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Boscaro V, James ER, Fiorito R, Del Campo J, Scheffrahn RH, Keeling PJ. Updated classification of the phylum Parabasalia. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024; 71:e13035. [PMID: 38825738 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
The phylum Parabasalia includes very diverse single-cell organisms that nevertheless share a distinctive set of morphological traits. Most are harmless or beneficial gut symbionts of animals, but some have turned into parasites in other body compartments, the most notorious example being Trichomonas vaginalis in humans. Parabasalians have garnered attention for their nutritional symbioses with termites, their modified anaerobic mitochondria (hydrogenosomes), their character evolution, and the wholly unique features of some species. The molecular revolution confirmed the monophyly of Parabasalia, but considerably changed our view of their internal relationships, prompting a comprehensive reclassification 14 years ago. This classification has remained authoritative for many subgroups despite a greatly expanded pool of available data, but the large number of species and sequences that have since come out allow for taxonomic refinements in certain lineages, which we undertake here. We aimed to introduce as little disruption as possible but at the same time ensure that most taxa are truly monophyletic, and that the larger clades are subdivided into meaningful units. In doing so, we also highlighted correlations between the phylogeny of parabasalians and that of their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Boscaro
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Erick R James
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rebecca Fiorito
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Javier Del Campo
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Patrick J Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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2
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Gile GH. Protist symbionts of termites: diversity, distribution, and coevolution. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:622-652. [PMID: 38105542 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The symbiosis between termites and their hindgut protists is mutually obligate and vertically inherited. It was established by the late Jurassic in the cockroach ancestors of termites as they transitioned to wood feeding. Since then, protist symbionts have been transmitted from host generation to host generation by proctodeal trophallaxis (anal feeding). The protists belong to multiple lineages within the eukaryotic superphylum Metamonada. Most of these lineages have evolved large cells with complex morphology, unlike the non-termite-associated Metamonada. The species richness and taxonomic composition of symbiotic protist communities varies widely across termite lineages, especially within the deep-branching clade Teletisoptera. In general, closely related termites tend to harbour closely related protists, and deep-branching termites tend to harbour deep-branching protists, reflecting their broad-scale co-diversification. A closer view, however, reveals a complex distribution of protist lineages across hosts. Some protist taxa are common, some are rare, some are widespread, and some are restricted to a single host family or genus. Some protist taxa can be found in only a few, distantly related, host species. Thus, the long history of co-diversification in this symbiosis has been complicated by lineage-specific loss of symbionts, transfer of symbionts from one host lineage to another, and by independent diversification of the symbionts relative to their hosts. This review aims to introduce the biology of this important symbiosis and serve as a gateway to the diversity and systematics literature for both termites and protists. A searchable database with all termite-protist occurrence records and taxonomic references is provided as a supplementary file to encourage and facilitate new research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian H Gile
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
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Dar MA, Xie R, Zabed HM, Ali S, Zhu D, Sun J. Termite Microbial Symbiosis as a Model for Innovative Design of Lignocellulosic Future Biorefinery: Current Paradigms and Future Perspectives. BIOMASS 2024; 4:180-201. [DOI: 10.3390/biomass4010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The hunt for renewable and alternative fuels has driven research towards the biological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) into biofuels, including bioethanol and biohydrogen. Among the natural biomass utilization systems (NBUS), termites represent a unique and easy-to-access model system to study host–microbe interactions towards lignocellulose bioconversion/valorization. Termites have gained significant interest due to their highly efficient lignocellulolytic systems. The wood-feeding termites apply a unique and stepwise process for the hydrolysis of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose via biocatalytic processes; therefore, mimicking their digestive metabolism and physiochemical gut environments might lay the foundation for an innovative design of nature-inspired biotechnology. This review highlights the gut system of termites, particularly the wood-feeding species, as a unique model for future biorefinery. The gut system of termites is a treasure-trove for prospecting novel microbial species, including protists, bacteria, and fungi, having higher biocatalytic efficiencies and biotechnological potentials. The significance of potential bacteria and fungi for harnessing the enzymes appropriate for lignocellulosic biorefinery is also discussed. Termite digestomes are rich sources of lignocellulases and related enzymes that could be utilized in various industrial processes and biomass-related applications. Consideration of the host and symbiont as a single functioning unit will be one of the most crucial strategies to expedite developments in termite-modeled biotechnology in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudasir A. Dar
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Rongrong Xie
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Hossain M. Zabed
- School of Life Science, Guangzhou University, 230 Wai Huan Xi Road, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shehbaz Ali
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Daochen Zhu
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Jianzhong Sun
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
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König H, Li L, Fröhlich J. The cellulolytic system of the termite gut. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2013; 97:7943-62. [PMID: 23900801 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-013-5119-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Revised: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The demand for the usage of natural renewable polymeric material is increasing in order to satisfy the future needs for energy and chemical precursors. Important steps in the hydrolysis of polymeric material and bioconversion can be performed by microorganisms. Over about 150 million years, termites have optimized their intestinal polysaccharide-degrading symbiosis. In the ecosystem of the "termite gut," polysaccharides are degraded from lignocellulose, such as cellulose and hemicelluloses, in 1 day, while lignin is only weakly attacked. The understanding of the principles of cellulose degradation in this natural polymer-degrading ecosystem could be helpful for the improvement of the biotechnological hydrolysis and conversion of cellulose, e.g., in the case of biogas production from natural renewable plant material in biogas plants. This review focuses on the present knowledge of the cellulose degradation in the termite gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut König
- Institute of Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, 55099, Mainz, Germany.
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Noda S, Mantini C, Meloni D, Inoue JI, Kitade O, Viscogliosi E, Ohkuma M. Molecular phylogeny and evolution of parabasalia with improved taxon sampling and new protein markers of actin and elongation factor-1α. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29938. [PMID: 22253832 PMCID: PMC3253790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inferring the evolutionary history of phylogenetically isolated, deep-branching groups of taxa—in particular determining the root—is often extraordinarily difficult because their close relatives are unavailable as suitable outgroups. One of these taxonomic groups is the phylum Parabasalia, which comprises morphologically diverse species of flagellated protists of ecological, medical, and evolutionary significance. Indeed, previous molecular phylogenetic analyses of members of this phylum have yielded conflicting and possibly erroneous inferences. Furthermore, many species of Parabasalia are symbionts in the gut of termites and cockroaches or parasites and therefore formidably difficult to cultivate, rendering available data insufficient. Increasing the numbers of examined taxa and informative characters (e.g., genes) is likely to produce more reliable inferences. Principal Findings Actin and elongation factor-1α genes were identified newly from 22 species of termite-gut symbionts through careful manipulations and seven cultured species, which covered major lineages of Parabasalia. Their protein sequences were concatenated and analyzed with sequences of previously and newly identified glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and the small-subunit rRNA gene. This concatenated dataset provided more robust phylogenetic relationships among major groups of Parabasalia and a more plausible new root position than those previously reported. Conclusions/Significance We conclude that increasing the number of sampled taxa as well as the addition of new sequences greatly improves the accuracy and robustness of the phylogenetic inference. A morphologically simple cell is likely the ancient form in Parabasalia as opposed to a cell with elaborate flagellar and cytoskeletal structures, which was defined as most basal in previous inferences. Nevertheless, the evolution of Parabasalia is complex owing to several independent multiplication and simplification events in these structures. Therefore, systematics based solely on morphology does not reflect the evolutionary history of parabasalids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Noda
- Microbe Division/Japan Collection of Microorganisms, RIKEN BioResource Center, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
- * E-mail: (SN); (MO)
| | - Cléa Mantini
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France, and Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, and University Lille – Nord de France, Lille, France
| | - Dionigia Meloni
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France, and Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, and University Lille – Nord de France, Lille, France
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Experimental and Clinical Microbiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Jun-Ichi Inoue
- Microbe Division/Japan Collection of Microorganisms, RIKEN BioResource Center, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Osamu Kitade
- Natural History Laboratory, College of Science, Ibaraki University, Mito, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Eric Viscogliosi
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France, and Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, and University Lille – Nord de France, Lille, France
| | - Moriya Ohkuma
- Microbe Division/Japan Collection of Microorganisms, RIKEN BioResource Center, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- * E-mail: (SN); (MO)
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König H, Li L, Wenzel M, Fröhlich J. Bacterial ectosymbionts which confer motility: Mixotricha paradoxa from the intestine of the Australian termite Mastotermes darwiniensis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2006; 41:77-96. [PMID: 16623390 DOI: 10.1007/3-540-28221-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Helmut König
- Institute of Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Becherweg 15, 55099 Mainz, Germany.
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Cepicka I, Hampl V, Kulda J, Flegr J. New evolutionary lineages, unexpected diversity, and host specificity in the parabasalid genus Tetratrichomonas. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2006; 39:542-51. [PMID: 16473027 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2005] [Revised: 12/12/2005] [Accepted: 01/05/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We studied morphological and molecular polymorphism of 53 Tetratrichomonas isolates obtained from amphibian, reptilian, mammalian hosts, and from a slug with the aid of protargol staining and analyses of ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2, SSU rRNA, and alpha-tubulin gene sequences. The phylogenetic tree based on the concatenate of all sequences showed the monophyly of the genus Tetratrichomonas with respect to the genus Trichomonas. Our data suggest that two parabasalid genera, Pentatrichomonoides and Trichomonoides, may belong to the genus Tetratrichomonas. Tetratrichomonas isolates were divided into 16 robust host-specific and monophyletic groups that probably represent separate, mostly new, species. As only five Tetratrichomonas species were described from the examined host taxa so far, our study uncovered considerable species diversity within the genus. The wide host range, high level of species-specific host specificity, and newly revealed biodiversity make the genus Tetratrichomonas a valuable model for studying evolution of parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Cepicka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Ohkuma M, Iida T, Ohtoko K, Yuzawa H, Noda S, Viscogliosi E, Kudo T. Molecular phylogeny of parabasalids inferred from small subunit rRNA sequences, with emphasis on the Hypermastigea. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2005; 35:646-55. [PMID: 15878133 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2005.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2004] [Revised: 02/03/2005] [Accepted: 02/21/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Small subunit rRNA gene sequences were identified without cultivation from parabasalid symbionts of termites belonging to the hypermastigid orders Trichonymphida (the genera Hoplonympha, Staurojoenina, Teranympha, and Eucomonympha) and Spirotrichonymphida (Spirotrichonymphella), and from four yet-unidentified parabasalid symbionts of the termite Incisitermes minor. All these new sequences were analyzed by Bayesian, likelihood, and parsimony methods in a broad phylogeny including all identified parabasalid sequences available in databases and some as yet unidentified sequences probably derived from hypermastigids. A salient point of our study focused on hypermastigids was the polyphyly of this class. We also noted a clear dichotomy between Trichonymphida and the other parabasalid taxa. However, this hypermastigid order was apparently polyphyletic, probably reflecting its morphological diversity. Among Trichonymphida, Teranympha (Teranymphidae) grouped together with the members of the family Eucomonymphidae, suggesting that its family status is ambiguous. The monophyletic lineage composed by Spirotrichonymphida exhibited a narrower branching pattern than Trichonymphida. The root of parabasalids was examined but could not be discerned accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriya Ohkuma
- Environmental Molecular Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
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9
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Brugerolle G, Bordereau C. The flagellates of the termite Hodotermopsis sjoestedti with special reference to Hoplonympha, Holomastigotes and Trichomonoides trypanoides n. comb. Eur J Protistol 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2004.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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10
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Li L, Fröhlich J, Pfeiffer P, König H. Termite gut symbiotic archaezoa are becoming living metabolic fossils. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2004; 2:1091-8. [PMID: 14555492 PMCID: PMC219358 DOI: 10.1128/ec.2.5.1091-1098.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Over the course of several million years, the eukaryotic gut symbionts of lower termites have become adapted to a cellulolytic environment. Up to now it has been believed that they produce nutriments using their own cellulolytic enzymes for the benefit of their termite host. However, we have now isolated two endoglucanases with similar apparent molecular masses of approximately 36 kDa from the not yet culturable symbiotic Archaezoa living in the hindgut of the most primitive Australian termite, Mastotermes darwiniensis. The N-terminal sequences of these cellulases exhibited significant homology to cellulases of termite origin, which belong to glycosyl hydrolase family 9. The corresponding genes were detected not in the mRNA pool of the flagellates but in the salivary glands of M. darwiniensis. This showed that cellulases isolated from the flagellate cells originated from the termite host. By use of a PCR-based approach, DNAs encoding cellulases belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 45 were obtained from micromanipulated nuclei of the flagellates Koruga bonita and Deltotrichonympha nana. These results indicated that the intestinal flagellates of M. darwiniensis take up the termite's cellulases from gut contents. K. bonita and D. nana possess at least their own endoglucanase genes, which are still expressed, but without significant enzyme activity in the nutritive vacuole. These findings give the impression that the gut Archaezoa are heading toward a secondary loss of their own endoglucanases and that they use exclusively termite cellulases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Institute of Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, D-55099 Mainz, Germany.
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11
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Ohkuma M. Termite symbiotic systems: efficient bio-recycling of lignocellulose. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2003; 61:1-9. [PMID: 12658509 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-002-1189-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2002] [Revised: 11/04/2002] [Accepted: 11/08/2002] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Termites thrive in great abundance in terrestrial ecosystems and play important roles in biorecycling of lignocellulose. Together with their microbial symbionts, they efficiently decompose lignocellulose. In so-called lower termites, a dual decomposing system, consisting of the termite's own cellulases and those of its gut protists, was elucidated at the molecular level. Higher termites degrade cellulose apparently using only their own enzymes, because of the absence of symbiotic protists. Termite gut prokaryotes efficiently support lignocellulose degradation. However, culture-independent molecular studies have revealed that the majority of these gut symbionts have not yet been cultivated, and that the gut symbiotic community shows a highly structured spatial organization. In situ localization of individual populations and their functional interactions are important to understand the nature of symbioses in the gut. In contrast to cellulose, lignin degradation does not appear to be important in the gut of wood-feeding termites. Soil-feeding termites decompose humic substances in soil at least partly, but little is known about the decomposition. Fungus-growing termites are successful in the almost complete decomposition of lignocellulose in a sophisticated cooperation with basidiomycete fungi cultivated in their nest. A detailed understanding of efficient biorecycling systems, such as that for lignocellulose, and the symbioses that provide this efficiency will benefit applied microbiology and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ohkuma
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Division, Bioscience Technology Center, RIKEN and ICORP, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
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Wenzel M, Radek R, Brugerolle G, König H. Identification of the ectosymbiotic bacteria of Mixotricha paradoxa involved in movement symbiosis. Eur J Protistol 2003. [DOI: 10.1078/0932-4739-00893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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13
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Gerbod D, Edgcomb VP, Noël C, Zenner L, Wintjens R, Delgado-Viscogliosi P, Holder ME, Sogin ML, Viscogliosi E. Phylogenetic position of the trichomonad parasite of turkeys, Histomonas meleagridis (Smith) Tyzzer, inferred from small subunit rRNA sequence. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2001; 48:498-504. [PMID: 11456328 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2001.tb00185.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The phylogenetic position of the trichomonad, Histomonas meleagridis was determined by analysis of small subunit rRNAs. Molecular trees including all identified parabasalid sequences available in data bases were inferred by distance, parsimony, and likelihood methods. All reveal a close relationship between H. meleagridis, and Dientamoeba fragilis. Moreover, small subunit rRNAs of both amoeboid species have a reduced G + C content and increased chain length relative to other parabasalids. Finally, the rRNA genes from H. meleagridis and D. fragilis share a recent common ancestor with Tritrichomonasfoetus, which exhibits a more developed cytoskeleton. This indicates that Histomonas and Dientamoeba secondarily lost most of the typical trichomonad cytoskeletal structures and hence, do not represent primitive morphologies. A global phylogeny of parabasalids revealed significant discrepancies with morphology-based classifications, such as the polyphyly of most of the parabasalid families and classes included in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gerbod
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, INSERM Unité 547, France
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14
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Ohkuma M, Ohtoko K, Iida T, Tokura M, Moriya S, Usami R, Horikoshi K, Kudo T. Phylogenetic identification of hypermastigotes, Pseudotrichonympha, Spirotrichonympha, Holomastigotoides, and parabasalian symbionts in the hindgut of termites. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2000; 47:249-59. [PMID: 10847341 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2000.tb00044.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The phylogenetic diversity of parabasalian flagellates was examined based on the sequences of small subunit ribosomal RNA genes amplified directly from the mixed population of flagellates in the hindgut of lower termites. In total, 33 representative sequences of parabasalids were recovered from eight termite species. Fluorescent-labeled oligonucleotide probes specific for certain sequences were designed and used for the in situ identification of parabasalian species by whole-cell hybridization. The hypermastigotes, Pseudotrichonympha grassii, Spirotrichonympha leidyi, and Holomastigotoides mirabile in the hindgut of Coptotermes formosanus, and Spirotrichonympha sp. and Trichonympha spp. in Hodotermopsis sjoestedti were identified. In the phylogenetic tree constructed, the sequences from the termites were dispersed within the groups of known members of parabasalids, reflecting the presence of diverse parabasalids in the hindgut of termites. There were three paraphyletic lineages of hypermastigotes represented by Pseudotrichonympha, Trichonympha, and Spirotrichonympha, in agreement with the morphology-based taxonomic groups. The analysis of the tree-root suggested that the Pseudotrichonympha group is the most probable ancient lineage of parabasalids and that the Trichonympha group is the secondly deep-branching lineage. The Spirotrichonympha group and the Trichomonadida may have emerged later.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ohkuma
- RIKEN (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), Wako, Saitama, Japan.
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15
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Brugerolle G. A microscopical investigation of the genus Foaina, a parabasalid protist symbiotic in termites and phylogenetic considerations. Eur J Protistol 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s0932-4739(00)80018-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Fröhlich J, König H. Rapid isolation of single microbial cells from mixed natural and laboratory populations with the aid of a micromanipulator. Syst Appl Microbiol 1999; 22:249-57. [PMID: 10390876 DOI: 10.1016/s0723-2020(99)80072-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
In order to facilitate the isolation of pure cultures from natural habitats we have developed a method for the isolation of single microbial cell clones from a mixed population, e.g. the flora of the termite gut, with the aid of a modern micromanipulator. The separated single prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells were grown after transfer in culture media or they were used for single cell PCR. The micromanipulator was also applied for the removal of nuclei from protozoa, of which the SSU rDNA was directly amplified.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fröhlich
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Weinforschung, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany.
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Fröhlich J, König H. Ethidium bromide: a fast fluorescent staining procedure for the detection of symbiotic partnership of flagellates and prokaryotes. J Microbiol Methods 1999; 35:121-7. [PMID: 10192044 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-7012(98)00105-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The hindgut of 'lower' termites harbors a dense population of flagellates and bacteria. The flagellates possess ecto- and endosymbiotic prokaryotes. Most of them are hardly visible in the phase contrast microscope. Staining with the DNA-intercalating agent ethidium bromide visualizes the nuclei of the flagellates as well as the ecto- and endosymbiotic bacteria as red objects. Furthermore, it is possible to distinguish between endosymbiotic methanogens and other bacteria. Following UV excitation, the blue-green autofluorescence of the methanogenic bacteria eclipses the red fluorescence light of the intercalated ethidium bromide. The dye facilitates the observation of symbiotic bacteria and helps identify the number, shape, localization, and dividing status of the nuclei. Thus, it is a powerful tool for the examination of microorganisms in complex habitats, which are rich in strongly autofluorescent material, like wood.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fröhlich
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Weinforschung, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany.
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18
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Edgcomb V, Viscogliosi E, Simpson AG, Delgado-Viscogliosi P, Roger AJ, Sogin ML. New Insights into the Phylogeny of Trichomonads Inferred from Small Subunit rRNA Sequences. Protist 1998. [DOI: 10.1016/s1434-4610(98)70042-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Ohkuma M, Ohtoko K, Grunau C, Moriya S, Kudo T. Phylogenetic identification of the symbiotic hypermastigote Trichonympha agilis in the hindgut of the termite Reticulitermes speratus based on small-subunit rRNA sequence. J Eukaryot Microbiol 1998; 45:439-44. [PMID: 9703680 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1998.tb05096.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The phylogeny of a symbiotic hypermastigote Trichonympha agilis (class Parabasalia; order Hypermastigida) in the hindgut of the lower termite Reticulitermes speratus was examined by a strategy that does not rely on cultivation. From mixed-population DNA obtained from the termite gut, small subunit (16S-like) ribosomal RNA sequences were directly amplified by the polymerase chain reaction method using primers specific for eukaryotes. Comparative sequence analysis of the clones revealed two kinds of sequences, one from the termite itself and the other from a symbiotic protist. A fluorescent-labeled oligonucleotide probe for the latter sequence was designed and used in whole-cell hybridization experiments to provide direct visual evidence that the sequence originated from a larger hypermastigote in the termite hindgut, Trichonympha agilis. According to the phylogenetic trees constructed, the hypermastigote represented one of the deepest branches of eukaryotes. The hypermastigote along with members of the order Trichomonadida formed a monophyletic lineage, indicating that this hypermastigote and trichomonads shared a recent common ancestry.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ohkuma
- Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Saitama, Japan.
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Moriya S, Ohkuma M, Kudo T. Phylogenetic position of symbiotic protist Dinenympha [correction of Dinemympha] exilis in the hindgut of the termite Reticulitermes speratus inferred from the protein phylogeny of elongation factor 1 alpha. Gene 1998; 210:221-7. [PMID: 9573371 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(98)00078-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The phylogenetic position of the symbiotic oxymonad Dinenympha exilis, found in the hindgut of the lower termite Reticulitermes speratus, was determined by analysis of translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha). cDNA corresponding to a major part of the amino acid coding region of EF-1 alpha mRNA was amplified by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method from total mRNA of termite hindgut microorganisms without cultivation. The product was cloned into a plasmid vector, pGEM-T, and the clones were isolated and sequenced. One of the EF-1 alpha clones isolated was assigned to the protist D. exilis by whole-cell in-situ hybridization using a specific oligonucleotide probe with enzymatic signal amplification. The deduced amino acid sequence was aligned with those of other eukaryotic and archaeabacterial EF-1 alpha s, and the phylogenetic relationships among early branching eukaryotes were inferred by using the distance matrix method and the maximum parsimony method. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the D. exilis offshoot occurred before mitochondria-containing organisms and D. exilis branched out after the diplomonads clade. These results indicate that the oxymonad D. exilis is one of the early branching organisms and suggest that the oxymonads form a lineage independent of other early branching organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Moriya
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Saitama, Japan.
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Vanácová S, Tachezy J, Kulda J, Flegr J. Characterization of trichomonad species and strains by PCR fingerprinting. J Eukaryot Microbiol 1997; 44:545-52. [PMID: 9435127 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1997.tb05960.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used for phylogenetic analysis of trichomonads, for intraspecies genealogical study of Trichomonas vaginalis strains, and for assessment of intrastrain polymorphism in Trichomonas vaginalis. The phylogenetic tree for 12 trichomonad species showed certain discrepancies with current models of trichomonad evolution. However, it shows that RAPD traits retain phylogenetically relevant information. The results of intraspecies analyses of 18 Trichomonas vaginalis strains suggested some concordance between the genetic relationship of strains and their geographic origin. They also suggested a concordance between the strain genetic relationships and the resistance to metronidazole. A concordance was also found with respect to the severity of disease observed in donor patients but not with the results of laboratory virulence assays. No concordance was found between genetic relationship of strains and strain infection with a dsRNA Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV). The latter suggests that TVV might be transmitted horizontally among Trichomonas vaginalis populations. The identity of RAPD patterns of clones isolated from in vitro cultures and those of the cultures reisolated independently from the same patient within a period of six weeks suggests that individual Trichomonas vaginalis strains are not polymorphic and that the RAPD patterns are stable. Therefore, the RAPD technique seems useful for addressing various clinically relevant issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Vanácová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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RÖSEL JOACHIM, RADEK RENATE, HAUSMANN KLAUS. Ultrastructure of the Trichomonad Flagellate Stephanonympha nelumbium. J Eukaryot Microbiol 1996. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1996.tb04511.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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