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You Y, Xiao J, Chen J, Li Y, Li R, Zhang S, Jiang Q, Liu P. Integrated Information for Pathogenicity and Treatment of Spiroplasma. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:252. [PMID: 38953991 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03730-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Spiroplasma, belonging to the class Mollicutes, is a small, helical, motile bacterium lacking a cell wall. Its host range includes insects, plants, and aquatic crustaceans. Recently, a few human cases of Spiroplasma infection have been reported. The diseases caused by Spiroplasma have brought about serious economic losses and hindered the healthy development of agriculture. The pathogenesis of Spiroplasma involves the ability to adhere, such as through the terminal structure of Spiroplasma, colonization, and invasive enzymes. However, the exact pathogenic mechanism of Spiroplasma remains a mystery. Therefore, we systematically summarize all the information about Spiroplasma in this review article. This provides a reference for future studies on virulence factors and treatment strategies of Spiroplasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixue You
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Jianmin Xiao
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Jiaxin Chen
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Yuxin Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Rong Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210017, China
| | - Qichen Jiang
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210017, China.
| | - Peng Liu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
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2
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Shao Y, Mason CJ, Felton GW. Toward an Integrated Understanding of the Lepidoptera Microbiome. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 69:117-137. [PMID: 37585608 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-020723-102548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Research over the past 30 years has led to a widespread acceptance that insects establish widespread and diverse associations with microorganisms. More recently, microbiome research has been accelerating in lepidopteran systems, leading to a greater understanding of both endosymbiont and gut microorganisms and how they contribute to integral aspects of the host. Lepidoptera are associated with a robust assemblage of microorganisms, some of which may be stable and routinely detected in larval and adult hosts, while others are ephemeral and transient. Certain microorganisms that populate Lepidoptera can contribute significantly to the hosts' performance and fitness, while others are inconsequential. We emphasize the context-dependent nature of the interactions between players. While our review discusses the contemporary literature, there are major avenues yet to be explored to determine both the fundamental aspects of host-microbe interactions and potential applications for the lepidopteran microbiome; we describe these avenues after our synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqi Shao
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China;
| | - Charles J Mason
- Tropical Pest Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit, Daniel K. Inouye US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Hilo, Hawaii, USA;
| | - Gary W Felton
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA;
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3
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Moore LD, Ballinger MJ. The toxins of vertically transmitted Spiroplasma. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1148263. [PMID: 37275155 PMCID: PMC10232968 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1148263] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertically transmitted (VT) microbial symbionts play a vital role in the evolution of their insect hosts. A longstanding question in symbiont research is what genes help promote long-term stability of vertically transmitted lifestyles. Symbiont success in insect hosts is due in part to expression of beneficial or manipulative phenotypes that favor symbiont persistence in host populations. In Spiroplasma, these phenotypes have been linked to toxin and virulence domains among a few related strains. However, these domains also appear frequently in phylogenetically distant Spiroplasma, and little is known about their distribution across the Spiroplasma genus. In this study, we present the complete genome sequence of the Spiroplasma symbiont of Drosophila atripex, a non-manipulating member of the Ixodetis clade of Spiroplasma, for which genomic data are still limited. We perform a genus-wide comparative analysis of toxin domains implicated in defensive and reproductive phenotypes. From 12 VT and 31 non-VT Spiroplasma genomes, ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), OTU-like cysteine proteases (OTUs), ankyrins, and ETX/MTX2 domains show high propensity for VT Spiroplasma compared to non-VT Spiroplasma. Specifically, OTU and ankyrin domains can be found only in VT-Spiroplasma, and RIP domains are found in all VT Spiroplasma and three non-VT Spiroplasma. These domains are frequently associated with Spiroplasma plasmids, suggesting a possible mechanism for dispersal and maintenance among heritable strains. Searching insect genome assemblies available on public databases uncovered uncharacterized Spiroplasma genomes from which we identified several spaid-like genes encoding RIP, OTU, and ankyrin domains, suggesting functional interactions among those domain types. Our results suggest a conserved core of symbiont domains play an important role in the evolution and persistence of VT Spiroplasma in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan D. Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States
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4
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García-Santibañez T, Rosenblueth M, Bolaños LM, Martínez-Romero J, Martínez-Romero E. The divergent genome of Scorpion Group 1 (SG1) intracellular bacterium from the venom glands of Vaejovis smithi (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae). Syst Appl Microbiol 2022; 45:126358. [PMID: 36174465 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2022.126358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Scorpions were among the first animals on land around 430 million years ago. Like many arachnids, scorpions have evolved complex venoms used to paralyze their prey and for self-defense. Here we sequenced and analyzed the metagenomic DNA from venom glands from Vaejovis smithi scorpions. A metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) of 624,025 bp was obtained corresponding to the previously reported Scorpion Group 1 (SG1). The SG1 genome from venom glands had a low GC content (25.8%) characteristic of reduced genomes, many hypothetical genes and genes from the reported minimal set of bacterial genes. Phylogenomic reconstructions placed the uncultured SG1 distant from other reported bacteria constituting a taxonomic novelty. By PCR we detected SG1 in all tested venom glands from 30 independent individuals. Microscopically, we observed SG1 inside epithelial cells from the venom glands using FISH and its presence in scorpion embryos suggested that SG1 is transferred from mother to offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mónica Rosenblueth
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Luis M Bolaños
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico; School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Julio Martínez-Romero
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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Molecular phylogeny of heritable symbionts and microbiota diversity analysis in phlebotominae sand flies and Culex nigripalpus from Colombia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009942. [PMID: 34928947 PMCID: PMC8722730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Secondary symbionts of insects include a range of bacteria and fungi that perform various functional roles on their hosts, such as fitness, tolerance to heat stress, susceptibility to insecticides and effects on reproduction. These endosymbionts could have the potential to shape microbial communites and high potential to develop strategies for mosquito-borne disease control. Methodology/Principal findings The relative frequency and molecular phylogeny of Wolbachia, Microsporidia and Cardinium were determined of phlebotomine sand flies and mosquitoes in two regions from Colombia. Illumina Miseq using the 16S rRNA gene as a biomarker was conducted to examine the microbiota. Different percentages of natural infection by Wolbachia, Cardinium, and Microsporidia in phlebotomines and mosquitoes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis of Wolbachia shows putative new strains of Lutzomyia gomezi (wLgom), Brumptomyia hamata (wBrham), and a putative new group associated with Culex nigripalpus (Cnig) from the Andean region, located in Supergroup A and Supergroup B, respectively. The sequences of Microsporidia were obtained of Pi. pia and Cx. nigripalpus, which are located on phylogeny in the IV clade (terrestrial origin). The Cardinium of Tr. triramula and Ps. shannoni were located in group C next to Culicoides sequences while Cardinium of Mi. cayennensis formed two putative new subgroups of Cardinium in group A. In total were obtained 550 bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 189 taxa to the genus level. The microbiota profiles of Sand flies and mosquitoes showed mainly at the phylum level to Proteobacteria (67.6%), Firmicutes (17.9%) and Actinobacteria (7.4%). High percentages of relative abundance for Wolbachia (30%-83%) in Lu. gomezi, Ev. dubitans, Mi. micropyga, Br. hamata, and Cx. nigripalpus were found. ASVs assigned as Microsporidia were found in greater abundance in Pi. pia (23%) and Cx. nigripalpus (11%). An important finding is the detection of Rickettsia in Pi. pia (58,8%) and Bartonella sp. in Cx. nigripalpus. Conclusions/Significance We found that Wolbachia infection significantly decreased the alpha diversity and negatively impacts the number of taxa on sand flies and Culex nigripalpus. The Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) is consistent, which showed statistically significant differences (PERMANOVA, F = 2.4744; R2 = 0.18363; p-value = 0.007) between the microbiota of sand flies and mosquitoes depending on its origin, host and possibly for the abundance of some endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Rickettsia). The secondary endosymbionts can positively influence the metabolism of many compounds essential for the survival of the insect vectors, provide resistance to pathogens and impact susceptibility to insecticides, as also the tolerance to heat stress. We provide information from new records of natural infection of secondary endosymbionts, such as Wolbachia, Cardinium, Microsporidia, Flavobacterium, and Rickettsia in phlebotomine sand flies and mosquitoes from Colombia. An important finding is the detection of Bartonella sp. in Cx. nigripalpus. Clear differences were found in the composition and diversity of microbiota at the intra-specific and interspecific levels in sand flies and Cx. nigripalpus, which may depend in the of the load of natural infection of endosymbionts (as Wolbachia), the geographical distribution and host.
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Vera-Ponce León A, Dominguez-Mirazo M, Bustamante-Brito R, Higareda-Alvear V, Rosenblueth M, Martínez-Romero E. Functional genomics of a Spiroplasma associated with the carmine cochineals Dactylopius coccus and Dactylopius opuntiae. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:240. [PMID: 33823812 PMCID: PMC8025503 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07540-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spiroplasma is a widely distributed endosymbiont of insects, arthropods, and plants. In insects, Spiroplasma colonizes the gut, hemolymph, and reproductive organs of the host. Previous metagenomic surveys of the domesticated carmine cochineal Dactylopius coccus and the wild cochineal D. opuntiae reported sequences of Spiroplasma associated with these insects. However, there is no analysis of the genomic capabilities and the interaction of this Spiroplasma with Dactylopius. RESULTS Here we present three Spiroplasma genomes independently recovered from metagenomes of adult males and females of D. coccus, from two different populations, as well as from adult females of D. opuntiae. Single-copy gene analysis showed that these genomes were > 92% complete. Phylogenomic analyses classified these genomes as new members of Spiroplasma ixodetis. Comparative genome analysis indicated that they exhibit fewer genes involved in amino acid and carbon catabolism compared to other spiroplasmas. Moreover, virulence factor-encoding genes (i.e., glpO, spaid and rip2) were found incomplete in these S. ixodetis genomes. We also detected an enrichment of genes encoding the type IV secretion system (T4SS) in S. ixodetis genomes of Dactylopius. A metratranscriptomic analysis of D. coccus showed that some of these T4SS genes (i.e., traG, virB4 and virD4) in addition to the superoxide dismutase sodA of S. ixodetis were overexpressed in the ovaries. CONCLUSION The symbiont S. ixodetis is a new member of the bacterial community of D. coccus and D. opuntiae. The recovery of incomplete virulence factor-encoding genes in S. ixodetis of Dactylopius suggests that this bacterium is a non-pathogenic symbiont. A high number of genes encoding the T4SS, in the S. ixodetis genomes and the overexpression of these genes in the ovary and hemolymph of the host suggest that S. ixodetis use the T4SS to interact with the Dactylopius cells. Moreover, the transcriptional differences of S. ixodetis among the gut, hemolymph and ovary tissues of D. coccus indicate that this bacterium can respond and adapt to the different conditions (e.g., oxidative stress) present within the host. All this evidence proposes that there is a strong interaction and molecular signaling in the symbiosis between S. ixodetis and the carmine cochineal Dactylopius.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Vera-Ponce León
- Programa de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico. .,Present Address: Faculty of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433, Ås, Norway.
| | - Marian Dominguez-Mirazo
- Programa de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico.,Present Address: School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rafael Bustamante-Brito
- Programa de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Víctor Higareda-Alvear
- Programa de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Mónica Rosenblueth
- Programa de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Esperanza Martínez-Romero
- Programa de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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Dunaj SJ, Bettencourt BR, Garb JE, Brucker RM. Spider phylosymbiosis: divergence of widow spider species and their tissues' microbiomes. BMC Evol Biol 2020; 20:104. [PMID: 32811423 PMCID: PMC7433143 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-020-01664-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbiomes can have profound impacts on host biology and evolution, but to date, remain vastly understudied in spiders despite their unique and diverse predatory adaptations. This study evaluates closely related species of spiders and their host-microbe relationships in the context of phylosymbiosis, an eco-evolutionary pattern where the microbial community profile parallels the phylogeny of closely related host species. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we characterized the microbiomes of five species with known phylogenetic relationships from the family Theridiidae, including multiple closely related widow spiders (L. hesperus, L. mactans, L. geometricus, S. grossa, and P. tepidariorum). RESULTS We compared whole animal and tissue-specific microbiomes (cephalothorax, fat bodies, venom glands, silk glands, and ovary) in the five species to better understand the relationship between spiders and their microbial symbionts. This showed a strong congruence of the microbiome beta-diversity of the whole spiders, cephalothorax, venom glands, and silk glands when compared to their host phylogeny. Our results support phylosymbiosis in these species and across their specialized tissues. The ovary tissue microbial dendrograms also parallel the widow phylogeny, suggesting vertical transfer of species-specific bacterial symbionts. By cross-validating with RNA sequencing data obtained from the venom glands, silk glands and ovaries of L. hesperus, L. geometricus, S. grossa, and P. tepidariorum we confirmed that several microbial symbionts of interest are viably active in the host. CONCLUSION Together these results provide evidence that supports the importance of host-microbe interactions and the significant role microbial communities may play in the evolution and adaptation of their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara J Dunaj
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | | | - Jessica E Garb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Robert M Brucker
- The Rowland Institute of Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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9
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Pina T, Sabater-Muñoz B, Cabedo-López M, Cruz-Miralles J, Jaques JA, Hurtado-Ruiz MA. Molecular characterization of Cardinium, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia in mite species from citrus orchards. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:335-355. [PMID: 32529355 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00508-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tetranychidae spider mites are considered key citrus pests in some production areas, especially Tetranychus urticae Koch. Over the past decades, pesticide overuse seems to have promoted T. urticae population selection in citrus orchards. However, the microbiota has also been pointed out as a plausible explanation for population structure or plant host specialisation observed in several arthropod species. In this work, we have determined the incidence of Cardinium, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia as representatives of major distorter bacteria genera in Aplonobia histricina (Berlese), Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor), Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein), Panonychus citri (McGregor), Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard, Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov and Nikolskii, and T. urticae populations from Spanish citrus orchards. Only Wolbachia was detected by PCR. The multilocus alignment approach and phylogenetic inference indicated that all detected Wolbachia belong to supergroup B. The deep analysis of each 16S rDNA, ftsZ and wsp gene sequences allowed identifying several phylogenetically different Wolbachia sequences. It probably indicates the presence of several different races or strains, all of them belonging to supergroup B. The wsp sequence typing analysis unveiled the presence of the two already identified alleles (61 and 370) and allowed to contribute with five new alleles, supporting the presence of different but related B-races in the studied mite populations. The results are discussed and related to T. urticae population structure, previously observed in Spanish citrus orchards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Pina
- Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi Natural, Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Campus del Riu Sec, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
- Departament de Didàctica de les Ciències Experimentals i Socials, Universitat de València, Avda. Tarongers, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Sabater-Muñoz
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Integrative and Systems Biology Group, Dpt. Molecular Mechanisms of Stress in Plants, Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) - Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), Ingeniero Fausto Elio, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marc Cabedo-López
- Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi Natural, Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Campus del Riu Sec, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Joaquín Cruz-Miralles
- Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi Natural, Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Campus del Riu Sec, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Josep A Jaques
- Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi Natural, Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Campus del Riu Sec, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Mónica A Hurtado-Ruiz
- Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi Natural, Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Campus del Riu Sec, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain.
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10
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Yeoman CJ, Brutscher LM, Esen ÖC, Ibaoglu F, Fowler C, Eren AM, Wanner K, Weaver DK. Genome-resolved insights into a novel Spiroplasma symbiont of the Wheat Stem Sawfly ( Cephus cinctus). PeerJ 2019; 7:e7548. [PMID: 31523509 PMCID: PMC6716498 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropods often have obligate relationships with symbiotic microbes, and recent investigations have demonstrated that such host-microbe relationships could be exploited to suppress natural populations of vector carrying mosquitos. Strategies that target the interplay between agricultural pests and their symbionts could decrease the burden caused by agricultural pests; however, the lack of comprehensive genomic insights into naturally occurring microbial symbionts presents a significant bottleneck. Here we employed amplicon surveys, genome-resolved metagenomics, and scanning electron microscopy to investigate symbionts of the wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus), a major pest that causes an estimated $350 million dollars or more in wheat yield losses in the northwestern United States annually. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing of two major haplotypes and life stages of wheat stem sawfly, we show a novel Spiroplasma species is ever-present and predominant, with phylogenomic analyses placing it as a member of the ixodetis clade of mollicutes. Using state-of-the-art metagenomic assembly and binning strategies we were able to reconstruct a 714 Kb, 72.7%-complete Spiroplasma genome, which represents just the second draft genome from the ixodetis clade of mollicutes. Functional annotation of the Spiroplasma genome indicated carbohydrate-metabolism involved PTS-mediated import of glucose and fructose followed by glycolysis to lactate, acetate, and propionoate. The bacterium also encoded biosynthetic pathways for essential vitamins B2, B3, and B9. We identified putative Spiroplasma virulence genes: cardiolipin and chitinase. These results identify a previously undescribed symbiosis between wheat stem sawfly and a novel Spiroplasma sp., availing insight into their molecular relationship, and may yield new opportunities for microbially-mediated pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl J Yeoman
- Department of Animal & Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Laura M Brutscher
- Department of Animal & Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Özcan C Esen
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Furkan Ibaoglu
- Department of Animal & Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Curtis Fowler
- Department of Animal & Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - A Murat Eren
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America.,Marine Biological Laboratory, The Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Woods Hole, Massachuetts, United States of America
| | - Kevin Wanner
- Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - David K Weaver
- Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
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11
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Genome Analyses of a New Mycoplasma Species from the Scorpion Centruroides vittatus. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2019; 9:993-997. [PMID: 30765418 PMCID: PMC6469414 DOI: 10.1534/g3.118.200858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Arthropod Mycoplasma are little known endosymbionts in insects, primarily known as plant disease vectors. Mycoplasma in other arthropods such as arachnids are unknown. We report the first complete Mycoplasma genome sequenced, identified, and annotated from a scorpion, Centruroides vittatus, and designate it as Mycoplasma vittatus. We find the genome is at least a 683,827 bp single circular chromosome with a GC content of 42.7% and with 987 protein-coding genes. The putative virulence determinants include 11 genes associated with the virulence operon associated with protein synthesis or DNA transcription and ten genes with antibiotic and toxic compound resistance. Comparative analysis revealed that the M. vittatus genome is smaller than other Mycoplasma genomes and exhibits a higher GC content. Phylogenetic analysis shows M. vittatus as part of the Hominis group of Mycoplasma. As arthropod genomes accumulate, further novel Mycoplasma genomes may be identified and characterized.
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12
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Bolaños LM, Rosenblueth M, Manrique de Lara A, Migueles-Lozano A, Gil-Aguillón C, Mateo-Estrada V, González-Serrano F, Santibáñez-López CE, García-Santibáñez T, Martínez-Romero E. Cophylogenetic analysis suggests cospeciation between the Scorpion Mycoplasma Clade symbionts and their hosts. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209588. [PMID: 30625167 PMCID: PMC6326461 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpions are predator arachnids of ancient origin and worldwide distribution. Two scorpion species, Vaejovis smithi and Centruroides limpidus, were found to harbor two different Mollicutes phylotypes: a Scorpion Mycoplasma Clade (SMC) and Scorpion Group 1 (SG1). Here we investigated, using a targeted gene sequencing strategy, whether these Mollicutes were present in 23 scorpion morphospecies belonging to the Vaejovidae, Carboctonidae, Euscorpiidae, Diplocentridae, and Buthidae families. Our results revealed that SMC is found in a species-specific association with Vaejovidae and Buthidae, whereas SG1 is uniquely found in Vaejovidae. SMC and SG1 co-occur only in Vaejovis smithi where 43% of the individuals host both phylotypes. A phylogenetic analysis of Mollicutes 16S rRNA showed that SMC and SG1 constitute well-delineated phylotypes. Additionally, we found that SMC and scorpion phylogenies are significantly congruent, supporting the observation that a cospeciation process may have occurred. This study highlights the phylogenetic diversity of the scorpion associated Mollicutes through different species revealing a possible cospeciation pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M. Bolaños
- Laboratorio de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Mónica Rosenblueth
- Laboratorio de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Amaranta Manrique de Lara
- Laboratorio de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Analí Migueles-Lozano
- Laboratorio de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Citlali Gil-Aguillón
- Laboratorio de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Valeria Mateo-Estrada
- Laboratorio de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Francisco González-Serrano
- Laboratorio de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Carlos E. Santibáñez-López
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Tonalli García-Santibáñez
- Laboratorio de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Esperanza Martínez-Romero
- Laboratorio de Ecología Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
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13
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Alonso DP, Mancini MV, Damiani C, Cappelli A, Ricci I, Alvarez MVN, Bandi C, Ribolla PEM, Favia G. Genome Reduction in the Mosquito Symbiont Asaia. Genome Biol Evol 2019; 11:1-10. [PMID: 30476071 PMCID: PMC6317953 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Symbiosis is now recognized as a driving force in evolution, a role that finds its ultimate expression in the variety of associations bonding insects with microbial symbionts. These associations have contributed to the evolutionary success of insects, with the hosts acquiring the capacity to exploit novel ecological niches, and the symbionts passing from facultative associations to obligate, mutualistic symbioses. In bacterial symbiont of insects, the transition from the free-living life style to mutualistic symbiosis often resulted in a reduction in the genome size, with the generation of the smallest bacterial genomes thus far described. Here, we show that the process of genome reduction is still occurring in Asaia, a group of bacterial symbionts associated with a variety of insects. Indeed, comparative genomics of Asaia isolated from different mosquito species revealed a substantial genome size and gene content reduction in Asaia from Anopheles darlingi, a South-American malaria vector. We thus propose Asaia as a novel model to study genome reduction dynamics, within a single bacterial taxon, evolving in a common biological niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Peres Alonso
- Biotechnology Institute (IBTEC) & Biosciences Institute at Botucatu (IBB), Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Vittoria Mancini
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Italy.,MRC-University of Glasgow-Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Damiani
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Italy
| | - Alessia Cappelli
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Italy
| | - Irene Ricci
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Italy
| | - Marcus Vinicius Niz Alvarez
- Biotechnology Institute (IBTEC) & Biosciences Institute at Botucatu (IBB), Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Clinical Pediatric Research Center Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Paulo Eduardo Martins Ribolla
- Biotechnology Institute (IBTEC) & Biosciences Institute at Botucatu (IBB), Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guido Favia
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Italy
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14
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Tsai YM, Chang A, Kuo CH. Horizontal Gene Acquisitions Contributed to Genome Expansion in Insect-Symbiotic Spiroplasma clarkii. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:1526-1532. [PMID: 29860283 PMCID: PMC6007557 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome reduction is a recurring theme of symbiont evolution. The genus Spiroplasma contains species that are mostly facultative insect symbionts. The typical genome sizes of those species within the Apis clade were estimated to be ∼1.0–1.4 Mb. Intriguingly, Spiroplasma clarkii was found to have a genome size that is >30% larger than the median of other species within the same clade. To investigate the molecular evolution events that led to the genome expansion of this bacterium, we determined its complete genome sequence and inferred the evolutionary origin of each protein-coding gene based on the phylogenetic distribution of homologs. Among the 1,346 annotated protein-coding genes, 641 were originated from within the Apis clade while 233 were putatively acquired from outside of the clade (including 91 high-confidence candidates). Additionally, 472 were specific to S. clarkii without homologs in the current database (i.e., the origins remained unknown). The acquisition of protein-coding genes, rather than mobile genetic elements, appeared to be a major contributing factor of genome expansion. Notably, >50% of the high-confidence acquired genes are related to carbohydrate transport and metabolism, suggesting that these acquired genes contributed to the expansion of both genome size and metabolic capability. The findings of this work provided an interesting case against the general evolutionary trend observed among symbiotic bacteria and further demonstrated the flexibility of Spiroplasma genomes. For future studies, investigation on the functional integration of these acquired genes, as well as the inference of their contribution to fitness could improve our knowledge of symbiont evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ming Tsai
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - An Chang
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Horng Kuo
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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15
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Zeng Z, Fu Y, Guo D, Wu Y, Ajayi OE, Wu Q. Bacterial endosymbiont Cardinium cSfur genome sequence provides insights for understanding the symbiotic relationship in Sogatella furcifera host. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:688. [PMID: 30231855 PMCID: PMC6147030 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5078-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sogatella furcifera is a migratory pest that damages rice plants and causes severe economic losses. Due to its ability to annually migrate long distances, S. furcifera has emerged as a major pest of rice in several Asian countries. Symbiotic relationships of inherited bacteria with terrestrial arthropods have significant implications. The genus Cardinium is present in many types of arthropods, where it influences some host characteristics. We present a report of a newly identified strain of the bacterial endosymbiont Cardinium cSfur in S. furcifera. RESULT From the whole genome of S. furcifera previously sequenced by our laboratory, we assembled the whole genome sequence of Cardinium cSfur. The sequence comprised 1,103,593 bp with a GC content of 39.2%. The phylogenetic tree of the Bacteroides phylum to which Cardinium cSfur belongs suggests that Cardinium cSfur is closely related to the other strains (Cardinium cBtQ1 and cEper1) that are members of the Amoebophilaceae family. Genome comparison between the host-dependent endosymbiont including Cardinium cSfur and free-living bacteria revealed that the endosymbiont has a smaller genome size and lower GC content, and has lost some genes related to metabolism because of its special environment, which is similar to the genome pattern observed in other insect symbionts. Cardinium cSfur has limited metabolic capability, which makes it less contributive to metabolic and biosynthetic processes in its host. From our findings, we inferred that, to compensate for its limited metabolic capability, Cardinium cSfur harbors a relatively high proportion of transport proteins, which might act as the hub between it and its host. With its acquisition of the whole operon related to biotin synthesis and glycolysis related genes through HGT event, Cardinium cSfur seems to be undergoing changes while establishing a symbiotic relationship with its host. CONCLUSION A novel bacterial endosymbiont strain (Cardinium cSfur) has been discovered. A genomic analysis of the endosymbiont in S. furcifera suggests that its genome has undergone certain changes to facilitate its settlement in the host. The envisaged potential reproduction manipulative ability of the new endosymbiont strain in its S. furcifera host has vital implications in designing eco-friendly approaches to combat the insect pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zeng
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027 China
| | - Yating Fu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027 China
| | - Dongyang Guo
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027 China
| | - Yuxuan Wu
- Department of Computer Science, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Zhejiang, 315100 China
| | - Olugbenga Emmanuel Ajayi
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027 China
| | - Qingfa Wu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027 China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027 China
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16
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Lo WS, Kuo CH. Horizontal Acquisition and Transcriptional Integration of Novel Genes in Mosquito-Associated Spiroplasma. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 9:3246-3259. [PMID: 29177479 PMCID: PMC5726471 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evx244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic differentiation among symbiotic bacteria is important in shaping biodiversity. The genus Spiroplasma contains species occupying diverse niches and is a model system for symbiont evolution. Previous studies have established that two mosquito-associated species have diverged extensively in their carbohydrate metabolism genes despite having a close phylogenetic relationship. Notably, although the commensal Spiroplasma diminutum lacks identifiable pathogenicity factors, the pathogenic Spiroplasma taiwanense was found to have acquired a virulence factor glpO and its associated genes through horizontal transfer. However, it is unclear if these acquired genes have been integrated into the regulatory network. In this study, we inferred the gene content evolution in these bacteria, as well as examined their transcriptomes in response to glucose availability. The results indicated that both species have many more gene acquisitions from the Mycoides-Entomoplasmataceae clade, which contains several important pathogens of ruminants, than previously thought. Moreover, several acquired genes have higher expression levels than the vertically inherited homologs, indicating possible functional replacement. Finally, the virulence factor and its functionally linked genes in S. taiwanense were up-regulated in response to glucose starvation, suggesting that these acquired genes are under expression regulation and the pathogenicity may be a stress response. In summary, although differential gene losses are a major process for symbiont divergence, gene gains are critical in counteracting genome degradation and driving diversification among facultative symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Sui Lo
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Horng Kuo
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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17
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Duplouy A, Hornett EA. Uncovering the hidden players in Lepidoptera biology: the heritable microbial endosymbionts. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4629. [PMID: 29761037 PMCID: PMC5947162 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Lepidoptera is one of the most widespread and recognisable insect orders. Due to their remarkable diversity, economic and ecological importance, moths and butterflies have been studied extensively over the last 200 years. More recently, the relationship between Lepidoptera and their heritable microbial endosymbionts has received increasing attention. Heritable endosymbionts reside within the host’s body and are often, but not exclusively, inherited through the female line. Advancements in molecular genetics have revealed that host-associated microbes are both extremely prevalent among arthropods and highly diverse. Furthermore, heritable endosymbionts have been repeatedly demonstrated to play an integral role in many aspects of host biology, particularly host reproduction. Here, we review the major findings of research of heritable microbial endosymbionts of butterflies and moths. We promote the Lepidoptera as important models in the study of reproductive manipulations employed by heritable endosymbionts, with the mechanisms underlying male-killing and feminisation currently being elucidated in moths and butterflies. We also reveal that the vast majority of research undertaken of Lepidopteran endosymbionts concerns Wolbachia. While this highly prevalent bacterium is undoubtedly important, studies should move towards investigating the presence of other, and interacting endosymbionts, and we discuss the merits of examining the microbiome of Lepidoptera to this end. We finally consider the importance of understanding the influence of endosymbionts under global environmental change and when planning conservation management of endangered Lepidoptera species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Duplouy
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emily A Hornett
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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18
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Lo WS, Huang YY, Kuo CH. Winding paths to simplicity: genome evolution in facultative insect symbionts. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 40:855-874. [PMID: 28204477 PMCID: PMC5091035 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Symbiosis between organisms is an important driving force in evolution. Among the diverse relationships described, extensive progress has been made in insect–bacteria symbiosis, which improved our understanding of the genome evolution in host-associated bacteria. Particularly, investigations on several obligate mutualists have pushed the limits of what we know about the minimal genomes for sustaining cellular life. To bridge the gap between those obligate symbionts with extremely reduced genomes and their non-host-restricted ancestors, this review focuses on the recent progress in genome characterization of facultative insect symbionts. Notable cases representing various types and stages of host associations, including those from multiple genera in the family Enterobacteriaceae (class Gammaproteobacteria), Wolbachia (Alphaproteobacteria) and Spiroplasma (Mollicutes), are discussed. Although several general patterns of genome reduction associated with the adoption of symbiotic relationships could be identified, extensive variation was found among these facultative symbionts. These findings are incorporated into the established conceptual frameworks to develop a more detailed evolutionary model for the discussion of possible trajectories. In summary, transitions from facultative to obligate symbiosis do not appear to be a universal one-way street; switches between hosts and lifestyles (e.g. commensalism, parasitism or mutualism) occur frequently and could be facilitated by horizontal gene transfer. This review synthesizes the recent progress in genome characterization of insect-symbiotic bacteria, the emphases include (i) patterns of genome organization, (ii) evolutionary models and trajectories, and (iii) comparisons between facultative and obligate symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Sui Lo
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yi Huang
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Horng Kuo
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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19
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Development of oriC-Based Plasmids for Mesoplasma florum. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.03374-16. [PMID: 28115382 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03374-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The near-minimal bacterium Mesoplasma florum constitutes an attractive model for systems biology and for the development of a simplified cell chassis in synthetic biology. However, the lack of genetic engineering tools for this microorganism has limited our capacity to understand its basic biology and modify its genome. To address this issue, we have evaluated the susceptibility of M. florum to common antibiotics and developed the first generation of artificial plasmids able to replicate in this bacterium. Selected regions of the predicted M. florum chromosomal origin of replication (oriC) were used to create different plasmid versions that were tested for their transformation frequency and stability. Using polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation, we observed that plasmids harboring both rpmH-dnaA and dnaA-dnaN intergenic regions, interspaced or not with a copy of the dnaA gene, resulted in a frequency of ∼4.1 × 10-6 transformants per viable cell and were stably maintained throughout multiple generations. In contrast, plasmids containing only one M. florumoriC intergenic region or the heterologous oriC region of Mycoplasma capricolum, Mycoplasma mycoides, or Spiroplasma citri failed to produce any detectable transformants. We also developed alternative transformation procedures based on electroporation and conjugation from Escherichia coli, reaching frequencies up to 7.87 × 10-6 and 8.44 × 10-7 transformants per viable cell, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated the functionality of antibiotic resistance genes active against tetracycline, puromycin, and spectinomycin/streptomycin in M. florum Taken together, these valuable genetic tools will facilitate efforts toward building an M. florum-based near-minimal cellular chassis for synthetic biology.IMPORTANCEMesoplasma florum constitutes an attractive model for systems biology and for the development of a simplified cell chassis in synthetic biology. M. florum is closely related to the mycoides cluster of mycoplasmas, which has become a model for whole-genome cloning, genome transplantation, and genome minimization. However, M. florum shows higher growth rates than other Mollicutes, has no known pathogenic potential, and possesses a significantly smaller genome that positions this species among some of the simplest free-living organisms. So far, the lack of genetic engineering tools has limited our capacity to understand the basic biology of M. florum in order to modify its genome. To address this issue, we have evaluated the susceptibility of M. florum to common antibiotics and developed the first artificial plasmids and transformation methods for this bacterium. This represents a strong basis for ongoing genome engineering efforts using this near-minimal microorganism.
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20
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Mateos M, Winter L, Winter C, Higareda-Alvear VM, Martinez-Romero E, Xie J. Independent origins of resistance or susceptibility of parasitic wasps to a defensive symbiont. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:2679-87. [PMID: 27066241 PMCID: PMC4798148 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect microbe associations are diverse, widespread, and influential. Among the fitness effects of microbes on their hosts, defense against natural enemies is increasingly recognized as ubiquitous, particularly among those associations involving heritable, yet facultative, bacteria. Protective mutualisms generate complex ecological and coevolutionary dynamics that are only beginning to be elucidated. These depend in part on the degree to which symbiont‐mediated protection exhibits specificity to one or more members of the natural enemy community. Recent findings in a well‐studied defensive mutualism system (i.e., aphids, bacteria, parasitoid wasps) reveal repeated instances of evolution of susceptibility or resistance to defensive bacteria by parasitoids. This study searched for similar patterns in an emerging model system for defensive mutualisms: the interaction of Drosophila, bacteria in the genus Spiroplasma, and wasps that parasitize larval stages of Drosophila. Previous work indicated that three divergent species of parasitic wasps are strongly inhibited by the presence of Spiroplasma in three divergent species of Drosophila, including D. melanogaster. The results of this study uncovered two additional wasp species that are susceptible to Spiroplasma and two that are unaffected by Spiroplasma, implying at least two instances of loss or gain of susceptibility to Spiroplasma among larval parasitoids of Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Mateos
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas
| | - Lauryn Winter
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas
| | - Caitlyn Winter
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas
| | | | | | - Jialei Xie
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas
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21
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Bolaños LM, Rosenblueth M, Castillo-Ramírez S, Figuier-Huttin G, Martínez-Romero E. Species-specific diversity of novel bacterial lineages and differential abundance of predicted pathways for toxic compound degradation in scorpion gut microbiota. Environ Microbiol 2015; 18:1364-78. [PMID: 26058415 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Scorpions are considered 'living fossils' that have conserved ancestral anatomical features and have adapted to numerous habitats. However, their gut microbiota diversity has not been studied. Here, we characterized the gut microbiota of two scorpion species, Vaejovis smithi and Centruroides limpidus. Our results indicate that scorpion gut microbiota is species-specific and that food deprivation reduces bacterial diversity. 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis revealed novel bacterial lineages showing a low level of sequence identity to any known bacteria. Furthermore, these novel bacterial lineages were each restricted to a different scorpion species. Additionally, our results of the predicted metagenomic profiles revealed a core set of pathways that were highly abundant in both species, and mostly related to amino acid, carbohydrate, vitamin and cofactor metabolism. Notably, the food-deprived V. smithi shotgun metagenome matched almost completely the metabolic features of the prediction. Finally, comparisons among predicted metagenomic profiles showed that toxic compound degradation pathways were more abundant in recently captured C. limpidus scorpions. This study gives a first insight into the scorpion gut microbiota and provides a reference for future studies on the gut microbiota from other arachnid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Bolaños
- Programa de Ecología Genómica y, Centro de Ciencias Génomicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México
| | - Mónica Rosenblueth
- Programa de Ecología Genómica y, Centro de Ciencias Génomicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México
| | - Santiago Castillo-Ramírez
- Programa de Genómica Evolutiva, Centro de Ciencias Génomicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México
| | - Gilles Figuier-Huttin
- Programa de Ecología Genómica y, Centro de Ciencias Génomicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México
| | - Esperanza Martínez-Romero
- Programa de Ecología Genómica y, Centro de Ciencias Génomicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México
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