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Trzebny A, Liberska J, Slodkowicz-Kowalska A, Dabert M. Metabarcoding reveals low prevalence of microsporidian infections in castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus). Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:26. [PMID: 35033159 PMCID: PMC8760655 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05150-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsporidia is a large group of eukaryotic obligate intracellular spore-forming parasites, of which 17 species can cause microsporidiosis in humans. Most human-infecting microsporidians belong to the genera Enterocytozoon and Encephalitozoon. To date, only five microsporidian species, including Encephalitozoon-like, have been found in hard ticks (Ixodidae) using microscopic methods, but no sequence data are available for them. Furthermore, no widespread screening for microsporidian-infected ticks based on DNA analysis has been carried out to date. Thus, in this study, we applied a recently developed DNA metabarcoding method for efficient microsporidian DNA identification to assess the role of ticks as potential vectors of microsporidian species causing diseases in humans. METHODS In total, 1070 (493 juvenile and 577 adult) unfed host-seeking Ixodes ricinus ticks collected at urban parks in the city of Poznan, Poland, and 94 engorged tick females fed on dogs and cats were screened for microsporidian DNA. Microsporidians were detected by PCR amplification and sequencing of the hypervariable V5 region of 18S rRNA gene (18S profiling) using the microsporidian-specific primer set. Tick species were identified morphologically and confirmed by amplification and sequencing of the shortened fragment of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (mini-COI). RESULTS All collected ticks were unambiguously assigned to I. ricinus. Potentially zoonotic Encephalitozoon intestinalis was identified in three fed ticks (3.2%) collected from three different dogs. In eight unfed host-seeking ticks (0.8%), including three males (1.1%), two females (0.7%) and three nymphs (0.7%), the new microsporidian sequence representing a species belonging to the genus Endoreticulatus was identified. CONCLUSIONS The lack of zoonotic microsporidians in host-seeking ticks suggests that I. ricinus is not involved in transmission of human-infecting microsporidians. Moreover, a very low occurrence of the other microsporidian species in both fed and host-seeking ticks implies that mechanisms exist to defend ticks against infection with these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Trzebny
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Justyna Liberska
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Slodkowicz-Kowalska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine I, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Miroslawa Dabert
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
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Chen L, Gao X, Li R, Zhang L, Huang R, Wang L, Song Y, Xing Z, Liu T, Nie X, Nie F, Hua S, Zhang Z, Wang F, Ma RZ, Zhang L. Complete genome of a unicellular parasite ( Antonospora locustae) and transcriptional interactions with its host locust. Microb Genom 2020; 6:mgen000421. [PMID: 32783805 PMCID: PMC7643970 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are a large group of unicellular parasites that infect insects and mammals. The simpler life cycle of microsporidia in insects provides a model system for understanding their evolution and molecular interactions with their hosts. However, no complete genome is available for insect-parasitic microsporidian species. The complete genome of Antonospora locustae, a microsporidian parasite that obligately infects insects, is reported here. The genome size of A. locustae is 3 170 203 nucleotides, composed of 17 chromosomes onto which a total of 1857 annotated genes have been mapped and detailed. A unique feature of the A. locustae genome is the presence of an ultra-low GC region of approximately 25 kb on 16 of the 17 chromosomes, in which the average GC content is only 20 %. Transcription profiling indicated that the ultra-low GC region of the parasite could be associated with differential regulation of host defences in the fat body to promote the parasite's survival and propagation. Phylogenetic gene analysis showed that A. locustae, and the microsporidian family in general, is likely at an evolutionarily transitional position between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and that it evolved independently. Transcriptomic analysis showed that A. locustae can systematically inhibit the locust phenoloxidase PPO, TCA and glyoxylate cycles, and PPAR pathways to escape melanization, and can activate host energy transfer pathways to support its reproduction in the fat body, which is an insect energy-producing organ. Our study provides a platform and model for studies of the molecular mechanisms of microsporidium-host interactions in an energy-producing organ and for understanding the evolution of microsporidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longxin Chen
- Key Laboratory for Biological Control, The Ministry of Agriculture of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Xingke Gao
- Key Laboratory for Biological Control, The Ministry of Agriculture of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Runting Li
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, PR China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, PR China
| | - Limeng Zhang
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, PR China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, PR China
| | - Rui Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Linqing Wang
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, PR China
| | - Yue Song
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, PR China
| | - Zhenzhen Xing
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, PR China
| | - Ting Liu
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, PR China
| | - Xiaoning Nie
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, PR China
| | - Fangyuan Nie
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Shuang Hua
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130112, PR China
| | - Zihan Zhang
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, PR China
| | - Feng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Runlin Z. Ma
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou 450044, PR China
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Long Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biological Control, The Ministry of Agriculture of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
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Wijayawardene NN, Pawłowska J, Letcher PM, Kirk PM, Humber RA, Schüßler A, Wrzosek M, Muszewska A, Okrasińska A, Istel Ł, Gęsiorska A, Mungai P, Lateef AA, Rajeshkumar KC, Singh RV, Radek R, Walther G, Wagner L, Walker C, Wijesundara DSA, Papizadeh M, Dolatabadi S, Shenoy BD, Tokarev YS, Lumyong S, Hyde KD. Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota). FUNGAL DIVERS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13225-018-0409-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Hajek AE, Solter LF, Maddox JV, Huang WF, Estep AS, Krawczyk G, Weber DC, Hoelmer KA, Sanscrainte ND, Becnel JJ. Nosema maddoxi sp. nov. (Microsporidia, Nosematidae), a Widespread Pathogen of the Green Stink Bug Chinavia hilaris (Say) and the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål). J Eukaryot Microbiol 2017; 65:315-330. [PMID: 28984006 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We describe a unique microsporidian species that infects the green stink bug, Chinavia hilaris; the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys; the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus; and the dusky stink bug, Euschistus tristigmus. All life stages are unikaryotic, but analysis of the consensus small subunit region of the ribosomal gene places this microsporidium in the genus Nosema, which historically has been characterized by diplokaryotic life stages. It is also characterized by having the reversed arrangement of the ribosomal gene (LSU -ITS- SSU) found in species within the "true Nosema" clade. This microsporidium is apparently Holarctic in distribution. It is present in H. halys both where it is native in Asia and where it is invasive in North America, as well as in samples of North American native C. hilaris collected prior to the introduction of H. halys from Asia. Prevalence in H. halys from mid-Atlantic, North America in 2015-2016 ranged from 0.0% to 28.3%, while prevalence in C. hilaris collected in Illinois in 1970-1972 ranged from 14.3% to 58.8%. Oral infectivity and pathogenicity were confirmed in H. halys and C. hilaris. Morphological, ultrastructural, and ecological features of the microsporidium, together with a molecular phylogeny, establish a new species named Nosema maddoxi sp. nov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann E Hajek
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853-2601, USA
| | - Leellen F Solter
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, 61820, USA
| | - Joseph V Maddox
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, 61820, USA
| | - Wei-Fone Huang
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Alden S Estep
- Navy Entomology Center of Excellence, Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, 32212, USA.,Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology - CMAVE (USDA, ARS), Gainesville, Florida, 32608, USA
| | - Grzegorz Krawczyk
- Department of Entomology, Fruit Research and Extension Center, Pennsylvania State University, Biglerville, Pennsylvania, 17307, USA
| | - Donald C Weber
- USDA ARS Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, 20705, USA
| | - Kim A Hoelmer
- USDA ARS Beneficial Insect Introduction Research Unit, Newark, Delaware, 19713, USA
| | - Neil D Sanscrainte
- Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology - CMAVE (USDA, ARS), Gainesville, Florida, 32608, USA
| | - James J Becnel
- Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology - CMAVE (USDA, ARS), Gainesville, Florida, 32608, USA
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Ardila-Garcia AM, Raghuram N, Sihota P, Fast NM. Microsporidian Diversity in Soil, Sand, and Compost of the Pacific Northwest. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2013; 60:601-8. [DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex M. Ardila-Garcia
- Biodiversity Research Center and Department of Botany; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Nandini Raghuram
- Biodiversity Research Center and Department of Botany; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Panela Sihota
- Biodiversity Research Center and Department of Botany; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Naomi M. Fast
- Biodiversity Research Center and Department of Botany; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia Canada V6T 1Z4
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Guan R, Shen Z, Zhu F, Chen D, Zhang J, Hou J, Dong S, Tang X, Xu L. Phylogenetic characterization of a microsporidium (Nosema sp.) isolated from the mulberry pest, Hemerophila atrilineata. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2012; 59:87-92. [PMID: 22779108 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2012.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular unicellular eukaryotes that can parasitize a wide variety of other eukaryotes ranging from protists to invertebrates and vertebrates. In this study, we examined the microsporidium Nosema sp. isolated from the mulberry pest, Hemerophila atrilineata Butler, 1881, named herein "Nosema sp. HA". The fresh spores were long oval in shape, 3.8 +/- 0.4 microm in length and 1.9 +/- 0.3 microm in width. Analysis of tissue infection of silkworm, Bombyx mori Linnaeus, 1758, indicated that the midgut, Malpighian tubules, muscle, fat body, silk glands, hemocytes, nerve tissue and gonads of silkworm were infected with Nosema sp. HA. The complete rRNA gene sequence of this microsporidium contained 4 305 base pairs (GenBank Accession JN882299), including the large subunit rRNA (2492 bp), the internal transcribed spacer (187 bp), the small subunit rRNA (1232 bp), the intergenic spacer (279 bp) and the 5S region (115 bp). The organization of the rRNA gene is 5'-LSU-ITS-SSU-IGS-5S-3'. Phylogenetic analysis, comparison of sequence identities and the arrangement in the rRNA gene subunits suggested that this isolate is separate from other Nosema species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Guan
- Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212018, Jiangsu Province, China
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Phylogenetic characterization of a microsporidium (Nosema sp. MPr) isolated from the Pieris rapae. Parasitol Res 2012; 111:263-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2829-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 01/13/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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