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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 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.
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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
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2
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Cameirão C, Costa D, Rufino J, Pereira JA, Lino-Neto T, Baptista P. Diversity, Composition, and Specificity of the Philaenus spumarius Bacteriome. Microorganisms 2024; 12:298. [PMID: 38399702 PMCID: PMC10893442 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) was recently classified as a pest due to its ability to act as a vector of the phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa. This insect has been reported to harbour several symbiotic bacteria that play essential roles in P. spumarius health and fitness. However, the factors driving bacterial assemblages remain largely unexplored. Here, the bacteriome associated with different organs (head, abdomen, and genitalia) of males and females of P. spumarius was characterized using culturally dependent and independent methods and compared in terms of diversity and composition. The bacteriome of P. spumarius is enriched in Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteria phyla, as well as in Candidatus Sulcia and Cutibacterium genera. The most frequent isolates were Curtobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Rhizobiaceae sp.1. Males display a more diverse bacterial community than females, but no differences in diversity were found in distinct organs. However, the organ shapes the bacteriome structure more than sex, with the Microbacteriaceae family revealing a high level of organ specificity and the Blattabacteriaceae family showing a high level of sex specificity. Several symbiotic bacterial genera were identified in P. spumarius for the first time, including Rhodococcus, Citrobacter, Halomonas, Streptomyces, and Providencia. Differences in the bacterial composition within P. spumarius organs and sexes suggest an adaptation of bacteria to particular insect tissues, potentially shaped by their significance in the life and overall fitness of P. spumarius. Although more research on the bacteria of P. spumarius interactions is needed, such knowledge could help to develop specific bacterial-based insect management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cameirão
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (C.C.); (J.A.P.)
- Laboratório para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal;
| | - Daniela Costa
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (D.C.); (T.L.-N.)
| | - José Rufino
- Laboratório para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal;
- Research Centre in Digitalization and Intelligent Robotics (CeDRI), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - José Alberto Pereira
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (C.C.); (J.A.P.)
- Laboratório para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal;
| | - Teresa Lino-Neto
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (D.C.); (T.L.-N.)
| | - Paula Baptista
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (C.C.); (J.A.P.)
- Laboratório para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal;
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Wang ZW, Zhao J, Li GY, Hu D, Wang ZG, Ye C, Wang JJ. The endosymbiont Serratia symbiotica improves aphid fitness by disrupting the predation strategy of ladybeetle larvae. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38196174 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Aphids, the important global agricultural pests, harbor abundant resources of symbionts that can improve the host adaptability to environmental conditions, also control the interactions between host aphid and natural enemy, resulting in a significant decrease in efficiency of biological control. The facultative symbiont Serratia symbiotica has a strong symbiotic association with its aphid hosts, a relationship that is known to interfere with host-parasitoid interactions. We hypothesized that Serratia may also influence other trophic interactions by interfering with the physiology and behavior of major predators to provide host aphid defense. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of Serratia on the host aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum and its predator, the ladybeetle Propylaea japonica. First, the prevalence of Serratia in different A. pisum colonies was confirmed by amplicon sequencing. We then showed that harboring Serratia improved host aphid growth and fecundity but reduced longevity. Finally, our research demonstrated that Serratia defends aphids against P. japonica by impeding the predator's development and predation capacity, and modulating its foraging behavior. Our findings reveal that facultative symbiont Serratia improves aphid fitness by disrupting the predation strategy of ladybeetle larvae, offering new insight into the interactions between aphids and their predators, and providing the basis of a new biological control strategy for aphid pests involving the targeting of endosymbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Wu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guang-Yun Li
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Die Hu
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zi-Guo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Ye
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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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.
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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.
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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
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Du XY, Zhang PF, Gong SR, Liang YS, Huang YH, Li HS, Pang H. Discovery of a novel circulation route of free-living Serratiasymbiotica mediated by predatory ladybird beetles. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad133. [PMID: 37852673 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad133] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Horizontal transmission of bacteria to varied hosts can maintain and even expand microbial niches. We previously found that the aphid gut bacterium Serratia symbiotica strain SsMj can be transmitted to ladybird beetles via predation, but whether the predator is a new host, a reservoir or a dead end of this bacterium is unknown. This study aims to provide a clear picture of SsMj circulation from aphids to plants and predators. We first found that SsMj in aphids and ladybirds was abundantly distributed not only in digestive tracts but also in droppings. We found no evidence for vertical transmission of SsMj to aphid offspring. Instead, we showed that it could be transmitted to conspecific aphids by sharing the same plant or contacting honeydews. The key finding of this study is that SsMj was transmitted from aphids to ladybirds through predation, while ladybirds could also transfer SsMj back to aphids, possibly through feces. Together, this evidence suggests that SsMj is able to survive in the digestive tracts and droppings of insects and to expand its host range with plants and predators as reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yong Du
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Pei-Fang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Sen-Rui Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yuan-Sen Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yu-Hao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Hao-Sen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Hong Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
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Alotaibi NJ, Alsufyani T, M'sakni NH, Almalki MA, Alghamdi EM, Spiteller D. Rapid Identification of Aphid Species by Headspace GC-MS and Discriminant Analysis. INSECTS 2023; 14:589. [PMID: 37504595 PMCID: PMC10380428 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Aphids are a ubiquitous group of pests in agriculture that cause serious losses. For sustainable aphid identification, it is necessary to develop a precise and fast aphid identification tool. A new simple chemotaxonomy approach to rapidly identify aphids was implemented. The method was calibrated in comparison to the established phylogenetic analysis. For chemotaxonomic analysis, aphids were crushed, their headspace compounds were collected through closed-loop stripping (CLS) and analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). GC-MS data were then subjected to a discriminant analysis using CAP12.exe software, which identified key biomarkers that distinguish aphid species. A dichotomous key taking into account the presence and absence of a set of species-specific biomarkers was derived from the discriminant analysis which enabled rapid and reliable identification of aphid species. As the method overcomes the limits of morphological identification, it works with aphids at all life stages and in both genders. Thus, our method enables entomologists to assign aphids to growth stages and identify the life history of the investigated aphids, i.e., the food plant(s) they fed on. Our experiments clearly showed that the method could be used as a software to automatically identify aphids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noura J Alotaibi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taghreed Alsufyani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nour Houda M'sakni
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona A Almalki
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman M Alghamdi
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King AbdulAziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dieter Spiteller
- Chemical Ecology/Biological Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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Gwokyalya R, Weldon CW, Herren JK, Gichuhi J, Makhulu EE, Ndlela S, Mohamed SA. Friend or Foe: Symbiotic Bacteria in Bactrocera dorsalis-Parasitoid Associations. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020274. [PMID: 36829551 PMCID: PMC9953478 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Parasitoids are promising biocontrol agents of the devastating fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. However, parasitoid performance is a function of several factors, including host-associated symbiotic bacteria. Providencia alcalifaciens, Citrobacter freundii, and Lactococcus lactis are among the symbiotic bacteria commonly associated with B. dorsalis, and they influence the eco-physiological functioning of this pest. However, whether these bacteria influence the interaction between this pest and its parasitoids is unknown. This study sought to elucidate the nature of the interaction of the parasitoids, Fopius arisanus, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata, and Psyttlia cosyrae with B. dorsalis as mediated by symbiotic bacteria. Three types of fly lines were used: axenic, symbiotic, and bacteria-mono-associated (Lactococcus lactis, Providencia alcalifaciens, and Citrobacter freundii). The suitable stages of each fly line were exposed to the respective parasitoid species and reared until the emergence of adult flies/parasitoids. Thereafter, data on the emergence and parasitoid fitness traits were recorded. No wasps emerged from the fly lines exposed to P. cosyrae. The highest emergence of F. arisanus and D. longicaudata was recorded in the L. lactis fly lines. The parasitoid progeny from the L. lactis and P. alcalifaciens fly lines had the longest developmental time and the largest body size. Conversely, parasitoid fecundity was significantly lower in the L. lactis lines, whereas the P. alcalifaciens lines significantly improved fecundity. These results elucidate some effects of bacterial symbionts on host-parasitoid interactions and their potential in enhancing parasitoid-oriented management strategies against B. dorsalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehemah Gwokyalya
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
- Correspondence: or (R.G.); (S.A.M.)
| | - Christopher W. Weldon
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Jeremy Keith Herren
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Joseph Gichuhi
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Edward Edmond Makhulu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Shepard Ndlela
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
| | - Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
- Correspondence: or (R.G.); (S.A.M.)
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Niu R, Zhu X, Wang L, Zhang K, Li D, Ji J, Niu L, Gao X, Luo J, Cui J. Evaluation of Hamiltonella on Aphis gossypii fitness based on life table parameters and RNA sequencing. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:306-314. [PMID: 36151951 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insect endosymbionts are widespread in nature and known to play key roles in regulating host biology. As a secondary endosymbiont, bacteria in the genus Hamiltonella help cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii) defend against parasitism by parasitoid wasps, however, the potential negative impacts of these bacteria on cotton aphid biology remain largely unclear. RESULTS This study aims to evaluate the potential impacts of Hamiltonella on the growth and development of cotton aphids based on life table parameters and RNA sequencing. The results showed that infection with Hamiltonella resulted in smaller body type and lower body weight in aphids. Compared to the control group, there were significant differences in the finite and intrinsic rates of increase and mean generation time. Furthermore, the RNA sequencing data revealed that the genes related to energy synthesis and nutrient metabolism pathways were significantly downregulated and genes related to molting and nervous system pathways were significantly upregulated in the Hamiltonella population. CONCLUSION Our results confirm that Hamiltonella retarded the growth and development of cotton aphids accompanied by the downregulation of genes related to energy synthesis and nutrient metabolism, which provides new insights into aphid-symbiont interactions and may support the development of improved aphid management strategies. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruichang Niu
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Xiangzhen Zhu
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Li Wang
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Kaixin Zhang
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Dongyang Li
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Jichao Ji
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Lin Niu
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Xueke Gao
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Junyu Luo
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
| | - Jinjie Cui
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
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10
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Li T, Wei Y, Zhao C, Li S, Gao S, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Lu C. Facultative symbionts are potential agents of symbiont-mediated RNAi in aphids. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1020461. [PMID: 36504780 PMCID: PMC9727308 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1020461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aphids are major crop pests, and they can be controlled through the application of the promising RNA interference (RNAi) techniques. However, chemical synthesis yield of dsRNA for RNAi is low and costly. Another sustainable aphid pest control strategy takes advantage of symbiont-mediated RNAi (SMR), which can generate dsRNA by engineered microbes. Aphid host the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola and various facultative symbionts that not only have a wide host range but are also vertically and horizontally transmitted. Thus, we described the potential of facultative symbionts in aphid pest control by SMR. We summarized the community and host range of these facultative symbionts, and then reviewed their probable horizontal transmitted routes and ecological functions. Moreover, recent advances in the cultivation and genetic engineering of aphid facultative symbionts were discussed. In addition, current legislation of dsRNA-based pest control strategies and their safety assessments were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control/Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongjun Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chenchen Zhao
- Henan International Laboratory for Green Pest Control /College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shaojian Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control/Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Suxia Gao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control/Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuanchen Zhang
- College of Biological and Food Engineering, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, China
| | - Yuqing Wu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control/Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chuantao Lu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Control/Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southern Region of North China, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China,Chuantao Lu
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11
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Schuler H, Dittmer J, Borruso L, Galli J, Fischnaller S, Anfora G, Rota‐Stabelli O, Weil T, Janik K. Investigating the microbial community of Cacopsylla spp. as potential factor in vector competence of phytoplasma. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:4771-4786. [PMID: 35876309 PMCID: PMC9804460 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Phytoplasmas are obligatory intracellular bacteria that colonize the phloem of many plant species and cause hundreds of plant diseases worldwide. In nature, phytoplasmas are primarily transmitted by hemipteran vectors. While all phloem-feeding insects could in principle transmit phytoplasmas, only a limited number of species have been confirmed as vectors. Knowledge about factors that might determine the vector capacity is currently scarce. Here, we characterized the microbiomes of vector and non-vector species of apple proliferation (AP) phytoplasma 'Candidatus Phytoplasma mali' to investigate their potential role in the vector capacity of the host. We performed high-throughput 16S rRNA metabarcoding of the two principal AP-vectors Cacopsylla picta and Cacopsylla melanoneura and eight Cacopsylla species, which are not AP-vectors but co-occur in apple orchards. The microbiomes of all species are dominated by Carsonella, the primary endosymbiont of psyllids and a second uncharacterized Enterobacteriaceae endosymbiont. Each Cacopsylla species harboured a species-specific phylotype of both symbionts. Moreover, we investigated differences between the microbiomes of AP-vector versus non-vector species and identified the predominant endosymbionts but also Wolbachia and several minor taxa as potential indicator species. Our study highlights the importance of considering the microbiome in future investigations of potential factors influencing host vector competence. We investigated the potential role of symbiotic bacteria in the acquisition and transmission of phytoplasma. By comparing the two main psyillid vector species of Apple proliferation (AP) phytoplasma and eight co-occurring species, which are not able to vector AP-phytoplasma, we found differences in the microbial communities of AP-vector and non-vector species, which appear to be driven by the predominant symbionts in both vector species and Wolbachia and several minor taxa in the non-vector species. In contrast, infection with AP-phytoplasma did not affect microbiome composition in both vector species. Our study provides new insights into the endosymbiont diversity of Cacopsylla spp. and highlights the importance of considering the microbiome when investigating potential factors influencing host vector competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Schuler
- Faculty of Science and TechnologyFree University of Bozen‐BolzanoBozen‐BolzanoItaly,Competence Centre for Plant HealthFree University of Bozen‐BolzanoBozen‐BolzanoItaly
| | - Jessica Dittmer
- Faculty of Science and TechnologyFree University of Bozen‐BolzanoBozen‐BolzanoItaly,Université d'Angers, Institut Agro, INRAE, IRHS, SFR QuasavAngersFrance
| | - Luigimaria Borruso
- Faculty of Science and TechnologyFree University of Bozen‐BolzanoBozen‐BolzanoItaly
| | - Jonas Galli
- Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, BOKUUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - Gianfranco Anfora
- Research and Innovation CenterFondazione Edmund MachSan Michele all'AdigeItaly,Center Agriculture Food EnvironmentUniversity of TrentoSan Michele all'AdigeItaly
| | - Omar Rota‐Stabelli
- Research and Innovation CenterFondazione Edmund MachSan Michele all'AdigeItaly,Center Agriculture Food EnvironmentUniversity of TrentoSan Michele all'AdigeItaly
| | - Tobias Weil
- Research and Innovation CenterFondazione Edmund MachSan Michele all'AdigeItaly
| | - Katrin Janik
- Center Agriculture Food EnvironmentUniversity of TrentoSan Michele all'AdigeItaly
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12
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Du X, Yang H, Gong S, Zhang P, Chen P, Liang Y, Huang Y, Tang X, Chen Q, De Clercq P, Li H, Pang H. Aphidophagous ladybird beetles adapt to an aphid symbiont. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xue‐Yong Du
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Huan‐Ying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Sen‐Rui Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Pei‐Fang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Pei‐Tao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Yuan‐Sen Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Yu‐Hao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Xue‐Fei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Qiao‐Kui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Patrick De Clercq
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering Ghent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Hao‐Sen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Hong Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences / School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China
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13
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Renoz F, Ambroise J, Bearzatto B, Fakhour S, Parisot N, Ribeiro Lopes M, Gala JL, Calevro F, Hance T. The Di-Symbiotic Systems in the Aphids Sipha maydis and Periphyllus lyropictus Provide a Contrasting Picture of Recent Co-Obligate Nutritional Endosymbiosis in Aphids. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071360. [PMID: 35889078 PMCID: PMC9317480 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Dependence on multiple nutritional bacterial symbionts forming a metabolic unit has repeatedly evolved in many insect species that feed on nutritionally unbalanced diets such as plant sap. This is the case for aphids of the subfamilies Lachninae and Chaitophorinae, which have evolved di-symbiotic systems in which the ancient obligate nutritional symbiont Buchnera aphidicola is metabolically complemented by an additional nutritional symbiont acquired more recently. Deciphering how different symbionts integrate both metabolically and anatomically in such systems is crucial to understanding how complex nutritional symbiotic systems function and evolve. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the genomes of the symbionts B. aphidicola and Serratia symbiotica associated with the Chaitophorinae aphids Sipha maydis and Periphyllus lyropictus. Our results show that, in these two species, B. aphidicola and S. symbiotica complement each other metabolically (and their hosts) for the biosynthesis of essential amino acids and vitamins, but with distinct metabolic reactions supported by each symbiont depending on the host species. Furthermore, the S. symbiotica symbiont associated with S. maydis appears to be strictly compartmentalized into the specialized host cells housing symbionts in aphids, the bacteriocytes, whereas the S. symbiotica symbiont associated with P. lyropictus exhibits a highly invasive phenotype, presumably because it is capable of expressing a larger set of virulence factors, including a complete flagellum for bacterial motility. Such contrasting levels of metabolic and anatomical integration for two S. symbiotica symbionts that were recently acquired as nutritional co-obligate partners reflect distinct coevolutionary processes specific to each association.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Renoz
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium;
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France; (N.P.); (M.R.L.); (F.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jérôme Ambroise
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium; (J.A.); (B.B.); (J.-L.G.)
| | - Bertrand Bearzatto
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium; (J.A.); (B.B.); (J.-L.G.)
| | - Samir Fakhour
- Department of Plant Protection, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco;
| | - Nicolas Parisot
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France; (N.P.); (M.R.L.); (F.C.)
| | - Mélanie Ribeiro Lopes
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France; (N.P.); (M.R.L.); (F.C.)
| | - Jean-Luc Gala
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium; (J.A.); (B.B.); (J.-L.G.)
| | - Federica Calevro
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, F-69621 Villeurbanne, France; (N.P.); (M.R.L.); (F.C.)
| | - Thierry Hance
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium;
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14
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Renoz F, Lopes MR, Gaget K, Duport G, Eloy MC, Geelhand de Merxem B, Hance T, Calevro F. Compartmentalized into Bacteriocytes but Highly Invasive: the Puzzling Case of the Co-Obligate Symbiont Serratia symbiotica in the Aphid Periphyllus lyropictus. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0045722. [PMID: 35647657 PMCID: PMC9241954 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00457-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dependence on multiple nutritional symbionts that form a metabolic unit has evolved many times in insects. Although it has been postulated that host dependence on these metabolically interconnected symbionts is sustained by their high degree of anatomical integration (these symbionts are often housed in distinct symbiotic cells, the bacteriocytes, assembled into a common symbiotic organ, the bacteriome), the developmental aspects of such multipartner systems have received little attention. Aphids of the subfamilies Chaitophorinae and Lachninae typically harbor disymbiotic systems in which the metabolic capabilities of the ancient obligate symbiont Buchnera aphidicola are complemented by those of a more recently acquired nutritional symbiont, often belonging to the species Serratia symbiotica. Here, we used microscopy approaches to finely characterize the tissue tropism and infection dynamics of the disymbiotic system formed by B. aphidicola and S. symbiotica in the Norway maple aphid Periphyllus lyropictus (Chaitophorinae). Our observations show that, in this aphid, the co-obligate symbiont S. symbiotica exhibits a dual lifestyle: intracellular by being housed in large syncytial bacteriocytes embedded between B. aphidicola-containing bacteriocytes in a well-organized compartmentalization pattern, and extracellular by massively invading the digestive tract and other tissues during embryogenesis. This is the first reported case of an obligate aphid symbiont that is internalized in bacteriocytes but simultaneously adopts an extracellular lifestyle. This unusual infection pattern for an obligate insect symbiont suggests that some bacteriocyte-associated obligate symbionts, despite their integration into a cooperative partnership, still exhibit invasive behavior and escape strict compartmentalization in bacteriocytes. IMPORTANCE Multipartner nutritional endosymbioses have evolved many times in insects. In Chaitophorinae aphids, the eroded metabolic capabilities of the ancient obligate symbiont B. aphidicola are complemented by those of more recently acquired symbionts. Here, we report the atypical case of the co-obligate S. symbiotica symbiont associated with P. lyropictus. This bacterium is compartmentalized into bacteriocytes nested into the ones harboring the more ancient symbiont B. aphidicola, reflecting metabolic convergences between the two symbionts. At the same time, S. symbiotica exhibits highly invasive behavior by colonizing various host tissues, including the digestive tract during embryogenesis. The discovery of this unusual phenotype for a co-obligate symbiont reveals a new face of multipartner nutritional endosymbiosis in insects. In particular, it shows that co-obligate symbionts can retain highly invasive traits and suggests that host dependence on these bacterial partners may evolve prior to their strict compartmentalization into specialized host structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Renoz
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Université de Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, Villeurbanne, France
| | | | - Karen Gaget
- Université de Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Gabrielle Duport
- Université de Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Marie-Christine Eloy
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | | | - Thierry Hance
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Federica Calevro
- Université de Lyon, INSA Lyon, INRAE, BF2I, UMR203, Villeurbanne, France
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15
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Pons I, Scieur N, Dhondt L, Renard ME, Renoz F, Hance T. Pervasiveness of the symbiont Serratia symbiotica in the aphid natural environment: distribution, diversity and evolution at a multitrophic level. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:6526308. [PMID: 35142841 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Symbioses are significant drivers of insect evolutionary ecology. Despite recent findings that these associations can emerge from environmentally derived bacterial precursors, there is still little information on how these potential progenitors of insect symbionts circulate in trophic systems. Serratia symbiotica represents a valuable model for deciphering evolutionary scenarios of bacterial acquisition by insects, as its diversity includes gut-associated strains that retained the ability to live independently of their hosts, representing a potential reservoir for symbioses emergence. Here, we conducted a field study to examine the distribution and diversity of S. symbiotica found in aphid populations, and in different compartments of their surrounding environment. Twenty % of aphids colonies were infected with S. symbiotica, including a wide diversity of strains with varied tissue tropism corresponding to different lifestyle. We also showed that the prevalence of S. symbiotica is influenced by seasonal temperatures. We found that S. symbiotica was present in non-aphid species and in host plants, and that its prevalence in these samples was higher when associated aphid colonies were infected. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses suggest the existence of horizontal transfers between the different trophic levels. These results provide a new picture of the pervasiveness of an insect symbiont in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès Pons
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Nora Scieur
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Linda Dhondt
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Marie-Eve Renard
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - François Renoz
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Thierry Hance
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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16
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Sochard C, Bellec L, Simon JC, Outreman Y. Influence of "protective" symbionts throughout the different steps of an aphid-parasitoid interaction. Curr Zool 2021; 67:441-453. [PMID: 34616941 PMCID: PMC8489026 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoaa053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial associates are widespread in insects, some conferring a protection to their hosts against natural enemies like parasitoids. These protective symbionts may affect the infection success of the parasitoid by modifying behavioral defenses of their hosts, the development success of the parasitoid by conferring a resistance against it or by altering life-history traits of the emerging parasitoids. Here, we assessed the effects of different protective bacterial symbionts on the entire sequence of the host-parasitoid interaction (i.e., from parasitoid attack to offspring emergence) between the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, and its main parasitoid, Aphidius ervi and their impacts on the life-history traits of the emerging parasitoids. To test whether symbiont-mediated phenotypes were general or specific to particular aphid–symbiont associations, we considered several aphid lineages, each harboring a different strain of either Hamiltonella defensa or Regiella insecticola, two protective symbionts commonly found in aphids. We found that symbiont species and strains had a weak effect on the ability of aphids to defend themselves against the parasitic wasps during the attack and a strong effect on aphid resistance against parasitoid development. While parasitism resistance was mainly determined by symbionts, their effects on host defensive behaviors varied largely from one aphid–symbiont association to another. Also, the symbiotic status of the aphid individuals had no impact on the attack rate of the parasitic wasps, the parasitoid emergence rate from parasitized aphids nor the life-history traits of the emerging parasitoids. Overall, no correlations between symbiont effects on the different stages of the host–parasitoid interaction was observed, suggesting no trade-offs or positive associations between symbiont-mediated phenotypes. Our study highlights the need to consider various sequences of the host-parasitoid interaction to better assess the outcomes of protective symbioses and understand the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of insect–symbiont associations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Bellec
- IGEPP, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Rennes, 35000, Rennes, France
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17
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Insight into the bacterial communities of the subterranean aphid Anoecia corni. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256019. [PMID: 34379678 PMCID: PMC8357138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many insect species are associated with bacterial partners that can significantly influence their evolutionary ecology. Compared to other insect groups, aphids harbor a bacterial microbiota that has the reputation of being poorly diversified, generally limited to the presence of the obligate nutritional symbiont Buchnera aphidicola and some facultative symbionts. In this study, we analyzed the bacterial diversity associated with the dogwood-grass aphid Anoecia corni, an aphid species that spends much of its life cycle in a subterranean environment. Little is known about the bacterial diversity associated with aphids displaying such a lifestyle, and one hypothesis is that close contact with the vast microbial community of the rhizosphere could promote the acquisition of a richer bacterial diversity compared to other aphid species. Using 16S rRNA amplicon Illumina sequencing on specimens collected on wheat roots in Morocco, we identified 10 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) corresponding to five bacterial genera. In addition to the obligate symbiont Buchnera, we identified the facultative symbionts Serratia symbiotica and Wolbachia in certain aphid colonies. The detection of Wolbachia is unexpected as it is considered rare in aphids. Moreover, its biological significance remains unknown in these insects. Besides, we also detected Arsenophonus and Dactylopiibacterium carminicum. These results suggest that, despite its subterranean lifestyle, A. corni shelter a bacterial diversity mainly limited to bacterial endosymbionts.
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18
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McCutcheon JP. The Genomics and Cell Biology of Host-Beneficial Intracellular Infections. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2021; 37:115-142. [PMID: 34242059 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-120219-024122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Microbes gain access to eukaryotic cells as food for bacteria-grazing protists, for host protection by microbe-killing immune cells, or for microbial benefit when pathogens enter host cells to replicate. But microbes can also gain access to a host cell and become an important-often required-beneficial partner. The oldest beneficial microbial infections are the ancient eukaryotic organelles now called the mitochondrion and plastid. But numerous other host-beneficial intracellular infections occur throughout eukaryotes. Here I review the genomics and cell biology of these interactions with a focus on intracellular bacteria. The genomes of host-beneficial intracellular bacteria have features that span a previously unfilled gap between pathogens and organelles. Host cell adaptations to allow the intracellular persistence of beneficial bacteria are found along with evidence for the microbial manipulation of host cells, but the cellular mechanisms of beneficial bacterial infections are not well understood. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P McCutcheon
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA;
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19
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Renoz F, Foray V, Ambroise J, Baa-Puyoulet P, Bearzatto B, Mendez GL, Grigorescu AS, Mahillon J, Mardulyn P, Gala JL, Calevro F, Hance T. At the Gate of Mutualism: Identification of Genomic Traits Predisposing to Insect-Bacterial Symbiosis in Pathogenic Strains of the Aphid Symbiont Serratia symbiotica. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:660007. [PMID: 34268133 PMCID: PMC8275996 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.660007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutualistic associations between insects and heritable bacterial symbionts are ubiquitous in nature. The aphid symbiont Serratia symbiotica is a valuable candidate for studying the evolution of bacterial symbiosis in insects because it includes a wide diversity of strains that reflect the diverse relationships in which bacteria can be engaged with insects, from pathogenic interactions to obligate intracellular mutualism. The recent discovery of culturable strains, which are hypothesized to resemble the ancestors of intracellular strains, provide an opportunity to study the mechanisms underlying bacterial symbiosis in its early stages. In this study, we analyzed the genomes of three of these culturable strains that are pathogenic to aphid hosts, and performed comparative genomic analyses including mutualistic host-dependent strains. All three genomes are larger than those of the host-restricted S. symbiotica strains described so far, and show significant enrichment in pseudogenes and mobile elements, suggesting that these three pathogenic strains are in the early stages of the adaptation to their host. Compared to their intracellular mutualistic relatives, the three strains harbor a greater diversity of genes coding for virulence factors and metabolic pathways, suggesting that they are likely adapted to infect new hosts and are a potential source of metabolic innovation for insects. The presence in their genomes of secondary metabolism gene clusters associated with the production of antimicrobial compounds and phytotoxins supports the hypothesis that S. symbiotia symbionts evolved from plant-associated strains and that plants may serve as intermediate hosts. Mutualistic associations between insects and bacteria are the result of independent transitions to endosymbiosis initiated by the acquisition of environmental progenitors. In this context, the genomes of free-living S. symbiotica strains provide a rare opportunity to study the inventory of genes held by bacterial associates of insects that are at the gateway to a host-dependent lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Renoz
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Vincent Foray
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’insecte, UMR 7261, CNRS, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Jérôme Ambroise
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium
| | | | - Bertrand Bearzatto
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium
| | - Gipsi Lima Mendez
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | | | - Jacques Mahillon
- Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Patrick Mardulyn
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Gala
- Center for Applied Molecular Technologies, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium
| | - Federica Calevro
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, INRAE, BF2i, UMR203, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Thierry Hance
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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20
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Abstract
Insects have evolved various mechanisms to reliably transmit their beneficial bacterial symbionts to the next generation. Sap-sucking insects, including aphids, transmit symbionts by endocytosis of the symbiont into cells of the early embryo within the mother’s body. Many insects possess beneficial bacterial symbionts that occupy specialized host cells and are maternally transmitted. As a consequence of their host-restricted lifestyle, these symbionts often possess reduced genomes and cannot be cultured outside hosts, limiting their study. The bacterial species Serratia symbiotica was originally characterized as noncultured strains that live as mutualistic symbionts of aphids and are vertically transmitted through transovarial endocytosis within the mother’s body. More recently, culturable strains of S. symbiotica were discovered that retain a larger set of ancestral Serratia genes, are gut pathogens in aphid hosts, and are principally transmitted via a fecal-oral route. We find that these culturable strains, when injected into pea aphids, replicate in the hemolymph and are pathogenic. Unexpectedly, they are also capable of maternal transmission via transovarial endocytosis: using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged strains, we observe that pathogenic S. symbiotica strains, but not Escherichia coli, are endocytosed into early embryos. Furthermore, pathogenic S. symbiotica strains are compartmentalized into specialized aphid cells in a fashion similar to that of mutualistic S. symbiotica strains during later stages of embryonic development. However, infected embryos do not appear to develop properly, and offspring infected by a transovarial route are not observed. Thus, cultured pathogenic strains of S. symbiotica have the latent capacity to transition to lifestyles as mutualistic symbionts of aphid hosts, but persistent vertical transmission is blocked by their pathogenicity. To transition into stably inherited symbionts, culturable S. symbiotica strains may need to adapt to regulate their titer, limit their pathogenicity, and/or provide benefits to aphids that outweigh their cost.
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21
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Elston KM, Perreau J, Maeda GP, Moran NA, Barrick JE. Engineering a Culturable Serratia symbiotica Strain for Aphid Paratransgenesis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:AEM.02245-20. [PMID: 33277267 PMCID: PMC7851701 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02245-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aphids are global agricultural pests and important models for bacterial symbiosis. To date, none of the native symbionts of aphids have been genetically manipulated, which limits our understanding of how they interact with their hosts. Serratia symbiotica CWBI-2.3T is a culturable, gut-associated bacterium isolated from the black bean aphid. Closely related Serratia symbiotica strains are facultative aphid endosymbionts that are vertically transmitted from mother to offspring during embryogenesis. We demonstrate that CWBI-2.3T can be genetically engineered using a variety of techniques, plasmids, and gene expression parts. Then, we use fluorescent protein expression to track the dynamics with which CWBI-2.3T colonizes the guts of multiple aphid species, and we measure how this bacterium affects aphid fitness. Finally, we show that we can induce heterologous gene expression from engineered CWBI-2.3T in living aphids. These results inform the development of CWBI-2.3T for aphid paratransgenesis, which could be used to study aphid biology and enable future agricultural technologies.IMPORTANCE Insects have remarkably diverse and integral roles in global ecosystems. Many harbor symbiotic bacteria, but very few of these bacteria have been genetically engineered. Aphids are major agricultural pests and an important model system for the study of symbiosis. This work describes methods for engineering a culturable aphid symbiont, Serratia symbiotica CWBI-2.3T These approaches and genetic tools could be used in the future to implement new paradigms for the biological study and control of aphids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Elston
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA 78712, USA
| | - Julie Perreau
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA 78712, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA 78712, USA
| | - Gerald P Maeda
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA 78712, USA
| | - Nancy A Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA 78712, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Barrick
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA 78712, USA
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22
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Li F, Hua H, Han Y, Hou M. Plant-Mediated Horizontal Transmission of Asaia Between White-Backed Planthoppers, Sogatella furcifera. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:593485. [PMID: 33329476 PMCID: PMC7734105 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.593485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Asaia is a bacterial symbiont of sugar-feeding insects that has been shown to be vertically transmitted by maternal transmission and paternal transmission mechanism, and to be horizontally transmitted via co-feeding artificial diet and venereal routes. Here, the first case of plant-mediated horizontal transmission of Asaia between white-backed planthoppers (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera, was reported. In Asaia-infected WBPH, Asaia was detected mostly in salivary glands and to a less extent in stylets. The rice leaf sheaths fed by Asaia-infected WBPH for 12 h were all positive with Asaia, where Asaia persisted for at least 30 d but was localized in the feeding sites only. When confined to Asaia-infected leaf sheaths for 7 d at the sites pre-infested by the Asaia-infected WBPH, all Asaia-free WBPH became infected with Asaia and the acquired Asaia could be vertically transmitted to their offspring. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed an identical Asaia strain in the Asaia-infected donor WBPH, the Asaia-infected leaf sheaths, and the newly infected recipient WBPH. Our findings provide direct evidence for the first time that rice plant can mediate horizontal transmission of Asaia between WBPH, which may contribute to the spread of Asaia in the field WBPH populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Biopesticide Engineering Research Center, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongxia Hua
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongqiang Han
- College of Life Science and Environmental Resources, Yichun University, Yichun, China
| | - Maolin Hou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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23
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Draft Genome Sequences of Two Cultivable Strains of the Bacterial Symbiont Serratia symbiotica. Microbiol Resour Announc 2020; 9:9/10/e01579-19. [PMID: 32139562 PMCID: PMC7171224 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01579-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Serratia symbiotica, one of the most frequent symbiont species in aphids, includes strains that exhibit various lifestyles ranging from free-living to obligate intracellular mutualism. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of two strains, namely, 24.1 and Apa8A1, isolated from aphids of the genus Aphis, consisting of genome sizes of 3,089,091 bp and 3,232,107 bp, respectively. These genome sequences may provide new insights into how mutualistic interactions between bacteria and insects evolve and are shaped. Serratia symbiotica, one of the most frequent symbiont species in aphids, includes strains that exhibit various lifestyles ranging from free-living to obligate intracellular mutualism. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of two strains, namely, 24.1 and Apa8A1, isolated from aphids of the genus Aphis, consisting of genome sizes of 3,089,091 bp and 3,232,107 bp, respectively. These genome sequences may provide new insights into how mutualistic interactions between bacteria and insects evolve and are shaped.
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24
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Fitness costs of the cultivable symbiont Serratia symbiotica and its phenotypic consequences to aphids in presence of environmental stressors. Evol Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-019-10012-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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25
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Skaljac M, Vogel H, Wielsch N, Mihajlovic S, Vilcinskas A. Transmission of a Protease-Secreting Bacterial Symbiont Among Pea Aphids via Host Plants. Front Physiol 2019; 10:438. [PMID: 31057424 PMCID: PMC6479166 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Aphids are economically important pest insects that damage plants by phloem feeding and the transmission of plant viruses. Their ability to feed exclusively on nutritionally poor phloem sap is dependent on the obligatory symbiotic bacterium Buchnera aphidicola, but additional facultative symbionts may also be present, a common example of which is Serratia symbiotica. Many Serratia species secrete extracellular enzymes, so we hypothesised that S. symbiotica may produce proteases that help aphids to feed on plants. Molecular analysis, including fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), revealed that S. symbiotica colonises the gut, salivary glands and mouthparts (including the stylet) of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, providing a mechanism to transfer the symbiont into host plants. S. symbiotica was also detected in plant tissues wounded by the penetrating stylet and was transferred to naïve aphids feeding on plants containing this symbiont. The maintenance of S. symbiotica by repeated transmission via plants may explain the high frequency of this symbiont in aphid populations. Proteomic analysis of the supernatant from a related but cultivable S. symbiotica strain cultured in liquid medium revealed the presence of known and novel proteases including metalloproteases. The corresponding transcripts encoding these S. symbiotica enzymes were detected in A. pisum and in plants carrying the symbiont, although the mRNA was much more abundant in the aphids. Our data suggest that enzymes from S. symbiotica may facilitate the digestion of plant proteins, thereby helping to suppress plant defense, and that the symbionts are important mediators of aphid–plant interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Skaljac
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Entomology Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Natalie Wielsch
- Entomology Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Sanja Mihajlovic
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany.,Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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26
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Pons I, Renoz F, Noël C, Hance T. Circulation of the Cultivable Symbiont Serratia symbiotica in Aphids Is Mediated by Plants. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:764. [PMID: 31037067 PMCID: PMC6476230 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Symbiosis is a common phenomenon in nature that substantially affects organismal ecology and evolution. Fundamental questions regarding how mutualistic associations arise and evolve in nature remain, however, poorly studied. The aphid-Serratia symbiotica bacterium interaction represents a valuable model to study mechanisms shaping these symbiotic interspecific interactions. S. symbiotica strains capable of living independently of aphid hosts have recently been isolated. These strains probably resulted from horizontal transfers and could be an evolutionary link to an intra-organismal symbiosis. In this context, we used the tripartite interaction between the aphid Aphis fabae, a cultivable S. symbiotica bacterium, and the host plant Vicia faba to evaluate the bacterium ability to circulate in this system, exploring its environmental acquisition by aphids and horizontal transmission between aphids via the host plant. Using molecular analyses and fluorescence techniques, we showed that the cultivable S. symbiotica can enter the plants and induce new bacterial infections in aphids feeding on these new infected plants. Remarkably, we also found that the bacterium can have positive effects on the host plant, mainly at the root level. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that cultivable S. symbiotica can be horizontally transferred from infected to uninfected aphids sharing the same plant, providing first direct evidence that plants can mediate horizontal transmission of certain strains of this symbiont species. These findings highlight the importance of considering symbiotic associations in complex systems where microorganisms can circulate between different compartments. Our study can thus have major implications for understanding the multifaceted interactions between microbes, insects and plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès Pons
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - François Renoz
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Christine Noël
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Thierry Hance
- Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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