacterial and viral endosymbionts.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {e16551},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16551},
pmid = {38072824},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {FOINS-2015-01-006//Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología/ ; },
mesh = {*Macrolides/metabolism ; *Rhizopus/genetics/metabolism ; Bacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Nucleotides/metabolism ; Symbiosis/genetics ; },
abstract = {Rhizopus microsporus often lives in association with bacterial and viral symbionts that alter its biology. This fungal model represents an example of the complex interactions established among diverse organisms in functional holobionts. We constructed a Genome-Scale Model (GSM) of the fungal-bacterial-viral holobiont (iHol). We employed a constraint-based method to calculate the metabolic fluxes to decipher the metabolic interactions of the symbionts with their host. Our computational analyses of iHol simulate the holobiont's growth and the production of the toxin rhizoxin. Analyses of the calculated fluxes between R. microsporus in symbiotic (iHol) versus asymbiotic conditions suggest that changes in the lipid and nucleotide metabolism of the host are necessary for the functionality of the holobiont. Glycerol plays a pivotal role in the fungal-bacterial metabolic interaction, as its production does not compromise fungal growth, and Mycetohabitans bacteria can efficiently consume it. Narnavirus RmNV-20S and RmNV-23S affected the nucleotide metabolism without impacting the fungal-bacterial symbiosis. Our analyses highlighted the metabolic stability of Mycetohabitans throughout its co-evolution with the fungal host. We also predicted changes in reactions of the bacterial metabolism required for the active production of rhizoxin. This iHol is the first GSM of a fungal holobiont.},
}

*Macrolides/metabolism
*Rhizopus/genetics/metabolism
Bacteria/genetics/metabolism
Nucleotides/metabolism
Symbiosis/genetics

@article {pmid38078889,
year = {2024},
author = {Schwartz, HT and Tan, CH and Peraza, J and Raymundo, KLT and Sternberg, PW},
title = {Molecular identification of a peroxidase gene controlling body size in the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum.},
journal = {Genetics},
volume = {226},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {38078889},
issn = {1943-2631},
support = {//Caltech CCE Multiuser Mass Spectrometry Laboratory/ ; P40 OD010440/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; 2128267//NSF-EDGE/ ; //Caltech's Center for Evolutionary Science/ ; //Center for Environmental Microbial Interactions/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; *Rhabditida/genetics ; Insecta ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; Symbiosis ; Body Size ; },
abstract = {The entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum was recently rediscovered and is being developed as a genetically tractable experimental system for the study of previously unexplored biology, including parasitism of its insect hosts and mutualism with its bacterial endosymbiont Xenorhabdus griffiniae. Through whole-genome re-sequencing and genetic mapping we have for the first time molecularly identified the gene responsible for a mutationally defined phenotypic locus in an entomopathogenic nematode. In the process we observed an unexpected mutational spectrum following ethyl methansulfonate mutagenesis in this species. We find that the ortholog of the essential Caenorhabditis elegans peroxidase gene skpo-2 controls body size and shape in S. hermaphroditum. We confirmed this identification by generating additional loss-of-function mutations in the gene using CRISPR-Cas9. We propose that the identification of skpo-2 will accelerate gene targeting in other Steinernema entomopathogenic nematodes used commercially in pest control, as skpo-2 is X-linked and males hemizygous for loss of its function can mate, making skpo-2 an easily recognized and maintained marker for use in co-CRISPR.},
}

Animals
Male
*Rhabditida/genetics
Insecta
Caenorhabditis elegans
Symbiosis
Body Size

@article {pmid38087390,
year = {2023},
author = {Ferrarini, MG and Vallier, A and Vincent-Monégat, C and Dell'Aglio, E and Gillet, B and Hughes, S and Hurtado, O and Condemine, G and Zaidman-Rémy, A and Rebollo, R and Parisot, N and Heddi, A},
title = {Coordination of host and endosymbiont gene expression governs endosymbiont growth and elimination in the cereal weevil Sitophilus spp.},
journal = {Microbiome},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {274},
pmid = {38087390},
issn = {2049-2618},
support = {ANR-17-CE20-0031-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR-17-CE20-0015//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR-17-CE20-0015//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR-17-CE20-0031-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Weevils/microbiology ; Edible Grain ; Enterobacteriaceae/metabolism ; Bacteria/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Gene Expression ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Insects living in nutritionally poor environments often establish long-term relationships with intracellular bacteria that supplement their diets and improve their adaptive and invasive powers. Even though these symbiotic associations have been extensively studied on physiological, ecological, and evolutionary levels, few studies have focused on the molecular dialogue between host and endosymbionts to identify genes and pathways involved in endosymbiosis control and dynamics throughout host development.

RESULTS: We simultaneously analyzed host and endosymbiont gene expression during the life cycle of the cereal weevil Sitophilus oryzae, from larval stages to adults, with a particular emphasis on emerging adults where the endosymbiont Sodalis pierantonius experiences a contrasted growth-climax-elimination dynamics. We unraveled a constant arms race in which different biological functions are intertwined and coregulated across both partners. These include immunity, metabolism, metal control, apoptosis, and bacterial stress response.

CONCLUSIONS: The study of these tightly regulated functions, which are at the center of symbiotic regulations, provides evidence on how hosts and bacteria finely tune their gene expression and respond to different physiological challenges constrained by insect development in a nutritionally limited ecological niche. Video Abstract.},
}

Animals
*Weevils/microbiology
Edible Grain
Enterobacteriaceae/metabolism
Bacteria/genetics
Symbiosis
Gene Expression

@article {pmid38088471,
year = {2024},
author = {Gonzalez-Gonzalez, A and Cabrera, N and Rubio-Meléndez, ME and Sepúlveda, DA and Ceballos, R and Fernández, N and Francis, F and Figueroa, CC and Ramirez, CC},
title = {Facultative endosymbionts modulate the aphid reproductive performance on wheat cultivars differing in contents of benzoxazinoids.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {80},
number = {4},
pages = {1949-1956},
doi = {10.1002/ps.7932},
pmid = {38088471},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {N°170134//Redes-Conicyt/ ; N°1170943//Fondecyt regular/ ; N° 3190544//Fondecyt Postdoctoral/ ; N°100462//Fondecyt Continuity Fund/ ; 21190271//National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) Scholarship Program Becas Doctorado Nacional/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Benzoxazines ; *Aphids/physiology ; Triticum ; Reproduction ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics ; Bacteria ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Facultative bacterial endosymbionts have the potential to influence the interactions between aphids, their natural enemies, and host plants. Among the facultative symbionts found in populations of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae in central Chile, the bacterium Regiella insecticola is the most prevalent. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether infected and cured aphid lineages exhibit differential responses to wheat cultivars containing varying levels of the benzoxazinoid DIMBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one), which is a xenobiotic compound produced by plants. Specifically, we examined the reproductive performance responses of the most frequently encountered genotypes of Sitobion avenae when reared on wheat seedlings expressing low, medium, and high concentrations of DIMBOA.

RESULTS: Our findings reveal that the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) in cured lineages of Sitobion avenae genotypes exhibits a biphasic pattern, characterized by the lowest rm and an extended time to first reproduction on wheat seedlings with medium levels of DIMBOA. In contrast, the aphid genotypes harbouring Regiella insecticola display idiosyncratic responses, with the two most prevalent genotypes demonstrating improved performance on seedlings featuring an intermediate content of DIMBOA compared to their cured counterparts.

CONCLUSION: This study represents the first investigation into the mediating impact of facultative endosymbionts on aphid performance in plants exhibiting varying DIMBOA contents. These findings present exciting prospects for identifying novel targets for aphid control by manipulating the presence of aphid symbionts. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

Animals
*Benzoxazines
*Aphids/physiology
Triticum
Reproduction
Enterobacteriaceae/genetics
Bacteria

@article {pmid38097942,
year = {2023},
author = {Mirabedini, Z and Mirjalali, H and Kazemirad, E and Khamesipour, A and Samimirad, K and Koosha, M and Saberi, R and Rahimi, HM and Mohebali, M and Hajjaran, H},
title = {The effects of Leishmania RNA virus 2 (LRV2) on the virulence factors of L. major and pro-inflammatory biomarkers: an in vitro study on human monocyte cell line (THP-1).},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {398},
pmid = {38097942},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {IR.TUMS.SPH.REC.1400.251//Tehran University of Medical Science/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Monocytes ; Interleukin-18 ; *Leishmania ; *Leishmaniavirus/genetics ; *Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous ; *RNA Viruses/genetics ; Biomarkers ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease with diverse outcomes. Clinical diversity is influenced by various factors such as Leishmania species and host genetic background. The role of Leishmania RNA virus (LRV), as an endosymbiont, is suggested to not only affect the pathogenesis of Leishmania, but also impact host immune responses. This study aimed to investigate the influence of LRV2 on the expression of a number of virulence factors (VFs) of Leishmania and pro-inflammatory biomarkers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sample were obtained from CL patients from Golestan province. Leishmania species were identified by PCR (LIN 4, 17), and the presence of LRV2 was checked using the semi-nested PCR (RdRp gene). Human monocyte cell line (THP-1) was treated with three isolates of L. major with LRV2 and one isolate of L. major without LRV2. The treatments with four isolates were administered for the time points: zero, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after co-infection. The expression levels of Leishmania VFs genes including GP63, HSP83, and MPI, as well as pro-inflammatory biomarkers genes including NLRP3, IL18, and IL1β, were measured using quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS: The expression of GP63, HSP83, and MPI revealed up-regulation in LRV2 + isolates compared to LRV2- isolates. The expression of the pro-inflammatory biomarkers including NLRP3, IL1β, and IL18 genes in LRV2- were higher than LRV2 + isolates.

CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that LRV2 + may have a probable effect on the Leishmania VFs and pro-inflammatory biomarkers in the human macrophage model.},
}

Humans
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
Monocytes
Interleukin-18
*Leishmania
*Leishmaniavirus/genetics
*Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous
*RNA Viruses/genetics
Biomarkers

@article {pmid38104431,
year = {2024},
author = {Lau, DC and Power, RI and Šlapeta, J},
title = {Exploring multiplex qPCR as a diagnostic tool for detecting microfilarial DNA in dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis: A comparative analysis with the modified Knott's test.},
journal = {Veterinary parasitology},
volume = {325},
number = {},
pages = {110097},
doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110097},
pmid = {38104431},
issn = {1873-2550},
mesh = {Animals ; Dogs ; *Dirofilaria immitis/genetics ; Microfilariae/genetics ; Australia ; *Dog Diseases/diagnosis ; *Dirofilariasis/diagnosis ; DNA ; Lactones ; },
abstract = {Current recommendations to diagnose cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in dogs caused by Dirofilaria immitis involves tandem antigen and circulating microfilariae tests. The modified Knott's test is an important tool in heartworm diagnosis, allowing identification of circulating microfilariae. However, the subjective nature of the modified Knott's test affects its accuracy and diagnostic laboratories usually do not provide a quantitative outcome. Quantitative enumeration of microfilariae enables clinicians to track treatment progress and acts as a proxy for detecting emerging macrocyclic lactone resistance. There is a need for better diagnostic tools suitable for routine use to efficiently and accurately quantify the presence of D. immitis microfilaremia. The aim of this study was to determine whether the quantitative modified Knott's test can be substituted by multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting D. immitis and associated Wolbachia endosymbiont DNA in canine blood samples. To do this, genomic DNA samples (n = 161) from Australian dogs, collected as part of a previous 2021 study, were assessed in a TaqMan qPCR targeting DNA of D. immitis, Wolbachia sp. and Canis lupus familiaris. Of the 161 genomic DNA samples, eight were considered positive for D. immitis microfilariae. The qPCR assay demonstrated good efficiency (E = 90 to 110%, R[2] > 0.94). Considering the performance and efficient use of bench time, this TaqMan qPCR assay is a suitable alternative to the modified Knott's test for quantitative enumeration of microfilariae (Cohen's kappa coefficient [κ]: κ = 1 using D. immitis qPCR marker, κ = 0.93 using Wolbachia qPCR marker). The qPCR data demonstrated a comparable result to that of the quantitative modified Knott's test in a 2022 survey of D. immitis in Australian dogs (n = 23) before and after macrocyclic lactone (ML) administration. Improving the detection and diagnosis of canine heartworm infections will assist veterinarians in better managing and controlling disease outcomes and will be valuable for tracking the spread of ML resistance in Australia.},
}

Animals
Dogs
*Dirofilaria immitis/genetics
Microfilariae/genetics
Australia
*Dog Diseases/diagnosis
*Dirofilariasis/diagnosis
DNA
Lactones

@article {pmid38105949,
year = {2024},
author = {Shropshire, JD and Conner, WR and Vanderpool, D and Hoffmann, AA and Turelli, M and Cooper, BS},
title = {Rapid host switching of Wolbachia and even more rapid turnover of their phages and incompatibility-causing loci.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38105949},
issn = {2692-8205},
support = {R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {About half of all insect species carry maternally inherited Wolbachia alphaproteobacteria, making Wolbachia the most common endosymbionts known in nature. Often Wolbachia spread to high frequencies within populations due to cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), a Wolbachia-induced sperm modification caused by prophage-associated genes (cifs) that kill embryos without Wolbachia. Several Wolbachia variants also block viruses, including wMel from Drosophila melanogaster when transinfected into the mosquito Aedes aegypti. CI enables the establishment and stable maintenance of pathogen-blocking wMel in natural Ae. aegypti populations. These transinfections are reducing dengue disease incidence on multiple continents. While it has long been known that closely related Wolbachia occupy distantly related hosts, the timing of Wolbachia host switching and molecular evolution has not been widely quantified. We provide a new, conservative calibration for Wolbachia chronograms based on examples of co-divergence of Wolbachia and their insect hosts. Synthesizing publicly available and new genomic data, we use our calibration to demonstrate that wMel-like variants separated by only about 370,000 years have naturally colonized holometabolous dipteran and hymenopteran insects that diverged approximately 350 million years ago. Data from Wolbachia variants closely related to those currently dominant in D. melanogaster and D. simulans illustrate that cifs are rapidly acquired and lost among Wolbachia genomes, on a time scale of 10[4]-10[5] years. This turnover occurs with and without the Wovirus prophages that contain them, with closely related cifs found in distantly related phages and distantly related cifs found in closely related phages. We present evidence for purifying selection on CI rescue function and on particular Cif protein domains. Our results quantify the tempo and mode of rapid host switching and horizontal gene transfer that underlie the spread and diversity of Wolbachia sampled from diverse host species. The wMel variants we highlight from hosts in different climates may offer new options for broadening Wolbachia-based biocontrol of diseases and pests.},
}

@article {pmid38106215,
year = {2023},
author = {Maeda, GP and Kelly, MK and Sundar, A and Moran, NA},
title = {Intracellular defensive symbiont is culturable and capable of transovarial, vertical transmission.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2023.12.05.570145},
pmid = {38106215},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Insects frequently form heritable associations with beneficial bacteria that are vertically transmitted from parent to offspring. Long term vertical transmission has repeatedly resulted in genome reduction and gene loss rendering many such bacteria incapable of independent culture. Among aphids, heritable endosymbionts often provide a wide range of context-specific benefits to their hosts. Although these associations have large impacts on host phenotypes, experimental approaches are often limited by an inability to independently cultivate these microbes. Here, we report the axenic culture of Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica strain WIR, a heritable bacterial endosymbiont of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum . Whole genome sequencing revealed similar genomic features and high sequence similarity to previously described strains, suggesting the cultivation techniques used here may be applicable to Ca . F. symbiotica strains from distantly related aphids. Microinjection of the isolated strain into uninfected aphids revealed that it can reinfect developing embryos, and is maintained in subsequent generations via transovarial maternal transmission. Artificially infected aphids exhibit similar phenotypic and life history traits compared to native infections, including protective effects against an entomopathogenic Fusarium species. Overall, our results show that Ca . F. symbiotica may be a useful tool for experimentally probing the molecular mechanisms underlying heritable symbioses and antifungal defense in the pea aphid system.

IMPORTANCE: Diverse eukaryotic organisms form stable, symbiotic relationships with bacteria that provide benefits to their hosts. While these associations are often biologically important, they can be difficult to probe experimentally, because intimately host-associated bacteria are difficult to access within host tissues, and most cannot be cultured. This is especially true of the intracellular, maternally inherited bacteria associated with many insects, including aphids. Here, we demonstrate that a pea aphid-associated strain of the heritable endosymbiont, Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica, can be grown outside of its host using standard microbiology techniques, and can readily re-establish infection that is maintained across host generations. These artificial infections recapitulate the effects of native infections making this host-symbiont pair a useful experimental system. Using this system, we demonstrate that Ca . F. symbiotica infection reduces host fitness under benign conditions, but protects against a previously unreported fungal pathogen.},
}

@article {pmid38107563,
year = {2023},
author = {Fu, J and Zhou, J and Zhou, J and Zhang, Y and Liu, L},
title = {Competitive effects of the macroalga Caulerpa taxifolia on key physiological processes in the scleractinian coral Turbinaria peltata under thermal stress.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {11},
number = {},
pages = {e16646},
pmid = {38107563},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Chlorophyll A ; *Caulerpa ; Antioxidants ; *Seaweed/physiology ; *Physiological Phenomena ; Water ; },
abstract = {An increased abundance of macroalgae has been observed in coral reefs damaged by climate change and local environmental stressors. Macroalgae have a sublethal effect on corals that includes the inhibition of their growth, development, and reproduction. Thus, this study explored the effects of the macroalga, Caulerpa taxifolia, on the massive coral, Turbinaria peltata, under thermal stress. We compared the responses of the corals' water-meditated interaction with algae (the co-occurrence group) and those in direct contact with algae at two temperatures. The results show that after co-culturing with C. taxifolia for 28 days, the density content of the dinoflagellate endosymbionts was significantly influenced by the presence of C. taxifolia at ambient temperature (27 °C), from 1.3 × 10[6] cells cm[-2] in control group to 0.95 × 10[6] cells cm[-2] in the co-occurrence group and to 0.89 × 10[6] cells cm[-2] in the direct contact group. The chlorophyll a concentration only differed significantly between the control and the direct contact group at 27 °C. The protein content of T. peltata decreased by 37.2% in the co-occurrence group and 49.0% in the direct contact group compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the growth rate of T. peltata decreased by 57.7% in the co-occurrence group and 65.5% in the direct contact group compared to the control group. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes significantly increased, and there was a stronger effect of direct coral contact with C. taxifolia than the co-occurrence group. At 30 °C, the endosymbiont density, chlorophyll a content, and growth rate of T. peltata significantly decreased compared to the control temperature; the same pattern was seen in the increase in antioxidant enzyme activity. Additionally, when the coral was co-cultured with macroalgae at 30 °C, there was no significant decrease in the density or chlorophyll a content of the endosymbiont compared to the control. However, the interaction of macroalgae and elevated temperature was evident in the feeding rate, protein content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity compared to the control group. The direct contact of the coral with macroalga had a greater impact than water-meditated interactions. Hence, the competition between coral and macroalga may be more intense under thermal stress.},
}

Animals
*Anthozoa
Chlorophyll A
*Caulerpa
Antioxidants
*Seaweed/physiology
*Physiological Phenomena
Water

@article {pmid38143870,
year = {2023},
author = {Martins, M and César, CS and Cogni, R},
title = {The effects of temperature on prevalence of facultative insect heritable symbionts across spatial and seasonal scales.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1321341},
pmid = {38143870},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Facultative inheritable endosymbionts are common and diverse in insects and are often found at intermediate frequencies in insect host populations. The literature assessing the relationship between environment and facultative endosymbiont frequency in natural host populations points to temperature as a major component shaping the interaction. However, a synthesis describing its patterns and mechanistic basis is lacking. This mini-review aims to bridge this gap by, following an evolutionary model, hypothesizing that temperature increases endosymbiont frequencies by modulating key phenotypes mediating the interaction. Field studies mainly present positive correlations between temperature and endosymbiont frequency at spatial and seasonal scales; and unexpectedly, temperature is predominantly negatively correlated with the key phenotypes. Higher temperatures generally reduce the efficiency of maternal transmission, reproductive parasitism, endosymbiont influence on host fitness and the ability to protect against natural enemies. From the endosymbiont perspective alone, higher temperatures reduce titer and both high and low temperatures modulate their ability to promote host physiological acclimation and behavior. It is necessary to promote research programs that integrate field and laboratory approaches to pinpoint which processes are responsible for the temperature correlated patterns of endosymbiont prevalence in natural populations.},
}

@article {pmid38143905,
year = {2023},
author = {Mouillaud, T and Berger, A and Buysse, M and Rahola, N and Daron, J and Agbor, JP and Sango, SN and Neafsey, DE and Duron, O and Ayala, D},
title = {Limited association between Wolbachia and Plasmodium falciparum infections in natural populations of the major malaria mosquito Anopheles moucheti.},
journal = {Evolutionary applications},
volume = {16},
number = {12},
pages = {1999-2006},
pmid = {38143905},
issn = {1752-4571},
support = {U19 AI110818/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Since the discovery of natural malaria vector populations infected by the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia, a renewed interest has arisen for using this bacterium as an alternative for malaria control. Among naturally infected mosquitoes, Anopheles moucheti, a major malaria mosquito in Central Africa, exhibits one of the highest prevalences of Wolbachia infection. To better understand whether this maternally inherited bacterium could be used for malaria control, we investigated Wolbachia influence in An. moucheti populations naturally infected by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. To this end, we collected mosquitoes in a village from Cameroon, Central Africa, where this mosquito is the main malaria vector. We found that the prevalence of Wolbachia bacterium was almost fixed in the studied mosquito population, and was higher than previously recorded. We also quantified Wolbachia in whole mosquitoes and dissected abdomens, confirming that the bacterium is also elsewhere than in the abdomen, but at lower density. Finally, we analyzed the association of Wolbachia presence and density on P. falciparum infection. Wolbachia density was slightly higher in mosquitoes infected with the malaria parasite than in uninfected mosquitoes. However, we observed no correlation between the P. falciparum and Wolbachia densities. In conclusion, our study indicates that naturally occurring Wolbachia infection is not associated to P. falciparum development within An. moucheti mosquitoes.},
}

@article {pmid38148222,
year = {2023},
author = {Kundu, A},
title = {Antimicrobial to anti-herbivore: Sakuranetin in rice efficiently inhibits brown planthopper by targeting their beneficial endosymbionts.},
journal = {Physiologia plantarum},
volume = {175},
number = {6},
pages = {e14110},
doi = {10.1111/ppl.14110},
pmid = {38148222},
issn = {1399-3054},
support = {RGCB/2023/00661//Rajiv gandhi centre for biotechnology/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Herbivory ; *Oryza ; *Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology ; *Hemiptera ; Flavonoids ; Phytoalexins ; },
abstract = {In rice, biosynthesis of specialized metabolites active against insect herbivores is elusive. The major known defense metabolites in rice against the destructive phloem-sucking herbivore brown planthoppers (BPH) (Nilaparvata lugens) are proteinase inhibitors, phenolamides and some terpenes (Xiao et al., 2012), which are induced during the invasion. Specifically, phenolamides were found to be induced upon herbivory with different feeding guild, including chewing and phloem-sucking, but could only provide defense against phloem-sucking BPH, though the clear mode of action of phenolamides has not been explored yet. Moreover, the jasmonic acid-mediated modulation of biosynthesis of these specialized metabolites in rice is not elucidated yet. However, a recent study by Liu et al. (2023) demonstrated that sakuranetin, a phytoalexin in rice, was induced upon BPH invasion and showed significant detrimental effect on herbivore's performance by targeting their beneficial endosymbionts. This is the first report on a strong bioactive anti-herbivore molecule observed in rice with an unusual mode of action. In this article, a view has been presented on this work, its impact and exceptionality.},
}

Animals
Herbivory
*Oryza
*Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology
*Hemiptera
Flavonoids
Phytoalexins

@article {pmid38150911,
year = {2024},
author = {Polsomboon Nelson, S and Ergunay, K and Bourke, BP and Reinbold-Wasson, DD and Caicedo-Quiroga, L and Kirkitadze, G and Chunashvili, T and Tucker, CL and Linton, YM},
title = {Nanopore-based metagenomics reveal a new Rickettsia in Europe.},
journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {102305},
doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102305},
pmid = {38150911},
issn = {1877-9603},
mesh = {Animals ; *Nanopores ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Ixodes/microbiology ; *Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/microbiology ; Europe ; },
abstract = {Accurate identification of tick-borne bacteria, including those associated with rickettsioses, pose significant challenges due to the polymicrobial and polyvectoral nature of the infections. We aimed to carry out a comparative evaluation of a non-targeted metagenomic approach by nanopore sequencing (NS) and commonly used PCR assays amplifying Rickettsia genes in field-collected ticks. The study included a total of 310 ticks, originating from Poland (44.2 %) and Bulgaria (55.8 %). Samples comprised 7 species, the majority of which were Ixodes ricinus (62.9 %), followed by Dermacentor reticulatus (21.2 %). Screening was carried out in 55 pools, using total nucleic acid extractions from individual ticks. NS and ompA/gltA PCRs identified Rickettsia species in 47.3 % and 54.5 % of the pools, respectively. The most frequently detected species were Rickettsia asiatica (27.2 %) and Rickettsia raoultii (21.8 %), followed by Rickettsia monacensis (3.6 %), Rickettsia helvetica (1.8 %), Rickettsia massiliae (1.8 %) and Rickettsia tillamookensis (1.8 %). Phylogeny construction on mutS, uvrD, argS and virB4 sequences and a follow-up deep sequencing further supported R. asiatica identification, documented in Europe for the first time. NS further enabled detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum (9.1 %), Coxiella burnetii (5.4 %) and Neoehrlichia mikurensis (1.8 %), as well as various endosymbionts of Rickettsia and Coxiella. Co-detection of multiple rickettsial and non-rickettsial bacteria were observed in 16.4 % of the pools with chromosome and plasmid-based contigs. In conclusion, non-targeted metagenomic sequencing was documented as a robust strategy capable of providing a broader view of the tick-borne bacterial pathogen spectrum.},
}

Animals
*Nanopores
*Rickettsia/genetics
*Ixodes/microbiology
*Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/microbiology
Europe

@article {pmid38163636,
year = {2024},
author = {Sharkey, TD},
title = {The end game(s) of photosynthetic carbon metabolism.},
journal = {Plant physiology},
volume = {195},
number = {1},
pages = {67-78},
pmid = {38163636},
issn = {1532-2548},
support = {//Division of Chemical Sciences/ ; //Geosciences, and Biosciences/ ; //Office of Basic Energy Sciences/ ; DE-FG02-91ER20021//United States Department of Energy/ ; IOS-2022495//U.S. National Science Foundation/ ; //Michigan AgBioResearch/ ; },
mesh = {*Photosynthesis/physiology ; *Carbon/metabolism ; Chloroplasts/metabolism ; Plant Leaves/metabolism ; Plants/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The year 2024 marks 70 years since the general outline of the carbon pathway in photosynthesis was published. Although several alternative pathways are now known, it is remarkable how many organisms use the reaction sequence described 70 yrs ago, which is now known as the Calvin-Benson cycle or variants such as the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle or Benson-Calvin cycle. However, once the carbon has entered the Calvin-Benson cycle and is converted to a 3-carbon sugar, it has many potential fates. This review will examine the last stages of photosynthetic metabolism in leaves. In land plants, this process mostly involves the production of sucrose provided by an endosymbiont (the chloroplast) to its host for use and transport to the rest of the plant. Photosynthetic metabolism also usually involves the synthesis of starch, which helps maintain respiration in the dark and enables the symbiont to supply sugars during both the day and night. Other end products made in the chloroplast are closely tied to photosynthetic CO2 assimilation. These include serine from photorespiration and various amino acids, fatty acids, isoprenoids, and shikimate pathway products. I also describe 2 pathways that can short circuit parts of the Calvin-Benson cycle. These final processes of photosynthetic metabolism play many important roles in plants.},
}

*Photosynthesis/physiology
*Carbon/metabolism
Chloroplasts/metabolism
Plant Leaves/metabolism
Plants/metabolism

@article {pmid38176202,
year = {2024},
author = {Segura, JA and Dibernardo, A and Manguiat, K and Waitt, B and Rueda, ZV and Keynan, Y and Wood, H and Gutiérrez, LA},
title = {Molecular surveillance of microbial agents from cattle-attached and questing ticks from livestock agroecosystems of Antioquia, Colombia.},
journal = {Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases},
volume = {105},
number = {},
pages = {102113},
doi = {10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102113},
pmid = {38176202},
issn = {1878-1667},
mesh = {Animals ; Cattle ; *Ticks/microbiology ; Livestock/parasitology ; Colombia/epidemiology ; *Babesia/genetics ; *Rickettsia/genetics ; *Cattle Diseases/microbiology ; DNA ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Ticks are obligate ectoparasites and vectors of pathogens affecting health, agriculture, and animal welfare. This study collected ticks from the cattle and questing ticks of 24 Magdalena Medio Antioquia region cattle farms. Genomic DNA was extracted from the specimens (individual or pools) of the 2088 adult ticks collected from cattle and 4667 immature questing ticks collected from pastures. The molecular detection of Babesia, Anaplasma, Coxiella and Rickettsia genera was performed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and subsequent DNA sequencing. In a total of 6755 Rhipicephalus microplus DNA samples, Anaplasma marginale was the most detected with a frequency of 2% (Confidence Interval- CI 1.68-2.36), followed by Babesia bigemina with 0.28% (CI 0.16-0.44), Coxiella spp. with 0.15% (CI 0.07-0.27), and Rickettsia spp. with 0.13% (CI 0.06-0.25). Molecular analysis of the DNA sequences obtained from the tick samples revealed the presence of Coxiella-like endosymbiont and R. felis. These results demonstrated the diversity of microorganisms present in R. microplus ticks predominantly associated with cattle and questing ticks from livestock agroecosystems, suggesting their role as reservoirs and potential biological vectors of these microorganisms on the studied sites. Also, it emphasizes the need to combine acarological surveillance with clinical diagnoses and control strategies on regional and national levels.},
}

Animals
Cattle
*Ticks/microbiology
Livestock/parasitology
Colombia/epidemiology
*Babesia/genetics
*Rickettsia/genetics
*Cattle Diseases/microbiology
DNA
*Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology

@article {pmid38193019,
year = {2024},
author = {Mat Udin, AS and Uni, S and Rodrigues, J and Martin, C and Junker, K and Agatsuma, T and Low, VL and Saijuntha, W and Omar, H and Zainuri, NA and Fukuda, M and Matsubayashi, M and Kimura, D and Takaoka, H and Ramli, R},
title = {Redescription, molecular characterisation and Wolbachia endosymbionts of Mansonella (Tupainema) dunni (Mullin & Orihel, 1972) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) from the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard & Duvaucel (Mammalia: Scandentia) in Peninsular Malaysia.},
journal = {Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases},
volume = {5},
number = {},
pages = {100154},
pmid = {38193019},
issn = {2667-114X},
abstract = {The genus Mansonella Faust, 1929 includes 29 species, mainly parasites of platyrrhine monkeys in South America and anthropoid apes in Africa. In Malaysia, Mansonella (Tupainema) dunni (Mullin & Orihel, 1972) was described from the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard & Duvaucel (Scandentia). In a recent classification of the genus Mansonella, seven subgenera were proposed, with M. (Tup.) dunni as a monotypic species in the subgenus Tupainema. In this study, we collected new material of M. (Tup.) dunni from common treeshrews in Peninsular Malaysia and redescribed the morphological features of this species. We found that M. (Tup.) dunni differs from M. (Cutifilaria) perforata Uni et al., 2004 from sika deer Cervus nippon (Cetartiodactyla) in Japan, with regards to morphological features and predilection sites in their respective hosts. Based on multi-locus sequence analyses, we examined the molecular phylogeny of M. (Tup.) dunni and its Wolbachia genotype. Species of the genus Mansonella grouped monophyletically in clade ONC5 and M. (Tup.) dunni was placed in the most derived position within this genus. Mansonella (Tup.) dunni was closely related to M. (M.) ozzardi (Manson, 1897) from humans in Central and South America, and most distant from M. (C.) perforata. The calculated p-distances between the cox1 gene sequences for M. (Tup.) dunni and its congeners were 13.09% for M. (M.) ozzardi and 15.6-16.15% for M. (C.) perforata. The molecular phylogeny of Mansonella spp. thus corroborates their morphological differences. We determined that M. (Tup.) dunni harbours Wolbachia endosymbionts of the supergroup F genotype, in keeping with all other Mansonella species screened to date.},
}

@article {pmid38194362,
year = {2024},
author = {Fernandez, HN and Kretsch, AM and Kunakom, S and Kadjo, AE and Mitchell, DA and Eustáquio, AS},
title = {High-Yield Lasso Peptide Production in a Burkholderia Bacterial Host by Plasmid Copy Number Engineering.},
journal = {ACS synthetic biology},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {337-350},
pmid = {38194362},
issn = {2161-5063},
support = {F32 GM145122/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 GM129344/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {*Burkholderia/genetics ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Peptides/genetics ; Plasmids/genetics ; },
abstract = {The knotted configuration of lasso peptides confers thermal stability and proteolytic resistance, addressing two shortcomings of peptide-based drugs. However, low isolation yields hinder the discovery and development of lasso peptides. While testing Burkholderia sp. FERM BP-3421 as a bacterial host to produce the lasso peptide capistruin, an overproducer clone was previously identified. In this study, we show that an increase in the plasmid copy number partially contributed to the overproducer phenotype. Further, we modulated the plasmid copy number to recapitulate titers to an average of 160% relative to the overproducer, which is 1000-fold higher than previously reported with E. coli, reaching up to 240 mg/L. To probe the applicability of the developed tools for lasso peptide discovery, we targeted a new lasso peptide biosynthetic gene cluster from endosymbiont Mycetohabitans sp. B13, leading to the isolation of mycetolassin-15 and mycetolassin-18 in combined titers of 11 mg/L. These results validate Burkholderia sp. FERM BP-3421 as a production platform for lasso peptide discovery.},
}

*Burkholderia/genetics
Escherichia coli/genetics
DNA Copy Number Variations
Peptides/genetics
Plasmids/genetics

@article {pmid38195557,
year = {2024},
author = {Owens, LA and Friant, S and Martorelli Di Genova, B and Knoll, LJ and Contreras, M and Noya-Alarcon, O and Dominguez-Bello, MG and Goldberg, TL},
title = {VESPA: an optimized protocol for accurate metabarcoding-based characterization of vertebrate eukaryotic endosymbiont and parasite assemblages.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {402},
pmid = {38195557},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {R01 AG049395/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI163592/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R37 AG049395/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI007414/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Parasites/genetics ; *Wasps ; Archaea/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; Vertebrates/genetics ; },
abstract = {Protocols for characterizing taxonomic assemblages by deep sequencing of short DNA barcode regions (metabarcoding) have revolutionized our understanding of microbial communities and are standardized for bacteria, archaea, and fungi. Unfortunately, comparable methods for host-associated eukaryotes have lagged due to technical challenges. Despite 54 published studies, issues remain with primer complementarity, off-target amplification, and lack of external validation. Here, we present VESPA (Vertebrate Eukaryotic endoSymbiont and Parasite Analysis) primers and optimized metabarcoding protocol for host-associated eukaryotic community analysis. Using in silico prediction, panel PCR, engineered mock community standards, and clinical samples, we demonstrate VESPA to be more effective at resolving host-associated eukaryotic assemblages than previously published methods and to minimize off-target amplification. When applied to human and non-human primate samples, VESPA enables reconstruction of host-associated eukaryotic endosymbiont communities more accurately and at finer taxonomic resolution than microscopy. VESPA has the potential to advance basic and translational science on vertebrate eukaryotic endosymbiont communities, similar to achievements made for bacterial, archaeal, and fungal microbiomes.},
}

Animals
*Parasites/genetics
*Wasps
Archaea/genetics
*Microbiota/genetics
Vertebrates/genetics

@article {pmid38196174,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, ZW and Zhao, J and Li, GY and Hu, D and Wang, ZG and Ye, C and Wang, JJ},
title = {The endosymbiont Serratia symbiotica improves aphid fitness by disrupting the predation strategy of ladybeetle larvae.},
journal = {Insect science},
volume = {31},
number = {5},
pages = {1555-1568},
doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13315},
pmid = {38196174},
issn = {1744-7917},
support = {32102195//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32020103010//National Natural Science Foundation of China - Major International (Regional) Joint Research Project/ ; CSTB2022NSCQ-MSX0748//Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, China/ ; SWU-KQ22020//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Serratia/physiology ; *Aphids/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Predatory Behavior ; *Larva/microbiology/growth & development/physiology ; *Coleoptera/microbiology/physiology ; },
abstract = {Aphids, the important global agricultural pests, harbor abundant resources of symbionts that can improve the host adaptability to environmental conditions, also control the interactions between host aphid and natural enemy, resulting in a significant decrease in efficiency of biological control. The facultative symbiont Serratia symbiotica has a strong symbiotic association with its aphid hosts, a relationship that is known to interfere with host-parasitoid interactions. We hypothesized that Serratia may also influence other trophic interactions by interfering with the physiology and behavior of major predators to provide host aphid defense. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of Serratia on the host aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum and its predator, the ladybeetle Propylaea japonica. First, the prevalence of Serratia in different A. pisum colonies was confirmed by amplicon sequencing. We then showed that harboring Serratia improved host aphid growth and fecundity but reduced longevity. Finally, our research demonstrated that Serratia defends aphids against P. japonica by impeding the predator's development and predation capacity, and modulating its foraging behavior. Our findings reveal that facultative symbiont Serratia improves aphid fitness by disrupting the predation strategy of ladybeetle larvae, offering new insight into the interactions between aphids and their predators, and providing the basis of a new biological control strategy for aphid pests involving the targeting of endosymbionts.},
}

Animals
*Serratia/physiology
*Aphids/microbiology/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Predatory Behavior
*Larva/microbiology/growth & development/physiology
*Coleoptera/microbiology/physiology

@article {pmid38204789,
year = {2024},
author = {Arai, H and Watada, M and Kageyama, D},
title = {Two male-killing Wolbachia from Drosophila birauraia that are closely related but distinct in genome structure.},
journal = {Royal Society open science},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {231502},
pmid = {38204789},
issn = {2054-5703},
abstract = {Insects harbour diverse maternally inherited bacteria and viruses, some of which have evolved to kill the male progeny of their hosts (male killing: MK). The fly species Drosophila biauraria carries a maternally transmitted MK-inducing partiti-like virus, but it was unknown if it carries other MK-inducing endosymbionts. Here, we identified two male-killing Wolbachia strains (wBiau1 and wBiau2) from D. biauraria and compared their genomes to elucidate their evolutionary processes. The two strains were genetically closely related but had exceptionally different genome structures with considerable rearrangements compared with combinations of other Wolbachia strains. Despite substantial changes in the genome structure, the two Wolbachia strains did not experience gene losses that would disrupt the male-killing expression or persistence in the host population. The two Wolbachia-infected matrilines carried distinct mitochondrial haplotypes, suggesting that wBiau1 and wBiau2 have invaded D. biauraria independently and undergone considerable genome changes owing to unknown selective pressures in evolutionary history. This study demonstrated the presence of three male-killers from two distinct origins in one fly species and highlighted the diverse and rapid genome evolution of MK Wolbachia in the host.},
}

@article {pmid38206026,
year = {2024},
author = {Spencer, N and Santee, M and Wetherhold, A and Rio, RVM},
title = {Draft genome sequence of Wigglesworthia glossinidia "palpalis gambiensis" isolate.},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {e0091223},
pmid = {38206026},
issn = {2576-098X},
support = {R21 AI145271/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; NA//WV HEPC, Division of Science and Research/ ; },
abstract = {The 0.719 Mb genome of the tsetse endosymbiont, Wigglesworthia glossinidia, from Glossina palpalis gambiensis is presented. This Wigglesworthia genome retains 611 protein-coding sequences and a 25.3% GC content. A cryptic plasmid is conserved, between Wigglesworthia isolates, suggesting functional significance. This genome adds a further dimension to characterize Wigglesworthia lineage-based differences.},
}

@article {pmid38232706,
year = {2024},
author = {Schott, D and Ribeiro, FL and Santos, FN and Carvalho, RW},
title = {Fleas (Siphonaptera, Latreille, 1825) from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: Species Diversity, Hosts, and One Health Approach.},
journal = {Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)},
volume = {24},
number = {5},
pages = {308-320},
doi = {10.1089/vbz.2023.0065},
pmid = {38232706},
issn = {1557-7759},
mesh = {Animals ; *Siphonaptera/classification/microbiology ; Brazil/epidemiology ; *Flea Infestations/veterinary/parasitology/epidemiology ; One Health ; Humans ; Biodiversity ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; },
abstract = {Background: Fleas are ectoparasitic insects with holometabolous development. It has a hematophagous habit with mouthparts adapted to sting and suck its hosts. There are about 3000 species in the world, ∼61 in Brazil, and 19 in Rio Grande do Sul state. The objective of the research is to catalog the diversity of fleas recorded in the state, their respective hosts, and endosymbionts. Materials and Methods: To this end, a search was carried out in the scientific literature, from articles, books, to abstracts submitted to congresses. Results: The 19 species of fleas occurring in Rio Grande do Sul are divided into 7 families and 10 genera. These ectoparasites, in addition to being found in the environment, were associated with 10 different families of hosts in Rio Grande do Sul, and on the endosymbiont, agents found associated with fleas, there were 7 different species. The main agents researched in the state are Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. The relationships between parasites, hosts, environment, and etiological agents present different scenarios, whether anthropized or conserved, but unknown. Sometimes, this overlap, a factor that aggravates the possibility of spillovers, either from cosmopolitan fleas in these conserved areas, or from their endosymbionts. Conclusion: Thus, it is important to characterize the environment so that the complexities of each location are known for the adoption of environmental and public health policies in each case. The challenges are extensive, but necessary in view of the One Health perspective.},
}

Animals
*Siphonaptera/classification/microbiology
Brazil/epidemiology
*Flea Infestations/veterinary/parasitology/epidemiology
One Health
Humans
Biodiversity
Host-Parasite Interactions

@article {pmid38249041,
year = {2024},
author = {Huang, Y and Feng, ZF and Li, F and Hou, YM},
title = {Host-Encoded Aminotransferase Import into the Endosymbiotic Bacteria Nardonella of Red Palm Weevil.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38249041},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {32001972//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022J05032//Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province/ ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic systems are intimately integrated at multiple levels. Host-endosymbiont metabolic complementarity in amino acid biosynthesis is especially important for sap-feeding insects and their symbionts. In weevil-Nardonella endosymbiosis, the final step reaction of the endosymbiont tyrosine synthesis pathway is complemented by host-encoded aminotransferases. Based on previous results from other insects, we suspected that these aminotransferases were likely transported into the Nardonella cytoplasm to produce tyrosine. Here, we identified five aminotransferase genes in the genome of the red palm weevil. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, we confirmed that RfGOT1 and RfGOT2A were specifically expressed in the bacteriome. RNA interference targeting these two aminotransferase genes reduced the tyrosine level in the bacteriome. The immunofluorescence-FISH double labeling localization analysis revealed that RfGOT1 and RfGOT2A were present within the bacteriocyte, where they colocalized with Nardonella cells. Immunogold transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the localization of RfGOT1 and RfGOT2A in the cytosol of Nardonella and the bacteriocyte. Our data revealed that RfGOT1 and RfGOT2A are transported into the Nardonella cytoplasm to collaborate with genes retained in the Nardonella genome in order to synthesize tyrosine. The results of our study will enhance the understanding of the integration of host and endosymbiont metabolism in amino acid biosynthesis.},
}

@article {pmid38249471,
year = {2023},
author = {Chang, X and Xue, S and Li, R and Zhang, Y},
title = {Episyrphus balteatus symbiont variation across developmental stages, living states, two sexes, and potential horizontal transmission from prey or environment.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1308393},
pmid = {38249471},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Episyrphus balteatus is one representative Syrphidae insect which can provide extensive pollination and pest control services. To date, the symbiont composition and potential acquisition approaches in Syrphidae remain unclear.

METHODS: Herein, we investigated microbiota dynamics across developmental stages, different living states, and two sexes in E. balteatus via full-length 16S rRNA genes sequencing, followed by an attempt to explore the possibility of symbiont transmission from prey Megoura crassicauda to the hoverfly.

RESULTS: Overall, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant bacteria phyla with fluctuating relative abundances across the life stage. Cosenzaea myxofaciens is dominant in adulthood, while Enterococcus silesiacus and Morganella morganii dominate in larvae and pupae of E. balteatus, respectively. Unexpectedly, Serratia symbiotica, one facultative endosymbiont commonly harbored in aphids, was one of the predominant bacteria in larvae of E. balteatus, just behind Enterococcus silesiacus. In addition, S. symbiotica was also surprisingly most dominated in M. crassicauda aphids (92.1% relative abundance), which are significantly higher than Buchnera aphidicola (4.7% relative abundance), the primary obligate symbiont of most aphid species. Approximately 25% mortality was observed among newly emerged adults, of which microbiota was also disordered, similar to normally dying individuals. Sexually biased symbionts and 41 bacteria species with pairwise co-occurrence in E. balteatus and 23 biomarker species for each group were identified eventually. Functional prediction showed symbionts of hoverflies and aphids, both mainly focusing on metabolic pathways. In brief, we comprehensively explored the microbiome in one Syrphidae hoverfly using E. balteatus reared indoors on M. morganii as the model, revealed its dominated symbiont species, identified sexually biased symbionts, and found an aphid facultative endosymbiont inhabited in the hoverfly. We also found that the dominated symbiotic bacteria in M. crassicauda are S. symbiotica other than Buchnera aphidicola.

DISCUSSION: Taken together, this study provides new valuable resources about symbionts in hoverflies and prey aphids jointly, which will benefit further exploring the potential roles of microbiota in E. balteatus.},
}

@article {pmid38257926,
year = {2024},
author = {Jia, J and Lu, SE},
title = {Comparative Genome Analyses Provide Insight into the Antimicrobial Activity of Endophytic Burkholderia.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38257926},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {MIS-401260//United States Department of Agriculture/ ; },
abstract = {Endophytic bacteria are endosymbionts that colonize a portion of plants without harming the plant for at least a part of its life cycle. Bacterial endophytes play an essential role in promoting plant growth using multiple mechanisms. The genus Burkholderia is an important member among endophytes and encompasses bacterial species with high genetic versatility and adaptability. In this study, the endophytic characteristics of Burkholderia species are investigated via comparative genomic analyses of several endophytic Burkholderia strains with pathogenic Burkholderia strains. A group of bacterial genes was identified and predicted as the putative endophytic behavior genes of Burkholderia. Multiple antimicrobial biosynthesis genes were observed in these endophytic bacteria; however, certain important pathogenic and virulence genes were absent. The majority of resistome genes were distributed relatively evenly among the endophytic and pathogenic bacteria. All known types of secretion systems were found in the studied bacteria. This includes T3SS and T4SS, which were previously thought to be disproportionately represented in endophytes. Additionally, questionable CRISPR-Cas systems with an orphan CRISPR array were prevalent, suggesting that intact CRISPR-Cas systems may not exist in symbiotes of Burkholderia. This research not only sheds light on the antimicrobial activities that contribute to biocontrol but also expands our understanding of genomic variations in Burkholderia's endophytic and pathogenic bacteria.},
}

@article {pmid38259912,
year = {2023},
author = {Chen, J},
title = {Editorial: Aphids as plant pests: from biology to green control technology.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1337558},
pmid = {38259912},
issn = {1664-462X},
}

@article {pmid38265715,
year = {2024},
author = {Tomás-Gallardo, L and Cabrera, JJ and Mesa, S},
title = {Surface Plasmon Resonance as a Tool to Elucidate the Molecular Determinants of Key Transcriptional Regulators Controlling Rhizobial Lifestyles.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {2751},
number = {},
pages = {145-163},
pmid = {38265715},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {Humans ; *Rhizobium ; Surface Plasmon Resonance ; Oxygen ; DNA ; Transcription Factors ; },
abstract = {Bacteria must be provided with a battery of tools integrated into regulatory networks, in order to respond and, consequently, adapt their physiology to changing environments. Within these networks, transcription factors finely orchestrate the expression of genes in response to a variety of signals, by recognizing specific DNA sequences at their promoter regions. Rhizobia are host-interacting soil bacteria that face severe changes to adapt their physiology from free-living conditions to the nitrogen-fixing endosymbiotic state inside root nodules associated with leguminous plants. One of these cues is the low partial pressure of oxygen within root nodules.Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) constitutes a technique that allows to measure molecular interactions dynamics at real time by detecting changes in the refractive index of a surface. Here, we implemented the SPR methodology to analyze the discriminatory determinants of transcription factors for specific interaction with their target genes. We focused on FixK2, a CRP/FNR-type protein with a central role in the complex oxygen-responsive regulatory network in the soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens. Our study unveiled relevant residues for protein-DNA interaction as well as allowed us to monitor kinetics and stability protein-DNA complex. We believe that this approach can be employed for the characterization of other relevant transcription factors which can assist to the better understanding of the adaptation of bacteria with agronomic or human interest to their different modes of life.},
}

Humans
*Rhizobium
Surface Plasmon Resonance
Oxygen
DNA
Transcription Factors

@article {pmid38271524,
year = {2024},
author = {Ivanov, S and Harrison, MJ},
title = {Receptor-associated kinases control the lipid provisioning program in plant-fungal symbiosis.},
journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {383},
number = {6681},
pages = {443-448},
doi = {10.1126/science.ade1124},
pmid = {38271524},
issn = {1095-9203},
mesh = {Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Medicago truncatula/metabolism/microbiology ; *Membrane Proteins/metabolism ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Plant Roots/metabolism/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Lipid Metabolism/genetics ; *Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The mutualistic association between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi requires intracellular accommodation of the fungal symbiont and maintenance by means of lipid provisioning. Symbiosis signaling through lysin motif (LysM) receptor-like kinases and a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase DOES NOT MAKE INFECTIONS 2 (DMI2) activates transcriptional programs that underlie fungal passage through the epidermis and accommodation in cortical cells. We show that two Medicago truncatula cortical cell-specific, membrane-bound proteins of a CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE-LIKE (CKL) family associate with, and are phosphorylation substrates of, DMI2 and a subset of the LysM receptor kinases. CKL1 and CKL2 are required for AM symbiosis and control expression of transcription factors that regulate part of the lipid provisioning program. Onset of lipid provisioning is coupled with arbuscule branching and with the REDUCED ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA 1 (RAM1) regulon for complete endosymbiont accommodation.},
}

Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*Medicago truncatula/metabolism/microbiology
*Membrane Proteins/metabolism
*Mycorrhizae/physiology
*Plant Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Plant Roots/metabolism/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Lipid Metabolism/genetics
*Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid38273274,
year = {2024},
author = {Butenko, A and Lukeš, J and Speijer, D and Wideman, JG},
title = {Mitochondrial genomes revisited: why do different lineages retain different genes?.},
journal = {BMC biology},
volume = {22},
number = {1},
pages = {15},
pmid = {38273274},
issn = {1741-7007},
support = {DBI-2119963//Division of Biological Infrastructure/ ; 23-07695S//Grantová Agentura České Republiky/ ; 23-06479X//Grantová Agentura České Republiky/ ; },
mesh = {*Genome, Mitochondrial ; Evolution, Molecular ; Eukaryota/genetics ; Mitochondria/genetics ; Base Sequence ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {The mitochondria contain their own genome derived from an alphaproteobacterial endosymbiont. From thousands of protein-coding genes originally encoded by their ancestor, only between 1 and about 70 are encoded on extant mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes). Thanks to a dramatically increasing number of sequenced and annotated mitogenomes a coherent picture of why some genes were lost, or relocated to the nucleus, is emerging. In this review, we describe the characteristics of mitochondria-to-nucleus gene transfer and the resulting varied content of mitogenomes across eukaryotes. We introduce a 'burst-upon-drift' model to best explain nuclear-mitochondrial population genetics with flares of transfer due to genetic drift.},
}

*Genome, Mitochondrial
Evolution, Molecular
Eukaryota/genetics
Mitochondria/genetics
Base Sequence
Phylogeny

@article {pmid38276179,
year = {2023},
author = {Chirgwin, E and Yang, Q and Umina, PA and Thia, JA and Gill, A and Song, W and Gu, X and Ross, PA and Wei, SJ and Hoffmann, AA},
title = {Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus Influences Its Vector's Endosymbionts but Not Its Thermotolerance.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38276179},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {AGPIP//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; },
abstract = {The barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) of cereals is thought to substantially increase the high-temperature tolerance of its aphid vector, Rhopalosiphum padi, which may enhance its transmission efficiency. This is based on experiments with North American strains of BYDV and R. padi. Here, we independently test these by measuring the temperature tolerance, via Critical Thermal Maximum (CTmax) and knockdown time, of Australian R. padi infected with a local BYDV isolate. We further consider the interaction between BYDV transmission, the primary endosymbiont of R. padi (Buchnera aphidicola), and a transinfected secondary endosymbiont (Rickettsiella viridis) which reduces the thermotolerance of other aphid species. We failed to find an increase in tolerance to high temperatures in BYDV-infected aphids or an impact of Rickettsiella on thermotolerance. However, BYDV interacted with R. padi endosymbionts in unexpected ways, suppressing the density of Buchnera and Rickettsiella. BYDV density was also fourfold higher in Rickettsiella-infected aphids. Our findings indicate that BYDV does not necessarily increase the temperature tolerance of the aphid transmission vector to increase its transmission potential, at least for the genotype combinations tested here. The interactions between BYDV and Rickettsiella suggest new ways in which aphid endosymbionts may influence how BYDV spreads, which needs further testing in a field context.},
}

@article {pmid38276282,
year = {2024},
author = {Domínguez-Santos, R and Baixeras, J and Moya, A and Latorre, A and Gil, R and García-Ferris, C},
title = {Gut Microbiota Is Not Essential for Survival and Development in Blattella germanica, but Affects Uric Acid Storage.},
journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38276282},
issn = {2075-1729},
support = {PGC2018-099344-B-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; PID2021-128201NB-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; PROMETEO/2018/133//Conselleria d'Educació, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; CIPROM/2021/042//Conselleria d'Educació, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; },
abstract = {Cockroaches harbor two coexisting symbiotic systems: the obligate endosymbiont Blattabacterium cuenotii, and a complex gut microbiota. Blattabacterium is the only bacterium present in the eggs, as the gut microbiota is acquired by horizontal transmission after hatching, mostly through coprophagy. Blattella germanica, a cosmopolitan omnivorous cockroach living in intimate association with humans, is an appropriate model system for studying whether the gut microbiota is essential for the cockroach's survival, development, or welfare. We obtained a germ-free cockroach population (i.e., containing normal amounts of the endosymbiont, but free of microbes on the insects' surface and digestive tract). Non-significant differences with the controls were detected in most fitness parameters analyzed, except for a slight shortening in the hatching time of the second generation and a reduction in female weight at 10 days after adult ecdysis. The latter is accompanied by a decrease in uric acid reserves. This starvation-like phenotype of germ-free B. germanica suggests that the microbiota is not essential in this species for survival and development throughout its complete life cycle, but it could participate in complementation of host nutrition by helping with food digestion and nutrient absorption.},
}

@article {pmid38294503,
year = {2024},
author = {Pistán, ME and Cook, D and Gutiérrez, SA and Schnittger, L and Gardner, DR and Cholich, LA and Gonzalez, AM},
title = {Identification and distribution of a fungal endosymbiotic Alternaria species (Alternaria section Undifilum sp.) in Astragalus garbancillo tissues.},
journal = {Mycologia},
volume = {116},
number = {2},
pages = {291-298},
doi = {10.1080/00275514.2023.2299191},
pmid = {38294503},
issn = {1557-2536},
mesh = {Alternaria/genetics ; Symbiosis ; *Astragalus Plant/microbiology ; Swainsonine/analysis ; *Fabaceae ; },
abstract = {Plants belonging to the genera Astragalus, Oxytropis, Ipomoea, Sida, and Swainsona often contain the toxin swainsonine (SW) produced by an associated fungal symbiont. Consumption of SW-containing plants causes a serious neurological disorder in livestock, which can be fatal. In this study, a fungal endophyte, Alternaria section Undifilum, was identified in Astragalus garbancillo seeds, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by direct sequencing. In seeds, the SW concentrations were about 4 times higher than in other parts of the plant. Furthermore, microscopic examination demonstrated that the fungus mycelium grows inside the petioles and stems, on the outer surface and inside the mesocarp of the fruit, in the mesotesta and endotesta layers of the seed coat, and inside the endosperm of the seeds. Our results support the notion that the SW-producing fungus is vertically transmitted in the host plant A. garbancillo.},
}

Alternaria/genetics
Symbiosis
*Astragalus Plant/microbiology
Swainsonine/analysis
*Fabaceae

@article {pmid38309038,
year = {2024},
author = {Manigandan, V and Muthukumar, C and Shah, C and Logesh, N and Sivadas, SK and Ramu, K and Ramana Murthy, MV},
title = {Phylogenetic affiliation of Pedinomonas noctilucae and green Noctiluca scintillans nutritional dynamics in the Gulf of Mannar, Southeastern Arabian Sea.},
journal = {Protist},
volume = {175},
number = {2},
pages = {126019},
doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2024.126019},
pmid = {38309038},
issn = {1618-0941},
mesh = {Phytoplankton ; Phylogeny ; *Dinoflagellida ; *Chlorophyta ; Biological Evolution ; },
abstract = {The present investigation focused on studying the phylogenetic position of the green Noctiluca endosymbiont, Pedinomonas noctilucae, collected from the Gulf of Mannar, India. In this study, we re-examined the evolutionary position of this endosymbiotic algae using rbcL sequences. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. noctilucae is distantly related to the Pedinomonas species, and formed a monophyletic clade with Marsupiomandaceae. Based on the phylogenetic association of endosymbiont with Maruspiomonadales it was concluded that the endosymbiont belongs to an independent genus within the family Marsupiomonadaceae. At the site of the bloom, Noctiluca scintillans was found to exhibit a dense monospecific proliferation, with an average cell density of 27.l88 × 10[3] cells L[-1]. The investigation revealed that the green Noctiluca during its senescent phase primarily relied on autotrophic nutrition, which was confirmed by the presence of a high number of trophonts, vegetatively reproducing cells (1.45 × 10[3] cells L[-1]) and the absence of food vacuoles.},
}

Phytoplankton
Phylogeny
*Dinoflagellida
*Chlorophyta
Biological Evolution

@article {pmid38309271,
year = {2024},
author = {Bastide, H and Legout, H and Dogbo, N and Ogereau, D and Prediger, C and Carcaud, J and Filée, J and Garnery, L and Gilbert, C and Marion-Poll, F and Requier, F and Sandoz, JC and Yassin, A},
title = {The genome of the blind bee louse fly reveals deep convergences with its social host and illuminates Drosophila origins.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {34},
number = {5},
pages = {1122-1132.e5},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.01.034},
pmid = {38309271},
issn = {1879-0445},
mesh = {Bees/genetics ; Animals ; *Drosophila/genetics ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics ; *Phthiraptera/genetics ; Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics ; Genes, Insect ; Pheromones ; },
abstract = {Social insects' nests harbor intruders known as inquilines,[1] which are usually related to their hosts.[2][,][3] However, distant non-social inquilines may also show convergences with their hosts,[4][,][5] although the underlying genomic changes remain unclear. We analyzed the genome of the wingless and blind bee louse fly Braula coeca, an inquiline kleptoparasite of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera.[6][,][7] Using large phylogenomic data, we confirmed recent accounts that the bee louse fly is a drosophilid[8][,][9] and showed that it had likely evolved from a sap-breeder ancestor associated with honeydew and scale insects' wax. Unlike many parasites, the bee louse fly genome did not show significant erosion or strict reliance on an endosymbiont, likely due to a relatively recent age of inquilinism. However, we observed a horizontal transfer of a transposon and a striking parallel evolution in a set of gene families between the honey bee and the bee louse fly. Convergences included genes potentially involved in metabolism and immunity and the loss of nearly all bitter-tasting gustatory receptors, in agreement with life in a protective nest and a diet of honey, pollen, and beeswax. Vision and odorant receptor genes also exhibited rapid losses. Only genes whose orthologs in the closely related Drosophila melanogaster respond to honey bee pheromone components or floral aroma were retained, whereas the losses included orthologous receptors responsive to the anti-ovarian honey bee queen pheromones. Hence, deep genomic convergences can underlie major phenotypic transitions during the evolution of inquilinism between non-social parasites and their social hosts.},
}

Bees/genetics
Animals
*Drosophila/genetics
Drosophila melanogaster/genetics
*Phthiraptera/genetics
Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics
Genes, Insect
Pheromones

@article {pmid38315036,
year = {2024},
author = {Shi, P-Q and Wang, L and Chen, X-Y and Wang, K and Wu, Q-J and Turlings, TCJ and Zhang, P-J and Qiu, B-L},
title = {Rickettsia transmission from whitefly to plants benefits herbivore insects but is detrimental to fungal and viral pathogens.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
pages = {e0244823},
pmid = {38315036},
issn = {2150-7511},
support = {2022YFD1401200//National Key Research and Development Program of China (NKPs)/ ; 788949//EC | European Research Council (ERC)/ ; 2020//National High Level Talent Special Support Plan/ ; 32172402//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; LZ21C140001//Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Rickettsia ; Herbivory ; Symbiosis ; *Rickettsia Infections ; Plants ; },
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Bacterial endosymbionts play important roles in the life histories of herbivorous insects by impacting their development, survival, reproduction, and stress tolerance. How endosymbionts may affect the interactions between plants and insect herbivores is still largely unclear. Here, we show that endosymbiotic Rickettsia belli can provide mutual benefits also outside of their hosts when the sap-sucking whitefly Bemisia tabaci transmits them to plants. This transmission facilitates the spread of Rickettsia but is shown to also enhance the performance of the whitefly and co-infesting caterpillars. In contrast, Rickettsia infection enhanced plant resistance to several pathogens. Inside the plants, Rickettsia triggers the expression of salicylic acid-related genes and the two pathogen-resistance genes TGA 2.1 and VRP, whereas they repressed genes of the jasmonic acid pathway. Performance experiments using wild type and mutant tomato plants confirmed that Rickettsia enhances the plants' suitability for insect herbivores but makes them more resistant to fungal and viral pathogens. Our results imply that endosymbiotic Rickettsia of phloem-feeding insects affects plant defenses in a manner that facilitates their spread and transmission. This novel insight into how insects can exploit endosymbionts to manipulate plant defenses also opens possibilities to interfere with their ability to do so as a crop protection strategy.

IMPORTANCE: Most insects are associated with symbiotic bacteria in nature. These symbionts play important roles in the life histories of herbivorous insects by impacting their development, survival, reproduction as well as stress tolerance. Rickettsia is one important symbiont to the agricultural pest whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Here, for the first time, we revealed that the persistence of Rickettsia symbionts in tomato leaves significantly changed the defense pattern of tomato plants. These changes benefit both sap-feeding and leaf-chewing herbivore insects, such as increasing the fecundity of whitefly adults, enhancing the growth and development of the noctuid Spodoptera litura, but reducing the pathogenicity of Verticillium fungi and TYLCV virus to tomato plants distinctively. Our study unraveled a new horizon for the multiple interaction theories among plant-insect-bacterial symbionts.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/microbiology
*Rickettsia
Herbivory
Symbiosis
*Rickettsia Infections
Plants

@article {pmid38318130,
year = {2023},
author = {Koga, R and Moriyama, M and Nozaki, T and Fukatsu, T},
title = {Genome analysis of "Candidatus Aschnera chinzeii," the bacterial endosymbiont of the blood-sucking bat fly Penicillidia jenynsii (Insecta: Diptera: Nycteribiidae).},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1336919},
pmid = {38318130},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Insect-microbe endosymbiotic associations are omnipresent in nature, wherein the symbiotic microbes often play pivotal biological roles for their host insects. In particular, insects utilizing nutritionally imbalanced food sources are dependent on specific microbial symbionts to compensate for the nutritional deficiency via provisioning of B vitamins in blood-feeding insects, such as tsetse flies, lice, and bedbugs. Bat flies of the family Nycteribiidae (Diptera) are blood-sucking ectoparasites of bats and shown to be associated with co-speciating bacterial endosymbiont "Candidatus Aschnera chinzeii," although functional aspects of the microbial symbiosis have been totally unknown. In this study, we report the first complete genome sequence of Aschnera from the bristled bat fly Penicillidia jenynsii. The Aschnera genome consisted of a 748,020 bp circular chromosome and a 18,747 bp circular plasmid. The chromosome encoded 603 protein coding genes (including 3 pseudogenes), 33 transfer RNAs, and 1 copy of 16S/23S/5S ribosomal RNA operon. The plasmid contained 10 protein coding genes, whose biological function was elusive. The genome size, 0.77 Mbp, was drastically reduced in comparison with 4-6 Mbp genomes of free-living γ-proteobacteria. Accordingly, the Aschnera genome was devoid of many important functional genes, such as synthetic pathway genes for purines, pyrimidines, and essential amino acids. On the other hand, the Aschnera genome retained complete or near-complete synthetic pathway genes for biotin (vitamin B7), tetrahydrofolate (vitamin B9), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (vitamin B6), suggesting that Aschnera provides these vitamins and cofactors that are deficient in the blood meal of the host bat fly. Similar retention patterns of the synthetic pathway genes for vitamins and cofactors were also observed in the endosymbiont genomes of other blood-sucking insects, such as Riesia of human lice, Arsenophonus of louse flies, and Wigglesworthia of tsetse flies, which may be either due to convergent evolution in the blood-sucking host insects or reflecting the genomic architecture of Arsenophonus-allied bacteria.},
}

@article {pmid38322002,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhai, X and Zhang, Y and Zhou, J and Li, H and Wang, A and Liu, L},
title = {Physiological and microbiome adaptation of coral Turbinaria peltata in response to marine heatwaves.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {e10869},
pmid = {38322002},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Against the backdrop of global warming, marine heatwaves are projected to become increasingly intense and frequent. This trend poses a potential threat to the survival of corals and the maintenance of entire coral reef ecosystems. Despite extensive evidence for the resilience of corals to heat stress, their ability to withstand repeated heatwave events has not been determined. In this study, we examined the responses and resilience of Turbinaria peltata to repeated exposure to marine heatwaves, with a focus on physiological parameters and symbiotic microorganisms. In the first heatwave, from a physiological perspective, T. peltata showed decreases in the Chl a content and endosymbiont density and significant increases in GST, caspase-3, CAT, and SOD levels (p < .05), while the effects of repeated exposure on heatwaves were weaker than those of the initial exposure. In terms of bacteria, the abundance of Leptospira, with the potential for pathogenicity and intracellular parasitism, increased significantly during the initial exposure. Beneficial bacteria, such as Achromobacter arsenitoxydans and Halomonas desiderata increased significantly during re-exposure to the heatwave. Overall, these results indicate that T. peltata might adapt to marine heatwaves through physiological regulation and microbial community alterations.},
}

@article {pmid38325049,
year = {2024},
author = {Hollender, M and Sałek, M and Karlicki, M and Karnkowska, A},
title = {Single-cell genomics revealed Candidatus Grellia alia sp. nov. as an endosymbiont of Eutreptiella sp. (Euglenophyceae).},
journal = {Protist},
volume = {175},
number = {2},
pages = {126018},
doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2024.126018},
pmid = {38325049},
issn = {1618-0941},
mesh = {*Genomics ; Eukaryota ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Euglenida/genetics ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {Though endosymbioses between protists and prokaryotes are widespread, certain host lineages have received disproportionate attention what may indicate either a predisposition to such interactions or limited studies on certain protist groups due to lack of cultures. The euglenids represent one such group in spite of microscopic observations showing intracellular bacteria in some strains. Here, we perform a comprehensive molecular analysis of a previously identified endosymbiont in the Eutreptiella sp. CCMP3347 using a single cell approach and bulk culture sequencing. The genome reconstruction of this endosymbiont allowed the description of a new endosymbiont Candidatus Grellia alia sp. nov. from the family Midichloriaceae. Comparative genomics revealed a remarkably complete conjugative type IV secretion system present in three copies on the plasmid sequences of the studied endosymbiont, a feature missing in the closely related Grellia incantans. This study addresses the challenge of limited host cultures with endosymbionts by showing that the genomes of endosymbionts reconstructed from single host cells have the completeness and contiguity that matches or exceeds those coming from bulk cultures. This paves the way for further studies of endosymbionts in euglenids and other protist groups. The research also provides the opportunity to study the diversity of endosymbionts in natural populations.},
}

*Genomics
Eukaryota
Symbiosis/genetics
*Euglenida/genetics
Phylogeny

@article {pmid38326788,
year = {2024},
author = {Burger, NFV and Nicolis, VF and Botha, AM},
title = {Host-specific co-evolution likely driven by diet in Buchnera aphidicola.},
journal = {BMC genomics},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {153},
pmid = {38326788},
issn = {1471-2164},
support = {CSRU180414320893//National Research Foundation, South Africa/ ; WCT/W/2001/02//South African Winter Cereal Industry Trust/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Buchnera/genetics/metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; *Aphids/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Diet ; Symbiosis/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia Kurd.) is a severe pest to wheat, and even though resistance varieties are available to curb this pest, they are becoming obsolete with the development of new virulent aphid populations. Unlike many other aphids, D noxia only harbours a single endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola. Considering the importance of Buchnera, this study aimed to elucidate commonalities and dissimilarities between various hosts, to better understand its distinctiveness within its symbiotic relationship with D. noxia. To do so, the genome of the D. noxia's Buchnera was assembled and compared to those of other aphid species that feed on diverse host species.

RESULTS: The overall importance of several features such as gene length and percentage GC content was found to be critical for the maintenance of Buchnera genes when compared to their closest free-living relative, Escherichia coli. Buchnera protein coding genes were found to have percentage GC contents that tended towards a mean of ~ 26% which had strong correlation to their identity to their E. coli homologs. Several SNPs were identified between different aphid populations and multiple isolates of Buchnera were confirmed in single aphids.

CONCLUSIONS: Establishing the strong correlation of percentage GC content of protein coding genes and gene identity will allow for identifying which genes will be lost in the continually shrinking Buchnera genome. This is also the first report of a parthenogenically reproducing aphid that hosts multiple Buchnera strains in a single aphid, raising questions regarding the benefits of maintaining multiple strains. We also found preliminary evidence for post-transcriptional regulation of Buchnera genes in the form of polyadenylation.},
}

Animals
*Buchnera/genetics/metabolism
Escherichia coli
*Aphids/genetics/metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation
Diet
Symbiosis/genetics

@article {pmid38334408,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, R and Meng, Q and Wang, X and Xiao, Y and Sun, R and Zhang, Z and Fu, Y and Di Giuseppe, G and Liang, A},
title = {Comparative genomic analysis of symbiotic and free-living Fluviibacter phosphoraccumulans strains provides insights into the evolutionary origins of obligate Euplotes-bacterial endosymbioses.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {90},
number = {3},
pages = {e0190023},
pmid = {38334408},
issn = {1098-5336},
support = {32270447//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 31372199//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 20220302121320//Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province/ ; },
mesh = {Phylogeny ; Symbiosis/genetics ; *Euplotes/genetics/microbiology ; *Betaproteobacteria/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; Genomics ; },
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Endosymbiosis is a widespread and important phenomenon requiring diverse model systems. Ciliates are a widespread group of protists that often form symbioses with diverse microorganisms. Endosymbioses between the ciliate Euplotes and heritable bacterial symbionts are common in nature, and four essential symbionts were described: Polynucleobacter necessarius, "Candidatus Protistobacter heckmanni," "Ca. Devosia symbiotica," and "Ca. Devosia euplotis." Among them, only the genus Polynucleobacter comprises very close free-living and symbiotic representatives, which makes it an excellent model for investigating symbiont replacements and recent symbioses. In this article, we characterized a novel endosymbiont inhabiting the cytoplasm of Euplotes octocarinatus and found that it is a close relative of the free-living bacterium Fluviibacter phosphoraccumulans (Betaproteobacteria and Rhodocyclales). We present the complete genome sequence and annotation of the symbiotic Fluviibacter. Comparative analyses indicate that the genome of symbiotic Fluviibacter is small in size and rich in pseudogenes when compared with free-living strains, which seems to fit the prediction for recently established endosymbionts undergoing genome erosion. Further comparative analysis revealed reduced metabolic capacities in symbiotic Fluviibacter, which implies that the symbiont relies on the host Euplotes for carbon sources, organic nitrogen and sulfur, and some cofactors. We also estimated substitution rates between symbiotic and free-living Fluviibacter pairs for 233 genes; the results showed that symbiotic Fluviibacter displays higher dN/dS mean value than free-living relatives, which suggested that genetic drift is the main driving force behind molecular evolution in endosymbionts.

IMPORTANCE: In the long history of symbiosis research, most studies focused mainly on organelles or bacteria within multicellular hosts. The single-celled protists receive little attention despite harboring an immense diversity of symbiotic associations with bacteria and archaea. One subgroup of the ciliate Euplotes species is strictly dependent on essential symbionts for survival and has emerged as a valuable model for understanding symbiont replacements and recent symbioses. However, almost all of our knowledge about the evolution and functions of Euplotes symbioses comes from the Euplotes-Polynucleobacter system. In this article, we report a novel essential symbiont, which also has very close free-living relatives. Genome analysis indicated that it is a recently established endosymbiont undergoing genome erosion and relies on the Euplotes host for many essential molecules. Our results provide support for the notion that essential symbionts of the ciliate Euplotes evolve from free-living progenitors in the natural water environment.},
}

Phylogeny
Symbiosis/genetics
*Euplotes/genetics/microbiology
*Betaproteobacteria/genetics
Bacteria/genetics
Genome, Bacterial
Genomics

@article {pmid38346575,
year = {2024},
author = {Garrido-Bautista, J and Norte, AC and Moreno-Rueda, G and Nadal-Jiménez, P},
title = {Ecological determinants of prevalence of the male-killing bacterium Arsenophonus nasoniae.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {203},
number = {},
pages = {108073},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108073},
pmid = {38346575},
issn = {1096-0805},
mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Prevalence ; Enterobacteriaceae ; *Wasps/microbiology ; *Diptera/parasitology ; Calliphoridae ; *Gammaproteobacteria ; },
abstract = {Male-killing bacteria are found in a broad range of arthropods. Arsenophonus nasoniae is a male-killing bacterium, causing a 80% reduction of the male progeny in infected Nasonia vitripennis wasps. Although the discovery of A. nasoniae dates from the early 80's, knowledge about the biology and ecology of this endosymbiont is still scarce. One of these poorly studied features is the ecological factors underlying A. nasoniae incidence on its Nasonia spp. hosts in different geographical locations. Here, we studied the prevalence of A. nasoniae in Iberian wild populations of its host N. vitripennis. This wasp species is a common parasitoid of the blowfly Protocalliphora azurea pupae, which in turn is a parasite of hole-nesting birds, such as the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). We also examined the effects of bird rearing conditions on the prevalence of A. nasoniae through a brood size manipulation experiment (creating enlarged, control and reduced broods). Both the wasp and bacterium presence were tested through PCR assays in blowfly pupae. We found A. nasoniae in almost half (47%) of nests containing blowflies parasitized by N. vitripennis. The prevalence of A. nasoniae was similar in the two geographical areas examined (central Portugal and southeastern Spain) and the probability of infection by A. nasoniae was independent of the number of blowfly pupae in the nest. Experimental manipulation of brood size did not affect the prevalence of A. nasoniae nor the prevalence of its host, N. vitripennis. These results suggest that the incidence of A. nasoniae in natural populations of N. vitripennis is high in the Iberian Peninsula, and the infestation frequency of nests by N. vitripennis carrying A. nasoniae is spatially stable in this geographical region independently of bird rearing conditions.},
}

Male
Animals
Prevalence
Enterobacteriaceae
*Wasps/microbiology
*Diptera/parasitology
Calliphoridae
*Gammaproteobacteria

@article {pmid38349547,
year = {2024},
author = {Kumar, MPS and Keerthana, A and Priya, and Singh, SK and Rai, D and Jaiswal, A and Reddy, MSS},
title = {Exploration of culturable bacterial associates of aphids and their interactions with entomopathogens.},
journal = {Archives of microbiology},
volume = {206},
number = {3},
pages = {96},
pmid = {38349547},
issn = {1432-072X},
mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids ; Bacteria/genetics ; *Bacillaceae ; Bacillota ; *Bacillus ; },
abstract = {Aphids shelter several bacteria that benefit them in various ways. The associates having an obligatory relationship are non-culturable, while a few of facultative associates are culturable in insect cell lines, axenic media or standard microbiology media. In the present investigation, isolation, and characterization of the culturable bacterial associates of various aphid species, viz., Rhopalosiphum maidis, Rhopalosiphum padi, Sitobion avenae, Schizaphis graminum, and Lipaphis erysimi pseudobrassicae were carried out. A total of 42 isolates were isolated using different growth media, followed by their morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization. The isolated culturable bacterial associates were found to belong to the genera Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Brevundimonas, Cytobacillus, Fictibacillus, Planococcus, Priestia, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Sutcliffiella, and Tumebacillus which were grouped under seven families of four different orders of phyla Bacillota (Firmicutes) and Pseudomonata (Proteobacteria). Symbiont-entomopathogen interaction study was also conducted, in which the quantification of colony forming units of culturable bacterial associates of entomopathogenic fungal-treated aphids led us to the assumption that the bacterial load in aphid body can be altered by the application of entomopathogens. Whereas, the mycelial growth of entomopathogens Akanthomyces lecanii and Metarhizium anisopliae was found uninhibited by the bacterial associates obtained from Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi. Analyzing persistent aphid microflora and their interactions with entomopathogens enhances our understanding of aphid resistance. It also fosters the development of innovative solutions for agricultural pest management, highlighting the intricate dynamics of symbiotic relationships in pest management strategies.},
}

Animals
*Aphids
Bacteria/genetics
*Bacillaceae
Bacillota
*Bacillus

@article {pmid38351312,
year = {2024},
author = {Goodbody-Gringley, G and Martinez, S and Bellworthy, J and Chequer, A and Nativ, H and Mass, T},
title = {Irradiance driven trophic plasticity in the coral Madracis pharensis from the Eastern Mediterranean.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {3646},
pmid = {38351312},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {1937770//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; 2019653//United States - Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; Photosynthesis ; Heterotrophic Processes ; Symbiosis/physiology ; Israel ; Coral Reefs ; },
abstract = {The distribution of symbiotic scleractinian corals is driven, in part, by light availability, as host energy demands are partially met through translocation of photosynthate. Physiological plasticity in response to environmental conditions, such as light, enables the expansion of resilient phenotypes in the face of changing environmental conditions. Here we compared the physiology, morphology, and taxonomy of the host and endosymbionts of individual Madracis pharensis corals exposed to dramatically different light conditions based on colony orientation on the surface of a shipwreck at 30 m depth in the Bay of Haifa, Israel. We found significant differences in symbiont species consortia, photophysiology, and stable isotopes, suggesting that these corals can adjust multiple aspects of host and symbiont physiology in response to light availability. These results highlight the potential of corals to switch to a predominantly heterotrophic diet when light availability and/or symbiont densities are too low to sustain sufficient photosynthesis, which may provide resilience for corals in the face of climate change.},
}

Animals
*Anthozoa/physiology
Photosynthesis
Heterotrophic Processes
Symbiosis/physiology
Israel
Coral Reefs

@article {pmid38365237,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhang, H and Hellweger, FL and Luo, H},
title = {Genome reduction occurred in early Prochlorococcus with an unusually low effective population size.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38365237},
issn = {1751-7370},
support = {14110820//Hong Kong Research Grants Council General Research Fund/ ; MCEF21101//Marine Conservation Enhancement Fund/ ; AoE/M-403/16//Hong Kong Research Grants Council Area of Excellence Scheme/ ; 4053605//Chinese University of Hong Kong/ ; 2022A1515010844//Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation/ ; 2021M702296//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Phylogeny ; *Prochlorococcus/genetics ; Population Density ; Genome ; Plankton ; Genome, Bacterial ; },
abstract = {In the oligotrophic sunlit ocean, the most abundant free-living planktonic bacterial lineages evolve convergently through genome reduction. The cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus responsible for 10% global oxygen production is a prominent example. The dominant theory known as "genome streamlining" posits that they have extremely large effective population sizes (Ne) such that selection for metabolic efficiency acts to drive genome reduction. Because genome reduction largely took place anciently, this theory builds on the assumption that their ancestors' Ne was similarly large. Constraining Ne for ancient ancestors is challenging because experimental measurements of extinct organisms are impossible and alternatively reconstructing ancestral Ne with phylogenetic models gives large uncertainties. Here, we develop a new strategy that leverages agent-based modeling to simulate the changes in the genome-wide ratio of radical to conservative nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution rate (dR/dC) in a possible range of Ne in ancestral populations. This proxy shows expected increases with decreases of Ne only when Ne falls to about 10 k - 100 k or lower, magnitudes characteristic of Ne of obligate endosymbiont species where drift drives genome reduction. Our simulations therefore strongly support a scenario where the primary force of Prochlorococcus genome reduction is drift rather than selection.},
}

Phylogeny
*Prochlorococcus/genetics
Population Density
Genome
Plankton
Genome, Bacterial

@article {pmid38366251,
year = {2024},
author = {Gimmi, E and Vorburger, C},
title = {High specificity of symbiont-conferred resistance in an aphid-parasitoid field community.},
journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology},
volume = {37},
number = {2},
pages = {162-170},
doi = {10.1093/jeb/voad013},
pmid = {38366251},
issn = {1420-9101},
support = {31003A_181969/SNSF_/Swiss National Science Foundation/Switzerland ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics/microbiology ; *Wasps/genetics ; Host-Parasite Interactions/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Enterobacteriaceae ; },
abstract = {Host-parasite coevolution is mediated by genetic interactions between the antagonists and may lead to reciprocal adaptation. In the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae fabae, resistance to parasitoids can be conferred by the heritable bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa. H. defensa has been shown to be variably protective against different parasitoid species, and different genotypes of the black bean aphid's main parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabarum. However, these results were obtained using haphazard combinations of laboratory-reared insect lines with different origins, making it unclear how representative they are of natural, locally (co)adapted communities. We therefore comprehensively sampled the parasitoids of a natural A. f. fabae population and measured the ability of the five most abundant species to parasitize aphids carrying the locally prevalent H. defensa haplotypes. H. defensa provided resistance only against the dominant parasitoid L. fabarum (70% of all parasitoids), but not against less abundant parasitoids, and resistance to L. fabarum acted in a genotype-specific manner (G × G interactions between H. defensa and L. fabarum). These results confirm that strong species- and genotype-specificity of symbiont-conferred resistance is indeed a hallmark of wild A. f. fabae populations, and they are consistent with symbiont-mediated adaptation of aphids to the parasitoids posing the highest risk.},
}

Animals
*Aphids/genetics/microbiology
*Wasps/genetics
Host-Parasite Interactions/genetics
Symbiosis
Enterobacteriaceae

@article {pmid38371935,
year = {2024},
author = {Thimmappa, BC and Salhi, LN and Forget, L and Sarrasin, M and Bustamante Villalobos, P and Henrissat, B and Lang, BF and Burger, G},
title = {A biofertilizing fungal endophyte of cranberry plants suppresses the plant pathogen Diaporthe.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1327392},
pmid = {38371935},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Fungi colonizing plants are gaining attention because of their ability to promote plant growth and suppress pathogens. While most studies focus on endosymbionts from grasses and legumes, the large and diverse group of ericaceous plants has been much neglected. We recently described one of the very few fungal endophytes promoting the growth of the Ericaceae Vaccinium macrocarpon (American cranberry), notably the Codinaeella isolate EC4. Here, we show that EC4 also suppresses fungal pathogens, which makes it a promising endophyte for sustainable cranberry cultivation. By dual-culture assays on agar plates, we tested the potential growth suppression (or biocontrol) of EC4 on other microbes, notably 12 pathogenic fungi and one oomycete reported to infect not only cranberry but also blueberry, strawberry, tomato plants, rose bushes and olive trees. Under greenhouse conditions, EC4 protects cranberry plantlets infected with one of the most notorious cranberry-plant pathogens, Diaporthe vaccinii, known to cause upright dieback and berry rot. The nuclear genome sequence of EC4 revealed a large arsenal of genes potentially involved in biocontrol. About ∼60 distinct clusters of genes are homologs of secondary metabolite gene clusters, some of which were shown in other fungi to synthesize nonribosomal peptides and polyketides, but in most cases, the exact compounds these clusters may produce are unknown. The EC4 genome also encodes numerous homologs of hydrolytic enzymes known to degrade fungal cell walls. About half of the nearly 250 distinct glucanases and chitinases are likely involved in biocontrol because they are predicted to be secreted outside the cell. Transcriptome analysis shows that the expression of about a quarter of the predicted secondary-metabolite gene clusters and glucan and chitin-degrading genes of EC4 is stimulated when it is co-cultured with D. vaccinii. Some of the differentially expressed EC4 genes are alternatively spliced exclusively in the presence of the pathogen, altering the proteins' domain content and subcellular localization signal, thus adding a second level of proteome adaptation in response to habitat competition. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Diaporthe-induced alternative splicing of biocontrol genes.},
}

@article {pmid38374896,
year = {2024},
author = {Mazel, F and Pitteloud, C and Guisan, A and Pellissier, L},
title = {Contrasted host specificity of gut and endosymbiont bacterial communities in alpine grasshoppers and crickets.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {4},
number = {1},
pages = {ycad013},
pmid = {38374896},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Bacteria colonize the body of macroorganisms to form associations ranging from parasitic to mutualistic. Endosymbiont and gut symbiont communities are distinct microbiomes whose compositions are influenced by host ecology and evolution. Although the composition of horizontally acquired symbiont communities can correlate to host species identity (i.e. harbor host specificity) and host phylogeny (i.e. harbor phylosymbiosis), we hypothesize that the microbiota structure of vertically inherited symbionts (e.g. endosymbionts like Wolbachia) is more strongly associated with the host species identity and phylogeny than horizontally acquired symbionts (e.g. most gut symbionts). Here, using 16S metabarcoding on 336 guts from 24 orthopteran species (grasshoppers and crickets) in the Alps, we observed that microbiota correlated to host species identity, i.e. hosts from the same species had more similar microbiota than hosts from different species. This effect was ~5 times stronger for endosymbionts than for putative gut symbionts. Although elevation correlated with microbiome composition, we did not detect phylosymbiosis for endosymbionts and putative gut symbionts: closely related host species did not harbor more similar microbiota than distantly related species. Our findings indicate that gut microbiota of studied orthopteran species is more correlated to host identity and habitat than to the host phylogeny. The higher host specificity in endosymbionts corroborates the idea that-everything else being equal-vertically transmitted microbes harbor stronger host specificity signal, but the absence of phylosymbiosis suggests that host specificity changes quickly on evolutionary time scales.},
}

@article {pmid38376262,
year = {2024},
author = {Šibanc, N and Clark, DR and Helgason, T and Dumbrell, AJ and Maček, I},
title = {Extreme environments simplify reassembly of communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {9},
number = {3},
pages = {e0133123},
pmid = {38376262},
issn = {2379-5077},
support = {J4-5526, J4-7052, P4-0085//Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS (ARRS)/ ; P4-0107//Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS (ARRS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/genetics ; Ecosystem ; Carbon Dioxide/pharmacology ; Soil Microbiology ; Plants/microbiology ; Extreme Environments ; },
abstract = {The ecological impacts of long-term (press) disturbance on mechanisms regulating the relative abundance (i.e., commonness or rarity) and temporal dynamics of species within a community remain largely unknown. This is particularly true for the functionally important arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi; obligate plant-root endosymbionts that colonize more than two-thirds of terrestrial plant species. Here, we use high-resolution amplicon sequencing to examine how AM fungal communities in a specific extreme ecosystem-mofettes or natural CO2 springs caused by geological CO2 exhalations-are affected by long-term stress. We found that in mofettes, specific and temporally stable communities form as a subset of the local metacommunity. These communities are less diverse and dominated by adapted, "stress tolerant" taxa. Those taxa are rare in control locations and more benign environments worldwide, but show a stable temporal pattern in the extreme sites, consistently dominating the communities in grassland mofettes. This pattern of lower diversity and high dominance of specific taxa has been confirmed as relatively stable over several sampling years and is independently observed across multiple geographic locations (mofettes in different countries). This study implies that the response of soil microbial community composition to long-term stress is relatively predictable, which can also reflect the community response to other anthropogenic stressors (e.g., heavy metal pollution or land use change). Moreover, as AM fungi are functionally differentiated, with different taxa providing different benefits to host plants, changes in community structure in response to long-term environmental change have the potential to impact terrestrial plant communities and their productivity.IMPORTANCEArbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form symbiotic relationships with more than two-thirds of plant species. In return for using plant carbon as their sole energy source, AM fungi improve plant mineral supply, water balance, and protection against pathogens. This work demonstrates the importance of long-term experiments to understand the effects of long-term environmental change and long-term disturbance on terrestrial ecosystems. We demonstrated a consistent response of the AM fungal community to a long-term stress, with lower diversity and a less variable AM fungal community over time under stress conditions compared to the surrounding controls. We have also identified, for the first time, a suite of AM fungal taxa that are consistently observed across broad geographic scales in stressed and anthropogenically heavily influenced ecosystems. This is critical because global environmental change in terrestrial ecosystems requires an integrative approach that considers both above- and below-ground changes and examines patterns over a longer geographic and temporal scale, rather than just single sampling events.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/genetics
Ecosystem
Carbon Dioxide/pharmacology
Soil Microbiology
Plants/microbiology
Extreme Environments

@article {pmid38381797,
year = {2024},
author = {Mendoza-Roldan, JA and Perles, L and Filippi, E and Szafranski, N and Montinaro, G and Carbonara, M and Scalera, R and de Abreu Teles, PP and Walochnik, J and Otranto, D},
title = {Parasites and microorganisms associated with the snakes collected for the "festa Dei serpari" in Cocullo, Italy.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {2},
pages = {e0011973},
pmid = {38381797},
issn = {1935-2735},
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Parasites ; *Cryptosporidiosis ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology ; *Cryptosporidium ; *Rickettsia ; Italy/epidemiology ; },
abstract = {While in much of the Western world snakes are feared, in the small, rural, mountainous town of Cocullo, in the middle of central Italy, snakes are annually collected and celebrated in a sacro-profane ritual. Every 1st of May, Serpari (snake catchers) capture and showcase dozens of non-venomous snakes to celebrate the ritual of San Domenico. In order to detect potential zoonotic pathogens within this unique epidemiological context, parasites and microorganisms of snakes harvested for the "festa dei serpari" ritual were investigated. Snakes (n = 112) were examined and ectoparasites collected, as well as blood and feces sampled. Ectoparasites were identified morpho-molecularly, and coprological examination conducted through direct smear and flotation. Molecular screenings were performed to identify parasites and microorganisms in collected samples (i.e., Mesostigmata mites, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii, Babesia/Theileria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Leishmania spp. and helminths). Overall, 28.5% (32/112) of snakes were molecularly positive for at least one parasite and/or microorganism. Endosymbiont Wolbachia bacteria were identified from Macronyssidae mites and zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (e.g., Rickettsia, Leishmania), as well as orally transmitted pathogens (i.e., Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas), were detected from blood and feces. Thus, given the central role of the snakes in the tradition of Cocullo, surveys of their parasitic fauna and associated zoonotic pathogens may aid to generate conservation policies to benefit the human-snake interactions, whilst preserving the cultural patrimony of this event.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Parasites
*Cryptosporidiosis
*Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology
*Cryptosporidium
*Rickettsia
Italy/epidemiology

@article {pmid38390299,
year = {2024},
author = {Baruah, N and Haajanen, R and Rahman, MT and Pirttilä, AM and Koskimäki, JJ},
title = {Biosynthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate by Methylorubrum extorquens DSM13060 is essential for intracellular colonization in plant endosymbiosis.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1302705},
pmid = {38390299},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {Methylorubrum extorquens DSM13060 is an endosymbiont that lives in the cells of shoot tip meristems. The bacterium is methylotrophic and consumes plant-derived methanol for the production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). The PHB provides protection against oxidative stress for both host and endosymbiont cells through its fragments, methyl-esterified 3-hydroxybutyrate (ME-3HB) oligomers. We evaluated the role of the genes involved in the production of ME-3HB oligomers in the host colonization by the endosymbiont M. extorquens DSM13060 through targeted genetic mutations. The strains with deletions in PHB synthase (phaC), PHB depolymerase (phaZ1), and a transcription factor (phaR) showed altered PHB granule characteristics, as ΔphaC had a significantly low number of granules, ΔphaR had a significantly increased number of granules, and ΔphaZ1 had significantly large PHB granules in the bacterial cells. When the deletion strains were exposed to oxidative stress, the ΔphaC strain was sensitive to 10 mM HO· and 20 mM H2O2. The colonization of the host, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), by the deletion strains varied greatly. The deletion strain ΔphaR colonized the host mainly intercellularly, whereas the ΔphaZ1 strain was a slightly poorer colonizer than the control. The deletion strain ΔphaC lacked the colonization potential, living mainly on the surfaces of the epidermis of pine roots and shoots in contrast to the control, which intracellularly colonized all pine tissues within the study period. In earlier studies, deletions within the PHB metabolic pathway have had a minor effect on plant colonization by rhizobia. We have previously shown the association between ME-3HB oligomers, produced by PhaC and PhaZ1, and the ability to alleviate host-generated oxidative stress during plant infection by the endosymbiont M. extorquens DSM13060. Our current results show that the low capacity for PHB synthesis leads to poor tolerance of oxidative stress and loss of colonization potential by the endosymbiont. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that the metabolism of PHB in M. extorquens DSM13060 is an important trait in the non-rhizobial endosymbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid38392339,
year = {2024},
author = {Reese, C and Graber, LC and Ramalho, MO and Moreau, CS},
title = {The Diversity of Wolbachia across the Turtle Ants (Formicidae: Cephalotes spp.).},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {38392339},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {DGE-1650441; NSF DEB 1900357//National Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is a widespread and well-known bacterium that can induce a wide range of changes within its host. Ants specifically harbor a great deal of Wolbachia diversity and are useful systems to study endosymbiosis. The turtle ants (Cephalotes) are a widespread group of tropical ants that rely on gut microbes to support their herbivorous diet for their survival, yet little is known of the extent of this diversity. Therefore, studying their endosymbionts and categorizing the diversity of bacteria within Cephalotes hosts could help to delimit species and identify new strains and can help lead to a further understanding of how the microbiome leads to survival and speciation in the wild. In our study, 116 individual samples were initially tested for positive infection with the wsp gene. Of the initial 116 samples, 9 samples were infected with only one strain of Wolbachia, and 7 were able to be used successfully for multilocus sequence typing (MLST). We used the new MLST data to infer a phylogeny with other Formicidae samples from the MLST online database to identify new Wolbachia strains and related genes, of which only one came back as an exact match. The 18 Wolbachia-positive samples ranged across 15 different species and 7 different countries, which we further test for species identity and geographic correlation. This study is the first comprehensive look into the diversity of Wolbachia in the turtle ants, providing insight into how endosymbionts are oriented in widespread species and providing a strong foundation for further research in host-microbe interactions.},
}

@article {pmid38392506,
year = {2024},
author = {Budrys, E and Orlovskytė, S and Budrienė, A},
title = {Ecological Speciation without Morphological Differentiation? A New Cryptic Species of Diodontus Curtis (Hymenoptera, Pemphredonidae) from the Centre of Europe.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {38392506},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {Contract No S-MIP-20-23//Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba/ ; },
abstract = {Upon exploring the mitotype diversity of the aphid-hunting wasp, Diodontus tristis, we revealed specimens with highly divergent mitotypes from two localities in Lithuania and nesting in clayey substrate, while the specimens with typical mitotypes were found nesting in sandy sites. The comparison of inter- and intra-specific distances and application of delimitation algorithms supported the species status of the clay-nesting populations. Using a set of DNA markers that included complete or partial sequences of six mitochondrial genes, three markers of ribosomal operon, two homeobox genes, and four other nuclear genes, we clarified the phylogenetic relationships of the new cryptic species. The endosymbiotic bacteria infestation was checked, considering the option that the divergent populations may represent clades isolated by Wolbachia infection; however, it did not demonstrate any specificity. We found only subtle morphological differences in the new clay-nesting species, D. argillicola sp. nov.; the discriminant analysis of morphometric measurements did not reliably segregate it as well. Thus, we provide the molecular characters of the cryptic species, which allow confident identification, its phylogenetic position within the genus, and an updated identification key for the D. tristis species group.},
}

@article {pmid38392507,
year = {2024},
author = {Cheng, Y and Yang, J and Li, T and Li, J and Ye, M and Wang, J and Chen, R and Zhu, L and Du, B and He, G},
title = {Endosymbiotic Fungal Diversity and Dynamics of the Brown Planthopper across Developmental Stages, Tissues, and Sexes Revealed Using Circular Consensus Sequencing.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {38392507},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {2022ABA001//The Science and Technology Major Program of Hubei Province/ ; },
abstract = {Endosymbiotic fungi play an important role in the growth and development of insects. Understanding the endosymbiont communities hosted by the brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens Stål), the most destructive pest in rice, is a prerequisite for controlling BPH rice infestations. However, the endosymbiont diversity and dynamics of the BPH remain poorly studied. Here, we used circular consensus sequencing (CCS) to obtain 87,131 OTUs (operational taxonomic units), which annotated 730 species of endosymbiotic fungi in the various developmental stages and tissues. We found that three yeast-like symbionts (YLSs), Polycephalomyces prolificus, Ophiocordyceps heteropoda, and Hirsutella proturicola, were dominant in almost all samples, which was especially pronounced in instar nymphs 4-5, female adults, and the fat bodies of female and male adult BPH. Interestingly, honeydew as the only in vitro sample had a unique community structure. Various diversity indices might indicate the different activity of endosymbionts in these stages and tissues. The biomarkers analyzed using LEfSe suggested some special functions of samples at different developmental stages of growth and the active functions of specific tissues in different sexes. Finally, we found that the incidence of occurrence of three species of Malassezia and Fusarium sp. was higher in males than in females in all comparison groups. In summary, our study provides a comprehensive survey of symbiotic fungi in the BPH, which complements the previous research on YLSs. These results offer new theoretical insights and practical implications for novel pest management strategies to understand the BPH-microbe symbiosis and devise effective pest control strategies.},
}

@article {pmid38399702,
year = {2024},
author = {Cameirão, C and Costa, D and Rufino, J and Pereira, JA and Lino-Neto, T and Baptista, P},
title = {Diversity, Composition, and Specificity of the Philaenus spumarius Bacteriome.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {12},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {38399702},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {UIDB/00690/2020; UIDP/00690/2020; LA/P/0007/2020; UIDB/04050/2020; UIDB/05757/2020 and UIDP/05757/2020//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; PRR-C05-i03-I-000083//Agriculture and Fisheries Financing Institute/ ; 727987//Horizon2020/ ; },
abstract = {Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) was recently classified as a pest due to its ability to act as a vector of the phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa. This insect has been reported to harbour several symbiotic bacteria that play essential roles in P. spumarius health and fitness. However, the factors driving bacterial assemblages remain largely unexplored. Here, the bacteriome associated with different organs (head, abdomen, and genitalia) of males and females of P. spumarius was characterized using culturally dependent and independent methods and compared in terms of diversity and composition. The bacteriome of P. spumarius is enriched in Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteria phyla, as well as in Candidatus Sulcia and Cutibacterium genera. The most frequent isolates were Curtobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Rhizobiaceae sp.1. Males display a more diverse bacterial community than females, but no differences in diversity were found in distinct organs. However, the organ shapes the bacteriome structure more than sex, with the Microbacteriaceae family revealing a high level of organ specificity and the Blattabacteriaceae family showing a high level of sex specificity. Several symbiotic bacterial genera were identified in P. spumarius for the first time, including Rhodococcus, Citrobacter, Halomonas, Streptomyces, and Providencia. Differences in the bacterial composition within P. spumarius organs and sexes suggest an adaptation of bacteria to particular insect tissues, potentially shaped by their significance in the life and overall fitness of P. spumarius. Although more research on the bacteria of P. spumarius interactions is needed, such knowledge could help to develop specific bacterial-based insect management strategies.},
}

@article {pmid38403930,
year = {2024},
author = {Lastovetsky, OA and Caruso, T and Brennan, FP and Wall, D and Pylni, S and Doyle, E},
title = {Spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi host surprisingly diverse communities of endobacteria.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {242},
number = {4},
pages = {1785-1797},
doi = {10.1111/nph.19605},
pmid = {38403930},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {GOIPD/2017/879//Irish Research Council/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Spores, Fungal/physiology ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Biodiversity ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous plant root symbionts, which can house two endobacteria: Ca. Moeniiplasma glomeromycotorum (CaMg) and Ca. Glomeribacter gigasporarum (CaGg). However, little is known about their distribution and population structure in natural AMF populations and whether AMF can harbour other endobacteria. We isolated AMF from two environments and conducted detailed analyses of endobacterial communities associated with surface-sterilised AMF spores. Consistent with the previous reports, we found that CaMg were extremely abundant (80%) and CaGg were extremely rare (2%) in both environments. Unexpectedly, we discovered an additional and previously unknown level of bacterial diversity within AMF spores, which extended beyond the known endosymbionts, with bacteria belonging to 10 other phyla detected across our spore data set. Detailed analysis revealed that: CaGg were not limited in distribution to the Gigasporaceae family of AMF, as previously thought; CaMg population structure was driven by AMF host genotype; and a significant inverse correlation existed between the diversity of CaMg and diversity of all other endobacteria. Based on these data, we generate novel testable hypotheses regarding the function of CaMg in AMF biology by proposing that they might act as conditional mutualists of AMF.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology
*Spores, Fungal/physiology
Bacteria/genetics/classification
Biodiversity
Phylogeny
Symbiosis

@article {pmid38408183,
year = {2024},
author = {Paddock, CD and Zambrano, ML and Clover, JR and Ladd-Wilson, S and Dykstra, EA and Salamone, A and Kangiser, D and Ayres, BN and Shooter, SL and Karpathy, SE and Kjemtrup, AM and Beati, L and Levin, ML and Lane, RS and Zazueta, OE},
title = {Rickettsia species identified in adult, host-seeking Dermacentor occidentalis (Acari: Ixodidae) from Baja California, Mexico, and Oregon and Washington, United States.},
journal = {Journal of medical entomology},
volume = {61},
number = {3},
pages = {781-790},
doi = {10.1093/jme/tjae023},
pmid = {38408183},
issn = {1938-2928},
mesh = {Animals ; *Rickettsia/isolation & purification/genetics ; *Dermacentor/microbiology ; Washington ; Oregon ; Female ; Mexico ; Male ; },
abstract = {The Pacific Coast tick (Dermacentor occidentalis Marx, 1892) is a frequently encountered and commonly reported human-biting tick species that has been recorded from most of California and parts of southwestern Oregon, southcentral Washington, and northwestern Mexico. Although previous investigators have surveyed populations of D. occidentalis for the presence of Rickettsia species across several regions of California, populations of this tick have not been surveyed heretofore for rickettsiae from Baja California, Oregon, or Washington. We evaluated 1,367 host-seeking, D. occidentalis adults collected from 2015 to 2022 by flagging vegetation at multiple sites in Baja California, Mexico, and Oregon and Washington, United States, using genus- and species-specific assays for spotted fever group rickettsiae. DNA of Rickettsia 364D, R. bellii, and R. tillamookensis was not detected in specimens from these regions. DNA of R. rhipicephali was detected in D. occidentalis specimens obtained from Ensenada Municipality in Baja California and southwestern Oregon, but not from Washington. All ompA sequences of R. rhipichephali that were amplified from individual ticks in southwestern Oregon were represented by a single genotype. DNA of the Ixodes pacificus rickettsial endosymbiont was amplified from specimens collected in southwestern Oregon and Klickitat County, Washington; to the best of our knowledge, this Rickettsia species has never been identified in D. occidentalis. Collectively, these data are consistent with a relatively recent introduction of Pacific Coast ticks in the northernmost extension of its recognized range.},
}

Animals
*Rickettsia/isolation & purification/genetics
*Dermacentor/microbiology
Washington
Oregon
Female
Mexico
Male

@article {pmid38414566,
year = {2024},
author = {Ffrench-Constant, RH and Bennie, J and Gordon, IJ and Depew, L and Smith, DAS},
title = {Penetrance interactions of colour pattern loci in the African Monarch and their implications for the evolution of dominance.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {e11024},
pmid = {38414566},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Scoring the penetrance of heterozygotes in complex phenotypes, like colour pattern, is difficult and complicates the analysis of systems in which dominance is incomplete or evolving. The African Monarch (Danaus chrysippus) represents an example where colour pattern heterozygotes, formed in the contact zone between the different subspecies, show such intermediate dominance. Colour pattern in this aposematic butterfly is controlled by three loci A, B and C. The B and C loci are closely linked in a B/C supergene and significant interaction of B and C phenotypes is therefore expected via linkage alone. The A locus, however, is not linked to B/C and is found on a different chromosome. To study interactions between these loci we generated colour pattern heterozygotes by crossing males and females bearing different A and B/C genotypes, collected from different parts of Africa. We derived a novel scoring system for the expressivity of the heterozygotes and, as predicted, we found significant interactions between the genotypes of the closely linked B and C loci. Surprisingly, however, we also found highly significant interactions between C and the unlinked A locus, modifications that generally increased the resemblance of heterozygotes to homozygous ancestors. In contrast, we found no difference in the penetrance of any of the corresponding heterozygotes from crosses conducted either in allopatry or sympatry, in reciprocal crosses of males and females, or in the presence or absence of endosymbiont mediated male-killing or its associated neoW mediated sex-linkage of colour pattern. Together, this data supports the idea that the different colour morphs of the African Monarch meet transiently in the East African contact zone and that genetic modifiers act to mask inappropriate expression of colour patterns in the incorrect environments.},
}

@article {pmid38426058,
year = {2024},
author = {Cantin, LJ and Dunning Hotopp, JC and Foster, JM},
title = {Improved metagenome assemblies through selective enrichment of bacterial genomic DNA from eukaryotic host genomic DNA using ATAC-seq.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1352378},
pmid = {38426058},
issn = {1664-302X},
support = {U19 AI110820/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Genomics can be used to study the complex relationships between hosts and their microbiota. Many bacteria cannot be cultured in the laboratory, making it difficult to obtain adequate amounts of bacterial DNA and to limit host DNA contamination for the construction of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). For example, Wolbachia is a genus of exclusively obligate intracellular bacteria that live in a wide range of arthropods and some nematodes. While Wolbachia endosymbionts are frequently described as facultative reproductive parasites in arthropods, the bacteria are obligate mutualistic endosymbionts of filarial worms. Here, we achieve 50-fold enrichment of bacterial sequences using ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing) with Brugia malayi nematodes, containing Wolbachia (wBm). ATAC-seq uses the Tn5 transposase to cut and attach Illumina sequencing adapters to accessible DNA lacking histones, typically thought to be open chromatin. Bacterial and mitochondrial DNA in the lysates are also cut preferentially since they lack histones, leading to the enrichment of these sequences. The benefits of this include minimal tissue input (<1 mg of tissue), a quick protocol (<4 h), low sequencing costs, less bias, correct assembly of lateral gene transfers and no prior sequence knowledge required. We assembled the wBm genome with as few as 1 million Illumina short paired-end reads with >97% coverage of the published genome, compared to only 12% coverage with the standard gDNA libraries. We found significant bacterial sequence enrichment that facilitated genome assembly in previously published ATAC-seq data sets from human cells infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and C. elegans contaminated with their food source, the OP50 strain of E. coli. These results demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of using ATAC-seq to easily obtain bacterial genomes to aid in symbiosis, infectious disease, and microbiome research.},
}

@article {pmid38431055,
year = {2024},
author = {Walt, HK and King, JG and Sheele, JM and Meyer, F and Pietri, JE and Hoffmann, FG},
title = {Do bed bugs transmit human viruses, or do humans spread bed bugs and their viruses? A worldwide survey of the bed bug RNA virosphere.},
journal = {Virus research},
volume = {343},
number = {},
pages = {199349},
pmid = {38431055},
issn = {1872-7492},
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Bedbugs ; Feeding Behavior ; Disease Vectors ; *Arthropods ; *Viruses ; },
abstract = {BED BUGS: (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) are a globally distributed hematophagous pest that routinely feed on humans. Unlike many blood-sucking arthropods, they have never been linked to pathogen transmission in a natural setting, and despite increasing interest in their role as disease vectors, little is known about the viruses that bed bugs naturally harbor. Here, we present a global-scale survey of the bed bug RNA virosphere. We sequenced the metatranscriptomes of 22 individual bed bugs (Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus) from 8 locations around the world. We detected sequences from two known bed bug viruses (Shuangao bedbug virus 1 and Shuangao bedbug virus 2) which extends their geographical range. We identified three novel bed bug virus sequences from a tenui-like virus (Bunyavirales), a toti-like virus (Ghabrivirales), and a luteo-like virus (Tolivirales). Interestingly, some of the bed bug viruses branch near to insect-transmitted plant-infecting viruses, opening questions regarding the evolution of plant virus infection. When we analyzed the viral sequences by their host's collection location, we found unexpected patterns of geographical diversity that may reflect humans' role in bed bug dispersal. Additionally, we investigated the effect that Wolbachia, the primary bed bug endosymbiont, may have on viral abundance and found that Wolbachia infection neither promotes nor inhibits viral infection. Finally, our results provide no evidence that bed bugs transmit any known human pathogenic viruses.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Bedbugs
Feeding Behavior
Disease Vectors
*Arthropods
*Viruses

@article {pmid38437189,
year = {2024},
author = {Dye, D and Cain, JW},
title = {Efficacy of Wolbachia-based mosquito control: Predictions of a spatially discrete mathematical model.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {3},
pages = {e0297964},
pmid = {38437189},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Female ; Humans ; Animals ; Male ; *Wolbachia ; *Aedes ; *Charadriiformes ; Cytoplasm ; Cytosol ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is an endosymbiont bacterium present in many insect species. When Wolbachia-carrying male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes mate with non-carrier females, their embryos are not viable due to cytoplasmic incompatibility. This phenomenon has been exploited successfully for the purpose of controlling mosquito populations and the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses: Wolbachia carriers are bred and released into the environment. Because Wolbachia is not harmful to humans, this method of mosquito control is regarded as a safer alternative to pesticide spraying. In this article, we introduce a mathematical framework for exploring (i) whether a one-time release of Wolbachia carriers can elicit a sustained presence of carriers near the release site, and (ii) the extent to which spatial propagation of carriers may allow them to establish fixation in other territories. While some prior studies have formulated mosquito dispersal models using advection-reaction-diffusion PDEs, the predictive power of such models requires careful ecological mapping: advection and diffusion coefficients exhibit significant spatial dependence due to heterogeneity of resources and topography. Here, we adopt a courser-grained view, regarding the environment as a network of discrete, diffusively-coupled "habitats"-distinct zones of high mosquito density such as stagnant ponds. We extend two previously published single-habitat mosquito models to multiple habitats, and calculate rates of migration between pairs of habitats using dispersal kernels. Our primary results are quantitative estimates regarding how the success of carrier fixation in one or more habitats is determined by: the number of carriers released, sizes of habitats, distances between habitats, and the rate of migration between habitats. Besides yielding sensible and potentially useful predictions regarding the success of Wolbachia-based control, our framework applies to other approaches (e.g., gene drives) and contexts beyond the realm of insect pest control.},
}

Female
Humans
Animals
Male
*Wolbachia
*Aedes
*Charadriiformes
Cytoplasm
Cytosol

@article {pmid38438424,
year = {2024},
author = {Tan, KXY and Shigenobu, S},
title = {In vivo interference of pea aphid endosymbiont Buchnera groEL gene by synthetic peptide nucleic acids.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {5378},
pmid = {38438424},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {Scholarship//Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology/ ; JP20H00478//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Peptide Nucleic Acids/genetics ; *Buchnera/genetics ; *Aphids/genetics ; Pisum sativum ; *Nucleic Acids ; Antisense Elements (Genetics) ; *Orobanchaceae ; },
abstract = {The unculturable nature of intracellular obligate symbionts presents a significant challenge for elucidating gene functionality, necessitating the development of gene manipulation techniques. One of the best-studied obligate symbioses is that between aphids and the bacterial endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola. Given the extensive genome reduction observed in Buchnera, the remaining genes are crucial for understanding the host-symbiont relationship, but a lack of tools for manipulating gene function in the endosymbiont has significantly impeded the exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying this mutualism. In this study, we introduced a novel gene manipulation technique employing synthetic single-stranded peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). We targeted the critical Buchnera groEL using specially designed antisense PNAs conjugated to an arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptide (CPP). Within 24 h of PNA administration via microinjection, we observed a significant reduction in groEL expression and Buchnera cell count. Notably, the interference of groEL led to profound morphological malformations in Buchnera, indicative of impaired cellular integrity. The gene knockdown technique developed in this study, involving the microinjection of CPP-conjugated antisense PNAs, provides a potent approach for in vivo gene manipulation of unculturable intracellular symbionts, offering valuable insights into their biology and interactions with hosts.},
}

Animals
*Peptide Nucleic Acids/genetics
*Buchnera/genetics
*Aphids/genetics
Pisum sativum
*Nucleic Acids
Antisense Elements (Genetics)
*Orobanchaceae

@article {pmid38439943,
year = {2024},
author = {González Porras, MÁ and Pons, I and García-Lozano, M and Jagdale, S and Emmerich, C and Weiss, B and Salem, H},
title = {Extracellular symbiont colonizes insect during embryo development.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {4},
number = {1},
pages = {ycae005},
pmid = {38439943},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Insects typically acquire their beneficial microbes early in development. Endosymbionts housed intracellularly are commonly integrated during oogenesis or embryogenesis, whereas extracellular microbes are only known to be acquired after hatching by immature instars such as larvae or nymphs. Here, however, we report on an extracellular symbiont that colonizes its host during embryo development. Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) host their digestive bacterial symbiont Stammera extracellularly within foregut symbiotic organs and in ovary-associated glands to ensure its vertical transmission. We outline the initial stages of symbiont colonization and observe that although the foregut symbiotic organs develop 3 days prior to larval emergence, they remain empty until the final 24 h of embryo development. Infection by Stammera occurs during that timeframe and prior to hatching. By experimentally manipulating symbiont availability to embryos in the egg, we describe a 12-h developmental window governing colonization by Stammera. Symbiotic organs form normally in aposymbiotic larvae, demonstrating that these Stammera-bearing structures develop autonomously. In adults, the foregut symbiotic organs are already colonized following metamorphosis and host a stable Stammera population to facilitate folivory. The ovary-associated glands, however, initially lack Stammera. Symbiont abundance subsequently increases within these transmission organs, thereby ensuring sufficient titers at the onset of oviposition ~29 days following metamorphosis. Collectively, our findings reveal that Stammera colonization precedes larval emergence, where its proliferation is eventually decoupled in adult beetles to match the nutritional and reproductive requirements of its host.},
}

@article {pmid38443775,
year = {2024},
author = {Molina-Garza, ZJ and Cuesy-León, M and Baylón-Pacheco, L and Rosales-Encina, JL and Galaviz-Silva, L},
title = {Diversity of midgut microbiota in ticks collected from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from northern Mexico.},
journal = {Parasites, hosts and diseases},
volume = {62},
number = {1},
pages = {117-130},
pmid = {38443775},
issn = {2982-6799},
support = {#3157//FOINS PN-CONACyT/ ; //PAICyT-UANL/ ; //CONACyT/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Male ; *Deer ; Mexico ; *Rhipicephalus ; *Microbiota/genetics ; },
abstract = {Ticks host different pathogens as endosymbiont and nonpathogenic microorganisms and play an important role in reproductive fitness and nutrient provision. However, the bacterial microbiomes of white-tailed deer ticks have received minimal attention. This study aimed to examine the bacterial microbiome of ticks collected from Odocoileus virginianus on the Mexico-United States border to assess differences in microbiome diversity in ticks of different species, sexes, and localities. Five different tick species were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus, Dermacentor nitens, Otobius megnini, Amblyomma cajennense, and A. maculatum. The tick microbiomes were analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Among all tick species, the most predominant phylum was Proteobacteria, followed by Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. The ticks from Tamaulipas and Nuevo León presented the highest bacterial species diversity. Acinetobacter johnsonii and A. lwoffii were the common bacterial species in the microbiome of all ticks, Coxiella were present in R. microplus, and Dermacentor nitens also exhibited a Francisella-like endosymbiont. The microbiome of most females in D. nitens was less diverse than that of males, whereas R. microplus occurs in females, suggesting that microbiome diversity is influenced by sex. In the bacterial communities of A. maculatum and O. megnini, Candidatus Midichloria massiliensis, and Candidatus Endoecteinascidia fumentensis were the most predominant endosymbionts. These results constitute the initial report on these bacteria, and this is also the first study to characterize the microbiome of O. megnini.},
}

Animals
Female
Male
*Deer
Mexico
*Rhipicephalus
*Microbiota/genetics

@article {pmid38444236,
year = {2024},
author = {Manentzos, AN and Pahl, AMC and Melloh, P and Martin, EA and Leybourne, DJ},
title = {Low prevalence of secondary endosymbionts in aphids sampled from rapeseed crops in Germany.},
journal = {Bulletin of entomological research},
volume = {114},
number = {2},
pages = {254-259},
doi = {10.1017/S0007485324000063},
pmid = {38444236},
issn = {1475-2670},
support = {RF-2022-100004//Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851/ ; },
mesh = {*Aphids/microbiology ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; Germany ; Crops, Agricultural/microbiology ; Brassica rapa/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Peach-potato aphids, Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera:Aphididae), and cabbage aphids, Brevicoryne brassicae Linnaeus (Hemiptera:Aphididae), are herbivorous insects of significant agricultural importance. Aphids can harbour a range of non-essential (facultative) endosymbiotic bacteria that confer multiple costs and benefits to the host aphid. A key endosymbiont-derived phenotype is protection against parasitoid wasps, and this protective phenotype has been associated with several defensive enodsymbionts. In recent years greater emphasis has been placed on developing alternative pest management strategies, including the increased use of natural enemies such as parasitoids wasps. For the success of aphid control strategies to be estimated the presence of defensive endosymbionts that can potentially disrupt the success of biocontrol agents needs to be determined in natural aphid populations. Here, we sampled aphids and mummies (parasitised aphids) from an important rapeseed production region in Germany and used multiplex PCR assays to characterise the endosymbiont communities. We found that aphids rarely harboured facultative endosymbionts, with 3.6% of M. persicae and 0% of B. brassicae populations forming facultative endosymbiont associations. This is comparable with endosymbiont prevalence described for M. persicae populations surveyed in Australia, Europe, Chile, and USA where endosymbiont infection frequencies range form 0-2%, but is in contrast with observations from China where M. persicae populations have more abundant and diverse endosymbiotic communities (endosymbionts present in over 50% of aphid populations).},
}

*Aphids/microbiology
Animals
*Symbiosis
Germany
Crops, Agricultural/microbiology
Brassica rapa/microbiology