@article {pmid39689471,
year = {2024},
author = {Li, M and Chen, H and Wang, M and Zhong, Z and Lian, C and Zhou, L and Zhang, H and Wang, H and Cao, L and Li, C},
title = {Phenotypic plasticity of symbiotic organ highlight deep-sea mussel as model species in monitoring fluid extinction of deep-sea methane hydrate.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {958},
number = {},
pages = {178048},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178048},
pmid = {39689471},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Methane hydrates stored in cold seeps are an important source of energy and carbon for both the endemic chemosynthetic community and humanity. However, the methane fluids may cease and even stop naturally or anthropogenically, calling for a thorough evaluation of its potential impact on the endemic species and local chemosynthetic ecosystems. As one dominant megafauna in cold seeps, some of the deep-sea mussels rely on methanotrophic endosymbionts for nutrition and therefore could serve as a promising model in monitoring the dynamic changes of methane hydrate. However, knowledge on the long-term responses of deep-sea mussels to environmental stresses induced by methane reduction and deprivation, is still lacking. Here, we set up a laboratory system and cultivated methanotrophic deep-sea mussel Gigantidas platifrons without methane supply to survey the phenotypic changes after methane deprivation. While the mussels managed to survive for >10 months after the methane deprivation, drastic changes in the metabolism, function, and development of gill tissue, and in the association with methanotrophic symbionts were observed. In detail, the mussel digested all methanotrophic endosymbionts shortly after methane deprivation for nutrition and remodeled the global metabolism of gill to conserve energy. As the methane deprivation continued, the mussel replaced its bacteriocytes with ciliated cells to support filter-feeding, which is an atavistic trait in non-symbiotic mussels. During the long-term methane deprivation assay, the mussel also retained the generation of new cells to support the phenotypic changes of gill and even promoted the activity after being transplanted back to deep-sea, showing the potential resilience after long-term methane deprivation. Evidences further highlighted the participation of symbiont sterol metabolism in regulating these processes. These results collectively show the phenotypic plasticity of deep-sea mussels and their dynamic responses to methane deprivation, providing essential information in assessing the long-term influence of methane hydrate extinction.},
}

@article {pmid39681734,
year = {2024},
author = {Rajendran, D and Vinayagam, S and Sekar, K and Bhowmick, IP and Sattu, K},
title = {Symbiotic Bacteria: Wolbachia, Midgut Microbiota in Mosquitoes and Their Importance for Vector Prevention Strategies.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {87},
number = {1},
pages = {154},
pmid = {39681734},
issn = {1432-184X},
mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; Culicidae/microbiology ; Mosquito Control/methods ; },
abstract = {Mosquito-borne illnesses pose a significant threat to eradication under existing vector management measures. Chemo-based vector control strategies (use of insecticides) raise a complication of resistance and environmental pollution. Biological control methods are an alternative approach to overcoming this complication arising from insecticides. The mosquito gut microbiome is essential to supporting the factors that involve metabolic regulation and metamorphic development (from juvenile to adult), as well as the induction of an immune response. The induced immune response includes the JAK-STAT, IMD, and Toll pathways due to the microbial interaction with the midgut cells (MG cells) that prevent disease transmission to humans. The aforementioned sequel to the review provides information about endosymbiont Wolbachia, which contaminates insect cells, including germline and somatic cytoplasm, and inhibits disease-causing pathogen development and transmission by competing for resources within the cell. Moreover, it reduces the host population via cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), feminization, male killing, and parthenogenesis. Furthermore, the Cif factor in Wolbachia is responsible for CI induction that produces inviable cells with the translocating systems and the embryonic defect-causing protein factor, WalE1 (WD0830), which manipulates the host actin. This potential of Wolbachia can be used to design a paratransgenic system to control vectors in the field. An extracellular symbiotic bacterium such as Asaia, which is grown in the growth medium, is used to transfer lethal genes within itself. Besides, the genetically transferred symbiotic bacteria infect the wild mosquito population and are easily manifold. So, it might be suitable for vector control strategies in the future.},
}

*Wolbachia/physiology
Animals
*Symbiosis
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology
Culicidae/microbiology
Mosquito Control/methods

@article {pmid39673486,
year = {2024},
author = {Krause-Sakate, R and Gomes Ruschel, R and Ochoa-Corona, F and Andreason, SA and de Marchi, BR and Ribeiro-Junior, MR and Nascimento, DM and Trujillo, R and Smith, HA and Hutton, SF and Wallace, S},
title = {First detection of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MED in Oklahoma and development of a high-resolution melting assay for MEAM1 and MED discrimination.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toae228},
pmid = {39673486},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {//Sarkeys Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a polyphagous pest recognized as composed of several cryptic or sibling species. The Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and the Mediterranean (MED) putative species are invasive and destructive worldwide. The MEAM1 is established throughout the United States, while MED is documented in 27 states. This study determines the status of MED in Oklahoma and develops and validates a high-resolution melting (HRM) assay for discrimination of MEAM1 and MED. In August-October 2022, whiteflies were collected from different host plants in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and identified as species based on analysis of a diagnostic fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene. MED was found in mixed infestations with MEAM1 on both sweetpotato in a greenhouse and cucumber in the field. Other cryptic species were not detected. Sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis indicated that the MED specimens belonged to the Q2 mitotype. Additionally, the secondary endosymbionts in captured and progeny whiteflies were identified. For rapid discrimination of MEAM1 and MED species, an HRM assay using a single set of primer pairs targeting the mtCOI gene was developed. Species discrimination was tested in 2 laboratories using MEAM1 and MED Q2 mitotype genomic DNA, and a synthetic plasmid containing the MED Q1 mitotype mtCOI fragment. The HRM assay was validated to discriminate MEAM1 from MED Q1 and Q2 mitotypes. This is the first report of B. tabaci MED in Oklahoma and reinforces the need for continued monitoring of this insect species complex.},
}

@article {pmid39656697,
year = {2024},
author = {Rasool, B and Younis, T and Zafar, S and Parvaiz, A and Javed, Z and Rasool, I and Shakeel, M},
title = {Incidence of endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia in cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae).},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {12},
pages = {e0313449},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0313449},
pmid = {39656697},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Animals ; *Phylogeny ; *Weevils/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; RNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Coleoptera/microbiology ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; },
abstract = {This study focuses on the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, a globally distributed grain pest that affects cereals and pulses. Using chemicals to store grains can harm pest control and pose risks to consumers and the environment. The facultative intracellular symbiont bacteria Wolbachia can affect host's reproductive capacities in a variety of ways, which makes it useful in the management of pests such as C. maculatus. The main goal of the study was to identify Wolbachia diversity in the C. maculatus population. Phylogenetic analysis utilized mitochondrial COI and 12S rRNA genes to identify the host C. maculatus, while screening for Wolbachia was conducted using genes (wsp, coxA, and ftsZ) genes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Wolbachia genes resulted in one new Wolbachia strain (wCmac1) in C. maculatus populations and contrasting already published data of other Callosobruchus strains. The study discussed the detection of Wolbachia and its phylogenetic comparison with other C. maculatus and Coleopteran populations. It is important to take these findings into account when considering host-pathogen interactions.},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Animals
*Phylogeny
*Weevils/microbiology
*Symbiosis
RNA, Ribosomal/genetics
Coleoptera/microbiology
Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics

@article {pmid39661825,
year = {2024},
author = {Santos, JFBD and Bombaça, ACS and Vitório, BDS and Dias-Lopes, G and Garcia-Gomes, ADS and Menna-Barreto, RSF and d'Avila, CM and Ennes-Vidal, V},
title = {Differential expression of peptidases in Strigomonas culicis wild-type and aposymbiotic strains: from proteomic data to proteolytic activity.},
journal = {Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz},
volume = {119},
number = {},
pages = {e240110},
doi = {10.1590/0074-02760240110},
pmid = {39661825},
issn = {1678-8060},
mesh = {*Proteomics ; *Peptide Hydrolases/metabolism/genetics ; Trypanosomatina/enzymology/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Proteolysis ; Proteome ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Strigomonas culicis is a monoxenic trypanosomatid parasite of insects that naturally contains an endosymbiotic bacterium. The aposymbiotic strain can be obtained, making this strain a model for evolutive research about organelle origins. In addition, S. culicis contains homologues of virulence factors of pathogenic trypanosomatids, which functions are waiting for further analysis. In this sense, the publication of S. culicis proteome makes feasible additional investigations regarding the differential expression of peptidases from the wild-type (WT) and the aposymbiotic (APO) strains.

OBJECTIVES: Here, we analysed two proteomic data from S. culicis WT and APO strains screening for peptidases differentially expressed and assessed the differential expression of cysteine and metallopeptidases.

METHODS: A comparative proteomic screening between WT and APO identified 43 modulated peptidases.

FINDINGS: Cysteine and metallopeptidases, such as calpains and GP63, were the major classes, highlighting their significance. GP63 exhibited an increased proteolysis in a specific metallopeptidase substrate, an up-modulation gene expression in RT-PCR, and a higher protein identification by flow cytometry in the aposymbiotic strain. Notwithstanding, the wild-type strain showed enhanced cysteine peptidase activity.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Our study highlighted the endosymbiont influence in S. culicis peptidase expression, with GP63 expression and activity raised in the aposymbiotic strain, whereas cysteine peptidase levels were reduced.},
}

*Proteomics
*Peptide Hydrolases/metabolism/genetics
Trypanosomatina/enzymology/genetics
Symbiosis
Proteolysis
Proteome

@article {pmid39659293,
year = {2024},
author = {Gasser, MT and Liu, A and Altamia, MA and Brensinger, BR and Brewer, SL and Flatau, R and Hancock, ER and Preheim, SP and Filone, CM and Distel, DL},
title = {Membrane Vesicles Can Contribute to Cellulose Degradation by Teredinibacter turnerae, a Cultivable Intracellular Endosymbiont of Shipworms.},
journal = {Microbial biotechnology},
volume = {17},
number = {12},
pages = {e70064},
doi = {10.1111/1751-7915.70064},
pmid = {39659293},
issn = {1751-7915},
support = {//Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/ ; NA19OAR0110303//National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/ ; 1R01AI162943-01A1:10062083-NE/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; GBMF9339//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation/ ; DBI1722553//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Cellulose/metabolism ; *Bivalvia/microbiology ; Gammaproteobacteria/metabolism/genetics ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Polysaccharides/metabolism ; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Teredinibacter turnerae is a cultivable cellulolytic Gammaproteobacterium (Cellvibrionaceae) that commonly occurs as an intracellular endosymbiont in the gills of wood-eating bivalves of the family Teredinidae (shipworms). The genome of T. turnerae encodes a broad range of enzymes that deconstruct cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin and contribute to wood (lignocellulose) digestion in the shipworm gut. However, the mechanisms by which T. turnerae secretes lignocellulolytic enzymes are incompletely understood. Here, we show that T. turnerae cultures grown on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) produce membrane vesicles (MVs) that include a variety of proteins identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) with predicted activities against cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin. Reducing sugar assays and zymography confirm that these MVs exhibit cellulolytic activity, as evidenced by the hydrolysis of CMC. Additionally, these MVs were enriched with TonB-dependent receptors, which are essential to carbohydrate and iron acquisition by free-living bacteria. These observations indicate a potential role for MVs in lignocellulose utilisation by T. turnerae in the free-living state, suggest possible mechanisms for host-symbiont interaction and may be informative for commercial applications such as enzyme production and lignocellulosic biomass conversion.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Cellulose/metabolism
*Bivalvia/microbiology
Gammaproteobacteria/metabolism/genetics
Chromatography, Liquid
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Polysaccharides/metabolism
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium/metabolism

@article {pmid39658562,
year = {2024},
author = {De, BC and Cournoyer, JE and Gao, YL and Wallace, CL and Bram, S and Mehta, AP},
title = {Photosynthetic directed endosymbiosis to investigate the role of bioenergetics in chloroplast function and evolution.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {10622},
pmid = {39658562},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {R01GM139949//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; *Photosynthesis/genetics/physiology ; *Chloroplasts/metabolism/genetics ; *Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; *Energy Metabolism/genetics ; *Biological Evolution ; Rhodophyta/metabolism/genetics ; Cyanobacteria/metabolism/genetics ; Embryophyta/metabolism/genetics ; Glaucophyta/metabolism/genetics ; Plastids/metabolism/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {Cyanobacterial photosynthesis (to produce ATP and NADPH) might have played a pivotal role in the endosymbiotic evolution to chloroplast. However, rather than meeting the ATP requirements of the host cell, the modern-day land plant chloroplasts are suggested to utilize photosynthesized ATP predominantly for carbon assimilation. This is further highlighted by the fact that the plastidic ADP/ATP carrier translocases from land plants preferentially import ATP. Here, we investigate the preferences of plastidic ADP/ATP carrier translocases from key lineages of photosynthetic eukaryotes including red algae, glaucophytes, and land plants. Particularly, we observe that the cyanobacterial endosymbionts expressing plastidic ADP/ATP carrier translocases from red algae and glaucophyte are able to export ATP and support ATP dependent endosymbiosis, whereas those expressing ADP/ATP carrier translocases from land plants preferentially import ATP and are unable to support ATP dependent endosymbiosis. These data are consistent with a scenario where the ancestral plastids may have exported ATP to support the bioenergetic functions of the host cell.},
}

*Symbiosis/genetics
*Photosynthesis/genetics/physiology
*Chloroplasts/metabolism/genetics
*Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism
*Energy Metabolism/genetics
*Biological Evolution
Rhodophyta/metabolism/genetics
Cyanobacteria/metabolism/genetics
Embryophyta/metabolism/genetics
Glaucophyta/metabolism/genetics
Plastids/metabolism/genetics
Phylogeny
Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid39658314,
year = {2024},
author = {Sørensen, MES and Stiller, ML and Kröninger, L and Nowack, ECM},
title = {Protein import into bacterial endosymbionts and evolving organelles.},
journal = {The FEBS journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/febs.17356},
pmid = {39658314},
issn = {1742-4658},
support = {101061817//H2020 European Research Council/ ; //Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; },
abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts are common throughout the eukaryotic tree of life and provide a range of essential functions. The intricate integration of bacterial endosymbionts into a host led to the formation of the energy-converting organelles, mitochondria and plastids, that have shaped eukaryotic evolution. Protein import from the host has been regarded as one of the distinguishing features of organelles as compared to endosymbionts. In recent years, research has delved deeper into a diverse range of endosymbioses and discovered evidence for 'exceptional' instances of protein import outside of the canonical organelles. Here we review the current evidence for protein import into bacterial endosymbionts. We cover both 'recently evolved' organelles, where there is evidence for hundreds of imported proteins, and endosymbiotic systems where currently only single protein import candidates are described. We discuss the challenges of establishing protein import machineries and the diversity of mechanisms that have independently evolved to solve them. Understanding these systems and the different independent mechanisms, they have evolved is critical to elucidate how cellular integration arises and deepens at the endosymbiont to organelle interface. We finish by suggesting approaches that could be used in the future to address the open questions. Overall, we believe that the evidence now suggests that protein import into bacterial endosymbionts is more common than generally realized, and thus that there is an increasing number of partnerships that blur the distinction between endosymbiont and organelle.},
}

@article {pmid39656210,
year = {2024},
author = {Ling, X and Guo, H and Di, J and Xie, L and Zhu-Salzman, K and Ge, F and Zhao, Z and Sun, Y},
title = {A complete DNA repair system assembled by two endosymbionts restores heat tolerance of the insect host.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {121},
number = {51},
pages = {e2415651121},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2415651121},
pmid = {39656210},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {2023YFD1400800//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; no. 32250002//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; no. 2023IOZ0307//Initiative Scientific Research of Program, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *DNA Repair ; Buchnera/genetics/metabolism ; Aphids/microbiology/genetics ; Serratia/genetics/metabolism/physiology ; Thermotolerance/genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Heat-Shock Response ; },
abstract = {DNA repair systems are essential to maintain genome integrity and stability. Some obligate endosymbionts that experience long-term symbiosis with the insect hosts, however, have lost their key components for DNA repair. It is largely unexplored how the bacterial endosymbionts cope with the increased demand for mismatch repairs under heat stresses. Here, we showed that ibpA, a small heat shock protein encoded by Buchnera aphidicola, directly interacted with the cytoskeletal actin to prevent its aggregation in bacteriocytes, thus reinforcing the stability of bacteriocytes. However, the succession of 11 adenines in the promoter of ibpA is extremely prone to mismatching error, e.g., a single adenine deletion, which impairs the induction of ibpA under heat stress. Coinfection with a facultative endosymbiont Serratia symbiotica remarkably reduced the mutagenesis rate in the Buchnera genome and potentially prevented a single adenine deletion in ibpA promoter, thereby alleviating the heat vulnerability of aphid bacteriocytes. Furthermore, Serratia encoded mutH, a conserved core protein of prokaryotic DNA mismatch repair (MMR), accessed to Buchnera cells, which complemented Buchnera mutL and mutS in constituting an active MMR. Our findings imply that a full complement of a prokaryotic MMR system assembled by two bacterial endosymbionts contributes significantly to the thermostability of aphid bacteriocytes in an ibpA-dependent manner, furnishing a distinct molecular link among tripartite symbioses in shaping resilience and adaptation of their insect hosts to occupy other ecological niches.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics
*DNA Repair
Buchnera/genetics/metabolism
Aphids/microbiology/genetics
Serratia/genetics/metabolism/physiology
Thermotolerance/genetics
Promoter Regions, Genetic
Heat-Shock Response

@article {pmid39655922,
year = {2024},
author = {Gasser, MT and Liu, A and Flatau, R and Altamia, MA and Filone, CM and Distel, DL},
title = {Closing the genome of Teredinibacter turnerae T7902 by long-read nanopore sequencing.},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0048424},
doi = {10.1128/mra.00484-24},
pmid = {39655922},
issn = {2576-098X},
abstract = {We present the complete closed circular genome sequence derived from the Oxford Nanopore sequencing of the shipworm endosymbiont, Teredinibacter turnerae T7902 (DSM 15152, ATCC 39867), originally isolated from the shipworm, Lyrodus pedicellatus (1). This sequence will aid in the comparative genomics of shipworm endosymbionts and the understanding of the host-symbiont evolution.},
}

@article {pmid39647222,
year = {2024},
author = {Kloc, A and Wójcik-Fatla, A and Paprzycki, P and Panasiuk, L},
title = {Transovarial transmission of Rickettsia spp., Francisella-like endosymbionts, and Spiroplasma spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks.},
journal = {Ticks and tick-borne diseases},
volume = {15},
number = {6},
pages = {102421},
doi = {10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102421},
pmid = {39647222},
issn = {1877-9603},
abstract = {Research on the transovarial transmission of pathogens whose reservoirs and vectors are ticks has led to an understanding of the mechanisms related to the circulation and persistence of selected microorganisms in natural foci. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of transovarial transmission of Rickettsia spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks, and the influence of Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) and Spiroplasma spp. on the efficiency of the egg-laying process and transmission of selected pathogens. In total, 16,600 eggs were obtained under laboratory conditions from 55 females, with an average of 346 eggs per female. Adults, eggs, and hatched larvae were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of Rickettsia and endosymbionts. DNA fragments of Rickettsia spp. were found in females (56.4 %) and in pools of eggs (72.9 %) and larvae (62.4 %). FLEs and Spiroplasma endosymbionts were confirmed in females (80 % and 14.5 %, respectively), pools of eggs (81.6 % and 26.1 %, respectively), and larvae (82.7 % and 46.2 %, respectively). Transovarial transmission was confirmed in Rickettsia raoultii, FLEs, and Spiroplasma ixodetis. No correlation was observed between the occurrence of individual endosymbionts and the efficiency of egg laying and transovarial transmission in Rickettsia spp. In conclusion, transovarial transmission of Rickettsia spp., FLEs and Spiroplasma spp. in D. reticulatus plays an important role in their persistence and circulation in the environment. However, further research is required on this topic.},
}

@article {pmid39646835,
year = {2024},
author = {Terrana, L and Rouzé, H and Opresko, DM and Consortium, UTP and Eeckhaut, I and Dubois, P and Hédouin, L and Godefroid, M},
title = {Whip black corals (Antipatharia: Antipathidae: Stichopathes) of the Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Mo'orea (French Polynesia), with the description of a new species.},
journal = {Zootaxa},
volume = {5486},
number = {2},
pages = {182-212},
doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.5486.2.2},
pmid = {39646835},
issn = {1175-5334},
mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa ; Polynesia ; *Ecosystem ; *Animal Distribution ; Phylogeny ; Body Size ; Animal Structures/anatomy & histology/growth & development ; Organ Size ; },
abstract = {Black corals are key species of marine ecosystems. They can be found in dense aggregations worldwide, but some parts of the world remain totally unexplored. This is the case of the Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Mo'orea where the Under the Pole scientific expedition explored mesophotic ecosystems between 60 and 120 m depth and focused on whip black corals. A total of 64 specimens were analyzed morphologically and genetically, and all belonged to the genus Stichopathes. Among them, we describe the new species Stichopathes desaturata sp. nov. It is characterized by an unbranched corallum, irregularly sinuous, with a basal diameter not exceeding 1 mm, reaching a dozen of cm in height. The polyps measure 0.50-1.0 mm in transverse diameter, the interpolypar space is well defined and up to 0.50 mm, with 6-8 polyps per cm. The polypar spines are taller than abpolypar spines, reaching 0.13 mm, perpendicular to the corallum, and conical with a pointed tip, with round and/or elongated papillae on two thirds of the spine. The abpolypar spines are conical to triangular, inclined upwards, with the same ornamentation as the polypar spines. We also identified specimens assigned as Stichopathes cf. contorta and four other putative species. Genetic analyses showed that Mo'orea specimens grouped in three different clades. Analyses of endosymbionts showed that the association with Symbiodiniaceae was likely not involved in the process of host species delineation.},
}

Animals
*Anthozoa
Polynesia
*Ecosystem
*Animal Distribution
Phylogeny
Body Size
Animal Structures/anatomy & histology/growth & development
Organ Size

@article {pmid39640918,
year = {2024},
author = {Baede, VO and Jlassi, O and Lesiczka, PM and Younsi, H and Jansen, HJ and Dachraoui, K and Segobola, J and Ben Said, M and Veneman, WJ and Dirks, RP and Sprong, H and Zhioua, E},
title = {Similarities between Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes inopinatus genomes and horizontal gene transfer from their endosymbionts.},
journal = {Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases},
volume = {6},
number = {},
pages = {100229},
pmid = {39640918},
issn = {2667-114X},
abstract = {The taxa Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes inopinatus are sympatric in Tunisia. The genetics underlying their morphological differences are unresolved. In this study, ticks collected in Jouza-Amdoun, Tunisia, were morphologically identified and sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Three complete genome assemblies of I. inopinatus and three of I. ricinus with BUSCO scores of ∼98% were generated, including the reconstruction of mitochondrial genomes and separation of both alleles of the TRPA1, TROSPA and calreticulin genes. Deep sequencing allowed the first descriptions of complete bacterial genomes for "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii", Rickettsia helvetica and R. monacensis from North Africa, and the discovery of extensive integration of parts of the Spiroplasma ixodetis and "Ca. M. mitochondrii" into the nuclear genome of these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial genome, the nuclear genes, and symbionts showed differentiation between Tunisian and Dutch ticks, but high genetic similarities between Tunisian I. ricinus and I. inopinatus. Subtraction of the genome assemblies identified the presence of some unique sequences, which could not be confirmed when screening a larger batch of I. ricinus and I. inopinatus ticks using PCR. Our findings yield compelling evidence that I. inopinatus is genetically highly similar, if not identical, to sympatric I. ricinus. Defined morphological differences might be caused by extrinsic factors such as micro-climatic conditions or bloodmeal composition. Our findings support the existence of different lineages of I. ricinus as well of its symbionts/pathogens from geographically dispersed locations.},
}

@article {pmid39629170,
year = {2024},
author = {Wajnberg, E and Cônsoli, FL},
title = {Dynamics of Insects and Their Facultative Defensive Endosymbiotic Bacteria: A Simulation Model.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {12},
pages = {e70676},
pmid = {39629170},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Most insects harbour endosymbionts that modify their physiology, reproductive mode, and ecology. One fascinating case is in aphids, which host endosymbionts that protect them against attacks from parasitoids. These symbionts are transmitted maternally with high fidelity but can also be transmitted horizontally from infected to uninfected hosts. Since symbionts can confer resistance to their host against parasitoids, levels of symbiont infection should rapidly spread to fixation. This is not the case in most aphid populations that have been studied. Furthermore, the defensive effect of symbionts has been thought to reduce the efficacy of biological control against crop pests, although this has never been properly quantified. We developed a Monte Carlo simulation model to examine changes in levels of endosymbiont infection in an insect population in the presence of parasitoids attacking them over several generations. We also used the model to quantify potential reductions in the efficacy of parasitoids in controlling host populations in biological control. Results suggest that longevity of parasitoids and the spatial aggregation of hosts likely play a major role in the dynamics of symbiont infection. This is the first evidence that these ecological parameters are potentially important for explaining levels of symbiont infection in insect populations.},
}

@article {pmid39627879,
year = {2024},
author = {Kostygov, AY and Skýpalová, K and Kraeva, N and Kalita, E and McLeod, C and Yurchenko, V and Field, MC and Lukeš, J and Butenko, A},
title = {Comprehensive analysis of the Kinetoplastea intron landscape reveals a novel intron-containing gene and the first exclusively trans-splicing eukaryote.},
journal = {BMC biology},
volume = {22},
number = {1},
pages = {281},
pmid = {39627879},
issn = {1741-7007},
mesh = {*Introns/genetics ; *Trans-Splicing/genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Phylogeny ; Trypanosomatina/genetics ; Kinetoplastida/genetics ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics ; Genes, Protozoan/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: In trypanosomatids, a group of unicellular eukaryotes that includes numerous important human parasites, cis-splicing has been previously reported for only two genes: a poly(A) polymerase and an RNA helicase. Conversely, trans-splicing, which involves the attachment of a spliced leader sequence, is observed for nearly every protein-coding transcript. So far, our understanding of splicing in this protistan group has stemmed from the analysis of only a few medically relevant species. In this study, we used an extensive dataset encompassing all described trypanosomatid genera to investigate the distribution of intron-containing genes and the evolution of splice sites.

RESULTS: We identified a new conserved intron-containing gene encoding an RNA-binding protein that is universally present in Kinetoplastea. We show that Perkinsela sp., a kinetoplastid endosymbiont of Amoebozoa, represents the first eukaryote completely devoid of cis-splicing, yet still preserving trans-splicing. We also provided evidence for reverse transcriptase-mediated intron loss in Kinetoplastea, extensive conservation of 5' splice sites, and the presence of non-coding RNAs within a subset of retained trypanosomatid introns.

CONCLUSIONS: All three intron-containing genes identified in Kinetoplastea encode RNA-interacting proteins, with a potential to fine-tune the expression of multiple genes, thus challenging the perception of cis-splicing in these protists as a mere evolutionary relic. We suggest that there is a selective pressure to retain cis-splicing in trypanosomatids and that this is likely associated with overall control of mRNA processing. Our study provides new insights into the evolution of introns and, consequently, the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes.},
}

*Introns/genetics
*Trans-Splicing/genetics
Evolution, Molecular
Phylogeny
Trypanosomatina/genetics
Kinetoplastida/genetics
Protozoan Proteins/genetics
Genes, Protozoan/genetics

@article {pmid39624265,
year = {2024},
author = {Karim, S and Zenzal, TJ and Beati, L and Sen, R and Adegoke, A and Kumar, D and Downs, LP and Keko, M and Nussbaum, A and Becker, DJ and Moore, FR},
title = {Ticks without borders: microbiome of immature neotropical tick species parasitizing migratory songbirds along northern Gulf of Mexico.},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1472598},
pmid = {39624265},
issn = {2235-2988},
mesh = {Animals ; *Microbiota ; Gulf of Mexico ; *Songbirds/parasitology/microbiology ; *Animal Migration ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rickettsia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Tick Infestations/veterinary/parasitology ; Ticks/microbiology ; Francisella/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Spiroplasma/genetics/isolation & purification/classification/physiology ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The long-distance, seasonal migrations of birds make them an effective ecological bridge for the movement of ticks. The introduction of exotic tick species to new geographical regions can cause the emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens. This study examined the prevalence of exotic tick species parasitizing migratory songbirds at stopover sites along the northern Gulf of Mexico using the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene.

METHODS: Overall, 421 individual ticks in the genera Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis, and Ixodes were recorded from 28 songbird species, of which Amblyomma and Amblyomma longirostre were the most abundant tick genera and species, respectively. A high throughput 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing approach characterized the microbial communities and identified pathogenic microbes in all tick samples.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Microbial profiles showed that Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum. The most abundant pathogens were Rickettsia and endosymbiont Francisella, Candidatus Midichloria, and Spiroplasma. Permutation multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the relative abundance of Francisella and Rickettsia drives microbial patterns across the tick genera. We also noted a higher percentage of positive correlations in microbe-microbe interactions among members of the microbial communities. Network analysis suggested a negative correlation between a) Francisella and Rickettsia and, b) Francisella and Cutibacterium. Lastly, mapping the distributions of bird species parasitized during spring migrations highlighted geographic hotspots where migratory songbirds could disperse ticks and their pathogens at stopover sites or upon arrival to their breeding grounds, the latter showing mean dispersal distances from 421-5003 kilometers. These findings spotlight the potential role of migratory birds in the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens.},
}

Animals
*Microbiota
Gulf of Mexico
*Songbirds/parasitology/microbiology
*Animal Migration
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Rickettsia/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Tick Infestations/veterinary/parasitology
Ticks/microbiology
Francisella/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Spiroplasma/genetics/isolation & purification/classification/physiology
Phylogeny

@article {pmid39616490,
year = {2024},
author = {Govender, R and Mabaso, N and Abbai, NS},
title = {Investigating links between Trichomonas vaginalis, T. vaginalis virus, Mycoplasma hominis, and metronidazole resistance.},
journal = {Journal of infection in developing countries},
volume = {18},
number = {10},
pages = {1590-1600},
doi = {10.3855/jidc.17592},
pmid = {39616490},
issn = {1972-2680},
mesh = {*Trichomonas vaginalis/drug effects/isolation & purification ; *Mycoplasma hominis/drug effects/isolation & purification/genetics ; *Metronidazole/pharmacology ; Humans ; Female ; *Mycoplasma Infections/microbiology ; Prevalence ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Trichomonas Vaginitis/microbiology/parasitology ; Totiviridae/genetics/drug effects/isolation & purification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Symbiosis ; Drug Resistance ; Antiprotozoal Agents/pharmacology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Coinfection/microbiology ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is the etiological agent of the common non-viral sexually transmitted infection (STI), trichomoniasis. TV can inherently harbour Mycoplasma hominis and Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV) species. Endosymbiosis of TV with M. hominis and TVV may contribute to metronidazole resistance in this pathogen. This study determined the prevalence of TVVs across clinical isolates of TV, as well as the symbiosis between TV, TVV, and M. hominis in relation to metronidazole resistance.

METHODOLOGY: Twenty-one clinical isolates of TV were analysed in this study. The isolates were subjected to drug susceptibility assays using varying concentrations of metronidazole. Nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) were extracted from the isolates for molecular assays. The presence of intracellular M. hominis was determined by 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers. The presence of the individual TVVs was determined by PCR using gene specific primers with template cDNA.

RESULTS: The prevalence of TVV and M. hominis were 76% (16/21) and 86% (18/21), respectively. No significant associations were observed between the presence of TVV and clinical symptoms. A significant association was noted between the coinfection of TVV4 and M. hominis (p = 0.014). The presence of any TVV was significantly associated with metronidazole susceptibility patterns (p = 0.012). No significant associations were noted between the coinfection of endosymbionts and metronidazole resistance.

CONCLUSIONS: The information obtained displays the ability of TV to form an endosymbiotic relationship with several microorganisms, simultaneously. Based on these findings, both endosymbionts pose no significant influence on metronidazole resistance.},
}

*Trichomonas vaginalis/drug effects/isolation & purification
*Mycoplasma hominis/drug effects/isolation & purification/genetics
*Metronidazole/pharmacology
Humans
Female
*Mycoplasma Infections/microbiology
Prevalence
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Trichomonas Vaginitis/microbiology/parasitology
Totiviridae/genetics/drug effects/isolation & purification
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Symbiosis
Drug Resistance
Antiprotozoal Agents/pharmacology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Coinfection/microbiology

@article {pmid39615475,
year = {2024},
author = {Řezáč, M and Řezáčová, V and Heneberg, P},
title = {Differences in the abundance and diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria drive host resistance of Philodromus cespitum, a dominant spider of central European orchards, to selected insecticides.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {373},
number = {},
pages = {123486},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123486},
pmid = {39615475},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {The ability of tissue endosymbionts to degrade and detoxify agrochemicals is increasingly recognized as a mechanism supporting the survival of arthropods in agroecosystems. Therefore, tissue endosymbionts have the potential to drive insecticide resistance in agrobiont spiders, i.e., in major generalist predators and pest control agents within agroecosystems. We hypothesized that the abundance and diversity of the endosymbiotic bacteria of Philodromus cespitum, a philodromid spider dominating central European apple orchards, vary with regard to differences in predation capacity and drive host insecticide resistance. We provisioned P. cespitum with diets of varying protein and lipid content and topically exposed them to field-relevant doses of commonly used insecticides, namely Mospilan (acetamiprid), Movento (spirotetramat), Gondola (sulfoxaflor), Decis (deltamethrin), Coragen (chlorantraniliprole), and Benevia (cyantraniliprole). The analyses were based on 16S rDNA profiles from lysates of the cephalothorax and legs of the tested spiders. The application of Benevia, Mospilan, and Movento was partially lethal. The spiders that were resistant to the treatments with Benevia, Mospilan, or Movento were associated with the increased relative abundance of Mycoplasmatota by more than one order of magnitude. Additionally, the abundance of other bacteria differed in Mospilan-resistant and Mospilan-sensitive individuals. In contrast, the diet regimens were not associated with any major differences in the microbiome diversity nor the diversity of endosymbionts. Philodromus cespitum hosts assemblages with unexpectedly high beta diversity of endosymbionts. The OTU identified as the alpha proteobacterium endosymbiont of Coelostomidia zealandica was an obligate endosymbiont of the analyzed P. cespitum population. Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma endosymbionts were also highly prevalent and differed in their responses to the applied treatments. In conclusion, differences in the abundance and diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria drove the resistance of the spider host to selected insecticides.},
}

@article {pmid39614636,
year = {2024},
author = {Jiménez-Florido, P and Aquilino, M and Buckley, D and Bella, JL and Planelló, R},
title = {Differential gene expression in Chorthippus parallelus (Zetterstedt, 1821) (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae) induced by Wolbachia infection.},
journal = {Insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.13481},
pmid = {39614636},
issn = {1744-7917},
support = {PID2019-104952GBI00//Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad/ ; FPU contract 22/02220//Ministerioa de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; PEJD-2019-POST/AMB-16425//Comunidada de Madrid/European Social Fund/ ; María Zambrano contract//Ministerio de Universidades/Europeana Union-NextGeneration Programme/ ; },
abstract = {Distinct lineages of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) form well-known hybrid zones (HZs) both in the Pyrenees and the Alps mountain ranges in South Europe. These HZs represent unique experimental systems to identify "key genes" that maintain genetic boundaries between emerging species. The Iberian endemism C. p. erythropus (Cpe) and the subspecies C. p. parallelus (Cpp), widely distributed throughout the rest of Europe, overlap and form the Pyrenean HZ. Both subspecies differ morphologically, as well as in behavioral, mitochondrial, nuclear, and chromosomal traits, and in the strains of the maternally transmitted bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia infecting them. This results in either unidirectional and bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility between both grasshopper subspecies, pointing out that Wolbachia clearly affects gene expression in the infected individuals. Here we explore how Wolbachia may modify the expression of some major genes involved in relevant pathways in Cpp in the Pyrenean HZ. We have analyzed, through molecular biomarkers, the physiological responses in C. parallelus individuals infected by Wolbachia, with particular attention to the energy metabolism, the immune system response, and the reproduction. qPCR was used to evaluate the expression of selected genes in the gonads of infected and uninfected adults of both sexes, since this tissue constitutes the main target of Wolbachia infection. Transcriptional analyses also showed differential sex-dependent responses in most of the analyzed biomarkers in infected and noninfected individuals. We identified for the first time new sensitive biomarkers that might be involved in the reproductive barrier induced by Wolbachia in the hybrid zone.},
}

@article {pmid39607975,
year = {2024},
author = {Abbasi, AM and Nasir, S and Bajwa, AA and Akbar, H and Ali, MM and Rashid, MI},
title = {A comparative study of the microbiomes of the ticks Rhipicephalus microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum.},
journal = {Parasite (Paris, France)},
volume = {31},
number = {},
pages = {74},
pmid = {39607975},
issn = {1776-1042},
support = {HEC-GCF-273//Higher Education Commission, Pakistan/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Rhipicephalus/microbiology ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Ixodidae/microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Pakistan ; Phylogeny ; Symbiosis ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Coxiella/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus microplus are tick species that are important vectors of numerous pathogens affecting both humans and livestock. Endosymbionts, such as Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE), Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLE), and Candidatus Midichloria, play a crucial role in the physiology and vector competence of these ticks. In this study, we investigated the microbial composition of H. anatolicum and R. microplus from four geographically distinct regions of Pakistan to assess whether environmental differences influence their microbiomes. We analyzed the ticks' gut microbiome targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA for Illumina 16S metagenome NGS sequencing and processed overall 144 ticks. Analysis of gut bacterial composition resulted in observation of 1200 R. microplus and 968 H. anatolicum unique amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs). Relative abundance, Alpha diversity (Shannon, Faith's phylogenetic distance) and beta diversity metrics (Bray-Curtis, Jaccard and UniFrac) were analyzed and revealed that H. anatolicum ticks have significantly unique and diverse microbial communities with Acinetobacter indicus and Francisella-like endosymbionts dominating as opposed to Candidatus Midichloria. Rhipicephalus microplus exhibited results consistent with the previous studies with no major changes in microbiome including Coxiella-like endosymbionts as the major contributor. These findings suggest that geographical and environmental factors play a significant role in shaping the tick microbiome, with potential consequences for disease transmission and tick survivability. Further research is needed to elucidate the functional roles of these microbial shifts and their impact on public health and livestock in affected regions.},
}

Animals
*Rhipicephalus/microbiology
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Ixodidae/microbiology
*Microbiota
Pakistan
Phylogeny
Symbiosis
Female
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Coxiella/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification

@article {pmid39604530,
year = {2024},
author = {Shokoohi, E and Masoko, P},
title = {Microbiome of Xiphinema elongatum (Nematoda, Longidoridae), isolated from water berry.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {29494},
pmid = {39604530},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Animals ; *Microbiota ; *Soil Microbiology ; South Africa ; Nematoda/microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; Soil/parasitology ; Fruit/microbiology/parasitology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; },
abstract = {The soil microbiome is crucial for the environment and significantly impacts the ecosystem. Understanding the microbiome and its interaction with soil microorganisms is essential for improving ecological and environmental strategies. In this study, Xiphinema elongatum nematodes were collected from water berry in Sovenga Hills, Limpopo Province, South Africa, and were analyzed their associated bacterial communities using metabarcoding analysis. The findings revealed that X. elongatum forms associations with a wide range of bacterial species. Among the most abundant species identified, we found Sphingomonas sp., a bacterial species commonly found in various habitats and primarily beneficial to plants, and Candidatus Xiphinematobacter, a bacterial species commonly found in nematode species of Xiphinema as an endosymbiont. The analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the abundance of X. elongatum in the soil is inversely correlated with clay content (r = -0.52) and soil pH levels (r = -0.98), and directly correlated with soil sand content (r = 0.88). This study provides valuable insights into the bacterial species associated with plant-parasitic nematodes in trees in South Africa. It underscores the presence of various potentially detrimental and beneficial nematode-associated bacteria. The results could potentially influence the overall quality of the soil, leading to implications for the productivity and yield of fruit crops. Additionally, the results help us understand the interaction between bacteria and X. elongatum.},
}

Animals
*Microbiota
*Soil Microbiology
South Africa
Nematoda/microbiology
Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
Soil/parasitology
Fruit/microbiology/parasitology
Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics

@article {pmid39597681,
year = {2024},
author = {Scharf, SA and Friedrichs, L and Bock, R and Borrelli, M and MacKenzie, C and Pfeffer, K and Henrich, B},
title = {Oxford Nanopore Technology-Based Identification of an Acanthamoeba castellanii Endosymbiosis in Microbial Keratitis.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {12},
number = {11},
pages = {},
pmid = {39597681},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {(1) Background: Microbial keratitis is a serious eye infection that carries a significant risk of vision loss. Acanthamoeba spp. are known to cause keratitis and their bacterial endosymbionts can increase virulence and/or treatment resistance and thus significantly worsen the course of the disease. (2) Methods and Results: In a suspected case of Acanthamoeba keratitis, in addition to Acanthamoeba spp., an endosymbiont of acanthamoebae belonging to the taxonomic order of Holosporales was detected by chance in a bacterial 16S rDNA-based pan-PCR and subsequently classified as Candidatus Paracaedibacter symbiosus through an analysis of an enlarged 16S rDNA region. We used Oxford Nanopore Technology to evaluate the usefulness of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) as a one-step diagnostics method. Here, Acanthamoeba castellanii and the endosymbiont Candidatus Paracaedibacter symbiosus could be directly detected at the species level. No other microbes were identified in the specimen. (3) Conclusions: We recommend the introduction of WGS as a diagnostic approach for keratitis to replace the need for multiple species-specific qPCRs in future routine diagnostics and to enable an all-encompassing characterisation of the polymicrobial community in one step.},
}

@article {pmid39590429,
year = {2024},
author = {Enciso, JS and Corretto, E and Borruso, L and Schuler, H},
title = {Limited Variation in Bacterial Communities of Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Across European Populations and Different Life Stages.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {11},
pages = {},
pmid = {39590429},
issn = {2075-4450},
abstract = {The Nearctic leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is the primary vector of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis', the causative agent of Flavescence doreé in Europe. Although microorganisms play an important role in the ecology and behavior of insects, knowledge about the interaction between S. titanus and microbes is limited. In this study, we employed an amplicon metabarcoding approach for profiling the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize the bacterial communities of S. titanus across several populations from four European localities. Additionally, we investigated changes in bacterial communities between nymphal and adult stages. In total, we identified 7,472 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in adults from the European populations. At the genus level, 'Candidatus Karelsulcia' and 'Candidatus Cardinium' were the most abundant genera, with both being present in every individual. While we found significant changes in the microbial composition of S. titanus across different European populations, no significant differences were observed between nymphal and adult stages. Our study reveals new insights into the microbial composition of S. titanus and highlights the role of geography in influencing its bacterial community.},
}

@article {pmid39584499,
year = {2024},
author = {Checchia, I and Andreolli, M and Lanza, F and Santoiemma, G and Mori, N and Pasini, M and Lampis, S and Felis, GE},
title = {Testing low-risk bioactive compounds on Halyomorpha halys: an improved pipeline of analyses to investigate their effects on the bacterial endosymbiont Candidatus Pantoea carbekii.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.8564},
pmid = {39584499},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {//I.C. Ph.D. scholarship is supported by REACT-EU FSE fund in the frame of PON "Dottorati su tematiche green" (Action IV.5), 2014-2020 (DM 1061/2021). Code BIO04, DOT1340225, Borsa 1 CUP B39J21026610001/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys has become an invasive insect pest of many crops. A promising control strategy to manage the proliferation of H. halys is based on the suppression of its obligate and vertically transmitted uncultivated symbiotic bacterium Candidatus Pantoea carbekii through surface-sterilization of H. halys eggs. Indeed, the application of antimicrobial formulations on the eggs of H. halys could cause mortality of endosymbiont and consequently of newly emerged nymphs. In this study, a microbial live/dead assay was applied directly on H. halys eggs to evaluate Ca. P. carbekii loss of viability after treatments with seven commercial formulations including fungicides (copper hydroxide, sulphur, sweet orange essential oil) and plant biostimulants (flavonoids and chestnut tannin extract) compared with two disinfectants for civil and industrial use (sodium hypochlorite/hydrated sodium/tetraborate decahydrate and peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide). Impact of mode of application was also evaluated, as surface treatment of egg masses was performed through spraying and dipping in laboratory conditions. Antimicrobial activity data were finally complemented with observations of egg hatching and vitality of the nymphs.

RESULTS: The optimization of live/dead staining is useful for evaluating Ca. P. carbekii mortality directly on eggs, providing a rapid and reliable culture-independent approach. Sodium hypochlorite, copper, sulphur, tannins and sweet orange essential oil showed an antimicrobial effect against Ca. P. carbekii and a H. halys egg hatching reduction and nymph's vitality.

CONCLUSIONS: The antimicrobial and insecticidal effects of these commercial products should be further studied to assess their in-field efficiency as well as the impact of these substances on non-target organisms. The approach followed in this study could be considered a robust pipeline of analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial eco-friendly compounds in symbiotic control of H. halys. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid39579072,
year = {2024},
author = {Prakash, A and Wang, Y},
title = {De Novo Long-Read Genome Assembly and Annotation of the Mosquito Gut-dwelling Fungus, Smittium minutisporum.},
journal = {Genome biology and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/gbe/evae259},
pmid = {39579072},
issn = {1759-6653},
abstract = {Mosquito guts host a variety of microbes, yet fungi are often overlooked. Smittium (Harpellales, Zoopagomycota) comprises numerous species that are obligate symbionts residing in the hindgut of mosquito larvae. Despite their association with pathogen-bearing vectors, these fungal symbionts remain understudied, largely due to the lack of high-quality genome resources. This limitation has impeded a deeper understanding of their genome biology and adaptive strategies in relation to their mosquito hosts, which may hold significant epidemiological implications. To address this gap, we generated the first reference-quality genome assembly for this group of fungi, using PacBio HiFi long-reads for an axenic culture of Smittium minutisporum, originally isolated from the eastern treehole mosquito, Aedes Triseriatus. The genome assembly consists of 53 contigs, spanning a total length of 32.5 Mb, and is predicted to encode 8,254 protein-coding genes, with repetitive regions constituting 25.22% of the genome. Notably, despite being highly contiguous and gap-free, the BUSCO analysis suggests a completeness score of 71.8%, implying unusual genome features, possibly shaped by adaptation and specialization within the mosquito gut. This high-quality genome resource will be invaluable for advancing our understanding of mosquito gut-dwelling fungi, their natural history, and their cryptic symbiosis with insect hosts.},
}

@article {pmid39571577,
year = {2024},
author = {Lewis, WH and Paris, G and Beedessee, G and Kořený, L and Flores, V and Dendooven, T and Gallet, B and Yee, DP and Lam, S and Decelle, J and Luisi, BF and Waller, RF},
title = {Plastid translocon recycling in dinoflagellates demonstrates the portability of complex plastids between hosts.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.10.034},
pmid = {39571577},
issn = {1879-0445},
abstract = {The plastids of photosynthetic organisms on land are predominantly "primary plastids," derived from an ancient endosymbiosis of a cyanobacterium. Conversely, the plastids of marine photosynthetic organisms were mostly gained through subsequent endosymbioses of photosynthetic eukaryotes generating so-called "complex plastids." The plastids of the major eukaryotic lineages-cryptophytes, haptophytes, ochrophytes, dinoflagellates, and apicomplexans-were posited to derive from a single secondary endosymbiosis of a red alga in the "chromalveloate" hypothesis. Subsequent phylogenetic resolution of eukaryotes has shown that separate events of plastid acquisition must have occurred to account for this distribution of plastids. However, the number of such events and the donor organisms for the new plastid endosymbioses are still not resolved. A perceived bottleneck of endosymbiotic plastid gain is the development of protein targeting from the hosts into the new plastids, and this supposition has often driven hypotheses toward minimizing the number of plastid-gain events to explain plastid distribution in eukaryotes. But how plastid-protein-targeting is established for new endosymbionts is often unclear, which makes it difficult to assess the likelihood of plastid transfers between lineages. Here, we show that Kareniaceae dinoflagellates, which possess complex plastids known to be derived from haptophytes, acquired all the necessary protein import machinery from these haptophytes. Furthermore, cryo-electron tomography revealed that no additional membranes were added to the Kareniaceae complex plastid during serial endosymbiosis, suggesting that the haptophyte-derived import processes were sufficient. Our analyses suggest that complex red plastids are preadapted for horizontal transmission, potentially explaining their widespread distribution in algal diversity.},
}

@article {pmid39562544,
year = {2024},
author = {Levy, N and Marques, JA and Simon-Blecher, N and Bourne, DG and Doniger, T and Benichou, JIC and Lim, JY and Tarazi, E and Levy, O},
title = {Ecosystem transplant from a healthy reef boosts coral health at a degraded reef.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {10033},
pmid = {39562544},
issn = {2041-1723},
mesh = {Animals ; *Coral Reefs ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Indian Ocean ; Ecosystem ; Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism ; Invertebrates/physiology ; Biodiversity ; },
abstract = {Organismal communities associated with coral reefs, particularly invertebrates and microbes, play crucial roles in ecosystem maintenance and coral health. Here, we characterized the organismal composition of a healthy, non-urbanized reef (Site A) and a degraded, urbanized reef (Site B) in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba, Red Sea to assess its impact on coral health and physiology. Biomimetically designed terracotta tiles were conditioned for 6 months at both sites, then reciprocally transplanted, and scleractinian coral species, Acropora eurystoma and Stylophora pistillata, were attached for an additional 6 months. After 12 months, tiles from Site A transplanted to Site B exhibited greater invertebrate richness and diversity than Site B's original tiles (via Cytochrome c. Oxidase subunit I metabarcoding). Key bacteria from the healthy reef were more prevalent on Site A tiles and on the tiles transplanted to Site B (via 16S rRNA gene sequencing). Corals originally from Site B attached to transplanted healthy tiles (Site A) showed higher photochemical capacity, increased endosymbionts, and reduced physiological stress, measured by total antioxidant capacity and an integrated biomarker response. Our findings demonstrate the successful transfer of organismal communities between reefs, highlighting the potential benefits of healthy reef-associated invertebrates and microbes on coral physiology and their implications for reef restoration strategies.},
}

Animals
*Coral Reefs
*Anthozoa/physiology
*Symbiosis
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Indian Ocean
Ecosystem
Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism
Invertebrates/physiology
Biodiversity

@article {pmid39561350,
year = {2024},
author = {Fajardo, J and Harrison, B and Hervet, VAD and Bakker, MG},
title = {Microbiome profiling suggests novel endosymbiont associations of insect pests of stored grain.},
journal = {Canadian journal of microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1139/cjm-2024-0095},
pmid = {39561350},
issn = {1480-3275},
abstract = {Many arthropods, including economically important pests of stored grains, host intracellular bacterial symbionts. These symbionts can have diverse impacts on host morphology, stress tolerance, and reproductive success. The ability to rapidly determine the infection status of host insects and the identity of intracellular symbionts, if present, is vital to understanding the biology and ecology of these organisms. We used a microbiome profiling method based on amplicon sequencing to rapidly screen 35 captive insect colonies. This method effectively revealed single and mixed infections by intracellular bacterial symbionts, as well as the presence or absence of a dominant symbiont, when that was the case. Because no a priori decisions are required about probable host-symbiont pairing, this method is able to quickly identify novel associations. This work highlights the frequency of endosymbionts, indicates some unexpected pairings that should be investigated further, such as dominant bacterial taxa that are not among the canonical genera of endosymbionts, and reveals different colonies of the same host insect species that differ in the presence and identity of endosymbiotic bacteria.},
}

@article {pmid39561190,
year = {2024},
author = {Ward, CM and Onetto, CA and Borneman, AR},
title = {Adaptation during the shift from entomopathogen to endosymbiont is accompanied by gene loss and intensified selection.},
journal = {Genome biology and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/gbe/evae251},
pmid = {39561190},
issn = {1759-6653},
abstract = {Fungi have been found to be associated with many insect species, with some species transitioning to reside within insects as symbionts. However, the evolutionary pressures and genomic consequences associated with this transition are not well understood. Pathogenic fungi of the genus Ophiocordyceps have undergone multiple, independent transitions from pathogen to endosymbiont lifestyles, where they reside within the fatty tissues of infected soft-scale insects trans-generationally without killing their hosts. To gain an understanding of the genomic adaptations underlying this life history shift, long-read sequencing was utilized to assemble the genomes of both the soft scale insect Parthenolecanium corni and its Ophiocordyceps endosymbiont from a single insect. Assembly and metagenomic-based binning produced a highly contiguous genome for Part. corni and a chromosome-level assembly for the Ophiocordyceps endosymbiont. The endosymbiont genome was characterized by 524 gene loss events compared to free-living pathogenic Ophiocordyceps relatives, with predicted roles in hyphal growth, cell wall integrity, metabolism, gene regulation and toxin production. Contrasting patterns of selection were observed between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes specific to the endosymbiont lineage. Intensified selection was most frequently observed across orthologs in the nuclear genome, whereas selection on most mitochondrial genes was found to be relaxed. Scans for positive selection were enriched within the fatty acid metabolism pathway with associate specific selection within three adjacent enzymes catalyzing the conversion of acetoacetate to acetyl-COA, suggesting that the endosymbiont lineage is under selective pressure to effectively exploit the lipid rich environment of the insect fat bodies in which it is found.},
}

@article {pmid39560405,
year = {2024},
author = {Deutsch, JM and Demko, AM and Jaiyesimi, OA and Foster, G and Kindler, A and Pitts, KA and Vekich, T and Williams, GJ and Walker, BK and Paul, VJ and Garg, N},
title = {Metabolomic profiles of stony coral species from the Dry Tortugas National Park display inter- and intraspecies variation.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0085624},
doi = {10.1128/msystems.00856-24},
pmid = {39560405},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Coral reefs are experiencing unprecedented loss in coral cover due to increased incidence of disease and bleaching events. Thus, understanding mechanisms of disease susceptibility and resilience, which vary by species, is important. In this regard, untargeted metabolomics serves as an important hypothesis-building tool enabling the delineation of molecular factors underlying disease susceptibility or resilience. In this study, we characterize metabolomes of four species of visually healthy stony corals, including Meandrina meandrites, Orbicella faveolata, Colpophyllia natans, and Montastraea cavernosa, collected at least a year before stony coral tissue loss disease reached the Dry Tortugas, Florida, and demonstrate that both symbiont and host-derived biochemical pathways vary by species. Metabolomes of Meandrina meandrites displayed minimal intraspecies variability and the highest biological activity against coral pathogens when compared to other species in this study. The application of advanced metabolite annotation methods enabled the delineation of several pathways underlying interspecies variability. Specifically, endosymbiont-derived vitamin E family compounds, betaine lipids, and host-derived acylcarnitines were among the top predictors of interspecies variability. Since several metabolite features that contributed to inter- and intraspecies variation are synthesized by the endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae, which could be a major source of these compounds in corals, our data will guide further investigations into these Symbiodiniaceae-derived pathways.

IMPORTANCE: Previous research profiling gene expression, proteins, and metabolites produced during thermal stress have reported the importance of endosymbiont-derived pathways in coral bleaching resistance. However, our understanding of interspecies variation in these pathways among healthy corals and their role in diseases is limited. We surveyed the metabolomes of four species of healthy corals with differing susceptibilities to the devastating stony coral tissue loss disease and applied advanced annotation approaches in untargeted metabolomics to determine the interspecies variation in host and endosymbiont-derived pathways. Using this approach, we propose the survey of immune markers such as vitamin E family compounds, acylcarnitines, and other metabolites to infer their role in resilience to coral diseases. As time-resolved multi-omics datasets are generated for disease-impacted corals, our approach and findings will be valuable in providing insight into the mechanisms of disease resistance.},
}

@article {pmid39551154,
year = {2024},
author = {Horn, CJ and Yuli, S and Berry, JA and Luong, LT},
title = {A male-killing Spiroplasma endosymbiont has age-mediated impacts on Drosophila endurance and sleep.},
journal = {Journal of insect physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {104723},
doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104723},
pmid = {39551154},
issn = {1879-1611},
abstract = {Endosymbiotic bacteria have a wide range of impacts on host physiology, behaviour, metabolism, endurance, and mobility. Recent work found some endosymbionts also impact host sleep duration and quality. These effects may increase as flies age and endosymbiont titers increase. We tested the hypothesis that Spiroplasma poulsonni MSRO negatively impacts sleep in Drosophila melanogaster, and this in turn impairs fly endurance. In geotaxis climbing assays (a proxy for endurance), we found that MSRO impacted climbing endurance but in an age-dependent manner. Among younger flies, MSRO+ flies slept significantly less during dark periods (measured by a Drosophila Activity Monitoring System) compared to uninfected flies, but older MSRO+ flies did not show significant differences in amount of sleep compared to uninfected flies in the same cohort. While MSRO status impacted both sleep and endurance of hosts, endosymbiont-mediated sleep deprivation did not directly explain decreases in fly endurance. We discuss these results in the context of endosymbiont comparative biology.},
}

@article {pmid39549700,
year = {2024},
author = {Siozios, S and Nadal-Jimenez, P and Azagi, T and Sprong, H and Frost, CL and Parratt, SR and Taylor, G and Brettell, L and Liew, KC and Croft, L and King, KC and Brockhurst, MA and Hypša, V and Novakova, E and Darby, AC and Hurst, GDD},
title = {Genome dynamics across the evolutionary transition to endosymbiosis.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.10.044},
pmid = {39549700},
issn = {1879-0445},
abstract = {Endosymbiosis-where a microbe lives and replicates within a host-is an important contributor to organismal function that has accelerated evolutionary innovations and catalyzed the evolution of complex life. The evolutionary processes associated with transitions to endosymbiosis, however, are poorly understood. Here, we leverage the wide diversity of host-associated lifestyles of the genus Arsenophonus to reveal the complex evolutionary processes that occur during the transition to a vertically transmitted endosymbiotic lifestyle from strains maintained solely by horizontal (infectious) transmission. We compared the genomes of 38 strains spanning diverse lifestyles from horizontally transmitted pathogens to obligate interdependent endosymbionts. Among culturable strains, we observed those with vertical transmission had larger genome sizes than closely related horizontally transmitting counterparts, consistent with evolutionary innovation and the rapid gain of new functions. Increased genome size was a consequence of prophage and plasmid acquisition, including a cargo of type III effectors, alongside the concomitant loss of CRISPR-Cas genome defense systems, enabling mobile genetic element expansion. Persistent endosymbiosis was also associated with loss of type VI secretion, which we hypothesize to be a consequence of reduced microbe-microbe competition. Thereafter, the transition to endosymbiosis with strict vertical inheritance was associated with the expected relaxation of purifying selection, gene pseudogenization, metabolic degradation, and genome reduction. We argue that reduced phage predation in endosymbiotic niches drives the loss of genome defense systems driving rapid genome expansion upon the adoption of endosymbiosis and vertical transmission. This remodeling enables rapid horizontal gene transfer-mediated evolutionary innovation and precedes the reductive evolution traditionally associated with adaptation to endosymbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid39548114,
year = {2024},
author = {Thompson, NS and Krum, D and Chen, YR and Torres, MC and Trauger, MA and Strike, D and Weston, Z and Polston, JE and Curtis, WR},
title = {Enabling biocontained plant virus transmission studies through establishment of an axenic whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) colony on plant tissue culture.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {28169},
pmid = {39548114},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; HR0011-17-2-0055//Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1659497//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; 1543929//National Science Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; OPP51589//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/virology ; *Plant Diseases/virology/parasitology ; Insect Vectors/virology ; Begomovirus/physiology/pathogenicity ; Plant Viruses/physiology/pathogenicity ; Axenic Culture ; Tissue Culture Techniques/methods ; },
abstract = {Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and the diseases they transmit are a major detriment to crop yields and a significant contributor to world hunger. The highly evolved interactions of host plant, phloem-feeding insect vector with endosymbionts and persistently transmitted virus represent a tremendous challenge for interdisciplinary study. Presented here is the establishment of a colony of axenic whiteflies on tissue-cultured plants. Efficient colony establishment was achieved by a surface sterilization of eggs laid on axenic phototrophically tissue-cultured plants. The transfer of emerging whiteflies through coupled tissue culture vessels to new axenic plants facilitates robust subculturing and produces hundreds of whitefly adults per month. Whitefly proliferation on more than two dozen plant species is shown as well as in vitro testing of whitefly preference for different plants. This novel multi-organism system provides the high-level of biocontainment required by Federal permitting to conduct virus transmission experiments. Axenic whitefly adults were able to acquire and transmit a begomovirus into tissue-cultured plants, indicating that culturable gut microorganisms are not required for virus transmission. The approach described enables a wide range of hypotheses regarding whitefly phytopathology without the expense, facilities, and contamination ambiguity associated with current approaches.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/virology
*Plant Diseases/virology/parasitology
Insect Vectors/virology
Begomovirus/physiology/pathogenicity
Plant Viruses/physiology/pathogenicity
Axenic Culture
Tissue Culture Techniques/methods

@article {pmid39548000,
year = {2024},
author = {Visser, B and Scheifler, M},
title = {Insect Lipid Metabolism in the Presence of Symbiotic and Pathogenic Viruses and Bacteria.},
journal = {Advances in experimental medicine and biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39548000},
issn = {0065-2598},
abstract = {Insects, like most animals, have intimate interactions with microorganisms that can influence the insect host's lipid metabolism. In this chapter, we describe what is known so far about the role prokaryotic microorganisms play in insect lipid metabolism. We start exploring microbe-insect lipid interactions focusing on endosymbionts, and more specifically the gut microbiota that has been predominantly studied in Drosophila melanogaster. We then move on to an overview of the work done on the common and well-studied endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis, also in interaction with other microbes. Taking a slightly different angle, we then look at the effect of human pathogens, including dengue and other viruses, on the lipids of mosquito vectors. We extend the work on human pathogens and include interactions with the endosymbiont Wolbachia that was identified as a natural tool to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Research on lipid metabolism of plant disease vectors is up and coming and we end this chapter by highlighting current knowledge in that field.},
}

@article {pmid39541572,
year = {2024},
author = {Gladem, KB and Rugman-Jones, PF and Shelton, EK and Hanrahan, KS and Bean, DW and Rector, BG},
title = {Sex-ratio distortion in a weed biological control agent, Ceratapion basicorne (Coleoptera: Brentidae), associated with a species of Rickettsia.},
journal = {Environmental entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ee/nvae115},
pmid = {39541572},
issn = {1938-2936},
support = {AP23PPQFO000C398//USDA/ ; 22-DG-11010000-005//US Forest Service/ ; },
abstract = {Many endosymbionts of insects have been shown to manipulate and alter their hosts' reproduction with implications for agriculture, disease transmission, and ecological systems. Less studied are the microbiota of classical biological control agents and the implications of inadvertent endosymbionts in laboratory colonies for field establishment and effects on target pests or nontarget organisms. While native-range field populations of agents may have a low incidence of vertically transmitted endosymbionts, quarantine and laboratory rearing of inbred populations may increase this low prevalence to fixation in relatively few generations. Fixation of detrimental endosymbionts in founding biological control agent populations prior to release may have far-reaching effects. Significant female-biased sex-ratio distortion was found within laboratory populations of the weevil Ceratapion basicorne (Illiger), a classical biological control agent that was recently approved for use against yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.). This sex-ratio distortion was observed to be vertically inherited and reversible through antibiotic treatment of the host insect. Molecular diagnostics identified a Rickettsia sp. as the only bacterial endosymbiont present in breeding lines with distorted sex ratios and implicated this as the first reported Rickettsia associated with sex-ratio distortion within the superfamily Curculionoidea.},
}

@article {pmid39531470,
year = {2024},
author = {Huffmyer, AS and Ashey, J and Strand, E and Chiles, EN and Su, X and Putnam, HM},
title = {Coral larvae increase nitrogen assimilation to stabilize algal symbiosis and combat bleaching under increased temperature.},
journal = {PLoS biology},
volume = {22},
number = {11},
pages = {e3002875},
pmid = {39531470},
issn = {1545-7885},
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis/physiology ; *Anthozoa/metabolism/physiology ; *Larva/metabolism ; *Nitrogen/metabolism ; *Photosynthesis ; Coral Reefs ; Temperature ; Dinoflagellida/metabolism/physiology ; Hot Temperature ; Carbon/metabolism ; Hawaii ; },
abstract = {Rising sea surface temperatures are increasingly causing breakdown in the nutritional relationship between corals and algal endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae), threatening the basis of coral reef ecosystems and highlighting the critical role of coral reproduction in reef maintenance. The effects of thermal stress on metabolic exchange (i.e., transfer of fixed carbon photosynthates from symbiont to host) during sensitive early life stages, however, remains understudied. We exposed symbiotic Montipora capitata coral larvae in Hawai'i to high temperature (+2.5°C for 3 days), assessed rates of photosynthesis and respiration, and used stable isotope tracing (4 mM 13C sodium bicarbonate; 4.5 h) to quantify metabolite exchange. While larvae did not show any signs of bleaching and did not experience declines in survival and settlement, metabolic depression was significant under high temperature, indicated by a 19% reduction in respiration rates, but with no change in photosynthesis. Larvae exposed to high temperature showed evidence for maintained translocation of a major photosynthate, glucose, from the symbiont, but there was reduced metabolism of glucose through central carbon metabolism (i.e., glycolysis). The larval host invested in nitrogen cycling by increasing ammonium assimilation, urea metabolism, and sequestration of nitrogen into dipeptides, a mechanism that may support the maintenance of glucose translocation under thermal stress. Host nitrogen assimilation via dipeptide synthesis appears to be used for nitrogen limitation to the Symbiodiniaceae, and we hypothesize that nitrogen limitation contributes to retention of fixed carbon by favoring photosynthate translocation to the host. Collectively, our findings indicate that although these larvae are susceptible to metabolic stress under high temperature, diverting energy to nitrogen assimilation to maintain symbiont population density, photosynthesis, and carbon translocation may allow larvae to avoid bleaching and highlights potential life stage specific metabolic responses to stress.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis/physiology
*Anthozoa/metabolism/physiology
*Larva/metabolism
*Nitrogen/metabolism
*Photosynthesis
Coral Reefs
Temperature
Dinoflagellida/metabolism/physiology
Hot Temperature
Carbon/metabolism
Hawaii

@article {pmid39516195,
year = {2024},
author = {Speth, DR and Zeller, LM and Graf, JS and Overholt, WA and Küsel, K and Milucka, J},
title = {Genetic potential for aerobic respiration and denitrification in globally distributed respiratory endosymbionts.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {9682},
pmid = {39516195},
issn = {2041-1723},
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Phylogeny ; *Denitrification ; Metagenome ; Aerobiosis ; Ciliophora/genetics/metabolism ; Groundwater/microbiology ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Germany ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics/metabolism ; California ; Genome, Bacterial ; },
abstract = {The endosymbiont Candidatus Azoamicus ciliaticola was proposed to generate ATP for its eukaryotic host, an anaerobic ciliate of the Plagiopylea class, fulfilling a function analogous to mitochondria in other eukaryotic cells. The discovery of this respiratory endosymbiosis has major implications for both evolutionary history and ecology of microbial eukaryotes. However, with only a single species described, knowledge of its environmental distribution and diversity is limited. Here we report four complete, circular metagenome assembled genomes (cMAGs) representing respiratory endosymbionts inhabiting groundwater in California, Ohio, and Germany. These cMAGs form two lineages comprising a monophyletic clade within the uncharacterized gammaproteobacterial order UBA6186, enabling evolutionary analysis of their key protein complexes. Strikingly, all four cMAGs encode a cytochrome cbb3 oxidase, which indicates that these endosymbionts have the capacity for aerobic respiration. Accordingly, we detect these respiratory endosymbionts in diverse habitats worldwide, thus further expanding the ecological scope of this respiratory symbiosis.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Phylogeny
*Denitrification
Metagenome
Aerobiosis
Ciliophora/genetics/metabolism
Groundwater/microbiology
Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism
Germany
Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics/metabolism
California
Genome, Bacterial

@article {pmid39510362,
year = {2024},
author = {Deng, YP and Yao, C and Fu, YT and Zhuo, Y and Zou, JL and Pan, HY and Peng, YY and Liu, GH},
title = {Analyses of the gut microbial composition of domestic pig louse Haematopinus suis.},
journal = {Microbial pathogenesis},
volume = {197},
number = {},
pages = {107106},
doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2024.107106},
pmid = {39510362},
issn = {1096-1208},
abstract = {Haematopinus suis is an obligatory ectoparasite of the domestic pig, serving as a vector of several swine pathogens and posing great threats to the pig industry. The gut microbiome of lice is thought of an important mediator of their healthy physiology. However, there is a great paucity of lice-associated microbial communities' structure and function. The current study aimed to profile the gut microbiome and to understand the microbial functions of swine lice by metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. In total, 102,358 (77.2 %) nonredundant genes were cataloged, by contrast, only a small proportion of genes were assigned to microbial taxa and functional assemblages. Bacteria of known or potential public health significance such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Waddlia chondrophila, Bacillus cereus, and Leptotrichia goodfellowii were observed in all samples. The integrated microbial profile further illustrated the evolutionary relevance of endosymbionts and detailed the functional composition, and findings suggested H. suis may acquire adenosylcobalamin by feeding due to an adenosylcobalamin synthesis defect and a lack of complete synthases of endosymbionts. Sucking lice contained fewer functional genes compared with ticks and fleas probably because of the obligate host specificity of parasitic lice. In addition, the genes from the intestines contained encompassed most of the microbial functional genes in sucking lice. A wide range of unknown taxonomic and functional assemblages were discovered, which improves our understanding related to microbial features and physiological activities of sucking lice. In general, this study increases the characterization of the microbiota of lice and offers clues for preventing and controlling lice infestation in swine production in the future.},
}

@article {pmid39506857,
year = {2024},
author = {Bernardini, I and Poggi, C and Porretta, D and Máca, J and Perugini, E and Manzi, S and Gabrielli, S and Pichler, V and Latrofa, MS and Fourie, J and Lia, RP and Beugnet, F and Otranto, D and Pombi, M},
title = {Population dynamics of sympatric Phortica spp. and first record of stable presence of Phortica oldenbergi in a Thelazia callipaeda-endemic area of Italy.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {455},
pmid = {39506857},
issn = {1756-3305},
mesh = {Animals ; *Drosophilidae/parasitology ; *Population Dynamics ; Italy/epidemiology ; *Thelazioidea/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology ; *Insect Vectors/parasitology ; Seasons ; Male ; Female ; Wolbachia/isolation & purification/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Five species of the Phortica genus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are known in Europe and the Middle East. Among these, Phortica variegata and Phortica okadai are better known for their role as vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda. Other species, such as Phortica semivirgo and Phortica oldenbergi, have been studied less. Given the paucity of data about these Phortica spp. vectors, we explored the population dynamics and ecology of Phortica spp. in an area highly endemic for T. callipeada (Manziana, Rome, Central Italy).

METHODS: Phortica spp. flies were collected over a 3-year period (2018-2020) during their active season (April-October) with a sweep net while hovering around fermenting fruits or a human operator acting as baits. Collected flies were morphologically identified and tested for a T. callipeada infection and for the presence of Wolbachia, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Population dynamics of species collected was associated to environmental drivers through generalized additive models.

RESULTS: Of the 5564 flies collected, 90.8% were P. variegata, 9.1% were P. oldenbergi, 0.05% were P. semivirgo, and one specimen was P. okadai. Only P. variegata scored molecularly infected with T. callipeada throughout the 3-year sampling period (1.8%). Phortica oldenbergi, observed consistently during the entire sampling period, exhibited a marked preference for fruit traps, contrasting with the lachryphagous activity of P. variegata. Analysis of environmental drivers of P. oldenbergi and P. variegata population dynamics indicated temperature, wind speed, and pressure as significant factors. In addition, Wolbachia pipientis endosymbiont was detected in P. oldenbergi and P. okadai.

CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, this study analysed several ecological aspects of Phortica species coexisting in a T. callipeada endemic area, highlighting different behaviors in the same environment and their vectorial role. Notably, this is also the first report of the presence of P. oldenbergi in Italy and P. okadai in Europe, underscoring the importance of extensive sampling for detecting potential vectors and alien species with direct implications for vector-borne disease epidemiology.},
}

Animals
*Drosophilidae/parasitology
*Population Dynamics
Italy/epidemiology
*Thelazioidea/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology
*Insect Vectors/parasitology
Seasons
Male
Female
Wolbachia/isolation & purification/genetics

@article {pmid39524518,
year = {2021},
author = {Wang, Y and Wang, L and Chen, S and Chen, S},
title = {A study of RNA-editing in Populus trichocarpa nuclei revealed acquisition of RNA-editing on the endosymbiont-derived genes, and a preference for intracellular remodeling genes in adaptation to endosymbiosis.},
journal = {Forestry research},
volume = {1},
number = {},
pages = {20},
pmid = {39524518},
issn = {2767-3812},
abstract = {RNA-editing is a post-transcriptional modification that can diversify genome-encoded information by modifying individual RNA bases. In contrast to the well-studied RNA-editing in organelles, little is known about nuclear RNA-editing in higher plants. We performed a genome-wide study of RNA-editing in Populus trichocarpa nuclei using the RNA-seq data generated from the sequenced poplar genotype, 'Nisqually-1'. A total of 24,653 nuclear RNA-editing sites present in 8,603 transcripts were identified. Notably, RNA-editing in P. trichocarpa nuclei tended to occur on endosymbiont-derived genes. We then scrutinized RNA-editing in a cyanobacterial strain closely related to chloroplast. No RNA-editing sites were identified therein, implying that RNA-editing of these endosymbiont-derived genes was acquired after endosymbiosis. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of all the edited genes in P. trichocarpa nuclei demonstrated that nuclear RNA-editing was primarily focused on genes involved in intracellular remodeling processes, which suggests that RNA-editing plays contributing roles in organellar establishment during endosymbiosis. We built a coexpression network using all C-to-U edited genes and then decomposed it to obtain 18 clusters, six of which contained a conserved core motif, A/G-C-A/G. Such a short core motif not only attracted the RNA-editing machinery but also enabled large numbers of sites to be targeted though further study is necessary to verify this finding.},
}

@article {pmid39495046,
year = {2024},
author = {Yang, SY and Lin, YY and Hao, Z and Li, ZJ and Peng, ZQ and Jin, T},
title = {Bacterial communities in Asecodes hispinarum (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and its host Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with comparison of Wolbachia dominance.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toae234},
pmid = {39495046},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {2021YFD2600405//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; CATASCXTD202311//Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences for Science and Technology Innovation Team/ ; },
abstract = {The endoparasitoid Asecodes hispinarum (Bouček) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) serves as an effective biological control agent against Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a notorious palm pest. Endosymbionts found in parasitoids and their hosts have attracted significant attention due to their substantial influence on biocontrol efficacy. In this study, we employed 16S rRNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence in situ hybridization to assess the symbiotic bacteria composition, diversity, phylogeny, and localization in A. hispinarum and its host B. longissima. Our findings showed significant differences in the richness, diversity, and composition of symbiotic bacteria among different life stages of B. longissima. Notably, the bacterial richness, diversity, and composition of A. hispinarum was similar to that of B. longissima. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla, while Wolbachia was the dominant genera across the parasitoid and host. It was discovered for the first time that Wolbachia was present in A. hispinarum with a high infection rate at ≥ 96.67%. Notably, the Wolbachia strain in A. hispinarum was placed in supergroup A, whereas it was categorized under supergroup B in B. longissima. Furthermore, Wolbachia is concentrated in the abdomen of A. hispinarum, with particularly high levels observed in the ovipositors of female adults. These findings highlight the composition and diversity of symbiotic bacteria in both A. hispinarum and its host B. longissima, providing a foundation for the development of population regulation strategies targeting B. longissima.},
}

@article {pmid39493401,
year = {2024},
author = {Mulavu, M and Khumalo, CS and Moonga, L and Hayashida, K and Mubemba, B and Changula, K and Simulundu, E and Muleya, W and Chitanga, S},
title = {Defining the bacterial microbiome of ticks in Chongwe and Chisamba Districts of Zambia.},
journal = {Infectious medicine},
volume = {3},
number = {4},
pages = {100131},
pmid = {39493401},
issn = {2772-431X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The microbiome composition of an arthropod vector may impede the growth of some pathogens, aid colonisation by pathogens or affect vector behaviour in ways that impact the transmission of pathogens. In Zambia, little is known of the microbial communities hosted by ticks and how pathogens like Rickettsia play a role in the microbiome composition.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the microbiome of Rickettsia-negative and Rickettsia-positive ticks in selected districts of Zambia.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out on 94 ticks collected from cattle in Chongwe and Chisamba districts. The overall prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was detected using PCR amplification of the ompB gene. Thereafter, both Rickettsia-negative and positive ticks underwent 16S rRNA gene amplification and Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Data was analysed using QIIME2 analysis pipeline.

RESULTS: The prevalence of Rickettsia was found to be 47.9% (45/94) with prevalence in Amblyomma at 78.5% (22/28), Hyalomma at 68.9% (20/29) and Rhipicephalus having the lowest at 8.1% (3/37). Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota and Euryachaeota were the most common phyla, while endosymbionts were uncommonly detected in the ticks. Further analysis showed significant differences in microbiome composition based on Rickettsia detection status (p=0.001) and location (p=0.001), based on the alpha diversity Shannon index, Bray Curtis beta diversity and PERMANOVA, whilst differences according to life stage, tick species and genus was only shown based on the Bray Curtis beta diversity and PERMANOVA analysis.

CONCLUSION: Ultimately, this study provides valuable insights into the structure of the tick microbiome in parts of Zambia and how it is affected by the presence of Rickettsia.},
}

@article {pmid39484388,
year = {2024},
author = {Awuoche, E and Smallenberger, G and Bruzzese, D and Orfano, A and Weiss, BL and Aksoy, S},
title = {Spiroplasma endosymbiont reduction of host lipid synthesis and Stomoxyn-like peptide contribute to trypanosome resistance in the tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.10.24.620045},
pmid = {39484388},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) vector African trypanosomes that cause devastating diseases in humans and domestic animals. Within the Glossina genus, species in the Palpalis subgroup exhibit greater resistance to trypanosome infections compared to those in the Morsitans subgroup. Varying microbiota composition and species-specific genetic traits can significantly influence the efficiency of parasite transmission. Notably, infections with the endosymbiotic bacterium Spiroplasma have been documented in several Palpalis subgroup species, including Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Gff). While Spiroplasma infections in Gff are known to hinder trypanosome transmission, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To investigate Spiroplasma- mediated factors affecting Gff vector competence, we conducted high-throughput RNA sequencing of the midgut tissue along with functional assays. Our findings reveal elevated oxidative stress in the midgut environment in the presence of Spiroplasma , evidenced by increased expression of nitric oxide synthase, which catalyzes the production of trypanocidal nitric oxide. Additionally, we observed impaired lipid biosynthesis leading to a reduction of this important class of nutrients essential for parasite and host physiologies. In contrast, trypanosome infections in Gff's midgut significantly upregulated various immunity-related genes, including a small peptide, Stomoxyn-like , homologous to Stomoxyns first discovered in the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans . We observed that the Stomoxyn-like locus is exclusive to the genomes of Palpalis subgroup tsetse species. Gff Stomoxyn is constitutively expressed in the cardia (proventriculus) and synthetic Gff Stomoxyn exhibits potent activity against Escherichia coli and bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei parasites, while showing no effect against insect stage procyclic forms or tsetse's commensal endosymbiont Sodalis in vitro . Reducing Gff Stomoxyn levels significantly increased trypanosome infection prevalence, indicating its potential trypanocidal role in vivo . Collectively, our results suggest that the enhanced resistance to trypanosomes observed in Spiroplasma -infected Gff may be due to the reduced lipid availability necessary for parasite metabolic maintenance. Furthermore, Gff Stomoxyn could play a crucial role in the initial immune response(s) against mammalian parasites early in the infection process in the midgut and prevent gut colonization. We discuss the molecular characteristics of Gff Stomoxyn, its spatial and temporal expression regulation and its microbicidal activity against Trypanosome parasites. Our findings reinforce the nutritional influences of microbiota on host physiology and host-pathogen dynamics.

AUTHOR SUMMARY: The tsetse fly, Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Gff) is of high public health relevance. Gff exhibits strong innate resistance to trypanosomes, especially when infected with the endosymbiotic bacterium Spiroplasma . This study investigated how the bacterium Spiroplasma inside Gff enables them to be resistant to trypanosome infection. Our results indicate alterations in host lipid metabolism with reduction in levels of triglycerides, suggesting a potential metabolic barrier that limits the viability to parasite. In addition, we discovered a small peptide, stomoxyn, exclusively in Gff and related Palpalis tsetse species. We have shown that Gff synthetic Stomoxyn has antibacterial and antitrypanosomal properties and lowering Stomoxyn levels in Gff correlates with increased parasite prevalence. We suggest that strategies to increase Spiroplasma prevalence or enhance stomoxyn expression through paratransgenic approaches could be promising avenues for reducing trypanosomiasis transmission.},
}

@article {pmid39475326,
year = {2024},
author = {Papke, E and Kennedy, GE and Elliott, E and Taylor, A and Tolar, BB and Ushijima, B},
title = {Transmission Electron Microscopy of Coral Tissue.},
journal = {Current protocols},
volume = {4},
number = {11},
pages = {e70033},
doi = {10.1002/cpz1.70033},
pmid = {39475326},
issn = {2691-1299},
mesh = {*Anthozoa/ultrastructure ; Animals ; *Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/methods ; Coral Reefs ; Tissue Fixation/methods ; },
abstract = {Coral reefs are invaluable ecosystems that are under threat from various anthropogenic stressors. There has been a recent increase in the diagnostic tools utilized to understand how these threats impact coral reef health. Unfortunately, the application of diagnostic tools like transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is not as standardized or developed in coral research as in other research fields. Utilizing TEM in conjunction with other diagnostic methods can aid in understanding the impact of these stressors on the cellular level because TEM offers valuable insight into the structures and microsymbionts associated with coral tissue that cannot be obtained with a conventional light microscope. Additionally, a significant amount of coral tissue ultrastructure has not yet been extensively described, causing a considerable gap in our understanding of cellular structures that could relate to the immune response, cellular function, or symbioses. Moreover, additional standardization is needed for TEM in coral research to increase comparability and reproducibility of findings across studies. Here, we present standardized TEM sample fixation, embedding, and sectioning techniques for coral studies that ensure consistent ultrastructural preservation and minimize artifacts, enhancing the reliability and accuracy of TEM observations. We also demonstrate that these TEM protocols allow for the observation and quantification of bacterial and viral-like particles within the coral tissue as well as the endosymbiotic microalgae, potentially providing insight into their interactions within coral cells and how they relate to overall coral health and resilience. © 2024 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Primary fixation Basic Protocol 2: Decalcification Basic Protocol 3: Sample dissection, secondary fixation, dehydration, and embedding Basic Protocol 4: Sectioning and grid staining Basic Protocol 5: Imaging.},
}

*Anthozoa/ultrastructure
Animals
*Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/methods
Coral Reefs
Tissue Fixation/methods

@article {pmid39474501,
year = {2024},
author = {Sawada, Y and Sato, N and Osawa, T and Matsumoto, K and Chiu, MC and Okada, R and Sakura, M and Sato, T},
title = {A potential evolutionary trap for the extended phenotype of a nematomorph parasite.},
journal = {PNAS nexus},
volume = {3},
number = {10},
pages = {pgae464},
pmid = {39474501},
issn = {2752-6542},
abstract = {Human activities introduce new environmental cues to wild organisms, leading to maladaptive behavioral and life history decisions known as the "evolutionary trap." This trap is thought to be a major conservation concern for free-living organisms. However, it has never been studied in endosymbionts, one of the most successful and diverse life forms on Earth. Here, we examine this trap in the extended phenotype of a parasite that exploits the visual system of hosts to alter host behavior for its benefit. Arboreal mantids infected by nematomorph parasites are drawn to horizontally polarized light, thereby inducing them to enter the water. In this study, we found that the degree of linear polarization (DOP) of reflected light served as a reliable environmental cue for identifying perennial waters, where nematomorphs can survive in their aquatic life stage without drying out. Infected mantids exhibit attraction to horizontally polarized light with higher DOP in behavioral assays and jumped into pools reflecting light with higher DOP in field experiments. The asphalt road reflected horizontally polarized light closely resembling the polarization levels observed in perennial waters, likely leading to a higher prevalence of mantids on asphalt roads compared with those found in natural arboreal habitats. In a field experiment, we observed infected mantids walking on asphalt roads more often than on cement roads. These findings imply that evolutionary traps can endanger endosymbionts beyond their hosts that directly perceive environmental cues.},
}

@article {pmid39471850,
year = {2024},
author = {Tourani, AH and Katlav, A and Cook, JM and Riegler, M},
title = {Mating receptivity mediated by endosymbiont interactions in a haplodiploid thrips species.},
journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences},
volume = {291},
number = {2033},
pages = {20241564},
doi = {10.1098/rspb.2024.1564},
pmid = {39471850},
issn = {1471-2954},
support = {//University of Western Sydney/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Thysanoptera/physiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; Female ; Male ; *Sexual Behavior, Animal ; Bacteroidetes/physiology ; Reproduction ; },
abstract = {Many arthropods carry maternally inherited endosymbionts that cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), manifested as embryonic mortality in matings of infected males with uninfected females. Infected females, however, do not suffer this cost. Therefore, in populations with mixed endosymbiont infections, selection is expected to favour mechanisms that enable hosts to avoid or mitigate CI. This may include changes in mating behaviour, such as reduced female receptivity to mating and/or remating when approached by incompatible males. Here, we investigated mating behavioural traits in haplodiploid thrips naturally associated with two CI-inducing endosymbionts, Cardinium and Wolbachia. Compared with females with both endosymbionts, those with only Cardinium showed reduced receptivity to males carrying both. However, surprisingly, females without endosymbionts were not less receptive to incompatible males. Furthermore, in contrast to females without endosymbionts, females with Cardinium were far less likely to remate with incompatible than compatible males irrespective of the compatibility type of the first mating. Our results suggest that endosymbiont-specific sexual selection processes occur, whereby females carrying only Cardinium recognize Wolbachia in coinfected males to avoid CI. This may hinder a CI-driven Wolbachia spread. Endosymbiont-mediated mating behaviours may be crucial for the dynamics of CI-inducing endosymbionts and their application in pest management strategies.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Thysanoptera/physiology
*Wolbachia/physiology
Female
Male
*Sexual Behavior, Animal
Bacteroidetes/physiology
Reproduction

@article {pmid39466691,
year = {2024},
author = {Teh, LS and Shalom, SR and James, I and Dolgova, A and Chiel, E and Dale, C},
title = {Sodalis praecaptivus subsp. spalangiae subsp. nov., a nascent bacterial endosymbiont isolated from the parasitoid wasp, Spalangia cameroni.},
journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology},
volume = {74},
number = {10},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1099/ijsem.0.006552},
pmid = {39466691},
issn = {1466-5034},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wasps/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Phylogeny ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; *Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Israel ; Houseflies/microbiology ; Fatty Acids/analysis ; Base Composition ; Genome, Bacterial ; },
abstract = {An endosymbiotic bacterium of the genus Sodalis, designated as strain HZ[T], was cultured from the parasitoid wasp Spalangia cameroni, which develops on the pupae of various host flies. The bacterium was detected in S. cameroni developed on houseflies, Musca domestica, in a poultry facility in Hazon, northern Israel. After culturing, this bacterium displayed no surface motility on Luria-Bertani agar and was rod-shaped and irregular in size, ~10-30 nm in diameter and 5-20 µm in length. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain HZ[T] is closely related to Sodalis praecaptivus strain HS[T], a free-living species of the genus Sodalis that includes many insect endosymbionts. Although these bacteria maintain >98% sequence identity in shared genes, genomic characterization revealed that strain HZ[T] has undergone substantial reductive evolution, such that it lacks many gene functions that are maintained in S. praecaptivus strain HS[T]. Based on the results of phylogenetic, genomic and chemotaxonomic analyses, we propose that this endosymbiont should be classified in a new subspecies as S. praecaptivus subsp. spalangiae subsp. nov. The type strain for this new subspecies is HZ[T] (=ATCC TSD-398[T]=NCIMB 15482[T]). The subspecies Sodalis praecaptivus subsp. praecaptivus strain HS[T] is created automatically with the type strain ATCC BAA-2554[T] (=DSMZ 27494[T]).},
}

Animals
*Wasps/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Phylogeny
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*DNA, Bacterial/genetics
*Sequence Analysis, DNA
*Bacterial Typing Techniques
Israel
Houseflies/microbiology
Fatty Acids/analysis
Base Composition
Genome, Bacterial

@article {pmid39459905,
year = {2024},
author = {Alkhatib, BM and Belteton, S and Creamer, R},
title = {Immunolocalization of Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV) and GroEL Chaperon Protein of Endosymbionts in Beet Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus) Vector Tissue.},
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {39459905},
issn = {1999-4915},
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/virology ; *Insect Vectors/virology ; *Geminiviridae/genetics ; *Chaperonin 60/metabolism/genetics ; *Plant Diseases/virology ; *Symbiosis ; Salivary Glands/virology ; Beta vulgaris/virology ; },
abstract = {Beet curly top virus (BCTV, curtovirus, geminiviridae) causes one of the most economically significant viral diseases in crops in the Western United States and is transmitted only by the beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus) in a non-propagative circulative manner. A better understanding of how this virus overcomes insect vector cellular barriers is essential to understanding virus-vector interactions. The distribution of BCTV in its beet leafhopper vector was investigated using immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscope analysis (iCLSM) on the whole-mount-dissected organs of leafhoppers. BCTV was localized in several lobes of the principal salivary glands, filter chamber, anterior midgut, and mid midgut, suggesting the occurrence of midgut and salivary gland barriers to BCTV transmission in its vector C. tenellus. This study also investigated the distribution of the chaperon GroEL homolog protein produced by primary endosymbiotic bacteria within the beet leafhopper, which is believed to indirectly affect viral transmission by enhancing insect immunity and resistance to viruses. GroEL was identified in leafhopper salivary glands lobes, the stylet, salivary canal, the filter chamber, and the Malpighian tubule. This is the first work to visualize the localization of a curtovirus within its beet leafhopper vector. Together, these results can help understand ssDNA virus-vector relationships, including cellular transmission barriers and other vector protein components.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/virology
*Insect Vectors/virology
*Geminiviridae/genetics
*Chaperonin 60/metabolism/genetics
*Plant Diseases/virology
*Symbiosis
Salivary Glands/virology
Beta vulgaris/virology

@article {pmid39458303,
year = {2024},
author = {Clervil, E and Guidez, A and Talaga, S and Carinci, R and Gaborit, P and Lavergne, A and Tirera, S and Duchemin, JB},
title = {Wolbachia Natural Infection of Mosquitoes in French Guiana: Prevalence, Distribution, and Genotyping.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {12},
number = {10},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms12101994},
pmid = {39458303},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Wolbachia are the most spread bacterial endosymbionts in the world. These bacteria can manipulate host reproduction or block virus transmission in mosquitoes. For this reason, Wolbachia-based strategies for vector control are seriously considered or have already been applied in several countries around the world. In South America, Wolbachia have been studied in human pathogen vectors such as sand flies and mosquitoes. In French Guiana, the diversity and distribution of Wolbachia are not well known in mosquitoes. In this study, we screened for Wolbachia natural infection in mosquitoes in French Guiana by using 16S rRNA, Wolbachia surface protein (WSP), and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) molecular assays. A total of 29 out of 44 (65.9%) mosquito species were positive for natural Wolbachia infection according to the PCR results, and two Wolbachia strains co-infected three specimens of Mansonia titillans. Then, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships among the Wolbachia detected. All of the tested specimens of Aedes aegypti, the major dengue vector of French Guiana, were negative. These results regarding Wolbachia strain, distribution, and prevalence in mosquitoes from French Guiana highlight Wolbachia-mosquito associations and pave the way for a future Wolbachia-based strategy for vector control in this Amazonian territory.},
}

@article {pmid39457880,
year = {2024},
author = {Kim, B and Lee, YJ and Kwak, D and Seo, MG},
title = {Nationwide Survey of Vector-Borne Diseases in Rodents and Mites in Korea: Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {14},
number = {20},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani14202950},
pmid = {39457880},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {RS-2022-00165704//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT)/ ; },
abstract = {Rodents are reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens, making it essential to study both rodents and their ectoparasites. In 2022 and 2023, we investigated the spatial distribution of rodents and their mites across Korea, focusing on three vector-borne diseases (VBDs): Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia. A total of 835 wild rodents were collected from 16 locations, each consisting of five distinct environmental settings (mountains, waterways, reservoirs, fields, and paddy fields), with 20 traps per setting, totaling 100 Sherman live folding traps per site. Each rodent was identified using a taxonomic key, and post-mortem examinations led to the collection of 7971 mites (498 pools), followed by PCR analysis. Among the rodents, Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 10.3%, Ehrlichia muris in 0.5%, Ehrlichia ruminantium in 0.2%, and Rickettsia raoultii in 2.9%. In mites, A. phagocytophilum was found in 8.8%, E. muris in 0.2%, R. raoultii in 0.2%, R. endosymbiont in 1.6%, and R. australis in 1.2%. This study marks the first detection of E. muris and R. raoultii in Korean rodents and the first global discovery of E. ruminantium in rodents. The detection of multiple pathogens in mites worldwide highlights the importance of continuous VBD monitoring to mitigate public health risks.},
}

@article {pmid39455905,
year = {2024},
author = {Aželytė, J and Maitre, A and Abuin-Denis, L and Wu-Chuang, A and Žiegytė, R and Mateos-Hernandez, L and Obregon, D and Palinauskas, V and Cabezas-Cruz, A},
title = {Nested patterns of commensals and endosymbionts in microbial communities of mosquito vectors.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {434},
pmid = {39455905},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {SGCE-RAPPORT No. 0300//Collectivité de Corse/ ; S-MIP-22-52//Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba/ ; ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/physiology ; *Culex/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mosquitoes serve as vectors for numerous pathogens, posing significant health risks to humans and animals. Understanding the complex interactions within mosquito microbiota is crucial for deciphering vector-pathogen dynamics and developing effective disease management strategies. Here, we investigated the nested patterns of Wolbachia endosymbionts and Escherichia-Shigella within the microbiota of laboratory-reared Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. We hypothesized that Wolbachia would exhibit a structured pattern reflective of its co-evolved relationship with both mosquito species, while Escherichia-Shigella would display a more dynamic pattern influenced by environmental factors.

RESULTS: Our analysis revealed different microbial compositions between the two mosquito species, although some microorganisms were common to both. Network analysis revealed distinct community structures and interaction patterns for these bacteria in the microbiota of each mosquito species. Escherichia-Shigella appeared prominently within major network modules in both mosquito species, particularly in module P4 of Cx. pipiens f. molestus, interacting with 93 nodes, and in module Q3 of Cx. quinquefasciatus, interacting with 161 nodes, sharing 55 nodes across both species. On the other hand, Wolbachia appeared in disparate modules: module P3 in Cx. pipiens f. molestus and a distinct module with a single additional taxon in Cx. quinquefasciatus, showing species-specific interactions and no shared taxa. Through computer simulations, we evaluated how the removal of Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella affects network robustness. In Cx. pipiens f. molestus, removal of Wolbachia led to a decrease in network connectivity, while Escherichia-Shigella removal had a minimal impact. Conversely, in Cx. quinquefasciatus, removal of Escherichia-Shigella resulted in decreased network stability, whereas Wolbachia removal had minimal effect.

CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our hypothesis, the findings indicate that Wolbachia displays a more dynamic pattern of associations within the microbiota of Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, than Escherichia-Shigella. The differential effects on network robustness upon Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella removal suggest that these bacteria play distinct roles in maintaining community stability within the microbiota of the two mosquito species.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology/physiology
*Culex/microbiology
*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics
*Microbiota
Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification

@article {pmid39452360,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhu, Y and Wang, X and Wang, S and Song, Z and Du, Y},
title = {No Evidence for Wolbachia Effects on the Thermal Preference of the Invasive Pest Liriomyza huidobrensis.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {39452360},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {BK20231330//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; },
abstract = {Heritable endosymbiont Wolbachia is prevalent among arthropods, serving multiple functions for their hosts. However, the role of Wolbachia in mediating thermal preference selection remains largely unexplored. In this study, we utilized a custom-built thermal gradient to evaluate the thermal preference (Tp) of 1367 individuals of the invasive leaf-miner Liriomyza huidobrensis with or without Wolbachia wLhui from Yunnan and Xinjiang populations. Under meticulously controlled conditions and with a vast sample size, we found no significant difference in the mean Tp between wLhui-infected and uninfected leaf miners from either population when host age and sex were not considered. Furthermore, generalized linear model (GLM) analysis revealed no significant correlation between average Tp and age, sex, or Wolbachia infection, nor interactions among these factors, except in the Xinjiang population, where Tp was strongly associated with host age. Finally, we discuss the ecological implications of these findings and propose future research directions on Wolbachia-mediated host Tp in the leaf miner. Overall, our findings do not provide evidence that Wolbachia significantly affects the thermal preference of L. huidobrensis. Further studies across different systems are needed to investigate the complex interactions between Wolbachia and insect thermal behavior.},
}

@article {pmid39440590,
year = {2024},
author = {Li, TP and Xie, JC and Wang, CH and Zhao, LQ and Hao, DJ},
title = {Diffusive Phyllosphere Microbiome Potentially Regulates Harm and Defence Interactions Between Stephanitis nashi and Its Crabapple Host.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.15235},
pmid = {39440590},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {//This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant/Award Number: Project No. 32301594; Scientific Research Startup Project of Nanjing Forestry University, Grant/Award Numbers: Grant Numbers: 163010320, 163010325, 163010344; Graduate Research and Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province, Grant/Award Number: Project No. KYCX24_1265./ ; },
abstract = {Pear lace bug (Stephanitis nashi) is a significant herbivorous pest, harbouring a diverse microbiome crucial for crabapple (Malus sp.) host adaptation. However, the mutual influence of S. nashi- and plant-associated microbiomes on plant responses to pest damage remains unclear. This study found that S. nashi damage significantly altered bacterial community structure and reduced bacterial evenness in the crabapple phyllosphere. Notably, bacterial diversity within S. nashi was significantly lower than that in the environment, potentially influenced by insect developmental stage, bacterial diffusion stage and endosymbiont species number and abundance. Extensive bacterial correlation and diffusion effect between S. nashi and adjacent plant environments were observed, evident in a gradual decrease in bacterial diversity and an increase in bacterial acquisition ratio from soil to phyllosphere to S. nashi. Correspondingly, S. nashi significantly impacted the metabolic response of crabapple leaves, altering pathways involved in vitamin, amino acid and lipid metabolism and so forth. Furthermore, association analysis linked these metabolic changes to phyllosphere bacterial alterations, emphasizing the important role of diffusive phyllosphere microbiome in regulating S. nashi-crabapple interactions. This study highlights bacterial diffusion effect between insect and plants and their potential role in regulating insect adaptability and plant defence responses, providing new insights into plant-insect-microbiome interactions.},
}

@article {pmid39433918,
year = {2024},
author = {Heinen, L and van den Noort, M and King, MS and Kunji, ERS and Poolman, B},
title = {Synthetic syntrophy for adenine nucleotide cross-feeding between metabolically active nanoreactors.},
journal = {Nature nanotechnology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39433918},
issn = {1748-3395},
abstract = {Living systems depend on continuous energy input for growth, replication and information processing. Cells use membrane proteins as nanomachines to convert light or chemical energy of nutrients into other forms of energy, such as ion gradients or adenosine triphosphate (ATP). However, engineering sustained fuel supply and metabolic energy conversion in synthetic systems is challenging. Here, inspired by endosymbionts that rely on the host cell for their nutrients, we introduce the concept of cross-feeding to exchange ATP and ADP between lipid-based compartments hundreds of nanometres in size. One population of vesicles enzymatically produces ATP in the mM concentration range and exports it. A second population of vesicles takes up this ATP to fuel internal reactions. The produced ADP feeds back to the first vesicles, and ATP-dependent reactions can be fuelled sustainably for up to at least 24 h. The vesicles are a platform technology to fuel ATP-dependent processes in a sustained fashion, with potential applications in synthetic cells and nanoreactors. Fundamentally, the vesicles enable studying non-equilibrium processes in an energy-controlled environment and promote the development and understanding of constructing life-like metabolic systems on the nanoscale.},
}

@article {pmid39432413,
year = {2024},
author = {Marasco, R and Michoud, G and Seferji, KA and Gonella, E and Garuglieri, E and Rolli, E and Alma, A and Mapelli, F and Borin, S and Daffonchio, D and Crotti, E},
title = {Sorlinia euscelidii gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel acetic acid bacterium isolated from the leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).},
journal = {International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology},
volume = {74},
number = {10},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1099/ijsem.0.006544},
pmid = {39432413},
issn = {1466-5034},
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Fatty Acids/analysis/chemistry ; *DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; *Acetobacteraceae/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Base Composition ; *Bacterial Typing Techniques ; *Sequence Analysis, DNA ; *Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Genome, Bacterial ; Acetic Acid/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Acetic acid bacteria - belonging to the Acetobacteraceae family - are found in the gut of many sugar-feeding insects. In this study, six strains have been isolated from the hemipteran leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus. While they exhibit high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to uncultured members of the Acetobacteraceae family, they could not be unequivocally assigned to any particular type species. Considering the clonality of the six isolates, the EV16P[T] strain was used as a representative of this group of isolates. The genome sequence of EV16P[T] is composed of a 2.388 Mbp chromosome, with a DNA G+C content of 57 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and whole-genome multilocus sequence analysis indicate that EV16P[T] forms a monophyletic clade with the uncultivated endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri, the Candidatus Kirkpatrickella diaphorinae. Such a phylogenetic clade is positioned between those of Asaia-Swaminathania and Kozakia. The genomic distance metrics based on gene and protein sequences support the proposal that EV16P[T] is a new species belonging to a yet-undescribed genus. It is a rod-shaped Gram-stain-negative bacterium, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, showing optimal growth without salt (NaCl) at 30 °C and pH of 6-7. The major quinone is Q10, and the dominant cellular fatty acids (>10%) are C18:l ω7c, C19 : 0 cyclo ω6c, C16 : 0 and C19 : 1 2OH. The polar lipid profile comprises diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine, along with unidentified aminophospholipids, glycophospholipids, aminolipids and lipids. Based on a polyphasic approach, including phylogenetic, phylogenomic, genome relatedness, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterisations, EV16P[T] (= KCTC 8296[T], = DSM 117028[T]) is proposed as a representative of a novel species in a novel genus with the proposed name Sorlinia euscelidii gen. nov., sp. nov., in honour of Prof. Claudia Sorlini, an Italian environmental microbiologist at the University of Milan who inspired the research on microbial diversity, including symbiosis in plants and animals.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/microbiology
*Phylogeny
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Fatty Acids/analysis/chemistry
*DNA, Bacterial/genetics
*Acetobacteraceae/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*Base Composition
*Bacterial Typing Techniques
*Sequence Analysis, DNA
*Multilocus Sequence Typing
Genome, Bacterial
Acetic Acid/metabolism

@article {pmid39428626,
year = {2024},
author = {Mirabedini, Z and Niyyati, M and Mohammad Rahimi, H and Soleimani Jevinani, S and Fatemi, M and Tanhaei, M and Mohebbi, SR and Yadegar, A and Abolghasemi, S and Arab Mazar, Z and Mirjalali, H},
title = {The presence of yeasts and bacteria in free-living amoebae isolated from COVID-19 patients: concern for secondary infections.},
journal = {International journal of environmental health research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-14},
doi = {10.1080/09603123.2024.2409830},
pmid = {39428626},
issn = {1369-1619},
abstract = {This study aimed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2, yeasts, and bacteria in isolated free-living amoeba (FLA) from COVID-19 patients. Nasopharyngeal swabs (n = 60) were obtained from COVID-19 patients. After cultivation, morphological characterization, and RNA/DNA extraction, the presence of selected microorganisms was investigated. From 60 COVID-19 samples, 18 (30%) were positive for FLA. Acanthamoeba sp. Naegleria australiensis, Tetramitus sp. and Vermamoeba vermiformis were characterized in 12 (80%), 1 (6.66%), 2 (13.33%), and 7 (38.88%) of samples, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in FLA. Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis were detected in (11/18; 61.11%), (3/18; 16.67%), and (3/18; 16.67%) of samples, respectively. Geotrichum candidum was detected in 10/18 (55.55%) of samples. Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were identified in 16/18 (88.88%) and 3/18 (16.67%), respectively. The presence of yeasts and bacteria signifies the possible role of FLA in distribution of secondary infections in susceptible patients.},
}

@article {pmid39415218,
year = {2024},
author = {Lahrach, Z and Legeay, J and Ahmed, B and Hijri, M},
title = {The composition of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal bacteriome is species dependent.},
journal = {Environmental microbiome},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {77},
pmid = {39415218},
issn = {2524-6372},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: In addition to their role as endosymbionts for plant roots, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) engage in complex interactions with various soil microorganisms, the rhizosphere, and the root endosphere of host plants. They also host diverse prokaryotic groups within their mycelia, contributing to what is termed multipartite symbiosis. In this study, we examined the impact of three AMF species-Rhizophagus irregularis, R. clarus, and R. cerebriforme-combined with microbial bioaugmentation on the diversity and composition of bacterial communities in the mycelia and hyphosphere. Using a microcosm design to separate the influence of host plant roots from AMF mycelia and Illumina MiSeq amplicon sequencing to analyze the bacterial communities.

RESULTS: Our results revealed that, while AMF identity and microbial bioaugmentation did not affect the structure of bacterial communities in the hyphosphere soil, they significantly altered the communities associated with their mycelia. Although all three AMF species belong to the same genus, with R. irregularis and R. clarus being closely related compared to R. cerebriforme, we observed variations in the bacterial communities associated with their mycelia. Interestingly, the mycelial bacterial community of R. cerebriforme contained 60 bacteriome core taxa exclusive to it, while R. clarus and R. irregularis had 25 and 9 exclusive taxa, respectively.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that organismal phylogeny influences the bacterial communities associated with AMF mycelia. These findings provide new insights into AMF and bacterial interactions, which are crucial for the successful deployment of AMF inoculants. The taxonomic diversity of AMF inoculants is important for engineering the plant microbiome and enhancing ecosystem services.},
}

@article {pmid39414248,
year = {2024},
author = {Hisayama, N and Takeuchi, Y and Furuya, H},
title = {TAXES OF DICYEMIDS (PHYLUM DICYEMIDA).},
journal = {The Journal of parasitology},
volume = {110},
number = {5},
pages = {506-515},
doi = {10.1645/24-39},
pmid = {39414248},
issn = {1937-2345},
mesh = {Animals ; *Chemotaxis ; *Larva ; *Kidney/parasitology ; Phototaxis ; Gills/parasitology ; Urine/parasitology ; },
abstract = {Dicyemids (Phylum Dicyemida) are endosymbionts present in the kidneys of benthic cephalopods. They usually consist of 10 to 40 cells and are characterized by 2 distinct body types: vermiform individuals and infusoriform larvae. Vermiform individuals remain attached to the internal surface of the host's renal appendages, while infusoriform larvae leave the renal sac to search for a new host. To investigate how dicyemids respond to various host and environmental cues, we evaluated phototaxis, chemotaxis, thigmotaxis, and rheotaxis responses of vermiform individuals and infusoriform larvae of 2 dicyemid species in a laboratory setting. Vermiform individuals did not exhibit phototaxis and chemotaxis to the major components of the host: urine, tissue fluids, or extracts of the host gills. However, they showed positive thigmotaxis and positive rheotaxis to slow water flow, probably contributing to enabling attachment to the renal appendages and remaining in the renal sac, respectively. The infusoriform larvae exhibited negative chemotaxis to host blood and negative thigmotaxis, but there was no evidence of phototaxis and rheotaxis. Negative thigmotaxis may facilitate the release of infusoriform embryos from the renal appendages. Negative chemotaxis to the host blood suggests that the infusoriform larvae do not enter through the vascular system to gain access to the renal sac, so the process by which infusoriform larvae enter the cephalopod host is yet to be determined.},
}

Animals
*Chemotaxis
*Larva
*Kidney/parasitology
Phototaxis
Gills/parasitology
Urine/parasitology

@article {pmid39402267,
year = {2024},
author = {Kaczmarczyk-Ziemba, A and Wagner, GK and Staniec, B and Zagaja, M and Pietrykowska-Tudruj, E and Iorgu, EI and Iorgu, IŞ},
title = {Intraspecific diversity of Myrmecophilus acervorum (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) indicating an ongoing cryptic speciation.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {23984},
pmid = {39402267},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; *Phylogeny ; *Genetic Variation ; Genetic Speciation ; Male ; Female ; Orthoptera/genetics/classification ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Poland ; Symbiosis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Europe ; Gryllidae ; },
abstract = {Myrmecophilus acervorum, previously considered a parthenogenetic species widely-distributed in Europe, has been observed to have both sexes in populations inhabiting the central part of the distribution range. Specimens from those heterosexual populations have been found being infected with Wolbachia. New mitochondrial data (COI and 16S markers) revealed the well-supported differentiation of M. acervorum populations inhabiting western Polesie (Poland) and southern Europe. In turn, analyses of EF1α marker support the hypothesis on the unfinished lineage sorting at the nuclear DNA level. Interestingly, we found that parthenogenetic populations inhabiting western Polesie are infected with Wolbachia belonging to supergroup A, while endosymbionts occurring in sexual populations of M. acervorum observed in Romania belong to supergroup B. Furthermore, new and potentially diagnostic characteristics in the external structures of the eyes of M. acervorum were identified. The surface of ommatidia in specimens occurring in southern Europe was smooth. In contrast, the ommatidia surface of individuals collected in Poland was visibly sculptured. To sum up, the significant genetic variability found in the present case, and the differentiating morphological character, are almost certainly effects of cryptic species being present within M. acervorum. This is indicative of ongoing speciation within the populations of this insect, and of simultaneous unfinished lineage sorting at the nuclear DNA level.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
*Phylogeny
*Genetic Variation
Genetic Speciation
Male
Female
Orthoptera/genetics/classification
DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
Poland
Symbiosis
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Europe
Gryllidae

@article {pmid39397367,
year = {2024},
author = {Mahieu, L and González-González, A and Rubio-Meléndez, ME and Moya-Hernández, M and Francis, F and Ramírez, CC},
title = {An Aphid Pest Superclone Benefits From a Facultative Bacterial Endosymbiont in a Host-Dependent Manner, Leading to Reproductive and Proteomic Changes.},
journal = {Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology},
volume = {117},
number = {2},
pages = {e22154},
doi = {10.1002/arch.22154},
pmid = {39397367},
issn = {1520-6327},
support = {//This study was supported by Chilean Iniciativa Científica Milenio NC120027; Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles (FAME)./ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Triticum/microbiology ; *Reproduction ; *Hordeum/microbiology ; Proteome/metabolism ; Proteomics ; Insect Proteins/metabolism ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Chile ; },
abstract = {The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, is a significant agricultural pest affecting wheat, barley, and oats. In Chile, the most prevalent and persistent clone (superclone) of S. avenae harbors the facultative endosymbiont bacterium Regiella insecticola. To determine the role of this bacterium in the reproductive success of this superclone, the presence of R. insecticola was manipulated to assess its impact on (1) the reproductive performance of this clone on two host plant species (wheat and barley), (2) the production of winged morphs, (3) changes in the insects' proteomic profiles, and (4) the root/shoot ratio of plant. It was found that the reproductive performance of this S. avenae superclone varied across host plants, depending on the presence of the facultative bacterial endosymbiont. Aphids infected with R. insecticola showed higher reproductive success on wheat, while the opposite effect was observed on barley. Aphid biomass was greater when infected with R. insecticola, particularly on barley. Additionally, aphids harboring R. insecticola exhibited a higher proportion of winged individuals on both host plants. Protein regulation in aphids on wheat was lower compared to those on barley. A higher root/shoot biomass ratio was observed in wheat plants compared to barley when infested by R. insecticola-infected aphid. Thus, R. insecticola significantly influences the reproductive performance and proteomic profile of a S. avenae superclone, with these effects shaped by the host plant. This suggests that the interaction between the host plant and the facultative endosymbiont contributes to the ecological success of this superclone.},
}

Animals
*Aphids/microbiology/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Triticum/microbiology
*Reproduction
*Hordeum/microbiology
Proteome/metabolism
Proteomics
Insect Proteins/metabolism
Enterobacteriaceae
Chile

@article {pmid39386759,
year = {2024},
author = {Kumazawa, M and Ifuku, K},
title = {Unraveling the evolutionary trajectory of LHCI in red-lineage algae: Conservation, diversification, and neolocalization.},
journal = {iScience},
volume = {27},
number = {10},
pages = {110897},
pmid = {39386759},
issn = {2589-0042},
abstract = {Red algae and the secondary symbiotic algae that engulfed a red alga as an endosymbiont are called red-lineage algae. Several photosystem (PS) I-light-harvesting complex I (LHCI) structures have been reported from red-lineage algae-two red algae Cyanidioschyzon merolae (Cyanidiophyceae) and Porphyridium purpureum (Rhodophytina), a diatom, and a Cryptophyte. Here, we clarified the orthologous relation of LHCIs by combining a detailed phylogenetic analysis and the structural information of PSI-LHCI. We found that the seven Lhcr groups in LHCI are conserved in Rhodophytina; furthermore, during both genome reduction in Cyanidioschyzonales and endosymbiosis leading to Cryptophyta, some LHCIs were lost and replaced by existing or differentiated LHCIs. We denominate "neolocalization" to these examples of flexible reorganization of LHCIs. This study provides insights into the evolutionary process of LHCIs in red-lineage algae and clarifies the need for both molecular phylogeny and structural information to elucidate the plausible evolutionary history of LHCI.},
}

@article {pmid39386366,
year = {2024},
author = {Kaur, T and Brown, AMV},
title = {Discovery of a novel Wolbachia in Heterodera expands nematode host distribution.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1446506},
pmid = {39386366},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Bioinformatics sequence data mining can reveal hidden microbial symbionts that might normally be filtered and removed as contaminants. Data mining can be helpful to detect Wolbachia, a widespread bacterial endosymbiont in insects and filarial nematodes whose distribution in plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) remains underexplored. To date, Wolbachia has only been reported a few PPNs, yet nematode-infecting Wolbachia may have been widespread in the evolutionary history of the phylum based on evidence of horizontal gene transfers, suggesting there may be undiscovered Wolbachia infections in PPNs. The goal of this study was to more broadly sample PPN Wolbachia strains in tylenchid nematodes to enable further comparative genomic analyses that may reveal Wolbachia's role and identify targets for biocontrol. Published whole-genome shotgun assemblies and their raw sequence data from 33 Meloidogyne spp. assemblies, seven Globodera spp. assemblies, and seven Heterodera spp. assemblies were analyzed to look for Wolbachia. No Wolbachia was found in Meloidogyne spp. and Globodera spp., but among seven genome assemblies for Heterodera spp., an H. schachtii assembly from the Netherlands was found to have a large Wolbachia-like sequence that, when re-assembled from reads, formed a complete, circular genome. Detailed analyses comparing read coverage, GC content, pseudogenes, and phylogenomic patterns clearly demonstrated that the H. schachtii Wolbachia represented a novel strain (hereafter, denoted wHet). Phylogenomic tree construction with PhyloBayes showed wHet was most closely related to another PPN Wolbachia, wTex, while 16S rRNA gene analysis showed it clustered with other Heterodera Wolbachia assembled from sequence databases. Pseudogenes in wHet suggested relatedness to the PPN clade, as did the lack of significantly enriched GO terms compared to PPN Wolbachia strains. It remains unclear whether the lack of Wolbachia in other published H. schachtii isolates represents the true absence of the endosymbiont from some hosts.},
}

@article {pmid39384161,
year = {2024},
author = {Iwai, S},
title = {A simple model and rules for the evolution of microbial mutualistic symbiosis with positive fitness feedbacks.},
journal = {Theoretical population biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tpb.2024.09.002},
pmid = {39384161},
issn = {1096-0325},
abstract = {The evolution of microbe-microbe mutualistic symbiosis is considered to be promoted by repeated exchanges of fitness benefits, which can generate positive fitness feedbacks ('partner fidelity feedback') between species. However, previous evolutionary models for mutualism have not captured feedback dynamics or coupling of fitness between species. Here, a simple population model is developed to understand the evolution of mutualistic symbiosis in which two microbial species (host and symbiont) continuously grow and exchange fitness benefits to generate feedback dynamics but do not strictly control each other. The assumption that individual microbes provide constant amounts of resources, which are equally divided among interacting partner individual, enables us to reveal a simple rule for the evolution of costly mutualism with positive fitness feedbacks: the product of the benefit-to-cost ratios for each species exceeds one. When this condition holds, high cooperative investment levels are favored in both species regardless of the amount invested by each partner. The model is then extended to examine how symbiont mutation, immigration, or switching affects the spread of selfish or cooperative symbionts, which decrease and increase their investment levels, respectively. In particular, when a host associates with numerous symbionts without enforcement, neither mutation nor immigration but rather random switching would allow the spread of cooperative symbionts. Examples using symbiont switching for evolution would include large ciliates hosting numerous intracellular endosymbionts. The simple model and rules would provide a basis for understanding the evolution of microbe-microbe mutualistic symbiosis with positive fitness feedbacks and without enforcement mechanisms.},
}

@article {pmid39366749,
year = {2024},
author = {Leclerc, L and Mattick, J and Burns, BP and Sassera, D and Hottop, JD and Lo, N},
title = {Metatranscriptomics provide insights into the role of the symbiont midichloria mitochondrii in Ixodes ticks.},
journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiae133},
pmid = {39366749},
issn = {1574-6941},
abstract = {Ticks are important vectors of bacterial, viral and protozoan pathogens of humans and animals worldwide. Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii (hereafter M. mitochondrii) is a highly abundant bacterial endosymbiont found in many tick species, including two medically important ticks respectively found in Europe and Australia, Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes holocyclus. The present study aimed to determine the symbiont's biological role by identifying lateral gene transfer (LGT) events, characterising the transcriptome, and performing differential expression analyses. Metatranscriptomic data revealed that M. mitochondrii species in I. ricinus and I. holocyclus were equipped with the metabolic potential and were actively transcribing the genes for several important roles including heme, biotin and folate synthesis, oxidative stress response, osmotic regulation, and ATP production in microaerobic conditions. Differential expression analyses additionally showed an upregulation in stringent response and DNA repair genes in M. mitochondrii of I. holocyclus nymphs compared to adults. Low rates of differential expression suggest the symbiont may lack global gene regulation, as observed in other endosymbionts. Moreover, the identification of an LGT event and the proposed specialisation of the M. mitochondrii strains, mIxholo1 and mIxholo2, for different I. holocyclus life stages highlight the complex interactions between M. mitochondrii and their tick hosts.},
}

@article {pmid39358981,
year = {2024},
author = {Gu, X and Ross, PA and Yang, Q and Gill, A and Umina, PA and Hoffmann, AA},
title = {Influence of genetic and environmental factors on the success of endosymbiont transfers in pest aphids.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {26},
number = {10},
pages = {e16704},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16704},
pmid = {39358981},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {UOM1905-002RTX//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; //University of Melbourne/ ; },
mesh = {*Aphids/microbiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; },
abstract = {There is increasing interest in exploring how endosymbionts could be useful in pest control, including in aphids, which can carry a diversity of endosymbionts. Endosymbionts often have a large impact on host traits, and their presence can be self-sustaining. Identifying useful host-endosymbiont combinations for pest control is facilitated by the transfer of specific endosymbionts into target species, particularly if the species lacks the endosymbiont. Here, we complete a comprehensive literature review, which included 56 relevant papers on endosymbiont transfer experiments in aphids, to uncover factors that might influence transfer success. We then report on our own microinjection attempts of diverse facultative endosymbionts from a range of donor species into three agriculturally important aphid species as recipients: the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi), and Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia). Combining this information, we consider reasons that impact the successful establishment of lines carrying transferred endosymbionts. These include a lack of stability in donors, deleterious effects on host fitness, the absence of plant-based (versus vertical) transmission, high genetic variation in the endosymbiont, and susceptibility of an infection to environmental factors. Taking these factors into account should help in increasing success rates in future introductions.},
}

*Aphids/microbiology/genetics
Animals
*Symbiosis
Bacteria/genetics/classification

@article {pmid39353088,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, GH and Hoffmann, A and Champer, J},
title = {Gene Drive and Symbiont Technologies for Control of Mosquito-Borne Diseases.},
journal = {Annual review of entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-ento-012424-011039},
pmid = {39353088},
issn = {1545-4487},
abstract = {Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, pose a significant burden to global health. Current control strategies with insecticides are only moderately effective. Scalable solutions are needed to reduce the transmission risk of these diseases. Symbionts and genome engineering-based mosquito control strategies have been proposed to address these problems. Bacterial, fungal, and viral symbionts affect mosquito reproduction, reduce mosquito lifespan, and block pathogen transmission. Field tests of endosymbiont Wolbachia-based methods have yielded promising results, but there are hurdles to overcome due to the large-scale rearing and accurate sex sorting required for Wolbachia-based suppression approaches and the ecological impediments to Wolbachia invasion in replacement approaches. Genome engineering-based methods, in which mosquitoes are genetically altered for the modification or suppression of wild populations, offer an additional approach for control of mosquito-borne diseases. In particular, the use of gene drive alleles that bias inheritance in their favor is a potentially powerful approach. Several drives are frequency dependent, potentially giving them broadly similar population dynamics to Wolbachia. However, public acceptance and the behavior of released drives in natural mosquito populations remain challenges. We summarize the latest developments and discuss the knowledge gaps in both symbiont- and gene drive-based methods.},
}

@article {pmid39352766,
year = {2024},
author = {Ling, X and Gu, X and Shen, Y and Fu, C and Zhou, Y and Yin, Y and Gao, Y and Zhu, Y and Lou, Y and Zheng, M},
title = {Comparative genomic analysis of Acanthamoeba from different sources and horizontal transfer events of antimicrobial resistance genes.},
journal = {mSphere},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0054824},
doi = {10.1128/msphere.00548-24},
pmid = {39352766},
issn = {2379-5042},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Acanthamoeba species are among the most common free-living amoeba and ubiquitous protozoa, mainly distributed in water and soil, and cause Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and severe visual impairment in patients. Although several studies have reported genomic characteristics of Acanthamoeba, limited sample sizes and sources have resulted in an incomplete understanding of the genetic diversity of Acanthamoeba from different sources. While endosymbionts exert a significant influence on the phenotypes of Acanthamoeba, including pathogenicity, virulence, and drug resistance, the species diversity and functional characterization remain largely unexplored. Herein, our study sequenced and analyzed the whole genomes of 19 Acanthamoeba pathogenic strains that cause AK, and by integrating publicly available genomes, we sampled 29 Acanthamoeba strains from ocular, environmental, and other sources. Combined pan-genomic and comparative functional analyses revealed genetic differences and evolutionary relationships among the different sources of Acanthamoeba, as well as classification into multiple functional groups, with ocular isolates in particular showing significant differences that may account for differences in pathogenicity. Phylogenetic and rhizome gene mosaic analyses of ocular Acanthamoeba strains suggested that genomic exchanges between Acanthamoeba and endosymbionts, particularly potential antimicrobial resistance genes trafficking including the adeF, amrA, and amrB genes exchange events, potentially contribute to Acanthamoeba drug resistance. In conclusion, this study elucidated the adaptation of Acanthamoeba to different ecological niches and the influence of gene exchange on the evolution of ocular Acanthamoeba genome, guiding the clinical diagnosis and treatment of AK and laying a theoretical groundwork for developing novel therapeutic approaches.

IMPORTANCE: Acanthamoeba causes a serious blinding keratopathy, Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is currently under-recognized by clinicians. In this study, we analyzed 48 strains of Acanthamoeba using a whole-genome approach, revealing differences in pathogenicity and function between strains of different origins. Horizontal transfer events of antimicrobial resistance genes can help provide guidance as potential biomarkers for the treatment of specific Acanthamoeba keratitis cases.},
}

@article {pmid39350697,
year = {2024},
author = {Díaz-Hernández, AM and Sepúlveda, DA and González-González, A and Briones, LM and Correa, MCG and Figueroa, CC},
title = {Water deficit and aphid resilience on wheat: examining Sitobion avenae F. and their bacterial symbionts interplay under controlled laboratory conditions.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.8428},
pmid = {39350697},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {1210713//ANID/FONDECYT Regular/ ; ATE230025//ANID/Anillos/ ; 3240368//ANID/FONDECYT Postdoctoral/ ; 220194//ANID/FOVI/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Climate change has far-reaching effects on food security and agriculture, affecting crop yields and food distribution. Agriculture relies heavily on water for irrigation and production, making it vulnerable to water scarcity. Additionally, climate change can affect crop pest insects, leading to increased global crop losses, particularly in cereals, an important component of the human diet. Aphids are major crop pests and have a symbiotic relationship with bacterial endosymbionts that can contribute to their success as pests under a climate change scenario. To test the effect of drought on aphids, we examined varying levels of water deficit and endosymbiont composition on the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) performance on wheat under controlled laboratory conditions. We measured the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm), the body weight of adult aphids, and the pre-reproductive period for different genotypes of the grain aphid (including Chilean superclones) under different irrigation regimes. We also analyzed the relative abundance of their endosymbionts under the different water treatments.

RESULTS: Our findings revealed that water deficit affects each aphid genotype differently, impacting various traits. For instance, the body weight of adult aphids was notably affected by different water treatments, with aphids grown under intermediate water deficit (IW) being significantly bigger. The relative abundance of endosymbionts also varied among genotypes and water treatments-specifically Regiella insecticola had a noticeably higher abundance under IW (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights into the impact of water deficit on aphid performance and the role of endosymbionts in mitigating the effects of water deficit. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid39342132,
year = {2024},
author = {Mfopit, YM and Bilgo, E and Boma, S and Somda, MB and Gnambani, JE and Konkobo, M and Diabate, A and Dayo, GK and Mamman, M and Kelm, S and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J},
title = {Symbiotic bacteria Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia do not favour Trypanosoma grayi coexistence in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {373},
pmid = {39342132},
issn = {1471-2180},
mesh = {Animals ; *Tsetse Flies/microbiology/parasitology ; *Spiroplasma/isolation & purification/physiology/genetics ; *Wolbachia/isolation & purification/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; Burkina Faso ; *Trypanosoma/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology ; *Enterobacteriaceae/isolation & purification/genetics ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/parasitology ; Male ; Female ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tsetse flies, the biological vectors of African trypanosomes, have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria. Their vector competence is suggested to be affected by bacterial endosymbionts. The current study provided the prevalence of three tsetse symbiotic bacteria and trypanosomes in Glossina species from Burkina Faso.

RESULTS: A total of 430 tsetse flies were captured using biconical traps in four different collection sites around Bobo-Dioulasso (Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni), and their guts were removed. Two hundred tsetse were randomly selected and their guts were screened by PCR for the presence of Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp., Wolbachia and trypanosomes. Of the 200 tsetse, 196 (98.0%) were Glossina palpalis gambiensis and 4 (2.0%) Glossina tachinoides. The overall symbiont prevalence was 49.0%, 96.5%, and 45.0%, respectively for S. glossinidius, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia. Prevalence varied between sampling locations: S. glossinidius (54.7%, 38.5%, 31.6%, 70.8%); Spiroplasma (100%, 100%, 87.7%, 100%); and Wolbachia (43.4%, 38.5%, 38.6%, 70.8%), respectively in Bama, Bana, Nasso and Peni. Noteworthy, no G. tachnoides was infected by S. glossinidius and Wolbachia, but they were all infected by Spiroplasma sp. A total of 196 (98.0%) harbored at least one endosymbionts. Fifty-five (27.5%) carried single endosymbiont. Trypanosomes were found only in G. p. gambiensis, but not G. tachinoides. Trypanosomes were present in flies from all study locations with an overall prevalence of 29.5%. In Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni, the trypanosome infection rate was respectively 39.6%, 23.1%, 8.8%, and 37.5%. Remarkably, only Trypanosoma grayi was present. Of all trypanosome-infected flies, 55.9%, 98.3%, and 33.9% hosted S. glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia, respectively. There was no association between Sodalis, Spiroplasma and trypanosome presence, but there was a negative association with Wolbachia presence. We reported 1.9 times likelihood of trypanosome absence when Wolbachia was present.

CONCLUSION: This is the first survey reporting the presence of Trypanosoma grayi in tsetse from Burkina Faso. Tsetse from these localities were highly positive for symbiotic bacteria, more predominantly with Spiroplasma sp. Modifications of symbiotic interactions may pave way for disease control.},
}

Animals
*Tsetse Flies/microbiology/parasitology
*Spiroplasma/isolation & purification/physiology/genetics
*Wolbachia/isolation & purification/genetics
*Symbiosis
Burkina Faso
*Trypanosoma/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology
*Enterobacteriaceae/isolation & purification/genetics
Insect Vectors/microbiology/parasitology
Male
Female

@article {pmid39336637,
year = {2024},
author = {Alvarez, DL and Hayashida, R and Cavallaro, MC and Santos, DM and Santos, LM and Müller, C and Watanabe, LFM and Bello, VH and Krause-Sakate, R and Hoback, WW and Oliveira, RC},
title = {Susceptibility of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Mediterranean Populations Found in São Paulo, Brazil to 11 Insecticides and Characterization of Their Endosymbionts.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {9},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects15090670},
pmid = {39336637},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {processes number 2018/02317-5, 2019/10736-0 and 2018/19782-2//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo-FAPESP/ ; finance code 001//the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-Brasil (CAPES/ ; 304126/2019-5//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico-CNPq/ ; },
abstract = {The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a significant agricultural pest worldwide, impacting a variety of crop yields. Since the introduction of B. tabaci Mediterranean (MED) species in Brazil, limited research has measured the relative efficacy of the primary insecticides used in whitefly management. This study evaluated the susceptibility of three distinct B. tabaci MED populations to 11 insecticide active ingredients and characterized the bacterial endosymbionts within each population. The insecticides tested were acetamiprid, bifenthrin, cyantraniliprole, diafenthiuron, spiromesifen, imidacloprid, pymetrozine, pyriproxyfen, sulfoxaflor, and thiamethoxam. Results showed varying LC50 and LC90 values among tested insecticides and populations. Notably, populations varied in response to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam with some populations having a 6× higher tolerance. Sequencing data of endosymbionts revealed that individuals from the most susceptible B. tabaci population harbored Rickettsia and Arsenophonus, whereas these bacteria were not detected in the resistant populations. These findings highlight the need for frequent insecticide toxicity bioassays of distinct B. tabaci populations and the adoption of integrated pest management strategies to preserve the efficacy of insecticides for B. tabaci control. Additionally, the role of infection by endosymbionts to alter susceptibility should be further explored.},
}

@article {pmid39336625,
year = {2024},
author = {Kepngop, LRK and Wosula, EN and Amour, M and Ghomsi, PGT and Wakam, LN and Kansci, G and Legg, JP},
title = {Genetic Diversity of Whiteflies Colonizing Crops and Their Associated Endosymbionts in Three Agroecological Zones of Cameroon.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {9},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects15090657},
pmid = {39336625},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {S/CMR21-10//Arturo Falaschi ICGEB fellowships program/ ; N/A//The CGIAR Trust Fund: https://www.cgiar.org/funders through the CGIAR Initiative on Plant Health and Rapid Response to Protect Food Security and Livelihoods (Plant Health Initiative)./ ; },
abstract = {Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is as a major pest of vegetable crops in Cameroon. These sap-sucking insects are the main vector of many viruses infecting plants, and several cryptic species have developed resistance against insecticides. Nevertheless, there is very little information about whitefly species on vegetable crops and the endosymbionts that infect them in Cameroon. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity of whiteflies and their frequency of infection by endosymbionts in Cameroon. Ninety-two whitefly samples were collected and characterized using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) markers and Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP). The analysis of mtCOI sequences of whiteflies indicated the presence of six cryptic species (mitotypes) of Bemisia tabaci, and two distinct clades of Bemisia afer and Trialeurodes vaporariorum. Bemisia tabaci mitotypes identified included: MED on tomato, pepper, okra, and melon; and SSA1-SG1, SSA1-SG2, SSA1-SG5, SSA3, and SSA4 on cassava. The MED mitotype predominated in all regions on the solanaceous crops, suggesting that MED is probably the main phytovirus vector in Cameroonian vegetable cropping systems. The more diverse cassava-colonizing B. tabaci were split into three haplogroups (SNP-based grouping) including SSA-WA, SSA4, and SSA-ECA using KASP genotyping. This is the first time that SSA-ECA has been reported in Cameroon. This haplogroup is predominant in regions currently affected by the severe cassava mosaic virus disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak virus disease (CBSD) pandemics. Three endosymbionts including Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia were present in female whiteflies tested in this study with varying frequency. Arsenophonus, which has been shown to influence the adaptability of whiteflies, was more frequent in the MED mitotype (75%). Cardinium and Hamiltonella were absent in all whitefly samples. These findings add to the knowledge on the diversity of whiteflies and their associated endosymbionts, which, when combined, influence virus epidemics and responses to whitefly control measures, especially insecticides.},
}

@article {pmid39336620,
year = {2024},
author = {Horgan, FG},
title = {Virulence Adaptation by Rice Planthoppers and Leafhoppers to Resistance Genes and Loci: A Review.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {9},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects15090652},
pmid = {39336620},
issn = {2075-4450},
abstract = {In recent decades, research on developing and deploying resistant rice has accelerated due to the availability of modern molecular tools and, in particular, advances in marker-assisted selection. However, progress in understanding virulence adaptation has been relatively slow. This review tracks patterns in virulence adaptation to resistance genes (particularly Bph1, bph2, Bph3, and bph4) and examines the nature of virulence based on selection experiments, responses by virulent populations to differential rice varieties (i.e., varieties with different resistance genes), and breeding experiments that interpret the genetic mechanisms underlying adaptation. The review proposes that varietal resistance is best regarded as a combination of minor and major resistance traits against which planthoppers develop partial or complete virulence through heritable improvements that are reversable or through evolutionary adaptation, respectively. Agronomic practices, deployment patterns, and herbivore population pressures determine the rates of adaptation, and there is growing evidence that pesticide detoxification mechanisms can accelerate virulence adaptation. Research to delay adaptation has mainly focused on gene pyramiding (i.e., including ≥ two major genes in a variety) and multilines (i.e., including ≥ two resistant varieties in a field or landscape); however, these strategies have not been adequately tested and, if not managed properly, could inadvertently accelerate adaptation compared to sequential deployment. Several research gaps remain and considerable improvements in research methods are required to better understand and manage virulence adaptation.},
}

@article {pmid39336607,
year = {2024},
author = {Lilja, T and Lindström, A and Hernández-Triana, LM and Di Luca, M and Lwande, OW},
title = {European Culex pipiens Populations Carry Different Strains of Wolbachia pipientis.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {9},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects15090639},
pmid = {39336607},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {2020-01056//Formas, Sweden/ ; },
abstract = {The mosquito Culex pipiens occurs in two ecotypes differing in their mating and overwintering behavior: pipiens mate in open environments and diapause, and molestus also mate in small spaces and is active throughout the year. Cx. pipiens carry Wolbachia endosymbionts of the wPip strain, but the frequency of infection differs between studied populations. Wolbachia infection affects the host reproductive success through cytoplasmic incompatibility. wPip Wolbachia is divided into five types, wPip I-V. The type of wPip carried varies among Cx. pipiens populations. In northern European locations different wPip types are found in the two ecotypes, whereas in southern locations, they often carry the same type, indicating differences in hybridization between ecotypes. In this study, Cx. pipiens specimens of both ecotypes were collected from Sweden and compared to specimens from Norway, England, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as Cx. quinquefasciatus from Mali and Thailand. The abundance varied, but all specimens were infected by Wolbachia, while the tested specimens of other mosquito species were often uninfected. The wPip strains were determined through the sequence analysis of Wolbachia genes ank2 and pk1, showing that Cx. pipiens ecotypes in Scandinavia carry different wPip strains. The observed differences in wPip strains indicate that hybridization is not frequent and may contribute to barriers against hybridization of the ecotypes in Sweden and Norway.},
}

@article {pmid39331668,
year = {2024},
author = {González, CR and Reyes, C and Castillo, A and Valderrama, L and Llanos, L and Fernández, J and Eastwood, G and Cancino-Faure, B},
title = {Molecular evidence of pathogens and endosymbionts in the black horse fly Osca lata (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Southern Chile.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {9},
pages = {e0012525},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012525},
pmid = {39331668},
issn = {1935-2735},
abstract = {Little is known about the role of horse flies in potential pathogen transmission in Chile. This study provides evidence of the molecular detection of microorganisms in southern Chile. In the present study, adult Osca lata horse flies were trapped from Punucapa (39°45'06"S/73°16'08"W, Región de Los Ríos) and Puyehue (40°39'10"S/72°10'57"W, Región de Los Lagos), Chile. Among the 95 samples analyzed by PCR using specific primers, microorganisms were detected in 23.2% (n = 22) of the samples. Rickettsia spp. DNA was detected in 15.8% (n = 15) of the samples, Trypanosomatidae DNA in 5.3% (n = 5) of the samples, and filarial DNA in 2.1% (n = 2) of the samples. This study found that horse flies in the region are capable of carrying a variety of both parasites and endosymbionts. Further research is needed to understand the specific impact of horse flies as mechanical or biological vectors and develop effective control measures to prevent the spread of any microorganisms associated with disease.},
}

@article {pmid39328926,
year = {2024},
author = {Duque-Granda, D and Vivero-Gómez, RJ and Junca, H and Cadavid-Restrepo, G and Moreno-Herrera, CX},
title = {Interaction and effects of temperature preference under a controlled environment on the diversity and abundance of the microbiome in Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae).},
journal = {Biotechnology reports (Amsterdam, Netherlands)},
volume = {44},
number = {},
pages = {e00857},
pmid = {39328926},
issn = {2215-017X},
abstract = {Characterization of the temperature effects on the abundance and richness of the microbiota of Lutzomyia longipalpis, insect vector of Leishmania infantum in America, is an aspect of pivotal importance to understand the interactions between temperature, bacteria, and Leishmania infection. We developed and used a customized device with a temperature gradient (21-34 °C) to assess the temperature preferences of wild females of Lu. longipalpis collected in a rural area (Ricaurte, Cundinamarca, Colombia). Each replicate consisted of 50 females exposed to the gradient for an hour. At the end of the exposure time, insects were collected and separated by the temperature ranges selected varying from 21 °C to 34 °C. They were organized in 17 pools from which total DNA extracts were obtained, and samples were subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analyzes. The most abundant phyla across the different temperature ranges were Proteobacteria (17.22-90.73 %), Firmicutes (5.99-77.21 %) and Actinobacteria (1.56-59.85 %). Results also showed an abundance (30 % to 57.36 %) of Pseudomonas (mainly at temperatures of 21-29 °C and 34 °C) that decreased to 6.55 %-13.20 % at temperatures of 31-33 °C, while Bacillus increase its abundance to 67.24 % at 29-33 °C. Serratia also had a greater representation (49.79 %), specifically in sand flies recovered at 25-27 °C. No significant differences were found at α-diversity level when comparing richness using the Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, and Chao1 indices, while β-diversity differences were found using the Bray-Curtis index (F-value of 3.5073, p-value < 0.013, R-squared of 0,4889), especially in the groups of Lu. longipalpis associated at higher temperatures (29-33 °C). It was also possible to detect the presence of endosymbionts such as Spiroplasma and Arsenophonus in the range of 29-33 °C. Rickettsia was only detected in Lu. longipalpis sand flies recovered between 25-27 °C. It was possible to characterize Lu. longipalpis microbiota in response to intraspecific temperature preferences and observe changes in bacterial communities and endosymbionts at different ranges of said environmental variable, which may be important in its vector competence and environmental plasticity to adapt to new climate change scenarios.},
}

@article {pmid39313916,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhu, YX and Zhang, YY and Wang, XY and Yin, Y and Du, YZ},
title = {Wolbachia modify host cell metabolite profiles in response to short-term temperature stress.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {16},
number = {5},
pages = {e70013},
pmid = {39313916},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {BK20231330//The Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; },
mesh = {*Wolbachia/metabolism/physiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Stress, Physiological ; *Temperature ; Cell Line ; *Metabolome ; Drosophila/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Diptera/microbiology ; Fatty Acids/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia are common heritable endosymbionts that influence many aspects of ecology and evolution in various insects, yet Wolbachia-mediated intracellular metabolic responses to temperature stress have been largely overlooked. Here, we introduced the Wolbachia strain wLhui from the invasive Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) into a Drosophila Schneider 2 cell line (S2) and investigated the metabolite profile of wLhui-infected (S2_wLhui) and uninfected cell lines (S2_wu) under short-term exposure to either high (37°C), moderate (27°C), or low (7 and 17°C) temperatures. We find that Wolbachia infection, temperature stress, and their interactions significantly affect cellular metabolic profiles. Most significantly, when comparing the changes in metabolites between S2_wLhui and S2_wu, glycerophospholipids, amino acids, and fatty acids associated with metabolic pathways, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, and other pathways were significantly accumulated at either low or high temperatures. Our findings suggest Wolbachia-induced cellular physiological responses to short-term temperature stress, which may in turn affect the fitness and adaptive ability of its host as an invasive species.},
}

*Wolbachia/metabolism/physiology/genetics
Animals
*Stress, Physiological
*Temperature
Cell Line
*Metabolome
Drosophila/microbiology
Symbiosis
Diptera/microbiology
Fatty Acids/metabolism

@article {pmid39310793,
year = {2024},
author = {Lečić, S and Wolfe, TM and Ghosh, A and Satar, S and Souza Beraldo, C and Smith, E and Dombroskie, JJ and Jernigan, E and Hood, GR and Schuler, H and Stauffer, C},
title = {Spatially Varying Wolbachia Frequencies Reveal the Invasion Origin of an Agricultural Pest Recently Introduced From Europe to North America.},
journal = {Evolutionary applications},
volume = {17},
number = {9},
pages = {e70016},
pmid = {39310793},
issn = {1752-4571},
abstract = {The introduction of non-native species across the world represents a major global challenge. Retracing invasion origin is an important first step in understanding the invasion process, often requiring detailed sampling within the native range. Insect species frequently host Wolbachia, a widespread endosymbiotic bacterium that manipulates host reproduction to increase infected female fitness. Here, we draw on the spatial variation in infection frequencies of an actively spreading Wolbachia strain wCer2 to investigate the invasion origin of the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi. This pest of cherries was introduced from Europe to North America within the last decade. First, we screen the introduced fly population for the presence of Wolbachia. The introduced populations lack the wCer2 strain and the strongly associated mitochondrial haplotype, suggesting strain absence due to founder effects with invading individuals originating from wCer2-uninfected native population(s). To narrow down geographic regions of invasion origin, we perform spatial interpolation of the wCer2 infection frequency across the native range and predict the infection frequency in unsampled regions. For this, we use an extensive dataset of R. cerasi infection covering 238 populations across Europe over 25 years, complemented with 14 additional populations analyzed for this study. We find that R. cerasi was unlikely introduced from wCer2-infected populations in Central and Western Europe. We propose wCer2-uninfected populations from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region as the most likely candidates for the invasion origin. This work utilizes Wolbachia as an indirect instrument to provide insights into the invasion source of R. cerasi in North America, revealing yet another application for this multifaceted heritable endosymbiont. Given the prevalence of biological invasions, rapidly uncovering invasion origins gives fundamental insights into how invasive species adapt to new environments.},
}

@article {pmid39291985,
year = {2024},
author = {Noda, T and Mizutani, M and Harumoto, T and Katsuno, T and Koga, R and Fukatsu, T},
title = {Frequent and asymmetric cell division in endosymbiotic bacteria of cockroaches.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0146624},
doi = {10.1128/aem.01466-24},
pmid = {39291985},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {Many insects are obligatorily associated with and dependent on specific microbial species as essential mutualistic partners. In the host insects, such microbial mutualists are usually maintained in specialized cells or organs, called bacteriocytes or symbiotic organs. Hence, potentially exponential microbial growth cannot be realized but must be strongly constrained by spatial and resource limitations within the host cells or tissues. How such endosymbiotic bacteria grow, divide, and proliferate is important for understanding the interactions and dynamics underpinning intimate host-microbe symbiotic associations. Here we report that Blattabacterium, the ancient and essential endosymbiont of cockroaches, exhibits unexpectedly high rates of cell division (20%-58%) and, in addition, the cell division is asymmetric (average asymmetry index >1.5) when isolated from the German cockroach Blattella germanica. The asymmetric division of endosymbiont cells at high frequencies was observed irrespective of host tissues (fat bodies vs ovaries) or developmental stages (adults vs nymphs vs embryos) of B. germanica, and also observed in several different cockroach species. By contrast, such asymmetric and frequent cell division was observed neither in Buchnera, the obligatory bacterial endosymbiont of aphids, nor in Pantoea, the obligatory bacterial gut symbiont of stinkbugs. Comparative genomics of cell division-related genes uncovered that the Blattabacterium genome lacks the Min system genes that determine the cell division plane, which may be relevant to asymmetric cell division. These observations combined with comparative symbiont genomics provide insight into what processes and regulations may underpin the growth, division, and proliferation of such bacterial mutualists continuously constrained under within-host conditions.IMPORTANCEDiverse insects are dependent on specific bacterial mutualists for their survival and reproduction. Due to the long-lasting coevolutionary history, such symbiotic bacteria tend to exhibit degenerative genomes and suffer uncultivability. Because of their microbiological fastidiousness, the cell division patterns of such uncultivable symbiotic bacteria have been poorly described. Here, using fine microscopic and quantitative morphometric approaches, we report that, although bacterial cell division usually proceeds through symmetric binary fission, Blattabacterium, the ancient and essential endosymbiont of cockroaches, exhibits frequent and asymmetric cell division. Such peculiar cell division patterns were not observed with other uncultivable essential symbiotic bacteria of aphids and stinkbugs. Gene repertoire analysis revealed that the molecular machinery for regulating the bacterial cell division plane are lost in the Blattabacterium genome, suggesting the possibility that the general trend toward the reductive genome evolution of symbiotic bacteria may underpin their bizarre cytological/morphological traits.},
}

@article {pmid39283914,
year = {2024},
author = {Gifford, I and Suárez, GA and Barrick, JE},
title = {Evolution recovers the fitness of Acinetobacter baylyi strains with large deletions through mutations in deletion-specific targets and global post-transcriptional regulators.},
journal = {PLoS genetics},
volume = {20},
number = {9},
pages = {e1011306},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1011306},
pmid = {39283914},
issn = {1553-7404},
abstract = {Organelles and endosymbionts have naturally evolved dramatically reduced genome sizes compared to their free-living ancestors. Synthetic biologists have purposefully engineered streamlined microbial genomes to create more efficient cellular chassis and define the minimal components of cellular life. During natural or engineered genome streamlining, deletion of many non-essential genes in combination often reduces bacterial fitness for idiosyncratic or unknown reasons. We investigated how and to what extent laboratory evolution could overcome these defects in six variants of the transposon-free Acinetobacter baylyi strain ADP1-ISx that each had a deletion of a different 22- to 42-kilobase region and two strains with larger deletions of 70 and 293 kilobases. We evolved replicate populations of ADP1-ISx and each deletion strain for ~300 generations in a chemically defined minimal medium or a complex medium and sequenced the genomes of endpoint clonal isolates. Fitness increased in all cases that were examined except for two ancestors that each failed to improve in one of the two environments. Mutations affecting nine protein-coding genes and two small RNAs were significantly associated with one of the two environments or with certain deletion ancestors. The global post-transcriptional regulators rnd (ribonuclease D), csrA (RNA-binding carbon storage regulator), and hfq (RNA-binding protein and chaperone) were frequently mutated across all strains, though the incidence and effects of these mutations on gene function and bacterial fitness varied with the ancestral deletion and evolution environment. Mutations in this regulatory network likely compensate for how an earlier deletion of a transposon in the ADP1-ISx ancestor of all the deletion strains restored csrA function. More generally, our results demonstrate that fitness lost during genome streamlining can usually be regained rapidly through laboratory evolution and that recovery tends to occur through a combination of deletion-specific compensation and global regulatory adjustments.},
}

@article {pmid39275847,
year = {2024},
author = {MacDonald, ZG and Schoville, S and Escalona, M and Marimuthu, MPA and Nguyen, O and Chumchim, N and Fairbairn, CW and Seligmann, W and Toffelmier, E and Gillespie, T and Shaffer, HB},
title = {A genome assembly for the Chryxus Arctic (Oeneis chryxus), the highest butterfly in North America.},
journal = {The Journal of heredity},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jhered/esae051},
pmid = {39275847},
issn = {1465-7333},
abstract = {We describe a highly contiguous and complete diploid genome assembly for the Chryxus Arctic, Oeneis chryxus (E. Doubleday, [1849]), a butterfly species complex spanning much of northern and western North America. One subspecies, the Ivallda Arctic (O. c. ivallda), is endemic to California's Sierra Nevada and of particular biogeographic interest and conservation concern. Extreme alpine habitats occupied by this subspecies include the summit of Mt. Whitney, California, representing the highest elevation butterfly population in North America. The assembly presented here consists of two haplotypes, 738.92 and 770.85 Mb in length, with contig N50 values of 10.49 and 10.13 Mb, scaffold N50 values of 25.35 and 25.69 Mb, scaffold L50 values of 13 and 14, and BUSCO completeness scores of 96.5 and 98.3%, respectively. More than 97% of the assembly is organized into 29 scaffolds, which likely represent whole chromosomes. This assembly is the first major genomic resource for Oeneis, providing a foundational reference for future genomic studies on the taxonomy, evolutionary history, and conservation of the genus. As part of the California Conservation Genomics Project, we will use this assembly in conjunction with short-read resequencing to resolve patterns of evolutionary differentiation, adaptive genomic variation, and gene flow among remaining O. c. ivallda populations. These data can and will be used to inform the subspecies' conservation as warming climatic conditions continue to lead to the loss and fragmentation of alpine habitats. We also provide genome assemblies for the O. chryxus mitochondrion and a Wolbachia endosymbiont.},
}

@article {pmid39270964,
year = {2024},
author = {Giannotta, MM and Smith, I and Michie, M and Blasdell, K and Dunn, M and Nicholls, J and Heath, ACG and Rodriguez, J and Gofton, AW},
title = {Molecular characterisation of Australasian Ixodiphagus (Hymenoptera; Encyrtidae; Encyrtinae) reveals unexpected diversity and a potential novel host switch.},
journal = {International journal for parasitology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.09.001},
pmid = {39270964},
issn = {1879-0135},
abstract = {Ticks are important medical and veterinary parasites that represent a substantial health threat to humans, companion animals, and livestock. Ixodiphagus wasps (Hymenoptera; Encyrtidae) are known endoparasitoids of ixodid (hard) and argasid (soft) ticks, with potential utility as natural biocontrol agents. Two species, Ixodiphagus brunneus and Ixodiphagus mysorensis, are previously recorded from Australia, however, the genus lacks formal revisionary work in Australia, and the validity and host ranges of these species remain uncertain. This work aimed to investigate the diversity of Ixodiphagus in Australasia and provide a molecular data resource for future work on these understudied endoparasitoids. We extracted DNA from archival Ixodiphagus specimens from Australian and New Zealand insect collections and performed high-throughput sequencing which resulted in complete or mostly complete mitochondrial genome sequences from 11 specimens, including I. brunneus, Ixodiphagus taiaroaensis, and a novel Ixodiphagus sp. reared from Rhipicephalus linnaei from Townsville, Australia. In addition, approximately 70% of the genome of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of I. brunneus was recovered. Finally, we screened 178 recently collected pooled tick samples from southern New South Wales, Australia, for Ixodiphagus spp. using 28S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(COI) gene PCR, and recovered 14 positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis of Australasian Ixodiphagus spp. based on 28S rRNA and complete mitochondrial genome sequences determined that members of the Australasian fauna are distinct from Ixodiphagus hookeri (the only other Ixodiphagus species for which genetic data exists), and that at least two distinct species are present in Australia; I. brunneus identified from Ixodes holocyclus and Haemaphysalis bancrofti ticks, and an uncharacterised Ixodiphagus sp. found in Rhipicephalus linnaei ticks from northern Queensland. Furthermore, there was substantial genetic diversity at the 28S rRNA loci among I. brunneus samples, which may represent normal genetic variability or a secondary cryptic species. The molecular data generated here represents the first known for the genus Ixodiphagus in Australasia, doubling that of the world fauna, and provides the first known complete mitochondrial genomes for these important tick parasitoids.},
}

@article {pmid39270602,
year = {2024},
author = {González, MA and Ruiz-Arrondo, I and Magallanes, S and Oboňa, J and Ruiz-López, MJ and Figuerola, J},
title = {Molecular and morphological analysis revealed a new Lipoptena species (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in southern Spain harbouring Coxiella burnetii and bacterial endosymbionts.},
journal = {Veterinary parasitology},
volume = {332},
number = {},
pages = {110300},
doi = {10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110300},
pmid = {39270602},
issn = {1873-2550},
abstract = {Hippoboscid flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) are obligate bloodsucking ectoparasites of animals. In Europe, limited research has been conducted on this family until the recent introduction of the deer ked Lipoptena fortisetosa Maa, 1965. A new species of the genus Lipoptena, Lipoptena andaluciensis sp. nov., was found in southern Spain after extensive sampling with carbon-dioxide baited suction traps. A total of 52 females and 32 males were collected at 29 out of 476 sites examined over eight months in 2023. Lipoptena andaluciensis sp. nov. was characterized morphologically and molecularly. The new Lipoptena species can be differentiated from the closely related L. fortisetosa by size, chaetotaxy of the dorsal and ventral thorax, abdominal plates, and genitalia. Based on DNA-barcoding, our specimens showed the highest similarity with Melophagus ovinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (88.4 %) and with L. fortisetosa (86-88 %). Individual screening of Lipoptena specimens (n = 76) for seven important zoonotic pathogens such as bacteria (Anaplasmataceae family: Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp.) and protozoans (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) by conventional PCR and RT-PCR was performed. DNA of C. burnetii was detected in one specimen, while two other specimens harboured Anaplasmataceae (Wolbachia spp., 100 % homology and another endosymbiont probably related to Arsenophonus sp., 95.3 % homology, respectively), all representing the first records of these bacteria in the Lipoptena spp. from Europe. Carbon dioxide traps probed its effectiveness as a reliable passive method for keds surveillance. Our study highlights the existence of a new Lipoptena species, presumably widely distributed in southern Spain. The role of this species in the transmission cycle of pathogens of medical-veterinary relevance needs to be considered in the area.},
}

@article {pmid39266798,
year = {2024},
author = {Kang, SF and Chen, Y and Chen, J},
title = {Wolbachia of phylogenetic supergroup K identified in oribatid mite Nothrus anauniensis (Acari: Oribatida: Nothridae).},
journal = {Experimental & applied acarology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39266798},
issn = {1572-9702},
abstract = {Heritable endosymbionts widely occur in arthropod and nematode hosts. Among these endosymbionts, Wolbachia has been extensively detected in many arthropods, such as insects and crustaceans. Maternal inheritance is the most basic and dominant mode of transmission of Wolbachia, and it might regulate the reproductive system of the host in four ways: feminization, parthenogenesis, male killing, and cytoplasmic incompatibility. There is a relatively high percentage (10%) of thelytokous species in Oribatida, a suborder under the subclass Acari of arthropods, but the study of the endosymbionts in oribatid mites is almost negligible. In this paper, we detected endosymbiotic bacteria in two parthenogenetic oribatid species, Nothrus anauniensis Canestrini and Fanzago, 1877, which has never been tested for endosymbionts, and Oppiella nova, in which Wolbachia and Cardinium have been reported before. The results showed that Wolbachia was first found in N. anauniensis with an infection rate of 100% across three populations. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Wolbachia in N. anauniensis belonged to the supergroup K, marking the second supergroup of Wolbachia found in oribatid mites. Unlike previous studies, our study did not detect Wolbachia in O. nova, leading to the exclusion of Wolbachia's role in mediating thelytoky in this species.},
}

@article {pmid39264945,
year = {2024},
author = {Zang, C and Wang, X and Liu, Y and Wang, H and Sun, Q and Cheng, P and Zhang, Y and Gong, M and Liu, H},
title = {Wolbachia and mosquitoes: Exploring transmission modes and coevolutionary dynamics in Shandong Province, China.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {9},
pages = {e0011944},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0011944},
pmid = {39264945},
issn = {1935-2735},
abstract = {Vector-borne diseases leave a large footprint on global health. Notable culprits include West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), all transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. Chemical insecticides have been widely used to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Still, mosquitoes are becoming more and more resistant to most chemical insecticides which cause particular harm to the ecology. Wolbachia belongs to the family Ehrlichiaceae in the order Rickettsiales and is a matrilineally inherited endosymbiont present in 60% of insects in nature. Wolbachia is capable of inducing a wide range of reproductive abnormalities in its hosts, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, and can alter mosquito resistance to pathogen infection. Wolbachia has been proposed as a biological alternative to chemical vector control, and specific research progress and effectiveness have been achieved. Despite the importance of Wolbachia, this strategy has not been tested in Culex pipiens pallens, the most prevalent mosquito species in Shandong Province, China. Little is known about how the mass release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes may impact the genetic structure of Culex pipiens pallens, and how the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia interacts with mitochondria during host mosquito transmission. Based on the population genetic structure of Culex pipiens pallens in Shandong Province, this study investigated the infection rate and infection type of Wolbachia in Shandong Province and jointly analysed the evolutionary relationship between the host mosquito and the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia. Our study showed that Wolbachia naturally infected by Culex pipiens pallens in Shandong Province was less homologous to Wolbachia infected by Aedes albopictus released from mosquito factory in Guangzhou. Our results also show that Culex pipiens pallens is undergoing demographic expansion in Shandong Province. The overall Wolbachia infection rate of Culex pipiens pallens was 92.8%, and a total of 15 WSP haplotypes were detected. We found that the genetic diversity of Wolbachia was low in Culex pipiens pallens from Shandong Province, and the mosquitoes were infected only with type B Wolbachia. Visualizing the relationship between Culex pipiens pallens and Wolbachia using a tanglegram revealed patterns of widespread associations. A specific coevolutionary relationship exists between the host mosquito and Wolbachia. Knowledge of this mosquito-Wolbachia relationship will provide essential scientific information required for Wolbachia-based vector control approaches in Shandong Province and will lead to a better understanding of the diversity and evolution of Wolbachia for its utility as a biocontrol agent.},
}

@article {pmid39264544,
year = {2024},
author = {Wannassi, T and Sayadi, A and Abbes, K and Djebbi, S and Naccache, C and Khemakhem, MM and Chermiti, B},
title = {Prevalence of Wolbachia infection in field natural population of the apricot seed wasp Eurytoma samsonowi (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae).},
journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39264544},
issn = {1618-1905},
abstract = {Obligate endosymbiont bacteria associated with insects are naturally providing their hosts with essential nutrients such as vitamins and amino acids and biological services including protection from pathogens. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of Wolbachia infection among males and females of the parasitic apricot seed wasp (ASW) Eurytoma samsonowi Vassiliev (Vassiliev Petrograd 11: 1-15, 1915) (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a very harmful pest of apricot (Prunus armeniaca), in the oasis of Gafsa, Southern-West of Tunisia. The detection of Wolbachia infection was assessed based on the amplification of the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene and a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) as a universal genotyping tool for Wolbachia involving the analyses of genes gatB, coxA, hcpA, fbpA, and ftsz. Confirming the screening results, Wolbachia was detected in the natural apricot wasp for the first time, with a significant difference between males (5%) and females (59%) based on wsp gene. All Wolbachia strains identified in E. samsonowi were clustered among supergroups B of Wolbachia.},
}

@article {pmid39263696,
year = {2024},
author = {Nag, M and Pallavi, J and Chakraborty, S and Roychoudhury, T and Mondal, S and Ghosh, A and Saha, C and Banerjee, M and Seal, A},
title = {Bacterial endosymbionts of a nitrogen-fixing yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1 - insights into a yet unknown micro-ecosystem.},
journal = {Molecular omics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1039/d3mo00273j},
pmid = {39263696},
issn = {2515-4184},
abstract = {Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1 is a yeast strain capable of fixing nitrogen and improving nitrogen nutrition in rice plants because of its nitrogen-fixing endobacteria, namely Stutzerimonas (Pseudomonas) stutzeri and Bradyrhizobium sp. To gain a deeper understanding of yeast endosymbionts, we conducted a whole-genome shotgun metagenomic analysis of JGTA-S1 cells grown under conditions of nitrogen sufficiency and deficiency. Our results showed that the endosymbiont population varied depending on the nitrogen regime. Upon mechanical disruption of yeast cells, we obtained endosymbionts in culturable form viz. Bacillus velezensis and Staphylococcus sp. under nitrogen-replete conditions and Lysinibacillus telephonicus., Brevibacillus sp., and Niallia circulans under nitrogen-depleted conditions. S. stutzeri and Bradyrhizobium sp. the previously reported endosymbionts remained unculturable. The culturable endosymbionts Staphylococcus sp. and Bacillus velezensis appear to possess genes for dissimilatory nitrate reduction (DNRA), an alternative pathway for ammonia synthesis. However, our findings suggest that these endosymbionts are facultative as they survive outside the host. The fitness of the yeast was not affected by curing of these microbes. Curing the yeast diazotrophic endosymbionts took a toll on its fitness. Our results also showed that the populations of S. stutzeri and B. velezensis increased significantly under nitrogen-depleted conditions compared to nitrogen-sufficient conditions. The importance of DNRA and nitrogen fixation is also reflected in the metagenomic reads of JGTA-S1.},
}

@article {pmid39261613,
year = {2024},
author = {Vosseberg, J and van Hooff, JJE and Köstlbacher, S and Panagiotou, K and Tamarit, D and Ettema, TJG},
title = {The emerging view on the origin and early evolution of eukaryotic cells.},
journal = {Nature},
volume = {633},
number = {8029},
pages = {295-305},
pmid = {39261613},
issn = {1476-4687},
mesh = {*Eukaryotic Cells/cytology/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; *Biological Evolution ; Archaea/genetics/classification/cytology ; Mitochondria/genetics/metabolism ; Bacteria/genetics/cytology/classification/metabolism ; Prokaryotic Cells/cytology/metabolism/classification ; Phylogeny ; Animals ; Eukaryota/genetics/classification/cytology ; },
abstract = {The origin of the eukaryotic cell, with its compartmentalized nature and generally large size compared with bacterial and archaeal cells, represents a cornerstone event in the evolution of complex life on Earth. In a process referred to as eukaryogenesis, the eukaryotic cell is believed to have evolved between approximately 1.8 and 2.7 billion years ago from its archaeal ancestors, with a symbiosis with a bacterial (proto-mitochondrial) partner being a key event. In the tree of life, the branch separating the first from the last common ancestor of all eukaryotes is long and lacks evolutionary intermediates. As a result, the timing and driving forces of the emergence of complex eukaryotic features remain poorly understood. During the past decade, environmental and comparative genomic studies have revealed vital details about the identity and nature of the host cell and the proto-mitochondrial endosymbiont, enabling a critical reappraisal of hypotheses underlying the symbiotic origin of the eukaryotic cell. Here we outline our current understanding of the key players and events underlying the emergence of cellular complexity during the prokaryote-to-eukaryote transition and discuss potential avenues of future research that might provide new insights into the enigmatic origin of the eukaryotic cell.},
}

*Eukaryotic Cells/cytology/metabolism
*Symbiosis
*Biological Evolution
Archaea/genetics/classification/cytology
Mitochondria/genetics/metabolism
Bacteria/genetics/cytology/classification/metabolism
Prokaryotic Cells/cytology/metabolism/classification
Phylogeny
Animals
Eukaryota/genetics/classification/cytology

@article {pmid38785194,
year = {2024},
author = {McKee, CD and Peel, AJ and Hayman, DTS and Suu-Ire, R and Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y and Cunningham, AA and Wood, JLN and Webb, CT and Kosoy, MY},
title = {Ectoparasite and bacterial population genetics and community structure indicate extent of bat movement across an island chain.},
journal = {Parasitology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-14},
doi = {10.1017/S0031182024000660},
pmid = {38785194},
issn = {1469-8161},
support = {//Research England/ ; //Zebra Foundation for Veterinary Zoological Education/ ; //Alborada Trust/ ; //Royal Society Te Apārangi/ ; //Isaac Newton Trust/ ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; },
abstract = {Few studies have examined the genetic population structure of vector-borne microparasites in wildlife, making it unclear how much these systems can reveal about the movement of their associated hosts. This study examined the complex host–vector–microbe interactions in a system of bats, wingless ectoparasitic bat flies (Nycteribiidae), vector-borne microparasitic bacteria (Bartonella) and bacterial endosymbionts of flies (Enterobacterales) across an island chain in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa. Limited population structure was found in bat flies and Enterobacterales symbionts compared to that of their hosts. Significant isolation by distance was observed in the dissimilarity of Bartonella communities detected in flies from sampled populations of Eidolon helvum bats. These patterns indicate that, while genetic dispersal of bats between islands is limited, some non-reproductive movements may lead to the dispersal of ectoparasites and associated microbes. This study deepens our knowledge of the phylogeography of African fruit bats, their ectoparasites and associated bacteria. The results presented could inform models of pathogen transmission in these bat populations and increase our theoretical understanding of community ecology in host–microbe systems.},
}

@article {pmid39258303,
year = {2024},
author = {Silva, NNP and Carvalho, VR and Silva, CB and Bomfim, JPA and Ramos, GS and Oliveira, RC},
title = {First report of the association between Wolbachia and Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): effect on life history parameters of the parasitoid.},
journal = {Bulletin of entomological research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-8},
doi = {10.1017/S0007485324000361},
pmid = {39258303},
issn = {1475-2670},
abstract = {The symbiosis between microorganisms and host arthropods can cause biological, physiological, and reproductive changes in the host population. The present study aimed to survey facultative symbionts of the genera Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Rickettsia, and Nosema in Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in the laboratory and evaluate the influence of infection on the fitness of these hosts. For this purpose, 16S rDNA primers were used to detect these facultative symbionts in the host species, and the hosts' biological and morphological features were evaluated for changes resulting from the infection caused by these microorganisms. The bacterial symbionts studied herein were not detected in the D. saccharalis samples analysed, but the endosymbiont Wolbachia was detected in C. flavipes and altered the biological and morphological aspects of this parasitoid insect. The results of this study may help to elucidate the role of Wolbachia in maintaining the quality of populations/lineages of C. flavipes.},
}

@article {pmid39257987,
year = {2024},
author = {Mfopit, YM and Bilgo, E and Boma, S and Somda, MB and Gnambani, JE and Konkobo, M and Diabate, A and Dayo, GK and Mamman, M and Kelm, S and Balogun, EO and Shuaibu, MN and Kabir, J},
title = {Symbiotic bacteria Sodalis glossinidius, Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia do not favour Trypanosoma grayi coexistence in wild population of tsetse flies collected in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.},
journal = {Research square},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.21203/rs.3.rs-4756528/v1},
pmid = {39257987},
issn = {2693-5015},
abstract = {Background. Tsetse flies, the biological vectors of African trypanosomes, have established symbiotic associations with different bacteria. Their vector competence is suggested to be affected by bacterial endosymbionts. The current study provided the prevalence of three tsetse symbiotic bacteria and trypanosomes in Glossina species from Burkina Faso. Results. A total of 430 tsetse flies were captured using biconical traps in four different collection sites around Bobo-Dioulasso (Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni), and their guts were removed. Two hundred tsetse were randomly selected and their guts were screened byPCR for the presence of Sodalis glossinidius , Spiroplasma sp., Wolbachia and trypanosomes. Of the 200 tsetse, 196 (98.0%) were Glossina palpalis gambiense and 4 (2.0%) Glossina tachinoides . The overall symbiont prevalence was 49.0%, 96.5%, and 45.0%, respectively for S. glossinidius , Spiroplasma and Wolbachia . Prevalence varied between sampling locations: S. glossinidius (54.7%, 38.5%, 31.6%, 70.8%); Spiroplasma (100%, 100%, 87.7%, 100%); and Wolbachia (43.4%, 38.5%, 38.6%, 70.8%),respectively in Bama, Bana, Nasso and Peni. Noteworthy, no G. tachhnoides was infected by S. glossinidius and Wolbachia , but they were all infected by Spiroplasma sp . A total of 196 (98.0 %) harbored at least one endosymbionts. Fifty-five (27.5%) carried single endosymbiont. Trypanosomes were found only in G.p. gambiense , but not G. tachinoides . Trypanosomes were present in flies from all study locations with an overall prevalence of 29.5%. In Bama, Bana, Nasso, and Peni, the trypanosome infection rate was respectively 39.6%, 23.1%, 8.8%, and 37.5%. Remarkably, only Trypanosoma grayi was present. Of all trypanosome-infected flies, 55.9%, 98.3%, and 33.9% hosted S. glossinidius , Spiroplasma sp and Wolbachia , respectively. There was no association between Sodalis , Spiroplasma and trypanosome presence, but there was a negative association with Wolbachia presence. We reported1.9 times likelihood of trypanosome absence when Wolbachia was present. Conclusion : This is the first survey reporting the presence of Trypanosoma grayi in tsetse from Burkina Faso. Tsetse from these localities were highly positive for symbiotic bacteria, more predominantly with Spiroplasma sp . Modifications of symbiotic interactions may pave way for disease control.},
}

@article {pmid39253751,
year = {2024},
author = {Proctor, JD and Mackevicius-Dubickaja, V and Gottlieb, Y and White, JA},
title = {Warm temperature inhibits cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by endosymbiotic Rickettsiella in spider hosts.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {26},
number = {9},
pages = {e16697},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16697},
pmid = {39253751},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; Hatch # 1020740//U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; 1953223//National Science Foundation/ ; 201697//United States - Israel Binational Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Spiders/microbiology ; Female ; *Symbiosis ; Male ; *Hot Temperature ; Cytoplasm/microbiology ; Coxiellaceae/genetics ; Reproduction ; Temperature ; },
abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts manipulate reproduction in arthropods to increase their prevalence in the host population. One such manipulation is cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), wherein the bacteria sabotage sperm in infected males to reduce the hatch rate when mated with uninfected females, but zygotes are 'rescued' when that male mates with an infected female. In the spider Mermessus fradeorum (Linyphiidae), Rickettsiella symbionts cause variable levels of CI. We hypothesised that temperature affects the strength of CI and its rescue in M. fradeorum, potentially mediated by bacterial titre. We reared Rickettsiella-infected spiders in two temperature conditions (26°C vs. 20°C) and tested CI induction in males and rescue in females. In incompatible crosses between infected males and uninfected females, the hatch rate from warm males was doubled (mean ± standard error = 0.687 ± 0.052) relative to cool males (0.348 ± 0.046), indicating that CI induction is weaker in warm males. In rescue crosses between infected females and infected males, female rearing temperature had a marginal effect on CI rescue, but the hatch rate remained high for both warm (0.960 ± 0.023) and cool females (0.994 ± 0.004). Bacterial titre, as measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, was lower in warm than cool spiders, particularly in females, suggesting that bacterial titre may play a role in causing the temperature-mediated changes in CI.},
}

Animals
*Spiders/microbiology
Female
*Symbiosis
Male
*Hot Temperature
Cytoplasm/microbiology
Coxiellaceae/genetics
Reproduction
Temperature

@article {pmid39253440,
year = {2024},
author = {Frail, S and Steele-Ogus, M and Doenier, J and Moulin, SLY and Braukmann, T and Xu, S and Yeh, E},
title = {Genomes of nitrogen-fixing eukaryotes reveal a non-canonical model of organellogenesis.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.08.27.609708},
pmid = {39253440},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Endosymbiont gene transfer and import of host-encoded proteins are considered hallmarks of organelles necessary for stable integration of two cells. However, newer endosymbiotic models have challenged the origin and timing of such genetic integration during organellogenesis. Epithemia diatoms contain diazoplasts, closely related to recently-described nitrogen-fixing organelles, that are also stably integrated and co-speciating with their host algae. We report genomic analyses of two species, freshwater E.clementina and marine E.pelagica , which are highly divergent but share a common endosymbiotic origin. We found minimal evidence of genetic integration: nonfunctional diazoplast-to-nuclear DNA transfers in the E.clementina genome and 6 host-encoded proteins of unknown function in the E.clementina diazoplast proteome, far fewer than in other recently-acquired organelles. Epithemia diazoplasts are a valuable counterpoint to existing organellogenesis models, demonstrating that endosymbionts can be stably integrated and inherited absent significant genetic integration. The minimal genetic integration makes diazoplasts valuable blueprints for bioengineering endosymbiotic compartments de novo .},
}

@article {pmid39252957,
year = {2024},
author = {Siehl, R and Vyhnal, K and Goffredi, SK},
title = {Friendly fungi: Tropical insect families form partnerships with intracellular fungi related to pathogens.},
journal = {iScience},
volume = {27},
number = {9},
pages = {110674},
doi = {10.1016/j.isci.2024.110674},
pmid = {39252957},
issn = {2589-0042},
abstract = {Sap-sucking insects fail to obtain vitamins, amino acids, and sterols from their plant diet. To compensate, obligate intracellular bacterial symbionts (usually Sulcia and Vidania) provide these missing nutrients. Notably, some planthoppers within the Fulgoromorpha (suborder Auchenorrhyncha) associate with intracellular fungi, which either accompany or replace the anciently associated bacterial partners. Planthopper-symbiont surveys, however, have only been conducted in limited temperate regions, thus necessitating examination of these relationships in the tropics, where insect and fungal diversity is high. Here, five tropical planthopper families host yeast-like endosymbionts related to the parasitic genus Ophiocordyceps. Fungal endosymbiont identity generally corresponded to host family, suggesting possible coevolution. Vertical transmission to offspring was supported by the occurrence of fungal cells in developing eggs. This serves as the most comprehensive tropical planthopper-symbiont survey to date, doubling the roster of known Fulgoromorpha species that host intracellular fungi and further elucidating the remarkable success of this diverse insect group.},
}

@article {pmid39248324,
year = {2024},
author = {Cash, EI and Escalona, M and Ward, PS and Sahasrabudhe, R and Miller, C and Toffelmier, E and Fairbairn, C and Seligmann, W and Shaffer, HB and Tsutsui, ND},
title = {"The Reference Genome Of The Kidnapper Ant, Polyergus Mexicanus".},
journal = {The Journal of heredity},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jhered/esae047},
pmid = {39248324},
issn = {1465-7333},
abstract = {Polyergus kidnapper ants are widely distributed, but relatively uncommon, throughout the Holarctic, spanning an elevational range from sea level to over 3000 m. These species are well known for their obligate social parasitism with various Formica ant species, which they kidnap in dramatic, highly coordinated raids. Kidnapped Formica larvae and pupae become integrated into the Polyergus colony where they develop into adults and perform nearly all of the necessary colony tasks for the benefit of their captors. In California, Polyergus mexicanus is the most widely distributed Polyergus, but recent evidence has identified substantial genetic polymorphism within this species, including genetically divergent lineages associated with the use of different Formica host species. Given its unique behavior and genetic diversity, Polyergus mexicanus plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance by influencing the population dynamics and genetic diversity of its host ant species, Formica, highlighting its conservation value and importance in the context of biodiversity preservation. Here, we present a high-quality genome assembly of P. mexicanus from a sample collected in Plumas County, CA, USA, in the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada. This genome assembly consists of 364 scaffolds spanning 252.31 Mb, with contig N50 of 481,250 kb, scaffold N50 of 10.36 Mb, and BUSCO completeness of 95.4%. We also assembled the genome of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of P. mexicanus - a single, circular contig spanning 1.23 Mb. These genome sequences provide essential resources for future studies of conservation genetics, population genetics, speciation, and behavioral ecology in this charismatic social insect.},
}

@article {pmid39243881,
year = {2024},
author = {Depeux, C and Branger, A and Paulhac, H and Pigeault, R and Beltran-Bech, S},
title = {Deleterious effects of Wolbachia on life history and physiological traits of common pill woodlice.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108187},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108187},
pmid = {39243881},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {Most of eukaryotic organisms live in close interaction with micro-organisms called symbionts. Symbiotic interactions underpin the evolution of biological complexity, the health of organisms and, ultimately, the proper functioning of ecosystems. While some symbionts confer adaptive benefits on their host (mutualistic symbionts) and others clearly induce costs (parasitic symbionts), a number of micro-organisms are difficult to classify because they have been described as conferring both benefits and costs on their host. This is particularly true of the most widespread animal endosymbiont, Wolbachia pipientis. In this study, we investigated the influence of Wolbachia infection on a broad spectrum of ecological and physiological parameters of one of its native hosts, Armadillidium vulgare. The aim was to gain as complete a picture as possible of the influence of this endosymbiont on its host. Our results showed that the presence of Wolbachia resulted in a decrease in individual reproductive success and survival. Host immune cells density decreased and β-galactosidase activity (ageing biomarker) increased with the presence of Wolbachia, suggesting a negative impact of this endosymbiont on woodlice health. While previous studies have shown that Wolbachia can have a positive impact on the immunocompetence of A. vulgare, here we shed more light on the costs of infection. Our results illustrate the complex dynamics that exist between Wolbachia and its arthropod host and therefore offer valuable insights into the intricate interplay of symbiotic relationships in ecological systems.},
}

@article {pmid39228812,
year = {2024},
author = {Arai, H and Herran, B and Sugimoto, TN and Miyata, M and Sasaki, T and Kageyama, D},
title = {Cell-based assays and comparative genomics revealed the conserved and hidden effects of Wolbachia on insect sex determination.},
journal = {PNAS nexus},
volume = {3},
number = {9},
pages = {pgae348},
pmid = {39228812},
issn = {2752-6542},
abstract = {It is advantageous for maternally transmitted endosymbionts to skew the sex ratio of their hosts toward females. Some endosymbiotic bacteria, such as Wolbachia, cause their insect hosts to exclusively produce female offspring through male killing (MK) or feminization. In some lepidopteran insects, MK is achieved by affecting the sex-determining process in males, and a unique mechanism of MK and its functional link with feminization have been implicated. However, comparative analysis of these phenotypes is often difficult because they have been analyzed in different host-symbiont systems, and transinfection of Wolbachia across different hosts is often challenging. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of nine Wolbachia strains on the splicing of sex-determining genes in Lepidoptera by fixing the host genetic background using a cell culture system. Cell transinfection assays confirmed that three MK-inducing Wolbachia strains and one feminization-inducing Wolbachia strain increased the female-type splicing products of the core sex-determining genes doublesex, masculinizer, and zinc finger protein 2. Regarding Wolbachia strains that do not induce MK/feminization, three had no effect on these sex-determining genes, whereas two strains induced female-type splicing of masculinizer and doublesex but not zinc finger protein 2. Comparative genomics confirmed that homologs of oscar, the Wolbachia gene responsible for MK in Ostrinia, were encoded by four MK/feminizing Wolbachia strains, but not by five non-MK/nonfeminizing strains. These results support the conserved effects underlying MK and feminization induced by oscar-bearing Wolbachia and suggested other potential mechanisms that Wolbachia might employ to manipulate host sex.},
}

@article {pmid39207104,
year = {2024},
author = {A Ghomi, F and Jung, JJ and Langridge, GC and Cain, AK and Boinett, CJ and Abd El Ghany, M and Pickard, DJ and Kingsley, RA and Thomson, NR and Parkhill, J and Gardner, PP and Barquist, L},
title = {High-throughput transposon mutagenesis in the family Enterobacteriaceae reveals core essential genes and rapid turnover of essentiality.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0179824},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.01798-24},
pmid = {39207104},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {The Enterobacteriaceae are a scientifically and medically important clade of bacteria, containing the model organism Escherichia coli, as well as major human pathogens including Salmonella enterica and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Essential gene sets have been determined for several members of the Enterobacteriaceae, with the Keio E. coli single-gene deletion library often regarded as a gold standard. However, it remains unclear how gene essentiality varies between related strains and species. To investigate this, we have assembled a collection of 13 sequenced high-density transposon mutant libraries from five genera within the Enterobacteriaceae. We first assess several gene essentiality prediction approaches, investigate the effects of transposon density on essentiality prediction, and identify biases in transposon insertion sequencing data. Based on these investigations, we develop a new classifier for gene essentiality. Using this new classifier, we define a core essential genome in the Enterobacteriaceae of 201 universally essential genes. Despite the presence of a large cohort of variably essential genes, we find an absence of evidence for genus-specific essential genes. A clear example of this sporadic essentiality is given by the set of genes regulating the σE extracytoplasmic stress response, which appears to have independently acquired essentiality multiple times in the Enterobacteriaceae. Finally, we compare our essential gene sets to the natural experiment of gene loss in obligate insect endosymbionts that have emerged from within the Enterobacteriaceae. This isolates a remarkably small set of genes absolutely required for survival and identifies several instances of essential stress responses masked by redundancy in free-living bacteria.IMPORTANCEThe essential genome, that is the set of genes absolutely required to sustain life, is a core concept in genetics. Essential genes in bacteria serve as drug targets, put constraints on the engineering of biological chassis for technological or industrial purposes, and are key to constructing synthetic life. Despite decades of study, relatively little is known about how gene essentiality varies across related bacteria. In this study, we have collected gene essentiality data for 13 bacteria related to the model organism Escherichia coli, including several human pathogens, and investigated the conservation of essentiality. We find that approximately a third of the genes essential in any particular strain are non-essential in another related strain. Surprisingly, we do not find evidence for essential genes unique to specific genera; rather it appears a substantial fraction of the essential genome rapidly gains or loses essentiality during evolution. This suggests that essentiality is not an immutable characteristic but depends crucially on the genomic context. We illustrate this through a comparison of our essential genes in free-living bacteria to genes conserved in 34 insect endosymbionts with naturally reduced genomes, finding several cases where genes generally regarded as being important for specific stress responses appear to have become essential in endosymbionts due to a loss of functional redundancy in the genome.},
}

@article {pmid39196627,
year = {2024},
author = {Shang, F and Ding, BY and Niu, J and Lu, JM and Xie, XC and Li, CZ and Zhang, W and Pan, D and Jiang, RX and Wang, JJ},
title = {microRNA maintains nutrient homeostasis in the symbiont-host interaction.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {121},
number = {36},
pages = {e2406925121},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2406925121},
pmid = {39196627},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {32272526//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 32020103010//MOST | NSFC | Major International Joint Research Programme/ ; },
mesh = {*MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology/metabolism ; *Homeostasis ; Vitamin B 6/metabolism ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Nutrients/metabolism ; Escherichia coli/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {Endosymbionts provide essential nutrients for hosts, promoting growth, development, and reproduction. However, the molecular regulation of nutrient transport from endosymbiont to host is not well understood. Here, we used bioinformatic analysis, RNA-Sequencing, luciferase assays, RNA immunoprecipitation, and in situ hybridization to show that a bacteriocyte-distributed MRP4 gene (multidrug resistance-associated protein 4) is negatively regulated by a host (aphid)-specific microRNA (miR-3024). Targeted metabolomics, microbiome analysis, vitamin B6 (VB6) supplements, 3D modeling/molecular docking, in vitro binding assays (voltage clamp recording and microscale thermophoresis), and functional complementation of Escherichia coli were jointly used to show that the miR-3024/MRP4 axis controls endosymbiont (Serratia)-produced VB6 transport to the host. The supplementation of miR-3024 increased the mortality of aphids, but partial rescue was achieved by providing an external source of VB6. The use of miR-3024 as part of a sustainable aphid pest-control strategy was evaluated by safety assessments in nontarget organisms (pollinators, predators, and entomopathogenic fungi) using virus-induced gene silencing assays and the expression of miR-3024 in transgenic tobacco. The supplementation of miR-3024 suppresses MRP4 expression, restricting the number of membrane channels, inhibiting VB6 transport, and ultimately killing the host. Under aphids facing stress conditions, the endosymbiont titer is decreased, and the VB6 production is also down-regulated, while the aphid's autonomous inhibition of miR-3024 enhances the expression of MRP4 and then increases the VB6 transport which finally ensures the VB6 homeostasis. The results confirm that miR-3024 regulates nutrient transport in the endosymbiont-host system and is a suitable target for sustainable pest control.},
}

*MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism
*Symbiosis
Animals
*Aphids/microbiology/metabolism
*Homeostasis
Vitamin B 6/metabolism
Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Nutrients/metabolism
Escherichia coli/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid39194189,
year = {2024},
author = {Miao, Y-h and Dou, W-h and Liu, J and Huang, D-w and Xiao, J-h},
title = {Single-cell transcriptome sequencing reveals that Wolbachia induces gene expression changes in Drosophila ovary cells to favor its own maternal transmission.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0147324},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.01473-24},
pmid = {39194189},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligate endosymbiont that is maternally inherited and widely distributed in arthropods and nematodes. It remains in the mature eggs of female hosts over generations through multiple strategies and manipulates the reproduction system of the host to enhance its spreading efficiency. However, the transmission of Wolbachia within the host's ovaries and its effects on ovarian cells during oogenesis, have not been extensively studied. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to comparatively analyze cell-typing and gene expression in Drosophila ovaries infected and uninfected with Wolbachia. Our findings indicate that Wolbachia significantly affects the transcription of host genes involved in the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton organization, and cytomembrane mobility in multiple cell types, which may make host ovarian cells more conducive for the transmission of Wolbachia from extracellular to intracellular. Moreover, the genes nos and orb, which are related to the synthesis of ribonucleoprotein complexes, are specifically upregulated in early germline cells of ovaries infected with Wolbachia, revealing that Wolbachia can increase the possibility of its localization to the host oocytes by enhancing the binding with host ribonucleoprotein-complex processing bodies (P-bodies). All these findings provide novel insights into the maternal transmission of Wolbachia between host ovarian cells.IMPORTANCEWolbachia, an obligate endosymbiont in arthropods, can manipulate the reproduction system of the host to enhance its maternal transmission and reside in the host's eggs for generations. Herein, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of ovaries from Drosophila melanogaster and observed the effects of Wolbachia (strain wMel) infection on different cell types to discuss the potential mechanism associated with the transmission and retention of Wolbachia within the ovaries of female hosts. It was found that the transcriptions of multiple genes in the ovary samples infected with Wolbachia are significantly altered, which possibly favors the maternal transmission of Wolbachia. Meanwhile, we also discovered that Wolbachia may flexibly regulate the expression level of specific host genes according to their needs rather than rigidly changing the expression level in one direction to achieve a more suitable living environment in the host's ovarian cells. Our findings contribute to a further understanding of the maternal transmission and possible universal effects of Wolbachia within the host.},
}

@article {pmid39189783,
year = {2024},
author = {Longley, R and Robinson, AJ and Asher, OA and Middlebrook, E and Bonito, G and Chain, PSG},
title = {Signatures of Mollicutes-related endobacteria in publicly available Mucoromycota genomes.},
journal = {mSphere},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0030924},
doi = {10.1128/msphere.00309-24},
pmid = {39189783},
issn = {2379-5042},
abstract = {Mucoromycota fungi and their Mollicutes-related endobacteria (MRE) are an ideal system for studying bacterial-fungal interactions and evolution due to the long-term and intimate nature of their interactions. However, methods for detecting MRE face specific challenges due to the poor representation of MRE in sequencing databases coupled with the high sequence divergence of their genomes, making traditional similarity searches unreliable. This has precluded estimations on the diversity of MRE associated with Mucoromycota. To determine the prevalence of previously undetected MRE in fungal genome sequences, we scanned 389 Mucoromycota genome assemblies available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information for the presence of MRE sequences using publicly available tools to map contigs from fungal assemblies to publicly available MRE genomes. We demonstrate a higher diversity of MRE genomes than previously described in Mucoromycota and a lack of cophylogeny between MRE and the majority of their fungal hosts. This supports the late invasion hypothesis regarding MRE acquisition across most of the examined fungal families. In contrast with other Mucoromycota lineages, MRE from the Gigasporaceae displayed some degree of cophylogeny with their hosts, which may indicate that horizontal transmission is restricted between members of this family or that transmission is strictly vertical. These results underscore the need for a refined process to capture sequencing data from potential fungal endosymbionts to discern their evolution and transmission. Screens of fungal genomes for MRE can help improve the quality of fungal genome assemblies while identifying new MRE lineages to further test hypotheses on their origin and evolution.IMPORTANCEMollicutes-related endobacteria (MRE) are obligate intracellular bacteria found within Mucoromycota fungi. Despite their frequent detection, MRE roles in host functioning are still unknown. Comparative genomic investigations can improve our understanding of the impact of MRE on their fungal hosts by identifying similarities and differences in MRE genome evolution. However, MRE genomes have only been assembled from a small fraction of Mucoromycota hosts. Here, we demonstrate that MRE can be present yet undetected in publicly available Mucoromycota genome assemblies. We use these newfound sequences to assess the broader diversity of MRE and their phylogenetic relationships with respect to their hosts. We demonstrate that publicly available tools can be used to extract novel MRE sequences from assembled fungal genomes leading to insights on MRE evolution. This work contributes to a greater understanding of the fungal microbiome, which is crucial to improving knowledge on the dynamics and impacts of fungi in microbial ecosystems.},
}