1
|
Vaccaro F, Passeri I, Ajijah N, Bettini P, Courty PE, Dębiec-Andrzejewska K, Joshi N, Kowalewska Ł, Stasiuk R, Musiałowski M, Pranaw K, Mengoni A. Genotype-by-genotype interkingdom cross-talk between symbiotic nitrogen fixing Sinorhizobium meliloti strains and Trichoderma species. Microbiol Res 2024; 285:127768. [PMID: 38820702 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
In the understanding of the molecular interaction between plants and their microbiome, a key point is to identify simplified models of the microbiome including relevant bacterial and fungal partners which could also be effective in plant growth promotion. Here, as proof-of-concept, we aim to identify the possible molecular interactions between symbiotic nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and soil fungi (Trichoderma spp.), hence shed light on synergistic roles rhizospheric fungi could have in the biology of symbiotic nitrogen fixation bacteria. We selected 4 strains of the model rhizobium Sinorhizobium meliloti and 4 Trichoderma species (T. velutinum, T. tomentosum, T. gamsii and T. harzianum). In an experimental scheme of 4 ×4 strains x species combinations, we investigated the rhizobia physiological and transcriptomic responses elicited by fungal spent media, as well as spent media effects on rhizobia-host legume plant (alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.) symbiosis. Fungal spent media had large effects on rhizobia, specific for each fungal species and rhizobial strains combination, indicating a generalized rhizobia genotype x fungal genotype interaction, including synergistic, neutral and antagonistic effects on alfalfa symbiotic phenotypes. Differential expression of a high number of genes was shown in rhizobia strains with up to 25% of total genes differentially expressed upon treatment of cultures with fungal spent media. Percentages over total genes and type of genes differentially expressed changed according to both fungal species and rhizobial strain. To support the hypothesis of a relevant rhizobia genotype x fungal genotype interaction, a nested Likelihood Ratio Test indicated that the model considering the fungus-rhizobium interaction explained 23.4% of differentially expressed genes. Our results provide insights into molecular interactions involving nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and rhizospheric fungi, highlighting the panoply of genes and genotypic interactions (fungus, rhizobium, host plant) which may concur to plant symbiosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nur Ajijah
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Namrata Joshi
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Łucja Kowalewska
- Department of Plant Anatomy and Cytology, Institute of Plant Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Robert Stasiuk
- Department of Geomicrobiology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Musiałowski
- Department of Geomicrobiology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kumar Pranaw
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland; School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Holt JR, Cavichiolli de Oliveira N, Medina RF, Malacrinò A, Lindsey ARI. Insect-microbe interactions and their influence on organisms and ecosystems. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11699. [PMID: 39041011 PMCID: PMC11260886 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms are important associates of insect and arthropod species. Insect-associated microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, can drastically impact host physiology, ecology, and fitness, while many microbes still have no known role. Over the past decade, we have increased our knowledge of the taxonomic composition and functional roles of insect-associated microbiomes and viromes. There has been a more recent shift toward examining the complexity of microbial communities, including how they vary in response to different factors (e.g., host genome, microbial strain, environment, and time), and the consequences of this variation for the host and the wider ecological community. We provide an overview of insect-microbe interactions, the variety of associated microbial functions, and the evolutionary ecology of these relationships. We explore the influence of the environment and the interactive effects of insects and their microbiomes across trophic levels. Additionally, we discuss the potential for subsequent synergistic and reciprocal impacts on the associated microbiomes, ecological interactions, and communities. Lastly, we discuss some potential avenues for the future of insect-microbe interactions that include the modification of existing microbial symbionts as well as the construction of synthetic microbial communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Raul F. Medina
- Department of EntomologyTexas A&M University, Minnie Bell Heep CenterCollege StationTexasUSA
| | - Antonino Malacrinò
- Department of AgricultureUniversità Degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio CalabriaReggio CalabriaItaly
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Maeda GP, Kelly MK, Sundar A, Moran NA. Intracellular defensive symbiont is culturable and capable of transovarial, vertical transmission. mBio 2024; 15:e0325323. [PMID: 38712948 PMCID: PMC11237597 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03253-23] [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: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerald P. Maeda
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Mary Katherine Kelly
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Aadhunik Sundar
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Nancy A. Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Maeda GP, Kelly MK, Sundar A, Moran NA. Intracellular defensive symbiont is culturable and capable of transovarial, vertical transmission. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.05.570145. [PMID: 38106215 PMCID: PMC10723312 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.05.570145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Insects frequently form heritable associations with beneficial bacteria that are vertically transmitted from parent to offspring. Long term vertical transmission has repeatedly resulted in genome reduction and gene loss rendering many such bacteria incapable of independent culture. Among aphids, heritable endosymbionts often provide a wide range of context-specific benefits to their hosts. Although these associations have large impacts on host phenotypes, experimental approaches are often limited by an inability to independently cultivate these microbes. Here, we report the axenic culture of Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica strain WIR, a heritable bacterial endosymbiont of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum . Whole genome sequencing revealed similar genomic features and high sequence similarity to previously described strains, suggesting the cultivation techniques used here may be applicable to Ca . F. symbiotica strains from distantly related aphids. Microinjection of the isolated strain into uninfected aphids revealed that it can reinfect developing embryos, and is maintained in subsequent generations via transovarial maternal transmission. Artificially infected aphids exhibit similar phenotypic and life history traits compared to native infections, including protective effects against an entomopathogenic Fusarium species. Overall, our results show that Ca . F. symbiotica may be a useful tool for experimentally probing the molecular mechanisms underlying heritable symbioses and antifungal defense in the pea aphid system. IMPORTANCE Diverse eukaryotic organisms form stable, symbiotic relationships with bacteria that provide benefits to their hosts. While these associations are often biologically important, they can be difficult to probe experimentally, because intimately host-associated bacteria are difficult to access within host tissues, and most cannot be cultured. This is especially true of the intracellular, maternally inherited bacteria associated with many insects, including aphids. Here, we demonstrate that a pea aphid-associated strain of the heritable endosymbiont, Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica, can be grown outside of its host using standard microbiology techniques, and can readily re-establish infection that is maintained across host generations. These artificial infections recapitulate the effects of native infections making this host-symbiont pair a useful experimental system. Using this system, we demonstrate that Ca . F. symbiotica infection reduces host fitness under benign conditions, but protects against a previously unreported fungal pathogen.
Collapse
|
5
|
Patel V, Lynn-Bell N, Chevignon G, Kucuk RA, Higashi CHV, Carpenter M, Russell JA, Oliver KM. Mobile elements create strain-level variation in the services conferred by an aphid symbiont. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:3333-3348. [PMID: 37864320 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Heritable, facultative symbionts are common in arthropods, often functioning in host defence. Despite moderately reduced genomes, facultative symbionts retain evolutionary potential through mobile genetic elements (MGEs). MGEs form the primary basis of strain-level variation in genome content and architecture, and often correlate with variability in symbiont-mediated phenotypes. In pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), strain-level variation in the type of toxin-encoding bacteriophages (APSEs) carried by the bacterium Hamiltonella defensa correlates with strength of defence against parasitoids. However, co-inheritance creates difficulties for partitioning their relative contributions to aphid defence. Here we identified isolates of H. defensa that were nearly identical except for APSE type. When holding H. defensa genotype constant, protection levels corresponded to APSE virulence module type. Results further indicated that APSEs move repeatedly within some H. defensa clades providing a mechanism for rapid evolution in anti-parasitoid defences. Strain variation in H. defensa also correlates with the presence of a second symbiont Fukatsuia symbiotica. Predictions that nutritional interactions structured this coinfection were not supported by comparative genomics, but bacteriocin-containing plasmids unique to co-infecting strains may contribute to their common pairing. In conclusion, strain diversity, and joint capacities for horizontal transfer of MGEs and symbionts, are emergent players in the rapid evolution of arthropods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vilas Patel
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Nicole Lynn-Bell
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Germain Chevignon
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie des Mollusques Marins, IFREMER, La Tremblade, France
| | - Roy A Kucuk
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Melissa Carpenter
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jacob A Russell
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kerry M Oliver
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Peng L, Hoban J, Joffe J, Smith AH, Carpenter M, Marcelis T, Patel V, Lynn-Bell N, Oliver KM, Russell JA. Cryptic community structure and metabolic interactions among the heritable facultative symbionts of the pea aphid. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:1712-1730. [PMID: 37702036 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Most insects harbour influential, yet non-essential heritable microbes in their hemocoel. Communities of these symbionts exhibit low diversity. But their frequent multi-species nature raises intriguing questions on roles for symbiont-symbiont synergies in host adaptation, and on the stability of the symbiont communities, themselves. In this study, we build on knowledge of species-defined symbiont community structure across US populations of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Through extensive symbiont genotyping, we show that pea aphids' microbiomes can be more precisely defined at the symbiont strain level, with strain variability shaping five out of nine previously reported co-infection trends. Field data provide a mixture of evidence for synergistic fitness effects and symbiont hitchhiking, revealing causes and consequences of these co-infection trends. To test whether within-host metabolic interactions predict common versus rare strain-defined communities, we leveraged the high relatedness of our dominant, community-defined symbiont strains vs. 12 pea aphid-derived Gammaproteobacteria with sequenced genomes. Genomic inference, using metabolic complementarity indices, revealed high potential for cooperation among one pair of symbionts-Serratia symbiotica and Rickettsiella viridis. Applying the expansion network algorithm, through additional use of pea aphid and obligate Buchnera symbiont genomes, Serratia and Rickettsiella emerged as the only symbiont community requiring both parties to expand holobiont metabolism. Through their joint expansion of the biotin biosynthesis pathway, these symbionts may span missing gaps, creating a multi-party mutualism within their nutrient-limited, phloem-feeding hosts. Recent, complementary gene inactivation, within the biotin pathways of Serratia and Rickettsiella, raises further questions on the origins of mutualisms and host-symbiont interdependencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linyao Peng
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jessica Hoban
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jonah Joffe
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew H Smith
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Melissa Carpenter
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tracy Marcelis
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vilas Patel
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Nicole Lynn-Bell
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Kerry M Oliver
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Jacob A Russell
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Eke M, Tougeron K, Hamidovic A, Tinkeu LSN, Hance T, Renoz F. Deciphering the functional diversity of the gut microbiota of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens): recent advances and future challenges. Anim Microbiome 2023; 5:40. [PMID: 37653468 PMCID: PMC10472620 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-023-00261-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioconversion using insects is a promising strategy to convert organic waste (catering leftovers, harvest waste, food processing byproducts, etc.) into biomass that can be used for multiple applications, turned into high added-value products, and address environmental, societal and economic concerns. Due to its ability to feed on a tremendous variety of organic wastes, the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) has recently emerged as a promising insect for bioconversion of organic wastes on an industrial scale. A growing number of studies have highlighted the pivotal role of the gut microbiota in the performance and health of this insect species. This review aims to provide a critical overview of current knowledge regarding the functional diversity of the gut microbiota of H. illucens, highlighting its importance for bioconversion, food safety and the development of new biotechnological tools. After providing an overview of the different strategies that have been used to outline the microbial communities of H. illucens, we discuss the diversity of these gut microbes and the beneficial services they can provide to their insect host. Emphasis is placed on technical strategies and aspects of host biology that require special attention in the near future of research. We also argue that the singular digestive capabilities and complex gut microbiota of H. illucens make this insect species a valuable model for addressing fundamental questions regarding the interactions that insects have evolved with microorganisms. By proposing new avenues of research, this review aims to stimulate research on the microbiota of a promising insect to address the challenges of bioconversion, but also fundamental questions regarding bacterial symbiosis in insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maurielle Eke
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, PO BOX 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
| | - Kévin Tougeron
- UMR CNRS 7058 EDYSAN (Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, 80039 France
- Research Institute in Bioscience, Université de Mons, Mons, 7000 Belgium
| | - Alisa Hamidovic
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Leonard S. Ngamo Tinkeu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, PO BOX 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
| | - Thierry Hance
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - François Renoz
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, 305-8634 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zytynska SE, Sturm S, Hawes C, Weisser WW, Karley A. Floral presence and flower identity alter cereal aphid endosymbiont communities on adjacent crops. J Appl Ecol 2023; 60:1409-1423. [PMID: 38601947 PMCID: PMC11005096 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharon E. Zytynska
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Sarah Sturm
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Cathy Hawes
- Ecological Sciences DepartmentThe James Hutton InstituteDundeeUK
| | - Wolfgang W. Weisser
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Alison Karley
- Ecological Sciences DepartmentThe James Hutton InstituteDundeeUK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tian PP, Zhang YL, Huang JL, Li WY, Liu XD. Arsenophonus Interacts with Buchnera to Improve Growth Performance of Aphids under Amino Acid Stress. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0179223. [PMID: 37222634 PMCID: PMC10269474 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01792-23] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Amino acids play a crucial role in the growth and development of insects. Aphids cannot ingest enough amino acids in plant phloem to meet their requirements, and therefore, they are mainly dependent on the obligate symbiont Buchnera aphidicola to synthesize essential amino acids. Besides Buchnera, aphids may harbor another facultative symbiont, Arsenophonus, which alters the requirement of the cotton-melon aphid Aphis gossypii for amino acid. However, it is unclear how Arsenophonus regulates the requirement. Here, we found that Arsenophonus ameliorated growth performance of A. gossypii on an amino acid-deficient diet. A deficiency in lysine (Lys) or methionine (Met) led to changes in the abundance of Arsenophonus. Arsenophonus suppressed the abundance of Buchnera when aphids were fed a normal amino acid diet, but this suppression was eliminated or reversed when aphids were on a Lys- or Met-deficient diet. The relative abundance of Arsenophonus was positively correlated with that of Buchnera, but neither of them was correlated with the body weight of aphids. The relative expression levels of Lys and Met synthase genes of Buchnera were affected by the interaction between Arsenophonus infections and Buchnera abundance, especially in aphids reared on a Lys- or Met-deficient diet. Arsenophonus coexisted with Buchnera in bacteriocytes, which strengthens the interaction. IMPORTANCE The obligate symbiont Buchnera can synthesize amino acids for aphids. In this study, we found that a facultative symbiont, Arsenophonus, can help improve aphids' growth performance under amino acid deficiency stress by changing the relative abundance of Buchnera and the expression levels of amino acid synthase genes. This study highlights the interaction between Arsenophonus and Buchnera to ameliorate aphid growth under amino acid stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan-Pan Tian
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Lin Zhang
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing-Ling Huang
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wang-Yan Li
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang-Dong Liu
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Basiru S, Ait Si Mhand K, Hijri M. Disentangling arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria at the soil-root interface. MYCORRHIZA 2023; 33:119-137. [PMID: 36961605 DOI: 10.1007/s00572-023-01107-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are essential components of the plant root mycobiome and are found in approximately 80% of land plants. As obligate plant symbionts, AMF harbor their own microbiota, both inside and outside the plant root system. AMF-associated bacteria (AAB) possess various functional traits, including nitrogen fixation, organic and inorganic phosphate mobilization, growth hormone production, biofilm production, enzymatic capabilities, and biocontrol against pathogen attacks, which not only contribute to the health of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis but also promote plant growth. Because of this, there is increasing interest in the diversity, functioning, and mechanisms that underlie the complex interactions between AMF, AAB, and plant hosts. This review critically examines AMF-associated bacteria, focusing on AAB diversity, the factors driving richness and community composition of these bacteria across various ecosystems, along with the physical, chemical, and biological connections that enable AMF to select and recruit beneficial bacterial symbionts on and within their structures and hyphospheres. Additionally, potential applications of these bacteria in agriculture are discussed, emphasizing the potential importance of AMF fungal highways in engineering plant rhizosphere and endophyte bacteria communities, and the importance of a functional core of AAB taxa as a promising tool to improve plant and soil productivity. Thus, AMF and their highly diverse bacterial taxa represent important tools that could be efficiently explored in sustainable agriculture, carbon sequestration, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions related to nitrogen fertilizer applications. Nevertheless, future studies adopting integrated multidisciplinary approaches are crucial to better understand AAB functional diversity and the mechanisms that govern these tripartite relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sulaimon Basiru
- African Genome Center, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco
| | - Khadija Ait Si Mhand
- African Genome Center, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Hijri
- African Genome Center, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco.
- Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV), Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, QC, Montréal, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Terradas G, Novelo M, Metz H, Brustolin M, Rasgon JL. Anopheles albimanus is a Potential Alphavirus Vector in the Americas. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 108:412-423. [PMID: 36535260 PMCID: PMC9896319 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite its ecological flexibility and geographical co-occurrence with human pathogens, little is known about the ability of Anopheles albimanus to transmit arboviruses. To address this gap, we challenged An. albimanus females with four alphaviruses and one flavivirus and monitored the progression of infections. We found this species is an efficient vector of the alphaviruses Mayaro virus, O'nyong-nyong virus, and Sindbis virus, although the latter two do not currently exist in its habitat range. An. albimanus was able to become infected with Chikungunya virus, but virus dissemination was rare (indicating the presence of a midgut escape barrier), and no mosquito transmitted. Mayaro virus rapidly established disseminated infections in An. albimanus females and was detected in the saliva of a substantial proportion of infected mosquitoes. Consistent with previous work in other anophelines, we find that An. albimanus is refractory to infection with flaviviruses, a phenotype that did not depend on midgut-specific barriers. Our work demonstrates that An. albimanus may be a vector of neglected emerging human pathogens and adds to recent evidence that anophelines are competent vectors for diverse arboviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Terradas
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Mario Novelo
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Hillery Metz
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Marco Brustolin
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Jason L. Rasgon
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania;,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania,Address correspondence to Jason Rasgon, Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, Millennium Science Complex, Rm. W127, University Park, PA 16802. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Juottonen H, Moghadam NN, Murphy L, Mappes J, Galarza JA. Host's genetic background determines the outcome of reciprocal faecal transplantation on life-history traits and microbiome composition. Anim Microbiome 2022; 4:67. [PMID: 36564793 PMCID: PMC9789590 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-022-00210-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbes play a role in their host's fundamental ecological, chemical, and physiological processes. Host life-history traits from defence to growth are therefore determined not only by the abiotic environment and genotype but also by microbiota composition. However, the relative importance and interactive effects of these factors may vary between organisms. Such connections remain particularly elusive in Lepidoptera, which have been argued to lack a permanent microbiome and have microbiota primarily determined by their diet and environment. We tested the microbiome specificity and its influence on life-history traits of two colour genotypes of the wood tiger moth (Arctia plantaginis) that differ in several traits, including growth. All individuals were grown in the laboratory for several generations with standardized conditions. We analyzed the bacterial community of the genotypes before and after a reciprocal frass (i.e., larval faeces) transplantation and followed growth rate, pupal mass, and the production of defensive secretion. RESULTS After transplantation, the fast-growing genotype grew significantly slower compared to the controls, but the slow-growing genotype did not change its growth rate. The frass transplant also increased the volume of defensive secretions in the fast-growing genotype but did not affect pupal mass. Overall, the fast-growing genotype appeared more susceptible to the transplantation than the slow-growing genotype. Microbiome differences between the genotypes strongly suggest genotype-based selective filtering of bacteria from the diet and environment. A novel cluster of insect-associated Erysipelotrichaceae was exclusive to the fast-growing genotype, and specific Enterococcaceae were characteristic to the slow-growing genotype. These Enterococcaceae became more prevalent in the fast-growing genotype after the transplant, which suggests that a slower growth rate is potentially related to their presence. CONCLUSIONS We show that reciprocal frass transplantation can reverse some genotype-specific life-history traits in a lepidopteran host. The results indicate that genotype-specific selective filtering can fine-tune the bacterial community at specific life stages and tissues like the larval frass, even against a background of a highly variable community with stochastic assembly. Altogether, our findings suggest that the host's genotype can influence its susceptibility to being colonized by microbiota, impacting key life-history traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heli Juottonen
- grid.9681.60000 0001 1013 7965Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Neda N. Moghadam
- grid.9681.60000 0001 1013 7965Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Liam Murphy
- grid.9681.60000 0001 1013 7965Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Johanna Mappes
- grid.9681.60000 0001 1013 7965Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland ,grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikki Biocenter 3, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juan A. Galarza
- grid.9681.60000 0001 1013 7965Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland ,grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikki Biocenter 3, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hafsi A, Delatte H. Enterobactereaceae symbiont as facilitators of biological invasion: review on Tephritidae fruit flies. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02960-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
14
|
Purkiss SA, Khudr MS, Aguinaga OE, Hager R. Symbiont-conferred immunity interacts with effects of parasitoid genotype and intraguild predation to affect aphid immunity in a clone-specific fashion. BMC Ecol Evol 2022; 22:33. [PMID: 35305557 PMCID: PMC8934488 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-022-01991-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Host-parasite interactions represent complex co-evolving systems in which genetic and associated phenotypic variation within a species can significantly affect selective pressures on traits, such as host immunity, in the other. While often modelled as a two-species interaction between host and parasite, some systems are more complex due to effects of host enemies, intraguild predation, and endosymbionts, all of which affect host immunity. However, it remains unclear how these factors, combined with genetic variation in the host and the parasitoid, affect host immunity. We address this question in an important agricultural pest system, the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, which shows significant intraspecific variability in immunity to the parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi. In a complex experiment, we use a quantitative genetic design in the parasitoid, two ecologically different aphid lineages and the aphid lion Chrysoperla carnea as an intraguild predator to unravel the complex interdependencies. Results We demonstrate that aphid immunity as a key trait of this complex host-parasite system is affected by intraspecific genetic variation in the parasitoid and the aphid, the interaction of intraspecific genetic variation with intraguild predation, and differences in defensive endosymbionts between aphid lineages. Further, aphid lineages differ in their altruistic behaviour whereby infested aphids move away from the clonal colony to facilitate predation. Conclusions Our findings provide new insights into the influence of endosymbiosis and genetic variability in an important host-parasitoid system which is influenced by natural enemies of the parasitoid and the aphid, including its endosymbiont communities. We show that endosymbiosis can mediate or influence the evolutionary arms race between aphids and their natural enemies. The outcome of these complex interactions between species has significant implications for understanding the evolution of multitrophic systems, including eco-agricultural settings. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-022-01991-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Alexander Purkiss
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Mouhammad Shadi Khudr
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Oscar Enrique Aguinaga
- Departamento de Ingeniería, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Reinmar Hager
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Carpenter M, Peng L, Smith AH, Joffe J, O’Connor M, Oliver KM, Russell JA. Frequent Drivers, Occasional Passengers: Signals of Symbiont-Driven Seasonal Adaptation and Hitchhiking in the Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. INSECTS 2021; 12:805. [PMID: 34564245 PMCID: PMC8466206 DOI: 10.3390/insects12090805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Insects harbor a variety of maternally inherited bacterial symbionts. As such, variation in symbiont presence/absence, in the combinations of harbored symbionts, and in the genotypes of harbored symbiont species provide heritable genetic variation of potential use in the insects' adaptive repertoires. Understanding the natural importance of symbionts is challenging but studying their dynamics over time can help to elucidate the potential for such symbiont-driven insect adaptation. Toward this end, we studied the seasonal dynamics of six maternally transferred bacterial symbiont species in the multivoltine pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum). Our sampling focused on six alfalfa fields in southeastern Pennsylvania, and spanned 14 timepoints within the 2012 growing season, in addition to two overwintering periods. To test and generate hypotheses on the natural relevance of these non-essential symbionts, we examined whether symbiont dynamics correlated with any of ten measured environmental variables from the 2012 growing season, including some of known importance in the lab. We found that five symbionts changed prevalence across one or both overwintering periods, and that the same five species underwent such frequency shifts across the 2012 growing season. Intriguingly, the frequencies of these dynamic symbionts showed robust correlations with a subset of our measured environmental variables. Several of these trends supported the natural relevance of lab-discovered symbiont roles, including anti-pathogen defense. For a seventh symbiont-Hamiltonella defensa-studied previously across the same study periods, we tested whether a reported correlation between prevalence and temperature stemmed not from thermally varying host-level fitness effects, but from selection on co-infecting symbionts or on aphid-encoded alleles associated with this bacterium. In general, such "hitchhiking" effects were not evident during times with strongly correlated Hamiltonella and temperature shifts. However, we did identify at least one time period in which Hamiltonella spread was likely driven by selection on a co-infecting symbiont-Rickettsiella viridis. Recognizing the broader potential for such hitchhiking, we explored selection on co-infecting symbionts as a possible driver behind the dynamics of the remaining six species. Out of twelve examined instances of symbiont dynamics unfolding across 2-week periods or overwintering spans, we found eight in which the focal symbiont underwent parallel frequency shifts under single infection and one or more co-infection contexts. This supported the idea that phenotypic variation created by the presence/absence of individual symbionts is a direct target for selection, and that symbiont effects can be robust under co-habitation with other symbionts. Contrastingly, in two cases, we found that selection may target phenotypes emerging from symbiont co-infections, with specific species combinations driving overall trends for the focal dynamic symbionts, without correlated change under single infection. Finally, in three cases-including the one described above for Hamiltonella-our data suggested that incidental co-infection with a (dis)favored symbiont could lead to large frequency shifts for "passenger" symbionts, conferring no apparent cost or benefit. Such hitchhiking has rarely been studied in heritable symbiont systems. We propose that it is more common than appreciated, given the widespread nature of maternally inherited bacteria, and the frequency of multi-species symbiotic communities across insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Carpenter
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, 3250 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (M.C.); (A.H.S.); (M.O.)
| | - Linyao Peng
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, 3245 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (L.P.); (J.J.)
| | - Andrew H. Smith
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, 3250 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (M.C.); (A.H.S.); (M.O.)
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, 3245 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (L.P.); (J.J.)
| | - Jonah Joffe
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, 3245 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (L.P.); (J.J.)
| | - Michael O’Connor
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, 3250 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (M.C.); (A.H.S.); (M.O.)
| | - Kerry M. Oliver
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 120 Cedar St., Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Jacob A. Russell
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, 3250 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (M.C.); (A.H.S.); (M.O.)
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, 3245 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (L.P.); (J.J.)
| |
Collapse
|