@article {pmid42966018,
year = {2026},
author = {de Mello, VVC and Funnicelli, MIG and Barbier, E and Micolta, LFB and Machado, RZ and Barros-Battesti, DM and Pinheiro, DG and André, MR},
title = {Bacterial diversity associated with Streblidae flies parasitizing cave-dwelling bats from northeastern Brazil.},
journal = {Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases},
volume = {130},
number = {},
pages = {102544},
doi = {10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102544},
pmid = {42966018},
issn = {1878-1667},
abstract = {Bats (Chiroptera) are highly diverse mammals that play key ecological roles and harbor a wide range of microorganisms, yet the microbiome of their ectoparasitic flies remains poorly understood. This study characterized and compared the bacterial microbiomes associated with two bat-ectoparasite systems, Pteronotus gymnonotus-Trichobius johnsonae and Desmodus rotundus-Trichobius parasiticus, from cave-dwelling bat populations in northeastern Brazil using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Sixty-eight bat fly samples were successfully sequenced, and 67 were retained for downstream ecological analyses after quality filtering. Bacterial communities were dominated by members of the classes Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria, with Arsenophonus, Bartonella, and unresolved endosymbiont-associated taxa among the most abundant bacterial groups. Alpha-diversity patterns varied according to the metric considered: observed ASV richness was influenced by bat fly species, sex, and their interaction, Shannon diversity differed according to streblid fly species and sex, and Faith's phylogenetic diversity differed between bat fly sexes. Notably, male T. johnsonae exhibited greater observed ASV richness than females, whereas no significant sex difference was detected in T. parasiticus. Beta-diversity analyses consistently revealed differences in bacterial community composition between the two bat-ectoparasite systems, while the influence of sex was system-dependent, with significant differentiation between T. johnsonae males and females but not between sexes of T. parasiticus in phylogenetically informed analyses. Differential abundance analysis further identified Romboutsia, Bartonella, Bacteroides, and an unclassified Pseudomonadota genus as discriminatory taxa among groups. Overall, these findings reveal distinct bacterial diversity and composition patterns between the two bat-ectoparasite systems and indicate that sex-associated microbiome variation is not uniform across bat fly species.},
}

@article {pmid38502496,
year = {2024},
author = {Füssy, Z and Oborník, M},
title = {Complex Endosymbioses I: From Primary to Complex Plastids, Serial Endosymbiotic Events.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {2776},
number = {},
pages = {21-41},
pmid = {38502496},
issn = {1940-6029},
mesh = {*Biological Evolution ; Symbiosis ; Plastids/genetics/metabolism ; Plants/genetics ; *Rhodophyta/genetics ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {A considerable part of the diversity of eukaryotic phototrophs consists of algae with plastids that evolved from endosymbioses between two eukaryotes. These complex plastids are characterized by a high number of envelope membranes (more than two) and some of them contain a residual nucleus of the endosymbiotic alga called a nucleomorph. Complex plastid-bearing algae are thus chimeric cell assemblies, eukaryotic symbionts living in a eukaryotic host. In contrast, the primary plastids of the Archaeplastida (plants, green algae, red algae, and glaucophytes) possibly evolved from a single endosymbiosis with a cyanobacterium and are surrounded by two membranes. Complex plastids have been acquired several times by unrelated groups of eukaryotic heterotrophic hosts, suggesting that complex plastids are somewhat easier to obtain than primary plastids. Evidence suggests that complex plastids arose twice independently in the green lineage (euglenophytes and chlorarachniophytes) through secondary endosymbiosis, and four times in the red lineage, first through secondary endosymbiosis in cryptophytes, then by higher-order events in stramenopiles, alveolates, and haptophytes. Engulfment of primary and complex plastid-containing algae by eukaryotic hosts (secondary, tertiary, and higher-order endosymbioses) is also responsible for numerous plastid replacements in dinoflagellates. Plastid endosymbiosis is accompanied by massive gene transfer from the endosymbiont to the host nucleus and cell adaptation of both endosymbiotic partners, which is related to the trophic switch to phototrophy and loss of autonomy of the endosymbiont. Such a process is essential for the metabolic integration and division control of the endosymbiont in the host. Although photosynthesis is the main advantage of acquiring plastids, loss of photosynthesis often occurs in algae with complex plastids. This chapter summarizes the essential knowledge of the acquisition, evolution, and function of complex plastids.},
}

*Biological Evolution
Symbiosis
Plastids/genetics/metabolism
Plants/genetics
*Rhodophyta/genetics
Phylogeny

@article {pmid38505947,
year = {2025},
author = {Torp, MK and Stensløkken, KO and Vaage, J},
title = {When Our Best Friend Becomes Our Worst Enemy: The Mitochondrion in Trauma, Surgery, and Critical Illness.},
journal = {Journal of intensive care medicine},
volume = {40},
number = {7},
pages = {695-714},
doi = {10.1177/08850666241237715},
pmid = {38505947},
issn = {1525-1489},
mesh = {Humans ; *Mitochondria/metabolism/immunology/physiology ; *Critical Illness ; *Wounds and Injuries/immunology/physiopathology ; *Sepsis/physiopathology/immunology ; *Alarmins/metabolism/immunology ; *Inflammation/physiopathology/immunology ; Critical Care ; },
abstract = {Common for major surgery, multitrauma, sepsis, and critical illness, is a whole-body inflammation. Tissue injury is able to trigger a generalized inflammatory reaction. Cell death causes release of endogenous structures termed damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that initiate a sterile inflammation. Mitochondria are evolutionary endosymbionts originating from bacteria, containing molecular patterns similar to bacteria. These molecular patterns are termed mitochondrial DAMPs (mDAMPs). Mitochondrial debris released into the extracellular space or into the circulation is immunogenic and damaging secondary to activation of the innate immune system. In the circulation, released mDAMPS are either free or exist in extracellular vesicles, being able to act on every organ and cell in the body. However, the role of mDAMPs in trauma and critical care is not fully clarified. There is a complete lack of knowledge how they may be counteracted in patients. Among mDAMPs are mitochondrial DNA, cardiolipin, N-formyl peptides, cytochrome C, adenosine triphosphate, reactive oxygen species, succinate, and mitochondrial transcription factor A. In this overview, we present the different mDAMPs, their function, release, targets, and inflammatory potential. In light of present knowledge, the role of mDAMPs in the pathophysiology of major surgery and trauma as well as sepsis, and critical care is discussed.},
}

Humans
*Mitochondria/metabolism/immunology/physiology
*Critical Illness
*Wounds and Injuries/immunology/physiopathology
*Sepsis/physiopathology/immunology
*Alarmins/metabolism/immunology
*Inflammation/physiopathology/immunology
Critical Care

@article {pmid38509052,
year = {2024},
author = {Ang'ang'o, LM and Waweru, JW and Makhulu, EE and Wairimu, A and Otieno, FG and Onchuru, T and Tastan Bishop, Ö and Herren, JK},
title = {Draft genome of Microsporidia sp. MB-a malaria-blocking microsporidian symbiont of the Anopheles arabiensis.},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {e0090323},
pmid = {38509052},
issn = {2576-098X},
support = {INV0225840//Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (GF)/ ; //Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)/ ; SYMBIOVECTOR TRACK A//Open Philanthropy Project/ ; SMBV-FFT//Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)/ ; //Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency/ ; //The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation/ ; //The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research/ ; },
abstract = {We report the draft whole-genome assembly of Microsporidia sp. MB, a symbiotic malaria-transmission-blocking microsporidian isolated from Anopheles arabiensis in Kenya. The whole-genome sequence of Microsporidia sp. MB has a length of 5,908,979 bp, 2,335 contigs, and an average GC content of 31.12%.},
}

@article {pmid38519099,
year = {2024},
author = {Bai, J and Zuo, Z and DuanMu, H and Li, M and Tong, H and Mei, Y and Xiao, Y and He, K and Jiang, M and Wang, S and Li, F},
title = {Endosymbiont Tremblaya phenacola influences the reproduction of cotton mealybugs by regulating the mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38519099},
issn = {1751-7370},
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Female ; Sirolimus/metabolism ; *Betaproteobacteria/genetics ; *Gammaproteobacteria/genetics ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Reproduction ; Amino Acids/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {The intricate evolutionary dynamics of endosymbiotic relationships result in unique characteristics among the genomes of symbionts, which profoundly influence host insect phenotypes. Here, we investigated an endosymbiotic system in Phenacoccus solenopsis, a notorious pest of the subfamily Phenacoccinae. The endosymbiont, "Candidatus Tremblaya phenacola" (T. phenacola PSOL), persisted throughout the complete life cycle of female hosts and was more active during oviposition, whereas there was a significant decline in abundance after pupation in males. Genome sequencing yielded an endosymbiont genome of 221.1 kb in size, comprising seven contigs and originating from a chimeric arrangement between betaproteobacteria and gammaproteobacteria. A comprehensive analysis of amino acid metabolic pathways demonstrated complementarity between the host and endosymbiont metabolism. Elimination of T. phenacola PSOL through antibiotic treatment significantly decreased P. solenopsis fecundity. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis demonstrated a correlation between genes associated with essential amino acid synthesis and those associated with host meiosis and oocyte maturation. Moreover, altering endosymbiont abundance activated the host mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway, suggesting that changes in the amino acid abundance affected the host reproductive capabilities via this signal pathway. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a mechanism by which the endosymbiont T. phenacola PSOL contributed to high fecundity in P. solenopsis and provide new insights into nutritional compensation and coevolution of the endosymbiotic system.},
}

Animals
Male
Female
Sirolimus/metabolism
*Betaproteobacteria/genetics
*Gammaproteobacteria/genetics
*Hemiptera/microbiology
Reproduction
Amino Acids/metabolism
Symbiosis

@article {pmid38525276,
year = {2024},
author = {Guse, K and Pietri, JE},
title = {Endosymbiont and gut bacterial communities of the brown-banded cockroach, Supella longipalpa.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e17095},
pmid = {38525276},
issn = {2167-8359},
support = {R01 AI171014/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Female ; Adult ; Humans ; *Blattellidae/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Flavobacteriaceae/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; },
abstract = {The brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa) is a widespread nuisance and public health pest. Like the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), this species is adapted to the indoor biome and completes the entirety of its life cycle in human-built structures. Recently, understanding the contributions of commensal and symbiotic microbes to the biology of cockroach pests, as well as the applications of targeting these microbes for pest control, have garnered significant scientific interest. However, relative to B. germanica, the biology of S. longipalpa, including its microbial associations, is understudied. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to quantitatively examine and characterize both the endosymbiont and gut bacterial communities of S. longipalpa for the first time. To do so, bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was conducted on DNA extracts from whole adult females and males, early instar nymphs, and late instar nymphs. The results demonstrate that the gut microbiome is dominated by two genera of bacteria known to have beneficial probiotic effects in other organisms, namely Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. Furthermore, our data show a significant effect of nymphal development on diversity and variation in the gut microbiome. Lastly, we reveal significant negative correlations between the two intracellular endosymbionts, Blattabacterium and Wolbachia, as well as between Blattabacterium and the gut microbiome, suggesting that Blattabacterium endosymbionts could directly or indirectly influence the composition of other bacterial populations. These findings have implications for understanding the adaptation of S. longipalpa to the indoor biome, its divergence from other indoor cockroach pest species such as B. germanica, the development of novel control approaches that target the microbiome, and fundamental insect-microbe interactions more broadly.},
}

Male
Animals
Female
Adult
Humans
*Blattellidae/genetics
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Flavobacteriaceae/genetics
Symbiosis/genetics

@article {pmid38532645,
year = {2024},
author = {Berrabah, F and Benaceur, F and Yin, C and Xin, D and Magne, K and Garmier, M and Gruber, V and Ratet, P},
title = {Defense and senescence interplay in legume nodules.},
journal = {Plant communications},
volume = {5},
number = {4},
pages = {100888},
pmid = {38532645},
issn = {2590-3462},
support = {//Non-US Government Research Support type/ ; },
mesh = {*Fabaceae ; Root Nodules, Plant/physiology ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Immunity and senescence play a crucial role in the functioning of the legume symbiotic nodules. The miss-regulation of one of these processes compromises the symbiosis leading to death of the endosymbiont and the arrest of the nodule functioning. The relationship between immunity and senescence has been extensively studied in plant organs where a synergistic response can be observed. However, the interplay between immunity and senescence in the symbiotic organ is poorly discussed in the literature and these phenomena are often mixed up. Recent studies revealed that the cooperation between immunity and senescence is not always observed in the nodule, suggesting complex interactions between these two processes within the symbiotic organ. Here, we discuss recent results on the interplay between immunity and senescence in the nodule and the specificities of this relationship during legume-rhizobium symbiosis.},
}

*Fabaceae
Root Nodules, Plant/physiology
Symbiosis

@article {pmid38534421,
year = {2024},
author = {Hyder, M and Lodhi, AM and Wang, Z and Bukero, A and Gao, J and Mao, R},
title = {Wolbachia Interactions with Diverse Insect Hosts: From Reproductive Modulations to Sustainable Pest Management Strategies.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {13},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {38534421},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {32202276//National Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022GDASZH-2022010106, 2022GDASZH-2022030501-08//GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development/ ; KTP20210352//Guangdong Province Rural Science and Technology Commissioner Project/ ; 2023SDZG06//Top Ten Critical Priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-Year Plan of Guangdong Province/ ; },
abstract = {Effective in a variety of insect orders, including dipteran, lepidopteran, and hemipteran, Wolbachia-based control tactics are investigated, noting the importance of sterile and incompatible insect techniques. Encouraging approaches for controlling Aedes mosquitoes are necessary, as demonstrated by the evaluation of a new SIT/IIT combination and the incorporation of SIT into Drosophila suzukii management. For example, Wolbachia may protect plants from rice pests, demonstrating its potential for agricultural biological vector management. Maternal transmission and cytoplasmic incompatibility dynamics are explored, while Wolbachia phenotypic impacts on mosquito and rice pest management are examined. The importance of host evolutionary distance is emphasised in recent scale insect research that addresses host-shifting. Using greater information, a suggested method for comprehending Wolbachia host variations in various contexts emphasises ecological connectivity. Endosymbionts passed on maternally in nematodes and arthropods, Wolbachia are widely distributed around the world and have evolved both mutualistic and parasitic traits. Wolbachia is positioned as a paradigm for microbial symbiosis due to advancements in multiomics, gene functional assays, and its effect on human health. The challenges and opportunities facing Wolbachia research include scale issues, ecological implications, ethical conundrums, and the possibility of customising strains through genetic engineering. It is thought that cooperative efforts are required to include Wolbachia-based therapies into pest management techniques while ensuring responsible and sustainable ways.},
}

@article {pmid38535401,
year = {2024},
author = {Cholvi, M and Trelis, M and Bueno-Marí, R and Khoubbane, M and Gil, R and Marcilla, A and Moretti, R},
title = {Wolbachia Infection through Hybridization to Enhance an Incompatible Insect Technique-Based Suppression of Aedes albopictus in Eastern Spain.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {38535401},
issn = {2075-4450},
abstract = {The emergence of insecticide resistance in arbovirus vectors is putting the focus on the development of new strategies for control. In this regard, the exploitation of Wolbachia endosymbionts is receiving increasing attention due to its demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the vectorial capacity of Aedes mosquitoes. Here, we describe the establishment of a naïve Wolbachia infection in a wild Aedes albopictus population of eastern Spain through a hybridization approach to obtain males capable of sterilizing wild females. The obtained lines were compared with the Wolbachia donor, Ae. albopictus ARwP, previously artificially infected with Wolbachia wPip, regarding immature and adult survival, female fecundity, egg fertility, and level of induced sterility. Our results did not show significant differences between lines in any of the biological parameters analyzed, indicating the full suitability of the hybrids to be used as a control tool against Ae. albopictus. In particular, hybrid males induced 99.9% sterility in the eggs of wild females without the need for any preliminary treatment. Being harmless to non-target organisms and the environment, the use of this bacterium for the control of Ae. albopictus deserves further exploration. This is especially relevant in areas such as eastern Spain, where this mosquito species has recently spread and may represent a serious threat due to its competence as a vector for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.},
}

@article {pmid38553514,
year = {2024},
author = {Konecka, E and Szymkowiak, P},
title = {Wolbachia supergroup A in Enoplognatha latimana (Araneae: Theridiidae) in Poland as an example of possible horizontal transfer of bacteria.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {7486},
pmid = {38553514},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Animals ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Poland ; *Spiders/genetics ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia (phylum Pseudomonadota, class Alfaproteobacteria, order Rickettsiales, family Ehrlichiaceae) is a maternally inherited bacterial symbiont infecting more than half of arthropod species worldwide and constituting an important force in the evolution, biology, and ecology of invertebrate hosts. Our study contributes to the limited knowledge regarding the presence of intracellular symbiotic bacteria in spiders. Specifically, we investigated the occurrence of Wolbachia infection in the spider species Enoplognatha latimana Hippa and Oksala, 1982 (Araneae: Theridiidae) using a sample collected in north-western Poland. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Wolbachia infection in E. latimana. A phylogeny based on the sequence analysis of multiple genes, including 16S rRNA, coxA, fbpA, ftsZ, gatB, gltA, groEL, hcpA, and wsp revealed that Wolbachia from the spider represented supergroup A and was related to bacterial endosymbionts discovered in other spider hosts, as well as insects of the orders Diptera and Hymenoptera. A sequence unique for Wolbachia supergroup A was detected for the ftsZ gene. The sequences of Wolbachia housekeeping genes have been deposited in publicly available databases and are an important source of molecular data for comparative studies. The etiology of Wolbachia infection in E. latimana is discussed.},
}

Animals
Bacterial Proteins/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Poland
*Spiders/genetics
Phylogeny

@article {pmid38557755,
year = {2024},
author = {Cho, A and Lax, G and Livingston, SJ and Masukagami, Y and Naumova, M and Millar, O and Husnik, F and Keeling, PJ},
title = {Genomic analyses of Symbiomonas scintillans show no evidence for endosymbiotic bacteria but does reveal the presence of giant viruses.},
journal = {PLoS genetics},
volume = {20},
number = {4},
pages = {e1011218},
pmid = {38557755},
issn = {1553-7404},
mesh = {*Giant Viruses/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Genome, Viral/genetics ; *Chlorophyta/genetics ; Metagenomics ; Bacteria/genetics ; },
abstract = {Symbiomonas scintillans Guillou et Chrétiennot-Dinet, 1999 is a tiny (1.4 μm) heterotrophic microbial eukaryote. The genus was named based on the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria in its endoplasmic reticulum, however, like most such endosymbionts neither the identity nor functional association with its host were known. We generated both amplification-free shotgun metagenomics and whole genome amplification sequencing data from S. scintillans strains RCC257 and RCC24, but were unable to detect any sequences from known lineages of endosymbiotic bacteria. The absence of endobacteria was further verified with FISH analyses. Instead, numerous contigs in assemblies from both RCC24 and RCC257 were closely related to prasinoviruses infecting the green algae Ostreococcus lucimarinus, Bathycoccus prasinos, and Micromonas pusilla (OlV, BpV, and MpV, respectively). Using the BpV genome as a reference, we assembled a near-complete 190 kbp draft genome encoding all hallmark prasinovirus genes, as well as two additional incomplete assemblies of closely related but distinct viruses from RCC257, and three similar draft viral genomes from RCC24, which we collectively call SsVs. A multi-gene tree showed the three SsV genome types branched within highly supported clades with each of BpV2, OlVs, and MpVs, respectively. Interestingly, transmission electron microscopy also revealed a 190 nm virus-like particle similar the morphology and size of the endosymbiont originally reported in S. scintillans. Overall, we conclude that S. scintillans currently does not harbour an endosymbiotic bacterium, but is associated with giant viruses.},
}

*Giant Viruses/genetics
Phylogeny
Genome, Viral/genetics
*Chlorophyta/genetics
Metagenomics
Bacteria/genetics

@article {pmid38558489,
year = {2024},
author = {Ferguson, LF and Ross, PA and van Heerwaarden, B},
title = {Wolbachia infection negatively impacts Drosophila simulans heat tolerance in a strain- and trait-specific manner.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {26},
number = {4},
pages = {e16609},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16609},
pmid = {38558489},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {DE230100067//Australian Research Council/ ; FT200100025//Australian Research Council/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Drosophila/physiology ; Drosophila simulans/genetics ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; *Thermotolerance ; Fertility ; },
abstract = {The susceptibility of insects to rising temperatures has largely been measured by their ability to survive thermal extremes. However, the capacity for maternally inherited endosymbionts to influence insect heat tolerance has been overlooked. Further, while some studies have addressed the impact of heat on traits like fertility, which can decline at temperatures below lethal thermal limits, none have considered the impact of endosymbionts. Here, we assess the impact of three Wolbachia strains (wRi, wAu and wNo) on the survival and fertility of Drosophila simulans exposed to heat stress during development or as adults. The effect of Wolbachia infection on heat tolerance was generally small and trait/strain specific. Only the wNo infection significantly reduced the survival of adult males after a heat shock. When exposed to fluctuating heat stress during development, the wRi and wAu strains reduced egg-to-adult survival but only the wNo infection reduced male fertility. Wolbachia densities of all three strains decreased under developmental heat stress, but reductions occurred at temperatures above those that reduced host fertility. These findings emphasize the necessity to account for endosymbionts and their effect on both survival and fertility when investigating insect responses to heat stress.},
}

Animals
Male
Drosophila/physiology
Drosophila simulans/genetics
*Wolbachia/genetics
*Thermotolerance
Fertility

@article {pmid38564675,
year = {2024},
author = {Lehman, SS and Verhoeve, VI and Driscoll, TP and Beckmann, JF and Gillespie, JJ},
title = {Metagenome diversity illuminates the origins of pathogen effectors.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {e0075923},
pmid = {38564675},
issn = {2150-7511},
support = {R21 AI156762/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI166832/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {*Metagenome ; *Rickettsia/genetics/classification ; *Phylogeny ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Evolution, Molecular ; Rickettsiales/genetics/classification ; Genetic Variation ; Type IV Secretion Systems/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; Humans ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Recent metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) analyses have profoundly impacted Rickettsiology systematics. The discovery of basal lineages (novel families Mitibacteraceae and Athabascaceae) with predicted extracellular lifestyles exposed an evolutionary timepoint for the transition to host dependency, which seemingly occurred independent of mitochondrial evolution. Notably, these basal rickettsiae carry the Rickettsiales vir homolog (rvh) type IV secretion system and purportedly use rvh to kill congener microbes rather than parasitize host cells as described for later-evolving rickettsial pathogens. MAG analysis also substantially increased diversity for the genus Rickettsia and delineated a sister lineage (the novel genus Tisiphia) that stands to inform on the emergence of human pathogens from protist and invertebrate endosymbionts. Herein, we probed Rickettsiales MAG and genomic diversity for the distribution of Rickettsia rvh effectors to ascertain their origins. A sparse distribution of most Rickettsia rvh effectors outside of Rickettsiaceae lineages illuminates unique rvh evolution from basal extracellular species and other rickettsial families. Remarkably, nearly every effector was found in multiple divergent forms with variable architectures, indicating profound roles for gene duplication and recombination in shaping effector repertoires in Rickettsia pathogens. Lateral gene transfer plays a prominent role in shaping the rvh effector landscape, as evinced by the discovery of many effectors on plasmids and conjugative transposons, as well as pervasive effector gene exchange between Rickettsia and Legionella species. Our study exemplifies how MAGs can yield insight into pathogen effector origins, particularly how effector architectures might become tailored to the discrete host cell functions of different eukaryotic hosts.IMPORTANCEWhile rickettsioses are deadly vector-borne human diseases, factors distinguishing Rickettsia pathogens from the innumerable bevy of environmental rickettsial endosymbionts remain lacking. Recent metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) studies revealed evolutionary timepoints for rickettsial transitions to host dependency. The rvh type IV secretion system was likely repurposed from congener killing in basal extracellular species to parasitizing host cells in later-evolving pathogens. Our analysis of MAG diversity for over two dozen rvh effectors unearthed their presence in some non-pathogens. However, most effectors were found in multiple divergent forms with variable architectures, indicating gene duplication and recombination-fashioned effector repertoires of Rickettsia pathogens. Lateral gene transfer substantially shaped pathogen effector arsenals, evinced by the discovery of effectors on plasmids and conjugative transposons, as well as pervasive effector gene exchanges between Rickettsia and Legionella species. Our study exemplifies how MAGs yield insight into pathogen effector origins and evolutionary processes tailoring effectors to eukaryotic host cell biology.},
}

*Metagenome
*Rickettsia/genetics/classification
*Phylogeny
*Genome, Bacterial
Evolution, Molecular
Rickettsiales/genetics/classification
Genetic Variation
Type IV Secretion Systems/genetics/metabolism
Gene Transfer, Horizontal
Humans
Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid38569988,
year = {2024},
author = {Amala, M and Nagarajan, H and Ahila, M and Nachiappan, M and Veerapandiyan, M and Vetrivel, U and Jeyakanthan, J},
title = {Unveiling the intricacies of allosteric regulation in aspartate kinase from the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia Malayi: Mechanistic and therapeutic insights.},
journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules},
volume = {267},
number = {Pt 1},
pages = {131326},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131326},
pmid = {38569988},
issn = {1879-0003},
mesh = {*Brugia malayi/enzymology/microbiology ; Allosteric Regulation ; *Wolbachia ; Animals ; *Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; *Aspartate Kinase/metabolism/genetics/chemistry ; Symbiosis ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Lysine/chemistry/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Aspartate kinase (AK), an enzyme from the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi (WBm), plays a pivotal role in the bacterial cell wall and amino acid biosynthesis, rendering it an attractive candidate for therapeutic intervention. Allosteric inhibition of aspartate kinase is a prevalent mode of regulation across microorganisms and plants, often modulated by end products such as lysine, threonine, methionine, or meso-diaminopimelate. The intricate and diverse nature of microbial allosteric regulation underscores the need for rigorous investigation. This study employs a combined experimental and computational approach to decipher the allosteric regulation of WBmAK. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations elucidate that ATP (cofactor) and ASP (substrate) binding induce a closed conformation, promoting enzymatic activity. In contrast, the binding of lysine (allosteric inhibitor) leads to enzyme inactivation and an open conformation. The enzymatic assay demonstrates the optimal activity of WBmAK at 28 °C and a pH of 8.0. Notably, the allosteric inhibition study highlights lysine as a more potent inhibitor compared to threonine. Importantly, this investigation sheds light on the allosteric mechanism governing WBmAK and imparts novel insights into structure-based drug discovery, paving the way for the development of effective inhibitors against filarial pathogens.},
}

*Brugia malayi/enzymology/microbiology
Allosteric Regulation
*Wolbachia
Animals
*Molecular Dynamics Simulation
*Aspartate Kinase/metabolism/genetics/chemistry
Symbiosis
Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism
Lysine/chemistry/metabolism

@article {pmid38577764,
year = {2024},
author = {Garber, AI and Garcia de la Filia Molina, A and Vea, IM and Mongue, AJ and Ross, L and McCutcheon, JP},
title = {Retention of an Endosymbiont for the Production of a Single Molecule.},
journal = {Genome biology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {38577764},
issn = {1759-6653},
mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Hemiptera/genetics/microbiology ; Insecta ; Bacteria/genetics ; },
abstract = {Sap-feeding insects often maintain two or more nutritional endosymbionts that act in concert to produce compounds essential for insect survival. Many mealybugs have endosymbionts in a nested configuration: one or two bacterial species reside within the cytoplasm of another bacterium, and together, these bacteria have genomes that encode interdependent sets of genes needed to produce key nutritional molecules. Here, we show that the mealybug Pseudococcus viburni has three endosymbionts, one of which contributes only two unique genes that produce the host nutrition-related molecule chorismate. All three bacterial endosymbionts have tiny genomes, suggesting that they have been coevolving inside their insect host for millions of years.},
}

Animals
Phylogeny
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Hemiptera/genetics/microbiology
Insecta
Bacteria/genetics

@article {pmid38585906,
year = {2024},
author = {Gasser, MT and Liu, A and Altamia, M 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 = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38585906},
issn = {2692-8205},
support = {R01 AI162943/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
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 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 utilization 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.},
}

@article {pmid38585949,
year = {2024},
author = {Mirchandani, C and Wang, P and Jacobs, J and Genetti, M and Pepper-Tunick, E and Sullivan, WT and Corbett-Detig, R and Russell, SL},
title = {Mixed Wolbachia infections resolve rapidly during in vitro evolution.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38585949},
issn = {2692-8205},
support = {R00 GM135583/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM128932/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM139595/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HG012344/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {The intracellular symbiont Wolbachia pipientis evolved after the divergence of arthropods and nematodes, but it reached high prevalence in many of these taxa through its abilities to infect new hosts and their germlines. Some strains exhibit long-term patterns of co-evolution with their hosts, while other strains are capable of switching hosts. This makes strain selection an important factor in symbiont-based biological control. However, little is known about the ecological and evolutionary interactions that occur when a promiscuous strain colonizes an infected host. Here, we study what occurs when two strains come into contact in host cells following horizontal transmission and infection. We focus on the faithful wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster and the promiscuous wRi strain from Drosophila simulans using an in vitro cell culture system with multiple host cell types and combinatorial infection states. Mixing D. melanogaster cell lines stably infected with wMel and wRi revealed that wMel outcompetes wRi quickly and reproducibly. Furthermore, wMel was able to competitively exclude wRi even from minuscule starting quantities, indicating that this is a nearly deterministic outcome, independent of the starting infection frequency. This competitive advantage was not exclusive to wMel's native D. melanogaster cell background, as wMel also outgrew wRi in D. simulans cells. Overall, wRi is less adept at in vitro growth and survival than wMel and its in vivo state, revealing differences between cellular and humoral regulation. These attributes may underlie the observed low rate of mixed infections in nature and the relatively rare rate of host-switching in most strains. Our in vitro experimental framework for estimating cellular growth dynamics of Wolbachia strains in different host species, tissues, and cell types provides the first strategy for parameterizing endosymbiont and host cell biology at high resolution. This toolset will be crucial to our application of these bacteria as biological control agents in novel hosts and ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid38597256,
year = {2024},
author = {Fox, T and Sguassero, Y and Chaplin, M and Rose, W and Doum, D and Arevalo-Rodriguez, I and Villanueva, G},
title = {Wolbachia-carrying Aedes mosquitoes for preventing dengue infection.},
journal = {The Cochrane database of systematic reviews},
volume = {4},
number = {4},
pages = {CD015636},
pmid = {38597256},
issn = {1469-493X},
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Aedes/microbiology ; *Wolbachia ; *Dengue Virus ; Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Dengue/prevention & control ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Dengue is a global health problem of high significance, with 3.9 billion people at risk of infection. The geographic expansion of dengue virus (DENV) infection has resulted in increased frequency and severity of the disease, and the number of deaths has increased in recent years. Wolbachia,an intracellular bacterial endosymbiont, has been under investigation for several years as a novel dengue-control strategy. Some dengue vectors (Aedes mosquitoes) can be transinfected with specific strains of Wolbachia, which decreases their fitness (ability to survive and mate) and their ability to reproduce, inhibiting the replication of dengue. Both laboratory and field studies have demonstrated the potential effect of Wolbachia deployments on reducing dengue transmission, and modelling studies have suggested that this may be a self-sustaining strategy for dengue prevention, although long-term effects are yet to be elucidated.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of Wolbachia-carrying Aedes speciesdeployments (specifically wMel-, wMelPop-, and wAlbB- strains of Wolbachia) for preventing dengue virus infection.

SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, four other databases, and two trial registries up to 24 January 2024.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including cluster-randomized controlled trials (cRCTs), conducted in dengue endemic or epidemic-prone settings were eligible. We sought studies that investigated the impact of Wolbachia-carrying Aedes deployments on epidemiological or entomological dengue-related outcomes, utilizing either the population replacement or population suppression strategy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. We used odds ratios (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) as the effect measure for dichotomous outcomes. For count/rate outcomes, we planned to use the rate ratio with 95% CI as the effect measure. We used adjusted measures of effect for cRCTs. We assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS: One completed cRCT met our inclusion criteria, and we identified two further ongoing cRCTs. The included trial was conducted in an urban setting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It utilized a nested test-negative study design, whereby all participants aged three to 45 years who presented at healthcare centres with a fever were enrolled in the study provided they had resided in the study area for the previous 10 nights. The trial showed that wMel-Wolbachia infected Ae aegypti deployments probably reduce the odds of contracting virologically confirmed dengue by 77% (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.35; 1 trial, 6306 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). The cluster-level prevalence of wMel Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes remained high over two years in the intervention arm of the trial, reported as 95.8% (interquartile range 91.5 to 97.8) across 27 months in clusters receiving wMel-Wolbachia Ae aegypti deployments, but there were no reliable comparative data for this outcome. Other primary outcomes were the incidence of virologically confirmed dengue, the prevalence of dengue ribonucleic acid in the mosquito population, and mosquito density, but there were no data for these outcomes. Additionally, there were no data on adverse events.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The included trial demonstrates the potential significant impact of wMel-Wolbachia-carrying Ae aegypti mosquitoes on preventing dengue infection in an endemic setting, and supports evidence reported in non-randomized and uncontrolled studies. Further trials across a greater diversity of settings are required to confirm whether these findings apply to other locations and country settings, and greater reporting of acceptability and cost are important.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Aedes/microbiology
*Wolbachia
*Dengue Virus
Mosquito Vectors/microbiology
*Dengue/prevention & control

@article {pmid38598600,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, H and Marucci, G and Munke, A and Hassan, MM and Lalle, M and Okamoto, K},
title = {High-resolution comparative atomic structures of two Giardiavirus prototypes infecting G. duodenalis parasite.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
volume = {20},
number = {4},
pages = {e1012140},
pmid = {38598600},
issn = {1553-7374},
mesh = {*Giardia lamblia/ultrastructure/pathogenicity ; *Giardiavirus/genetics ; Cryoelectron Microscopy ; Animals ; Capsid/ultrastructure/metabolism ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {The Giardia lamblia virus (GLV) is a non-enveloped icosahedral dsRNA and endosymbiont virus that infects the zoonotic protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (syn. G. lamblia, G. intestinalis), which is a pathogen of mammals, including humans. Elucidating the transmission mechanism of GLV is crucial for gaining an in-depth understanding of the virulence of the virus in G. duodenalis. GLV belongs to the family Totiviridae, which infects yeast and protozoa intracellularly; however, it also transmits extracellularly, similar to the phylogenetically, distantly related toti-like viruses that infect multicellular hosts. The GLV capsid structure is extensively involved in the longstanding discussion concerning extracellular transmission in Totiviridae and toti-like viruses. Hence, this study constructed the first high-resolution comparative atomic models of two GLV strains, namely GLV-HP and GLV-CAT, which showed different intracellular localization and virulence phenotypes, using cryogenic electron microscopy single-particle analysis. The atomic models of the GLV capsids presented swapped C-terminal extensions, extra surface loops, and a lack of cap-snatching pockets, similar to those of toti-like viruses. However, their open pores and absence of the extra crown protein resemble those of other yeast and protozoan Totiviridae viruses, demonstrating the essential structures for extracellular cell-to-cell transmission. The structural comparison between GLV-HP and GLV-CAT indicates the first evidence of critical structural motifs for the transmission and virulence of GLV in G. duodenalis.},
}

*Giardia lamblia/ultrastructure/pathogenicity
*Giardiavirus/genetics
Cryoelectron Microscopy
Animals
Capsid/ultrastructure/metabolism
Humans
Phylogeny

@article {pmid38601947,
year = {2023},
author = {Zytynska, SE and Sturm, S and Hawes, C and Weisser, WW and Karley, A},
title = {Floral presence and flower identity alter cereal aphid endosymbiont communities on adjacent crops.},
journal = {The Journal of applied ecology},
volume = {60},
number = {7},
pages = {1409-1423},
pmid = {38601947},
issn = {0021-8901},
abstract = {Floral plantings adjacent to crops fields can recruit populations of natural enemies by providing flower nectar and non-crop prey to increase natural pest regulation. Observed variation in success rates might be due to changes in the unseen community of endosymbionts hosted by many herbivorous insects, of which some can confer resistance to natural enemies, for example, parasitoid wasps. Reduced insect control may occur if highly protective symbiont combinations increase in frequency via selection effects, and this is expected to be stronger in lower diversity systems.We used a large-scale field trial to analyse the bacterial endosymbiont communities hosted by cereal aphids Sitobion avenae collected along transects into strip plots of barley plants managed by either conventional or integrated (including floral field margins and reduced inputs) methods. In addition, we conducted an outdoor pot experiment to analyse endosymbionts in S. avenae aphids collected on barley plants that were either grown alone or alongside one of three flowering plants, across three time points.In the field, aphids hosted up to four symbionts. The abundance of aphids and parasitoid wasps was reduced towards the middle of all fields while aphid symbiont species richness and diversity decreased into the field in conventional, but not integrated, field-strips. The proportion of aphids hosting different symbiont combinations varied across cropping systems, with distances into the fields, and were correlated with parasitoid wasp abundances.In the pot experiment, aphids hosted up to six symbionts. Flower presence increased natural enemy abundance and diversity, and decreased aphid abundance. The proportion of aphids hosting different symbiont combinations varied across the flower treatment and time, and were correlated with varying abundances of the different specialist parasitoid wasp species recruited by different flowers. Synthesis and applications. Floral plantings and flower identity had community-wide impacts on the combinations of bacterial endosymbionts hosted by herbivorous insects, which correlated with natural enemy diversity and abundance. We recommend that integrated management practices incorporate floral resources within field areas to support a more functionally diverse and resilient natural enemy community to mitigate selection for symbiont-mediated pest resistance throughout the cropping area.},
}

@article {pmid38603509,
year = {2024},
author = {Coale, TH and Loconte, V and Turk-Kubo, KA and Vanslembrouck, B and Mak, WKE and Cheung, S and Ekman, A and Chen, JH and Hagino, K and Takano, Y and Nishimura, T and Adachi, M and Le Gros, M and Larabell, C and Zehr, JP},
title = {Nitrogen-fixing organelle in a marine alga.},
journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {384},
number = {6692},
pages = {217-222},
doi = {10.1126/science.adk1075},
pmid = {38603509},
issn = {1095-9203},
mesh = {*Cyanobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; *Haptophyta/microbiology ; *Nitrogen/metabolism ; *Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; Seawater/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; *Mitochondria/metabolism ; Chloroplasts/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic interactions were key to the evolution of chloroplast and mitochondria organelles, which mediate carbon and energy metabolism in eukaryotes. Biological nitrogen fixation, the reduction of abundant atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) to biologically available ammonia, is a key metabolic process performed exclusively by prokaryotes. Candidatus Atelocyanobacterium thalassa, or UCYN-A, is a metabolically streamlined N2-fixing cyanobacterium previously reported to be an endosymbiont of a marine unicellular alga. Here we show that UCYN-A has been tightly integrated into algal cell architecture and organellar division and that it imports proteins encoded by the algal genome. These are characteristics of organelles and show that UCYN-A has evolved beyond endosymbiosis and functions as an early evolutionary stage N2-fixing organelle, or "nitroplast."},
}

*Cyanobacteria/genetics/metabolism
*Haptophyta/microbiology
*Nitrogen/metabolism
*Nitrogen Fixation/genetics
Seawater/microbiology
Symbiosis
*Mitochondria/metabolism
Chloroplasts/metabolism

@article {pmid38603513,
year = {2024},
author = {Massana, R},
title = {The nitroplast: A nitrogen-fixing organelle.},
journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {384},
number = {6692},
pages = {160-161},
doi = {10.1126/science.ado8571},
pmid = {38603513},
issn = {1095-9203},
mesh = {*Nitrogen ; *Organelles ; Bacteria ; },
abstract = {A bacterial endosymbiont of marine algae evolved to an organelle.},
}

*Nitrogen
*Organelles
Bacteria

@article {pmid38607980,
year = {2024},
author = {Partida-Martínez, LP},
title = {Fungal holobionts as blueprints for synthetic endosymbiotic systems.},
journal = {PLoS biology},
volume = {22},
number = {4},
pages = {e3002587},
pmid = {38607980},
issn = {1545-7885},
support = {//Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologias (Conahcyt)/ ; },
mesh = {*Reproduction ; *Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Rhizopus microsporus is an example of a fungal holobiont. Strains of this species can harbor bacterial and viral endosymbionts inherited by the next generation. These microbial allies increase pathogenicity and defense and control asexual and sexual reproduction.},
}

*Reproduction
*Symbiosis

@article {pmid38608678,
year = {2024},
author = {Trznadel, M and Holt, CC and Livingston, SJ and Kwong, WK and Keeling, PJ},
title = {Coral-infecting parasites in cold marine ecosystems.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {34},
number = {8},
pages = {1810-1816.e4},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.026},
pmid = {38608678},
issn = {1879-0445},
mesh = {*Anthozoa/parasitology ; Animals ; *Coral Reefs ; Apicomplexa/physiology/genetics/classification ; Symbiosis ; Cold Temperature ; Dinoflagellida/physiology/genetics ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; },
abstract = {Coral reefs are a biodiversity hotspot,[1][,][2] and the association between coral and intracellular dinoflagellates is a model for endosymbiosis.[3][,][4] Recently, corals and related anthozoans have also been found to harbor another kind of endosymbiont, apicomplexans called corallicolids.[5] Apicomplexans are a diverse lineage of obligate intracellular parasites[6] that include human pathogens such as the malaria parasite, Plasmodium.[7] Global environmental sequencing shows corallicolids are tightly associated with tropical and subtropical reef environments,[5][,][8][,][9] where they infect diverse corals across a range of depths in many reef systems, and correlate with host mortality during bleaching events.[10] All of this points to corallicolids being ecologically significant to coral reefs, but it is also possible they are even more widely distributed because most environmental sampling is biased against parasites that maintain a tight association with their hosts throughout their life cycle. We tested the global distribution of corallicolids using a more direct approach, by specifically targeting potential anthozoan host animals from cold/temperate marine waters outside the coral reef context. We found that corallicolids are in fact common in such hosts, in some cases at high frequency, and that they infect the same tissue as parasites from topical coral reefs. Parasite phylogeny suggests corallicolids move between hosts and habitats relatively frequently, but that biogeography is more conserved. Overall, these results greatly expand the range of corallicolids beyond coral reefs, suggesting they are globally distributed parasites of marine anthozoans, which also illustrates significant blind spots that result from strategies commonly used to sample microbial biodiversity.},
}

*Anthozoa/parasitology
Animals
*Coral Reefs
Apicomplexa/physiology/genetics/classification
Symbiosis
Cold Temperature
Dinoflagellida/physiology/genetics
Host-Parasite Interactions

@article {pmid38609398,
year = {2024},
author = {Mowery, MA and Rosenwald, LC and Chapman, E and Lubin, Y and Segoli, M and Khoza, T and Lyle, R and White, JA},
title = {Endosymbiont diversity across native and invasive brown widow spider populations.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {8556},
pmid = {38609398},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {1953223//National Science Foundation/ ; 1020740//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Adult ; Animals ; Female ; *Animals, Poisonous ; *Chlamydiales ; Eggs ; *Spiders ; *Wolbachia ; },
abstract = {The invasive brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae), has spread in multiple locations around the world and, along with it, brought associated organisms such as endosymbionts. We investigated endosymbiont diversity and prevalence across putative native and invasive populations of this spider, predicting lower endosymbiont diversity across the invasive range compared to the native range. First, we characterized the microbial community in the putative native (South Africa) and invasive (Israel and the United States) ranges via high throughput 16S sequencing of 103 adult females. All specimens were dominated by reads from only 1-3 amplicon sequence variants (ASV), and most individuals were infected with an apparently uniform strain of Rhabdochlamydia. We also found Rhabdochlamydia in spider eggs, indicating that it is a maternally-inherited endosymbiont. Relatively few other ASV were detected, but included two variant Rhabdochlamydia strains and several Wolbachia, Spiroplasma and Enterobacteriaceae strains. We then diagnostically screened 118 adult female spiders from native and invasive populations specifically for Rhabdochlamydia and Wolbachia. We found Rhabdochlamydia in 86% of individuals and represented in all populations, which suggests that it is a consistent and potentially important associate of L. geometricus. Wolbachia was found at lower overall prevalence (14%) and was represented in all countries, but not all populations. In addition, we found evidence for geographic variation in endosymbiont prevalence: spiders from Israel were more likely to carry Rhabdochlamydia than those from the US and South Africa, and Wolbachia was geographically clustered in both Israel and South Africa. Characterizing endosymbiont prevalence and diversity is a first step in understanding their function inside the host and may shed light on the process of spread and population variability in cosmopolitan invasive species.},
}

Humans
Adult
Animals
Female
*Animals, Poisonous
*Chlamydiales
Eggs
*Spiders
*Wolbachia

@article {pmid38617242,
year = {2024},
author = {Mallikaarachchi, KS and Huang, JL and Madras, S and Cuellar, RA and Huang, Z and Gega, A and Rathnayaka-Mudiyanselage, IW and Al-Husini, N and Saldaña-Rivera, N and Ma, LH and Ng, E and Chen, JC and Schrader, JM},
title = {Sinorhizobium meliloti BR-bodies promote fitness during host colonization.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38617242},
issn = {2692-8205},
support = {T34 GM008574/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; SC3 GM096943/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R25 GM050078/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM124733/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; T34 GM145400/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Biomolecular condensates, such as the nucleoli or P-bodies, are non-membrane-bound assemblies of proteins and nucleic acids that facilitate specific cellular processes. Like eukaryotic P-bodies, the recently discovered bacterial ribonucleoprotein bodies (BR-bodies) organize the mRNA decay machinery, yet the similarities in molecular and cellular functions across species have been poorly explored. Here, we examine the functions of BR-bodies in the nitrogen-fixing endosymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti, which colonizes the roots of compatible legume plants. Assembly of BR-bodies into visible foci in S. meliloti cells requires the C-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of RNase E, and foci fusion is readily observed in vivo, suggesting they are liquid-like condensates that form via mRNA sequestration. Using Rif-seq to measure mRNA lifetimes, we found a global slowdown in mRNA decay in a mutant deficient in BR-bodies, indicating that compartmentalization of the degradation machinery promotes efficient mRNA turnover. While BR-bodies are constitutively present during exponential growth, the abundance of BR-bodies increases upon cell stress, whereby they promote stress resistance. Finally, using Medicago truncatula as host, we show that BR-bodies enhance competitiveness during colonization and appear to be required for effective symbiosis, as mutants without BR-bodies failed to stimulate plant growth. These results suggest that BR-bodies provide a fitness advantage for bacteria during infection, perhaps by enabling better resistance against the host immune response.},
}

@article {pmid38617467,
year = {2024},
author = {Vancaester, E and Blaxter, ML},
title = {MarkerScan: Separation and assembly of cobionts sequenced alongside target species in biodiversity genomics projects.},
journal = {Wellcome open research},
volume = {9},
number = {},
pages = {33},
pmid = {38617467},
issn = {2398-502X},
support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; },
abstract = {Contamination of public databases by mislabelled sequences has been highlighted for many years and the avalanche of novel sequencing data now being deposited has the potential to make databases difficult to use effectively. It is therefore crucial that sequencing projects and database curators perform pre-submission checks to remove obvious contamination and avoid propagating erroneous taxonomic relationships. However, it is important also to recognise that biological contamination of a target sample with unexpected species' DNA can also lead to the discovery of fascinating biological phenomena through the identification of environmental organisms or endosymbionts. Here, we present a novel, integrated method for detection and generation of high-quality genomes of all non-target genomes co-sequenced in eukaryotic genome sequencing projects. After performing taxonomic profiling of an assembly from the raw data, and leveraging the identity of small rRNA sequences discovered therein as markers, a targeted classification approach retrieves and assembles high-quality genomes. The genomes of these cobionts are then not only removed from the target species' genome but also available for further interrogation. Source code is available from https://github.com/CobiontID/MarkerScan. MarkerScan is written in Python and is deployed as a Docker container.},
}

@article {pmid38623496,
year = {2024},
author = {Marulanda-Moreno, SM and Saldamando-Benjumea, CI and Vivero Gomez, R and Cadavid-Restrepo, G and Moreno-Herrera, CX},
title = {Comparative analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) corn and rice strains microbiota revealed minor changes across life cycle and strain endosymbiont association.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e17087},
pmid = {38623496},
issn = {2167-8359},
support = {//Ministerio de Ciencias y Tecnología/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Spodoptera/genetics ; Zea mays/genetics ; *Oryza/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Life Cycle Stages ; Larva/genetics ; *Bacillus thuringiensis/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW) is a pest that poses a significant threat to corn production worldwide, causing millions of dollars in losses. The species has evolved into two strains (corn and rice) that differ in their genetics, reproductive isolation, and resistance to insecticides and Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxins. The microbiota plays an important role in insects' physiology, nutrient acquisition, and response to chemical and biological controls. Several studies have been carried out on FAW microbiota from larvae guts using laboratory or field samples and a couple of studies have analyzed the corn strain microbiota across its life cycle. This investigation reveals the first comparison between corn strain (CS) and rice strain (RS) of FAW during different developmental insect stages and, more importantly, endosymbiont detection in both strains, highlighting the importance of studying both FAW populations and samples from different stages.

METHODS: The composition of microbiota during the life cycle of the FAW corn and rice strains was analyzed through high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene using the MiSeq system. Additionally, culture-dependent techniques were used to isolate gut bacteria and the Transcribed Internal Spacer-ITS, 16S rRNA, and gyrB genes were examined to enhance bacterial identification.

RESULTS: Richness, diversity, and bacterial composition changed significantly across the life cycle of FAW. Most diversity was observed in eggs and males. Differences in gut microbiota diversity between CS and RS were minor. However, Leuconostoc, A2, Klebsiella, Lachnoclostridium, Spiroplasma, and Mucispirilum were mainly associated with RS and Colidextribacter, Pelomonas, Weissella, and Arsenophonus to CS, suggesting that FAW strains differ in several genera according to the host plant. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla during FAW metamorphosis. Illeobacterium, Ralstonia, and Burkholderia exhibited similar abundancies in both strains. Enterococcus was identified as a conserved taxon across the entire FAW life cycle. Microbiota core communities mainly consisted of Enterococcus and Illeobacterium. A positive correlation was found between Spiroplasma with RS (sampled from eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults) and Arsenophonus (sampled from eggs, larvae, and adults) with CS. Enterococcus mundtii was predominant in all developmental stages. Previous studies have suggested its importance in FAW response to B. thuringensis. Our results are relevant for the characterization of FAW corn and rice strains microbiota to develop new strategies for their control. Detection of Arsenophonus in CS and Spiroplasma in RS are promising for the improvement of this pest management, as these bacteria induce male killing and larvae fitness reduction in other Lepidoptera species.},
}

Animals
Male
Spodoptera/genetics
Zea mays/genetics
*Oryza/genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Life Cycle Stages
Larva/genetics
*Bacillus thuringiensis/genetics
*Microbiota/genetics

@article {pmid38626194,
year = {2024},
author = {McCutcheon, JP and Garber, AI and Spencer, N and Warren, JM},
title = {How do bacterial endosymbionts work with so few genes?.},
journal = {PLoS biology},
volume = {22},
number = {4},
pages = {e3002577},
pmid = {38626194},
issn = {1545-7885},
mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteria/genetics ; *Eukaryota/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {The move from a free-living environment to a long-term residence inside a host eukaryotic cell has profound effects on bacterial function. While endosymbioses are found in many eukaryotes, from protists to plants to animals, the bacteria that form these host-beneficial relationships are even more diverse. Endosymbiont genomes can become radically smaller than their free-living relatives, and their few remaining genes show extreme compositional biases. The details of how these reduced and divergent gene sets work, and how they interact with their host cell, remain mysterious. This Unsolved Mystery reviews how genome reduction alters endosymbiont biology and highlights a "tipping point" where the loss of the ability to build a cell envelope coincides with a marked erosion of translation-related genes.},
}

Animals
*Bacteria/genetics
*Eukaryota/genetics
Genome, Bacterial/genetics
Symbiosis/genetics
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
Phylogeny

@article {pmid38627945,
year = {2024},
author = {Rooney, T and Fèvre, EM and Villinger, J and Brenn-White, M and Cummings, CO and Chai, D and Kamau, J and Kiyong'a, A and Getange, D and Ochieng, DO and Kivali, V and Zimmerman, D and Rosenbaum, M and Nutter, FB and Deem, SL},
title = {Coxiella burnetii serostatus in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) is associated with the presence of C. burnetii DNA in attached ticks in Laikipia County, Kenya.},
journal = {Zoonoses and public health},
volume = {71},
number = {5},
pages = {503-514},
doi = {10.1111/zph.13127},
pmid = {38627945},
issn = {1863-2378},
support = {//Saint Louis Zoo Institution for Conservation Medicine/ ; //icipe institutional funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)/ ; //The Government of the Republic of Kenya/ ; T35 OD010963/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; //The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)/ ; //The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia/ ; //CGIAR One Health initiative "Protecting Human Health Through a One Health Approach"/ ; TL1 TR002546/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; //European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Camelus/microbiology ; *Coxiella burnetii/isolation & purification/genetics ; *Q Fever/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology ; Kenya/epidemiology ; Male ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Female ; DNA, Bacterial ; Ticks/microbiology ; Tick Infestations/veterinary/epidemiology ; },
abstract = {AIMS: Q fever is a globally distributed, neglected zoonotic disease of conservation and public health importance, caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Coxiella burnetii normally causes subclinical infections in livestock, but may also cause reproductive pathology and spontaneous abortions in artiodactyl species. One such artiodactyl, the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), is an increasingly important livestock species in semi-arid landscapes. Ticks are naturally infected with C. burnetii worldwide and are frequently found on camels in Kenya. In this study, we assessed the relationship between dromedary camels' C. burnetii serostatus and whether the camels were carrying C. burnetii PCR-positive ticks in Kenya. We hypothesized that there would be a positive association between camel seropositivity and carrying C. burnetii PCR-positive ticks.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood was collected from camels (N = 233) from three herds, and serum was analysed using commercial ELISA antibody test kits. Ticks were collected (N = 4354), divided into pools of the same species from the same camel (N = 397) and tested for C. burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize seroprevalence by camel demographic and clinical variables. Univariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess relationships between serostatus (outcome) and tick PCR status, camel demographic variables, and camel clinical variables (predictors). Camel C. burnetii seroprevalence was 52%. Across tick pools, the prevalence of C. burnetii was 15% and Coxiella-like endosymbionts was 27%. Camel seropositivity was significantly associated with the presence of a C. burnetii PCR-positive tick pool (OR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.4-5.1; p = 0.0045), increasing age class, and increasing total solids.

CONCLUSIONS: The role of ticks and camels in the epidemiology of Q fever warrants further research to better understand this zoonotic disease that has potential to cause illness and reproductive losses in humans, livestock, and wildlife.},
}

Animals
*Camelus/microbiology
*Coxiella burnetii/isolation & purification/genetics
*Q Fever/epidemiology/veterinary/microbiology
Kenya/epidemiology
Male
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Female
DNA, Bacterial
Ticks/microbiology
Tick Infestations/veterinary/epidemiology

@article {pmid38629189,
year = {2024},
author = {Bard, NW and Cronk, QCB and Davies, TJ},
title = {Fungal endophytes can modulate plant invasion.},
journal = {Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society},
volume = {99},
number = {5},
pages = {1652-1671},
doi = {10.1111/brv.13085},
pmid = {38629189},
issn = {1469-185X},
support = {RGPIN-2019-04041//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; RGPIN-2020-04439//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; 6456//University of British Columbia Graduate School/ ; },
mesh = {*Endophytes/physiology ; *Plants/microbiology ; *Introduced Species ; *Fungi/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic organisms may contribute to a host plant's success or failure to grow, its ability to maintain viable populations, and potentially, its probability of establishment and spread outside its native range. Intercellular and intracellular microbial symbionts that are asymptomatic in their plant host during some or all of their life cycle - endophytes - can form mutualistic, commensal, or pathogenic relationships, and sometimes novel associations with alien plants. Fungal endophytes are likely the most common endosymbiont infecting plants, with life-history, morphological, physiological, and plant-symbiotic traits that are distinct from other endophytic guilds. Here, we review the community dynamics of fungal endophytes during the process of plant invasion, and how their functional role may shift during the different stages of invasion: transport, introduction (colonisation), establishment, and spread. Each invasion stage presents distinct ecological filters that an alien plant must overcome to advance to the subsequent stage of invasion. Endophytes can alternately aid the host in overcoming stage-specific filters, or contribute to the barriers imposed by filters (e.g. biotic resistance), thereby affecting invasion pathways. A few fungi can be transported as seed endophytes from their native range and be vertically transmitted to future generations in the non-native range, especially in graminoids. In other plant groups, alien plants mostly acquire endophytes via horizontal transmission from the invaded plant community, and the host endophyte community is shaped by host filtering and biogeographic factors (e.g. dispersal limitation, environmental filtering). Endophytes infecting alien plants (both those transported with their host and those accumulated in the non-native range) may influence invasion success by affecting plant growth, reproduction, environmental tolerance, and pathogen and herbivory defences; however, the direction and magnitude of these effects can be contingent upon the host identity, life stage, ecological conditions, and invasion stage. This context dependence may cause endophytic fungi to shift to a non-endophytic (e.g. pathogenic) functional life stage in the same or different hosts, which can modify alien-native plant community dynamics. We conclude by identifying paths in which alien hosts can exploit the context dependency of endophyte function in novel abiotic and biotic conditions and at the different stages of invasion.},
}

*Endophytes/physiology
*Plants/microbiology
*Introduced Species
*Fungi/physiology
*Symbiosis

@article {pmid38629270,
year = {2024},
author = {Nakajima, H and Fukui, A and Suzuki, K and Tirta, RYK and Furuya, H},
title = {HOST SWITCHING IN DICYEMIDS (PHYLUM DICYEMIDA).},
journal = {The Journal of parasitology},
volume = {110},
number = {2},
pages = {159-169},
doi = {10.1645/23-52},
pmid = {38629270},
issn = {1937-2345},
mesh = {Animals ; Phylogeny ; Invertebrates/anatomy & histology/genetics ; *Parasites ; *Octopodiformes ; Decapodiformes/parasitology ; },
abstract = {Dicyemids (phylum Dicyemida) are the most common and most characteristic endosymbionts in the renal sacs of benthic cephalopod molluscs: octopuses and cuttlefishes. Typically, 2 or 3 dicyemid species are found in a single specimen of the host, and most dicyemids have high host specificity. Host-specific parasites are restricted to a limited range of host species by ecological barriers that impede dispersal and successful establishment; therefore, phylogenies of interacting groups are often congruent due to repeated co-speciation. Most frequently, however, host and parasite phylogenies are not congruent, which can be explained by processes such as host switching and other macro-evolutionary events. Here, the history of dicyemids and their host cephalopod associations were studied by comparing their phylogenies. Dicyemid species were collected from 8 decapodiform species and 12 octopodiform species in Japanese waters. Using whole mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences, a phylogeny of 37 dicyemid species, including 4 genera representing the family Dicyemidae, was reconstructed. Phylogenetic trees derived from analyses of COI genes consistently suggested that dicyemid species should be separated into 3 major clades and that the most common genera, Dicyema and Dicyemennea, are not monophyletic. Thus, morphological classification does not reflect the phylogenetic relationships of these 2 genera. Divergence (speciation) of dicyemid species seems to have occurred within a single host species. Possible host-switching events may have occurred between the Octopodiformes and Decapodiformes or within the Octopodiformes or the Decapodiformes. Therefore, the mechanism of dicyemid speciation may be a mixture of host switching and intra-host speciation. This is the first study in which the process of dicyemid diversification involving cephalopod hosts has been evaluated with a large number of dicyemid species and genera.},
}

Animals
Phylogeny
Invertebrates/anatomy & histology/genetics
*Parasites
*Octopodiformes
Decapodiformes/parasitology

@article {pmid38630610,
year = {2024},
author = {Pilgrim, J},
title = {Comparative genomics of a novel Erwinia species associated with the Highland midge (Culicoides impunctatus).},
journal = {Microbial genomics},
volume = {10},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {38630610},
issn = {2057-5858},
support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Ceratopogonidae ; *Erwinia ; Genomics ; Insect Vectors ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Erwinia (Enterobacterales: Erwiniaceae) are a group of cosmopolitan bacteria best known as the causative agents of various plant diseases. However, other species in this genus have been found to play important roles as insect endosymbionts supplementing the diet of their hosts. Here, I describe Candidatus Erwinia impunctatus (Erwimp) associated with the Highland midge Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), an abundant biting pest in the Scottish Highlands. The genome of this new Erwinia species was assembled using hybrid long and short read techniques, and a comparative analysis was undertaken with other members of the genus to understand its potential ecological niche and impact. Genome composition analysis revealed that Erwimp is similar to other endophytic and ectophytic species in the genus and is unlikely to be restricted to its insect host. Evidence for an additional plant host includes the presence of a carotenoid synthesis operon implicated as a virulence factor in plant-associated members in the sister genus Pantoea. Unique features of Erwimp include several copies of intimin-like proteins which, along with signs of genome pseudogenization and a loss of certain metabolic pathways, suggests an element of host restriction seen elsewhere in the genus. Furthermore, a screening of individuals over two field seasons revealed the absence of the bacteria in Culicoides impunctatus during the second year indicating this microbe-insect interaction is likely to be transient. These data suggest that Culicoides impunctatus may have an important role to play beyond a biting nuisance, as an insect vector transmitting Erwimp alongside any conferred impacts to surrounding biota.},
}

Humans
Animals
*Ceratopogonidae
*Erwinia
Genomics
Insect Vectors
Ecosystem

@article {pmid38632047,
year = {2024},
author = {Arai, H and Legeai, F and Kageyama, D and Sugio, A and Simon, JC},
title = {Genomic insights into Spiroplasma endosymbionts that induce male-killing and protective phenotypes in the pea aphid.},
journal = {FEMS microbiology letters},
volume = {371},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsle/fnae027},
pmid = {38632047},
issn = {1574-6968},
support = {21J00895//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; //Cabinet Office, Government of Japan/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Spiroplasma/genetics/physiology/classification ; *Aphids/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Male ; *Phylogeny ; Phenotype ; Genomics ; Virulence Factors/genetics ; Female ; Pisum sativum/microbiology/parasitology ; },
abstract = {The endosymbiotic bacteria Spiroplasma (Mollicutes) infect diverse plants and arthropods, and some of which induce male killing, where male hosts are killed during development. Male-killing Spiroplasma strains belong to either the phylogenetically distant Citri-Poulsonii or Ixodetis groups. In Drosophila flies, Spiroplasma poulsonii induces male killing via the Spaid toxin. While Spiroplasma ixodetis infects a wide range of insects and arachnids, little is known about the genetic basis of S. ixodetis-induced male killing. Here, we analyzed the genome of S. ixodetis strains in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Aphididae, Hemiptera). Genome sequencing constructed a complete genome of a male-killing strain, sAp269, consisting of a 1.5 Mb circular chromosome and an 80 Kb plasmid. sAp269 encoded putative virulence factors containing either ankyrin repeat, ovarian tumor-like deubiquitinase, or ribosome inactivating protein domains, but lacked the Spaid toxin. Further comparative genomics of Spiroplasma strains in A. pisum biotypes adapted to different host plants revealed their phylogenetic associations and the diversity of putative virulence factors. Although the mechanisms of S. ixodetis-induced male killing in pea aphids remain elusive, this study underlines the dynamic genome evolution of S. ixodetis and proposes independent acquisition events of male-killing mechanisms in insects.},
}

Animals
*Spiroplasma/genetics/physiology/classification
*Aphids/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Genome, Bacterial
Male
*Phylogeny
Phenotype
Genomics
Virulence Factors/genetics
Female
Pisum sativum/microbiology/parasitology

@article {pmid38632506,
year = {2024},
author = {Alkathiry, HA and Alghamdi, SQ and Sinha, A and Margos, G and Stekolnikov, AA and Alagaili, AN and Darby, AC and Makepeace, BL and Khoo, JJ},
title = {Microbiome and mitogenomics of the chigger mite Pentidionis agamae: potential role as an Orientia vector and associations with divergent clades of Wolbachia and Borrelia.},
journal = {BMC genomics},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {380},
pmid = {38632506},
issn = {1471-2164},
mesh = {Animals ; *Borrelia/genetics ; DNA ; *Microbiota ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Orientia ; *Orientia tsutsugamushi/genetics ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Rodentia/genetics ; Saudi Arabia ; *Scrub Typhus/epidemiology/microbiology ; *Trombiculidae/genetics/microbiology ; *Wolbachia/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Trombiculid mites are globally distributed, highly diverse arachnids that largely lack molecular resources such as whole mitogenomes for the elucidation of taxonomic relationships. Trombiculid larvae (chiggers) parasitise vertebrates and can transmit bacteria (Orientia spp.) responsible for scrub typhus, a zoonotic febrile illness. Orientia tsutsugamushi causes most cases of scrub typhus and is endemic to the Asia-Pacific Region, where it is transmitted by Leptotrombidium spp. chiggers. However, in Dubai, Candidatus Orientia chuto was isolated from a case of scrub typhus and is also known to circulate among rodents in Saudi Arabia and Kenya, although its vectors remain poorly defined. In addition to Orientia, chiggers are often infected with other potential pathogens or arthropod-specific endosymbionts, but their significance for trombiculid biology and public health is unclear.

RESULTS: Ten chigger species were collected from rodents in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Chiggers were pooled according to species and screened for Orientia DNA by PCR. Two species (Microtrombicula muhaylensis and Pentidionis agamae) produced positive results for the htrA gene, although Ca. Orientia chuto DNA was confirmed by Sanger sequencing only in P. agamae. Metagenomic sequencing of three pools of P. agamae provided evidence for two other bacterial associates: a spirochaete and a Wolbachia symbiont. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and multi-locus sequence typing genes placed the spirochaete in a clade of micromammal-associated Borrelia spp. that are widely-distributed globally with no known vector. For the Wolbachia symbiont, a genome assembly was obtained that allowed phylogenetic localisation in a novel, divergent clade. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcodes for Saudi Arabian chiggers enabled comparisons with global chigger diversity, revealing several cases of discordance with classical taxonomy. Complete mitogenome assemblies were obtained for the three P. agamae pools and almost 50 SNPs were identified, despite a common geographic origin.

CONCLUSIONS: P. agamae was identified as a potential vector of Ca. Orientia chuto on the Arabian Peninsula. The detection of an unusual Borrelia sp. and a divergent Wolbachia symbiont in P. agamae indicated links with chigger microbiomes in other parts of the world, while COI barcoding and mitogenomic analyses greatly extended our understanding of inter- and intraspecific relationships in trombiculid mites.},
}

Animals
*Borrelia/genetics
DNA
*Microbiota
Multilocus Sequence Typing
Orientia
*Orientia tsutsugamushi/genetics
Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Rodentia/genetics
Saudi Arabia
*Scrub Typhus/epidemiology/microbiology
*Trombiculidae/genetics/microbiology
*Wolbachia/genetics

@article {pmid38636949,
year = {2024},
author = {Deore, P and Tsang Min Ching, SJ and Nitschke, MR and Rudd, D and Brumley, DR and Hinde, E and Blackall, LL and van Oppen, MJH},
title = {Unique photosynthetic strategies employed by closely related Breviolum minutum strains under rapid short-term cumulative heat stress.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {75},
number = {13},
pages = {4005-4023},
pmid = {38636949},
issn = {1460-2431},
support = {2022ECR088//University of Melbourne/ ; 9351//Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation/ ; FL180100036//Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship and Marsden Fast Start from the Royal Society Te Apārangi/ ; },
mesh = {*Photosynthesis ; Dinoflagellida/physiology ; Heat-Shock Response ; Hot Temperature ; },
abstract = {The thermal tolerance of symbiodiniacean photo-endosymbionts largely underpins the thermal bleaching resilience of their cnidarian hosts such as corals and the coral model Exaiptasia diaphana. While variation in thermal tolerance between species is well documented, variation between conspecific strains is understudied. We compared the thermal tolerance of three closely related strains of Breviolum minutum represented by two internal transcribed spacer region 2 profiles (one strain B1-B1o-B1g-B1p and the other two strains B1-B1a-B1b-B1g) and differences in photochemical and non-photochemical quenching, de-epoxidation state of photopigments, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species under rapid short-term cumulative temperature stress (26-40 °C). We found that B. minutum strains employ distinct photoprotective strategies, resulting in different upper thermal tolerances. We provide evidence for previously unknown interdependencies between thermal tolerance traits and photoprotective mechanisms that include a delicate balancing of excitation energy and its dissipation through fast relaxing and state transition components of non-photochemical quenching. The more thermally tolerant B. minutum strain (B1-B1o-B1g-B1p) exhibited an enhanced de-epoxidation that is strongly linked to the thylakoid membrane melting point and possibly membrane rigidification minimizing oxidative damage. This study provides an in-depth understanding of photoprotective mechanisms underpinning thermal tolerance in closely related strains of B. minutum.},
}

*Photosynthesis
Dinoflagellida/physiology
Heat-Shock Response
Hot Temperature

@article {pmid38637300,
year = {2024},
author = {Abresch, H and Bell, T and Miller, SR},
title = {Diurnal transcriptional variation is reduced in a nitrogen-fixing diatom endosymbiont.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38637300},
issn = {1751-7370},
support = {NNA15BB04A/NASA/NASA/United States ; NSF DEB-2222945//National Science Foundation/ ; //Montana NSF EPSCoR Institute on Ecosystems/ ; //University of Montana/ ; //IoE Summer Undergraduate Internship/ ; //University of Montana/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Diatoms/genetics/metabolism ; *Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; *Phylogeny ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Cyanobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Circadian Rhythm/genetics ; },
abstract = {Many organisms have formed symbiotic relationships with nitrogen (N)-fixing bacteria to overcome N limitation. Diatoms in the family Rhopalodiaceae host unicellular, N-fixing cyanobacterial endosymbionts called spheroid bodies (SBs). Although this relationship is relatively young, SBs share many key features with older endosymbionts, including coordinated cell division and genome reduction. Unlike free-living relatives that fix N exclusively at night, SBs fix N largely during the day; however, how SB metabolism is regulated and coordinated with the host is not yet understood. We compared four SB genomes, including those from two new host species (Rhopalodia gibba and Epithemia adnata), to build a genome-wide phylogeny which provides a better understanding of SB evolutionary origins. Contrary to models of endosymbiotic genome reduction, the SB chromosome is unusually stable for an endosymbiont genome, likely due to the early loss of all mobile elements. Transcriptomic data for the R. gibba SB and host organelles addressed whether and how the allocation of transcriptional resources depends on light and nitrogen availability. Although allocation to the SB was high under all conditions, relative expression of chloroplast photosynthesis genes increased in the absence of nitrate, but this pattern was suppressed by nitrate addition. SB expression of catabolism genes was generally greater during daytime rather than at night, although the magnitude of diurnal changes in expression was modest compared to free-living Cyanobacteria. We conclude that SB daytime catabolism likely supports N-fixation by linking the process to host photosynthetic carbon fixation.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Diatoms/genetics/metabolism
*Nitrogen Fixation/genetics
*Phylogeny
Nitrogen/metabolism
Photosynthesis
Cyanobacteria/genetics/metabolism
Circadian Rhythm/genetics

@article {pmid38643165,
year = {2024},
author = {Bukhari, T and Gichuhi, J and Mbare, O and Ochwal, VA and Fillinger, U and Herren, JK},
title = {Willingness to accept and participate in a Microsporidia MB-based mosquito release strategy: a community-based rapid assessment in western Kenya.},
journal = {Malaria journal},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {113},
pmid = {38643165},
issn = {1475-2875},
support = {DA Malaria Control Research Project, Grant no. 2110-07102//Children Investment Fund Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Male ; Animals ; Humans ; Female ; Kenya ; *Microsporidia ; *Insect Bites and Stings ; *Malaria/prevention & control ; Public Health ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Mosquito Vectors ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Microsporidia MB, an endosymbiont naturally found in Anopheles mosquitoes inhibits transmission of Plasmodium and is a promising candidate for a transmission-blocking strategy that may involve mosquito release. A rapid assessment was carried out to develop insight into sociodemographic factors, public health concerns, and malaria awareness, management, and prevention practices with the willingness to accept and participate in Microsporidia MB-based transmission-blocking strategy to develop an informed stakeholder engagement process.

METHODS: The assessment consisted of a survey conducted in two communities in western Kenya that involved administering a questionnaire consisting of structured, semi-structured, and open questions to 8108 household heads.

RESULTS: There was an overall high level of willingness to accept (81%) and participate in the implementation of the strategy (96%). Although the willingness to accept was similar in both communities, Ombeyi community was more willing to participate (OR 22, 95% CI 13-36). Women were less willing to accept (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.9) compared to men due to fear of increased mosquito bites near homes. Household heads with incomplete primary education were more willing to accept (OR 1.6, 95% CI 01.2-2.2) compared to those educated to primary level or higher. Perceiving malaria as a moderate or low public health issue was also associated with a lower willingness to accept and participate. Experience of > 3 malaria cases in the family over the last six months and knowledge that malaria is transmitted by only mosquito bites, increased the willingness to accept but reduced the willingness to participate. Awareness of malaria control methods based on mosquitoes that cannot transmit malaria increases the willingness to participate.

CONCLUSION: The study showed a high level of willingness to accept and participate in a Microsporidia MB-based strategy in the community, which is influenced by several factors such as community, disease risk perception, gender, education level, knowledge, and experience of malaria. Further research will need to focus on understanding the concerns of women, educated, and employed community members, and factors that contribute to the lower disease risk perception. This improved understanding will lead to the development of an effective communication strategy.},
}

Male
Animals
Humans
Female
Kenya
*Microsporidia
*Insect Bites and Stings
*Malaria/prevention & control
Public Health
Mosquito Control/methods
Mosquito Vectors

@article {pmid38650243,
year = {2021},
author = {Zhang, J and Liu, G and Carvajal, AI and Wilson, RH and Cai, Z and Li, Y},
title = {Discovery of a readily heterologously expressed Rubisco from the deep sea with potential for CO2 capture.},
journal = {Bioresources and bioprocessing},
volume = {8},
number = {1},
pages = {86},
pmid = {38650243},
issn = {2197-4365},
support = {2150060111//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), the key CO2-fixing enzyme in photosynthesis, is notorious for its low carboxylation. We report a highly active and assembly-competent Form II Rubisco from the endosymbiont of a deep-sea tubeworm Riftia pachyptila (RPE Rubisco), which shows a 50.5% higher carboxylation efficiency than that of a high functioning Rubisco from Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 (7002 Rubisco). It is a simpler hexamer with three pairs of large subunit homodimers around a central threefold symmetry axis. Compared with 7002 Rubisco, it showed a 3.6-fold higher carbon capture efficiency in vivo using a designed CO2 capture model. The simple structure, high carboxylation efficiency, easy heterologous soluble expression/assembly make RPE Rubisco a ready-to-deploy enzyme for CO2 capture that does not require complex co-expression of chaperones. The chemosynthetic CO2 fixation machinery of chemolithoautotrophs, CO2-fixing endosymbionts, may be more efficient than previously realized with great potential for next-generation microbial CO2 sequestration platforms.},
}

@article {pmid38661136,
year = {2024},
author = {Work, TM and Singhakarn, C and Weatherby, TM},
title = {Cytology in cnidaria using Exaiptasia as a model.},
journal = {Diseases of aquatic organisms},
volume = {158},
number = {},
pages = {37-53},
doi = {10.3354/dao03781},
pmid = {38661136},
issn = {0177-5103},
mesh = {Animals ; *Cnidaria ; },
abstract = {A need exists for additional methods to examine cnidaria at the cellular level to aid our understanding of health, anatomy, and physiology of this important group of organisms. This need is particularly acute given that disease is emerging as a major factor in declines of ecologically important functional groups such as corals. Here we describe a simple method to process cnidarian cells for microscopic examination using the model organism Exaiptasia. We show that this organism has at least 18 cell types or structures that can be readily distinguished based on defined morphological features. Some of these cells can be related back to anatomic features of the animal both at the light microscope and ultrastructural level. The cnidome of Exaiptasia may be more complex than what is currently understood. Moreover, cnidarian cells, including some types of cnidocytes, phagocytize cells other than endosymbionts. Finally, our findings shed light on morphologic complexity of cell-associated microbial aggregates and their intimate intracellular associations. The tools described here could be useful for other cnidaria.},
}

Animals
*Cnidaria

@article {pmid38668783,
year = {2024},
author = {Shamjana, U and Vasu, DA and Hembrom, PS and Nayak, K and Grace, T},
title = {The role of insect gut microbiota in host fitness, detoxification and nutrient supplementation.},
journal = {Antonie van Leeuwenhoek},
volume = {117},
number = {1},
pages = {71},
pmid = {38668783},
issn = {1572-9699},
mesh = {Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; *Insecta/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Nutrients/metabolism ; Metagenomics ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Insects are incredibly diverse, ubiquitous and have successfully flourished out of the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of evolutionary processes. The resident microbiome has accompanied the physical and biological adaptations that enable their continued survival and proliferation in a wide array of environments. The host insect and microbiome's bidirectional relationship exhibits their capability to influence each other's physiology, behavior and characteristics. Insects are reported to rely directly on the microbial community to break down complex food, adapt to nutrient-deficit environments, protect themselves from natural adversaries and control the expression of social behavior. High-throughput metagenomic approaches have enhanced the potential for determining the abundance, composition, diversity and functional activities of microbial fauna associated with insect hosts, enabling in-depth investigation into insect-microbe interactions. We undertook a review of some of the major advances in the field of metagenomics, focusing on insect-microbe interaction, diversity and composition of resident microbiota, the functional capability of endosymbionts and discussions on different symbiotic relationships. The review aims to be a valuable resource on insect gut symbiotic microbiota by providing a comprehensive understanding of how insect gut symbionts systematically perform a range of functions, viz., insecticide degradation, nutritional support and immune fitness. A thorough understanding of manipulating specific gut symbionts may aid in developing advanced insect-associated research to attain health and design strategies for pest management.},
}

Animals
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology
*Insecta/microbiology
*Symbiosis
Nutrients/metabolism
Metagenomics
Host Microbial Interactions
Inactivation, Metabolic
Bacteria/classification/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid38673813,
year = {2024},
author = {Silva, FJ and Domínguez-Santos, R and Latorre, A and García-Ferris, C},
title = {Comparative Transcriptomics of Fat Bodies between Symbiotic and Quasi-Aposymbiotic Adult Females of Blattella germanica with Emphasis on the Metabolic Integration with Its Endosymbiont Blattabacterium and Its Immune System.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {25},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {38673813},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {Prometeo/2018/A/133//Conselleria d'Educació, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; CIPROM/2021/042//Conselleria d'Educació, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; PGC2018-099344-B-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Spain) and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; PID2021-128201NB-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Spain) and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; Animals ; *Fat Body/metabolism ; Female ; *Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Immune System/metabolism ; Bacteroidetes/genetics/metabolism ; Antimicrobial Peptides/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {We explored the metabolic integration of Blattella germanica and its obligate endosymbiont Blattabacterium cuenoti by the transcriptomic analysis of the fat body of quasi-aposymbiotic cockroaches, where the endosymbionts were almost entirely removed with rifampicin. Fat bodies from quasi-aposymbiotic insects displayed large differences in gene expression compared to controls. In quasi-aposymbionts, the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine involved in cuticle sclerotization and pigmentation increased drastically to compensate for the deficiency in the biosynthesis of these amino acids by the endosymbionts. On the other hand, the uricolytic pathway and the biosynthesis of uric acid were severely decreased, probably because the reduced population of endosymbionts was unable to metabolize urea to ammonia. Metabolite transporters that could be involved in the endosymbiosis process were identified. Immune system and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression was also reduced in quasi-aposymbionts, genes encoding peptidoglycan-recognition proteins, which may provide clues for the maintenance of the symbiotic relationship, as well as three AMP genes whose involvement in the symbiotic relationship will require additional analysis. Finally, a search for AMP-like factors that could be involved in controlling the endosymbiont identified two orphan genes encoding proteins smaller than 200 amino acids underexpressed in quasi-aposymbionts, suggesting a role in the host-endosymbiont relationship.},
}

*Symbiosis/genetics
Animals
*Fat Body/metabolism
Female
*Transcriptome
Gene Expression Profiling
Immune System/metabolism
Bacteroidetes/genetics/metabolism
Antimicrobial Peptides/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid38677361,
year = {2024},
author = {Tuñon, A and García, J and Carrera, LC and Chaves, LF and Lenhart, AE and Loaiza, JR},
title = {Chemical control of medically important arthropods in Panama: A systematic literature review of historical efforts.},
journal = {Acta tropica},
volume = {255},
number = {},
pages = {107217},
pmid = {38677361},
issn = {1873-6254},
support = {CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Aedes/drug effects ; Anopheles/drug effects ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Insecticide Resistance ; *Insecticides/pharmacology ; *Mosquito Control/methods ; *Mosquito Vectors/drug effects ; Panama ; *Vector Borne Diseases/prevention & control ; },
abstract = {Vector-borne diseases are a major source of morbidity in Panama. Herein, we describe historical usage patterns of synthetic insecticides to control arthropod disease vectors in this country. We examine the influence of interventions by vector control programs on the emergence of insecticide resistance. Chemical control has traditionally focused on two mosquito species: Anopheles albimanus, a major regional malaria vector, and Aedes aegypti, a historical vector of yellow fever, and current vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Countrywide populations of An. albimanus depict hyperirritability to organochlorine insecticides administered by indoor residual spraying, although they appear susceptible to these insecticides in bioassays settings, as well as to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in field tests. Populations of Ae. aegypti show resistance to pyrethroids, particularly in areas near Panama City, but the spread of resistance remains unknown in Ae. aegypti and Aedes albopictus. A One Health approach is needed in Panama to pinpoint the insecticide resistance mechanisms including the frequency of knockdown mutations and behavioral plasticity in populations of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes. This information is necessary to guide the sustainable implementation of chemical control strategies and the use of modern vector control technologies such as genetically modified mosquitoes, and endosymbiont Wolbachia-based biological control.},
}

Animals
Humans
Aedes/drug effects
Anopheles/drug effects
History, 20th Century
History, 21st Century
Insecticide Resistance
*Insecticides/pharmacology
*Mosquito Control/methods
*Mosquito Vectors/drug effects
Panama
*Vector Borne Diseases/prevention & control

@article {pmid38690786,
year = {2024},
author = {Knights, HE and Ramachandran, VK and Jorrin, B and Ledermann, R and Parsons, JD and Aroney, STN and Poole, PS},
title = {Rhizobium determinants of rhizosphere persistence and root colonization.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38690786},
issn = {1751-7370},
support = {BB/M011224/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 183901/SNSF_/Swiss National Science Foundation/Switzerland ; },
mesh = {*Rhizosphere ; *Plant Roots/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Rhizobium leguminosarum/genetics/growth & development/physiology ; Fabaceae/microbiology/growth & development ; Soil Microbiology ; },
abstract = {Bacterial persistence in the rhizosphere and colonization of root niches are critical for the establishment of many beneficial plant-bacteria interactions including those between Rhizobium leguminosarum and its host legumes. Despite this, most studies on R. leguminosarum have focused on its symbiotic lifestyle as an endosymbiont in root nodules. Here, we use random barcode transposon sequencing to assay gene contributions of R. leguminosarum during competitive growth in the rhizosphere and colonization of various plant species. This facilitated the identification of 189 genes commonly required for growth in diverse plant rhizospheres, mutation of 111 of which also affected subsequent root colonization (rhizosphere progressive), and a further 119 genes necessary for colonization. Common determinants reveal a need to synthesize essential compounds (amino acids, ribonucleotides, and cofactors), adapt metabolic function, respond to external stimuli, and withstand various stresses (such as changes in osmolarity). Additionally, chemotaxis and flagella-mediated motility are prerequisites for root colonization. Many genes showed plant-specific dependencies highlighting significant adaptation to different plant species. This work provides a greater understanding of factors promoting rhizosphere fitness and root colonization in plant-beneficial bacteria, facilitating their exploitation for agricultural benefit.},
}

*Rhizosphere
*Plant Roots/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Rhizobium leguminosarum/genetics/growth & development/physiology
Fabaceae/microbiology/growth & development
Soil Microbiology

@article {pmid38691425,
year = {2024},
author = {Richter, I and Hasan, M and Kramer, JW and Wein, P and Krabbe, J and Wojtas, KP and Stinear, TP and Pidot, SJ and Kloss, F and Hertweck, C and Lackner, G},
title = {Deazaflavin metabolite produced by endosymbiotic bacteria controls fungal host reproduction.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38691425},
issn = {1751-7370},
support = {794343//European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program/ ; 2019 FGI 0003//Free State of Thuringia/ ; 390713860//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; 239748522//SFB 1127 ChemBioSys/ ; //Leibniz Award/ ; 408113938//DFG/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Rhizopus/metabolism/genetics ; Spores, Fungal/genetics/metabolism/growth & development ; Flavins/metabolism ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Riboflavin/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The endosymbiosis between the pathogenic fungus Rhizopus microsporus and the toxin-producing bacterium Mycetohabitans rhizoxinica represents a unique example of host control by an endosymbiont. Fungal sporulation strictly depends on the presence of endosymbionts as well as bacterially produced secondary metabolites. However, an influence of primary metabolites on host control remained unexplored. Recently, we discovered that M. rhizoxinica produces FO and 3PG-F420, a derivative of the specialized redox cofactor F420. Whether FO/3PG-F420 plays a role in the symbiosis has yet to be investigated. Here, we report that FO, the precursor of 3PG-F420, is essential to the establishment of a stable symbiosis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the genetic inventory to produce cofactor 3PG-F420 is conserved in the genomes of eight endofungal Mycetohabitans strains. By developing a CRISPR/Cas-assisted base editing strategy for M. rhizoxinica, we generated mutant strains deficient in 3PG-F420 (M. rhizoxinica ΔcofC) and in both FO and 3PG-F420 (M. rhizoxinica ΔfbiC). Co-culture experiments demonstrated that the sporulating phenotype of apo-symbiotic R. microsporus is maintained upon reinfection with wild-type M. rhizoxinica or M. rhizoxinica ΔcofC. In contrast, R. microsporus is unable to sporulate when co-cultivated with M. rhizoxinica ΔfbiC, even though the fungus was observed by super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to be successfully colonized. Genetic and chemical complementation of the FO deficiency of M. rhizoxinica ΔfbiC led to restoration of fungal sporulation, signifying that FO is indispensable for establishing a functional symbiosis. Even though FO is known for its light-harvesting properties, our data illustrate an important role of FO in inter-kingdom communication.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Rhizopus/metabolism/genetics
Spores, Fungal/genetics/metabolism/growth & development
Flavins/metabolism
CRISPR-Cas Systems
Riboflavin/metabolism

@article {pmid38693183,
year = {2024},
author = {Moustafa, MAM and Mohamed, WMA and Chatanga, E and Naguib, D and Matsuno, K and Gofton, AW and Barker, SC and Nonaka, N and Nakao, R},
title = {Unraveling the phylogenetics of genetically closely related species, Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa, using entire tick mitogenomes and microbiomes.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {9961},
pmid = {38693183},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {16H06431//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 19H03118//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 19F19097//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 20K21358//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 20KK0151//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Phylogeny ; *Ixodidae/microbiology/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Genetic Variation ; },
abstract = {Ticks have a profound impact on public health. Haemaphysalis is one of the most widespread genera in Asia, including Japan. The taxonomy and genetic differentiation of Haemaphysalis spp. is challenging. For instance, previous studies struggled to distinguish Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa due to the dearth of nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in widely used barcoding genes. The classification of H. japonica japonica and its related sub-species Haemaphysalis japonica douglasi or Haemaphysalis jezoensis is also confused due to their high morphological similarity and a lack of molecular data that support the current classification. We used mitogenomes and microbiomes of H. japonica and H. megaspinosa to gain deeper insights into the phylogenetic relationships and genetic divergence between two species. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated nucleotide sequences of protein-coding genes and ribosomal DNA genes distinguished H. japonica and H. megaspinosa as monophyletic clades, with further subdivision within the H. japonica clade. The 16S rRNA and NAD5 genes were valuable markers for distinguishing H. japonica and H. megaspinosa. Population genetic structure analyses indicated that genetic variation within populations accounted for a large proportion of the total variation compared to variation between populations. Microbiome analyses revealed differences in alpha and beta diversity between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. japonica had the higher diversity. Coxiella sp., a likely endosymbiont, was found in both Haemaphysalis species. The abundance profiles of likely endosymbionts, pathogens, and commensals differed between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. megaspinosa was more diverse.},
}

Animals
*Phylogeny
*Ixodidae/microbiology/genetics
*Microbiota/genetics
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Genome, Mitochondrial
Genetic Variation

@article {pmid38701242,
year = {2024},
author = {Roldán, EL and Stelinski, LL and Pelz-Stelinski, KS},
title = {Reduction of Wolbachia in Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) increases phytopathogen acquisition and decreases fitness.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {117},
number = {3},
pages = {733-749},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toae089},
pmid = {38701242},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {2021-70029-36053//United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 2021-70029-36053//U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; 2021-70029-36053//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/physiology ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; Female ; *Doxycycline/pharmacology ; Male ; *Genetic Fitness ; Nymph/microbiology/growth & development ; Liberibacter ; Plant Diseases/microbiology/prevention & control ; Symbiosis ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Citrus/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that infects a wide range of arthropods. Wolbachia can have a significant impact on host biology and development, often due to its effects on reproduction. We investigated Wolbachia-mediated effects in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, which transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causal agent of citrus greening disease. Diaphorina citri are naturally infected with Wolbachia; therefore, investigating Wolbachia-mediated effects on D. citri fitness and CLas transmission required artificial reduction of this endosymbiont with the application of doxycycline. Doxycycline treatment of psyllids reduced Wolbachia infection by approximately 60% in both male and female D. citri. Psyllids treated with doxycycline exhibited higher CLas acquisition in both adults and nymphs as compared with negative controls. In addition, doxycycline-treated psyllids exhibited decreased fitness as measured by reduced egg and nymph production as well as adult emergence as compared with control lines without the doxycycline treatment. Our results indicate that Wolbachia benefits D. citri by improving fitness and potentially competes with CLas by interfering with phytopathogen acquisition. Targeted manipulation of endosymbionts in this phytopathogen vector may yield disease management tools.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/physiology
*Hemiptera/microbiology
Female
*Doxycycline/pharmacology
Male
*Genetic Fitness
Nymph/microbiology/growth & development
Liberibacter
Plant Diseases/microbiology/prevention & control
Symbiosis
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Citrus/microbiology

@article {pmid38704391,
year = {2024},
author = {Renoz, F and Parisot, N and Baa-Puyoulet, P and Gerlin, L and Fakhour, S and Charles, H and Hance, T and Calevro, F},
title = {PacBio Hi-Fi genome assembly of Sipha maydis, a model for the study of multipartite mutualism in insects.},
journal = {Scientific data},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {450},
pmid = {38704391},
issn = {2052-4463},
support = {J.0082.23//Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS (Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Genome, Insect ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Bacteria ; },
abstract = {Dependence on multiple nutritional endosymbionts has evolved repeatedly in insects feeding on unbalanced diets. However, reference genomes for species hosting multi-symbiotic nutritional systems are lacking, even though they are essential for deciphering the processes governing cooperative life between insects and anatomically integrated symbionts. The cereal aphid Sipha maydis is a promising model for addressing these issues, as it has evolved a nutritional dependence on two bacterial endosymbionts that complement each other. In this study, we used PacBio High fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing to generate a highly contiguous genome assembly of S. maydis with a length of 410 Mb, 3,570 contigs with a contig N50 length of 187 kb, and BUSCO completeness of 95.5%. We identified 117 Mb of repetitive sequences, accounting for 29% of the genome assembly, and predicted 24,453 protein-coding genes, of which 2,541 were predicted enzymes included in an integrated metabolic network with the two aphid-associated endosymbionts. These resources provide valuable genetic and metabolic information for understanding the evolution and functioning of multi-symbiotic systems in insects.},
}

Animals
*Aphids/genetics/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Genome, Insect
Metabolic Networks and Pathways
Bacteria

@article {pmid38705185,
year = {2024},
author = {Łukasik, P and Kolasa, MR},
title = {With a little help from my friends: the roles of microbial symbionts in insect populations and communities.},
journal = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences},
volume = {379},
number = {1904},
pages = {20230122},
pmid = {38705185},
issn = {1471-2970},
support = {//Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange/ ; //Polish National Science Centre/ ; //“Excellence Initiative – Research University” at the Faculty of Biology of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland./ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Insecta/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota/physiology ; Biodiversity ; },
abstract = {To understand insect abundance, distribution and dynamics, we need to understand the relevant drivers of their populations and communities. While microbial symbionts are known to strongly affect many aspects of insect biology, we lack data on their effects on populations or community processes, or on insects' evolutionary responses at different timescales. How these effects change as the anthropogenic effects on ecosystems intensify is an area of intense research. Recent developments in sequencing and bioinformatics permit cost-effective microbial diversity surveys, tracking symbiont transmission, and identification of functions across insect populations and multi-species communities. In this review, we explore how different functional categories of symbionts can influence insect life-history traits, how these effects could affect insect populations and their interactions with other species, and how they may affect processes and patterns at the level of entire communities. We argue that insect-associated microbes should be considered important drivers of insect response and adaptation to environmental challenges and opportunities. We also outline the emerging approaches for surveying and characterizing insect-associated microbiota at population and community scales. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.},
}

Animals
*Insecta/microbiology/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Microbiota/physiology
Biodiversity

@article {pmid38706926,
year = {2024},
author = {Katoch, M and Singh, G and Bijarnia, E and Gupta, AP and Azeem, M and Rani, P and Kumar, J},
title = {Biodiversity of endosymbiont fungi associated with a marine sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea and their potential as antioxidant producers.},
journal = {3 Biotech},
volume = {14},
number = {5},
pages = {146},
pmid = {38706926},
issn = {2190-572X},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: This study aims to isolate endosymbiontic fungi from the marine sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea and to explore their antioxidant potential. Marine-derived fungi, with their vast biodiversity, are considered a promising source of novel antioxidants which can replace synthetic ones. Marine sponges have previously reported bioactive properties that could ameliorate oxidative stress, particularly their associated fungi, producing high-frequency bioactive molecules (adaptogenic molecules) in response to stressors. 19 endosymbiont fungi associated with marine sponges were isolated, and their extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant capacities. Extract of an endosymbiont fungus, isolate SPG6, identified as Alternaria destruens, through surface electron microscopy (SEM) and ITS gene sequencing, showed broad range antioxidant activities (EC50 values) (free radical scavenging 32.54 mg L[-1], Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity < 0.078 g L[-1], total reducing power 0.114 g L[-1], Chelating power 0.262 g L[-1], H2O2 scavenging activity < 0.078 g L[-1], and Superoxide radical scavenging activity > 5.0 g L[-1]). The extract of isolate SPG6 was fractioned and analyzed through GC-MS. Marine sponge-associated endosymbiont fungi are a rich source of antioxidant molecules.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03972-1.},
}

@article {pmid38707843,
year = {2024},
author = {Moulin, SLY and Frail, S and Braukmann, T and Doenier, J and Steele-Ogus, M and Marks, JC and Mills, MM and Yeh, E},
title = {The endosymbiont of Epithemia clementina is specialized for nitrogen fixation within a photosynthetic eukaryote.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {4},
number = {1},
pages = {ycae055},
pmid = {38707843},
issn = {2730-6151},
support = {S10 OD028536/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI007328/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 GM007276/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Epithemia spp. diatoms contain obligate, nitrogen-fixing endosymbionts, or diazoplasts, derived from cyanobacteria. These algae are a rare example of photosynthetic eukaryotes that have successfully coupled oxygenic photosynthesis with oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase activity. Here, we report a newly-isolated species, E. clementina, as a model to investigate endosymbiotic acquisition of nitrogen fixation. We demonstrate that the diazoplast, which has lost photosynthesis, provides fixed nitrogen to the diatom host in exchange for fixed carbon. To identify the metabolic changes associated with this endosymbiotic specialization, we compared the Epithemia diazoplast with its close, free-living cyanobacterial relative, Crocosphaera subtropica. Unlike C. subtropica, in which nitrogenase activity is temporally separated from photosynthesis, we show that nitrogenase activity in the diazoplast is continuous through the day (concurrent with host photosynthesis) and night. Host and diazoplast metabolism are tightly coupled to support nitrogenase activity: Inhibition of photosynthesis abolishes daytime nitrogenase activity, while nighttime nitrogenase activity no longer requires cyanobacterial glycogen storage pathways. Instead, import of host-derived carbohydrates supports nitrogenase activity throughout the day-night cycle. Carbohydrate metabolism is streamlined in the diazoplast compared to C. subtropica with retention of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway and oxidative phosphorylation. Similar to heterocysts, these pathways may be optimized to support nitrogenase activity, providing reducing equivalents and ATP and consuming oxygen. Our results demonstrate that the diazoplast is specialized for endosymbiotic nitrogen fixation. Altogether, we establish a new model for studying endosymbiosis, perform a functional characterization of this diazotroph endosymbiosis, and identify metabolic adaptations for endosymbiotic acquisition of a critical biological function.},
}

@article {pmid38712948,
year = {2024},
author = {Maeda, GP and Kelly, MK and Sundar, A and Moran, NA},
title = {Intracellular defensive symbiont is culturable and capable of transovarial, vertical transmission.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {15},
number = {6},
pages = {e0325323},
pmid = {38712948},
issn = {2150-7511},
support = {R35 GM131738/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35GM131738//HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Aphids/microbiology ; Female ; Genome, Bacterial ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; Axenic Culture ; },
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Insects frequently form heritable associations with beneficial bacteria that are vertically transmitted from parent to offspring. Long-term vertical transmission has repeatedly resulted in genome reduction and gene loss, rendering many such bacteria incapable of establishment in axenic culture. Among aphids, heritable endosymbionts often provide context-specific benefits to their hosts. Although these associations have large impacts on host phenotypes, experimental approaches are often limited by an inability to cultivate these microbes. Here, we report the axenic culture of Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica strain WIR, a heritable bacterial endosymbiont of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Whole-genome sequencing revealed similar genomic features and high sequence similarity to previously described strains, suggesting that the cultivation techniques used here may be applicable to Ca. F. symbiotica strains from distantly related aphids. Microinjection of cultured Ca. F. symbiotica into uninfected aphids revealed that it can reinfect developing embryos and that infections are maintained in subsequent generations via transovarial maternal transmission. Artificially infected aphids exhibit phenotypic and life history traits similar to those observed for native infections. Our results show that Ca. F. symbiotica may be a useful tool for experimentally probing the molecular mechanisms underlying host-symbiont interactions in a heritable symbiosis.

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

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Aphids/microbiology
Female
Genome, Bacterial
Whole Genome Sequencing
Axenic Culture

@article {pmid38715450,
year = {2024},
author = {Ali, M and Rice, CA and Byrne, AW and Paré, PE and Beauvais, W},
title = {Modelling dynamics between free-living amoebae and bacteria.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {26},
number = {5},
pages = {e16623},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16623},
pmid = {38715450},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {NSF-ECCS #2238388//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Amoeba/microbiology ; *Bacteria ; *Symbiosis ; Models, Biological ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Models, Theoretical ; Animals ; },
abstract = {Free-living amoebae (FLA) serve as hosts for a variety of endosymbionts, which are microorganisms that reside and multiply within the FLA. Some of these endosymbionts pose a pathogenic threat to humans, animals, or both. The symbiotic relationship with FLA not only offers these microorganisms protection but also enhances their survival outside their hosts and assists in their dispersal across diverse habitats, thereby escalating disease transmission. This review is intended to offer an exhaustive overview of the existing mathematical models that have been applied to understand the dynamics of FLA, especially concerning their interactions with bacteria. An extensive literature review was conducted across Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases to identify mathematical models that describe the dynamics of interactions between FLA and bacteria, as published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The literature search revealed several FLA-bacteria model systems, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pasteurella multocida, and Legionella spp. Although the published mathematical models account for significant system dynamics such as predator-prey relationships and non-linear growth rates, they generally overlook spatial and temporal heterogeneity in environmental conditions, such as temperature, and population diversity. Future mathematical models will need to incorporate these factors to enhance our understanding of FLA-bacteria dynamics and to provide valuable insights for future risk assessment and disease control measures.},
}

*Amoeba/microbiology
*Bacteria
*Symbiosis
Models, Biological
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
Models, Theoretical
Animals

@article {pmid38719945,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhang, Y and Chen, H and Lian, C and Cao, L and Guo, Y and Wang, M and Zhong, Z and Li, M and Zhang, H and Li, C},
title = {Insights into phage-bacteria interaction in cold seep Gigantidas platifrons through metagenomics and transcriptome analyses.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {10540},
pmid = {38719945},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {42030407//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022QNLM030004//Laoshan Laboratory/ ; ZDBS-LY-DQC032//the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences/ ; XDA22050303//the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Metagenomics/methods ; *Bacteriophages/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Gills/microbiology/virology/metabolism ; *Bivalvia/microbiology/virology/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Virome/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Metagenome ; },
abstract = {Viruses are crucial for regulating deep-sea microbial communities and biogeochemical cycles. However, their roles are still less characterized in deep-sea holobionts. Bathymodioline mussels are endemic species inhabiting cold seeps and harboring endosymbionts in gill epithelial cells for nutrition. This study unveiled a diverse array of viruses in the gill tissues of Gigantidas platifrons mussels and analyzed the viral metagenome and transcriptome from the gill tissues of Gigantidas platifrons mussels collected from a cold seep in the South Sea. The mussel gills contained various viruses including Baculoviridae, Rountreeviridae, Myoviridae and Siphovirdae, but the active viromes were Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, and Podoviridae belonging to the order Caudovirales. The overall viral community structure showed significant variation among environments with different methane concentrations. Transcriptome analysis indicated high expression of viral structural genes, integrase, and restriction endonuclease genes in a high methane concentration environment, suggesting frequent virus infection and replication. Furthermore, two viruses (GP-phage-contig14 and GP-phage-contig72) interacted with Gigantidas platifrons methanotrophic gill symbionts (bathymodiolin mussels host intracellular methanotrophic Gammaproteobacteria in their gills), showing high expression levels, and have huge different expression in different methane concentrations. Additionally, single-stranded DNA viruses may play a potential auxiliary role in the virus-host interaction using indirect bioinformatics methods. Moreover, the Cro and DNA methylase genes had phylogenetic similarity between the virus and Gigantidas platifrons methanotrophic gill symbionts. This study also explored a variety of viruses in the gill tissues of Gigantidas platifrons and revealed that bacteria interacted with the viruses during the symbiosis with Gigantidas platifrons. This study provides fundamental insights into the interplay of microorganisms within Gigantidas platifrons mussels in deep sea.},
}

Animals
*Metagenomics/methods
*Bacteriophages/genetics/isolation & purification
*Gills/microbiology/virology/metabolism
*Bivalvia/microbiology/virology/genetics
Gene Expression Profiling
Transcriptome
Virome/genetics
Bacteria/genetics/classification
Symbiosis/genetics
Metagenome

@article {pmid38721335,
year = {2024},
author = {Nahusenay, G and Wolde, G and Tena, W and Tamiru, T},
title = {Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) growth, nodulation, and yield as affected by varieties, Mesorhizobium strains, and NPSB fertilizer in Southern Ethiopia.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1372082},
pmid = {38721335},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {A significant legume crop in Ethiopia, chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) have several advantages, including high nutritional value and the capacity to improve soils deficient in nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation using several endosymbiotic Mesorhizobium spp. strains. However, the host variety, the soil's capacity to hold nutrients, and the endosymbiont's innate physiological traits all affect how efficient the strains are. The primary obstacles to its cultivation in the research area are inadequate agronomic methods and low soil fertility [low nitrogen (N), low soil organic matter (OM), low accessible phosphorous (P), sulfur (S), and boron (B)], which results in ineffective nodulation. To evaluate the effects of NPSB fertilization and inoculation, a field experiment was carried out in Buchach Kebele's Cheha area during the primary cropping season of 2021/22. The trial included two chickpea kinds (Local and Arerti), two NPSB levels (zero and 121 kg NPSB ha[-1]), and four levels of Mesorhizobium strains (CP-M41, CP-EAL 029, CP-M20b, and un-inoculated control). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used to organize the treatments in a factorial form with three replications. In comparison to the single application and the control, the interaction impact of strains, NPSB fertilizer, and variety greatly increased nodulation parameters, growth parameters, yield, and yield components. The Arerti variety combined with the CP-M41 Mesorhizobium strain and NPSB fertilizer had the maximum grain production (3177.16 kg ha[-1]). It yielded 15.96%, 24.06%, and 37.93% more than the Arerti with CP-M41 strain, Arerti with NPSB, and the control treatments, respectively. The partial budget analysis of the study treatments showed that the Arerti variety with the combined application of 121 kg NPSB ha-1 and Mesorhizobium strain CP-M41 inoculation produced the highest net return (102,092.6 ETB ha[-1]) with an acceptable marginal rate of return (618%). It has been found that the CP-M41 strain and the Arerti variety, when combined with 121 kg NPSB ha[-1] application, is a suitable treatment combination to achieve increased chickpea crop yield and profit in the studied area. However, the results need further validation in the farmer's field before recommending to farmers.},
}

@article {pmid38725798,
year = {2024},
author = {Setegn, A and Amare, GA and Mihret, Y},
title = {Wolbachia and Lymphatic Filarial Nematodes and Their Implications in the Pathogenesis of the Disease.},
journal = {Journal of parasitology research},
volume = {2024},
number = {},
pages = {3476951},
pmid = {38725798},
issn = {2090-0023},
abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an infection of three closely related filarial worms such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. These worms can cause a devastating disease that involves acute and chronic lymphoedema of the extremities, which can cause elephantiasis in both sexes and hydroceles in males. These important public health nematodes were found to have a mutualistic relationship with intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia, which is essential for the development and survival of the nematode. The host's inflammatory response to parasites and possibly also to the Wolbachia endosymbiont is the cause of lymphatic damage and disease pathogenesis. This review tried to describe and highlight the mutualistic associations between Wolbachia and lymphatic filarial nematodes and the role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of lymphatic filariasis. Articles for this review were searched from PubMed, Google Scholar, and other databases. Article searching was not restricted by publication year; however, only English version full-text articles were included.},
}

@article {pmid38732070,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhang, J and Liu, Q and Dai, L and Zhang, Z and Wang, Y},
title = {Pan-Genome Analysis of Wolbachia, Endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri, Reveals Independent Origin in Asia and North America.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {25},
number = {9},
pages = {},
pmid = {38732070},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {2021YFD1400805//Nation Key R & D Program of China/ ; 31672031//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32272537//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/classification ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Animals ; *Phylogeny ; Asia ; North America ; Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics ; Diptera/microbiology/genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia, a group of Gram-negative symbiotic bacteria, infects nematodes and a wide range of arthropods. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that causes citrus greening disease, is naturally infected with Wolbachia (wDi). However, the interaction between wDi and D. citri remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed a pan-genome analysis using 65 wDi genomes to gain a comprehensive understanding of wDi. Based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, we classified the wDi strains into Asia and North America strains. The ANI analysis, principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), and phylogenetic tree analysis supported that the D. citri in Florida did not originate from China. Furthermore, we found that a significant number of core genes were associated with metabolic pathways. Pathways such as thiamine metabolism, type I secretion system, biotin transport, and phospholipid transport were highly conserved across all analyzed wDi genomes. The variation analysis between Asia and North America wDi showed that there were 39,625 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 2153 indels, 10 inversions, 29 translocations, 65 duplications, 10 SV-based insertions, and 4 SV-based deletions. The SV-based insertions and deletions involved genes encoding transposase, phage tail tube protein, ankyrin repeat (ANK) protein, and group II intron-encoded protein. Pan-genome analysis of wDi contributes to our understanding of the geographical population of wDi, the origin of hosts of D. citri, and the interaction between wDi and its host, thus facilitating the development of strategies to control the insects and huanglongbing (HLB).},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics/classification
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Genome, Bacterial
Animals
*Phylogeny
Asia
North America
Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics
Diptera/microbiology/genetics
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

@article {pmid38742878,
year = {2024},
author = {Mies, US and Hervé, V and Kropp, T and Platt, K and Sillam-Dussès, D and Šobotník, J and Brune, A},
title = {Genome reduction and horizontal gene transfer in the evolution of Endomicrobia-rise and fall of an intracellular symbiosis with termite gut flagellates.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {15},
number = {6},
pages = {e0082624},
pmid = {38742878},
issn = {2150-7511},
support = {//Max-Planck-Institut für Terrestrische Mikrobiologie (MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology)/ ; SFB 987//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Isoptera/microbiology/parasitology ; *Symbiosis ; *Gene Transfer, Horizontal ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Phylogeny ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Evolution, Molecular ; Metagenome ; },
abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts of eukaryotic hosts typically experience massive genome reduction, but the underlying evolutionary processes are often obscured by the lack of free-living relatives. Endomicrobia, a family-level lineage of host-associated bacteria in the phylum Elusimicrobiota that comprises both free-living representatives and endosymbionts of termite gut flagellates, are an excellent model to study evolution of intracellular symbionts. We reconstructed 67 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of Endomicrobiaceae among more than 1,700 MAGs from the gut microbiota of a wide range of termites. Phylogenomic analysis confirmed a sister position of representatives from termites and ruminants, and allowed to propose eight new genera in the radiation of Endomicrobiaceae. Comparative genome analysis documented progressive genome erosion in the new genus Endomicrobiellum, which comprises all flagellate endosymbionts characterized to date. Massive gene losses were accompanied by the acquisition of new functions by horizontal gene transfer, which led to a shift from a glucose-based energy metabolism to one based on sugar phosphates. The breakdown of glycolysis and many anabolic pathways for amino acids and cofactors in several subgroups was compensated by the independent acquisition of new uptake systems, including an ATP/ADP antiporter, from other gut microbiota. The putative donors are mostly flagellate endosymbionts from other bacterial phyla, including several, hitherto unknown lineages of uncultured Alphaproteobacteria, documenting the importance of horizontal gene transfer in the convergent evolution of these intracellular symbioses. The loss of almost all biosynthetic capacities in some lineages of Endomicrobiellum suggests that their originally mutualistic relationship with flagellates is on its decline.IMPORTANCEUnicellular eukaryotes are frequently colonized by bacterial and archaeal symbionts. A prominent example are the cellulolytic gut flagellates of termites, which harbor diverse but host-specific bacterial symbionts that occur exclusively in termite guts. One of these lineages, the so-called Endomicrobia, comprises both free-living and endosymbiotic representatives, which offers the unique opportunity to study the evolutionary processes underpinning the transition from a free-living to an intracellular lifestyle. Our results revealed a progressive gene loss in energy metabolism and biosynthetic pathways, compensated by the acquisition of new functions via horizontal gene transfer from other gut bacteria, and suggest the eventual breakdown of an initially mutualistic symbiosis. Evidence for convergent evolution of unrelated endosymbionts reflects adaptations to the intracellular environment of termite gut flagellates.},
}

Animals
*Isoptera/microbiology/parasitology
*Symbiosis
*Gene Transfer, Horizontal
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Phylogeny
*Genome, Bacterial
*Bacteria/genetics/classification
Evolution, Molecular
Metagenome

@article {pmid38742892,
year = {2024},
author = {Martyn, C and Hayes, BM and Lauko, D and Midthun, E and Castaneda, G and Bosco-Lauth, A and Salkeld, DJ and Kistler, A and Pollard, KS and Chou, S},
title = {Metatranscriptomic investigation of single Ixodes pacificus ticks reveals diverse microbes, viruses, and novel mRNA-like endogenous viral elements.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {9},
number = {6},
pages = {e0032124},
pmid = {38742892},
issn = {2379-5077},
support = {//Chan Zuckerberg Biohub/ ; R01 AI32851//HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; //Gladstone Institutes (J. David Gladstone Institutes)/ ; //Pew Charitable Trusts (PCT)/ ; R01 AI032851/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Ixodes/virology/microbiology ; Transcriptome ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; Microbiota/genetics ; Genome, Viral/genetics ; RNA Viruses/genetics/isolation & purification ; Bacteria/genetics/virology/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Ticks are increasingly important vectors of human and agricultural diseases. While many studies have focused on tick-borne bacteria, far less is known about tick-associated viruses and their roles in public health or tick physiology. To address this, we investigated patterns of bacterial and viral communities across two field populations of western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus). Through metatranscriptomic analysis of 100 individual ticks, we quantified taxon prevalence, abundance, and co-occurrence with other members of the tick microbiome. In addition to commonly found tick-associated microbes, we assembled 11 novel RNA virus genomes from Rhabdoviridae, Chuviridae, Picornaviridae, Phenuiviridae, Reoviridae, Solemovidiae, Narnaviridae and two highly divergent RNA virus genomes lacking sequence similarity to any known viral families. We experimentally verified the presence of these in I. pacificus ticks across several life stages. We also unexpectedly identified numerous virus-like transcripts that are likely encoded by tick genomic DNA, and which are distinct from known endogenous viral element-mediated immunity pathways in invertebrates. Taken together, our work reveals that I. pacificus ticks carry a greater diversity of viruses than previously appreciated, in some cases resulting in evolutionarily acquired virus-like transcripts. Our findings highlight how pervasive and intimate tick-virus interactions are, with major implications for both the fundamental biology and vectorial capacity of I. pacificus ticks.

IMPORTANCE: Ticks are increasingly important vectors of disease, particularly in the United States where expanding tick ranges and intrusion into previously wild areas has resulted in increasing human exposure to ticks. Emerging human pathogens have been identified in ticks at an increasing rate, and yet little is known about the full community of microbes circulating in various tick species, a crucial first step to understanding how they interact with each and their tick host, as well as their ability to cause disease in humans. We investigated the bacterial and viral communities of the Western blacklegged tick in California and found 11 previously uncharacterized viruses circulating in this population.},
}

Animals
*Ixodes/virology/microbiology
Transcriptome
RNA, Messenger/genetics
Microbiota/genetics
Genome, Viral/genetics
RNA Viruses/genetics/isolation & purification
Bacteria/genetics/virology/isolation & purification

@article {pmid38743668,
year = {2024},
author = {Felipin, KP and Paloschi, MV and Silva, MDS and Ikenohuchi, YJ and Santana, HM and Setúbal, SDS and Rego, CMA and Lopes, JA and Boeno, CN and Serrath, SN and De Medeiros, EHRT and Pimentel, IF and Oliveira, AER and Cupolillo, E and Cantanhêde, LM and Ferreira, RGM and Zuliani, JP},
title = {Transcriptomics analysis highlights potential ways in human pathogenesis in Leishmania braziliensis infected with the viral endosymbiont LRV1.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {5},
pages = {e0012126},
pmid = {38743668},
issn = {1935-2735},
support = {//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Leishmania braziliensis/genetics/immunology ; *Macrophages/immunology/virology ; *Leishmaniavirus/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/immunology ; Brazil ; Symbiosis ; Cytokines/metabolism/genetics ; Transcriptome ; Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/immunology/parasitology ; },
abstract = {The parasite Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is widely distributed in Brazil and is one of the main species associated with human cases of different forms of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) such as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucosal leishmaniasis (ML). The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of TL are still not fully understood, but it is known that factors related to the host and the parasite act in a synergistic and relevant way to direct the response to the infection. In the host, macrophages have a central connection with the parasite and play a fundamental role in the defense of the organism due to their ability to destroy intracellular parasites and present antigens. In the parasite, some intrinsic factors related to the species or even the strain analyzed are fundamental for the outcome of the disease. One of them is the presence of Leishmania RNA Virus 1 (LRV1), an endosymbiont virus that parasitizes some species of Leishmania that triggers a cascade of signals leading to a more severe TL phenotype, such as ML. One of the strategies for understanding factors associated with the immune response generated after Leishmania/host interaction is through the analysis of molecular patterns after infection. Thus, the gene expression profile in human monocyte-derived macrophages obtained from healthy donors infected in vitro with L. braziliensis positive (LbLRV1+) and negative (LbLRV1-) for LRV1 was evaluated. For this, the microarray assay was used and 162 differentially expressed genes were identified in the comparison LbLRV1+ vs. LbLRV1-, 126 upregulated genes for the type I and II interferons (IFN) signaling pathway, oligoadenylate synthase OAS/RNAse L, non-genomic actions of vitamin D3 and RIG-I type receptors, and 36 down-regulated. The top 10 downregulated genes along with the top 10 upregulated genes were considered for analysis. Type I interferon (IFNI)- and OAS-related pathways results were validated by RT-qPCR and Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines were analyzed by Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The microarray results validated by RT-qPCR showed differential expression of genes related to IFNI-mediated pathways with overexpression of different genes in cells infected with LbLRV1+ compared to LbLRV1- and to the control. No significant differences were found in cytokine levels between LbLRV1+ vs. LbLRV1- and control. The data suggest the activation of gene signaling pathways associated with the presence of LRV1 has not yet been reported so far. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the activation of the OAS/RNase L signaling pathway and the non-genomic actions of vitamin D3 when comparing infections with LbLRV1+ versus LbLRV1- and the control. This finding emphasizes the role of LRV1 in directing the host's immune response after infection, underlining the importance of identifying LRV1 in patients with TL to assess disease progression.},
}

Humans
*Leishmania braziliensis/genetics/immunology
*Macrophages/immunology/virology
*Leishmaniavirus/genetics
Gene Expression Profiling
Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/immunology
Brazil
Symbiosis
Cytokines/metabolism/genetics
Transcriptome
Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/immunology/parasitology

@article {pmid38745070,
year = {2024},
author = {Gimmi, E and Wallisch, J and Vorburger, C},
title = {Ecological divergence despite common mating sites: Genotypes and symbiotypes shed light on cryptic diversity in the black bean aphid species complex.},
journal = {Heredity},
volume = {132},
number = {6},
pages = {320-330},
pmid = {38745070},
issn = {1365-2540},
support = {31003A_181969//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Swiss National Science Foundation)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/genetics ; *Genotype ; *Microsatellite Repeats/genetics ; *Gene Flow ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Reproductive Isolation ; Genetics, Population ; Hybridization, Genetic ; Seasons ; },
abstract = {Different host plants represent ecologically dissimilar environments for phytophagous insects. The resulting divergent selection can promote the evolution of specialized host races, provided that gene flow is reduced between populations feeding on different plants. In black bean aphids belonging to the Aphis fabae complex, several morphologically cryptic taxa have been described based on their distinct host plant preferences. However, host choice and mate choice are largely decoupled in these insects: they are host-alternating and migrate between specific summer host plants and shared winter hosts, with mating occurring on the shared hosts. This provides a yearly opportunity for gene flow among aphids using different summer hosts, and raises the question if and to what extent the ecologically defined taxa are reproductively isolated. Here, we analyzed a geographically and temporally structured dataset of microsatellite genotypes from A. fabae that were mostly collected from their main winter host Euonymus europaeus, and additionally from another winter host and fourteen summer hosts. The data reveals multiple, strongly differentiated genetic clusters, which differ in their association with different summer and winter hosts. The clusters also differ in the frequency of infection with two heritable, facultative endosymbionts, separately hinting at reproductive isolation and divergent ecological selection. Furthermore, we found evidence for occasional hybridization among genetic clusters, with putative hybrids collected more frequently in spring than in autumn. This suggests that similar to host races in other phytophagous insects, both prezygotic and postzygotic barriers including selection against hybrids maintain genetic differentiation among A. fabae taxa, despite a common mating habitat.},
}

Animals
*Aphids/genetics
*Genotype
*Microsatellite Repeats/genetics
*Gene Flow
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Genetic Variation
Reproductive Isolation
Genetics, Population
Hybridization, Genetic
Seasons

@article {pmid38754321,
year = {2024},
author = {Varasteh, T and Lima, MS and Silva, TA and da Cruz, MLR and Ahmadi, RA and Atella, GC and Attias, M and Swings, J and de Souza, W and Thompson, FL and Thompson, CC},
title = {The dispersant Corexit 9500 and (dispersed) oil are lethal to coral endosymbionts.},
journal = {Marine pollution bulletin},
volume = {203},
number = {},
pages = {116491},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116491},
pmid = {38754321},
issn = {1879-3363},
mesh = {*Anthozoa/drug effects/physiology ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Petroleum/toxicity ; *Dinoflagellida/physiology/drug effects ; *Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity ; *Petroleum Pollution ; Lipids ; Surface-Active Agents/toxicity ; },
abstract = {Endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) play a vital role in the health of corals. Seawater pollution can harm these endosymbionts and dispersants used during oil spill cleanup can be extremely toxic to these organisms. Here, we examined the impact of oil and a specific dispersant, Corexit-9500, on two representative endosymbionts - Symbiodinium and Cladocopium - from the Southwestern endemic coral Mussismilia braziliensis. The survival and photosynthetic potential of the endosymbionts decreased dramatically after exposure to the dispersant and oil by ~25 % after 2 h and ~50 % after 7 days. Low concentrations of dispersant (0.005 ml/l) and dispersed oil (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, 1132 μg/l; Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons, 595 μg/l) proved highly toxic to both Symbiodinium and Cladocopium. These levels triggered a reduction in growth rate, cell size, and cell wall thickness. After a few hours of exposure, cellular organelles were damaged or destroyed. These acute toxic effects underline the fragile nature of coral endosymbionts.},
}

*Anthozoa/drug effects/physiology
Animals
*Symbiosis
*Petroleum/toxicity
*Dinoflagellida/physiology/drug effects
*Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity
*Petroleum Pollution
Lipids
Surface-Active Agents/toxicity

@article {pmid38754618,
year = {2024},
author = {Soleymani, E and Fakhar, M and Davoodi, L and Motavallihaghi, S and Sharifpour, A and Maghsood, AH},
title = {Isolation, characterization, and pathogenicity assay of Acanthamoeba and its endosymbionts in respiratory disorders and COVID-19 hospitalized patients, northern Iran.},
journal = {Experimental parasitology},
volume = {262},
number = {},
pages = {108774},
doi = {10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108774},
pmid = {38754618},
issn = {1090-2449},
mesh = {Humans ; Iran ; *Acanthamoeba/isolation & purification/pathogenicity ; *COVID-19 ; *Symbiosis ; *SARS-CoV-2 ; Male ; Female ; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia/isolation & purification/pathogenicity ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Amebiasis/parasitology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Aged ; Vero Cells ; Hospitalization ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; },
abstract = {Acanthamoeba spp., are common free-living amoebae found in nature that can serve as reservoirs for certain microorganisms. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a newly emerged respiratory infection, and the investigation of parasitic infections remains an area of limited research. Given that Acanthamoeba can act as a host for various endosymbiotic microbial pathogens and its pathogenicity assay is not fully understood, this study aimed to identify Acanthamoeba and its bacterial and fungal endosymbionts in patients with chronic respiratory disorders and hospitalized COVID-19 patients in northern Iran. Additionally, a pathogenicity assay was conducted on Acanthamoeba isolates. Urine, nasopharyngeal swab, and respiratory specimens were collected from two groups, and each sample was cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar medium. The cultures were then incubated at room temperature and monitored daily for a period of two weeks. Eight Acanthamoeba isolates were identified, and PCR was performed to confirm the presence of amoebae and identify their endosymbionts. Four isolates were found to have bacterial endosymbionts, including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Achromobacter sp., while two isolates harbored fungal endosymbionts, including an uncultured fungus and Gloeotinia sp. In the pathogenicity assay, five isolates exhibited a higher degree of pathogenicity compared to the other three. This study provides significant insights into the comorbidity of acanthamoebiasis and COVID-19 on a global scale, and presents the first evidence of Gloeotinia sp. as a fungal endosymbiont. Nevertheless, further research is required to fully comprehend the symbiotic patterns and establish effective treatment protocols.},
}

Humans
Iran
*Acanthamoeba/isolation & purification/pathogenicity
*COVID-19
*Symbiosis
*SARS-CoV-2
Male
Female
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia/isolation & purification/pathogenicity
Middle Aged
Adult
Amebiasis/parasitology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Aged
Vero Cells
Hospitalization
Chlorocebus aethiops

@article {pmid38772333,
year = {2024},
author = {Miyata, M and Nomura, M and Kageyama, D},
title = {Rapid spread of a vertically transmitted symbiont induces drastic shifts in butterfly sex ratio.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {34},
number = {10},
pages = {R490-R492},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.027},
pmid = {38772333},
issn = {1879-0445},
mesh = {Animals ; *Sex Ratio ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; *Butterflies/microbiology/physiology/genetics ; Female ; Male ; },
abstract = {The causes and consequences of sex-ratio dynamics constitutes a pivotal subject in evolutionary biology[1]. Under conditions of evolutionary equilibrium, the male-to-female ratio tends to be approximately 1:1; however, this equilibrium is susceptible to distortion by selfish genetic elements exemplified by driving sex chromosomes and cytoplasmic elements[2][,][3]. Although previous studies have documented instances of these genetic elements distorting the sex ratio, studies specifically tracking the process with which these distorters spread within populations, leading to a transition from balanced parity to a skewed, female-biased state, are notably lacking. Herein, we present compelling evidence documenting the rapid spread of the cytoplasmic endosymbiont Wolbachia within a localized population of the pierid butterfly Eurema hecabe (Figure 1A). This spread resulted in a shift in the sex ratio from near parity to an exceedingly skewed state overwhelmingly biased toward females, reaching 93.1% within a remarkably brief period of 4 years.},
}

Animals
*Sex Ratio
*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics
*Symbiosis
*Butterflies/microbiology/physiology/genetics
Female
Male

@article {pmid38774956,
year = {2024},
author = {Strand, EL and Wong, KH and Farraj, A and Gray, S and McMenamin, A and Putnam, HM},
title = {Coral species-specific loss and physiological legacy effects are elicited by an extended marine heatwave.},
journal = {The Journal of experimental biology},
volume = {227},
number = {11},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1242/jeb.246812},
pmid = {38774956},
issn = {1477-9145},
support = {1017848//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 1756623//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/physiology ; *Species Specificity ; Hawaii ; Coral Reefs ; Climate Change ; Symbiosis ; Hot Temperature ; Photosynthesis ; Carbon Dioxide/metabolism ; Dinoflagellida/physiology ; },
abstract = {Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity, with potentially catastrophic consequences for marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. An extended heatwave and recovery time-series that incorporates multiple stressors and is environmentally realistic can provide enhanced predictive capacity for performance under climate change conditions. We exposed common reef-building corals in Hawai'i, Montipora capitata and Pocillopora acuta, to a 2-month period of high temperature and high PCO2 conditions or ambient conditions in a factorial design, followed by 2 months of ambient conditions. High temperature, rather than high PCO2, drove multivariate physiology shifts through time in both species, including decreases in respiration rates and endosymbiont densities. Pocillopora acuta exhibited more significantly negatively altered physiology, and substantially higher bleaching and mortality than M. capitata. The sensitivity of P. acuta appears to be driven by higher baseline rates of photosynthesis paired with lower host antioxidant capacity, creating an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. Thermal tolerance of M. capitata may be partly due to harboring a mixture of Cladocopium and Durusdinium spp., whereas P. acuta was dominated by other distinct Cladocopium spp. Only M. capitata survived the experiment, but physiological state in heatwave-exposed M. capitata remained significantly diverged at the end of recovery relative to individuals that experienced ambient conditions. In future climate scenarios, particularly marine heatwaves, our results indicate a species-specific loss of corals that is driven by baseline host and symbiont physiological differences as well as Symbiodiniaceae community compositions, with the surviving species experiencing physiological legacies that are likely to influence future stress responses.},
}

Animals
*Anthozoa/physiology
*Species Specificity
Hawaii
Coral Reefs
Climate Change
Symbiosis
Hot Temperature
Photosynthesis
Carbon Dioxide/metabolism
Dinoflagellida/physiology

@article {pmid38774968,
year = {2024},
author = {Leybourne, DJ and Whitehead, MA and Will, T},
title = {Genetic diversity in vector populations influences the transmission efficiency of an important plant virus.},
journal = {Biology letters},
volume = {20},
number = {5},
pages = {20240095},
pmid = {38774968},
issn = {1744-957X},
mesh = {*Aphids/virology/genetics ; Animals ; *Genetic Variation ; *Insect Vectors/virology/genetics ; *Plant Diseases/virology ; *Luteovirus/genetics/physiology ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {The transmission efficiency of aphid-vectored plant viruses can differ between aphid populations. Intra-species diversity (genetic variation, endosymbionts) is a key determinant of aphid phenotype; however, the extent to which intra-species diversity contributes towards variation in virus transmission efficiency is unclear. Here, we use multiple populations of two key aphid species that vector barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) strain PAV (BYDV-PAV), the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) and the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi), and examine how diversity in vector populations influences virus transmission efficiency. We use Illumina sequencing to characterize genetic and endosymbiont variation in multiple Si. avenae and Rh. padi populations and conduct BYDV-PAV transmission experiments to identify links between intra-species diversity in the vector and virus transmission efficiency. We observe limited variation in the transmission efficiency of Si. avenae, with transmission efficiency consistently low for this species. However, for Rh. padi, we observe a range of transmission efficiencies and show that BYDV transmission efficiency is influenced by genetic diversity within the vector, identifying 542 single nucleotide polymorphisms that potentially contribute towards variable transmission efficiency in Rh. padi. Our results represent an important advancement in our understanding of the relationship between genetic diversity, vector-virus interactions, and virus transmission efficiency.},
}

*Aphids/virology/genetics
Animals
*Genetic Variation
*Insect Vectors/virology/genetics
*Plant Diseases/virology
*Luteovirus/genetics/physiology
Symbiosis

@article {pmid38775916,
year = {2024},
author = {Yamazaki, T and Sawai, K and Takahashi, Y and Matsuo, J},
title = {Characterization of Actin-based Genotypes and Mycoplasma Endosymbionts of Trichomonas vaginalis Isolated in Sapporo, Japan.},
journal = {Acta parasitologica},
volume = {69},
number = {2},
pages = {1324-1328},
pmid = {38775916},
issn = {1896-1851},
mesh = {*Trichomonas vaginalis/genetics/isolation & purification ; Japan ; *Mycoplasma/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; *Genotype ; *Phylogeny ; *Actins/genetics ; Humans ; *Symbiosis ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Female ; Trichomonas Vaginitis/parasitology ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: Trichomonas vaginalis is a causative agent of common non-viral sexually transmitted infections worldwide. However, the biological features, such as genotypes and endosymbionts, of T. vaginalis isolated in Japan remain unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the actin-based genotypes and the endosymbionts of T. vaginalis isolated in Sapporo, Japan.

METHODS: Three T. vaginalis clinical strains were isolated in Sapporo, Japan between 2019 and 2022. Actin-based genotyping was conducted by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. The endosymbionts, such as Mycoplasma sp. and Trichomonasvirus, were detected using PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. Furthermore, the detected Mycoplasma spp. were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

RESULTS: Of the three T. vaginalis strains, two belonged to genotype E, whereas one was genotype G as determined by actin-based genotyping. Two of the T. vaginalis strains harbored Mycoplasma spp. Using nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing, both were identified as Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii. In contrast, the Trichomonasvirus was not found in the T. vaginalis strains.

CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report on the characterization of actin-based genotypes and the presence of endosymbiotic Ca. M. girerdii in T. vaginalis strains in Japan. Thus, this study will provide an important impetus for future research.},
}

*Trichomonas vaginalis/genetics/isolation & purification
Japan
*Mycoplasma/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
*Genotype
*Phylogeny
*Actins/genetics
Humans
*Symbiosis
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Female
Trichomonas Vaginitis/parasitology

@article {pmid38776328,
year = {2024},
author = {Khosravi, G and Akbarzadeh, K and Karimian, F and Koosha, M and Saeedi, S and Oshaghi, MA},
title = {A survey of Wolbachia infection in brachyceran flies from Iran.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {5},
pages = {e0301274},
pmid = {38776328},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification ; Animals ; Iran ; *Diptera/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that is considered to be the most plentiful endosymbiont found in arthropods. It reproductively manipulates its host to increase the chances of being transmitted to the insect progeny; and it is currently used as a means of suppressing disease vector populations or controlling vector-borne diseases. Studies of the dissemination and prevalence of Wolbachia among its arthropod hosts are important for its possible use as a biological control agent. The molecular identification of Wolbachia relies on different primers sets due to Wolbachia strain variation. Here, we screened for the presence of Wolbachia in a broad range of Brachycera fly species (Diptera), collected from different regions of Iran, using nine genetic markers (wsp, ftsZ, fbpA, gatB, CoxA, gltA, GroEL dnaA, and 16s rRNA), for detecting, assessing the sensitivity of primers for detection, and phylogeny of this bacterium. The overall incidence of Wolbachia among 22 species from six families was 27.3%. The most commonly positive fly species were Pollenia sp. and Hydrotaea armipes. However, the bacterium was not found in the most medically important flies or in potential human disease vectors, including Musca domestica, Sarcophaga spp., Calliphora vicinia, Lucilia sericata, and Chrysomya albiceps. The primer sets of 16s rRNA with 53.0% and gatB with 52.0% were the most sensitive primers for detecting Wolbachia. Blast search, phylogenetic, and MLST analysis of the different locus sequences of Wolbachia show that all the six distantly related fly species likely belonging to supergroup A. Our study showed some primer sets generated false negatives in many of the samples, emphasizing the importance of using different loci in detecting Wolbachia. The study provides the groundwork for future studies of a Wolbachia-based program for control of flies.},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification
Animals
Iran
*Diptera/microbiology
*Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics

@article {pmid38778070,
year = {2024},
author = {Liu, HQ and Li, HJ and Pan, Q and Xiang, YZ},
title = {Endosymbionts of citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton among different citrus orchards in China.},
journal = {Scientific data},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {519},
pmid = {38778070},
issn = {2052-4463},
mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics ; China ; *Citrus ; Larva/microbiology ; *Moths/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Endosymbionts regulate the behavior of pest species, which could provide insights into their control. The citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton) is a widely distributed pest associated with diseases of citrus, especially of young trees. Here, we determined the endosymbiont composition of P. citrella in citrus orchards across China. The resulting dataset comprised average 50,430 high-quality reads for bacterial 16S rRNA V3-V4 regions of endosymbionts from 36 P. citrella larvae sampled from 12 citrus orchards across China. The sequencing depth and sampling size of this dataset were sufficient to reveal most of the endosymbionts of P. citrella. In total, 2,875 bacterial amplicon sequence variants were obtained; taxonomic analysis revealed a total of 372 bacterial genera, most of which were Proteobacteria phylum with Undibacterium being the most abundant genus. This dataset provides the first evidence of P. citrella endosymbionts that could support the development of pest management approaches in citrus orchards.},
}

Animals
*Bacteria/classification/genetics
China
*Citrus
Larva/microbiology
*Moths/microbiology
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Symbiosis

@article {pmid38784393,
year = {2024},
author = {Scott, TJ and Stephenson, CJ and Rao, S and Queller, DC and Strassmann, JE},
title = {Unpredictable soil conditions can affect the prevalence of a microbial symbiosis.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e17445},
pmid = {38784393},
issn = {2167-8359},
support = {IOS 1656756//National Science Foundation/ ; DEB 1753743//National Science Foundation/ ; DEB 2237266//National Science Foundation/ ; //Mind Brain Behavior Interfaculty Initiative at Harvard University/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Dictyostelium/microbiology ; Burkholderiaceae/isolation & purification ; Soil/chemistry ; United States/epidemiology ; Chlamydia/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {The evolution of symbiotic interactions may be affected by unpredictable conditions. However, a link between prevalence of these conditions and symbiosis has not been widely demonstrated. We test for these associations using Dictyostelium discoideum social amoebae and their bacterial endosymbionts. D. discoideum commonly hosts endosymbiotic bacteria from three taxa: Paraburkholderia, Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae. Three species of facultative Paraburkholderia endosymbionts are the best studied and give hosts the ability to carry prey bacteria through the dispersal stage to new environments. Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae are obligate endosymbiont lineages with no measurable impact on host fitness. We tested whether the frequency of both single infections and coinfections of these symbionts were associated with the unpredictability of their soil environments by using symbiont presence-absence data from D. discoideum isolates from 21 locations across the eastern United States. We found that symbiosis across all infection types, symbiosis with Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae obligate endosymbionts, and symbiosis involving coinfections were not associated with any of our measures. However, unpredictable precipitation was associated with symbiosis in two species of Paraburkholderia, suggesting a link between unpredictable conditions and symbiosis.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Soil Microbiology
*Dictyostelium/microbiology
Burkholderiaceae/isolation & purification
Soil/chemistry
United States/epidemiology
Chlamydia/isolation & purification

@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 = {151},
number = {7},
pages = {708-721},
pmid = {38785194},
issn = {1469-8161},
support = {//Alborada Trust/ ; //Research England/ ; //Zebra Foundation for Veterinary Zoological Education/ ; //Royal Society Te Apārangi/ ; /WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; //Isaac Newton Trust/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Chiroptera/parasitology/microbiology ; *Bartonella/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Diptera/microbiology/genetics ; Ectoparasitic Infestations/parasitology/veterinary/epidemiology ; Islands ; Genetics, Population ; Symbiosis ; Animal Distribution ; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics/isolation & purification ; Phylogeography ; },
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.},
}

Animals
*Chiroptera/parasitology/microbiology
*Bartonella/genetics/isolation & purification
*Diptera/microbiology/genetics
Ectoparasitic Infestations/parasitology/veterinary/epidemiology
Islands
Genetics, Population
Symbiosis
Animal Distribution
Enterobacteriaceae/genetics/isolation & purification
Phylogeography

@article {pmid38786149,
year = {2024},
author = {Löckener, I and Behrmann, LV and Reuter, J and Schiefer, A and Klöckner, A and Krannich, S and Otten, C and Mölleken, K and Ichikawa, S and Hoerauf, A and Schneider, T and Pfarr, KM and Henrichfreise, B},
title = {The MraY Inhibitor Muraymycin D2 and Its Derivatives Induce Enlarged Cells in Obligate Intracellular Chlamydia and Wolbachia and Break the Persistence Phenotype in Chlamydia.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {38786149},
issn = {2079-6382},
support = {398967434 - TRR261//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)/ ; N.a.//BONFOR intramural funding program, Medical Faculty of Bonn University/ ; N.a.//Jürgen Manchot foundation/ ; N.a.//FEMHABIL, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn/ ; JP22H02738//JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)/ ; JP22ama121039//AMED/ ; N.a.//Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes/ ; },
abstract = {Chlamydial infections and diseases caused by filarial nematodes are global health concerns. However, treatment presents challenges due to treatment failures potentially caused by persisting Chlamydia and long regimens against filarial infections accompanied by low compliance. A new treatment strategy could be the targeting of the reduced peptidoglycan structures involved in cell division in the obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia and Wolbachia, the latter being obligate endosymbionts supporting filarial development, growth, and survival. Here, cell culture experiments with C. trachomatis and Wolbachia showed that the nucleoside antibiotics muraymycin and carbacaprazamycin interfere with bacterial cell division and induce enlarged, aberrant cells resembling the penicillin-induced persistence phenotype in Chlamydia. Enzymatic inhibition experiments with purified C. pneumoniae MraY revealed that muraymycin derivatives abolish the synthesis of the peptidoglycan precursor lipid I. Comparative in silico analyses of chlamydial and wolbachial MraY with the corresponding well-characterized enzyme in Aquifex aeolicus revealed a high degree of conservation, providing evidence for a similar mode of inhibition. Muraymycin D2 treatment eradicated persisting non-dividing C. trachomatis cells from an established penicillin-induced persistent infection. This finding indicates that nucleoside antibiotics may have additional properties that can break bacterial persistence.},
}

@article {pmid38786870,
year = {2024},
author = {Shi, Z and Luo, M and Yuan, J and Gao, B and Yang, M and Wang, G},
title = {CRISPR/Cas9-Based Functional Characterization of SfUGT50A15 Reveals Its Roles in the Resistance of Spodoptera frugiperda to Chlorantraniliprole, Emamectin Benzoate, and Benzoxazinoids.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {38786870},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {No. KQTD20180411143628272//Shenzhen Science and Technology Program/ ; No. PT202101-02//science technology innovation and industrial development of Shenzhen Dapeng New Distric/ ; 32202305//the Youth Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022M723451//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are a diverse superfamily of enzymes. Insects utilize uridine diphosphate-glucose (UDP-glucose) as a glycosyl donor for glycosylation in vivo, involved in the glycosylation of lipophilic endosymbionts and xenobiotics, including phytotoxins. UGTs act as second-stage detoxification metabolizing enzymes, which are essential for the detoxification metabolism of insecticides and benzoxazine compounds. However, the UGT genes responsible for specific glycosylation functions in S. frugiperda are unclear at present. In this study, we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to produce a SfUGT50A15-KO strain to explore its possible function in governing sensitivity to chemical insecticides or benzoxazinoids. The bioassay results suggested that the SfUGT50A15-KO strain was significantly more sensitive to chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, and benzoxazinoids than the wild-type strains. This finding suggests that the overexpression of the SfUGT50A15 gene may be linked to S. frugiperda resistance to pesticides (chlorantraniliprole and emamectin benzoate) as well as benzoxazinoids (BXDs).},
}

@article {pmid38792834,
year = {2024},
author = {Moerbeck, L and Parreira, R and Szczotko, M and Seixas, G and Velez, R and Dmitryjuk, M and Santos, AS and Domingos, A and Antunes, S},
title = {Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Circulating in Peri-Domestic Areas in Mainland Portugal.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {12},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {38792834},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2022.14376.BD//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; },
abstract = {Over the years, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have garnered significant interest due to their medical, veterinary and economic importance. Additionally, TBPs have drawn attention to how these microorganisms interact with their own vectors, increasing the risk to human and animal infection of emerging and reemerging zoonoses. In this sense, ticks, which are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites, have a key role in maintaining and transmitting TBPs among humans and animals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, namely Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. DNA fragments were detected in questing ticks collected from five different ecological areas under investigation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study reports new worldwide findings, including B. bigemina infecting Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Additionally, it presents new findings in Portugal of N. mikurensis infecting I. ricinus and of presumably Wolbachia endosymbionts being detected in I. ricinus. Overall, there were 208 tick samples that were negative for all screened TBPs. The results herein obtained raise concerns about the circulation of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, especially in anthropophilic ticks, highlighting the importance of adopting a One Health perspective.},
}

@article {pmid38796552,
year = {2024},
author = {Wijegunawardana, NDAD and Gunawardene, YINS and Abeyewickreme, W and Chandrasena, TGAN and Thayanukul, P and Kittayapong, P},
title = {Diversity of Wolbachia infections in Sri Lankan mosquitoes with a new record of Wolbachia Supergroup B infecting Aedes aegypti vector populations.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {11966},
pmid = {38796552},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Sri Lanka ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; Female ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Multilocus Sequence Typing/methods ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria are common endosymbionts of insects and have recently been applied for controlling arboviral vectors, especially Aedes aegypti mosquito populations. However, several medically important mosquito species in Sri Lanka were present with limited information for the Wolbachia infection status. Therefore, the screening of Wolbachia in indigenous mosquitoes is required prior to a successful application of Wolbachia-based vector control strategy. In this study, screening of 78 mosquito species collected from various parts of the country revealed that 13 species were positive for Wolbachia infection, giving ~ 17% infection frequency of Wolbachia among the Sri Lankan mosquitoes. Twelve Wolbachia-positive mosquito species were selected for downstream Wolbachia strain genotyping using Multi Locus Sequencing Type (MLST), wsp gene, and 16S rRNA gene-based approaches. Results showed that these Wolbachia strains clustered together with the present Wolbachia phylogeny of world mosquito populations with some variations. Almost 90% of the mosquito populations were infected with supergroup B while the remaining were infected with supergroup A. A new record of Wolbachia supergroup B infection in Ae. aegypti, the main vectors of dengue, was highlighted. This finding was further confirmed by real-time qPCR, revealing Wolbachia density variations between Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus (p = 0.001), and between males and females (p < 0.05). The evidence of natural Wolbachia infections in Ae. aegypti populations in Sri Lanka is an extremely rare incident that has the potential to be used for arboviral vector control.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification
*Aedes/microbiology/virology
Sri Lanka
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology
*Phylogeny
Female
Male
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Multilocus Sequence Typing/methods

@article {pmid38797544,
year = {2024},
author = {Ichegiri, A and Kodolikar, K and Bagade, V and Selukar, M and Dey, T},
title = {Mitochondria: A source of potential biomarkers for non-communicable diseases.},
journal = {Advances in clinical chemistry},
volume = {121},
number = {},
pages = {334-365},
doi = {10.1016/bs.acc.2024.04.007},
pmid = {38797544},
issn = {2162-9471},
mesh = {Humans ; *Biomarkers/metabolism/analysis ; *Mitochondria/metabolism ; *Noncommunicable Diseases ; Neoplasms/metabolism/diagnosis ; Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases/metabolism/diagnosis ; },
abstract = {Mitochondria, as an endosymbiont of eukaryotic cells, controls multiple cellular activities, including respiration, reactive oxygen species production, fatty acid synthesis, and death. Though the majority of functional mitochondrial proteins are translated through a nucleus-controlled process, very few of them (∼10%) are translated within mitochondria through their own machinery. Germline and somatic mutations in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA significantly impact mitochondrial homeostasis and function. Such modifications disturbing mitochondrial biogenesis, metabolism, or mitophagy eventually resulted in cellular pathophysiology. In this chapter, we discussed the impact of mitochondria and its dysfunction on several non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular problems. Mitochondrial dysfunction and its outcome could be screened by currently available omics-based techniques, flow cytometry, and high-resolution imaging. Such characterization could be evaluated as potential biomarkers to assess the disease burden and prognosis.},
}

Humans
*Biomarkers/metabolism/analysis
*Mitochondria/metabolism
*Noncommunicable Diseases
Neoplasms/metabolism/diagnosis
Animals
Cardiovascular Diseases/metabolism/diagnosis

@article {pmid38804043,
year = {2024},
author = {Owens, LA and Thurber, MI and Goldberg, TL},
title = {CRISPR-Cas9-mediated host signal reduction for 18S metabarcoding of host-associated eukaryotes.},
journal = {Molecular ecology resources},
volume = {24},
number = {6},
pages = {e13980},
pmid = {38804043},
issn = {1755-0998},
support = {R01 AG049395/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; R37 AG049395/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI007414/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; 1R21AI163592-01/HI/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; T32AI007414/HI/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 1R01AG049395-01/HI/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R21 AI163592/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {*CRISPR-Cas Systems ; *Eukaryota/genetics ; *DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Metagenomics/methods ; Humans ; Animals ; },
abstract = {Metabarcoding-based methods for identification of host-associated eukaryotes have the potential to revolutionize parasitology and microbial ecology, yet significant technical challenges remain. In particular, highly abundant host reads can mask the presence of less-abundant target organisms, especially for sample types rich in host DNA (e.g., blood and tissues). Here, we present a new CRISPR-Cas9-mediated approach designed to reduce host signal by selective amplicon digestion, thus enriching clinical samples for eukaryotic endosymbiont sequences during metabarcoding. Our method achieves a nearly 76% increased efficiency in host signal reduction compared with no treatment and a nearly 60% increased efficiency in host signal reduction compared with the most commonly used published method. Furthermore, the application of our method to clinical samples allows for the detection of parasite infections that would otherwise have been missed.},
}

*CRISPR-Cas Systems
*Eukaryota/genetics
*DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods
*RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics
Metagenomics/methods
Humans
Animals

@article {pmid38813885,
year = {2024},
author = {Bennett, GM and Kwak, Y and Maynard, R},
title = {Endosymbioses Have Shaped the Evolution of Biological Diversity and Complexity Time and Time Again.},
journal = {Genome biology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {6},
pages = {},
pmid = {38813885},
issn = {1759-6653},
support = {NSF-1347116//National Science Foundation/ ; GT15982/HHMI/Howard Hughes Medical Institute/United States ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Biological Evolution ; Animals ; Bacteria/genetics ; Biodiversity ; Evolution, Molecular ; },
abstract = {Life on Earth comprises prokaryotes and a broad assemblage of endosymbioses. The pages of Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution have provided an essential window into how these endosymbiotic interactions have evolved and shaped biological diversity. Here, we provide a current perspective on this knowledge by drawing on decades of revelatory research published in Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution, and insights from the field at large. The accumulated work illustrates how endosymbioses provide hosts with novel phenotypes that allow them to transition between adaptive landscapes to access environmental resources. Such endosymbiotic relationships have shaped and reshaped life on Earth. The early serial establishment of mitochondria and chloroplasts through endosymbioses permitted massive upscaling of cellular energetics, multicellularity, and terrestrial planetary greening. These endosymbioses are also the foundation upon which all later ones are built, including everything from land-plant endosymbioses with fungi and bacteria to nutritional endosymbioses found in invertebrate animals. Common evolutionary mechanisms have shaped this broad range of interactions. Endosymbionts generally experience adaptive and stochastic genome streamlining, the extent of which depends on several key factors (e.g. mode of transmission). Hosts, in contrast, adapt complex mechanisms of resource exchange, cellular integration and regulation, and genetic support mechanisms to prop up degraded symbionts. However, there are significant differences between endosymbiotic interactions not only in how partners have evolved with each other but also in the scope of their influence on biological diversity. These differences are important considerations for predicting how endosymbioses will persist and adapt to a changing planet.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Biological Evolution
Animals
Bacteria/genetics
Biodiversity
Evolution, Molecular

@article {pmid38821141,
year = {2024},
author = {Hudson, CM and Stalder, D and Vorburger, C},
title = {Clines of resistance to parasitoids: the multifarious effects of temperature on defensive symbioses in insects.},
journal = {Current opinion in insect science},
volume = {64},
number = {},
pages = {101208},
doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2024.101208},
pmid = {38821141},
issn = {2214-5753},
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Temperature ; Insecta/physiology/microbiology/parasitology ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Aphids/physiology/microbiology/parasitology ; Diptera/physiology/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Insects are frequently infected with heritable bacterial endosymbionts. Some of them confer resistance to parasitoids. Such defensive symbionts are sensitive to variation in temperature. Drawing predominantly from the literature on aphids and flies, we show that temperature can affect the reliability of maternal transmission and the strength of protection provided by defensive symbionts. Costs of infection with defensive symbionts can also be temperature-dependent and may even turn into benefits under extreme temperatures, for example, when defensive symbionts increase heat tolerance. Alone or in combination, these mechanisms can drive temperature-associated (latitudinal) clines of infection prevalence with defensive symbionts. This has important consequences for host-parasitoid coevolution, as the relative importance of host-encoded vs. symbiont-provided defenses will shift along such clines.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Temperature
Insecta/physiology/microbiology/parasitology
Host-Parasite Interactions
Aphids/physiology/microbiology/parasitology
Diptera/physiology/microbiology

@article {pmid38827308,
year = {2024},
author = {Miller, TC and Bentlage, B},
title = {Seasonal dynamics and environmental drivers of tissue and mucus microbiomes in the staghorn coral Acropora pulchra.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e17421},
pmid = {38827308},
issn = {2167-8359},
support = {OIA-1946352//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/microbiology ; *Microbiota/physiology/genetics ; *Seasons ; *Coral Reefs ; Mucus/microbiology ; Seawater/microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Rainfall-induced coastal runoff represents an important environmental impact in near-shore coral reefs that may affect coral-associated bacterial microbiomes. Shifts in microbiome community composition and function can stress corals and ultimately cause mortality and reef declines. Impacts of environmental stress may be site specific and differ between coral microbiome compartments (e.g., tissue versus mucus). Coastal runoff and associated water pollution represent a major stressor for near-shore reef-ecosystems in Guam, Micronesia.

METHODS: Acropora pulchra colonies growing on the West Hagåtña reef flat in Guam were sampled over a period of 8 months spanning the 2021 wet and dry seasons. To examine bacterial microbiome diversity and composition, samples of A. pulchra tissue and mucus were collected during late April, early July, late September, and at the end of December. Samples were collected from populations in two different habitat zones, near the reef crest (farshore) and close to shore (nearshore). Seawater samples were collected during the same time period to evaluate microbiome dynamics of the waters surrounding coral colonies. Tissue, mucus, and seawater microbiomes were characterized using 16S DNA metabarcoding in conjunction with Illumina sequencing. In addition, water samples were collected to determine fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations as an indicator of water pollution. Water temperatures were recorded using data loggers and precipitation data obtained from a nearby rain gauge. The correlation structure of environmental parameters (temperature and rainfall), FIB concentrations, and A. pulchra microbiome diversity was evaluated using a structural equation model. Beta diversity analyses were used to investigate spatio-temporal trends of microbiome composition.

RESULTS: Acropora pulchra microbiome diversity differed between tissues and mucus, with mucus microbiome diversity being similar to the surrounding seawater. Rainfall and associated fluctuations of FIB concentrations were correlated with changes in tissue and mucus microbiomes, indicating their role as drivers of A. pulchra microbiome diversity. A. pulchra tissue microbiome composition remained relatively stable throughout dry and wet seasons; tissues were dominated by Endozoicomonadaceae, coral endosymbionts and putative indicators of coral health. In nearshore A. pulchra tissue microbiomes, Simkaniaceae, putative obligate coral endosymbionts, were more abundant than in A. pulchra colonies growing near the reef crest (farshore). A. pulchra mucus microbiomes were more diverse during the wet season than the dry season, a distinction that was also associated with drastic shifts in microbiome composition. This study highlights the seasonal dynamics of coral microbiomes and demonstrates that microbiome diversity and composition may differ between coral tissues and the surface mucus layer.},
}

Animals
*Anthozoa/microbiology
*Microbiota/physiology/genetics
*Seasons
*Coral Reefs
Mucus/microbiology
Seawater/microbiology
Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification

@article {pmid38832111,
year = {2024},
author = {Cantin, LJ and Gregory, V and Blum, LN and Foster, JM},
title = {Dual RNA-seq in filarial nematodes and Wolbachia endosymbionts using RNase H based ribosomal RNA depletion.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1418032},
pmid = {38832111},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis is caused by parasitic nematodes and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Many filarial worms contain the bacterium Wolbachia as an obligate endosymbiont. RNA sequencing is a common technique used to study their molecular relationships and to identify potential drug targets against the nematode and bacteria. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the most abundant RNA species, accounting for 80-90% of the RNA in a sample. To reduce sequencing costs, it is necessary to remove ribosomal reads through poly-A enrichment or ribosomal depletion. Bacterial RNA does not contain a poly-A tail, making it difficult to sequence both the nematode and Wolbachia from the same library preparation using standard poly-A selection. Ribosomal depletion can utilize species-specific oligonucleotide probes to remove rRNA through pull-down or degradation methods. While species-specific probes are commercially available for many commonly studied model organisms, there are currently limited depletion options for filarial parasites. Here, we performed total RNA sequencing from Brugia malayi containing the Wolbachia symbiont (wBm) and designed ssDNA depletion probes against their rRNA sequences. We compared the total RNA library to poly-A enriched, Terminator 5'-Phosphate-Dependent Exonuclease treated, NEBNext Human/Bacteria rRNA depleted and our custom nematode probe depleted libraries. The custom nematode depletion library had the lowest percentage of ribosomal reads across all methods, with a 300-fold decrease in rRNA when compared to the total RNA library. The nematode depletion libraries also contained the highest percentage of Wolbachia mRNA reads, resulting in a 16-1,000-fold increase in bacterial reads compared to the other enrichment and depletion methods. Finally, we found that the Brugia malayi depletion probes can remove rRNA from the filarial worm Dirofilaria immitis and the majority of rRNA from the more distantly related free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. These custom filarial probes will allow for future dual RNA-seq experiments between nematodes and their bacterial symbionts from a single sequencing library.},
}

@article {pmid38832800,
year = {2024},
author = {Takasu, R and Izu, T and Nakabachi, A},
title = {A limited concentration range of diaphorin, a polyketide produced by a bacterial symbiont of the Asian citrus psyllid, promotes the in vitro gene expression with bacterial ribosomes.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {12},
number = {7},
pages = {e0017024},
pmid = {38832800},
issn = {2165-0497},
support = {20H02998//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Hemiptera/microbiology ; Animals ; *Ribosomes/metabolism/genetics ; *Polyketides/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; *Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism ; *Bacillus subtilis/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Citrus/microbiology ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Diaphorin is a polyketide produced by "Candidatus Profftella armatura" (Gammaproteobacteria: Burkholderiales), an obligate symbiont of a devastating agricultural pest, the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Physiological concentrations of diaphorin, which D. citri contains at levels as high as 2-20 mM, are inhibitory to various eukaryotes and Bacillus subtilis (Firmicutes: Bacilli) but promote the growth and metabolic activity of Escherichia coli (Gammaproteobacteria: Enterobacterales). Our previous study demonstrated that 5-mM diaphorin, which exhibits significant inhibitory and promoting effects on cultured B. subtilis and E. coli, respectively, inhibits in vitro gene expression utilizing purified B. subtilis and E. coli ribosomes. This suggested that the adverse effects of diaphorin on B. subtilis are partly due to its influence on gene expression. However, the result appeared inconsistent with the positive impact on E. coli. Moreover, the diaphorin concentration in bacterial cells, where genes are expressed in vivo, may be lower than in culture media. Therefore, the present study analyzed the effects of 50 and 500 µM of diaphorin on bacterial gene expression using the same analytical method. The result revealed that this concentration range of diaphorin, in contrast to 5-mM diaphorin, promotes the in vitro translation with the B. subtilis and E. coli ribosomes, suggesting that the positive effects of diaphorin on E. coli are due to its direct effects on translation. This study demonstrated for the first time that a pederin-type compound promotes gene expression, establishing a basis for utilizing its potential in pest management and industrial applications.IMPORTANCEThis study revealed that a limited concentration range of diaphorin, a secondary metabolite produced by a bacterial symbiont of an agricultural pest, promotes cell-free gene expression utilizing substrates and proteins purified from bacteria. The unique property of diaphorin, which is inhibitory to various eukaryotes and Bacillus subtilis but promotes the growth and metabolic activity of Escherichia coli, may affect the microbial flora of the pest insect, potentially influencing the transmission of devastating plant pathogens. Moreover, the activity may be exploited to improve the efficacy of industrial production by E. coli, which is often used to produce various important materials, including pharmaceuticals, enzymes, amino acids, and biofuels. This study elucidated a part of the mechanism by which the unique activity of diaphorin is expressed, constructing a foundation for applying the distinct property to pest management and industrial use.},
}

*Hemiptera/microbiology
Animals
*Ribosomes/metabolism/genetics
*Polyketides/metabolism
*Symbiosis
*Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism
*Bacillus subtilis/genetics/metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Citrus/microbiology
Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid38835259,
year = {2024},
author = {Choi, A and Seong, JW and Kim, JH and Lee, JY and Cho, HJ and Kang, SA and Park, MK and Jeong, MJ and Choi, SY and Jeong, YJ and Yu, HS},
title = {Presence and diversity of free-living amoebae and their potential application as water quality indicators.},
journal = {Parasites, hosts and diseases},
volume = {62},
number = {2},
pages = {180-192},
pmid = {38835259},
issn = {2982-6799},
mesh = {*Amoeba/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; *Water Quality ; Phylogeny ; Rivers/parasitology ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Biodiversity ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; },
abstract = {Free-living amoebae (FLA) are found in diverse environments, such as soils, rivers, and seas. Hence, they can be used as bioindicators to assess the water quality based solely on their presence. In this study, we determined the presence of FLA in river water by filtering water samples collected from various sites and culturing the resulting filtrates. FLA were detected in all the water samples with varying quality grades (Grades Ι-V). The significant increase in the size of the amoebae population with the deterioration in the water quality. Monoxenic cultures of the amoebae were performed, and genomic DNAs were isolated, among which 18S rDNAs were sequenced to identify the amoeba species. Of the 12 species identified, 10 belonged to the Acanthamoeba genus; of the remaining 2 species, one was identified as Vannella croatica and the other as a species of Vermamoeba. Acanthamoeba was detected in samples with Grades Ι to VI quality, whereas the Vermamoeba species was present only in Grade Ι water. V. croatica was found exclusively in water with Grade ΙΙ quality. Following morphological observations, genomic DNA was sequenced using 16S rDNA to determine whether the species of Acanthamoeba harbored endosymbionts. Most of the isolated Acanthamoeba contained endosymbionts, among which 4 species of endogenous bacteria were identified and examined using transmission electron microscopy. This study provides evidence that the distribution of amoebae other than Acanthamoeba may be associated with water quality. However, further confirmation will be required based on accurate water quality ratings and assessments using a more diverse range of FLA.},
}

*Amoeba/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
*Water Quality
Phylogeny
Rivers/parasitology
DNA, Protozoan/genetics
Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics
DNA, Ribosomal/genetics
Biodiversity
Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics

@article {pmid38837987,
year = {2024},
author = {Senbill, H and Karawia, D and Zeb, J and Alyami, NM and Almeer, R and Rahman, S and Sparagano, O and Baruah, A},
title = {Molecular screening and genetic diversity of tick-borne pathogens associated with dogs and livestock ticks in Egypt.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {6},
pages = {e0012185},
pmid = {38837987},
issn = {1935-2735},
support = {//Indian Council for Cultural Relations/ ; //Researchers Supporting Project, King Saud University (SA)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Egypt/epidemiology ; Dogs ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology/veterinary/parasitology ; *Dog Diseases/parasitology/microbiology/epidemiology ; *Genetic Variation ; *Ixodidae/microbiology/parasitology ; *Camelus/parasitology/microbiology ; Sheep ; Tick Infestations/veterinary/epidemiology/parasitology ; Ticks/microbiology/parasitology ; Livestock/parasitology/microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; Female ; Anaplasma/isolation & purification/genetics/classification ; Male ; Prevalence ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) offer optimal climatic conditions for tick reproduction and dispersal. Research on tick-borne pathogens in this region is scarce. Despite recent advances in the characterization and taxonomic explanation of various tick-borne illnesses affecting animals in Egypt, no comprehensive examination of TBP (tick-borne pathogen) statuses has been performed. Therefore, the present study aims to detect the prevalence of pathogens harbored by ticks in Egypt.

A four-year PCR-based study was conducted to detect a wide range of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) harbored by three economically important tick species in Egypt. Approximately 86.7% (902/1,040) of the investigated Hyalomma dromedarii ticks from camels were found positive with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii (18.8%), Ehrlichia ruminantium (16.5%), Rickettsia africae (12.6%), Theileria annulata (11.9%), Mycoplasma arginini (9.9%), Borrelia burgdorferi (7.7%), Spiroplasma-like endosymbiont (4.0%), Hepatozoon canis (2.4%), Coxiella burnetii (1.6%) and Leishmania infantum (1.3%). Double co-infections were recorded in 3.0% (27/902) of Hy. dromedarii ticks, triple co-infections (simultaneous infection of the tick by three pathogen species) were found in 9.6% (87/902) of Hy. dromedarii ticks, whereas multiple co-infections (simultaneous infection of the tick by ≥ four pathogen species) comprised 12% (108/902). Out of 1,435 investigated Rhipicephalus rutilus ticks collected from dogs and sheep, 816 (56.9%) ticks harbored Babesia canis vogeli (17.1%), Rickettsia conorii (16.2%), Ehrlichia canis (15.4%), H. canis (13.6%), Bo. burgdorferi (9.7%), L. infantum (8.4%), C. burnetii (7.3%) and Trypanosoma evansi (6.6%) in dogs, and 242 (16.9%) ticks harbored Theileria lestoquardi (21.6%), Theileria ovis (20.0%) and Eh. ruminantium (0.3%) in sheep. Double, triple, and multiple co-infections represented 11% (90/816), 7.6% (62/816), and 10.3% (84/816), respectively in Rh. rutilus from dogs, whereas double and triple co-infections represented 30.2% (73/242) and 2.1% (5/242), respectively in Rh. rutilus from sheep. Approximately 92.5% (1,355/1,465) of Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks of cattle carried a burden of Anaplasma marginale (21.3%), Babesia bigemina (18.2%), Babesia bovis (14.0%), Borrelia theleri (12.8%), R. africae (12.4%), Th. annulata (8.7%), Bo. burgdorferi (2.7%), and Eh. ruminantium (2.5%). Double, triple, and multiple co-infections represented 1.8% (25/1,355), 11.5% (156/1,355), and 12.9% (175/1,355), respectively. The detected pathogens' sequences had 98.76-100% similarity to the available database with genetic divergence ranged between 0.0001 to 0.0009% to closest sequences from other African, Asian, and European countries. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close similarities between the detected pathogens and other isolates mostly from African and Asian countries.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Continuous PCR-detection of pathogens transmitted by ticks is necessary to overcome the consequences of these infection to the hosts. More restrictions should be applied from the Egyptian authorities on animal importations to limit the emergence and re-emergence of tick-borne pathogens in the country. This is the first in-depth investigation of TBPs in Egypt.},
}

Animals
Egypt/epidemiology
Dogs
*Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology/veterinary/parasitology
*Dog Diseases/parasitology/microbiology/epidemiology
*Genetic Variation
*Ixodidae/microbiology/parasitology
*Camelus/parasitology/microbiology
Sheep
Tick Infestations/veterinary/epidemiology/parasitology
Ticks/microbiology/parasitology
Livestock/parasitology/microbiology
Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
Female
Anaplasma/isolation & purification/genetics/classification
Male
Prevalence

@article {pmid38839975,
year = {2024},
author = {Mitchell, JH and Freedman, AH and Delaney, JA and Girguis, PR},
title = {Co-expression analysis reveals distinct alliances around two carbon fixation pathways in hydrothermal vent symbionts.},
journal = {Nature microbiology},
volume = {9},
number = {6},
pages = {1526-1539},
pmid = {38839975},
issn = {2058-5276},
support = {9208//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Gordon E. and Betty I. Moore Foundation)/ ; 1940100//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; 80NSSC19K1427//NASA | NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)/ ; },
mesh = {*Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology ; *Carbon Cycle ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Polychaeta/metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Citric Acid Cycle ; Sulfides/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Hydrogenase/metabolism/genetics ; Chemoautotrophic Growth ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Nitrates/metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Bacteria/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {Most autotrophic organisms possess a single carbon fixation pathway. The chemoautotrophic symbionts of the hydrothermal vent tubeworm Riftia pachyptila, however, possess two functional pathways: the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) and the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycles. How these two pathways are coordinated is unknown. Here we measured net carbon fixation rates, transcriptional/metabolic responses and transcriptional co-expression patterns of Riftia pachyptila endosymbionts by incubating tubeworms collected from the East Pacific Rise at environmental pressures, temperature and geochemistry. Results showed that rTCA and CBB transcriptional patterns varied in response to different geochemical regimes and that each pathway is allied to specific metabolic processes; the rTCA is allied to hydrogenases and dissimilatory nitrate reduction, whereas the CBB is allied to sulfide oxidation and assimilatory nitrate reduction, suggesting distinctive yet complementary roles in metabolic function. Furthermore, our network analysis implicates the rTCA and a group 1e hydrogenase as key players in the physiological response to limitation of sulfide and oxygen. Net carbon fixation rates were also exemplary, and accordingly, we propose that co-activity of CBB and rTCA may be an adaptation for maintaining high carbon fixation rates, conferring a fitness advantage in dynamic vent environments.},
}

*Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology
*Carbon Cycle
Animals
*Symbiosis
*Polychaeta/metabolism
Oxidation-Reduction
Citric Acid Cycle
Sulfides/metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Hydrogenase/metabolism/genetics
Chemoautotrophic Growth
Gene Expression Profiling
Nitrates/metabolism
Photosynthesis
Bacteria/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid38842327,
year = {2024},
author = {Sosa-Jiménez, VM and Kvist, S and Manzano-Marín, A and Oceguera-Figueroa, A},
title = {Discovery of a novel symbiotic lineage associated with a hematophagous leech from the genus Haementeria.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {12},
number = {7},
pages = {e0428623},
pmid = {38842327},
issn = {2165-0497},
support = {PAPIIT-UNAM-IN213520//Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)/ ; 84027//European Commission (EC)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Leeches/microbiology/physiology ; *Phylogeny ; Genome, Bacterial ; Providencia/genetics/isolation & purification/metabolism/classification/physiology ; },
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Similarly to other strict blood feeders, leeches from the Haementeria genus (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) have established a symbiotic association with bacteria harbored intracellularly in esophageal bacteriomes. Previous genome sequence analyses of these endosymbionts revealed co-divergence with their hosts, a strong genome reduction, and a simplified metabolism largely dedicated to the production of B vitamins, which are nutrients lacking from a blood diet. 'Candidatus Providencia siddallii' has been identified as the obligate nutritional endosymbiont of a monophyletic clade of Mexican and South American Haementeria spp. However, the Haementeria genus includes a sister clade of congeners from Central and South America, where the presence or absence of the aforementioned symbiont taxon remains unknown. In this work, we report on a novel bacterial endosymbiont found in a representative from this Haementeria clade. We found that this symbiont lineage has evolved from within the Pluralibacter genus, known mainly from clinical but also environmental strains. Similarly to Ca. Providencia siddallii, the Haementeria-associated Pluralibacter symbiont displays clear signs of genome reduction, accompanied by an A+T-biased sequence composition. Genomic analysis of its metabolic potential revealed a retention of pathways related to B vitamin biosynthesis, supporting its role as a nutritional endosymbiont. Finally, comparative genomics of both Haementeria symbiont lineages suggests that an ancient Providencia symbiont was likely replaced by the novel Pluralibacter one, thus constituting the first reported case of nutritional symbiont replacement in a leech without morphological changes in the bacteriome.

IMPORTANCE: Obligate symbiotic associations with a nutritional base have likely evolved more than once in strict blood-feeding leeches. Unlike those symbioses found in hematophagous arthropods, the nature, identity, and evolutionary history of these remains poorly studied. In this work, we further explored obligate nutritional associations between Haementeria leeches and their microbial symbionts, which led to the unexpected discovery of a novel symbiosis with a member of the Pluralibacter genus. When compared to Providencia siddallii, an obligate nutritional symbiont of other Haementeria leeches, this novel bacterial symbiont shows convergent retention of the metabolic pathways involved in B vitamin biosynthesis. Moreover, the genomic characteristics of this Pluralibacter symbiont suggest a more recent association than that of Pr. siddallii and Haementeria. We conclude that the once-thought stable associations between blood-feeding Glossiphoniidae and their symbionts (i.e., one bacteriome structure, one symbiont lineage) can break down, mirroring symbiont turnover observed in various arthropod lineages.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Leeches/microbiology/physiology
*Phylogeny
Genome, Bacterial
Providencia/genetics/isolation & purification/metabolism/classification/physiology

@article {pmid38851009,
year = {2024},
author = {Abuin-Denis, L and Piloto-Sardiñas, E and Maitre, A and Wu-Chuang, A and Mateos-Hernández, L and Paulino, PG and Bello, Y and Bravo, FL and Gutierrez, AA and Fernández, RR and Castillo, AF and Mellor, LM and Foucault-Simonin, A and Obregon, D and Estrada-García, MP and Rodríguez-Mallon, A and Cabezas-Cruz, A},
title = {Differential nested patterns of Anaplasma marginale and Coxiella-like endosymbiont across Rhipicephalus microplus ontogeny.},
journal = {Microbiological research},
volume = {286},
number = {},
pages = {127790},
doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2024.127790},
pmid = {38851009},
issn = {1618-0623},
mesh = {Animals ; *Rhipicephalus/microbiology ; *Anaplasma marginale ; *Symbiosis ; *Coxiella/genetics ; *Larva/microbiology/growth & development ; Microbiota ; Nymph/microbiology/growth & development ; },
abstract = {Understanding the intricate ecological interactions within the microbiome of arthropod vectors is crucial for elucidating disease transmission dynamics and developing effective control strategies. In this study, we investigated the ecological roles of Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) and Anaplasma marginale across larval, nymphal, and adult stages of Rhipicephalus microplus. We hypothesized that CLE would show a stable, nested pattern reflecting co-evolution with the tick host, while A. marginale would exhibit a more dynamic, non-nested pattern influenced by environmental factors and host immune responses. Our findings revealed a stable, nested pattern characteristic of co-evolutionary mutualism for CLE, occurring in all developmental stages of the tick. Conversely, A. marginale exhibited variable occurrence but exerted significant influence on microbial community structure, challenging our initial hypotheses of its non-nested dynamics. Furthermore, in silico removal of both microbes from the co-occurrence networks altered network topology, underscoring their central roles in the R. microplus microbiome. Notably, competitive interactions between CLE and A. marginale were observed in nymphal network, potentially reflecting the impact of CLE on the pathogen transstadial-transmission. These findings shed light on the complex ecological dynamics within tick microbiomes and have implications for disease management strategies.},
}

Animals
*Rhipicephalus/microbiology
*Anaplasma marginale
*Symbiosis
*Coxiella/genetics
*Larva/microbiology/growth & development
Microbiota
Nymph/microbiology/growth & development

@article {pmid38855918,
year = {2024},
author = {Mulio, SÅ and Zwolińska, A and Klejdysz, T and Prus-Frankowska, M and Michalik, A and Kolasa, M and Łukasik, P},
title = {Limited variation in microbial communities across populations of Macrosteles leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {16},
number = {3},
pages = {e13279},
pmid = {38855918},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {PPN/PPO/2018/1/00015//Narodowa Agencja Wymiany Akademickiej/ ; RGP 0024/2015//Human Frontier Science Program/ ; 2018/30/E/NZ8/00880//Narodowe Centrum Nauki/ ; 2021/41/B/NZ8/04526//Narodowe Centrum Nauki/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; },
abstract = {Microbial symbionts play crucial roles in insect biology, yet their diversity, distribution, and temporal dynamics across host populations remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the spatio-temporal distribution of bacterial symbionts within the widely distributed and economically significant leafhopper genus Macrosteles, with a focus on Macrosteles laevis. Using host and symbiont marker gene amplicon sequencing, we explored the intricate relationships between these insects and their microbial partners. Our analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene data revealed several intriguing findings. First, there was no strong genetic differentiation across M. laevis populations, suggesting gene flow among them. Second, we observed significant levels of heteroplasmy, indicating the presence of multiple mitochondrial haplotypes within individuals. Third, parasitoid infections were prevalent, highlighting the complex ecological interactions involving leafhoppers. The 16S rRNA data confirmed the universal presence of ancient nutritional endosymbionts-Sulcia and Nasuia-in M. laevis. Additionally, we found a high prevalence of Arsenophonus, another common symbiont. Interestingly, unlike most previously studied species, M. laevis exhibited only occasional cases of infection with known facultative endosymbionts and other bacteria. Notably, there was no significant variation in symbiont prevalence across different populations or among sampling years within the same population. Comparatively, facultative endosymbionts such as Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Cardinium and Lariskella were more common in other Macrosteles species. These findings underscore the importance of considering both host and symbiont dynamics when studying microbial associations. By simultaneously characterizing host and symbiont marker gene amplicons in large insect collections, we gain valuable insights into the intricate interplay between insects and their microbial partners. Understanding these dynamics contributes to our broader comprehension of host-microbe interactions in natural ecosystems.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Microbiota
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
Phylogeny
Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics

@article {pmid38857239,
year = {2024},
author = {Martinez-Villegas, L and Lado, P and Klompen, H and Wang, S and Cummings, C and Pesapane, R and Short, SM},
title = {The microbiota of Amblyomma americanum reflects known westward expansion.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {6},
pages = {e0304959},
pmid = {38857239},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Animals ; *Microbiota ; Female ; Male ; *Amblyomma/microbiology ; United States ; Ixodidae/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Amblyomma americanum, a known vector of multiple tick-borne pathogens, has expanded its geographic distribution across the United States in the past decades. Tick microbiomes may play a role shaping their host's life history and vectorial capacity. Bacterial communities associated with A. americanum may reflect, or enable, geographic expansion and studying the microbiota will improve understanding of tick-borne disease ecology. We examined the microbiota structure of 189 adult ticks collected in four regions encompassing their historical and current geographic distribution. Both geographic region of origin and sex were significant predictors of alpha diversity. As in other tick models, within-sample diversity was low and uneven given the presence of dominant endosymbionts. Beta diversity analyses revealed that bacterial profiles of ticks of both sexes collected in the West were significantly different from those of the Historic range. Biomarkers were identified for all regions except the historical range. In addition, Bray-Curtis dissimilarities overall increased with distance between sites. Relative quantification of ecological processes showed that, for females and males, respectively, drift and dispersal limitation were the primary drivers of community assembly. Collectively, our findings highlight how microbiota structural variance discriminates the western-expanded populations of A. americanum ticks from the Historical range. Spatial autocorrelation, and particularly the detection of non-selective ecological processes, are indicative of geographic isolation. We also found that prevalence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum ranged from 3.40-5.11% and did not significantly differ by region. Rickettsia rickettsii was absent from our samples. Our conclusions demonstrate the value of synergistic analysis of biogeographic and microbial ecology data in investigating range expansion in A. americanum and potentially other tick vectors as well.},
}

Animals
*Microbiota
Female
Male
*Amblyomma/microbiology
United States
Ixodidae/microbiology

@article {pmid38857958,
year = {2024},
author = {Li, D and Li, Y and Yu, Y and Ouyang, X and Xiong, X and Jin, S and Jiao, J},
title = {[Investigation of tick - borne Rickettsia in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province in 2023].},
journal = {Zhongguo xue xi chong bing fang zhi za zhi = Chinese journal of schistosomiasis control},
volume = {36},
number = {2},
pages = {154-158},
doi = {10.16250/j.32.1374.2023167},
pmid = {38857958},
issn = {1005-6661},
support = {32000139//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; SKLPBS2217//Open Research Project of State Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism Biosafety/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Rickettsia/isolation & purification/genetics ; China/epidemiology ; Sheep ; Cattle ; Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary ; Ticks/microbiology ; Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of tick-borne rickettsial infections in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province, 2023, so as to provide insights into the management of tick-borne rickettsioses in the city.

METHODS: Ticks were captured from the body surface of bovines and sheep in Gaoxing Village, Dashan Township, Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province during the period between April and June, 2023, and tick species were identified using morphological and molecular biological techniques. In addition, tick-borne Rickettsia was identified using a nested PCR assay, including spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), Coxiella spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Orientia spp., and positive amplified fragments were sequenced and aligned with known sequences accessed in the GenBank database.

RESULTS: A total of 200 ticks were collected and all tick species were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. Nestle PCR assay combined with sequencing identified ticks carrying Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (40.50%), Coxiella burnetii (1.50%), and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (27.00%), and Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. or Orientsia spp. was not detected.

CONCLUSIONS: R. microplus carried Candidatus R. jingxinensis, C. burnetii, and Coxiella-like endosymbionts in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province. Intensified monitoring of tickborne rickettsial infections is needed in livestock and humans to reduce the damages caused by rickettsioses.},
}

Animals
*Rickettsia/isolation & purification/genetics
China/epidemiology
Sheep
Cattle
Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary
Ticks/microbiology
Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology

@article {pmid38861456,
year = {2024},
author = {Wierz, JC and Gimmel, ML and Huthmacher, S and Engl, T and Kaltenpoth, M},
title = {Evolutionary history of tyrosine-supplementing endosymbionts in pollen-feeding beetles.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38861456},
issn = {1751-7370},
support = {819585/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; //Max Planck Society/ ; //Schlinger Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Coleoptera/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; *Tyrosine/metabolism ; Pollen/microbiology ; Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism/classification ; Biological Evolution ; Genome, Bacterial ; Larva/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Many insects feeding on nutritionally challenging diets like plant sap, leaves, or wood engage in ancient associations with bacterial symbionts that supplement limiting nutrients or produce digestive or detoxifying enzymes. However, the distribution, function, and evolutionary dynamics of microbial symbionts in insects exploiting other plant tissues or relying on a predacious diet remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the evolutionary history and function of the intracellular gamma-proteobacterial symbiont "Candidatus Dasytiphilus stammeri" in soft-winged flower beetles (Coleoptera, Melyridae, Dasytinae) that transition from saprophagy or carnivory to palynivory (pollen-feeding) between larval and adult stage. Reconstructing the distribution of the symbiont within the Dasytinae phylogeny unraveled not only a long-term coevolution, originating from a single acquisition event with subsequent host-symbiont codiversification, but also several independent symbiont losses. The analysis of 20 different symbiont genomes revealed that their genomes are severely eroded. However, the universally retained shikimate pathway indicates that the core metabolic contribution to their hosts is the provisioning of tyrosine for cuticle sclerotization and melanization. Despite the high degree of similarity in gene content and order across symbiont strains, the capacity to synthesize additional essential amino acids and vitamins and to recycle urea is retained in some but not all symbionts, suggesting ecological differences among host lineages. This report of tyrosine-provisioning symbionts in insects with saprophagous or carnivorous larvae and pollen-feeding adults expands our understanding of tyrosine supplementation as an important symbiont-provided benefit across a broad range of insects with diverse feeding ecologies.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Coleoptera/microbiology
*Phylogeny
*Tyrosine/metabolism
Pollen/microbiology
Gammaproteobacteria/genetics/metabolism/classification
Biological Evolution
Genome, Bacterial
Larva/microbiology

@article {pmid38863001,
year = {2024},
author = {Huang, Z and Wang, D and Zhou, J and He, H and Wei, C},
title = {Segregation of endosymbionts in complex symbiotic system of cicadas providing novel insights into microbial symbioses and evolutionary dynamics of symbiotic organs in sap-feeding insects.},
journal = {Frontiers in zoology},
volume = {21},
number = {1},
pages = {15},
pmid = {38863001},
issn = {1742-9994},
support = {32270496//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32070476//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {The most extraordinary systems of symbiosis in insects are found in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha of Hemiptera, which provide unique perspectives for uncovering complicated insect-microbe symbiosis. We investigated symbionts associated with bacteriomes and fat bodies in six cicada species, and compared transmitted cell number ratio of related symbionts in ovaries among species. We reveal that Sulcia and Hodgkinia or a yeast-like fungal symbiont (YLS) are segregated from other host tissues by the bacteriomes in the nymphal stage, then some of them may migrate to other organs (i.e., fat bodies and ovaries) during host development. Particularly, YLS resides together with Sulcia in the "symbiont ball" of each egg and the bacteriomes of young-instar nymphs, but finally migrates to the fat bodies of adults in the majority of Hodgkinia-free cicadas, whereas it resides in both bacteriome sheath and fat bodies of adults in a few other species. The transmitted Sulcia/YLS or Sulcia/Hodgkinia cell number ratio in ovaries varies significantly among species, which could be related to the distribution and/or lineage splitting of symbiont(s). Rickettsia localizes to the nuclei of bacteriomes and fat bodies in some species, but it was not observed to be transmitted to the ovaries, indicating that this symbiont may be acquired from environments or from father to offspring. The considerable difference in the transovarial transmission process of symbionts suggests that cellular mechanisms underlying the symbiont transmission are complex. Our results may provide novel insights into insect-microbe symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid38863830,
year = {2024},
author = {Fan, W and Li, P and Wei, Q and Liu, X and Cai, Y and Li, B and Lu, Y},
title = {Metagenomic next-generation sequencing-assisted diagnosis of a rare case of primary cutaneous acanthamoebiasis in an HIV patient: a case report.},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1356095},
pmid = {38863830},
issn = {2235-2988},
mesh = {Humans ; Female ; *High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; *Amebiasis/diagnosis/parasitology/drug therapy ; *Metagenomics/methods ; Middle Aged ; *Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation & purification ; *HIV Infections/complications ; Skin/pathology/parasitology ; Treatment Outcome ; },
abstract = {Pathogenic and free-living Acanthamoeba are widely distributed in the environment and have been reported to cause keratitis and universally fatal encephalitis. Primary cutaneous acanthamoebiasis caused by Acanthamoeba is exceedingly rare and presents as isolated necrotic cutaneous lesions without involvement of the cornea or central nervous system. Cutaneous acanthamoebiasis often occurs in immunocompromised patients and is likely overlooked or even misdiagnosed only by cutaneous biopsy tissue histopathological analysis. Here, we report a HIV-infected 63-year-old female with oral leukoplakia for 4 months and scattered large skin ulcers all over the body for 2 months. The cause of the cutaneous lesions was unclear through cutaneous specimens histopathological analysis, and subsequently Acanthamoeba were detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), which may be the cause of cutaneous lesions. Based on the mNGS results, a pathologist subsequently reviewed the previous pathological slides and found trophozoites of Acanthamoeba so that the cause was identified, and the skin ulcers improved significantly after treatment with multi-drug combination therapy. Acanthamoeba is also a host of pathogenic microorganisms. The presence of endosymbionts enhances the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba, and no other pathogens were reported in this case. mNGS is helpful for rapidly diagnosing the etiology of rare skin diseases and can indicate the presence or absence of commensal microorganisms.},
}

Humans
Female
*High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
*Amebiasis/diagnosis/parasitology/drug therapy
*Metagenomics/methods
Middle Aged
*Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation & purification
*HIV Infections/complications
Skin/pathology/parasitology
Treatment Outcome

@article {pmid38864644,
year = {2024},
author = {Nag, M and Seal, A},
title = {Draft genome announcement of Bacillus velezensis TSB6.1 isolated as a culturable endosymbiont of a nitrogen-fixing endophytic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1.},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {13},
number = {7},
pages = {e0120223},
pmid = {38864644},
issn = {2576-098X},
support = {CRG/2019/000378//DST | Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)/ ; },
abstract = {We here report the genome of Bacillus velezensis TSB6.1 isolated as a culturable endosymbiont of an endophytic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1. TSB6.1 has a genome size of approximately 4.50 Mb, with 4,597 genes, 45.54% GC content, 3 rRNAs, and 73 tRNAs.},
}

@article {pmid38867757,
year = {2024},
author = {Schvarcz, CR and Stancheva, R and Turk-Kubo, KA and Wilson, ST and Zehr, JP and Edwards, KF and Steward, GF and Archibald, JM and Oatley, G and Sinclair, E and Santos, C and Paulini, M and Aunin, E and Gettle, N and Niu, H and McKenna, V and O'Brien, R and , and , and , and , and , },
title = {The genome sequences of the marine diatom Epithemia pelagica strain UHM3201 (Schvarcz, Stancheva & Steward, 2022) and its nitrogen-fixing, endosymbiotic cyanobacterium.},
journal = {Wellcome open research},
volume = {9},
number = {},
pages = {232},
pmid = {38867757},
issn = {2398-502X},
support = {/WT_/Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; },
abstract = {We present the genome assembly of the pennate diatom Epithemia pelagica strain UHM3201 (Ochrophyta; Bacillariophyceae; Rhopalodiales; Rhopalodiaceae) and that of its cyanobacterial endosymbiont (Chroococcales: Aphanothecaceae). The genome sequence of the diatom is 60.3 megabases in span, and the cyanobacterial genome has a length of 2.48 megabases. Most of the diatom nuclear genome assembly is scaffolded into 15 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The organelle genomes have also been assembled, with the mitochondrial genome 40.08 kilobases and the plastid genome 130.75 kilobases in length. A number of other prokaryote MAGs were also assembled.},
}

@article {pmid38869236,
year = {2024},
author = {Taprogge, M and Grath, S},
title = {Modelling suggests Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility in oak gall wasps with cyclical parthenogenesis.},
journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology},
volume = {37},
number = {8},
pages = {926-934},
doi = {10.1093/jeb/voae077},
pmid = {38869236},
issn = {1420-9101},
mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; Animals ; *Wasps/microbiology/physiology ; Female ; *Parthenogenesis ; Male ; Quercus/microbiology ; Models, Biological ; Symbiosis ; Cytoplasm ; },
abstract = {Oak gall wasps typically exhibit a life cycle with one sexual and one asexual generation each year. These wasps can carry various endosymbionts, one of which is the maternally inherited bacterium Wolbachia that can induce several reproductive manipulations on its host. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) has been described as the most prominent of these manipulations. CI leads to embryonic mortality in the hosts' offspring when infected males mate with either uninfected females or with females that harbour different Wolbachia strains. It has been hypothesized that Wolbachia can induce CI in oak gall wasps. To address this hypothesis, we derived a mathematical model to investigate the spread of a bacterial infection in naive populations and to determine the plausibility of CI occurrence. To validate our model, we used published data from Wolbachia-infected Belonocnema kinseyi populations in two approaches. Our first approach uses measurements of infection frequencies and maternal transmission in the sexual generation. For the second approach, we extended the model to compare predictions to estimates of mtDNA-haplotypes, which, like Wolbachia, are maternally inherited, and can therefore be associated with the infection. Both approaches indicate that CI is present in these populations. Our model can be generalized to investigate the occurrence of CI not only for oak gall wasps but also for other species.},
}

*Wolbachia/physiology
Animals
*Wasps/microbiology/physiology
Female
*Parthenogenesis
Male
Quercus/microbiology
Models, Biological
Symbiosis
Cytoplasm

@article {pmid38874172,
year = {2024},
author = {Wierz, JC and Dirksen, P and Kirsch, R and Krüsemer, R and Weiss, B and Pauchet, Y and Engl, T and Kaltenpoth, M},
title = {Intracellular symbiont Symbiodolus is vertically transmitted and widespread across insect orders.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {38874172},
issn = {1751-7370},
support = {//Max Planck Society/ ; ERC CoG 819585/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; Animals ; *Enterobacteriaceae/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Female ; *Insecta/microbiology ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {Insects engage in manifold interactions with bacteria that can shift along the parasitism-mutualism continuum. However, only a small number of bacterial taxa managed to successfully colonize a wide diversity of insects, by evolving mechanisms for host-cell entry, immune evasion, germline tropism, reproductive manipulation, and/or by providing benefits to the host that stabilize the symbiotic association. Here, we report on the discovery of an Enterobacterales endosymbiont (Symbiodolus, type species Symbiodolus clandestinus) that is widespread across at least six insect orders and occurs at high prevalence within host populations. Fluorescence in situ hybridization in several Coleopteran and one Dipteran species revealed Symbiodolus' intracellular presence in all host life stages and across tissues, with a high abundance in female ovaries, indicating transovarial vertical transmission. Symbiont genome sequencing across 16 host taxa revealed a high degree of functional conservation in the eroding and transposon-rich genomes. All sequenced Symbiodolus genomes encode for multiple secretion systems, alongside effectors and toxin-antitoxin systems, which likely facilitate host-cell entry and interactions with the host. However, Symbiodolus-infected insects show no obvious signs of disease, and biosynthetic pathways for several amino acids and cofactors encoded by the bacterial genomes suggest that the symbionts may also be able to provide benefits to the hosts. A lack of host-symbiont cospeciation provides evidence for occasional horizontal transmission, so Symbiodolus' success is likely based on a mixed transmission mode. Our findings uncover a hitherto undescribed and widespread insect endosymbiont that may present valuable opportunities to unravel the molecular underpinnings of symbiosis establishment and maintenance.},
}

*Symbiosis
Animals
*Enterobacteriaceae/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Female
*Insecta/microbiology
In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
Genome, Bacterial
Phylogeny

@article {pmid38874391,
year = {2024},
author = {Lin, S and Li, L and Zhou, Z and Yuan, H and Saad, OS and Tang, J and Cai, W and Yu, K and Lin, S},
title = {Higher genotypic diversity and distinct assembly mechanism of free-living Symbiodiniaceae assemblages than sympatric coral-endosymbiotic assemblages in a tropical coral reef.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {12},
number = {8},
pages = {e0051424},
pmid = {38874391},
issn = {2165-0497},
support = {GHYF2022008//Hainan Science and Technology Cooperation Project/ ; },
mesh = {*Dinoflagellida/genetics/classification/physiology ; *Coral Reefs ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Anthozoa/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; *Genotype ; China ; Phylogeny ; Sympatry ; },
abstract = {While in hospite Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates are essential for coral health, ambient free-living counterparts are crucial for coral recruitment and resilience. Comparing free-living and in hospite Symbiodiniaceae communities can potentially provide insights into endosymbiont acquisition and recurrent recruitment in bleaching recovery. In this study, we studied coral-endosymbiotic and ambient free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities in the South China Sea. We collected samples from 183 coral and ambient plankton samples and conducted metabarcoding to investigate the diversity distribution, driving factors, and assembly mechanisms of the two groups of Symbiodiniaceae. Results revealed Cladocopium C1 and Durusdinium D1 as dominant genotypes. We detected a higher genotypic diversity in free-living than in hospite symbiodiniacean communities, but with shared dominant genotypes. This indicates a genetically diverse pool of Symbiodiniaceae available for recruitment by corals. Strikingly, we found that the cooler area had more Symbiodiniaceae thermosensitive genotypes, whereas the warmer area had more Symbiodiniaceae thermotolerant genotypes. Furthermore, in hospite and free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities were similarly affected by environmental factors, but shaped by different assembly mechanisms. The in hospite communities were controlled mainly by deterministic processes, whereas the ambient communities by stochastic processes. This study sheds light on the genetic diversity of source environmental Symbiodiniaceae and differential assembly mechanisms influencing Symbiodiniaceae inside and outside corals.IMPORTANCESymbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates play a pivotal role as key primary producers within coral reef ecosystems. Coral-endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae communities have been extensively studied, but relatively little work has been reported on the free-living Symbiodiniaceae community. Conducting a comparative analysis between sympatric coral-endosymbiotic and free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities can potentially enhance the understanding of how endosymbiont communities change in response to changing environments and the mechanisms driving these changes. Our findings shed light on the genetic diversity of source environmental Symbiodiniaceae and differential assembly mechanisms shaping free-living and in hospite Symbiodiniaceae communities, with implications in evaluating the adaptive and resilient capacity of corals in response to future climate change.},
}

*Dinoflagellida/genetics/classification/physiology
*Coral Reefs
Animals
*Symbiosis
*Anthozoa/genetics
*Genetic Variation
*Genotype
China
Phylogeny
Sympatry

@article {pmid38877196,
year = {2024},
author = {Hague, MTJ and Wheeler, TB and Cooper, BS},
title = {Comparative analysis of Wolbachia maternal transmission and localization in host ovaries.},
journal = {Communications biology},
volume = {7},
number = {1},
pages = {727},
pmid = {38877196},
issn = {2399-3642},
support = {P30 GM140963/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM124701/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; 2145195//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; R35GM124701//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; Animals ; Female ; *Ovary/microbiology ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Temperature ; Oocytes/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Many insects and other animals carry microbial endosymbionts that influence their reproduction and fitness. These relationships only persist if endosymbionts are reliably transmitted from one host generation to the next. Wolbachia are maternally transmitted endosymbionts found in most insect species, but transmission rates can vary across environments. Maternal transmission of wMel Wolbachia depends on temperature in natural Drosophila melanogaster hosts and in transinfected Aedes aegypti, where wMel is used to block pathogens that cause human disease. In D. melanogaster, wMel transmission declines in the cold as Wolbachia become less abundant in host ovaries and at the posterior pole plasm (the site of germline formation) in mature oocytes. Here, we assess how temperature affects maternal transmission and underlying patterns of Wolbachia localization across 10 Wolbachia strains diverged up to 50 million years-including strains closely related to wMel-and their natural Drosophila hosts. Many Wolbachia maintain high transmission rates across temperatures, despite highly variable (and sometimes low) levels of Wolbachia in the ovaries and at the developing germline in late-stage oocytes. Identifying strains like closely related wMel-like Wolbachia with stable transmission across variable environmental conditions may improve the efficacy of Wolbachia-based biocontrol efforts as they expand into globally diverse environments.},
}

*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics
Animals
Female
*Ovary/microbiology
*Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology
*Aedes/microbiology
Symbiosis
Temperature
Oocytes/microbiology

@article {pmid38885278,
year = {2024},
author = {She, L and Shi, M and Cao, T and Yuan, H and Wang, R and Wang, W and She, Y and Wang, C and Zeng, Q and Mao, W and Zhang, Y and Wang, Y and Xi, Z and Pan, X},
title = {Wolbachia mediates crosstalk between miRNA and Toll pathways to enhance resistance to dengue virus in Aedes aegypti.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
volume = {20},
number = {6},
pages = {e1012296},
pmid = {38885278},
issn = {1553-7374},
support = {R01 AI080597/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology/immunology ; Animals ; *MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism ; *Dengue Virus/immunology ; *Dengue/immunology/virology ; Toll-Like Receptors/metabolism/immunology ; Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology/immunology ; Signal Transduction ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics/immunology ; Immunity, Innate ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {The obligate endosymbiont Wolbachia induces pathogen interference in the primary disease vector Aedes aegypti, facilitating the utilization of Wolbachia-based mosquito control for arbovirus prevention, particularly against dengue virus (DENV). However, the mechanisms underlying Wolbachia-mediated virus blockade have not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that Wolbachia activates the host cytoplasmic miRNA biogenesis pathway to suppress DENV infection. Through the suppression of the long noncoding RNA aae-lnc-2268 by Wolbachia wAlbB, aae-miR-34-3p, a miRNA upregulated by the Wolbachia strains wAlbB and wMelPop, promoted the expression of the antiviral effector defensin and cecropin genes through the Toll pathway regulator MyD88. Notably, anti-DENV resistance induced by Wolbachia can be further enhanced, with the potential to achieve complete virus blockade by increasing the expression of aae-miR-34-3p in Ae. aegypti. Furthermore, the downregulation of aae-miR-34-3p compromised Wolbachia-mediated virus blockade. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which Wolbachia establishes crosstalk between the cytoplasmic miRNA pathway and the Toll pathway via aae-miR-34-3p to strengthen antiviral immune responses against DENV. Our results will aid in the advancement of Wolbachia for arbovirus control by enhancing its virus-blocking efficiency.},
}

*Wolbachia/physiology
*Aedes/microbiology/virology/immunology
Animals
*MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism
*Dengue Virus/immunology
*Dengue/immunology/virology
Toll-Like Receptors/metabolism/immunology
Mosquito Vectors/virology/microbiology/immunology
Signal Transduction
RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics/immunology
Immunity, Innate
Symbiosis